Israel wants Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria to be more conscious of its vital security interests and what it defines as its "red lines," and has recently been trying to convey the message more explicitly to the Syrian regime via Russia.













Israeli decision-makers from both the military and the political echelons know very well that Syria will soon be reshaped by a new era fast approaching. However, they're also clear on the fact that Syria is not likely to return to being the state it was six years ago when the civil war broke out.









And while the situation in Syria continues to remain as volatile as it has so far been, Israel fears that if and when Assad consolidates his grip on parts of Syria, it could potentially lead to the deployment of Iranian, Hezbollah or other Shi'ite militiamen along the Israeli border in the Golan Heights.





Nowadays, this possibility is the most serious concern preoccupying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisnekot when it comes to Syria.

So much so that they are even more concerned about this than they are about the transfer of long-range and precise missiles from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon via Syria, which has occasionally triggered Israeli air strikes on Syria , according to foreign reports.





This concern has led Israel to try and advance its Syrian agenda and influence the various processes facilitated by the international community to reach a post-war deal or agreement to regulate the situation in Syria.

The main actors participating in the efforts to reach such an agreement are Russia, the US, Turkey and even Arab nations such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Israel is currently trying to reach out to each of them to discuss its concerns and red lines.





It's worth noting in this context that according to the Disengagement Agreement reached after the Yom Kippur war in 1974, Syria's army has the right to erect posts alongside the border. However, most of its positions were taken over by rebel forces during the war and now most of the border is controlled by al-Qaida, ISIS and moderate rebels. Only in the north near Mount Hermon can remnants of Assad's army still be seen.





Knowing that the keys are in Moscow explains why Netanyahu has met with Russian president Vladimir Putting five times in the last a year and half and talked to him over the phone at least two dozen times.





































Former British commander with Friends of Israel Initiative says UK should consider preventing return of citizens who joined Islamic State.









Countries that maintain relations with Iran and Lebanon need to focus on the threat of Tehran-directed Hezbollah attacking Israel, rather than wait for war to come and then point fingers, Col. (ret.) Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, says.









The purpose really [of my visit to Israel last year was] to determine what the current threat is and see how Israel can counter that threat, he says. We want to highlight to the international community that unless something is done to prevent Hezbollah under direction of Iran from attacking Israel  and Israel will respond, and there will be civilian casualties and Israel will be condemned by the international community  [this could happen, and we need] to give notice to the international community that this could happen, and that when it does happen the casualties are not Israels fault but Hezbollahs.









Now back in England, he wants to emphasize how important it is that the world keep an eye on Hezbollahs threats and Islamist terrorism.





Pressure should be put on Lebanon to end Hezbollahs arms buildup.





No one seems to be even paying attention to the 100,000 missiles pointing at Israels civilian population. He also argues that the international community should pressure Tehran, which supports Hezbollah, and points to the Iran nuclear deal that has resulted in billions of dollars being released to the Islamic Republic that empowers it and Hezbollah.









Kemp thinks the decision to leave the EU will make the UK more secure. This is especially true in light of the recent London terrorist attack, the first since 2013 and the most serious since the July 2005 bombings.





The current estimate is that there are 3,000 active jihadists considered to be a threat by MI5 [Britains domestic counter-intelligence and security agency]; that same threat extends across the whole of Europe in France, Belgium and elsewhere, and the thing is complicated, one of the reasons the threat is there is because Islamic State has been allowed to continue to exist  its existence and defiance have inspired terrorists to act, says the colonel.





The threat of lone-wolf terrorism, such as that carried out by London attacker Khalid Masood outside Parliament on March 22, will be minimized once the UK reestablishes its borders with the EU. Currently we cant control jihadists coming in from other EU countries; we have border controls, but if we know someone is an active jihadist then we cant stop him coming here, so it gives our security services a problem monitoring those who travel.

































In July 2006 mortars and rockets were fired from Lebanon at Israels cities and infrastructure. At the same time, Lebanese militants crossed the border and attacked Israeli soldiers  killing three and abducting the bodies of two others to the Lebanese town of Ayta a-Shab. More Israelis were killed as they chased the attackers into Lebanese territory. Despite this, Israel did not retaliate against Lebanon.









Following a request by the US, Israel distinguished between Sovereign Lebanon and Hezbollah. As a result, I  and thousands of other Israeli soldiers  found myself trying to stop an Iranian paramilitary organization using only tweezers. After weeks behind enemy lines, I can tell you: it is impossible to fight like that.













Lebanese President Michel Aouns recent comments on Egyptian television make it clear he sees no distinction between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. Hezbollahs weapons are essential, in that they complement the actions of the army and do not contradict them, he said, and noted: They are a major part of Lebanons defense.









Now that Lebanon has made it clear it is Hezbollah and Hezbollah is Lebanon, it is time for Israel and the world to let the Lebanese public know: if a rocket or mortar is fired from Lebanon at Israel it will be considered an act of war conducted by the Lebanese government; if Lebanon allows and enables terrorists to stage attacks from its sovereign territory, Israel will hold it accountable.









Unlike last time, if we defend ourselves against a future Lebanese attack we will not use tweezers to search for a needle in a haystack: we will neutralize the haystack.





In the decade since 2006 Iran strengthened Hezbollah as its well-trained and well-equipped proxy. Its arsenal now contains more than one-hundred-thousand rockets, and many of its members have gained combat experience fighting for Syrias Bashar al-Assad in the civil war. Moreover, even as it lost hundreds of fighters helping Assad butcher other Syrians, Hezbollah readied itself for a potential war with Israel, stocking itself with advanced weaponry and fortifying its positions and command centers throughout Lebanon.









But Hezbollah is not only an Iranian-trained army stationed in Lebanon. It is part and parcel of the Lebanese government, boasting 12 seats in Parliament and two ministers in Cabinet. In fact, Aoun made it clear he no longer views the group as an alternative but as part of his government and strategy: It is no longer an urgent matter to discuss the need to strip Hezbollah of its weapons, he said in Cairo, hinting that Hezbollah is part of his armys strategic planning.





This leads to a simple conclusion: if Hezbollah attacks Israel, it is tantamount to a Lebanese declaration of war against Israel.





If we are forced to fight  and to be clear, we have no desire to go to war  we will view all Lebanese governmental institutions as potential targets: any place used as a launch site for rockets at Israel a military post; any village hosting munition storages or command centers a military base; any Lebanese building or infrastructure used to attack Israel would become a valid military target for us to strike.





The results would be tragic for the Lebanese people. However, the Lebanese people are the only ones who can make sure this scenario never becomes reality. By removing Hezbollahs rocket launchers from their backyards, hundreds of Lebanese families can save their homes. By stopping Hezbollah from using their schools as command centers, principles can protect their pupils. So long as Hezbollah is a welcome guest, the hosts are responsible for its actions. Hezbollahs power stems from its being embedded in Lebanon, and from Lebanon not being held accountable for Hezbollahs acts of terror. Aoun made it clear this separation was artificial and irrelevant. As a result, Israel must let the world, and especially the Lebanese people, know Hezbollah is Lebanon.




































































































































Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Pamela Anderson Julian Assange Love Letter

Trending News: Pam Anderson Wrote A Love Letter To Julian Assange And Its Strange

Long Story Short

Pamela Anderson thinks Julian Assange is "very sexy"  make of that what you will.

Long Story

Pamela Anderson is known for a lot of things. Shes an O.G. Playboy babe. Shes a passionate activist. Shes a great mom to two boys. But what we never thought she'd be known for is her (surprising) relationship with Julian Assange and the strange poem-like journal entry it has inspired her to write and share with the world.

Anderson and the WikiLeaks editor-in-chief have been spending a LOT of time together at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where Assange is currently in exile. So much time, in fact, that Anderson couldn't resist taking to her personal blog and, under the section titled Journaling, going full teenage girl on us with an entry about her mysterious, eyebrow-raising relationship with the 45-year-old Australian computer programmer and journalist whom she calls very sexy."

Penned in a truncated style that's oddly poetic, Anderson wrote:

My relationship

with Julian -

It's no secret,

He is one of my favorite people-

and

He might be the most famous, most politicized refugee

of our time.

Famous for being persecuted.

Famous for being persecuted is not a position of power but a position of vulnerability.

I am concerned.

Sweden must feels a tremendous responsibility to America -

to give him up?

Which is a shame.

Julian is a human being who is extremely empathetic and cares deeply about the world.

And -

because of his work .

He has made some powerful enemies in a few countries- America especially

by exposing them.

Julian is trying to

Free the world by educating it.

It is a romantic struggle

I love him for this-



#historic #heroic #important #wikileaks A post shared by The Pamela Anderson Foundation (@pamelaanderson) on Feb 12, 2017 at 1:11am PST

The 49-year-old goes on to say she hopes that he is set free and compensated." What would the future hold for them if that were to happen? Perhaps actual dating would be next. Asked about the physical aspects of their relationship by the Swedish media earlier this week, Anderson laughed awkwardly and said: Well, hes imprisoned  that would be a little difficult. Lets see what happens when hes free.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Should Julian Assange be set free?

Disrupt Your Feed

Gentlemen, it's time to start taking style and grooming tips from Julian Assange.

Drop This Fact

Julian Assange's fate currently depends on the results of the upcoming Ecuadorian election.
At 90 years old, Corman hasnt slowed down. His latest, Death Race 2050 (released on Blu-ray January 17), is a sequel to the 1975 cult classic he produced, Death Race 2000, which starred David Carradine and a then-unknown Sylvester Stallone. Like the original, 2050 is a political satire thats also an action race-car movie in a dystopian future where the winner is the driver who runs over the most people.

We asked Corman to give four tips to filmmakers on how to succeed in the movie business. Heres what he told us:

1. Make a sly statement in your movie.

Death Race 2050 above all is an action car-racing futuristic picture with some black humor connected with it, Corman said. That's what I hope the audience will come to see it. But there are some thoughts behind it. I always try when possible to put some theme of my own into the picture. Always in the subtext. The audience will come to see a car-racing black-humor action film, but there's some social commentary, which is something science fiction is very good at doing. For instance, the United States of America is now the United Corporations of America. The president is now the chairman. Make statements at how society is going.

2. Understand making movies is a business.

Somebody who is working on a basis of pure art is forgetting the fact that it costs a lot of money to make a motion picture, he said. You must be aware of what is going on in the world and what is going on in the business of motion pictures. You must recognize certain genres, certain pictures that have records of winning and losing, and you must think about that in your planning right from the beginning. Yet at the same time you must be aware that just repeating what has been successful in the past doesn't work. Even from a business standpoint you must have something original, you must include the creativity. It's good business to include creativity into your business planning.

3. Dont be complacent.

Death Race started out as a futuristic car-racing picture in which drivers knocked each other off the road, Corman said. Car-racing pictures have always done well yet at the same time I feel I must bring something original, I can't make the same car-racing picture over and over. Cars knocking each other off the road brought an element of originality, but then I thought it needed something even more outrageous and that brought in the killing of the pedestrians. Nobody had ever made a car-racing picture where the drivers got points for killing pedestrians, so it followed some of my thinking in that I was working in a genre of car-racing pictures but I was bringing something new to a successful genre.

4. Its okay to use your own money.
"A lot of these things, though Chris, are coming through third parties. We haven't heard from Comey," Priebus said when asked about the reports, referring to the FBI's director, James Comey.

"This is CIA Director Brennan," Wallace replied. "You think he's lying about what Jim Comey thinks?"

Priebus said he did not believe that Brennan was lying but added that Trump would accept that Russia interfered in the US election if intelligence leaders, including Comey and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, publicly came out and said so.

"It'd sure be nice to hear from everybody," Priebus said. "If there really is this conclusive opinion among all of these intelligence agencies, then they should issue a report and stand in front of a camera and make the case."

He added: "I think he would accept the conclusion if these intelligence professionals would get together, put out a report, and show the American people that they're actually on the same page as opposed to third parties through The Washington Post."

Trump has so far refused to publicly accept intelligence agencies' assessments, which have been relayed through reports in various outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. Trump has called the reports "ridiculous" and insisted that the hacker "could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace."

The Republican National Committee chair also dismissed the idea that the Democrats' hacked and leaked emails were enough to sway the election in Trump's favor.

"There's no evidence that shows that the outcome of the election was changed because a couple dozen John Podesta emails were out there," Priebus said, referring to the steady drip of hacked emails that were released from the Hillary Clinton campaign chair's personal account in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
The information outlines the sizable wealth of many members of the Trump administration which closes in on a cumulative $12 billion, according to a December Bloomberg report.

Officials including White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, and advisers Jared Kushner and Reince Priebus listed assets they held at the time they began working for the government, a little more than two months ago. Since then, staffers may have divested from some of those assets, resigned from prior jobs, or recused themselves from holdings that may potentially create conflicts of interest.

Here's a look at what the Trump administration's financial disclosures show, based on data gathered at the time they entered public service.

Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon, the White House chief strategist and perhaps its most controversial figure, appeared to be among the wealthiest in the Trump administration.

According to The New York Times, Bannon's biggest asset is a private consulting business that received income from multiple investments valued between $5 million and $25 million.

Bannon's disclosures also list:

Bank accounts valued up to $2.25 million

Rental properties valued at $10.5 million

$191,000 in consulting fees he earned from the Breitbart News Network

Source:

Reince Priebus

Priebus' disclosures also listed:

Assets between $604,000 and $1.16 million.

Two bank accounts worth between $300,000 and $600,000.

RNC payment for his rent in Washington amounting to a little over $57,000.

Source: , ,

Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner, Trump's i, lists two main sources of income in his financial disclosure.

According to the documents, Kushner held:

Nearly $6 million in employment assets and income and retirement accounts

A long list of nationwide commercial real estate holdings, including in Chicago, New York, and New Jersey.

13 US bank accounts, the most valuable of which totaling between $1 million and $5 million.

Source:

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump, the president's eldest daughter and newly appointed assistant, placed her fashion-licensing brand into the Ivanka M. Trump Business Trust, which is valued at more than $50 million.

Given her new position at the White House, Ivanka's report wasn't available because high-ranking officials had up to 30 days after taking office to file their financial disclosures.

Her information, gleaned from husband Jared Kushner's report, included earnings between $1 million and $5 million from her ownership stake in Trump International Hotel, located in Washington  which is estimated to be worth between $5 million and $25 million.

Source: ,

Sean Spicer

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer generated the lion's share of his income during his time as the chief

Rental income from four Northern Virginia properties, ranging between $50,000 and $165,000, with a combined value of at least $1.1 million.

Fa

Source:

Donald McGahn

Donald McGahn is a top Trump administration lawyer. He listed multiple employment and retirement assets, a handful of which were valued at between $100,000 and $250,000 each.

Additionally, McGahn listed:

More than $2.4 million in partner compensation from the Jones Day law firm.

Cash accounts totaling between $1 million and $5 million.

Source:

Gary Cohn

Gary Cohn, the National Economic Council's chairman and former president of Goldman Sachs Group, was estimated to have earned $1.8 million as Goldman Sachs' CEO.

Though that figure may already dwarf the amounts made from other staffers, he also disclosed:

$11.2 million in cash bonuses

$23.2 million from selling restricted stock

$1.7 million from exercised stock options

An attorney for the White House said on Friday that though Cohn had relinquished all of his positions, he was still in the process of divesting some assets  which include hundreds of brokerage accounts, hedge funds, and partnerships.

Source:

Kellyanne Conway

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, reportedly has a multimillion-dollar portfolio.

She also earned more than $800,000 in business income prior to joining Trump's campaign.

Her disclosures also included:

Between $6.5 million and $31 million in cash and money market accounts.

Retirement accounts worth more than $2 million.
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The remaining $1.8 million will be invested in the health sector and in poverty reduction.

READ MORE: Ghana and Singapore promise to strengthen ties

The agreement was signed on behalf of Ghana by the Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

Mrs Botchwey hailed Japan's financial and material support to Ghana.

She said: The government and the people of Ghana sincerely appreciate the considerable financial and material support extended by Japan to Ghana over the years in our quest for economic growth and development.

"In addition to the Eastern corridor bridge project, Japan has extended grant aid and concessionary Yen loans amounting to millions of funds to support the government of Ghana in areas such as food security for underprivileged farmers.

"Fisheries promotion in Sekondi, promotion of CHPSS compounds and poverty reduction project."

She added: Tonight, we have witnessed the signing of grant aid for two very important projects.

"Mainly the project for the improvement of Ghanaian international corridors which forms part of the West Africa growth wing project, and the programme for poverty reduction strategy, health sector worth 6 billion, 259 million Japanese Yen and 200 million Japanese Yen respectively.
We want to see the whole West Africa region become a domestic market, where there is active movement of people. Everywhere, air transport has become very cheap and it can be so in Africa if we have the right structure, he said.

Dr. Aliu made this known on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, when he paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the Presidency, on the sidelines of the 2nd International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) meeting on Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Africa, being held in Accra.

The ICAO President lauded President Akufo-Addo for the leadership skills he is providing for the aviation sector, and commended Ghana for the significant role it continues to play as a member of the ICAO.

He explained to the President that the ICAO has established a No Country Left Behind initiative to reward countries like Ghana, who have shown commitment towards political stability.

We have established the No Country Left Behind initiative primarily to assist developing states, particularly those that demonstrate political commitment to enhance civil aviation development. Ghana has demonstrated that political commitment, and that is why we continue to work with Ghana, in terms of capacity building, training in the area of safety, security, and infrastructure development, in order to assist you (Ghana) become the regional leader that you are and that you should continue to be, he said.With the aviation industry expected to grow and double in size in the next 15 years, the President of ICAO is of the firm conviction that Ghana stands a greater chance of benefiting heavily from the massive investments it has made in the aviation sector.

Dr. Aliu congratulated President Nana Akufo-Addo for appointing Mrs Cecilia Dapaah as Minister of Aviation, and described her as a very indefatigable goal-getter, who is doing a great job for Ghana.

On his part, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to ICAO for choosing Ghana as the host country for their conference.

The President noted that on both the regional and continental scale, one of the biggest obstacles we have, to boosting our own intra or internal trade, is the absence of a good connection and a good infrastructure that connects our various countries. So it is a clear, obvious advantage we would gain if the African airspace was fully connected.

He stressed the important role of the aviation industry to the development of countries, evidenced in the making of Dubai.

All of us have seen what Dubai has done. Essentially, the story of the country is that of an airport and an aviation connection, out of which has sprung a whole lot of things. It has now made Dubai one of the dominant economic sectors of the world, he said.

Ghana, the President noted, would be building similar infrastructure to match up with countries that have done better in the aviation industry.
The commitment came as Singapores Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Koh Poh Koon met with President Nana Akufo-Addo while on a visit to the country.

On his side, President Akufo-Addo said his government was pursuing policies that would make the country an attractive investment destination.

We are taking measures in terms of taxation, monitoring and policy, along all these lines with the goal of attracting investment in Ghana.

He also spoke about the administration many Ghanaians have for Singapore and the transformation it has made from a small poor country to one of the worlds richest.

Singapore is a country that has won the administration of the world for their achievements, which you have been able to undertake in this last 50 to 60 years and, especially, in this country, there is a great admiration for what you have done.
Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) made the announcement when senior managers of the bank paid a courtesy call on the president in Accra.

According to John Awuah, the chief executive officer of UMB, supporting enterprises was something the bank has done over the years and as such the package was a continuation of that tradition.

It is one thing we have done before and we believe we have the capacity to assist going forward and with that background, we fully embraced the grandiose, innovative and aspirational vision of one district, one factory, which we share very deeply in because we believe that each district in the country has some distinctive competency around the setup of the district that can be harnessed into an industrial hub and that is where we believe with the government in place, we need a financial muscle in between to partner the project and get it going.

It is not something we are planning to do; we have already set up the centre. We are going through the mechanism and other mechanical frameworks, documentations and how applications that come to us would be risk accessed and how we will partner the requisite ministry to deliver.
The protesting students vandalised school properties including two buses.

Angry parents also stormed the school to take their wards back home as students protest against school authorities over the development.

Police were deployed overnight to ensure calm and also protect lives and properties.

The school authorities say only the form three students will stay behind because they will be writing their WASSCE exams on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Headmaster (Academics) of the school, Ernest Wiafe, denied reports that the students died as a result of food poisoning.

"We do not know the cause of death. However, they did not die in the school here. These are students who fell sick, reported at the sick bay, they were given first aid, the nurses sought the permission of their respective house heads, they went home, they were taken to hospital but unfortunately passed on at those health facilities, he told the media.

READ MORE: Police deny food poisoning claim in Kumasi Academy mysterious deaths saga

He also noted that the Municipal Health Directorate has taken over to investigate the cause of the deaths and make it public.
His assets have been frozen by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on Newsfile Saturday, Okudzeto said he can point to a witch hunt after the newly sworn-in chairman of COCOBOD, Hackman Owusu Agyemang, disclosed the salary Opuni was taking as CEO of COCOBOD.

"I think I can now begin to point to some witch-hunt," he said.

He said Opuni is being hounded by state security apparatus, adding that he has not been told of his crimes or charges and yet "every day, he s facing one probe or the other. If he is not at the CID, he is at BNI, he is at EOCO".

Touching on his salary, Okudzeto said it was disclosed with the view to vilifying the former COCOBOD CEO.

"Did he fix his own salary? and what was his predecessor receiving? What has been the standard practice" he said.

EOCO, under its new Executive Director, ACP KK Amoah, recently sent invitations to some businessmen who won some contracts from COCOBOD.

One of the businessmen called by EOCO is Seidu Agongo, who was invited in connection with an ongoing investigation into shady COCOBOD contracts.
According to the tweet by one Temitope Adebiyi, the lady dumped her Nigerian-American boyfriend as soon as she got into the country, after he had filed for her to join him in the states.
He made this known following a visit to the site in Kumasi where he is currently on a three-day tour.

In a Facebook post, the president said I am very distressed at what I have seen here today. It is not to the credit of our nation that an important hospital project should stand for 44 years uncompleted. We have to do something about it, and I intend to do so.

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is a major referral centre for cases within the Ashanti Region and beyond.

Analysis

The current maternity section of the hospital is infamous for overcrowding and the hospital lacks mechanisms to cope adequately with the numbers. According to hospital authorities, when completed, the block would greatly reduce the number of maternal and infant deaths recorded at the hospital each year.
Mr. Aboagye-Gyedu gave the assurance when he appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament in Accra.

The nominee, who is an Accountant, is among the last batch of four ministers of state and 50 deputy ministers to be vetted by the Appointment Committee.

Mr. Aboagye-Gyedu also assured the Appointments Committee of the ministrys commitment to improve its Human Resource Department to streamline the recruitment of new health workers.

He said nursing students who found themselves in unaccredited institutions and, as a result, could not be accepted would have to be helped by the ministry to improve on their skills to become employable.
READ MORE: Court warns Bishop Obinim

Obinims lawyer, Mr. Ralph Poku-Adusei said it was the complainant who shouted on top of her voice against the accused during the exchanges.

According to him, the act by the complainant was disgraceful and as a lawyer he would take action against her.

But the complainant narrated that, at the last sitting, whilst leaving the court premises, Obinim threatened that; I will deal with you spiritually, nkwaseasem, nkwaseasm, (literally meaning foolishness).

The complainant said: I am a professional and I dont need to take my case to the street.

The court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku urged parties to exercise restraint and not repeat the act. She suggested that, after proceedings in court, there should be five minutes intervals for departure of the complainant and Obinim and the other accused persons.

Concluding her cross examination, the complainant admitted that she has never stepped into any branch of the Gods Way International Church.

Madam Abotchie- Nyahe, who is also a Director of Legal Assistance Network, a human rights organization, denied that she was working with Amnesty International.

She explained that her organization assists Ministries and government agencies when the need arose in human rights cases.

According to her, when Obinims video came out, she had calls from the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, and other human rights organization in South Africa, Nigeria and India on the matter.

Witness admitted that, she was not present at the International Conference where Obinims case was raised.

According to her, it was a lawyer friend who informed her. Witness said once she had the information and video of the accused and his pastors assaulting the victim, she did not need to set a foot at the church before reporting the incident.

The first prosecution witness said the Domestic Violence Act also mandated her to report the case. She disagreed with defence counsel that information she had about abuse of the victims were hearsay.

Bishop Obinim has been dragged before the Court for allegedly assaulting his two adopted children  a 14-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy who lived with him in the presence of his congregation. He is said to have conducted that act with two of his pastors namely Kingsley Baah and Solomon Abraham.

The two have been charged with abetment. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been granted bail in the sum of GH10,000.00 with one surety each.

The Prosecution narrated that, the complainant, Irene Abochie-Nyahe, was a legal practitioner residing at Community 17, Lashibi.

That on August 17, last year, at about 1700 hours, the Accra Branch of the Church held a service, at which Bishop Obinim claimed he had a revelation from God that the two alleged victims were engaged in pre-marital sex and the 14-year old girl was pregnant.

The prosecution said Obinim said the children were in the process of aborting the pregnancy, therefore, the Holy Spirit had directed him (Obinim) to chastise the (teenagers) in the presence of the congregation.

According to the prosecution, in the full glare of the church, Obinim allegedly removed his belt and assaulted them.

The prosecution said in the process, his two pastors, Baah and Abraham, prevented the female victim from running away from the said punishment.

The prosecution said the victim could not bear the pain, hence she sought refuge with Mrs. Florence Obinim, but her husband asked her to stay away.

He said the assault only stopped after Obinim became content with the alleged punishment.
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.

.

..Across the Great Divide..31 March '17..Today I am in Cork, Southern Ireland. This is a story that began two years ago, with a failed attempt by a twisted academic at Southampton, to place a fake academic veneer on part of the delegitimise Israel campaign. Those that suggest this is not true are simply not listening to the organisers, the speakers or even the delegates. Activism as a central theme was ever present. There is little denying that this conference is about attempting to place additional tools in the arsenal of the anti-Israel activist. Indeed, it is clearly the primary purpose.Two failed attempts to hold a conference in Southampton, sandwiched between legal attempts to force the hand of the university, has led us all to Southern Ireland and to Cork, where finally, Oren Ben-Dor got to hold his circus of hate. This, even though the University at Cork, distanced themselves from the event.I have just sat through the first day of the three-day conference. I will put together a more complete write up of the entire event when it has finished. I am away from home and do not have access to many of my files for referencing. So today I just want to put some initial thoughts into words.The setting for today was the impressive Cork County Hall. We are informed that filming is not permitted, which makes life more difficult for someone to report accurately on an event such as this. The organisation, was professionally done. The conference is split into themes, each building part of a picture that sets out to destroy Israels standing as a legitimate state. Just as was intended two years ago, in Southampton, each subject is discussed by a panel, all of who were presenting papers on the topic.Of about 50 academics present, only one would consider himself Zionist. Almost all the others support the boycott of Israel, and most call openly for its demise. There were a few opening remarks to a room of maybe 170 people, and we were underway.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Ghana, Mr Quantson said the "fact that they are supposed to be aligned to the ruling government makes it a more irresponsible act."

His comments come after a police officer, ASP Nanka Bruce, was manhandled at the Flagstaff House by the Invincible Forces and the attack on the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator by the Delta Force.

The two vigilante groups provide security for the New Patriotic Party, various party stalwarts have admitted.

"Does it mean that the regular security forces have lost control over the situation, does it mean that the leadership of the country has lost over it own lawless people? Does it mean that any citizen or group of persons can arrogate themselves the power of enforcing the nations laws because you often hear it being said that they are protecting government property," he said.

"Since when did the constitution allow private individuals to be defenders of the nations properties when there are lawfully constituted body. "It is a worrying phenomenon," he said.

Last week, the Director of Operations at the Ghana Police service, Chief Superintendent Dr Benjamin Agordzo, warned that vigilante groups could plunge the nation into armed conflict, stressing on the need for collective responsibility to root it out.
The police had forced him to provide his password but he refused.

READ MORE: Court orders reinstatement of Tehoda

In a suit filed on June 13, 2016, Addo among other things, asked the court to declare that his rights to privacy, property, fair trial or education had been, were being or were likely to be violated by the respondents, namely the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General (AG).

The application also prayed the court to restrain the respondents from further interfering with or violating the above-mentioned rights of the applicant and for the immediate return of the said laptop and mobile phone to the applicant or deposit same with the trial court.

In his argument, Counsel for the applicant, Mr Justice Srem-Sai, said the police cannot access the content a gadget without a search warrant.

But the Attorney General argued otherwise, saying it was necessary to access the content of the device because of the crime the applicant had committed.

In his ruling Justice Anthony Yeboah held that the applicant's rights were violated, his privacy breached and that he did not get fair trial.
The percentage is slightly better with Class Three pupils with about 20 percent of them being able to read in English with minimum proficiency and capacity.

This was disclosed by Guitele Nicoleau, the Chief of Party-Ghana Learning, at an education workshop in Tamale in the Northern Region.

READ ALSO: Ghana and Singapore promise to strengthen ties

The workshop is part of a project funded by the international development agency, USAID, that would see about 23,000 teachers benefiting from a training scheme.

According Nicoleau, an additional 1,700 circuit supervisors and language experts across the countrys districts would benefit from the new teaching and learning materials.

The Ghana News Agency reports that Mrs Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam, the Acting Deputy Director of Ghana Education Service, said the project would solve the national challenges of less reading of children in the country. She urged the teachers and directors of the schools to make use of the learning materials provided to them to enhance quality education in the country.

Analysis
He said the appropriation act passed by parliament last Friday captures the funding for the programme.

"People said we could not do it, but we are implementing [the free SHS this September]," he said in Twi.

President Akufo-Addo said the Zongo Development Fund he promised during the 2016 elections has been established.

He boasted that no government has established a dedicated funding to cater for the needs of people residing in the Zongos except his.

"I want you to know that I am a man of my words. I won't come before you and promise things I cannot do. All that I said, I can do it and I will implement it one after the other," he said to thunderous applause from the crowd.

He told the cheering crowd that he has a competent team around him to deliver on his promise of job creation and a stable economy, mentioning the names of vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, Senior Minister Osafo Marfo and Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen.
The president is expected to say that the Free SHS will start in September, that the One-district-one-factory will materialise and that jobs will be created for the teaming unemployed youth.

He is also expected to ask the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party to remain calm and give him time to roll out his polices.

Organisers of the event say it was "planned long ago," rejecting claims that it is a panic visit to the region to address pressing party issues such as the Delta Force attack on the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator and the boycott of radio and TV panel discussions by the party's communications officers.

On Saturday, the president visited the Ashentehene Otumfuo II where he promised to apply the law regardless whose ox is gored.

He also met the leadership of market women and Kayayei in Kumasi, vowing to end taskforce harassment.

The president made the promise to end the rampant harassment of market women by Assembly taskforce after his attention was drawn to it by the leadership of the market women.

According to them, Assembly taskforce operatives demand extra tolls from them, even after they have paid the requisite taxes to the Assembly as stipulated by law.
"They were in government for eight years all the money they got from gold, oil, diamond, all of it, what became of it," he asked the cheering crowd.

"They couldn't pay teacher training allowance, they couldn't pay nursing training allowance, they couldn't pay school feeding programme, they couldn't pay contractors."

He said the NPP had restored the cancelled training allowance and had in addition, reduce and abolished taxes.

"Since NPP assumed office, less than one hundred days in office, first budget of Nana Akufo-Addo, teacher training allowance has been restored. Nursing training allowance has been restored. Kayayei tax has been abolished, he said.

He continued: "VAT tax on real estate has been abolished, tax on spare parts has abolished, VAT on financial services has been abolished, domestic airline VAT has been removed.

"All these show NPP has the competent team to manage the economy. And you can see the difference between competence and incompetence that we have replaced."

He told the crowd that what the Akufo-Addo administration has achieved so far is just the beginning. "When we move down the road, you see real change."

"Zongo Development Fund has been established. One-district one-factory is coming into force, the one-dam one-village is coming into force. The National ID is coming into force, the National Address Scheme is coming into force, Financial inclusion is coming into force. The economy is going to grow and grow and grow and you will have jobs and jobs. This is the record of Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP," he said to thunderous cheers from the crowd.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said this when President Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace as part of his three-day visit to the Ashanti Region.

The visit, the first since assuming power in January, came a week after vigilante groups affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party caused mayhem in the regional capital, Kumasi.

The Asantehene said I had conversations with the former presidents and they admitted they should have listened to my counsel. Rawlings and Kufuor were all here; I spoke with Professor Mills ten days before his death and he said the same thing. Shortly after his term ended, President Mahama was here and he mentioned he ignored a number of things I counselled him for which he has paid dearly for.

Since losing a second term bid, John Mahama has been involved in several low key events and lectures including a book reading at a University of Ghana of his 2012 memiors.
In the fallout from his error-riddled presentation, his so-called findings were discredited in close to every way possible: The paper was retracted. Wakefield was stripped of his medical license, found guilty of "abusing a position of trust as a medical practitioner," and found guilty of "dishonesty" in his studies.

You wouldn't have known it from looking at TicketTailor.com, however, where the tickets (which were listed as sold out as of the time of this piece's publication) were being sold. Here's how they described the film, called "Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe":

In his ongoing effort to advocate for children's health, Wakefield directs this documentary examining the evidence behind an appalling cover-up committed by the government agency charged with protecting the health of American citizens.

The website also stated that guests "will have the privilege of attending a panel discussion with several well-known experts in the field, including Andrew Wakefield."

Wakefield attended one of President Trump's inaugural balls last week, where he broadcast a video of himself calling for a "huge shakeup" of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump himself mistakenly suggested that vaccines were harmful in 2012; he met with Wakefield this summer.

Business Insider reached out to the contact information listed on TicketTailor's site as well as to members of the Facebook group but did not immediately receive a response.
The lawsuit filed by Tesla in California state court alleges that Anderson stole "hundreds of gigabytes of data" that included sensitive company information for Aurora Innovation.

The lawsuit identifies Urmson as a "business partner" of Anderson's at Aurora Innovation, and alleges that the pair collaborated on "Tesla premises" using Anderson's Tesla-issued laptop.

Googles exec departures

on Google's behalf for regulations that would allow fully self-driving cars to drive on public roads without steering wheels or pedals.

We can't be sure Urmson left Google because it was gearing up to pursue a different strategy than its steering-wheel-less pod cars. But whatever Aurora Innovation plans to release going forward may provide some insight as to why Urmson stepped down as CTO.

Google declined to comment for this article.
Supreme Court of Florida. TED HERRING Appellant(s) v. STATE OF FLORIDA Appellee(s) CASE NO.: SC15-1562 Decided: March 31, 2017

Ted Herring, a prisoner under sentence of death, appeals the circuit court's denial of a motion for postconviction relief filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.851. We have jurisdiction. See art. V,  3(b)(1), Fla. Const. This Court first affirmed Herring's conviction and death sentence in 1984. Herring v. State, 446 So. 2d 1049, 1051-53 (Fla. 1984). Following the United States Supreme Court decision Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002), Herring raised an intellectual disability claim in a postconviction motion, which the circuit court granted, reducing his sentence to life. This Court reversed the circuit court and vacated the order of a life sentence because Herring did not present an IQ score below 70 during his evidentiary hearing in the circuit court. State v. Herring, 76 So. 3d 891, 895 (Fla. 2011), cert. denied Herring v. Florida, 133 S. Ct. 28 (2012).

In the instant postconviction motion, Herring argues that this Court's decision vacating the circuit court's order of a life sentence was decided under a rule of law that has now been found unconstitutional under Hall v. Florida, 134 S. Ct. 1986 (2014). The circuit court denied Herring's postconviction motion finding that Herring failed to show that Hall should be applied retroactively to his case. During the pendency of this case, this Court subsequently determined that Hall applies retroactively as a development of fundamental significance. Walls v. State, 41 Fla. L. Weekly S466, S469 (Fla. Oct. 20, 2016).

To prevail on a claim of intellectual disability, a defendant must establish three elements: (1) significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (2) existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and (3) manifesting prior to age 18. Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.203; see also  921.137, Fla. Stat. (2015). Hall recognizes that intellectual disability is a condition, not a number, and requires that defendants with IQ scores within a standard error of measurement of 70 may be considered intellectually disabled. Hall, 134 S. Ct. at 2001. This Court has held that Hall requires courts to consider all three prongs of intellectual disability in tandem and that no single factor should be dispositive of the outcome. See Oats v. State, 181 So. 3d 457, 459 (Fla. 2015).

As we noted in Walls, all three prongs of the intellectual disability test [must] be considered in tandem and  the conjunctive and interrelated nature of the test requires no single factor be considered dispositive. 41 Fla. L. Weekly at S469 (citing Oats, 181 So. 3d at 459). The postconviction court in 2009 properly evaluated all three prongs of the intellectual disability test and determined that Herring is intellectually disabled. State v. Herring, No. 81-1957-C (Fla. 7th Jud. Cir. 2009) (Final Order Vacating Sentence of Death).

Herring has IQ scores under 75 from tests administered both before and after age 18 and he has previously established deficits in adaptive functioning and significantly subaverage intellectual functioning. Id. Because Herring has previously established each element of the test for intellectual disability, we vacate his sentence of death and reduce his sentence to life.

It is so ordered.

NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED.

I disagree with the majority's decision to vacate Herring's death sentence and impose a life sentence. For the reasons I have explained in my dissent in Walls v. State, 41 Fla. L. Weekly S466, S470 (Fla. Oct. 20, 2016) (Canady, J., dissenting), I have concluded that Hall v. Florida, 134 S. Ct. 1986 (2014), should not be given retroactive effect. But even assuming that Hall applies retroactively, I would still disagree with the decision to impose a life sentence for the reasons explained below.

By vacating Herring's death sentence and imposing a life sentence, the majority has essentially deprived the State of its right to appeal the trial court's 2009 findings that Herring met the second and third prongs of the intellectual disability standard. In its appeal of the 2009 order vacating Herring's death sentence due to intellectual disability, the State argued that the trial court erred in concluding not only that Herring had established that he met the first prong of the intellectual disability standardsignificantly subaverage general intellectual functioningbut also that the trial court erred in concluding that Herring met the second and third prongs of the standarddeficits in adaptive behavior and manifestation prior to age 18. See Initial Brief of Appellant at 36-38, State v. Herring, 76 So. 3d 891 (Fla. 2011) (No. 09-2200), 2010 WL 2806167, at *36-38 (arguing that the trial court erred in refusing to recognize that Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 3.203(b) and section 921.137(1), Florida Statutes, require that the adaptive deficits be current and that the trial court's conclusion that Herring's intellectual disability manifested before the age of 18 was not supported by any evidence). But in reversing the trial court's 2009 order, this Court addressed only the State's argument that the trial court erred in concluding that Herring met the first prong and vacated the 2009 order based solely on that error. This Court did not address the State's arguments that the trial court erred in concluding that Herring met the second or third prongs of the intellectual disability standard. See Herring, 76 So. 3d at 894-97.

Instead of simply reinstating the trial court's previously vacated 2009 order finding that Herring meets all three prongs of the intellectual disability standard, this Court should, as the State has requested, remand this case to the trial court for a new intellectual disability hearing so that the trial court can conduct the conjunctive and interrelated assessment, Hall, 134 S. Ct. at 2001, of all three prongs as required by Hall. To do so would provide the type of holistic review that this Court has stated is necessary in assessing intellectual disability claims in the wake of Hall. See, e.g., Walls, 41 Fla. L. Weekly at S469 ([I]t is clear that although Walls has had an earlier evidentiary hearing as to intellectual disability and was allowed to present evidence of all three prongs of the test, he did not receive the type of holistic review to which he is now entitled.). And it would also afford the State an opportunity for a meaningful appeal of the intellectual disability determination under the current state of the law. Accordingly, I dissent.

A True Copy

Test:

John A. Tomasino Clerk, Supreme Court

cd

Served:

CHRISTI A. LAWSON

JON M. WILSON

LESLIE T. CAMPBELL

HON. LAURA E. ROTH, CLERK

HON. TERENCE ROBERT PERKINS, CHIEF JUDGE

HON. LEAH RANSBOTTOM CASE, JUDGE

ADAM S. HAKKI

ALAN S. GOUDISS

ROSEMARY CALHOUN

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ., concur. LAWSON, J., concurs in result. CANADY, J., dissents with an opinion, in which POLSTON, J., concurs. POLSTON, J., concurs.
The eccentric star called on Nigerians to occupy the National Assembly soon adding that it is time that Nigerians took their pound of flesh for all their sufferings.

The 65-year-old took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the issue, writing:

Pickin wey say him mama no go sleep, that pickin will know no sleep, he wrote on his Instagram page.

In the post he entitled, The Scourge Of Nigerian Legislooters, the Area Fada condemned the decision of the senate to reject Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had the prerogative to retain Magu or appoint someone else noting that there are no laws forcing the President to abide by the decisions of those he referred to as legislooters.

He wrote, My people, where I wan hide my face put?

Shey una don take ear dey hear the arrant nonsense and jagbagantis wey dey shelle for National Assembly?

The drama, the blackmail, the clowning around of most of the riffraffs called senators, whose sole aim of representing us is to loot us into oblivion.

Useless people elevated by the corrupt system to a position beyond their capacity. My people, can you see that these bunch of irresponsibles are only down for how much they can acquire, and never about the wellbeing of the people they represent.

God, biko punish bad people no remain. Nonsense.

The few good ones who are trying to hold on to some goodness in them should hide their face in shame.

Our Mumu don do, no be till we die or till we all craze. Can you imagine? They are halting the screening of the Resident Electoral Commissioners until the President sacks Mr Ibrahim Magu (acting chairman of The EFCC).

Legislooters, why must you guys insist on showing ya selves, and showing us how irresponsible most of you are? My fellow frustrated Naijas have come to the conclusion that most of the decisions you guys take are not in the interest of Nigerians but your pockets.

Like it or not, Magu is not going anywhere. It is the Presidents prerogative to retain him or appoint someone else. The decision of the senate to reject him or sack him can only be advisory and not compulsory.

There is no law yet that binds the President to abide by any decision from these legislooters. It is their f_ing constitutional duty to screen the Electoral Commissioners.

Look at all manner of 419ers, scammers, riffraffs, conmen that we allowed to invade our National Assembly. What a shame. See how we endlessly waste Nigerian revenue on a bunch of certificate forgers, armed robbers and riffraffs.

My people shey una know say, each senator earns a minimum of 30million per month when for some of us, one solid meal a day has become luxury. We must occupy the National Assembly soon and the option to decide whether we need the Senate or not is our right.

The President should hurry and put this to a referendum on if we can still afford to fund such an expensive Senate when Nigerians are poor, hungry, angry and hopeless.

Most of our yeye legislooters have demonstrated that they are a devilish cult group whose sole aim is to keep enriching themselves never minding if my people are jumping off the third mainland out of hopelessness and a stolen future. God no go punish una remain.

My fellow frustrated Nigerians, time don reach to teach these legislooters say na we get the land. I know for a fact, that because of our docility, these enemies of the Nigerian state feel they can do anyhow.

I know that sooner than later, dem go see anyhow. If dem no take time na their blood we go take wash the land. The battle for the heart and soul of Nigeria has begun.

We no go gree this time, because our Mumu don reach final bus stop. We dey prepare because we dey come in all our glory.

How many of us una go fit kill because, for most of us, the fear of death is no longer a problem because this is no life. You gang-stars have proven say nationalism no concern una.

Corruption has for long empowered the criminal minority to terrorise the silent majority. The end has come.

The day is drawing near when the suffering masses of this country will seek their pound of flesh from those who have kept us poor, frustrated, hungry, angry, useless, hopeless. Pickin wey say him mama no go sleep, that pickin will know no sleep.

My people are about to metamorphose from becoming a victim to becoming The Fear. If our yeye leaders no fear us, change no go come. We are coming.

ALSO READ: Entertainer wants corruption made a treasonable crime
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, disclosed this in a statement.

He said a patient (male) who is a resident of Angwan Kura, Lokoja, reported at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, with signs and symptoms suggestive of haemorrhagic fever.

Audu said: this is to inform the general public that there has been a confirmed case of Lassa fever in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The confirmation was done after a patient (male) who is a resident of Angwan Kura, Lokoja reported at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, with signs and symptoms suggestive of haemorrhagic fever.

The State Epidemiologists immediately responded by sending the patients blood sample to the designated Laboratory at Federal Specialist Hospital Irrua, Edo State for analysis, which came back positive for Lasser fever.

The commissioner said that the patient was eventually transferred to Federal Specialist Hospital Irrua, Edo State for optimal care.

The State Rapid Response Team was summoned by the commissioner and provisions were made for source/contact tracing and prophylactic treatment for medical personnel who had contact with the patient before transfer.

All these have been concluded as all those who have had contact with the patient are currently being closely monitored.

It is important to note that it was discovered that the patient had travelled to Illorin, Kwara State where he had stayed for two weeks, he only developed symptoms of haemorrhagic fever two days after his return.

We are, therefore, uncertain whether he contracted the virus in Ilorin or here in Lokoja.

All hands are on deck to prevent further spread of the disease as jingles and other means of public enlightenment are currently ongoing.

ALSO READ:

Any suspected case of Lassa Fever or any one with useful information related to this subject matter should call this designated 08030607102.

NAN reports that the World Health Organisation ( WHO) says between August 2015 and May 17, 2016, it was notified of 273 cases of Lassa fever, including 149 deaths in Nigeria.
The governor stated this in Katsina while inspecting some projects being executed by the state government.

He said that the government was using ecological funds to execute the projects that would prevent flooding in the state during the rainy season.

Masari said that the state government had awarded contract for the construction of a standard drainage at Kofar- Kaura Area of Katsina at the cost of N160million.

The Government has awarded contracts for the construction of standard drainage in the affected Local Government Areas to prevent flood disaster in the forthcoming rainy season.

The projects in the local government areas had reached 75 per cent completion, he said.

Masari revealed that the other drainage contracts awarded include those at Yarinchi B Area (N100 million); Kayauki Village (N143 million) and Sabuwar Anguwa Area to Adeleke bridge (N94 million ).
According to Premium Times, two of the suicide bombers detonated the bombs they were carrying, when they were accosted by a vigilante team at a popular bus park known as Muna Garage.

Reports from those on the scene of the incident say nobody was hurt as a result of the first two explosions.

Also, the third bomber, who tried to attack civilians at a different location was stopped by security operatives and he blew up himself, injuring one person in the process.

Speaking to journalists on the incident, the Borno state police commands spokesman, Victor Isuku said Today, at about 0438hrs (4.38am), two male suicide bombers detonated IED strapped to their bodies by Alhaji Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area, Maiduguri killing themselves alone. A truck was partly damaged.

Also at Dusuma village in Jere LGA, a suicide bomber detonated IED strapped on him almost at the same time, killing himself, while one person was injured by the explosion.

ALSO READ: Boko Haram is facing financial challenges
According to Daily Post, Usman said the story of the kidnap is false, adding that Pulka is heavily fortified.

He said The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a news story circulating on Social Media and some mainstream media that suspected Boko Haram terrorists have allegedly attacked Pulka and abducted 22 women, attributing it to an unidentified Bulama as source.

We wish to state that the report is completely false and should be ignored. For the avoidance of doubt, Pulka and its environs is heavily fortified and there has not been any security breach in the area. Media houses are please requested to always cross check their facts before publishing or broadcasting.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted its first resolution addressing Boko Harams presence in the Lake Chad Basin.

The resolution followed a report of its mission to the region earlier this month.

ALSO READ: Female suicide bomber exposes Boko Haram plot

In unanimously adopting the resolution 2349 (2017), on Friday, the Council expressed concern about the protection of civilians affected by terrorism.

The Council strongly condemned all terrorist attacks, violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses by Boko Haram and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the region.
There has been a lingering issue surrounding the disclosure of the Presidents health status and how much he spent while he was in London.

According to the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, Buharis medical bills cannot be disclosed because it falls under national security matters.

Mohammed gave the response reportedly following Punch Newspapers, request for the presidency to release the figures, which is in-line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

According to Vanguard, the National President of FHRACC, Alaowei C. Ebikonbowei Esq. said President Mohammadu Buhari as a public figure is answerable to the people who foot his bills, The President is being funded by the taxpayers money and thus he is under obligation, both in law and under all known conventional practices, to be accountable to the people who gave him their mandates.

It is safe to demand that Buhari should declare his health status to Nigerians together with the money he has spent to treat himself in the United Kingdom. Refusal of the government to disclose the money spent on the Presidents health is the greatest disservice to Nigerians. We are baffled with gross consternation over Alhaji Lai Mohammeds sermon that the money spent on Buharis health will not be disclosed for security reasons. We believe that there is no security threat for Buhari to declare his health status known to Nigerians and or furnish us with the money he has spent on his health.

Concealing such vital information from the prying public is to say the least corruption itself. If security should be an excuse from disclosing public money the government has spent on public servants, then the law can also preclude public office holders from declaring their assets as required by the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.
Mr Femi Adesina, the presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Sunday in Abuja, said Buharis congratulatory message was contained in a letter addressed to the celebrant

In the letter to the evangelist, President Buhari said: Please accept my congratulations, and that of teeming Nigerians, on this occasion of your 75th birthday anniversary.

Chief Commander Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey is a household name in Nigeria, and even beyond. You have through music flown the flag of our country proudly in many nations of the world, and you are a veritable ambassador of our motherland.

The President said Nigerians rejoiced with the septuagenarian at the auspicious moment, while praying that God would grant him more years of service to the nation, and humanity.

Miliki highlife juju crooner, whose real name is Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Fabiyi, was born in Idogo, Ogun, 75 years ago,.

It is believed that Obey started his professional career in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos, where he formed a band named The International Brothers in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion.

He transformed the band into Inter-Reformers in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.

Obey has successfully released over 100 albums and the ones yet to be released are uncountable.

The popular musician, who transformed into an Evangelist, lost his wife of more than four and half decades, Lady Juliana.

Lady Evangelist Juliana, a frontline business woman and poultry farmer, aged 67, died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, in Aug. 2011.

While celebrating his 74th birth in 2016, Obey was quoted as saying that; I never knew I could attain this age, but I have committed everything about me into the hands of God.
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Guanah, the Chief Executive Officer of Raymos Guanah Farms, Illah, near Asaba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday.

He also advised the government to ensure that its current agricultural incentive was offered to real farmers to enable them cultivate and process rice to meet local demand.

Guanah, a former commissioner in Delta, also noted that the rice value chain was yet to be properly developed and harnessed for maximum benefits.

He, however, advised farmers to reciprocate governments current support to them by utilizing the incentives.

He said: Farmers are still doing almost everything from land preparation to cultivation, harvesting and processing, farmers are also involved in distribution.

Governments involvement in agriculture is not enough for now.

I think all that government needs do is to create the enabling environment for the private sector to cultivate and process rice.

The off takers for the Anchor Progamme should be properly encouraged as this will be an assurance to the farmers that anytime they harvest, there will be a buyer ready for their produce.

This will make them to keep going to the farm.

Guanah advised government to set production targets for farmers it granted loans in order for them to be more serious in the utilization of the funds.
Court of Appeals of Kentucky. DRAKES CREEK HOLDING CO., LLC APPELLANTS v. FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT; AND FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION, AND JIM HENDERSON INDIVIDUALLY AND IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS JUDGE/EXECUTIVE OF SIMPSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY APPELLEES FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, A/K/A FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT; JOE PERRY APPELLANTS v. CHARLES W. DEWEESE; CHARLES DEWEESE CONSTRUCTION, INC.; PENNY DEWEESE; AND DRAKES CREEK HOLDING COMPANY, LLC APPELLEES DAVID CARVER AND RONDA CARVER APPELLANTS v. CHARLES W. DEWEESE; CHARLES DEWEESE CONSTRUCTION, INC.; PENNY DEWEESE AND DRAKES CREEK HOLDING COMPANY, LLC APPELLEES DAVID CARVER, RONDA CARVER, JOE JONES, JOSH JONES, BILL MOODY, BEVERLEY SHARP APPELLANTS v. FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT (also referred to as FRANKLIN-SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT), CHARLES W. DEWEESE AND PENNY DEWEESE APPELLEES NO. 2015-CA-000789-MR Decided: March 31, 2017

BEFORE: KRAMER, CHIEF JUDGE; D. LAMBERT AND J. LAMBERT, JUDGES. BRIEF FOR DRAKES CREEK HOLDING CO., LLC: Stephen K. Heard, Nashville, Tennessee, Adam O. Knight, Brentwood, Tennessee BRIEF FOR FRANKLIN/SIMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND JOE PERRY, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AND AT ORAL: Aaron D. Smith, Bowling Green, Kentucky, John T. Soyars, Hopkinsville, Kentucky AT ORAL ARGUMENT FOR DRAKES CREEK HOLDING CO., LLC: Adam O. Knight, Brentwood, Tennessee BRIEF FOR CHARLES DEWEESE, ET AL: Buckner Hinkle, Jr., Lexington, Kentucky, Margaret Ruth Grant, Louisville, Kentucky, Bethany A. Breetz, Timothy D. Crocker, Franklin, Kentucky ALSO APPEAREDAT ORAL ARGUMENT FOR CHARLES DEWEESE, ET AL: Steven Henderson, Louisville, Kentucky BRIEF FOR DAVID CARVER; ALSO APPEAREDAT ORAL ARGUMENT: Tim Mefford, Franklin, Kentucky AT ORAL ARGUMENT FOR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND SIMPSON COUNTYJUDGE EXECUTIVE HENDERSON: Sarah Payne-Jarboe, Bowling Green, Kentucky

OPINION AFFIRMING

This consolidated opinion resolves several disputes arising from the grant and subsequent revocation of a conditional use permit (CUP) by the Franklin-Simpson County Board of Zoning Adjustment (the Board). After review, we find no reversible error and affirm the Simpson Circuit Court.

I. BACKGROUND

In February 2012, Charles and Penny Deweese applied for a CUP to begin operating a rock quarry on two adjoining properties in Simpson County, Kentucky. The properties belonged to the Deweeses and comprised 87 agriculturally zoned acres. At the time, the properties were only accessible via Ditmore Ford Road, a narrow county road. The Deweeses included detailed maps in their application. The maps described the quarry's location within the properties' boundaries.

The Board considered the Deweeses' application during a public hearing on February 28, 2012. The hearing itself lasted more than six-hours, and nearly 400 people attended. Among those in the crowd were a group of neighboring landowners (the Carvers) who opposed the CUP. In particular, the Carvers were concerned about prospective traffic on Ditmore Ford Road. When given the opportunity to speak at the hearing, the Carvers presented evidence that Ditmore Ford Road would require certain improvements to accommodate large commercial trucks traveling to and from the quarry. The Carvers, through counsel, also cross-examined a Deweese representative. In their case in chief, the Carvers offered evidence that an unimproved Ditmore Ford Road was too narrow for large commercial trucks to negotiate and unsafe for motorists at one particularly steep location because of an inadequate stopping-sight distance. The Carvers also explained that a bridge located to the east of the quarry could not support large commercial trucks during high water times.

Despite the Carvers' efforts, the Board voted to grant the CUP. From its written findings, the Board specifically determined that the quarry would benefit the community by creating jobs and increasing competition for limestone rock and agriculture lime. Notably, however, the Board imposed the following three conditions on the quarry's operations:

1. Trucks exiting the quarry on Ditmore Ford Road will be required to turn west on Ditmore Ford Road towards Highway 1008;

2. The quarry will be permitted to operate between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 7:00 a.m. until noon on Saturdays;

3. Prior to the commencement of the harvesting of limestone at the quarry, the applicant is required to construct a berm at least fifteen (15) feet high along the southern and western borders of the harvest area.

Despite a motion from Commissioner Ray Malchow regarding possible improvements to Ditmore Ford Road, there were no other conditions included in the Board's written findings. The Carvers later appealed the Board's decision to the Simpson Circuit Court, where they argued that the CUP was arbitrarily granted.

While a decision on the Carvers' appeal was pending, a series of events led to additional disputes. First, both the City of Franklin and the Simpson County Fiscal Court adopted ordinances prohibiting commercial trucks from hauling material on Ditmore Ford Road. The Simpson County Judge/Executive, Jim Henderson, allegedly supported the county ordinance. Second, in the wake of the ordinances' adoption, Drakes Creek Holding LLC (Drakes Creek), the legal entity operating the quarry, stopped transporting limestone on Ditmore Ford Road. Trucks entering and exiting the quarry instead began utilizing a private haul road (Haul Road B) that crossed two other Deweese properties and linked the quarry to State Highway 585. Importantly, there was no access to Haul Road B from State Highway 585 when the Deweeses applied for the CUP. It was only after the Carvers appealed the Board's decision to grant the CUP that the Kentucky Department of Transportation allowed the Deweeses to build a connection joining the two roads.

Upon learning that trucks were no longer using Ditmore Ford Road, the Board scheduled a hearing regarding the CUP. At the hearing, the Board relied on a report filed by Joe Perry, the local planning and zoning administrator. In that report, Perry concluded that the Deweeses were not operating the quarry in compliance with the CUP. Perry evidently reached this conclusion after finding that the ordinances had made it impossible for the Deweeses to comply with the CUP, and that trucks had begun using Haul Road B. Perry's report further explained that the Deweeses' original CUP application did not mention the two additional properties over which Haul Road B runs. After reviewing this evidence, the Board, which consisted of a new member recently appointed by Jim Henderson, revoked the CUP.

In 2014, the Deweeses appealed the CUP revocation. In essence, they disagreed that the use of Haul Road B violated the CUP's terms. That same year, the legal entity Drakes Creek brought a separate action against the Board, Judge/Executive Jim Henderson, and the Franklin-Simpson County Planning and Zoning Commission (the Planning Commission) for their respective roles in adopting the county ordinance and revoking the CUP. According to that complaint, the ordinances amounted to an inverse condemnation of the Deweeses' property and the CUP revocation tortiously interfered with certain contracts to which Drakes Creek was a party.

At that point, three primary issues were before the circuit court. The court considered the issues in turn and first decided that the original CUP was properly issued in 2012. The circuit court then decided that the CUP was improperly revoked in 2014. Finally, the circuit court dismissed the lawsuits against Jim Henderson and the Planning Commission pursuant to CR 12.02(f). This appeal followed.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

Kentucky courts review planning and zoning decisions for arbitrariness. Keogh v. Woodford County Bd. of Adjustments, 243 S.W.3d 369, 372 (Ky. App. 2007). Under that standard, the administrative agency must have acted within its statutory authority, afforded the parties procedural due process, and supported its decision with substantial evidence. American Beauty Homes Corp. v. Louisville and Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission, 379 S.W.2d 450, 456 (Ky. 1964). Dismissals under CR 12.02(f) are reviewed de novo to evaluate whether the facts alleged in complaint, if proved, would entitle the plaintiff to relief. James v. Wilson, 95 S.W.3d 875, 884 (Ky. App. 2002).

III. DISCUSSION

On appeal, the parties challenge the circuit court's decisions on several grounds. We begin our analysis by explaining that the Board's initial decision to grant the CUP was proper. Our focus then shifts to the Board's later decision to revoke the CUP, which we agree was improper. From there, an application of Kentucky law to the allegations contained in Drakes Creek's complaint confirms that the circuit court correctly dismissed the action against Jim Henderson and the Planning Commission.

1. The CUP was properly granted

Although the Carvers present their appeal as a six-point challenge against the Board's decision to grant the CUP, their position distills into two main arguments. One is an attack on the sufficiency of the Board's factual findings. The other is a due process claim based on the manner in which the Board approved the CUP. For the following reasons, neither challenge is persuasive.

KRS 100.237 authorizes local zoning boards of adjustment to hear and decide applications for conditional use permits. A conditional use permit is an exception within Kentucky's zoning law which allows an applicant to undertake a beneficial land use not otherwise permitted in a particular zoning district. KRS 100.111(7). The local zoning ordinance supplies the standards the board of adjustment must follow in determining whether to grant or deny a conditional use permit. Hardin County v. Jost, 897 S.W.2d 592, 595 (Ky. App. 1995). Typically, these standards appear in the zoning ordinance as list of acceptable conditional uses that the board of adjustment may authorize in particular zones. See Harrison Silvergrove Property, LLC v. Campbell County and Municipal Board of Adjustment, 492 S.W.3d 908, 913 (Ky. App. 2016). The applicant is then able to choose from the list and apply for a conditional use permit, which the board of adjustment may approve, modify, or deny. KRS 100.237. The board of adjustment must, however, adhere to fundamental due process requirements. See Hilltop Basic Resources, Inc. v. County of Boone, 180 S.W.3d 464, 469 (Ky. 2005)(right to a hearing, the taking and weighing of evidence, factual findings based on the record, an appropriate order, and a judicial review of the administrative action); see also Kaelin v. City of Louisville, 643 S.W.2d 590, 592 (Ky. 1982)(right to cross-examination).

In its final form, a conditional use permit consists of two parts: (1) a factual determination justifying the issuance of a permit; and (2) a statement of conditions which the applicant must meet for the use to be permitted. KRS 100.111(7). This latter part must be recorded in the board of adjustment's meeting minutes and on the conditional use permit  KRS 100.237(1). Once approved, the local administrative official issues the conditional use permit. See KRS 100.111(7).

Here, the Board had a sufficient basis for issuing the CUP. The Carvers concede that the local zoning ordinance lists a limestone quarry as an available conditional use for agricultural zones, and the Board found that the Deweese quarry would serve the public interest by providing jobs in the community while also lowering prices for construction materials. The Board also issued the CUP without violating the Carvers' due process rights. The Board held a six-hour public hearing, during which time the Carvers were given ample opportunity to voice their concerns. Nine individuals even took advantage of this opportunity and spoke in opposition of the Deweeses' application. Moreover, the Carvers' counsel was given the opportunity to cross-examine a representative of the Deweeses in front of the Board. The Board imposed three conditions which appeared on the CUP, and the Board recorded the conditions in its meeting minutes. Accordingly, the CUP was properly issued.

2. The Board improperly revoked the CUP based on the evidence in the record

The Board grounded its decision to revoke the CUP on Joe Perry's report. On appeal, the Board once again argues that it was impossible for the Deweeses to comply with the CUP's conditions due to the ordinances. The Board further maintains that by accessing the quarry by way of Haul Road B, the Deweeses deviated from the approved site plan and thereby impermissibly expanded the scope of the CUP. We disagree.

A conditional use permit does not exempt a landowner from complying with all of the requirements of building, housing, and other regulations. KRS 100.237(2)(a). In fact, KRS 100.237(4) imposes a continuing duty on landowners to comply with the conditions listed on the conditional use permit. If a landowner fails to do so, then KRS 100.237(4) provides the following course of action (emphasis added):

[T]he administrative official shall report the fact in writing to the chairman of the board of adjustment. The report shall state specifically the manner in which the landowner is not complying with the conditions on the conditional use permit, and a copy of the report shall be furnished to the landowner at the same time that it is furnished to the chairman of the board of adjustment. The board shall hold a hearing on the report within a reasonable time, and notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be furnished to the landowner at least one (1) week prior to the hearing. If the board of adjustment finds that the facts alleged in the report of the administrative official are true and that the landowner has taken no steps to comply with them between the date of the report and the date of the hearing, the board of adjustment may authorize the administrative official to revoke the conditional use permit and take the necessary legal action to cause the termination of the activity on the land which the conditional use permit authorizes.

Here, by relying on Joe Perry's report, the Board erroneously concluded that the ordinances rendered compliance with the CUP impossible. The CUP only required trucks to exit the quarry by turning west on Ditmore Ford Road, while the ordinances only banned commercial trucks from traveling on Ditmore Ford Road. The ordinances did not prevent the Deweeses from operating the quarry, nor did they restrict all vehicles from using Ditmore Ford Road. Indeed, neither the use of Ditmore Ford Road nor a vehicle is hypothetically necessary for transporting material from the quarry. One could buy gravel from the quarry and transport it in another manner that comports with the CUP conditions and KRS 100.237(2)(a). Because uncertain commercial feasibility does not equal impossibility, the circuit court correctly rejected this position.

The circuit court also made the correct decision as to the Board's alternate position regarding Haul Road B. Despite the Board's reliance on Selligman v. Western & Southern Life Ins. Co., 126 S.W.2d 419 (Ky. 1938), the Deweeses' original CUP application did not need to include the two properties Haul Road B crosses. Unlike the Deweeses, the Selligman landowner clearly renounced a particular access route in order to secure a variance. See id. at 422. The landowner did not build a new access route as a matter of right in response to a local ordinance likely aimed at frustrating the very conditional use previously approved by the Board. Haul Road B is a private drive under Section 7.21.5 of the Franklin-Simpson County Zoning Ordinance: it passes through and incidentally serves two agriculturally-zoned properties owned by the Deweeses. No other quarry activity occurs on the two properties, and as previously discussed, the CUP does not require the quarry to use Ditmore Ford Road. Accordingly, the Deweeses utilized Haul Road B in line with KRS 100.237(2)(a) and the CUP conditions. The Board's decision to revoke the CUP was arbitrary, and the decision to reinstate the CUP was appropriate.

3. The claims against County Judge/Executive Jim Henderson and the Planning Commission were properly dismissed under CR 12.02(f)

As for the claims against Jim Henderson and the Planning Commission, we once again find ourselves in agreement with the circuit court. The record is clear in that the Planning Commission played no role in the subject matter of this lawsuit. In accordance with KRS 100.237, it was the Boardnot the Planning Commissionthat heard and decided the CUP. Furthermore, the allegedly wrongful ordinances were adopted independently by the local legislative bodies: the Simpson County Fiscal Court and the City of Franklin Kentucky. Jim Henderson, as the County Judge/Executive, only oversees the executive functions of the county government. See KRS 67.710. He does not enact legislation. Moreover, even if Henderson acted behind the scenes in a bad faith effort to appoint a board member who would vote to revoke the CUP, there is no relief available. Kentucky law does not allow a Judge/Executive to directly appoint a board of adjustment member. Rather, the respective legislative body, in this case the Simpson County Fiscal Court, has the power to approve the appointee. KRS 100.217(3). Accordingly, dismissal of Drakes Creek's lawsuit was appropriate under CR 12.02(f).

Based on the foregoing, the decisions of the Simpson Circuit Court are hereby affirmed.

FOOTNOTES

. Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.

. Kentucky Revised Statutes.

. What constitutes other regulations under the statute is ambiguous. Local regulations abound, and regulations only proliferate at the state and federal levels. Nevertheless, the ordinances prohibiting commercial trucks on Ditmore Ford Road certainly qualify as other regulations in this context under a strict application of the ejusdem generis rule. The ordinances, like building and housing codes, affect land use in connection with a CUP.

. Applications for variances, similar to applications for conditional use permits, are heard and decided by zoning board of adjustments. See KRS 100.241.

. See supra note 3 as to why the local zoning ordinance also falls into the statutory category of other regulations.

LAMBERT, D., JUDGE:

ALL CONCUR.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corpse was seen on March 24.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr El-Mustapha Sani, who confirmed the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the remains of the teenager had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Sani, however said, We have arrested another teenager, 16-year old (names withheld), who was a friend of the deceased.

The suspect was said to have gone to the family house of the deceased and asked his mother to refund some money the deceased had allegedly stolen from his mother.

The mother of the deceased was said to have refunded N 1,500, which was rejected by the mother of the suspect, alleging that the money was more than that.

The suspect reportedly went to the family house of the deceased on the fateful day and told his mother to come and carry his remains.

Sani further said that the mother of the suspect was now at large.
IPOB says that day will be set aside to honour all Igbos who have been killed in sectarian violence from 1945 till now.

According to Punch, IPOBs spokesman, Emma Powerful on Saturday, April 1, 2017, said services will be held to pray for the dead.

Powerful also said The Indigenous People of Biafra and its leadership worldwide would like to use this opportunity to inform Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of freedom all over the world, to prepare for the historic annual Biafra Day of Remembrance 2017.

Our heroes and heroines of the class of 1967-1970, who paid the ultimate price in defence of the dignity of the black race during this genocidal war against the people of Biafra, will be remembered and honoured in the finest traditions of IPOB.

This annual event for 2017 has been designated a day of prayer, fasting, supplication and introspection.

Also, all victims of state-sponsored genocide, from the Jos massacre of Biafran people in 1945 to the most recent Asaba massacre in 2017 at an IPOB meeting by the Nigerian Army, will all be honoured.
According to Daily Post, Maigari said an Army captain assigned to the Senate Presidents house ordered the mission.

However, Onogu in a statement which was made available to Pulse News, said The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been drawn to a rehash of mischievous and concocted allegations aimed at misleading the public with spurious claims that the Senate President allegedly owned the sum of N310million said to have been stolen from a Bureau de Change operator in November 2015, by suspected operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and some army personnel.

This Office wants to reiterate that the Senate President had nothing to do with the said stolen money by suspected security agents then and even now as being maliciously peddled by some online media to tarnish his image.

It would be recalled that when the incident was reported by the media in December 2015, a section of the online media which has become notorious for dragging the name of the Senate President into issues that he knows nothing about, the DSS issued a statement where it stated that it had arrested some of its men that partook in robbing a Bureau de Change operator in Abuja.

This Office had also in a statement, in reaction to the false report, stated that the Senate President had nothing to do with the money allegedly stolen. We still insist that he has nothing to do with the money and we challenge those still rehashing the stale and fake news to avail themselves of the reports of the police and the DSS on the matter to avoid misleading members of the public unnecessarily.

Let me state that the Senate President has no army personnel among his security details. Therefore, it becomes absurd for one of the suspect in the robbery to have claimed according to the report that the money was brought to the Senate President's house from where they connived to steal it.

The report remains a lie which must be disregarded by the public, and should it be recirculated tomorrow, it will still remain a lie. At best we count this unwarranted fake report as part of the April Fool ritual. But the public deserves a better deal from its sponsors and purveyors.

Besides, the content and intention of the fake is nothing but baseless allegations emanating from the infantile minds of unreasonable interlopers, hell bent on rubbing mud on the reputation of a distinguished Nigerian, who is today in his capacity as the Senate President, is working assiduously with critical stakeholders to stabilize and grow our economy. Enough is enough.
According to Daily Post, Ambode made the statement at the 9th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium, in honour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leaders 65th birthday.

The Lagos state Governor said I am humbled and honoured to stand today on behalf of the people of Lagos State and Lagosians in the Diaspora to salute and congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on many fronts, especially his 65th birthday anniversary that comes up tomorrow.

Permit me to describe a fruit, the coconut, as an illustration of my message. The coconut tree is a member of the palm family. The term coconut can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed or the fruit. The term coconut is derived from the 16th century Portuguese and Spanish word coco, meaning head or skull, from the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features.

Coconuts are known for their great versatility, as evidenced by many traditional uses, ranging from food to cosmetics (Adi-Agbon). The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying, as well as in soap and cosmetics. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. The coconut is a good symbol of cultural significance in certain communities.

In putting the pieces together, here it is; you have a head that is blessed with a divine task to be fruitful and useful to humanity. He is greatly versatile, courageous and strategic in outlook. It takes a few years of planting before the coconut tree becomes fruitful, thereafter, it bears fruits for a long time. Sixty-five years after, he has been fruitful, creating more products and by-products from his political dynasty than any other living made-in-Nigeria political product in recent history.

Like the coconut, some by-products/fruits will get bad along the way or after being sold in the market. In actual fact, the political product may not be the favourite of some other people. The bottom line, however, is simple. If Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were a coconut; I dare say, with all simplicity, I would be among the forefront liners that will eat, drink and sleep B.A.T. 24/7.

The test of a successful leader is in the number of leaders that he has created. Using this globally accepted parameter, Asiwaju, at 65, is without doubt, a winner in this category.

There is no doubt the Asiwaju political dynasty is a made-in-Nigeria product. The foundation laid and blueprints developed during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, which cuts across all sections of the states economy, have actually simplified the process of governance till date.

His blueprint has continued to serve as a road map to achieving the Lagos of his and our dreams. This same political product without doubt, traverses the Nigerian landscape and that is evident with the emergence of the All Progressives Congress at the centre in 2015.

Asiwaju is a made-in-Nigeria product. We should make more products out of him.

This years central theme is no doubt an apt topic: Make it in Nigeria  Use what we make  Make what we Use. I am an unrepentant convert of this ideology. We have demonstrated it. We have professed it through our Lake Rice partnership with Kebbi State.

As a government, we will continue to improve on our indices of the ease of doing business to ensure that more products are made in Nigeria for the development and growth of our nation.

Asiwaju, I salute you. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, I admire your dexterity and I congratulate you.

Asiwaju, on behalf of the First Lady, my entire family, all your admirers at home and across the world, we say a big thank you for your large-heartedness, benevolence and visionary leadership that you have unleashed on this nation.

You are a statesman par excellence. My leader, our leader.

Happy birthday, sir. God bless you all.
The APC national leader who was represented by the APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure also said he is sure the government will turn around Nigerias economic fortunes.

According to Tinubu, South-West support for Buhari is unshaken despite the various challenges in the country, which we believe the present government is addressing.There is no doubt that there is no party in Nigeria that can surpass APCs achievements in office.

ALSO READ: PDP challenges APC to show Nigerians its achievements since 201

We are doing the best we can with the little resources we have to move the nation forward. We need peoples support to turn things around in the country.
The 29-year-old new mom explained that she had been scared that she would be unable to participate in the once in a lifetime ceremony.

Orefuwa said: "I was having a contraction and was scared that the baby might come before the convocation. I told God to take control because I wanted to experience the convocation and God took control until I got home. It was when I got home that it started again and my husband took me to the hospital where I gave birth at about 1:00 pm on Thursday.

Naij reports that Orefuwa who just graduated from the Accounts Department of LASU, wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation (UTME) 7 times before gaining admission into the LASU back in 2012.

"I also applied for direct entry three times at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. During this period of waiting, I started a professional career at the Institute of Chartered Accountancy of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2007 and became qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 2010.

"My aim is to get my first-degree certificate after several years of waiting and to satisfy my dad, who has been insisting on the academic certificate before professional certificate. He would always say to me then that I have put the cart before the horse. However, what kept me going was self-belief, focus, and determination bearing in mind that I am not competing with others but with my own capabilities."

Orefuwa got married to her heartthrob in her final year and reveals that she intends to practice accounting as well as teach it.
Polls opened at 7:00 am (1200 GMT), with the socialist president's designated heir, Lenin Moreno, in a tight contest with conservative ex-banker Guillermo Lasso.

Correa presided over an economic boom that has recently gone bust in the South American oil producer. With voters torn between continuity and change, the race remains too close to call.

Lasso finished second in the first-round vote last month, with 28 percent to Moreno's 39 percent. But polls give him a slight edge heading into the runoff, with between 52.1 percent and 57.6 percent of the vote.

The race is also a barometer of the political climate in Latin America, where more than a decade of leftist dominance has been waning.

Argentina, Brazil and Peru have all shifted to the right in recent months, as the region has sunk into recession and leftist leaders have been tarnished by a string of corruption scandals.

What kind of change?

Boosted by high prices for its oil exports, Ecuador registered solid economic growth of 4.4 percent per year on average during the first eight years of Correa's presidency, before tipping into recession in mid-2015.

Correa won loyal fans among the poor with generous social benefits that helped reduce the poverty rate from 36.7 percent to 23.3 percent in this country of 16 million people.

But he has also faced accusations of corruption and squandering the windfall of the oil boom.

Political analyst Napoleon Saltos of the Central University of Ecuador said the election would be played out between "the vote against the government and the fear among certain parts of the population that they will lose what they gained over the past 10 years."

Lasso, 61, appears to have gained the edge by uniting the opposition vote behind his promises to end tax-and-spend policies and create a million jobs.

But Moreno, 64, has sought to co-opt the buzzword of "change" for himself.

"We're heading for a change, yes, but a positive change, not a negative change, a change toward the past," he told AFP Wednesday.

Assange fate at stake

In another of the race's hot debates, Lasso has threatened to revoke the political asylum Ecuador has granted its most famous guest, Assange.

Correa, an outspoken critic of the United States, let Assange stay at the embassy to avoid arrest and extradition to Sweden over a rape allegation.

The 45-year-old Australian, who denies the accusation, says he fears Sweden would send him to the United States to face trial for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents in 2010.
A representative from Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli and controls western Libya, was also present.

"A Libyan border patrol unit will be operational to monitor Libya's southern border of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles)," Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti told Italy's La Stampa newspaper, one of several Italian media outlets reporting on the deal Sunday.

"Securing Libya's southern border means securing Europe's southern border," Minniti said.

Southern Libya is criss-crossed by smuggling routes for people, drugs and weapons. Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Moamer Kadhafi, a mosaic of tribal and ethnic forces is fighting for control of illicit trade and oil fields in the region.

Tuaregs control the border with southern Algeria, while further east, the Toubou operate along the borders with Chad and Sudan.

Arab tribes in the region have supported the authorities in western Libya, but they also maintain ties with a rival administration that holds sway in the east -- and regularly clash with the Toubou.

Fayez al-Sarraj, chief of the fragile GNA, has struggled to impose the government's authority, despite its backing by many political and military leaders.

The accord, whose details have not yet been released, is the latest in a series of deals European countries have sought to reduce migration from Libya, which has increased sharply in recent months.

The deal aims to combat "an economy based on illicit drugs, which causes hundreds of deaths in the Mediterranean, thousands of desperate people looking for a better life, a populist push (in Europe) and a jihadist threat in the desert," according to the text of the agreement, quoted in the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

It also calls for job training programmes to keep young people from criminal activities.

Some 24,200 people have been rescued from the Mediterranean and registered at Italian ports so far this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

As part of an earlier agreement with the European Union, about 90 members of the Libyan coastguard are currently completing training under the EU, and Italy is preparing to return 10 coastguard boats to Libya that it seized in 2011. They are expected to be operational by the end of April or in early May.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. GARY RAYMOND AHIDLEY, JR., Defendant - Appellant. No. 16-2150 Decided: March 31, 2017

Before KELLY, McKAY, and MORITZ, Circuit Judges.**

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

Defendant-Appellant Gary Ahidley, Jr. appeals from his 11-month sentence imposed by the district court upon revocation of supervised release. His counsel filed a brief and motion to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). Our jurisdiction arises under 28 U.S.C.  1291 and 18 U.S.C.  3742(a), and we dismiss the appeal and grant counsel's motion.

In April 2013, Mr. Ahidley was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 37 months' imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release. He was released from prison in March 2015. Later that November, the probation office petitioned to revoke his supervised release because he had missed several scheduled substance abuse and mental health counseling appointments. A federal warrant was issued for Mr. Ahidley's arrest shortly thereafter. Mr. Ahidley was arrested and charged with battery in tribal court that December. He pled guilty, and finished his tribal court sentence in April 2016. However, he was not released because of a federal detainer based on his outstanding federal arrest warrant.

The district court held a supervised release revocation hearing on June 7. Mr. Ahidley admitted he violated the terms of his supervised release, after which the court heard argument regarding the appropriate sentence. The court found that his guideline range was five to 11 months' imprisonment. Mr. Ahidley asked the court to run his sentence concurrently with his tribal sentence, which would make him eligible for a time-served sentence. The court sentenced Mr. Ahidley to 11 months' imprisonment after noting that [e]very time [he] drink [s], someone gets hurt. And  it's been that way for a long time.  [O]bviously, supervision doesn't work. 3 R. 14. After providing Mr. Ahidley with an opportunity to allocute, the court remarked that Mr. Ahidley failed to appreciate the prior opportunities he had been given to avoid prison and reminded him that the court could statutorily impose a two-year sentence. See id. at 16. Mr. Ahidley then sought to appeal.

Mr. Ahidley's counsel filed an Anders brief and an errata sheet indicating that Mr. Ahidley was served with the brief. He was given the requisite notice by this court, pursuant to 10th Cir. R. 46.4(B)(2). Neither Mr. Ahidley nor the government has filed a response. Under Anders, if counsel finds his case to be wholly frivolous, after a conscientious examination of it, he should so advise the court and request permission to withdraw. 386 U.S. at 744. If we agree with counsel after examining the record, we may grant the motion to withdraw and dismiss the appeal. United States v. Calderon, 428 F.3d 928, 930 (10th Cir. 2005).

After reviewing the record, we find no error. Mr. Ahidley argues that the district court judge was biased and was required to disqualify himself pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  455(b)(1). We disagree. While a judge's bias could arise from personal or extrajudicial sources, the tenor of the judge's comments do not suggest a wrongful or inappropriate position that might indicate bias. See Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 550 (1994). In light of the Sentencing Guidelines and Mr. Ahidley's conduct, imposing an 11-month sentence was an entirely permissible exercise of discretion.

Accordingly, we DISMISS the appeal and GRANT counsel's motion to withdraw.

Entered for the Court

Paul J. Kelly, Jr. Circuit Judge
Opposition supporters had begun to walk peacefully along the city's main Tverskaya Street from a central metro station at around 1030 GMT in an event coordinated via social media.

Police in helmets and body armour swiftly moved to halt a protest which drew around 100 people.

An AFP photographer at the scene said people were detained as they simply walked along the street, without shouting slogans. One man holding a poster was detained first.

The latest detentions came after Navalny organised protests in cities across Russia on March 26, most of them unauthorised.

The largest rally in Moscow saw about 500 people detained according to police, while OVD-Info, a website that monitors detentions of activists, put the total at almost 1,000.

Navalny called the protest over his anti-corruption investigation into Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev linking the latter to huge mansions and vineyards in a video report garnering more than 16 million views on YouTube.

Among those protesting on Sunday was a 16-year-old boy called Pavel Dyatlov who became a symbol of youth protest in last week's rally after being photographed climbing up a lamppost and being detained by police.

Dyatlov told AFP he had come back to protest on Sunday after reading about it on social media, saying the protest was "calling for the current government to stand down, or for early presidential elections."

"We were heading towards Red Square and the police started to push us back," he said before police detained him again.

Witnesses said police targeted people photographed at the previous rally.

"Right from the start I saw that they were detaining children and 'faces from the the media' -- you could see they were acting in a targeted way," said 70-year-old Natalya Ponomarenko from the Moscow region, who also attended last week's rally.

"I came here a second time to see what the result of March 26 would be," she said, stressing that the participants were peaceful and "the plan was to go for a walk."

OVD-Info reported at least 32 people were detained Sunday, including at least four minors.

Navalny 'knows nothing about this'

Posts on Facebook linked the latest protest to little-known nationalist group Novaya Oppozitsiya, or New Opposition, which called for people to turn out in support of those detained last week.

Navalny, who is currently serving a 15-day sentence behind bars for disobeying police at last Sunday's demonstration, distanced himself from Sunday's event.

"He knows absolutely nothing about this," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on Twitter.

The authorities earlier Sunday laid on a massive police presence in anticipation of an unauthorised protest on Red Square.

Journalists saw only a handful of activists there, however, some of whom voiced support for President Vladimir Putin. OVD-Info reported 11 arrests.
Most surveys tip Vucic for an easy victory in the face of a divided opposition. But if he fails to win a majority in the first round, a second round run-off will be held on April 16.

According to the electoral commission, some 10.5 percent of some 6.7 million eligible voters cast their ballot in first three hours of vote.

The post of president has largely been ceremonial in recent times but analysts believe it would be a much more influential position if occupied by Vucic.

Vucic has touted economic success since becoming prime minister in 2014, achieving growth of 2.8 percent last year and cleaning up public finances.

But the average Serbian earns a mere 330 euros ($355) per month while unemployment is running above 15 percent.

"I am thrilled with the way things are going on right now," Dzehva Trikic, 76-year old pensioner, told AFP after casting her ballot.

"Serbia will bloom" with Vucic, she said.

But 26-year-old unemployed Vuk Rancic from the southern town of Nis said he voted hoping for a change.

"If something changes fine, if not, I'm going out of here," Rancic said.

The opposition has been unable to field an united candidate to run against him, so Vucic faces a wide range of challengers.

There are 10 opposition candidates bidding for president, including former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, ex-foreign minister Vuk Jeremic and ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj.

And shaking up the race is Luka Maksimovic.

He stands out on the campaign trail, in an all-white suit, with samurai-style ponytail and trim beard.

His political style is as unusual as his fashion style, with a penchant for making outlandish pledges and using a made-up name -- Ljubisa Preletacevic, nicknamed "Beli" (White) -- that mocks politics as an arena of greed.

Beli could even come second in the race behind Vucic, some analysts say.

'I will respect constitution'

Opposition candidates have presented the vote as a referendum on Vucic, whom they accuse of trying to consolidate power for himself.

Ultranationalist Seselj argues that "all the power should not be concentrated in the hands of a single man, Aleksandar Vucic."

But Vucic, who came to vote with his teenage daughter shortly after the polls open at 7 am (0500 GMT), rejected the opposition accusations as "ridiculous".

"They can say whatever they want. I will respect Serbia's constitution. That is my obligation and that is what I will do," the 47-year-old told reporters after casting his ballot in New Belgrade.

Both the opposition and independent media monitoring groups have cried foul over the omnipresence of Vucic in the media.

In the week leading up to the vote, national TV channels devoted 51 percent of their airtime to Vucic, more than all the other candidates put together, according to analysis by the Kliping research agency published in the Danas daily.

On Thursday, the last day of the campaign, all but two of the dozen or so national dailies appeared wrapped in full-page ads reading: "On April 2, give a decisive vote to Aleksandar Vucic."

Political analyst Boban Stojanovic said he "wonders if after such a campaign, the elections could be free and fair."

Second-round hopes

Ex-ombudsman Jankovic, seen as a key Vucic rival, has also claimed public sector workers have been intimidated ahead of the vote, citing testimony to that effect.

The opposition hopes to force Vucic into a second round, which could be "dangerous" for the prime minister, according to political analyst Dusan Janjic.

"After this (vote) nothing in Serbia will be the same any longer," Jankovic said after voting with his family in Belgrade. "We will begin to put things in order."

Vucic has run a typically aggressive campaign, with a video showing a plane marked "Serbia 2017" about to crash for a lack of leadership.

He has accused opponents of receiving "millions of euros (from) certain foreign countries", without offering specifying charges.

The opposition fears electoral fraud, in particularly in Albanian-dominated Kosovo where some 120,000 Serbs live.
"I urge everybody to pray for peace, that the hearts of those behind these crimes do not remain enslaved by hatred and violence," the pope said.

At least 400 people have died in six months of unrest which has hit the provinces of Kasai-Central, Kasai, Kasai-West and Lomami.

The remote region has been plagued by violence since mid-August, when government forces killed Kamwina Nsapu, a tribal chief and militia leader who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila's central government.

Congolese church leaders and the papal representative in Kinshasa on Thursday urged the DRC's security forces, widely accused of brutal treatment of opponents, to refrain from using disproportionate force during operations.

Last month, the police accused rebels of killing 39 officers in Kasai, and last week the bodies of two UN contractors were found after they were kidnapped in Kasai-Central.

The two foreigners were kidnapped by unidentified assailants on March 12 along with four Congolese accompanying them.

Pope Francis also said that the people of Colombia were in his thoughts after a huge mudslide in the town of Mocoa on Saturday killed some 200 people, a disaster which left him "profoundly saddened".
From 2003 to 2013, Devis Leonel Rivera Maradiaga and his brother Javier, along with their parents and other siblings, led a violent drug cartel called Los Cachiros, in Tocoa on the Atlantic coast of Honduras, a country with one of the world's highest murder rates.

But the brothers feared getting killed when the US Treasury Department put the names of their whole family on a black list in 2013 and the government of Honduras began seizing assets from them.

So Leonel Rivera started secretly recording conversations with accomplices such as Fabio Lobo, son of former president Porfirio Lobo, who served from 2010 to 2014.

He did this first on his own and later in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration starting in 2013.

Leonel Rivera, who turned 40 on Tuesday, is a man of short stature with a thin moustache and arched eyebrows that make him look angry all the time.

Along with his brother he cut a deal with the US prosecutors in New York under which the pair landed in prison more than two years ago -- but the rest of their family did not.

His mother, father, sister and a second brother live in the United States, presumably under a new identity and under the protection of the US government.

'A little window'

US authorities said this week that Leonel Rivera will be sentenced by Judge John Koeltl on April 14.

Thanks to his revelations, the authorities in Honduras learned that the Cachiros gang had at least 22 contracts with the Lobo government, prosecutors in Honduras said Wednesday.

They also said they would investigate the government officials named by Leonel Rivera.

"This is what makes the Cachiros case so interesting, because it's a little window into the way organized crime and elites intersect in places like Honduras," said Steven Dudley, co-director of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas.

"This is important because it sends the message that impunity is not total, that there is some accountability somewhere, there exists some system that is willing to hold even the highest powers accountable," said Dudley.

"But does that transfer into real change? I am not sure yet."

22 meetings

From December 5, 2013 to September 21, 2015, Leonel Rivera met with US prosecutors 22 times to give them information and negotiate the terms of his plea bargain, according to court documents seen by AFP.

The two brothers surrendered to the DEA in January 2015, Leonel in the Bahamas and Javier in Miami.

In April 2016, they each pleaded guilty to charges including murder, leading a drug trafficking gang and conspiring to ship illegal drugs into the US.

The Cachiros gang took delivery of drugs from Colombia, which arrived either in planes or speedboats, and took it overland to Guatemala. From there it would move on to Mexico and then the US, Leonel Rivera said in his first testimony against Fabio Lobo on March 6.

He said that in exchange for bribes the cartel was protected by the former president, his son, his brother Ramon "Moncho" Lobo, the current Security Minister Julian Pacheco, by the legislator Antonio Hernandez, brother of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and by dirty cops and military people.

All of these people deny the charges, except for Fabio Lobo, who was arrested by the DEA in Haiti in 2015. He has pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking and will be sentenced on May 30.

'Deal with the devil'

If convicted Leonel Rivera could face life in prison but his fate depends on judge Koeltl.

His plea bargain, signed April 14 of last year, calls for the charges against him to be dropped if he tells the truth, does not commit more crimes and testifies when the government asks him to.

The US government could also grant him a so-called "5K1" card that calls for a reduced sentence and perhaps entry into a witness protection program.

"It's the deal with the devil," said a lawyer close to the case. "This guy has admitted to 78 murders" but the judge has complete discretion when it comes to deciding on his sentence.
The "bromance" between Putin and Trump was abruptly adjourned amidst a political storm that continues to rage in Washington over alleged collusion between Trump's inner circle and the Kremlin during the 2016 election campaign.

Ongoing Russian operations in Ukraine have also forced Trump, who famously touted Putin as being a "stronger leader" than Obama, to moderate his stance.

'Ongoing hostility' in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis made the White House's position on Moscow clear with during trips to Europe last week.

Tillerson, who as Exxon chief had maintained close business ties to Moscow, on Friday reaffirmed Washington's support for Ukraine.

Kiev is battling pro-Moscow rebels in its east and lost Crimea three years ago when Russia annexed it.

Meeting with fellow NATO foreign ministers for the first time, Tillerson employed deliberately strong words, denouncing Moscow's "ongoing hostility and occupation" in Ukraine.

He said Washington would stick with sanctions against Russia laid out under Obama's secretary of state, John Kerry, until "Moscow reverses (its) actions" and cedes Crimea.

"American and NATO support for Ukraine remains steadfast", he said, using a diplomatic line often repeated by Kerry.

In a closed-door NATO luncheon, Tillerson also drew standing applause when he told attendees that Russia could was "no longer trusted" and had to decide "if it wants to engage in the world or be isolated", according to a US State Department official.

For Jeffrey Rathke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a former press secretary in Kerry's State Department, the Trump administration is hewing more closely now to the Obama playbook on Russia.

"I think Tillerson's (and Mattis's) strong lines do reflect a pretty high degree of continuity," he told AFP.

He said the current controversy over Russian interference in the election and ties to the Trump camp made it "extremely difficult" for the White House to change course.

"For now we have inertia that keeps the outline of the Obama policy in place," he added. "But no one is sure how long that will last."

'Mucking around' in elections

Pentagon chief Mattis also let loose on Moscow during a visit to London on Friday.

He said "Russia's violations of international law are now a matter of record", citing both the Crimea annexation and "other aspects of their behaviour in mucking around inside other people's elections" -- without specifically mentioning the US vote.

"The point about Russia is they have to live by international law just like we expect all nations on this planet to do," Mattis said.

He also rebuffed recent calls by Moscow to step up intelligence and military cooperation with the Trump White House, saying "we are not in a position right now" to do so.

The Kremlin, in response, criticised NATO "slander" against it and said it was "perplexed" by Tillerson's remarks.

Its confusion is not surprising. Trump not long ago sounded a very different note.

On the campaign trail he said NATO was possibly "obsolete", and called for better cooperation with Russia, notably in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.

On a personal level, the reality TV star and real estate tycoon also lauded Putin as "very smart", as someone he would "get along very well" with and -- in a 2013 tweet -- wondered, "Will he become my new best friend?"
A Davenport man is facing charges after he was found armed with a knife while hiding under the bed of a woman who has an order of protection against him, police said.

Cameron Deon Singleton, 39, of 124 W. 13th St., Apt. 14, is charged with first-degree burglary and felony stalking.

He also is charged through Bettendorf police with eluding, driving under a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several traffic charges.

Singleton also is charged with two counts of contempt for violating the order of protection.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Bettendorf and Davenport police, at 5:46 p.m. Wednesday, Singleton called a woman who has an order of protection out on him. He was driving his red 1997 Ford F-150 pickup and began following the victim Jersey Ridge Road.

The woman called 911 and advised she was heading to the Bettendorf Police Department, according to the affidavit filed by Bettendorf Police Officer Zachary Thomas. Singleton continued to follow the woman east on Kimberly Road, north on Utica Ridge Road, east on Tanglefoot Lane and then south on 18th Street.

Singleton continued to call the woman and when the victim asked Singleton why he was following her, he told her, Im following you because I love you, according to Thomas affidavit.

Thomas said he was able to get behind Singletons vehicle as it headed south on 18th Street. However, Singleton fled, using the center lane to pass other vehicles. He also ran the red light at 18th Street and Lincoln Road.

Singleton was able to flee, but officers found his truck in the area of 14th and Gaines streets in Davenport.

Thomas was able to get a search warrant for the truck from which officers seized a wooden pipe with marijuana residue, and an overnight bag in which they found Singletons social security card.

Then, on Thursday at 4:44 p.m. Davenport police were sent to the home of the woman Singleton had stalked the day before to investigate a broken window.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Kory Griffin, while investigating the broken window, officers found Singleton hiding under the womans bed. He was holding a silver double-bladed pocket knife in his right hand.

When officers searched him, Singleton has some of the victims personal property in his pants pocket.

Singleton was being held Saturday night in the Scott County Jail on cash-only bonds totaling $31,000.

He is facing additional charges as police said that Singleton tried to call the victim 31 times from the Scott County Jail before she could change her phone number. Each attempt is a violation of the no contact order.

First-degree burglary is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years. Stalking while violating an order of protection is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

Eluding, driving under suspension and the traffic charges all are misdemeanors, with the eluding charge carrying a jail sentence of up to one year.
Davenport Alderman Mike Matson turned a few heads a week ago when he told a Democratic fundraising dinner that he was thinking about running for governor.

Typically, state government is the jumping off point for Iowa's chief executives, not City Hall. But Matson, who was elected to the council in 2007, looks at it a bit differently.

"I think (it's) what does the person bring to the table," he said last week.

Matson, who retired as a sergeant major after 20 years in the Army and now teaches Junior ROTC at Central High School, said he has leadership skills that would serve him well as chief executive. And as an alderman, he said he's heard the public's concerns about government at the most basic level.

As for what's going on in Des Moines, he said, policies to curtail collective bargaining rights for state employees and limiting workers' compensation rights aren't friendly to the average Iowan.

"Our value system seems to be twisted," he said in an interview last week.

From a purely parochial perspective, Matson, 53, brings something else to the table. If he actually runs, he would be the first major party candidate from Scott County to appear on a gubernatorial primary ballot in at least 50 years.

It's not just state government that tends to breed governors. But they tend to come from other parts of the state, not here. In 1971, then-Lt. Gov. Roger Jepsen, of Davenport, announced plans to challenge Gov. Bob Ray in the next year's Republican primary, but he dropped out, and his name didn't appear on the ballot. In 1998, a Davenport man ran for governor, but as a third-party candidate. He got fewer than 100 votes.

There's still more than a year to go before the 2018 primary, and Matson is part of a large pool of potential Democratic candidates. The others include state Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, state Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy McGuire of Des Moines, Johnson County Supervisor Mike Carberry of Iowa City, Jon Neiderbach, a former Des Moines school board president, and former Iowa DNR Director Rich Leopold, who is from Polk County.

The latter two already have said they are running.

In addition, Jack Hatch, the Democrats' 2014 nominee, didn't rule himself out in a recent conversation, although he said he's been encouraging others to consider it. Hatch was in the Quad-Cities recently touting a new book.

Davenport connection

So, yes, it's a crowded field of prospects. And Matson isn't the only one with local ties.

Prichard is a Davenport native who graduated from West High School in 1993. He joined the Army after college, served in Iraq and now is a lawyer who said he brings an ability to fuse rural and urban interests.

"We need to bridge urban and rural voters, and we need to get back to realizing that urban problems and rural problems are actually Iowan problems," he said at the Scott County Democratic Party's Red, White and Blue fundraising dinner on March 25.

For his part, Matson, who represents Davenport's 7th Ward, said he thinks Republican policies are benefiting outside interests, instead of average Iowans.

"I want economic prosperity for all Iowans," he said.

The alderman does acknowledge he'll likely get questions about a 2012 incident when police seized his classroom computer as part of an investigation into whether emails were sent to a television station in the name of another alderman with information about the city's attempt to purchase the Rhythm City Casino.

Matson said at the time that he did not send the email. However, investigators were suspicious of the fact that the computer had been altered just days after the email was sent, according to police reports released at the time. The reports said district employees described Matson as anxious about the computer.

Matson said last week the computer was running slowly and it was the district that asked that it be brought in. He repeated that he had nothing to do with the email.

"I was in a meeting when this supposedly happened," he said. Matson also said he welcomed the inquiry then and questions now.

"I expect people to ask those questions," he said. "I'm open to that."

The incident doesn't appear to have had an effect on him at the polls. He hasn't had a challenger since then or even since he was first elected in 2007. His name also has been mentioned in past election cycles as a potential candidate for higher office.

Bucking tradition

Scott County Democratic Chair Thom Hart said Matson's military background and city experience would be unique in the race. And, as for coming from a place that hasn't typically yielded candidates for governor, he added, "If the last year and a half has shown us anything, you can't always go with traditional thinking."

At this stage, potential candidates are testing potential viability and fundraising prospects. The race, according to some estimates, could cost $15 million.

Matson met last week with Democrats in the state Senate.

"He was pretty well received," said Sen. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport.

Jeff Link, a longtime Democratic strategist, said Matson could be helped by coming from a county where the cost of buying television ads is higher than other parts of the state.

Often, candidates will buy ads in other TV markets but not in the Quad-Cities.

"If no one buys TV, that's a huge benefit to someone with a local base in the Quad-Cities," Link said.

Matson said a decision whether to run could come by the end of the summer.
The American-Telugu Association of the Quad-Cities will hold the annual Ugadi, or New Years Day, celebration from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pleasant Valley High School auditorium.

Dinner of authentic food will be served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Programs begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9:30 p.m.

Ugadi is the celebration of the New Year for the Hindus of the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in the southern part of India, said Venkat Chintalapalli, media coordinator for the Quad-City Telugu Sangam.

Chintalapalli said that the celebration falls on different days each year at the end of March or early April because the Hindi calendar is lunisolar. This year, the day fell on Tuesday, March 28, but our Quad-City celebration is Saturday because this way we can get the whole community together, he added.

Ugadi begins with the commencement of spring when nature starts its yearly journey to come back to life, he said.

Ugadi is a prominent festival in Sanatana Dharma, or Hindu Tradition, whose motto is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means universal family.

Chintalapalli said that every Hindu festival is celebrated with the cause of driving out evil and ignorance from people and promoting peace and harmony in society.

The celebrations have been going on for centuries. The language, Telugu is a Dravidian language primarily spoken by 85 million people in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he added.

It is a very ancient language dating back to 1,500-1,000 BC, Chintalapalli said.

There are about 600 families of Telugu heritage in the Quad-Cities and it is growing, he said.

Tickets to the event are $10 per person age 5 or older.

For more information visit the American-Telugu Association of the Quad-Cities website at http://qctelugusangam.com.
Repeal-and-replace (for Obamacare) is not quite dead. It has been declared so, but what that means is that, for now, the president has (apparently) washed his hands of it and the House Republicans appear unable to reconcile their differences.

Neither condition needs to be permanent. There are ideological differences between the various GOP factions, but what's overlooked is the role that procedure played in producing the deadlock. And procedure can easily be changed.

The House leadership crafted a bill that would meet the delicate requirements of "reconciliation" in order to create a (more achievable) threshold of 51 rather than 60 votes in the Senate. But this meant that some of the more attractive, market-oriented reforms had to be left out, relegated to a future measure (a so-called phase-three bill) that might never actually arrive.

Yet the more stripped-down proposal died anyway. So why not go for the gold next time? Pass a bill that incorporates phase-three reforms and send it on to the Senate.

September might be the time for resurrecting repeal-and-replace. That's when insurers recalibrate premiums for the coming year, precipitating our annual bout of Obamacare sticker shock. By then, even more insurers will be dropping out of the exchanges, further reducing choice and service. These should help dissipate the pre-emptive nostalgia for Obamacare that emerged during the current debate.

At which point, the House leadership should present a repeal-and-replace that includes such phase-three provisions as tort reform and permitting the buying of insurance across state lines, both of which would significantly lower costs.

Even more significant would be stripping out the heavy-handed Obamacare coverage mandate that dictates what specific medical benefits must be included in every insurance policy in the country, regardless of the purchaser's desires or needs.

Best to mandate nothing. Let the customer decide. A 60-year-old couple doesn't need maternity coverage. Why should they be forced to pay for it? And I don't know about you, but I don't need lactation services.

This would satisfy the House Freedom Caucus' correct insistence on dismantling Obamacare's stifling regulatory straitjacket -- without scaring off moderates who should understand that no one is being denied "essential health benefits." Rather, no one is being required to buy what the Jonathan Grubers of the world have decided everyone must have.

It is true that even if this revised repeal-and-replace passes the House, it might die by filibuster in the Senate. In which case, let the Senate Democrats explain themselves and suffer the consequences. Perhaps, however, such a bill might engender debate and revision -- and come back to the House for an old-fashioned House-Senate conference and a possible compromise. This in and of itself would constitute major progress.

That's procedure. It's fixable. But there is an ideological consideration that could ultimately determine the fate of any Obamacare replacement. Obamacare may turn out to be unworkable, indeed doomed, but it is having a profound effect on the zeitgeist: It is universalizing the idea of universal coverage.

Acceptance of its major premise -- that no one be denied health care -- is more widespread than ever. Even House Speaker Paul Ryan avers that "our goal is to give every American access to quality, affordable health care," making universality an essential premise of his own reform. And look at how sensitive and defensive Republicans have been about the possibility of people losing coverage in any Obamacare repeal.

A broad national consensus is developing that health care is indeed a right. This is historically new. And it carries immense implications for the future. It suggests that we may be heading inexorably to a government-run, single-payer system. It's what Barack Obama once admitted he would have preferred but didn't think the country was ready for. It may be ready now.

As Obamacare continues to unravel, it won't take much for Democrats to abandon that Rube Goldberg wreckage and go for the simplicity and the universality of Medicare-for-all. Republicans will have one last chance to try to convince the country to remain with a market-based system, preferably one encompassing all the provisions that, for procedural reasons, had been left out of their latest proposal.

Don't be surprised, however, if, in the end, single-payer wins out. Indeed, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Donald Trump, reading the zeitgeist, pulls the greatest 180 since Disraeli dished the Whigs in 1867 (by radically expanding the franchise) and joins the single-payer side.

Talk about disruption? About kicking over the furniture? That would be an American Krakatoa.
United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit. BELIZE BANK LIMITED, APPELLEE v. GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE, APPELLANT No. 16-7083 Decided: March 31, 2017

Before: GARLAND, Chief Judge, and HENDERSON and WILKINS, Circuit Judges. Juan C. Basombrio argued the cause for the appellant. Creighton R. Magid was with him on brief. Mahesha P. Subbaraman and Janet C. Evans were on brief for the amicus curiae Professor Richard W. Painter in support of the appellant Government of Belize. Louis B. Kimmelman argued the cause for the appellee. Dana C. MacGrath and Ryan C. Morris were with him on brief.

KAREN LECRAFT HENDERSON, Circuit Judge: On January 15, 2013, an arbitral tribunal in London, England, found the Government of Belize (Belize) in breach of a settlement agreement with The Bank of Belize Limited (Bank). The tribunal therefore ordered Belize to pay the Bank a substantial monetary award. After attempts to enforce the award in Belize failed, the Bank commenced this action in the district court, asking the court to confirm the arbitral award and enter judgment in its favor. In a well-reasoned order, the district court granted the Bank's petition. Belize Bank Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, 191 F. Supp. 3d 26 (D.D.C. 2016).

On appeal, Belize raises multiple challenges to the district court's judgment. We have accorded each of Belize's arguments full consideration after careful examination of the record, Bartko v. SEC, 845 F.3d 1217, 1219 (D.C. Cir. 2017) (quoting Ozburn-Hessey Logistics, LLC v. NLRB, 833 F.3d 210, 213 (D.C. Cir. 2016)), but find them either largely asked and answered by Circuit precedent, see BCB Holdings Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, 650 F. App'x 17 (D.C. Cir. 2016) (per curiam); Belize Soc. Dev. Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, 794 F.3d 99 (D.C. Cir. 2015); Belize Soc. Dev. Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, 668 F.3d 724 (D.C. Cir. 2012), or otherwise properly resolved by the district court. Only one issue raised by Belize warrants further discussionwhether the district court's enforcement of the arbitral award violated the New York Convention because it was contrary to the public policy of the United States. Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of June 10, 1958 (New York Convention), art. V(2)(b), 21 U.S.T. 2517, T.I.A.S. 2517, T.I.A.S. No. 6997, 330 U.N.T.S. 3 (1970); 9 U.S.C.  207. For the reasons that follow, we believe the district court judgment is consistent with the New York Convention and therefore affirm.

I. Background 1

On December 9, 2004, Said Musa, the Prime Minister of Belize, signed a confidential agreement under which Belize agreed to serve as the guarantor of a loan made to a Belizean health services provider by the Bank. By 2007, that health services provider was in default, making Belize liable for the outstanding loan balance. Pursuant to a March 23, 2007 settlement agreement, Belize agreed to pay the debt in full. Shortly thereafter, the settlement agreement became public knowledge and a firestorm eruptedprotesters, branding the deal corrupt, marched on the Belizean capital; and Belizean public interest groups, believing that Prime Minister Musa lacked the authority to financially bind Belize without the approval of the Belizean National Assembly, challenged the settlement agreement in the Belizean court. Responding to the pressure, Belize refused to make any payment pursuant to the settlement agreement with the Bank.

Following Belize's default, the Bankin accordance with a dispute resolution clause included in the settlement agreementbegan arbitration proceedings against Belize in London, England, under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). The arbitral tribunal overseeing the proceedings was to consist of three members, one appointed by each party and the third appointed jointly by the two parties' members. Because Belize largely declined to participate in the early stages of the arbitration, however, the LCIA had to step in and appoint Belize's arbitrator in Belize's stead. The LCIA nominated Zachary Douglas as Belize's member of the arbitral tribunal.

In March 2012, five years after Douglas's initial appointment, Belize challenged Douglas's continued service on the arbitral tribunal. Belize argued that another member of the English chambers Douglas belonged to, Matrix Chambers, hadin previous unrelated mattersadvised a partial owner of the Bank and represented other interests adverse to Belize. Belize questioned Douglas's impartiality as a member of the arbitral tribunal and argued that Douglas had a duty to disclose information detailing Matrix Chambers's practices and representations, or, alternatively, that Douglas should be removed from the arbitral panel.

The LCIA then created a three-member Division to consider Belize's challenges. Belize Bank Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, Case No. 81116 (London Ct. Int'l Arb. 2012). The Division rejected both of Belize's alternatives. Id. at 11-18. Analyzing the disclosure issue, the Division relied on the British Rule, under which barristers in the same chambersunlike lawyers in a traditional American law firmare presumed to be independent practitioners. Id. at 14 (Barristers are sole practitioners. Their Chambers are not law firms.). Although the Division recognized that chambers ought not to be used as a shield to preclude a fact-based inquiry as to whether a justifiable doubt [as to impartiality or independence] may be raised by barristers from the same chambers acting as arbitrator and party counsel in the same proceeding, it found that Douglas's alleged conflict of interest was too attenuated to give rise to a duty to disclose. Id. at 15. (There is no suggestion  that any barrister from Matrix Chambers, other than Professor Douglas, has acted in the present proceeding.). Although the Division recognized that no hard-and-fast rule existed that excused a barrister's disqualification based on the activities of another barrister belonging to the same chambers, it determined that the totality of the relevant circumstances in this case weighed against Douglas's disqualification in that Douglas himself had not acted for or against Belize or the Bank in the past, no barrister in Matrix Chambers (other than Douglas) was acting for or against the Bank or Belize in the arbitral proceeding before the LCIA and Belize had notice of the fact that barristers in the same chambers are independent practitioners. Id. at 17.

Belize did not take the Division's adverse decision well, withdrawing from the arbitration proceedings and refusing to participate thereafter. Nonetheless, the proceedings continued and, on January 15, 2013, the arbitral tribunal found Belize in breach of its settlement agreement with the Bank. The tribunal ordered Belize to pay the Bank the sum of BZ$36,895,509.46, plus interest at 17%, compounded on a monthly basis from September 8, 2012, until the date of payment.

On April 18, 2014, the Bank filed a Petition to Confirm Foreign Arbitration Award and to Enter Judgment in district court. The district court granted the petition, concluding, inter alia, that enforcement of the award in the United States was not contrary to United States public policy under New York Convention Article V(2)(b). Belize Bank Ltd., 191 F. Supp. 3d at 38.

II. Analysis

The New York Convention is part of a carefully crafted framework for the enforcement of international arbitration awards. Belize Social Dev. Ltd., 668 F.3d at 729 (quotation omitted). It is clear that when an action for enforcement is brought in a foreign state, the state may refuse to enforce the award only on the grounds explicitly set forth in Article V of the Convention. TermoRio S.A. E.S.P. v. Electranta S.P., 487 F.3d 928, 935 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (quoting Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons v. Toys R Us, Inc., 126 F.3d 15, 23 (2d Cir. 1997)). Article V(2)(b), in turn, states that [r]ecognition and enforcement of an arbitral award may  be refused if the competent authority in the country where recognition and enforcement is sought finds that  [t]he recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the public policy of that country. New York Convention art. V(2)(b).

In TermoRio, we recognized that Article V(2)(b) does not require a fly-specking of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. See 487 F.3d at 938 ([C]ourts have been very careful not to stretch the compass of public policy. ). Rather, with appropriate deference to other sovereign nations, the public policy defense is to be construed narrowly to be applied only where enforcement would violate the [United States'] most basic notions of morality and justice. Id. (quoting Karaha Bodas Co. v. Perusahaan Pertambangan Minyak Dan Gas Bumi Negara, 364 F.3d 274, 306 (5th Cir. 2004)); see also Enron Nigeria Power Holding, Ltd. v. Fed. Republic of Nigeria, 844 F.3d 281, 288 (D.C. Cir. 2016) (internal quotation marks omitted) ([T]he question of public policy is ultimately one for resolution by the courts, and thus, if enforcement of the Award based on [an arbitrational panel's] interpretation of [a contract] violates a public policy of the United States  then the district court [is] obligated to refrain from enforcing it.). Because Belize challenges enforcement of the arbitral award, it bears the burden of proof of meeting this exacting standard. Karaha Bodas, 364 F.3d at 288.

Belize insists that the LCIA's failure to disqualifyor require certain disclosures fromDouglas created an unacceptable appearance of impartiality viewed through the lens of United States public policy. See Appellant's Br. 39-43; see also Amicus Br. 15-19. That is, Belize claims that, if the rules applicable to U.S. law firms were applied to Douglas and Matrix Chambers, it would be undisputed that bias and a lack of impartiality tainted the arbitral tribunal so long as Douglas was a member. Appellant's Br. 41. To bolster its claim, Belize highlights Justice White's concurring opinion in Commonwealth Coatings Corp. v. Continental Causality Co., wherein he noted that where the arbitrator has a substantial interest in a firm which has done more than trivial business with a party, that fact must be disclosed. 393 U.S. 145, 151-52 (1968) (White, J., concurring); see also Positive Software Sols., Inc. v. New Century Mortg. Corp., 476 F.3d 278 (5th Cir. 2007); Schmitz v. Zilveti, 20 F.3d 1043 (9th Cir. 1994). Because Douglas belonged to Matrix Chambers and a member of Matrix Chambers had previously done more than trivial business with the Bank and against Belize, Belize argues that the LCIA's failure to disqualify or require disclosure from Douglas ran afoul of Commonwealth Coatings and its progeny and therefore enforcement of the LCIA's award violates United States public policy.

We disagree. The cases upon which Belize relies address a provision of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) that permits a district court to vacate a domestic arbitration award where there was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitrators. 9 U.S.C.  10(a)(2). For the reasons set forth below, Belize has failed to allege conduct that would warrant denial of enforcement under our cases interpreting that standard. But even if the alleged conduct did satisfy the FAA standard, we would be unable to deny enforcement in this case. As we have explained above, we may refuse to enforce this international arbitration award only on the grounds explicitly set forth in Article V of the New York Convention, TermoRio, 487 F.3d at 935, and the only potentially relevant ground is that enforcement of the arbitration award would be contrary to the public policy of [the United States], New York Convention art. V(2)(b). As we have also explained, this requires Belize to show that Douglas's participation in the arbitration violated this country's most basic notions of morality and justice. TermoRio, 487 F.3d at 938. It has not done so.

As an initial matter, Article V(2)(b)'s requirement that we replace foreign ethical standards with United States public policy in scrutinizing an arbitral award, see New York Convention art. V(2)(b) (authorizing forum state to refuse enforcement of arbitral award if it would be contrary to the public policy of that country (emphasis added)), does not give us license to replace the facts of a case with an Americanized version thereof. Contrary to Belize's description, Matrix Chambers is not a law firmit is an English chambers. As the LCIA correctly noted, an English chambers is composed of independent solo practitioners housed together and operating under a common name, a structure vastly different from an American law firm in which, inter alia, confidential client informationas well as assets and liabilitiesare shared among partners. Belize Bank Ltd., Case No. 81116, at 17 (Barristers are sole practitioners. Their Chambers are not law firms.); see also Laker Airways Inc. v. FLS Aerospace Ltd. & Stanley Burton [1999] QB 45 at 52 (Eng.) ([P]racticising barristers are prohibited by the rules of their profession from entering partnerships or accepting employment ). Thus, we find the case law relied on by Belize, which details ethical concerns underlying firm-wide imputation of conflicts of interest, inapposite even if a violation of United States' domestic arbitration requirements under the FAA were sufficient to satisfy Article V(2)(b). That case law is premised on the presumption that associated attorneys share client confidences. Hempstead Video, Inc. v. Inc. Vill. of Valley Stream, 409 F.3d 127, 133 (2d Cir. 2005); Commonwealth Coatings, 393 U.S. at 151 (White, J., concurring) (analyzing arbitrator's interest in a firm (emphasis added)). In weighing Douglas's alleged conflicts, the LCIA invoked the British Rule not based on moral and ethical values different from those held here in America; the LCIA simply addressed a different modela different type of legal practicefrom the American model.

In order to set aside an award under the FAA's evident partiality standard, the party challenging the award must establish[ ] specific facts that indicate improper motives on the part of the arbitrator. Al-Harbi v. Citibank, N.A., 85 F.3d 680, 683 (D.C. Cir. 1996). We believe an allegation that an arbitral tribunal member is a member of the same chambers as another barrister who, in proceedings unrelated in fact and time, represented a conflicting interest, is insufficient to meet that burden, let alone to demonstrate that enforcement would violate the United States' most basic notions of morality and justice as required to set aside an award under the New York Convention. TermoRio, 487 F.3d at 938. First, barristers are all self-employed  precisely in order to maintain the position where they can appear against or in front of one another. Laker Airways, [1999] QB 45 at 52; accord Stephan Landsman, The Servants, 83 MICH. L. REV. 1105, 1106-07 (1985) (Although barristers must join a set of chambers, each is considered a sole practitioner and is prohibited from entering into any partnership arrangements. Each must develop and sustain his or her own practice. (footnote omitted)). Because the chambers model is designed to protect a barrister's independencea fact acknowledged by English courts, see Laker Airways, [1999] QB at 52 (rule prevent[ing] barristers at the same chambers from appearing against one another  has never been recognized, and the contrary practice is an every day occurrence in the [English] Courts), and scholars, see Landsman, supra at 1106-07we are aware of no ethical rule that would require conflict imputation in these circumstances. Without more, a perceived conflict arising from another barrister's practice does not give rise to the Commonwealth Coatings duty to disclose or otherwise create an appearance of impropriety. See 393 U.S. at 151-52 (White, J., concurring).

Second, we cannot say that Douglas's membership in Matrix Chambers threatened [t]he arbitration process['s]  amicable and trusting atmosphere. Id. at 151. Granted, insistence on the appearance of neutrality is vital to ensuring the reality of fair adjudication. Williams v. Pennsylvania, 136 S. Ct. 1899, 1909 (2016). At the same time, however, questions about appearance are resolved from the perspective of the parties. See Matter of Andros Compania Maritima, S.A. (Marc Rich & Co., A.G.), 579 F.2d 691, 700 (2d Cir. 1978) (considering Commonwealth Coatings principle of disclosure for arbitrator conflicts applicable only to information of which the parties cannot reasonably be expected to be aware (emphasis added)); see Freeman v. Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC, 709 F.3d 240, 253 (3d Cir. 2013). As the LCIA noted, the chambers system of barristers acting as independent practitioners was familiar to Belize based on Belize's historical association with the British justice system and the fact that, in an earlier proceeding involving Belize, Matrix Chambers barristers appeared on opposing sides of the same appeal with no objection from Belize. Belize Bank Ltd., Case No. 81116, at 17.

Considered together, these factors demonstrate that enforcement of the LCIA arbitral award would not violate the United States' most basic notions of morality and justice. TermoRio, 487 F.3d at 938.

For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court is affirmed.

So ordered.

FOOTNOTES

. The facts herein set forth are only those relevant to the remaining issue before us. More complete details of the case are set forth in Belize Bank Ltd., 191 F. Supp. 3d 26, 30-40 (D.D.C. 2016).

. Such appointment in place of an absentee or non-performing party is permitted by LCIA rules.

. To the extent Belize argues that the district court did not expressly determine that enforcement of the arbitral award was consistent with United States public policy, we disagree. See Appellant's Br. 39. Belize correctly notes that the relevant issue is not whether the [LCIA] Division's decisions rejecting Belize's challenges to the arbitral panel were well reasoned and consistent with the LCIA's Rules but is instead whether there is a U.S. public policy against enforcement of [the] arbitral award[.] Id. The district court concluded that nothing about the selection process of the arbitrators in this case  would offend United States public policy. Belize Bank Ltd., 191 F. Supp. 3d at 38 (emphasis added). As we explain infra, Douglas's participation did not violate the United States' most basic notions of morality and justice. TermoRio S.A. E.S.P. v. Electranta S.P., 487 F.3d 928, 938 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (quotation omitted); see infra Part II.

. In Commonwealth Coatings, Justice Black, joined by three other justices, declared that any tribunal permitted by law to try cases and controversies not only must be unbiased but also must avoid even the appearance of bias. 393 U.S. at 150. Justice White concurred in an opinion joined by Justice Marshall, advancing a narrower rule: arbitrators must tell the parties about any substantial interest [they have] in a firm that does business with one of the parties. Freeman v. Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC, 709 F.3d 240, 252 (3d Cir. 2013) (citing 393 U.S. at 151-52). Three justices dissented. 393 U.S. at 152. Justice White's concurrence is the narrowest grounds for judgment, which means that it is the holding of the Court  [and] that the plurality's discussion of appearances is nonbinding. Freeman, 709 F.3d at 252; see Marks v. United States, 430 U.S. 188, 193 (1977) (When a fragmented Court decides a case  the holding of the Court may be viewed as the position taken by those Members who concurred in the judgements on the narrowest grounds. (citation and quotation marks omitted)).

. Belize argues that because Matrix Chambers marketed itself as a collaborative venture, we should equate Matrix Chambers with an American law firm (rather than an English chambers). Appellant's Br. 32-34. Belize insists that Matrix [Chambers] does not act as independent practitioners; thus the British Rule should not apply. Id. English courts have stated, however, that they are aware of no case in which a problem has arisen due to the improper transmission of information between members of chambers. Laker Airways Inc. v. FLS Aerospace Ltd. & Stanley Burton, [1999] QB 45 at 53 (Eng.) (emphasis added). Although Matrix Chambers's promotional material discusses its collaborative approach and centralized organizational structure, there is no indication that individual barristers within Matrix Chambers share client confidences; in fact, the promotional material expressly states that Matrix Chambers is composed of individual practitioners with a professional obligation to promote the interests of [their] clients  JA 621. Douglas himself reinforced this view, noting that it would be a breach of a barrister's obligation of confidentiality to share client information; and further, he had never inquired as to the practice of other members of Matrix Chambers and [was] under no obligation to do so. JA 594.

. Indeed, we have already limited Commonwealth Coatings in similar circumstances. In Al-Harbi v. Citibank, N.A., 85 F.3d 680 (D.C. Cir. 1996), we held that the fact that [an arbitrator's] former law firm had represented [one of the parties] on matters unrelated to the mediation or the underlying dispute gave rise to only a marginally disclosable conflict under Commonwealth Coatings, a conflict that did not require the arbitrator to conduct any further investigation. Id. at 682-83. Likewise, here, the events causing the purported conflicts occurred in 1994 and 2001, before Douglas joined Matrix Chambers in 2006; Belize has alleged no potentially conflict-creating event that occurred contemporaneously with Douglas's membership in Matrix Chambers. In the arms-length chambers context, Douglas's alleged conflict is more attenuated. See supra at 4.

. Belize is a former British colony and, even after independence in 1981, the [British] Privy Council remained its final court of appeal until 2010. [Belize] has instructed English barristers to represent it in appeals before the Privy Council  Belize Bank Ltd. v. Gov't of Belize, Case No. 81116, at 17 (London Ct. Int'l Arb. 2012).

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge HENDERSON.
Three years ago, I made a personal commitment and took a stand regarding the need for equal funding for every student and school district in the state of Iowa. I put my superintendent license in jeopardy in order to bring attention to this serious issue. The fight to assure all school districts enjoy equality in per-pupil and transportation funding is, in my opinion, an economic and moral imperative. To put it simply, it is just not right that some students in the state are valued less than others.

The issue of inequality is not an isolated problem. There are 282 school districts out of a total of 333 who are funded at $100 per pupil or more below the maximum per pupil spending allowed in other districts in the state. This situation has been going on for the last 40 years. In Davenport, the difference in funding totals to more than $143 million that was not spent on student needs. The transportation inequality is equally problematic: 217 districts in the state have transportation costs per pupil that exceed the state average of $308. There are some school districts which are on the losing end of both inequalities, for example, Waterloo, Villisca, Lake Mills, Interstate 35, Chariton and Davis County.

The legislature has been working toward fulfilling the promise of educational equality in Iowa. Senate File 455 is a long-term fix, which provides incremental funding increases over a 10-year period that would eventually allow each student to receive the same funding in every district in the state. The bill would also address the imbalance in transportation funding. This bill has already passed the Senate with a 47-0 vote, and passed the House Education Committee 24-1.

I urge the House Appropriations Committee to move this bill to the floor for a vote. The per-pupil funding disparity has existed for too long. Even if it takes several years to fix, it is time to put a stake in the ground and make a bold statement that Iowans believe in education equality.

There is also a proposal for a short-term fix in the Senate. Senate File 304 would allow districts to lower their maximum reserve funds, and use those funds to temporarily balance the per pupil inequity while holding the line on taxes. It is important that this bill be favorably considered in the Senate and sent to the House for consideration and approval. We should allow districts with adequate reserves to meet the needs of their students now, while waiting for a long-term correction to funding inequality. Reserves are meant to be used during times of extreme challenge; this is such a time.

I have been a superintendent for 18 years in 5 districts, reducing budgets for 15 of those years. I understand how hard it is to establish priorities and to spend within your means; I recognize that our state faces serious revenue problems. I have faith in our legislators, and I call upon all of our political leaders to come together and support every student in the state equally by passage of both long-term and short-term solutions to education funding.

The inequality should no longer be tolerated. Our legislators have proven that they can craft legislation to solve complicated problems. Throughout the political process, we all must keep in mind that our students and families are at the core of funding equality.

Every one of them deserves equality now. They should not have to wait.
Get a warrant.

No other words should be uttered by any school district should U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) come knocking.

Districts throughout Quad-Cities aren't alone in their struggles with understanding exactly what President Donald Trump's end-game is on the deportation front. School district officials in Des Moines recently adopted a half-measure policy that directs any ICE agents, sniffing for student information that might indicate immigration status, to the superintendent. Last week, A slew of mayors from major metros -- including well-known conservatives -- vented at Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly because no one really sees much rhyme or reason in Trump's immigration policy.

"The lack of clarity is, 'What is a criminal? What is a bad guy?'" said a frustrated Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, reported Dallas Morning News.

Let's take Rawlings' question another step and fold in those covered under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Are children and college students, brought here as minors, bad guys, Mr. Trump?

Des Moines district officials clearly don't know and felt the need to draft a some kind of policy protecting student information.

Districts throughout the Quad-Cities are grappling with similar questions. Not to worry, officials from several local districts told us. That kind of personal information about individual students either doesn't exist or wouldn't be accessible, they said.

That's not good enough. Chicago Public School District recently reached the same conclusion. No ICE access to district buildings or staff without a court order, under the new policy, which effectively bars ICE from massive fishing expeditions.

In other words: Get a warrant.

There are two distinct, yet equally weighty issues at play here.

There's the moral imperative from protecting children from a weaponized immigration policy targeting minorities. There's no social good in dragging a child out of an elementary school, in front of his or her classmates, like some common criminal.

Then, there's the privacy issue.

Congressional Republicans took time off last week from running deflection for Trump and his Russian troubles long enough to permit Internet service providers to sell customer data. One can think of few greater intrusions into privacy. Internet access is professionally, economically and socially required for most Americans. Congress is OK with corporations secretly financing campaigns, but your browsing history should be available to the highest bidder.

More than a few academics have opined about the death of privacy in post 9-11 United States. The Fourth Amendment has been under assault for years: Patriot Act, mass collection of phone data by the National Security Agency.

But few things would be more egregious than a ransacking a public school by immigration officials. Few acts would be more shameful than abusing DACA information -- filed in good faith by young people trying to play by the rules -- to fulfill a doltish campaign promise built on the pretext of jobs and law and order.

Trump's inability to articulate clear immigration policy beyond "bad hombres" and "murderers and rapists" is rightfully causing widespread panic. School officials throughout the Quad-Cities made clear last week that protecting all students was their ultimate concern. It's a laudable declaration. But, in reality, following through could prove more difficult if ICE agents start pressuring some school district clerk.

Congress has little interest in protecting the privacy of Americans and those displaced by no choice of their own. It's fallen to local governments and schools to inject basic humanity into policy.

Schools can do just that through a simple policy that directs all staff to enunciate three simple words before even answering the door. It's a refrain that should be repeated at the superintendent's office.

Get a warrant.
Joe McLemore shared his humble beginnings growing up in Rock Island and East Moline with a family of 19 and how he did not know about racism until he started going to school.

I didnt know I was poor until I went to school, he said. I did not understand racism. But by the time I went to school, I understood racism.

The Davenport man, who has run Joes Barbershop in Davenport for decades, talked about his life experiences as a black man from the past to the present during a special presentation Saturday at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.

The live show was part of a new exhibit called Jefferson Pinder: Ghost Light. Pinder is a Chicago-based artist whose exhibit documents race relations locally, with audio and video. It runs through June 5.

They goal is to explore race and conditioning in the Midwest.

The exhibit includes a large-scale wooden sculpture, video projections, audio and, a replica of a barbershop chair and mirror, modeled after McLemore's barber shop on Harrison Street in Davenport.

Hopefully, you will feel inspired or with a new way of looking at community or a new appreciation of art, said Andrew Wallace, manager of collections and exhibitions at the Figge, said before introducing McLemore.

Ray Haynes of Davenport has been a regular customer of McLemore for four decades. He loved the concept of the setting.

This is a very good idea. I am surprised it did not come up before, he said. I like to go into the shop just to listen to him. He is a very intelligent man. He has a lot of wisdom.

Actually cutting hair with some of his regular customers in the mock barbershop, McLemore promised to share snippets of his life.

I dont know what type of show you are looking for, so I will give you my history, he said.

After sharing his childhood, he talked about washing dishes at Hotel Blackhawk for 55 cents an hour. But that was good money back then.

He initially did not want to go to barber college, but eventually he did, working at different locations in Davenport. He discussed areas of racism he experienced as well as others. That included one landlord.

McLemore said at one time, he went to one storefront that was for rent. But when the owner saw him, MeLemore said they man told him it already was rented.

For a long time, I was just mad, he said, referring to various incidents he endured.

He offered answers to societal issues.

The biggest problem white people and black people have is they do not know each other, he said.

He said black people should not be angry at the white person who has a good job, but to be mad at the system that gave him that job.

The large crowd laughed and applauded during the live exhibit.

I take my kids to Joes Barbershop. He is an amazing guy, said Rose Davis of Davenport. Young people need to hear him and prosper as he has.

Stacey Houk of Blue Grass is a teacher who was very interested in coming Saturday. She was not disappointed.

I always drive by Joes Barbershop and thought it was a cool place, she said. I thought this would be interesting and it is. I see a lot of diversity in the classroom. I think in our present political climate, discussion is always good.

Bill Gallin of Davenport is a volunteer at the Figge. He knew he was going to the event so he volunteered to help.

I was interested in coming anyway, he said. I thought it was good.
Casey Peterson always had a vision for running his accounting and bookkeeping firm, but he couldn't have dreamed that insight would lead to having his name atop one of Rapid Citys tallest buildings with nearly 60 employees in three states working for him.

I had no end vision in sight. I just knew there was a better way to treat employees and customers and that was the goal. I had no clue it would be 60 people and 40 years, said Peterson, whose firm is celebrating its four-decade milestone with a look back, a name change, and plans for the future.

In 1977, Peterson bought Black Hills Bookkeeping, a bookkeeping and tax service from Clarence Slater, located near the old State Theater in the 700 block of Main Street.

Within a month, he moved to 618-1/2 Saint Joseph St. sharing a small office, equipped with only a single-line telephone system, with a few other CPAs.

We were pretty bootstrappish in those days, Peterson said. We just didnt have that much money or that many resources.

In 1980, Casey Peterson moved his firm to 505 Kansas City St., where it would flourish over the next 31 years, growing to more than 50 employees.

The growth included mergers with several individual accountants from the area leading to him incorporating the firm in 1989. In 2009, he opened a second office with six employees in Gillette.

By 2010, however, the Rapid City firm had outgrown the Kansas City Street location. Lack of available space meant some employees were forced to work from home.

There wasnt a large meeting room there either, pushing staff meetings to the nearby Rapid City Public Library.

It was pretty tight," he said.

When the first floor of the 10-story Turnac Tower in the 909 Joseph St. became available, he jumped on it, moving Casey Peterson & Associates there in 2011.

This year the firm is celebrating its 40th year with what appears to be just a slight rebranding.

Changing Casey Peterson & Associates to simply Casey Peterson, Ltd., is a reaffirmation of what the name means not only to Rapid City but to the region, said marketing director Brad Barclay.

We felt by losing the & Associates it brought the team under one name. Were all Casey Peterson, Barclay said.

The new logo was lifted by crane into place on the east side of the building last weekend. More new signage will be added to the other facades as weather permits.

Inside, the firm takes up much of the first floor and also includes a spacious meeting room and training space in the previously unused basement.

Majority stockholder Mark Lyons said the firms ability to adapt and specialize over the years has led to its growth and success.

The firm also provides assistance in areas of business, federal regulation, including health care, welfare and non-profit rules. There are also tax resolution specialists.

Keeping up with almost daily changes in regulations is a full-time job in itself.

We have people here who dont do tax work. Thats how specialized it has become, Lyons said.

Electronic filing and Cloud technology is making it easier for the firm to do business with clients far away from Rapid City.

The firm has always been on the leading edge of taking advantage of those things, and I think that has been a big part of getting us where we are, Peterson said.

Peterson has been able to attract and retain employees willing to continue working for him even after moving away from Rapid City. One former resident, now living in Columbus, Neb., continues to be on the payroll, he said.

Charged with rebranding the firm, Barclay was initially adamant in changing the name entirely, removing the Casey Peterson name to be inclusive for all employees.

But testimony from clients and market research showed the name Casey Peterson carried plenty of weight.

Everything showed that the name is extremely important to the community, Barclay said.

When the South Dakota Board of Accountancy allowed certified public accountants to advertise in 1977, Peterson was the first in the state to place advertisements in the Rapid City Journal and other media.

That ability to stay ahead of the ever-changing marketplace while taking care of individual clients and business has helped the firm continue to grow.

I knew that a different type of service would work, but I didnt know it would work as well as it has, Peterson said.
Grants for youth ag education

The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation has announced new initiatives focusing on education, leadership, entrepreneurship and economic development. They include a Youth Ag Education Innovation and Leadership Grants program; a potential expansion of "Building Our South Dakota Rural Communities" Grants in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture; and "Adventures in Food," a leadership program promoting entrepreneurship and careers in agriculture. The Youth Ag Education Innovation and Leadership Grants is an initiative to support innovative ideas in youth agricultural education. "Adventures in Food" will empower 13- to 17-year-old students in the state to explore all food and agriculture career options in South Dakota. Applications to these programs open this fall. For more information, visit sdagfoundation.org or email chris.maxwell@sdagfoundation.org.

Mines to host Flight Night

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's Aero Design team will host Flight Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, on campus. Students will have the opportunity to tour the lab where the Aero Design team designs and builds its plane, fly the simulator the team trains on to prepare for national competition, watch a flying demonstration and build their own balsa wood plane to take home. The hands-on event is designed to teach students about the physics behind flight and show them possible future careers in industry. The cost is $25, and limited scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit sdsmt.edu/FlightNight.

BHSU students present research in Africa

Three Black Hills State University students presented their research at an international conference in Africa. Garrett Kohler, psychology major from Lead, D'Aryn Lends His Horse, chemistry major from Eagle Butte, and Katelyn Woten, professional accountancy major from Potter, Neb., attended the Botho University International Conference: Multidisciplinary Research, Innovation and Transformation Towards a Knowledge Based Society in Botswana, Africa.

Free developmental screenings for kids

The Rapid City Area School District will offer free developmental screenings at Jefferson School for children ages 3 through 5. These developmental screenings check a child's development in the areas of language and articulation, concept development, hearing, vision, and motor skills. Information about their child's development is shared with parents, and parents will be provided with ideas to help enhance their children's development. Preschool children ages three though five will be screened April 5 and April 13. Parents who live in the Rapid City Area School District can make an appointment to have their children screened by calling 394-1813.

Register for Mines summer camps

Registration is now open for the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology 2017 summer camps. Students spend a week on campus working one-on-one with professors to get college level experience and access to immersive experiments. Each camp offers opportunities to explore some of the local activities and attractions that make the Rushmore Region famous. Registration for the academic summer camps is filling fast; the geology, materials and metallurgy and GenCyber camps are already full. For more information on the academic summer camps at Mines, call 394-1261, email Taylor.Davis@sdsmt.edu or visit sdsmt.edu/SummerCamps.

American Indian Awareness Week

Black Hills State University will celebrate American Indian Awareness Week April 3 to April 8 with an engaging lineup of speakers discussing the origins of Lakota song and dance, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the "Dignity" statue recently installed near Chamberlain. The theme of the 2017 American Indian Awareness Week is "Transforming Ideas into Action Through a Native Lens." The event is dedicated to educating the community about Indian culture. View the schedule online at BHSU.edu/PowWow.
Long before they came for him with a black hood and handguns, Dan Tito Davis  a lifelong drug dealer by trade  sensed his fate had already been decided.

Davis, now 63, was born in Pierre and grew up in Onida, the son of Shorty, a mechanic, and Marcelleen, a homemaker who later spent 20 years toiling as a janitor at the local school. The small town about 25 miles northeast of Pierre was idyllic in the 1960s and early '70s, when Davis spent his youth riding bicycles and hunting pheasants, geese and deer.

It was a great place for kids, no drugs, no crime, Davis recalled in an interview last week. Youd ride horses around and the worst thing we ever did was stealing apples, you know?

But everything changed when Davis moved west to attend Black Hills State University in Spearfish. In his 18-month stint at the college, he didnt pay much attention to his classes, but he did discover that selling white-cross pep pills to classmates paid extremely well.

Over time, living in a remote, sparsely populated area, Davis realized he needed to find a larger market.

It was kind of boring and I could see I needed to do more in life than hang out in the Black Hills, he said. It was so cold. At the time, nobody knew what the University of Nevada-Las Vegas was, so I transferred down there in 1974.

Las Vegas wasnt then the gambling mecca and sin city we know today, Davis said. With a population hovering around 200,000, Vegas was safe, he said, the kind of community where you could leave your keys in your car and not worry about a thief driving off with it.

The mob was running the town, he said. It was a small-town environment. Glenn Campbell and Donna Summer would speak at our college classes, then give us tickets to their shows.

Trading in drugs

But Davis wasnt interested in late-night dancing to the latest disco hits. He was concentrating on taking his illicit drug dealing to the next level. After unsuccessful experiments with pill presses in his own home, Davis founded Pucci Pet Products, a cover, and soon had pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly manufacturing millions of then-legal ephedrine pills, which he then distributed nationwide with the help of contacts in the Bandidos motorcycle club.

When it was really rolling, we were selling more than a million pills a week, Davis said. My cut was about $200,000 a week. We had a helluva market because we had the product  no chipped pills  these were professionally made.

Soon Davis was living the high life, a 24-year-old married to the daughter of a prominent Rapid City family, sporting gold and diamond bling, buying luxury homes and classic cars, and investing in apartment complexes and real estate developments. At one point, he owned a flight school and three or four airplanes, making it easier to transport his illegal wares anywhere in the country.

It wasnt long before Davis moved up to dealing cocaine, which gained popularity in the late 70s and early 80s. He was soon flying kilos of cocaine, valued in the millions of dollars, between Miami and Denver.

Cocaine was the drug of choice for rich, cool people, Davis wrote in his new book, Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive.

For a hundred dollars a gram, you could fantasize that you were partying with Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger at Studio 54, having a shootout with Sonny and Crocket on the mean streets of Miami, or breaking off a bit from one of Tony Montanas bricks.

His first bust

Shortly after the feds uncovered 10 kilos of the illegal powder in an associates storage bin, Davis was indicted on a slew of charges. Eventually, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and illegal use of a telephone, was sentenced to 102 months in a federal prison, and had virtually everything he had accumulated seized as gains from illicit drug transactions. Six days after his first child was born, Davis was sent to prison, where he would spend a nickel, or a five-year stint.

Divorced by his first wife just weeks before being released from prison, Davis returned to South Dakota and worked 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week with his mother at a small ice cream parlor in Keystone. When winter came and the shops closed, he returned to Las Vegas, fell in love, married the daughter of a wealthy family and returned to his former habits.

After reconnecting with his Mexican marijuana suppliers, within 18 months he was clearing $50,000 a week. Learning from his earlier experience with the feds, Davis began stashing cash in a Mexico City bank, later saying it was the wisest move that I ever made.

Reluctantly, Davis said he began fronting his product to an old grade-school chum. When the feds arrested that childhood friend with $28,000 in cash and 2 ounces of meth, Davis said the guy folded like a Texas Hold Em player with an off-suit deuce-seven and gave Davis up to authorities, claiming he had supplied the meth.

Soon arrested again on felony drug charges tied to his friends erroneous testimony, Davis spent 63 days in a Deadwood jail before being released on bond shortly before his scheduled trial.

My attorney said it wasnt looking good and commented that he couldnt believe I was still here, Davis said last week. I was looking at 30 years in a federal facility, which would have basically meant life in prison.

So he fled.

Life on the lam

Taking a flight from Denver to the Mexican border, Davis jumped on a train and spent months in small towns in Mexicos interior, avoiding coastal resorts populated by sun-seeking Americans, and hiring private tutors to teach him Spanish. At 40 years old, Davis said his knowledge of the native language didnt initially extend beyond the cursory greeting of hola.

He was ever watchful, abandoning a town if he spotted someone too well-dressed for their surroundings, or after encountering anyone who asked him one too many questions. Fortunately, he said his stashed cash generated friendships and helped him avoid Mexican federales.

Youre not going to make much of an impression coming into Mexico City with a backpack, he said. I had stashed money out of country because if something went wrong, at least I might have a chance. I was the gringo picking up the tab, not a parasite running around.

Assumed identities

For the next 13 years, Davis explored the world using various forged or stolen passports, visiting 54 countries on five continents, always looking over his shoulder and always avoiding Americans. He watched camel races in India, visited base camps at the foot of Mount Everest, toured Cuba, Germany, Vietnam and the Philippines and spent a year on the Amazon River in Brazil.

Asked how much cash he had funneled into banks out of the country, Davis said matter-of-factly, I could have gone through $100,000 a year for many years and never run out. I learned the first time  putting stuff in my own name, planes, houses, cars, and the IRS grabbed all of it.

Along his unplanned path, Davis became an American brother to a kingpin in Columbias Cali Cartel, successor to Pablo Escobars Medellin Cartel, living in violent barrios under protection and even spending several nights sweating out his situation in one drug lords underground bunker.

With no permanent residence, no real love in his life, infrequent contacts with friends of the past, and living under numerous assumed identities, Davis said at times he felt lost.

I walked into a bank one time with three stolen IDs, he recalled. I was afraid the bank would run the numbers on my passport and find it was reported stolen. I went to sign for a safety deposit box and I signed the wrong name because I forgot who I was. I was lucky so many times.

One last love

Eventually, Davis found a new home and a new love in Venezuela, in the form of a 5-foot-11 beauty queen and world-class volleyball player named Mary Luz. After an uneven courtship and worldwide travel, the two married and settled in a small seaside town called El Yaque, popular for its kite-surfing. There, Davis bought land and began constructing a resort catering to rich Europeans. He poured years into the project and was nearly done when the day he knew would come finally came.

As he strode through his resort near his Wind Guru Cafe in the spring of 2007, Davis noticed several large men in slacks and dress shirts, decidedly out of place on a beach where everyone wore shorts and T-shirts. Moments later, he spotted several black Suburbans with blacked-out windows parked nearby.

At that moment I knew it was over, he said. I couldnt tell if they were working for a drug cartel, a government or somebody else. At that moment it really didnt matter.

Tackled and tied, pistols pointed at his head, which was soon covered with a black nylon bag, Davis was thrown into a vehicle and whisked away. He would spend a week in jail cells at military installations, being repeatedly interrogated and photographed. And he would never see Mary Luz again.

I didnt listen to my stomach, he said last week in a moment of introspection. I was living in Venezuela with the love of my life, a wonderful wife, and feeling like the mayor of the town. It was too good to be true. I thought, `Theyre not going to be looking for me. But I was wrong.

Homeward bound

After five days in a mountaintop cell, Davis was unceremoniously told, Youre going to the United States. Even though Venezuela had no extradition treaty with the U.S., and its president, Hugo Chavez, had a contentious relationship with then-President George W. Bush, Davis said his mercenary captors had made a deal and he was quickly flown to Miami and handed off to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Meanwhile, under what he calls a bogus money-laundering charge, Venezuelan authorities seized Davis entire resort, put Mary Luz and her 94-year-old mother on the street, confiscated her wedding ring and took away everything that would move, all the way down to the light bulbs.

Looking back on his life on the lam and three marriages interrupted by the law, Davis said his greatest regret remained leaving those loves behind.

I lost three perfectly good wives, thats the truth, he said. I loved every one of them, but I lost them because of the wrong decisions. I struck out  three up and three down.

After being sent to a federal prison that he described as the Harvard of crime, Davis spent months pounding a beat-up typewriter in its law library trying to recount his exploits.

I was afraid Id forget it, and I was in a cell and I had time, he said. I met so many notorious people in federal prison, but none of them did the stuff I did.

When he was done, Davis had an 800-page manuscript, which his co-writer, Peter Conti, pared down to 500 pages. His publisher then weaned it to 300 pages.

Reliving life

Released from prison in October 2015, Davis will remain on probation through 2018 and laments that even after serving his time, he still needs to get a pass to travel to WalMart. Living in a one-bedroom apartment in Key West, where nearby bungalows start at $1 million, he says hes adopted a simple lifestyle and continues to be grateful to friends and family who have stood by him.

Im playing some pickle ball, riding my bike, working out, trying to stay healthy and make up for all the years of things I missed, he said. Its wonderful being a normal citizen. My past is fun talking about now, but when you spent so much time as an international fugitive from justice and looking over your shoulder, its not good.
In the wake of the release of President Donald Trumps $1.1 trillion budget outline for fiscal 2018, the ranking U.S. senator from South Dakota, local Veterans Administration officials and the leader of the states Ellsworth Development Authority are expressing cautious optimism over the plan.

In President Trumps Feb. 27 address to the National Governors Association and in the subsequent release of the Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again, the plan calls for a 10 percent increase in defense spending and a 6 percent increase in VA spending, amid major cuts to several domestic and foreign programs.

The White House budget plan would repeal the defense sequestration imposed by the Obama administration by restoring $52 billion to the Department of Defense, as well as $2 billion to other national defense programs outside DOD, for a $54 billion total increase for national defense discretionary budget authority above the sequestration level budget cap.

In the presidents message to Congress that accompanied the budget plan, Trump said his proposal provides for one of the largest increases in defense spending without increasing the debt. We are going to do more with less, and make the government lean and accountable to the people."

It continued: This includes deep cuts to foreign aid. 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.

While local and national officials say the presidents budget plan portends potential benefits for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the VA Black Hills Health Care System, they noted that Congress will be the ultimate arbiter on whether Trumps plan is enacted as proposed or amended to offset what would be the largest increase in military spending in a generation.

I appreciate and share the presidents commitment to national security and focus on defense spending, U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said in written comments provided to the Journal. National security should always be our top priority."

Thune said he supports both military spending and adequate funding of the VA.

As the appropriations process gets underway in Congress  the branch of government responsible for passing a budget  I will pursue policies that ensure our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to keep America safe and receive the benefits they deserve when they return home.

The presidents 2018 budget requests $78.9 billion in discretionary funding for the VA, a $4.4 billion, or 6 percent, increase from the 2017 enacted level. The budget also requests legislative authority and $3.5 billion in mandatory budget authority next year to continue the Veterans Choice Program.

Teresa Forbes, a spokeswoman for the VA Black Hills Health Care System, said last week that it was too soon to gauge the potential impacts of the presidents proposed budget, but noted that the VA would gladly accept budgetary increases that would allow it to better serve the nations 11 million veterans. The VA Black Hills Health Care System employs about 1,100 staffers and provides health care to some 19,000 veterans each year, she said.

It would be too difficult to speculate right now on what the impact will be on our services locally, Forbes said. We just dont know the specifics until the budget has gone through the process.

But we are very grateful for every dollar that we are able to use to improve veteran care and provide those services they need.

South Dakotas largest military installation  Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder  was threatened with closure during Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission hearings a dozen years ago. But after 7,000 Black Hills residents attended the BRACs Rapid City hearing in 2005, the largest crowd at any of its hearings nationwide, Ellsworth was removed from the closure list in 2006.

Augmented by new missions and a new broader training range, the military base east of Rapid City is now better-positioned to remain a staple in an Air Force arsenal designed to protect the U.S. and extend the nations influence abroad, said Scott Landguth, executive director of the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority.

The authority, created by the South Dakota Legislature in 2009, in a broad sense exists to promote and protect Ellsworth and ensure that Rapid City, the Black Hills and the state are a great place for the Air Force to conduct its mission, Landguth said.

During the 2005 BRAC hearings, Landguth noted that Ellsworths primary mission was confined to B-1 bomber activities. But with the addition of the expansive Powder River Training Range, the establishment of a national financial services call center for retired Air Force personnel, as well as a UAV mission tied to the militarys use of drones, Landguth said the future is bright for Ellsworth.

What I have heard from the Air Force and other members of the military is that, due to sequestration over a period of years, this proposed increase would allow them to restore some funding to items that have been deferred, including maintenance of buildings and equipment, and perhaps fund some things like the next-generation bomber, he said. In our view, the proposed budget would provide the airmen with the tools, equipment and resources to perform their jobs at the highest level.
News

The crisis triggered at MOPA by the CIPEN / CCIs layoff of Julien Deparis has resulted in one of the best possible outcomes: the birth of a new school. Isabelle Aubin and Deparis, former directors of MOPA, have founded a new CG school in the nearby city of Avignon, together with teachers from the former MOPA pedagogic team. Known for the excellency of the educational programs they built at MOPA, the team is taking its expertise and years of experience to the new school, called ENSI: Ecole des Nouvelles Images (School of New Images).When we saw that the school would become a shadow of what it was, we decided to create its successor, stated Julien Deparis, according to French newspaper La Provence. The ENSI team is also taking the chance to further improve the education they offer students by partnering with the University of Avignon, ArtFx school (known for their quality VFX program) and the department of Music & Musicology of the Lumiere University Lyon 2. They are already receiving strong support from the industry , including Illumination Mac Guff, Mikros Image, Cube Creative, Seve Films (who used to distribute films produced by MOPA students), renowned artists, etc.I just want to do my job, recreating the working conditions we had at MOPA, states Deparis, we had something rare and fragile, a state of mind, an ethic; we enjoyed our work, with brilliant people, motivated students and I wanted to continue to pursue this pedagogical axis.This is great news for MOPA students, who will get a chance to complete the quality education they were looking for when they attended MOPA. A number of parents who had lost confidence in the school have already decided to transfer their children to ENSI, according to reports from La Provence. We tried to find a solution so that [MOPA] could regain the trust of professionals and students, but we didnt get a reply from the CCI, stated Matthieu Laudet, representative of the MOPA Parents Association, and now representative of the new ENSI Parents Association, We arrived at a breaking point. () What we wanted is to have a choice, a solution for our children.Meanwhile, tensions are high at Arles, as some authorities are now crying treason, denouncing that the birth of ENSI will have a negative impact on MOPA and the economy of the city of Arles in general. They dont seem to have much faith in the ability of those heading the CCI / CIPEN to push MOPA forward to compete with the newly formed ENSI.ENSI will be holding a meeting this coming Saturday, April 8, to make its first public presentation.More on ENSIs website and La Provence ( French English online translation ).
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The Lookout Valley Lady Yellow Jacket softball team pounded out 32 hits on Saturday as they won a pair of games, including a 10-0 shutout over Boyd-Buchanan in the first game and a 15-0 victory over Lipscomb Academy in the second contest.

Katie Dinger and Brianna Sexton both had three hits in the first game with Sexton driving in a pair of runs.

Beth Crownover, Casey Crownover and Faith Payne all had two hits apiece as Lookout Valley had 14 in the win over the Lady Bucs. Payne was the winning pitcher in that game as well.

Dinger, Beth Crownover and Sexton all had three hits in the win over Lipscomb as the winners finished with 18 hits.

Casey Crownover, Zoe McGlamery and Maddie Randolph all had two hits in that second game.

The Lady Jackets improve to 7-3 overall and return to action with a home game on Monday against Oakwood Christian. They return to district action on Tuesday with a key game at Whitwell.

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)
A California man was sentenced last week in Ravalli County District Court to 20 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended for possession of child pornography.

"We take child pornography cases very seriously," said Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright.

Eric Jason Cisneros, 42, was arrested last April following a no-knock drug raid on a Hamilton home that netted cocaine with an estimated value of $4,500.

Following his arrest, investigators confiscated his cell phone where they found an application designed to exchange images, videos and messaging communications. Within that application, a detective found a communication that he recognized as an exchange of child pornography.

The image was of a girl about 10 to 12 years old being sexually assaulted.

A further review of data stored on the phone found 30 videos depicting children being sexually assaulted in various ways. The review also found messages from Cisneros in which child pornography videos were either solicited or shared with other users in the cellphone application.

Cisneros initially was charged with 18 counts of sexual abuse of children for distributing child pornography and 30 counts of possessing it.

He eventually pleaded to two felony charges of sexual abuse of children.

Cisneros was sentenced on Jan. 18 in the drug case on charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute and criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs.

In the drug case, Cisneros was sentenced to a 10-year commitment with the Montana Department of Corrections, with five years suspended. That sentence will run concurrently with the sentence he received in the child pornography case.
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Reza Shafiee

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei authorized for the first time an offer of Iranian citizenship to Afghans willing to fight in Syria. Javan, one of many Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dailies officially broke the news on March 17. Many may not see it as something new, but indeed it is since; for months IRGC tried to hide its sending of organized fighting brigades of scores of Afghan and Pakistani nationals, known as Fatemiyoun Division for Afghans and Zenabiyoun Division for Pakistanis, to Syria.

According to a recent report by Agence Presse-France, more than 2,100 Afghan citizens were killed in Syria. Mohammad Ali Shahidi, head of Iran's veterans' affairs office, said on March 7th that more than 2,000 "fighters sent from Iran have been killed in Iraq and Syria" and "Some 2,100 martyrs have been martyred so far in Iraq or other places defending the holy mausoleums," Shahidi told the state-run IRNA news agency.

Of course this figure is not at all accurate simply because it has left out the causalities of the IRGC in Syria. There, hardly a day goes by that in corners of Iran, one of IRGC's men goes unburied. Some big names were among them last year. Senior IRGC commanders such as Hossein Hamedani came home in body bags. No one in Iran would miss not seeing the likes of him around because he was a butcher of Iranian dissidents at home and a war criminal in the eight year Iran-Iraq and Syrian wars. But he too was a casualty in this illegal war.

Expansionism in the form of meddling in the affairs of neighboring countries and destabilizing the region is second nature to the Iranian regime. Khomeini and his predecessors have never hidden the idea of "glorifying Islam." It is often said in the regime's inner circles that if: "We were to confine Islamic Republic to its borders it will suffocate." Mullahs in Tehran have made their mission since 1979 to foster instability outside the regime. The eight-year Iran-Iraq War was but one bloody reminder of what mullahs in Tehran are capable of. The string of hostage-taking, bombings, including the U.S. barracks in Lebanon in early 1980s, and the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia in 1976 are but a few examples. These attacks cost many American lives.

Yemen is certainly the next stop for the Iranian regime to secretly occupy through its proxies. It is believed for some time now that IRGC and the Quds Force are actively supplying the Houthis minority rebels with sophisticated weapons and so-called advisors who are actually Quds Force members. What might come as shock to some is that IRGC is planning to turn them into yet another Lebanese Hezbollah. Some informed sources told Reuters on Tuesday how Iranian regime operates: "This mirrors the strategy it has used to support its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in Syria." A senior Iranian official said Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds 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.

One thing is for sure that the former U.S. administration and the rest of the Western world have tried vigorously for a long time to find "moderates," "reformers," and "good guys," inside the regime. The gambit failed.

The Obama administration stretched itself thin trying to please and talk some sense to mullahs in Tehran. Some may argue that the nuclear deal was at least good for pushing back Iran's "breakout" time to one year. But currently, the regime is bellyaching about the deal and refusing to ship out its excess heavy water out of Iran, as the terms call for.

What the Obama administration could have done to ensure the regime would not be an actual threat would have been to uphold previous UN Security Council resolutions banning Iran from enrichment altogether. But it did not do the job and it has now left the world with current dilemma.

It is obvious that mullahs are shaken to the core by the prospect of Trump administration's response to regime's bullying in the region. One clear sign is Khamenei's lack of desire for his usual tongue lashing at the United States.

It is no secret that Khamenei is behind all strategic decisions made in Iran and every gesture his regime makes toward the United States. One crucial factor in this shift, although may be just tactical, is the fact that Obama's "golden days" for the mullahs' regime are certainly over.

Ambassador John Bolton recent remarksat the Iranian Resistance's Nowruz Celebration-Iranian New Year- in Albania made it abundantly clear that a new era in U.S.-Iran relations had begun. He said:

"I have a few words to Mullahs in Tehran. The golden era of relations with the United States is over. It is vitally important that the whole world understands that American policy on Mullahs' regime in support of international terrorism and nuclear power program, is fundamentally changed."

The regime may have let go of nuclear adventurism for now but surely it has hung up to something far more dangerous that is engaging in terrorism in the region. In 2004, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president of the National Council of Resistance (NCRI) described Iranian regime's destabilizing role in region: "Tehran's meddling across the region is far more dangerous than the mullahs' quest to obtain nuclear weapons."

It is an open secret for a long time that the Iranian regime thrives on chaos because it has zero popular support at home and the only other option for it to sustain itself would be to stir unrest in the region. The single viable option to stop it would be to remove it from the neighboring countries and push it as far back as behind the Iranian borders as possible; something which should have been done a long time ago. The IRGC should not be allowed to roam around and wreak havoc.

Reza Shafiee is a member of Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
Guwahati : The Chief Minister-level talks on the inter-state boundary between Meghalaya and Assam held at Brahmaputra state Guest house in Guwahati on Saturday.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met his Meghalaya counterpart Mukul Sangma for the first time since he assumed office in Assam in May last year.

The meeting between the two state head held after seven years.

The Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya had discussed border and various other issues of mutual interest and both vowed to take forward the dialogues to resolve some long pending issues and build a foundation for a robust relationship.

In the meeting it was discussed to resolve boundary issues through dialogue taking into account views of both sides.

Sonowal and Sangma agreed to take steps to amicably demarcate the twelve disputed areas at the border, fixing of boundary pillars etc so that long pending contentious border issues can be resolved to the satisfaction of the people of both states.

Chief Secretary level meetings were decided to be held between the two states to iron out differences and reach at acceptable conclusions.

Raising the issue of extremist activities in South Salmara and Mancachar Districts of Assam bordering Garo Hills Districts of Meghalaya, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal said that joint mechanism must be put in place to check criminal activities like extortion and abduction carried out by Meghalaya insurgent outfits in the border areas and intelligence sharing and other cooperation to maintain law and order must be increased.

Saying that people of Assam and Meghalaya have age old ties Sonowal stated

that protection of environment must be the prime objective of both State

Governments and he urged the Meghalaya counterpart to take steps to prevent

cutting of hills that causes flash floods in Guwahati city.

Expressing his pleasure for being invited to Assam for the talks, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that his government has been able to reduce crime considerably in his state and Assam government has also extended full cooperation in managing crimes at border areas and insurgent groups would be controlled at border areas in near future.

'As Meghalaya depends heavily on Agro-Horticulture produce as a mainstay of its economy, the government of Meghalaya is committed for facilitating peaceful environment for Assam traders to augment the supply chain of its products,' Sangma said.

'We are all aware of areas of difference along interstate border between Assam and Meghalaya and certain discussion held on this and as a follow up at chief secretary level further discussion will be held so that the leadership of both the states comes into certainconclusion to mutually resolve the issue which is mutually acceptable to the people of both the state ,' A Sangma said.

Saying that illegal cutting of hills would be stopped Sangma said as Meghalaya shares 433 kilometre long international border with Bangladesh stopping illegal migration and managing crime at the border areas remain key concerns for Meghalaya similar to Assam and both states must jointly tackle these issues.

'Only strong political will can make it possible for both state governments to bring peace and contribute to the development of Northeast region. Meetings between district level officials of bordering districts of both states must also be organised for bringing better cooperation,'A the Meghalaya CM said.

Assam Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of State for Power Pallab Lochan Das, Media and Legal Advisers to Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami and Shantanu Bharali, Chief Secretary V.K.Pipersenia, DGP Assam Police Mukesh Sahay among others were present in the meeting. From Meghalaya, Chief Adviser to Meghalaya Government D.D Lapang, Deputy Chief Minister R.C Laloo, Power Minister S. Dhar, Law Minister Roshan Wrajari among others were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday said that, arrival in India was a moment of freedom for him.

While addressing the concluding function of platinum jubilee of The Assam Tribune and golden jubilee of the Dainik Asom of the Tribune group newspapers held in Guwahati, the Dalai Lama recalled his 1959 fight from Tibet to India and said that, there was no option but escape from Tibet to India for Chinese military action.

'Tension mounted only because of safety, but I experienced freedom when I was received warm heartedly by the people and officials of this region. After that, a new chapter began in my life. Coming to India heralded a new life,'A the Dalai Lama said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader said that, the major chunk of human problems is self-created as he advocated for inculcating and nurturing human compassion to reduce human sufferings and give global peace a chance.

Basic human nature is compassion and not anger and by rekindling human compassion one can restore individual happiness which can lead to family happiness and ultimately to world happiness. Existing system of education in India promotes materialism which is an anti-thesis to universal and collective peace, as he advocated for replicating the secular concept of education right from kinder garten to the post graduate level to reawaken the inner peace of an individual for universal peace,'A the Dalai Lama said.

The Dalai Lama hailed Indian ethos and values which promote compassion or 'karuna', referring to the material development of the European countries said that material development can provide comfort but not peace.

'The Indian system which upholds compassion can contribute compassion and peace to the seven billion people of the world. The last century that is 20th century was a century of violence where more than 200 million people were killed,'A the Dalai Lama said.

However, giving a ray of hope the Tibetan spiritual leader said that in the 21st century the youths are more compassionate and he advocated for strong spirit of dialogue to nail down the disagreement.

The Dalai Lama said that if there is any issue of disenchantment one should sit down to talk and hammer out the differences. Through strong spirit of engagement we can create peaceful century.

The Tibetan spiritual leader also said that though science and technology are very important to the overall experience of humankind and material comfort andwellbeing of the mankind too much dependence on science and technology would lead us to lose touch with the aspects of human knowledge and understanding that aspire towards honesty.

The Dalai Lama on Saturday arrived in Guwahati for his 12-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh despite of opposed by China.

Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit while speaking on the occasion congratulated the entire team of the Assam Tribune and Dainik Asom to achieve the feat and relentlessly serving the society with information and education.

Lauding the services of the Assam Tribune in being the voice of the voiceless, Purohit said that his day starts with the Assam Tribune and he reads the paper to know the happenings of the state and the country.

He also said that the Assam Tribune is maintaining the highest standard of journalistic ethics which also has had a great role towards India's independent struggle. He also advised the entire team of the Assam Tribune not to get carried away by temptations.

Speaking on the occasion, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal while welcoming the Dalai Lama to Assam said that the presence of His Holiness has lent a divine touch to the ambience as he sought his blessings on behalf of the people of Assam for the welfare of all sections of the people.

Sonowal also said that to make the society a better place of living, values like honesty, transparency etc should be developed and the presence of His Holiness would help us to nurture these values for a better Assam.

The Assam CM also hailed the role of the Assam Tribune Group of Newspapers for their immense contributions to make an illuminated society.

He also said that since the very beginning The Assam Tribune Group of Newspapers have been playing pivotal role in making the democracy run. He also paid his tributes to Radha Gobinda Baruah the lion man of Assam who was instrumental in bringing Bihu from the rural landscape to cities.

Earlier, the Dalai Lama released two books, 50 Years of Dainik Asom and L.N. Phukan the first editor of the Assam Tribune.

On the other hand, while Chinese opposed to his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Dalai Lama said that, it is a normal oppose.

The Dalai Lama will release an Assamese translation of his first autobiography and to deliver a speech during a programme organised by Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University in Guwahati on April 2.

He will also attend an open session in the Namami Brahmaputra festival, biggest ever river festival in India on April 2, which was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on March 31.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will also visit to Dibrugarh (Upper Assam), Tawang, Itanagar, Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh during his 12-day visit to North East India.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal: Dozens of cadres of the Naya Shakti Nepal (NSN) party including its coordinator Dr. Baburam Bhattrai has been taken under control by the security personnel on Sunday.

Police have taken into control after the leaders and cadres of the NSN tried to enter the prohibited area near the Election Commission (EC) at Kantipath , Kathmandu on Sunday morning during their protest against the EC. It is said that around one hundred cadres and leaders of the NSN were arrested.

The NSN has protested the provision of not to provide election symbol to the parties which have no representation in the parliament.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Lighting strike has claimed the lives of two persons- one in Makawanpur district and another in Kaski district.

According to a report, a 23 year old person was killed in a lightning strike at his home at Gadhi Village Council  7 of Makawanpur district on Saturday night.

The deceased has been identified as Jit Bahadur Syatang. He died on the spot after getting struck by the lightning at his home at around 11.00 pm on Sunday night.

It is said that other three members of the same family were injured due to the lighting strikes.

Likewise, another teen age boy is also killed due to the lighting strike on Saturday evening.

It is said that the deceased has been identified as 14 years old Dal Bahadur Gurung of Dhandruk in Annapurna Village Council, Kaski.

It is said that the boy died on the spot when the lightning struck while he was returning home carrying a bamboo pole.
Shirley Contreras lives in Orcutt and writes for the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. She can be contacted at 623-8193 or at shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories shes written for the Santa Maria Times since 1991, is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway.
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Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day. High 81F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Editor's note: This story ran in the April 2 Sunday Business section with the wrong photo. The correct photo appears here.

SIOUX CITY | Matthew S. Chilton, CRPC, BFA, a personal financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in Sioux City, has earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table for the seventh time in his career.

Membership is based on outstanding product knowledge and client service in addition to production.

Chilton has been an adviser for 20 years at the Sioux City office of Ameriprise Financial Services.
SIOUX CITY -- John Helms, assistant professor of chemistry at Morningside College, recently was one of 100 junior faculty members chosen to attend the 2017 National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry Early Career Investigators Workshop in Arlington, Virginia.

The workshop brought together junior chemistry and biology faculty from a variety of institutions and demographics to discuss steps in creating research ideas and planning educational and outreach activities. The group also assessed project goals to improve the likelihood of participants receiving funding from the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.

The workshop was organized by faculty from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. It was sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Al Azhar Indonesia held a youth microfilm festival here on Saturday to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Indonesia.

The festival showcased tens of microfilms integrating Chinese and Indonesian culture by Indonesian university students.

Luizah F. Saidi, an official of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, said films which can convey information and knowledge easily and directly may become a good platform in promoting mutual understanding of cultures.

Wang Zhixian, a secretary of the cultural section of the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, said at the opening ceremony that the exchange of youth is important for the future development of China-Indonesia relations and encouraged the two sides to intensify cooperation in all aspects.

The one-day festival also featured a microfilm competition which was contested by 26 teams from Indonesian domestic university students and those studying in China.

The microfilms which were taken in Indonesia and China merged Chinese and Indonesian lifestyles and unfolded Indonesian youth's acknowledgment to Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, a film salon was held on the sideline of the festival.

Hundreds of film directors, producers and experts joined and shared their experience on the important role of films in promoting cultural exchanges.

Riyana Istiqoma, a student from Al Azhar said she was fully impressed by the films which explore China in different angles.

She hoped she could have the opportunity to study in China and experience Chinese culture and society more closely. More than 300 participants consisting of university lecturers and students, Chinese culture lovers as well as film experts attended the festival's opening ceremony.
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Council has appointed John Helms , assistant professor of chemistry at Morningside College, to the city's Environmental Advisory Board.

Helms will serve a three-year term on the nine-member board, which researches eco-friendly and sustainable practices, encourages preservation and restoration of natural resources, and educates residents and community leaders about environmental issues.

Helms joined the Morningside faculty in 2014. He serves as chair of the Morningside College Committee for Environmental Sustainability. Helms has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia, and a master's and Ph.D. in chemistry from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
ORANGE CITY, Iowa  Northwestern College will promote four employees to new roles as academic deans, effective July 1.

Karen Bohm Barker, professor of theatre and speech, will serve as dean of arts and humanities; Dean Calsbeek, professor of kinesiology, as dean of natural and applied sciences; Rebecca Hoey, director of graduate school and adult learning, as dean of graduate school and adult learning; and Jeff VanDerWerff, professor of political science, as dean of social sciences.

The deans will work to improve instructional quality and outcomes by guiding curricular planning and assessment and by supporting faculty and faculty-student research.

The academic deans will help secure resources and space for faculty to pursue teaching, scholarship and artistic production. They will also support department chairs so the chairs can play a more substantial role in mentoring their faculty colleagues.

A member of Northwesterns faculty since 1988, Barker earned a master of fine arts degree in acting from Northern Illinois University. Her professional acting credits include national radio, regional theatres and major conferences, and she has worked as both a director and dramaturg. In 2003 the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival recognized her for exceptional service to theater.

Calsbeek, a 1997 graduate of Northwestern, began teaching at his alma mater since 2004 after earning a doctorate in physiology from Colorado State University. He currently directs the exercise science major and manages Northwesterns Human Performance Lab.

Hoey joined the colleges administration in 2011, charged with developing Northwesterns graduate and adult learning programs. During her tenure, NWC added online master of education degrees, graduate certificates, degree-completion programs and continuing education opportunities. Hoey holds a doctorate of education degree from the University of South Dakota. She is co-chair and editor of NET: An e-Journal of Faith-Based Distance Learning.

VanDerWerff, a 1983 graduate of NWC, has a doctorate in American politics from the University of Kansas. He has been teaching at Northwestern since 1999 and is a past recipient of the colleges Teaching Excellence Award.
NEW YORK  The priorities laid out in President Donald Trump's budget message have some small business owners strategizing how they might benefit from a big boost in defense spending, and others thinking about how to make up for revenue they could lose to cuts in grant programs and subsidies.

While Trump's plan, released March 16, is far from the final word on the subject, he has called for a $54 billion increase in the Pentagon's budget. He has proposed cuts elsewhere, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commerce Department, and no funding at all for 19 agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts. Departments and agencies across the government have programs that benefit small companies or offer them contracting opportunities.

"It's the opening bid in the negotiations," says David Primo, a professor of political science and business at the University of Rochester. The formal request that will go to Congress is expected in May, and even that version will be subject to negotiations among lawmakers.

Still, the proposal does give small business owners a sense of Trump's goals, not only for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, but for the rest of his term.

A look at how four business owners believe Trump's objectives could affect them:

An end to subsidies?

Air Choice One would lose revenue if the administration succeeds in ending funding for the Essential Air Service program, says Shane Storz, the company's CEO. The St. Louis-based carrier gets federal subsidies under the program aimed at making it easier for people who live in rural areas to catch flights nearer their homes.

The company has 56 subsidized flights a day, sending eight-seater turboprops carrying about 2,000 passengers a month to seven small cities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee and Arkansas. The federal program subsidizes 60 percent to 70 percent of the cost of Air Choice One's flights, Storz says. If the program's funding is reduced or eliminated, the airline would have to cut flights, forcing many passengers to drive two or more hours to an airport served by a major airline.

"We get a lot of elderly travelers who don't want to drive," Storz says.

Air Choice One's subsidized flights run at 80 percent of capacity, a number consistent with major carriers. Storz is trying to increase ridership so the subsidized routes can be sustained even if funding is cut. The Trump administration says ending funding entirely would save the government $175 million.

"If the program ended, it would hurt tremendously," Storz says.

Higher defense spending, higher sales

Inquiries about Frontline Selling's sales management software shot up after the call for higher defense spending was released, co-owner Mike Scher says. His customers, technology providers to government contractors and subcontractors, are hoping for a jump in sales under the budget plan and from Trump's call during a speech to Congress for $1 trillion in government and private spending on infrastructure.

"They believe that's going to come to fruition," says Scher, whose company is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. "They're ramping up their business."

That has already helped Frontline Selling. Scher expects that his company's first-quarter revenue will rise 10 percent to 15 percent from a year ago, and there's a growing backlog of orders to fill. He's optimistic enough about government spending that he plans to hire five employees in the next quarter, increasing his staff to 55.

Hopes for fewer regulations

Charles Markman looks at the budget proposal's call for a 13 percent reduction in Department of Transportation funding and hopes that would mean no new regulations governing the drone industry. The co-owner of Galaxy Media, which uses drones for aerial photography in central and southern Florida, says Federal Aviation Administration regulations slowed the progress of the company's startup three years ago.

"For the better part of a year, we were significantly impeded by rules," Markman says. "The new administration recognizes the need for greater regulatory predictability."

The budget proposal did not mention regulations, but Markman noted that Trump signed an executive order in January requiring federal agencies to identify two regulations they will eliminate for every one they request.

Markman expects the budget that ultimately goes to Congress will prevent the FAA from adding staff who would write new regulations.

Arts funding cuts mean less business?

The possibility that the National Endowment for the Arts might lose all its funding has Shaun Breidbart concerned that some nonprofit theaters where he puts on stand-up comedy shows may take longer to pay him, or even shut down.

Any funding cut to the agency could mean individuals and organizations lose grants that range from $10,000 to $100,000. Many of the theaters where Breidbart has shows get some of their operating budgets from those grants. Executive directors of some theaters have already told him that if they lose grant money, they might not be able to give him a deposit upon signing a contract, the usual procedure.

"They're not sure they're going to be able to spare the cash," he says. And if Breidbart doesn't get those deposits, which can be several thousand dollars, he cannot pay other comedians who appear with him.

He's also afraid if the NEA is eliminated, "that next year, when I show up at a theater expecting to do a show, I'll arrive only to discover that the theater is closed."
SIOUX CITY | Tracy Johnson was inside his home the afternoon of Feb. 24 when the sound of the street collapsing underneath a snow plow brought him rushing to his window.

Weakened by the failure of an underground storm sewer, the roadway at the intersection of 30th and Pierce streets caved in underneath the weight of the plow, which had to be towed out of the sinkhole. No one was injured, but Johnson said the situation could have been much worse.

"Some of our kids are in school buses that are traveling over this street," Johnson said. "Theyre going 30, 40 mph some times. I tell you, that would have been disastrous."

Recent sinkhole problems have kept some residents who live in the 2900 and 3000 blocks of Pierce Street on edge as they drive down their roadway -- or walk across their own lawns.

Marlus Mammen, who manages a triplex in the 3000 block of Pierce near the intersection, said the sinkhole made her nervous about how the broken storm sewer might impact her own property.

"I hope they get it fixed because I don't know where the pipe goes," she said.

In January, a smaller sinkhole formed due to a broken water main five blocks down from Johnson's intersection. Multiple sinkholes in the side yard of Joyce Downing, a longtime Sioux City resident who lived at the 30th and Pierce intersection for more than 20 years, led her to file a lawsuit against the city in 2014. It's set to go to trial later this year if no settlement is reached.

Sioux City is currently working with consulting companies to plan how to fix the infrastructure at 30th and Pierce, as well as to fix a massive, 30-foot-deep sinkhole that opened up last fall in Sutherland Park at 37th and Jennings streets. That hole was also caused by a broken storm sewer, although the incident had no connection to the holes on Pierce Street.

In recent years, other sinkholes have also opened up throughout Sioux City due to broken utilities. In January 2015, a broken water main caused about a one-block stretch of road to dramatically collapse in the 2800 block of Macomb Avenue. In 2011, a 10-foot-deep sinkhole formed at South Alice Street and Transit Avenue after a water main break, swallowing a car. The driver was able to escape.

Sioux City's sinkholes are typically the result of a broken water main or storm sewer that undermines the soil or street above it until the surface caves into the void. City utilities director Mark Simms said the city is concentrating this year on taking a more proactive approach to fixing sinkhole problems as they arise.

In the past three months, he said, the city has begun responding to all resident reports of sinkholes as if they are a result of city utilities.

"Most of these, it's not a matter of going and dumping several loads of gravel or dirt or rock in it," Simms said of utility-caused sinkholes. "They need to be dug out, the problem needs to be fixed, and a lot of the time that does require design and hiring contractors."

Sioux City is not at a high risk for geologically related sinkholes, such as the massive house-eating sinkholes seen on the national news in states like Florida. Sioux City's bedrock does not have the same characteristics as other regions with those problems.

While Sioux City doesn't specifically track the number of sinkholes, officials say the city has worked on at least three sinkholes in public areas so far this year, while also fielding several reports of sinkholes on private property.

Simms said with more than 275 miles of storm sewer, 300 miles of sanitary sewer and almost 600 miles of water mains, plus many more miles of gas lines, he believes the city doesn't have an exorbitant number of sinkholes for its scale.

"Per mile of infrastructure, what we have is probably not much different than other communities," Simms said. "But certainly it catches the eye of the public."

Just over a month after the February snow plow crash, the intersection of 30th and Pierce streets sits closed off with cement barricades. City staff are planning a comprehensive reconstruction of the intersection that includes its underground utilities to begin in August.

According to civil engineer Justin Pottorff, the existing water main and storm sewer are 80 to 90 years old. Reconstruction of the area has been in the city's capital improvement program for years.

Pottorff said engineering staff are eyeing two bid packages, one for intersection work and another to finish the remainder of the area. Staff want to open the intersection quickly but safely, he said.

Downing, who has filed the lawsuit against the city, lives at the corner of that intersection. The storm sewer runs diagonally across her property, including underneath her house, and has been the site of multiple sinkholes in her yard.

She said her first sinkhole formed in 2010, with a second forming in 2013 and a third in 2014. Since then, at least three more have formed on the property, she said, all in line with the aging storm sewer.

Downing, a widow, moved out of her five-bedroom home in 2012 and in with her son after she began having nightmares, worrying about her home caving in. She said the day before the first hole developed, she had been mowing in that exact spot.

Once youve had holes develop your whole mindset changes," she said. "I didnt know what to do."

After approaching the City Council multiple times, Downing in November 2014 sued the city in Woodbury County District Court for neglecting to fix the sinkholes.

Her attorney, Harold Widdison, said Downing wants the city to purchase her house, reimburse the mortgage payments that Downing paid while she was not living in her home, as well as cover other expenses -- a total of $295,000. The suit is set to go to trial in May.

Widdison said the city should never have allowed Downing's house to be built on top of the storm pipe. He also pointed back to city capital improvement program records dating back to 2012 that mentioned the known storm sewer problem at Downing's address, stating the price to fix the pipe exceeded the home's value.

Assistant city attorney Justin Vondrak said the city is working toward a settlement.

Pottorff said the 30th and Pierce project will fill in the storm sewer that goes underneath Downings house with flowable concrete.

When were done with this project we will have that storm sewer completely filled in, Pottorff said. It will be completely solid.

With both projects in the design phase, the city does not yet have estimates on what it will cost to fix the holes at 30th and Pierce or at 38th and Jennings.

While Sioux City does have some aging infrastructure, Jon O'Brien, the city's underground utilities superintendent, said some pipes more than 100 years old look better than newer ones. He said he's found that many pipes depend on the way they were manufactured and installed, not necessarily their age.

He added that the city is looking into using better, more break-resistant materials when it replaces and repairs its utilities to avoid future problems.

When it comes to prevention, utilities staff admit finding sinkholes before they leave a gap in the ground or street can be difficult.

O'Brien said the city runs a video camera through its several hundred miles of pipe each year, making a full sweep of the system every five to seven years. He said his goal is to eventually make a complete cycle of the pipes every four years. Even then, each picture is just a snapshot of that pipe, and things can change quickly.

"I think Sioux City does an excellent job in trying to maintain the best they can, but with anything youre going to have failures that you dont catch until its too late," O'Brien said. "We just try to keep them at a minimum."

Other sinkholes, O'Brien said, are due to the flow of water across a person's property.

"Many are home-related. A lot of them you just look at your yard and its how it slopes," he said.

Johnson, who lives along Pierce Street, said he knows the city is doing what it can, but he would like to see the city do what it can to get an idea of where potential sinkholes are forming.

Its not going to be an easy fix. Thats going to be the thing," he said.

O'Brien said while the city is keeping its eye out, the number of staff is limited and the city encourages residents to call the city's underground utilities office if they see or suspect a sinkhole.

"We cover as much as we can, but I appreciate it when people call in with issues because that helps us find it," O'Brien said.
SUTHERLAND, Iowa | Raymond Lester Johannsen grew up on a farm north of Sutherland, and graduated from Sutherland High in 1930. Save for his four years of service in World War II, Johannsen always lived here.

He and his brother, Delbert Johannsen, purchased a farm for $240 per acre in the late 1940s, and farmed together for 35 years. Ray then farmed the ground until retiring in 1982. He deemed that the bulk of the proceeds from a land sale after his death be used to build a new community center and American Legion site in Sutherland.

The farm fetched $13,700 per acre, or $1.822 million in total, when it sold in 2013. I was there on Sept. 4, 2015, the day nine local leaders, including Johannsen's nephew, Ed Johannsen, dug into the dirt at the corner of Second Street and Ash Street to signal the start of the R.L. Johannsen Center on what would have been Ray's 102nd birthday.

On that day, Ed told me, "When Ray wrote his will initially, his land might have been worth $3,000 to $4,000 per acre. We hit a peak in land prices in 2013. I'm sure he never thought we'd end up with $1.5 million from his estate."

Ray Johannsen, 99, died in May 2013. His wife of 59 years, Wynona Johannsen, 96, died 21 days later. Their names grace the wall inside the front entry, along with others whose work and gifts made this structure possible.

I visited Saturday morning to catch a half-dozen Sutherland American Legion Post 152 members pulling kitchen detail, making eggs, pancakes and more in one of their twice-per-month breakfast feeds. Generally, they feed 75.

"This is our main fundraiser," said Charlie Kummerfeld, a member of the local post. "This helps keep the Legion doors open. It's just a freewill donation."

The $1.45-million R.L. Johannsen Center, which measures about 9,000 square feet, is home to the local American Legion and Auxiliary. It's also site of Sutherland's city offices and its community center. Since opening last fall, it has hosted wedding receptions, a wedding, a number of community get-togethers, annual dinners, family reunions, class reunions and more.

The event hall, equipped with a portable stage, can hold 400 people. A smaller meeting room comfortably seats 40 or so. There's a full kitchen and a dining area as well. The entire structure is handicap accessible, a big reason this site is favored over the two-story 1951 American Legion site just to the north.

"Our Legion members are aging, and so is the community," said Kummerfeld. "Our old building was constructed by members of the Legion and folks in town. It served its purpose, but it isn't handicap-accessible. This site works much better for us."

The new R.L. Johannsen Center may help attract new members to this American Legion Post, which isn't named for anyone. Kummerfeld said there are plans to decorate the walls of the facility with local Gold Star heroes.

"It's a huge asset to our community," said Jill Jurgensen, a member of the Sutherland City Council and a volunteer with the R.L. Johannsen Center. "It's really great to have a building like that downtown."

The busy site, she added, helps bring and keep people in this town of 649 residents.

It was a busy place on Saturday morning as folks met to dine and chat. Six American Legion members manned the grill and washed dishes as the donation basket filled with $5, $10 and $20 bills, gifts that may help this local group continue its work in the only town World War II veteran R.L. Johannsen ever really knew.
PONCA, Neb. | A 60-year-old inmate awaiting trial for making a terroristic threat died in his jail cell last week.

Spafford Stabler was found unresponsive by Dixon County Jail personnel the morning of March 23. The county attorney pronounced him dead later that day, a news release said.

The release sent out Friday-- eight days after the incident-- did not say a suspected cause of death.

A grand jury will be called to review the incident in accordance with Nebraska law.

According to court documents online, Stabler had committed the felony on March 13. His pretrial court date was April 11.
The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting Friday, calling for greater effort on poverty alleviation.

Members of the bureau heard reports on provincial Party committees and governments' achievements and evaluation work on poverty relief in 2016 during the meeting, presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

China has set 2020 as the target year to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and "the hardest part is to lift poor rural population and counties out of poverty and eradicate poverty on a regional basis," said a statement issued after the meeting.

The meeting agreed that achievements made during the past years showed that the goal could be accomplished as long as practical and solid effort was made and current policy and work intensity maintained.

Salient problems, however, remain, including low quality poverty relief, a lack of targeted measures and lax supervision of funds, according to the statement.

Stressing strict requirements during poverty elimination, the CPC leadership said the work report system and responsibility system for poverty elimination must be effectively enforced.

In addition, strict evaluation and inspection of poverty alleviation must be carried out to ensure goals are achieved.

The people's interests should be put in first place in advancing poverty relief, while leading officials at various levels should strengthen their sense of mission and responsibility and synergize efforts,the statement said.

Poverty relief is the historical mission of the CPC and the responsibilities of heads of Party committees, governments and departments at various levels, it said.

The meeting also called for effort to consolidate the foundations of precise poverty alleviation, take corresponding measures and inspire officials and people in areas with poverty.

The requirements of strict Party governance should be implemented comprehensively and responsibilities on poverty elimination should be fulfilled faithfully, the statement said.

Evaluation of poverty relief should play its role and pragmatic work styles be followed, it noted.

China aims to reduce the number of rural residents living in poverty by over 10 million in 2017, including 3.4 million relocated from inhospitable areas.
Le MARS, Iowa | A federal grand jury has indicted the former president of the union that represents many Wells' Enterprises employees with embezzling more than $45,000 from the labor organization.

An indictment was filed March 22 charging Curtis Dean Lang with the theft of approximately $45,040 while he served as president of the United Dairy Workers of Le Mars. According to court documents from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Western Division, the alleged embezzlement occurred between 2012 and June 9, 2015.

The indictment said Lang "did embezzle, steal and unlawfully and willfully abstract and convert to his own use, the moneys, funds, and assets" of the labor union that represents employees of Wells' Enterprises in Le Mars.

The U.S. Marshals Service executed an arrest warrant taking Lang into custody on Wednesday. He was booked into the Woodbury County Jail and released on a personal recognizance bond Thursday, according to court documents.

Lang pleaded not guilty in federal court Thursday in Sioux City to the one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets.

A spokeswoman for the ice cream and frozen novelties company did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday night.

A status hearing is scheduled for May 5, with a jury trial slated to begin on June 5 in federal court in Sioux City.

The indictment follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, court documents stated.
As a child, I remember that my family regarded animated political discussions as a sporting event. Vocal wrangling never personally appealed to me, but it did teach me to appreciate an inherent aspect of our living democracy - the exchange of ideas.

We harbor thoughts about small government versus large, Jefferson versus Hamilton, federal versus state, state versus local control. We vote for or against candidates based on what we hear candidates say and how that aligns with our personal beliefs. Democracy evolves - it is messy, it's hard work, and sometimes it's loud. It doesn't end at the ballot box. To the contrary, if we truly are engaged, voting and getting elected are just the beginning and conversations around the issues we care about will grow and evolve, as well.

This Iowa legislative session has offered up a lively, up-close and personal lesson on how our form of democracy works - or should work, if we are all willing to participate. No doubt about it, the Republican Party won control of all three branches of state government, so they get to set the agenda. But our representatives still have to come home, still have to engage with their constituents - even the ones who didn't vote for them - and still be held accountable for their stands on issues.

One arena where I've witnessed tremendous opportunity to learn from an exchange of ideas is the series of town hall meetings hosted by the League of Women Voters of Sioux City with other civic groups on the last Saturday of the month during the legislative session. The January meeting was definitely boisterous, but it came from passion and reaction to what had been an unadvertised, full-throated, frontal attack on Chapter 20 that defines what can be covered under the bargaining rights of public employees. The folks who stood in line for more than 90 minutes to ask questions, express outrage or fear or confront the legislators were there because it was personal - the kind of personal that made them step out of their comfort zone and talk about how vulnerable they felt.

The three legislators present earned not just their salary as elected officials, but also the respect of their constituents. In addition to Democratic Representatives Chris Hall and Tim Kacena, Republican Representative Jim Carlin attended the January, February and March town hall meetings. They listened - sometimes over noisy audience rumblings - they shared, they explained, but most of all they made themselves available. I noticed the audience expressed appreciation to Rep. Carlin, while disagreeing with him, because he took their phone calls, answered their questions and explained his stance on issues. There has been an earnest exchange of ideas in these forums.

But where were our locally elected state senators? Where was their exchange of ideas and the give and take of opposing points of view? Please explain why Chapter 20 needed revamping. Why is it imperative to reduce compensation for work injuries even though the National Council on Compensation Insurance claims premium costs in Iowa decreased and claims have been fair for employers? Why is the stand-your-ground provision in the proposed gun bill so urgent, despite deep reservations expressed by Iowa county sheriffs, attorneys and police chiefs across the state, including Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew? Why are $440 million in corporate tax credits untouchable in light of the state's $220 million budget shortfall? If our corporate taxes are so onerous, why has U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa as the nation's sixth-best state for economic development?

Lets have a public discussion about the origin of bills sent out by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for state legislators to propose. For example, the Iowa House recently passed a "Convention of the States" bill to limit the power of the federal government and limit terms of office for members of Congress. The name and language of the bill are verbatim from the model distributed by ALEC. This is just one example. What property or state income taxes does ALEC pay into the Iowa treasury?

When and where did legislation that weakens the earning power of working-class wage earners who pay state income and property taxes get publicly aired?

Public forums can be emotional, nerve-racking and uncomfortable, but making every effort to be accessible to your constituents helps both sides of the democratic equation mature and deepens our engagement in self-governance. Legislators and voters alike have a responsibility to partake, and when we do we all gain a foothold in the outcome.

Next week: Jim Wharton

Katie Colling is the executive director of Women Aware, a private nonprofit agency. She was elected to two consecutive terms on the Woodbury County Extension Council and serves on several civic-organization boards. She and her husband, Ron, live in Sioux City.
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Davenport Alderman Mike Matson turned a few heads a week ago when he told a Democratic fundraising dinner that he was thinking about running for governor.

Typically, state government is the jumping off point for Iowa's chief executives, not City Hall. But Matson, who was elected to the council in 2007, looks at it a bit differently.

"I think (it's) what does the person bring to the table," he said last week.

Matson, who retired as a sergeant major after 20 years in the Army and now teachers Junior ROTC at Central High School, said he has leadership skills that would serve him well as chief executive. And as an alderman, he said he's heard the public's concerns about government at the most basic level.

As for what's going on in Des Moines, he said, policies to curtail collective bargaining rights for state employees and limiting workers' compensation rights aren't friendly to the average Iowan.

"Our value system seems to be twisted," he said in an interview last week.

From a purely parochial perspective, Matson, who is 53, brings something else to the table. If he actually runs, he would be the first major party candidate from Scott County to appear on a gubernatorial primary ballot in at least 50 years.

It's not just state government that tends to breed governors. But they tend to come from other parts of the state, not here. In 1971, then-Lt. Gov. Roger Jepsen, of Davenport, announced plans to challenge Gov. Bob Ray in the next year's Republican primary, but he dropped out, and his name didn't appear on the ballot. In 1998, a Davenport man ran for governor, but as a third-party candidate. He got fewer than 100 votes.

There's still more than a year to go before the 2018 primary, and Matson is part of a large pool of potential Democratic candidates. The others include state Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, state Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy McGuire of Des Moines, Johnson County Supervisor Mike Carberry of Iowa City, Jon Neiderbach, a former Des Moines school board president, and former Iowa DNR Director Rich Leopold, who is from Polk County.

The latter two already have said they are running.

In addition, Jack Hatch, the Democrats' 2014 nominee, didn't rule himself out in a recent conversation, although he said he's been encouraging others to consider it. Hatch was in the Quad-Cities recently touting a new book.
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The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
Barbara Lynn Navin, 59, of Fort Pierce, Florida passed away on March 30, 2017. She went to heaven to reunite with her father William Parsley. She leaves behind her mother, Lois Parsley in Maryland, her three children Justin in Florida, Stephanie in Texas, and Caitlyn in Maryland. She was the grandmother to 6 grandchildren; Austin, Aliyah, Micah, Carson, Dylan, and unborn Baby Corley.



Barb was born in Richmond, VA and was raised in Baltimore MD. She was the oldest of four; her siblings are Brenda, Billy, and Roger all who reside in Maryland. She graduated from Southern High School. After high school she began her career with Baltimore Gas and Electric, she would continue working for the next forty years; mostly in nuclear. She spent most of her life in Maryland however she also lived in New York, Florida, and Arizona.



She retired to Florida where she enjoyed the beach, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was involved in church and became close with members of St Helen Catholic Church. She loved to host parties, take pictures, travel, and spend time with family. Anyone that knew her knew how much she loved her children and grandchildren.



She is in heaven smiling down on us and will protect us. Until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand. 2 Timothy 4:7- "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." In lieu of flowers you may make a donation at https://www.youcaring.com/barbaralynnnavin-789558. Her celebration mass will be held at Our Lady Star Of The Sea Church in Solomons, MD on April 22, 2017 at 11:00 am.
Poster of Raoul Peck's latest film "The Young Marx"

"The Young Marx," a film by Raoul Peck, a left-wing Haitian director, examines Karl Marx's life and ideas in the period from 1843 to 1848.

The first scene re-enacts the events covered in an article written by Marx, which protests against a ban on peasants collecting fallen branches in the forest, for use as firewood. Club-wielding riders gallop towards their victims - spreading terror. Heavy thuds are heard as skulls are cracked, and bodies fall to the ground, their dying faces contorted with expressions of disbelief and injustice.

At the time, Karl Marx (August Diehl) wrote for, and later became the editor of a radical newspaper called the Rheinischer Zeitung. His articles were seen as a direct challenge to the authorities of a divided German nation, in which feudal power held sway and was maintained by violence and repression.

Marx's restless and critical mind searches for an outlet through which he can freely express his thoughts and contribute to the intellectual ferment of the times.

He moves to France to pursue a new publishing project - The German French Yearbook - and joins the fray of heated debates within socialist and communist circles thriving in Paris in 1844.

His beloved wife, Jenny von Westphalen (Vicky Krieps), is sympathetically portrayed as a bright and iconoclastic woman, perfectly capable of participating on an equal footing in male intellectual debates, and offering her own insights and ideas.

Friedrich Engels (Stephan Konarske) is pictured in Manchester at his father's cotton thread factory. He is an uncomfortable figure, torn between radical ideas and material interests. His quest to escape from the bourgeois values and beliefs of his father draw him inexorably towards the lower orders of society.

The real life of the working class in England is opened up to him after he seeks out Mary Burns (Hannah Steele), an Irish factory worker who becomes his lover. Her fiery militancy and connections to the proletarian underworld allow him to gain the insights of an anthropologist going native.

The fruit of his expedition into the bowels of Manchester proletariat life was "The Condition of the Working Class in England" published in 1845. This book acts as Engels' passport, granting him entry through the prickly frontiers surrounding Karl Marx's intimate world.

Marx and Engels disappear in drunken interludes which not only produce a fundamental re-examination of society, based on material production and class relations, but also seek to change the world.

The central debates within the socialist and communist movement prior to 1848 are subtly presented, with Joseph Proudon and Wilhelm Weitling, assuming the leading roles as the protagonists of utopian forms of socialism and communism.

Weitling proposes harmony between the classes, and his organization, The League of the Just, advocates egalitarian values based on moral appeals and rationality.

Marx and Engels, however, believed the material interests of the capitalists and workers involved an irreconcilable contradiction, and only the unity of the working class could prepare for a seizure of power and lay the basis for a communist society.

The didactic elements of the film are certainly a success, in the sense that no effort is required to grasp apparently complex issues, and to realize their relevance today.

However, viewers inevitably compare any period drama setting with others that evoke the same ages and places. In this field, the film's achievements are a little sketchier. It was filmed in French, English and German, and it is definitely preferable to see the multilingual version.

However, the story also contains numerous embellishments, which Peck inserted, and which amend or change the actual timeline of events. Whilst they do not diminish the quality of representation of substantial issues or ideas, and are inserted for dramatic effect, I do think they add sufficient humor or drama to be justified.

After all, as Marx's historical legacy is still such a ferociously-contested terrain, why is there a need to add anything that distorts it? However, Peck has done a great job in bringing Karl Marx and the development of his ideas to the big screen.

Indeed, it is astounding that no one has made a film about Marx's life before. In addition, by restricting himself to a short historical period, Peck is inviting others to engage the subject.

Heiko Khoo is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
A superior court judge in Maine recently denied appeals from horsemen Drew Campbell, Randy Bickmore and Stephen Vafiades in regard to cobalt positives that were announced last summer.

In June of 2016, a handful of horsepeople that were racing horses in Maine were handed fines and suspensions after performers from their stables produced positive tests for cobalt in 2015.

Campbell, Bickmore and Vafiades each received stays later in the month. At the time, Maine Harness Racing Commission Chairman Bill Varney was quoted as saying that the fines and suspensions were designed as a message. The commission in the last year or so has stepped up the penalties, he said. The new penalties are more severe than they have been in the past and theyre testing for more things.

To read the superior court ruling, click here.
A barn fire which occurred southwest of London, Ont. has claimed the lives of five horses.

According to multiple reports, fire broke out during the early-morning hours of Friday, March 31. The blaze occurred on Decker Drive, outside of Delaware, Ont., and local fire crews responded to the blaze at roughly 3:40 a.m. One horse was rescued, but five lost their lives in the blaze.

Multiple fire crews responded to the blaze at the large steel-framed barn, as crews from Delaware, Coldstream, London, and Oneida all worked together to help put the fire out. The reports did not indicate the breeds of horses that were lost in the blaze.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the horses that lost their lives.

A shot of the decimation after the barn fire (Sean Irvine / CTV London)

(With files from CTV London and Global News)
Dit schreef ik ruim 20 jaar geleden over Paul Cliteur Het recht om Cliteur te kwetsen Ik vermoed dat het de drie sloten op zijn voordeur zij...
On January 30 NBC News reported that On a snowy Polish plain dominated by Russian forces for decades, American tanks and troops sent a message to Moscow and demonstrated the firepower of the NATO alliance. Amid concerns that President Donald Trumps commitment to NATO is wavering , the tanks fired salvos that declared the 28-nation alliance a vital deterrent in a dangerous new world.

One intriguing aspect of this slanted account are the phrases dominated by Russian forces for decades and vital deterrent which are used by NBC to imply that Russia yearns, for some unspecified reason, to invade Poland. As is common in the Western media there is no justification or evidence to substantiate the suggestion that Russia is hell-bent on domination, and the fact that US troops are far from home, operating along the Russian border, is regarded as normal behaviour on the part of the worlds indispensable nation.

Then Reuters recorded that Beginning in February, US military units will spread out across Poland, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania and Germany for training, exercises and maintenance. The Army is also sending its 10th Combat Aviation Brigade with about 50 Black Hawk and 10 CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 1,800 personnel, as well as a separate aviation battalion with 400 troops and 24 Apache helicopters.

As the US-NATO military alliance continues its deployments along Russias borders, including the US-UK supported Joint Viking 2017 exercise in Norway that began on March 1 and the deployment of more US troops in Poland from the start of April, as the alliance sets up a new force in response to Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea, the campaign by the US and British governments against alleged Russian Aggression continues to increase in volume and intensity, aided by an ever-compliant media.

During his visit to Washington on March 6-7 Ukraines foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin met with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Senator Marco Rubio of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and received assurances of US support in confronting Russian aggression while in Britain it was announced that its foreign minister, Boris Johnson, the  mop-haired buffoon  was about to visit Russia in to tell it to keep its nose out of western affairs. Mr Johnson declared that Russia was up to all sorts of no good and engaged in cyber-warfare.

The splendid irony of the Johnson allegation about cyber warfare is that it came just before the revelation that Britains intelligence agencies were deeply involved with those of the United States in cyber-chicanery on a massive scale. WikiLeaks once again showed the depths of deceit and humbug to which the Wests great democracies submerge themselves, and revealed that leaked files describe CIA plans and descriptions of malware and other tools that could be used to hack into some of the worlds most popular technology platforms. The documents showed that the developers aimed to be able to inject these tools into targeted computers without the owners awareness . . . the documents show broad exchanges of tools and information between the CIA, the National Security Agency and other US federal intelligence agencies, as well as intelligence services of close allies Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

ABC News then announced , without a shred of proof, that Julian Assange, the man behind WikiLeaks, appears to have a strong relationship with Russia but could not disguise the report by CNN that the documents disclosed that to hide its operations, the CIA routinely adopted techniques that enabled its hackers to appear as if they were Russian.

There has been no comment on the WikiLeaks revelations by such as US Senator Amy Klobuchar who declared in January that Russia used cyberattacks and propaganda to try and undermine our democracy. We are not alone. Russia has a pattern of waging cyberattacks and military invasions against democracies across the world. She was echoed by Senator Ben Sasse who declared that increased US sanctions would upend Putins calculus and defend America from Russian cyberattacks and political meddling.

Of course it would be impossible for the Senators to revise their rabid hatred of Russia and overcome their dismal pride to acknowledge that on March 1 the US National Reconnaissance Office launched a spy satellite carried by an Atlas V rocket that was powered by a Russian RD-180 engine. In an astonishing example of petty-minded obfuscation, the 1,500-word official report on the launching mentioned RD-180 three times  but failed to state its country of manufacture. The mainstream media followed suit.

There was to be another Atlas V launch in March, carrying supplies to the International Space Station, but it was delayed by a hydraulic issue that was uncovered on ground support equipment required for launch. Had it been deferred because of malfunction of the Russian engine that powers it, there would have been gloating headlines.

Reaction by the US government to the WikiLeaks disclosures has been to denounce them because they supposedly not only jeopardise US personnel and operations, but also equip our adversaries with tools and information to do us harm. Predictably, Senator Sasse tweeted that Julian Assange should spend the rest of his life wearing an orange jumpsuit. Hes an enemy of the American people and an ally to Vladimir Putin.

There should be no surprise about the activities of US and British intelligence agencies, because they already have a proven record of spying on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, French Presidents Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, to name but a few world leaders subjected to the indignity of greasy little eavesdroppers sniggering at their private conversations.

In June 2013 it was revealed that the United States of America had been spying on European Union computer networks in the EU offices in Washington and New York. According to Germanys Der Spiegel a document of September 2010 explicitly named the Unions representation at the UN as a location target. Der Spiegel discovered that the NSA had also conducted an electronic eavesdropping operation in a building in Brussels where the EU Council of Ministers and the European Council were located. Together with their British colleagues, the techno-dweebs of Government Communications Headquarters, the US agencies have been having a ball  but have been unable to prove that Russia  used cyberattacks and propaganda to try and undermine our democracy.

The faithful CIA mouthpiece, the New York Times, stated in December that American spy and law enforcement agencies were united in the belief, in the weeks before the presidential election, that the Russian government had deployed computer hackers to sow chaos during the campaign. Not only this, but CIA officials presented lawmakers with a stunning new judgment that upended the debate: Russia, they said, had intervened with the primary aim of helping make Donald J Trump president.

But there is no evidence whatever that there was election-time hacking by Russia, and now there is proof that to hide its operations, the CIA routinely adopted techniques that enabled its hackers to appear as if they were Russian.

Although none of the assertions that Russia has been conducting a cyber war against America can be substantiated, Washingtons anti-Russia propaganda campaign will continue for the foreseeable future, while President Trumps initial intentions to enter into dialogue with his counterpart in Moscow wither away to nothing. Even if he does resurrect the sensible policy he seemed to endorse, his acolytes in Washington will do their best to maintain confrontation by spreading more allegations of Russian aggression and cyberattacks. The anti-Russia campaign is gathering force, and it is not difficult to put a finger on why such a counter-productive crusade appeals to so many in the West.

The US arms and intelligence industries are the main beneficiaries of confrontation with Russia, closely followed by the hierarchy of the defunct US-NATO military alliance who have been desperately seeking justification for its existence for many years. For so long as the military-industrial complex holds sway in Washington, there will continue to be sabre-rattling and mindless military posturing.

But the International Space Station will continue to be resupplied by rockets powered by Russian engines.
More than 60 businesses have benefitted from the program, which was extended through May 1 while a permanent program is in the works.
The Rainier Senior Centers board of directors lacked the oversight and information to protect themselves from theft and properly monitor the organizations finances while Gared Wold was board president and CEO, according to a recent Oregon Department of Justice report.

The report, completed in February, found between January 2010 and February 2014, there were $35,000 in suspicious transactions that could be traced back to Wold, a former volunteer, board president and CEO. Wold served from May 2008 until resigning in June 2013.

The report also notes there were additional suspicious purchases and transactions beyond the $35,000 that could not be identified or validated due to the nature of the description and/or the lack of detailed purchase receipts.

The report identified unusual purchases that included cellphones, MP3 players, miscellaneous electronics, clothing, jewelry, shoes, a king-size mattress and bed frame, Green Bay Packers gear, car parts and repair manuals for vehicles not owned by the senior center, religious items, gas station purchases, cash withdrawals, cash deposit shortages and missing deposits.

The majority of purchases were considered suspicious because they did not have anything to do with the centers operations.

The Department of Justice does not have criminal prosecution authority, so these findings and others were forwarded to the Columbia County District Attorneys office. According to the report, DOJ was later informed the DAs office declined to prosecute Wold.

Employees at the District Attorneys office declined to answer questions about why no charges were filed. The case was handled by Deputy Prosecutor Dale Anderson, who retired from the office in June. Anderson could not be reached for comment, and despite numerous calls from the newspaper, District Attorney Steve Achison could not be reached in time for this storys publication.

Despite several phone calls, emails and Facebook messages, Wold could not be reached for this story. No one interviewed for this story had information about Wolds current whereabouts.

Former Rainier Councilwoman Judith Taylor, whom voters recalled in December 2013 after she clashed with the centers leadership, said she feels somewhat vindicated by the results of the DOJ report. Taylor was accused by the centers then-president Bill Dias of harassment and overstepping her duties when she began looking into the centers financial management.

At the end of the day, people I never know will benefit from the hard work I did, Taylor said Wednesday. It was worth it to me. Its just more important to me that we have a healthy senior center. It brings more light to the fact that these things happen in small towns.

Taylor said she doesnt know why the DAs office isnt filing charges against Wold. Neither does Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole.

I was surprised when they declined to press charges against Gared Wold, Cole said Thursday. I have not received any additional information as to why.

Cole also said he doesnt believe that there was any collusion between Wold and any others at the center during Wolds time there as president.

Investigation findings

The Rainier Police Department was first tipped off to the suspicious transactions in September 2013, when the city entered an agreement with the center by committing funds to help with an annual audit report.

Their request for documents, with the exception of partial bank statements, went unanswered by Gared Wold, the DOJ report says. The partial statements the city did receive contained numerous purchases totaling more than $20,000 from the centers general account, including $16,000 worth of credit card purchases to PayPal and Amazon alone.

Rainier Police officer Peter Manning contacted the Department of Justice in November 2013 to ask for the departments assistance and turned over materials he gathered in his preliminary investigation.

In an interview with Manning in 2013, Wold claimed in 2008 or 2009 he was allowed an expense amount of $150 per month, or $1,800 per year for personal expenses and gas for his vehicle for personal use. Wold claimed many of the purchases were part of his allowance, while other purchases were for bingo and raffle prizes for the center. Wold claimed the cash withdrawals were so that he could buy items from Craigslist or at garage sales, for the benefit of the center, the report says.

However, under Article IV, Section 3 of the senior centers bylaws, this behavior is actually prohibited: Officers shall receive no compensation for any services, the section says.

While Wold was board president and CEO of the Rainier Senior Center, he also served as the pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship.

According to the report, Trinity Christian Fellowship was at one time registered as a nonprofit with the Washington Secretary of State, with Wold listed as president. The organization became inactive in October 2008.

The fellowship never registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and never received nonprofit status. The organizations now-abandoned Facebook page still lists the senior centers address, 48 West Seventh St., Rainier, as its address. The page also lists the churchs website as www.yourtcf.com. The page no longer exists.

In August or September 2011, about three and a half years after Wold joined the centers leadership, the church took over providing the centers Sunday church services. The fellowship also provided free breakfast to attendees and delivered meals to the senior housing complex next door.

Wold claims that TCF and RSC were separate entities, but they worked together in everything they did, the DOJ report says.

The departments investigation found church-related purchases from the senior centers general account, including communion cups and bread, offering envelopes, sermon DVDs and more that were apparently used for the benefit of the church.

Wold also applied for a license to sell donated vehicles in early 2011, the proceeds of which would go to benefit the center. In January 2011, a business by the name of RSC Automotive was registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. Its address was listed as 48 Seventh Ave., Rainier, the address for the senior center. The authorized representative was Gared Wold.

Minutes from a May 2011 membership meeting, according to the report, stated two donated cars had been sold. In June 2011, a bank account at St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union was opened under the name of RSC Automotive and the money from the sale of two donated vehicles was deposited.

The senior center never received the money from those sales. Instead, the money was traced to the purchase of a truck, cash withdrawals, purchases at local gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and expenses for a trip Wold took to Wisconsin.

Based on bank activity, the Senior Center never profited from the donated cars instead the monies received benefited Wold, the report states.

The center also was found to have violated Oregon laws regulating charitable gaming by operating weekly bingo sessions without a license for four years. The report also found the center did not have permanent records of all the meetings of its members and board of directors, as required by Oregon law. Neither did it maintain appropriate accounting records, including balance sheets and profit-and-loss statements.

Computerized financial records, if they existed, could not be obtained due to the single computer that purportedly housed these records had crashed, the report read. Back-ups of the system had not been performed.

Not included in the $35,000 in suspicious transactions was $4,700 in purchases from Cash and Carry and other local grocery stores. These purchases went beyond the centers Nutrition account. Wold told investigators he would often go shopping for the cooks at the center.

When interviewed though, both the former and the current cook stated that Wold would seldom go shopping for them and that was usually only if they were on vacation, which was rare, the report states. However, because of a lack of detailed receipts, the purchases cannot be validated as a misappropriation of funds, the report says.

Looking toward the future

Gared Wold left the Rainier Senior Center in 2013. Nearly four years after his departure, things are looking up.

The DOJ report notes the centers 2014 and 2015 IRS forms indicate that the organization has increased its yearly revenues and has more than tripled its net assets. Financial reports are now prepared by a certified public accountant and are submitted on a timely basis, the report says.

The center also applied for a Class D bingo license in February 2014, which allows the organization to generate up to $20,000, and is current on their annual bingo reports.

Based on reports from the center, their finances seem to be solid, Mayor Cole said.

We have a really good relationship with the city, were pretty transparent with them, said Jan Rich, board president of the Senior Center. Things that maybe the building requires, (the city) is quick to respond to. And we send them monthly profit-and-loss statements, so they can see where we are financially and that were self-sufficient.

Rich emphasized that the senior center feels happier and is a warm and welcoming place for employees, volunteers and clients. And while it took a couple years, Rich said the center has cleared up its back taxes and fines with the IRS.

(Wold) did put a lot of work and put a lot of his own time and money into the center, Rich said. His downfall was documentation. If you could fault him for anything, it would simply be documentation.

I think theres moral obligation here to make sure (Wold) doesnt continue to do this, former councilwoman Taylor said. At least word needs to get out if hes not going to go to court over this.
Kalama state Rep. Ed Orcutt wants the city of Seattle  and only Seattle  to pay for cost huge overruns on the infamous Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project.

Orcutt proposed House Bill 2193 on Friday. It would require Seattle to pay for the bloated $3.1 billion project. The bill would authorize Seattle to impose either a sales and use tax of 0.1 percent within the city or a property tax of $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value.

These funding mechanisms would only take effect if the City of Seattle or the Washington State Department of Transportation were found responsible for cost overruns in a court of law. And the legislative proposal itself will face hard sledding in the Legislature, which is loaded with representatives from the Puget Sound region.

According to the Washington Department of Transportation website, funds for the viaduct project come from a variety of sources. About half comes from the 2005 Transportation Partnership program, which instituted several statewide taxes: a $0.095, four-year gas tax increase, as well as vehicle weight fees, light truck weight fee increases and an annual motor home fee.

Another $326 million comes from the 2003 Nickel funding package, which included three gas tax increases over a 10-year period: a $0.05 cent per gallon gas tax increase, a 15 percent increase in gross weight fees on heavy trucks and a 0.3 percent increase in sales tax on motor vehicles.

The rest of the projects funding comes from a combination of federal, state, local, toll and port revenue sources.

The enabling legislation authorizing the tunnel back in 2009 had language in there that said cost overruns would be paid for by the beneficiaries of the tunnel project in Seattle, Orcutt said Friday. Those landowners and business owners in the area around the viaduct... those are people, businesses and individuals who will benefit from that.

The project includes a two-mile long tunnel beneath downtown Seattle, a mile-long stretch of new highway connecting the south entrance of the tunnel to Seattles stadiums, a new overpass at the south end of downtown, demolition of the viaducts downtown waterfront section and a new Alaskan Way surface street connecting State Route 99 with downtown.

State legislation authorized the use of only $2.4 billion of state funds for the project and no more than $400 million in toll revenue.

While use of state funds has not yet reached this point (WSDOTs website indicates state funding for the project is just short of $2 billion), Orcutt said that there should be a funding mechanism in place for overruns in case Seattle or WSDOT is found responsible.

There was a promise made when that project was authorized that taxpayers would be protected, Orcutt said. I want to make sure that we hold the parties to that.
A teenage boy died and 14 other people were hospitalized after guests at a southern Michigan hotel were found unconscious around an indoor pool.

Fire officials said they believe the cause was carbon monoxide poisoning.

The 14 were taken to local hospitals Saturday, according to police in Niles, a town of about 11,000 just north of the Indiana state line.

Jessica Hines, a spokeswoman for Lakeland Hospital there, told CNN one person was "confirmed dead on arrival."

The Niles Police Department identified the deceased as 13-year-old Bryan Douglas Watts of Niles.

Eight other children were taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, police said. Three were released by Saturday evening and the other five were reported in good condition Sunday at noon.

They include five children found unconscious alongside Watts at the Quality Inn & Suites hotel pool. Their ages range from 12 to 14 years old, Niles police said.

Another child, who police said had just left the pool area, was found unresponsive in a first-floor room.

Five first responders were also treated and released.

Carbon monoxide levels were high, police say

Police responded to the hotel around 10 a.m. ET, according to CNN affiliate WNDU-TV.

Police said that, when they arrived, carbon monoxide levels at the hotel were 800 parts per million, according to CNN affiliate WBND-TV. US standards for carbon monoxide are 35 parts per million for a one-hour exposure.

Niles Fire Department Captain Don Wise attributed the incident to a faulty pool heater.

"The ventilation system on the heater had issues. The exhaust was not functioning properly," said Wise. "Our mechanical inspector verified that. The hotel is shut down now until repairs are made."

He said the hotel's pool room had no carbon monoxide detectors "to the best of our knowledge."

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is produced when a fuel is burned. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, it can replace the oxygen in red blood cells and can lead to tissue damage or death.

Choice Hotels, which owns the Quality brand, released a statement about the incident, saying it is "working closely with local officials to manage the situation. ... Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our guests."

CNN's Jessica Rajendra and Evan Simko-Bednarski contributed to this report.
IANS

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union party are drafting a concrete plan to combat fake news in the country and the potential effect it could have for the upcoming general elections in September.

Simon Hegelich, professor of political science at the Technical University of Munich and who was asked by Merkel to brief the CDU executive committee on the fake news movement, told Xinhua news agency that fake news became high priority for German politicians after the US elections.

Hegelich believes if fake news is distributed in high frequency, say, by social bots, trolls or algorithms, it could change public perception of a topic for a short amount of time, and that high-frequency fake news before the election or at times of strategical importance could be dangerous.

"Overtime, fake news contributes to an atmosphere of uncertainty and angst, which could help populist parties," said Hegelich.

Subsequently, Merkel and her party plan to deal with social bots and Internet trolls, which they deem as "the biggest threat to disseminating high frequency fake news".

To help combat open misinformation channels on social media sites, Merkel and her CDU party plan to give Facebook and other social platforms users more flexibility in registering complaints about fake news and any offensive content.

Any victims of fake news would also have the right to know who wrote the source material. To ensure the action plan is followed, any news portals who do not comply with the proposed terms will be fined -- the current suggested amount is 500,000 euros.

Companies such as Facebook and Google have already started to clamp down on fake news. However, Facebook continues to be heavily criticised in Berlin, for failing to deal with racist hate speech on its news feeds.

In response, the social media giant is implementing new filtering tools tailored specifically for Germany, which include using a third-party fact checker.

Nadine Schoen, a senior CDU MP and one of the politicians directly involved in the CDU fake news action plan, does not think that companies like Facebook go far enough.

"The platform operators have simply not established the necessary mechanisms that allow for fake news stories to be investigated promptly and to help those affected find legal redress,"she said.

A fake news white paper published by news aktuell earlier this week showed that 68 per cent of Germans have come across fake news from traditional media or social media in the last 12 months, and 63 per cent of Germans use the Internet as a main source for the news.

The paper also raises concerns about the speed at which news can be shared on social media through likes and shares, without any barriers or application of traditional journalism standards.

It warns that any solution to curbing fake news must be rigorously tested to be able to effectively control the pandemic.
Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy
How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time. Kindness is a gateway for all of us to connect and care for each other.  Morgan Freeman Whether its a supporting...

MAKING CONNECTIONS Editors note: The following random acts of kindness were emailed or called into County Press editor Jeff Hogan at jhogan@mihomepaper.com. The following acts of kindness experienced by County Press readers...

Ed-Tech students connect with community ATTICA TWP.  The Lapeer County Education and Technology Center (Ed-Tech) is a place where students can get a taste of the career opportunities that exist in their field of...
Kabul-Taliban settlement eventual goal: Tillerson

US Secretary of State during his debut address at NATO H.

AP, Washington :

US Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson has indicated that an eventual settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban is the ultimate goal of the Trump administration.

The comments - included in his address to America's Nato allies in Brussels on Friday - give first insight into the Trump administration's thinking on Afghanistan. Although in power since Jan 20, the administration is still developing a policy for the Pak-Afghan region and its senior officials usually avoid commenting on issues related to that area.

But a copy of the speech, released by the secretary's office in Washington on Saturday, shows Mr Tillerson reiterating Washington's long-term commitment to Afghanistan.

"The ongoing commitment of Nato allies and partners to peace in Afghanistan, including to an eventual settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban, protects this alliance's interests, and, when successful, ensures that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists," he said.

Secretary Tillerson said that the Trump administration wants to continue working with Nato allies to provide critical training and support to Afghan national forces in the fight against the militants.

Trump administration wants to work with Nato allies to support Afghan forces in fight against militants

"Nato's work in Afghanistan remains critical. The United States is committed to the Resolute Support Mission and to our support for Afghan forces," he said. "Nato's 'Train, Advise, And Assist' mission is essential to our shared goal of ensuring that Afghanistan develops the capability to contribute to regional stability and prevail over terrorist threats, including Al Qaeda and ISIS."

The Resolute Support Mission not only provides training and equipment to Afghan security forces but also enables US and Nato forces to participate in joint operations against the Taliban and other militants.

Secretary Tillerson's remarks would also help redress speculations in Washington that the Trump administration might end long-term military engagements as it considers them costly and counter-productive.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, President Trump often criticised previous administrations for leading America to wars that had drained the US Treasury and had no apparent end.
IETF outreach program starts

Students are seen at the inaugural session of a workshop organized by Internet Engineering Task Force at the Virtual Class Room of University of Dhaka on last Tuesday.

Campus Report :

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Outreach Program has officially been started its journey in Bangladesh by organizing a workshop titled 'IETF Outreach Program' on Tuesday at the Virtual Class Room of University of Dhaka (DU). Internet Society (ISOC) Bangladesh Dhaka Chapter organized the workshop in collaboration with Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Dhaka.

President of Internet Society (ISOC) Bangladesh Dhaka Chapter Prof Dr Shabbir Ahmed, Vice-President Md. Jahangir Hossain, General Secretary Mohammad Kawsar Uddin, Treasurer Md. Abdul Awal and Professor of Department of CSE of University of Dhaka Dr Md. Mamun-Or-Rashid spoke at the workshop. Along with others, Prof Dr Md. Haider Ali and students from Department of CSE, University of Dhaka participated at the workshop.

Goal, objectives and activities of Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Outreach Program along with the benefits of being its member are broadly discussed during the workshop. It has been informed that many more opportunities like fellowship, training, leadership, grants are mostly waiting for IT graduates. Activities of Internet Society are discussed at the workshop.


DhIU law students visit Sundarbans

Campus Repory :

The Department of Law, Dhaka International University (DhIU) arranged a study tour to UNESCO world heritage site Sundarbans recently. Prof Md. Abdul Mannan, Chairman, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) inaugurated the study tour at DhIU banana campus while he said organizing programme like study tour to a world heritage site for the private university students is very important to know the cultural and bio diversity of the country.

Beside study, this type of extracurricular activities will prevent the future leaders from extremism and militancy, he added. Among others DhIU VC Prof Dr KM Mohsin; Treasurer Prof Dr Moinul Islam; Registrar Prof Md. Rofiqul Islam; District and Sessions Judge Dr Md. Akhtaruzzaman; Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Mashiur Rahman were present at this occasion.

UGC Chairman gave an interview to a documentary made by DhIU law students at this time and focused on significance of liberation war and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on our national life.

More than hundred students participated in this three-day long study tour at Sundarbans where they visited Karamjal, katka, Kokilmoni, Kachikhali, Tiger Point, Jamtola Sea Beach, Harbariya Eco Tourism spot etc.

The main goals of this study tour were to make students sensible to environment and wild life, build bondage between students and teachers and enhance student's leadership skill.

During their visit the students got opportunity to observe closely the life of coastal people, live and livelihood of Sundarbans dependent people, the rich bio diversity of Sundarbans and its wild resources.

The excursion was successfully ended by the coordination of Chairperson of the department Asst Prof Mily Sultana, Coordinator Asst Prof RaisuL Islam Sourav, Shahidul Islam and Mahbubur Rahman.
Flying hospital of Orbis to visit Ctg in Dec

Chittagong Bureau :

The Flying Hospital of Orbis will visit Chittagong in the last month of the current year to provide international standard treatment to the patients of Bangladesh.

The delegation of Orbis International led by Dr Danny Hedad visited Chittagong Eye Hospital on Thursday. During the visit, Professor Dr Rabiul Hossain welcomed the delegation.

During the visit, the head of the delegation of Orbis Dr Danny Hedad said that Flying Hospital of Orbis will visit Chittagong in the last month of the current year to provide international standard treatment to the patients of Bangladesh.

At that time, founder of Chittagong Eye Hospital Professor Dr Rabiul Hossain described the facilities and activities of the hospital and urged for cooperation to the delegation of Orbis like previous occasions.

Orbis International is an international non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving sight worldwide. Since 1982, Orbis capacity-building programs have enhanced the skills of 325,000 eye care personnel and provided medical and optical treatment to more than 23.3 million people in 92 countries.
Wheat growers frustrated due to low price

Anisul Islam Noor :

Though the harvest of wheat started across the country from March, the Food Ministry is yet to declare its annual procurement target.

As a result, wheat market price has gone down and the growers get frustrated.

The government purchases 15 to 16 per cent of the total wheat production every year, which helps farmers earn some profits from its cultivation, sector insider said.

The government procured 0.2 million tonnes of wheat out of 1.348 million tonnes of total production last year from domestic sources, Directorate General of Food (DGoF) sources said.

Wheat cultivation begins in November-December period every year and its harvest time is March to April, according to the Bangladesh Wheat Research Centre (BWRC).

The government declared the wheat procurement target and criteria in mid-March and started procurement from April 1 last year, according to the DGoF.

The DGoF office, however, said it would take a decision over wheat purchase by the middle of this month (April).

Meanwhile, newly-harvested wheat is now selling at Tk 680 to Tk 720 a maund (40 kg) in many areas of Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Dinajpur, Pabna, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Magura and Jhenaidah districts against the production cost of Tk 780 to Tk 800, farmers said.

Abu Bakar, a farmer at Rangpur Sadar Upazila told the reporter over phone that he got 29 maunds of wheat from his three bighas of land this year.

The price of wet wheat is now Tk 680 toTk 700 in Rangpur when its production cost is above Tk 780.

"Last year, traders in my area booked my crops in February. This year many of them are saying that the government might not procure the crop," he said.

He said, most of the farmers are incurring losses. Those who could store the crop might get profits.

Shamsuddoha Babu, a Kurigram based trader, told that the Food Directorate purchase the best quality wheat having humidity below 14 per cent.

He said the cost of quality wheat after being dried would be minimum Tk 25 per kg at the farm level this year, he said.

However, Director General of the DGoF Md Badrul Hasan told that they would also procure wheat this year.

He said production of the crop is likely to decline in some districts. "We are collecting information before setting the targets of procurement for different districts which is taking time," he said.

"We have called a meeting on April 16 next, expecting an announcement wheat import would be made on the day," he said.

The Food Ministry data shows the government food storages have now only 0.174 million tonnes of wheat against 0.341 million tonnes in the corresponding period of last year.

However, wheat production declined to 1.348 million tonnes in FY'16 from 1.35 million tonnes in FY'15 amid spread of the blast disease in some South-Western districts, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The country's wheat demand increased to 5.0 million tonnes, of which it hardly produces 1.35 million tonnes.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) primary projection shows that areas under wheat dropped nearly by 10 per cent this year as many farmers in the southern region did not go for cultivation fearing the fungal blast.
A homage to Syed Mahbub Murshed

Syed Mansoob :

Syed Mahbub Murshed was born a hundred years ago on 11th January 1911. He passed away on 3rd April 1979. He is best remembered as a jurist (in the context of judicial review of the constitution or executive decisions, arguably the counterpart of the American jurist Marshall for Pakistan and Bangladesh), and later on as a public figure in the movement for the restoration of democracy in 1969. Yet he was a man of many parts, among which were his outstanding oratorial skills in diverse public fora in the late 1950s and 1960s. Apart from his years on the bench (1955-67), which has an independent role, he never held any public office nor formed any political party. 'What would best sum up his personality? Perhaps, his dislike for the convenient and conventional truth; his unswerving support for the downtrodden; his love of right, however inconvenient. As John Kenneth Galbraith once stated: "To the adherents of the institutional truth there is nothing more inconvenient, nothing that so contributes to discomfort, than open, persistent articulate assertion of what is real".' Consider the following cynical statement about justice: Thrasymachus: I declare that justice is nothing else than that which is advantageous to the stronger.

To Murshed justice was the very antithesis of the this rhetorical statement towards the beginning of Plato's Republic which forms the basis of the subsequent dialectic on the nature of truth. Judges are meant to be independent, but do they always dare exercise this independence in the face of a powerful executive, and when their own personal advancement may be jeopardised by the exercise of strict independence and adherence to the right, however inconvenient.

The 16th of November 1967 marked the the resignation of the late Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, who had been Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court from 1964 to 1967. President Ayub's diary for 6th January 1967 says that "Justice Murshed has a brilliant, intelligent, literary bent of mind and aptitude for languages, but he is impulsive and unstable." Despite these aspersions, it is widely accepted that his resignation was over the issue of an independent judiciary, something for which Ayub's patience had diminished following his re-election in 1965. Murshed had just become too inconvenient to a ruler who was becoming increasingly autocratic. In 1963, one of his judgements in a case, which is desoribed in brief as the Minister's case, ensured that the legislative and executive functions of the state would remain separate, cabinet ministers could not sit in the national assembly. This judgement was upheld in the Supreme Court. Others were to follow, including a celebrated judgement concerning the relationship between the federal and provincial administrations of the country. Ayub had not wanted Murshed to become Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court in 1964, despite the fact that Murshed was the senior most Judge, and it was his turn to become Chief Justice. But at the time, he relented, and let precedent take its course. Ayub, of course, was a different man following his election victory over Miss Jinnah in 1965, and the war with India in the same year. Murshed decided to resign before resisting a regime that was becoming increasingly autocratic. He was expected to run against Ayub in the 1970 Presidential elections. But a mass movement against Ayub gathered momentum in late 1968, to which Murshed added his voice. A contemporary report in Time magazine states that: "The opposition cause was also boosted by widely respected Syed Mahbub Murshed, former Chief Justice of the ,East Pakistan High Court, who told the nation that "we are not destined to perish in ignominy if we put up a determined and united resistance to evil."

These events are not merely mundane facts in the history of Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have a strong resonance for the present. They concern the widely touted subject of good governance, where we often forget that good government in practice requires the separation of powers, which needs to be ultimately subject to judicial review and scrutiny to prevent the arbitrary exercise of power by either the executive or the legislature. A historical example may be of interest in this regard. Frederick II of Prussia (1740-86) established an independent judiciary despite being in the position of an absolute monarch, and respected judgements of the judiciary, including in a case where a farmer successfully sued him, and he promptly paid up. Not only that, but when he wanted to buy land from a miller to extend his beautiful, but small, SansSouci palace in Potsdam, the miller stubbornly refused to sell. When directly confronted by the monarch, the miller told the King that what stood between him and arbitrary (executive) confiscation of his land was the court in Berlin. Frederick II of Prussia accepted and respected this statement. We would do well to remember that 'even though he was an enlightened man, he possessed despotic powers in principle, which he chose not to exercise. Perhaps, that is why he is referred to as Frederick the Great (not just for his military achievements). The great Gelman philosopher Immanuel Kant in an essay had advocated a republican constitution, which would ensure peace. According to him, the worst form of despotism, which ultimately leads to violence, occurs when there is no separation of powers; those who administer laws are one and the same as those who decree them. Ensuring the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature requires an independent judiciary, and judges like Murshed to fearlessly exercise these principles. Let us not forget that despotism is not simply confined to absolute monarchies or dictatorships, but can also feature in flawed democracies, even when rulers happen to be elected.


US anti-dumping duty on EU steel triggering a trade war

GERMANY has strongly protested on Friday against the United States move to slap punitive "anti-dumping" duties on steel products that German companies and six other European countries export to the United States. Germany has said the EU would file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), because under the existing free trade regime such duty is violation of WTO's basic rules of business. As things are taking shape, many fear that the event may eventually turn into a major trade war - a war between two big business partners across the Atlantic who had earlier worked together as close allies to develop global multilateralism beating back protectionism. Trump is now determined to go back to isolationist policy breaking with the European partners and many fears that the trade war may only spread wings in many fronts if the new US administration is not changing its mindset to keep global order at work. Trump's lack of commitment to NATO is also seriously disappointing the European nations.



It appears with this move the US President who has promised to put "America First" has started folding the US market behind the isolationist wall. By using the protectionist policy as he has earlier said he wants to bring new boost to the US manufacturing industry making imports costlier through higher duty. His message is that if Germany and other European nations want to benefit from the vast US market they will have to set up plants first in the USA to create jobs for American workers. His policy makers have also made it clear if European and Japanese automakers were to avoid 35 percent anti-dumping duty they will have to shift their plants from Mexico to the USA. The world is meanwhile watching how Trump is going to unveil his anti-dumping policies against cheaper Chinese imports in which even his family members are in the forefront.



German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has reacted against the move saying the step breached global trade rules and unfairly disadvantaged suppliers in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. He has warned that to deliberately violate WTO rules "is a dangerous step" and that "Europeans cannot accept this".



He had noted "with utter incomprehension" the US Commerce Department's decision on imports of carbon and alloy steel to impact German producers and other European companies. Despite our efforts and repeated interventions by the European Union, he said the US has applied duties that contravene WTO rules to harm US competitors in the steel industry and there is every indication that EU may respond with similar action on US exports to push the situation towards worse.
SOBs to get Tk 20b in next fiscal budget

Special allocation to meet capital shortfall

Badrul Ahsan :

In the backdrop of capital inadequacy in seven state-owned commercial and specialized banks, the government is mulling a plan to keep special allocation worth Tk 20 billion for the struggling banks in the upcoming national budget, sources said.

Of the banks, much talked about BASIC Bank would get "special treatment" from the amount to meet its capital shortfall, they added.

The banks are: Sonali, BASIC, Janata, Agrani, Rupali, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, according to Bank and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Md Eunusur Rahman.

At present, the capital shortfall of Sonali Bank is Tk 2,606 crore, Agrani Bank Tk 200 crore, Rupali Tk 1,053 crore, BASIC Tk 2,286 crore, Bangladesh Development Bank Tk 737 crore, Bangladesh Krishi Bank Tk 7,485 crore and Rajshahi Krish Unnayan Bank Tk 705 crore.

Commenting on the special allocation, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said that the BASIC Bank, which fell into trouble after loan scams, would get "special treatment" in meeting capital shortfall.

"We are going to provide special treatment to BASIC Bank to help it come out of troubles," the finance minister told The New Nation on Sunday.

"The bank needs extra nurturing as its condition is not normal now. It can't be judged with others."

The government plans to allocate Tk 2,000 crore in the next budget for the seven state-owned commercial and specialised banks suffering from capital shortfall, he said.

Muhith said, "Every state-owned bank is now more or less weak and is facing some sort of deficit in terms of capital or provision."

However, the new management of BASIC Bank is "doing well and has already identified who "took money out of the bank," Muhith said.

In reply to a question, the finance minister the Anti-Corruption Commission would take legal action against former BASIC Bank Board Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu who is accused of corruption.

"Wait and see! The ACC will take actions against former chairman of BASIC Bank," he added.

At present, the government has kept Tk 2,000 crore in the current fiscal year's budget for recapitalisation of the banks.

In this backdrop, the finance minister held a meeting with the top officials of the banks on Sunday to discuss their capital shortfalls. They talked about the decision whether to issue bonds in their favour.

Five state-owned banks are suffering a total Tk 15,000 crore capital shortfalls. These shortfalls were due to corruption and mismanagement in their operations, according to the data.

These banks have sought Tk 4,000 crore in the form of bonds from the government, shows an official paper sent to the finance minister. The five banks were given Tk 8,000 crore cash support during the FY2014-16 period to make up capital inadequacy.

In the financial scams that took place between 2011 and 2013, three of these banks - Sonali, Janata and BASIC - had lost Tk 12,000 crore.

Bangladesh Bank's investigations found corrupt practices by Rupali Bank, Agrani Bank and specialised banks of the government.
Most IPU countries back resolution to stop external interference

Most member states of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Sunday stood against external interference by any country in internal affairs of a sovereign nation.

"Some 35 countries, out of 40, took the stance against the external interference in a sovereign country's internal affairs," Col (retd) M Faruk Khan, who joined the debate as Bangladeshi delegate, told reporters after a debate on a draft resolution.

The IPU member countries took part in the debate on a draft resolution on the role of parliament in preventing external interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

But the debate will continue till Wednesday, the last day of the 136th IPU assembly being held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Expressing their stance on the issue, they said external interference could be allowed only on special circumstances taking the mandate from the United Nations, Faruk Khan said. The resolution, drafted by IPU Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, will finally be adopted through voting on Wednesday.

Four developed countries, including Germany, proposed annulment of the draft resolution citing that there are lots of instances of such interference in history.

Deputy Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah told reporters that peace and security have become crucial issues in the world. "The stance of Bangladesh is very clear in this regard. Bangladesh doesn't support any interference in other neighbouring countries' internal affairs as its foreign policy also does not support it," he said.

Miah also said Bangladesh would extend active support to IPU's move in stopping interference in internal affairs of any country.

Supporting the draft proposal, Dipu Moni, who participated in the debate on behalf of Bangladesh, issued a statement. She said Bangladesh does not support such interference as many countries try to do so through non-government organisations. "Such practice should be stopped."

The draft resolution also denounced any attempt of unseating any elected government through military or other forces.

Supporting the proposal, China said the influence of foreign power in internal affairs of a country cannot be accepted. A country invaded Iraq in 2003 on the plea of producing mass destruction weapons but finally found nothing, the Chinese MPs said.

Russian delegates also supported the IPU's initiative to adopt the resolution.

At a briefing in the afternoon, IPU media relations officer Jean Milligan told reporters that the three resolutions were drafted on Sunday in special committee meetings, which will be finally adopted on Wednesday.

"The draft resolutions are the role of parliament in preventing outside interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, promoting enhanced cooperation on the SDGs, in particular on the financial inclusion of women as a driver of development as well as emergency item resolution," she said.

She said the lawmakers discussed the issues while IPU standing committee on peace and international security drafted the resolution on the role of parliament in preventing outside interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

Besides, outcome documents on the general debate on 'redressing inequalities: delivering on dignity and well-being for all' will be adopted in the IPU Assembly on Wednesday, she told UNB.

Three emergency items-two items were placed by Mexico and Palestine, while another jointly by Belgium, United Kingdom and Kenya-were also discussed in the plenary session on Sunday.

In its emergency item, Mexican lawmakers focused on tougher migration policies around the world and risk of human rights violation while on behalf of Arab group Palestine Speaker portrayed an issue of legalising settlements by Israeli revolution law: a violation of international law.

Belgium, the United Kingdom and Kenya delegates focused on famine affecting the population of Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Northern Kenya.

But the emergency items of Mexico and Arab group were rejected as those items failed to get two third-majority votes while the item of Belgium was accepted.

IPU secretary general Martin Chungong after the vote said there will be general debate on Monday morning on the emergency item placed by Belgium, the United Kingdoms and Kenya on 'the famine affecting the populations of Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and northern Kenya'.

Apart from the discussions on the issues, two countries---Central African Republic and Tuvalu became the member of the IPU on Sunday, raising the number of IPU states at 173 from 171.
3 teachers suspended for carrying smart phones

HSC exam begins

Staff Reporter :

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations-2017 began on Sunday across the country. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid visited the Dhaka College center at 10am.

The Minister told the media that the examinees had no objection about question papers and they were happy.

He also said that the atmosphere of the examination center was good and the examination was held in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, three teachers were suspended for carrying smart mobile phone, ignoring the Education Ministry's direction in Dhaka.

The expelled teachers are Assistant Professor of Habibullah Bahar College Abdur Rashid, and two lecturers of T and T Mohila College Naima Nasrin and Mahbubur Rahman.

The Dhaka Education Board handed over the teachers to police for legal action.

The Ministry also seized their mobile phone sets and asked the college governing body to take punitive action including termination of their Monthly Pay Order (MPO) against the teachers

A total of 11,83,686 candidates, 6,35,697 boys and 5,47,989 girls, from 8,864 institutions under eight General Education Boards, Madrasa Education Board, Bangladesh Technical Education Board and Diploma in Business Studies Board are appearing at the HSC and its equivalent examinations this year held in the 2,497 examination centres across the country.

Of them, 9,82,783 examinees are sitting for HSC examinations, 99,320 for Alim examinations, 96,914 for HSC (BM/Vocational) examinations and 4,669 examinees for DIBS examinations.

Among the general boards, the highest 3,36,693 examinees are appearing under Dhaka Board, 1,23,616 under Rajshahi Board, 1,06,772 under Dinajpur Board, 1,04,129 under Jessore Board, 1,01,450 under Comilla Board, 83,193 under Chittagong Board, 65,368 under Sylhet and 61,562 under Barisal Board.

In the eight general education boards, a total of 2,17,521 candidates are sitting for the HSC examinations from the Science Group, including Agriculture and Home Economics, 4,98,005 from Humanities Group and 2,67,257 from Business Studies Group.

A total of 271 examinees are appearing at the HSC examinations through seven oversees examination centers, two each in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and one each in Qatar, Libya and Bahrain.

The written examinations will end on May 1 while the practical tests will be held from May 16 to May 25.
Opposition elected Mayors face cases to be suspended

BNP mayoral candidate Monirul Haque Sakku has unofficially won the Comilla City Corporation election. Sakku, the immediate past mayor, has bagged 68,948 votes to retain his office while his nearest contestant Awami League-backed Anjum Sultana Sima pulled 57,863 votes in 101 of the total 103 polling centres, according to Returning Officer Rokib Uddin Mandal.



Meanwhile the Local Government Division of the LGRD Ministry issued several letters Sunday morning, removing three mayors elected with BNP endorsement from office. In a confounding turn of events, the Mayors of Rajshahi and Sylhet City Corporations were suspended Sunday morning within hours of assuming office. Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul and Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the mayors of Rajshahi and Sylhet City Corporations respectively, were elected in 2013.



In 2015, Mosaddek was named in several cases due to his involvement with anti-government protests. Ariful was accused of the murder of former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria in 2014. As a result of the cases, they were temporarily suspended from their position.



Both Mosaddek and Ariful are affiliated with Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which won another City Corporation election in Comilla this past week. Mosaddek and Ariful took their issues to the High Court, which ruled in their favour and said their mayoralty was completely legal and any act of suspension against them was illegal.



Habiganj Municipality Mayor GK Gaus has also been suspended on Sunday. Gaus, another BNP leader, is listed with Ariful in the Kibria murder case and an attempted murder of the recently deceased Awami League veteran Suranjit Sengupta. Mayor Gaus had been arrested in 2014, and stood in the polls while in prison. He won by a landslide and had taken his mayoral oath on parole. But, he could not assume office. The High Court granted bail to Gaus on January 4 this year. He was finally able to assume office on March 23. However, the Local Government Division issued three circulars on Sunday morning, again removing the three mayors from office.



The government cannot have democracy, if the government is not ready to tolerate elections.
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MADISON, Wis.  Hidden handguns could be legally carried without a license in Wisconsin under a far-reaching, Republican-backed proposal unveiled Tuesday that immediately drew bipartisan opposition.

The bill would also allow licensed concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms into places where they are currently barred, including school buildings, unless signs are posted prohibiting them.

Were just removing the barrier of the concealed carry permit to give them their constitutional right, said the bills co-sponsor, Republican Rep. Mary Felzkowski of Irma. She and Sen. Dave Craig, a Republican from Big Bend, began circulating the measure on Tuesday for co-sponsors. Thirty-nine other Republicans, out of 82, were already signed on.

State law requires anyone carrying a concealed weapon to obtain a license and take a training course. The proposed bill would do away with the license requirement for someone who wanted to carry a hidden weapon.

In schools that permit carrying concealed weapons, the bill would allow only license holders to legally bring them onto the grounds or into buildings.

But they could carry the weapons under a newly created permit that does not require any firearm training. And they could leave firearms in their cars while picking up or dropping off students.

Under current law, illegally bringing a weapon onto school grounds is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison.

Past attempts to allow guns on school grounds have been met with bipartisan opposition in the Legislature, as well as from the law enforcement community and school officials.

The measure drew immediate opposition from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, while Gov. Scott Walker and GOP leaders offered general support without promising to get behind the specific proposal.

Governor Walker is a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment and the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, Walkers spokesman Tom Evenson said in a statement. The governor has worked with the legislature in the past to advance the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families through one of the strongest concealed carry laws in the country.

Republican state Sen. Luther Olsen joined with Democrats in opposing the bill. Specifically, Olsen objected to letting guns on school grounds and removing requirements for taking firearm safety classes.

I dont know what its chances are, Olsen said of the bill in the Legislature that has its highest Republican majorities in decades. It depends on the day in this place.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he was generally supportive of the bill, but also hedged his bets on whether it will pass saying he would monitor public support as we determine our next steps. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has been a strong supporter of Second Amendment protections and planned to discuss it with other senators to determine the level of support, his spokeswoman Myranda Tanck said.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling said it was completely irresponsible to allow people to carry concealed weapons without obtaining a permit.

The so-called right to carry bill comes six years after Wisconsin legalized concealed weapons. More than 300,000 people have active licenses.

The new measure, championed by Second Amendment gun rights advocates, would make Wisconsin the 13th state to allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit, according to the National Rifle Association. North Dakota became the most recent state to enact such a law, sometimes referred to as constitutional carry, last week.

Scott Rausch, a spokesman for the NRA, called it a common sense proposal that would allow anyone who can legally possess a firearm to do so without having to jump through government hoops and pay fees to exercise a basic constitutional right in the way that works best for them.

The Wisconsin proposal would create a three-tiered system for carrying hidden weapons.

Why not allow more freedom under something that is a fundamental right? State Sen. Dave Craig, R-Big Bend, co-sponsor of the bill
The Chippewa Falls School Board has three candidates vying for two positions in Tuesdays spring election.

The three-year terms of Amy Mason, current board president, and Pete Lehmann have come to an end. They are both seeking re-election, and challenger Ross Spitz is throwing himself in the mix.

Spitz spoke at a school board meeting in August 2016 in support of the school boards (at the time) $115 million referendum proposal. Hes attended numerous meetings since then and thinks his engineering background could prove helpful when discussing facility needs.

The more information I learned during that process about the school needs, I felt maybe my perspective on some of these things might be helpful, said Spitz, who has two children in the district.

Mason and Lehmann have both served two three-year terms, putting them as the most experienced current board members.

Lehmann, who also serves on the Lake Hallie Village Board, said he enjoys being a part of the school board to make the necessary, sometimes difficult, decisions in the best interests of all stakeholders.

Of course we are here to see the students get a quality education, but were also here for the community, said Lehmann, who has three children. The school property tax is the largest portion of our taxes, so you want to make sure the district is providing the goals and services residents expect of us.

Mason thinks it is important for everyone to serve, and being on the school board has been a great way to advocate for public education and combine serving her community.

Im a mom and I care about my kids, I want to see them have a quality education and be a part of that process, she said.

With the failed $62 million and $98 million referendums on the Nov. 8 election ballot, heating and ventilation concerns in the middle school, plumbing at Stillson Elementary School and a limited budget, the incoming school board will have a lot on its plate.

Here is where each of the candidates stand on some of the larger issues:

Returning to referendum

It is no question the facility needs in the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District are many. The question becomes, where does that money come?

Lehmann, an engineer with TTM Technologies, said he would support a referendum to address the short, immediate needs of the district.

Pick one or two major items that we can get fixed and do it on a short-term note, Lehmann said. Well keep our borrowing down so we can move into the next phase without any debt. This provides us time to develop a long-term plan of what items need to be addressed and how were going to fund them.

He believes the plumbing concerns at Stillson Elementary School and the middle schools ventilation concerns are top contenders, but that would be up to the board.

Lehmann voted against both referendums on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Spitz argued for a do-it-all-now method of referendum at the Aug. 18 school board meeting, saying this was the perfect opportunity.

Looking back, Spitz said hes glad the board gave everyone a chance to speak their mind. He would still support a future referendum, he said, if it made sense.

Referendums are a necessary tool at this point to be able to invest money and tackle those improvements that are needed, Spitz said. I would support future referendums if it is a good investment.

At this point, he couldnt name an exact dollar figure he would support, but he is happy to see the board has hired School Perceptions, a consulting company, to do a study of what exactly the taxpayers in the district would be willing to back.

And that study is all Mason is looking at. I do support a referendum depending on what is identified in that study, Mason said. It needs to be based on what the community will support and then prioritize facility needs.

Redefining school boundaries

The last time CFAUSD redistricted was in 2004, but its something the next school board could have to discuss.

Lehmann said redistricting is something schools should look at every 10 years or so. Changing demographics mean changes have to be made.

We used to see a lot of starter houses, then families would move to next level houses, but now they are staying, Lehmann said.

This leads to student population increases, and then decreases. While that in itself isnt a bad thing, Lehmann thinks it is a reason to take another look at neighborhood boundaries.

Mason recognized how complex the process can be for families, but with steady enrollment in the Chippewa Falls School District, redistricting might be necessary.

I support doing this when the timing is right, likely within the next three to five years, she said.

Spitz also said redistricting would be a good tool to handle the school populations, but is concerned about the impact it has on families.

Its just a line on a map but it really has a lot of impact on the parents and the kids, Spitz said. Is this something we should be doing every 10 years? I dont know. I would need to lean on school administration, especially the superintendent, to see whats worked before.

One thing all of the candidates can agree on is the cost to run a district is going up, as are the districts needs. All three candidates highlighted facility and maintenance needs as one of the biggest concerns the district is facing.

Other races

Chippewa Falls is not the only district to have a contested school board race this election.

Cadott has six candidates for three positions. Running are Tony Riley, Cedric Boettcher, Alisha Woodford, Rodney Tegels, Mark Schley and Robert Panzer.

In the New Auburn School District, Louise Cody and Shannon Berg are running for the one available position. And in the Lake Holcombe School District, Corey A. Grape is alone on the ballot that has two available positions, meaning a write-in will likely fill that second slot.

The Flambeau School District extends into a small portion of the county, and has five people running for three positions: Rick Kenealy, Sam Stewart, Julie Hauser, Danielle Zimmer and Darrell Gago.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. Voter information, polling locations and more can be found at myvote.wi.gov.
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If you ask someone who works in digital media what the concepts that feed their work, it is youre likely to receive a wide array of answers.

But, two core values functions are always in play  storytelling and utility.

When I first started to write about health care, the focus was on policy. How do those who work with digital media in the health care field comply with laws and establish ethical policy within those laws?

That, as it was, was the wrong question to have in mind. Luckily, my question came out as, What aspects of your social media policy do you believe are essential and applicable across the health care industry?

That question, and a subsequent line of questioning, led me to a realization that digital media in the health care industry isnt about conforming to a single policy for safetys sake and remaining lawful. Patient privacy and compliance is the precursor for the stories and the tools that those in the health care industry provide through digital media.

My first conversation about digital media in the health care field was with Jacque from Hudgins Orthodontics. As a business which focuses on youth services, it has had to adapt quickly and frequently to digital media. Luckily for them, Dr. Joseph Hudgins already had a patient release policy in place. The lesson from this is a simple one  dont reinvent the wheel. If you have a patient release form or other media policies in place, dont try to create something new. Adapt your current policy to the digital media youre using and youll have more time to tell stories and provide resources to current and prospective patients.

Hudgins Orthodontics started telling the stories of its patients in a very uniform way. Patients who had work completed and were elated to have a new smile  and wanted to show it off. For this reason, Jacque and her crew set up a picture wall to keep their content consistent. With each new smile comes the same message  this is where smiles happen.

Then something began to change. Recently, the folks at Hudgins Orthodontics have recognized the willingness and excitement of its younger patients to share their smiles with their peers. Now that the folks there have noticed this trend, they are encouraging patients to share their smiles wherever and whenever they feel so inclined. By continuing to encourage this behavior, Jacque and her crew are not only encouraging young folks to participate in self-esteem building exercises, but giving the smiles that happen there more miles to shine.

Hudgins Orthodontics' work is an applicable model for single-location providers. To some extent, its work is scalable, but as digital media scales to the needs of networks and larger providers such as hospitals, the operations change a bit.

To get a better understanding of those needs, I reached out to SIHs digital media coordinator, Jennifer VanBrooker.

Im always excited to talk to people who work in digital media, but to talk with someone who understands as much about digital media as VanBrooker does is an absolutely treat for an industry guy like myself. To start with, the American Hospital Association has a marketing group, and within that marketing group operates a digital taskforce. Jennifer sits on that task force because she understands the long-term implications of quality digital media.

While storytelling is important for SIHs overall media portfolio, it is not the only focus. The use of digital media, whether as a two-way street for receiving communication from patients or as an informational and directional tool for those researching their health care needs, SIH achieves its goals by providing use to its patients through digital media.

One example of this utility VanBrooker provided came from their Birthing Center. They are using digital media and live video to provide greater access to the utility of their birthing support groups. As Jennifer put it, Its a virtual support group, and for expecting mothers, it means they can receive part of the support they need within their schedules. While it is not a complete supplement for live support groups, the amplification of reach can provide a draw to mothers who may not have otherwise accessed these systems of assistance and support."

SIH didnt always operate this way, however.

When SIH started blogging, it was taking news releases and posting them on the internet. When it realized that what worked in traditional media does not necessarily work for digital media, they began providing information in a more conversational manner, organizing information in direct-to-patient formats that would be most comprehensible by their patients.

As this has become its operable format for digital media, it has had to rely on their hospital network more and more for assistance. From patient relations, to practicing providers, the SIH marketing team has grown from a messenger wing to a mission driver.

Taking what I learned from VanBrooker and Jacque and combining it with what I came into these conversations knowing, I can confidently assure you that the use of storytelling and utility of digital media to drive your health care mission. Youll be amazed at how that mission evolves when you do.
Theres no simple fix for children whose lives have been ravaged by abuse. The issue extends beyond any individual case: its systemic, its cyclical, its a tangled web of compounding factors and risks reaching deep into family histories. For communities and agencies tasked with protecting the innocent, its hard to know where to begin.

A report of child abuse is made approximately once every 5 minutes in Illinois. The so-called hidden epidemic is on the rise: alleged and substantiated cases of abuse have climbed steadily in recent years, according to data from the Department of Children and Family Services.

Southern Illinois, in particular, has a child abuse problem. Statewide, there are 9.7 incidents of abuse per 1,000, but every single county in our region has a higher rate  in some cases, double or triple the state number.

While Southern Illinois boasts a robust network of agencies dedicated to tackling the issue, those providers are hobbled by a lack of funding due to the ongoing state budget crisis.

Its not like, the streetlight is broke on the corner of 17th and 4th, and we go fix it and its over. Its not like that. This is an ongoing and pervasive and family systems type of issue, said Lynda Killoran, clinical manager at Centerstone.

Jo Poshard, executive director of the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children, said a myriad of factors can lead to a vicious cycle of abuse.

When you have a child at risk, they are, very often, the ones who are hurt, Poshard said.

Contributing factors

While child abuse extends beyond socioeconomic lines, poverty plays a big role, said Betti Mucha, executive director of Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center.

The poverty rate here is higher, the unemployment rate is higher, and just the general economy here struggles, and when the economy struggles, that can be a contributing factor, Mucha said.

The risk factors of poverty and a lack of resources are often compounded by substance abuse.

When people dont have jobs, they dont have hope, maybe theyve even experienced some trauma or adverse situations themselves, then they turn to things like alcohol or drugs, or maybe they have mental health concerns and those concerns escalate, and those kinds of things can result in frustration and anger and oftentimes those then get translated and taken out on the child, Killoran said.

But risk factors dont have to become predictive factors, as long as there are protective factors in place, Killoran said.

One caring adult in a childs life can make a world of difference. That could be you, me, it could be a scout leader, it could be somebody at church, it could be a teacher, the lady that smiles at you at the grocery store every time you go  one caring adult can make a big difference in a kids life, and thats where we can really step in as a community, Killoran said.

And one phone call can change the course of a childs life, Poshard said.

I do not believe there is a magic formula to eliminate (child abuse), but it is simply one person at a time, being aware, making the right decisions, stepping in, and trying to help that child. Call the hotline, let the professionals do their work. We are the safety lines for these children, Poshard said.

Southern Illinois safety lines

By and large, social service providers in the Southern Illinois region work tirelessly for little recognition and little pay, Poshard said.

The all-volunteer Poshard Foundation, chartered in 1999, provides support to agencies that assist abused, neglected and abandoned children in the southernmost 23 counties in Illinois.

Recently, agencies have been forced to cut programs and services because of a lack of state funding.

The agencies are trying to do more with less funding, and they are very dedicated and they will certainly do that to the best of their ability, but also, when the money isnt present, there are many support services that are cut off, and those support services are things that strengthen families, Poshard said.

Those services include things like home visiting programs, referrals and counseling for children who have experienced trauma, she said.

Southern Illinois agencies often find themselves in competition with agencies from metropolitan areas when it comes to getting grants or resources, Killoran said.

The great thing about Southern Illinois  is we have a strong history of working together, even with agencies that might have been competitors in other areas. We come together when were working with children, Killoran said.

The Childrens Medical and Mental Health Resource Network, a program of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics that calls on agencies to pool their resources, is one example of such solidarity.

The nature of child abuse prevention work dictates that providers address the root cause, but that can be hard to do without proper funding.

Just focusing on the child kind of ignores what the source of it is. I would want to see working with the whole family to see how we can help the mom, the dad, brothers, sisters, also. It might be that they might need some help paying the electric bill or getting the car fixed, getting a job or an education, things of that nature. But with the state of our state right now, those kinds of things just dont happen, Killoran said.

Classification and identification

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse as Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

Following are descriptions of the major forms of child abuse and neglect:

 Physical abuse consists of non-accidental injury as a result of punching, kicking, shaking, beating, biting, throwing, stabbing or otherwise harming a child. (Physical discipline, such as spanking, is not considered abuse as long as it causes no physical injury to the child.)

 Sexual abuse involves a parent or caregiver engaging in sexual activities with a child, or using a child to make pornography.

 Emotional abuse (also called psychological abuse) is maltreatment that can impair a childs development or self-worth. It can include withholding love and support, or deliberately humiliating or scaring a child.

 Neglect is a parents failure to provide basic physical, mental, emotional or medical needs to his or her child.

Physical abuse can be easier (to identify), depending on the type of abuse inflicted, like welts or marks on the face or body, Killoran said. Sexual abuse can fly under the radar, but still we can maybe see some oversexualized behavior in children, or knowing names or performing gestures that typically children those ages dont do. Its emotional abuse and neglect that really fly under the radar. Those are really hard to pick up on, because theres no outward necessary marks or anything that anybody can see.

Abuse isnt just a matter of stranger danger, Poshard said.

Weve found that often the abuser is someone that a child knows  a parent, a relative, a neighbor, a friend of the family. Also, we need to get rid of the stereotype that it only happens with certain socioeconomic groups, that is not the case. We also need to understand that it can happen anywhere. Theres no place that is off-limits. All of us have a responsibility to educate ourselves and be more attentive, Poshard said.

We all have more work to do

On Friday, The Poshard Foundation, DCFS and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois hosted their annual kickoff event for Child Abuse Prevention Month at John A. Logan College.

State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, who sits on the Human Services Appropriations and Mental Health committees in the House, told the audience that lawmakers are actively engaged in discussions this session about ways to strengthen investigatory processes and prosecutions of child abuse cases.

Severin said the child abuse and neglect rates throughout Southern Illinois are concerning. Though he noted the positive work of the many people and organizations who have joined together to combat child abuse, Severin said the data indicates more work needs to be done  particularly in regard to strengthening the states response system designed to protect children and assist families.

When it comes to addressing child abuse, one of the other discussions that has to take place is what to do about the perpetrators, Severin said. The freshman lawmaker said that just this past week, a committee discussion focused on the lack of adequate mental health treatment for jailed parents charged with child abuse or neglect. In some cases, mental health or substance abuse treatment is needed for that parent, before the family unit can be safely reunited.

But in some cases, weeks  even months  drag on before the individual facing charges is ever assessed, Severin said he learned during the discussions in Springfield.

Theres some people weve found that they do something and theyre put in jail and they need to be assessed, he said. They may be in a cell for three months before they even get an assessment done to find out whats going on, why these things have happened or what kind of treatment they need. So, weve got to do a better job of figuring out a way to do those assessments quicker.

Bob Cain, an area administrator of child protection and permanency in 12 counties for the Southern Region of the Department of Children and Family Services, called the increasing rates of reported and indicated child abuse cases heartbreaking. But he also noted a silver lining in the troubling data: people are less willing to turn a blind eye to child abuse and neglect. Cain said that at least some of the rate increases over recent years is attributable to efforts to educate the public, which has led to people becoming more comfortable reporting concerns to experts skilled in investigating such matters with sensitivity.

In fiscal year 2016, there were 245,388 calls to the states child abuse hotline, he said. Of those calls, 78,575 cases statewide were indicated, meaning there was credible evidence of abuse and neglect. He said that one in four allegations the department receives are indicated. About 4 percent of children are bought into protective custody.

It tells us that more people are letting the department know where they suspect child abuse and neglect. It also tells us we all have more work to do in keeping our children safe in our community, especially in light of the tough economic times, the (budget) shortfalls. With the money (issues) for a variety of our service providers in our local communities, it becomes even more critical, Cain said.

Looking forward

Killoran hopes this months awareness campaign will inspire community members to become more attentive when it comes to matters of abuse and neglect.

Everyones just trying to see if we can instill some hope. Its not just that the kids are being abused, but hey, we can do something about this. Thats what Im kind of hoping we can get out of it too, is more awareness and involvement and trying to break the cycles, Killoran said.

Despite the challenges facing providers in Southern Illinois, the publics growing awareness is no small accomplishment, Poshard said.

Anytime you have the life of a child at stake, that child  with somebody standing up for them and watching out for them, they may become the next president of the United States. Theres always hope in changing the lives of children, and so thats why we have to remain vigilant, Poshard said.
GOREVILLE  Its the second Monday of the month, and employees at the Southern Illinois Equine Sale are busy. Meanwhile, dozens of restless heifers, calves and culled bulls wait in the wings.

Bid numbers are given to prospective buyers, telephone calls are fielded, and last-minute preparations are made for the first of two cattle auctions in March. Kevin Kirby, the facilitys livestock manager, is one of those running around making sure everything is ready to go.

Despite the front that has interrupted an otherwise mild winter with cold temperatures, snow and fog, a good crowd arrives for the auction. In this area, at least, sale barns are still big business.

Kirby doesnt see electronic livestock marketing cutting into live auctions. In fact, in some ways it may be helping. The barn he runs is one of two in this Johnson County community of about 1,000.

It blows my mind how many people see this on Facebook and other online platforms and show up here, he said. Weve been blessed.

Kirby has been around animal agriculture a long time. He served with University of Illinois Extension as an animal systems specialist. He managed other sale barns before joining owner Chris Ray, a Tennessee native who purchased the Goreville barn 20 years ago.

Digital technology has moved into animal auctions in a big way. But many involved in livestock see it as being complementary rather than adversarial to live sales.

Salem resident Glen Gordon Jr., who managed sale barns for decades in a number of Illinois communities, said a few may have closed over the past decade or so. But there is still a strong auction presence across Illinois.

Weve probably lost two or three across the entire state over the last few years, he said. Everyone is holding pretty steady.

Gordon, who now operates as a freelance cattle trader, said the internet has boosted live auctions.

I think its increased the number of people looking, he said. The younger generation, thats the way they like to do business. If they see something they like, theyll make the drive. Overall, it increases the number of potential bidders.

Social media and other methods of online outreach have opened up livestock sales to a wider audience, Gordon believes.

Youll see a lot more on all these Angus bull sales and others, he said. If you go to those nowadays you always see some kind of internet company in the corner, so guys can bid online. That buyer doesnt have to physically drive to that sale.

Video sales have become more common in recent years. Not everyone sees them as a good thing.

I cant agree with the video sales, said Travis Diekemper of Greenville Livestock Auction. You cant necessarily see exactly what youre buying.

The barn at Greenville isnt slowing down. It has beef cattle sales every Wednesday and also has sheep and goat auctions.

Despite its name, horses make up just a part of sales at the Southern Illinois Equine facility. Besides the two beef cattle auctions each month, the barn also hosts auctions of goats and sheep. Ray started it as a vehicle for horse sales, but demand has driven expansion.

He runs a lot of horses through here, Kirby said. And weve got the biggest goat auction in Illinois. We run between 400 and 500 head every month.

To Gordon, out-of-state sale barns pose more competition than video sales.

You do see a lot of cattle go out of state, he said. Theyll go west into Missouri. It seems like sometimes theres a little more money over there.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced the recipients of the Community Development Block Grant for Public Infrastructure. Forty communities across the state will receive federal funds totaling $15.3 million, including 10 in Southern Illinois.

The following local communities will receive funding:

 Christopher will receive $388,493 for target area sewer main replacements.

 Herrin will receive $450,000 to replace lift station, manhole and corresponding pipe.

 Johnston City will receive $385,547 for target area sewer main replacements.

 Johnson County will receive $152,333 for East Crossroads water main extension.

 Percy will receive $359,000 for water main replacement.

 Pinckneyville will receive $364,647 to replace sanitary sewer transmission main.

 Orient will receive $237,540 to rehabilitate 10 municipal sewer pump stations.

 Sesser will receive $450,000 to rehabilitation of sanitary sewer trunk line.

 Shawnee Township in Gallatin County will receive $450,000 for water main extension.

 Rosiclare will receive $450,000 for replacement of water main.

State Representative Dave Severin, R-Benton, said in a news release that the grants total more than $1.9 million in the 117th District alone.

These investments are critical to ensure public health and safety, Severin said.

The problems faced by city officials in Sesser highlight the importance of the grants to small communities throughout the region.

Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore said the sewer system in Sesser dates back to 1930. Sewer pipes are collapsed or have holes in them. That allows rain water to drain into the wastewater system, which then causes the system to overflow. Ashmore called it a very serious health and safety issue.

Weve got a large project we are undertaking, Ashmore said. Were going build a new type covered lagoon system.

Ashmore believes Vienna built a similar system. In 2016, Sesser received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with a low interest loan totaling nearly $5 million. Ashmore expects the price tag to total between $10 million and $12 million by the time it is finished.

This new grant will be very helpful continuing this project. We are really exciting about receiving this grant. It will take a big dent out of money we would have to come up with, and quite frankly, we dont have, Ashmore said.

He thanked the city water department employees, along with the federal and state employees who have helped them with funding.

We are extremely excited to have this, Ashmore said.
WASHINGTON  What an amazing, terrific, incredible son-in-law!

Whether or not we have daughters, we should all be so lucky as to have someone like Jared Kushner, the husband of President Donald Trumps elder daughter, in our lives.

Ivankas hubby has so mesmerized Trump he was selected to lead the administrations campaign-to-White-House transition and was tasked with filling key staff positions, including Cabinet posts.

Then Trump made Kushner, a 36-year-old with no government experience, his senior adviser. Hes also to work on relations with countries such as China and key allies such as Mexico and, oh yes, peace in the Middle East. Really.

And on Kushners 67th day in Washington, Trump also made him head of a brand new Office of American Innovation. (Stephen Colbert was wrong; it is not being called the Bureau of Obvious Nepotism.)

Not that Kushner has actually been inside many federal agencies, but he is now charged with overhauling the federal bureaucracy and fulfilling Trumps many campaign promises. (Unfortunately, Kushner was vacationing in Aspen, Colo., when the ill-fated effort to repeal and replace Obamacare was not happening. Also, because he is an Orthodox Jew, Kushner cant work on Friday nights or Saturdays.)

One of Kushners tasks is to decide which branches of government to privatize, giving Big Business a well-deserved opportunity to get its hands on fulfilling lucrative taxpayer needs.

Kushner is a well-known commodity in New Yorks posh social circles; he inherited the reins of a lucrative real estate business from his father, who was put in prison by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he was a U.S. attorney. Fittingly, Kushner took the transition team away from Christie, who was supposed to be in charge until it actually happened. Christie also was not given a coveted Cabinet position in the administration. Kushner has stepped down as CEO of his familys business.

The White House says the new Office of American Innovation will bring to government the best, most lucrative practices of great American business corporations. (Perhaps they forgot such corporations dont fill key posts with sons-in-law.)

Kushner will give talented business friends the potentially lucrative opportunity to swoop, like SWAT teams, into federal agencies, where they will prod and pull, examine technology and data, and experiment with ways to make government offices smaller.

While Kushner was heading the transition office, he held, along with his wife and his two brothers-in-law who run the Trump business empire, a meeting with the head of a Russian bank that is under U.S. sanctions because of Russias annexation of Crimea and war in Ukraine. Kushner also met with the Russian ambassador before Trump was sworn in.

Kushner says he gladly will testify before the House and Senate intelligence committees on whether he discussed lifting sanctions, which would have been illegal. Kushner is expected to say he did nothing wrong. Congress is also investigating the extent of Russias interference in the November presidential election.

Meanwhile, the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of the Trump teams stunning number of connections with Russia and whether anything was treasonous.

But amid the swirling conflicts of interest involving the Trump administration, at least one has ended. The Kushner family business says it and a Chinese company that bought the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel have ended talks over a $4 billion Manhattan real estate deal.

As Kushner begins his overhaul mission, will he and his team oversee potentially lucrative government contracts? Why, yes, they will. If the team thinks contracts should be awarded to new bidders, that could well happen. The Washington Post says Kushner is especially proud that his team has no government experts but is culled from business and has a broad mandate to reform the federal bureaucracy. Already, emails are flying back and forth with suggestions from various business interests.

The Kushner SWAT team is spreading its wings as the federal bureaucracy is reeling from Trumps proposed budget, which takes huge swaths from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.

Will government look different? Yes. Will it be more efficient? We dont know. Will it be smaller? We dont know. Will there be more corruption? We dont know. Will some people make money off of this? They always do.
CARBONDALE  Saluki maroon painted the town Saturday  and these dawgs did a bit of painting themselves.

More than 1,200 students, faculty and staff from Southern Illinois University Carbondale volunteered their time and energy to assist with nearly 20 service projects in Carbondale and beyond. The inaugural Big Event: A Saluki Day of Service, represented the biggest, one-day service project in the history of SIU Carbondale, according to the university.

This is what we do and it is who were are  service is in our DNA, said Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell, who was among the volunteers working around town on Saturday. We want the community to know how much we appreciate its support of our university. This is a great way to show that we place a priority on being a good neighbor and a good partner.

The volunteers helped spruce up the buildings and grounds of area nonprofits by painting, cleaning and doing yardwork; they picked up garbage around town; planted trees; made sleeping mats for the homeless; assisted with fundraisers benefiting students and orphans in Bangladesh and the Autism Society of Southern Illinois; and created care packages and thank you cards for first responders and veterans. Thats just to name a few of the ways Salukis gave of their time and effort this weekend.

Several of the students who participated said they hope Saturday's event marks the start of a lasting tradition for the university.

Sometimes you just lose touch of what is important in front of us, because of social media and everything like that, said Nisa Fareeha, a junior from Malaysia studying public relations and art history, and who served as a site leader on Saturday for a painting project at the Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale. When people take their time and give back and become more involved in the community, you just get a sense of humanity back again.

Fareeha and about 25 other volunteers affiliated with SIU helped paint four rooms at the after-school club for youth. Randy Osborn, the Boys and Girls Clubs executive director, said he was thrilled for the help. The club has never had the manpower or money to do what was accomplished Saturday, he said.

In what he describe as a win-win-win, Osborn said the club also benefited from a generous donation of paint for the project from Murdale True Value. The paint was provided through a True Value Co. Painting a Brighter Future grant that was coordinated by Murdale True Value owner George Sheffer, according to Osborn. Osborn said he also was grateful for Sheffer's involvement, as 20 gallons of paint worth about $600 were donated, Osborn said.

After finishing up the painting project at the Boys & Girls Club around noon, student Alex Duda, a junior from Villa Park studying outdoor recreation, looked around at the freshly painted, brightly colored rooms in the basement of the old Carbondale High School, and said he felt accomplished. Duda also serves as an intern at the club, and said hes eager to see the reactions from the students when they arrive on Monday. The kids will love it, he said.

Were here for only a short time, Duda said of SIU students who come to Carbondale to study from all over the state, country and world, but its nice to be involved in the community and really get out there  Waking up at 7 a.m. this morning wasnt the easiest, but getting up and active, it definitely feels really good.
WASHINGTON  In the aftermath of the GOP health care debacle came a revealing act of candor. House Speaker Paul Ryan admitted that his party, which controls the House, Senate and White House, is not yet a governing party because it could not get 216 people to agree with each other on how we do things.

Since the rise of the tea party, there have been perhaps 30 members of the House  the Freedom Caucus  who have been consistently unwilling to vote for center-right policy because their anti-government convictions are unappeasable. Incited and abetted by conservative media, they made Speaker John Boehners life a living hell, and have greeted Ryan with sharpened pitchforks.

So a party at the peak of its political fortunes is utterly paralyzed. A caucus in control of everything is itself uncontrollable.

Heading into the 2016 election, Republicans knew that this problem  the tea party predicament, the Freedom Caucus conundrum, the Boehner bog  had to be dealt with. The GOP needed a large and capable leader who could either unite the whole party (at least temporarily) with a bold, unifying conservative vision, or peel off some centrist Democratic support with innovative policy. They needed an above-average president.

What they got is unimaginably distant from any of these goals. They got a leader who is empty  devoid of even moderately detailed preferences and incapable of using policy details in the course of political persuasion.

Republicans got a leader who is impatient and easily distracted  by cable news on the Russian scandal or by Arnold Schwarzeneggers TV ratings. The content and consequences of his tweets are bad enough; worse is the disordered personality traits they reveal  vindictiveness, shallowness and lack of discipline. Trump spent a total of 18 days on his health care bill before demanding a vote. And he made no speech to the nation to advance his ideas  as every other recent president would have done.

Republicans got an administration that is incompetent. The White House policy process has been erratic and disorganized. It has failed to provide expert analysis and assistance to Congress and did little to effectively advocate the presidents policy in ways that unite the party.

Republicans got an administration that is morally small. Trumps proposed budget would require massive cuts in disease research, global development and agricultural programs  just as a famine gathers a hideous strength. The proposed budget practices random acts of gratuitous cruelty.

This is a pretty bad combination: empty, easily distracted, vindictive, shallow, impatient, incompetent and morally small. This is not the profile of a governing party.

It can hardly surprise us. The president had no governing experience. He has no detailed governing agenda. He trashed everyone who tried to govern in the past. And we somehow expect him to overcome the complex governing task presented by the Freedom Caucus?

His new strategy is to go on the attack: The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they dont get on the team, & fast. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018! So Trump will campaign against tea party conservatives? Attack them on conservative radio? Raise money for their moderate opponents? If he does, then the GOP civil war will reach a new stage of bitterness, with legislative progress postponed until a core faction of the party is intimidated or defeated.

Some Republicans choose to comfort themselves by repeating the mantra: Gorsuch, Gorsuch, Gorsuch. But that does nothing to change Trumps stunningly high disapproval ratings. Or the stunning rebuke by the FBI director concerning his claim of being wiretapped by Barack Obama. Or the stunning rejection of his central campaign promise by elements of his own party. Or his stunning ignorance of the basics of policy and leadership.

And all this has come in the course of the presidents political honeymoon. What, for goodness sake, will the marriage be like?

It is now dawning on Republicans what they have done to themselves. They thought they could somehow get away with Trump. That he could be contained. That the adults could provide guidance. That the economy might come to the rescue. That the damage could be limited.

Instead, they are seeing a downward spiral of incompetence and public contempt  a collapse that is yet to reach a floor. A presidency is failing. A party unable to govern is becoming unfit to govern.

And what, in the short term, can be done about it? Nothing. Nothing at all.
Last month, Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Dave Ross addressed a group of construction workers and employers like me the day after Gov. Scott Walkers budget had been released.

The candor with which Ross spoke was frankly refreshing. Although the audience certainly did not agree with the governors proposed transportation budget, we respected Ross willingness to listen to the concerns of the industry.

What was also welcome was the frankness with which Ross discussed the governors proposed repeal of Wisconsins prevailing-wage laws. Ross repeatedly told the crowd that construction workers were not overpaid and were not the problem and even directly took on state Sen. Duey Stroebels fictitious example of flaggers in Wisconsin making $100,000 a year.

Thats right, less than 24 hours after the governor rolled out his plan for the state, which involved slashing wages for blue-collar, middle-class construction workers, his WisDOT secretary told an audience representing that very industry that they were not the problem and that construction workers are not overpaid.

As you can imagine, the 100-plus people in attendance and I left the room scratching our heads. We continue to wonder why the governor is hell-bent on pursuing this destructive path for Wisconsins construction industry.

The governor, through his spokesperson, has defended slashing wages for middle-class construction workers by saying the purported savings will create more jobs. You can imagine our growing confusion when the governor earlier this month said having fewer manufacturing jobs would not be such a bad thing for Wisconsin, as long as the wages for the remaining jobs were increasing. Specifically, Walker, when challenged about the loss of more than 4,000 manufacturing jobs in the 12 months leading up to last September, said, Its not just how many jobs  its are those jobs paying at a significant level? He continued, If we see wages go up in manufacturing, to me, thats my ultimate goal.

So which is it, governor  higher wages or more jobs at lower wages? I can tell you what Wisconsinites want  both more jobs and higher wages. Unfortunately this budget, with its lack of sustainable transportation funding and cuts to worker wages, accomplishes neither for the blue-collar construction worker who is trying to remain in the middle class and support a family.

Walker has also said workforce development is his highest priority this legislative session. You can understand why the construction industry is scratching its collective head in bewilderment.

As someone who is responsible for running a construction business, I can tell you that recruiting qualified candidates is exceedingly difficult. As a life-long Republican  I even ran for political office  I can tell you from experience that waging a battle against blue-collar, middle-class workers and cutting wages are not ways to make recruitment easier for Wisconsin businesses.

Furthermore, Wisconsins private construction trade unions pay for 95 percent of the workforce and apprenticeship training that goes on in Wisconsin, spending about $30 million a year on training and safety in the construction industry. In states that eliminate prevailing-wage laws, apprenticeship programs have declined by as much as 42 percent because workers who are subjected to huge wage cuts become less willing and able to allocate part of their pay toward training programs.

Those same states are experiencing significant skilled labor shortages, leading groups like the Associated Builders and Contractors to promote public policies that would allow guest workers from other countries to supplant local workers. The one industry where we always thought our jobs could not be shipped overseas is now seeing workers shipped here.

Is this the future we want for Wisconsin?

In 2015, the non-partisan Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau concluded there would be no budget savings by repealing Wisconsins prevailing-wage laws. Likewise, Walkers 2017-19 budget cannot and does not assign any budgetary savings to the proposed elimination of prevailing wages on state projects.

Let me repeat that  the governors budget does not, because it cannot, assign any savings to his proposed repeal of prevailing wages. So what does Walkers proposal accomplish? Lower wages for Wisconsins construction workers, out-of-state workers taking our jobs and our money, and subpar projects that will need to be repaired or completely redone.

Wisconsins prevailing-wage laws set a fair minimum wage for the skilled construction tradesmen and women working on our public infrastructure. It pays for training to ensure our projects are built to quality standards. It is only fair to pay those workers a wage that is in line with their skill, training and expertise.

My message to the governor and my fellow Republicans  stop making blue-collar construction workers the enemy because, in case you didnt notice, these men and women are the very ones who voted you and Republicans across the country into office this last election. Dont be fooled into thinking that will continue if you cut their wages.
DENMARK -- Denmark Technical College served as host to 20 students and chaperones from the Educational Talent Search of Savannah State University on March 22. The TRIO program provides academic, career and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the post-secondary institution of their choice.

It was a privilege to host the students from Educational Talent Search. We are looking forward to them joining our Denmark Technical College family and taking part in all that the college has to offer, said Marcus Corbett, associate vice president for enrollment management.

Students had a great time touring the campus and speaking with current DTC students; a few even participated in an impromptu choral audition for the DTC choir.

Dr. Christopher Hall, Denmark Tech interim president, spoke with the students and stressed the economic benefits of DTCs tuition.

Our tuition is the lowest of any technical college in South Carolina. So even if you are paying out-of-state rates, your tuition will still be lower than that of a comparable college, Hall told them.

The Federal TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.

For more information about Denmark Technical College, call 803-793-5176 or visit www.denmarktech.edu. Tours of the campus are available between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday-Thursday or by special appointment.
The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office Victim Services Unit will host its annual candlelight vigil remembering victims of crime on Monday.

The guest speaker for Mondays vigil is Laura Hudson, the CEO of the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network. She has also been executive director of the S.C. Crime Victims Council since 2007.

The vigil will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Orangeburg County Law Enforcement Complex on Ellis Avenue. The public is invited to attend.
The South Carolina Alliance to Fix Our Roads was trying to be optimistic.

The non-partisan, non-profit, statewide organization made up of business leaders, associations and chambers of commerce who believe that an efficient and safe highway system is essential to South Carolina's continued economic growth and prosperity has endorsed House-passed legislation that would funnel revenue from an increase in the states gasoline tax to repair roads and bridges.

After the Senate signaled this past week with a 23-18 vote that it would not make the House bill a priority, effectively a no vote on the bill, the alliance issued a statement through Bill Ross, its president and CEO:

Todays action marks another step in the legislative process to secure a roads bill this year. While the priority status vote failed, we are encouraged by senators who have indicated that they are committed to passing a bill and will continue to work together to pass a compromise plan.

The House of Representatives has stepped up every year to pass a plan to fix our roads and bridges. The time is now for the Senate to work together to pass a bipartisan compromise plan that will ensure safer, more efficient roads.

Dont count on it.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey voted with those opposing the bill. He stated:

Fixing South Carolinas roads is the top priority of our caucus. However, we have serious concerns about raising taxes on the hardworking people of South Carolina in the midst of rising budget surpluses. We will continue talking with senators to reach an agreement because we are committed to passing comprehensive, effective legislation this session to fix our roads, repair an antiquated tax system and promote economic prosperity for all South Carolinians.

The House bill raises the nations lowest gasoline tax by 2 cents a year over six years and collects additional fees totaling $885 million in annual revenue. But it does not include tax reductions favored by conservative Republicans, such as a corresponding cut in the income tax favored in the past by former Gov. Nikki Haley. Reforms in governance of the S.C. Department of Transportation were removed by the Senate Finance Committee.

South Carolinians may not be sold on a gas tax increase but they are frustrated with state governments inability to agree on a plan that improves roads and bridges.

So as senators weigh the cost to South Carolinians via a hike in the gasoline tax, we hope they will revisit the findings of TRIP, a Washington-based national transportation organization. The numbers may make lawmakers more inclined to see the tax as a bargain of sorts if real improvements are made:

 Roads and bridges that are deteriorated, congested or lack some desirable safety features cost South Carolina motorists a total of $5.4 billion statewide annually due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion-related delays.

 Two-thirds of major, locally and state-maintained urban roads are in poor or mediocre condition, 10 percent of locally and state-maintained bridges are structurally deficient and the state has the highest rate of fatal traffic crashes in the nation. The state's major urban roads are becoming increasingly congested, with vehicle travel in South Carolina increasing 10 percent in the last three years.

 Driving on Charleston area roads costs the average driver $1,850 per year in the form of extra vehicle operating costs as a result of driving on roads in need of repair, lost time and fuel due to congestion-related delays, and the costs of traffic crashes in which roadway features likely were a contributing factor. The total in Columbia is slightly less at $1,716.

 More than 40 percent of major locally and state-maintained roads are in poor or mediocre condition, costing the average motorist an additional $450-plus each year in extra vehicle operating costs, including accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.

According to TRIP, increased investment in transportation improvements at the local, state and federal levels could relieve traffic congestion, improve road, bridge and transit conditions, boost safety, and support long-term economic growth in South Carolina.

"These conditions are only going to get worse, increasing the additional costs to motorists, if greater investment is not made available at the state and local levels of government," said Will Wilkins, TRIP's executive director. "Without adequate funding, South Carolina's transportation system will become increasingly deteriorated and congested, hampering economic growth, safety and quality of life."

The South Carolina Department of Transportation spends $415 million annually on road and highway pavement repairs and reconstruction. This represents less than half (46 percent) of the projected $900 million needed annually to significantly improve the state's major roads and highways.

Maybe the Senate will come up with a plan, but with the depth of opposition to a tax increase and the fervor some have for turning over the SCDOT to the governors control, there is real doubt whether a bill can be passed in the upper chamber. And if one is approved, reconciling it with the House version in a way that can pass both chambers seems like a long shot.
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Bank ABC Islamic, a subsidiary of Bahrain-based Bank ABC Group, has announced the appointment of Hammad Hassan as its managing director (MD) following the retirement of Naveed Khan.



The board of directors of ABC Islamic is infinitely thankful to Khan for his leadership, vision, loyalty and the guidance provided to ABC Islamic for more than a decade, said a statement.



He has steered ABC Islamic into one of the leading Islamic banking wholesale providers in the region, it said.



Hassan is taking over from Khan after a smooth hand over. He has more than 22 years of banking experience in corporate and consumer banking, global transaction services and Islamic finance. Hassan has been with Bank ABC Islamic since 2005, where he has been head of coverage for more than 12 years. Prior to joining Bank ABC, he worked for 11 years with a global leading bank in Saudi Arabia. In his new role, he will also be the global head of Islamic Banking at the ABC Group.



Iftikhar Ali, head of structuring and capital markets, has been promoted to deputy managing director of Bank ABC Islamic. Having contributed significantly to capital markets business development at the bank, Ali will now have full coverage responsibility at Bank ABC Islamic for corporates and financial institutions. He is an experienced banker with over twenty years of investment and Islamic banking experience. He has been with Bank ABC since 2013.



Chairman of Bank ABC Islamic and group CEO of the Bank ABC Group, Dr Khaled Kawan, said: We are delighted with the appointment of Mr Hassan and Mr Ali, as a continuation of Bank ABC Islamics reliance on our very experienced and talented management team to build upon the success achieved under the strong leadership of Naveed. I am confident that Hammad and Iftikhar are the right persons to lead our Islamic banking franchise in this challenging market and they have my full support. - TradeArabia News Service


China-based TBEA and the Egyptian Orascom have won the tender for implementing transformer substations and civil works for the 650 MW Walideya, Assiut power plant, a report said.



TBEA will be awarded a contract worth EGP94.860 million ($5.22 million) for the substations, while Orascom will sign a contract over EGP1.25 million for the civil works, reported Daily News Egypt, citing sources at the Upper-Egypt Electricity Production Company (UEEPC).



The sources noted that the proposals for another tender for pumps are being evaluated, including those from Mitsubishi and KSB. The total value of that tender is estimated at 16.3million ($17.6 million).



The project, which comes within the 2012-2017 five-year plan, is composed of a steam turbine with a capacity of 650 MW, condensers, generators, and other facilities. The plant works through a steam boiler with supercritical pressure, fuelled by natural gas and fuel oil. The output energy will be linked to the main station in Assiut with a voltage of 500 KV.



Upper Egypt Electricity Production Companys (UEEPC) CEO Ibrahim El Shahat was quoted as saying that the total cost of the power plant amounts to EGP5 billion.
UAE-based Bloom Properties said its diverse project portfolio has attracted a high level of interest from major Chinese investors who consider the UAE a preferred alternative real estate destination.



The Abu Dhabi-based developer had last week hosted a bespoke event at the Marriott Hotel Riverside, Shanghai, to showcase its wide range of real estate developments and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.



It was held along the sidelines of the Dubai Property Show in Shanghai that ran from March 24 to 26 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre.



The one-day event drew the participation of more than 60 VIPs, high-net-worth investors, brokers and representatives of leading Chinese property investment companies including Fosun Group, Core and IResearch.



Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of Bloom Holding, said: "Today, China boasts one of the worlds fastest-growing economies, and its investors are spreading their wings across the globe."



"With more than 3,636 units in the pipeline, Bloom offers Chinese buyers a unique mix of affordable and premium properties that promise high capital growth and attractive rental yields," he stated.



On its China event, Muhtadi said: "Our presence in Shanghai is in line with our priority to forge solid business relationships with investors from top-performing global real estate markets including China, India and other emerging economies."



"We aimed to introduce Chinese investors to the unparalleled real estate opportunities that Blooms ever-expanding project portfolio can offer them," he added.



At present, we are witnessing a surge in demand for investments from Chinese buyers and investors. Given the overwhelming response our participation in Shanghai received, we are confident this is the start of a promising synergy, remarjed Muhtadi.



Investors and visitors praised Blooms efforts to connect with Chinese buyers and showcase the opportunities in the vibrant UAE real estate market.



Bao Mingqiang, the investment director of Macao Yongji Group, said: "There is a lot of demand for overseas investment opportunities from Chinese buyers. Given the well-established project portfolio of Bloom Properties, our investors looking for sustainable growth on their investments can expect excellent long-term returns by investing in Blooms high quality projects."



Xia Yuyang, the executive director of Investment Banking Department at China International Capital Corporation Limited, said: "This bespoke event helped us build a better understanding of high-potential developments in alternative locations, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Blooms solid reputation and wide project portfolio gives us the confidence that we will be able to get our hands on the best possible deals in the market today."



A specialist in the development of integrated and sustainable communities, Bloom in collaboration with best-in-class designers and architects, builds a range of residential, commercial and mixed-use developments in premium locations across the Mena region.-TradeArabia News Service
A slowing rate of decline across all sectors of the Dubai real estate market suggests increasing stability and the expectation of the market bottoming out before the end of 2017, according to leading international real estate consultancy, Cluttons.



Cluttons Dubai Spring 2017 Property Market Outlook reports that despite the persistence of market corrections in Q1 2017, average residential prices have moderated by 0.9 per cent with the annual rate of decline slowing from -8.8 per cent at the close of 2016 to -7.8 per cent at the end of March.



Increasing supply, changing demand for executive positions in the employment market and increasing rent moderation are all expected to continue to impact the residential market during 2017. In the Dubai office market, the planned introduction of VAT (value added tax) on January 1, 2018 is already causing a nervousness amongst existing tenants, the Cluttons report finds.



Residential Market

As referenced, values across Dubais freehold residential areas slid by 8.8 per cent in 2016, largely in line with Cluttons original forecast for the year of -10 per cent. This signals the markets weakest annual performance in five years, and sits 28.7 per cent below the Q3 2008 market peak.



Commenting on the residential market, Faisal Durrani, head of research at Cluttons said: While local economic drivers may appear robust, regional and global economic uncertainty has undoubtedly curtailed domestic growth. Despite this, the off-plan residential sales market has remained resilient and in fact accounted for 53 per cent of all deals in 2016, suggesting that investor confidence remains strong. Clearly this has been aided by some exceptionally favourable payment plans that stretch beyond handover, negating the need for financing from the get-go, in addition to attractive gross rental yields.



Despite the emerging focus on the residential investment market, tenant demand remains mute and has undoubtedly eased over the last 12 months. This contributed to the 9.9 per cent drop in average rents last year. The rate of creation of senior level executive positions has fallen and this is reflected in the lower level of enquiries and budgets we are recording. The redundancy programmes in the citys finance and banking sector and oil and gas sector have all but run their course, but the weak global outlook is putting other key sectors under pressure, including the hospitality and aviation sectors, both of which are long standing and historic cornerstones of economic growth. The rapid and sudden strengthening of the US dollar over the last 9 months has added to the challenges faced by the property market.



Part of this overall market weakness lies at the top. Twelve of the 32 submarkets monitored by Cluttons registered price declines during Q1, with the Burj Khalifa tower (-6.9 per cent) leading the price falls. Over the last 12 months, the Burj Khalifa has registered a 25 per cent correction in values, making it the weakest performer across the city. Hattan Villas at The Lakes (-13.5 per cent), Hattan Villas at Arabian Ranches (-12.6 per cent), villas on the Palm Jumeirah (-12.3 per cent) and apartments on the Palm Jumeirah (-11 per cent) rounded off the list of the five weakest performing markets over the last 12 months, the Cluttons report finds.



Murray Strang, head of Cluttons Dubai, noted: Aside from the ultra-luxury of the Burj Khalifa tower, the lifestyle and destination living appeal of Downtown Dubai has in a way insulated the markets performance from the fall out of global geopolitical events. Bahwan Tower for example, which is located within the Burj Khalifa community, launched in November 2016 and is a prime example of sustained demand, as a strong sales performance continues ahead of a Q4 2017 completion.



Cluttons latest report also finds that a limited number of vacant plots remain within the Mohammed Bin Rashid loop, suggesting that the resilience in values is likely to persist as new opportunities to purchase in this submarket start to diminish. In fact, there was a 47 per cent drop in the number of units launched in Downtown Dubai during 2016, with just 1,431 new homes released, compared to 2,104 unit launches in 2015.



Strang added: While the short-term prospects appear relatively subdued, our view is that the rental markets fortunes remain tied to the looming 2020 World Expo. At this stage, the mega event is one of the primary upside risks to our outlook. We know from experience that the lag between the take up of office space and the subsequent impact on the residential rental market is usually six to nine months. Construction contracts worth Dh11 billion, linked to the Expo, are expected to be announced throughout the course of 2017, driving up the rate of job creation and tenant demand in its wake, but this is not expected for another two to three quarters at least.



Durrani highlighted: However before the Expo effect ripples through the market, we expect that rents will continue moderating during 2017, with an average decline of 5 per cent to 7 per cent likely over the course of the next six months. A key factor in the rental markets fortunes will be its ability to absorb the strengthening stream of buy-to-let homes, which has already upset the delicate supply-demand equation. Any impact on the sales market will likely follow, however for now we anticipate capital values will moderate by a further 5 per cent on average before there is the potential for a more stable picture to emerge towards the end of 2017.





Office Market

Cluttons report stresses the combination of VAT uncertainty and market pressures being faced by the citys office market, which has remained relatively unscathed by the deteriorating global economic conditions.



The Cluttons Dubai Spring 2017 Property Market Outlook reports that rents across most of the 24 submarkets monitored remained relatively steady throughout 2016, following strong growth in the preceding 12 to 18 months. However, global economic anxiety and a subsequent scaling back or delaying of short term expansion projects, particularly amongst international corporate occupiers, has begun to impact on the resilience of rents.



Strang added: Furthermore, uncertainty stemming from the proposed introduction of a Value-Added-Tax (VAT) is causing some nervousness in the market. For many international occupiers, it is likely that this is something they will be able to take in their stride, given that they are used to taxation regimes in their own home markets; however, for international occupiers from the UK, or Europe, the prospect of a 5 per cent tax on rental payments, combined with a rise in operational costs fuelled by the strength of the US dollar, may dampen take up activity in the short to medium term. It remains unclear at this stage whether firms operating within free-zones will be exempt from any potential VAT charges, however it is our expectation that any new tax will be applied across the board to limit an exponential rise in requirements for free-zone office space.



In general, however, Cluttons claims the overall slowdown in activity levels has resulted in headline rents dipping back marginally.



Strang concluded: High demand areas such as Tecoms Internet City and Media City, in addition to core locations within the DIFC remain well let, with stable rents. A limited supply pipeline in both markets is clearly supporting the stability in rents. Equally, demand from occupiers to secure a presence in these key areas is reflected in the fact that the DIFCs new eight-storey Gate Village 11 Building, The Exchange, has been reportedly pre-leased, with completion not expected until late 2017, or early 2018.  TradeArabia News Service


Imdaad, a leading integrated facilities management (FM) company based in Dubai, has been awarded a three-year contract worth Dh4 million ($1.08 million) by Dubai Maritime City, the sole specialised maritime cluster for the UAE and GCC.



Under the terms of the agreement, Imdaad will deliver integrated FM services in the 227-hectare Dubai Maritime City MBC Building, said the company in a statement.



The new partnership illustrates the multi-awarded FM companys proven capability to roll out quality-driven integrated FM solutions designed to lessen costs, improve facility functions and asset management, and achieve streamlined operations and standardized approach, the statement added.



Imdaad CEO Jamal Abdullah Lootah said: "We are excited by this latest strategic co-operation with Dubai Maritime City. Gaining the trust and confidence of one of the worlds major maritime business centers is a noteworthy achievement and strongly reflects our strengths, professionalism, and proven ability to deliver unique solutions tailored for the challenging environments of the shipping and O&G industries."



Our partnership does not only reflect our common commitment to improve productivity in a cost-efficient manner while maintaining higher service levels, but is also a major step forward for us at Imdaad as we strive to establish our presence in different important economic sectors. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Dubai Maritime City and the accomplishment of our set goals, added Lootah.



The scope of services provided under the contract includes hard services such as operations and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in the common area, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and minor civil works also in the common area.



As for soft services, Imdaad will provide general cleaning services and water tank cleaning and testing in select locations. Lastly, specialist services will cover fire alarm and firefighting maintenance, chiller, elevators, gate barrier, portable water and chilled water treatment, and access control, among others.



At Dubai Maritime City we strive to capitalize on the strengths of Dubai as a regional and global maritime hub as well as contribute to the emirates efforts to create a dynamic urban lifestyle for the maritime community. This can be achieved through the help of our partners in various components of our operations," stated Ali Al Suwaidi, the general manager, Dubai Maritime City.



"We are confident that Imdaad will deliver superior integrated FM solutions according to our long-term strategy of providing seamless FM services to ensure safe and comfortable work environments for all employees and stakeholders," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Qatar-based Msheireb Properties said it has awarded a major contract to Teyseer Contracting Company and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) for the development of the fourth phase of Msheireb Downtown project in capital Doha.



Announcing the contract for the final phase, the developer of Msherieb Downtown Doha said it will be spread over 132,000 sq m gross floor area.



Featuring the developments tallest building, it will consist of a major public plaza and 11 mixed-use buildings, which include commercial offices, residential and retail space, 5-star hotels, medical office building containing clinical and administrative spaces, and six car parking basements.



This vibrant area will also offer residents and tenants access to Msheireb station, the largest Doha Metro station, which marks the crossing of Qatar Rails three metro lines, the Red, Green and Gold Lines.



On the new contract, Ali Al Kuwari, the chief officer for design and delivery at Msheireb Properties, expressed delight at working with Teyseer Contracting Company and CCC.



"Their wealth of expertise, local knowledge, and commitment to Qatars 2030 vision provide us with the confidence that together we will deliver the highest quality of standards, and create an iconic project that enhances the citys urban landscape," he noted.



CCC general manager Osama Al Jarbi said: "The joint venture of Teyseer Contracting Company, TCC and Consolidated Contractors Company, allow us to enhance our services and contribute towards a world class destination that improves the aesthetics of the city and makes living and working more convenient and comfortable."



Msheireb Downtown Doha is a pioneering project developed to revive the old commercial centre of the city of Doha by bridging the past with its cultural ties and ancestry, with the demands of a modern day city, he stated.



The development aims to build sustainable and innovative initiatives that enrich communities and individual lives, promote environment friendly living and rediscover and implement heritage and culture, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, lighted up the iconic Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in blue on April 2 to support the World Autism Awareness Day.

This was done as part of Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue (LIUB) initiative, which was launched in 2010 with the goal of bringing the worlds attention to this developmental disability, said a statement.

Every year more than 13,000 buildings and landmarks in over 45 countries shine a blue light to raise awareness of the millions of people affected by autism. World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2 every year, was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 and marks the start of Autism Awareness Month, a global effort to highlight the impact of this condition on millions of people around the world.

"The purpose of lighting the Kingdom Tower in blue is to raise awareness amongst Saudi citizens on the importance of being informed on global health issues, as well as shed light on the discrimination endured by Autistic people, said Shahad Almufti, media and communications representative at Alwaleed Philanthropies.

Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP) also supports a psychotherapy art course for the benefit of the Charitable Society for Autism Families in Riyadh. The course aims to train specialists in art therapy methods which have been scientifically proven to effectively treat autism.  TradeArabia News Service
The UAE Ministry of Economy discussed its desire to boost industrial, investment and trade cooperation with Turkey, Brazil and El Salvador on the sidelines of the recently concluded Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Saleh, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry met with Dr Hassan Ali Silik, deputy minister of Science, Industry and Technology of Turkey and emphasised the UAEs eagerness to enhance bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Turkey, said a statement.



He was accompanied by Abdullah Al Shamsi, assistant undersecretary for Industry, and Juma Al Kait, assistant undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs.



During the meeting, Al Saleh expressed his pleasure at the strong ties between the UAE and Turkey which he said is based on mutual understanding and various common interests, especially at the economic, commercial and investment levels.



He underscored the importance of strengthening their partnerships in the areas of innovation and industry through the adoption of advanced technologies which contribute to the achievement of their countries respective goals.



Al Saleh further noted how trade figures reflect the robust economic ties between the two countries, saying that the UAE is Turkey's top trading partner in the region, and that Turkey is the sixth largest importer of the UAE.



He added that their bilateral non-oil trade stood at $9.1 billion by the end of 2016, with mutual investments focused on the vital sectors of tourism and hospitality, food, energy, telecommunications and information technology, said a statement from the ministry.



Al Saleh also met with Merlin Alijandrana Barrera, vice minister of Trade and Industry of El Salvador, to talk about opportunities for enhancing economic, trade and investment relations. The two touched on possible partnerships in tourism and energy between the UAE and El Salvador, it added.



The undersecretary met as well with Igor Kalvit, undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil, along with Al Shamsi.



He shared that non-oil trade between the UAE and Brazil exceeded $2.5 billion in 2016 in light of the growing number of Brazilian companies operating in the country. He noted the presence of around 210 Brazilian brands in the UAE and the availability of several promising investment opportunities for their countries, it said.



Finally, Al Saleh and Al Kait had a session with Ziyong Meng, chairman of the executive board of the Chinese Federation of Industrial Economies, to open up possibilities for enhancing cooperation in the industrial sector.



The parties discussed how Chinas experiences and cutting-edge technologies could help advance the UAEs development and further strengthen its industrial sector, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
A high-profile delegation from Oman is participating in the 7th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) which opened today (April 2) and will run until April 4, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, UAE.



The event is being held under the theme International Investment, Path to Competitiveness & Development, said a statement.



According to Oxford Business Group, a major piece of legislation on foreign direct investment (FDI) is currently under review of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, it said.



The new FDI law is expected to allow 100 per cent foreign ownership throughout the sultanate, along with a slew of other incentives for investors, it added.



The plan to increase FDI also includes targeting specific sectors that hold significant growth potential, such as mining, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, and transport and logistics.



Sayyid Faisal Bin Turki Al Said of the Oman Public Authority of Investment Promotion an Export Development (Ithraa), said: AIM is a very important event. It brings together different countries, companies, and authorities. Also it provides the chance to meet and connect with investment experts and big investors under one roof.



We believe that Omans participation in the event will help creating investment opportunities in the sultanate, and enhance the relations with the global investment entities from all over the world, he said.



Oman has the potentials to be primary destination for investors. It enjoys strategic location near the emerging markets in the Middle East, East Africa, and India. It has also network of advanced logistic services which helps investors to stay connected with international markets. The legal framework in the sultanate protects the investors and help them to grow their business, he added.



Al Said further explained: The government of Oman focuses on specific sectors to grow from 2015 to 2020, and these sectors are: transformative industries, logistic services, tourism, fisheries, and mining.



The sultanate welcomes as well investments in other sectors, whether secondary investments like waste management, or supporting sectors such as educations and health care, he continued.



This year, our target is to position Oman on the international investment map. Our organisation showcases the opportunities, incentives, and proper investment climate in the country. We focus on the targeted sectors in the ninth five-year plan in the country, he said.



Our organisation prepared a study in 2015 to promote investment in the sultanate, according to this study we chose highly important sectors to be promoted in 25 countries. We chose these countries based on many standards. We target several markets, and we organise plenty of meetings with potential investors from many Asian and European countries, as well as from GCC. We offer the investors many incentives to start their projects in Oman, such as facilitate obtaining approvals and licenses, find the suitable partners, and issue the commercial record, added Al Said.



Our statistics show that FDI in the sultanate crossed OR7.6 billion ($19.7 billion) in 2014, with 9.1 per cent increase comparing to 2013. These FDI came from 50 countries, UK comes number one in terms of investment in Oman, followed by UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, US, Netherlands, and Switzerland, he said.



Oil and gas is still the most attracting field for FDI with 33.9 per cent of the total foreign investment in the sultanate, followed by financial brokerage with 30.1 per cent, then transformative industries with 20.5 per cent. Our goal is to increase the FDI in the future, especially with the national direction toward diversification of the national economy, noted Al Said.



The sultanate is taking serious steps to enhance the non-oil sectors. The government launched the national programme for enhancing economic diversification (Tanfeedh). According to this programme, the government will focus on certain promising fields such as: transformative industries, logistics, tourism, finance, labour market and employment, he concluded.



The Oman pavilion at the event will include several high-profile authorities and companies, such as: Ithraa, Port of Duqm, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Special Economic Zone, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), the largest multilateral development initiative in Mena, recently approved $242.6 million in financing for health, agriculture, and rural infrastructure development projects in eight countries.



The projects are scheduled to be implemented in Tajikistan, Sudan, Djibouti, Niger, Mauritania, Cameroon, Uganda, and Guinea.



This second meeting of the Impact Committee of the LLF was inaugurated by Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, Advisor at the Saudi Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center.



Maher Al Hadhrawi, assistant supervisor general for Operations and Programs at KS Relief, and chair of the LLF for its first year of operations, said: We successfully launched the first project - a malaria prevention and control project in partnership with the Government of Senegal in March. We are here today to prioritize more projects that will have the biggest impact across the Muslim world and lift the poorest people out of poverty.



He added: Over the next five years, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund will make $2.5 billion available for anti-poverty projects in health, agriculture and rural infrastructure in Islamic Development Bank member countries. $363 million has been approved for the Funds first operational year, and all the donors are working closely together to ensure that it is allocated most effectively.



Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, director general of QFFD, commented: The Lives and Livelihoods Fund is the first multilateral partnership of its kind in this region, and demonstrates the benefit of partnering with other donor organizations and regional governments. By pooling our resources together, and combining grants with finance from the Islamic Development Bank, we are able to increase our impact and ultimately save more lives. At Qatar Fund for Development, we are proud to contribute to an initiative that is going to have such a massive impact on the lives of millions of people across the Islamic world.



Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of ADFD, said: Todays meeting demonstrates that the Lives and Livelihoods Fund is making steady progress in improving peoples live across the developing world. Our contribution to the Fund articulates the development agenda pursued by the UAE Government that aims to promote inclusive social and economic development through working with our partners from other development agencies to ensure the effectiveness of our aid programs.



We are proud to be a founding member of the largest multilateral development initiative in the Middle East and look forward to devoting all our resources and expertise to ensuring improved livelihoods for the people of developing countries. This approach aligns well with Abu Dhabi Fund for Developments aim to use innovative finance to support developing countries achieve their own development goals.



Dr Waleed Alwohaib, director general, ISFD, commented: I would like to thank KS Relief for hosting the second meeting of the LLFs Impact Committee, and we are also grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for being the largest contributor to the ISFD, the poverty reduction fund of the Islamic world. Through the grant contributions of the LLF, our aim is to protect communities from the risk of preventable diseases, improving reproductive, maternal and child health, increasing access to sanitation and primary healthcare, and supporting rural development, we are empowering some of the poorest people in the world, and giving them the chance to live healthy and productive lives.





In September 2016, the Lives and Livelihoods Funds Impact Committee approved projects worth $363m for the first of the five years that the fund will be operational.



The Lives and Livelihoods Fund will make $2.5 billion available over the next five years on projects that help the poorest people in 30 of the poorest Muslim countries lead healthy and productive lives. Administered by the IsDB, the fund combines $2 billion of IsDB financing with $500million in grants from donors.



So far, $400 million in grants have been committed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (20 per cent of the total up to $100 million), the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development ($100 million), the Qatar Fund for Development ($50 million), the King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center ($100 million), and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development ($50 million).  TradeArabia News Service




Raising Canes, which offers premium chicken tenderloin meals, has opened its second location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in Rubeen Plaza.



The new opening, the sixth in the Middle East, confirms the brand appeal of the Louisiana-based restaurant outside US, setting the stage for broader expansion across the Middle East and GCC regions, a statement said.



Included in the Top Five US Quick Service Restaurants in the US for nine consecutive years, Raising Canes is renowned for its 24-hour marinated, hand-battered chicken tenderloins, secret-recipe Canes sauce, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, freshly brewed sweet tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade.



Brand business director, Maan Kouly said: The growing love and enthusiasm towards Raising Canes since its introduction in Kuwait in September of 2015 has been extremely positive and overwhelming.



Since then, Raising Canes managed to make the people of Kuwait, Bahrain and now Riyadh fall in love with the food we present and this has motivated us to open more restaurants. We hope that with our future expansion plans in place, the people of the GCC region and Middle East will continue to share in our ONE LOVE for premium chicken while enjoying the outstanding service of Raising Canes crew.  TradeArabia News Service
Agencies are making progress in terms of their enterprise ability to support cloud computing. Accenture, a global management consulting and professional services company, looks at three key criteria to gauge readiness and level of progress toward a Cloud First approach.



In 2011, the White House formally committed to a Cloud First strategy, citing the potential for mass cost savings and improved agility as key drivers. Cybersecurity was another emerging priority as threats to legacy systems evolved.



However, according to a 2016 flash poll by Government Business Council, federal employees now feel true cloud readiness also means addressing technical and business case requirements which are integral to the migration.



Are federal agencies cloud-ready?



Agencies are making progress in terms of their enterprise ability to support cloud computing. We looked at three key criteria to gauge readiness and level of progress toward a Cloud First approach.



Three key criteria



Has your agency



Established business case and cost requirements for moving to the cloud?



Addressed the security requirements associated with cloud computing?

Acquired the technical capabilitiesskills, processes, and toolsto effectively manage cloud environments?



What agencies can do now



About a third of federal agencies are only minimally addressing these three key criteria. Here's how your agency can more fully embrace cloud readinessin action and approach.



Establishing a case: The cloud isnt just a security transition. Its a structural transformation.



Agencies should prioritize business, technical, and organizational policies that take full advantage of the cloud.



Addressing security requirements: seek the aid of advanced cloud practitioners both in and out of government.



By seeking out industry expertise, agencies can more rapidly deploy proven solutions that meet their fundamental requirements.



Acquiring technical capabilities: approach transformation confidently.



Agencies can be more confident in their cloud journey by specifying performance metrics in service level agreements (SLAs), and by ensuring communication and accountability every step of the way.




Turkish Airlines has added Kharkiv in Ukraine as its 297th destination in 120 countries with the inaugural flight commencing today.



By launching flights to Kharkiv, the global carrier is demonstrating its constant effort to further improve its expansion strategy.



Beginning from March 30, Kharkiv flights will be operated four times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. This figure will increase to seven times per week from May 30.



Round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Kharkiv starting from $109(including taxes and fees).



Additionally, for the first six months of operation to the new destinations, there is a special offer for Miles&Smiles members, with a 25 per cent reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades. - TradeArabia News Service
The first Airbus A319neo has performed its maiden flight, taking off from Hamburg, Germany and landed in Toulouse, France after a five-hour flight.



The smallest member of the A320neo Family, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, was piloted by Experimental test pilots Michel Gagneux and Eckard Hausser. They were assisted in the cockpit by Test-Flight Engineer Jean Michel Pin, while two flight test engineers Sylvie Loisel-Labaste and David Onions directed the flight from the aircrafts Test Engineer station.



This flight was the occasion for the crew to assess the general handling of the aircraft and to check the main systems. The A319neo, registered as D-AVWA, will be based in Toulouse in order to complete its flight test programme.



The A320neo Family is the worlds best-selling single aisle product line with over 5,000 orders received from over 90 customers, capturing almost 60 per cent share of the market. The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 per cent by 2020.



Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320neo Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus 18-inch wide seats in economy as standard.



With one aircraft in three sizes (A319neo, A320neo & A321neo), the A320neo Family, seating from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covers the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density domestic to longer range routes.



The A319neo is the smallest member of the A320neo Family; it offers its operators superior short field performance in hot and high conditions. It can accommodate up to 160 passengers without compromise on the comfort.  TradeArabia News Service
Fabien Gailly joins The St. Regis Dubai as chef de cuisine at Brasserie Quartier.



Gailly brings to his new role a wealth of experience from Michelin starred restaurants around the world.



Prior to his current position at Brasserie Quartier, Gailly worked as head chef at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow for two years where he was in charge of the pastry menus and kitchens for the hotels two restaurants and room service for the 330 rooms. Previous to this role, he worked as Fabrice Vulins right hand at the three Michelin starred restaurant, Caprice in the Four Seasons Hong Kong where he was in charge of the menu creation and a team of 20.



In 2014, Gailly reprised the role of chef de cuisine at Montreux Jazz Festival restaurant, Le Trio and was in charge of conceptualising and creating the food for the 18 day festival. Most recently he was a key member of the opening team for Thai restaurant brand, Honey in Bangkok, which saw him design the kitchens and develop the menu for the three new outlets debut in Bangkok market.



Born in Chile, South America, Gailly went on to study at one of the most prestigious cooking schools in France, Lycee Hotelier Lesdiguieres and obtained his CAP Cuisine and CAP Service in 2002. Gaillys apprenticeships and experience in Michelin starred restaurants across Europe and the US ignited his passion to become a professional chef. Other Michelin starred restaurants he has worked in as Sous Chef de Cusine include Le Cheval Blanc, Courchevel (two stars), Chateau de La Chevre dOr (two stars), Hotel Les Barmes de lOurs, Val d'Isere (one star) and Hotel La Reserve De Beaulieu Mer restaurant (two stars)  all in France. - TradeArabia News Service


Centara Hotels & Resorts has welcomed Denis Thouvard to the position of general manager of Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Thailand.



A French national, Thouvard firstly joined Centara Hotels & Resorts team in 2009 as general manager for the opening of Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket. In just a few short years, his expertise in hospitality management, coupled with his contribution and excellent performance earned him the promotion as the area general manager for Phuket in 2012, with additional responsibilities to oversee both Centara Villas Phuket and Centra Ashlee Hotel Patong. Thouvard has continuously used his in-depth knowledge and a broad vision to grow the Centara reputation to the worldwide market. Most recently, he held the position of general manager at the former Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket.



Throughout several years of excellent management of Centaras properties in Phuket, Thouvard has been given great support in introducing Centara as one of the most preferred hospitailty brands for familes, luxurious leisure travellers and Mice markets in the region. During his tenure, guests from all over the world enjoyed their stays and returned to their home countries with memorable experiences about Centaras properties. Thouvards true dedication and hard work has yielded international accreditations to Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket and Centara Villas Phuket, both of which received Earth Check Silver Certificate for two consecutive years.



With his outstanding performance with Centara Hotels and Resorts for more than seven years, I strongly believe that Denis will be able to bring Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui to new heights of success, said Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels and Resorts. - TradeArabia News Service
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
The Rock Springs Sweetwater County Airport is being rebuilt, and nearly half the electricity needed to run the new hangar and terminal will come from the sun.

In a move to be environmentally friendly at a reduced electricity cost, the airport will install a solar facility thanks to a $94,000 grant from Rocky Mountain Powers Blue Sky customers, whose contributions go to renewable energy projects in Wyoming communities.

Between 40 and 50 percent of the airports electricity needs will come from solar, or up to 70,000 kWh a year out of 160,000 kWh used. The facility is estimated to save the airport between $150,000 to $200,000 in electricity costs in its first 15 years, said Devon Brubaker, airport manager.

Though the main benefit of solar is cost, Brubaker hopes the airports grant-funded foray into renewables will be a beacon in the community and the state for green energy. Wyoming is lagging its neighbors in Colorado and Utah when it comes to renewables, and it needs to catch up, he said.

Coal, oil and natural gas  those have all been the backbone of our state for decades, centuries for that matter, he said. We all have to face the fact that times are changing. It doesnt mean we dont support coal. Doesnt mean we dont support natural gas and oil, but we also have to be willing to not wait until its too late to embrace something. We need to embrace it and use it to our benefit.

***

While Wyoming depends on its fossil fuel industry for electricity, jobs and revenue, experts say renewables are coming, and soon.

Wind and solar are still an uncertain part of Wyomings future, but the generating cost of renewables is approaching that of traditionally cheap fuels like natural gas.

Closely watched in the power sector, Lazards Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis keeps a yearly tab on the cost of electricity from wind, solar and natural gas.

This year, winds break-even cost became competitive with gas in some scenarios.

Thats not yet the case with solar, and there are no large solar farms in the Cowboy State so far.

Solar development has been focused in areas where the sun resource is strong, like in Arizona, and where states have renewable portfolio standards, like in California or Colorado, said Rob Godby, director of the Center for Energy Economics and Public Policy at the University of Wyoming.

Some experts estimate that utility-scale solar will be cost-competitive within five years. Its inevitable, he said.

Utility solar, the kind that will manifest itself in large farms of panels on the landscape, fell by 11 percent year over year, according to the Lazard study. Rooftop solar for individual homes remains the least cost-effective energy source but is also falling in cost, by 26 percent from 2015 to 2016.

***

Many look at renewables as a threat to Wyomings other industries, particularly coal. Opponents argue that investment in solar or wind create an uneven playing field for traditional fuels like coal and gas.

President Donald Trump has made energy a central focus in recent weeks, releasing an energy plan Tuesday that cut regulations pressuring fossil fuels. There was only one mention of renewables in that document.

Its unlikely that the new administration will have direct influence on the renewable markets, said Godby, the UW professor.

It would take Congress to really affect solar as its proponents try to achieve cost-competitive status, he said. Lawmakers instituted the subsidies that boosted wind and solar while technology develops. They could also take them away.

However, investment in solar and wind has reached a tipping point, Godby added. Companies have too much invested in those technologies already to walk away.

For established providers in Wyoming, like Rocky Mountain Power, the phase-out of the federal tax credit by 2020 has already been accounted for in their plans. For wind, in certain scenarios, the cost is already competitive with natural gas even when the federal subsidy is subtracted.

Meanwhile, state renewable portfolio standards provide fertile ground for developers now, with or without federal support.

Wyoming, loyal to its fossil fuel industry, has been the contrarian in this regard.

A bill that failed in the recent legislative session would have placed a financial penalty on energy generated for Wyoming customers from renewable sources. Wyoming is also the only state with a tax on wind generation. Another failed bill earlier this year would have increased that tax. The increase is likely to be floated again by lawmakers.

Back in Rock Springs, the solar investment is only one piece of what locals are trying to create at the airport.

The most important thing is this new facility is removing a huge barrier to economic development in Sweetwater County, said Brubaker. When you have $7 billion global organizations, the CEOs of these organizations, flying here to do business, and their impression of Wyoming is a 95-year-old building thats falling apart, its really not the best thing.

The Wyoming Business Council, Federal Aviation Administration and the Wyoming Department of Transportation agreed and have all contributed to the project.

The Rock Springs airport contributes more than $30 million to the state and $27 million locally each year. The new facilities will mean new opportunities for Wyoming revenue, Brubaker said.

If it serves as an example of renewable development in the state, officials say, even better.
Helping Others

Quilts of Valor every Wednesday

The Central Wyoming Chapter of Quilts of Valor meets every Wednesday, 1 to 4 p.m., to sew at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center, 1831 E. 4th St. Quilts of Valor are made entirely by volunteers. Donated fabrics, supplies or monetary donations are appreciated. The group makes all quilts for service men and women who have been touched by war. These quilts are a tangible reminder of our appreciations and gratitude to our service members. Our chapter awards quilts to veterans who reside in the Central Wyoming region. Dues are $5 per year and new members are always welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Yung Hui Torske at 258-5578, Sandy Elliott at 307-554--0331 or any chapter member.

12-24 Club receives operations gift

The 12-24 Club has received $60,000 from the McMurry Foundation for operations.

"This grant will allow us to continue serving all who seek recovery from addiction every day," said director Dan Cantine. "The McMurry Foundation has supported our efforts for over 20 years. Just as important is their commitment to helping others. We are grateful for all that the McMurry Foundation has done for many."

For more information about the 12-24 Club, call 237-8035 or visit www.1224club.org.

Scarves for Special Olympics

Special Olympics Wyoming invites those who knit and crochet to make scarves for the Wyoming Special Olympics athletes to wear at State Winter Games in February 2018. Please use black, grey and white colors, approximately 6- by 60-inches in any pattern. The deadline to receive the scarves is January 2018. Please send scarves to Special Olympics Wyoming, attn. Scarf Project 2017, P.O. Box 624, Jackson, WY 83001. There is more information available at www.sowy.org/other-fundraisers.

Community baby shower April 8

The Natrona County Prevention Coalition presents the Community Baby Shower from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, 1701 E. K St. The Community Baby Shower is a free celebration for all things babies and toddlers. All expecting parents and parents of children up to age 3 are invited for giveaways, door prizes, interactive activities, and the opportunity to learn about local community resources.

Founded in 2002, the Mission of NCPC is to prevent substance abuse in our community by promoting healthy and positive choices. NCPC is a collaboration of over 40 members made up from community agencies, businesses, and concerned citizens. NCPC is responsible for conducting and holding multiple substance-free events for the community throughout the year, including: Family Day, Community Baby Shower and First Night. Mercer Family Resource Center is the lead agency for NCPC and acts as the Coalitions fiscal agent.

For more information on the Community Baby Shower, please contact Lisa Brown, family and parenting co-chair, at 265-7366 or lbrown@mercercasper.com.

Youth mental health training

Mercer Family Resource Center will host a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Mercer Family Resource Center, located at 535 W. Yellowstone HWY. This free training is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human service workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12 to 18) who is experiencing a mental health, addictions challenge, or is in crisis. To register for the training, please contact Mercer Family Resource Center at 265-7366.

Originally created in Australia in 2001, Youth Mental Health First Aid is a program of the Mental Health First Aid USA that is managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. A certified Mental Health First Aid instructor teaches the training. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.

Great Cloth Diaper Change

Casper parents, please join us for the Great Cloth Diaper Change on April 22 -- Earth Day! If you are a cloth-diapering parent, or if you would like information on cloth diapering, please consider attending this free event. Cloth diapers have come a long way in the last few years, and using cloth provides substantial savings both to your diaper budget and the environment. We will have door prizes, raffles, activities for the kids and free swag bags for the first 25 people through the door. If you would like to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change you must: have a baby currently in diapers or training pants, bring a 100 percent reusable cloth diaper or trainer (or borrow one), to change into at the event. If you have more than one baby that qualifies for the change, youll need to bring an extra person for each baby.

Doors open at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium of College Heights Baptist Church, 1927 S. Walnut St. in Casper. The "change" will be at 11 a.m. and a free informational diaper class will follow the change. For information, call Cheryl Wilson at 307-267-1903 or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CasperWYGCDC/.

QPR training April 9

Safe Haven and J.R.'s Hunt; for Life, in partnership with the Prevention Management Organization of Natrona County and the Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force, are offering a two-hour QPR Suicide Prevention Training from 2 to 4 p .m., on Sunday, April 9, at the 12-24 Club (500 S. Wolcott, 2nd floor).

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

This training is open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Johnston at 259-5026 or email him at rjohnston@pmowyo.org.

Food of the month

Wyoming Food for Thought Project has announced its food of the month suggestions for the nearly 1,000 weekend food bags its volunteers prepare for food-insecure school students in Natrona County each week. Often, schools, churches and other groups designate certain collection days for a specific type of food as a donation.

The suggested food items may be taken to program headquarters at 900 St. John, but it's best to call ahead to make certain someone is there to receive it.

April, granola bars; May, tuna; June, peanut butter; July, pork 'n beans; August, mac n cheese; September, Chef Boyardee products; October, cereal; November, soup; December, chili.

For more information, call Cassandra at 337-1703.

Blood centers extend hours

United Blood Services is expanding hours at its Casper and Cheyenne donor centers in an effort to make blood donation more convenient for more donors.

The center at 2801 East 2nd Street in Casper will be open six days a week. Closed only on Tuesday, the Casper center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The center at 112 E. 8th Ave. in Cheyenne will be open five days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Blood donations can drop as much as 20 percent during the holidays and winter months, but every two seconds, every day of the year a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every eight weeks and are encouraged to donate at least three times each year to help UBS meet the needs of patients.

Donors can save time and fill out their Fast Track Health History Questionnaire online at unitedbloodservices.org the day of their donation. To donate blood, volunteers must be at least 16 years old (16 and 17-year-old donors need a minor donor permit which is available online) and be in good health.

In addition to its community donor centers in Cheyenne and Casper, UBS operates various blood drives across Wyoming. To make an appointment call 877-827-4376 or go to unitedbloodservices.org.

Disabled vets need volunteer drivers

The Disabled American Veterans need volunteer drivers to take veterans to their medical appointment at the VA hospital in Cheyenne. The volunteer driver will transport them in a VA vehicle. If you are interested, please call the DAV transportation office in Cheyenne at 307-778-7577 for further information.

English speakers needed

CHAT, the English Conversation Club at Casper College Adult Learning Center, needs English speakers to meet international community members and help them speak English. Join us for an international potluck in the Werner Technical Center, Rm. 105: April 13, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and May 4, 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 268-2230 or email mdugan@caspercollege.edu.
Sundays Highlights</&h1>

Sunday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 10 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200;10:15 a.m., 917 N. Beech; noon, 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 6:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 6:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 8 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A. Douglas: 1 p.m, Douglas, 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back), womens meeting; 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 15th & Melrose at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Nicotine Anonymous: 5 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club. Info: Pam M., 577-0518; Troy Y., 267-6326.

Breakfast at Eagles

Twice-monthly Sunday Eagles breakfasts are back. Serving from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on the first and last Sundays of the month at 306 N. Durbin. Order off our menu and let us serve you. 235-5130.

Sunday breakfast at Elks

The Casper Elks Lodge serves breakfast open to the public on Sundays from 8 to 11 a.m. Serving pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage links, potatoes, scrambled eggs, French toast and omelets to order. New to the menu is build your own breakfast burrito. Also served is toast, juice, tea and coffee. All you can eat for $7, children 5 to 12 are $3, 4 and under are free. Come down for the best breakfast in town and see the old crew again. For more information, call 234-4839.

Special music at St. Marks

St. Marks Episcopal welcomes internationally renowned composer, organist and conductor Dr. Kurt Knecht, playing Praeludium in F# minor at the 9 a.m. service. In addition, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Patton, the Gillette Chamber Choir will be singing at the same service.

Spring Holistic Fair

Casper Spring Holistic Fair is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Industrial Building, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, presented by Joy of Life Unlimited. Admission is $3 or a canned/dried food item at the door.

For more information, email donna@joyoflifeunlimited.com or call (307) 315-3610.

Marine Corps League meets

Marine Corps League Meeting is at 11 a.m. at the Casper Elks Lodge, 108 E. Seventh St. Open to all past and present Marines and supporters of the Marine Corps League. For more information, contact Jake at 720-273-3739 or Bert at 259-0795. Semper Fi.

Fundraiser benefits survivors of suicide loss

Consignment for a Cause is holding a sale from noon to 3 p.m. in the common area of the Wyoming National Apartments, 204 E. Second St., with proceeds being donated to Drews Decision to benefit survivors of suicide loss. Drews Decision, a 501(3) nonprofit Casper-based organization, has helped many families in Wyoming deal with this tragedy by offering financial assistance for memorial expenses, consultation referrals and assistance with job training opportunities, if needed. Clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, kitchen appliances and various miscellaneous items will be offered. For further information, please call Terry Hlibichuk at 234-7727 or visit our Facebook page at Drews Decision: Consignment for a Cause.

'Charlottes Web'

Casper College presents an adaptation of Charlottes Web, through dance at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale. The performance is in the Scifers Dance Studio, Gertrude Krampert Center for Theatre and Dance, Casper College campus.

Hymn fundraiser for

True Care

True Care Womens Resource Center and First Presbyterian Church will hold the first Hymn Sing for Life at 4 p.m. The fun, family event takes place at the church, at 804 South Wolcott. Make a joyful noise with master of ceremonies Ashley Bright from the Boys & Girls Club and special guest organist Kurt Knecht, a composer and musician from Kansas City. A free-will offering will be taken, as well as bids to have Kurt play a favorite hymn. Proceeds go to True Care. Admission is free. For more information, call Terry at True Care at 473-2275 or go to www.TrueCareGiving.net.
Wyoming arts and humanities leaders are concerned about President Donald Trumps proposed elimination of two federal agencies that support cultural programs.

The budget plan announced in March suggests eliminating funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Wyoming and other rural states would most feel the cuts because theyre less likely to receive funding elsewhere, according to state arts advocates. They say the cuts would undermine the states economy and its arts and education sectors as well as the fabric of communities.

Congress will decide the final budget over the next several months, and many are hopeful legislators will reject the the suggested cuts. This is the first time, however, that a president has proposed eliminating the NEA and NEH since they were created in 1967 and 1965, respectively.

Wyoming Humanities Council executive director Shannon Smith said the proposed cuts must be taken seriously.

I think whats most important is that us small states are the ones that are going to get just hammered by this, Smith said. New York can make up for its funding through donors, but Wyoming and the other small states, we just dont have the population to replace that kind of funding.

Impacts of proposed cuts

NEA funding is crucial for many arts activities in Wyoming, said Bruce Richardson, a longtime arts advocate and researcher whos served on several local to national arts boards.

Places where the states arts agencies are very important, such as Wyoming, where we have grants out in every single county, will notice it and notice it right away, he said. Its a big deal for rural states.

Hes a board member of the Wyoming Arts Alliance, an arts advocacy nonprofit that in late March prepared information for Wyomings congressional delegation detailing why the federal arts programs are crucial.

The NEA and the NEH each receive about $148 million a year, with about 40 percent going to states arts and humanities organizations to disperse throughout their communities. In the Cowboy State, those organizations are the Wyoming Arts Council and the Wyoming Humanities Council.

The Wyoming Arts Council supports activities in every county, from clog dance classes in Thermopolis and murals in Wheatland to a music education camp in Evanston and a Lovell film festival, according to the Wyoming Arts Alliance report. The grants are crucial to making many of these things happen, especially in low-budget organizations, the essay states.

The NEA provides about 40 percent of the Wyoming Arts Councils budget. The council re-grants a large portion of that money to art-related nonprofits, symphonies, museums and more.

Cutting the NEA would result in significant program changes and cuts, said Mike Lange, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council.

The Wyoming Humanities Council provides grants to cultural organizations and conducts programs to help Wyoming explore historical and cultural issues, Smith said.

Its grants go toward such things as the Casper College Humanities Festival, a summer lecture series at Fort Caspar Museum and library reading programs. The humanities councils own projects include podcasts with cultural leaders and support of Wyoming-related documentaries on Wyoming PBS last year.

Eliminating the NEH would end the Wyoming Council for the Humanities, which receives 70 percent of its budget from the agency, Smith said.

Theres no way for us to raise $700,000 every year out of this population, Smith said. Its just not a realistic endeavor.

The NEA and NEH also provide some significant direct grants in Wyoming along with other support. For instance, the NEA provides information, data and services. The NEH also does major national projects such as the Ken Burns documentaries.

The Art Association of Jackson Hole is one organization that received a direct grant from the NEA last year for a project focused on the Latino community there.

While eliminating federal arts and humanities funding could have a major cultural effect, experts say, the budget impact would be negligible.

The NEAs budget is .004 percent of the overall national budget, Lange said. But the impact and reach of the National Endowment of the Arts is significant.

Economic benefits of arts

Several Wyoming arts supporters say the NEA and the NEH also support the economy through tourism and jobs.

The say arts and humanities boost tourism, the states second-largest industry, with draws like museums and festivals.

Were a huge part of economic tourism, cultural heritage tourism, said Smith, the Wyoming Humanities Council executive director. We put events and exhibits on in towns like Torrington and Kemmerer and bring people to those towns.

People at those events dine out, stay in hotels and campgrounds and visit shops, which means more money for the local economies, said Ellen Sue Blakey, executive director of the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation.

More than 4,000 people attended the nonprofits Big Horn Basin Folk Festival in Thermopolis last summer, about a third from out of state, Blakey said. More than 120 Wyoming artists from 30 Wyoming communities participated. The festival was partly supported by an NEA grant, she said.

That is a large number of people for a community whose population is less than 4,000, she said.

Those who travel for an arts event spend twice as much as those on trips for other reasons, according to an Americans for the Arts study cited on the Wyoming Arts Council website.

The arts also support many jobs in Wyoming, Lange said.

Claire Marlow, owner of Goedickes Custom Framing & Art Supply in Casper, said shes worried about the cuts because her business has already felt the pinch of Wyomings economic slump.

Were in such a small town that anything like that makes a bigger splash, she said. I think its definitely going to trickle down to the art businesses, even though were not directly taking funds.

Whats next

Wyomings congressional delegation has not said whether they support the proposed cuts, which will be debated by Congress.

Senator (John) Barrasso will closely examine funding for the NEA, NEH and other programs that play an important role in Wyoming communities, his press secretary,Laura Mengelkamp, said in an email.

U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi has historically been a supporter of the arts and humanities, his press secretary, Max DOnofrio said in an email.

He has also been an advocate for sensible budgeting and seeks to stop deficit spending, he said. Senator Enzi does believe that runaway spending habits have bred excessive deficits and mammoth national debt.  Some decisions that have to be made will cause some pain, but if we continue to avoid making any significant headway in addressing our debt and spending, the pain felt in the future will be much greater.

Rep. Liz Cheneys press secretary did not respond to requests for comment.
Eternally optimistic

Brian Sims didn't get caught in the layoff net. He's 31 years old and has spent the last 11 years working as a mechanic at a nearby mine. It's the profession of many of the men in his family: his dad, his brother-in-law, his cousin.

It's a good job with crazy hours, but if he'd lost it, he'd have been OK, he said.

At the bar at Hank's Roadside Grill on a recent weekday, Sims chatted with his girlfriend before his 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift just up the road.

A few seats down, an older man watched TV and chain-smoked. The bar was otherwise empty.

As bad as things got after the layoffs, Sims isn't worried about the future of coal. It's too important for electricity, he said.

"Coal ain't going nowhere for a while," he said. "You can't stop the No. 1."

But the miner is still skeptical about some aspects of his industry. Before the layoffs, production slowed to a snail's pace compared with the norm. Now the mines are back to business, going as fast as they can.

It's probably a mistake, he said. Overproduction helped create the bust in the first place.

"Same ideas aren't going to get different results," he said.

-- Heather Richards, Star-Tribune

His life's work in a box

When Glen Bertrand jumped into the arena to face down a bull, he set in motion a years-long struggle with pain that his wife, Colette, says cost him his job at the coal mine.

His son, Ty, is a bull rider, as Glen was before him. When Ty took a blow to the face that knocked him out and broke his nose, Glen hopped the barrier to protect his son. But he isn't a spry rodeo rider anymore, and he tore his meniscus.

What followed were years of surgeries, a total knee replacement and nerve pain. Though he often fought through the pain to keep working as an operator at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine, a practice his wife suspects contributed to his knee pain, he repeatedly had to go on short-term disability.

When the layoffs came in March 2016, his knee had laid him low. He called his supervisors every week to update them, and in the summer, he realized he might have to go on long-term disability. He called the mine's human resources department, with Colette listening over the speaker.

Oh, they said, didn't you know you were laid off in March?

No, he did not. He was told in February he was fine.

They shipped him what remained in his locker, years of his life boxed up and dumped onto a mail truck.

"Very depressing. It's very hard," Colette said. "Just your mental outlook when you went to work every day, and you did your job, and you didn't complain or cause trouble, and you didn't wreck any equipment or tear anything up, and you had perfect attendance until you got hurt."

"You think, what did I do wrong?"

It meant more than a loss of income. His daughter has an autoimmune disease and was still on her father's insurance. Fortunately, her mother, Colette, has insurance through her district job at the high school in Wright, and she was able to transfer to that plan.

Glen remains on long-term disability. He and his wife are planning a trip to Fort Collins, Colorado, to get a second opinion on his knee. His future, and his health, remain up in the air.

-- Seth Klamann, Star-Tribune

No one to tend to

When she started tending bar at Hanks two years ago, the energy industry was doing well. Sarah Brannens regulars were good tippers. The raucous oil field guys and the dusty coal miners took care of the single mother, and she took care of them. Even on a weekday, shed bring in more than $100 per shift plus her hourly wage. It was more than shed ever expected to make, she said on a recent Tuesday morning in Wright.

A small-town bartender knows the heartbreak, the gossip and the theater of the patrons who sit before her. From behind the bar, Brannen has watched the bust hit Wright, a coal town of a little over 2,000 people nestled at the junction of two highways in eastern Wyoming. From the mines to the hotels to the gas stations, the bust has hurt everyone, she said.

"Everyone was happy-go-lucky," she remembered. "Since the layoffs happened and the oil fields crashed, a lot of people just don't talk to each other anymore."

Brannen's the daughter of a copper miner, the girlfriend of a coal miner. She has strong convictions about everything from politics to educational rights for disabled children. She'll happily chat with anyone about everything, but there weren't many customers to talk to Tuesday.

She thinks that if coal disappears too quickly it will turn Wright into a ghost town. It'll be worst for the poor people, the ones who can't move on, she said.

The loquacious bartender from the Midwest will be lucky to make $20, she said on that Tuesday. The empty bar is testament to that. People have left, and the ones who stayed arent ready to spend money on luxuries like day drinking with the guys over at Hanks. At least, not until things get a little better. They will, she hopes.

Rumor is the jobs are coming back.

-- Heather Richards, Star-Tribune
Tucson Electric Power customers who have opted out of using digital electric meters citing health concerns are up in arms over a new fee being imposed, calling it unfair and excessive.

Gil and Bobbie Vasquez had TEP remove their automated electric meter and install an older-style, analog meter last year, amid concerns over the effects of the radio waves it gave off, since cancer runs in their family.

But in mid-March, the retired couple were shocked to get a letter from TEP, saying they would be charged $26 per month to keep their analog meter at their Midvale Park home.

Unwilling to pay the fee, the Vasquezes have asked TEP to reinstall an automated meter.

Bobbie Vasquez said she understands the reason behind the fees but considers them exorbitant and unaffordable on a fixed income.

Five or 10 bucks, that wouldnt be so bad, but its $26? Really? Bobbie Vasquez said.

The new fee, as well as a $38 one-time setup fee, applies to about 1,000 TEP customers who have asked to keep the older meters because of the radio waves emitted, as well as privacy and safety worries.

The new meter opt-out fee was approved, along with a one-time $38 setup fee, by the Arizona Corporation Commission as part of its TEP rate decision in February. Customers were notified in early March.

TEP spokesman Joe Barrios said the fees are intended to recover the utilitys costs not only for having a worker travel and read a customers meter but to process the data separately.

It takes time and effort to send somebody out to read it, but theres more to it than that, Barrios said.

Customers of UNS Electric, a sister company to TEP that serves Santa Cruz and Mohave counties, also are charged $26 monthly for opting out of automated meters.

TEP has eliminated an option for customers without automated meters to self-read their own meters, because it wasnt cost-effective, Barrios said, noting that TEP had to read those customers meters every four months anyway to ensure accuracy.

A local activist who has complained to TEP about the fees said its unfair to charge people to avoid something that is potentially hazardous to their health.

Its a lot of money and if youre low-income or fixed-income, or you prefer to live in a low-tech way, to spend more than $300 a year just to have a meter that doesnt harm you to me seems exorbitant, said Elizabeth Kelley, a TEP customer who heads the nonprofit Electromagnetic Safety Alliance.

HEALTH RISKS DEBATED

Like other utilities, TEP contends smart meters emit such low levels of radio waves that they do not pose a health risk, citing a 2014 study by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The ADHS report, issued in October 2014, surveyed available studies on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation, which have focused largely on emissions from cellphones.

The state agency also conducted limited field experiments, finally concluding that the levels of radiation from transmitting electric meters falls well below U.S. and international standards for short-term exposure, though more studies are needed to determine the effects of long-term exposure.

But Kelley, whose group was a formal party to the smart-meter proceedings, said the ADHS survey of scientific studies left out some important non-utility studies.

Many studies use national and international standards that focus on limiting the thermal, or heating effects, of radio waves, while some scientists contend that radiating devices can cause non-thermal damage, she added.

Kelley said the Corporation Commission also ignored the testimony of an expert her group engaged during the smart-meter proceedings who warned that evidence is building that smart meters can harm human health.

She and other activists point out that the World Health Organization has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The 2011 classification was based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.

Nationally, at least 15 states allow customers to opt out of smart meters, either at no additional charge or with monthly fees generally ranging from about $5 to $28, with most under $20 and one, Portland General Electric, charging $45 a month.

TEP first asked for meter opt-out fees in 2013, seeking a $20 setup fee and $10 monthly fees for customers who opted out, with a $5 self-reading discount.

The Corporation Commission balked at approving the fees and instead held statewide proceedings on the safety, health and privacy issues surrounding smart meters, asking the state Department of Health Services to study the issue.

In 2015 the Corporation Commission voted to rescind its decision to allow Arizona Public Service Co. to charge smart-meter opt-out fees of $50 per setup and $5 monthly, citing potential legal issues and pushing the issue to a full rate case. APS initially had sought monthly fees of $30.

The same fees are included in a proposed, widely supported settlement of APSs pending rate case.

Some local ratepayers have no options. Trico Electric Cooperative, which serves rural areas of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties, does not allow members to opt out of using its automated-reading meters.

The Salt River Project, a self-governed water and electric utility serving the Phoenix area, adopted smart meters early on and since 2011 has been charging customers $20 a month to opt out, with no initial setup charge.

LOOKING AHEAD

Amid weightier issues involving new time-of-use and demand-charge rate plans and the billing treatment of customers with rooftop solar, the meter opt-out fee didnt see much debate at the Corporation Commission.

The $26 monthly charge was included in proposed rate schedules filed by TEP and supported in written testimony by an expert for the Corporation Commissions utilities staff, though he recommended a reduced initial setup fee that was adopted.

The state Residential Utility Consumer Office, which advocates for ratepayers, did not object to the monthly fee.

Jordy Fuentes, a spokesman for RUCO, said the opt-out fee wasnt discussed in detail during rate hearings, but the agency agrees that opting out can add system costs.

But it should be in line with their actual cost of service, said Fuentes, noting that the agency backs the APS settlement with lower fees.

Fuentes said RUCO will monitor complaints about the meter fee and possibly revisit the issue.

Normally the Corporation Commission would have to agree to formally rehear the rate decision to make changes, which is rare.

But the rate-design part of TEPs rate decision technically was kept open for 18 months in case adjustments are needed as TEP moves into second-phase rate proceedings to address the treatment of customers with rooftop solar.

While the federal government has encouraged smart-meter deployment in the name of energy efficiency and has even funded such deployments, state smart-meter policies vary widely.

Pennsylvania requires electric customers to use smart meters; at the other end of the spectrum, New Hampshire requires customers written consent to install a smart meter.
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We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some April 2 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.
BARRY GOLDWATER RANGE 

Its hard to reach these remote border barriers even from the U.S. side.

Photographer Mike Christy and I drove four hours from Tucson on Wednesday, including an hour over sandy, rocky roads south of Wellton, to reach the place where the U.S.-Mexico border crosses the Tinajas Altas Mountains.

About a half-hour after we arrived and started working there, a stern Border Patrol agent sped up to us, leaving clouds of dust, to say we had to leave. Although we had the necessary permits to be in the range, this wasnt a public road.

Early the next morning, we tried an adjacent route, a tertiary public road the map called it, to reach a few nearby stretches of border fence built across the base of mountains. We got stuck in the sand twice before escaping by digging with our hands, wedging rocks under the wheels and pushing.

Finally, we reached our destination, a series of apparently senseless fences.

In 2007, Boeing got a $122.2 million contract and started work on 32 miles of border fence along the southern edge of this military reserve.

Most of the fence runs straight and true across the flat desert. It helped cut apprehensions by 90 percent in the Border Patrols Yuma Sector between 2005 and 2016.

But at the mountains, the builders put six shorter stretches of 16- to 18-foot-high vehicle and pedestrian fence in small basins at the foot of the sharp hills, barriers that measure anywhere from 240 to 520 paces long. Two of them could be justified because washes run south to north through those stretches and could be used for vehicle traffic. But four of these fences, measuring more than a half mile together, make no sense.

Theyre senseless because as hard as it is to reach them from the north, its impossible to drive to them from the south. The jagged peaks to the south are steep and rocky with no passes to drive through. The only way over would be by foot, yet these fences are easy to walk around. You just walk over a few rocks and pass by.

At about $3.8 million per mile for all 32 miles on the Goldwater range, these four remote, decorative fences probably cost at least $2 million.

And thats nothing compared to what were about to waste.

The Trump administration has begun requesting contractor proposals and congressional funding for a massive border wall, fulfilling one of the presidents top campaign promises. No, hes not getting the money from Mexico as promised in the campaign.

The estimate he and congressional Republicans have made is that a barrier across the whole, 2,000-mile border would cost at least $12 billion, and other analyses suggest it could cost $25 billion or more.

But even that may be low. Last week, the administration asked Congress for $1 billion to pay for just 48 miles of new border barriers and 14 miles of replacement fencing.

What theyre asking us to sacrifice to pay for these border fences is severe. The administration sent to Congress last week proposals for $18 billion in budget cuts to help pay for the wall. The sacrifices come in painful pieces like $1.2 billion cut from medical research, and $1.5 billion from community development block grants. That amounts to a 50 percent cut to the federal grant program that underwrites, among other services, $450,000 for home repairs for poor people in Pima County and programs for the homeless in Tucson.

All this money and these sacrifices are being requested to build new barriers that are  despite the presidents campaign rhetoric  of doubtful need.

The border went through a building boom in the years 2006-2010: About 650 miles of barriers went up. In 2008, Congress changed a law that had demanded more border barriers, instead allowing the DHS to build barriers where needed. The department did.

This was a lucrative business for some government contractors, who were paid more than $2.3 billion for the jobs. Suddenly, most of the areas where border barriers could work had them.

As a team of Star reporters and photographers showed last year, after visiting much of the 2,000-mile border for a series called Beyond the Wall, most of the areas left without barriers have physical obstacles  mountains, rivers and canyons.

Theyre places like the Tinajas Altas. Ten years ago, we were already wasting money there.

Now, business interests and political pressures are in confluence again, pushing for taxpayer spending on more border barriers. But the Border Patrol agents union, which enthusiastically endorsed and helped candidate Trump, is trying to pump the brakes on the movement toward a big expensive wall.

In a March 16 statement, the National Border Patrol Council thanked Trump for proposing in his budget to increase funding for hiring new agents but said, Tough choices will have to be made as to which investments will have the greatest impact on border security and this includes funding for the wall. 

It was a subtle message to the administration that benefited so much from the unions political support.

Union President Brandon Judd, who long worked in the Tucson Sector and has had close contacts with the Trump administration, put it this way in a March 22 hearing of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee:

We dont need a great wall of the United States. We dont need 2,000 miles of border wall. I will tell you, however, that a wall in strategic locations is absolutely necessary.

What the union seems to be requesting is that more money and emphasis be put on hiring agents rather than building a symbolic wall. Theyre right. Lately, the agency cant hire fast enough to replace those who leave. Spending too much on a barrier and too little on people could mean there is no one to arrest those who inevitably get over, under or around any new barriers. We can hire them without cutting the social programs we depend on, but we cant build needless border walls, too.

On Thursday morning, photographer Christy and I took a public road to find the border fence but planned on working fast because we figured agents would show up to check on us and maybe try to eject us within a half hour, as they had the day before. We figured wed trip a sensor, agents would come, and wed have to argue for our right to stay.

But the minutes passed, then more than an hour, and eventually our work was done. We decided to leave. Having got stuck in the sand of the tertiary public road, we decided not to go back that way but to take the official use only road out. We planned on explaining to the agents who we figured would stop us that we were leaving the area and just wanted to avoid getting stuck again.

But we drove out, past the senseless fences, alone. Nobody was around to stop us.
PHOENIX  Residents near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base have asked a judge to order the Air Force to conduct a full-blown environmental impact study of flight operations. Their attorney says theyve been treated with contempt.

In new court filings, attorney Joy Herr-Cardillo noted the military did a less formal environmental assessment in 2012, concluding there would be no significant impact on those living in and around the flight path of the Tucson base.

But she told U.S. District Court Judge Javier Soto the assessment was flawed because it used 2009 as a base year for comparison. That failed to consider the cumulative impact since 1978 when D-M became the center of Operation Snowbird training operations, she said.

What the Air Force did acknowledge glosses over, and ignores, the impact of flight operations on children who live in the area and go to school there, Herr-Cardillo argued.

The Air Force, in a previous response after the lawsuit was filed last year, denied it has done anything wrong and asked that the case be dismissed.

This new filing claims there is evidence the military did not comply with federal environmental laws.

Attorneys for the government have until May 15 to respond.

There have been questions and complaints for decades about noise from the base.

Herr-Cardillo said reports that there would be F-35 training at the base prompted the lawsuit. The latest generation of jets is known to be particularly noisy. As it turned out, Tucson was passed over as an F-35 training site.

But she said neighbors discovered in researching the issue that much has changed since the original Operation Snowbird operations started in the 1970s, the last time the Air Force fully looked at the impact of its operations on the bases neighbors.

Operation Snowbird was originally designed to provide training time for pilots from northern states during the winter.

But since then, according to Herr-Cardillo, Operation Snowbird became a year-round activity. The type of aircraft used also changed.

She said the Air Force never considered the effect of all that additional air traffic on neighbors, something she said it was required to do.

In the Julia Keen neighborhood, immediately north of the runway, the increase in noise from the original operations resulted in a schools closure in 2004, she said.

Even when there were proposals for F-35 training at Davis-Monthan, the Air Force has not been inclined to recognize, let alone ameliorate, the direct harm it is inflicting on its neighbors, said Herr-Cardillo.

She cited an email from Scott Hines, who was the bases representative on the citys Military Community Relations Committee, to Lt. Col. Kevin Eilers, commander of the training squadron at the base. Hines suggested the Air Force was overreacting to noise issues and that the influence of those who oppose operations at the base has lessened by their own continued rhetoric.

Herr-Cardillo told the judge he should consider that in determining whether the Air Force has complied with federal laws.

This obvious contempt for the members of the community most affected by the bases proposal to further expand visiting unit operations by the very person that the Air Force has designated as its community liaison certainly calls into question whether the environmental assessment was prepared in good faith, she wrote.

If nothing else, the attorney said the Air Force is required by law to consider what it can do to keep the effects on residents to a minimum. She particularly cited areas where noise levels are 70 decibels, described as similar to the noise of a television set on loud or a vacuum cleaner.

Certainly at this point, the people living in what is now a 70db zone are entitled to have the U.S. Air Force, at the very least, consider whether there are any measures it might take to mitigate the noise that it has foisted on those residents, she wrote.
The University of Arizonas next president will likely have to prove himself to many of the schools professors.

Faculty members who expressed opinions had a sizable preference for the presidential finalist who didnt get the job, public records show.

Professors favored ASU executive Sethuraman Panch Panchanathan. Instead, the Arizona Board of Regents chose Dr. Robert C. Robbins, CEO of Houston-based Texas Medical Center, to replace outgoing UA President Ann Weaver Hart.

The board is expected to announce the terms and vote on Robbins contract at its April 7 meeting at the UA.

The facultys preference for Panchanathan was not shared by a handful of UA donors who wrote to regents to express their views. They wanted Robbins to get the job, the records show.

The Arizona Daily Star filed a public-records request March 9 seeking documentation of any feedback regents received on the presidential search. Regents headquarters released the records Friday.

The emails from donors and faculty members provide the only public glimpse into the finalists perceived strengths and weaknesses in a presidential search some have criticized as lacking in transparency.

Regents received a total of 10 communications.

Three were from UA donors, who all favored hiring Robbins, the former head of cardiology at Stanford University School of Medicine, one of the highest-ranked in the country, before he took the Texas job in 2012.

I strongly endorse Dr. Robbins, wrote donor Richard Fink, who said the UA is at a critical time in its history.

The little I know of him I believe he brings all the skills and background the university needs, Fink wrote. The last time regents hired a UA president, the result did not prove to all that was envisioned, he said.

Donor Rica Spivack called both finalists excellent in her email to regents but said she would be more comfortable with Dr. Robbins.

The university has moved into the world of business as well as education and my feeling is that this candidates experience would better serve our school, she wrote.

One of the lengthiest emails came from Lynn Nadel, chair of the UA faculty and a member of the presidential search committee.

Nadel said he received a fair number of responses when he asked fellow professors for feedback.

Both finalists were viewed positively by almost all commenters as individuals of significant accomplishment, Nadel wrote in an email summary of faculty sentiment.

Amongst those who expressed one, there was a sizable preference for Dr. Panchanathan reflecting a number of things, including his proven commitment to Arizona, his long history in an academic setting, his broad skill set as it relates to innovation and his personality.

Many of the commenters had direct experience with Panch, every single one of whom was struck by his qualities as a person. Words like open-minded and team-spirited were used frequently. His commitment to diversity and his global footprint were also noted, he continued.

Nadel said he shared the view that Panchanathan was the stronger of two impressive finalists.

I believe he would bring a new level of excitement to the UA, Nadel wrote. I could see him leading the UA successfully for many years to come.

Regent Rick Myers of Tucson, who was instrumental in bringing Hart to the UA in 2012, personally sought out of the views of a particular UA faculty member, John Hildebrand, a regents professor in the UA Department of Neuroscience, the records show.

Hildebrand didnt endorse either finalist but offered pros and cons on each based on discussions with UA colleagues, ASU professors and feedback from a department head at Robbins current employer in Texas.

Robbins seems to be highly regarded at his current job, Hildebrand reported. He has taken many steps to enhance collaboration among institutions in the Texas Medical Center.

Panchanathan, executive vice president and chief research and innovation officer at ASU, was said to be the virtual second-in-command to ASU President Michael Crow, although not as top-down as Crow in his management style.

An ASU professor described Panchanathan as approachable and sincere, someone with the experience and vision to be a good president, Hildebrand wrote.

He said the UA faculty members he spoke with had some concerns with both finalists.

A considerable concern about Panchanathan was that he might be inclined to follow the leadership style of his mentor at ASU, Michael Crow.

Of course, this is a kind of guilt by association  we dont know whether Panchanathan would emulate (Crow) or not, he added.

Hildebrand said the main concern with Robbins is that he appears to have very little experience with the nonmedical part of universities, causing some to worry he would focus on the UAs medical enterprise to the detriment of other parts of the university.

There is a feeling around the UA that the medical schools have sucked up the oxygen through the last two presidencies, at the peril of the core university, he wrote.

We see no reason to be optimistic that perceived neglect of the core university would improve under the leadership of a person whose whole career has focused on medicine.

Robbins, in a statement to the Star sent through the regents office, said the following in response to the critiques:

I look forward to working with all of the faculty and senior leadership at the University of Arizona. Indeed, each department, college and school within the UA is critical to the success of the university.

I hope that the faculty and the leadership teams will be as eager to work with me as I am to work with them.

Nadel, the faculty chair, told regents in his email that professors would give a warm reception to whomever they picked as the new president.

Whoever you choose will receive a positive welcome from the faculty at the UA, given that both have a record of substantial scholarship, Nadel wrote.

After that it would be up to the new president to succeed by doing the right things often enough, and the wrong things as infrequently as possible.
It was 1965, and in a small classroom, Norah Booth was a sophomore in a social studies class taught by Sister Clare Dunn, who had arrived in Tucson from California that year.

We were always talking about issues of social justice, said Booth. The classroom was at Villa Carondelet Academy, a Catholic girls middle and high school behind St. Josephs Hospital on North Wilmot Road.

Dunn stimulated the students to think about others, to consider the issues of fairness and inequity, Booth said. Dunn, who was 32 years old at the time, told her students to show compassion and to support those who had less.

There were, as in any year, pressing social and political issues.

President Lyndon B. Johnson stepped up troop deployment to Vietnam and U.S. Marines were sent to the Dominican Republic torn by civil war.

In Selma, Alabama, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands of civil rights protesters, in three separate marches, to demand the end of discriminatory voter-registration rules as local police used violence against the marchers. Hundreds were arrested and at least two protesters were killed. In the summer of that year, widespread riots wracked the Watts section of Los Angeles, leaving more than 30 dead and more than 1,000 injured.

In California, Filipino and Mexican agricultural workers initiated strikes to demand better working conditions and pay, and joined forces to launch a grape boycott, eventually leading to the formation of the United Farm Workers of America under the leadership of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

And in Rome, Vatican II, a global ecumenical council led by Pope Paul VI to reform the Roman Catholic church and make it more relevant, opened for the fourth and final period.

Nine years after Dunn began teaching in Tucson, including several years at Salpointe Catholic High School, she took her principles to a wider public. In 1974 she was elected to the state House of Representatives representing midtowns District 13.

She became the first nun in the United States in the 20th century to enter public office, according to Booth, who is writing a biography on Dunn.

Dunn advocated for legislation to improve the lives and conditions of women, the poor, minorities and others who were marginalized by government. Moreover, as a liberal Democrat in a Republican-dominated state legislature, she maintained her poise and positions with honesty and directness.

On July 30, 1981, Dunn and her legislative aide, Sister Judith Mary Lovchik, died in a two-car collision north of Tucson.

In her short time, however, Dunn made a deep impression on her fellow legislators and the public.

Late last month, Dunn was inducted into the Arizona Womens Hall of Fame. Booth, a freelance writer who taught writing at Sunnyside High School and Pima Community College, nominated her teacher.

She did a lot for the state. She did a lot for a lot of people, Booth said.

In her research, Booth found that Dunn introduced 29 bills and cosponsored or signed on nine Senate bills in her first year in the House. The following year she introduced 107 bills. She would introduce more bills in subsequent years.

Dunn supported increased access for voting, vote by mail and automatic restoration of voting rights to freed prisoners who met sentencing and parole requirements. She worked for women and childrens rights. She wanted the state to pay for textbooks for courses required in high schools and to give tax breaks for working families. She moved legislation to allow the sale of less expensive generic drugs and to exempt veterans from paying the vehicle license tax.

One of her most important bills would have eliminated the sales tax on food groceries, but that wouldnt become law until after her death. Likewise, her support of making January 15 a legal state holiday in honor of King came to pass years later.

She was passionate about the Equal Rights Amendment. She spoke fervently for the proposed Constitutional amendment throughout her legislative career but it never came to pass.

Bruce Wheeler, who was elected to the House in District 13 the same year as Dunn, said she brought energy, empathy and a much needed sense of humor to the tough legislative process.

She was a dedicated and empathetic person who wanted to make change, said Wheeler.

Both Booth and Wheeler said that while Republican legislators disagreed with and opposed Dunn, they respected her convictions and dedication to her positions. They could not afford to ignore her, they said.

She was the voice of conscience, Wheeler said.

Had Dunn lived, she would have found todays political barriers and challenges in state government similar to those she encountered. But there would be one constant, Wheeler said.

She would be the same today as she was then, he said. She was consistent.
On the eve of the 49th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968, longtime Tucsonans are sharing rich but little-known memories of his visits to the Old Pueblo.

Kings connection to Tucson likely began in July 1956 while he was in the midst of leading the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. Mary Jeffries (later Mary Jeffries Bruce), director of Tucsons then-prominent Sunday Evening Forum, is believed to have sent a telegram to King asking him to come and speak.

Jeffries had begun the Sunday Evening Forum as a Sunday discussion group for young adults in 1940, at the old University Methodist Church, now Catalina United Methodist Church. Two years later, the group had become so large that it moved to the church's auditorium and was opened to the public. Soon it began to draw individuals of national prominence, including some who wintered in Tucson. In 1947, the Sunday Evening Forum moved to the Tucson High School auditorium, and then around 1950, to the University of Arizona auditorium, now called Centennial Hall.

The correspondence between Jeffries and King continued through 1957 and 1958 with Jeffries sending letters, individual programs and the 1957-58 Preview of Programs for the forum  which included a visit by Sen. John F. Kennedy  hoping to interest the civil rights leader into taking a trip to Tucson.

By May 1958, it is believed that King had agreed to speak in Tucson on March 15 the following year. His plans soon changed, though, when on Sept. 20, 1958, while at a book signing in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City for his recently published Stride Toward Freedom, he was stabbed by a black woman named Izola Curry, very close to the heart, with a seven-inch steel letter opener. While he survived the attempted murder and the assailant was put in a mental institution, the attack would change many of his plans as he recovered and recommitted himself to his nonviolent approach to bringing social change.

On Feb. 25, 1959, Jeffries announced in the newspaper that King had canceled his March 15 speaking engagement but rescheduled for later in the year.

On Sept. 20, 1959, after he delivered a sermon at the Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, King flew to Tucson and was picked up by a member of the host committee to speak at the Sunday Evening Forum. His talk was co-sponsored by the Tucson Council of Churches, the Tucson NAACP and the Tucson Council for Civic Unity and was considered quite controversial at the time because of his views on race.

Robert L. Nugent, university vice president, introduced Dr. King to the capacity crowd in the auditorium, which was filled with mostly activists and members of the university community. The speech was titled A Great Time To Be Alive  a fitting theme on the one-year anniversary, to the day, of the attempted assassination in Harlem.

King spoke to the ideals of using nonviolent methods in creating social change. He put into words his belief that one must not use force in this struggle but match the violence of his opponents with his suffering.

He warned that the U.S. faced a difficult challenge to achieve racial integration but predicted that within five years much of the mass resistance of the time would be gone and that within 15 years most legal restrictions would be taken away in the states. He emphasized to the crowd that the final period would arrive with integration, our ultimate aim.

Segregation is a festering sore, a cancer, he told the UA crowd. It stifles the soul of the nation. We are not looking for an advantage, which would keep the same old problem  black supremacy would be as bad as white supremacy  but we seek equality of all races. We are not seeking racial equality just to combat Communism, but because such equality is right.

Jacque (Barnes) Price, then a child, recalls her mother, Mrs. Freddie Barnes, taking her and her brother to see King at the auditorium.

I remember attending, listening and being impressed with this black man, preacher and leader, she shared in a recent email interview with the Star. When King finished speaking, she led us to the front to meet this man and to request his autograph. She saw what potential and promise in him that we, as children, may not have realized.

Rev. Casper Glenn, now 95 years old, was pastor of Tucsons Southside Presbyterian Church at the time of Kings visit. He attended the speech and was introduced to King by Jeffries at a reception afterward, in which Jeffries mentioned that Glenn was the pastor of a multiracial church. King became keenly interested in this church and made arrangements to visit it.

The following day, in the morning, Glenn picked up King, in his 1958 Plymouth station wagon, in front of the Pioneer Hotel on Stone Avenue. Brother Glenn, as King referred to him during their time together, drove King to Southside Presbyterian, on West 23rd Street, where he showed him photos he had taken of the racially mixed congregation, whose majority at the time was Native American, especially Papago (Tohono Oodham) Indians.

Glenn remembers that upon seeing the photos, King said he had never been on an Indian reservation, nor had he ever had a chance to get to know any Indians. On the spur of the moment, he asked to be taken to the nearby reservation, Glenn related in an exclusive interview last week with the Star.

The two traveled on Ajo Way to Sells, on what was then called the Papago Indian Reservation. During the drive, Glenn recalls King telling him of his future plans of going into Birmingham, Alabama, to protest segregation there. Glenn expressed his distaste for the idea, calling Eugene Bull Connor, the public safety commissioner of Birmingham who was in charge of the police and fire department, a raging beast.

King scolded Glenn, saying You shouldnt call him that and asked Glenn to pull over so he could pray for God to change Connors heart in regards to segregation. Several times during the trip the deeply religious King repeated the phrase, I just want to do Gods will.

When the two ministers arrived at the tribal council office, the tribal leaders, including chairman Enos Francisco Sr., police chief George Norris, Henry Throssell and other people there, were surprised to see a man they knew of and felt very honored to meet. Francisco brought sodas and chuchuma (bread similar to tortillas) out for their guests to enjoy. King seemed as anxious to talk to them as they were to him. King was very careful with his questions, Glenn recalled, and seemed to not want to be embarrassed by his lack of understanding of their tribal heritage.

He was fascinated by everything that they shared with him, Glenn said.

The pair then visited the Presbyterian church in Sells, which had recently been built from funds provided by the national Presbyterian church, though much of the construction was done by church members.

The pastor was white; Pastor Paul Townsend was his name. He was thrilled to meet King, and King asked him a few questions about his ministry, Glenn said.

While on the way back from the reservation, King expressed his appreciation of getting to meet the Indians. When they arrived in Tucson they went directly to the airport, since King said he had to dictate some letters to his secretary in Alabama. According to Glenn, King left Tucson around 4 p.m.

When King made his second visit to the Old Pueblo, in 1962, Cressworth Lander, a local activist, met him at the airport. Lander recalled in an interview with the Star in 2003: There was a major civil rights movement going on in Tucson. A lot of things were happening with the desegregation of all eating establishments.

On March 11, 1962, King preached Pauls Letter to the American Christians at 11 a.m. at the Catalina (United) Methodist Church.

David Yetman, later a Pima County supervisor and the host of the PBS shows "The Desert Speaks" and "In the Americas with David Yetman", was a member of the choir at the church, along with his friend Bill Broyles, at the time. After the choir sang that morning, the two of them quickly went down to the front pew of the filled church auditorium to listen to King's sermon.

Yetman was a junior at the University of Arizona and familiar with King's work, having read his book "Stride Toward Freedom." He remembers King expressed his thoughts about racial injustice in the country in such a manner that it was uncomfortable for many people, because what he spoke about was so clear to many.

Following King's sermon, he attended the normal luncheon at the Fellowship Hall at the church. The minister, Dr. Hayden Sears, then asked Yetman to drive King back to the Santa Rita Hotel, where he was staying. Yetman recalls that during the drive he attempted to sound very intelligent but believes he sounded more like a babbling idiot. He remembers one question worth King's time  "What would you recommend for someone of my age and skin color to do in regards to civil rights?"  but doesn't remember King's exact answer, although he notes it was likely a logical response.

Yetman, to this day, holds Dr. Sears in high regard for having King speak at his house of worship, at a time when King was being falsely accused of being a communist by those who disliked or wanted to discredit him. Sears faced discontent among some of his own parishioners and as well as those of other churches in town. Some local media also opposed Sears allowing King to speak there.

Next in his schedule that day, King visited the Tucson Press Club Forum.

That night, at 8 p.m., King was again on the stage of the UA auditorium, ready to share his topic Stride Toward Freedom. He was presented to the packed house by Francis A. Roy, UA liberal arts dean. Kings oration covered both the success and lack of success by the civil rights movement up until that time.

King stated that the policy of non-violent direct action, such as the lunch counter sit-ins and freedom rides, had opened 150 eating establishments to blacks in the Deep South.

But he talked about apathy among members of his race when it came to voting.

We must place emphasis on voter registration, he said.

There were about 5 million blacks in the South at the time, and only about 1.3 million were registered voters.

King also said he was submitting a second emancipation proclamation, aimed at abolishing discrimination in housing, education and employment, to President Kennedy. He declared that its issuance would be a great step forward on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the first Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Following the forum, King was honored with a reception at the Student Union Building hosted by the local chapter of the NAACP. He left the next day and is not known to have returned to Tucson.

Two days later, Jeffries sent King a check for $1,000 for his speaking engagement. King sent a thank-you letter saying the money would help in his work in the South.

On Jan. 18, 2016, Tucson celebrated Kings birthday by renaming a street at the UA Tech Park at The Bridges, south of 36th Street near Kino Parkway, as M L King Jr. Way.
For the first time in about 30 years, Tina Liao is going home for Ching Ming, a Chinese festival honoring family ancestors.

That means she had to miss the festivities at Evergreen Mortuary and Cemetery Saturday  only the second time the cemetery has partnered with the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center to recognize the holiday.

Liao, a member of the centers executive board, worked with others to make the day happen as part of an ongoing effort to teach younger generations about traditions held dear by parents and grandparents.

Ching Ming, like the Chinese New Year, is a significant holiday in Chinese culture, though the Communist Party repressed it for years before it was reinstated as a public holiday in 2008.

The actual holiday this year is Wednesday, April 5, Liao said.

These holidays are imperative to our culture, and we have noticed that the younger generation has no clue what they are, said Susan Chan, the executive director of the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. Our board of directors has a vision to educate and cultivate little kids. Even people under 60 dont know what Ching Ming is. The first generation of parents are slowly dying, and their kids, 60-year-olds even, dont know.

The Saturday event was about educating and honoring, with a presentation on the festival at Evergreen in the morning and a second event in the evening. Throughout the day, families could stop by the cemetery to pay respects to loved ones now gone.

Peter Callaghan, the general manager of Evergreen, is the one who approached the cultural center about creating a partnership for Ching Ming after learning about the celebrations held in cemeteries in San Francisco.

We have been taking care of the Chinese community for a lot of years here at Evergreen, and before last year, I didnt know what Ching Ming was, Callaghan said. We wanted to support the Chinese community as they have been using Evergreen for many years.

Chan has found that some families prefer not to talk about their practices for this day of tomb sweeping, and while everyone honors their ancestors in personal ways, the traditional staples of Ching Ming include cleaning the area around the tomb, burning incense and faux money and paper cutouts of other material goods, bringing food and drinks to set and pour on the grave, bowing multiple times and asking the ancestor for future blessings.

This is what Liao, 54, is doing with her family in China as she did so many years ago.

Its a process of communicating to ancestors I hope you will be OK on the other side. We sent you more money and clothes, and please bless my children with a good life, Liao said. Its not just to show respect for them, but to ask them to bless my generation or the next generation.

Liao will travel to the river in China where her parents ashes were scattered. All of these years in Tucson, she did a makeshift ceremony by facing photographs of her parents east and presenting the offerings and incense to the pictures. Then, she and her sister and their children would ask for blessing and bow.

It means a lot, she said of returning for Ching Ming with her husband and 30-year-old daughter. You can stand in front of your ancestors to show respect. Its different from what we do here.

In 1988, Liao followed her husband to Tucson, where he was getting his masters degree at the University of Arizona. They stayed but remained connected to China.

But that connection can fade over generations.

Patsy Lee is the 65-year-old senior program director for the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. Her grandfather moved to San Francisco, bringing Lees father and his brother when they were young boys.

Lee grew up with a mother who wrangled the family to adhere to the traditions of Ching Ming, but since her passing Lees own observance of the festival has dwindled to stopping by the cemetery with flowers. Her three siblings do the same when they have a moment on the day.

Its not the family affair it once was.

I have a feeling if we didnt go my mom would turn in her grave and spank us even at our age, said Lee, who was raised the U.S.

But even her knowledge of the holiday is unique as it fades from memory in the minds of many.

That has to do with a variety of factors including Americanization, the repression of the festival in China and Chinese Christian communities that tend not to observe the holiday, Lee and Liao said.

Here in America, a lot of Asians are Christian and we honor our parents but dont worship them like ancestry worship, said Allen Lew, president of the centers board. He was born in the U.S., to parents who made the move to Tucson in the 1930s.

Those that didnt grow up observing Ching Ming likely dont know much about it, Lee said. And even if families choose not to observe the festival, the center wants to at least keep the memory of the traditions alive.

It was something we kind of grew up with, Lee said. I know (the cultural center) wants to make it a bigger thing because my generation that was born and raised in Tucson, we have lost that.

... The cultural center is trying to bring it back and teach the younger generation that this is what our parents did, that you honor your ancestors because people need to remember that you wouldnt be here or have what you do if they didnt provide for you.
Since Tucson teen Adriana Chavez started selling Girl Scout cookies nine years ago, shes pushed hard to do better each year.

Her dedication has paid off.

After being one of Southern Arizonas top 10 sellers for the last seven years, this year she made it to Number One.

With the help of my mom, we have gotten permission to sell in front of many local businesses, said Chavez, who sold 4,336 boxes this year to reach her goal. It is because of those relationships and contacts that I am finally able to get to Number One.

Shes had some of the same clients for years who stay loyal to her and seek her out to get their cookies.

Chavez, who is 13 and an eighth-grader at Khalsa Montessori School, said she couldnt have pulled it off without her mother, Suzette Chavez, who is also her troop leader.

She drives me everywhere, makes sure that I have all the supplies that I need and doesnt let me give up, she said. She constantly reminds me that there are many rewards to scouting and that cookies open the doors for opportunities that would otherwise not be available.

Her father, Rudy Chavez, also helps out on weekends.

This summer, I will be going to a camp on Lake Erie that will be focusing on the ecosystems in the area, she said. This trip was mostly funded by cookie funds that I earned last year.

Total sales for Southern Arizona included the sale of 850,423 boxes, including 21,454 that were sent overseas as part of the Cookies for Military program. All of the proceeds benefit programs here.

The cookie program is a critical source of funding for the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona and it is what makes it possible to serve girls in hard-to-serve areas, offer scholarships and maintain camps and programming, said Debbie Rich, the chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, which includes Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee and Yuma counties.

The second and third top sellers were also from Pima County: Brianna Ahmad of Tucson and Sasha Gjurgevich of Sahuarita.

Chavez, who plans to attend Catalina Foothills High School in the fall, said cookie sales have earned her spots with local summer camps in the past. She bought her first laptop computer with cookie proceeds.

Here are her words of wisdom for younger girls about scouting:

It is what you make of it. There are many opportunities to help others and make a world a better place. Cookies is just a small part of the whole experience. Stick with it!
OPINION: "Im sure you will see, as I have, that for all the 'God talk' that Christian nationalists throw around, their attitudes and actions are starkly antithetical to the gospel of love and inclusion for all advocated by the Jesus they claim to believe in," writes Rev. Gary Nelson, a former conservative pastor in Payson.
Arizona State University is about to more than double its insect collection, courtesy of a gift from two Green Valley entomologists  who met while attending the University of Arizona.

The collection of 1.25 million insects is valued at more than $12 million.

The husband-wife entomology team of Lois and Charlie OBrien said ASUs insect museum is a good fit for their donation of weevils and plant hoppers from all of the worlds continents, collected during a 50-year partnership.

The ASU collection is curated by Nico Franz, a collaborator of his, said Charlie OBrien. Hes a weevil taxonomist and they have a new museum and space for the collection, he said.

Hes dealing with the entire world and the UA is mostly focused on Arizona.

Charlie, 84, and Lois, 89, arent shipping off the entire collection to Tempe immediately. Theyre still working on it.

Theyll save a bunch of unidentified specimens to keep them busy. Charlie OBrien said they only work 10 hours a day in retirement, down from the 14-or-so they spent with their insects for much of their lives.

OBrien, a former professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, is the weevil specialist.

Franz, director of the Hasbrouck Insect Collection at ASU, said OBrien is the worlds authority on weevils.

He has published close to 160 peer-reviewed papers and has two books that are the standard references for anyone in the weevil world, said Franz.

Franz said he first met OBrien when he was a masters student at a university in Costa Rica. OBrien helped him identify his weevil species. The two have been collaborators ever since.

Franz, now an associate professor at ASUs School of Life Sciences, said the gift is important for him, the 10 graduate and undergraduate weevil researchers he supervises, and the ASU insect collection, which has about 750,000 specimens.

Its a big addition and real boost for us, he said.

Gene Hall, manager of the UAs 2-million strong insect collection, said ASU is the appropriate place for the OBriens donation. Its a perfect fit for the work Nico Franz is doing, he said.

The UA Insect Collection focuses on the Sonoran Desert region, Hall said.

The OBriens havent ignored the UA, he said.

They have provided us a synoptic set of specimens for our collection, too, he said.

Franz said weevils are important species from a pure science standpoint because of their evolutionary diversity. There are 65,000 identified species and the overall number is suspected to be around 220,000.

They also merit study because of their ability to damage crops and native plants, Franz said. The weevil lays its eggs inside plants and its larvae eat their way out.

Boll weevils are a longtime nemesis of cotton farmers. The bark beetle, which is a weevil, has decimated pine forests in the West, Franz said.

They can also be useful. OBrien, while at Florida A&M, worked on eradicating invasive plants with specific weevil species.

His collection includes about half the known species, he said.

The OBriens met in 1958, when Charlie was a masters student and teaching assistant in entomology at the UA. Lois, with a masters in chemistry, had left a job in medical technology to seek a more interesting field and settled on entomology.

Lois and Charlie both received their doctorates in entomology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Lois OBrien said the couple had originally planned to return to Tucson after Charlie left his university post in Florida in 2004, but Charlie didnt like the traffic. They moved to Green Valley and eventually added a room to their house for the insect collection.

The specimens are mounted in 1,000 glass-topped drawers that Lois made in shop at a community college in Florida.

Charlies afraid of power saws, she said. Charlie said his father and uncle both lost fingers in wood-working accidents. Lois said she once sliced through her fingernail and nearly to the bone, but still has all 10 digits.

Lois OBriens specialty is the plant hopper, insects from the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, which contains 12,500 described species worldwide. She is one of the worlds authorities on them.

Plant hoppers take on the size and shape of leaves and plants in their environment, and that makes them more difficult to collect than weevils, Lois said. Still, she has managed to collect about 250,000 of them in 50 years of trips around the world. Charlie would take one side of the trail and Id take the other, she said.

She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers on her discoveries and continues to add to her collection. A colleague recently brought her

some specimens to identify that were collected near Sonoita  two species Ive never collected in Arizona, even though they were described in 1937.

Franz said the OBriens have lived a very purposeful and special life. They have worked for this for decades. The value of this collection is the work they put into it, he said.

The OBriens, for their part, balk at statements that sound like their work is done.

Charlie has continued to work, collect and research while shrugging off the symptoms of his Parkinsons disease for 20 years. He is awaiting surgery that he expects will correct a back problem that has kept him in a wheelchair lately.
The Westminister carnage is not yet 10 Days old but the division in English politics is palpably clear. Yesterday a large group of people demonstrated against the radical Islamic terrorists. They were supported by the far-right England First party and the English defense league.( EDL). There was a counter demonstration by the United against Fascism group. Both groups almost clashed and the London police had a hard time separating the two groups. They were also involved in scuffles though thankfully nobody was injured.

Demonstrations

These demonstrations show the deep division in British society.

England is riven as never before. It is a tribute to British tolerance and democratic values that agitations and demonstrations by people with pro-Islamic views are allowed. Britain has lost its colonies and now even the facade of imperial grandeur of a great nation is slowly slipping away.

Far right and opponents

The far-right agitators came with faces covered. They were incensed after a British-born Muslim carried out a terrorist attack in London. The result was that four people died and almost 15 were injured. The far right group is slowly gaining ascendency in England and many subscribe to its policies. England also is home to a large number of immigrants many of who are Muslims. These groups practice their culture freely and have not assimilated into the British culture.

They also demonstrate and many locals join them The example is the demonstration against Donald's Muslim ban on 4 Feb 2017.

The British are strangely reluctant to identify radical Islamic Terror and Theresa May did not use this word once, In contrast, Donald Trump mouths these words regularly. Even during his address to Congress Donald mentioned radical Islamic terror and the need to counter it.

Future

The demonstrations in Central London close to Trafalgar square are not a happy affair. It shows that large numbers of Britishers are really not concerned about the killings at Westminster. Maybe it's a case of democracy and rights to express dissent being taken a little too far. The demonstrations are a warning that England faces a tough time and maybe what England needs is a Winston Churchill and not Theresa May
As we all stand with her on our way the Titanic-calibre iceberg that is the EU leave, Prime Minister Theresa May and her Downing Street cronies have started using the term global Britain. May is getting excited about all the new trade deals shes going to get in the wake of Brexit.

May is enthusiastic about branching outside Europe. She doesnt realise how good we had it with Europe; shes just looking forward ambitiously to the future. She envisions British exporters selling their whiskies in India, their cheeses in America, and their books in New Zealand.

A leaked government document recently revealed that the governments overall plan is to expand trade with Britains 10 largest non-EU partners by 37% in 13 years, which will be quite a challenge.

May will leave no stone unturned in her quest for trade deals outside the EU

This weeks visit by May to Saudi Arabia is sure to rile some Britons, but shes willing to try any country outside the European Union for trade in the days following the Article 50 trigger being pulled. British authorities are currently investigating Saudis links to war crimes committed in Yemen.

So, when May visits Saudi Arabia, she wont just be talking their stance on Britains counterterrorist investigations (which they should be onboard with, given the ongoing assumption that Saudi intelligence agencies are responsible for saving hundreds of British lives); her main focus will be a closer trading bond between their two countries in the wake of the impending Brexit process.

Mays team at Downing Street have been making it clear to those who only see Saudi Arabia as the country that gave the world 9/11 that its also Britains largest economic partner in the Middle East. They shelled out 4.67 billion for British goods and 1.9 billion for British services in 2015 alone.

Free trade agreements take years to go through

However, what May might have forgotten in her excitement is that the free trade agreement shes looking forward to forging with the Saudis will be very complicated and tricky to sort out. Brexit is two years away, and these agreements can take way more years to go through (like 10 or 15, usually), and more often than not they fall apart at the last second, so good luck, Theresa.

May hit a bump in the road when she visited India recently for exactly the same reason: to iron out a post-Brexit trade deal. But India wanted something in return, which May didnt expect. In exchange for a lucrative agreement in Indias whisky industry, they want to expand on the number of British visas that Indian students and qualified workers have.
The Trump-Russia scandal has widespread implications and is threatening to hit the UK. Michael Flynn resigned after just 24 days in the job when it was revealed he has ties to Russian ambassadors and held meetings during the election; he failed to notify Trump or Pence of this. But the scandal could force fresh concerns over potential Russian interference in Britain.

The ties have dragged cambridge university Intelligence group, whose member include a female Russian student, whom had met Mr Flynn.

Cambridge University

Flynn has demanded immunity to testify over Russian links but now it has been revealed this could have widespread implications globally as it hits Britain.

The issue takes place when he visited Cambridge University in 2014, when he was the director of a US intelligence service, Defense Intelligence Agency.

During his visit, he struck a friendship with a Russian banker, who was now an academic. He sought to make her his translator during an official visit to Moscow. He then continued unclassified correspondence by email, with the occasional sign of General Misha, the Russian nickname for Michael. UK MPs have demanded an investigation in potential interference in Britain by Russia.
Today we are collecting so much scientific data that the Internets original purpose is once again becoming important. With hundreds of satellites and telescopes the amount of data overwhelms astrophysics with the data.

What the Internet was for.

Would you like to do real astrophysics without the years of brain sweat and advanced maths usually required? There are actually many volunteer jobs in science which can be done by anyone with a computer. Real science, not just lending computer time to the SETI team listening for BEM's.

Anyone can help reduce the information overload facing astrophysicists by looking at images and helping classify what you see - although it wont earn you a trip to Stockholm, thats still real astrophysics.

Although many people dont realise it the Internet was not primarily developed to share our every random thought on Twitter or tell burglars that we are on vacation for two weeks, or even for free porn. beginning with USENET the Internet was developed to let scientists share information and collaborate on projects without waiting months for publication in peer-reviewed journals or periodic conferences.

Today there are many projects on the Internet where anyone can help winnow the masses of data down to the point where it can be used by astrophysicists. Past Zooniverse projects have ranged from identifying the kind of galaxy shown in an image, to converting handwritten notes to text. In the 19th century science was mostly about amassing data and classification, now that's just the first step.

Planet 9

The latest project run by a group called Zooniverse is to help locate the fabled ninth planet in the Solar system. Around 1900 Percival Lowell predicted that a disturbance in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune was caused by another planet at the outer edge of the solar system. That was at a time when astronomers thought the entire universe consisted of our home galaxy, The Milky Way - today, thanks to Edwin Hubble (the Hubble telescope was named for him) we know it is billions of times larger, meaning much more data in each photograph.

When Pluto was discovered at the Lowell observatory in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh it was thought to be the Planet X predicted by Lowell and was termed a planet. More recent discoveries of similar sized bodies led to Pluto being reclassified as a dwarf or minor planet and is not the fabled planet X or ninth planet.

The search goes on - you can help.

Getting astronomical images is easy, almost too easy. After a few minutes training - and I mean literally just a minute or two minutes, you can begin analysing images. Photos are taken of the same part of the sky on different nights and because a planet would move relative to the background stars and galaxies. You look for the change. (The word planet comes from the Greek word meaning wanderer.)

The online images come from the SkyMapper telescope in Australia whichmostly looks for supernovae but has other uses.

How easy is it - where's Waldo?

Here are the actual instructions on the Zooniverse.org site: images taken on different nights are superimposed - each night uses different colours created by filters, e.g.

pink, white and yellow strips. What you do is look for any object that is a different colour compared to the background colour - that means it moved.

All you do then is click on the differently coloured planetary objects. Thats it, your results are combined with those of other amateur scientists and the final results go to astrophysicists who examine them more closely.

There- youve done real, incredibly useful science. That can be a school project, a group project of an astronomy club, or simply a part-time thing you do on your own.

There are currently 103 thousand objects to classify. 12,800 volunteers are already working on this project and have made 2 million classifications searching for Planet 9. But dont worry about missing out. There are a lot of stars and minor planets - the job is still classified as less than 1% complete.
The Saatchi gallery have opened its latest exhibition selfie to self-expression, which shows modern selfies to selfies that date back to hundreds of years ago with portraits of important figures. The opening of the exhibit was attended by such stars as Chris Eubank, Lady Colin Campbell and Ainsley Harriott. Not to mention a lot of selfie lovers.

The Saatchi gallery and Huawei have joined forces to host and present these selfies. Huawei makes smartphones, tablets and watches. The idea of the show was to demonstrate how the mobile phone has become an integral part to modern art as it what is often used to take a selfie.

The Chinese electronics firm also wanted to push their presence in the UK.

Nigel Hurst, chief executive officer at the gallery, explained the smartphone selfie as a shift in todays modern society using technology as a means of creativity.

From Kardashian to world leaders

Of course, there were a fair amount of Kardashian selfies but some of which included Kim Kardashian with Hillary Clinton. Most of Kims selfies naturally showed a substantial amount of side boob. President Donald Trump also took a selfie which appeared in the gallery. The photo showed himself in the oval office with Miss Kenya, Miss Syria and Miss Mexico. Trump does not have too many positive things to say about Mexico but he is more than happy to get a selfie with Miss Mexico.

The gallery decided to put Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolies selfies next to each other despite their very public divorce only taking place in September of last year. Mr Bean made an appearance as he took a picture of himself back on his show whilst sitting on a park bench.

David Cameron, Denmark's PM Helle Thorning Schmidt and Barack Obama selfie with Michelle famously left out was on display.

Also, Benedict Cumberbatchs well-known photobombing of U2 at the Oscars in 2014. As well as perhaps one of the most famous selfies ever with 3.38 million retweets featuring the likes of Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Kevin Spacey, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong'o and Bradley Cooper, at the same Oscars.

The Queen even had a selfie on show at the gallery taking a picture of herself with an iPhone which had a Corgi covered case. Not to mention William and Kates selfie which showed Kate giving birth to a baby Prince George. There were also selfies exploding with action. An individual who had taken part of the running of the bulls in Spain, managed to take a selfie of himself with a Bull chasing behind him.

Selfie = self-obsession?

This generation of selfie lovers seem to be more than happy by expressing themselves through this medium. Such warnings as the Greek myth of Narcissus does not seem to have an effect on the public. He caught the reflection of his own image in a river and fell in love with it, he then refused to move and eventually died while staring at himself. These thoughts do not seem to be going through peoples heads when taking a selfie and posting it on social media.
After the latest news involving Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Russia rocked the White House, President Donald Trump has been on the defensive. In his latest social media attack, Trump has now put a political target on the back of a top Democratic senator.

Trump on Schumer

Earlier this week, the Washington Post broke a bombshell story that accused Jeff Sessions of taking part in at least two meetings with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. The meetings allegedly took place in July and September while Sessions was still a senator.

However, critics have accused Sessions of not disclosing the information during his hearing to be confirmed as attorney general. Sessions, and the White House, have denied any wrongdoing, with Donald Trump accusing Democrats of engaging in a "witch hunt." This issue escalated even further when Trump took to Twitter on March 3 and went after Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

We should start an immediate investigation into @SenSchumer and his ties to Russia and Putin. A total hypocrite! pic.twitter.com/Ik3yqjHzsA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2017

Led in part by Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, congressional Democrats pounced on the story from the Washington Post, using it as yet another example of Trump's questionable and potential ties to Russia.

Schumer has been a vocal and outspoken critic of the former host of "The Apprentice," which appears to have come back to haunt him.

Analysis: Trump is blaming the Democrats for Cabinet delays that are normal  and his own fault https://t.co/ykeZjfIxDX  Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 3, 2017

"We should start an immediate investigation into Chuck Schumer and his ties to Russia and Putin," Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday afternoon, before adding, "A total hypocrite!" Attached to the message in question was a photograph showing Schumer eating a donut and drinking coffee along side Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Schumer is a long-time critic of Putin, and the photo in question has not yet been validated, or dated.

Moving forward

The issue of Donald Trump and Russia has been an ongoing theme that started during the early days of the campaign. With Trump and his administration continuing to push back against claims that they have illegally communicated with the Kremlin, only time will tell what the next steps will be.
After taking a few days off from insulting and attacking people on social media, Donald Trump returned to Twitter on Friday afternoon. In an attempt to smear House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Trump repeated a spelling mistake on more than one occasion

Trump on Twitter

Ever since being sworn into office, the controversy surrounding President Donald Trump and Russia has reached a fever pitch. Last month, retired Gen. Michael Flynn was forced to resign as National Security Advisor after it was revealed he had communication with a Russian offical late last year.

Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that current Attorney General Jeff Sessions failed to disclose private communications he had with Russian officials during the campaign, leading to congressional Democrats to call for his resignation. In response, Trump lashed out on Twitter, accusing top Democrats of their own lies to Russia, which was evident in a series of tweets on Friday. As reported by The Hill on March 3, Trump's rush to social media was done without proofreading his messages.

On Friday afternoon, Donald Trump called for an investigation into Rep.

Nancy Pelosi, citing a recent article from Politico that showed the Democrat having dinner with the former President of the Russia, and their ambassador in 2010. "I hereby demand a second investigation, after Schumer, of Pelosi for her close ties to Russia, and lying about it," Trump wrote on Twitter. However, it took the former host of "The Apprentice" three tries to get it right, after he continued to misspell the word "hereby." First sending out using the spelling "hear by," Trump then deleted his message, and substituted the word with "hearby." On the third time around, the president correctly spelled the word "hereby."

Then, on the third hack, Trump hit it out of the park: https://t.co/q1UQFn2lwO  USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 3, 2017

Trolled on Twitter

In response, Merriam-Webster Dictionary trolled Donald Trump on their own Twitter account.

"OK, OK. Here. Bye," the tweet wrote. This isn't the first time the dictionary has corrected the president's spelling mistakes on Twitter, most notably being his spelling of "unpresidented" instead of "unprecedented."

Don't worry, Donald. Once Betsy DeVos finishes destroying education in America, everyone will spell as poorly as you do. #HearHere #ByBye  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 4, 2017

In addition to Merriam-Webster, actor George Takei was quick to mock Donald Trump on social media, tweeting, "Don't worry, Donald. Once Betsy DeVos finishes destroying education in America, everyone will spell as poorly as you do." As of press time, the commander in chief has not responded the trolling over his spelling errors.
For four days, President Donald Trump avoided taking to his Twitter account to insult any of his political opponents or members of the mainstream media. Despite this, the president returned to social media on Thursday night, and then again early Friday morning.

Trump on Twitter

Once it became clear that Donald Trump was going to become the new President of the United States, all eyes then shifted to who would be surrounding him in the White House. Over the next few weeks, the former host of "The Apprentice" would put together his administration and select his nominees for his cabinet.

As expected, Trump's selections often came under fire from Democrats, who pushed back at many of the nominees and delayed even having a vote in the process. With Trump's cabinet still not fully confirmed, the commander in chief returned to Twitter on March 3 to express his anger.

It is so pathetic that the Dems have still not approved my full Cabinet.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2017

While the majority of Donald Trump's cabinet have been confirmed, nominee for Labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, is still waiting for a hearing, as is Agriculture secretary nominee Sonny Perdue. In response, the billionaire real estate mogul has been vocal with his frustration over the issue. "It is so pathetic that the Dems have still not approved my full Cabinet," Trump wrote on Twitter earlier Friday morning.

How each senator has voted on President Trumps cabinet nominees https://t.co/AOru3jKKBz  The New York Times (@nytimes) March 3, 2017

Despite the president's concerns, two more cabinet members were officially confirmed on Thursday night. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was confirmed to lead the Department of Energy, with retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson now officially the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development.

Of the two, Perry's nomination received the most push back, as he is known for his infamous moment during a Republican primary debate in 2011 when he attempted to pledge to dismantle the Department of Energy, but forgot the name of the position in question.

Moving forward

Donald Trump's latest tweet comes less than 12 hours after his previous attack against Democrats, where the president blasted his political opposition for allegedly engaging in a "witch hunt" against Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Sessions has recently come under fire after it was revealed that he had at least two previously undisclosed meetings with a Russian offical during the campaign.
Donald Trump and his reported ties to Russia have dominated the news cycle since Election Day, but not everyone is happy to hear about it. After Fox News viewers and the president labeled the story as "fake news," one network host is pushing back.

Fox News on Trump

In what has become a common theme in recent months, Donald Trump has labeled any and all negative reporting about his administration as "fake news." While the former host of "The Apprentice" has had to deal with backlash on various issues, it's been his alleged link to Russia that has caused the most damage.

During his campaign for president, the billionaire real estate mogul raised red flags about the Kremlin on more than one occasion. From his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to his refusal to release his tax returns, to the multiple confirmed reports that Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee in his favor, Trump continues to deny the allegations against him. While Trump supporters have stood by his side, one host on Fox News decided to set the record straight during a March 2 segment.

Joining Fox News host Bret Baier on Thursday night was network political director and contributor Chris Stirewalt. While the two discussed the most recent bombshell that exposed Attorney General Jeff Session's communication with a top Russian offical, Baier was forced to chime in and clarify that the news in question was not false.

It is News: Foxs Bret Baier Pushes Back Against Viewers Who Say Russia Stories Are Fake News https://t.co/t9mOEjZlaF (VIDEO) pic.twitter.com/BND4aFUiPe  Mediaite (@Mediaite) March 3, 2017

"I get all these tweets and Facebook posts about why are you covering it? It is fake news and there is no 'there' there," Bret Baier said.

"You did have the attorney general recuse himself today," Baier stated, before explaining, "It is news." "Why doesn't he (Sessions) remember that meeting in September when Russia is in the forefront of election news at that moment?" the Fox News host wondered, while asking, "why doesn't he clean it up afterwards?"

Jared Kushner and Michael Flynn met with Russian envoy in December, White House says https://t.co/MFALpNqIVO  The New York Times (@nytimes) March 3, 2017

Russian trouble

Prior to the comments made by Bret Baier on Fox News, the New York Times reported that the White House has finally admitted that retired Gen.

Michael Flynn was in contact with Russian officials late last year. In addition, Trump's son-in-law, Jarred Kushner, joined in on the meeting, which was also never disclosed. As information continues to be reported, it remains to be seen how Donald Trump responds moving forward.
The world needs more people like this caring bus driver who noted a Dog hanging upside down from a back porch. The driver for the city of Bristol, Virginia alerted authorities who had difficulty finding the residence in question. The bus driver directed Major Sean Carrigan and police to the home at the corner of Maple and Lester Streets where they witnessed the disturbing scene.

Virginia police rescue hanging dog from back deck

Upon arrival of the home in question, police walked around to the back to save a dog in trouble. It appeared that the animal somehow crawled under a gap between the floor and railing of the back deck and got stuck by its hip bones.

The incident resulted in the dog hanging from its hips for a lengthy amount of time and was barely responsive when discovered by the police and Fire Department that was called in to help. The dog was hanging 12 to 15 feet above the ground.

Several other neglected dogs rescued from home

Officials could not initially get a response from the homeowners and when they did, they were instructed to get medical help for a dog found hanging from the deck. Those requests were ignored. Additionally, while investigating the premises, three other dogs were discovered emaciated without any food or water. The dogs that included a Terrier and Corgi mix were removed from the home.

A fourth dog, a Siberian husky, was found hidden in a closet and also removed. All the dogs were sent to the Jones Animal Hospital in Bristol for treatment, but sadly the dog found hanging had to be euthanized. The other animals are doing well and now gaining weight. The couple, Ms. Pamela Sue Dowell Sacks and Mr. Richard Joseph Sacks are both facing misdemeanor charges for the abuse and neglect although one count could be a potential felony for the death of the dog left hanging.

A further investigation is pending and a court hearing scheduled for April 6th.

During the inquiry, Carrigan was noted saying that it was a sad situation. He commented that no dog should ever be forced to live through such abuse and neglect. Animal Control Officer Deena Bouton will continue with the investigation and appropriate charges.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested Saturday in Chicago and charged for his role in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in March. That gang rape was livestreamed on Facebook Live. The boy has not been named by police due to his age. However Anthony Guglielimi, a spokesmen for the Chicago Police, says the teenager has been charged with aggravated criminal assault along with the manufacturing and dissemination of child pornography. It was further stated that Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has a news conference scheduled on Sunday to discuss more details of the still ongoing investigation.

Missing Chicago teen raped live on Facebook

Blasting News reported on the story of the 15-year-old girl, who was missing from her home for three days. Reportedly after a relative saw the live footage online, the mother of the missing teenager took screen captures of the footage to the Chicago Police, who were then successful in tracking down the girl.

The video footage was removed from Facebook, but only after dozens of people watched the group rape, with no one reporting the crime. After the story hit the media, the teenager's family were hit with death threats, both online and also in their own home, with people ringing their doorbell and asking to see the teenage girl. At the time the girl was too scared to return home and was staying elsewhere.

More arrests to come in livestreamed group rape case

Chicago police announced on March 21 that they were seeking five or six males involved in the sexual assault on the girl. So far only one has been charged, the 14-year-old boy in question. As reported by ABC News, Guglielimi posted on Twitter to say they had arrested the first of several juvenile offenders in the Facebook Live sexual assault.

BREAKING - Tonight, CPD arrested 1st of several juvenile offenders in Facebook sexual assault incident. Press conf Sunday at 11am @ CPD HQ pic.twitter.com/3qdgpecoVI  Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 2, 2017

Guglielimi later stated that additional arrests are expected to be made as their investigations continue. Chicago police also said in a statement that they are working with the City of Chicago and the State Attorney's Office to give support to the teenager's family and ensure her continued well-being and safety.

BREAKING: 14-year-old arrested in Facebook Live sexual assault of 15-year-old girl, police say: https://t.co/TvWmhk4fTz pic.twitter.com/wADYASTJyg  ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) April 2, 2017

As noted by USA Today, news relating to Facebook Live footage has been in the media a lot recently, most particularly in the case of the Minnesota police officer, charged for shooting a motorist, Philando Castile. The incident was streamed live by Diamond Reynolds, Castile's girlfriend, who was in the car at the time of the incident. The trial of Jeronimo Yanez, the officer in question, is expected to start on May 30 with the footage in question being part of the prosecutor's evidence.
One of the more contentious parts of President Trumps agenda is his promise to build a wall across the Southern Border of the United States as a means of stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. His promise to also make Mexico pay for the wall has been met with raised eyebrows from Washington and angry denunciations from Mexico City. Now, according to the Washington Times, Congressional Republicans have found a way to build the wall and make Mexico pay for it. They propose slapping a two percent tax on money immigrants send home to families still in their country of origin.

The estimate of how much money immigrants send out of the United States is in the $130 billion a year range. A two percent tax would yield $2.6 billion a year, which would pay for a lot of wall construction and border enforcement. The beauty of the scheme is that it is simple, straightforward, and does not allow for much retaliation against Americans, who only send back $7 billion from overseas.

Getting the wall built is still going to be a politically controversial project. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to block the wall, not so much for public policy reasons but because he knows that it is near and dear to President Trumps heart. A fight over the wall in Congress would also be part of a strategy to stir up Hispanic voters to motivate them to vote for Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections.

Some analysts, even those who are border enforcement hawks, wonder if a physical wall across the entire southern border is the right strategy. On some parts of the southern border, because of terrain and other factors, a so-called virtual wall with sensors, cameras, and aerial drones is said to make more sense to stop illegal traffic.

Finally, some property owners along the southern border are irate about plans to take some of their lands under eminent domain to build the wall on. To be sure, the government has the right to seize property for public use but must pay fair market value for the land. The governments definition of what that is and the property owners are two different things, and the matter is likely to wind up in court.
#Bill OReilly, Fox Newss star rating anchor has been building and refining his cable news program for the past two decades, and has  through revenues  made millions, if not billions for Fox's parent company 21St Century Fox.

But O'Reilly has faced a slew of harassment and #Sexual Harassment cases, and the company has stood up for him, doling out large amounts of money in settlements for a varied range of women employees, from anchors, to producers to assistants.

Investigating reveals all

The New York Times recently did an investigation on the matter and published on Sunday a series of #allegations and witness accounts, that reveal how five women have received hush money payouts in exchange for agreeing not to pursue any sort of litigation or to publicly declare or speak about their former accusations aimed at the host.

With a total of #13 millions dollars paid out on such agreements, the amount of money and effort to cover up the accusations is rocking the media world. In fact, Roger Ailes, the former disgraced chairman of the network, was himself let go last year in his own sexual harassment scandal. The company claimed it would not tolerate any behavior that is demeaning to women or contributes to an uncomfortable work environment.

The #five women who dropped their allegations against Mr OReilly  in response for a settlement  were either colleagues of O'Reilly's, that is, they worked for him, or indeed they actually appeared on the show. Their varied complaints illustrate the depth and the severity of his alleged behavior, from #lewd comments, to unwanted advances and, just as troubling, strange telephone calls that the women claimed sounded like the news anchor could have been #masturbating.

A pattern emerges

The New York Times gained access to documents and files that cover these claims and these behaviors, and they go onto explore a pattern that had clearly emerged in such cases. An influential figure in a #media newsroom, the charismatic O'Reilly would forge a bond with females in the studio and then offer counsel and advice about their developing careers.

He would then approach and pursue them for sexual relationships, which made them fear that if they said no it would negatively impact their careers.

Only two of the five settlements were previously made public: one was for the amount of $9 million when a producer, in 2004, settled. And then in 2016 an on-air anchor was awarded another settlement.

What wasn't known is that one of the claimants was awarded damages for #verbal abuse; this was a young producer in the newsroom, and another two also involved sexual harassment.

Outside of these settlements, another two other women have detailed and alleged inappropriate behavior by #O'Reilly; their names are Wendy Walsh, who is a former guest who appeared regularly on his show; and Andrea Tantaros, who was a news host.

#21st Century Fox declined to comment on the case in any specific manner, but they wrote a statement acknowledging that they had managed and tackled the issue with O'Reilly. It's a statement that, on one hand, may acknowledge there was a problem, but does nothing to accept once and for all that O'Reilly engaged in #harassing behavior.
The Manhattan district attorney filed murder and terrorism charges against James Jackson on Monday. The sword-carrying racist traveled the NYC just to kill a homeless Black Man. The rarity of being charged with terrorism comes because of Jackson, 28, traveling all the way from Baltimore, MD just to scout and kill a black person on the streets of New York. Terrorism charges are usually federally reserved for suspects who engage in massive attacks. However, in this case, prosecutors found Jackson guilty of assault on racial freedoms after he confessed to killing the homeless man.

Man, brutally stabbed

The suspect roamed the streets of New York for 72 hours intentionally trying to find a person to assassinate. The person had to be an American of African descent for him to pursue the killing. After prowling horrendously, he chose to murder an innocent black homeless man. On March 20, 2017, Timothy Caughman was attempting to recycle bottles when Jackson pulled a 26-inch sword out of his coat and stabbed him in the back and chest. Law enforcement felt that Jackson had thoughts of attacking other people but instead chose to turn himself in.

Killing racially motivated

Police said Jackson told them that he hated black people for at least a decade. He said after being admitted in Rikers Island that his mission was to bring warning to interracial dating between black men and white women.

District attorney, Cyrus R. Vance, said in a statement, "James Jackson prowled the streets of New York for three days in search of a black person to assassinate in order to launch a campaign of terrorism against our Manhattan community and the values we celebrate. With total presence of mind, he acted on his plan, randomly selecting a beloved New Yorker solely on the basis of his skin color."

Police Chief William Aubrey stated while he was arresting Jackson, The reason he picked New York is because its the media capital of the world, and he wanted to make a statement.

Jackson told The New York Daily News that he is a fan of the Daily Stormer  a website frequently visited by Dylann Roof.

Roof is the gunman that opened fire in a church in South Carolina and killed nine black worshipers in 2015.

Vance noted that New York has a reputation of being a media capital. Jackson came to the Big Apple because its a melting pot for millions of people and a variety of cultures. He said because of these reasons New York became the place Jackson wanted to deliver his message of hate.

Vance wrote in the indictment process, "We must never take for granted New York's remarkable diversity. We must celebrate it, protect it and refuse to let violence and hate undermine the progress we have made.

Jackson has been charged with first- and second-degree murder as acts of terrorism. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment April 13.
A Maryland honor student faces up to 50 years in prison after plotting a mass shooting at her high school. Nichole Cevario, 18, was intercepted by her own father after he found a journal, shotgun, and materials to make bombs in her room. The weapons never made it onto school property and authorities say that none of the material found was ever compiled into an actual explosive device. They also said that no one else was involved or knew of the plot. Per details in the diary, Cevario was planning for the mass shooting to end in her suicide.

Found in Cevarios room

The Sheriffs Department reported that they searched the Cevario residence and found several items linked to potential use in a massacre. They found fireworks, magnesium tape, fuse material, pipes with end caps, and a shotgun with ammunition.

The key evidence in the case was found in Cevarios journal. A mass shooting was clearly being brainstormed in it. The journal entry was dated back in December 2016. It had a timeline of events to take place, her expectations, and the name of her high school with the date of execution staged to be set in April, along with her suicide.

The Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins said Cevario had contemplated for quite some time.

He said, It shocks the conscience to see that someone of that age could be thinking like this. (ABC).

A fathers response

Last week the suspect's father told authorities at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, MD, that his daughter was a violent threat to the institution. Nichole Cevario was swiftly removed from the building and taken into police custody.

At that time, she seemed to be a threat to herself so she was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

Federal investigators were able to obtain a warrant for her arrest quickly. Law enforcement removed Nichole Cevario from Catoctin High School the same day they found the evidence in her room. A sheriff informed the public that she was arrested for explosive materials and incendiary material possession while intending to create a destructive device. The arrest warrant will be implemented once she's released from the hospital, the sheriff's office said.
A town is in mourning after the body of six-year-old Isabel Celis was found in a rural desert area in Pima County. No indication has been given as yet as to whether foul play is suspected. The Arizona girl disappeared from her bedroom in Tucson almost five years ago, on April 21, 2012. Searches were made for years to try and find the young girl and the police received over 2,200 leads, without success.

Isabels remains were not found by chance

Tucson police chief Chris Magnus gave no indication on Friday as to how long Isabels remains may have been lying there or the cause of her death.

Police did say they found her remains a month ago and did positively ID the young girl from her DNA. While the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Isabels remains are still a mystery, Magnus did tell reporters that the finding was reportedly not by happenstance. Magnus told a news conference this was obviously not the ending they had hoped for and that it is also not the end of the case. He went on to say they are working the case aggressively, as they would with any case involving the death of a child.

My heart breaks for family of Isabel Celis, missing since April 2012. Today police announce they found her remains. pic.twitter.com/sUgP3ZTbCl  Simone Del Rosario (@SimoneReports) March 31, 2017

As reported by the New York Daily News, while Tucson police have at no stage named suspects in the Arizona girls disappearance, they did, in the early stages of the investigation, state they found suspicious circumstances surrounding an entry point into Isabels home.

Magnus closed the news conference by stressing he believes someone might know something about Isabels disappearance and what happened to her. He went on to urge anyone with any relevant information to contact the police or send in an anonymous tip.

On my way to a news conference to learn about a major development in the case of Isabel Celis. She disappeared almost 5yrs ago #News4Tucson pic.twitter.com/lQlVO2TiQu  Kristi Tedesco (@kristitedesco) March 31, 2017

A town in mourning over dead Arizona girl

Tucson.com quoted Magnus as offering the Tucson police departments deepest sympathies to Isabels family, saying the death of any child is not only a loss to the family, but to the entire community.

Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Tucson Roman Catholic Diocese issued a statement Friday evening to say their hearts are broken and that their prayers are going out to Isabels family in this sad time. Kicanas said his fondest hope was that Isabel was still alive and would be returned to her family and he hopes whoever committed the crime will be brought to justice.
A number of the companies that regularly do business with Jared Kushner's Kushner Companies have come under harsh scrutiny by federal law enforcement. This, as Kushner's financial disclosure was published on Friday, revealing how he and his wife own in the area of $740 million worth of real estate and assets.

What companies does he do biz with?

#Deutsche Bank, one of the companies in Kushner's network, leveraged a $7 billion settlement in 2016 from the justice department die to its toxic mortgage securities. This is a potential conflict of interest.

Kushner regularly keeps company with influential world and business leaders, and yet he is also managing and overseeing complex #Middle East peace negotiations.

His company has has negotiated four massive loans from Israel's largest bank, Bank Hapoalim, which has been under investigation from the #Justice Department investigation about rich Americans evading taxes with the bank's help.

Kushner has also got a $5 million line of credit from the Middle East-based Israel Discount Bank.
Jill Duggar Dillard and irresponsible aren't two things you would typically see together in a sentence. Unfortunately, fans are calling the young mom irresponsible for deciding to return to the mission field in El Salvador while pregnant with her second child. The once-supportive fan base has now decided to speak up in hopes she may return home before anything happens to her or her unborn son.

Jill's new pregnancy

Jill and Derick Dillard announced they were expecting again in December. They didn't wait for the first trimester to pass before announcing it because they were incredibly excited about the new blessing they had been given.

Just a few weeks later, the couple announced they were having another little boy. Israel would be a big brother and the children would be just a little over two years apart.

Shortly after revealing they were expecting another little boy, the Dillards announced they were returning to El Salvador. They spent much of 2016 there aiding in helping the locals learn about God's word and doing what they could to teach life skills. Jill Duggar Dillard was hit hard with emotion when she talked about the conditions where they were doing their work. One incident in particular put her into tears when she described how scared she was. It was alarming to fans who voiced concerns about Derick Dillard pushing his wife to be there despite the fact she was scared for herself and her young son.

Fans are outraged

While there is still some support for Jill and Derick Dillard, many of the fans have reached out to them on social media and their blog to ask them to return to Arkansas. Several have argued there is plenty of work to be done on American soil and it would be safer for Jill and the unborn baby. At this point, it appears that the Dillards are going to remain in El Salvador for the next few months and will return before it is time for Jill to deliver her new son. July is when she is due so they are expected to be home sometime in June, although those plans have not been set in stone.
Raven Gates shared a huge bombshell on "The Bachelor" 2017 this week when she shared that her ex was the only person she had ever had sex with and that he never gave her an orgasm. Now her ex is speaking out and wants everyone to know that this is not true at all. He doesn't like what she had to say and must have felt like he needed to set the record straight.

Raven's ex defends himself against her claims

Hunter Henry actually went to US Weekly so that he could share his side of the story. Raven talked about him earlier this season saying that she caught him cheating on her and basically beat the crap out of him with her high heel.

Now Hunter is defending himself against her claims that he never gave her an orgasm. Raven also said that she never told him she loved him and he only said it if he was intoxicated. They were together for a long time, but it just didn't work out for them.

Hunter is speaking out now and said, "Comments made by Raven about our relationship are skewed and untrue. However, I wish her all the best. Definitely not true about the whole orgasm thing. And she has told me she loved me multiple times, just for the record." It will be very interesting to find out if Raven responds again now that Hunter is sharing his thoughts.

It was pretty obvious that Raven Gates had been drinking some on the show when she revealed all of this stuff.

Reality Steve even commented he thinks that might be part of the reason she said so much. Next week, she will go with Nick Viall to the fantasy suite, and then everyone will have to see if he can finish what she said that Henry couldn't for her. It is obvious that Raven is really attracted to Nick and everyone can't wait to see what goes down between these two and if she is the one he picks in the end.

Are you shocked by what Hunter Henry has to say? Do you think that Hunter or Raven is telling the truth? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts, and don't miss Raven on new episodes of "The Bachelor" 2017 on Monday nights on ABC.
Milan Schipper,18, is a student from Vaassen in the Netherlands. He made up his mind to take a trip to Australia for a working holiday. Reportedly Schipper was planning on enjoying the land. Schipper was thrilled when he managed to find some extremely cheap flights to Sydney and immediately booked his tickets, paying a mere $853 for the privilege. There was only one problem with those cheap flights, however, as they were heading to Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada and not Australia.

Heading to the wrong Sydney

CBC Radio interviewed Schipper, who said he didnt realize what was happening until he arrived in Canada.

He said he really thought he was heading to Australia, but that things turned out a little differently than planned. He said he was in Toronto and that the plane looked really small. He asked himself at the time if it could make it all the way to Australia. Once he was seated on the plane, he discovered his error. While checking the destination screen on the back of the seat in front of him, Schipper saw the flight was about to turn right, then left. It was at that time he suddenly realized there was another Sydney in the world and he was heading to the wrong one.

According to Schipper, he totally blames himself, adding that most flights heading from Amsterdam to Sydney cost around $1,066. He did think at the time that the $853 seemed a little too cheap, but never imagined what would happen to him.

Dutch student accidentally flies to the wrong Sydney https://t.co/f1elnwNO2R  Mark E. W. Hudson (@MEWH) April 2, 2017

According to the Telegraph, he said he felt terrible and swore in his head for around 10 minutes, but there wasnt much he could do about it, as he was already in the air. The errant student reportedly only stayed in the Nova Scotia version of Sydney for around five hours, which was lucky, as Schipper wasnt exactly dressed for the occasion.

He was expecting a sunnier Sydney, but ended up in a freezing cold town instead. He then made his way to Toronto, where he had to wait 12 hours in the airport to get a flight home.

Dutch students chilly surprise when he arrives in Sydney, Nova Scotia rather than Sydney, Australia https://t.co/2LnWmVS427 pic.twitter.com/ruFuVCzSKo  Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) March 31, 2017

Airline gives Dutch student free tickets to Sydney, Australia

As it turns out, Schipper got lucky in Toronto, as an airline took pity on his plight and gave Schipper free tickets for a later flight to Sydney, Australia. However, hes not sure if he will have the time to use those tickets, as hes reportedly starting school again.
An Iranian twenty-something, Sina Dehghan, has been sentenced to death after insulting the national religion of Islam online, despite reportedly confessing out of a plea deal that had previously promised him his release. According to reports, a judicial review of the death sentence may possibly be in the works.

What do we know about the case so far?

Dehghan had been nineteen years of age when he was arrested by Iran's revolutionary guard in Tehran in October 2015. He had reportedly insulted the national religion on the Japanese messaging application, "Line," reportedly targeting the prophet Mohammed.

He had reportedly been serving compulsory military service at the time of his arrest, with four days left to finish.

According to Iran's Islamic Penal Code, comments made to insult the prophet Mohammed can be punishable by death. That said, cases where the comments were made by mistake or out of passion can possibly be plead down to lower offenses, with the sentence reduced to 74 lashings.

Reportedly, Dehghan entered a similar agreement that would have spared him the death penalty if he confessed, but that had not been the case, as officials backed out of the agreement after a confession had been made.

What is being done in Dehghans defense?

The Center for Human Rights in Iran confirmed Dehghan's death sentence.

A source told the organization that Dehghan made a "childish decision" by agreeing to accept the charges. Having been told that if he had confessed and repented that he would recieve a pardon, Dehghan reportedly both signed a confession in writing and confessed while recorded on a camera. Added to that, the source claimed that his family was told to keep quiet in order to help the chances that he would be freed, which was believed to have been an attempt to prevent the story from being spread.

In addition to the death penalty, Dehghan is expected to spend sixteen months in jail. According to his mother, a legal team confirmed that a judicial review is in the process of being developed and Dehghan has some contact with his family.

Two co-defendants were listed in the case, Sahar Eliasi and Mohammad Nouri. Eliasi's sentence had been reduced from a seven-year incarceration to three years by an appeals court, while Nouri was issued a death sentence, although it is unlcear at this time if it was issued as a final ruling.
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Inner Sanctum: How did you develop a passion for glass painting?

Though I was born in the north, I picked Hue for my tertiary education. I studied painting at the Hue University of Arts and scenic beauty of Hue inspired me a lot. However, the citys landscapes and artistic structures have already been very popular among artists that younger generations have to find rare or new aspects to work on. This thought was in my mind when I visited the Hue Citadel once. The old beautiful glass paintings there inspired me to start researching this art form and developed a passion for it.

Inner Sanctum: Are there disadvantages in choosing this art form, career-wise?

Glass painting is my passion. I have another job. After my graduation in 2010, I was recruited by the Hue City culture authorities. At that time, I felt I really needed a job to earn my living and keep nurturing my passion. Until now there is no market for glass paintings. People seem to have forgotten about them. I have taken my paintings to a trade fair but only a few sold. Actually, my acquaintances are the main consumers of my paintings.

The new socio-economic situation has set glass paintings aside from both art and decoration needs. Thus getting people to know about glass paintings and making them popular again in modern society is the most challenging aspect of keeping up with my passion.

Inner Sanctum: Given that there is no market, how have you managed to keep up your passion?

Ive found big encouragement from my wife. She was my university mate and she also chose to walk on a tough path  silk paintings, which are also not very popular in the art community. This background has helped her understand the difficulties I face. Her encouragement gives me the energy to practise.

Painting on glass is time consuming because they are reverse paintings, which mean painters have to paint in reverse on the back of a glass panel so that it looks normal in the front. It took me almost four years to become fluent in reverse paintings. I started in 2013 and had my paintings debut in 2016. Fortunately, my friends, who are also artists, appraised my works and said they all look good from an artistic angle. It proved that my practice is working. I can say that the greatest thing that I have done to keep up my passion is to practise.

Inner Sanctum: What is the biggest hindrance to bringing glass paintings back to life?

It seems to me that no one cares about glass paintings. Of course, glass paintings of the old days are recognized as a valuable legacy. I mean glass paintings bought by grassroots people, such as those hung in a room, decorate an altar or some other sacred ornamental purposes. People can find many other types of art for their homes and places of worship. They look down on the disadvantages of glass paintings, including fragility, heaviness and difficulty to transport.

Artists who were born in families with a tradition of glass paintings have now given up. I know a lecturer working at the university who quit his family job of glass paintings because there is no market for his works. I have visited the villages of Gia Hoi, Bao Vinh, and Kim Long around Hue, once well-known for the craft, but no artisans in these localities continue this work.

Royal glass paintings are preserved well in the monuments but conservation rules have prevented me from accessing them for research. Thus I can say that the main obstacles to the return of glass paintings is the lack of a market and the lack of live material for artisans to study.

Inner Sanctum: Is there any hope for glass paintings and artisans like you?

I have different types of products, including paintings on rectangular glass panels of different sizes, paintings on tanks used for raising ornamental fish, paintings on glass jars for nice light effects, and paintings on glass flower vases. All these products are favoured by customers who visit my workshop. Some of them are quite young and have shown a strong fondness for folk themes like Mouse Weddings in ong Ho paintings. These give glass paintings new hope, I think.

But the bigger delight comes from organisers of the upcoming Festival for Craft Villages held in Hue in late April. They have listed me a representative for the art of glass paintings. This means glass paintings will be introduced to a wide range of people. I hope to take this opportunity to catch public attention and attract customers. My wife and I are preparing items to show at the event, and certainly, we are full of hope.  VNS
By An Phuong

Ive always enjoyed spending my weekends wandering around old, atmospheric apartment buildings in downtown Ho Chi Minh City that house dozens of independent cafes and shops. Sadly, many of them are now being asked by the municipal authorities to find new locations.

Among many of the buildings, the ones on Nguyen Hue, Ton That Thiep and Ly Tu Trong streets attract the most traffic, with many visitors every day.

Its not unusual to receive thousands of people on a daily basis since each floor has about five to six shops. Whether its cafe or a fashion boutique, we have them all here, said Nguyen Thi Ngan, who lives in the old apartment building at 42 Nguyen Hue, which was reportedly built in the mid-20th century.

While its especially popular among coffee drinkers who can enjoy a latte with a prime view of the citys bustling pedestrian streets, the building at 42 Ton That Thiep Street is more of a fashion paradise.

With more than 30 local independent brands, including Outfix, Lookbook, MamaVirus, Penguin Island, Lider, HighCut and others, hundreds of fashion enthusiasts line the buildings stairs every day.

As Im one of them, I can easily understand why such places are more popular than conventional shopping malls.

To begin with, its not just about globally trendy and unique goods offered at particular venues. Its the lifestyle that speaks to visitors, who are mostly teenagers and young adults.

As each store brings out the best of its limited space, with visually striking decorations and a cool yet cozy vibe as well as relaxing music; who wouldnt love to visit and experience a certain lifestyle that many traditional places lack?

One of my friends, Hoang iep, 29, told me that she felt inspired every time she stopped by these old apartment buildings with their indie shops and restaurants.

What stands out to me is the fact that all my beloved, affordable boutiques are located in one building, making it convenient for me to browse within a short amount of time and without worrying about parking my motorbike at different lots, iep added.

In contrast to conventional malls where the price tags are relatively high, items sold in these buildings are lower, with a T-shirt ranging in price from VN200,000 to 300,000 (US$9 - 13) or a hoodie from VN400,000 to 600,000 ($17 - 26).

Since renting a unit in old apartment buildings is much cheaper compared to a storefront location, at around VN5  12 million (US$200 - 500) per month, its not surprising that the clothing and services appeal to young people.

That being said, tenants whove lived in these old apartment buildings for years have been complaining about noise pollution and safety issues resulting from a growing number of patrons frequenting the cafes and boutiques.

There have been nights when I couldnt sleep because of the noise. Why dont people go home at 11pm? Sometimes, I feel like Im living in a supermarket, Ngan said.

While only 20 families still live in the building on 42 Nguyen Hue Street, most of the landlords have rented out their other units to businesses, according to a report in Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

An old apartment building at HCM Citys 42 Nguyen Hue Street houses many indie fashion boutiques and cafes that will have to move out soon, by order of the city.  VNS Photo An Phuong

Besides noise, tenants and city authorities have raised concerns about fire safety, especially after a fire broke out in a similar building on Ton That Thiep Street last year.

Under the Vietnamese law on residential spaces, businesses are not allowed to operate in apartment units.

Last November, the HCM City Department of Planning and Investment gave warnings to shop owners in these old apartment buildings, requiring them to vacate. Strict penalties would be applied if they failed to do so, the department said.

However, business activities have continued, and in fact, are more popular than ever.

Tran Quoc Thang, a member of the management board at the 42 Nguyen Hue building, said that 40 shops were still open and new ones were opening monthly.

With such activity, his team has found it difficult to keep in touch with every shop owner.

Though he was informed of the citys policy, Thang was quoted as saying in Phu Nu (Women) newspaper that he had not received official documents about the matter.

Le Xuan Hanh, head of the management board at 42 Ton That Thiep, said that, among 30 shops, only one or two shut down after district authorities ordered them to do so in December last year.

Hanh added that authorities should have sent official documents to all of the landlords and tenants to ensure that they relocated.

As much as I agree with authorities that noise and unsafety are serious concerns and that sooner or later shop owners need to vacate, the city will lose one of its most charming attractions, both to locals and tourists.

Many tourists know about this place. In fact, we welcome quite a lot of them to our shops every day, a shop owner at the 42 Ton That Thiep apartment building said.

Tourists often give us compliments, saying wow when they see our decorations and items on display, the owner added.

Ryan Son Hoang, a shop owner at the 42 Ton That Thiep building, said he was sad about the move.

Though Ive found a backup place at The New Playground, a concept mall opening on March 18 at District 1s Ly Tu Trong Street, Im going to miss the neighbourhood and all the fun memories that weve had for the last two years.

Many concept malls for younger people, with design ideas similar to that of the The New Playground, exist in Singapore, where I lived for three years.

However, in my opinion, a concept mall is still a mall, which lacks the authentic vibe and unique character offered by converted (albeit unofficially converted!) apartment buildings.

While some of the old buildings do indeed need repairs, others are still in good condition and can be used safely.

I dont really know, but I feel that having shops in old apartment buildings has become a 'culture', something that is meaningful to the local teenagers and young adults, my friend iep told me.

Im excited to see all the changes, but I hope there will be a balance between preserving a healthy hangout spot for young generations while ensuring safety for local residents, iep said.

Im in complete agreement with iep. So, my last word to like-minded folks: Embrace the culture while you can!  VNS
Pay equity

topic of event

WATERLOO  Waterloo Business & Professional Women will host its annual Equal Pay Day symposium at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the national day of recognition, at Kimball Ridge Center, 2101 Kimball Ave., Conference Room 1.

Guest presenter Brenda Buzynski, Ph.D, an administrator in enrollment management at the University of Northern Iowa, will discuss women in leadership and the gender pay gap.

The public is welcome and will have an opportunity to learn about BPW membership. Light refreshments will be provided.

Manufacturing conference set

WATERLOO  Hawkeye Community College will host the seventh annual Cedar Valley Manufacturing Conference from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 12 at Tama Hall on Hawkeye Community Colleges main campus, 1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo.

Keynote speaker Kit Welchlin will provide insights on Workforce 2020, the global initiative to prepare business and industry for the workforce needs of the next decade and beyond.

The conference breakout sessions include a discussion of the future of manufacturing with the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University and training from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

The conference is sponsored by Hawkeye Community College Business and Community Education, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber, Cedar Valley Manufacturers Network, and the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University.

To view the full agenda and to register, go to www.hawkeyecollege.edu/go/manufacturing.

HCC hosts

open house

WATERLOO  Hawkeye Community College will host an open house for the Industrial Automation program from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in Butler Hall.

The program will help prepare people for careers as industrial electricians, mechanics and robotic technicians.

The open house is an opportunity to meet area employers, tour labs, talk to instructors and learn about careers.

UnityPoint ICU earns new honor

WATERLOO  The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has conferred the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence to the intensive care unit at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital.

The Allen Hospital ICU is being recognized for successfully improving patient outcomes, aligning practice with the AACNs six healthy work environment standards and meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria.

Leadership Iowa on the road

CHARLES CITY  Leadership Iowa will travel to Charles City and Osage this week where participants will learn about state and local economic development initiatives, tour businesses and speak with area and statewide leaders.

The group will be in Charles City on Wednesday and Osage on Thursday.

Leadership Iowa is a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation.
DES MOINES (AP)  The story of how an Iowa college student came to invent life-saving wearable technology for pigs sounds a bit like an infomercial.

Matthew Rooda was working in a massive swine-raising operation while going to school and grew increasingly frustrated with how many piglets were being crushed to death by unwitting sows.

His frustration boiled over one day when he walked into a farrowing barn and found one sow had crushed eight of her newborn piglets.

Crushing is a recurring challenge for pork producers, an oddity of the domesticated species that largely has baffled researchers. Roodas co-workers were largely resigned to the phenomenon, but the pre-med major wasnt satisfied.

I started thinking, OK, theres got to be a better way, Rooda said.

So, he created one.

The best way to describe Roodas invention might be a cross between a shock collar for dogs and a fitness tracker for people. Its purpose is to listen for the distressed squeals of piglets in danger of getting squished and send a mild shock to Mom to get her to move.

And it has the pork industry and investors pretty excited.

His product, which will roll out to the market in a matter of months, has received backing from pork producers in Iowa and investors from across the country. Just this month, his company, SwineTech, took the national title at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards in Kansas City.

Roodas company will go on to represent the United States at the global showdown in Frankfurt, Germany. SwineTech also has been highlighted as one of Inc. magazines 16 Coolest College Startups, which advanced to the Elite 8 round of online voting to determine Inc.s Coolest College Startup of 2017.

Rooda says hes raised more than $1 million from 18 investors. And he has dozens of commitments for orders from pork producers.

His success is all the more remarkable given the 23-year-old built the product, recruited investors and created a company while attending college full time.

He plans on a limited launch within the next three months, with a wider introduction to market at the 2018 World Pork Expo.

Theres a lot of anxiety. You just took money from 18 people, said Rooda, who graduated in December. Its actually more pressure now. When you start out, theres nothing to lose.

Roodas grandfather oversaw a family farm, and his father manages several commercial sow farms near his hometown of New Sharon. But Rooda himself had little hands-on experience until he took a job at a farrowing operation while he attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo.

At the time, he planned on studying obstetrics. A medical school acceptance committee told him overseeing swine deliveries would help diversify his application.

Since creating his device, hes met with veterinarians and pork producers to refine the idea.

He, along with business partner Abraham Espinoza, invested their own money. Rooda relied on his parents and student loans to get by. Winnings from startup contests and grants helped fuel SwineTech, which was founded in August 2015.

At the University of Iowa, Rooda scheduled classes in the evenings so he could focus on the company during the daytime.

SwineTechs invention consists of essentially two parts: listening devices and wearable technology placed on the sow for four to six days.

One device listens for high-pitched piglet squealing. An algorithm sorts out mundane squeals from the prolonged squeals of a piglet in distress.

Once the software detects a piglet being crushed, the device sends a vibration to the sow. It then delivers a shock, about a quarter of the voltage of a dogs shock collar, and waits five to six seconds before delivering a second shock.

The sow stands up about three-quarters of the time, Roodas testing shows. If she doesnt move, the device sends an alert to the farmer.

Early prototypes used a reusable belt strapped around the pigs midsection, but the newest rendition will be a disposable, anti-bacterial patch.

The devices also help control temperatures, which are essential for newborn piglets.

Early on, Rooda said the sows were startled by the shocks. But the pairing of the vibration with the electric impulse has reduced surprise and stress, he said.

He said the pain is minimal.

Whenever we use something, we shock ourselves first, he said.

About 10 percent of commercially raised piglets die before being weaned, and the most common cause is crushing, said Donald Lay, a research leader at the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service at Purdue University.

About half that percentage is due to crushing, he said. So when you multiply it out by how many pigs are produced, its quite significant.

Iowa, with more than 22 million pigs and hogs in December 2016, is by far the nations leading pork producer, which makes anything that can reduce piglet deaths a big deal.

Lay and other animal behavior researchers have studied why crushing occurs, with limited success.

Wild boars in Europe dont crush their young nearly as often as their American domesticated relatives, Lay said. And its rare in other animals as well.

It seems like some sows crush a lot of pigs, and other sows dont crush any, Lay said. Some crush four to six piglets in one litter, and their neighbors dont crush any at all.

The controversial narrow farrowing crates used in commercial pork production were designed to reduce crushing. Sows cant turn around, so theres less opportunity to lay on a piglet who strays from the pack, Lay said.

But other than that development, which some question as inhumane, no real solution has emerged.

Lay was skeptical after learning about SwineTechs product. Its not very nice to shock animals, he said.

And he worries about how the zaps might affect the behavior of sows, which are already housed in loud and crowded environments.

They could do a lot more irrational movements and actually crush more piglets; that would be the concern, he said. They dont necessarily know cause and effect all the time.

The loss of piglets from any cause raises welfare, economic and environmental concerns for producers, said Lee Johnston, a professor of animal science and extension swine specialist at the University of Minnesota.

The farmer feeds a sow for almost four months to raise that litter in utero, he said. And then in two or three days the pig gets squashed and dies, all the nutrients and effort that went into raising the corn and all that stuff that went into that fetus are lost. And theres no economic value to a dead piglet.

Roodas early testing has found his method increases production by .38 piglets per litter. With a value of $35 per piglet lost, he said the $1,200 device will pay for itself within a year.

Each device can service up to 160 sows per year, Rooda said, depending on how long each sow wears it, saving as many as 61 piglets per year.

Farrowing farms are huge operations, with dozens or hundreds of crates in one building, Johnston said.

So SwineTech will have to show a return on investment at an affordable price to convince producers to buy in.

Its going to have to be pretty effective to save enough pigs to pay for it, Johnston said. It becomes as much an economic decision as anything. Producers want to save pigs, but they also have to do it economically.

Rooda says he is well aware of the possible criticism from animal rights groups. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals opposes anti-barking shock collars and electric fences for dogs, calling those training methods cruel on its website.

But Rooda argues the ends justify the means: After all, its proven to save the lives of piglets.

Were correcting a behavior thats life-threatening, he said.
CEDAR FALLS  When the Missouri History Museum asked Jeff Copeland to make a documentary about the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Shelley v. Kraemer, he immediately said yes.

The minute I got off the phone, I thought holy cow, Ive never made a documentary. Ive done educational films, but Id opened my mouth and had to follow through, recalls Copeland, author of Olivias Story: The Conspiracy of Heroes Behind Shelley vs. Kraemer and professor and head of the English language and literature department at the University of Northern Iowa.

He reached out to Joe Marchesani, assistant professor and coordinator of TV/video services at UNI. Joe told me to calm down, wed figure it out. It really took a village to make the film  UNI students, faculty, administrators and local individuals, including Anne Davis from Waterloo, who did voice-overs. John Vallentine, director of the UNI School of Music, wrote the musical score, and its gorgeous.

Turns out, it was a wonderful experience for me, and I learned so much.

Copeland will host a local premiere of the film at April 12 on the UNI campus.

The documentary received a standing ovation from nearly 400 guests at the world premiere in March at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. It is the centerpiece for their year-long exhibition, St. Louis: #1 in Civil Rights.

St. Louis has been the epi-center for a number of these civil rights cases, and the film premiere was a true celebration of diversity, he says.

Copelands book, a literary nonfiction account of what lead up to the landmark civil rights ruling, was published in 2010. The 1948 ruling in Shelley v. Kraemer ended restrictive real estate covenants that dictated where people could and could not purchase property based on race, color, creed, religion and national origin. In 1945, the J.D. Shelley family tried to purchase a home in St. Louis, but were unable to because they were African-American.

At that point, five brave individuals got together, (including Olivia Perkins) without regard for their own personal safety and welfare, and through a carefully designed ruse, purchased the home for Mr. Shelley. The ruse they used was like something out of an adventure movie  it was both clever and full of risk, the author explains.

However, Mr. Shelley got caught  and then was caught up in a legal battle that eventually changed the face and color of America. Most legal historians say that Shelley v. Kraemer provided the foundation for such cases a Brown v. Board of Education and others like it.

Copeland learned about Perkins in letters to her husband, Sgt. Inman Perkins, an Iowa-raised African-American soldier and subject of Copelands critically acclaimed book, Inmans War: A Soldiers Story in a Colored Batallion in WWII.

He initially began researching Perkins teaching career at Charles Sumner High School, the first African-American high school built west of the Mississippi River where her students included Tina Turner, Dick Gregory and Chuck Berry. He met her family, who urged him to redirect his research to Perkins fight for the right for people of color to own property. A series of murders connected to their fight also proved intriguing.

Copeland did some filming on location in St. Louis. Some events in the case took place just two miles from the museum. It certainly was an interesting experience getting the filming done  cars revving their motors, people walking through the frame and doing photo bombs, that sort of thing, he says, laughing.

I quickly learned that if you have a camera rolling, everybody is a ham. If I was going to do any remote filming, Id have to get up at 6:30 a.m. and get out there before people started getting up and going to work.

He visited with members of the Shelley family and other relatives of families involved in the historic court case. I met some beautiful people, some of them Id interviewed for Olivias story, and through the filming became dear friends with them. I will treasure those friendships for the rest of my life, Copeland says.

Copelands original documentary is 90 minutes long, but he edited it to 20 minutes for showing during regular hours at the museum. About the length of time kids will sit still for something during a museum visit, he adds, laughing.

It has been nominated for next years Sundance Film Festival, and plans are to share the documentary with schools throughout the U.S.
Fish fry set in Reinbeck

REINBECK  The Knights of Columbus will host a Holy Family Parish fish fry April 7 at St. Gabriel Church, corner of T55 and D35.

Serving will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cost is $8.50 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12.

Menu will include fried fish, baked potato, corn, roll, coleslaw, bar and beverage.

Snowden house Seuss tea set

WATERLOO -- The Grout Museum District's Snowden House, 306 Washington St., will host a Dr. Seuss tea from 10 a.m. to noon April 8.

Cost is $8 for members, and $10 for non-members. To sign up, go to www.gmdistrict.org/calendar.

Book group will meet April 10

CEDAR FALLS -- The AAUW discussion group CV3D will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 10 at the Cedar Falls Public Library.

The discussion will be on Sonia Nazario 's "Enriques Journey: Broken Families, Broken Borders."

All Cedar Valley residents are welcome to join this American University Women talk, even if they have not read the book. The Cedar Falls Public Library has copies of the book in the book club section of the collection.

St. Pats to host April run/walk

CEDAR FALLS -- St. Patrick School will host the 10th annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K run/walk and kids fun run, starting at 9 a.m. April 22.

Registration is online through April 20.

The cost $20 per person or $55 for a family of four -- includes breakfast and T-shirt. To sign up, go to t GetMeRegistered.com or www.cfCatholicSchool.org to sign up.
WATERLOO  Two Waterloo Community Schools employee groups last week proposed 3.5 percent raises as part of a five-year contract during initial bargaining sessions.

Representatives of the Waterloo Education Association and the Waterloo Educational Support Personnel also suggested continuing or establishing labor management committees. A bill recently signed by Gov. Branstad could lead to many past subjects of bargaining being removed from the new contracts, which would be effective July 1. The legislation forbids bargaining on other subjects, like insurance.

Matt Baish, chief negotiator for the WEA, also called for the permissive language to be retained in the master contract. Further, he said, any of the items now excluded have been negotiated in good faith and should not be lost due to changes in the law, but retained in a handbook mutually agreed upon.

Becky Mohorne, WEA president, added, We must work together if we hope to avoid the division plaguing our state Legislature and the seemingly continual decline in the value of public education  and quite frankly, the teaching profession in America.

The WEA contract covers 887 teachers, counselors and family support workers. The WESP contract covers 353 district employees. They include secretaries, home school workers, clerk typists, paraeducators, study hall monitors and behavior intervention specialists.

Hourly wages for the WESP currently range from $11.18 to $12.49 with another eight cents per hour added each year beyond the final step. Various differential rates are also applied to the hourly pay of secretaries, study hall monitors and home school workers. A further adjustment to the hourly pay is applied for those with a related certification or bachelors degree.

Currently, the districts contract with the WEA starts a teacher with a bachelors degree and no prior experience at $36,461 per year. At the top of the salary schedule, a teacher with 18 years of experience and 45 credits beyond a masters degree earns $73,934. Those whose experience puts them beyond the salary schedule also earn additional longevity pay of $200 to $1,400 annually.

District administrators will make their initial bargaining proposals at a later date.
Some have opined instead of California seceding from the Union, the state should simply be split into liberal and conservative states. Years ago, several of us suggested maybe the entire nation should be split in two. We could have a liberal nation and a conservative nation.

There would be no need for a civil war. We could have a polite divorce. The right would create a new USA while the left would construct the PRA, the Peoples Republic of America or the Progressive Republic of America.

It was once said that a Peoples Republic is where you do as you are told or you are shot, but that would never happen in the PRA. Here you would think as you were told, or you would be ridiculed, shouted down, have your business vandalized and be fined into bankruptcy by some court.

As adults, we would separate amiably by giving to each side what each really values.

The new USA would get the military, guns, nuclear power plants, oil pipelines, coal deposits, mines, North and South Dakota, the Midwest, Texas, the Mountain West, and all the South 50 miles from a coast. It would get most businesses, even big ones, almost all banks and insurance companies. The PRA would get half of California, all of L.A., Chicago, New York City, Baltimore, Detroit, trees over a thousand years old, street people and compassionate soup kitchens.

The new USA would get the Constitution, and the PRA would get the Living Document. We would get universities that have an interest in education and something called learning, while the PRA would get universities that create safe spaces and spend lots of time, energy and resources on diversity.

The PRA would have generous minimum wages, powerful public unions, lots of regulation (for the workers best interests), universal health care run by the government, and everyone would pay their fair share in taxes. The word justice would always have an adjective attached  as in social justice or environmental justice. A persons relationship to the government would be determined by their class, gender and racial identity, and that identity would always be protected by the expansion of hate crime penalties.

The new USA would have justice with no adjectives, no hate crimes, only crime or no crime. It would encourage free markets under the rule of law and avoid as much government interference as possible.

After a decade or two, one of the nations would have to build a wall. With a certain amount of irony, the PRA would build it, not to keep the poor of the world out, but (much like the Berlin Wall) to keep their people in. Typical of all historical Progressive Republics, the PRA would blame the new USA for all their problems and maybe even threaten war.

Even though the new USA would not be interested in being the worlds policeman, it would probably have to compromise some its values and give a little foreign aid to the PRA.
What an amazing, terrific, incredible son-in-law!

Whether or not we have daughters, we should all be so lucky as to have someone like Jared Kushner, the husband of President Donald Trumps elder daughter, in our lives.

Ivankas hubby has so mesmerized Trump he was selected to lead the administrations campaign-to-White-House transition and was tasked with filling key staff positions, including Cabinet posts.

Then Trump made Kushner, a 36-year-old with no government experience, his senior adviser. Hes also to work on relations with countries such as China and key allies such as Mexico and, oh yes, peace in the Middle East. Really.

And on Kushners 67th day in Washington, Trump also made him head of a brand new Office of American Innovation. (Stephen Colbert was wrong; it is not being called the Bureau of Obvious Nepotism.)

Not that Kushner has actually been inside many federal agencies, but he is now charged with overhauling the federal bureaucracy and fulfilling Trumps many campaign promises. (Unfortunately, Kushner was vacationing in Aspen, Colo., when the ill-fated effort to repeal and replace of Obamacare was not happening. Also, because he is an Orthodox Jew, Kushner cant work Friday nights or Saturdays.)

One of Kushners tasks is to decide which branches of government to privatize, giving Big Business a well-deserved opportunity to get its hands on fulfilling lucrative taxpayer needs.

Kushner is a well-known commodity in New Yorks posh social circles; he inherited the reins of a lucrative real estate business from his father, who was put in prison by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he was a U.S. attorney. Fittingly, Kushner took the transition team away from Christie. Christie also was not given a coveted Cabinet position in the administration. Kushner has stepped down as CEO of his familys business.

The White House says the new Office of American Innovation will bring to government the best, most lucrative practices of great American business corporations. (Perhaps they forgot such corporations dont fill key posts with sons-in-law.)

Kushner will give talented business friends the potentially lucrative opportunity to swoop, like SWAT teams, into federal agencies, where they will prod and pull, examine technology and data, and experiment with ways to make government offices smaller.

While Kushner was heading the transition office, he held, along with his wife and his two brothers-in-law who run the Trump business empire, a meeting with the head of a Russian bank under U.S. sanctions because of Russias annexation of Crimea and war in Ukraine. Kushner also met with the Russian ambassador before Trump was sworn in.

Kushner says he gladly will testify before the House and Senate intelligence committees on whether he discussed lifting sanctions, which would have been illegal. Kushner is expected to say he did nothing wrong. Congress is also investigating the extent of Russias interference in the November presidential election.

Meanwhile, the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of the Trump teams stunning number of connections with Russia and whether anything was treasonous.

But amid the swirling conflicts of interest involving the Trump administration, at least one has ended. The Kushner family business says it and a Chinese company that bought the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel have ended talks over a $4 billion Manhattan real estate deal.

As Kushner begins his overhaul mission, will he and his team oversee potentially lucrative government contracts? Why, yes, they will. If the team thinks contracts should be awarded to new bidders, that could well happen. The Washington Post says Kushner is especially proud his team has no government experts but is culled from business and has a broad mandate to reform the federal bureaucracy. Already, emails are flying back and forth with suggestions from various business interests.

The Kushner SWAT team is spreading its wings as the federal bureaucracy is reeling from Trumps proposed budget, which takes huge swaths from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.

Will government look different? Yes. Will it be more efficient? We dont know. Will it be smaller? We dont know. Will there be more corruption? We dont know. Will some people make money off of this? They always do.
A conservative Republican friend of mine approached me at the bowling alley recently and wanted to talk about Republican President Donald Trump. Imagine my surprise when the first thing he said was, I am embarrassed about the president.

We went on to discuss how bad the first weeks of the Trump administration have been. The nice thing was my friend never mentioned Obama as so many do who are trying to defend Trump. We are no longer concerned with Obama. This is now about Trump no matter what the president says.

Its easy to understand how anyone but the most ardent Trump supporter is unhappy and embarrassed by his behavior. Lets see: He has tried to implement a ban on travel from only Muslim countries that was declared unconstitutional by a court. He promised to drain the swamp, yet many of his appointments are covered with pond scum or drawn from the ranks of the super wealthy. He is still planning on spending billions of our money on building a wall he said Mexico would pay for and the Mexican president has frequently laughed about. And be aware a tax on imports from Mexico would be paid not by Mexican producers but American consumers. Then theres the Affordable Care Act fiasco. Republicans spent an enormous amount of effort and money convincing us it was a disaster and needed to be immediately repealed. Surprise: A lot of Americans actually like Obamacare, and suddenly House members cooled on repealing a popular program and replacing it with something undefined and so pro-rich.

Internationally, he has needlessly irritated the Chinese. He has managed to chill relations with many of our friends by insulting England, Germany, Australia and NATO to cozy up to Russia. A generation ago the relationship he and his circle have with Putin might have been called treasonous.

Another embarrassing habit of Trumps is speaking to a pep rally when things dont go his way in D.C. He surrounds himself with a handpicked group of supporters and proceeds to talk as if he were still campaigning. Does his ego really need him to continue to brag about himself and bash President Obama? The election is over. He won.

Its time for Trump to behave in a presidential fashion by providing real leadership. Political promises made during the heat of a campaign are not inviolate. Reasonable people understand that and dont expect exact fulfillment. More people voted against this president than for him. He must remember he is the president of all people in the country not just those who supported him. This is the challenge for any president, determining how to please his supporters while recognizing the needs of others. Trump needs to work with not only with the recalcitrant wing of his own Republican party but Democrats as well and govern responsibly.

More than anything he should stop insulting and threatening those who disagree with him. Thats not leading, thats bullying, and we dont want a president who bullies. Please Mr. President, work with us, not against us.
Carrie Lane had issues.

She was born in 1859 on the cusp of the Civil War, which put the lie to the self-evident truth that all men are created equal while excluding women from that equation.

She grew up in Charles City and enrolled at Iowa State Agricultural College, later Iowa State University. She joined the Crescent Literary Society, which promoted educational advancement and self-confidence with one condition  women couldnt speak. Lane dared to do so, and the rules changed.

Lane was valedictorian of her 1880 graduating class and its only female. Three years after embarking on a teaching career, she became the first female Mason City superintendent of schools. She wed Leo Chapman, editor of the Mason City newspaper who died of typhoid fever within a year while in San Francisco. His wife stayed, becoming the citys first female reporter.

In 1890, Carrie Chapman married Iowa State classmate George Catt and devoted her energies to securing the womens right to vote, succeeding Susan B. Anthony as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1900.

For the next two decades Carrie Chapman Catt campaigned tirelessly across the nation and around the world for that right. In 1919, Congress approved the 19th Amendment. In 1920, it was ratified by 36 of the 48 states.

That same year, she formed the League of Women Voters as a mighty political experiment to help 20 million newly enfranchised female voters become better educated on public policy as a nonpartisan advocacy group. It does not endorse candidates, but studies and takes stands on issues.

Walt Rogers has issues.

The Republican state representative for the 60th District, covering portions of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, doesnt want to participate in any more League of Women Voters of Black Hawk-Bremer Counties forums.

Rogers, chairman of the House Education Committee, attended only one of five LWV forums this year.

He released a statement, That forum has become a place for left-wing activists to shout at those that they disagree with and negatively spin their message on social media. The moderators are left-leaning partisans and the atmosphere has become toxic. It is not an environment that fosters a respectful, constructive dialogue.

Rogers was not alone. Other area Republicans have not attended LWV forums. In Cedar Rapids, Rep. Ken Rizer declined to attend the Linn County events, stating, The League of Women Voters forums have long been a tool of the Democratic Party to excite their activists. ... There are much better ways to communicate with my constituents.

Republicans have complained the LWV on a national level has championed legislation contrary to the partys agenda  abortion rights, stricter gun control, climate change initiatives, campaign finance reform and having citizens committees draw congressional districts rather than political parties, while opposing school vouchers.

After the emergence of the tea party and other insurgent, Republican-affiliated groups following Barack Obamas election in 2008, Democratic elected officials took the brunt of the outrage at town hall meetings.

Now that Democrats are out of power, theyve taken a page from the tea party playbook at town hall meetings where Republican Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst have faced protests over the attempt to replace Obamacare and other conservative initiatives.

As a beleaguered President Harry Truman once said, If you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. To their credit, they didnt run from the kitchen.

We dont perceive the LWV as rabble-rousers, but because a group is nonpartisan doesnt mean its apolitical.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is nonpartisan, but largely backs a pro-business agenda that is anathema to pro-labor Democrats. That doesnt mean Democrats should boycott forums sponsored by the chamber on the local level. In fact, it behooves them to attend if only on the outside chance of finding common ground.

The Founding Fathers werent particularly civil to each other but recognized the need to overcome fundamental differences to form a more perfect union.

Unfortunately, todays political environment is exceedingly contentious, forsaking compromise for a winner-take-all model.

We dont have any insight into Rogers complaint about LWV moderators and decorum, but it would be beneficial for him and the LWV to find common ground on staging the forums. Civilized discourse and an exchange of ideas in such gatherings are far preferable to party-only echo chambers.
WATERLOO  A man seriously injured in a rollover crash Friday afternoon has died.

The mans name has not yet been released, but police said Saturday he died shortly after arriving at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital.

The driver was eastbound on Independence Avenue just past the Pinecrest building about 12:30 p.m. when he entered the ditch and hit a sign, fire hydrant and culvert. At that point, the vehicle rolled over some young trees and stopped just before hitting the Meyers Nursery building.

The man was apparently thrown from his vehicle during the crash.

Moore didnt think speed was a factor in the crash, but noted Waterloo Police would be investigating the cause of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

Threats with gun lead to arrest

WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested after he allegedly used a gun to threaten a man who was attempting to serve him with collections paperwork Thursday.

Anthony Lee Bradfield, 58, of 807 Anthony St., was arrested for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, first-degree harassment and going armed with intent. He was later released from jail.

According to police, Anthony Brown of RPI Field Services went to Bradfields home around 6 p.m. to serve a letter of collections on Bradfield. Bradfield allegedly told Brown to leave, and as Brown departed, he took pictures of Bradfields truck and home address on the mailbox for the collection agency.

Brown told police that Bradfield then exited his house with a handgun, pointed the weapon at him and threatened to kill him, records state. He said Bradfield knocked him to the ground and pressed the gun into his neck, court records state.

Waterloo chase ends with C.F. crash

WATERLOO  A Waterloo man allegedly led police on a chase through two cities before crashing into two other vehicles Thursday night.

Authorities said 26-year-old Dustin Lyle Burkhardt then called the owner of the vehicle he was driving from the Black Hawk County Jail and told her what happened to her vehicle, records state.

Burkhardt was arrested for felony eluding, operating at vehicle without owners consent, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and driving while suspended.

He was also arrested for failing to appear for a court date, which is the reason he gave for not stopping, court records state.

Waterloo police attempted to pull over Burkhardt on Campbell Street after noticing a headlight was out around 7:40 p.m. Thursday.

The chase that followed turned onto Kingbard Boulevard and took Columbia Circle to Hubbard Avenue before linking up with West Fourth Street. The pursuit turned onto West Ridgeway Avenue and headed into Cedar Falls.

At Ridgeway and Highway 58, Burkhardt allegedly ran a red light and collided with two other vehicles.

Police found a bag of meth in his pants pocket, court records state.

Waterloo woman jailed in Fayete Co.

WAUCOMA  A Waterloo woman was jailed on numerous charges following an incident in Fayette County Thursday afternoon.

Patti Dee Farmer, 40, faces charges of second-offense operating while intoxicated, driving while her license is barred, third-degree burglary and two counts of operating a vehicle without the owners consent.

The incident began about noon Thursday when the Fayette County Sheriffs Office received a report of careless driving in the Waucoma area. At about 12:15 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriffs Office received additional information the suspect vehicle, a Green 1997 Ford F-250, had gone into the ditch just south of Waucoma on W Avenue. While deputies were responding, another 911 call came in reporting a stolen motor vehicle from a farm on W Avenue just south of Waucoma.

Deputies then located the stolen vehicle and arrested Farmer. Deputies also learned the first motor vehicle was also stolen from Waucoma. Farmer was taken into custody and transported to Fayette County Jail where she awaits initial appearance. Damage to both vehicles was minimal.

Social media case

personal, graphic

CHARLES CITY  The investigation that led to the arrest of three Charles City Middle School students revealed comments a prosecutor described Thursday as personal and graphic.

The teenagers, a boy and girl 14-year-olds and a male 15-year-old, were ordered to remain in custody after appearing separately in juvenile court Thursday.

All had been referred to Juvenile Court Services for felony threat of terrorism, a charge described in Iowa law as using the threat of a dangerous weapon to intimidate or coerce a group of people or influence the conduct of government.

Their names are not given because they are charged in juvenile court.

The older boy was removed from school and arrested last week after a mother reported what school officials deemed an inappropriate comment on social media. The two 14-year-olds were arrested earlier this week.

School officials and police have refused to describe the messages, and almost all juvenile court records are now private under state law, but testimony from the 14-year-old girls mother at Thursdays court hearing shed some light on the allegations.

The woman, a Charles City resident, testified in an effort to convince the judge to allow her daughter to be sent home while the case is pending.

The mother told Judge Karen Salic she found the comments after receiving a Facebook notification on her cell phone. Her daughters account is configured to send notifications about activity on the page to her mothers cell phone.

I wanted to know what my child is doing at all times, her mother said.

The woman said she reported the messages to authorities because she feared for other children as well as her daughter.

I didnt know that she was this far involved, she said. I just want my kid home.

Assistant Floyd County Attorney Randall Tilton questioned the girls mother about comments her daughter allegedly made during an interview with Charles City police investigator Kevin Beaver.

He asked if the woman was shocked her daughter told the investigator she wanted to watch another individual die.

Yes, she said.

Tilton said her comments were most disturbing of three in terms of the personal and graphic nature of the comments.

Calling the allegations significant and noting prosecutors concerns the girl was a flight risk, the judge ordered the girl remain in custody. She cried as a deputy led her out of the courtroom, mother and family trailing behind her. Salic had ordered the same of the two boys also charged in the case.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Apr. 01, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 01, 2017 | 08:38 AM | PADUCAH, KY

Paducah Police are seeking the publics help in identifying a subject suspected of stealing a vehicle from a Paducah man on Friday afternoon.



Police say Sam Burrage of the 4000 block of Old Mayfield Road told police that his black 2003 Buick Rendezvous was stolen from the parking lot of Cash Saver on Jackson Street at around 12:30 pm Friday. Burrage said he parked in the fire lane and went into the store for approximately 10 minutes. Burrage said he left the vehicle unlocked with the keys lying on the console. When he returned, the vehicle was gone.



Several hours later at approximately 6 pm, authorities were contacted by the Livingston County Sheriffs Department advising the vehicle had been located, but was fully submerged in the river near Haddoux Ferry Road in Smithland.



Anyone with information is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL. Tipsters also may text their tips to CRIMES (274637) by entering KyTips followed by their information, or by visiting the Crime Stoppers website at westkycrimestoppers.info. Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000.




What was South Dakota's biggest lottery winning? Here's the top 10.

The top 10 biggest lottery winners in the state's history, according to the South Dakota Lottery.
At least 400 jawans attached to the CRPF camp at Pallipuram were taken ill due to food poisoning. They were admitted to various hospitals in the city following complaints of diarrhoea and vomiting after consuming food. This is not the first time that jawans are facing this problem. Whenever, they tried to complain, the authorities abused them calling a disciplinary action. Jawans have no voice in this rich country, where suited booted politicians and common man gets secured at the cost of their life. This is more dangerous than even fighting the war. There should be a probe and make sure that it doesnt happen again and again. Substandard food is served to these jawans which is just not enough for them to cope up with situations around.

Do you remember, BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who posted a video alleging that troops were being served bad quality food, his wife Sharmila Yadav in a shocking revelation said that her husband was forced to retire and added that he was later put under arrest. She also claimed that he was being mentally tortured. Anyhow, her husband managed to call up using someone elses phone and said that he was under arrest and being threatened and mentally tortured.

The videos uncover the miserable state of affairs in the armed force and the hardships our soldiers face every day due to the corrupt practices of their own officers. Army or paramilitary jawans usually dont speak against seniors fearing strict punishment. However, Jawan Tej Bahadur of 29 battalion showed courage, may be because of his anxiety, to talk about that humiliation without caring about the penalties. Since Modi government came to power, Jawans were their political tool for everything. Every issue raised that nation suffered was compared to the Jawan on boarder and voice of citizen were made silenced. However, these videos tell many untold stories; it exposes the condition of Jawans. The video of Bahadur presents a different picture. Half-baked chapatis and uneatable daal are what the jawans get in their lunch. One chapatti with tea in the breakfast, in an extreme climate they have to sustain on this low quality and insufficient food. The Jawan also said he may face dire consequences by his seniors for exposing the truth but he was not mush worried for himself. In fact, the videos, that have gone viral, may discourage young aspirants from joining the armed force. Nobody can say anything. If they complain, action will be taken against them. Many retired BSF jawans have left the force because of this. There is ample truth in the video. Nobody can deny this fact as told in the video. Justice should be done to the jawans. Yadav in the video has taken extraordinary courage to show the truth to the world. This is definitely happening in BSF and other forces. It is nothing new, of course the digital nation now enable people to share such heinous crime in open. Corruption and demoralization goes hand in hand.

Since then many Jawans voiced their opinion against the quality of food that they are served and the harassment they are facing from authorities. However, government has no time to look into their matters. Jawans are left to live with agony. Particularly, the top brass used to eat away all privileges meant for jawans, even rations. Earlier, officers were not entitled for free ration, and they incorporated the same in their favour. Corruption is rampant in defence forces. Particularly, these officers pose themselves like British use to behave with Indian soldiers and citizens. The video suggests that our jawans are not just exposed to the security threat from across the border and the elements, but are also subjected to humiliation and insult when it comes to their daily meals which are both substandard and insufficient. In fact, they even sleep empty stomach at times, the video reveals.

Neither the media, nor any minister tries to take a note on how are they going through this (harsh weather). Their conditions are still worst. Bahadur was seen saying in the video. Repeating that he is not blaming the government as food and other amenities are being supplied, Yadav further asserted that their rations are sold in the market, calling for a probe into the situation. He also requested Prime Minister to look into the matter. He was very well prepared for the consequences that he was going to face, but still he was expressing his concern for jawans.

To cover up entire saga, a senior BSF official passed a statement to media stating that, Yadav was given four major punishments in the past and issued admonishments for alleged violation of discipline. Though, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has ordered an enquiry after being told that the troops are served bad quality food and sometimes they even go hungry. In three different videos, clocking over 4-minutes and released online, shows the food that is being allegedly served to him. It is very shameful for the country to treat its soldiers with sheer neglect. The Border Security Force (BSF) had rejected claims made by a soldier. The armed forces should integrate and voice their concerns. Yadav has begun the fight hope many more join him in future. An army marches on it stomach, every corrupt officer should be held accountable. Made to repay every rupee they stole. The generals should ensure measures and checks are put in place, including random visits to check what supplies were bought and what value, against what is being served to the soldiers.

There should be no recrimination against any Jawan if they are addressing their issues. However, the force orders for a full investigation into the allegations made by jawans but then there is no outcome or answer to that particular situation. People too have short memory and they forget the previous issue till another incidence occurs. BJP is one such government who baked bread in the name of Jawans and this is the only government where atrocities towards never got addressed.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Ethical hacker Manish Bhangale, who had accused former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse of receiving calls from Dawood Ibrahims Karachi residence, was arrested on Friday merely on the basis of an FIR made by BJP leader Eknath Khadses supporter. So far, no inquiry has been carried out in the case by the investigation authorities, alleges AAP Maharashtra spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon.

Hacker Manish Bhangale, came in limelight when last year he alleged BJPs veteran leader Eknath Khadse had been speaking to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim through his mobile phone. Khadse, who held several key portfolios in the state Cabinet, resigned in June 2016 after facing a string of allegations including irregularities in a land deal along with this allegation. In a joint press conference with Preeti Sharma Menon, Bhangale had said that between September 2015 to April 2016, Khadse and Dawood had been in touch with each other. Later on, Maharashtra government ordered an investigation in the case. Bhangale later said the time period was actually January to April in 2015. It took investigating agencies a while retrieve records.

Bhangale produced documents to show that the Pakistan landline number that Khadse was allegedly calling was registered in the name of Dawoods wife Mehjabeen. He also claimed hed ethically hacked a Pakistan-based telecom operator, and showed documents with call data records from that operator. However, the cyber cell is yet to investigate the case and establish the facts.

When Afternoon Voice contacted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon in this regards, she said What they told media is not true. They have not even investigated whether the papers are forged or not yet.

Eknath Khadse has sent his close aide from Pune which seems to be Ravi Bharate (however, officials refrain to disclose his name), to file an FIR against Manish Bhangale, of forgery with Cyber Cell as according to them forgery was done on the internet. So, FIR was registered in Pune of forgery some 15 days ago. And merely on that FIR basis, Bhangale has been arrested in pressure without any investigations, said Menon.

Ravi Sardesai is the Investigation Officer in the case.

Preeti further stated that she went to the BKC Cyber Cell Police Station and officer their confirmed that the FIR was filed 15 days ago by a person who is very close to Eknath Khadse (he refuses to disclose the name).

When asked about the further course of action, Menon said, Bhangale has his lawyers and theyll go and seek bail for him after his seven days police custody over. However, we are confidence that high court will stay the investigation as it has done in the case of Varun Kashyap case.

Whenever BJPs agenda or their people come in trap, they twist the matter accusing a person who exposes them as fraudster, forger or a liar. Fortunately in Bhangales case, police has not framed any charges on him and arrested merely on FIR and police has yet to investigate in the matter. However, police has passed wrong information to media that he already forged the paper, which is wrong. Let me clear that he is not arrested in the ongoing investigation in the Eknath Khadse-Dawood Ibrahim link. The investigations are yet to be done, she added.

The Pakistan telecom papers had been picked up from the Internet. So, we registered a case sometime back and arrested him on Thursday for cheating. We need to know what his intentions were for doing this. Till now, we were checking the authenticity of documents. We have also applied the IT Act against him, said Sanjay Saxena, Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police.

The agency wants to find out whether Bhangale had any malaise intentions for levelling such allegations against Khadse, or if someone had instigated him to do so. Police will produce Bhangale in court and will seek further custody. An offence was registered against Bhangale under IPC sections 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) read with 66 D of the Information Technology Act, the official said.

However, some of the ethical hackers, whom AV spoke to, said his way of exposing was totally wrong.

Ankur, a Hacker and Analyst said, I do agree that whatever Manish Bhangale did was unethical and was not the right way to bring out a truth. The arrest of Manish is legal and within the law. However, you cannot underestimate the point one tries to make. In India now, everything depends on Department of Justice, if they ignore the issues brought up by someone or a hacker; a thorough investigation should be carried out before making things public or claiming it forge.

Another ethical hacker doesnt buy the fact that one should be a hacker to do forgery. Kai Farmer, a well known ethical hacker and security Analyst said, It doesnt take any hacker/ethical hackers brain to do forgery of documents. Forge documents can be prepared by anyone. Its clear that there was no authenticity of the evidence which were provided by Manish. Anything coming from the hackers should not be considered as evidence, unless and until provided by the verified service providers.

Ethical hackers have the capacity to give any evidence with hardcore proofs. He cannot provide just self-made phone records. Fake call records can even be made by school kids. In the end all that matters, is what people believe on, he added.
If you ask a follower of the Hindutva ideology, he/she will say yes, Hindutva and Hinduism are indeed the same, or that Hindutva is actually a superset that includes politics and economics, while Hinduism is restricted to religion and culture.

If you ask a Marxist historian, or many followers of liberal, atheist and secular ideologies, they will see Hindutva as a fascist nationalistic hegemonic communal supremacist patriarchal misogynist casteist force of upper caste, upper and middle class Hindus, designed to homogenise India with their own idea of the Hindu state (rashtra).

Many Hindus would recognise Hindutva as one of Hinduisms many, and currently most influential, sampradayas (schools of thought) because it has a clearly defined leadership (originating with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, KB Hedgewar and MS Golwalkar), a clearly defined institutional structure (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad), a clear history  starting from the early 20th century  that is political in nature, and has a distinct tendency to bristle with rage at even the slightest criticism, howsoever valid, of what are seen as Hindu customs and beliefs.

A crude, but useful way to understand the relationship between Hinduism and Hindutva is to study Hindu history. Note: Like many orthodox Christians and Muslims, Hindutva despises the word mythology, and by clinging to its colonial interpretation, sees it as a secular ploy of scientists to dismiss traditional wisdom. It yearns for historic validation, resonating Abrahamic mythologies. If Christians need to see the resurrection of Jesus as a historical fact, if Muslims need to see God and his appointing of Prophet as historical facts, then surely Hindus need to see Shiva, Ram and Krishna as historical figures, argues Hindutva.

Hinduism has evolved organically over 5,000 years approximately and can be seen as having seven phases that telescope into one another. Some Hindutva advocates will insist Hinduism was revealed to sages in its perfect form as far back as the end of the Ice Age, 12,000 years ago. In Hindutva history, mythology is just proto-history, from times that historians cannot or will not calculate. In recent times, Hinduism has been described as an open source religion, unique in that it has no defined founder or doctrine, and its ideas evolve continuously in response to historical and geographical realities. It is best described as a river with many tributaries and branches, Hindutva being one of the branches, and currently very powerful, assumed by many to be the river itself.

The earliest phase, 5,000 years ago, in the Bronze Age, can be traced to what is now called the Harappan civilisation characterised by brick cities that thrived for nearly a thousand years over a vast area from the Indus river valley, right up to the Gangetic plain. In these cities, we find clay seals with images that are very much part of the current Hindu iconography such as the pipal tree, the bull, the swastika, seven maidens, and a man seated in yogic postures. We dont know much about this phase as the language remains to be deciphered.

The second phase, 3,500 years ago, in the Iron Age, can be traced to Vedic hymns and rituals that contain traces of Harappan thinking, but seem to have been designed for a nomadic and rural lifestyle rather than a settled urban lifestyle. Some Hindutva advocates will passionately disagree and insist the two phases are actually one. In this phase, we find a worldview that celebrates the material world, where gods are invoked with rituals, and asked to bestow health and wealth, prosperity and peace. This aspect of invoking gods and seeking favours from them continues to this day, though the rituals are different. The Vedas reveal a gradual spread from the Indus (now Punjab) to the Upper Gangetic (now Agra and Varanasi) and the lower Gangetic (now Patna) plains. Some Hindutva scholars refute such a geographical spread and insist the subcontinent was a fully developed, homogenous, urban Vedic culture since ancient times, privy to advanced technology such as plastic surgery and even the aeroplane.

The third phase began 2,500 years ago, with texts known as Upanishads, where greater value was placed on introspection and meditation than rituals, and we see increased focus on ideas such as rebirth, monasticism, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This phase saw the rise of shraman (monastic) paramparas (traditions), such as Buddhism and Jainism, its followers spoke in Pali and Prakrit, and rejected the Vedic way as well as the Vedic language, Sanskrit. It also saw Brahmin priests reorganising Vedic thought through the composition of Dharma-shastras, books that focus on regulating social life through marriage and rites of passage, and obligations of people defined by the debt they owe to their ancestors, their caste and the world at large. Many academicians use the word Brahminism to describe this organisation of Vedic thought and see it as an essentially patriarchal and misogynist force competing violently with egalitarian and pacifist monastic orders. Buddhism and Jainism, along with Vedic customs and beliefs, spread from North India to South India, and eventually beyond the subcontinent to Central Asia, and South East Asia. In the South, it encountered the Tamil Sangam culture, information about which comes from a collection of early poems, that reveals some knowledge of Vedic rituals, and later epics with knowledge of Buddhism and Jainism. Some Hindutva scholars insist there was no separate Tamil Sangam culture. It was part of a pan-Indian fully developed, homogenous, urban Vedic culture, where everyone spoke Sanskrit.

This is three part series of the article and this is first part and other two parts will continue in next two editions of the newspaper.

DEVDUTT PATTANAIK

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Noted Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday landed in a soup after he asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath if he had the guts to name UP Polices anti-Romeo squads as Anti-Krishna squads since Krishna was a legendary eve-teaser.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government in UP has formed squads to crackdown on sexual harassment in the state and teams carrying out random checks have been named as anti-Romeo squads. There have been allegations that these teams indulge in moral policing in the name of curbing eve-teasing and trouble youngsters.

Prashant Bhushan Tweeted: Romeo loved just one lady,while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser. Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes AntiKrishna squads?

Bhushan then tweeted again, attempting to use logic to try and show why he wasnt being insulting and on the contrary was saying anti-Romeo squads amount to criminalising the behaviour of gods.

As the controversy snowballed, Bhushan then tried to use lawyerly language to make his point even more clear.

However, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Tajinder Bagga on Sunday filed a complaint against senior lawyer and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan for his derogatory tweet against Lord Krishna.

Speaking to ANI, Bagga said it is Bhushans habit to make these kinds of statements for cheap publicity.

This is not the first time that he (Prashant Bhushan) has given these kinds of statements. At times he says Kashmir should be given to Pakistan and at times he gives statements on Bharatiya Sena and then at times he says the Bharatiya Sena rapes. Then he alleges that the Bharatiya Sena thrashes the innocents, he added.

The anti-Romeo squads, formed after Yogi Adityanath became UP CM, has been accused of high-handedness in handling eve-teasing cases and also indulge in moral policing.

Three policemen were recently suspended after a video of some persons shaving the head of a youth, who was roaming with a female friend, in their presence went viral on social media.

The incident took place on March 22 after the residents of South City Colony in Shahjahanpur called police on finding a youth and a girl roaming around together.
The ladies of the Cumbee Center hang teal ribbons downtown to raise awareness of sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Armenian President Congratulates Assyrian Community on New Year

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the Assyrian community of Armenia on the occasion of Kha b'Nissan, the President's Office told ARMENPRESS. I cordially congratulate the Assyrians of Armenia on the occasion of New Year  Kha b'Nissan.



I wish our Assyrian brothers and sisters happiness and success in this new year. I wish that together with this holiday, which signifies the awaking of nature, the Assyrian community of Armenia, the Armenian-Assyrian centuries-long friendship and our multi-layered cultural relations are also revived. Let this bright spring holiday become a source for new joy and bliss for our Assyrian compatriots.



The Armenian authorities treat with special attention and care problems and needs of all national communities living in Armenia, including the Assyrian community. This course will be maintained and developed in the future as well. Happy Kha b'Nissan!", reads the letter of the President.
Kurdish National Council Suspends Participation in Syria Peace Talks

The Kurdish National Council (KNC) on Saturday decided to suspend its participation in the negotiations in the Syrian peace talks in Geneva, after the Syrian opposition refused to recognize Kurdish demands. "The Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) has taken part in the Geneva negotiations as a member of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) in order to achieve a political solution for Syria," the KNC said in a statement. "It has continually sought a common policy with the High Negotiations Committee, and has striven for this policy to fulfill all Syrians' hopes and to correspond to their aspirations." "For this reason, the KNC's representatives presented a document within the HNC and the negotiating delegation, intending to mutually submit this document to the UN Special Envoy, Mr. de Mistura. The paper requests the confirmation of the representation of Kurds in the negotiation process, in order to refute false reports claiming the opposite. Furthermore, the document presented by the KNC contains the demand to include the Kurdish Question and the question of other components of Syria's population into the agenda of the negotiations," the KNC said. However, the KNC said that the Syrian opposition and members of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Changed (NCB) opposed it, and persisted on leaving the Kurdish question aside. "This raises doubts as to the HNC's credibility, in particular with respect to its commitment to uphold the national rights of the Kurds and those of other groups in Syria, like the Turkmens and the Assyrians, in accordance with the constitution," the KNC said. "While we address our genuine gratitude towards those patriotic voices, who have supported our demands, and while we appreciate the opinions they have expressed, we refuse to accept ignorant political practices excluding others. In our view, more dialogue is needed, and we hence emphasise, that the continuation of our participation in the HNC's meetings is pointless within the current round of negotiations," the KNC said. "We therefore declare our suspension. Consequently, we will deem all resolutions taken and documents produced during our absence as non-binding," the Kurdish council stressed. As a result, KNC members Dr. Abdulhakim Bashar, Fuad Aliko, and Hawas Sadoon will not participate anymore in the Geneva talks. Majdal Delli, a member of the KNC-affliated Kurdish Yekiti Party, told ARA News that the decision to pull out from the negations was decided by the KNC leadership in Qamishli city. "We are still a part of the Syrian opposition," he said. "The Syrian opposition until now hasn't accepted federalism as a solution to the civil war in Syria." Nevertheless, he said he doesn't expect the withdrawal from the Geneva talks to lead to better relations between the KNC and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), that has set up a local administration system in Northern Syria. "As we expected, the round of peace negotiations on the crisis in Syria ended in Geneva without any tangible progress," said Abdulkarim Omer, head of Foreign Relations at the PYD-led Cezire canton. The PYD has said they will not recognize any outcome of the Geneva talks, as long as it is excluded. While the PYD was excluded from Geneva as result of Turkish pressure, the KNC participated in the talks, but did not achieve results on behalf of the Kurdish cause in Syria. The PYD and the People's Protection Units (YPG) became the most dominant actors in Syrian Kurdistan after they took control of most Kurdish cities in July 2012 and established local autonomous canton administrations in Efrin, Kobani, and Cezire [Hasakah Governorate] in 2014. The KNC is considered the main rival to the PYD, and backed by Masoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The PYD, on the other hand, is closer to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Both the KDP and PKK have significant influence over the Kurdish parties in Syria. The KNC has refused to recognize the PYD-led canton administrations in Rojava-Northern Syria, and called for a return to previous agreements signed in Duhok and Erbil to share power between the Kurdish parties. This while the PYD has called on the KNC to recognize its administration as a precondition for power-sharing. While the PYD has accused the KNC of working for foreign agendas and Turkey, the KNC has accused the PYD of working with the Syrian regime. So far, the two sides have not been able to share power in northern Syria, and have been working against each other after the failure of the Duhok agreement which was signed in October 2014. After clashes in the region of Sinjar between the KDP-affiliated and PKK-affiliated groups on 3 March, in which seven fighters and one journalist were killed, tensions increased. Over 40 members of the KDP-backed KNC were arrested by pro-PYD security forces in northern Syria, and several KNC offices were either closed and burned down. Moreover, in a protest against the KDP in Sinjar by PKK supporters, one civilian got killed and seven wounded on March 14. Also six activists, who protested against the KDP in Erbil on 4 March, are still held in prison in Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Kirkuk Governor Says Kurdish Flag in Kirkuk is Permanent

Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim said in a defiant message that the local government would not commit to the Iraqi parliament's Saturday vote that called for raising only the Iraqi flag in the multi-ethnic city. Meanwhile the Kurdish leadership are holding a high-level meeting presided over by President Barzani on this matter. "I assure you that this flag [of Kurdistan] would always fly high," Karim told reporters as he received a number of Kurdish veteran Peshmerga fighters who paid a visit to Kirkuk to show their support for raising the Kurdistan flag in what the Kurds call the Kurdish Jerusalem, a long-held sentiment that the province is in the heart of the Iraqi Kurdistan. Karim added that the show of support from the veteran Peshmerga reaffirms the Kurdish unity that surfaced a day before in Baghdad when all the Kurdish parties, despite their political differences, showed "a united position" against the motion tabled by Iraqi members of the parliament. The Iraqi parliament voted on Saturday that only the national flag should fly in Kirkuk. The Kirkuk Provincial Council voted last week in a majority vote to raise the Kurdistan flag over state buildings, with some Arab and Turkmen representative boycotting the vote citing fears that this may be a move from the Kurdish parties to assert their identity in the multi-ethnic city. Karim added that they would not abide by the decision from the Iraqi parliament and that they would only stand with the position of the Kirkuk Council vote that is "constitutional". Governor Karim, and the acting head of the Council, Rebwar Talabani, both have repeatedly said that the Kurdistan flag does not represent Kurds only, but all the components of Kurdistan and the province. Talabani said that the Kurdistan flag, in reference to the Kurdish Peshmerga, provided shelter for some two million Sunni Arabs when they fled the ISIS group since 2014 towards the safer areas in Kurdistan Region. Meanwhile, the leaders of the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by President Masoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are currently holding a high-level meeting in Erbil on a range of issues, with Kirkuk said to be top of the agenda. President Barzani earlier welcomed the decision to raise the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk, calling it "normal and legal". While Kosrat Rasul, the PUK deputy-secretary-general not only hailed flying the Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk, but also called it the Jerusalem of Kurdistan, referring to an old sentiment that Kirkuk is a Kurdish city. Rasul said that the decades-long struggle of the Kurdish Peshmerga was "to raise the sacred flag of Kurdistan over every inch of our country, in particular in the head of Kurdistan, the Jerusalem city of Kirkuk." Both President Barzani and Rasul are taking part in today's meeting. Sirwan Zahawi, a legal expert on constitutional matters, told Rudaw on Saturday that the vote from the Iraqi parliament is not binding, adding that Kirkuk did not need to pass a vote in the Council because the local government, in accordance with the current Iraqi constitution and laws already had the powers to raise the Kurdistan flag. "Not raising the Kurdistan flag is unconstitutional," Zahawi argued as he explained that the province falls into what is called the disputed areas, as defined by article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, and by definition, both Baghdad and Erbil has the same claim in the province on an equal basis. Article 140 was put into the Iraqi constitution after the removal of the Baath party in Iraq. It concerns areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad, such as Kirkuk and some areas in Nineveh. The constitution requires that Iraqis displaced by "Arabization" be compensated and moved back to their original areas, a process that has been resisted by many Arabs who have lived in disputed areas for decades. Kurds see Article 140 as a way to remedy the injustices of "Arabization" policies and strengthen the Kurdistan Region. Kirkuk, though it falls under Article 140, has been secured by the Peshmerga since mid-2014 and the local government voted to raise the Kurdish flag over government buildings in the city last month.The local government in Kirkuk raised the Kurdistan flag alongside the Iraqi one over the Kirkuk governorate building last week after a vote by the provincial council. Some Turkmen and Arab representatives in the Kirkuk council boycotted the vote. Twenty-six members of the Council voted in favor of the motion, 25 of whom were from the Kurdish-led Brotherhood bloc with Turkmens, Arabs and Assyrians each holding three seats. One Arab member from the Arab list also voted in favor of the motion. The Council has 41 seats. The council also named March 28--the day the flag was hoisted--a day to be celebrated annually.
March 30, 2017

CAIRO  The Egyptian Ministry of Environment is preparing to launch the National Plan for the Protection of Turtles in mid-summer, according to Mohammed Issawi, the director of the reserves in the northern coastal area at the ministry.

Issawi told Al-Monitor that the plan involves several mechanisms, most importantly the formation of a task force for rapid intervention along the coasts to monitor fishermen and fishmongers and ban the trade of endangered species, namely sea turtles, and to release the captured ones in the closest natural habitat.

The plan also includes awareness campaigns for beachgoers and distribution of leaflets on how to handle turtle nests and eggs and how to conserve them, Issawi said.

The Alexandria Turtles Rescue Team (ATRT) in Egypt has been trying since its establishment in 2014 to track down and follow fishermen and fishmongers who sell sea turtles meat and blood. The rescue team buys the turtles before the fishermen slaughter and sell them, which is a weekly occurrence in the Alexandria market, especially at al-Maydan market.

Locals believe that eating sea turtle meat and drinking their blood enhances sexual ability and helps with weight loss. This is not to mention the widespread use of turtles blood and shells in magic and sorcery. All this is happening although these actions are considered infringements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

I participated in saving 41 turtles from slaughter during the past three years, and I helped in their rehabilitation and release back in the Mediterranean Sea, May Hamada, the head of ATRT, told Al-Monitor. I still feel guilty about one turtle that I could not save and that was immediately slaughtered to have its meat sold on the market.

Hamada said she was with her team on el-Maahad el-Deni market in the Asafra area, east of Alexandria, in January. They had enough money to buy five turtles and could not pay for the sixth one. She had argued with the fishmonger to keep it on the side for her, so that she could secure the amount, but he refused as he told her it had been previously reserved for its meat.

Fishermen catch turtles to sell them in the market. The team monitors the markets that are famous for selling turtles and buys the turtles before releasing them into the Mediterranean Sea.

The price of one turtle is 800-1,200 Egyptian pounds ($44-$66), according to Hamada.

Mohammed Zreik, a fishmonger in Alexandria, told Al-Monitor, Only old people and women who wish to conceive drink turtles blood, right after [the turtles] are slaughtered in some markets in the working-class areas and the slums. Young people do not drink it.

Without the help of any external funding, Hamada and group members Hatem Moushir, Barbara Green, Ahmed Ashraf, Amer Mahmoud and Ayman Hussein have been carrying out awareness campaigns on social media and in schools in Alexandria to preserve rare sea turtles and other marine species that are endangered.

We are making personal efforts to secure money to buy the turtles, Hamada said.

Turtle slaughtering in Alexandria is an ongoing phenomenon despite the inspection campaigns and raids by the Ministry of Environment and environmental police in the fish markets.

"What we are doing is not enough in the absence of any Egyptian deterring law," Ahmed Salama, the head of the nature conservation agency at the Ministry of Environment, told Al-Monitor.

We have completed the preparation of a draft law with penalties up to in prison and fines up to 1 million Egyptian pounds [$55,000] for those poaching endangered species, he added.

There are seven types of sea turtles in the world, three of which are found in the Mediterranean and the Red seas, namely: the green sea turtle, the hawksbill sea turtle and the Leatherback sea turtle, according to a report titled Marine monitoring and protection of turtles from Port Said to Alexandria, issued by the Ministry of Environments reserves in the northern coastal area department. Al-Monitor secured a copy of the article, which is not available online.

According to the report, the Mediterranean coastal strip includes areas where turtles come out of the water to lay their eggs from mid-June until the end of September each year. Every turtle lays 120 eggs. The eggs nest for 66 days, after which the young turtles hatch and go back to the sea.

Ahmed Gad, a researcher at the Omayed Biosphere Reserve in Alexandria, told Al-Monitor, The city of Alexandria was chosen to host the conference on the points of contact in the specially protected areas in the Mediterranean basin countries, in cooperation with the Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas, scheduled for May 9. The conference will discuss monitoring indicators for sea turtles and future plans for their protection.

In addition, the Ministry of Environment has previously succeeded in providing protection for sea turtles in the Red Sea area of Egypt through the Turtle Conservation Initiative launched in 2016.

Ahmed Ghalib. the director of the Red Sea natural reserves at the Ministry of Environment, told Al-Monitor, Overfishing of sea turtles has been halted.  Overfishing has destroyed the turtles natural habitats, in particular when they come out to nest and lay eggs in the Red Sea islands, especially on the large and small Giftun islands where the hawksbill sea turtle lives.

According to an official report from the Red Sea natural reserves department, of which Al-Monitor received a copy, 104 turtles that had left the water to lay eggs from May to September 2016 in the Red Sea islands were registered under the Turtle Conservation Initiative. Eighty-one of them were numbered, and more than 2,000 nests were counted in Zabargad Island, which is the most important nesting site for green turtles.

Ghareeb Saleh, a prominent fisherman in the Red Sea governorate, told Al-Monitor, There is a custom among fishermen in the region [of the Red Sea] not to catch turtles because they represent an important tourism attraction. The population in the region does not like to eat turtle meat or to drink their blood [unlike in Alexandria]. These turtles were used in manufacturing trinkets and ornaments."

The Egyptian Turtle Conservation Initiative in the Mediterranean faces serious difficulties. Some residents of Alexandria are eager to eat their meat, hoping this would improve their sexual abilities and to drink their blood to get rid of diseases.
March 30, 2017

The EU leadership both at headquarters and in its main member states have become disillusioned with US President Donald Trumps foreign policy. After Trumps March 17 meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons Feb. 9 meeting with Federica Mogherini, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, it is clear to both Berlin and Brussels that on the main international agenda issues, the EU will have to develop an independent foreign policy. As an independent policy, it will not depend on US approval, but only on coordination with Washington. A senior EU official close to Mogherini told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that while the EU still sees the United States as the leader of the Western world, it is concerned about Americas growing isolationism and significant policy differences on key issues such as Russia, climate change, free trade and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

With Brexit, a new European coalition is emerging that will be the main contributor to the shaping and defining of EU foreign and Middle East policy. This coalition will include Germany, France and the EU headquarters in Brussels. But the character of this coalition will ultimately depend on the identity of the next French president  be it Emmanuel Macron or Francois Fillon.

The leading candidate according to recent polls, Macron, held a long policy meeting with Merkel on March 16. A well-known French economist close to Macron told Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity that the candidate supports a strong and united Europe. In terms of foreign policy, he is very much in line with Merkel, also in relation to skepticism of Russias international role.

The senior EU official told Al-Monitor that based on the current European setup, EU Middle East policy planners are exploring a two-state solution initiative that would probably be launched in June. Such an initiative would include several elements. Obviously, it would include freezing Israeli settlement construction according to Security Council Resolution 2334. It would also include halting official Palestinian incitement of violence. In essence, the initiative would propose an international peace conference with the participation of the Quartet (EU, US, UN and Russia), the Arab League and the parties based on the Oslo agreement, and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.

Other elements that the initiative would bring forward for a future Israeli-Palestinian agreement would be that the border between Israel and Palestine would be based on the 1967 lines (with mutual, parallel and agreed-upon land swaps), that Jerusalem would be a united city and the capital of the two states, and that the issue of Palestinian refugees would be resolved in a joint and agreed upon way. As aforementioned, the initiative would be based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and would offer that Arab states normalize relations with Israel. In addition, the EU would support the Palestinian state-building process with modern institution building, economic support and security training. As for Israel, the initiative would offer an upgraded status in its various agreements.

The EU official said that nothing can be finalized until after the May 7 French elections and subsequent deliberations amid the EUs leading member states. Despite the growing skepticism in Berlin and Brussels over possible policy agreements with the Trump administration, serious efforts will be made to coordinate Middle East policies mainly with Trumps national security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster and Tillerson.

On that same issue, a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the Israeli government is aware of the policy schism between the United States and the EU and is actually encouraged by it. Israel will coordinate its policies only with Washington and will merely brief the EU on its position and arguments: The Europeans, except the UK, are biased toward the Palestinians and are frustrated at having lost their leverage with the US. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is coordinating security, settlements, as well as other policy issues, vis-a-vis the White House only.

The Palestinian side feels differently and is encouraged by the European positions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a working meeting March 24 with Merkel in Berlin. According to a senior Palestinian official, Merkel was highly critical of Israels settlement policy and told Abbas that the EU will push only toward the two-state solution formula. Abbas sees Merkel as a powerful international partner. He also believes strongly that the traditionally good relationship of the Palestinian Authority with France will continue after the French elections. The Palestinians see June as an important month for diplomacy, as it will mark 50 years of the occupation.
March 30, 2017

BETHLEHEM, West Bank  Jana al-Khatib, 11, went on an unforgettable trip with her mother from the town of Abu Dis in Jerusalem to nearby Bethlehem, to closely watch and listen to dinosaurs and giant predatory insects.

Extinct animals have returned to the land where they lived for millions of years, all thanks to a new permanent exhibit located at Solomon's Pools and the Convention Palace of Bethlehem in Wadi Artas in southern Bethlehem. Launched March 14, the dinosaur and giant insect exhibit, featuring animatronic models, is sponsored by the Solomon Pools Company, the Convention Palace of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem-Bath Links charity.

The exhibit will permanently be housed at Solomon's Pools to serve as a historic landmark and an educational edifice for Palestinians of all ages.

When he reached retirement age, exhibit designer Henry Lowe, from Bath, England, donated his animatronic models of dinosaurs and giant insects to the children of Palestine. The exhibit reflects many years of exploration of the countries where these extinct animals lived. Lowe is the director of the Bath-based Tourwest exhibition company.

Those visiting the exhibit at the ancient Solomon's Pools and the Bethlehem Convention Palace find themselves surrounded by natural scenery and can imagine themselves within a vast forest of extinct dinosaurs and giant insects.

I never thought I would ever get to see what I had been imagining for so long, and I did not believe it when I touched a green dinosaur. I was surprised by its movement and real voice, Khatib told Al-Monitor.

The exhibit is beautiful and enjoyable, and I finally saw in reality what I had been watching on TV.  I learned about the types and body parts of dinosaurs. The exhibit is very useful and offers valuable information to help us develop our educational capabilities, she added.

Khatibs mother described the exhibit as "a place of hope for children."

"Its a place where they can spend useful and enjoyable times," she said. "Scenes that were once a part of fantasy movies have turned into a reality featuring attractive shapes and bright colors of dinosaurs and giant insects.

The exhibit has "educational dimensions," she said, and "allows students to have fun and enhance their imagination and concentration. Each dinosaur or giant insect model is accompanied by information and facts, and this enriches students.

The sound and motor effects of the dinosaurs impress students and engage their senses, which is a benefit of the exhibit.

Rawand Sarafand, a 12-year-old student at the Beit Jala Preparatory School for Girls in Bethlehem, stood before the giant models of the predators. She took notes on the information displayed beside the models and then took selfies with the dinosaurs, which are situated amid towering trees in the exhibit halls.

I saw huge models that [look] so real in the exhibit, and I read useful information written in a unique and easy-to-grasp way, Sarafand told Al-Monitor as she stood in front of a huge black scorpion. I've learned a lot about the world of dinosaurs and giant insects, and I can answer any question that my history and science teacher might ask me in this regard.

Solomon's three pools, built over 2,000 years ago, are carved into rocks and mountains, representing a true cultural legacy. Dinosaurs and giant insects lived there for millions of years.

George Bassous, the director of the Convention Palace of Bethlehem and the Solomon Pools Company, said that Solomons Pools were built by the Romans. The city of Bath is also known for its Roman baths that were built over hot springs. This connection prompted the exhibit organizers to collaborate with Solomon Pools Company on the exhibit and further build cultural bridges between Bethlehem and Bath.

Bassous told Al-Monitor, The idea of a permanent exhibit was achieved through joint cooperation with the Bath municipality and Lowe. We agreed on the initiative to support and revive previous civilizations in Palestine and Lowe donated the dinosaurs and giant insects to us.

The dinosaur exhibit stretches over 1,000 square meters (10,700 square feet) and, according to Bassous, aims to attract tourists to Bethlehem to learn about Palestinian history and visit the Church of the Nativity, among other historic sites.

"We will expand [the exhibit] on a yearly basis to provide it with new and distinctive content, Bassous said.

The exhibit is an educational experience for the children of Palestine, as it turns Solomon's Pools into an area that attracts students and develops their abilities.

Minister of Education Sabri Saidam told Al-Monitor, The exhibit embodies an opportunity for deep historical learning." He described how it is a departure from "traditional lesson-based studies" and instead provides "sensory learning through direct watching and listening.

He believes the exhibit's exploratory and educational potential can consolidate knowledge among Palestinians and give them the chance to learn about other civilizations and societies.

Saidam said that the exhibit "reflects the Palestinians desire to explore and seek knowledge." It's an opportunity to "give our children a chance to break the siege they are living in and have access to knowledge. Many of them cannot travel outside Palestine, so the exhibit brings the world to them, he said.

Saidam noted that the extraordinary turnout convinced him to suggest to the exhibit's financiers to "organize small exhibits within each Palestinian city and governorate so that all the citizens and students can benefit, wherever they are.
April 2, 2017

US backs off on Assad

Is it a coincidence that the Trump administrations flurry of statements that it no longer actively seeks the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad came during US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons visit to Turkey last week?

In a press availability with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolglu on March 30, Tillerson said that Assads status will be decided by the Syrian people. Tillersons remarks echoed those of Nikki Haley, the US permanent representative to the United Nations, and Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, that Assads departure is no longer a US priority.

The administrations clarity on Assad allows a more realistic assessment of political and military options in Syria. In addition, the Turkish government announced the end of Operation Euphrates Shield on March 29, the day before Tillersons arrival, a sign that Ankara may be seeking face-saving alternatives for an off ramp in Syria.

Turkeys mission accomplished pronouncement may mean that there will be no attack on Manbij, despite earlier threats from Ankara. If so, this will be a relief for US military planners. Al-Monitor has covered Turkeys complications in seizing al-Bab and its missteps in Manbij, where US forces on the one hand, and Syrian and Russian forces on the other, deterred a Turkish assault.

Berzan Iso reports this week from Manbij, Although Manbij declared self-government without coordinating with the Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria, its government is a replica of the models developed and implemented in the Kurdish-dominated Jazeera, Kobani and Afrin cantons. The fundamentals  the co-chair system, womens rights, representation of different groups and social contract principles  are almost exactly the same; the only difference is the larger representation of Arabs, who make up the largest ethnic group in Manbij. The SDF is praised for securing social peace in the areas it liberated from IS, and the people have shown enormous support for self-government and the canton system, which is no doubt making Turkey uneasy.

From all accounts, Tillersons visit to Turkey otherwise served to underscore, rather than diminish, the deepening crisis in US-Turkey relations. Amberin Zaman reports that in addition to Washingtons refusal to extradite Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric Ankara accuses of orchestrating the July 2016 attempted coup, and the arrest in the United States last week of a senior executive one of Turkeys largest banks for evading Iran sanctions, nothing incenses Turkey as much as the US support for Syrias Kurds.  In meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Tillerson is believed to have confirmed the administrations decision to press ahead with plans to capture Raqqa, the Islamic States last remaining stronghold in Syria, with the help of the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Tillersons meeting with Erdogan lasted over two hours.

The United States has tried to thread the needle by displaying solidarity with Turkey in its internal war on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), while stressing the purely tactical nature of its partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are made up mostly of Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters. For Turkey, the YPG is the Syrian extension of the PKK, which Ankara considers a terrorist organization. Zaman continues that in an apparent bid to appease Turkey over its partnership with the YPG, the United States has remained largely silent about worsening rights abuses in the country, including the brutal treatment of the Turkish Kurds. Behind closed doors, US officials offer blithe assurances that the alliance with the YPG is purely tactical and that they will continue to help Turkey target PKK assets in Kurdish-controlled Iraqi Kurdistan.

Zaman adds, In a highly unusual move, Erdogan excluded US Ambassador to Ankara John Bass from his meeting with Tillerson and Cavusoglu, officials familiar with the participants confirmed on condition that their names be withheld. Bass, a highly regarded career diplomat, is counted as one of Turkeys few passionate advocates in Washington. Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-IS coalition widely perceived in Ankara as a friend of the SDF, was also excluded from the meeting.

The crisis in US-Turkey ties may get worse before it gets better, but introducing some realism about Assads fate may be a step toward an exit strategy for both Ankara and Washington in Syria. Semih Idiz has written that having vilified Assad for years, Erdogan supporters are coming around to accepting now that Assad may be the lesser of two evils when compared with the PYD and the YPG, and Zaman wrote earlier this month that while the United States would never want to cooperate directly with the regime, any help it can get on Raqqa would clearly not be unwelcome. And as recent developments in Manbij have shown, with Russia pulling the strings, the SDF and the regime are capable of working together when need be. It may not be all that bad an outcome for Turkey, either, for the alternative, a deeper US footprint in alliance with the Kurds, is viewed by Ankara as the biggest threat of all.

US proposal for Yemen provokes alarm

Laura Rozen reports that some UN and US humanitarian officials have expressed alarm as the Trump administration considers whether to provide increased US logistical and intelligence support for an Emirati/Saudi coalition military operation to take the Red Sea port of Hodeidah from Yemens Houthi rebels.

Rozen adds, Some former US officials said they were concerned that the Trump administration might be debating decisions on the matter in an interagency group currently dominated by the military, and without senior staff appointed and representing dissenting views from, for instance, USAID, and State Department bureaus less sympathetic to Gulf allies points of view. Rather than supporting escalation of the two-year-old Saudi-led war in Yemen as a demonstration of alliance management, the US administration should be focused on how to get the parties back to negotiations to end the war, one official said. Yemen is also not the best venue for the Trump administration to demonstrate its intent to push back on malign Iranian actions in the region, he said.

Julian Pecquet reports that bipartisan members of Congress are questioning the US rationale for escalating US military involvement in Yemen.

When the administration announced new sanctions on Iran last month [February], then-national security adviser Michael Flynn declared that Houthi forces that Iran has trained and armed have struck Emirati and Saudi vessels and threatened the United States and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. And just this week, Central Command chief Joseph Votel told Congress that there are vital interests at stake for the United States in the Gulf alliance's fight against the Houthis, Pecquet writes.

Such statements have alarmed lawmakers who fear the administration is laying the groundwork for greater US involvement in another sectarian conflict between Saudi and Iran-backed proxies, Pecquet continues.

He adds, Last year, [Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris] Murphy banded together with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Al Franken, D-Minn., in an effort to withhold arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid accusations that the Gulf coalition was carelessly or deliberately bombing civilian targets in Yemen. Together they convinced more than a quarter of the Senate. Even lawmakers who support the Gulf coalition are wary of unchecked US escalation. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made it clear he doesn't believe the Authorization for the Use of Military Force that Congress passed in 2001 to counter al-Qaeda would apply to the Houthis."
Get ready for what could be an active week of weather.

Strong storms and heavy rain will be possible statewide starting late Sunday and into Monday, and then another round of stormy weather is in the forecast for Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The first round could begin as soon as the overnight hours for part of Alabama. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center as of 12:30 p.m. Sunday has upgraded Monday's risk level for parts of the state -- raising it from enhanced to moderate.

The moderate risk area includes some of Alabama's bigger cities, including Mobile, Montgomery, Auburn, Troy, Greenville and to just north of Dothan.

A moderate risk means widespread severe storms are likely -- including strong tornadoes.

Another large area in Alabama has an enhanced risk, which means numerous severe storms will be possible.

The enhanced risk area includes Gadsden, Anniston, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Talladega, and most of Dothan.

An area to the north has a slight risk of getting scattered severe storms, including Huntsville and Decatur.

The northwest corner of the state has a marginal risk, which means isolated severe storms will be possible.

Forecasters expect a line of storms to develop and move into Alabama from the west overnight Sunday into Monday.

The SPC now thinks areas in west Alabama could face severe storms overnight. Forecasters added a part of west Alabama to its slight risk area for Sunday, and also a marginal risk area that stretches to include Tuscaloosa.

The SPC put a rare "high" risk of severe weather on Sunday afternoon over parts of Louisiana and Texas. A high risk means widespread severe storms are likely and a tornado outbreak is possible.

11:29am CDT #SPC Day1 Outlook High Risk: across portions of far east texas and n... https://t.co/GtEvHPMjG6 pic.twitter.com/zaNpWtS9G9  NWS SPC (@NWSSPC) April 2, 2017

More storms will be possible across Alabama during the day on Monday, according to the National Weather Service, bringing the risks of damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

Forecasters in Mobile said a few strong tornadoes could be possible in southwest Alabama as well.

In addition to severe storms, heavy rain is also possible and raises the risk of flooding across southwest Alabama.

The weather service said rain totals of 2-3 inches will be possible across all of southwest Alabama, with locally higher amounts possible.

The weather service in Tallahassee said storms could reach the southeast corner of Alabama by Monday afternoon.

The weather service in Birmingham said the best chances of severe storms will be along and south of the Interstate 59 corridor on Monday.

The main concerns are damaging straight line winds and brief tornadoes.

The worst of central Alabama's weather should end with the passage of the main line of storms, forecasters said. More rain will be possible through the afternoon, however.

The severe weather risk for north Alabama is fairly uncertain, but has increased some according to the weather service in Huntsville.

Forecasters said Monday's setup was a complex scenario and could be limited -- or enhanced -- if model solutions change.

North Alabama could experience damaging wind gusts along a line of storms, and more strong storms could be possible later in the afternoon.

Yet another potent storm system could impact Alabama on Wednesday, according to the weather service.

That system will again bring the risk of damaging winds, hail and tornadoes to the state.

The SPC has already placed a large part of Alabama under a risk for severe weather in its Day 4 outlook.

The weather service in Birmingham was particularly concerned about Wednesday, with forecasters saying that some models show a substantial severe weather threat which would include strong tornadoes and "giant" hail.

But computer forecast models are not in sync, so there is not enough confidence to sound the alarm for Wednesday yet, the weather service said.
capitol jan 2017.jpg

(Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)

Next week could bring important developments about the allegations that have clouded the Gov. Robert Bentley administration for a year, overshadowing the Legislature's work on prisons, budgets and other pressing matters.

The Alabama Ethics Commission is near the legal deadline for resolving complaints filed against the governor a year ago. The complaints came after accusations surfaced about Bentley's relationship with former adviser Rebekah Mason and whether he used state or campaign resources to facilitate it. The commission meets Wednesday.

Next Friday, special Counsel Jack Sharman is scheduled to release a written report on his investigation of impeachment charges against the governor. Sharman is working for the House Judiciary Committee.

Bentley attorney Ross Garber claims Sharman is denying the governor due process and has asked the Judiciary Committee to meet by Wednesday to hear that concern.

The state attorney general's office is also investigating the governor.

Bentley has denied breaking any laws and says he is focused on his job.

But questions about his future are hard for House members to ignore as they resume the legislative session on Tuesday after a two-week spring break.

Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, chairman of the House Rules Committee, said legislators are in an unusual situation because of the possibility that they might have to consider impeaching the governor.

"This is uncharted waters for every member of the House," Boothe said. "We will continue following our routine until such time as something interferes with that."

Seventeen of a possible 30 days remain in the legislative session, which must end by May 22.

A bill authorizing three new state prisons, which Bentley called his top priority this year, passed the Senate before spring break and awaits action in the House.

Other important legislation is pending. The House passed a General Fund budget with level-funding for most agencies before the spring break, sending it to the Senate. The education budget is still in the Senate, where it started.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, chairman of the Senate's education budget committee, said he expects the Senate to consider the budget on Tuesday when it returns from the break.

Another complex task for the Legislature is a mandate from a federal court. Judges ordered lawmakers to draw new boundaries for 12 legislative districts that the court found were racially gerrymandered. That has to be done before next year's elections.

Other issues have drawn considerable attention.

A bill by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, would require child care centers affiliated with churches or religious schools to be licensed by the state. Almost 1,000 centers claim a religion-based exemption now allowed in state law.

The proposed House calendar for Tuesday includes a bill by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, that would give juries the final say on whether to impose the death penalty in capital murder cases. Alabama is the only state that allows judges to give death sentences after a jury has recommended life in prison. A bill to repeal judges' authority do that has already passed the Senate.

As for the prisons, Bentley's initial plan called for replacing most of the men's prisons with three larger, regional prisons, and replacing Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. The work would have been funded with an $800 million bond issue, which would cost $1.5 billion to repay over 30 years.

The Senate made major changes to the plan, reducing the state's maximum bond amount to $350 million to build one prison and renovate others. Tutwiler would not be replaced. Most existing men's prisons would still close.

Perhaps the biggest change to the bill shifted the initiative for building prisons to local authorities, which would be collaborations between cities and counties.

The local authorities could issue bonds and build prisons that meet state specifications and lease them to the state, using the lease payments to pay off their bond debt.

The plan could not proceed until at least two local authorities committed to build prisons. The bill would allow a total of three prisons, with at least two built by local authorities and no more than one by the state.

That change in the bill was a move to overcome opposition by legislators concerned with the loss of jobs if prisons in their districts closed.

Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, who has supported the governor's plan to build prisons, said she's anxious to see what other House members think of the revised bill.

Rowe, a former police chief in Jasper, said she was hoping for a more comprehensive bill but said the bill passed by the Senate would solve some of the state's prison problems.

"I think it solves the problem with having overcrowded and grossly outdated facilities where we're housing human beings," Rowe said.

She said new prisons would enable the state to offer more rehabilitation programs, which is considered a key factor in reducing the likelihood that ex-offenders will return to prison.

On the subject of impeachment, Rowe said the House needs to consider its steps cautiously because of the historic importance.

"I think we need to be very, very careful so it is never a commonality in this state for the Legislature to reverse the will of the people," Rowe said.

Lawmakers have almost no precedent for impeachment. The Alabama House has not considered an impeachment since 1915.

Orr said he does not think controversies surrounding the governor are affecting the Senate.

"I don't think it's much distraction at all in the Senate," Orr said.

A subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee has been working on a set of rules for an impeachment trial in case the House votes in favor of impeachment.

Jess Brown, retired political science professor from Athens State University, said that with legislative elections coming next year, the Republican super-majority in the House will want to show voters it takes ethical issues seriously. That could provide motivation to take action against Bentley, especially if the Ethics Commission issues findings, Brown said.

Voters elected the Republican super-majority in 2010 after campaign promises to clean up corruption in the State House.

The GOP pushed through new ethics reforms. But there have also been ethical problems, including the conviction last year of former House Speaker Mike Hubbard, who was allowed to preside over the House for more than a year after he was indicted for using his office for personal gain.

Brown said Republican lawmakers don't want to be accused of standing silent on ethics problems.

"I will be surprised if there is not some action taken by the House before the end of this regular session that at a minimum, at an absolute minimum, sanctions the governor, either through resolution or whatever," Brown said. "And I'll be somewhat surprised if they don't just vote for impeachment."
Like Starbucks coffee - especially if it's free? Willing to talk politics with someone who doesn't have the same beliefs you do?

If so, a startup from Harvard business school wants to hear from you.

"Hi from the Other Side" is matching liberals and conservatives with the goal of having a civil political discourse. Starbucks is getting involved by donating 300 gift cards to encourage participation.

Founders of "Hi from the Other Side," said the growing divide in American politics inspired the site.

"Do you feel like there's too much name calling in political discussions lately? Do you find the words and actions from the other side of the aisle alienating? We pair nice people across the political divide to talk like neighbors. Not to convince, but to understand," the website noted.

The "Hi from the Other Side" app matches users of opposite political views. Each person is then sent half the information to redeem a Starbucks gift card. They have to meet - at a Starbucks, of course - and have a polite political discussion over their lattes.

The site even provides a conversation guide designed to help steer the talks in a positive direction, with ideas such as: "let the other person speak fully before asking questions;" "Try not to formulate a response before they finish;" and "allow yourselves periods of silence if needed. Give yourself time to process what you've heard and talked about."

Suggested questions include:

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How did you come to that idea?

Who did you support during this election? Were you always a supporter of this candidate?

If you could do one thing to help the other side, what might it be?

The idea - and the free coffee - is apparently popular. There's currently a wait list to take part in the political chats.
Justice Gorsuch.JPG

Judge Neil Gorsuch stands with his wife Louise as President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, to announce Gorsuch as his nominee for the Supreme Court.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Steven T. Marshall

By Steven T. Marshall, Attorney General for the State of Alabama. This article was released to coincide with National Crime Victims' Rights Week, observed during the first week in April, to honor the victims of crime and to promote their rights.

As I watched the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, I couldn't help but be struck by the weightiness of today's divided Court and how just one new justice can change the landscape of law enforcement. The impact that the Supreme Court's decisions have on law enforcement at the state and local level is substantial and affects our prosecutors, police officers, and my own office in carrying out our most basic day-to-day duties in the administration of justice. Though there are a myriad of law enforcement issues hanging delicately in the balance with the Court's current makeup, one stands out amongst them all--the death penalty.

Before his death, Justice Antonin Scalia--an ardent defender of the constitutionality of the death penalty and the states' ability to impose it--was demonstrably frustrated with the Court's "incremental abolition" of the punishment. As a textualist, he could not make heads or tails of any justice's proposition that the death penalty was flatly unconstitutional, since it is specifically referred to in the text of the Constitution. Nor could he take seriously the role of the Court as the "sole arbiter of our Nation's moral standards," a role he believed it created for itself as to the death penalty through its evolving Eighth Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) analysis.

In a 2015 speech, Justice Scalia remarked that he wouldn't be surprised if the death penalty were struck down altogether by the Court. His untimely death, coupled with the fact that at least two sitting justices believe that the death penalty is unconstitutional in any circumstance, guarantee that the next Supreme Court justice will play a monumental role in the coming decades of death penalty jurisprudence. If the Court continues on its current trajectory, we will more often see it pressuring states to adapt to its "evolving standards of decency," than see the justices defer to the sovereignty of the states on matters that were once considered plainly within their purview to decide.

Alabama has been no stranger to death penalty litigation before a divided U.S. Supreme Court. At times, our success or failure has come down to one vote, regardless of how ironclad the evidence of guilt was. In 2016 alone, an evenly divided Court kept our state from executing two heinous criminals, to the dismay of victims' families who'd endured decades of appeals and expected to see justice served. The Court has received hundreds of failed habeas petitions from Alabama's death row inmates, and has even ruled on whether our method of execution was "cruel and unusual"--ironic, when you consider the kinds of deaths that the victims died.

Our Capital Litigation Division has handled SCOTUS appeals from the likes of an individual who brutally murdered a woman with a hand tool and then chased around her two small children with a kitchen knife until he also murdered them; another who shot and killed six of his ex's family members, waiting all day for them to come home to be murdered one by one; or another who randomly beat and killed an elderly couple with a crowbar after entering their house under the guise of needing to use the telephone.

Undoubtedly, our state has a strong interest in the Court's preservation of our right to levy the death penalty in appropriate cases.

Of course, the death penalty is just one of the critical matters that has reached the purview of the U.S. Supreme Court and impacts the work of law enforcement. While Judge Gorsuch's opinions certainly do not indicate hostility to the death penalty generally, how he would rule on these and related questions of criminal law is, to some degree, unknown. The best that we, as members of law enforcement and as citizens, can ask or hope for from judges at any level is that they remain faithful to the Constitution and to the rule of law--and I believe that Judge Gorsuch will. Such a commitment must be more adamantly required of the judiciary at large, as it is indispensable to our law-and-order society.
Views of The Madison County Veterans Memorial

The "Sacrifice" statue at the Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial in downtown Huntsville. (File photo)

With Redstone Arsenal as its lifeblood, Huntsville has long been known as a military town, one that appreciates and honors its veterans.

But until just more than 5 years ago, it had no real veterans memorial outside of a veterans museum tucked away in John Hunt Park.

In 1999, while planning a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Grayson Tate commented to the committee that it was a "real concern" that Huntsville didn't have veterans memorial at which to hold a ceremony.

Tate's comment spurred action. Tate, local defense contractor Bill Stender and retired Brig. Gen. Bob Drolet formed a committee of local heavy hitters and veteran supporters to get it done.

It took years of planning, fundraising and construction, but on Veterans Day 2011, the stately Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the former Gateway Park (now Veterans Park) off Monroe Street downtown. The memorial honors local veterans from every war, from World War I and World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the War on Terror, to relatively unknown conflicts such as the Barbary Coast Wars of 1801-1805.

An aerial view of the Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial dedication on Nov. 11, 2011. (Contributed by David Carney)

John Perry and David Carney, along with his wife, Judith Carney - all dedicated servants of local veterans - this week release a book detailing how the memorial came to be, and describing in great detail what each and every piece means.

"The Making of a Memorial" will be debuted with a book signing Thursday at Below the Radar downtown, then another at the memorial itself during the Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home on Saturday.

The book not only describes the community effort it took to make the memorial and what each piece signifies, but it gives the stories behind many of the 366 names of those who gave all -- from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan -- inscribed in granite there.

The families of several local veterans killed or missing in action wrote the stories of their loved ones, and the soldiers who served as models for the "Courage," and "Sacrifice" statues tell their own stories.

Drolet summed it up well in his foreword for the book: "This is indeed a coffee table book for all households and classrooms that would serve well to educate our children and grandchildren on the magnitude of the Courage and Sacrifice required to ensure freedom for all," he wrote. "as well as the perseverance of a few to provide a solemn place of beauty and reverence where family and friends can find peace in the memory of lost loved ones."

The proceeds from the book -- which was recognized with a resolution by the Alabama Legislature -- will go toward construction of a new "First Responder-Wounded Warrior" statue for the memorial.

One of the authors of the book, John Perry, lost his son, John Perry II, in 2014, at the age of 42. John Perry II, a Johnson High and University of Alabama in Huntsville graduate, was a dedicated and talented paramedic.

"We ended up using his photo as a model for this statue," Carney said.

That is why they wrote the book, Carney said, to put faces to the inscribed names and statues and remind us all that these soldiers were real people, with real families, many of whom still live here.

"The Making of of a Memorial" goes on sale this week at www.NightSkyPublishing.com (Contributed by David Carney)

"I've talked to all of their families. They're real people, and that's what the book does," Carney said. "Instead of just reading their names, people can find out who they were. It just brings the memorial alive."

Want to buy "The Making of a Memorial?"

Book signings:

Thursday, April 6, 4-7 p.m., Below the Radar Brewhouse, 220 Holmes Ave. NE

Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial on Monroe Street during the Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home.
Nicolas Sarkozy has said face-covering veils are not welcome in France [GALLO/GETTY]

A French parliamentary panel has recommended that face-covering veils such as the burqa or the niqab be banned in public insitutions such as hospitals and schools.

The decision is the result of a six-month inquiry into full veils, after Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, said they were not welcome in the country.

Here the issue is debated by Hadiah Ahmed, a niqab-wearing Muslim, and Shaaz Mahboob, vice chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy.

THE NIQAB IS PART OF MY IDENTITY



Hadiah Ahmed, 30, is a full-time mother of two in Manchester. She previously worked as an interior designer in London.

I am a Muslim woman, born and bred in Yorkshire. I studied in English schools, furthered my education to degree level and have worked with celebrity faces.

I changed my whole lifestyle for my religion as it was the way I wanted to live.

I started wearing the khimaar (head scarf) and jilbab (a long dress-type cloak). A good few years ago as I started to practise Islam more, and it states in the Quran: And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. (24. 31).

Targeting the niqab is just an excuse to target Islam, afterall why is it that Christian nuns are not pinpointed for the way they dress? Hadia Ahmed

It was solely my decision, and after all, we live in Britain, a place where we have freedom of speech, freedom to live how we want to live!!

I can remember when I first went out in my hijab (Islamic dress), how people were staring at me and calling out things like, You bomber!

It was quite funny how, before I started wearing my hijab, men would whistle and make comments and now it was the total opposite. Its so strange how people perceive you just by what you wear even though youre the same person from within.

I found that people were rude, talking to me as if I wasnt familiar with the English language and as if I was stupid.

Sometimes it use to annoy me so much as I was educated in Britain, paid my taxes and yet I was being told to go back to my own country!! Hello, I was born here!!

But now I just laugh and think that its so ironic.

Three years ago I went for pilgrimage to Mecca for Hajj and there it was when I decided to wear the niqab (a veil which leaves only the eyes uncovered).

When I came back to England I kept on my niqab and the comments just escalated.



Years on, I still get the looks and the comments. However, things are becoming increasing harder for a Muslim woman wanting to practise her religion.

In my opinion targeting the niqab is just an excuse to target Islam. After all, why is it that Christian nuns are not pinpointed for the way they dress?

Or that its OK to wear less and for women to be degraded and seen as sex symbols, but if someone wants to cover up and protect their modesty, then theres a big uproar?

I, as a Muslim woman, should have the right to wear what I want without any question as to why I want to wear it. Its my identity, its who I am.

We are a hard-working family trying to practise our religion whilst living in a Western society.

In my opinion governments should use their efforts wisely to try and promote unity so that religion and society can go hand in hand, so that we can live in peace.

THE NIQAB HAS NO PLACE IN ISLAM

Shaaz Mahboob is the vice-chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy, a charity which promotes religious understanding and addresses prejudice against Muslims.



Discrimination of any form is considered unacceptable is all civilised societies.

Shaaz Mahboob believes the niqab should not have a place in civilised Western societies

The burqa or the niqab does just that. It allows one person to remain anonymous during face-to-face communication, thus depriving the right of the other to reciprocate whilst registering the changes in facial expressions, which is vital in such communication, in conjunction to voice that is used for everyday communication.

Whether in public offices, educational institutions or out on the streets, the disadvantage to those who are required to deal with women covered under a niqab or burqa is immense.

Furthermore, to all the men out there, it is insulting since it implies that every man on the street would somehow get aroused by the sight of a womans face and in therefore to protect these women, they must be put behind a suffocating layer of thick clothing.

This might be true for certain societies where men rarely get a glimpse of womens faces or skin altogether, and any such sight might awaken their natural instincts.

Whereas in Western societies, especially within the French society, this rationale does not hold much weight since members of the public are exposed to significant display of the skin of the opposite sex, which perhaps renders them immune to any such mental state where they would readily pounce on a woman upon seeing her uncovered face.

Not knowing whether an individual amongst them is a man or a woman due to their attire is deeply unsettling Shaaz Mahboob

The argument put forward by individuals and groups that somehow covering of womens face is a religious obligation for the reason of their safety from the lewdness of men, falls flat on its face when recalling the etiquettes during Hajj.

It should be remembered that during this holiest of pilgrimages, worldly pleasures and distractions have been removed by the Almighty, thereby allowing the pilgrims to concentrate on their prayers and associated rituals.

During the Hajj, Islam forbids women from covering their faces, whilst at the same time removes segregation on the basis of sex during the days that men and women, who are otherwise strangers to each other, spend many days in close proximity to each other.

No wonder even amongst the vast majority of women who do choose to cover themselves, only a fringe element finds the niqab or burqa a religious obligation, while the rest are content only with a hijab.

Whether its security at airports, identification in banks or during job or dole (income support) interviews, it is the right of the authorities and businesses to be certain of who they are dealing with on the basis of identity and communication.

Furthermore, it is perfectly reasonable that the general public feel reasonably secure about the persons sharing the same public sphere. Not knowing whether an individual amongst them is a man or a woman due to their attire is deeply unsettling and any such anxieties must be addressed by the relevant changes to law.

Burqa or niqab neither has a place in Islam nor should it obtain a place in civilised Western societies where women are equal to men and public safety of all is paramount.
Hundreds of Tunisian men have disappeared while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Italy.

Tunis  In a modest, but bright, two-storey apartment in the Tunisian town of Bizerte, a group of women sit on a couch, waiting.

In their hands, they clutch photos of their children and husbands, who left home six years ago in search of a better life in Europe. These mothers and wives will not stop searching, hoping to find justice for their loved ones who disappeared off Tunisias Mediterranean coast.

What we want is the truth, says Souad Rouahi, whose son, Ben Ibrahim, has been missing since April 2011. If our children are dead, we accept it; its the will of God. But we want to have a guarantee, an investigation by the Tunisian and Italian governments and the exhumation of nameless corpses buried in the Italian cemeteries, Rouahi tells Al Jazeera.

Her two friends, Faouzia and Jamila, look on supportively as she speaks. Their family members disappeared on the same day.

The distance from Sfax, a harbour town on the eastern Tunisian coast, to the Italian island of Lampedusa is less than 200km, but it is a path fraught with danger.

If our children are dead, we accept it; it's the will of God. But we want to have a guarantee, an investigation by the Tunisian and Italian governments and the exhumation of nameless corpses buried in the Italian cemeteries. by Souad Rouahi, a Tunisian mother

During the days of Tunisias 2011 revolution, many boats departed from the countrys coast daily, filled with young men fleeing poverty. In that period of transition and chaos, as police brutally repressed protests, nearly 30,000 Tunisians crossed the Mediterranean Sea to enter Italy, according to the Italian NGO Migration Policy Centre.

Most of the crossings took place in the spring of 2011, at the peak of the uprising, as Tunisian police forces were otherwise occupied and coastal control was relatively weak.

But hundreds more young Tunisian men disappeared while attempting the crossing. Official figures are unavailable, but a group of Tunisian mothers have amassed a dossier of more than 500 names. Some believe their sons drowned after their boats capsized.

For the past six years, these women have lobbied for a commission of inquiry into the disappearances, including their own testimonies.

The Tunisian government already has a small government-run commission that has been pressing Italian authorities to investigate further  but the women say the process has been slow and inefficient.

They are calling for a broader inquiry, bringing together officials and victims families to establish the facts surrounding the hundreds of disappearances.

The Tunisian government did not respond to Al Jazeeras request for comment on the matter.

Although most of the mothers and wives in this group have received no news over the past six years, some believe their loved ones eventually reached Italy, claiming to have seen their image on television or in newspaper reports. Many cite conflicting versions of events from the Italian coastguard.

In one case, the husband of Lobna Jlassi, a 33-year-old mother of five, departed in November 2012 with three friends from Ezzahra, near the capital Tunis, in a boat stolen from the Tunisian navy. Jlassi says that she received a call from her husband, Nabil, when the group was about 40km from Pantelleria, an Italian island in the Strait of Sicily. He was asking for help as their boat was sinking.

Jlassi called the Tunisian coastguard, while her sister-in-law, who lives in France, contacted the Italian coastguard and asked them to check on the men.

[The Italian coastguard] said that they were fine, and that Nabil was with another Tunisian man on the same boat  We were very happy, Jlassi told Al Jazeera.

The Tunisian coastguard did not initially respond, but contacted Jlassi a few days later, asking for information about her husband  including when he left Tunisia, from what area and in what boat.

I started to be worried, so with my brother, we called the Italian coastguard [again] and they said that Nabil was not there [in the coastguards custody]. I told them what my sister-in-law said to me, but they said it was not true, she recalled.

Jlassis brother managed to speak with some Italian fishermen, who confirmed that they had seen four Tunisians who appeared to be in trouble off the coast of Pantelleria that night, and they had called the Italian coastguard. But that is where the trail ends.

For the past six, long years, the Tunisian women affected by these disappearances have collected as much data and information as possible on the missing men, while also holding a series of protests to criticise the response from Tunisian and Italian authorities.

The Tunisian state should do everything it can to tell the families if their children are alive or dead, mother Aissa Halima said during a February sit-in outside the Italian embassy in Tunis. [But] also Europe and its governments have to assume a responsibility, because they have closed European borders, forcing our children to choose the boats of death.

Why does no one care about them? Halima asked. Why dont the Italian and Tunisian governments talk about it?

This year, the Tunisian committee investigating the cases of nationals reported missing in the Mediterranean travelled to Rome to meet Vittorio Piscitelli, the Italian special commissioner for missing persons. Together, they agreed on a new initiative that would involve comparing the information gathered by the Italian and Tunisian coastguards with that collected by the Italian government.

But the mothers and their representatives, who were still excluded from the process, said it was not enough.

Its absurd that families and their lawyers were excluded from the meeting and from the technical commission, Federica Sossi, a professor at the University of Bergamo with expertise in asylum seekers, told Al Jazeera. If they were French, Italian or European mothers who lost 500 children [in Tunisia], they could go there to search for them  but for these mothers, it is impossible due to the migration policies.

In partnership with Libera, an Italian anti-mafia association, the mothers of the missing Tunisians in late 2015 launched a joint initiative called Mediterranean Memory, aiming to raise awareness about the victims of sea crossings and the importance of naming them.

We couldnt ignore the voices of the victims  They are not numbers. Each of them has a story and a name, Libera project manager Monica Usai told Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, in el-Aziz, a rural village several kilometres from Bizerte, two women sit surrounded by blooming olive groves and almond trees, holding photos of their missing sons. Fthia Jljlis son, Housemdine, disappeared in May 2011, and her husband later travelled to Italy to search for the young man, without success.

My son was good economically, he had a job and a car, but he wanted to see Europe. It was his dream. Why is it so difficult for a Tunisian to reach [Europe]? Jljli asks in a soft, calm tone. We will continue our struggle, not only for us, but also for other mothers  because any mother could feel this grief.
Muslim community takes the media to task over their coverage of Birmingham after the Westminster attack.

Birmingham, England  A greying railway bridge serves as the entrance to the Birmingham neighbourhood of Sparkbrook, nondescript except for the quote written beneath the welcome sign bearing its name.

If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it, it reads.

The quote by Muhammad Ali is one of several tributes to the legendary American boxer put up in Birmingham after his death last year.

Alis legacy has a special resonance in the neighbourhood and not just because of his achievements as a boxer; more than 70 percent of Sparkbrooks 32,000 residents share his Islamic faith.

Together with its adjoining districts, the area houses much of Birminghams 234,000-strong Muslim population, the largest in the UK, outside of London.

Theirs is a community that last week found itself at the centre of international media attention when it emerged that the city was the last place the Westminster attacker Adrian Elms, or Khalid Masood, had lived in before carrying out the attack that left four people dead.

Some British newspapers portrayed the attack as the latest example of extremist violence linked to the countrys second largest city.

The Telegraph described Birmingham as one of Britains terror hotspots and the Daily Mail asked how the city had become the jihadi capital of Britain.

That designation has been challenged by residents of Sparkbrook.

READ MORE: UK Muslims open doors to fight bigotry

It comes down to us being Muslims, said engineering student Abdullah, venting frustration at the media coverage, as he and a group of friends headed from Friday prayers to one of the areas many Middle Eastern cafes.

Born in Birmingham and raised in Sparkbrook, the young man of Yemeni origin, said he was hurt by the reports that followed last weeks attack.

They [the media] make out that its the community here thats responsible for this whole problem, but weve got nothing to do with it.

It was one person who did it but we all get the blame.

We live side by side with our neighbours, we have no problem here.

That sentiment is hardly unique among Birminghams Muslims.

There is sadness at the fact the attack happened, frustration at the resulting media coverage, surprise at the reputation the city has attained, and fatigue at having to answer for somebody elses actions.

At a Syrian cafe in nearby Moseley, Al Jazeera spoke to Belal Ballali, originally from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, but a resident of Birmingham for the past 24 years.

In a Scottish accent with slight hints of the local West Midlands, Ballali explained that the city did have a small number of extremists but cautioned against thinking the city was exceptional in that regard.

Theres no hard and fast rule about who becomes a terrorist, he said, explaining those who adopted such ideas developed them in isolation from the Muslim community and often with contributing mental health factors or substance abuse problems.

Like Abdullah in Sparkbrook, Ballali criticised the media coverage after the Westminster attack for its focus on the Birmingham connection, which he said had exaggerated the connection Elms had to local Muslim communities.

[Elms] lived in a flat above a takeaway on Hagley Road  anyone who knows Birmingham knows that its detached from Muslim communities and mainly home to students.

Ballali, who is of Libyan and Egyptian heritage, said that incidents that were criminal in nature were being spun by right-wing media outlets and think tanks to paint the entire Muslim community as problematic.

I want to ask the people who push these idea that it's so bad here: what is about you that makes you assume the worst in people you don't know? by Belal Ballali

When you have people constantly pushing the narrative that Muslims are a problem, that they want to take over, its no surprise that people come up on Fox News and say things like Birmingham is a Muslim no-go zone, he said, referencing an infamous incident on the American network where pundit Steve Emerson described the city as totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply dont go in.

Well look around you, Ballali said gesturing to the other, mostly white, customers in the cafe.

How many Muslims do you see here?

I want to ask the people who push these ideas that its so bad here: what is about you that makes you assume the worst in people you dont know?

Emblematic of migration

When it comes to the issue of security, only the police and intelligence services definitively know the scale of threats emanating from the city, said academic and Birmingham native, Kamran Khan, of Kings College London.

Khan noted that perceptions of the city have been shaped by factors that have little to do with actual security threats.

We have a large Muslim population in the city and its a city that has traditionally welcomed migrants, Khan said

Its very easy to stoke up fears about a city which is so emblematic of migration. The Irish went through it for many years and now its Muslims.

Like Ballali, he said the citys Muslim community was not a major factor in the process of radicalisation.

Theres quite a lot of literature now about online radicalisation as the space where people are taken down that path and thats, of course, open to all regardless of their city.

Whatever the origins of the notion that Birmingham is a hub for those sympathetic to violent groups, it is a reputation the citys Muslims are aware of and eager to eradicate.

At the Birmingham Central Mosque, one of the largest in the city and a short walk from Sparkbrook, congregants at Friday prayers were flanked by several posters declaring that Islam is against terrorism.

In a font visible from across the prayer hall, the posters quoted sayings from the Prophet Muhammad where he forbids the harming of civilians.

After the prayers had concluded, hundreds of worshippers at the mosque stayed behind to listen to the areas police commissioner David Jamieson, as he offered a message of solidarity to the Muslim community in advance of an upcoming demonstration by the far-right English Defence League (EDL).

According to its promotional material on Facebook, the EDL wants to protest against the continued increase in Islamic terrorism linked to Birmingham.

Theyre coming from outside the area and will attempt to divide us by spreading a message of division and hatred, Jamieson said.

They will not succeed in doing that, because we in Birmingham of all faiths share the British values of tolerance and mutual respect.
Since 2013, Egypts new authoritarian government has systematically widened its repression of the opposition to targets beyond the Islamist spectrum.

Voices of dissent have been targeted, including businessmen whose refusal to provide financial support to the governments mega construction projects has led to the confiscation of their assets.

And journalists like Ismail al-Iskandarani, whose independent reporting has resulted in accusations of terrorist affiliations and mock trials.

Student protests on university campuses and labour protests in industrial facilities have been met with excessive force, while public demonstrations have been subjected to various kinds of state-sponsored violence, including long provisional detention, dismissal from universities, and hefty prison sentences. In the case of labour activists, these include military trials along with disciplinary sanctions.

In order to disguise its human rights abuses as justifiable actions against enemies of the nation, the government has systematically propagated alternative facts.





A number of human rights organisations as well as pro-democracy civil society groups have been defamed as forces of instability and chaos. Employing its tight grip over the media landscape, the government has accused centres such as the Cairo Center for Human Rights Studies and the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights of constituting a so-called fifth column, attempting to threaten national security and destroy the military establishment and security services through the dissemination of false claims regarding human rights abuses, and conspiring in favour of foreign actors.

To round off its alternative facts, the government has used public and private media to deny any involvement in official violence or human rights abuses.

Immersing itself in the propagation of alternative facts, the government claimed that these centres have been conspiring to carry out what have been termed Muslim Brotherhood schemes, receiving foreign funds to spread chaos and fragment the country, and exhausting state and society through continuous internal conflicts.

Lashing out at groups of young citizens who spearheaded the 2011 revolution, stood against the 2013 coup, and have continued peacefully to protest against repressive policies, the authoritarian government has made them a prime target of its alternative facts.

They, too, have been defamed as enemies of the nation engaged in a grand and foreign funded conspiracy to turn Egypt into a failed state similar to Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen.

In order to silence them, the government has consciously conflated the peaceful culture of protest of young Egyptians weary of human rights abuses and undemocratic policies with the violent agendas of radical and extremist groups.

One of the clearest signs of this conflation is the government-sponsored ban of the April 6 Movement as a terrorist organisation.

To round off its alternative facts, the government has used public and private media to deny any involvement in official violence or human rights abuses. For these media outlets, local and international reports documenting human rights abuses and narrating the personal tragedies of victims are outright lies.

The extrajudicial killings of hundreds of Egyptians are, according to the government narrative, acts of lawful elimination of terrorists and violent extremists, torture crimes in places of custody are individual mistakes committed by some members of the security services.

According to this narrative, statements decrying police brutality and violations of basic rights and freedoms become mere propaganda materials disseminated by traitors of the military establishment that has saved Egypt from slipping into chaos and destruction.

And when abuses and violations are documented and impossible to deny, public and private media outlets have justified them by promoting hate speech unequivocally towards the victims and towards the governments opponents in general.

Victims of state-sponsored violence are labelled collectively as terrorists and their indiscriminate killing is justified as the legitimate right of the government.

This happened with the murder of leftist activist Shaimaa El-Sabbagh, who was shot dead in 2015 during a peaceful march to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the 2011 revolution. Her killing was first denied by the security forces.

Later, the authorities acknowledged that she was killed by rubber bullets fired to disperse the march and falsely blamed the demonstrators for inciting violence. In no way could the government afford to acknowledge the truth about El-Sabbaghs killing, as its authority is based on the brittle notion of its own popular legitimacy.

In other cases, victims of state-sponsored violence are labelled collectively as terrorists, and their indiscriminate killing is justified as the legitimate right of the government. Since 2013, the military and security forces operating in Sinai have been announcing the killing of scores of alleged terrorists in an almost daily fashion.

The victims identities are rarely revealed, their personal stories are never discussed, and the coverage of public and private media outlets is always confined to proclaiming continuous government successes in fighting terrorism.

Other times, the victims are defamed with arbitrary accusations of involvement in inciting violence or extremism.

READ MORE: Legalising Authoritarianism

In the world of the governments alternative facts, those who adopt the most extreme versions of hate speech and vengeance have enjoyed broader presence. Television presenters, journalists and pundits who have come to prominence after the July 2013 coup are those who defame the victims of the new authoritarianism and pressure citizens into acquiescence in the face of human rights abuses and undemocratic policies.

Since 2013, Egypts new authoritarianism has exacerbated societal divisions by systematically propagating alternative facts. The labelling of opponents as enemies, terrorists, and violent actors has stirred up vengeful sentiments among wide segments of the population, which have come to demand measures of collective immediate punishment for the Muslim Brotherhood, like-minded Islamist movements, human rights activists, and liberal pro-democracy groups.

The government has propagated these alternative facts without paying attention to the dangerous repercussions they are bound to have on Egypts societal fabric, without appreciating their negative impacts on notions of justice and the rule of law, without realising the correlations between all this and making Egypt truly unstable.
US progressives are clinging on to false heroes like the FBI and CIA in their existential battle to dethrone Trump.

From arch villain to superhero. Lately, thats been FBI director James Comeys unlikely career trajectory courtesy of many so-called progressive writers.

Recall that late last October these scribes seemed poised, even eager, to get their angry mitts on Comey so they could tar and feather him (or worse) after he made public a letter that revealed the FBI had resurrected its probe into Hillary Clintons email habits.

A dubious case, which just months earlier had been declared closed emphatically by Comey had suddenly been re-reopened, once again, by Comey.

The letters jarring timing and Comeys curious, unprecedented intervention into a fiercely contested US election shocked and outraged many. The FBI director had, ironically, become Public Enemy Number One.

Saviour of democracy





Fast forward to today. While scores of progressives still blame Comey in large part for Clintons numbing loss, their near apoplectic enmity towards him has waned considerably.

Comey and the FBI are no longer considered card-carrying members of the deep state and, as such, prime enemies of democracy. Instead, they are viewed as would-be saviours of democracy, the US Constitution and apple pie.

This remarkable volte-face by progressives is symptomatic of a prevailing pathology that has caused once rabid ideological adversaries to come together to confront and ultimately vanquish a common monster: Donald Trump.

This pathology manifests itself in several astounding ways and involves several powerful institutions and characters.

OPINION: America was a stan long before Trump

In Comeys case, his rather abrupt and miraculous transformation from devil to saint came after his March 20 testimony before a House Intelligence Committee where he finally, belatedly, confirmed that the FBI was indeed investigating the disturbing, cob-web-like connections between the Trump campaign team and Russia before, during and after the presidential election.

Ah, now that the G-men are on the case, the indictments would surely follow, the familiar progressive chorus wrote. Trumps days are numbered. Resignation and impeachment are in the offing. The cavalry is riding to Americas rescue.

Comeys role in torpedoing Clintons chances at becoming Americas first female president has fast receded into the rear-view mirror. The political executioner has become a prince of probity and the rule of law.

Defying history and credulity, joining Comey and the FBI in the progressives new-found white knight brigade are, incredibly, the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Like the FBI, the spooks are also being widely celebrated as guardian angels in the existential battle to dethrone the treasonous King.

Anyone, including experienced journalists, who raises questions or recommends caution is immediately dismissed as a Putin stooge or a Trump apologist by an army of progressives convinced, with obdurate certainty, of who is guilty and what is true. by

The thinking  such as it is  goes something like this: the CIA and NSA must have the surreptitious goods on Trump and his gang of Russian mob and FSB consorting thugs that they will, in time, share with Americans and the world.

The goods perhaps involves oodles of various types of intercepted and incriminating communications and possibly even a notorious Moscow hotel videotape, starring the deviant king himself. And the hope is that, taken together, it will all eventually expose and doom him.

The deep state

Apparently, these days, the deep state is no longer working for the bad guys, but the good guys. It has, in effect, changed sides.

Sure, the deep state may have denied Clinton her rightful and long overdue crown and has, for years, systematically spied on, collected and stored intimate details about the lives of countless people with little or no oversight, let alone a warrant.

But progressives are too busy letting bygones be bygones to remember. The good guys have fixed their crosshairs on Trump and treacherous company and thats all that matters.

In this convenient, self-serving arrangement, former CIA officer turned independent presidential candidate, Evan McMullin, is cast by progressives suffering from a stubborn case of amnesia as a prominent and popular leader of the nascent Trump resistance movement.

Its an odd position for an ex-spy to occupy. There, alas, it is. Still, two hard-right US senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, now accompany McMullin as La Resistance poster boys.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: Trumps Russia mess: Five things to know

McCain and Graham are routinely lauded by progressives for their occasional bouts of dissent vis-a-vis Trumps habitual lunacy. Despite the fact that, until just before the election, McCain supported the reckless braggart for president and almost, without fail, both senators have sided with his nihilistic regimes destructive legislative agenda in Congress.

Not surprisingly, these easily impressed progressives have, as well, welcomed the whos who of neo-con scribes and think-tank foreign policy wonks aboard the Trump resistance train.

Forgotten, of course, is their long, ghastly record of acting as giddy cheerleaders for the liberation of Iraq engineered by the man they universally touted as a geopolitical genius, George W Bush.

The revisionism is as instructive as it is appalling.

Even Bush Jrs tattered reputation and disastrous tenure as president are being rehabilitated by agreeable liberal talk show hosts who treat him like hes a cuddly, if somewhat misunderstood, elder statesman principally because president 43 doesnt remotely resemble that nasty narcissist, president 45.

Changing alliances





The necessary corollary to this re-writing of history is to paint former philosophical allies like WikiLeaks and Julian Assange as not only nefarious tools of Trump, but indeed, Russian collaborators.

Gone permanently, it seems, are the halcyon days when progressives rushed to Assanges defence as a free speech martyr who was being persecuted and trapped in Ecuadors London embassy for sharing uncomfortable state secrets with you and me.

Instead, progressives wish that Assange gets whats coming to him quickly and bluntly  whether its in Sweden, Britain or the United States.

Theyre also thirsting for a definitive showdown  diplomatic or otherwise  with Russia, quietly applauding, no doubt, Dick Cheneys combustible hyperbole that Vladimir Putin is guilty of an act war for unleashing his internet-savvy security services to skew the last US election in Trumps favour.

Anyone, including experienced journalists, who raises questions or recommends caution is immediately dismissed as a Putin stooge or a Trump apologist by an army of progressives convinced, with obdurate certainty, of who is guilty and what is true.

We are living in strange and dangerous times.

Andrew Mitrovica is an award-winning investigative reporter and journalism instructor.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The search for a better life continues to drive people from the Horn of Africa to Yemen.

Idil Osman is a research associate at SOAS working on a research project on migration from the Horn of Africa.

Conflict has been raging in Yemen since 2015, yet people from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea remain undeterred to thread on the perilous routes only to encounter dangerous conditions when they get there. To paraphrase the Somali-British poet Warsan Shire, they continue to flee their lands, as home wont let them stay.

Just how dangerous this journey can be was made clear last month, when a boat carrying 150 Somali refugees was attacked by a helicopter and a military ship near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. At least 42 were killed.





Since 2013, nearly 290,000 refugees and migrants have landed on the Yemeni coast. Nearly 80 percent of these were Ethiopians, and most of the rest were Somalis. Most journey to Yemen in the hope of using it as a transit point, while others look to stay in Yemen, often unaware of the dangers.

Between January 2006 and April 2016, more than 700,000 persons reportedly crossed from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, with Somalis mostly staying in Yemen as refugees and Ethiopians travelling onwards to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

So why are people from the Horn still trying to reach a conflict-ridden country and what should be done to stop them from embarking on such a dangerous journey?

Awareness doesnt change decisions

The Ethiopian state of emergency that was declared October 2016 continues to fuel outward displacement, and Ethiopian asylum seekers interviewed in Yemen, are increasingly referring to the unrest as a key reason for their migration out of the country.

Somalis cited a number of reasons for migrating including economic opportunities, tribal conflict, poverty and hardship and conflict between the government and al-Shabab.

Two reasons for attempting the journey that most people from the Horn share are a sense of responsibility to their families and positive perceptions of migration.





The most common smuggling route to Yemen starts from Djiboutis coast. Most of the asylum seekers, especially Ethiopians, arriving in Djibouti are aware of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, but think it will not affect them. Some think the ongoing conflict and resulting lack of rule of law, will allow them to disembark and transit through Yemen, more easily and without being stopped by local authorities.

A mix of misinformation by brokers and smugglers, political reasons and migration success stories seen on social media and heard through the community grapevine were all significant drivers of migration, even when migrants have some information on the conflict in Yemen.

Once they arrive in Djibouti, many face shortages of water and food and have to resort to begging or working menial jobs to pay for the journey to Yemen.

These are perilous routes run by well-coordinated networks of smugglers. The smuggler networks between the point of embarkation in Djibouti and disembarkation in Yemen are often coordinated in terms of sharing information on when boats would set off and arrive.

Once asylum seekers land in Yemen, they are abducted and taken to smuggling dens for weeks on end, until they pay extortion fees to secure their release. If they are unable to pay, they are beaten, raped, tortured or put to work before eventually being released.

Oftentimes other smugglers would recapture those travelling further north after their release. The threat of abduction and kidnapping for ransom remains significant for those moving, and particularly Ethiopian nationals, who are perceived to be able to pay ransoms more readily than Somalis.

Awareness campaigns are not enough

Various agencies have been campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of embarking on the journey to Yemen. UNHCR launched the Dangerous Crossings campaign in February 2017 featuring a song with prominent musicians from the region. The song is promising in that the various languages of the region are incorporated and the message thinking carefully before deciding to cross to Yemen is emphasised.

But how many people thinking of leaving their countries have TV or internet access in order to see the campaigns message? The majority of them receive information primarily through their communities: friends, families, relatives, churches and mosques, radio stations, coffee shop gatherings, et cetera.

They are also more likely to value the opinions of people personally known to them rather than celebrities. There is little relation between the would-be asylum seekers and artists featured in this campaign.

The campaign also doesnt give details of what the dangerous crossings entail. It is void of practical details and real-life examples of what people can expect from this journey. The likelihood of the campaign having a trickle-down effect is therefore quite slim.

Therefore, awareness-raising should be done through informal means, using communication channels people are most receptive to. It should incorporate local communities, families and relatives, returnees, respected elders and community figures, church and mosque leaders, local radios journalists and editors. When possible, viable alternative options also need to be introduced. In Somaliland, theres a practice informally known as hooyo ha tahriibin (loosely translated as mothers begging their sons, primarily, to not migrate illegally). Its an incentive where parents purchase cars for their children in an attempt to get them to stay and find a source of local income. Other times, parents intervene by sending their children to universities in neighbouring countries.

That being said, these efforts are unlikely to stem migration. As long as the political crises, conflict and security issues, economic, environmental and social problems persist in the region, people will continue to look outwards for better prospects.

It is known that a high percentage of new arrivals on the shores of Yemen from the Horn every month are repeat asylum seekers. Approximately 25 percent are estimated to have tried to make the journey to live and work in Yemen or to move through to Saudi Arabia.

These findings suggest that informing people about the risks through awareness-raising campaigns may not act as a deterrent, indicating a clear need for a long-term strategy for finding solutions and viable alternatives for a better quality of life.

Awareness campaigns are still important because they allow people to make informed decisions and equip them with a full understanding of what lies ahead.

Idil Osman is a research associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Shes currently working on a research project called the Research and Evidence Facility thats examining the root causes of regular and irregular migration from the Horn of Africa.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
In the past few months the Iraqi army, backed by the US military, has intensified its efforts to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIL). Given the urban context, civilians are paying an extremely heavy price. Indeed, as many as 200 civilians died in mid-March following a US air strike on Mosul al-Jadida neighbourhood. Rescue teams were digging out bodies from the debris for days in what residents described as a hellish onslaught and Iraqi officials referred to as the worst US-instigated civilian toll in Iraq since 2003.





In the wake of the Mosul massacre, the military began an investigation into what went wrong. In a press conference, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis claimed that the enemy hides behind women and children, intimating that ISIL (also known as ISIS) deploys civilians as human shields  an egregious crime according to international law. What Mattis ultimately meant, however, was that the US and Iraqi militaries abide by the laws of war, while ISIL is actually the one to blame for the high civilian death toll in Mosul.

This accusation has become a common refrain in many contexts of contemporary urban warfare where the mere proximity of civilians to the fighting effectively transforms them into human shields. It has served as the justification for the murder of civilians when the joint Russian-Syrian regime bombed hospitals in Aleppo as well as in the Saudi-led coalition bombings in Yemen, while Israel has invoked the same argument time and again, both in its war in Lebanon and, more prominently, in the last two wars in Gaza.

Given that warfare is increasingly taking place in urban spaces, more and more civilians living in besieged cities are being framed as shields in order to justify high civilian casualties. Indeed, when men, women and children decide to stay in their homes during the fray they can easily be converted into human shields and, as a consequence, can lose some of the protections bestowed upon civilians by international law.

Like colonial subjects

In order to make sense of how and why human shields clauses are being invoked so widely by a range of different actors, we need to understand the intertwined history of colonialism and international law.

In the past, when colonial militaries killed the indigenous population, they did so with impunity, since the colonised were considered outside international laws sphere of application.

First, the coalition framed them as human shields who were being exploited by ISIL. Next, the coalition dropped leaflets asking these same residents to remain in their homes. Finally, the coalition bombed the area where it dropped the leaflets. by

Following decolonisation, the category of civilian and the distinction between civilians and combatants were extended to the ex-colonised, who were then guaranteed protection under the laws of war. Thus, for the first time in modern history the killing of civilians in Africa, the Middle East and in other previously colonised regions was considered a crime according to international law.

Accordingly, within our current postcolonial era international law applies to all civilians, even as most fighting takes place in civilian spaces often located in the ex-colonies. It is precisely within this context that we must situate the emergence of the legal phrase human shields, since it, in effect, helps transform civilians into legitimate targets  often along racial lines.

During the 2014 Gaza war, for instance, Israel maintained that it took all necessary precautions to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties. Israeli military and legal experts claimed that since the Israeli army dropped leaflets and used other warning methods in order to allow civilians time to leave, those who remained were either belligerents or human shields and therefore the use of lethal violence in the area did not violate the laws of war. Indeed, according to Israel, Hamas was to blame for the civilian deaths because it forced the Palestinian population to stay in their homes and fired rockets from civilian areas.

The evisceration of the civilian

The events unfolding in Mosul, however, are even more complex than those that took place in Gaza and other urban settings. While it is true that the same refrain  ISIL is using human shields  has been invoked not only by the US and Iraqi militaries but also by such actors as the United Nations in an effort to legitimise the latest causalities, the recent massacre signifies a new and extremely troubling development.





According to Amnesty Internationals senior crisis response adviser Donatella Rovera Iraqi authorities repeatedly advised civilians to remain at home instead of fleeing the area targeted by the coalition, thus clearly indicating that coalition forces should have known that these strikes were likely to result in a significant numbers of civilian casualties.

Consequently, Mosuls residents were left with no choice, and their fate was determined in advance. First, the coalition framed them as human shields who were being exploited by ISIL. Next, the coalition dropped leaflets asking these same residents to remain in their homes. Finally, the coalition bombed the area where it dropped the leaflets.

This toxic mix of framing hundreds of thousands of people living in the areas controlled by ISIL as human shields and then warning them not to leave their homes before bombing the area, constitutes a further acceleration in the evisceration of the civilian and the loss of protections bestowed upon this legal figure by the laws of war. Indeed, a prominent characteristic of the war against the new barbarians is the transformation of civilians into people who can be killed legally, like the colonial subjects of old.

Nicola Perugini is a lecturer at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh.

Neve Gordon is a Leverhulme visiting fellow at SOAS, University of London.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Civil rights activist who campaigned for more than 50 years has died at the age of 74.

Darcus Howe, one of Britains most prominent anti-racism campaigners, has died in London aged 74.

An uncompromising champion of racial justice and fierce opponent of police brutality, Howe was born in British-ruled Trinidad in 1943 and moved to the UK in 1961.

He intended to study law at Londons Middle Temple, but abandoned his plans for activism, joining the Black Panthers  a movement inspired by the American group of the same name  after experiencing racist abuse and prejudice from white Britons towards the Afro-Caribbean community.

Howe would later begin a successful career in journalism, writing a regular column for the New Statesman magazine, but gained public attention in 1970 as a member of a group that marched on a west London police station to protest against repeated police raids on Mangrove, a popular Caribbean restaurant.

Howe and the eight others  known as the Mangrove Nine  endured a 55-day trial before finally being acquitted of the main charge: incitement to riot.

The trial managed to successfully highlight tensions between the black community and the British legal process, after Howe demanded an all-black jury. His request was rejected.

Howe would gain further prominence in 1981 when he led 20,000 people on a Black Peoples March to protest against an investigation into the New Cross Fire, when 13 black teenagers were killed in a suspected arson attack.

READ MORE: Do black lives matter in the UK?

Weyman Bennett, the joint national convener for Stand Up Against Racism, told Al Jazeera that Howes actions shaped and defined the debate on how to stop and resist racism.

Howe was one of the first people to empower young black people and oppose racism in the United Kingdom.

He led the fight against the [far-right] National Front in the 1970s and 1980s, a forerunner to todays organisations that are Islamophobic and fascist, Bennett said.

He was outspoken on Islamophobia, the governments [anti-terror] Prevent programme, and how Muslims are being demonised by authorities.

He was a living example to many people on why you should speak out when you see injustice, his fire to defeat such groups never died out. He was fearless.

The fatal police shooting of Mark Duggan in August 2011, which triggered riots in several poor neighbourhoods in London, further highlighted Howes powerful voice.

During a live interview with BBC News, which has since gone viral, presenter Fiona Armstrong asked a poorly phrased question which implied Howe was an apologist for the rioters.

Howe challenged the interviewer, saying: Stop accusing me of being a rioter and have some respect for an old West Indian Negro. You sound idiotic  have some respect.

The BBC later apologised for any offence caused.

Never forget this epic interview that Darcus Howe did during the 2011 Riots. It shook the BBC establishment to the core #RipDarcusHowe pic.twitter.com/eUaOl1t2io  The Pileus (@thepileus) April 2, 2017

Diane Abbott, a member of parliament with the opposition Labour Party and shadow home secretary, called Howe a living embodiment of the struggle against police racism.

Several politicians also took to social media to pay tribute to the veteran campaigner.

Darcus Howe RIP. Fighter against racism and imperialism. Civil rights champion. Great leader of black peoples around the world. pic.twitter.com/FwiYXqEDN1  George Galloway (@georgegalloway) April 2, 2017

So sad to learn of death of Darcus Howe, anti-racist campaigner never afraid to challenge police racism & corruption, publisher & writer RIP  Claudia Webbe MP (@ClaudiaWebbe) April 2, 2017
Projection has Republican Party backed by President Sarkisian at 46 percent, with closest follower at 25 percent.

The ruling Republican Party of Armenia is leading the countrys parliamentary elections, according to an exit poll.

The vote on Sunday is the first since the adoption of constitutional reforms transforming the ex-Soviet country into a parliamentary republic. It pits the Republican Party of Armenia, backed by President Serzh Sarkisian, against an alliance led by businessman and former world champion arm wrestler Gagik Tsarukyan.





The exit poll by Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization, reported by Armenian television, put the Republicans on 46 percent of votes cast. The Prosperous Armenia trailed at 25 percent.

The election is a key democratic test for the small landlocked nation of 2.9 million, which has no history of transfers of power to an opposition through the ballot box.

But the campaign has already been marred by opposition claims that the government is preparing mass electoral fraud.

Ahead of the vote, the European Union delegation to Armenia and the US embassy said in a joint statement that they were concerned by allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties.

WATCH: Armenia  Divided Within?

There are also fears of violence after 10 people were killed in 2008 clashes between police and opposition supporters following the election of pro-Moscow President Sarkisian.

This time, the country aims to hold an exemplary vote to elect a parliament trusted by society, the president told AFP news agency in an interview in March.

He said his government has made enormous efforts so that [Sundays] milestone vote is flawless.

Constitutional amendments

The vote comes after constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian in 2015 that his opponents say were designed to keep the ruling Republican Party in power.

The changes were passed after a referendum, but they also prompted thousands to rally in protest.

The amendments will shift the country away from strong presidency to a parliamentary form of government after Sarkisians second and final term ends in 2018.

The opposition alleges that the changes were made to allow Sarkisian, 62, to maintain his grip on power by remaining party leader after he steps down as president.

Sarkisian has denied the allegations and defended the changes as part of Armenias democratisation process, saying they would empower the opposition.

Voting, which ended at 16:00 GMT, will be monitored by international observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Three people, including custodian, arrested after bloodbath at shrine outside city of Sargodha in Punjab province.

Lahore, Pakistan  The custodian of a shrine and two others have been arrested after murdering 20 devotees in Pakistans Punjab province, police said.

Abdul Waheed, custodian of the Ali Muhammad Gujjar shrine, drugged the devotees before beating them with sticks and stabbing them to death late on Saturday, local police officer Shaukat Manzoor told Al Jazeera.

He then handed himself over to authorities, the official added.

The incident occurred in the small village of Chak 95, just outside the city of Sarghoda about 160km west of Lahore.

He drugged everyone who was at the shrine, Manzoor said, adding that Waheed appeared to suffer from mental instability.

Initial reports indicated there were no survivors from the attack but local police officials later said at least two people are being treated at a local hospital.

The wounded appear to be out of immediate danger, Manzoor added.

Pervaiz Haider, a doctor at a Sargodha hospital, said most of the dead were hit in the back of the neck.

There are bruises and wounds inflicted by a club and dagger on the bodies of victims, he told Reuters news agency.

Chief of the local police station Shamsher Khan said Waheed was found sitting outside the shrine when authorities reached the location.

He had a dagger dripping with blood on him, said Khan. He told us not to come near him otherwise he will attack us  But we managed to arrest him and the two other men who were sitting outside the shrine with him.

The whole shrine was filled with bodies. There were 20 dead bodies, including three women and 17 men.

Two other men, Zafar Ali and Sanaullah, believed to be Waheeds accomplices, were arrested at the scene, Khan said.

Police said it was unclear if the men have any affiliation with armed extremist groups such as the Pakistan Taliban, who often carry out attacks targeting shrines and Pakistans minorities.
Voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan to resume, with cut in cash grant for returnees.

The United Nations has cut in half a cash grant for Afghan refugees in Pakistan to return to their country, according to officials.

The reduction  from $400 to $200  comes as a voluntary repatriation operation is set to resume on Monday, with 16,000 people based in Pakistans Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province registered to head home.

Under the UN refugee agencys ( UNHCR ) scheme, as many as 370,000 registered Afghan refugees repatriated voluntarily in 2016, brining the total number of returnees to 4 milion since 2002, when the scheme began.

READ MORE: Afghan refugees return home amid Pakistan crackdown

The UNHCR last November said it would end cash support to returnees in mid-December  but the grant resumed on March 1.

Dunya Khan, a spokesperson for UNHCR in Islamabad, on Sunday said the cash cut was due to funding shortages.

We could not sustain the amount of $400 for Afghans leaving Pakistan due to budget cuts, but the money they get will at least covers their transportation cost, Khan told Al Jazeera.

Despite the announced cuts, many Afghans continued registering  even as they expressed worries about what lies ahead for them.

The amount before [the cut] at least helped us with our basic needs during our return to Afghanistan, but something is at least better than not having money at all, said Ilyas, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, who sells ice-cream in Peshawar city.

An uncertain future awaits us, he told Al Jazeera.

READ MORE: Interactive  The refugee crisis beyond Europe

Pakistan hosts 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees, in addition to nearly a million unregistered Afghans, 600,000 of whom live in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the border with Afghanistan.

In 2014, after a Tehreek-e-Taliban-claimed school attack in Peshawar killed more than 143 people, including 132 children, the Pakistani government announced a decision to deport registered and unregistered Afghans on the grounds of national security, accusing some refugees of posing a threat.

Since then, incidents of police abuse, beatings and extortion against Afghans has reportedly skyrocketed, prompting many to return to war-torn Afghanistan, according to US-based rights group Human Rights Watch.

For decades, the Pakistan-Afghan border was open to cross from either side without requiring passport or visa.

Millions of Afghans used it to seek refuge from war and violence in their country, fleeing the Soviet invasion in 1979, the Talibans excesses in the 1990s and the 2001 US-led invasion in 2001.

Pakistan temporarily sealed the Torkham and Chaman crossings on February 16, after a string of suicide attacks on Pakistani soil that killed at least 130 people, but the crossings were reopened last month.

Pakistan shares a mountainous 2,500km-long border with Afghanistan , which the latter disputes. Previous attempts to fence or formally demarcate the border have been met with resistance from Kabul.
The ruling invalidates a January decision that blocked the handover of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

An Egyptian court ruled on Sunday that a controversial deal to hand over two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia can go forward, voiding an earlier ruling that blocked the transfer.





The Court of Urgent Matters ruled against a verdict of the High Administrative Court in January that halted the handover of the uninhabited islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Riyadh, Egyptian state television reported on its website.

The urgent matters court ruled in favour of disregarding the ruling of the high administrative court, as the judiciary doesnt have the authority to interfere with matters of sovereignty, Ashraf Farahat, the lawyer who filed the latest lawsuit, said.

Sundays decision is subject to appeal and any final deal must be approved by parliament.

The courts ruling comes amid signs that bilateral relations between the two countries are warming after months of tension.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Arabias King Salman met in Jordan last week, on the sidelines of the Arab League Summit.

The territorial deal, announced in April 2016, caused public outrage among many Egyptians who said the islands belong to their country.

READ MORE: Egyptian court jails scores for islands protests

Saudi and Egyptian officials had argued that the agreement sets out a sea boundary between the two countries and insists that the islands were originally Saudi territory, having only come under Egyptian control in the 1950s when Riyadh asked Cairo to protect them.

Lawyers who have opposed the accord, however, have contended that Egypts sovereignty over the islands dates back to a treaty in 1906, before Saudi Arabia was founded.

READ MORE: Sisi slams evil conspirators for islands, Regeni cases

The islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba control the narrow shipping lanes running north to the Red Sea port cities of Eilat and Aqaba, in Israel and Jordan.

Al Jazeeras Middle East analyst Yehia Ghanem said the location of islands has great strategic and maritime value.

According to Ghanem, since the 1950s there has been a lot of pressure by Israel and the US on Saudi Arabia to challenge the sovereignty of the islands because in case the Saudis have control over the island [of Tiran] it becomes an international strait so Egypt cannot at any point block out Israels maritime passage through the strait.

The fate of the two islands has been at the heart of friction between Riyadh and Cairo over a string of regional issues, including Syria and Yemen.
Two dead and several missing as torrential rain inundates large areas of eastern Australia following Cyclone Debbie.

Rising floods plagued large parts of eastern Australia on Sunday as emergency workers battled to restore water and electricity in cyclone-hit areas, with the recovery efforts expected to last several months.

At least two people were reported dead and several missing after torrential rain inundated large areas of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) states, flooding homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

Category four Cyclone Debbie smashed into Queensland on Tuesday between Bowen and Airlie, ripping up trees and causing widespread damage that is still being assessed.

It was downgraded to a tropical low as it tracked southeast through the week, packing high winds and dumping huge volumes of rain all down the east coast to Sydney before blowing out over the Tasman Sea.

Even as skies began to clear, numerous towns were still on flood alert and some regions remain under water.

READ MORE: Australias record-breaking summer

Logan  just south of Brisbane  reflected the varied situation, with rising floods affecting some areas while other parts swung into clean-up mode as waters receded.

This is unprecedented for us, Logan city mayor Luke Smith said on Sunday, warning that his city was still in flux, with one key river remaining at high levels.

The sky is the limit at this stage about what that means, he added about the potential damage bill.

In Rockhampton in central east Queensland, residents were bracing for the biggest floods they have experienced since 1954, with peak levels set to be reached late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Debbie is not done with us yet, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said when visiting Rockhampton Saturday.

This one is going to be a big one, she added Sunday.

Fears for missing

The torrential rain also wreaked havoc south of the Queensland border in New South Wales, bringing severe floods to several towns.

The bodies of two women were found in the state on Friday. Another three people were confirmed dead  two in NSW and one in Queensland  on Saturday, but police were still investigating whether their deaths were flood-related.





There were also fears for three other people missing in flood-hit areas in Queensland, with police searching for them on Sunday.

The military and emergency personnel were working to restore essential services such as water and electricity in towns that were in the direct path of Debbie in northern Queensland.

More than 500 homes were destroyed by the cyclone while almost 30,000 properties in that region remained without power, the state government said.

In cyclone-hit Proserpine, Colin Ridgways home of two decades was destroyed by Debbie.

Oh, it breaks your heart, really. But not much you can do about it. Its gone, he told the ABC on Saturday.

The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the Queensland and northern NSW regions disaster zones, estimating the damage bill could reach one billion Australian dollars ($770m).

The devastation across our state is huge, it is going to take months to repair, Palaszczuk told reporters in Logan on Sunday.
Ayad al-Jumaili, along with other commanders, killed in air strike in al-Qaim region, Iraqi state TV reports.

Ayad al-Jumaili, believed to be ISILs second-in-command after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been killed in Iraqi air strikes near the Syrian border, Iraqi state TV reported.

Jumaili and two other commanders were reportedly killed in the al-Qaim region in the western Anbar province.

Brigadier general Yahya Rasool of Iraqs Joint Operation Command, citing military intelligence, said the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) groups director of administrative affairs, Salem Mudafar al-Ajmi, was also killed in the raid.

The news comes as the Iraqi government continued its push to liberate more areas from ISIL control in Mosul.





More than 300 civilians have been killed in western Mosul since Iraqi forces and the US-led coalition began an offensive last month to push ISIL out of its last stronghold in Iraq, the UN said, adding that the toll could exceed 400 if new killings are verified.

This is an enemy that ruthlessly exploits civilians to serve its own ends, and clearly has not even the faintest qualm about deliberately placing them in danger, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein said in a statement.

[ISILs] strategy of using children, men and women to shield themselves from attack is cowardly and disgraceful. It breaches the most basic standards of human dignity and morality, he said.

Hundreds of thousands more civilians are still trapped inside west Mosul after Iraqi forces and the US-coalition recaptured the citys east from ISIL in January.

West Mosul is both smaller and more densely populated than the citys east, meaning this stage of the battle poses a greater danger to civilians than those that came before.
The interceptor called Davids Sling is designed to shoot down medium-range missiles.

A joint US-Israeli missile interceptor meant to counter medium-range missiles has become operational, completing Israels multi-layer defence system amid tensions on its frontiers with Lebanons Hezbollah, Syria and the ruling group of the Gaza Strip, Hamas.

The medium-range interceptor, which became active on Sunday, was developed with US backing and is designed to fill the gap between the longer-range Arrow missile defence system and the shorter-range Iron Dome interceptor.

Davids Sling was developed by Israeli defence firm, Rafael, with American defence giant, Raytheon.





Israel lists several aerial threats, some on its borders and others, such as Iran, far beyond.

One is Lebanons Hezbollah, with which it fought a devastating 2006 war.

The Israeli military believes Hezbollah today has between 100,000 and 120,000 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.

Israel is also on alert in the south of the country after Gazas Hamas rulers accused it of assassinating a member of the group.

An annual intelligence assessment found that both Hezbollah and Hamas are probably 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.
Search and rescue teams dig through mud after devastating landslides triggered by heavy rains kill more than 200.

A grim search operation for the missing has resumed in Colombia after surging rivers sent an avalanche of floodwaters, mud and debris through the southwestern city of Mocoa, killing more than 200 people.

Residents on Sunday pried through piles of rocks and wooden planks that entombed houses, while search and rescue teams combed the rubble for signs of life.

Streets were covered in thick sand, mud and tree limbs from the rivers and rainforest that surround Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo, near Colombias border with Ecuador.





There was little drinking water and no power, which forced authorities to suspend the search-and-rescue effort during the night.

Officials said at least 207 people were killed in Saturdays landslides, which were triggered by heavy rains.

Yet, the death toll is changing regularly as rescue teams find more bodies.

Authorities say another 200 people, including many children, were injured and just as many remain unaccounted for amid the destruction.

Rescue teams working here are telling us that 36 hours after these mudslides hit the town, nobody really hopes to find anybody alive, Al Jazeeras Alessandro Rampietti, reporting from Mocoa, said.

They will continue, of course, searching for the missing bodies, he added.

In the meantime, a lot of the attention is going to the survivors; those who are alive but lost their homes. They are in need of clean water and food  just basic necessities.

Many more under the mud

Throughout the city, people dug through the ruins, salvaging what they could of their possessions and looking for the missing.

Dozens of people were in the door of a hospital looking for family members who were not on the list of those confirmed injured or dead.

Others frantically knocked on the doors of neighbours, hoping to find someone with information about their relatives.

People went to their houses and found nothing but the floor, Gilma Diaz, a 42-year-old woman from another town who came in search of a cousin, told the Associated Press news agency.

Heavy overnight rainfall caused several rivers to overflow their banks, sending mud and debris crashing onto houses as people slept, and sweeping away vehicles and trees.

Many of the victims did not have enough time to climb on top of their roofs, or seek refuge on higher ground.





Weve declared an emergency in the area so we can help people as best we can, said Colombias President Juan Manuel Santos, who flew to Mocoa on Saturday to oversee rescue efforts.

He added that 30 percent of monthly rain fell in just one night.

All of our hearts are with the victims of this tragedy.

After his first visit on Saturday, Santos on Sunday returned to Mocoa with several ministers. The priority is to restore roads, electricity and the water supply, he said.

Herman Granados, an anesthesiologist, told AP that he worked throughout the night on victims. He said the hospital did not have a blood bank large enough to deal with the number of patients and was quickly running out of its supply.

Some of the hospital workers came to help, even though their own relatives remained missing.

Under the mud, Granados said, I am sure there are many more.

Colombia has been hit by several deadly landslides in recent months.

Last October, a landslide in the north of the country killed 10 people in October last year.

A month later, another landslide killed nine people in the southwestern rural town of El Tambo, officials said at the time.
Leftist former vice president Lenin Moreno faces conservative former banker Guillermo Lasso in the second-round runoff.

Voting is under way in Ecuadors second-round presidential runoff between leftist former vice president Lenin Moreno and conservative former banker Guillermo Lasso.

Opinion polling ahead of Sundays vote showed Moreno and his running mate, current Vice President Jorge Glas, with a four-point lead over Lasso and his running mate Andres Paez, backed by the centre-right alliance CREO-SUMA.





Moreno, the candidate of the ruling PAIS alliance and the hand-picked successor to outgoing President Rafael Correa, won 39.36 percent of the vote in the elections first round on February 19, falling just short of the 40 percent and 10-point-lead necessary to win outright.

Lasso won 28.9 percent of the first rounds votes, but was expected to pick up more votes after conservative Congresswoman Cynthia Viteri, who finished third in the first round, threw her support behind him.

Lasso, 61, a director of the countrys largest bank, Banco de Guayaquil, served previously as finance minister, provincial governor and US ambassador in the government of former president Jamil Mahuad.

Moreno, 64, served as Correas vice president until 2013, when he accepted an appointment as United Nations special envoy on disability. The author and former professor uses a wheelchair after a shooting in 1998 left him paraplegic.

IN PICTURES: Maintaining traditions of Ecuadors Andes in Salasaca

The election is seen not only as a referendum on the two candidates but on popular satisfaction with Correas decade-long leftist rule.

Correa remains popular, but recent changes of guard in South American countries including Argentina, Brazil and Peru have shown the continent tacking to the right.

Some 12.8 million Ecuadorians are eligible to vote at 40,000 polling places. Polls opened at 7am (12:00 GMT) and will close at 5pm (22:00 GMT).
Jaxport CEO Eric Green said the $23.5 million grant marks a milestone in our initiatives to build the port of the future and move cargo in the most efficient and eco-friendly way possible.
Early in Moby-Dick, America's greatest work of fiction, Ishmael sits near the front window of a cozy inn, peering out into the stormy evening. His eye rests on those fellow human beings passing by, unprotected from the cold and wet. Ishmael is separated from this fate only by a fragile pane of glass, but it is upon that separation, Melville implies, that all of civilization rests.

This truth  the fundamental insecurity of existence and the fragility of those forces that protect man from destruction  is the basis of all conservative thought. Conservatives recognize that existence is fraught with danger and uncertainty and that only deliberate effort joined with prudence and self-restraint can save mankind from the sort of debacles that have occurred throughout history, from the utter devastation of the Hundred Years' War to the Napoleonic Wars of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries to the era of war and depression that reigned from 1914 to 1945.

The idea that such devastation has been consigned to the past is purely a liberal fantasy, intended to advance just the sort of agenda of state control that will actually initiate a new cycle of destruction. Either liberals have not learned from the past or they willfully choose to ignore it. Conservatives are wise because, like Melville's hero, peering out into the cruel night, they understand the dangers that always lurk. It is a short step from peace and liberty to war and enslavement, and the only protection we have, to the extent that any exists, is eternal vigilance.

At present, we are faced with a progressive party that is not only oblivious to the danger, but pressing our nation in every possible way toward destruction. Never in American history has there been such a concerted assault on our liberties. Never has there been such hostility toward the sort of prudence that results in the amassing and bequeathing of wealth, one of the few means individuals possess of protecting their families against future suffering. And with military funding near historic lows relative to GDP, rarely has there been such unconcern for our national defense (peaking at 41% of GDP during WWII, defense spending averaged 10% during the Cold War, declined to 3.5% in 2001, reached 5.7% in 2011, but is projected to decline to 3.8% in 2020).

The progressives, to employ Melville's metaphor, are determined to shatter the fragile barrier that separates us from danger. They are determined to reduce America to the global standard of poverty and near total dependence on government that exists in hundreds of countries. Not once during his time in office did President Obama condemn the antidemocratic actions of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, presumably because he found nothing to condemn. For the same reason, the left refuses to condemn the jailing of peaceful protestors in Communist Cuba, again because it sees nothing wrong with the tyranny of regimes that give lip service to a progressive worldview.

All that separates us from the rule of a Castro or Maduro is the protections afforded by our Constitution, yet Ruth Bader Ginsburg, supported by at least three colleagues, proudly declares her allegiance to a "living Constitution" that can mean whatever the Court wishes it to mean. Each one of our constitutional liberties is a precious inheritance whose existence we owe to the wisdom of our Founders. Yet many today, including some on the Court, seem to view the Founders as simply a contemptible group of paunchy old white men, many of them slaveholders. Progressives assume that the Constitution, if relevant at all, is only a vague and entirely non-binding framework for contemporary actions. According to this view, the Founders could not have known what specific issues we would face and how our society would evolve, and they were not particularly wise anyway. If anything, they were hopelessly limited by the prejudices of their time and place.

That is the progressive view of all that protects us from the ruthless violence of extremism and despotism. Given free rein, progressives would have our nation bankrupt, defeated, and morally degenerate within a generation.

Melville understood what is at stake. In fact, he knew many of those individuals who helped found the progressive movement in America. He witnessed the early nineteenth-century communalist experiments at Brook Farm, New Harmony, and Rugby, and he wrote of the dangers.

These radical experiments in egalitarianism and permissiveness failed in every instance, but their dangerous precedent left an impression on Melville and on his contemporary, Nathaniel Hawthorne, who lampooned Transcendentalist thought in his story "The Celestial Railroad." The monomania of a tyrant such as Ahab, piloting the Pequod to destruction in an obsessive pursuit of the White Whale, seems an uncanny foreshadowing of today's progressive goals of radical environmentalism and social equality.

Ahab sacrificed his ship and all aboard, save Ishmael, in the service of his mad goal of destroying the creature he identified with evil. Progressives today are equally obsessed with evil, a monomania that comes across in the fanatical attacks on liberty by left-wing leaders of the Democratic Party. Elizabeth Warren's recent assault on attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions seems more than politics as usual: in its intemperance, it is typical of the left's conception of politics as a moral crusade. This conception of politics disregards the most basic rules of civility, including the longstanding Senate prohibition against impugning the reputation of a fellow member of the Senate.

In nineteenth-century terms, progressives are what was called the Party of Hope, while conservatives are the Party of Necessity. In time, probably sooner than we imagine, America will face a monumental crisis that will confirm the wisdom of the Party of Necessity and discredit the Party of Hope, though progressives will never acknowledge their failure. Another global war, an economic collapse, a period of social malaise accompanied by civil unrest and violence  whatever form it takes, the crisis is inevitable.

The progressive response to this crisis will undoubtedly be something like "What difference, at this point, does it make?" The conservative response is best summed up by Winston Churchill's "finest hour" speech (June 18, 1940) before the House of Commons, in which he addressed the fall of France to German forces and the miracle of the Dunkirk evacuation.

Churchill reminded his audience that, as a member of what Melville would have called the Party of Necessity, he had spent much of the last thirty years contemplating the defense of his country. This defense rested upon the strength of both its army and navy, and, as Britain would come to see, upon its small but determined air force as well. Most of all, Churchill urged the British people to acknowledge the reality of the danger they faced: "I do not at all underrate the severity of the ordeal which lies before us," he declared.

Facing the possibility of imminent invasion, Churchill reviewed the prudent steps his government has taken. Summing up the situation, he stated: "I see great reason for intense vigilance and exertion, but none whatever for panic or despair." Upon the defense of Britain depended "our Christian civilization" and "the continuity of our institutions and our Empire." Rather than falling into the "new dark Age" of fascism, Churchill urged, "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'"

Those words wonderfully express the spirit of conservatism. It is one of vigilance, realism, prudence, and appreciation of established traditions and institutions. It is a spirit that Melville would have understood and endorsed. After all, Hitler was Ahab, and Ahab was Hitler. And the madmen and madwomen who resemble Ahab are still with us.

A thin membrane, a resolute faith in our constitutional liberties and national identity, separates us from tyranny and destruction. Those who would shatter that protective shield, the progressives, environmentalists, and socialists of the left, pose as great a danger to our future as fascism did to Britain in 1940, or as did Ahab, in Melville's imagination, to the crew of the Pequod a century before. It is our duty and, as Churchill put it, our "glory" as conservatives to defend that tenuous barrier that protects us from the tyranny progressives would enact. Let us remain safe and free, and let us do so by constant vigilance.

Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011).
Dont look now, but some members of Congress are crafting a bill that would do away with 1031 exchanges, instead adopting a new bill that would only benefit the largest of corporations.

Its a travesty and its time for the American people to band together to save the 1031 exchange before its too late.

What is the 1031 Exchange?

As finance expert Tuan Pham explains, A 1031 exchange is the nickname used to discuss Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Services tax code. This section states that if an individual exchanges one investment property for another via a 1031 exchange, they may be able to defer capital gains (or losses) that they would otherwise have to pay at time of sale.

Section 1031 of the IRS tax code also refers to property outside of real estate -- such as business assets -- but this is by far the most commonly used reason for enacting a 1031 exchange.

While everyone should be for tax code reform -- and thats Congress primary intent -- it would be catastrophic and foolish to reform at the expense of the 1031 exchange, which benefits millions of people on an annual basis.

What Repealing the 1031 Exchange Would Mean

According to a recent economic analysis -- "The Economic Impact of Repealing or Limiting Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges in Real Estate," authored by renowned finance professors David Ling and Milena Petrova -- Section 1031 is more important to the American economy than most people realize.

The study analyzed 1.6 million real estate transactions from 1997 to 2014, which had a combined volume of $4.8 trillion. In short, despite the claims made by those arguing that eliminating like-kind exchanges would bring in more money to the federal government, the study shows that tax-deferral in the commercial real estate sector is temporary, leading to greater tax revenues than otherwise would have occurred because of the increased value created in real estate, says Aquiles Suarez, VP for Government Affairs at NAIOP, the Commerical Real Estate Devlopment Association.

The study also found that taxpayers who use the exchange, on average, acquire replacement properties that are $305,000 to $422,000 more valuable than the relinquished properties. Taxpayers also tend to assume less debt, which obviously creates positive financial ramifications in other areas of the economy.

But how specifically would a repeal of the 1031 exchange impact this country? According to Savethe1031.org, it would have a negative impact on taxpayers, homeowners, business owners, employees, real estate professionals, investors, farmers, securities representatives, business brokers, REITs, and everyone in between.

The argument for opponents of the 1031 exchange is that eliminating the tax-deferral mechanism would increase tax revenue, but as the aforementioned study has shown, the increases would come at the expense of a long list of negatives. Home values would drop, as would the number of transactions. All of these factors combined would put a strain on the economy and leave many homeowners upside down on their mortgages.

The biggest impact would be felt in the Western and Southwestern United States, where nearly 80 percent of all 1031 exchanges from 1997 to 2014 took place, Suarez says. But the effect on commercial real estate industry and the overall economy would be nationwide. The resulting negative impact upon and disruption of real estate markets far exceed the cost savings claimed by repeal advocates.

Even people who dont own real estate would feel the effects. The Ling-Petrova study shows that rents would need to increase 8 to 13 percent before new construction would again become viable. For families with household incomes of $20,000 or $30,000, an increase like this would be devastating.

But its not just the real estate industry that would be affected. Businesses, in general, would be hurt by a repeal of the 1031 exchange. As it stands now, the code allows taxpayers to sell their businesses for installment notes instead of cash. This lets them defer gains and losses until the notes are paid.

A repeal would have devastating implications for capitalism and entrepreneurship.

We the People Must Speak Up

The tax code is overly complex, petty, and restricting -- that much is true. But the 1031 exchange is one of the few positives on a long list of terrible tax laws. Certain senators and members of Congress are attacking the 1031 exchange and claiming that it only benefits the upper echelon of the one percent, but this isnt true. Anyone with ties to real estate or business is positively impacted by the deferral benefits of the exchange.

Its time that we stand up for entrepreneurship, capitalism, and freedom from superfluous taxes. Its time that we gather together, reach across the aisle, and make it a point to tell Congress that we stand for the inclusion of the 1031 exchange in the United States tax code.

Will you?
What gets lost in the din of competing narratives between Jewish and Arab claims to the land known as Israel is the historicity of the holy books these groups cite as evidence that God is on their side.

To this point, Israel's Communications Minister Tzachi Hanegbi recently made headlines by stating that Israel's right to the land comes from the Bible and is morally based.

The problem with such claims is that everyone, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Atheists and followers of Zeus base their beliefs on such moral imperatives. As such, perhaps a respite from the ceaseless quote-mining of holy texts that all too many people use as a basis for making a point about a contemporary issue is in order.

But what good is the Good Book if it can't be used to prove that God is pro-minimum wage, pro-life or pro-Israel?

Let's let archeology, a truly independent source of historical information, answer that one

Indeed, it's been a great few months for biblical archaeology. Long before the establishment of modern Israel, the land was drenched in blood and the relics of human history. Archeologists, occasionally and inadvertently aided and abetted by greedy antiquities thieves, have been diligently examining fossils, physical remains, rock layers and even starlight across the Middle East. Their attempts to gauge the historical accuracy of the Bible have yielded a treasure trove of new discoveries.

On March 12, the Associated Press reported that Iraqi archaeologists believe that the recent inscriptions and engraved bulls and lions discovered under a destroyed shrine in Mosul, Iraq, have revealed part of the palace of an ancient Assyrian king with connections to the biblical account.

These treasures, found amidst a network of ISIS tunnels, are approximately 2,700 years old and were discovered under a site traditionally thought to hold the tomb of the biblical prophet Jonah

According to Iraqi archaeologist Layla Salih, in the tunnels she discovered a 'marble cuneiform inscription of King Esarhaddon thought to date back to the Assyrian empire in 672 BCE.'

Chapters 18 and 19 of the biblical book of II Kings describe Sennacheribs unsuccessful attempt to conquer Jerusalem. Upon his return to his palace he was murdered by two of his sons, who then fled, leaving Esarhaddon to take over the kingdom.

Sounds like a Game of Thrones prequel.

And here's something that former real estate mogul and current President of the United States Donald Trump could appreciate. In January, archeologists excavated a grand prehistoric structure dating back to King Solomon's era that affirmed Old Testament accounts of Israel. Identified as an advanced military fortification, this site, located in southern Israel, has long been associated with the legend of King Solomons mines. Dating techniques indicate that the structure is about 3,000 years old, exactly the period during which the stories attributed to King Solomon took place.

According to Dr. Erez Ben-Yosef, one of the research teams' leaders, this archeological find confirms the Old Testament accounts: 'Our new discoveries are in complete accordance with the description of military conflicts against a hierarchical and centralized society located south of the Dead Sea.'

While biblical texts contain no specific mention of mines in the context of King Solomon, it does boast of extraordinary wealth.

Chapter 10:14 of the biblical book of Kings I reads: Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

Trump Tower in New York looks like an abandoned horse stable in comparison.

Finally, as I am contractually obligated to keep this report shorter than the Dead Sea Scrolls, German and Egyptian archaeologists discovered a massive statue of what they believe is the Ramses II, the Pharaoh who ruled when God brought the Jews out of slavery.

Nearly 3,000 years after his great reign, parts of a massive 8-meter (26 foot) quartzite rock statue was found buried face down in the mud of suburban Cairo. The discovery was made near where a sun temple founded by Ramses II once stood.

Although it is a point of contention among historians and there's no actual physical evidence, many believe he could be the pharaoh in the Old Testament's Book of Exodus who enslaved the Israelites.

As you can see, archeology doesn't claim to corner the market on truth. Its great contribution, however, is to test, reject and revise theories and hypotheses, by way of experimentation and the discovery of new evidence.

In contrast, a purely faith-based approach to debating the Arab-Israeli conflict is a surefire way to ensure stale, unimaginative consensus. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: 'A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.'
The American progressive Left frequently decries the use of the name of Jesus Christ for political gain. I've heard this personally in conversation and read it in many articles, and the condemnation is often intense, claiming that co-opting Christ's name or actions to argue public policy, especially by those on the Right claiming to be Christian, is plainly disingenuous and despicable.

One recent installment in this line of thought comes from Nicholas Kristof writing in the New York Times. In his satirical opinion piece "And Jesus Said Unto Paul of Ryan...", Kristof lambastes U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan for the seeming contradictions between Ryan's faith as a Catholic and his actions as a legislator -- specifically with regard to the American Health Care Act, the failed replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I won't attempt to validate Ryan or defend the legislation, but I do, as a Christian myself, feel obliged to point out the many fallacies inherent in the premises Kristof uses to support his fanciful diatribe.

He begins with a story of the woman with a bleeding problem (Mark 5:25-34), who touches Jesus's robe and is instantly healed. Paul Ryan's fictional response is, "But teacher, is that wise? When you cure her, she learns dependency. Then the poor wont take care of themselves, knowing that youll always bail them out! You must teach them personal responsibility!" It's an obvious jab at the conservative principle of self-reliance. The idea is that because conservatives think all citizens must take responsibility for their own lives, somehow this translates into abandoning ones neighbors to fend for themselves. It assumes that if the government doesn't help them, no one will.

This fallacy is simple to deconstruct. Christians have the best support system in the world: a loving, self-sacrificial church whose members give billions of hours and billions of dollars every year to help both their friends and those in need whom they've never met. The Catholic Church that Ryan belongs to has created a network of over 2,000 hospitals and continuing care facilities across the U.S., and provides medical care for free to underserved populations. Far from leaving needy people to fend for themselves, Christians have instead built an entire infrastructure to assist them. The deficiency in progressives' eyes is that Christians and conservatives don't see government as the prime mover in providing assistance to the needy. Christians instead place that responsibility onto their own shoulders, either as a family, a church, a community, or all the above.

Of course, in the story the bleeding woman's faith was perfectly placed: she went to Jesus, her creator, and her body was fixed. The lesson there is that dependency is totally fine -- as long as the thing you make yourself dependent on is worthy of that kind of trust. God is. The government -- any government on this earth -- is not.

Kristof's next story is that of the Good Samaritan, a favorite when attempting to debunk ideas of individual responsibility in the realm of healthcare and public assistance. The story is familiar, and Fictional Paul Ryan's response to Jesus is:

[The] Samaritans work is unsustainable and sends the wrong message. It teaches travelers to take dangerous roads, knowing that others will rescue them from self-destructive behaviors. This Samaritan also seems to think it right to redistribute money from those who are successful and give it to losers. Thats socialism! Meanwhile, if the rich man keeps his money, he can invest it and create jobs. So its an act of mercy for the rich man to hurry on and ignore the robbery victim.

Ignoring the more ridiculous bits of this made-up answer (like "its an act of mercy for the rich man to hurry on and ignore the robbery victim"), we need to establish some baselines when reading the story of the Good Samaritan. For instance, who was the Samaritan? He was a private citizen, using his own time and his own funds to help the victim. He was not compelled by the Roman government to stop and give his assistance. He offered these gifts freely, out of his own compassion -- not because the State forced him to by taking it out of his taxes. Jesus commends him for his actions. Would he have commended the Samaritan as highly if he was simply dumping his money into a giant fungible Roman coffer earmarked to help the faceless, nameless poor?

Another baseline: if you talk to leaders in the church about helping their communities, you may hear them speak in terms of relief versus development. Relief is supposed to be temporary assistance to someone who has been through a disaster, like a death in the family or a house fire. It gets them back on their feet so they can move forward with healing. Development is a longer-term engagement meant to leave its recipients with additional or improved skills they can then use to better their lives. Looking at our most expansive and expensive entitlement programs in the U.S. -- Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the ACA, SNAP -- they are all by definition relief programs. They provide no long-term ability for their recipients to better their lives and remove themselves from the program. Yet they provide long-term benefits. Why? Again, the sin of conservatives in the eyes of the Left is that conservatives propose means testing, and a way to empower our citizens not to become reliant on these programs. They see it as abandonment. Conservatives see it as a better way to help people -- and as necessary not to bring the whole system to its knees in bankruptcy.

From here, Kristof's satire meanders into absurdity. After Jesus heals a lame beggar, "Paul of Ryan" cries:

Look, Jesus, you have rare talent, and it should be rewarded," Pious Paul said. I have a partner, The Donald, who would like to work with you: Hed set up a lovely hospital, and the rich would come and pay for you to heal them. Youd get a percentage, and itd be a real money-spinner. Overhead would be minimal because every morning you could multiply some loaves and fishes. You could strike it rich!

Apparently, Kristof believes doctors, for whom Jesus is the stand-in here, should work for free. And to be sure, that is consistent with American liberal philosophy as it currently stands. Healthcare is a right, they say, which in Ben Shapiro's words means that anyone in this country -- nay, in the world -- can force a student to go to med school, rack up $200,000 in debt, spend years of his life in study, and then work for that person absolutely for free. Because after all, healthcare is a right. But what happened to "the worker is worth his wages" (1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7)? Doctors are not Jesus. The services they provide require personnel, materials, expertise, professional partnerships, continuous training. None of this is instantaneous and none of it's free.

What Kristof's column really boils down to is money. It echoes a Socialist paradigm in which the making of money is evil because money itself is evil. Kristof and others attempt to use the words of Christ to authenticate this belief. The problem is, Jesus never condemned society's use of money, and never claimed it should be abolished in order to save people from its temptations. "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" is familiar, but Jesus also miraculously directs one of his disciples to a coin in a fish's mouth in order to pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:27). He commends the poor woman at the temple for giving her last coins -- 100 percent of her wealth (Mark 12:41-44). He speaks in parables about the kingdom of God being like men who deal in money and investing, with paid workers and servants (Matthew 20, 25). Jesus's words hold the assumption that money is part of life, that societies use it and will use it for a long time. There's even an implied capitalism there, with workers paid directly for a day's work, and business owners having dominion over how they spend and distribute their capital (Matthew 20:13-15). It's far from the Socialist dream Kristof alludes to.

The irony about pieces like Kristof's is they commit the exact offense the American Left accuses conservative Christians of committing: co-opting Jesus's name to score political points. Anyone is free to argue what Jesus may or may not support, but they must do so based on a lucid, comprehensive reading of his words in Scripture. And such a reading does not support socialism, or any governmental system, really. That's the beauty of Christs teaching: it leaves us free to decide for ourselves how we will create a just society. Is it too much to ask for our government to do the same?
Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei authorized for the first time an offer of Iranian citizenship to Afghans willing to fight in Syria. Javan, one of many Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dailies officially broke the news on March 17. Many may not see it as something new, but indeed it is since; for months IRGC tried to hide its sending of organized fighting brigades of scores of Afghan and Pakistani nationals, known as Fatemiyoun Division for Afghans and Zenabiyoun Division for Pakistanis, to Syria.

According to a recent report by Agence Presse-France, more than 2,100 Afghan citizens were killed in Syria. Mohammad Ali Shahidi, head of Irans veterans affairs office, said on March 7th that more than 2,000 fighters sent from Iran have been killed in Iraq and Syria and Some 2,100 martyrs have been martyred so far in Iraq or other places defending the holy mausoleums, Shahidi told the state-run IRNA news agency.

Of course this figure is not at all accurate simply because it has left out the causalities of the IRGC in Syria. There, hardly a day goes by that in corners of Iran, one of IRGCs men goes unburied. Some big names were among them last year. Senior IRGC commanders such as Hossein Hamedani came home in body bags. No one in Iran would miss not seeing the likes of him around because he was a butcher of Iranian dissidents at home and a war criminal in the eight year Iran-Iraq and Syrian wars. But he too was a casualty in this illegal war.

Expansionism in the form of meddling in the affairs of neighboring countries and destabilizing the region is second nature to the Iranian regime. Khomeini and his predecessors have never hidden the idea of glorifying Islam. It is often said in the regime's inner circles that if: We were to confine Islamic Republic to its borders it will suffocate. Mullahs in Tehran have made their mission since 1979 to foster instability outside the regime. The eight-year Iran-Iraq War was but one bloody reminder of what mullahs in Tehran are capable of. The string of hostage-taking, bombings, including the U.S. barracks in Lebanon in early 1980s, and the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia in 1976 are but a few examples. These attacks cost many American lives.

Yemen is certainly the next stop for the Iranian regime to secretly occupy through its proxies. It is believed for some time now that IRGC and the Quds Force are actively supplying the Houthis minority rebels with sophisticated weapons and so-called advisors who are actually Quds Force members. What might come as shock to some is that IRGC is planning to turn them into yet another Lebanese Hezbollah. Some informed sources told Reuters on Tuesday how Iranian regime operates: This mirrors the strategy it has used to support its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in Syria. A senior Iranian official said Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds 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.

One thing is for sure that the former U.S. administration and the rest of the Western world have tried vigorously for a long time to find moderates, reformers, and good guys, inside the regime. The gambit failed.

The Obama administration stretched itself thin trying to please and talk some sense to mullahs in Tehran. Some may argue that the nuclear deal was at least good for pushing back Irans breakout time to one year. But currently, the regime is bellyaching about the deal and refusing to ship out its excess heavy water out of Iran, as the terms call for.

What the Obama administration could have done to ensure the regime would not be an actual threat would have been to uphold previous UN Security Council resolutions banning Iran from enrichment altogether. But it did not do the job and it has now left the world with current dilemma.

It is obvious that mullahs are shaken to the core by the prospect of Trump administrations response to regimes bullying in the region. One clear sign is Khameneis lack of desire for his usual tongue lashing at the United States.

It is no secret that Khamenei is behind all strategic decisions made in Iran and every gesture his regime makes toward the United States. One crucial factor in this shift, although may be just tactical, is the fact that Obamas golden days for the mullahs regime are certainly over.

Ambassador John Bolton recent remarks at the Iranian Resistances Nowruz Celebration-Iranian New Year- in Albania made it abundantly clear that a new era in U.S.-Iran relations had begun. He said:

I have a few words to Mullahs in Tehran. The golden era of relations with the United States is over. It is vitally important that the whole world understands that American policy on Mullahs regime in support of international terrorism and nuclear power program, is fundamentally changed.

The regime may have let go of nuclear adventurism for now but surely it has hung up to something far more dangerous that is engaging in terrorism in the region. In 2004, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president of the National Council of Resistance (NCRI) described Iranian regimes destabilizing role in region: Tehrans meddling across the region is far more dangerous than the mullahs quest to obtain nuclear weapons.

It is an open secret for a long time that the Iranian regime thrives on chaos because it has zero popular support at home and the only other option for it to sustain itself would be to stir unrest in the region. The single viable option to stop it would be to remove it from the neighboring countries and push it as far back as behind the Iranian borders as possible; something which should have been done a long time ago. The IRGC should not be allowed to roam around and wreak havoc.

Reza Shafiee is a member of Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
We are at an unprecedented moment in American history, with the Democratic Party and its media allies attempting to remove from office, through an unrelenting propaganda campaign, a president elected only months ago. Even though there is no fire  as in actual evidence of anything wrong  propagandists have long known that enough smoke blown over the public time and time again is sufficient to embolden Democrat pols to take action (impeachment) eventually, especially if willing or weak-kneed dupes on the Republican side are cowed by the publics perception of something wrong.

This Chicago Tribune article, titled Chicago bank tangled up in intrigue over ex-Trump aide Manafort and written by Betsey Yerak, is an excellent example of the propagandists black arts.

David Kahn writes
You'd think that after getting their fingers burned a few times on the folly of insulting America's farmers, leftists and Democrats would learn not to insult America's farmers.

They haven't.

In Victor Davis Hanson's must-read piece on House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, he points out that much of the Alinskyite swarming hive activity against him revolves around hurling insults at him for, horrors! being a farmer.

We can sense that even Nuness opponents were startled about his directness, given the hostile storyline that quickly surfaced, about a rural legislator (a former dairy farmer) from the Central Valley of California (one district over from my own) who was over his head in Washington.



Never mind that these arugula-eaters get their forage from farmers, or that eating fresh organic vegetables touted by Michelle Obama over the past years, requires .... farms. They still think that milk and fresh produce come from Whole Foods.

They should have have learned from this and they didn't. But here is one recent example of how Democrat contempt for farmers lost them so many statehouses and both Houses of Congress. Back in 2014, I wrote about one Bruce Braley who insulted farmers in Iowa:

Class Warfare: Iowa Democrat Bruce Braley has warned fellow trial lawyers that not supporting his Senate bid would mean a Judicial Committee led by, of all things, a farmer! Has he never heard of George Washington? Speaking to leftist lawyers in January, the former trial attorney and four-term congressman aiming to replace retiring Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin put his campaign in what he called a "stark contrast": "If you help me win this race," he told his colleagues, "you may have someone with your background, your experience, your voice, someone who's been literally fighting tort reform for 30 years, in a visible or public way, on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Or, you might have a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school, never practiced law, serving as the next chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee." Braley's lip-curdling contempt for farmers was directed at Iowa's senior senator, Charles Grassley. It backfired as "the gaffe of the year," according to Slate magazine, and Braley made a belated apology. But that didn't erase the original reason the Democrat's attack blew across the U.S. political scene.

Braley lost of course, and nobody but a fool would think his political future now looks bright.

Now they've started in on Nunes, insulting him for being 'a dairy farmer' now 'in over his head' in their dripping contempt of elitism for anyone whose background is that of a farmer.

As they continue to push the Russia-hacked-the-election meme to cover up for their own failures to win votes in the Midwest, here's some news for them: Michigan farmers in the western counties put Trump over the victory line. I remember it well from election night. The asparagus and dairy farmers they loathe so much gave Trump his final push to the victory line. Democrats should be very wary of attempting to discredit anyone with a rural background.

As Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit.com has often put it: Want More Trump? That's how you get More Trump.
This is a huge scandal that will not get the attention it deserves. The Washington Posts T. Rees Shapiro reports:

The University of Virginias fundraising team for years has sought to help children of wealthy alumni and prominent donors who apply for admission, flagging their cases internally for special handling, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. The records from the U-Va. advancement office, which oversees fundraising for the prestigious public flagship, reveal nearly a decade of efforts to monitor admission bids and in some cases assist those in jeopardy of rejection. U-Va. denies that the advancement office held any sway over admissions decisions. But the documents show the office kept meticulous notes on the status of certain VIP applicants and steps taken on their behalf. Within U-Va., the records were known as an annual watch list. They provide a case study of what is regarded as an open secret in higher education: that schools do pay attention when an applicants family has given them money  or might in the future. The 2011 list, for example, shows that one hopeful was initially marked as denied. Then an advancement officer scribbled a handwritten note on the tracking file: $500k. A typed notation said must be on WL, for wait list. A final handwritten note urged, if at all possible A, for accepted. The final decision on the applicant was not shown.

Statue of Thomas Jefferson at the university he founded

The University of Virginia is owned and funded by the taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are subsidizing an institution that discriminates against the children of non-wealthy and non-influential taxpayers in order to hand out a highly-prized ticket into an elite college.

This is part of the deep rot within American higher education, which has assumed a critical role in keeping the ruling class comfortably in power, and keeping the wrong people away from access to opportunities to join the higher echelons of society. The reason why so many families are willing to go deeply in debt to finance college for their children (4 years at a private university easily costs more than a quarter million dollars) is that college plays the major role in sorting out people and justifying privilege through the concept of meritocracy.

The theory is that people who graduate from elite institutions are deserving of a rise to the top because they were meritocractically selected and performed well in elite schools. This is a critical ideological support for the privileges and power enjoyed by those at the top. In practice, bringing together the children of the elite for four critical years as adult patterns of behavior are forming allows what Charles Murray (whose speeches on campus are frequently disrupted) calls assortive mating  children of the elite meeting, marrying and producing progeny that have every advantage in the next generation going forward.

U-Va, along with a few other state-supported universities like Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Michigan, are considered tickets into the elite, only at bargain rates if one happens to be a state resident, because admission is so competitive. Putting a thumb on the scale to favor the wealthy (who already could afford full fare at a private school) denies opportunities to equally or more qualified children of the non-elites. Especially the Caucasians and Asians among them, since black and Hispanic and other designated victim minority applicants receive their own affirmative action thumbs on the scale.

At least when a private university like Harvard discriminates against non-ruling class applicants, they are not abusing taxpayers (except, of course for the tax exemption they receive for their enormous endowments. The old joke in Cambridge, Massachusetts is that Harvard is a hedge fund that maintains an educational subsidiary.) Ed Lasky points out:

The endowments of these universities are huge but very little of those funds are used to lower tuition (let alone stop the inexorable rise of special  and mandatory -- fees that administrators impose on students and their families). Yet at the same time the hypocrites decry inequality levels in America, while exacerbating them through favoring the wealthy at one of the institutions that are supposed to provide opportunities to climb the ladder. They also employ algorithms to determine the minimum of financial aid to offer applicants that maximize what parents will be willing to borrow and pay to provide more funding for these non-profit colleges and universities. They often hire the same teams that airlines use to squeeze every dollar they can when pricing seats. This is the dirty little secret of colleges. what a racket.

Higher education is arguably the biggest business in America. It is certainly the bigest expense for families with children, other than a house (a capital asset that can be sold). Educators pretend that they are morally superior to big business, but in fact they are every bit as profit-maximizing as Goldman Sachs, except that they pretend they heve no profits. They spend the profits not socked into the endowment on themselves, in the form of tenure, sabbaticals, manicured campuses, etc.

Richard Baehr points out:

The big state universities have started favoring out-of-state and foreign applicants, supposedly because they add to prestige (geographic diversity, national and international appeal), but in reality these students pay full tuition. As some states have cut back funding, state schools have become less open to residents of those states.

It is resource-maximizing (profit, when businesses do it) behavior, serving the ubiversities, not those who pay the taxes.

The media have not been able to help themselves reporting on Jared Kushners admission to Harvard, noting that his father made a strategic donation i nvestment pledge of $2.5 million before the acceptance letter came. Evidently, delegitimizing the ruling classs privilege is acceptable when a rogue (non-liberal) member creates trouble for the class as a whole.

It would be comparatively simple to re-do college admissions so as to operate on strictly meritocratic lines, with test scores and grades determining admission. The problem with that is that the wrong people (too many Asians and Jews and not enough designated victim minorities) would gain access to the escalator into the ruling class. That is exactly what happened when California voters passed an initiative outlawing racial considerations in admissions, with Berkeley and UCLA undergraduates now more than 50% Asians.
In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Real ID Act. Officially designed to fight terrorism, the act imposes federal standards on the individual states with regard to legally recognized identification of citizens. The Real ID Act requires states to make "tamper-proof" cards that are machine-readable  via bar code or smart card or RFID chip  and personal information will be maintained in a federally accessed database. In other words, we are to be chipped like a pet and tracked at the federal government's pleasure.

It was a terribly Orwellian scheme from the beginning.

Despite all that, the DHS final rule relaxes the requirements on documentation, making it possible for states that are in compliance with the regulation (such as terrorist-riddled Florida) to accept dubious proof of identity and citizenship. Thus, it is possible for an illegal alien to get a Real ID-compliant card. In short, while all Americans are forced to accept being numbered like a textile product and followed by Big Brother, those who actually break the rules are largely exempted from them.

According to the Department of Homeland Security:

Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of a holistic national security strategy. Law enforcement must be able to rely on government-issued identification documents and know that the bearer of such a document is who he or she claims to be. REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the states and the Federal Government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which should inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.

And yet we have illegal aliens in numerous states granted driver's licenses on a regular basis  even in Real ID-compliant areas. We still have massive vote fraud despite this. Why?

There are criticisms of Real ID for violating the 10th Amendment and violating the First (based upon the fact that the right to assemble or petition the government as citizens without such an ID would not be allowed on government property). One must also question the huge database that this establishes; if it was such a crisis that the DNC was hacked by a foreign entity, why are we even thinking about putting everyone's information in a database? Is that any safer than the DNC? Than federal employees' data, which was hacked a while back? Oh, and it should be pointed out that the implementation of the Real ID Act has done nothing to advance border security or to make voting more secure; you don't even need identification to vote these days.

So what is the value of this? It is almost exclusively a tool for government surveillance of the American people.

That's what makes this so puzzling. Under duress from the federal government, Missouri  one of the last holdouts in implementing the "I've got my eyes on you" act  is wilting as badly as Hillary Clinton's election day results. The Republican-controlled House has approved a bill to impose Real ID on the Show Me State (or is it the We'll Show You State now?). Missouri's Republican governor, Eric Greitens, has contacted the Trump administration and asked for a reprieve from the execution of the federal final solution, but a number of lawmakers won't wait. According to the KC Star article:

Several of the bill's critics latched onto the governor's comments, saying the state need not pass the bill until the new president has had time to act. But Corlew said the House vote had been delayed for a month to give the federal government time to act. It hasn't, he said, and there is no indication that Trump will ever call for changing the law. "None of our congressional leaders have told us anything to suggest there is any movement on the Real ID issue," he said. "I can't find that Donald Trump in a public setting has ever even discussed the Real ID Act." Sen. Ryan Silvey, a Kansas City Republican, said it would be foolish to wait for the federal government to act.

It appears that this is not just because DHS cracked the whip (and is threatening to stop Mo. citizens from flying on planes and whatnot); Missouri has been taking grant money from DHS precisely to implement the program that was banned "in whole or in part" in the state just 8 years ago. Interestingly enough, the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles attempted to collect data on gun ownership from license applicants in compliance with Real ID and in violation of state law. They were getting ready.

Missouri law is quite clear on the subject, and yet there were efforts being taken under former Governor Jay Nixon (D-lost somewhere) to use this act as a backdoor gun registration, in direct violation of state law. And the State Highway Patrol admitted to handing over a list of concealed carry permit holders to the Feds, no doubt collected by the License Bureaus in compliance with Real ID.

Missourians want to be protected from terrorism, but we do not want to become permanent suspects in the process. The way this so-called war has been fought has been essentially to force American citizens to prove their innocence rather than for law enforcement to seek out the guilty. There seems to be more concern for the rights of radicals and immigrants and alien colonists than for the rights of America's own people. There are tried and true methods for dealing with spies and saboteurs, but what is being done is a radical departure from traditional, time-tested ways to deal with the problem, and that is because of a culture of political correctness and a lust for power in government circles. Real ID steals a fundamental right of Americans to be left alone and remain anonymous. We can no longer be said to be secure in our persons or papers and effects.

If this last election taught us anything, it is that the American people do not want business as usual. The enforcement of Real ID was an Obama-era scheme  one that a great many Americans do not want. We now have a Republican president, House, Senate, governor, Mo. state House, and Mo. Senate, and still we are having this rammed down our throats! What, pray tell, didn't the political class understand? This last election was about change. We are tired of being treated like subjects rather than citizens, and seeing our leaders kowtow to aliens and special interests.

The most heinous tyranny, history's most terrible atrocities, were not born full grown, but rather came about from "good ideas" like this. Tyranny starts as a small growth that metastasizes until it kills the host. It is important to remember that.

One final thought from James Madison: "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedoms of people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

Read more from Tim and friends at The Aviary www.tbirdnow.mee.nu.
Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign for not reaching out to working people while calling for a basic "restructuring" of the Democratic party.

Sanders, speaking at a rally in Boston, refused to characterize Trump supporters as "racists" or xenophobes," saying Trump didn't win the election as much as Democrats lost it.

Yahoo News:

Sanders also did not agree with some Democrats believing the voters, who backed President Donald Trump, are racists, xenophobes and deplorable. "On every major point facing this country, the American people do not believe in a right-wing agenda; they believe in a progressive agenda. We've got to take that agenda to the people, Sanders said.

"Hope and change" had become "fear and loathing." The Clinton team was oblivious to the politics that was driving the Trump campaign who were making large inroads into traditional Democratic, blue collar territory. This ignorance led directly to her defeat.

<p content="" on="" every="" major="" point="" facing="" this="" country,="" the="" american="" people="" do="" not="" believe="" in="" a="" right-wing="" agenda;="" they="" progressive="" agenda.="" we've="" got="" to="" take="" that="" agenda="" people,="" sanders="" said.="" (ani)"="" data-reactid="11" type="text">So ultimtaely, Sanders wants to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. Unless the Democrats can learn how to speak the language of working people - which includes acknowledging their personal values - they will continue to lose across the board.
The decision of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to seek 15 felony convictions against David Daleiden and Sandra Meritt at the Center for Medical Progress, who exposed the horrific cynicism and mendacity Planned Parenthood was shown to have engaged in as a matter of routine, represents a clearly unconstitutional abuse of state power against conservatives who get "uppity" or assert the same rights to expression leftists exercise with no constraint.

Becerra's predecessor, Kamala Harris, engaged in the same sort of behavior when she actually ordered a police raid of Daleiden's home last year in a shotgun attempt to find something incriminating  and, of course, to make sure conservatives in California have the same civil rights as blacks in 1934 Mississippi.

The Constitution, however, demands that all persons within a state be granted equal protection of the laws. The most important meaning of "equal protection" is equal enforcement of the laws, equal treatment by prosecutors, police and judges, and equal protection by all of the administrative agencies of state and local government.

When there is clear abuse by different parts of state and local government in the practical implementation of laws, then it is the responsibility of the United States Department of Justice to take appropriate actions. The utter indifference of Harris and Becerra to fair and equal enforcement of the law and the use of each as a tool of oppression of minorities like conservatives are obvious.

Becerra is not looking all over California to find individuals who have recorded someone's conversation without the consent of the other, and neither was Harris. The selective enforcement of laws against despised minorities put Becerra into the same disgusting sludge as Bull Connor, the Birmingham commissioner of public safety fifty years ago who selectively enforced the law against blacks who challenged the status quo in Alabama.

Not only is this vile behavior unconstitutional, but, when there is a pattern of collaboration among state and local officials, and when these also act in concert with private groups like the Ku Klux Klan or Planned Parenthood, then the offenses are much more serious. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ought to open a broad investigation against California criminal justice and public safety officials, starting at the top with Xavier Becerra, and it ought to extend beyond just the travesty of the planned lynching of Daleiden.

The Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice, with the full support of the federal criminal justice agencies, ought to probe how often violations of this California statute are made and how often criminal prosecutions are sought under the statute. Patterns of investigation and prosecution that show an effort not to protect Californians but to intimidate and bully conservatives, if that is found, ought to be brought in a DOJ lawsuit to enjoin California officials from pursuing actions against these conservatives.

Sessions's Department of Justice also ought to seek a change of venue and a removal of those federal judges in California and also in the Ninth Circuit, arguing that these federal judges are too biased to rule fairly. This would require approval by the Supreme Court and by the time that the investigation is concluded, there ought to be a five-to-four conservative majority on that court. Federal judges from Iowa holding hearings and trials in Des Moines would remove the prospect of a fixed deck.

If the investigation shows an active and secret collaboration among those parts of California government that are supposed to be separate and objective, then a conspiracy would be in evidence. That would carry both civil and criminal consequences. Depending upon how deep and broad the conspiracy, the State of California could be placed under the Department of Justice oversight for decades, just like what the states of the South have endured.

What that would mean is that before California officials could take actions that affect the rights of conservatives in California as journalists or college students or any of the myriad other ways in which the rights of conservatives were protected at the whim of creeps like Becerra, the Department of Justice would have to grant its approval. Conservatives would become a "suspect class," presumed to need protection from California state and local officials.

The most important benefit over the long term is that California could be exposed before the nation as precisely the type of bigoted and hateful civil rights violator leftists revel in condemning. Conservatives, who have civil rights too, would have a valuable model in protecting those rights  at last  in practice and not just in theory.
Remember 'Judge' Baltasar Garzon? The vaunted Spanish windbag who was booted from his job in 2012 for abuse of power, but not before he made a heckuva mess? The pioneer in leftist virtue-signaling who issued the 1998 arrest warrant for Chile's ailing military leader, Augusto Pinochet, in London after Chile had already sorted things out with him, wanting to stir the communists' pot? He's been the darling of the Eurotrash left for years. Lady Thatcher had some choice words for this leftist, and oh, are they worth listening to.

But with nothing better to do with himself, he's back. Meddling in Chilean affairs like an old colonial master - and in a way reminiscent of the last way he meddled in Chilean affairs, not by harassing the now-deceased Pinochet but by doing what he really wanted all along: dismantling Chile's free market revolution. It's been his agenda since he first heard of the place. He's just never been so open and blatant.

He's a real piece of work. Here's a recent tweet showing him joining Chile's communists in a march to end Chile's successsful private pension system, designed by free market genius Jose Pinera. What he wants, of course, is a government bureaucrat-designed system where workers are told how much they must save, what size of pension checks they are allowed, when they get to retire, and where their savings will go. What makes him sick is the thought of Chilean workers retiring on average pensions quite a bit bigger than Spain's or for that matter, the U.S. if you look at the Social Security payouts. John Tierney of the New York Times actually proved it. In Garzon's view, Chile's workers must be completely powerless and subject to the whims of the state, largely the way they were when Garzon's hero, Salvador Allende. a paid KGB agent and Castro supplicant, ruled the Chilean roost in 1973.

Sound like communism? It is.

And with this meddling march in Santiago, Garzon's real agenda now stands revealed for what it was all along.
A Harlem teacher disguised as a woman advises his students on what kind of hormone pills they should take if they want to try to "switch" genders. But he has to endure bullying from students who call him a man.

Bahar Akyurtlu had been teaching for about four months at a high school in Harlem before several students began bullying her [sic]. When she [sic] walked down the halls, clusters of students would shout at her [sic], referring to her [sic] as "mister." In stairwells, students would yell that her [sic] voice sounded like a man.

Despite that, Bahar persists, advising confused students to take hormones to convince themselves they are a different gender.

"Anytime I saw them I would bring them aside and be like OK, 'Where are you getting your healthcare needs taken care of? What kinds of hormones are you taking?"

Above is a photo of Bahar. He's quite feminine-looking, don't you agree? I'll bet most people would never know he is a man.

And in case you missed it, the tattoo on Bahar's arm says, "Now it's about living." Now that he's declared himself a woman, life is great! It's a pity the word "gay" is already taken, because that would be a great word for transgendered people, too  at least, the ones who don't kill themselves.

The article did not specifically say Bahar is a Muslim, but since he is a first-generation immigrant from Turkey, that seems pretty likely. I know there are synagogues and churches (like Neil Gorsuch's church) that cater to gays, lesbians, and "everything elses"; assuming Bahar is Muslim, do you think he attends a mosque that is sensitive to the needs of the Islamic LGBTQ community? Can we presume that Bahar is not a fundamentalist because he does not wear a burka like this man?

It must be challenging to teach in Harlem; think of a combination of Michelle Pfeiffer from Dangerous Minds on the outside and Mr. Kotter from Welcome Back, Kotter on the inside. Kids in Harlem come from broken homes and have very low graduation rates. Probably their rates of changing gender are very low as well.

What do you think about guys like Bahar advising young kids about taking hormone pills to change their appearance? Do you think that at some point, Bahar will return to Turkey to spread the word to young Muslims there? If they did a transgender remake of Dangerous Minds, do you think they could get Ben Affleck to play the role of Michelle Pfeiffer?

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
The Trump administration outlined its renegotiating goals in a draft letter to Congress that advocates only small changes in the trade deal Trump called "terrible" on the campaign trail.

Press spokesman Sean Spicer said that the letter is "not an accurate assessment of where we are at this time." But the letter points out that the administration is constrained by law from some reforms that Trump highlighted during his campaign.

Politico:

Critics are pointing out that the White House blueprint for changing NAFTA sounds a lot like the defunct Trans-Pacific Partnership deal negotiated by the Obama administration because it includes calls for U.S. trading partners to adhere to strict labor and environmental standards. At the same time, it doesn't address issues that Trump touted on the campaign trail, such as currency manipulation. For those who trusted Trumps pledge to make NAFTA much better for working people, its a punch in the face because the proposal describes TPP or any other same-old, same-old trade deal, said Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizens Global Trade Watch and a leading critic of current trade policy. The U.S. Trade Representative sent the draft to lawmakers this week. But White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Thursday that the document is "not a statement of administration policy." "That is not an accurate assessment of where we are at this time," Spicer said at the daily White House press briefing. Spicer said the administration's policy toward NAFTA wouldn't fully materialize until Trump's pick for U.S. Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, is confirmed. The draft, obtained by POLITICO on Wednesday, implicitly recognizes that Trump's hands are tied by laws requiring trade agreements to meet certain requirements to get speedy approval from Congress. The Obama administration included those provisions in the TPP agreement that Trump abandoned right after he took office. They include enforceable labor and environment standards aimed at leveling competition in poorer countries, rules requiring that state-owned enterprises operate on commercial terms and data free flow requirements, among other things. "It is ironic that they want to fix a terrible agreement by including provisions from the TPP, one deal that the administration claims is even worse, said Bill Reinsch, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center. The letter also lays out a proposed NAFTA deal that retains concepts maligned by critics as counter to Trumps populist message. One example is a process allowing companies to seek damages from governments for policy decisions damaging to their bottom lines. The document suggests that it would be improved to minimize abuse, but labor groups have advocated that it be taken out of a revamped NAFTA.

Unfortunately, Trump can do little about labor laws in many countries that allow work rules that put US companies at a huge disadvantage as far as labor costs are concerned. Nor can the president force Mexico, for instance, to enforce its strict environmental laws. The fact that many companies in Mexico ignore environmental concerns in manufacturing means that production costs for American firms - closely watched by the EPA and environmental activists - give Mexican produced products a leg up.

These are perfectly legitimate concerns and were subjects for debate even when the NAFTA agreement was being considered in Congress. The Trump administration believes that if other countries refuse to play by the rules, they should be penalized.

But the process of bringing complaints against other nations who cheat is too long and too complicated to be of much good. Trump was right on all of these counts during the campaign. The problem is turning that rhetoric into reality.

Both Mexico and Canada have indicated a willingness to negotiate on certain points. But neither country is willing to accept the significant changes Trump is proposing. It then remains to be seen whether Trump will follow through on his threat to scuttle the deal entirely if he can't get what he wants.
When I visited some Russian government friends in Washington last month, I told them to start fighting back. I was disgusted at how they were being raked through the mud by Democrats for partisan political purposes, and by Deep State bureaucrats anxious to prove to President Trump that he still needs them and their Swamp. And with very few signs of scandal or spookery, (other than one military ship off our coast, and an apparently legitimate bust of FSB agents caught doing what they do), they've been made the easy, cheap boogeyman in the left's 'narrative' in its bid to explain why it lost the election. Yet to look at things objectively, these people have done nothing but sent out every signal possible that they want to be our friends and shown remarkable restraint in the face of being the punching bag in incredibly nasty partisan warfare. Pretty much all the embassy's been 'caught' doing is their State Department-sanctioned jobs.

I have no idea if they've followed my advice but I'm glad to see they've started swinging back.

The Washington Post reports that in an April Fool's joke, the Russian embassy snuck in some goofball proposed phone messages on a publicly posted video for the bozos who must pester them nonstop:

For April Fools' Day, the Russian Foreign Ministry put out an official joke  a video of a proposed voice-mail message for its embassy answering machines. In the clip, recorded in Russian and English, an automated recording tells callers to press 1 for a call from a Russian diplomat to your political opponent. You can press 2 to use the services of Russian hackers, or 3 "to request election interference." (The English portion of the recording begins about 26 seconds into the video.)

It's curiously reminiscent of the Twitter number Russia's UK embassy did on then-outgoing President Obama, who threw out a bunch of their fry cooks and low level diplomats as 'spies.' Remember this? Wonder if it was the same jokester?

Yes, I suppose there will be people who for various reasons, neither deep state nor embittered partisan, argue with this. But it's important to not paint the Russians as monsters. They aren't. Relations with them have been mismanaged by leftist leaders in the West since the fall of the Berlin Wall. There needs to be an effort to understand them.

It's kind of reassuring to see the Russkis still good for a laugh.
SILVER CREEK  A former Columbus woman is accused of an aggravated drunken driving charge stemming from a Sunday afternoon incident in a Silver Creek store parking lot in which she reportedly was talking incoherently while exposing herself to customers.

Merrick County Sheriffs deputies arrested 29-year-old Tracy Gaeth on suspicion of aggravated second-offense drunken driving and possession of an open container of alcohol about 4:45 p.m. Sunday in the Silver Creek C Store parking lot along U.S. Highway 30.

Gaeth, who recently moved from Columbus to Silver Creek, had not been formally charged by the Merrick County Attorneys Office as of Wednesday afternoon. She remained in custody at the Hall County Department of Corrections in Grand Island.

A sheriffs investigation of the Sunday incident began with a complaint of a woman sitting in her van in the store parking lot talking in a confused manner and exposing herself to customers, Deputy Jake Bauer reported.

They were obviously concerned, said Bauer, who arrived at the scene with another deputy to find Gaeth sitting in the drivers seat of the van. Her speech wasnt making any sense. We suspected there was alcohol on board.

Bauer said Gaeth was arrested for second-offense driving under the influence-.15+ after performing field sobriety tests.

Gaeth is also facing a second-offense DUI charge in Platte County in connection with an Aug. 26 incident in which she was reportedly driving with a flat front driver's side tire southbound on U.S. Highway 81 near 265th Street.

While following the vehicle the driver side tire came off the vehicle, Platte County Deputy Troy Higgins wrote in his probable cause arrest statement. The vehicle was swerving at this time and I stopped the vehicle.

Preliminary breath test results showed a blood alcohol content at nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 for driving.

Gaeth, who pleaded not guilty in the Columbus case, is set for a pretrial hearing Thursday in county court.

Gaeth was previously convicted of DUI in Platte County in June 2009.
COLUMBUS  In 1996, Lori Roh opened Sylvan Learning Center in Columbus, one of nine locations she owned in the region.

But after Roh died in 2012, her family members struggled to maintain the centers from Omaha, where they were living.

They approached the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce with an ultimatum  unless they could find a buyer, the Columbus center would have to close.

Enter Colleen Belitz and Tracie Chochon.

Belitz owned and operated Js Hallmark in Village Centre Mall until the store closed in February. Chochon was her not-so-silent business partner.

We tried to be silent partners, said Chochon.

The two go back years, to when Belitz was a teacher at St. Isidore Elementary School and Chochon was a psychologist with Columbus Public Schools.

After years of teaching, Belitz left St. Isidore and ran the Hallmark store. She said buying Sylvan Learning Center is a chance for her to return to her roots.

To get back into education and help the kids is very exciting, Belitz said.

Chochons position as a school counselor gives her a first-hand look at the obstacles some students face.

I see kids with learning disabilities on a regular basis, said Chochon, who currently works for Norfolk Public Schools.

She joined the project because she wants to see Sylvans prescriptive teaching help students "overcome the deficits they acquire.

Chochon brought with her Heather Giffrow, who applied to work at Great Plains State Bank, where Chochons husband Rick is president and chief executive officer. Rick wasnt looking for help, but Chochon and Belitz were and Giffrow has a background in finance and education.

Giffrow worked at a bank while attending college to get her degree in education. After she graduated, she continued to work in banking until moving to Columbus.

She has that balance of that mentality of a teacher, wanting to see (students) succeed and shes got business sense, Chochon said of Giffrow. Thats a rare combination.

As general manager, Giffrow will handle the day-to-day operations and work with Belitz on goals such as promoting the classes and attracting more students. Sylvan Learning Center has about a dozen students right now and the new owners are hoping to grow that number to 60.

Thats where they were at before, so theres no reason why we cant be, Belitz said.

Theyre hoping to make the center into a valuable resource for teachers.

I see Sylvan as a place where we can enrich what students learn from their teachers, said Belitz. Were here to help students achieve all they can be.

From May 1-5, teachers are invited to visit the center at 1839 23rd St., meet the staff, get a free goody bag and enter a drawing for a massage.

Nobody deserves a massage more than a teacher, Chochon said.

Giffrow has been looking over Sylvans STEM curriculum, teaching herself how to program a robotic alligator to open and close its jaws.

It was fun for me to learn the process of it, she said.

Sylvan Learning Center will hold an open house May 4 when parents and students are invited to learn about the available programs, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), college prep and tutoring in math, reading and writing. Each tutoring section has a limit of three students per teacher, making the instruction more personalized.

And that promotes mastery, said Chochon. And thats such a confidence boost.

Theres nothing like that look when a kid knows Ive got this, said Belitz.
Madeleine McCann: Spains gypsy child kidnappers

The absence of anything beyond theorising has turned Madeleine McCann into a commodity. And like all goods and services, the medias speculative assault on Madeleine McCann means Our Maddie can be exported to become any nations very own Maddie. Brazil, Israel, America, Spain, New Zealand, Panama, Greece and Holland have all had their versions of the medias benchmark for missing children.

On March 31, the Daily Star led with news of a Spanish Maddie kidnap'. That the word kidnap was served to readers wrapped in inverted commas promised a story light on facts. Line one told us: A Madeleine McCann lookalike has been grabbed by a scar-faced gypsy in Estepona.

The British girls mum said the abductor grabbed her daughters hand and tried to take her away after promising sweets. The man known locally as Paco was already with a young child, whom he used to strike up a conversation with the girl. Paedo gypsy child kidnappers? (Always the gypsies.) When the girls mum began to scream the man with a scar on his head ran off.

So not all that much like the vanishing of Madeleine McCann, then. Unless you, like the Star, considers it relevant that the girl bears a resemblance to Madeleine McCann.

In other Their Maddie news, the Sun says the remains of Americas Maddie McCann have been found. This Maddie was called Isabel Celis. Her parents last saw her alive at their home in Tuscon, Arizona, in April 2012. The mysterious case sent shockwaves around the world, says the Sun, and bore a haunting resemblance to the disappearance of Maddie McCann.

But kgun9, Tuscons local news station, makes no mention of Madeleine McCann at all as it delivers the grim news of a dead child. Isabel Celis was 6-years old at the time of her disappearance.

But the Daily Mirror does. Harrowing 911 calls from devastated parents of Americas Maddie McCann on morning she vanished after police find remains, comes the headline. The paper invites its readers to listen in. Come on, readers, pull up an armchair and watch the parents.

Such are the facts.

Paul Sorene

Posted: 2nd, April 2017 | In: Key Posts, Madeleine McCann, Reviews, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Brexit blamed for Croydon attack on Kurdish asylum seekers

Grim news from Croydon, where a 17-year-old Kurdish-Iranian asylum seeker has been beaten up as he and two friends  also Iranian Kurds  were at a bus stop. Police are calling it a hate crime, which of course it is. Any violent attack is hateful. The Mail calls it a suspected hate crime'.

Why are the police so sure it was a hate crime and the Mail and Guardian less certain? According to the CPS: A Hate Incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someones prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

If you think it is a hate crime, then it is a hate crime. Were the thugs who beat up three teenagers waiting for a bus looking for asylum seekers to further a racist cause or violent people looking for an excuse to hit someone? The police know. The rest of us should be less certain.

We should also wonder why existing laws are not enough and the State thinks we need a new kind of crime to cover what looks like a brutal attack?

What happened?

The teenager was set up by upon by up top eight other youths, who chased him down the road and kicked him unconscious. Croydons Metropolitan Police Borough Commander, Ch Supt Jeff Boothe, calls it a frenzied attack by a large number of people. As the victim was being kicked, members of the public [were] asking them [his attackers] to stop. This horrendous and frenzied attack only ended when the police arrived.

Gavin Barwell, Croydon Centrals MP, labels the attackers scum.

Det Sgt Kris Blamires has more:

At this early stage it is believed that about eight suspects approached the victim as he waited at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat public house in the Shrublands. It is understood that the suspects asked the victim where he was from, and when they established that he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a brutal attack. He has sustained critical head and facial injuries as a result of this attack, which included repeated blows to the head by a large group of attackers.

Four 20-year-olds, a 24-year-old woman and 24-year-old man have been arrested.

The Agenda.

But can this attack be politicised? Can any agenda-driven soul find political mileage in a violent assault about which all facts are not known? Yes. Al Jazeera links the attack to Brexit. The police  those right-on champions of civil liberties  know a hate crime when they see one. Labours Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, tells the Sun: Sadly, this is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained increase in hate crimes that this Tory government is yet to offer any effective response to.

She adds: With rightwing politicians across the world scapegoating migrants, refugees and others for their economic problems, we are seeing a deeply worrying rise in the politics of hate. We must make clear that there is no place for anti-foreigner myths, racism and hate in our society.

Its no longer a very nasty incident outside a pub at 11:40 on a Saturday night. Its a politically-triggered attack. Well, it is if you want it to be.

UPDATE.

Karen Strike

Posted: 2nd, April 2017 | In: Broadsheets, Politicians, Reviews, Tabloids Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
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YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. The task group of the Prosecutor Generals Office of Armenia on April 2, as of 13:00, examined 729 reports on electoral offenses from which 75 contain criminal elements, the Office told Armenpress.

In order to clarify the circumstances of the abovementioned reports, 75 cases were sent to the Police departments.

41 out of 75 reports related to double voting or voting instead of other person, 25 related to the violation of voting secrecy, and 9 related to obstructing the free exercise of electoral rights of citizens.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. A liturgy was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin for the fallen soldiers of the April War in 2016.

The liturgy was served by Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Garegin II.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan participated in the holy mass.

Archbishop Natan Hovhannisyan, director of the foreign relations and protocol department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, conveyed the Catholicos speech to the faithful and said they are praying for the peace and calm of souls of the fallen soldiers, who died heroically during the April War.

I welcome the presence of the Honorable Prime Minister of Armenia in the Holy Etchmiatsins Cathedral, who came to participate in this liturgy with his prayers. A year ago our brave soldiers stopped the tyrannical military operations against the right to live free of our people of Artsakh, pushed the adversary back with their blood, proving the zeal, strength and energy, and undefeatable spirit of our people, he said.




YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan visited Yerablur Military Pantheon to pay tribute to memory of soldiers fallen while defending the borders of the Fatherland during the April four-day war, press service of Yerevan Municipality told Armenpress.

Accompanied by Chief of General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Movses Hakobyan, the Yerevan Mayor laid flowers at the graves of fallen soldiers, as well as at the Memorial of Unknown Soldier.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited on April 2 the family of Adam Sahakyan who was killed during the 4-day April war in 2016 while protecting the borders of the Motherland.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, the President of the Republic expressed solidarity with the parents and relatives of the soldier of the Motherland, and assured on behalf of him and the entire Armenian people that the grateful generations will remember and glorify the feats of Adam and the other fallen heroes.
Last seen in 1997 Tamil film Minsara Kanavu, Kajol has returned to Tamil films after nearly two decades.

Kajol is known to be very cautious of the projects she takes up. The actors decision to sign up for a Tamil film, VIP 2, opposite Dhanush therefore, has taken the industry by surprise.

But Kajol admits that she was a tad hesitant about doing the film. I was a little apprehensive. I wasnt sure if Id do justice to the film. I think the films team has really worked around me and ensured that things were working for me per se. I really appreciate that about Soundarya and Dhanush. They made sure that my experience of working in a Tamil film was great fun.

Rajinikanths daughter Soundarya has directed the film. Theres a buzz that Kajol may be playing a grey character, but the actor remains tight-lipped about the same. The film is very different for both  Dhanush and me. Theyre both well defined characters and the script is really interesting. I have strict instructions from Soundarya to not reveal anything about the film, she says.

Last seen in 1997 Tamil film Minsara Kanavu, Kajol has returned to Tamil films after nearly two decades.
On April Fool's Day, the Canadian PM jokingly told his former classmate that he was up for a rematch.

Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gotten in on the April Fools' Day spirit with a lighthearted tweet aimed at former 'Friends' star - and classmate - Matthew Perry.

Justin Trudeau and the actor, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom, both attended Rockcliffe Park Public School in Ottawa.

In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show last month, Perry recounted his memory of beating Trudeau up when they were students.

On April 1, Trudeau tweeted that he wouldn't mind revisiting the fight.

"I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?" he wrote.

Trudeau's spokeswoman confirmed it was an April Fools' joke.
New Delhi: Two inebriated British nationals of Indian origin were arrested for allegedly harassing a 28-year-old air hostess on an Air India flight from London to Delhi.

After a complaint was filed, both the accused, who are real estate agents were arrested and later got bail, police said.

In a statement, Air India condemned the incident and said that they will also probe the matter at their end.

The accused were identified as Jaspal Singh (35) and Charandeep Khaira (36), who had come here from London to attend a marriage ceremony in Jaipur, said DCP (Airport) Sanjay Bhatia.

Their breathalyser test indicated they were drunk, he said.

On March 29, while they were on the flight they asked the air hostess to get them some food but when she took some time to respond they got irritated, police said.

They started making lewd comments. After the plane landed here, the crew reported the matter to the security agencies and a case was registered.

Condemning the incident, Air India said in a statement, "The AI is also carrying out its probe and the incident is condemned. At the same time we urge our passengers to draw a line of ethics while flying and using our services so that it does not cause inconvenience to either the airline and supporting staff or our valued travelers".
World Autism Awareness Day witnesses events across the globe that attempt to sensitise people towards the disorder and increase acceptance.

New Delhi: The Qutub Minar was on Sunday lit in blue coloured lights to observe the ninth annual World Autism Awareness Day as a part of the international #lightitupblue campaign to raise awareness about the disorder.

"Lighting up the minaret in blue is a symbolic representation towards inclusion for disability and a real attempt to create a shift in consciousness," Archana Nayar, Founder, Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE), said.

Recognised internationally, World Autism Awareness Day witnesses events across the globe that attempt to sensitise people towards the disorder as well as aim at increasing acceptance of autistic individuals in the mainstream society.

"The #lightitupblue campaign is an internationally led effort to create awareness about autism involving architecturally significant structures.

"The Qutub Minar is a unique historical monument which is a visible and accessible part of our capital city while being a popular landmark," she said.

ACE has associated with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to light up the monument.

The move, Nayar said, was an expression of India's support for the global autism community.

Keeping in mind the spirit of inclusion and acceptance, ACE has also collaborated with PVR Cinemas for a sensory friendly screening of the 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy "Sing" at PVR Sangam in New Delhi.

"For us to have a proper movie experience, the sounds qualities are higher as compared to the lights and viewers are obviously not allowed to move around the movie theatres. But, for autistic people, it is the other way round," Nayar said.

The screening was slightly modified wherein the lights were turned up while the sound was turned down, and the viewers were able to move about freely.
Udhampur (J&K): Amid high alert and multi-tiered security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday, making it operational for traffic.

Multi-tier security setup has been put in place ahead of the Prime Minister's visit amid alert sounded along the border and high degree of vigilance at vital installation in J&K.

"It is a matter of great pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that this great tunnel is being dedicated to the nation by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi  the most popular PM. It is dedicated to the nation in keeping with his call for a new India," Union Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh told reporters.

Modi will also address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Udhampur district after inaugurating the tunnel.

The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. "Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day," Singh said.

The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.

Union Minister said that this tunnel is a game changer. "It is a revolution itself. It is a revolution to be watched and studied. It is a case study itself. It is a wonderful creation," he added.

"The connectivity through this tunnel will decrease the time of journey by two hours. It is an alternative all weather route. It is an alternative to the highway which is closed at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the state. It will also help boost tourism," Singh added.

The security setup includes elaborate deployments, area domination, checkpoints and alertness in border areas and vigilance at vital installations in the region by various security agencies, a police officer said.

Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid has expressed satisfaction over security arrangements put in place by security agencies for Modi's visit.

A high alert in border areas and Udhampur-Jammu belt and round the clock patrolling has been intensified, he said adding that high degree of vigilance has been put in place at vital installations including airports, railway stations and highways with continuous surveillance.

He said the Batal Ballian area and around the venue of the Prime Minister's rally was sealed and area has been fully sanitised.

BJP is expecting a huge turnout of people from various parts of the state for Modi's rally.

Security drills were carried out by police and other security wings today. Three helipads have also be sanitised and checked by security teams headed by the SPG.
110 searches across 16 states; 300 companies being probed.

New Delhi: In one of its biggest operations, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday conducted raids in more than 110 locations across the country, investigating about 300 shell companies.

Among the companies targeted in the raids are those connected to YSR Congress chief, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Maharashtras former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal and tainted Noida bureaucrat Yadav Singh. Searches were also conducted in connection with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in Uttar Pradesh. No one has been arrested, but sources said questioning of suspects is underway.

The crackdown on black money, in which almost the entire ED staff was involved, took place across 16 states and is part of the mandate given to investigating agencies under a Special Task Force (STF) created recently on the directions of the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

The PMOs directive is to check illegal operations of companies and entities that do not have any substantial business but are suspected of having been used for laundering ill-gotten money and facilitating bogus foreign transactions.

The government had recently told Parliament that the income-tax department has identified 1,155 shell companies which were used to launder Rs 13,300 crore over three years, till March 2016.

On Saturday, ED sleuths swooped down at market places, business centres, residential premises and even houses put up on rent to hunt down allegedly dubious and suspicious firms.

This is part of our concerted plan of action in the fight against black money and is one of our biggest operations where almost our entire staff was employed. There will be questionings now and more searches are possible. These raids may continue, ED director Karnal Singh told this newspaper on the phone.

Some of the companies were involved in major money laundering cases related to Chhagan Bhujbal, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Yadav Singh, NRHM, AGS Infotech, Rajeshwar Exports etc. while some other entities were found to have been used for laundering demonetised currency during post-demonetisation period, an ED release said.

Searches have also been carried out in the cases of related professionals who are the brain behind creation and operation of such shell companies, the ED said.

ED said it found a Mumbai-based operator who was running 700 shell companies with 20 dummy directors and had converted Rs 46.7 crore for Chhagan Bhujbal, the jailed ex-Maharashtra deputy CM.

Shell companies, known to be the backbone of Indias black economy, are set up to conceal the nature, origin, or destination of misappropriated funds by concealing the beneficiary/owner. The money shell companies hide is usually generated out of corruption, fraud or crime.

The ED is one of the members of the STF set up to target shell firms. The STF is co-chaired by the revenue and corporate affairs secretaries.

Officials said Saturdays raids in major metros and cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Panaji, Kochi, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Srinagar, Indore and Chandigarh, were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Modi said the society is innovation and technology driven and there is a need for more usage of IT.

New Delhi: Addressing thousands of youth at different centres across India participating in the Smart India Hackathon, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated them for having purpose of life and a sense of mission.

He said the participants were working towards creating a new India through their dedication to find out solutions for the nations problems using technology.

Addressing through video conferencing, Mr Modi said it was a myth that the government has solution for every problem, and said he was happy to see thousands of innovators, competing in the 36-hour event to find solutions to 500 problems from different sectors. Nearly 10,000 programmers are participating in this first-of-its kind initiative by the HRD ministry. In all, 29 ministers are participating in the event, and some of these innovations could also be adopted by the government.

Mr Modi said the society is innovation and technology driven and there is a need for more usage of IT.
The Pakistani government and Army have assured Beijing that they will do everything possible to ensure the CPEC is completed.

Beijing: With China planning to invest billions of yuan in constructing railways, waterways and highways as part of its giant One Belt One Road, or OBOR, global initiative, New Delhi is evaluating whether it should join a conference planned in Beijing next month on the Chinese project.

India is yet to take a view on this, given its reservations on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor running through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, said a person in the government with direct knowledge of the matter. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is believed to be a part of or linked to the OBOR concept.

Yet, South Block is not oblivious to the economic benefits of connectivity in other corridors which are set to be part of OBOR.

For instance, connectivity along a corridor linking China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and India could bring immense trade benefits to the underdeveloped states in Indias north-east. But New Delhi is wary since OBOR will certainly boost Chinese influence globally and not just in Indias immediate neighbourhood.

The proposed OBOR comprises two corridors, one on land, and the other maritime. The land corridors will be part of the Silk Road Economic Belt, or SREB, with corridors through central, west and south Asia which will link China with Europe.

The SREB is coined on the ancient Silk Road through which successive Chinese empires traded with the Romans who greatly prized silk, then the premium Chinese product.

The SREB will forge Chinas links with western Europe through central Asia and Russia, and with the Mediterranean through west Asia. It will also ensure access to the Indian Ocean through the much shorter land route via Pakistan that passes through PoK, culminating in the port of Gwadar in Pakistans restive Balochistan province.

But problems remain even in execution of the CPEC. Officials of the state-owned China Communications Constr-uction Co. Ltd told this newspaper in Beijing that they are facing a safety problem in Pakistan; however, the Pakistani government was providing them special security.

Safety in Pakistan is always on our mind but it is not the biggest challenge we have faced, said a company official who did not want to be named.

The Pakistani government and Army have assured Beijing that they will do everything possible to ensure the CPEC is completed.

India has opposed the CPEC on the grounds that it passes through PoK, which is sovereign Indian territory under the illegal occupation of Islamabad.

But China is only too aware of Indias thirst for rapid development, a promise that the Narendra Modi government has given to the Indian electorate.

China has built entire cities in the hinterland out of nowhere, including its technological marvels such as the Beijing-Shanghai bullet train and a 32-km-long bridge over the East China Sea connecting Shanghai to an island where a port is being built.

The OBOR is the brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping who reportedly first outlined the concept in Kazakhstan in September 2013, and then in Indonesia in October 2013.

The second part of the OBOR project comprises sea routes connecting China with south-east Asia and onward to Africa, supplemented by rail and road networks for which Beijing has heavily invested in Africa.

India, which is also uneasy about Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean and in some nations  apart from Pakistan  in the region, which include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Maldives and even land-locked Nepal, has its own deep engagement with the Asean nations in south-east Asia and the African continent as part of the India-Africa Forum Summit initiative.

The growing Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean region and constant movement of Chinese submarines have also unnerved New Delhi.

Dragon breathes fire

China plans to invest billions of yuan in One Belt One Road (OBOR) global initiative

OBOR comprises railways, waterways and highways projects

India is wary since OBOR will boost Chinese influence globally

OBOR comprises two corridors: One on land, and the other maritime

Land corridors part of Silk Road Economic Belt, which will link China with Europe

Second part of OBOR comprises sea routes connecting China with south-east Asia and onward to Africa
The all-weather tunnel will reduce travel time from Jammu to Srinagar by two hours.

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the youth of the Kashmir Valley have to decide between tourism and terrorism, and that the choice they make would determine their future and that of the state. Urging them to give up their stone-pelting pastime, Mr Modi said they should become a part of the sustainable and fast-paced development of the state. Forty years of bloodshed had not benefited anyone, he noted, only so many mothers have lost their sons.

On a brief visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday to inaugurate Indias longest road tunnel (of 9.2 km) that will reduce the distance between the states twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu by two hours, the Prime Minister said if tourism had been promoted in these 40 years, the world would have been at Kashmirs feet. He added: Every Indian has a dream to visit Kashmir once as a tourist, this will boost tourism, the more the tourism the better will be the economy and the people of the Valley will benefit from it. He while speaking at a public rally after dedicating the 9.2-km tunnel to the nation, where he pledged the entire country was with J&K if tourism is the focus.

Mr Modi said Pakistan could not take care of itself and yet its rulers were eying Kashmir. Referring to Occupied Kashmir and its people, he alleged they had been ruined after being subjugated by Islamabad. He said they too would know what development means as the Indian government was committed to take Jammu and Kashmir to heights of development and prosperity. He again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayees doctrine of Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat aur Kashmiriyat (humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat  the ethno-national and social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people), and said this prime motto would be used to take the state to new heights of development. No obstacle can stop us, the PM added.

Trying to reason with the Valleys stone-pelters, he said stones can be used for better purposes  to build infrastructure. On one hand, the youth of the Valley are throwing stones and, on the other, over 2,500 youth of this very place toiled hard day and night to be part of (blasting and extraction) processes to make this tunnel. They must realise the power of a stone. It can be carved to build infrastructure, he said. He said if they ignored Kashmirs invaluable tradition of Sufi culture, they would lose the present... and put your future into darkness.

Mr Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of J&K and sought the cooperation of the people for this, saying there were two options  tourism and terrorism  before Kashmirs youth, that could determine their future.

He said the tunnel, which runs between Chenani and Nashri along the Jammu-Srinagar highway, will ensure a safe and swift passage for commuters, even in adverse weather conditions, and farmers, including the Valleys fruit growers, will benefit from it, besides helping the state to boost tourism. He said the tunnel will be discussed in India, but also climate activists all over the world will see hope in this. Weve worked to safeguard the Himalayas and the environment. This tunnel will change the fortunes of the Valley farmers. Their produce will not rot due to road closures for days, he said.

A strike called by separatists, meanwhile, closed the Valley on the eve of the Prime Ministers visit.
Rajnath Singh said that Pakistan is using the social media to incite youths of Kashmir to storm encounter sites and help holed-up militants.

New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the country is united against any kind of violence threat, and that Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam.

The whole country is united against terrorism. The Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam, he told reporters here when asked about the violence perpetrated by militants in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the security forces are giving befitting reply to militants who are creating trouble in Kashmir Valley.

The home minister had on Friday said that Pakistan is using the social media to incite youths of Kashmir to storm encounter sites and help holed-up militants. The strife-torn region saw a new trend of late, in which youths from nearby villages gather at the encounter sites between security forces and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants escape, the minister had said. The home minister and defence and finance minister Arun Jaitley had also held a high-level meeting on Friday to review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In March, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had also reiterated that local Kashmiri people creating hurdles by throwing stones at the security personnel during anti-terror operations will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face harsh actions.
The Prime Minister urged all those working on start-ups to bring innovations to strengthen the judicial system.

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the judicial system in the country needed a technological revolution, and pledged his government would ensure a burden-free judicial environment and reduce the pendency of cases.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Allahabad high courts 150-year celebrations on Sunday, the PM said the Allahabad high court was a pilgrimage of sorts for the nations judiciary and that the purpose of law was to ensure welfare for everyone.

Mr Modi said: I assure Chief Justice Khehar that the government will back his resolve to reduce the pendency of cases. I have noticed an element of pain in his speech, and we have already done away with 1,200-odd laws in an attempt to modernise the judiciary and find a way out of the maze of statutes.

The Prime Minister urged all those working on start-ups to bring innovations to strengthen the judicial system. The use of technology in simplifying the work of courts will bring a qualitative change, he said. Mr Modi suggested certain amendments could be brought to the judiciary system and courts and police stations could start using video-conferencing and other methods to reduce delays in cases.

The Prime Minister added that in 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of Independence, every citizen should prepare a roadmap for the country of his dreams.

UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, in his speech, said justice should reach the poorest of the poor. He said the Allahabad high court was known for delivering historic judgments, and added that society needed to be regulated through the law. No one should be above the law  not even the rulers, he said.
There are 2.15 crore small and marginal farmers in the state and their total loans add up to Rs 62,000 crores.

Lucknow: A fortnight after being sworn in, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath plans to hold his first Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Though the Cabinet has met informally thrice, Tuesdays meeting will be its first formal session.

UP minister Siddhartha Nath Singh told reporters on Sunday that the issues to be taken up at the meeting had not yet been finalised.

It is learnt that the CM has been postponing the first official Cabinet meeting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared during the campaign that farmers loans would be waived off at the first Cabinet meeting if the BJP came to power. The state government is ill-prepared for such an announcement.

There are 2.15 crore small and marginal farmers in the state and their total loans add up to Rs 62,000 crores. Financial experts say the state will have no option but to seek additional funds from the Centre in order to waive the farmers debts.
The official said miscreants had engaged the cops by pelting stones on them in the same area.

Srinagar: At least 14 police personnel were injured and 1 killed on Sunday in a grenade attack by militants in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar.

Militants hurled the grenade on a police party next to Ganjbaksh Park in Nowhatta area of the city at around 7:00 pm when the cops were withdrawing from there after day-long law and order duty, a police official said.

He said 14 policemen were injured in the grenade blast.

The injured cops were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The official said miscreants had engaged the cops by pelting stones on them in the same area.
With 5 Hindu, 6 Muslim parties fighting case, chances of out-of-court settlement seem bleak.

Lucknow: Chances of an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute have receded further with both sides hardening their stand after the Supreme Court rejected BJP MP Subramanium Swamys plea for a hearing the case on priority.

Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) leader and eminent lawyer Zafaryab Jilani said with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath at the helm of affairs, there is no possibility of an out-of-court settlement.

We are apprehensive that undue pressure would be mounted on us and we would prefer to wait for the court to give its verdict. We have waited for so many years and can wait for another few years, he said. Iqbal Ansari, who is now a party in the case in which his late father Hashim Ansari was a plaintiff, said, My father spent his entire life for this case and always favoured a peaceful settlement. But, he wanted the talks should be about the construction of both  the temple and the mosque. Without this, there can be no negotiation. There are five Hindu parties and six Muslim parties fighting cases in the Supreme Court.

Negotiation is not an easy option in this scenario, admitted a senior counsel. Now with the court refusing to hear the case on a day-to-day basis, there is likely to be more delay in pronouncement of the judgement.

The emergence of a Muslim group called Ram Mandir Muslim Kar Sevak Manch, which calls upon the community to support temple construction, has added to the mistrust.

A senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, who requested anonymity, said, This is how attempts are being made to create confusion among Muslims and demoralise the community. The people behind this group are unknown figures and cant speak on behalf of the entire community.

Mahant Ram Das, the chief priest of Nirmohi Akhara and a key litigant in the case, said, We are ready for talks but the Muslims must give up their claim over the Babri Masjid and allow the construction of a Ram temple at that site. Mughal emperor Babar never came to Ayodhya and the Babri Masjid was built by his general, Mir Baqi. The grave of Mir Baqi is 5km from the disputed site in Shahenwa village of Faizabad. Muslims can build the Babri mosque near Mir Baqis grave.
However, Modi's visit was met with a separatist call for a shutdown, which meant most shops and establishments were shut.

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated Indias longest tunnel, the 9-kilometre long Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"It is a matter of great pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that this great tunnel is being dedicated to the nation by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi  the most popular PM. It is dedicated to the nation in keeping with his call for a new India," Union Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh told reporters earlier today.

The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. "Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day," Singh said.

The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.

Union Minister said that this tunnel is a game changer. "It is a revolution itself. It is a revolution to be watched and studied. It is a case study itself. It is a wonderful creation," he added.

"The connectivity through this tunnel will decrease the time of journey by two hours. It is an alternative all weather route. It is an alternative to the highway which is closed at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the state. It will also help boost tourism," Singh added.

Modi will also address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Udhampur district after inaugurating the tunnel.

But the PMs visit to Kashmir was not without opposition. Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley on Sunday due to strike called by separatist groups against Modis to the state for inauguration of the tunnel.

Most of the shops, business establishments and fuel stations were shut in Srinagar - the summer capital of the state, officials said.

However, they said, the weekly flea market, locally known as Sunday market, was open as many vendors had set up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk.

The officials said most of the public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally in many areas of the city here.
Mulayam said that he has never felt as insulted in his life as he did during the five years of Akhileshs term as CM.

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday fired a fresh salvo at his son and party president Akhilesh Yadav, rekindling the 10-month old family feud.

Speaking to party workers in his bastion of Mainpuri, the 77-year-old leader said that he has never felt as insulted in his life as he did during the five years of Akhileshs term as CM.

I allowed Akhilesh to become chief minister when no father has handed over the reins of power to his son. However, Akhilesh became arrogant He continued insulting me for five years and talked to me only for five minutes I have never been humiliated so much in my life, he said, and added, Akhilesh ditched me. Why are you all surprised? He sacked his uncle (Shivpal) too.

This is the first time after the elections that Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav has spoken out against his son, clearly indicating that while the family feud continues to simmer, faultlines have deepened further in the party reeling from the drubbing it received in the Assembly elections last month.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav appeared to support a statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign rally, where the BJP leader had criticised Akhilesh and asked how anyone could trust a person who wasnt faithful to his father.

Prime Minister Modi had said this in his election campaign and the BJP benefited from this, he said.

He further said that, He removed me form the post of party president and the ministers and legislators supported him because he was the chief minister.

Mr Mulayam Singh said that he had warned Akhilesh that Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav would destroy his career and that is exactly what has happened.

Those having no vote base are hatching a conspiracy against me. But he (Ram Gopal Yadav) should understand that I rely on the masses, and not him, now.

Some sections are suggesting floating of a new party but I have to see what my people want, he said.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav also said there was a conspiracy against him and asked supporters to wait for some time before decisions were taken.

I did not intervene in what happened in the last few months but I have to speak here so that my people do not find fault with me, he said.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav has avoided making a statement against his son, evidently in the hope that the latter would accept his mistakes. However, his patience seems to be giving way now.

Mr Yadavs statement is bound to encourage the anti-Akhilesh lobby in the SP to demand that he hand back the post of party president to his father.

SP MLC Madhukar Jetley said in Lucknow that as promised earlier, Mr Akhilesh Yadav should hand back the party to his father so that party workers can start preparing for their comeback.
After row erupts, Chhattisgarh government says CM didnt mean capital punishment.

Bhopal/ Imphal/New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state Gujarat made cow slaughter punishable with life imprisonment, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh went a step ahead and announced that those who kill cow will be hanged.

Pichhle 15 saal se ek bhi ghatna aisi nahi hui...jo maarega usko latka denge (Not a single incident of cow slaughter has taken place in the last 15 years... anyone who does so will be hanged), Mr Singh said in Jagdalpur on Saturday. He was responding to queries by journalists if his government would, like Yogi Adityanaths in UP, take a tough stand on cow slaughter.

A Chhattisgarh government spokesperson, however, clarified to this newspaper that the CM never meant capital punishment. In administrative parlance, latka denge means will take (offenders) to task, the spokesperson said.

Slaughter of cow, buffalo, bull, bullock, calf, and possession of their meat is ba-nned in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh. Transport, export to other states for slaughter is also banned. These offences attract same punishment of seven years jail and fine up to Rs 50,000.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi accused the BJP of hypocrisy over beef ban after the saffron party said it would not be extended to the northeastern states.

In Uttar Pradesh, cow is mummy, and in the northeastern states its yummy. This shows BJPs hypocrisy. While they are talking about beef ban in Uttar Pradesh, they have said there would be no such thing in the Northeast.

Assembly elections are going to be held in three states in the Northeast. Beef is easily available in (BJP-ruled) Goa. You tell me what is this, he told a TV news channel.

Reacting to the Hyderabad MPs remarks, BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy said, Whats this mummy, yummy thing? Owaisi says he has faith in the Indian Constitution. Article 48 of the Constitution says cow slaughter will be prohibited. Let him say he has no faith in some articles of the Constitution, then we will see, he said.

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh too slammed Mr Owaisi for his comments. Such wild allegations should not be made. We worship cows, we preserve them. He (Owaisi) cannot make such observations about the entire northeast, he said in Manipur capital Imphal.

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi supporter Mr Owaisis remarks. We have heard what Raman Singh has said....Whats happening in UP. The hypocrisy behind cow protection is obvious. Saying that there will be no beef ban in northeastern states is political opportunism, she said.
Modi also seemingly took a potshot at Pakistan, and said, "they can't even take care of themselves".

Udhampur: Sending out a message to them is guided youth of Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said "40 years of bloodshed" has not benefitted anyone and that they should choose tourism over terrorism to ensure the state's development and well-being.

He again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's slogan of 'Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat (Kashmirism, democracy and humanity)' and said this "prime motto" will be used for taking the state to new heights of development and "no obstacle can stop us".

Modi, who was on a brief visit here to inaugurate the country's longest road tunnel between Kashmir and Jammu, used the occasion to tell the stone-pelters of the valley that stones can be used for better purposes  building infrastructure.

Addressing a rally here, he told the Kashmiri youth that if they ignore the "invaluable tradition of sufi culture", they would "lose the present and put your future into darkness".

In a veield manner, the Prime Minister also hit out at the rulers of Pakistan who are eyeing Kashmir, saying "they can't even take care of themselves".

He said his government was committed to ensure fast-paced development of Jammu and Kashmir, which would also tell the people living under "occupation" in the other parts of the state how they are being destroyed.

At the event attended by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some union and state ministers, Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.

"I want to tell the misguided youth of Kashmir valley, realise the power of a stone. On one hand, there are some misguided youth who pelt stones, on the other hand, there are youth from the same Kashmir who carve stones to build infrastructure," he said.

The message was clearly for the youth who are indulge in stone-pelting in the Kashmir valley and thus risk their lives.

"I want to tell the Kashmiri youth, there are two paths in front of you which can determine your future -- one is tourism, the other is terrorism," he said.

"Over last 40 years, there has been lot of bloodshed. My own Valley has been blood-soaked, my Kashmir's beloved youth, my Hindustan's beloved youth. Nobody has benefitted from this bloodshed," the Prime Minister emphasised.

He said if the people of Kashmir had devoted the same 40 years to development of tourism, the valley would have been blessed with tourism of world class.

Modi said whenever the mention of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh comes, remembering Vajpayee was inevitable as he had given the slogan of 'Kashmiriyat, jamhooriyat and insaniyat'.

"Using the same prime motto, we will move ahead with harmony, with brotherhood, with strong will and determination for the brighter future of the youth," he said, amid repeated chants of "Modi, Modi'.

The Prime Minister said development will be pushed further in all three parts of Jammu and Kashmir state -- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.

He showered praised on Mehbooba and her government, in which his party, the BJP, is a partner, saying more than half of the Rs 80,000 crore package given by the Centre over a year back has already been spent in such a short span of time.

"Otherwise the packages remain on the paper only," he said while complimenting the Chief Minister.

Modi said the state had the potential to have the highest per capita income and to realise this, the people need to walk with the government, shoulder-to-shoulder.

"Development is our only mantra," he said and emphasised the importance of 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's cooperation) and taking the youth along.

Talking about the 9-km-long 'Chenani?Nashri Tunnel', which provides an all-weather route and reduces the distance by 31 kms, the Prime Minister described it as a "fate line" for the state and said it will take tourism in the Kashmir valley to new heights.

He said nine such tunnels are planned for the state as part of infrastructure development.

"Yeh sirf infrastructure network nahi, yeh dilon ko jodne wala network hai (This is a network, not only of infrastructure, but to connect the hearts)."

"The tunnel not only reduces distance between Kashmir and Jammu, it is a long jump for the development of Jammu and Kashmir," the Prime Minister said.

Elaborating on his "fate line" comment, Modi said the tunnel will greatly benefit the people of Kashmir, particularly the farmers who would suffer losses because their produce like fruits and vegetables would perish due to prolonging of their journeys from the valley to other parts of the country.

"The (Kashmir-Jammu) highway would be closed for days due to landslides and as a result the produce of the farmers would perish before reaching the market. So this tunnel is a boon for the farmers. Now, their produce, their fruits, vegetables will reach Delhi in time and they will no more suffer financial losses," he said.

Another benefit of the world-class tunnel, he said, was that tourist flow to the Kashmir valley can increase as the travellers will no longer have to worry about getting stranded on the highway because of landslides.

Modi added that the tunnel will be a matter of discussion for environmentalists, not only in India but across the world, since it has been built by cutting through the mighty Himalayas.

"For the environmentalists, it is a big news and hope," he added.
Security has been beefed up and authorities have deployed huge police and paramilitary forces at vital places to stop protests.

Srinagar: Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley on Sunday due to a strike called by separatist groups against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state for inauguration of Chenani-Nashri tunnel, the longest in the country, on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Most of the shops, business establishments and fuel stations were shut in Srinagar - the summer capital of the state, officials said.

However, they said, the weekly flea market, locally known as Sunday market, was open as many vendors had set up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk.

The officials said most of the public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally in many areas of the city here.

Similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the Valley, they said.

The officials said security forces have been deployed in strength at sensitive places across the Valley to maintain law and order.

The Prime Minister is visiting Jammu region of the state to inaugurate the longest highway tunnel (9 km) in the country, which would reduce the travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 31 kms and save travel time by two hours.

Asking people to observe a general strike, the separatists - chairmen of rival factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and

JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik - in a joint statement on Thursday had said "all rhetoric about development or construction of tunnels and roads are futile and will not succeed in luring us".

They said the Prime Minister was visiting the state at a time when situation was "extremely gloomy".

"Calling or observing a shutdown does not meet the demands of the situation but there is no other option left by the authorities. We do not nourish any animosity with the

Indian Prime Minister, but it is frightening and painful that instead of taking notice of genocide in the state, he is awarding and rewarding assassins," they said.

The separatists said Kashmir is a "political issue and not a problem related to governance, economic packages, incentives or a law and order".
Working among widows of encounter victims gets Monika invited to a global symposium.

Sometimes, what someone does in her own surroundings can be so inspirational that it can pitchfork that person to the status of a global citizen. Monika Khangembams story is a perfect example of this. This zealous activist from Manipur was one of the 15 people from across the world to be invited to the Global Citizen Youth Campaigners Symposium, which took place in New York last week.

A human rights activist who has been relentlessly campaigning for social causes back home, Monika founded the Women and Youth for Peace and Development (WYPD) in 2015. Its an NGO based in Imphal. We work with women whose husbands and sons have been killed in fake encounters by the commandos. Most suffer from acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and psychological issues, so we provide psycho-social therapy through clinical counselling, music and meditation therapy, sharing sessions, exercises, etc. They let their hearts out and build a sense of sisterhood with each other. They face many hardships in bringing up their children. We train them so that they can be economically independent and sustain themselves, she shares. WYPD also works with youth who belong to various ethnic communities who are in conflict with each other. We give them a platform to mingle with and get to know each other better and become peace ambassadors in the future.

In 2016, Monikas Facebook post, revealing how she was racially discriminated at the Delhi IGI airport, went viral and created a furore. As someone who feels strongly about racism, she has been spearheading national campaigns against racial discrimination since 2012. Coming to her days as a student, she says, I did my MA in Marketing and Management Communication from Commits, Bengaluru. I have a special connection with the city because it was there that I realised what I wanted to do and started campaigning on various issues. I worked in the PR sector, but lost interest in it. The problems of my people impacted me deeply. In no time, Monika got involved in various campaigns.

Organised by Global Changemakers and Global Citizen, the New York meet saw 29-year-old Monika also attend the Commission on the Status of Women as a special guest.

At the reception co-hosted by the governments of Malta and the UK, we heard inspiring stories on achieving the Global Goals  specifically, repealing discriminatory laws against women and eradicating preventable diseases. The speakers included British actress Erin Richards and UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Matthew Rycroft, she says.

Her future agenda? We want women to take equal roles in peace interventions and mediations and be leaders on their own.
The court had suggested the JNUSU President and the administration to have a meaningful dialogue, for it may solve several problems.

Police personnel and JNU students scuffle during a protest outside the UGC building in New Delhi. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction to restrain its students from staging any demonstration within 100 metres of the administrative block.

The plea by the JNU administration was filed before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, who had recently asked the students to ensure the decibel levels were kept low during protests so that there was no disturbance in the functioning of the university.

The court had on March 17 modified its order restraining the students from protesting within 100 metres of the block and had directed that the protest, if any, should be peaceful and not block lanes or roads leading to the administrative block.

Alleging that the students of JNU have disobeyed the court's direction, despite assurance given by them before it, the plea has sought action against the ones who have violated the order.

The petition by JNU's counsel Monika Arora has sought "immediate indulgence of the court" while highlighting that on March 23 the students had staged a dharna, burnt the effigy of the Vice Chancellor right outside the administrative block and blocked entry and exit of university officials.

While seeking direction to the police to provide adequate security as and when requested, the plea sought direction that "no dharna/demonstration/street plays etc. will be allowed with or without noise making instruments within 100 metres of the administrative block" of the JNU.

The court has fixed the plea for hearing on April 12. The court's earlier direction were issued on JNU's plea against the blocking of its administrative department by the agitating students.

Earlier, during hearing of the plea, the court had suggested the Jawaharlal University Students Union (JNUSU) President and the administration to have a meaningful dialogue among them, which may lead to resolution of several problems.
Posters calling for 'azadi' for Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland were put up at JU earlier in February only to be torn down by ABVP activists.

Kolkata: Once against Azaadi slogans were echoed by the students of Kolkata's Jadavpur University on Sunday as a mark of protest against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The students of the University were seen holding placards which read: "Yogi is the new Trump...Brahminical version of white supremacy" and they raised slogans like "Azadi", "Halla Bol" and "RSS door hatao".

The Azaadi slogans were raised by the students in front of the Academy of Fine Arts where an international seminar on persecution of minority Hindu Buddhist Christians in Bangladesh is going on.

"This protest is against the RSS' conducting of seminar on the issue of minorities in Bangladesh. We think the same RSS which has been the reason for the deaths of thousands in Godhra, in Muzaffarnagar cannot address the minority issue. We doubt their credibility, rather we think they are here to evoke communal sentiments and pitting one against the other. So we are protesting here," Debopriyo Som, a student and United Students Democratic Front (USDF) member said.

Posters calling for 'azadi' for Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland were put up at Jadavpur University (JU) earlier in February only to be torn down by ABVP activists, who allegedly vandalised the university complex on Wednesday.

The posters had been signed by a group called 'RADICAL' and described by both the Jadavpur University Students Union (JUSU) and VC as a 'fringe' group allegedly responsible for raising 'pro-Afzal' slogans at a rally.

"Hume kya chahiye - Azadi. Kashmir ki Azadi. Manipur ki Azadi. Nagaland ki Azadi (We demand freedom. Kashmir's freedom. Manipur's freedom. Nagaland's freedom)," one of the posters said.

Some members of the group had said that they had raised slogans in favour of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during the protest the recent arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
Sakhubai Shindes son said the accused were arrested only after his mother personally complained to the police.

Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a 90-year-old woman, Sakhubai Shinde was asked to personally visit the police station and register a complaint after two bikers allegedly rammed into her while she was sitting outside her house. While the city has a dedicated helpline for its senior citizens, inspector Naushad Tamboli of Kurla police station did not direct officials to reach out to the injured victim. Instead he said they would act only if she came to the police station. The accused, after the arrest, were found to be riding without a helmet and were performing bike stunts.

Ms Shinde, a vegetable-seller at the Sambhaji Chowk market, was sitting in her veranda on Sunday night when two youths on a motorcycle rammed into her. She sustained injuries on her right foot. The locals had already warned the duo to not perform stunts as Gudi Padwa preparations were underway. Paying no heed to the warning, the youths were performing a wheelie and hit a speed breaker, thereby landing on the victims foot. The locals alerted the police.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Inspector Naushad Tamboli of Kurla police station said, We could take cognisance against the youth only after Sakhubai Shinde comes to the police station and lodges a complaint with us. He further added, We have been getting many complaints about the loud horns and screeching sounds made by stuntmen but the locals need to come forward and lodge a complaint with the police station.

Ms Shindes son, Vivek, said, We had to take my mother to the civic-run Sion Hospital where she got four stitches on her foot. The police arrested the two young men only after my mother personally went and complained to the police. The two youths were neither wearing a helmet nor did they have a license to ride a motorcycle.
Around 4,500 resident doctors had recently gone on a mass leave strike over a a spate of attacks on doctors by the relatives of patients.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday deployed 397 security guards of the Maharashtra State Security Force in four major civic-run medical college-cum hospitals in the city to provide safety to doctors.

The guards were deployed at KEM Hospital, LTMG (Sion) Hospital, BYL Nair Hospital and RN Cooper Hospital in the city.

Around 4,500 resident doctors had recently gone on a mass leave strike over a a spate of attacks on doctors by the relatives of patients. The resident doctors had demanded, among others, increased security for doctors, two passes per each patient and an alarm system to alert security personnel if relatives of patients assault doctors.

Dr Avinash Supe, director of major civic-run hospitals, said, In civic-run KEM hospital, there are 99 guards deployed. They will work in three shifts of 33 each and 15 are armed. They will be around the entrance and at places where emergency service is offered.

Idzes Kundan, assistant municipal commissioner, said, They will only check the entry points. Two relatives per patient are strictly followed. CCTV monitoring has started.

Out Patient Department (OPD) area is demarcated.

While 93 guards were posted at Sion Hospital, 42 were deployed at Nair Hospital. An additional 56 guards will be deployed at Nair later and 107 guards will be deployed at Cooper Hospital.

Dr Suleman Merchant, dean of Sion Hospital, said, Emergency hotline (3374) has been set up for all employees to activate for Rapid Action Force for prompt response. Entry has been segregated at all gates.

There will be strict implementation of colour-coded passes for patients and relatives with fixed validity. Random checks will be carried out to ensure people without a pass are not present within the hospital. Emergency alarm has been installed and its numbers will be extended to 17. Intelligent alarm system (wireless) is also planned to be implemented.
Many five star hotels are located near the domestic airport in Mumbai and most of them are affected due to the order.

Mumbai: The liquor ban on highways has affected at least 1,000 star hotels in Maharashtra including the VIP Lounge at the domestic airport here, an official of Indian Hotel And Restaurant Association (AHAR) said on Sunday.

Maharashtra would be losing an estimated yearly revenue of Rs 7,000 crore in the wake of the Supreme Court order for shutting down from April 1 the liquor vends within 500 metres range of state and national highways, the government had said on Saturday.

According to a report in the Economic Times, the SC verdict on liquor ban is estimated to hit about 1 million jobs in the country.

"There are some 10,000 hotels and restaurants in Maharashtra which have stopped serving liquor since yesterday," AHAR president Adarsh Shetty said.

"But the worst hit are the hotels ranging from three to five star who have invested hundreds of crores. Around 1,000 such hotels are affected by the liquor ban," he said.

Many five star hotels are located near the domestic airport here and most of them are affected due to the order, he claimed.

The VIP lounge at the airport, which is used by private aircraft owners, has been also affected. All these places have stopped serving liquor, Shetty said.

Notably, the domestic airport in suburban Santacruz is located in the vicinity of the Western Express Highway.

"The star hotels are known for serving liquor in various forms like different types of cocktails. They get business from such service... the decision has affected the business model," he added.

The apex court had made it clear that the judgement banning liquor vends along highways would also be applicable to bars, pubs and restaurants as drunken driving leads to fatal road accidents.
Producer says they released the short on YouTube; Rahul Raj Singh had sought stay.

Mumbai: The Dindoshi city civil and sessions court on Saturday extended the stay on the screening of Hum Kuch Keh Na Sakey, a short film featuring late TV actor Pratyusha Banerjee. Meanwhile, the makers of the film, were disallowed from screening the film at a club where it was to be shown. However, they claimed they have released the film online.

Pratyushas ex-boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh had approached the court seeking a stay on the films release. Rahuls lawyer Sneha Singh on Saturday informed the court that the films producer Kamya Punjabi had not received any notice regarding the stay order. She (Ms Punjabi) is making statements before the media that she will release the movie at any cost, Ms Singh said.

Ms Singh argued, My clerk went her house but her watchman did not allow him to serve her the notice. The watchman had told the clerk that madam has told him not to receive any courier or letter.

Ms Singh further said that Ms Punjabi in a recent newspaper interview said she wanted to link real life with reel life. Rahul has not been convicted by court and suicide case trial has yet to begin, but the film is maligning his image, she said.

The judge, S.C. Khati, asked why the petitioner (Rahul) had not served a notice to the respondent at the place where film release was held. Ms Singh said even that that time the respondent had refused to accept the notice.

The court then extended stay on the film till the April 4 and directed the court bailiff to serve the notice to the respondent.

Shreyansh Meethare, another lawyer of Rahuls, said that in the film had a negative character named Rahul.

Rahul, who was present in the court, was pleased with the extension of the stay. Speaking to The Asian Age, he said, The truth will never change; it will remain forever. If these people are true, they should have remained present before the court

Meanwhile, Ms Punjabi and Pratyushas parents held a press conference to screen and release the movie in the actors memory at County Club, Andheri. While they did not screen the movie, they released it on YouTube.

Ms Punjabi said, We wanted to hold a public screening of the movie, but the club refused to let us do so. They said that they are scared of the police. But we are not, hence we have released the movie on YouTube for all to watch.

Pratyushas mother Soma Banerjee said, I am very proud of my daughter. The movie does justice to her acting. She added that Rahul Raj Singh had killed Pratyusha and is hence scared of the movie being released
At a secret time and place, Dylan is to receive his Nobel diploma and medal in a closed meeting.

Stockholm: After months of controversy, Bob Dylan was due in Stockholm on Saturday to finally grab his Nobel literature prize in a meeting with the Swedish Academy, which honoured him for his poetry.

The first songwriter to receive the prestigious award, Dylan has joined the league of Nobel laureates including Thomas Mann, Samuel Beckett, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Doris Lessing.

At a secret time and place, the famously reclusive Dylan is to receive his Nobel diploma and medal in a closed meeting at the weekend with members of the Swedish Academy, which elects the winners of the literature prize.

The setting will be small and intimate, and no media will be present; only Bob Dylan and members of the Academy will attend, all according to Dylans wishes, Sara Danius, permanent secretary of the Academy said in a blog post on Wednesday. Mikael Timm, a culture reporter at the public Swedish Radio, thinks Dylan wants the meeting to be strictly private to avoid a situation that could spiral out of his control, especially after a series of humiliating press conferences in the 1960s. He obviously wants to communicate but realised he doesnt need to be exposed to aggressive and offensive press conferences, Timm said.

Dylan is set to perform concerts on Saturday and Sunday in Stockholm, the first stop on a long-planned European tour for his latest album of cover songs

It is unclear if the meeting will take place before or after the two concerts as the Academy has been tight-lipped.

The 75-year-old rock enigma will not give his traditional Nobel lecture during the meeting, the only requirement to receive the eight million kronor (836,000 euros, $895,000) that comes with the prize.

The clock is ticking for Dylan who has until June 10 to deliver his lecture, which could be anything from a short speech to a performance, a video broadcast or even a song.
The language of the Uttarakhand judgment is almost telegraphic.

March has been a week for extraordinary judgments, where between courts and legislature a new way of seeing is being inaugurated. In a landmark judgment, the high court of Uttarakhand declared that the Ganga and the Yamuna will hereafter be treated as persons.

On March 27, Parliament of New Zealand declared that the Whanganui river would be recognised as a person, when it comes to the law in the same way a company is, which will give it rights and interests.

Two landmark decisions defining a new way of thinking. Both decisions have an arid quality, yet both these decisions hide an exciting moment in law. To capture the spirit of it one has to go back to Christopher D. Stones classic, Should trees have standing?

In a lazy moment of curiosity, Mr Stone as an academic began to wonder what it would take for a tree to be treated as a person. He later on developed it into a monograph which he hurriedly completed hoping it would catch the attention of Justice William O. Douglas, who was hearing a famous Sierra Club case.

In creating a thought experiment, Mr Stone laid down three conditions. First, a suit filed in the objects name should not be hyphenated with a human. Second, damages should be calculated by a loss to a non-human entity not hyphenated with a human. Third, he argued that damage should not be conceptualised in anthropocentric terms as economic loss to humans.

The experiment came to the attention of Justice William O. Douglas. Citing his case in Sierra Clubs appeal against US secretary of interior Rogers Morton, Justice Douglas presented a classic defence around the standing of nature. He argued that inanimate objects are sometime parties to a litigation. Justice Douglas argued that valleys, rivers, lakes, estuaries, groves and swamp lands should have a legal standing. The river, he felt, is a living symbol of life. A river as a system sustains insects, fish, etc. The river as a plaintiff speaks for the ecological unit of life it sustains. In fact, Justice Douglas went on to suggest that those people who have a meaningful relation to the body of water must be able to speak for the valves the river represents. His plea for the river was an eloquent one. Oddly, its poetry and its ethics did not touch a consumerist nation, which felt the idea was silly and threatening. A doggerel verse commented:

If Justice Douglas has his way

O come not that dreadful day

We will be sued by lakes and hills

Seeing a redressal of ills

Anyone who read the Twitter responses to the Uttarakhand judgment senses a similar sense of dismissal. One spoof demanded that River Ganga pay back all its taxes.

But the Stone-Douglas argument was an idea whose time had come. Mr Stone had argued that all major rivers, as ecosystem, should be represented by guardians. Indian environmental activists observed that the idea of trusteeship seemed more relevant, as, in it the relationship with nature is more symmetrical. Guardianship as a humanitarian idea sustains an asymmetry with nature.

The New Zealand bill creates an agreement with the Maori people whereby the river has two guardians  one from the Crown and one from the people. But the decision is triggering a process as the bill has still to decide what values will be involved in protecting the river. A whole river strategy, which will link commercial and recreational needs, has still to be worked out.

The Uttarakhand judgment is a halfway house between these two decisions. It recognises the river not a living ecosystem which needs to be represented. Nor does it give the idea of the river a sense of having rights and being recognised as a person. The judgment is not a full ecological agreement elaborating the idea of nature as having rights and possessing a standing. The judgment is not generalised to rivers as ecosystems. What it emphasises, in fact, is not the aesthetic possibilities of nature but a moral limited argument. The language of the judgment is almost telegraphic. It is a terse recognition that Ganga and Yamuna rivers are sacred to the Hindus and therefore should be recognised as persons.

What one senses in the judgment of Justice Sharma and Justice Alok Singh is an administrative diktat verging on the theological. It is neither a full-blooded exercise in eco-philosophical thinking nor a generalised celebration of the river or of nature obtaining rights. In fact, a layman after reading Mr Douglas arguments will be puzzled by the Indian judgment. He has to ask does sacred give rights or is there an attempt to incorporate the river as nature into the Constitution granting nature a different ontological and legal status.

The judgment as a narrative disappoints. There is a touch of the parochial. It suggests all Hindus have a deep astha in rivers Ganga and Yamuna and they collectivity connect with these rivers. The judges observe that the rivers have provided both physical and spiritual sustenance to all of us from time immemorial. The argument is only elliptically about rivers. The emphasis is more on the sacredness and historicity of Ganga and Yamuna. It then names the chief secretary of the state of Uttar Pradesh and the advocate-general of Uttarakhand as persons, the human face of the river.

A huge part of legal scholarship flows under the bridge. The question one must ask is can one have a wider stakeholder model for the river as an ecosystem or should protecting the river be reduced to a narrow notion of governance? Second, is sacredness a valid argument? What happens to nature in its everydayness?

Third, is the decision to be extended to all rivers or restricted to the Ganga?

All these issues raise nagging questions on whether there has been a genuine change in legal philosophy? Is the so-called spiritual covering up for a bureaucratic diktat? There is no sense of process, debate or a wider idea of reflection. Is the sacredness of Ganga going to be extended to sacred groves, to ordinary river streams, to ponds dying in the summer? Unfortunately, the judgment is taciturn, even cryptic about it.

It is an announcement of good news but one wishes there was a deeper philosophical and legal undertone to it. Democracy otherwise stands puzzled and immobile before it.
The information cannot be obtained under the Right to Information Act as this does not apply to political parties.

If the provisions (amendments) in the Finance Bill 2017 come into effect, instead of moving forward to bring about electoral reforms, the government would certainly be moving a few steps backwards. In his several addresses to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his commitment to bringing about reforms in elections, cleaning politics and increasing transparency in political funding. But the proposed amendment in the Finance Bill regarding political funding can neither bring about transparency in political funding nor in any way help in putting a check on election expenses or curb the role of black money in elections. If there is anything, the proposed amendment if finally approved, only facilitates in building a much more close association between political parties and business houses, an arrangement popularly referred to as crony capitalism. Will this in any way contribute to bringing about reforms in the electoral process?

One does not need any expert to analyse this, even an ordinary person may be able to say if the proposed amendment will help political parties in generating unaccounted money much easily or if this will bring about transparency in election funding on which the government has showed its commitment on several occasions.

The existing law, under which political parties could receive donations of less than Rs 20,000 in cash without making any disclosures about such donations, has attracted criticism in the past. The existing law also prescribes that any donation to political parties over and above Rs 20,000 can only be made by cheque and political parties are required to keep a record of such donations and disclose details of such donations. Under the present law, business houses and corporates are allowed to give donations to political parties only up to 7.5 per cent of their average net profit of the past three years. While it is lawful to give donations to political parties, in order to prevent building a close nexus between political parties, business houses and companies, the existing law prescribes an upper ceiling on how much money a business house or company can donate to a political party. While both business houses and political parties perform equally important but distinctly different functions, there should not be undue influence or control of business houses on any political party.

But the proposed amendment in the Finance Bill (if passed) will only help in building a close nexus between business houses and political parties, to the extent of business houses virtually owning political parties. The proposed changes in donations to political parties under the new electoral bonds makes a mockery of the governments commitment to bring about transparency in election funding. Under the proposed Finance Bill 2017, the upper limit of how much companies can donate to a political party have been removed, the parties could donate as much as they can, even all its profits, and no rule could prevent parties from doing that. Also, such donations could be kept anonymous, neither is a political party required to share any details of such donations nor the companies/business houses are required to share details of any such donation. So practically, business houses could even own the political party by way of giving all its profit to the political party and virtually putting all members of the party on its payrolls. While concerns have been raised in the past about the growing culture of crony capitalism, the proposed amendment to the Finance Bill 2017 will only lead to facilitating the growth of such a culture. The whole idea of transparency in political funding will fall apart.

There have always been concerns about misuse of existing provisions by political parties on accepting donations below Rs 20,000 in cash without making any disclosure. The proposed amendment to bringing down the amount of donations, which political parties could receive in cash from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2,000, is seen as an important step in bringing about transparency in political funding, but even this seems to be merely lip service.

Earlier, if anyone needed to make donation of Rs 20,000 to a political party, it could have been done in one go. But under the changed law, for giving the same amount of donation in cash, the company may have to do this 10 times. While there may be more entries required (not even that as parties are not required to make any disclosure), but it hardly helps in either putting a check on the amount of donation or process of donation, or even in transparency in political funding. This can in no way help in putting a check on the use of black money in elections.

When political parties were required to at least keep a record and disclose the amount of donations and various details about such donations, we were able to get at least some information, though it was heavily under-reported, but still we had some assessment and there was some check on political parties. Political parties were required as per law to disclose such donations, but the proposed amendment makes political parties immune from that. The information cannot be obtained under the Right to Information Act as this does not apply to political parties.

The new amendment to reduce the amount of cash donations is still a welcome step, but it is still unclear what prevented the government from putting a complete ban on cash donation for political parties rather than only reducing the limit of cash donations.

This will only create an initial buzz, but sooner than later we will realise that it hardly helped in bringing about the desired impact.

But one fails to understand how empowering political parties under law of not being required to make any disclosure of the donations which they received could help in making funding more transparent.
According to Baker's website, he taught himself to sew and began making banners for gay, anti-war marches, creating rainbow flag in 1978.

New York: Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag that has become a widely recognized symbol of gay rights has died. He was 65.

Baker was found dead Friday at his New York City home. The city medical examiner's office said Saturday that he had died of hypertensive heart disease.

Baker was born in Kansas and served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972.

He was stationed in San Francisco in the early days of the gay rights movement and continued to live there after his honorable discharge.

According to Baker's website, he taught himself to sew and began making banners for gay and anti-war marches, creating the rainbow flag in 1978.

Baker said in a 2008 interview that he knew instantly from the way people reacted to the flag that it was "going to be something. I didn't know what or how ... but I knew."

Baker was part of a circle of San Francisco gay activists that included Harvey Milk, the city supervisor who was assassinated in 1978, and Cleve Jones, who created the Names Project AIDS memorial quilt in the 1980s.

In an interview Saturday, Jones recalled the rainbow flag's first appearance at the 1978 gay pride parade.

"It was quite amazing to stand there and watch all these thousands of people turn off Market Street into San Francisco Civic Center Plaza and march beneath these giant flags that were flapping in the wind," Jones said. "People looked up and faces lit up and, without any explanation, this was now our flag."

The flag was initially eight colors, but it was cut to six because of the limited availability of fabrics, Jones said. He said Baker rejected advice to patent the rainbow flag design and never made a penny off it.

Baker also designed flags for civic occasions including the inauguration of Dianne Feinstein, now California's senior U.S. senator, as mayor of San Francisco.

Baker moved to New York in 1994 and created a milelong rainbow flag for the gay pride parade, which that year commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.

Current San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee said in a statement that the rainbow flag "has become a source of solace, comfort and pride for all those who look upon it."

"Gilbert was a trailblazer for LGBT rights, a powerful artist and a true friend to all who knew him," Lee said.
US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that China is the only country which knows how to stop North Korea.

Haley emphasized that at the Florida summit 'the most important conversation will be how we're going to be dealing with the non-proliferation of North Korea'. (Photo: AP)

Washington: The United States will "put pressure" on China to take action against North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the US ambassador to the United Nations said on Sunday, days before a high profile visit by China's president.

"The only country that can stop North Korea is China and they know that," Ambassador Nikki Haley told ABC in an interview broadcast on Sunday. "We're going to continue to put pressure on China to have action."

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Donald Trump on April 6 and 7 at the US president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for their first face-to-face encounter.

It is being held amid rocky US-China relations over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, trade and other issues.

On Thursday, Trump predicted a "very difficult" summit, noting the disputes over trade policy between the world's two most powerful nations and leading economies.

But Haley emphasized that at the Florida summit "the most important conversation will be how we're going to be dealing with the non-proliferation of North Korea."

Beijing, increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang's nuclear and missile activities, announced a suspension of all coal imports from the North until the end of the year -- a crucial source of foreign currency.

Haley deemed that measure -- which was in keeping with UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program and missile program -- insufficient, saying that coal is "going in other ways."

"At some point, we need to see definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it," she said.
Armenia is also a member of Moscow-dominated economic and security alliances and hosts a Russian military base.

Yerevan: Armenians voted Sunday in the country's first parliamentary election since the ex-Soviet nation modified its constitution to expand the powers of parliament and the prime minister.

Polls prior to the vote showed the Republican Party of Armenia's president, Serzh Sargsyan, in the lead, closely followed by a bloc led by businessman Gagik Tsarukian, one of Armenia's richest men.

Critics see the amendments as part of Sargsyan's efforts to retain control of the country after he steps down in 2018 due to term limits. If his party controls parliament, he could be appointed prime minister after leaving the presidency.

But the 62-year-old Sargsyan, who has led Armenia since 2008, has rejected the allegations, describing the constitutional changes approved in a 2015 referendum as steps toward strengthening democracy.

"We have set a task to make resolute step toward developing a European-style democracy and strengthening democratic institutions," Sargsyan said.

The constitutional changes, set to take force after Sargsyan's term ends, envisage largely symbolic powers for the nation's president, who will now be elected by parliament instead of by popular vote.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetian has spearheaded the Republican Party's campaign, promising to encourage foreign investment in the economically struggling nation. Tsarukian also has pledged to attract up to $15 billion in foreign investment from Persian Gulf countries and elsewhere.

The nationalist Dashanktsutyun party and two other parties also are expected to make it into the parliament.

Sergei Minasian, an independent political expert based in Yerevan, said the ruling party had a "significant advantage" in the campaign, thanks to its use of administrative resources.

The European Union mission in Yerevan has expressed concern about "allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties." It didn't name any parties.

Landlocked Armenia, one of the poorest of the ex-Soviet nations, borders Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It has suffered from a crippling economic blockade imposed by Turkey, which supports its ally Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia is also a member of Moscow-dominated economic and security alliances and hosts a Russian military base.

The country has seen some unrest in recent years. In 2015, thousands demonstrated in Yerevan for weeks protesting electricity price hikes. In July, several dozen armed men captured a police compound in the capital, demanding freedom for an opposition activist and the government's ouster.

They held several police officers and medics hostage before eventually releasing them. The two-week siege left two people dead and several wounded and triggered rallies in support of the gunmen.

In March, several hundred protesters rallied in Yerevan after an activist who fed the siege perpetrators died in prison while on a hunger strike.
No incidents of loss of life were reported, authorities said.

An official said the missiles were fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province. (Photo: Representational/AFP)

Peshawar: Four missiles fired from Afghanistan on Sunday landed in northwest Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

One of the missiles hit a shop and other landed near a mosque in Shungak area in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency. Two other missiles hit a graveyard in Kachkina area.

The residents were panicked after the shop was destroyed in Shingak area. No incidents of loss of life were reported, authorities said.

An official said the missiles were fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province. Kurram, which borders three Afghan provinces, is one of the most sensitive tribal areas.

The incident occurred in the same area where the Pakistani Taliban on Friday targeted a Shiite imambargah with a powerful car bomb, killing at least 24 people and injuring nearly 100 others at a crowded market.

The blast struck the women's entrance of the imambargah in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency, sending the large number of people gathered for Friday prayers near the market into a frenzied run for safety.
At Mass in the town hit by an earthquake in 2012, Pope Francis invites people "with God's help" to rise above the "rubble" and rebuild "with patient hope." Witnesses of hope to the "hearts weary and weighed down by sadness". A meeting with Card. Caffara one of the cardinals "doubtful" on Amoris Laetitia. Remembrance and prayer for the victims in Colombia, the fighting in Congo, tensions in Venezuela and Paraguay.

Carpi (AsiaNews)  We can stand at tomb side or the side of Jesus" said Pope Francis today during Mass celebrated in the Emilian cities of Carpi, hit by an earthquake in May 2012, struggling to rebuild itself.

This invitation to make a decision and as well the temptation to discouragement were the focus of Pope Francis homily, following the Gospel story of the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11: 1-45): "There are those who allow themselves to become closed in sadness and those instead who are open to hope. Some people are still trapped beneath the rubble of life and those who, like you, with the help of God raise the rubble and rebuild with patient hope.

In front of the big 'why' of life we have two options: We can sit sadly by the tombs of yesterday and today, or bring Jesus to our tombs. Yes, because each of us has a small tomb, a space that is a little 'dead inside our heart: a wound, an injury suffered or done, a bitterness that we cannot let go of, remorse, a sin we cannot overcome. We need to identify these our tombs today and invite Jesus there ".

"Let us not be imprisoned by the temptation of being alone and disheartened to feel sorry for ourselves for what happens to us; do not yield to the useless and inconclusive logic of fear, resigned to repeat that everything is wrong and nothing is like it used to be. This is the atmosphere of the tomb; instead the Lord wants to open a way of life, an encounter with Him, trust in Him, in the resurrection of the heart.

Thus the words of Jesus to Lazarus speak to each one of us: 'Come out!' of the impasse, come out of sadness without hope; untie the bandages of fear that obstruct your path; the ties and weaknesses of the concerns that stop you, say again that God loosens the knots. In following Jesus we learn not to tie our lives around the problems that tangle us up: there will always be problems and, when we solve one, another one regularly comes along. We can, however, find a new stable, and this stability is precisely Jesus who is the resurrection and life: with him, joy dwells in the heart, hope is reborn, pain is transformed into peace, fear into confidence, our trials an offering of love. And although there will always be heavy burdens to bear, His hand will help lift them up, His Word will encourage us and He will say, 'Come out! Come to me!'".

"Visited and liberated by Jesus - he concluded - we ask for the grace to be witnesses of life in this world that is thirsty, witnesses that arouse and raise the hope of God in the hearts that are weary and weighed down by sadness. Our announcement is the joy of the living Lord, who still says, as in Ezekiel: "Look! I am going to open your graves; I will make you come up out of your graves, my people" (Ez 37,12). "

This commitment of hope comes from imitation of Jesus. Referring to the Gospel Francis recalled that "Jesus is shaken by the dramatic mystery of the loss of a loved one:" He is deeply moved "and was" very troubled "(Jn 11,33 ). Then "burst into tears" (v. 35) and came to the tomb, the Gospel says, "once more deeply moved" (see 38). This is the heart of God: Far from evil, but near to those who suffer; he does not make evil disappear magically, but with suffers-with the suffering, he takes it on himself, and transforms it by living it". And together, "Jesus was not carried away by anxiety": "He did not allow himself to be swept up by the emotional resignation around him, but prayed with confidence and said," Father, I thank you "(v. 41). Thus, in the mystery of suffering, before which thought and progress crash like flies against glass, Jesus gives us an example of how to behave: Do not flee from suffering, which belongs to this life, but neither be prisoners to pessimism".

Before the Mass, in Carpi cathedral, the Pope met with the bishops of the region. The Holy See Press Office emphasised that the Pope also met with the bishop emeritus of Bologna, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, with whom he spoke (see 2 photos). Card. Caffara is one of the four cardinal who wrote to the Pope about their "dubia" (doubts) regarding the interpretation of the apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia" to which the Pope has never apparently responded directly. Immediately after the pope offered a floral tribute to Our Lady of the Cathedral (photo 3).

Before the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, Francis recalled some worrying situations in the world: the avalanche in Mocoa (Colombia) on the night between March 31 and April 1 which resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 people; clashes in the Kasai region (DRC) that "cause casualties and displacement". The Pope invited all to pray that "the authors of such crimes do not remain slaves of hatred and violence."

He also cited the very tense situation in Venezuela and Paraguay, where there are signs of civil war. Addressing "those people, very dear to me," the pope invited all "to persevere tirelessly, avoiding any violence and search for political solutions".
Watch Size

Watch Snob: What Is The Perfect Watch Size?

The Watch Snob is in.



The Perfect-Sized Watch

Dear Snob,

I bought my first "real" watch, an IWC Mark XVI last year. I'm sure you'll think it a somewhat pedestrian choice, but I bring it up because the watch fits perfectly on my wrist and I absolutely love it. It is not too big and not too small. As you've mentioned in your columns, most of the makers of better timepieces keep upping the size. I was wondering if you may have any insight from the manufacturers if there is any hope of this trend actually reversing. Most of these inflated watches look silly  and especially on people like me who do not have particularly large wrists. Also, in your opinion, how much should one's wrist size play in their purchase?



You are correct: The Mark XVI is a pedestrian choice, but you are also correct in saying that it is a perfect size. Ive said it before, 39 millimeters may be the perfect size for a mans watch. So what did IWC do this year? It made the new Mark XVII larger. Someone needs to tell the company that increasing the Mark number doesnt necessitate increasing its diameter.



I do not have insight from manufacturers about their size trends. What I do know is that most of the brands that I hold in highest esteem still make watches in modest, respectable sizes, though Lange has scared me by increasing the size of the Datograph dangerously close to an unacceptable diameter. The acceptable range for most male wrists is 36 to 40 millimetres, and theres no excuse for buying larger unless youre a sumo wrestler.



Your wrist size should have no bearing on your watch purchases unless you are drawn to one of the behemoths that are too often the subject of readers questions. In that case, you deserve whichever ill-fitting watch you choose.



A Good Choice For $5K Or Less?

Hi Snob,

I am writing to get your advice on a watch purchase for my nephew. He is approaching his 13th birthday, and given the importance of that birthday in my Jewish heritage, I feel this is time to introduce him to fine timepieces. Not long ago he commented on my A. Lange 1815 chronograph, so I was thinking about buying him a chronograph of his own. My initial choice was the Blancpain Leman Flyback, but when his father (my brother) heard of my plan, he made it clear that such a gift would be "too much," and demanded that I if I insist on purchasing my nephew a timepiece, that it cost $5,000 or less (it's times like these when I remember he is my stepbrother). I've decided to acquiesce to my brother's wishes instead of starting an intra-family feud by going ahead with my original plan. So I turn to you for advice as to what would be an appropriate gift for this occasion.



A suitable gift for a 13-year-old? How about a bicycle? You should be able to stay well under $5,000 and avoid your stepbrothers ire unless you go for a carbon-fibre racing bike that the kid will grow out of it as soon as he hits puberty anyway.



Im all for introducing young men to timepieces, but unless this little blighter is writing sonnets and playing Mozart, hes not going to care whether its a Lange or a Longines. Hes hardly lived long enough to earn a proper timepiece. I dont care if hes Jewish or Chippewa  turning 13 isnt exactly an accomplishment. I got my first Patek when I graduated high school, and even that was a family heirloom. My advice? Wait until hes 18, and then decide which watch to get him and whether he deserves it. After all, he is your step-nephew.



Question from a Watch Knob

Let me be clear: the Watch Knob in this question is not the inquirer but the subject of his question. Not that I was holding my breath, but after countless inquiries from my staff, Kobold has ducked and dived more times than a candidate at a debate.

It appears that I will not be receiving a Kobold watch to review, which is a pity, since I had planned the perfect venue in which to test the timepiece in its intended element. I had organised a challenging undercover mission to collect sacred rocks from the summit of Dhauligiri, accompanied by Sherpas, after which we were going to hang glide to base camp, where I would teach them the art of watchmaking by disassembling the Kobold to assess its workmanship. But, sadly, this is not to be.

My offer stands to other watch brands that perhaps feel the Snob has not given you a fair shake. Step out from behind your ads and press releases. I promise an unbiased review of any timepiece of your choosing. My anonymity allows me to be honest, which can be to your benefit or your peril.

Whatever became of your review of a Kobold watch
The Ioniq will be assembled in India. Hyundai aiming to price it at Rs 25 lakh.

In August last year we broke the news that Hyundai was seriously evaluating the introduction of the Ioniq hybrid in the Indian market and now, after receiving an encouraging response from potential customers, the Korean car maker has finally given the green light for the launch of its hybrid car.

We have just finished conducting an extensive customer clinic in Delhi and the feedback has been quite positive says Y.K. Koo, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India who is keen to launch the Ioniq as quickly as possible to usurp the Toyota Prius position as the premier full hybrid in the country.

Also, with the crackdown on vehicular emission by policy makers, activists, environmental agencies and the courts, the promotion of cleaner hybrid and electric vehicles is high on their agenda. Hyundai is keen to ride this green wave sweeping the auto industry and is using the 2018 Auto Expo next February to showcase its eco-friendly credentials.

We have decided to launch the Ioniq at next years Auto Expo confirmed Koo who also added, the Ioniq will not be a CBU (import) but will be a CKD (completely-knocked-down) unit.

The decision to locally assemble the high-tech Ioniq is a big commitment from Hyundai to the still miniscule hybrid segment in India but, after witnessing the success of the locally built Toyota Camry, the Korean carmaker is confident of selling decent volumes to justify local production. Hyundai aims to sell on average 100 Ioniqs every month, a hugely ambitious target, and a lot will depend on price.

Hyundai will no doubt take full advantage of all the tax and fiscal benefits that locally produced hybrids enjoy. Our aim is to price the Ioniq around the Rs 25 lakh said Koo who was quick to add, this is a tough target but we are working hard towards it. Even if Hyundai achieves an ex-showroom price of Rs. 30 lakh that would still make the Ioniq a massive Rs 9 lakh cheaper than its direct rival, the recently-launched Toyota Prius, which is a substantial advantage.

The Ioniq hybrid, which made its global debut in early 2016, is a little wider but shorter than the Prius. It is powered by a combination of a 1.6-litre GDi petrol motor developing 102hp and 146.4Nm of torque and a 42.4hp electric motor with 169.4Nm of pulling power, resulting in a total output of 144.2hp and 315.8Nm. Power is channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Like the Prius, the Ioniq looks futuristic and quite different from conventional cars. And thats the whole point. When youre driving an Ioniq everyone knows your driving a hybrid and nothing else, which is a good way for owners to flaunt that they really care for the planet.

The Ioniq wont even register a blip on Hyundais sales charts but what it has done is thrown down the gauntlet to Toyota. The hybrid war has begun.
The Air Force is moving ahead with plans to allow its pilots to interrupt military service to fly with airlines. Its one of the measures being considered to stem the exodus of experienced military aviators to commercial aviation. Our senior leaders are going to start collaborating with the airlines in May to see if we can get a public-private partnership and what that might look like, so I think thats where youll see we are going, Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, told Federal News Radio. She said the goal is to keep the ranks of military pilots strong while at the same time ensuring a steady supply of military-trained aviators for the airlines. The Air Force is currently short about 1500 pilots because airlines are on a hiring spree and military pilots are the most sought-after candidates.

The Air Force is also considering increasing retention bonuses to keep military pilots in longer. Its looking at increasing the $25,000 cap on annual bonuses to a maximum of $35,000 for those who agree to stay 13 years. That totals $455,000 in bonus pay over the 13 years. Its also looking at allowing one- or two-year extensions in addition to the five- and nine-year engagements it currently offers. More lucrative plans will be available for the pilots in most demand, currently fighter pilots. Of the 1,555 vacancies at the end of 2016, 1,211 were fighter jobs.
Airbus is dropping plans to produce the electric E-Fan 2.0 and E-Fan 4.0, planned as two-seat trainer and tour-seat touring aircraft. The company had announced in 2014 that it expected to bring the E-Fan 2.0 to market in 2018 as a joint venture with Daher-Socata, the French airframe maker best known for its TBM turboprops. The new plan is to move away from pure electric propulsion and produce a hybrid-electric, regional jet-sized aircraft that would enter service over a decade from now2030. Stephan Schaffrath, head of media relations for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, told AVweb, We are setting ourselves an ambition which goes well beyond E-Fan. We are excited developing next steps in our electrification roadmap, and particularly demonstrating much greater power levels in flight demonstrators in the near future. And we believe that electric and hybrid-electric propulsion is a key part of the future of flight.

Airbus has set as its goal increasing power output of electric or hybrid-electric aircraft by a factor of ten every three years. The 2014 E-Fan 1.0 had a total output of 60 kW from two ducted fans each producing 30 kW. The German-made electric Extra 330 flew in 2016 with a power output of 300 kWcomparable to the peak output of a single drive motor from a Tesla Model S. Airbus told AVweb they aim to fly a 2-MW technology demonstrator within three years, but using a hybrid-electric powerplant rather than a pure electric system.

Airbus estimates getting the regional jet-sized project in the air will require another factor of ten power output boostup to 20 MW. For comparison, Pratt & Whitney Canadas largest all-electric auxiliary power unit (APU), designed for the Boeing 787, produces the alternating current equivalent of only 450 kW. Siemens, the powertrain partner for the electric Extra 330, also manufactures extremely large industrial generators and motors, which Airbus may be eyeing for future hybrid E-Fan projects.
A California flight schools financial woes are threatening the training futures of dozens of foreign flight students. Mazzei Flying Service, of Fresno, is out of money and is suspending almost all training effective immediately. Students from Taiwan, Indonesia and India who are training to become airline pilots back home have an uncertain future. As of Monday, we met with the students and told them we were ceasing all full-time flight training, Mazzei President Mark Addis told the Fresno Bee. We are finishing training for a small number of studentswho are close to the end of the program.

The students paid tens of thousands of dollars up front for training and some have filed formal complaints. But Addis said resuming the regular tempo of training is not feasible at the moment. He said the school is not closed but other than finishing off those relatively few students its not flying. The exact number of students, foreign and American, was not released but there are about 40 Taiwanese alone. Addis said the decision was a difficult one precipitated by the collapse of an investment deal last week.
Americans love competition, or say that they do. A fundamental assumption of American business is that capital will find the most efficient way to reproduce itself and companies that fail deserve to fail. Plain and simple, its economic Darwinism. Its a universal principle until, that is, its your own ox getting gored or youre subjected to distorted competitive forces with unknown long-term outcomes.

In Tuesdays blog on Continentals Chinese-funded expansion in Mobile, I didnt delve into these specific details about how AVICs investment could affect the competitive environment for a critical part of GA in the U.S.: aftermarket parts and services. Its worth a look.

In the U.S., the GA market is flat at best, but really in decline with regard to OEM manufacturing and overall flight activity. In real dollars and in units shipped, recent trend lines have been downward and sharply downward since 2008. GAMA data shows that 2016 saw $20.7 billion in new aircraft against $24.8 in 2008. Theres no point in sugarcoating the fact that the pie is shrinking. Continentals business strategy, which has animated its opportunistic purchases of two companies, is to grow by expanding its share of the pie.

In buying Danbury Aerospace/ECI, Continental creates something that existed only in the margins before: direct competition between Continental and Lycoming. In the old order, these two engine companies competed to the extent that they tried to entice OEMs to select their engines, but once that was done, they left overhauls to independent field shops and were satisfied to provide the necessary parts. As the industry declined, both companies aggressively entered the overhaul markets and the field shop universe declined.

More competition arrived in the form of companies like ECI and Superior, which competed with the engine manufacturers in supplying overhaul parts, especially cylinders but eventually major assemblies like crankshafts and crankcases and even entire engines based on PMA parts. If there was a golden age of this PMA competition, I would peg it between 1995 and 2005, when Superiors Millennium cylinders were a thing and ECI was finally figuring out nickel-treated cylinders. These gave meaningful competition to both Lycoming and Continental and kept prices in check, at least on popular cylinders.

As the market has declined, both of those companies got into trouble. Superior went down with the Thielert bankruptcy in 2007, not so much as a result of market trends but of mismanagement. ECI got caught short after 2008, probably squeezed between soft sales and high internal costs. With U.S. investors uninterested, AVIC saw an opportunity and snapped it up. I suspect the decision was animated by both a longer term view that looks past short-term returns and the overarching goal to build Chinese expertise at all levels of aerospace. Thats another way of saying Textrons version of the numbers is very different from AVICs.

And that gets us to the significance of Mondays new factory announcement by Continental. As I said Tuesday, $40 million isnt a huge investment but if its huge enough to fundamentally reset the economics of manufacturing parts like cylinders, crankshafts, pistons and the like, it changes the competitive landscape. Continental is now is a position to compete directly against Lycoming on everything, up to and including complete engines if it certifies and expands the Titan line. With a state-of-the-art factory, it may have internal cost advantages that give it a powerful edge.

Of course, Textron could easily write a check to fund similar reinvestment at Lycoming, but is unlikely to do so because it wouldnt see the return on investment. Heretofore, Lycoming has largely funded reinvestment with its own internally generated capital with the expectation of certain returns. AVIC isnt concerned about quarterly earnings in quite the way Textron is so if it sounds like Lycoming is competing on a tilted playing field against a state-owned enterprise, thats exactly whats happening.

Is this unfair? Probably, but what about real competition is? Any company will quite naturally leverage whatever assets it can bring to bear to beat the other guy in the market. Thats capitalism 101. The short-term effects of this arent necessarily predictable. In purchasing ECI, Continental removed one competitor from the market. Less competition almost always means fewer choices and higher prices. On the other hand, an anemic market will tolerate only so much price escalation before it really heads south. Were already well into the era of cannibalistic competition. The long-term effects are equally uncertain. If AVICs acquisitions eventually force more competitors from the market, it becomes the dominant player and can set prices at will. This would be true whether the investment comes from China, India, the U.S. or Japan.

In aviation, we tend to focus on our narrow universe without regard to broader geopolitics. Theres a tradeoff here. Chinese aerospace investments in the U.S. clearly benefit China and serve its goal to become a dominant economic player on the world stage. But the investment has also at least preserved and probably created jobs in the U.S. that might have otherwise gone the way of the textile industry.

So, take your pick. Chinese investments in Europe are nearly double what they are in the U.S., but the U.S. may be unique for less regulation and oversight of such investments. Why dont we, by government fiat, stop these acquisitions? Wouldnt that be in the long-term best interest of the country? Perhaps. And perhaps this will be a topic of conversation when President Trump meets Chinas Xi Jenping this week. Then again, circle back to the first line: Americans love competition.

Dueling Idiocy

On the way to the gym Friday morning, I heard this report on NPR. I found it dispiriting that western civilization has declined to the point that we consider the idiocy described in this report as sane enough to merit five minutes of radio time. I kept waiting for the reporter to just burst out and say  seriously?

The story is about TFR violations on Floridas east coast, where the government throws up a 30-mile restricted area when President Trump is at Mar-a-Lago. Hell be there this week, by the way, just as Sun n Fun gets fired up.

Ive already opined about this in a VLOG. The dueling idiocy part is that these TFRs are so large and that the security edifice feels so threatened by an errant Skyhawk that they feel the need to intercept with an armed fighter. At least one has exceeded Mach 1 during the intercept. I get the were-not-taking-any-chances approach to this, but by now they have plugged enough data into the security algorithm to realize these incidents have a low probability of threat. Ive argued to make the TFRs smaller and/or provide the airports impacted by them, especially Lantana, with some relief.

On the other hand, there have been 38 TFR violations. For as excessive as I might argue that TFRs are, thats a degree of cluelessness that stuns even me. Its not like these TFRs arent publicized for anyone who looks even casually. AOPA sends out an email alert on them. Theres really no excuse for busting one and with Sun n Fun coming, the opportunities expand.

So if you do nothing else before flying in Florida, where the weather rarely requires a detailed briefing, at least check the NOTAMs for TFRs. Theres enough idiocy out there without adding to it.
Armenians began voting on Sunday morning in parliamentary elections which President Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party (HHK) hopes will extend its more than decade-long rule.

The HHK and eight other political parties and blocs are vying for at least 100 seats in the new Armenian parliament elected one year before Sarkisian serves out his final presidential term and Armenia officially becomes a parliamentary republic. The president has yet to clarify whether he plans to become prime minister or only stay on as HHK chairman after April 2018.

The elections are held under a system of proportional representation involving votes for not only the nine parties and blocs but also their individual candidates. More than 1,100 candidates representing these groups are running on an individual basis in 13 constituencies across the country.

Sarkisian declined to comment on his partys chances of winning the vote after casting a ballot in a polling station in Yerevan. Today is not the time to assess chances, he told journalists. Today is the time to get votes.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetian, who led the HHKs election campaign, claimed to be in a very good when he spoke to reporters outside another polling station. I have no forecasts. I just want things to be peaceful and tolerant, he said.

Businessman Gagik Tsarukian, whose alliance is widely seen as one of the election favorites, voted in his native village of Arinj just north of Yerevan. Everything now depends on our people, he said. They are the ones who decide.

Tsarukian insisted that he enjoys the unconditional trust and faith of Armenians but was reluctant to talk about possible post-election developments. In particular, he would not say whether he could form a coalition with the HHK. The tycoon also strongly denied a media report that met with Sarkisian on the eve of the ballot.

Defense Vigen Sargsian, another senior HHK figure, emphasized the fact that the elections are held under Armenias new Electoral Code which was amended last fall with the aim of preventing serious fraud and multiple voting in particular. The amendments jointly worked out by the HHK and the parliamentary opposition led to the introduction of electronic voter authentication devices in all 2,000 or so polling stations across Armenia.

The Armenian authorities also agreed to install web cameras in 1,500 of them. They were supposed to broadcast live online voting and ballot counting there. A special website created to provide those broadcasts was largely not accessible in the morning, however.

Armen Smbatian, a member of the Central Election Commission (CEC) blamed that on technical problems resulting from heavy Internet traffic. They are natural because there have never been such online broadcasts in Armenia before, he told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

Smbatian also said that in any case the voting and counting processes will be recorded by the cameras. Election contenders will be able to watch those videos, he added.

The European Union and the United States provided earlier this year around $10 million in funding for the purchase of this electronic equipment. They both have repeatedly stressed the importance of the proper conduct of the Armenian elections.

The vote is monitored by thousands of local observers and a 300-strong observer mission deployed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
A correspondent for RFE/RLs Armenian service was attacked by government loyalists in Yerevan on Sunday while covering Armenias parliamentary elections.

The incident occurred after the journalist, Sisak Gabrielian, noticed that many voters in Yerevans Kond neighborhood are visiting a local campaign office of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) just before going into a nearby polling station and casting ballots there. Some of them had cash in their hands as they left the office.

Several young people operating the office denied giving vote bribes to local residents when Gabrielian went in and asked them for comment. They claimed that they are paying wages.

Gabrielian saw long lists of people placed on the office desk. The lists contained their passport numbers, addresses and signatures.

You are hampering our work, said one young man. Youre not letting us pay peoples wages. He claimed that the money is paid to HHK campaign workers.

The HHK activists then forced Gabrielian to leave the office. Some of them wrested his mobile phone, which was filming the conversation, and hit him in the process. Gabrielian suffered a minor injury to his face.

Another, female reporter was attacked by a group of angry women outside the HHK office in Kond when she started filming people visiting it.

Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General was quick to react to the incident, saying it has urgently instructed the police to investigate it.

The HHK spokesman, Eduard Sharmazanov, deplored the violence. He said that any obstruction of journalists work is unacceptable to the ruling party.

For his part, Hakob Beglarian, an HHK candidate whose constituency encompasses Kond, denied any responsibility for the attacks. There was no incident inside the campaign office, Beglarians campaign headquarters said in a statement. The reported scuffles occurred outside the office and they were between the journalists and citizens.

The statement also denied that Beglarians office in the blue-collar area was bribing voters.

The HHK was accused by its political opponents and some media of large-scale vote buying throughout the election campaign. It denied handing out vote bribes. An HHK deputy chairman, Armen Ashotian, praised the conduct of the elections on Sunday afternoon, saying that there have been no serious violations so far.
Town hall meetings, whether they be in person or over the telephone, arent the only ways to reach a legislator.

Though much has been publicized over failed attempts to call legislators, they often still promote their staffs telephone numbers and email addresses to reach them when stopping by in person is not an option.

Here is the contact information for each legislator representing Cumberland County.

State House of Representatives

Rep. Mark Keller (Rep)

86th Legislative District: Hopewell Township, Newburg Borough, Shippensburg Borough, Shippensburg Township, Southampton Township and all of Perry County.

Cumberland County district office: The office is at 81 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PO Box 705. The office can be reached from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-477-0905 or by fax at 717-477-0695.

Perry County district office: The office is at 18 W. Main St., New Bloomfield, PO Box 9. The office can be reached from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-582-8119 or by fax at 717-582-8979.

Capitol office: The office is in Room 108, Ryan Office Building, and can be reached by phone at 717-783-1593 or by fax at 717-782-2894.

Social Media: Facebook and YouTube

Rep. Greg Rothman (Rep)

87th Legislative District: covers part of Silver Spring Township, as well as all of Hampden Township, East Pennsboro Township and Camp Hill Borough.

Camp Hill district office: The office is at 1200 Camp Hill Bypass, Suite 202, Camp Hill. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone at 717-975-2235 or by fax at 717-975-2229.

Capitol office: The office is at 163A East Wing, and can be reached at 717-783-2063 or fax at 717-782-2897.

Social Media: Uses Facebook and YouTube

Rep. Sheryl Delozier (Rep)

88th Legislative District: covers Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Lower Allen Township, Shiremanstown, New Cumberland, Lemoyne and Wormleysburg.

Camp Hill district office: The office is at 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill. The office can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-761-4665 or by fax at 717-731-7126.

Capitol office: The office is at 141 East Wing, and can be reached from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-783-5282 or by fax at 717-772-9994.

Social Media: Twitter (@RepDelozier), Facebook and YouTube

Rep. Dawn Keefer (Rep)

92nd Legislative District: Monroe Township and northern York County

Dillsburg district office: The office is at 12 N. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, and can be reached from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-432-0792 or by fax at 717-432-0795.

Capitol office: The office is at 423 Irving Office Building, and can be reached by phone at 717-783-8783 or by fax at 717-782-2920.

Social Media: Facebook and YouTube

Rep. Will Tallman (Rep)

193rd Legislative District: covers South Middleton Township, Mount Holly Springs, North and South Newton townships, Penn Township and Cooke Township, as well as northern Adams County

Abbottstown district office: The office is at 282 W. King St., first floor, Abbottstown, PA 17301. It can be reached by phone at 717-259-7805 or 1-877-480-9525 (the toll-free number will also connect with satellite offices). Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Middleton satellite office: The satellite is in the South Middleton Township Building, 520 Park Drive, Boiling Springs. Staff is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the first and third Thursdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in April. Both satellite offices can be reached at 717-612-0807.

North Newton satellite office: The satellite office is at the North Newton Township Building, 528 Oakville Road, Shippensburg. The office is open the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in April. Both satellite offices can be reached at 717-612-0807.

Capitol office: The office is at 427 Irving Office Building, and can be reached by phone at 717-783-8875 or by fax at 717-787-7588.

Social Media: Facebook and YouTube

Rep. Stephen Bloom (Rep)

199th Legislative District: covers part of Silver Spring Township, as well as all of Middlesex Township, North Middleton Township, Carlisle Borough, Dickinson Township, West Pennsboro Township, Lower and Upper Frankford townships, Lower and Upper Mifflin townships and Newville Borough.

Carlisle district office: The office is at 1227 Ritner Highway, Carlisle, and can be reached by phone at 717-249-1990 or by fax at 717-249-8775.

Capitol office: The office is at B-8 Main Capitol, and can be reached by phone at 717-772-2280 or fax at 717-705-2012.

Social Media: Uses Twitter (@RepBloom), Facebook and YouTube

State Senate

Sen. John Eichelberger (Rep)

30th Senatorial District: Hopewell Township, Newburg, North and South Newton townships, Upper and Lower Mifflin townships, Upper and Lower Frankford townships, North Middleton Township, Newville Borough, Penn Township, West Pennsboro Township and parts of Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon and Blair counties.

There is no Cumberland County office, but staff will meet by appointment only at Newville Borough Hall, 4 West St., Newville. For more information, call 1-866-509-3424.

Capitol office: Senate Box 203030, Room 173, Harrisburg. The office can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-787-5490 or 717-787-3118 or by fax at 717-783-5192.

Social Media: Facebook, YouTube and Flickr

Sen. Mike Regan (Rep)

31st Senatorial District: Cooke Township, Dickinson Township, South Middleton Township, Mount Holly Springs, Carlisle Borough, Monroe Township, Middlesex Township, Silver Spring Township, Mechanicsburg Borough, Hampden Township, Upper Allen and Lower Allen townships, Shiremanstown, East Pennsboro Township, Camp Hill Borough, Wormleysburg, Lemoyne, New Cumberland and northern York County.

Camp Hill district office: The office is at 2151 Market St., Camp Hill, and can be reached at 717-975-1985.

Dillsburg district office: The office is at 1 E. Harrisburg St., Dillsburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-432-1730 or by fax at 717-432-1733.

Capitol office: Can be reached at Senate Box 203031, Harrisburg PA 17120-3031. The office can be reached by phone at 717-787-8524 or by TTY at 800-364-1581.

Social Media: Twitter (@SenatorReganPA), Facebook

Sen. Rich Alloway (Rep)

33rd Senatorial District: Shippensburg Township, Shippensburg Borough, Southampton Township and parts of eastern Franklin County, all of Adams County and parts of southwestern York County.

Chambersburg district office: The office is at 37 S. Main St., Suite 200, Chambersburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-264-6100 or by fax at 717-264-3652.

Gettysburg district office: The office is at 16-A Deatrick Drive, Gettysburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-334-4169, by fax at 717-334-5911 or toll free at 866-334-1863.

Hanover district office: The office is at 118 Carlisle St., Suite 309, Hanover, and can be reached by phone at 717-632-1153 or by fax at 717-632-1183.

Capitol office: The office is at 172 Main Capitol and can be reached by phone at 717-787-4651, by fax at 717-772-2753 or by TTY at 800-364-1581.

Social Media: Twitter (@SenatorAlloway), Facebook

U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Scott Perry (Rep)

4th Congressional District: part of Upper Allen Township, as well as Lower Allen Township, Silver Spring Township, Hampden Township, Camp Hill Borough, East Pennsboro Township, Wormleysburg, New Cumberland, Lemoyne and Harrisburg City and York and Adams counties.

Cumberland/Dauphin County district office: The office is at 730 N. Front St., Wormleysburg, and can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 717-635-9504 or by fax at 717-635-9861.

Washington, D.C., office: The mailing address is 1207 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, and the office can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at 202-225-5836 or by fax at 202-226-1000.

Social Media: Twitter and Instagram (@RepScottPerry), Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

Rep. Lou Barletta (Rep)

11th Congressional District: Mechanicsburg Borough, part of Upper Allen Township, Monroe Township, Carlisle Borough, South Middleton Township, Middlesex Township, North Middleton Township, Dickinson Township, West Pennsboro Township, Newville Borough, Mount Holly Springs, Upper and Lower Mifflin townships, Upper and Lower Frankford townships, Cooke Township, Penn Township, North and South Newton townships, Hopewell Township, Newburg, Shippensburg Borough, Shippensburg Township, Southampton Township, as well as parts of Perry County up through Hazleton.

Carlisle office: The office is at 126 N. Hanover St., Carlisle, and can be reached by phone at 717-249-0190 or by fax at 717-218-0190.

Washington, D.C., office: The mailing address is 2049 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. The office can be reached by phone at 202-225-6511, toll-free at 855-241-5144 or by fax at 202-226-6250.

Social Media: Twitter (@RepLouBarletta), Facebook and YouTube

U.S. Senate

Sen. Bob Casey (Dem)

Harrisburg office: The office is at 200 N. Third St., Suite 14A, Harrisburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-231-7540, toll-free at 866-461-9159 or by fax at 717-231-7542.

Washington, D.C., office: The mailing address is 393 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. The office can be reached by phone at 202-224-6324, toll-free at 866-802-2833 or by fax at 202-228-0604.

Social Media: Twitter and Instagram (@SenBobCasey), Facebook, YouTube and Google+

Sen. Pat Toomey (Rep.)

Harrisburg office: The office is at the U.S. Federal Building, 228 Walnut St., Suite 1104, Harrisburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-782-3951 or by fax at 717-782-4920.

Washington, D.C., office: The mailing address is 248 Russel Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. The office can be reached by phone at 202-224-4254 or by fax at 202-228-0284.

Social Media: Twitter (@SenToomey), Facebook

Source: Information is from official websites of each legislator
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Shelby Gutshall had never been to a town hall meeting with an elected official.

But on a Thursday morning in March, she was sitting in the packed Carlisle Borough Council chambers with a pen and notebook listening to what state Rep. Stephen Bloom had to say about the state budget.

She was also there to hear what others in attendance had to say.

And those in attendance had quite a bit to air on everything from health care to immigration to the public education system.

I was actually relieved to realize Im not alone, Gutshall said. Im very concerned about whats happening in this country. I just wanted to be better educated at all levels. I want to be an educated citizen.

Gutshall certainly isnt alone when it comes to an increased interest in political issues. Regardless of where someone falls on the political spectrum, theres more interest across the board for advocacy.

GOP

Though the election of President Donald Trump stirred opposition to national and state Republican lawmakers  as seen in numerous town halls across the country  Democrats arent the only ones becoming more vocal. Local members of the GOP and grassroots groups are also seeing an uptick in numbers.

One of those people is Lisa Vranicar-Patton. As the owner of Twin Ponds West in Hampden Township, Vranicar-Patton had mostly in the past focused on her career as a professional ice skater and later as a local businesswoman. She had been a political science major in college, but it wasnt until recently that she became involved in politics.

Twin Ponds West became the headquarters for local Trump supporters, and it is now home to the grassroots group Eagle Strike Force, which Vranicar-Patton leads.

I always paid attention but I was never entrenched in the GOP or any of that, she said. I never had a problem with the GOP before, but I was energized by (state GOP chairman Val) DiGiorgio and the grassroots effort.

Vranicar-Patton said she was convinced to keep up what as a supporter she was doing for the GOP even after Trump took office. And she found that others were quite willing to continue that work as well.

Were not alone in this. There are a lot of people who believe in President Trump and his message, she said. I believe in fresh blood. President Trump is working, and we have to roll up our sleeves. Be the change you want to see in politics. We need good people.

One of those people includes Theresa Myers. As the Upper Mifflin Township committeewoman for the Cumberland County Republican Committee, shes long been involved in politics and the party. However, it wasnt until after the election that she found herself joining Eagle Strike Force. Now she finds herself attending support rallies in opposition to protests at the offices and town halls of Republican lawmakers.

I think its good, she said. Its people being engaged in the process.

Laura Wagoner, finance director of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and secretary of Chester County Young Republicans, said younger Republicans are also getting involved in politics. She said Chester County has always had a strong Republican presence especially among high school and college students, but the state party is looking to get more youths involved.

(In February) there were nine chartered Young Republican groups. Were already up to 15 in a month, Wagoner said of their efforts to organize more young Republicans in the age group of 18 to 40. Our goal for the year is 25 to 30. Theres been a real uptake in membership with young Republicans.

Members

Two local grassroots groups promote the fact that they dont necessarily fall along party lines.

Katie Clark is the president and one of about 11 founders of Cumberland Valley Rising. The group formed a few weeks after the presidential election in November and has grown exponentially.

We have about 200 people coming to our meetings, and our online mailing list is close to 500 people, she said. Weve been very surprised and excited about the growth. Weve been growing rapidly, and people keep coming back. I think theres a real fire and interest here.

The members range from environmental scientists to professors to hairdressers to janitors to librarians, she said. Part of the reason is that she said the group focuses on issues rather than the Democratic Party.

Theres a wide range of people and talents, she said. Our members include Democrats, Republicans and independents. We are issue-based primarily.

Myers says Eagle Strike Force has also attracted Democrats and independents.

The group wanted to be more inclusive than just the Republican Party, she said.

Myers said the group is a local branch of the Federation of Republican Women, so all full members have to be women. However, in the group of 52 members, 11 are men in what they consider sustaining roles. They dont get a vote on council matters, but they can participate in the rallies and marches the group attends.

Advocacy

Residents of all political beliefs have been out in droves for a variety of reasons. While town halls attract residents who wish to speak to their local legislators, some dont wait for their legislators to come to them.

One group held a town hall protest against Sen. Pat Toomey at his Harrisburg district office. Another organized a protest outside of U.S. Rep. Scott Perrys district office, which also attracted members of Eagle Strike Force to show their support.

While the sudden presence of another group mistakenly led to a nice chat between Vranicar-Patton and a protester who hadnt realized she was with the wrong group, the local businesswoman said emotions can run high and get ugly.

We dont have to be ugly or contentious, she said. Were all on this plane, so lets fly it forward.

I think there is less listening, and thats when people get entrenched, Myers said. That is not healthy for our government or for America to have that polarization. I dont know how to move past that.

For now, moving forward means getting involved.

Theres massive enthusiasm in getting involved, but also getting involved on the local level, Wagoner said, noting that volunteers were working the phones for a special election recently in Philadelphia while others work on judicial nominees in the state.

Myers has noticed interest on a local level from both major political parties, which has prompted her to help with a local Republicans row office campaign.

Democrats do not usually run for row offices (in Cumberland County), she said. This year, theyre running for four county row offices. They dont want to just sit by  which is good. But if Trump hadnt won, that wouldnt be the case.

Cumberland Valley Rising has a number of committees focused on different areas. While one works to let members and residents know about upcoming rallies and town halls, another committee works to organize educational events.

Early on, we put on a gerrymandering documentary at Bosler library, which included a talk with a Pennsylvania representative. A hundred people came to that, Clark said.

Among other events planned by Cumberland Valley Rising is one on April 15 where librarians will discuss sources of information in an attempt to better educate the public about fake news. A yet-to-be-scheduled May event will cover the basics of civics.
The following people were sentenced on March 21, 2017 in Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas. All sentences include costs and run concurrently with other sentences unless otherwise specified. Probation is unsupervised unless indicated otherwise. Driving under the influence (DUI) offenses generate different mandatory-minimum sentences based on an offenders prior convictions in the past 10 years.

Sentenced to State Correctional Institute

Carlisle

Joshua Daniel Taormina: Eighteen months to 7 years and restitution of $8,325 for robbery. (Ebert)

Dillsburg

Jacob Dallas Stone: Twelve to 30 months and restitution of $320 for forgery, alter writing. (Ebert)

Other

Jahrell R. Sibilly: Nine months to 5 years for terroristic threats, concurrent. (Guido)

Sentenced to Cumberland County Prison

Carlisle

Bryan Lee Barrick: Six to 18 months, less one day, and a $300 fine for fleeing or attempting to elude police officer; 90 days to 12 months and a $1,500 fine for DUI, second offense; a $200 fine for driving while under suspension. (Brewbaker); Forty-eight hours to 6 months, a $500 fine and restitution of $2,829.03 for DUI; six months probation and restitution of $2,412.50 for unauthorized use of automobile and other vehicles. (Brewbaker)

Kristopher Aaron Davison: Time served to 23 months for resisting arrest or other law enforcement, credit of 165 days. (Masland)

Dashawn Edward Devonshire: Time served to 23 months for simple assault, credit of 153 days. (Masland)

Sara Elizabeth Gray: Five days to 6 months and a $300 fine for DUI, second offense. (Guido)

Marquis Daniel Jackson: Nine to 23 months and 48 months probation for criminal conspiracy to unlawful delivery, manufacture, possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I controlled substance-Heroin. (Placey)

Jadon Isaiah Patrick: Time served to 23 months and restitution of $1,859 for simple assault; sentenced to costs for defiant trespass, credit of 202 days. (Masland)

Rebecca Elizabeth Spahr: Five days to 6 months and a $300 fine for DUI, second offense. (Guido)

Enola

Donald Maylon Wood Jr.: Five days to 12 months and a $100 fine for recklessly endangering another person. (Masland)

Harrisburg

Charlotte Necole King: Seven days to 12 months and restitution of $1 for theft of leased property. (Ebert)

Tricia Dawn Santiago: Thirty days to 6 months, a $750 fine and restitution of $1 for DUI, second offense. (Hess)

Marysville

Brett Jewell Hosband: Time served to 23 months and 12 months probation for stalking, credit of 136 days. (Masland)

Holly Irene Rodgers: Ninety days to 5 years and a $1,500 fine for DUI, high rate, second offense, consecutive. (Guido); Thirty days to 6 months and a $750 fine for DUI, high rate. (Guido)

Mechanicsburg

William D. Haisma: Four to 23 months and 18 months probation for two counts of simple assault, credit of 137 days. (Guido)

Jessica Ann Hummel: Ten days to 24 months and a $500 fine for DUI; 60 days and a $500 fine for driving while under suspension-DUI-related. (Guido)

Lisa Kathleen Nesbit: Six to 23 months and a $200 fine for retail theft. (Peck)

Sydny Carolyn Peters: Twelve months probation for false identification to law enforcement authorities; 60 days and a $500 fine for driving while under suspension-DUI-related. (Ebert)

Andrew Todd Stewart: Forty-eight hours to 6 months and a $300 fine for DUI. (Brewbaker)

Tammi Sue Taylor: Five days to 6 months and a $500 fine for DUI, highest rate. (Hess)

New Cumberland

James K. Devins: Six to 23 months and a $100 fine for simple assault. (Ebert); Six to 23 months and a $100 fine for simple assault. (Ebert); Six to 23 months and a $100 fine for simple assault. (Ebert)

Newville

Bradley Alan Neal: Time served to 23 months and restitution of $300 for terroristic threats, credit of 208 days. (Masland)

Other

Jessica Kay Keefer: Three to 6 months and a $500 fine for DUI; 12 months probation for recklessly endangering another person, consecutive; 8 to 23 months for simple assault. (Peck)

Michael Kersey: Time served to 23 months and a $200 fine for forgery, credit of 159 days. (Masland)

Rodney Robert Roberts II: One hundred-ninety-one days to 23 months and restitutions of $40, $3,424.10 and $1,383 for simple assault; 12 months probation for simple assault. (Masland)

Charles L. Thompson Jr.: Three to 23 months and a $100 fine for simple assault; 24 months probation for false imprisonment. (Ebert)

Sentenced to Probation

Camp Hill

Kyle Michael Massingill: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Peck)

Carlisle

Bryan Lee Barrick: Three years probation for receiving stolen property. (Brewbaker)

Terry Lynn Hawkins: Twelve months probation for simple assault; 48 months probation and 48 hours of community service for criminal attempt to theft by unlawful taking. (Placey)

Kourtney Alyn Hill: Twenty-four months probation and restitution of $1,668.20 for bad checks. (Brewbaker)

Etters

Chad Edward Bomgardner: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Masland)

Harrisburg

Mohammed Broc Chabaoui: Sentenced to 24 months probation, a $300 fine and restitution of $20,145.64 for simple assault; 24 months probation and a $200 fine for recklessly endangering another person, consecutive. (Brewbaker)

Lewisberry

Matthew David Wright: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI; a $200 fine for reckless driving. (Brewbaker)

Mechanicsburg

Karra L. Hoover: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Peck)

New Cumberland

Samantha Dee Eary: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Peck)

Newville

Renee Mary Romano: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Masland)

Other

Robert Bryce Feathersone III: Twelve months probation and a $50 fine for receiving stolen property. (Ebert)

Cory Todd Stum: Six months probation and a $300 fine for DUI. (Guido)

Sentenced to Electronic Monitoring

Camp Hill

Maricelli Altruz-Molina: Sentenced to 60 days of electronic monitoring for driving while under suspension-DUI-related. (Brewbaker)

Carlisle

Simon S. Williford: Sentenced to 30 days of electronic monitoring for driving while under suspension. (Brewbaker)

Newville

Leslie L. Blumenauer: Sentenced to 60 days of electronic monitoring for driving while under suspension-DUI-related. (Brewbaker)

Sentenced to Fine

Carlisle

Daniel Joseph Leopardi: Sentenced to a $300 fine for public drunkenness. (Peck)

Jadon Isaiah Patrick: Sentenced to costs for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. (Masland)

Michael Walter Turnage: Sentenced to $150 fine for harassment. (Placey)
Rain chances increase heading into the workweek. Here's a look at the Bay area forecast:



Rain moving into the area



Partly cloudy skies tonight



Much cooler end of week

A few showers will be possible along the sea breeze through this evening mainly from Tampa Bay to Polk County and south where more moisture resides. Some could be heavy, especially in Polk County.

Skies will be partly cloudy tonight, with some patchy fog later. Lows will be in the mid 60s north to around 70 for Tampa Bay.

Surface high pressure covering much of the eastern U.S. on Sunday will be forced east into the Atlantic tonight and Monday as a surface low and cold front pushes into the Gulf. The front will approach our area on Monday night. During the day Monday high clouds will thicken as the system approaches. It will be breezy. Southeast then southwest winds will increase the humidity. There may be a few sea breeze showers in the afternoon mainly inland.

There will be a small chance of showers Tuesday. The front moves toward the area and stalls out to the north. So, temperatures will not drop, and highs on Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to still climb into the low to mid 80s. On Tuesday night, the front will retreat north, keeping us in the warm and humid air for Wednesday. The rain chance on Wednesday will be slight.

By Wednesday night and Thursday, an upper level trough will be building into the central and eastern U.S., dragging a stronger surface front into northern Florida. Rain and thunderstorm chances look to increase from north to south Thursday, with abundant clouds also keeping high temperatures down a bit more Thursday afternoon, generally from the upper 70s to near 80 degrees.

Cooler air will finally arrive on Friday. Comfortable weather will continue into next weekend.



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Its not often one learns an American warship has been named after a friend. That ship, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, designated DDG 121, now is under construction at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Its name: the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., 509-feet long with a 59-foot beam and a speed of 30 knots. The Navy says it will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously, bearing integrated air and missile defense and vertical launch capabilities.

The Frank Petersen for whom this proud warship is named was flying helicopter search-and-rescue missions when we first met at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. He did the flying; I shuffled the papers in administration. Frank was then a Marine captain  the only African-American officer on station. He also was the first African-American Marine Corps aviator and later the Corps first African-American general officer.

Always a gentleman with a wry sense of humor, Frank, or Pete as some called him, had a definitive presence and a sense of who he was, and what he had achieved in terms of Naval and Marine Corps history. But at a meal in town or at a base restaurant he was the messmate whose stories were on the verge of legend.

He had enlisted in the Navy in 1950, and became a Naval Aviation Cadet prior to his assignment as the Marines first African-American flyer. He would go on to fly 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also went on to become the first African-American in the Marine Corps to command a fighter squadron, an air group and a major base.

Petersen retired as a lieutenant general in 1988 after 38 years of service; the senior-ranking aviator in the naval service. He died in August of 2015 at his home in Stevensville, Maryland.

We had kept in touch in the years following Iwakuni by mail and in the early 1980s, as an official in a small Illinois village I unashamedly used my Marine connections to help the hamlet celebrate its incorporation centennial. Having little funds, and no financial help from the county, what the village needed was a good-sized tent under which we would serve celebration visitors fried chicken and refreshments.

A call to the local Marine reserve center  an artillery unit  brought a quick No can do from the units commander when I asked for the use of a battalion command tent, even after I told him we had the manpower to assemble it.

And while I was almost 14 years past active duty, I called Frank. He then was commander of the Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia. Following a lengthy, pleasant chat of reminiscences, he turned me over to his chief of staff, to whom I detailed our centennials dilemma.

The very next day two fully-crewed Marine (six-by) trucks arrived in the square of our small town where a group of Marines sharply erected a unit headquarters tent, helped town officials assemble a few dozen picnic benches. When I asked the NCO-in-charge of the unit whether they could supply a small honor guard for a parade the next day, he said it already had been arranged.

The centennial was a summer success with a few thousand dollars added to the towns kitty for improvements and playground use. A few weeks later, an official Navy department manila envelope arrived from Quantico. In it was a handwritten note from Lieut. Gen. Frank Petersen, USMC, with the message: Hope your towns celebration was a success  glad to help. All the best.

A true friend, and the best of the Marines.
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State Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Friday said voters should take May's election for BISD trustees seriously, but was silent on who will actually run the district in the future.

Morath, who visited Central High School and Regina Howell Elementary and met with Region 5's superintendents, praised the district's "tremendous progress" under the leadership of the board of managers and Superintendent John Frossard.

"It's so exciting to see the hard work of our teachers, our principals, our educators here in Beaumont pouring love and skill into our kids in Beaumont," he said.

While he praised the district's recent clean audit for the 2015-16 year and other positive signs of "systemic change," he did not provide any information on who he will name to oversee the district next or when BISD will be returned to voter-selected trustees.

BISD's board of managers, who were installed in 2014, announced in July that they would resign by the end of May 2017. TEA has previously announced that a new appointed board will be sworn in on June 8.

Morath said he has "not personally" met with any potential managers, who submitted online applications for the position in February, and said TEA's focus remains "supporting the board of managers doing their work today."

He declined to comment on whether any current managers or trustee candidates are being considered for the new board.

Current board president Jimmy Simmons said in January he would like the new managers to be named at least six weeks before the transition to ensure a smooth handoff, a date just about one month away.

"It would have been nice for us if we'd had time to attend a few board meetings with some board members working with us in a transition," if circumstances had allowed for that when the board was appointed in 2014, Simmons said Friday.

"Most of us had experience," he said, "but to suddenly be faced with seven people you've never worked with before and have the awesome responsibility we had, it would have been nice to have more time."

Simmons said he hopes the new managers have that opportunity "if they're interested."

"I'm confident the commissioner will handle things in a timely way when he makes his announcement," Frossard said.

Morath was quiet as well on when he'll initiate a transition process to an elected board, saying only that he wants "to make sure the system is working" and that muscle memory is in place to continue the district's improvement.

"There's a whole host of factors, there's not any one condition" that he's waiting to see before beginning that process, he said.

He said the trustees, who will be chosen in May in the district's first election since 2011, will "in all likelihood" serve part of a four-year term.

Morath said the transition process will take two years, with one-third of the trustees replacing one-third of the appointees each year; the Texas Education Code requires that this is a three-year process.

There are 15 candidates for seven spots on the board of trustees, including two candidates who are unopposed and will be elected, and one former trustee ousted in the 2014 takeover, Zenobia Bush.

Asked whether he would take Bush and her past into consideration when determining the transition plan if she is elected, Morath repeated that there "is not any one factor."

"I'm very optimistic and hopeful for the future of Beaumont," he said. "Our effort is on a continuous improvement journey."

"I appreciate the support from the state level," said Frossard, who is approaching the end of his second year on the job.

"It's easy to lose sight of the fact that we have a lot of good employees who come to work every day and want to help our young people succeed," he said, though he added that the district still "has a long way to go."

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/LizTeitz
Dear Editor:

I am tired of politicians, particularly those in the House Freedom Caucus, who put ideology ahead of what is best for the country. The American people elected Donald Trump because they are tired of Washington politicians being obstructionists.

Where was the Freedom Caucus when my family's health insurance skyrocketed over 300 percent in less than three years?

Where was the Freedom Caucus on Election Day when the American people made clear they wanted real change? Most were hiding from any affiliation to Donald Trump because they were worried about their own political self-interest.

Congressman Lou Barletta, on the other hand, was not afraid to stand up for his beliefs. He stood up for working Americans when he fought against illegal immigration as mayor of Hazleton. He stood up for forgotten Americans when he backed Donald Trump before practically any other member of Congress. And he stood up for Americans suffering under Obamacare during the recent health care debate.

The American Health Care Act was far from perfect. Congressman Barletta knew that. Thats why he worked with President Trump and House leadership to introduce a bill to stop rampant fraud in our health care system. Under Obamacare, $750 million in taxpayer money went to people who did not qualify for those benefits, including illegal immigrants. Congressman Barletta brought this issue to the presidents attention, and together they worked to stop it.

Working together for the American taxpayer  that is real leadership.

Americans voted for Donald Trump because he is a pragmatist. Americans are tired of political rhetoric and ideology.

We want to see more elected officials like Congressman Barletta, who knows that he was sent to Washington to work for the American people and do what is best for his constituents.

Steve Johansen

New Cumberland
Scottish Secretary David Mundell will travel to Burma and Singapore this week to promote Scotland's business interests.

Oil and gas, whisky and technology will be on the agenda when he meets business leaders, the Scotland Office said.

Mr Mundell is expected to promote the expertise of Aberdeen's oil and gas industry when he meets industry figures in Burma, a country which has much of its current resources located in deep water.

He will also meet the Burmese energy minister to discuss progress on projects backed by the UK Government's prosperity fund.

Mr Mundell said: "Scotland and Burma's oil and gas industry have a long history and a bright future.

"Burma has the opportunity to forge a modern industry that brings local jobs and economic growth. At the same time, Scottish companies are set to benefit, using their world class innovation and expertise to build stronger partnerships and win new contracts.

"I look forward to helping to drive forward new partnerships between Burma and the Scottish oil and gas sector."

In Burma, the Scottish Secretary will further discuss lifting import bans on foreign spirits, with a view to opening up new markets for Scotch whisky.

In Singapore later in the week, Mr Mundell said he will be encouraging Scottish companies to look to markets like Singapore for investment and export opportunities.

He will also deliver a lecture on the UK Government's vision for the UK outside of the European Union.
The Oscar winner, whose transgender sister Alexis died in September, accepted an award from gay-rights group GLAAD.

Actress Patricia Arquette warned transgender people were under attack in America as she was honoured by a leading gay-rights group.

The Oscar winner, whose transgender sister Alexis died in September, accepted GLAADs vanguard award in Beverly Hills, California, in recognition of her activist work.

On stage, Patricia said calls for a federal hate crime investigation into the vicious murders of eight transgender women of colour in 2017 had been met by silence from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

You dont need to have transgender family members or a gay friend or a questioning kid for this to affect you, she said.

It doesnt matter what colour or gender or faith you are, theres so many marginalised groups right now under attack.

When one of us is vulnerable, all of us are vulnerable.

Patricia, 48, paid a tearful tribute to her sister Alexis, who she said knew she couldnt live a life that was a lie.

Whatever mark I have made in this life in activism will always pale in the light of Alexiss bravery and in the light of the bravery of every trans-kid growing up in America, she said.

She wanted to move the world forward to a future where every trans-kid can live up to their full potential.

When it wouldnt be uncommon to have in your everyday life a doctor or a nurse or a cop or a real estate agent or a public official who is a transgender person.

She wanted to help move the world forward to a time where trans-people were not fetishised but to a better tomorrow when they could be seen as complete, whole and equal human beings.

Fighting back tears, Patricia praised the work of GLAAD for helping transgender children see that they belong, that they are loved and that there is nothing wrong with them.

Patricia won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in 2014 film Boyhood.

Her sister Alexis died from a heart attack in September, aged 47, having lived with HIV for 29 years.

The actress and activist, whose siblings also include actors David and Rosanna Arquette, transitioned to being a woman in 2006.
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of 31 year old Paul McCready in Belfast city centre.

Police have named the murder victim who died after an altercation in Belfast city centre as 31-year-old Paul McCready.

Mr McCready from north Belfast was injured in the incident near the Northern Whig bar in the Donegall Street area at around 12.50am on Sunday.

A 30-year-old man who was arrested at the scene remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Boyce is continuing to appeal for witnesses.

We know that a large number of people were in the vicinity of the Donegall Street/Waring Street junction at around the time the altercation took place," he said.

"I would appeal to those people who have not yet gotten in touch with the investigation team to please do so. We are keen to gather as much information as possible about the circumstances and events that occurred here early this morning."

Sinn Fein MLA for North Belfast Caral Ni Chuilin passed on her condolences to the family.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Police officers at the scene of a murder in Belfast City Centre following an altercation close to the Northern Whig on April 2nd 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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"The death of a 31-year-old man following an altercation close to Donegall Street in Belfast city centre has shocked local people," she said.

"My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of this man at this time.

"I would appeal for anyone with information on this incident to come forward and contact the police."
Michelle O'Neill told the UK Government to stop pandering to the DUP

The British government must "stop pandering to the DUP" if there is any hope for the restoration of powersharing at Stormont, Sinn Fein has said.

Political parties are due to participate in a renewed talks process on Monday in a bid to resolve the Stormont crisis.

A deadline to form a powersharing executive was missed after Sinn Fein said it would not nominate a deputy first minister.

Michelle O'Neill, leader of the party in Northern Ireland, said at the time that the talks had come to the "end of the road".

However, speaking ahead of a major Sinn Fein strategy conference in Dublin on Sunday, Ms O'Neill said the party "remain focused" on restoring the institutions.

"We will be at Stormont tomorrow again (Monday). Clearly we have a window of a number of weeks and it is time to see real delivery.

"We need the Irish government to step up to the plate and the British government to stop pandering to the DUP," she said.

Ms O'Neill added: "We want to find a way through this.

"All the parties know what needs to happen. We remain focused to deal with all of that in the days ahead."

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said her party "stands ready to continue to discuss how we can secure new arrangements for Northern Ireland".

The two main stumbling blocks to the negotiations are legacy issues and Sinn Fein demands for an Irish Language Act.

The UK and Irish governments have said they want the renewed talks to have an agreed agenda and regular round-table meetings.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said he believes there is still a window of opportunity for parties to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams claimed he would talk about his long-alleged involvement in the IRA if an independent truth commission was established.

He told Sky News he would address his role in the Northern Ireland Troubles "if there was a satisfactory arrangement put in place".
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has warned there can be no return to "business as usual" with Russia, amid reports that Moscow has been arming the Taliban in Afghanistan.

At a joint news conference following talks in London, US Defence Secretary General James Mattis said Russian activities in Afghanistan were a cause of "concern".

"We have seen Russian activity vis a vis the Taliban. I am not going to say at this point if that is manifested in the weapons and that sort of thing," he said.

"But certainly what they are up to there in the light of their other activities gives us concern."

His comments follow a recent warning by Nato's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, US General Curtis Scaparrotti, that Russia's influence on the Taliban insurgents was growing.

Sir Michael said there was a "persistent pattern" of Russian interference in other countries - including military build-ups and the use of cyber and other so-called "hybrid" techniques - which had to be resisted.

He said Nato's enhanced military presence in Eastern Europe - including 800 British troops stationed in Estonia - would be maintained for "as long as is needed" to deter Russian aggression.

"We want to see that presence as persistent as the threat it is designed to deal with to reassure those allies on our eastern flank and to deter the kind of Russian aggression that we have seen recently," he said.

"There is a pattern of interference by Russia in the different parts of the world that leads us, when we engage with Russia, to be wary of what Russia is up to. That is why there cannot be a return to business as usual with Russia.

"We need to be extremely watchful of this persistent pattern of Russian interference."

Their meeting came as Britain and the US combined to step up the pressure on other Nato members to take on a greater share of the costs of collective defence.

At a meeting of alliance foreign ministers in Brussels, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said they needed to set out plans to meet the target of spending 2% of the GDP on defence by the time President Donald Trump meets other Nato leaders in May.

"Our goal should be to agree at the May leaders' meeting that by the end of the year all allies will have either met the pledge guidelines or will have developed plans that clearly articulate how, with annual milestone progress commitments, the pledge will be fulfilled," he said.

His comments were echoed in London by Sir Michael, who said: "Others must now raise their game and those failing to meet the 2% commitment so far should at least agree to year-on-year real-terms increases."

While Nato leaders agreed to halt cuts in defence spending in 2014, Britain and the US are among just five of the 28 member states to meet the 2% target.

However German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it would be "unrealistic" for his country to raise its spending from 35 billion euros (30 billion) a year to more than 70 billion euros, outstripping Russia's defence budget.

"I don't know a politician in Germany who believes that this would be achievable or even desirable," he said.
A statue of a leading figure in the campaign to win women the vote is to be erected in Parliament Square in London.

Suffragist Millicent Fawcett, who led the campaign for women's votes in 1866, will be the first woman to be honoured in this way. Her statue will stand alongside the likes of Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

The statue will form part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which was introduced thanks to Ms Fawcett's campaigning and which first gave some women the right to vote, the Government said.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: " The example Millicent Fawcett set during the struggle for equality continues to inspire the battle against the burning injustices of today.

"It is right and proper that she is honoured in Parliament Square alongside former leaders who changed our country.

"Her statue will stand as a reminder of how politics only has value if it works for everyone in society."

Fawcett Society chief executive Sam Smethers said: "We are delighted that Millicent Fawcett, the woman who led the constitutional campaign for votes for women, will finally be honoured.

"A statue of her in Parliament Square will be a fitting tribute. Her contribution was great but she has been overlooked and unrecognised until now.

"By honouring her we also honour the wider suffrage movement."

In 1866 Ms Fawcett began leading a mass campaign to get women the vote, using peaceful methods to achieve women's suffrage.

She worked alongside the Suffragettes, who employed different and more militant tactics in their campaign.
Police are investigating whether some of those involved in the attack had been drinking in a nearby pub

Three more people have been arrested over a suspected hate crime which left a teenage asylum seeker with a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain.

The 17-year-old was attacked at a bus stop in Croydon, south-east London, on Friday by a gang of around eight people,

Neighbours claimed up to 20 people watched on while he was kicked and beaten on the ground.

Scotland Yard said a 23-year-old man was arrested in Croydon on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder, while a 26-year-old man and 17-year-old girl were detained on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder.

Five other people are still being questioned by detectives while a sixth, a woman of 20, was released without charge.

The group - three men of 20, one of 24 and a 24-year-old woman - are also being held on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with Tory minister Gavin Barwell describing the attackers as "scum".

The teenager, a Kurdish Iranian, was waiting at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat pub in the Shrublands area when the group approached them.

After discovering he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a vicious assault, repeatedly kicking him on the floor and aiming blows to his head.

The boy remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, not believed to be life-threatening.

Police said around eight people were involved in the attack but residents said many more watched on while the boy was beaten on the ground.

One resident of Shrublands Avenue, where the attack took place, told the Press Association: "There were more than eight people, there was a massive group coming up from The Goat pub.

"You couldn't see who was hitting who.

"There was one person, the one who ended up in hospital, he was getting absolutely beaten up - kicked, mostly in the facial area. He was getting kicked and punched by everyone.

"There was a group of roughly 10 people that was kicking and punching him, and the rest, another 10 or 20, were all just around watching.

"Then when they heard sirens they started to go. People that were there, witnesses, because they couldn't do anything against a group of 30 people, they had to wait until they moved off and that's when they managed to help him.

"That's eventually when the ambulance and police (arrived), and that was it."

Detectives are investigating whether some of those involved had been drinking in The Goat pub nearby.

Managers at the pub said they were "saddened" to hear of the incident, adding: "We do not in any way condone such action and we will do anything within our powers to help police to bring those that carried out this act to book. To the victim, we pray for his speedy recovery."

Chief Superintendent Jeff Boothe, Croydon's borough commander, called it a "savage attack" and said it was only the intervention of passers-by and the arrival of police that stopped it being worse.

The "close-knit community" has been left shocked by the ferocity of the attack, he added, and extra officers have been out and about to reassure people.

He said: "This is not usual for the area, it is out of the norm. This is not Croydon, Croydon is a very diverse community - they celebrate their diversity."

Mr Boothe added: "Hate crime is something which we understand can be very, very divisive. Croydon is culturally diverse and we need to continue to celebrate that."

Mr Barwell, Croydon Central's MP, said: "I think most people in Croydon will be as appalled as I am that what appears to have happened is a young man who came to this country seeking sanctuary has apparently been targeted because of his ethnic background.

"It's an appalling crime and I hope the people responsible are caught quickly and receive the full force of British justice."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also condemned the attack, saying hate crime "has no place in London, Britain or anywhere else", while the Refugee Council said it was "disgusted" by the assault.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also denounced it, saying: "Absolutely shocked at attack on young Kurdish asylum seeker, who came here searching for safety. I fervently hope he makes a full recovery."

Anyone with information about the attack should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pope Francis waves as he leaves after celebrating an open-air Mass in Carpi (Antonio Calanni/AP)

Pope Francis was greeted by tens of thousands of faithful on Sunday as he visited a northern region of Italy which has largely rebuilt from a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago.

His first stop in the Emilia Romagna region was the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of a statue of the Madonna inside.

After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened just last weekend.

"There are those who remain buried in the rubble of life," the pope said in his homily before an estimated 20,000 gathered in the piazza outside the cathedral for an open-air Mass.

"There are those, like you, who with the help of God rise from the rubble to rebuild."

Another 50,000 people watched the Mass on large screens throughout the city of 70,000.

During his day-long visit, the pope will also meet with families who lost loved ones in the quake and hold a discussion with priests, nuns and seminarians.

The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding after the 6.1-magnitude and 5.8-magnitude quakes that killed 28 people in 2012 has often been cited as exemplary.

It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.

The papal visit was meant to give a sign of gratitude for the rebuilding, the archbishop of Carpi, Monsignor Francesco Cavina, told the Italian Bishops' Conference television TV2000.

He said it is also "a sign of hope that rebuilding is possible for the people of central Italy, who unfortunately suffered what we did much more dramatically".

A 6.1-magnitude quake on August 24 last year in Italy's central regions of Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche killed nearly 300 people, toppled thousands of buildings and rendered many town centres uninhabitable.

It was followed by a series of quakes in October, including the strongest in Italy in nearly four decades at 6.6-magnitude that toppled and damaged a higher number of structures, but did not bring further deaths since the most vulnerable areas had already been evacuated.

AP
Bangladeshs High Court on Sunday upheld death sentences for two men convicted in the February 2013 murder of secular blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, the first in a series of killings by Muslim zealots of writers who spoke out against religion.



The High Court division of Bangladeshs Supreme Court also upheld a lower courts ruling in December 2015 that sentenced six others defendants to various prison terms, including five years for Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani, an Islamic cleric and chief of the extremist group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).



Nobody has the right to take the law in his own hands. If anybody posts any derogatory comments about religion on Facebook, he can be put on trial, a two-judge bench of the high court said in handing down its decision, referring to the nations laws that guard against defamation of religion.



Police have blamed ABT for the string of blogger-murders, and the mufti was convicted because his sermons branding bloggers as atheists and enemies of Islam were seen as inciting the young men who killed Haider near his Dhaka home on Feb. 15, 2013.



An Imams duty is to conduct prayers at mosque. He will deliver the right sermon in the light of Islam. Imams should not give any sermon, which falls beyond the purview of the law.



Since Haider was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants four years ago, six other secular bloggers and writers were murdered in a spate of similar attacks from February 2015 through April 2016. During that span, extremists have also targeted secular publishers, along with other intellectuals, in machete-attacks.



While 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with three of the more recent murders of bloggers, apart from the eight convicted in the Haider case, none of the others have yet been tried or convicted.



It was a pre-planned murder. The militants are educated, mature and deserve no leniency. But they did not get the maximum penalty. I cannot accept this verdict, Haiders father, Najim Uddin, told BenarNews after the court delivered its verdict on Sunday.



He said he had wanted to see more of the defendants  especially Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani  hang for his sons murder.



Convicted



In the Haider case, Faisal bin Nayeem (alias Dwip) and Redwanul Azad Rana were both sentenced to death for being the main plotters in the killing of the 26-year-old blogger and grassroots activist.



Rana, who was tried in absentia and whom police have accused as the main suspect in the February 2015 murder in Dhaka of blogger Avijit Roy, a Bangladesh-born U.S. citizen, was taken into custody after authorities in Malaysia arrested and sent him back home in late February 2017.



The other five defendants got sentences ranging from three years to life in prison. All eight can appeal Sundays ruling to the Supreme Courts Appellate Division, Deputy Attorney General Jahirul Haque, who represented the state in court, told BenarNews.



Among the remaining five, Maksudul Hasan (alias Anik) got a life term for supplying the machete used to kill the victim.



Fellow defendants Ehsan Reza Rumman, Nafis Imtiaz, and Nayem Sikdar Irad were sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Sadman Yasir Mahmud received a three-year term. All four were students at a private university.



Ahmed Rajib Haider, an architect by training and a virulent critic of Islam in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh, was a frontline organizer of Gonojagoron Moncho (Mass Awakening Platform), a grassroots movement that spearheaded unprecedented demonstrations at Dhakas Shahbag intersection in early 2013.



As a blogger, Haider wrote online posts under the pen-name Thaba Baba that criticized Islamic fundamentalists and warned about their growing influence in his country.



The government claims to pursue a zero-tolerance policy against militancy. But there is no reflection of zero-tolerance in this verdict, his father told Benar.

Ahmed Rajib Haider
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The line winding into fellowship hall on Wednesday nights at the House of Praise Church of God in Desloge has been getting longer every week since a new program for youth and children called "Fun, Food and the Word" was put in place about three months ago.

At 6:30 p.m., the church serves a growing number of children and teens a home-cooked meal, followed by leading them in age group Bible study classes.

"Since we started the FF&W program, we have grown from a small group of 'church kids' to having 50 or more kids a week," said Elizabeth Fights, the church's evangelism ministry leader. "We're adding so many more every week that we are now needing to feed them in shifts to have seating for everyone. We are literally busting at the seams."

Overseeing the program are volunteer youth pastors Richie and Amber Young. Both Park Hills natives who work for the Central School District, they first began attending the church about 15 years ago until other things started getting in the way.

"We kind of ran around in the world and got away from the church and then we came back seven years ago when my little girls kept asking to go to church," Richie said. "We just took them back to where we went before."

He went on to explain that God had led the couple to work with the church's young people about six years ago.

"We had a tug in our heart for this generation of young kids," he said. "We talked to our pastor and there was an opening. He put us in youth ministry and we've been doing it ever since."

Asked how the idea for FF&W came about, he explained, "About a year ago my wife and I had been praying to rearrange our Wednesday nights. My wife kept saying, 'If we feed the kids they will come.' My pastor's wife confirmed it when she said we needed to change Wednesday nights.

"So, we changed it and our first time that we started feeding the kids on Wednesdays, I think we had 20 or 30 kids. This is our third month of feeding them at 6:30 and we're running about 70 kids. We pick them up, we play games with them, we give them 'the word' and we take them home. We do two busloads of kids on Wednesdays, plus we have a van run, as well."

Fights said the Wednesday night program has become so successful that it has now led to the start of another ministry.

"We noticed some of the kids have been trying to hide food to take home," she said. "When we asked them about it, they told us that this was their only home-cooked meal and others have said they only get meals from the school.

"We want to fill them body and soul, so in addition to Fun, Food and the Word this Wednesday night we have started a secondary program called 'Back Pack Blessings!' We send backpacks of kid-friendly food home with the children that need a little extra love and blessings throughout the week. The backpacks are refilled each week when the kids return them to the church."

House of Praise's strong outreach to the community, which includes a long-time food pantry, can be directly attributed to senior pastors Rick and Betty Wade who will be celebrating their 23rd anniversary of ministry at the church in July.

"Several months back, we moved to the thinking that God wanted us to put kids first, and so that became our motto," Pastor Rick Wade said. "We have a youth pastor who loves those kids and goes after them."

He went on to say that the entire congregation is willing and eager to reach outside its four walls to these children who might otherwise never darken the door of a church.

"Our church members have a mind and heart to work," he said. "We love those kids and want to help lead them into a more productive Christian life and walk."

While the church is putting an emphasis on unchurched children, the fact is that House of Praise has been reaching out to folks who are often overlooked or even rejected by society.

"We've had some strong ministry to people who've had problems with substance abuse in the past," Pastor Rick Wade said. "We have one young lady who works with us now who was on heroin since she was 13 years old and now she is 36 years old and our kids' church pastor. She's completely healed, completely delivered of it.

"We have another man from a rehab place in Farmington who got saved and now he's a licensed minister and he has a homeless church up in St. Louis where he ministers to around 175 homeless people. He was on drugs for quite a long time and in prison for 10 years, but he got delivered and is now licensed Church of God preacher.

"We had another man named Terry Epps who was in rehab in Farmington. He had spent, I'd imagine, 20 years in Folsom Prison in California. He'd gotten into a bad drug deal and he committed murder. He was on heroin for 45 years, but he was delivered and God saved him. He became a very productive member for the last five or six years of his life."

The church is located at 6500 Dunn Rd in Desloge. For more information about the FF&W ministry or how to make a donation, call 573-431-5300.
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This Dad Killed His Twins With A Hammer! Life oi-Syeda Farah

Drugs can make a person feel great in no time, but a little do they know that these feel-good moments increase over a period of time and the person can become an addict even without realising it.

You May Also Read: The Girl Who Was Tricked Into Prostitution



This is what happened in this case, where a man went high and did not realise that he was hammering his own kids to death and did not stop, as the kids' screaming gave him a kick!

Check out the spine-chilling story unfold below on how the dad killed his own kids while he was high on drugs...

It Happened In London This incident happened in London, when Mark was staying with his girlfriend and his one-year-old twins... It Was A Regular Day Mark had been a drug user for years and he was keen on trying out the new drugs that were in the market and he was pretty excited about trying them out! He Sniffed The Drugs And Realised He Was Not High! He loved it when he got a high when he used the drugs and using this new drug did not give him a kick and he had 3 more doses of it, only to realise that the effect was quite sharp and he was in a total different world. His Friends Dropped Him Back He needed his friend's assistance to get back home and when he was home, he realised that the babies were hungry and they had to be fed, as his girlfriend was doing her nightshift. He Used A Hammer To Calm The Kids He banged the hammer around the kids and it scared them, which made them scream in pain and seeing them cry loudly gave him an immense pleasure. He started hitting the kids! The Kids Bled To Death He kept hammering the faces of the kids, until they died completely and the scene was so bad that the flesh of the toddlers was stuck on the mat and the hammer. He Was Sentenced For Prison Life The next morning when his girlfriend entered the house, she saw the gruesome scene and called the cops. Mark realised what a grave mistake he had done and hence pleaded no guilty, which sentenced him for 99 years of prison life. Was It Needed? The kids would have been alive if Mark was not high on drugs or if his girlfriend had realised that kids would not be safe with a man like him! What's your take on this? Do share your thoughts on this in the comment section below!

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Story first published: Sunday, April 2, 2017, 17:31 [IST]
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A fisherman has been airlifted to hospital after he sustained injuries on board a trawler off the south coast this afternoon.

The Shannon based Irish Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to the scene about 20km south of Mizen Head in Cork at around 4.30pm.
Update 9pm: Searches are to continue for two missing Irish Coast Guard crew members after a major operation to lift their helicopter from the sea failed to locate them.

The wreckage of the Coast Guard helicopter was lifted from the Atlantic seabed on Sunday evening by search crews.

However, there was no sign of the two missing crew members, Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith, who have been missing since Rescue 116 was lost on March 14.

Search agencies told RTE that their efforts to find the missing crewmen will continue as long as there is hope of locating them.

Lifting equipment was attached to the wreckage by Naval Service dive teams on Sunday when weather conditions improved. After a lengthy operation just off Blackrock island, about 13km (eight miles) off the coast of Co Mayo, it was eventually brought to the surface.

The aircraft was then taken from the water and placed on board the Irish Lights vessel, the Granuaile.

It is almost three weeks since the helicopter crashed into Blackrock Island with four crew members on board.

The bodies of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and Captain Mark Duffy have been recovered.

Previous rescue dives have been hampered by ocean swells. A remotely-operated vehicle was used to clear some of the mangled wreckage and open access to the cockpit.

An underwater camera was also used around the wreck site in a bid to find the bodies of the two crew members who are still missing.

The AAIU has said it believed the tail of Rescue 116 hit rocks on the western end of the island 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."

The inquiry into the cause of the crash is now likely to focus on operational issues.

Update 7.40pm: The wreckage of Rescue 116 has been lifted from the sea.

Navy divers today managed to attach straps to the fusealage and the lifting operation got underway this evening.

However, there is still no trace of the two missing crew members, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.

"I just can confirm that we have recovered the wreckage after an operation that was in place the last couple of days but unfortunately there has been no evidence of anything to do with the casualties which is very unfortunate," said Gerard O'Flynn, who is with the Irish Coast Guard.

"It remains very challanging for the families, but I can assure the families that the search will continue."

Update - 1.10pm: Navy divers have attached lifting equipment to the wreckage of the coastguard helicopter submerged off Mayo.

Search teams want to move the aircraft in their search for two missing crew men.

The bodies of captain Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy have been recovered since the crash over two weeks ago.

However, the remains of winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby have yet to be found.

The Coast Guard's search and rescue operations manager Gerard O'Flynn said: "Well following on from a very successful ROV operation overnight, Navy divers were in the water this morning and they completed the tasks which were assigned to them in terms of securing lifting straps to the target.

"We are now assessing the situation, the weather has deteriorated considerably."

Update - 10am: The Coast Guard are confident that divers will be able to get back down to the wreckage of the Rescue 116 helicopter today.

Search teams want to move the aircraft in their search for two missing crew men.

Black Box evidence yesterday revealed there was no mechanical issue when the helicopter went down off the Mayo coast near the Blackrock Lighthouse over two weeks ago.

The Coast Guard's search and rescue operations manager, Gerard O'Flynn, said: "Conditions are more favourable this morning for diving, so we are confident divers will be able to get into the water.

"However, the forecast for later in the day is not favourable, obviously the situation is being continually assessed, but we are confident that diving will be able to get underway this morning."

Earlier: It is hoped diving can get underway today at the wreckage of Rescue 116, after poor weather hampered efforts yesterday.

Search teams say they want to try move the helicopter to gather information on the whereabouts of the two crewmen who are still missing.

The Air Accident Investigations Unit revealed last night that it doesn't appear there was a mechanical issue with the aircraft.

The Coast Guard's Gerard O'Flynn said: "Well yesterday weather conditions precluded diving operations but we did have a very successful evening of ROV searching which went late on into the night.

"It is a success in that a lot of the previously unsearched area was thoroughly searched.

"Early this morning we are reviewing the options for diving and based on that decision then we will work out a programme for the rest of the day."
Update 5pm: Police in the North have launched a murder inquiry following an assault in Belfast city centre overnight.

A 31-year-old man - who has been named as Paul McCready - was taken to hospital following the incident in Donegall Street but died this morning.
The British government must "stop pandering to the DUP" if there is any hope for the restoration of powersharing at Stormont, Sinn Fein has said.

Political parties are due to participate in a renewed talks process on Monday in a bid to resolve the Stormont crisis.

A deadline to form a powersharing executive was missed after Sinn Fein said it would not nominate a deputy first minister.

Michelle O'Neill, leader of the party in the North, said at the time that the talks had come to the "end of the road".

However, speaking ahead of a major Sinn Fein strategy conference in Dublin on Sunday, Ms O'Neill said the party "remain focused" on restoring the institutions.

"We will be at Stormont tomorrow again. Clearly we have a window of a number of weeks and it is time to see real delivery.

"We need the Irish government to step up to the plate and the British government to stop pandering to the DUP," she said.

Ms O'Neill added: "We want to find a way through this.

"All the parties know what needs to happen. We remain focused to deal with all of that in the days ahead."

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said her party "stands ready to continue to discuss how we can secure new arrangements for Northern Ireland".

The two main stumbling blocks to the negotiations are legacy issues and Sinn Fein demands for an Irish Language Act.

The UK and Irish governments have said they want the renewed talks to have an agreed agenda and regular round-table meetings.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said he believes there is still a window of opportunity for parties to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams claimed he would talk about his long-alleged involvement in the IRA if an independent truth commission was established.

He told Sky News he would address his role in the Troubles "if there was a satisfactory arrangement put in place".
Six people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over a "savage" attack that left a teenage asylum seeker fighting for his life in England.

Four men and two women in their 20s are being held at a south London police station for questioning, Scotland Yard said.

Government minister Gavin Barwell condemned the "appalling" attack that police are treating as a suspected hate crime.

The 17-year-old victim, a Kurdish Iranian, was waiting at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat pub in Croydon, south-east London, when the group approached them.

After discovering he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a vicious assault, repeatedly kicking him on the floor and aiming blows to his head.

The teenager suffered serious head and facial injuries, including a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain, and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

His two friends escaped with minor injuries, Scotland Yard said, as officers were in the process of contacting the teenager's next of kin.

Police believe he was approached by about eight suspects shortly before the attack in Shrublands Avenue at 11.40pm on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Kris Blamires from Croydon CID said: "It is understood that the suspects asked the victim where he was from and when they established that he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a brutal attack.

"He has sustained serious head and facial injuries as a result of this attack, which included repeated blows to the head by a large group of attackers."

Chief Superintendent Jeff Boothe, Croydon's borough commander, called it a "savage attack" and said it was only the intervention of passers-by and the arrival of police that stopped it being worse.

He told the Press Association: "A number of bystanders and eyewitnesses tried to intervene and say to the attackers that enough is enough.

"By all accounts they didn't actually stop until the sound of police sirens were heard in the background."

Detectives are investigating whether some of those involved had been drinking in The Goat, Mr Boothe said.

The "close-knit community" has been left shocked by the ferocity of the attack, he added, and extra officers have been out and about to reassure people.

He said: "This is not usual for the area, it is out of the norm. This is not Croydon, Croydon is a very diverse community - they celebrate their diversity."

He added: "Hate crime is something which we understand can be very, very divisive. Croydon is culturally diverse and we need to continue to celebrate that.

"We are appealing to all decent people from whatever background they come from to help us identify the individuals that are involved in this isolated attack."

Mr Boothe said it was "only going to be a matter of time" before all the attackers were arrested.

Three 20-year-old men, a 20-year-old woman and a man and woman both aged 24 were arrested at addresses in Croydon late on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder.

Housing minister Mr Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, said: "I think most people in Croydon will be as appalled as I am that what appears to have happened is a young man who came to this country seeking sanctuary has apparently been targeted because of his ethnic background.

"It's an appalling crime and I hope the people responsible are caught quickly and receive the full force of British justice."

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott suggested the Conservatives had failed to get to grips with hate crime.

She said: "Sadly this is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained increase in hate crimes that this Tory Government is yet to offer any effective response to."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has declared victory in the country's presidential election.

Mr Vucic made the comments as a projection by independent pollster Ipsos Strategic Marketing had him receiving more than 55% of the votes cast - more than enough to claim the presidency outright.

The polling agency's projection showed liberal challenger Sasa Jankovic placing second with 15% and Luka Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a parody politician, coming in third with 9%.

The agency had a representative sample of votes from different polling stations and issued its projection with 70% of the vote sample tallied. Official results are expected on Monday.

Mr Vucic, a former ultranationalist now a declared pro-European Union politician, had been predicted to win the presidency by a high margin against 10 opposition candidates.

He needed to win by more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off election on April 16 that would have put him in a much trickier position against a single opposition candidate.

The prime minister since 2014, Mr Vucic was expected to use a win to appoint a figurehead successor as prime minister and to transform the presidency from a ceremonial office into a more powerful post from which he could rule unchallenged.

The opposition has accused Mr Vucic of muzzling the media and intimidating voters ahead of the election.

Mr Vucic denied the allegations, saying only he can bring stability to a region scarred by the wars of the 1990s, which Mr Vucic supported at the time.

"I really hope that with these elections, Serbia will carry on toward its further stability with full support of its government," Mr Vucic said as he cast his ballot. "I don't know if I'll win, but I truly hope that those who want to destabilise Serbia will not succeed."

Mr Jankovic, an independent candidate with no party affiliation, said he was happy with his campaign, which has galvanised the pro-democratic movement in Serbia that has been upset with the country's persistent corruption and growing autocracy.

"In Serbia, a new, honest political movement has been created, and it's the reason why we should be optimistic," Mr Jankovic said after he voted.

Contrary to his claims that he wants to lead Serbia into the EU, Mr Vucic has been pushing for deeper ties with long-time ally Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin has endorsed him.

Before the vote, Mr Vucic visited Mr Putin, who reportedly promised his signature on the delivery of fighter planes, battle tanks and armoured vehicles to Serbia. The move triggered fears of an arms race in the western Balkans, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.

The biggest surprise of the election was Mr Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a parody politician.

As a satirical candidate decked out in a white suit and oversized jewellery, Mr Maksimovic mocked corruption in Serbian politics by promising to steal if he were elected. His supporters were mostly young voters alienated by Serbia's decades-long crisis and economic decline.

Mr Maksimovic' s widely viewed videos on social media networks portray him doing push-ups, sucking a raw egg and riding a white horse surrounded by mock bodyguards.

- AP
A Papuan activist whose body is painted in the colors of "Morning Star" separatist flag shouts slogans as police officers stand guard during a protest against the U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, March 20, 2017. A group of activists staged the protest demanding the New Orleans-based mining company close its mine in Papua province saying that it siphons off the region's wealth and gives it little in return. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Credit:Achmad Ibraham "It is disingenuous and insulting that Indonesia would violate a contract by hiding behind politically motivated laws that were enacted after the contract was signed," Mr Icahn said. Jakarta is already in the midst of a tough race for governor that has engulfed the capital in demonstrations against Governor Basuki Purnama, an ally of President Joko Widodo. Considered business-friendly, Mr Widodo faces pressure to push back against an unpopular company at a time of declining exports, relatively slow economic growth and high political tension. A worker walks past froth flotation cells at Freeport McMoRan Inc.'s Grasberg copper and gold mining complex in Papua province, Indonesia, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Freeport is the world's largest publicly traded copper producer. Photographer: Dadang Tri/Bloomberg Credit:Bloomberg The contract fight exemplifies Indonesia's often fraught transition from a country exploited by colonial powers to one with the political clout to control its own resources, which are worth billions of dollars. For many Indonesians, Freeport, the biggest mining operation here, puts a face on that struggle.

"We are hoping that if Freeport is nationalised, the revenue from Freeport will be distributed to ordinary people, to subsidise basic needs and education," said Ahmad Hedar, a student activist. A view of the Grasberg copper and gold mine near Timika, Papua province. Credit:Reuters Freeport has operated Grasberg since the early 1970s, the crown jewel in what a former chief executive called its global "trove of treasures". Indonesia, however, sees the mine as a national resource whose riches are being spirited away to foreign owners. A Papuan activist in traditional headwear protests against US mining giant Freeport-McMoRan which activists say is siphoning off the region's wealth and giving it little in return. Credit:AP

"Freeport pays only 8 trillion rupiah in taxes", but complains about unfair treatment, Ignasius Jonan, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, told the youth wing of a prominent Muslim organisation in February. That figure, about $US600 million ($786 million), compares with about $US3.1 billion worth of gold and copper mined in 2015. But the company says that from 1992 to 2015, about 60 per cent of its profit was returned to Indonesia in taxes, royalties, fees and stock dividends. Both sides have threatened to take the contract disagreement to international arbitration. Until the dispute is resolved, the Grasberg mine will run at about 40 per cent capacity; without a licensing deal, the Indonesian government will not allow Freeport to export unprocessed minerals. The Indonesian government faces extraordinary pressure from its citizens and national media to be firm with Freeport. This is driven by a perception that the company has consistently taken advantage of the Indonesian government since it entered the country in 1967 as one of its first big foreign investors. That year, Indonesia's strongman leader, Suharto, granted Freeport a decade-long tax holiday, as well as a reprieve from paying royalties, though Indonesia's terms improved over the decades as the country's economy developed. Some Indonesian media reports have called Freeport a "monument" to the Suharto era.

"Indonesians have always been educated that they have world-class resources that are the envy of the entire world, but that over the years Western colonial powers have hatched schemes to take over Indonesia to exploit those resources," said Matthew Busch, a research fellow in the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. Indonesia's largest Muslim civic organisations have aggressively opposed foreign control over the country's resources, including calling for a "constitutional jihad" to challenge Indonesian laws that allow foreign companies to control domestic resources. The resulting friction has made Indonesia one of the world's least attractive mining investment environments, according to the Fraser Institute, a Canadian research organisation, which ranked it the 99th most difficult out of 104 nations, states and regions in 2016. Eve Warburton, a researcher at Australian National University who studies Indonesian resource nationalism, said that over the last decade Indonesian politicians had consistently been more assertive towards foreign mining companies. "Now it seems many people in government believe that Indonesia can afford to stay the nationalist path in the resources sectors," she said.
Vedanta Resources Chief Executive Officer Tom Albanese will leave the $US2.7 billion Indian resources giant by the end of August after three years in the job, with billionaire Chairman Anil Agarwal leading the search for his replacement.

Albanese, 59, has headed Vedanta since 2014 and was previously CEO of Rio Tinto Group, the world's second-biggest mining company. His contract was due to expire March 31, but has been extended by five months while Agarwal searches for candidates with "appropriate global experience," the London-based company said in a statement.

The former Rio CEO took the reins of Vedanta just before an industry downturn that savaged the stock prices of even the biggest miners. He then steered the zinc, copper and aluminum producer through a recovery from depressed prices and sagging demand that had focused investor attention on bulging debt positions built up during the boom years.

Albanese "played a major role behind the cost cutting and cost optimisation initiatives," Goutam Chakraborthy, an analyst at Emkay Global Financial Services, said by phone from Mumbai. "The company is at a turnaround point and the commodities market is going to do better going forward."
If anything, the most striking result from the poll is that despite Pauline Hanson's retreat on penalty rates (a sign her support for cuts were hurting her) and her shocking campaign in the run up to the West Australian election, her vote is holding steady at 10 per cent  equal with the Greens. Labor is criticising the government's company tax cut, but it won't say if it will repeal it in government. Naturally, the government is urging an answer now. [James Massola and Adam Gartrell/Fairfax] Labor's hypocrisy will be cemented when it announces it will not seek to reverse this first stage of the phase-in agreed to by the Senate, says the Financial Review. [Editorial]



It's time to "reimagine" corporate pay, says Ian Silk, the head of AustralianSuper. [Sally Patten and James Eyers/Financial Review] Chloe Shorten during last year's election campaign. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Chloe Shorten has thrust Bill Shorten's second marriage into the public spotlight, drawing attention to their blended family and his parenting skills, as well as her own difficulties dealing with the public intrusion into their marital union. [Caroline Overington/The Australian]

Her book, released today, could backfire in the long-term for the political couple because journalists in the future can point to Mrs Shorten's blueprint for step-families as an example of how the Shortens themselves have been willing to put their family life into the public eye. Chloe Shorten with children Clementine (being held), Georgette and Rupert. In sum, they can no longer expect that there will never be scrutiny from the outside of what is mostly a no-go zone area in Australian politics  that being a politician's family. Meanwhile, Turnbull welcomes the President of Afghanistan, Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, to Australia for a three-day visit today. 3. May 'ready to go to war'

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. Credit:PA Well, there's certainly no backing away from this rhetoric. A row has broken out over the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, which shares its northern border with Spain. Spain cleverly negotiated a clause in the EU document circulated on Friday, at the end of a week in which British Prime Minister Theresa May pulled the Article 50 trigger. Britain is having none of it. [Paul Sandle/Reuters]

The pushback began with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson engaging a pun to confirm the UK's "rock-like" support for the territory, but it racheted up on Sunday when the former leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard said he was sure May would show the same resolve as Thatcher did over the Falklands. [Sky News Britain] Significantly, Spain  which is denying an independence push from Catalonia  said it would no longer veto Scotland trying to join the European Union if Scotland were to gain independence from a Britain after it Brexited. [Jennifer Rankin/The Guardian] 4. US politics The US President has done an interview with Britain's Financial Times. Trump has candidly warned Beijing that he will take action against North Korea to eliminate Pyongyang's nuclear threat if China doesn't solve the problem. [Lionel Barber, Demetri Sevastopulo and Gillian Tett] The interview comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US this week.

On tweets? No regrets, I wouldn't be here. Healthcare? I'll deal with the Dems. President Donald Trump had an awkward meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Credit:AP On the Merkel handshake? I didn't hear. [Edited transcript] A judge in Kentucky is the latest to prove a judicial thorn in Donald Trump's political hide. When Trump told supporters at a campaign rally "get 'em [protesters] the hell out of here," and then those demonstrators claimed to have been shoved and punched on their way out, Trump's lawyers defended his words as free speech under the First Amendment.

But Judge David J. Hale disagrees, saying Trump's words could have been taken as an instruction, and one that incited violence. [Fairfax] The LA Times has published the latest in a series of searing editorials on the President from American newspapers. [Editorial] 5. Myanmar elections Aung Sun Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy Party, campaigning on the weekend. Credit:Getty Images Aung Sun Suu Kyi's party has won nearly half the country's byelections held on Sunday, despite criticism of her government's handling of the crisis in the Muslim-dominated Rakhine state and the slow pace of domestic reform. [Reuters]

6. Ecuador elections This election is one to watch closely because it could force Wikileaks founder Julian Assange out of his embassy hideout in London. [Ryan Dube/Wall Street Journal] Or there's Xinhua's take: And that's it from me today  you can follow me on Facebook for more.
A Sydney man who was accused of being drunk and thrown out of a Parramatta pub after drinking one beer has been awarded $20,000, after a court found he was unlawfully arrested.

Johnny Raad gave evidence he had consumed one glass of Victoria Bitter before he was asked to leave the Albion Hotel. Credit:Louie Douvis

Johnny Raad, 46, was on a night out with his wife Ann at the Albion Hotel and had just bought his second glass of Victoria Bitter when a security guard took him outside and said he was "not going back in" because he was "intoxicated".

Shortly after 3am, following an altercation in which the NSW District Court found a second security guard approached Mr Raad in a "menacing fashion" and likely pushed him, an agitated Mr Raad complained to police at the hotel that he had been assaulted.
South-east Queensland rail services will be cut over the next two weekends, with Sunshine Coast commuters to be the worst affected.

Most lines, with the exception of airport trains, would see services reduced from half-hourly to hourly next weekend and over the four-day Easter long weekend.

Commuters could face waits up up to two hours over the next two weekends, including Easter. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

Sunshine Coast services, meanwhile, were set to be cut to one train every two hours

Transport Minister Jackie Trad announced the changes on Saturday, the timing of which raised the ire of the Liberal National Party opposition and public transport lobbyist Robert Dow.
There is a lot we don't know about the "iconic", "secretive" and "dumpy" night parrot.

We don't know what it eats, where it lives and how big it's habitat is, but we do know there is a population in Queensland, discovered in 2013, and another population in Western Australia, discovered last week.

Bush Heritage established Pullen Pullen Reserve in Queensland to protect the Night Parrot. 5 species on the brink because of feral cats. Credit:Picasa

And that is promising, UQ PhD student Nick Leseberg said, who is attempting to build a habitat model of the endangered bird to better understand where it lives and therefore better protect it.

Despite misconceptions the ground-dweller was extinct before a population was discovered in 2013 at Pullen Pullen reserve, Mr Leseberg said two dead parrots and numerous unofficial sightings meant these elusive animals have been around the whole time. They'd just been hiding.
The artist and the subjects involved in a new exhibition on child Holocaust survivors hope it will shine a light on the experiences of today's trauma victims.

The exhibition, Tribute: Child Survivors of the Holocaust, features paintings of 18 elderly Melburnians whose World War II experiences included the murder of relatives, hiding from Nazis in a cupboard and near-starvation.

A new exhibition on child Holocaust survivors includes Dr Paul Valent (seen with portraits of himself as a child and an adult). Credit:Darrian Traynor

Artist Jeffrey Kelson painted each person's portrait, but also sketched them as children from photos, to illustrate their resilience in forging new lives.

One of them, now-retired psychiatrist Paul Valent, did not identify as a Holocaust victim until 1989, when an expert on child survivors at a San Francisco conference pointed out that his experiences fit.
That's it for Express for today.

Look out for Larry La Trobe the dog this morning, fenced in at the City Square, while five-years of works are carried out on the Metro rail tunnel. Hope they can throw him a few morsels while he is locked up there.

Thanks for reading. We will be back on deck tomorrow.
Julian Wilson's hopes of a maiden Margaret River Pro surfing crown have been extinguished after Sunday's fifth-round loss to Tahiti's Michel Bourez.

A finalist at last year's event, Wilson was one of the favourites for this year's title.

A finalist at last year's event, Julian Wilson was one of the favourites for this year's title.

But the 28-year-old Queenslander will have to wait after a combined two-wave score of 14.20 (out of 20) to Bourez's 15.44 in inconsistent 1.5m conditions.

Bourez meets reigning world champion John John Florence in the quarter-finals and gained little pleasure from ending Wilson's contest.
A 25-year-old man who's alleged to have dragged a Perth police officer for several metres with his car has been charged over the incident.

Police say officers tried to stop the man's Hyundai Excel at about 4:45pm on Leach Highway in Kewdale on Saturday.

Witnesses are urged to contact Crimestoppers. Credit:Cathryn Tremain

Police said the man failed to stop and drove onto Welshpool Road where he hit another vehicle and stopped.

As officers tried to apprehend him, he put the car in reverse, dragging a police officer for several metres.
Police say the owner of a boat that burst into flames on Sunday in east Fremantle is lucky to escape serious injuries.

At about 6:40am the 44-year-old man from Attadale launched his 6.5 metre fibreglass vessel into the Swan River at the Leeuwin boat ramp on Riverside Road.

The boat burst into flames on Sunday morning. Credit:@JohnMcGlue

Police said when the motor was started the boat exploded and was engulfed in flames.

Fire crews attended and extinguished the fires but the boat was destroyed.
California reaches for the stars wallet:Home to the Mojave Air & Space Port and promising launch companies such as SpaceX and Virgin Orbit, California has a thriving rocket industry. Accordingly, the state is now looking into taxing this vibrant industry, and the Franchise Tax Board has issued a proposed regulation for public comment.The proposal says that California-based companies that launch spacecraft will have to pay a tax based upon "mileage" traveled by that spacecraft from California. (No, we're not exactly sure what this means, either). The proposed regulations were first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, and Thomas Lo Grossman, a tax attorney at the Franchise Tax Board, told the newspaper that the rules are designed to mirror the ways taxes are levied on terrestrial transportation and logistics firms operating in California, like trucking or train companies.The tax board is seeking public input from now until June 16, when it is expected to vote on the proposed tax. The federal government already has its own taxes for commercial space companies, and until now no other state has proposed taxing commercial spaceflight. In fact most other states, including places like Florida, Texas, and Georgia, offer launch providers tax incentives to move business into their areas.Phil Larson, a former Obama White House official who now is assistant dean of the University of Colorado's College of Engineering and Applied Science, told Ars that California is discriminating against rocket companies by doubly taxing them. He also noted that such a tax would impede California's ability to launch climate satellites, which Governor Jerry Brown has said he would do if President Trump cuts the ability of federal scientists to study Earth's climate.Instead of such a tax, Larson said, California should work with industry to develop a system of taxation that encourages investment in the state. "The state could advance a proactive effort in the legislature to make sure that California doesnt end up at the back of the bus in the new space race by supporting a national framework for space innovation," Larson said.LINKY: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...nches/&usg=AFQjCNHgNNbaYsbowZPasKa44BQ5xbMSnQ
Latest News Why are property buyers taking so long to purchase? Here are five factors at play

Industrial property growing stronger New report reveals market trends

While brokers and their influence on the market are here to stay, there is a need for the industry to adapt in order to produce a sustainable future, new research has found.The Deloitte Australian Mortgage Report which was released on Thursday (30 March) revealed an overwhelmingly positive response to brokers place in the market, James Hickey, financial services partner at Deloitte, said.However, he added that there needs to be an evolution of the broker model and the way that it engages with the customer.At the launch of the report, Hickey led a panel consisting of a number of key lending and finance industry professionals who gave their views on the future of the broker channel.I think you have brokers who are very much into the customer journey, said Meg Bonighton, general manager of home lending at National Australia Bank ( NAB ). The ones who ask how do I be there in the right place at the right time? Who is the aggregator I work with who can help me do that best?There are two types of brokers, she said: those to whom face-to-face is king and those who consider broking as a financial concierge concept.Malcolm Watkins, executive director at Australian Finance Group AFG ), predicted that consumers will be the driving force behind what they want and how they interact.At the end of the day, brokers will need to become more digitally enabled and capable of providing the consumer an experience that fits with the number of steps they want to manage themselves versus being broker assisted.Peter Andronicos, chief executive officer of eChoice , warned of the dangers of this evolution, sayind that the jump to digital and creating a social media presence could become detrimental to some brokers.The reality is that all of a sudden youre public. Previously you havent been. And if you arent educated as to how social media works or you expect somebody else to manage your page once a month or once every two months, you suddenly have users being able to make public reviews about your service.While this can be either good or bad, education is definitely required so brokers dont fall on this double-edged sword, he added.AFG provides training around media training and social media content provision, Watkins said.But were also very aware that if brokers do not monitor whats going on, they can get themselves into more trouble than if they were not there at all.
Latest News Why are property buyers taking so long to purchase? Here are five factors at play

Industrial property growing stronger New report reveals market trends

A new global research report by the Finance Brokers Association of Australia ( FBAA ) has found that remuneration in the Australian broker market is unusual for a number of key reasons.Were the only country in the world that has clawbacks, FBAA director Peter White told Australian Broker. How can banks in Australia say that clawbacks have got to stay when they dont because no one else in the world bloody well has them?While clawbacks do exist in the USA, this is not a contracted arrangement, he said. Instead, clawbacks exist under an ad hoc model with no legal structure behind it.The FBAAs research also found that brokers in Australia are some of the lowest paid in the world. While local brokers received an average remuneration of 0.65% upfront and 0.15% trail, the global average (excluding Australia) had upfront at 1.26% and trail at 0.20%.The study looked at remuneration structures in Australia, Canada, Holland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the USA.Holland was the only country researched where brokers were paid a flat fee for service.They used to have a commission-based model and then it got changed by regulation, White said. Theyre very unhappy with the outcomes and theyre trying to see what they can do to change it again.The added effect for this is that the final amount charged is much higher with a host of added on services being promoted by the broker over in Holland, he added.Where theres no trail involved  the outcomes are questionable. In some cases, theyre ok. In other countries theyre not and they can potentially create the wrong outcome for the borrower.So there are extra products being pushed onto them, there are high levels of churn  all these sorts of things happen in different markets because of these situations.Countries without trail include Canada, South Africa, the USA and the UK, the research found. However, White said that Canada was actually about to bring trail back into the regulatory structure.Canada is actually paying around 20 basis points in trail in some cases. New Zealand is also bringing trail back in.Where trail is paid, there are no negative outcomes at all, White said.
Latest News Why are property buyers taking so long to purchase? Here are five factors at play

Industrial property growing stronger New report reveals market trends

Bank Owner-occupier loan book Change year-on-year Investor loan book Change year-on-year ANZ $159bn 8.3% $82bn 1.1% CBA $271bn 7.6% $139bn 8.4% NAB $138bn 5.7% $101bn 4.6% Westpac $237bn 7.3% $143bn 5.4%

ING ($32bn)

Suncorp ($29bn)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank ($23bn)

Macquarie Bank ($17bn)

Bank of Queensland ($16bn)

Suncorp ($12bn)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank ($12bn)

Bank of Queensland ($11bn)

ING ($9bn)

Macquarie Bank ($9bn)

Home loan growth across Australias banks continues to grow, according to the latest figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).The regulators latest Monthly Banking Statistics released on Friday (31 March) show the total residential loan book, including owner-occupiers and investors, for all banks in the country was $1.536trn as of February, an increase of $104bn (or 7.3%) from the year before.Month-by-month, the total loan book value increased by $6.6bn (or 0.4%) from January.As of February, owner-occupiers equated for $993bn (64.6%) of the total national loan book with investors taking up the remaining $543bn (35.4%).Investor loans increased by 4.7% across all Australian banks between February 2016 and February 2017, while owner-occupier lending rose by 8.7%.Between the big four banks, the residential loan books were split up as follows with CBA the clear leader in investment lending growth:For owner-occupier lending, the top five major banks in February this year were as follows (with total owner-occupier loan book in parentheses):On the other hand, investment lending was highest at the following non-major banks (with total investment loan book in parentheses):
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.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) presented a check to Yardley Borough Police Chief Joseph Kelly for $68,600 for the purchase of a new police vehicle and motorcycle during a visit to the station. Our police put themselves on the line every day to keep our community safe, said Sen. Santarsiero. Dating back to when I was a Lower Makefield Township Supervisor more than...
Higher taxes, trash pickup? Many special questions await voters Nov. 8

They're sometimes easy to miss, but many South Jersey communities have special questions before voters on their Nov. 8 ballots.
Dogs of every shape, size, color and temperament milled about in the grass outside the main venue Saturday at the annual Chintimini Kennel Club dog show.

The event, which fills the Linn County Expo Center with all things canine each year, began Friday and runs through today. It features obedience, rally and agility trials. Owners and handlers will also compete in a new category called the National Owner-Handled series.

Having a 4-year-old daughter in tow gave a new perspective to the event this year. Her point of view put her at eye level with a maze of dogs: long ones, tall ones, red ones, brown ones, very small ones, loud ones and quiet ones. When a French poodle named Rider jumped up and tried to lick her face, she was a bit startled, but amused nonetheless.

But it was the pair of English bulldogs that captured her attention, and their gentle nature gave way to a discovery of the special work the dogs perform when they're not at a show.

Named Maddy and Rocker, the brother and sister dogs, up from Humboldt County in California, work with the Eureka Police Department, along with their owner, Pamlyn Millsap, the homeless liaison for the department. The dogs' job with the department is to be friendly to homeless people and those with mental troubles.

Millsap, who has worked in mental health and social work for her entire professional career, started the program 10 years ago when she saw a need to help bridge the gap between officers and people with mental health issues. She said she got the idea to use her dogs in such a role after becoming frustrated when the homeless population were ignoring her and police officers.

But, Millsap said, using the dogs in her profession is "kind of like a little ice breaker."

Millsap's friend Pamela Garrick, who works in a similar role with the Salem Housing Authority, said her friend's use of dogs as homeless liaisons could be replicated in other places.

"Animals are an amazing link," she said. "They will get through where nobody else can. And they're also a great mirror to people's emotional state."

Rocker and Maddy are not "police dogs" in the traditional sense, and they certainly don't carry the same intimidation factor of a Doberman or a German shepherd. They present a different image on the street  and that's the point, Millsap said.

"There's such a negative stigma with police officers now," she said. "And especially the homeless population does not want to talk with them. So these dogs are a bridge."

Millsap keeps a kennel of English bulldogs with her company, Mad River Bulldogs. All the dogs do similar outreach work with mental health clients.

And Millsap's sense of humor for her profession comes through in the dogs' names. Rocker is short for "Off Your Rocker," Maddy is short for "Mad as a Hatter," and her other dogs are named Marbles (as in lost my), Crackerz, and Bonkers, whom she said was named by a client with schizophrenia.

"And their mother's name is Loca," Millsap said.

The double life of the bulldogs, competing in shows while also doing service work, is not unique. A large number of show dogs are trained for everything from search and rescue to comfort to assistance for the disabled.

"I think most handlers here have another angle with their dogs," said Garrick.
Pathology labs and diagnostic centres are everywhere in Hyderabad, but when Prashanth Reddy's father was in an intensive care unit (ICU) he could not find a lab that would deliver a septicemia (infection of the blood) test report within 24 hours. His search ended after a lab technician referred him to Diagnostics, which uses molecular techniques for identifying critical infections and drug resistance.
Infosys founders, led by N R Narayana Murthy, on Sunday criticised the proposed salary hike of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pravin Rao, deepening the rift between them and the board of the countrys second-largest software exporter on governance issues.
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For Jordan D. Schnitzer, the Portland businessman and art collector, the big idea behind a new exhibit of prints at Oregon State University is simple:

It gives people a chance to see the artwork. And the more people, the better.

"The art does not get worn out by too many eyes looking at it," Schnitzer said in an interview last week.

So, when Schnitzer told university officials that "I'd sure like to do some stuff at OSU," it didn't take long for Larry Rodgers, dean of OSU's College of Liberal Arts, to pitch an idea: Let's put together an on-campus exhibition featuring some of the more than 10,000 prints in the Schnitzer collection.

And Rodgers had a twist that Schnitzer found irresistible: In addition to using the Fairbanks Gallery in Fairbanks Hall, let's use OSU's new cultural centers to showcase art in the collection by modern American artists of color.

So Schnitzer sent this invitation back to Rodgers and his OSU cohorts: "Come up and go through our collection. Pick out whatever you want."

The resulting show, "Cultural Conversations," opens today at OSU and runs through May 3. An opening reception is set for Wednesday. (See the related stories for details about the reception, the venues where the art is being shown and the artists on view at each location.)

Of course, going through the collection involved considerable effort: After nearly three decades of collecting contemporary prints and multiples, it now includes more than 10,000 works.

And, said Kirsi Peltomaki, an associate professor at art history at OSU who curated "Cultural Conversations," Schnitzer was serious about that offer to "pick out whatever you want."

"This sounded like an incredible opportunity," Peltomaki said in an interview last week. But it wasn't until she and Lee Ann Garrison, the director of OSU's School of Arts & Communication, arrived in Portland that they realized the full scope of the offer.

"We were like kids in a candy shop," Peltomaki said.

Fortunately, Peltomaki had a general idea what she was looking for. In the Fairbanks Gallery, she wanted to showcase the work of a single artist, and she was thinking in terms of finding an important contemporary artist who might not be particularly well-known outside the art world.

John Baldessari, a California conceptual artist who works with text and photographic images, fit the bill perfectly, Peltomaki said, and she's particularly enthused that her art students and other community members will have a chance to come face-to-face with work that they might have seen previously only in books or in lectures: "This is work that benefits from being looked at" in a gallery setting, she said.

The Fairbanks Gallery isn't huge, she noted, but it has enough space to give viewers a good introduction to Baldessari's work.

Peltomaki had a more specific goal in finding the artists to showcase in the OSU cultural centers, but she had an overarching theme in mind: She was looking for artwork that would help to trigger conversations about culture and identity.

She's confident she's found four excellent conversation starters in four American artists of color: Enrique Chagoya, a Mexican-born, American painter and printmaker; Joe Feddersen of Colville heritage, a Washington-based sculptor, painter, photographer and mixed-media artist; Mildred Howard, an African-American artist known for her sculptural installations and mixed-media pieces; and Hung Liu, a Chinese-born artist who was one of the first Chinese artists to establish a career in the West.

All of the artists, Peltomaki said, consider themes of identity in their own work: "It comes down to this dialogue between the past and the present," she said.

Each cultural center will be able to show four works by each artist. Peltomaki said it was tough to be limited to just four pieces. "But at the same time," she said, "four is enough so that you get start to get a sense" of the artist.

Rodgers said one benefit of the "Cultural Conversations" show is that it could get Corvallis residents and others to visit the new cultural centers on campus  and he's hoping that the exhibit attracts viewers from beyond campus as well.

Schnitzer, who said he's open to additional partnerships with OSU, hopes to see big crowds at the exhibit as well.

"Art is for everyone," he said. "Not just for some elites."
Online furniture brand has drawn up plans to stay closer to its customers by rolling out smaller retail stores across cities ahead of global furniture major Ikea's big-bang retail foray in places like Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
Gemalto, an international digital security company, has released the findings of the Breach Level Index. About 33 reported data breaches led to almost 36.6 million data records being compromised in India during 2016, an increase of 14 per cent compared to 2015. Identity theft and unauthorised access to financial data were the leading type of data breaches in 2016, accounting for 73 per cent of all data breaches. In addition, 61 per cent of the data breaches in 2016 did not disclose the number of compromised records at the time they were reported in India. Hackers are casting a wider net and are using easily attainable account and identity information as a starting point for high-value targets. Fraudsters are also shifting from attacks targeted at financial firms to infiltrating large databases such as entertainment and social media sites. Fraudsters have been using encryption to make breached data unreadable, then hold it for ransom and decrypting once they are paid, said Jason Hart, vice-president and chief technology officer, data protection, at Gemalto.
Prime Minister on Sunday dedicated Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway to the nation. The Chenani-Nashri tunnel will cut down travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours.
Stepping up its hunt for stashed abroad, India has approached Switzerland for banking details of at least ten persons and entities suspected to have kept untaxed money in Swiss banks.

These include two listed textile companies, while others are associated with an art curator and his carpet export business.

Switzerland's tax department issued notices to them last week to reply within 30 days to appeal the decision about providing 'administrative assistance' in information requests from India.

Under its local rules, Switzerland provides a final chance to the concerned persons and entities before sharing the information about suspected cases of tax crimes with any foreign jurisdiction. These notices are made public through gazette notifications if they are not reachable directly by the concerned banks or the tax department.

At least ten such notices concerning individuals and companies with Indian links were issued last week  which could be the highest for a country within a week.

The notices name two listed textile firms  Neo Corporation International and SEL Manufacturing Company.

There are also some companies incorporated in tax havens like Panama and British Virgin Islands. Most of the companies and individuals are associated with a carpet export business and an art curator with operations across several countries.

These are Abdul Rashid Mir, Amir Mir, Sabeha Mir, Mujeeb Mir and Tabassum Mir. The companies named in these notices include Cottage Industries Exposition, Modale SA and Progress Ventures Group.

Some of these names had figured in the leaked Panama Papers too, but several of them including the two listed firms have denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier, the notices were issued by Switzerland's Federal Tax Administration (FTA) asking some of them to designate a representative to exercise their "right to be heard" before the assistance is extended to India.

India has been seeking "administrative assistance", including access to bank account details of the persons and the companies suspected to have stashed undisclosed funds in banks in Switzerland, after furnishing some evidence to justify the suspicion.

As per the local law, Switzerland gives an opportunity to the entity concerned to challenge the sharing of information, before providing the assistance to the requesting nation.

The Swiss notices mention the names of individuals, their nationality and dates of birth. In case of companies, their names and the countries of incorporation are mentioned.

India has shot off 'administrative assistance' requests to Switzerland in several cases in recent months seeking details of Indians suspected to have misused Swiss banks' famed high-secrecy walls to evade taxes.

The individuals and companies about whom India has earlier sought information include some listed companies, former CEO of a real estate major, wife of a Delhi-based former bureaucrat, a Dubai-based Indian origin investment banker, a high-profile fugitive along with his wife and an UAE-based holding company, as also some Gujarati businessmen settled abroad and presumably in trading business.

Many of these are suspected to have maintained accounts in Swiss banks through offshore entities, including in Panama and British Virgin Islands.

These requests for 'administrative assistance', which typically involves exchange of information on submission of proof by the requesting country about the account holder's wrongdoing, have been documented by Swiss authorities in their Federal Gazette as per local laws to give the concerned person or entity a last chance to appeal against sharing of data.

While India and Switzerland last year signed a new pact for automatic exchange of information about account details from next year, so far the requests have been made under their existing bilateral tax treaty.

In the past also, names of some Indian nationals figured in Switzerland's Federal Gazette notifications after the Swiss authorities were approached by India for information about those people with regard to the pending tax-related probes against them.

After following the due process prescribed under Swiss law, the information has been shared by Switzerland with India in some cases, pursuant to which the Indian authorities  including the tax department and Enforcement Directorate  have proceeded with their prosecution and other actions.

However, the pace of seeking such details seems to have quickened, going by the sudden spurt in the number of Indian names figuring in such notifications.

For long, Switzerland has been known for strict secrecy clauses about details of foreigners having accounts in Swiss banks. However, under growing global pressure, Switzerland has begun sharing information in cases where other countries have been able to present some evidence of suspected illegalities.
After having missed the proposed start of commercial run in the last week of March 2017, Rail  a pet project of the previous Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh  the mega project is gathering steam under the incumbent Yogi Adityanath regime.
A parliamentary panel has asked the health department to take necessary measures to arrest underutilisation of funds by the country's regulator and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and ensure strengthening of the food testing system in a time-bound manner.

It said the safety and standardisation of food is a "neglected" area in India and the health department, under which the FSSAI falls, needs to focus more on this field.

Emphasising the need for ample provisioning of mobile food testing labs, the committee has also recommended that the results of all food items being tested should be advertised in newspapers and social media to make people aware.

The parliamentary committee on Demands for Grants for 2017-18 for the Department of Health and Family Welfare noted that there has been a "consistent trend" of underutilisation of funds in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

The committee, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav, "expects the department to take appropriate measures to arrest shortfall in utilisation of budgetary funds and ensure that the strengthening of food testing systems and laboratories is done in a time-bound manner."



The FSSAI was established in 2006 and the status of safety, regulation, manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale and import of food items for human consumption shows a "dreary" picture in India, the committee said.

Slow progress of developmental activities and initiatives would hamper the quality of work being rendered in the context of safety and standardisation of food items, it noted.

Since there are numerous domains under the FSSAI, underutilisation of budgeted funds indicates "negligence" in this area and "poor" financial planning on the part of the authorities concerned, the committee said.

It emphasised the need for ample provisioning of mobile food testing labs which, the committee said, would go a long way in ensuring awareness regarding precautionary measures so that diseases spreading through contaminated and sub-standard food are minimised.

It asked the department to set desirable and achievable targets and seek additional funds depending upon the implementation of the scheme at a later stage.
Union Minister of State for Finance Arjum Ram Meghwal Sunday expressed confidence that the historic tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) will roll out from July 1.

"100 per cent will be implemented from July 1," Meghwal said here when asked on roll out.

"In the last meeting four rules had been approved and the next meeting is in Srinagar," he said on the sidelines of ICC organised on investment opportunities in African country Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adding further, he said, government will resolve the problems of the trade and if begins from July 1, there will be no loss to trade and industry.

On March 29, Lok Sabha approved the four supplementary legislations.

The Central GST Bill, 2017; The Integrated GST Bill, 2017; The GST (Compensation to States) Bill, 2017; and The Union Territory GST Bill, 2017 were passed after negation of a host of amendments moved by the opposition parties.

The Council, however, deferred a decision on tax structure to its next meeting on May 18-19.

Meghwal said that states are been told to strengthen their IT infrastructure and focus on manpower training.

"Trade, chambers are suggesting. We are continuously meeting them and communicating the benefits. If there are some problems..We will solve it," the minister said.

He said government will open guidance centres including in the villages where internet is available to support the trade in getting registered with GST.

Meanwhile, Meghwal said government was ready to cooperate for greater trade relationship and cross investments in the central African country of Congo which offers huge opportunity in agro, mining and hydro power.

India was building 16MW x4 hydro power plant in the country which was expected to be completed in the next 30 months, a BHEL official said.
The ban on liquor shops abutting national and state highways has hit Tamil Nadu in a big way with closure of 3,320 outlets, more than half of the total shops run by state-owned sole retailer TASMAC.

Complying with the Supreme Court order, as many as 3,320 TASMAC outlets have been closed across the state with immediate affect, top government sources told PTI on Sunday.

Opposition parties, including DMK and PMK, have welcomed the Supreme Court judgement banning liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways from April 1.

According to TASMAC Employees State Association General Secretary Thiru Selvam, the company operated a total of 5,700 Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlets.

DMK Working President M K Stalin said the shops that were being shut should not be relocated in the same vicinity, adding employees, however, should not be affected.

PMK chief S Ramadoss, whose party approached the Supreme Court on the issue, claimed the state government was trying to relocate the liquor outlets that were being shut in residential areas and it was "strongly condemnable".

Asked on the relocation of shops, government sources said that the liquor outlets will be relocated without contravening the court directive.

Shutting down liquor shops and bringing total prohibition was being "pursued and done in phases" and already 1,000 shops had been closed in line with the government's policy as announced by late chief minister Jayalalithaa, they said.
PM addresses valedictory ceremony of Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Allahabad High Court

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the valedictory ceremony of the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of the Allahabad High Court. .

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Speaking on the occasion, he said the Allahabad High Court is like a place of pilgrimage for our judiciary. He said those associated with the legal profession also played a vital role in our freedom struggle, and protected our people against colonialism. .

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He urged people to think about the India we want to create when we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022. He said every citizen should prepare a roadmap towards it. .

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The Prime Minister said that about 1200 obsolete laws have been scrapped by the Union Government since May 2014. He said technology is playing a key role in this century and there is a lot of scope for its use in the judiciary as well. He urged those involved in the startup sector to innovate on aspects where technology can help the judiciary. .

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The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated Indias longest highways tunnel - the Chenani- Nashri tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir- to the nation today. Speaking on the occasion he said that the tunnel will not only reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar, but will also promote tourism in the valley, open up employment opportunities for the youth and give a boost to development in the state. The Prime Minister thanked the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari and his team for the tunnel and appreciated the youth for contributing their labour for the development of the state. .

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Shri Nitin Gandkari expressed happiness at Indias longest highways tunnel being dedicated to the nation. He said that Rs 7000 crores will be invested in highways projects in Jammu and Kashmir in the next two years. He said a ring road will be built around Jammu at a cost of Rs 2100 crores and another one around Srinagar at a cost of Rs 2200 crores. Work on this will start in the next three months, he said. Shri Gadkari also informed that Zojila tunnel is being built between Leh and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 6000 crores. He informed that during the year 2016-17, Rs 1019 crore have been sanctioned for 72 projects in Jammu & Kashmir. .

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Also speaking on the occasion Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS in the PMO thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and said that this is the beginning of a new India under his leadership. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked the Prime Minister and the Central Government for the support extended to the state. .

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An ideal example of the governments Make in India and Skill India initiative, the 9 km long, twin-tube, all-weather tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir is not only Indias longest highways tunnel but also Asias longest bi-directional highways tunnel. Built at an elevation of 1200 metres on one of the most difficult Himalayan terrains, the tunnel will cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours, bypassing about 41 kms of road length. It will also ensure an all weather passage on a route that often sees heavy traffic jams and disruptions due to landslides, snow, sharp curves, breakdown of vehicles and accidents. .

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The tunnel is a part of the 286-km-long four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The structure consists of a 9 km long, two-laned main tunnel with a parallel escape tunnel of same length. The two tunnels are connected by 29 cross passages at regular intervals along the entire length of the tunnel. These cross passages can be used for evacuation of vehicles and commuters in case of breakdown or any other emergency. There are two minor bridges on the south and north sides and 4-lane approach roads with Toll Plazas on both ends of the tunnel. The maximum height permitted in the tunnel is 5 meters and for checking the height special sensors have been installed just before the toll points at both ends. .

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The tunnel has an efficient, transverse ventilation system. There are inlets bringing fresh air at 8 metre intervals and outlet for exhaust every 100 metres. There is also a fully-integrated control system with ventilation, communication, power supply, incident detection, SOS call box and fire fighting. Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel has fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations. The tunnel is also equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. Very few tunnels in the world have this kind of fully integrated tunnel control. .

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The project is also environment friendly. The time saving on the Jammu- Srinagar route will further result in fuel saving of approximately Rs 27 lakhs per day. Besides, the construction of the tunnel has avoided large scale deforestation. .

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The Chenani-Nashri tunnel will have a very positive impact on the state economy. In line with the Skill India initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the skill sets of local people were developed and improved, and they were engaged for construction of this tunnel. The project has provided employment to over 2,000 unskilled and skilled youth of Jammu and Kashmir as 94 percent of the work force was from the state. Around 600 to 900 people from across the country also worked on this project in 3 shifts over the past 4 years. .

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Time is equal to money; this is a truism. Its also a fiscal reality: time spent traveling is time not spent doing. You dont get paid while you drive to work, only while youre at work. This can amount to several hours every day in an unpaid purgatory, neither working nor relaxing. Its why the City spends millions of dollars every year trying to move cars as quickly as possible from peoples residences to their workplaces.

This has resulted in a network of streets designed to move car traffic quickly over large distances, but what weve found as our city has grown is that building our transportation network to move cars at high speed is not the same thing as efficiently moving people, nor is it the same thing as making our local economy strong and resilient. It does not result in happy citizens moving quickly from A to B. It does not result in welcoming streets that build wealth and create strong neighborhoods. Instead, weve seen it degrade and destroy small businesses along reconfigured thoroughfares, make peoples homes almost uninhabitable, and lower tax revenues along these (allegedly) high-speed roadways. How did this happen?

On a basic level it comes down to our land use. Weve built the majority of our housing separated from everything else that we need to in order to live life. If you need to make dinner, can you walk to the grocery store? How about a restaurant? Nope, gotta drive. What about transit? Not practical, takes too long. This is only partially a failing of the transit itself. When our city is built to prioritize the isolation of housing from other uses, then trying to efficiently run a bus from where people live to where they need to go is naturally difficult and expensive.

We do have a choice though. We can continue to try and square the circle by insisting that single-family home neighborhoods always remain so, ensuring that their residents are always forced to drive ten or fifteen minutes just to buy a gallon of milk or eat at a nice restaurant. Or we could start retrofitting our neighborhoods to allow more housing and mixed uses and stop freaking out when development happens in the many areas already zoned for more compact development. There are undoubtedly some people who would prefer to keep things as they are, with the nightmarish traffic and the acres of parking lots in front of big box stores sitting along our stroads like Colorado or Hampden, but there is a growing contingent of folks who recognize that this model isnt sustainable and doesnt make for a great city.

I think the answer is right up there in the name of this blog: urbanismthe idea that we need the City to make it easy to live, not easy to drive. Its in the name of the recently formed YIMBY Denverthe idea that were not going to survive by fighting development but by acknowledging that Denver needs to allow densification and diversification in order to make our neighborhoods thrive. We need to allow new uses in our neighborhoods in order to make our streets work better, and we need to welcome new neighbors in order to make Denver that much greater.
The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and NDB President Shri K. V. Kamath discuss operations of the NDB including issuance of Masala Bonds by NDB.

The Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley and the New Development Bank (NDB) President Mr. K. V. Kamath had a meeting yesterday evening wherein both the leaders discussed the progress achieved by the NDB. They also discussed the Banks operational plans for 2017. The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the 3-day NDB Second Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors and Directors which is currently going on in the national capital. The focus of the meeting was on the required steps in expanding the Banks operations in India, including project pipeline. The forthcoming masala bond issuance by the NDB was also discussed.

The New Development Bank was created by the BRICS countries with an objective of financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in its member countries.
Wearing masks and marching behind a life-sized doll of the president sitting on a toilet, dozens of people took part in a wry April Fool's Day march in New York.

The parade is in its 32nd year but the 2017 edition brought a new surprise: it actually happened.

Organiser Joey Skaggs, an American prankster, has for decades annually hyped an April Fool's Day parade to lure media to the procession, but until now it has been but a hoax.

"This year was very special, we couldn't let it pass without doing something, which is why we're here," 55-year-old Judy told AFP yesterday, declining to give her last name but saying she helped organise the parade.

"We need to take every opportunity we have to show our feelings about the fool in the White House," she said, sporting a Trump mask.

Past phantom events have fooled an array of major US outlets.

Marchers, many wearing masks of the real estate mogul-turned-president, walked behind a rolling outhouse in which a large Trump doll sat on the toilet.

" has been elected King of Fools this year -- unanimously," Skaggs told AFP.

An effort to set a world's record for the largest collection of Trump look-alikes may have fallen a bit short, but onlookers seemed to enjoy it.

The event's slogan: "Make Russia Great Again."



The parade began in front of Central Park on Fifth Avenue and ended before Trump Tower, where the president's wife Melania and young son Barron are still living.

New York, one of the most diverse and politically liberal cities in the country, has been the scene of dozens of protests against Trump since his stunning election victory over Hillary Clinton in November.
Mudslides killed at least 206 people and left hundreds injured or missing after destroying homes in southern Colombia, officials have said.

They were the latest victims of floods that have struck the Pacific side of South America over recent months, also killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.

In the southwestern Colombian town of Mocoa, the surge swept away houses, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber and brown mud, army images from the area showed.

The mudslides struck late Friday after days of torrential rain in the Amazon basin area town of 40,000.

"The latest information we have is that there are 206 people confirmed dead, 202 injured, 220 missing, 17 neighbourhoods hit hard," Colombian Red Cross chief Cesar Uruena told AFP yesterday.

President Juan Manuel Santos visited Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo department, on Saturday to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

He declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations. He also expressed his condolences to victims' families.

Putumayo Governor Sorrel Aroca called the development "an unprecedented tragedy" for the area.

There are "hundreds of families we have not yet found and whole neighbourhoods have disappeared", he told W Radio.

Carlos Ivan Marquez, director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, told AFP the mudslides were caused by the rise of the Mocoa River and tributaries.

The rivers flooded causing a "big avalanche", the army said in a statement.

Some 130 millimeters of rain fell Friday night, Santos said. "That means 30 per cent of monthly rainfall fell on last night, which precipitated a sudden rise of several rivers," he said.

He promised earlier on Twitter to "guarantee assistance to the victims of this tragedy, which has Colombians in mourning".

"Our prayers are with the victims and those affected," he added.

The authorities activated a crisis group, including local officials, military personnel, police and rescuers, to search for missing people and begin removing mountains of debris, Marquez said.

A thousand emergency personnel were helping the rescue effort. Mocoa was left without power or running water; there were reports of some looting in efforts to get water.
The husband-and-wife team of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, now both senior federal government officials, has been alongside President Trump as the White House has hosted dozens of chief executives and a handful of world leaders in recent weeks.
Last week, Apple launched (PRODUCT)RED, a special-edition iPhone. An undisclosed portion of sales of the phone will support The Global Fund to Fight AIDS. But the product is strangely missing from the Chinese version of Apples website, which promotes a red phone but has no mention of the disease.
The past week belonged to consumer durables stocks such as Voltas, Blue Star, Whirlpool of India, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India and Symphony. These are trading at their all-time highs, and the Street is convinced that theres more steam left in the rally.
Chancellor of the Exchequer and Member of Parliament Philip Hammond will be on a two-day official visit to India beginning on April 5 to carry forward the relationship between both sides.

In tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, Hammond will set out how the UK is perfectly placed to become New Delhi's leading finance partner.

The Chancellor is leading a high-level business delegation including Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney, Commercial Secretary Baroness Neville-Rolfe and International Trade Minister Mark Garnier for talks in Delhi and Mumbai.

This visit is part of the annual UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and the Chancellor's delegation includes some of the UK's most experienced leaders in financial services and some of Britain's most exciting FinTech entrepreneurs.

The UK is already the world's largest exporter of financial services and the leading centre for FinTech.

India's ambitious growth aspirations require it to develop its financial infrastructure and tap into global investors, with estimates suggesting that it needs over $1.5 trillion of capital in infrastructure investment alone in the coming years.

The UK and London are, therefore, perfectly placed to be India's partner of choice to raise the finance it needs to deliver on its plans.

During his visit, he will also recognise the major opportunities for collaboration for British Fintech firms specifically as India continues its drive towards a society less dependent on cash, using technology to increase access to banking and finance for everyone.

This ongoing push across India means that its finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with new payment firms, small finance banks and insurance players entering the field.?

This shift presents enormous opportunities for the UK to work much more closely with India's own exciting Fintech sector and for that reason, this week's visit includes some of the UK's most exciting new Fintech firms, such as TransferWise and First - who are actively looking to expand their activities and interest with India.

The UK and India already share strong links in these areas. Almost 80 percent of all masala bonds have been issued in London.

British firm Standard Chartered, which employs over 18,000 people in India, recently sponsored a new Chevening Scholarship programme between the two countries. This will see eight top Indian leaders of the future attend an intensive course in financial services in London this year.

The trip is also a significant opportunity, following the triggering of Article 50, for the Chancellor to discuss Britain's new role in the world, as it prepares to revitalise its links with friends and allies, opening up new markets and new opportunities for British businesses.

"I'm delighted to be leading such a heavy-weight delegation to India to bang the drum for British business. I am determined to create a truly Global Britain, reaching out and promoting the best of what we have to offer," Chancellor Hammond said

"As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history, looking to boost our trade and investment beyond the borders of Europe and strengthening our relationships with the world's most vibrant economies is more important than ever," he added.

"The UK is perfectly placed to be India's financial partner of choice, helping it to raise the finance needed for its continued rapid growth and my message will be 'Make in India, finance in the UK. Our innovative markets have helped support the development of whole new product classes such as masala bonds that will support India's transformation," Chancellor Hammond said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A seven-member British Parliamentary delegation is arriving in Islamabad today in continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The delegation will hold talks with Pakistan's political leadership and the business community to promote bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, reports Radio Pakistan.

The aim of high level parliamentary visit is to further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Social activist Brinda Adige on Sunday alleged that the cops put innocent Satyam Babu behind bars in the Ayesha Meera rape and murder case to defend some VIPs.

The social activist told ANI, "Certainly there is no justice to the girl, who has been raped and murdered. But there is also no justice to the person, who has been miscarried as a result of wrong information and investigation of the police having put an innocent for eight years in jail."

"Eight years of his (Satyam) life in youth being wasted away simply because the police tried to cover up some VIPs and their sons," she added.

Brinda further asked Satyam Babu and his family to sue the court for a higher compensation.

The social activist also demanded strong action against police officers at fault in this case.

Earlier in the day, Satyam Babu said that truth has finally prevailed and called for stringent punishment against the real perpetrators of Ayesha Meera, who was brutally raped and murdered in 2007.

"At last truth has won. I suffered in jail for eight years. Now, the real culprits in Ayesha Meera case should be punished," he told the media in Hyderabad.

Babu, who was sentenced to life term in the case, was released from Rajahmundry Jail today after being acquitted by the Hyderabad High Court on Friday.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court also awarded him Rs. one lakh compensation and also reprimanded the police for putting him in jail for eight years without a cause or proper evidence to show his involvement in the case.

The court said it was inhuman on the part of the police and ordered action against the officials responsible for Babu's arrest and confinement.

Babu was convicted by the Vijayawada women's special sessions court in 2010 in the case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder and Section 376 for rape.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A High Court in Bangladesh has observed that Imams would not deliver any sermon which was against the country's existing law.

"An Imam's duty is to conduct prayers at mosque. He will deliver the right sermon in the light of Islam," The Daily Star quoted the court as saying while passing verdict in Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider killing case.

If anybody makes any derogatory comment about Islam or Hazrat Prophet Hazrat Muhammad or any other religion or make any post in Facebook, he can be put on trial under the existing law of the country, the court said.

"The incident of killing Rajib took place in a planned way. Nobody has the right to take the law in his own hand," the bench of Justice Zahangir Hossain and Md Zahangir Hossain in its judgment said.

It has been found from evidence and argument during hearing of the case that all the seven accused except for Jashim Uddin Rahmani are very meritorious students. But we could not find any reason behind their choosing of such a path, it observed.

The court said that there might be many reasons for such meritorious students to get derailed adding "the guardians have to take the responsibility to keep their children on the right track."

Ahmed Rajib Haider, 35, was hacked to death by machete-wielding attackers in February 2013 in the first of a string of killings targeting secular writers.

Earlier in December 2015, a Bangladesh court sentenced two students to death for the murder of a secular blogger delivering the first convictions after a series of such killings.

The judge in the fast-track court found both students and another man, Maksudul Hasan, guilty of murder and convicted another five people on lesser charges related to Haider's death.

The prosecution has argued that the students had been inspired by the sermons of firebrand cleric Jashim Uddin Rahmani, who was given five years in prison for abetting the murder.

Haider, an architect, became a target of the group after he helped launch a mass protest against the leaders of the largest Islamist party, several of whom are accused of war crimes during Bangladesh's 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan.

The police said Haider also wrote against Islam and mocked the prophet Muhammad on blog sites.

Rahmani, a firebrand cleric who led a mosque in the Dhaka's Mohammadpur neighbourhood, had preached that it was legal to kill atheist bloggers who campaigned against Islam, the police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The two were caught red-handed trying to sell the pills to a dealer at a local motel.

Anti-drug forces in Vietnam's northern province of Lao Cai arrested two men in possession of 4,000 methamphetamine pills on Saturday.

Sung Seo Trang, 34, and Giang Seo Tinh, 33, were stopped on their way to sell the pills at a motel named Ngoc Tuan in Bac Lenh Ward, police said.

The two suspects said Trang received the shipment from a man named Khai, who has yet to be identified, about six days ago.

Trang then called Tinh and told him to hide the package while he found a buyer. On Friday afternoon, he called Tinh and told him to bring the pills to the Ngoc Tuan Motel, but the deal fell through.

The following day, police raided the motel and caught Tinh and Trang trying to sell the pills again.

A subsequent search turned up two packages wrapped in silver foil containing a total of 4,000 pills. The suspects admitted they were synthetic drugs.

Vietnam has some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of smuggling more than 100 grams of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or ecstasy are punishable by death by lethal injection or 20 years in jail.

Although the laws are strictly enforced with capital punishment handed down regularly, drug running continues.
Once against Azaadi slogans were echoed by the students of Kolkata's Jadavpur University on Sunday as a mark of protest against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The students of the University were seen holding placards which read: "Yogi is the new Trump...Brahminical version of white supremacy" and they raised slogans like "Azadi", "Halla Bol" and "RSS door hatao".

The Azaadi slogans were raised by the students in front of the Academy of Fine Arts where an international seminar on persecution of minority Hindu Buddhist Christians in Bangladesh is going on.

"This protest is against the RSS' conducting of seminar on the issue of minorities in Bangladesh. We think the same RSS which has been the reason for the deaths of thousands in Godhra, in Muzaffarnagar cannot address the minority issue. We doubt their credibility, rather we think they are here to evoke communal sentiments and pitting one against the other. So we are protesting here," Debopriyo Som, a student and United Students Democratic Front (USDF) member told ANI.

Posters calling for 'azadi' for Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland were put up at Jadavpur University (JU) earlier in February only to be torn down by ABVP activists, who allegedly vandalised the university complex on Wednesday.

The posters had been signed by a group called 'RADICAL' and described by both the Jadavpur University Students Union (JUSU) and VC as a 'fringe' group allegedly responsible for raising 'pro-Afzal' slogans at a rally.

"Hume kya chahiye - Azadi. Kashmir ki Azadi. Manipur ki Azadi. Nagaland ki Azadi (We demand freedom. Kashmir's freedom. Manipur's freedom. Nagaland's freedom)," one of the posters said.

Some members of the group had said that they had raised slogans in favour of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during the protest the recent arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scores of LGBTQ activists staged a protest in front of President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka's Washington D.C. home yesterday against the latest executive order on 'Energy Independence Policy'.

During the protest, the LGBTQ activists hosted a "dance party" to "send the clear message that our climate and our communities matter," a detailed Facebook event said, according to the Fox News.

A crowd of protesters took to the streets with signs to protest Trump's administration's stance on climate change.

"The entire Trump Administration has shown a blatant disregard for our planet and its inhabitants. Also, in case you hadn't heard, Trump revoked protections for LGBTQ government employees and removed LGBTQ questions from the census," the event page read.

Barricades were put up in front of Ivanka's residence by the police, although it was uncertain if she and her family were home during the protest, WUSA reported.

The police told WUSA that the event had ended peacefully.

Last week, Trump signed an executive order that could be the end of Obama regime's environmental policy.

The order will curb the enforcement of a number of climate regulations, which the Trump administration says is an effort to prioritize American jobs above addressing the issue of climate change.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least four missiles were fired into Kurram Agency area of Pakistan from across the Afghan border on Sunday.

The Express Tribune cited officials as saying in a statement that two rockets, each fell into the Shangak and Kharplan areas, destroyed a shop completely. There was, however, no loss of life in the incident.

Last month, a suspected missile-firing U.S. drone killed two Afghan Taliban militants in a village near the Afghan border. The missile struck the two men while they were riding a motorcycle in north-western Kurram.

Earlier in February, the Pakistan Army said that it destroyed camps and a training compound of militants across the border in Afghanistan following which the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi handed over a list of 76 terrorists orchestrating terrorist activities in Pakistan from the Afghan soil.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of 402 Pakistani pilgrims reached here on Saturday to offer prayers at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the shrine of famous Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

The pilgrims reached the capital on Friday evening, from where a special train brought them to Ajmer.

Elaborate security arrangements were made at the railway station to receive the pilgrims who will be attending the 805th Urs (death anniversary) of the Sufi saint.

The shrine houses the tomb of the 13th-century Sufi saint, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192.

The pilgrims will stay in Ajmer till April 8.

The visiting pilgrims expressed their happiness upon reaching the holy city and hoped that strained relations between India and Pakistan would soon normalise.

Hindus and Sikhs also visit the shrine is seen as a symbol of communal harmony. The faithful walk barefeet, their heads covered, and jostle in long lines as they carry baskets of colourful flowers and cloth to drape on the tomb.

Historically, it was after Mughal emperor Akbar - who undertook a journey on foot from Taj city of Agra to Ajmer during his reign - that the mausoleum emerged as one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India.

Pakistani leaders Pervez Musharraf, Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq and Benazir Bhutto have all visited the shrine during state visits to India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)Chairman Imran Khan has said that Chief of Army Staff General General Qamar Bajwa is a supporter of democracy.

His statement came hours after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Asif Ghafoor tweeted about a meeting between Kaptaan and General Bajwa.

"The only thing I would like to say about the meeting is that the good news is that the army chief stands by democracy," local Pakistan media quoted Khan as saying.

Khan's remark comes after he had met General Bajwa.

Speaking at an event about PTI's Billion Tree Tsunami project, Khan said that he is happy as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has taken up an important task to deal with climate change.

The PTI chief assured people that one billion trees will be planted by the end of 2017.

He said the project will have a positive impact in the long run on the generations to come.

PTI's Billion Tree Tsunami project aims to increase the province's forested area by at least two percent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 19 devotees were allegedly slaughtered by the custodian of a local shrine in Sargodha, Pakistan.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta claimed that the custodian Abdul Waheed used a dagger and a baton to kill his victims, further alleging that the latter is mentally unstable, DawnNews reported.

He further informed that an injured woman who had arrived at the District Hospital in Sargodha had first reported about the killings, adding that she was one of three survivors who managed to flee from the scene of the crime.

Taking action upon her information, a team of police personnel rushed to the shrine and arrested the suspect.

At least 19 bodies were recovered from the area surrounding the shrine.

More details to follow.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Emphasising that the Chenani-Nashri tunnel would bolster tourism and increase employment in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the youth to shed terrorism and adopt tourism, adding that the path of bloodshed would never help the state to prosper.

"The youth of Kashmir have a choice to select one of the two paths- one of tourism the other of terrorism. The path of bloodshed has not helped any one and will never help anyone," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally in Udhampur.

Speaking in the wake of recent Budgam violence where three stone pelters were killed in retaliatory firing by security forces, Prime Minister Modi said, "25,000 youth of Jammu and Kashmir have toiled hard to make this tunnel. While some are busy throwing rocks others are busy in cutting them and making way for progress."

He said the tunnel is a long jump towards development for Jammu and Kashmir and would act as an engine of growth and employment to the people.

"This tunnel not only connects Jammu to Kashmir but also showcases progress the state has achieved. The farmers of the region can transport their vegetables, flowers and products to Delhi on time. The tunnel will guarantee tourism for the land and this will bolster tourism in the state," Prime Minister Modi said.

Reflecting former prime minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee's slogan of Kashmiriyat Insaniyat Jamhooriyat, Prime Minister Modi said, "We will take forward Kashmiriyat Insaniyat Jamhooriyat slogan and help Kashmir achieve new heights of progress."

Prime Minister Modi said that the Centre has planned nine more tunnels for Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Prime Minister Modi for the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh and for the completion of longest tunnel of South Asia.

"We are thankful to our Prime Minister. The tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people. Congratulations to the Prime Minister for the mandate in Uttar Pradesh. Last year, during very troubled times you supported me and my government," Mehbooba said.

Asserting that the tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people, Mehbooba said that a lot has improved and a lot more needs to be done in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Mufti Sahab had faith in the people and in Jamhuriyat," she added.

Prime Minister Modi on his part thanked Mehbooba. He said that the Centre announced package for the state, adding the work has begun in this regard.

The Prime Minister earlier in the day inaugurated India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway amid high security.

The tunnel is expected to give sigh of relief to travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, as it will reduce the travel time on Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by about 2 hours by shortening the distance between the cities by 31 km.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Spain has said it would not veto an attempt by an independent Scotland to join the European Union apparently signalling that Brexit has softened Madrid's longstanding opposition.

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis made it clear that the government would not block an independent Scotland's EU hopes, although he stressed that Madrid would not welcome the disintegration of the U.K., reports The Guardian.

He added that Scotland would have to apply for membership, a process fraught with uncertainty that is likely to take several years. But asked whether Spain would veto an independent Scotland joining the EU, Dastis said, "No, we wouldn't."

The European commission spelled out earlier this month that an independent Scotland would have to apply to join the bloc.

This comes as First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon last week won a key vote for a second independence referendum, triggering accusations from British ministers that her demands are premature.

Sturgeon won by a 10-vote majority after the Scottish Greens backed her proposals to formally request from the United Kingdom the powers to stage a fresh independence vote at around the time Britain leaves the European Union (EU), in spring 2019.

Meanwhile, Britain has formally announced its divorce with the EU.

Spain and Britain have already clashed since article 50 was triggered earlier this week over the future of the disputed Gibraltar. The U.K. has said it would stand up for the island's interests after the territory accused Spain of using Brexit to forward its territorial aims.

U.K. Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, insisted on Friday that Britain remained "implacable and rock-like" in its support.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Soon after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former Samajwadi Party spokesperson today hailed the saffron party's leadership and asserted that it would be an honour for him to serve the party.

"The BJP is a huge platform where I can serve the nation in a much better way. It'll be my contribution towards the establishment of a new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be an honour for me," Bhatia told the media here.

"The BJP is a place where efficiency, allegiance and integrity are not overlooked," he added while firing a salvo at the Samajwadi Party.

Bhatia also heaped praises on Prime Minister Modi citing he was in awe of him even when he was not in the BJP.

"I was in awe of his personality and the way he functions even when I was in the Samajwadi Party. His vision has given a new direction to India," he said.

Bhatia also said that BJP president Amit Shah's able leadership motivated him to take this step.

"Amit Shah's able leadership motivated me to take the step. He told me that elections come and go, but I should join the party. He told me the BJP needs good people to run the nation, to work for them. I won't have to compromise on my ideology, now that I have joined the BJP," Bhatia said.

"I gave so many years to the Samajwadi Party, but now when the 'samajwaad' (socialism) has gone missing there, I decided to move on," he added.

This move may come as a major disappointment to the Samajwadi Party as it comes just days after its dismal show in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections where it lost power to the BJP.

Bhatia resigned from the post of president legal wing and all other posts in the Samajwadi Party just five days before the assembly elections in the state.

Confirming to ANI, Bhatia had informed that he did not want to reveal why he took the decision, however, adding he had forwarded his resignation to party patriarch Mulayam Yadav and then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Bhatia, who was an active member of the Samajwadi Party for more than a decade, had mentioned in his Facebook post that it had become hard for him to continue serving the party when it was compromising the very principles of democracy, secularism and socialism that he had always believed in.

Bhatia, who is a senior lawyer and currently holds the position of general secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association, had also asserted that his decision was firmly entrenched in his principles of democracy and socialism.

The rift between Bhatia and the Samajwadi Party top brass developed after he was removed from the post of Additional Advocate General (AAG) in March 2016.

Last month, former Congress leader and senior politician S.M. Krishna joined the BJP citing ideological differences with the party leadership.
Senate chairperson Raza Rabbani on Sunday claimed that Pakistan Peoples Party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was murdered under a conspiracy.

Speaking to the media in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Rabbani alleged that many western countries conspired against Bhutto as Pakistan becoming a nuclear power did not go down well with them.

He said that Bhutto had started the country's nuclear programme.

Geo News quoted Rabbani as saying that the proof of Bhutto's murder had surfaced.

"There is a reference [regarding the murder] in Supreme Court but it has been lying untouched," the Senate chairperson said, adding the Supreme Court must make a decision on the reference by taking suo motto notice.

Rabbani further said that no politician can even today accuse Bhutto of indulging in corruption.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tourists will now have to pay more for flights and tours to popular sites such as Ha Long Bay and Da Nang.

Starting from April 1, local and foreign visitors will have to pay a higher fee for domestic flights and tours to some of Vietnam's most-visited attractions, including Ha Long Bay and Ba Na Hills, as the country prepares to enter its peak tourist season.

Tourists will now have to pay for a whole tour package instead of paying for entry to individual caves in Ha Long Bay, a world-renowned natural site that has around 1,600 islands and islets that form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Around 3.5 million foreigners visited the bay last year.

Several tours in Ha Long Bay and its northeastern neighbor Bai Tu Long will now cost about VND200,000-250,000 ($8.8 - 11) per tour. Previously, visitors had to pay a general fee of VND120,000 ($5.3), plus an extra fee ranging from VND30,000 to 50,000 ($1.3 - 2.2) for entry into individual caves.

Vietnamese tour operators bump prices ahead of peak season Ask a tourist: What's the craziest thing in Vietnam?

New fees for longer tours (one day, two nights) in Ha Long Bay will be raised to VND500,000 to 700,000 ($22 - 30.8) per person. Prior to this change, the cost for overnight stays on the bay from one to three nights were VND200,000 - 350,000 - 400,000 ($8.8 - $15.4 - $17.6) per person, respectively.

For Bai Tu Long Bay, the fees are currently sitting at VND150,000 - 300,000 - 350,000 ($6.6 - $13.2 - $17.6) per person.

In addition, return tickets for visitors coming through Tuan Chau Port to visit Ha Long and Bai Tu Long will be VND40,000 ($1.75).

Meanwhile, non-local visitors who want to visit Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort known for its cool weather and gorgeous countryside views of the central city of Da Nang, will have to pay an extra VND50,000 for tickets that now range from VND550,000 to 650,000 ($24.2 - $28.5).

Ba Na Hills is located about 30km from Da Nang. Photo by VnExpress

National carrier Vietnam Airlines has also raised ticket prices. The company said this is a regular adjustment which will be applied until March 31 next year. Economy class tickets for domestic flights have increased by VND40,000- 300,000 ( $1.75 - $13.2) per trip, and business class by VND100,000 - 500,000 ($4.4 - $22).

Earlier, private carriers including Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines also increased their fees.

Hotels and airline tickets are expected to be in short supply during the last week of April and the first week of May, with public holidays, including the Hung Kings Day, Liberation Day and Labor Day, all stacked in this period.

Vietnam welcomed more than 3 million foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2017, a 30 percent increase from the same period last year, official data showed. The country is on track to reaching its target of welcoming 11.5 million international visitors this year, which will contribute over $20 billion to the economy.

Tourism is expected to contribute 10 percent to Vietnams gross domestic product by 2020 when the country expects to receive up to 20 million foreign visitors and earn $35 billion in tourism revenue.
At least 10 militants were killed overnight when Afghan security forces repelled an attack by Taliban in northern Takhar province, police said on Sunday.

"Dozens of militants stormed Darqad district centre at mid-night (on Saturday)," Tolo News quoted a military official as saying.

He said three policemen and nine militants were injured in the attack in the district bordering Tajikistan.

Several security towers around the district office building were damaged following the clashes in the province, 245 km from here.

--IANS

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At least 20 persons were killed and three injured by the custodian of a shrine in Sargodha city of Pakistan on Sunday morning, officials said.

According to Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, custodian Abdul Waheed, believed to be suffering from mental health issues, killed his disciples from machetes and batons after drugging them at the Ali Ahmed Gujjar shrine.

The deceased hail from different areas of Punjab, Geo TV reported.

The police have arrested Waheed along with five of his associates.

They mercilessly killed the people after stripping them, a police official said.

The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

According to the official, the motive behind the crime is yet to be ascertained but people said that the suspect used to visit the area for 'spiritual sessions' with the disciples.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has demanded an inquiry report into the incident.

--IANS

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The four Delhi University students who were arrested for chasing and overtaking Union Minster Smriti Irani's car here on Saturday evening were released on bail here on Sunday, the police said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P. Meena told IANS that the four students -- identified as Anand Sharma, Avinash, Shitanshu and Kunal -- were released from police custody in the morning.

"The students were kept in custody at Chanakyapuri police station after being arrested. They were thoroughly interrogated there and were released after furnishing bail bonds," the officer said.

The police said that three of the students are residents of Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh, Kannauj and Shahjahanpur while the fourth is from Rajasthan's Dausa.

"They are pursuing Bachelor of Science course from a college in Delhi University's South Campus," another police official said.

The students, all in their early 20s, were arrested on Saturday evening on charges of stalking, intending to insult the modesty of a woman and common intent under the Indian Penal Code.

Irani's security staff complained to the Police Control Room (PCR) at around 5 p.m. on Saturday about the four students chasing her car and trying to overtake her pilot car on the Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri.

The minister's security staff then stopped the students' speeding Santro car after chasing it near the French Embassy, when it tried to overtake Irani's pilot car repeatedly.

The students were then handed over to the staff of a PCR van and the local police later took over the case for investigation and found all four were "under the influence of alcohol".

--IANS

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Rapper Badshah has dedicated his new album "O.N.E' to his fans to thank them for their support.

Badshah, who is signed by Sony Music India, has released the first track from the album titled "MERCY" -- featuring Lauren Gottlieb.

"It's been long since I have released something on my own. My last was 'DJ waley babu' which is still getting played at clubs and parties and since then, my fans have been consistently asking me for new music," Badshah said in a statement.

He added: "'O.N.E' is an intention to give them exactly that. I am where I am because of them and, therefore, I believe an entire album with my originals is my way of thanking them."

After "Mercy", other songs from the album will be out by the end of the year.

"The song is the first in a series of songs and videos that we will be releasing throughout 2017. Prior to the album we will have one or two more while the album will have six to eight songs," he said, adding that the songs will be varied "from party, love ballad to progressive and dance".

Any collaborations?

"There is a huge possibility but nothing has been finalised yet," Badshah said.

Talking about "Mercy", he said: "The song is about how a girl and a guy meet at a club and from there on sparks fly and they fall for each other. I am basically asking the girl to have mercy on me as she is super gorgeous."

Lauren also says that working with Badshah was "super fun and he is extremely professional with a great vision".

They shot for it at the O2 Arena in London.

"It was awesome," Lauren said.

--IANS

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Pro-democracy leaders have urged China to free a Taiwanese activist, arrested in Beijing 15 days ago for allegedly endangering national security.

The petition was endorsed by Joshua Wong, leader of the umbrella movement in Hong Kong, which has advocated direct election of the territory's political leaders, and Chen Wei-Ting, Lin Fei-Fan and Huang Kuo-Chang, leading the Sunflower Movement that stormed the Taiwanese Parliament in 2014 to protest economic cooperation with China, Efe news reported.

The activists said the 15-day deadline for the administrative detention of suspects in China is over on Sunday and demanded Lee's release.

On Saturday, more than 20 non-governmental organisations in Taiwan warned China that the arrest of Lee Ming-cheh was damaging bilateral relations with the island, and affecting the international image of China, as well as not intimidating islanders.

Lee's wife, Lee Ching-yu (Li Jingyu), who said Friday that she would go to China to rescue her husband, without specifying when, and she would not spare any effort for his release, sent money and medicine for her husband through the Taiwan Straits Exchange Foundation on Sunday.

The Chinese government confirmed this week, nine days after Lee's disappearance, that he was arrested and was under investigation as a suspect for having put the nation's security at risk, a crime commonly attributed to activists or dissidents by the authorities.

--IANS

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Exposure to pesticides commonly used both indoors and outdoors to kill mosquitoes and other insects on crops may result in boys reaching sexual maturity earlier, researchers have found.

The class of pesticides studied, pyrethroids, accounts for more than 30 percent of global insecticide use, said lead investigator Jing Liu, Associate Professor at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. These chemicals are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with the body's hormones.

"We recognise pyrethroids as a new environmental contributor to the observed trend toward earlier sexual maturity in boys," said Professor Liu.

Previous research shows that early puberty increases the risk of diseases in adulthood, for example, testicular cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

Early puberty also can stunt growth and cause behavioural problems.

For the study, presented at the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Orlando, the team examined 463 Chinese boys aged 9 to 16 years.

They found the evidence of recent exposure to pyrethroids in human urine as a metabolite, or molecule, called 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA).

The results showed that a 10 per cent increase in 3-PBA was associated with a four per cent increase in the boys' levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) -- hormones that spur production of testosterone in males.

Having an increased urinary level of 3-PBA raised the odds of a boy being at an advanced stage of genital development by 73 to 110 per cent, Liu said.

Further, when the researchers exposed male mice to cypermethrin -- a widely used pyrethroid insecticide -- they observed an accelerated onset of puberty in the mice.

"Given the growing use of pyrethroid insecticides, we must prudently assess these chemicals for their risks to children's health," Liu said.

--IANS

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Targeting the Congress over chargesheeting of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh by the CBI in a disproportionate assets case, the BJP on Sunday said the party is going through a morality crisis.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also demanded the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's resignation.

"The Congress is going through a morality crisis. Why is it silent even after court has rejected Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's plea to quash the FIR filed by the CBI against him," BJP National Genereal Secretary Bhupender Yadav said.

"Allegations of corruption and disproportionate assets against Virbhadra Singh are not new. It's been made since he was a Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet," Yadav said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against virbhadra Singh and others in a disproportionate assets case on Friday.

The CBI had registered the case on September 23, 2016, under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan and associate Chunni Lal.

The case was registered after a preliminary inquiry found that Virbhadra Singh, during his term as a Union Minister from 2009 to 2012, allegedly accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

"The CBI found that in his Income Tax returns Virbhadra Singh has shown that between 2008-09 and 2010-11 the profit from his apple orchards was six crore rupees. But this profit was zero before and after this period," Yadav pointed out.

"It is clear that Virbhardra Singh tried to hide his ill-gotten money behind the apple orchards profit. Did he happen to grow apples of gold during this period?" the BJP MP questioned.

Yadav said if the Congress has "an iota of morality left, it should ask Virbhadra Singh to resign".

--IANS

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Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar is "well" and at home, his wife Saira Banu said on Sunday, clarifying buzz that the 94-year-old actor's health is not up to the mark.

A post from Dilip Kumar's official Twitter handle read: "Message from Saira Banu: By the grace of God, Dilip Sahab is at home and doing well. God has been very kind."

She added that the love of his family, friends and fans keeps him going.

"Sahab believes that to be surrounded by family and friends who love him unconditionally is therapy by itself. He is blessed with the prayers and love of his millions of fans, admirers, friends and well wishers. Dilip sahab himself will be back on Twitter soon, Insha'Allah," the post read further.

Last seen on the big screen in "Qila" in 1998, the actor was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

He is known for films like "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam" and "Karma".

--IANS

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Four missiles were fired from across the Pakistan-Afghan border into Kurram Agency on Sunday, a media report said.

The attack which left locals panicked did not cause any casualty. However, one missile struck a shop in the Shingak area, another landed near a mosque, and two others in a graveyard at Kachkina, a spokesperson of the local administration said, the Dawn news reported.

The spokesperson claimed the missiles were fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas in Pakistan as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense of late, with officials from both sides trading allegations over terrorism.

Pakistan's border crossings with Afghanistan were sealed in the aftermath of a suicide bombing at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh -- the deadliest in a series of recent attacks in the country.

The military leadership had claimed the attacks were carried out by militants operating from safe havens in Afghanistan.

Though trade between the two countries has resumed at Torkham, the border crossing in Kurram Agency's Kharlachi area has been shut since February 16, 2017.

--IANS

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union party are drafting a concrete plan to combat fake news in the country and the potential effect it could have for the upcoming general elections in September.

Simon Hegelich, professor of political science at the Technical University of Munich and who was asked by Merkel to brief the CDU executive committee on the fake news movement, told Xinhua news agency that fake news became high priority for German politicians after the US elections.

Hegelich believes if fake news is distributed in high frequency, say, by social bots, trolls or algorithms, it could change public perception of a topic for a short amount of time, and that high-frequency fake news before the election or at times of strategical importance could be dangerous.

"Overtime, fake news contributes to an atmosphere of uncertainty and angst, which could help populist parties," said Hegelich.

Subsequently, Merkel and her party plan to deal with social bots and Internet trolls, which they deem as "the biggest threat to disseminating high frequency fake news".

To help combat open misinformation channels on social sites, Merkel and her CDU party plan to give Facebook and other social platforms users more flexibility in registering complaints about fake news and any offensive content.

Any victims of fake news would also have the right to know who wrote the source material. To ensure the action plan is followed, any news portals who do not comply with the proposed terms will be fined -- the current suggested amount is 500,000 euros.

Companies such as Facebook and Google have already started to clamp down on fake news. However, Facebook continues to be heavily criticised in Berlin, for failing to deal with racist hate speech on its news feeds.

In response, the social giant is implementing new filtering tools tailored specifically for Germany, which include using a third-party fact checker.

Nadine Schoen, a senior CDU MP and one of the politicians directly involved in the CDU fake news action plan, does not think that companies like Facebook go far enough.

"The platform operators have simply not established the necessary mechanisms that allow for fake news stories to be investigated promptly and to help those affected find legal redress,"she said.

A fake news white paper published by news aktuell earlier this week showed that 68 per cent of Germans have come across fake news from traditional or social media in the last 12 months, and 63 per cent of Germans use the Internet as a main source for the news.

The paper also raises concerns about the speed at which news can be shared on social media through likes and shares, without any barriers or application of traditional journalism standards.

It warns that any solution to curbing fake news must be rigorously tested to be able to effectively control the pandemic.

--IANS

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The Bulldogs are on the brink of elimination.

The club trails the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2 in their first round playoff going into Game 6 at FirstOntario Centre this afternoon. Hamilton built up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series before losing their last three games.

If they win today, the series heads back to Kingston for Game 7 Tuesday.

If they lose, their sophomore season is over.

The series marks the city's return to the OHL playoffs after a 26-year absence. It's also the first time in six years any Bulldogs team in any league has made it to the postseason.

One of the top defensive teams in the loop, the Frontenacs went into the playoffs looking to contain Hamilton's depth and offensive firepower  and have been successful so far. In all but one of the first five games, they held the Bulldogs to two or fewer goals, which is a significant drop from the 3.5 per game they scored in the regular season.

At 5-on-5, Hamilton's production has been even lower with the team notching just eight regular strength goals.

Where the Bulldogs have been successful is on special teams. They have scored nearly a goal per game on the power play and, going into Game 6, their penalty kill was tied for tops in the league at 90 per cent  a dramatic improvement over the regular season when it was ranked the OHL's third worst.

Game time is 2 p.m.
People with higher levels of thyroid hormones may be more likely to develop cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, new research showed.

Atherosclerosis -- hardening and narrowing of the arteries -- silently and slowly blocks arteries, putting blood flow at risk and thus increase the risk of heart diseases.

"Coronary heart disease and stroke remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, despite advances in prevention and treatment. Therefore, identifying additional modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis of major importance," said lead author Arjola Bano, doctoral student at Erasmus University in Netherlands.

The findings revealed that higher free thyroxine (FT4) levels -- hormones produced by the thyroid gland are primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism -- in patients elevated their risk of atherosclerotic morbidity and mortality.

"The study suggests that thyroid hormone measurement can help identify individuals at risk for atherosclerosis and may have future implications for the prevention of atherosclerotic morbidity and mortality," Bano added.

For the study, presented at the annual meeting ENDO 2017 in Orlando, US, the team included 9,231 people with an average age of 64.7 years.

Bano and team explored the association between thyroid function and subclinical atherosclerosis, atherosclerotic events (fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease or stroke) and atherosclerotic mortality (death from coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular or other atherosclerotic disease).

The researchers also accounted for the possible influence of age, gender, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol and tobacco intake, and the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs in their statistical analyses.

Over a median follow up of 8.8 years, 1,130 atherosclerotic events and 580 atherosclerotic deaths occurred in the study population.

--IANS

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The Election Commission will replace over nine lakh Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with advanced M3 machines before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the government has informed Parliament.

These machines will become inoperable the moment someone attempts to tamper with them. The new EVMs are likely to be introduced by the end of 2018.

The move comes in the wake of allegations of EVM-tampering by several political leaders in the February-March assembly polls.

While the M3 EVMs are technologically advanced, there is no operational difference between these and other EVMs and they do not affect booth-management system, Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha in a written reply earlier this week.

The minister said the Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 in a phased manner before the General Election and simultaneous assembly polls in 2019.

Listing the features of the new M3 EVMs, the Minister said it has a Public Key Interface (PKI)-based mutual authentication between various EVM units for identifying a genuine unit, of authorised manufacturer, in the field to ensure that only genuine EVMs can be used for communication within the network.

"Its design ensures that the EVMs become inoperable the moment an attempt is made to physically open the EVMs," the Minister said.

As per the Election Commission, approximately Rs 1,940 crore, excluding taxes, duties and freight charges, will be required for procurement of the said machines.

In another reply, in the Rajya Sabha last week, Chaudhary said the poll panel has informed the government that "they have not procured any electronic voting machine during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17".

Soon after the results of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls were declared, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati alleged that the EVMs had been "managed" to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Other opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, sought a probe by the Election Commission after a report about EVM-tampering emanated from an assembly constituency in a bypoll in Madhya Pradesh.

On Saturday, the Congress wrote to the Election Commission, saying the poll panel should revert back to use of paper ballot if political parties are not convinced about the credibility of EVMs.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also urged the ECI on Saturday to investigate cases of faulty EVMs to ascertain if they were tampered to favour the BJP in the assembly elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab.

--IANS

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Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Sunday demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged malfunctioning of EVMs during a media demonstration in Madhya Pradesh.

"It is a serious matter and there should be a high-level inquiry into the reported tampering of EVM machines in Madhya Pradesh," Lalu told media here.

During an official demonstration ahead of by-elections in Ater and Bandhavgarh assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, the voter-verified paper audit trail showed the BJP as the voted party upon pressing any button on the EVM.

"It is not something simple. Why did it not show any other party getting the vote," Lalu asked.

Lalu also demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government should formulate an anti-cow slaughter law in northeastern states also.

--IANS

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UN green panel chief Erik Solheim has lauded India's efforts in embarking on a path to an "inclusive green economy", saying that moving towards a low-carbon future would serve its own interests well.

"What we can see in India is a country beginning to embark on a path to an inclusive green economy because it makes perfect political and economic sense," Solheim told IANS in an email interaction from Arkhangelsk in Russia, where he is attending an international conference on development of the Arctic.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director said the country has the potential to unlock huge development and growth with a shift to renewables.

But India, he said, is facing multiple challenges.

"There is a need to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty, address long-term energy security and cut urban air pollution. It simply cannot afford to conduct business as usual, because the arguments for this shift are so compelling."

For Solheim, innovations in expanding solar energy in places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala send a very strong message that resonates across the country.

"We're seeing huge private sector uptake. India revolutionised the information technology sector and I see no reason why it shouldn't do the same for renewable energy."

Advocating renewable sources, Solheim said these "are the future" and fossil fuels are the past.

"Innovations in how we harness wind and solar power and energy storage is also accelerating and pushing down prices. These sectors have established themselves as providers of greater energy security with more jobs, better quality jobs and better paid jobs."

He said no country or company could afford to ignore this trend.

"When it comes to embracing a low-carbon future and building a green economy, the train has already left the station. More importantly, countries like India and China are embarking on this journey not because they wish to please others, but because they are ultimately serving their own interests," he noted.

"That means ensuring their citizens can breathe clean air. It means building resilient economies and ensuring long-term inclusive wealth," he said.

For Solheim, who has spent a lifetime fighting for the environment, renewables are a major economic opportunity and not an obligation.

"In that respect I am convinced there is sufficient momentum and a strong incentive to stay on this path," he added.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who is leading the Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Dhaka, called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.

Mahajan said that India attaches the highest importance to the relations with Bangladesh and believes that a strong, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in its best interest, an official statement said.

She also said that India stands committed to strengthen this relationship on the basis of friendship, trust and understanding for the mutual benefit of their people and collective prosperity of the entire region, and partner its economic development.

Mahajan said India fully supports Bangladesh's policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism and stands by its fight against the forces of militancy and terrorism.

Sheikh Hasina, the statement said, hoped that Bangladesh's close and historic links with India would continue to guide bilateral relationship in times to come.

Earlier on Sunday, Mahajan addressed the delegates at the debate on the meet's general theme "Redressing Inequalities: Delivering on Dignity and Well-being for all".

Noting many existing inequalities have global linkages and solutions are possible only through sustained global efforts, she emphasised that the world community can address inequality effectively and efficiently.

Referring to Indian philosophy's inherent assertion that the individual should grow to benefit the society and encompass the whole universe, Mahajan emphasised that human dignity cannot be ensured merely through constitutional means and "has to be embedded in the basic Sanskaras -- the value system of the society".

Mentioning that a number of legislations have been enacted from time to time to end discrimination against vulnerable groups of people, the Speaker said that India has established many institutions for the welfare and protection of the rights of the disadvantaged groups.

She also said that the recent endorsement by India of the ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Goals would further help bridge the gaps and supplement the efforts for equitable development by addressing the key challenges such as poverty, inequality, and violence against women.

Referring to the South Asian Speakers' Conference held in Indore recently, Mahajan said that the participants had unequivocally agreed to work in tandem to address the regional issues of inequality among the citizens in different spheres.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Military operations have killed nine civilians in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, a local security official said.

"During operations which launched at 2.00 a.m. local time today (Sunday) in Malgir area of Gereshk district, nine civilians including three women, four children and two men were killed," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying on condition of anonymity.

The official also added that Afghan and NATO-led Resolute Support forces discovered a weapon cache of Taliban in a house in Malgir area and detonated it due to which one house collapsed due to the blast killing nine members of a family.

Two Taliban militants present in the house were also killed due to the nearby blast, the official said.

Meanwhile, spokesman for provincial government Omar Zawak confirmed the incident but without giving information said, "investigation is underway".

Taliban outfit has also confirmed the death of the two militants.

The poppy growing and militancy-plagued Helmand province has been regarded as a Taliban hotbed in the southern region of Afghanistan.

--IANS

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting her government during the "difficult time" last year.

Mufti, apparently referring to the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, said Modi ensured that the state government survived the situation.

Mufti was addressing a rally here after Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art Chenani-Nashri tunnel, at nearly 11 km the longest in the country.

"My government would not have been able to handle it alone," she said, and added that Modi provided central assistance through Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was always there to help the Jammu and Kashmir government.

She also praised Modi for his "determination", saying he delivers whatever he aims at.

Mufti invited Modi to the state, saying he must visit Kashmir and give a message to the entire world that it is safe for tourists.

--IANS

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The central government on Monday will release the second edition of India Rankings 2017 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), a methodology adopted to rank all institutions of higher in the country.

The rankings would be released by Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, a release said.

The NIRF was launched in September 2015 and the maiden rankings were released on April 4, 2016.

The ranking methodology is based on developing a set of metrices for ranking of academic institutions, based on the parameters agreed upon by a core committee set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The parameters broadly cover "Teaching, Learning and Resources", "Research and Professional Practices", "Graduation Outcomes", "Outreach and Inclusivity", and "Perception".

In the last edition of the rankings, the Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore, was ranked as the top university, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, as the top engineering institute, and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangaluru, as the top management institute.

--IANS

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South Korean prosecutors will interrogate ousted President Park Geun-hye who is now in preventive detention over her alleged involvement in a corruption scandal, officials said on Sunday.

A spokesperson of the Attorney General's Office told Yonhap News Agency that Park, 65, will be questioned on Tuesday in the detention facility in southern Seoul.

The spokesperson also said that she will be questioned in prison only to avoid her going to the Seoul centre.

The Attorney General's office has set April 19 as the deadline to press charges for her trial, although it aims at doing so by mid-April to prevent a clash with the April 17 start of an official campaign for the presidential elections.

On Friday, a Seoul Central District court judge ruled in favour of the preventive detention of Park as sought by the prosecutor's office.

The prosecutors believe that there is sufficient evidence that Park conspired with her friend Choi Soon-sil, dubbed the "Korean Rasputin" for her influence over the former president, to create a web to take bribes from businesses, Efe news reported.

The judge and the investigators also said there was a risk of Park destroying evidence.

The prosecutors have pressed 13 charges against Park, including abuse of power, coercion, disclosure of state secrets and bribery, the last one punishable with a minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum of life imprisonment as per South Korean law.

Park, who claimed to be innocent, lost her presidential immunity on March 10 when the Constitutional Court ratified the impeachment, moved in the parliament in December.

Park's impeachment is the first ever impeachment of a South Korean President since 1987, which has also led to early presidential election to be held on May 9.

A total of 30 people have been charged so far in the scandal, which involves 53 companies, including conglomerates such as LG, Hyundai and Samsung.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes has sacked the Interior Minister and the chief of police after Friday night's violent protests against a bill that would allow the President to run for a second term in office.

The protestors stormed the Congress and set fire to the building, the BBC reported.

The authorities have arrested four police officers after a 25-year-old protestor, Rodrigo Quintana, was killed on Saturday.

Around 200 protestors were detained but many have since been released.

The protestors had taken to the streets following a private meeting of 25 senators -- a slight majority of the house -- which approved a bill to amend the Constitution.

Paraguay was controlled by military ruler General Alfredo Stroessner, who seized power in a coup, from 1954 until 1989.

The current Constitution, created in 1992 after the dictatorship, limits the head of state to a single five-year term.

Protestors were angered by the bill which would have allowed President Cartes' to remove the restriction and run for re-election, reports the BBC.

The bill must also be approved by the other house of Parliament -- the Chamber of Deputies -- where President Cartes' party holds a majority.

President Cartes' term is due to end in 2018.

--IANS

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In the run-up to setting up LIGO in India by 2024, researchers are pushing boundaries of modern science to enhance sensitivity of detection of gravitational waves. They are, in fact, toying with quantum mechanics to "squeeze light".

Squeezed light (a squeezed state of light) is a special form of light that is generated by tweaking quantum properties of light, to lower "noise" below the fundamental quantum limit.

The resulting "quieter detector" can be harnessed for even more extreme precision and sensitivity of the gravitational wave detectors.

"Squeezed light will be used in Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) by the early next decade. By the time LIGO-India comes up, US detectors will start using squeezed light (by 2022) and we will also be ready to start experiments with it," Tarun Souradeep, spokesperson, LIGO-India Science, told IANS at the conclusion of the latest meeting on the project.

The recently-concluded 'LIGO-India: The Road ahead' (LITRA-3) two-day meet at IUCAA-Pune, involved a discussion between the LIGO-India Science Management Board, members of the LIGO Directorate (Dave Reitze, LIGO Director and Fred Raab, LIGO Associate Director), and prominent researchers from all over the country.

Participants were from IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IISER Pune, CSIR-NPL, BITS-Pilani Goa, IIT Hyderabad, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics and National Physical Laboratory.

"We are making sure there are people who are taking up advanced areas of experimentation like squeezed light sources, so that we have all the technology for the RnD in LIGO-India," explained Souradeep, also the senior professor at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, one of the three lead Indian institutions involved in implementing the collaborative LIGO-India project.

He said IITs like the ones at Madras (Chennai), Delhi, Kanpur and IISERs Pune are taking up responsibilities related to quantum photonics, including squeezed light.

"Many of them are running smaller-scale projects on squeezed light. Many elements of LIGO are lab physics but the challenge is to scale it up from lab physics to the level of LIGO. It is like scaling up 100 times," he explained.

Some of the other issues on the table are seismic properties and the mitigation of associated noise of the shortlisted site where the observatory will be established and designing even more advanced laser sources and better optical coatings.

"We have to also start research now for long-term RnD and some of the key areas are laser systems and optics," added Souradeep.

LIGO project operates two gravitational-wave (GW) detectors, in Washington and Louisiana, US.

India is poised to set up world's third advanced LIGO. It is expected to start operating by 2024.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sevilla played a goalless draw against Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Sunday and thus failed to regain the third place in the table from Atletico Madrid.

The goalless draw extended Sevilla's failure to win for the fourth straight round, remaining fourth on the standings with 58 points and behind Atletico Madrid with goal difference,reports Efe.

In round 28, Sevilla lost 1-3 against Atletico, and drew in the previous two rounds against Leganes and Alaves.

Sevilla has seven points less than leader Real Madrid, which will host Alaves later on the day, and still has a postponed game against Celta Vigo.

On the other hand, Sporting Gijon holds the 18th position with 22 points.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A "mentally unstable" shrine custodian in Pakistan's Sargodha city killed 20 disciples, including women, with machetes and batons in a bloodbath inside the shrine, police said on Sunday.

According to Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, custodian Abdul Waheed of the Ali Ahmed Gujjar shrine, told police his disciples would have poisoned him had he not killed them on Saturday night.

Waheed was arrested along with five of his associates who mercilessly killed the people after drugging them and stripping them, a police official said.

The deceased, four women and 16 men, hail from different areas of Punjab, Geo TV reported.

An injured woman, one of the survivors, managed to flee from the site and reported the incident to police.

The 50-year-old Waheed had phoned the victims, telling them to come to the shrine.

Waheed claimed the devotees had poisoned his spiritual leader Ali Muhammad to death two years ago, Geo News quoted a senior police official as saying.

"The suspect appears to be paranoid and psychotic, or it could be related to rivalry for control of the shrine," he said.

Six of the deceased belonged to the same family.

One of the victims included the son of Waheed's spiritual leader.

"Asif Pir Ali was the son of Muhammad Gujjar [the spiritial leader]," said a family member of the deceased.

Asif was working with the Islamabad police and was in Sargodha on leave.

Earlier the official said Waheed has claimed that his victims underwent 'spiritual cleansing' after being tortured.

The custodian worked for the Election Commission in Sargodha. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, Waheed retired from service a year ago.

One of the locals told Geo News that Waheed used to go to the shrine and beat people after which he took their clothes off and burnt them.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked for a report into the incident within 24 hours.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While some Kashmiris were busy "throwing rocks", others were cutting through mountains to bring development to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday and congratulated the youth of the state for the Chenani-Nashri tunnel that he inaugurated for better connectivity between the troubled Valley with the rest of India.

"On one side, there are those who are pelting stones, and on the other, there are youth of Jammu and who are carving a future of development for their state by cutting through rocks," Modi told a rally here.

Amid "Modi, Modi" chants from the crowd, the Prime Minister said the tunnel, the country's longest, was a huge jump for the infrastructural development of Jammu and -- that has long suffered from industrial backwardness and limited economic opportunities due to the lack of good road connectivity with the rest of the country.

"This tunnel is not just the longest tunnel but a big leap for Jammu and in terms of development," said Modi addressing a crowd of thousands.

Referring to the decades of separatist violence, he said it has done no good but only brought bloodshed to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the youth of Kashmir Valley had to choose between tourism and terrorism to shape their futures.

"I want to tell the youth of the Valley, you have two paths which can decide your fate. On one hand, you have tourism and then there is terrorism.

"So many innocent lives have been lost (in the violence that began in the late 1980s). This has done no good to anybody but has only left the valley bloodied. This bloodshed has not done good to anybody but has only snatched sons from their mothers," Modi said.

"Had these 40 years been used for developing tourism, things would have been different."

Stressing on the state's tourism potential and ability to boost the country's per capita income, Modi asked the people to work shoulder to shoulder with the government and change the fortunes of the state.

The Prime Minister termed the Chenani-Nashri tunnel as the state's "fate line" and said it would boost the economy of the state and farmers would be able to send their produce to Delhi markets promptly, without concerns of delay.

The tunnel, that connects Udhampur and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir, bypasses a dangerous hilly terrain of over 30 km of the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway -- the only surface link that connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India.

Built at a cost of over Rs 2,500 crore, the tunnel, situated at an altitude of 1,200 metres, cutting through the mighty Himalayas, has traffic and fire control systems, video surveillance, FM connectivity and transverse ventilation systems.

In addition to saving nearly two hours from the over 10-hour travel time on the highway, the passage of traffic through the tunnel will result in a daily saving of Rs 27 lakh in terms of fuel used by vehicles.

The tunnel, which took over five years to build, will also bypass some 44 avalanche - and landslide -prone spots on the nearly 300-km-long highway, which shuts when it rains heavily and snows in Kashmir.

Modi congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir youth who worked to make the tunnel a reality. "The money for this tunnel came from the government of India. But there is also the scent of sweat of Jammu and Kashmir's youth in this tunnel."

He said the government had made every attempt to preserve the environment and the Himalayas while constructing the tunnel on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"It's a message India has given to the world struggling with global warming," he said.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the rally that the central government had sanctioned Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 2,200 crore for the construction of ring roads -- one each in Jammu and Srinagar -- to decongest traffic in the two cities.

He said the government was constructing a total of 13 tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir to boost connectivity and infrastructure development in the state.

The government was planning to spend Rs 60,000 crore on an infrastructure development programme in the state, the minister said.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed in her address thanked Modi for supporting her government during the "difficult time" last year, referring to the law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.

"My government would not have been able to handle it alone," Mufti said.

(Rupesh Dutta can be contacted at rupesh.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rewards, threats and even registration of cases -- nothing seems to be working for the authorities in foodgrain states Punjab and Haryana to persuade farmers to stop burning stubble of harvested crop that is so harmful to the environment. Authorities in Punjab are now planning to use satellite technology to keep a vigil on illegal burning of wheat straw in agricultural fields.

With the wheat crop almost ready for another harvest, the Punjab government has constituted a special task force (STF) to curb the burning of wheat straw. Paddy procurement in both states began on Saturday (April 1) and will continue till May 31.

Based on imagery provided by the NASA satellites, officials in the Punjab Agriculture Department and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will track the cases of burning and act accordingly, sources in the department told IANS here.

The action, in this case, will be registration of cases against farmers and imposition of penalties.

Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh account for the highest volume of over 550 million tonnes of crop residue produced in India annually. The crop residue of wheat and paddy is straw that is up to 10 inches long. This is left behind from mechanical as well as manual harvesting.

"With land holdings being small in Punjab and Haryana, farmers try to take the quick-fix route to get their fields ready for the next crop. They indulge in burning the crop residue which leads to a lot of environmental and health problems," Satnam Singh, a retired officer of the Agriculture Department, told IANS.

While the burning of the wheat crop residue in April-May leads to air pollution, haze and respiratory problems, the burning of paddy crop residue in October-November often leads to a thick haze over northern India, causing environmental and health issues as far as Delh and beyond.

"Many farmers set the crop residue on fire overnight to get rid of it. The burnt field, which looks completely black with swirling smoke, is not a pleasant sight nor is it good for the soil. But farmers are not really bothered about the long-term effects of this activity," Jagbir Singh Sandhu, a farmer in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district, admitted.

In the past, governments in Punjab and Haryana have offered rewards to people or farmers reporting cases of stubble burning, imposed a ban on combine harvesters (a machine that reaps, threshes and cleans a cereal crop in one operation) during night hours, imposed penalties on farmers and even got cases registered against farmers. But none of these measures have stopped the farmers from indulging in stubble burning.

The Punjab government, two years ago, had announced a financial grant of Rs 1 crore and Rs 1 lakh, respectively, for each district and village which completely stopped burning the crop residue.

Green Revolution state Punjab, which occupies just 1.54 per cent of the country's geographical area, contributes nearly 50 per cent of foodgrain to the national kitty. The production in neighbouring Haryana is 40 per cent of Punjab's.

In 2016, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board announced a reward of Rs 11,000 to a girl from the state's Jind district after she complained to the authorities against her father, who was burning the paddy residue in his fields. The complaint led to the father being booked and a penalty of Rs 2,500 being imposed on him.

Agriculture scientists estimate that burning one tonne of straw accounts for loss of 5.5 kg nitrogen, 2.3 kg phosphorus, 25 kg potassium and 1.2 kg sulphur. The heat from burning residue elevates soil temperature, causing the death of soil organisms like fungi, pests and reptiles that are otherwise beneficial for the crops.

Other hazards of burning residue include the fire spreading to habitation or forests, accidents caused due to poor visibility caused by the smoke and breathing problems for people.

(Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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The High Court here on Sunday confirmed the death sentence for two persons and different terms in jail for six others for killing Bangladeshi blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider.

The two death row convicts are Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayem alias Dweep, the Daily Star reported.

Rana is also the main suspect in writer-blogger Avijit Roy's killing.

Blogger Rajib, who was an activist of Shahbagh movement and used to write against Jamaat-Shibir and war criminals on different blogs under the pseudonym Thaba Baba, was hacked to death near his Mirpur house in the capital on February 15, 2013.

On December 31, 2015, a Dhaka court handed down death penalty to the duo while handing down different terms in jail to the six persons, including chief of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), for killing Rajib.

Among the jailed convicts, ABT chief Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, 45, was awarded five-year jail term as he was found guilty of provoking Rajib's murder through his sermons.

Five other convicts -- Maksudul Hasan alias Anik, Ehsan Reza Rumman, Nafis Imtiaz, Nayem Sikdar Irad and Sadman Yasir Mahmud -- were also students of a private university in 2013.

The convicts, except Rana, have filed separate appeals with the High Court, challenging their sentences awarded by the trial court.

While passing the verdict, the court said there is no scope to reduce the sentences of the convicts in this case as the Rajib killing incident is so horrendous.

The High Court bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Md. Jahangir Hossain came up with the verdict after hearing the death reference and appeals filed by the convicts.

In January this year, the court kept its verdict pending after concluding hearings of the death references and appeals, the bdnews24.com reported.

The Detective Branch pressed charges against ABT chief Rahmani and seven North South University (NSU) students in January 2014 in the case filed by the slain blogger's father.

The trial began in March that year after the court indicted the eight.

On December 31, 2016, a speedy trial tribunal found all of them guilty of the charges levelled against them.

The death row convicts were also fined 30,000 taka, while convict Hasan Anik received a life term along with a fine of 10,000 taka. An added year of imprisonment had also been ordered upon failure to pay the fine.

Jail terms of ten years each were awarded to Nayeem Irad and Nafij Imtiaj along with a fine of 5,000 taka.

Convict Saddam Yasir Mahmud has got three years in jail while militant leader Mufti Rahmani got a five-year prison term.

The police have found ABT responsible for the deaths of several other writers, bloggers and activists of the Ganajagaran Mancha.

The verdict on Rajib's murder is the first among these cases.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Talks between the United States and Israel over the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem were suspended on Sunday after both governments failed to reach an agreement.

The Voice of Israel radio said the negotiations, which started in February under the auspices of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump's special envoy Jason Greenblatt, have not been fruitful, Efe news reported.

After years of not being able to agree on a colony policy with former President Barack Obama, Israel wanted to reach an agreement with Trump, in which Washington would allow Jewish settlement construction in the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu announced on Thursday to his ministers that Israel would self-impose restrictions on settlement building that is subject to constant condemnation by Palestinians and the international community, considering it completely illegal, Efe news reported.

According to the radio station, Netanyahu told his ministers that Israel would curb West Bank settlement construction as a gesture of goodwill to Trump and his administration.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Venezuela's Supreme Court has reversed a controversial ruling on the Congress that some feared threatened to disrupt the balance of powers.

President Nicolas Maduro asked the apex court in a late-night speech on Saturday to review the ruling that sparked a crisis, Xinhua news agency reported.

The dispute erupted on Wednesday after the court announced it was taking over some legislative functions, as the National Assembly was in contempt of court, rendering its actions ineffective.

The opposition-controlled assembly, however, claimed the move was a virtual coup designed to dissolve the legislature.

The nation's Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz also questioned the validity of the court's measure on Friday, leading all sides to review the decision.

While announcing it was overturning its original ruling, the Supreme Court ratified its commitment to the rule of law.

Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno in a statement said the different branches of government "operate independently, and any conflicts that arise can be resolved in keeping with the constitutional order".

Moreno said the constitutional court "guaranteed parliamentary faculties will be exercised directly" by Parliament.

The National Assembly has been considered to be in contempt of court since members ignored the court and arranged for three opposition deputies to be sworn in last year, although their election wins were being investigated for voter fraud.

--IANS

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The Supreme Courts verdict last week that the sale of vehicles meeting Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) emission norms wont be allowed from April 1 caught the industry on the wrong foot. The industry had been asking for an extension of the April 1 deadline on the pretext that it was stuck with more than 800,000 vehicles  mostly two-wheelers and three-wheelers  but almost 100,000 commercial vehicles as well. But the two-judge bench that heard the matter struck down the extension plea as it felt the health of the people is far, far more important than the commercial interests of the manufacturers. The apex court deserves credit for not being swayed by the flawed argument presented by the industry.
Is big always beautiful? Not necessarily so in the (MF) industry. While big fund houses with their strong distribution reach and multiple schemes to match all kind of investors needs are able to garner most of the money, several smaller fund houses have small schemes with assets of less than Rs 1,000 crore that deliver steady returns to investors. Funds from fund houses like Quantum Long Term Equity and PPFAS Long Term Value are examples. Many investors, however, are afraid to invest in these funds because of their small size. Experts say that provided you avoid the minuscule-sized ones, you may invest in small-sized funds and in fact benefit from their nimbleness.
The Congress on Saturday reiterated its demand that Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) should be scrapped after an malfunctioned during an official demonstration ahead of by-elections to two assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.

In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Congress asked the poll panel to "revert to paper ballot".

The by-polls are scheduled to be held in Ater and Bandhavgarh assembly constituencies next week.

During a demonstration to the media ahead of the by-polls, the voter-verified paper audit trail showed the BJP as the voted party no matter whichever button was pressed on the .

The Congress asked the ECI to investigate the case alleging that the District Returning Officer (DRO) in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, threatened media personnel not to publish the news.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also urged the ECI on Saturday to investigate cases of faulty EVMs to ascertain if they were tampered with to favour the BJP in the just-concluded assembly elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday said those who kill would be "hanged" in his state, remarks which come in the backdrop of an aggressive push to cow protection measures by BJP-ruled states.

Asked by reporters if his government was planning to bring any stringent law for cow protection, Singh said, "There is no such thing (cow slaughter) happening in the state.

"It (killing of cow) hasn't happened in the state in the last 15 years. Has it? We will hang those who kill ("maarega usko latka denge)," the Chief Minister said.

Singh was speaking to reporters at a programme at Jagadalpur in the state.

on Friday, BJP government in Gujarat brought in a legislation which prescribed life sentence for cow slaughter.

With the passing of the amendment Bill by the state Assembly, Gujarat became the first state in the country to make cow slaughter punishable with the life term. It has also been made a non-bailable offence.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has also ordered a crackdown on illegal abattoirs in the state, saying it is only aimed at making them compliant with the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the Green Tribunal.

In Haryana too, the BJP government had in 2015 made a stringent law against cow slaughter with the offence attracting a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to 10 years.

BJP's stand on cow protection has been criticised by a rival who allege that it is an attempt to impose the Hindutva agenda on the country.
At least 20 people, including six members of a family, were killed at a dargah allegedly by its mentally disturbed custodian and his associates in Pakistan's Punjab province.

According to Deputy Commissioner Liaqut Ali Chatha, the incident took place at the dargah of Muhammad Ali Gujjar in a village in Sargodha district, some 200 km from Lahore, at around midnight on Sunday.

The custodian, Abdul Waheed, was apparently suffering from serious mental health issues, Chatha said.

Chatha said it appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed 20 people, including three women, to death.

Police official Mazhar Shah said that the motive behind the crime has not been ascertained yet but locals have said that from last two years the suspect used to visit the area for 'spiritual sessions' with the disciples.

"We have taken five people, including the caretakers of the dargah, Waheed and Yousuf, into custody for interrogation," Chatha said.

Three persons, including two women, have been injured. They have been shifted to hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.

People would come to the dargah for "cleansing" their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs. "But in this case the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process," Chatha said.

According to senior police officer Bilal Iftikhar, one injured witness also said there was a clash between two groups of the caretakers of the dargah over its possession.

Twenty people of both groups, including six members of one family, were killed, the police officer said.

"We have launched an investigation into all aspects of this case to ascertain the facts of this gory incident," Iftikhar said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodah.
Four missiles fired from Afghanistan today landed in northwest Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

One of the missiles hit a shop and other landed near a mosque in Shungak area in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency. Two other missiles hit a graveyard in Kachkina area.

The residents were panicked after the shop was destroyed in Shingak area. No incidents of loss of life were reported, authorities said.

An official said the missiles were fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province.

Kurram, which borders three Afghan provinces, is one of the most sensitive tribal areas.

The incident occurred in the same area where the Pakistani Taliban on Friday targeted a Shiite imambargah with a powerful car bomb, killing at least 24 people and injuring nearly 100 others at a crowded market.

The blast struck the women's entrance of the imambargah in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency, sending the large number of people gathered for Friday prayers near the market into a frenzied run for safety.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five staff members of the International Medical Corps and two contracted drivers were safely released today, the aid organisation said, a day after announcing their detention by Yemen rebels.

The seven -- all "locally hired" -- had been at a hotel in the central province of Ibb when they were detained, the US-based non-governmental organisation said in a statement.

International Medical Corps did not say for how long the aid workers had been held or provide details on the circumstances of their release.

The organisation's website says it has more than 150 local staff in Yemen and that it has operated since 2012 in the war-torn country.

It says its relief efforts provide a lifeline for families in the rebel-held capital and in Ibb, as well as the flashpoint southwestern city of Taez, and Aden and Lahj in the south.

The Shiite rebels and their allies control most of Yemen's north and west, while forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition, control the south and east.

More than 7,700 people -- most of them civilians -- have been killed in Yemen's war since the March 2015 military intervention of the coalition, the World Heath Organization says.

The United Nations says seven million people face serious risk of famine in the Arabian Peninsula country unless international donors intervene.

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Eight people were killed today when a van plunged into a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The accident took place this morning in Pingjiang Township of Rongjiang County when the van carrying a family hit a bridge guardrail and fell into the river.

Eight bodies have been recovered, officials said.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

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Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, H S Phoolka today said all the electronic voting machines used with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system should be validated and asked Congress to support the party on the issue.

The incident of default setting of an EVM-linked with VVPAT to the BJP symbol during trial for Assembly bypoll of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh has vindicated the AAP's allegation that the EVMs were tampered with by the ruling party, he said.

"AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had brought the matter to the notice of Chief Election Commissioner of India but no heed was paid," he added.

Phoolka said that the AAP and the Congress had demanded use of ballot paper in the polls to the three municipal corporations in Delhi but the Delhi Election Commission had turned down the demand.

Terming it as "moral duty" of the Congress to support AAP for validation of all EVMs used with VVPAT in the Assembly elections, he said that alleged tampering of EVMs was bigger conspiracy to hijack the election system and a serious threat to democracy in India by the BJP.

Phoolka said that all opposition parties should take united stand on the issue to save the democracy.

He also reiterated the demand for use of traditional method of ballot papers in all future elections till the time the doubts about EVMs are cleared.

Phoolka also condemned the behaviour of State Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh who threatened journalists asking not to publish the matter of EVM fraud in the media.

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A member of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), a banned underground group in Manipur, was today arrested on charges of kidnapping a 70-year-old businessman and demanding ransom from his family, police said.

Chongtham Ibomcha, a resident of Taothong Syungba, kidnapped Soibam Dhanabir and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore on February 16 for his release. Dhanabir was rescued on February 23 by the police from Samurou area here, Additional SP S Ibomcha said.

A case has been registered and investigation is underway, the officer said.

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Air-conditioner makers are betting on the early onset of summer to boost sales, with firms like Carrier Midea, Panasonic, Daikin, LG, Godrej and Samsung eyeing up to 30 per cent growth.

Some of the companies are also hoping that the consumer durable segment, which is steadily recovering from the impact of demonetisation, will benefit from their AC sales with the early advent of summer.

"Compared to 2016-17, the AC industry sales are expected to rise by 15-18 per cent in 2017-18. This is mostly due to the early onset of summer," Panasonic India Business Head - AC Group Mohammed Hussain told PTI.

On his company's expectations, Hussain said Panasonic India is targeting a 30 per cent growth in the air-conditioner segment with around 3.5 lakh units translating into a market share of around 10 per cent.

Bullish on the sales of ACs, LG India Business Head (AC) Vijay Babu said: "We are targeting at growing by 30 per cent... Overall, the momentum is quite positive."



The early arrival of summer is also proving to be a blessing in disguise for companies like Godrej Appliances which had taken a hit from demonetisation in its other product categories.

Godrej Appliances Product Group Head AC Anup Bhargava said this fiscal the consumer durables industry had a good run, clocking 26 per cent growth in the first eight months, riding on good monsoon and 7th Pay Commission till demonetisation was announced in November.

"Since February, we have started seeing signs of recovery. The early summer months will be very crucial in bringing the industry back to a strong footing," he said.

Rajeev Bhutani, Samsung India V-P, Consumer Electronics: "This year has seen an early onset of summer and we are already seeing a considerable demand for Samsung ACs. Consumers are looking for energy-efficient products, and our new air-conditioners have been designed to suit their needs."



The AC makers are expecting North India to remain their main growth driver followed by South, West and East.

"With the summer season setting in from week four onwards (in March), we are expecting the region to pick up in terms of sales performance," Carrier Midea MD Krishan Sachdev said.

Hussain said at present the northern region accounts for the largest share in the AC market in India with approximately 35-40 per cent followed by South, West and East.

"The trend is likely to continue and major demand will be generated from the North region mostly," he said.

The Indian residential AC market is around 5 million units with a penetration of around 4 per cent. It is expected to close this fiscal around 5.5 million units with a growth rate of 15-20 per cent from the previous year.

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South Africa police are hunting for a gang of armed robbers who blew up an armoured cash-in- transit truck in busy traffic in Johannesburg, escaping with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini said today that police recovered the two vehicles used in the heist and are hunting for the suspects but no arrests have been made.

The robbers, travelling in a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz, shot out the tires of the armoured truck shortly before noon yesterday as it was travelling toward Johannesburg's international airport, according to police.

"The guards were forced out of the vehicle before the suspects blew their cash van up with explosives," the police said in a statement. "The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money in cash boxes and one of the guard's firearms. They fled from the scene in two vehicles."



A video by a passerby shows a gridlock of traffic around the truck as cars turn away to escape the attack. The truck is hit by an explosion soon after.

Paramedics treated a motorist at the scene for minor injuries caused by flying debris that landed on a vehicle after the explosion, according to a statement from ER24, an emergency rescue service that responded to the incident.

Last month a shipment of cash was stolen from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport.

A gang disguised as policemen stole at least 1.8 million dollars in cash that was about to be loaded onto a South African Airways plane bound for London.

At least eight robbers, all of them wearing police uniforms, drove to the plane in an unmarked police van and two high powered vehicles and held up security guards as the money, in various currencies and packed in bags, was being loaded onto the airplane at around 7:45 PM on March 8.

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A local court here has issued an arrest warrant against Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against sage Valmiki, who wrote the mythological Hindu epic 'Ramayana'.

The warrant was issued on March 9 on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Valmiki community with her comments on a programme on a private television channel last year, police said today.

"By doing so she has hurt the religious sentiments of a large number of his followers," the complaint said.

"A two-member team of the Ludhiana police has left for Mumbai with the arrest warrant," a police official said.

Sawant had failed to appear before the court during the last hearing held on March 9 despite the court issuing her repeated summons.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled for April 10.

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Indian auto industry will need to seek clarity from "other influencers" like the Supreme Court or NGT on health related issues in future and not just the government as things are "getting more complicated" in India, according to Mercedes-Benz.

The German luxury car maker also said the Supreme Court ban of BS-III vehicles is a lesson to be learnt by the industry to avoid recurrence of similar confusion when BS-VI norm is implemented in 2020.

"We are realising that even if you obey everything strictly by the law that does not mean that the Supreme Court or any other body like the NGT cannot bring up issues that are pertinent and impact health in a negative way," Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roland Folger told PTI.

However, Folger said he was "positively surprised" by the ban on BS-III vehicles as it proved the company's "point that there will be a heightened level of awareness about environmental issues".

Seeking positives from the apex court's decision, he said: "I think that learning from this when we look forward to 2020 for the introduction of BS-VI, we cannot rely only on policy. I think that is the biggest learning from this issue."



In the past, it was predominantly between the government and policy makers that the industry had to associate with, which has now changed, he said.

"It is getting more complicated that you have to think more ahead of time and you cannot only take the indication from the government only...We need to seek clarity from other influencers now, whether that is the Supreme Court or the NGT. That is the biggest lesson learned for us," Folger said.

Calling for self-introspection in the industry after the BS-III ban, he said: "If somebody else isn't asking the question we have to ask these questions beforehand. We have to come clear and clarify these points when we bring this issue forward."



With the apex court putting health concerns on priority, he said: "It encourages us to think ahead towards the future that with the same kind of forward planning, BS-VI will happen and our vehicles will be in place ahead of time."



He, however, added: "For future changes, we hope any ambiguity related to the implementation of BS VI norms shall be clarified within the required time-frame, for the successful introduction of BS-VI norms, which will be financially and technically more challenging."



Last week, observing that health of the people is "far, far more important" than the commercial interests of the manufacturers, the Supreme Court banned sales of BS-III vehicles in the country from April 1. The ban impacted over 8 lakh vehicles.
The Bhind collector and superintendent of police were transferred today amid reports of a VVAPT machine purportedly dispensing slips only with BJP symbols during its trial, irrespective of the EVM button pressed.

The Election Commission of India transferred DC Ilayaraja T and SP Anil Singh Kushwaha along with Ater Sub-Divisional Police Officer Indrveer Singh Bhadauria besides ordering various actions against 16 other distract officials in wake of the controversy involving the trial run of the VVAPT machine.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Saleena Singh told PTI that Kiran Gopal and S Saxena have replaced Ilayaraja and Kushwaha respectively.

Manjeet Singh Chawla has replaced Bhadauria as Ater SDPO, said Singh.

The Bhind collector and the SP besides the Ater SDPO are among the 19 officials from the district against whom the poll panel has recommended action, an EC spokesman told PTI.

The action was taken to ensure transparency in conducting the byelection in Ater Assembly constituency, slated for April 9, he said.

The EC official said, "Out of the 19, six officials including the collector, the SP and the SDPO have already been replaced. The replacement of the in-charges of three police stations will be announced soon."



The Commission's IT Infrastructure Director Mukesh Meena, along with four other members, meanwhile, inspected the EVMs and VVPAT units today to be used in the bypoll and reportedly found them in order.

According to the media reports, the faulty VVPAT was dispensing slips with the BJP symbol only during their trial run ahead of the bypoll.

The bypoll for Ater Assembly constituency in Bhind and at Bandhavgarh assembly segment in Umaria district will take place on April 9.

The EC actions followed a day after Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia, besides Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi in Delhi.

They lodged a complaint with the CEC saying a video of the trial run of the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine attached to Electronic Voting Machine at Bhind on March 31 showed that it was dispensing slips only with the BJP symbol, no matter which button on the EVM was pressed.

The opposition parties demanded scrapping of the EVM for the coming elections.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box and the voter cannot take it home.

The media reports also claimed that Saleena Singh was seen telling journalists that the should not appear in newspapers, else they would be detained at the police station.

The chief electoral officer, who was present during the trial and seen in the video, however, yesterday denied that VVPAT dispensed only BJP slips.

The bypoll in Ater was necessitated following the death of sitting Congress MLA Satyadev Katare, who was also the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

In Bandhavgarh, the byelection will be held as the sitting BJP MLA Gyan Singh was elected as an MP from Shahdol Lok Sabha seat.

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Bhind Collector Ilayaraja T and the superintendent of police Anil Singh Kushwaha were today shunted out, a week ahead of by-election to Ater Assembly seat in the district.

The development comes against the backdrop of a controversy surrounding the trial of VVPAT machine in Bhind. According to media reports the faulty VVPAT was only dispensing slips of the BJP symbol during the familiarisation exercise.

Kiran Gopal and S Saxena had replaced Ilayaraja and Kushwaha, respectively, Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Saleena Singh told PTI.

Some other officials too were transferred out of Bhind, sources said, but officials didn't confirm the report.

Bypolls in Ater Assembly constituency in Bhind district and at Bandhavgarh Assembly segment in Umaria district will take place on April 9.

The action came a day after Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, and other leaders of opposition parties met the Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi in Delhi.

They filed a complaint saying that a video of a trial of voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine attached to Electronic Voting Machine at Bhind on March 31 showed that it was dispensing slips with only BJP symbol, no matter which button on the EVM was pressed.

The opposition parties demanded scrapping of EVM for the coming elections.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box and the voter cannot take it home.

According to media reports, the receipt showed the vote going to the BJP, irrespective of button pressed during the demonstration.

The reports also claimed that Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhya Pradesh, Saleena Singh was seen telling journalists that the should not appear in newspapers, else they would be detained at the police station.

Saleena Singh, who was present during the trial and seen in the video, however yesterday denied that VVPAT dispensed only BJP slips.

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The BJP today demanded resignation of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, asserting that he has become a "symbol of corruption" after he was charge-sheeted by the CBI in a disproportionate assets case.

Accusing the Congress of not fighting against black money, but batting for those who possess it, the BJP also questioned "silence" of party vice president Rahul Gandhi on the issue.

Addressing a press conference, BJP's National General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said the CBI, in its investigation, has found that Singh has shown profit in his accounts from his apple orchards during the year 2008-09 and 2010-11 to be more than Rs 6 crore.

"However, the profits in the preceding and subsequent years before that were zero. This establishes the fact that he has shown the fictitious earning from his apple orchards in his accounts to hide his unaccountable income," Yadav said.

The BJP leader claimed, investigations also revealed that the apples worth Rs 6 crores were transported using scooters and motorcycles.

"Rahul Gandhi should reveal what is the secret formula to earn so much money by a farmer like Virbhadra Singh. If the Congress is left with any morality, then it should seek his resignation," he said, adding that during 2010-11, the octogenarian Congress leader was the Union Health Minister.

On March 31, Delhi High Court refused to quash the disproportionate assets case filed by CBI against Singh and his wife, saying there is no basis to claim that the FIR is the result of any "political vendetta".

It also vacated the Himachal Pradesh High Court's October 1, 2015 interim order restraining CBI from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet in the case without the court's permission.

Hours later, Singh and his wife were charge-sheeted by the CBI in a special court.

Himachal Pradesh goes to polls later this year.

(REOPENS DEL 12)



BJP's Rajasthan unit also echoed the sentiments of its central leadership and demanded Singh's immediate resignation.

"The allegation against him is from the time when he was a minister in the central government. Charges against him are serious and he has no moral right and authority to be in power and should resign," Jaipur Mayor and BJP spokesperson Ashok Lahoti told a press conference here.
The speculation that Narayan Rane may cross over to the ruling BJP resurfaced today after the Maharashtra Tourism Minister and BJP MLA Jaykumar Rawal called on the sulking Congress leader in Ratnagiri.

However, the BJP has termed it a "courtesy visit".

Rane, who had held important portfolios in the previous Congress-led UPA governments, has reportedly been in sulk for quite some time.

The latest cause for his discontent is said to be keeping him away from the political developments in Goa, where his party has missed the chance to form government despite emerging the single largest party in Assembly elections.

Rane senior and his son Nilesh, a former MP, had recently criticised the state unit Congress president Ashok Chavan, questioning his 'ability' to lead the Congress in Maharashtra.

Rawal, who was in Ratnagiri today, met Rane senior at his residence.

When asked whether Rane is joining the BJP, the state unit BJP spokesperson Madhu Chavan dismissed the speculation.

"Rawal is a Tourism Minister. He is visiting Ratnagiri as the city is a key tourist destination. Rawal paid only a courtesy visit to Rane as he is a former chief minister as well as a senior leader in Maharashtra. One should not read too much in such meetings," Chavan said.

While speaking to PTI last month, Nilesh had demanded Chavan's replacement as the state unit chief with some "more capable leader who can lead the party workers in the 2019 Assembly polls".

Nilesh had last month stepped down as the general secretary of the Maharashtra unit of the Congress as a mark of protest against keeping vacant the post of Ratnagiri district Congress president for the last two years.

However, senior Rane, a former Shiv Sainik, had earlier clarified that he was not going to leave the Congress and had blamed his 'detractors' in the party for spreading such rumour.

In recently-concluded Zilla Parishad elections, though the BJP made inroads into rural Maharashtra, the Ranes retained their stronghold in Sindhudurg district in coastal Konkan.

BJP insiders said that Rane could prove a 'prize catch' for the party, which is desperate to consolidate its position across the state ahead of the next polls.

"We hardly have any rural face with a statewide appeal in Maharashtra. If the BJP decides to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in 2019 (sans Shiv Sena), leaders like Rane would be an asset for the party. Rane is resourceful and could be useful in some neighbouring constituencies for the BJP," a party functionary said.

According to him, it won't be surprising if leaders from the Congress, including some from Maharashtra, could be inclined to join the BJP so as to stay close to power.

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Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha workers staged a protest near the Congress headquarters here today, demanding the resignation of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after he was charge-sheeted by the CBI in a disproportionate assets case.

The protesters raised slogans against the Congress chief minister.

The protesters were stopped and taken away as they tried to demonstrate in front of the party office on Akbar Road.

Leading the protesters, Delhi BJYM president Sunil Yadav said that Virbhadra Singh must resign from his post in view of "corruption" charges against him.

"Singh misused his position...He has no moral right to continue as the chief minister," Yadav said.

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After months of uncertainty and controversy, finally accepted the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature at a jovial, champagne-laced ceremony, the Swedish Academy announced.

The academy, which awards the coveted prize, ended prolonged speculation as to whether the 75-year-old troubadour would use a concert stopover in Stockholm to accept the gold medal and diploma awarded to him back in October.

They were handed to Dylan at a "private ceremony in Stockholm" attended by 12 academy members, Sara Danius, the academy's permanent secretary yesterday, said in a blog post.

"Spirits were high. Champagne was had," Danius confided.

"Quite a bit of time was spent looking closely at the gold medal, in particular the beautifully crafted back, an image of a young man sitting under a laurel tree who listens to the Muse," she added.

"Taken from Virgil's Aeneid, the inscription reads: 'Inventasvitamiuvatexcoluisse per artes,' loosely translated as 'And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery'."



The first songwriter to receive the prestigious award, Dylan joins a celebrated group of laureates including Thomas Mann, Samuel Beckett, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Doris Lessing.

The meeting took place at a secret location ahead of Dylan's first concert in Stockholm, the first stop on a long-planned European tour for his latest album of cover songs, "Triplicate". His second concert is on due Sunday.

Dylan had not been expected to deliver his traditional Nobel lecture at the meeting - the only requirement to receive the eight million kronor ($891,000) that comes with the prize.

He has until June 10 to provide his lecture, which could be anything from a short speech to a performance, a video broadcast or even a song. Failing that, he risks losing the prize money.

"The Academy has reason to believe that a taped version will be sent at a later point," Danius said on Wednesday.

Several Academy members, including Danius, were present at the concert as Dylan, wearing a white hat, western-style black blazer and cowboy boots, performed "Love Sick" and "Full Moon And Empty Arms," part of a playlist of standards and self-penned hits.

The American rock enigma's performance was met with a cheering crowd, which gave repeated standing ovations, especially when he played a harmonica.

Dylan was tightlipped between songs and made no mention whatsoever about the Nobel prize.

Lars Sjoblom, a 65-year-old sound and light technician, said he had grown up with Dylan's music but was "greatly surprised" that he had not said anything.

"I came here to listen to what he had to say about the Nobel Foundation and to the Swedish people," Sjoblom told AFP. "I think he could have shown Sweden the respect to say 'thank you'."



But Dag Hanners, a 65-year-old logistician, said Dylan never speaks with the crowd during performances.

"You just have to live with that," he said with a chuckle.

Dylan was honoured "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition," the Nobel committee said when the award was announced last October.

His long list of hits, ranging over decades, began in the early Sixties. He penned hundreds of songs in just a few years -- an astonishing flurry that included "Blowin' In The Wind", "Hurricane" and "Mr. Tambourine Man."



"Not once have I ever had the time to ask myself, 'Are my songs literature?'" Dylan said in a thank-you speech read out by the US ambassador to Sweden during the December Nobel ceremony in Stockholm. He skipped the event due to "pre-existing commitments".

Dylan kept silent for weeks after he was announced as the winner and when he was asked at the time why he did not respond to the Academy's calls, he told Britain's Daily Telegraph: "Well, I'm right here."



His mysterious reaction even provoked Academy member Per Wastberg to call him "impolite" and "arrogant".

Dylan later apologised for not being able to attend the ceremony and expressed surprise over being chosen for an honour given to literature heavyweights like Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus.

"If someone had ever told me that I had the slightest chance of winning the Nobel Prize, I would have to think that I'd have about the same odds as standing on the moon," he added.
An alleged bootlegger and a drug peddler were arrested today from two different locations near here, police said.

The bootlegger has been identified as Geesa Ram, a resident of Soondh colony Palahigate, they said.

Police said 16 cartons of illicit liquor were recovered from Geesa Ram from local Mansa Devi area.

On a tip off, a police party arrested Geesa under relevant Sections of Excise Act.

In another case, the drug peddler, Gurwinder Singh, was arrested with 140 intoxicating tablets from Urban Estate area during a routine checking, police said.

His arrest was made under relevant Sections of NDPS Act, police said.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May today insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings.

May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes."



Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain.

On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and to also cover Gibraltar.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office.

"The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added.

"We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process."



British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away".

"Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar."



"The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today."



The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Spain said today it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.
Property owners will have to shell out more money in the form of new taxes to be levied by the government in the wake of state-sponsored infrastructure projects pushing up the prices of land and buildings in the vicinity.

According to a proposed plan by the Ministry of Urban Development, public investment in infrastructure projects like metro line, elevated road or Railway project push up the property prices in a particular area.

On the other hand, the state government and urban local bodies reportedly face shortage of funds, leading to sluggish infrastructure development. To tide over this financial problem, the Ministry has formulated a fund raising scheme -- Value Capturing Finance (VCF) to capture a part of the increment in value of property due to public investment in infrastructure projects, it said.

"The VCF policy is an innovative method of financing and also a revenue generation tool. It will also help to meet the growing demand for resources to finance ongoing urban infrastructure expansion," Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gauba said.

Vacant land, commercial and residential properties would attract various charges like betterment levy, development charges, land value tax and fee for changing land use, he said.

Gauba said the mechanism could also be used by other Central ministries investing heavily in building national highways, railway projects, power generation and port infrastructure development.

Endorsing the scheme, the Finance Ministry has also issued an office memorandum stating, "The government has decided that VCF will be an integral part of detailed project report (DPR) of all projects of the Central government."



The Ministry has also revised the format for memorandum for proposals of projects to include the VCF mode of funding.

India requires about Rs 3,25,000 crore of urban infrastructure investment annually, according to a McKinsey report.

A high-powered expert committee, set up by the Urban Development Ministry, in its report in 2011 had projected urban infrastructure requirement at 0.75 per cent, which will increase to 1.5 per cent of the GDP by 2032.

In other terms, the investment requirement in urban infrastructure will increase from Rs 97,500 crore in 2011 to Rs 1,95,000 crore in 2032.

In 2011, the annual urban investments were about Rs 32,500 crore, leading to an investment gap of nearly Rs 65,000 crore.

Meanwhile, the Urban Development Ministry's proposed VCF policy has received mixed responses from people.

"It would be better to pay for improved infrastructure than remain indifferent. We need to take some responsibility for infra development and the amount we pay would lead to further growth," a resident of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh said.

Another resident of the area said, "We already pay so many taxes to the government apart from the income tax. It is the government's responsibility to provide facilities to the people. The burden of the same should not fall on us," he said.

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The Committee of Administrators (COA) has summoned the current set of BCCI office-bearers for a meeting in Hyderabad on April 5.

The meeting will be held with senior vice-president CK Khanna, joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry, who are all expected to be in the cyber city, for the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

It is learnt that both Vinod Rai and Vikram Limaye will be meeting the three office-bearers to ensure smooth conduct of the cash-rich league.

They might discuss the April 9 Special General Meeting, where the N Srinivasan coterie will be trying to push the Tamil Nadu strongman's name as BCCI representative at the ICC Meeting.

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China today said the Dalai Lama fled to India from Tibet in 1959 after a "failed armed rebellion", rejecting his remarks that he had no other option but to escape due to increased Chinese military action.

"As it is known to all, the 14th Dalai Lama is an anti- China separatist who have long lived in exile following a failed armed rebellion by the reactionary group of high-ranking feudal serf-owners in Tibet in March 1959," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said today reacting to his comments.

"His remarks which serve his anti-China separatist purpose have no trace of facts at all," the Ministry told PTI in a written response to a query about his comments.

About his stay in India, the Ministry said, "the Chinese government is resolutely opposed to any country's support and facilitation for the 14th Dalai group's anti-China separatist activities".

The 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader recalled yesterday during his visit to Assam that "On March 10, 1959, there were huge demonstrations in Lhasa", the Tibetan region's capital.

"Chinese military action also increased. I had no option but to escape. On March 17, I fled."



He said the warm-hearted welcome he received on his arrival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh 58 years ago was a "moment of freedom" for him.

Chinese troops entered Tibet in October 1950 overcoming the resistance from the Tibetan army and later the Chinese control over the area was formalised in 1951.

The Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 and lived in India in exile since then.

For the third time in recent weeks, China warned India last Friday the Dalai Lama's to Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of Tibet, will cause "serious damage" to bilateral ties.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will visit Tawang on April 4 to attend religious engagements.

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Tibetan spiritual leader the on Sunday had an emotional reunion with one of the five Assam Rifles guards who escorted him to India during his escape from Tibet in March 1959.

The embraced retired jawan Naren Chandra Das at an interactive session organised at the 'Namami Brahmaputra' River festival by the Assam government here.

"Thank you very much.... I am very very happy to meet such an old member of the Assam Rifles who guarded and escorted me to India 58 years ago," a visibly emotional said on the occasion.

"Looking at your face, I now realise I must be very old too," he said to Das in jest.

Dressed in his Assam Rifles uniform, 76-year-old Das, later told PTI that he escorted the Dalai Lama as his armed guard in 1959, two years after joining the force in 1957.

At that time, he was posted at Lungla near the China border after completing his training at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.

"Guards of Assam Rifles Platoon no. 9 had brought the Dalai Lama from Zuthangbo and handed him over to five of us at Shakti. We brought him to Lungla from where he was escorted on his onward journey to Tawang by another group of guards," the retired jawan said.

Asked whether he had any interaction with the Dalai Lama during that journey, Das said that they were not allowed to talk or interact with him. "Our duty was only to guard and escort him during a part of his journey."



He said he was overwhelmed by the warmth in his embrace.

Asked what the Dalai Lama whispered in his ears while they embraced, he replied, "He was happy to see me."



The Dalai Lama also presented silk shawl to the guard.

For the Assam Rifles, he also signed an old photograph of his during his journey into India.

Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Shokin Chouhan was also present on the occasion.
The ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress are locked in a direct fight in the bypoll to the Dholpur Assembly seat which has become a prestige issue for both parties ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls.

The by-election has been necessitated after the seat fell vacant on termination of the membership of B L Kushwah following his conviction and life imprisonment in a murder case in December last year.

The BJP has fielded Kushwah's wife Shobha Rani (35) who is contesting the election against Congress's veteran leader and former MLA Banwari Lal (78).

B L Kushwah had won the assembly election on a BSP ticket by defeating Congress candidate Banwari Lal Sharma in 2013.

The convict's wife is contesting the by-election on BJP ticket now whereas the Congress has chosen Banwari Lal Sharma once again, to fight the bye-election.

There are as many as 15 candidates contesting the bye-election, including 25-year-old Gunjan Jatav. 12 of them are independent candidates.

SP has fielded Banvari Sharma while there is no candidate contesting from BSP.

After the astounding victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, BJP is leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the bye-election on April 9 as it has become a prestige issue.

The party is seeking vote on development agenda while the Congress leaders led by PCC Chief Sachin Pilot are accusing the BJP government of failing to deliver and exuding confidence of winning the seat.

Nearly a dozen ministers of the Vasundhara Raje government and senior leaders including Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf, Panchayati Raj Minister Rajendra Rathore, Transport Minister Yunus Khan, MP Manoj Rajouria, Raje's son and MP Dushyant Singh, MLAs have been involved in campaigning in Dholpur.

The chief minister herself visited the constituency few days back to review the election preparedness.

During the campaigning, BJP leaders are highlighting development while the Congress leaders are accusing the government of corruption and failing to deliver good governance in the state.

Claiming that development has set new records inDholpurin the BJP regime, party state president Ashok Parnami exuded confidence of winning the by-poll.

"Under the leadership of chief minister Vasundhara Raje,Dholpurgot Chambal Lift Project, better health care services, engineering colleges, better employment and education opportunities," he said at a meeting of the party workers.

On the other hand, PCC Chief Sachin Pilot alleged that the government has failed to curb crimes happening in the state while corruption is also rampant in the BJP rule.

"It is an irony that despite Dholpur being the home ground of the chief minister, it has been neglected.There is no development and now the BJP is contesting election on the development agenda," Pilot told PTI.

He alleged that BJP candidate Shobha Rani is facing fraud charges and the chief minister has banked on such a candidate.

"BSP has not fielded its candidate and we will get a political advantage of it.I have campaigned in over 100 villages where I found resentment among people against the government," he claimed.

The parties are also eyeing caste equations on the seat which is dominated by mainly Kushwah and Branhim voters, followed by Jatav, Muslims and Gurjars.

In the House of 200, the ruling BJP has 160 MLAs and the result of the Dholpur by-election will not have any impact on the government's stability yet it has become a significant test for the chief minister as Dholpur is her home ground.

The seat will go to poll on April 9 and counting of votes will be take place on April 13.

Located in the eastern part of the state at a distance of over 270 km from the capital, Dholpur shares border with Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP has just recorded a victory in the assembly, and Madhya Pradesh.

(Reopens DES-22)



78-year-old Congress candidate Banwari Lal is a five-time MLA who had also contested elections against Vasundhara Raje in the past.

He represented the seat in 1967, 1972, 1980, 1993 and 2003 and lost four elections while the BJP candidate Shobha Rani is contesting the election for first time.
Veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar is at home and doing well, his wife, yesteryear actress Saira Banu has assured fans.

There were rumours that the 94-year-old star was not keeping well.

Saira Banu took to Kumar's official Twitter account to give an update about the actor.

"By the grace of God, Dilip Sahab is at home and doing well. God has been very kind. Sahab believes that to be surrounded by family and friends who love him unconditionally is therapy by itself," the post read.

"Sahab is blessed with the prayers and love of his millions of fans, admirers, friends and well wishers.

"Dilip Sahab himself will be back on twitter soon, Insha'Allah."



Kumar was last seen on-screen in the 1998 film "Qila".

The thespian has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

The Pakistan government also honoured him with its highest civilian honour - Nishan-e-Imtiaz - in 1997.

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The electronic-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), a pan-India electronic portal launched by the Centre, will start functioning in Kunduli weekly market (haat) in Odisha's Koraput.

The portal connects existing agricultural produce marketing committees to create an unified market for agricultural commodities, officials said adding, Koraput was one of the ten districts being included under e-NAM.

In the first phase ginger and potato produced in the district have been included under e-NAM and traders can buy those through online bidding, they said.

Till date, 1,700 farmers of the district grow ginger and potato and 51 traders have registered with e-NAM. The highest bidder would be allowed to purchase the commodity if the farmer agrees to the price, said Susant Kumar Padhi, Secretary of Regional Market Committee, Koraput.

"It is expected that through online bidding of products, the monopoly of local traders will be checked in determining the price of a product and farmers will get the highest price for their products," Padhi said.

Anyone from across the country can obtain a license to participate in the online bidding process by paying a fee of Rs 1,100 to the respective market committee, he said.

According to official data, around 20 tonnes of ginger and eight tonnes of potato are grown by farmers in the district annually.

Farmers have expressed optimism that through the online bidding system, they would financially benefit and would not be forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices.

"Last year, we sold ginger at Rs 8 a kg to local traders, but in bordering Andhra Pradesh it was sold at Rs 35 to Rs 40 a kg. Through online bidding we are hopeful to get the maximum profit for our products," Chandra Chepadi, a ginger grower of Bodotema village under Pottangi block, who as registered with e-NAM, said.

Apart from Koraput, the e-NAM project would be operational at Puri, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Balangir, Sambalpur, Nabrangapur, Gajapati, Rayagada and Phulbani districts.

"We are planning to include cashew in the next phase," Padhi added.

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An executive engineer working with the Chhattisgarh Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has been arrested on the charges of forgery and corruption.

Karan Singh Karsolia, currently posted in Kharsia sub-division of Raigarh district, was arrested yesterday, a senior police official said.

Because of his actions when he was posted at Raigarh district headquarters in 2014, a contractor got 'undue benefit' of Rs 21.30 lakh, according to the police.

The scam came to light through documents accessed under the Right to Information, following which the Raigarh Collector asked the then Raigarh Zila Panchayat CEO, Deepak Agrawal, to investigate.

The probe revealed that Karsolia manipulated the tendering system to award work for a water augmentation project to a contractor of his choice.

Based on Agrawal's report, a case was registered against Karsolia, two clerks of PHE and three contractors under sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery) and other relevant sections of IPC and the PreventionofCorruptionAct at Chakradhar Nagar police station in June 2016.

Karsolia was produced before a court in Raigarh which sent him in judicial remand for 14 days. Other five accused are yet to be arrested.

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To promote global peace and unity through an exhibition inspired by the ideals of Mahatama Gandhi, the United Nations has launched a new campaign -- 'Together: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All'.

Titled 'SANMATI', the exhibition by veteran artist Shyam Sharma, comprises of prints on Gandhi's life and philosophy, and seeks to promote respect, safety and dignity for all.

Organised by the UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan in collaboration with RPR Gallery, the show is underway at the Lalit Kala Akademi here.

The collaboration is also exploring the extreme ideas of hatred and tolerance by putting together panel displays and film screenings on 'Remember Slavery: Recognizing the legacy and Contribution of people of African Descent' and 'The State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda'.

"The exhibition displaying two extreme examples of hatred and intolerance has a counter balance of art showing Gandhi's benign principles of unity and respect for each other.

"The key reason for this exhibition is to see how close are the concepts of tolerance and intolerance, and how easy it is for one to shift and fall into the other," says Derk Seggar, Director, UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan.

Sharma, who used the indigenous process of printmaking to create fifty pieces of artwork for the 'Sanmati' series, says "technique does not matter, what really matters is that the message you intend to convey is spread to everyone".

"This is a humble tribute to the 'Father of the Nation' not just from me but the whole artistic fraternity. 'SANMATI' is inspired by his life, ideals and philosophy. It follows the artistic trajectory of Nandalal Bose's leno cut 'Bapu'," he says.

The exhibition is set to continue till April 7.

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plans to raise up to $3 billion from overseas this fiscal.

"We would be looking to raise between $2.5-3 billion in the current fiscal year," Export Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) Managing Director David Rasquinha told PTI.

In 2016-17, the bank raised more than $2 billion from abroad, he said.

Depending upon market conditions, borrows money tapping overseas resources.

"Even if we don't use money right away, I can deploy it as liquidity because as a financial institution we have to think long term. Our assets go right up to 20 years," Rasquinha said.

funds long-term projects in Africa, SAARC countries and those in far east. Of its total funding every year, half of the credit goes to African nations.

Talking about geographical mix in terms of lending, Rasquinha said that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar are strong areas in the Indian neighbourhood.

In East Asia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos are important countries, he added.

The African continent poses tremendous opportunities for Indian businesses and there are a lot of commonalities between India and Africa when it comes to development, he said.

"At Exim Bank, we are trying to promote Indian investors to do business in Africa in power, renewable energy, railways, roads and agriculture," Rasquinha said.
Alliance Air, the regional arm of Air India, plans to triple its fleet this financial year by inducting 20 more ATR aircraft amid an increased focus on enhancing connectivity to underserved and unserved airports.

Over the next two years, Alliance Air aims to expand its fleet to 50 ATR aeroplanes, Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani said.

"We will induct 10 ATR 72-600 planes in September. We plan to lease another 10 ATR aircraft within this financial year. In the following year, we hope to procure another 10 to 20 ATRs," he said.

The 10 new ATRs are being procured on lease for 12 years.

At present, the Air India subsidiary has a fleet of eight ATR 72-600 (70 seater) and two ATR 42-320 (48 seater) aircraft.

Alliance Air has recently been awarded 15 of the 128 routes under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme, Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), wherein fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights and airlines are extended viability gap funding by the government.

However, the Air India subsidiary will not be restricted to merely the routes awarded to it and will be flying additional ones to improve connectivity to smaller cities.

"We will be operating flights to enhance regional connectivity, and (only) some of them will be part of UDAN. We are very aggressive about this," Lohani said while interacting with mediapersons.

Air India is also procuring a new ATR 72-600 simulator, which will be operational in October, in order to train pilots for flying the new aircraft. This will replace the Airbus A320 simulator at AI's Central Training Establishment in Hyderabad.

"So far, Alliance Air has been sending its pilots for training to Toulouse, Singapore and Bangkok. This is a costly and time consuming exercise. These pilots can now train at our facility in Hyderabad," Captain Amitabh Singh, Executive Director (Training), Air India told PTI.

Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, currently provides flight services to 34 tier-two and tier-three cities via Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
A huge fire broke out early this morning at a three 60-storey tower complex near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

No casualty has been reported in the fire and three workers trapped inside the building have been rescued, police said.

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroshi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence, said they are taking necessary steps to control the fire.

Cooling operations will continue, Matroshi was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

The building named 'The Address Residence Fountain Views' was under construction that was expected to be completed by April 2018, Dubai Media Office said.

Officials have confirmed that the fire was brought under control.

Major Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief, was also at the scene inspecting the damage and assessing the situation.

Mohammad Jaseem, who lives in a building opposite to it, said his family woke up hearing the sirens of police cars and fire trucks. He said soon they realised it was a nearby building under construction that caught fire.

Eyewitnesses also saw helicopters and teams of fire trucks on site, as they cordoned off the areas and rushed to extinguish the flames.

The fire led to major traffic jams in the area with several roads being closed and people advised to take diversions.

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A huge fire at a 60-storey tower near the Burj Khalifa today sent a thick black smoke billowing over central Dubai that enveloped the world's tallest building, the latest in a series of worrying blazes to hit the desert city.

The fire broke out early morning at the under-construction residential tower named 'The Address Residence Fountain Views' near Dubai's biggest shopping mall.

No casualty was reported and the fire was brought under control by firefighters pulled in from eight stations after hours-long effort.

Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Police initially rescued three workers trapped by the fire. Another worker was rescued later.

The Dubai Media Office said the property - which has three towers, each 60 floors high - belonged to local developer Emaar and was due to be completed by April next year.

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi said the fire started in the parking area on the fifth floor and then quickly spread to the seventh floor, the Gulf reported.

He did not explain the cause of the fire.

"We received a call at 5.35 am, about a fire in Fountain Views Tower in Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard. The fire firefighter arrived at 5.40am. It was a big fire," he said.

Cooling operations at the tower will continue.

Mohammad Jaseem, who lives in a building opposite to the tower damaged in the fire, said his family woke up hearing the sirens of police cars and fire trucks, the Khaleej Times reported. Eyewitnesses also saw helicopters and teams of fire trucks on the site.

Authorities had cordoned off nearby roads, but the thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.

The site of the blaze was next to a 63-storey tower which was was heavily damaged in a fire on New Year's Eve in 2015.

Major fires have hit high-rises in Dubai in recent years, mainly due to flammable material used in cladding, a covering used on the side of the buildings.

In July last year, the 75-storey Sulafa tower was gutted in a fire. And in 2012, a blaze gutted the 34-storey Tamweel Tower in Jumeirah Lake Towers district.

Dubai, located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings.

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A city based company has claimed to have launched the first bio-gas fuelled bus in Kolkata keeping a flat fare of just Re 1.

"We are the first one to launch bio-gas bus in the entire south east Asia. Now old buses which have run for 15 or 20 years, can also be given a fresh lease of life with this clean and cheap fuel, and we are in the process of seeking government approval for the same," Phoenix India Research chairman and managing director, Jyoti Prakash Das said.

Four more buses will be rolled out in the current month and another ten by the end of this year, Das said.

All buses will have a flat fare of Re 1 irrespective of the distance, even in excess of 40 km, he said.

Presently, the lowest fare in a Kolkata bus is Rs 6.

The first bus will run a distance of 17 km between Ultadanga and Garia in the southern fringes of the city and Phoenix India will run the bio-gas service from its Corporate Social Responsibility fund.

On the pricing and permit issues, West Bengal transport minister Suvendu Adhikari said "It is a welcome development. We will issue permit if the company fulfils all laws and norms of the Centre."



Das said they had conducted a three months' trial in Delhi, running a bio-gas bus to overcome teething troubles and expressed confidence in making bio-gas buses commercially viable for both short and long distance.

"In Delhi, CNG buses cannot go on long-haul due to fuel tank constraints. We have able to overcome that hurdle. The bio-gas bus can run up to 6 km on one kg," he said.

The company said they are an approved bio-gas company by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), having plants at Gujarat and West Bengal.

"There are several bio-gas producers in the country, but only a handful are PESO approved," Das claimed.

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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today denounced conversion of faith by coercion and called it "wrong and not at all good for society".

"Conversion by coercion is wrong as basically one should be free to choose his/her religion and whether one accepts a faith or not should be an entirely independent choice," the Dalai Lama said at the 'Namami Brahmaputra' River festival organised by the Assam government here.

He, however, suggested that it was better to follow one's traditional religion as change of religion "creates confusion" but, if an individual does convert, it should be done voluntarily and not by force as "it is not good and should not be done".

The Dalai Lama said that studying other traditions, their values and traditions was a great way to ensure religious harmony, mutual understanding and respect for others.

"I never propagate Buddhism during my visits to the western countries as I believe it is better to follow one's traditional religion but one should always study other traditions to develop understanding, respect and compassion for others," the Nobel laureate said.

The Dalai Lama said the Nalanda scholars of Buddhism had always pointed out the need to study different philosophical thoughts -- both Buddhist and non-Buddhist -- as this would be helpful in understanding other traditions.

"When I was in Tibet, I thought Buddhism was the best but when I came to India and met Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and people of other faiths, I realised that each tradition has values that need to be understood for promoting world peace," he said.

The Dalai Lama asserted that both the concepts of 'One religion-one Truth' and 'Several religion-several truths' were simultaneously relevant and the understanding of these concepts strengthens the bond between different religions.

He further said that he is in touch with professors and scholars of various American universities to prepare a draft for secular ethics and urged Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to introduce it, when it is ready, in a few schools and monitor it for a few years.

"If it is successful, it can be introduced in other schools too as it is very important to educate children from the kindergarten to the University level to bring peace through compassion and love," the Dalai Lama said.

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The government has proposed a new set of rules for processing Right to Information applications, complaints and appeals and has sought suggestions from the public by April 15.

The proposed rules, aimed at replacing RTI rules of 2012, have been placed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on its website for comments from public.

"The time given is too less. There is no official press release in this regard as well. How will people know that something like is placed on website for them to give opinion," RTI activist Commodore (Retd) Lokesh Batra told PTI.

A major proposal now allows the Central Information Commission (CIC) to convert a complaint into second appeal which would mean it can order the disclosure of information to an applicant who has come under complaint clause of the RTI Act which was not the case earlier.

"The Commission may in its discretion allow a prayer for any amendment of a complaint during the course of its hearing, including conversion of the complaint into second appeal, if available remedies have been exhausted, on a prayer made by the complainant," the draft rules state.

The Supreme Court had held in one of its orders that Section 18 of the RTI Act provides for complaint while Section 19 of the RTI Act provides mechanism of second appeal.

It had said that the CIC while hearing a plea under complaint clause cannot order disclosure of the information which can only be provided if the person is approaching it under second appeal or section 19 of the Act.

Another provision says that the proceedings before the Commission will abate in case of death of the appellant.

The new draft rules also allow the Commission to use its discretion for allowing withdrawal of appeal or a complaint if appellant requests but such requests cannot be entertained once the matter has been decided by it.

Some RTI activists have objected to such suggestions by the government in the past saying information seekers may be coerced by people with vested interests and may even be killed as the information against them cannot be ordered to be disclosed in such cases.

The rules also introduce provisions like providing a copy of complaint and appeal to the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) before approaching the CIC.

A proof in this regard will also be submitted to the Commission along with the complaint or appeal.

The applicants will have to declare that the matter submitted by them before the Commission has not been decided or pending before the Commission or any court.

The applicants can now file complaints within 135 days of filing the RTI application only. Any delay in filing the complaint will have to be accompanied with the request for condonation of delay.

If the RTI applicant does not know the name and address of the CPIO or the First Appellate authority in a government department, he will have to provide a copy of his complaint to the department before approaching the Commission.

The new proposed process asks the Commission to get replies from the CPIO within a specified time before issuing notices to them.

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Six girl students of a nursing college in neighbouring Dahod district were killed and six other passengers were seriously injured when the jeep they were travelling in rammed into a tree near Ruparel village in Panchmahal district today, police said.

According to police, the deceased were in age group between 17 years and 22 years.

The accident occurred when the students were returning to Zalod after attending a cultural programme in Bardoli town near Surat, said Damavav police station Sub-Inspector P L Vaghela.

"The speeding jeep crashed into a tree along roadside after the driver lost control over the vehicle this morning. While five girls died on the spot, another one died shortly after being admitted to SSG Hospital in Vadodara," he said.

The deceased are identified as Jigna Chauhan (22), Sunaina Solanki (17), Sonal Pargi (17), Priyanka Pargi (18), Suman Damor (18), and Shital Bariya (20)--all residents of Dahod district.

A case of rash driving has been registered against the driver who was seriously injured in the incident along with five passengers, police said, adding that the injured were undergoing treatment at Godhra Civil Hospital.

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Headless and limbless body of a man was found in a field at Mardharajpur in Ganjam district today, police said.

The corpse was first spotted by the villagers who informed the police.

Unidentified assailants might have killed the man and dumpd it after chopping off his head and limbs in an apparent bid to destroy evidence, said Inspector In-Charge of Polasara police station, Tapaswini Kanhar.

There was no blood stain in the site and the body, police said adding the man could have been murdered about two to three days back before it was dumped.

The corpse was sent to the forensic laboratory in MKCG Medical College here for test, while police scientific team conducted investigation, she said.

Police searched the area to find the limbs and head of the body, but in vain. Police intimated nearby police stations about the episode.

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A Dublin-based human rights protection group has urged the Indian government to drop charges against journalist Poonam Agarwal, who has been booked under the stringent Official Secrets Act for carrying out a sting on the abuse of the "buddy" system in the army.

In a statement, the group Front Line Defenders, asked the government to ensure that human rights activists are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

"Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the charges brought against Poonam Agarwal, which it believes are solely motivated by her legitimate and peaceful activities in the defence of human rights in India," the group said.

It said this is not the first time charges under the OSA -- a 1923 anti-espionage act held over from the British era -- has been used against journalists who report on sensitive stories.

"Immediately drop all charges against Poonam Agarwal as it believes that they are solely motivated by her legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights," the group urged the Indian government.

Nashik Police has registered the case against Agarwal under Sections 3 (spying) and 7 (interfering with officers of the police or members of the armed forces of Union) of the OSA after a complaint from Army officials.

Agarwal is accused of entering Heig Lines in Deolali camp without the permission of the authorities and filming the premises besides carrying out a sting operation on Roy Mathew and other jawans on February 24 in which she is said to have asked leading questions, the police official said.

Mathew (33) was found hanging from the ceiling of a room in an abandoned barrack in Deolali cantonment here on March 2.

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An Indian man was among five persons who have been killed when a truck hit a stationary bus in western Nepal.

The speeding truck with an Indian registration number plate hit the Kathmandu-bound passenger bus from behind during wee hours in Chormara forest area on the East-West Highway in Nawalparasi district yesterday.

The truck driver, Riyaz Khan from Bihar, was killed along with four passengers of the bus. Five others were also injured in the mishap.

The bus, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dang area, was standing on a road due to a deflated tyre when the incident occurred.

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In a highly secure, clean room of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru, a new jugalbandi is unfolding  teams from the private sector are working shoulder-to-shoulder with government engineers to create a new bird that will soar in the sky very soon.

The Indian space establishment has crossed a new threshold, engaging for the first time a private sector industry to make a full multi-crore, heavy duty satellite.

Having been unable to keep pace with satellite fabrication, the has now roped in the private industry to bridge the gap.

A consortium led by Alpha Design Technologies, Bengaluru is tasked to make two full satellites for India's navigation system.

After almost 150 missions and three decades of space-faring, the is on a mission like never before, handholding the private industry to make a full navigation satellite.

Towards that, a high-tech defence equipment supplier from Bengaluru, Alpha Design Technologies has been chosen as the first private industry tasked with making not one but two full satellites for the .

A team of 70 engineers is working hard to make a flight ready satellite in the next six months.

Colonel H S Shankar, the man who helped India get its first bulk supply of electronic voting machines (EVMs), is leading the consortium and he is keeping a hawk's eye on the fabrication process.

Shankar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Alpha Design Technologies, says, "It is a challenging task for any Indian company to undertake assembly, integration and testing of a satellite and that too for the first time in India."



With seven satellites already in orbit, the NAVIC or the Swadeshi GPS system is today fully functional but to be on the safe side the ISRO needed two spare satellites on the ground for a quick launch in case something went wrong.

It signed up with the Rs 400 crore company to give India its first large private satellite.

The ISRO also wants to seed an ecosystem where the private sector takes a lead in the future.

M Annadurai, Director of ISRO Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, says, "Basically there is a gap between what we are capable of doing now versus what we are supposed to make. There is a gap between the requirement and our capability. That gap we want to fill up with support from the industry."



"...16 to 17 satellites we have to make every year. So it is a really-really quantum jump and to fill that gap..., we thought the industry could come in," he added.
Malaysia today expressed keen interest in investing in Rajasthan, especially in tourism and infrastructure sectors.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who arrived in the pink city as part of his six-day visit to the country, held talks with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and senior officials to discuss investment opportunities for Malaysian companies.

Najib noted that the state has emerged as an investment- friendly destination. He said Malaysian investors are interested in several sectors including tourism, one of the prominent industries in Rajasthan, and infrastructure development in which the Malaysian companies have expertise.

Raje invited Malaysian companies to invest in infrastructure development, tourism, water management, urban development, transport, health care and other sectors.

Both the leaders explored possibilities of direct air connectivity between Malaysia and Rajasthan, developing the state capital Jaipur as medical tourism hub, strengthening of healthcare infrastructure and building affordable housing.

Additional Chief Secretaries of Public Works, Urban Development and Tourism departments of Rajasthan gave presentations in the meeting.

Transport minister Yunus Khan, Urban Development and Housing minister Srichand Kriplani, Industry Minister Rajpal Singh, Tourism minister Krishnedra Kaur, senior officials of the state government, Indian High Commissioner in Malaysia T S Tirumurti, High Commissioner of Malaysia to India Hidayat Abdul Hamid were also present in the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the Malaysian PM, his wife Rosmah Mansor and other delegates were given a traditional welcome at the airport here.

They were greeted by state ministers and Jaipur Mayor Ashok Lahoti.

Kalbelia dancers and other artistes enthralled the guests with their performance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife arrived in the pink city today as part of their six-day visit to the country.

The dignitaries were given a colourful traditional welcome at the Sanganer airport where they were greeted by Rajasthan Industry Minister Rajpal Singh, Tourism minister Krishnendra Kaur Deepa and Jaipur Mayor Ashok Lahoti.

Kalbelia dancers and other artistes enthralled the guests with their performance.

Najib, who had arrived in India on March 30, is on a day's visit to Rajasthan. In the first leg of his visit, Najib went to Chennai, where he interacted with Malaysian students and met Tamil megastar Rajinikanth.

Yesterday, he met President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari in Delhi.

The Malaysia leader also held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which the two countries agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership to counter terrorism and extremism.

The countries inked seven pacts, including an air services agreement and a mutual recognition of educational qualifications of the two nations.

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A total of 11,320 students of 154 primary and upper primary schools in Koraput district will be provided mid-day meals from a centralised kitchen, officials said.

Preparing mid-day meal at a high-tech centralised kitchen will not only ensure hygienic food but also reduce the burden on teachers who had to monitor the meal, they said.

"There were numerous instances of academic activities taking a beating at schools with teachers getting overloaded in monitoring midday meal. Now throuh this system we are hopeful that teachers will concentrate more on teaching," said Markat Keshari Roy, District Education Officer of Koraput.

Also, having a centralised kitchen is that officers can check the quality of food frequently, he added. The centralised kitchen has been established at Rondapalli under Jeypore block and it will supply food to primary and upper primary schools situated in Jeypore, Koraput and Sunabeda municipal areas and Kotpad NAC from tomorrow.

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As part of its mandate to raise Rs 1,000 crore for the Rs 23,200 crore Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro 3 project through commercial development, the MMRC is looking at places like MIDC and Girgaon in the city.

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mumbai Police for such development, its Managing Director Ashwini Bhide told PTI here.

Besides this, MMRC is also exploring some commercial development near the Girgaum-Kalbadevi section where it has to rehabilitate the project affected persons (PAPs).

"We have various sources of funding available and one of them is through commercial development. We have been mandated to raise Rs 1,000 crore through this route and we are working out on options for the same," Bhide said.

She said the state government had initially allotted a plot in Aarey colony for commercial development but since the depot that is proposed there needs a lot of space, hence such development was not possible at that location.

"As we were scouting for options, we found opportunity near MIDC area where we have the police quarters and the families need to be rehabilitated in the same location. Since we will get some extra floor space index (FSI) after rehabilitating the PAPs, we would exploit it commercially," she added.

The extra FSI that MMRC will get through this can be exploited to raise funds.

"Our aim is not just to raise funds but mainly to ensure they are properly rehabilitated," she added.

The other routes from which MMRC will get funds include equal equity contribution by the Central and state governments of Rs 2,403 crore each, contribution from MIAL to the extent of Rs 777 crore and JICA loan of around Rs 13,235 crore.

Apart from this, MMRC will also receive subdebt from both the Central and state governments to the tune of Rs 1,025 crore and Rs 1,615 crore respectively. MMRDA would also be providing a grant of Rs 679 crore for the project.

"We have so far spent around Rs 1,200 crore for various activities that we have undertaken," Bhide said.

The fully underground metro will have 27 stations and is expected to be completed by 2020-21 and cater to 1.23 lakh passengers daily.

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A young Muslim dancer has mesmerised the audience by his performance as Lord Krishna at a programme celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, organised by the Ramakrishna Mission here.

Imram Sheikh, who came from Assam as a member of the Rangapara Dance Academy to take part in the 4-day programme, danced on the themes of 'Dashavatar' and 'Krishna Leela'.

Asked about taking part in a Hindu religious programme, Sheikh said, "I am an artiste and an artiste does not have any religion or caste."



Ramakrishna and Vivekananda had taught about unity of all faiths, the 18-year-old dancer said.

He also took part in Sattriya, a classical dance form originated in Assam and was attributed to 15th century Vaishnab saint Srimanta Sankardev.

"Humanism is the best religion. Ramakrishna and Vivekananda never taught religion of gods or goddesses. They strove for the development of the country and its people," secretary of Jalpaiguri Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Shibapremananda said.

The four-day sesquicentennial programme of Sister Nivedita concludes today.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the country is united against any kind of violence and Muslims have realised that is an attempt to defame Islam.

"The whole country is united against . The Muslims have realised that is an attempt to defame Islam," he told reporters here when asked about the violence perpetrated by militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the security forces were giving befitting reply to militants who are creating trouble in Kashmir Valley.

The Home Minister had on Friday said that Pakistan was using the social media to incite youths in Kashmir to storm encounter sites and help holed-up militants.

The strife-torn region had seen a "new trend" of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at the sites of encounter between security forces and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants escape, he had said.

The Home Minister andDefence and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also held a high-level meeting on Friday to review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police S P Vaid had said on Thursday that youths who storm the encounter sites in the Valley to hurl stones at security personnel are committing suicide.

Last month, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said that local Kashmiri people creating hurdles by throwing stones at the security personnel during anti-terror operations will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face "harsh" actions.
Liquor major United Spirits (USL) has said over 500 employees have lost jobs due to shutting down of four bottling facilities in Bihar after alcohol prohibition in the state.

Terming prohibition "an ineffective way and somewhat lazy way of addressing alcohol misuse", USL also lashed out at the state government saying such "arbitrary decision" deprived "responsible corporates from doing fair business".

"With the imposition of prohibition, we have stopped production in Bihar which left hundreds unemployed overnight," USL Chief Strategy and Corporate Affairs Officer Abanti Sankaranarayanan told PTI.

On April 5 last year, the Nitish Kumar government had declared Bihar a dry state imposing a total ban on sale and consumption of alcohol including India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) with immediate effect.

Elaborating on the impact of the step, she said: "USL had four bottling facilities namely in Hatidah, Salson and Ara and a sizable salesforce. These 500 plus people have lost employment."



This does not include ancillary industries such as trucking, retail and packaging, Sankaranarayanan said.

She said the alcohol industry is one of the most regulated and complex industries in India.

"An arbitrary decision to ban alcohol deprives responsible corporates from doing fair business and overnight rendering thousands that depended on the industry for their livelihood, unemployed," Sankaranarayanan said.

Commenting on its impact on the company's revenues, she said: "Prohibition in Bihar has resulted in a 6 per cent decline in our popular segment in the last quarter and an overall 5 per cent decline for the nine months of the financial year."



Criticising the state government's step, Sankaranarayanan said: "Prohibition is an ineffective way and somewhat 'lazy' way of addressing alcohol misuse. It only drives alcohol consumption underground with people resorting to illicit alcohol, including consumption of deadly hooch."



She further said prohibition has often been used as an electoral tool to garner votes especially from women.

"Politicians are tempted to draw a link between alcohol and social issues, because banning with a stroke of a pen is easier, but it is far harder to implement sustainable solutions through social and economic change," Sankaranarayanan said.

Seeking redressal from the state government, she said USL, together with the industry, has appealed for compensation towards losses due to unused stocks, packaging material and raw materials due to prohibition.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Armenians started voting in landmark legislative elections today for the first time since the adoption of constitutional reforms aimed at transforming the ex-Soviet country into a parliamentary republic.

The election is seen by the West as a key democratic test for the small landlocked nation of 2.9 million, which has no history of transfers of power to an opposition through the ballot box.

But the campaign has already been marred by opposition claims that the government is preparing mass electoral fraud.

Ahead of the vote, the European Union delegation to Armenia and the US embassy said in a joint statement that they were "concerned by allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties."



There are also fears of violence after 10 people were killed in 2008 clashes between police and opposition supporters following the election of pro-Moscow President Serzh Sarkisian.

This time, the country aims to hold an exemplary vote to elect "a parliament trusted by society," the president told AFP in an interview in March.

He said his government "has made enormous efforts so that (Sunday's) milestone vote is flawless."



The polls come after constitutional amendments initiated by Sarkisian in 2015 that his opponents say were designed to keep the ruling Republican Party in power.

The changes were passed after a referendum, but they also prompted thousands to rally in protest.

The amendments will shift the country away from strong presidency to a parliamentary form of government after Sarkisian's second and final term ends in 2018.

The opposition alleges that the changes were made to allow Sarkisian, 62, to maintain his grip on power by remaining party leader after he steps down as president.

"The amendments will perpetuate the rule of Sarkisian and his Republican Party," which has held onto power for two decades, said Aram Manukyan, an MP from the Armenian National Congress opposition party.

Sarkisian has denied the allegations and defended the changes as "part of Armenia's democratisation process," saying they would empower the opposition.

Ahead of the vote -- in his first comments on his political future -- Sarkisian told AFP that he would remain "active" after he left office and hinted that he would keep influencing Armenia's politics as leader of the Republican Party.

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Russia looms large over France's presidential election, with candidates on the hard left, right and far right all promising to improve ties with the Kremlin, accused by some of meddling in the vote.

As US authorities press their investigation into alleged Russian interference in favour of Donald Trump in America's election, officials on both sides of the Atlantic are warning of possible attempts by Russia to also sway the French vote.

This week, the chairman of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence outright accused Russia of an "overt effort" to disrupt France's April 27-May 7 vote.

"I think it's safe by everybody's judgement that the Russians are actively involved in the French elections," Senator Richard Burr told reporters.

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans also rounded on Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin -- who hosted French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for a visit on March 24 -- of trying to weaken an already ailing EU.

"There is a reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe," Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain.

"Because he knows the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us....And a divided Europe means that Putin is the boss."



Moscow has denied any meddling in France's affairs but Putin's meeting with Le Pen -- who is forecast to go head-to-head with pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron in the election run-off -- has put Russia back in the campaign spotlight.

"There is undeniably a growing Russia syndrome in both our foreign and domestic policy," former French diplomat Pierre Vimon, a researcher at the Carnegie Europe foundation, said.

Three of the five leading candidates -- Le Pen, conservative nominee Francois Fillon and Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon -- want to bring Russia back in from the cold by, among other things, lifting sanctions imposed over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The three have also expressed varying degrees of support for Russia intervention against anti-regime rebels in Syria's civil war.

Macron and Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon take a more sceptical view of Putin.

The two back continued sanctions on Russia and have insisted that Russian-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must go.

In February, a Macron aide accused Russian state media of a "smear campaign" against the 39-year-old defender of open borders and immigration, whom polls show ultimately beating Le Pen.

Macron's team also pointed a finger at Russia over a flurry of cyberattacks on his campaign website.

Le Pen, whose party in 2014 received a loan from a Russian bank, dismissed the claims, declaring there was "not the slightest proof."



Russia had initially seemed keener on self-described Putin "friend" Fillon, who is alleged to have been paid to arrange a meeting between the Russian leader and a Lebanese billionaire in 2015.

In November, Putin hailed the Republicans nominee as "very principled" and a "great professional".

But since January, when Fillon, 63, became embroiled in a damaging scandal over payments to his wife, the Russian leader appears to have shifted support to 48-year-old Le Pen.

The sight of a smiling Le Pen clasping hands with the Russian rankled France's Socialist government.

"It's not up to Russia to decide who will be the next president of France," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault declared on Friday.

Fillon counselled against giving into "fantasies", while warning Le Pen that Russia was "dangerous".

The candidates' pronouncements are being closely parsed for clues as to how they would tackle the Russian strongman.

Fillon believes the West "provoked" Russia by expanding NATO's presence into eastern Europe and has called for an alliance with Putin and Assad's regime against the Islamic State, which has claimed several attacks in France.

Le Pen, who has predicted that the EU "will die" if she wins, has hailed Putin's nationalist world view.

"A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin's world, Donald Trump's world in the United States, Mr (Narendra) Modi's world in India," she said.

Melenchon, by contrast, sees Russia chiefly as a bulwark against US "imperialism".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
RJD will contest the Municipal



Corporation of Delhi (MCD) election scheduled to be held on April 23, party president Lalu Prasad said here today.

"We will be contesting MCD elections on some seats. We too have our workers in Delhi," Prasad told reporters here.

He, however, did not specify the number of seats in which his party would like to field candidates.

To a question, Prasad admitted that RJD's alliance partners in Bihar, JD(U) and Congress, were also contesting in the MCD election.

The nomination of MCD elections will begin from March 27.

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Claiming that a dangerous trend was emerging in West Bengal with the RSS and BJP using religion to propagate their political agenda, Left Front chairman Biman Bose today asked the student community to come forward in confronting such attempts.

"The way religion is being used in politics is dangerous," Bose said at a students' rally here.

"Tomorrow is Basanti Puja, Tuesday is Annapurna Puja and on Wednesday is Ram Navami; RSS is celebrating these in a big way for the first time in the state and is using the social media for publicising the events," Bose said.

"On April 5, they (RSS) are also going to hold some rallies to mark the celebrations. This is unprecedented in West Bengal," the veteran CPI(M) leader said, claiming "They are trying to immerse people in a reverie of religion."



The RSS has firmed up plans to celebrate Ram Navami on April 5 in a big way throughout the state with support from the BJP.

"With changing times, the nature of student movement has also changed and the student community has to rise to counter such moves in order to maintain the secular fabric of our society," Bose said.

"A concerted effort has to be made to arrest such attempts by the RSS to divide people," he said.

The LF chairman exhorted the Left students' union members to "celebrate B R Ambedkar's birthday on April 14 in a big way to champion the cause of equality of all persons irrespective of their religion, caste and creed.

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In an effort to strengthen its organisation in West Bengal and "unite" the Hindus, RSS has planned to celebrate Ram Navami on April 5 in a big way throughout the state, with support from BJP.

"It (Ram Navami) is a religious festival but through it we plan to organize the Hindus and unite them against the fundamentalist forces," a RSS functionary here said.

"Fundamentalist forces have increased across Bengal. Several bordering districts are witnessing huge demographic imbalance due to infiltration", Bidyut Mukherjee, the organizational secretary of RSS, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, told PTI.

RSS had passed a resolution at its Coimbatore Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expressing concern over the 'growing Jehadi activities' and the 'declining' Hindu population in West Bengal.

Expressing support to the RSS programme, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "We fully support such a programme to celebrate Ram Navami. It will help people to unite against the anti-national forces and vote bank politics".

There will be more than 200 camps with yatras, public meetings and processions held across Bengal, including in the city.

Big processions and meetings will be held in North Dinajpur, Burdwan, Birbhum, Nadia, West Midnapore districts among others, he said.

The selection of the locations is significant as North Dinajpur borders Bihar and Bangladesh and has a high Muslim population, while various parts of Burdwan and Birbhum are communally sensitive.

The programmes are being organised under the banner of Rama Navami Utjapan Samity (Organisation for celebration of Rama Navami).

Asked Bengal Additional Director General (Law and order) Anuj Sharma said "I do not have any information about such programmes as of now. I will have to check".

Each of the processions and meetings will have participation of around 15,000 people, Mukherjee said claiming that festivals like Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja were not allowed in some parts of Bengal and time has come for the Hindus to assert themselves.

"The RSS and the BJP for last few years have been trying to polarise the state communally, but they have failed. Everybody has the right to organise religious programmes. But our government will not tolerate any attempt to create division among communities," a senior Trinamool Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad is, on the other hand, taking up programmes on the issue of construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

It will organise processions and 'special puja' in the districts on Ram Navami and after and has also planned a 'Hindu Dharma Sabha' in Kolkata on April 11, VHP spokesperson Sourish Mukherjee said.

"We are launching a state-wide awareness programme about the historical importance of Ram Mandir and Ram Janmabhoomi movement," he said.

Sounding a caution, CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra accused the RSS of "masterminding communal riots in the state and said the Left parties would protect communal harmony at any cost.

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US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley today said Russia was "certainly" involved in the US presidential election last year and the matter would be addressed once the probe is completed.

Russia was "involved in" interfering in the US presidential election, she said.

"Certainly I think Russia was involved in the election. There is no question about that. I think when they finish with all of this process, yes, they need to address Russia. They need to act... We do not want any country involved in our elections ever. And so once that information comes out, I expect that will be handled accordingly," Indian-American Haley told ABC in an interview.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that his country meddled in the 2016 US Presidential election.

"I can tell you that in my dealings with Russia in particular at the United Nations, we beat up on them because we thought that what they did with Crimea and what is happening in Ukraine is wrong. We called them out for it," she said.

Haley, the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet level position in any presidential administration, made her first Sunday talk shows appearance today in her capacity as the US Ambassador to the UN. She was responding to questions on the general impression that the US is being soft on Russia, which she strongly denied.

"What we have said is that they are not being helpful in the way that they and Iran are covering up for Assad. We do not think that is helpful. We need their pressure when it comes to dealing with ISIS, and we also need their pressure when it comes to dealing with China and North Korea.

"So there is certain things that we do work with Russia on and then there is certain things when they do something wrong, I have no problem calling them out on it," Haley said.

"But again nobody is talking to me about that at the United Nations. What everybody is talking about at the United Nations is what is going to happen with North Korea? How are we going to deal with the crisis that we are seeing in Syria? What are we doing to wage the war on ISIS?" she said.

US President Donald Trump and the administration agree that Russia's involvement in Ukraine is wrong.

"I think that if you listen to what he said about the elections, of course we do not want any country involved in our elections. So that is going to happen. I think that Russia is very aware that they are on notice when it comes to certain issues.

"They are very aware that we do want to try and defeat ISIS together, if that is at all possible, along with our allies. There is no love or anything going on with Russia right now. They get that we are getting our strength back, that we are getting our voice back, and that we are starting to lead again," she said.

Haley demanded more action from China on North Korea.

The US, she said, no longer takes the excuses from China that they are concerned, too.

"They need to show us how concerned they are. They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China. They know that. I think that you saw when Secretary Tillerson went to Beijing, that was a way of putting pressure.

"You are going to see President Trump meet with President Xi (Jinping) and a lot of conversation and the most important conversation will be how we are going to be dealing with the non-proliferation of North Korea," Haley said.

China, she said, has to cooperate.

"This is now down to do we want to continue to see these ballistic missile attacks from North Korea or does China want to do something about it? This is all about the fact that they need to have action. And we are going to continue to put pressure on China to have action. That will be shown in multiple ways.

"What we are going to do is say China, you know that you are the only one that is doing this. We appreciate that you stopped coal going into North Korea, but we know it is going in other ways. At some point, we need these definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it," Haley said.

China and Russia play very different roles, she said.

"They both are getting involved across the world in all different pockets. Their tentacles are everywhere, she said. Russia is doing it through elections and through military actions and through trying to get involved in conversations.

"China is doing it economically. If you look at their infrastructure, they are everywhere in the world now and they want to continue to do that so that they have a stronghold," Haley observed.

"What we need to do is say that is fine, if they are going to continue to do that, they are also going to have to be accountable for the things that they are responsible for. We do think North Korea is one of those that they need to be held accountable for," said the top American diplomat.

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The government has roped in SBI Caps as an advisor for the proposed disinvestment of Pawan Hans, which is expected to be completed by end of March 2018.

Besides SBI Caps, two other entities for valuation and legal purposes have been selected, sources said.

The helicopter services operator is a joint venture where the central government holds 51 per cent stake and the remaining is with state-owned ONGC.

Moving ahead with the disinvestment plans for the profit-making company, the government has appointed SBI Capital Markets (SBI Caps) as transaction advisor and it would also prepare the bidding documents, sources said.

SBI Caps, an investment banking entity, is expected to ready the documents in the next couple of months as efforts are on to complete the whole disinvestment process by end of next fiscal (2017-18), they added.

Sources said Ahmedabad-based RBSA would be the asset valuer while Mumbai-based Crawford Baylay & Co would look after the legal aspects during the disinvestment process.

Pawan Hans employees' union has expressed concerns over the Centre's decision to offload government's entire 51 per cent stake in the company.

To flag their concerns with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), union representatives have sought another meeting with top officials there, sources said.

A delegation of Pawan Hans employees had met officials at the PMO in February.

The All India Civil Aviation Employees' Union -- a grouping of Pawan Hans staff -- has suggested that the company should be allowed to list rather than go for disinvestment.

In a letter dated March 31, addressed to Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary at the PMO, the union said that Pawan Hans should be given time to grow and implement its business plan and be allowed to "go for Initial Public Offer plan for fund raising from the market".

The government, in January, said it would sell its entire 51 per cent stake and transfer the management control of Pawan Hans while seeking applications from entities to act as transaction advisor for the proposed disinvestment.

Pawan Hans, which comes under the administrative control of the Civil Aviation Ministry, had reported an operating profit of Rs 61.6 crore in 2015-16.

The company has more than 900 employees and around half of them are on permanent roll.

As per its website, Pawan Hans has now evolved into South Asia's largest helicopter company that maintains and operates a fleet of over 50 helicopters.

The company provides various services, including for offshore and charter operations.

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The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking to restrict lawmakers from practising any other profession, saying though the petitioner has a valid point the issue is beyond the realm of its jurisdiction.

"The prayers made in this petition do not fall within the realm of our jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

The bench observed that the petitioner in the matter has been affiliated to a political party and though he has a valid point, the court cannot frame policies in this regard.

"There are doctors who became IAS officers and engineers who are diplomats," the court told the petitioner, adding, "You also have a political affiliation."



The petitioner, advocate and BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, told the bench that the restriction imposed on judges and public servants against engaging in other professions should also be applied to the lawmakers.

"Today, I saw five MPs in the Supreme Court. They have come here after signing a register at 11 AM in Parliament," he told the court.

To this, the bench said, "Your arguments make sense, but how can we frame policies?"



The petitioner had sought framing of a uniform policy to restrict the lawmakers from practising any other profession.

He had said in his plea that members of Parliament "must attend Parliament everyday and dedicate themselves full-time for the welfare of people" as they have a very important role in the federal system.

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Six persons were killed and three others reported missing following an explosion at a house in China's northern Shanxi province.

Seven persons were pulled out of debris after the blast ripped the place last night at the Nanhuan West Road in Tiantan Town in the city of Linfen.

Six of them were killed in the blast and rescuers are searching for the other three missing persons, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Six people who were at the site have sustained minor injuries. The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, the report said.

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Four Delhi University (DU) students, who followed Union minister Smriti Irani's car in Lutyens Delhi in an "inebriated" state, have been arrested for allegedly stalking and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Till last night, they were detained but later they were arrested for allegedly stalking and using words and gestures to outrage the modesty of a woman, police said.

They will be produced in a court on Sunday.

A PCR call was received around 5 pm that four youths in a car were indulging in "unwanted action", said a senior police officer.

A call was received from the minister's staff on Saturday that the youths were trying to overtake her vehicle near Moti Bagh flyover and their actions were unwanted.

With the help of PCR van, the car was intercepted near the US Embassy.

The four youths were apprehended and taken into custody.

Their medical examination was carried out and it was found that they had consumed alcohol.

They stay in a PG in Vasant village and had liquor at a friend's birthday party. After the party, they were driving around for fun last evening.
The Telangana government has sought assistance from the Centre to bail out chilli farmers in the state who have been left financially stressed due to lack of fair price for their produce.

Telangana Marketing Minister T Harish Rao today urged Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to help the chilli farmers in the state by providing funds.

During the current year, chilli production increased by 14 per cent resulting in adverse impact on prices. The commodity which commanded a price of Rs 10,000 per quintal last year was available in a range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 this year, Rao said in a letter to Singh.

A committee of officials has recommended procurement of chillies at Rs 7,000 per quintal directly from farmers, he said.

"Against the total chilli production of 698353 MTs this year, 10 per cent of the production which is 174588.25 MTs, is proposed (to be procured) under MIS (Market Intervention Scheme) with an estimated cost of Rs 502.59 crores," said the letter.

He requested for 50 per cent Central assistance under the Market Intervention Fund under the MIS be made available to Telangana by the Centre.

Telangana Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivasa Rao said he spoke to the Union Agriculture Minister to get the produce purchased through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd).

Upset over not getting remunerative price, scores of farmers staged a protest at the Enumamula agriculture market at Warangal last week and some of them burnt some quantity of chilli.

Similar incidents took place in other places in the state.

Meanwhile, both the Congress and BJP have attacked the Telangana government for inept handling of the chilli farmers' issue.

The state Congress alleged that the TRS government was in "deep sleep" to the woes of Chilli farmers. It has called for protests tomorrow in headquarters of Assembly constituencies.

Telangana Congress president and MLA N Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the state government purchase chilli produce at a price of Rs 12,000 per quintal.

He asked the party cadre to submit memoranda to Tahsildars tomorrow to make the state government act on the issue.

Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said in a statement that the state government should be more accountable on the issue.

Referring to the reported comments of TRS MP Kavitha that MSP is Central Government's responsibility, the BJP leader said the state government cannot escape its responsibility by making such statements.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three militants of the United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA) were killed and another injured in an encounter with security forces in Karbi Anglong district today, police said.

Acting on specific information, a joint team of the army and police moved towards the remote Jullian village under Manza police station of the district and an encounter followed in which the three militants were killed.

Operations were still continuing in the area and further details are awaited as the police party is out of communication network in the remote area, the police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A tiger died of starvation in Sarpduli range of the Corbett Tiger Reserve at Ramnagar in Nainital district.

The carcass of the big cat lying along the roadside in the reserve's Sarpduli range was first sighted on Friday by a tourist, who informed authorities, its Director Surendra Mahra said.

The tourist was initially thrilled to catch a glimpse of the tiger but a closer look made it clear that it was dead as it lay motionless with flies swarming over its body, he said.

The tiger had a deep wound on its leg and seems to have died of hunger as it couldn't hunt for prey, he said.

Mahra said postmortem of the tiger confirmed its death due to hunger as its stomach was found empty.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President says that the United States is prepared to act alone if China does not take a tougher stand against North Korea's nuclear programme.

Trump's comments in an interview with the Financial Times come just days before he is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida. The two are expected to discuss a number of issues, including North Korea, trade and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, during their meeting on Thursday and Friday.

"Yes, we will talk about North Korea," Trump told the newspaper for a story that appeared on Sunday on its website.

"And China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don't it won't be good for anyone," said Trump.

Trump said trade was the incentive for China to work with the United States. Still, he said the United States could "totally" handle the situation in North Korea without China's help.

Asked how he would tackle North Korea, Trump said: "I'm not going to tell you. You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East."

While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbour, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.

The relationship between the United States and China has been uncertain since Trump's election. During his campaign he accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods and declare Beijing a currency manipulator, though it is unclear whether Trump will follow through with either threat.

Trump told the newspaper that he doesn't "want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet".

Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, also offered tough talk on China, saying on ABC's "This Week" that the US is pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Korea's nuclear programme.

UN resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year, the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.
Two weeks after taking oath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold the first meeting of his cabinet on April 4. Key issues in the BJP's poll manifesto, especially farmers' loan waiver, could be taken up at the meeting.

"The cabinet meeting will be held in the evening on April 4," state Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters here.

He, however, did not elaborate on the issues to be taken up during the meeting.

"The agenda has not been finalised so far," he said.

BJP, in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra (manifesto), had promised to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his election speeches that writing off farmers' loans would be among the foremost tasks of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi had promised during his election campaign that a decision on loan waiver would be taken at the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government in the state.

According to officials, there are around 2.30 crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh of whom, around 2.15 crore fall in the 'small and marginal' category.

They had suffered losses due to natural calamities in the recent past and were unable to repay loans amounting to about Rs 62,000 crore.

As the figure is huge, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling various options, including raising loans, to honour the saffron party's commitment to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers.

A state finance department spokesman said Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal has already started deliberations with senior officials of his department in this regard.

The government will have to pay the banks to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and for that, it will have to either seek funds from the Centre or raise loans on its own, the spokesman said.

"Such decisions are not taken in haste. I can assure (you) that the decision would be taken soon and a large number of farmers would be benefited," state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said.

"The state government is seriously working on this front and a concrete decision would be taken soon. We are working to evolve the best possible solution," the minister had told PTI last week.

Sources in the government said it would be difficult to handle the burden of loan waiver in a single financial year.

They added that it was one of the reasons for putting the cabinet meeting on hold till some way was found to honour the prime minister's poll promise that the BJP government would take a decision on farmers' loan waiver at its first cabinet meeting.

Some officers were of the opinion that a decision in this regard could be taken and a policy formulated later, but the chief minister insisted that the decision be made once the policy was clear, so that there were no hurdles.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Second-seed Vikram Malhotra and third seeded Mahesh Mangaonkar set up an all-Indian final at the North of Scotland Open Squash Tournament 2017, a PSA World Tour event, being held at Aberdeen.

According to information received here, Mumbai player Mangaonkar stunned top-seed Richard Fallows of England 10-12 11-8 13-11 11-3 in the semi-finals in 70 minutes.

He fought back well after dropping the first game to topple the Englishman by winning the next three games.

In the other semi-final, Malhotra, second seeded, quelled the mid-match revival of Malaysian seventh-seed Eain Yow Ng, the 2016 World Junior Champion to win 11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 11-2 in 45 minutes.

A SRFI press note said Mangaonkar and Malhotra became the first two Indians to contest a PSA Tour event final away from India.

Two others Saurav Ghosal and Ritwik Bhattacharya have featured in PSA events final before but both the tournaments were held in India.

In the ongoing USD 10,000 event in Scotland, Vikram made steady progress, beating a qualifier South African Tristan Eysele 11-6 11-6 11-8 first, then fifth seed Evan Williams (New Zealand) 11-5 11-5 11-8 next to enter the semi-final.

On the other hand, third-seed Mahesh had a tougher time and tougher opponents. He accounted for Pakistan's Israr Ahmed 14-12, 12-14, 11-2, 11-4 in the first round. Then, he defeated sixth seed Jan Van Den Herrewegen (Bel) 11-6, 11-3, 4-11, 11-6 for a place in the semi-final.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman and her two children were hacked to death by a family member at a village in Buxar district of Bihar, the police said today.

The incident took place when Bishambhar Paswan (20) attacked his elder brother's wife Dulawati Devi (34) and her children Amit Paswan (8) and Ragini (1) with a sharp-edged weapon in a fit of rage last night, Brahmpur police station in-charge Dayanand Singh said.

The motive behind the murder was under investigation.

The accused fled from the village after committing the crime, the police officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fed up by the district administration's apathy towards their demand of closing down liquor shops near residential areas, a group of women today ransacked a liquor shop in Phoolghadi area here and set it on fire, police said.

The incident took place shortly after the shop opened around 7 am. The women assaulted the employees of the shop and destroyed bottles of liquor before setting the shop on fire, they said.

"They could only be pacified after police personnel reached the spot and spoke to them," said ASP Ramnayan Yadav.

Fire brigade swung into action soon after and were able to bring the blaze under control after some time. However, the shop still incurred losses worth lakhs of rupees, police said.

The agitating women, who later staged a demonstration on a nearby road, said they had voiced their displeasure regarding the liquor shop earlier too but the district administration refused to do anything about it.

"We had protested against this liquor shop earlier too. However, neither the police nor the excise department did anything about it. The government should close this shop or else we will continue our agitation," a protester said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a big setback to the Indian Davis Cup team, country's leading singles player Yuki Bhambri was today ruled out of the upcoming tie against Uzbekistan due to a knee injury.

The development on the first day of the preparatory camp means that at least one of the two reserve members -- either Leander Paes or Rohan Bopanna -- is certain to play.

"Yuki is out of picture and it's bog blow. He was playing well this year. He had some pain, he had some tests and I found out two days ago," non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi told PTI after the first practice session of the team.

Interestingly, Bhupathi had made it a rule for the players to prove fitness before making themselves available for national duty.

Today's session was attended by all members save Paes, who yesterday won Leon Challenger in Mexico and is expected to arrive India in the next couple of days.

Yuki, who broke into top-100 towards end of 2015, is a vital cog in India's Davis Cup scheme and in his absence it will be extremely tough for the hosts to challenge the visitors, who will be led by World No 70 Denis Istomin.

The Uzbek had beaten Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open second round but his participation in the April 7-9 tie in Bengaluru is under a shade of doubt due to a dodgy heel.

Istomin will arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.

Yuki's absence indeed changes the equation since Ramkumar Ramanathan, who will be leading the singles campaign now, has been struggling for form.

However Bhupathi said in jest,"Now at least, I don't have a problem in picking who I am going to play singles! We just have to pick a doubles combination and after practice in the next three days, we will."



Bhupathi had picked four singles players and now If he picks only one doubles player, both Prajnesh Gunneswaran and N Sriram Balaji will make Davis Cup debut for India and the latter will surely feature in the doubles rubber.

Bhupathi did not comment on the combination though.

"I don't want to comment (on this) now," he said.

It has been learnt that Vishnu Vardhan, who was called as a seventh member of the squad for practice, has also suffered a freak hand injury.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Air-conditioner makers are betting on the early onset of summer to boost sales, with firms like Carrier Midea, Panasonic, Daikin, LG, Godrej and Samsung eyeing up to 30 per cent growth.

Some of the companies are also hoping that the consumer durable segment, which is steadily recovering from the impact of demonetisation, will benefit from their AC sales with the early advent of summer.

"Compared to 2016-17, the AC industry sales are expected to rise by 15?18 per cent in 2017-18. This is mostly due to the early onset of summer," Panasonic India Business Head - AC Group Mohammed Hussain told PTI. On his companys expectations, Hussain said Panasonic India is targeting a 30 per cent growth in the air-conditioner segment with around 3.5 lakh units translating into a market share of around 10 per cent. Bullish on the sales of ACs, LG India Business Head (AC) Vijay Babu said: "We are targeting at growing by 30 per cent... Overall, the momentum is quite positive." The early arrival of summer is also proving to be a blessing in disguise for companies like Godrej Appliances which had taken a hit from demonetisation in its other product categories. Godrej Appliances Product Group Head AC Anup Bhargava said this fiscal the consumer durables industry had a good run, clocking 26 per cent growth in the first eight months, riding on good monsoon and 7th Pay Commission till demonetisation was announced in November. "Since February, we have started seeing signs of recovery. The early summer months will be very crucial in bringing the industry back to a strong footing," he said.

Rajeev Bhutani, Samsung India V-P, Consumer Electronics: "This year has seen an early onset of summer and we are already seeing a considerable demand for Samsung ACs. Consumers are looking for energy-efficient products, and our new air-conditioners have been designed to suit their needs."

The AC makers are expecting North India to remain their main growth driver followed by South, West and East. "With the summer season setting in from week four onwards (in March), we are expecting the region to pick up in terms of sales performance," Carrier Midea MD Krishan Sachdev said. Hussain said at present the northern region accounts for the largest share in the AC market in India with approximately 35-40 per cent followed by South, West and East. "The trend is likely to continue and major demand will be generated from the North region mostly," he said.

The Indian residential AC market is around 5 million units with a penetration of around 4 per cent. it is expected to close this fiscal around 5.5 million units with a growth rate of 15-20 per cent from the previous year.


Every winter, National Highway 44, the only road link connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country witnesses frequent closures due to snowfall and landslides. And on days when it is open, there is one-way traffic to prevent snarls on the narrow winding road.

Bringing some respite to thousands of commuters in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, this new tunnel on the Chenani-Nashri stretch of the highway will be able to cut the travel time between the twin capitals by more than two hours.

The state-of-the-art engineering marvel in the difficult Himalayan terrain is 10.89 km long. After missing several deadlines, the much-awaited tunnel will be open to public.



Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a green light to India's longest road tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Here's everything you need to know about the tunnel:


The demand for student housing is expected to see a rapid growth in India and real estate firms should tap opportunity in this segment to beat current slowdown in the residential market, according to JLL India.

The consultant advised builders to convert their under- construction housing projects into student housing, which has immense scope to be developed as an asset class for real estate companies.

Real estate sector, especially the housing segment, is facing a multi-year slowdown due to low demand because of high prices and significant delays in project completion. Housing sales have been further impacted by the demonetisation move.

"The demand for student housing in India will continue unabated and in fact grow rapidly, so this is an alternative real estate segment that has all the hallmarks of becoming a revolutionary new product in Indian realty," said Subhankar Mitra, Local Director?Strategic Consulting, JLL India.

He said the education sector in India is growing rapidly and number of students enrolling for higher education each year is also increasing. "...student housing is obviously a complimentary product to this growth".

Interestingly, Mitra said the opportunity has come at a time when residential real estate is currently slow. He said "certain developers could bank on this opportunity to transform specific under-construction residential projects into student housing, bringing it under the more lucrative rental-yielding commercial project stream."

The emerging concepts like student housing could help developers and investors diversify into an income-yielding asset class that can potentially offer higher yields than the commercial office and retail assets, the report said.

JLL said that globally student housing is acknowledged as an important and lucrative real estate segment, generally included under alternative real estate asset classes.

In the US and the UK markets, student housing is already an established and investor-friendly asset class because of its size and attractive market yield.

Globally, the student housing segment, which has already attracted 200 billion dollars of investment, is essentially operated on a lease rental basis, the report said.

At present, student housing in India essentially comprises of buildings that primarily offer residential accommodation for large numbers of students in boarding schools, colleges or universities.

However, the residential facilities in such institutions are lower than the demand. Also, the services and amenities they often fall far short of the international standards seen in established student housing markets such as the US or UK.

"The potential for success of in the student housing real estate market in India could be similar or even more to that in the UK. Some of our cities, such as Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai, see very high annual student enrollments," he said.


The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Saturday morning session of the faith's 187th Annual General Conference.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Mormon leaders reminded church members Saturday about the importance of performing ceremonial baptisms on dead ancestors who didnt receive the ordinance while alive  a practice unique to the faith that came under fire in the past from Jews when they discovered Holocaust victims were being baptized.

Henry Eyring told a worldwide audience during a twice-yearly Mormon conference in Salt Lake City that God wants all his children home again, in families and in glory. He encouraged listeners to use the religions massive genealogical database to trace their roots.

Ceremonial baptisms occur when a member brings an ancestors name to a temple. Mormons believe the ritual allows deceased people a way to the afterlife if they choose to accept what they see as an offering of love. The belief that families are sealed for eternity is one of the faiths core tenets.

The practice is becoming more common because young church members have embraced it, said Eyring, a member of a top governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

They have learned that this work saves not just the dead; it saves all of us, Eyring said. There are now many people who have accepted baptism in the spirit world.  This is the work of our generation.

But ceremonial baptisms offend members of other religions, especially Jews, who became upset years ago when they discovered attempts by Mormons to alter the religion of Holocaust victims. They included Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager forced into hiding in Amsterdam during the Holocaust and killed in a concentration camp.

In the 1990s, after negotiations with Jewish leaders, the church agreed to end the ceremonial baptism of Holocaust victims. After it was revealed that they continued, Mormon leaders in 2012 spoke out against the practice and reminded the public that a virtual firewall was put in the database to block anyone who tried to access the names of people who died in the Holocaust.

Some early Christian groups may have engaged in a similar practice, but the Mormons are the only mainstream Christian faith that currently practices baptisms for the deceased, said Mormon scholar Matthew Bowman, an associate professor of history at Henderson State University.

The proxy baptisms also were mentioned Saturday at the conference in a speech by Russell M. Nelson, another member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who is next in line to assume the church presidency. Nelson said Mormons who keep their covenants to Jesus Christ are given Godly power.

Gods plan provides for those blessings to be extended to ancestors who died without an opportunity to obtain them during their mortal lives, Nelson said.

Mark Bragg, a member of a secondary governing body, applauded the increase in baptisms for the deceased: We are experiencing great joy and celebration on both sides of the veil.

Their speeches came during the first day of a two-day conference in which leaders implored the faiths 15.8 million members worldwide to be compassionate and devout while avoiding the many temptations of the modern world that can pull them away from their faith.

Nearly 100,000 church members are expected to attend five sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Thousands more around the world will listen to the conference or watch it on television, radio, satellite and internet broadcasts in 90 different languages.

Jeffrey Holland, a long-time member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said in a speech about inclusivity that theres room in the faith for people of different sexual attractions if they love God and honor his commandments.

His remark marked the latest attempt by the faith to foster a climate of empathy for gays and lesbians while the religion still clings to fundamental doctrinal beliefs that homosexuality activity is a sin.

He said theres room in the faith for all types of people, including from different cultures; those from different family structures; and those questioning their faith. Holland also encouraged church members to embrace their uniqueness.

When we disparage our uniqueness or try to conform to fictitious stereotypes  stereotypes driven by an insatiable consumer culture and idealized beyond any possible realization by social media  we lose the richness of tone and timbre that God intended when he created a world of diversity, Holland said.

Dale Renlund, one of the newest members Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told church members to guard against being intolerant of others with different opinions.

We must not be guilty of persecuting anyone inside or outside the church, Renlund said. Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How ironically sad it would be if we were to treat others as we have been treated.
(Beijing)  China is creating a new zone south of Beijing for economic reform in a project heralded by state media as the most significant one of its kind in a quarter century.

The new economic zone  called Xiongan New Area  will facilitate the economic integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, state-run Xinhua reported Saturday. The choice came as a surprise, but Xinhua said President Xi Jinping had personally visited one of the counties in February and hosted a meeting with local officials on plans to construct the new area.

The Xiongan New Area, located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the south of Beijing and Tianjin, forms essentially an equilateral triangle with the two municipalities. It consists mainly of three counties in Hebei province and initially covers 100 square kilometers. The plan is to ultimately expand it to 2,000 square kilometers, Xinhua said.

China has created many special zones with emphasis on different areas to experiment with more free-market oriented policies and encourage private and foreign investment. These regions were given different names depending on their priorities, and the most oft-mentioned ones include Special Economic Zones (SEZ), such as the one in Shenzhen created in 1980, and the so-called national new areas, which include Xiongan.

Xiongan is the 19th national new area created since 1992. All of them were approved by the State Council, Chinas cabinet, but Xiongan is the first to be simultaneously endorsed by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Xinhua said the Xiongan New Area is the first to be of the same national significance as the Shenzhen SEZ and the Shanghai Pudong New Area, the first national new area, which was opened 25 years ago. It didnt explain the difference between a SEZ and a national new area.

The new areas mission is to deepen institutional reform, explore ways to build smart and ecologically friendly cities, develop better infrastructure and efficient transportation networks, and pursue further opening-up in a comprehensive way, Xinhua said. Non-governmental functions of Beijing will be moved into an appropriate part of the zone, Xinhua said.

The launch of Xiongan caught people by surprise. Previous discussions about relocating Beijings non-capital functions had centered on the citys Tongzhou District, about 20 kilometers to the east of downtown areas.

Both local and central government documents have mentioned developing Tongzhou to help relieve the pressure of congestion and smog in downtown Beijing and to facilitate the integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

The Tongzhou initiative aims to relocate up to one million government workers to a new hub under construction by the end of 2017. Housing prices in the district have surged after the city government unveiled the plan in June 2015, prompting the district government to put restrictions on home purchases.

An earlier version of this story misstated the original size of the Xiongan New Area.

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Contact reporter Wang Yuqian (yuaiqnwang@caixin.com)
More cocaine was detected in the capital compared with other states and territories, except for New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Levels were significantly higher in these three states than the rest of the nation.
"We have no desire to stop the building if the court decides against us, because we want the students to be able to move into their accommodation as soon as possible."
"There is something for all of us and every few months a new [park] opens so we never have time to get bored," she said.
In another example, Icon Water points to a large mixed-used development on the Kingston Foreshore with 120 apartments, 150 workers in shops and offices and 500 seats in restaurants. That development equates to 335 extra people (workers and restaurant customers are calculated as a fraction of residents), and the developer will face a charge of $402,000.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Introduction to Robotics course is a free online course from Columbia University, this course helps you to learn the core techniques for representing robots that perform physical tasks in the real world.

Interested candidates can enroll in this online course on or before April 10, 2017.

About Robotics course?

We think of Robotics as the science of building devices that physically interact with their environment.

The most useful robots do it precisely, powerfully, repeatedly, tirelessly, fast, or some combinations of these. The most interesting robots maybe even do it intelligently.

This course will cover the fundamentals of robotics, focusing on both the mind and the body.

What is learned in Robotics course?

Candidates can learn to:

Represent 2D and 3D spatial relationships, homogeneous coordinates.

Manipulate robot arms: kinematic chains, forward and inverse kinematics, differential kinematics.

Program and navigate mobile robots: robot and map representations, motion planning.

Plan complete robot systems.

Develop present and future applications for robots.

Duration of the course?

Length: 12 weeks

Effort: 8- 10 hours per week

Price: Free. Add a Verified Certificate for $300

Institution: ColumbiaX

Subject: Engineering

Level: Advanced

Languages: English

Video transcripts: English

For further information & to register visit the official website.

Scope and Career Opportunities in Robotics
Photo: Submitted

For Canadas 150th birthday this year, Castanet is featuring an Okanagan wine each week, celebrating the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry, including suggested food pairings and Canadian music artist to listen to while enjoying a glass. For current availability, consult the winery.

Wine: Cabernet Merlot, 2014

Winery: Cedar Creek, Kelowna

Why drink it? More Cabernet-Merlot blends are coming to the BC wine marketplace. The blend in this bottle is primarily Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with very light touches of Malbec and Syrah. The Cabs give it backbone and structure, the Merlot a dark-berry chocolate essence. Its an intriguing red with layers of aromas  dark plums, black cherries, a bit of spice  and flavours of raspberry coulis alongside cocoa nibs, and raw vanilla bean. A complex red, it will make you stand up and take notice on the first sip, then sit down and relax for the rest of the bottle.

Price: $19

Pair with: The winery suggests duck breast. Other game meat thats been slowly roasted would be divine as well. Cook up some short ribs braising them in a mixture that includes some of this wine. A tart filled with plums and raspberries would do for dessert.

Classic cancon music pairing: I Wouldnt Want to Lose Your Love, April Wine
Photo: Lotto 649

The $7 million jackpot in Saturday night's Lotto 649 draw was claimed by a lone ticket sold somewhere in Ontario.

And the draw's guaranteed $1 million prize was also won by an Ontario ticket holder.

The jackpot for the next Lotto 649 draw on Apr. 5 will be approximately $5 million.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A panel is to get an update this week on the mental-health treatment of a man who stabbed five young people to death at a house party three years ago.

A judge found Matthew de Grood not criminally responsible in the deaths of Zackariah Rathwell, 21; Jordan Segura, 22; Josh Hunter, 23; Kaitlin Perras, 23, and Lawrence Hong, 27.

Justice Eric Macklin said in his ruling that de Grood was suffering from a mental disorder at the time and did not appreciate his actions were wrong.

Ronda-Lee Rathwell, Zackariah's mother, said preparing for the Alberta Review Board hearing scheduled for Thursday and Friday has been a painful ordeal, especially with the anniversary of her son's death a week later.

"This is the only voice that I have," she said of a victim impact statement she is trying to finish in time for the hearing.

"I hate that all I can do is write a victim impact statement stating how much I miss my son, how hard it is to live without him."

De Grood's trial was told he heard what he thought was the voice of the Devil telling him to kill and believed the end of the world was coming before he grabbed a knife from the kitchen in a Calgary home and fatally stabbed the five students.

Two psychiatrists who testified said de Grood's psychosis was probably caused by schizophrenia, while another said that was one of a few possible diagnoses.

At de Grood's last board hearing in July, panel members were told he was responding well to treatment for schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The board can decide to keep de Grood in a secure hospital, allow him into the community with conditions or grant him a full discharge.

Rathwell said she and other victims' loved ones want de Grood to be deemed high risk, a designation that could mean hearings would take place as long as three years apart and unescorted passes into the community could be denied.

"I don't believe that he can be cured or that he can ever be safe in the public and not able to do this again."

She said she was upset when she heard about a full discharge granted earlier this year to Will Baker, formerly known as Vince Li. The Winnipeg man had untreated schizophrenia when he beheaded a fellow Greyhound bus passenger in 2008.

Alberta Justice spokeswoman Katherine Thompson said the Crown is still considering whether to apply to Court of Queen's Bench for a high-risk designation.

A big part of the decision will be based on how he is responding to treatment, she said in an emailed statement.

"All the material that the board receives next week will be relevant to the Crown's consideration."

The high-risk designation was part of federal legislation that came into force in 2014. The Conservative government at the time said the goal was to ensure public safety and to strengthen victims' voices.

Chris Summerville, CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, is critical of the high-risk label, which he called fallacious and faulty.

Summerville, who has worked with Baker, said the gruesomeness or notoriety of a crime committed by someone with a mental illness is not a good predictor of whether it will happen again.

"That is such a weak argument," he said. "You don't create laws based on how society psychologically feels about some individual."

There are a number of misconceptions about schizophrenia, including that the disease can't be managed and that people who suffer from it are inherently violent.

"It's treatable, but most of the public doesn't believe that."
Photo: Contributed

Canada's military ombudsman has dropped the gloves in what appears to have become a tense battle with National Defence, accusing officials of "insidious" attacks whenever his office releases a report critical of the department.

Gary Walbourne said those attacks have affected his ability to hold the Defence Department to account, which by extension is having a negative impact on the military personnel he is working to help.

The ombudsman said the best way to solve the problem is to make his office, which was created in the aftermath of the Somalia Inquiry, fully independent from the department.

"I think this office should report to Parliament," Walbourne told The Canadian Press. "That way there is a certain standard and process that has to be respected."

The Trudeau government has so far rejected Walbourne's request, with Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan encouraging the two sides to work together to resolve their differences.

Sajjan noted in a letter to Walbourne that the current relationship, in which defence officials oversee the ombudsman's finances and human resources, was the result of a scathing auditor general's report.

Auditor general Michael Ferguson blasted the department in 2015 for not keeping closer tabs on Walbourne's predecessor, Pierre Daigle, who approved his own expenses and flaunted contracting rules.

Sajjan said that while he valued the ombudsman's mandate and "operational independence," in his view the current arrangement was working.

"In addition, this model mirrors almost all other similar offices across government and meets the test of proper stewardship of resources," Sajjan wrote.

The ombudsman's office has a budget of about $6 million per year and, according to officials, receives about 13,000 calls from active and retired military personnel each year.

It is currently working on 1,900 cases, many of which officials say relate to problems with the transition from military to civilian life.

Walbourne, who took over as ombudsman in April 2014, said he has worked hard to clean up Daigle's mistakes, but the department's tight grip on his office's finances is now being used against him.

He alleged that a pattern has developed whereby defence officials make life more difficult for his office any time it releases a report they don't like.

"You can almost trend my administrative burdens and the way this office is received with my systemic reviews when I release them and there's a challenge to the department to change something," he said.

"The administrative burden gets a little bit more. Things get delayed a little bit. It's insidious."

In his letter, Sajjan wrote that Walbourne should contact him directly "if ever you feel that your ability to carry out your duties is being constrained."

But Walbourne went so far as to suggest Sajjan is part of the problem.

He said the defence minister's "nebulous" response to two recent ombudsman's reports is emblematic of his overall approach to the office.

Over the past six months, Walbourne has called for better support for cadets who are hurt in uniform, and for the military to keep injured personnel in the fold until their veterans' benefits are lined up.

Sajjan said the department would review the ombudsman's recommendations, but also defended the services available to cadets and said it's not the military's job to secure benefits for injured members.

"I believe the minister gave me the responses he did because he only listened to the evidence from one side," Walbourne said, adding that offers to brief the minister and his staff on his past reports have gone unanswered.

That is another reason for the ombudsman's office to report to Parliament, Walbourne said  to make sure his reports aren't simply ignored.

But Sajjan's spokeswoman, Renee Filiatrault, said the defence minister has met with Walbourne on several occasions, and that he stands by his belief that the current arrangement is working.

"The minister values the substantive input, mandate and operational independence of the ombudsman's office," Filiatrault said in an email, "which is why the ombudsman has a direct reporting relationship to the minister."
Photo: Whale Release and Strandings

A rescue group says there is nothing it can do to assist a whale trapped in the icy waters off Newfoundland.

Whale Release and Strandings says in a Facebook post Saturday that the ice in Cook's Cove near Old Perlican, N.L., is too thick to navigate with an icebreaker and they wouldn't be able to euthanize the distressed animal.

Mary Lou Riggs says the humpback has been stranded near the shore since Friday and has been crying "like a baby."

Riggs says the whale can barely move and the surrounding ice has been bloodied as it tries to escape.

She says the scene is so heartbreaking, one of her friends couldn't bear to look at it anymore and had to walk away.

Riggs says that based on her conversations with local fisherman, it could be a matter of days until the wind changes to free the ice.

Whale Release and Strandings asked people not to intervene and leave the whale alone.

A report from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says there were two instances of large groups of animals becoming trapped and dying in pack ice in 2014  one involving nine blue whales and the other involving 40 white-beaked dolphins.
Brandon Mikesell and his filmer, Ben Verde, complete the ultimate dream of wingsuiting between skyscrapers in Panama City, Panama.
A section of West Kelowna that's been described as a dumping hot spot is much tidier now, thanks to a community clean up that took place on Saturday.

To kick off April clean-up month, a group of over 50 volunteers grabbed garbage bags and headed to Bartley Road for a much needed spring cleaning.

It is a chronic illegal dump hot spot so we have a whole bunch of volunteers rolling up their sleeves and tasking the mess, said Rae Stewart, waste reduction facilitator.



Many West Kelowna families joined in the clean up in an area of McDougall Rim forest trail.

For those interested in further efforts, the Regional District Waste Reduction office is providing bags and gloves and will come pick up garbage collected.

Stewart said taking a small portion of your day to help would do a great deal for the neighbourhoods.

It is a huge outpouring of community pride and spirit, she said.

To organize your own clean up group or for more information contact 250-469-6250 or email [email protected]
Photo: David Ogilvie

UPDATE: 3 P.M.



No one was injured after firefighters worked quickly to extinguish a fire at the Cove Lakeside Resort on Sunday.

Crews arrived on scene around 12:30 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from a third floor unit.



"The building, at about 50 per cent occupancy, was quickly evacuated by resort staff according to the Coves fire safety plan, while West Kelowna Fire Rescue crews made their way to the third floor," said West Kelowna Fire Assistant Chief Brent Watson.

Once inside the third floor suite, firefighters found a smouldering kitchen fire.

"WKFR used a thermal imaging camera to look for fire extension into the walls and ceiling space, but none was found. Several positive pressure fans were needed to remove the heavy smoke from the third and fourth floor," said Watson.



All of the guests staying at the resort were able to be evacuated safely. Guests whose rooms were impacted will stay elsewhere in the resort.

UPDATE: 1 p.m.

The Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna was evacuated after a fire inside one of its suites on Sunday.



At least four fire trucks responded to the scene near Whitworth Road and Gellatly Road in the noon hour.

The fire has since been extinguished.

There is no word on what caused the fire.

ORIGINAL: 12:30 p.m.



Firefighters are responding to a structure fire in West Kelowna.

A two-alarm was issued for the blaze around 12:30 p.m.

Smoke could be seen coming from a building on Gellatly Road, according to a number of witnesses.

There is no word on what caused the fire at this time.

Castanet will update as more details become available.
Photo: Getty Images

British Columbia-grown blueberries and farmed salmon are sought after around the world.

In fact, more food than ever before from B.C.'s commercial agriculture and fishing sectors is being sent overseas.

Exports shot up in 2016 to a new high of $3.8 billion, an increase of over $300 million from 2015  the fourth consecutive year of increases.

The hike was led by a $195.5 million increase in the export of B.C. seafood products, and an $104.6 million increase in agrifood products.

The province exported 712 types of food to 160 markets last year. The top five included:

United States ($2.7 billion)

China ($407 million)

Japan ($207 million)

South Korea ($64 million)

Hong Kong ($55 million).

There was also a significant increase in exports to Ukraine, the Philippines and Australia.

"With trade agreements like the Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement in place - and new agreements to come - we expect even more opportunities for B.C. exporters, said International Trade Minister Teresa Wat.

The top five agrifood products were food preparations for manufacturing and natural-health products ($307 million), baked goods and cereal products ($293 million), blueberries ($200 million), mushrooms ($156 million) and chocolate and cocoa preparations ($119 million).

*The top five seafood products were farm-raised salmon ($545 million), crab ($142 million), hake ($71 million), shrimp and prawns ($47 million) and herring ($45 million).
Photo: Mark McMorris

Mark McMorris gave his fans an update a week after a life-threatening crash in the backwoods of B.C.

McMorris posted a pair of photos to Instagram that served as a before-and-after of how he looked before the crash. One photo showed him sitting on a couch with his brother Craig, the other had him laid up in a hospital bed, covered in medical apparatus including a breathing tube.

"Apparently a lot can change in a week," said McMorris in the caption. "So so thankful to have my life! It was touch and go there for a second and I don't know how I can thank everyone enough for praying and sending healing vibes.

"I hit a tree in the Whistler backcountry a week ago and to be honest I was pretty sure I was going to die."

McMorris then thanked his brother Craig and friends for "staying calm, building me a nest, and calling search and rescue."

He added: "I will never take another day on this earth for granted."

A bronze medallist in slopestyle at the 2014 Olympics, McMorris suffered breaks to his jaw and left arm, a ruptured spleen, a stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung.

The 23-year-old from Regina had to be airlifted off the mountain and underwent two separate surgeries last weekend to control bleeding and repair his jaw and arm.
ELKO  Although the sage grouse has not been listed as an endangered or threatened species, this chicken-sized bird is still the source of much discussion.

The Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group is offering a chance to experience firsthand this iconic Western bird and learn more about its ecology.

On April 29, participants will travel by van to Ruby Valley to watch male sage grouse strut on a lek, or strutting ground. The birds only strut early in the morning so the group will leave Elko at 5 a.m.

Nevada Department of Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management biologists will be on hand to answer questions and a porta-potty will be available. Spotting scopes will be available and participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, to ensure not disturbing the lek behavior.

Following the lek viewing, the group will travel on to Lamoille, where the Lamoille 4-H group will host a brunch at the Ranchers Center. Biologists will talk to the group about sage-grouse biology and conservation. Hands-on activities will also be available concerning bird management. The group will return to Elko before noon. Participants will receive an event T-shirt.

This event is completely free and space is limited, so participants must register by April 19. To reserve a spot, ask questions and receive more information: email sage@nnsg.org. To view the event flyer, go to nnsg.org. Everyone is welcome, including children 12 and older with an accompanying adult.

This event is sponsored by the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group, Bristlecone Audubon Chapter, Newmont Mining Corp., Barrick Gold Corp., Nevada Department of Wildlife, Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
Nevadas first pack of wolves is off to a good start. A pair of wolves, male and female, wandered into Elko County this winter, thought to have come from Idahos Bruneau pack. This spring, the pair has been observed digging a den in the Jarbidge Mountains. The hope is they will produce pups and create a viable wolf pack.

Jim Canis is the state wolf biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. I spoke to him recently when he returned to Elko to pick up more supplies. He has been keeping an eye on the den from a distant hillside. He told me snowmobilers first spotted the wolf pair in February on the east side of the Jarbidge Wilderness. Once the den site was discovered, Jim has been spending much of his time in the area, to ensure the safety of the denning pair.

Jim said Its exciting. We will need to see how it turns out, but it looks like this could be the beginning of wolves living in Nevada. Elk in the area should provide ample food for several wolves.

For now, NDOW is keeping fairly quiet about the situation but once pups appear, news releases will be sent around the country.

Jeffrey Lupus is the president of the Jarbidge Sportsmens Alliance. He told me the group is enthusiastic about the prospect of seeing wolves in the Jarbidge area. He feels wolves will bring in more tourists and help area businesses.

Of course, today is April 1, so an April Fools Day hoax is in order. There are no confirmed wolves in Elko County, and definitely no wolf dens. A lone wolf was recently spotted in northwestern Nevada, the first wolf seen in the state since 1922. However, some day this column could be true.
Trump speaks to Putin from the White House on January 28. DREW ANGERER (GETTY)

More information The evidence that implicates Trumps Russian ally with organized crime

On February 1, Alexander Porfirievich Torshin, 63, a Russian politician and banker who is close to Vladimir Putin and whom the Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor and the Civil Guard define in their reports as a godfather from a notorious Russian mafia organization, had in his diary for the next day an appointment to meet in Washington with the worlds most powerful man: Donald Trump. The encounter was due to take place before an official and well-attended breakfast meeting, which Torshin attended as the head of a Russian delegation. The meeting was canceled that very night, according to sources from the White House, given the wave of criticism in the US press related to the influence of certain Russian circles in President Trumps power teams. But the information reveals the heights to which this person, who has been investigated by the Spanish authorities, had reached in his rise to the upper echelons of the American leaders circle.

Torshin, who is currently the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Russia, has met with one of the children of the US president, has close links with the organization that provided the most money for Trumps election campaign, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and attended the aforementioned breakfast that Donald Trump presided over in the White House in February.

The Spanish reports describe Torshin as a godfather of a Russian mafia group

The high-ranking official from the Central Bank of Russia has long been on the radar of the Spanish public prosecutor and the Civil Guard. He was on the brink of being arrested in Palma de Mallorca in the summer of 2013 during a meeting with a mafioso  who has just been sentenced in Spain  but he didnt turn up to the meeting. A unit consisting of 12 officers was awaiting him at the airport and in a hotel, where he was expected to arrive accompanied by other people being investigated in a money-laundering ring. The Russian Federations Prosecutor General, aware that Torshin was being investigated, requested information about the case on at least two occasions, but received no response from the Spanish authorities given that the investigation was sealed.

His case constitutes another element in the laying of the foundation for the FBI investigation currently being conducted into the influence of the Russian government in the outcome of the US presidential elections last year. The political offensive by Torshin appears to form part of a strategy by the Kremlin aimed at influencing the internal policies of the United States. One of the most spectacular results of this apparent strategy was the mass hack of the internal communications of the campaign for Hillary Clinton, Trumps rival, which was made public by WikiLeaks, according to the US intelligence services. Over the last year, a number of trusted allies of Trump have been forced to resign given their shady contacts with Russia. The most recent was his national security advisor, Michael Flynn, on February 13.

The difference in the case of Torshin is that for the first time, a Russian mafia boss  at least one identified as such by the Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor  is within the circle of support of the new president of the United States.

One of Putins trusted allies There is no evidence that leads to the conclusion that Alexander Torshin is currently working for Putin's intelligence services. But there are certain links. According to sources from the British intelligence services with whom EL PAIS has spoken, Torshin has formed part of a select anti-terrorist committee from the Russian government, over which the chief of the Federal Security Service  formerly known as the KGB  presides. But there can be no doubt that Putin trusts Torshin: he occupies a delicate and powerful post in the Central Bank, he is one of the main voices of United Russia in the senate, he was chosen as the head of a Russian delegation to the White House, and he is a member of a government committee dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking. What's more, Putin tasked him with an extremely sensitive mission in 2005, at a time of high political risk for the Russian president: as the head of the parliamentary commission that investigated the response of the security forces to the terrorist attack in Beslan. It was in September 2004 when a 30-strong terrorist group seized a school in Beslan, in North Ossetia, taking all of the teachers and students hostage. The siege ended three days later with the intervention of the Russian security forces, and the deaths of 331 people, 186 of whom were children. In Russia the incident sparked bitter controversy over the competence of the security forces and shook confidence in the Kremlin. To end this controversy, Putin assigned a parliamentary commission to investigate the incident, and put Torshin in charge of it. His report, which was made public in December 2005, absolved the national security forces and blamed the local authorities in Beslan for not having done enough to contain the tragedy. Afterwards, the all-powerful Putin did not forget Torshin, rewarding him for his loyalty. And Torshin has not hesitated from using the political and financial power given to him by Putin to establish links with the Taganskaya and reward himself.

As well as being a powerful banker, a leader of President Putins political party (United Russia) and his trusted ally, and a senator between 2001 and 2015 (in addition to being chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament between May 19 and September 21, 2011), he is, according to the investigation carried out by the Spanish security forces, also a boss of a notorious criminal organization known as Taganskaya.

The relationship between Torshin and Alexander Romanov, a Russian mafioso based in Palma de Mallorca, is the key. An investigation carried out between 2012 and 2013 by a Palma court and the anti-corruption prosecutors Jose Grinda and Juan Carrau into Romanov concluded that Torshin was the boss of a Taganskaya criminal operation which laundered money by buying up hotels in Mallorca. A total of 33 telephone conversations between Torshin and Romanov, to which EL PAIS has had access, reveal that their relationship is not purely social, as Torshin claims, but rather based on business.

An internal document from the Civil Guard Information Service, dated July 2013, explains Torshins central role in the criminal plot. As a consequence of the phone tapping carried out in the aforementioned inquiries it has been ratified that, above Romanov, on a higher hierarchical level, is Alexander Torshin. In the numerous phone conversations and with different contact persons, Alexander Romanov himself recognized his subordination before someone who he describes as the Godfather or the boss ... which in itself is telling when it comes to situating their relationship.

The Spanish police followed Torshin, but he managed to slip away: three judicial and police sources from the investigation have confirmed that Torshin decided not to attend Romanovs birthday party on August 21, 2013 as planned, because  they believe  he was warned by the Russian prosecutor that if he stepped onto Spanish soil he would be arrested. The liaison from the Russian Interior Ministry in Madrid had written a report about the Taganskaya and we believe that in Russia they put the screws on him. We suspect that it was him who warned that Torshin was being investigated in Spain and that was why he didnt come, a judicial source explains. The case had not been completed and we could not give out that information, explains another judicial source. Russia also discovered that we were investigating Torshin because Romanovs lawyers told the Russian prosecutor as much in writing and they complained saying that they were being persecuted in Spain.

The confidential report, which is not to be found in the legal case, points to the connection between the Russian state and the Russian mafia. The criminal organizations from the countries of the East have as their main characteristics the penetration of different state powers, such as politics, which is represented in this case by the figure of the First Vice-chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Alexander Porfirievich Torshin. The five-page document, entitled Alexander Porfirievich Torshin in Operation Dirieba, was produced so that the Anti-Corruption Public Prosecutor could decide whether or not to charge Torshin with the laundering of more than 14 million in the purchase of a hotel in Mallorca, and concludes that both the money and the hotel belonged to the Russian ex-politician. It even claims that the hotel forms part of the inheritance that Torshin wants to leave to his two daughters.

Torshin had a private meeting with Trump planned, which was later canceled

Why was Torshin not prosecuted? It made no sense to charge Torshin because Russia does not process letters rogatory [requests for legal assistance from abroad] that we file with that country and there would have been no practical purpose: it would have delayed the investigation, it would have slowed it down, explains a clearly irritated judicial source. Calling on Russia to arrest him would have been useless because Russia does not cooperate. This summer there will be a trial in Spain in the Troika case  against the Russian mafia in Spain. There are a number of fugitives in Russia and they wont hand them over to us. We dont have the support of the Russian authorities.

The formidable and powerful Taganskaya organization of which Torshin is allegedly part is recognized by the US and the EU information and intelligence services (including Europol and the FBI), according to the dossier about Torshin from the Spanish Civil Guard. Its activities include the appropriation of companies using violent or fraudulent methods, bank scams, extortion and the carrying out of contract killings.

Informal contacts: Alexander Torshins version of events Alexander Torshin has denied to EL PAIS having any commercial relationship with Alexandor Romanov, the Russian mafioso who was sentenced in Spain for money laundering. His statement to the newspaper reads: "Spanish law enforcement agencies have never brought any charges against Mr Torshin nor have they made any inquiries. Furthermore, they have never provided either Mr Torshin or Russian law enforcement agencies with any kind of information about the alleged ties of Mr Torshin with organized crime. Mr Torshin was acquainted with Alexander Romanov in 1990s, their contacts were informal in nature and terminated seven years ago. Mr Torshin has never intended to visit Alexander Romanov. Mr Torshin has never had any business connections with Alexander Romanov. Mr Torshin has never owned real estate or business in Spain. "As a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, Mr Torshin is not responsible for the Bank of Russia's international relations, he has never represented the Bank of Russia at official meetings with representatives of foreign states and international organizations. Over the past 12 years, Mr Torshin has privately attended the Prayer Breakfast hosted by US presidents. In 2017, he attended the Prayer Breakfast when he was officially on vacation. In addition, President Trump has never proposed a meeting to Mr Torshin."

The point of entry for Torshin to the upper echelons of US politics was the National Rifle Association (NRA), which is perhaps the most powerful lobby in the United States. The NRA invested more than $21 million in Trumps election campaign, more than any other organization. According to the groups official magazine, the NRA proclaimed itself to be the key to the Trump victory.

Torshin has managed to become a life member of the NRA. He is also linked to the Russian group The Right to Bear Arms, which was created in 2012 and copies the objectives of the NRA. It is presided over by Maria Butina, a young admirer of Putin who has had a meteoric career by Torshins side, and who now resides in Washington. Butina celebrated her birthday with a costume party in the US capital on November 12 last year, four days after the presidential elections. According to the press in Washington, the main reason for the celebration was the election victory of Donald Trump. Among the guests were a number of the new presidents campaign consultants.

The first direct contact between Torshin, an honorary member of the Russian pro-arms group, and the NRA took place in May 2013. Torshin traveled to the annual NRA convention in Houston. He himself wrote about this in an article published eight months later in the Washington Times, a pro-Trump daily, whose Opinion section editor, David Keene, was president of the NRA and is a friend of Torshin.

At that time, Torshin was a Russian senator. But his political career was on the rise. In January 2015 he was named deputy governor of the Central Bank of Russia. And one of his first measures was to designate Butina personal executive assistant. Some months later, on December 11, 2015, the pro-arms group presided over by Butina invited a delegation from the NRA, nearly all Trump acolytes, to an event in Moscow. Torshin gave the welcome speech.

In May 2016, in the midst of the US electoral campaign, Torshin traveled once more to the NRA convention, which was celebrated this time in Louisville, Kentucky. Trump, who was, by that point, the de facto Republican candidate to the presidency, attended the annual event run by his main benefactors. While there, Torshin had fleeting contact with the future president, who only went so far as to shake his hand. With his son, Donald Trump Jr., things went further: he sat by his side during a private dinner in a restaurant in Kentucky.

The Civil Guard was preparing an operation in 2013 to arrest him

The rise of Torshin in the upper circles of the United States continued to progress. When Trump, a self-declared admirer of Putin, arrived in office, Torshin was invited to an official breakfast at the White House scheduled for February 2, along with other guests. The event was later to be remembered thanks to Trumps jibes aimed at Arnold Schwarzenegger. Torshin traveled there as the head of a Russian delegation. Together with the invitation, Torshin received a proposal for a meeting with the president just before the breakfast, according to Yahoo News, which contributed to this article. This meeting was suddenly cancelled. The reason, according to sources from the White House, was the rumors and suspicions about which all of Washington is now talking: the links between Trumps political team and Moscow. The White House gave no official explanation for the cancellation. Maria Butina, who attended gala dinners to celebrate Trumps inauguration, confirmed to Yahoo News in an email that the notification of the cancellation of the meeting between her boss and the president arrived the night before the breakfast.

During that visit to Washington, Torshin did have dinner with two Republican congressmen. The date was February 1 in a French restaurant, according to an article published in Time magazine earlier in March, and at which Maria Butina and a close friend of Trump White House strategist Stephen Bannon were also present.

The apparent mission by Torshin to infiltrate the highest spheres of power worked. And the Russian connection continues to create intrigue in Washington. As the veteran columnist Thomas Friedman wrote last month in the New York Times: [...] the biggest national security question staring us in the face today: What is going on between Donald Trump and the Russians? After the investigations by the Spanish judicial authorities and the police into the banker, politician and mafia godfather Alexander Torshin there are more unanswered questions today, and more scandals in Washington to be investigated.

Mike Isikoff from Yahoo News in Washington contributed reporting to this article.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Voters didnt receive envelopes with acknowledgement

Voters of number 1 precinct havent received any notification in which polling station they will vote during these elections. The notification of previous elections was received with an envelope from the RA police. This time there has been a notification, but early in the morning and by the members of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) headquarters. Besides, in the polling station neither on the door, nor on the windows there wasnt any sign with the number of the polling station. Mnatsakan Bichakhchyan, Head of the RA Police Passport and Visa Department, told A1+ that they like every year had sent the voter lists to Haypost, which should appropriately acknowledge the residents. Mr Bichakchyan had difficulty in answering why the acknowledgement by Haypost wasnt carried out appropriately, noting that they had carried out their responsibilities, besides, all the voter lists are also published in their website. A1+ called Haypost, but auto reply answered that they work from Monday to Friday. It turns out that the voters can learn about the changes in their polling station only from the Internet, knowing in advance which websites they must visit. Only CEC can comment on the absence of information about the polling station.
Let these young boys not see front line: relatives in Yerablur (video)

Parents and relatives of the servicemen deceased in April War today have visited Yerablur Military Pantheon. They laid flowers at the graves of their sons and burnt incense in their memory. Many political figures, officials, as well as fellow servicemen of the deceased soldiers came to share the grief of the relative of the deceased soldiers and pay tribute in their memory. Clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church served requiem mass. In the interview with A1+ relative of Bagrat Aleksanyan, soldier killed during April War, said that Bagrats parents were proud of him and he was meaning of their life, but now they are proud of Bagrats heroic grave. God willing there be no wars in Armenia, but if there are, let these young boys not see front line, experienced servicemen go to war. We dont want heroes, we wanted our Bagrat return to his home safe and sound, she said. The angry woman said that 110 day were left before the demobilization of their son and it is the states mistake that servicemen, who are about to be demobilized, are taken to the front line. The RA former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan said that paying tribute in the memory of the deceased soldiers in Yerablur is the duty of every citizen, Today we should do our best to establish long lasting guarantees for peace, but we are to deal with such neighbors, that it is difficult to reach it fast, said Seyran Ohanyan.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

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Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

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
Architect Marlise Fratinardo, with the CTA, discusses the rebuilding of the landmark Gerber Building as part of the rebuilt Wilson "L" station in Uptown. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

In the 1920s, Chicago's Uptown neighborhood was jumping.

There were luxury apartment buildings and hotels, and grand theaters like the Riviera and the Uptown. Jazz babies could go to the Green Mill for an illicit cocktail after a show.

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To handle the traffic, an architect with the otherworldly name of Arthur Uranus Gerber built a magnificent train station at Wilson and Broadway in 1923, incorporating the track structure into the design. The 14,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts-style building, covered with handmade, blue-speckled terra cotta, had a clock tower at the corner. Inside were elegant waiting areas for passengers, connecting to two train lines.

Time was not kind to the Gerber Building  the parapet and clock were down by 1959, the globe lamp fixtures along the exterior disappeared and the space filled with cheap shops as the Wilson stop, with the dilapidated Gerber as its main entrance, gained a reputation as the grungiest in the city.

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Now the Gerber is being restored as part of the $203 million rebuilding of the Wilson Red Line station, one of the largest in CTA history, paid for with state, federal and tax-increment financing funds. While a new Wilson Red Line main entrance is being built on the south side of Wilson, a portion of the restored Gerber will serve as an auxiliary entrance, and the rest of the building will be leased to tenants.

"It's really about returning it to functional use while respecting its architectural character and the legacy of Uptown," CTA architectural historian Marlise Fratinardo said of the Gerber restoration. "It was a rare opportunity."

A new elevated train station is shown under construction around 1923, when the station at Broadway and Wilson Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood opened. It was designed by architect Arthur Uranus Gerber. (CTA)

The new Wilson stop, which is expected to be finished by the end of the year, will have four tracks, serving both the Red Line and the Purple Line, plus elevators, escalators and two 26-foot-wide platforms, the widest on the system. The tracks and track supports, which were a century old, are being completely rebuilt, and artist Cecil Balmond is designing artwork for the new main entrance on the south side of Wilson.

The Gerber is currently a shell, its brick exterior walls held up with braces. Since the roof of the building had been integrated with the old track columns, the roof had to be taken off. New track columns are being built with new foundations, slightly west of the layout. You can see the work in progress from the staircase leading to and from trains on the north side of Wilson.

The CTA is upgrading the gas, water and electrical systems inside the building, which were insufficient, Fratinardo said.

The major structural elements of the building, such as the partitions, the floor and the roof, are being completely rebuilt, said Adam Panzarella of the HNTB Corp.

The project will bring back the parapet, to be remade with glass fiber reinforced concrete, along with a new electric clock, Fratinardo said. The CTA will install something similar to the old globe light fixtures, and new, architecturally compatible storefronts and doors.

Architect Arthur Uranus Gerber designed the beaux-arts-style train station at Broadway and Wilson Avenue in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, shown in 1923. (CTA)

As for the terra cotta, the CTA cleaned and assessed each piece. In some cases, the pieces were too deteriorated to keep, and the agency is having them refabricated at one of the few remaining terra cotta companies, Gladding, McBean in Lincoln, Calif., Fratinardo said.

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Fortunately, the decorative carved work on the main entrance of the building, with cartouches framed by Roman-style laurel wreaths representing victory and achievement, remained intact, Fratinardo said.

No tenants have been named. CTA spokesman Jeffrey Tolman was not able to say how much of the total cost of the Wilson project is going into the Gerber restoration.

Fratinardo said this station has more retail space than most, as it was originally designed to serve two different railroads  the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, which stopped operations in 1963, and the Northwestern Elevated, which became part of the CTA. Fratinardo called it one of the most unique structures in Uptown, and she said the restoration, along with the movement of the tracks further back from the parapet, will help people rediscover it.

"It's really a wonderful thing to have this kind of heritage here in our city," Fratinardo said. "It's something to really be proud of."

Gerber worked for 54 years as a transit architect  his other buildings include the Beverly Shores, Ind., station on the South Shore line, Central Station in Evanston on the Purple Line and the original Dempster-Skokie station on the Yellow Line, which now houses a Starbucks coffee shop.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 26 The landmark Gerber building is under construction and the old track is being removed at the CTA Red Line "L" Wilson station on March 21, 2017, in Uptown. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Worst, rudest, best 'L' stops?

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I was on a packed Blue Line train during the evening rush hour when I noticed a woman with an expensive-looking manicure, honey-blond highlights and two fringed leather bags sprawling her well-toned self over two seats.

I asked if she could move, so I could sit. She rolled her eyes and drawled, "You have GOT to be kidding."

"Did you buy two tickets?" I asked, but she just clucked her tongue in reply. When I pulled out a copy of "Hoy," the Tribune's Spanish-language paper, so I could brush up on my vocabulary, she remarked that I should learn English.

"It's OK," I thought to myself. "She'll get off at Damen." And she did.

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Now, my family lived in Wicker Park years back, and I love the neighborhood. It is full of cool things and people. But now that it's become hip, it seems to attract some citizens who may not be used to living in cities and do not know how to behave on public transit.

I can generally predict that if people are acting badly on the Blue Line  talking too loud on their mobiles or whacking into your spine with a designer backpack  Damen is their stop, though this trend seems to be spreading to Western and California as those areas gentrify.

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Friends have seen similar phenomena at stops in other hot neighborhoods  specifically, Armitage on the Brown Line and Fullerton on the Red and Brown lines.

This leads me to ask readers  which are the worst "L" stops in the city for rude riders? Or weird riders? Or trash? Or massive flocks of pigeons? And now that the Wilson is getting a $203 million makeover, what's the dirtiest "L" station in the city? Which is the prettiest, or the smelliest? What are the worst and best Metra stations?

If you have any ideas, send them here. I'm making a little list.

mwisniewski@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @marywizchicago
Chicago police are looking for three men accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was walking early Saturday morning in the Albany Park neighborhood, officials said.

The 26-year-old woman was walking south in the 4600 block of North Monticello Avenue about 12:10 a.m. when three men approached her from behind, threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her, according to the Chicago Police Department.

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The suspects took the woman's property and fled on foot toward Lawrence Avenue.

Police described the first suspect as black, 26 to 30 years old, 6 feet tall, about 200 pounds, having a tattoo near his right eye that was possibly a dagger and wearing black jeans.

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The second suspect, police said, is black, 30 to 40 years old, about 6-foot-2 and 170 to 200 pounds and was wearing black sweatpants.

The third suspect is black, 26 to 30 years old, about 6-foot-2 and 170 to 200 pounds and was wearing black pants, they said.

All three suspects were wearing black hoodies, police said.

Anyone with information can contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Police arrested nine people after a standoff that began Friday night at a hotel in Arlington Heights, authorities said.

Police detectives and two patrol officers were in the area of the Red Roof Inn, 22 W. Algonquin Road, near Arlington Heights Road, when they heard the gunshots in the parking lot at approximately 9:30 p.m., Arlington Heights Police Deputy Chief Mike Hernandez said Saturday.

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"The people we picked up have gang connections to certain degrees but we haven't determined exactly why the shot was fired," Arlington Heights Police Deputy Chief Mike Hernandez said Saturday night. "Our detectives are interviewing them now and we are going to be charging some of these people."

Police arrived in the parking lot and saw three people who looked suspicious, he said. When they were ordered by police to stay but began to flee, police caught the three people and "found evidence on them which started the whole investigation," Hernandez said. He would not confirm if they were carrying weapons or if drugs were involved.

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"In talking to them, we knew there were other people involved and we found what hotel the other people were at," Hernandez said. The other people were located across the street in a room at the Courtyard by Marriott, 100 W. Algonquin Road.

The people in the room did not respond to the door or calls placed to the room. Because they refused to leave the room and officers did not know whether they had weapons, the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System was activated.

"We identified the room and they ignored every contact," which is when multiple SWAT units from the area responded, Hernandez said. "We had the place surrounded."

Communication with the people in the room was established and six additional suspects eventually left the room and were taken into police custody. The firearm was also confiscated.

The nine suspects included both men and women, with two of them juveniles, and one a resident of unincorporated Cook County near Arlington Heights.

Hernandez expected to release information about charges Monday morning, with bond hearings Monday afternoon.

Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelance reporter and Grace Wong is a Tribune staff reporter.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson stands with 10th District officers as he talks with reporters about charging the first of several juvenile offenders from the March 19 criminal sexual assault incident broadcast on Facebook Live, during a press conference Sunday April 2, 2017 at the City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

A second teen has been taken into custody in connection with the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl that was recorded on Facebook, police said.

The suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was taken into custody "accompanied by a parent,'' Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in an emailed statement Monday afternoon.

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The boy turned himself in at the Ogden District police station while with his mother. He has been charged as a juvenile with criminal sexual assault and manufacturing and distribution of child pornography, Guglielmi said.

"He is being questioned before going to juvenile detention,'' according to Guglielmi.

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The news came a day after police announced charges against a 14-year-old boy.

The 14-year-old, who was charged April 1, was expected to face a hearing in juvenile court Monday, but Cook County Associate Judge Patricia Mendoza waived his appearance until April 28. The boy is in custody in a detention center, according to an assistant state's attorney.

Police are also trying to identify others who took part in the assault, officials said, but the investigation has been slowed by the trauma experienced by the girl.

"She's just having such a difficult time even communicating what occurred to her," Cmdr. Brendan Deenihan said at a Sunday news conference at Chicago police headquarters. "We obviously have a video of the incident, so we have verifiable objective evidence of what occurred to this young lady, but she's just having a very difficult time.

"On top of it, there's constant social media  bullying (of the girl), making fun of what occurred. This is just a very traumatic incident."

The girl had stayed over with family the evening of March 18 and gone to church with them the next day, then was dropped off near home before disappearing.

Deenihan said the girl was "lured" to a residence by one of the attackers, who did not allow her to leave. As many as six males took part in the assault, police have said. She was found two days later walking down the street near her home.

The 14-year-old boy was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacture of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography, all of which are felonies, police said.

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One of the suspects broadcast the assault on Facebook Live, and authorities have said that as many as 40 people saw it. None called police, an abstention that enraged police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.

"We've seen a couple acts in this city now in the last few months involving social media, and it just disgusts me that people could look at those videos and not pick up the phone and dial 911," he said at the news conference. "It makes you wonder where are we going, what are we doing as a society?"

Reginald King, a relative of the girl, said a teen alerted him to the assault on Facebook. Chicago activist Andrew Holmes got the video to police, and the girl's mother was shown screen shots and was able to identify her daughter.

After the girl was found, she was reunited with her mother and taken to a hospital, where she was examined for injuries, a family member later told the Tribune.

As news of the attack spread, people began ringing the family's doorbell and coming around the house in a menacing way, the girl's mother has told the Tribune, and police described a campaign of social media bullying against her. The taunts prompted authorities to relocate her family to another home, which police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi described as "a safe place."

The girl's mother did not return messages seeking comment on the arrest.

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Deenihan said that authorities have looked into possible charges against those who watched the video and bullied the girl, but said that making charges stick appears to be a complicated task.

Guglielmi said Facebook has told authorities it's not possible to identify who is watching a video on the platform. And Deenihan said the bullying hasn't risen to the level of criminal conduct.

"We're going to vet all that out to see if there is a specific possible charge, but right now there isn't a specific threat made to the victim or her family, nothing anybody could be charged with," he said.

The attack was at least the fourth Chicago crime caught on Facebook Live since the end of October.

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After one of the previous attacks, in which a mentally disabled man was tormented and tortured by a group of people, the company said it does not allow people "to celebrate or glorify crimes" on its network. Facebook took down the video of the girl's assault after being notified by police.

Johnson said that although the girl was having a difficult time talking to investigators about the assault, he was impressed by her courage.

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"While I know the emotional wounds caused by this savagery will take long to heal, I am hoping that her story can be an inspiration to other young women who are victimized by bullying and sexual assault," he said.

"The young men responsible, they should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated themselves, they've humiliated their families, and now they're going to be held accountable for what they did."

Chicago Tribune's Kim Geiger contributed.

jkeilman@tribpub.com

Twitter @JohnKeilman
Speaking to my Washington Post colleague Griff Witte in January, Gibraltar's chief minister, Fabian Picardo, described the Brexit campaign's triumph as a moment of "deep sorrow," as his constituents, in Witte's words, "are committed Europeans and because they knew the vote to leave would give Spain leverage."

Leverage, in this case, regards heretofore weak Spanish claims on the territory. Despite its obvious geographical contiguity with Spain, and the fact that more than 12,000 workers commute into the territory from Spain every day, native Gibraltarians steadfastly maintain that they are British, as the land itself has been since the early 1700s. In a 2002 referendum, they overwhelmingly reaffirmed that in the ballot box.

But with its essential reliance on the Spanish mainland, Britain's withdrawal from the open border and customs agreements of the E.U. means that Spain can choose to exert crippling economic pressure as a bargaining chip.

On Friday, the E.U. indicated that it would tacitly back Spain's claims on the territory in its draft negotiation guidelines for Brexit. The document stipulates that "no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom." In other words, London will have to negotiate directly with Madrid on any Brexit-related arrangements affecting Gibraltar.

The wording was immediately lauded in Spain and seen as an affront in the U.K.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called Picardo on Sunday morning to say that the U.K. remained "steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," and that she would defend the "freely and democratically expressed wishes" of its residents that had made their desire to remain part of Britain clear.

A former leader of May's Conservative Party, Michael Howard, took the rhetoric up a few notches, saying that Britain would go to war against Spain for Gibraltar if necessary, just as Margaret Thatcher did against Argentina in 1982 over the Falkland Islands.

"Thirty-five years ago this week, another woman prime minister sent a task force halfway across the world to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish-speaking country, and I'm absolutely certain that our current prime minister will show the same resolve in standing by the people of Gibraltar," Howard told Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News.

British politicians who did not support Brexit expressed alarm that "saber-rattling for war" against longtime European allies had begun even before negotiation guidelines had been agreed upon. "It is absolutely ludicrous and totally inflammatory," said Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Gibraltar is home to a British air base, airport and seaport, and is only 12 miles from the coast of North Africa. The U.K. handles its security and foreign policy, while leaving all other matters, including taxation, to the local government.
In this June 25, 2014, file photo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi stands at Algiers airport on his arrival to Algiers, Algeria. Making his first official visit to Washington since taking office in 2014, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's meeting this week with President Donald Trump would be a significant step in the international rehabilitation of the general-turned-politician who was kept out of the Obama White House. (Sidali Djarboub / AP)

CAIRO  Making his first official visit to Washington, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump would be a significant step in the international rehabilitation of the general-turned-politician who was kept out of the Obama White House.

But, analysts caution, there may not be much more that Egypt's president could take from Monday's White House visit, branded as historic by pro-government media at home.

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There has been no official word on the specifics of the wish list el-Sissi is taking to Washington, but expectations include more military aid, designating el-Sissi's nemesis  the Muslim Brotherhood  as a terrorist group, and restoring the kind of strategic partnership Egypt enjoyed with the United States for more than 30 years.

Another issue that may arise is the Arab League's territorial demands in exchange for peace with Israel, reaffirmed last week. El-Sissi, whose country already has peace with Israel, may be in a position to help Trump push for a broad deal and gain points in Washington  but there is potential for disagreement as well.

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Admittedly, the Egyptian leader has reason to be optimistic about his relations with Trump.

Former President Barak Obama kept el-Sissi at arm's length after the Egyptian leader rose to power in 2013 when, as defense minister, he led the military's ouster of the Islamist Mohammed Morsi. He was elected president a year later but has ruled with an iron grip.

Obama never invited el-Sissi to the White House, allowed his administration to repeatedly admonish his government over its human rights record and briefly suspended some U.S. military aid, which normally runs at $1.3 billion a year.

The Egyptian media responded by accusing Obama of supporting the Brotherhood and destabilizing the country through his administration's backing of a popular 2011 uprising that ousted long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

In contrast, Trump and el-Sissi hit it off from their first encounter in September, when the Republican nominee spoke of "good chemistry" between them following a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

The same media that vilified Obama hailed Trump as a strong leader who will treat Egypt with respect and appreciated el-Sissi's leadership. Moreover, there is expectation that a Trump administration will be far more tolerant of human rights abuses in the name of stability and counter-terrorism.

A senior White House official was non-committal on what the administration was prepared to do on military aid and the Brotherhood. Briefing reporters, he spoke of Washington's wish to sustain a "strong security assistance relationship" with Egypt.

Washington wants to use el-Sissi's visit to "reboot the bilateral relationship and build on the strong connection" the two leaders established when they met in New York, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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"Short-term, it is an important victory for el-Sissi," said Michael W. Hanna of New York's Century Foundation.

The Egyptian leader, Hanna said, has steadily earned international respectability in large part due to a key Western shift in the perception of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East  emphasizing stability over human rights or democratic reform.

El-Sissi has also recently won plaudits for some painful economic reforms.

But a convergence of interests on Monday is far from guaranteed.

"Probably too much has been made of the 'chemistry' between Trump and el-Sissi  there are convergences of interest, and there is the absence of tension that existed with the Obama administration, but that's about it," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

El-Sissi may find himself pushing back against some of the Middle East policies reportedly being considered by the Trump administration, like creating a military coalition of Sunni Arab U.S. allies against the perceived threat of non-Arab Shiite Iran. There has been talk of deeper U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led coalition's fight against Shiite rebels in Yemen, with Egypt possibly being urged to contribute forces.

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Egypt has never shared Saudi Arabia's view of Iran as a looming existential threat and has also resisted pressure from Riyadh to contribute troops to the war in Yemen. Trump's position on Tehran seems closer to the Saudi perspective.

Egypt, however, does see an existential threat from the turmoil in Libya, with which it shares a porous desert border. Cairo would prefer Washington more involved in the search for a political settlement unifying the country's rival administrations, thus paving the way for crushing militant groups operating there.

El-Sissi may find it difficult to afford, politically or financially, involvement in a foreign military adventure.

His country is in the middle of a deep economic crisis, his army is engaged in a tough fight in Sinai against militants led by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group and his security forces are conducting a long-term crackdown on critics while watching for any signs of public unrest fueled by the soaring cost of living.

"The weakness of the Egyptian economy and the continuing predicament over terrorism in Sinai don't leave in Egypt's hands many important cards," wrote Mohamed el-Menshawy, a U.S.-based analyst.

Another possible source of differences between Trump and el-Sissi may be the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Egypt has for decades been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians' right to statehood. El-Sissi reasserted that position when he addressed an Arab summit in Jordan last week, saying a Saudi peace plan adopted by Arab leaders in 2002 remained the basis for a settlement.

The plan provides Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for its withdrawal from lands occupied in 1967, allowing the creation of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Veteran columnist Raghida Dergham wrote in the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat Friday that Trump could push el-Sissi to abandon this initiative and convince other Arab countries to de-emphasize the Palestinian issue.

"What the American president wants from Egypt is to remove the Palestinian question from Arab priorities and marginalize the Arab initiative, which cannot be delivered by el-Sissi," she wrote.

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.
A white Oklahoma police officer charged with first-degree manslaughter said her decision to shoot an unarmed black man was not motivated by race.

Terence Crutcher died because the 40-year-old was not following her orders, and she shot him because she believed he was about to reach for a weapon, Officer Betty Shelby told CBS' Bill Whitaker on "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air Sunday.

"I'm feeling that his intent is to do me harm, and I keep thinking, 'Don't do this. Please don't do this. Don't make this happen," she said in her first public statements about the September encounter with Crutcher.

"What I based everything on was his actions, his behaviors," Shelby said. "Race had nothing to do with my decision-making."

Prosecutors say Shelby, a five-year veteran with the Tulsa Police Department, "overreacted" when she shot Crutcher, a father of four. The traffic stop on Sept. 16 was recorded on video, and the death fueled protests over racial injustice.

Shelby is one of only a few female officers to be charged in a fatal shooting in the past decade. If convicted, she faces a minimum of four years in prison.

Police cameras captured Crutcher walking toward his car with his hands above his head while officers followed closely behind with their weapons raised, The Washington Post reported. He was standing next to his SUV, his body facing the window on the driver's side, when he fell to the ground. The footage does not provide a clear view of when Shelby fired a shot.

Tulsa police say Crutcher did not have a gun on him or in his vehicle.

Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Crutcher's family, said in an earlier statement that Shelby "must be held accountable for her actions."

In the "60 Minutes" segment, Shelby said that moments before she fired, Crutcher looked back at her as if he was trying to assess his next move. She also believed that Crutcher may have been under the influence of a drug. An autopsy later showed that a hallucinogenic drug called phencyclidine, or PCP, was in his system.

"His shoulders drop, his arms drop, and he's reaching in and it's fast," Shelby said. "Just that would tell any officer that that man is going for a weapon."

Her attorney, Scott Wood, told the Tulsa World in September that Crutcher ignored commands to stop reaching into his pocket.

"I say with a louder, more intent voice, 'Stop! Stop! Stop!'" Shelby told CBS. "And he didn't. And that's when I took aim."

Crutcher's sister, Tiffany, told CBS that her brother did what he was supposed to do.

"Put your hands in the air and put your hands on the car," Tiffany Crutcher said. "And my brother did what my father taught us."

Prosecutors charged Shelby a few days after Crutcher's death. She has been out on bond awaiting her May trial.

The shooting drew national attention and comments from Donald Trump, who was a presidential candidate at the time.

Trump said the video left him feeling "very, very troubled." He also questioned why Shelby did what she did.

"That man went to the car, hands up, put his hand on the car. I mean, to me, it looked like he did everything he's supposed to do," Trump told a crowd during a September visit to a church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. "And this young officer, I don't know what she was thinking. I don't know what she was thinking ... Did she get scared? Was she choking? What happened? Maybe people like that, people that choke, people that do that, they can't be doing what they're doing."

In an interview with CNN, Crutcher's mother, Leanna, called her son a "compassionate" man.

"No one could ever do anything that would turn him away from being their friend," Leanna Crutcher said. "He loved people."

Shelby worked at the Tulsa Sheriff's Department from 2007 to 2011 before joining the Police Department.

The Washington Post's Peter Holley, Katie Zezima and Kimberly Kindy contributed to this report.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump will meet at Trump'sFlorida resort on April 6-7, 2017. It will be the first in-person meeting between the two. (AP photos)

POTOMAC FALLS, Va.  President Donald Trump says that the United States is prepared to act alone if China does not take a tougher stand against North Korea's nuclear program.

Trump's comments in an interview with the Financial Times come just days before he is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida. The two are expected to discuss a number of issues, including North Korea, trade and territorial disputes in the South China Sea during their meeting on Thursday and Friday.

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"Yes, we will talk about North Korea," Trump told the newspaper for a story that appeared Sunday on its website. "And China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don't it won't be good for anyone."

A State Department spokesman said late Sunday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been in touch with a top Chinese official about the upcoming trip.

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"We can confirm Secretary Tillerson spoke today by telephone to Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi regarding this week's visit of President Xi and other issues of bilateral and regional importance," the spokesman said. He discussed the upcoming visit on condition that his name not be used.

In his interview, Trump said trade was the incentive for China to work with the United States. Still, he said the United States could "totally" handle the situation in North Korea without China's help.

Asked how he would tackle North Korea, Trump said: "I'm not going to tell you. You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East."

While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbor, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.

The relationship between the United States and China has been uncertain since Trump's election. During his campaign he accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods and declare Beijing a currency manipulator, though it is unclear whether Trump will follow through with either threat.

Trump told the newspaper that he doesn't "want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet."

Trump's ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, also offered tough talk on China, saying on ABC's "This Week" that the U.S. is pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Korea's nuclear program.

U.N. resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year, the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.

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"They need to show us how concerned they are," Haley said. "They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that."

Asked what the U.S. would do if China doesn't cooperate, Haley said: "China has to cooperate."

Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, however, said he doubted that Beijing will cooperate.

"I've been working on the North Korea problem since 1994," Carter said on ABC. "And we have consistently asked Chinese leaders ... because they uniquely have the historical and the economic relationship with North Korea, to make a difference.

"They haven't used that influence, and so it's hard for me to be optimistic with that," he said.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, speaks to the press about the committee's ongoing investigation on Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election at the Capitol in Washigton, DC, on March 30, 2017. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images )

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday accused both the White House and the Republican chairman of the Intelligence Committee of attempting to "distract" from the congressional investigation into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

Last month, Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., made a point of racing to the White House to brief President Donald Trump on intelligence he had viewed that, he said, showed that some Trump campaign officials had been caught up in the government's surveillance of foreign nationals and that their identities had perhaps been improperly unmasked.

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News reports later revealed, however, that at least three senior White House officials were involved in handling the intelligence information that Nunes had received - prompting an outcry from Democrats, and even some Republicans, that Nunes had politicized his committee and was simply acting on behalf of the president to try to buttress Trump's earlier claims, on Twitter, that former president Barack Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower during the election campaign.

So far, the White House has been unable to provide any evidence to support the president's assertion.

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Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Schiff said Nunes and the White House's actions proved that they were trying to distract from the broader question of what role, if any, Russia had played in the U.S. election.

"It certainly is an attempt to distract and to hide the origin of the materials, to hide the White House hand," Schiff said. "The question is, of course, why? And I think the answer to the question is this effort to point the Congress in other directions, basically say, 'Don't look at me, don't look at Russia, there is nothing to see here.' You know, I would tell people, whenever they see the president use the word 'fake,' it ought to set off alarm bells. And I think that is really what has gone on here."

Schiff, who last week went to the White House to view the same intelligence files Nunes had originally seen, also disputed the administration's claim, including from press secretary Sean Spicer, that the files were produced "in the ordinary course of business."

"Well, the question for the White House and for Mr. Spicer is the ordinary course of whose business? Because, if these were produced either for or by the White House, then why all of the subterfuge? There's nothing ordinary about the process that was used here at all."

Schiff also said that he has a "very healthy skepticism" of former national security adviser Michael Flynn's offer to cooperate with congressional investigators in exchange for immunity.

"There is a lot we need to learn before entertaining anything like this," Schiff said. "We don't want to do anything that will interfere in any case that the Justice Department may decide to bring. We also have to determine whether he really can add value to our investigation, whether we need him to learn information we can't learn from other sources. So, it's very early, I think, even to be considering this."

Asked about Nunes's original claim, that some Trump campaign officials were improperly unmasked in intelligence documents, Schiff declined to comment. "At this point, I can't say whether anything was masked or unmasked improperly," he said.

He also said he was not prepared to answer one of the central questions his committee is investigating: whether Trump campaign officials colluded with Russians to damage Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her campaign.

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"I don't think we can say anything definitively at this point," Schiff said. "We are still at the very early stage of the investigation. The only thing I can say is that it would be irresponsible for us not to get to the bottom of this."
On Saturday, an aide to President Donald Trump took to Twitter to denounce a renegade House Republican and encouraged other Republicans to defeat the wayward lawmaker in a GOP primary next year.

On Monday, liberal advocacy groups plan to deliver a petition to the political arm of Senate Democrats denouncing a pair of Democratic incumbents who intend to break ranks next week to support Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch. The groups plan to demand that Democrats refrain from spending any funds to re-elect Sens. Joe Manchin (W. Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), more conservative Democrats whose presence in their seats are the best defense against ceding them to Republicans.

A little over two months into Donald Trump's presidency, Washington is experiencing fierce civil wars on either end of the ideological spectrum - an extraordinary development that has created a political climate unlike any in recent memory.

Both Republicans and Democrats, reeling from different forms of defeat, have turned on their own in an attempt to punish those members of their party who don't conform to the prevailing orthodoxy on the biggest issues of the day. Outside political groups and President Trump himself have issued threats to these transgressors -- and, in at least one case, a conservative group has actually withdrawn advertising and on-the-ground resources aiding a GOP lawmaker.

The casualty of the nonstop infighting is a lack of focus on the political middle ground where elections are won and where legislation must be forged in order to win enough votes to be enacted.

Normally, the losing party spends many months after a presidential election in a soul-searching mission aimed at figuring out what went wrong, usually prompting a debate about whether to try and appeal more to centrists or seek further ideological purity aimed at turning out more base voters in the next election.

Yet the 2016 election and its aftermath have increased tensions across the political spectrum, heightening the establishment versus anti-establishment feud in Republican circles and sparking a new wave of fury within Democratic ranks.

The House's implosion on the health-care debate in late March and the Senate's debate over Gorsuch's nomination crystallize those internal wars.

The president, according to Dan Scavino Jr.'s tweet, "is bringing auto jobs & plants back to Michigan. @justinamash is a liability."

Scavino is the director of White House social media and a senior adviser to Trump, a role that would usually mean keeping a low profile and not issuing threats against a fellow Republican like Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.). Amash was part of the conservative House Freedom Caucus that helped take down the legislation that would have repealed some of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and replaced it with a complex system of tax credits, which was supported by Trump and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.).

Scavino issued a final edict to his 385,000 followers on Twitter on Saturday, about how to handle Amash: "Defeat him in primary."

This followed several days of angry tweets from Trump himself, warning Freedom Caucus members to "get on the team" or else he would "fight" them, a seeming reference to primary challenges next year. The president singled out Amash and Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, by name for their recalcitrant ways.

Trump is getting his first experience with GOP infighting that has vexed Ryan and his predecessor, former speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, since Republicans won the House majority in the 2010 midterms.

But it's not just far-right Republicans under political fire. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC run by allies of Ryan, pulled its ad campaign in support of Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, when he announced that the health legislation tilted too far to the right and would leave too many constituents without insurance in his middle-of-the-road district.

The PAC had already placed a staffer on the ground in Des Moines, Iowa, to begin collecting data to help Young in his re-election race. The staffer was called home.

The feuding has left Trump's entire agenda up in the air, as the issues ahead, particularly an overhaul of the entire tax code, are just as complex as overhauling the health-care industry. In normal times, one option would be to turn to Democrats for support, but, as Gorsuch's confirmation battle demonstrates, these are not normal times and almost no Democrat is willing to work with the president out of fear that liberal anti-Trump activists will take out their anger on them.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has declared that he will round up enough votes to keep Gorsuch under the 60-vote threshold needed to choke off a filibuster. He told The Washington Post last week that it was "virtually impossible" for any senators to broker a last-minute deal to avoid that result, which will then prompt Republicans to change Senate rules on a party-line vote to end super-majority requirements for Supreme Court justices.

So far, just Manchin and Heitkamp, from states that Trump won last year by more than 35 percentage points, have joined all 52 Republicans in supporting Gorsuch. The result is that a dozen liberal groups are rounding up signatures to try to prevent the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from supporting the senators. It could be a self-defeating move for Democrats: both Manchin and Heitkamp are widely considered the only possible members of their party who might be able to win in those deeply conservative states.

One member of this coalition, We Will Replace You, is a new super PAC with a central goal of funding primary opponents against Democrats who make any positive overtures toward Trump. "The next crucial step is escalating our demands, and demonstrating that we won't accept anything less than full opposition," its mission statement says.

Schumer has repeatedly said he would work with Trump if the president moved to the middle.

Yet the Democratic leader told The Post last week that, in a meeting with Trump earlier this year, Schumer told the president that his party would oppose all 21 names on a list of potential Supreme Court nominees. Schumer said, however, that he has not offered the president a single name of a candidate who would not be the victim of Democratic obstruction.

One Democrat, Sen. Chris Coons (Del.), made a slight effort to try to find a compromise on Gorsuch. But the effort was immediately pilloried by liberal groups demanding a filibuster.

The talks collapsed, in a fashion that sums up much of the current state of Washington.

"There is not a lot of common ground and trust to work on, but I'm open to anyone who's got a reasonable suggestion," Coons said last week.
"Under President Trump's leadership, we're actually also going to finally allow Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines - the way you buy life insurance, the way you buy car insurance."

- Vice President Mike Pence, speech in Louisville, March 12, 2017

"Who could be against allowing insurance to be sold over state lines? It's something that you can do [with] your car insurance."

- White House press secretary Sean Spicer, news briefing, March 14

"We're going to give the American people the freedom to buy health insurance across state lines - the way you buy life insurance, the way you buy car insurance."

- Pence, speech in Jacksonville, Florida, March 18

"President Trump's vision is very simple . . . allowing the American people to purchase health insurance across state lines the way you buy life insurance, the way you buy car insurance."

- Pence, speech to the Club for Growth, West Palm Beach, Fla., March 19

- - -

One of President Donald Trump's signature promises is to allow the purchase of health insurance across state lines. This was supposed to be tackled in "phase three" of the administration's plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, now in doubt because of the administration's failure to advance the "phase one" bill in the House.

Many experts are skeptical about whether buying health insurance across state lines would work - more on that below - but we were interested in claims made by administration officials such as Vice President Pence and White House press secretary Sean Spicer that this would be similar to buying life insurance and car insurance.

The way they talk about it, we have to wonder whether administration officials even understand how insurance is bought and sold in the United States.

In 1945, Congress passed the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempted insurance companies from aspects of federal antitrust law and ensured that individual states remained the primary regulators of insurance. That had been the case since 1868, but a Supreme Court ruling had placed the state role in doubt until Congress reaffirmed it.

So insurance companies must be licensed in each state. In other words, this standard exists with all insurance products. Generally, there are two types of insurance companies: life and health insurance companies; and property and casualty insurance companies. The latter sell products such as homeowners' insurance and automobile insurance.

There are obviously big differences among the products. Car insurance is strictly limited to a period of time, and rates depend on the value of the vehicle, the use of the vehicle, the driver's record and so forth. Health insurance, by contrast, is heavily regulated at the federal level (especially after the Affordable Care Act mandated that all plans cover a group of essential benefits). And health insurance companies are required to set up provider networks and negotiate prices.

But the bottom line is that all insurance products are sold state by state, overseen by state insurance commissioners. You may be able to get Geico car insurance in both Virginia and California, but the products may be different, depending on state regulations. Similarly, you may buy Aetna health insurance policies in each state, but again they are subject to state regulations and obviously have different provider networks.

Essentially, if Trump were to push through a plan to sell health insurance across state lines, he would need to repeal all or part of the McCarran-Ferguson Act. But as we mentioned, that act applies to all insurance products.

"Insurance is regulated at the state level in accordance with the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which has been in place for 64 years," said Lynne McChristian, executive director of Florida State University's Center for Risk Management Education and Research. "It is not accurate to say that car insurance and life insurance are regulated across state lines. In fact, it is false."

She said that many people may not realize that when they call an insurer that has an out-of-state location, they are talking to someone who is licensed to contract business in the prospective customer's state of residence. If you move to a different state, you might stick with the same company, but your policy is updated to reflect the laws of the new state - and your premiums are likely to change.

Five states have passed laws that have either allowed interstate health-insurance sales or encouraged the concept of forming a compact, allowing for products to be sold in a group of states. But no insurance company has shown much interest, in part because entering a new health insurance market is time-consuming and difficult.

An official at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said the concept was especially unworkable for health insurance because different states may mandate different coverage, leading to fewer people getting insured, reducing insurance options for consumers and preventing regulators from protecting consumers in their states.

For example, one state might require coverage of autism, while another might not. If insurance could be bought across state lines, people seeking autism coverage would flock to the product with coverage. That in turn would make the risk pool unbalanced and force premiums up. Moreover, when people have complaints about insurance coverage today, they can seek redress from a state insurance commissioner. That would be more difficult if someone bought a product from another state.

The ACA, in section 1333, encouraged the formation of such regional compacts after January 2016, although as far as we can tell, no regulatory guidance was issued by the Obama administration.

Chris Jennings, a health-care consultant who worked for presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, says the provision - which allows two or more states to form a regional health-insurance compact - was inserted by a Republican lawmaker during Senate markups of the ACA. But he thinks the Obama administration did not promote the option "because it was a low priority and there was no evidence it would make a positive difference addressing the myriad of issues they thought they were dealing with."

Now that the ACA remains intact, however, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price could issue guidance on the provision and the administration could claim to have begun to fulfill a campaign promise without even passing a law in Congress.

We sought an explanation from Pence's office and from the White House communications staff but did not get a response.

The Pinocchio Test

Car and life insurance currently is sold exactly the same way as health insurance - regulated by state insurance regulators, with policies tailored to the rules and laws set by the state. So it is false to suggest there is any difference.

Rating: Pence and Spicer earn Four Pinocchios.
On June 30, 2015, when the White House was transformed by outdoor lighting into a representation of the rainbow, people instantly grasped its significance. It was four days after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision guaranteeing gay couples the right to marry.

The Empire State Building was similarly bathed in rainbow hues, and Niagara Falls was transformed into a cascade of color. More than 25 million people changed their Facebook profile photos to reflect the universal symbol of gay pride.

The rainbow flag that unfurled over a movement and, in many ways, gave it definition and a public identity was the creation of one man, Gilbert Baker.

He designed and sewed the first rainbow flag for a San Francisco gay rights rally in 1978. Baker, who playfully called himself the Betsy Ross of gay liberation, was found dead March 31 at his apartment in New York City.

His death at age 65 was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. A spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner's office said the cause was heart disease.

After serving as an Army medic and nurse, Baker settled in San Francisco in 1972 and soon became active in the city's gay rights movement. One of the first things he bought was a sewing machine, which he used to make his own clothing - including gowns he wore in occasional appearances as a drag queen.

"Because I loved to sew, my role in the movement became to make banners," Baker told the Refinery29 website in 2015. "That's really how I ended up making the first flag - I was the guy who could sew it."

He became friends with Harvey Milk, a member of San Francisco's board of supervisors and one of the country's first openly gay elected officials. Milk suggested to Baker that the gay community needed some kind of recognizable emblem of empowerment.

"I decided that we should have a flag," Baker said in a 2015 interview with the Museum of Modern Art, "that we are a people, a tribe if you will. And flags are about proclaiming power, so it's very appropriate."

Inspired in part by the U.S. flag, he developed a design of eight brightly colored horizontal stripes: from top to bottom, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet.

"The rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our diversity in terms of race, gender, ages, all of those things," he said in the interview with MoMA, which has included his flag in its design collection. "Plus, it's a natural flag - it's from the sky!"

With a team of 30 volunteers, Baker soaked strips of cotton muslin in trash cans filled with dye. He then stitched the pieces together to create the first rainbow flag, which measured 30 feet by 60 feet. It was raised on June 25, 1978.

"When it went up and the wind finally took it out of my hands, it blew my mind," Baker told CNN two years ago. "I saw immediately how everyone around me owned that flag. I thought: It's better than I ever dreamed."

Because it was hard to obtain pink and turquoise fabric, Baker soon altered the flag, eliminating pink altogether and blending turquoise and indigo into a single shade of blue. The most widely used form of the flag now consists of six colors.

The rainbow flag was tantamount to a declaration of independence, a vivid public symbol that gay people would no longer be invisible. For that reason, the flag also became a divisive force in the nation's legal and cultural wars. People went to court to win the right to display it in public.

In November 1978, five months after Baker's first flag was flown, Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated. Baker, who lost many friends to HIV-AIDS, became an increasingly outspoken advocate for gay rights.

Over time, Baker's flag - like the gay rights movement itself - became more widely accepted. Because Baker did not patent his design, he did not profit from its countless commercial adaptations.

Instead, he worked for a San Francisco flag company for several years and later became a freelance designer, creating banners and flags for visiting heads of state, the Democratic National Convention and the Super Bowl.

In 1994, Baker moved to New York, where he created a mile-long rainbow flag that was paraded through the streets on the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which are considered the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.

Eleven years later, in Key West, Florida, Baker made an even larger flag, stretching a mile and a quarter across the island city from the Atlantic Ocean to the Straits of Florida.

"He was a genius at political theater, at political art," Jeff Sheehy, a San Francisco city supervisor, told the Chronicle. "He's one of these heroes who never sought attention for himself. But he was relentless."

Gilbert Baker was born June 2, 1951, in Chanute, Kansas, and graduated from high school in Parsons, Kan. His father was a lawyer and judge, his mother a teacher. They didn't speak to their son for years after he told them he was gay.

During his Army service, Baker cared for wounded soldiers from the Vietnam War at a military hospital in San Francisco. His harrowing experiences in the Army, where he was often disparaged by drill sergeants and fellow soldiers, were described in Randy Shilts's 1993 book "Conduct Unbecoming," about gay men and women in the military.

In later years, Baker often lectured about gay rights and had exhibitions of photographs and silk screen prints of his rainbow flag. He sometimes dressed in drag under the persona of "Busty Ross."

At a White House ceremony in 2016, Baker presented President Barack Obama with a framed copy of his original eight-color flag.

"The rainbow flag is a symbol of freedom and liberation that we made for ourselves," Baker said in 2003. "We all own this flag."
One person was killed and another injured in a crash Saturday on Route 25 in Bartlett, South Elgin Fire District officials said.

The two-vehicle collision occurred about 6:10 a.m., a news release said. Firefighters arrived to find both vehicles with heavy front-end damage, the release said. No other information on what might have caused the crash was available.

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The person who died, whose identity has not been released, had to be extricated from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said. A second person was transported to Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, but no information on their condition was available.

Bartlett police are handling the investigation.
Valerie Pokorny, an Antioch High School junior and member of the National Honor Society, volunteered to work Sunday at the Antioch Traveling Closet clothes giveaway. (Jim Newton / Lake County News-Sun)

A line long wrapped around the Antioch Senior Center Sunday morning as local residents, as well as some from across Lake County, came to find free clothes, toiletries and other essentials in a giveaway held by the Antioch Traveling Closet.

It was the fifth time the volunteer group, founded by Lisa Fisher, has held a giveaway event at the Senior Center, and the fifth time that volunteers as well as recipients turned out in large numbers.

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"There are a lot of tears the day of the giveaway, from both the families in need that come and are very grateful for what they are able to get, and also from the volunteers, " Fisher said.

Fisher, a special education aide at W.C. Petty Elementary School in Antioch, said both event volunteers and those contributing to the giveaway are motivated by the need they see in the community and the desire to help out.

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"The donors are just families, people in the community, who like to know where their donations are going," Fisher said. "We've had a lot of new contributors this weekend. I'm amazed at all of the people who helped."

Beefing up the volunteer staff Sunday was a group of National Honor Society students from Antioch and Lakes high schools.

"I like helping the community. It feels good," said Valerie Pokorny, a junior at Antioch High School. "I think every community at every level needs help."

Each giveaway weekend, volunteers spend their Saturday preparing donated items and Sunday running the event.

While most of the donations are from individuals and families, trucks loaned to the event from Piggly Wiggly are used to transport the items to the senior center, and every time an event is scheduled, Fisher said Gillespie Ford of Gurnee donates $1,000 worth of toilet paper, one of the most sought-after items at the giveaway.

Other toiletries not covered by Link cards are also in high demand, as are free services such as haircuts from volunteer stylists. Long tables full of clothing and books filled the senior center on Sunday.

Fisher, who has two children in local schools, said she became aware that some students in the district and at nearby schools were clearly lacking in necessities such as clothes, haircuts and toiletries.

"I started bringing stuff in, and then doing more and more," she said. And a movement was born.

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Fisher said Sunday she is especially pleased to see students at school wearing the clothing they receive at the giveaway. She said they are clearly happy to be dressed as well as others with more resources, and that such things are noticed even among elementary school kids.

The Traveling Closet holds three such events each year. Its next one is scheduled in August and will feature a back-to-school theme.

Fisher said he group is in the process of obtaining the tax ID status that will allow contributors to claim their donations as tax deductible, and hopes that will draw more business and governmental support.

County Board Member Judy Martini of Fox Lake volunteered at Sunday's event and said she was happy to see the number of youth volunteers participating.

"That's good because it helps them learn the need for community involvement," she said. "There are people all over the county who need help. You may have a neighbor or friend in need and not even know it. There are a lot of people hurting from the economy."

Those interested in learning more about the group or volunteering may join the Antioch Traveling Closet Facebook page or visit authenticantioch.com.

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jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
All across Lake County, voters will travel to the polls on Tuesday to choose mayors, village trustees, clerks, city councilors, aldermen, assessors, school board members and highway commissioners.

And, if history is any indication, many more people will not.

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Lake County is by no means unique in that respect.

A study released last year by Portland (Ore.) State University found that fewer than 15 percent of eligible citizens across the United States turned out to vote for community leaders like mayors and city councilors. In cities like Las Vegas and Dallas, turnout was in the single digits. The median age of voters was 57, with residents 65 and older being 15 times more likely to have voted than those between 18 and 34.

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Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff, who oversees local elections, said the most accurate year for comparing this year's election is 2013, when a similar slate of positions were on the ballot. Archived records show that turnout that year was below 18 percent, with only about 72,800 ballots cast out of a possible total of nearly 410,400.

In February's Democratic primary in Waukegan, turnout was just 9 percent. Any registered voter in the city could have cast a ballot in that election, not just registered Democrats. Even in November's election, which featured perhaps the most controversial presidential election in recent memory, nearly 30 percent of Lake County voters stayed home.

"Local government often has more real-world impact on the everyday lives of citizens than other levels of government," reads a recent report from the nonprofit Knight Foundation. "Police departments, libraries and schools all fall under local government jurisdiction, and for homeowners, local government significantly affects their cost of living through taxation. Even the White House says, 'Most Americans have more daily contact with their state and local governments than with the federal government.'"

In perhaps the highest-profile race  for mayor of Waukegan, which is the county seat and largest city  both candidates said they were aggressively courting voters. If turnout is low, a surge of voters supporting either candidate could tip the scale to one side or the other.

"I've been personally walking every ward," said Ald. Sam Cunningham, 1st, the Democratic candidate. "Going door to door, talking to voters and asking for their support. That's part of my strategy."

Ald. Lisa May, 7th, is Cunningham's opponent and running as an independent. She said her team is knocking on doors, as well. And more than 30 people a night have been coming to her campaign headquarters to make phone calls on her behalf, she said.

"We're just staying the course," May said. "Making direct voter contact, all the way up to 7 o'clock Tuesday night."

After a March 22 debate between the two candidates, high school senior Abby Crombie, one of the debate's organizers, urged the crowd of at least 100 to try and reverse the trend of low voter turnout in Waukegan.

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"We really need all of us to do our part to increase that voter participation," she said that night.

And at recent town hall events held around the county by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield), the congressman pleaded with the crowds to channel the newfound political energy in the area resulting from the victory of President Donald Trump into local elections. He has urged people to vote on Tuesday.

"Voting is not just a right, it's a responsibility," Schneider said at a March 18 event in North Chicago.

Thousands of residents have already voted. As of Friday morning, 10,997 people across Lake County had taken part in early voting, and 3,685 early vote-by-mail ballots had been returned, according to Wyckoff.

"We could still get vote-by-mail ballots being returned," Wyckoff said. "There's still a few more outstanding."

In 2013, there were 14,875 early votes and 6,498 returned vote-by-mail ballots, Wyckoff said. In 2015, the numbers were 8,475 and 5,347, respectively.

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There will be four universal early voting sites open on Sunday and Monday, Wyckoff said, down from the 14 sites that have been open since early voting began. On Election Day, residents must vote at their assigned polling places.

Some people that voted early made use of electronic express voting machines, Wyckoff said. The machines were used by residents who voted early outside their "preferred area," which is usually within the same cities or townships where the residents live. There are about 1,100 different ballot styles depending on where residents live, and it wouldn't be practical to have all types of ballots on hand at all 14 early voting sites, Wyckoff said.

The express voting machines display screens on which voters choose their candidates, and then a traditional ballot is printed out based on their choices, Wyckoff said.

In some circumstances, the screens did not fit all candidates on one page, so voters had to click through to see all the competitors. But the machines warn voters multiple times that there are more candidates if they try to move on without clicking to the next page.

"We've built in as many cautions and instructions as we can to make sure everyone gets a fair chance," Wyckoff said.

Other notable races in the county include contests for City Council in North Chicago, where three challengers are looking to displace current aldermen. One incumbent, Kathy January, 7th, will not appear on the ballot after her opponent, Paula Carballido, successfully challenged her nomination papers. In another race, incumbent Torrance Markham, 5th, did not seek the Democratic nomination after he was charged in the fall with domestic violence-related crimes. His opponent, Kenneth Smith, is running on the Democratic line.

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Voters will also make decisions on a slew of school board and township positions, and they'll choose mayors and village presidents in communities like Antioch, Mundelein and Libertyville.

lhammill@tribpub.com

Twitter @lucashammill
When Rafath Waheed was arrested by the DuPage County sheriff's office last month, the department released a mug shot of the Muslim woman without her religious headscarf.

It's unlikely the photo was given much thought by those unfamiliar with Islam beyond the photo's connection to Waheed being charged with submitting forged petitions to run for a seat on the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. A person of the Muslim faith, however, would have seen it quite differently and found the picture deeply disrespectful and insulting, religious experts say.

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The situation raised what is becoming an issue for police agencies around the country: the need to be respectful of religious customs with which they may not be familiar while still doing their job in terms of documenting an arrest.

During Waheed's March 15 arrest at the DuPage County Jail, the Lisle woman was photographed with and without her religious head covering. Only the mug shot without the scarf initially was released to the public.

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Sgt. Bob Harris, spokesman for the DuPage County sheriff's office, said the standard procedure at the jail is to have an arrestee remove any head covering so it can be checked for weapons or contraband. The person also must submit to a booking photograph without it, he said.

In the case of Waheed, two additional photographs were taken  one in which she is wearing her head covering and the other in which she is seen with both the scarf and her glasses.

Harris said he's never before come across a situation in which there were multiple photos taken. It was only after questions arose a few days later that Harris said he became aware the other photos existed.

In the future, Harris said, he plans to release all booking photos upon request and let social and news media outlets determine which mug shot to use.

Waheed, who is out on $10,000 bail pending an April 12 court date and denies any wrongdoing related to the charges, declined to comment on the photos, as did her attorney, Stacey McCullough.

For Muslim women, being seen without a headscarf, or hijab, is "very offensive for them" and can be considered a sin, said Ali Yurtsever, who serves as the Muslim faith adviser at Benedictine University in Lisle, a school where a quarter of the students are Muslim.

Traditionally, the hijab worn by Muslim women is a means of covering their heads when they are in the presence of adult males outside their families, Yurtsever said. Any time a Muslim woman leaves her home, the scarf is worn.

Yurtsever, of Aurora, said the wearing of the hijab is a religious obligation  similar to praying five times a day  that is deeply rooted in the Quran and has been debated through the ages.

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Most scholars agree that once a young woman reaches puberty, her hair and neck should be covered as sign of modesty, he said.

"For women in Islam, modesty is very important," he said.

Sabahat Raees, a sophomore at Benedictine University, said that if she were asked to remove her hijab in public, she would feel "exposed."

The Glendale Heights woman started wearing the hijab as a freshman in high school merely for religious reasons but since then has found dressing modestly means so much more, she said.

"It's empowering to know that my hair, my beauty, showing of my body doesn't have to equate to be something great. I can use my mind or my words," she said.

Raees said she respects that police need to photograph arrestees without the hijab, but only as long as the photos are used for internal police procedures. "If they ever got into the public, it would be horrible, dehumanizing," Raees said.

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"Hijab for me symbolizes modesty, and it is something I hold near and dear to my heart," she said.

The line between what is legal and what is religiously appropriate can get confusing.

As an agency, the Illinois State Police have no specific policy addressing the booking photos and leave it up to local county and municipal departments to apply their rules.

Master Sgt. Mike Link, public information officer for the Illinois State Police, said via email that photographs of arrested persons are generally taken during the booking process at the county jail or local municipal holding facility. Whatever photos those agencies take are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, he said.

Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall, when questioned by the Naperville Sun about his department's policy on the issue, said he would look to other communities for help in drafting one.

"When it comes to religious symbols, we don't have any policy," Marshall said.

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Marshall said he planned to broach the subject with Benchmark City Survey affiliates from across the country that are similar in size and demographics to see what policies they might have in place and use that as a starting point. The cities, from Boca Raton, Fla., to Bellevue, Wash., frequently share procedural information, he said.

The chief said Naperville has never experienced an incident in which a person who was arrested required religious accommodations. But past experience doesn't necessarily reflect what might happen in the future.

"We'd like to be in the front of it," Marshall said. At the minimum, he said, "we need to give officers some direction."

Part of the challenge is that religious headwear  for both men and women of different faiths  is allowed on official identification, such as driver's licenses and U.S. passports.

Head coverings for religious purposes are allowed for an Illinois driver's license photo as long as they do not cover any area of the open face and if the driver signs a statement declaring that "he or she wears the head dressing at all times when in public," according to state rules.

It's similar for passport photos. A person must submit a signed statement that verifies "that the hat or head covering in the photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public," according to the U.S. State Department.

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DuPage County is not alone in its confusion. A similar incident occurred in Maine in July 2016 when Portland police arrested 18 protesters who were brought the Cumberland County Jail for processing.

Two months later, Sheriff Kevin Joyce apologized to the Muslim community for being "ill prepared for the types of arrests that came in" and releasing photos of two Muslim women without their hijabs.

An investigation by the sheriff's office found the Cumberland County Jail followed its policy with respect to taking photos of the female arrestees with their hijabs off but did not follow its policy on releasing the photos of the two female Muslim suspects.

subaker@tribpub.com

Twitter @SBakerSun1
Monday

Valparaiso University to present Jazz Festival

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Valparaiso University will host the 32nd Jazz Fest starting Monday through Saturday, featuring an array of performances by nationally known and local artists. Area high school bands and the Valparaiso University student jazz combo will perform at 6 p.m. Monday. Admission is free. Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble and Ballroom Dancers, featuring vocalist Maura Janton Cock, is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors and non-Valpo students, and free for Valpo students, faculty, staff and card-carrying members of the Valparaiso Concert Association. Local high school bands will take the stage, with special guest performance by the Valparaiso University Faculty Jazz Trio, at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is free. Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble featuring special guest Mark Colby on tenor saxophone will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors and Valpo retirees and alumni, and free for Valpo students, faculty and staff. The Victor Wooten Trio, featuring Dennis Chambers and Bob Franceschini, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $25 for the general public, $20 for seniors and Valpo retirees, alumni, faculty and staff, and $10 for Valpo students. CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble), featuring Papo Santago on vocals, will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 for the public, $20 for seniors and Valpo retirees, alumni faculty and staff, and $10 for Valpo students. All performances will be at the Harre Union Ballroom, 1509 Chapel Drive. Tickets are available at the Harre Union Welcome Desk. More information is at www.valpo.edu/jazz fest.

Wedding dance classes offered in Valparaiso

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Valparaiso Parks will offer dance lessons from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Monday-May 8 at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 2759 W. Morthland Drive, Valparaiso. Dances include the Nightclub Two Step, Rumba, and traditional slow dance. Cost is $78-resident/$90-nonresident per couple, or $43/$55 per individual for the six-week session. Register at the Valparaiso Parks office, 3210 N. Campbell St., by phone at 219-462-5144 or online at valpoparks.org.

Hospital offers community programs

Community Hospital has a variety of upcoming presentations, classes and seminars. Freedom From Smoking, led by a registered nurse and American Lung Association smoking cessation facilitator, 4-6 p.m. Monday-May 15 at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave., Munster. Cost is $25, which is returned upon completion of the program. Taking Care of Baby, baby care basics, 6-8:45 p.m. Monday at the Community Hospital Medical Office Building, 800 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 30, Munster. Weight Loss Solutions ... What's Right For Me, comprehensive medical, endoscopic and surgical weight management options, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Hospital Medical Office Building, 801 MacArthur Blvd., Munster. Baby and Me Exercise Class, for new parents and their baby 6-weeks old through crawling, 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday at the Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave., Munster.

Registration is required for all programs at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477.

Open registration at adult learning center

The Crown Point Adult Learning Center, an affiliate of the Center of Workforce Innovations, has open registration from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1-4 p.m., and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 122 N. Main St. for those seeking to attain their high school equivalency or learn English as a second language.

Skill training also is available in welding, certified nursing assistant, CDL, entry-level manufacturing, emergency management technician, pharmacy technician and hospitality. More information is at 219-314-9904.

Tuesday

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Boys and Girls club to participate in challenge

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County has been selected as one of more than 50 organizations to participate in the 2017 Art Van Charity Challenge Tuesday through April 25. The Charity Challenge is a three-week initiative where individuals are encouraged to give back to their communities by making donations online. The club is accepting the challenge with the intent to enhance teen programming within the Duneland, Portage, South Haven and Valparaiso clubs. The organization that raises the most during the course of the challenge has the opportunity to earn a $100,000 grant. Art Van will be allocating $180,000 in grants specifically to charities that provide assistance for children, health care or human services. Online donations will be accepted through April 25 at bgcpoco.org/artvan. More information is at 219-464-7282.

Meeting to focus on Calumet region

Calumet Revisited, a monthly forum on the Calumet region's past, present and future, will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the campus of Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ), Room 200, 2400 New York Ave., Whiting. Mary Kuzniar, a retired music teacher, will present Music from the Mills From the 1930 to the 1970s, with audio selections and video of concert highlights. The forum will be a part of the Humanities Week Celebration, and is jointly sponsored by the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative and CCSJ's History Program. More information is at wolflakeinitiative.org.

Wednesday

Poet to speak at PNW writing awards event

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Haki R. Madhubuti, a leading poet and an architect of the Black Arts Movement, will be the keynote speaker at Purdue University Northwest's 44th Annual Stark-Tinkham Writing Contest awards ceremony, 7 p.m. Wednesday in the CIVS Immersive Theater of the Powers Building, 2200 169th St., Hammond. Madhubuti is an award-winning poet and recipient of National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships, the American Book Award, an Illinois Arts Council Award and the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award. The writing contest honors undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in academic, journalistic, new media and creative writing categories. Following the presentations, there will be a book signing and refreshments. Admission is free. More information is at www.pnw.edu.

Michigan City job fair

Employers, universities, skilled trades, training providers and community organizations will highlight job opportunities and career paths during the Michigan City Community Job Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Chip Casino, 777 Blue Chip Drive. The event is open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring a copy of their resume, dress in business attire and be prepared for potential on-site interviews. More information is at 219-462-2940.

Friday

Habitat for Humanity to host construction clinics

Habitat for Humanity of Porter County will host "how-to" construction clinics for women volunteering in the 10th annual National Women Build Week. Clinics offered include How to Install Roofing Shingles, 7 p.m. Friday; How to Finish Interior with Paint and Trim, noon April 22; and How to Install Insulation and Drywall, 11 a.m. April 29. All clinics will be at Lowe's Home Improvement of Portage, 6221 U.S. 6. More information is at 219-531-0359.

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Saturday

Grad school Admissions Visit Day

Valparaiso University's graduate school will host Admissions Visit Day beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Duesenberg Welcome Center, 1620 Chapel Drive. Prospective students can visit with staff from the admissions and financial aid offices, followed by lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. where they can meet with current students and professor. Campus tours will be offered beginning at 1 p.m. More information is at 219-464-5313 or graduate.school@valpo.edu.

Native plant sale

The 21st annual Friends of Indiana Dunes Native Plant Sale will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Visitor Center, 1215 N. Indiana 49, Porter. More than 100 species will be available for purchase. All varieties come in pots and are native to Northwest Indiana, northeast Illinois and southwest Michigan. Pre-order is encouraged as space is limited at the Visitor Center. The supply of plants on hand the day of sale will be determined by their popularity as a pre-order item. Pre-order forms are available at the Visitor Center or by calling Zella Olson at 219-926-3833. Deadline for submitting pre-orders is Saturday. All native plant sale profits will benefit the Friends of Indiana Dunes.

Hammond Easter egg hunt

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The Hammond Parks and Recreation will host the Annual Easter Egg Hunts for age groups 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10 at noon Saturday at Pulaski Park, 139 Sheffield Ave., and at Dowling Park by the Fraternal Order of Police, 7527 Kennedy Ave. The event is free. Attendees are asked to bring a valid state ID or driver's license to prove Hammond residency. Children should bring their own Easter baskets. More information is with Rosa at 219-853-6378.

Breakfast with Bunny

The Schererville Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Breakfast with Bunny event at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Schererville Community Center, 500 E. Joliet St. In addition to breakfast, there will be an Easter egg hunt, and children will make jars of bunny bait. Tickets are $8 for residents/$10 for nonresidents for children 11 and younger, and $13/$15 for ages 12 and older at www.activenwi.com. Tickets will not be sold at the door. More information is at 219-865-5530, Ext. 6103, or parks@schererville.org.

May 25

Registration open for symposium

Registration is open for the eighth annual Living Health, Balance and Hope symposium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 at the Harre Union at Valparaiso University, 1509 Chapel Drive. Hosted by the Porter-Starke Services Foundation, the event will feature mental health leaders, including Dr. Christine A. Padesky in a keynote breakfast speech, and a full-day conference. The symposium offers six hours of continuing education units to mental health professionals who attend the full-day event. The cost is $35 for the keynote breakfast presentation, 8 to 9:30 a.m.; $135 for the full-day conference, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and $120 for a partial day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which includes lunch. Full-day conference discounts are available for groups of three or more; attendees must register and pay as one entity. Registration is at foundation@porterstarke.org. Information is at 219-531-3580 or www.porterstarke.org/symposium. [summary]

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 Staff report
Former Gary Mayor John S. Visclosky was remembered Saturday as a man of the people, an old-school politician who had a love for the city of Gary and its residents.

"Johnny V loved his family and he loved people  because he never met a stranger," his son, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, said in a news release Saturday announcing his father's death at the age of 101. "He loved life and he always loved the city of Gary and its people."

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Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said it was that dedication and devotion that stayed fresh in residents' minds.

"I would always see him with Pete and he would talk about his time as mayor. He clearly had a great love for the city of Gary," Freeman-Wilson said. "He loved people. He loved the city of Gary and as a result of that, people still remembered him and held him in high regard. That will always be his legacy."

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John Visclosky's first job was as a caddy at Turkey Creek Country when he was 11 years old. He temporarily left Lew Wallace High School to work with the Conservation Corps in Kentucky and served in the U.S. Navy as a chief petty officer.

His work in government included time as Gary's deputy city controller, city controller and later as mayor.

"He was proud of his membership in Ironworkers Local 395 and worked through the union following his service as mayor," Pete Visclosky said in the statement. "His wish would be to remember a good laugh you had with him and do somebody a favor in his memory."

Former Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub recalled John Visclosky as a gentleman with a sense of humor second to none. He was someone who could brighten up a room when he walked in, Scheub said.

"When he was active, he loved every minute of it. He will be missed," he said.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 86 Dick Orkin, an award-winning radio advertising creator for close to a half-century who was perhaps best known for his syndicated Chickenman spoof, which aired on Chicago stations, died on Dec. 24 in California. He was 84. Read more. (Handout)

Scheub said he, like Visclosky, was from Gary and the two knew each other long before his son became active in politics. He said the former mayor was always professional.

"If a lot of people took after him we'd be a lot better off," Scheub said.

Jim Wieser, Lake County Democratic Central Committee chairman, said he and Pete Visclosky started in the Democratic Party at the same time in the 1970s and the senior Visclosky was a figure in Lake County politics.

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"He was just a real energetic guy. He had all kinds of stories about the good old days of politics," Wieser said. He described the elder Visclosky as very smart politically and as a man who knew how to relate to people.

"He knew what was important to citizens and voters. He was always real responsive to them," Wieser said.

Visclosky used that political savvy to help his son run his first campaign for Congress, when he successfully challenged incumbent Katie Hall and Lake County Prosecutor Jack Crawford despite being a newcomer.

"Pete just went out and did old-style politics the way his dad taught him. He just beat the pavement and let people know who he was," Wieser said.

"He was just a really nice man. He was really kind and always helpful. He always had either a good story or some good advice for you. That was kind of the guy he was. He was a great confidante to Pete," Wieser said.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 100 Actress/singer Rose Marie is gleeful as director Carl Reiner, right, and Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, present her with 2,184th star on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame Oct. 3, 2001, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Marie died Dec. 28, 2017, at age 94. Read more. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Visclosky in his statement said his father's theory of public service was straight forward: Make sure people had access to good jobs and to help people out.

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"The rules of his house were simple  always respect every person you meet and always do your best," Visclosky continued.

Lake County Sheriff John Buncich described the elder Visclosky as an institution in Lake County politics, especially in Gary. He said that John Visclosky was a politician who always thought of the people he represented.

"He has a wonderful history in politics in Gary. Those were the good old days back in politics," the sheriff said.

Longtime politician George Van Til described the elder Visclosky as a nice man who accommodated people who needed help.

"He was totally from another era not too many people remember, including me," Van Til said. "He was a good public servant."

The former surveyor said it would be hard to run into many people who were more universally liked than Visclosky.

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"It's a sad day. He lived a good long life. His son has done well and made him proud. That's a great thing," Van Til said.

Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
2022 election guide: Here are Pueblo County's top races, ballot issues

Here's what you need to know about the local candidates and ballot questions in the 2022 election, as well as how to vote in Pueblo, Colorado.
A poster of the TV series "In the Name of People" [File photo]

A television series based on a novel about China's anti-corruption drive has gone viral on Chinese social media and won widespread acclaim.

The actor who plays the main protagonist, Lu Yi, now has 25 million followers on Weibo, a Twitter-like service, and received 33,500 "likes" for a message he sent promoting the show's premiere on March 28.

"In the Name of People," a 55-episode show that debuted on Hunan Satellite TV, focuses on the work of the Communist Party of China (CPC) disciplinary investigators whose job is to bring down corrupt officials, whether they are tigers or flies (senior or junior leaders).

The plot follows a senior official hiding his illegal gains with a bed made of banknotes worth 230 million yuan (33.4 million U.S. dollars), and is similar to an actual corruption case, though the real life amount, taken by a former vice-mayor, was 644 million yuan.

The CPC's resolve to fight corruption and build clean government is being mirrored in the arts.

A netizen called Mizi left a message at the People's Daily's official account at WeChat saying the drama was the most exciting in years.

"The play also has a warning effect, showing the determination to hunt down all corrupt figures," Mizi wrote.

On Weibo, a netizen called Dengyige wrote "the phenomenal play is a kind of reflection that our nation is making steady progress, and public opinion supports the CPC's resolution to eradicate graft."

The 120 million yuan production cost was bankrolled by the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Top TV and film watchdogs usually take months to approve material on corruption, but the show was approved just 10 days after submission to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television, according to Zhou Meisen, writer of the original book.

After the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China stepped up anti-corruption work. The crackdown has gained popular support after netting corrupt officials and creating a better political atmosphere across the country.

The sweeping fight against corruption has gained "crushing momentum," according to the top leadership late last year.

China's court system concluded 45,000 graft cases implicating 63,000 people in 2016, with 35 former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above, and 240 at the prefectural level convicted, according to the work report of the Supreme People's Court on March 12.
A ceremony to worship Sima Qian is held in Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province, March 31, 2017. [China.org.cn]

The birthplace of Chinas first historian is trying to transit from an industrial city to a cultural attraction by holding a grand worship ceremony every year among several other events.

This year, thousands of people including representatives of Indian, Egyptian, and Greek cultural institutions, descendants of Sima Qian, scholars and tourists gathered in Hancheng City, Shaanxi on March 31 to honor Sima Qian, the great historian of the Han dynasty.

Sima Qian is lauded for his Records of the Grand Historian, which offers a general history of the country, covering more than 3,000 years. In modern China, he is regarded the greatest historian of all time.

The ceremony started with a drum performance featuring 120 people, followed by the offering of flowers, flower buns, fruit and the cereal.

For inheritance sake, two guests leaded hundreds of children in reciting a famous chapter of Records of the Grand Historian, A letter to Ren An. In the letter, Sima Qian explains his decision to finish his life's work instead of honorably committing suicide following his castration for "deceiving the emperor."

A total of 100 descendants of Sima Qian knelt before their ancestors statue in respect and gratitude as the ceremony approached its end.

"Sima Qian Worship Ceremony" is one of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritages, according to Wang Hui, the deputy mayor.

Wang said Hancheng is set to attract thousands of tourists, leveraging the influence of Sima Qian. They have arranged twelve tourism events every month this year to turn the industrial city into a cultural attraction.

"I think the idea of holding various tourist activities is great, and I will be interested to come here again in some months. I am going to visit the 'Tulip Festival' next by the way," said a tourist who attended the ceremony.
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The Italian movie "Indivisibili" by Edoardo De Angelis won late on Saturday the Grand Prix Tamouda d'or, the top prize at the 23rd International Mediterranean Film Festival in Morocco.

The French director Benedicte Pagnot claimed the top prize in documentary competition with her work "Islam pour memoire."

China, as the guest of honor for this festival, also took numerous Chinese movies to the screen, which reflecting various areas of China's film industry.

Among the movies, which will be screened during the festival, there are Wu Ershan's movie "Mojin: The Lost Legend," Dante Lam's "Operation Mekong," Xu Haofeng's "The Master" and Cao Baoping's "The Dead End."

The official competition of the festival, held in Morocco's northern city of Tetouan, includes 24 films from 15 Mediterranean countries, including 12 feature films and 12 documentary films.

The jury of the feature films will be presided by the Egyptian director Yousry Nasrallah, while the documentary jury will be headed by French screen writer Thomas Bauer.

Established in 1985, the Tetouan International Film Festival focuses on the promotion of films from Mediterranean countries, and it is gaining influence as a major project in Morocco.
Two children are fascinated by a nano intelligent robot for family use at the Seventh CHInano Conference and Expo held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, from Oct. 25 to 28, 2016. [Photo by Wang Jiankang/China.com.cn]

Since the symbolic artificial Go player AlphaGo defeated a 9th Dan human player Lee Sedol of South Korea last year, the world has been immersed in a wave of smart-tech innovation. However, the exponential growth may result in alarming domestic bubbles, some experts warned recently.

A market with infinite possibilities

According to the "Report on China's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development" issued recently by Al Era, a national think tank studying the vertical social network for smart technologies, AI may serve as a critical factor in the development and application of smart technologies over the next 10 years.

Venture capital has begun to penetrate the industry seeking strategic acquisitions, as exemplified by Google's takeover of 10 smart technological firms under its Alphabet program, among which the most compelling purchase was the tech magnate's US$ 5-million deal with DeepMind.

Amid a tide of smart-tech innovation, China has also kept pace with the cutting-edge industry, which many see as demonstrating the rapid growth momentum.

"China provides very fertile soil for AI to boom," said Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures that is involved in financing aspirational start-ups. According to Lee, China can soon build a large team trained and dedicated to AI development with the support of preferential policies.

Wang Xiaochuan, CEO of SOHU.com Inc., said that it was likely that AI would bring about a huge transformation similar to the inception of the internet and online commerce. He was speaking at this year's Boao Forum for Asia, a non-profit organization for the visionary exchanges among world's prominent figures.

Spearheading the booming industry, Baidu.com, a top mainland search engine, has focused on the algorithm applied to unmanned vehicles, Augmented Reality (AR) and intelligent medical care.

Another domestic tech guru,Tencent, meantime, has concentrated on AI in linguistic and learning processes with its Ailab program.

"The immense interest of AI is a result of the industry's infinite scope for imagination, such as use of brain waves and voice to break up the conventional communication between people and machines," said Zhao Shuai, a start-up founder and the former senior product manager of Microsoft Xiaoice.

Cautions about bubbles

According to a recent analytical report by Shanghai Shenyin & Wanguo Securities, the AI market is in waiting period for real explosive growth.

In spite of some major breakthroughs in biological cognitive techniques initiated by a number of companies, most of the AI development remains at the nascent stage, the report stated.

With lackluster achievements and overheated involvement, AI faces the danger of its capacities being overestimated.

"Don't exaggerate the industry, otherwise, bubbles will probably emerge," Lee warned.

Homogeneous competition, such as, the conversation between humans and machines, involving at least 10 companies in the domestic market in 2014, may lead to bursting bubbles, Zhao added.

"The real demand, represented by wearable intelligence and unmanned vehicles, remains low and most AI techniques concentrating on business-to-business models only enable companies to cut labor costs and increase efficiency by resorting to big data," Zhao explained.

Transformations and hopes

Despite the possibility of bubbles, experts believe the search for AI applications will continue.

For example, Baidu.com is researching the technologies for facial recognition to be used for the issuance of train tickets in Wuzhen, the perennial venue of the World Internet Conference.

"The algorithm works endlessly, and it can only be improved with continuous efforts when being applied for commercial use," said Lu Qiuhong, CEO of Shanghai HRSTEK Co. Ltd.

"The market value of the products holds the key to the major technological breakthroughs initiated by market entities, while equal attention should be paid to sustaining a fundamental balance, technological innovation and market exploration," she added.

According to Wang, the bubbles of the national industry which may burst and lead to bankruptcies will eventually stimulate the industry to create substantially-increasing value in the global market.
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The Pakistan army said Saturday that a civilian was injured in an Indian firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.

A military statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the civilian was injured due to the "unprovoked firing" in Chirikot sector by Indian forces.

"Pakistani troops responded effectively to Indian unprovoked firing," the statement added.

The latest incident happened as escalation along the LoC, which divides the two neighbors in the disputed Kashmir, has been seen since a militant attack on an army center in the Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sept. 18 last year killed 19 soldiers.

The Indian military blamed the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group for the attack and also pointed fingers at Pakistan.

Islamabad rejected the charges and suggested an independent investigation.
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Palestinian activists, intellectuals, academics, writers and journalists launched on Saturday a popular and electronic campaign aiming at saving the Gaza Strip from an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

They said the coastal enclave, which is ruled by Islamic Hamas movement and has been under a tight Israeli blockade for ten years, is suffering severe humanitarian crises which must stop with better life ensured for the population.

Abdul Karim Ashour, the campaign's media coordinator, told reporters that the campaign will last three months, saying "it is against all security measures that turned the populations' life in Gaza into torment and distress."

"Intellectuals, artists, doctors, writers, businessmen and journalists will intensify their efforts through their means of contacts with the authorities to end the suffering and the humanitarian crises that the population is living in," he said.

Dozens of activists rallied Saturday before one of the towers destroyed during the 50-day Israeli large-scale military offensive on Gaza in 2014.

"The aim is to look for a better living condition for our children, our women and our elderly people who have been paying a heavy price for around ten years of siege, poverty, fear and unemployment," said Abdul Karim.

The demonstrators, who carried banners of a hash-tags #Save_Gaza, called on the international community to hold the two million population in the Gaza Strip to end their decade-long plight.

Because of Israeli blockade and security measures imposed on the coastal enclave since Hamas' violent control of the territory in 2007, unemployment rate there has reached 43.7 percent, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

The internal Palestinian division between Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party has also further worsened the daily life in Gaza.
The gate of Changlin Church lies

in ruin after authorities demolished

it. (Photo: ChinaAid)

ChinaAid

(Wenzhou, ZhejiangApril 2, 2017) The government in Chinas coastal Zhejiang Province recently ordered surveillance equipment to be installed in churches, allowing them to easily monitor church activities.

At the beginning of March, authorities in Zhejiang demanded that Three-Self Churches install surveillance cameras and have been dispatching officials to forcibly set up the devices if the order meets with refusal. Officially, the reasoning for the cameras are safety and anti-terrorism precautions. They also said they would take into account whether or not the church had previously resisted cross demolitions during a province-wide campaign and would send more agents to the site if it had.

From March 21-24, hundreds of police officers converged on Changlin Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, in order to carry out this task, beating any Christians who resisted their efforts. A local Christian said the church members questioned why they needed additional surveillance since Three-Self Churches are already heavily monitored and policed by the government. Some Christian women stationed themselves outside the church, fearing a possible church demolition, and were seized for their resistance, then released once the cameras were set up. Officials also destroyed the churchs reception desk and other parts of the building, including the churchs gate in order to get in.

On March 23, Shengai Church in Pingyang County, Wenzhou, issued a statement accusing the government of violating the privacy, disrupting the internal affairs of religious organizations, and breaking laws by installing the cameras. The church claimed the government had no legal basis for these actions, saying that it needs to obtain the permission of the church or would otherwise result in an abuse of power and religious freedom.

ChinaAid exposes abuses such as those experienced by churches in Zhejiang in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.

ChinaAid Media Team

Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985

Email: [email protected]

For more information, click here
As more of nation's most innovative companies gain global prominence, perceptions about their quality are changing

Huawei, Haier and Wanda are among the major players paving the way for the next wave of global Chinese brands, which are likely to rely on innovation and technological prowess to succeed.

In a move to unleash the true potential of Chinese companies, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a national scientific and technological innovation plan last August as a blueprint for innovation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

As the world's second-largest economy undergoes a transition to put its economic development on a stronger footing, the drive for technological innovation will also enable more Chinese brands to tap global markets.

Customers try out laptop computers at a Lenovo outlet in Beijing in 2014. Companies like Lenovo and Huawei have shown it is possible for Chinese brands to make an impact on the world stage. Getty Images

"Chinese tech companies are racing to take advantage of the government's favorable policies, and the most ambitious ones are aiming to establish a presence across the world," says Liang Xin, board secretary of Eternal Asia Supply Chain Management, a supply chain service provider in China.

And the gains are not limited to the tech sector. Among the most promising up-and-coming global brands is Chinese automaker Great Wall, which aims to become the world's largest manufacturer of sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, by 2020. The company has a globalization strategy in place and is working toward exporting to North America and Europe in the near future.

Smartphone makers are also looking to break new ground in global markets. Huawei and ZTE already have brand recognition in markets like Japan and are making inroads in North America and Europe. Others are following suit.

Best known within China, ride-sharing company Didi Chuxing has set up a research institute in Silicon Valley, California, to develop intelligent driving technologies.

Liang expects that in the next five to 10 years, the world will see a number of new, strong and globally-endorsed Chinese brands, and "made in China" will become an accepted and positive factor.

For the time being, Chinese brands often have to fight tooth and nail for recognition and to battle negative perceptions that link them to cheaply-manufactured products.

But those perceptions are changing, in much the same way that they changed with Japanese products in the 1970s and South Korean products in the 1990s, when companies like Samsung and Hyundai made their big international push.

"The first-tier global brands like Huawei, Haier and Lenovo have shown it is possible for Chinese companies to have a global impact, and this is creating immense aspirations among Chinese business leaders to replicate their journey," says Martin Roll, a global business and brand strategist. Roll is a CEO mentor and adviser to Fortune 100 companies.

"The primary growth driver is enhanced quality, better and unique innovation, and high global aspirations among business owners," he tells China Daily.

China grew its economy and built a reputation as a manufacturer of low-cost, low-quality goods for foreign-owned companies. Both the established and emerging global brands are now trying to shed this less-than-flattering reputation.

"The country-of-origin (COO) effect does have an influence on customers' perceptions toward products, services and brands. China has long suffered from a relatively strong negative COO effect, but it is rapidly changing for the better," Roll says.

"Chinese manufacturers are slowly but steadily embracing branding as their primary strategic driver of financial value."

Anil Gupta, a professor of global strategy at the University of Maryland in the United States, notes that the transition is "a slow process".

"There are only two Chinese brands that I can think of - Huawei and Lenovo - that have succeeded in shedding a reputation of low quality," he said.

"Others such as Haier, Xiaomi, Zoomlion and almost all other Chinese brands are still viewed as lower quality than Western, Japanese or South Korean brands."

A good example to follow might be Huawei, which has not only developed a strong brand but also good research and development capabilities in networking and consumer electronics as it learned how to compete in global markets.

The point for Huawei was to understand and not copy the technologies it needed to succeed. It also had to understand what works and what does not in different markets.

Brand strategist Roll says: "One thing is to claim to be a global company, another is to have a company that is truly global and where the culture is global - and not only an adaptation of the culture of the country of origin.

"Being truly global requires mirroring and further developing best global practices in all aspects of operations and management."

The new generation of consumers is sophisticated and picky, with a short attention span. Localization to global markets may be required for companies trying to connect with consumers outside China, and they need to balance what works with the adjustments required in order to be relevant in foreign markets.

The good news is that negative perceptions of Chinese products are declining and consumers are increasingly savvy.

More people are choosing brands based on benefits they provide rather than their fame, according to WPP, a multinational public relations company. WPP predicts that as more Chinese brands go global, consumers' receptivity toward "made in China" brands will increase, facilitating further expansion.

Chinese brands are still less globally recognized than Western icons, such as Apple, Google, Volkswagen and Louis Vuitton. However, Chinese technology brands are slowly narrowing the gap by showing they can improve lives through digital technology. Chinese innovation is at the vanguard of the global e-commerce and mobile payment space, for example.

The first BrandZ Top 30 Chinese Global Brand Builders ranking report released in January by WPP and its market research unit Millward Brown, in collaboration with Google, showed that circumstances are favorable for Chinese brands to build strength in global markets. The study showed that the notion of brand China is shifting.

Chinese brands still face an uphill struggle in global markets because international consumers "are generally less aware of, and less likely to consider purchasing, a Chinese brand than a local or globally recognized one". However, the report added, brand recognition varies significantly from country to country.

PC giant Lenovo is listed as the most powerful Chinese export brand, followed by Huawei and the e-commerce marketplace giant Alibaba.

Consumer electronics brands account for 57 percent of the ranking's total brand power - the measure of how likely consumers are to choose a particular brand - and dominate the top five with Lenovo in first place, Huawei second and Xiaomi fifth. E-commerce giant Alibaba and mobile gaming company Elex Tech round out the top five.

Combined, consumer electronics and mobile gaming lead the ranking, both in terms of the number of brands in the list (17) and combined brand power (59 percent). This shows that consumers abroad are increasingly associating brand China with innovative digital devices and services.

However, a perception of high quality for Chinese brands as a whole will take more time to establish.

"The foundation has to be high quality in the product," says the University of Maryland's Gupta. "Only then will marketing and branding efforts pay off. Merely putting more efforts into marketing and branding without real and sustained improvement in quality is a waste of money."

Analysts say that more and more Chinese companies are being created with the intention to go global rather than waiting to become a domestic giant first. Many have learned to adjust the business infrastructure as they grow.

"To leverage their global success, Chinese brands are learning to tell powerful brand stories that clearly communicate their quality and relevance," says Liang of Eternal Asia Supply Chain Management.

For China Daily

(China Daily European Weekly 03/31/2017 page31)
Bike-sharing service provider Mobike has rolled out a series of tweaks to make its bicycles lighter and more comfortable to ride.

"The bike is constantly getting cooler and lighter, to meet the growing needs of our users, of whom 80 percent are the post-80s and 90s generation," says Xu Hongjun, general manager of Mobike's manufacturing base in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

The company has chosen Beijing and Shanghai to introduce tens of thousands of new bikes. Notable improvements include lighter weight (down by 3 kilograms to 23), an adjustable seat, a basket and rear disc brakes for greater control.

According to Xu, each fleet of bikes is custom-produced to suit the city and climate where it will be introduced. In Beijing, for example, the bikes use cold-resistant batteries, and tires with deeper tread to provide a better grip on icy roads in winter.

Workers at a production line of Mobike in Hengyang, Hunan province, inspect bicycles one last time before releasing them for shared use in cities. Peng Bin / For China Daily

Bikes in Wuxi, a rain-prone city in eastern China, have extended mud guards on both front and rear tires to protect riders from splashback.

The tweaks have not come at the expense of classic features that have attracted many of Mobike's customers, such as its easy-to-use V-shaped frame, dust-proof paint, airless tires and magnesium alloy wheels. The GPS-equipped smart lock also remains, which is key to Mobike's online-to-offline business model.

With its goal of constant development and innovation, Mobike's Wuxi production line is in high demand. Not only does it have to be able to produce enough bikes to match the ever-growing demand of the market but it has to maintain the high quality of end-products that made the company a success so far.

Such demands on the production line are not a problem for the moment, according to Mobike founder Hu Weiwei, who said in a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang earlier this year that the Wuxi manufacturing base is capable of producing 14,000 bikes per day.

The manufacturing base was just a two-story factory in Hongshan town, Wuxi, a year ago, but today it consists of two buildings taking up nearly 30,000 square meters. It also serves as Mobike's R&D center, applying for and receiving 30 technology and design patents, including the smart lock and magnesium alloy wheels.

Without the base, many of Mobike's core ambitions might never have been realized and its future dimmed. This integral part of the business is what Mobike CEO Wang Xiaofeng calls the company's "core competence".

"Many people may misunderstand the modern manufacturing sector," Wang says. "They assume it's a place where workers assemble things with a straight face. They couldn't be more wrong: There are a lot of technical details in it. If an internet company underestimates the importance of manufacturing and the supply chain, it will lose everything."

Mobike is also in negotiations with Wuxi authorities to further expand its base, as it expects demand to continue to grow.

In just two years since the new public bike-sharing system was introduced, the market has been flooded with millions of bicycles. There are an estimated 3 million public bikes operated by 29 different brands and service platforms across dozens of cities, according to statistics from the association of the bike industry in Tianjin, the country's largest bicycle manufacturing base.

Mobike, has managed to stand out from the pack, and become a clear market leader with 3.1 million active monthly users and a 72.5 percent market share as of December, according to a report by Trustdata. It leaves ofo in a distant second position with a 21.8 percent market share, and all other brands combined with less than 10 percent.

Contact the writer at zhangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn

( China Daily European Weekly 03/31/2017 page27)
The success of Tongren, Guizhou province, in promoting preschool education in rural areas is being hailed as a possible blueprint for the eradication of poverty and a means of preventing its reemergence.

Seven of the 12 county-level regions in Tongren have been designated by the government as national-level poverty-stricken counties. In 2013, the average per capita income for farmers in the city was 5,397 yuan ($780; 736 euros; 642), 40 percent lower than the national level that year.

Initiated in 2012 by the China Development Research Foundation and Songtao Miao autonomous county in Tongren, the Mountain Village Kindergarten Project has built 2,000 facilities for rural preschoolers. One-hundred percent of the communities are served today, up from just 10 percent in 2013.

Long Lihong, director of the Tongren City Education Commission, said most of the facilities are located in unused primary school classrooms, in village committee offices or in houses, instead of building new kindergartens. But kindergartens were built in every place where it could be guaranteed that more than 10 children would enroll.

Children take a post-lunch nap at the Muziping Village Kindergarten in Tongren. [Photo by by Hou Liqiang/China Daily] Shi Jiahui, 3, eats lunch at the Houzhai Village Kindergarten in Tongren, Guizhou province. [Photo by by Hou Liqiang/China Daily]

In Houzhai village, three unused primary school classrooms were transformed into a kindergarten for 27 preschoolers from a nearby Miao ethnic community of 1,400.

Tongren's total revenue was 37.9 billion yuan from 2011 to last year. Since 2012, the city government has allocated 5 percent of its annual administrative budget to the kindergarten project. District governments are rewarded with 10,000 yuan for every facility they establish in the mountains, and the city government allocates 300 yuan per year to every child for teaching materials.

"Many kids in the rural areas are left-behind children. They are cared for by their grandparents, who are usually poorly educated and unable to do much for them," Long said. "We have seen great improvements in the children's linguistic skills, cognitive competence and memory capacity since they entered the kindergartens."

According to tests conducted by East China Normal University in Tongren, the language competence of children aged 4 to 5 improved by 23 percent after spending a year to 18 months at a kindergarten, while cognitive competence improved by 27 percent and memory improved by 34 percent.

The children's behavior and hygiene also improved.

Long Jiawei, 4, and her sister Long Jiali, 6, have lived with their grandmother, Shi Qingjiao, since 2015, when their parents moved east to Zhejiang province for work. Shi, 75, has rheumatism and says all she can do for the girls is cook food and wash their clothes.

"My granddaughters' awareness of hygiene has changed a lot since they started at the kindergarten. Now, they ask to change their clothes and have showers every day. They say they can't fall asleep if they don't take a shower," Shi says.

It will take about 20 years for the full impact of the project to be seen, but education is an important way of eradicating poverty, Long, the education director, says. "In poverty-stricken areas such as Tongren, it's key for people to make their way to colleges or universities to eradicate poverty."

"In addition to occupational and compulsory education," she added, "importance should also be attached to preschool learning, so we can build up the talent pool and save future generations from poverty."

Contact the writers through houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn
XINING - Rinchen, 40, works at a crematorium in a Tibetan community in northwest China.

For Tibetans, sky and water burials have traditionally been the most common funerary customs. Cremation has only been used in the modern age.

The Chabcha town funeral management house, where Rinchen and his wife work, was founded in 1982. It was one of the first crematoriums in Qinghai province, home to over 1.37 million ethnic Tibetan people.

"It took a very long process of consulting high monks before establishing the crematorium. The site for the cremation house was chosen by the tenth Panchen Lama," said Duraga, deputy director of the civil affairs bureau of Gonghe County, which administers Chabcha Town. Chabcha is the seat of the government of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai.

"In less developed Tibetan communities, such as herding areas, people still favor sky burials. But in the city, more Tibetan people now choose cremation," said Duraga.

There are four cremation houses at the crematorium.

"In the 1980s, only a few dozen people were cremated here each year," said Rinchen, whose father-in-law was the first person to run the crematorium.

Last year, 352 people were cremated there, and most of them were Tibetans from Qinghai, Gansu and northwest Sichuan.

Families usually put the ashes in bags made of white cloth and scatter them at sacred mountains and lakes.

"People scatter the ashes at sky burial sites at Qinghai Lake and the Yellow River, which flows through the county," said Rinchen.

"Before each cremation, families of the deceased invite monks from nearby monasteries, such as Khyamru Monastery, to give sermons and preside over the ceremonies," he said.

Rinchen and his wife Tsering make sure the lamps are always lit. Their family now lives at the crematorium.

"When I started living here, I often felt scared. Now I light lamps every day, touching the prayer wheels. It is a job to keep me busy," said Tsering.

"I use my hands to help the deceased finish their last step in the world. I feel it is the natural thing to do," she said.

About a few hundred miles to the southwest, Chindo County, in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is an area where sky burials are more common. Most of the people in the county are herders.

Tashi, who performs sky burials, often has to get up early to prepare for the rituals.

In sky burials, bodies are fed to vultures and other predatory birds. Buddhists believe in a cycle of rebirth and advocate kindness and charity. The spirit of the dead is believed to leave the body the moment a person dies and the dead should be fed to hungry vultures as a last token of charity.

Tashi is a monk at Lab Monastery. He started performing sky burial rituals in 2011. The Serkhang sky burial site, located about 3,800 meters above sea level at the foot of a snow-capped mountain, receives over 30 bodies every year.

"A burial starts at four in the morning and lasts about seven hours. I make sure every detail is right for the ritual," he said.

However, sometimes sky burial rituals do not go so smoothly. Environmental drives to kill rats on grasslands have led to a decline in the number of vultures and eagles.

"Some people may still honor tradition, but others may want the modern methods of burial. The people will choose on their own," said Wang Fayu, director of social affairs office of the Qinghai Provincial Civil Affairs Department.

A crematorium has been set up in every Tibetan autonomous county in Qinghai to provide diverse choices for the people, said Wang.

"The living buddhas said in the end, humans return their bodies to nature. No matter which method chosen, it is to show respect to the deceased and give solace to the living," said Rinchen.
Deputy Minister Nguyen The Phuong (right) and First Assistant Secretary Philip Green sign a record of the transcript of the meeting (Photo courtesy Australian Embassy in Hanoi)



The biennial High Level Consultations were led by Philip Green, First Assistant Secretary, South East Asia Mainland and Regional Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong.

Accordingly, the two countries gained key achievements for the 2015-17 development co-operation, including due completion of the Cao Lanh Bridge late this year, encouraging progress in developing three new initiatives - Aus4Reform, Aus4Transport and Aus4Water - to develop a strong and competitive private sector in Vietnam.

They also noted the effective commencement of the new Aus4Skills initiative in 2016, which will continue to deliver the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships as well as a new range of flexible human resource development support packages and support for womens economic empowerment, including preparation for the new Aus4Equality and Investing in Women initiatives.

Vietnam has been an important partner of Australia in the region for a long time, and our commitment to development cooperation with Vietnam is ongoing, Green said.

Given Vietnams tremendous achievements in socio-economic development, it is now time to transform the relationship into an economic partnership, based on mutual benefit and shared challenges, he added.

The economic partnership is expected to be built on the principles of commitment to pursuing shared economic interests as outlined in the Plan of Action 2016-2019, encouraging a dynamic private sector, fostering greater business and market access opportunities, empowering women in the economy and promoting environmentally sustainable growth./.
Rinchen, 40, works at a crematorium in a Tibetan community in Northwest China.

For Tibetans, sky and water burials have traditionally been the most common funerary customs. Cremation has only been used in the modern age.

The Chabcha town funeral management house, where Rinchen and his wife work, was founded in 1982. It was one of the first crematoriums in Qinghai province, home to over 1.37 million ethnic Tibetan people.

"It took a very long process of consulting high monks before establishing the crematorium. The site for the cremation house was chosen by the tenth Panchen Lama," said Duraga, deputy director of the civil affairs bureau of Gonghe county, which administers Chabcha town. Chabcha is the seat of the government of Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Qinghai.

"In less developed Tibetan communities, such as herding areas, people still favor sky burials. But in the city, more Tibetan people now choose cremation," said Duraga.

There are four cremation houses at the crematorium.

"In the 1980s, only a few dozen people were cremated here each year," said Rinchen, whose father-in-law was the first person to run the crematorium.

Last year, 352 people were cremated there, and most of them were Tibetans from Qinghai, Gansu and Northwest Sichuan.

Families usually put the ashes in bags made of white cloth and scatter them at sacred mountains and lakes.

"People scatter the ashes at sky burial sites at Qinghai Lake and the Yellow River, which flows through the county," said Rinchen.

"Before each cremation, families of the deceased invite monks from nearby monasteries, such as Khyamru Monastery, to give sermons and preside over the ceremonies," he said.

Rinchen and his wife Tsering make sure the lamps are always lit. Their family now lives at the crematorium.

"When I started living here, I often felt scared. Now I light lamps every day, touching the prayer wheels. It is a job to keep me busy," said Tsering.
What happens when you blend two popular dishes from the East and West? Baozza!

Food has proven to be a popular  and delicious  way of bridging cultures. And one dish is trying to do just that.

It combines two wildly popular dishes in China and the United States.

But when it comes to diplomacy, there can be different kinds of approaches: high-level talks between leaders and people-to-people exchanges.

One approach takes place in a shop in Beijing. Its where Chinese, American and Italian cultures blend. The ambassador is -- American Alex Cree.

Cree was on a business trip in the southeastern Chinese city of Guangdong, talking with his clients about the traditional Chinese steamed bun, the baozi.

We were talking about the idea of maybe combining bao with more traditional American flavors like burger and different things and somebody said pizza baozi and I quipped, I just said as a joke, I said bao-zza! and the more I thought about it the more I thought there might be something to this, said Cree.

And there, Baozza was born.

Cree was so convinced that he quit his job and moved to China.
TOKYO - Representatives of "comfort women" museums from Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines and the United States convened their first conference here on Saturday, urging the Japanese government to reflect upon history.

"The Japanese government, after so many years, still refuses to admit and reflect upon the 'comfort women' issue. We should enhance international cooperation and demand the Japanese government to apologize and make compensations," said Eriko Ikeda, chairwoman of Women's Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM), Japan's only museum focused on wartime sexual violence against women.

Su Zhiliang, head of a museum founded on the former site of a "comfort women" station at Liji Lane in Nanjing, China, said museums are the best sites for historical education.

"'Comfort women' were sex slaves of the Imperial Japanese Army. Such atrocities shall be exposed and such memories shall be reinforced to prevent the tragedies from happening again," he said.

Rechilda Extremadura, a representative from Lolas Center of Lila Pilipina, a Philippine "comfort women" support organization, said that the voices of the "comfort women" victims will not be silenced by the Japanese government.

"Even all the victims passed away, the future generations will still learn about the history (through the museums)," she said.

Representatives of the museums passed a joint declaration at the conference, vowing solidarity and continued efforts to pass on the memories of "comfort women" to future generations.

"We have been putting pressure on the Japanese government to accept responsibility for these grave violations of women's rights; however, it (the Japanese government) wants to distort and forget the past history," said the statement.

"In the face of the Japanese government's campaign to deny the history... we should continue to act in solidarity in order to carry forward (the efforts)," said the statement.

A number of surviving "comfort women" victims sent their thanks and support through video messages and letters to the conference.

"I hope the problem could be solved before I die, even though I know it would be very difficult. The 'comfort women' survivors are aging and many of them died. I hope our reputation could be restored as soon as possible," said Li Yushan, a surviving "comfort woman" from South Korea, in a letter.

"I hope the world won't forget us," said Wei Shaolan, a surviving "comfort woman" from China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in a letter.

Women forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II were called "comfort women."

The Japanese government has been refusing to acknowledge legal responsibilities for the "comfort women" issue so far.
Third from left, Guo Wenchang, chairman of Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, and Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gullet. The Chinese community handed over a cash donation of $20,000 toward the drought relief program spearheaded by the humanitarian organization. [Photo by Lucy Morangi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese people will not abandon their Kenyan brothers in a time of need.

This was the sentiment expressed by Guo Wenchang, chairman of the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, when he handed over a cash donation of $20,000 on Friday to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) to help strengthen humanitarian interventions following a severe drought that has ravaged several parts of the East African nation.

Guo said the association had launched a fund-raising drive early this year immediately after the Kenyan government declared the drought a national disaster.

"This donation will provide a reprieve to families facing starvation," Guo said at the KRCS offices in Nairobi, where he was accompanied by representatives from other Chinese organizations.

According to government statistics, the number of Kenyans in need of relief supplies has risen to 2.7 million from 1.3 million last year.

This is the second time the association has stepped in to assist in the humanitarian organizations drought relief efforts. When Kenya suffered a drought in 2011, the community launched an initiative that saw 60 tons of food taken to Turkana in the Northern Frontier.

While thanking the association for the donation, KRCS Secretary General Abbas Gullet said this years crisis was more severe and the donation would go a long way toward protecting the affected communities from starvation.

"This is a humanitarian crisis that needs every hand to chip in. It is indeed a noble gesture from the Chinese community," said Gullet, adding that their hearts were in the right place.

Representatives of the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association at the Kenya Red Cross offices together with Secretary General Abbas Gullet. The Chinese community handed over a cash donation of $20,000 toward the drought relief program spearheaded by the humanitarian organization. [Photo by Lucy Morangi/chinadaily.com.cn]

He noted that the China-Kenya relationship, established decades ago, has continued to flourish through the years. Aside from trade, the two countries closely partner in other areas that mutually benefit its peoples.

In January, the humanitarian organization appealed for $10 million to assist communities facing starvation due to late-onset and inadequate rains. This was later revised to $25 million as more people slid into the emergency bracket. The organization has so far received 40 percent of this goal, with 10 percent raised locally.
BOGOTA - Colombian Red Cross confirmed on Saturday that at least 127 people were killed in a landslide in Mocoa, capital of Putumayo department in southern Colombia.

The tragedy occurred on Friday night when heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, devastating several neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Mocoa.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos arrived in Mocoa on Saturday morning and ordered immediate assistance to all the affected population.

He said he would send several aircrafts to deliver humanitarian aid for those affected in Mocoa, a city located in the middle of the jungle of the Amazon region.

Santos said earlier that at least 112 people were killed in the landslide in Mocoa.

The country's fire department said earlier on Saturday that 102 people were killed and 185 wounded in the landslide.
A man searches for his belongings after heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, pushing sediment and rocks into buildings and roads in Mocoa, Colombia, April 1, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

BOGOTA - Flooding and landslides have killed at least 193 people and injuring 202 others on Saturday in the Colombian city of Mocoa, the capital of southwestern Putumayo department.

"Unfortunately the most recent figure for the tragedy in Putumayo is: 193 dead and 202 wounded. Solidarity with their families," wrote Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on his Twitter account.

Most of the injured people are treated at local hospitals and 22 of them were transferred to health centers in neighboring cities.

The death toll is likely to rise as a number of residents remain missing in the town of 43,700 inhabitants, and the exact figure has not yet been officially announced.

The search was temporarily suspended due to a lack of electricity in the landslide-hit area.

Colombian daily El Tiempo reported that heavy rains caused three area rivers -- the Mocoa, Sangoyaco and Mulatos rivers -- to overflow early Saturday, unleashing what local media described as an "avalanche" of muddy water that washed away homes, bridges and vehicles.

Some 17 city districts were affected by the torrent and Santos immediately traveled to the city on Saturday to direct recovery efforts and mobilized the army, police and air force to join rescue operations.

The president declared a state of emergency in Mocoa earlier Saturday to facilitate rescue operations and aid.

"We are going to make an action plan with the government and all the organizations here to start the whole process of humanitarian aid, take care of the wounded, serve the deceased and to begin to restore the services that were suspended," said Santos.

The streets of Mocoa are filled with mud, debris and broken trees, and commercial businesses are mainly closed.

Electricity supply is cut off in about half of the Putumayo department because several stations were destroyed by landslides. Water supply is also affected and the government has sent 20 tanks to deliver water to local people, according to the president.

Police officer Deciderio Ospina died while attempting to rescue a family that was calling for help, police said.

Images of the tragedy showed volunteers and army troops trying to sift through the slippery, muddy wreckage of buildings to rescue survivors or recover the bodies of victims.

Countries throughout Latin America, as well as several European countries, expressed their solidarity with Colombia and offered aid.

Putumayo, in Colombia's Amazonian region, borders Ecuador and Peru. According to the state meteorological agency, March was Colombia's rainiest month since 2011.

Since December, more than 90 people have died in neighboring Peru which has been lashed by torrential rains sparked by the so-called Coastal El Nino phenomenon.

Since December, more than 90 people have died in neighboring Peru as Peru has been lashed by torrential rains sparked by the so-called Coastal El Nino phenomenon caused by unusually high sea temperatures, which have brought heavy flooding and mudslide.
Soldiers and residents work together in rescue efforts in Mocoa, Colombia, on Saturday after an avalanche of water and mud from an overflowing river swept through the city as people slept. AP

MOCOA, Colombia  Rescuers clawed through piles of mud and twisted debris on Sunday searching for survivors after violent mudslides destroyed homes in southern Colombia, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds more.

They were the latest victims of deadly floods and mudslides that have struck the Pacific side of South America over recent months, also killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.

In the southwestern Colombian town of Mocoa, a sudden surge of mud and water swept away homes, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber buried in thick mud.

The mudslides slammed Mocoa on Friday after days of torrential rain in the Amazon basin area town of 40,000.

The latest information showed that there are 234 people confirmed dead, 202 injured and more than 100 people missing, according to the Colombian Red Cross.

On Sunday, President Juan Manuel Santos returned with Cabinet ministers to Mocoa, the capital of the Putumayo Department, to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

Santos met with rescuers and survivors in Mocoa on Saturday and declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations.

"Dear God, I dont want to even remember that," said street vendor Marta Ceballos, who survived the mudslide.

"To see how some people screamed, and others cried, ran, tried to flee in cars, on motorcycles, and how they were trapped in the mud. Its all too, too difficult," she said.

Ceballos said that she lost all of her possessions. "The only things I fortunately did not lose were my husband, my daughters and my nephews," she said.

Meanwhile, 1,000 emergency personnel, including soldiers and local police, were helping the rescue effort. Mocoa was left without power or running water, and there were reports of people looting stores in search of bottled water.

"There are lots of people in the streets, lots of people displaced, and many houses have collapsed," retired Mocoa resident Hernando Rodriguez, 69, said by telephone.

XinhuaAFP
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
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A bill that would allow cities to extend the hours its bars can serve alcohol passed the California Senates Public Safety Committee  the furthest a bill of this kind has made it in the Legislature since Prohibition, according to its backers.

The bill, which state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced last month, would allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol between 2 and 4 a.m. with the appropriate permits and approval from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Wieners bill is similar to one proposed in 2013 by his predecessor, Mark Leno. That bill was voted down in committee. Wieners bill will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Current law requires establishments to stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. Wieners bill would allow  but not require  local jurisdictions to decide whether their bars and restaurants can extend their last call.

Opponents of the bill say it is an unnecessary move that will require more law enforcement and lead to more problems for cities.

Michael Scippa, director of public affairs for Alcohol Justice, a San Rafael nonprofit advocacy, research and policy organization, criticized the bill for prioritizing alcohol revenue over public safety and said he was disappointed in the committees vote.

In 2013, there were people (on the committee) who really cared about public safety, he said.

Right now it seems like the focus is really just on business.

Scippa said his group took credit for killing Lenos bill in 2013, and they will continue to fight Wieners bill.

Proponents of the bill argue that being able to serve alcohol later will stimulate the states economy, and in turn make cities like San Francisco more attractive to tourists.

Nate Allbee, owner of the Stud Bar in the South of Market neighborhood, said allowing bars to stay open until 4 a.m would create a nightlife renaissance in San Francisco.

This is a huge victory that it has come out of committee  it is a symbol that this is an idea whose time has come, he said. By having two extra hours we would actually double our profits.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
A former U.S. Congressman and one of his associates have been indicted for their roles in orchestrating a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from charitable foundations and the individuals who ran those foundations. Some of the funds were used to illegally finance the politician's campaigns for public office and to pay for his personal expenses and those of his associates.

Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez of the Southern District of Texas and Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department's Criminal Division made the announcement along with Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI's Washington Field Office and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of IRS - Criminal Investigation (CI), Houston Field Office.

Former U.S. Representative Stephen E. Stockman, 60, of Clear Lake, and the former director of special projects in Stockman's congressional office, Jason Posey, 46, formerly of the Houston area, were charged in a 28-count superseding indictment with mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), making excessive campaign contributions and money laundering.

Stockman is also charged with filing a false tax return that concealed his receipt and personal use of the fraudulent proceeds, while Posey is charged with falsifying an affidavit in order to obstruct an FEC investigation. Thomas Dodd, a former special assistant in Stockman's congressional office, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the scheme on March 20, 2017.

According to the superseding indictment, from May 2010 to October 2014, Stockman solicited approximately $1,250,000 in donations based on false pretenses. Specifically, the indictment alleges that in 2010, Stockman diverted a significant portion of $285,000 donated to charitable causes to pay for his and Dodd's own personal expenses and to further Stockman's own interests. The indictment further alleges that in 2011 and 2012, Stockman and Dodd received an additional $165,000 in charitable donations, much of which Stockman used to finance his 2012 congressional campaign.

Shortly after Stockman took office in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, he and Dodd allegedly used the name of a nonprofit entity to solicit and receive a $350,000 charitable donation. Stockman allegedly used this donation for a variety of personal and campaign expenses, including illegal conduit campaign contributions, a covert surveillance project targeting a perceived political opponent and payments associated with Stockman's U.S. Senate campaign in early 2014.

The superseding indictment further alleges that in connection with Stockman's Senate campaign, Posey used a nonprofit entity to secure a $450,571 donation in order to fund a mass-mailing project attacking Stockman's opponent. Only approximately half of the donation was spent on the mail campaign, and Posey used a portion of the unspent balance to pay for expenses associated with Stockman's Senate campaign and to fund personal expenses, according to the charges.

The FBI and IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Annis of the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorneys Ryan J. Ellersick and Robert J. Heberle of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

Stockman was the U.S. Representative for Congressional District 36, which includes Liberty County.
It's time to take the garbage out in Friendswood and throughout Galveston County as local cities plan two separate collection events on the same day.

Hazardous waste collection event

The cities of League City and Dickinson and Keep Dickinson Beautiful will host the Galveston County Household Hazardous Waste Event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 8 at Gulf Greyhound Park at 1000 FM 2004, La Marque.

More Information Collection events GALVESTON COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENT What: A collection drive sponsored by the cities of League City and Dickinson and Keep Dickinson Beautiful When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8 Where: Gulf Greyhound Park, 1000 FM 2004, La Marque. Enter off of FM 1764. Details: Visit bit.ly/2naQKJG or contact Bridget Kramer at 281-554-1004. FRIENDSWOOD SPRING SPARKLE What: The city of Friendswood's annual spring trash collection drive When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 8 Where: Centennial Park, at 2200 S. Friendswood Drive Details: 281-996-3220 See More Collapse

Not an annual event, the effort is funded through a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council with some money coming from the Southeast Texas Resource Conservation and Development Council through a settlement related to an enforcement action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Aerosols, paint and paint-related products, cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides and automotive products like tires, oil, gasoline, oil filters and antifreeze and batteries will be collected.

Also accepted are products containing mercury like thermometers, bulbs and other items which are environmentally harmful if disposed of improperly.

The event is funded through grant money from the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to provide an alternative to hazardous disposing, League City spokeswoman Bridget Kramer said.

"Instead of these products being thrown away in the trash - which you are not supposed to do - or being housed in the house, you can effectively recycle or dispose of these items," Kramer said.

Friendswood cleanup

In Friendswood, residents can take advantage of the annual Spring Sparkle from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 8 at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive.

The community-wide event will collect trash and other nonhazardous waste in conjunction with a garage sale.

"This event gives residents an opportunity to discard, throw away some of their old, unwanted nonhazardous goods," said James Toney, the city's parks and recreation director."It allows all of the residents to bring their goods in a centralized location where the city can collect those all at one time."

Citywide cleanups are held in the spring and fall by Keep Friendswood Beautiful, which is under the city's parks and recreation umbrella and promotes clean-up projects.

Spring Sparkle will take in items like limbs, grass clippings, wood, metal, appliances and plastics. The event will also provide paper-shredding services until noon for residents wanting to get rid of old documents and unneeded paper trails.

Anything still usable will be designated for the KFB garage sale, where household items like good-condition furniture, books, toys and bicycles could end up for sale to the public. Funds from purchases will go to help beautify city parks and facilities.

Beside hazardous items, about the only thing not accepted at the Spring Sparkle are clothes.

In addition, Spring Sparkle will accept used aquariums, dog and cat kennel carriers, clean rags, and shallow bowls for water to give to area volunteers who rehabilitate wildlife.

For instance, an aquarium can be re-purposed to hold small injured animals until they are rehabilitated sufficiently to be taken to a shelter, KFB chairwoman Sherry Goen said.

"It's mostly wildlife, like an injured bird or squirrel," she said.

The KFB has been hosting the spring collection drive for more than 20 years.

For a complete list of the items accepted or not accepted at the League City-Dickinson collection event, visit bit.ly/2naQKJG or call 281-554-1004.

For more about the Spring Sparkle, contact the City of Friendswood Parks and Recreation Department at 281-996-3220.
Unless Texas lawmakers agree to increase funding for public schools during the ongoing legislative session, Katy ISD's financial future will be more uncertain than it already is.

District funding sources have transformed drastically over time. With current laws, school administrators continue to feel increasingly strangled by a loss of revenue that has already led to budget changes, with more issues possibly ahead.

"The vast majority of my days are spent wondering, 'what kind of things can we do with our precious dollars to be able to provide for children in an environment that's full of obstacles and land mines?'" said Chris Smith, KISD's chief financial officer. "We try to put all of those resources in the classrooms."

Public schools are funded by two main sources: State funds and revenue from local property taxes.

One of the largest controversies in the state's funding system is the "Robin Hood" law, a rule also referred to as "recapture" that forces school districts with a certain amount of property wealth to give funds back to the state, which is then supposed to distribute them to property-poor districts.

In Katy, that possibility isn't too far off.

The threshold for districts to enter recapture is $514,000 per student in property wealth. As it stands, Katy ISD earns about $360,000 per student, according to its records. Smith said if nothing changes with the state's funding, the district could reach the threshold in the next five to six years if it maintains its tax rate because district property values continue to rise, creating more property wealth.

The district could enter recapture even sooner if raises its taxes by any amount more than two cents, since that would create enough wealth to push it over the threshold. But Katy ISD would need voters to approve any tax increase since the district has reached the maximum amount it can levy without a vote, Smith said. At a tax rate of $1.5166 per $100 of property valuation, Katy ISD already has one of the highest tax rates in the Houston area.

Because Katy ISD's revenue from property taxes has continued to increase, the state has provided less and less money.

Just three years ago, Katy tax payers were funding 51 percent of the district's revenue while the state funded 41 percent, according to Smith. Now, taxpayers fund 65 percent while the state funds 35 percent, a drop-off equal to about $102 million. The changes have affected the district's total revenue.

This school year alone, the district has operated with about $4 million less than in the 2015-2016 school year. The district removed more than $20 million of expenses for its 2016-17 general fund budget that had been in last year's budget, including money for technology and furniture renovations, as well as funds to pay for new school busses. It is instead funding those expenditures through 2014 bond money, according to Smith.

Inadequate funding is an issue school districts face statewide. Years ago, more than half of districts across Texas, including Katy ISD, sued the state contending that the finance system is unconstitutional by the way it distributes money, among other issues.

Last May, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the system, while deeply flawed, is constitutional. And during this legislative session, key government leaders such as Gov. Greg Abbott have pushed for laws that could potentially take away more money from public education in order to bolster private and home education.

Districts do have some hope, though. Public education funding has been a focus during the session. Weeks ago, State Rep. and Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty, R-Houston, unveiled House Bill 21, a $1.6 billion plan that would boost per-student funding for many public schools while making recapture districts pay less. The bill is pending in a House committee, and legislators are looking at other state budget changes.

"The state has a challenge on their hands," Smith said. "My hope is that the state, as they work through their challenges, will find a way to do the things that the future of the state needs, which is education for the children.

"Will they do that? I wish I knew."

Unless change comes, Smith said districts like Katy might have to start looking at expenses such as staff salaries, which make up the majority of the budget. A negative outcome could be salary freezes in a system that usually accounts for salary raises each year.

Smith's hopeful that consequences like that won't ever happen.

"That's what we manage real hard to try and avoid," he said.
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An elderly shooter killed a man Saturday evening in the Greater Third Ward, according to police.

When officers responded to a shooting call around 5:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of Brailsfort, they found a 44 year old man lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds.
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A suspect is on the run after ramming a police officer with his car Saturday night in southeast Houston.

Just before 8 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle outside a Walgreens near Broadway and Bellfort.
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Naima Khan insists Biryani Kabab Factory exists only to serve good food, no matter who wants it.

But, that statement has been drowned out over the last week by a Twitter attack from folks who believe the Irving, Texas, restaurant is a Muslim hotspot.

Twitter

A Twitter user at an account called AMTrump4Pres sent out a year-old picture of people praying during Ramadan. It showed Muslims gathering for prayer outside the restaurant.

Since then, the picture has been retweeted - with commentary - many times over.

ONLINE TUSSLE: Twitter reacts to divisive tweets with hilarious responses

The social media attack has left Khan at a loss, for both words and business. Khan told WFAA-TV in Dallas that the firestorm initially hurt business last week. But, by Tuesday and Wednesday, people started to return to the restaurant.

Also jumping into the fray was CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations, a civil rights organization vilified by some on the political hard right.

Twitter

It's left Khan grateful for the fans and friends the restaurant has. But also wondering when the online attacks will subside.

As of Saturday, the restaurant was still a hot topic on Twitter. And, given the current political climate, it shows few signs of letting up.

>>>Scroll through the above gallery to see hilarious responses to divisive tweets
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According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, missing San Antonio teen Gabriella Sanders, 13, was located Friday night in Corpus Christi.

Sanders was found by Texas Department Public Safety and BCSO investigators and taken into custody along with 22-year-old Logan Joseph Carter at approximately 10:35 p.m., BCSO office reported.

Details on where and how the two were found were not disclosed.

RELATED: Missing San Antonio teen last seen on far NW Side

Sanders had been missing from her home in the 8900 block of Oakwood Park since on March 29.

Carter was arrested on a warrant for harboring a runaway child and booked into Nueces County Jail.

Sander's was released to family and is safe at home, according to BCSO.
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A diver went looking for treasure at the bottom of a river in Georgia.

The diver, Jake Koehler, likes to film his work and put it on YouTube. In this case, he filmed a personal horror show. (You can see the video here.)

Koehler, on a dive in Columbus, Ga., found a black box at the bottom of the river. After picking it up, Koehler opened the box and saw a bag packed inside.

A quick shake sends some dust out of one end of the box and onto the riverbed while Koehler looks for a label.

DIY PARKING: Jeep driver takes problem with double-parked luxury car into his own hands

He found one, causing him to shout "Oh my God" once he realizes what's inside the package.

It isn't treasure. It's cremated human remains.

Now, disturbing a grave, even a watery one, is something of a taboo in most places. It's just not something that's recommended.

After returning to his boat, Koehler calls the police, who tell him it's okay to return the ashes to the bottom of the river.

So, Koehler isn't in trouble with the law. But, here's hoping he didn't wake any wet ghosts while in the river.

>>>Scroll through the gallery above to see actual treasures recovered from beneath the sea
Fresh off his Friday campaign announcement, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke plans to introduce himself to Houston voters Sunday as the Democratic hope for unseating hometown U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.

The little-known El Paso congressman, 44, faces a steep uphill battle in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.
XI'AN, April 1 -- A new freight train linking China's northwestern city of Xi'an with Budapest has started operation.

The 41-carriage train loaded with garments, toys, household items and electronic products mainly made in eastern China's Yiwu City, departed from Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, on Saturday afternoon.

It will leave China through the Alataw Pass in Xinjiang, and pass Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland before reaching its destination in Hungary.

The trip spans about 9,300 km and takes 17 days, about 30 days shorter than the previous sea and rail route.

Starting Nov. 28, 2013, Xi'an has launched 317 cargo trains to central Asia and Europe, exporting 474,000 tonnes of goods as of April 1 this year.
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On the very day Montgomery County Hospital District officials pushed an initiative to prevent children from drowning in pools, a 2-year-old was hospitalized after being found unresponsive at a bottom of a pool Friday.

Medics with MCHD as well as South Montgomery County Fire Department firefighters responded to the drowning call around 5:45 p.m. in the 2300 block of Fawnwood Lane in South Montgomery County. The toddler was taken to the hospital in unknown condition, according to officials with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. There was no other word on the toddler's condition Friday night.

The drowning came hours after another Montgomery County family shared a heartwarming survival story of their young daughter who was resuscitated after being found unresponsive in the very same way.

With summer fast approaching, and the prospect of taking a dip in Lake Conroe or the neighborhood pool sounding more and more pleasant, Montgomery County Hospital District medics on Friday got an early start to April Pools Day by making sure Montgomery County residents are prepared for the dangers of the water. They hoped the family's story could shed some light on the issue of children drowning in preventable ways.

DRUNKEN CRASH: Woman plows into pedestrians in Houston

It was a Sunday evening in July 2015 at the Alexanders' Montgomery County home as John Alexander and two of his children, 6-year-old Corben and 2-year-old Lila, were playing in their backyard pool.

John Alexander had gotten out of the pool to take a break from playing, and Lila followed him to a poolside chair. Lila eventually started playing on the pool's deck as John Alexander was reading a book and Corben was still in the pool.

Moments later, Corben yelled for his dad to come join him again in the pool to play. As John Alexander was heading to the deep-end of the pool where Corben was, he spotted Lila  nearly lifeless and facedown at the bottom of the pool.

She had slipped out of the floaty she was wearing, which was found still buckled near the pool. John Alexander immediately began CPR on his daughter as he yelled for his wife Robin to call 911.

Thanks to John Alexander's swift actions of starting CPR and Robin Alexander calling 911, Lila eventually was restored to full health and released from a pediatric intensive care unit in Houston about a week later.

FATAL COLLISION: Teen walking along roadway killed after being hit by driver

Lila is now, in fact, a strong swimmer having taken many swimming lessons since the accident, which her parents urged for young children who spend time around pools. John Alexander also urged parents to learn CPR.

"CPR was a huge piece to Lila's recovery," John Alexander said Friday. "I was in the military, so fortunately I knew how to do that."

Robin Alexander also told gatherers the myths she said surrounded pool fences and other safeguards.

"A lot of people think that the pool fences, the nets and alarms on your back door are a safety net," she said. "And they are in some regard. But (Corben and Lila) were swimming together. I was inside getting dinner ready and doing laundry on a Sunday afternoon. The fence would have been open and the net would have been off."

Robin Alexander reiterated Lila had on her floatation device.

"People a lot in the summertime get really comfortable with their kids' floaties and letting them play in the pool while they're (doing other activities)," Robin said. "We know what it's like to be around a big group. (You think) someone's got an eye on your kid."

More than a dozen young children have died so far in 2017 from drowning across Texas, although none has been reported in recent years in Montgomery County. According to the MCHD, drowning is the No. 1 cause of accidental deaths of children under the age of 5.
A gunman is on the loose after a Saturday night shooting in northern Harris County.

Just after 8 p.m., someone flagged down patrol officers on Greens Road. Responding police found a man in a parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

It was not immediately clear what led to the gunfire.

The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
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Jackie and Patrick Delane spent their last hours together line-dancing in The Woodlands, surrounded by friends and family in a joyous early celebration of Patrick's 50th birthday. The Spring couple hit up a popular wine lounge and a trendy bar and bistro, making jokes and living it up into the early hours Sunday morning.

When they all finally called it a night after a meal at IHOP, Jackie and Patrick were the first to leave, headed home for some shut eye before a golf outing that afternoon.

They never made it.

Just before 4 a.m., the couple was headed southbound on Interstate 45 when a black Dodge Charger driving the wrong way crashed into their Mercedes at more than 100 mph, police said.

The Charger burst into flames upon impact, and a wrecker driver doused the blaze but was unable to save the driver, 32-year-old Allan Bonilla of Houston.

The Delanes' Mercedes careened off into a cement barrier, tearing apart the front end of the vehicle.

Jeanette Crawford, Jackie's sister, was driving home from the IHOP when she spotted the wreckage along the side of the highway.

"I was sick," she said. "I was just saying, 'Please God, please God, don't let it be them.' "

But she thought she recognized the car  and she was right. When the 55-year-old finally found an exit ramp and circled back, an officer confirmed her worst fears.

"He came and told me nobody made it," she said.

Authorities said it wasn't immediately clear why the Dodge was headed the wrong direction.

"It's still under investigation," said DPS spokesman Erik Burse, adding that intoxication was "a possibility."

Patrick and Jackie had first met more than 15 years earlier, when their children played in the same middle school band. Jackie's son Bryson and Patrick's daughter Melanie were in the same grade, and their parents first bonded over the high price of band instruments.

"They were so in love," Crawford said. In 2007, they married and settled down together in Spring.

Jackie, the ninth of 10 children in a tight-knit Arkansas family, was in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked for nearly two decades as a postal carrier. A conscientious woman, every Christmas season Jackie pitched in to hand-write responses to a couple hundred letters to Santa mailed out by hopeful youngsters, her sister said.

Patrick, raised in Houston County, was a mechanic by trade but also worked in the oil and gas industry.

Together, they loved to travel, ziplining and JetSkiing on trips to places like Barcelona, Hawaii and New Orleans.

"This is so devastating," Rhonda Thomas, another of Jackie's sisters, said Sunday. "Two wonderful people gone in a matter of seconds. They never had a chance."

The stretch of I-45 north of Houston where Patrick and Jackie died has been particularly deadly as the site of two fatal head-on crashes in three days in 2012.

That July, a Spring woman who'd been caught on videotape downing 17 shots and four beers at a bar, killed two people in a wrong-way wreck.

Less than 48 hours later, Edward Maxwell was accused of drinking 22 beers at a Woodlands bar before heading out on the road, sparking a crash that killed three.

Wrong-way wrecks have been on the rise in Texas in recent years, with 251 reported in 2014, a 50 percent jump over the previous four years. Those crashes netted 102 injuries and fatalities, compared to only 55 to 64 each of the previous four years.

Even though it's currently not clear what sparked the head-on crash that killed the Spring couple, Jackie's family has taken some consolation that she didn't die alone.

"They went to heaven together," Crawford said.
After England voted to break out of the European Union in 2016, Donald Trump crowed about the move and even said people would refer to him as "Mr. Brexit."

Trump, now President of the United States, is still talking up the move and encouraging other countries to do the same. But apparently the hyping is getting to at least one European politician.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had enough last week and opted to fire back. Junker, from the tiny country of Luxembourg, said he would voice support not only for Texas secession, but other states too.

"If he goes on like that I am going to promote the independence of Ohio and Austin, Texas, in the United States of America," Junker told the conference of the center-right European People's Party (EPP) in Malta.

TEXIT vs. CALEXIT: Two big states talk of secession, but which would make a better country?

We don't know how Ohio likes the idea of going solo as there's been little talk of a "Buckeyexit." But, the comments excited the Texas Nationalist Movement, which trumpeted (no pun intended) Junker's comments on it's own website.

The group issued an unattributed statement saying: "If the EU President wants to support Texas in rejoining the international community as an equal . . . then we say, Welcome! If he wants to support Texit out of some misplaced wish to cause mischief within the United States, we say, Thanks, but no thanks.

So for those keeping score: England is out of Europe, Texas is still part of the United States (although some are trying to change that) and Trump is still president and irritating some foreign leaders.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see things to know about Texas secession, along with the reasons it would and wouldn't work
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.
Despite of very different political and economic systems, as well as different cultures, China and the US should commit the energy and resources to maximize their cooperation in a series of fields, a US political heavyweight told the Peoples Daily in a recent interview.

These vast differences could have kept us apart and led to hostile relations. In retrospect, it is remarkable that we have been able, for over 45 years, to maintain a focus on the mutual benefits of deepening our relationship, rather than our differences, Madeleine Albright, former State Secretary of the US stressed.

Her remarks came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinpings upcoming US visit, during which he will meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump.

As a witness and contributor to the development of US-China relationship, the 79-year-old politician, also the first female US State Secretary, has been following the updates of bilateral interactions.

Back to March 28 of 45 years ago, Chinese and the US governments issued the Shanghai Communique, a document ended 20-plus years of diplomatic estrangement between the two countries. It also opened the door to normalize bilateral ties.

Albright believed that the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Shanghai Communique deserves celebration, as it was a historic event that ushered in an incredible period in the development of US-China relationsthe most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century.

The document also placed positive and far-reaching impacts on the Asia-Pacific and world arena, the politician added.

Over the past 45 years after they signed the Shanghai Communique, China and the US have yielded historic progress from their ties despite ups and downs, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributing to regional and world peace, stability and development.

I have visited China many times since 1977, and each visit has furthered my belief in the importance of building a strong and constructive bilateral relationship, she told the Peoples Daily, calling on the US and Chinese leaders to bear the sustainable development of bilateral ties in mind and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

When there are differences, both countries need to state them clearly, she underlined.

So far, China has grown into the largest trading partner of the US, while the US is the second largest trade partner of China. Both sides have also scored new progress from their cooperation in military, network, people-to-people exchanges as well as local affairs.

The US and China are capable of working in partnership on issues such as global economic growth and job creation, climate change, non-proliferation, regional issues, public health, and many others, Albright pointed out.

In the past, for example, we have seen joint efforts on subjects as diverse as battling Ebola in Africa, cooperation on energy and environmental issues, and the Iran nuclear issue, she elaborated, saying that such cooperation reveals the strategic and global significance of China-US ties.

Commenting on the current bilateral relationship, the 79-year-old woman said that their economic relationship is among the most concerned topics.

I am opposed to protectionist measures of all kinds and am hopeful they can be avoided in the US, she made clear her stance, adding that creating a more open trade and investment environment could defeat forces urging protectionism, strengthen bilateral relations overall, and create concrete benefits for the people of both countries.

Appreciating Chinas unremitting efforts and huge contributions to worlds common development, Albright noted that both the Belt and Road initiative and the AIIB are focused on fulfilling the needs many countries have for improved infrastructure.

Improved infrastructure can lead to enhanced trade and investment and better living standards for all, she explained.

But the politician at the same time stressed the importance of the softer infrastructure needs of good governance, healthcare, education, and transparency. Only with a focus on such issues can improved physical infrastructure make its full contribution to peoples wellbeing, she said at last.
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Trump's former National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, requests immunity before agreeing to testify before Senate and House Intelligence Committees.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President Donald Trump's call for "extreme vetting" obviously never applied to his former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Saturday, The White House released financial statements for its staff, revealing Flynn had not initially disclosed financial payments from Russian entities, when disclosure forms were filled out in February.

The payments to Flynn included a $45,000 speaking fee from RT, the Russian television network operated by the government.

On Thursday, Flynn, through his attorney, requested immunity before testifying before the Senate and House Intelligence Committees investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election, and collusion between the Trump administration and Russia.

"General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should circumstances permit," wrote Flynn's attorney, Robert Kelner.

Kelner explained that "no reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurance against unfair prosecution."

Both the Senate and House committees indicated they would not consider granting Flynn immunity until they are further along in their investigations.

In their press conference last week, the leaders of the Senate Intel committee said they wouldn't call individuals to even testify until they had done their due diligence on them.

Normally, Congress does not grant immunity before first consulting with the Department of Justice, because granting immunity to a target of a DOJ investigation can seriously jeopardize the DOJ's chances of sustaining a conviction, as was proven in the case of Oliver North.

North's convictions in the Iran-Contra scandal were overturned due to his being given immunity by Congress for his testimony.

It's speculated that the North case may have been one of the reasons Flynn's lawyer has made an aggressive move seeking immunity, hoping maybe House Chairman-Trump lap dog, Devin Nunes might bite.

Usually, prosecutors only grant immunity when they know what the subject is going to say, and know that testimony will hook a bigger fish. The only bigger fish than the President's National Security Adviser, linked to the Russia investigation, are Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and Trump himself.

During his speech at the Republican National Convention, Flynn egged on "Lock Her Up!" anti-Clinton chants. Turns out, they should have been playing John Lennon's "Instant Karma."

In September, on "Meet the Press" Flynn, said that "when you are given immunity that means you've probably committed a crime, " referring to Clinton associates.

A day later at a rally, Trump asked,"If you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for?"

Now, of course, Trump's tweeting out a different tune when it's his former National Security Advisor seeking immunity.

"Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!"

Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, "The president is very clear that he wants Mike Flynn to go and be completely open and transparent with the committee and whatever it takes to do that he is supportive of."

A week earlier, Spicer was in full cover-up spin mode, dismissing Flynn as just a campaign "volunteer" and Manafort, the campaign manager for six months, as someone who had a "limited role" for a "limited time,"

Flynn's immunity request "doesn't look good," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, House Oversight Committee Chairman. "The witch hunt, I don't buy that either. We're just trying to get to the facts."

Here are the known facts so far on Trump's flimflam man, Michael Flynn:

Mislead Mike Pence and FBI about calls to the Russian Ambassador.

Flynn was ousted as National Security advisor after misleading Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about his calls to the Russian Ambassador and the nature of those calls. Flynn had indicated to the FBI that he had not discussed the sanctions that had just been imposed by the Obama administration. The transcripts showed that he had. Lying to the FBI is a felony.

DOJ warned Trump that Flynn could be compromised.



Prior to being fired, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates warned Trump that Flynn had mislead Pence about his conversations with the Russian Ambassador and that Flynn could be compromised by the Russians. Despite this grave notice, Trump did not take immediate action to remove Flynn.

Flynn did not disclose he was a "foreign agent" for Turkey.

Flynn did not disclose he was a "foreign agent," as legally required, doing consulting and lobbying work for Turkey, until after he was ousted.

Flynn failed to report financial payments from Russian entities.

Saturday, the White House released staff financial disclosure forms showing Flynn failed to report payments from Russia, including a speaking fee of $45,000 from RT, the state-run Russian propaganda television network.

Former CIA Director implicates Flynn in kidnapping plot.

Former CIA Director James Woosely told The Wall Street Journal he attended a meeting where Flynn and representatives of Turkey's government discussed a "covert step in the dead of the night to whisk away" Turkish dissident leader Fethullah Gulen from his home in Pennsylvania. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, blamed Gulen for the failed coup attempt against his government. At the time, Flynn was a campaign adviser to Trump and a lobbyist for Turkey.

The only presidential campaign under federal investigation on election day was Trump's, not Clinton's. The only one now seeking an immunity deal, is Trump's former National Security Advise, not Hillary Clinton.

Unfortunately for Trump, flimflam Flynn didn't make his immunity request on April Fool's Day.
AREA.jpg

Hillary, one of the prostitutes in a family-owned brothel, dreams of being reunited with her son in America in "Area."

(BG Productions International)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Area," an unflinching film about a brothel in the Philippines, exists in the gray area between fiction and documentary. Call it a very realistic drama set amid the narrow streets, shacks and brothels in a poor neighborhood called Area.

One brothel has been owned by the same family for decades. The sex workers tease and argue like sisters as they fan themselves waiting for customers. One of the prostitutes, Hillary, is saving money to travel to the United States to find the son she hasn't heard from in years. The others ridicule her for holding on to a pipe dream.

As business at the brothel lags, the owners wonder if it's time to shut it down, and Hillary's life takes an unforeseen turn. "Area" has moments when it could have used editing. But the women at the center of "Area" - who face life with dignity and humor - are fascinating.

REVIEW

Area

What: Directed by Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio (2016/Philippines). 106 minutes. In Tagalog and Kapampangan, with subtitiles.

When: 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, and 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 3, at Tower City Cinemas.

Grade: B-
Traditional Chinese steamed buns called "Baozi" with meat filling have been redesigned by innovative entrepreneurs Alex Cree and Loren Heinold, using a savory steamed dough and filling it with pizza ingredients. [Photos: Baozza/Alex Cree]

A new twist on an old concept: pizza ingredients inside a traditional Chinese steamed-bun is getting trending online, and becoming a huge hit in Beijing with some of the locals and expats alike.

The new fusion food has been appropriately named "Baozza" as it is a fusion between traditional Chinese baozi and pizza.

The restaurant, located in Beijing serves the buns that come in flavors like margherita, meat lover, BBQ chicken and Hawaiian jalape o.

The restaurant, located in Beijing serves the buns that come in flavors like margherita, meat lover, BBQ chicken and Hawaiian jalape o.

The buns which are stuffed with chewy cheese, tomato, and other pizza toppings go for a reasonable 20 yuan for 2 buns (about $2.90 US). [Photos: Baozza/Alex Cree]

The idea of using the food, traditionally stuffed with pork or vegetables, came to the founders as they frequently traveled to southern China for client meetings as consultants.

Alex Cree, one of the co-founders told Reuters, "We were talking about the idea of maybe combining Bao with more traditional American flavours like burger and different things and somebody said 'pizza baozi'."

Cree continued, "I said 'bao-zza!' and the more I thought about it, the more I thought there might be something to this."

The new fusion food has been appropriately named "Baozza" as it is a fusion between traditional Chinese baozi and pizza. [Photos: Baozza/Alex Cree]

"We have a lot of people who only order one or two Baozzas, worried that they might not be so good, but who then turn around and ask immediately for more," co-founder Loren Heinold told The Beijinger.

Traditional Chinese steamed buns called "Baozi" with meat filling have been redesigned by innovative entrepreneurs Alex Cree and Loren Heinold, using a savory steamed dough and filling it with pizza ingredients. [Photos: Baozza/Alex Cree]
CLEVELAND, Ohio - World War I, 1914-1918, was called the "Great War" until an even greater one came along with World War II in 1939.

But for its time, the First World War was unprecedented in its scale, with millions of combatants, armed with lethal new technologies, engaging in the first major war to be fought on land, sea and air.

The conflict opened with the Allies -- primarily England, France, Italy and Russia - pitted against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey.

The eventual human cost was staggering, with an estimated 38 million military and civilian casualties.

The war raged for nearly three years before the United States joined the fray, 100 years ago today, when President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, "The world must be made safe for democracy."

"It is a fearful thing," he told Congress, "to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance."

That request was granted four days later, and America would soon be sending its first troops ever to fight in Europe.

America's role would be short, but significant in terms of the impact of its participation, both at home and abroad.

The war in Europe started as an almost inevitable outcome of jingoistic nationalism, military arms races, interlocking alliances and a desire to settle old scores from previous wars, according to George Vourlojianis, a history professor at John Carroll University.

The spark igniting this explosive mixture was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by a Serbian nationalist. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia, ultimatums were issued and entangled alliances invoked, and soon Europe was engulfed by war.

"It took on a momentum that once it began, they weren't able to stop it," Vourlojianis said.

The conflict was characterized by the horrendous carnage wrought by modern military technology including the machine gun, poison gas, flame throwers, rapid-firing field artillery, tanks, airplanes and submarines.

"I don't think they realized that this total unleashing of the industrial revolution would create the monster that it really did," Vourlojianis said.

One of those new weapons, the submarine, contributed to America's entry into the war. Germany established a policy of unrestricted warfare in its blockade of Great Britain, resulting in the 1915 sinking of the British passenger liner Lusitania, and the deaths of 1,197 passengers and crew, including 114 Americans (seven of them Clevelanders).

Unrestricted submarine warfare was suspended, but resumed at the beginning of 1917.

More World War I coverage:

100 years ago, U.S. entry into bloody war changed everything

Thousands of Ohio soldiers fought and died 'over there'

World War I in a 90-second video

Wednesday: Ohio State keeps grand World War I memorial in storage; other tributes remain

Vourlojianis said overwhelming anti-German propaganda produced by the British also helped sway American public opinion toward the Allies. But "what really breaks the straw on the proverbial camel's back is the Zimmerman telegram," he noted.

The secret telegram was sent by the German Foreign Office to the German ambassador in Mexico, in 1917, proposing a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the U.S. joined the Allies in the war. Germany promised that Mexico would get the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, after America was defeated.

The telegram was intercepted, decoded and released publicly by British intelligence.

Two weeks after the contents of the telegram were revealed, German submarines sank three American vessels, prompting an outrage that pressured President Wilson --who had been elected in 1916 in a campaign that included the slogan "he kept us out of war" - to ask the nation to join the fray.

Preparations for overseas offensive

America mobilized, building an army of 4 million through enlistments and the draft. About 2 million served overseas.

Recruits line up at a New York army camp shortly after President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany, April 1917. (AP photo)

Ohio contributed more than 200,000 troops, the fourth largest number of all states in the union. Cleveland provided 41,000.

But some 116,000 Americans would die in the effort, including 6,500 Ohioans and 1,023 Clevelanders. There were 204,000 wounded in action.

James Banks, director of the Crile Archive Center for History Education at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma, said the archives' diaries and scrapbooks of local soldiers who served in the war show that many regarded it as "a big, big adventure."

"It was one of the most exciting, thrilling adventures of their entire life," he said. "It's something bigger than yourself. Many had never left Ohio, but they're going to go over to France and see things they'd never seen before."

One of the largest troop-training facilities in the U.S. was Camp Sherman, built near Chillicothe, where some 40,000 recruits learned to drill and fight.

Among the Ohio units was the National Guard's 37th Infantry Division, which came to be known as "Ohio's Own" and later as the "Buckeye Division."

The division fought in such battles as the Meuse-Argonne in Belgium and Ypres-Lys in France, suffering 992 deaths and 4,931 wounded in action.

The all-black Ninth Battalion of Infantry was consolidated with other segregated National Guard units to form the 372d Infantry, and fought with the French 157th "Red Hand" Division.

Lt. Robert C. Allen became the first African-American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross.

Cleveland provided the first U.S. medical contingent in World War I with a group of surgeons and nurses from Lakeside Hospital (now University Hospitals), formed under the direction of Dr. George Crile (who later co-founded the Cleveland Clinic).

The Lakeside Unit first traveled to France in 1915 to treat war wounded for three months at the request of Myron T. Herrick, an Ohioan and U.S. ambassador to France.

The unit later returned to France in 1917 after the U.S. entered the war, and stayed for two years.

While there, they learned to deal with wounds of a type and scale never before seen in war, such as the horrors of a poison gas attack once described by British soldier/poet Wilfred Owen: "If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood/ Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs."

The business of war

Back home, however, war was good business.

Cleveland and the rest of the nation benefited from the sale of industrial products and war materials to the Allies, before and after America entered the war.

"Cleveland industry boomed because of the war," said John Grabowski, Krieger Mueller Associate Professor of Applied History at Case Western Reserve University and historian/senior vice president for research and publications, Western Reserve Historical Society

In terms of industrial output, the city went from sixth largest in the U.S. to fifth during the war, according to Grabowski, editor of the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

The White Motor Corp. in Cleveland did a good business during World War I supplying vehicles such as this armored car to the war effort. (AP photo)

The White Motor Corp. produced 18,000 trucks and ambulances for the U.S. military and a number of Allied nations.

Engineer Theodore Eickhoff came to Cleveland to work with the Warner & Swasey Co. to develop what would later be known as the Thompson submachine gun, capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute.

Grabowski also noted that Northeast Ohio war production also included a secret poison gas plant in Willoughby where tons of the arsenic-based "lewisite" (named for its developer Winford Lewis), or the so-called "Dew of Death," was manufactured but never used in the war.

Grabowski said Cleveland's industrial boom was hampered by a shortage of workers, once supplied by European immigrants, and men siphoned off by the military draft. Employers turned to blacks migrating from the South, and the city's African-American population grew more than 300 percent from 1910-1920.

Women also joined the work force, becoming factory workers, streetcar conductors or recruited to work on farms. They also served as Red Cross nurses overseas with the U.S. Army.

The city's war boom was also aided by Newton D. Baker, an attorney and onetime mayor of Cleveland who was named Secretary of War by President Wilson.

"He's one of the central figures in the war," Grabowski said. "We had to create an army, and the Secretary of War had to oversee that, so it was not only the draft, but where's the clothing going to come from? Where are the weapons going to come from?

"So if you look at Baker, he has an enormous amount of power, and he's also well connected with industrial Cleveland," Grabowski added, though noting that Baker had a less prestigious image among his troops, who nicknamed him "Newtie the cootie (louse)."

Baker also selected Gen. John Pershing to lead the American forces overseas, insisting that his command remain an independent partner of the Allies, rather than using U.S. troops as replacements to replenish French and British soldiers.

The impact of war at home and abroad

Grabowski said that when World War I started, sentiment regarding the war was mixed in Cleveland, which had a large number of residents of German and Austro-Hungarian ancestry, and immigrants from those countries.

"Many of the Germans were vocal for the German cause, here in Cleveland, in 1914-1915, and then as things changed, post-Lusitania, you begin to see, in Cleveland as in other cities, a questioning as to where the loyalties of people were," Grabowski said.

A poster on the home front during World War I encouraged support of the American Red Cross. (Library of Congress)

A growing sentiment against Germany and Austria-Hungary arose. Local German- and Hungarian-language newspapers were censored. Cleveland public schools stopped teaching the German language. The German-American president of Baldwin-Wallace College lost his job after trying to get faculty and students to sing the German language version of "Silent Night" at a Christmas service.

Not everyone backed the war. In 1918, Socialist leader Eugene Debs was charged with violating the Espionage Act, and tried in Cleveland after giving a speech in Canton denouncing the war. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but pardoned in 1921.

America's entry into the war had a significant impact overseas, according to Vourlojianis, whose grandfathers served in the Greek army and navy during the war.

The historian noted that by 1917, the war had become a stalemate in the trenches. "In the face of machine guns and repeating howitzers and poison gas, they (the Allies) had bled themselves to the point where there was no more to give," he said. "The Germans were facing the same thing."

The U.S. provided a needed infusion of fresh blood in the form of troops and material, helping bring the war to an Allied victory in November of 1918.

World War I re-drew the map of Europe as historic monarchies -- Austria-Hungary, Russia, Germany and the Ottoman Empire -- toppled, and new countries, such as Czechoslovakia and Poland, emerged.

For America, "nothing will be the same again," Vourlojianis said. "We are now intertwined with Europe, and there's no turning back."

With World War I, "the United States began a march toward being a stabilizing factor in the world," he added. "We went to war without an agenda of taking territory or treasure or anything like that. We totally went to war for ideological purposes, to create a new peaceful vision.

"It also brings us to the fore where people will respect us for what we stand for," he noted.

By fighting in the Great War, America demonstrated its greatness, Vourlojianis said, and showed the world that "the words in our Declaration of Independence, the words in our Constitution, really have meaning, and we are willing to back them up."
West Sister Island lighthouse

The West Sister Island Lighthouse is seen in this 2002 file photo. The decomposing body of an unidentified woman was found Saturday evening in the lake by a fisherman, reports say.

(Don Simmons, The Toledo Blade)

PORT CLINTON, Ohio - A decomposing body was pulled from Lake Erie Saturday evening near Port Clinton, about 75 miles west of Cleveland in Ottawa County, reports say.

The unidentified woman's body was found by a fisherman about 5 p.m. Saturday, Ottawa County coroner Daniel Cadigan told the Sandusky Register. No obvious signs of external trauma were initially spotted.

"The body looks like it has been in the water for some time," Cadigan said.

A boat from the U.S. Coast Guard's Marblehead station retrieved the body from the water near West Sister Island, the Toledo Blade reports.

The Lucas County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy on the body to try and identify the woman, the Register reports.

If you would like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section.
North Olmsted police cruiser.jpg

North Olmsted police investigate the theft of a new car from a dealership.

(File photo)

Stolen car, Lorain Road: An employee of Halleen Kia March 21 reported discovering a 2016 Kia Soul missing from the car lot. A set of keys also was missing. The last known time the car was in the dealership's possession was Dec. 8, 2016, during the last inventory, according to police. The missing car is valued at about $25,000.

Possession of marijuana, Country Club Boulevard: An officer stopped a car about 6 p.m. March 21 after smelling marijuana coming from the car. The driver had no operator's license and the Euclid Police Department had issued a warrant for him. However, they were unwilling to travel to North Olmsted to pick him up. Police recovered some marijuana and charged the driver with possession of marijuana.

Disorderly conduct, Brookpark Road Extension: Police were called to Guitar Center about 1:20 p.m. March 25 by the store manager about an unwanted visitor. The store manager told officers he witnessed a man urinate on the outside of the building before coming inside. The manager pointed out the suspect, who admitted to his deed. Officers arrested the man for disorderly conduct.

Petty theft, Great Northern Mall: Macy's store security called police about 8 p.m. March 25 about a male shoplifter they had in custody. An employee reported the man concealed several men's ties and walked out of the store without paying for them. He was caught by security. The man is charged with petty theft. The ties were valued at $170.

Lost and found, Brookpark Road: A Bay Village woman came to the North Olmsted Police Department about 10:50 a.m. March 21 to report she thought someone stole her wallet while shopping at Walmart. She said she thought she had the wallet with her when she entered the store, but it then disappeared. Police and Walmart security watched video recordings of the woman in the store but didn't find any clues. However, the woman got lucky later in the day when a store employee found her wallet and all its contents still in place. Police believe the woman may have set the wallet down by mistake while shopping.

If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer has his five-star defensive tackle.

Taron Vincent of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG, a five-star defensive tackle who took an unofficial visit to Ohio State this past week, announced on Twitter on Sunday evening that he's committing to the Buckeyes.

Rated the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Vincent is the first five-star defensive tackle to commit to Ohio State during Meyer's tenure. He chose the Buckeyes over Florida State, his other finalist.

* Taron Vincent, Aeneas Hawkins and more: Looking closer at Ohio State's big recruiting week

Ohio State landed Vincent in large part because of Larry Johnson's persistence. Johnson recruited Vincent's older brother while he was at Penn State, so the defensive tackle has known the Buckeyes assistant for years.

Vincent, the son of five-time NFL Pro-Bowler Troy Vincent, recently cut his list to two after earning nearly 40 scholarship offers, including ones from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Clemson, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, USC, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and others.

The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Vincent is Ohio State's the fifth commitment in the 2018 recruiting class. He joins five-star quarterback Emory Jones, five-star safety Jaiden Woodbey, four-star running back Brian Snead and four-star all-purpose running back Jaelen Gill.

Just would like to thank God for taking me along this journey! Proud to say that I've committed to THE Ohio State University  #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Qka5ZjbmKn  Taron Vincent (@t_lova23) April 2, 2017

You can watch Vincent's highlight tape below:
War-torn Iraq recently got an unexpected boost on its way to becoming an investment hot spot, which may take its next step sooner than conventional wisdom suggests.



Even as military forces wage a fierce offensive against ISIS, global ratings agency Fitch upgraded last month Iraq's outlook to stable, based largely on the country's improving public finances.

To be sure, Iraq's B+ credit rating is still deeply entrenched in speculative, or junk territory. The low rating reflects what Fitch analysts called political risk and instability associated with the conflict-ridden country that's "among the highest faced by any sovereign rated by Fitch."

Yet as a marker for big institutional buyers like hedge funds and sovereign wealth arms, Fitch's vote of confidence could mark the start of a broader shift among investors about Iraq's long-term potential. The upgrade could be pivotal for a country still considered besieged, but considered by a handful of savvy market watchers to be a potential diamond in the rough.

"Some analysts say that investors believe that with solid oil reserves and other sectors to build upon, Iraq could have serious growth potential," said Stephen Simonis Sr., chief currency consultant at online currency broker FXDD Global.

"Clearly this can be looked at from either side, as the willing investor will point out the huge risk/reward possibility as the upside is very enticing," Simonis told CNBC. "The doubting investor will say the region remains too unstable and the situation remains far too volatile."


Source: eHarmony

What makes you laugh may be far more important than people may realize when it comes to finding the perfect partner, said eHarmony CEO Grant Langston. EHarmony has long positioned its marketplace as a forum for finding a life partner, eschewing the quick swiping popularized by Tinder, which is owned by Barry Diller's IAC. Instead, eHarmony collects a ton of data from its 10 million monthly active users to feed its matching algorithms. EHarmony's users rank humor as highly as things like loyalty, kindness and affection.

"Everybody says sense of humor is the number two or three thing they want in a partner and yet no one knows what that means  no one's ever matched on it," Langston told CNBC. Lately, the company is conducting research to find out how that plays into comparability. "That is something that would be, in my view, groundbreaking and very cool," he said. "If we could determine who is a good attraction candidate for you based on sense of humor." Research participants watch 30 half minute videos and look at images, rating them on how funny they think they are, and are assigned a type of humor. "Since we know everyone's humor type, we are able to see if people who have similar senses of humor are more likely to be attracted to each other and if so, how much similarity is necessary,'" said Langston. EHarmony ranks types of humor according to the following guidelines: Physical: Physical acts, including scaring others, pranks, or falling

Self-deprecating: A style where an individual makes fun of themselves and their short-comings for the enjoyment of others.

Surreal: predicated on deliberate violations of causal reasoning, producing events and behaviors that are obviously illogical.

Improvisational: where there is no planned course of action.

Wit-word play: includes puns, emphasis on unexpected meanings and usage of certain words.

Topical: pertaining to current events, often satirical

Observational finding: the humor in everyday situations.

Bodily: Includes toilet humor, involving bodily functions, as well as humor that is sexual in nature.

Dark: Making light of people and subjects that are generally considered serious or taboo.

Source: eHarmony

In February, the company began holding speed dating events  the first in Los Angeles and Sydney  for participants to meet in person. Each person then rated the people they met on attractiveness, how funny they were and whether they wanted to see them again. Initial findings showed that having a shared sense of humor is indeed important. Here is what eHarmony told CNBC it found from those first two events. Women who appreciated "wit-word play" and "self-deprecating" humor were most likely to score a second date from men. However, women who scored high on an appreciation for "surreal" and "topical" humor did not do as well. Men who appreciated "improvisational humor" were most likely to score a second date from women. Men who appreciated "observational" and "surreal" humor were less successful. Though scoring high on an appreciation of "surreal humor," it did not make people more attractive. Still, having a shared level of appreciation for "surreal humor," "dark humor" or "observational humor" was correlated closely with a successful first date. Couples where the women scored high on "physical humor" were most likely to want to meet up again, but couples where the male scored high on "physical humor" were least likely.

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People seek employment at a job fair for the homeless in Los Angeles. David McNew | Reuters

Good morning. Good Monday. Good markets. Welcome back to the week ahead on Wall Street and a look at what investors need to know for the next five days. March was a weird month for the market. We started out riding the wave of the "Trump Bump" before things got derailed. A midmonth blizzard in the East sent things into disarray, and we closed out with a whole lot of uncertainty. What's an investor to do? Or, more to the point, to watch?

Where the jobs are

The economy is at a crossroads. Are things as good as everyone seems to think, or as ho-hum as the actual data show? A couple economic reports will help discern hope from reality. Most importantly, of course, we'll see where the job market stands when the monthly payrolls report comes out Friday. Economists expect to see 177,500 new jobs for March, which would be consistent with the longer-term trend but a step down from the 227,000 in February. Wages also will be watched closely, with the annual trend expected to show a 2.7 percent increase. The unemployment rate is likely to hold steady, according to estimates compiled by FactSet. Be forewarned: The March numbers could be a little fuzzy because of distortions from the storm. Still, the market will be watching closely.

Not much is at risk except ...

The Trump presidency stakes much of its legitimacy on the ability to get the economy cranking again after a long run of lackluster growth since the Great Recession. There was much ballyhoo after the February numbers came out well ahead of expectations, but a miss this month could halt that momentum. If expectations for economic growth start to slow, that could take the air out of the stock market, at least in the United States. Those growing predictions for a coming "correction"  which technically is defined as a 10 percent drop in the market  could start to look a little smarter.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Nearly 1 in 3 market pros now think a near-term correction is in the cards, according to last week's Investors Intelligence survey. One respondent to a separate sentiment gauge, the American Association of Individual Investors, had this to say: "A large correction is very likely in the coming months and is the reason that I am currently neutral over the next six months rather than bullish. Bullish is my current long-term position, however." There's more economic data out this week that will help paint the picture as well: Manufacturing on Monday, durable goods orders and the trade balance on Tuesday and growth in the nonmanufacturing sector Wednesday. Also, we'll get a little better look inside the Federal Reserve's collective thinking Wednesday when the central bank releases the minutes from its March 14-15 meeting. As you'll recall, Fed officials hiked rates a quarter point, and the minutes will help give some insight into why they did what they did.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (C rear), who is also head of the State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development, presides over a plenary meeting of the group in Beijing, capital of China, April 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Saturday urged full implementation of the country's grand strategy to reduce poverty.

Poverty reduction efforts should be more targeted and precise, Wang said when chairing a meeting on poverty relief, calling for tighter supervision of poverty relief efforts.

China has set 2020 as the target year to complete building a "moderately prosperous society" in all aspects, and the hardest part is lifting all poor rural population out of poverty.
Donald Trump has warned that the US will take unilateral action to eliminate the nuclear threat from North Korea unless China increases pressure on the regime in Pyongyang.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the US president said he would discuss the growing threat from Kim Jong Un's nuclear programme with Xi Jinping when he hosts the Chinese president at his Florida resort this week, in their first meeting.

"China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't," Mr Trump said in the Oval Office. "If they do, that will be very good for China, and if they don't, it won't be good for anyone."

But he made clear that he would deal with North Korea with or without China's help. Asked if he would consider a "grand bargain"  where China pressures Pyongyang in exchange for a guarantee that the US would later remove troops from the Korean peninsula  Mr Trump said: "Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you."

The White House views North Korea as the most imminent threat to the US after Barack Obama warned his successor about the progress Pyongyang had made developing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.

"There is a real possibility that North Korea will be able to hit the US with a nuclear-armed missile by the end of the first Trump term," KT McFarland, the deputy White House national security adviser, told the FT in a separate interview.

More from The Financial Times:

Democrats can do business with Donald Trump

Donald Trump in his own words

Full interview: Trump on Merkel, Twitter and Republican infighting

While Mr Trump is increasingly worried about North Korea, his view on Europe has moderated. He stressed that Brexit would be a "great deal for [the] UK and . . . really good for the European Union" but said he was less convinced that other countries would follow the UK out of the EU. "I think that it [the centre] is really holding. I think they have done a better job since Brexit."

Ahead of the US-China summit, Mr Trump raised hopes that he would reach some kind of deal with Mr Xi, despite heavy criticism about China's trade surplus and exchange rate policy. "I have great respect for him. I have great respect for China. I would not be at all surprised if we did something that would be very dramatic and good for both countries and I hope so."

The National Security Council has completed a review of options on North Korea that Mr Trump ordered after his inauguration, according to two people familiar with the review. One of those people said the review had been accelerated to have the options ready for the Trump-Xi summit.

Mr Trump said it was "totally" possible for the US to tackle North Korea without China. Asked if that meant dealing with Pyongyang one on one, he said: "I don't have to say any more. Totally."

Barring a pre-emptive strike on North Korea  which the administration will not rule out since all options are on the table  many experts believe the US needs Chinese help as Beijing has the most sway over Pyongyang. But Washington could consider alternatives, ranging from more effective sanctions to various kinds of more controversial covert action.
Still sitting on an incomplete tax return in early April? Keep calm but get cracking. A good chunk of this year's filers are procrastinating. As of March 24, the Internal Revenue Service received 85.3 million tax returns, down 4.7 percent from the same point last year.

A heavy debt load can lead to a sense of helplessness for borrowers. Many are ashamed of their situation and would rather ignore the problem than face it. Wavebreak | iStock | Getty Images

Even the stragglers can eke out a tax win this season, provided they don't haphazardly throw their return together and rush it out the door by April 18. "The key elements are to double-check your return and make sure you get every deduction you're entitled to," said Brian Ashcraft, director of compliance at Liberty Tax Service. Slow down and consider these tax tips before you file.

Ask for an extension

Secure an appointment as soon as you can. Just because your tax professional was able to get you an extension last year, you shouldn't assume that he or she can do it this year. "They're not allowed to file an extension unless you request it or give them permission," said Cari Weston, director of tax practice and ethics at the American Institute of CPAs. Also, if you haven't lined up a tax preparer, avoid strolling into the first practice with empty seats. Get a trusted recommendation first. "The kind of people who might have availability now might not be the kind of people you want to work with," said Weston. "The better they are, the more in-demand they are." Don't forget that extensions only give you more time to file the return. If you owe taxes, you'll need to pay them by April 18. Your preparer can help you with that, too. He or she will give you an estimate of what you owe so you can pay the taxman on time.

Find your cheat sheet

Whether you prepare your own taxes or you need to gather your documents for your CPA, take a peek at your return from last year. This is especially important for individuals who receive piles of 1099s or who get income from Social Security: The last thing you want to do is forget to report some income you've received.

If you can't track down a 1099  or if you have to do a little legwork to hunt down the cost basis of a stock  ask for an extension. Your preparer can help you build your own cheat sheet by offering you a tax organizer when you get your taxes back or before you file. "It shows what you had last year," said Weston. "Use it as a guide."

The other reason you should go through your previous year's tax return is to make sure you don't miss out on any credits or deductions. "The IRS will let you know if you forget to report income, but they won't let you know if you forget deductions and credits," said Weston. Last-minute filers are likely to miss these deductions if they rush through the process, said Debbie Freeman, director of tax and financial planning at Peak Financial Advisors in Denver. Student loan interest: You can deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest paid during the year, subject to income phaseouts. Moving expenses: You moved due to a change in your job and your new workplace is at least 50 miles farther away from your old home versus the distance between your old dwelling and your old workplace. Property taxes: It's not just your primary home that can qualify, but also your second home and perhaps even your timeshare. Noncash charitable contributions: Be sure to include your receipts. You'll need to file Form 8283 if your deduction for all noncash gifts over $500. Contributions to certain tax-advantaged accounts: That includes your health savings account and your individual retirement account. Finally, if you hurry through your return, you might miss out on the fact that you have to report your nondeductible IRA contributions for the year. This way, you establish basis in your IRA, and when you start taking distributions in retirement, that portion will come out tax free, said Freeman.

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As politicians battle over the Affordable Care Act, medical providers operate under continued uncertainty. "If you're in business, great huge shocks from the political system are always a distraction," Jonathan Bush, athenahealth CEO and co-founder, told CNBC's "On The Money" in an interview. "Anything that stays still for us to do our work is good." Bush is the chief executive of athenahealth, a cloud-based service that provides record-keeping and medical billing for 88,000 doctors. His comments came after the Republican plan to replace the ACA, better known as Obamacare, failed to pass the House.

Protesters demonstrate outside the White House in Washington, DC, on March 23, 2017, against President Donald Trump and his plans to end Obamacare. After several failures to repeal the ACA, last week Trump stopped federal payments that have been key to subsidizing ACA coverage for low-income Americans. He also cut the budget to market the ACA during open enrollment season. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters

The GOP plan, called the American Health Care Act, "missed a big opportunity to make things a little more competitive and affordable for folks," Bush told CNBC. He said that many people do not like the current costs of insurance and "would rather not have it." Bush said the AHCA's intent "was to usher in new competition at the low end of the market. " It contrasts from the Affordable Care Act, Bush says, as "Obama created a wealth distribution infrastructure" for people who didn't have health care "to give them some money and created fines if they didn't play." Bush argued that "what would be better in a free market is the market goes down to where (the uninsured) are, and the market creates (health insurance) products they can afford that they like that they buy." The lack of a market creates higher costs, Bush said. He cited athenahealth statistics on the cost of a mammogram in Massachusetts, which ranges from $450 to $1,800. "Same equipment, same machine, same image comes out. But if you go to the $450, youdon't keep the $1,000," he said, adding that no one knows what the cost of the procedure is.

Jonathan Bush, former CEO of Athenahealth Kate Rooney | CNBC
Lawyers from the two previous administrations have accused an aide to President Donald Trump of violating federal law after a tweet calling for the "defeat" of a Republican congressman.

Tensions between Trump's camp and the House Freedom Caucus appeared to escalate over the weekend after the president's social media director, Dan Scavino, tweeted Saturday that Michigan Rep. Justin Amash was "a liability," and called for his defeat in primaries.

Danscavino tweet: .@realDonaldTrump is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan. @justinamash is a big liability. #TrumpTrain, defeat him in primary.

Amash is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which has come under fire from the administration after the GOP's failure to pass  or even get a vote on  the Trump-backed American Health Care Act last month. Amash is also one of the few Republican lawmakers who have criticized Trump publicly since his election.

Although Scavino's tweet came from his personal Twitter account, ex-government lawyers on both sides of the aisle accused him of potentially violating the Hatch Act  a rule designed to keep government officials from using their authority to sway elections.

But the exact rules governing social media and the Hatch Act, which was first passed in 1939, are unclear.

The website of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal investigative agency, says federal executive branch employees may not engage in any political activity on social media while on duty or in the work place or from any accounts "created in a federal employees official capacity."

Scavino's tweet came just after noon on a Saturday.

The OSC says that U.S. government employees can express their opinions about partisan groups or candidates from their personal accounts, but with limitations  including that they cannot "refer to their official titles or positions while engaged in political activity at any time."
Santa Clause and elf named Rita Matilaare reading the letters sent by Chinese children. (Photo by Guan Kejiang from Peoples Daily)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on April 4, will start a three-day state visit to Finland, homeland to Santa Clause. It will be his first trip to northern Europe as the president of China.

Rovaniemi, located on the Arctic Circle in northern part of Finland, is considered as the hometown of Santa Claus. TheSanta Claus Village there sometimes receives as much as thousands of visitors everyday.

The post office there would receive hundreds of thousands of cards and mails from more than 200 countries and regions every year. The elves in pointy hats and red dress would collect and send letters for Santa Claus.

This hometown of Santa Claus was also included in Xis itinerary during his Finnish visit in 2010.

One of the "elves" named Rita Matila who had once showed Xi the Christmas cards written by Chinese young people, spoke highly of the president's kindness.

"When he was reading these letters beside me, I can see him touched by the children's dreams," Matila said.

When visiting Finland in 2010, Xi read the Christmas cards from China together with the then Finnish Prime Minister MattiVanhanen, while talking about their expectation towards the young generation.

Defining mutual understanding, trust and friendship as the foundation for the sustainable development of China-Finland relations, Xi also called on both countries to enhance cultural exchanges, especially the communication between young people, in a bid to pass on the friendship from generation to generation.

Recalling the scene, Vanhanen, current chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Parliament, said that he is confident toward the future of the two countries after a chat with Xi.

EskoLotvonen, mayor of Rovaniemi and then governor of Lapland province, was among the delegation receiving Xi in 2010. He was impressed by Xi's modesty and calmness.

"Xis special trip to the north of Finland reflects his emphasis on cultural exchanges," Lotvonen said, adding that Rovaniemi has, as a result, grown from a place rarely known by Chinese people into a hot attraction among Chinese visitors.

"As a way to promote direct communication between both peoples, tourism could greatly enhance understanding between Chinese and Finnish people," Lotvonen stressed.

Lotvonen hopes that Xi's upcoming state visit to Finland could propel Finland-China relations for in-depth progress.
The holidays are creeping up on us
Bill Gates, American business magnate, philanthropist and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently gave an exclusive interview to the Peoples Daily out of his busy schedule before he licks off a Chinese visit.

Q:Thank you very much for your time. I hear that you will visit China soon. The first time you visited China was in 1994, still remember your first impression of China?

A: Every time I go, you know Chinas advancing, whether its the buildings, or the people we are meeting with, or the technology. So its been exciting to keep going back and see how quickly its improving.

Q: Youve made so many trips to China over the years. What do you think is the most significant change that has taken place in China?

A: Id say two things. One is the miracle of Chinese economic development, lifting people out of poverty, building up the infrastructure, and developing world-class universities.

I remember almost every year somebody says, well now the China boom will reach its limits. And then 3 years later, theyll say its reached its limitsOf course, even today theres some strains and challenges, but still the growth is lifting people up. And its quite impressive.

The second thing Id say is that China is embracing its role in the world more. Of course its first priority was the poverty in the country, but in parallel to that now China has joined the World Trade Organization, and Chinas made really big commitments to Africa, both financially and about partnership. And in the region, the Belt & Road project is about tying together the economies for mutual benefit. So all of that has been exciting to see.

Q: What's the strategic focus of the Gates Foundation in China? How do you see Chinas role in global development and governance?

A: The work of the Gates Foundation in China has two phases. One is the work in China itself, helping people with HIV, helping avoid people getting infected, working on tuberculosis and smoking (control).

Our second phase is a three-way partnership, where developing countries, China and the foundation find ways to work together. And taking some (of Chinas) strengths like livestock vaccines; rice, including super green rice, where Chinas very strong. So, (therere) many examples. Ethiopia is a good example, where funding animal vaccine projects are what we are working on together. A group called CADFund is the local Chinese partner.

So the commitment to help other parts of the world is very important. Thats something that historically the U.S. has been very good at, but Id be disappointed if the US cuts back. But its fantastic that China, because of its success, is joining in and in its unique way. So I am glad to see the leadership. For example,the $60 billion commitment made in Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to help the African countries is a realistic acceleration under China's leadership.

The Chinese partnership will go and help to accelerate that improvement. And there are many lessons and things that China did very, very well, in the agricultural economy and manufacturing economy.

Q: Being a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, you have made substantial contribution to communication and collaboration between the two countries. Based on your own experiences, how do you see the role that business collaboration plays in Sino-U.S. relations?

A: I do think that the business context is quite critical. We cannot rely just on government to government, we need business to business, and we need people to people type things as well, such as student exchange. We need to keep the level of interaction up at every level.

Q: Your life story is legendary to many people. What do you personally find as your greatest achievement in life and in work?

A: I am super lucky. Ive been in the area where things have been changing and been part of the digital revolution, the magic of software, the internet, the computer, and now the cellphone so its been a great privilege. For me, I like to read and learn. There are always so many new things, like artificial intelligence, is now a big thing. We are making rapid advances. All the top companies and universities, rapid advances there.
Finnish air cleaning expert AAVI Technologies opens its first experience store in a shopping mall located in Wangfujing Street, Beijing in March, 2017. (Source: official website of AAVI Technologies)

China's President Xi Jinping will kick off a three-day state visit to Finland on April 4. The upcoming trip, which is his first visit to northern Europe as head of state, is believed to uplift bilateral relations.

Sharing traditional friendship with China, Finland was among the earliest Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China, and also the first Western nation that inked an inter-governmental trade agreement with China.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao, in a press conference held on Friday, praised the sound development momentum of China-Finland ties.

Wang said that the direction of bilateral ties has been clarified after Xi and his Finnish counterpart SauliNiinisto reached important consensus to build a new type of future-oriented cooperation partnership in 2013.

The two countries have, in recent years, enjoyed increasingly enhanced political mutual trust, deepened pragmatic cooperation covering all fields, closer cultural exchanges as well as gratifying outcomes from their cooperation in high-tech, clean energy, innovation, entrepreneurship and Arctic research, the diplomat elaborated.

Finland, a strong player in winter sports, and China, the host of 2022 Winter Olympic Games, also expect to cooperate closer on winter sports, he added.

It is believed that Xis upcoming visit will elevate China-Finland relations, deepen the collaboration between China and Northern Europe, and contribute to the four major China-EU partnerships featuring peace, growth, reform and civilization, Wang told the press.

The economic and trade exchanges between China and Finland have a time-honored history. The inter-governmental trade and payment agreement they inked as early as 1953 was the first of such kind between China and the capitalistic West world.

The European nation also granted China treatment of Generalized System of Preference (GSP) in 1980. So far, China has remained as the largest trade partner of Finland in Asia for consecutive 13 years, while Finland was also Chinas biggest trading partner in Northern Europe for years.

In terms of commodities, Finland exported machinery and paper pulp to China, while at the same time imported clothing, home appliance as well as electronic devices from the latter.

Innovation has now become a highlight in their economic cooperation, which can be evident by several big deals related to innovation industries.

After the Beijing-based Synergy New Energy Technology Service Co.Ltd. acquired 85 percent stakes from the Finnish air cleaning expert AAVI Technologies in 2013, the air cleaning equipment developed by them has been put into production in 2016.

Last June, Chinas internet giant Tencent and its partners paid 8.6 billion dollars for the Finnish Clash of Clansmobile game maker Supercell.

China's Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group, a renewable energy investment company, also announced its plan to invest about 1 billion euros in biofuel industry of Finland.

Finnish entrepreneurs are also encouraged by the business opportunities brought by China after the country decided to shift its economic growth towards an innovation-driven, sustainable and environment-friendly model.

Euroeat, an e-commerce retailer established by Finnish startup entrepreneur Richard Jarvinen, began to sell Northern Europe-made products to Chinese consumers three years ago.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 2

Trend:

One year has passed since Azerbaijani armys victory in April 2016 clashes.

On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers.

Six civilians were killed, including two children aged under 16, and 26 people were injured as a result of shelling by Armenia. Numerous public and private facilities were severely damaged as a result of the offensive, 232 houses, 99 power transmission line poles, three substations, schools, mosques and other facilities were destroyed.

In order to suppress the Armenian provocation, ensure safety of the civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces command made a decision to take urgent response measures in the Aghdere-Tartar-Aghdam and Khojavand-Fuzuli directions.

As a result, during the four days of fighting, Azerbaijani Armed Forces liberated the heights near the Talish village, as well as the Seysulan point, which could pose a threat to the safety of Goranboy district and the city of Naftalan.

The Lele Tepe strategic height located in the direction of the Fuzuli district was taken under control. Also, as a result of the April fighting, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces ensured control over the roads in the Aghdere-Madaghiz direction.

As many as 30 tanks, up to 15 armored guns and fortifications belonging to the Armenians were destroyed, 320 Armenian soldiers were killed and more than 500 servicemen of the enemy were wounded during the clashes.

The military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides.

As a result of the successful counteroffensive, more than 2,000 hectares of territory were liberated from the Armenian occupation, even a larger territory came under the control of the Azerbaijani army.

In general, the April fights have demonstrated the attention paid by Azerbaijani President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev to the army, as well as high fighting efficiency of the Azerbaijani army and the ability of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces to liberate the occupied territories at any time.

Azerbaijani armys victories in the April battles have laid the foundation of the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the Armenian occupation.
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You see, back in those days, the government was still testing atomic bombs, presumably because they looked super bitchin' and they had no idea when they were going to get to use one again. They tested over a thousand bombs a mere 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. By this time, the nuclear bombs were so goddamned big and powerful that Vegas tourists could easily see the mushroom clouds and light from the city. So while any other city would petition the army to either test their world-ending death weapons a little further away or maybe, y'know, not at all, the Vegas Chamber Of Commerce made up schedules and calendars giving tourists exact detonation times of the bombs, and even suggested the best spots for watching them.

Oregon State University Libraries

via PBS

via PBS

Visitors to Vegas, on balance, aren't good at assessing risk.

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The Desert Inn, among other casinos, made good use of their north-facing properties and even started serving themed drinks called "atomic cocktails." Other places would host "Dawn Bomb Parties," and "Miss Atomic Energy" would be crowned at the Sands hotel, with all of the contestants dressed in their finest mushroom cloud-shaped gowns.

Las Vegas News Bureau

The swimsuit part was always won by whichever woman had the most pronounced tailbone.

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These tests went on until 1963, when the Limited Test Ban Treaty stopped the military from bombing parts of America like they were trying to get rid of super-termites. After that, Vegas had to stop trying to squeeze money out of the Cold War (and do more matinee shows to compensate), and all those death-obsessed tourists had to settle for the thrill of betting their kids' college money on blackjack.

Justin writes some kinda, really, maybe funny stuff on his site. Add him on Twitter if you like unselfish lovers.

Behind every awful movie is the idea for a good one. Old man Indiana Jones discovers aliens. Good in theory, bad in practice. Batman fights Superman. So simple, but so bad. Are there good translations of these movies hidden within the stinking turds that saw the light of day? Jack O'Brien hosts Soren Bowie, Daniel O'Brien, and Katie Willert of 'After Hours' on our next live podcast to find an answer as they discuss their ideal versions of flops, reboots, and remakes. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased here!

Also check out 4 Famous Landmarks That Look Nothing Like You Think and 5 Myths You Probably Believe About Famous Landmarks.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out 3 Foreign Countries That Just Don't Give A F#@%, and other videos you won't see on the site!

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Armenia National Assembly elections have kicked off Sunday at 8am.

Tigran Mukuchyan, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), informed that there are 15,976 people involved in the election precinct commissions, news.am website reported.

This time voting at the polling centers is underway with the use of technical equipment for the first time, noted the CEC chief. As of 8am, the polling centers are open; the operation of the equipment also has begun.

[But] a breaking down [of this equipment] was recorded in two polling stations; elections [there] have begun with numbered coupons. They are trying to quickly fix the equipment.
In recognition of National Healthy Schools Day on Tuesday, April 4, state officials are encouraging Connecticut school districts to take steps to promote healthy environments in Connecticut schools.

According to a release from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Connecticut law requires every school district to adopt and implement an indoor air quality program that provides for the maintenance and improvement of the indoor air quality of its facilities. School districts are also required to implement a green cleaning products program for cleaning and maintaining school buildings and facilities.
HARTFORD  The state Office of Healthcare Advocate says it saved consumers $11.2 million last year, a new record for the agency.

The OHA is an independent state agency that assists consumers with health plan education, billing disputes, eligibility issues and appeals of health insurance denials. Since its inception in 2001, the office has saved consumers $81.8 million.
Dont you hate it when youre caught deleting damning emails, then you blame the boss?

Bruce Adams, the legal counsel for Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, essentially threw Gov. Dannel P. Malloys Capitol legal counsel  Karen Buffkin  under the bus.

The scene was a small meeting room across from the Capitol. The spectators were few when Adams, the former acting state banks commissioner and chief lawyer for the Department of Banking, waffled and wavered in front of a Freedom of Information Commission hearing officer on his use of social media to criticize a western Indian tribes pay-day lending operation.

He said Buffkin, whom he referred to as boss, made him do it. Isnt that anti-social media?

He also pointed the finger at his newborn baby, whom he blamed for the fatigue in the fall of 2015, when he tried to cover his digital tracks amid a nasty, lingering dispute with the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Nation of Oklahoma. If the FOIC hearing officer upholds that social media used for public business is a public record, Adams should be found in the wrong and public officials throughout the state will be put on notice about what they should and shouldnt do in the realm of social media.

From the hearing transcript:

Q: You dont dispute that the (Facebook post) was deleted on September 18?

A: At 9:07 a.m., is that what youre saying?

Q: Yes

A: I dont dispute that.

Q: When was the FOIA request made?

A: Looks like it came in on September 15.

Itll be another couple months before the hearing officer decides what to recommend to the full commission, but Adams is hanging out to dry, at this point.

Adams claimed he was sleep-deprived and coping with the logistics of his growing family when the public-documents request came in from a lawyer for the Otoe-Missouria who had found posts on Facebook and Twitter that criticized the tribe, which now wants Adams to be liable for civil penalties for failing to properly retain public records.

The Banking Department and the tribe have been battling over the issue of tribal immunity and their pay-day loan companies called Clear Creek Lending and Great Plains Lending, which charge Connecticut residents high-interest, short terms as high as 449 percent. Connecticut limits loan amounts to 12 percent.

The Banking Department tried to penalize the tribe, but a Superior Court judge upheld the issue of tribal immunity for the Otoe-Missouria.

The battle over the alleged usury has clearly been eclipsed by Adams open-records case before the FOIC. Assistant attorneys general defending Adams said he was simply stating his personal views of the conflict.

Adams posts included overt criticism of the tribe, and he asked his Twitter followers to contact the Banking Department with complaints about pay-day loans.

Just imagine the public reaction if CT purposefully set up an Internet payday lender to violate tribal lending laws, was one of posts that Adams deleted, but the tribe saved screen shots for the benefit of FOIC Staff Attorney Lisa Siegel, the hearing officer. She will decide whether Adams deleted posts are work-related public property.

After engaging in an adversarial and negative social media campaign against certain lawful tribal lending activities, the Lieutenant Governors Counsel ... covered up his smear campaign by intentionally and knowingly deleting his numerous social media posts about these issues, the tribes legal team wrote in a post-hearing memorandum last week. As a long-standing and high ranking public official and government attorney fully knowledgeable of the States open records laws, Adams admittedly knew better than to delete his records when faced with public disclosure pursuant to a Freedom of Information request.

During the hearings, Adams said Buffkin ordered him to take down his posts critical of the tribe. Buffkin  whose office is right across from the governor on the second floor of the Capitol and who had to sit through hours and hours of the FOIC when she could have actually been working for the state of Connecticut  denied having done so.

Memory is a fickle thing. Certainly it is for Adams. The tribe, pursuing this case with an aggressive team of lawyers led by Jeffrey White, isnt forgetting anything in its campaign. The people of Connecticut will likely end up with a precedent-setting case on what, if anything, is private in the realm of social media, public-documents law, and the First Amendment.

Ken Dixon can be reached in the Capitol at 860-549-4670 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. See twitter.com/KenDixonCT. His Facebook address is kendixonct.hearst. Dixons Connecticut Blog-o-rama is at blog.ctnews.com/dixon/
New version of La Bodeguita del Medio is being built in Cuban province of Holguin

Submitted by: Juana

Travel and Tourism

Holguin

04 / 01 / 2017



A new version of the well-known Bodeguita del Medio in Havana is being built in the historic center of this city on the occasion of the International Tourism Fair that will take place next May in the province of Holguin.

Assen Toledo, director of Palmares Extra-Hotel Services Company in the territory, explained that the building will retain the original structure and will have the Mojito as main cocktail of its menu.

He pointed out that the restaurant area will have capacity for 60 clients and another 10 in the bar where, in addition to a good cocktail, they can enjoy gastronomic options such as pork skin, roasted pork and other dishes of Cuban traditional cuisine.

Photographs of important artists from Cuba and worldwide will be part of the decoration of the center, and those who visit it will be able to print their signature on the walls as a souvenir of their passage through this Cuban eastern city.

Toledo added that they are also undertaking repair and maintenance actions in the Nocturno cabaret, a project that will expand its capacity for 500 people, two VIP halls will be equipped, and thematic bars devoted to Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba rums.

Facilitating the reception in the party area, and the transit of vehicles, as well as the creation of a new program for the show with variety and quality of Cuban dances are other projections of the recreational center.
Flyers similar to this one from white nationalist group Identity Evropa have been appearing with greater frequency on college campuses.

Dugan Arnett

Boston Globe

MARCH 31, 2017



Zack Peterson arrived at his car on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus one evening last month to find a flier for the white nationalist group Identity Evropa tucked beneath a windshield wiper. His response: disappointment.



But the junior marketing major, who removed a half-dozen fliers from nearby cars and reported them to a campus residence adviser, said he wasnt terribly surprised. Such things happen these days, he said.



Indeed, in the wake of a 2016 presidential election that drew mainstream attention to a set of previously fringe ideologies, white nationalist and supremacist groups have become an increasingly visible presence on college campuses, using fliers, posters, and e-mails in an effort to recruit new blood.



Since last September, more than 120 cases of white supremacist fliers, posters, or stickers have been reported on American college campuses, according to a recent study from the Anti-Defamation League. And here in Massachusetts, a worldwide hub of higher education, the practice has become particularly prevalent.



These white supremacist groups feel that now is the time to strike, says Oren Segal, director of the ADLs Center on Extremism. They feel like their messages have been mainstreamed; they feel like theres an opening for them now in a way that they havent really felt before.



Between last September and March 24, there were seven reported cases of white nationalist propaganda popping up on college campuses in Massachusetts, the ADL reports, the fourth-largest total of any state in the nation. Only Texas (18), California (13), and Florida (9) reported more.



True, the number of incidents nationwide might be relatively small  according to the ADL, there have been 121 instances of white nationalist campus fliering since the current school year began last fall. And there remain plenty of questions, too, about the true size and scope of the efforts.



But the sheer volume of college campuses that have been hit with fliers, says Ryan Lenz, a spokesman for the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, points to a very concerted effort on the part of the radical right to view college campuses as a recruiting ground.



At the University of Massachusetts Boston, for instance, fliers for Identity Evropa  an organization founded last year by Californian and Iraq war veteran Nathan Damigo  were found posted across campus, the school said earlier this month. At the same time, the universitys chief diversity officer reported rising campus concern.



After seven posters were discovered on the Emerson College campus in December promoting American Vanguard  another white nationalist group with 12 chapters, according to the SPLC  school president Lee Pelton issued a letter to students and faculty denouncing the message.



He was compelled to do the same March 18, after an estimated 500-plus members of the Emerson community received an e-mail from the White Genocide Project, a white supremacist organization.



We have been targeted before by white nationalist and supremacist groups and I expect that we will be targeted again, wrote Pelton, adding that the group had also targeted Harvard, Princeton, and West Virginia University. However, there is no indication that a single person or persons has been targeted with threats of physical violence or harm.



For the groups in question, the decision to focus on college campuses is simple.



They are, after all, occupied by thousands of young and potentially impressionable minds  and attempting to mine them for would-be supporters to a cause, controversial or not, is a strategy that has proven effective through the decades.



What corporation doesnt go to colleges to recruit? says Damigo of Identity Evropa, which mails out packages of fliers, promo cards, and stickers to its members  who may or may not be college students  at their request. These are the people who will go on to manage the institutions of our country, and we want them in our networks.



Whats more, its an opportune time to recruit, says Jared Taylor of American Renaissance, another white nationalist group openly focusing efforts on college campuses.



Theres a rising sense of frustration and outright anger with this characterization of all whites as privileged, oppressive, and essentially evil, says the Yale-educated Taylor. So I think there is a greater willingness among young whites to strike back at this oppressive orthodoxy.



This isnt the first time American universities have been linked to certain brands of extreme ideologies,right and left.Lately, though, those links on the extreme right seem to be intensifying.



The now disgraced Milo Yiannopoulos, who has written glowingly about the alt-right movement and was handed a permanent Twitter ban after making harassing comments about the actress Leslie Jones, recently embarked upon a controversial college campus speaking tour. Matthew Heimbach has made waves, meanwhile, for his Traditionalist Youth Network, which the ADL describes as a small white supremacist group that attempts white supremacist activities on college campuses.



And in perhaps the most overt display to date, Richard Spencer, a notorious shepherd of the alt-right movement, gave a speech on the campus at Texas A&M University in December, reportedly telling a group of hundreds that America belongs to white men.



For colleges and universities, the vast majority of which hold themselves as bastions of free speech, navigating the recent uptick in white nationalist propaganda has been something of a tricky endeavor.



Many of the fliers, for instance, dont contain overtly offensive language  one Identity Evropa poster simply features a photo of a classical statue and the phrase Protect Your Heritage  raising questions about First Amendment freedoms.



Part of the college experience is freedom of expression, and its critical to be respectful of diverse ideas, says Carole McFall, a spokeswoman for Emerson College. But its got to be  it should be  safe for students. And they shouldnt feel intimidated.



Further complicating matters is the fact that, though it might be against campus policy to hang or distribute literature in unapproved locations, the circulation of some fliers  such as those invoking racist themes using only coded language  likely doesnt rise to the level of criminal activity.



Its a bit complex, says Ed Blaguszewski, a spokesman for UMass Amherst, who says the school has been focused on denouncing the fliers message while also being careful not to generate additional attention for the groups behind them. While these fliers may be offensive, unless they are tied to what may be a criminal act, its really not a matter of a hate crime.



Whether the recruiting efforts will have any long-term effect, meanwhile, is unlikely to be known for some time.



The jury is [still] out, says Lawrence Rosenthal, chair and lead researcher of the Berkeley Center for Right-Wing Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, who adds that one way to track any growth of the movement would be to monitor the memberships of certain right-leaning campus groups, as well as the appearance of any right-wing protests or sit-ins.



But already there have been indications that the message is garnering increased attention.



Asked this week whether his groups recruiting outreach had proven effective, Damigo chuckled.



At this time a year ago, he said, the organization had about a dozen members. Today, it boasts some 350. Whats more, plans to boost the groups physical presence on college campuses in the coming months are already ramping up.



Weve discovered that there are many people who already have read our website, who already generally agree with us, but havent taken that next step to get involved or meet with other people, he said.



Were already in the process of purchasing tables and banner stands and brochures, he added. So that next semester, we can start getting on campuses and [putting] more of a face to this.



Dugan Arnett can be reached at dugan.arnett@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter

@duganarnett

.



http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2017/03/31/for-white-nationalists-college-campuses-are-new-recruiting-ground/MmxrcFXPY2ZHWycgvqCOAP/story.html
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2

Trend:

18:00 (GMT+4) The working group under the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office reviewed new appeals on electoral violations as of 15:00 (UTC/GMT+4) on April 2.

The majority of reports referred to various technical malfunctions in the course of the elections, panarmenian.net website reported.

Obvious violations were detected in 131 reports, with the latter delegated to the relevant departments of police and investigative committee, where the materials will be readied in accordance to Armenias Criminal Code to start a probe.

Out of 131 reports, 48 dealt with casting a ballot in stead of another voter, 26 dealt with the voting secrecy violation, 11  preventing the citizens right to free expression of the electoral will, 8  buying of votes, 15  hindering the word of the media representatives, trustees and the commission.

14:22 (GMT+4) The working group under the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office reviewed new appeals on electoral violations as of 10:00 (UTC/GMT+4) on April 2.

According to the message, 6 cases were connected with a repeat vote, 3 cases - violations of the secret ballot, 3 cases - hampering the right of citizens to freely express the suffrage.

10:59 (GMT+4) The working group, which is set up by the order of the Prosecutor General of Armenia, has considered reports of electoral fraud.

57 reports contained elements of apparent electoral fraud, Office of the Prosecutor General informed Armenian News website.

They were forwarded to Police of Armenia, to clarify the circumstances specified in these reports.

A total 46 of these 57 reports referred to apparent buying of votes, and 11preventing the free exercise of suffrage.
What to do in Pennsylvania if you made an error on your mail-in ballot

The state Supreme Court recently ruled that undated or incorrectly dated mail ballots cannot be counted. Here's what voters can do about an error.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2

Trend:

The Armenian National Congress opposition bloc disclosed a list of violations recorded up till now, the Armenian News Agency reported April 2.

In particular, the ballot box is installed next to the entrance door at polling station #35/56 and the voting process is obvious for those entering and leaving the polling station.

Moreover, 3-4 citizens vote in the electoral booth at the same time.

The unknown citizens provided voters with pens and asked to use them during voting at polling station #13/32.

The servicemen openly voted at the polling station #14/20.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2

Trend:

Armenias Radio Liberty correspondent Sisak Gabrielian was attacked near the polling station and the headquarters of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia in Yerevan, the Armenian media reported April 2.

The correspondent noticed that first, the voters go to the headquarters of the candidate from the Republican Party of Armenia Hakob Beglaryan, receive money there and then vote.

Gabrielian shot the incident. At that moment, a group of people in the headquarters attacked the journalist and seized his phone.
The Prime Minister has made a quietly impressive start in the long and intricate process of separating the United Kingdom from the European Union.

She has decided to adopt a tone which is both reasonable and determined.

The Mail on Sunday, like Mrs May herself, was not in favour of a British exit from the EU and has continuing concerns about the outcome of this course.

Theresa May has decided to adopt a tone which is both reasonable and determined

But, like her and all wise people in politics, we accept the referendum has decided that issue and must be honoured.

The difficulties lie in how it can and will be done, a process in which everyone  the EU, the UK, the Remainers and the Leavers, will all have to sacrifice treasured objectives.

If they keep their heads, all of them will also keep or gain many things which they desire. That is what negotiation is about.

This is not a war. It is the opposite of war  democratic, law-governed friends and trading partners peacefully and rationally settling profound differences.

It would be better for us all if partisan voices stopped portraying it as if it were some bitter conflict.

No doubt it will also involve moments of psychological warfare where London and Brussels both appear to be more intransigent than either really is  or can afford to be. But this is how such things are done.

As in all political affairs, the Premier faces as much danger (in this case possibly more) from her own side as from her official opponents.

The Prime Minister faces as much danger from her own side as from her official opponents

She has shown a sure touch in keeping a disparate Cabinet united and in controlling the apparently uncontrollable, notably her brilliant but wayward Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

She is, as she promised to do from the start, governing on behalf of all the British people, not for partisan interest. She deserves widespread support in return.

Worlds warped web

The Mail on Sunday discovered a YouTube video on how to puncture a police stab vest - which Khalid Masood did to PC Keith Palmer

The internet has made our lives incomparably easier. Its speed and its versatility have transformed communications, commerce, education and politics.

But it has also released a great deal of evil  pornography, propaganda for wicked causes, fraud and crude personal revenge.

You might expect that the big internet companies would be keen to ensure that the web was a safe and honest place. But it often seems as if they put gain first and responsibility second.

The Mail on Sunday this week discovered that a gloating YouTube video on how to puncture a police stab vest has been making profits for its German presenter and for YouTubes owners, Google.

The presenter of the film is not a terrorist or any kind of criminal. He claims his work warns police of the weaknesses of their equipment.

If so, he could surely warn them in private, rather than telling the world how to knife an officer wearing a stab vest, especially grotesque in the week after Khalid Masood did precisely this to PC Keith Palmer.

YouTube has taken the video down now. But why was it ever given this platform in the first place?

If the web giants will not police this kind of thing, they should not be surprised if governments step in and do it for them.
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When Rebecca Conci is asked what is is like to have two children dying from the same undiagnosed illness, she uses the words 'unimaginably frightening'.

'Having a child, or two children, who are so seriously sick is unbelievable. It's terrifying,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

The Victorian-based photographer has three daughters. Two of them suffer from a genetic disease so rare no doctor at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, or overseas, can explain it.

The family knew something was wrong with their eldest daughter Jennifer, 11, who goes by Jenna, when she was just two years old.

Rebecca Conci's daughter Jennifer (pictured), 11, is suffering from a mystery illness. This heartrending photograph recently won an award at the AIPP Awards in Victoria

There are a multitude of symptoms that Jenna suffers from and something as simple as a cold could spell life or death for her seriously low immune system.

She is so malnourished the young girl has to be fed through multiple tubes in her body and she is so photosensitive to light that going out into the sun leaves her with burns.

All that is known, is that the young girl has a form of genetic disease effecting multiple organs that doctors have never seen before.

'Jenna is on a lot of medication to get her through each day. It has been touch and go with her condition many times,' Ms Conci said.

But if that isn't enough for one family to bear, Ms Conci's middle child Jaydalee, or Jayda, as she is known, has the same seriously life-threatening mystery illness as her sister.

Jayda, eight, was tested at six months old after a high fever and seriously low immune system didn't 'add up' to any commonly known disease. It was then that doctors confirmed the genetic link between the girls.

Because of their ongoing genetic disease both girls have hit end stage liver failure and required two transplants in the past 16 months. But they almost didn't qualify for one.

'We were told in March 2015 that the girls wouldn't receive a transplant. They couldn't say for sure that replacing their liver would help them get better and because there is no diagnosis they just weren't positive this was an option for them.

But if that isn't enough for one family to bear, Ms Conci's middle child Jaydalee (pictured), or Jayda, as she is known, has the same seriously life-threatening mystery illness as her sister

'But if it wasn't for the transplant they wouldn't be here,' Ms Conci said.

Jayda's condition has slightly improved since the transplant 14 weeks ago and she has had her nose tube removed. But Jenna, who doctors consider to have the 'stronger' gene, is still very ill.

'The Royal Children's Hospital has some of the best doctors and surgeons in the world. We've had the girls DNA and skin sent to other medical practitioners overseas and they've been brought up at conventions and been involved in studies.

'Nobody can give us a final answer,' Ms Conci said.

At present both girls are at home with the rest of their family, an occurrence so rare Ms Conci is enjoying every moment.

'I can't remember the last time the girls were home for longer than three weeks at a time. It has been years,' she said.

Ms Conci remembers hearing that her third daughter wasn't ill and feeling a mix of emotions.

'I'm thrilled she doesn't obviously but I'm also emotionally confused. This separates her from the other two,' she explained.

'She has to watch them go through unbelievable pain and be completely removed. Her sisters have to watch her live a healthy life.

'She's just on a completely different path.'

Ms Conci has been a photographer for years but had to stop when her daughters got sick because she couldn't commit to any clients - instead of photographing other people she decided to turn towards her own family and document their journey

Ms Conci has been a photographer for years but had to stop when her daughters got sick because she couldn't commit to any clients.

'We were just in hospital too much and it was always touch and go with their health. I decided to step back,' she said.

Instead of photographing other people she decided to turn towards her own family and document their journey.

Three of her photos were entered into a Victorian photography competition in 2017 and won for their heartbreaking display of real life.

One of the confronting photos shows 11-year-old Jennifer with tubes spiralling in and around her small body.

'I try to be a really positive person but this is our reality. I share some of my pictures on Facebook to raise awareness about organ transplant and undiagnosed illness in young children,' said Ms Conci.

Ms Conci will release a book later this year, Undiagnosed, Through a Mother's Eye, about her daughter's condition with proceeds going towards making unique 'liver bears' to be given to kids at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne after they receive a liver transplant.

'What these kids go through is just truly unimaginable. I wanted to help in any way I could,' Ms Conci said.

You can visit the girls GoFundMe link by clicking here.
After a busy week with the Belgian royals, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was back at it again on Saturday when she attended the confirmation of her 14-year-old nephew, Prince Felix.

The 45-year-old Princess was all smiles as she arrived at Fredensborg Church where she joined her husband Prince Frederik and children to pose for photos on the steps.

The glamorous royal donned one of her favourite floral dresses for the occasion - a yellow and grey number from Danish designer Ole Yde.

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Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was back at it again on Saturday when she attended the confirmation of her 14-year-old nephew, Prince Felix

Little Princess Josephine (bottom right), however, stole the show as she waved to photographers while holding older sister Princess Isabella's (centre bottom) hand

The royal famously wore the same look in 2015 as she joined her family to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Danish Constitution.

She paired the look with a chic white coat, her beige Christian Louboutin Pumps and a stylish pale blue head piece.

Eldest son Prince Christian, 11, opted for a navy suit like his father while Princess Isabella, nine, wore a navy skirt with a silver blouse and cardigan.

Little Prince Vincent, six, donned a black suit for the occasion - though didn't seem to be as excited about the official family occasion as his siblings.

The glamorous royal, 45, donned one of her favourite floral dresses for the occasion - a yellow and grey number from Danish designer Ole Yde

The royal famously wore the same look in 2015 (pictured) as she joined her family to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Danish Constitution

It was his twin Princess Josephine, however, who stole the show.

Dressed in a black and white dress and black tights, the young royal ensured all eyes were on her as she laughed and waved to photographers while holding her older sister's hand.

The cheeky royal has made headlines previously for her playful posing and pulling silly faces during various official events.

The new snaps come after the royal couple spent a busy week with Belgian royals King Philippe and Queen Mathilde

The Princess channelled Hollywood glamour in cobalt blue as she joined the Belgian royals for dinner on the final evening of their state visit to Denmark

The glamorous pair posed for a number of photos together at a number of events during the whirlwind state visit

The young royal's confirmation took place privately at Fredensborg Castle with the rest of the family, including the Prince's father Prince Joachim and mother, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

According to Royal Central, the 14-year-olds confirmation into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark is 'earlier than those of his classmates who are not due to go through their confirmations until the end of April or the beginning of May'.

He is, however, a year older than his brother, uncle and father were when they were confirmed.

The young boy is eighth in line to the Danish throne.
Australian radio host Katie 'Monty' Dimond has claimed she was once sacked by bosses at a former workplace after they found out she was pregnant.

The mother-of-two, who now co-hosts The 3pm Pick Up, said she 'became really sick' after falling pregnant and needed to take two weeks off.

She had started her new role on a breakfast show just four months prior - a show she said 'wasn't in dire straits' in the ratings.

Australian radio host Katie 'Monty' Dimond (right) has claimed she was once sacked by bosses at a former workplace after they found out she was pregnant

The mother-of-two, who now co-hosts The 3pm Pick Up, said she 'became really sick' after falling pregnant and needed to take two weeks off

'Before I had reached the 12 week mark of my pregnancy I thought it only "fair" to tell my bosses why I was so sick. I told my workplace before I told my family,' the media personality wrote in a post for Show + Tell.

Upon her return, Ms Dimond said she was told by 'three male bosses' that she was to only 'support' her male co-hosts because 'the audience would no longer be used to me talking'.

One week later, Ms Dimond said her manager was told that she was 'no longer going to be on the show'.

Upon her return, Ms Dimond said she was told by 'three male bosses' that she was to only 'support' her male co-hosts because 'the audience would no longer be used to me talking'

'Not one boss explained anything to me, not one boss even slightly acknowledged what was going on. The doors were closed and I was out,' she continued.

'Five years on and I am still really angry because this bulls**t is still going on. Women are being punished for having children all the time.'

Ms Dimond said she is still angry about 'how it all went down' and to this day, is still angry at herself for 'not standing up for what was right' - something she chose not to do as she was 'scared' about losing her career.

me talking'. One week later, Ms Dimond said her manager was told that she was 'no longer going to be on the show'

Ms Dimond spoke about the incident on her radio show with co-host Yumi Stynes.

'I was working at another radio station; and I haven't really spoken about this publicly before because it's such a small industry and you dont want to burn bridges,' she said.

'They [the bosses] said, "We dont want you to talk about this because someone on the other network had just had a baby, and that's all theyve been talking about, we don't want you to talk about it".'

'Then two weeks later, I lost my job.'
They were 'married' for just a matter of hours before Married At First Sight bride ran away from her groom Andrew.

And despite not seeing him for months, the opinionated bride didn't hold back from sharing her thoughts at the all-in group dinner party on Sunday night's episode.

After a night of drama, explosive arguments and awkward encounters, Lauren became fed-up with Andrew's side comments and snapped.

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Despite not seeing him for months, opinionated bride Lauren didn't hold back from sharing her thoughts about Andrew at the all-in group dinner party on Sunday night's episode

After a night of drama, explosive arguments and awkward encounters, Lauren became fed-up with Andrew's side comments and snapped

'You try and be the joker but guess what the joker cards are all f*****g gone,' Lauren said to the shocked firefighter.

'You're a cocky little p***k you are and guess what, that's why it didn't work out.'

Andrew hit back: 'You can't accuse of someone of being cocky in a cocky way yourself.'

The night started with the pair being civil towards each other

'You try and be the joker but guess what the joker cards are all f*****g gone,' Lauren said to the shocked firefighter

The pair continued to shoot insults at one other across the table - despite the other contestants sitting around them.

'You are arrogant, you're full of yourself,' Lauren said.

'You need to pull it down a few cogs, get back into neutral and realise youve got everything going for you. Don't be a f*****g w****r.'

'Once again I'm the pin cushion. I'm getting smashed,' Andrew said

Whether the pair are able to put their differences aside remains to be seen, with the pair likely addressing their issues at the reunion on Monday night

Andrew told producers that he thought Lauren was trying to give him advice on 'how to be a better guy'.

'Once again I'm the pin cushion. I'm getting smashed,' he said.

Lauren accused Andrew of putting on a facade for the cameras - but Andrew hit back and put it down to 'nervousness', admitting he puts up a 'shield'.

He then told Lauren she was the 'pot calling the kettle black'.

Whether the pair are able to put their differences aside remains to be seen, with the pair likely addressing their issues at the reunion on Monday night.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall continued their busy European tour with separate engagements in Italy today.

Camilla spent the afternoon touring Florence after meeting with victims of human trafficking at a support centre this morning. She visited the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and marvelled at some of its Renaissance treasures on a whirlwind visit.

The 69-year-old duchess was exploring the city without her husband, Prince Charles, who was in the central town of Amatrice, which was devastated by an earthquake in August last year.

Passionate: The Duchess of Cornwall visited a centre for victims of domestic violence today

Ladylike: Camilla wore a navy blue dress with white polka dot detailing for the occasion

Breathtaking: Camilla poses for a photo in front of of Primavera, a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli during a visit to the Vasari Corridor in Florence, Italy

After declaring the gallery 'magnificent', Camilla drove to a small church in the heart of the city, St Mark's, which has a unique association with her family.

The duchess's great-grandmother, Alice Frederica Keppel, who was famously the mistress of King Edward VII, lived the last two years of her life in Florence and is buried nearby.

Her family put up two brass plaques inside the church in tribute following her death in 1947.

Camilla posed beside the plaques - and laid a small posey of flowers in her memory - as talked to the Revd William Lister, chaplain at St Mark's, about her ancestor.

The royal explained that her great-grandparents had bought a beautiful property in the city while her sister was educated in Florence for several years.

Sadly the house was sold by her mother and uncle but Camilla admitted that she regretted the decision and would love to buy it back for her family.

Important work: Camilla returned to Florence after spending the day in Naples on Saturday

Simple accessories: The Duchess of Cornwall wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings

Relaxed: The Duchess of Cornwall appeared in good spirits as she arrived at the centre today

Support: Camilla met with staff and volunteers who help victims of domestic violence

Well-wishers: The Duchess of Cornwall greeted people on the streets of Florence today

'It's in private hands but is all boarded up. It's such a tragedy. I feel like I should start a campaign to buy it back up. It was a magnificent place and it's such a shame it was sold,' she said.

Rvd Lister admitted, much to Camilla's surprise, that her family had given St Mark's a substantial donation out of the sale of the house. 'Oh really,' she said archly and laughed. 'Perhaps you should help us,' she added.

Before she left the Duchess took part in a short service of remembrance for those who fought in the First and Second World Wars and met senior figures within the Church of England community at a reception.

Devastated: Prince Charles toured the earthquake-stricken town of Amatrice today

Ruins: The central Italian town was reduced to rubble when the earthquake struck last August

Recovery: Charles donned a hardhat as he was given a tour of the town by officials

Deadly: The earthquake killed 300 people when it struck Amatrice and neighbouring villages

Earlier she described the moving conversations she had with women at the Progetto Arcobaleno Association, a small charity which works with underprivileged people, including the homeless, unemployed, drugs and substance abusers and those involved in prostitution.

Meanwhile Prince Charles Charles, 68, donned a hard hat as he was given a tour of the ancient town and shown streets that are still piled high with rubble.

He also laid a wreath at a memorial built in the grounds of the former school to commemorate the 300 killed in the disaster.

The Royal couples European tour is being widely seen as an attempt to build bridges in the wake of Brexit.

Prior to arriving in Italy, Prince Charles visited Romania, and next week will continue to Austria.

Remembered: Prince Charles laid a wreath at a memorial to those who lost their lives

Poignant: The prince stood in silence for a moment to reflect on the tragedy

Local delicacy: Charles sampled some freshly made pasta at a community centre in Amatrice

Prince Charles came close to dropping the pasta on his suit as he enjoyed the lunchtime treat
Theres something about the sight of certain prints that can suck you into a vortex of memories.

Chintzy cabbage roses equal grandmas curtains. Tiny rosebuds: Winceyette nighties. Palm prints with orange hibiscus flowers: Aunties bamboo conservatory furniture.

This spring, patterns are giving off a strong whiff of the Seventies.

Emilia Fox in a patterned dress in 2016. This spring, patterns are giving off a strong whiff of the Seventies

These graphics and flower schemes evoke the strange time when late psychedelia went a bit posh and ran rampant through the cheese and wine parties of suburbia.

Stare at them long enough, in all their cuboid and lozenge, purple and greenness, and what visions rise before us? The wallpaper in Abigails Party? Michele Dotrices Crimplene frocks in Some Mothers Do Ave Em?

Or Margot Leadbetters wardrobe of hostess gowns and silk scarves in The Good Life  the sort of thing she would always wear to pop round next door?

And theres another variant on the loose. This one involves what used to be called flower power prints  those naive, cartoony, daisy patterns that appeared on swimming costumes and A-line summer dresses in the late Sixties.

Margo Leadbetter from seventies show The Good Life. You spend half your life running away from the style choices of the older generation, only to discover, decades later, that youre rather fond of them

They jumped out at the recent Balenciaga and Michael Kors shows, much to the surprise of an unsuspecting portion of the audience, who hadnt seen the like since Ted Heath was in No 10 and Dad was driving a beige Cortina.

Miu Mius summer collection (complete with flowery swimming caps) hit me between the eyes  Princess Margaret in Mustique.

Its funny, though. You spend half your life running away from the style choices of the older generation, only to discover, decades later, that youre rather fond of them.

Thats the story of Miuccia Pradas life, really  and shes the main influence behind this retro movement.

RETRO PRINTS: THE RULES Dont overload. A flower power print is fine. A flared trouser is fine. Never both. Experiment with accessories if youre unsure. Bags or scarves are a good place to start. Avoid retro-print halter-necks, unless youre too young to remember Abigails Party. Lozenge prints look more up-to-date on cotton than on anything too shiny and nylon. Advertisement

The kind of Italian prints that swept the world in the heyday of Emilio Pucci and Ken Scott are for ever Prada reference points.

Where she leads, the High Street follows.

Bodens Richmond trousers (67.50, boden.co.uk) in a blue daisy and leaf print have more than a touch of the Seventies about them (though the straight-leg tailored shape stops them straying too close to fancy dress).

Finerys Rosecroft Virginia bellflower print mesh top (49, finery-london.com) would definitely have been a big hit with Margot Lead- better (left).

Topshop mixes retro prints with modern shapes in several of its dresses, including the hanky hem printed dress by Boutique (170) and floral ruffle midi dress (49, topshop.com) I never thought Id say it, but Ive made my peace with print, having avoided it my whole adult life.

Im daring to experiment with the sort of pattern that used to simply make me cringe with embarrassment.

Take it a bit at a time. Last summer, I found some original swirly Seventies Liberty print shirts, cleverly reproduced by style journalist J. J. Martin.

She took to driving around Italy, buying up old stock material and making it into shirts, flounced peasant skirts and A-line, T-shirt dresses.

See more of her creations at ladoublej.com. The shirts are coming out again. They brighten up plain, tailored chinos and jeans. With gold jewellery and a shoulder bag, Im halfway to a summer Jackie Onassis fantasy.

As summer goes on, I wouldnt even rule out a retro print swimsuit. A jazzy towel or beach bag might be the first step. Dont be scared. Glass of Mateus Rose, anyone?

London Uprising by Sarah Mower and Tania Fares (Phaidon, 69.95).
If you have a problem, write to Zelda West-Meads at: YOU, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS, or email z.west-meads@you.co.uk

I refuse to be part of his 'harem'

I am American and have had a predominantly online, on-off relationship with a British man for 14 years. He has a high-profile position within a well-known global industry. We broke up at one point but then rekindled our romance, and for the past two years have spoken daily. We have met and consummated our relationship.

He has implied that he wants to grow old with me. However, he has a lot of women in his life around the world. He has threesomes with a banking executive and her girlfriend, enjoys prostitutes wherever he travels and has many other female interests. I dont know exactly how many women there are in his harem.

He has cancelled his last three visits on the excuse of business issues. I know I should just run and be done with him  I dont want him to continue to make a mockery of me and other women. For all I know, he is pulling these stunts everywhere and I would like him to suffer the consequences.

I am sorry you have been hurt, but you have let this man run roughshod over you. I suspect, as you do, that his cancelled visits might have been to see other women and not for business at all. On top of his philandering, he may well even have a wife  something that he has failed to mention. Even if he hasnt, he is unlikely to change if you get together. It sounds as though he has been a womaniser all his life. If you stay with him, he will hurt you even more. Fast forward another 14 years: do you really want to look back and realise that you have wasted 28 years of your life on this man? He is using his power and money to his advantage and sounds narcissistic.

I understand that you want to take revenge for all the hurt he has caused you, but it would probably just make you angry and upset  and it could backfire. So take my advice and finish with him now, utterly and completely, and open up the opportunity for a loving relationship with a man who treats you well.

They dont want me to be happy

I graduated from university last summer and didnt want to live with my toxic parents, so got a job in the north. I shared a house, which was going well until one of the girls treated me badly. Then I lost my job and felt as though my life was falling apart. So I moved back to my parents house in London (which is where all my friends live as well).

But my parents have been an absolute nightmare. They are constantly putting me down and making nasty remarks. They are patronising and treat me as though I am incapable of anything and as if I am a slave rather than family. They will never let me grow, thrive and be happy. In order to live my life the way I want to, I know they cant be part of it. I want to cut them out of my life for ever.

I am so sorry about the way your parents are treating you  it sounds unkind and emotionally abusive. Children are precious and parents should make them feel loved, wanted and valued and always be there for them, even if they are sometimes difficult. Make plans to leave home  hopefully you can find a job in London. Dont be afraid to try sharing a flat with friends again  it will probably be more fun and friendly than before, and you could feel lonely living alone.

It is a big step to cut off all contact with your parents, but once you have established your own life you can decide what level of communication you want with them, if any. Tell them that you have made this decision because they have hurt you deeply. I hope that you will then be able to enjoy being the person you want to be, with friends around you who value you. I also recommend counselling with Relate (relate.org.uk).

Will sex therapy help my libido?

I am 53 and have been having cognitive behavioural therapy for depression, stress, relationship issues and lowered libido. My mood has lifted since having treatment for depression, so its now more about stress. I get lonely at home as I do not have a girlfriend and miss the intimacy, affection and emotional support. I think this is why my libido has been affected. I have been given Viagra, which works, but the resulting orgasm is not good. Being out of work some of the time has not helped, but I am doing work-related courses, voluntary work and holiday cover and have made some new friends. My therapist has suggested sex therapy. What do you think?

I am so glad that cognitive behavioural therapy is helping with your depression and its great that you are doing voluntary work, getting more involved with activities and meeting new people. Depression and stress can affect a mans libido. You could try testosterone treatment as an alternative to Viagra. However, I expect that with your depression reduced  and if you had a good, loving relationship with a girlfriend who you connected with emotionally and sexually  your libido would probably return. Sex therapy could help and certainly wouldnt harm.

Do as much as you can socially, so that you have the opportunity to make friends and meet someone special. You could try internet dating and also visit Meetup (meetup.com). Rather than a dating site, it holds lots of different events, which is a good way to meet people and socialise.

If you have a problem, write to Zelda West-Meads at: YOU, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS, or email z.west-meads@you.co.uk
Jen Blackwell adored dancing as a child

Like lots of little girls, Jen Blackwell adored dancing. Her mother Sue remembers her dancing while she put the shopping away, cooking or cleaning; she even danced to the bathroom in the morning. Unlike most dance-crazy children, however, Jen, now 35, was born with Downs syndrome (DS).

Sue and Jens father Malcolm were determined that she should live a mainstream life. They contacted the Downs Syndrome Association (downs-syndrome.org.uk) when Jen was born to find out more about the condition. A turning point came when they were put in touch with a family who had a toddler with DS. They helped us face the future in a positive frame of mind, says Sue.

Jen went to dance classes from the time she could toddle. As well as providing joy and socialisation, dance can improve circulation, pulse rate, fitness and muscle tone, which is important for people with DS, who are prone to weak muscles. Jen went to swimming, gymnastics and ballet classes with everyone else, remembers Sue. She sometimes struggled to keep up, but still loved it.

DS: THE FACTS Around 775 babies are born with DS each year in England and Wales.

It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 in a babys cells, usually the result of a one-off genetic change in the sperm or egg, ie, not inherited.

DS typically causes some level of learning disability, characteristic physical features and a greater risk of serious health conditions including respiratory and lung problems, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. nhs.uk Advertisement

Throughout her teenage years, Jen kept dancing. I cant help dancing when the music comes on  I feel like I am flying, she says. Jens family looked for opportunities for her to train and work in dance, but in vain. We spent ten years knocking on doors and being rejected, says Sue.

Eventually, Jen, with friend and advocate Sarah Kennedy, resolved to launch a community dance project in 2009, supported by her parents and initial funding from UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs. Now an award-winning charity, DanceSyndrome (dancesyndrome.co.uk) currently offers six weekly workshops in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, led by a dance leader with learning disabilities and supported by a professionally trained dancer.

In a survey of 500 DanceSyndrome participants, all identified low confidence and limited life skills as key barriers to living as they would choose. Equally, all found the workshops made them feel happy and healthier in mind and body, with improved confidence and communication skills.

Jen, now 35, performing at an event in February

Jen, who won Inspirational Woman of the Year at the 2015 Enterprise Vision Awards, is thinking big for the future: I want to get everyone everywhere dancing so they can share the passion, fun and friendship that is DanceSyndrome.

Chocolate-loving vegans, rejoice! For Easter this year, Hotel Chocolat is offering three vegan eggs in its Hard-Boiled Egg collection. Cocoa purists will revel in the 100 per cent dark chocolate egg with raisins, almonds and hazelnuts  an acquired taste that has become a bestseller.

Our favourite, the Ginger egg, is 70 per cent dark chocolate with ginger oil and hazelnut and ginger crunches

The less hard-boiled could opt for the 70 per cent dark chocolate egg with a pinch of sea salt, hazelnut praline and puffed quinoa for a hint of health, or  our favourite  the ginger egg, which is 70 per cent dark chocolate with ginger oil and hazelnut and ginger crunches.

Remember, though, that the other 30 per cent is sugar, so regard these as a treat. 15 each, hotelchocolat.com.

Two of the best baby-led weaning helpers

Nibbling Silicone Place Mat Nibblings dishwasher-friendly, food-grade Silicone Placemat (from 24, available in pink, blue, lime green or orange, nibbling.co.uk) impressed our reviewer: It saved my table and wooden floor, which previously ate most of my daughters food. The mat sticks to the table, so any mess stays on the clever food tray  and shes stopped throwing it round when she has eaten enough. I really recommend it.

Tum Tum Baby Weaning Range One-year-old Theo enjoys exploring food and his mother reports that he tries feeding himself with the Tum Tum Swapsie Spoons [4.50]  and the Non Slip Peepo Bowls [7], with secure lids, are great on the move. He also likes to pick and choose food from different sections of the Stay Put Dippy Face Plate [9], although the suction pad was not secure enough to stop him lifting it. He loves drinking through a straw [2.50 for a set of two, with a cleaning brush] from the two-handled Tippy Up Cup [7, all tumtumtots.com].

Email your questions to sarah@sarahstacey.com. Always consult your doctor if you have a medical problem
She found fame as the co-host of The One Show  but now ALEX JONES is finding her feet as a new mum. In her first major interview since the birth of her son, she talks to Kerry Potter about fertility, turning 40 and keeping her place on the sofa

Alex wears dress, Forever Unique. Cashmere top, Really Wild. Ring, Soul. Trainers, Zara

It is Alex Jones exactly as youd imagine her: perched on a sofa, chirpy, gregarious and girl-next-door pretty, with warm brown eyes and an easy smile. So far, so The One Show. But what is different is todays special guest on that sofa: her baby boy Edward Alun Burrell Thomson (Teddy for short), who was born in January and is now quietly breastfeeding as we drink tea, eat M&Ms and chat. Alexs mother Mary  a former bank manager whos as effusive as her daughter  looks on, ready to pounce on her grandson for a cuddle.

Alex with baby Teddy

Todays photo shoot is 40-year-old Alexs first since Teddys birth and she looks ridiculously good. Dressed in jeans and a cream blouse that she casually leaves billowing open after shes finished feeding, she has a distinct lack of bags under her eyes and her skin is gleaming. Its all make-up, she demurs, and besides, hes a pretty good sleeper  so far. It helps that shes eating well: Mary has come from Wales to stay with Alex and her insurance broker husband Charlie Thomson in Chiswick, armed with plastic tubs of home-cooked cawl, a hearty Welsh soup.

Many new mothers would recoil with horror at being photographed a few weeks after having a baby. Weirdly, I feel a lot more relaxed than I normally would, she says, her Welsh lilt undiminished by seven years in London.

I dont look the same as I did but Im all right about that  life isnt just about me any more. I dont care if Im a bit wobbly or look more tired, because its all part of the fun of being a parent; its a badge of honour. I havent felt the pressure yet [to get back into shape], but its early days. I wouldnt say I dont care if I never get back to how I was. But it took nine months to make him, so if it takes nine months to get back into my old jeans, then so be it.

Shirt, Finery

Shes trying not to think about the other sofa  the one she normally sits on every weekday at 7pm, next to co-host Matt Baker, to present the popular BBC One live magazine show. Her seat is being kept warm by Angela Scanlon (Robot Wars) and Michelle Ackerley (Watchdog).

Is she experiencing maternity-leave paranoia, as chillingly depicted in the BBCs recent thriller The Replacement, in which a high-flying architect (played by Morven Christie) goes on maternity leave  only to discover her cover (Vicky McClure) has a sinister agenda? Of course! Id be lying to say I didnt feel any paranoia when I first left the show, but then you get over it because you realise theres nothing you can do about it, she says. The best bit of advice was from [BBC newsreader] Sophie Raworth, who said: Do NOT watch it! And I didnt. By the time I had the baby, I had no time to watch it anyway.

At the same time, you hope theyre doing a good job because you want a show to come back to  its a balance. But anyone who says theres no paranoia is lying. Its healthy, I think  it shows you respect the job and you care about it.

Alex crossing the finish line with her One Show co-host Matt Baker at an event for Sport Relief

Having spent ten years working on childrens programmes for Welsh TV channel S4C, she nabbed The One Show job in 2010 after Christine Bleakley left. Her on-air persona may be all ditsy, unthreatening charm, but in person she knows exactly what she wants from her career: I think  especially in the early days  people thought, Theres that Welsh girl whos a bit clueless. Sometimes I am a bit clueless, but theres a steely determination that people dont see very often. Im more ambitious than I appear.

With TV the hardest thing is longevity  to stay relevant and keep your place on the sofa. The key is to still be there in 20 years; thats what I want. She pauses to hand Teddy over to her mother. If you love your job, youre always worried that someone is going to take it away from you. There are a lot of good people around  some who are younger, some who are older, too  whod love to do your role and youd be an idiot not to be aware of that. I still kick myself at the end of some days when I feel the show hasnt gone particularly well. TV can be more fickle than other industries but, regardless of what you do, you have to care and do your best on a daily basis. That has been instilled in me by my parents.

She plans to return to The One Show later in the spring, once she and Charlie have found a nanny: Ill probably work part time in the beginning. I dont want to miss Teddys milestones. For now, though, shes enjoying rooting through the hundreds of hand-knitted hats, blankets and toys that viewers sent in for Teddy.

Alex carrying the Queens Baton along the Menai Strait during the Commonwealth Games 2014 Baton Relay

The past few weeks have been lovely but tough. While shes emitting a blissed-out serenity from the sofa today, that is not always the case. A typical day is feeding him for eight hours, trying to fill the washing machine, then filling the tumble dryer and stuffing some food down if theres time. And then its dark and you wonder what youve done with your day  its a bit like being in the Twilight Zone. People underestimate how dramatic the transition can be.

'And even going in to this in my late 30s, I dont feel as though I was told exactly what it would be like. Its a real change of gear. Ive gone from running around at 100mph to being in the house alone; from a lot of noise to it being very quiet. It is hard but its an absolute honour to be a parent. There are times when you think, I just dont know what to do to make him stop crying, but the joy outweighs anything else.

Her tendency to be disorganised isnt playing out well: The first time I went out alone with him, I took him to hospital for a check-up and when I arrived I realised I had no nappies or wipes, just my sunglasses and wallet. But you soon learn.

After making the documentary Alex Jones: Fertility & Me last year, which led to her addressing a conference at the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Alex has become a poster girl for older first-time mothers. She previously dated TV presenters Steve Jones and Matt Johnson, before meeting New Zealander Charlie at a party aged 34. They married when she was 38 and she had Teddy at 39. They were, she says, lucky that he happened quickly [she had fertility tests for the documentary but wouldnt publicly discuss the results].

Alex announcing her engagement to husband Charlie Thomson

As for the best age to have a baby, she says: I dont know if there is one, but if you know you want to be a parent its worth thinking about your options when you hit your 30s  things like freezing eggs. That was something I didnt know anything about. I think lots of GPs dont have the right information or advice. If we were all better educated about fertility, maybe fewer people would find it as much of a struggle [to conceive].

Alex has recently signed a deal to write a baby book, due to be published early next year: Its a light-hearted account of having a baby in your late 30s, she says, with tips from experts for first-time parents who are winging it like us.

If she was still single, would she have had a baby on her own? Its a difficult question, because the past five weeks have been tough. It is doable but its a lot of work. Though if that were the situation I found myself in, then, yes, I would have considered it.

One of the reasons she made the documentary was her mothers revelation that she had experienced early menopause at 43, a condition that has a strong genetic link. Alex says theyd like a sibling for Teddy, but, as she just turned 40 last month, does that fast-track the issue? Yes, my mums early menopause is something we are very aware of. It would be foolish of us to chance it and leave it too late next time, she says.

Alexs A-list Dream dinner-party guests My family and friends. Why on earth would you want people you dont know in your house? Breakfast Porridge with berries. Last book you read When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Its written by a surgeon who was diagnosed with incurable cancer aged 36 and finds himself in the same boat as his patients. I read it when I was pregnant and it really sums up whats important in life and gives you clarity. Favourite TV show Catastrophe  it depicts a relationship so well; its spot on. It definitely rings some bells, like the arguments you have when youre tired and saying ridiculous things. Charlie and I both sit there watching it, not saying anything but thinking, Oh my God, we say things like that. Listening to The La La Land soundtrack. Essential baby product A SnuzPod crib that you bolt on to the side of your bed. It means youre not co-sleeping but the baby is within touching distance. Tipple of choice Wine and more wine. Any colour will do. Most treasured possession Teddy. Is he a possession? Describe yourself in three words Loyal, robust, determined. Top beauty product Marc Jacobs mascara. You can put on one coat and its amazing or five coats and it looks like youve got the best false eyelashes ever. Wardrobe picks Zara is my high-street favourite, and I like Sandro and Maje for something a bit more expensive. Cant leave home without An apple. I cant go anywhere without a snack. Secret ambition To be an interior designer. Perfect day off Breakfast in a new place, antique furniture shopping and then a boozy lunch, which can extend into the evening. Well, thats what we did last time I had a day off, but now things are different! Your motto Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Fitness regime Im not a gym person  I feel like a hamster on a wheel at the gym  but I enjoy Barrecore and hot yoga. Guilty pleasure Trashy telly. I like Dinner Date, which Charlie despises. How would you like to be remembered? As a good wife, daughter and mother. And someone who did her absolute best. Advertisement

Its very early days [after having Teddy] but if we did try to have another one and it wasnt as easy as it was with Teddy, we might think, well, weve been lucky enough to have him so well just have the one. Or we might think its been so wonderful having him that well go down the IVF route. I dont know.

I do want two children. You tend to mirror what youve grown up with and Charlie and I have one sister each. I wish wed met sooner and that wed cracked on with trying for a baby when I was 34, 35 [to allow more time to have another child], but thats the way it was for us and you cant change that.

As for being an older mum, it has its advantages: I have more patience than I did when I was younger, and more of an understanding of my body. And were just so grateful that we did manage to have him  when it starts getting tough we remember how lucky we are. It gives me perspective.

Alex speaks Welsh to Teddy and wants him to be bilingual. I get the impression that, now she is a mother, she is hankering for her homeland, though matters are complicated by how much flexibility her live TV gig will offer and the fact that her husband is a Kiwi: Id love to say yes, wed definitely move out of London to Wales, and have more space for Teddy to run around, but it has to be a two-way conversation, she says.

Growing up in Ammanford (a former mining town in Carmarthenshire), the daughter of Mary and sales executive Alun (hence Teddys middle name), Alex attended a Welsh-speaking primary school. She was painfully introverted until her later teens, when she went to Aberystwyth University to study theatre, film and TV.

It took me until the sixth form to find any sort of confidence, and I was still pretty shy going to uni. TV wasnt the obvious job for me  I dont know where that interest came from as no one else in my family does anything similar. But I wanted to give it a go  I wanted to be a producer or researcher, something behind the scenes.

Her early 20s was a period which she drily dubs my unfortunate time as a runner. She worked for a TV production company and wasnt exactly employee of the month  lowlights included losing Julian Lloyd Webbers priceless cello and, having been asked to take Michael Crawford out for lunch, plumping for McDonalds.

She smiles: I think you can take your career too seriously too quickly because youre going to be working for a very long time. Now I worry myself sick about the slightest thing at work, but back then I had two to three years of just enjoying it before I knuckled down. It got to the point where my bosses said, Youre not great behind the camera, so lets try you on camera.

Alex can be cheery to a fault: Im not a moper. Nothing catastrophic has happened in my life and we always had a get-on-with-it mentality in my house, she says. Last year, fan Shane Goldsmith was given a restraining order after hounding her for 17 months. Today she simply says it was blown out of proportion.

Riding a rickshaw on The One Show last October

How does she feel about her recent milestone birthday? Im not over-thinking it, she says. Some of my friends whove turned 40 struggled with it. But because the baby has come the same year, I havent had much time to think about it. I reckon you should probably celebrate getting older. If youre happy where you are in your life, its just a birthday, isnt it?

And with that, she straps Teddy into his car seat, sweeps the detritus around us  breast pads, dummies and muslins  into her bag, grabs a final handful of M&Ms and heads home to not watch The One Show. The sofa seems strangely empty without her.

Styling: Pip Hamilton at A&R. Make-up: Afton Radojicic at Stella Creative Artists. Hair: Fabio Nogueira at Frank Agency using Batiste Stylist
Details added (first version posted on 11:34)

Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2

Trend:

The Armenian police received 24 appeals about electoral violations during parliamentary election in the country as of 1:00 (UTC/GMT+4) on April 2, Meruzhan Hakobyan, police colonel, chief of the staff of the head of police of the Republic of Armenia, said, the countrys media reported.

"One case is connected with hampering the right of citizens to freely express the suffrage, 2 cases - hooliganism, 8 cases - re-voting or voting instead of other person, 1 case - violations of the secret ballot and 11 cases - other violations," Hakobyan said.
The central government is all set to crack down on fake licence holders across the country.

With proposed amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act, the transport ministry is going to set up an online system that would issue a driving permit within 72 hours.

The development comes in wake of the government's claim that about a third of the driving licences in the country are counterfeits.

The amendment to the Motor Vehicles Bill proposes 100 per cent e-governance in the transport sector of India

This includes a large number of commercial ones issued from various transport authorities that are still working manually.

Sources say under the new system once the driving test is cleared a licence will be issued in three days, failing which the region transport office will be held responsible.

As per the amendment bill, the drivers' details will be available across India via a central online database so that no duplicate licence can be issued.

There would be an Aadhaar-based verification for the grant of licence, which aims to check duplication.

The rule comes into force following the Cabinet approval of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016 that provides for linking of driving licence and vehicle registration with Aadhaar-based platform.

This will enable the agencies to maintain a database of drivers and vehicles registered in the country.

On Saturday, union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari also said that 30 per cent of the driving licences in the country are bogus. He said this is one of the main reasons behind the rising number of road accidents.

The nation-wide e-register will prevent duplicate driving licences, such as this one, from being issued in different states

'From now on the driving licences will be electronically registered under umbrella of e-governance,' he said, addressing the grand finale of the Smart India Hackathon 2017 in Nagpur.

The minister also said it will be made mandatory for regional transport offices (RTOs) to issue licences within three days of a person clearing the driving test.

Information of the licence holder will be available across the nation and he or she will not be able to register bogus licences anywhere.

'Now any person, small or big, will not get the licence without clearing the driving test. Twenty-eight driving examination centres have been opened and 2,000 more will come up in the country.

'If the RTO does not issue the driving licence within three days of the test, then action will be taken against the RTO.

'This will facilitate transparency and corruption free work,' the minister said.

'We have proposed an amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act where people need to have Aadhaar number to apply for driving licence and need not to visit transport offices to get a learning driving licence as it all will be online,' Gadkari said after the Cabinet gave its nod to the amendment bill.

The government has also decided to create an all-India register for driving licences and vehicles. This would be available across the country and will also prevent duplication of licences and registration of stolen vehicles.

Once the bill is approved in Parliament, vehicle dealers would be authorised to issue vehicle numbers and register them through the register.

The government has also proposed compulsory vehicle recall, amendments like third party insurance, relief to good Samaritans, stricter punishment and fines to traffic rule violators, etc.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016 also proposes 100 per cent e-governance in transport sector.

Identity verification using Aadhaar will be used, bad road contractors will be liable for fine, drivers will be included in third party insurance and claims would be time bound.

The bill specifically targets traffic offenders with stringent penal provisions. It has identified priority areas for improving road safety.

Stricter penalties are proposed for high-risk offences such as drink-driving, dangerous driving, overloading, as well as non-adherence to safety norms by drivers such as use of seat belt and helmets.
Unhappy hours set in on Saturday at the favourite watering holes of party animals in Gurugram's Cyber Hub.

A Supreme Court ban on liquor outlets near highways across the country has left bar owners and patrons in low spirits.

Shocked customers shuffled from one establishment to another, asking if there would be any drinks on offer the next day, only to be greeted by blank looks from the management.

Thousands of liquor vendors, like this one in Hyderabad, along India's national and state highways closed after a supreme court order kicked in April 1

Some thought it was an April Fools' Day prank.

The top court on Friday rejected pleas by hotels and bars seeking exemption from an earlier order to ban liquor vends within 500m of highways across the country from April 1.

The court said exempting them from the order will defeat the purpose of preventing drink-driving. The SC, however, relaxed some norms for smaller municipal areas and two north-eastern states.

Cyber Hub is situated within 500 metres of the Delhi-Gurugram expressway, a national highway. While business is down by 90-95 per cent, many restaurants say it's a miracle if customers turn up at all.

'Footfall has gone down by 90 per cent at least. If this continues, we'll have to become a fine dining restaurant,' said Lalit, the general manager of Imperfecto Bar.

'Also, things are so bad today that we are giving up our 'no kids post 6pm' rule, and actually have families dining with us for the first time since we opened this outlet.'

The top court ruling, has hit hundreds of pubs, five-star hotels and other watering holes within 500m of national highways that will have to either go dry, or shut shop.

The order is an attempt to reduce drunken driving on India's deadly roads where 1.5 lakh people were killed in 2015.

Ramesh, the manager of Soy 7, which is immensely popular for its ladies' night, told Mail Today that all bookings have been cancelled.

'We get more than 400 people here every Saturday. But today, we haven't had even one-tenth the number of customers,' he said.

Sutra Gastropub, which had a band ready to get on stage for soundcheck when we reached, said it hadn't had one customer since morning.

'We are cancelling the gig for tonight, and we have gigs four days in a week, so we're cancelling the ones for the upcoming couple of days as well,' the manager said.

Beer Cafe, however, shut shop for the day, with some employees telling customers that they might be closed for four-five days.

The usual bustling busy streets in the night life centres of India were almost empty as revellers gave up on trying to buy alcohol

Gurugram's number one spot, Cyber Hub, was empty on Saturday night as the ban came into effect

The new liquor ban The Supreme Court court set the April 1 deadline in December barring liquor shops from operating within a range of 500m from India's highways. The court extended the ban to pubs, bars and restaurants near highways, with the government estimated to lose billions of rupees in taxes. Last year the court told the government not to renew existing licenses after March 31 and banned issuance of fresh licences in the prohibited area. It also ordered the removal of all liquor banners and advertisements from such routes. Under a new proposed law drunken drivers would be fined Rs 10,000 (123) up from Rs 500 (6.15) and handed jail terms ranging from three to six months. Advertisement

Pradeep, an employee, said, 'We don't know what's happening or when we would be able to start serving alcohol, if at all.

'Otherwise we'll have to stick to mocktails and food,' which, as a bystander pointed out, means that they might have to change the name of the outlet.

The social outlet in Cyber Hub also seems to be in a fix, with a plethora of IPL match screenings in the pipeline, but no booze to keep the fans interested.

Mail Today also came across many patrons in their 20s and 30s, who were left scratching their heads by this unexpected dry day dilemma at their favourite Saturday night joints.

Rahul, who works in Gurugram and was there to go on a date, said: 'I had finally progressed to asking a girl I like for an actual date, instead of just grabbing some coffee.

'I thought Saturday evening in Cyber Hub would be ideal, post work. But, maybe I should have checked before coming here.'

Rahul ended up having a great evening with his beau in Vasant Kunj.

A group of a dozen ladies was walking around from restaurant to restaurant. When we spoke to one of them - Pooja - she told us that they were looking for a venue to celebrate a friend's farewell.

Under a new proposed law drunken drivers would be fined Rs 10,000 (123) up from Rs 500 (6.15) and handed jail terms ranging from three to six months

'We've been looking for half an hour, and we thought Cyber Hub would be the perfect choice since it's known to be one of the best drinking hubs in Gurugram.

'But now, we might have to drop the idea or do with dinner.'

For some, it was just a Saturday night gone wrong.

'We came here expecting to see a full party scene - you usually don't get a place to sit at or sometimes, even walk, in Cyber Hub.

'But today, there's so much space and the scene is completely dead. It's never been like this,' said Abhishek and Stefan, who work nearby and live in Gurugram.

They decided to buy some booze from the nearest liquor store and party at home.

Meet the man behind the liquor ban

By Prabhash K Dutta

He lives in Chandigarh, where around 10 million liquor bottles were sold between April 1, 2016 and March 28 this year.

And, he procured an order from the Supreme Court in December last year that directed all the liquor shops and poppy husks vends along the highways across the country to down the shutters.

Meet Harman Singh Sidhu - the man who tirelessly works to make roads safer. He was only 26 when a road accident confined him to his wheelchair.

Harman Singh Sidhu - the man who tirelessly works to make roads safer. He was only 26 when a road accident confined him to his wheelchair following an accident caused by a drunk driver

Sidhu had gone to Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh. Sidhu was in the backseat as he watched his car spinning like a top before falling 70 feet deep.

Sidhu suffered major injuries in his spinal cord rendering him paralysed neck down.

According to the excise policy, released by his home town's administration last Thursday, the residents of the city consume 30,000 liquor bottles daily on an average.

Sidhu founded NGO ArriveSAFE, which has led several road safety awareness campaigns in association with World Health Organisation and the United Nations.

At ArriveSAFE, Sidhu was involved with many surveys on road safety. While conducting these surveys Sidhu noticed the number of people dying in accidents caused by drunken driving.

According to ArriveSAFE website, driving under the influence of alcohol is ultimately responsible for 30 to 50 per cent of road deaths and serious casualties worldwide.

It also points out that about one-third of the drivers of motorised two-wheelers in Delhi and about 44 per cent of crash victims in Bengaluru were found to be under the influence of alcohol in a study.

Sidhu made up his mind to file a PIL. But, he first sought data through an RTI.

According to the RTI response of the National Highway Authority of India there were 185 liquor shops vends on a 291km stretch of National Highway 1 in Punjab and Haryana alone.

This meant that there was one liquor shop vend at every 1.5km on the highway. PILs were filed in the High Courts of Punjab and Haryana and Rajasthan and they delivered favourable judgements.

The states then moved to the Supreme Court, which imposed a ban on liquor shops and poppy husks vends along the highways across the country which came into force on Saturday.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for enhancing cyber security, the Indian Army is testing the indigenous BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) to guard its communication and information networks from espionage by foreign players.

In his maiden address to the senior commanders of the three services, the prime minister had asked them to guard against the threats in the cyber domain and after that, Army's Jammu and Kashmir-based Northern Command started the evaluation of the indigenous operating system for military requirements.

'The Northern Command has been evaluating the BOSS at its headquarters as an option for replacing the foreign solutions to provide more security to the critical security-related information of the forces deployed there,' government sources told Mail Today.

The Indian Army is testing the indigenous BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) to guard its communication and information networks from espionage by foreign players

'The software, developed by CDAC Chennai, is being customised for meeting the requirements of the military and during the evaluation last week, it was moving ahead satisfactorily,' they said.

BOSS is a software developed to benefit the usage of free software in the country and considered to be an important initiative by military analysts when cyber is fast emerging as warfare domain.

Army sources said protection of vital information in cyber domain is critical for the forces deployed in the command which faces both China and Pakistan as even if the itinerary of a small convoy gets leaked, it can be proven dangerous.

At present, the Indian military is using foreign-origin software, which have been frequently coming under the scanner for working for their countries' intelligence agencies and cannot be considered safe in the prevailing atmosphere of leaks and cyber espionage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the senior commanders of the three services andasked them to guard against the threats in the cyber domain

Currently, a number of equipment in the cyber infrastructure used by the public sector agencies supporting military communication is sourced from foreign manufacturers.

Fearing espionage through foreign equipment, an advisory was issued couple of years ago by the Air Force to its personnel against using the phones of a particular phone firm.

Army officials from the Corps of Signals - which is responsible for maintenance and looking after entire gamut of military communication - said creating our own information and communication technology infrastructure would also help in providing opportunity for 'Make in India' products in the sector.

India is also coming up with a tri-service cyber agency which will deal with the matters of cyber security and have both offensive and defensive capabilities while dealing with issues in that domain.
After landslide poll victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and forming state governments in four of the five states which went to polls recently, a beaming BJP is in no mood to sit back and relax.

High on the party's agenda is to extend the saffron surge in other parts of the country.

For this, the BJP has chosen Odisha as the next stop for its 'Mission 2019' and will hold its key National Executive meeting on April 14 and 15 in Bhubaneswar.

Dhamendra Pradhan (left) said the panchayat polls show the BJP is making inroads all over India

The party plans to bank on Modi's style of governance and political leadership, his pro-poor social benefits front to connect to voters just like it did in the assembly polls.

The BJP would also highlight international affairs and party's expansion agenda in most of the eastern coastal states, including Odisha and Bengal.

Modi is set to kick off his 'Mission 2019' campaign later this month in Odisha

BJP leaders from Odisha see this as a big political gain that the party will launch its 'Mission Odisha for 2019' from BJP National Executive meet in the state.

Speaking to Mail Today, union minister of state for Petroleum (independent charge) Dharmendra Pradhan said: 'Bhubaneshwar meet is significant as we are fortunate to host the national leadership for deciding the future course of national political action from our state.'

'It also compliments our recent poll victories in state panchayat elections. Led by PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah, the mega political event will see many top central ministers, RSS leaders and chief ministers of all BJP ruled states arriving in the capital for the two-day event.'

The state BJP unit is upbeat about its recent panchayat results where it gave ruling Naveen Patnaik-ruled BJD a big setback.

Pradhan added: 'While the poll victories in UP, Uttarakhand have immediate larger relevance to formulate a blueprint to sustain governance in these new states under the BJP belt, the spotlight also comes on Odisha, which will be going to polls along with 2019 general elections.

'As the top leadership discusses plans to strengthen its political influence over the country, Odisha becomes a natural talking point in that political game-plan.'

He says that Modi's governance for poor has also shown results in Odisha panchayat polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the road show for final phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh at his Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi last month

Of the 853 panchayat seats, BJP grabbed 297 as against 37 in the last elections.

The ruling BJD got 473 as against 650 last time, as almost 250 seats went the BJP way.

'The recent Odisha panchayat results have signaled the change even BJD-led tribal districts and CM Patnaik's own constituency has started shifting loyalties to BJP and all this has been made possible due to Modi's style of 'welfare governance',' said Pradhan.

He added: 'Be it Ujjwala, Jan Dhan and other pro-poor schemes under direct benefits transfers, these helped us gain foothold in BJD ruled areas.' Pradhan said.

Interestingly, BJP's growing surge within the coastal state is attributed to the growth of communication tools and information sharing through mobile, TV and travel of locals to different states for work.

'In Patnaik's Ganjam district, there are a lot of people who travel frequently to Gujarat and they have seen the development there. Narratives have started changing due to this,' he added.
Sometimes protests become a spectacle, something dismissed or forgotten quickly.

People in Delhi drive past JantarMantar gazing at political processions with an indifferent shrug.

JantarMantar is the 'official' site for protest, a spectacle of grievances that democracy tolerates as long as it can contain it.

Protests in the Indian state of Tamil Nandu, where Shiv Visvanthan believes they are not being heard (file pic)

The French sociologist Luc Boltanski coined the term 'Disaster Fatigue' to explain the indifference of spectator to the genocides and disaster of the 20th century.

I must confess not all protests carry the same air of poignancy, not all of them present the message with equal effectiveness.

Sometime more than words it is the pathos of silence that moves one.

The recent protest by more than 150 farmers from Tamil Nadu evoked that heart-breaking quality.

'The drought in Tamil Nadu has been devastating and yet the government's silence and indifference has been intriguing' (file pic)

The protest almost had a sense of a sacrifice or a religious ritual as farmers sat in dharna carrying the skulls of comrades who had died earlier.

There was a constant sense of the macabre which added a deeper message. It was the indifferent of society and the regime that was being protested to.

The drought in Tamil Nadu has been devastating and yet the silence and indifference has been intriguing.

The protesters claim that this has been the worst drought in Tamil Nadu in 140 years. Over a hundred farmers have committed suicide. Each faced a vicious cycle of debt to the private money lender as the money provided by the government as relief was not enough.

The farmers have sought Rs 40,000 cr as drought relief but the government has been slow in responding.

Somehow the drying up of the Kaveri has been looked upon with indifference. In fact, the spectacle of protest raises an interesting comparison.

The Uttarakhand High Court in a judgement last week ruled that the Ganges and Yamuna as sacred rivers would henceforth be treated as persons.

In fact, they would be represented by senior functionaries. Oddly the judgement did not extend the right of rivers to Kaveri, Godavari or Brahmaputra.

JantarMantar is the 'official' site for protest, a spectacle of grievances that democracy tolerates as long as it can contain it

They are as sacred and as life-giving to the ecology of their areas. It is almost as if a dried-up Kaveri is no longer treated as a river.

Worse still, drought has become so habitual, so everyday, that it no longer generates the sense of scandal that disasters should.

In fact, in India, a drought is not merely a natural event. A drought becomes a drought only when it is officially defined as a drought.

Without official recognition, there is no official response and the drought and its sufferers fade into anonymity.

As always, it is the nature of the governmental response that has become problematic. The assurances have remained empty rituals of lip service.

The former chief minister, Jayalalithaa had written off some of the loans before she died.

But loan waivers come in different classificatory grids. Loans from cooperative banks have been written off but loans from nationalised banks are awaiting central clearance.

The protesters met Arun Jaitley, the finance minister has promised to look into it but they are still waiting. Strangely the banks have been ruthless or bureaucratic to a default.

Mahadevan, one of the protesters, talked about notices served by the bank threatening to take over his property if he defaults on the loan.

Mahadevan adds that his wife received the notice while he was away and died of a heart attack.

Tamil Nadu's drought is causing farmers in the area a lot of distress

One need not multiply these anecdotes to sentimentalise the situation. It has already become an epic tragedy with government enacting its rituals of delay and indifference.

One senses from the protesters that many are middle age farmers with medical problems, where hunger or fasting might create its own network of complications.

Fortunately, the chorus of sympathisers present persuaded them to take some food. Yet the sadness of drought is not endemic to Tamil Nadu alone.

Drought, a certain commercialisation of crops, the systems of loan management create a cycle of debt to which suicide has become an option.

Yet even the hope that suicide in a family would trigger concern and compensation is often futile.

The ministry of home affairs indicated that 300 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat. There is an abstraction to numbers which does not capture the tragedy.

Albert Camus, the French novelist, once said that statistics do not bleed. The experience of India shows that drought statistics bleed even less.

Unfortunately, there is also stereotyping of narrative where the victim is often confronted as a different species rather than a fellow citizen to whom we owe care and responsibility.

Today India has no leaders like JP Narayan who can step in and provide an ethical resonance to the problems of drought and starvation.

The clerk and the economist file their pathologist reports before the ethicist or civil society can step in.

In fact, a quick check on the authenticity of response is to see how long issues and narratives of drought are pursued.

There is little that is systematic in the response and the dole as relief is the government signature signing off from the problem.

The question of drought is no longer episodic. It has become structural. It needs more than policy palliatives as what we are facing is a crisis of ecology and agriculture.

Tamil Nadu is experiencing a major drought at the moment

A government preening itself over its policy on the Ganges has little to say about the drying up of the Cauvery. There is a surreal power to the protest.

The body language of the protesters, the tiredness of the faces and the desperation of the farmer climbing a tree to hang himself here becomes standard tropes.

The deeper question is - can society, not just government, respond? Does one have to wait for the centrality of the PM's relief fund to respond?

Cannot civil society, newspapers produce responses which can make governance move?

The Tamil Nadu drought has become a challenge to the imagination of India as a caring democracy.

Shiv Visvanathan is a social science nomad.
Even as a video of the infamous anti Romeo squad shaving the head of a man in a public park in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur is going viral, the police in Meerut swears that they never harass people 'in love'.

Accompanied by a few female constables, Kanchan Chaudhary, lady inspector and leader of the anti Romeo squad in Meerut rubbishes all allegations, while keeping an eye out for the 'Romeos' in front of the RG Postgraduate Girls College in Meerut.

She said: 'I have been in service for over 30 years. My staff members have been eve teased when they roam around in plain clothes.

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Inspector Kanchan Chaudhary (in front) with her team of anti-Romeo squad officers during a round of patrolling outside a girls' college in Meerut

'We only catch hold of those who are passing lewd comments or visibly troubling girls.

'If they are in love, I can see it.

'If we spot someone suspicious, we ask them to produce an ID or if they are too young, we get in touch with their parents to see if they can corroborate the story.'

And the girls at RG College are more than happy to support Chaudhary's claims.

'The college exit and entrance gates were a hub for miscreants. They now seem to have vanished. The boys used to whistle and pass lewd comments,' says Priyanka, a final year Bachelor of Commerce student at RG Postgraduate Girls college.

Women say boys who used to whistle and pass lewd comments at them have vanished since the arrival of the squads outside universities

Most of them praised their new CM but when asked if they had trouble hanging out with a male friend, they snapped: 'We don't get into trouble because we do not hang out with guy friends.'

While there are fewer couples on the street, the restaurants near the colleges are cashing in on the fear of the anti-Romeo squad.

The Mail Today team spoke to couples who have restricted their meetings to restaurants and food outlets.

One such couple informed that real Romeos meet their Juliets in groups.

Rohan, a final year Commerce student said: 'It is better to meet in a group than be found alone.

'However, it depends a lot on the girl. If she says that she is with the boy with her will, the cops will let you go.'

Navjeet Singh, 20, a student of the Meerut College has a different story to tell, though.

'I was on bike with a girl a few days ago. The squad stopped me with a stick and asked me to produce my ID and started questioning me about my friend.

'They told me I am not supposed to roam around with a girl and I could get into trouble.

'Finally, my friend spoke up and said she was with me on her own accord. That's when they let me go.'

Superintendent of the Meerut Police, Alok Priyadarshi explained all these are results of misunderstandings.

'We have issued strict instructions to the squad not to trouble couples strolling in parks or malls.

'Also, we have banned the squad from imposing public punishments like doing sit ups, blackening faces and shaving heads.

'The objective is to get hold of miscreants, give them a warning or take action if necessary and make the streets a safer place,' he said.

Superintendent of Police, Meerut, Alok Priyadarshi says anti-Romeo squads harrassing couples are results of misunderstandings

Priyadarshi said all matters of eve teasing are dealt with professionally. Some are given a warning but if the cases are serious and the girl wants to file an FIR, the 'Romeos' are taken into custody.

Sohan Sharma, a Library Science graduate at Chaudhury Charan Singh University says the entire objective is nullified if the law enforcers take matters into their hands.

'I have seen them beating up guys even when they are with their sister. They even get inside campuses and raid our lawns. It is very troublesome.

'The law might be for the good but what is the use if it is not implemented in the right way?' he asked.

Anti-Romeo squad comprising female police officials question a man on the bike outside RG degree girls college in Meerut as he has two women riding on the back

His friend, Saloni Mittal, voiced the same concern.

She said: 'Even our parents don't doubt us so much. Sohan is right. It has become very dangerous to roam around even on campuses. Sometimes, they attack without any questions.'

She added: 'But couples and love birds will find a way out for sure. So will eve teasers. How long can they keep this up?'

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made it clear that vigilantism by the squads will not be tolerated and a new set of guidelines for the conduct of the anti Romeo squad have been issued across the state.

But until that comes to effect, many will continue voicing these concerns. The common consensus is that there must be proper execution.

There is no visible presence of anti-Romeo squads in Ghaziabad, though the police presence outside outside women's colleges such as Susheela Girls College, MMH College and other public places have been heightened.

Sarvesh Bhargava, a multi-utility shop owner outside Susheela Girls College says the change is evident.

'Teenagers who used to speed on bikes, tease girls, perform stunts and create chaos in the locality have disappeared after the new law.

'The police personnel are also stationed outside schools and colleges, which is a good thing,' he added.
Lawyer-politician Prashant Bhushan has sparked a controversy with certain remarks on Lord Krishna while criticising the 'anti- Romeo' drive in Uttar Pradesh, following which police complaints were filed against him.

'Romeo loved just one lady, while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser. Would (UP CM Yogi) Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes Anti-Krishna squads?' Bhushan tweeted.

As the controversy erupted, he tried damage control by later tweeting that his remarks had been distorted and he had no intention of hurting religious sentiments.

Lawyer-politician Prashant Bhushan has sparked a controversy with certain remarks on Lord Krishna while criticising the 'anti- Romeo' drive in Uttar Pradesh

'My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.

'We have grown up with legends of young Krishna teasing Gopis. The logic of Romeo squad would criminalise this. Didn't intend to hurt sentiments,' he added in another tweet.

However, by then separate police complaints had been filed against him by Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Bagga in the national Capital and UP Congress spokesperson Zeeshan Haidar in Lucknow.

'I have lodged a police complaint against Prashant Bhushan for his indecent remarks on Lord Krishna, who is revered across the world.

'This is not a question of Hindu or Muslim. The tweets of Bhushan have hurt sentiments of crores of devotees,' said Haider.

Bagga said he has written to the police asking for a case to be filed against Bhushan under India Penal Code sections 153(a) and 295.

The complaint has been sent to the the Tilak Marg police station, added Bagga. Officials of Tilak Marg police station are looking into the matter, an official said, adding no FIR has been lodged yet.

'He (Bhushan) always does this for cheap publicity. He has to give (a) written apology for this,' added Bagga.

The special anti-Romeo squads of UP Police were formed to check eve teasing after the Aditynath government assumed office last month, fulfilling one of the poll promises of the BJP. Critics have alleged that it has led to incidents of harassment.

Stressing that his government was firm on upholding the security and dignity of women, Chief Minister Adityanath had said a state-wide drive has been launched to free public places of anti-social elements and check incidents of eve teasing, indecent behaviour and passing of lewd comments at women and girls.

Bhushan is a leader of Swaraj India party, which he along with his associate Yogendra Yadav floated in October last year after being expelled from Aam Aadmi Party.

Reacting to Bhushan's offensive tweet, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla, said, 'It simply reflects his narrow mindset.

The tweet has hurt the sentiments of billions of devotees of Lord Krishna not only in India, but across the world.

Inspector Kanchan Chaudhary with her anti-romeo squad inspecting the streets of Meerut girls college

'He is the same Prashant Bhushan, who had once said that Kashmir is not a part of India. Hence, the need of the hour is to initiate stringent legal action against him.'

BJP's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Bhushan should study the Indian epics before commenting.

'Saddening' was how BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra chose to describe it. In a Hindi tweet, Patra said it takes several births to understand Lord Krishna, and suggested that it was unfortunate that the deity's name was being politicised.

Lucknow Police run an anti-Romeo operation at Saharaganj mall

Owasi Bhushan's remark comes a day after MP Asaduddin Owaisi took a potshot at the BJP's policies on beef in two states: Uttar Pradesh  where a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses is underway, and Nagaland  where there's no such policy yet.

In fact, Visasolie Lhoungu, Nagaland BJP chief, said, '(A) ban on cow slaughter like the one in UP won't take effect in Nagaland if our party comes to power next year.

The reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of that.'

All this prompted Owaisi to ask: 'Are cows 'mummy' in Uttar Pradesh and 'yummy' in Nagaland?
For reasons obscure, the Supreme Court has declared that trade in alcohol is res extra commercium, i.e. beyond commerce, and therefore, not entitled to protection under constitutional and fundamental.

But the SC has provided enough loopholes to recognise the liquor trade constitutionally.

In the famous Khoday case (1995), the court denied constitutional legitimacy to the liquor trade and allowed it by saying that if a government permits the trade, it is constitutionally obliged to regulate it in a fair manner.

Under a new proposed law drunken drivers would be fined Rs 10,000 (123) up from Rs 500 (6.15) and handed jail terms ranging from three to six months

The new liquor ban The Supreme Court court set the April 1 deadline in December barring liquor shops from operating within a range of 500m from India's highways. The court extended the ban to pubs, bars and restaurants near highways, with the government estimated to lose billions of rupees in taxes. Last year the court told the government not to renew existing licenses after March 31 and banned issuance of fresh licences in the prohibited area. It also ordered the removal of all liquor banners and advertisements from such routes. Under a new proposed law drunken drivers would be fined Rs 10,000 (123) up from Rs 500 (6.15) and handed jail terms ranging from three to six months. Advertisement

The Kerala case (2015) went further to say that if the trade is permitted, it is constitutionally legitimate.

This confusion in the Supreme Court decisions tries to bridge the gap between constitutional diktat and reality.

The moral case for prohibition comes from the Directive Principles of the Constitution (Article 47).

The issues raised by it are indeterminate.

Prohibition and control

Some states have declared prohibition for different reasons. For example, Gujarat and Bihar have declared prohibition.

The Bihar prohibition case is before the SC. The reason for prohibition is socio-economic. Families, especially women, complain that family incomes are soaked up by alcohol.

In Delhi, alcohol could not be sold on Friday (pay day). As a token, liquor is not sold on October 2. Both practical and moral reasons are projected for prohibition and control. The moral intuition is strong.

In 1957, the SC declared gambling constitutionally unprotected. The venerable Krishna Iyer in 1977 declared his animadversions to the rural debt trade by declaring it constitu tionally unprotected  an entirely moral decision.

There is something seriously wrong with this constitutional unprotected doctrine of res extra commercium as applied to gambling, liquor and rural debts.

The Court seems to be saying, 'We abhor these things, you can ban them if you want. But if you permit them, they can be regulated as legitimate. (i.e. commercium).'

This dissonance between doctrine and reality is involuted, but regulation is not.

Highways case (2016)

The Highways case emanates from a judgment of Justice Chandrachud on December 15, 2016. Its watchword was 'public safety'  a serious issue in the light of drunk driving on highways.

But the Chandrachud judgment went well over the top. As one lawyer in the 2017 proceedings put it: 'Intoxication is a matter of the mind.'

It was a pun covering alcohol as well as power. The essence of the judgment is based on statistics that alcohol-related accidents and deaths on highways are 3.3% and 4.6%, whereas speeding figures are 47.9% and 44.2%.

Gurugram's number one spot, Cyber Hub, was empty on Saturday night as the ban came into effect

Even drunken driver fault cases were 4.2% and 6.4%. No one can argue that drunken driving on highways is a menace and steps have to be taken to tackle it.

The first and obvious step is better enforcement. This is totally lax. The second is to control access to alcohol.

The Union government reported that road fatalities are highest in India and an accident occurs every four minutes.

In 2004, the National Road Safety Council agreed that there should be no licensed liquor shops near national highways.

Section 188 of Motor Vehicles Act makes drunken driving an offence. The Union government has been issuing advisories to state governments to shut liquor vends near highways  with states laying down 100-200 metre limit.

Chandrachud's judgment prescribes 500 metres with 'no exception'. Why was the Chandrachud judgment questionable?

First, it wholly misinterprets constitutional law relating to alcohol. Second, and most important, national highways are within the jurisdiction of the Centre, while the rest of the roads come under states.

How could the SC with one stroke wipe out all legislations of states? All the states were not present either.

Third, the 500 metre limit came totally out of Chandrachud's imagination  lacking balance and perspective.

Former SC Judge Radhakrishnan had recommended 100 metre. Eight states protested.

The usual bustling busy streets in the night life centres of India were almost empty as revellers gave up on trying to buy alcohol

Liquor retailers came to SC to say the judgment was wrong. With all its flaws, the case should have been reheard.

But few judges repent on their mistakes. In two instances, Hidayatullah plainly admitted he was wrong. Senior Chandrachud regretted his Emergency decision.

Chief Justice Khehar came to Chandrachud Junior's rescue  with unwarranted aggression. There was to be no rehearing. What was permitted was to rewrite the judgment.

The outcome

Chandrachud's second highway decision on (March 31, 2017) found his previous unconstitutional judgment constitutional.

According to him, constitutionality was 'trammelled with technicality'. Strangely, the busy town through which state highways run had to comply by the 500-metre criteria.

Existing licences could continue till September 30. An exception was made of Meghalaya and Sikkim because they were hilly states with uneven terrain.

Why not other hill states? What the court should have done is leave it to the states. Such judgments lack principle and perspective  judicial overreach contrary to law.
Business Minister Margot James has written to the chief executives of all FTSE 350 companies, urging them to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

She wants firms to act on key recommendations from the review carried out by Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, and published in February, into black and ethnic minority progression in the workplace.

This includes publishing a breakdown of the workforce by race and pay, setting aspirational targets and nominating a board member to deliver on those targets.

Business review: Firms asked to publish breakdowns of their workforces by race and pay, and to set aspirational targets

James, who was appointed by Theresa May last summer, said: 'It simply makes no sense for people to be left behind because of their ethnic background.'

She will chair the first meeting of a new Business Diversity and Inclusion Group 'in the coming months'. Recently she chaired the first meeting of the Scale-Up Taskforce, set up to assess the barriers to growth facing smaller firms.

James has been Scale-Up Champion since the Government's Industrial Strategy green paper was published in January. Regular meetings of the taskforce will be co-chaired by Sahar Hashemi, founder of the Coffee Republic chain.

At the same time, a new entrepreneurship review is now being led by Professor Tim Dafforn, chief entrepreneurial adviser at the Department for Business, to examine the journey from start-up to scale-up.

And the Patient Capital Review, announced in November, is being led by Damon Buffini, former head of private equity house Permira, to address a dearth of long-term capital investment in firms.
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A notorious caravan park in an affluent Melbourne neighbourhood is set to be razed to the ground to make way for a multi-million dollar apartment block.

Hobsons Bay Caravan Park, in Melbourne's south-west, has for decades been a place to stay for some of the city's most disadvantaged and downtrodden people.

With caravans renting out for as little as $130 a week, the rundown park with roughly 120 residents has acted as a temporary and permanent home for battlers far and wide.

But the site was recently sold off to developers who rezoned the land and now have plans to demolish it to make way for residential apartments, The Age reports.

Hobsons Bay Caravan Park is set to be razed to the ground to make way for an apartment blocked. Pictured, Drew Bingham who lived at the notorious park for five years

Wealthy neighbours who live near the park in the affluent suburb in Melbourne's south-west want the eyesore gone

Drew Bingham, who lived at the park for five years and at one stage rented out nine caravans to struggling tenants, said wealthy neighbours have always wanted the eyesore gone.

'The neighbours around just want to get rid of it, they consider it to be filled with degenerate people - you can tell they just want it gone,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'People who cant go anywhere else end up in that caravan park, out in Melbourne it's nearly impossible to get affordable accommodation.'

Photographs taken inside the park reveal the dilapidated state of the park's grounds, with countless caravans and units left in a state of total disrepair.

Hobsons Bay Caravan Park has for decades been a place to stay for some of the city's most disadvantaged people

Caravans at the rundown park, which has roughly 120 residents, can be rented for as little as $130 a week

The site was recently sold off to developers who rezoned the land and now have plans to demolish it

Double-story mansions from adjacent streets can be seen rising above the rubble left behind at Hobsons Bay Caravan Park

Pictures taken inside the park reveal the dilapidated state of the grounds, with caravans and units left in a state of disrepair

Other lots in the caravan park have nothing more than the remnants of a sold-off caravan, bulldozed by tractors or hauled away by trucks to be sold for a fraction of their actual value.

In stark contrast, double-story mansions from adjacent streets can be seen rising above the rubble left behind at Hobsons Bay Caravan Park - a harsh reminder of the significant wealth divide in the suburb.

Former residents have described the caravan park as a breeding ground for drug dealing, criminal activity and violence.

But Mr Bingham said the caravan park got a worse rap than it deserved.

'The neighbours around just want to get rid of it, they consider it to be filled with degenerate people,' Mr Bingham said

Former residents have described the caravan park as a breeding ground for drug dealing, criminal activity and violence

Extravagant homes are seen alongside the caravan park, a harsh reminder of the significant wealth divide in the suburb

Of the 120-odd residents being forced to relocate from the caravan park, some are likely to end up living on the streets

Mr Bingham, who once rented out nine caravans to struggling tenants, said the caravan park got a worse rap than it deserved

'Theres plenty of people here that are decent ... they experience marriage break up and end up with nowhere to live,' he said.

'Some people that are living it hard are actually decent people that arent setting out to rip people off.'

Of the 120-odd residents being forced to relocate from the caravan park, some are likely to end up living on the streets.

'Each closure of a caravan park means one less option of last resort,' Jenny Smith, head of the Council to Homeless Persons, told The Age.

'This explains why we're seeing more people sleeping rough on our streets.'

'Theres plenty of people here that are decent ... they experience marriage break up and end up with nowhere to live,' he said

Jenny Smith, head of the Council to Homeless Persons, said every time a park is closed, it leads to more people on the streets

'Each closure of a caravan park means one less option of last resort,' Ms Smith said. 'This explains why we're seeing more people sleeping rough on our streets'

Other lots in the caravan park in Melbourne's south-west have nothing more than the remnants of a sold-off caravan

They have bulldozed by tractors or hauled away by trucks to be sold for a fraction of their actual value
Tens of thousands of Australians were stranded by floodwaters on Saturday after the remnants of a powerful cyclone swept along the country's east coast, cutting roads, destroying bridges and killing two people, Reuters reported.

The disaster zone from ex-Cyclone Debbie stretched 1,000 km (600 miles) from Queensland state's tropical resort islands and Gold Coast tourist strip to the farmlands of New South Wales state, with more than 100,000 homes without power.

Six large rivers had hit major flood levels and were still rising in several areas, said the Bureau of Meteorology.

Flood sirens sounded in several towns, prompting stranded residents to climb onto roofs of flooded homes to await rescue, but fast-moving water and high winds hindered emergency crews reaching several areas.

Police said they recovered the bodies of two women from floodwaters late on Friday, the first reported deaths since Cyclone Debbie hit on Tuesday. One was found on a swamped property and the other retrieved by police divers from a car that had been swept off a flooded bridge.

Authorities fear more people may have died overnight as floodwaters continued to rise.

Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, one short of the most powerful level five, pounded Queensland state on Tuesday, smashing tourist resorts, bringing down power lines and shutting down coal mines.

Debbie will hit Australia's A$1.7 trillion ($1.3 trillion) economy, with economists estimating it will slow growth to under 2 percent in the first quarter.

In the Bowen Basin, the world's single largest source of coal used in steel-making, Glencore said its mines were not damaged by the storm but restarting production depended on railways reopening.

Three of rail operator Aurizon's four railway lines in the region were closed and BHP, was assessing the extent of disruption to shipments.

Queensland's top insurers, Suncorp Group Ltd and RACQ, said it was too early to put a dollar figure on the damage.
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A fifth person has been found dead in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie after a 45-year-old man refused to leave his caravan before it became completely submerged in floodwaters on Saturday.

The body of Mark Austin was found after emergency services were called to Greenhills Caravan Park in South Murwillumbah just after 1.30pm.

Friends of Mr Austin told Today he was in bed as they repeatedly knocked on his caravan door in rising floodwater.

Mr Austin refused to leave and told his friends he planned to 'ride out' the floods, before the park became submerged.

His death is the fifth confirmed in the wake of ex-Cyclone Debbie, while a further three people are still missing in flooded areas of Queensland.

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The body of Mark Austin was found after emergency services were called to Greenhills Caravan Park in South Murwillumbah just after 1.30pm

Mr Austin refused to leave his caravan and told his friends he planned to 'ride out' the floods, before the park became submerged

His death is the fifth confirmed in the wake of ex-Cyclone Debbie, while a further three people are still missing in flooded areas of Queensland

The first victims were a 36-year-old woman, found on a flooded property south of Murwillumbah, and 64-year-old Jan Baihn who was found in a Hunter Valley River on Friday.

Nelson Raebel, 77, went missing in Queensland floodwaters on Friday and was found dead Saturday afternoon by emergency crews near Eagleby.

Father-of-three Matthew Roser, 46, collapsed, went into cardiac arrest and died as he tried to protect his South Murwillumbah home from flood waters on Saturday, 9 News reports.

'He was my father, my best mate,' his son Justin, who attempted to revive the 46-year-old, said.

Mr Roser initially thought he was having a panic attack before he stopped breathing.

A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted next week to determine the cause of death.

NSW police said Mrs Baihn and her 74-year-old husband Bob Baihn were driving across a causeway on a property in Gungal, west of Muswellbrook, about 9pm on Thursday when their car was washed into floodwaters.

Mr Baihn escaped from the car, but his wife was trapped.

Father-of-three Matthew Roser, 46, (pictured) collapsed, went into cardiac arrest and died as he tried to protect his home from flood waters

'He was my father, my best mate,' his son Justin, (pictured) who attempted to revive the 46-year-old, said. Mr Roser initially thought he was having a panic attack before he stopped breathing

The body of 77-year-old man Nelson Raebel who went missing in Queensland floodwaters has been found

NSW police said the 74-year-old man searched for his wife throughout the night without success and alerted police at about 8.30am on Friday.

Police divers searched the Worondi Riveulet and found the woman's body in the vehicle at about 5pm, submerged in four metres of water.

The flood's other female victim was discovered on a property on Upper Burringbar Road, about 20km south of Murwillumbah, New South Wales.

Her body was discovered by a family member about 8am on Friday, police confirmed.

NSW Police Media told Daily Mail Australia the cause of death would not be known until a postmortem was conducted next week.

Meanwhile, aerial view photos have captured northern New South Wales town Lismore engulfed in floodwaters.

The confronting photos taken on Friday capture the epic scale of the natural disaster.

One photograph shows the Lismore airport almost entirely submerged by floodwaters.

Other photos show residential houses in Lismore's centre just poking their heads above the rising water.

Northern New South Wales towns Lismore and Tweed were declared natural disaster zones on Friday after about 20,000 residents were forced to abandon homes and properties overnight.

Staff of The Lismore Clinic clean up after The Wilsons River breached its banks and flooded the far north NSW town

Staff clean up the treatment rooms inside The Lismore Clinic. Residents in northern NSW are being warned to remain on alert

Georgena Schultz plays guitar and sits with her brother outside their flood ravaged home in Lismore

The State Emergency Service rescued hundreds of people in northern NSW after the Richmond, Wilsons and Tweed rivers spilled over.

There are fears more people would die as tens of thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate and 140,000 Queenslanders remained without power.

Authorities were unsure how many people were awaiting rescue as some may not have had access to phones.

Three people are still missing in Queensland, including 50-year-old Mondure man David Heidemann and a man in his 60s who went bushwalking at Lamington National Park.

On Saturday, the Logan River experienced its biggest river peak in 43 years, matching 1974 levels when it reached 10 metres at Waterford, Logan about 1.40pm.

The government announced disaster relief funding would be made available for individuals and businesses affected by the disaster.

Mud smeared over a sign at The Lismore Clinic, where staff continue to clean up following extensive flooding after the river levee broke

An aerial photograph of floodwaters engulfing aircraft parked at the airport, Lismore, after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial view of floodwaters engulfing central Lismore, New South Wales, on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

Three people are still missing in Queensland, including 50-year-old Mondure man David Heidemann (pictured)

Speaking at a press conference on Friday Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: 'Our sympathies go to her family and her friends'.

'As we observed yesterday in Queensland, nature's flung its worst at Australians, but it brings out the best in Australians: the resilience, the solidarity of the communities and the extraordinary response of the emergency services,' he said.

The cyclone flooding has already exceeded the destruction of historic 1954 and 1974 floods in northern NSW.

Meanwhile in Chinderah, in Tweed New South Wales, the army was called in to help with evacuations.

Residents and their pets were taken to safety in army troop carriers on Friday night.

An elderly woman and a three-month-old baby were reportedly both taken to hospital after being evacuation from the town.

Residents in flood zones caused by ex-tropical cyclone Debbie spent Friday night holed up in evacuation centres, as the system tracked south past Brisbane and into northern NSW.

River levels in some threatened communities were continuing to rise, even on a low tide, when they should be starting to drop.

An aerial view of floodwaters engulf the Bruxner Highway and Lismore Airport on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial photograph of floodwaters engulfing residential housing in central Lismore on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial view of floodwaters engulfing the central business district of Lismore, New South Wales

State Emergency Service deputy commissioner Mark Morrow spoke out on Friday in an effort to stop dangerous behaviour in floodwaters.

'To tell you the truth, I have seen disgusting footage today of people being dragged around behind vehicles on wakeboards thinking it is fun. It is not, it is serious,' he told ABC news.

All schools in southeast Queensland remain closed for two consecutive days on Thursday and Friday.

At 1am Friday, Queensland police urged residents of Beaudesert in southeast Queensland to warn neighbours, secure belongings and move to higher ground as it was hit by record flooding and the Logan River continued to rise.

Nine News reported some in Beaudesert had to seek refuge on the roof of their cars as the waters rose.

The Logan River in the town was at 13.91 metres early Friday morning, equivalent to the level seen in the town's record 1991 flood and the river is not expected to peak until 7am (AEST).

Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutshke told Daily Mail Australia Lismore and other areas have been hit with the most rain since the floods of 1974.

There is very little rain expected to come but emergency services are warning the danger is not over.

While some residents have evacuated their houses altogether, others have sought refuge in the second story of their house

The cyclone flooding has already exceeded the destruction of historic 1954 and 1974 floods in northern NSW

The cyclone flooding has already exceeded the destruction of historic 1954 and 1974 floods in northern NSW
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'.
Nine people have been taken to hospital after a rented house balcony collapsed during a party in Brisbane.

Authorities were called to the property on Highland Terrace, St Lucia, where police say a small rear deck gave way while people were dancing on it just before 7.30pm on Saturday.

The injured have been treated for suspected broken bones and other minor injuries, but are all in a stable condition, an ambulance spokesman said.

Nine people have been taken to hospital after a second-floor balcony collapsed during a house party in Brisbane

Authorities were called to the property on Highland Terrace, St Lucia, where police say a small rear deck gave way while people were dancing on it

Up to 100 people were reported to have been attending the house party, with witnesses claiming there were seven people on the second-floor veranda at the time of the accident, the Courier Mail reports.

It is believed that people has also been standing below the balcony when it plummeted to the ground.

Witness Julia Saleemi, who had been attending the party, told the ABC of her disbelief at seeing the balcony give way.

'It was just horrendous to see, I was just next to it and just saw it, I just heard cries and screams.'

Ms Saleemi added that the party-goers had been behaving themselves and that it was 'unacceptable' that the balcony just collapsed.

Up to 100 people were reported to have been attending the party with reports that people had been standing below the balcony when it plummeted to the ground

The injured have been treated for suspected broken bones and other minor injuries, but are all in a stable condition, an ambulance spokesman said

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Matthew McGregor said that the injured party-goers were 'very lucky' to not have sustained any life-threatening injuries.

'I did view the balcony and the people involved are very lucky they've only got minor injuries,' he said.

The incident has been handed over to the Brisbane City Council for further investigation.
A website set up by soldiers that parades their sexual partners over the internet has been uncovered - and could land the Ministry of Defence in hot water.

The site shows a collection of women - who have been dubbed 'blockrats' by the troops - performing sex acts, in barracks beds or leaving the facilities in a 'walk of shame.'

But the soldiers may have shot themselves in the foot with their crass site, as anyone found to be involved is likely to be hit with heavy punishment, which could include military prison.

The site shows a collection of women - who have been dubbed 'blockrats' by the troops - in compromising positions

There are fears that some the Ministry of Defence could even be sued, along with some of the individuals who fall foul of 'revenge porn' laws and could also potentially be open to charges of sexual harassment or rape.

One source told The Daily Star Sunday that troops have been sneaking girls onto bases for years and officers have allowed them to do so, but the website has taken things too far.

'Posting pictures on to websites of women they have had sex with is a different matter, they said.

The website boasts about a 'blockrat of the day'. It could leave the Ministry of Defence open to legal action

'It's degrading for women and could open up the Army to all sorts of criticism.'

Military bases have varying degrees of strictness on partners visiting, but all guests are supposed to be signed in and out correctly.

An army spokesman said: 'We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our people, whether on or off duty. 'Anyone found falling short of our values will be dealt with through the disciplinary process.'
Brexit Tim's great escape

Sir Tim Barrow  the No 10 diplomat who hand-delivered the PMs Article 50 letter to Brussels  has enjoyed an exotic career. During a posting to Russia in the early 1990s, Barrow returned to his official digs to find his usual cleaner had been replaced by a pouting beauty, who stepped, dripping wet, out of his shower as he arrived. Oh, Mr Barrow, she breathed. I didnt expect you back this early. Barrow was too wily to fall for the oldest trick in the espionage book.

Exit plan: British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow (left) delivered the official notice under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium

Preoccupied by her Brexit duties, Theresa May sent lowly Culture Minister Rob Wilson to deputise for her at a charity event at No 10. I suppose you think Im a poor substitute for Theresa  no kitten heels or shapely legs, he told the audience, before adding coquettishly: Well, youre half right. Wilson is not exactly ballerina-shaped, so he must mean the stilettos.

It may or may not be sexist to say so, but there is no doubt that the PM looks good when she is seated, elegant pins stretched out. However, one Labour wag suggested to Dog the effect is fractionally less chic when the PM walks. She has the gait of a ruptured camel, he said. Take him to the Tower at once!

Pictured: Former Lords Speaker Baroness DSouza is 'paying the price' for being open about the behaviour in the House of Lords, according to Black Dog

Snub for a Speaker who said too much

Former Lords Speaker Baroness DSouza, left, is paying the price for revelling in her starring role in a BBC documentary on the Upper House  she claimed that peers claiming 300-a- day attendance expenses would leave taxis running outside while they clocked on. DSouza has been sent to Coventry, Dog is told. Backs are turned whenever she approaches. Crooks never like a grass.

Labour MP Angela Smiths blunt just go plea to Jeremy Corbyn  made at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of senior MPs last month  may have been her last chance to tell him to quit. Corbyn is now threatening to boycott the meetings because they are all leaked word for treacherous word to yes, youve guessed it: Dog.

Pictured: Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis failed to impress Black Dog with her French pronunciations

Emily shows her flaws

Fragrant BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis interviewed French far-Right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen last week entirely en francais, with voiceovers to tell humble British licence-fee payers what the hell was going on.

Dog hates to be picky, but show-off Emilys accent was loin detre parfait, as the French might say.

Peter Mandelsons desire to rid his party of Corbyn is no secret. So why was the Prince of Darkness chatting amiably to the Labour leaders new spin doctor, Steve Howell, outside a recent MPs meeting? The men were discussing their time plotting the overthrow of capitalism in Hendons Young Communists League in the 1970s. At least Mandy grew out of it.
Glamorous Sydney publicist queen Roxy Jacenko has resigned as the sole director of her jailed husband Oliver Curtis' private company.

The 36-year-old eastern suburbs businesswoman relinquished her role as the sole director of Encounter Investments, just three months before her husband is due to walk out of jail for insider trading.

Her mining magnate father-in-law Nick Curtis made the disclosure to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Friday, The Sun-Herald reported.

Roxy Jacenko (left) arrives at the NSW Supreme Court with her husband Oliver Curtis in June 2016

The glamorous PR queen Roxy Jacenko has quit as the sole director of her husband's firm

Ms Jacenko was appointed as a sole director of Encounter in June last year, just days before Oliver Curtis was sentenced to two years in jail for a $1.4 million insider trading scandal with his private school friend John Hartman.

However, she explained she will no longer be needed as a sole director of the company run by her husband, who is also the father of her two children, as he is due for release at the end of June.

Justice Lucy McCallum sentenced him to years in jail with parole after one year behind bars at Cooma prison, in southern New South Wales.

'I was made a director of Encounter Investments to ensure that if he was sentenced to a prison sentence there was someone able to sign documents in his behalf as and when required,' she told Fairfax Media.

Standing on her own two feet: Roxy Jacenko says she won't be needed to sign documents

The who's who of publicity: Roxy Jacenko was made director of her husband Oliver Curtis' investment firm days before he was sentenced for insider trading

'Given Oliver will be released from prison at the end of June there is no longer a requirement for me to be a signatory, thus my resignation.'

Late last year, Ms Jacenko was spotted having coffee with ex-boyfriend turned close friend Nabil Gazal, without a wedding ring on her finger.

She was seen in the company of the millionaire property developer's company over dinner at exclusive restaurant Otto, in Sydney's Woolloomooloo.

Curtis was 30 last year when he was found guilty of conspiring to commit insider trading on 45 separate occasions between May 2007 and June 2008.

Roxy Jacenko has been doing heavy lifting and shouldering responsibility for her husband's firm
The disappearance of a young nurse has left police stunned as it comes several years after two other women also vanished in the same area.

Missing Auckland woman Kim Bambus, 21, was last seen in the inner-city suburb of Ponsonby on Friday, March 24, where she told friends that she was going for a run in Piha near Mercer Bay.

Her car was found by police at the entrance to the Ahu Ahu track which connects to the famed Mercer Bay loop walk track.

Described as an undiscovered gem the scenic route showcases a stunning Auckland skyline with cliffs rising high into the sky.

Her disappearance comes years after model Iraena Asher and mum Cherie Vousden also went missing without a trace in the same area, leaving their families with no answers as to where their loved ones went.

Auckland woman Kim Bambus (pictured), 21 has been missing since March 24 after she told friends she was going for a run in Piha near Mercer Bay

Her car was found by police at the entrance to the Ahu Ahu track which connects to the Mercer Bay (pictured) loop walk track, and comes years after two other women disappeared in the same area

CCTV cameras captured Ms Bambus buying groceries at a supermarket in Ponsonby at around 9.00am on the March 24, driving away in a yellow Hyundai Getz.

Wearing a dark-coloured jacket, pink exercise top, black shorts, and black and white Nike sneakers, the emergency department nurse was said to have been familiar with the track having run it ten days earlier.

Concerned flatmates drove to the beach when the 21-year-old didn't return home on Friday night before calling the police where her car was found at around 1am on Saturday, with her mobile phone still inside.

Calling her disappearance 'out of character', New Zealand police swept the Mercer Bay coastline in surf lifesaving boats and Eagle helicopters, but were unable to find a trace of Ms Bambus.

Detective Inspector Hayden Mander said that there was no evidence of 'foul play' or any links to previous cases, but that search efforts were being condensed.

'Sadly, we have now reached the point where all possible search options have been exhausted, and as such, the search will be scaled back,' he told the NZ Herald.

The family of the former Northland woman have asked for their privacy, but in a short statement Ms Bambus' father Bernie expressed the family's 'thanks to the Search and Rescue and Police for their efforts'.

And in a Facebook post, Ms Bambus' sister Kim urged for anyone that had seen her 'little sis' to contact police immediately.

NZ police have said that there was no evidence of 'foul play' or any links to previous cases, but that search efforts were being condensed

The 21-year-old nurse was spotted by CCTV cameras buying groceries at a supermarket in Ponsonby before driving away in a yellow Hyundai Getz

Iraena Asher, 25, also disappeared near Mercer Bay and was last seen walking to Piha beach at around 2am on October 11, 2004

Her disappearance has also sparked interest into two other who went missing without a trace in Mercer Bay.

Model and trainee teacher Iraena Asher, 25, was last seen walking to Piha beach at around 2am on October 11, 2004.

Rescue crews searched the Mercer Bay area extensively but came up empty handed, and a coroner ruled that Ms Asher drowned accidentally despite no body being found.

Waitakere City mayor at the time, Sir Bob Harvey, told Stuff NZ that he did not believe that she would walk into the beach.

'It was 6 degrees that night with raging surf. I don't believe a human being, a person of creature comforts, would walk into the sea at 2 o'clock in the morning.'

Describing the instances of the missing women as 'bizarre', Mr Harvey reflected on the eerie reputation attached to Mercer Bay.

'The whole place is steeped in tragedy and legend,' he said.

A coroner pronounced the model and trainee teacher as having drowned in 2012, despite no body being found

Her disappearance has renewed emotions for the family of Cherie Vousden who have not seen her since 2012.

Cherie Vousden (pictured), 42, also went missing in 2012 after going on a run on the walking track

The 42-year-old's car was eerily also found in the same carpark as Ms Bambus' vehicle at the entrance to the Mercer Bay's walking track but no trace of Ms Vousden herself was found.

Her brother Darren Roberts explained of the family's distress of not being able to find out what happened to the missing mother who leaves behind a now 13-year-old daughter.

'It was heartbreaking, it was absolutely heartbreaking not knowing, and still not knowing,' he told the NZ Herald.

Mr Roberts said that his tragic experience has given him perspective of what the family of Kim Bambus are feeling at the moment.

'I have a lot of empathy for what they're going through at the moment,' Roberts said of Bambus' family and friends.'

Ms Vousden's sister-in-law Rachel Vousden lamented at how three women could simply disappear at the same location.

'That was [Cherie's] thinking spot, she went there regularly, just like it sounds like with [Kim], she went there regularly running.

'These girls are just going about their daily activities ... they can't just disappear without a trace,' she said.
John Prescott has claimed security services tapped Ian Paisley's phone when he was an MP

John Prescott has claimed security services tapped the phone of the late Ian Paisley when he was an MP.

Reverend Paisley, the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), had his calls tapped despite a long-standing convention that MPs should not have their communications monitored, the former deputy prime minister said.

Writing in his Sunday Mirror column, Lord Prescott claimed then Prime Minister Tony Blair told him in 2005 that security services had eavesdropped on an MP.

He said that after pressing Mr Blair for a name, the premier told him it was the DUP leader, who later became Northern Ireland's first minister and a peer before his death in 2014.

Lord Prescott added the surveillance watchdog had wanted to name Mr Paisley, but Parliament was not informed.

Lord Prescott said: 'Downing Street had been told by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, who wanted to name Paisley.

'Tony asked me to discuss the Wilson Doctrine with the Speaker of the House of Commons. I never told him that an MP had been tapped or that it was Paisley.

'Parliament was not informed and Paisley went on to become First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Mr Paisley was the former First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008 and also was MP for North Antrim for 40 years

Lord Prescott, who does not know when Mr Paisley's phone was tapped or who was responsible, said he was informed of the tapping by former PM Tony Blair (right)

'I can only think that as the peace process was still a concern, mentioning the fact a leading loyalist politician had been tapped by Britain's security services in the past would not have helped.'

The Sunday Mirror said Lord Prescott, who does not know when Mr Paisley's phone was tapped or who was responsible, has decided to break his silence over fears that electronic snooping to catch terrorists will lead to an erosion of privacy.



The convention that MPs' communications should not be intercepted by police or security services is known as the Wilson doctrine after former prime minister Harold Wilson announced the policy in 1966 after which Lord Prescott says he was spied on by intelligence agencies.

In March 2006, Mr Blair assured Parliament that the Wilson doctrine would be maintained, despite advice to scrap the policy.

He approached then Commons speaker Michael Martin to discuss how the Wilson doctrine was applied but did not mention it was prompted by what he had learned about Mr Paisley.

Lord Prescott was concerned that a constituent's private matters could be overheard if spies were listening to MPs' calls.

In his column, Lord Prescott said he was concerned about the state's powers of surveillance under Theresa May.

Mr Paisley, who died in 2014, was renowned as a symbol of hard-line Unionism, but later in life was crucial in forging the peace process and bringing an end to conflict in the province

He is seen here with his wife, Baroness Eileen Paisley, at their home in East Belfast in 2012

'The challenge as a minister is to balance national security against the freedoms we enjoy,' he said.

'But this government seems determined to ensure Big Brother is not only watching you, he's monitoring your calls, emails and texts.'

Mr Paisley, the former First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008, was renowned as a symbol of hard-line Unionism, but later in life was crucial in forging the peace process and bringing an end to conflict in the province.

He was known as Lord Bannside after joining the House of Lords in 2010 and was MP for North Antrim for 40 years.

Mr Paisley and the late Martin McGuinness, former deputy First Minister of Ireland, were known as rivals for many years due to their opposing positions - Paisley the standard bearer for Protestant Unionists and Mr McGuinness a commander in the IRA.

But later on, while in office together, they were known as the 'Chuckle Brothers'.

Mr McGuinness resigned as deputy First Minister in January this year and died on March 21.
Jeremiah Morin (pictured) is charged with deadly conduct

A woman is furious after her fiance was arrested for firing a gun as he reportedly came to her aid to keep her from being abducted.

The woman's fiance, Jeremiah Morin, is charged with deadly conduct over the incident in Montgomery County, Texas.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that deputies responded on Friday to a welfare check.

It said: 'Deputies learned that at approximately 11:45am, a 32 year old female arrived home with her two infant kids.

'The victim had just carried her 9 month old child into the residence and was exiting her residence to get her 4 year old child when she was approached by two black males in the door way of her residence.

'The two black males, wearing dark clothing, ski masks and gloves fought with the victim by placing her in a head lock and pulling her into the front yard of the residence.'

Deputies say the woman was bringing her two children inside when two men in ski masks put her in a headlock

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says: 'The victim and Morin refused to complete statements or file charges against anyone involved in the incident'

The agency said that was when Moring 'discharged several bullets from inside the residence out and toward the suspect's in the front yard'.

It said the suspects let go of the woman and started to flee.

'At that time, Morin exited the residence and went to the end of his driveway and then recklessly discharged 5 bullets at or in the direction of the suspects, as well as numerous habitations, vehicles and other buildings,' according to the release.

Neighbor Joe Nichols told KTRK: 'It looked like they were trying to abduct her.'

He recalled: 'It was strange. Just out of the blue attack on her. This was a gunfight, you know, at the O.K. Corral stuff. There were 10 to 12 shots fired.'

Nichols commented: 'She's very lucky that he came out and had a pistol and he was able to defend her.'

Neighbor Joe Nichols told KTRK: 'This was a gunfight, you know, at the O.K. Corral stuff. There were 10 to 12 shots fired'

The sheriff's office said investigators got a warrant for the home 'and recovered two firearms, multiple bullet casings from the residence as well as video surveillance'

The sheriff's office said: 'During the entire investigation, Detectives with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit were met with resistance and a lack of cooperation from the victim and Morin as to the motive and details surrounding the attack.

'The victim and Morin refused to complete statements or file charges against anyone involved in the incident.

'Furthermore, the victim and Morin became upset with neighbors for notifying law enforcement about the shooting.'

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Morin, who was taken to jail, is a Tango Blast gang member

The sheriff's office said investigators got a warrant for the home 'and recovered two firearms, multiple bullet casings from the residence as well as video surveillance'.

According to the agency, Morin, who was taken to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Jail, is a Tango Blast gang member.

The release said the a gang intelligence unit 'is investigating both the homeowner and alleged assailants for probable gang involvement'.

Morin's fiancee told KRTK that Morin isn't involved with a gang.

She told the station that she's furious authorities arrested him, and the attackers escaped. She provided footage of the suspects attacking her to the local TV station.
A former Conservative councillor has denied murdering his wife by crushing her to death outside their new home in rural France.

David Turtle, 62, is facing a manslaughter charge after his wife Stephanie, 50, died from asphyxiation when she was run over by the family car.

She was found at 2am on Thursday morning in the village of Prayssac, north of Toulouse.

David Turtle, 62, (right) has been arrested after wife Stephanie, 50, was crushed to death with the family car in South West France

The Turtles moved from Bournemouth to Prayssac, in the department of Lot, last summer in search of an idyllic life. Mr Turtle has reportedly told police he 'accidentally knocked his wife over'

Mr Turtle told the Sun on Sunday: 'It was an accident. I have to stay here. I just don't know what to do.

'I want to tell my side, but now is not the right time.'

Mr Turtle resigned as a Conservative councillor in Bournemouth's Kinson North ward last year, while Mrs Turtle gave up her job in the human resources department of Dorset Council.

The couple had decided to start a new life in rural France, buying a dilapidated home and turning it into a bed and breakfast guesthouse.

Months of work ended just four days ago, and the Turtles were looking forward to welcoming their first guests this summer.

Prayssac has a population of 2,500 and is 80 miles away from Toulouse. Mr Turtle is being held in the town of Agen and a criminal enquiry is underway. The couple own bed and breakfast La Maison Cedre (pictured)

The couple moved to France in July last year and wanted to turn La Maison Cedre, or The Cedar House, into a bed and breakfast and guesthouse

'They were celebrating and very happy,' said a source in Prayssac, which has a population of just under 2500.

'David and Stephanie had not stopped working since they arrived in July. They were delighted with the renovation work, and the house looked wonderful.'

An autopsy held in Toulouse late on Friday established the cause of death, and forensics officers were today still examining the house and surrounding grounds.

Mr Turtle was meanwhile being held in a police station at Puy L'Eveque, and was due to be presented to an instructing judge at Agen.

Another source in Prayssac said: 'Mr Turtle faces a charge of violence leading to the unintentional death of his wife. He is likely to be remanded in custody. Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the tragedy.'

Mr Turtle has told judicial police working for the Cahors prosecutor's office that he 'accidently knocked his wife over,' said the source.

'David is cooperating fully with the authorities, but they are keeping him in custody,' the source added. 'He insists that it was an accident'.

The Turtles had moved to Prayssac on July 21st last year, with the intention of turning La Maison Cedre (The Cedar House) into a bed and breakfast guest house.

A post-mortem found former Dorset Council worker Mrs Turtle died of asphyxia after her rib cage was crushed by the weight of the vehicle

Mr Turtle (second from the left) has now told judicial police working for the Cahors prosecutors office that he accidently knocked his wife over

Mrs Turtle had registered the business with the local authorities, and had just filed a permit at the Prayssac town hall to build a swimming pool.

Mrs Turtle's new life was recorded in a blog which she shared publicly online, while solely using the letter T to denote their surnames.

It reads: 'Welcome to La Maison Cedre, a light hearted blog of our journey from Bournemouth to Prayssac.

'The story of Mr and Mrs T who have left the UK to set up a chambre d'hote (B & B) in the beautiful Lot Valley, South West France.

'You'll get to experience with us some of the joys, trials and tribulations that happen along the way and meet our new friends as we settle into new lives 'en France'.

'The blog will include plenty of photos as Mr T is a keen photographer, videos of the house and surrounding area, plus recipes as Mrs T is a keen cook. Plus anything else we think you might find interesting or amusing..'

A local police spokesman confirmed that Mr Turtle was being held in the town of Agen and a criminal enquiry was underway. He said next-of-kin in Britain had been informed of Mrs Turtle's death.
Two people are dead following a crash involving two planes in Edgewater on Saturday morning, the Edgewater Fire Department said, Florida today reported.

Officials said a witness reported seeing two small planes collide near mile marker 224 near southbound Interstate 95 around 8:45 a.m.

Crews responded and found both planes in a wooded area west of I-95.

Edgewater fire officials said two pilots were killed in the crash. No other injuries were reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident did not cause any issues on I-95 in either direction.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office was at the scene to assist Edgewater police with the crash.

Edgewater police said the investigation has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board. Edgewater fire officials said the investigation will be ongoing for several days, and that Edgewater police will be securing the scene as it continues.

A woman who said she witnessed the crash shared what she saw on social media.

"That was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed. Very bad," the woman wrote.

The woman said she was driving on I-95 and saw multiple planes flying together when she saw two of the planes collide.

"Watched two hit, debris flying everywhere, watch both go down right next to us," she wrote.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration provided News 6 with a statement following the crash.

"A Cessna 170 aircraft and Grumman American AA5B aircraft collided about three miles north-northwest of Massey Airpark in New Smyrna Beach, FL at 9 a.m. today," the spokeswoman wrote.

She said the FAA is at the scene to begin the investigation, and that the NTSB will determine probable cause.

No other details were available.
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A homeless man who is accused of causing an overpass to collapse on Interstate 85 in Atlanta because of a fire he set, was allegedly high on crack cocaine at the time.

Basil Eleby was one of three people arrested in connection with the massive blaze that broke out under an interstate in Atlanta on Thursday.

The 39-year-old with a rap sheet of 19 arrests, most of which are drug-related offenses, had been smoking crack before he 'maliciously set' the fire, according to a police report.

He was arrested along with Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas on Friday. Bruner and Thomas were charged with criminal trespass.

Eleby was handed an extra charge of first-degree arson on top of an earlier charge of first-degree criminal damage to property, by a Fulton County judge on Saturday.

All three suspects, who are believed to be homeless, had gathered underneath the bridge to smoke the highly addictive drug, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Basil Eleby (pictured) is accused of being high on crack when he allegedly started the fire under Interstate 85 in Atlanta that caused a portion of the bridge to collapse on Thursday

Eleby has several drug-related arrests and was charged with arson and criminal damage to property. He is seen escorted by his public defender and two Fulton County Sheriff's office officers into the court room at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on Saturday

Eleby was charged with arson after officials determined the fire was intentionally and 'maliciously set', Atlanta Fire Department spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford said to The Washington Post.

The arrest affidavit accuses the threesome of gathering under the bridge and discussing if they would smoke crack together.

'We believe they were together when the fire was set and Eleby is the one who set the fire,' Deputy Insurance Commissioner Jay Florence told the AJC.

Eleby admitted in the affidavit that he often visited the area as he was heading to and from work at a nearby tire shop and that he was there right before the blaze erupted. He told investigators he had talked to Thomas and Bruner about taking the drug together, the document continued.

Eleby said he decided to smoke alone and left the area before the fire was set, although Thomas told investigators that he saw Eleby start the fire by placing a chair on top of a shopping cart, then reaching under the cart and ignited it, according to the warrant.

Florence would not mention how the fire was started or why, as he said that information would be released as the investigation progresses.

However, he said the suspects used 'available materials' at the site.

There were no reports of casualties in the incident and no cars fell from the motorway during the fire, which is nothing short of a miracle given the usually crowded rush hour traffic in the area. Eleby was arrested along with Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas on Friday. Bruner and Thomas were charged with criminal trespass

All three suspects are believed to be homeless and allegedly met up under the bridge to smoke crack together. Eleby (pictured) sits down on the bench for his first appearance hearing at the Fulton County Jail while his public defender attempts to cover his face from the media with a folder

Florence did not have ages or hometowns of Bruner and Thomas, whom are being held at the Fulton County Jail.

He didn't say how they ended up being suspects but noted they were interviewed throughout the day and law enforcement subsequently made the arrests.

On Friday, crews were seen working to restore the bridge after the blaze collapsed a portion of I-85.

Atlanta residents will likely face travel chaos as construction crews repair the fragmented section of the exceptionally busy motorway.

Officials have said that the reconstruction of the damaged areas could take several months - prompting a travel disaster for more than 225,000 vehicles that use the segment of the roadway daily.

The city's first responders said part of the highway collapsed due to the fire that broke out under the bridge.

Crews (pictured) began work on the severely damaged area on Friday. Officials believe Eleby 'maliciously set' the blaze and Bruner and Thomas were with him at the time

Florence said the suspects used 'available materials' at the site. Florence said it is not clear whether they had lived at the site beneath the highway (pictured)

On Friday, crews (pictured) were seen working to restore the bridge after the blaze collapsed a portion of I-85. Atlanta residents will likely face travel chaos as construction crews repair the fragmented section of the exceptionally busy motorway

Looking to the future, Atlanta residents may be facing a travel disaster as construction crews repair the fragmented section of the exceptionally busy motorway

Firefighters on the scene saved the lives of many after noticing cracks in the foundation and ordering an excavation of the area

ABC News reporter Steve Osunsami described the future for commuters in the area to be a 'traffic migraine,' and said that he expects his commute to double, as he lives just a mile from the site of the incident

ABC News reporter Steve Osunsami described the future for commuters in the area to be a 'traffic migraine,' and said that he expects his commute to double, as he lives just a mile from the site of the incident.

There were no reports of casualties in the incident and no cars fell from the motorway during the fire, which is nothing short of a miracle given the usually crowded rush hour traffic in the area.

Firefighters on the scene saved the lives of many after noticing cracks in the foundation and ordering an excavation of the area.

Atlanta Fire and Rescue said on Twitter at the time that all lanes were blocked and that residents should avoid the area.

Video from the fire department posted on their Instagram page showed firefighters battling the massive blaze.

The department wrote in the video's caption: '*Major Emergency* Heavy Fire showing under Interstate 85 in Buckhead. 2nd alarm requested. Atlanta Fire on scene.'

Firefighters said the fire burned for more than an hour under I-85 northbound near Piedmont Road. The interstate - a major artery for the US South that runs through the heart of Atlanta - is closed indefinitely

A number of upscale lofts are located near the area where the fire took place, which was just off of Piedmont Road

It is still not clear what was burning under the bridge or how the fire started. The Georgia Department of Transportation said inspectors are looking over the collapse, but there is no timeline on a fix. Firefighters are pictured extinguishing the fire

The state's top transportation official said there's no way to tell when the highway can be safely reopened to traffic in either direction

Firefighters said the fire burned for more than an hour under I-85 northbound near Piedmont Road, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The interstate - a major artery for the US South that runs through the heart of Atlanta - is closed indefinitely.

'This is about as serious a transportation crisis as we can imagine,' Mayor Kasim Reed said.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said inspectors are looking over the collapse, but there is no timeline on a fix.

The state's top transportation official said there's no way to tell when the highway can be safely reopened to traffic in either direction.

'We will have to continue to evaluate the situation and adjust as we do,' Georgia Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said.

'This incident - make no bones about it - will have a tremendous impact on travel.'

It is still not clear what was burning under the bridge or how the fire started.

Video from the fire department posted on their Instagram page showed firefighters battling the massive blaze

'*Major Emergency* Heavy Fire showing under Interstate 85 in Buckhead. 2nd alarm requested. Atlanta Fire on scene,' the department wrote in the video's caption

On Friday, McMurry said the fire originated from an area below the highway which is used 'as a storage location for construction materials, equipment and supplies'.

'The site was a secured area containing materials such as PVC piping, which is a stable, noncombustible material,' he continued.

Atlanta Fire Department spokesman Sgt Cortez Stafford said that his officers acted efficiently and effectively.

'Our guys got here quickly and shut down the interstate and said 'No one else is driving over this bridge.''

Aerial video showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky above the freeway as a line of cars stood halted on either side. The aerial video showed more firefighters extinguishing the fire on one side of the highway.

A photo posted on the Twitter feed of local WSB-TV showed what appeared to be barrels and coils under the bridge. The fire broke out in an industrial area near route 400.

Witnesses told WSB-TV that Atlanta state troopers were telling cars to turn around on the bridge minutes before it collapsed because they were concerned about its integrity.

Atlanta's public transit system, MARTA, will provide extended service through the weekend.

Witnesses said that Atlanta state troopers were telling cars to turn around on the bridge minutes before it collapsed because they were concerned about its integrity

Aerial video showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky above the freeway as a line of cars stood halted on either side. All of the firefighters were able to get out of the area prior to the collapse. By Thursday evening the fire department had the blaze under control

The bridge collapse effectively 'puts a cork in the bottle,' Georgia State Patrol Commissioner Mark McDonough said. Atlanta's public transit system, MARTA, will provide extended service through the weekend

Capt Mark Perry of the Georgia State Patrol said the agency doesn't know what started the fire beneath the bridge but that terrorism is not suspected

The interstate is a major thoroughfare for traffic heading north and south through Atlanta. The bridge collapse effectively 'puts a cork in the bottle,' Georgia State Patrol Commissioner Mark McDonough said.

Capt Mark Perry of the Georgia State Patrol told the Journal-Constitution that the agency doesn't know what started the fire beneath the bridge but that terrorism is not suspected.

Gov Nathan Deal told reporters that some PVC plastic materials in a vehicle may have caught fire. 'I do not know why they did or what the source of their transport was,' Deal said. 'But those are questions that will hopefully be answered at least by tomorrow morning.'

Deal said inspectors were at the scene and they've contacted the original company that built the bridge to come in and assess the extent of the damage.

'We're trying to determine everything we can about how quickly can we repair it and get it back in service,' Deal said. 'I can assure you we will do everything to expedite the repair and replacement of that section of the bridge.'

Firefighters surveyed the section of the overpass that collapsed from the large fire Thursday night

Mayor Kasim Reed (pictured) addressed the situation Thursday evening. He said: 'This is about as serious a transportation crisis as we can imagine'

Inspectors at the scene said they contacted the original company that built the bridge to come in and assess the extent of the damage
A parents' decision to decline a routine anti-vax shot has left a baby boy fighting for his life after suffering a severely damaging brain haemorrhage.

The five-week-old is now in a very serious condition in Lismore Hospital Base with bleeding on the brain after his parents refused to give him a vitamin K shot, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

The baby, from northern NSW, was then transferred to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane where if he pulls through, he will be likely left critically disabled.

A baby is in critical condition after suffering a catastrophic brain haemorrhage (stock picture)

The preventative vitamin K shot has been regarded as new fighting points of anti-vaccine activists, who tactically scare new parents into dismissing the shot - a safe injection which has saved hundreds of newborns from fatal haemorrhagic disease.

Due to Australia's No Jab, No Play campaign, parents who deny vaccines are not entitled to family payments and the childcare rebate, and will soon be cut off from access childcare, as Malcolm Turnbull has vowed.

As babies are born with low levels of vitamin K the injection helps the blood to clot.

Prior to the recommended vaccine the natural deficiency once claimed an average of 15 babies per year in NSW.

Since the introduction of the shot in the 1970's that number has dropped to nearly zero.

Over the last 20 years, six babies have died from the disease after their parents refused the injection.

The baby presented to Lismore Base Hospital with bleeding on the brain

Lismore pediatrician Chris Ingall is all too familiar with the disease. He has cared for a number of babies with bleeds, including one that died, said he saw two to three families each week refusing the injection.

'It is one of the hardest things to do to tell a patient their baby is not going to survive,' Dr Ignall said.

He said it would be wonderful if the shot was tied to the immunisation program.

Opposition health and Medicare spokewoman Catherine King, who is not a doctor, wants the government to address misinformation about vaccination and vitamin K.

'I don't want parents turning to Google and being influenced by misinformed views that could put children at risk,' she said,

A Health Minister spokesman for Greg Hunt said 'vitamin K is a preemptive therapy and not an immunisation, therefore it cannot be considered for the National Immunisation program.'
It is the land of fine food and stylish fashion  and the Duchess of Cornwall was given a taste of both on her visit to Italy yesterday.

Camilla, who was in Naples, looked on appreciatively as models took to the catwalk in products made by victims of human trafficking.

The show was staged at a community centre in La Gloriette, the former home of a boss of the local Mafia, known as the Camorra.

Radiant: The Duchess of Cornwall at a Naples fashion show

The pizza with Camilla's name on it

Camilla, who was wearing a cream, patterned chiffon dress, met the relatives of victims of Mafia violence in the region where more than 350 people have been killed in the past 30 years.

She told them: You are all very brave. I think you are very strong. You are united, which is so important.

She was also presented with a delicious-looking margherita pizza which had her name spelt out in mozzarella on top.

While Camilla was in the south of the country, Prince Charles was in the north visiting a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery to mark the centenary of the deployment of British forces to the Austrian front in 1917.

Kind words: Camilla receives a gift of flowers in La Gloriette

Charles used a long walking stick with an ornate handle to help negotiate the rocky paths of the Dolomite mountains.

The Royal couples European tour is being widely seen as an attempt to build bridges in the wake of Brexit.

Prior to arriving in Italy, Prince Charles visited Romania, and next week will continue to Austria.

During a demonstration by paramilitary carabinieri police, the Prince of Wales joked about an Italian cat burglar who stole some of his prized jewellery.

Trainee Carabinieri put on a hostage rescue display for Charles when he visited an international policing centre, which trains officers of all ranks from across the globe.

And when he was shown a 1.7 million violin recovered by officers, he told how his cufflinks had been stolen.

Charles was reunited with five sets of cufflinks  including a pair given to him by Camilla  and other precious items in 1998 after they had been taken four years earlier by the burglar dubbed the Riviera jewel thief. As he left he joked: I know where to come to (next time).
Nigel Farage has denied a glamour model's claims that they kissed and groped each other on a transatlantic flight at 30,000 feet

A shocked passenger has come forward to say he saw Nigel Farage kissing a porn star on a transatlantic flight, as the 400-an-hour escort spoke out to insist she is telling the truth.

Nigel Farage has denied the glamour model's claims that they kissed and groped each other at 30,000 feet.

Now student Dillon Smith has come forward to say he saw the former Ukip leader kissing 30-year-old Valerie Fox.

Farage was flying back from Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate Article 50 being triggered when he found himself sat opposite Miss Fox.

Her profile on website My Local Escorts describes her as 'a gorgeous English XXX Porn Star and Glamour Model.'

Advertising her services at 400 per hour, the bisexual porn star is described as 'slim and very busty'.

'She loves what she does and with her extremely open-minded attitude will utterly thrill you', her profile says.

Her profile on website My Local Escorts describes her as 'a gorgeous English XXX Porn Star and Glamour Model'

Advertising her services at 400 per hour, the bisexual porn star is described in her advert as 'slim and very busty'

According to The Sun Ms Fox had told a friend that the pair had their hands all over each other and had to stop themselves from joining the Mile High Club.

But the 52-year-old politician has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that he rejected her advances when she launched herself at him in the upper class section of the Virgin Atlantic flight.

Dillon, who snapped pictures of the politician in the Upper Class section of the plane, told The Sun: 'Mr Farage was glued to her hip at the bar. At one point in the night, when most people were asleep, I went to the toilet.

'They were the only ones at the bar and, when they realised I was approaching, they suddenly pulled away from each other.

'But there was no point that they were kissing - I caught them at it red-handed.'

Miss Fox's profile says she enjoys 'role-play', 'fetish', and is 'extremely open-minded'

Her profile says he is bisexual and describes her favourite drink as rose champagne

Miss Fox charges 400 per hour for her services, according to the website

Denying the groping claims, Farage said: 'Not in that way at all. There was advances very much in one direction that were rejected.

'I saw what was going on and walked away.'

He confirmed that he was sat opposite Ms Fox and that they were locked in conversation for a short period, but their interaction went no further.

'It's all a set up, isn't it,' he added.

When asked what he was doing on the flight, the father-of-four said 'I was eating my dinner' and when pushed whether it that took the whole flight, he answered 'I slept for several hours'.

Ms Fox had told a friend that the pair had their hands all over each other and had to stop themselves from joining the Mile High Club

Mr Farage is separated from his wife Kirsten (pictured leaving their family home in Kent)

Speaking to the Sunday People, Miss Fox said she was furious at Farage's denials.

'Yes I do porn, yes I am a bit filthy on screen', she said. 'But in real life I'm quite a classy person and I'm not a trollop.

'Neither of us are teenagers. Nigel needs to put his man pants on, be an adult and not make out I'm some desperate attention-seeker or whatever.'

One of her friends told the Sun that Ms Fox had said: 'Nigel may be best known for getting the UK out of Europe, but he seemed much keener on getting himself into my knickers.'

When the flight landed, she tweeted: 'Hate to be wrong about people, but tonight I spent 5 hours speaking with someone I thought Id dislike. I couldnt have been more wrong.'

Ms Fox (pictured on Instagram) allegedly told a friend: 'Nigel may be best known for getting the UK out of Europe, but he seemed much keener on getting himself into my knickers.'

A mock-up of a Tweet sent by Valerie Fox shortly after the flight she and Mr Farage had been on landed

The pair then allegedly returned to her flat in Marylebone, central London, before he made his way home later in the night.

And Ms Fox this evening tweeted that she had been betrayed by the friend who spoke to The Sun.

She posted: 'When you confide in your girlfriend and they betray your trust...' followed by a picture of a sad face.

This was followed up half an hour later with a dig at Farage.

She posted: 'I asked for a lift? No, you offered to take me home, twice. I accepted. Politicians lie, that's what they do best.'

She then added: 'Want to deny it? Ok let's go ask the flight crew, or perhaps view the cctv cameras at Heathrow being that you walked me to your Land Rover..

'Not to mention the porter in my building, and the many cctv cameras in there... So don't you dare accuse me of lying.'

Farage told the Sunday Mirror he had given her a lift back to her London flat in his Range Rover because he was 'too nice', adding 'I didn't allow it to go anywhere it shouldn't have.'

The ex-Ukip leader has already denied claims earlier this year of a fling with French politician Laure Ferrari.

Former Ukip MEP Nikki Sinclaire also used Parliamentary privelege to call press officer Annabelle Fuller as his 'mistress', but both have denied the claims of an affair.
Former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn failed to disclose that Russian companies paid him thousands of dollars for speeches before he took his White House job.

Flynn earned more than $1.3 million for work for speeches to Russian companies, lobbying for a firm owned by a Turkish businessman and work for technology firms, political groups and government contractors last years.

The new disclosures released last week as part of a White House-wide initiative contained two filings, one made last February and a second dated Friday.

The earlier disclosure omitted payments to Flynn for three speeches that he made to Russian companies, while the second filing disclosed those payments.

In response to questions about the differences in the filing, Flynn's lawyer said the first filing included the speaking fees in bulk. He noted that the initial filing was a draft and was not followed by consultations with federal ethics officials because Flynn left the administration just days after turning it in.

Former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn has disclosed that he earned more than $1.3 million for work for technology firms, political groups and government contractors. The earnings also account for speeches to Russian companies and lobbying

Flynn's recent financial history, made available Saturday by the White House, comes amid his effort to win immunity from congressional probers in exchange for his cooperation with official inquiries into contacts between Russia and President Donald Trump's campaign in 2016.

The disclosures detail Flynn's business and financial activities dating back to 2014, including 2015 payments from Russia's state-supported television network and paid speeches to two other Russian companies.

The filing includes the activities of Flynn Intel Group Inc., a consulting firm that he and partners set up in 2015.

The company filed as a foreign agent last month with the Justice Department, acknowledging that its lobbying work last year likely benefited the government of Turkey even as Flynn was advising Trump's campaign.

Flynn's ties to Russia have been scrutinized by the FBI and are under investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees. Both committees are looking into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and any ties between Trump associates and the Kremlin.

The two filings came more than a month after Trump asked Flynn to resign as national security adviser, saying he had misled the vice president about a conversation he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during the transition.

The first filing was turned in on February 11, just a few days before Flynn stepped down. It doesn't include an itemized listing of his speaking engagements including the payments from RT, the Russian television network that US intelligence agencies have described as a propaganda outlet.

The later disclosure, filed Friday, cites RT and other Russian clients and breaks out the payments and provides more details on Flynn's paid speeches.

Flynn attorney Robert Kelner said that Flynn's first filing was a draft that normally would have been revised through a consultation between the White House counsel's office and the US Office of Government Ethics.

'Because he resigned, that usual consultation process was suspended. When the White House contacted him this week, and asked him to complete the process, he did so,' Kelner said, noting the second filing is the finalized version.

The two filings came more than a month after Trump asked Flynn (pictured in February 2017) to resign as national security adviser, saying he had misled the vice president about a conversation he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during the transition

Flynn (pictured in February 2014) declared last month in a filing with the Justice Department that his company's lobbying for a Dutch-based firm owned by a Turkish businessman 'could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey'

An OGE document obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request by The Associated Press showed that there were no written communications between the agency and Flynn's lawyers about his financial disclosure and ethics agreement between the November election and March 17.

The White House on Friday released scores of disclosures from Trump administration officials.

Flynn declared last month in a filing with the Justice Department that his company's lobbying for a Dutch-based firm owned by a Turkish businessman 'could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey.'

His client, Ekim Alptekin, told the AP that the decision to file as a foreign agent had come under pressure from Justice Department officials.

The Daily Caller reported Friday that Justice Department officials contacted Flynn on November 30.

A document obtained by the media site under the Freedom of Information Act quoted Justice Department concern about a pre-election op-ed that Flynn authored stressing Turkish government aims and 'potential ties between Lt Gen Flynn and others who might be acting on behalf of the government of Turkey.'

Flynn reported that he served as a consultant for the FBI and received more than $5,000 in compensation from the bureau. Kelner said the FBI compensation was for a speaking event in 2015 and training Flynn provided to the bureau.

Flynn reported between $750,000 and $1.5 million in mortgage debt related to his personal home and a rental property. He also had a line of credit between $15,000 and $50,000, the filing shows.

In a separate filing to the Justice Department last month, Flynn and his business, Flynn Intel Group Inc, detailed $530,000 worth of lobbying work for Inovo BV, the Turkish firm owned by Alptekin.

On his new disclosure, Flynn said only that he personally earned compensation in excess of $5,000 from Inovo BV.

Flynn's new disclosure also details a $10,000 payment for a speech in New York last October paid by Ibrahim Kurtulus, a New York financial adviser. Flynn's pictured with Trump on October 18, 2016, in Colorado

As part of his firm's lobbying, Alptekin invited Flynn last September to meet at a New York hotel with a group that included Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and energy minister Berat Albayrak, son-in-law of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Another participant, former CIA director James Woolsey, said the group discussed a plan for the covert removal of a political foe of Erdogan's, a Muslim cleric based in Pennsylvania. Flynn acknowledged he attended the meeting, but a Flynn spokesman said Woolsey's claim was false and that 'no such discussion occurred.'

Flynn's new disclosure also details a $10,000 payment for a speech in New York last October paid by Ibrahim Kurtulus, a New York financial adviser who is also listed as an advisory board member for the Turkish American National Steering Committee.

The group's website says it aims to 'promote and amplify a unified Turkish American voice on issues that affect the Turkish American community and Unites States.'

But Kelner said Saturday that the speech paid by Kurtulus was made to an audience of Korean-Americans. Kurtulus did not immediately reply to phone calls by the AP to several numbers associated with him in New York.

The new disclosure also details several Flynn speeches for conservative groups and think tanks.

Flynn was paid $15,000 for a speech to the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Los Angeles group headed by a longtime conservative activist.

He was also paid $10,000 for a speech to the National Center for Policy Analysis, a nonprofit think tank promoting libertarian ideals.
Concern: Prince Charles with Italian soldiers yesterday

Prince Charles is so concerned at the plight of persecuted Christians he has privately funded support groups in the Middle East and invited refugees to his homes.

The emergence of Islamic State and the war in Syria have forced many Christians to flee.

The Mail on Sunday understands the Prince has given a generous donation to charity Aid to the Church in Need, which helps those fleeing the Middle East, and has hosted Christian refugees at Birkhall, his home in Scotland, and at Clarence House in London.

It is likely Charles, who is currently visiting Italy, will raise the issue with the Pope at the Vatican on Tuesday. John Pontifex, of Aid to the Church in Need, said: Prince Charles wants to meet refugees directly affected by what is happening in the Middle East.

He is keen to listen and its very clear he sees this as a vital issue. He sees an existential threat to Christianity in the very part of the world where it was founded.

One Christian charity leader said the Prince, who will become Supreme Governor of the Church of England on taking the throne, was recently much more publicly committed to his own faith.
Target Australia is the second company to be accused of exploiting Queensland's clean water shortage after putting a $72 price tag on a 24 pack of 600ml spring water bottles.

A picture of the water bottles was taken at a Target store in ex-Cyclone Debbie ravaged Bowen, Queensland.

Natalie Maher posted the picture to Facebook and said she thought the price was a mistake, however it was confirmed by a worker.

A picture of 24 600ml water bottles being sold for $72 was taken at a Target store in ex-Cyclone Debbie ravaged Bowen, Queensland.

Natalie Maher posted the picture to Facebook and said she thought the price was a mistake, however it was confirmed by a worker

'Talk about price gauging us while we are in need. Disgusting mongrels,' she said on Facebook.

'I had only just left the disaster recovery people with lifeline there who gave me 12 bottles of water to bring home so we have clean drinking water and Target are pulling this stunt.

'I will refuse to shop at Target from now on - it's outright disgusting and so wrong to say the least.'

Target Australia told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday that the water is usually sold for $3 per 600ml bottle, however they have revised the price.

'Due to the water shortage situation at Bowen we have reduced that price to $1 per bottle,' a spokesperson said.

'We again apologise for any misunderstanding and the team at our Bowen store will continue to support the local community during these difficult times in anyway they can.'

A BP petrol station in the Whitsundays was also accused of taking advantage of the clean water shortage.

A carton of water bottles was being offered for $44 to residents still counting the costs of Cyclone Debbie.

A BP petrol station was been seen to be taking advantage of the clean water shortage by offering bottles for $44 to residents still counting the costs of Cyclone Debbie

Supplies were replenished by these locals after the Whitsunday Regional Council advised residents not to drink tap water

Locals queue up for petrol in Airlie Beach after Cyclone Debbie

The water was marked up by up to $26 after the same product was found online retailing for as low as $18.

State MP Jason Costigan hit out, telling nine.com.au. anyone caught trying to take advantage of people should be 'named and shamed'.

'These mongrels should be dobbed in to the Office of Fair Trading,' he said.

'I'll be raising it with the Attorney-General in due course.'

The hunt for clean water comes after council told residents that tap water could be discoloured and contain potentially dangerous levels of bacteria.

Water access has been restored to Bowen, however residents have been told to boil tap water before drinking it.
A quarter of a million pounds has been given to an anti-abortion charity out of a 12 million tampon tax pot.

The donation has been given to Life, a charity that plans to campaign until 'abortion is a thing of the past'.

On Friday, the government promised to donate 12 million raised from the tampon tax to help vulnerable women and children in Britain.

A quarter of a million pounds has been donated from a 12 million tampon tax pot to an anti-abortion charity, Life, which plans to campaign until 'abortion is a thing of the past' (file photo)

But female politicians and women's aid groups have criticised the choice of organisation.

End Violence Against Women told the Observer: 'We are surprised to see that Life is the recipient of a very significant tampon tax grant.

'It is hard to understand how a service offering counselling based on the fundamental premise that abortion is wrong, to vulnerable women, can do that.'

Life told the paper: 'We believe that our support services for women are not a luxury but are essential.'

In March, End Violence Against Women welcomed Philip Hammond's promise to donate money raised by the tampon tax to women's aid charities.

In a statement, they wrote: 'This money is desperately needed in the context of cuts to many specialist services and increased levels of reporting of violence against women and girls.'

On Life's website, the charity wrote: 'We wont give up until those facing difficult pregnancies can choose life and abortion is a thing of the past.'

They aim 'to create a just society which has the utmost respect for all human life from fertilisation'.

Female politicians and women's aid groups have criticised the move. At the moment, sanitary products face a five per cent tax. But on Friday, the government promised to donate 12 million raised from the tax to help vulnerable women (file photo)

Other critics of the donation include the Women's Equality Party and Labour MP Paula Sherriff.

Currently, sanitary products face a five per cent tax as they are classed as a 'luxury'.

In 2015, campaigner Laura Croyton started an online petition to end the tampon tax, which gathered more than 320,000 signatures.

In 2016, David Cameron announced the tampon tax would be scrapped, but this has now been pushed back to April 2018.
Bye, bye, baby!

Surveillance video shows a thief snatching a baby stroller and some gear in New York City.

The crime took place on Thursday afternoon in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood.

The stroller, along with items it contained, were altogether worth more than $1,000.

Scroll down for video

The suspect is shown approaching the stoop of the brownstone in New York City

The man takes off from the scene in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighboorhood

After driving away, the man returns, only to snatch the stoller

The crime happened at about 12.30pm around Carlton Avenue and Willoughby Avenue, Gothamist reported.

New York City police told the website: '[A]n unidentified male removed an UPPA-baby Vista stroller without permission or authority.

'The stroller contained an Enfant Blanket and an Enfant Warmer and had a combined value of $1,030.

'The 35-year-old male victim provided surveillance video that shows the unidentified male remove the stroller from the landing in front of the top of the front steps.'

The man is seen carrying the pricey stroller down towards the street

The suspect is estimated to be 25 years old, 5-foot-10, and 170 pounds

A video reveals the man crossing the street and coming onto the stoop, before walking away. After driving away, the man returns and snatches the stroller, carrying it down the steps.

On UPPAbaby's website, Vista strollers sell for as much as $899.99.

The suspect is estimated to be 25 years old, 5-foot-10, and 170 pounds, according to Gothamist.

The victim revealed to WABC that he left the stroller out on the stoop for around a half hour.
Khalid Massod was probably radicalised within the last 12 months

Westminster terror attacker Khalid Masood was radicalised in Birmingham, probably within the past 12 months, a well-placed source has told The Mail on Sunday.

He first came to the attention of police eight years ago, when it is thought he was living in Luton, and his mobile phone number was found in the phone contacts of a known extremist being investigated at the time.

Masood was dismissed as a peripheral figure  and detectives believe he chose the path to violent terrorism much more recently.

As a result, counter-terrorism detectives are focusing on Masoods activities and acquaintances in Birmingham, where he lived for the past two years.

The source said the Westminster attack  in which Masood, 52, murdered three civilians and police officer Keith Palmer, 48  is increasingly looking like a lone-wolf atrocity.

The revelations came yesterday as police confirmed all 12 people arrested in the wake of the March 22 attack had been released, and that no further action would be taken against them.

Masood, a convert to Islam, lived in at least two addresses in Birmingham.

His last home was a shabby flat above a convenience store in the Hagley Road area of the city.

The source said: The radicalisation happened in the past year or so  thats why Birmingham has been the focus of the police investigation.

In all, police have searched nine properties in Birmingham, three in London and others in Brighton, Surrey, Wales and Manchester.

Of the 12 suspects arrested, seven were from Birmingham.

It is believed Masood mixed with the hardline Salafi sect of Muslims while attending mosques and study centres in Birmingham

It is believed that Masood mixed with the citys Salafi Muslim community, and may have attended its mosques and study centres.

The Salafis are a sect of hardline Muslims who follow an austere form of Islam practised in Saudi Arabia.

They believe in strict sharia law, including the stoning of adulterers and capital punishments for homosexuals.

The source said: Whether he was following a charismatic sheik there, or a study group, will come out in the wash soon.

Khalid Mahmood, the Labour MP for Perry Barr, said: This couldnt have happened without people supporting him or radicalising him. What connections did he have? Who was he speaking to? All these things have to be considered.

This weekend, it emerged that Masood studied economics and economic history at the University of Sussex as a mature student, and attained a 2:1 in 1997.

One former friend, who did not want to be named, said: He was a bit of a Jack-the-lad, very social and very hardworking. He wasnt stupid by any stretch of the imagination. I was completely shocked when I saw the news.
Three bodies have been found and 26 others are still burried under the soil as landslides struck Indonesia's East Java province, a rescuer said on Sunday, Xinhua reported.

"Today, our personnel at the scene discovered two more bodies, bringing the total casualty to three," Marsudi, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, told Xinhua via phone.

Severe weather conditions forced the authority to halt the search for the victims earlier on Sunday and it will resume on Monday morning, the spokesman said.

Several machinery equipment have arrived to help the search for the missing persons, he said.

The search and rescue operation for the affected-persons involved nearly 1,700 soldiers, those from search and rescue offices, disaster agency offices and volunteers, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster management agency, told Xinhua via phone.

Saturday's disaster in Banaran village have forced some 300 people to flee home and take shelters at relatives' houses, he said.
If the Queen thought she was joining an exclusive order when she was given a dazzling gold gong by the Crown Prince of Georgia, the shine is about to come off.

The Mail on Sunday has learnt anyone can buy the same honour for a few thousand pounds.

Last week we revealed that Prince Davit  whose claim to the Georgian throne is disputed  had managed to charm his way into Kensington Palace to hand over the so-called Grand Collar of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Jesus Christ.

The Queen was given Grand Collar of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ, accepted by The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, on Her Majesty's behalf

It was accepted by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on behalf of Her Majesty but triggered a row because the gift was not presented by a head of state, as tradition dictates.

Now it has emerged anyone can become a member of the same order by handing over 3,000 to Alfredo Escudero, the Grand Chancellor to the Prince. Escudero  who styles himself a duke  is in charge of the Order of the Eagle.

Prince Davit's claim to the Georgian throne is disputed

According to a price list he sent out, a donation of 850 would secure a knighthood, and 3,000 would ensure receipt of the Grand Collar. When asked if the cash would go to Prince Davit, he replied: Absolutely.

The Queens acceptance of the honour has now been highlighted on the official website of Prince Davit.

Georgia has long been a republic, and Prince Davits claim to his title is disputed by rival Prince Nugzar.

He told the MoS the honour served only to spread Prince Davits false claims to the title and has no relation to Georgian tradition.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment. The Foreign Office said: Any evidence of the acceptance of gifts being used for commercial purposes would be considered carefully.
Essays will be marked down unless they use 'gender-sensitive language', students at a British university have been told.

Many universities are already advising students and staff not to use 'gender-offensive' terms such as 'he' or 'she' to describe people that could be either male or female.

And terms such as 'mankind', 'manpower' and 'manmade' are frowned upon by academics if used in essays.

But now the school of social science at the University of Hull has gone one step further by threatening to deduct marks from students for using such phrases.

The school of social science at the University of Hull has threatened to deduct marks from students for using 'gender-offensive' phrases

A document sent to students reads: 'Language is important and highly symbolic.

'In your essay I thus expect you to be aware of the powerful and symbolic nature of language and use gender-sensitive formations.

'Failure to use gender-sensitive language will impact on your mark.'

Critics have savaged the move as 'linguistic policing' which damages students' fluent expression and creativity.

Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at Kent University, told The Sunday Times: 'Usually such threats are implicit rather than spelt out as in the case of Hull.

This linguistic policing is used as a coercive tool to impose a conformist outlook

'This linguistic policing is used as a coercive tool to impose a conformist outlook. The alternative is to pay a penalty of being marked down.'

Just last week an American student was penalised for using the term 'mankind' in an essay.

Cailin Jeffers, an English student at Northern Arizona University, lost a mark for using the word as a synonym for 'humanity', according to the college news site Campus Reform.

Miss Jeffers' professor Dr Anne Scott said the choice of language 'mattered very much'.

Oxford University Students Union denies they are encouraging students to use the gender neutral pronoun 'ze' in place of the traditional 'she' and 'he'

In an email to Miss Jeffers she explained her decision: 'I would be negligent, as a professor who is running a class about the human condition and the assumptions we make about being 'human,' if I did not also raise this issue of gendered language and ask my students to respect the need for gender-neutral language.'

Dr Scott had already reportedly cautioned students against using words which are not gender neutral.

It comes as 'gender neutral' reforms sweep all aspects of life in Britain.

For example, transgender customers with HSBC can now choose from ten gender neutral titles.

Those who do not identify as a Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms will be able to choose from a range of options.

These include Mre, an abbreviation for mystery, Msr  a combination of Miss and Sir  and Ind, short for individual.
Police have identified the 13-year-old boy who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a Michigan hotel pool Saturday morning as 12 others were rushed to hospitals.

Bryan Douglas Watts, died Saturday afternoon as a result of the carbon monoxide leak in the pool area at the Quality Inn and Suites Hotel in Niles.

When fire crews responded to the scene on South 11th Street around 10am they found six unresponsive children in the pool area, Fire Department Capt Don Wise told WNDU.

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Police have identified the boy who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a Michigan hotel pool Saturday morning as 13-year-old Bryan Douglas Watts (pictured). Authorities said 12 others were rushed to local hospitals but they are expected to make a full recovery

When fire crews (pictured) responded to the scene on South 11th Street around 10am they found six unresponsive children in the pool area, Fire Department Capt Don Wise said

A seventh child reportedly stopped breathing after leaving the pool area, but first responders were able to revive the child. Watts died en route to the Lakeland hospital. The children were discovered passed out in the pool area (pictured) of Quality Inn & Suites

He said it's still not known how long the youngsters, aged from about 12 to 14, had been passed out.

The six children, who authorities said were in critical condition, were transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, while Watts was transported to Lakeland Medical Center in Niles. Watts died en route to the hospital, according to NBC News.

A seventh child reportedly stopped breathing after leaving the pool area, but first responders were able to revive her.

A police officer, two Berrien County Sheriff's deputies and two hotel staff were among those taken to hospital and they are expected to make a full recovery.

'When we first went in with our [air] monitors, the monitors went off,' Wise said. 'All the responders took a little bit more risk, but we had to get those kids out of there and into fresh air for their best chance at survival.'

The hotel's spokesman said the incident was 'isolated' and is currently working closely with local authorities to handle the situation, according to NBC.

'Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our guests,' the spokesman said.

Authorities said there was no carbon monoxide detector in the pool area of the hotel. The entire hotel has since been evacuated.

A police officer, two Berrien County Sheriff's deputies and two hotel hotel were among those taken to hospital

Fire crews responded to the Quality Inn & Suite (pictured) at on South 11th Street at around 10am. Carbon monoxide levels were 16 times the safe limit. The entire hotel has since been evacuated

BREAKING UPDATE: Niles police say Bryan Douglas Watts, 13, was the child who died in this carbon monoxide leak. PREVIOUS UPDATE: 1 of the children sent to Lakeland Hospital after a carbon monoxide leak at a Niles hotel was dead on arrival, according to the hospital. All other patients sent to Lakeland are expected to make a full recovery. ORIGINAL POST: The Niles Fire Department gave an update to Cassidy Williams WSBT on the carbon monoxide incident at a hotel. Watch this video and visit WSBT.com for those details: http://bit.ly/2nIov6c?fb Posted by WSBT-TV on Saturday, April 1, 2017

Carbon monoxide levels were 16 times the safe limit.

The reading in the pool area was 800 parts per million, Wise said. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration prohibits workers from being exposed to more than 50 parts averaged over an 8-hour period.

'That's an extreme danger level,' he added. 'At those levels, they don't have much time before they're going to go unresponsive.'

There were also high levels of carbon monoxide in other areas of the hotel, although not as high as in the pool area.

The children were not in the pool when they were found.

Niles authorities said it was too early to know the cause of the carbon monoxide leak, but Wise suspects it could have been from a natural gas heater, that was located in a closet area near the hotels first floor pool.

'Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless. You'll wind up getting flu-like symptoms, vomit, then go unresponsive,' he added, 'but there isn't much time between getting nauseous and going fully unconscious.

Wise said a mechanical engineer would be investigating the matter further to officially confirm if it was the source of the leak.
A Trump aide could have violated a federal law after he called for the defeat of a Michigan Freedom Caucus member following the healthcare bill disaster.

Dan Scavino Jr called upon the 'Trump train' to defeat Michigan House Representative Justin Amash in the 2018 primary elections, in a tweet on Saturday.

The White House director of social media said the conservative Freedom Caucus member, who previously bashed the Republican's proposed healthcare bill, was a 'big liability'.

Scavino's target of the congressman could have been a violation of the Hatch Act, a federal law that forbids officials to use their positions to sway an election campaign.

The tweet comes two days after Trump threatened conservative lawmakers who thwarted a House vote on the health care legislation.

The White House's social media director Dan Scavino Jr (left) called upon the 'Trump train' to defeat Michigan House Representative Justin Amash (right) in the 2018 primary election, in a tweet on Saturday

The Trump aide said the four-term conservative Freedom Caucus member, who previously bashed the Republican's proposed healthcare bill, was a 'big liability' in the tweet

Congressman Amash fired back to 'bring it on' shortly after on Saturday

Trump tweeted on Thursday: '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!'

Amash responded to Scavino with his own tweet and said: 'Bring it on. I'll always stand up for liberty, the Constitution & Americans of every background.'

Before this tweet, the four-term congressman originally replied: 'Trump admin & Establishment have merged into #Trumpstablishment.

'Same old agenda: Attack conservatives, libertarians & independent thinkers.'

After Scavino called on Trump supporters to abandon their support of Amash, Richard Painter, a former ethics attorney with the George W. Bush administration, called for the aide to be fired, reported Politico.

Painter tweeted: 'Look at the official photo on this page. Read the Hatch Act and fire this man NOW. Someone call OSC.'

The law, which was passed in 1939, limits certain political activities of federal employees, according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

The tweet comes two days after Trump threatened conservative lawmakers who thwarted a House vote on health care legislation

Trump tweeted on Thursday: 'The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they don't get on the team ... We must fight them'

Richard Painter, a former ethics attorney with the George W. Bush administration, called for Scavino to be fired because his comment was a violation of the Hatch Act

The counsel also said for social media purposes: 'All federal employees may not: 1. Use a social media account in your official capacity to engage in political activity at any time.'

The White House had no immediate comment in regards to Scavino's tweet.

When the House Republicans' bill collapsed, Trump originally placed the blame squarely on the Democrats, as none of the members of the opposing party said they would support Speaker Paul Ryan's repeal and replace bill.

He then spread the blame to other Republicans and tweeted on March 26: 'Democrats are smiling in D.C. that the Freedom Caucus, with the help of Club For Growth and Heritage, have saved Planned Parenthood & Ocare!'

The House Freedom Caucus represents the right-wing of the Republican Party and many of those members planned to not vote in favor of the bill.
The former principal of an embattled Muslim-majority school and his deputy could be back in the classroom in just weeks after filing legal action.

Chris Griffiths and his deputy Joumana Dennaoui were fired from Punchbowl Boys High in western Sydney after the 'high risk' school avoided participating in government-funded deradicalisation program School Communities Working Together.

Mr Griffiths was replaced by new principal Robert Patruno who was allegedly threatened by two Middle Eastern men following his appointment.

The pair took the NSW Department of Education to the Industrial Relations Commission on Tuesday, where they alleged unfair dismissal after the pair were removed from the southwestern Sydney school, the Daily Telegraph reports.

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The former principal (pictured) and deputy of Sydney's Punchbowl High School were sacked in March

The Department of Education fired the principal (pictured) and deputy after investigating the complaints

The move could result in the IRC finding the pair be reinstated - with compensation, when the case is heard in three weeks, as evidence grows of departmental errors in their high-profile case.

It is understood the NSW Teachers Federation, who are representing the pair, are interested in why the department's own investigative teacher conduct and performance review was overlooked throughout the process of removing the pair.

Replacement principal Mr Patruno

Although there were worries over the duo's reluctance to implement the deradicalisation program, the department had intended to relocate the pair, instead of dismissing them, with a planned transfer for deputy Ms Dennaoui and a search ongoing for a placement for Mr Griffiths.

Under the advice of then-department executive director of schools Murat Dizdar, who has since been promoted, both Mr Griffiths and Ms Dennaoui were swiftly removed from the school a month ago.

Allegations against the pair included complaints from parents of students being made to participate in prayer sessions, police concerns of radicalisation and claims from teachers regarding 'a high level of staff disunity and disharmony'.

Punchbowl Boys High School was earmarked as 'high risk' for radicalisation, but the school did not participate in a government-funded deradicalisation program

Mr Griffiths was also accused of asking students to not co-operate with police.

It is understood from a source who claims to be communicating with the pair both are yet to have been told the reasons for their dismissal.

The pair have launched legal action claiming procedural unfairness

Murat Dizdar who oversaw the dismissal, has since moved up to the second-most senior role within the department, reporting directly to head Mark Scott.

Mr Dizdar's experience includes working as Punchbowl High's principal in 2005 and working at Belmore Boys High school where Mr Griffiths also worked as a teacher.

Department boss Mark Scott has previously said Mr Griffiths had been a popular principal

Later, Mr Dizdar gained the role of department school education director for the Granville region, which included Granville Boy High, where Ms Dennaoui worked.

A source close to Ms Dennaoui revealed she had spoken of a prior 'encounter' with Mr Dizdar while at Granville, however the circumstances were not disclosed.

Following an incident in early March, where threats were made against new principal Mr Patruno, department boss Mr Scott said 'I have no doubt the previous principal and deputy principal were popular and that they were dedicated educators,' ABC reported.

The department and federation both declined to comment on the latest developments.
A Northern Arizona University student had their grade lowered on a paper because they used the word 'mankind' instead of the gender-neutral 'humanity'.

English major Cailin Jeffers was told by her 'Critical Reading And Writing In The University Community' professor Anne Scott that she had been docked one point out of 50 on her essay for using the word 'mankind'.

Scott told Jeffers that the word is 'sexist' and 'has a history of holding women down'.

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Northern Arizona University professor Anne Scott (pictured) lowered student Cailin Jeffers's grade for using the word 'mankind' instead of the gender-neutral 'humanity'

Jeffers told host Tucker Carlson that Scott thought she should be punished for using the word

'Apparently [the word] isnt to her liking,' Jeffers told Fox News host Tucker Carlson Friday.

'Apparently she thought I should be punished [for using the word],' she added.

Although Merriam-Webster defines mankind as 'the human race', the Modern Language Association has guidelines for gender-neutral language.

The scholarly organization recommends writers use 'humankind' over 'mankind'.

Jeffers said Scott's syllabus included examples of acceptable language.

'In one of these examples she stated that we could not use the word "mankind". Instead, we should use "humankind". I thought this was absurd, and I wasnt sure if she was serious,' Jeffers told Campus Reform.

In this email, Scott offers Jeffers a chance to revise her paper to earn additional points

This follow-up email Scott sent to the entire class says that she will continue to lower students' grades for using gender-specific language unless called for

So, Jeffers decided to test the policy by including the word "mankind" twice.

When Jeffers received her paper back, she requested a meeting with Scott to discuss her grade.

'She told me that "mankind" does not refer to all people, only males. I refuted, stating that it does refer to all people, [but] she proceeded to tell me that I was wrong; "mankind" is sexist, and I should make an effort to look beyond my preset positions and ideologies, as is the focus of the class,' Jeffers recalled.

In an email, Scott offered Jeffers the chance to revise her paper to earn additional points.

A follow-up email Scott sent to the entire class said that she will continue to lower students' grades for using gender-specific language unless it is called for.
A North Carolina restaurant's ban on children 5 and younger has seen a spike in diners.

Since banning young children, Caruso's, described as an upscale Italian restaurant in Mooresville, North Carolina, has seen reservations increase from 50 to 80 daily.

Caruso's recently adopted the policy after owner and father-of-two Pasquale Caruso said too many crying, screaming and misbehaving children had brought complaints from customers.

He told the Mooresville Tribune he was beginning to lose money and customers.

Caruso's, described as an upscale Italian restaurant in Mooresville, North Carolina (pictured), recently banned children 5 and younger from eating there

'Banning children has always been a topic in the industry and every owner says, "I wish I could do it"', Caruso said.

There was one time a girl was reportedly using an iPad with the volume loud and her parents refused to turn it down after waitstaff asked them to, said Yoshi Nunez, the manager of Carusos restaurant.

'Finally, we had to ask them to leave. They were upset, but they didnt seem to care about what the other guests thought,' Nunez told The Washington Post.

'We tried to be nice about the situation, but were here to take care of customers and we cant tell a parent how to control their kids,' he added.

Prior to the ban, the restaurant didn't have a children's menu and enforced a dress code.

This woman recalled her poor dining experience because of children at another restaurant

One man wrote on Twitter that Caruso's decision means he will 'definitely' visit the restaurant the next time he's in Mooresville

Paul Bastek suggests on Twitter that restaurants require parents of disobedient children donate $50 to charities, such as Planned Parenthood

'People dont want to come in and spend money on a nice meal and an evening out, when theres constantly food on the floor, loud electronic devices keeping kids entertained and small children screaming,' said Caruso. 'It was just the right decision for my business.

The restaurant implemented its new policy in January and has received both praise and criticism for its decision.

Nancy Cardin disagrees with Caruso's ban, calling it 'ageist' on Twitter

Gary D Elam sarcastically suggests Caruso's provide sections for 'obnoxious adults'

One man said the decision means he will 'definitely' visit the restaurant the next time he's in Mooresville.

But not everyone agrees with the restaurant's ban, with some calling the rule 'ageist'.

Child ban's are no longer unusual in the restaurant industry.

Restaurant's in Texas, California and Pennsylvania have instituted similar bans.
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Hundreds of LGBTQ protesters invaded Ivanka Trump's upmarket neighborhood in Washington D.C., for the 'Queer Dance Party for Climate Justice', much to the fury of other residents.

A storm of dancing people marched with signs, speakers and festive clothing while chanting obscenities directed towards the first daughter's father to protest his administration's rollback on Obama's climate change policies, on Saturday night.

The rowdy crowd disrupted the usually exclusive area as they flocked to Ivanka's $5.5million home, as one of her neighbors became so infuriated by the noisy event that he was filmed threatening to punch a demonstrator.

The 82-year-old enraged resident of the expensive Kalorama community yelled to protesters: 'Get out of here! I live here... Do you want to get your f**king face hit?'

The protest may have fallen on deaf ears, as Ivanka and family didn't seem to be home to witness the event.

She was last spotted in New York City on Friday as she was in town with her three children to celebrate her youngest child's birthday with her in-laws.

The presidential family might have some explaining to do to the neighborhood association, as residents complained earlier in March that their lack of community etiquette was 'ruining' the suburb.

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Hundreds of LGBTQ protesters invaded Ivanka Trump's upmarket neighborhood in Washington D.C., for the 'Queer Dance Party for Climate Justice' on Saturday night

They flocked to the home of Trump's eldest daughter at nightfall with signs, loud music and obscenity-laced chants directed towards the president. They were protesting Trump's rollback on Obama's climate change policies

The night of dancing was organized by WERK for Peace, a queer activist collective, along with 350 DC, Queer Resistance and the Trans Women of Color Collective

The rowdy crowd proved to be too much for Ivanka's 82-year-old neighbor (right) who was filmed threatening a protester. He yelled: 'Get out of here! I live here... Do you want to get your f**king face hit?'

The participants held signs that told Ivanka to 'get natural' and criticized the businesswoman for not walking her 'children in nature'.

Police cars lined the streets of where the mother-of-three resides when in the nation's capital, while barricades and yellow tape were placed to guard anyone from actually stepping onto the property.

However, this didn't deter the protesters from blasting music from speakers, singing along to Queen's rock anthem We Will Rock You and dancing on the roofs of cars.

The commotion was the boiling point for one man who was filmed by Ashley Rae Goldenberg at MRCTV, screaming at a man and woman for seemingly being involved with the perceived disruption.

The man tells the women to leave and when a friend defended her and said to the elderly man as he walked away: 'No need to be rude like that.'

The man turned on his heels and yelled: 'Rude? Don't give me that. Do you want to get your f**king face hit? Get out of here! Do you want to fight with an 82-year-old? Get the f**k out of here.'

Washington D.C. police said they didn't have information yet on how many people were arrested or if there had been any arrests at all. An official said those details wouldn't be known until Sunday.

The protest may have fallen on deaf ears, as Ivanka and family didn't seem to be at the D.C. home to hear the noisy event. The mother-of-three was last spotted in New York City on Friday to celebrate her youngest child's birthday

Police cars lined the streets of where the businesswoman resides when in the nation's capital, while barricades and yellow tape were placed to guard anyone from actually stepping onto the $5.5million property

However, this didn't deter the protesters from blasting music from loud speakers, singing along to Queen's rock anthem We Will Rock You and dancing on the roofs of cars

Demonstrators of all ages were seen taking to the streets and some wrapped themselves in the LGBTQ flag

This isn't the first time Ivanka has annoyed her upscale neighbors with her presence. The residents of the exclusive suburb have expressed their fury earlier in March over the presidential family's lack of community etiquette that is 'ruining' the area.

Residents have complained their new neighbors have been hogging parking on an already crowded street and leaving trash bags rotting on the curb. A big part of the complaint: a huge security presence, with even a trip to the playground requiring three vans.

They have groused that sidewalks have been closed, public parking overrun and that the family and their staff can't even be bothered to learn the trash pickup schedule outside their home.

'It has been a three-ring circus from the day that they've moved in,' said Marietta Robinson, who lives across the street, speaking with The Associated Press. 'They've completely ruined the neighborhood.'

The night was organized by WERK for Peace, a queer activist collective, along with 350 DC, Queer Resistance and the Trans Women of Color Collective.

Carla Aronsohn, a co-organizer told the Huffington Post why the groups banned together against Ivanka, who recently was given an office in the White House for her new unpaid role.

Aronsohn said: 'We cant let Ivanka trick our communities into supporting and legitimizing her. We will show up to her home because the bad decisions of the Trump administration hit us in our daily lives, in our homes, and the nature we surround ourselves with.

The activist claims that Ivanka has been 'green and pink washing our climate and queer family' and added, 'If Ivanka Trump isnt gaslighting us, then she should come into the streets and work it!'

Not all residents were upset by the commotion. Dianne Bruce (right) lives across the street from Ivanka Trump and also lives in London. She smiled as she watched the activity unfold from her front steps with a glass of wine in hand

The protesters blasted Queen and Kesha anthems and jumped on the roofs of cars outside of Ivanka's dimly-lit home

The event's Facebook page said: 'In case you hadn't heard, Trump revoked protections for LGBTQ government employees and removed LGBTQ questions from the census--all the more reason to turn out and show that YOU COUNT'

Not all of the residents were upset by the commotion. Neighbor Dianne Bruce lives across the street from Ivanka Trump and also lives in London. She smiled as she watched the activity unfold from her front steps with a glass of wine in hand.

The event was launched at 6pm in Dupont Circle, according to the event's Facebook page.

The details of the night read: 'The entire Trump Administration has shown a blatant disregard for our planet and its inhabitants, like paving the way for the Dakota Access Pipeline displacing the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

'The reality is that the people most affected by the administrations bad climate decisions are our most vulnerable friends: our poor, working class, native, trans & POC siblings. We must put our bodies on the line for our earth and for all who depend on its resources.

'Also, in case you hadn't heard, Trump revoked protections for LGBTQ government employees and removed LGBTQ questions from the census--all the more reason to turn out and show that YOU COUNT.'

Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner are still benefiting from a $740million business empire and sprawling real estate portfolio while they serve in White House jobs, according to financial filings released publicly on Friday

This weekend will likely mark the end of Ivanka's self-imposed unemployment, with the former Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization and head of her eponymous fashion brand set to start in her new White House position next week.

That controversial appointment was made a little over two months after Ivanka stepped down from her other two positions to avoid any possible conflicts or ethics violations once her father took office.

In her new role she will not be paid a salary in order to avoid any possible ethics complaints given her status as a federal employee, who cannot be appointed to their posts by family members.

That move is one Trump administration successfully used to secure her husband Jared Kushner's staff position back in January.

Kushner and the rest of the Trump administration are now dealing with building backlash from both sides of the aisle after the announcement of Ivanka's post earlier this week.

On top of that, the couple was revealed to be benefiting from a $740million business empire and sprawling real estate portfolio while they serve in White House jobs, according to financial filings revealed on Friday.

The revelations about the President's son-in-law and daughter were part of a massive White House release of financial disclosure forms for more than 100 of its top administration officials.

Kushner, who serves as Trump's senior adviser, detailed in his filings that he and Ivanka collected about $195million in income last year. The New York Times reports they are still the beneficiaries of a combined $740 million fortune, which includes business and real estate investments.
Donald Trump tweeted Saturday morning about a Fox News story he felt supported his claim that Barack Obama had him under surveillance during the 2016 election.

Trump wrote at 9.50am: 'Wow, Fox News just reporting big news. Source: "Official behind unmasking is high up. Known Intel official is responsible. Some unmasked...."'

Twelve minutes later, he added: '..not associated with Russia. Trump team spied on before he was nominated." If this is true, does not get much bigger. Would be sad for U.S.'

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Donald Trump tweeted about a Fox News story this morning that seemed to support his claim he was spied on during the election. The story cited a single anonymous source.

Trump's first tweet was published at 9.50am and his second was published at 10.02am. The tweets do not appear to quite follow each other grammatically and it is not clear if there was a reason for the 12-minute delay between them

The Fox News story cites a single anonymous source who said that a 'very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world' individual, not associated with the FBI, was responsible for allegedly revealing the identities of private persons involved in the Trump campaign.

An unnamed congressional source said: 'The main issue in this case, is not only the unmasking of these names of private citizens, but the spreading of these names for political purposes that have nothing to do with national security or an investigation into Russias interference in the U.S. election.'

The Fox News story did not provide further details of who these private citizens were.

The story comes as Devin Nunes, a California Republican representative and the House Intelligence Committee Chairman, said US intelligence collected incidental evidence on Trump, The Hill reported.

Nunes came under fire for alleged closeness to the Trump team, particularly when it emerged that White House officials colluded with him during his investigation into the alleged surveillance.

Trump also on Saturday morning attacked NBC News' Chuck Todd in a furious tweet, wondering why the 'sleepy-eyed' host didn't give more air time to his claims that the previous administration wiretapped his headquarters.

In the Fox News story that Trump cited, a single anonymous source said that a 'very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world' individual, not associated with the FBI, was responsible for allegedly revealing identities of private persons in Trump campaign

The president's Twitter rant came a day after Todd warned on MSNBC that Trump could be on the verge of a 'lame duck' presidency due to the current investigation over his campaign's alleged ties to Russia.

Todd's 'lame duck' quote was immediately picked up by conservative websites such as Breitbart news, where it was making headlines Saturday morning when Trump published his tweet.

The Russia probe, which has been fed by Trump's unsubstantiated wiretapping claims, escalated to new heights over the end of the past week, with Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn asking for an immunity deal in exchange for his testimony.

The president followed up with another message 21 minutes later, once again taunting media outlets for not predicting his victory in the presidential election

The president's Twitter rant came after Todd warned that Trump could be on the verge of a 'lame duck' presidency due to the investigation over his campaign's alleged ties to Russia
As the devastation across Queensland continues to disrupt residents across the state authorities are going door-to-door warning householders to abandon low-lying areas ahead of the expected record-breaking flooding this week.

While a number of regions clean-up and repair significant damage, Rockhampton is predicted to be the next district to suffer the after-effects of catastrophic Cyclone Debbie with severe flooding expected in the Fitzroy river on Monday.

Over 5,000 properties, including 3,000 homes, will face being inundated when the Fitzroy River reaches major flood levels on Monday and then peaks up to 9.4 metres on Wednesday - a level that hasn't been recorded since 1954 according to the Rockhampton Regional Council, ABC reported.

Authorities are preparing and warning residents for the expected record-breaking flooding this week

Residents will be encouraged to leave low-lying homes and move to higher ground

A Rockhampton resident, Allan Stock, said the situation was a good time to spring clean.

The flood veteran's home looks to be effected by the flooding and he said he wasn't going to leave anything to chance.

He predicts his home will be submerged up to waist-deep water on the second-storey.

'Whatever they advise, you always go a little bit more than that so you can give yourself a little bit of peace,' he said.

'I'm preparing here for 9.5 metres  giving myself a little bit of space  there's nothing much you can do about it, just roll with it and enjoy the ride.'

Police said people should refrain from using the roads and leave their homes as soon as the water begins to rise.

Superintendent Ron Van Saane said that residents should move to friends and family as authorities work to minimise the risk of homes being looted.

Over 5,000 properties, including 3,000 homes are expected to be inundated

The river is rising: Rockhampton prepares for it's biggest flood since 1954

'Got an extra 30 police coming up from various parts of the state  some water police and mounted officers arriving as well,' he said.

An evacuation point has been established at the Rockhampton showgrounds however police recommend only using the centre as a last resort.

Rockhampton airport should close on Monday with some airlines already moving to holt services.

Images are surfacing revealing the creeping water lifting higher and higher

In preparation for possible rescues swift water rescue teams have been sent from Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane.

A temporary levee was erected by Queensland SES around the airport and the suburb of Berserker.

A temporary levee was erected by Queensland SES around the airport and the suburb of Berserker

A representative from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed there were no rescues overnight.

Residents are being told to turn off their household water and gas connections and tie up wheelie bins as the water begins to rise, said Rockhampton councillor Tony Williams.

He said Energex crews were also door-knocking the high-risk areas.

'They have a workplace health and safety regulation that they cannot turn power off to properties once water has inundated that property, so they'll need to turn that power off prior to the water inundation,' he said.

The preparations come as five people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie, with a further three people still missing in flooded areas of Queensland.

Five people are confirmed dead in the wake of ex-Cyclone Debbie, while a further three people are still missing in flooded areas of Queensland

An aerial photograph of floodwaters engulfing aircraft parked at the airport, Lismore, after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial view of floodwaters engulfing central Lismore, New South Wales, on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial view of floodwaters engulf the Bruxner Highway and Lismore Airport on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial photograph of floodwaters engulfing residential housing in central Lismore on Friday after the Wilsons River breached its banks

An aerial view of floodwaters engulfing the central business district of Lismore, New South Wales

The cyclone flooding has already exceeded the destruction of historic 1954 and 1974 floods in northern NSW
The United States counts on China's assistance in solving the problem of North Korea nuclear program, but is ready to act alone in case of Beijing's abstention, US President Donald Trump said Sunday, Sputnik reported.

"China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they wont Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you," Trump said in an interview with The Financial Times newspaper.

Trump added that he planned to discuss the issue with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the meeting set for April 6-7.

The US leader stressed that he respected his Chinese counterpart and hoped for a productive meeting.

"I have great respect for him. I have great respect for China. I would not be at all surprised if we did something that would be very dramatic and good for both countries and I hope so," Trump said.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held a phone conversation to discuss upcoming meeting between the US and Chinese leaders.

The meeting is set to take place in Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in the state of Florida.

Since the beginning of 2016, North Korea carried out a number of missile launches and nuclear tests, prompting worldwide criticism, including from Beijing. As a result, the UN Security Council tightened the sanctions regime for North Korea in an attempt to force Pyongyang to stop ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests, including imposing a measure intended to affect the countrys trade, export of natural resources, arms trade and banking sector.

Earlier in March, Trump said Chinese authorities have done "little to help," to address the threat posed by the North Korean nuclear program.
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Northern New South Wales residents are being urged to stay away from their potentially unsafe, flood-ravaged homes as water levels recede and the big clean-up begins.

Water levels in the town of Lismore have dropped by five metres after peaking within a metre of the 1974 record of 11.6 metres on Friday afternoon.

The State Emergency Service's deputy acting commissioner Mark Morrow said it was dangerous to enter damaged properties in the town centre.

'We're dealing with buildings that potentially could collapse,' he told the ABC.

The flood clean-up begins in central Lismore on Sunday afternoon as residents are urged to avoid their potentially unsafe homes

Mellida Gaddiner stands in her flood-damaged shop Lips and Lashes in Lismore, as the task of mopping away mud begins

Tracey Makings and her son Connor clean up the family business in downtown Lismore on Sunday as floodwaters recede

'We're dealing with sanitary issues, we're dealing with water issues.'

People on the fringe of the flooding began cleaning up on Saturday as large parts of the town remained under water.

Two women have been killed by NSW floodwaters after ex-cyclone Debbie dumped heavy rainfall on large parts of the state's north, along with huge areas of the Queensland coast from Mackay in the north to the south-east corner covering Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

It's still being determined whether a man, whose body was found at a South Murwillumbah caravan park, died as a result of flooding, as NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian prepares to visit flood-hit areas of the state on Monday.

Sitting on a muddy chair in front of her flood-damaged Lismore home, Georgena Schulz is counting small blessings.

She says her household lost almost everything when about half a metre of water inundated the second storey during the town's near-record flood.

Shawn Sevewright hoses the outside of the Gollan Hotel in the middle of Lismore following several days of devastation

Mops are given a heavy workout in Lismore as residents exercise their muscles cleaning up dirty water and piles of mud

Mud is being swept out of shops in Lismore as residents spend the weekend mopping up dirt and clearing away debris

'I said if my guitar was alright then I wouldn't complain about anything else,' she said as her brother and friend drank beers and smoked cigarettes after returning to their home on Sunday.

'We have to live for small blessings.'

The rural fire service will set up a base camp in the area for 350 emergency service workers to help with the clean-up effort, Mr Morrow said.

The small indigenous community of Cabbage Tree Island was evacuated as the water rushed downstream on Saturday.

Thousands of sandbags have been used at Ballina but it is now thought residents will have to leave town.

Roads around the town could be closed due to inundation of low-lying areas, Mr Morrow said.

This early 1990s 5-series BMW sedan is caked in mud after floodwaters covered the streets and left a trail of pungent mess

Water-logged mattresses and damaged household items are left near the front of a school in central Lismore

Parts of Lismore's town centre were still under water on Sunday afternoon, leaving key roads cut off for residents and visitors

Roads in and out of Lismore were still flooded on Sunday, as residents began to clean up in areas where water levels receded

Skip bins are brought in as residents begin the tedious task of cleaning up after the floods which are set to keep insurers busy

Lismore mayor Isaac Smith said the town was still contending with a moderate flood level and up to 60 businesses still had water in them.

Those who returned to begin the clean-up spent Sunday morning piling damaged stock and ruined equipment outside.

'It's like a war zone,' Mr Smith said.

'There is just so much debris floating around. It's really hard to even assess how long it's going to take to collect all of this rubbish.'

Two women, aged 36 and 64, died after being caught in fast-moving waters, prompting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to again warn communities to take care.

A 45-year-old man's body was found at a South Murwillumbah caravan park on Saturday afternoon but it was unclear whether his death was flood-related.

A 46-year-old man also died at his Murwillumbah home but it is understood he had not entered the floods.
American artist James Rosenquist, a leading figure of the 1960s pop art movement known for his room-sized works, has died at the age of 83, his studio said.

Rosenquist helped define the genre of color-bursting displays of common objects that was also championed by the likes Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Rosenquist's wife, Mimi Thompson, told The New York Times that he died Friday in New York City after a long illness.

Artist James Rosenquist (pictured in 2014), a leading figure of the 1960s pop art movement known for his room-sized works, has died at the age of 83, his studio said

Visitors view Rosenquist's Celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Eleanor Roosevelt in this 2006 photo

Rosenquist had early experience as a billboard painter, which became a springboard for presentations of images that he culled from sources including print advertisements and magazines, his studio said.

He had shows in some of the world's most celebrated museums, including New York's Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, it said.

'Painting is probably much more exciting than advertising,' Rosenquist was quoted as saying by the Museum of Modern Art.

'So why shouldn't it be done with that power and gusto, with that impact.'

Rosenquist is seen joking in front of his painting titled Joan Crawford says.. in March 2001

A man takes a photograph of Flamingo Capsule by Rosenquist in this 2010 photo

Rosenquist is shown in this photograph. 'Painting is probably much more exciting than advertising,' he was quoted as saying by the Museum of Modern Art

One of his more celebrated works is F-111, which is billboard in size and made in 1964 and 1965, during the U.S. war in Vietnam.

It combines images including a U.S. military warplane, a bombing and scenes of American prosperity, including a smiling blonde girl sitting under a hair dryer reminiscent of a missile, the museum said.

His celebrated 1962 painting of Marilyn Monroe was created shortly after her death and shows fragmented images of the global star that includes a segment of the Coca-Cola brand name, it said.

One of his best-known pieces is President Elect, created in the early 1960s. It is a billboard-style painting depicting John F. Kennedy's face alongside a yellow Chevrolet and a piece of cake.

'The face was from Kennedy's campaign poster. I was very interested at that time in people who advertised themselves,' Rosenquist told the art appreciation organization The Art Story.

'Why did they put up an advertisement of themselves? So that was his face. And his promise was half a Chevrolet and a piece of stale cake.'

Rosenquist studied at the University of Minnesota and moved to New York in his twenties (1964 photograph)

Rosenquist (shown in 1986) helped define the genre of color-bursting displays of common objects that was also championed by the likes Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein

A visitor stands next to James Rosenquist's The Swimmer in the Econo-mist in 2007

A man walks past the painting Highway Trust in this 2014 image

Rosenquist was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he had a nomadic life that took him and his parents to about a half dozen places including in Minnesota and Ohio.

His mother was an amateur painter who supported his creative interests early on. His watercolor of a sunset won him an art scholarship to take classes at the Minneapolis School of Art.

He later attended the University of Minnesota before moving to New York City in 1955, when he was in his twenties.

Rosenquist's 92-foot long and 10-foot high painting Theme With Variations is seen in 1966

Rosenquist resisted comparisons to his contemporaries Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

"I'm not like Andy Warhol. He did Coca-Cola bottles and Brillo pads. I used generic imagery - no brand names - to make a new kind of picture,' Rosenquist said in a 2007 interview with Smithsonian magazine.

'People can remember their childhood, but events from four or five years ago are in a never-never land. That was the imagery I was concerned with - things that were a little bit familiar but not things you feel nostalgic about. Hot dogs and typewriters - generic things people sort of recognize.'

In 2009, a fire destroyed several works by Rosenquist at his home and studio in Aripeka, Florida.

It was the same year he released his autobiography, Painting Below Zero: Notes on a Life in Art, written with David Dalton.

'Painting has everything to do with memory. Images of the unexpected, the surreal, well up unbidden in your mind - as do things you haven't resolved,' he said in his autobiography.
Rachel Dolezal continued to insist on her black identity by claiming that race is a social construct after she likened herself to Caitlyn Jenner.

After Dolezal made headlines for being unmasked as a white woman in 2015, the former NAACP figure has recently emerged with more controversial claims about race.

The 'unapologetically black' 39-year-old claimed she believes race is a social construct and that she stands by her 'trans-black' identity, in an interview on Saturday.

She added: 'I haven't identified as African-American. I've identified as black. And black is a culture, a philosophy, a political and social view.'

Rachel Dolezal continued to insist on her black identity by claiming that race is a social construct after she likened herself to Caitlyn Jenner in an interview on Saturday

The former NAACP leader posted this picture on social media two weeks ago of her posing with two copies of her memoir In Full Color, which is out now

The 39-year-old was unmasked as a white woman in 2015. She claims that ethnicity is not biological and compared being 'transracial' to being transgender

Dolezal, from Spokane, Washington, made the comments while appearing on CNN to promote her new book, In Full Color: Finding My Place in a Black and White World.

She revealed that since she was a little girl she had 'an affinity for black is beautiful and black is inspirational'. The mother said even her aunt seemed to recognize her 'transracial' identity, as she had made her a black Raggedy Ann doll as a child.

Dolezal again addressed her comparisons with Caitlyn Jenner, who announced her transition the same year Dolezal was exposed.

She said: 'I want to be careful because certainly every category of our identity is, you know, with its own unique circumstances and challenges.

'In terms of stigmatized identities, some people will forever see me as my birth category and nothing further. And the same with Caitlyn.'

Last week, the mother was attacked on Twitter for making similar statements about race and claiming the 'idea of race is a lie', in an interview with the BBC.

She said ethnicity is not biological and compared being 'transracial' to being transgender in the interview. Afterwards the social media platform erupted with people accusing her of using 'white privilege' to make her arguments.

In another interview, which aired last week, Dolezal insisted of her 'transracial' identity, which sparked outrage from people on Twitter

Dolezal said in the interview: 'Gender is understood  we've progressed, we've evolved to understanding that gender is not binary.'

She added: 'It's not even biological. But what strikes me as so odd is that race isn't biological either.

'And actually race has been to some extent less biological than gender, if you really think about history and our bodies.

'There isn't, like, white blood and black blood.'

Critics online said that Dolezal was using cultural appropriation to become a black woman and that Dolezal wanted to 'steal things from other cultures to be trendy'.

One person said that people can't 'become black' because 'at any moment what "makes" blackness can be erased'.

Some argued that the idea of being 'transracial' was 'only available to white people'.

This was one of several times Dolezal has compared acting as a black woman to being transgender.

In 2015, she likened her situation to that of Caitlyn Jenner, who announced she was transitioning from male to female in April of that year.

Following her BBC interview, Dolezal, pictured above left with BBC presenter Emily Maitlis, was accused of cultural appropriation and wanting to 'steal things from other cultures to be trendy' by acting as a black woman

Dolezal told the Guardian that comparisons could be drawn with the 67-year-old former Olympian - arguing that people should not be defined by who or what they were at birth.

Dolezal said: 'Caitlyn Jenner has not been seen as a woman, and treated as a woman by other people, for her entire life. So what does that mean? What if somebody transitions as a teenager and their entire adult life we know them as a woman.

'I hope we can reach some kind of term for the plurality of people and allow everybody to be exactly who they are on the spectrum of all these things. Religion, gender, race.'

Dolezal also suggested people were 'operating on an autopilot that race is coded in your DNA'.

As she was: Dolezal was an ordinary white girl with blonde hair as a teenager

'What I believe about race is that race is not real. It's not a biological reality. It's a hierarchical system that was created to leverage power and privilege between different groups of people.'

Dolezal said she has been unable to find steady work in the nearly two years since her background became public in media reports, and she is uncertain about her future.

In her BBC interview, Dolezal explained how she's been ostracized since it was revealed that she was a white woman.

She said: 'I'm so stigmatized right now - not just at large, but especially in this town where I have to stay here in this region, to be a mother. It's a very hostile environment.

'Some people stopped me in the grocery store and say like: "Oh my goodness! Did you know that you look like that one white woman who said she was black but she wasn't?" and then laugh.

"You know, and it's just like: "Ahhh that's interesting" is what I say. And then they say: 'Oh, it's not a bad thing because she was quite pretty!"'

The disgraced civil rights activist is officially on the comeback trail and back in the spotlight, ahead of the release of the book on Tuesday.

The most unapologetic excerpts are two of the chapter titles chosen by the 40-year-old: 'Escaping to Africa (in My Head)' and 'Hustling to Make a Dollar'.

The former NAACP leader, who still says she 'identifies' as black despite being 'Caucasian biologically', uses these chapters to compare her childhood chores to slave labor.

Dolezal is estranged from her parents and they have never met her one-year-old son Langston, a friend tells DailyMail.com

Explosive snippets of a memoir by Rachel Dolezal - the former head of Spokane, Washington's NAACP chapter who claimed to be black before her parents 'outed' her as white - have been released

'It wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to call me an indentured servant,' she wrote.

Warming to her theme, she tries to claim that she developed a 'similar resourcefulness' that slaves were forced to develop because of the way her parents made her to do housework.

THE TIMELINE OF RACHEL DOLEZAL June 2009: Dolezal makes one of her first TV appearances, with KHQ network. September and November 2009: The then-director of the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene claims she found a noose hanging on her door, and that swastika was drawn on the build where she worked. April 2011: Dolezal is working with the NAACP in Washington state during the time that a march in downtown Spokane after a bomb was found on MLK Day. April 2014: She, 'applies for the Citizen Commission of Spokane Police Ombudsman, and under ethnic origins she checks 'White', 'black', 'two or more races' and 'American Indian',' KHQ reports. November 2014: Dolezal helps organize a rally in Ferguson, MO, after the death of Michael Brown. February 2015: A threatening message littered with racial abuse is sent to Dolezal at the Spokane NAACP office. 'It's deeply concerning, but I'm committed to living my life and not hiding in fear. So I will continue to fight for justice,' she said at the time. June 2015: Dolezal's parents finally speak out and break their silence, revealing their daughter is white, and has been misrepresenting her race for years. As for why they never spoke up before, they said, 'no one asked'. Advertisement

She claims this everyday rite of passage for modest children was similar to 'the institution of chattel slavery in America'.

Her claims about her parents are a lengthy attack on how they brought her up, starting with a claim that she was born in a teepee.

Throughout her childhood, she claims, she felt that she was black - even though she did not meet a single black person until she was ten.

She had blond hair and freckles while growing up near Troy, Montana. She says it was a 'painfully white world', which she eventually left behind.

When she was a teenager, her parents adopted four black children, and she felt 'closer to something that felt oddly familiar'.

But even that warrants an attack on her parents because she claims the adoption was solely to benefit from tax breaks.

Dolezal says it wasn't until she was able attend college that she was able to express herself as a black woman.

She attended Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, for her bachelor's degree, then went on to get her Master of Fine Arts from the historically black college Howard University in Washington, DC.

Dolezal had married Kevin Moore in 2000, when he was a medical student at Howard University. They divorced in 2004, which is when she decided to become publicly black.

The ruse worked for years until 2015 when her parents, with whom she has long feuded, told local reporters their daughter was born white but was presenting herself as a black activist in the Spokane region, an area with few minorities.

The story became an international sensation, and Dolezal lost the various jobs by which she pieced together a modest living for her family.

Attacked by both blacks and whites, she was fired as head of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP and kicked off a police ombudsman commission, and she lost her job teaching African studies at Eastern Washington University in nearby Cheney.

Dolezal's mother also showed reporters this photo in 2015 of her daughter's 2000 marriage in Mississippi (she is pictured at center and her parents are standing on either side). She is now divorced but has three children

She could not even get a job in a grocery store, she claims.

Despite failing to find a job, Dolezal says she has to stay in the area because of a custody agreement involving one of her sons.

But overall, she described her 'blackness' as a positive.

'Living as a Black woman made my life infinitely better. It also made it infinitely harder, thanks to other people's racist perceptions of me,' she wrote.

Rachel Dolezal's book (pictured) - In Full Color: Finding My Place in a Black and White World - was released on March 28

'The Blacker I became - not just in the clothes I wrote or the books I read but in terms of how I was being seen and treated - the more distant and isolated I felt from white people.

'[I stopped] feeling obligated to check WHITE on medical forms, and once I started claiming my identity and checking BLACK, any whiteness I possessed became invisible.'

But now Dolezal says she has been unable to find steady work in the nearly two years since she was outed as a white woman in local media reports, and she is uncertain about her future.

'I was presented as a con and a fraud and a liar,' Dolezal, said. 'I think some of the treatment was pretty cruel.'

'People didn't seem able to consider that maybe both were true,' she said. 'OK, I was born to white parents, but maybe I had an authentic black identity.'

She has sold some of her artwork, and also braids hair to earn money. But she said local colleges have refused to hire her, as have nonprofits, government agencies and even local grocery stores.

She was worried she might become homeless in March, but friends bought some of her artwork, which provided enough money to pay the rent for a few months.

Dolezal said it is hard for her to look toward the future when she is struggling so hard to survive the present.
The sister of Salim Mehajer celebrated the impending birth of her son with a lavish $10,000 baby shower on Sunday just 30 minutes after her brother was released from jail and charged with assault.

Kat Mehajer Sakalaki, who is eight months pregnant, held a women-only shower for her son Abraham at Cedrus Restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Ryde at 1pm.

About 80 people gathered at the Lebanese restaurant, which was extravagantly decorated with a wall of blue, white and gold polka dot balloons.

'We are super excited to meet the new prince,' Kat's sister Zena Mehajer told Daily Mail Australia.

Kat Sakalaki (pictured), Salim Mehajer's sister, was seen wearing a light blue dress with long, open sleeves at a lavish baby shower for her son Abraham on Sunday

Kat Sakalaki, pictured with husband Ibrahim Sakalaki, held the baby shower at a Lebanese restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Ryde

The couple embraced one another outside the restaurant where the baby shower was held

A flower crown consistent with the blue and white theme sat on top of Kat's styled hair

Mr Sakalaki is seen carrying presents from the Lebanese restaurant

The couple received numerous presents from family and friends who attended the baby shower

Kat was seen wearing a light blue dress with long, open sleeves and heels as she posed for photos with family members and friends.

A flower crown consistent with the blue and white theme sat on top of Kat's styled hair.

Her husband, Ibrahim Sakalaki, attended the baby shower briefly to cut the cake, which was just one of several sweet treats offered to guests.

The large cake was decorated with blue and white icing with a large letter A on the top and bottom of their cake for Abraham.

Kat's sisters Mary (left) and Aiisha (right) were among the guests

Kat's sister Mary Mehajer (pictured) wore a cream bodycon gown with a high neck-line and a back split, with white-heeled sandals

Sister Aiisha Mehajer (pictured) wore an off-shoulder tangerine dress to the baby shower

Kat Sakalaki (pictured right with her sister Zena), Salim Mehajer's sister, hosted a lavish $10,000 baby shower on Sunday for her son

About 80 people gathered at Cedrus Restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Ryde for the baby shower

Kat's sisters Sanaa (left) and Mary (right) take a photo during the baby shower

Kat poses for a picture with her mother Amal Mehajer

Kat Sakalaki's husband, Ibrahim Sakalaki (the couple are pictured together), attended the baby shower briefly to cut the cake, which was just one of several sweet treats offered to guests

The large cake was decorated with blue and white icing with a large letter A on the top and bottom of their cake for Abraham

The letter 'A' featured prominently throughout the restaurant, reflecting the baby's name, Abraham

There were personalised cookies coated in blue icing and imprinted with 'Baby Abraham'

Parfaits, cupcakes, cookies and donuts were also seen scattered across the large dessert table.

For the main course guests ate a massive selection of meat, salad and seafood.

Another table held numerous presents stacked on top of one another.

Small thank you notes tied to crystal glassware on the tables thanked the female guests for celebrating with the mother-to-be.

'Thank you for sharing this happy day and sending your love and blessings our way. We hope you had a great time,' it read.

One table at the baby shower held numerous presents stacked on top of one another

Parfaits, cupcakes, cookies and donuts were also seen scattered across the large dessert table

There were cupcakes with white icing that had been imprinted with blue baby feet

Another multi-layered cake was topped-off with an abundance of blue and white flowers

Kat Sakalaki held a women-only shower for her son Abraham on Sunday

Kat's sister Zena Mehajer (at left) told Daily Mail Australia: 'We are super excited to meet the new prince'

The room was extravagantly decorated with a wall of blue, white and gold polka dot balloons

Mehajer, 30, was released from Day Street Police Station just a few minutes before the baby shower began.

He was arrested overnight for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver outside of The Star casino.

Officers have charged Mehajer with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and larceny.

He was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on April 26.

Former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer (pictured left) was released from a Sydney police station on Sunday afternoon after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver

Upon leaving the station, Mehajer was kicked out of the taxi that arrived to pick him up after the driver learned of the alleged assault

Mehajer, 30, was released from Day Street Police Station just a few minutes before the baby shower began
President Donald Trump spent a lot of time on Twitter Saturday morning tweeting about the media, but what was most surprising was his tweet praising a New York Times piece that detailed the struggles of Obamacare.

Shortly after tweeting about a Fox News story that he felt supported his claim that Barack Obama had him under surveillance during the 2016 election, Trump tweeted his approval for the Times report, despite calling them a 'failing' publication.

'The failing @nytimes finally gets it - 'In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for ObamaCare customers to use subsidies to buy health plans.' In other words, Ocare is dead. Good things will happen, however, either with Republicans or Dems,' Trump said in a pair of tweets.

He was referring to the Times story, Obamacare Choices Could Go From One to Zero in Some Areas, according to The Hill.

Shortly after tweeting about a Fox News story that he felt supported his claim that Barack Obama had him under surveillance during the 2016 election, president Donald Trump tweeted his approval for a New York Times report on Obamacare

Despite calling the Times a 'failing' news publication, Trump seemed to have approved of an article that detailed the struggles of Obamacare

Trump was referring to the Times story: Obamacare Choices Could Go From One to Zero in Some Areas. The article highlights areas in the US that may eventually have no insurers that would offer Obamacare health plans as soon as next year

The article highlights areas in the US that may eventually have no insurers that would offer Obamacare health plans as soon as next year.

'Humana announced that they'd be leaving the markets altogether next year. That means there are parts of Tennessee that will have no insurance options unless another insurer decides to enter,' the report said.

But Trump also hinted at the possibility of working with Democrats to fix Obamacare in the future, which comes a week after the Republicans failed to repeal and replace Obamas signature domestic achievement.

Earlier this week, Trump lashed out at the Times and threatened to change libel laws in order to prosecute the newspaper for 'getting him wrong'.

Trump was referring to a New York Post opinion piece alleging that the Times was biased against him and 'ethically challenged'.

Earlier this week, Trump lashed out at the Times and threatened to change libel laws in order to prosecute the newspaper for 'getting him wrong'

In the tweet (pictured), Trump linked to a New York Post opinion piece alleging that the Times was biased against Trump and 'ethically challenged'

And on Wednesday Trump tweeted: 'Remember when the failing @nytimes apologized to its subscribers, right after the election, because their coverage was so wrong. Now worse!'

But the Times immediately responded on Twitter, saying that the company never apologized.

'We stand by our coverage & thank our millions of subscribers for supporting our journalism,' the Times said.

On Saturday, just an hour before his tweet about the Times, Trump wrote: 'Wow, Fox News just reporting big news. Source: "Official behind unmasking is high up. Known Intel official is responsible. Some unmasked...."'

Twelve minutes later, he added: '..not associated with Russia. Trump team spied on before he was nominated.' If this is true, does not get much bigger. Would be sad for U.S.'

The Fox News story cites a single anonymous source who said that a 'very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world' individual, not associated with the FBI, was responsible for allegedly revealing the identities of private persons involved in the Trump campaign.

An unnamed congressional source said: 'The main issue in this case, is not only the unmasking of these names of private citizens, but the spreading of these names for political purposes that have nothing to do with national security or an investigation into Russia's interference in the U.S. election.'

The Fox News story did not provide further details of who these private citizens were.
An unlicensed driver has been charged after he allegedly caused carnage on Melbourne's roads before attempting to flee from police.

The 24-year-old was spotted driving a stolen white Holden Commodore in the city centre when police tried to corner him when he allegedly struck a Volkswagen.

Driving away from the crash at high speed, the car then spun out of control before slamming into five parked cars just after midnight on Sunday.

The Hoppers Crossing man attempted to flee on foot following the crash but police were soon able to catch up with him, taking him to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for observations before being released into custody.

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A 24-year-old man has taken police on a wild chase in Melbourne's CBD ending in a five car crash

The unlicenced driver was driving a stolen white Holden Commodore

Armed officers from the Critical Incident Response Team descended upon the crashed Holden, but not before three passengers attempted to escape.

Two 20-year-old female were among the three arrested by police, but authorities were unable to confirm whether a fourth individual was also in the car.

Local resident Ahmet Atasever, 36, watched the chaos unfold from nearby apartments telling the Herald Sun of the mayhem the stolen sedan caused.

'It hit the cars over there (across the road) and I just saw people running out of the car,' Mr Atasever said.

The impact of the crash was so severe that a van's rear tyre was lodged into the window of another car

Police allege that following the driver's sideswipe of the Volkswagen, a motorcycle was also damaged

Police allege that following the driver's sideswipe of the Volkswagen, a motorcycle was also damaged in the incident.

As part of the five car crash on Kavanagh St in Melbourne's Southbank, a van was thrust up into the air as a result of the impact, before its rear tyre was lodged into the window of another car.

Police say that no one was injured in the collisions however the driver of the vehicle is suspected to have sustained an ankle injury.

The Hoppers Crossing has been charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, evading police and conducting an indictable offence while on bail.
Up to 20 bystanders watched as a gang of thugs punched and kicked a teenage asylum seeker in a savage hate crime.

In an attack with chilling echoes of the Stephen Lawrence murder, a mob of up to 30 men and woman chased the terrified 17-year-old along a South London street.

The boy screamed help, help, help as he was thrown to the floor and blows rained down on him.

The attackers swore and hurled abuse at the Kurdish Iranian teenager during the horrendous and frenzied assault, which stopped only when they heard police sirens.

A teenage asylum seeker is fighting for his life after being beaten in a 'brutal attack' by a gang in what police are treating as a hate crime. Pictured: The road where he was beaten

Graffiti appeared on the road where the brutal attack took place, with the words 'refugees welcome' emblazoned on an electricity box

The unconscious victim was left sprawled flat out in the suburban street fighting for his life.

Eight people, including a woman and a 17-year-old girl, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder after the boy suffered a fractured skull and a blood clot on the brain.

The incident drew widespread condemnation, with local Tory MP Gavin Barwell describing the attackers as cowardly and despicable scum.

He said Friday nights attack in Croydon had worrying similarities to the April 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence by racist thugs as he waited at a bus stop in nearby Eltham.

But he added: I have very strong memories of that case, and that centred on the failure of the police to act quickly.

The contrast between that and the way Croydon Police have responded to this incident shows how far the Met Police has travelled.

The teenager, a Kurdish Iranian, was waiting at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat pub in Croydon, south-east London

The victim, believed to be an unaccompanied child refugee living with foster parents in Croydon, was waiting at a bus stop with two friends when the group approached them just before midnight.

After discovering he was an asylum seeker, they chased the friends for about 100 yards. Two managed to escape with minor injuries, but the 17-year-old was caught.

Police believe a gang of around eight people were involved in the attack but residents said many more watched while the boy was beaten.

Government minister Gavin Barwell (pictured)

A resident of Shrublands Avenue, where the attack happened, said: I saw a group of 30 people running towards the teenager.

A group surrounded him watching as about four or five were punching and smacking him everywhere. I heard lots of arguing and swearing. They were shouting f-words at the guy as they were hitting him. They were shouting mother****** as they punched him. I just heard him screaming, saying, help, help, help.

I saw him on the floor after  he wasnt moving  and the guys ran away. A couple of minutes later the ambulance and paramedics arrived.

Another resident said: There were more than eight people, there was a massive group coming up from The Goat pub. You couldnt see who was hitting who.

There was one person, the one who ended up in hospital, he was getting absolutely beaten up  kicked, mostly in the facial area. He was getting kicked and punched by everyone. There was a group of roughly ten people who were kicking and punching him, and the rest, another ten or 20, were all just around watching. When they heard sirens, they started to go.

Sylvia Addo, who also lives near the scene, said some of the attackers did not run away until the police arrived.

Police believe a gang of around eight were involved in the attack but residents said many more watched on while the boy was beaten on the ground

She added: Me and my husband arrived home at the same time as the police. As we were driving down the road we saw three young men running away towards the pub. They looked a bit frantic and you could tell that something bad had happened.

The victim was initially described as critical, but last night was said to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

ABBOTT BLASTED FOR BLAMING TORIES Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott Diane Abbott was denounced as sickening after she blamed Brexit and the Tories for the gang attack on the teenage asylum seeker in Croydon. Labours Shadow Home Secretary sought political gain while the 17-year-old Kurdish Iranian was fighting for his life in hospital. After the brutal assault in South London, Miss Abbott blamed the Conservatives for the incident, saying: Sadly, this is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained increase in hate crimes that this Tory Government is yet to offer any effective response to. With Right-wing politicians across the world scapegoating migrants, refugees and others for their economic problems, we are seeing a deeply worrying rise in the politics of hate. We must make clear that there is no place for anti-foreigner myths, racism and hate in our society. Miss Abbott then went on Sky News to suggest Brexit had been a factor. Im not surprised in the attack because we have seen a rise in hate crime and anti-migrant feeling, particularly since Brexit, she said. Much of the Brexit campaign was around fear of migrants, this now is being reflected in the rise in hate crime. Im hearing anecdotal evidence of people being shouted at and abused in the street. Ive not been attacked, but friends and family members have been shouted at in the street. Chris Philp, the Tory MP for Croydon South, said it was despicable to blame the referendum for the attack. This is a sickening attempt by Diane Abbott to politicise what is an awful crime that has been condemned by people across the political spectrum, he said. What she seems to be doing is to attribute blame for the rise in hate crime to political parties  that is completely unjustified and unreasonable. Advertisement

Detective Sergeant Kris Blamires, of Croydon CID, said: It is believed that about eight suspects approached the victim as he waited at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat public house in the Shrublands. It is understood that the suspects asked the victim where he was from and when they established that he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a brutal attack.

A number of people came to the aid of the victim as he lay unconscious and injured following the assault.

Chief Superintendent Jeff Boothe, Croydons borough commander, called it a savage and horrendous and frenzied attack.

A number of bystanders and eyewitnesses tried to intervene and say to the attackers that enough is enough, he said.

By all accounts they didnt actually stop until the sound of police sirens were heard.

He added: Hate crime is something which we understand can be very, very divisive. Croydon is culturally diverse and we need to continue to celebrate that. One local responded to the brutal attack by spraying graffiti near the scene that read, Refugees welcome.

Three 20-year-old men and a man and woman both aged 24 were arrested at addresses in Croydon late on Saturday. A 23-year-old man, 26-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested for the same offences yesterday afternoon. All eight remained in custody last night.

A 20-year-old woman who was arrested late on Saturday has been released without charge.

Mr Barwell said: It was a cowardly and despicable attack on a young man who has come to this country seeking sanctuary and I hope that we will find the people responsible and they will face the full force of justice. Ive spoken to the police and from what they have reported to me they have good reason to believe it was a hate crime. Its an appalling crime.

Croydon is well known for its links to refugees arriving in Britain because the Home Offices immigration office at Lunar House is based there.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: Hate crime has no place in London, Britain or anywhere else.

Sharon Swaby, of the local residents association, added: It is a terrible attack, but completely out of character with the area. I have been here for decades and never experienced a racist incident.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: Absolutely shocked at attack on young Kurdish asylum seeker, who came here searching for safety. I fervently hope he makes a full recovery.
A young woman's complaints about being sexually harassed by two male colleagues at a fast food chicken franchise were allegedly ignored.

The 21-year-old woman has spoken of her shock at the way the owners of two Nando's franchises, one at Chermside and the other Strathpine, in Brisbane, allegedly told her to 'deal with it' in 2014 and 2015.

The employee alleges that a male co-worker, Ram Singh, touched her breasts.

'I was absolutely beside myself, in complete shock when it first occurred,' she told The Sunday Mail.

'I dreaded going to work. Never in my life had I endured anything like this.'

The woman who worked at two Nando's chicken franchises in Brisbane dreaded work

The employee alleges that a male co-worker, Ram Singh, touched her inappropriately at Nando's chicken

The woman has gone to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to allege that a male colleague pressed his genitals against her, and made lewd and unwelcome sexual comments, News Corp reported.

Employment advocate Linda Carlson alleged the woman, who was 19 at the time, was told to 'deal with it' when she complained to the manager.

Documents filed in the tribunal say another male colleague, Harwinder Singh Gohal, also began sexually harassing her several months later.

Anti Discrimination Queensland had earlier accepted the young woman had made numerous complaints.

The former franchise owners of the Chermside and Strathpine Nando's franchises Sanjay Kumar and Sirichand Jhanbia have also been named as parties to the claim. They have denied the allegations and are contesting the womans claim.

The unnamed woman has taken has case to an employment advocate in Queensland
Four knife-wielding teenagers have been charged after their plot to escape a detention centre in northern NSW was foiled by police.

The youths were reportedly attempting to break out of Acmena Juvenile Justice Centre in Grafton through air conditioning vents sitting three metres above the ground.

Police were called to the scene at 8.15pm on Saturday and found the four teenage detainees allegedly armed with knifes as they made their botched escape.

The four teenagers escaped Acmena Juvenile Justice Centre in northern NSW (pictured)

Two of the teenagers aged 16 and 17 were charged with affray, possession offensive instrument in place of detention and malicious damage.

The other two detainees aged 15 and 16 were charged with affray, possess offensive instrument in place of detention, assault and intimidation of a law officer in the detention centre and with malicious damage.

All four of the young detainees appeared in court via video link on Sunday afternoon.

Police were called to the scene at 8.15pm on Saturday night and found the four teenage detainees allegedly armed with knifes as they made their botched escape (stock image)

No staff members at the juvenile centre were physically injured during the armed breakout attempt.

Acmena Juvenile Justice Centre has been the centre of several failed escapes by its young detainees over the years.

In 2014 four teenagers broke out of the centre but were eventually arrested by police as they fled down the northern NSW coast.
British airports and nuclear power plants have been ordered to tighten security over fears terrorist hackers could have found a way to bypass electronic safety checks.

Over the last 24 hours, spies have given a series of warnings terrorists might have discovered means of bypassing scanners in airports and security at nuclear facilities.

There are fears Islamic State terrorists could put bombs in mobile phones and laptops that would not be picked up by screening, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Over the last 24 hours, spies have given a series of warnings terrorists might have discovered means of bypassing scanners in airports and security at nuclear facilities

This is believed to be the reason behind the USA and Britain's ban on travellers carrying laptops and large electronic devices from six countries.

Security officials are also concerned terrorists, spies or 'hacktivists' are looking for ways to take advantage of 'vulnerabilities' at nuclear power stations.

Energy Minister Jesse Norman told the Telegraph power plants should ensure they 'remain resilient' against electronic security threats.

The ban on laptops on British-bound travellers covers all direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

Energy Minister Jesse Norman told the Telegraph power plants should ensure they 'remain resilient' against electronic security threats

It came after America imposed similar but wider restrictions on flights from eight countries - based on the same intelligence information the UK authorities had seen.

Officials are worried terrorists have experimented on airport screening equipment and worked out how to plant a bomb in the battery compartment of a laptop.

The rules cover all kit larger than 6.3 inches long, 3.6 inches wide and 0.6 inches deep. This covers all major smartphones but is smaller than an iPad mini or a Kindle.

Concerns were raised last year when insurgent group al-Shabaab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on to a flight out of Mogadishu.

It blew a hole in the side of the plane, but the aircraft was still low enough that the pilot was able to land the plane safely.

However, baffled computer experts have questioned the design of the new rules, suggesting a laptop bomb would be just as effective in the hold as in the cabin.

Alexandre de Juniac, director general of the International Air Transport Association, said the American and British bans were not sustainable.

'Even in the short term, it is difficult to understand their effectiveness. And the commercial distortions they create are severe,' he said in a speech in Canada.

This is believed to be the reason behind the USA and Britain's ban on travellers carrying laptops and large electronic devices from six countries.

Security officials are also concerned terrorists, spies or 'hacktivists' are looking for ways to take advantage of 'vulnerabilities' at nuclear power stations. File photo

The tougher rules came 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.

Australia said it will increase security checks for flights from some Middle East airports, but stopped short of implementing the laptop ban.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said he expects 63 percent Yes votes in the upcoming referendum on constitutional reforms in Turkey, Anadolu reported.

Speaking to journalists in Istanbul Sunday, Cavusoglu said some surveys suggest current percentage of Yes votes to be over 58 percent, adding that more people are expected to vote Yes.

He also said the rate of voting has increased by more than 30 percent abroad compared with the previous presidential election.

"I hope there will be more. The citizens have a lot of interest," he said, adding he expects voter turnout abroad to be over 50 percent.

The overseas turnout was 8.32 percent in the 2014 presidential election, which was the first time Turkish nationals were able to vote from abroad.

Around 3 million Turkish expats are eligible to vote at Turkeys 120 diplomatic missions in 57 countries. The overseas voting, which started Monday, will end on April 9.

Voting centers abroad remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time at such missions "so the citizens can also go to vote after work," Cavusoglu said.

The constitutional changes have been discussed since Recep Tayyip Erdogan was voted president in August 2014. The 18-article bill was passed by parliament in January.

The reforms would hand wide-ranging executive powers to the president and the post of prime minister would be abolished. The president would also be allowed to retain ties to a political party.

Other changes would see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 and the number of deputies rise to 600.
The family of a British millionaire killed in Ukraine have hit out at claims by his internet bride  who has been linked to the death  that they squandered his fortune.

Former stripper Ganna Ziuzina  dubbed the Black Widow  claimed the family of Barry Pring were trying to frame her for his murder.

Mr Pring, 47, died in 2008 when he was hit by a car and an inquest ruled he was unlawfully killed after hearing claims from family and friends that his Ukrainian widow was involved.

But his family dismissed Ukrainian Miss Ziuzinas claims as preposterous and said the money had been held in an independent trust.

Internet bride Ganna Ziuzina (right) allegedly linked to the death of her British millionaire husband Barry Pring (left) has accused his family of trying to frame her for his murder

Mr Pring died after celebrating his first wedding anniversary in Kiev in February 2008. Pictured, Irene (left) and Shaughan Pring (right), the mother and brother of Barry Pring

Miss Ziuzina, 38, told Ukrainian newspaper Fakty: When Barry died, his inheritance was worth about 1.5million. When the lawyers were given the right to run the assets it went down to 40,000.

Barrys brother hired hackers, lawyers and private detectives. He spent from 100,000 to 200,000. Of course they want to get rid of me otherwise they will have to explain where the money has gone. She did not give evidence at the original inquest, but has won a legal bid for a fresh hearing to be held into the death.

Miss Ziuzina, who has denied any involvement in the death, now lives on the Costa del Sol with wealthy Briton Ivan Lister, 48, and the couple have a three-year-old daughter.

Mr Prings family say they have spent more than 100,000 of their own money investigating the death amid fears he was murdered. A family source told The Sun on Sunday: It is right and proper that Ziuzina should be heard.

His family insist the former stripper Ms Ziuzina, dubbed the Black Widow, was behind the 'hit' as she wanted to get her hands on his 1.5million property empire

Last night, a family source denied the allegations and said Barry's money was in a trust

An inquest earlier this year found Mr Pring was unlawfully killed after being 'tricked' into standing on a wrong carriageway while he waited for a taxi

It is to be hoped her preposterous allegations will help to ensure that justice is ultimately achieved.

'Barrys money is in an independent trust and has not been disbursed, pending the outcome of inquests into his death.

IT consultant Mr Pring, from Battersea, South West London, was said to have been besotted with Miss Ziuzina, despite his friends fears that she was a gold-digger.

The original inquests verdict was quashed after Miss Ziuzina instructed lawyers to seek a judicial review, saying she was not given the opportunity to testify and other new evidence should be considered.

Ms Ziuzina now lives in Marbella with another wealthy British businessman Ivan Lister (right) and their daughter
Wealthy peers who do almost no work in the House of Lords are claiming up to 40,000 a year from the taxpayer just for turning up, an investigation reveals today.

Multimillionaire peers can claim 300 a day just for visiting and they are not obliged to speak in debates, attend committees or ask written questions.

All they have to do is walk into the lavish Lords chamber and be seen by House officials responsible for marking attendance.

The claims will fuel demands for the bulging House of Lords to undergo fundamental reform that trims its more than 800 members and removes those who make little or no contribution.

Lord Paul, one of Britain's richest men, who received 40,800 between November 2015 and October 2016 despite making no speeches or attending any committees

Among the highest claimants was Lord Paul, one of Britain's richest men, who received 40,800 despite making no speeches or attending any committees during the latest period for which payment figures are available.

Lord Paul, who is not affiliated to a party but was appointed by John Major, did vote on a series of laws while claiming the cash, an investigation by The Sunday Times reveals.

He was absent for all of 2015 and made just two brief contributions in November 2016.

Former Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza warned last month in a BBC documentary that the Lord must get a grip on peers who claim allowances but do not contribute.

She said most peers worked hard but abandoned her own effort at reform for fear of 'naming and shaming'.

Today's investigation highlighted:

Lord Evans of Watford , a Labour peer and publishing firm boss, who claimed 24,300 for 83 days' attendance but made no contributions in debates or questions and voted on five bills

, a Labour peer and publishing firm boss, who claimed 24,300 for 83 days' attendance but made no contributions in debates or questions and voted on five bills Lord Carswell , a crossbencher based in Northern Ireland, who claimed 7,800 for 29 days, but did not vote or make any written or spoken contributions in the chamber. Lord Carswell is chairman of a house committee, but it conducted no business during the claim period, according to a parliament spokesman. He also claimed 6,500 in travel expenses, including the airfare to and from Westminster of 551 for a single day's attendance

, a crossbencher based in Northern Ireland, who claimed 7,800 for 29 days, but did not vote or make any written or spoken contributions in the chamber. Lord Carswell is chairman of a house committee, but it conducted no business during the claim period, according to a parliament spokesman. He also claimed 6,500 in travel expenses, including the airfare to and from Westminster of 551 for a single day's attendance Lord Hanningfield , a former Tory peer, who was jailed in 2011 for false accounting relating to his expenses and later suspended. Sunday Times analysis found he claimed 3,300 for 11 days of attendance in 2015-16 when he contributed to no votes and only one debate  on education in prisons.

All peers have to do to claim a 300 daily allowance is walk into the lavish Lords chamber and be seen by House officials responsible for marking attendance.

Cameras went behind the scenes of the House of Lords in a BBC documentary earlier this year, exposing the facilities to public view for the first time

None of the peers have broken any rules with their claims, which they are entitled to make under the system created seven years ago after MPs' expenses scandal.

Lord Paul claimed 300 for 136 days of attendance between November 2015 and October 2016.

The 84-year-old and his family are ranked as Britain's 154th richest according to the Sunday Times rich list.

The Indian-born billionaire made his career as a businessman trading in steel.

He lives on a sprawling estate in Buckinghamshire and has posted photographs of himself hosting gatherings at parliament, including giving tours to family members, and staff from Wolverhampton University, where he is chancellor.

On at least two occasions he hosted politicians and businessmen from Missouri, where he has interests, including a hotel development in St Louis.

Lord Hanningfield claimed 3,300 for 11 days of attendance in 2015-16 when he contributed to no votes and only one debate

The claims of Lord Evans of Watford (left) and Lord Carswell (right) were also highlighted in today's investigation

The Indian-born businessman, who was made a peer in 1996 by John Major and rose to be a deputy Speaker.

He was suspended from the Lords for four months in 2010 after an earlier Sunday Times investigation found he had misclaimed 38,000 under the old expenses system.

Lord Paul told The Sunday Times his allowance claims were 'more than representative' of the work he had done in parliament, but declined to elaborate further.

Lord Carswell told the paper: 'Outside this period you will find that I have spoken and voted on a number of matters.

'I am scrupulous about sitting and listening to debates and I discuss the content with other peers outside the chamber, to our mutual benefit.'

Lord Hanningfield said: 'People are making a mountain out of a molehill. I may have made a mistake in the past but I am still being penalised for it.

'But I could name ministers who are doing exactly what I did that was wrong.'

A House of Lords spokesman said: 'Members of the House of Lords are not paid a salary and can only claim attendance allowance for days they attend the House and undertake Parliamentary work.

'Apart from travel costs attendance allowance is the only financial support available to Members from which they must cover any expenses associated with their work in Parliament including accommodation and any staff they employ.

'All members have to certify that they have undertaken parliamentary work on the day in question when claiming.

'Where members are shown to have claimed when they have not undertaken parliamentary work the House has the power to suspend them - as in the case of Lord Hanningfield - or expel them.

'The House of Lords is an active and effective revising chamber that considered 3,678 amendments to legislation in the last session, and members contribute to that work in a wide variety of ways.

'In the 2015-16 session, 710 members spoke in debates, 779 voted in divisions, and 321 were members of select committees. However, parliamentary work is not limited to these activities, and much of it would not leave a record in Hansard.'

Lord Evans of Watford has been contacted for comment by MailOnline.
A retired Conservative councillor freed within hours of crushing his wife to death in France has been charged with manslaughter and is now back living in the family house.

David Turtle, 62, is facing up to 30 years in prison after admitting driving the couples Mercedes estate over Stephanie Turtle, 50, last Friday in Prayssac, north of Toulouse.

Mrs Turtles rib cage caved in and she was asphyxiated when gendarmes found her body at around 2am.

David Turtle, 62, (right) admits driving the couples Mercedes estate over Stephanie Turtle, 50, last Friday in Prayssac, north of Toulouse

After telling police it was an accident, Mr Turtle was briefly held in custody and then released under judicial control late on Friday night.

Now it has emerged that an instructing judge has charged him with aggravated manslaughter  a crime that comes with a maximum sentence of 30 years.

Despite this, he is at liberty, and was today alone at La Maison Cedre  the Cedar House home the couple had planned to run as a Bed and Breakfast business.

Mr Turtle is currently free to come and go as he pleased, and has decided to carry on living in Prayssac, said a legal source close to the case.

The Turtles moved from Bournemouth to Prayssac, in the department of Lot, last summer in search of an idyllic life

His case will be investigated further, and then he is likely to be called for trial in the coming months.

Mr Turtle resigned his full-time job as a Mercedes dealer, and as a Conservative councillor in Bournemouths Kinson North ward, last year, while Mrs Turtle gave up her job in the human resources department of Dorset Council.

The couple had decided to start a new life in rural France, buying a dilapidated home and turning it into a guesthouse.

Months of work ended last weekend, and the Turtles were looking forward to welcoming their first guests this summer.

They were celebrating and very happy, said a source in Prayssac, which has a population of just under 2500.

David and Stephanie had not stopped working since they arrived in July. They were delighted with the renovation work, and the house looked wonderful.

An autopsy held in Toulouse late on Friday established the cause of death, and forensics officers raked the house and surrounding grounds for forensic evidence.

Mr Turtle (second from the left) told police it was an accident. He was briefly held in custody and then released under judicial control late on Friday night

Mr Turtle was initially held in a police station at Puy L'Eveque, and was then presented to an instructing judge at Agen.

Mr Turtle has told judicial police working for the Cahors prosecutors office that he accidently knocked his wife over, said the Prayssac source.

The couple moved to France in July last year and wanted to turn La Maison Cedre, or The Cedar House, into a bed and breakfast and guesthouse

Mrs Turtle had registered the new business with the local authorities, and had just filed a permit at the Prayssac town hall to build a swimming pool.

Her new life was recorded in a blog which she shared publicly online, while solely using the letter T to denote their surnames.

It reads: Welcome to La Maison Cedre, a light hearted blog of our journey from Bournemouth to Prayssac.

The story of Mr and Mrs T who have left the UK to set up a chambre dhote (B & B) in the beautiful Lot Valley, South West France.

Youll get to experience with us some of the joys, trials and tribulations that happen along the way and meet our new friends as we settle into new lives en France.

The blog will include plenty of photos as Mr T is a keen photographer, videos of the house and surrounding area, plus recipes as Mrs T is a keen cook. Plus anything else we think you might find interesting or amusing.

A local police spokesman confirmed that Mr Turtle had been charged, and that he was under judicial control  the French equivalent of bail.
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London is set to have highs of 19 degrees today after thousands of people across the country were seen basking in the sizzling weekend sun yesterday.

The Met Office has confirmed today is going to be even hotter after temperatures soared to 17.2 degrees on Sunday in St James' Park, central London - beating Istanbul in Turkey by six degrees.

Charlie Powell, a forecaster for the Met Office, said there would be split between the north west, which will see some showers, and southern parts of England.

He said: 'By the time most people wake up in Scotland and northern Ireland, there will be will wet and windy weather, which will spread to northern England and Wales during the course of the day, while those who have been enjoying sunshine in the southern parts will continue to do so. But it is short lived.

'On Tuesday, things will brighten up in Scotland and the north west but the damp weather will continue to sweep across the south east, meaning a wet day for the majority of England.

'After that, sunshine will continue from Wednesday onwards and we will see good spells of sunshine across the country.

'There will be highs of 12 or 13 degrees on Wednesday and then 14 or 15 degrees on Thursday, which will continue for the next five days.'

A couple was seen holding hands as they walked along Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire as temperatures soared to 17 degrees

Families pushed prams as they walked in Kew Gardens, south west London. Beautiful flowers also bloomed in the sunshine

One woman was seen picking daisies in Hampstead Heath as the rays shone down on to the grassy verges

Punters take to the beach in Brighton and Hove as sunny and warm weather is hitting the seaside resort yesterday

The warm weather in much of the UK is even set to beat Istanbul in Turkey where temperatures are around 52F (11C). Pictured, beach-goers in Brighton

Max Egaton, 2, takes a ride on Bobby the donkey on Lytham St Annes beach in Lancashire yesterday afternoon

Siblings Ebony, 13, and James Whitaker, 15, enjoy a game of petanque on Lytham St Annes beach yesterday afternoon

Some weather experts had predicted rain for the UK this weekend. Revellers take to the beach in Brighton and Hove

One woman was seen reading a magazine in Hampstead Heath, London, while a man attempted to get a tan in the warm weather

A couple was seen stealing a quick kiss while many others were seen relaxing in Hampstead Heath, which overlooks the London skyline

Some friends used the opportunity to have a catch up in the warm weather while others took a break from a bike ride

One man was seen looking pensive as he studied his tablet and held a notepad. The weather was so warm he sat in the park shirtless

One woman stretched out on a bench, with her legs over the back of it, while a man gazed out on to the skyline

Britain is basking in glorious sunshine today as temperatures soar to 63F (17C) despite warnings that the weekend could be a washout. Pictured, Sam the nine-year-old labrador enjoying a sunny Sunday in the Firth of Forth in Cramond

Pictured, three-year-olds Emily Inglis (left) and Maya and Lola Green (right) by the Firth of Forth in Cramond

A wonderful spring day around the shores of Buttermere in the Lake District where unbroken sunshine shone over the calm waters

Sunday promises to be largely dry with sunny spells and light winds. Pictured, fishermen on Cardiff Bay barrage as the sun rises over Cardiff yesterday

A Met Office spokesman said: 'The vast majority of the UK will remain dry with the warmest temperatures of around 16/17C in the south east.' Pictured, Buttermere in the Lake District

Three hill walkers enjoyed the Spring-time sunshine in the Lake District. Tomorrow will be fairly dry in southern parts of Britain

People were seen enjoying a sunny Sunday by the Firth of Forth yesterday. Dogs were seen happily running around the beach

Maya and Lola Green were seen drawing shapes in the sand on Cramond Beach near Edinburgh yesterday afternoon

The warm weather in much of the UK beat Istanbul in Turkey (pictured, stock image) where temperatures were around 52F (11C)

On Monday, it will be windy across Northern Ireland and western Scotland with some rain according to the Met Office

Charlie Powell, a forecaster for the Met Office, said people who have been enjoying the sunshine today will continue to do so today. Pictured, Plungar in Leicestershire
Theresa May would go to war to defend Gibraltar in the same way Margaret Thatcher set out to reclaim the Falklands, a former Tory leader has claimed.

Michael Howard said Mrs May would show the 'same resolve' her predecessor did 35 years ago today when the Falklands War began.

The intervention came as Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon vowed to defend the Rock 'all the way'.

Mrs May spoke to Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo today to offer him reassurance Britain is 'absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit'.

Mr Picardo earlier denied a split with No 10 while on a snap visit to London, insisting he had worked with Mrs May on 'tactical and strategic decisions'.

The row was triggered on Friday when Spain was handed an effective veto over the Brexit deal by the EU Council's draft negotiating guidelines said Madrid could exclude Gibraltar. The shock move opened a new front in diplomatic battle for Brexit.

It has been claimed Spain seized the advantage when Theresa May failed to specifically mention Gibraltar in her Article 50 letter on Wednesday - prompting suggestions of a rift with the peninsula's government.

Former Tory leader Michael Howard today said Theresa May would go to war to defend Gibraltar in the same way Margaret Thatcher reclaimed the Falklands

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, pictured on the Andrew Marr show today, vowed Britain would defend Gibraltar 'all the way' on the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War

Theresa May has insisted Britain will stand up for Gibraltar after the Spanish were handed a veto on whether the Brexit deal applies to the territory

While a full-blown Falklands-style conflict is unlikely, Spanish ships regularly breach Gibraltar's territorial waters and are often met by Royal Navy ships.

Asked if Britain would defend Gibraltar as it did the Falklands, Sir Michael told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'We are going to look after Gibraltar - it is going to be protected all the way because the sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the people of Gibraltar.

'They have been very clear they do not want to live under Spanish rule.'

Lord Howard went further, telling Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: 'There is no question whatever that our Government will stand by Gibraltar.

'35 years ago this week another woman Prime Minister sent a task force half way across the World to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish-speaking country.

'I am absolutely certain our current Prime Minister will show the same resolve.'

Protection of Gibraltar and the Falklands were linked in the same paragraph of the Conservative manifesto.

Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands 35 years ago today, prompting Margaret Thatcher to send a British task force to reclaim the South Atlantic territory.

Sir Michael said Britain would fight to defend the Rock, which has been a British territory for centuries in the Brexit talks

Also speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Mr Picardo denied a rift with No 10.

He said: 'We are working very, very closely with the British Government. There is a joint ministerial council that includes Gibraltar.'

THE ONE SENTENCE THAT COULD TRASH THE WHOLE DEAL The EU's Gibraltar bombshell was revealed in a single sentence of the nine page draft guidelines. It hands Spain a veto over whether the Brexit deal applies to Gibraltar - something which could make the entire deal untenable for Britain. It reads: 'After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom.' Advertisement

He claimed: 'The Article 50 letter does make reference to Gibraltar, if not explicitly, then tangentially by cross referencing to the White Paper where the Government has set out in more detail what it is going to do.'

Mr Picardo insisted: 'I'm not thrilled we are in the situation that we are - Gibraltar voted 96 per cent to Remain - but we have energetically decided we have to support the Prime Minister in making Brexit a success.

'When we get the deal on Brexit... it is only fair, proper and right it applies to Gibraltar.

'Gibraltar is not on the table as a chip - anybody who thinks that we are is not realising what this is about.'

He added: It's just a draft at the moment. Let's see what comes back on April 29. But even if it comes back as it is, it's clear we are entering a negotiation.

Spain was handed an effective veto over the Brexit deal on Friday when the EU Council's draft negotiating guidelines said Madrid could exclude Gibraltar

'This is somebody else's document. It's not our document. If this was in the British document, I would be very upset.'

SPAIN DROPS EU VETO ON INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND Spain dropped its opposition to an independent Scotland joining the EU today. The move is another irritation from Madrid for Theresa May who is battling for Brexit abroad and in defence of the union at home. Spain has long been opposed to Scotland joining the EU amid its own problems with Catalonia wanting independence. But foreign minister Alfonso Dastis said: ''We don't want it [Scottish independence] to happen. 'But if it happens legally and constitutionally, we would not block it. 'We don't encourage the breakup of any member states, because we think the future goes in a different direction.' The SNP welcomed the move which makes it harder for critics to argue an independent Scotland would be barred from the EU. Other EU states, including Belgium, remain opposed. Advertisement

Revealing a call between Mrs May and Mr Picardo a Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister called the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, this morning.

'She reiterated our long-standing position that the UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy.

'The Prime Minister said we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, nor will we ever enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

'The Prime Minister said we remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process.'

Miriam Gonzalez, the Spanish wife of former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, today said there are 'always two sides' to issues such as Gibraltar, in an appearance on the Andrew Marr Show.

The Sunday Times today reported that Gibraltar was left out of the Article 50 letter at the request of the Government in Madrid.

Mrs May did leave it out despite apparent warnings from Gibraltar that Spain would then take advantage, as transpired.

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo denied a split today on a snap visit to London, insisting he had worked with No 10 on 'tactical and strategic decisions'.

A minister told the paper: 'The Gibraltarian government is feeling very let down.

THE ROCK HAS BEEN BRITISH SINCE 1713 Gibraltar, a rocky peninsula on the Spanish coast, has been a British territory since 1713 and the Government is committed to allowing the people of Gibraltar self determination. The people of Gibraltar were allowed to take part in the EU referendum and voted overwhelmingly against Brexit. They also voted almost unanimously to stay British in 2002. Despite the referendums, the tiny outpost has been the source of frequent diplomatic tension between Britain and Spain, which believes it should be returned. Spanish vessels regularly breach Gibraltar's territorial waters and the country's ambassadors are frequently summoned to the Foreign Office for a dressing down. Royal Navy ships patrol the waters to ward off the irritating breaches while the Royal Air Force uses the peninsula's runway. Advertisement

The Spanish have gone behind our backs and got their side of the argument in the EU [draft negotiating guidelines].

'They've put the issue up in lights and Gibraltar might be pivotal when it wasn't before.

'This is an illustration of how one issue can jeopardise the entire unanimous agreement we need to get any deal.'

On Friday, Spain defended the position as minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo said 'this is an important point in the future negotiations of the United Kingdom's exit from the EU'.

A senior diplomat in Brussels said: 'This seems intended to give Spain something so they don't try to hold the whole withdrawal treaty hostage over it.'

Andrew Rosindell, the Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gibraltar, told the Telegraph: 'An agreement without including Gibraltar means there can be no agreement.

'British people must and will stand together, we cannot be bullied by Spain, any agreement must apply equally to the whole British family and that includes Gibraltar.

'There can be no compromise on this.'
Meghan Markle's estranged half-sister is writing a tell all family book in which she will reveal what is was like growing up with Prince Harry's love-interest.

Samantha Grant said it has the working title 'The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister'.

The book will look to capitalise on Miss Markle's rumoured forthcoming engagement to Prince Harry, who met the American actress in 2016 while promoting the Invictus Games.

Meghan Markle's estranged half-sister Samantha Grant, 52, (pictured, left) is writing a tell all book revealing what it was like growing up in a bi-racial family alongside Prince Harry's love interest (pictured, right)

Miss Grant claimed the book would be called: 'The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister'

Miss Grant, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, is wheelchair-bound and has previously been outspoken against her half-sister's relationship with the royal.

Discussing her book, which will deal with growing up in a bi-racial family, Miss Grant took to Twitter to say: 'Maybe when she is more mature and she reads the book she'll understand some of it. She won't like some of it she might [sic].'

Previously, divorcee Miss Markle, 35, was accused by her half-sister of failing to support her family.

Miss Grant said the Queen's grandson would be 'appalled by what she's done'.

She also claimed her sister was a shallow social climber who would watch programmes showing the Royal Family as a child and had a soft spot for gingers.

And the mother-of-three, 51, claimed Miss Markle always wanted to be a princess and said she was narcissistic and selfish.

When Twitter users voiced their support for Miss Markle, Miss grant hit back saying: 'She is the one with the hardened heart. I've always been supportive of her but I won't enable the lies and hypocrisy.'

In an extended Twitter outburst Miss Grant implied Miss Markle's altruistic motives were disingenuous

Miss Grant claims that she was dumped by her half-sister in 2008, after she developed MS. Adding that she became a 'social climber'.

However, Miss Grant has in turn come under fire from her own mother, Roslyn, 71.

'Miss Grant has been dogging her for years.

'Everything she has said about her is a lie.' Roslyn told The Sun.

Miss Grant, a writer from Florida, said she had brought up the actress for 12 years when she lived in California and declared: 'The Royal Family would be appalled by what she's done to her own family.

'The truth would kill her relationship with Prince Harry, he wouldn't want to date her any more because it puts her in a bad public light.
A mother claims she was turned away from a Sydney playgroup because it was for 'multicultural' mothers only.

Tara Coverdale visited the Thursday playgroup at the Alexandria Park Community Centre after a Russian friend mentioned it to her.

She said she headed there two weeks ago with her eight-month-old baby and four-year-old son.

Ms Coverdale says that she was approached by a staff member, who asked her about her 'cultural background,' the Daily Telegraph reports.

Tara Coverdale says she was turned away from a Sydney playgroup because it's for 'multicultural' families only

And when the Caucasian woman responded that she is Australian, the staff member reportedly told her: 'I'm sorry, you can't come here.'

The employee added: '[The playgroup] is for multicultural families and people who speak languages other than English at home.'

Ms Coverdale said she stood her ground and refused to leave  but was again told the playgroup was 'multicultural' by the centre's manager, Jo Fletcher.

According to the Telegraph, Ms Fletcher confirmed to the NSW Department of Education, which funds the community centre, that the conversation did take place.

Ms Fletcher reportedly told her that the playgroup was for 'multicultural' mothers who may be lonely and want to build a network of those who speak the same language.

'How does that help people to integrate, speak English and build a life?' Ms Coverdale asked.

She added that when she asked which playgroup she could join, she was told the centre didn't have one for her.

She was informed that she could to one in Erskineville  for 'rainbow babies and kids'  or another in Newtown that's a 30-minute walk away.

Ms Coverdale said she was shocked because her area is 'pretty progressive.'

'It's very accepting of all people but I feel like I'm excluded,' she said.

After being made aware of the issue, Education Minister Rob Stokes instructed Ms Fletcher to allow all families to attend the playgroup.

He said he was 'disappointed' to hear that Ms Coverdale and her children felt they were not welcome.

'Everyone, regardless of their background, should feel included in these wonderful community activities,' he told The Telegraph.
Hundreds of NHS centres now face closure after the NHS introduced 'incomprehensible' increases to property charges of up to 1,000 per cent.

Surgeries and healthcare centres may also need to cut back on nurses and support staff after receiving the invoices from NHS Property Services (NHSPS).

The massive increases have also been backdated to April 2016, which means some face bills running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Hundreds of NHS centres now face closure after the NHS introduced increases to property charges of up to 1,000 per cent

Some have refused to pay the charges, with many being threatened with legal action and debt collection agencies.

Shepperton Health Centre in Surrey last week warned it would be forced to close if proposed rent and service charges increased from 755.46 to 8,800 per month went ahead.

In a letter to patients, Dr Simon Bellamy told the hospital's 13,000 patients that the increase, backdated to April 1 2016, were simply 'incomprehensible'.

It was given a bill of more than 85,000 for the 2016/2017 year for rent and service charges, which included nearly 35,000 for building maintenance.

NHSPS also asked the centre to sign a 25-year lease on the property demanding that they fully repair the centre, which the doctor claims 'has had virtually no maintenance for 50 years'.

He added: 'This is a national issue which is affecting many practices, although our practice does seem to be particularly badly hit.

'We have always done our best to provide the very highest quality of primary care and are extremely upset that our practice is being put at risk because of factors that are beyond our control.'

However, after public outcry when the centre said the bills would bring into question the 'viability' of the business, the NHSPS has promised to revise the figures.

The practice, which is the only one in the town, is now hopeful that it will remain open when an agreement is reached.

The news comes after an unforgiving Budget for the NHS, which has to make 22billion of efficiency savings before 2020.

The news comes after an unforgiving Budget for the NHS, which has to make 22billion of efficiency savings before 2020, and rising waiting times. Stock image

GP surgeries are currently under pressure to extend services to weekends, despite a national shortage of GPs.

Last week, figures showed that 150 GPs are quitting or retiring each month  without being replaced by younger trainees.

The NHS lost 445 full-time GPs between September and December 2016  down to 34,050  when it has promised to hire 5,000 more.

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said: 'We know the figures for Shepperton Medical practice are not correct and are in contact with them and others to see how we can help their situation.

'We have been getting better information about the space our customers actually occupy and this is one reason why some are seeing costs increase and others reduce.

'We want to explain any increases fully and make our bills more understandable. We know weve got some way to go on this but we are making improvements.

'Every penny we generate is reinvested back into the NHS.'
Samantha Knight (pictured) was only nine when she vanished from her home in Bondi in 1986

A victim of a convicted paedophile who raped and murdered a 9-year-old Sydney schoolgirl is begging that her abuser is not released on parole.

The day Samantha disappeared without a trace and became the face of a haunting cold-case was marked as the day Australia lost its innocence.

Michael Guider, 66, is currently serving 17 years in prison for a slew of sexual crimes after Samantha, nine, disappeared in 1986.

He is eligible for parole later this month, and another of his victims - Chantelle, 28, - has pleaded with the parole board to keep him locked behind bars.

Chantelle was only six years old when Guider sexually abused her and a friend in their beach-side Manly home.

Her abuse was years after the disappearance of Samantha, but the harrowing details are much the same.

Scroll down for video

One of Michael Guider's last victims, Chantelle, (pictured) has spoken out about her suffering and has pleaded with the parole board to keep him locked away

Samantha's killer Michael Guider (pictured) confessed to a fellow inmate while he was in prison serving time for countless other sex offences

'I know that he drugged us to make it easier for him to film things with us,' Chantelle recalled to 60 Minutes.

'He would get us naked and  he'd (touch) and get us to touch each other.'

She added: 'Mr Guider is a predator. He is a repeat offender. The only reason he has not offended in the last 20 years is because he was locked safely behind bars.'

In the chilling interview the prison inmate who helped finally crack the cold-case of the missing Bondi girl also revealed the moment he realised he had befriended a killer.

On August 19, 1986 Guider was performing his well-rehearsed act of paedophilia on the little blonde schoolgirl.

It was revealed 16 years after the fact that he drugged young Samantha by hiding the pills in a Coke bottle, molested and took sexual photographs of her.

The blonde schoolgirl's disappearance became one of Australia's most haunting cold-cases

Guider was already serving a 16-year prison sentence for 60 sex offence charges against children when he inadvertently confessed to killing Samantha to fellow inmate Frank Soonius.

Soonius was serving time for drug trafficking when a conversation with Guider transformed him into the crown witness for a cold-case he didn't even know existed.

Guider claims his intention was never to murder Samantha, instead repeatedly drugging her so he could continue performing his lewd acts.

But according to detectives, Guider found the young girl dead on his couch after he drugged her and then disposed of her remains close by.

Dutch-born Soonius told 60 Minutes that after discovering the sordid past of his inmate and learning of Samantha's cruel fate that he now 'believed in evil'.

Frank Soonius (pictured) became the crown witness in Samantha Knight's disappearance after Guider confided the truth to him

In a shocking admission, Guider confided in Soonius the graphic details of Samantha's last moments.

'He picked up Sam... drugged her and then took her to a shed. She woke and said, "Michael what are you doing?", and he gave her another drink and she fell asleep again,' Soonius said.

Fifteen years after he was charged with manslaughter for Samantha's death in 2002, Guider will be eligible for parole next month - and Chantelle is fighting against his release.

The 28-year-old was six when Guider babysat her and a friend and fed them both Coke laced with sleep-inducing drugs.

Chantelle said: 'That child could have easily been me and that's just terrifying'

In a situation eerily similar to Samantha's, Guider allegedly touched the two little girls and took sexual photographs.

'That child could have easily been me and that's just terrifying. Thank god it wasn't me,' Chantelle said.

Every year when Guider is eligible for parole, mother-of-two Chantelle re-lives her nightmares and has pleaded with the board to keep the paedophile behind bars.

'I write with 100 per cent certainty you are putting many little girls' lives at risk,' she said.

Adding salt to the wound of Samantha's grieving parents, Guider still refuses to admit exactly what he did with the little girl's body.

He eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter - despite detectives' best efforts to pin murder on him - but has never revealed the true location of Samantha's body.

Police don't accept Guider's clouded confession, and believe he may still have something to hide.
Three senior British MOD officials have escaped prosecution after making a grovelling apology to police chiefs heading a sex offence investigation into a serviceman.

The trio were told they were being let off the hook after admitting they had overstepped the mark by refusing officers entry to an MOD barracks where the suspect lives.

The dramatic February 8 incident led to police in Gibraltar using a patrol car to block a military jet preparing for take-off to the UK after it was discovered the unnamed serviceman was on board.

Hundreds of people were stranded for nearly two hours before the runway, the only road route into and out of Gibraltar, was reopened.

Furious Royal Gibraltar Police chiefs insisted they had jurisdiction over criminal investigations on the Rock - and went on to announce they had arrested the three senior military officials on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice and searched several MOD premises after a behind-the-scenes diplomatic tussle.

Three senior British MOD officials were told they were being let off the hook after making a grovelling apology to police chiefs heading a sex offence investigation into a serviceman. The dramatic February 8 incident led to police in Gibraltar using a patrol car to block a military jet preparing for take-off to the UK (pictured above)

The trio have now been released from arrest with no charges after writing to RGP boss Edward Yome with a peace-making apology.

A spokesman for the force said: 'The RGP launched an investigation following the actions taken by senior military officers that precipitated the events of February 8 at the airport, which also resulted in lengthy delays for traffic and pedestrians.

'Pursuant to this investigation, on March 1 the RGP arrested three senior military officers currently deployed to British Forces Gibraltar. All three were subsequently granted bail whilst investigations continued.

'These investigations have revealed that the actions taken by the three military officers were due to a misconception about jurisdiction which they had received from superiors in their chain of command.

'In view of that, the three officers have written to the Commissioner of Police apologising for their actions and expressing their regrets, including for the disruption caused to the public on the day.

'On the basis of all the information now at the RGP's disposal, and in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, it has been determined by the Commissioner, in his discretion, that no further action is required.

'As a consequence all three senior military officers have been recalled from their bail and released from arrest with no charges being proffered against them.

He added: 'The RGP wishes to reiterate the excellent working relationship that it has always enjoyed with the MOD in Gibraltar and is confident that the events of the last weeks will serve as a platform to grow an even better understanding between our respective organisations and to build an even stronger and mutually respectful and beneficial future together.'

The police officers trying to gain access to barracks next to Gibraltar Airport had been trying to serve a warrant on the British serviceman at the centre of the sex probe. They are thought to have been trying to confiscate his computer equipment, believed to have been seized after the runway incident, to see if any offences had been committed on the Rock (pictured above)

A spokesman for the MOD in Gibraltar said the three service personnel 'regretted' what had happened.

The police officers trying to gain access to barracks next to Gibraltar Airport had been trying to serve a warrant signed by the Chief Justice of Gibraltar on the British serviceman at the centre of the sex probe.

They are thought to have been trying to confiscate his computer equipment, believed to have been seized after the runway incident, to see if any offences had been committed on the Rock.

The serviceman, who was reportedly being flown to Britain as part of an ongoing UK probe into alleged offences involving indecent images of children, is still under investigation.

A Gibraltar source said local police had jurisdiction over crimes suspected of being committed in Gibraltar - and MoD officials who in the past had priority on jurisdiction in criminal investigations involving their service personnel stationed on the Rock had 'got it wrong' the day of the runway row.

An MOD statement released after the runway farce, which is believed to have sparked a high-level diplomatic row after reports the RAF had been trying to remove the serviceman from the country as part of a separate probe, said: 'We can confirm that an incident occurred at the airfield that necessitated an unscheduled closure of Winston Churchill Avenue in Gibraltar.

'As this incident has occurred as a result of an ongoing police investigation we are unable to comment further at this time.'
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For its 100th anniversary, Baselworld rang in the changes with the Palace replaced by the Ateliers in Hall 1.2 for the top names in independent watchmaking, a new Design Lab right underneath in Hall 1.1 for up and coming jewellery and watch brands, not to mention a welcome improvement in the catering options. On a less positive note, there were fewer exhibitors (1,300, compared with 1,500 last year), among whom fewer Swiss exhibitors. A century on, the poster for the first-ever Mustermesse from 1917, which was intended as a way for Swiss industry to show samples of its wares to boost trade, bears little similarity with todays Baselworld. Textiles are no longer seen, there are ever-fewer machine suppliers (who now prefer to exhibit at the EPHJ in Geneva) and the only place you will find any cheese is at a Hublot or TAG Heuer press conference.







Rumours and trends



Before the show was even over, it was clear that there would be major changes for Baselworld 2018. The biggest shock was the confirmation that Hermes would leave the show for the SIHH in Geneva. Rumours of departures by other brands in the immediate vicinity of the nature-inspired Hermes stand in Hall 1.1 mean that the view at the top of the escalators could look very different next year.



In general, the mood at Baselworld was similar to that at the SIHH in January, with opinions hovering in a grey zone that is somewhere between despondency and euphoria. Some brands targeted market share with aggressive pricing (Eterna, Longines, TAG Heuer), while others competed for our attention with some mind-blowing talking pieces (Hysek, Jacob & Co., Kerbedanz, Rebellion and Zenith). There was yet more competition in the realm of in-house movements, with Frederique Constant presenting a sub-4,000 Swiss franc in-house flyback chronograph and Raymond Weil presenting their first-ever in-house movement. As a more general trend, brands showed creativity with new variations in colours, ranging from bright greens, new shades of blue and bolder choices like champagne, greys and bronze. Look back over our coverage of the show for inspiration and see my five favourite watches here.



Win a Reuge Arche music box



In our April competition you have the chance to win an elegant music box by Reuge worth 3,900 Swiss francs which would look  and sound  great on display in your living room and give you your very own talking piece. All you have to do to win this high-end music box with its beautiful curved glass cover is answer three simple questions about the traditional yet ever-innovative music box manufacturer Reuge.
Students who stole a stuffed gorilla from Bristol University and kept the details of their prank secret for 61 years have finally been unmasked as council officials announced the men will not be prosecuted.

Alfred the ape died in 1948 and was stuffed and placed in a museum in Bristol. In 1956, students stole the animal, causing public outcry as officials spent days trying to find the culprits.

Police scoured university processions searching for Alfred, a celebrity figure in Bristol who was worth about 600 at the time, and even threatened to prosecute the organisers of the theft, but were unsuccessful.

Several days later, a caretaker at Bristol University's student health service found the gorilla in the waiting room, and the culprits never came forward - until now.

Following the death of estate agent Ron Morgan, 79, several years ago, a collection of photographs from the incident revealed to his family that Mr Morgan and his two friends were the thieves.

Alfred, Bristol University's famous stuffed Gorilla, disappeared from campus for several days in 1956 when three students decided to nab the ape from a museum as a rag week prank. Ron Morgan (left), Fred Hooper (centre) and his other pal, known as DS (right), were the culprits

The trio stole the gorilla from the Bristol Museum in 1956, and took him to Mr Hooper's house for several days

While at Mr Hooper's house, the men dressed the stuffed gorilla up in several different outfits and took photos of the ape

Mr Morgan, his friend Fred Hooper and his other accomplice, known only as DS, kept quiet for years in fear they would be prosecuted by the museum or the council.

But Mr Morgan's family and friends have finally revealed the photographs they kept secret for more than 50 years.

Officials announced this week that the men who are responsible for the prank would not be prosecuted

After family members came forward and revealed the identities of the three gorilla culprits, officials officially declared the case shut.

A spokesman for Bristol's Museums, Galleries & Archives service, said: 'Although we would never condone any such illegal activity as reportedly happened, the council will not be taking any action against the reputed perpetrators either.

'Instead we will be adding the latest reports to the bulging file relating to one of Bristol's best loved figures.'

Speaking after Mr Morgan's death, Mr Hooper, who now lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: 'It was initially my idea.

'I was about 23 at the time and I thought it would be a great rag week jape.. We took Alfred because he was such a big Bristol personality and he was close by.

'It took a bit of planning, we told the museum we were making a film and that's how we got in.

'We knew the porter and so we were able to get a key cut to the secondary door that linked the museum to the university.

'Then we hid in the belfry until about 1am when everything was closed. It wasn't such a good idea in hindsight as the bells were still ringing and incredibly loud.'

'We got into the museum and then we used the side door to get him out onto Park Row.

'It was very early in the morning and we stuffed him into the boot of an old Vauxhall car, that cost me 35, folded back the seats and sped off to my bedsit.

Alfred, who died in 1948 and was then stuffed, now resides back in the Bristol Museum. At the time he was stolen, he was worth about 600

A spokesman for Bristol's Museums, Galleries & Archives service said that the newly released information about Alfred's culprits would be added to 'the latest reports to the bulging file relating to one of Bristol's best loved figures'

'That's where he stayed for the duration and we took pictures of him in different guises.

'There were all sorts of stories going around, people thought Cardiff students had kidnapped him and there was a rumour he was in a cave somewhere but we never told anyone we had him.

'It was always our intention to return him and so the easiest thing was to take him to a doctor's waiting room which was just across the road. It was midday on a Saturday and we just carried him over and left him there.'

Mr Morgan's son Gerard, 45, said at the time of his dad's death: 'We know that initially the three tried to lift Alfred and couldn't understand why he was so heavy but it was actually because he was screwed to a plinth and they were trying to lift their own weight.

'My father used to develop his own photographs which is why he was able to take these pictures without anyone else finding out.

'This scrapbook has been locked in a secret drawer in our home and travelled around the world with him.'
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These awe-inspiring pictures show South Korean marines practicing a landing operation as a part of their annual military training with US troops.

Amphibious assault vehicles fired smoke bombs into the air which covered the movements of the marines as they sprinted onto the beach in Pohang, South Korea.

The crack troops crawled along the sand peering into their rifle scopes as others bearing mortars came ashore.

These awe-inspiring pictures show South Korean marines practicing a landing operation as a part of their annual military training with US troops

The crack troops crawled along the sand peering into their rifle scopes as others bearing mortar launchers came ashore

The annual exercises called Foal Eagle come as tensions with North Korea mount after recent missile and rocket testing in the communist state.

Visiting the headquarters of an army unit last month, the North's leader Kim Jong-Un praised his troops for their 'vigilance against the US and South Korean enemy forces that are making frantic efforts for invasion'.

Kim also ordered the troops to 'set up thorough countermeasures of a merciless strike against the enemy's sudden air assault.'

On Friday US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said North Korea must be stopped on its path toward being able to threaten the United States with nuclear attack.

Pyongyang is widely seen as behind the murder of Kim's half-brother Kim Jong-Nam in Kuala Lumpur in February by two women using a banned nerve agent.

Washington and Seoul have agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system to counter growing nuclear and missile threats by the North, and the first parts have recently arrived in the South.

The plan has angered Beijing, which fears it will undermine its own ballistic capabilities, with China's foreign ministry saying THAAD 'jeopardises the strategic security interests' in the region and warning of 'consequences' for Seoul and Washington.

The annual exercises called Foal Eagle come as tensions with North Korea mount after recent missile and rocket testing in the communist state

Amphibious assault vehicles fired smoke bombs into the air which covered the movements of the marines on the beach

Visiting the headquarters of an army unit last month, the North's leader Kim Jong-Un praised his troops for their 'vigilance against the US and South Korean enemy forces that are making frantic efforts for invasion'

Pyongyang is widely seen as behind the murder of Kim's half-brother Kim Jong-Nam in Kuala Lumpur in February by two women using a banned nerve agent

Preparing for war: Last year the impoverished but nuclear-armed North staged two atomic tests and a number of missile launches

South Korean marines take part in a U.S.-South Korea joint landing operation drill as a part of the two countries' annual military training called Foal Eagle

Last year the impoverished but nuclear-armed North staged two atomic tests and a number of missile launches.

Recent missile tests have shown signs of progress in its missile capabilities, according to the South Korean military.

Participation in the joint exercises is similar to last year when they involved 300,000 South Korean and around 17,000 US troops, as well as strategic US naval vessels and air force assets, a US military spokesman said.

A computer-based simulation portion of the joint exercises started Monday, while the field-centred Foal Eagle runs until the end of April.

Preparation: Two marines loaded a mortar as they set it up on the grass after coming ashore during the military drill

Heavy load: One marine was seen holding a mortar on his back as he came ashore during the annual military excersie

Vigilant: The marines were seen crawling along the grass peering though their rifle scopes as they made their way

Staying low: The crack marines were slowly creeping up on some buildings at the end of the beach during the training drill
A detective who spent three years looking for Madeleine McCann has offered to 'come back on board' to help her parents find her.

Former Detective Inspector Dave Edgar, 60, believes the kidnapper is being protected and is urging those with information to come forward.

He says he is convinced Kate and Gerry McCann were not involved and said the disappearance was intricately planned by a gang of paedophiles.

Detective inspector Dave Edgar, 60, claims Madeleine McCann's kidnapper told someone else about the crime and is urging them to come forward with information

Madeleine disappeared in May 2007 from Portuguese resort Praia da Luz. Edgar believes the girl could still be alive. If she is, she will turn 14 in May

Edgar told The Sun: 'They have no intention of ever giving up looking for their daughter. I believe Madeleine is still alive and the case can be solved.

'I would strongly consider coming back to help as a private investigator if required. In fact I would be happy to come back on board.'

Madeleine (pictured) was a keen Everton football fan. She would be 14 in May if she was still alive

Edgar, who runs Alpha Investigations Group, was hired by the McCanns to look into Madeleine's disappearance.

The Metropolitan Police took over the case in 2011.

Edgar said the 12million Home Office funding given to Scotland Yard to pay for the inquiry was 'not nearly enough for a crime of this complexity and scale'. He added: 'It sounds a lot but its not.'

Madeleine McCann disappeared from Portuguese resort Praia da Luz in May 2007 as her parents were dining at a nearby restaurant.

If she was still alive she would turn 14 in May.

Last week Edgar told the Mirror: 'They [abductors] can't keep it to themselves and research has shown they always confide in someone else.'

He said: 'Until such time that a body is found it is a live investigation and there is always hope [Madeleine is alive].'

He said there was no evidence to arrest paedophile Raymond Hewlett or Euclides Monteiro, two suspects in the inquiry.

Hewlett died in 2007, aged 64, while Monteiro, 40, died in 2009.

Edgar once said he believed Madeleine was being held in an underground cell or dungeon, like the victims of Josef Fritzl.

The former detective is sure Kate and Gerry McCann (pictured) were not involved in the disappearance and thinks the abduction had to have been intricately organised
A shocking new video appears to show two white NYPD cops 'taunting' African American students as they walked down the street.

At one point, one of the cops - who is holding a taser gun - is heard asking the teens if they want to 'ride the lightening' in the clip.

The cellphone footage, posted by Associate Professor of Sociology at Brooklyn College Alex S. Vitale, shows the two uniformed cops trying to herd kids away from the corner of Bedford Avenue and Campus Road, by Midwood High School in Brooklyn, on March 16.

Scroll down for video

The video appears to show two white NYPD cops 'taunting' African American students as they walked down the street (pictured)

The cops, one of whom is holding a baton, appear aggressive with the teens as they moved them on.

'What are you going to do about it?' one cop asked a student as they walked behind him.

When another student picked up a handful of snow, an officer pulled out what appeared to be a taser gun and demanded to know: 'Do you wanna ride the lightning?'

The kids' response was unclear but the officer chimes in again, telling them: 'You better walk away!'

The cellphone footage shows the two uniformed cops trying to herd kids away from the corner of Bedford Avenue and Campus Road, by Midwood High School in Brooklyn

The cops appeared to act aggressively with the teens as they moved them on. At one point an officer pulled out what appeared to be a taser gun and demanded to know: 'Do you wanna ride the lightning?'

The kids' response was unclear but the officer chimes in again, telling them: 'You better walk away!'

Vitale said it was not clear whether the police were there responding to a call out, or if their response was unwarranted, but described them as making 'a series of threats and taunting.'

'The whole interaction seemed like an abuse of authority,' Vitale told NY Daily News.

An NYPD spokesman said: 'We are aware of the video and the matter is under internal review.'

NYPD guidelines state that tasers should generally not be used on children.

The footage has sparked an angry backlash online with commenters branding the officers 'bullies.'
British teenagers need to regain the habit of taking Saturday jobs if they are to plug gaps in the labour market left by Brexit, it has been claimed.

The number of 16- and 17-year-old students combining work and study has dropped from around half in 2007 to just 18 per cent in 2014.

The Employment Related Services Association, which represents organisations working with jobseekers, said 'earning and learning' needed to become 'normalised'.

The number of 16- and 17-year-old students combining work and study has dropped from around half in 2007 to just 18 per cent in 2014. Stock photo

Its chief executive, Kirsty McHugh, told Ben Quinn of The Observer: 'Talk to anybody over the age of 40 and they'll have done bar work or some other job earlier on. That is changing.'

Her comments came after the hospitality industry became the first in Britain to announce a plan to reduce its dependency on EU workers.

At the same time the British Hospitality Association published a report warning of a future employment crisis without European migration.

It claimed the sector would be short of some 60,000 workers per year.

The study, by accountants KPMG, claimed hospitality and tourism will be affected by restrictions to EU migration more than any other sector.

Britons has previously been criticised for their 'bizarre' attitudes to work by Martin McTague from the Federation of Small Businesses.

The Employment Related Services Association, which represents organisations working with jobseekers, said 'earning and learning' needed to become 'normalised'

In comments reported by The Telegraph, he told the Work and Pensions Select Committee: 'It is about young people's aspirations.

'It is not because EU nationals have taken the jobs, it is [because of] a big focus on working at schools, raising aspirations - they want to go into good jobs, they don't think they want to go into a job they see as a dead end.'

In another development, Number 10 recently rubbished claimed that firms could face an immigration tax if they employ EU workers after Brexit.

Immigration minister Robert Goodwill raised the prospect of copying the 1,000 annual charge on businesses employing non-EU migrants.

This would take affect from April for all immigrants arriving in Britain after we leave the EU.
A former actor has been awarded $20,000 after he was wrongfully arrested outside a Sydney pub.

Johnny Raad, 46, had been on a night out at the Albion Hotel in Paramatta with his wife Ann and had consumed one glass of Victoria Bitter beer when he was asked to leave by security staff.

Outside the venue Mr Raad argued with security staff that he was not intoxicated and it was his turn to drive that evening, New South Wales district court heard.

A former actor has been awarded $20,000 after he was wrongfully arrested outside a Sydney pub

But security staff told Mr Raad that he was unable to go back inside because he was 'intoxicated'.

A now agitated Mr Raad said he needed to get his wife and approached the entrance to the hotel. The security officer allegedly grabbed his arm and said he could not go back in.

It was at this point the security guard was joined by another colleague who allegedly pushed Mr Raad in the chest with his chest and then grabbed his arm and yelled verbal abuse at him.

Mr Raad then asked security personnel to call the police so he could report the assault.

A short time later police arrived on the scene and told Mr Raad that he would 'be getting a ticket' to which Mr Raad replied 'what for, I have been assaulted?'

Johnny Raad, 46, had been on a night out at the Albion hotel in Paramatta (above) and had consumed one glass of Victoria Bitter beer when he was asked to leave by security staff

The officer told Mr Raad it was for 'failing to leave premises when required' and when he appeared to be walking back toward the hotel Mr Raad was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station

District Court judge Matthew Dicker deemed the arrest not lawfully justified and awarded him $20,000 for false imprisonment.

'An arrest of a person by a police officer will not be a valid arrest merely because the officer believes that an offence has been committed by the person or the person is in the course of committing an offence,' Judge Dicker said.

'A person cannot be arrested merely to prevent the continuation of the offence if the police do not intend to charge the arrested person with the offence I find that the arrest of Mr Raad was not lawfully justified.'
Rob Brown has been dubbed a 'medical miracle'

A beer lover in Kent claims he doesn't get hangovers because he has five kidneys.

Rob Brown, a former plasterer from Beckenham, Kent, has been dubbed a 'medical miracle' after doctors found he was the first person in Britain - and the second in the world - to have three extra kidneys.

Doctors discovered that Brown had five kidneys in the shape of a horseshoe after he complained about back pain for years.

Despite suffering from kidney disease, Brown said he can still 'drink a lot' and one of the 'perks' of having the extra organs is that he doesn't suffer hangovers.

Brown said that for years, doctors told him he was fine other than suffering chronic back pain.

'I went straight to hospital and they did some scans and said they thought it could be kidney stones,' he told the Sunday Star. 'A few days later I got a letter asking me to go back and they did some further tests.

'That's when they told me I had five kidneys. The docs said they'd never seen anything like it.'

Brown said his friends didn't believe him when he was first diagnosed. He said he regularly has to pull out photos of his scan 'to prove it'.

Although Brown has five kidneys, he still only has two ureters, or tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. A typical person has two kidneys and two ureters.

Kidneys are bean-shaped organs found on the left and right side of the body. A person generally has two - one on each side.

The former plasterer says one of the 'perks' of having the extra organs is that he doesn't suffer hangovers

Brown's kidneys are all joined together in a horseshoe shape and create a larger mass.

The organ filters blood to make urine, release and retain water and remove waste from the body.

Brown said that he suffers from pain in his back and stomach, and some days it's so bad that he 'can't even sit down'.

He said he's not sure what his condition means health-wise in the long run, and that doctors are performing tests to look into what he should do next next.

'They aren't sure because none of them has ever seen it before so they haven't got anything to reference,' he said. 'But one of the perks is that I don't get hangovers and I can drink a lot.'

A person can drink alcohol while suffering from kidney disease, but too much alcohol can worsen the disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Alcohol can cause changes to the kidney's function and make it less able to filter a person's blood.

Brown said he'd be more than happy to spare his kidneys to someone who needs them, but doctors are looking into whether or not it would be safe to remove the organs, which are all joined together.

The only other case of a person having extra kidneys is believed to be a man in New Zealand.
This is the moment a top modelling agent stormed out of a 60 Minutes interview with Tara Brown after blasting the presenter for asking questions about the modelling industry.

Carole White, the founder of Premier Model Management, was interviewed for a segment that aired on the programme on Sunday night.

But Ms White - who has represented supermodels including Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford - cut the interview short and stormed out because Ms Brown 'annoyed' her when she asked questions about the modelling industry's treatment of young girls.

Ms Brown had cited a claim by a model who said her measurements on her comp card were falsified so she was more likely to be booked.

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Top modelling agent Carole White stormed out of a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday

Ms White cut the interview short and walked out after taking offense at the questions asked

'What about lying on your booking card to say that you're actually smaller than you actually are in the hope that by the time the fashion weeks come around, you will actually fit that size  is that common practice?' she asked Ms White.

'Gosh, your words are really strong, actually. It's sort of quite annoying me, 'lying', she replied.

When Ms Brown noted there is 'clearly' a problem in the industry, Ms White - a former model herself - quickly lashed out.

'Listen, I will say I am very outspoken, but I don't like your terminology to me. I need a cigarette.

'I'm happy to answer it but I don't like your terminology, I don't like how you're asking me the question.'

Ms White, the founder of Premier Model Management, insisted that 'skinny is not a bad word'

Then, upon noticing that her rant is being filmed, Ms White gets even angrier.

'Are you still f***ing filming me? Just don't! No, I'm really annoyed because I thought this was going to be quite a broad interview and it isn't.'

Ms Brown attempts to interject that it would be if it continued, but Ms White storms out

It came after Ms Brown spoke to two models who opened up about the toll the modelling industry took on their health and self-esteem.

Australian schoolgirl Edyn Mackney, who was scouted at 15, said she was constantly being told she needed to lose that 'extra inch' or that her 'legs needed to be slimmer.'

Tara Brown asked Ms White questions after speaking to two models who revealed the pressure they felt to lose weight so they would be booked for catwalk shows

Ms White lashed out and branded Ms Brown 'annoying' because of the terminology she used

The criticisms destroyed her self-confidence and she said she would cry to her mother every time it happened.

French former model Victoire Dauxerre was scouted on the streets of Paris at 17 and later touted as one of the top 20 models in the world.

Now 24, she has spoken out about the ugly side of the modelling industry and how it nearly killed her.

In her recent bestselling memoir, she spoke of how she ate just three apples a day to achieve the super-skinny frame required of catwalk models by agents and designers.

And she was so desperate to not gain weight that she would also take laxatives and have enemas.

Edyn Mackney (pictured with Tara Brown) was scouted at 15 and said she was constantly told she needed to lose an 'extra inch'

Ms Mackney (pictured) said the constant pressure to lose weight damaged her self-esteem

She also told 60 Minutes although no-one ever told her she was 'too fat,' the measurements on her comp card were altered meaning she was left having to drop two dress sizes as a result.

Ms White conceded that agents look for 'lanky and skinny girls' because that is who designers want their clothes on.

'It's very hard to find a really great model, very hard,' she said.

'We're looking for the strangest girl in the class, the tallest girl in the class, taller than the boys.

'We're looking for a girl who is lanky and skinny because that's really what the designers want.'

French former model Victoire Dauxerre was also interviewed by Ms Brown for the segment

She revealed she survived on three apples a day and took laxatives in a bid to lose weight

She defended their requirement of size-zero figures (Australian size 4) on the catwalk, insisting: 'Skinny is not a bad word. Skinny is how you evolve as a person.'

She also insisted that young models eat junk food including chips, Big Macs and Nando's, but stay thin from going to the gym and having high metabolism.

But Ms Mackney said she'd seen models pass out from hunger during shows  while Ms Dauxerre said she thinks it's unlikely a model could be successful without an eating disorder.
Left-wing activists at Oxford University are demanding that broadcaster Jenni Murray is banned from speaking

Left-wing activists at Oxford University are demanding that broadcaster Jenni Murray is banned from speaking there because they think she hates transgender people.

Dame Jenni sparked a row when she said transgender women, who have previously lived as men 'with all the privilege that entails', do not have the shared experience of growing up female.

Now Oxford University Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer Society says it is 'deeply disappointed' that she was asked to speak in one of the university's theatres.

The broadcaster spoke as planned today for the Oxford Literary Festival.

Before the event the LGBTQ society said: 'We, the undersigned, are deeply disappointed at Oxford Literary Festival's decision to host Jenni Murray to speak on feminism and women's history on April 2nd 2017 in the Sheldonian Theatre, and call for action to publicly condemn, if not entirely remove, her.'

It added: 'To give Murray a speaking position at a large and prestigious event like the Oxford Literary Festival, which involves paying her an author fee of 150, is to both endorse and reward her transphobic views. Transmisogyny will be propagated, validated and above all normalised.'

Dame Jenni said: 'I made very clear in my article that I fully support the right of trans women to be accorded the respect and protection I would demand for any human being, regardless of sex or gender. It saddens me that those of us dubbed 'cis' women [those born female]... are not accorded the same respect.'

The university said: 'Oxford is committed to supporting transgender students and staff and to providing an inclusive environment that promotes equality and diversity. We are also committed to freedom of expression.'

Dame Jenni sparked a row when she said transgender women, who have previously lived as men 'with all the privilege that entails', do not have the shared experience of growing up female

Dame Jenni caused controversy in a Sunday Times article where she wrote about interviewing India Willoughby, a well-known reporter on regional ITV's Border News.

Miss Willoughby was a man, Jonathan, until 2010 but returned five years later after having 14,000 gender reassignment surgery.

She became the first trans woman to present an all-female TV chat show when she co-hosted Loose Women.

In an article, Dame Jenni described interviewing Miss Willoughby for Woman's Hour, adding: 'India held firmly to her belief that she was a "real woman", ignoring the fact she had spent all of her life before transition enjoying the privileged position in our society generally accorded to a man.'
President Donald Trump breathed new life into healthcare reform by dashing off two tweets suggesting an Obamacare repeal and replace bill could still get done.

'Anybody (especially Fake News media) who thinks that Repeal & Replace of ObamaCare is dead does not know the love and strength in R Party!' he wrote Sunday morning.

He followed up with, 'Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on, and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck.'

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President Donald Trump sent out a trio of tweets this morning, with the first two suggesting that the Obamacare repeal was still very much alive and then a third about the Russia probes

President Trump dashed off two tweets this morning about getting an Obamacare repeal and replace bill passed

President Trump, photographed at the White House on Friday, tweeted about healthcare reform and the various Russia probes, during the Sunday shows this morning

He then turned his attention to the Russia story, again suggesting that the leaks coming from government employees to the press are the bigger story

One of Trump's earliest political embarrassments for his young administration was the failure to get House Speaker Paul Ryan's healthcare repeal and replace bill passed.

Conservative Republicans in the House, the Freedom Caucus, wouldn't sign onto the American Health Care Act, considering it to be 'Obamacare Lite.'

Democrats, who have no political reason to help Trump and Republicans and mar President Obama's healthcare record, also wouldn't sign onto the bill.

President Trump first blamed Democrats for the bill's failure, but then started pointing fingers at the Freedom Caucus members as well.

On Thursday, he used Twitter to call out a trio of congressmen by name: Reps. Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan and Raul Labrador, who are all members of the conservative caucus.

While it's not clear what prompted the president's outburst, Trump's tweets came as Jordan was appearing on CNN's State of the Union Sunday show.

Host Jake Tapper asked the Ohio Republican to address comments House Speaker Paul Ryan made in a sit-down with CBS News earlier this week.

'If this Republican Congress allows the perfect to be the enemy of the good, I worry we'll push the president into working with Democrats,' Ryan told Norah O'Donnell.

'He's been suggesting that as much,' the House Speaker added.

Jordan pointed to the unpopularity of the Ryan and Trump-backed bill.

'Since when did "good" get defined as 17 percent approval?' the congressman mused.

A Quinnipiac poll found that 17 percent of Americans approved of the House Republican plan, while another 56 percent disapproved of the action.

And as Trump was sending out his tweets, Jordan also pointed out that 'Tweets ... don't change facts,' noting how American Health Care Act didn't repeal Obamacare, nor would it have made premiums more affordable.

The president then switched gears and tweeting about the ongoing Russia probes, as two Capitol Hill committees and the FBI are looking into the country's interference in the U.S. election and into any connections Russia may have had with the Trump campaign.

'The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers,' the president wrote.

After his morning tweeting, the president left the White House and went to the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

He was accompanied by libertarian-leaning Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and his budget director Mick Mulvaney.

'They're discussing a variety of topics, including healthcare,' said White House Deputy Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.
The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters ruled on Sunday that the country's High Administrative Court (HAC), which ruled in January that the two Islands of Tiran and Sanafir belong to Egypt, had no jurisdiction over the matter.

The April 2016 decision by the Egyptian government to transfer the two strategic islands at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia sparked widespread public outcry and legal challenges.

However, Malek Adly, one of the lawyers who challenged the Egypt-Saudi agreement in front of the HAC, told Ahram Online after today's ruling that the Court for Urgent Matters is a lower court and cannot, therefore, challenge verdicts made by the HAC.

The former head of Egypt's State Council, Judge Mohamed Hamed El-Gamal, told Ahram Online that the two conflicting verdicts by the two courts are immediately executionable and the situation creates a legal dilemma.

El-Gamal explained that the Supreme Constitutional Court will have to rule on which court ruling should take precedence.

In November 2016, weeks before the HAC January ruling, the government filed a case with the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) arguing that the HAC has no jurisdiction in matters related to sovereignty and thus its verdicts on the issue should be anulled. The SCC has not yet decided to hear this case.

In June 2016, the HAC ruled that the Egyptian-Saudi deal was null and void. The government immediately appealed that decision.

In September 2016, a Cairo Court for Urgent Matters agreed with a separate complaint filed by the government against the HAC's June ruling and suspended that verdict.

Lawyer Ashraf Farahat, who in his capacity as a concerned citizen filed the lawsuit, which was ruled on today, told Al-Ahram Arabic news website that the new verdict from the Court of Urgent Matters didn not specify whether the islands were Saudi or Egyptian.

Farahat said the verdict only affirmed that the HAC has no jurisdiction to rule on the issue, since it is a matter relating to sovereignty.

He explained that he filed the lawsuit because, according to Article 11 of Egypts State Council law, the HAC should not rule on such cases, which should be left to the parliament to vote on.

In March, Egypt's Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal said parliament will discuss and vote on the deal, despite the final annulment of the deal by the HAC.

Abdel-Aal said that parliament will discuss the deal "in accordance with its constitutional powers once some procedures and paperwork are completed in the next few days."

Parliament has not voted on the deal yet.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau challenged Matthew Perry to a fight over Twitter on Saturday.

Before anyone gets upset that the handsome leader to the north has lost it, the proposition came after he was reminded of a school yard brawl between the two of them that happened when the Friends star was in fifth grade.

'I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler?' Trudeau tweeted on April Fools' Day. 'How about a rematch?'

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau challenged Matthew Perry to a fight over Twitter on Saturday.

'I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler?' Trudeau tweeted on April Fools' Day

Perry recounted a story of how he and classmate Chris Murray 'beat up' Trudeau when they were all three in elementary school together in Canada, while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 15.

Kimmel brought up the fact that the Kennedys: After Camelot star is half Canadian and went to school with the country's current Prime Minister.

'I have a story about him that I'm not proud of,' Perry told the host about the world leader and heartthrob. 'We actually beat up Justin Trudeau.'

The proposition came after Trudeau was reminded of a school yard brawl with Matthew Perry and another classmate, which Perry talked about on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 15

host was shocked to hear this news, and questioned Perry about why he would do such a thing.

'I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren't, so it was pure jealousy,' Perry said. 'And we, ya know, we beat him up.'

Kimmel then reminded his audience that Trudeau's father was the Prime Minister of Canada at the time of the school yard fight, which Perry confirmed.

'I don't think that's the reason we beat him up,' the actor said. 'I think he was the only kid in school that we could beat up.'

Justin Trudeau, 7, and brother Sacha, 5, walk home from school in Montreal in November 1979

According to Perry, the young Trudeau was not protected by any type of national security team while at school back in that day

According to Perry, the young Trudeau was not protected by any type of national security team while at school back in that day.

'That would never happen to Barron Trump,' Kimmel said, joking about the prospect of US President Donald Trump's youngest son being subjected to that type of bullying. 'You'd be in the stockade right now. You'd be in Russia somewhere.'

For the record, Perry does not condone his childhood violence.

'I was a stupid kid. I didn't want to beat him up,' he said. 'In fact, I think at one point I tried to turn it into love play.'

Kimmel and Perry then had a moment celebrating their shared, and widely-held, opinion that Trudeau is quite handsome.

But Perry did take credit for helping the prime minister get to where he is today.

'I think I was rather instrumental in him going to such great heights and becoming the Prime Minister,' he said. 'I think he said I'm gonna rise above this and become Prime Minister.'

Perry has not yet responded to Trudeau's tweet asking for the rematch.
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The Prince of Wales has seen the devastation wreaked by a deadly earthquake which struck an Italian village and told the settlement's mayor the people of Britain sympathised with their plight.

Charles, 68, was taken into the rubble-strewn 'red zone' of Amatrice which was destroyed when the tremor brought down buildings and homes in the village and surrounding region killing almost three hundred people.

Wearing a hard hat he walked into the streets cleared of rubble but left in shadow by the shattered concrete and collapsed roofs of businesses, homes and shops.

But the royal also found time to enjoy a dish of the local pasta all'amatriciana and a glass of red wine.

Prince Charles tasted a typical dish of pasta all'amatriciana today during his visit to the 2016 earthquake-hit town

The royal also found time to enjoy a glass of red wine during his visit to see the devastation of the quake-hit town

The Prince of Wales eyed up the bowl of pasts presented to him earlier today during his week-long royal visit

The royal was in the town to witness the devastation of the quake. He said earlier: 'The people in Britain mind very much what's happened to you all here'

Prince Charles meets Maria Paola Fioravanti (left) in her new home and Fernanda Ciamcaglijoni, 71 (right)

Ms Ciamcaglijoni 71, lost her home and business the quake that struck Amatrice in August last year

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales greeted locals during his visit to the ruins of Amatrice earlier today

The royal donned a hard hat as he toured the destruction and piles of rubble in the Italian village earlier today

Prince Charles visited the Red Zone and was given a tour of the old town by Mayor Sergio Pirozzi

He walked up to the village's civic tower a grim reminder of natural disaster as its clock had stopped at the moment the 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Amatrice and nearby villages at 3.36am on August 24 last year.

When Charles first arrived he was greeted by Amatrice's Mayor Sergio Pirozzi and told him: 'The people in Britain mind very much what's happened to you all here.'

Charles was greeted by emotional scenes as he toured Amatrice, outside the red zone, with one woman weeping after briefly welcoming him while a man clasped hands with the heir to the throne who hugged him in return.

As he walked through the village to see where the emergency services and other organisations were based he stopped to talk to residents along the way asking one couple, 'Where are you living now?' and when they replied Rome, he added: 'Were you insured?'

The Prince of Wales, seen today wearing a hardhat and walking with a firefighter, has seen the devastation wreaked by a deadly earthquake which struck an Italian village

Charles, 68, was taken into the rubble strewn 'red zone' of Amatrice destroyed when the tremor brought down buildings and homes in the village

The deadly quake last year left almost three hundred people dead. Pictured, a man is rescued alive from the ruins following the earthquake last August

'I wish I could do more for you, your resilience is amazing,' the 68-year-old prince told one local man after shaking the hands of first responders.

Lifelong Amatrice resident Fernanda Ciancaglioni gave the royal visitor a kiss when he stopped to talk.

Speaking afterwards through an interpreter the 73-year-old, who has been a hairdresser for 55 years but lost her business in the disaster, said: 'He was very open and welcoming to the people. I thought I would never get a chance like this and just said to him 'Good morning sir'.

Wearing a hard hat he walked into the streets cleared of rubble but left in shadow by the shattered concrete and collapsed roofs of businesses, homes and shops

He walked up to the village's civic tower a grim reminder of natural disaster as its clock had stopped at the moment the 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Amatrice and nearby villages at 3.36am on August 24 last year

When Charles first arrived he was greeted by Amatrice's Mayor Sergio Pirozzi and told him: 'The people in Britain mind very much what's happened to you all here'

'He asked me where I was from and I told him I lived just off the red zone. In my area three buildings collapsed and 22 people died in my square.

PROTESTS ACROSS ITALY... Citizens from the central Italian regions devastated by tremors staged protests on Saturday outside parliament in Rome and in smaller Italian cities. They called on the national government to speed up reconstruction efforts, simplify rules for building new homes and apply tax breaks to residents of quake-hit regions. They also threatened to block the main highway connecting Rome to the central regions of the country if the government did not schedule negotiations with them within a week. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni responded that reconstruction was an absolute priority for the government. Advertisement

'I was awake in the early hours of the morning and felt it all, I thought my building was going to collapse but it didn't and the earthquake eventually came to an end and I just grabbed the first thing I could find to put on and came out in my slippers.

'It was dark and I used my phone to light the way from the sixth floor of my block, everything was broken and there was rubble on the stairs.

'When I got outside I went to see my friend who lived across the road and when I got to the square I saw two buildings which had just collapsed and people were crying and looking for their loved ones in the rubble.'

Meanwhile, Camilla, 69, met with victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in Florence.

The Duchess of Cornwall met those helped by the Progetto Arcobaleno Association, which supports victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse.

The organisation works primarily in the city providing support to people including the homeless, the unemployed, drug or substance abusers, and those involved in prostitution. Its main aim is to promote citizens' rights and social welfare.

Yesterday, while in Naples, Camilla visited a social centre for young people with mental health problems and women fleeing domestic violence.

Prince Charles stands next to Italy's Civil Protection agency members during his visit to the town of Amatrice

Prince Charles, bottom right, stands next to Fabrizio Curio, head of the Italian Civil Protection

Charles, back to camera, speaks with an unidentified man holding a child wearing a mask during his visit to the quake-hit central Italian town of Amatrice

Camilla walked along Florence's famous 16th century Vasari Corridor and visit St Mark's Anglican Church, where she laid flowers at a memorial plaque in honour of Alice Keppel, her great-grandmother and Edward VII's mistress.

Afterwards Rvd Lister said: 'It was a very personal visit for the Duchess because of the links with her family.

'She did say she would use any excuse to come back to Florence.'

The Royal couple's European tour is being widely seen as an attempt to build bridges in the wake of Brexit.

Prior to arriving in Italy, Prince Charles visited Romania, and next week will continue to Austria.

The royals will be back in the Tuscan capital Monday to attend a reception hosted by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation to mark the 100th anniversary of the British Institute of Florence, where Charles will be honoured as the Renaissance Man of the Year.

The heir to the throne and the Duchess of Cornwall will meet Pope Francis and tour the Vatican the following day.

The Royal couple's European tour is being widely seen as an attempt to build bridges in the wake of Brexit

Charles places flowers on a memorial for the victims of the 2016 earthquake

Prior to arriving in Italy, Prince Charles visited Romania, and next week will continue to Austria
A motorcyclist was ripped off his bike and repeatedly kicked and punched in a brutal road rage attack in Melbourne.

Shocking footage shows the rider, 45, being grabbed by the throat on Sunday morning in front of terrified onlookers in Preston in the city's north.

The alleged attacker appears to shove the biker on to a car before throwing wild kicks and punches at his head and body.

An unnamed witness told Nine News she thought the motorcyclist could be killed.

A motorcyclist was ripped off his bike and repeatedly kicked and punched in a brutal road rage attack in Melbourne. The alleged attacker appears to shove the biker on to a car before throwing wild kicks and punches at his head and body

'Oh my God, he is going to kill him,' she said. 'It was a bit scary, he actually looked really really aggressive.'

'He ran up and he started tapping this guy on the shoulder quite gently and then just started basically laying into him and pulled him off his scooter.'

Another witness, Joel Buckley, said: 'He didn't really want to escalate the situation but it certainty didn't seem like the guy was going to stop.

'I was surprised the motorcyclist didn't headbutt the aggressor because I thought that would be a pretty quick resolution to things.'

It is believed the motorbike was involved in a minor collision with a black sedan which was 'driving erratically,' police said

It is believed the motorbike was involved in a minor collision with a black sedan which was 'driving erratically,' police said.

The sedan then followed the motorcyclist until they stopped at the intersection of Albert Street at a red light.

'The driver of the sedan is then believed to have run through stopped traffic and assaulted the rider,' a police spokesperson said.

The 45-year-old man (pictured right) received minor injuries but didn't require treatment

'The motorcyclist managed to get on his bike, leaving the area, and later reported the incident to police.'

The 45-year-old man received minor injuries but didn't require treatment.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
A 13-year-old girl from San Antonio was found two days after she went missing with a 22-year-old man she met online gaming.

On Friday Gabriella Sanders was found with Logan Joseph Carter, in a business parking lot in Corpus Christi around 164 miles south of San Antonio.

Carter was arrested on suspicion of harboring a runaway child according to the Corpus Christi Caller Times.

The San Antonio Police Department said Sanders was last seen around 4pm on Wednesday at her home on the 8900 block of Oakwood Park.

Gabriella Sanders (pictured), 13, went missing after chatting with Logan Joseph Carter, 22, who she met from an online game

Carter was believed to have been driving a 2003 Subaru Outback (police handout)

Sanders was found in a business parking lot in Corpus Christi around 164 miles south of San Antonio

Sanders and Carter were found in a business parking lot at the 5200 block of Silverberry Drive

He was believed to have been driving a 2003 Subaru Outback. Carter was booked in Nueces County Jail.

Last week in a video released on the Heidi Search Center's Facebook, Gabriella's mother made a desperate plea for her daughter to come home.

'Gabriella I love you. If you see this please come home,' her mother said through tears.

Another family member stood with Gabriella's mother and asked the public to please help find her.

'Please if you've seen her or heard from her, let us know,' the woman said.

Logan Joseph Carter was arrested on suspicion of harboring a runaway child

In a video released on the Heidi Search Center's Facebook, Gabriella's mother (pictured in grey) made a desperate plea for her daughter to come home. Another family member (pictured in blue) stood with Gabriella's mother and asked the public to please help find her
A man has been left shaken after a terrifying encounter with a shark while kayaking off the Queensland coast.

The 39-year-old man was one of nine who were paddling on Moreton Island on Sunday afternoon when the shark tore off the back of his kayak.

The Maroochydore man then started to sink while about eight kilometres east of Wood Island after the brutal attack.

A man, 39, was left shaken after a shark tore off the back of his kayak while he was out paddling on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

Emergency services were alerted, who found the man's location by using aircraft arriving into Brisbane Airport.

Water police rushed to rescue the man about 4pm and say they were 'very fortunate they were able to find the man in time'.

Although he was uninjured, the man was left 'shaken' by the ordeal.

The man's 6.5 metre kayak was recovered from the water, complete with a large hole from where the shark had taken a bite.

Although the man was uninjured in the attack, he was left 'shaken' by the ordeal.

The man's close encounter with the shark prompted Queensland Police to issue a warning to those heading out to sea.

'We would encourage anyone heading out on the water to always wear a life jacket, carry an EPIRB and make sure you let someone else know where you're travelling to and how long it will take,' Sergeant Gordon Thiry from Brisbane Water Police said.
Falklands War veterans remembered their lost comrades today as British servicemen marked the day 35 years ago when Argentina invaded the windswept islands in the South Atlantic.

Simon Weston, the former Welsh Guard who survived but was disfigured when Argentine planes bombed his ship as it landed in Bluff Cove, said: 'I miss my mates every single day.'

Weston, 55, remembered his friends Neil Hughes, Gareth Hughes and Andrew 'Yorkie' Walker who were all on board the Sir Galahad when it was struck by Skyhawk fighter jets in June 1982.

A former member of the Parachute Regiment dabs his eyes as he remembers his fallen comrades at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today

Falklands War veteran Simon Weston (pictured, left) said: 'I'm thrilled I'm still here 35 years on'. Argentina still claims the islands and this boy (right) attended a ceremony in Buenos Aires

Weston said: 'I miss my mates every single day. A lot of them, you were probably with them for a while, and they were your friends. You earn friends, you get them because you deserve them.'

The three men's names are among 255 carved into the South Atlantic Medal Association Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where today's main service was held.

They were members of the South Atlantic Task Force, which was sent thousands of miles from home to defend the rights of a few thousand Falkland Islanders who wanted to remain British.

A veteran displays a chest full of medals and a special Falklands Islands tie and tie pin

The Lord Lieutenant Of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, lays a wreath during a service marking the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands held at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield today

Argentina's military junta, led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, had invaded the islands on 2 April 1982 as it desperately sought a popularity boost as the country's economy tanked.

But the Royal Navy carried British soldiers, marines and pilots down to the South Atlantic where they battled the Argentinian forces, made up mostly of conscripts.

The conflict also led to the deaths of 649 Argentinians, including 323 sailors who died when the battleship General Belgrano was sunk by a British submarine as it steamed away from the islands.

Today's service was conducted by Reverend David Cooper, who served with the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in the Falklands.

He conducted for the funerals of 18 British soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Goose Green.

A commemorative stone at the South Atlantic Medal Association memorial carries a plaque bearing the names of three Falkland Islands civilians who were also killed in the conflict.

The Last Post was played by a lone bugler (right) at today's ceremony at the South Atlantic Taskforce Memorial

The Royal Navy, RAF, Royal Marines and the Army were all represented at today's ceremony

Argentine veterans, accompanied by a group of children, sing the national anthem during a ceremony honouring the soldiers who died in 1982

A man cycles past murals on the wall of an army base in Buenos Aires about the 'Malvinas'

'The Malvinas (Falklands) are Argentinian' says this electronic sign in central Buenos Aires

A Royal Marine guards Argentinean conscripts captured after the Battle of Goose Green

Argentina continues to lay claim to the islands, which are known there as the Malvinas, but since President Mauricio Macri was elected in November 2015 he has used less inflammatory rhetoric and has suggested increasing the tiny number of flights between Argentina and the islands.

The Buenos Aires Herald claimed recently British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson would be visiting Argentina in April or May to discuss the islands' future with Macri.

Argentines are reminded about their claim to the Malvinas every day as the islands are emblazoned across the 50 peso note (worth about 2.50)
Clive Palmer has claimed he is hosting a dinner for former U.S. president Barack Obama in Boston next month.

The date of the dinner is just two days before Mr Palmer is to attend a court hearing into the collapse of his Queensland Nickel company, the Courier-Mail reported.

The paper said it understood lawyers for Mr Palmer had written to special purpose liquidators PPB Advisory advising them of his special event.

Clive Palmer (pictured) claims he is hosting a dinner for former U.S. president Barack Obama, according to reports

PPB Advisory has been tasked with recouping taxpayers' money used to fund employee entitlements when Queensland Nickel went into liquidation.

'I am instructed by Mr Clive Palmer that he as director of the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston USA, is hosting a dinner for former President Obama to receive a profile in courage award on May 7, 2017.

'This has been a long standing commitment,' Mr Palmer's lawyers wrote, according to the Courier-Mail.

Mr Palmer, a former federal member of parliament, is listed as a member of the board of directors on the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's website.

The Foundation was established to support the work of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, which is located in Boston.

Former U.S. president Barack Obama (pictured) is to receive the 2017 Centennial John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in May

A media release issued by the foundation in March said Mr Obama would receive the 2017 Centennial John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at a ceremony on May 7.

But it said the event will be chaired by GE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt.

Mr Palmer has said he will still be court on May 9 for the hearing.

He was called a 'name-dropper' by the office of employment minister Michaelia Cash.
Britain's most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson has sent threatening letters to his fiancees ex-boyfriend, ahead of his possible release from HMP Wakefield this year.

Michael Coleman, 41, once dated Bronson's fiancee Paula Williamson, briefly a Coronation Street actress.

The pair met at a Kray Twins appreciation party in 2015 but broke up just before Williamson first met Bronson for the first time in a prison visit.

Michael Coleman, 41, of Sutton (pictured left) is the ex-boyfriend of Paula Williamson (pictured). Williamson is the fiancee to notorious inmate Charles Bronson (pictured right) who has sent threatening letters to his fiancee's former lover

Bronson, who changed his name to Charles Arthur Salvador, first contacted Michael just weeks into his relationship with Paula, 36.

One note read: 'Did you know I've a mate who lives around the corner from you. What a small world.'

Responding, Michael, 41, wrote back hoping to calm the volatile prisoner down and included a 20 note as a gesture.

But Bronson, 64, replied: 'Coleman, don't want or need your 20 quid. Use it to buy some nappies and don't even use my name again!

'You or anybody got anything to say - tell me when I'm out.'

Signing off the letter Charles Salvador, he added: 'AND I'll be out sooner than a lot think... Paula is my key, can't wait.'

Shockingly, the letters slipped through the net at HMP Wakefield in South Yorkshire.

Letters of illicit content are supposed to be screened by prison wardens.

A source said: 'Clearly they're threatening and everything that goes in and out of prison is meant to be vetted.

'With Bronson's reputation as a high-security prisoner as well, his stuff should definitely be checked.'

One note read: 'Did you know I've a mate who lives around the corner from you. What a small world.'

Now Coleman lives in fear of violence at the hands of Bronson, who could soon be released

In a previous letter directed to Williamson, Bronson wrote: 'Coleman lost... I won... who's the daddy now.'

Since the threats, Michael has admitted his fear at potential reprisals, a friend told the Daily Star.

A parole board will soon decide whether Bronson is safe for release.
A Sydney-based academic who was detained in China for what Beijing described as 'national security reasons' has been allowed to return to Australia.

Associate professor Chongyi Feng was in China researching human rights issues and was barred from flying to Australia from Guangzhou with his wife just over a week ago.

He faced several rounds of questioning from authorities but was never arrested or charged with any offence.

Chongyi Feng, a China studies professor at UTS, refused a request for a lie detector test by China's National Safety Bureau after they began questioning him last week

Mr Feng has has previously spoken out against China's ruling Communist Party, claiming it was 'shutting down speech'.

He refused a request for a lie detector test by China's National Safety Bureau after they began questioning him last week.

Former foreign minister Bob Carr made representations in Beijing and Canberra about Dr Feng's case while the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) appealed to the Chinese Consulate in Sydney to negotiate his release.

On Sunday, he told reporters he wasn't sure why he was released, but suspected international pressure from the media, government and his university had played a role.

In a statement, UTS said it was pleased the matter had been resolved.

'The university will continue to provide care, as his employer, to Dr Feng and his family in relation to his recent experience,' the university said.

Dr Feng was stopped from returning to Australia for the second time in two days on Saturday while trying to board a flight in Guangzhou. He teaches China studies at UTS in Sydney

Dozens of internationally-respected academics from Australia, the United States, Britain and Hong Kong penned an open letter addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li 'respectfully requesting' the academic's release.

The letter said they were 'disturbed' that a fellow researcher was 'prevented from returning to his home and workplace for no reason other than his conscientious work' as a China Studies scholar.

Dr Feng is an Australian permanent resident who retains his Chinese passport.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also said the federal government welcomed the news of Dr Feng's return.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull share a joke before kick-off during the round one AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday

Malcolm Turnbull talks as he sits next to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as they attended the Sixth Australia-China CEO Roundtable Meeting in Sydney on Friday

The Times reported that Dr Feng has written critically of Xi Jinping's government, including a text in which he claimed that the Chinese president has 'failed to lead China forward.'

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Dr Feng, an Australian permanent resident, had been prevented from leaving China but did not disclose any reasons.

Another friend, Professor John Fitzgerald, a Swinburne University academic, said Dr Feng was one of many Chinese scholars in Australia who speak openly and frankly about problems in the relationship.

He denied his friend was a dissident.

'He's a loyal China patriot who sees himself as contributing to a debate within China about reform and development of China's current system,' Prof Fitzgerald told ABC radio.
This is the tiny room where monster Keith Baker kept a woman with severe learning difficulties as his sex slave for years.

The domestic prison, in Craigavon, County Armagh, has since been re-decorated, but had a bare floor and no light during her imprisonment.

Baker, 61, a one-time care worker, 'paid' his victim Quality Street sweets for having depraved sex with him and others.

The room, in Craigavon, County Armagh, has since been re-decorated, but had a bare floor and no light during her imprisonment

He filmed dozens of unknown men raping her in the room then 'rewarded' her with boxes of chocolates and sweets if she had been 'good'.

'She told police she did what Baker told her because she was terrified of him but also because he gave her sweets,' said a source.

'She even said her favourite was the purple one from the Quality Street box and she would get that if she had been particularly good.

'Medical tests showed she only had one 'sound' tooth and that is why.'

Baker and his wife Caroline, 54, prevented her from ever leaving her tiny room by removing the handle on the inside of the door.

It is understood Baker met his victim in Britain and either invited or persuaded her to come to Northern Ireland.

Baker, 61, a one-time care worker, 'paid' his victim Quality Street sweets for having depraved sex with him and others

When her husband reported her missing in 2004, it seemed she had vanished without trace.

And she lacked the mental capacity to escape.

The Bakers are due to be sentenced on Tuesday for a catalogue of appalling sexual abuse committed at their specially adapted home which consisted of two terrace houses knocked through to make one large home.

Baker's wife Caroline was working as a care worker at a home in Northern Ireland that specialises in mental health residents right up until she was arrested.

The PSNI is understood to have conducted a thorough investigation into whether she may have abused anyone at the home.

The chilling details of what really went on behind closed doors smack in the middle of a Co. Armagh housing estate are still to come out.

Sex-mad Baker was a member of social dating site Badoo where he tried to meet women to satisfy his cravings.

He used the soft and cuddly profile name 'Keiffy Bear' to lure women into his trap.

Throughout police questioning Baker denied the allegations and claimed all the sex was consensual.

Baker and his wife Caroline, 54, prevented her from ever leaving her tiny room by removing the handle on the inside of the door. Pictured: The couple's house in Craigavon, County Armagh

Witnesses told police there was always strange men coming and going from the house and after they seized tapes of unidentified men being filmed having sex with the victim, detectives suspected Baker was pimping her out on the internet.

He locked his mentally disabled victim away for years in a tiny room - not allowing her to leave or even see a dentist or doctor.

The room has been decorated since the victim was released from slavery.

When she was there the floor was bare and the light didn't work.

When police finally rescued her, she weighed just six stone and her teeth had rotted so badly from all the sweets and lack of dental care she only had one sound tooth.

The sex slave, who's believed to be in her 40s, was only rescued after another woman who, like her, suffered from learning difficulties, raised the alarm when she told a disability support worker that there was another woman living at the house.

Baker filmed dozens of unknown men raping her in the room then 'rewarded' her with boxes of chocolates and sweets if she had been 'good'. Pictured: Inside the house

The whistleblower, known in court as Miss X, was assessed as suffering chronic post-traumatic stress and said she suffered 20 years of abuse after starting a second family with Baker.

However, the PPS had decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute Keith Baker for those allegations.

Both Miss X and Caroline Baker each had four children with Baker and the creepy pad was divided into two sections - one for the women and one for the men.

The victim lived in the squalid half and was allowed to shower only once a week, her 'toilet' was overflowing with human waste.

Keith and Caroline pleaded guilty to a string of horrific sex offences against the single woman who had been living at the property for nearly a decade.

They admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a mentally disabled person and one of enticing her into sexual activity knowing she was unlikely to refuse.

Keith Baker also confessed to six counts of rape of the same woman and a final count of indecently assaulting her.

His wife pleaded guilty to three offences of 'aiding and abetting, counselling and procuring' her husband to rape their victim and a single count of indecent assault.

Baker, who is originally from Guernsey, started his life as a care worker and ended up owning a hotel along with his brother.

Baker - pictured as a younger man - groomed his victim in England and, concerned he would be caught by the authorities, decided to take her somewhere they would never look - Craigavon

Baker groomed his victim in England and, concerned he would be caught by the authorities, decided to take her somewhere they would never look - Craigavon, where his wife Caroline was originally from.

'Baker knew she had been reported missing and so he wanted to get her somewhere 'safe',' said a source.

At a previous hearing the victim was described in court as having severe learning difficulties and in very poor health.

Caroline Baker has been described as being 'under the spell' of her domineering husband and while he has been in Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on remand, she was granted bail.
The Egyptian president is set to meet with Trump on Monday

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will focus on Egypt's economy during his trip to Washington, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a televised interview Sunday.

El-Sisi will meet with several key decision makers during his visit and will give a talk at the American Chamber of Commerce. Communication is, in addition, ongoing with major companies in the US, Shoukry added.

The US is economically capable of supporting the Egyptian economy by increasing direct investment, Shoukry stated.

El-Sisi arrived to Washington Saturday for a five-day visit that will include talks with President Donald Trump.

Egypt has recently introduced a number of fiscal reforms, including subsidy cuts and the introduction of new taxes, aimed at stemming a growing budget deficit. Last November, the Egyptian Central Bank freely floated the Egyptian pound with the aim of alleviating a dollar shortage and attracting foreign investors.

President Donald Trump's administration had announced its support to Egypt's economic reform plan as well as his approach to counterterrorism.

Last Friday, a senior White House official told Reuters that Trump will seek to rebuild the US relationship with Egypt at the meeting planned Monday with El-Sisi.

The relationship between Egypt and the US was strained after former President Barack Obama criticised the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

The US froze military aid to the country in October of 2013 but resumed it in March 2015.

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A woman claims to have captured footage of the elusive artist, Banksy, as he worked at an exhibition in Israel.

The world's most famous street artist recently opened an interactive exhibition at a hotel in Bethlehem.

But a witness claimed she filmed him days before at an art show at a shopping mall curated by his former manager in nearby Israel.

The Israeli exhibition, The Art of Banksy, is due to open in the Arena mall in Herzliya Marina, not far from Tel Aviv.

The city is one of the most expensive places in Israel.

A witness at the shopping centre, who asked not to be named, said: 'The mall opens at 10am but if you need to be there earlier you have to sign your name.

The world's most famous street artist recently opened an interactive exhibition at a hotel in Bethlehem, pictured here as participants in the Palestine Marathon run past

A woman claims to have captured footage of the elusive artist Banksy as he worked at an exhibition in Herzliya Marina, Israel

'What was really weird was that when I came in and I had to sign my name, I noticed an English name and said to the security guard "who is that?"

'He said it was an artist from England.'

The footage was snapped on a mobile phone, showing a man wearing a bucket hat and camouflage trousers.

He was filmed walking around an art studio carrying a stencil before looking at the camera and putting up a hand to cover his face.

The witness claimed she filmed him at an art show at a shopping mall curated by Banksy's former manager in Israel. The Israeli exhibition, The Art of Banksy, is due to open in the Arena mall not far from Tel Aviv

A security guard told the woman that an English artist was in the shopping mall - before she filmed this man who she says is Banksy

The woman said: 'The guy in the video is maybe around 40, the door was open and the smell of spray paint was really strong. He's not Israeli for sure.

'I'm not what you'd call a huge fan, but I was saying to myself 'oh my god, it's him. I think it's Banksy.'

Banksy has travelled the world to paint sharp critiques of social injustice in places they will be noticed

Banksy has travelled the world to paint sharp critiques of social injustice in the places they will be noticed.

It has made the graffiti artist from Bristol one of the world's highest paid living artists - yet his identity has until now been a secret.

His political art is often satirical and contains political and social commentary, but is scrawled illegally on walls and bridges all over the world.

Last September an investigator theorised that Banksy could be Robert '3D' Del Naja, the founding member of Bristol band Massive Attack, after it was revealed that new works by the artist kept popping up in the same areas as the band's gigs.
Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell and his lawyer boyfriend Graham Cooper have been seen for the first time in public together last night sparking rumours that their wedding was imminent.

The couple who have not been spotted with each other since news of their marriage broke just weeks ago gathered with close family and friends at a remote countryside pub in the Lake District.

Mr Burrell, 58, now a florist living in Cheshire, will wed his lawyer partner Graham Cooper, 58, next month and they have reportedly been together for up to a decade.

The father-of-two divorced his wife Maria, 62, last year and his wedding announcement was the first public acknowledgement that he is gay.

Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell and his lawyer boyfriend Graham Cooper have been seen for the first time in public together last night

The pair were all smiles as they were seen leaving the Queen's Head pub in Troutbeck, Cumbria, where more than 20 people gathered for an event.

Among the group were Paul's two sons, Alex, 27, and Nick, 24, who have flown in from America.

According to reports the couple have chosen the picturesque Lake District for their big day.

One onlooker said: 'Judging by the laughter coming from the room, everyone seemed to be having lots of fun.

Mr Burrell (pictured with Princess Diana) will wed his lawyer partner Graham Cooper, 58, next month

New love: Mr Burrell and partner Mr Cooper while on a holiday in Missouri, US, in 2014

'Paul was sat on a table with his sons, who couldn't have seemed happier.'

Paul divorced wife Maria last year after more than three decades of marriage.

They had met at Buckingham Palace when Paul was a senior footman to the Queen and Maria was a maid to Prince Phillip.

The couple made 'the mutual decision' to divorce after living separate lives for more than a decade.

In 2006 Mr Burrell released his second book about his time serving Princess Diana, called The Way We Were

Paul and Maria Burell have two sons together, Alexander and Nicholas (pictured, in 2002)

Burrell joined Prince Charles and Diana at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire in 1987 and remained there until her death in 1997.

Mr Burrell then made millions from a series of books about his life with the princess and from appearing on reality shows such as I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

In the international bestseller he claimed Diana described him as her 'rock' and 'the only man I can trust'.

In 2003 he wrote a tell-all memoir 'A Royal Duty' that went into detail about his time serving the Prince and Princess of Wales, and featured letters to him from Diana.

But in a rare public statement, Prince William and Prince Harry accused him of betraying their mother and said she would have been mortified by his breach of confidence. 'We cannot believe that Paul, who was entrusted with so much, could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal,' they said in 2003.

Mr Burrell has made a number of TV appearances since Diana's death, including on Ant And Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (left) and on ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2004 (right)

'If we may say so, we feel we are more able to speak for our mother than Paul. We ask Paul to bring these revelations to an end.'

Last month, the former royal butler announced he was marrying long-time boyfriend Graham Cooper, a corporate lawyer.

Paul has previously said that he couldn't be more proud that his sons will be standing beside him on his big day.

The dinner ended around closing time when Paul and Graham were the last to leave, followed by what appeared to be security guards.
Civil rights campaigner and broadcaster Darcus Howe has died 'peacefully in his sleep' at the age of 74.

He campaigned for black rights for more than 50 years and led the 1981 Black People's March after the New Cross fire in which 13 black teenagers died.

News of Howe's death at his home in Streatham on Saturday was announced by his biographer, Robin Bunce, and confirmed by his wife, Leila Hassan.

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Originally from Trinidad, Howe studied law in England before embarking on a career promoting anti-racism causes

Howe came to public attention in 1970 as a member of the Mangrove Nine, who marched on Notting Hill police station to protest against a raid on the local Mangrove restaurant. He is pictured in a Channel Four documentary, Slave Nation

Howe edited the magazine Race Today and is pictured here at its offices on August 11 1976

The Notting Hill Carnival Committee. Darcus Howe is seen on the far right. Next to him is, from left, Louis Chase, Granville Pryce and Selwyn Baptiste

Howe, a member of the New Cross Action Committee, outside County Hall, London, as an inquest continued at County Hall into the deaths of 13 victims in the New Cross Fire

Labour MPs Diane Abbot and film director Amma Asante wrote tributes to Howe on Twitter

A statement from his family said: 'Darcus died quietly and unexpectedly in his sleep on the evening of Saturday April 1. Our private grief is inseparable from our public pride.'

The father-of-six was originally from Trinidad, where he was born on February 26 1943 in the dying days of the British Empire.

The son of a vicar and schoolteacher, he moved to the UK in 1961 to study Law.

He joined the British Black Panthers, established in solidarity with the more well-known American organisation.

Howe came to public attention in 1970 as a member of the Mangrove Nine, who marched on Notting Hill police station to protest against a raid on the local Mangrove restaurant.

The restaurant was a hub of black culture and was raided a dozen times by the Metropolitan Police resulting in pitched battles between the officers and protesters.

Howe and eight others - dubbed The Mangrove Nine - were charged with riot, affray and assault before his eventual acquittal.

The group successfully challenged racism in the police during a trial at the Old Bailey in the early 1970s.

Howe, who lived in Brixton for more than 30 years, edited the magazine Race Today and was once chairman of the Notting Hill Carnival.

In 2009, Howe wrote in The Guardian about being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

'Long live the NHS,' he said. 'The campaign to persuade black men to get tested for prostate cancer starts here.'

Labour MP for Hackney Diane Abbot tweeted: 'So sad to hear that Darcus Howe has passed away. One of the standout activists & public intellectuals of his generation.'

Howe's biographer, Dr Robin Bunce told the BBC: 'Taking on the police in the 70s at a time of enormous police racism and police corruption was an incredibly courageous thing to do'

Darcus Howe, and Selwyn Baptiste speak together at a planning meeting for the Notting Hill Carnival

Howe began appearing on television in the 1980s when he presented shows for the BBC and Channel 4

Howe began appearing on television in the 1980s when he presented shows for the BBC and Channel 4.

He explored the idea of Englishness in a controversial 2003 documentary series called White Tribe.

Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, wrote on Twitter: 'Sad to hear of the passing of Darcus Howe, great loss to Brixton & to the cause of equality and human rights RIP.'

And Amma Asanted, a film maker, wrote: 'May u RIP Darcus Howe. British #BlackPanther & a pioneer in the fight for #equality in UK.I enjoyed our last talk immensely & learned much.'

Labour deputy leader John McDonnell said: 'Sad to hear Darcus Howe has died. He was a courageous campaigner against injustice and for equality and civil liberties over decades.'

Howe pictured in The Empire Strikes Back, a documentary during which he travelled across the Caribbean from his birthplace in Trinidad to discover what the former colonies have done with the independence they fought for

Howe relaxes on a beach chair during filming for the documentary. Labour MP for Hackney Diane Abbot tweeted: 'So sad to hear that Darcus Howe has passed away'

Howe faces off with Sir Peregrine Worstorne in the television programme, England, My England

Howe attends the book launch in his honour for 'Darcus Howe: A Political Biography' by authors Robin Bunce and Paul Field

Biographer Dr Bunce told the BBC: 'He took on the Metropolitan Police, the Home Office and Special Branch in a 55-day trial as one of the Mangrove Nine,' he said.

'Taking on the police in the 70s at a time of enormous police racism and police corruption was an incredibly courageous thing to do.

'And not only was he able to win his own freedom, but he was able to expose police racism and force the first official acknowledgement of institutional racism in the United Kingdom as a result of that case.'

MP John McDonnell wrote on Twitter: 'Sad to hear Darcus Howe has died. He was a courageous campaigner against injustice and for equality and civil liberties over decades.'

George Galloway tweeted: 'Darcus Howe RIP. Fighter against racism and imperialism. Civil rights champion. Great leader of black peoples around the world.'

Actor Adil Ray wrote: 'Sad to hear about the passing of Darcus Howe. An important voice as many of us were growing up.'

Presenter June Sarpong wrote: 'RIP #Darcushowe a great broadcaster and visionary, who used his platform to highlight social issues and ignite much needed conversations.'
A man who was charged with high-range drink-driving got straight back behind the wheel of his unregistered car, police say.

The 44-year-old was stopped by police in Frenchs Forest in Sydney's north at about 6.30pm on Saturday.

He allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.264 - more than five times the legal limit.

A man who was pulled over in an unregistered car for high-range drink-driving got straight back behind the wheel, police say (stock image)

The 44-year-old was stopped by police in Frenchs Forest in Sydney's north at about 6.30pm on Saturday (stock)

His licence was immediately suspended, but police allege they spotted him back behind the wheel about an hour later.

His second breath test recorded a slightly lower level of 0.229.

Police were forced to confiscate his car keys to prevent him driving further.

The man was charged with high-range drink-driving, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving while suspended.

He will face Manly Local Court on April 26.
Shocking footage has captured the moment a Scot punched a pigeon in the face after his friends forced him to kiss it.

In the clip, a topless man, who is lying down, appears to be drifting in and out of consciousness as his friends carry a pigeon to his face and push its beak against his lips.

As the pigeon touches his mouth, he wakes up and his eyes widen in shock at what has happened.

The boys around him laugh as they force the distressed bird on to him again, and he clenches his fists in anger.

One of the group then says: 'I bet you don't crack it'.

The man responds by punching the pigeon straight in the face as his friends shout in shock.

The exact origins of the footage are unknown, but the boys speak with Scottish accents and the clip was shared on a Glaswegian Facebook page.

In the clip, a topless man, who is lying down, appears to be drifting in and out of consciousness as his friends carry a pigeon to his face and push its beak against his lips. When he wakes up and sees the pigeon he punches it as his friends shout in shock

The man's friends laugh as they force the distressed bird on to him again, and he clenches his fists in anger. One of the group then says 'I bet you don't crack it' before he delivers the blow

The clip, which appears to be taken from Snapchat, has been viewed thousands of times since it was shared on the Facebook pages The Glasgow Gospel and NEDwatch.

The word 'ned' is Scottish slang to describe a hooligan or petty criminal.

Most social media users have reacted with horror and anger at the clip. Mark Campbell said: 'What a tool punching a pigeon.'

Claudia Davis added: '10/10 promoting animal abuse.'

But some users thought the video was more funny than disturbing - tagging their friends and commenting with emojis crying with laughter. The same emoji was used in the video caption

Kerryanne Lochrie expressed anger at the crowd egging him on.

She said: 'Especially the c*** egging him on, "bet you don't crack it". Of course he was going to if someone was saying that.'

But some users thought the video was more funny than disturbing - tagging their friends and commenting with emojis crying with laughter.

At the end of last year a video of a man punching a kangaroo to protect his dog went viral.

The clip prompted widespread debate on social media, with many calling it self-defence and others lambasting the cruelty.
A Washington state homeowner has been charged with murder for shooting dead an intruder who had broken in and was using his shower.

The homeowner opened fire on Nathaniel Joseph Rosa, 31, of Bothell, while he was still in the bathroom, killing him, cops say.

The man,, who has not named, told police that he had arrived at his place of work - next which is the neighboring property to his home in East Trails Road, Mason County, Washington, when he noticed signs of forced entry.

A Washington state homeowner has been charged with murder for shooting dead an intruder who had broken in and was using his shower (pictured is his property in Mason County)

He then entered the property, from which he runs an internet-based business, and found an intruder using his shower at around 8am on Saturday, Komo reports.

The homeowner confronted the man and the two exchanged words before he returned to his house next door to retrieve his gun.

Mason County Sheriff's Lt. Travis Adams said he 'retrieved a firearm, came back over to the residence and fired multiple rounds into the shower... killing the intruder.'

The homeowner then called 911, telling them he had shot the intruder.

He has since been arrested and charged with second degree murder.

The homeowner has since been arrested and charged with second degree murder (police at the scene)

Detectives say the suspect had plenty of time between going home, retrieving the gun, and returning to shoot the intruder, to call the authorities.

They also do not believe the man gave any warning to Rosa - who was not believed to have been armed at the time - before he opened fire.

'Certainly he had an opportunity to call law enforcement at that time,' Adams said. 'And we've contacted our local prosecutor, explained the circumstances to him, and he agrees that 2nd degree murder was an appropriate charge in this case.'

Investigators said the homeowner is cooperating with detectives.
The Republican National Committee whacked back at new Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez for saying that President Trump 'didn't win this election.'

The RNC sent out a statement Sunday morning labeling his comments 'unhinged.'

'Chairman Perez's comments are dangerous and undermine our democratic process,' said chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel. 'Perhaps Mr. Perez needs a lesson on how the Electoral College works but whether he likes it or not, Donald Trump is our president.'

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Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel (left) released a statement Sunday condemning remarks made by Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez (right)

'He should be ashamed of himself for insulting the millions of Americans who don't share his liberal vision for our country,' she continued. 'The Democrats are the minority party because of comments like those, and if he thinks this is the way back from the wilderness, he's sorely mistaken.'

'Mr. Perez should apologize and Democrats should denounce the rhetoric coming from this new leader of their Party,' McDaniel added.

On Friday night, Perez worked up a crowd in Newark, New Jersey, unleashing a tirade against the Republican Party.

The labor secretary under Obama shouted: 'Donald Trump, you dont stand for our values. You didnt win this election.'

His audience cheered as Perez told those at the rally hosted by the New Jersey Working Families Alliance that the GOP doesn't 'give a s**t about people.'

Perez encouraged Democrats to resist Trump and his policies and referred to the president's reign in the White House as being 'a bully in Washington'.

The politician was elected to the role in February and said to the Newark, New Jersey, crowd: 'Donald Trump, you dont stand for our values. You didnt win this election'

Perez also praised those who marched against the president and his administration on January 21, the day after the inauguration, The Daily Caller first reported.

He was elected in late February to replace interim chair Donna Brazile, who filled the position after former chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stepped down just before the Democratic National Convention last summer.

The politician said in the speech: 'Donald Trump, that romance you have with Putin, it's not gonna do you any good, because we will resist.

'One week ago we did, and we did so successfully. Donald Trump wants his name around everything... but when it came to healthcare, he didn't want Trumpcare.

'So what do we call it? Trumpcare.... I'll tell you my idea.. you know what's my idea for a program? "I Don't Care," because they don't care about people.'

At the end of his impassioned tirade, Perez said he wanted to make the fiery remarks in New Jersey because he wanted to 'learn about bullies' to help stop the 'bully in Washington', reported Fox News Insider.

Perez encouraged Democrats to resist Trump and his policies. He praised those who marched against the president and his administration on January 21, the day after the inauguration

After he was chosen for the DNC role, Perez asked every member of staff to send in a resignation letter as he plans for a major overhaul of the party's organization, it was revealed on March 28.

It will give him the chance to completely remake the DNC's headquarters from scratch after it was damaged by hacks and accusations of favoritism during the disastrous 2016 election campaign.

Every employee has been asked to submit their resignation letter by April 15, multiple sources told NBC News.


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A Bishop collapsed during a special Mass in a northern Italian region devastated by an earthquake in 2012.

Bishop Claudio Stagni collapsed just yards from where Pope Francis was saying an open air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy

Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Carpi of has since been rebuilt in the five years since the magnitude 6.1 and 5.8 quakes.

Pope Francis said the massive rebuilding project could provide an inspiration for other regions in Italy hit by earthquakes last year.

Bishop Claudio Stagni is assisted by his colleagues following his collapse at the end of the Mass earlier this afternoon

Some 20,000 worshipers attended the Mass where Bishop Stagni collapsed on the altar at the end of today's service

Thousands of people greeted Pope Francis, pictured, as he visited the Carpi region of northern Italy to say an open-air Mass

Carpi was hit by two earth quakes in 2012 with magnitudes of 6.1 and 5.8 which claimed the lives of 28 people

Family members of those killed in the devastating earthquakes were among the thousands of people who greeted the Pope

Francis' first stop in Emilia Romagna was the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of a statue of the Madonna. After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened just last weekend.

'There are those who remain buried in the rubble of life,' the pope said in his homily before an estimated 20,000 gathered in the piazza outside the cathedral for an open-air Mass and another 50,000 who watched on large screens throughout the city. 'And there are those, like you, who with the help of God rise from the rubble to rebuild.'

He later visited the town of Mirandola, where the crowd including family members of people killed in a pair of 2012 earthquakes. Francis laid a bouquet of flowers at the altar of the cathedral, which is still under scaffolding five years after the quake and not functioning as a house of worship.

He thanked the people of Mirandola `'for the example you gave to all humanity, the example of courage to go ahead.'

The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding from the magnitude-6.1 and magnitude-5.8 quakes that killed 28 people has often been cited as exemplary. It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.

Pope Francis said the region which has been rebuilt can provide inspiration for other areas hit by earthquakes

Francis' first stop in Emilia Romagna was the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a wreath of flowers

Last October's earth quakes in central Italy caused far more damage than the ones that shook the north in 2012

Crowds cheered as Pope Francis was driven through the streets towards the Mass on his specially converted Popemobile

The papal visit was meant to show gratitude for the region's renewal, the bishop of Carpi, Monsignor Francesco Cavina, told the Italian Bishops' Conference television TV2000. But Cavina said it also aimed to be 'a sign of hope that rebuilding is possible for the people of central Italy, who unfortunately suffered what we did much more dramatically.'

A magnitude-6.1 quake on August 24 in Italy's central regions of Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche killed nearly 300 people, toppled churches, historic buildings and museums, and rendered many town centers uninhabitable.

It was followed by a series of quakes in October, including the strongest in Italy in nearly four decades at magnitude 6.6, that damaged a higher number of structures, but didn't provoke further deaths since the most vulnerable areas had already been evacuated.

Authorities have estimated the damage from the 2016 central Italian quakes at more than 22 billion, compared with 11.5 billion from the 2012 Emilia Romagna temblors.

The main cathedral Mirandola has reopened following a five-year rebuilding project after it was destroyed in the earthquake
The body of a 51-year-old man was found in a burning building in New York on Sunday, according to police.

Officials arrived to a home in Queens to find the detached garage engulfed in flames, police said.

The body of Douglas Reid was found in the garage once firefighters extinguished the blaze, according to a report by NBC News.

The body of 51-year-old Douglas Reid was found in a burning garage in Queens, New York on Sunday, according to police; a google street view image of the property at 24005 Edgewood Avenue in Queens, New York where the detached garage was located in seen here

Reid was unresponsive and covered in burns, police said.

He was pronounced dead at Franklin General Hospital, police said.

The cause of the the fire has yet to be determined by the fire marshal.

There is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The garage was located at 24005 Edgewood Avenue in the Rosedale neighborhood of Queens, New York, according to the New York Police Department City Hall security desk.
Ben Richard Aguilar, 43, is accused of raping his daughter's underage friend at a party

A 43-year-old father is accused of throwing an alcohol-fueled party for his underage daughter and of raping her teenage friend multiple times.

Ben Richard Aguilar allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl who may not have been aware of what was happening because she was highly intoxicated according to theAlbuquerque Journal.

He allegedly raped the teen multiple times at the Albuquerque party in February almost six weeks ago.

The father told detectives he recorded the rape on his cellphone and took nude photos of the victim but deleted the files.

Aguilar was charged Wednesday with criminal sexual penetration in the second degree and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He admitted to purchasing alcohol for the teens who were all in high school.

Ben Richard Aguilar (left) appeared in court Thursday and is accused of criminal sexual penetration in the second degree and contributing to the delinquency of a minor

Bernalillo County Sheriff spokeswoman Felicia Romero said Wednesday: 'Interviews revealed corroborating information of the assault and the party.'

'Detectives then made contact with the female victims parents and assisted with getting medical care for the injuries sustained from the assault.'

Aguilar appeared in court Thursday where his ex wife testified about his past sexual tendencies.

Shannon Everett told the court: 'When we first got together I was 15 and he had told me he was 18 and I found out a couple months later that he was actually 25.'

Everett's daughter lived with her ex husband before and she is trying to figure out where she went after the arrest according to KOB4. She was told by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's office the teen was in the custody of child protective services.

Everett said she learned her ex husband was arrested when someone messaged her on Facebook.

Aguilar will be released to pretrial services if he posts a bond of $7,500. He will have to wear a GPS device.
The blast near a police training centre was claimed by militant group Lewaa Al-Thawra

A 35-year-old low-ranking police officer, Mohamed Ahmed Nofal, died Saturday night from injuries sustained in a bomb blast near a police training centre in Egypt's Nile Delta city of Tanta, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

The number of injured from the explosion, excluding the deceased policeman, stood at 16 as of Sunday morning, three of them civilians and 13 policemen, according to Al-Ahram Arabic news.

A Tanta health ministry official said four of the injured were still in a critical condition and undergoing surgery.

A military funeral for the policeman will be held later Sunday, according to authorities.

A statement from the interior ministry on Saturday said, "The bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked near the centre, and the area has been cordoned off and is being combed by security forces."

The militant group Lewaa Al-Thawra claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement on Saturday, stating on Twitter that the bombing resulted in "dozens of deaths and injuries, and the safe withdrawal of our fighters after accomplishing the operation."

On Saturday night, Lewaa Al-Thawra posted a new statement on their Twitter account under the name of "traps for traitors", referring to 20 casualties, and claiming their attack as revenge of their "four martyrs" who were killed last month, and also for "the residents of Basarta in Damietta."

A heavy security crackdown has been in effect in Basrata village in the northern governorate of Damietta for the past few days. Officials were reported in local newspapers as saying that the crackdown was to arrest gunmen who killed a low-ranking policeman in the village.

Lewaa Al-Thawra also warned the police to "lay off, otherwise expect death, and explosives in every street," threatening death for what they described as "desperate regime criminals."

Lewaa Al-Thawra has claimed responsibility for several deadly attacks on security forces in recent months.

The group said it had murdered a high-ranking army officer in Dahshur, Giza, in October 2016. It also claimed responsibility for an attack on a security checkpoint in Menoufiya Governorate two months earlier in which two policemen were killed and five injured.

Egypt has been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency in North Sinai for several years, with hundreds of security forces personnel killed in militant attacks.

Militants have also conducted deadly attacks against security personnel in Cairo and other governorates.

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President Donald Trump signaled that he'd be willing to deal with the increasingly hostile country of North Korea unilaterally if China won't play ball.

'Well, if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will,' Trump said in a new interview with the Financial Times. 'That is all I am telling you.'

The Trump administration considers North Korea the U.S.'s most imminent threat with White House deputy national security adviser KT McFarland telling the FT in a separate interview, 'There is a real possibility that North Korea will be able to hit the US with a nuclear-armed missile by the end of the first Trump term.'

Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Florida.

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President Donald Trump said the U.S. could 'totally' deal with the North Korea threat alone if China refuses to help

President Donald Trump's motorcade is seen in front of his Trump National Golf Course in Potomac Falls, Virginia on Sunday

Asked if Trump would be able to cut a deal with the Chinese leader, Trump told the Financial Times that he has great 'respect' for both Xi and China.

'I would not be at all surprised if we did something that would be very dramatic and good for both countries and I hope so,' Trump explained.

Trump said he planned to bring up North Korea doing the two-day affair.

'China has great influence over North Korea,' the American president pointed out. 'And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't.'

The billionaire businessman suggested that China could be incentivized by trade.

'It is all about trade,' Trump said.

He continued to grumble about how the U.S. has an 'unfair deal' when it comes to trade with China, but said he planned to hold off any talk of tariffs until his next encounter with Xi, as this first meeting will serve as an introduction.

'You know when you talk about, when you talk about currency manipulation, when you talk about devaluations, they are world champions,' Trump said of China.

'And our country hasnt had a clue, they havent had a clue. The past administration hasnt had and many administrations  I dont want to say only Obama; this has gone on for many years  They havent had a clue,' the president continued.

'But I do,' the businessman-turned-politician added.

The Financial Times asked Trump if he believed he could solve the North Korea problem without China's help.

'Totally,' Trump replied. 'Totally.'

Trump wouldn't talk strategy when asked about how he was going to approach the thorny topics of trade and North Korea with the Chinese leader, not even revealing what he planned to discuss first.

'I'm not going to tell you,' Trump said. 'You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East. Where you way  I used it in the speeches  "We will be attacking Mosul in four months." A month later, "We will be attacking Mosul in three months, in two months, in one months."'

'And why are they talking? There is no reason to talk,' Trump said of government officials' propensity to show their hand.

The president, who's still trying to recover from his party's loss on health care reform, wouldn't provide a timeline for tax reform either.

'We will have a very massive and very strong tax reform. But I am not going to talk about when,' Trump said.

Trump pledged to still get something done on health care too, sending out two tweets on the subject Sunday morning and weighing his options aloud during the interview that came out today.

'Well, I will get the Democrats if I go the second way,' Trump said. 'The second way, which I hate to see, then the Freedom Caucus loses so big and I hate to see that because ... our plan is going to be a very good plan.'

Trump suggested that working with Democrats would result in 'not as good a form of health care' compared to a bill he could sign with only Republican support.

But he pivoted from that too, saying, 'But we are going to have a very good form of health care and it will be a bipartisan form of health care,' the president said.

The Financial Times pointed out that Trump often used more 'abrasive' language than his predecessors.

'I hope so,' Trump remarked.

Asked if he was 'proud' of that fact, Trump responded, 'Well it hasnt worked for our predecessors,' he said of being more politically correct.

'Look where we are. We have an $800bn trade deficit. The Middle East is a mess,' Trump charged.

The president was also asked if he regretted any of his tweets.

'I dont regret anything, because there is nothing you can do about it,' he said.

'You know if you issue hundreds of tweets, and every once in a while you have a clinker, thats not so bad,' he continued.

'Now my last tweet, you know the one that you are talking about perhaps, was the one about being in quotes wire tapped, meaning surveilled,' Trump added, talking about charges he threw at President Obama, even citing a physical phone, before revising his claims.

Trump talked about the positive impact of Twitter.

'I dont have to go to the fake media,' he said.

He also bragged about predicting Brexit.

'I think Brexit is very good for the UK, it is going to be very good for UK. I would have thought when it happened that more would follow, but I really think the European Union is getting their act together,' he said. 'It could be a very good thing for both.'

The president also said he had a 'great meeting' with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

'I really liked her,' Trump said.

Asked about comparisons made between him and far right French politician Marine Le Pen, Trump danced around the issue.

'I dont know what is going to happen,' Trump said. 'I know that some outside distractions have taken place which have changed that race.'

'I really dont know and I dont know her,' Trump added. 'I have never met her.'

Trump also told the Financial Times he was enjoying being president.

'I am really liking it. Ive enjoyed it. Ive enjoyed it. We have done a lot ... Were doing great,' he said, pointing to job commitments made by Ford, General Motors and Fiat.
Samantha Cameron's half-brother William Waldorf Astor IV has links to firms that rake in cash by owning and managing freeholds. He runs fund manager Long Harbour and is a director of HomeGround Management

A member of David Camerons family is embroiled in the row over the sale of thousands of new leasehold houses.

Developers are selling new properties with leases, meaning buyers do not own homes outright and must pay an annual fee to the freeholder.

Builders then sell these contracts to investors, who can demand huge sums from families wanting the freehold to their home. Those who cannot afford to buy must carry on paying ground rents instead, giving investors a lucrative income.

William Waldorf Astor IV  the half-brother of Mr Camerons wife Samantha  has links to firms that rake in cash by owning and managing freeholds.

The 38-year-old runs fund manager Long Harbour, which has the freeholds of 160,000 homes on behalf of institutional investors. He is also a director of HomeGround Management, which looks after 70,000 freehold contracts for Long Harbour, collecting cash from leaseholders.

Latest accounts filed  and signed off by Mr Astor  show HomeGround brought in 2.9million in 2015 and made a profit of 334,339.

But Mr Astors businesses have been engulfed in a row over the way developers and investors treat families sold new homes with leases.

Buyers have complained of soaring ground rents  with some doubling every decade  and extortionate fees to buy the freehold on their homes.

Nurse Katie Kendrick, 37, bought her new home from Bellway in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, three years ago for 214,000. She said: It was supposed to be our forever home, but its the biggest mistake Ive ever made.

She and husband Steve, 52, claim they were told by Bellway they could buy the four-bedroom houses freehold for 2,000 to 4,000 after two years.

But 18 months later she was told the freehold had been sold to a firm called Adriatic, of which Mr Astor used to be a director.

Adriatic is one of the firms through which Long Harbours clients, such as pension funds, own the freeholds.

Nurse Katie Kendrick, 37, is considering taking HomeGround to tribunal. When she bought her home in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, she was told she could purchase the freehold, but was later told it had been sold to firm Adriatic

Mr Astors firm HomeGround now manages the freehold for Adriatic and said the contract would cost the Kendricks 13,350.

This was knocked down to 7,680, but the couple, who have a five-year-old son, think it is still too high and are considering taking the case to tribunal.

Local MP Justin Madders likened the affair to the PPI mis-selling scandal. HomeGround said it recognised leasehold issues and was engaging with Whitehall to find a solution.

A spokesman for Mr Astor said HomeGround, which manages the properties, was set up to treat leaseholders fairly.

Bellway said some land was available only on a leasehold basis and said freeholds were sold to firms better equipped to manage them.
A Napa man was arrested on Saturday in Bodega Bay for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old female, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office said.

Timothy Lee Marble, 50, was taken into custody at around 5.40am Pacific at Highway 1 near South Harbour Way when officers responded to his own 911 call.

Marble claimed on the call that the teen, who he called his 'companion,' ran away after jumping out of the car, sheriffs Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a statement.

Napa's Timothy Lee Marble, 50, was arrested on Saturday in Bodega Bay for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old female, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office said

The girl emerged from the bushes, covered in road rash and stumbling, upon the officers' arrival.

She then told deputies that Marble raped her, Crum said.

The girl was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where she was joined by her mother.

The teen had left her home in Napa, where she lives with her mother, after the two got into an argument Thursday night, as determined by investigators.

A few hours after running away, the girl met Marble at a Napa gas station. It was about 3.00am on Friday morning at that point, Crum said.

Crum's statement recounted the sexual assault according to information provided by the victim.

'He has a different side of it, but theres definitely probable cause in making the arrest,' Crum said of Marble's version of what happened that morning. 'His accounts of the event differed somewhat. Some corroboration and some distortion.'

Marble told the girl to get into his red Chevrolet pickup truck and he would give her a ride, according to what Crum said the teen told deputies.

Marble then drove the two of them to a secluded area, they smoked marijuana and Marble made sexual advances toward the victim, according to the sergeant's statement.

The girl said she denied the advances, at which point Marble tied her to a tree before sexually assaulting her, Crum said.

Marble was booked into the Sonoma County Jail without bail; He was arrested on 11 felony counts of sexual acts with a minor, kidnapping and child abuse

According to the girl's account, Marble then untied her, got her back into the vehicle and convinced her to take methamphetamines, which he injected her with using a syringe, the sergeant said.

Marble then proceeded to assault her two more times, and used a razor blade and knife to make surface-level cuts to her leg and scratch his name into her skin, Crum said.

Marbles name was still visible on the girls skin when deputies arrived on the scene, Crum said.

Marble continued driving to Bodega Bay, when the victim jumped out of the moving vehicle in fear for her life and ran into the brush, she told deputies. Marble stopped the pickup, called out to the girl and threatened to kill her, Crum said.

The girl did not answer, and that's when Marble called 911, Crum said.

Marble was booked into the Sonoma County Jail without bail. He was arrested on 11 felony counts of sexual acts with a minor, kidnapping and child abuse.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. Crum said Marble did not have legal representation as of Sunday.

Marble has a lengthy criminal record including a felony conviction felon for drug charges. He had no prior sexual assault charges, police said.
Robert Foisie, 82, reportedly paid a Boston man a $200,00 'down payment' to kill, or find someone to kill his son Michael, after the children chose to remove Robert from the managing position of a family investment company

A billionaire businessman who was previously sued by his ex-wife over a multi-million dollar donation to his alma mater is now being accused of putting a hit on his eldest son following a family dispute.

Robert Foisie, 82, reportedly paid a Boston man a $200,000 'down payment' to kill, or find someone to kill his son Michael, after the children chose to remove Robert from the managing position of a family investment company.

His son and daughter have filed a suit that has reached Nevada's highest court, and details have emerged about a number of other suits against the billionaire benefactor for Worchester Polytechnic University.

It has been revealed that Robert Foisie faces multiple lawsuits in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Nevada, according to the Boston Globe.

His son Michael has reportedly 'feared for his own life' since learning of his father's alleged actions.

According to court documents, Robert bribed a Florida man named James Balzotti to murder his son, and gave him 'written instructions' as to Michael's whereabouts.

Balzotti then confided in his business partner Robert Casale about the proposition, who then reportedly convinced him not to go through with the murder. Casale later told the Foisie family about the father's alleged plan, feeling he had a 'moral obligation to do so,' legal documents say.

According to court documents, Robert bribed a Florida man named James Balzotti to murder his son, and gave him 'written instructions' as to Michael's whereabouts

Balzotti then confided in his business partner Robert Casale about the proposition, who then reportedly convinced him not to go through with the murder

Robert Foisie is also reportedly being investigated by the FBI for wire fraud, and is negotiating with the IRS over claims of tax evasion.

He also allegedly stashed millions overseas to prevent his ex-wife from getting too much money in their divorce settlement.

In 2014, he donated a record $40million to the university, where he graduated in 1956. Over his lifetime, he's contributed $63million to the school.

The university is now constructing a $49 million building with his donation: The Foisie Innovation Studio. Their business school is also named after him and there is a scholarship fund in his honor.

In 2014, he donated a record $40million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated in 1956. Over his lifetime, he's contributed $63million to the school

His ex-wife Janet Foisie said in a federal lawsuit filed in March against Worcester Polytechnic Institute that her ex-husband concealed $4.5million from her during divorce proceedings in 2011 and then gave that money to WPI

His ex-wife Janet Foisie said in a federal lawsuit filed in March against Worcester Polytechnic Institute that her ex-husband concealed $4.5million from her during divorce proceedings in 2011 and then gave that money to WPI.

Her ex-husband is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. However, Ms Foisie believes her husband hid the $4million she is seeking in a 'Valduz Trust' at a Swiss bank during the time of their split, according to the Telegram.

As a condition of the divorce in 2010, both parties were required to divulge all of their assets. They had reportedly been married since 1960.

According to a copy of their settlement, both were set to receive $20million from securities and divided ownership of their homes.

On Friday, WPI president Laurie Leshin addressed the legal suits, saying: 'Upcoming news reports may focus on personal disputes involving the Foisie family. We don't know whether any of the allegations are true or false, but I want to assure you that we are taking the situation seriously.'

As a condition of the divorce in 2010, both parties were required to divulge all of their assets. They had reportedly been married since 1960

'While other universities and nonprofits have faced issues related to donors or major gifts, this is new territory for WPI,' she continued.

'We are following this closely and will take action, if necessary, to ensure that we are aligned with best practices.'

She added that the Foisie Innovation Studio will continue its construction.

WPI said that Mr Foisie began his career in mechanical engineering but later made millions from entrepreneurship.

The WPI President has said that the Foisie Innovation Studio will continue its construction

He reportedly owns a Swiss company that manufactures packing machines and a Connecticut based company that makes paper processing machinery.

Ms Foisie currently lives in Long Boat Key, Florida, which is located on a barrier island off the coast near Sarasota.

Worcester Polytechnic University has not yet responded to the DailyMail.com regarding the lawsuit.
Nigel Farages trip to Atlanta, Georgia, started out ordinarily enough. Brexit was naturally the topic of a speech he gave to the Rotary Club of Atlanta in which he told the audience: The revolution of 2016 is not over.

The next day, he presented his evening LBC Radio show from the city  Brexit again was the topic of the hour.

Later that night, Farage boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight to London and found himself in conversation with a young British woman called Valerie Fox, who was also enjoying the comfort and luxury of Virgins Upper Class.

Valerie Fox photographed the former Ukip leader on board the Virgin Atlantic flight last month

Ms Fox, pictured, was sitting across from Mr Farage in the Upper Class section of the flight

Ms Fox, who claims to be a staunch Remainer, was apparently so appalled to be seated opposite him that she took to her social media account before the flight had even taken off, posting a picture of the politician in his seat with the caption: En route back to London. And I would be sat opposite to Nigel Farage, wouldnt I?

An emoticon with her update showed a gun held against a head.

Funny how people can surprise you. For by the time the flight had touched down on the morning of March 22, Ms Fox had had something of a Damascene conversion.

Hate to be wrong about people, but tonight I spent 5 hours speaking with someone I thought I would dislike, she posted. I couldnt have been more wrong.

Only now are the events that caused this pneumatic Remainers change of heart becoming clear.

Possibly, a little too clear for the beleaguered Mr Farage, who ought to be basking in a triumphant Brexit glow rather than rueing the night he ever dined with a glamour model at the bar on a first-class flight. For, according to Ms Fox, it wasnt just their exchange of political views that was heated.

Reports emerged this weekend that Mr Farage enjoyed a steamy  and rather public  liaison with Ms Fox.

Did a shared vegetable lasagne  Ms Fox is a vegan and insisted Farage have the same  ever have such calamitous consequences?

For what happened after the couple dined together has become the subject of a lengthy report in a red-top tabloid published on Saturday. After the lasagne, she and the former Ukip leader began snogging and touching each other, according to a friend of 30-year-old Ms Fox.

Farage, says Ms Fox, was in a frisky mood. She says that when a stewardess came around, asking what size pyjamas he would require, he looked at Ms Fox with a glint in his eye and asked what size she thought he would need. Large, she answered.

Indeed the pair were, according to the rather breathless report, on the brink of joining the Mile High Club.

He had absolutely no qualms about anyone else seeing us together, Ms Fox told a friend. Our hands were everywhere. We even joked about having a quickie in the toilet. He kept telling me, Youre stunning, youre fit, your body is amazing. 

A friend of Ms Fox claimed the model and former Ukip leader spent time kissing on the flight

But just as Mr Farages passions were, apparently, in danger of causing an embarrassing incident, he dropped off to sleep and came to as the plane touched down at Heathrow.

Later, he is said to have told Ms Fox: I havent felt this way for years.

But that infatuation appears to have worn off very quickly  perhaps after Googling Ms Fox and discovering she is a porn movie star who also provides escort services at 400 an hour.

Mr Farage has given a very different version of events, saying he spent part of the flight eating his dinner, and part of it asleep. Bewildered, he has asked: Its all a set-up, isnt it? So what is the truth of that flight, and just how did the details of it find their way into a newspaper?

Mr Farage vehemently denies any inappropriate behaviour on his part.

I was chatted up by somebody on a plane, who asked me for a lift, he said. Out of courtesy I obliged. And when the woman wanted things to go further I walked away. Since then there have been lots of enticements, all of which have been dutifully ignored.

His dismissal of their special connection has upset Ms Fox, who told the Mail yesterday their encounter is absolutely true, every bit of it. Indeed, her version of events seemed to gain credence yesterday when another passenger on board the flight confirmed that the couple were indeed openly affectionate.

Ms Ferrari has been staying at the former Ukip leader's home in west London, pictured

Student Dillon Smith, 20, confirmed that Mr Farage and Ms Fox were kissing.

Smith said: Mr Farage was glued to her hip at the bar. There was no doubt that they were kissing  I caught them at it red-handed.

What could have led to such indiscreet displays of affection? Ms Fox insists  somewhat bizarrely  it was a fevered discussion about Brexit that led to their passions running away with them.

Im interested in politics and Brexit, says Ms Fox. Im a Remainer and I was quite cross at first with him.

But to my surprise we ended up getting on really well. We were drinking. He was drinking wine, I was drinking bubbly. He was drinking quite a bit, but I wouldnt say he was drunk.

The main cabin was dimmed at some point but the bar was only a bit dimmed. We were snogging and touching each other.

The cabin crew knew what was going on, I think. They kept coming past us and we joked that they were trying to babysit us.

We talked about my life, we talked about his life.

Ms Fox, pictured, has appeared in pornographic movies and worked as a 400-an-hour escort

Discussing Farages love life must have taken up a large chunk of the flight.

They talked first about Kirsten, Farages German-born second wife, the mother of two of his four children, from whom he separated last year. He didnt have anything very nice to say about her, says Ms Fox. She asked if he had a girlfriend.

He played it down, says Ms Fox. He said he had someone he was dating, kind of. But then hes not going to say, Ive got a girlfriend who I love and adore when hes got his hand on my thigh, is he?

Indeed not. Farage has been linked in the past couple of months to Laure Ferrari, a glamorous 37-year-old French politician.

Two months ago, it was reported that Ms Ferrari has been staying with him at his 4 million property in Chelsea, West London.

Farage explained at the time that she was staying with him simply to save money. She is someone I have worked with and known for a long time who wanted somewhere to stay for a week that wouldnt cost her any money. Its a working relationship. You can inflate it however you want to.

Whether his encounter with Ms Fox  who says she told the politician she was a glamour model  will ever amount to a working relationship is doubtful.

For although the latest woman in his life seems to share his love of publicity, Ms Fox was reticent about revealing too much of her personal background, other than to say she is from Richmond, South-west London, and is a mother. She says she has to guard her privacy because of what I do  a reference to the porn movies, presumably.

And then there is the escort service. In one profile, Ms Fox introduces herself: Hi boys, Im Valerie Fox, but then you already knew that. I am an English xxx star [sic] and have been in the industry since 2011 and I love it.

Ms Fox is horrified at being described as a 400-an-hour hooker, however, and is at pains to point out that this is only one aspect of her life. She is a blogger, a mother, and has worked as a hairdresser and make-up artist.

Her explanation as to how she ended up on a flight back from Atlanta, Georgia, is rather mysterious, however.

She says she had taken her children to Disney World in Florida and when they flew back to the UK with their nanny, she went on to Atlanta.

I had business there, she tells me. I was meeting someone.

How Mr Farage must wish he hadnt become that other someone in Ms Foxs life.

When they landed, Farage insisted, she says, on having his driver take her back to her flat in Marylebone, in central London.

We kissed again at my flat but there was no sex. Nigel suggested we go out to dinner. He wrote his number down and I told him his writing was rubbish and we laughed about that.

Mr Farage has denied he kissed Ms Fox while on the fight back to Heathrow Airport last month

A few texts were exchanged. Valerie sent a text saying shed loved their time together. He replied: So did I. Have not felt like that for years. You are fabulous.

Valerie replied: Cant stop thinking of you  so strange. Farage replied, she says: Snap.

She waited for his call, but it did not come.

Perhaps one of the reasons for Farages silence was the presence of Ms Ferrari  she was seen three days later coming out of his Chelsea property.

Not that there is anything romantic about their living arrangements. Mr Farage again made it clear this weekend that they are not having an affair, saying that Ms Ferrari is based in Paris, but sometimes stays with him when she is in London.

On Brexit Day last Wednesday, Valerie texted Farage to congratulate him. He replied: Thank you so much. I owe you a proper explanation for non-contact. Nigel.

Just Nigel. Not love Nigel  not even a kiss.

Then to make matters worse, the story of their in-flight encounter was leaked.

Im a very private person, she explains. Im quite shy. I did not want this attention. And I do not want Nigel to think that I am the cause of this. I made the mistake of telling a few girlfriends.

Ms Fox points out that she has 62,000 followers on Twitter due to her status as a porn star  she does not need to, nor wish to attract any more attention.

Her tweets about the episode, at first so full of admiration for Mr Farage, are now less fulsome.

One post read: Want to deny it? Ok lets go ask the flight crew.

For good measure, she tells me that the porter saw them walk into her apartment block, where Mr Farage stayed for 15 minutes.

Yesterday, Mr Farage was sticking to his story. Asked if he plans to meet with Ms Fox again, he said: No, I met her once and I havent spoken to her since.

She can say what she likes. I met her on an aeroplane. She pushed it further than I thought was right. Thats the end of it.

There is nothing to say. Nothing inappropriate has happened at all  and nor will it.

Today is Nigel Farages 53rd birthday. Valerie Fox may have wished him a happy Brexit Day, but perhaps he shouldnt hold out too much hope for a text wishing him Many Happy Returns.
Chicago police are seeking the arrest of a second boy, 15, in connection the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl that was streamed live on Facebook.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday night for the gang rape which was watched by at least 40 viewers on the social media site.

'We were able to identify two of these offenders and secure arrest warrants for them,' said Chicago Police Department Area Central Commander Deenihan at a press conference that was streamed on Facebook Sunday morning.

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Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson stands with 10th District officers at a press conference Sunday about the case of a 15-year-old girl who was raped

Chicago Police Department Area Central Detective Commander Brendan Deenihan said there are two arrest warrants so far in connection to the gang rape. The 14-year-old boy has been charged and he said the department expects the 15-year-old will be arrested soon

Police have said authorities were not aware of the attack until the mother of the girl (pictured) approached Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson as he was leaving a police station on the city's West Side and showed him the video

There are two arrest warrants issued so far and Detective Deenihan did not disclose the exact number of additional offenders.

Detective Deenihan said the victim is having a difficult time coping with the traumatic assault.

He said: 'We obviously have a video of the incident, so we have verifiable objective evidence of what occurred to this young lady, but shes just having a very difficult time.'

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a press release Saturday that the 14-year-old juvenile suspect faces felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.

'Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues,' Guglielmi said.

'BREAKING - Tonight, CPD arrested 1st of several juvenile offenders in Facebook sexual assault incident,' he tweeted.

Stacey Elkins (pictured), the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped in an attack that was live streamed on Facebook said neighborhood kids have been joking about the incident and harassing her family

The alleged incident occurred in mid-March.

Guglielmi has said police were not aware of the attack until the girl's mother approached Johnson as he was leaving a police station on the city's West Side and showed him the video.

Guglielmi said Johnson was 'visibly upset' after he watched, both by the video's content and the fact that there were '40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities'.

Police have said the attack involved five or six males.

During a press conference last month, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the harassment the family has been receiving is unsettling

The girl's mother, Stacey Elkins, said last month that her daughter received online threats following the attack.

The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girl's family had been relocated.

The video marks the second time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack that was broadcast live on Facebook.

In January, four people were arrested after video showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.
A Kansas man pleaded guilty Friday to beating his seven-year-old son to death and feeding his remains to pigs.

Michael A Jones, 46, of Piper, outside of Kansas City, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in the death of his son Adrian Jones.

The boy's remains were found in November 2015 near a barn on the rural property in Piper, where Jones lived with his wife Heather and eight children ranging in ages from one to 11.

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Michael A Jones, 46 (pictured), pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder in the death of his son Adrian Jones

Police say that Adrian Jones (above) was murdered by his parents, Michael and Heather Jones, then fed to pigs on rural property in Piper, Kansas

The other children reportedly lived in deplorable conditions. They were also home schooled, according to the Kansas City Star.

'Their house was horrible,' one woman who asked for anonymity told WSFA. 'Their house was just filthy. The kids lived in filth. Trash everywhere. Dried food all over the house.'

Dead mice, cages full of rats, syringes, rat poison and pornographic videos are just some of the things that were found inside the home.

Property owner Jennifer Hoevers, who rented the home to Michael and Heather, said she was shocked and disgusted when she went inside the property for the first time since theyd been jailed.

It took my breath away, she told Fox 4.

Fast food wrappers everywhere. Theres milk, rotting food everywhere.

Hoevers said Michael and Heather Jones were polite and respectful and showed interest in eventually buying the rural Kansas City home when they began renting more than two years ago.

Heather Jones (pictured), Adrian's 31-year-old stepmother, pleaded guilty in November to first-degree murder and child abuse

Police responded to a domestic violence call to the Jones's residence (pictured) on November 25, 2015, after Jones allegedly shot his wife

But now the $500,000 residence that Hoevers and her husband, who is currently deployed, put their entire life savings into has been trashed.

We had a lot of hopes and dreams for it, she said. We wanted someone else to enjoy it. We saw that they had kids.

Having little kids myself, I dont know how anybody could allow their kids to live like this.

Adrian's maternal grandmother, Judy Conway, told the Kansas City Star on Friday that she felt 'relieved' to hear about Jones's guilty plea.

'It makes me pretty happy,' said Conway. 'Im relieved that he (Jones) and Heather (Jones) will hopefully be behind bars for the rest of their life. It wont bring Adrian back, of course, but it makes me feel really good that neither one can hurt another child again.'

Property owner Jennifer Hoevers, who rented the home to Michael and Heather, said she was shocked and disgusted when she went inside the property (pictured) for the first time since theyd been jailed

Hoevers said there were fast food wrappers and rotting food everywhere (pictured), and black mold growing all over

The Jones family reportedly lived in deplorable conditions

Michael Williams, Heather Jones's brother, alleged that Michael had abused his wife and the children in the home for years

She said there were dead mice in every corner and cages of rats strewn about the house

Syringes (pictured) and pornographic videos were also strewn about the house

Heather Jones, Adrian's stepmother, pleaded guilty in November to first-degree murder and child abuse.

The 31-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole in 25 years. She was also sentenced to an additional five years and eight months after pleading guilty to two counts of child abuse.

Sentencing for Michael Jones will be May 3, reports the Kansas City Star. He faces life imprisonment with the possibility of parole in 25 years.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerry Gorman said this was "one of the worst things" investigators had ever seen.

Heather Jones bought the pigs in September 2015, around the same time authorities think the child may have been killed.

A police source reportedly told the outlet that authorities feared that the boy's remains may have been fed to the swine, according to KPTV.

Police responded to a domestic violence call to the home on November 25, 2015, after Jones allegedly shot his wife.

Hoevers (pictured) and her husband put their entire life savings into the $500,000 house

Hoevers said Michael and Heather Jones were polite and respectful and showed interest in eventually buying the rural Kansas City home when they began renting it a year and a half ago

Heather Jones' father, Jeff Coon, said his daughter called him on Thanksgiving and told him Michael had killed the little boy and it would be 'all over the news'.

'He fed him to the pigs, is all she said,' he told the Kansas City Star. 'She just told me it was going to be all over the news, and thats the last time we talked.'

Coon only learned days later that his daughter had been telling the truth.

'I dont know if I didnt want to believe her,' he said. 'She was just calm, just like were talking now. Thats why I never gave it another thought.'

Because of his estrangement with his daughter, Coon had not seen Adrian for two years.

'I just dont understand what that little boy had done to get what he got. Theres no reason for it,' he said of the young boy's death.

The babysitters for the family claimed that multiple people contacted the Kansas Department For Children and Families with concerns about the children and their living conditions at the home (pictured)

The babysitters for the family claimed that multiple people contacted the Kansas Department For Children and Families with concerns about the children and their living conditions.

It's unclear if anything was done.

Michael Williams, Heather Jones's brother, alleged that Michael had abused his wife and the children in the home for years.

'There are bullet holes in the walls of that house,' he told NBC News. 'So I'm sure you can understand what terror may have been going through that household daily.'
Five children between the ages of six and nine have died in a devastating house fire.

The home in Spearfish, South Dakota was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at around 4:30am on Saturday.

Authorities believe there were six children at a sleepover and five died.

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Five children between the ages of six and nine have died in a devastating house fire. Relatives posted this picture of five children on a GoFundMe page raising funds for the their family, but it is not known which of the youngsters in the large family were killed in the blaze

A photo memorial for the five children believed to have been killed in the fire was posted to Facebook

There were adults in the home at the time of the fire. They tried to save the children but were unsuccessful

There were adults present in the home who tried to save the children, but were unsuccessful.

They survived the blaze and were taken to the hospital.

'What we've seen this morning is an unspeakable horror, Spearfish Police Lieutenant Boyd Dean said, according to Fox News.

The names of the children have yet to be officially released, but GoFundMe and YouCaring pages have both been set up to support the families with funeral costs.

A photo has been uploaded of five children to the GoFundMe page, but the names of the victims has not been released.

Some of those killed are believed to be pictured.

The home on the intersection of Ames Street and Oliver Street in Spearfish, South Dakota was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived around 4:30am on Saturday

Members of the community are also heading a collection for the family who lived in the home, who have also lost all of their belongings.

Mountain View Baptist Church in Spearfish has served as the meeting ground for residents wishing to donate items such as clothing, blankets, and other household items.

One family involved reportedly contacted the church and informed them that they had lost everything in the fire - and are expecting a newborn baby in a month and a half, and another two-year-old child.

Officials are investigating, but as of Sunday no apparent cause of the fire had been determined.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch will get confirmed this week, with or without Democratic support.

'Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed this week,' McConnell said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. 'How that happens really depends on our Democratic friends, how many of them are willing to oppose cloture on a partisan basis to kill a Supreme Court nominee, never happened before in history, the whole history of our country.'

McConnell's Democratic counterpart, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., pointed out that Republicans likely don't have the votes needed to avoid a filibuster and should consider having the White House name a more moderate choice for the empty seat.

Mitch McConnell (left) and Chuck Schumer (right) appeared back-to-back on Meet the Press today and held opposing viewpoints on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch

McConnell says Judge Neil Gorsuch (pictured) will be confirmed this week, while Schumer said Gorsuch didn't have the votes. Republicans are likely to deploy the 'nuclear option,' which will change the rules so a 60-person procedural vote wouldn't be needed

'Gorsuch will not reach the 60-vote margin, Schumer told Chuck Todd. 'Instead of changing the rules, which is up to Mitch McConnell and the Republican majority, why doesn't President Trump, Democrats, and Republicans in the Senate, sit down, and try to come up with a mainstream nominee?'

Schumer suggested Republicans were acting like a 'cat on the top of a tree,' feeling forced into a corner to change the rules and get Trump's nominee through, though instead they should come back down to the ground and discuss selecting a different judge for the nation's highest court.



Republicans are threatening to deploy what's called the 'nuclear option,' which would change the rules so a 60-person procedural vote would no longer be needed to get a Supreme Court nominee's name to the floor.

The Democrats changed the rules when they were the majority party back in 2013, but kept the 60-vote threshold in place for Supreme Court nominees.

'Just about every nominee gets 60 votes because, in the past, presidents have actually consulted the other side before picking someone,' Schumer said. 'In this case, Donald Trump consulted the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, hard right groups with extreme special interest-oriented views.'





Senators from both parties are wagging their fingers at each other over Gorsuch, who Trump named 11 days into his presidency.

Many Capitol Hill Democrats still view this Supreme Court seat as their own, as Justice Antonin Scalia died on President Obama's watch, but the Republicans  in the majority  dragged their feet and wouldn't allow the Democratic president's nominee, Merrick Garland, to get a vote.

McConnell said this move was following tradition.

'Everyone knew, including President Obama's former White House counsel, that if the shoe fit on the other foot, they wouldn't have confirmed a Republican president's vacancy in the middle of a presidential election,' McConnell told Todd. 'So that clearly wasn't going to happen.'

'The American people decided they wanted to have Donald Trump make the nomination, not Hillary Clinton,' McConnell added.

When it was Schumer's turn on the program, Todd asked the Senate Minority Leader how the Democrats could be angered by a rule change, when their party did it first.

'Well, let's look at the history, our Republican colleagues had been holding back on just about all of so many lower court judges, including the very important D.C. circuit,' Schumer replied.

Schumer said he sat down with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., to try and persuade the Republicans to let some of Obama's nominees through, but was rebuffed.

'The answer was no, and we changed the rules, but the one thing that stands out here Chuck is that we didn't change it for Supreme Court, for one important reason,' Schumer said. 'And that is on the most important of decisions, 60 votes is called for.'

Schumer has expressed regret over the Democrats' rule change and McConnell said he didn't like the change either, but according to the Kentucky Republican, 'that's the precedent now.'

McConnell pushed back on Todd's assessment that this rule change would lead to a slippery slope that could someday see the filibuster go extinct.

'I don't think the legislative filibuster is in danger, it's a longstanding tradition of the Senate,' McConnell noted. 'The business of filibustering judges is quite new, all really begun by the current Democratic leader,' he added, referencing Schumer.
The new FX series 'Feud' details the decades-long rivalry between Joan Crawford (played by Jessica Lange) and Bette Davis (played by Susan Sarandon), and takes a close look at the one woman who had the most to gain from the pair's stormy relationship - Hedda Hopper (played by Judy Davis).

The Hollywood gossip queen had been writing her syndicated column for 24 years when Crawford and Davis got to work on 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' after getting her start in 1937 at the age of 52.

Her success was the culmination of a long show business career that started on Broadway and then peaked when she became a contract player for MGM during the Hollywood Golden Era.

The acting offers began to dry up mid-30s and by then Hopper was broke after losing money in the stock market crash while trying to raise her son as a single mother.

That is when the daughter of a Baptist butcher from Pennsylvania decided to try her hand at gossip, with her daily column soon leading to radio and television appearances as well as film cameos.

It is also reported she played a very big and often uncredited role in helping her longtime friend Crawford make sure that Davis lost the Best Actress Oscar in 1963 for 'Baby Jane.'

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Gossip girl: Hedda Hopper (above in 1944) ruled Hollywood from 1937 until her death in 1965 with her famous syndicated gossip column

Still life: Hopper (left in 1922, right in 1939) got her show business start after running away from her Pennsylvania home to Broadway, where she was a chorus girl

Bow down: Hopper is played by Australian great and two-time Academy Award nominee Judy Davis on 'Feud' (above)

Hopper was born Elda Furry in 1885, one of the at least seven children of Margaret and David Furry.

The family moved to Altoona, Pennsylvania when she was just three, a life that Hopper was not keen on from the start she said in her 1952 memoir 'From Under My Hat.'

That is why she decided to run away from her home and head to the bright light of Broadway, where she found work as a chorus girl.

She did not have any real success on the stage, but did manage to get enough notice to land her first big screen role in the 1916 film 'The Battle of Hearts.'

Hopper continued in bit parts for the next few years, before getting her big break in the 1918 picture 'Virtuous Wives.'

Her success was not due to her acting however but rather her wardrobe, something that actors were responsible for putting together at the time.

In what proved to be the greatest investment she would ever make, Hopper put her entire $5,000 salary from the film into purchasing gowns, hats and coats from the designer Lucille in New York.

'Producers who didnt know my name began to say, "Get whats her name who played the rich woman in Virtuous Wives. Shell dress this,"' wrote Hopper in her memoir.

Hopper was eventually offered a contract with MGM in 1923, one year after her divorce from her first and only husband DeWolf Hopper.

He was also an actor and almost 30 years his wife's senior, with the two marrying in 1913 after his divorce from his fourth wife.

Hopper was then left to raise her son on their own, and for a while the two were fine, but by 1930 things were not looking good for the once rising star.

Unable to book roles and in need of money, Hopper tried her hand at becoming an agent and even ran for local county seat in Los Angeles as a Republican, but ultimately lost in the election.

She also dabbled in real estate and taught English to European stars at Paramount before someone pointed out her uncanny ability to always know the best gossip about the studio stars.

And that is when, at the age of 52, she debuted her syndicated column Hedda Hopper's Hollywood.

The Women: Her first film role came in 1916 and in 1923 she was offered a studio contract with MGM, one year after divorcing her first and only husband (l to r: Hopper, Phyllis Povah, Rosalind Russell, and Joan Crawford on the set of 'The Women' in 1939)

Cheers: Hopper also fueled the feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, which can now be seen in the FX show 'Feud' (Davis and Jessica Lange as Hopper and Crawford in episode six of the series)

The column quickly took off and she soon gained a reputation for being viciously cruel to those who lied to her or gave stories to her rival at the time, Louella Parsons.

She became famous for her hats, which she continued to wear with aplomb and featuring such trinkets as Easter Eggs and the Eifel Tower perched atop the feathers and furs which often lined her headwear.

In one note she sent off to a designer, Hopper wrote: 'I created a sensation at the Beverly Club last night in our black feather hat. Of course, I couldnt see. But everybody saw me and came over and commented.'

Hopper had her hats mocked in a Time cover

Hopper was also a strong supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committee and refused to mention or name any star accused of being a Communist in her columns.

She began the job getting $50 each week and by the 1950s she was making approximately $250,000 a year while live in a mansion she referred to as 'The House Fear Built.'

When actress Merle Oberon once asked her why she wrote such mean things, Hopper infamously told the woman: 'B****ery, dear. Sheer b****ery.'

It was two years into her new role that she became close with Crawford when she worked with the actress in 'The Women.'

Hopper played a society columnist while Crawford was a salesgirl having an affair with a married man in the George Cukor classic.

Over the next 25 years, Crawford would become one of Hopper's most loyal and dependable sources for gossip, especially when she began work on 'Baby Jane.'

Things initially seemed to be going well on the set of the film, and Hopper had both Crawford and Davis over to her home for dinner before production began for an column she later published.

In the piece, Hopper wrote about how well the two women were getting along despite rumors and reports that they were at each other's throats.

'Everyone expected a power play from these two who are accustomed to dominating the scene. Rumors of bad feelings and tart exchanges between them were already circulating,' wrote Hopper.

'I told them we haven't had much excitement around here lately and they should start fighting and bring this place to life.'

Family: The movie offers began drying up the 1930s for Hopper, who was a single mother, and she was eventually offered a syndicated column at the age of 52 (Hopper and son William in 1940 above)

Most popular: Hopper released two memoirs, first 'From Under My Hat' in 1952 (left) and then 'The Whole Truth and Nothing But' in 1962 (right)

In the beginning: One of Hopper's most well known columns was about her dinner with Crawford and Bette Davis before 'Baby Jane' started production (Lange, Davis and Sarandon as Davis in a scene from that dinner in episode one of Feud)

It was Hopper who would later go on to write of many a bad feeling and tart exchange between the two thanks to her informant Crawford, who could be less than truthful at times.

The animosity began when someone gave Hopper a story about Crawford's enhanced bust, and said that Davis was not a fan of her 'perky' look on the film.

'Baby Jane' director Robert Aldrich is depicted as the source behind this anonymous report in 'Feud,' but that has never been confirmed.

Crawford believed Davis had leaked the story to Hopper and so she gave her own story to Hopper's rival Parsons.

Hopper in a 1928 photo from her MGM days

That is when an angry Hopper and Crawford decided to start working together, and formed the team that would take down Davis soon after when she was nominated for Best Actress.

Hopper helped Crawford by calling up some of the over 600 Academy voters to relay stories about how awful Davis had been on the set of 'Baby Jane' to her costar, with most of the stories being partially or entirely false.

And it was Hopper who is alleged to have given Crawford the idea to offer herself up to accept the Oscar of those women who could not be at the ceremony, which worked out well when Anne Bancroft was declared the winner while on Broadway.

Crawford meanwhile was exalted by Hopper most of the time, and in her 1962 memoir 'The Whole Truth' the gossip columnist only included fawning references to the fading movie star.

'Joan Crawford won't venture out of her Fifth Avenue apartment to buy an egg unless she is dressed to the teeth,' wrote Hopper at one point.

She also wrote about how Crawford made her first husband Douglas Fairbanks Jr. 'a man' while praising the helpfulness of 'an experienced woman.'

Hopper worked until the day she died of double pneumonia in 1966 at the age of 80.

And then, in a homecoming of sorts, she was buried back in Altroon, Pennsylvania.

Hopper was working just before she was admitted to the hospital, having filed her column after attending a premiere and wile still very much in demand, which is exactly as she hoped to pass.

She once wrote: 'Two of the cruelest, most primitive punishments our town deals out to those who fall from favor are the empty mailbox and the silent telephone.'
Egypt's Court of Cassation rejected on Sunday an appeal by 18 Muslim Brotherhood members against an order placing them on an official list of "terrorist organizations."

The appeal was filed by several leading figures in the now-banned Islamist group, including its supreme guide Mohamed Badie, along with Mohamed Mahdi Akef, Saad El-Katatny, Khairat El-Shater, Mohamed El-Beltagy, Essam El-Erian, Mahmoud Ezzat and Hossam Abu Bakr.

They were appealing against an order issued by the country's general prosecutor following the designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation in December 2013 in the aftermath of deadly attacks on security forces by supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Several of the leaders, including Badie, have had several death sentences issued against them, as well as prison sentences in various cases related to violence.

In one such case, known as the "Mokattam clashes", relating to a deadly standoff outside the Brotherhood's headquarters that took place weeks before Morsi's ouster, the Islamist figures were found guilty of murder, attempted murder and arms possession.

Since 2014, Egypt has been attempting to expand the designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation internationally, particularly in the UK and US.

Egyptian officials are expected to attempt to convince US President Donald Trump and his administration to declare the Brotherhood a terrorist organization during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Washington this week.

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Malcolm Turnbull's future is looking 'grim' as support for the government wanes, political commentator Graham Richardson has warned.

The latest Newpoll has found the Coalition's support has slipped again, with the Government now trailing Labor by 47 to 53 on a two-party preferred basis.

Other recent polls have put the government at 45 to 55, however Mr Richardson believes the latest Newspoll rating was closer to the mark.

'One thing is for sure, they aren't looking good down there in Canberra, the Coalition,' the political commentator and former Labor senator told the Today Show.

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The Coalition government led by Malcolm Turnbull (pictured on Saturday) is trailing the Labor Party 47 to 53

'Things are looking grim for them. If they don't start to get better soon I think they have had it.'

The latest Newspoll revealed a dip in the Turnbull government's primary vote from 37 per cent to 36 per cent over the past two weeks after debates on company tax cuts and racial hate laws.

On Friday, the government announced a company tax cut of $24 billion to 2026-27 after negotiations with the Nick Xenophon team.

But Mr Richardson said the reform would have a marginal effect on support for the government.

'Remember, this is now April and you go back to the election was July. It is a long time. Yet, it is only now he can say he has done something. It is a long time before he could say, "Look at me, I got something right".

Newspoll results show Mr Turnbull has lost ground to Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister to lead by 41 per cent to 32 per cent

'Things are looking grim for them. If they don't start to get better soon I think they have had it,' Graham Richardson told Today Show

One Nation party has kept 10 per cent of the vote share, according to the Newspoll results

'The tax cuts was a big deal and he got it through but it is not enough and it is way too late.

'Unless he gets a reputation as a person who does things rather than not he will be in terminal trouble, probably.'

Newspoll results show Mr Turnbull has lost ground to Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister to lead by only 41 per cent to 32 per cent, reversing some of the gains he made after unveiling plans to expand the Snowy Mountains hydropower scheme.

Meanwhile the One Nation party has kept its 10 per cent of the vote share, matching the support the Greens have in the electorate.
Think-tank head Laure Ferrari was seen coming out of Nigel Farage's West London home, nearly two months after the Mail on Sunday revealed they had been sharing the property

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage is said to be dating the glamorous French politician 16 years his junior.

Laure Ferrari, the head of a think-tank at the centre of an investigation into alleged illegal funding of his party, was seen coming out of his house in West London  nearly two months after The Mail on Sunday first revealed that they had been sharing the property.

At the time, the Brexiteer said that suggestions they were lovers were 'crackers' and that he was just providing Ms Ferrari with 'short-term' help.

But he is said to have called Ms Ferrari his 'partner' to Valerie Fox - the woman he allegedly kissed on a flight from Atlanta to London.

The glamour model, 30, told The Sun: 'He called the French woman his partner. I was surprised.'

'I asked him about his wife. He just said, "She's f****** huge. She's so big". I didn't like that, he'd nothing nice to say about her.

'And he was very dismissive about his French girlfriend. He just said they were dating.'

On Saturday night Mr Farage, who celebrates his 53rd birthday today, confirmed that Ms Ferrari had stayed at his home last weekend, and repeated his denial that they were having an affair.

He said she was based in Paris, but sometimes stayed with him 'when she is in London', adding: 'So what?'

Ms Ferrari, 37, who first became involved in politics as a result of a chance meeting with Mr Farage ten years ago while she was working as a waitress in Strasbourg, is the executive director of the Institute for Direct Democracy in Europe (IDDE).

Last November, the Electoral Commission announced it was opening an investigation into whether Ukip had accepted 'impermissible donations' from IDDE and the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE), the political party to which it is affiliated.

It followed an audit by the European Parliament which concluded that ADDE and IDDE used EU grant funding for the benefit of Ukip in breach of its rules, though the claims have been strongly contested by Ukip.

Last Saturday, Ms Ferrari was spotted at about 11am leaving Mr Farage's rented home in Chelsea by a back door before being photographed buying newspapers in a shop a few minutes' walk away.

Valerie Fox photographed the former Ukip leader on board the Virgin Atlantic flight last month

Ms Fox, pictured, was sitting across from Mr Farage in the Upper Class section of the flight

She was then seen returning to the three-storey Georgian house, entering through the same door. About ten minutes later, Mr Farage was spotted going out the same way, hurrying into a chauffeur-driven Land Rover Discovery and being driven away.

In another twist, porn star Ms Fox told a national newspaper that Mr Farage, who is married but separated from his German-born wife Kirsten, had 'snogged and groped' her during a flight from the US to Britain last month.

The model, who has appeared in several adult films, said she found herself sitting next to him in the first-class cabin of a Virgin Atlantic overnight flight as he returned to Heathrow from Atlanta, Georgia, ten days ago.

The Sun reported claims they had flirted before he 'smothered' her with kisses and fondled her.

Two months ago, Farage told the MoS that suggestions they were lovers were 'crackers' and that he was just providing Ms Ferrari with 'short-term' help

Mr Farage confirmed Ms Ferrari had stayed at his Chelsea home (pictured) last weekend and said he was based in Paris, but sometimes stayed with him 'when she is in London', adding: 'So what?'

Ms Fox, pictured, has appeared in pornographic movies and worked as a 400-an-hour escort

Ms Fox was quoted as saying: 'He had absolutely no qualms about anyone else seeing us together. Our hands were everywhere. We even joked about having a quickie in the toilet but the cabin crew were constantly around. We thought they were genuinely checking we didn't join the mile-high club.'

The paper said after the flight, Mr Farage gave Ms Fox a lift to her flat. Mr Farage said last night: 'A person you meet on a plane gets overfriendly with you and you drop them off and that is the end of it. If you are well-known, people are coming up to you all the time.'

He added that the advances had come from Ms Fox and that 'it's all a set-up, isn't it?'
A 10-year-old bright red Ferrari that was owned by Donald Trump went on the auction block in Florida on Saturday and sold for $270,000, auctioneers said.

Bidding for the 2007 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe was expected to be between $250,000 and $350,000, Bloomberg reported.

On the Fort Lauderdale auction block, at which 'Hail to the Chief' played over a sound system, the highest bid was $245,000 - $5,000 below the reserve price.

A red Ferrari (pictured) once owned by Donald Trump sold at an auction in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for $270,000. It was expected to go for between $250,000 and $350,000

Donald Trump owned the vehicle from 2007 to 2011 and accumulated 2,400 miles on the car. The second unidentified owner, who sold it at auction, brought the mileage up to a still-low 6,000

But 'just minutes after it left the podium,' the vehicle sold for $270,000, said Auctions America, CNN Money reported.

The organization did not provide details of who purchased, or who sold, the car.

'Similar versions of the model without the celebrity provenance traditionally bring between $125,000 - $175,000 depending on mileage, condition and optional equipment,' said Auctions America spokeswoman Amy Christie.

The vehicle was owned by Donald Trump from 2007 to 2011. He drove the car for 2,400 miles.

The second unidentified owner, who auctioned the car off this weekend, brought the mileage up to a still-low 6,000.

Hagerty Insurance spokesman Jonathan Klinger told Bloomberg: 'The appeal is slightly lower than if [bidders] were buying the car directly from Trump.'

He added that the president's 'polarizing' nature could have also affected the lower-than-expected sell.

The highest bid while the car was on the auction block was $245,000 - $5,000 less than the owner's reserve price. But right after it left the podium, it sold for $270,000

The successful bidder also received the original title of the car, complete with Trump's 'bold signature'

The vehicle nonetheless did set a record - it was the highest price for an F430 Couple with an automatic transmission.

Models with a manual transmission can sell for up to 75 percent more than the Trump model, according to Hagerty Insurance.

The successful bidder, in addition to the car, will receive the original title with Trump's 'bold signature.'
India's government has given up on making contact with the islanders and established a ban on visiting there

by the Sentinelese for drawing too close to their shores

Islanders have been known to fire arrows or toss stones at low-flying aircraft on reconnaissance missions

Rare footage has been compiled of the few times outsiders have attempted to contact them since the 1960s

The indigenous tribe has lived on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean for an estimated 60,000 years

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They may well be the last humans left on the planet who remain totally isolated from modern civilization.

But rare footage has emerged of the indigenous Sentinelese tribe, located on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean - which is so hostile to visitors that nearly every attempt at contact with them in the past has been met with violence.

Two fisherman were slaughtered by the Sentinelese in 2006 for drawing too close, and tribesman have been known to fire arrows and fling rocks at low-flying planes or helicopters on reconnaissance missions.

In a collection of footage from a mini-documentary which has racked up close to two million views on YouTube, members of the tribe are seen gesturing in a clearly aggressive manner at cameramen who were hoping to interact with the tribe.

Rare footage (pictured) has emerged of the indigenous Sentinelese tribe, located on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean

As explained by the narrator on the video, compiled by LoveBite Productions, the Sentinelese are thought to be direct descendants from the first humans who emerged from Africa, and have lived on the island for more than 60,000 years.

It's almost impossible to say how many of them remain on the landmass - which is about the size of Manhattan and is part of Indias chain of Andaman Islands - but estimates have come in at anywhere between 40 and 500.

'It doesn't matter whether you are a friend or enemy, whether you arrived on purpose or by accident, the locals will greet you the same way with spears and arrows,' the narrator states.

'Gifts of food and clothing are of no importance to them.'

Indeed, following the 2004 tsunami, which hit several regions of the Indian Ocean, helicopters from the Indian Coast Guard were sent to help the Sentinelese and drop food parcels. One of the tribesmen responded by firing an arrow at the rescue team.

The Sentinelese, captured here in rare footage, are thought to be direct descendants from the first humans who emerged from Africa, and have lived on the island for more than 60,000 years

The collection of footage, which shows children (left) and adults from the tribe (right) features in a mini-documentary which has racked up close to two million views on YouTube

Following the 2004 tsunami, helicopters from the Indian Coast Guard were sent to drop food parcels, but this tribesmen responded by firing an arrow at the rescue team

Indian authorities have made it a crime to try to make contact with the Sentinelese, and it is illegal to go within three miles of the island

'It doesn't matter whether you are a friend or enemy, whether you arrived on purpose or by accident, the locals will greet you the same way with spears and arrows,' the narrator states

In 1967, the Indian government begun making attempts to contact the Sentinelese, led by anthropologist T. N. Pandit, who would leave the tribe gifts and try to signal to them.

'Sometimes they would turn their backs to us and sit on their haunches as if to defecate,' Pandit remarked of his mission.

Gifts of food and clothing are of no importance to them

'This was meant to insult us as were not welcome.'

In March 1970, Pandit's group found themselves cornered in their boats after coming too close to shore. An eyewitness from a different boat reported at the time: 'They all began shouting some incomprehensible words. We shouted back and gestured to indicate that we wanted to be friends.

'The tension did not ease. At this moment, a strange thing happened  a woman paired off with a warrior and sat on the sand in a passionate embrace. This act was being repeated by other women, each claiming a warrior for herself, a sort of community mating, as it were. Thus did the militant group diminish.'

This satellite image taken by NASA shows an aerial view of North Sentinel Island, which is about the size of Manhattan

Survival International describes the Sentinelese as the most vulnerable society on the planet as they are likely to have no immunity to diseases such as flu

In 1967, the Indian government begun making attempts to contact the Sentinelese, led by anthropologist T. N. Pandit, who would leave the tribe gifts and try to signal to them

It's almost impossible to say how many of them remain on the landmass but estimates have come in at anywhere between 40 and 500. Pictured is the dense tree canopy on the island, which has remained untouched by modern civilisation for centuries

According to the documentary's narrator, there has only been one instance in which outsiders did not have to face an aggressive reception.

On January 4th 1991, 28 men, women and children approached Mr Pandit and his group without hostility before retreating into the forest in a gesture he called 'incredible'.

Indian authorities have since made it a crime to try to make contact with the Sentinelese. It is illegal to go within three miles of the island.

But the waters surrounding the island appear to be under threat by illegal fishermen.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s several tribespeople were killed in battles with armed salvagers who visited the island to recover iron and other goods from a shipwreck

Survival International reported in 2014 that it had received reports that fishermen are targeting the area, with seven men being apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard.

One of the fishermen reportedly stepped foot on the island in close proximity to the tribes members, and he managed to leave unscathed.

The group, which advocates for tribal peoples rights, describes the Sentinelese as the most vulnerable society on the planet as they are likely to have no immunity to common diseases such as flu and measles.

Due to their complete isolation, the chances of them being wiped out by an epidemic are very high, according to the organisation.
Channel Nine's Amber Sherlock recently admitted she 'possibly overreacted,' when she told colleague Julie Snook to put a jacket on, so they don't wear the same colour on television.

And after the 'jacketgate' scandal made international headlines, The Daily Telegraph is reporting that blonde beauty Julie is set to make fun of the scandal.

According to the publication, the presenter will address the incident in a racing commercial for the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick, which takes place at the weekend.

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Taking a dig? Julie Snook (pictured) will make fun of the 'jacketgate' scandal in a new racing commercial

The publication reports that Julie was joined by Olympian Chloe Esposito, Fox's Yvonne Sampson and Sportbets Jaime Rogers in the ad, with the women being all dressed in white.

The women also skipped getting paid for the ad and sweetly donated $10,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Julie recently shared on her Instagram account a shot of herself stunning in a white blouse and black pencil skirt as she stood beside her co-stars while shooting the ad.

Meltdown: Amber Sherlock (M) recently admitted she 'possibly overreacted,' when she told colleague Julie Snook to put a jacket on, so they don't wear the same colour on television (pictured)

A swipe? The publication reports that Julie was joined by Olympian Chloe Esposito (R), Fox's Yvonne Sampson (second L) and Sportbets Jaime Rogers (L) in the ad, with the women being all dressed in white

Jamie wears a white blouse, and Yvonne and Chloe wear white dresses, with part of the caption reading: 'Who run the world? Girls.'

Fans flocked to comment underneath, with one writing: 'Lucky Amber wasn't there,' adding a cheeky face emoji.

After the jacketgate scandal in January, Amber broke her silence last month, telling The Daily Telegraph that she 'possibly overreacted', when getting upset at Julie for wearing the same colour outfit.

She also cited stress, tiredness and the hot weather in defense of her actions and thought the media attention was overblown.

Brushing it off: Amber also cited stress, tiredness and the hot weather in defense of her actions and thought the media attention was overblown

In the interview, she stopped short of apologising to Julie.

The leaked footage showed her demanding Julie put on a jacket so the two women were not both wearing white on screen.

Speaking to her producer, Amber said: 'I need Julie to put a jacket on because we're all in white. I asked her before we came on Julie you need to put a jacket on.'

Julie defended herself, insisting she had not had time to change out of her outfit.

But Amber refused to back down, replying: 'Come on I told you two hours ago.'

Her fellow 9 News reporter apologised and said she had been 'flat out' and had not had time to switch into a different colour.

Ouch: In the interview, she stopped short of apologising to Julie

But a furious Amber had no time for her apology and continued to demand she get changed before going live.

Psychologist Ms Rea, who by this point looked very uncomfortable, offered to find a jacket herself, as she was wearing white too.

The incident sparked a massive wave of social media backlash, with several comments far too vulgar to print.

'Put a jacket on. You deserve all the hate coming to you,' one user wrote.

Another said: 'Shame on you Amber poor bullying behaviour [sic].

'I thought women were getting past that mean girl mentality especially at your age.

Despite calls from the public to have Amber fired, Channel Nine showed confidence in the embattled presenter.

The duo have not worn the same outfit on-air since.
He's best known as one of the famed judges who dish out criticism on My Kitchen Rules.

But it seems that Manu Feildel doesn't want to take it in return, with the chef banning food critics from the opening of his new pop-up restaurant Duck In Duck Out in Sydney.

Talking to The Daily Telegraph, the French star revealed he was 's**t scared' of his new venture, after already suffering two failed attempts.

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Duck In Duck Out: Manu Feildel doesn't want to cop any criticism after having faced two failing restaurants, with the chef banning food critics from the opening of his new pop-up in Sydney

To help ward off his nerves Manu has carefully chosen who is invited to the opening of the duck-themed restaurant.

'We are inviting food bloggers and magazine editors,' he said before adding: 'But the food critics dont need to come here. Its not for them.'

Instead he planned to 'let the customer be the judge' turning the voice of his success to the people's opinion.

'I dont need the food critic to be the judge. Its one person being the judge instead of the masses,' he said.

Themed-menu: The restaurant, which launches in Surry Hills on Wednesday, will serve and entirely duck-based menu

Partner in crime: Helping Manu manage the restaurant will be acclaimed chef Phil Davenport, with the two teasing their venture on Instagram earlier this week

The pop-up restaurant will run for nearly three months, between April 6 and June 30, serving duck-based products seven days a week.

Patrons will be able to enjoy their lunch or dinners in the covered courtyard, or get them as fast food takeaway.

The menu is said to include upmarket twists on old classics, including a duck hot-dog, duck bao bun and even duck fat chips.

Failed attempts: The My Kitchen Rules judge faced flops with his last two restaurants, Apertiff and La Grande Cirque

Manu has stepped out of the kitchen though, with business partner Phil Davenport serving as the head chef.

The pair have reportedly been working on the restaurant for 10 months, performing a test run earlier in the year at the Elizabeth Street Courtyard.

It comes after the My Kitchen Rules judge faced flops with his last two restaurants, Apertiff and La Grande Cirque.

Before those closed, Manu had successfully managed the restaurant LEtoile for six years, before he passed duties on to another in 2014.
She's got an incredible body, and isn't afraid to show it off.

And on Saturday, Kaley Cuoco put her sculpted legs on full display in a silky black dress for a taping of Variety Studio's Actors on Actors.

The 31-year-old actress wowed in the floor-length frock, which featured a deep thigh-high slit.

Beaming beauty: Kaley Cuoco put her sculpted legs on full display in a silky black dress for a taping of Variety Studio's Actors on Actors Presented By Shutterstock on Saturday; seen with Anthony Anderson

For the show, Kaley and fellow actor Anthony Anderson interviewed each other while at Variety's Los Angeles studio.

The Big Bang Theory star chose a simple long-sleeved number with a loose fit and blazer-inspired design.

Kaley added black shoes with a chunky heel.

The beauty styled her blonde locks loose with a deep side part and slight waves.

Stunning: The 31-year-old actress wowed in the floor-length frock, which featured a deep thigh-high slit

Kaley rocked smokey eye makeup with glossy lips and a touch of blush on her cheeks.

She later posed for pictures with Anthony, who looked handsome in a plaid blazer with jeans and a white button up.

The golden haired beauty stars on The Big Bang Theory as Penny; she has played the character since 2007.

Having a laugh: For the show, Kaley and fellow actor Anthony Anderson interviewed each other while at Variety's Los Angeles studio

Strike a pose: The Big Bang Theory star chose a simple long-sleeved number with a loose fit and blazer-inspired style; with Anthony

Stylish: Kaley added black shoes with a chunky heel

Focused: The beauty styled her blonde locks loose with a deep side part and slight waves

Anthony stars as Andre 'Dre' Johnson Sr. on the series Black-ish.

Kaley is currently in a relationship with equestrian Karl Cook.

On Friday, she shared a snap of herself with her beau in Omaha, Nebraska; the starlet captioned it: 'Finally visiting Penny's hometown of #nebraska. Only took me 10 years! @bigbangtheory_cbs.'

Playful: Anthony stars as Andre 'Dre' Johnson Sr. on the series Black-ish

Fun times: Kaley pictured with actress Pamela Aldon in between filming the special
He promised that he would give up cocaine after his new girlfriend gave him an ultimatum.

And Marco Pierre White Jr says he's keeping to his word, after revealing that he has gone cold turkey on his TV chef dad's farm in Wiltshire.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star, 22, says he feels 'so much better' since quitting the Class A drug, adding that he's the 'best [he's] been in over a decade'.

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Cold turkey: Marco Pierre White Jr says he feels 'so much better' since giving up cocaine

He put the change in his lifestyle down to his business student girlfriend Francesca Suter - whose name he's now got tattooed down the side of his body.

Marco told The Mirror: 'My rehab is being here on the farm at my dads hotel

'Now Im relaxing, tending to the animals. Weve got pigs, bulls  and turkeys. And Ive got Francesca.'

'She's the most amazing girl': He previously revealed he was giving up the drug after his new girlfriend Francesca Suter gave him an ultimatum

Speaking about the blonde beauty, he added: 'Ive never felt like this about anyone before. I dont want it to end. Shes the most amazing girl.'

He also revealed that doctors told him that his nose was in danger of collapsing if he continued snorting cocaine.

Marco had previously revealed that he was giving up cocaine in February, but vowed to continue smoking marijuana.

Speaking at the time, he said: 'I don't class weed as a drug, weed is not a drug for me, it's a way of life, I'm never going to stop that s***.'

Worrying: Last week, the former Celebrity Big Brother star shared images of himself on Snapchat in which he appeared to be snorting the sedative Quaaludes

The reality TV star has flooded Instagram with photographs of himself cuddling up with his pretty new girlfriend, while constantly expressing his love for her.

His revelation about toning down his drug use came weeks after he hit headlines for falling asleep on a park bench following a vodka binge and strolling shirtless through London in chilly winter temperatures.

The embattled star has been on a downward spiral since exiting the Big Brother house in June, with frequent brushes with the law, blatant drug use and a number of distressing social media posts.

Wild child: Marco soared to fame last summer when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother

Marco soared to fame last summer when he appeared on the Channel 5 show, where he caused controversy after having sex with Laura Carter on screen.

Since departing the reality programme, the celebrity offspring has frequently hit headlines as he used his Snapchat account to detail what appeared to be drug binges.

Last week, he shared images of himself on Snapchat in which he appeared to be snorting the sedative Quaaludes.

A disturbing video showed him sneezing out a stream of blood, prompting him to nonchalantly quip: 'Thank f**k I have cleaners, just snorted a Quaalude.'

Loved up: The reality TV star has flooded Instagram with photographs of himself cuddling up with his pretty new girlfriend
The Kyle And Jackie O Show is known for bringing in big names on their show.

But when it comes to chatting about their celebrity friends on the airwaves, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have different views about where to draw the line.

Shock jock Kyle, 45, is not one to shy away from running a story about his friends in the media industry and he recently went into specifics about just how far he's willing to go for his job in an interview published in The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.

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'I feel for him as a mate': Kyle Sandilands said he has no problem with running a story about his friend Today Show host Karl Stefanovic in light of his recent separation from his wife of 21 years Cassandra Thorburn

'Oh, I never think twice about running a Karl story, I'll run that no problem,' he said referring to Today show host Karl Stefanovic.

In October 2016, Karl separated from his wife of 21 years former ABC journalist Cassandra Thorburn, 44, and he his new romance with younger model Jasmine Yarbrough, 33, continues to make headlines.

'I feel for him as a mate, but I did talk about it on the air then I read out a message on the air that he sent me and he thought that was crossing the borders,' he added.

New flame: Karl has since moved on with his new girlfriend shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough after meeting her at a boat party in December

High profile friends: Kyle said 'Oh, I never think twice about running a Karl story, I'll run that no problem'

Meanwhile his co-host Jackie said that it gets tricky separating the demands successful show and the friendships they've developed.

'A lot of the time you might get a Karl Stefanovic story that crosses your desk and you think 'do I avoid doing that story?' she revealed to the publication.

Karl has since moved on with shoe designer 33-year-old partner Jasmine Yarbrough after meeting her at a boat party in December and have been spotted out and about Sydney.

Flaunting their love: Karl and Jasmine have been spotted out and about Sydney

Shock split: Karl and ex-wife, former ABC journalist Cassandra Thornburn separated in October 2016

Over the weekend, he attended his younger brother Peter's wedding to fellow Nine News reporter Sylvia Jefferys on Saturday.

The intimate ceremony was held in Kangaroo Valley in the New South Wales southern highlands, with friends, family and close colleagues such as Richard Wilkins, Tim Gilbert and Lisa Wilkinson present.

Karl, who served as a groomsman, attended the ceremony on his own.

Neither his ex-wife or girlfriend were there with Sylvia citing she did not want a 'media circus' surrounding her nuptials.
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Kat Graham just wrapped up her hit series Vampire Diaries and is now saying goodbye to something else: her Hollywood Hills home.

The 27-year-old just put the Cahuenga Canyon property on the market for 1.3 million.

The secluded Spanish-style abode comes complete with a meditation room, recording studio and relaxing courtyard.

Moving on: Kat Graham is letting go of her secluded Hollywood Hills home

Asking price: The Vampire Diaries talent is selling her Cahuenga Canyon abode for a crisp 1.3million. Above, you can see the 27-year-old starlet during Paris Fashion Week, early March

The two-bedroom, two-bath abode is nestled within a private gated community and sprawls over 2,174 square feet.

Kat snagged the home in 2012 for $849,000, so the Swiss American talent is looking to make a nice profit on the spot.

The Spanish-style home is outfitted with a state of the art kitchen, stone courtyard with fountains and benches and a recording studio on site.

Amenities: The Spanish-styled home comes complete with a meditation room, den, recording studio and zen-like stone garden. Above you can see the den and fireplace

Top chef: The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, vintage tiles and marble countertops

Built in 1927, the home has been remodeled but its original architecture remains intact.

The vaulted ceilings and heavy wooden beams act as a subtle reference to Spanish architecture.

The property is listed with Westside Estate Agency.

Zen residence: A calming meditation room offers the perfect addition to the secluded property

A classic: The canyon home, built in 1927, is listed with Westside Estate Agency

Right now, the CW starlet is pivoting her focus from acting to music.

The video for her single Sometimes dropped Friday, offering candy colored funk vibes with nineties smooth vocals.

'Im somebody who doesnt believe in conforming to maybe whatever is on the radio,' she told Billboard late last year.

Kat is currently putting the final touches on her sophomore album, where she was lucky enough to work with Babyface, Randy Jackson and the late Prince.
A Cairo criminal court issued a preliminary death sentence on Sunday against controversial Muslim preacher Wagdy Ghoneim and two other men after they were convicted of inciting to murder security forces and Christians, Ahram Arabic website reported.

Today's death sentence ruling against Ghoneim and his co-defendants awaits the non-binding consultative opinion of the countrys grand mufti, as per Egypt's penal code, before it becomes official.

The court sentenced the controversial Salafist preacher in absentia.

Ghoneim is believed to be currently residing in Turkey.

The court has set 29 April to issue its final verdict against Ghoneim, and announce verdicts against five others in the case.

In 2016, Egypts high state security prosecution referred the eight defendants to court on charges of founding an illegal group with the aim of obstructing the law, preventing state institutions from doing their jobs, and attacking the personal freedoms of citizens. The defendants were also charged with inciting to topple the regime and attack Christians and security forces.

Any final death sentence against Ghoneim and the two other defendants is subject to appeal.

Ghoneim has faced several lawsuits and trials in Egypt since 2012 over statements considered offensive to women and Christians.

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He's the shock jock who is never afraid to speak his mind when it comes to controversial topics.

And that was the case again Saturday, when Kyle Sandilands opened up about former employer 2DayFM.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the KIIS FM host confirmed rumours his former radio station had offered him and co-star Jackie O Henderson 'huge money' to return.

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'We told them to go 'f**k themselves': KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands ervealed Saturday that former radio station 2DayFM had offered him and co-star Jackie O Henderson 'huge money' to return

In the revealing interview, Kyle said 2DayFM had pulled out all the stops to secure the audience-sustaining duo once more.

He revealed: 'They offered us huge money to go back there and we told them to go f**k themselves.'

Kyle said one of the reasons he turned down the chance was because he could not trust the team, as the offer came while the network were publicly supporting their hosts at the time - Sam Frost and Rove McManus.

'Im reading articles from their management saying theyre going to stand by Rove and Sam when Ive got offers on the table to go and replace them,' he said.

'So I dont trust that. I dont like that sneaky behaviour.'

Pulling out the stops: In the revealing interview, Kyle said 2DayFM had tried to secure the audience-sustaining duo once more, but that he couldn't trust them

Support: Kyle said one of the reasons he turned down the chance was because the offer came while the network were publicly supporting their hosts at the time - Sam Frost and Rove McManus

The rival network has reportedly been suffering in the ratings recently, with four sets of hosts in passing through the doors in as many years.

While it is too early to note the success of latest pairing Em Rusciano and Harley Breen, Kyle also claimed he believes that the station's breakfast timeslot won't ever recover.

He said: 'In my heart I say its impossible  theyre f**king finished.'

Kyle and Jackie O aren't the only ones to jump ship over recent years with many of their colleagues having 'popped up' at KIIS FM.

Too late to recover? While it is too early to note the success of 2DayFM's latest pairing Em Rusciano and Harley Breen, Kyle claimed he believes that the station's breakfast timeslot won't ever recover

Big contracts: The pair recently signed a five-year deal with KIIS FM, which could see them earn more than $2 million a year.

It comes as the Kyle and Jackie O Show continues to remain top of the commercial breakfast slot.

The pair recently signed a five-year deal with the station, which could see them earn more than $2 million a year.

The pair enjoy stirring controversy, with Kyle admitting in an interview with US actor Taylor Kinney on Friday that he had been a sex addict for two years.

Chicago Fire star Taylor then asked about the host what he thought about when he masturbated, with the conversation then later cut-off by a publicist.
Acting veterans Christopher Timothy, 76, and Maggie Steed, 70, are the latest new residents set to cause a stir in Albert Square.

The duo will play married couple Tim and Joyce Murray who move to Walford after being rehomed from a nearby estate.

But not all the residents are strangers as it seems they're already acquainted with Dot Branning (June Brown).

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Newcomers on Albert Square! Residents welcome Christopher Timothy and Maggie Steed as happily married couple on EastEnders but it is not all it seems

The married duo promise to be 'fascinating characters' as they take to the set.

But there is a secret the pair aren't letting on when they first move into the close knit neighborhood.

The EastEnders' bosses revealed they have a 'past' which will inevitably catch up with them.

Revealed: Christopher Timothy, 76, pictured in All Creatures Great and Small as James Herriot, will join the EastEnders cast in the spring

Executive Sean O'Connor told the Belfast Telegraph: 'The Murrays are a breath of fresh air to Walford, having achieved a long-standing marriage.

'But it's not long before echoes of the past catch up with them.

'I'm very excited to see what these wonderful performers - and these fascinating characters - bring to Albert Square.'

Goodbye: Danny Dyer is taking an extended break from the show as the couple are set to join

All Creatures Great And Small star Christopher said in a statement: 'The most exciting thing about joining EastEnders is not only that Ill be back on the television, but Ill also be working with Maggie.

'Filming not just our first scenes but our first episode together will be like first night in the theatre  very exciting indeed.'

The new faces on Albert Square comes as one of the most beloved characters Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) left the show.

Danny is taking an extended break from the show as he spends time in South Africa last month.
Mel B was glued to her cell phone outside a Los Angeles beauty salon on Saturday just hours after her estranged second husband Stephen Belafonte's brush with the law.

The 41-year-old artist formerly known as Scary Spice sported sweats and no make-up with her natural locks scraped into messy raver buns.

On Friday night, her 41-year-old ex was briefly handcuffed by federal agents, who were investigating 'possible illegal possession of firearms' in his Hollywood Hills home.

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Concerned: Mel B was glued to her cell phone outside a Los Angeles beauty salon on Saturday just hours after her estranged second husband Stephen Belafonte's brush with the law

Pamper session: The 41-year-old artist formerly known as Scary Spice sported sweats and no make-up with her natural locks scraped into messy raver buns

'I was never in cuffs': On Friday, her 41-year-old ex was briefly handcuffed by federal agents, who were investigating 'possible illegal possession of firearms' in his Hollywood Hills home

'I was never in cuffs,' the LMU grad later denied to TMZ.

'I have no idea [why they're here]. Maybe someone's pranking us, swatting us or something.'

Belafonte's legal woes came after Mel (born Melanie Brown) filed for divorce from him on March 20, listing their official separation date as December 28.

The admitted domestic abuser will reportedly only get a fraction of the Lip Sync Battle UK host's $59M fortune due to their prenuptial agreement - according to The Sun.

It's over: Belafonte's legal woes came after Mel (born Melanie Brown) filed for divorce from him on March 20, listing their official separation date as December 28 (pictured July 30)

Split: The admitted domestic abuser will reportedly only get a fraction of the Lip Sync Battle UK host's $59M fortune due to their prenuptial agreement - according to The Sun

Happier times: The Harehills-born Brit and the LA-born, NJ-raised producer - who met on the 2007 set of Talk - were married for nearly a decade after eloping in Las Vegas

The Harehills-born Brit and the LA-born, NJ-raised producer - who met on the 2007 set of Talk - were married for nearly a decade after eloping in Las Vegas.

Mel reportedly requested joint legal and physical custody of their five-year-old daughter Madison, and she asked the court deny Stephen spousal support.

The Chicago thespian is also mother to daughter Phoenix, 18; with first husband Jimmy Gulzar as well as daughter Angel - turning 10 on Monday - with Eddie Murphy.

Divorce: Mel reportedly requested joint legal and physical custody of their five-year-old daughter Madison, and she asked the court deny Stephen spousal support

Birthday party! The Chicago thespian is also mother to daughter Phoenix, 18; with first husband Jimmy Gulzar as well as daughter Angel - turning 10 on Monday - with Eddie Murphy

Babymama: And Stephen also has a 12-year-old daughter Giselle with real estate agent Nicole Contreras

And Stephen also has a 12-year-old daughter Giselle with real estate agent Nicole Contreras.

The pretty presenter will next return as judge on the 12th season of America's Got Talent, which premieres May 30 on NBC

Meanwhile, Belafonte's last producing credit (not involving his wife) was Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans way back in 2009.

New host Tyra Banks! The pretty presenter will next return as judge on the 12th season of America's Got Talent, which premieres May 30 on NBC
Real Housewives of Sydney's Lisa Oldfield has made her debut on the show with a bang, and is known for her potty mouth.

And The Real Housewives of Melbourne's Gina Liano recently took a swipe at the fellow reality TV star.

The 50-year-old barrister told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that she does swear like Lisa, but not as much, saying: 'For me, I don't come home and drop the C bomb every three minutes.'

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'I don't come home and drop the C bomb every three minutes': The Real Housewives of Melbourne's Gina Liano (pictured) takes a swipe at RHOS' Lisa Oldfield

'And I had heard she calls her husband a 'c**t' and he calls her one frequently. I dont do that, I dont. Its just standards,' Gina said.

However the businesswoman added that she doesn't know Lisa and her husband, former politician David Oldfield, 58, may well and truly be deserving of the name.

According to the publication, the executive producer of the Sydney and Melbourne show, Kylie Washington, fought for hours with Gina because she used the word 'c**t' during season one.

Outspoken: Real Housewives of Sydney's Lisa Oldfield (pictured) has made her debut on the show with a bang, and is known for her potty mouth

Taking back what she said? However the businesswoman added that she doesn't know Lisa and her husband, former politician David Oldfield, 58, may well and truly be deserving of the name

Gina apparently didn't want her foul language to be aired.

In February, Lisa told Kyle and Jackie O about her use of foul language.

'D**khead is a term of endearment!' laughed Lisa, after she used the word to describe her four-year-old son, Albert, because he wouldn't get into a pool.

She went on to say that Bert was influenced by her use of profanity, as he later called a 'fat' neighbour who 'wobbled up' to him a 'd**khead'.

'D**khead is a term of endearment!' In February, Lisa told Kyle and Jackie O about her use of foul language

And when asked whether she infamously called her husband, David, the 'c-word' she laughed, replying, 'Again, a term of endearment!'

During a recent episode, Lisa exploded with an expletive-ridden rant about co-star Krissy Marsh, in which she accused her of being sexually promiscuous.

'She's a s***t she's a tart, she's a f*****g embarrassment!' Lisa said to camera.

Lisa also accused Krissy of talking about her 'designer vagina' and 'opening a bathroom door' on a plane to flash her 'smelly vagina'.
It is a night celebrate your true self, so this star dressed for herself and no one else.

Caitlyn Jenner opted for a low key look for the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

The 67-year-old headed to the dinner in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday night in a short dress rather than a gown.

Low key look: Caitlyn Jenner opted for a low key look for the 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday night

For the awards - which honors the media for the fair and accurate representations of the LGBTQ community - the reality star wore a navy and lighter blue tight dress.

Finishing just above the knee, the frock featured a darker top layer with a cut out pattern that revealed the light blue layer underneath.

Caitlyn then added a black cardigan to ensure she stayed warm throughout the night.

The former Olympian accessorized her look with a pair of simple black pumps and a necklace bearing her name.

Feeling blue: For the awards - which honors the media for the fair and accurate representations of the LGBTQ community - the reality star (pictured with director Jill Soloway) wore a navy and lighter blue tight dress.

Fun night with friends: Inside the dinner, Cait caught up with daughter Kylie Jenner's friend, Paris Jackson

She left her long brown locks out and straight and wore neutral tones makeup.

Inside the dinner, Cait caught up with daughter Kylie Jenner's friend, Paris Jackson.

Paris did not take the same approach to dressing as Caitlyn and instead wore a dramatic peacock-inspired gown.

Not so low key: Paris opted for a dramatic peacock-inspired gown by Yanina Couture

Less is more: Cait left her long brown locks out and straight and wore neutral tones makeup

The Yanina Couture dress featured a mesh cape which flowed out behind the young star as she walked.

Caitlyn attended the awards just a day after marking International Transgender Day of Visibility.

The star posted a picture with some of her fellow I Am Cait stars and other trans women she is friends with and said: 'There's no better visibility than with sisters by my side.'
It's been quite a week for the newly-christened Walking Dead star.

But it looks like he's ending it on a high note, as Daniel Newman attended the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Atlanta native looked to be quite carefree as he took to the red carpet at the event.

Classic cool: Daniel Newman attended the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills on Saturday night

The handsome southerner rocked a navy blue suit, under which he wore a simple black crew neck t-shirt.

Some black oxfords and a powder blue Ampersand supporting GLAAD on his lapel completed his dashing ensemble.

He slicked his auburn hair back with gel and his facial hair was carefully trimmed.

As the event got going, it looked as though Daniel was having a great time as he shared several selfie videos on Instagram, including one with Walking Dead co-star Jesus, played by Tom Payne.

Nothing fancy: The handsome southerner rocked a navy blue suit, under which he wore a simple black crew neck t-shirt

No doubt the event also had extra meaning for the Hollywood star, who only recently came out publicly as gay.

He came out as gay on Twitter on Thursday night, and followed it up with a powerful message explaining why on YouTube.

The Children of the Corn star explained that he was volunteering at a homeless youth center when a young woman thanked him for supporting the LGBT community, even though he was straight.

Big news: No doubt the event also had extra meaning for the Hollywood star, who only recently came out publicly as gay

Look who it is! As the event got going, it looked as though Daniel was having a great time as he shared several selfie videos on Instagram, including one with Walking Dead co-star Jesus, played by Tom Payne

When he told her he was gay, she immediately asked: 'Why have you never said that publicly before? You could help change our lives'.

'It hit me like a gut punch. It felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me,' he recalled.

And I I realized how important it is in this day and age to be visible; have people know who you are.

'When you are accomplishing incredible things and you are hiding who you are, you are hurting hundreds of millions of people,' he said.

Brave: He came out as gay on Twitter on Thursday night
She wasn't invited to her former brother-in-law, Pete Stefanovic's wedding to Channel Nine presenter Sylvia Jeffreys.

And on Saturday, it was business as usual for Cassandra Thorburn, 45, and the three kids she shares with her estranged husband Karl Stefanovic, 42.

As the rest of their family, close friends, and Nine Network executives watched Peter and Sylvia exchange 'I Dos,' the mother-of-three was back in Sydney picking up groceries with the kids.

What wedding? Karl Stefanovic's estranged wife Cassandra Thorburn appeared in high spirits as she did grocery shopping with her daughter Ava - despite being left off the guest list to her former brother-in-law Pete's wedding to Sylvia Jeffreys

The former ABC journalist appeared in high spirits as she was spotted out-and-about on Friday with her daughter Ava, 12.

Amid the excitement of Peter and Sylvia's big day, Cassandra, who was excluded from the Kangaroo Valley nuptials, had a smile on her face during a low-key shopping outing.

She appeared preoccupied as she worked her way through her shopping list as she filled up her trolley.

High spirits: Cassandra was all smiles as she made her way to the supermarket checkout

School lunches: Cassandra cut a casual figure in a pair of well fitting blue skinny 7/8 cropped jeans, a navy blue T-shirt and a pair of black flats as she appeared to be busy deciding what to do for school lunches

Cassandra cut a casual figure in a pair of fitted blue skinny jeans, a navy blue T-shirt and a pair of black flats.

While Karl was likely rehearsing his wacky wedding speech, Cassandra appeared carefree as she went down the lolly and chocolates aisle.

The only dilemma that appeared to be on her mind was at the deli section, as she decided what to do for school lunches.

Mother duties: Cassandra started her day with smiles when she was spotted cheering Ava on at her polo game alongside eldest son Jackson, 17

Finished with their shop, they headed to the checkout where Cassandra greeted the supermarket staff member with a cheerful smile.

Cassandra started her day with smiles when she was spotted cheering Ava on at her polo game alongside eldest son Jackson, 17.

Absent from the crowd was their youngest sibling 10-year-old River.

High spirits: Cassandra was in was left of the guest list for the Stefanovic-Jeffreys nuptials

This comes after Cassandra was left of the guest list for the Stefanovic-Jeffreys nuptials, according to The Courier Mail.

Sylvia also reportedly made the decision to not invite Cassandra, or Karl's new girlfriend 33-year-old shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, according to the Woman's Day.

She and Karl split it October 2016.
She became a household name with the tween generation on her 2010 show Victorious.

And now, former Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice proved she's a far cry from her character Tori Vega as she arrived to 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday in a figure-flaunting look.

The 24-year-old sizzled in her eye-catching blue mini dress that hugged her honed figure as she posed for photos on the red carpet.

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Tassel do nicely: Former Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice arrived to 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday in a figure-flaunting look

Boasting a waist-cinching black velvet band around her curves, the show-stopping look also featured statement beaded detail all over the garment which offset her metallic criss-cross sleeves.

Although displaying her slender frame, the intricate cobalt blue look included head-turning floor-length tassels that teased at her toned pins.

The kooky addition added an extra fashion edge to her ensemble as she adorned her feet in a pair of strappy heels while she sauntered up the carpet into the glitzy event.

Attempting to not take away from her awe-inspiring look, she accessorised the piece with a simple pair of hoop earrings as she held onto her bag clutch.

Beaded beauty: The 24-year-old sizzled in her eye-catching blue mini dress that hugged her honed figure as she posed for photos on the red carpet

Complementing her alluring look, the Eye Candy star worked her chocolate brown tresses into a sleek straight style.

Recently, the Nickelodeon alum and her co-stars took to Twitter to reminisce about the seven-year anniversary of the hit show, Victorious.

The much-loved series followed Tori Vega, a talented teenager who attends Hollywood Arts High School and her pals from 2013 to 2013.

Ariana Grande - who played Cat Valentine on the successful series - wrote on her Twitter feed: '7 years of Victorious!! I genuinely miss bibble.'

Then: The Nickelodeon alum (centre) and her co-stars took to Twitter to reminisce about the seven-year anniversary of the hit show Victorious

'Thank you guys for the love': The star of the show also tweeted to her fans

While Victoria thanked her fans, writing: 'Wow I cannot believe its been 7 years. Feeling so nostalgic seeing all your #7YearsOfVictorious posts, thank you guys for the love.'

Meanwhile, the Rocky Horror actress will appear in an upcoming comedy film, The Outcasts, that stars her former costar, Avan Jogia.

Described as Mean Girls meets Revenge Of The Nerds, The Outcasts premieres on April 14 of this year.
Line Of Duty may be the best cop show on British television but is, last weeks return reminded us, two forms of torture: the watching and the waiting.

Millions of viewers happily subjected themselves to the opening episodes trademark nail-biting tension, heart-racing plot twists, and frankly mind-blowing/bonkers finale.

But after the anticipation and adrenaline is afterwards we are then left with the comedown: confusion and several key questions.

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'Absolutely bonkers': Viewers were left thinking after last week's 'heart-racing plot twist' on Line of Duty - Has the move to BBC1 turned Line Of Duty into Dexter?

The first of these, as with the previous three series, was: what the hell was going on?!

A less generous interpretation could also have been: has the move to BBC1 turned Line Of Duty into Dexter?

Tonight the torture of waiting seven days for explanations is finally over.

Here are 12 questions about Episode One that we want answering in Episode Two - but probably wont be...

Left wondering: Here are 12 questions about Episode One that we want answering in Episode Two - but probably wont be

1. Is Tim Ifield going to chop Thandie Newtons head off with a chainsaw  as he was about to just as she opened her eyes?

1. Is Tim Ifield going to chop Thandie Newtons head off with a chainsaw  as he was about to just as she opened her eyes?

2. How could a leading forensics expert like Ifield not have realised DCI Roz Huntley (Newton) was not actually dead and just left her on his kitchen floor to go and buy the equipment for disposing of her body?

3. Is Tim definitely the killer Balaclava Man, as he appeared to be but cant be (as it surely wouldnt be revealed in the first episode)? Could he in fact be a weird forensics vigilante whos seen too many boxed sets of Dexter?

2. How could a leading forensics expert like Ifield not have realised DCI Roz Huntley (Newton) was not actually dead?

3. Is Tim definitely the killer Balaclava Man, as he appeared to be but cant be (as it surely wouldnt be revealed in the first episode)?

4. If Ifield is NOT Balaclava Man why did he appear to be targeting the victim of the abduction (the waitress Hana), why did he have a balaclava like the killer, and why was he about to cut up DCI Huntley with a chainsaw?

5. If Ifield IS the killer why did bring the flaws in the case to AC-12 given that if Michael Farmer was convicted for the murders it would have allowed Ifield to carry on killing?

6. Was DCI Huntley corrupt or the fallguy (fallgirl?) for a larger conspiracy? And is the actor playing ACC Hilton deliberately badly?

4. If Ifield is NOT Balaclava Man why did he appear to be targeting a waitress identical to the previous victim Hana?

5. If Ifield IS the killer why did bring the flaws in the case to AC-12 given that if Michael Farmer was convicted for the murders it would have allowed Ifield to carry on killing?

7. If DCI Huntley DIDNT frame Michael Farmer why did she ignore all the forensic evidence exonerating him, why did she interfere with Kate Flemings questions when she interviewed Farmer in prison?

8. Why didnt DCI Huntley or any of her team recognise Kate Fleming as an undercover officer from AC-12 when she had just won a highly publicised commendation?

7. If DCI Huntley DIDNT frame Michael Farmer why did she ignore all the forensic evidence exonerating him, why did she interfere with Kate Flemings questions when she interviewed Farmer in prison, and why did she try to have Kate taken off the investigation?

8. Why didnt DCI Huntley or any of her team recognise Kate Fleming as an undercover officer from AC-12 when she had just won a highly publicised commendation and promotion for her work on The Caddy case?

9. Where was Roz Huntleys husband during the raid on Michael Farmers home when he was supposed to be with the Huntleys' children and why was there a shot of the Huntleys car boot that looked eerily similar to the one that Hana was shoved into when she was abducted? And what was in the mystery bag in their boot?

9. Where was Roz Huntleys husband during the raid on Michael Farmers home?

12. What is going on with Michael Farmers strange solicitor - the useless shambles who sat in Farmers police interview?

10. Is it suspicious that the actor playing Nick Huntley (Lee Ingleby) would have such a minor role?

11. Who does the Size 10 shoe print (thought to be from whoever planted the evidence in Michael Farmers home) belong to? Do Tim Ifield or Nick Huntley wear a Size 10? Did Roz Huntley or could she have planted it wearing DELIBERATELY LARGE SHOES?

12. What is going on with Michael Farmers strange solicitor - the useless shambles who sat in Farmers police interview looking like a dosser who had fallen asleep? Was he a wrong un or just a scene-stealing actor building up his part?
Josh Meeuwissen has been easily the most controversial contestant on the current season of My Kitchen Rules.

The 'seafood king' and his rude behaviour have been the subject of scathing criticism from furious viewers and shocked contestants - one of whom has spoken out about his antics.

Della Whearty told The Daily Telegraph that she warned Josh he was going to 'look bad' in front of the nation, but that he brushed the advice off and 'didn't give a s**t'.

Fighting back: Josh Meeuwissen and his rude behaviour have been the subject of scathing criticism from furious viewers and shocked contestants - one of whom, Della Whearty (L), has spoken out about his antics

She said: 'Because I'm a mum I was genuinely concerned for him and said to him off camera" you need to stop this, you're going to look so bad in front of 1.5 million people" and he laughed it off. He really didn't give a s**t.'

Josh's most recent controversy came earlier this week when he called Amy a 's***' as she served him a course at her and Tyson's instant restaurant.

The 25-year-old's vocal criticisms of the other contestants' culinary offerings has even pushed his wife Amy to her limits on various episodes.

Coming clean: Della told The Daily Telegraph that she warned Josh he was going to 'look bad' in front of the nation, but that he brushed the advice off and 'didn't give a s**t'

Mr unpopular: Josh has been easily the most controversial contestant on the current season of My Kitchen Rules

Shocker: Josh's most recent controversy came earlier this week when he called Amy a 's***' as she served him a course at her and Tyson's instant restaurant

Strained relations: The 25-year-old's vocal criticisms of the other contestants' culinary offerings has even pushed his wife Amy to her limits on various episodes

And Della, who is cooking alongside best friend Tully on MKR, said the abrasive Josh has overshadowed the bond between the rest of the contestants.

'It's also sad because he gets all the airtime and has taken the shine off such a really fun and dynamic team,' she said.

The 30-year-old Brisbane resident was one of the few contestants to condemn Josh for his now infamous slur at Amy.

Shame: Della, who is cooking alongside best friend Tully on MKR, said the abrasive Josh has overshadowed the bond between the rest of the contestants

Standing tall: The 30-year-old Brisbane resident was one of the few contestants to condemn Josh for his now infamous slur at Amy

Good on ya: Della made her feelings towards Josh's actions clear in no uncertain terms as she spoke to the camera after the exchange

Della made her feelings towards Josh's actions clear in no uncertain terms as she spoke to the camera after the exchange.

She said: 'That's so rude. If he was my husband, he would have copped an elbow to the groin.'

Della and Tully will take their turn in the kitchen on Sunday night's episode of My Kitchen Rules when they welcome the other couples, including Josh, to their instant restaurant.

My Kitchen Rules continues at 7pm on Channel Seven on Sunday night.
Egypt's army has named a prominent leader of militant group Ansar Beit El-Maqdis who it said was killed by the Egyptian armed forces weeks ago.

In an official statement on Sunday, army spokesperson Tamer El-Refai said that the group's leader Salem Salma El-Hamdeen, known as Abu Anas El-Ansari, died following injuries sustained in an airstrike on 18 March that killed 188 militants and injured several others.

According to El-Refai, El-Ansari is one of the group's founders and is among its most important leaders in North Sinai, involved in arming and training militants in the area.

The army statement comes two days after the militant group's propaganda magazine El-Nabaa mourned the death of the 40-year-old leader through an obituary.

"El-Ansari has been a key figure of jihad since he became a member of Al-Tawhid and Al-Jihad in Sinai. Then he was detained for a period of time, then released to return to jihad before his re-arrest," the obituary read.



"He was then among the escapees from Egyptian prisons during the 2011 revolution in Egypt, at which point he was arrested by the authorities, and then released to continue jihad," the obituary read.

Al-Tawhid and Al-Jihad's branch in Sinai had been dominant among militant groups in Sinai in the decade prior to the ousting of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

According to media reports, Al-Ansari was among the suspects in the 2005 bomb attacks targeting tourists in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh that left at least 88 people dead and hundreds injured.

After 2011, Al-Ansari was among the founders of Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, and in late 2014, the Sinai-based group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group.

Just weeks before the pledge, Al-Ansari was chosen as leader by Abu Bakr El-Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State group.

This is the first time that the army has provided information about the group's leader to the media.

Egypts army and police forces have been waging a war against Islamist insurgents in North Sinai for years, with hundreds of security personnel killed, as well as hundreds of militants killed in security campaigns.

Most of the attacks against security personnel and installations in North Sinai in recent years have been claimed by Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis.

The army recently announced it had taken full control of the Mount Halal area, which was considered one of the key centres of terrorist activity in Sinai.

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Married At First Sight contestant Susan Rawlings has alleged producers on the show 'fed lines' to contestants and psychologists, used editing to 'fake' her breakup with Sean and made participants 'beg for toilet breaks.'

Breaking a confidentiality agreement and risking legal action to speak to Perth Now, Susan claims the actions constituted a breach of her 'basic human rights'.

In addition to allegations of inadequate facilities and conditions, the 37-year-old has also claimed producers turned up at her hotel room with a script.

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Not happy: MAFS' Susan Rawlings has accused Married At First Sight producers of feeding lines to contestants and psychologists, used editing to 'fake' her breakup with Sean and made participants 'beg for toilet breaks'

'They read out sentences to me, which I then had to repeat back to the camera,' she told the publication.

Susan says the Channel Nine program's producers told her to act like an accident with a spilled pasta bake at TV 'husband' Sean's farm was a big issue.

According to the disgruntled personality, the show's insistence that they provide psychological support for entrants was not followed through on.

Criticism: According to the contestant, the actions constituted a breach of her 'basic human rights' and her frustration and emotional anguish was clear throughout the alarming conversation

She claims concerns about her portrayal on the show were raised to production staff, but that nobody ever called her to follow up or offer any support.

In addition to allegations of scripted scenes, Susan accuses the show of speaking to 'expert psychologists' vie ear-pieces and telling them what to say.

'Its absolutely fake and excruciating to live through...We are not talking to the experts and they are not talking with us, they are just pawns in a game,' she says.

Speaking out: In addition to a swathe of allegations of inadequate facilities and conditions, the 37-year-old slammed the supposed reality program for turning up at her hotel room with a script

The contestant was also adamant that the show was edited in a way that made it look like she dumped Sean, claiming they edited out his final line in which he confirmed he didn't want to pursue the relationship further.

A spokesperson for show production house Endemol Shine Australia also spoke to the publication, refuting a lot of Susan's claims, without commenting on her specific examples.

'All participants are given adequate food, water and breaks and have access to psychological support, which has always been available at any time throughout the show and continues to be,' the spokesperson said.

They were adamant they treated their duty of care seriously, and were in regular contact with contestants.

Not real: 'Its absolutely fake and excruciating to live through...We are not talking to the experts and they are not talking with us, they are just pawns in a game,' she said

According to Perth Now, a second unnamed contestant also claimed participants were fed lines, adding that they were forced to stand in a hot warehouse and told they couldn't speak or move for hours on end.

Married At First Sight is still currently airing it's fourth season, the total episode count bumped up from 8 in season 3 to a whopping 29 in season 4.

It's believed the show's finale will take place on the 3rd of April.

Bold claims: The contestant was also adamant that the show was edited in a way that made it look like she dumped Sean, claiming they edited out his final line in which he confirmed he didn't want to pursue the relationship further
She's been busy putting on a cosy display with her boyfriend Stephen Bear on social media.

And Charlotte Crosby was all smiles as she emerged for a fun night out in Sunderland on Saturday.

The 26-year-old former Geordie Shore star embraced the UK's warmer weather in a stylish bardot style floral playsuit, which served to elongate her toned legs.

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Ready to party! Charlotte Crosby, 26, embraced the UK's warmer weather in a stylish bardot style floral playsuit as she headed for a wild night out in Sunderland on Saturday

The black number, which featured a trendy red flower print, skimmed her incredible figure and also cinched in her trim waist with its tie-detail.

The reality star added stylish boho touches, in the form of a round silver choker and a large black hat.

Knowing full well that her main focus was on her enviable pins, Charlotte boosted them further with a pair of towering boots.

Clearly in her element, the stunner ensured the night out was off to a good start as she held onto a large silver balloon and a bouquet of flowers.

Wild night: Clearly in her element, the stunner ensured the night out was off to a good start as she held onto a large silver balloon and a bouquet of flowers

Standing tall: Knowing full well that her main focus was on her enviable pins, Charlotte boosted them further with a pair of towering boots

Meanwhile, Charlotte was looking more loved up than ever before in a cosy snap with her beau Stephen Bear, 27.

The celebrity couple, whose relationship has gone from strength to strength, cuddled affectionately and looked lovingly into the lens of the camera.

Bear cheekily covered the majority of his face with his distinctive skull tattoo on his hand while make-up free Charlotte showed off her naturally glowing skin.

Showing off more of her wild side, Charlotte let her light brown tresses fall around her face naturally in a sea of damp curls.

Trendy: The black number, which features a trendy red flower print, skimmed her incredible figure and also cinched in her trim waist with its tie-detail

Details: The reality star added stylish boho touches, in the form of a round silver choker and a large black hat

She shared the post on Instagram, writing: 'Freckle face and skull head.'

But Charlotte admitted shes apprehensive about the prospect of crossing paths with old friend Vicky Pattison, whose stormy romance with Bear was well documented during their joint appearance on popular dating show Ex on The Beach.

Speaking to heat, she revealed she is yet to speak with her former Geordie Shore cast-mate about her boyfriend, almost two-years after Vicky labelled him the vilest person she's ever met.

Just Tattoo of us! Meanwhile, Charlotte was looking more loved up than ever before in a cosy snap with her beau Stephen Bear, 27, which she shared on Instagram

It will happen at some point, and of course it will be weird, but more because we havent actually spoken for so long, she explained. I dont even know what I would say to Vicky now.

We never had an argument or anything, but something weird happened and we never spoke again.

Charlotte's romance with Bear has flourished following their meeting on new show Just Tattoo Of Us, despite his wildly unpredictable nature.
She welcomed her newborn son Zen six weeks ago with her husband Marco Perego.

Boasting a new mother glow, Zoe Saldana was in high spirits as she happily cheered her twins boys Bowie and Cy, three, on as they took part in bike race outside their church on Saturday.

The 38-year-old Hollywood star looked radiant while she took her darling youngest son for his first public outing in Los Angeles, encouragingly waving to her eldest boys as they competed with the help of her long-term Italian beau.

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Radiant: Zoe Saldana was in high spirits as she cheered her twins boys Bowie and Cy, three, on as they took part in bike race outside their church on Saturday

Showcasing her casual style, she slipped into a pair of light grey washed skinny denims that highlighted her slender pins.

The trained dancer teamed her laidback look with a simple emerald green wool jumper as she smiled and cheered from a far.

Looking effortlessly stylish, she placed a black baby carrier over her statuesque frame with adorable baby Zen in complete bliss with his film star mother.

The charming tote looked incredibly cute as he was kitted out in a pair of classic van slip-ons with red socks as well as blue joggers and a car printed T-shirt.

Supportive: The 38-year-old Hollywood star looked radiant while she took her darling youngest son for his first public outing in Los Angeles, encouragingly waving to her eldest boys as they competed with the help of her long-term Italian beau

Happy: Showcasing her casual style, she slipped into a pair of light grey washed skinny denims that highlighted her slender pin

The Guardians of the Galaxy star accentuated her natural beauty while going make-up free for the afternoon as her raven-coloured locks gently tousled in the wind down her shoulders.

Earlier this week, the American actress shared an adorable picture of her youngest tot being kissed by her beloved other half on Instagram, which she lovingly captioned: 'Him... El... Lui.'

Elsewhere, Zoe has previously explained that her children will be bilingual as she and her husband plan to speak both Spanish and English around them.

Adorable: Earlier this week, the American actress shared an adorable picture of her youngest tot being kissed by her beloved other half on Instagram, which she lovingly captioned: 'Him... El... Lui.'

Meanwhile, she recently explained that she's not ready to share the process of how they grew their family.

Zoe was pictured visibly not pregnant in the weeks before they welcomed Zen, and told People she will explain when the children are older how they built their family.

'This is something we're being very meticulous about because of the process of how we completed our family,' she told the publication.

She continued: 'When we're there, when the time comes and our third baby is a little older, and all the forces that helped us have him with us are comfortable then we will share it because we know it would be very positive and inspiring to many families that are looking to complete themselves and are not able to do it in the conventional way.

Wave away: The trained dancer teamed her laidback look with a simple emerald green wool jumper as she smiled and cheered from a far

'Seeking alternative ways to start a family should be encouraged, should be empowered and I think we should spread that education, that information out there, when the time is right.'

Zoe will be back on the big screen next year as Gamora, in Avengers: Infinity War.

She recently revealed that because of her character's green appearance, her children call her Hulk when she gets angry.

Chic: Looking effortlessly stylish, she placed a black baby carrier over her statuesque frame with adorable baby Zen in complete bliss with his film star mother

Zoe explained the confusion starts whenever she tries to be a disciplinarian, telling E! 'If I start talking really loud they say "mummy Hulk."

'So for some reason they think that Gamora is like family with the Hulk, or that I turn into Hulk when I'm being a mummy. I don't know, but it's hilarious.'

Avengers: Infinity War is scheduled to be released on May 4, 2018, in IMAX, and an untitled sequel is scheduled to be released on May 3, 2019.
Jeremy McConnell has released a poignant statement in which he revealed he is seeking help after 'falling into a downward spiral'.

The 27-year-old Irish model made the announcement in the midst of his woes with ex Stephanie Davis, who gave birth to their son in January, after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting her last month.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the Beauty School Cop Outs posted a lengthy note in which he detailed the lows he has gone through as he besought followers to understand he is a good person who has become somewhat lost.

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Happier times: Jeremy McConnell has released a poignant statement in which he revealed he is seeking help after 'falling into a downward spiral'

Stephanie and Jeremy's love story began when they starred together on Celebrity Big Brother in January 2016 before becoming embroiled in a toxic romance which ended in April - a month before she announced she was expecting.

After a bitter nine-month battle in which Jeremy denied paternity, once he was proved to be the father he swore to step up and moved from his native Dublin to be with her in Liverpool, although his assault arrest cut things off.

Jeremy's statement appeared to reference his recent tragedies, in which his father passed away last month, followed shortly by his aunt's death. When Jeremy was 15 he lost his mother, brother and sister within months of each other.

It seemed he was confirming Stephanie's recent claims that he was headed to rehab in the note in which he penned: 'I want to leave this last message here for people to maybe get a better understanding of who I am as a person.

Honest: The 27-year-old Irish model made the announcement in the midst of his woes with ex Stephanie Davis, who gave birth to their son in January, after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting her last month

Hurt: Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the Beauty School Cop Outs posted a lengthy note in which he detailed the lows he has gone through as he besought followers to understand he is a good person who has become somewhat lost

'I know a lot of people are sick of reading stories etc about me and my life and have a huge dislike for me, for the record nobody dislikes myself more that me.

'I never once have used my misfortunes in life for sympathy or excuses as a lot of people have had really tough lives, the fact I'm in the public eye just exposes them a lot more than others.

'I'm not perfect and I acted in a way that has been irresponsible a lot of which I feel was self-reflection. I've let family, friends, management and work down. I just hope I can wipe a clean slate and come back with a second chance.

'Sometimes in this world when you're low and you don't really feel like you have anyone and people's opinion on you are not really who you are. It's tough to try and survive. I punished myself more than anyone could.

Happier times: Vowing to stand by her former flame, Stephanie told OK! Online: 'He has agreed to go to rehab for six weeks. It will be quite immediate. Jeremy knows that he is 100 per cent in the wrong'

That was then: Jeremy attributed some of his struggles to fame, after getting his first taste of TV fame on MTV's now-defunct reality show Beauty School Cop Outs before heading into CBB in January last year (pictured), where he began his ill-fated romance with Stephanie

'I always said I never cared what people thought about me but deep down it's been that supportive comment or Instagram or Twitter that's made me feel a lot better.

'The people who know me know I'm a good guy and have a massive heart. I just never handle fame, money or actions very well and got lost in a downward spiral.

'It's something I'm about to fix and never look back on. But I've learnt from my mistakes, this will be my last message for a while. I've decided to take the appropriate action for myself and my new family and that you for everyone's support and to a new lease of life.'

It was reported last week that Jeremy agreed to check into rehab for 'drug addiction', according to Stephanie, who claimed the Irish model will spend six weeks in an unknown treatment facility to beat his issues with substance abuse.

Serious stuff: It was reported last week that Jeremy agreed to check into rehab for 'drug addiction', according to Stephanie, who claimed the Irish model will spend six weeks in an unknown treatment facility to beat his issues with substance abuse

Hitting back: Vowing to stand by her former flame, Stephanie told OK! Online: 'He has agreed to go to rehab for six weeks. It will be quite immediate. Jeremy knows that he is 100 per cent in the wrong'

Vowing to stand by her former flame, Stephanie told OK! Online: 'He has agreed to go to rehab for six weeks. It will be quite immediate. Jeremy knows that he is 100 per cent in the wrong.'

Despite a difficult few months, which have seen Jeremy accused of abuse, Stephanie explained that her on/off beau was not a 'bad person' - but simply someone who needs help.

She said: 'He has done things that aren't good. But he isn't a bad person - deep down, he's not an evil vindictive person.' A spokesperson for Jeremy McConnell declined to comment.

However, the beauty affirmed she would support him through rehab to avoid the situation getting worse, and resulting in consequences for both him and Caben.

My boy: Stephanie was also quick to acknowledge that his alleged actions may not have only been heightened by substance abuse, but also the passing of his father earlier this month - having already lost his mother, brother and sister in childhood

Revealing he was now banned from seeing his son until he was clean, she finished: 'For Jeremy this is get help or die situation. So I said to him, you either get help or that's it, you lose him for good.'

Stephanie claimed the Irish model had suffered a drug problem for over a year - with a video of Jeremy snorting a mysterious white powder surfacing in January 2016.

That July, the former Hollyoaks star had gone on to claim Jeremy was 'always out drinking and taking drugs', which she said heightened his paranoid behaviour around her.

Way back when: Despite a difficult few months, which have seen Jeremy accused of abuse, Stephanie explained that her on/off beau was not a 'bad person' - but simply someone who needs help

Tough times: On Saturday night, Jeremy posted another note to his 525,000 followers just days after mysteriously posting a snap as he cuddled up to his ex and son - despite claiming she had 'a hit on him'

On Saturday night, Jeremy posted another note to his 525,000 followers just days after mysteriously posting a snap as he cuddled up to his ex and son - despite claiming she had 'a hit on him'.

Having become locked in much back and forth, the former couple have been scrutinised heavily due to their extremely public exchanges.

The Instagram post read: 'I like people who understand. The type who aren't quick to judge. You can vent to them and labelling you will be the last thing on their mind.

That was then: The Instagram post read: 'I like people who understand. The type who aren't quick to judge. You can vent to them and labelling you will be the last thing on their mind'

Tough stuff: He penned: 'They don't believe rumours because they know there are two sides to every story. They give you a chance before they judge you. They get to know who you really are, then have an opinion. I like those types of people. Real people'

'They don't believe rumours because they know there are two sides to every story. They give you a chance before they judge you. They get to know who you really are, then have an opinion. I like those types of people. Real people.'

The couple got together last January after meeting in the Celebrity Big Brother house, but split shortly afterwards following an endless string of blazing rows.

After endless tensions throughout her pregnancy as Jeremy staunchly denied he was the father of her child, the pair then rekindled their relationship a few weeks after Caben-Albi was born in January.

Troubles: Stephanie claimed the Irish model had suffered a drug problem for over a year - with a video of Jeremy snorting a mysterious white powder surfacing in January 2016

However, the pair seemingly split again earlier this month when Jeremy allegedly assaulted his former flame while he was staying at her home in Liverpool - which Stephanie now implies is down to his addiction.

The Irish model was taken into police custody at a Merseyside police station in North West England a few days after the alleged incident for questioning - just days after Stephanie shared a shocking photo of her brusied legs to Instagram.

A spokesperson for the station said: 'Following a report of an assault at an address in Stephenson Grove, Rainhill, a man has this morning (16.03.17) been arrested.

Moving on: However, the pair seemingly split again earlier this month when Jeremy allegedly assaulted his former flame while he was staying at her home in Liverpool - which Stephanie now implies is down to his addiction

Little Caben: The star has shared a clip in which he was playing with his son

'A 27-year-old man from Liverpool city centre has been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage after voluntarily attending a police station on Merseyside. He remains in police custody for questioning.'

Despite Stephanie's support of Jeremy through his stint in rehab, the pair's relationship status is still confusing fans - after the pair appeared to once again declare their love for each other on social media.

However Stephanie went on to claim that she had been hacked - deeming her exchanges with Jeremy as fake.
Athena X Levendi has been the source of non-stop drama on The Real Housewives of Sydney.

And on Sunday, the struggling artist was back at it again as she viciously attacked Nicole O'Neil when the pair met up to discuss the explosive fight that had taken place at Athena's art exhibition a few days earlier.

'You insulted her intelligence,' said Nicole, referring to some nasty comments Athena had made about Melissa Tkautz.

'Captain Eyebrows!' Athena X Levendi launched a vicious attack on Nicole O'Neil (pictured), even attacking her eyebrows, on Sunday's Real Housewives of Sydney

'Who made you the big boss?' Athena shot back. 'Look at you, you're constantly reprimanding me.'

Things quickly turned nasty, with Athena mocking Nicole in a derogatory manner before calling the former beauty queen 'Captain Eyebrows' due to her arched brows.

'You scare me and you bore me,' she continued. 'With those eyebrows always lifted, I feel like I've done something bad.'

'Who made you the big boss? Look at you, you're constantly reprimanding me,' Athena said to a stunned Nicole

'You scare me and you bore me,' Athena continued. 'With those eyebrows always lifted, I feel like I've done something bad.'

'You're an idiot, do you know that you're an idiot? Just put a cork in it,' ranted the angry artist.

In her confessional, Nicole said: 'The insults did not stop. It was one after the other.'

Athena then became visibly angry, shouting: 'I can do what the f**k I want at forty, darling! F**k off, alright. You're annoying!'

'You're an idiot, do you know that you're an idiot? Just put a cork in it,' ranted the angry artist

'The insults did not stop. It was one after the other,' said Nicole

During her foul-mouthed meltdown, Athena even stole a famous Real Housewives line by saying: 'Relax. Be cool. Be cool, man.'

The 'be cool' line was made famous by Countess Luann de Lesseps in season seven of The Real Housewives of New York when she told an enraged Heather Thomson to 'Be cool. Don't be all, like, uncool.'

Nicole managed to keep her composure during Athena's unhinged attack, but looked visibly shaken as she tried to smile through the insults before making a graceful exit.
They recently confirmed their romance by stepping out together in public for the first time.

And Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan proved their relationship was only going from strength to strength on Saturday night, as they made a second official appearance at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert.

The former Top Gear host, 56, put on a cosy display with the stunning 46-year-old blonde as they happily posed for cameras at the Royal Albert Hall.

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Better than ever: Jeremy Clarkson and Lisa Hogan proved their relationship was stronger than ever on Saturday as they made a second cosy appearance at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert

The pair looked more loved-up than ever as they cuddled up for cameras at the bash, before heading in for an evening of music.

Keeping things low-key, Jeremy opted for a casual grey polo shirt and faded jeans combo, made more trendy by a sleek leather jacket and suede loafers.

Meanwhile his Irish companion upped the glamour in a black and white paisley maxi dress, which plunged at the chest to tease at her cleavage.

Close: The pair looked more loved-up than ever as they cuddled up for cameras at the bash, before heading in for an evening of music

However she teamed the frock with white plimsoll trainers and minimal glowing make-up, to maintain a relaxed and effortless feel for the evening.

The new couple happily posed for cameras together in their second public outing of the month - before heading in to join the likes of Camilla Kerslake and Chris Robshaw.

After a string of holidays together over the last few weeks, Jeremy and Lisa made their first public appearance together as a couple at the Roundhouse Gala last week.

VIP: The new couple happily posed for cameras together in their second public outing of the month - before heading in to join the likes of Camilla Kerslake and Chris Robshaw (above)

Golden girl: Singer Camilla dazzled in a sexy mesh black dress, adorned with shimmering gold embroidery and glittering lining

The pair have been keeping their relationship under wraps, but the Irish beauty but was quick to gush about her new man after the London bash.

She told the Sunday Mirror in the couple's first public acknowledgment of their relationship: 'I'm very happy. He's really great.'

Proving their relationship was going from strength to strength, Jeremy and Lisa enjoyed a romantic getaway in Barbados last month.

The pair, who had been seen together three times prior to their getaway, had been staying on the island as guests of the English impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Big debut: After a string of holidays together over the last few weeks, Jeremy and Lisa made their first public appearance together as a couple at the Roundhouse Gala last week (above)

A passer-by told The Sunday Mirror, which reported they were dating: 'Jeremy looked very relaxed around Lisa, and they seemed very taken with each other.

'They were laughing and joking around like a new couple.'

The Dubliner split from her eccentric millionaire husband Steven Bentinck known as Baron Bonkers in 2005, after having three children together.

Meanwhile Jeremy - who was fired by the BBC when he punched a producer in the face - divorced his wife of 21 years, Frances, in 2014.
They are enjoying a six-week break Down Under.

And Gaz Beadle's girlfriend Emma McVey is taking full advantage of fleeing the breezy climes of UK Spring time as she continues to show off her phenomenal figure on Instagram at every opportunity.

The model, who previously dated TOWIE star Mario Falcone, looked simply sensational in a sexy burgundy bikini before stripping down to a coral two-piece in which she shared a snap just of her figure to ensure full focus was on her curves.

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Stunner: Gaz Beadle's girlfriend Emma McVey is taking full advantage of fleeing the breezy climes of UK Spring time as she continues to show off her phenomenal figure on Instagram at every opportunity

Emma has been dating Gaz since August and it seems the duo are falling harder for one another as they litter their respective Instagram feeds with loving posts.

Alongside her soppy tributes to her boyfriend she has also been sending temperatures soaring with her plethora of skimpy bikini snaps.

Acting as her own best advertisement as a model, having featured in a campaign for Charlotte Tilbury, all her bikini shots made the most of her incredible frame.

Standing against a balcony, seemingly in a hotel room, the brunette beauty wore the tiniest of swimwear, with her bralet boosting her cleavage and featuring a suggestive caged detail across the front of her chest.

Oh my! The shot which only showed Emma's body was snapped from above, to help get as much of her figure into the frame as she could

Happier than ever: And he appeared to take a swipe at his former Geordie Shore paramour Charlotte Crosby when he said his dalliance with Emma, who has dated since August, is more 'normal'

The low-slung bottoms on the swimwear acted to flaunt her incredibly toned stomach while standing on her tip-toes perfectly lengthened her legs.

The shot which only showed Emma's body was snapped from above, to help get as much of her figure into the frame as she could.

Gaz has become renowned, throughout his five year stint in the spotlight, for his Lothario ways yet he insists he's a changed man due to his enduring romance with current squeeze Emma.

Hot stuff: The stunning star gazed into the camera in one of her many sexy shots

Saving all my love: Gaz has become renowned, throughout his five year stint in the spotlight, for his Lothario ways yet he insists he's a changed man due to his enduring romance with current squeeze Emma

And he appeared to take a swipe at his former Geordie Shore paramour Charlotte Crosby when he said his dalliance with Emma, who has dated since August, is more 'normal'

He told the Sun: 'I was with the right girls at the wrong time. Ive made mistakes, like cheating, but Im trying not to do that again. My current girlfriend Emma is great.

'Our relationship is different to ones Ive had before, because they were all in the public eye. This relationship feels more normal.'

He confessed, contrary to his laddish persona, he is something of a wallflower when it comes to 'tashing on'.

Loved-up: He confessed, contrary to his laddish persona, he is something of a wallflower when it comes to 'tashing on'

'You wouldnt think it, but I am quite shy. I can have sex on camera on Geordie Shore because thats just me with one person in a room, but put me in front of 50 people with a microphone and I would freeze.'

Gaz's Northern charm has certainly captivated the ladies with the quiffed heartthrob enjoying a string of high-profile romances .

Best known is his explosive on-off five year fling with Charlotte Crosby. The pair's stormy romance ended for good last June when Charlotte revealed she suffered an ectopic pregnancy while Gaz was holed up in the Ex On The Beach house.
He's known as the charismatic judge of now-defunct talent show, The X Factor Australia.

But now Luke Jacobz will be returning to our screens as the host of Channel Seven's latest reality program Instant Hotel.

The series will show homeowners transform their abodes into instant hotels as they battle it out for the title of best instant hotel.

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He's back! Luke Jacobz will be returning to screens as the host of Channel 7's Instant Hotel

Teams will convert their humble homes into outstanding hotels, which they then will rent out as accommodation.

Teams will travel across the country and judge each others 'hotels' on style, taste, comfort and over all value.

Host Luke Jacobz told TV Tonight: 'Ive stayed in some of the best and worst hotels in the world, but I think even the most mediocre hotel rooms can be improved with the right personal touches.'

'Its going to be great to be a fly-on-the-wall when personal taste is not to everyones taste!' The show will entail teams transforming their homes into hotels

Teams will go to great lengths to transform their homes in order to give those staying there the ultimate hotel experience.

Jacobz said: 'Its going to be great to be a fly-on-the-wall when personal taste is not to everyones taste!'

Joining Jacobz as a judge will be designer and former editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine Juliet Ashworth.

'Even the most mediocre hotel rooms can be improved with the right personal touches': Jacobz will be joined on the show by former editor-in-chief of Vogue Juliet Ashworth as a judge

Ashworth said: 'Ive stayed in a number of home-stay properties around the world  some fantastic and some not so fantastic  so I think this is a great opportunity to show people who are wanting to rent out their own home, what works and what doesnt!'

As everyone has different ideas and expectations of a hotel, the judges will be looking for elements that set teams apart from each other to make their hotel stand out.

Ashworth revealed that he is looking for hotels that are clean, comfortable and provide value for money.

The show will be airing on Channel Seven later this year.
She's a musician, 'film' star and one-time casual acquaintance of Australian icon Rob 'Millsy' Mills.

Now, Paris Hilton, 36, can add environmental crusader to her long list of talents.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the hotel heiress revealed she had switched from partying to philanthropy, before sending anticipation sky-high by announcing 'new music is coming soon.'

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Paris the philanthropist: Paris Hilton is leading the charge in a campaign to stop people 'destroying our planet with plastic bottles'

Fresh from donning a waste-littered dress for a Soadastream April Fools Day commercial, Paris seemed genuinely invigorated with her latest pursuit.

'We have such a beautiful planet and people are destroying it with all of the plastic bottles that are being used,' Paris told the publication.

'If something is not done soon we are not going to have a beautiful planet for our children and the next generation to enjoy.'

The blonde bombshell later explained her intentions to fans who could be confused as to why the prominent party-goer, reality TV star and successful musician is leading the charge against the use of plastic.

Doing it for the kids: 'If something is not done soon we are not going to have a beautiful planet for our children and the next generation to enjoy,' the 36-year-old recently said

'Doing charity work and being a philanthropist is something that has been instilled in me ever since I was a little girl,' she insisted.

In terms of her viral April Fools prank that saw her touting fake miniature water product Nanodrop, the heiress said the script and the message won her over.

The multi-talented icon added that being able to show her comedic side was a massive deciding factor.

You only get out what you put in: 'Doing charity work and being a philanthropist is something that has been instilled in me ever since I was a little girl,' the hotel heiress said of her latest campaign

Luckily for the huge chorus of fans begging the star to release a follow up to her 2006 album 'Paris,' her next revelation was from a joke.

'There is new music coming soon...I am producing and writing and actually making my own remixes on my own tracks, so it has been really fun,' she said.

The star's long wait between records certainly wasn't due to a lack of interest, after lead single Stars Are Blind topped America's Billboard dance charts.

The publication also revealed that Australian supporters wouldn't have long to wait to see Paris down under, with the beauty planning another trip in the next month.

FINALLY: Shortly after, Paris announced: 'There is new music coming soon...I am producing and writing and actually making my own remixes on my own tracks, so it has been really fun,'

11 years too long: The new tunes will come 11-years after her successful self-titled debut in 2006
She is known for flaunting her incredible body in an array of skimpy outfits on her social media pages.

But Joanna Krupa opted for an uncharacteristically covered-up look on Saturday as she enjoyed a girls' night out in Los Angeles.

The Polish model, 37, looked sexy but sophisticated in a one-shouldered top and figure-hugging leather leggings as she headed to celebrity hot spot Catch in West Hollywood.

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Sexy sophistication: Joanna Krupa opted for an uncharacteristically covered-up look on Saturday as she enjoyed a girls' night out in Los Angeles

The Real Housewives Of Miami star oozed glamour in her all-black ensemble as she headed out on the town, shortly after returning home from a Caribbean getaway.

Joanna flashed a glimpse of her smooth, sun-kissed skin in a one-shouldered black top, adorned with gold studs at the neckline for a hint of glitz.

The beauty teamed the top with a pair of skin-tight leather leggings, which drew attention to her enviably long and svelte legs as she posed fiercely for cameras.

Sexy: Joanna flashed a glimpse of her sun-kissed skin in a one-shouldered black top, adorned with gold studs at the neckline for a hint of glitz, as she posed with a gal pal outside the eatery

Keeping utterly co-ordinated, Joanna tied her look together with a pair of shimmering gold court shoes, a matching box clutch bag and huge hoop earrings.

She left her hair in its sleek, straight style to display her naturally pretty features to all - which she accentuated with lashings of mascara and a pink lip for a pop of colour.

Concealing her figure in the demure outfit, which marked a stark change from her more usual saucy bikini selfies, Joanna also hid her bronzed tan from recent holiday to St. Lucia.

The model shared a multitude of snaps from her idyllic getaway with her 1 million Instagram followers - often posing in barely-there bikinis and even completely naked, against the tropical backdrop.

Bronze goddess: Joanna hid her bronzed tan from recent holiday to St. Lucia in the outfit - which she heavily documented on her social media (above)

The former Dancing With The Stars competitor recently confessed that the key to being confident with your body is to not care what others think about you.

Speaking to Fox News at the premiere of her movie, You Can't Have it, earlier this month, the blonde explained: 'I think a woman needs to feel secure with herself...just loving yourself [and] not caring what everybody else thinks.

'Because you could be Mother Theresa and people are still going to try to find some imperfection.'

Speaking about how she feels sexy in all various settings, she continued: 'I think when you have your hair and makeup done, and there is good lighting, and you love your outfit - I think that's when you feel most sexy.

'But also I think when you are working and people are complementing you that you are doing a good job. Sexiness has its different roles.'
King's daughter says her mother has a 'wealth of materials' and it's tragic that it cannot be contained in a book

The daughter of Coretta Scott King said Friday that she wants her family to publish the speeches, letters and commentary of the widow of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.

"I know that her voice and her life can serve as a true inspiration to so many women," Bernice King said at the National Press Club.

"My mother has such a wealth of materials and it's tragic that it cannot be contained in a book like this," King said during an appearance with Barbara Reynolds, the co-author with Coretta Scott King of "My Life, My Love, My Legacy," a memoir published earlier this year.

The papers of Martin Luther King Jr. are already being published. He was assassinated in 1968 and his wife died in 2006.

In 1985, Coretta Scott King asked Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson to edit and publish The Papers of Martin Luther King Jr. They are now being published in 14 volumes through a partnership with Stanford University, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and the King estate.

The last volume of her father's papers should come out in 2025, Bernice King said. "With technology the way it is today, I know that we'll be able to accomplish this feat related to my mother much quicker," she said.

King did not say if they were negotiating with a university or publishing house. She also said she thought her brothers, Dexter and Martin III, would agree with a decision to publish their mother's papers.

King's three surviving children are the sole shareholders and directors of the estate. Yolanda King, the Kings' eldest child, died in 2007.

The King siblings have fought in court over their famous father's possessions in the past, including King's traveling Bible and Nobel Peace Prize medal.

"I think they'll agree with this decision," Bernice King said.

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They've just left Kangaroo Valley after the Stefanovic's wedding of the century.

Now the team from The Today Show are getting ready to hit the road for their We Love Australia trip.

Ahead of beginning the week in Bowral, Richard Wilkins has been serenading his cast and crew mates with a piano sing-a-long.

Richard Wilkins has been serenading his cast and crew mates with a piano sing-a-long

Fellow Today Show co-host Shelly Horton posted a video to Instagram of Richard Wilkins playing Let It Be by The Beatles on the piano while everyone sat around and sang along.

The anticipated week away will begin on Monday April 3 in Bowral where he team will be joined by Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes and taste-test what are claimed to be the best pies in Australia.

They will then head to the Gold Coast (QLD), Strahan (TAS), Inverloch (VIC) and end their trip at the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

Who knew he could play? Richard played Let It Be by The Beatles to his co-hosts

The Today Show cast are in Bowral ahead of their We Love Australia week away

The cast of The Today Show have been enjoying a weekend in Kangaroo Valley as their fellow Channel Nine presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and Peter Stefanovic tied the knot.

Lisa Wilkinson attended with her husband Peter FitzSimons, who told The Weekend Today Show it was a 'terrific wedding'.

Peter, who appeared fresh in the interview, revealed that the weather finally let up for the event, delivering the couple a sparkling day.

You know, weve had this horrible three weeks of rain, deluge rain, and it suddenly comes good for the day, he said.

The pair wed in front of 160 guests, including Peter's brother Karl Stefanovic and fellow Today show star Richard Wilkins.

Peter said there were 'wonderful stories' that were shared on the day, including how the newlyweds met.

The pair are said to have locked eyes across the Channel Nine car park in 2014, their romance blossoming from there.

Peter popped the question in July last year while the couple were enjoying a romantic getaway in France.
He shot to fame on ABC's young-adult series Dance Academy before making it big in Hollywood.

But now, Keiynan Lonsdale is back Down Under to promote the release of the official Dance Academy movie, which is in theaters now.

The 25-year-old says there's a lot to the film besides dancing, and that the PG-rated flick is filled with 'real issues' about sexuality and body shaming.

Deep: Keiynan Lonsdale says there's a lot to the Dance Academy movie besides dancing, insisting that the PG-rated flick is filled with 'real issues' about sexuality and body shaming

'The creators dont shy away from harsh topics,' he told Confidential.

He continued: 'The characters go through issues like body shaming, gay romance and struggling with their sexuality, people having huge dreams and realising it may not happen.

'Even if youre not a dancer, these are real human emotions and issues that people can connect with.'

'The characters go through issues like body shaming, gay romance and struggling with their sexuality, people having huge dreams and realising it may not happen,' he revealed

'Even if youre not a dancer, these are real human emotions and issues that people can connect with,' the 25-year-old told Confidential

Keiynan got his big acting break after landing the role of Oliver Lloyd in the Dance Academy series on ABC.

He then landed a role in the Hollywood teen action franchise, The Divergent Series, appearing in both Insurgent and Allegiant.

The handsome actor also starred in the American historical drama-thriller, The Finest Hours.

Fame: Keiynan got his big acting break after landing the role of Oliver Lloyd in the Dance Academy series on ABC

However, one of his biggest starring roles is in The CW's The Flash.

Keiynan plays Wally West aka Kid Flash in the DC Comics series.

Dance Academy: The Movie is in cinemas now.
They will have been together for a huge sixteen years next week.

And Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell will certainly be celebrating their anniversary in style, as they jetted to Barbados for the occasion on Wednesday.

The actress, 79, looked effortlessly chic in vibrant red trousers as she immersed herself in a book on the sun-soaked beach, while her 53-year-old husband cooled off in the sea.

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Romantic getaway: Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell will certainly be celebrating their anniversary in style, as they jetted to Barbados for the occasion

Chilling out: The actress, 79, looked effortlessly chic in vibrant red trousers as she immersed herself in a book on the sun-soaked beach

Barbara cut an incredibly radiant and youthful complexion for her 79 years in her summer-chic ensemble.

The Shoreditch native protected herself from the sun in a pair of figure-hugging red trousers, which loosely skimmed her slim figure to the ankle.

Proving her natural sense of style has not faltered, she teamed the strides with a co-ordinating chiffon top, patterned with red and blue lips all over.

All eyes on her: Barbara cut an incredibly radiant and youthful complexion for her 79 years in her summer-chic ensemble

Gorgeous: The Shoreditch native protected herself from the sun in a pair of figure-hugging red trousers, which loosely skimmed her slim figure to the ankle

Matching: Proving her natural sense of style has not faltered, she teamed the strides with a co-ordinating chiffon top, patterned with red and blue lips all over

Putting her best foot forward: Embracing the glorious sunshine, she finished her look with red leather wedges as she took to the golden sands of the island

Cooling off: Barbara piled her bright blonde hair on top of her head in the blazing Caribbean sunshine

Embracing the glorious sunshine, she finished her look with red leather wedges as she took to the golden sands of the island.

Barbara piled her bright blonde hair on top of her head and added a vintage pair of cat-eye sunglasses with white rims, in a glamorous finishing touch.

Proving himself the true gentleman, former actor Scott carried her orange beach bag on his shoulder as they took their positions on two sunbeds.

Glam girl: She also added a vintage pair of cat-eye sunglasses with white rims, in a glamorous finishing touch

What a man: Proving himself the true gentleman, former actor Scott carried her orange beach bag on his shoulder as they took their positions on two sunbeds

Relaxing: First enjoying a walk on the beach with her love, the beloved EastEnders star then immersed herself in a newspaper

Gorgeous: She looked utterly relaxed as she soaked up the sea view, while her husband prepared to head down to the water

Let's go: Barbara then swapped her newspaper to immerse herself in a book, glasses perched on her nose

A Sunny Afternoon indeed: Her novel of choice was about Ray Davies, from The Kinks

Keeping as casually cool as his wife, the recruitment consultant opted for a low-key blue T-shirt and classic Aviator sunglasses.

First enjoying a walk on the beach with her love, the beloved EastEnders star then immersed herself in her book about Ray Davies, frontman of The Kinks.

Getting comfortable in the shade, the actress appeared completely relaxed as she zipped through the pages, with her glasses perched on her nose, while her husband stripped to his swimwear to paddle in the sea.

In good shape: Meanwhile her husband, 53, stripped to his swimwear to paddle in the sea

Main man: Sporting a pair of navy floral shorts, her husband displayed an impressively trim figure for his age as he walked on the beach

Sun worshippers: He later re-joined his wife of almost 16 years to top up his tan

Sporting a pair of navy floral shorts, her husband displayed an impressively trim figure for his age as he listened to music while soaking up some rays.

After a lengthy afternoon in the warm climes, the pair were then seen packing up their sunbeds and sweetly heading back to their hotel hand-in-hand.

Barbara appears to be making the most of her free time, after she heartbreakingly said goodbye to BBC soap Eastenders and her character Peggy Mitchell in May.

Having made her debut on the series in 1994, the former landlady of the Queen Vic poignantly left the show after much-loved character decided to commit suicide.

Happy: The pair sweetly sat side by side and chatted intermittently as they switched off during their time away

The sun has set on a good day: After a lengthy afternoon in the warm climes, the pair were then seen packing up their sunbeds

Not feeling blue: Keeping as casually cool as his wife, the recruitment consultant opted for a low-key blue T-shirt and classic Aviator sunglasses

Dinner time: They sweetly headed back to their hotel hand-in-hand

New chapter: Barbara appears to be making the most of her free time, after she said goodbye to BBC soap Eastenders and her character Peggy Mitchell back in May

The star's emotional final episode moved fans of the show to tears, with many taking to Twitter in their droves.

Despite being one of the longest-serving members, the actress was still quick to slam the soap for their recent decision to axe Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell.

The sister duo, played by Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, met their sorry end in early January when they both drowned in a swimming pool on the day of Ronnie's wedding.

However Barbara insisted to The Sun at the time that the shake-up, brought in by producer Sean O'Connor, was a mistake.

End of an era: Having made her debut on the series in 1994, the former landlady of the Queen Vic poignantly left the show after much-loved character decided to commit suicide

Quality time: Barbara had left the show officially in September 2010, in order to spend more time with her husband

Work and play: She had said at the time that she did not like the fact she was 'taking her work' home with her

Turning over a new leaf: She said at the time: 'He is much younger than me and it's not fair to him. I am very lucky, we have been together for over 20 years now and I thought, 'That's it''

She told the paper: 'It wasn't the girls' choice. It's the new producer's decision.

'I'm sure he'll be good for the show, but that is a mistake. When I heard, I was shocked.'

Barbara had left the show officially in September 2010, in order to spend more time with her husband as she felt she had been 'taking her character home' with her.

Speaking to The Mirror two years after her departure, the beloved actress admitted that their relationship had gone from strength to strength since her working schedule had slowed down.

No regrets: She explained the difficult decision had been worth it, adding: 'Hard it was, but I have been really happy since I left and we have had a great life'

Holiday makers: She also added of their newly jet-set lifestyle since her departure: 'Now I can get away when we want'

Relaxing: She continued: 'Me and Scott have had a lot more quality time together and we have had more holidays. When I got a holiday on EastEnders I would be taking a script with me'

She said in 2012: 'I don't want to kill what we have. He is much younger than me and it's not fair to him. I am very lucky, we have been together for over 20 years now and I thought, 'That's it'.

'That's when I decided to go. Hard it was, but I have been really happy since I left and we have had a great life. And now I can get away when we want.

She added of their newly jet-set lifestyle: 'Me and Scott have had a lot more quality time together and we have had more holidays. When I got a holiday on EastEnders I would be taking a script with me. I couldn't relax and leave it behind.'

Barbara and Scott, who is her third husband, will celebrate their wedding anniversary on 8 April.
Universal Pictures released a second official trailer on Sunday for their upcoming reboot of The Mummy.

Tom Cruise's Nick descends into a massive sinkhole opened up by a bomb and accidentally revives the mummified soul of a murderous ancient Egyptian princess.

Russell Crowe, who plays Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, informs Nick he's been 'chosen' by 'the ultimate evil' to help unleash Princess Ahmanet back into the world.

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Tom Cruise back in action: Universal Pictures released a second official trailer for their upcoming reboot of The Mummy this Sunday

The trailer opens with a frenetic firefight and an explosion that nearly sends Nick hurtling to his death in the sinkhole.

He ropes himself down as part of an expedition including Annabelle Wallis' Jenny, and though Jenny urges caution, he winds up firing his gun inside.

A menacing ancient statue rises from a pool of water, Nick staring it down, and from there, the real trouble involving Sofia Boutella's villainess begins.

Venture: Tom's character Nick descends into a massive sinkhole opened up by a bomb and accidentally revives the mummified spirit of a murderous ancient Egyptian princess

The good doctor: Russell Crowe, who plays Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, informs Nick he's been 'chosen' by 'the ultimate evil' to help unleash Princess Ahmanet back into the world

Unheeded prudence: He ropes himself down as part of an expedition including Annabelle Wallis' Jenny, and though Jenny urges caution, he winds up firing his gun inside

As she was: A menacing ancient statue rises from a pool of water, Nick staring it down, and from there, the real trouble involving Sofia Boutella's villainess - shown in flashback - begins

His plane winds up being attacked by a swarm of birds, and while Jenny parachutes out in time, Nick seems to still be inside when it crashes.

With a jolt, he regains consciousness in the morgue and tears himself from his body bag, only to meet with Dr Jekyll and learn he's become a party to Ahmanet's return.

As Nick peers through a gate, a horde of rats surge through it and at once covers the unlucky leading man, leaving him screaming on the ground as he's engulfed.

Disaster: Nick's plane away from the site winds up being attacked by a swarm of birds, and while Jenny parachutes out in time, Nick seems to still be inside when it crashes

Miracle or curse?: With a jolt, he regains consciousness in the morgue and tears himself from his body bag, only to meet with Dr. Jekyll and learn he's become a party to Ahmanet's return

Storming the capital: Against lushly orchestrated strains from Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones, a swirl of action scenes roar by, including the Mummy's attack on London

Unstoppable force meets movable objects: The undead royalty's rampage through the seat of Britain's power leaves several structures destroyed in her wake

Against lushly orchestrated strains from Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones, a swirl of action scenes roar by, including the Mummy's attack on London.

Her face as a massive cloud can be seen rising over the Thames, mouth open, with the Palace Of Westminster not far off in the distance.

Directed by Alex Kurtzman, the film also stars Courtney B. Vance and Jake Johnson, and will be released on June 9 in both America and Britain.

In the offing: Directed by Alex Kurtzman, the film is a reboot of the The Mummy trilogy starring Brendan Fraser and will be released on June 9 in both America and Britain

Plugging: The director's told /Film : 'I think that our goal is to make a movie thats full of suspense, full of adventure, that has moments of horror but that isnt defined as "a horror movie," and that will ultimately scare the s*** out of you'

Star turn: To hear him tell it. 'This goes back to the requirement, I think, of having an unpredictable Tom Cruise in the movie'

Supernatural foes: Said he: 'Because if you remove from the audiences mind: "Oh I know hes going to save the day," and in fact go: "He really might not, he has no idea what to do here," now Im in a situation where Im kind of scared FOR him because I dont know what hes going to do and I dont know whats coming'

'I've known Tom Cruise since 1992, or something like that': Russell's joked that he and Tom were friends during the latter's marriage to Russell's fellow Australian Nicole Kidman, but that 'when he got divorced, I was part of the settlement package, and I went to Nicole'

The director's told /Film: 'I think that our goal is to make a movie thats full of suspense, full of adventure, that has moments of horror but that isnt defined as "a horror movie," and that will ultimately scare the s*** out of you.'

To hear him tell it. 'This goes back to the requirement, I think, of having an unpredictable Tom Cruise in the movie.'

Said he: 'Because if you remove from the audiences mind: "Oh I know hes going to save the day," and in fact go: "He really might not, he has no idea what to do here," now Im in a situation where Im kind of scared FOR him because I dont know what hes going to do and I dont know whats coming.'

A menace in the dead of night: He also discussed the movie, saying that in contradistinction to Universal's The Mummy trilogy starring Brendan Fraser, 'This one is kind of more designed to seriously scare the s*** out of you'

Joining the team: Dishing to The Independent last December, Sofia described the process of first getting involved with the motion picture

Making inquiries: 'I absolutely loved the original 1930s film with Boris Karloff, and when I first read the script I wondered whether it would be like that film or the Brendan Fraser films it would take after,' she recalled

Star attractions: 'When I met with director Alex Kurtzman he said it would be honoring the original film and Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe were on-board'

Russell gave an interview to Variety last year and quipped about his connection with Tom, who from 1990 until 2001 was married to Nicole Kidman, his second wife.

'Ive known Tom Cruise since 1992, or something like that. When he was married to an Australian, I was really good friends with him. But when he got divorced, I was part of the settlement package, and I went to Nicole,' vamped Russell.

He also discussed the movie, saying that in contradistinction to Universal's The Mummy trilogy starring Brendan Fraser, 'This one is kind of more designed to seriously scare the s*** out of you,'

No stretch: Tom is no stranger to action franchises, having starred in the Mission: impossible film series among other forays into the genre, so The Mummy (pictured) is true to form

There's that scream again: He's seen in the trailer howling in terror as the plane he's in hurtles toward the ground after its attack by birds

'Chosen to be Egypt's queen...': It's Jenny who reveals to Nick the details of Ahmenet's backstory, which have been gleaned from hieroglyph script

Dishing to The Independent last December, Sofia described the process of first getting involved with the motion picture.

'I absolutely loved the original 1930s film with Boris Karloff, and when I first read the script I wondered whether it would be like that film or the Brendan Fraser films it would take after,' she recalled.

'When I met with director Alex Kurtzman he said it would be honoring the original film and Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe were on-board.'
It's easily one of the toughest reality shows out there.

But Erika Girardi is embracing the rigors of Dancing With The Stars.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star, 45, told Us Weekly at the GLAAD Awards on Saturday of her new gig on the show: 'I love it. It's great. It's a challenge  every week you learn something new.'

No pain, no gain! Erika Girardi told Us Weekly at the GLAAD Awards on Saturday of her new gig on the show: 'I love it. It's great. It's a challenge  every week you learn something new.'

Asked about dance rehearsals, she added: 'I knew it was going to be a challenge...I take a couple of Aleve and I'm pretty good.'

Erika is partnered up with Gleb Savchenko, and so far the pair have received scores of 24 and 28.

Earlier in March, however, Erika's very first dance routine was called 'raunchy' by head judge Len Goodman.

The reality star recently slammed what she considered to be a sexist double standard in a blog post she shared for People.

Start your engines! Erika dazzled on the dance floor with partner Gleb Savchenko on week two

'He's totally entitled to his opinion,' she wrote. 'But I didnt feel that was the case and I'm also allowed to disagree.

'I thought there was a lot of sexy in the entire lineup last week. Look at Bonner [Bolton] and Sharna [Burgess]'s routine!

'The crowd was going crazy for it. But thats thats the price you play for owning your sexuality and not being afraid and being fearless and being yourself as a woman. Youre held to a different standard and judged differently than men.'

Reality star: The Atlanta, Georgia born star has been on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since 2015

In bed with Erika! Girardi sizzled as she laid on her bed in an Instagram snap posted Saturday

She said there will be more sexiness coming.

'But that doesnt mean Im stopping! This week Gleb and I are dancing a foxtrot. Its still going to be really sexy but in a very refined and fun way just because of the nature of the dance.'

The Atlanta, Georgia born star has starred on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since 2015.

And she doesn't just have credits on reality television either, as Erika's also appeared in the 2016 TV movie, Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens.

Dancing With The Stars airs on ABC on Monday.
He recently confirmed that he suffered a heart attack in January.

But Antonio Banderas, 56, looked to be the picture of health as he went to the proclamation of Holy Week in Malaga on Sunday with his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel.

The Spanish actor cut a dapper figure in a tailored navy suit, teamed with a crisp white shirt underneath.

Looking good: Antonio Banderas, 56, looked to be the picture of health as he went to the proclamation of Holy Week in Malaga on Sunday with his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel

Covering his eyes with a pair of large shades, Antonio commanded attention as he arrived in the smart ensemble, which he finished off with a pair of black brogues.

Nicole, 37, looked chic in a double-breasted white blazer, paired with a black tailored trousers.

She opted for a black strappy top underneath, before boosting her height with a pair of cream heels.

Dapper: The Spanish actor looked smart in a tailored navy suit, teamed with a crisp white shirt

Wearing her honey coloured locks down over her shoulders, she accentuated her eyes with a liberal coating of mascara, adding a rose-tinted gloss to finish off the look.

The Desperado star revealed last week that he had three stents implanted to widen the narrowed arteries in his heart after the scare in January.

He also admitted he had suffered heart rhythm problems before being rushed to hospital near his Surrey home while exercising.

The Spanish actor confirmed: 'I suffered a heart attack on January 26. It was a benign attack, it hasn't caused any permanent damage and now I'm in a recovery period.

Loved up: His girlfriend Nicole, 37, meanwhile looked chic in a double-breasted white blazer

'It's something that happens every day to a lot of people. I didn't hide it, but I didn't want it to receive more importance than those suffered by other people.'

Attributing his problems to the stress he had put his body under for almost four decades with his work commitments and constant travelling between his bases in the States and his native Spain, he said: 'I'm now reviewing a lot of things.'

Antonio sparked further concern last month when it emerged he had travelled to a medical centre in Geneva to treat reported chest pains.

He later insisted he had made the visit as part of a routine check-up.
The two TV stars enjoyed a brief romance last year but the fling ended abruptly when photographs of them together appeared online.

Ex-Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten has revealed that her split from DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles still hurts and has even put her off dating.

The beauty, 32, spoke out to theDaily Star about her relationship with the TV star, who is 22 years her senior.

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Heartbreak: Gemma Oaten has revealed that her brief fling last year with Nick Knowles left her 'burned' and has even put her off dating

'It was weird. It was very eggy and it did put me off dating.

'I've been a little bit burned and now is the time for me to be a little bit selfish and look after me.'

The couple first met last September at the TV Choice Awards.

Nick immediately whisked Gemma off for a romantic dinner after the glitzy award ceremony and they began dating, eight months after Nick's separation from wife Jessica.

But when pictures emerged of the pair enjoying a romantic getaway in Edinburgh, the 54-year-old star abruptly broke up with Gemma.

Heartbreaker: Nick broke up with Gemma when pictures emerged of them together and returned to his wife Jessica who was suffering with cervical cancer

Whirlwind: The former Emmerdale actress met the presenter last September at the TV Choice Awards and they immediately embarked on a fling

Nick returned to his wife Jessica Knowles, 28, and supported her as she battled cervical cancer.

By January they decided to separate but remained on good terms for the sake of their son, Eddie.

Although Gemma is still spinning from her break up with the charismatic TV presenter, Nick is clearly enjoying being very much back on the market.

Happier times: Nick returned to his wife Jessica Knowles who was suffering with cervical cancer. However, the couple decided to call it quits in January

He was spotted looking sharp in a black suit and tie, hair slicked back, designer beard perfectly primped, as he exited Mayfair private members' club Little House on Friday night.

Nick dragged on an end-of-the-night-cigarette as he crossed the street with a couple of male pals, followed closely behind by a pair of leggy ladies.

The ladies kept a couple of feet behind Nick as he lead the way, presumably to an after-party.

Three's a crowd! Recently divorced Nick partied at exclusive private members' club in London's Mayfair... and was seen leaving with TWO leggy women

Following the news of his fling with Gemma, Nick made a statement in a bid to address the matter once and for all.

Taking to his Twitter page the TV host confirmed to his followers that their fling happened during a 'turbulent and traumatic' time while he separated from his estranged wife.

Broaching the topic of his troubled relationship with ex-wife Jessica, he said: 'This year we have faced a miscarriage, the break down of our marriage and cancer without being disrespectful about each other at any point.'

Moving on to his romance with Gemma, he continued that it was 'something that happened (in the space of less than one week) during a turbulent, traumatic time and more to the point - whilst we were separated'.

Handy man: Nick has helmed DIY:SOS since 1999
It was said to be his his stripping debut, but when Jon Gosselin hit the stage at Untamed Male Revue on Saturday night, his clothes stayed on.

Now, in a new video posted to Facebook, the 40-year-old TV personality breaks down his decision to not bare all at the Atlantic City venue.

'Stripping? Who said I was stripping?' the father of eight asks, adding, 'Some of the media said I was going to take my clothes off based upon a flyer.'

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Male revue: A fan puts dollars in Jon Gosselin's pants as he made his 'stripping' debut in Atlantic City on Saturday, which was April Fool's Day

He was quick to mention to his 4,000 plus Facebook followers that his appearance was booked on April Fools Day, which also happens to be his date of birth.

'Men Untamed is a choreographed male burlesque show, not a strip club,' he said while explaining the confusion over his so-called stripping gig.

As for the question of why he decided to throw the event at all, Jon says, 'I wanted to give myself the best 40th birthday present ever.'

Big Kahuna: The Jon And Kate Plus 8 star donned a Hawaiian-themed costume, perhaps a nod to his mother's birthplace

'Not only could I have my 40th birthday party here, and have my family and friends, and pay myself, I could donate a portion of the proceeds to my favorite charity St Jude's,' the former Jon And Kate Plus 8 star says in the video posted Sunday morning.

The event, which he says he lost 25 pounds for, featured the reality personality in one of his signature Ed Hardy t-shirts.

A female fan did not seem to mind the lack of nudity as she was photographed placing dollar bills down Gosselin's pants for the camera.

'Who said I was stripping?': The father of eight sets the record straight in a video posted to Facebook on Sunday

The father of eight changed into a Hawaiian-themed costume, perhaps a nod to his mother's birthplace.

It is also said his girlfriend Colleen Conrad was in the audience as Jon had fun on a stripper role.

Eyewitnesses claim his girlfriend of almost three years got a lap dance from some of the show's male burlesque dancers, as her boyfriend cheered her on and pointed.

Untamed: Gosselin claims this flyer mislead people to believe he would be stripping

'What started out as a great social experiment turned out to be an incredible experience,' Jon reflects in his Facebook video.

He added, 'I'm glad planet earth still cares about me, stay tuned for more in 2017.'

Jon closes the clip by promising, 'There is a lot more to come.'
Dakota Johnson gamboled about a beach in Miami on Friday wearing a scarlet bikini that left almost nothing to the imagination.

The scion of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith was spotted strolling about a row of zaffre-cushioned deck chairs strewn across the sand.

Joined at the beach by a friend, Dakota'd occasionally accessorized with a wide-brimmed straw hat and a stylish pair of sunglasses.

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Showing what she's got: Dakota Johnson gamboled about a beach in Miami on Friday wearing a scarlet bikini that left almost nothing to the imagination

At one point, while relaxing on her own deck chair, she picked up her phone and was seen chattering away, stretching herself across the cushion.

Her friend was quite often on her phone as well, and, at one point, began showing Dakota something on it, the two of them grinning as they looked.

Occasionally, as she was sitting down, the straw hat came on, but as accessories went she'd decided to keep the sunglasses settled in place.

The heat in Miami: The scion of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith was spotted strolling about a row of zaffre-cushioned deck chairs strewn across the sand

Out with a pal: Joined at the beach by a friend, Dakota'd occasionally accessorized with a wide-brimmed straw hat and a stylish pair of sunglasses

Social butterfly: At one point, while relaxing on her own deck chair, she picked up her phone and was seen chattering away, stretching herself across the cushion

Though the product of a Hollywood family, Dakota shot to fame of her own by way of her star turn in the Fifty Shades Trilogy, based on E.L. James' bonkbuster books.

She leads the cast as Anastasia Steele, who begins a tempestuous and sadomasochism-tinged relationship with her boss Christian Grey.

Fifty Shades Of Grey premiered February 2015, its sequel Fifty Shades Darker two months ago and the third part, Fifty Shades Freed, is due next February.

Having a look: Her friend was quite often on her phone as well, and, at one point, began showing Dakota something on it, the two of them grinning

Freeing the hair: Occasionally, as she was sitting down, the straw hat came on, but as accessories went she'd decided to keep the sunglasses settled in place

Out in the open: The granddaughter of Tippi Hedren's dished in Vogue earlier this year about baring her figure in the various sex scenes she's performed in for the Fifty Shades franchise

The granddaughter of Tippi Hedren's dished in Vogue earlier this year about baring her figure in the various sex scenes she's performed in for the franchise.

Covering the February issue, she mused: 'Nudity is really interesting for an actor,' explaining: '[co-star] Jamie [Dornan] and I worked so incredibly closely for so long.'

Said she: 'There were no inhibitions, and it was very honest, very trusting. But I mean, what a gamble! What if he had turned out to be a total d***?'

Collaborating: Covering the February issue, she mused: 'Nudity is really interesting for an actor,' explaining: '[co-star] Jamie [Dornan] and I worked so incredibly closely for so long'

'But I mean, what a gamble!': Said she: 'There were no inhibitions, and it was very honest, very trusting' but she worried: 'What if he had turned out to be a total d***?'

'I don't know': She went on to ruminate about her future in this arena, saying: 'Will I stop doing nude scenes when my boobs start sagging?'

Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse, she revealed: 'Theres no makeup. There are no clothes to tell you a bit about the story. Theres no jewelry to give you a clue about social status. So it becomes purely about the performance.'

She went on to ruminate about her future in this arena, saying: 'Will I stop doing nude scenes when my boobs start sagging? I dont know.'

To hear her tell it, 'Maybe I have more of a European mind-set about these things. I dont want to see someone wearing a bra and underwear in a sex scene. Lets be honest about it. People are naked when they f***.'

'People are naked when they f***': She's said: 'Maybe I have more of a European mind-set about these things,' and 'I dont want to see someone wearing a bra and underwear in a sex scene'

Elephant in the room: On fame, she said: 'No one wants to say that they want to be famous, nobody wants to sound like they like being famous, nobody wants to sound ungrateful, nobody wants to sound like theyre in denial'

On fame, she said: 'No one wants to say that they want to be famous, nobody wants to sound like they like being famous, nobody wants to sound ungrateful, nobody wants to sound like theyre in denial'.

At one point, she wondered if she was 'even a famous person,' saying that 'I imagine that those are people who other people are constantly staring at, which isnt me.'

Dakota went on to quip: 'Who gets photographed every day? Brad and Angelina? But they dont, because Im fairly certain that theyve built underground tunnels everywhere, and thats how they get around.'

Humility: At one point, she wondered if she was 'even a famous person,' saying that 'I imagine that those are people who other people are constantly staring at, which isnt me'
Chelsea Handler insists Jennifer Aniston has no interest in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's break-up.

Jennifer's former husband Brad split from his wife Angelina - with whom he has six children - in September and Chelsea, who is a good friend of Jennifer's, thinks it is crazy that people believe Jennifer cares.

She told YOU magazine: 'I don't think Jen cares about what's going on and it's crazy that people think she does. As if she's sitting around caring about [Angelina Jolie]. I know I don't.'

Nope: Jennifer Aniston does not think about Angelina Jolie, Chelsea Handler told You

Not this either: And the star does not think about Jolie's split from her ex-husband Brad Pitt. Pictured 2013

After Angelina filed for divorce from Brad, 52, in September, Chelsea lashed out at the star, calling her a lunatic.

She said: 'There are reports that part of the problem was Brad was allegedly drinking and smoking too much weed.

'I wonder why he needed to self-medicate. Maybe because he could have been spending the last 12 years at Lake Como hanging out with George Clooney and Matt Damon, instead of being stuck in a house with 85 kids speaking 15 different languages?

Old pals: Jennifer and Chelsea, seen here in 2011, have been friends for nearly a decade

Her new man: The Friends star has been married to Justin Theroux for two years. Pictured at the VF Oscar party in February

'Oh yeah, because he married a lunatic, that's why!'

And when asked about her comments, she said: 'I just say what most people are thinking.'

Meanwhile, Chelsea, 42 - who has interviewed a number of celebrities on both her E! show Chelsea Lately and Netflix's Chelsea - hit out at Russell Brand but had kind words for some other British celebrities.

She said: 'Russell Brand was a huge pain in the ass but I'd love to interview Hugh Laurie. He'd be great. The British have a very dry sense of humour, which I love. I always feel like I'm British anyway.

They met on a movie: The stars worked together on the comedy Wanderlust

'I'm interested in people who have opinions and aren't afraid to express them. So if someone says: I don't want to talk about my husband or my kids then forget it, because that's your life.

'On my [E!] show, I interviewed a lot of reality stars and I'd always drift off, thinking about what I was going to eat later because they were so uninteresting.

'But I like Brits - I interviewed Tom Hiddleston and he was very sweet and very square. We're going to England soon, so hopefully we'll do something on the set of The Crown - it would be very exciting to interview Claire Foy.'
The children proudly wield donated plastic water bottles like freshly dug nuggets of treasure, smiling despite the fear and death and destruction they have faced in their ruined city.

With the impetuousness that only children can muster, they forget for a moment the hell they've endured in Mosul.

"We had a big house, but Daesh bombed and burned it," says 10-year-old Nora, her undersized frame draped in a hand-me-down dress with a black, Peter Pan collar.

"They destroyed us."

She is among thousands of children whose young lives have been torn apart by a vast military operation to recapture Iraq's second city of Mosul from the Islamic State group, known locally by the Arabic acronym "Daesh".

She sits in a tent with other displaced children at a refugee camp 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Mosul, quietly scrawling a pencil drawing of a bright pink heart.

That's far enough to finally silence the constant thud of shelling and the crack of rifle fire that they've heard for weeks.

The facilities are fine but basic: a few linoleum tables, plastic chairs, crayons, pencils and paper. The tent exteriors are daubed with bright murals of fields of flowers, technicolour handprints and SpongeBob SquarePants.

A small astroturf volleyball court fades in the clear March sunshine.

For Maulid Warfa, an aid worker with the United Nation's children's fund UNICEF, this "Child Friendly Space" has a crucial function.

"Here is where children feel like children again," he says.

Iraqi authorities say more than 200,000 people have fled west Mosul since an operation to oust IS from their former stronghold began last month after security forces had earlier captured eastern neighbourhoods.

The battle has taken a deadly toll on civilians, sparking calls for greater efforts to protect them.

When in the tent or in the play area, Nora and her friends could almost be mistaken for happy, carefree children anywhere.

But those fleeing Mosul have their tells: fatigue darkening the eyes, sallow cheeks, shadows cast a little too thinly.

"It's because of Daesh that we are here," says nine-year-old Abdulrahman, sitting next to Nora at the black table strewn with crayon sketches.

"There," he says of Mosul, "there is fear."

He talks against a soundtrack of children laughing and singing as they chase each other through the area.

But each child here bears hidden scars.

"When they were in Mosul, they went through very, very difficult experiences," says Warfa.

"They have seen things that they should not have, many of them have seen people that have been killed. They have seen dead bodies."

The Child Friendly Space, run in conjunction with charity Terre des Hommes, can help the children express themselves creatively.

But despite the psychological "first aid" they receive when arriving at the camp, many display understandable signs of the trauma they've witnessed.

"Some are aggressive and they run away from adults. There are those who hit their friends, others who don't want to share anything," says one social worker, who declined to give his name.

Warfa adds: "Even though they look normal... they are burning inside."

Their drawings depict both innocence and pain. In among the cheery scenes of sunshine, homes and animals, some images speak of more harrowing recent experiences in Mosul.

One, starkly traced in black pencil, shows a terrified child, alone in a city consumed by flames.

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Milo Ventimiglia and Freida Pinto held each other close and beamed during a photo-shoot in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The pair were promoting their episode of Variety Studio: Actors On Actors presented by Shutterstock, which'll see them interview one another.

Freida's hair blew back slightly from her face as she snuggled up to Milo while wearing a sleeveless red top speckled with black spots.

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Having a ball: Milo Ventimiglia and Freida Pinto held each other close and beamed during a photo-shoot in Los Angeles on Sunday

Her backless blouse was cinched about her enviably trim midriff and had strips of solid black fabric, and she'd accessorized with gleaming drop earrings.

The 32-year-old Slumdog Millionaire star's midnight blue skirt featured a thigh slit that allowed her to showcase her toned legs.

A watch glinted on her left wrist as she placed that hand on Milo's shoulder, just as he placed his own left hand slightly above the small of her back.

Chatting each other up: The pair were promoting their episode of Variety Studio: Actors On Actors presented by Shutterstock, which'll see them interview one another

Leaning forward: Occasionally, while posing alone, Milo shed his blazer and set it on a black table on front of him, showcasing his toned arms as he sat on a wooden block

He'd popped on a midnight blue blazer over a short-sleeved button-down navy shirt, which was spattered with diamond patterns in various shades of blue.

Worn dress shoes complemented midnight blue slacks, and the 39-year-old This Is Us star had dashed in a bit of glitz by way of a bracelet on his left wrist.

Occasionally, while posing alone, he shed the coat and set it on a black table on front of him, showcasing his toned arms as he sat on a wooden block.

In repose: He was also photographed lying on his back, stretched across a fossil grey sofa with his blazer flung over the back of it, near where he'd placed his legs

The look: He'd popped on a midnight blue blazer over a short-sleeved button-down navy shirt, which was spattered with diamond patterns in various shades of blue

He was also photographed lying on his back, stretched across a fossil grey sofa with his blazer flung over the back of it, near where he'd placed his legs.

When the actual interview was taped, Milo and Freida sat opposite each other in plush armchairs, flanking a fashionably tiny coffee table.

White ceramic coffee cups had been set out for them, and Freida - who by this point had wrapped her hair into a ponytail - was seen lifting one.

Winning smile: The 39-year-old This Is Us star had grown out his hair down nearly to his shoulders and allowed quite a bit of scruff to grow onto his face

The set: When the actual interview was taped, Milo and Freida - who wore kate spade new york shoes - sat opposite each other in plush armchairs, flanking a fashionably tiny coffee table

The new season of Actors On Actors will include such pairings as Oprah Winfrey with Thandie Newton, according to Variety, which rolled out the lineup on Thursday.

Minnie Driver will sit opposite Christine Baranski and Moulin Rouge! stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor enjoy an onscreen reunion, among other duos.

After a June 13 premiere on PBS SoCal, season six of the Variety program will filter outward to various PBS stations around the country over the course of June.

Refreshing herself: White ceramic coffee cups had been set out for them, and Freida - who by this point had wrapped her hair into a ponytail - was seen lifting one
Posing together with beaming smiles, they are two young actresses with the world at their feet.

But 20 years on, one is a star of stage and screen, mourning the death of the other, aged just 42.

Actress and comedienne Miranda Hart, 44, has opened up about the shock of losing best friend Joanna Dugdale to cancer last year.

Miss Hart and Mrs Dugdale, pictured together shortly after graduating from drama school, starred in 2004 indie film Mothers and Daughters, produced by Lynda La Plante, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival that year.

Miranda Hart and Joanna Dugdale met when they studied acting together in London

While Miss Hart went on to become one of Britains best-loved comics, Mrs Dugdale, for whom Mothers and Daughters was her first film, never starred on screen again and left acting altogether.

Last year, the pair, who had remained best friends since meeting as students at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London, spent one final weekend together at Miss Harts remote cottage in Sussex.

Days later, Cambridge graduate Mrs Dugdale was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died within three weeks, leaving behind a nine-year-old daughter.

Miss Hart, who has dedicated her new book Mirandas Daily Dose Of Such Fun in aid of Comic Relief, to Mrs Dugdale, told the Mail: I met Joanna at drama school 20 years ago and she was one of my dearest friends.

To lose her last year was a huge shock. I dedicated my Comic Relief book to her as she loved the idea of it - she had a determined positive outlook on life - and gave me a couple of ideas for it.

Miranda (fourth from left) and Joanna (third from right) stared together in the 2004 indie film Mothers and Daughters

I am sure she is laughing with me as I do the daily entries from the book!

After leaving the acting profession, Mrs Dugdale went onto work as an agent for corporate speaking agency JLA.

The mother-of-one, who lived in west London and was also a lifelong friend of comedian Jimmy Carr, split from her husband Roland shortly before her death.

She had been in remission from breast cancer when she spent her last weekend with Miss Hart. Upon returning to London, she was told the cancer had come back and spread to her bones.

Mrs Dugdales stepfather Chris, 68, said: At the funeral, Miranda had a very funny eulogy about Joanna taking the p*** out of her and calling her a party pooper because they were both sitting in their pyjamas and dressing gowns instead of being out clubbing.

Joanna Dugdale was in remission for breast cancer when she and Miranda Hart spent a weekend together at Miranda's remote Sussex cottage

Joanna was saying, If it was up to me, wed be out clubbing! It was a very funny remembrance of their last weekend together.

Miss Hart was unable to attend the funeral in person but had written a eulogy to be read on her behalf.

Her mother Lorna, 71, said: Im worried about my granddaughter all the time - that almost gives you the adrenaline to keep going. Then suddenly the terrible realisation of whats happened hits.

She wasnt just a grown-up lady, she was my little girl, I grew up with her and I was proud of everything she did. I was totally proud of her the whole time.

Miss Hart dedicated her Comic Relief book to Joanna and wrote a eulogy for her funeral

In May, Miss Hart will make her West End debut as Miss Hannigan in the classic musical Annie.

She won great acclaim as the star of her semi-autobiographical sitcom Miranda, which aired on the BBC between 2009 and 2015, and also appeared in Call The Midwife for three years as matron Chummy.

Miss Harts new book is a collection of fun ideas designed to help alleviate anxiety, with all royalties going to Mirandas Fund, supporting young people to improve their emotional well-being.

Writing in the book about her own experiences of anxiety, Miss Hart said: Life during times of acute anxiety has been like wading through treacle and on bad days getting to the end of the street to post a letter was hard, such was the extreme level of fear in my body.

Miss Hart will not be returning to BBC's Call the Midwife due to the demands of her schedule

The first night of Miss Harts new West End show Annie opens on the one-year anniversary of Mrs Dugdales death in May.

Last summer Miss Hart revealed that she would not be returning to the sixth season of BBC Ones Call The Midwife, due to a busy schedule.

She was also believed to have pulled out of the Royal Variety Performance, which she was expected to present.
Their relationship was put through the test throughout the latest season of My Kitchen Rules.

And it appears the 'pressure cooker' environment pushed Josh and Amy Meeuwissen to their limits, with the pair splitting up as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.

'I think it's because we had no breathing room from each other,' 26-year-old Josh revealed to New Idea as to why his wife moved out of their WA home following the show.

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'Amy went to a girlfriend's house': My Kitchen Rules contestant Josh Meeuwissen has revealed his wife MOVED OUT of their home as soon as filming was finished

The deckhand, who has been dubbed the 'villain' of the show for his controversial behaviour, went on to explain they hoped to 'give ourselves some distance'.

The former aspiring male model told the publication that 'Amy went to a girlfriend's house in Broome' for a week while he remained at the couple's home to gather their thoughts separately.

Meanwhile, despite their fellow contestants sharing their concerns about the way Josh treats Amy on the show, the brunette remains defensive of her man.

'I think it's because we had no breathing room': The 26-year-old explained the pressure of the cooking competition got the better of him

'He's just a very honest and upfront person, and some people see it as a personal attack,' Amy told the mag.

Meanwhile, Queensland foodie Della Whearty revealed that the self-proclaimed 'seafood king' 'didn't give a s**t' about how his behaviour would be perceived.

'Because I'm a mum I was genuinely concerned for him and said to him off camera "you need to stop this, you're going to look so bad in front of 1.5 million people" and he laughed it off. He really didn't give a s**t,' Della told The Daily Telegraph.

Space: The 'seafood king' revealed his wife went to stay with a friend while he remained in their home as soon as the cameras stopped rolling

It comes after Josh's most recent controversy, during which he called rival chef Amy Murr a 'slut' as she served his meal during her instant restaurant round with brother Tyson.

Della made her feelings towards Josh's actions clear as she spoke to the camera after the exchange.

She said: 'That's so rude. If he was my husband, he would have copped an elbow to the groin.'

Defensive: Despite fellow contestants sharing their concern about the way she's treated by her husband, Amy maintains Josh's honesty can sometimes be misunderstood

Meanwhile, Josh attempted to defend his comments prior to the episode airing last week, claiming he'd been 'blackmailed' into saying things for the sake of ratings.

'Several teams were definitely heavily pressured into answering questions by producers,' the deckhand told The Kyle & Jackie 'O' Show last Wednesday.

'They threatened teams that they would not be allowed to leave the interview room until they said a particular scene that producers wanted.'

Controversial: Josh recently called rival chef Amy Murr a 'slut' during Wednesday night's episode

When quizzed on the nature of the alleged blackmail, Josh described an incident where a producer desperately wanted him to discuss something he wasn't comfortable talking about.

He claimed that the producer followed him and his wife Amy back to their hotel room, hounding them the entire way.

'If I didn't do certain things they were going to portray it differently. And they were telling me how they were going to edit it unless I play ball,' he claimed.

'Blackmailed'? The deckhand claimed that a producer followed him and wife Amy back to their hotel, hounding them to 'do certain things' for the sake of ratings

Midwife Karen later shut down Josh's claims he had his arm twisted by producers.

'There was no way he was pushed into saying 'Thanks slut' when you have two people sitting next to you. No way have Channel Seven said that to him,' the Victorian told The Sydney Morning Herald.

'He's an adult and he makes those decisions and it was his choice to say that,' the reality star added.
Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou says he will not amend the constitution to allow him to seek a third term after his second and final mandate ends in 2021

Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou said Saturday that he would not amend the constitution to allow him to seek a third term after his second and final mandate ends in 2021.

"One of my greatest ambitions is to organise free and transparent elections in 2021 and pass the baton to another Nigerien whom the Nigeriens will have chosen," the president said in an interview on state television on the occasion of the first anniversary of his inauguration for his second mandate on April 2, 2016.

The constitution of Niger limits the president to two terms of five years. Issoufou, 65, was re-elected in March last year following the end of his first term, albeit in elections boycotted by the opposition.

"Me, I am a democrat at heart (...) I don't have the arrogance to think that I am an irreplaceable providential man," the head of state said.

According to Issoufou "Niger needs strong democratic institutions," and for this there needed to be alternations in power.

If he succeeds, he will be the first democratically elected president of of the vast west African country to ensure a peaceful transition of power to a new head of state.

His predecessor Mamadou Tandja was overthrown in 2010 by a military coup for having modified the constitution in order to remain in power at the end of his two legal five-year terms.

Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world but rich in uranium, has never experienced a real democratic transfer of power since its independence in 1960.

The democratic process begun in 1993 has often been interrupted by military coups.

In recent years, Niger has been hit by attacks from Boko Haram Islamists, whose insurgency has spilled over from neighbouring Nigeria, but despite its porous borders the country is an island of stability in a troubled area.

Besides Nigeria, neighbouring Mali and Libya are also battling jihadist groups.
Handout photo chart courtesy of the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control shows the 2013 Los Cachiros drug trafficking cartel

To hear him tell it in court, he has the blood of 78 people on his hands and allegedly shipped 20 tons of cocaine to the United States.

He also laundered millions of dollars, and, once imprisoned in America, started spilling the beans -- and terrifying powerful people back home in his native Honduras.

From 2003 to 2013, Devis Leonel Rivera Maradiaga and his brother Javier, along with their parents and other siblings, led a violent drug cartel called Los Cachiros, in Tocoa on the Atlantic coast of Honduras, a country with one of the world's highest murder rates.

But the brothers feared getting killed when the US Treasury Department put the names of their whole family on a black list in 2013 and the government of Honduras began seizing assets from them.

So Leonel Rivera started secretly recording conversations with accomplices such as Fabio Lobo, son of former president Porfirio Lobo, who served from 2010 to 2014.

He did this first on his own and later in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration starting in 2013.

Leonel Rivera, who turned 40 on Tuesday, is a man of short stature with a thin moustache and arched eyebrows that make him look angry all the time.

Along with his brother he cut a deal with the US prosecutors in New York under which the pair landed in prison more than two years ago -- but the rest of their family did not.

His mother, father, sister and a second brother live in the United States, presumably under a new identity and under the protection of the US government.

- 'A little window' -

US authorities said this week that Leonel Rivera will be sentenced by Judge John Koeltl on April 14.

Thanks to his revelations, the authorities in Honduras learned that the Cachiros gang had at least 22 contracts with the Lobo government, prosecutors in Honduras said Wednesday.

They also said they would investigate the government officials named by Leonel Rivera.

"This is what makes the Cachiros case so interesting, because it's a little window into the way organized crime and elites intersect in places like Honduras," said Steven Dudley, co-director of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas.

"This is important because it sends the message that impunity is not total, that there is some accountability somewhere, there exists some system that is willing to hold even the highest powers accountable," said Dudley.

"But does that transfer into real change? I am not sure yet."

- 22 meetings -

From December 5, 2013 to September 21, 2015, Leonel Rivera met with US prosecutors 22 times to give them information and negotiate the terms of his plea bargain, according to court documents seen by AFP.

The two brothers surrendered to the DEA in January 2015, Leonel in the Bahamas and Javier in Miami.

In April 2016, they each pleaded guilty to charges including murder, leading a drug trafficking gang and conspiring to ship illegal drugs into the US.

The Cachiros gang took delivery of drugs from Colombia, which arrived either in planes or speedboats, and took it overland to Guatemala. From there it would move on to Mexico and then the US, Leonel Rivera said in his first testimony against Fabio Lobo on March 6.

He said that in exchange for bribes the cartel was protected by the former president, his son, his brother Ramon "Moncho" Lobo, the current Security Minister Julian Pacheco, by the legislator Antonio Hernandez, brother of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and by dirty cops and military people.

All of these people deny the charges, except for Fabio Lobo, who was arrested by the DEA in Haiti in 2015. He has pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking and will be sentenced on May 30.

- 'Deal with the devil' -

If convicted Leonel Rivera could face life in prison but his fate depends on judge Koeltl.

His plea bargain, signed April 14 of last year, calls for the charges against him to be dropped if he tells the truth, does not commit more crimes and testifies when the government asks him to.

The US government could also grant him a so-called "5K1" card that calls for a reduced sentence and perhaps entry into a witness protection program.

"It's the deal with the devil," said a lawyer close to the case. "This guy has admitted to 78 murders" but the judge has complete discretion when it comes to deciding on his sentence.

In theory, "he could walk out of his sentence" meaning walk out of court and start life anew with an assumed identity, the lawyer said.
A Ferrari F430 once owned by US President Donald Trump sold for $270,000 at an auction in Fort Lauderdale, on April 1, 2017

A 10-year-old bright red Ferrari that belonged to President Donald Trump went on the block on Saturday and sold for $270,000, auctioneers said.

"Similar versions of the model without the celebrity provenance traditionally bring between $125,000 - $175,000 depending on mileage, condition and optional equipment," said Auctions America spokeswoman Amy Christie.

She did not name the buyer.

Car lovers and Trump supporters had lined up to admire the 2007 F430 coupe at a convention center in Fort Lauderdale 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Miami.

The real-estate billionaire bought the Ferrari new for use as his personal car and owned it for just over four years.

He drove the car 2,400 miles. The rest of its mileage -- 6,000 miles -- was clocked by its second and current owner, who bought the Ferrari in 2011 and also remains anonymous.
When America entered WWI, a century ago this week, its industrial might and vast manpower tipped the balance of the conflict and marked its own emergence as a global power

When America entered World War I, a century ago this week, the European powers were bogged down in a grinding trench war that had killed millions and ravaged the European continent.

Swinging its industrial might and vast manpower behind France and Britain against Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917, the United States tipped the balance of the conflict and marked its own emergence as a global power.

"World War I was clearly the turning point for developing a new global role for the United States, ushering in a century of international engagement to promote democracy," said Jennifer Keene, a World War I expert at Chapman University in California.

Americans had been keenly following the war ever since it broke out in August 1914, showing broad support for neutrality.

But public opinion changed with the May 1915 sinking of the Lusitania.

The British ocean liner was en route from New York to Liverpool when a German submarine torpedoed it off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,201 passengers, including 128 Americans.

Public opinion in the US swung away from neutrality in May 1915 with the sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine killing 1,201 passengers, including 128 Americans

"It seems inconceivable that we should refrain from taking action on this manner, for we owe it not only to humanity but to our own national self-respect," former president Teddy Roosevelt, an influential pro-allied hawk, told the New York Tribune at the time.

- Pro-allied, but neutral -

Although public sentiment swung toward the Allies, most Americans nevertheless insisted on neutrality.

Secretary of state Williams Jennings Bryan went so far as to resign in June 1915 over what he considered president Woodrow Wilson's excessively belligerent tone toward Germany -- especially after a US probe found that the Lusitania had been carrying contraband guns and ammunition.

Still, thousands of Americans volunteered to fight for the Allied cause, joining the French, British and Canadian forces. US aviators even joined the French Air Service, forming what became known as the Lafayette Escadrille.

In a show of bravado, the US military commander, General John Pershing (Center R), landed in France in June 1917 with 14,000 soldiers

People like Roosevelt worried that an Allied defeat would result in Germany's occupation of parts of Canada, as well as British and French Caribbean possessions. Neutrality made German entry into the Americas more likely, Roosevelt argued in his influential newspaper columns.

"Americans had plenty of time to think about what they wanted to do, they just couldn't agree," said Michael Neiberg of the US Army War College.

Wilson, who struggled to maintain neutrality, won re-election in November 1916 under the campaign slogan "He kept us out of the war."

- A telegram, submarines and a revolution -

Three events in early 1917 changed the equation.

Undated file photo taken during World War I shows the US Army Battery A, of the 15th US Field Artillery crossing Rhine River in Germany

On January 16, German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to his ambassador in Mexico asking him to propose a military alliance. Mexico would recover land lost to the United States in an earlier war, including Texas, in exchange for German gold and weapons.

British intelligence agents intercepted the message, decoded it and passed on to Washington. Its publication outraged Americans.

Next, on February 1, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking merchant ships without warning in international waters. The Germans calculated that if they could sink enough ships, they would starve Britain of food and supplies and tilt the war in their favor. They sank three US merchant ships in the subsequent days, adding to the anti-German outrage.

Even still, the Americans "will not even come," German Admiral Eduard von Capelle confidently told a German parliamentary committee on January 31, "because our submarines will sink them. Thus America from a military point of view means nothing, and again nothing, and for a third time nothing."

Finally, as Russia imploded in chaos and revolution, Czar Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, surrendering power to what became known as the Provisional Government.

Nicholas was "a figure that almost all Americans hated," Neiberg said. "It thus seemed -- at least until the Bolsheviks took over in November 1917 -- that the war might usher in democracy."

- 'Safe for democracy' -

Even before the US entered WWI, thousands of Americans volunteered to fight, including aviators who joined the French, forming what became known as the Lafayette Escadrille

Germany's submarine war "is a warfare against mankind," Wilson said in his April 2 speech to Congress asking for war.

"The world must be made safe for democracy," he proclaimed. "We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion."

But the US military was ill-prepared for war, its small, underequipped army having seen no major combat for decades. French and British trainers rushed over to train a force that grew at a breakneck pace, and by the war's end in November 1918, more than four million Americans had been mobilized for the conflict.

In a show of bravado, the US military commander, General John Pershing, landed in France in June 1917 with 14,000 soldiers. The next months saw the arrival of a steady stream of inexperienced but enthusiastic US troops.

"The impression made upon the hard-pressed French by this seemingly inexhaustible flood of gleaming youth... was prodigious," Winston Churchill later wrote.

Germany's submarine campaign failed miserably as the Allies grouped ships in convoys protected by warships. No US soldiers were lost to German U-boats.

"There is no doubt that the US made a key contribution to victory," Keene said, "but the Allied victory in WWI was a coalition effort -- the US wouldn't have won without the French or British, and the reverse is also true."

Across the Atlantic, the American economy boomed with war spending. By the war's end, it was many times stronger than any of the ravaged pre-war powers. US banks were also keen on collecting the $10 billion in loans made to the Allies during the conflict.

Peace prompted a new debate: are US interests best served by working through international organizations -- such as the League of Nations, proposed by Wilson in his January 1918 Fourteen Points peace proposals but rejected by the US Congress -- or should the United States go it alone?

"That," Neiberg said, "is a debate we're still having."
Artist rendition courtesy of US World War I Centennial Commission, of the design of the World War I Memorial titled "The Weight of Sacrifice" to be built in Washington DC

How should the United States honor the wishes of the last American World War I soldier, who asked for a national monument to the country's role in the conflict?

The answer is more complicated than it seems.

Frank Buckles, who was a teenage ambulance driver in the Great War, was dismayed to discover on a 2008 visit to Washington's sprawling National Mall that there was nothing to commemorate the pivotal role Americans played in the final two years of the 1914-1918 conflict.

The wheelchair-bound 107-year-old found memorials to wars in Vietnam and Korea, and a grand monument to the US victory in World War II. But for World War I, the best he and his entourage could find was an abandoned marble bandstand honoring Washington residents who died in the conflict.

"'Can you do something so that my generation is remembered?'" photographer and filmmaker David DeJonge, who was in the group, recalls Buckles saying.

"What do you say to the last World War I veteran when he asks that?"

- Libraries and statues -

Frank Buckles, pictured in 2008, a US veteran of WWI, was dismayed there was nothing on Washington's National Mall to commemorate Americans in the 1914-1918 war

Americans have long debated how to best remember influential people and events. Grand memorials in cemeteries were once popular, as were statues of war heroes on horseback. Others argued that memorial libraries and schools were more practical.

Memorials have also long been local affairs: there are some 10,000 WWI memorials across the country, including three in the US capital, according to the World War I Inventory Project. They usually honor local military units or hometown troops who fell in the war, and include statues, plaques and bridges.

Most prominent among them is the 217-foot (67-meter) Liberty Tower, on a hill soaring over Kansas City, Missouri.

The city was a wealthy rail hub during the war years, and close to the birthplace of the top US WWI military commander, General John J. Pershing.

Swept up in patriotic enthusiasm at the war's end, Kansas City residents raised $2.5 million -- the equivalent of $35 million today -- in just 10 days to build the tower.

"There was a huge amount of civic pride in the memorial," said Derek Donovan, who wrote a book on the Liberty Tower. "It was a local effort -- private funds raised by little girls going door to door."

When the Liberty Tower was inaugurated in 1921, some 100,000 people gathered for the ceremony which featured Pershing, the highest military commanders of wartime allies France, Britain, Belgium and Italy, and president Calvin Coolidge.

The site however was never designated a national war memorial.

In the US capital, national war memorials date only to 1982 when the Vietnam War memorial opened on the National Mall. A Korean War memorial followed, and in 2004, after years of debate, a World War II memorial.

The United States has been "walking it back ever since," said Edwin Fountain, co-chair of the World War I Centennial Commission. The biggest drawback, he said, is that "we don't have a living constituency of World War I veterans."

- No room on the Mall -

US WWI veteran Frank Buckles lobbied Congress for a national Great War memorial in Washington, but died in 2011 aged 110 as debate continued

Buckles, along with DeJonge and Fountain, lobbied Congress for a national Great War memorial in Washington. But as Congress debated what to do, Buckles died in 2011 at the age of 110.

Lawmakers finally reached an agreement in 2014: there would be two national memorials, one in Kansas City -- which includes the National World War I Museum -- and one in Washington.

But National Park officials said there was no more room to build on the National Mall. And the city of Washington, which cleaned up and repaired its own WWI memorial on the National Mall, refused to share the site.

The World War I Centennial Commission eventually settled on Pershing Park, a site that features a statue of the WWI general located just blocks from the White House.

The Centennial Commission held a contest for the memorial design, and last year chose a proposal that features an open plaza of bas-relief panels depicting period soldiers titled "The Weight of Sacrifice."

Work on the project is expected to begin by November 11, 2018, the centennial of the end of the war.

DeJonge, who is Buckles's official biographer and has produced a documentary on his life, insists that the WWI memorial must be on the National Mall.

"Pershing Park will forever seal the fate of WWI as a forgotten war that America did not care enough about to honor with a proper memorial," DeJonge said.

But federal law doesn't allow for new memorials on the Mall.

"We would have to get an exemption from Congress, which was a fight we chose not to do," Fountain said.
Some 20 Burkinabe soldiers on trial at a military tribunal over a failed raid on an arms depot last year have said they were tortured to extract their confessions

Some 20 Burkinabe soldiers on trial at a military tribunal over a failed raid on an arms depot last year have said they were tortured to extract their confessions.

Almost all of them said they had suffered beatings, humiliation and food deprivation at the police camp where they were held after their arrest following the raid in January 2016, for which they have been on trial since Tuesday.

"When I was arrested on January 25, 2016, I was abused by police officers from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm", Sergeant Ollo Stanislas Poda said on Saturday.

"I was beaten with a wet rope, threatened with an (automatic pistol), handcuffed and suspended from a table to make me talk,"

Like him, most of the soldiers being prosecuted for "military conspiracy" said they had been physically abused and subjected to inhumane treatment.

"If you arrest someone like my client on January 21, 2016, and eventually it is on March 16 -- 52 days later -- that you present him to an investigating judge and in the meantime he was detained, we are posing the question about what has been done to him during all this time," said Issouf Kabre, lawyer for soldier Kam Ollo Bienvenu.

The soldiers, including about 10 members of the former elite presidential guard (RSP) of ousted leader Blaise Compaore, are also accused of "removing military equipment by breaking and entering".

The arms were allegedly to be used to attack Ouagadougou military prison to release former RSP head General Gilbert Diendere and other soldiers jailed for their alleged involvement in a failed coup in September 2015.

The coup bid was thwarted by street protesters and support from the army, which attacked the plotters' barracks.
Several million Muslims in Pakistan are still believed to follow Sufism, although it has been overtaken in recent decades by more conservative versions of the faith

Twenty people were murdered and four others wounded at a Pakistani Sufi shrine early Sunday by men wielding batons and knives, police said.

Four women were among those killed at the Shrine of Mohammad Ali in Punjab province, according to police, who said they had arrested three suspects including the shrine's custodian.

"The 50-year-old shrine custodian Abdul Waheed has confessed that he killed these people because he feared that they had come to kill him," regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told AFP.

"The suspect appears to be paranoid and psychotic, or it could be related to rivalry for the control of shrine," he said, adding that the investigation was continuing.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has asked for a police report on the investigation within 24 hours, a senior government official said.

Visiting the shrines and offering alms to the poor -- and cash to the custodians -- remains very popular in Pakistan, where many believe this will help get their prayers answered.

There have been cases of people dying during exorcism ceremonies at some Sufi shrines across Pakistan, but mass killings are rare.

For centuries Pakistan was a land of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam whose wandering holy men helped spread the religion throughout the Indian subcontinent in the 13th century.

Several million Muslims in Pakistan are still believed to follow Sufism, although it has been overtaken in recent decades by more conservative versions of the faith.

Hardliners such as the Taliban or the Islamic State group have carried out major attacks on Sufi shrines because they consider them heretical.
Britain has apologised after an egg was thrown at a Saudi military official during a visit to London, Saudi state media said Sunday.

An anti-war activist last week attempted a citizen's arrest of General Ahmed Assiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led Gulf coalition fighting rebels in Yemen, before another threw an egg that hit Assiri in the back.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the Saudi king and the country's defence minister, to apologise for "the attack on General Ahmed Assiri, counsellor to the prince, by protestors," the state-run SPA news agency said.

Assiri told AFP he had been "subject to aggression" by protestors critical of Riyadh's operations in Yemen.

Video posted on Twitter showed anti-war activist Sam Walton approaching Assiri, putting his hand on the general's shoulder and announcing he was placing him under citizen's arrest before being pushed aside by security personnel.

Walton can be heard saying, "I'm placing you under citizen's arrest for war crimes in Yemen."

Civilians in Britain are permitted to arrest anyone suspected of committing an indictable offence.

Another protestor followed Assiri's security detail to the entrance of a building, where he threw an egg that hit the general in the back. Video showed Assiri turning around and giving the protestor the finger.

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People leave a polling station after casting their votes in Myanmar by-elections, seen as a barometer for growing disillusionment in the country

Aung San Suu Kyi's one-year-old government won a string of seats in Myanmar by-elections Sunday but was bruised by losses in ethnic minority areas.

The voting to fill 19 seats in the national and regional parliaments was seen as a test of the democracy icon's popularity after a bumpy first year in office.

Her National League for Democracy (NLD) stormed to power in a historic 2015 poll that ended half a century of brutal military rule.

But disillusionment with the administration has grown as the young government struggles to push through democratic reforms, kick-start the economy and ease unrest along the borders.

The NLD's comfortable majority was never threatened by Saturday's by-elections, with less than five percent of the population eligible to vote in races held mostly to fill seats emptied by politicians who took on ministerial posts.

Results that trickled in Sunday showed the party is still strong in its heartland areas. But it revealed a measure of discontent among Myanmar's ethnic minorities, who have long struggled under the rule of the Bamar majority to which Suu Kyi belongs.

The NLD fared well in its strongholds around the commercial capital Yangon and in central regions further north, winning seats in nine races, according to results announced by Union Election Commission chairman Hla Thein.

But it faced losses in more remote areas, including in ethnic minority regions where insurgent violence has continued despite Suu Kyi's promise to bring peace after decades of strife.

The most embarrassing defeat was in the southern state of Mon, where the NLD lost a lower house seat to its main opposition -- the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The NLD had comfortably won that race just over a year ago when it trounced the USDP nationwide.

The NLD sparked mass protests in Mon last month by naming a local bridge after Suu Kyi's father -- a move seen as emblematic of the Bamar elite's steamrollering of minority cultures.

The NLD also came up short in a race in Rakhine, a western state embroiled in ethnic and religious conflict.

That lower house seat was taken by the chairman of the local Arakan National Party, a politician known for his hardline stance against the Muslim Rohingya.

The one-million strong Rohingya live mostly in Rakhine and are loathed by many Buddhists, who see them as outsiders.

Since October they have become the target of an army crackdown so brutal that UN investigators believe it may amount to a crime against humanity.

The crisis has posed a major moral challenge to Suu Kyi, who must contend with both international pressure to defend the Rohingya and hatred of the group by many at home.

She has faced international criticism for not speaking out against the alleged abuses.

Up in the northeast, an ethnic Shan party won several races held in areas where voting had been cancelled in 2015 because of unrest. The NLD and USDP also each took one regional parliament seat.

Clashes between the army and ethnic insurgents have since moved further north but continue to thwart the NLD's peace bid.

In a rare national address last week, Suu Kyi stressed her commitment to the nation but admitted that reforms had stalled in some areas.

Striking an unusually conciliatory note, she said the NLD "would be more than happy and ready to step aside" if there were others "more qualified than us to achieve better results".
Saudi Brigadier General Ahmed Assiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition forces fighting rebels in Yemen, gives an interview to AFP at the King Salman airbase in central Riyadh, on March 16, 2016

Britain has apologised after an egg was thrown at a Saudi military official during a visit to London, Saudi state media said Sunday.

An anti-war activist last week attempted a citizen's arrest of General Ahmed Assiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led Gulf coalition fighting rebels in Yemen, before another threw an egg that hit Assiri in the back.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the Saudi king and the country's defence minister, to apologise for "the attack on General Ahmed Assiri, counsellor to the prince, by protestors," the state-run SPA news agency said.

Assiri told AFP he had been "subject to aggression" by protestors critical of Riyadh's operations in Yemen.

Video posted on Twitter showed anti-war activist Sam Walton approaching Assiri, putting his hand on the general's shoulder and announcing he was placing him under citizen's arrest before being pushed aside by security personnel.

Walton can be heard saying, "I'm placing you under citizen's arrest for war crimes in Yemen."

Civilians in Britain are permitted to arrest anyone suspected of committing an indictable offence.

Another protestor followed Assiri's security detail to the entrance of a building, where he threw an egg that hit the general in the back. Video showed Assiri turning around and giving the protestor the finger.

Rights groups have harshly criticised Saudi Arabia over its military action in Yemen, where thousands of civilians have been killed in the two years since Riyadh intervened against Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

Amnesty International last month condemned Britain for transferring arms to Saudi Arabia, saying Yemeni civilians continued to "pay the price".

The London-based rights group described the transfers as a "shameful contradiction" of British aid efforts in Yemen.

Britain has in recent weeks moved to strengthen ties with Gulf states including Qatar, which last week announced plans to invest $5 billion in the United Kingdom in the coming three to five years.

Prime Minister Theresa May also attended a Gulf Arab summit in December for talks on trade.
Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, January 8, 2017

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday Israel did not seek "adventures" in Gaza after Hamas accused it of assassinating an official, and suggested the group itself could have killed him.

Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, has blamed Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and its "collaborators" for the March 24 killing of Mazen Faqha in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli officials had previously not commented on the killing.

"We are not looking for adventures," Lieberman said during a visit to the Israeli city of Sderot near the Gaza border, according to his office.

"We are conducting security policy with responsibility and determination.

"It does not matter what Hamas says, it's important what the Jews do."

He added: "Let Hamas do what it wants and we will do what we need to do. Hamas is known for internal assassinations, for settling accounts. I suggest that they look there for it."

In response, both Hamas and its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, accused Lieberman of seeking to evade responsibility for the killing.

"The Israeli occupier bears all responsibility for the assassination of Mazen Faqha and the ensuing results," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said in a statement.

The killing has raised the possibility of a response from Hamas and a fresh escalation of violence.

On Saturday, Hamas vowed "radical measures" against Palestinians who "collaborated" with Israel, with interior ministry spokesman Iyad al-Bozum saying that could mean arrests, trials and even executions.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008. The enclave has been under an Israeli blockade for 10 years.

According to Hamas, Faqha formed cells for the Islamist group's military wing in the West Bank cities of Tubas, where he was born, and Jenin.

It said he played an important role in preparing two major incidents.

The first was a suicide attack in the Israeli settlement neighbourhood of Gilo in east Jerusalem in 2002 that killed 19 people.

The second was a suicide bus attack later that year that killed nine people in the northern Israeli city of Safed.

Both were part of a wave of suicide attacks that killed hundreds of Israelis during the second intifada, or uprising, between 2000 and 2005.

Israel sentenced Faqha to nine life sentences plus 50 years, but he was released in 2011 along with more than 1,000 other Palestinians in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier Hamas had detained for five years, and transferred to Gaza.
Indian paramilitary troopers patrol in Srinagar during a one-day strike called by Kashmiri separatists against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit

A grenade explosion killed a police officer and injured 10 other security personnel in Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, police said, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the tense region.

Suspected rebels lobbed a grenade at a group of police and paramilitary troops in the main city of Srinagar following protests against Modi's visit.

"Four personnel of CRPF and seven policemen were injured in the grenade blast," Bhuvesh Choudhary, spokesman of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said.

One of the police officers who was wounded in the blast later died of his injuries, inspector general Javid Gillani told AFP.

Armed encounters between security forces and rebels fighting to end Indian rule over Kashmir have become more frequent since massive protests last year, sparked by the killing in July of a popular militant leader.

Large parts of the Kashmir valley observed a virtual shutdown Sunday following a call by separatists protesting Modi's visit.

At a rally, Modi urged Kashmiri youth to choose "tourism over terrorism", inaugurating an 11-kilometre (seven-mile) tunnel across the Himalayas intended to ease travel in the disputed region.

"This bloody game could not do any good to anyone during the last forty years," he said.

The two-lane road tunnel, India's longest, will cut the travelling distance between the region's two main cities of Jammu and Srinagar by 41 kilometres (25 miles), bypassing stretches that often shut due to heavy snowfall and landslides.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety.

Rebel groups have for decades fought roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the region, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

The fighting has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.
"The (front) believes it is possible at the soonest time to have a bilateral ceasefire agreement," chief rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili, pictured in 2016, said in a statement

The start of Dutch-hosted ceasefire talks to end a four-decade insurgency waged by communist rebels in the Philippines has been delayed to Monday, mediators said.

"The formal opening is now pushed to tomorrow," Helene Revhaug, spokeswoman for the Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF), mediating the planned discussions, told AFP on Sunday.

"They are still working on the agenda setting for the (latest) round" of discussions, Revhaug added.

The talks are the fourth round to date between Manila and the National Democratic Front. Discussions have been on-off for 30 years but were restarted by President Rodrigo Duterte after he took office last June.

The insurgency began in 1968 in the poverty-stricken country and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives according to the military.

The government says it wants a permanent ceasefire, although a week of negotiations on the outskirts of Rome in January ended without such a deal.

"The (front) believes it is possible at the soonest time to have a bilateral ceasefire agreement," chief rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement issued late Friday from his exile in The Netherlands.

But the same day, chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello forecast "very difficult and exacting" talks with no guarantees for a breakthrough.

The National Democratic Front comprises several groups, the most prominent of which is the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose guerrilla unit is the 4,000-strong New People's Army (NPA).
Pope Francis urges people to pray for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging an end to the bloodshed in the troubled Kasai region.

"News continues to arrive of bloody clashes in Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- fighting which drags in victims and displaced persons," the pontiff told some 20,000 faithful at a mass in Carpi, the northern Italian city that was hit by two deadly earthquakes in 2012.

"I urge everybody to pray for peace, that the hearts of those behind these crimes do not remain enslaved by hatred and violence," the pope said.

At least 400 people have died in six months of unrest which has hit the provinces of Kasai-Central, Kasai, Kasai-West and Lomami.

The remote region has been plagued by violence since mid-August, when government forces killed Kamwina Nsapu, a tribal chief and militia leader who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila's central government.

Congolese church leaders and the papal representative in Kinshasa on Thursday urged the DRC's security forces, widely accused of brutal treatment of opponents, to refrain from using disproportionate force during operations.

Last month, the police accused rebels of killing 39 officers in Kasai, and last week the bodies of two UN contractors were found after they were kidnapped in Kasai-Central.

The two foreigners were kidnapped by unidentified assailants on March 12 along with four Congolese accompanying them.

Pope Francis also said that the people of Colombia were in his thoughts after a huge mudslide in the town of Mocoa on Saturday killed some 200 people, a disaster which left him "profoundly saddened".

The pontiff always said he was praying for Venezuela and Paraguay amid growing political unrest in both countries.
Would be immigrants wait to disembark in the port of Catania, on the island of Sicily on March 21, 2017 from the ship "Aquarius" following a rescue operation in the Mediterranean sea, where some 946 would be immigrants have been rescued

The Italian government said Sunday that dozens of rival tribes in southern Libya had agreed to cooperate on securing the country's borders in an effort to curb the influx of migrants trying to reach Europe.

Italy's interior ministry said the 60 tribal leaders -- notably the Tuareg of the southwest, the Toubou of the southeast, and the Arab tribe of Awlad Suleiman -- had reached the 12-point deal after 72 hours of secret talks in Rome.

A representative from Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli and controls western Libya, was also present.

"A Libyan border patrol unit will be operational to monitor Libya's southern border of 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles)," Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti told Italy's La Stampa newspaper, one of several Italian media outlets reporting on the deal Sunday.

"Securing Libya's southern border means securing Europe's southern border," Minniti said.

Southern Libya is criss-crossed by smuggling routes for people, drugs and weapons. Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Moamer Kadhafi, a mosaic of tribal and ethnic forces is fighting for control of illicit trade and oil fields in the region.

Tuaregs control the border with southern Algeria, while further east, the Toubou operate along the borders with Chad and Sudan.

Arab tribes in the region have supported the authorities in western Libya, but they also maintain ties with a rival administration that holds sway in the east -- and regularly clash with the Toubou.

Fayez al-Sarraj, chief of the fragile GNA, has struggled to impose the government's authority, despite its backing by many political and military leaders.

The accord, whose details have not yet been released, is the latest in a series of deals European countries have sought to reduce migration from Libya, which has increased sharply in recent months.

The deal aims to combat "an economy based on illicit drugs, which causes hundreds of deaths in the Mediterranean, thousands of desperate people looking for a better life, a populist push (in Europe) and a jihadist threat in the desert," according to the text of the agreement, quoted in the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

It also calls for job training programmes to keep young people from criminal activities.

Some 24,200 people have been rescued from the Mediterranean and registered at Italian ports so far this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

As part of an earlier agreement with the European Union, about 90 members of the Libyan coastguard are currently completing training under the EU, and Italy is preparing to return 10 coastguard boats to Libya that it seized in 2011. They are expected to be operational by the end of April or in early May.

In March, interior ministers from several EU and North African countries reached a deal with the GNA to stem flow of migrant and human smuggling, which included pledges of money, coastguard training and equipment for Libya.
The Stella Daisy was carrying 16 Filipinos and eight Koreans when it issued an emergency call, saying it was taking on water

Ships and aircraft from various countries were scouring the Atlantic Ocean for shipwreck survivors Sunday, after a distressed South Korean freighter apparently sank off the coast of Uruguay.

The Stella Daisy, a Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) with a capacity of more than 260,000 tonnes, was carrying 16 Filipinos and eight Koreans when it issued an emergency call on Friday, saying it was taking on water.

Two Filipino crew members were rescued Saturday and the search was ongoing for the others, said Gaston Jaunsolo, a spokesman for the Uruguayan navy.

He said the shipwreck's cause was still unclear: "It was not a complicated day for navigation," he said.

The two rescued sailors -- who are "in good condition," according to Jaunsolo -- said at one point the captain alerted the crew that "water was entering" and that the ship was breaking.

Jaunsolo said a Brazilian aircraft had joined the search and would take part again on Monday. Four other Korean merchant ships and an Argentine navy ship were also assisting.

The navy spokesman said the search was on for two more life rafts on which they hoped to find more survivors. Three rafts have already been recovered.

Because the ship was far off the Uruguayan coast -- some 2,000 nautical miles, or 3,700 kilometers, from Montevideo -- the initial search was done by four merchant ships in the area.

The first ships to reach the scene noticed a "strong smell of fuel" and spotted debris, "an indication that the damaged ship had sunk," according to a statement from the navy.

The ship, which is flagged in the Marshall Islands, had departed from a port in Brazil. Its intended destination was not immediately clear.
Blunt language has won US Ambassador Nikki Haley immediate attention at the United Nations, where she has vowed to reinvigorate what she calls the "stale" institutional culture

The career diplomats working at the UN headquarters building don't yet quite know what to make of the outspoken newcomer in their midst, US ambassador Nikki Haley.

But they agree on two things: She seems intent on shaking things up as she assumes the rotating chair of the Security Council and she's not afraid to use undiplomatic language.

This was on display again when she appeared on America's Sunday morning political talk shows to stake out US positions and defend her boss, US President Donald Trump.

Not much will get done under the month-long US presidency of the Security Council if veto-wielding permanent members Russia and China block US initiatives.

But Haley did not hold back.

Haley told ABC News that, whatever Trump has said about his respect for President Vladimir Putin, the US leader "has not once called me and said, 'Don't beat up on Russia.'"

And she did indeed chide the Kremlin, warning that Russia's actions in Ukraine and any interference in the US election that brought Trump into the White House would be punished.

"We called them out for it," she insisted.

China is also in her crosshairs, despite this week's preparations for Trump to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping to set the tone for relations between the great powers.

In an interview with news agency reporters, Haley demanded that China halt covert imports of North Korean coal and work seriously to halt Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

"I know China says they're worried about North Korea. I know China wants to see North Korea stop with the testing. Prove it. Prove it," she said.

The blunt language has won Haley immediate attention at the United Nations, where she has vowed to reinvigorate what she calls the "stale" institutional culture.

Eyebrows were raised when Trump picked the 45-year-old governor of South Carolina -- a fellow Republican with little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the world body.

- Outsider perspective -

But, in her own view, she has a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies.

"Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last week.

"In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well."

Haley was born to immigrant Indian American parents, but she rose quickly in South Carolina politics and was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Her conservative views were popular in South Carolina. And she won national attention by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse after a racist gun massacre in her state.

In February last year, as Trump was challenging the Republican establishment to secure the party's White House nomination, she called the brash property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president."

And just weeks before the vote she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate.

Nevertheless, the former outsider who had once been the nation's youngest governor was an early pick by Trump's transition team.

At the US mission, Haley replaces former ambassador Samantha Power, an outspoken foreign policy academic who was popular with her Security Council colleagues.

Haley is a veteran of retail politics in the American South and has a very different style -- plainspoken but warm and direct -- which envoys from US allies privately welcome.

And just as she brings a different personality and perspective to her role, she stands out among her colleagues in the Trump administration foreign policy team.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has adopted an almost undercover style, spurning most opportunities to talk to the press and public on his travels.

- Policy still in flux -

Other influential policymakers, like Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, work mostly behind the scenes.

Haley, however, has an energetic public schedule. As a full cabinet member who answers to Trump, she has in some ways become the voice of a US foreign policy still in flux.

Last week she addressed the AIPAC pro-Israel group in Washington, delivered her remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, then whizzed back to the capital late Wednesday.

On Thursday she was back in New York to attend the Security Council session, brief reporters and symbolically receive the Security Council gavel from British ambassador Matthew Rycroft at an evening drinks event.

From Monday, she will wield this hammer in the world body's top committee, and she has laid out an ambitious agenda, beginning with a bid to host a debate on human rights that will be resisted by many of America's opponents.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old Chicago girl that was streamed live on Facebook, police said late Saturday.

Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a press release that the juvenile suspect faces felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.

'Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues,' Guglielmi said.

'BREAKING - Tonight, CPD arrested 1st of several juvenile offenders in Facebook sexual assault incident,' he tweeted.

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Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted the above message announcing the arrest

Stacey Elkins (pictured), the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped in an attack that was live streamed on Facebook said neighborhood kids have been joking about the incident and harassing her family

Police have said authorities were not aware of the attack until the mother of the girl (pictured) approached Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson as he was leaving a police station on the city's West Side and showed him the video

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is slated to provide more details at a news conference Sunday morning.

The alleged incident occurred in mid-March.

Guglielmi has said police were not aware of the attack until the girl's mother approached Johnson as he was leaving a police station on the city's West Side and showed him the video.

Guglielmi said Johnson was 'visibly upset' after he watched, both by the video's content and the fact that there were '40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities'.

Police have said the attack involved five or six males.

During a press conference last month, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the harassment the family has been receiving is unsettling

The girl's mother, Stacey Elkins, said last month that her daughter received online threats following the attack.

The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girl's family had been relocated.

The video marks the second time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack that was broadcast live on Facebook.

In January, four people were arrested after video showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed NATO allies Friday to ramp up military spending and denounced Russia's "ongoing hostility and occupation" of Ukraine as the Trump administration toughened its tone toward Moscow.

Russia declared itself "perplexed" by the comments from Tillerson, who met fellow NATO foreign ministers for the first time ahead of a May 25 summit to be attended by leaders of the 28-nation alliance, including President Donald Trump.

Without specifically taking aim at the top US diplomat, Russia's foreign ministry said NATO uses "the myth of the Russian threat, the slander of Russian aggression", to maintain unity.

For his part, Tillerson urged the NATO allies to agree at the May summit to produce plans by the end of the year to meet the spending pledge.

"As President Trump has made clear, it is no longer sustainable for the US to maintain a disproportionate share of NATO's defence expenditures," Tillerson said in Brussels.

NATO countries originally agreed at a summit in Wales in 2014 to contribute the equivalent of two percent of their gross domestic product to defence.

Seeking to draw a line under the funding row, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said NATO members understood they had to boost spending not so much to please Washington but to counter new threats from both the east and the south.

"One option we are examining is national plans to deliver on the commitments we have made," Stoltenberg told a press conference ending five hours of talks.

Tillerson's remarks, reinforced later by those from Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in London, were tougher on Russia than those previously made by Trump or his cabinet officials.

Trump had stressed the need to improve US relations with Moscow after they had sunk to a low under president Barack Obama over the crisis in Ukraine.

Tillerson told the alliance's forum with Ukraine co-chaired by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin that "American and NATO support for Ukraine remains steadfast" in the wake of "Russia's aggression against Ukraine" three years ago when it annexed Crimea.

"Today, Russia's ongoing hostility and occupation is compromising our shared vision of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace," Tillerson said.

He vowed that the US administraiton will keep sanctions in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them and oppose any further bid by Russia to redraw Ukraine's borders.

He also pressed Russia to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk agreements to end the war in eastern Ukraine, where he said "Russian-led separatist forces" are fighting Ukrainian government forces.

Klimkin, speaking to reporters afterward, accused Russia of "creeping annexation" in the Donbass region of Ukraine.

Allies have been alarmed at the prospect of Trump seeking to improve relations with Russia at the expense of support for the pro-Western government in Ukraine or NATO allies in former Soviet parts of eastern Europe.

Tillerson arrived in Brussels following a visit to Turkey, a NATO ally and key player in both Syria and Iraq where Washington wants to defeat the Islamic State jihadists.

In the last two years, IS has claimed or hailed a wave of deadly attacks in the United States and European cities, including Brussels.

Saying building "local capacity" is the best way to fight terrorism, Stoltenberg announced the alliance will increase aid to the Iraqi government by training medical personnel and staff who maintain armoured vehicles.

But the NATO funding row remains central.

NATO's 2016 annual report said only five countries met the two percent target -- the United States, Britain, Greece, Poland and Estonia -- while Washington still accounted for nearly 70 percent of combined alliance defence spending.

During a visit to NATO in February, Mattis voiced staunch support for NATO but warned that Washington could "moderate" its commitment if allies fail to pay up.

Trump said after a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel this month that Germany owes "vast sums of money" to NATO and the US.

But German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters it was "totally unrealistic" for his country to meet the two-percent of GDP target.

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MOCOA, Colombia (AP) - Townspeople desperately searched their ruined homes and the local hospital for loved ones Sunday after a torrent of water, mud and debris swept through a city in southern Colombia, causing more than 200 deaths, many of them children, and leaving hundreds more missing and injured.

Neighborhoods were left strewn with rocks, wooden planks, tree limbs and brown muck after heavy rain caused the three rivers that surround Mocoa to rise up and surge through the city of 40,000 Friday night and early Saturday as people slept. The deluge smashed houses, tore trees out by the roots and washed cars and trucks away.

Search-and-rescue teams combed through the debris and helped people who had been clawing at huge mounds of mud by hand. Many had little left to search.

Firefighters search for survivors in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

"People went to their houses and found nothing but the floor," said Gilma Diaz, a 42-year-old woman from another town who came to search for a cousin.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who visited Mocoa for a second straight day Sunday, declared the area a disaster zone and said the death toll stood at 210. But that could still rise because authorities said there were more than 200 injured, some in critical condition and people were continuing to locate remains in the debris. The president said on Twitter that 170 of the dead had been identified.

Dozens stood in the door of a hospital, hoping for news of family members who were not on the list of those confirmed dead or injured. Others frantically knocked on relatives' doors, hoping to find someone with information about their loved ones.

The disaster seemed to hit young people particularly hard. Santos said 43 of the dead identified so far were children, perhaps because youngsters were already in bed when the floodwaters struck.

Maria Cordoba, a 52-year-old resident who was trying to wash her belongings in a river, said two of her nephews, ages 6 and 11, were killed when their house was destroyed. "The mother as well was totally beaten up" but managed to save her 18-month-old baby, she said.

A rescue worker in an orange jumpsuit emerged from one search area with the body of an infant wrapped in a towel. Not far away, Abelardo Solarte, a 48-year-old resident of Mocoa, held a child's shoe as he helped clear debris.

"You have no idea how many kids there are around here," Solarte said.

Jair Echarri, who came from a nearby town to help, also struggled to comprehend the loss of so many children. "I feel an enormous sadness because it's filled with kids' things, toys, clothes, school books," he said. "I am a father and this breaks my heart."

Santos said the avalanche of water and debris also destroyed roads and bridges, knocked out power in half of the province of Putumayo, where Mocoa is located, and destroyed the area's fresh water network, creating dangerous and unsanitary conditions.

Mocoa is vulnerable to flooding. It is surrounded by the three rivers in a natural basin created by the surrounding mountains.

The danger has grown worse in recent years because of deforestation, which eliminates some protection from runoff, and because many people built their homes close to the water. But the triggering event was rainfall of more than 5 inches (130 millimeters) that began late Friday.

"The rain fell on Mocoa with an intensity and force that was without precedent and devastating," Santos said. "It rained in two hours what falls in a month in Bogota."

A 1989 hydrology report for the Agricultural Ministry warned that just such a disaster could happen unless steps were taken to reinforce the riverbanks, channel water away from the town and restore some of the forest. It was not immediately clear why those steps had not been taken.

Juan Chanchi de Ruiz, 74, said the noise of the surging flood woke her up and gave her enough time to get to higher ground. Her house was unscathed, but several neighbors' homes were heavily damaged and many people fled with some of their belongings.

"Around here, there's nobody. Everybody left," she said.

Colombian officials pledged aid to rebuild homes, and the attorney general launched an investigation into whether local and national authorities responded adequately to the disaster. Santos also said they would launch a health and vaccination campaign in the city to prevent an outbreak of disease. "Mocoa needs to rise up from this blow," he said. "And it will."

People line up outside a cemetery to looking for their missing relatives in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A woman sits on a chair in front of her house covered with mud in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. A grim search for the missing resumed at dawn Sunday in southern Colombia after surging rivers sent an avalanche of floodwaters, mud and debris through a city, killing at least 200 people and leaving many more injured and homeless. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Firefighters and neighbors stop their work as they found the body of a woman in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Firefighters and rescuers cover with a blanket the body of a woman in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

People walk over the debris of a collapsed building in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

People line up outside a cemetery to ask for their missing relatives in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A soldier stands guard next the damage home in Mocoa, Colombia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed but that the death toll was changing "every moment." Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
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GUAM-DIVIDED CHURCH - The Catholic Church on Guam has been devastated by allegations that its longtime archbishop sexually abused altar boys and is divided over a controversial lay movement. By Grace Garces Bordallo and Nicole Winfield. Sent 1,200 words, photos.

INDIA-ICONIC-THEATER-SHUTDOWN - Nostalgic fans sung their way to the exits after the final showing New Delhi's iconic Regal theater, which is being replaced by a multiplex. By Ashok Sharma. Sent 420 words, photos.

PAKISTAN - Police say the custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices have murdered 20 devotees in eastern Punjab province. Sent 130 words.

INDONESIA-SINKING-SHIPS - Indonesian authorities destroyed 81 foreign ships seized for fishing illegally. Sent 200 words.

INDONESIA-LANDSLIDE - The search for more than two dozen missing people resumed after a massive landslide hit a village on Indonesia's main island. By Agus Basuki. Sent 230 words, photos.

SOUTH KOREA-MISSING CARGO SHIP - A cargo ship being used by a South Korean shipping company went missing near Uruguay with 24 crew members and authorities said two people had been rescued. By Kim Tong-Hyung. Sent 180 words.

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COLOMBIA-DEADLY RIVER OVERFLOW - Rescuers prying through piles of rocks and wood left by floodwaters that surged through a Colombian city vowed to resume their search at first light as the death toll neared 200. By Christine Armario. Sent 770 words, photos, video.

ECUADOR-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - Ecuador's presidential vote is expected to be a close race that could either further tilt Latin America toward the right or reinforce President Rafael Correa's "21st century socialism." By Gonzalo Solano. Sent 520 words, photos.

AVIATOR WARSHIP - An American aviator who crash-landed his plane to try to save a fellow pilot in the Korean War has been honored with a ship bearing his name. By David Sharp. Sent 650 words, photos.

NORWAY-WHALING - Norway kicked off its six-month whale hunting season with whalers allowed to kill an increased quota of 999 minke whales.

___

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The editor in charge at the AP Asia-Pacific Desk in Bangkok is Christie Hampton. Questions and story requests are welcome. The news desk can be reached at (66) 2632-6911 or by email at asia@ap.org. The Asia Photo Desk can be reached at (81-3) 6215-8941. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call (1) 877-836-9477.
CARPI, Italy (AP) - Greeted by tens of thousands of faithful, Pope Francis on Sunday visited a region of Italy that has largely been rebuilt after a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago, an example meant to give hope to another part of the country still reeling from more devastating temblors last year.

Francis' first stop in Emilia Romagna was the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of a statue of the Madonna. After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened just last weekend.

"There are those who remain buried in the rubble of life," the pope said in his homily before an estimated 20,000 gathered in the piazza outside the cathedral for an open-air Mass and another 50,000 who watched on large screens throughout the city. "And there are those, like you, who with the help of God rise from the rubble to rebuild."

Pope Francis arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

He later visited the town of Mirandola, where the crowd including family members of people killed in a pair of 2012 earthquakes. Francis laid a bouquet of flowers at the altar of the cathedral, which is still under scaffolding five years after the quake and not functioning as a house of worship.

He thanked the people of Mirandola "for the example you gave to all humanity, the example of courage to go ahead."

The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding from the magnitude-6.1 and magnitude-5.8 quakes that killed 28 people has often been cited as exemplary. It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.

The papal visit was meant to show gratitude for the region's renewal, the bishop of Carpi, Monsignor Francesco Cavina, told the Italian Bishops' Conference television TV2000. But Cavina said it also aimed to be "a sign of hope that rebuilding is possible for the people of central Italy, who unfortunately suffered what we did much more dramatically."

A magnitude-6.1 quake on Aug. 24 in Italy's central regions of Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche killed nearly 300 people, toppled churches, historic buildings and museums, and rendered many town centers uninhabitable.

It was followed by a series of quakes in October, including the strongest in Italy in nearly four decades at magnitude 6.6, that damaged a higher number of structures, but didn't provoke further deaths since the most vulnerable areas had already been evacuated.

Authorities have estimated the damage from the 2016 central Italian quakes at more than 23.5 billion euros ($25 billion), compared with 13.5 billion euros from the 2012 Emilia Romagna temblors.

___

Barry reported from Milan.

Pope Francis, seen on the stage, celebrates an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis celebrates an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis celebrates an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis delivers his message during an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis celebrates an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis spreads incense around the altar during an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Piazza Martiri Square, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (Serena Campanini/ANSA via AP)

Pope Francis arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives in Piazza Martiri Square during a Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (Elisabetta Baracchi/ANSA via AP)

Pope Francis, center, arrives in Piazza Martiri Square during a Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis, followed by Mons. Guido Marini, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, spreads incense at the altar in Piazza Martiri Square during a Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis arrives at Dorando Pietri stadium in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)

Pope Francis, left, followed by Mons. Guido Marini, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis arrives in Piazza Martiri Square to celebrate Mass, in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Pope Francis arrives at Dorando Pietri stadium in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)

Pope Francis arrives at Dorando Pietri stadium in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) - When Durdana married for a second time and to a man of her own choosing, her parents threatened to kill her if she tried to see her new husband. They imprisoned her in their home, but she still had her mobile phone and had learned that a helpline for women had been set up. She noted the number and then one day when she was alone in the house, she called.

Nayab Hassan was on the other end. She had been trained how to answer the call. "Be gentle. Listen. Let them speak. Let them tell you what they want. Sometimes they are very emotional," she said at the helpline center - located in the sprawling provincial parliament buildings in Pakistan's deeply conservative Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, where tribal councils still hand over young girls to settle disputes.

Not far from the border with neighboring Afghanistan, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa became the first province in Pakistan to set up a hotline for women that feeds directly into the provincial legislature.

In this picture taken on Thursday, March 28, 2017, Pakistani lawyer Shandana Naeem, right, listens to a caller with her colleague Nayab Hassan at their office in Peshawar, Pakistan. In a conservative corner of Pakistan where women still fight for laws to outlaw domestic violence, a helpline with direct access to provincial parliamentarians is operating to help women with everything from death threats to stolen property. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)

It's still a small operation. It began March 1 and so far there are only two operators, Hassan and Mehran Akbar. They take the information from the women and Shandana Naeem, a lawyer, follows up with advice and a network of free legal services.

They keep a careful log of all their calls, which average one a day so far, and while most have emanated from the provincial capital of Peshawar, several have come from more remote regions.

Durdana's call was from Swat, a picturesque mountain region of clear blue lakes that ramble through valleys surrounded by imposing peaks. The area's beauty is a stark contrast to its dark and violent history. It was in Swat where Pakistan's Taliban briefly ruled, beheading police in the town square and where Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head for advocating girls' education and criticizing the violent religious radicals as being frightened of female education.

The log book is carefully kept. It records names, dates, phone numbers and then their stories. Some are horrifying.

One woman, Aneesa, called to say that two years earlier her husband had thrown acid at her, stole her money and jewelry and fled to Saudi Arabia. She had moved in with her parents and now her eyesight was deteriorating from the acid attack; she needed medical assistance but had no money to pay for it.

Naeem said they helped her work through the red tape of getting a health card __ the first step to health care. But Aneesa's call also made them realize the need to engage local health clinics and develop a network that would be willing to offer free health care, similar to their legal service network.

Naeem said most of the calls have been over property disputes, where women were being denied their inheritance.

The helpline was developed by Meraj Humayun Khan, a 70-year-old parliamentarian who has taken on her male colleagues to organize a women's caucus in the provincial parliament. With the weight of the 22-member caucus behind her, Khan lobbied for the direct helpline to the legislature.

"We need to be in touch with their issues," she said in an interview. "I can have a lot of ideas but it should come from them."

The original call that prompted the helpline was a property dispute, said Khan, explaining that Pakistan's inheritance laws - based on Islamic injunctions - allow male relatives priority and give a lesser share to women. And those women are often denied or intimidated by male relatives to forfeit even that lesser share.

The reason for locating the helpline in the provincial parliament was to collect data from women that would in turn bolster arguments for legislative changes. Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province is already behind on women's right issues; lawmakers there have so far refused to pass an anti-domestic violence law that other provinces have approved.

Hard-line religious parties hold significant sway in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamiat-e-Ulema Pakistan (whose madrassas or religious schools were favored by Afghanistan's Taliban) are partners in the provincial coalition government.

The 22 women in the provincial parliament are there on quota seats reserved for women. No female candidate has been able to win a general election seat in the deeply conservative and tribal-dominated province.

Khan says she plans to run on a general seat in the 2018 elections, but she admits even those men who have championed and endorsed her candidacy have been met with skepticism and resistance.

"Everyone they talk to asks 'That's all well and good, but don't you have any men who can run?'" she said. "It's a humiliation for them to be represented by a woman. They think women don't know anything about politics, about economics."

The chairperson of Pakistan's Human Rights Commission, Zohra Yusuf, says different provinces are making progress on women's issues at different paces. Southern Sindh is Pakistan's most progressive province in terms of laws to safeguard women, she said. Earlier this month the most populous province, Punjab, opened state-of-the-art shelters for women facing abuse at home.

Last year Pakistan passed a bill that essentially closed a loophole which used to allow so-called honor killers to escape punishment.

Yusuf said that despite the legislative progress, on-the-ground enforcement of these new laws still remains a significant hurdle.

"I think the governments are realizing it's about time something needs to be done," she said in a telephone interview. "Laws were passed last year, the honor killing bill, rape, violence against women, but still it is about enforcement."

In Pakistan it is difficult to even get the police to register a case of domestic violence, said Khan, who explained they often see it as a private family issue.

Durdana in Swat, whose family threatened to kill her if she met her husband of choice, was told to go to the police station and charge her parents with unlawful confinement or tell her husband to go to police to demand he be allowed to see her, said Naeem, the helpline lawyer.

That was March 6. Naeem has tried repeatedly to telephone Durdana on the number she gave but it is either turned off or rings unanswered. The dilemma, she says, when giving advice is that there is no way to know whether the police, for example, will help the women or hand them back to the family they are fleeing.

"We have to get the police, the justice system, the many government departments, on our side, working with us," said Khan the founder of the helpline. "While all government departments agreed . . . we now need them to make good on their promises."

In this picture taken on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, people attend the launching ceremony of Helpline in Peshawar, Pakistan. In a conservative corner of Pakistan where women still fight for laws to outlaw domestic violence, a helpline with direct access to provincial parliamentarians is operating to help women with everything from death threats to stolen property. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
BEIJING (AP) - The lawyer for a Sydney-based professor who was prevented from leaving China said Sunday that his client has been allowed to return to Australia, apparently bringing closure to an incident that raised concerns about the safety of conducting academic research in China.

The barring of associate professor Feng Chongyi from leaving the country had prompted diplomatic appeals from Australia and an open letter to China's leaders from dozens of academics.

Feng's lawyer Chen Jinxue said Feng flew home from the southern city of Guangzhou on Saturday night after a final round of questioning by security agents from the southwestern province of Yunnan, where Feng had traveled to during his most recent visit.

"By request of the state security department, I am unable to discuss the contents of the discussions," Chen told The Associated Press by telephone. Chen said that while Feng was not able to leave China, he had never been in formal detention.

Feng told reporters in Australia on Sunday that he wasn't sure why he was allowed to leave China, but suspected international pressure may have played a role. He said he was unable to discuss the details of his experience.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that the government welcomed the news of Feng's return.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last week that her government had been making representations on Feng's behalf despite the long-term Australian resident not having Australian citizenship.

The reasons Feng had been barred from leaving were never clear. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that Chinese law enforcement authorities acted "while performing duties of safeguarding national security."

Feng had been wrapping up a three-week trip researching human rights lawyers. Since July 2015, Chinese authorities have questioned or detained hundreds of activists and independent legal professionals as part of a crackdown on civil society under President Xi Jinping. Some of the lawyers have been labeled threats to national security.

Rights groups and Western governments including the U.S. have urged China to release the activists and lawyers detained in the crackdown, while critics say the campaign is aimed at silencing opponents of the ruling party.

Chen said last week that Feng's troubles may have been related to his research on the lawyers, and that state security officials who met with Feng at his hotel in Guangzhou asked him who he met with in China and in Australia during the course of his research.

The incident unfolded as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang finished up a five-day trip to Australia, during which the two countries sought to boost trade ties.

The open letter on Feng's case, signed by more than 80 scholars, stated that the signatories were "disturbed that a fellow researcher, who has dedicated himself to promote the understanding of and interest in China, has been prevented from returning to his home and workplace for no reason other than his conscientious work as a China Studies scholar.

"Such actions make it difficult for the rest of us to be confident in the research environment in China today, and do not contribute positively to the continued construction of open and productive higher education collaboration between China and the rest of the world."

___

Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.
CARPI, Italy (AP) - Pope Francis says he is "deeply pained" by "the gigantic avalanche of mud" in Colombia that has caused scores of deaths and injuries.

The pope called attention to the tragedy during his Angelus blessing Sunday on a visit to the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, which was struck by a pair of quakes that killed 28 people five years ago. The region has largely been rebuilt.

Francis said he was praying for the victims in Colombia and offered thanks to those helping with the rescue efforts.

Pope Francis celebrates an open-air Mass in Carpi, northern Italy, for a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Francis has arrived in the northern Emilia Romagna region hit by deadly quakes in 2012 on a visit meant to signal hope to central Italy, struck by a series of more devastating temblors last year. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

The death toll from one of the worst disasters in Colombia's recent history neared 200 early Sunday after heavy rains caused three rivers to surge through the city of Mocoa, near the border with Ecuador.
NEW DELHI (AP) - Bangladesh's High Court on Sunday confirmed the death penalty for two people tied to a banned Islamist militant group for the killing of an atheist blogger critical of radical Islam.

The court also upheld jail sentences for six others after appeals were filed challenging the verdicts handed down by a trial court in 2015.

Sunday's decision involves the killing of Ahmed Rajib Haider, who was hacked to death in 2013. Haider had campaigned for banning the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which opposed Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971.

One of the defendants was Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the Ansarullah Bangla Team, and the rest were university students inspired by his sermons.

During the trial, the students said that Rahmani incited them to kill Haider in sermons in which he said all atheist bloggers should be killed to protect Islam.

The two North South University students who received the death sentences included Faisal bin Nayeem, who the court said hacked Haider with meat cleavers in front of his house in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. Another was tried in absentia. The others received prison sentences ranging from three years to life. Rahmani was sentenced to five years.

The defendants can appeal Sunday's decision to the Supreme Court.

The High Court said there was no scope to reduce the sentences given the gravity of the crimes.

Prosecutors had earlier said the student who was sentenced to death in absentia and was accused of planning the attack is a member of Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, but the party denied involvement in the killing.

Bangladesh in recent years has experienced a surge of attacks by radical Islamists targeting atheist bloggers and writers, foreigners and members of minority groups.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Wondering when Supreme Court nominations became so politically contentious? Only about 222 years ago - when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice.

This year's brouhaha sees Senate Democrats and Republicans bracing for a showdown over President Donald Trump's nominee, Neil Gorsuch. It's the latest twist in the political wrangling that has surrounded the high court vacancy almost from the moment Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016.

"We are in an era of extreme partisan energy right now," said University of Georgia law professor Lori Ringhand. "In such a moment, the partisanship will manifest itself across government, and there's no reason to think the nomination process will be exempt from that. It hasn't been in the past,"

FILE -This April 12, 2016, file photo, shows the Supreme Court in Washington. Supreme Court nominations became politically contentious about 222 years ago when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Each side has accused the other of unprecedented obstruction. Republicans wouldn't even hold a hearing for Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee. Democrats are threatening a filibuster, which takes 60 votes to overcome, to try to stop Gorsuch from becoming a justice. If they succeed, Republicans who control the Senate could change the rules and prevail with a simple majority vote in the 100-member body.

The struggle spilled over into the Sunday news shows, where the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, told NBC's "Meet the Press" it's "highly, highly unlikely" that Gorsuch will get 60 votes and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed the nominee will be confirmed this week one way or the other.

As she lays out in "Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings and Constitutional Change," the book she co-wrote, Ringhand said, "There were more rejected nominees in the first half of the nation's history than in the second half. That controversy has been partisan in many cases, back to George Washington."

"Confirmations have been episodically controversial," said Ringhand, who is the Georgia law school's associate dean. "The level of controversy has ebbed and flowed."

John Rutledge, a South Carolinian who was a drafter of the Constitution, was the first to succumb to politics. The Senate confirmed Rutledge as a justice in 1789, a post he gave up a couple of years later to become South Carolina's chief justice.

In 1795, Washington nominated Rutledge to replace John Jay as chief justice. By then, Rutledge had become an outspoken opponent of the Jay Treaty, which sought to reduce tensions with England. A year after ratifying the treaty, the Senate voted down Rutledge's nomination.

The rejected chief justice was partly a victim of his own design. He was among the drafters who insisted Congress should have a role in the Supreme Court appointment process, rather than leave it solely to the president, historian Henry Abraham wrote in his history of high court appointments, "Justices, Presidents, and Senators."

Rutledge was not the last to get close to the lifetime appointment to the court only to see it yanked away. The most recent were Garland and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, whose nomination by President George W. Bush was withdrawn under pressure from conservatives.

In between, President John Tyler broke with the Whigs who controlled the Senate and couldn't even get a vote for three nominees. A fourth was rejected and only one of Tyler's choices ever made it to the court. A quarter-century later, following the Civil War, the Republican-dominated Congress actually abolished a Supreme Court seat rather than act on a nomination by President Andrew Johnson.

Even some who have made it to the court endured difficult confirmations. Justice Clarence Thomas faced questions about former colleague Anita Hill's claims that he sexually harassed her. Justice Felix Frankfurter's loyalty to the United States was questioned because of his birth in Austria, his Judaism and his affiliation with the American Civil Liberties Union.

But American politicians don't tend to look back so far. Democrats fixate on 1968, the last year of the Johnson administration, when Republicans and southern Democrats came together to filibuster the nomination of Abe Fortas to be chief justice.

Republicans point to 1987, when Democrats led the way in rejecting Ronald Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork for the high court. The 58-42 vote against Bork came after a full hearing and Senate debate.

Still, it's understandable for the public to see the Gorsuch fight as the product of a recent change in American politics.

Barbara Perry, a University of Virginia expert on the presidency, said she spoke about the confirmation process recently in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"A woman stood up and said, 'When did the court become so political?'" Perry recalled. Around the founding of the country, she and a colleague replied, "or at least since we've had two political parties."

FILE - In this March 22, 2017 file photo, Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee swelled Friday, March 31, 2017, as Democrats neared the numbers needed for a filibuster, setting up a showdown with Republicans who have the votes to confirm Neil Gorsuch. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 1939, file photo, Felix Frankfurter, the new associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, poses in his judicial robe for his portrait in Washington. Supreme Court nominations became politically contentious about 222 years ago when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice. Even some who have made it to the court endured difficult confirmations. Frankfurter's loyalty to the United States was questioned because of his birth in Austria, his Judaism and his affiliation with the American Civil Liberties Union. (AP Photo)

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2011, file photo Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas laughs while talking with other guests at The Federalist Society's 2011 Annual Dinner in Washington. Supreme Court nominations became politically contentious about 222 years ago when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice. Even some who have made it to the court endured difficult confirmations. Thomas faced questions about former colleague Anita Hill's claims that he sexually harassed her. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 1987 file photo, Judge Robert Bork, nominated by President Ronald Reagan to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court, is sworn before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill at his confirmation hearing. Supreme Court nominations became politically contentious about 222 years ago when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice. Republicans point to 1987, when Democrats led the way in rejecting Reagan's nomination of Bork for the high court. The 58-42 vote against Bork came after a full hearing and Senate debate. (AP Photo/John Duricka)
MOSCOW (AP) - Police in Moscow detained about three dozen people at unauthorized rallies in the Russian capital on Sunday, a week after anti-government protests broke out across the country.

The police presence was notably heavy in central Moscow. Pedestrians could only access Red Square by passing through metal detectors, and police blocked off Pushkin Square, traditionally a gathering point for demonstrations.

Twenty-nine people were arrested while trying to conduct a march on Triumphalnaya Square and seven others were detained at Manezhnaya Square, which is adjacent to the Kremlin, according to police figures reported by the state news agency Tass.

Police officers detain a man in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Police in Moscow have detained about two dozen people at un-authorized rallies in the capital, a week after anti-government protests broke out across the country. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Separately, well-known opposition activist Ildar Dadin was arrested while picketing outside a police station, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political repression.

Dadin gained prominence in Russia's opposition community after being the first person sentenced to prison under harsh protest-suppression measures pushed through by the Kremlin in 2014.

He said he was repeatedly beaten in prison, where he served about half of a 2 -year sentence.

In St. Petersburg, one person was arrested as about 20 people tried to organize a small rally outside Gostiny Dvor, a sprawling retail structure on the city's main avenue, the Interfax news agency cited police as saying.

Last week's protests, in which more than 1,000 people were arrested in Moscow alone, were the largest opposition show of defiance in several years.

The unexpected size and scope of those protests raised questions about Kremlin strategy - whether it would try to address the protesters' issues or work to undermine or overtly suppress the opposition.

The new arrests, as well as comments by President Vladimir Putin last week, suggested authorities will act firmly against protests.

"''Everybody should act in political processes within the framework of the law. All those who go outside this law should bear punishment in accordance with Russian law," Putin said Thursday.

Police officers detain a man in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors have moved to block calls on social networks ahead of street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Police officers detain a man in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors have moved to block calls on social networks ahead of street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Police officers detain a man in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors have moved to block calls on social networks ahead of street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Police officers detain people in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors have moved to block calls on social networks ahead of street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Police officers try to detain a woman in the main street in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

A man walks holding a Russian national flag in front of the Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russian police officers guard an entrance of Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

A Russian police officer stands on guard, at the Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral in the background in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russian police officers patrol an area to prevent any opposition action, near to the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Police officers detain a man in front of the Historical Museum near Red Square in anticipation of a possible opposition action in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved on Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

A man walks holding a Russian national flag in front of the Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Russian prosecutors moved Friday to block calls on social networks for more street protests in Moscow and other Russian cities following a wave of rallies that have cast a new challenge to the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
AMATRICE, Italy (AP) - Prince Charles on Sunday visited the center of Amatrice, a mountain town that bore the brunt of central Italy's Aug. 24 earthquake, which killed hundreds of people.

Wearing a hard hat, the prince of Wales was accompanied by the head of Italy's civil protection agency on a half-hour tour that took him to the town's medieval bell tower, which stopped at the hour of the August quake, surviving only to be toppled by the stronger shocks in October.

Charles told the town's mayor, Sergio Pirozzi, that "the people of Britain mind very much what's happened to you all here."

Britain's Prince Charles visits to the 2016 earthquake-hit town of Amatrice, central Italy, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are in Italy for a week-long trip which includes stops in Rome and the Vatican. (Alessandro Bianchi/Pool Photo via AP)

Pirozzi declined to accompany the prince on his foot tour of the center, telling the news agency ANSA he will only enter the town's red zone when it has been rebuilt because he's "looking toward the future."

About 300 people in central Italy were killed in the magnitude-6.1 August quake, the vast majority of them in Rieti province that includes Amatrice. The stronger October temblors, up to magnitude 6.6, created more damage but didn't claim more lives as the most sensitive areas had already been evacuated.

The heir to the British throne is on a three-country trip seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations that Britain remains a close ally despite its impending departure from the bloc. Charles has been to Romania, and will head to Austria with his wife Camilla after his visit to Italy.

Britain's Prince Charles visits to the 2016 earthquake-hit town of Amatrice, central Italy, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are in Italy for a week-long trip which includes stops in Rome and the Vatican. (Alessandro Bianchi/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince Charles listens to Fabrizio Curcio, head of the Italian Civil Protection, right, during his visit to the quake-hit central Italian town of Amatrice, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are in Italy for a week-long trip which includes stops in Rome and the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Britain's Prince Charles, back to camera speaks with an unidentified man holding a child wearing a mask during his visit to the quake-hit central Italian town of Amatrice, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are in Italy for a week-long trip which includes stops in Rome and the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Britain's Prince Charles walks by the rubble of the 2016 earthquake-hit town of Amatrice, central Italy, Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are in Italy for a week-long trip which includes stops in Rome and the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi discussed with World Bank Group president Jim Yong Kim Egypt's ongoing economic reforms as well as cooperation in large development projects in a number of sectors in the country, including energy and transportation.

Sisi met with the World Bank president during a five-day visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump.



"Mr Jim Yong Kim stressed the World Bank's keenness to continue in cooperative programmes with Egypt and develop consultation and coordination frameworks between the two sides," an Egyptian presidency statement read.



"He hailed the serious reform steps Egypt has taken to address the structural imbalances suffered by the Egyptian economy, taking the necessary measures to attract more foreign investment."

Sisi said that Cairo will continue implementing the economic reform programme and achieve target growth rates, while expanding the social protection networks and programmes and take further legislative and administrative reforms aimed at improving the business and investment environment.

Later on Sunday, the Egyptian president discussed developing cooperation with the CEOs of General Electric and Lockheed Martin in two consecutive meetings.

"[General Electric] looks forward to increasing its activity in Egypt in light of the promising opportunities," the company's CEO was quoted as saying in a separate Egyptian presidency statement.

In his meeting with the CEO of Lockheed Martin, a major US company specialised in global aerospace, defense and security, Sisi praised the company's contribution in meeting Egypt's needs for warplanes, spare parts and equipment, as well as the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of technical training.

The CEO of Lockheed Martin expressed her keenness for further cooperation with Egypt.



World Bank loan

Sisi's visit will focus on discussing Egypt's economy with US officials, foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said on Sunday.

Last week, the World Bank delivered to Egypt the second $1 billion tranche of a $3 billion loan to support the governments economic reform programme, with the funds intended for fiscal consolidation, ensuring energy supply and enhancing competitiveness in the private sector.

A high-level mission from the bank visited Egypt in mid-March to negotiate with the Egyptian government the third tranche of the loan.

In 2014, Egypt launched a plan to introduce fiscal reforms, including fuel subsidy cuts that raised prices by up to 78 percent, and levying new taxes to ease the growing budget deficit  currently estimated at 12.2 percent of GDP  as well as floating of the Egyptian pound in November.

Egypt received the first tranche of the bank's loan in September.

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 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 organisation's data.

In November 2016, Egypt received an initial tranche of $2.75 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the boards approval of a $12 billion loan.

In statements to MENA on Sunday, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said it expects that the country's foreign reserves will rise to more than $28.5 billion at the end of March, from $26,541 million by the end of February, the highest benchmark since March 2011.

Egypt's economy has been struggling since 2011 due to a sharp drop in tourism and foreign investment, two main sources of hard currency for the import-dependent country.

Foreign reserves registered $36 billion before the popular uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak in January 2011 led to a period of political turbulence, which undermined Egypt's vital sources of foreign currency such as tourism and foreign investment.

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NEW YORK (AP) - The French embassy in the United States is staging a yearlong series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I.

The embassy's Cultural Services has kicked off the programs in New York City with events focusing on art, literature, history and French-American relations.

The Museum of the City of New York on Wednesday opens a new exhibit, "Posters and Patriotism: Selling World War I in New York." The exhibit focuses on the prominent role played by New York City as the center for Allied propaganda during the war.

Other programs and events are planned for the city and elsewhere in the U.S. in the coming months.

The United States formally declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
JERUSALEM (AP) - A joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor meant to counter the type of medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants became operational Sunday, completing Israel's multi-layer defense system amid tensions on its frontiers with Syria and Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the unveiling ceremony for the David's Sling system that defending the home front is of the "utmost importance." He went on to warn "whoever tries to strike us will be hit, those that threaten our existence put themselves in existential danger."

David Sling's marks the completion of Israel's multi-tier system that includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from the Gaza Strip.

The David's Sling Air Defense System is seen during a ceremony inaugurating a joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor at the Hatzor Air Base, Israel. Sunday, April 2, 2017. David's Sling, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, officially became operational at the ceremony, the military said. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

David's Sling was developed by Israeli defense firm Rafael with American defense giant Raytheon.

The system became operational Sunday amid heightened tensions along Israel's northern borders with Lebanon and Syria.

In a rare clash along the Syrian border last month Israel shot down an anti-aircraft missile fired at its planes as they were carrying out an airstrike on a suspected Hezbollah weapons convoy from Syria to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Israel is also on alert in the south of the country after Gaza's Hamas rulers accused it of assassinating a member of the Islamic militant group.

An annual intelligence assessment found that both Hezbollah and Hamas are probably 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.

The David's Sling Air Defense System is seen during a ceremony inaugurating a joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor at the Hatzor Air Base, Israel. Sunday, April 2, 2017. David's Sling, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, officially became operational at the ceremony, the military said. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli Air Defense Systems are seen during a ceremony inaugurating a joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor at the Hatzor Air Base, Israel. Sunday, April 2, 2017. David's Sling, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, officially became operational at the ceremony, the military said. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, walks during the official launching ceremony of the David's Sling Air Defense System at the Hatzor Air Base, Israel. Sunday, April 2, 2017. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel's enemies not to test the Jewish state at a ceremony inaugurating the joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor. Hebrew reads: "David's Sling." (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South Africa police are hunting for a gang of armed robbers who blew up an armored cash-in-transit truck in busy traffic in Johannesburg, escaping with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini said Sunday that police recovered the two vehicles used in the heist and are hunting for the suspects but no arrests have been made.

The robbers, travelling in a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz, shot out the tires of the armored truck shortly before noon on Saturday as it was traveling toward Johannesburg's international airport, according to police.

"The guards were forced out of the vehicle before the suspects blew their cash van up with explosives," the police said in a statement. "The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money in cash boxes and one of the guard's firearms. They fled from the scene in two vehicles."

A video by a passerby shows a gridlock of traffic around the truck as cars turn away to escape the attack. The truck is hit by an explosion soon after.

Paramedics treated a motorist at the scene for minor injuries caused by flying debris that landed on a vehicle after the explosion, according to a statement from ER24, an emergency rescue service that responded to the incident.

Last month a shipment of cash was stolen from Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport. A gang disguised as policemen stole at least 1.8 million dollars in cash that was about to be loaded onto a South African Airways plane bound for London.

At least eight robbers, all of them wearing police uniforms, drove to the plane in an unmarked police van and two high powered vehicles and held up security guards as the money, in various currencies and packed in bags, was being loaded onto the airplane at around 7:45 p.m. on March 8.
A new initiative launched by Black Lives Matter activists seeks to re-focus the movement's efforts on state capitols, building on momentum at the national level to push back against President Donald Trump's political agenda on issues such as policing and immigration.

The online platform OurStates.org is the latest indication that Democrats and left-leaning groups are turning their attention to statehouses after concluding that many of the policies they oppose are being enacted at the state level, since Congress has passed few major laws in recent years.

Despite the movement's national presence, it has not concentrated "on engaging and resisting what state legislatures are doing to essentially implement the same agenda," said Sam Sinyangwe, a data scientist with the project. "If we don't engage on the state level, many of the same rights we're fighting to protect will be restricted at the local level anyway."

FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2015, file photo, social media activist Johnetta Elzie attends a protest outside the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse in St. Louis. Organizers say people looking to get more politically active can have more influence at the state level, since state lawmakers' districts are smaller than congressional districts. And state lawmakers often run unopposed and legislating isn't their full-time job. Still, they have the power to make decisions that impact communities. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Users visiting the site can choose categories and click on states to learn more about pending legislation. It has a guide for influencing lawmakers, directing people to ask for in-person meetings, present specific demands and track the progress of legislation. The site also suggests conducting protests in lawmakers' offices to apply pressure and get their attention.

Black Lives Matter grew largely out of the protests over the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Activists DeRay Mckesson and Brittany Packnett - who met during Ferguson and co-founded Campaign Zero, a national campaign to end police violence - are behind the OurStates.org project and have created other online organizing tools to connect people to ways to continue the movement.

In the years since Brown's death, Black Lives Matter groups have sprung up in cities across the country, organizing and challenging officials on the local level. But this latest effort is a 50-state strategy.

Organizers say people looking to get more politically active can have more influence at the state level, since state districts are smaller than congressional districts. Also, state lawmakers often run unopposed and legislating isn't their full-time job.

Republicans now hold 33 governors' offices and have majorities in 33 legislatures. They control the governor's office and legislature in 25 states - the most since 1952. Democrats control the governor's office and legislature in only about a half-dozen states.

The imbalance of power gives state Republicans greater ability to shape laws as they pursue an agenda that includes proposals on abortion, unions, taxes, gun rights and school choice. In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, GOP lawmakers in several states want to crack down on protesters and challenge "sanctuary cities" that have resisted efforts to step up enforcement of immigration laws.

Black Lives Matter supporters are also being encouraged to back legislation in line with their personal agendas and that of the movement, including requiring police departments to report data on hate crimes, requiring officers to undergo bias training and preventing police unions from making it harder to investigate officer misconduct.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson said Black Lives Matter activists could make inroads with GOP lawmakers, depending on their approach. As potential areas of common ground, he pointed to legislation that would fund law enforcement training to deal with mental health crises or outfit officers with body cameras.

"If the goals are partisan, hot-button issues, the outcome is going to be ... no political or policy progress," said Robinson, former assistant chief of staff for Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. "If Republicans are approached in a respectable manner on issues that could have bipartisan consensus, they can make headway, but they've got to be civil.

Activists must "be serious and have doable, incremental goals," Robinson said. "If what they want to do is demonize Republican leaders ... they'll be ignored."

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http://www.OurStates.org

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Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous.

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with civil rights leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. From left are, Attorney General Loretta Lynch; Brittany Packnett, of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing and Co-Founder of We The Protestors and Campaign Zero; the president; Rep, John Lewis, D-Ga., and Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett. Democrats and left-leaning groups are turning their attention to statehouses, recognizing that many of the policies they object to are being enacted at the state level as an obstructionist Congress has passed few laws in recent years. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - At least nine civilian have been killed after an Afghanistan army commando unit detonated a cache of ordinance found in southern Helmand province.

Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor in Helmand, said Sunday that soldiers conducted an operation in which they found explosive and ammunition caches and detonated them.

Rasoul Zazia, spokesman for the army in Helmand, also confirmed the operation in Lashkar Gah - the capital of the province - late Saturday night.

At least two provincial officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media, confirmed that nine civilians, including two children, three women and four men from a single family were killed the explosions caused the roof of their house to collapse.
LONDON (AP) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has expressed regret for the disturbance caused when an activist tried to make a citizen's arrest on a prominent Saudi general over alleged war crimes in Yemen.

Britain's Foreign Office said Sunday the incident was discussed during a call between Johnson and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

An activist was captured on video Thursday accosting Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Ahmed Asiri, who appears frequently in the media to defend the kingdom's war in Yemen.

Despite bombing Shiite Houthi rebels for more than two years, the Saudi-led military coalition - backed by the U.S. and U.K. - has not seized the capital, Sanaa, from the rebels.

The war has killed thousands of civilians, including many who died during Saudi-led airstrikes on schools, hospitals, funerals and weddings.
NAMPA, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho man who struck and killed a renowned Australian humorist with his pickup truck will be sentenced in May after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash.

The Idaho Press-Tribune reports (https://goo.gl/6KSgH3 ) that 20-year-old Tristian Myers pleaded guilty last week in the death last October of Leslie Nassar.

He had been living in the small southwestern Idaho city of Nampa with his family.

Nassar was a well-known social media and technology-engineering.

He ran a satirical news column for Crikey, an online magazine, and a comedic Twitter feed called Department of Australia.

Police said Myers left the scene and later called to report a hit-and-run and confessed when interviewed.

Nassar's young daughters were with him at the time. They suffered minor injuries.

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Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com
BERLIN (AP) - Thousands of people have joined rallies across Germany and other European countries to show their support for the idea of a united Europe.

The weekly demonstrations organized by a grassroots group calling itself Pulse of Europe began at the end of 2016 to counter growing nationalist sentiment on the continent and attendant opposition to the European Union.

Participants in Berlin said they turned out for a wide variety of reasons, but primarily to support the values, culture and openness that have developed in the seven decades since Europe was ripped apart by World War II.

The combo of Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows people attending the Pulse of Europe demonstration in Berlin. The images are a reproductions of images taken with an instant film camera as a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and give their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Christian, 75, said he and his wife have lived in Berlin for some 50 years and witnessed the city's division when the Berlin Wall went up during the Cold War.

He says the idea of new barriers is a "bad dream" to envision for future generations.

"We've lived through it all here, and we know very well what borders mean and how senseless borders are," he says.

Sixty-seven-year-old Klaus started his working life in Berlin, then worked in the U.S., Poland and the Netherlands before returning to the German capital.

He said each of his experiences was positive, and he wants others to have the opportunities he did.

"I want to make sure that what I got to know remains the same, and continues to develop positively," he says. "I don't want to lose everything we've accomplished and the peace we have achieved."

Eva, 29, said she decided to participate because she was tired of seeing only protests organized by far-right parties and others EU critics.

"I think it's important to show that one stands for the values of Europe, and not only let the parties against them take over the public areas," she says.

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 75-years old Christian, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I know very well what borders mean and how senseless borders are, for me Europe is a revelation'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 49-years old Tiny, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish a intensification and a reflection of the European culture'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 75-years old Sylvia, her wish for the future in Europe is: 'I grew up in this Europe in the post-war era and I don't want us to lose what we have achieved'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 29-years old David, his wish for the future in Europe is: ' I wish that Europe find a way to a federation of states like the USA'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 36-years old Dorothee, her wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish an Europe without walls, inside and outside'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 29-years old Eva, her wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish a ongoing growing together in Europe without any recrimination and that we reclaim to our European values'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 21-years old Max, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I hope for the future that we grow more together'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 55-years old Christoph, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish that Europe makes progress on climate and environment protection'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 27-years old Frederik, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish that Europe is a strong anchor for democracy and legality in the world'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 72-years old Klaus, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I expect that what I know will remains preserved and positively developed'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 29-years old Elena, her wish for the future in Europe is: 'I wish for Europe that we more stand for each other '. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 25-years old Lina, her wish for the future in Europe is: 'Solidarity for environmental protection and climate protection'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 36-years old Till, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'I am here every Sunday because I wish an common, free and solid Europe'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The Sunday, April 2, 2017 photo shows 23-years old Marcel, his wish for the future in Europe is: 'My biggest wish and my target is an united Europe in one federal state'. The image is a reproduction of an image taken with an instant film camera during a demonstration of the 'Pulse of Europe' movement in Berlin. It's part of a series on participants in the demonstration where they were asked to put down name, age and their main wish for the future in Europe. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine lawmakers are looking to get the federal government involved in anticipated troubles competing with Canada's lobster exports to Europe.

Canada is nearing finalization of a deal with the European Union that would get rid of tariffs on Canadian lobster, putting Canada at a huge advantage over the United States in sending valuable seafood products overseas.

EU nations imported more than $150 million in lobsters from America last year. American lobster exporters say the combination of a strong U.S. dollar and the tariffs would make it hard to compete with Canada.

Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree says the Trump administration needs to recognize the trade deal has "critical" consequences for Maine. The state's Republican governor, Paul LePage, has reached out to the administration.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Mormon church plans to build five more temples across the globe.

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Sunday during a twice-yearly Mormon conference that one of them will be in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

The others will be in Brasilia, Brazil, the greater Manila area of the Philippines, Nairobi, Kenya and Pocatello, Idaho.

It brings the total number of temples built or under construction to 182 worldwide.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is approaching 16 million members.

This weekend's conference held in Salt Lake City is broadcast online to church members around the world.
The Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children that took place between 7 and 16 March brought theatre and other activities to children in Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor

Following her performance in Cairo, Shona Reppe, the creator and actress of The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, said Good theatre for children is essential.

The play was one of numerous performances Egyptian children and young people were offered through the seventh edition of the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children (7-12 March in Cairo, as well as 14 and 16 March in Alexandria and Luxor, respectively).

No matter how many times we talk about the importance of art in childrens education, it will never be enough. It is also important to shed light on both big and small initiatives that create opportunities for children and the young to be acquainted with theatre, music and all other forms of art.

It is equally vital to encourage all artists to follow the path of those who are already active in the field of education through arts and those who simply create art for a young audience. In Egypt in particular, not only is there still much room for such initiatives but there is also a pressing need for artists to embrace the youngest audience.

7th year of Hakawy

This is where the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children steps in, responding to the needs of the youngest audience. The festival is organised by AFCA for Arts and Culture, whose founding director Mohamed El Ghawy sees as part of the natural development of AFCA in the field of education through art.

In this sense, AFCA is one of the most dynamic players, creating palpable outreach through art and introducing artistic activities to thousands of Egyptian children from all walks of life  private and state schools, underprivileged communities  and to orphans, homeless and ill children. The Hakawy Festival one of AFCA's youngest and most sparkling initiatives.

The festival first saw the light in 2011 when it was held at the College du Sacre-Coeur in Heliopolis, bringing together troupes from Egypt, Croatia, Ireland and Finland. Ever since, the festival has evolved, testing new locations, and since its third edition in 2013 Hakawy has taken place mostly at the Hanager Arts Centre while creating dynamic outreach for children across a range of neighbourhoods, hospitals etc.

Indeed, as I wrote in my profile of El Ghawy, throughout its seven-years-long history, the Hakawy festival has brought over plays for children from 15 countries and four continents, initiated creative cooperations between Egyptian and foreign artists and engaged in dynamic partnerships with Egyptian troupes and ensembles working for or with children. In other words, the festivals audience grew from 800 in its first edition, held at a Cairos school, to several thousand in each of its recent editions.

The festivals seventh edition included performances of storytelling, puppet theatre and object theatre from Egypt, Germany, USA and UK as well as workshops for children.

In the week days, between 7 and 9 March and then on 12 March, the festival focused on morning performances, giving schools the opportunity to bring over classes. A large number of children from private and public schools in Cairo, Minya and Banha, from orphanages and economically underprivileged neighbourhoods and from hospitals and associations for disabled children were brought by buses to attend the festival.

During the weekend, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 March, the festival created a lively family atmosphere in the Hanager and an open area in front of it, with whole families bringing their children to enjoy the theatre. In addition to the plays staged in Cairo, attendees could also participate in puppetry workshop and other activities for children and artists.

On 14 and 16 March, children in Alexandria and Luxor consecutively had the opportunity to see one of Hakawys plays, Follow the Yarn (Germany), in their home cities.

And though this year the programme was smaller than usual -- a fact El Ghawy explains by reference to the challenging financial situation, especially since the floatation of the pound last November -- the intelligent distribution of the programme elements, their quality and organisation still left the audience spoilt for choice.

The festive atmosphere with a play for every child

The dynamic commotion at the Hanager was in itself impressive. There were times when, while The Pigeoning (USA) was being performed at Hanagers main theatre, the Gallery was taken up by The Wonders of Science (Egypt). At the same time, children queued in front of the Planetarium erected in Hanagers hall by the AUC  its contribution to the festival, which accommodated 20 children per round, taking them on a journey through the galaxy and time  while others attended an open-air storytelling performance provided by the Bibliothekbus, an Egyptian storytelling initiative supported by the Goethe Institut which brought the mobile library to the Hanagers grounds.

The festive atmosphere bubbling with boundless creativity is probably one of the major factors behind Hakawys success.

This year science and reading were the festivals two main themes. The first theme was particularly obvious in The Wonders of Science, the latter in the Bibliothekbus. The Wonders of Science, a performance organised by the American University in Cairo, introduced basics of science in a fun and engaging way. Live experiments showcased the laws of motion, sound waves, electricity and magnetism, and invited the children to interact.

Different kind of discoveries were made through three remarkable shows, from the USA, the UK and Germany.

The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean by Shona Reppe (UK), the provider of the opening quote for this article, ignited the childrens imagination and invited them to think, while providing a lot of fun. In it, the audience, or rather the scrapets as the protagonist Dr Patricia Baker (Shona Reppe) calls them, follow the investigation of the magnificent scrapbook that belonged to an old watchmaker from the Victorian era, Artemis J Mood. As the story evolves, and together with Dr Baker, the audience connects bits and pieces that lead to understanding who Josephine Bean was.

The UK play relied in large part on language, and since English is not first language of the young audience in Egypt, Shona Reppe introduced a translator. However, instead of adding a dry translation, Isra Ghazali, an Egyptian actress, became Dr Bakers assistant seated on the stage. While translating the text into Arabic, together with the audience, the assistant was surprised, thrilled or puzzled by the many discoveries made by Dr Baker.

It is a new practice of El Ghawys to bring shows that require translation and previous editions hosted mainly performances where the message was delivered through dance, movement or pantomime. As El Ghawy mentioned during the first day of Hakawy, this year he selected quality shows regardless language barriers, which were dealt with in a creative way whether in The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, The Pigeoning, a show from the USA or elsewhere.

In The Pigeoning, the recorded voice of an Egyptian narrator walks the children through the puppet show created by Robin Frank. The protagonist, named Frank, an obsessive compulsive office worker in huge glasses, possessed by cleanliness and order, is convinced that pigeons are plotting against him. His struggle to protect himself from pigeons, understand and eventually befriend them provides an insight into the contrast between nature and the four walls of a clerical office in a busy city where there is little room for self-reflection.

At the heart of this bittersweet story is the life of everyone trapped in an urban environment, where the only contact we may have with nature is translated through pigeons. As much as the story is made for young viewers who quickly sympathise with Frank  the puppet, it is equally absorbing for the whole family, inviting a reassessment of our taciturn lives versus the many voices that nature can offer.

Seemingly much simpler was Follow the Yarn, a show from Germanys HELIOS theatre targeting children as young as two years old. While there are three actors on the stage, the shows main protagonist is the yarn.

The yarn takes on many qualities: it is part of a sheep personalised by the actors, it is jumbled when they play with it and tidily wrapped when they use it for knitting. It is the source of all the clothing we wear but, as we soon discover, it can carry social elements too, when it is stretched to every member of the audience, creating woollen tracks that join the children together.

There is something very unique about shows for toddlers, which are usually very different from plays for viewers aged six or older. Toddlers lose interest fast; they prefer a simple storyline, few puzzles and clear direct messages without patronisation. They enjoy the wrapping together of language and sounds, music and songs, and clever repetitions. Like all children toddlers like to be addressed directly and engaged in the play. Follow the Yarn offered just about everything, keeping these very young viewers interested for its 45 minute duration.

A much older audience was targeted by two Egyptian plays, both relying on the involvement of children and/or youth in their creation. First was Tales of Ancient Egypt, performed by the Young Scholars of Egypt. The play consisted of three short plays written by students aged eight-14, based on Roger Lancelyn Greens short stories collected in a book with the same name.

The second play, titled Nour, was produced by AFCA and addresses an audience aged 15 and older. It is a play that welds storytelling, amateur energy and ideas with professional theatre components.

As we read in the programme notes, the play is part of a larger project that includes collecting stories from young people aged 15-25 through workshops held in governmental schools, associations and universities across Egypt.

Over two years, young people spoke of their real life experiences and reflections. A collective work all the way through, it involved four boys and girls from the group aged 18-25 (Mostafa Mohamed, Lina Sakr, Menna Waleed and Perlina Ashraf) writing the script and music, designing the scenography and directing the final play. They were supervised by a team of professionals: Baher Dewidar in scriptwriting, Mohamed El Gharabawy in scenography, and Mohamed El Ghawy in mise-en-scene with assistant stage director Khadija El-Dessouky.

Nour, an ongoing experience

In the performance, we find Nour and Nour, a male and a female character, who despite sharing the same name are divided by many differences resulting from their gender as well as by the expectations, hopes and restrictions placed on each of them by society. However, despite those differences, Nour is an everyman story about living in a society governed by societal, religious or traditional requirements.

We follow Nour from the time his/her parents met, fell in love and got married; then we see Nour as a child, adolescent and a young adult. The reflections on the family, individuality and society, are supported by statistical data braided into the script. The simple scenography underscores the double-protagonist while the sand artist Michael Romanycreates captivating drawings of spaces and emotions, presented to the audience with the aid of an overhead projector on the screen.

Engrained in the realities of Egypt, Nour speaks to the audience by exposing reality or simply by raising awareness. And while the play includes a presentation of sheer facts, some surprising, others shocking the viewer, it is also an interesting theatrical journey packaged in a well-balanced creative vocabulary.

There is no dogmatism, no forcing of opinionated messages onto the viewer, and no calls for specific actions -- a trap into which many such productions fall. The play trusts the viewer to judge the necessity for taking action and eventually to do what is needed, whether in their own household or on a larger scale. The play, like art in general, does not provide solutions; it rather invites the viewer to step back and reflect on their social and cultural surroundings.

Following one of the performances, the audience members eagerly shared their impressions of the topics developed in Nour, emphasising the need for the performance to be presented to a wider audience. Is there a more obvious proof that the aims of the play have been accomplished?

Nour is an experience and an ongoing process. As the programme notes reveal, the performance is yet to tour Egyptian cities where it will definitely generate more discussions and further reflections. It is also through this ongoing process that the director will continue looking for stronger formula to package all the energy of the amateur performers with creative ideas into an aesthetically engaging work.

As I have mentioned, this year, the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children brought a smaller a variety of performances. They were however unique in their approach to the audience, targeted different ages and invited to different levels of discussions.

Indeed, Good theatre for children is essential. And good theatre stays in the young audiences minds, adding to their development and experiences. A festival of good theatre for children does not end with the curtain falling on the last performance. It lives on in the hearts of many children and young people, with the discussion opened, the minds triggered and enriched  until the next year and the eighth edition of the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children

This article was first published in Al Ahram Weekly

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A 4-year-old girl was buried by 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow in an Alaska town after snow slid off a roof, seriously injuring the child, authorities said.

Emergency workers went to the home in the Fairbanks suburb of North Pole after a woman said Saturday afternoon that she could not find her granddaughter after snow slid off the metal roof, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported (http://bit.ly/2oqlLhd).

North Star Volunteer Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Wells told the newspaper that the child was buried for eight minutes. "The fortunate part is we were kind of in the neighborhood finishing a call and we were able to get there - crews got there immediately," Wells said Sunday.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the family was about to leave the house together and the child went outside first, he said. The parents then heard the snow crashing down from the metal roof, Wells told the News-Miner.

The storm door leading to the back porch area opens outward, and the door was jammed because of the snow, he said.

"They had to kick out the glass (of the storm door) to get outside," Wells told the newspaper. "Calling 911 without delaying really helped . We had a huge area we were searching. The whole deck - the whole back side of the house - was buried. It was a large area to search. This would be similar to an avalanche. The father actually located the child's hand."

The child had no pulse and was not breathing when she was found. But she was revived, he said.

The girl was flown from a hospital in Fairbanks to Anchorage.

People who live in houses with metal roofs should make sure that an excessive amount of snow doesn't accumulate atop their homes, Wells said.

"With the weather, a word of caution to the people with metal roofs," he said. "With this kind of weather, this is going to happen. We had a lot of snow this year."

___

Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com
LONDON (AP) - The family of a British-Iranian woman detained in Iran marked the first anniversary of her detention by tying yellow ribbons on the branches of trees at a park near her home.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held in Iran for one year on allegations she conspired to overthrow the country's cleric-run government.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has dual British-Iranian citizenship, was returning home to Britain after visiting her family in Tehran with her toddler daughter.

Richard Ratcliffe, left, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, listens to messages of support in Fortune Green, West Hampstead, Sunday April 2, 2017, to mark 365 days since this British-Iranian woman was imprisoned in Tehran. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained for allegedly trying to overthrow the cleric-run government. The dual national was returning home to Britain after visiting her family in Tehran with her toddler daughter. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)

Ahead of the anniversary event in northwest London on Sunday, she described her wish to see her husband and child dancing to Michael Jackson in "the middle of our sitting room."

Supporters also affixed to the trees quotes from Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fellow inmates at Evin prison in Iran describing what they would do with one day of freedom.
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) - Uruguay is looking for 22 missing crew members of a South Korean ship after finding two survivors, authorities said Sunday.

Two Filipino survivors in good health were found Saturday floating in a life boat by a commercial boat participating in the search. Uruguayan Navy spokesman Gaston Jaunsolo told The Associated Press that the survivors said the Stella Daisy split in two and sank.

A Brazilian Navy plane joined the rescue team at around 2,485 miles (4,000 kilometers) off Uruguay's coast. Argentina's Navy has also been helping.

The South Korean foreign ministry says the vessel's shipping company lost contact with Stella Daisy on Friday shortly after a crew member sent a text message saying it was taking on water.

It says there were 24 crew members aboard - eight South Koreans and 16 Filipinos. The ship was registered in the Marshall Islands.

___

AP Writer Leonardo Haberkorn contributed to this report.
Residents of a small city in southern Colombia are searching for loved ones after heavy rain sent floodwaters, mud and debris surging through homes, killing at least 207 and leaving many injured or missing.

The streets of Mocoa were covered in thick sand, mud and tree branches from the rivers and forest that surround the city.

There was little drinking water and no power, which forced authorities to suspend the search and rescue effort during the night.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed in the landslide but that the death toll was changing every moment.

Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction.

Map locates mudslide

Bodies were placed in a temporary morgue where three teams of medical examiners were working around the clock to swiftly identify the remains.

Juan Chanchi de Ruiz, 74, said the noise of the surging flood woke her up and gave her enough time to get to higher ground.

Her house was not damaged but the homes of several neighbours were heavily damaged and many people were fleeing with their belongings as the river water remained high.

Soldiers and rescue workers evacuate residents from the area in Mocoa, Colombia (Colombian Army Photo via AP)

Around here, theres nobody. Everybody left, she said.

People went to their houses and found nothing but the floor, said Gilma Diaz, a 42-year-old woman from another town who came in search of a cousin.

Authorities and residents in the city tucked between mountains along Colombias southern border spent Saturday tending to victims, trying to find homes on streets reduced to masses of rubble and engaged in a desperate search to locate loved ones who disappeared in the dark of night.

A soldier carries a child in Mocoa, Colombia, after an avalanche of water from an overflowing river swept through the city as people slept (Colombian Army Photo via AP)

Eduardo Vargas, 29, was asleep with his wife and seven-month-old baby when he was awoken by the sound of neighbours banging on his door.

He quickly grabbed his family and fled up a small mountain amid cries of people in panic.

Mr Vargas and his family huddled with about two dozen other residents as rocks, trees and wooden planks ripped through below.

They waited there until daylight, when members of the military helped them down.

When he reached the site of his home on Saturday, nothing his family left behind remained.

The Colombian Red Cross are responding to the devastating landslide in Putumayo province #TodosPorPutumayo https://t.co/LNGevTRoeb  British Red Cross  (@BritishRedCross) April 1, 2017

Mr Santos blamed climate change for triggering the avalanche, saying the accumulated rainfall in one night was almost half the amount Mocoa normally receives in the entire month of March.

With the rainy season in much of Colombia just beginning, he said local and national authorities need to redouble their efforts to prevent a similar tragedy.

The tragedy drew international attention, with Pope Francis mentioning the catastrophe during his Angelus blessing on Sunday on a visit to the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, which was struck by a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago.
South Koreas Sung Kang put himself closer to qualification for next weeks Masters as he leads the Shell Houston Open by three shots going into the final round.

A first PGA Tour victory on Sunday would secure him the final spot at Augusta National and he looks in good shape, sitting at 17 under after his third round in Houston.

It was not his best 18 holes of the week, with four birdies and three bogeys, and he would only be in a share of the lead had it not been for a collapse from Rickie Fowler in his final two holes.

Sung Kang watches his tee shot on the third hole (Eric Christian Smith/AP)

The American, who started seven shots behind Kang, had surged back into contention with eight birdies in his first 14 holes and he arrived at the 17th sharing the lead on 17 under.

But a bogey on the penultimate hole was followed by a double bogey on the 18th as Fowler four-putted to drop three shots in two holes.

American Russell Henley is a shot further back, with Luke List firing himself up to 12 under after carding a 65  the best round of the day.

Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Justin Rose are on five under.
A large fire has broken out at a high-rise complex under construction near Dubais largest shopping centre, sending thick grey smoke billowing over the heart of the city.

The site is next to the Dubai Mall and near the 63-storey The Address Downtown Dubai tower, which was heavily damaged in a fire on New Years Eve 2015.

Firefighters battle a blaze in Dubai (Anthea Ayache via AP)

Dubais government media office said the fire broke out at the Fountain Views towers, and firefighters have brought it under control.

Cooling operations are under way and ambulance units are on site, the media office posted on its Twitter account. It said there were no injuries reported.

The high-rise complex is being built by large Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties, which raised the mall and the Address hotel struck in the 2015 blaze.

Firefighters battle a blaze at an under-construction tower in Dubai, United Arab Emiraes, Sunday, April 2, 2017. A large fire broke out early Sunday at a construction site near Dubais largest shopping mall, sending thick gray smoke billowing over the heart of the city. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Large numbers of firefighters were on the scene and police cordoned off nearby roads.

It was plumes and plumes of black smoke. It looks like it was quite low down, said witness Anthea Ayache.

She said firefighters responded quickly, and many construction workers were nearby watching from a safe distance.

Theres so many fire brigades, so they seem to have gotten on top of it very quickly, she said.

An Emirati watches a fire at an under-construction tower in Dubai, United Arab Emiraes, Sunday, April 2, 2017. A large fire broke out early Sunday at a construction site near Dubais largest shopping mall, sending thick gray smoke billowing over the heart of the city. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Niall McLoughlin, a spokesman for Dubai developer DAMAC, said the fire happened next to the DAMAC Maison luxury hotel.

Dramatic fires have hit skyscrapers in Dubai and other fast-growing cities in the United Arab Emirates in recent years. Building and safety experts have cited a popular type of cladding covering the buildings that can be highly flammable.
The Prince of Wales has shared an emotional encounter with the Italian survivors of a devastating earthquake that reduced their homes to rubble and left hundreds dead.

Charles grasped hands, kissed well-wishers and comforted one man with a hug as he toured the small town of Amatrice that bore the brunt of the deadly tremor that stuck last summer as residents slept.

Charles meets members of the armed forces, who helped in the earthquake aftermath. (John Stillwell/PA)

The Prince of Wales is visiting Amatrice, a town that was badly affected by earthquakes in 2016. #RoyalVisitItaly pic.twitter.com/h5chIBx47p  Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 2, 2017

The Prince of Wales listens to the tales of devastation. (John Stillwell/PA)

Wearing a hard hat he was taken into the rubble-strewn red zone of the settlement and saw for himself the devastation but it was a trip he made without the towns mayor Sergio Pirozzi who said the experience would be too painful.

The prince walked up to the towns civic tower  a grim reminder of the natural disaster as its clock stopped at 3.36am, the moment the 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Amatrice and nearby villages on August 24 last year, killing almost 300 people in the region.

The Prince of Wales meets people during a visit to Amatrice (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

When Charles first arrived, he was greeted by Mayor Pirozzi and told him: The people in Britain mind very much whats happened to you all here. Later he laid a bouquet of local flowers in memory of those killed.

HRH was shown Amatrices Red Zone, the old town area that was heavily affected by the earthquakes. pic.twitter.com/VYgSkgiYmQ  Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 2, 2017

Charles was greeted by emotional scenes as he toured Amatrice, outside the red zone, with one woman weeping after briefly welcoming him while a man clasped hands with the heir to the throne, who hugged him in return.

Lifelong Amatrice resident Fernanda Ciancaglioni gave the royal visitor a kiss when he stopped to talk.

Speaking afterwards through an interpreter, the 73-year-old, who has been a hairdresser for 55 years but lost her business in the disaster, said: In my area, three buildings collapsed and 22 people died in my square.

The Prince of Wales lays flowers at the earthquake memorial. (John Stillwell/PA)

I was awake in the early hours of the morning and felt it all, I thought my building was going to collapse but it didnt and the earthquake eventually came to an end, and I just grabbed the first thing I could find to put on and came out in my slippers.

It was dark and I used my phone to light the way from the sixth floor of my block, everything was broken and there was rubble on the stairs.

When I got outside I went to see my friend who lived across the road and when I got to the square I saw two buildings which had just collapsed and people were crying and looking for their loved ones in the rubble.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to Amatrice in the mountainous region of central Italy (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

The heir to the throne is on a nine-day tour of Europe with Camilla, who spent her day in Florence learning about some of the cultural attractions that draw so many visitors to the city.

The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the Progetto Arcobaleno Association in in Florence. (Tim Rooke/PA)
Saracens will face Munster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup after bringing Glasgows European adventure to a halt with a conclusive 38-13 victory at Allianz Park.

Two tries from Chris Ashton and one apiece by Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt kept the champions on course for a successful title defence, while man of the match Owen Farrell contributed four penalties and three conversions.

Ashton advanced and damaged his British and Irish Lions prospects in the space of 18 minutes, producing a magnificent finish only to then expose his fragile defence by waving over wing Lee Jones.

Saracens' Chris Ashton scores his second try in the victory over Glasgow

Full Time | And that's full time here at @AllianzPark, Sarries are into the semis after sealing a 38-13 win over @GlasgowWarriors! pic.twitter.com/CenH8ZJL3B  Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 2, 2017

Saracens led 14-3 at the interval and apart from a spell early in the second half when Glasgow threatened a fightback after crossing through Jones, the outcome never looked in doubt.

It was a comprehensive rout of opponents who were appearing in the knock-out stage for the first time, delivered in front in an Allianz Park record crowd of 15,000, of which 6,000 were from Glasgow.

Glasgow were forced to make two try-saving tackles at the corner flags inside the opening five minutes after Saracens plundered an early turnover and counter-attacked with great precision.

 | What an atmosphere here today! Thanks to all supporters from both sides for making it such an incredible day pic.twitter.com/cKxejmIgZS  Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 2, 2017

First Jones kept out Ashton and then Stuart Hogg denied Sean Maitland, although on the second attempt the champions might have been better served had Alex Goode looked inside to Richard Wigglesworth for the final pass.

Glasgow began to make an impression on the home defence for the first time only to trail to three Farrell penalties.

Not for the first time Saracens were stripped of the ball, Wigglesworth being dispossessed by opposite number Henry Pyrgos to bring one promising attack to a close, but on the half hour mark the visitors whitewash was breached.

Action Shot | @ChrisAshton1 crosses over the line to chalk up Saracens' first try pic.twitter.com/GRufs3Hlzy  Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 2, 2017

Waves of runners made dents before Billy Vunipola made a bulldozing run that created an opportunity that still needed plenty of finishing. Barritt sucked in two defenders and slipped a superb ball out of the tackle to Ashton, who drove forwards before rolling over the line.

The race to the whitewash was on when space was created for a second Ashton try only for Hogg to nudge the wing into touch, the Lions full-back coming to the rescue once more.

Openside Jackson Wray had an eventful start to the second half, preventing Finn Russell from capitalising on an opportunist hack down field and then flattening Jones under the high ball with a challenge that was on the cusp of illegality.

GET IN! Finn's cross kick is collected by Jones who still has work to do. He steps and fends and is over the line. Kick hits the post (14-8)  Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) April 2, 2017

Saracens defence was exposed in the 49th minutes as Jones took revenge for the hit from Wray by scoring a soft try in the corner.

Russell lofted a kick into the left corner and Jones pounced, catching the ball and then evading feeble grabs from Goode and Ashton to touch down.

Then a clearance reached only as far as Ashton and following runs from Vunipola and Barritt, the ball was fed to Bosch who stepped his way past the white shirts and over.

Barritt touched down as the beneficiary of a superb offload from Schalk Brits and Ashton grabbed his second before flanker Ryan Wilson scored a consolation in an action-packed final 10 minutes.

The players dont realise it yet  hopefully they will when they get there  but its going to be a very special day. We played Clermont a couple of years ago when there were 30,000 Clermont fans and us. This is going to be double that  there will be 50,000 Munster fans.

Were obviously disappointed. We put in huge effort to get here and we didnt deliver. Saracens did a number of things very well, their physicality when carrying the ball being one of them. The pace they played at was excellent. They were outstanding.

Victoire 29-9 face au RCT ! L ASM en demi finale !  pic.twitter.com/fE2sDgaVtg  ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) April 2, 2017

In the other semi-final Clermont Auvergne beat Toulon 29-9 in an all-French affair with tries from Noa Nakaitaci and Damian Penaud, both being converted by Morgan Parra.

He also kicked four penalties and Camille Lopez a drop goal. Leigh Halfpenny kicked three penalties for Toulon.
Hundreds of veterans and their families took part in a very, very moving ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands.

Jane Adams, secretary of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (Sama 82) who organised the event, said there was many a tear as people of different ranks and ages gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

(Danny Lawson/PA)

She said: I could see what it meant to the veterans in being with other colleagues and it was interesting to see people from various services there.

Reverend David Cooper, who served with the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 Para) during the conflict, led the service which had touches of laughter and solemnity.

He spoke of the struggles that people faced after coming home but also of those who managed to forge successful lives.

Lord Lieutenant Of Staffordshire Ian Dudson lays a wreath during a service marking the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire (Danny Lawson/PA)

Veterans could be seen wiping away tears, the Royal Marine band played and members of the public laid wreaths.

Sama 82 chairman Gordon Mather said that 255 people serving with the Armed Forces were killed during the fight to recapture the islands from Argentina and three civilians also lost their lives.

A service marking the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire (Danny Lawson/PA)

The service, which was open to the public, was to pay tribute to all those involved in the conflict, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, he said.

Sama 82 also said the Falklands Memorial is important as so many of the men killed in the conflict have no grave. It serves as a restful space for contemplation for their families, comrades and friends.
Arsenal proved their season still has signs of life by twice battling back to earn a point against Premier League top-four rivals Manchester City.

Against a backdrop of uncertainty over the future of manager Arsene Wenger and the supporter protests aimed at ousting the Frenchman, the Gunners showed they can still cut it with the best in the division as they fought for a 2-2 draw.

Leroy Sane put the visitors ahead inside five minutes and Sergio Aguero restored the lead for Pep Guardiolas men just 131 seconds after Theo Walcott had levelled. But Shkodran Mustafi headed Arsenal back on terms once more with just his second goal for the Gunners, who remain sixth in the table as a result - seven points adrift of City in fourth.

It ends all square in north London#AFCvMCFC pic.twitter.com/5Io9ddi8Ko  Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 2, 2017

Mathematically, its not the best operation today, not for City and not for us. But we have the confidence gained and we have to restart now. We started with a high level of anxiety and were punished straight away. Overall I felt it was a mental test and overall you could see the team was touched on the confidence front. The fluency of our game suffered. We have shown great mental resource.

By November, the people said we were out of the title race, so we are calm on that. But we forgot a little bit to play. I like when my teams play with the ball. Of course they have to run, but I like when they have the personality to play. In some moments, we didnt do that.

Tweet of the match

6th.

18pts behind Chelsea.

11pts behind Spurs.

'Only one team in London.' #WengerOUT  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 2, 2017

Star man  Leroy Sane

8 goals from 13 shots on target - our boy, Leroy!  #afcvcity pic.twitter.com/mOng0GWQmH  Manchester City (@ManCity) April 2, 2017

The Germany winger is coming into his own at Manchester City and continued his excellent run of form with a well-taken early goal. He was a constant threat for the visitors.

In with the crowd

Seven-point plan being distributed. Still fairly quiet down here at the moment. #AFC pic.twitter.com/z4vdVes1Hb  Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) April 2, 2017

Arsenal fans handed out leaflets before kick-off with instructions about how to protest against Arsene Wenger being handed a new contract, and a van was parked with a message saying the Frenchman should be accountable to the fans. Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was tense but a spirited Gunners performance gave dissenters little room for further anger.

Stat attack

41. City back in front in super quick time as @21LVA finds @aguerosergiokun and there's only one place he's putting that! 



 1-2   Manchester City (@ManCity) April 2, 2017

There were only 131 seconds between Theo Walcott equalising for Arsenal and Sergio Aguero putting City 2-1 ahead.

Player ratings

David Ospina, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin, Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Danny WelbeckGabriel (for Koscielny, 45 minutes), Olivier Giroud (for Walcott, 68 minutes), Alex Iwobi (for Welbeck, 77 minutes)

Willy Caballero, Fernandinho, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Sergio AgueroYaya Toure (for Steling, 45 minutes), Pablo Zabaleta (for Silva, 89 minutes)

Whos up next?

Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah (left) is held back by Gary Cahill (second left) as Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho (72) holds back Chelsea's Willian (centre) (Martin Rickett/PA)

Arsenal v West Ham (Premier League, April 5)

Chelsea v Manchester City (Premier League, April 5)
The first Contemporary Egyptian Cinema Film Festival  Special Edition Mohamed Khan in Brazil is currently running and screening 12 films by the late seminal Egyptian director.

The festival opened 29 March and is being held at the Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre in Sao Paulo until 10 April.

The festival aims to bring a panorama of Egyptian contemporary cinema to Brazilian moviegoers, and through Khans films, present the lesser known aspects of Egyptian society.

Khan was one of Egypts most prominent directors belonging to a generation of neorealist filmmakers that represented a hallmark in Egyptian cinema.

He was born in 1942 in Cairo to a Pakistani father and an Egyptian mother, and later obtained Egyptian nationality by a presidential decree in March 2014.

Amro Saad, owner of Oriente-se, the production company organising the festival, says that Khan authors a romantic realist cinema. Even when tackling harsh realities, he always offers a way out to his characters, according to a report by Brazil-Arab News Agency.

The idea of the festival came to Saad when Khan died last year. He wanted to pay tribute to him.

Among the films being screened at the festival are Factory Girl (2006), Klephty (2004), An Appointment for Dinner (1981), Days of Sadat (2001), Dreams of Hind and Camilia (1989), Gone and Never Came Back (1984).

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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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has apologised to the Saudi government after an activist tried to carry out a citizens arrest of one of the Gulf states generals.

An anti-war campaigner attempted to arrest Maj Gen Ahmed Asiri over Saudi Arabias involvement in the conflict in Yemen  while another protester threw an egg at the senior officer as he arrived at an event in London.

Mr Johnson expressed his regret at the incident during a phone call with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Demonstrators protest against the visit of Major General Ahmad Hassan Mohammad Asirim (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The incident on Thursday saw Arab coalition spokesman Maj Gen Asiri confronted as he arrived at an event in London. The Foreign Office confirmed that Mr Johnson discussed the incident during a phone call on Saturday.

A spokeswoman said: The Foreign Secretary spoke to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday. They discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The Foreign Secretary expressed his regret at the disturbance to Saudi Major General Asiris visit to London on Thursday.

Peace campaigner Sam Walton, who attempted to make the arrest, said he was delighted to have caused a diplomatic incident.

Mr Walton said he was disgusted but not surprised that Mr Johnson had gone grovelling to the Saudis.
Roger Federer has set his sights on claiming an eighth Wimbledon title this summer after the latest chapter of his remarkable 2017 ended with him winning the Miami Open.

The 35-year-olds success in Florida, coming with a straight sets victory over Rafael Nadal, means he has won the biggest three tournaments of year following titles at the Australian Open and Indian Wells  all after missing the final six months of last season with a knee injury.

Federer has confirmed he will now skip the majority of the clay-court swing and not play another tournament until the French Open, which begins on May 22, but his attention is already on the third grand slam of the year five weeks later.

Roger Federer, of Switzerland, celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal, of Spain, in the men's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Wimbledon has to be the biggest goal now, Federer, who last won at SW19 in 2012, said.

The American hard courts I guess as well. The French Open, to some extent, we will see what happens, there is no pressure there really. All the grass is important to me. The second part of the season is the big priority.

My knee was strange on the clay last year so maybe being away from it as much as possible is a good thing as well, even though I dont think it was because of the clay as such.

"You aren't supposed to clap." -opening line from @rogerfederer to the press pic.twitter.com/jXrcAYDekE  Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) April 2, 2017

But my physio, my fitness guy, thought that could be a good thing not to be too much on clay. I feel very comfortable, very confident it is the right decision.

I will probably stay on hard courts for the next few weeks and I will get on the clay two weeks before the French. Hopefully I will play the French and then for me thats when the season really starts.

Federers stunning start to the year means he can cherry-pick his schedule for the rest of 2017. And with over 4,000 ranking points already in the bag and no points to defend after Wimbledon, a return to the world number one spot is a strong possibility.

The 6-3 6-4 win over old rival Nadal was his 19th from 20 matches this season, a dream-like run of form.

For me, the dream continues. Its been a fabulous couple of weeks here in Miami, Indian Wells was beautiful as well, he added.

"I believe I'm ready to win titles." - @RafaelNadal on his future. pic.twitter.com/EJs2uvo8uE  Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) April 2, 2017

For Nadal it was a fifth loss in the Miami Open final, the first of which came against Federer in 2005.

He followed that up with defeats in 2008, 2011, 2014 and now 2017 and is desperate to be standing in Federers place one day.

He said: Its disappointing for me that I have been trying during all my career. Every three years, I am here in this position but always with the smaller trophy.

I am going to keep trying hard for the next couple of years. Hopefully I will not have to wait three more years to be in that position fighting again for the title.
Serbias Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has claimed victory in the countrys presidential election.

Speaking to supporters at his right-wing partys headquarters, Mr Vucic said: My victory is crystal clear. This is a very important day for us, showing which way Serbia should be heading.

A huge majority of people in Serbia support continuation of the reform process, continuation of the European path for Serbia along with preserving our traditionally good ties with Russia and China, Mr Vucic said, while his backers chanted victory, victory.

Aleksandar Vucic, left, leaves a polling station with his daughter Milica (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Mr Vucic spoke after a polling agencys projection showed liberal challenger Sasa Jankovic placing second with 15% and Luka Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a parody politician, coming in third with 9%.

The agency had a representative sample of votes from different polling stations and issued its projection with 70% of the vote sample tallied. Official results are expected on Monday.

Mr Vucic, a former ultranationalist now a declared pro-European Union politician, had been predicted to win the presidency by a high margin against 10 opposition candidates.

He needed to win by more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off election on April 16 that would have put him in a much trickier position against a single opposition candidate.

The prime minister since 2014, Mr Vucic was expected to use a win to appoint a figurehead successor as prime minister and to transform the presidency from a ceremonial office into a more powerful post from which he could rule unchallenged.

The opposition has accused Mr Vucic of muzzling the media and intimidating voters ahead of the election. Mr Vucic denied the allegations, saying only he can bring stability to a region scarred by the wars of the 1990s, which Mr Vucic supported at the time.

Serbian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Aleksandar Vucic (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

I really hope that with these elections, Serbia will carry on toward its further stability with full support of its government, Mr Vucic said as he cast his ballot. I dont know if Ill win, but I truly hope that those who want to destabilise Serbia will not succeed.

Mr Jankovic, an independent candidate with no party affiliation, said he was happy with his campaign, which has galvanised the pro-democratic movement in Serbia that has been upset with the countrys persistent corruption and growing autocracy.

Contrary to his claims that he wants to lead Serbia into the EU, Mr Vucic has been pushing for deeper ties with long-time ally Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin has endorsed him.

Before the vote, Mr Vucic visited Mr Putin, who reportedly promised his signature on the delivery of fighter planes, battle tanks and armoured vehicles to Serbia. The move triggered fears of an arms race in the western Balkans, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.

The biggest surprise of the election was Mr Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a parody politician. As a satirical candidate decked out in a white suit and oversized jewellery, Mr Maksimovic mocked corruption in Serbian politics by promising to steal if he were elected. His supporters were mostly young voters alienated by Serbias decades-long crisis and economic decline.
Donald Trump has praised the European Unions response to Brexit, claiming the UKs withdrawal from the bloc could be a very good thing for both parties.

The US president, who boasted that he predicted Brexit, has enthusiastically supported the decision taken by UK voters in the EU referendum.

But he struck a more conciliatory tone about the future of the bloc than in previous comments, claiming the 27 other members were getting their act together and it had become less likely that other countries would follow the UKs example.

Donald Trump (Evan Vucci/AP)

In an interview with the Financial Times, he said: I think Brexit is very good for the UK, it is going to be very good for UK.

I would have thought when it happened that more would follow, but I really think the European Union is getting their act together. It could be a very good thing for both.

He added: If you would have asked me that the day after the election I would have said, Yeah, it will start to come apart. But they have done a very good job and - I am meeting with them very soon - they have done a very good job in bringing it back together.

Mr Trump, who frequently criticised Angela Merkel during the 2016 presidential campaign, insisted he had a great meeting with her.

The talks in March included an awkward moment when Mr Trump appeared to decline a handshake with the German chancellor in front of the press.

Mr Trump said: I had a great meeting with her, I really liked her. She said the same thing to me.

He said the centre ground in Europe appeared to be holding: I think theyve done a better job since Brexit. I think they have done a better job.

There is a different spirit that was not there when they were fighting with the UK.
By Aleksandar Vasovic and Ivana Sekularac

BELGRADE, April 2 (Reuters) - Serbians voted for a new president on Sunday with conservative Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic the runaway favourite despite opposition warnings about the extent of his domination over the Balkan country, balanced between the West and Russia.

Most polls see Vucic, 47, winning in the first round with more than 50 percent of the vote, trailed in the low teens by a former rights advocate and a white-suited student whose satirical portrayal of a sleazy political fraudster has struck a chord with some disillusioned voters.

The role of president is largely ceremonial, but Vucic is expected to retain real power through his control of Serbia's ruling Progressive Party.

As such, the election is unlikely to alter the country's delicate balancing act between the European Union, which Vucic wants Serbia to join, and Russia, with which Serbs share their Orthodox Christian faith and Slavic heritage.

During the campaign, the studio backdrop of one popular television talkshow on which Vucic was a guest featured a photograph of him flanked by pictures of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

To his supporters, Vucic is a cool head and a firm hand in a troubled region.

"There were no real proposals or ideas in the programmes of the other candidates, so I voted for the only one who actually produced something and that was Vucic," said 28-year-old Nebojsa Tomic, an unemployed pharmacist, shortly after polls opened.

Vucic's opponents, however, say he has an authoritarian streak that has led him to take control over the media in Serbia since his party rose to power in 2012 and he became prime minister three years ago.

He denies the charge but has struggled to shake it given his record when last in government in the dying days of Yugoslavia; then, in his late 20s, Vucic was Serbia's feared information minister behind draconian legislation designed to muzzle criticism of the government during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

"The state of the media reflects the way Aleksandar Vucic rules Serbia - using pressure, abuse and often false statements," Sasa Jankovic, Serbia's former human rights ombudsman who was polling a distant second or third before Sunday's vote, told N1 television.

"PROXY" PRIME MINISTER

Jankovic and a host of opposition candidates risk being embarrassed by 25-year-old communications student Luka Maksimovic, whose alter ego Ljubisa 'Beli' Preletacevic has come from almost nowhere to challenge them for second place.

Dressed in a white suit and loafers, the pony-tailed Maksimovic plays on a widely-held perception of Balkan politicians as out to line their own pockets at the expense of the downtrodden masses. Despite economic growth and greater fiscal stability, Serbia remains mired in poverty and corruption.

"I voted for Beli," said 30-year-old Dejan Markovic, an unemployed metal worker. "The so-called opposition candidates have betrayed us in the past and Vucic is lying to us all now, so Beli is the only way to mock all this hypocrisy."

Pollsters said a high turnout among Serbia's 6.7 million eligible voters may yet force a run-off on April 16, Easter weekend.

"I am hoping these elections will facilitate stability and the continuation of economic reforms," Vucic said after voting.

As president, Vucic would have few formal powers, among them the right return legislation to parliament for reconsideration.

But he is widely expected to appoint a loyal ally as prime minister and try to keep a tight rein on policy, as former President Boris Tadic, then of the Democratic Party, did between 2004 and 2012.

Some analysts said that could yet prove difficult.

"Vucic will now be distanced from everyday policy-making and executive affairs and will have to rely on a proxy," Eurasia Group wrote in on March 30.

"This will likely generate some tensions in the chain of command." (Writing by Matt Robinson; editing by Susan Thomas)
CAIRO, April 2 (Reuters) - A leader in Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate was killed in an air raid last month, the Egyptian military said on Sunday.

"Following the results of the air raid on March 18... and upon the security apparatus's investigation, it was revealed that Salem Salmy al-Hamadeen, Aka Abu Anas al-Ansari, was killed," the military spokesman said in a statement.

Hamadeen was one of the founders of the group which was formerly called Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, now called Egypt's Sinai Province, and was responsible for arming and training militants. He died after being wounded in the air raid, the statement said.

The group announced in their latest weekly newsletter that he was killed by shrapnel from a missile that fell beside him.

The militant group staging the insurgency pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2014 and adopted the name Sinai Province. It is blamed for killing hundreds of Egyptian soldiers and police since then. (Reporting by Omar Fahmy; writing by Asma Alsharif; Editing by Dominic Evans)
PARIS/BORDEAUX, April 2 (Reuters) - French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen told a political rally on Sunday that the euro currency which she wants France to ditch was like a knife in the ribs of the French people.

The leader of the eurosceptic and anti-immigrant National Front (FN) also told the rally in the city of Bordeaux that the forthcoming election for president could herald a "change in civilisation".

Encouraged by the unexpected election of Donald Trump in the United States and by Britain's vote to leave the European Union, Le Pen hopes to profit from a similar populist momentum in France, though opinion polls suggest she will lose the May 7 run-off.

"We are at the mercy of a currency adapted to Germany and not to our economy. The euro is mostly a knife stuck in our ribs to make us go where others want us to go," Le Pen said to loud cheers and applause.

Reiterating her anti-globalisation and anti-immigration views, she declared: "We do not want France to be open to all commercial and human flows, without protection and borders."

A government under Le Pen's presidency would take France out of the euro zone and bring back a national currency, hold a referendum on its EU membership and slap taxes on imports and on companies hiring foreigners.

Le Pen says she would curb migration, expel all illegal migrants and restrict certain rights now available to all residents, including free education, to French citizens.

She hit out at her two main opponents in the French election, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and conservative candidate Francois Fillon, saying they belonged to "the same system"

"The system is panicking because it sees people are waking up," she said.

Opinion polls forecast Le Pen will do well in the April 23 first round of the presidential election only to lose the May 7 run-off to centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron.

But the high number of undecided voters means the outcome remains unpredictable and motivating people to go to the polling stations will be key for the leading candidates.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Richard Balmforth, Greg Mahlich)
BEIRUT, April 2 (Reuters) - An Iranian-American detained in Iran since last summer has been released on bail of approximately $60,000, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday.

Robin Reza Shahini was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards while visiting family in the northeastern city of Gorgan last July and subsequently sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on charges of threatening national security, according to HRANA.

Shahini went on a hunger strike for a month recently and his health situation had been deteriorating, the HRANA report said.

Two other Iranian-Americans are still being held in the Islamic Republic.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards detained Siamak Namazi, a businessman in his mid-40s with dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, in October 2015 while he was visiting family in Tehran.

The Guards arrested his 80-year-old father Baquer Namazi, a former Iranian provincial governor and former UNICEF official who also has dual citizenship, in February 2016.

Both men were sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying and cooperating with the United States government, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said last October, according to the Fars news website. It did not specify when exactly the sentences had been handed down.

Another detainee is Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was sentenced to five years in prison last fall on charges that remain secret, according to her family.

The Revolutionary Guards have accused her of trying to overthrow Iran's clerical establishment.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a London-based charity that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News. The Foundation and her husband have dismissed the Revolutionary Guards' accusation.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning in March 2016 noting that Iranian-Americans are particularly at risk of being detained or imprisoned if they travel to Iran.

Shahini, in his mid-40s, graduated last spring from San Diego State University, where he studied international security and conflict resolution, his former classmate Jasmine Ljungberg told Reuters last year. He was set to start a master's program in homeland security at the university last fall, she said.

The HRANA report did not indicate whether Shahini would be allowed to leave the Islamic Republic while out on bail. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
The Government is dragging out the Constitutional Reform process. Is it a lack of political will? Fear of reaction from the Joint Opposition? Or preoccupation with the crisis-prone economy?

Historically, it has been a combination of all three - rickety political will, fear of political backlash and repeated economic crises - that derailed efforts at constitutional reform. Rather than mere barriers to constitutional reform, I would argue that these three concerns are part and parcel of the political solution itself.



Postcolonial woes

The promise of the postcolonial Sri Lankan state was from its outset betrayed by oppression and exclusion. Since independence, the majoritarian and class logics of the state have alienated minority communities and marginalised much of the rural and urban population. The response of the state to protests by these peoples was to repress or placate, the latter often through the provision of economic relief.

The original sin of the postcolonial state was one of the worst acts of exclusion with the disenfranchisement of the Up-Country Tamils. Efforts that claimed to be inclusive, for instance indigenisation of language policy, culminated in Sinhala Only, which excluded over a quarter of the countrys population whose first language was Tamil.

State repression led to escalation of youth movements in the north and the south, and eventually insurrections and protracted armed conflicts. The tyranny meted out by the state during the first JVP insurrection of 1971 without addressing youth grievances only led to the even more brutal insurgency and counter-insurgency of the late 1980s. The efforts to crush Tamil militancy with the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the state of Emergency in the late 1970s only saw militancy spread and grow. The escalation of the conflicts with armed movements, led to more and more state repression, in cycles of mass violence.

Next, top-down approaches to development, touted to address the grievances of oppressed classes and minorities have equally failed. Colonization and agricultural schemes in the 1950s and 1960s, did little to address the mounting alienation of the rural Sinhala youth. Instead, they aggravated the fears of the Tamil population that they may be dispossessed from their lands. Similarly, the left forces that constituted the United Front government pandered to Sinhala Buddhist nationalism in taking forward their version of socialist economic development. While the import substitution policies led to an agricultural boom benefiting the North in the 1970s, such economic changes could not counter the rise of Tamil nationalist militancy.

Arguably ideologies that spawn ethno-nationalist movements and youth insurrections have complex causes and dynamics, but what is clear from our tragic history is that repression and economic development alone cannot address them. The Rajapaksa regimes post-war experiment most clearly shows us that the push for economic development as a solution combined with militarised repression, only polarised the country and was soundly rejected.



Democracy and Rulers

When the State addresses challenges against it with repression and economic hand-outs, the citizenry responds politically with protests, and at crucial moments voting out regimes. However, the need throughout history has been for a political force that can engage the people and bring together those who have been ravaged by oppression and exclusion. The election of the PA Government in 1994 was a moment of hope for such a political solution and to address the dispossession of the peasantry and the working classes. However, the LTTEs return to war and the then Governments continuation of neo-liberal policies ended that opening.

"The promise of the postcolonial Sri Lankan state was from its outset betrayed by oppression and exclusion"



The major problem in our history, is that successive regimes at the helm of state power have repeatedly failed to engage the public with a far reaching political vision. Such democratic engagement requires political will, challenging the opposition head on and addressing economic issues that are so much a part of the body politic. However, beyond the democratic vision of regimes, they are also constrained by the classes and political bases they are beholden to.

Historically, the cunning of rulers has been to separate their political and economic manoeuvres. The Jayewardene regime, for example, took forward open economic policies to serve its class interests, even as it piped up its Sinhala Buddhist leanings to maintain a broad political base. And as the economic policies increased inequalities and disaffected its political base, the regime became more and more repressive. The attacks on the Tamil community projected as the enemy, as with the July 1983 pogrom, were also its efforts to mobilise its Sinhala Buddhist base. Of course, at some point such contradictions are exposed to the public, but by then the damage is done.



Political Engagement

The current Government also approaches the political and economic processes in isolation. Even worse, they seem to believe that constitutional reform experts and economic policy gurus can substitute for mobilising and engaging the people. It is the neo-liberal conceit of governments that leads them to believe that legal and economic experts can determine the structure and policies of the state and its relationship to its citizens. Time and again, such an approach, has ended in failure.

In 2015, there was an overwhelming mandate for constitutional reform. The citizenry from the different communities voted courageously in the Presidential election, and again supported the Government in the general elections held eight months later. Yet, by mid-2016, the Government had transferred its mandate to experts. The constitutional process went into close door sessions, ignoring for the most part, the outcome of the Public Representation Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PRC). The PRC, despite the limitations placed on it by the Government, had meaningfully engaged the people.

If the last year, after the PRC proceedings, have been a loss for the constitutional reform process, the Government and the TNA leadership only have themselves to blame for not having engaged the public. Such engagement is also necessary to confront the nationalist mobilisations in both the South and the North. Indeed, as our past history illustrates the oppositional forces in parliament mobilising chauvinist forces onto the streets and the separatist military moves of the LTTE have disrupted many an effort at a political solution.

In the year ahead, it is not just chauvinist politics that will create trouble for constitution making, the mounting economic problems may well deflect the political process. Indeed, times of economic crisis are opportune moments for chauvinist forces. A government that engages the people on its political and economic programme can carry them through tumultuous times, but that is not the case with the current Government.



People and the State

If the postcolonial state was hijacked by majoritarian and class interests, any reform of the state would have to take on both simultaneously. There is only one way to do this, and that is through public engagement.

In this context, the neo-liberal elite and think tanks in Colombo also reinforce expert-led  as opposed to people-centred  political and economic processes. They oppose the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) in the Constitution. It is not that constitutional provisions for ESCR on their own will guarantee social welfare. Indeed, legal provisions without peoples movements have achieved little, as evident from the experience in many parts of the world. The aversion to ESCR of these legal and economic experts reflects their class character and reluctance to place juridical constraints on the state, which denies the marginalised economic justice.

"The aversion to ESCR of these legal and economic experts reflects their class character and reluctance to place juridical constraints on the state, which denies the marginalised economic justice"

The Sinhala Buddhist nationalist constituencies are rallying around and insisting on preserving the unitary concept of the state. However, the broader South has not been engaged on the unitary state as a relentless structure of centralised power used for political repression and economic dispossession. Rather, the bogey of separatism is brought out to justify majoritarian control and development priorities that will undermine regional concerns.

Extensive devolution of power within a united Sri Lanka has anchored the debate on constitutional reform for many progressives since the 1990s. We need to go further and look at how devolution relates to class and other social structures, including caste, gender and the neglected minorities such as the Northern Muslims and the Up-Country Tamils. Those concerns were also echoed by the diverse groups of people who came forward to engage the PRC last year.

If the people in the rural countryside and in the urban shanties - who are day in day out ignored by policies of the centralised state in Colombo that is for example prioritising building the port city and a financial centre - have a say about the unitary state, they are far more likely to shed it than those close to state power. If the bulk of our population, who are students, teachers, patients, healthcare providers or their relatives, are asked about free education and health, they are indeed likely to support the enshrinement of economic rights in the Constitution, than the small section of the elite who can rely on private education and healthcare.

The ordinary people in the North and the South, who face the common predicament of eking out a livelihood and the increasing precariousness of social and economic life, are more likely to find ways of co-existing with other communities, than the political elite who live off majoritarian and nationalist fears. But such a people-centred democratic process of state reform is rarely given a chance, because the role of the modern state in the capitalist system has been one of oppressing and excluding people.
During the previous regime several groups extorted money from businessmen in Pettah, Colombo with the support of the Government, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha said speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the United Federation of Traders of the Pettah Business Community,

Attending as the Chief Guest at the AGM he said that they would never experience such incidents in the Yahapalana Government.

During the past regime there were groups that used to collect extortion from you with the backing of the Government. I will declare with responsibility that you will never experience such incidents in the Yahapalana Government, he said.

The AGM of the United Federation of Traders was held at the Pradeepa Hall in Pettah.

Minister Musthapha said Colombo was a business city and the origin and the existence of this city depends on the business community.

The most powerful business area in Colombo District is Pettah. You all hold the responsibility to protect it, he said.

Minister further said that traders were the main stakeholders of the countrys economy.

President Maithripala Sirisena has also paid special attention to the business community in the area, he said.

A special identity card was also issued for the business people during the ceremony. (Darshana Sanjeewa)
Those viewers who were following the Oscar Awards ceremony in February this year would probably have heard about the new film The Salesman by the well-known Iranian director Asghar Farhadi when the announcement came that it won the Best Foreign Language Film award.



Yet, Farhadi himself was not present at the ceremony, declaring his solidarity with all those affected by Trumps travel ban against Iranians (amongst the citizens of six other nations). Instead, Farhadi entrusted one of his Iranian-American friends, Anousheh Ansari, to read his speech. He wrote:

"  Im sorry Im not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people in my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US. Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war  Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions."

Farhadis stance has been praised by many people in Iran and abroad, being perceived as a direct political message to the US administration. It has reinforced, once again, Irans defiance in the face of Americas policy of sanctions. In fact, Farhadi was not new to winning at the Oscars. His widely-acclaimed film A Separation also won the Best Foreign Language Film award, in 2012.

Indeed, the filmmaker has made a name for himself at various international film festivals in recent years, bringing to world viewers great stories from Iran that precisely capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes about Iranians.



His film About Elly won the Silver Bear award for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009; A Separation won the Golden Bear for Best Film in 2011 at the same festival. At the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, Farhadi won the Best Screenplay award for The Salesman, and Shahab Hosseini won the Best Actor award for his role in the film.

Asghar Farhadi was born in 1972 in Iran. He studied theatre at university, then wrote plays and directed them. Later when he started working in cinema, he continued to be fascinated by the element of drama and has manipulated his scripts in a way to show the drama in the lives of his characters.



This makes his characters rather real and engaging for viewers. Farhadi has written all the scripts for his films; he is an auteur filmmaker par excellence.

Perhaps it is his latest film The Salesman (2016) that has relied more heavily on drama, both literally and metaphorically.



The film situates the events and characters within a theatre-like ambience, where theatre reflects on life, and the characters real life circumstances are immersed in drama.



In order to emphasise this idea (life as theatre and theatre as life), Farhadi integrates Arthur Millers play Death of a Salesman (1949) and weaves it into the characters entangled interactions both on the stage as well as in their homes. It is such a fascinating technique which reconstructs Millers play within an Iranian cultural context.



Demise of 'American dream'

Death of a Salesman highlights the demise of the American dream from the viewpoint of the main protagonist Willy Loman and his family  his loving wife Linda, and his two sons Biff and Happy.



They represent the aspirations of a middle class family in 1930s/1940s America, and their inability to fulfill their dreams of wealth, high social status, and prestige in the eyes of others. On the contrary, Willys two sons are stuck between their parents continuing pressure on them to gain high status in society, and their disillusion as a result of rapid economic changes where they see no opportunity to catch up.

The play portrays a deep sense of disappointment in a society that increasingly exerts pressure on its young people to become achievers, but without taking into consideration the social and intellectual troubles that might be hindering their progress.



The play ends with Willy committing suicide, as a symbolic act amid the collapse of his life dreams, and the powerful monologue/eulogy of his wife Linda whilst standing by his coffin:

"Willy, dear, I cant cry. Why did you do it? I search and search and I search, and I cant understand it, Willy. I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And therell be nobody home  Were free and clear  Were free.  Were free  Were free "

It is this cry or lament about freedom that best captures the irony of the Lomans trajectory. Although they live in a supposedly free country, they were never really free of economic or social constraints.



It is true that they are finally free of the mortgage instalments for their house, which Willy spent most of his life paying. Yet, the house will be empty since the two sons live away, and Linda ends up being alone. The play suggests that Willys life has passed in vain, possibly similar to so many other millions of ordinary citizens of his generation.

Farhadi recreates this last scene in his film where we see the two main protagonists, Emad and Rana, a married couple, playing the roles of Willy and Linda. At the start of the film, the couple seem happy to be together, and leading a fulfilling life. Emad works as a school teacher, and in the evening he and Rana join their group of friends to rehearse Millers play at the theatre.

The couple are loved and respected by everyone. However, in a sharp turnaround of events, Rana is violently assaulted by an intruder who enters their flat while she is alone in the shower.



She is deeply shaken by the experience, but refuses to report the crime to the police. Emad is shocked at Ranas attitude, and decides to find the perpetrator by following the traces he had left before running away from the flat.

One of the most profound sequences takes place when Emad does find the culprit, and the sudden realisation that he is standing face to face with him in Emads old empty flat.



The intruder is an old man (approximately in his sixties) and he tries to evade Emads questions, not admitting to his crime. He is a salesman and went to the flat thinking that the woman who used to live there, before Emad and Rana moved in, was waiting for him.



At this point, the viewer begins to put the puzzle together as to why this man went into Emads flat in the first place.

The confrontation between the two men, while on their own, begins to resemble a theatre stage, where Emad comes to symbolise a judge. It is up to him now to pass a sentence on the culprit, and he does.



In an act of revenge, he tells the old man that he is going to reveal the truth to his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. The old man pleads with Emad to let him go, but the latter stubbornly refuses.



In fact, the viewer also becomes like a symbolic judge, because the filmmaker is subtly suggesting these questions: What would you do if you were in Emads position? Do you forgive the man who attacked your wife and caused her trauma? Or do you punish him?

Emad, however, is unable to forgive, so he brings Rana into the scene. When she sees the old man and the wretched state he is in, she too pleads with Emad to let him go. She says to her husband that if he carries on with his plan to tell the mans family about what happened, she would leave him.



Towards the end of the film, the old mans heart fails and he faints. Emad is now obliged to call the salesmans family to come to his rescue. Thus, the wife, the daughter and the son-in-law also enter the scene (or the stage of life) to accompany the father away.

They seem to be a modest working class family who would never guess that the old man had a promiscuous relationship with another woman and possibly was the father of her son (as subtly implied in the film), and who also attacked another younger woman while she was alone in her flat.



The salesmans portrait is in shambles, similar to Willy Lomans portrait when it falls apart in the eyes of his son Biff, as the latter discovers an affair between his father and another woman, and how this particular incident devastates Biff and would strain his relationship with his father to the end of Willys life.

In Farhadis film, it is the story of the old Iranian salesman here and his trajectory that captivates our attention. As Emads punishment is unrelenting and forces the old man to confront himself and realise the extent of his cowardice, the salesman is unable to live to the moment and face his wife, who, similar to Linda Loman, thinks the world of her husband.



The old man dies at the end of the film, and in turn forces Emad and Rana to confront each other and each self. It is at this point that Farhadis trademark cinematic style is developed yet again in his new film: self-confrontation is the cruellest and most brutal of all.

Will Emad and Rana be able to fix their relationship and go back to their life together? We cannot be certain. In the last scene, Farhadi takes us back to the theatre room where each is sitting in front of a mirror and the make-up specialists are turning them into Willy and Linda Loman. We see each looking at themselves in the mirror, while lost in thought. The confrontation with the old salesman has shown each of them a side of the other that they did not observe before, and now his death will continue to haunt them.

In an interview with Farhadi after the release of his earlier film A Separation, he remarked:

"The bigger confrontation is the one an individual has with itself. When we talk about self-confrontations, we are speaking about moral issues rather than social issues."

Indeed, it is this issue of morality that defines all of Farhadis films. One common feature is when the main characters find themselves in a situation whereby they have to evaluate their position vis-a-vis the other, who can be from a different gender, social class, age group, or a different culture.

For Farhadi, morality is not dissociated from the politics of everyday living in Iran, where Iranians are forced to negotiate a space for everything: education, work, marriage, travel, art, etc. What I find unique about this filmmaker is how his stories always embrace universal themes and values about the complexity of class and gender relationships, despite being specific to Iran.

He is a filmmaker that transcends the national in order to reach out to world audiences and allows them to hear the voices and see the faces of ordinary Iranians.

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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Last Week, British Premier Theresa May triggered the official divorce proceedings for the United Kingdom with the European Union by invoking article 50 of the Lisbon treaty to leave the UK. Brexit had captured the attention of a global audience which set up the crescendo to the American Presidential election of 2016. The Brexit event is rapidly converting into a global political saga, where maybe in another hundred years analysts of that time may point to this as key conjuncture in global history.

In our own Indo-Pacific region, the most successful regional grouping has reached a chronological milestone, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates its 50th Anniversary later this year. In the aftermath of Brexit, ASEAN was hailed as an Asian success story into regionalism and political community building and its adaptability juxtaposed with the rigid bureaucratic nature of the European nature which became its own point of rupture.

Looking at emerging and established political groupings - both formal and informal - from the United Nations, the European Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to ASEAN the underlying question is that, has been successful spirit of international cooperation finally withering away? As a result will new groupings emerge out of much narrower political economic, geo-political interests? Or even corporate interests, The Trump family investment network is a classic example. If one observes policy orientation of the current Chairperson of ASEAN Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines who seems to be not too interested in recent tensions in the South China Sea and ignores the concerns of many ASEAN members especially in the context of weary relations with China. Analysts are worried that ignoring ground realities that affect many member states ASEAN is heading for turbulent times ahead despite all its achievements.

"Many Sri Lankan analysts had kept on warning out policy makers about making deep international commitments buoyed by assurances by larger powers. Yet, the emerging reality in the 21st Century is that no country is going to go that extra mile for you unless there is something strategically significant"



Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State last week issued an ultimatum to NATO allies, to contribute to their national defence spending at the agreed NATO rate. He very correctly pointed out that the alliance cost sharing was sharply disproportionate that the US does the heavy lifting, while countries like Germany, are still falling short of contributing 2% of the countrys overall GDP on defence. Germany currently contributes around 1.2% on defence from its overall GDP, it is the view of the Deutsch Defence Minister Sigmar Gabriel if the Germans spend 2%, it will be a defence budget larger than that of Russia. While American criticisms of its NATO allies are nothing new, the grievances have been heard since mid 1970s: the Trump administration was the first to set an ultimatum of two months for member states to meet the cut.

While the United States or NATO allies may not really prefer a meltdown of NATO, especially since the countries which already are meeting the GDP contribution are Estonia and Poland, while Lithuania and Latvia are trying hard to meet the cap, as they all feel threatened by a resurgent and aggressive Russia. The Ultimatum by the United States demonstrate that the 21st Century alliances or relationships will get more ambivalent despite common challenges from powerful nation states or non-state actors such as terrorists or organized crime syndicates. Managing ambivalent allies would be a challenge to all countries - big and small - with Sri Lanka is no exception. Many Sri Lankan analysts had kept on warning out policy makers about making deep international commitments buoyed by assurances by larger powers. Yet, the emerging reality in the 21st Century is that no country is going to go that extra mile for you unless there is something strategically significant.

Against this backdrop of weakening internationalism as signified by the crises of regional and international organizational mechanisms, two major domestic political trends that were operating within the shadows are becoming quite illuminated. Firstly, the fate of some upcoming elections in major European power centres, who many fear the outcome could be influenced by a third country. Secondly, the global drift of an emergence of political leadership with relentless consolidation of power across the political spectrum from Democratic, authoritarian to one party system. A few major examples ponder are Trump who is consolidating his power through insiders and extended family in crucial Whitehouse positions to Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogans planned referendum, BJPs clear ascendency and PM Modis consolidation. In the case of India, the recent Uttar Pradesh elections and the swearing in of the BJP firebrand as Chief Minister of UP, the most populous state represents are a new but worrying drift in domestic politics.

"We cannot dismiss them because of who they are; for Sri Lankas own interest relations with Trump, Putin, Modi, Abe, Erdogan, Xi Jinping are equally important, we cant afford to lose one for the sake of the other."



The above list keeps ever expanding; the Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a decree on the People Liberation Army (PLA) very recently. While the worlds media attention was dominated by the British PM Theresa May trigger Article 50 on March 29, on March 30, the PLA was asked to launch an education campaign to uphold core demands of the party leadership. To quote the Chinese defence ministrys official web news link the press release indicates that the decree would called for the institutionalizing of an ongoing education campaign on Party management, which focuses on study of the Party Constitution and code of conduct, as well as the speeches made by Xi.

While such national power consolidations are moving ahead rapidly the fear of external influence on national elections of France and Germany are intensifying. The fear of election manipulation by third countries have always been a debate in the global south and geo-political rivalries during the cold war that led to many national election processes to be tampered by the United States and Soviet Union. Neither could inflict such interventions on each other or in any advanced society. Chalmers Johnson in his much quoted work Blowback: The Costs and consequences of American Empire discusses over 60 instances where the CIA had colluded with various political groups to overthrow regimes or tamper in elections during the Cold war period.

"We cannot dismiss them because of who they are; for Sri Lankas own interest relations with Trump, Putin, Modi, Abe, Erdogan, Xi Jinping are equally important, we cant afford to lose one for the sake of the other"



The difference now is that it seems that the most advanced democracies have become extremely vulnerable to external manipulations. From Democratic National Congress (DNC) email server hack, WikiLeaks revelations about Hillary Clinton, democratic elites and institutions have become vulnerable to well organized sophisticated political campaigns that strike at the core of any democracy. The core is the voters, citizenry and in advanced societies most of the people are connected online and depend significantly on social media interactions for their political education.

German and French liberal political elites fear that their arch rivals, the right wing nationalists and promotion of their narratives is back by a third country. The key concern here is that if Germany and France take a nationalist turn, or even one of them does the peace that these two countries achieved through the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951 the precursor to European Community (EC) and eventually to European Union (EU) which led to historical rivals finally abandoned there hostilities leading to a stable and prosperous Europe may end. Such a scenario may further weaken the European Union leading to taking the European project to further crisis weakening the region and enabling powers like Russia to dominate the region.

There are many other forms of analysis to this challenge, the most favoured are the debates about the re-emergence of populism in national politics, which in sum is about inwardness, nationalism and a deep hatred to the globalist agenda. Populism will be a separate discussion on this column in the near future. The key observation that is raised in this article, are the two major political manifestations that has national properties inevitably leading to regional and global implications. Thus given the contentious nature of our neighbourhood, it is wise to develop myriad partnerships with many countries as possible and even try to connect with strong leaders that are emerging throughout the globe as they represent this new global reality.

We cannot dismiss them because of who they are; for Sri Lankas own interest relations with Trump, Putin, Modi, Abe, Erdogan, Xi Jinping are equally important, we cant afford to lose one for the sake of the other.
One hundred years needs celebrations and that was exactly what the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association did at Kandy Bogambara Stadium, Kandy with the Chair - World Board, World Association of Girl Guides Nicola Grinstead.



The Guides Association in Sri Lanka decided to celebrate their Centenary year in Kandy, since Guiding was born in Kandy and that at a prestigious school - Girls High School Kandy, founded by a British woman.

This short note is not to speak so much of Guiding as a whole and does not want to tread on anothers toe. But, since the celebrations were in Kandy with political backing, it would be appropriate to know how Guiding came into the country and then to commence youth building in that region.

Sifting through various papers the writer had , since Girls High school was a sister school of Kingswood and being a Kings Scout with the National Service Award, there were papers connected with the formation of the first Guide group at this prestigious school in the Hills.

Credit should go to a woman who came from England - Miss Jane Calverley in February 1917.

She had a thorough knowledge of Guiding and became a source of strength to the Principal at that time Miss F.R. Samson. As an educationist, she was building up the school and the presence of Calverley was a boom to go ahead to form the first Guide Company in the country, commencing from Girls High school on 21st of March 1917.

Jane Calverley (Later to become Jane Green) became so popular that she was nick named Sunshine Jane.



She saw the difficulties of the normal school girl in the country visited their homes and came to know the difficulties. She best came out when she put her foot forward during the outbreak of plague in 1920. The infected area was Brownrigg Street, which today is Yatinuwara Veediya and the school been in Brownrigg street church premises. The school had to be shifted, a part of it went to YMCA, and the other went to the Trinity College.

Calverley took the initiative and did her best.

At that time she was in addition the Acting Principal of the school. She went on furlough, and then was posted to Matara Wesley School. So, she left behind a trail, for the future of Sri Lanka.

That seed, she planted in 1917, was celebrated as the Centenary of Guiding in Sri Lanka.

The first Committee established for the purpose of Guiding had as its President Lady Stubbs - the wife of the Governor and Mrs. Dyson  the wife of the Government Agent as the District Commissioner. - the wife of the Government Agent.

The Principal, Miss F.R. Samson was elected as the Secretary and Miss L. Janz the Honorary Treasurer.

"When talking about Scouting and Girl Guides, the founder of the movement - Robert Baden Powell and also Jenny Calverley Greene at Girls High School who established the first Girl Guide Company in Sri Lanka in1917 should be remembered with respect Honour and warm sincere gratitude"



Mrs. Stubbs whenever she was in Kandy used to invite the Guides for tea at Kings Pavilion.

Still some of those who are living recall the time spent on the lawn of Kings pavilion where tea was served.

By July the Guides were ready to be tested for their  tenderfoot badges by the Scout Master of the Kings Troop Mr. F.H. de Saram - that was first Kandy (Dharmaraja). Dharmaraja came to be known as Kings Troop, since they won the Kings Flag thrice in the competition World over

With the receipt of the Captains Warrant as the first Ceylonese Guide Captain Miss. Gladys Vanderstraaten, the first enrolment ceremony was held in December 1917. Unfortunately, Lady Stubbs who should have been present did not arrive as planned due to another engagement.

In the meantime, the Chief Guide Madam Baden Powell arrived in the country in 1921 and visited Kandy, when the newly formed Guide company impressed her. Before her departure, Lady Baden Powell wrote of her impressions from Temple Trees where she was the guest of the Governor, to Miss Calverley.

"The 1st Committee for guiding had as its President Lady Stubbs - wife of the Governor and Mrs. Dyson  wife of the Government Agent as the District Commissioner. "



Another first in the country was the Brownie movement for the youngest in the school, which was established an year after the Guide Company and Miss D. Woutersz was the first  Owl.

This short note would not be complete, if the Chief Minister is not quoted.

He said at this Centenary event, that he was happy to be at the celebrations as the Chief Minister and also as a member and President of the Kandy District Scout movement. He said that where the Guide movement is considered, it is one of the key curriculum activities absorbed in to the countrys education system.

He said that the President Maithripala Sirisena was to grace the occasion, not as the President, but as the Chief Scout of Sri Lanka since 2015. But due some urgent assignments he was unable to be present on this occasion, but his blessings have been extended for the event. He also welcomed the Chair, World Board World Association of Girl Guides Madam Nicola Grinstead.

Speaking further, the Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said:

When talking about Scouting and Girl Guides, the founder of the movement - Robert Baden Powell and also Jenny Calverley Greene at Girls High School who established the first Girl Guide Company in Sri Lanka in1917 should be remembered with respect Honour and warm sincere gratitude.

He also said that this event would add a new page to the history of the Girl Guides Association.
Homophobia, Transphobia and overall, the social phobia against the entire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning community is not just an emotional shock.

The discrimination originating from these phobias not only hurts people, but also destroys families, workplaces and societies. It leaves a negative impact on the national economy of a country, although many may deny this assertion.

Allowing the existing laws to criminalise citizens based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is senseless and useless. These discriminations are clearly a waste of valuable human potential on a grand scale.

There is clear evidence that when societies enact such laws, they prevent productive people from fully participating in the workforce, leading to economic implosion.

According to research of the issues faced by the worlds LGBTIQ population, Homophobia and Transphobia can lead to loss of employment, workplace or educational discrimination, poor health, and poverty which makes a fairly large section of the population  as much as 10% in Sri Lanka - non participants in the overall GDP growth of the country.

The continued invisibility of an LGBTIQ population, particularly in the developing world, means research remains a challenge. But, even with the existing data and analysis, there is ample evidence to prove that there is so much more to gain economically for Sri Lanka if we embrace diversity and stop marginalising the LGBTIQ community. Despite this understanding, Sri Lanka continues to marginalise this community through archaic laws such as section 365 and 365A of the Sri Lanka Penal Code, criminalising them for sexual activities conducted in private among consenting adults. Thus, decriminalising not only breaks the social barriers but allows these men and women to be a proud part of the national economic growth and enjoy its benefits  just like all other citizens.

Violation of human rights is likely to have a harmful effect on a countrys level of economic development.

"Allowing the existing laws to criminalise citizens based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is senseless and useless."



According to a report published by the World Bank in 2013, discrimination towards the LGBTIQ community of India cost the country billions of dollars in lost revenue. Quoting Ashish Patel from the Wall Street journal, Homophobia in the workplace in India and lost productivity as a result of discrimination are among some of the findings in a report by U.S.- based economist M.V. Lee Badgett that is part of an upcoming study for the World Bank. Ms. Badgetts study also looks at how homophobia triggers high rates of depression and suicidal behaviour, which can also affect the economy. With this, Ms. Badgett estimates that homophobia cost Indias economy between 112 billion rupees ($1.9 billion) and 1.7 trillion rupees ($30.8 billion) in 2012. To put that figure into context: India lost between 0.1% to 1.7% of its potential gross domestic product that year. (http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/06/10/how-homophobia-hurts-indias-economy/)

While no such study has been conducted in Sri Lanka, we can learn from the experiences of our closest neighbour India. The Question is  should Sri Lanka continue to copy its unfortunate neighbour or should Sri Lanka be the beacon, the leader in paving the way for LGBTIQ citizens to be productive, contributing citizens? As we struggle to gain our economic strength after many years of war and economic down-trends, should we not stop a moment to think how we can stride forward without constantly going backwards?

There is much to gain and nothing to lose by accepting and embracing Diversity in all forms in this country. So, what really is at stake here. Why should we be so concerned about nearly 10% of this country and what it can bring to the table?

According to Nielsen The LGBT community is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy, and savvy companies should plan their strategies accordingly.  (Http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/reports/2015/proudly-setting-trends-the-2015-lgbt-consumer-report.html). The Business Insider states that LGBT persons spend more than US$800 billion annually in the US. It is, for many companies, a still largely untapped demographic that they are keen to start tapping.

Here are just a few statistics which give a picture of LGBT consumers and the differences in spending power of gay households vs. the American general market: (http://www.businessinsider.com/lgbt-community-untapped-market-consumer-brands-2013-6)

23% higher median household income

24% more equity in their homes

26% of gay men say they will pay more for top quality brands

30% have taken a major vacation in the past year

40% bought a new smart phone in the past year



(21 Prudential 2012 Survey of more than 1,000 LGBT respondents Community Marketing, Inc., July 2012 survey of 13,000 Gay & Lesbian Americans)



According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, it is estimated that LGBT travel generates over $65 billion annually in the US alone. (http://www.marketingmag.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/LastQ_LGBT_0612)

More and more companies worldwide are adopting policies to safeguard LGBTIQ in the workplace. These companies know that LGBTQ equality isnt just the right thing to do, it makes them stronger in the global economy. Ensuring fairness in the workplace is a value and increasingly a policy norm, and not just in the U.S. or Canada or the UK. Now, many businesses have embraced both sexual orientation and gender identity employment protections for their global and local operations.

It is very unfortunate that very little research exists in the developing world to support the argument that LGBTIQ persons in the workforce can only enhance and uplift our economy in a way that is essential to a country such as ours. We can refute the obvious, we can choose to ignore data from other countries but choosing to ignore what is in front of us only leads to increasing deprivation than bounty.

"Governments choose to use the whip instead of the feather to modernise this country clinging on to archaic laws and practices "





More access to rights, more protections under the law, more access to proper education and training  this will contribute greatly to LGBTIQ persons achieving their full economic potential and thus contributing to the coffers of this country in taxes and spending value. Just think how much in taxes we can collect from 2 million more people in the workplace? This is just the beginning in calculating what a financial bonus it will be once we decriminalise homosexuality!

So many countries are now embracing modern economic concepts such as strategic modernisation and prefer to use LGBTIQ rights strategically to promote and expand economies.

Since independence, Sri Lanka has boasted about evolving as a vibrant modern economy. Yet, years and years of discrimination, conservative religious extremism, racism, and misogyny has kept our country chained to development aid and handouts. We will eternally be a developing country with no hope for the marginalised. The real question is, whether everyone can equally enjoy the benefits of national economic development in a country like Sri Lanka. The answer is, unfortunately not. It seems that only a handful of persons in the right places can do so while citizens belonging to social minorities such as the LGBTIQ community, continue to be discriminated against and marginalised. It is very strange that successive Governments choose to use the whip instead of the feather to modernise this country while still clinging on to archaic laws and practices and conservative mind sets that only serve to drag our country backwards rather than striding forward - rich in diversity and vibrant with hope and vision.



You can achieve great economic gains by solving social problems.



- Paul Tudor Jones
A Sri Lankan baby elephant gifted to New Zealand has been prevented from leaving the South Asian island after animal activists said it was cruel to separate her from her family.

Six-year-old Nandi was bequeathed to former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key by President Maithripala Sirisena at a meeting in Colombo in February 2016 to mark excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.

New Zealand vets had visited Sri Lanka last year to prepare Nandi for the journey to Auckland Zoo.

But animal rights activists have since intervened, arguing against moving the elephant to a foreign country where she will likely find it difficult to be separated from her family and adapt to the new climate.

The group of 18 secured a temporary victory Friday when a Sri Lankan court was assured by the state that Nandi would not be flown out of the country pending a final decision on the case next month.

Sri Lankan elephants have very strong family ties and to take away a child is a sin, Omalpe Sobitha, a Buddhist monk and one of the activists, told AFP.

He added that the animal may not be able to cope with the cold weather in Auckland, where mean annual temperatures of around 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) would come as a shock to a calf used to the tropical 27 degree average in Sri Lanka.

We have an assurance from the court yesterday (Friday) that Nandi will not be taken out of the country until the case is concluded, he said.

Born and raised in a 93-strong herd in a coconut grove at an orphanage in central Sri Lanka, Nandi is the second baby elephant to be presented to New Zealand in a year after a female baby Anjalee was sent to Auckland Zoo in 2015.

Key told Sirisena at their meeting last February that Anjalee had gained 700 kilos (1,540 pounds) in one year and that it was loving its life in New Zealand and I am sure its friend (Nandi) will have such a good time as well in New Zealand.

Sri Lanka has a long history of giving elephants as presents -- China has been gifted three over the years, and two each for Japan, South Korea, the Czech Republic and the United States.(AFP)
errorism in its broadest sense is the use of intentionally indiscriminate violence as a means to create terror/fear to achieve a political, religious or ideological agenda. Its goal is intimidating the public.

On March 22, four civilians and a policeman died in a terrorist attack carried out by a lone wolf Muslim attacker. The attack made headlines world-wide. But the international media paid scant attention to the report where on the same day; the U.S. military acknowledged it launched an air strike on the densely populated Iraqi city of Mosul. Residents say more than 100 people were killed in this single event.

During the nearly three decade-long struggle to end the civil war in Sri Lanka, foreign governments, especially the Western European democracies and the United States called on the Sri Lankan State to seek to address the causes which forced the Tamil people to take up arms as a means to address the problems they faced.



The Sri Lankan State thought otherwise, and on May 2009 brought to an end to the nearly three-decade long insurgency led by a terrorist group the - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)- in a final bloody confrontation at the isthmus of Nandhikkadal.

Since the crushing of the LTTE, Sri Lanka has been condemned by the western democracies for alleged atrocities committed during the prosecution of its military campaign. The US even sponsored a resolution at the UN against the country for alleged war crimes, human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity committed in that final battle.



As we have said before in this column, if such crimes were committed, the perpetrators must indeed be punished and brought to justice. However, justice cannot be limited to particular countries. Justice must not only be seem to be done, but needs to be forcefully applied to all parties including militarily super-powers and financially strong nations.

Today we see similar if not worse attacks being perpetrated on civilians. On March 22, a terrorist attack took place at Westminster in London. The attacker - an IS influenced terrorist - deliberately drove a car into pedestrians injuring more than 50 people and out of the injured, four died. The attack received blanket world-wide coverage.

On the same day, the U.S. military acknowledged for the first time that it launched an air strike in Mosul, where residents say more than 100 people were feared to have been killed in a

single event.



This report received scarce attention. The US is also involved in a long-drawn war in Afghanistan, where between 20012014, over 26,000 civilians died from war-related violence has

been documented.

In Iraq, in the aftermath of the US/British invasion of that country in 2003, the UNHCR in November 2006, estimated 1.8 million Iraqis had been displaced to neighbouring countries and 1.6 million were displaced internally.

Estimates of deaths of Libyan civilians after the NATO-led invasion vary from 2,500 to 25,000 between March 2 and October 2, 2011. At the time of the NATO-led invasion of Libya, as it was one of Africas wealthiest nations. It had the highest GDP per capita and life expectancy on the continent. Less people lived below the poverty line in Libya, than in the Netherlands. Since the NATO intervention, Libya is now a failed state and its economy is in a shambles. All three nations are Islamic countries and all three have been subject to militarily adventures of NATO and US forces.

The Western European nations and the US claim to be fighting forces of terrorism. What was unfortunate was, these countries have not seen it fit to apply the advice they proffer to smaller less-powerful nations afflicted by similar threats. There has been no soul searching on the part of the west, as to why or how terrorism grew and now affects their countries.



Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was originally trained and financed by the US. The Islamic State (IS) grew in Iraq in the aftermath of the US-NATO invasion. Finally, IS-inspired terrorist attacks on Europe and the US came in the aftermath of the invasion. The solution to the problem is therefore, NOT to bomb the s..t out of them as US President Trump said, but rather understand how and why Islam seems to be inspiring terrorism against the west.

Perhaps, leaving the people of the Middle East to settle their own problems is a way forward. Making reparation - financial and material - is a must and justice, not revenge, for war crimes is needed. Military attacks on civilian targets amount to war crimes. Whether they are state or non-state players criminals need to be prosecuted.
It is difficult to imagine anything more traumatic than the sudden disappearance of a loved one. The scramble for any facts that can be established with any clarity. The yearning to know, the pain of imagining. The flame of hope that subsides to a barely perceptible flicker, never quite extinguished by the passage of time. There can be no real certainty, no closure, no moving on.

Sithy Ameena, Sandya Ekneligoda and Vathana Sunthararaj all share this sense of perpetual grief. Though the critical voices of their children and husbands may have been silenced as a result of their enforced disappearances, these women have refused to fade into anonymity and stay quiet. Standing in for the disappeared, they are asking Sri Lanka to account for its harrowing past.

Twenty six years of armed conflict, which reached a brutal climax in 2009, has left an indelible mark on the nation. In its wake, Sri Lankans are still grappling with what will happen to their land and property and how they will be compensated for wrongs they have suffered.

One of the most important questions many are asking is this: what happened to their loved ones? Enforced disappearances have occurred on a staggering scale in Sri Lanka, affecting every community and uniting them in grief. The perpetrators came from all sides - not just the government, but also the LTTE. With backlogs of up to 100,000 cases of unresolved disappearances dating back to the 1980s, there is no shortage of examples of cruelty.

The legal term may be clunky - enforced disappearance - but the human story is simple: People literally disappear, from their loved ones, when state officials (or someone acting with state consent) grab them from the street or from their homes and then deny it, or refuse to say where they are. It is a crime under international law. Yet the families of victims are often given no easy route to seeking justice and are unable to properly mourn their loss.

Whether Sri Lanka could deliver on the demands of families of the disappeared for truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is the acid test for broader efforts to address impunity in the country.

"I met with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who affirmed that the cabinet was discussing a roadmap for the implementation of an accountability process. They must commit to a public timeline in order to restore the peoples confidence that justice is on track and assure them that they are serious about taking action. The victims cannot wait any longer"



But there are some who argue that the country could only start building its future by forgetting this past. This would be unwise, if not impossible. While those who have been forcibly made to disappear may no longer be physically present, the impact of their absence weighs heavily. Their loved ones struggle to make ends meet, because they may have now lost the main breadwinner. Children, both Sinhala and Tamil, are being raised by grandparents or single parents. For communities across the country, there is no forgetting.

That is why, today, Amnesty International is publishing a new report on enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka. In solidarity with the victims, our report aims to shine a light on the stories of the families and their seemingly endless search for justice.

"The perpetrators came from all sides - not just the government, but also the LTTE. With backlogs of up to 100,000 cases of unresolved disappearances dating back to the 1980s"



Sandya Ekneligoda has been a key figure in helping to raise the profile of these grievous crimes. When her husband, the political cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, disappeared two days before the 2010 presidential elections, she embarked on a long quest for justice. She lodged complaints at two police stations, but neither took any obvious steps to investigate his disappearance. She appealed to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka; the Attorney General; the President and his wife; the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances; and the ICRC. She travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the HRC session and press on her husbands case.

Sandyas tenacity has pushed the authorities to open new investigations that uncovered evidence of involvement by military intelligence personnel in the disappearance. To date, she has attended court hearings at least 90 times since she first lodged her complaints. Her struggle is far from over.

Like Sandya, Sithy Ameena, Vathana Sunthararaj and the other women featured in our briefing, families of the disappeared know what they want and what they need. If Sri Lanka is to succeed in overcoming its violent past, policymakers must put the victims demands for genuine and effective measures to deliver justice, truth, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence at the centre of its transitional justice process.

"It is now a matter of when, not if. Nearly eight years have elapsed since Sri Lankas civil war ended, yet the government has asked the UNHRC for another two years to probe alleged war crimes, as well as enforced disappearances"



It is now a matter of when, not if. Nearly eight years have elapsed since Sri Lankas civil war ended, yet the government has asked the UNHRC for another two years to probe alleged war crimes, as well as enforced disappearances. While dealing with historical human rights abuses may require time, delaying will only serve to compound the suffering many have already gone through.

I met with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who affirmed that the cabinet was discussing a roadmap for the implementation of an accountability process. They must commit to a public timeline in order to restore the peoples confidence that justice is on track and assure them that they are serious about taking action. The victims cannot wait any longer.
President Maithripala Sirisena said the Government must assure that the practice of youth going after politicians to gain employment, should end as soon as possible.

The President made the remark addressing the closing ceremony of the Yovun Puraya in Trincomalee on Saturday.

"Many people visit my house every morning asking me to put their children in school and others come looking for jobs, he said.

The youth who make new inventions and those who have innovative ideas do not get an opportunity to do their bit for the country. It is our duty to end this situation. This Government cannot afford to make the same mistakes, which the Governments in the past have made," the President said.

"There was a youth insurgency in 1971 and in 1988/89 and it was the majority of youth, who died in the war in the North and the East. Do we leave room for another youth rebellion? We need to allow the youth the status they deserve in society," he said.

"Sri Lanka is blessed with several cultures and sub cultures. We Sri Lankans carry our motherland forward by uniting all these. Youth of this country is also a powerful force in this endeavor" he added.

"Youth hood is the noblest period in anyones life. One cannot get his/her youth again after passing that period in life. It is the duty of the rulers to allow the youth to play their independent role in the development process of the country," he said.

Countering the Chief Minister of Eastern Province Nazeer Ahamed, who wanted the issues faced by the unemployed graduates in the North, the President said there were unemployed graduates all over the country.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the event said his Government would bring in development projects, which were even bigger than the Mahaweli project soon.

He said these would generate employment to thousands of youth.

"We will also pay special attention to the North and the East," he said.

He said Sri Lanka will work with a number of countries as it enjoyed the support of the world more than before.

Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan said no one could be happy about the war.

He said it was not worth spending time contemplating as to why the country had to face a war.

Mr. Sampanthan said reconciliation was the order of the day.

Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed stressed that Government should bring in vast development projects such as the Port City to the East as well. (Yohan Perera in Trincomalee)
Periodic grandstanding about nuclear capabilities are not uncommon between India and Pakistan. We are quite used to the nuke bluster. However, there have been subtle changes in their respective positions over the last few months or so.

There are new weapons, delivery platforms and, importantly, more proactive doctrines regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

The doctrines have not, perhaps, changed in actuality, but when higher-ups in the decision-making process wonder aloud and in public about reconsidering their stand on the first-use policy, it is worth taking note.

The N-armed nations have roughly 120-130 nuclear warheads each and enough delivery systems to deploy these warheads.

They do not share much bonhomie, having fought at least four wars and engaged in dozens of skirmishes. Some analysts opine that India may be considering a relook at its nuclear doctrine to allow a first strike against neighbouring Pakistan.

Both countries have tested weapons specific to their avowed doctrine in the recent past.

Pakistan tested a missile that they claimed could evade interceptor missiles which India tested at least twice.

And as India tested its home-made n-powered submarine, Pakistan claimed it has tested its own SLBM, there were some suggestions that it was a failed test. However, that isn't the focus, the intent is.

India's Chief Of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat recently spoke about the plan for a fast, localised conventional invasion of parts of Pakistan.

Add it to the fact that the Indian Army did carry out a covert cross-border strike, although not aimed at Pakistan's armed forces, it indicates a rearrangement of the basic strategic plan to deal with adverse situations.

However, a limited but strong response may be linked to not provoking a Pakistani retaliation, possibly with nuclear weapons.

The very idea that Pakistan would respond with a nuclear strike against India is not beyond comprehension.

In fact, Pakistan can use smaller, tactical nuclear weapons in advance or in anticipation of an Indian action.

No side can technically afford to go second. Photo: Reuters

The problem with this type of strategic doctrine is that there is glaring scope of miscalculation by each side. A scaled conventional conflict could easily escalate into a full-blown nuclear war  it is not a doomsday prediction, it is a definite possibility.Global geopolitics is not helping the scenario.

As India races to counter China and Pakistan tries to keep up with the aggression, and with the US being closer to India than ever before, there are doubts whether Washington will likely broker peace between India and Pakistan in the future.

Guided by simple logic, if Pakistan must have any chance of winning a war against India, it will use its nuclear weapons  almost all of it.

If India wishes to counter it in any way, it has got to be preemptive, simply because any n-tipped missile in the subcontinental theatre would take barely 10 minutes to start hitting targets, irrespective of who launches them.

So no side can technically afford to go second. A scary scenario.

There is no immediate threat, but along with a strong Indian response  guaranteed in the event of cross-border terror adventurism  factors like non-state actors and the rising pitch of rhetoric can lead to disaster.
I am alarmed at the Republican administrations belief that terrorism in the U.S. from Islamist extremists is our biggest terrorist threat. The presidents new executive order attempting to freeze immigration from six countries as well as the countrys refugee intake system is unnecessary.

The Department of Homeland Securitys own intelligence document says that the country of citizenship is not a reliable indicator of terrorism risk.

After the first executive order, federal Judge James L. Robart said that there have been no terrorist attacks by people from the countries named since 9/11.

The real threat comes from inside the U.S. Far-right extremists include neo-Nazis, skinheads, and white supremacists. They target people for religious, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity reasons.

The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that 300,000 people are involved in the sovereign citizen movement, which is rooted in racism and anti-Semitism. And thats just one source of extremism.

The focus on external sources of terrorism at the expense of protection from internal sources was exacerbated by the shutdown of the Extremism and Radicalization Branch of the Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division.

And, the administration plans to rename Countering Violent Extremism  a department of Homeland Security program that funds local terrorism-prevention efforts  to Countering Islamic Extremism or Countering Radical Islamic Extremism.

It is incorrect and foolhardy to focus on a terrorism threat from Islamist extremists when the greater threat may be from home-grown radical extremist terrorism.

The Muslim ban is wrong. Not only is it unnecessary, it is cruel. It unconstitutionally targets people of certain nationalities, and it unconstitutionally targets people of a specific religion. It is bad for our economy and our foreign relations, fuels the ISIS belief that the West is at war with Islam, and creates even more divisiveness in this country.

Catherine Fraleigh, Charlottesville

References:

 U.S. judge temporarily blocks Trump's travel ban nationwide, The Daily Progress, Feb. 3 online
Administrators for Culpeper County Public Schools announced on Thursday the divisions teachers and classified employees of the year.

All 10 public schools and the TRIER program in Culpeper County selected a Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year. Classified Employees of the Year were also chosen from the maintenance and transportation departments and the central office.

On April 17, school officials will announce the 2017-18 Culpeper County Public Schools Teacher and CCPS Classified Employee of the Year at 6 p.m. The school board meeting will take place inside Eastern View High Schools forum.

The Culpeper County Teacher of the Year will represent the school division in the 2017-18 Virginia Teacher of the Year competition. This annual program honors teachers who represent the best in teaching in the state.

Selected as Teacher of the Year at each school are the following:

Laura DeLano, Culpeper County High

Bonnie Estes, Eastern View High

Timothy George, Culpeper Middle

Tina Haywood, Floyd T. Binns Middle

Elisha Gallow, TRIER Alternative Program

Patrick Hallett, A.G. Richardson Elementary

Julie Addy, Emerald Hill Elementary

Christin Smith, Farmington Elementary

Tracy Huemoeller, Pearl Sample Elementary

Megan Lucas, Sycamore Park Elementary

David Brawn, Yowell Elementary School

Selected as Classified Employee of the Year from each school and department are the following:

Allison Christian, Culpeper County High

Nancy Knewstep, Eastern View High School

Robert Murphy, Culpeper Middle School

Daryl Potts, Jr., Floyd T. Binns Middle School

Suzanne Bennett, TRIER Alternative Program

Susan McGrath, A.G. Richardson Elementary

Kendra Weast, Emerald Hill Elementary

Teresa Jones, Farmington Elementary

Emily Carlton, Pearl Sample Elementary

Earl Dyer, III, Sycamore Park Elementary

Jacquelyn Thomas, Yowell Elementary

David McPeak, transportation

Christy Edwards, central office

Bruce Norton, maintenance

CCPS congratulates all those employees who were selected as Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year.
MOUNTAIN VIEW - USA - Some people think Google is God, some say that Google is Big Brother but whatever you may think about Google, it is getting so good at searches that predicting the future may be the next search algorithm they explore.

Wouldnt you like to wake up in the morning and know what is going to happen that day or the day after that? Well, were building the algorithms of all algorithms that will predict your future, Al Getchu, senior algo programmer for Google told Wired magazine.

Forget about psychics or witch doctors, Google is the future of future prediction and will trump every other search engine in the universe.

Its like Google has a tap into space time and are now so predictive that they know what Im thinking before I even think about it, a bemused Google user told CBS tech news after Google had already predicted what he would say.

The next step for Googles powerful search function will be planning their users day and predicting any probable outcome out of many different variables.

You get up in the morning, turn on Google and bam, we know you so well that well tell you what you got to do that day. You dont have to think about it anymore, its done, its dusted, Mr Getchu added.


As part of the probe, the statements of the complainant and those alleged to be involved in the case would be recorded.
The scheme covers a population of around 8 crore including the insured persons and their dependents

New Delhi: The government is considering a proposal to bring handloom and powerloom weavers under the health insurance scheme of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

The move will provide health insurance cover and facilities through ESIC to around one crore weavers. Besides, it would also cover around three crore dependents of the weavers insured under the scheme.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya had assured a Member of Parliament and weavers at a public function that the government will evaluate the proposal to include handloom and powerloom weavers under the ESIC scheme.

Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu has asked the minister to expedite the proposal.

"I pray for your expeditious consideration to extend the ESI coverage to weavers of both handloom and power loom, unorganised individuals and societies and master weavers...," Rapolu said in the letter to the labour minister.

At present, there are over two crore insured persons covered under the ESI scheme.

The scheme covers a population of around 8 crore including the insured persons and their dependents. The medical care under the ESI scheme entails primary, secondary and tertiary medical care with no cap on individual expenditure.

The contributions under the ESI scheme are related to the paying capacity as a fixed percentage of the workers' wages, whereas, they are provided social security benefits according to individual needs without distinction.
The helicopter services operator is a joint venture where the central government holds 51 per cent stake and the remaining is with state-owned ONGC.

New Delhi: The government has roped in SBI Caps as an advisor for the proposed disinvestment of Pawan Hans, which is expected to be completed by end of March 2018.

Besides SBI Caps, two other entities for valuation and legal purposes have been selected, sources said. The helicopter services operator is a joint venture where the central government holds 51 per cent stake and the remaining is with state-owned ONGC.

Moving ahead with the disinvestment plans for the profit-making company, the government has appointed SBI Capital Markets (SBI Caps) as transaction advisor and it would also prepare the bidding documents, sources said.

SBI Caps, an investment banking entity, is expected to ready the documents in the next couple of months as efforts are on to complete the whole disinvestment process by end of next fiscal (2017-18), they added.

Sources said Ahmedabad-based RBSA would be the asset valuer while Mumbai-based Crawford Baylay & Co would look after the legal aspects during the disinvestment process.

Pawan Hans employees' union has expressed concerns over the Centre's decision to offload government's entire 51 per cent stake in the company. To flag their concerns with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), union representatives have sought another meeting with top officials there, sources said. A delegation of Pawan Hans employees had met officials at the PMO in February.

The All India Civil Aviation Employees' Union -- a grouping of Pawan Hans staff -- has suggested that the company should be allowed to list rather than go for disinvestment.

In a letter dated March 31, addressed to Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary at the PMO, the union said that Pawan Hans should be given time to grow and implement its business plan and be allowed to "go for Initial Public Offer plan for fund raising from the market".

The government, in January, said it would sell its entire 51 per cent stake and transfer the management control of Pawan Hans while seeking applications from entities to act as transaction advisor for the proposed disinvestment.

Pawan Hans, which comes under the administrative control of the Civil Aviation Ministry, had reported an operating profit of Rs 61.6 crore in 2015-16. The company has more than 900 employees and around half of them are on permanent roll.

As per its website, Pawan Hans has now evolved into South Asia's largest helicopter company that maintains and operates a fleet of over 50 helicopters. The company provides various services, including for offshore and charter operations.
With the BRABO, TAL Manufacturing will focus on automotive, electronics, logistics, food, packaging, pharmaceutical and other industries.

New Delhi: Tata Motors today said its subsidiary TAL Manufacturing has received 'CE' certification for Made-in-India robot 'BRABO' for its commercial sale in Europe.

"The TAL BRABO now complies with essential requirements relevant to European health, safety and environmental legislation, permitting export of the TAL BRABO Robot to customers in Europe," Tata Motors said in a statement.

It said the BRABO can be used for varied applications like pick and placement of materials, assembly of parts, machine and press tending, as a sealing application, camera and vision based jobs, among others.

The BRABO can also complement human workforce by taking over dull, dangerous and monotonous jobs. With the BRABO, TAL Manufacturing will focus on automotive, electronics, logistics, food, packaging, pharmaceutical and other industries.

The current list of BRABO customers includes Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Diebold, CPG Industries, Hydromatik, SGK Industries, RTA Spa Italy, BITS Dubai Campus, Suparna Plastics, Micromax Systems, Twin Engineers, AM Ecosystems and Kaziranga University, the company said.
The number of folios rose to a record 5,43,87,930 at the end of February.

New Delhi: Mutual fund houses have registered a surge of over 67 lakh investor accounts during the first 11 months of the just ended fiscal, taking the total tally to a record 5.4 crore on growing interest of retail investors.

This has already topped 59 lakh folios additions made in 2015-16. In the last two years, investor accounts have increased following robust contribution from smaller towns. Folios are numbers designated to individual investor accounts, though an investor can have multiple ones.

According to the data from Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) on total investor accounts with 43 active fund houses, the number of folios rose to a record 5,43,87,930 at the end of February, from 4,76,63,024 in the end of March 2016, a gain of 67.25 lakh.

Growing participation from retail investors, especially from smaller towns, and huge inflows in equity schemes have contributed to the upside, experts said. The equity category saw an addition of more than 40 lakh investor folios to 4 crore in April-February period of 2016-17.

Mutual funds have reported a net inflow of Rs 62,151 crore in equity schemes during the period under review. Mutual funds are investment vehicles made up of a pool of funds collected from a large number of investors. The funds are invested in stocks, bonds and money market instruments, among others.
The entire cast and crew of 'Golmaal Again'( Pic courtesy: Twitter/ ajaydevgn).

Mumbai: After wrapping its first schedule at YRF Studios in Mumbai, now, the team of Rohit Shetty's upcoming comedy film 'Golmaal Again' is all set to head to Hyderabad.

Expressing his excitement, film's lead actor Ajay Devgan took to Twitter and a shared a group photo with the whole cast and crew of 'Golmaal Again' captioning, "First sched wraps, getting ready for Hyderabad. #GolmaalAgain."

In the photograph, the cast of the film is holding a placard reading a message, and it's a wrap in Mumbai... Hyderabad, here we come...!

Apart from the 48-year-old actor, the movie also stars Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu, Shreyas Talpade.

The film will also be shot in the Rohit Shetty movies' trademark location - Goa. It is slated to release during the Diwali weekend this year.

Today, the 'Shivaay' star is celebrating his 48th birthday and the ' Golmaal Again' team marked it along with a wrap-up party.

The movie, which is the fourth instalment of 'Golmaal' film series, will hit the theatres worldwide in November 2017.
Kajol is known to be very cautious of the projects she takes up. So, when the actress decided to sign up for the Tamil film opposite Dhanush, which is also being released in Telugu, it took the industry by surprise.

But Kajol admits that she was a tad hesitant about doing the film. I was a little apprehensive. I wasnt sure if Id do justice to the film. I think the films team has worked around me and ensured that things were working for me per se. I really appreciate that about Soundarya and Dhanush. They made sure that my experience of working in a film down South was great fun, says Kajol.

Rajinikanths daughter Soundarya has directed the film, and buzz is that Kajol will be playing a character with grey shades, but the actress remains tight-lipped about the same. The film is very different for both  Dhanush and me. Theyre both well-defined characters and the script is interesting. I have strict instructions from Soundarya to not reveal anything about the film, she says.
Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gotten in on the April Fools' Day spirit with a lighthearted tweet aimed at former 'Friends' star - and classmate - Matthew Perry.

Justin Trudeau and the actor, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom, both attended Rockcliffe Park Public School in Ottawa.

In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show last month, Perry recounted his memory of beating Trudeau up when they were students.

On April 1, Trudeau tweeted that he wouldn't mind revisiting the fight.

"I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?" he wrote.

Trudeau's spokeswoman confirmed it was an April Fools' joke.
Mumbai: Now, Prince Jackson will always have his father Michael Jackson with him.

The 20-year-old gave a fitting tribute to his father Michael Jackson by sharing a video of his new tattoo featuring the ' King of Pop'.

He captioned the video, "Thanks @dermagraphink for sittin 9hrs with me for such an incredible and beautiful tattoo. I will be posting more of this."

The tattoo shows an illustration of Michael in one of his most iconic moves (his legs crossed and arms raised to the sky) and one of his most recognizable outfits (a black suit with a red shirt, black suspenders, black shoes, white socks, arm band, matching fedora - and single, white sequin glove).

The same video was shared by tattoo artist Justin Lewis, who works at Timeless Tattoo in Hollywood, with a series of hashtags.

He captioned the footage, "#MichaelJackson#kingofpop #mj #moonwalk #anuk #wings#MichaelJacksonjr. I had so much fun @princejackson I am so pleased that I made your day braddah. #inksaddle#inkmachines #colortattoo#timelesstattoola #tattooistart #inkmaster#Hollywood #Love (sic)"

The ' Billie Jean' hit-maker died of cardiac arrest in June 2009 at his Los Angeles home. He was 50.
It is known that Will.i.am, who is currently judging The Voice UK, pulled his family out of poverty and made his dreams a reality. During a recent interview with TheSun.co.uk, the rapper said, Every person I know, whos a little off, is the most creative. Their hyperactivity means theyre capable of taking on a bunch of things at once. Thank God my mum never put me on anti-hyperactivity drugs.

He added, Ive learned how to work the H in ADHD to my benefit. I can work longer hours than anyone on this planet. It so happens that my work is around creativity so I can go and go and go. I could work 20-hour days.

About the time he suffered from depression, and he says, I dont like to talk about that kind of stuff. Some people, when they talk about it, they are induced. Just the idea of thinking about it can bring on an episode.

Talking of how his mother has been a constant support, he said, Gangs, guns, warring between the gangs, cops warring with the gangs, cops shooting kids, kids shooting cops. It was bad. But my mum kept us safe.
The glory of the Hoysalas comes alive in the historic remains of a bygone age which have endured the travails of time at Angadi in Mudigere. Maybe to remind us of the charm of royalty, of battles which changed the course of generations and of great kings who set new standards of valour and sacrifice. In an age of democracy, the great leveller, such deeds may not find many takers but for those who love to delve into history, into the magical world of the Hoysala rulers, this obscure village with its broken shrines and intricate carvings is sure to offer a more than ordinary experience. M.B. Girish explores the world of the Hoysalas.

The word Angadi means a market, a shop. And while that may be true of what this little village in Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru represents today, several hundred years ago, this is where the founder of the Hoysala dynasty began his journey to greatness. Once known as Shashakapura, and dating back to 1,000 AD, the Hoysalas, its most famed ruler being, Vishnuvardhana, ruled over most of south India.

To get to Angadi, one must take a narrow road from Jannapura on Belur-Mudigere road and cross a bridge across the Hemavathy. Marking the entrance to the village and the spot where Sala, the founder of the dynasty earned his name - and that of his dynasty by killing a tiger - is an arch, ravaged by time, the emblem of the Hoysala dynasty still visible. The story of Salas rise to greatness begins a little distance from the arch, along a path to a hillock where an ancient temple, Adi Shakthi Vasantha Parameshwari Prasanna Temple, still stands.

The sanctum sanctorum (Photo: DC)

Believed to be more than 1,000 years old, its inscriptions points to the fact the Shashakapura and its temples existed prior to Hoysala rule, says Prof Umanath, head of department of History, SDM College, Ujire, who authored Hoysala Rajavamshada Ugamasthana Shashakapura: Ondu Adhyayana, a book tracing the roots of Hoysalas. Two ageing Sampige trees adorn the path, flanked by two massive stone pillars that are still used for an utsav murthy to carry deities on festive occasions.

Dattatreya, a priest at the temple for the last 17 years believes it was here, at a nearby ashram run by the Jain pontiff Sudattacharya, centuries ago, that Sala won the confidence of the pontiff. Narrating a tale handed down through the generations by word of mouth, Dattatreya recounts how, sensing danger from a tiger in the vicinity, Sudattacharya instructed Sala, Poy Sala (Strike Sala) to slay the tiger.

Poy Sala later transformed to Hoy Sala and the incident gave rise to a dynasty that came to be called the Hoysalas. Salas act gave Suddattacharya the confidence that Sala would be able to lead the people and the region which was then under the sovereign rule of Chalukyas of Kalyani who ruled from present Basavakalyan in Bidar.

As Hoysala rulers gained in strength and waged battles that expanded their territory, the rulers moved base from Shashakapara to Belur, 30 km away, where they built a fort. Years later, the kingdom's centre of gravity moved again to Dwarasamudra, now known as Halebeedu. With capital shifting away, Shashakapura lost its importance. It robbed it of its historical fame and its name, as it gradually became no more than a marketplace, the Angadi.

The only reminders of its brief moment in history lie in the deities that the Hoysala rulers revered  the Vasanatha Parameshwari Prasanna deity and the Chennakeshava and Mallikarjuna deities, located on another hillock close by to the Vasanatha Parameshwari temple. Both Chennakeshava and Mallikarjun temples at Angadi were early models, the villagers say of what the Hoysala Kings would go on to build - the famous Chennakeshava and Hoysaleshwara temples at Belur and Halebeedu respectively.

Mr Umanath differs with that view, pointing to Angadi's simplicity, the shrines built on small platforms while Belur and Halebeedu temples are grand examples of Hoysala architecture with intricate designs on temple walls and erected on vast platforms. The early Hoysala shrines, neglected and fallen into ruin would have remained if it hadn't been for coffee planter D B Subbegowda, who headed Hoysala Moolasamsthana Srikshetra Angadi Jirnodhara Prathisthana Trust, that initiated restoration works at Angadi.

I was a Land Tribunal member and had a good rapport with officials concerned. Luckily some of them later served in Muzrai department when restoration works were initiated. Through them, I was successful in getting some restoration works done, says Mr Subbegowda.His initiative also helped to set up a tourist information centre and drinking water arrangements. The aratis are back, pujas are being offered, and the once dilapidated Chennakeshava and Patala Veerabhadra temples located next to each other on a hillock and restored by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), have a new lease of life.

Two Jain basadis have been refurbished by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust but is not open for public. Mallikarjun temple is the sole standout, waiting for a do-gooder to resurrect it. There may still be hope. A few residents from Angadi and its surrounding villages have formed a Trust, the Hoysala Moolasamsthana Srikhestra Angadi.

Trust president A.S. Nagraj says that blueprint for restoration of Vasantha Parameshwari Temple is ready and they plan to raise Rs 5 crore to develop the village and the temples. Paddy farmers and coffee plantation owners who make up the 2,000 odd people of Angadi, who hark back to a different time, know that the stones have a story to tell. Stories of Karnataka's glory days. But only, if the tourism department and the time traveller can find their way to this forgotten birthplace of the Hoysalas.

Pujas, aratis back

The aratis are back, pujas are being offered, and the once dilapidated Chennakeshava and Patala Veerabhadra temples located next to each other on a hillock and restored by Archaeological Survey of India, have a new lease of life. Two Jain basadis have been refurbished by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust but is not open for public. Mallikarjun temple is the sole standout, waiting for a do-gooder to resurrect it. There may still be hope. A few residents from Angadi and its surrounding villages have formed a Trust, the Hoysala Moolasamsthana Srikhestra Angadi.
New Delhi: A man from Mehrauli was arrested on Sunday for reportedly raping a 22-year-old Uzbekistan woman for around 6 months.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the woman filed a complaint on Friday blaming Sonu a.k.a Sumit for making her come to India on the pretext of giving her a job.

The woman also claimed that he reached out to her through Facebook, pretending to be a senior executive at a Gurgaon-based IT company. After receiving her at the airport, the accused also had offered her a place to stay at Mehrauli.

Sonu took her passport and money, claiming that he needed to keep them as security deposit. He then moved in with the woman and raped her for nearly half a year, a police officer was quoted as saying.

The accused was arrested after it was confirmed through a medical examination that the woman was raped. A case has also been registered with investigation trying to discover if there is larger human trafficking racket afoot.

This is the second such case involving an Uzbekistan national in the past one month. Earlier last month, a woman accused her live-in partner and his four friends of gang raping her.
Hyderabad: A choreographer working in the film industry allegedly tried to molest a Class VII girl at Manikonda on Friday night. The choreographer, K. Venkata Krishna Kishore, barged into the girls house, grabbed her hand, and said that he wanted to marry her. Her father came to her rescue. He was injured when Kishore assaulted him and fled.

Meanwhile, the Balala Hakkula Sangham demanded that the government departments concerned with child safety should organise Good Touch, Bad Touch awareness camps for both girls and boys during the summer holidays.

Police said the victim, a 13-year-old girl, who studies at a private school in Manikonda and her parents stay at Chitrapuri Colony. The suspect, Venkata Krishna Kishore, stays in a flat opposite the girls house along with his wife and two children. The girl used to visit his home to play with his kids and to watch him teaching dance. Police said that Kishore started troubling the girl saying he wanted to marry her. Coming to know this her parents asked her not to visit his house.

On Ugadi day as the girl was at home with her parents, he barged into their house, grabbed her hands and said that he wants to marry her. Her parents warned him to stay away from their daughter. On Friday night, when the girl was at home, he again barged into the house, caught hold of her hand and tried to force her to marry him. He also tried to drag her out. Her parents heard her screaming and rushed to her rescue.

When her father, a driver, came to rescue her, Kishore hit him with an iron pipe on the head and fled, SI Y. Ramesh said. The father was injured seriously and was rushed to hospital. He is now out of danger. Based on a complaint from the girls mother, police booked a case for outraging the modesty of a girl, under Pocso and also for inflicting injury using a weapon. Police teams are now trying to nab Kishore.
The executive officer of Nizampet Gram Panchayat was assaulted by residents of Reddys Avenue in the village when he and his team went to demolish an illegal structure. Police booked a case against the residents.(Representational image)

Hyderabad: The executive officer of Nizampet Gram Panchayat was assaulted by residents of Reddys Avenue in the village when he and his team went to demolish an illegal structure. Police booked a case against the residents.

Y. Durga Prasad, the executive officer of Nizampet Gram Panchayat, said in his complaint that on Saturday morning he and his team went to Reddys Avenue to demolish an illegally built compound wall of an apartment complex. As soon as they started the demolition around 50 persons blocked them. They assaulted and abused me, Mr Durga Prasad said. The police dispersed the crowd. Police registered a case of assault and use of force to prevent a public servant from discharging his duty.
The incident happened when one of the women of the group had nodded off in the grove after a long walk on Sunday. (Photo: Representational Image)

Chennai: A 24-year-old German tourist who was sleeping in a grove of casuarinas on the seashore off the East Coast Road in Telugar Thottam in Pattikulam near Mahabalipuram was allegedly raped on Sunday morning.

The woman was part of a group of three families currently touring India. The group of five had reached Chennai a couple of days back and went to Mahabalipuram on Saturday.

The incident happened when one of the women of the group had nodded off in the grove after a long walk on Sunday.

Initial reports suggest that the suspect spotted the German tourist who was sleeping alone in the grove and raped her. A senior police officer said that though there was more than one man on the scene, only one had sexually assaulted her. Of the three men, one was wearing shorts and T-shirt while the other two only shorts.

The woman managed to escape from the clutches of the men and went back to her group and they contacted the German Embassy in Delhi. The German mission briefed the TN police about the incident after which the Kancheepuram police swung into action.

The rape victim was later taken to an all woman police station and gave her statement to senior police officials on the incident and details of her tormentors.

A police team also visited the scene of crime to collect evidence and she was sent to a government hospital for a medical test, police disclosed.

Police are not sure if some guests staying in a beach house or fishermen committed the crime. We have collected some details and zeroed in on a man who was part of group that committed the crime. We will secure him by tonight, a senior police officer said on Sunday night.
New Delhi: The Election Commission is set to buy next generation EVMs that become "inoperable" the moment attempts are made to tinker with it, a move which comes amid claims by some parties that the machines were tampered with during the recent assembly polls.

The 'M3'-type electronic voting machines (EVMs) are also equipped with a self-diagnostic system for authentication of genuineness of the machines.

These will come with a public key interface-based mutual authentication system.

Only a "genuine" EVM -- manufactured either by atomic energy PSU ECIL or defence PSU BEL -- "communicates" with other EVMs in the field.

Any EVM manufactured by other companies would not be able to communicate with other machines, thus exposing it.

Around Rs 1,940 crore (excluding freight and taxes) will be required to procure the new machines which are likely to be introduced by 2018, a year before when the next Lok Sabha elections are due, the Law Ministry has said, quoting details made available by the Election Commission to be given to Parliament.

The Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle, he said.

On December 7 last, the Union Cabinet had approved a fresh tranche of Rs 1,009 crore for the Election Commission to buy new EVMs so that it can phase out the ageing ones before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Cabinet had also authorised the Election Commission to vary the quantity to be ordered on BEL and ECIL based on their production capacity and past performance.

On July 20 last, a similar Election Commission proposal to buy nearly 14 lakh new EVMs -- the first tranche -- at a cost of Rs 9,200 crore during 2016-17 was approved by the Union Cabinet.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Law Ministry had said that EC has not purchased a single new machine in the last three fiscals.

Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary had said that the poll panel has informed the government that it had not procured any electronic voting machine during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.
New Delhi: Four DU students, who followed Union minister Smriti Irani's car in Lutyens Delhi in an "inebriated" state, have been arrested and and FIR filed against them for allegedly stalking and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Till last night, they were detained but later they were arrested for allegedly stalking and using words and gestures to outrage the modesty of a woman, police said.

The all four accused are now out on bail, said an NDTV report. They will be produced in a court today.

A PCR call was received around 5 PM that four youths in a car were indulging in "unwanted action", said a senior police officer.

A call was received from the minister's staff yesterday that the youths were trying to overtake her vehicle near Moti Bagh flyover and their actions were unwanted.

With the help of PCR van, the car was intercepted near the US Embassy.

The four youths were apprehended and taken into custody. Their medical examination was carried out and it was found that they had consumed alcohol.

They stay in a PG in Vasant village and had liquor at a friend's birthday party. After the party, they were driving around for fun last evening.
Allahabad (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Chief Justice J S Khehar that his government will make all efforts to back his resolve to reduce burden on the judiciary and pendency of cases.

"I assure the Chief Justice that government will back his 'sankalp' (resolve) to bring down the burden on the judiciary and reduce pendency of cases," he said in his address at the sesquicentennial celebrations marking 150 years of the Allahabad High Court.

Noting that he felt that there was an element of "pain" in the speech of Justice Khehar, Modi said the government had done away with 1200 old laws to find a way out of the maze of the statues and also help the judiciary in modernising the system.

He asked the people working on startups to bring about innovations to strengthen the judicial system.

The Prime Minister lauded the steps being taken by the Chief Justice to make use of technology in simplifying the working in the courts and bring about qualitative change.

Modi also said video conferencing should be used for deposition made in courts by those facing trial, the witnesses and officials to prevent wastage of time and money.

He appealed to the judiciary, the government and the people to make 2022, the 75th year of Independence, a target year to take the country to greater heights.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Justice Khehar raise the issue of pendency of cases in courts including the Supreme Court and said he was taking steps to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

He asked the judges to consider sitting in courts for five days during vacation to clear at least 10 cases each day and bring down the pendency.

"This way thousands of small matters like matrimonial disputes and mediation cases can be settled and arrears of cases brought down" he said and referred to a system of court management under which pendency of cases in Malaysia had been brought down to one-fifth.

He said he proposes to have three constitution benches during this summer vacation to help reduce the arrears in the apex court.

On the issue of simplification of procedure, Justice Khehar said he is making efforts to make the system paperless in the Supreme Court in a month or so.

The gathering was attended by UP and West Bengal governors Ram Naik and K N Tripathi, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adtiyanath, Allahabad High Court CJI Dilip B Bhosale and members from the legal fraternity.
New Delhi: The AAP should introspect on the reasons for its defeat in Punjab instead of blaming EVMs, the Election Commission (EC) said on Sunday while making it clear that only a high court can order verification of votes cast in the polls with data of paper trail.

The poll watchdog also said that so far a total of 1111 allegations regarding tamperability of "ECI-EVMs" have been considered by the Commission and those have been dismissed by it as well, as various High Courts "unequivocally reiterating that given the effective technical and administrative safeguards, EVMs are not tamperable and integrity of electoral process is fully preserved."

In a strongly-worded letter, the EC said it is for the AAP "to introspect as to why your party could not perform as per your expectations and it is unfair on your part to attribute unsatisfactory poll performance of your party to the alleged tamperability of EVMS."

The poll watchdog said as per election law, after declaration of results only alternative available to verify the data of votes cast is to file an Election Petition before the High Court concerned.

The Aam Admi Party (AAP) alleged that poll authorities in Punjab had refused to accept its demand to tally results with paper trail audit.

The party had moved the Election Commission (EC) over reliability of the machines and the results of Punjab polls. AAP had won 20 seats out of 117 in Punjab assembly polls and emerged as the largest opposition party. However, the number fell way short of Arvind Kejriwal's claim of winning 100 seats.

The Commission said no credible material had been brought to the knowledge of authorities during and at the time of EVM "mock drills" in Punjab elections to show alleged tampering in EVMs used in the state.

It said the Supreme Court had never cast any aspersion or expressed any doubt that election process is interdicted rigged by use of EVMs.

"The Commission strongly objects to this wrong and imaginary extrapolation of (the) Supreme Court's order. This may please be noted as a responsible political party," it told AAP.

It said, "any surmise based on foreign studies or operating system based EVMs used elsewhere would be completely erroneous. The ECI-EVMs cannot be compared with those EVMs and ECI-EVMs are tamper-proof."
The sick jawans were provided immediate first aid at the training centre itself, and were shifted to the nearby hospitals for further treatment. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: Following the disturbing development of 400 jawans ending up in the hospital due to food poisoning in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has ordered a probe into the matter.

The CRPF has also taken a sample of the meal which allegedly caused the personnel to fall ill.

Speaking to ANI here, acting CRPF Director General Sudeep Lakhtakiya said that the jawans, who were attending a training camp, has consumed a meal consisting of fish, which then resulted in most of them complaining about nausea and vomiting.

The sick jawans were provided immediate first aid at the training centre itself, and were shifted to the nearby hospitals for further treatment.

Majority of the jawans have been discharged and only a few remain in the hospital.

"We are finding the source of the material used to cook the particular meal that was served to the jawans. Initial enquiry suggests that the fish might have been bad. However, the training centre in charge is looking up the entire case," the DG said.

While nearly 200 jawans were admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, the rest were treated at various other hospitals following complaints of upset stomach and vomiting after consuming food.

Talking to media, Medical College superintendent said the situation is not alarming. State Health Minister K K Shylaja visited them at the hospital last night.
Modi will also address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Udhampur district after inaugurating the tunnel. (Photo: PIB)

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated Indias longest tunnel, the 9-km long Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"It is a matter of great pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that this great tunnel is being dedicated to the nation by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi  the most popular PM. It is dedicated to the nation in keeping with his call for a new India," Union Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh told reporters earlier on Sunday.

The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. "Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day," Singh said.

The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.

Union Minister said that this tunnel is a game changer. "It is a revolution itself. It is a revolution to be watched and studied. It is a case study itself. It is a wonderful creation," he added.

"The connectivity through this tunnel will decrease the time of journey by two hours. It is an alternative all weather route. It is an alternative to the highway which is closed at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the state. It will also help boost tourism," Singh added.

Modi will also address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Udhampur district after inaugurating the tunnel.

But the PMs visit to Kashmir was not without opposition. Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley on Sunday due to strike called by separatist groups against Modis to the state for inauguration of the tunnel.

Most of the shops, business establishments and fuel stations were shut in Srinagar - the summer capital of the state, officials said.

However, they said, the weekly flea market, locally known as Sunday market, was open as many vendors had set up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk.

The officials said most of the public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally in many areas of the city here.
A team led by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shivadasa M Keena meets Karnataka Chief Secretatry Subhas C. Kuntya to discuss release of Cauvery water at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Saturday. (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru: The states inability to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu was conveyed by Chief Secretary, Subhash Chandra Khuntia, to a delegation of officers of Tamil Nadu led by principal secretary, PWD, S K Prabhakar, here on Saturday.

Mr Khuntia told the media after his meeting with authorities from the neighbouring state The delegation requested us (Karnataka) to release three TMC feet of water on humanitarian grounds but I have explained that the state's contingency plans are inadequate to meet the states drinking water requirement.

He said the total water storage level in all four reservoirs stood at 8.8 TMC feet at a time when the average monthly requirement for supply of drinking water in the Cauvery basin was three TMC feet. Therefore, the state would face a shortage of water during summer months.

He, however, added that the state would take steps to release water to Tamil Nadu in case of an early spell of rain as the neighbouring state had sought the release on humanitarian grounds, and not on the basis of the tribunals award.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking to restrict lawmakers from practising any other profession, saying though the petitioner has a valid point the issue is beyond the realm of its jurisdiction.

"The prayers made in this petition do not fall within the realm of our jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud said.

The bench observed that the petitioner in the matter has been affiliated to a political party and though he has a valid point, the court cannot frame policies in this regard.

"There are doctors who became IAS officers and engineers who are diplomats," the court told the petitioner, adding,

"You also have a political affiliation."

The petitioner, advocate and BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, told the bench that the restriction imposed on judges and public servants against engaging in other professions should also be applied to the lawmakers.

"Today, I saw five MPs in the Supreme Court. They have come here after signing a register at 11 AM in Parliament," he told the court.

To this, the bench said, "Your arguments make sense, but how can we frame policies?"

The petitioner had sought framing of a uniform policy to restrict the lawmakers from practising any other profession.

He had said in his plea that members of Parliament "must attend Parliament everyday and dedicate themselves full-time for the welfare of people" as they have a very important role in the federal system.
Hyderabad: The Congress on Sunday urged the Election Commission to discuss the matter of EVM tampering with all the political parties and take necessary step in the regard, before people lose their faith in the device altogether.

Speaking to ANI here, Congress leader Hanumantha Rao said if Election Commission did not take adequate steps soon then people will soon stop believing in the voting machine.

"Initially Mayawati questioned the EVMs and then Kejriwal. The leaders are alleging of EVM tampering because they did not get votes even in their bastions. The Election Commission after mulling over the issue with all parties should take necessary steps in the regard, otherwise people will stop trusting EVMs," he added.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday demanded an inquiry after EVMs in Madhya Pradesh were only dispensing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slips.

"There should be inquiry after Electronic Voting Machines in Madhya Pradesh were only dispensing BJP slips," Akhilesh tweeted.

He further said that the matter is not about checking of the EVMs but of people's faith and confidence in the electoral process.

Earlier the Samjawadi Party supremo had backed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's claim that the EVMs during the Uttar Pradesh electoral process were tampered and also called for the probe.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has decided to send a team of senior officials prior to the upcoming by-election in Madhya Pradesh.

A panel of three IAS and IPS officers, each being deputed as District Election Officer-cum-collector and Superintendent of Police of Bhind for supervising the polls.

This decision came following media reports that VVPAT deployed for an assembly by-poll was only dispensing slips of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol during a demonstration exercise.

By-polls in Ater Assembly constituency in Bhind district and at Bandhavgarh Assembly segment in Umaria district will take place on April 9.
New Delhi: Two of the accused, who had chased Union Minister Smriti Irani's car, on Sunday tendered apology and said that they were just having fun which went out of context.

"We four were returning from our friend's birthday party. We do agree that we have flouted the rules. We were making a video for Instagram and the music in the car was loud. We were just making funny videos. When we overtook the car, we didn't know that Smriti Irani was there in it. We would have not done this if we knew that it was Smriti Irani's car," said one of the accused.

"We have apologised for our mistake. We have not done anything objectionable, but if she feels so then we are apologizing for it.We do agree that they have taken the right action against us. We won't repeat this ever," he added.

The other accused also apologised for the mistake, saying they were not aware that Irani was there in that car.

"We apologized for our misconduct but they didn't listen to us and took us to the police station. We had consumed alocohol because we had gone to our friend's birthday party," he said.

Earlier in the day, the four college students who were booked for tailing Irani's car last evening in a state of inebriation were granted bail.

The FIR has been filed against them under Section 354 D (stalking) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The four students had consumed alcohol at a friend's birthday party. On their way back home, they started chasing down the Union Minister's car, the Delhi Police said.

Irani first made a PCR call and then lodged a formal complaint with the Chankayapuri Police Station following which the students were detained.

According to the medical report, the four tested positive for alcohol, confirming that they were intoxicated while trying to overtake the Union Minister's car.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said that these students tried to overtake Irani' vehicle, when she was crossing the Moti Bagh flyover.
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has sought assistance from the Centre to bail out chilli farmers in the state, who have been left financially stressed due to lack of fair price for their produce.

Telangana marketing minister T. Harish Rao on Sunday urged Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh to help the chilli farmers in the state by providing funds.

During the current year, chilli production increased by 14 per cent resulting in adve-rse impact on prices. The co-mmodity which commanded a price of `10,000 per quintal in 2016 was available for Rs 6,000 this year, he said.
Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused the TRS government of trying to influence the media coverage of various events or incidents in the state.

Addressing an orientation programme organised by Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) in association with Indian Journalist Union (IJU) for journalists of Suryapet district at Huzurnagar on Sunday, Mr Reddy said that the state government dislikes the liberty of press and considered it to be dangerous.

To buttress his argument, Mr Reddy quoted former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who had said, I would rather have a completely free press, with all the dangers involved than a suppressed or regulated press. He said that everyone, including journalists, would need to play their role with complete honesty.

He said Telangana is a new State with its own set of good and bad things. He called upon journalists to stand by the poorest of the poor and highlight the problems being faced by all sections of the society in a transparent and fearless manner.
Sambhal (UP): With Yogi Adityanath becoming the chief minster of Uttar Pradesh, the state has been "prevented" from turning into "another Pakistan",

controversial Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi said Sunday.

"By becoming the Chief Minister of UP, Yogi Adityanath has not only ushered in a feeling of happiness and enthusiasm among the public, but also prevented it from becoming another Pakistan," Sadhvi Prachi told reporters here Sunday.

Showering praises on Adityanath, she said the way UP government is probing the works of the previous regime, their reality will be exposed soon.

"This is probably giving them (Samajwadi Party) sleepless nights," she said.

To a question, she said the UP government should also ban liquor in the state.
City Police registered a case and are interrogating the contractors and as well as the site supervisors.

Chennai: In a freak accident, a 21-year-old migrant worker got trapped in the sand that caved in a freshly trenched drainage pathway and died of suffocation while his co-worker is battling for his life at Stanley Hospital, on Saturday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Pulisan Kisku, (21), of Thana, Jarmundi Dumka, Jharkhand, and the injured is identified Sirajudeen, (22), also from Jharkhand.

They were part of the group tasked to lay drainage pipes for the extension building for Stanley Hospital on the campus. Sand caved in at around 5.30 pm trapping the two in the 6 ft deep pit while other workers moved to safety. The Outpost of the City Police present at the Stanley Hospital was informed besides sounding the distress call to the TNFRS control room.

A team of TNFRS personnel rushed to the scene and managed to pull out Sirajudeen alive from the pit. He was rolled into the same hospital where he was working and was being treated in the intensive care unit. However, Pulisan Kisku asphyxiated to death by the time he was pulled out of the sand pile. City Police registered a case and are interrogating the contractors and as well as the site supervisors.

The co-workers blamed the contractors and the site engineers for not ensuring safety of the workers. The entire pipe-laning work was called off soon after the incident.
He believes campaigning by former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, who recently quit the Congress, to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, will have no impact on the partys prospects in the coming bypolls and anti-incumbency too will play no role. Instead Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared confident about his party's victory in an interview with special correspondent Shyam Sundar Vattam. Excerpts:

Will the results of the two by-elections reveal whether or not your government has the peoples mandate?

The results of the by- elections should not be construed as a people's mandate, but they will definitely indicate their perception of our government. While we have no new strategy planned for the by-elections or for the coming assembly polls next year, we are confident of coming back to power based on our performance. The opposition parties are trying to gain votes by making false promises, but they will be rejected lock, stock and barrel by the people.

The Nanjangud by- election is being portrayed as a fight between you and former minister, V Srinivasprasad.

This is totally wrong. In my view it's a fight between secularism and communalism. It's a fight between the Congress and the BJP. Kalale Keshavamurthy is a good candidate, who had lost against Mr Srinivasaprasad only by a narrow margin in the last election. We did not hijack him. He wanted to join the Congress much before the election.

Do you have a pact with the JDS as it has not fielded candidates for both byelections?

No we dont. I met district JDS president, Narasimhaswamy to seek his partys support for our candidate as he is a good friend and I knew his father since my days in the Janata Parivar. All I want is to defeat a communal party like the BJP. Our government has been free of scams for the last four years. We have also won all elections held during this time. This has increased our confidence.

Former Chief Minister, S M Krishna is likely to campaign in both constituencies next week. Will this have any impact on the prospects of your party?

Let any leader campaign for the BJP, but the people will support the Congress. They know whom to support and whom to vote for.

Will anti- incumbency hurt your partys prospects?

Anti- incumbency is for those governments that have failed to deliver the goods during their tenure. But our government has fulfilled 90 per cent of its promises made to the people in 2013. People have seen our achievements. We are confident of winning both seats as both our candidates are good.

There is a feeling that you are relying heavily on AHINDA votes.

This is a wrong notion. Our party strongly believes in the welfare of all people. The Congress is the only party, which enjoys the support of all communities. Our party has always believed in secularism and expects the votes of all sections of society.

Poll officials slow down CM

Setting off from his residence in Ramakrishna Nagar in his trademark attire of silk kurta and dhoti at 8-45 am on Saturday, CM Siddaramaiah raced through Gundlupet Assembly constituency to drum up support for Geetha Mahadev Prasad, promising voters that he would return to share a meal after her victory.

En-route Gundlupet, the CM patiently waited for a thorough check by election commission staff and attended a campaign strategy meeting with cabinet colleagues D.K. Shivakumar and U.T. Khader and deputy chairman of state planning board C.M. Ibrahim. Meanwhile, a car belonging to his son Dr Yatindra was seized as it had the pass only for Nanjangud constituency.

At the first stop, Mallaiyanapura, a village six km from Gundlupet, Mr Siddaramaiah engaged the voters in a conversation, asking about them about the number of voters. When told that there were 2,300 voters, he replied I want all votes to go to our party candidate. I will come again after her victory and eat kalle hulli.
KOCHI: The traders in the state are looking forward to the outcome of a meeting by the representatives of All India Confederation of Goods and Vehicle Owner's Association and Insurance Regulatory Authority of India on Monday to see the prospects for ending the ongoing strike by truckers. The price of essential commodities, particularly vegetables and food grains, has shown an upward spiral following the strike in the past two days. The escalation of the strike will worsen the situation, they said.

With the movement of goods carriers on a standstill, it would have an adverse impact on price and availability of goods, said A Jayaprakash, general secretary of Kerala State Lorry Owners Federation. "We are hoping that IRDA authorities will have a positive outlook to resolve the strike during the talks scheduled on Monday", he said. According to traders in vegetable market in Kochi the continuation of the truckers strike will have serious impact in coming days.

"The market is already feeling a crunch in the supply of goods due to the drought like situation in Tamil Nadu", said Joseph De Silva, joint secretary of the Broadway Shop Owners Association. According to him the price of vegetable like beans has moved up to over Rs 100 per kg from the levels of Rs 40 few days ago. Valiyangadi, the major market in Kozhikode is also feeling the pinch as the shops face shortage of vegetables, edibles and consumer goods items. Kozhikode district merchants' association president CE Chakkunni said many consumer items would be out of stock if the strike continues. "Availability of vegetables would be affected as this could not be stocked in huge quantities", he said. Blaming the government for its failure to ensure adequate arrangements", he said "the price of rice and vegetables have started increasing in the market".
The posters had been signed by a group called 'RADICAL' and described by both the Jadavpur University Students Union (JUSU) and VC as a 'fringe' group allegedly responsible for raising 'pro-Afzal' slogans at a rally. (Photo: ANI)

Kolkata: Once again Azaadi slogans were echoed by the students of Kolkata's Jadavpur University on Sunday as a mark of protest against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The students of the University were seen holding placards which read: "Yogi is the new Trump...Brahminical version of white supremacy" and they raised slogans like "Azadi", "Halla Bol" and "RSS door hatao".

The Azaadi slogans were raised by the students in front of the Academy of Fine Arts where an international seminar on persecution of minority Hindu Buddhist Christians in Bangladesh is going on.

"This protest is against the RSS' conducting of seminar on the issue of minorities in Bangladesh. We think the same RSS which has been the reason for the deaths of thousands in Godhra, in Muzaffarnagar cannot address the minority issue. We doubt their credibility, rather we think they are here to evoke communal sentiments and pitting one against the other. So we are protesting here," Debopriyo Som, a student and United Students Democratic Front (USDF) member said.

Posters calling for 'azadi' for Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland were put up at Jadavpur University (JU) earlier in February only to be torn down by ABVP activists, who allegedly vandalised the university complex on Wednesday.

The posters had been signed by a group called 'RADICAL' and described by both the Jadavpur University Students Union (JUSU) and VC as a 'fringe' group allegedly responsible for raising 'pro-Afzal' slogans at a rally.

"Hume kya chahiye - Azadi. Kashmir ki Azadi. Manipur ki Azadi. Nagaland ki Azadi (We demand freedom. Kashmir's freedom. Manipur's freedom. Nagaland's freedom)," one of the posters said.

Some members of the group had said that they had raised slogans in favour of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during the protest the recent arrest of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
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Hyderabad: Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who will complete 10 years at Raj Bhavan next month, is all set to repeat a precedent that he created when he swears in at least two Opposition YSRC legislators in Andhra Pradesh into the N. Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet on Sunday.

Legislators elected from one party cannot be inducted into a Cabinet led by another political party or alliance, without their party of origin forming part of the alliance.

The first time Mr Narasimhan oversaw this practice was when Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao recommended the inclusion of Mr Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who was elected on a TD ticket, into his Cabinet on December 16, 2014. Mr Srinivas Yadav continues to be TS minister and TD legislator.

At that time, Mr Naidu had spearheaded an attack on both the Governor and Mr Chandrasekhar Rao for inducting Mr Srinivas Yadav, without following rules and ethics.

Now, Mr Naidu has recommended the names of a few YSRC MLAs to be elevated as ministers in the Cabinet reshuffle slated for 9.25 am on Sunday to Mr Narasimhan.

Sources in the Raj Bhavan said there was no impropriety on the part of the Governor in inducting such persons into the Cabinet. According to them, Article 164 of the Constitution only says the Governor has to induct ministers as per the advice of the CM.

There is no clear-cut provision governing the party affiliation of the legislator being inducted into the Cabinet. The Constitution requires anyone who has been made minister to be elected from either House within six months.

It is for the political authority like the Chief Minister to follow guidelines or principles before recommending the names to the Governor. In the case of Mr Srinivas Yadav, he was an MLA before swearing-in and did not suffer any disqualification, the source said.

The TD had moved courts over the induction of Mr Srinivas Yadav, who neither left his Telugu Desam seat nor was disqualified under the anti-defecton law. However, the courts did not issue any notice to the Governor as he enjoys immunity under Article 361 of the Consitution.

Notices were served to the Speaker on the matters of disqualification and the issue is still pending in the court. The announcement of Mr Srinivas Yadav that he had tendered his resignation as MLA and member of the Telugu Desam a few hours before being sworn in as minister drew flak.

Though he said he had tendered his resignation, the fate of his resignation letter is unknown. Speaker Madhusudana Chary subsequently recognised 12 out of the 15 TD MLAs  who formed two-thirds of the TD Legislature Party  as having merged with the ruling TRS Legislature Party almost after a year of this episode; Mr Srinivas Yadav was among them.

Mr Chandrasekhar Rao has so far admitted 25 Opposition legislators into the TRS since 2014. Mr Naidu who has been demanding defectors should resign before joining another party, had also admitted 21 YSRC MLAs out of 67 into his party, without insisting on resignations of their membership of the House and is now inducting them into the Cabinet.
Bengaluru: In a stinging rebuke to the Narendra Modi dispensation on its attempt to impose an "Orwellian, majoritarian" structure on an India until "only one view, one faith and one viewpoint" prevails, former home minister P. Chidambaram said: "real issues have been swept aside and momentous issues are represented as the government model. This is a hegemonic and a majoritarianism system, nothing but a reframing of Hindutva."

He was speaking at the launch of his book Fearless in Opposition in Bengaluru on Saturday. Asked about the all pervasive hold of the RSS-BJP on the electorate, the old time Congressman while acknowledging that the Congress was in the midst of a leadership crisis, said that if the recent assembly polls showed one thing, it was that the regional parties were losing their voice, and that it was either the BJP or the Congress that was in contention.

"The loss in Goa showed that the Congress was not fast enough on its feet, we were slow. Only the fastest win. Although, if one goes by that definition, then the man who should have won should be Usain Bolt," he said as the largely youthful audience at St Joseph's College erupted in laughter.

Explaining the rise of the BJP, he likened the grass-roots structure of the RSS-BJP of today as being similar to the village to village presence that the Congress had through the 50s, 60s and 70s.

"Ours is not so much a leadership crisis as an organizational crisis. Once we start building our base up from the bottom, we can start reversing the tide," he said, predicting that the fight in all the forthcoming assembly elections from Gujarat to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, the battle would be between the Congress and the BJP.

He reserved his greatest ire for the change that the government was making on the use of the Aadhaar card. Calling strongly for firewalls to protect personal privacy as authorities stepped up moves to access all personal data by making the Aadhaar card mandatory for all transactions, Mr. Chidambaram who also served as Finance Minister under the Manmohan Singh government said "We are moving too fast to an Orwellian state."

"Nobody realizes the magnitude of invasion of privacy. If Aadhaar extends to travel, insurance we need a firewall to protect the privacy. Why should the Government know my medical history or my bank account details? If this is the Government, I don't want to be part of it," he said.

Acknowledging that the UPA government was indeed instrumental in instituting Aadhaar, he said," We started this to provide subsidy, scholarship, LPG, MNREGA bank account, to avoid duplication of identity cards.

But the NDA government has changed the parameters... It's gross!" he said, in response to a question from the mainly youthful audience at St Joseph's College on the perceived "misuse" of Aadhaar.

In response to another question, he said, "If the state stokes fear, concentrates on what you eat, what you wear, who you love, marry, talk to, it promotes a sectarian identity. This is not our problem. The fact that the average child drops out of school at the age of 12 years is our problem," the Minister said.

"We celebrate gods, cows and neglect our children. 58% of children in India are anaemic. One out of three are undernourished or stunted," he added during a lively question and answer session that focused on the perception that the central government was using draconian measures such as slapping sedition cases to quell unrest in universities.

"Dalits were killed on allegations of cow slaughter. They were again beaten up when they refused to skin the animal. It is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Dalits, Muslims, Minority, girls and boys, women live in fear today," he said.

"Nehru earlier said that the Sedition law must be removed. Even if it remains, it must be followed according to Supreme Court interpretation. If someone raises their voice against someone, it is not sedition. Only violence is," he added, citing the example of Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid.

He also accused the ruling party of controlling media houses. "There is a systematic, all pervasive, entrenched control of media ownership by the BJP.

The survey by NSS revealed that out of 2 crore promised jobs, BJP has only generated 1,09,000 jobs. This story came out in only one paper," he said.

The launch of the book, was followed by a panel discussion with Rajeev Gowda, MP of Rajya Sabha, Dr. Aditya Sondhi, Additional Advocate General in Karnataka and Dr. Richard Rego, Assosciate Professor and Director of Research Centre, St. Joseph's College as well as Veeraraghav of The Hindu.
Hyderabad: Former Andhra forest minister Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy on Sunday resigned from the post of Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu dropped him and four other ministers from his cabinet.

According to a report in The News Minute, Gopalakrishna, who represented Srikalahasti constituency, tendered his resignation to Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao on Sunday.

While I believe that I am moving for good reasons, I am sorry to leave... his resignation letter read.

Naidu on Sunday dropped Gopalakrishna, Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Ravela Kishore Babu, Peethala Sujatha and Kimidi Mrinalini from his cabinet in a major reshuffle of the state Council of Ministers since the government was formed on June 8, 2014.

Naidu had already told his friend Gopalakrishna that he would be dropped due to his poor health. Besides, five people were inducted in the cabinet.

Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, four MLAs of the opposition YSRC who switched loyalty to the ruling TDP-BJP coalition, and six others were inducted into the Cabinet.

The strength of the AP Cabinet has now increased to 26.
Saturday saw the start of a nationwide crackdown on thousands of shell companies  that are, according to an official release, corporate entities that do not have any substantial business but are suspected of having been used for laundering ill-gotten money and facilitating bogus foreign transactions  that apparently belong to corporate houses and politicians. The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids in 110 locations across 16 states, investigating some 300 bogus firms engaged in dubious activity. This is quite massive and is only a start. The end results are not foreseeable.

However, if the governments suspicions have any basis, we can only marvel that so many companies were engaged in illegal activity for so long. What does that say for law enforcement in India? What have the agencies like the I-T department, Securities and Exchange Board of India, the RBI and various entities of the corporate affairs ministry been up to if illegal financial activity has been flourishing on such a frightening scale? It appears that the massive operation has originated in the Prime Ministers Office whose directive is to rid India of the sin of black money. This would suggest thieves and crooks are not caught unless directed to do so by the PMO. All news reports related to the subject name prominent politicians in different parts of the country as being subjects of raids. These belong to the Opposition parties. Perhaps more Opposition leaders will be raided, and none from the ruling party!
The Supreme Court ruling extending its ban on bars along national and state highways have led to several unexpected consequences: bars shut in all major cities on arterial roads classified as highways, but which really are highways only outside city limits. Hotels, restaurants, clubs and standalone bars that pay huge sums for liquor licences have been badly hit. The arguments relate to safe driving, which is why the court also insisted that all display boards of liquor vends and bars be banned. This has nothing to do with the larger principle of whether the sale of liquor should be permitted. The regulations that apply selectively to location near highways puts paid to the principal aim of preventing drinking and driving, that leads to a world record number of deaths on Indian roads in proportion to the vehicle population. Sikkim and Megalaya are totally exempt from the 500-metre or 220-metre rule as almost 90 per cent of liquor shops would have to shut to comply with this restriction.

Drunken driving is a global phenomenon that is tackled by governments and cities with strict police action leading to temporary driving bans and total withdrawal of diving licences for repeat offenders based on penalty points and fines. In India, however, the drive against drunken driving is used more to collect bribes, with the police in some states justifying it on the grounds that they pay politicians and bureaucrats to get plum postings and hence must recover their investment this way. This is callous in a nation on whose roads about 400 deaths occur in what can best be described as daily massacre, even if deaths due to drunken driving form only a part of those deadly statistics. There is no arguing against the social principle of curbing driving under the influence of liquor even if we are incapable of training drivers and road users on even the basic principles of road safety.

The excise collection from liquor, which undergoes high sin taxes, helps prop up state revenues, which in Tamil Nadus case, where liquor sale is a state monopoly, is as much as Rs 26,000 crores annually, and offsets the high cost of freebies and other state-run social programmes. The ruling doesnt make a distinction between cities and the hinterland, through which highways run for several thousand more kilometres than inside towns, cities and metros. One way states can beat the ban is to name such highways as mere roads when they are within city limits even though that would mean trying to beat down the principle of road safety the court action was intended to serve. The Supreme Court itself might take a different view when it assesses the enormity of the problem its order may have created.
Of course, no one expected the legs angle to Brexit. Just around the time when Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to trigger Brexit  it was unusual to find the debate being hijacked by whether she or Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister for Scotland, had better pins, as the Daily Mail so politely put it. The two are the most powerful women in the UK right now and under discussion was a photograph of them on the cover of the Daily Mail  in skirts and the ubiquitous kitten heels. They are both good looking, intelligent women  and it should have been a moment of pride for feminists. There was not a single man on the horizon.

To make matters worse, the article accompanying the photograph was written by Sarah Vine, columnist and wife of the former education secretary, Michael Gove, who for some time was also in the running for Prime Minister. Was this revenge being served cold? Nonetheless, the fact that a woman journalist was being sexist and checking who has better legs from between the two female leaders, further trivialised the moment. It seemed as though it didnt matter that Ms May was about to make the most important decision of the century or that Ms Sturgeon was asking her to make another crucial one of giving Scotland another referendum for independence. Perhaps we are still in the dark ages  discussing what clothes women leaders wear and how they look!

The Mails defence was that they often critique the physical appearance of male leaders as well. Oh well  but at least we could take heart that the two women leaders reacted confidently and shrugged the incident away. Even then, it was a rather tiresome hiccup in the history of journalism and one felt sorry for Ms Vine why do hacks lose their judgment? Ms Vine has lost it publicly before when an email detailing plans for her husbands succession was leaked.

Meanwhile, in these days of global terrorism, sometime one thinks that it only takes one tiny stroke of luck to get away safe and secure. I remember around a year and half ago  I was to visit France for a literature festival. At the very last minute I had to cancel unfortunately. The organisers of the festival and I were equally distressed. But the next morning I heaved a sigh of relief looking at the headlines about the barbaric attack. Similarly, a few days ago when Parliament was attacked by a terrorist, we were just lucky that Meghnad was not there. And it all happened through a series of misunderstandings. We had thought we were booked on an evening flight to India, when it turned out to be that very morning. And so suddenly programmes were changed and we left  little knowing that such mayhem was to ensue that day. It was only after we landed and checked our phone messages that we realised that what had happened. Though no parliamentarian was harmed, the number of deaths and people hurt has left the country extremely distressed.

Questions are again being raised about the radicalisation of British-born citizens. Khalid Masood, the terrorist who cruelly mowed down more than 50 people and killed four  was attempting to break into Parliament when he shot dead. While the ISIS have claimed responsibility for the attack there is no denying that many susceptible young men and women, looking for some meaning to their lives  are easy pickings for those who are determined to destroy democratic regimes. Once a person has been radicalised it would be difficult to turn back  and Masood, who converted to Islam, might have fallen into that trap.

Worse, with his history of violence  it would have been very easy to mould him into terrorism.

However, recruitment to this world remains shadowy.

Personally, we had always enjoyed the unobtrusive manner in which the parliamentary security officers conducted themselves. Now, I imagine, things will be much more strict. And the tragedy is that while the strong intelligence networks in the UK have prevented many similar attacks, it takes only one to go through  and the entire atmosphere changes!

And now lets mull over the life and travails of little Prince George who at three is going to attend a primary school  where he will even be taught ballet. Really. The British press has revealed that he have to wear tights and ballet shoes! The school costs more than 5,000 per term and he will be first among the royals to go to a coeducational or mixed-sex school! I suppose the royals are thinking ahead so that Charlotte will also eventually go there.

The idea that there are schools which teach both boys and girls to dance is utterly charming  it takes guts to break the stereotypes which we encounter every day. However, will George be able to pirouette though all the barriers of being a future king? Only time will tell watch this space!
Azam Khan, who had supported Akhilesh, is now upset with him because he ignored the senior leader and appointed Ram Govind Chaudhary as Leader of the Opposition.

Samajwadi president Akhilesh Yadav may have led his party to its worst ever defeat but that has not brought the former chief minister down from his high horse. Instead of building bridges and setting his house in order, he is losing friends with an alarming regularity. Some of those who had supported him through his battle with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav are now regretting having backed the young leader.

Azam Khan, who had supported Akhilesh, is now upset with him because he ignored the senior leader and appointed Ram Govind Chaudhary as Leader of the Opposition. After Shivpal Yadav, Mr Khan has also started boycotting meetings convened by the SP chief.

Members of Team Akhilesh are also upset with their Tipu Bhaiyya, who apparently has no time to discuss reasons for the defeat and is not bothered about the fact that his party is slipping into a state of inertia. Akhilesh has also ensured that he and his party remained out of the media spotlight  he has decided to meet journalists not more than once a month now. Perhaps, he needs his political strategist Steve Jarding now more than he ever did.

The master flatterer

For the Biju Janata Dals saffron-clad MP Prasanna Patsani, flattery has no limit. He always uses it to please his political bosses and that is why, as it is discussed in political circles, he has always managed to get the party ticket to contest from Bhubaneswar.

Not much known for his parliamentary performances, but for his strange dress habits and incomprehensible speeches that often expresses no clear meaning and thought, Mr Patsani once again demonstrated that he was best in his art of flattery.

When a group of journalists wanted to know his reaction on the rumour that chief minister Naveen Patnaiks sister Gita Mehta is coming to Odisha to take an important responsibility in the state administration, the lathi-wielding politician replied: What is wrong in it? Gita Mehta is the daughter of former chief minister Biju Patnaik and sister of present CM Naveen Patnaik. She is a world-class writer. If she comes here, we will welcome her. Odisha will benefit from her wisdom, he said.

When a journalist asked him to name some of her writings, the MP who is fondly called Chicken Baba for his love for non-vegetarian food, turned red and skipped the query. Maintaining his composure, he retorted, I will let you know.

Space crunch for team Amarinder

After the formation of the new government in Punjab, the rooms of new ministers and officials were refurbished in the Punjab secretariat. Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had 13 officers, including various OSDs, advisers and secretaries. Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had nine members in his support staff. Keeping in view the number of the CMs support team, all the members of the CMs team were finding it difficult to find a room in the secretariat.

However, after it was observed that not everyone could get a room, some of the members were worrying about the king of space they will get. To solve the issue, now the idea has been floated that some members of the support team will be given an office in the CMs residence so that there is no space crunch.

River Narmada saves Chouhan

The BJPs stunning victory in Uttar Pradesh had kicked off celebrations among saffronites across the country, but appeared to have made the camp of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan nervous. For the saffron surge in North India, discernible in the unexpected show of the party in the just-concluded Assembly polls in UP and Uttarakhand, has led the rumour mills speculating on a change of leadership in MP run rampant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmed up his grip over the party by leading the BJP to a record victory in UP, and he is now set to change leaderships in BJP-ruled states, keeping in view the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the rumours spread.

The chief ministers clarification that he was not moving to New Delhi had hardly calmed down the raging rumours. The speculation has grown so strong that it needed Union home minister Rajnath Singh to step in to subside it by denying categorically of such a move.

Even the chief ministers rivals, Union water resources minister Uma Bharti and BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, had to be roped in by loyalists to declare in public that the party would go to coming Assembly elections in the state under Mr Chouhans leadership.

Even as the chief ministers camp has heaved a sigh of relief for being able to counter the rumours of his replacement, his detractors however have found the ongoing Narmada Seva Yatra, launched by the chief minister on December 11 last year, as his saviour.

The chief minister has been mobilising saints and hermits all over the country to perform pujas on the bank of Narmada during his ongoing campaign to save the mighty river from pollution. It seems Narmada maiyya (goddess) is very much pleased with his devotion to her and hence protected his chair at the juncture, a dissident BJP leader explained.

But will he be able to retain Narmadas blessings to save his post after May 11 this year, when the high-profile campaign will wind up, they wondere.
Mobile wallets and biometric modes of payments will replace debit and credit cards in the next three to four years, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said today.

"Physical banking in India is almost dead and it is adopting pervasive technologies with such an accelerated pace that in next three to four years, the digital transactions would move through mobile wallet and biometric modes completely replacing debit and credit cards," Kant said.

In the last two-and-a-half years, the government has announced several reform measures that resulted in attracting healthy FDI, Kant said at an event organised by the PHD Chamber here.

"Our foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased by 60 per cent in the last two years. But FDI across the world has declined by 16 per cent ... India's drive for opening up economy will continue unabated," he added.

Kant said India believes in globalisation and it would continue to globalise and not talk about protectionism. "Despite the talks of Brexit, despite Donald Trump government talking of protectionist policies, we believe in globalisation."

India is growing at over 7 per cent, but "our challenge is to grow at 9-10 per cent for the next three decades" to bring millions of people out of poverty, he said.

Kant also highlighted that India has emerged as the country of low-cost engineering, and global players like Renault and Hyundai are manufacturing cars here and exporting to other parts of the world.

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Staying true to the never settle mantra, OnePlus has tested more than 30 color iterations to perfect the all-black aluminum unibody design.

OnePlus has announced the sale of its OnePlus 3T Midnight Black in India. The limited edition phone will be available on OnePlusStore.in, the OnePlus Experience Store, and on Amazon.in (OnePlus exclusive online partner in India), at Rs. 34,999.

The OnePlus Experience Store in Bangalore witnessed hundreds of fans queuing up in anticipation of getting their hands on the Midnight Black variant of OnePlus 3T, the sleekest and most beautiful flagship device offered by OnePlus.

Every customer who buys OnePlus 3T Midnight Black from the Experience store will be offered a free sandstone cover.

Built together with OnePlus' community of tech enthusiasts, the all-black OnePlus 3T comes with features pioneering technology like Dash Charge, which gives users a day's power in half an hour, 128GB of storage with 6GB of RAM and the fastest version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor to give users one of the most powerful smartphones available in the market.

"We are delighted to launch the much awaited all-black version of the OnePlus 3T. Our focus has always been on meeting the dynamic requests of our community," said General Manager of OnePlus India, Vikas Agarwal.

"We have been working on a black colored OnePlus device for over a year now and are excited to bring this limited edition phone to India. The OnePlus 3T Midnight Black is not only strikingly beautiful, but it is also designed to resist smudges and fingerprints that often plague darker metal chassis," added Agarwal.

Staying true to the never settle mantra, OnePlus has tested more than 30 color iterations to perfect the all-black aluminum unibody design. The OnePlus 3T Midnight Black features space-grade aluminum with three carefully applied dark coatings 14 microns thick and maintains the natural look and feel of metal.

Each phone undergoes two sandblasting treatments with various sizes of metal sand to bring out a bright, classy luster. To finish each device, an anti-fingerprint layer is applied to keep the device looking as pristine as the day you first take the phone out of the box.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
The coalition has said it has launched an investigation into the reported deaths. (Photo: Representational Image)

Washington: Air strikes by the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group have likely "unintentionally" killed 229 civilians since the offensive began in 2014, according to US Central Command.

The tally does not include civilian casualties from March -- which could include potentially large numbers of civilians killed in strikes over several days in Mosul's al-Jadida area.

Attention has focused on one allegedly particularly deadly strike on March 17. Stephen Townsend, the senior US commander in Iraq, said coalition forces "probably had a role in those casualties."

The coalition has said it has launched an investigation into the reported deaths. Iraq is also probing the deadly air strikes in the western district of Mosul al-Jadida, where the number of victims is said to range from dozens to hundreds.

The battle for Mosul began in October 2016. As of the end of February 2017, "it is more likely than not, at least 229 civilians have been unintentionally killed

by coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve" in Iraq and Syria, according to the statement from Centcom, the US military command in the Middle East.

Some 43 different reports of possible civilian deaths in the two countries are still under investigation by the coalition, the statement said. Critics, including monitoring groups, say the real number is much higher.

The coalition insists that the IS group has targeted civilians and used them as human shields, making it difficult to avoid civilian casualties despite its state-of-the-art technology.
Washington: Scores of LGBTQ activists staged a protest in front of President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka's Washington DC home on Saturday against the latest executive order on 'Energy Independence Policy'.

During the protest, the LGBTQ activists hosted a "dance party" to "send the clear message that our climate and our communities matter," a detailed Facebook event said, according to the Fox News.

A crowd of protesters took to the streets with signs to protest Trump's administration's stance on climate change.

"The entire Trump Administration has shown a blatant disregard for our planet and its inhabitants. Also, in case you hadn't heard, Trump revoked protections for LGBTQ government employees and removed LGBTQ questions from the census," the event page read.

Barricades were put up in front of Ivanka's residence by the police, although it was uncertain if she and her family were home during the protest, WUSA reported.

The police told WUSA that the event had ended peacefully.

Last week, Trump signed an executive order that could be the end of Obama regime's environmental policy.

The order will curb the enforcement of a number of climate regulations, which the Trump administration says is an effort to prioritize American jobs above addressing the issue of climate change.
Jacksonville: A 26-year-old Mexican woman was reportedly abducted and smuggled to US for surrogacy, where she was held captive for nearly two years and sexually abused.

On the pretext of paid surrogacy which would be monitored by doctors, 47-year-old Esthela Clark starved the victim, beat her with a metal stick and made her sleep in bleach, reports Washington Post.

Clark, who originally belongs from Guadalajara but now lives in Jacksonville, Florida, paid between $3,000 and $4,000 to smugglers to abduct young US woman for surrogacy.

Clark, who has one child of her own, would allegedly engage in sexual intercourse with her boyfriend  then extract his semen from condoms and try to inseminate the woman using a plastic syringe to get her pregnant.

When she failed to conceive, the victim was forced to have sex with strangers and gather their bodily fluids to do the same. However, Clark coldly abused the victim when none of this worked.

After a long wait, the Mexican woman was eventually rescued by member of their church who suspected she was being abused.

Following the polices involvement, Clark was arrested and has been in jail ever since. Homeland Security Agents are trying to determine her immigrant status.
Washington: When America entered World War I, a century ago this week, the European powers were bogged down in a grinding trench war that had killed millions and ravaged the European continent.

Swinging its industrial might and vast manpower behind France and Britain against Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917, the United States tipped the balance of the conflict and marked its own emergence as a global power.

"World War I was clearly the turning point for developing a new global role for the United States, ushering in a century of international engagement to promote democracy," said Jennifer Keene, a World War I expert at Chapman University in California.

Americans had been keenly following the war ever since it broke out in August 1914, showing broad support for neutrality.

But public opinion changed with the May 1915 sinking of the Lusitania. The British ocean liner was en route from New York to Liverpool when a German submarine torpedoed it off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,201 passengers, including 128 Americans.

"It seems inconceivable that we should refrain from taking action on this manner, for we owe it not only to humanity but to our own national self-respect," former president Teddy Roosevelt, an influential pro-allied hawk, told the New York Tribune at the time.

Pro-allied, but neutral

Although public sentiment swung toward the Allies, most Americans nevertheless insisted on neutrality.

Secretary of state Williams Jennings Bryan went so far as to resign in June 1915 over what he considered president Woodrow Wilson's excessively belligerent tone toward Germany -- especially after a US probe found that the Lusitania had been carrying contraband guns and ammunition.

Still, thousands of Americans volunteered to fight for the Allied cause, joining the French, British and Canadian forces. US aviators even joined the French Air Service, forming what became known as the Lafayette Escadrille.

People like Roosevelt worried that an Allied defeat would result in Germany's occupation of parts of Canada, as well as British and French Caribbean possessions. Neutrality made German entry into the Americas more likely, Roosevelt argued in his influential newspaper columns.

"Americans had plenty of time to think about what they wanted to do, they just couldn't agree," said Michael Neiberg of the US Army War College. Wilson, who struggled to maintain neutrality, won re-election in November 1916 under the campaign slogan "He kept us out of the war."

A telegram, submarines and a revolution

Three events in early 1917 changed the equation. On January 16, German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to his ambassador in Mexico asking him to propose a military alliance. Mexico would recover land lost to the United States in an earlier war, including Texas, in exchange for German gold and weapons.

British intelligence agents intercepted the message, decoded it and passed on to Washington. Its publication outraged Americans.

Next, on February 1, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking merchant ships without warning in international waters. The Germans calculated that if they could sink enough ships, they would starve Britain of food and supplies and tilt the war in their favor. They sank three US merchant ships in the subsequent days, adding to the anti-German outrage.

Even still, the Americans "will not even come," German Admiral Eduard von Capelle confidently told a German parliamentary committee on January 31, "because our submarines will sink them. Thus America from a military point of view means nothing, and again nothing, and for a third time nothing."

Finally, as Russia imploded in chaos and revolution, Czar Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, surrendering power to what became known as the Provisional Government.

Nicholas was "a figure that almost all Americans hated," Neiberg said. "It thus seemed -- at least until the Bolsheviks took over in November 1917 -- that the war might usher in democracy."

'Safe for democracy'

Germany's submarine war "is a warfare against mankind," Wilson said in his April 2 speech to Congress asking for war. "The world must be made safe for democracy," he proclaimed. "We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion."

But the US military was ill-prepared for war, its small, underequipped army having seen no major combat for decades. French and British trainers rushed over to train a force that grew at a breakneck pace, and by the war's end in November 1918, more than four million Americans had been mobilized for the conflict.

In a show of bravado, the US military commander, General John Pershing, landed in France in June 1917 with 14,000 soldiers. The next months saw the arrival of a steady stream of inexperienced but enthusiastic US troops.

"The impression made upon the hard-pressed French by this seemingly inexhaustible flood of gleaming youth... was prodigious," Winston Churchill later wrote.

Germany's submarine campaign failed miserably as the Allies grouped ships in convoys protected by warships. No US soldiers were lost to German U-boats.

"There is no doubt that the US made a key contribution to victory," Keene said, "but the Allied victory in WWI was a coalition effort -- the US wouldn't have won without the French or British, and the reverse is also true."

Across the Atlantic, the American economy boomed with war spending. By the war's end, it was many times stronger than any of the ravaged pre-war powers. US banks were also keen on collecting the $10 billion in loans made to the Allies during the conflict.

Peace prompted a new debate: are US interests best served by working through international organizations -- such as the League of Nations, proposed by Wilson in his January 1918 Fourteen Points peace proposals but rejected by the US Congress -- or should the United States go it alone? "That," Neiberg said, "is a debate we're still having."
Washington: On the defensive, the White House is throwing counter punches to deflect attention from three investigations into the Kremlin's interference in last year's election and possible Russian ties to President Donald Trump or his associates.

The White House says the real story is not about Russia, but about how Obama administration officials allegedly leaked and mishandled classified material about Americans. Reaching back to campaign mode, Trump aides also contend that Hillary Clinton had more extensive ties to Moscow than Trump.

Arguing the White House's case Friday, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said: "There is a concern that people misused, mishandled, misdirected classified information - leaked it out, spread it out, violated civil liberties."

The White House has not pointed to any hard evidence to support its allegations, and instead has relied on media reports from some of the same publications Trump derides as "fake news." The truth is buried somewhere in classified material that is illegal to disclose.

The Flynn Affair

Trump fired national security adviser Michael Flynn following news reports that Flynn misled the White House about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. But the White House says the problem is that Flynn's conversations were in the news at all.

"The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?" Trump tweeted after firing Flynn in February.

The White House has called for investigations into the disclosure of multiple intercepted conversations that Flynn had with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the inauguration. The government routinely monitors the communications of foreign officials in the U.S. It's illegal to publicly disclose such classified information.

Officially, the White House said Flynn was forced to resign because he'd give inaccurate descriptions of the discussions to Vice President Mike Pence and others in the White House. But Trump has continued to defend Flynn, suggesting he was only fired because information about his contacts came out in the media.

"Michael Flynn, Gen. Flynn is a wonderful man," Trump said. "I think he's been treated very, very unfairly by the media."

The Deep State?

White House officials say some Obama holdovers are part of a so-called deep state out to tear Trump down.

This week, the White House latched onto a month-old television interview from an Obama administration official who said she encouraged congressional aides to gather as much information on Russia as possible before the inauguration.

Evelyn Farkas, the former deputy assistant secretary of defense, said she feared that information "would disappear" after President Barack Obama left office.

Spicer called Farkas' comments "devastating" and said they "raised serious concerns on whether or not there was an organized and widespread effort by the Obama administration to use and leak highly sensitive intelligence information for political purposes."

Farkas was no longer in government when she urged officials to collect intelligence on "the staff, the Trump staff, dealing with Russians." She left the Pentagon in 2015, just over a year before the election. She says she was offering advice to associates and did not pass on actual information.

Obama administration officials have acknowledged that there were efforts to preserve information that could be related to the Russian investigations, as was first reported in The New York Times. Former Obama officials contend that intelligence was disseminated to pockets of the government where officials had clearance to see classified reports, not publicly leaked.

Still, Farkas herself connected the concerns among government officials about the Trump campaign's possible ties to Russia to the information winding up in the press. "That's why you have the leaking," Farkas said in the March 2 interview on MSNBC. "People are worried."

The Hill Weighs In

The White House has embraced a top Republican's assertion that information about Trump associates were improperly spread around the government in the final days of the Obama administration. It appears the White House played a role in helping House intelligence committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., acquire some of that information.

Nunes announced last week that he had seen intelligence reports showing that Trump aides' communications were picked up through routine surveillance. But he said their identities may have been improperly revealed. The California congressman later said he viewed the reports at the White House.

The White House contends that Nunes' information - which has not been made public - validates Trump's explosive claim that his predecessor wiretapped his New York skyscraper. Nunes has disputed that but still says he found the reports "troubling."

The White House's apparent involvement in helping Nunes access the information has overshadowed what Trump officials contend are real concerns about how much information about Americans is disseminated in intelligence reports. Trump has asked the House and Senate intelligence committees to include the matter in their Russia investigations.

Campaign Mode

Trump won the election, but thinks it's his vanquished opponent whose ties to Russia should be investigated.

Some of the White House's allegations against Clinton stem from her four years as secretary of state, a role that gave her ample reasons to have frequent contacts with Russia.

To deflect questions about Trump's friendly rhetoric toward Russia, the White House points to the fact that Clinton was a central figure in the Obama administration's attempt to "reset" relations with Moscow - an effort that crumbled after Vladimir Putin took back the presidency.

"When you compare the two sides in terms of who's actually engaging with Russia, trying to strengthen them, trying to act with them, trying to interact with them, it is night and day between our actions and her actions," Spicer said.

Rex Tillerson, Trump's secretary of state, has deep ties to Russia from his time running ExxonMobil and cutting oil deals with Moscow.

The White House has also tried to link Clinton to Russia's purchase of a controlling stake in a mining company with operations in the U.S., arguing that she was responsible for "selling off one-fifth of our country's uranium."

The Clinton-led State Department was among nine U.S. government agencies that had to approve the purchase of Uranium One. According to Politifact, some investors in the company had relationships with former President Bill Clinton and donated to the Clinton Foundation.

However, the fact checking site says most of those donations occurred well before Clinton became secretary of state and was in position to have a say in the agreement.
Washington: Country by country, the Pentagon is quietly seizing more control over warfighting decisions, sending hundreds more troops to war with little public debate.

Late last month, according to reports, nearly 500 troops were deployed to Syria against ISIS. This week it was Somalia, where Donald Trump gave the US military more powers against al-Qaida-linked militants and next week it could be Yemen, where the US wants to help the UAE against Iranian-backed rebels.

Changes during Mr Trumps first two months in office underscore his willingness to let the Pentagon manage its own day-to-day combat. Under Barack Obama, military leaders chafed about micromanagement that included commanders needing approval for routine tactical decisions. But delegating more combat decisions to lower level officers carries risks and military and civilian casualties may be the biggest.

Deepening involvement in street battles increases chances of US troops dying and such tragedies could raise the ire of the American public. Similarly, allowing low-level commanders to make more timely airstrike decisions in densely-populated areas like the streets of Mosul, Iraq, can result in more civilian deaths.

The US military is already investigating bombings in Mosul in mid-March that witnesses say killed at least 100 people. But top military leaders have been staunchly supported by Mr Trump.

Also, the Defense Department has quietly doubled the number of US forces in Syria. Troop additions are coming incrementally, in the hundreds, not the thousands and the result may be confusing. Mr Trump hasnt eliminated Obamas troop number limits. Thus, the caps of 503 for Syria and 5,262 for Iraq are still in effect.

But the US military  with White House approval  is using a loophole to categorise deployments as temporary. For example, several hundred Marines were sent to Syria to help retake ISIS self-declared capital of Raqqa. All were deemed temporary so were not counted against the cap.
London: British finance minister Philip Hammond will head a business delegation to India next week in an effort to boost international trade as Britain begins the process of leaving the European Union.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will be joined by International Trade Minister Mark Garnier and Bank of England governor Mark Carney for the high-level talks in New Delhi and Mumbai.

"As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history, looking to boost our trade and investment beyond the borders of Europe and strengthening our relationships with the world's most vibrant economies is more important than ever," Hammond said in a statement.

Nine months after the shock referendum vote in favour of Britain exiting the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday formally activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown for quitting the bloc.

May insists that Britain will pull out of the European single market to control EU immigration as part of her Conservative government's Brexit plans.

Britain is now looking to strike new trade deals over the coming years with non-EU countries, although it cannot do so while still a member of the bloc.

Next week's talks form part of the annual UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and Hammond's delegation will include leaders from the field of UK financial services.

India's "finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with new payment firms, small finance banks and insurance players entering the field", the Treasury statement said.

"This shift presents enormous opportunities for the UK to work much more closely with India's own exciting Fintech sector."

The statement added: "The trip is also a significant opportunity, following the triggering of Article 50, for the chancellor to discuss Britain's new role in the world, as it prepares to revitalise its links with friends and allies, opening up new markets and new opportunities for British businesses."
They got into an argument outside the customers house on Saturday afternoon, and stabbed him multiple times with a knife. (Photo: Representational)

Berlin: A newspaper carrier in the northern German city of Lueneburg stabbed and killed a customer who had repeatedly complained about delivery problems, the police said on Sunday.

The 42-year-old paper-man got into an argument with the 51-year-old customer outside the customers house on Saturday afternoon, and stabbed him multiple times with a knife.

A 23-year-old relative of the victim who witnessed the fight grabbed the newspaper carrier and held him until the police arrived and arrested him.

The homeowner was rushed to a hospital, but died a short time later.

Neither man was named in keeping with German privacy laws.
Dubai: Iran rejected an allegation by US Defence Secretary James Mattis that it was the primary exporter of terrorism and said on Saturday that the main source was US ally Saudi Arabia.

Some countries led by America are determined to ignore the main source of Takfiri-Wahhabi terrorism and extremism, foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi was quoted by Irans state news agency IRNA as saying.

He was referring to hardline Sunni Muslim groups and Saudi Arabias official Wahhabi school of Islam.

Saudi Arabia denies backing terrorism and has cracked down on jihadists at home, jailing thousands, stopping hundreds from travelling to fight abroad and cutting militant finances.

Shia Muslim power Iran and Saudi Arabia, bastion of Sunni Islam and a close US ally, are longstanding religious and political arch rivals and often accused each other of backing terrorism. Relations are fraught as they back each others foes in regional wars such as in Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

Giving a wrong address when referring to the roots and the financial and intellectual resources of terrorism is a main reason for a lack of success by international anti-terror efforts, Ghasemi added.

Ghasemi was reacting to remarks by Mattis on Friday when he was asked about comments he made in 2012 that the three main threats the United States faced were Iran, Iran, Iran.

At the time when I spoke about Iran I was a commander of US Central Command and that (Iran) was the primary exporter of terrorism, frankly, it was the primary state sponsor of terrorism and it continues that kind of behaviour today, Mattis told reporters.
The bus, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dang area, was standing on a road due to a deflated tyre when the incident occurred. (Photo: AP)

Kathmandu: An Indian man was among five persons who have been killed when a truck hit a stationary bus in western Nepal.

The speeding truck with an Indian registration number plate hit the Kathmandu-bound passenger bus from behind during wee hours in Chormara forest area on the East-West Highway in Nawalparasi district on Saturday.

The truck driver, Riyaz Khan from Bihar, was killed along with four passengers of the bus. Five others were also injured in the mishap.

The bus, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dang area, was standing on a road due to a deflated tyre when the incident occurred.
Islamabad: A shrine custodian in Pakistans Sargodha district tortured and murdered at least 20 people, including four women, police said.

The motive was unclear but some officials said the chief suspect had mental health problems and had used violence on followers before. The 50-year-old shrine custodian, Abdul Waheed, has confessed that he killed these people because he feared that they had come to kill him, regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said.

Deputy commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said Abdul and his accomplices gave intoxicated food to 22 people and later murdered them with daggers and sticks.

A local government official said Abdul had told police the saint buried at the shrine had been poisoned and he feared his victims might kill him also.

Local people say Abdul used to beat the visitors who came to him for treatment of various physical or spiritual ailments, Local rescue service official Mazhar Shah said. Sometimes he would remove the clothes of his visitors and burn them.

Two people, one of them a woman, managed to escape Abdul and reached district hospital. Both had suffered injuries. The woman reported the incident to the authorities after which heavy contingent of police rushed to the scene.
The commercialisation of caesarean deliveries, especially in private hospitals, hit the headlines recently following an online petition. It was further highlighted when Women and Child Welfare Minister Maneka Gandhi asked the Ministry of Health to ensure that hospitals make public the number of caesarean births. Figures for C-section deliveries are alarming, putting a question mark on the possible unethical practices prevalent in private hospitals. Spotlight dissects the issue.



The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data has brought to light an alarming rise in caesarean sections (C-sections) being performed in the country. The rate of caesarean section (CSR) has doubled in a decade from 8.5% in NFHS-III (2005-06) to 17.2% in the latest NFHS-IV (2015-16).



Further disaggregation of data between public and private health facilities is even more shocking. While there is a decline in CSR for births in public health facilities from 15.2% in NFHS-III to 11.9% in the latest figures, the CSR in private hospitals has increased to 41% as compared to 27.7% in NFHS-III.



The data reveals that a decade ago when only 18% of the institutional births were taking place in public health facilities, CSR for public health facilities was at a higher range of 15.2%, which has now reduced to 12% in spite of the fact that institutional deliveries there have risen to 52%. Whether its a good or a bad sign can only be concluded after a thorough analysis of factors which have led to this decline.



However, what is extremely stupefying is the steep rise in CSR in private healthcare facilities. A comparison of NFHS-III and NFHS-IV figures tells us that despite fewer number of institutional births taking place in private health facilities in comparison to public ones, CSR in private facilities is thrice more at 41% than CSR in government hospitals.



Many of us may quickly attribute this wide variation between CSR in public and private health facilities to the poor capacity of public health institutions to manage emergency obstetric cases which shifts the burden to private facilities, and hence a higher CSR there. This interpretation at a glance may sound quite convincing given that we all know the sorry state of government hospitals. However, what needs to be seriously taken into account is that any CSR higher than 10-15% in a region is medically unacceptable as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.



A WHO task force on averting maternal mortality after detailed analysis of research conducted in different regions has concluded that while C-sections play an important role in preventing maternal and neonatal mortalities when medically necessary, there is no evidence that mortality rates decline if CSR is above 10%.



This means that C-sections which account for 10-15% of CSR are essentially unnecessary, irrespective of whether they happen in public healthcare sector or private. A CSR of 41% in private hospitals far surpasses this threshold. This should certainly ring an alarm not just among the healthcare seekers but also among the health service providers, including the state health departments and the Ministry for Health and Family Welfare.



C-section is a life-saving procedure which is integral to emergency obstetric care and should only be undertaken when there is a perceived risk or threat involved to the life of the pregnant woman or the child if she goes through a natural birth process. Thus, any C-section undertaken with the idea other than preventing maternal or infant morbidity or mortality is unnecessary and should be avoided.



However, there could be several factors which may push one to opt for a C-section even when it is not required. Most of the times the push may come from the obstetrician who is either not sure about his/her judgement or who has an ulterior motive  more profit by misleading and exploiting the patient. While a case of wrong judgement may apply to both public and private sectors, the profit motive essentially applies to private healthcare providers.



There is usually a wide variation in the charges for normal deliveries and C-sections across private hospitals, which may range from a few thousands of rupees for a normal delivery to a few lakhs for C-sections. Apart from the high procedure charges, a C-section also leaves abundant scope for the hospital to extract more money by extending the stay of the patient at the facility and imposing charges for extra medication, investigations and other miscellaneous services.



Since there is no regulation on charges for services at private health facilities, they can shoot up their rates as high as they want. At times, these expenses could be enough to rob one of years of savings or even push a family to below poverty line. It has also been revealed through regional studies that if a woman is covered by health insurance, health facilities would more readily suggest a C-section as the claim amounts are higher.



Are women to blame?

Of late, there have been several reports from different parts of the country where women have become victims of unnecessary C-sections and hysterectomies. In fact, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently acknowledged the fact and called for strict action against health institutions which undertake unnecessary C-sections.



Theres also a growing argument usually put up by service providers blaming women for this abnormal rise in C-sections. Some women might prefer surgery over natural birth usually out of fear of going through the pain. There are also instances wherein the parents want to plan the birth to schedule it perfectly with an auspicious day or time. However, there are no specific studies which may establish the share of these factors in overall CSR.



Moreover, even in such cases where the woman demands a surgical delivery, the final decision lies with the obstetrician and if the doctor can spend adequate time counselling the woman on ways she can work to make normal delivery a fulfilling experience by getting over tocophobia and explaining both short-term and long-term effects of a C-section on her body and health, the procedure can certainly be avoided.



Theres a greater need to understand factors contributing to the increase in CSR in the country. There is also an urgent need for private healthcare facilities to be brought under strict regulation and monitoring to ensure that unnecessary C-sections (or for that matter any unnecessary procedure) is prevented.



Following standard protocols, such as Robsons Classification, should be mandatory for public and private healthcare providers to arrive at the decision of carrying out a C-section. Institutions should be mandated to maintain strict records backed by due medical justification for any C-section which they undertake.



The Clinical Establishment Act passed by Parliament but not enforced so far could be a robust instrument in regulating the unchecked spike in C-sections in the country. Beyond all, government hospitals need to be strengthened and better equipped to deliver emergency obstetric care so that people are not forced to depend on private institutions for critical healthcare services.



(The writer is a health activist associated with Prayas Chittorgarh and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan)
Malaysia and India today urged countries to resolve the South China Sea dispute without resorting to threat, by exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoiding unilateral actions that may increase tensions.



They also emphasised that all parties should show utmost respect to the United Nations Convention on Laws of Seas (UNCLOS), 1982 which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.



Malaysia is one of the claimants to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law and UNCLOS.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two sides were conscious of their role and responsibility in promoting economic prosperity, freedom of navigation, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, especially its oceans.



The two leaders also welcomed the strong cooperation in the areas of defence and security and resolved to conclude an MoU on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime, apart from agreeing to finalise the Treaty on Transfer of Prisoners.



They also welcomed operationalisation of mechanism for sharing information intelligence, including for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and white shipping.



White shipping information refers to exchange of relevant advance information on the identity and movement of commercial non-military merchant vessels.



"Our wide ranging defence partnership has already brought our armed forces closer. We are cooperating in training, capacity building, maintenance of equipment and military hardware, maritime security and in disaster response," Modi said.



Modi termed the signing of an agreement on recognition of equivalence of the degrees awarded by educational institutions in the two countries as a "welcome step" while Najib said it would be "mutually beneficial" for students.



An MoU between Association of Indian Universities (AIU), India and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Malaysia on Mutual Recognition of the Educational Qualifications was signed here.



The MoU establishes recognition of equivalence of the various degrees awarded by educational institutions in the two countries, and envisages the eventual signing of a mutual recognition agreement between the two education/higher education ministries following technical consultations.



Najib said Malaysia will liberalise its public universities and allocate 15 per cent of seats in medicines for international students. "We believe that Indian students can also avail opportunities in Malaysia," he said.



The two leaders also welcomed the signing of an MoU between Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia and National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, in December 2016, envisaging cooperation in the field of education, training, research and popularisation of Ayurveda system of medicine in Malaysia.



They expressed satisfaction on the finalisation of the MoU to establish a Chair for Ayurveda in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia  the first such initiative in Malaysia in Indian traditional medicine.
Britain's nuclear power stations and airports have been instructed to "remain resilient" against potential terrorist attacks, amid fears that their systems may be targeted by hackers, according to a media report.



Security services have issued a series of alerts in the past 24 hours, warning that terrorists may have developed ways of bypassing safety checks, The Sunday Telegraph reported.



Intelligence agencies believe ISIS and other terrorist groups may have developed methods of planting explosives in mobile phones and laptops that can evade airport security screening methods.



It was this intelligence which is understood to have led the US and the UK to ban travellers from a number of countries carrying laptops and large electronic devices on board.



Now there are concerns that terrorists will use the techniques to bypass screening devices at European and US airports, the paper said. There were also fears that computer hackers were trying to bypass nuclear power station security measures, it said.



Security services fear that some will nonetheless try to exploit "vulnerabilities" in the nuclear industrys internet defences. Energy minister Jesse Norman said the government was "fully committed to defending the UK against cyber threats, with a 1.9 billion investment designed to transform this countrys cyber security."



But the threat of attack on Britain's 15 operational reactors, which account for nearly a fifth of the countrys electricity, from terrorists, foreign spies and "hacktivists" remains high.



Norman said the civil nuclear strategy published in February sets out ways to ensure that the civil nuclear sector "can defend against, recover from, and remain resilient to evolving cyber threats."



Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, an independent think tank for defence and security, said that it was crucial for the Government to "respond rapidly".



"The potential threats are wide-ranging and are coming from government and non-government sources," the paper quoted him as saying. "Crucially there has to be clear co-operation with the private sector to tackle this, especially as airports are usually in private hands," he added.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, four MLAs of the opposition YSRC who crossed over to the ruling TDP, and six others were today inducted into the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet while five ministers were dropped.



The first major reorganisation of the state Council of Ministers since the formation of TDP-BJP government on June 8, 2014, however, triggered discontent in the TDP.



One of the dropped ministers, Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, resigned from his Assembly membership.



The veteran TDP leader from Chittoor forwarded his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao this morning. A copy of the letter was also sent to the CM.



Chandrababu spoke to Bojjala over phone and is said to have explained the reason for dropping him.



Governor E S L Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at a function near the state government's transitional headquarters at Velagapudi.



The AP Cabinet's strength has now increased to 26.



The Cabinet now has four members of the Legislative Council, including Lokesh who was elected to the state Legislative Council under the MLAs' quota last month.



The four YSRC MLAs, who were sworn-in as ministers included R V Sujay Krishna Rao, Bhuma Akhila Priya, Ch Adinarayana Reddy, N Amarnatha Reddy.



Veteran TDP leader and party's state unit president K Kala Venkata Rao was taken into the Cabinet while his sister-in-law Kimidi Mrinalini was dropped.



The others from the TDP to get Cabinet berths included Pithani Satyanarayana, Nakka Ananda Babu, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, Kalva Srinivasulu and Kothapalli Samuel Jawahar.



Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, who aspired to become a minister, announced that he would resign from his post but continue in the party.

MPs Kesineni Srinivas and Konakalla Narayana tried to pacify Bonda but the latter remained firm on his decision.



Government whip Ch Prabhakar was also apparently upset that his rival Pithani Satyanarayana, who joined the TDP on the eve of 2014 elections, was made a minister.



In Kadapa district, the home turf of YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, there was some resentment among those opposed to Adinarayana Reddy, who has been made a minister.



Rama Subba Reddy, senior TDP leader from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa, strongly opposed the inclusion of Adinarayana Reddy in the Cabinet and threatened to quit the party.



A Cabinet berth was a birthday gift today for 28-year-old Akhila Priya, who is the youngest minister in the state Cabinet.



At 34, Lokesh is the second youngest minister in the AP Cabinet while Deputy Chief Minister (Revenue) K E Krishna Murthy, aged 79, is the oldest.



In all, 21 out of 67 MLAs of the YSRC switched loyalty to the TDP since February 2016.



Of them, one Bhuma Nagi Reddy died last month.



Those dropped from the Cabinet are Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, Kimidi Mrinalini, Peethala Sujatha and Ravela Kishore Babu.



Palle held many portfolios like Information and Public Relations, Information Technology, Telugu Language and Culture, Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Telugu Affairs.



However, Palle has now been made the government chief whip, the post that has a Cabinet minister's rank.



Though it was initially expected that Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana too would be dropped and handed a special responsibility with Cabinet minister's rank, the Chief Minister was said to have decided against it.


Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today reiterated the state's inability to release Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, and said that there was no sufficient water in the state's reservoirs at present.



An official delegation from Tamil Nadu had yesterday held meetings with Karnataka Chief Secretary Subhash Khuntia and other state government officials here, with a request to release three tmcft of Cauvery water on humanitarian grounds.



"Their (Tamil Nadu) officials had come...they have had meeting with our Chief Secretary. We have explained to them that there is no water in our Cauvery reservoirs. We have told them that if there are rains and we get water, we will give for drinking," Siddaramaiah told reporters. He said "now, we don't have water to give them."



A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra had on March 21 said all interim orders of releasing 2,000 cusecs of Cauvery water by Karnataka would continue to be in force till further orders.



Following this, the Karnataka government had expressed its inability in supplying Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in line with the Apex Court's directive, saying the state itself is facing a shortage of drinking water.



Meanwhile, Former Chief Minister S M Krishna,who recently joined BJP,termed as "correct," the state's stand not to release water to Tamil Nadu, citing the reason that water level in the reservoirs was just enough for drinking water needs.



Noting that Tamil Nadu's main intention was to get the Cauvery Management Board created, former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy hit out at the state government and BJP Minister at the Centre and its Members of Parliament for not taking the issue "seriously".



Pointing at protest by Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi, he said "the central government can take decision at any time... they (Congress and BJP) are more interested in winning the polls (by-polls)."



The Supreme Court will on July 11, commence the final hearing of the appeals filed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala against the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal on sharing of water for 15 consecutive workings days.




He again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's slogan of 'Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat (Kashmirism, democracy and humanity)' and said this "prime motto" will be used for taking the state to new heights of development and "no obstacle can stop us".





Modi, who was on a brief visit here to inaugurate the country's longest road tunnel between Kashmir and Jammu, used the occasion to tell the stone-pelters of the valley that stones can be used for better purposes -- building infrastructure.





Addressing a rally here, he told the Kashmiri youth that if they ignore the "invaluable tradition of sufi culture", they would "lose the present and put your future into darkness".





In a veield manner, the Prime Minister also hit out at the rulers of Pakistan who are eyeing Kashmir, saying "they can't even take care of themselves".





He said his government was committed to ensure fast-paced development of Jammu and Kashmir, which would also tell the people living under "occupation" in the other parts of the state how they are being destroyed.





At the event attended by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some union and state ministers, Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.





"I want to tell the misguided youth of Kashmir valley, realise the power of a stone. On one hand, there are some misguided youth who pelt stones, on the other hand, there are youth from the same Kashmir who carve stones to build infrastructure," he said.





The message was clearly for the youth who are indulge in stone-pelting in the Kashmir valley and thus risk their lives. "I want to tell the Kashmiri youth, there are two paths in front of you which can determine your future -- one is tourism, the other is terrorism," he said.





"Over last 40 years, there has been lot of bloodshed. My own Valley has been blood-soaked, my Kashmir's beloved youth, my Hindustan's beloved youth. Nobody has benefitted from this bloodshed," the Prime Minister emphasised.





He said if the people of Kashmir had devoted the same 40 years to development of tourism, the valley would have been blessed with tourism of world class.





Modi said whenever the mention of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh comes, remembering Vajpayee was inevitable as he had given the slogan of 'Kashmiriyat, jamhooriyat and insaniyat'.



"Using the same prime motto, we will move ahead with harmony, with brotherhood, with strong will and determination for the brighter future of the youth," he said, amid repeated chants of "Modi, Modi'.



The Prime Minister said development will be pushed further in all three parts of Jammu and Kashmir state -- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.



He showered praised on Mehbooba and her government, in which his party, the BJP, is a partner, saying more than half of the Rs 80,000 crore package given by the Centre over a year back has already been spent in such a short span of time.

"Otherwise the packages remain on the paper only," he said while complimenting the Chief Minister.



Modi said the state had the potential to have the highest per capita income and to realise this, the people need to walk with the government, shoulder-to-shoulder.

"Development is our only mantra," he said and emphasised the importance of 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's cooperation) and taking the youth along.



Talking about the 9-km-long 'ChenaniNashri Tunnel', which provides an all-weather route and reduces the distance by 31 kms, the Prime Minister described it as a "fate line" for the state and said it will take tourism in the Kashmir valley to new heights.



He said nine such tunnels are planned for the state as part of infrastructure development. "Yeh sirf infrastructure network nahi, yeh dilon ko jodne wala network hai (This is a network, not only of infrastructure, but to connect the hearts)."



"The tunnel not only reduces distance between Kashmir and Jammu, it is a long jump for the development of Jammu and Kashmir," the Prime Minister said.



Elaborating on his "fate line" comment, Modi said the tunnel will greatly benefit the people of Kashmir, particularly the farmers who would suffer losses because their produce like fruits and vegetables would perish due to prolonging of their journeys from the valley to other parts of the country.



"The (Kashmir-Jammu) highway would be closed for days due to landslides and as a result the produce of the farmers would perish before reaching the market. So this tunnel is a boon for the farmers. Now, their produce, their fruits, vegetables will reach Delhi in time and they will no more suffer financial losses," he said.



Another benefit of the world-class tunnel, he said, was that tourist flow to the Kashmir valley can increase as the travellers will no longer have to worry about getting stranded on the highway because of landslides.



Modi added that the tunnel will be a matter of discussion for environmentalists, not only in India but across the world, since it has been built by cutting through the mighty Himalayas. "For the environmentalists, it is a big news and hope," he added.

Sending out a message to the misguided youth of Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said "40 years of bloodshed" has not benefitted anyone and that they should choose tourism over terrorism to ensure the state's development and well-being.
The Bangalore School of Musics recently concluded 15th East West Music and Dance Encounter featuring over a 100 Indian and international artistes, offered many of the BSM students a valuable opportunity to perform in various concerts at venues across the city.



In a rare opportunity for youngsters across Bengaluru and even other cities to learn to play in an orchestra and be part of one, from April 3 to April 8, The Bangalore School of Music will host a week-long Orchestral Development Workshop for students of violin, cello and other string instruments, led by world renowned cellist Avery Waite, from Juilliard School of Music, USA.



The Avery Waite Strings Workshop will culminate in a concert on April 8, where participants will be given the opportunity to display on stage all that they have learnt during that one week.



A nominal fee of Rs 750 per child will be charged for the workshop.



A graduate of The Juilliard School and Oberlin Conservatory, American cellist Avery Waite is an active performer, conductor and international music education advocate, actively involved in cultural diplomacy projects.



Avery has performed and taught at music programmes around the world, including in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Jamaica and El Salvador.



In his current role as programme manager for MusAid, a music education non-profit organisation, he works to support socially-minded music projects in countries emerging from conflict by leading teacher-training and orchestral workshops.



Avery is also on faculty with American Voices, a US State Department organisation at the forefront of cross-cultural engagement.



He is a recipient of a 2016-2017 Fulbright-Nehru Grant to assist and develop music programmes all over India and has worked with students in Goa, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.



For details, call 7760789580 or 9611980876.


A 38-year-old German woman tourist was allegedly sexually assaulted at Mahabalipuram beach.



In her complaint to the police, the victim alleged that she was forcibly taken away and sexually assaulted by some men, a district police official told PTI.



The official said the incident took place when the victim was taking a stroll alone along the sea shore in the tourist town of Mahabalipuram.



The woman was taken to a hospital for medical examination and the probe is on, he said. Several persons are being questioned and some of them have been detained, he added.
Police personnel should take a pledge to stay out of corrupt practices for a better tomorrow, said Deputy Commissioner G Satyavati.



The deputy commissioner was speaking after inaugurating the Police Flag Day programme organised by the district police at the District Armed Reserved Police ground at Ramanahalli

in Chikkamagaluru on Sunday.



When people enter civil service, they come with a lot of dreams and try to fulfil those dreams. But they lose hope after witnessing the corruption in their respective departments. One has to make consistent efforts to improve the administrative machinery make the government services people-friendly and also to remain clean-handed, said the deputy commissioner.



Scientific temper

Satyavati stressed on the need to inculcate scientific temper among the Police Department personnel. The government of India has laid more thrust on the implementation of scientific ways of administration in civil service, she added.



The number of highly educated people joining the Police Department has increased these days, the deputy commissioner pointed out.



Superintendent of Police K Annamalai called upon retired police staff to keep in touch with the officers and staff of the department.



The district police has appointed a nodal officer to look after the requirements of retired police staff. Grievance



redress meetings will be held by the department, to look into their problems, he assured.

Former DySP P Rajan V Nayak said that compared to the staff of other departments, police staff have to go through a lot of stress.



Therefore, it is important for police personnel to keep their minds calm and interact with the public peacefully, Nayak explained to the police who had gathered.Additional SP Annappa Nayak was present on the occasion.
A pharmacy where retired police personnel and their family members can purchase medicines at discounted prices will be set up in Chikkaballapur soon, Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy has said.



Retired police personnel spend 50% of their pension on medicines. The pharmacy, exclusively for retired police personnel will sell generic medicines at 50% discount while other drugs will be available here at 25% discount, the SP said. He was speaking at the grievance redressal meeting held after the Police Flag Day celebrations in the city on Sunday.



He said that the pharmacy would be set up at the stock room on the premises of the rural police station. The responsibility of maintaining the pharmacy will be with the retired police personnel. The date for inaugurating the pharmacy will be finalised soon.



He said that the medical bills of retired police personnel were pending for reimbursement.

Out of Rs 12 lakh available in the police welfare fund, Rs 2 lakh will be utilised for reimbursement. Talks are also being held with Indian Medical Association for providing free medical facilities to retired police personnel at various hospitals.



The SP said that every police station should have information about retired police personnel.

I will give instructions in this regard by calling a meeting of officers. Arrangements will be made to keep beat books in the houses of retired personnel, he added. The SP also asked all the personnel to renew their canteen cards.



Referring to the demand for a site to construct a building for the association of retired police personnel, the SP asked the latter to submit a memorandum again and that he would speak to the higher officers.



Deputy Superintendents of Police M L Purushottam and Krishnamurthy, Circle Police Inspector K P Sathyanarayana and others were present.



Earlier, speaking at the Flag Day event, the SP said that there were 135 retired police personnel in the district and 19 more personnel retired during 2016-17. The money collected by the sale of Police Flags will be utilised for the welfare of retired police personnel.



Retired police officer M S Narasimhamurthy, who spoke on the occasion, said that police personnel discharge their duties round-the-clock, all the while staying away from their house and family members. Unlike other employees, who have fixed working hours, policemen toil for the whole day, he said.



Akash Hospital and Indian Medical Association had jointly organised a free health checkup camp for police personnel and their families on the occasion.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the outcome of bypolls to Gundlupet and Nanjangud will not have any bearing on the 2018 Assembly elections.



Speaking to reporters after seeking blessings of Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swamiji here on Sunday, the chief minister said, It is not fair to say that the results of bypolls are pointer to the next Assembly polls. Also, it is wrong to say that the outcome will shape the public opinion.



Replying to a query Siddaramaiah said, Prestige is involved in all elections. Both Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies are Congress strongholds and the party will retain them with convincing victories.



To a query, the chief minister said, We have sent a proposal to the Centre seeking a drought aid of Rs 4,702 crore. But the Union government has sanctioned Rs 1,782 crore as relief for kharif crops. It is yet to sanction aid for rabi crops and flood relief.



On the demand for conferring Bharat Ratna on Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swamiji, the CM said, The state has laready written to the Union government seeking it to honour the seer with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country.Home Minister G Parameshwara, District Minister T B Jayachandra, MLA Rafique Ahmed and others were also present.




With exactly a week left for the bypolls on April 9, both Congress and BJP leaders have set a frantic pace to the campaigning for bypolls to Gundlupet and Nanjangud Assembly segments. A galaxy of leaders from both national parties are touring the constituencies seeking votes in favour of their party candidates.



Gundlupet was abuzz with activity on Sunday as star campaigners Union Minister V Sadananda Gowda and Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge toured villages in the taluk seeking votes for their party candidates.



Sadananda Gowda highlighted the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and sought votes for BJP candidate C S Niranjan Kumar.



He visited Garaganahalli, Hasaguli, Shettalli, Alathuru, Siddaiahanapura, Deshipura and Baragi villages on Sunday. Gowda elaborated on the various pro-people programmes initiated by Narendra Modi for the benefit of economically weaker sections. He said the various schemes implemented by B S Yeddyurappa during his tenure as chief minister are still very popular.



Taking a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Gowda said that the chief minister should respond to the problems faced by people and then seek votes. Congress has been seeking free publicity by projecting the Central schemes as the state governments schemes, he said.



Kharge in Gundlupet



Meanwhile, Animal Husbandry Minister A Manju visited Begur, Nitte, Turalli, Tondavadi, Chikkati, Hirikati, Chikkahundi, Madralli and Veeranapura villages and sought votes for Congress candidate Mohan Kumari (Geetha Mahadev Prasad). Manju told reporters here that late minister Mahadev Prasad had strived for the development of the constituency.



With a few works still pending, people should give an opportunity to Congress candidate Mohana Kumari to complete it, he said. Manju also criticised BJP for spreading rumours against Congress and appealed to people not to get lured by BJPs promises and vote for Congress.



Meanwhile, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, D K Shivakumar, U T Khader are camping in the town and chalking out plans.




India may be reinterpreting its nuclear weapons doctrine, circumstantial evidence suggests, with potentially significant ramifications for the already tenuous nuclear balance in South Asia.



New assessments suggest India is considering allowing for pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Pakistans arsenal in the event of a war. This would not formally change Indias nuclear doctrine, which bars it from launching a first strike, but would loosen its interpretation to deem pre-emptive strikes as defensive.



It would also change Indias likely targets, in the event of a war, to make a nuclear exchange more winnable and, therefore, more thinkable. Analysts assessments, based on recent statements by senior officials, are necessarily speculative. States with nuclear weapons often leave ambiguity in their doctrines to prevent adversaries from exploiting gaps in their proscriptions and to preserve flexibility. But signs of a strategic adjustment are mounting.



This comes against a backdrop of long-simmering tensions between India and Pakistan  including over state-sponsored terrorism and the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir  which have already led to several wars, the most recent in 1999.



The new interpretation would be a significant shift in Indias posture that could have far-reaching implications in the region, even if war never comes. Pakistan could feel compelled to expand its arsenal to better survive a pre-emptive strike, in turn setting off an Indian buildup. This would be more than an arms race, said Vipin Narang, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor.



Its very scary because all the first-strike instability stuff is real, Narang said, referring to a dynamic in which two nuclear adversaries both perceive a strong incentive to use their warheads first in a war. This is thought to make nuclear conflict more likely.



Hints of a high-level debate over the nuclear doctrine mounted with a recent memoir by Shivshankar Menon, the national security adviser from 2011-14. There is a potential gray area as to when India would use nuclear weapons first against a nuclear-armed adversary, Menon wrote.



India, he added, might find it useful to strike first against an adversary that appeared poised to launch or that had declared it would certainly use its weapons  most likely a veiled reference to Pakistan.



Narang presented the quotations, along with his interpretation, in Washington recently, during a major nuclear policy conference hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. There is increasing evidence that India will not allow Pakistan to go first, he told a gathering of international government officials and policy experts.

Menons book, he said, clearly carves out an exception for pre-emptive Indian first use in the very scenario that is most likely to occur in South Asia.



Should India sustain a nuclear attack, its doctrine calls for a major retaliation, most likely by targeting its adversarys cities. When this policy was announced in 2003, it fit the threat posed by Pakistans arsenal of long-range, city-destroying weapons.



Since then, Pakistan has developed smaller warheads designed for battlefield use. These were meant to address Pakistans India problem: The Indian military is much larger, virtually ensuring its victory in an all-out war.



Such weapons could be used against invading Indian troops, halting a war before it could be lost. This would exploit a gap in Indias doctrine: It is hard to imagine that India would escalate to total nuclear war, as its doctrine commands, over a small battlefield strike on Pakistani soil.



This created a Pakistan problem for India: Its chief adversary had made low-level nuclear war thinkable, even potentially winnable. Since then, there have been growing hints of debate over modifying the Indian doctrine.



Another reason analysts suspect change: Indias doctrine initially served to persuade the US to drop economic sanctions it had imposed over nuclear tests. Given President Donald Trumps softer stance on proliferation, that impetus may no longer apply.



Menon, in his book, seemed to settle on an answer to Indias quandary: Pakistani tactical nuclear weapon use would effectively free India to undertake a comprehensive first strike against Pakistan, he wrote.



The word comprehensive refers to a nuclear attack against an adversarys arsenal, rather than its cities. It is meant to instigate and quickly win a nuclear exchange, leaving the other side disarmed. Taken with a policy of pre-emption, these two shifts would seem to address Indias Pakistan problem, in theory persuading Pakistani leaders that a limited nuclear war would be too dangerous to pursue.



For India, Narang said, you can really see the seductive logic to such an approach. This would be really the only pathway you have if youre going to have a credible nuclear deterrence. Shashank Joshi, a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said he suspected Menon was signaling something subtler: a warning that Indias strategy could adapt in wartime, potentially to include first strikes. That distinction may be important to officials, but it could be lost on Pakistani war planners who have to consider all scenarios.



Use it or lose it

Joshi, in a policy brief for the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, tried to project what would happen if India embraced such a policy, or if Pakistan concluded that it had.



First would come the arms race. The fear of a first strike, Joshi wrote, incentivises Pakistan to undertake a massive nuclear buildup, in order to dispel any possibility of India disarming it entirely. India, whatever its strategy, would feel compelled to keep pace.



Second comes the tightening of nuclear tripwires, Joshi warned, as this reciprocal fear of first use could pull each side in the direction of placing nuclear forces on hair-trigger alert.



Finally, in any major armed crisis, the logic of a first strike would pull both sides toward nuclear escalation. If Pakistan thinks India will move quickly, Pakistan has an incentive to go even quicker, and to escalate straight to the use of the longer-range weapons, Joshi wrote. This thinking would apply to India as well, creating a situation in which the nuclear arsenal becomes, as analysts dryly put it, use it or lose it.



The most optimistic scenario would lock South Asia in a state of mutually assured destruction, like that of the Cold War, in which armed conflict would so reliably escalate to nuclear devastation that both sides would deem war unthinkable.



This would be of global concern. A 2008 study found that, although India and Pakistan have relatively small arsenals, a full nuclear exchange would push a layer of hot, black smoke into the atmosphere.



This would produce what some researchers call without hyperbole a decade without summer. As crops failed worldwide, the resulting global famine would kill a billion people.



Maybe it is this Reaganesque strategy, Narang said, comparing Indias potential strategic shift to President Ronald Reagans arms race with the Soviet Union. But Pakistan has a much bigger security problem than the Soviet Union did. And that can blow back real quick.


CCB sleuths raided Aurah Spa & Salon on 80 feet road in Indiranagar and arrested four people on charges of prostitution.



The arrested are Chandraprakash (42), a resident of HAL, Fayaz (38) of K G Halli, Winsent Morres (38) of Baiyappanahalli and Victor (28) K R Puram. The police seized four mobile phones, a card swiping machines and Rs 23,000 cash from them. They were advertising online that they were offering various kinds of body massage services. However, in reality they were into prostitution. They had pushed women from north India into prostitution, said the police.



Another raid



The CCB sleuths raided a brothel that was functioning from a house in HRBR Layout in Banaswadi and rescued five women.



The police arrested 12 people and seized 1.45 lakh from them. Rishi Varma of Assam acted as an agent and trafficked women from north India promising them lucrative jobs. However, he would force them into prostitution once they reached Bengaluru. the police said.


Ramky Enterprises chief A A Ramareddy appeared before the police on Sunday in connection with the death of three manual scavengers while cleaning a manhole at Kaggadasapura near CV Raman Nagar on March 7.



He had absconded after the incident, but had obtained anticipatory bail about a week ago.

He appeared before the police as per the courts directions to make a statement. Ramareddy said he was not responsible for the death of the scavengers.



He said the company had bagged several prizes for excellent work. Ramareddy said his firm had bagged the contract from BWSSB to clean the manhole and had assigned the job to a contractor. The tragedy occurred due to the contractors negligence and the company regretted the incident, Ramareddy said.



The police said they would examine the statement and submit the charge sheet to the court.

Tatta Thavitayya, Dantha Yarrayya, both natives of Srikakulam district (Andhra Pradesh), and Anjaneya Reddy, a native of Prakasam district (Andhra Pradesh), were choked to death while cleaning the manhole.



The Baiyappanahalli police had arrested K Babu Reddy, assistant general manager and in-charge of Bengaluru-based projects, N T Reddy, manager, and Vemula Anjaneyulu, the sub-contractor, in connection with the incident.



Babu Reddy was arrested in Hyderabad and the other two were taken into custody from their houses in Bengaluru.



They have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 8 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013.




Nearly 100 residents of JP Nagar 7th Phase converged at the lesser-known Chunchaghatta lake in southern Bengaluru on Sunday morning as part of a growing campaign to revive the shrinking waterbody.



The 20-acre waterbody feeds Sarakki lake and the downstream of Kothnur lake. The locals have formed a group and visit the lake every Sunday to clear the mess it has become.



While the state government has allocated Rs 6 crore for the revival of the neighbouring Sarakki lake, it has done little for Chunchaghatta lake. Residents even wonder who is the custodian of the lake: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).



Lingaraj Dinni, a resident of JP Nagar 7th Phase, said locals were making amends for not waking up to the lakes neglect earlier.



Though most of us live just a few metres away from the lake, not many knew of its existence until recently. This is because a part of it has become a garbage dumping yard. There is minimal encroachment around the lake compared to other waterbodies in the city. Its water is cleaner than that of other lakes. Many people do fishing here and kids swim. But the lake needs proper maintenance, he said.



The volunteers put up benches around the platform and in the area facing the lake, fenced the waterbodys front and installed lights. They also cleared garbage to make the small approach road accessible and put up signboards that provide direction to the lake.



Srinivas Alavilli, a member of peoples collective Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and a resident of JP Nagar, urged the government to allocate funds for the lakes conservation.



The lake gets filled to the brim in the monsoon, which shows that it has a lot of water-holding capacity. The government must do something to keep it going.




Three months after according sanction to file a special leave petition (SLP) against IAS officer Shamla Iqbal, the government has done a U-turn by deciding not to appeal against the high courts decision to quash the FIR.



The Lokayukta had registered a case against the IAS officer for irregularities in the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Without giving any reasons, the government sent an emergent communication on not filing the SLP.



The Lokayukta police had registered a case against Shamla and others in connection with the irregularities in supplying food to children under the Integrated Child Development Scheme. The Lokayukta police subsequently registered another FIR over assets disproportionate to the IAS officers known sources of income.



After the Lokayukta police completed the investigation and were waiting for the order on sanction for prosecution to file the charge sheet, Shamla challenged the FIRs and the Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR over procedural lapses on October 30, 2015.



The special public prosecutor for the Lokayukta police recommended the filing of the SLP and the legal cell of the Lokayukta forwarded the proposal to the government in November 2015. Sitting over the file for over an year, the government accorded the sanction to file the special leave petition in December 2016.



The copy of the proceedings available with DH shows the government had directed the Lokayukta police to provide certified copies related to the case to the advocate on record in the Supreme Court V N Raghupathy.



However, in the proceedings held on March 3, 2017, the government withdrew its earlier sanction with immediate effect.



A senior official of the Lokayukta said the government had not provided any reason for the sudden U-turn.



The Lokayukta police had conducted searches in connection with the case in March 2012.



Tested at labs



The food samples collected from anganwadi centres were sent for analysis to three laboratories  Pristine Laboratories in Kodigehalli, Bengaluru, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru and National Institution of Nutrition, Hyderabad.



Poor quality food



After the investigation, the Lokayukta police had sought the sanction for prosecuting Shamla, who was then director of the Women and Child Development, ICDS joint director Usha Patwari and others, including Chennai-based company Cristy Friedgram Industries, which had got the tender to supply nutritious food to the anganwadis.



The final report of the Lokayukta police said the food samples collected from anganwadis contained coliform bacteria and certain dangerous chemicals, harmful to expectant and lactating mothers. The government is yet to accord sanction to prosecute the accused in the case.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the government would soon release Rs 10 crore for the retired police officers welfare fund.



Speaking at the Police Flag Day at KSRP Parade Grounds in Koramangala, he said, Retired officers had sought Rs 10 crore additional funds and we will sanction the money soon. The government has launched several welfare measures for policemen. The government recently promoted about 12,000 policemen who have been serving in the department for nearly 15 years, he added.



The police should prevent crimes and crack sensational cases. The police should keep an eye on old offenders to prevent them from repeating crimes, he said.



The police arrested Madhukar Reddy, who had attacked a woman banker at an ATM centre in Bengaluru three years ago. The police also solved two false cases of rapes. Faith in the police department has increased due to cracking of such cases, he said.



Policemen should maintain cordial relations with the public by holding regular interactions. Stern action should be taken against rowdies, he said.



Home Minister G Parameshwara, DG&IGP R K Dutta and Bengaluru Police Commissioner Praveen Sood were present.
The action against illegal slaughterhouses in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is having a cascading effect in Bihar.



Amid a demand by the BJP to shut down all illegal slaughterhouses in this part of the cow belt (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh), the Rohtas district administration has sealed an abattoir in Bikramganj after locals filed a complaint.



According to the complaint, the odour emanating from the abattoir in Quraishi Tola and the nuisance created there has made life difficult for the residents.



No protests



Incidentally, no one protested the closure. Sources said this could be because the slaughterhouses were deemed illegal as none of their licences had been renewed after its expiry on March 31.



The action against the slaughterhouse has been taken under Section 133 of the CrPC, district magistrate A K Parashar said.



Sources said the slaughterhouse was being run from a makeshift building on encroached government land.



The slaughterhouse was running in an illegal manner. No application had been moved for the renewal of its licence, said Mohammad Akram, station house officer, Bikramganj.



Last year, a local, Vinod Prasad Chourasia, had filed a public interest litigation in the Patna High Court, demanding the abattoir be shut down as the odour emanating from it was unbearable.



The court recently asked the Rohtas administration to take action and submit a report in this regard.


Gaffar Khan, 80, a resident of Lahore who is attending the 805th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer, is full of mixed emotions.



It was vey difficult to get the visa, especially after the surgical strike in September 2016, but somehow we managed to get in here. This is my second visit. I was nine when I first visited Ajmer and Nizamuddin shrine with my parents. I have lots of fond memories about the first visit.



No cakewalk



Due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, visit to the sufi mystics shrine has not been a cakewalk for around 402 pilgrims from Pakistan.



The devotees, accompanied by officials of Pakistan High Commission, reached the Ajmer railway station in a special train on Saturday morning. According to the officials, around 562 people had applied for visa of which 402 were granted.



The group include, men, women, children and elderly pilgrims.For most of the elderly, it is a last spiritual wish of their lives. Shabana Begum, 74, whos visiting the shrine for the first time told DH, My family has been trying to get the Indian visa for years. Finally, this year we were able to get it.



For friendly ties



While most pilgrims were delighted, some couldnt hide their tears of joy after landing here. The devotees, who visited dargah, said they have also prayed for the friendly ties between India and Pakistan.



Ajmer Dargah Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin said, Like every year the delegation will stay at Government Central Girls School in Naya Bazaar, which is close to the dargah. The main day of Urs is on April 4 and it will end on April 7.




Indias only Yellow Fever vaccine manufacturing unit at the Central Research Institute in Kasauli is shut for the last five years, even as the Centre continues to import the critical vaccine.



While the production was stopped in 2011 on the pretext that CRI did not have good manufacturing practice (GMP) grade facilities to commercially produce the vaccine, over the years the Union health ministry did precious little to upgrade the unit.



For more than a year, a CRI proposal to modernise the production unit in collaboration with a Russian agency is gathering dust in the health ministry. CRI is one of the three public sector vaccine manufacturing units that was shut in 2008. The other two units were BCG Vaccine Laboratory (BCGVL) at Guindy and Pasteur Institute of India (PII), Coonoor.



Subsequently, an expert panel had recommended revival of the three units. Several parliamentary committees also asked the government to bring them back to life as the government spent hundreds of crores to buy vaccine from private companies for its immunisation programme.



According to the original plan, they were to be ready in their new avatar within three years. While CRI and BCGVL are only partially ready, the new target schedule for the PII is June 2017.



We are appalled at this state of affairs, which ultimately led to our dependency on private vaccine manufacturers for meeting the demand for vaccines under the universal immunisation programme, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health said in its latest report.



CRI is GMP-compliant only for DPT and TT vaccines. We submitted a proposal on technology transfer from a Russian agency that would upgrade our production unit and transfer the technical know how to manufacture the Yellow Fever vaccine at competitive rate. We are awaiting the health ministrys approval, a source in the CRI told DH.



CRI also makes anti-snake venom and anti-rabies sera in a limited quantity. But again a proposal to expand the production capacity of these sera is yet to be sanctioned by the health ministry.



And once the CRI was made GMP-compliant for DPT, the ministry changed the universal immunisation scheme by introducing the pentavalent vaccine. This left CRI with little option but to sell its DPT stock to private vaccine companies at a lower rate, to make the pentavalent vaccine, for the government scheme.




The Indian food service industry, standing at Rs 4.08 lakh crore today, would lose about Rs 2 lakh crore as several bars and restaurants are facing closure.



The Supreme Court had on Friday refused to revisit its order banning liquor vendors within 500 metres of national highways (NH) and state highways (SH) from April 1.



The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), the apex body of bars and restaurants, said it would spell doom for the industry when it gets implemented.



If figures are to be extrapolated to the whole of India, we are staring at sheer catastrophe, in terms of revenue loss of at least 30% directly for liquor and another 20% on account of food not ordered, relative to alcohol and room guest preferring to stay away from such dry outlets, which are close to the highway.



Excise revenue from alcohol is Rs 12,000 crore per annum which would also become half. The travel and tourism sector contributes 7% of Indias GDP, and generates 37.4 million jobs, but due to this liquor ban, at least 5% or 1 million jobs will be lost, said Kamlesh Barot, former president, HRAWI.



Maharashtra would face the biggest impact. An estimated 35,000 restaurants and bars could face closure or downsizing in the Western region alone. This decision may lead to job losses for more than a million employees across India. Businesses cannot be run in an environment of flux or state of uncertainty, said Dilip Datwani, president, HRAWI.



Maharashtra alone has 13,655 bars and liquor shops, of which about 290 bars shall be hit only in Mumbai, while in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, 2,000 and in the in rest of Maharashtra 9,925 are at a risk of losing business, said Barot.



Only licensed bars will stop serving liquor. Unlicensed bars that operate illegally across the national highway may continue liquor service. Travellers who are really keen on consuming alcohol will find ways and means to procure it, and these steps may not turn out to be sufficient deterrents. Drunken driving is a problem across the world and most countries have evolved more efficient and less harsher measures to counter the menace, says Bharat Malkani, former president, HRAWI.



Closure of hotels would not only hit tourism in a big way, as India is still considered to be a tourism infra deficient nation, but would also cause huge revenue loss to the exchequer. Hotels in India are one of the most taxed in the world. The hotels pay an aggregate of direct and indirect taxes to the tune of 38% overall, compared to 5-7% taxes in countries like Japan and China.



Women attack liquor shops in UP



As women take to the streets and attack liquor vends in different parts of the state demanding total prohibition, the new BJP regime in Uttar Pradesh finds itself in a fix, DHNS reports from Lucknow. Several attacks, mainly led by women, on liquor shops have been reported from across the state in the past few days, triggering law and order concerns. Such incidents have been reported from Hapur, Amroha, Agra town, Kabulpura in Budaon and Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modis Lok Sabha constituency.
Thousands of liquor vends, clubs and pubs went high and dry as authorities went full steam to enforce a Supreme Court order banning liquor sale along highways, even as states gauged revenue losses.



In Karnataka, the states Wine Merchants Association is considering meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.



The Supreme Court order would impact about 60 to 70% liquor licences issued in the state, the associations general secretary Honnagiri Gowda said.



In Delhi, 100 restaurants, liquor vends and bars, including those in five star hotels along the six national highways passing through the state stopped serving alcohol.

Even though the states excise department is planning more action, it is currently caught up with complaints from many licence holders who claim their outlets do not fall within the 500 metre range laid down by the apex court.



In the neighbouring Noida, the number of vends no longer serving drinks is 42; out of total 292 bars in Gurugram, the order would impact 106, officials said.



In Kerala  one of the highest liquor consuming states  1,956 liquor bars and toddy shops were affected.



These include outlets run by the Beverages Corporation and Consumerfed; 11 bars in five star hotels, bars in 18 clubs, 586 beer/wine parlours and 1,132 toddy shops have been told to stop serving liquor.



Kerala is expecting losses both in terms of revenue and tourism. State Excise Minister G Sudhakaran, however, has made it clear that the apex court directions would be followed.



In Goa, about 30% of liquor outlets have shut down following the court order. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday met representatives of liquor traders to look into their issues.



The Supreme Court has in an order said that liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways will have to shut down from April 1.



The court has given some exemptions to Sikkim, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. It also held that areas with a population up to 20,000 may have liquor vends at a distance of 220 metres from the highways.



In West Bengal, the police and excise were keeping a vigil on both the national and state highways so that the order was strictly followed.



However, people staying near the Kona Expressway said that liquor was sold through the rear doors of many shops that were shut.



When contacted, an excise official said that round-the-clock screening was being done and bar owners had followed the instructions of not opening the outlets.



A bar owner, shocked by the order of the apex court said, We were completely surprised by the order. We do not know what to do now. Our business has been badly affected.




JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy said the state government should invite Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and Central government officials to visit the Cauvery basin to assess the situation.



Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Sunday, Kumaraswamy said Tamil Nadu is trying to portray at the national level that there is sufficient water in the Cauvery basin. Karnataka needs to be cautious. The sole intention of Tamil Nadu is to get the Cauvery Management Board constituted. I cannot understand why Central ministers from the state and BJP MPs are keeping quiet. The Central government can take a decision any time, he said. The BJP seemed to be more interested in winning Assembly bypolls rather than protecting the interests of the state, he added.



Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that Karnataka is not in a position to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as there is no sufficient water in the states reservoirs even to meet drinking water requirements.



A team of officials from Tamil Nadu on Saturday had requested Karnataka to release three tmcft of water from Cauvery basin dams on humanitarian grounds.



Tamil Nadu officials had come...they held a meeting with our chief secretary. We have explained to them that there is no water in Cauvery basin reservoirs. We have told them that if there are rains and water availability increases, it will be provided for drinking, Siddaramaiah told reporters.


As the sweltering heatwave sweeps the country, water levels in reservoirs in the southern states are fast depleting.



Of the 31 major reservoirs in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the water available is just 253.55 tmcft, which is 14% of the total live storage capacity as on March 31, against the capacity of 1,821.88 tmcft.



The storage of the corresponding period last year was 17% of the total live storage capacity.



The average storage of the past 10 years during the corresponding period was 27% of the live storage capacity of these reservoirs.



Thus, the storage in the current year is less than the same period last year and is also less than the average storage of the last 10 years during the corresponding period, said a report from the Central Water Commission. Though water storage is depleting fast in north Indian states too, live storage is better than the last year, except in Himachal Pradesh, it said.



The water storage in 91 major reservoirs of the country as on March 30, 2017, was 1,858.61 tmcft, against a total of 5,572.30 tmcft storage capacity.



This was 133% of the storage of the corresponding period last year and 102% of the average storage of the past 10 years.



As the Indian Meteorological Department had earlier forecast that temperatures would be above normal between March and May, the power ministry is gearing up to meet the challenges. The IMD said the temperature during the last week of March was 4-6 degrees Celsius above normal, intensifying heatwave conditions in many areas.



The power demand in the northern region would peak to the extent of 56 GW during the April-September period. The demand in the southern region has already peaked to 42 GW, while it has touched 50 GW in the west. The all India peak demand during the summer is expected to be 165 GW.



To address the rising demand for power, the ministry has instructed the states to ensure the transmission network is ready and capable.


Former Karnataka Legislative Council chairman and senior Congress leader Veeranna Mattikattis son-in-law and 13 associates were arrested in Bengaluru on Sunday for trying to exchange demonetised notes.



A team of the Central Crime Branch raided a house in J C Nagar late Saturday night and recovered Rs 9.10 crore worth currency notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.



The police detained 14 people who were present at the house as they failed to produce documents to show the source of the cash. Two cars, two bikes and 15 mobile phones have been recovered from the suspects.



The sleuths had arrested a realtor, Nanjunda, when he was trying to exchange demonetised notes on March 28, and had recovered Rs 3 crore worth old notes from him.



During interrogation, he disclosed information about a network engaged in the exchange of demonetised notes for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).



Mattikattis son-in-law Praveen Kumar (42), a native of Dharwad, has been residing at Sadashivanagar for the last three years.



Kumar had finalised a deal of 58% commission for exchanging old notes, and had stored the cash at one Edwin Rozarios house in Benson Town. He then requested an NRI, whose identity is not yet known, to collect the notes from Edwins house, the police said.



After inputs from Nanjunda, the police began closely monitoring the phone records of Kumar and his associates. On Saturday night, the police were waiting near Edwins house in civil dress. But the NRI didnt turn up and the sleuths raided the house, a senior officer said.



The police produced 14 suspects before a court and 13 of them were remanded in judicial custody for two weeks. Edwin has been remanded in police custody for interrogation, ACP H M Mahadevappa said.



The suspects have been booked under IPC Section 420 (cheating), CrPC section 41B and Section 7 of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017.



3rd time in 10 days



This is the third time in less than 10 days that CCB sleuths have conducted raids and recovered illegal notes.



On March 23, they arrested two persons for attempting to exchange demonetised currency worth Rs 1.28 crore. During a raid on March 28, four men were nabbed and Rs 4.98 crore worth notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations were seized from them.



NRIs can exchange notes till June 30



The RBI had extended till June 30, 2017, the deadline for NRIs to exchange old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. However, Indian citizens in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh cannot avail this facility.



Not in touch with Praveen: MLC



Reacting to the arrest, MLC Veeranna Mattikatti claimed that he had not been in touch with his son-in-law for the past six months. I am not in touch with Praveen Kumar for the last six months. The police are free to take action against him if he has committed any unlawful act, he said. I am busy with campaigning for the Congress candidates in the Gundlupet and Nanjangud bypolls, he said.
Congress workers burst firecrackers as they gathered near a local government school at Hunasanaalu village, signalling the arrival of their candidate.



They garlanded their candidate Kalale Keshavamurthy and Congress MP from Chamarajnagar R Dhruvanarayan soon after they arrived.



Keshavamurthy held his hand up showing his hand, the Congress symbol, before interacting with the villagers. Remember you have to vote for the hand symbol. Vote for the Congress. This time we are winning, he told them.



Having associated with the Janata Dal and later the JD(S) for over two decades, people recognise Keshavamurthy as a JD(S) man.



He is therefore making it a point during the campaign to remind his supporters that he is now with the Congress. He joined the Congress only a few days before the announcement of byelection to the Nanjangud Assembly constituency.



After a brief interaction with the villagers, he and Dhruvanarayan got into their vehicle and rode to Kudlapura, the next village.Unlike Hunasanaalu, there was none to welcome the candidate in Kudlapura. He stepped out of the vehicle and set out on a padayatra in the scorching sun, showing his hand. Dhruvanarayan also joined him. Many villagers, mostly men, followed them in the padayatra.



Though Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree also arrived at the village in her vehicle, she did not join them in the padayatra.



State Congress president G Parameshwara too was scheduled to campaign with Keshavamurthy in these villages, but he did not turn up. Earlier in the day, Parameshwara visited the party office at Nanjangud town.



When the villagers explained to Keshavamurthy about acute drinking water problem, he listened to them patiently and expressed hope that it will soon rain.



He, however, chose not to approach women sitting with their empty pots in front of a borewell all along the road where he went on padayatra. People carrying water pots is a common scene across the parched hinterland of Mysuru district.



People have responded positively. They want development and hence decided to support the Congress. Drinking water is a problem not only in this constituency but across the state. It is because of severe drought, Keshavamurthy told Deccan Herald.



Sixty two-year old Keshavamurthy is a native of Kalale village, six km from Nanjangud town. He started his political career in 1980s and was a follower of former minister the late D T Jayakumar. He unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections from Nanjangud as a JD(S) candidate in 2008 and 2013.


By Leah Burrows

29 March 2017 (Harvard Gazette)  In 2011, researchers observed something that should be impossible  a massive bloom of phytoplankton growing under Arctic sea ice in conditions that should have been far too dark for anything requiring photosynthesis to survive. So, how was this bloom possible? Using mathematical modeling, researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) found that thinning Arctic sea ice may be responsible for these and more blooms in the future, and could potentially cause significant disruption in the Arctic food chain. The research is described in Science Advances and is a collaboration between researchers from SEAS, University of Oxford, and University of Reading. Phytoplankton underpins the entire Arctic food web. Every summer, when the sea ice retreats, sunlight hitting the open water triggers a massive bloom of plankton. The plankton plumes attract fish, which attract larger predators and provide food for indigenous communities living in the Arctic. Phytoplankton shouldnt be able to grow under the ice because ice reflects most sunlight back into space, stopping it from reaching the water below. But over the past decades, Arctic ice has gotten darker and thinner due to warming temperatures, allowing more and more sunlight to penetrate to the water beneath. Large, dark pools of water on the surface of the ice, known as melt ponds, have increased, lowering the reflectivity of the ice. The ice that remains today is thin and getting thinner. Our big question was, how much sunlight gets transmitted through the sea ice, both as a function of thickness, which has been decreasing, and the melt pond percentage, which has been increasing? said Chris Horvat, first author of the paper and a graduate student in applied mathematics at SEAS. What we found was that we went from a state where there wasnt any potential for plankton blooms to massive regions of the Arctic being susceptible to these types of growth. The teams mathematical modeling found that while the melt ponds contribute to conditions friendly to blooms, the biggest culprit is ice thickness. Twenty years ago, only about 3 to 4 percent of Arctic sea ice was thin enough to allow large colonies of plankton to bloom underneath. Today, the researchers found that nearly 30 percent of the ice-covered Arctic Ocean permits sub-ice blooms in summer months. The meter decline in sea ice thickness in the Arctic in the past 30 years has dramatically changed the ecology in that area, said Horvat. All of a sudden, our entire idea about how this ecosystem works is different. The foundation of the Arctic food web is now growing at a different time and in places that are less accessible to animals that need oxygen. The researchers hope their model will be helpful for planning future expeditions to observe these blooms and measuring the impact this shift will have on ecosystems. This research was co-authored by David Rees Jones, Sarah Iams, David Schroeder, Daniela Flocco, and Daniel Feltham. It was supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
Diya Aur Baati's Anas Rashid Sexist Comment About His Fiancee Will Shock You
Reckitt Benckiser is lining up a sale of its food business to help fund the 14.3bn takeover of baby food maker Mead Johnson Nutrition. Reckitt has informed banks of a plan to dispose of its 2bn food division, according to senior sources. The FTSE 100 maker of Durex condoms and Nurofen painkillers has held a beauty parade of advisers. The deal would see the sale of Frenchs, the bestselling mustard brand in America, and Franks Red Hot sauces. - The Sunday Times

Virgin Money is poised to table a takeover bid for the ailing Co-operative Bank. Sir Richard Bransons banking arm is expected to go head-to-head with private equity giants Cerberus and JC Flowers in the first round of bidding for the bank, which closes this week. The Co-op bank said it had received interest from credible bidders after it put itself up for sale in February. - The Sunday Times

Several of Bookers biggest shareholders have sold down their stakes since the food and drink wholesaler announced a 3.7bn takeover by Tesco, amid mounting doubts over the deal. The hedge fund Lansdowne Partners and the fund managers Axa and Jupiter are among institutions that have aggressively reduced their holdings in Booker, whose planned purchase by Britains biggest supermarket astonished the City in January. - The Sunday Times

David Green, the director of the Serious Fraud Office, has warned that British businesses should not consider deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) the new normal if they are caught misbehaving. Green was speaking to the Observer after Tesco and the SFO announced they had reached a DPA over the accounting scandal that rocked Britains biggest retailer in 2014. The settlement includes a fine of 129m to be paid by Tesco. - The Sunday Telegraph

Philip Hammond and Mark Carney will lead a delegation of top policymakers to India this week to bang the drum for British business as the country seeks to strengthen ties outside the EU. The Chancellor will travel to Delhi and Mumbai to promote Britain as Indias financial partner of choice, as the worlds seventh largest economy continues its rapid rise. - The Sunday Telegraph

David Green, the director of the Serious Fraud Office, has warned that British businesses should not consider deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) the new normal if they are caught misbehaving. Green was speaking to the Observer after Tesco and the SFO announced they had reached a DPA over the accounting scandal that rocked Britains biggest retailer in 2014. The settlement includes a fine of 129m to be paid by Tesco. - Guardian on Sunday

Chancellor Philip Hammond is facing pressure in both Houses of Parliament to reveal how many special tax deals UK authorities have struck in the last two years with large corporations. The Advanced Thin Capitalisation Agreements have been used by global groups to reduce UK tax liabilities by offsetting their profits against loans from international parent companies. - The Mail on Sunday

The pension scheme deficit at Sir Philip Greens Arcadia Group has risen to nearly 1bn, which means another headache for the former BHS owner. Documents to be published on Sunday by MPs investigating the demise of BHS and pensions regulation, reveal that the Topshop to Dorothy Perkins groups two pension schemes  one for senior executives, another for the rest of the staff  had a combined deficit of 993m in March last year on a buyout basis. - The Guardian on Sunday

Theresa May would go to war to defend the sovereignty of Gibraltar just as Margaret Thatcher did with the Falklands, a former Tory leader has suggested. Lord Howard said the British Government will stand by Gibraltar during Brexit talks amid claims of an EU land grab for the territory by Spain. It came as Spain confirmed that it would not initially block an independent Scotland's attempts to join the European Union (EU). - The Sunday Telegraph

Sir Michael Fallon said it is "very important to link trade and security" in the negotiations with the European Union over the UK's future deal with the bloc. The Defence Secretary said he was proud of the link and insisted the UK would go on playing our part in the security of the continent, but stressed some elements of that cooperation would require a new deal. He claimed it was not a bargaining process but that all sides would be worse off if there was not a deal. - The Sunday Telegraph
A Letterkenny couple are to feature in a forthcoming broadcast of Saol Gearr  Short Lives.

The documentary will feature on Wednesday, April 12th at 8.30pm, on TG4.

Charlotte and Bernard McCauley from Letterkenny are are one of three families featured in the documentary, and both are very active in promoting the work of the charity 'Feileacain,' which assists parents and families who have suffered a stillbirth.

"Rachael was not going to be yet another stillbirth that would be forgotten,Charlotte McCauley, the mother of baby Rachael said.

The documentary is filmed in the McCauley's home in Letterkenny, in Bun na Leaca and in also in Dublin.

For parents and families the experience of stillbirth is one of pain, sadness and deep loss. For generations stillborn babies were cloaked in a veil of silence by a society that found it difficult and discomforting to deal with stillbirths, who, were often, not officially documented or recognised.

The charity Feileacain, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland, has been to the fore in bringing the issue of stillbirth out of the shadows. Through its support network and remembrances services it has allowed parents give voice to their grief, their bereavement and in doing so have ensured that their stillborn children will not be forgotten.

I think there was a reason that Phillip was with us, even though it was a very short time, he was with us for that short time, but maybe one day we'll find out why he wasn't able to stay with us, but we have to wait until that day, Matthew Lydon, the father of baby Philip said.

This documentary is an emotional journey of parents and families through the experience of stillbirth and how, through memory boxes, bereavement photography and cuddle cots, the presence and memories of their stillborn babies, live on.

The documentary was produced and directed by Donal R.Haughey for Hawkeye Films.
Authorities are seeking information about a pickup truck that left the scene of a fatal crash south of Kinston.

The two-vehicle crash at 6:50 p.m. Saturday claimed the life of Larry Hudson, 59, of Opp.

Hudson was critically injured when the 1997 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating struck a black or dark blue four-door pickup truck that left the scene.

Hudson, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan where he later died from injuries he suffered in the crash.

The crash occurred on Covington County 40 two miles south of Kinston.

Alabama State Troopers are asking anyone who has information about the crash to contact the Dothan Post at 334-983-4587. Nothing further is available as Troopers continue to investigate.
Dr. Jeff Gwynne strolls around the makeshift classroom in the bottom floor of the Dothan Police Department. He grasps his powerpoint remote control while surveying the 12-15 officers sitting at long tables around the room.

He leans on one of the tables, pauses, then tries to begin a two-month conversation.

Who are you? Gwynne asked, not expecting to get a response from the most rhetorical of all questions.

Really, who are you? he asked again. This is essential to being a good police officer. If you dont know who you are then you will never really know who other people are and if you dont know who they are, how can you do what you are supposed to do?

Still, no response. Gwynne urged the officers to grab some paper and take notes.

Gwynne served as a Dothan police officer in the early 1960s before moving north to Chicago, where he served as a beat cop during some of the most tumultuous times in the citys history.

I knew the people and they knew me, said Gwynne, whose Chicago accent has softened some after retiring and coming back to Dothan. We talked to each other. Then, we decided to put officers in cars and have them drive around because we thought it would be quicker and we segregated the police from the community.

Gwynnes point is simple: We have lost the ability to talk to each other. If that premise is true, then the community has lost the ability to talk to the police and vice versa. If that is true, then policing has devolved from preventing crime and protecting communities to simply locking up criminals when they break the law.

Talking, Gwynne said, is integral to good policing.

That means having uncomfortable conversations.

Gwynne dropped this statement during the middle of the first class:

Is there racial bias in the community? If you believe racial bias exists in the community, then guess what? Then there is racial bias in the police department, because you are part of the community.

We have to have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and ask questions and have the tough conversations, Gwynne said.

What followed was eight weeks of frank exchanges between officers of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, tastes and preferences.

Gwynne and Dothan Police Sgt. Scott Owens taught the eight-week class designed to further the Dothan Police Departments Community Policing initiative. Officers met each Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The most recent class dealt specifically with understanding different cultures within the community. The Dothan Eagle was present for most of the classes.

Gwynne teaches leadership classes to police departments throughout south Alabama as part of the Alabama Law Enforcement Command and Staff College, a collaborative partnership with Auburn University-Montgomery, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and various police departments in the state. The City of Dothan joined the partnership last year and contributed $30,000 to the effort.

Dothans Community Policing initiative has been pushed by Chief Steve Parrish. Over the past few years, the department has participated in a handful of initiatives designed to enhance the departments availability to the community, including its partnership with Dothan City Schools to develop the Police Officer Training Corps, which exposes high school juniors and seniors to police career opportunities and follows up after graduation through the citys Hire Dothan initiative.

Other activities such as the annual National Night Out and regular Coffee With a Cop events throughout the city are designed to promote community interaction.

Parrish, however, said the departments image within the community is influenced most by one-on-one, day-to-day interaction with residents.

You dont build upon trust thats already there and you dont have a better respect in the community without proving your intentions are good. You have to work at that and it has to be worked from both sides, Parrish said.

What is community policing?

There are many definitions of community policing. It is essentially encouraging the department and its officers to develop relationships with residents within the community they police, both on a micro and macro level. It is popping into a local business and asking the owner if he or she has had any issues at the business lately, or has noticed any suspicious activity nearby. It is walking up to the single mom hanging clothes or taking the garbage out at a government housing complex and having a normal conversation. It is a myriad of different ways police can leave a positive impression on residents so that those residents are inclined to contact the officer when they believe a crime has occurred or is occurring.

We have to have the trust of the community, Owens said during a recent class.

It isnt meant to solve social ills. Community policing wont solve unemployment or broken families, but advocates believe it will make an officers job easier and communities safer.

Why now?

Parrish said developing a positive interaction with the community has never been more important.

Parrish said policing has been shaped by three seminal moments during his 33-year career. The first was March 3, 1991, when video of Los Angeles police officers beating motorist Rodney King was made public.

The idea of community policing was around then, Parrish said. But, it was just a side note.

The second date was Sept. 11, 2001, which Parrish said changed the focus from a war on drugs to a war on terrorism.

The third date was Aug. 9, 2014, when a police-involved shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, resulted in the death of a local resident, sparking riots and leading police departments everywhere to examine its relationship  or lack thereof  with the community it serves.

That day and the reaction to the circumstances redefined what law enforcement had to do in regard to community policing, Parrish said. Regardless of what your opinion would be of the events that transpired in Ferguson and in the aftermath, suffice to say it brought law enforcement into a negative light throughout the country.

The question then becomes, what are you going to do about it?

Obstacles to effective community policing

Things taught in a classroom do not always translate to the real world. This may be especially true for police officers.

The idea of a police officer strolling through the community, having friendly chit-chat with residents throughout the day and gathering important intelligence sounds great in the sterile atmosphere of a classroom. How can it be effectively practiced when officers spend entire shifts responding to one call after another? How can an officer take enough time to have genuine interaction when a mountain of paperwork has to be done? How can you leave positive impressions with people when you are responsible for putting their family members in jail? How can you be in the right frame of mind to make positive impressions when youve worked back-to-back horrific calls and know you wont even be able to hug your daughter when you get home until youve taken a shower?

Owens said many obstacles will always be there for police officers.

We are not talking about walking a beat one day and all of a sudden, everything is perfect, Owens said. All we are trying to do is just take the opportunities we have to make a positive impression. We dont need to fear being a change agent when it comes to improving relations in the community, whether that crosses cultural or racial boundaries.

Gwynne told the class a story about how policing was done when he was a child in the 1940s. One day Gwynne tried to sneak his friends into the movies without paying by holding the door open to a rear entrance that led to a back alley. He was caught red-handed by a Chicago police officer, who decided to mete out justice with a whack across the backside and a stern lecture.

That led to cackles from the officers who tried to predict how quickly a lawsuit would be filed if it happened today.

It is a different time, this I know, Gwynne said.

Obstacles to effective community policing can exist when the department doesnt accurately reflect the racial makeup of the community. Dothan has a black population of around 30 percent. Only about 10 percent of the departments sworn officers are black.

Parrish said the department aggressively seeks minority candidates, but few make the final cut.

During one police recruitment period between Nov. 2 and Nov. 30, 2015, 117 people applied. Ten did not meet initial minimum requirements; 28 did not provide a copy of their high school diploma by the designated deadline; and 62 did not show up or pass the required physical fitness test. That left 17 qualified applicants: 11 white males, four white females, one black male and one Hispanic male.

A second recruitment period between July 1 and July 31, 2016, yielded similar results. Of the 143 applicants, 14 did not meet minimum requirements; 37 did not provide a high school diploma; 52 did not schedule the required physical fitness test; 10 did not pass the physical fitness test. That left 30 qualified applicants: 22 white males, one white female, six black males and one black female.

Improving the image

Generally, the officers in the leadership class believe the Dothan Police Department does things the right way and that the image of the department has been affected by inflated publicity of fake news.

They dont claim everyone always hits the right note. They acknowledge bad apples will always exist, but angrily reject any notion the whole barrel is contaminated. It is offensive to many officers who put themselves in harms way on a daily basis to be accused of being part of a conspiracy to harm the members they protect. They believe inaccurate media reports make their job much more difficult than it has to be.

On one hand, they want people to know about the time they changed a womans tire in the rain or the time they stopped a mom who owed hundreds of dollars in fines, only to let her go after deciding she had just enough money to keep her children fed. They want people to know about the numerous times they saved children from harm by wading into dangerous domestic situations. They want people to know about the time they got a man to his sick relative in time to say his goodbyes before the relative died.

On the other hand, they believe the police "attaboys" will only serve to increase the volume of those who believe they have been victimized by police.

Gwynne said the spotlight on police has never been brighter.

You can all do it right, Gwynne told the class. You only need one moron.

A community survey is underway to gauge residents attitudes toward police. Parrish plans to use it as a tool to help guide community policing initiatives.

We know we will have setbacks. We dont think we will ever reach a point to where we think we have arrived in this area. This is something, I hope, that will always be a priority, Parrish said.
Agnes McCann (nee Lynch) Ashbrooke, Avenue Road and formerly of Church View, Dunleer died peacefully on January 29th 2017 surrounded by her family in the loving care of Blackrock Abbey Nursing Home.

Agnes was a kind, fun loving lady who enjoyed life and was always ready for any outing and enjoyed many holidays both at home and abroad.

Agness health had deteriorated over the past few years and her passing is mourned by her daughter, Una Mackin, sons, Fergus and Kevin, sister, Bridie Truman, their families, as well as her neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Fergus, son, Tom, daughter, Ann McLoughlin, along with brothers, Harry, Luke and Bernard, sisters Josephine and Gretta.

She was the second youngest of seven children of Sergeant Bernard and Gretta Lynch from Castlebellingham. On leaving school she went to work in the hotel and hospitality service, working in such places as The Gwent in Drogheda, The Queens in Dundalk and also Bellingham Castle.

Having met her husband at the carnival in Annagassan, they married in 1955 in Birmingham, England, but returned to settle in Dunleer. Fergus went to Canada in 1958 as did many men of that time, but unfortunately became very ill and returned in 1960. They then settled in Church View, Dunleer where they resided for over 25 years.

She was a great home maker and her family came first. Her love of cooking and baking saw her develop a little cottage industry supplying Christmas puddings to a large number of hotels in both Drogheda and Dundalk, and assisted by her husband Fergus they would work very hard from October until December.

In 1985 they moved to The Dales in Clogherhead. Here they stayed until they got the opportunity to buy a boat on the Shannon.

They moved to Ashbrooke in Dundalk in 1991 to be closer to their children. They would spend six or seven months every year travelling up and down the waterways of Ireland in the days without the aid of a mobile phone on their boat named Ferag.

They enjoyed many happy summers doing this. Their son Fergus gave a very funny and moving eulogy at the beginning of Mass where he recounted some amusing stories of these times.

The sudden death of Fergus in January 2002 was a devastating blow for Agnes. Unfortunately her son Tom passed away not long afterwards in September 2003. Her daughter Ann (McLoughlin) passed away in October 2015 but Agnes was never aware of her passing as the progression of Alzheimers had affected her greatly at this time. Her health declined as this terrible illness robbed her of all that she treasured in her everyday life.

She was an active participant in her church, Grace Fellowship.

She enjoyed all their services and prayer meetings and loved her involvement with the Grace Grans. She was also a member of the Dundalk Active Retired Club until her illness prevented her from attending their organised outings and meetings.

Agness death is very deeply regretted by her daughter, Una Mackin, Dunmahon, sons, Fergus, Monasterboice and Kevin, Baloran, Louth, sister, Bridie Truman, Derby, England, sons in law, Colm and Marius, daughters in law, Marian, Sandra and Bernie, grandchildren, Grace, Nicky, Thomas, Rory, Yvonne, Paul, Claire, Dearbhla, David, Luke, Oisin, Aislinn, Aaron, Andrew, Chloe and Aoife, great grandchildren, Amy, Jack, Louis, Elliot and Conan.

A beautiful celebration of Agness life took place in Blackrock Abbey Nursing home with many of her friends from Grace Fellowship attending. Pastor Hassan Boyle spoke of the lady that was Agnes, of her life and of her eternal resting place in Heaven. Her two grandchildren provided the beautiful music.

Her remains were then taken to the residence of her daughter Una Mackin in Dunmahon where an extraordinary number of people came to pay their respects. Agnes was then taken to St. Bridgets Church Dunleer.

Fr. Michael Murtagh celebrated a most beautiful funeral Mass. The Readings were given by daughter, Una and daughter in law, Bernie McCann. Prayers of the Faithful were given by her grandchildren, Rory Mackin, Paul McLoughlin, Dearbhla Mackin, David McLoughlin and Yvonne McCann and Oisin McCann. Once again Andrew and Chloe McCann provided the most beautiful and fitting music for their grandmother who was always so proud of their great talent

The Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by son in law, Marius McLoughlin and daughter in law, Marian McCann.

Burial then took place in Dromin where she was laid to rest beside her husband Fergus.
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In an effort to cool the atmosphere, Harvard University will inject aerosols 12 miles into the atmosphere, leading the charge on the largest geoengineering study to ever take place.

The first two small-scale dispersals will consist of water and calcium carbonatetwo naturally occurring aerosols that regulate Earths radiation balance. The idea is to mimic a volcanic eruption, which has been shown in previous studies to have some offsetting effects to atmospheric temperature. Scientist plan to have this first step completed by 2022.

If the first stage is successful, a limestone compound would then be used, which scientists believe will act as a shield against incoming solar radiation and not deplete the ozone layer.

The project was launched following a major conference in Washington, DC last week. Funding for this effort is being provided by Bill Gates and other foundations. This massive $20 million project is believed to be the last hope to combat climate change, or could become the drastic measure for scientists if all other climate action fails.

[Its] a terrifying prospect, Frank Keutsch, Harvard professor and lead scientist, said. At the same time, we should never choose ignorance over knowledge in a situation like this.

But, there is cause for concern. Mimicking an eruption could be fatal, such as the Mount Tambora eruption in 1815, which caused disease, crop failure and ultimately famine, killing more than 200,000 people. There is a lot of uncertainty about a project at this level and the vast majority of scientists disagree with the approach, saying it is not thought out and could be catastrophic.

Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany, studied five geoengineering schemes and concluded theyre either relatively ineffective with limited warming reductions, or they have potentially severe side effects and cannot be stopped without causing rapid climate change.

And, as David Suzuki warned, These unintended consequences come partly from our tendency to view things in isolation, without understanding how all nature is interconnected. Were now facing the most serious unintended consequence ever: climate change from burning fossil fuels. Some proposed solutions may also result in unforeseen outcomes.

https://twitter.com/rustygreen59/statuses/451996066951356417

Likewise, Friends of the Earth climate and energy program director, Ben Schreiber said, The side effects of geoengineering interventions are unknown and untested. One countrys experiments, therefore, could have devastating effects on other countries and the global climate system.

Nonetheless, Wagner and his team are sticking by their plans. Janos Pasztor, Ban Ki-moons assistant climate chief at the UN who now leads a geoengineering governance initiative, said the particles injected and their effects will be minimal. Pasztor strongly believes that the window of opportunity to turn the climate around is practically gone at this point.

Regardless of the debate, what comes of this study will be either a real lesson or a huge failure.

It is appropriate that we spend money on solar geoengineering research, said Kevin Anderson, the deputy director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. But we also have to aim for 2C with climate mitigation and act as though geoengineering doesnt work, because it probably wont.
(Photo: ICAN)

Religious groups at a U.N. conference urging governments to make decisive progress toward establishing a framework for completely eliminating nuclear weapons, found that the world nuclear powers boycotted the meeting.

The wide-ranging faith groups that included Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, made their call on governemnts in a statement read on the second day of the U.N. conference to begin negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons.

Their message was titled: "Faith Communities Concerned about Nuclear Weapons."

At the same conference on March 28, Pope Francis said in a message, "The ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons becomes both a challenge and a moral and humanitarian imperative."

The message was presented by Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, secretary for relations with states.

"International peace and stability cannot be based on a false sense of security, on the threat of mutual destruction or total annihilation, or on simply maintaining a balance of power," said the Pope.

"It is an exercise in hope and it is my wish that it may also constitute a decisive step along the road towards a world without nuclear weapons. Although this is a significantly complex and long-term goal, it is not beyond our reach."

Jasmin Nario-Galace of Pax Christi Pilipinas read a separate joint statement on behalf of Faith Communities Concerned about Nuclear Weapons before representatives of some 120 governments taking part in the negotiations.

The talks took place at U.N. Headquarters in New York and continued until March 31.

FAITH GROUPS WORKING FOR NO ATOMIC WEAPONS

Nario-Galace was quoted in a statement saying, "As various faith communities working for a world without nuclear weapons, we aim to show that we share the same aspirations for peace and for a world where people live without fear."

The signatories included more than 20 individuals representing diverse faith groups from Pax Christi and the World Council of Churches to Islamic organizations; Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist association; the Quakers in Britain and Religions for Peace.

The groups stressed that nuclear weapons manifest a total disregard for the shared ethical values of religious faiths.

At the start of the U.N. conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, Kim Won-soo, the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs highlighted that creating a world free of such weapons is a common obligation of all States  both nuclear and non-nuclear  and called for their inclusive engagement.

"Let us all work harder and more creatively, so that we can achieve our common goal of a world, safer and more secure, without nuclear weapons, and better for all," said Kim.

Nuclear weapon States justify their continued existence as a deterrence irresponsible nations or other hostile countries with these deadly weapons.

Chow Chung-yan wrote in an op-ed in the Hong Kong's South China Morning Post on April 2, "Among the crazy things that took place this week, here is one that is not getting much attention: the United Nations called for a meeting ...to continue negotiations for a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons.

"But nearly 40 countries  including the US, China, Russia, Britain and France  decided to skip it," wrote Chow.

"None of the participants from the 100 countries attending the meeting belong to the group of States in possession of nuclear weapons."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Hayley said, "As a mom, as a daughter, there is nothing I want more for my family than a world with no nuclear weapons. But we have to be realistic."

She spoke as she and colleagues from Britain, France and about 20 other nations, not all of them nuclear nations, gathered outside the General Assembly hall to show opposition to the talks starting inside, The Associated Press reported.

Haley argued that a treaty would end up disarming nations "trying to keep peace and safety," while "bad actors" would not sign it or comply.

15,000 NUCLEAR WARHEADS

According to 2016 estimates, more than 15,000 nuclear warheads remain in global stockpiles.

The group of religious leaders condemned the theory of deterrence and the catastrophic humanitarian impact of any nuclear weapon use.

"We reject the immorality of holding whole populations hostage, threatened with a cruel and miserable death," the group members said.

"We applaud the world's political leaders that have demonstrated the courage to begin these negotiations."

The statement also urges States not participating in the current round of the negotiations to reexamine their positions and commit to joining the June-July session in good faith.

Kazuo Ishiwatari, Soka Gakkai International's peace and global issues director said, "To be successful, a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons must heed, reflect and embody the voices of the entire human family."

Yet, as Pope Francis indicated it will not be easy to negotiate an end no nuclear weapons as those who argue for the nuclear deterrent are also able to strongly articulate their arguments.

The U.S. top nuclear commander on March 31 denounced the draft U.N. resolution to ban nuclear weapons. He stated that before the nuclear age the world was marred by "death and destruction" and that the advent of atomic arms dramatically reduced great-power conflict.

"Can I imagine a world without nuclear weapons? Yes, I can. That's a world I didn't like," said Air Force Gen. John Hyten, head of the U.S. Strategic Command.

He was speaking at the Military Reporters and Editors Association annual meeting, hosted by POLITICO and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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#prosecution Prosecution raids bakery giant SPC in probe into alleged unfair practices Prosecutors raided the offices of the nation's largest bakery chain SPC Group on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged unfair practices of awarding business contracts to...
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Get the latest on all the biggest court and crime news in Essex direct from our expert court reporter

These are the first pictures from the scene in Romford where two men were shot and another critically stabbed during a party in the town.

Police have closed a large part of the of the dual carriageway close to Queen's Hospital and the area around Bridge Close, where police were called to reports of a firearm being brandished at a private event.

There they found a man in a critical condition following a knife attack and two others with gunshot wounds.

A spokesman for the Met said: "Police were called at approximately 5.30am on Sunday, July 23 to private event on Bridge Close in Romford.

"Officers attended and spoke with a number of people at the venue. They were informed that someone had been seen in possession of a firearm.





"Officers found a man suffering from a stab wound [victim 1]. He was taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

"Two other men were found with gunshot injuries. They were also taken to hospital where they are both described as stable, with non-life threatening injuries.

"Two men have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken to an east London police station."





The Trident and Area Crime Command has been informed.



Enquiries continue. Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Can't help with the US component, but I've had lots of dealings with French banks for buying / selling houses to live in (moved 2 times in France) and also for vacation letting. A few comments...



1. The local "directeur" seems to be very important. While he has to refer decisions to head office, he can decide whether to send the file to HO or not. Treat them with the respect that THEY think they deserve.



2. Local directeurs seems to be motivated by two factors....one, clearly to increase business . number of accounts, loans, insurance etc. But the other (more important) is to avoid "problem" accounts which give him more work than is worth it.



So, my advice is to find a small local bank and make friends with the directeur. You need to have your every day account with him so he can see your overall life style. When you want a loan go armed with all the "necessary" paperwork....this means "necessary" to him, not to you. This means passport, visa, Fr tax paperwork, payslips, proof of revenue, US bank statements, proof of address in France. Be prepared to buy house insurance etc through the bank in question....you want your directeur to like you?



You might try to find out (sorry I can't help) how this FATCA lark works for the Fr banks. What paperwork does the directeur have to provide to his HO in order to satisfy "them" in head office? If you can make it easy for the directeur he will be more likely to help you.



Example...recerntly I've bought and sold houses in France, and part of the financing involved selling UK stocks and transferring the money to France. When the money (100 k +) arrived in France I got a call from my friendly directeur. I'd triggered the anti money laundering rules! It was complicated because there were stock brokers with multiple trades, fx brokers, banks involved. I compiled a huge file of proof and gave it to my directeur....."ooh good" he said, "that will keep the useless people in HO quiet".



If your directeur won't help you, then find another bank! If you find one who helps you, then stick with them. My directeur is 1000km away, but he looks after me.



DejW
1. Surname (family name) - is this my birth last name or my present (married) name? Click to expand...

2. Former surname(s) - or is this my birth name? This is my second marriage - is this my other married name? Click to expand...

No where does it ask for my present married name - unless that is my family surname. Click to expand...

Nom d'espouse - does that mean literally "name of spouse"? Or married name? Click to expand...

Anywhere in France that they ask for your "name" they mean your last name. In most cases, they are asking for the last name you use - be it your "married name" or your birth name/maiden name.Probably your birth name/maiden name - but this is a translation issue. See below.Actually, that's your Surname/family name.It's your "married name" as you think of it.In France, technically, your legal name is ALWAYS your birth name - what shows up on your birth certificate. When you get married, if you choose to take your husband's last name, you may but you don't have to. Your legal name doesn't change, though.In French, "Nom" refers to the last name you are using, be it yours or your husband's unless there is another line/space for your "nom de jeune fille" (maiden name) or "nom d'usage" (name you are using - ostensibly that of your husband).There are some strict rules here in France about names and sometimes you have to kind of figure out just exactly what they want based on what further information they ask. Basically, they need to be able to link you to your birth certificate, and if you're married, to your current husband (whether or not you're using his last name). You aren't supposed to continue to use your ex's last name after a divorce, and on remarriage you are supposed to choose either your birth name or your new husband's last name. (I know someone who ran into problems with this because she wanted to keep her late husband's last name rather than take her new husband's last name....)Cheers,Bev
A majority of people struggle to prepare financially for their retirement, but public school teachers and employees in Texas face a particularly difficult set of circumstances.

Im enough of a fiscal tightwad to think that every public school teacher should self-fund his or her retirement to supplement their pension plan, which for Texans is the Teachers Retirement System of Texas. Unfortunately, theres the grim reality facing many teachers about how hard this is to actually do. I learned a lot recently from my teacher friends about why thats so.

The stakes are high because most public school teachers in Texas dont contribute to Social Security and thus arent eligible for the federal benefits when they retire. Most Texas school districts  95 percent of them  have opted out of the federal retirement system.

And the retirement advice teachers receive is either nonexistent or just really bad. My friend Dina Toland, who has worked as a public school teacher in Texas for 23 years, walked me through her experience.

She said the school would typically invite a salesperson from an insurance or investment company to a faculty or staff meeting where they would offer raffle prizes or other incentives to collect contact information. They would follow up with one-on-one meetings where they would scare the bejesus out of teachers like Dina about their uncertain retirement.

Anxious teachers like Dina are often urged to invest in variable annuities, which I consider one of the four horsemen of your personal financial apocalypse because of their high fees, lack of liquidity, low returns and generous sales commissions.

In short, variable annuities perform the best for the people who sell them, not the ones who invest in them.

Dina was convinced to buy into this mess when she was just starting out as a teacher. Ironically, the salesperson herself was so inexperienced that she convinced Dina and her similarly clueless colleagues to withhold too much money from their paychecks, so much that they all had trouble paying their bills in subsequent months. Besides taking too much money, they all bought into these terrible variable annuities. As Dina says, how would they have known any better?

This problem afflicting teacher retirement planning isnt limited to Texas. The New York Times ran an excellent six-part series last year with provocative and true headlines like Think Your Retirement Plan is Bad? Talk To A Teacher and An Annuity for the Teacher  And the Broker about precisely these difficulties. The series featured public school teachers in Connecticut who were sold products that werent liquid and combined high fees, low returns and hefty commissions for insurance salespeople.

My friend David Nungaray, in his sixth year of teaching and administration in public schools in Texas, has a similarly discouraging story.

Early in his career, an insurance salesperson was invited to speak to new teachers like him, at which he was, of course, urged to purchase an annuity. I later learned that he bought one, much to my chagrin.

This year he resolved to open a 403(b) employee-sponsored retirement account, the next big option for self-funding ones retirement.

Helping my friend David set up his 403(b) account was anything but easy and straightforward. David is extremely competent on his own. But we agreed that he never would have been able to do it without help.

As a first step, David asked six of his colleagues in the public school system  chosen for their seeming prudence and likelihood to have a 403(b) account  if they had any advice for him. Only one of the six had a 403(b) account. Not an auspicious start.

David then contacted his school district to look for help. Could David get any investment advice from his school district? No. The human resources department at his school district referred David to TCG Group, which administers all employees 403(b) plans for his school district, as well as many others in the state.

The TCG Group website provides a list of 51 approved annuity and investment firms, with links to contact them.

David had no idea which investment firm to pick. Could TCG Group help? No, thats not its job. Its a 403(b) plan administrator only.

As a side note, I tried for three days to have a substantive conversation with folks at TCG Group, for the purposes of this article. Lets just say they were as helpful and open with me as they were with David.

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.

The next step was to pick an investment firm and open an account. I helped him do that. Having done that, he returned to TCG Group for instructions on making 403(b) contributions from his paycheck.

Of course, then he needed to select an investment, or series of investments, at an investment firm of his choice. Thats easy for me to help him with, so I did. But this handholding happened over the course of four weeks, with many barriers along the way. The barriers would have deterred a less determined employee, especially one without a friend in finance who was helping for free.

Of course, any of the investment firms could have helped him, but he might have ended up with terrible annuitylike products totally inappropriate for the retirement account of a teacher still in his 20s.

Im all for self-funding and self-reliance as a theory, but Ive become concerned about whether it can be done well for most teachers.

So teachers fall back on the state retirement system and do little else.

If you are one of the more than 1.5 million Texans who are members of the TRS, you should ask at least two big questions about your retirement. First, as my main safety net, is TRS financially strong? Second, will payments from TRS be enough to cover my needs in retirement, personally?

If you are not a member of the TRS, then as a citizen and taxpayer you should hope that state leadership is also asking important questions and having a good dialogue around these challenges and solutions. In a subsequent column, well talk about the finances of TRS and that dialogue.

Michael Taylor is a former Goldman Sachs bond salesman and writes the Bankers-Anonymous.com finance blog. michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com

@Michael_Taylor
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Many of Americas biggest corporations, including Apple and Walmart Stores, are sticking by their pledges to fight climate change even as President Donald Trump guts his predecessors environmental policies.

Companies say their pledges, coordinated by the Obama administration, reflect their push to cut energy costs, head off activist pressure and address a risk to their bottom line in the decades to come.

This work is embedded in our business, Walmart spokesman Kevin Gardner said in an email. Its good for the business, our shareholders and customers; if ultimately we are able to positively impact the environment in the process, thats a win, too.

Walmart was one of 81 companies that promised to reduce emissions in the run-up to the 2015 Paris global climate negotiations. The company upped its targets in November, saying it would get half its power from renewable sources by 2025.

Trump signed an order Tuesday that tells the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider former President Barack Obamas climate rules and that rescinds a series of orders Obama issued to embed consideration of climate change in government actions, from where to lease buildings to whether to allow oil pipelines to be built.

Most big companies in the U.S. recognize that climate change is real, said Geoffrey Heal, a professor at Columbia Business School. They need to move ahead on the climate change front no matter what Trumps government does.

Business biggest lobbying force supports Trump on this issue. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce welcomed Trumps order, calling the shift vital to stimulating economic growth. The group argues that Obamas regulations held back economic growth, preventing business owners from constructing needed pipelines, roads and other infrastructure. It also warned that the climate push would lead to a jump in energy prices.

But many of the groups members and other corporate titans supported Obamas Clean Power Plan or have set their own goals. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the worlds largest beer maker, announced Tuesday that it would get 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Nearly 90 companies have made similar pledges, according to the Sierra Club.

We believe climate change is real and the science is well accepted, General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt wrote in a blog post shared by the company. We hope that the United States continues to play a constructive role in furthering solutions to these challenges, and at GE, we will continue to lead with our technology and actions.

Mars, the maker of M&Ms, committed to eliminating its emissions entirely by 2040. Andy Pharoah, vice president of corporate affairs, said Mars is disappointed the administration has decided to roll back climate regulations.

Technology companies including Apple, Amazon.com, Alphabet Inc.s Google and Microsoft also expressed their support for Obamas policies.

We believe that strong clean energy and climate policies, like the Clean Power Plan, can make renewable energy supplies more robust and address the serious threat of climate change while also supporting American competitiveness, innovation and job growth, the companies said in a recent statement.

Other companies, while stopping short of criticizing the Trump administration, said they would keep pursuing lower emissions. Procter & Gamble, Nestle Inc., Ikea, Levi Strauss & Co. and Best Buy Co., which all signed the 2015 pledge organized by the Obama administration, said they still intended to honor their commitments.

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We will continue to integrate sustainability into our business practices, operations, innovation, brand building and culture, said Damon Jones, a Procter & Gamble spokesman.

Many energy businesses welcomed Trumps rollback. The Independent Petroleum Association of America, which represents oil and natural gas producers, joined the Chamber of Commerce in praising his move. So did the National Federation of Independent Business, which challenged the Clean Power Plan in court.

People are going to freeze in the dark because of the destruction of the reliable electric power grid under Obama and the Democrats, said Robert Murray, CEO and president of coal-mining company Murray Energy Corp. Mr. Trump is doing the right things.

Some environmental groups cautioned that action from the private sector wasnt enough to make up for the pullback in federal policy.

Policy is going to be required to get us where we need to be, said Karen Palmer, research director at Resources for the Future.
Will the third time be the charm?

Starting today, Starbucks will begin answering that question when it officially hands over its reins to Kevin Johnson, its president and chief operating officer, marking only the third time the top job will be held by someone else at Starbucks in the nearly 30 years since Howard Schultz first became CEO.

Seventeen years ago, Schultz handed the title to Orin Smith, a longtime company insider, and five years later, it went to Jim Donald, a former grocery executive whod run the companys North American operations. Schultz stayed on as chief global strategist and chairman, yet he remained actively involved  a vocal chairman who spoke out on earnings calls, kept the same physical office at headquarters and wrote a famous leaked email in 2007 about how the Starbucks brand had become commoditized. Amid a global recession, the board fired Donald, and Schultz returned to the job in 2008.

As Schultz sees it: There is no more important responsibility for a CEO of a public company than to get succession planning right.

Now, Schultz and Johnson will again attempt one of the most delicate transitions in business: the handoff by an iconic, wildly successful CEO or founder to a successor. Its a paradigm of its own, fraught with potential for ego clashes and muddled lines of authority. For founders and CEOs closely associated with a brands success, their identities are often hyphenated with the enterprise, says Jeff Sonnenfeld, a professor at the Yale School of Management.

Schultz, for his part, says hes ready. Asked recently whether hell find it hard not to meddle, he said, I dont think its going to be challenging at all. Kevin and I have laid out a very specific level of understanding between us in terms of role and responsibility, and Im going to respect that.

That division of specific roles and responsibilities is also what observers say could help the succession stick this time. Schultz has carefully outlined what he plans to spend his time doing in his post-CEO role: running the companys premium Reserve brand and shepherding its Roastery locations, the companys new sprawling tasting-room-style temples to coffee.

In addition, hell continue to lead the companys social impact initiatives, such as hiring refugees across its global locations and offering college benefits to baristas. Hes got meaningful projects to work on, something hes really impassioned about, said Sonnenfeld, who described Schultzs role in the first CEO handoff as less well-defined.

Steve Mader, a managing director with the executive search firm Korn Ferry, agreed that when many founders or high-profile CEOs pass the reins, they dont have such a specific mandate. They come to work every day, but they basically find themselves as a quasi-supervisor of the CEO, working old relationships, he said. Whats often going on when a founder leaves is an experiment in leaving his or her post.

Mader, who says he knows Johnson well, also believes that the duo have complementary skills. Johnson is the former CEO of Juniper Networks, so his tech background versus Schultzs retail and services history will come in handy. They learned to work together as CEO and COO, and their skill sets are so different I dont think theyll have any trouble carving their jobs out, he said.

But it doesnt always go so well. Business history is littered with stories of iconic CEOs who clash with their successors. One recent example: Ralph Lauren handed the CEO title to outsider Stefan Larsson, but the two couldnt agree on creative direction, and Larsson is leaving the company less than two years after he started.

Jason Schloetzer, a professor at Georgetown University who studies CEO succession, says the indefinite nature of Schultzs executive chairmanship is unusual, as are the responsibilities he will retain. This is a lot of detailed involvement for someone whos relinquished day-to-day operations, he said.

Yet it can also work well. Sonnenfeld cites examples such as Microsofts Bill Gates or Intels Andy Grove, saying both were iconic CEOs able to remain in the post while carving out distinct strategic roles from their successors. The conventional wisdom is they should move on, he said. But the conventional wisdom is often wrong if they can define a meaningful role.

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Investors, for their part, are glad to see Schultz remain actively involved, said Sara Senatore, an analyst with Sanford Bernstein. The company is growing fast in China and rolling out a host of new digital and retail initiatives, but U.S. sales have missed analyst expectations five quarters in a row, and the company trimmed its full-year revenue forecast in January.

Schultzs presence is far more likely to be viewed as a positive than a negative, she said. If he were to segue entirely, investors would view that unfavorably.

Having been through this before, Schultz has also surely learned something about the succession planning process. He told the Harvard Business Review in 2010 that in all fairness to (former CEO) Donald, I dont think I did that well. (In an email, Donald declined to comment.)

And in Onward, a book Schultz wrote in 2012, he acknowledged that being a chairman was like a parent standing back and watching his children make their own choices, one that had its unique emotional challenges for him.

Now, Schultz says he  and Johnson  are ready. He said hes involved the leadership team more in this transition to help them feel that they have a stake in the outcome. And he says hes learned the value of having his successor spend more time learning from the inside  Johnson was chief operating officer for two years but has been on the board for seven.

With this succession, I was much more deliberate and thoughtful, Schultz said, by taking a longer view of how to do this in a way where there would be no pressure to assume the level of responsibility until there was the proper immersion and the opportunity to really understand the company from the ground up.
My father has been asking me to ask you about an old chapter of San Antonio history. He remembers with great fondness a certain Mr. Wilson who ran Wilsons Cafe on Navarro Street across from Travis Park. The building where the cafe was has been torn down and is the present site of an office tower called Travis Park Plaza. What my dad most remembers of the cafe was the good, American-style food served and sold at a fair price. In addition, Mr. Wilson would make bags of bird feed to give to the senior citizens who liked to sit in the park and feed the birds. According to my dad, Mr. Wilson made no profit from this but simply did it as a kind act for the seniors. Have you ever heard of this man or his cafe? The years my dad would have been eating there would have been the late 1940s to the 50s.

 David Archer

This is the kind of small business that may have left more memories than records.

Your father probably remembers Wilsons Coffee Shop, later known as Wilsons Cafe and Delicatessen, at 727 Navarro St., according to city directory research by San Antonio Conservation Society library volunteers. The restaurant first appears in the 1948 directory, although it may have opened during the previous year.

Near the intersection of Navarro and Pecan Street, the small, two-story building dated back to the mid-1920s and had been occupied by a hardware store, travel agency, real estate firm and an illegal betting shop. As the last, it was raided every couple of years from the late 1930s through the early 40s.

Homer Guy Wilson was born in 1903 to Charles and Lula Mae Wilson. He married Rendah Coats of Victoria in 1928; shes described in the 1930 U.S. Census as a dry-goods saleslady. After the marriage ended, he returned to live with his parents at 903 Ripley Ave. According to the 1940 census, he worked for wages or salary as assistant manager of a candy company. This may have been the Queen Candy Co., owned by Harry Siam, since he appears along with Wilson in some city directory listings for Wilsons Cafe and was the owner of other restaurants, including the Grande Courts Inn.

It appears that Wilson bought the first cafe fixtures from a previous occupant of the space, perhaps with Siam  his old boss?  as a partner. By that time, Wilson had remarried; his second wife, from 1944 until her death in 1976, was Lola Frances Lyle. If she worked in the cafe, its not noted in the directory listings.

Wilsons Coffee Shop often advertised in the local daily newspapers for kitchen help and wait staff, promising good pay, meals (and) off Sundays, which could mean it was open for lunch, weekdays and Saturday, probably catering to people who worked in the area. A glimpse of what the restaurant looked like comes from this list of stock and fixtures  neon signs, fluorescent lights, floor fan, three overhead ceiling fans, counter and 14 stools, 20 tables, 70 chairs and five booths and napkin holders.

Other items give an idea of what was served  griddle, toaster, frozen iced custard maker, root beer barrel, malt mixer, wet Coke box, draft beer dispenser, pie cases, old cigarette dispenser, cigar case, popcorn dispenser, hot peanut dispenser, delicatessen case with electric slicer and computing scale.

There was also a small safe, maybe purchased after Wilsons was robbed. Thieves made off with 25 cartons of cigarettes, 10 boxes of chewing gum and eight to 10 boxes of cigars, as well as $309.54 left in the cash register, says the San Antonio Light, March 21, 1949.

The list of fixtures comes from an auction notice in the San Antonio Express, July 13, 1967. Wilsons Cafe was to be open for inspection the next day, and the items listed were to be sold to the highest bidder without limit or reserve by a firm of commercial liquidators. Its not clear why the cafe closed at that time, but within a year, work began on a new building in the 700 block of Navarro, developed for First National Bank of San Antonio and San Antonio Loan & Trust Co., with the remaining office space to be offered to other tenants.

The seven-story building  plus lower level and adjacent parking garage  opened as Travis Park West (now Travis Park Plaza) in June 1970. The entrance to First National was at 711 Navarro St., and the one for San Antonio Loan & Trust was at 714 Navarro. Another entry was at 231 E. Travis St.; executive offices on the east side boasted views of Travis Park. Built of pink granite at a cost of $6 million, the ultramodern building was hailed in the Light, June 21, 1970, as a distinguished addition to downtown, demonstrating confidence on the part of the 104-year-old bank and the 88-year-old loan and trust company, moving to their fifth and third locations respectively.

When Wilsons Cafe closed, the owner was nearly 64 and may have retired. He married again in 1990, divorced three years later and died in 1998. Anyone with more information about Wilson or his restaurant may contact this column; all replies will be forwarded.

historycolumn@yahoo.com

Twitter: @sahistorycolumn

Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
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BOERNE  Legislation that would create a regional aquifer district to replace local groundwater conservation districts  whose author even doesnt think it will pass  is drawing strong opposition in the Hill Country counties it would include.

All in all, the bill stinks, Kendall County Judge Darrel Lux said at Mondays meeting of county commissioners, who passed a resolution in opposition to House Bill 3677.

Lux isnt alone in faulting Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, for drafting and filing the bill without formal notice to representatives in Kendall, Comal, Blanco, Hays and Burnet counties, which the bill would group into a proposed regional district because of their shared reliance on the Trinity Aquifer.

Commissioners in Blanco County followed suit Tuesday, criticizing the bill in a resolution that contends it would infringe on the rights of citizens there to manage their resources without undue outside interference.

The county is adamantly against it, as are my constituents, Blanco County Commissioner James Sultemeier said Wednesday.

Isaac on Tuesday called such resolutions a waste of time for opponents to adopt because the bill is not going to pass.

He said the measure was proposed to spark dialogue about the potential benefits of a regional approach to managing groundwater, noting aquifers are not constrained by the artificial political boundaries of local groundwater districts.

I believe it makes more sense to manage aquifers as a unit, Isaac said. The intent of the bill was just to start a conversation, and its working.

Hes unapologetic about the limited notice given before the March 9 filing of the bill calling for the creation of the Heart of Texas Aquifer District, which would dissolve existing groundwater districts in the five counties, excluding areas served by the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the Plum Creek Conservation District and the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

Calling Isaacs stealth approach disrespectful, Burnet County Judge James Oakley questions the legality of the Legislature eliminating taxing entities that local residents voted to create.

It came out of left field, Oakley said of the bill, which his Commissioners Court voted March 14 to oppose.

Isaac expressed confidence in the bills legality.

While he didnt issue a news release announcing the proposal, he said he alerted legislators from the affected areas.

Hes not surprised by the opposition, saying, Just like any government entity, when you threaten their existence they fight back.

The proposed regional district would be run by five directors, one appointed by each of the five counties, which critics complain would erode the direct representation afforded by the current practice of electing members to local groundwater district boards.

It takes away local control. The voters here voted to have a groundwater district here and they elect the district officials, said Micah Voulgaris, general manager of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, whose borders match those of Kendall County.

Larry Hull, board president for the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, called Isaacs bill a complete surprise, neither appreciated nor practical.

An acceptable one-size-fits-all regional district would be difficult to craft, he said, because each affected district has its own distinct rules, funding mechanisms and policies.

For instance, Hull noted, Comal County voters twice rejected forming a groundwater district there before endorsing it in 2015 on the condition that it not levy a property tax, not meter residential wells nor have the power of eminent domain.

Critics also note the state formed regional entities years ago to help prepare its long-term water plan, including the Groundwater Water Management Area 9, which covers four of the five counties targeted by Isaacs bill, excluding Burnet County.

The GMA 9 board president, Ron Fieseler, said Isaac exhibited a lack of responsiveness and courtesy in filing HB 3677 without notice.

It would effectively remove the local voter from having any direct input about who represents them on groundwater issues. The voters are basically disenfranchised from the process, said Fieseler, who also is general manager of the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District in Blanco County.

Hays County commissioners took no action on the bill because it was cast as merely a conversation-starter by Isaac, who represents Hays and Blanco counties.

We told him that certainly Hays County would be willing to be at the table to discuss the pros and cons of a regional aquifer district, commissioner Will Conley said Thursday.

Isaac said he hopes the proposal can be modified through dialogue to address critics concerns before he reintroduces it in 2019.

It may very well be the case over the next two years that we determine that nobody wants to have a regional, science-based water district, he said.

zeke@express-news.net
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Today, the Express-News is launching a daily history series leading up

to the beginning of San Antonios Tricentennial Year in 2018.

Long before the Alamo fell, before Davy Crockett was king of the wild frontier, before Spain was a world power, there was this place in the landscape  a spot by a clear river, favored by hunters and gatherers for thousands of years.

The Yanaguana or Payaya Indians, the original Texans who called San Antonio home, had roots here that stretched back at least 10,000 years. It was a lucky place  warm, with game and good fishing, and rich soil  the very characteristics that would draw layer upon layer of future inhabitants.

In spring 1718, almost 300 years ago, a new group arrived. Its the moment in the long, complex arc of history that we point to as the founding of modern San Antonio  when the Tejanos, a group of mostly Spanish-Indians loyal to the Spanish crown, pushed their colonial empire north from Mexico to found a military post and religious missions.

It was a good spot along trade routes to French Louisiana and other missions in East Texas, with a river well-suited to the Spanish engineering feat, the acequias, or aqueducts, that harnessed gravity to irrigate crops.

San Antonio was destined to become a city many centuries before it was founded as a villa by the Spanish crown in 1718, wrote Frank W. Jennings in San Antonio: The Story of an Enchanted City.

Frank de la Teja of Texas State University said its 156 miles to Laredo and the Rio Grande, but its San Antonio that was destined to become a major cultural and economic crossroads. He is a history professor, author and director of the Center for the Study of the Southwest.

San Antonio is a crucial place for Mexico. Its the point of contact with the rest of Texas, de la Teja said. Its San Antonio that is the critical place and remains so. San Antonio has 300 years of being the place where these two societies, American and Mexican, interact, and is also the places where Mexican and Indian populations interact.

The key was water.

Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed New Yorks Central Park, visited San Antonio in 1854 and wrote this about the San Antonio Rivers source north of the city: The San Antonio Spring may be classed as of the first water among the gems in the natural world. The whole river gushes up in one sparkling burst from the earth.

He added, It has all the beautiful accompaniments of a smaller spring, moss, pebbles, seclusions, sparkling sunbeams, and dense overhanging luxuriant foliage. The effect is overpowering. It is beyond your possible conceptions of a spring.

Beyond beauty, the upper reaches of the San Antonio River also were suitable for the kind of agriculture practiced in northern Mexico  livestock ranching and maize farming. Spanish acequias dont work with just any river.

Most Texas rivers dont lend themselves to that, de la Teja said. Other experiments in other areas failed. The banks of the rivers were just too steep, or the floodplains were just too wide. San Antonio was just right. It was Goldilocks.

De la Teja said that during this phase of history, San Antonio can be seen as an extension of the northern colonial Mexico  the next logical step in a process that started in the 16th century with the conquest of the Aztecs.

Texas is a peripheral strategic boundary, de la Teja said.

The Mexican-Spanish government didnt want to invest much into it, but it did want a buffer between itself and hostile plains Indian tribes, as well as other empirical powers such as the French in Louisiana.

The cultural impact of this Spanish colonial push into Texas would last and spread throughout the state.

Lino Garcia, Jr, professor emeritus at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, said that among other things, Tejanos introduced the region to the vaquero, or cowboy.

They brought the vaquero tradition and culture that Texas is known for, Garcia said.

San Antonios first Spanish mission was started by Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares who first visited the area in 1709.

In 1716, Olivares received approval from the Marques de Valero, recently appointed viceroy of New Spain, for a plan to move the mission of San Francisco Solano, founded in 1700 near the Rio Grande in Coahuila.

The viceroy also sent Martin de Alarcon, governor of Coahuila and Texas, with a military guard. Olivares and Alarcon arrived in San Antonio in spring 1718.

Mission San Antonio de Valero  the Alamo  was founded May 1, 1718. Four days later, the military post, San Antonio de Bexar Presidio, and the civil settlement, Villa de Bexar, were founded.

Four other Spanish missions would follow. They were clustered together for safety, on alternating sides of the river, not far from San Antonio de Bexar Presidio, the center of Spanish defense in western Texas.

They had to be close enough together where you can send to the presidio for help, de la Teja said.

The natives from which missionaries recruited were unusually open to mission life. But historians say the draw wasnt Christianity. Food scarcity and insecurity were on their minds. They faced threats from more powerful groups such as warring plains tribes, the Comanche and Apache.

Early on, Native Americans considered the missions temporary residences, and they came and went to the consternation of the friars.

In coming decades, other arrivals would pour into San Antonio in larger numbers  the Canary Islanders, the Anglos and the Mexicans.

Garcia said that for a long time, Texas history was taught mostly from the Anglo perspective  the arrival to the state from the east. To the winner belongs the story, he said. Starting in the 1950s through 1970s, though, theres been a push for a more diverse understanding.

Texas is big enough for everybody, Garcia said.

De la Teja said its hard today to grasp what it was like 300 years ago as the Tejanos arrived in the region.

Its an Indian domain. Were coming to the realization that the story needs to be told in a more complete fashion, de la Teja said. The Indians just arent obstacles standing in the way of progress. These Indian societies have their own agendas. They are in competition with each other and with the Spanish.

Between 1773 and 1827, San Antonio was the seat of government for the territory in Texas, first for Spain and later for Mexico.

It also was the largest city in the state for much of its history. New Orleans was founded by the French the same year, 1718, but other major Texas cities that we know today wouldnt exist for more than 100 years  Houston in 1837, Austin in 1837 and Dallas in 1841.

San Antonio today remains all of those things that it started as  a primary link between Texas and Mexico, a city still best known for its river and Spanish colonial expansion  and a place somehow separate from the rest of the state, though claimed sentimentally by other Texans.

All Texans have roots in San Antonio, said Liz Carpenter, the journalist, author and feminist who served as Lady Bird Johnsons staff director and press secretary when Johnson was first lady.

Novelist, screenwriter and producer Larry McMurtry in 1968 said: San Antonio speaks for itself, and much of its charm is in the way it embodies its past.

It makes for a place where place is evident. There is no other city like this one.

This is a story of continual self-renewal, of a river that became for the city a new stream of life, of the unusual shapes and materials of houses, public buildings, and the four major plazas that captured the fancies of visitors, Jennings wrote in San Antonio: The Story of an Enchanted City. As these features changed over the years, they remained strangely different from the rest of Texas and from the architectural and landscaping mix in any other country.

jhiller@express-news.net

Twitter: @Jennifer_Hiller

MONDAY: The unique geography of San Antonio made it an attractive place for a new settlement 300 years ago.
This city has a little-known ordinance, requiring council candidates to submit their campaign bank statements on a monthly basis. Its an important way for the city to monitor the veracity of candidates campaign-finance reports.

But if a candidate fails to comply with this ordinance  and a random check by the San Antonio Express-News into 23 current candidates found that only seven have submitted any bank statements to the city  the city takes absolutely no action against them.

This city has a better-known charter provision, requiring council candidates to reside in the district they hope to represent at least six months before filing for office. Its a requirement thats fundamental to the integrity of single-district representative government at the municipal level.

But if a candidate fails to comply with this provision  and District 9 candidate Lynlie Wallace has essentially admitted that she not only resides outside the district, but outside the city of San Antonio  the city does nothing to stop them.

When you create rules and do nothing to enforce them, youre inviting noncompliance. Youre devaluing the very system youre trying to maintain.

This isnt a new problem for San Antonio, but its a pressing one. There is no single magic-bullet solution, but there are some obvious steps that could move us in the right direction.

For one thing, this city badly needs an ethics auditor who is completely independent of city staff, someone with investigative power, who does not have to answer to the city manager.

That was then-Councilman Carlton Soules vision for the office when he worked with then-Mayor Julian Castro in 2012-13 on the creation of the ethics-auditor position. Ultimately, the ethics compliance auditor was set up as a city-staff position, but Soules wants to see a charter amendment that would allow for an auditor who is independent. (District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino has proposed similar reforms.)

The city has the ability, the authority to enforce its ordinances, Soules said. Its not a procedural issue, its a willpower issue. Does the city have the willpower to enforce its own laws, even if its politically embarrassing to do so?

Soules went before the citys Ethics Review Board on Tuesday, arguing that the current process for handling ethics complaints  which allows the ethics compliance auditor to serve as a filter and decide which complaints even reach the ERB  is compromised from the get-go.

Soules ire was based around a decision by Tina Flores, the citys ethics compliance auditor, to dismiss a complaint filed last December by Peggy Wilson-Schmueckle, a member of the 2017-22 Neighborhood Improvements Bond Committee. Soules responded to that dismissal by filing a complaint of his own against Flores.

Wilson-Schmueckle argued in her complaint that eight members of that committee violated a section of the citys Ethics Code which prohibits a city official or employee from taking any official action that he or she knows is likely to affect the economic interests of that person or an entity with whom they have a business relationship.

The central argument of Wilson-Schmueckles complaint was questionable, even if we accept the idea that a bond-committee member is a city official. She interpreted membership on the Hardberger Park Conservancy (which carries no economic benefit) as a conflict of interest when it came to considering funding for a Hardberger Park land bridge.

But Soules point about the process is worth considering: Should Flores have blocked the complaint from even reaching the ERB?

Of course, an independent auditor wont be enough if the ERB doesnt get more serious about using its powers to take punitive action  as opposed to written reprimands and fiscal slaps on the wrist  on violators.

On the question of candidate residency, once a candidate is on the ballot, the city chooses to stay out of the fray and let district courts sort out these controversies. But the burden shouldnt be on opposing candidates to go through the expense, and the time-consuming legal process, of proving an obvious case of cheating.

The city could address this problem simply by raising its proof-of-residency threshold when a candidate files for office. At this point, all the city requires is voter-registration information, but the Wallace case has shown how deficient that piece of evidence can be.

Bottom line: If we dont come out of this election cycle with a serious commitment to enforcing the ethics rules we have, we might as well do away with them.

ggarcia@express-news.net

Twitter: @gilgamesh470
AUSTIN - As lawmakers struggle with a tough revenue picture thats largely of their own making, they may be looking to make things even tighter in the future.

Texas senators have approved a bill to phase out the franchise tax. It provides that if state general revenue is projected to grow more than 5 percent in future budget periods, half of that money would be dedicated to cutting the tax.

The Senate vote for Senate Bill 17, which now goes to the House, came despite the current budget headache created by similar past decisions.

The pain is real: Lawmakers are looking for ways to provide enough funding for key services over the next two years with less state general revenue than they have in the current two-year budget period.

The state is in this fix in large part because of lawmakers decisions in 2015 to cut billions of dollars in taxes and, with voter approval, dedicate billions more to address the states infuriatingly clogged transportation system.

The economy also is feeling the effects of the oil-and-gas industrys struggles, which affected state revenues and left lawmakers with a smaller funding cushion than they had two years ago.

Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, evinced no second thoughts over targeting the tax, which is unpopular enough that Gov. Greg Abbott has said he wants to cut it as much as possible. Her bill wouldnt affect the upcoming two-year budget, but would apply after that.

Many of us would love to see the franchise tax go away altogether, and under this legislation, we put it on glide path to elimination. In addition, the more our economy grows, the more tax relief it provides, Nelson said before the Senate approved her measure 23-7 last week. This legislation provides tax relief and leaves revenue available for other needs.

Her bill got support not only from Republicans but from some Democrats, including Sen. Juan Hinojosa, a McAllen Democrat who is Finance Committee vice chair.

Hinojosa said that of course its a concern to rope off revenue, but added, The franchise tax is a tax that I have never supported. When it was first proposed, I voted against it, because I think its a very unfair tax. His main concern is that businesses must pay the tax regardless of whether they make money.

Nelsons proposal is a reasonable one to phase out the franchise tax as revenue comes in, Hinojosa said. We not taking all of it (a general revenue increase), but taking a portion of it, until it (the franchise tax) is completely done away with.

The current franchise tax was approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature in 2006 as part of a package to reduce local school property tax rates in response to a court ruling that the public education funding system needed reform. Lawmakers action closed provisions in the franchise tax that had allowed many businesses to avoid paying it.

But the revised franchise tax is seen as a particular burden, and lawmakers slashed it in the last session, along with providing property tax relief, helping create their current budget squeeze.

Nelsons bill was applauded by a number of groups that champion limited government and represent business. But there are concerns from other quarters, including senior fiscal analyst Dick Lavine of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for programs that help lower- and moderate-income Texans.

This short-sighted proposal would automatically lock in future revenue cuts, without regard to budget needs, Lavine said. SB17 would guarantee tight state budgets into the future, starting with a $1.1 billion reduction in franchise tax receipts for the 2020-2021 budget.

One potential issue is that Nelsons bill would rely on the state comptrollers biennial revenue estimate to trigger a cut in the franchise tax.

The comptrollers estimate is just that, an estimate, so actual tax receipts can vary, particularly in an uncertain economic climate. An estimate thats too high would trigger a franchise tax cut even if the actual receipts end up lower than expected.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
"What consumers see in the media or through animal rights groups can be misleading as to what the product is and what industry stands for, so I think this product will show them what we support and stand for.
Jumbuk Shearing team's Tom Reed in action at last year's 'Shearing For Liz' day where $18,500 was raised for breast cancer research. This year's event will again be held at the Davies family's Cardiff stud property at Yorkrakine on Sunday, April 9, where everyone is welcome to support the cause and enjoy the hospitality.
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EastEnders continues to add to its roster of incredible talent, as those behind the show today announced two icons of British stage and screen would be joining the cast; Maggie Steed and Christopher Timothy as Joyce and Ted Murray.

Maggie Steed and Christopher Timothy join the cast of EastEnders

The husband and wife duo have been married for almost 60 years, and though theyve lived in the Walford area all their life, theyre now being rehoused from a nearby estate to Albert Square. Though theyre strangers to many in their new home, they do have former ties to the legendary Dot Branning.

Speaking of joining the cast, Maggie Steed said: I am very much looking forward to having Christopher as my on-screen husband, he is a terrific actor. Were going to have lots of fun. Im incredibly excited to be joining what is such a well-established show.

Christopher Timothy adds: The most exciting thing about joining EastEnders is not only that Ill be back on the television, but Ill also be working with Maggie. I have admired her for a long time. She is one of my favourite actresses. Filming not just our first scenes but our first episode together will be like first night in the theatre  very exciting indeed. And of course, Im looking forward to meeting all the cast who Ive been used to seeing on TV over the years.

Steed has appeared in many different productions throughout the years, including Born and Bred and recent TV series Chewing Gum. She currently appears in On The Town at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Murray isnt too dissimilar, best known for his roles in all Creatures Great and Small and Doctors.

Executive Producer on EastEnders, Sean OConnor said of the pairs addition: Im delighted to welcome Maggie and Christopher to Albert Square. They are both already much-loved by audiences and its wonderful to have attracted such esteemed and acclaimed actors to the EastEnders cast.

The Murrays are a breath of fresh air to Walford having achieved a long-standing marriage. But its not long before echoes of the past catch up with them. Im very excited to see what these wonderful performers  and these fascinating characters  bring to Albert Square.

The Murrays will first appear on-screen later this spring. EastEnders continues throughout the week on BBC One.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Mohanlal, the complete actor is all set to join hands with the young actor Prithviraj for his directorial debut Lucifer. The actor-director duo recently met the press for the time together and officially announced Lucifer.

Along with Prithviraj and Mohanlal, by Murali Gopy and Antony Perumbavoor, the scriptwriter, and producer of Lucifer were present at the press meet, which was held in Kochi on April 2nd, Sunday.

The duo confirmed that Mohanlal is playing the role in the Prithviraj directed movie, which will start rolling in May 2018. The team also confirmed that Lucifer will hit the theatres by mid-2018 itself.

Even though the team doesn't reveal the budget, producer Antony Perumbavoor stated that he has given director Prithviraj, the complete liberty to make Lucifer exactly according to his vision.

The team also refused to reveal more details about the plot of Lucifer. But director Prithviraj, and Murali Gopy confirmed that they are trying to make a film which will satisfy both the Mohanlal fans and cinema fanatics.

Mohanlal, who opened up about Lucifer for the first time, stated that he is extremely happy that Prithviraj chose to cast him on his directorial debut. He also added that he was aware Prithvi's deep interest in the direction from the beginning.

Murali Gopy, the writer revealed that he is yet to complete the script of the project. He also remarked that Lucifer will be a special film because it is written and directed by two big-time Mohanlal fans.
- Race Oncology is currently pursuing a 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for Bisantrene in the U.S.

- AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults

MELBOURNE, Australiaand PARIS, April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Race Oncology, Ltd. (ASX: RAC) and BL&H Co, Ltd. announced an agreement granting BL&H an exclusive license for the sale of Bisantrene in South Korea for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukaemia) under a named patient program (NPP).

The NPP mechanism in South Korea allows for pre-approval access and sales of medicines in response to requests by physicians on behalf of specific, or "named," patients. "We are very excited to bring Bisantrene to the South Korean market. Bisantrene represents a unique commercial opportunity for our company because of its clinical benefits for AML patients," noted D. C. Roh, president, BL&H.

Peter Molloy, chief executive officer, Race Oncology added, "We see this an important agreement for Race that signals the commercial potential for Bisantrene NPP partnerships in Asia and anticipated NPP launches in Europe commencing later this year."

About Bisantrene

Bisantrene hydrochloride is a synthetic anti-neoplastic DNA intercalator with chemotherapeutic and immunologic effects. A product of rational drug design, bisantrene was engineered to reduce the cardiotoxicity and multidrug resistance commonly associated with anthracyclines and offer an improved therapeutic index. Over 40 clinical trials have been conducted with this agent against various cancers, including extensive study at the National Cancer Institute. Bisantrene has demonstrated efficacy in relapsed or refractory AML. Race Oncology is seeking regulatory approval for bisantrene in the U.S. through a 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway and plans to pursue the equivalent regulatory approach with the EMA.

About 505(b)(2)

The 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA) is one of three U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval pathways. The pathway was created by the Hatch-Waxman Amendments of 1984, with 505(b)(2) referring to a section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The provisions of 505(b)(2) allow for the FDA to rely on data not developed by the NDA applicant. 505(b)(2) candidates are derived from reference products for which extensive safety and efficacy information is available, they generally carry less risk, cost less and may achieve FDA approval in a much shorter time.

About Race Oncology, Ltd.

Race Oncology is a specialty pharmaceutical company, whose business model is to pursue late stage clinical assets, principally in oncology. For more information visit raceoncology.com

About BL&H

BL&H meets the demands of healthcare professionals by providing access to advanced and innovative products that offer patients a better quality of life. Their combined business, medical, regulatory and scientific expertise facilitates their approach to maximising distribution of high-quality, cutting-edge products. BL&H has represented CSL in the past and currently represents the Australian companies, Pharmaxis and Medical Developments International, in South Korea. For more information visit http://www.blnh.co.kr.

For more information, contact:

C. Gordon Beck

Senior Vice President

E: gbeck@raceoncology.com
After a lull, the co-founders of Infosys have again lamented the dropping perfomance standards of the IT behemoth. Co-founder NR Narayana Murthy said the generous compensation given to chief operating officer UB Pravin Rao, and approved by the board in February this year, was improper, and would "erode the trust and faith of the employees in the management and the board".

In a letter sent out to a handful of journalists from prominent media organisations, including to Deepa Balakrishnan of CNN-News18, Murthy said handing out 60-70 percent salary hikes to top-level executives at a time when most other employees of the company got just 6-8 percent is "grossly unfair" to a "majority of Infosys employees".

According to the report in CNN-News18, the Infosys board has approved a hike in the fixed salary per annum of Rao to Rs 4.62 crore, while the variable component of his package stood at Rs 3.87 crore, payable on achievement of targets set by the board. This is with effect from 1 November 2016. He will also be eligible for 27,250 restricted stock units (RSUs) and 43,000 stock options (ESOP) based on fiscal 2016 performance once the same is approved by the shareholders.

A large number of Infosys shareholders had contested the decision, while Murthy himself had abstained from voting. Following is the full text (verbatim) of the email Murthy wrote, to explain the reasons behind his displeasure:

I have lots of affection for Pravin. Let me state you the facts.

I recruited Pravin in 1985 and had nurtured him throughout my stay at Infosys since then.

He had been sidelined. He was not even a member of the Executive Council at Infosys in 2013 when I came back. Kris, Shibu and I encouraged him, elevated him to the board, and made him the COO when we recruited Vishal as the CEO. So, this abstention has nothing to do with Pravin.

Those of us who have always stood for fairness in compensation and practised it, right from the day Infosys was founded, will have to demonstrate it when needed. This is a time when it is needed. Nothing more and nothing less.

I believe in striving towards reducing differences in compensation and equity in a corporation. You may not know that my Infosys salary at the time of the founding of Infosys was just 10% of my salary in my previous job. I ensured that my younger, co-founder colleagues got 20% higher salary over their salaries in their previous job even though I was 7 levels above them in my previous job and was 11 years older than them. I gave them huge equity compensation the like of which has never been replicated in this world. So, this abstention comes from somebody who has walked the talk.

I have always felt that every senior management person of an Indian corporation has to show self restraint in his or her compensation and perquisites. He or she has to fight for maintaining a reasonable ratio between the lowest salary and the highest salary in a corporation in a poor country like India. The board has to create a climate of opinion for such a fairness by their actions.

This is necessary if we have to make compassionate capitalism acceptable to a majority of Indians who are poor. Without compassionate capitalism, this country cannot create jobs and solve the problem of poverty. Experts tell me that capitalism may come to an end in the not-so-distant future if the current corporate leaders do not heed this advice in India.

Further, giving nearly 60% to 70% increase in compensation for a top level person (even including performance-based variable pay) when the compensation for most of the employees in the company was increased by just 6% to 8% is, in my opinion, not proper. This is grossly unfair to the majority of the Infosys employees including project managers, delivery managers, analysts, programmers, sales people in the field, entry level engineers, clerks and office boys who are toiling hard to make the company better. The impact of such a decision will likely erode the trust and faith of the employees in the management and the board. With what conscience can a decent person like Pravin (a man schooled in Infosys values for over 30 years) tell his juniors that they should work hard and make sacrifice to reduce cost and protect margin? I have got so many mails from these people asking whether this resolution is fair. No previous resolution in the history of the company has received such a low approval.

Finally, given the current poor governance standards at Infosys, let us also remember that these targets for variable pay may not be adhered to if the board wants to favor a top management person.
By Jesus Aguado

| MADRID

MADRID Spain, at loggerheads with Britain over Gibraltar, appears to be easing its opposition to an independent Scotland in the European Union, saying it would not block such a move at least initially.The Scottish independence drive -- now resuscitated by the prospect of Britain's departure from the EU -- is highly controversial in Spain because of the secessionist movement in Catalonia.As a result, Madrid has long been seen as an obstacle to an independent Scotland joining the EU after Brexit. But its foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, threw that in doubt on Sunday."Initially, I don't think we would block it," he said in an interview published in El Pais. However, he added Scotland would have to leave the EU with Britain, and "the rest we will see". He also said Spain did not welcome fragmentation of the Europe. "Having said that, if, in application of its laws, the outcome of that process is a division of the United Kingdom, any part of the United Kingdom that becomes a state and wants to join the EU will have to apply. And follow the steps that are stipulated," he said.

The comments come after a week in which the issue of Gibraltar, a British oversees territory on Spain's south coast, has stirred tensions between London and Madrid.The EU has said that, following Brexit itself, no future EU-Britain pact that affects Gibraltar can be made without Madrid's approval.Britain has reacted sharply, saying its support for the territory, ceded by Spain in 1713 and which wants to remain British, is "implacable".Dastis refused talk about veto rights when it comes to Gibraltar but said he viewed the EU's stance very positively.

"When the United Kingdom leaves the EU, the EU partner is Spain, and in the case of Gibraltar the EU is therefore obliged to take the side of Spain," he said. "I do not think it's necessary to talk about vetoes".SCOTLAND

Dastis said that Spain's stance to not bloc attempts by Scotland to join the EU had nothing to do with Catalonia, where a vehemently pro-independence local administration took power in 2015 and with whom tensions are high.

"In Scotland there was a referendum in accordance with the laws," he said, referring to the 2104 vote to remain in Britain. "In Spain it can not be in accordance with the Constitution. They (Scotland and Catalonia) are not comparable cases."Catalonia has vowed to hold an official referendum on its potential split from Spain later this year.Dastis said its stance to not bloc attempts by Scotland to join the EU had nothing to do with Catalonia. "In Scotland there was a referendum in accordance with the laws. In Spain it can not be in accordance with the Constitution. They are not comparable cases", Dastis said.Regarding Brexit in general, Dastis said Spain preferred a "soft Brexit" -- one in which Britain remained linked through such things as tech single market -- though he doubted this would be possible.However he said Spain wanted to have a close relationship with Britain."As close as possible to what we have now. If that is to be defined as Brexit soft I am not uncomfortable with that," he said. (Reporting by Jesus Aguado; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Ahmedabad: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat on Sunday said it will raise the issue of illegal slaughterhouses running in the state.

To a question on the party's stand regarding illegal slaughterhouses running in Gujarat, state BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said the government is committed to saving cows.

A CAG report tabled in the Assembly on 31 March noted that slaughterhouses in Gujarat are running their business without obtaining a licence under Food Safety and Standards Act.

The observation by CAG came on a day when the state government passed a bill proposing life term for those found to be involved in cow slaughter and 10-year jail for those involved in sale or transportation of beef.

"BJP will definitely draw the attention of the state government on this issue. If something is illegal then it has to be dealt with. No one can be allowed to play with people's health. BJP will surely make a sincere representation to the government on this issue," Pandya told reporters in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The BJP leader also denied Congress' allegation that cattle rearers were forced to send their cows to slaughterhouses due to unavailability of gauchar (grazing land).

The opposition party had alleged that gauchar was sold to industrialists by the BJP government.

"Gauchar land was sold when Congress was in power (before 1995), not under the BJP rule. Our government is committed to saving cows by introducing various schemes," Pandya said.

He said the BJP would organise celebrations across Gujarat for three days from tomorrow to thank the state government for introducing a stringent Bill to save cows.

"For the next three days, party workers across the state would organise programmes of gau puja (cow worship) and offering of grass to cows in all talukas," he said.
Indias push to rekindle its relations with African countries has suffered a heavy blow with recent incidents of violence against Nigerians living in India. But this, not the first time that African students have been at the receiving end of uninformed mob ire. Last year there were similar attacks and assurances of protection were given by the government. Repeated incidents can take a toll on diplomatic relations.

When the Indian envoy to Nigeria, Nagabushana Reddy was summoned, Olushola Enkanolaiye, the Permanent Secretary at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on the recurrent attacks. This is not the first time Nigerians have suffered similar attacks in the past," Enikanolaiye was quoted as saying by the Nigerian press.

This time the violence was in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, incidents like this could be quickly blamed on the breakdown of law and order under Akhilesh Yadavs rule. Now it has happened within days of brand new Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath taking over the administration with promises to restore the rule of law in UP.

Delhi is scrambling to contain the damage. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has promised an impartial enquiry and quick action while condemning the attacks. Arrests have been made, five persons booked and the Ministry of External Affairs is making reassuring statements promising better protection of African nationals.

But in an increasingly violent society, there is only so much the law enforcers can do. Violence against Africans, vigilante groups springing up across the country to take on anyone going against the beliefs and practices of the majority community is becoming a major problem here. Muslims, Christians, as well as people from the northeastern parts of the country, regularly face attacks. Add to this the ignorance about Africa, the deeply ingrained prejudices about colour and there is a heady mix.

The media has created stereotyped images of Africans. They appear in the media as criminals, drug dealers, cheats as well as violent, Ajay Dubey the head of African studies in JNU said. This must change. There should be law at par with the Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe act to respond to racism-inspired crimes, he added.

Unfortunately, this has happened just when India-Africa ties are poised to take off, following the 2015 summit in Delhi. African leaders attended the mega outreach effort initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All countries were represented and over 40 heads of states were personally present.

As of today, India has extended a credit line of $1.5 billion dollars to African countries. There are Indian investments roughly worth $40 billion in Africa. Private Indian companies are into setting up car manufacturing units, while the government is on to hydel projects and water management systems. E-learning is a big Indian contribution.

The pan-African network covered 11 countries initially while the second phase added 12 more. The e-network scheme connects India with all the African Union states via satellite and fibre optic networks for sharing Indias expertise in education and health. Many hospitals in far-flung areas of Africa often hold consultations on cases with major hospitals in India. With the Africa Development Bank meeting scheduled for later this year, the frequency of high-level visits has multiplied. This year alone, four African leaders have visited India. Last year, the president, vice president and prime minister all visited different African countries. This kind of intensity in relations have not been seen before, a senior official who did not wish to be identified said. Scholarships for African students have gone up dramatically in the recent years. India-Africa two-way trade is over $100 billion and growing.

However, the MEA can do only this much to reassure the African diplomatic community who are outraged at the rampant attacks on their youth. The face of Africa in India are mainly students and young people. The diplomats are there but they live in a cocoon with little exposure to the ordinary people of the country.

Many of the African students are here on scholarships extended to them by the Indian government, through its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. Getting youngsters to study in India is a part of the governments plan to build goodwill for India among future leaders of the African continent. ITEC has been one of Indias most successful schemes and helped to build Indias image among other developing nations.

But the blowback from what many young African students regard as racist attacks is enormous. Those who have experienced the violence will return home with stories of Indian racism. Ironically, it was an Indian, Mahatma Gandhi, who raised his voice against racism way back in South Africa. That regard for India remains with the older generation of leaders. Mahatma Gandhi influenced Africas iconic freedom fighter Nelson Mandela while Jawaharlal Nehru, as one of the leaders of the anti-imperialist, non-aligned movement, was well-known. In fact, during the third India-Africa Summit, held in new Delhi in 2015, when the current BJP regime bypassed the contribution of Nehru to fostering India, several African leaders poured fulsome praise on Nehrus contribution to fostering ties with African nations. For the last thirty years or so, as African countries got enmeshed in their own wars, Indias relations remained mainly on paper.

However, as news of Chinas rapid footprints in the continent grew, not just India but the rest of the world also woke up to Africa. China with its rapacious hunger for energy and raw materials began wooing African nations with its chequebook diplomacy. The UPA began the India-Africa forum on a modest scale, with Manmohan Singh hosting African leaders in 2008. This was followed by another forum summit in Ethiopia in 2012.

The idea of the forum was borrowed from China when Beijing hosted 48 African leaders in 2006.The US, India and EU have followed Chinas example of major gatherings of the continents power wielders. However, unlike Manmohan Singh, when Modi decided to host the Summit in 2015, it was a mega event with invitations going out to all the 54 African nations.

The carefully planned diplomatic outreach to African nations could stumble because of the foolish behaviour of unruly mobs. The overall good will India has generated in the African continent could well disappear if violence against Africans continues. Stringent action against the culprits could be a good starting point to improve Indias image.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

PTI reported that this is the first tunnel in India (and the sixth in the world) to have a transverse ventilation system which provides fresh air to passengers. Ventilation systems for such long tunnels are essential to maintain clean air, permissible carbon dioxide levels and expel harmful vehicle emissions.

"The ventilation system is enabled by ABB drives and controlled by ABB software," PTI quoted an ABB official as saying. ABB's website describes it as a global leader in industrial technology and operating in approximately 100 countries.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, this tunnel, one of the longest in Asia, was built at a cost of Rs 2,519 crore and will reduce the distance between Chenani and Nashri to just 10.9 km from 41 km, bringing down the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours.

This is a proud moment for us. We are providing the muscles and lungs for this critical new tunnel, said Sanjeev Sharma, CEO and managing director of ABB India. Sharma said that considering the challenge of terrain and distance, this was one of the most technologically advanced road tunnels ever built in India, Hindustan Times reported.

The Times of India reported that over 1,500 engineers, geologists, skilled workers and labourers participated in the building of this tunnel. There are 124 CCTV cameras which allow the control room to monitor traffic and in case of traffic violations, inform police deployed outside the tunnel. The tunnel is also equipped with parking spots, in case any vehicles break down.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the tunnel will have a fully-integrated control system with facilities such as radio frequency, communication, ventilation, power supply, SOS call box, fire fighting and incident detection.

Light motor vehicles will have to pay Rs 55 for a one way trip and Rs 85 for a two-way journey. A monthly pass for Rs 1,870 is available. Mini buses will have to pay Rs 90 and Rs 135 to use the tunnel, while buses and tracks will have to pay Rs 190 and Rs 285, The Indian Express reported.

Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in the PM's Office, said, "It is a matter of great pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that this great tunnel is being dedicated to the nation by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi - the most popular PM. It is dedicated to the nation in keeping with his call for a new India. The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. Rs. 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day."

Modi will also address a public rally at Battal Ballian in Udhampur district after inaugurating the tunnel.

With inputs from PTI
On Friday, at midnight, hundreds of policemen appeared outside the house of Nisar Ahmad Sheikh, an alleged stone pelter, in Pulwama district, dragged him out of his bed and threw him into a police van.

This step, according to police, was taken after this chronic stone pelter failed to appear before the police, despite having received several notices to surrender.

They were banging the door as if a mob had descended on my house to burn it down. And then they dragged my son by his hair before throwing him in the car, Sheikhs father, Ghulam Ahmad, said on phone.

As the bypolls for the Srinagar and Anantnag constituency draw close, the Kashmir police have stepped up their number of arrests in the four volatile districts of south Kashmir to prevent the youth, who have been at the forefront of the protests, from carrying out anti-election campaigning.

The Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Pulwama, Mohammad Rayees Bhat, said that the arrested boys were wanted in several cases of stone pelting, and all of them were chronic stone pelters.

Police carried most of the raids during the night. We arrested 12 people for throwing stones at police and when they failed to show up at the station we carried out these raids and arrested them, the SSP said.

However, he denied that the arrests have to do anything with the upcoming elections that are scheduled for this month, amid continuing violence in south Kashmir. Sources in the Kashmir police say that in Pulwama district alone, the police have arrested more than 100 youth in the past few weeks.

The story is repeated in almost every district of south Kashmir. Police are targeting youth who may have been involved in the 2008, 2010 and 2016 unrest: The latter left close to a hundred people dead after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in June last year.

According to the police, the militants have also started planning to disrupt the upcoming polls. On Thursday, the police in Kulgam district busted a Hizbul Mujahideen module by arresting seven suspected militants who were allegedly tasked to disrupt the upcoming Lok Sabha bypolls.

The arrests intensified after hundred of youngsters started thronging encounter sites to provide safe passage to militants. Sources in the police department say the same youth could be deployed for anti-election campaign. And that is what happened recently when police in Braw Bandian village of Awantipora arrested a youth while carrying election boycott posters.

The political activity in south of Kashmir has been missing on the ground as political parties fear that mobs might throws stones at venues. So, campaigning has remained confined to the government Dak Banglows in different districts. That is perhaps why Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, the PDP candidate for Anantnag parliamentary seat, told his workers recently to avoid risking their lives for his win.

The police have also rounded up more than 20 youth in Shopian. That number is likely to go up. But family members allege harassment at the hands of police during raids, and say that their childrens' release is often delayed even after getting bail from the courts.

Our son was released three time by the court but police kept pilling up cases against him to keep him in custody, Rafiq Ahamd Rather, a resident of Shopian district said.

During the 2016 unrest the police arrested more than 7000 people in valley to quell the protests and the stone pelting. While the courts ordered many of them released, 350 of them were slapped with the Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows detention for a maximum of two years without trial.

Sheikh, meanwhile, remains in police custody. His father is wondering when the police will release him.
Udhampur: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi listening, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asked him to "give hope" to the Kashmiri youth about creating a new Jammu and Kashmir, calling him a "courageous leader" who does whatever he decides.

She thanked Modi for supporting her solidly last year when the state was "crossing a river of fire", a reference to the five-month-long unrest in Kashmir.

"Last year was like crossing a river of fire. There is a lot of improvement since then but a lot is still to be done. That cannot be done by my government alone," Mehbooba said at a rally, just before Modi spoke after inaugurating a tunnel between Kashmir and Jammu.

"You are a courageous leader. You do whatever you decide. I have lot of confidence in you," she said, amid chants of 'Modi, Modi'.

Emphasising that in a democracy, all issues can be settled by dialogue, Mehbooba said to Modi, "show a way to our youth about creating 'New Jammu and Kashmir' like 'New India'."

Referring to the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, she said, "It will not only reduce the physical distance, but also connect the hearts and bring the Valley closer to rest of the country."

She recalled the decision of her late father Mufti Sayeed to join hands with Modi, saying he was confident that the future of the tie-up would be good for the state. Referring to the unrest, she said, "I thank you for the way you helped me and my government last year, the way you stood by me, the way you kept the honourable home minister on his toes and helped us emerge from that situation."

Mehbooba said she was also carrying a message of the tour operators of Kashmir who wanted Modi to visit the Valley and tell the tourists across the world that it is a safe place for travellers. She had to halt her speech a few times because of chants of 'Modi, Modi'.
Udhampur: Observing that 40 years of violence had done no good but only brought bloodshed to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the youth of the Valley had to choose between tourism and terrorism to shape their future.

Inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, Modi said the country's longest tunnel would change the fortunes of the state and its economy, and asserted the Centre's commitment in boosting tourism in the state.

"I want to tell the youth of the Valley, you have two paths which can decide your fate  on one hand you have tourism, and then there is terrorism," he said.

"For the past 40 years, so many innocent lives have been lost. This has done no good to anybody but has only left the Valley bloodied. This bloodshed has not done good to anybody but has only snatched sons from their mothers," he said.

"Had these 40 years been used for developing tourism things would have been different," he said.

While some Kashmiris were busy "throwing rocks", others were cutting through mountains to bring development to Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said.

"On one side, there are those who are pelting stones, and on the other there are youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are carving a future of development for their state by cutting through rocks," Modi said.

Modi also launched an indirect attack on Pakistan, saying people on the other side of the border are not able to handle themselves.

"People sitting on the other side of the border are not able to handle themselves. We want to show the people of PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) how we develop Kashmir," he said.

Modi said the government had made every attempt to preserve the environment and the Himalayas while constructing the 9.2-km tunnel on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"It's a message India has given to the world struggling with global warming," he said.

Modi congratulated the youth of Jammu and Kashmir who worked to make the tunnel a reality. "The money for this tunnel came from the government of India. But there is also the scent of sweat of Jammu and Kashmir's youth in this tunnel," he said.

He also congratulated the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir government for utilising central funds for the development of the state and assured his government's continued support.

"Last year, the Centre announced a package of Rs 80,000 crore for the state, and I congratulate Mehbooba and her government for already utilising more than half of the money. Such packages often remain in paper and take years to materialise. But her government has done a commendable job," he said.

Stressing on the state's tourism potential and ability to boost the country's per capita income, Modi asked people of the Valley to work shoulder to shoulder with the government to change the fortunes of the state.

He termed the Chenani-Nashri tunnel as the Valley's "fate line" and said it will boost the economy of the state and farmers will be able to send their produce to Delhi markets promptly and without concerns of delay.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has stated in Lok Sabha, "I feel that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, who resort to stone-pelting, are being brainwashed by certain forces that are in Pakistan. I would like to appeal to them not to be swayed by Pakistan. Pakistan is trying to destabilise India in this way." He directly accused several Pakistan-based social media groups for egging Kashmiri youth, saying, "Groups on social media such as WhatsApp and Facebook are being used to instigate the youth and a crowd is brought together. These groups on social media are operated by people living in Pakistan." That Pakistan is stoking the fires in Jammu and Kashmir has been known in the past decades.

It may be recalled that the Jammu and Kashmir Police recently found at least two WhatsApp groups with Pakistani numbers as administrators, which were allegedly involved in rumour-mongering and crowd mobilisation during anti-militancy operations in South Kashmir aimed at disrupting security forces' operations through stone-pelting and providing human screens to enable terrorists escape. Many times, people did not even know that they were part of such a group which had Pakistan-based administrators. The police have launched a massive crackdown on such underground and fake news WhatsApp groups in Pulwama district. These groups have been mobilising crowds to help the militants escape from search-and-cordon operations.

Concurrent to Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaking in the Lok Sabha, the missive from Zakir Musa (so-called successor of Burhan Wani) was being aired on TV, thanking the stone-pelters and stating that our fight is not against any individual or organisation, but for Islam. Little did he realise that while he was talking on behest of his mentors in Pakistan, his brand of distorted Islam had killed 27 and injured over 100 with a blast outside a Shia mosque in Parachinar in Pakistan. The mixture of the power of a weapon in your hand, abundant access to women and narcotics, and getting yourself photographed in combat dress is a heady mixture for boys like Zakir Musa.

But do they realise that despite scores and scores of active Islamic terrorist organisations in the world, bulk of the numbers killed globally on account of terrorism are Muslims?

Yes, unemployment is a problem in Kashmir but the problem also exists in other parts of India. But there are no beggars in the Valley, and the Valley has tremendous potential to generate jobs if guns are shunned. No doubt, Pakistan and their franchisees in Jammu and Kashmir will not want that to happen. In his article Whos enemy number one? published in Dawn, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Pakistani nuclear physicist, writes that with a population growth rate of 23.11, Short of nuclear war or a miracle, nothing can now prevent Pakistan from reaching 400 million people in 35-40 years. Little wonder then that recourse to terrorism not only gives employment but also provides Pakistan with large human export potential."

Contrary to the general belief in India that war is conventional, the nature of conflict changed to hybrid warfare long back. To this end, those calling hybrid war the new norm are wrong. Information warfare plays a major role in hybrid warfare, which Pakistan has optimised, as the reference to social media by the home minister has pointed out. Where Pakistan fails to reach out on social media, our TV coverage, particularly English TV channels, make up by inviting Pakistanis and separatists to spew their venom publicly and incite people more. Unfortunately, we fail to acknowledge that in the type of ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, with a crafty enemy like Pakistan, kinetic measures alone cannot suffice. This is not a military problem. The focus has to shift to influence activity that includes the laborious duty of improving administration, but also establishing ground level contacts to institute focused comprehensive approaches.

If Pakistan-based groups are undertaking psychological operations on social media, what stops the Jammu and Kashmir state in mounting a counter offensive? If Pakistans intelligence-cum-psychological operations are affecting 4-5 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, BJPs IT Cell too had access to some 9,000 WhatsApp groups in Uttar Pradesh that contributed significantly to the 325-seat unprecedented victory of the BJP-led alliance in the recent state elections. Contact at ground levels and dialogue is essential. The Catch 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, however, is: Who will do it? The two principal political parties appear to be comatose beyond odd statements, which may well be due to cross-border and terrorist links, fear of the gun or just nonchalance. Where dialogue is essential at ground level, the PDP says there is a need to talk to Pakistan. Post the killing of Burhan Wani, the chief minister did not even stir out till days after when the Union Home Minister visited Jammu and Kashmir, while just four days before Wani was killed, 634 stone pelters were released from jail despite clear evidence they had been indulging in stone-throwing on the behest of ISI.

The fact we fail to acknowledge is that making statements in Parliament or in the State Assembly is not reaching out at ground level. This has to be done by the state administration, to which there is no alternative. There is no need to talk to Pakistan. If the state administration continues with their laid back attitude, they need to be corrected. There is already a warning that the scorching heat expected this summer may cause excessive floods. We need to get going. Lastly, we need to seriously introspect how our media coverage, particularly TV, is assisting Pakistans psychological operations. Not taking corrective actions under the euphemism freedom of press is simply playing into the hands of the enemy.

The author is a veteran Lieutenant-General of the Indian Army
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking to restrict lawmakers from practicing any other profession, saying though the petitioner has a valid point the issue is beyond the realm of its jurisdiction.

"The prayers made in this petition do not fall within the realm of our jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

The bench observed that the petitioner in the matter has been affiliated to a political party and though he has a valid point, the court cannot frame policies in this regard.

"There are doctors who became IAS officers and engineers who are diplomats," the court told the petitioner, adding, "You also have a political affiliation."

The petitioner, advocate and BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, told the bench that the restriction imposed on judges and public servants against engaging in other professions should also be applied to the lawmakers.

"Today, I saw five MPs in the Supreme Court. They have come here after signing a register at 11 AM in Parliament," he told the court. To this, the bench said, "Your arguments make sense, but how can we frame policies?"

The petitioner had sought framing of a uniform policy to restrict the lawmakers from practicing any other profession. He had said in his plea that members of Parliament "must attend Parliament everyday and dedicate themselves full-time for the welfare of people" as they have a very important role in the federal system.
It is the mother of all start-ups. Launched amidst primitive facilities and far from prying eyes on a remote beach on the southern tip of India, the cash-starved venture has blossomed into one of the biggest success stories of modern India. It is the stuff dreams are made of; yet eminent historians who relentlessly feed the nation tales of our follies, either real or imagined, hardly acknowledge it.

Indeed what an unforgettable, awe-inspiring evening it was in Bengaluru recently when current and retired stalwarts who proved to the nation that the sky was not the limit, regaled the audience with enthralling anecdotes of their battle against implausible odds.

Indias incredible journey from being a technology back water to a world leader in space was being celebrated through the book launch of R Aravamudan, the award-winning scientist who was associated with Indias space programme from its very inception.

The many stars who had thronged the hall for the event included current Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairman Kiran Kumar and former bosses UR Rao and Radhakrishnan. There were dozens of other colleagues who held the audience spell bound with anecdotes that brought out the camaraderie, pride and sense of accomplishment in these brilliant men of Isro.

In fact, the book release of Isro: A Personal History by Aravamudan and his journalist-author wife Gita, was like no other simply because the Q&A was made extraordinarily unorthodox. Questions from laymen were answered not just by Aravamudan from the stage but often by the many dazzling scientists who too formed part of the audience. This often triggered off reminiscences and the tales they told were enormously fascinating and their unguarded banter gave rare glimpses of the making of a staggering modern legend.

To start with, the tales behind the nicknames of these scientists were hilarious. For instance, Aravamudan came to be known as 'Dan' because guys at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Centre at Beltsville, Maryland where he was trained in 1962 couldnt pronounce his name. But the funniest part was when his colleague Ramakrishna Rao was one day asked by the NASA guys as to where his buddies were.

We had never heard the term buddy until then. The name stuck to Ramakrishna who came to be universally known as Buddy after that, said Dan.

Tellingly, the irony at the book release was the excessive security detail as current chairman Kiran Kumar fell in the Z+ category. In contrast Dan recalled the early days, right up to the '80s, when all and sundry from Trivandrum would freely roam around the Isro facility even as scientists were busy with their work.

Read an excerpt from Isro: A Personal History here.

He recalled how he would drive right up to the tarmac of the airport in Trivandrum to receive guests or take the flight, with no emphasis whatsoever on security.

In the early days, before the Gulf boom, anybody wearing a pant and shirt in Trivandrum was presumed to be a Rocket man as the locals wore only a mundu (dhoti) and baniyan (vest), he said. Additionally, Aravamudan's wife Gita was the centre of amazement as she was the only woman who could drive in all Trivandrum!

Dan further revealed how simple, casual dressing, complete with a pair of sandals or slippers became the norm at Isro. It was not just because of the hot weather conditions in Trivandrum, Bombay and Ahmedabad but due to the trend set by the hugely charismatic Vikram Sarabhai.

The first time I met him, he wore white shorts. Later he always wore white khadi kurta-pyjamas and Kolhapuri chappals. Hed have only a simple black felt pen in his pocket and an HMT watch on his wrist. His PA would carry his wallet. On very special occasions hed wear shoes, a formal, dark brown bandhgala coat and pants. Even scientists who had worked abroad and were used to wearing suits would soon switch to casual attire following the trend set by him," said Aravamudan.

In the mid-1960s, Sarabhai was like God to us. We all loved, respected and looked up to him. He was like the central pillar of a big circus tent holding the whole structure up. He had this gift of making each person seem very important and wanted. His presence had an electrifying effect on the teams. He also endeared himself further by taking on-the-spot decisions to our issues, he added.

Dan gave an instance of how Abdul Kalam and he had travelled for two days by train from Trivandrum to Ahmedabad and went straight to Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Sarabhais office. They were chatting with fellow scientists while waiting for Sarabhai to finish his meeting when an administrative staff head shooed them out of the room while telling them to not disturb work. Dan said:

We were furious. We had dropped our busy work in Thumba and had come only because Sarabhai had summoned us. We said we were returning to Trivandrum right away. We were immediately ushered into a makeshift visitors room and were still seething with anger when Sarabhai finally came in. He was his usual enthusiastic self and all our anger and frustration melted away in his presence..."

He had amazing energy, was a terrific visionary and was in a hurry to get things done. In 1964 he signed an agreement to supply Centaures Sounding rockets to France at a time when we barely even knew what went into making of a rocket!

Dan had a first rank from the Madras Institute of Technology, was employed by Department of Atomic Energy in Trombay and was awfully bored with his repetitive work when he learnt over a meal in the office canteen that a scientist in Ahmedabad, Dr Vikram Sarabhai was recruiting youngsters to form a core team for a rocket launch pad in Kerala and that they would be sent to NASA for a year to get trained.

I grabbed the opportunity, although at that time the facility at Thumba had not come up, and wasn't a government one. Four of us went to the Maryland while HGS Murthy, Abdul Kalam and Easwardas were sent to Wallops Island Virginia to be trained in rocket assembly, launching and explosive safety. Sarabhai was spearheading a project envisioned by scientists from all over the world to study the magnetic equator using sounding rockets. Thumba in Kerala was identified as the best location in India for the project, he said.

One of the scientists in the audience revealed how primitive the conditions were at the site. They had relocated local fishermen to a different part of the beach and used the existing church building as their office.

The church was the only solid building. The rest were fishermens thatched-roof shelters. So amidst pigeons, sweltering heat, humidity, constant power failures and non-existent roads we set to work to achieve Sarabhais catch-phrase plan of leapfrogging technologies.

When Sarabhai learnt I was a trained journalist he encouraged me to write on the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and the work being done. Isro came about only much later, in 1969, said Gita Aravamudan.

I was paid Rs 10 per article by The Hindu newspaper. In one article I gave all the credit for a launch to Dr Abdul Kalam and somehow overlooked the tremendous contribution made by HGS Murthy. He took me to task for that. I knew that it was my fault and fearing such inadvertent repetitions, decided not to ever write anything about Isro or its achievements for any publication, she added.

Gita and Dan also related an amusing anecdote of Doordarshan wanting to cover live an SLV-3 rocket launch from Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR, now renamed Satish Dhawan Space Centre).

DD did not have the requisite equipment. Thus we decided to improvise by having a transponder floating high on a giant balloon at Gummdipoondi which was half-way between SHAR and Madras. I was to ask laymans questions to Dan while Prof Yash Pal of Space Applications Centre would ask the technical ones on the live televised show."

The rig was promptly set up but no one had factored for the strong winds in Gummidipoondi. The balloon was just blown away 24 hours before the launch and thus we finally had to tape the interview and dispatch it over road to Madras DD! they recounted.

Indeed, procuring equipment was always a challenge for the fledgling Indian space programme. Sarabhai had repeatedly cautioned his team of youngsters that rocket technology was a closely guarded secret and no nation would part with it for love or money. Thus everything had to be painstakingly learnt on a trail and error basis.

We had lucky breaks en route. In the early days the Europeans after a series of failures decided to abandon their plan to build an all-European Satellite Launch Vehicle. They were scrapping their brand-new satellite tracking and telementry stations in Australia when Sarabhai sent Buddy, Murthy and me to lay our hands on the equipment. We got in at 10 per cent of the cost, said Dan.

Radhakrishnan, ex-chairman for Isro, recalled how they had to use water from their tea kettle to temper some equipment and how it came out stained tea-black!

To another question, current chairman Kiran Kumar remarked that Nano satellites could perform only some tasks. Giant payload-delivering rockets were still needed as there are laws of physics from which there is no escape.

On another laymans question as to why Isro was so successful with rockets but not HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) with LCA (light combat aircraft), Dan shot back I cant speak for others. Isro is damn good because we work damn hard to be good at what we do.

An LCA chief test pilot in the audience defended HAL saying that it only executed a project. The design and other elements were with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, etc. But I think the crucial difference is we have to bring the pilot safely back to ground each and every time we fly, he told the layman tersely.

Another, a doctor of Indian origin practising in the US asked if Isro could not make things cheaply. He was unaware of Isros cost benefits but Radhakrishnan from the audience took that question to state: Isro scientists worked 18 hours a day for years together. In France, their scientists do not work for more than 36 hours a week. For them it is a job. For us it is a passion... We were given three years' time to launch the Mars Mission. We did not recruit a single extra hand and accomplished the task only because we worked excessively hard to see the project through.

Asked how they arrived at plans to launch satellites or rockets, Dan said that Sarabhai had emphasised on planning and executing projects for the decade ahead. Thus we planned for the '70s, '80s, '90s and so on. There would be a lot of discussion where even the junior most scientists would be given freedom to articulate and question plans. Thats the culture that has seen us grow to fulfill Sarabhais leapfrog technology plan.

Indeed it was that sort of evening. Never ending with astonishing anecdotes, poignant nostalgia and filled with dreams.

Buy the book, gift it. This personal history of Isro is the sort that will inspire the nation. Thanks for the journey, Dan, Gita.
Lawyer and Swaraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Bhushan stirred up a firestorm on social media after weighing in on the Uttar Pradesh government's "anti-Romeo squads", which are supposed to curb harassment of women.

Romeo loved just one lady,while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser.Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes AntiKrishna squads? https://t.co/IYslpP0ECv  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

According to a report in The Times of India, Bhushan, a public interest lawyer and founder of Swaraj Abhiyan, said certain deities were looked upon fondly even though they were "eve teasers". Bhushan was responding to a tweet by Anupam, a colleague from Swaraj India.

My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

Bhushan's comment drew the ire of many people on social media, including Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Bagga.

Filing A police complaint today against Prashant Bhushan for insulting Lord Krishna https://t.co/JCCdkpbGsa  Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 2, 2017

Bhushan then attempted to clarify his position:

My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

We have grown up with legends of young Krishna teasing Gopis.The logic of Romeo squad would criminalise this.Didnt intend to hunt sentiments  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

Bagga then filed a complaint against Bhushan at the Tilak Marg police station, Hindustan Times reported. However, the police are yet to register an FIR. In his plaint, Bagga accused Bhushan of "intentionally and deliberately" posting "derogatory remarks ....for the purpose of insulting and outraging the religious sentiments of Hindu community".

"After we filed compliant, he is giving clarification. But we will not withdraw the complaint unless he tenders an apology. Even in the past he made such comments. His latest statement has hurt millions of people living in this country," he said, according to the Hindustan Times report.

Zee News quoted Bagga as saying it was Bhushan's habit to make these sorts of statements to gain publicity. "This is not the first time that he (Prashant Bhushan) has given these kinds of statements. At times he says Kashmir should be given to Pakistan and at times he gives statements on Bharatiya Sena and then at times he says the Bharatiya Sena rapes. Then he alleges that the Bharatiya Sena thrashes the innocents," he added.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said crores of Indians are hurt by Bhushan's statement, adding that the latter must tender an apology, Zee News reported.

On Saturday, three policemen were suspended after a video of some persons shaving the head of a youth, who was roaming with a female friend, in their presence went viral on social media.

The incident took place on 22 March after the residents of South City Colony called police on finding a youth and a girl roaming around together, SP KV Singh said.

They caught hold of the youth and shaved off his hair despite three constables of the Azizganj police post being present there. One of the constables captured the incident on his mobile phone camera, the SP said. It was when the constable sent the video to his friend through WhatsApp that it went viral and the incident came to light, the SP said.

The three constables  Suhel Ahmed, Layek Ahmed and Sonpal  have been put under suspension. Besides, an inquiry has been ordered against the in-charge of Azizganj police post, KK Chaudhary, who allegedly tried to hush up the matter, Singh said.

The Yogi Adityanath government has issued clear directions to police and administration to ensure that youngsters are not troubled unnecessarily in the name of curbing eve-teasing and action is taken against self-proclaimed "anti-Romeo" squads indulging in moral policing.

With inputs from PTI
Mumbai: The speculation that Narayan Rane may cross over to the ruling BJP resurfaced Sunday after the Maharashtra Tourism Minister and BJP MLA Jaykumar Rawal called on the sulking Congress leader in Ratnagiri.

However, the BJP has termed it a "courtesy visit".

Rane, who had held important portfolios in the previous Congress-led UPA governments, has reportedly been sulking for quite some time.

The latest cause for his discontent is said to be keeping him away from the political developments in Goa, where his party missed the chance to form a government despite emerging the single largest party in the Assembly elections.

Rane senior and his son Nilesh, a former MP, had recently criticised the state unit Congress president Ashok Chavan, questioning his "ability" to lead the Congress in Maharashtra.

Rawal, who was in Ratnagiri on Sunday, met Rane senior at his residence. When asked whether Rane is joining the BJP, the state unit BJP spokesperson Madhu Chavan dismissed the speculation.

"Rawal is a Tourism Minister. He is visiting Ratnagiri as the city is a key tourist destination. Rawal paid only a courtesy visit to Rane as he is a former chief minister as well as a senior leader in Maharashtra. One should not read too much in such meetings," Chavan said.

While speaking to PTI in March 2017, Nilesh had demanded Chavan's replacement as the state unit chief with some "more capable leader who can lead the party workers in the 2019 Assembly polls".

Nilesh had last month stepped down as the general secretary of the Maharashtra unit of Congress as a mark of protest against keeping vacant the post of Ratnagiri district Congress president for the last two years.

However, senior Rane, a former Shiv Sainik, had earlier clarified that he was not going to leave the Congress and had blamed his "detractors" in the party for spreading such rumour.

In recently-concluded Zilla Parishad elections, though the BJP made inroads into rural Maharashtra, the Ranes retained their stronghold in Sindhudurg district in coastal Konkan.

BJP insiders said that Rane could prove a "prize catch" for the party, which is desperate to consolidate its position across the state ahead of the next polls.

"We hardly have any rural face with a statewide appeal in Maharashtra. If the BJP decides to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in 2019 (sans Shiv Sena), leaders like Rane would be an asset for the party. Rane is resourceful and could be useful in some neighbouring constituencies for the BJP," a party functionary said.

According to him, it won't be surprising if leaders from the Congress, including some from Maharashtra, could be inclined to join the BJP so as to stay close to power.
The Kashmir police on Sunday recovered 14 cell phones and incriminating material from the possession of jail inmates in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The police claim that they also recovered two cellphones from the hard-line Hurriyat leader, Masarat Alam Bhat, who is currently lodged in the district jail and has been under detention since 2010.

Alam is a firebrand separatist leader who was influential in the 2010 unrest in the Kashmir Valley and despite courts realising him on bail, the Jammu and Kashmir police rearrested him again.

The cell phones mostly belonged to inmates involved in militancy and stone-pelting cases. The police claim that the inmates were in touch with people outside the Valley, thus helping to foment trouble across the Valley.

"We carried out a raid on the premises and searched the jail premises during which we recovered 14 cell phones from the inmates. Cell phones were also recovered from Bhat, Senior Superintendent of Police, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, told Firstpost on phone from Baramulla.

The police recovered two cell phones from the separatist leader after they received specific inputs that cell phones and other incriminating material were being used by inmates of the Baramulla jail.

Most of the phones were recovered from those who are into militancy and stone-pelting, Mir added.

The raid came few days after militants ransacked the house of a police official, who was posted in Baramulla jail, warning him to mend his ways and not harass the inmates.

Last year, in November, several inmates including some police personnel were injured during clashes between police and jail inmates inside the Baramulla jail. The prisoners had attempted to set ablaze the main gate of the jail which was extinguished by the cops. The clashes started after one of the prisoners complained that he was not offered proper health care despite repeatedly complaining of pain during urination.

Kashmir police, sources say, suspect that inmates have been using these cell phones to talk to their handlers across the Line of Control in Pakistan.

We are also looking into the possibility that these people might have been mobilising the crowds during encounters recently," a jail official told Firstpost on phone from Baramulla.

The police have registered FIR and are now investigating how did the cell phones reach inside the jail premises, despite high-security arrangements.

Incidentally, militants have barged into the house of police officials, at least three times in last ten days, advising them to leave their jobs and not harass the families of the militants.

The police have also launched a crackdown on stone-pelters throughout the Valley ahead of by-polls in the two parliamentary constituencies of Srinagar and Anantnag.
Few by-elections produce as much political heat as the ones in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are currently doing. By-elections are being held to Nanjangud and Gundlupet assembly constituencies in Karnataka on 9 April, and to the RK Nagar Assembly constituency in Chennai and the Malappuram Lok Sabha seat in Kerala on 12 April.

While the Chennai seat will test Sasikala's claim to Jayalalithaa's legacy and is bound to go to one or the other Dravidian parties, the BJP has a lot to prove in the other three polls, especially the two in Karnataka.

For one thing, the by-elections are coming just a month after BJPs record-shattering win in Uttar Pradesh. If Nanjangud and Gundlupet in Karnataka, won by the Congress in the 2013 assembly elections, have turned into nail-baiters, its also because the state is going to assembly polls in a year from now.

And what adds to the frenzy in Malappuram, won by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), part of Keralas Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), is that its a communally polarised constituency where Muslims account for a phenomenal 70 percent of the population.

The Nanjangud seat fell vacant after Dalit leader V Srinivasa Prasad, who won it in 2013, resigned from the Congress and the assembly and joined the BJP. Prasad is now seeking re-election as a BJP candidate. Vacancies in Gundlupet and Malappuram were caused by the deaths of sitting members.

At another time and in other context, the Nanjangud poll would have been seen as a mini referendum on defection politics. Prasad abandoned the Congress after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dropped him from his cabinet last year. Prasads closest rival in 2013, Kalale Keshavamurthy of the Janata Dal (Secular), has defected to the Congress and is now that partys candidate in the by-election.

But nobody is talking about political chameleons. The question upfront in both Nanjangud and Gundlupet is: Will the 'Modi magic', which recently swept Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, work here as well? Prime Minister Narendra Modi figures more often than Siddaramaiah in all roadside teashop debates.

Its hardly surprising that both Siddaramaiah and state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa have turned the two by-polls as a personal feud between themselves. Yeddyurappa, who is expected to be the chief minister if his party wins next years assembly election, is campaigning hard. So is Siddaramaiahthe Varuna assembly seat he represents adjoins Nanjangudhas deployed nearly a dozen ministers to ensure that the party retains both places.

Besides the Modi factor, what is inevitably talked about is the caste composition of the two constituencies. Both the camps cite it as the basis for their impending victory.

In Nanjangud, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes, Dalits account for nearly a quarter of the electorate, and upper-caste Lingayats form another quarter. Prasad is a Dalit and Yeddyurappa, a Lingayat, and that leads to simplistic theories that the constituency is ready to fall into BJPs lap.

But the BJP leaders know that elections wont work quite that way. Among the others in Nanjangud, the economically downtrodden Upparas, traditionally engaged in the making of salt (uppu) but now working mostly as agricultural labourers, are the biggest chunk, accounting for 12 to 15 per cent of the population. Kurubas, a backward caste to which Siddaramaiah belongs, are half as many as Upparas. Muslims approximately constitute 4.5 percent. (Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts have the lowest Muslim population in Karnataka.)

Even in Gundlupet, Dalits and Lingayats make up approximately half the electorate and other castes have similar composition. In typical Congress-style, the party has fielded Geetha Prasad, the wife of the sitting member whose death caused the Gundlupet by-election. Sympathy is a word you hear often here. Both Geetha and her main rival of the BJP are Lingayats.

In both the constituencies, most of the Dalits, backward classes, Muslims as well as some Upper Castes plumped for Congress candidates in the past, while some upper castes backed one party or the other of the Janata Parivar.

Clearly, that equation went for a toss in 2013, when Prasad came close to losing Nanjangud as a Congress candidate. So whats the new caste equation? Nobody really knows. If anybody says he knows, its a biased bluff. And following the Uttar Pradesh result, its tough to say whether caste alone continues to matter as much as it did in the past.

As things stand, the Karnataka results could go either way. If there is a Modi wave, there is no evidence of it. And if, as Siddaramaiah claims, the Dalits, backward classes and monitories will make a beeline for the Congress, there is no sign of it either except perhaps in his dreams.

Deve Gowdas dubious role

The Janata Dal (S) of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, citing a "resources crunch", is staying away from the two by-elections. Nobody is fooled. Add to this Keshavamurthys claim that he had left the JD(S) and joined the Congress with Gowdas "consent". Only political novices will miss the tacit understanding Gowda has with BJP to defeat the Congress and humiliate Siddaramaiah, his one-time close friend. Thats how Deve Gowda plays his politics.

What the results would mean

Yeddyurappas chest will swell a couple of inches if the BJP bags at least Nanjangud, if not Gundlupet as well. That will confirm the continued effectiveness of the Modi magic. On his part, Yeddyurappa will see it as a result of what he apparently believes to be his own wonderful leadership qualities. And the party will claim its a clear fore-runner to a thumping victory in the next years poll.

A BJP victory in at least one of the seats could also speed up the process of desertions from the Congress. Besides, it will confirm once again that the Congress is indeed on a downhill path in Karnataka, as in most of India.

If the BJP loses both seats, it will gloat over a bigger vote share, which it may possibly get and blame the defeats on local factors and Siddaramaiahs budget freebies and sundry caste machinations. Victories in the two seats will supply the Congress a huge propaganda edge but may mean nothing much on the ground across the state in the run-up to the next elections.

As for Keralas Malappuram Lok Sabha seat, its safe to presume that the IUML will once again walk away with it, even if with a reduced vote share. IUMLs E Ahamed, whose death led to the by-election, won the seat in 2014 by a splendid 1.9-lakh-vote margin. A sharp rise or fall in the BJPs 2014 tally of 64,705 votes will, however, tell its own story about the relevance of the Modi magic, IUMLs continued hold over Muslims and about what people think of the Lefts one-year rule.

After these by-polls and a brief respite, it will be time for elections to the assemblies in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Elections seem to go on and on in India.
New Delhi: The Delhi unit of the Congress released its first list of 140 candidates for the upcoming civic polls in the capital on Saturday.

Names of the rest of the candidates for the three Delhi Municipal Corporations with a total of 272 members would be announced on Sunday, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said.

"Winnability and opinion of grass root level party workers have dominated the candidate selection process," Maken said.

Of the 140 candidates, 21 are sitting councillors, the Delhi Congress said in a statement.

"We are giving tickets to seven sitting councillors in North, eight in South and six in the East Delhi municipal corporations. Out of the 140 candidates announced so far, 119 are first-time contenders," it added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is yet to declare its candidates, had announced that it would not give tickets to any of its sitting councillors.

Voting for the three municipal corporations of East, South and North Delhi will be held on 23 April, and the results declared on 26 April.

The last date for filing nominations is 3 April (Monday).
While the elevation of Yogi Adityanath last month as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh shocked many political commentators in universities across the country and newsrooms across Delhi and Noida  many BJP insiders appear not to have been surprised at the choice in the least, though most had voiced varying opinions on his chances before the final call was taken.

The mainstream media's notions of political correctness had expected that a "moderate" be placed in the chief minister's position, in an overall attempt to project the BJP as a governing, "development-oriented" party - a party of statesmen fresh with a clean slate, it seems - starting with the image-building of the prime minister, no less. That the post-election "image-building" exercise did not occur is a foregone fact - after all a large image can turn into a large effigy at the turn of the political tide. This article seeks to argue that the BJP has gotten down to business - at the home stretch of expanding and consolidating its base by communal, caste, and propaganda means, it seeks to implement its Hindutva-informed version of an ideal India. And the time for "moderate"-projection is long gone, as is it for reckless byte-sized speculation. Moderate politicians never really existed in the BJP, nor did they in its predecessor, the Jana Sangh, or even the Hindu Mahasabha as a matter of fact - as we shall see.

In the 1940s and 50s, most moderates were in the Congress, which formed the post-colonial status-quo, and a large chunk of the Congress Right was in agreement with the Hindu Mahasabha on matters such as communal issues, Hindu Code Bill, cow protection and Hindi, though the Congress right-wing did not see it fit to leave the party based on those differences, nor did they believe in the creation of a Hindu Rashtra without widespread consensus. It would appear that the Congress conservatives moderated their stance, while the Mahasabha had not moderates to speak of.

Further, it was not that the Jan Sangh or the Mahasabha were the only alternative to the Congress, - so moderates did not tend to join these parties. There were various socialist, kisaan-based parties as well as the Swantantra Party (the Communists being out of question for the moderates).

In the late 1960s, however, the Jan Sangh came to cooperate with a large section of parties across the political spectrum in state governments. A debate began within the Jan Sangh and the RSS over the purpose and practice of alliances with other parties for the sake of political power, if the larger Hindutva goals were not to be met by these.

Balraj Madhok was projected by the media as the "Hindu hardliner" as compared to Vajpayee and Nanaji Deshmukh ("moderates") in the 1970s in Janata politics based on how far they sought to go along with other parties. I repeat - the differences not ideological.

There was a generational gap over the issue. Deendayal Upadhyaya (President of the Jan Sangh) and MS Golwalkar (Sarsanghchalak of the RSS) found alliances as not much more than meaningless political stunts. The former was found dead on a railway track in 1968 and the latter died of illness in 1973. Deoras became the new Sarsanghchalak and Vajpayee became the main emissary of the Jan Sangh. The Jana Sangh, however, remained untouchable for the Prime Ministerial post despite being the largest constituent in the Janata Party government of 1977.

Earlier, the RSS/Jan Sangh had preached good "moral values", and ethics in a broad sense. They were backward when it came to actual political issues of equality and social justice, and unwavering when it came to issues crucial to the Hindu conservative cause. In short, they remained fundamentalists in saintly garb, despite whatever indecisive role they may have played in coalition governments at the state level.

In the long run, the BJP's "moderate nature" has been dependent on how much direct control the RSS exercised over it (it was looser in the 1970s with the Jan Sangh), and in the short run on coalition politics at the centre and state levels.

Since the 1990s the tag of being "extremist" went onto the Bajrang Dal and the Viswa Hindu Parishad. The paradigm had shifted. Post-Ayodhya and post-Mandal, society was polarised and there was an overall rightward shift in polity. There was no question of Vajpayee seeming a moderate compared to Advani and the latter as compared to Modi - all of them seemed "moderates" until 2002 shocked the country - and Advani had after all been installed as Home Minister.

As earlier, the ideology remained the same. Some members were more hesitant about political repercussions than others in the context of coalition politics, with the top leadership continuously having to raise the question: how much to play along, just to capture or stay in power? Projecting individuals as "moderates" was not an important part of their strategy as much as gritting one's teeth while holding tight the reins of the government.

However, based on their linear theory of right-wing palace intrigue, most pundits now say Yogi Adityanath's installment as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is an attempt to window-dress the prime minister in a similar "moderate" way (Vajpayee vis a vis Advani, Advani vis a vis Modi, Modi as moderate vis a vis Adityanath and so on - the idiot's guide to dumb journalism). One would be inclined to disagree with this theory. Like all fairytales, image-building and posturing come to an end (there is zero intention of projecting moderation), and political action begins. It is a reality that journalists must come to grips with, rather than focus on short-term political points earned from this or that move. For the first time, the BJP is in power with a majority of its own, and there are no coalition partners to keep appeased. There are no "moderates" in the BJP, save for the turncoats that joined it recently, who in any case cannot be taken as defining the party, nor could be expected to have a real ideological say (this is, in fact, the first time that opportunistic moderates are joining the BJP in a large way - and newly minted turncoats tend to be yes-men). Even the old guard, some of them estranged and critical of the current BJP, such as Arun Shourie, Jaswant Singh and Ram Jethmalani - are not critical of the core agenda of the BJP (Hindutva, caste, neoliberalism) but are rather ruffled by the current regime on grounds of authoritarianism, nepotism and style of functioning.

As then, as now the agenda remains the same. The ones who stay out of the immediate limelight become "moderate" for being less vocal, or for minding their own business, thanks to a short-sighted media. The BJP wanting to look moderate is nothing but a figment of journalistic imagination - reading too much into things to create spaces for sensationalisation.

The author is a research scholar in modern and contemporary history at Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Dhaka: A top court in Bangladesh has upheld the death penalty of two Islamist militants for the brutal murder of a secular blogger in 2013 that had set off a chain of attacks on liberal writers in the Muslim-majority country.

A two-member bench of the high court upheld the death penalty of the two members of the banned Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), said court officials. The court also gave different jail terms to six others in the case, 16 months after a fast-track tribunal handed the death sentences to the two ABT members for hacking to death secular blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider in February 2013.

"The HC bench confirmed the tribunal verdict after the analogous hearing of (mandatory) death reference and appeal hearing by the convicts who faced the trial," a spokesman of attorney general's office said.

Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayem, who were given the death penalty, were students of a top private university. The six given varied jail terms included ABT's so-called spiritual guru Mufti Jashim Uddin Rahmani, who was sentenced to a five-year imprisonment for provoking the students to kill Haider. Rana, the main suspect in the murder of the writer-blogger Avijit Roy in February 2015, is absconding.

The ABT, said to be ideologically inclined to al-Qaeda, is one of the two main militant outfits active in Bangladesh. The other is the Islamic State-affiliated Neo-Jamaatul Muhahideen Bangladesh (neo-JMB), which carried out the 1 July, 2016, attack on an upmarket cafe in Dhaka that killed 22 people.

Haider, 35, an architect by profession, was killed near his house in Dhaka's Mirpur area. Days ahead of his death, he had began a movement demanding the highest punishment for the 1971 war criminals. His was the first of at least five similar attacks on liberal writers in Bangladesh. Bangladesh-born American blogger and science writer Avijit Roy, 42, was killed in Dhaka in February 2015. A month later, blogger Washiqur Rahman, 27, was killed in Tejgaon.

Other victims were Ananta Bijoy Das, 33, a banker and founder of the Science and Rationalist Council; Niloy Chakrabarti, 40, who wrote under the pen name 'Niloy Neel'; and Faisal Arefin Dipan, 43, the publisher of a bestselling book by Avijit Roy.

Since 2013, Bangladesh has witnessed a number of Islamist attacks on foreigners, liberals and religious minority with the Islamic State and the al-Qaeda making competing claims.

The government, however, has consistently dismissed their claims, saying foreign terrorist groups have no presence in Bangladesh and the attacks were carried out by homegrown outfits.

Bangladesh banned ABT in 2015 but its operatives regrouped under Ansar al-Islam, which too was outlawed last month, and

one of its key organisers, a renegade army major, carries a bounty on his head and is being pursued by security agencies.

Authorities believe sacked army major Syed Ziaul Haque is the mastermind of the attacks on the secular writers. In recent weeks, Bangladesh has carried out at least four security campaigns against militants, including in Sylhet where army commandos were called in to neutralise militants after a four-day operation.

The more-than-a-week-long security campaigns in Sylhet, Comilla and Maulvibazaar resulted in at least 22 deaths.
DHAKA The High Court of Bangladesh on Sunday upheld the death sentences of two members of a banned Islamist group accused of killing a blogger, a court official said.The two were sentenced to death in 2015 for killing Ahmed Rajib Haider, a youth group activist campaigning for a trial of war criminals, including those involved in Bangladesh's independence war with Pakistan in 1971.Rajib was hacked to death in Dhaka in 2013.

The two convicts, Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayem, are members of the Islamist group Ansar al Islam, linked to al-Qaeda. In 2015, Dhaka police announced a reward of 500,000 taka ($6,410) for Rana, believed to be the most senior leader of the group. He has gone into hiding. Rana is also accused of hacking to death another blogger, Bangladesh-born U.S. citizen Avijit Roy, in the same year.

Bangladesh has been battling a rise in Islamist-linked violence in the past four years. Since July, several militants have been arrested or killed in police operations for involvement in last year's attack on a Dhaka cafe in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.

Since 2013 Islamist militants killed or seriously injured 48 people in Bangladesh, including at least six online critics of religious militancy who were hacked to death.Islamic State and al Qaeda have made competing claims over the killings of foreigners, liberals and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh, a mostly Muslim country of 160 million people.The government has consistently ruled out the presence of foreign groups, blaming domestic militants instead. (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Clelia Oziel)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Mocoa: Rescuers clawed through piles of mud and twisted debris on Sunday, searching for survivors after violent mudslides destroyed homes in southern Colombia, killing over 200 people and injuring hundreds more.

They were the latest victims of deadly floods and mudslides that have struck the Pacific side of South America over recent months, also killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.

In the southwestern Colombian town of Mocoa, a sudden surge of mud and water swept away homes, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber buried in thick mud.

The mudslides slammed Mocoa late Friday after days of torrential rain in the Amazon basin area town of 40,000.

"The latest information we have is that there are 206 people confirmed dead, 202 injured, 220 missing, 17 neighborhoods hit hard," Colombian Red Cross chief Cesar Uruena told AFP.

On Sunday, President Juan Manuel Santos is set to return to the town, the capital of Putumayo department, with cabinet ministers to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

Santos met with rescuers and survivors in Mocoa on Saturday, and declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations.

Nation in mourning

"Dear God, I don't want to even remember that," said street vendor Marta Ceballos, who survived the mudslide.

"To see how some people screamed, and others cried, ran, tried to flee in cars, on motorcycles, and how they were trapped in the mud. It's all too, too difficult," she told AFP.

Ceballos said that she lost all of her material possessions. "The only things I fortunately did not lose were my husband, my daughters and my nephews," she said.

Putumayo Governor Sorrel Aroca called the event "an unprecedented tragedy" for the area.

There are "hundreds of families we have not yet found and whole neighborhoods have disappeared," he told W Radio.

Carlos Ivan Marquez, director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, told AFP the mudslides were caused by the rise of the Mocoa River and tributaries.

The flooded rivers caused a "big avalanche", the army said in a statement.

Some 130 millimetres (5 inches) of rain fell on Friday night, president Santos said. "That means 30 percent of monthly rainfall fell last night, which precipitated a sudden rise of several rivers," he said.

He promised earlier on Twitter to "guarantee assistance to the victims of this tragedy, which has Colombians in mourning."

"Our prayers are with the victims and those affected," he added.

Rescue efforts

One thousand emergency personnel, including soldiers and local police, were helping the rescue effort. Mocoa was left without power or running water, and there were reports of people looting stores in search of bottled water.

"There are lots of people in the streets, lots of people displaced and many houses have collapsed," retired Mocoa resident Hernando Rodriguez, 69, said by telephone. "People do not know what to do... there were no preparations" for such a disaster, he said. "We are just starting to realize what has hit us."

Several deadly landslides have struck Colombia in recent months.

A landslide in November killed nine people in the rural southwestern town of El Tambo, officials said at the time. A landslide the month before killed 10 people in the north of the country.

Climate change can play a big role in the scale of natural disasters, such as this one, a senior UN official said.

"Climate change is generating dynamics and we see the tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency and magnitude of these natural effects, as we have just seen in Mocoa," said Martin Santiago, UN chief for Colombia.
Kathmandu: Former Nepal Prime Minister and chairman of Naya Shakti Nepal party Baburam Bhattarai was arrested from outside the Election Commission (EC) office on Sunday, Nepal media reported.

Bhattarai, his wife Hisila Yami, and Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) Maoist Revolutionary leader CP Gajurel were among those were picked up by police, while they were staging a sit-in outside the EC office to protest denial of election symbol to the party, The Kathmandu Post reported.

According to Bhattarai's aide Bishwodeep Pandey, police personnel treated the leaders badly, by hauling them into a truck after their arrest.

Five political parties registered with the EC, including Naya Shakti Nepal, staged a sit-in outside the poll panel's office in protest against "the election holding body's refusal to grant election symbol".

Prior to this, the agitating parties had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and chief election commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.

While submitting a memorandum in this regard to Dahal on Thursday, Naya Shaki Nepal had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to him demanding allocation of an election symbol for their party.

Naya Shakti, among others parties, staged a two-hour sit-in on Sunday outside the EC offices across the nation to press their demand.
London: Britain Foreign Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday stressed that Gibraltar "will not be bargained away" during Brexit negotiations, after the European Union said Spain should have a say on whether any post-Brexit deal applies to "the Rock".

"Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

The EU proposal states that no agreement between the EU and Britain can apply to the overseas territory of Gibraltar without agreement between Britain and Spain.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal Britain negotiates with the EU, opposition politicians in the Rock claim.

The British overseas territory fears that Madrid will seek sovereignty over the Rock. Johnson insisted that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar".

"The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today," he said.

The 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) peninsula on the southern tip of Spain, is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Gibraltar's leader Fabian Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it "unnecessary" and "discriminatory". "This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests," Picardo said in a statement.

Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.
Lahore: At least 20 people, including six members of a family, were drugged and killed with batons and knives at a shrine allegedly by its "mentally ill" custodian and his associates in a village in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said that the incident took place at the dargah (shrine) of Muhammad Ali Gujjar in a village in Sargodha district, some 200 km from Lahore, at around midnight on Saturday.

The shrine custodian 50-year-old Abdul Waheed, who was apparently suffering from a 'critical mental disorder', used a dagger and sticks to kill his victims, he said, adding Waheed had phoned the victims, telling them to come to the shrine.

Two women and as many men managed to escape, in an injured condition, from the shrine. One of them reported the crime to locals who then informed the police.

The injured have been shifted to hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.

Chatha said it appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed 20 people, including three women, to death.

Citing a doctor at Sargodha hospital, the Geo TV said that the victims were murdered nude and the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks.

Police official Mazhar Shah said that the motive behind the crime has not been ascertained yet but locals have said that from last two years, the suspect used to visit the area for 'spiritual sessions' with the disciples.

The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohamamd Gujjar.

People would come to the dargah for "cleansing" their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs.

"But in this case, the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process," Chatha said.

He said that the prime suspect, a resident of Lahore, is an employee of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Chatta quoted Waheed as saying that he killed his disciples because, according to him, they poisoned his spiritual leader, Ali Muhammad, to death two years ago.

Waheed told the police that had he not killed them, they would have poisoned him too, Geo TV reported.

One of the victims included the son of Waheed's spiritual leader. "Asif Pir Ali was the son of Muhammad Gujjar [the spiritual leader]," said a family member of the deceased.

"We have taken five people, including the caretakers of the dargah - Waheed and Yousuf, into custody for interrogation," Chatha said.

The shrine was cordoned off for a search operation.

According to senior police officer Bilal Iftikhar, one injured witness also said there was a clash between two groups of the caretakers of the dargah over its possession.

Twenty people of both groups, including six members of one family, were killed, the police officer said.

"We have launched an investigation into all aspects of this case to ascertain the facts of this gory incident," Iftikhar said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodha.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a report on the incident from IG Police within 24 hours. He also announced an amount of Rs 500,000 for families of each of the deceased person, while Rs 200,000 for each injured person.
Washington: US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Russia was "certainly" involved in the US presidential election last year and the matter would be addressed once the probe is completed.

Russia was "involved in" interfering in the US presidential election, she said. "Certainly I think Russia was involved in the election. There is no question about that. I think when they finish with all of this process, yes, they need to address Russia. They need to act. We do not want any country involved in our elections ever. And so once that information comes out, I expect that will be handled accordingly," Indian-American Haley told ABC News in an interview.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that his country meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. "I can tell you that in my dealings with Russia in particular at the United Nations, we beat up on them because we thought that what they did with Crimea and what is happening in Ukraine is wrong. We called them out for it," she said.

Haley, the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet level position in any presidential administration, made her first Sunday talk shows appearance in her capacity as the US ambassador to the UN. She was responding to questions on the general impression that the US is being soft on Russia, which she strongly denied.

"What we have said is that they are not being helpful in the way that they and Iran are covering up for Assad. We do not think that is helpful. We need their pressure when it comes to dealing with ISIS, and we also need their pressure when it comes to dealing with China and North Korea. So there is certain things that we do work with Russia on and then there is certain things when they do something wrong, I have no problem calling them out on it," Haley said.

"But again nobody is talking to me about that at the United Nations. What everybody is talking about at the United Nations is what is going to happen with North Korea? How are we going to deal with the crisis that we are seeing in Syria? What are we doing to wage the war on ISIS?" she said.

US President Donald Trump and the administration agree that Russia's involvement in Ukraine is wrong. "I think that if you listen to what he said about the elections, of course we do not want any country involved in our elections. So that is going to happen. I think that Russia is very aware that they are on notice when it comes to certain issues.

"They are very aware that we do want to try and defeat ISIS together, if that is at all possible, along with our allies. There is no love or anything going on with Russia right now. They get that we are getting our strength back, that we are getting our voice back, and that we are starting to lead again," she said.

Haley demanded more action from China on North Korea. The US, she said, no longer takes the excuses from China that they are concerned, too. "They need to show us how concerned they are. They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China. They know that. I think that you saw when Secretary Tillerson went to Beijing, that was a way of putting pressure," she said.

"You are going to see President Trump meet with President Xi (Jinping) and a lot of conversation and the most important conversation will be how we are going to be dealing with the non-proliferation of North Korea," Haley said.

China, she said, has to cooperate. "This is now down to do we want to continue to see these ballistic missile attacks from North Korea or does China want to do something about it? This is all about the fact that they need to have action. And we are going to continue to put pressure on China to have action. That will be shown in multiple ways. What we are going to do is say China, you know that you are the only one that is doing this. We appreciate that you stopped coal going into North Korea, but we know it is going in other ways. At some point, we need these definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it," Haley said.

China and Russia play very different roles, she said. "They both are getting involved across the world in all different pockets. Their tentacles are everywhere, she said. Russia is doing it through elections and through military actions and through trying to get involved in conversations. China is doing it economically. If you look at their infrastructure, they are everywhere in the world now and they want to continue to do that so that they have a stronghold," Haley observed.

"What we need to do is say that is fine, if they are going to continue to do that, they are also going to have to be accountable for the things that they are responsible for. We do think North Korea is one of those that they need to be held accountable for," said the top American diplomat.
Seoul: Search and rescue efforts are underway to find 22 crew members of a South Korean ship that sank in the South Atlantic last week. Two sailors were safely picked up in a life raft, the Seoul government said on Sunday.

The search for the missing South Korean ship, the Stella Daisy, began on Saturday, one day after the ship's crew sent a text to their South Korean employer, saying their ship was sinking, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The 266,000-tonne Stella Daisy, carrying eight South Korean and 16 Filipino sailors, departed from Rio de Janeiro on 26 March.

The Marshall Islands-flagged ship was sailing near Uruguay when it made the distress call, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Seoul's embassy in Brazil asked for assistance to find the missing crew with the Brazilian Air Force dispatching a C-130 plane to the site.

The escape raft carrying the two Filipino crew members was found drifting by commercial ships in the area.

Another raft and two powered lifeboats that can carry up to 30 people each were also discovered, but no one was on board.

Authorities said that all crew members probably were wearing their life vests.
WASHINGTON Four civilians were killed in February by U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, the U.S. military said on Saturday as it updated a tally of accidental deaths in the fight against the Islamic State militants.At least 229 civilians have been unintentionally killed by air strikes since the U.S.-led operation against the militants began almost three years ago, the Pentagon said in a statement.The official tally of civilian deaths since this campaign started is far lower than what outside groups report for that period. Coalition air strikes have killed more than 2,800 civilians, according to monitoring group Airwars.

As many as 200 people were buried by rubble after a coalition air strike in Mosul in mid-March, witnesses said.

The Pentagon has said it is investigating that incident and several dozen more reported cases of civilian deaths in the last two years."We regret the unintentional loss of civilian lives ... and express our deepest sympathies to the families and others affected by these strikes," the Pentagon statement said.

Included in Saturday's tally of 229 deaths were four civilians killed in a September 2015 strike near Mosul, the military said, as well as one civilian killed in January of this year in a strike on an Islamic State weapons facility near Mosul.Also on Saturday, Iraqi state TV said Ayad al-Jumaili, believed to be the deputy of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been killed in an air strike, citing Iraqi military intelligence. (Reporting by Patrick Rucker, editing by G Crosse)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Knowing the ins and outs of your housing market can help you be better prepared once the time comes to make an offer and to secure a good mortgage rate.

With this in mind, Motley Fool analysts Kristine Harjes and Nathan Hamilton talk in the video below about three of the least active housing markets in the U.S. and what it could mean for potential new homeowners in these areas.

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Kristine Harjes: Recently, we were doing some research about mortgages. We came across and article from our friends at NerdWallet. It was all about how active the housing markets are in different states. We wanted to share with you some of the findings from NerdWallet today.

Michael Douglass: This time we're going to look at the least active, so the states where loan originations applied for, funded, essentially home purchases in this case where they are low per 1,000 residents. If you look at the three states, we've got them listed out here: Mississippi, 5.9 per 1,000 residents; New York, sorry, on the lowest end at 5.2; West Virginia, 6.6.

Harjes: That was actually really surprising to me when I saw that. You look at the set of three states, and Mississippi, West Virginia, OK, sure. Then New York, that was an outlier for me, but it's the absolute lowest across the nation. When you're looking at that, regardless of whether you're surprised or not, why does it matter as a homebuyer?

Hamilton: It does matter whether it's a buyer's or a seller's market. That impacts what you're able to negotiate both with your lender -- who may be needing some more business because originations aren't as hot as what they may have been previously -- and also with the seller of the house. You can negotiate rates with your lender. You can negotiate closing fees that may be rolled into your mortgage. With the actual seller you can negotiate for a better price. Perhaps that home has been on the market a little bit longer versus if you're going to one of the hottest markets like Colorado, which NerdWallet's research showed was on the high end. You may not have as much of an opportunity to negotiate. You may have to deal with perhaps paying above list price.

Harjes: There is research that's worth doing here when you compare a state like Colorado to something like New York. The difference is more than 3x in terms of loan originations per 1,000 residents.

Hamilton: These are averages, so we definitely have to put it in context.

Harjes: For sure.

Hamilton: There are going to be pockets of Mississippi that are very, very hot and certain areas of Colorado that aren't going to be. You definitely have to do your research on the local market and know the ins and outs.

Harjes: As you're doing your research about the entire mortgage process, please give us a visit at Fool.com/mortgages. There's a ton of great content and resources there for you including our free guide called "5 Tips to Increase Your Credit Score Over 800."

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Although management has yet to confirm that it will exit the Obamacare marketplaces soon, reports are thatAnthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) is close to announcing it will leave a significant number of states as soon as 2018. If so, then it will mark another high-profile loss for the Affordable Care Act exchanges, because Anthem is the country's second-biggest health insurer, and it sells plans in 14 states.

What's going on

Obamacare provides individuals and families without insurance an opportunity to buy health insurance through a federal or state-run marketplaces, or exchanges. These marketplaces allow insurers to compete on services and price to win members. Insurers, however, have yet to figure out how to price plans sold on the exchanges, and that's leading to significant losses on their Obamacare plans.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

After reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in losses on Obamacare plans in 2015, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the nation's biggest insurer, announced in 2016 it would stop selling plans in more than 25 states, taking their participation down from 30 states in 2016 to fewer than five states in 2017.

Other insurers are also reducing their exposure to the exchanges, includingHumana (NYSE: HUM) and Aetna (NYSE: AET), which had been hoping to merge together. After regulators blocked that merger,Humana announced this past February that it will cease selling Obamacare plans altogether, eliminating coverage for consumers in 11 states. Aetna is still considering what its plans will be for the exchanges in 2018, but it already cut its participation from 15 states in 2016 to four states in 2017.

If Anthem follows their lead, it will be a big blow to the program, because it's been a significant player in the marketplaces since they first opened up for enrollment in 2013. If Anthem exits the exchanges in 2018, it would reduce competition in over 144 regions of the country. Importantly, a departure could leave consumers in states including Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio without any insurers on the marketplaces, according to the news website Axios.

What's gone wrong

Losses on exchange plans are the result of insurers incorrectly modeling for more young and healthy Americans signing up. Obamacare includes tax penalties to nudge healthy people to enroll in health insurance, but many people have decided to pay the penalty or file for an exemption rather than sign up for insurance. Those decisions havetilted membership pools toward older and sicker patients, who require more expensive healthcare services.

The makeup of members has also been negatively impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to make Medicaid expansion optional. Many Republican-led states chose not to expand Medicaid, shifting many less healthy people who would otherwise have ended up on the program to Obamacare's exchanges.Mandating insurers spend at least 80% of premium revenue on patient healthcare and limiting premiums on older members to no more than three times what's charged younger members have also presented problems for insurers when it comes to accurately pricing plans.

Insurers' ability to turn a profit on Obamacare plans has also been hurtby legislation that's broken the ACA's risk-sharing rules. Funding Obamacare's risk corridors would have offset insurer losses caused by lopsided membership pools, but Republican lawmakers passed legislation in 2015 that mandates risk corridors be budget neutral. Because less money is being paid into the risk-sharing program than is being requested by insurers, the government currently owesbillions of dollars to insurers on losses on plans since Obamacare opened for business.

Unfortunately, insurers are now faced with a decision to increase premiums significantly to make up the difference or exit the marketplaces altogether, and following Donald Trump's election, the option to exit has gotten more attractive.

Trump campaigned aggressively to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something else, and last month, Republicans in the House of Representatives proposed theAmerican Health Care Act (AHCA). The AHCA has stalled in the House (for now), but reform could still happen, and that would ostensibly be done in a manner that would be more friendly to insurers. Also, it's unclear what the future is for Obamacare penalties for going without insurance, and absent those penalties, many more healthy Americans may drop their coverage, creating additional losses for insurers.

Since anypotential replacement plan may eliminate expensive, mandatory care such as preventative services while also rolling back age-rating and out-of-pocket limits, there seems to be less of an incentive for insurers to support the Obamacare exchanges.

What's next

House Republicans hoped to vote on the AHCA in March, but opposition from subgroups within the Republican Party caused the vote to be tabled for now. Efforts to rework the AHCA to win more support, however, appear to continue, so it's possible a vote on a replacement plan could still happen this year. If it doesn't, then uncertainty in the health insurance market could be enough of an added risk to convinceinsurers like Anthem to quit Obamacare, at least until they have a better handle on Washington's plans for reform.

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U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Sunday discussed President Trumpas executive orders aimed at identifying the countryas trade deficit and cracking down on import duty evasion.

aThereas never been a systematic examination, country by country and major product by major product, of why do we have the deficit,a Ross said during an interview on aSunday Morning Futuresa with Maria Bartiromo.

Ross added that in some cases, the reason is ainnocent,a using the U.S.as importing of some oil as an example.

aYou canat blame anybody for that,a he said. aBut thereas a lot thatas due to cheating, thereas a lot due to dumping, thereas a lot thatas due to subsidies that are illegal, lot to do with a lot of things that are not inherent in free trade.a

The billionaire investor-turned-Trump Cabinet member also explained why the president signed the executive order on import duty evasion.

aWhat had happened was that the very clever importers, who are beating the laws in a lot of ways, set up shell companiesathose do the technical importing. Then when we levee a fine thereas no financially responsible party there. So thisall call for a process of bonding or putting up letters of credit or cash to make sure that when we levee a fine, we collect it,a Ross said.

This week, President Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping at Trumpas Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. While on the campaign trail, Trump criticized China for its handling of North Korea and accused the country of having unfair trade policies.

aThe two leaders will discuss global, regional and bilateral issues of mutual concern,a Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement.
One of country musics biggest new stars Maren Morris goes into this years ACM Awards with a win, as it was previously announced she received the New Female Artist of the Year honor. Fox News spoke with her ahead of the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Fox News: What has your success this year shown you?

Maren Morris: I think things were getting a little homogenized, with just, it was a lot of guys and there weren't as many girls I think that people were just dying to hear a female voice, like, intercut with all these guy songs and more just diversity anyway. I just feel like my timing was sort of at the time where everyone was having that conversation about like where are the women? And I feel like there's been a huge impact of women. There's Kelsea Ballerini, myself Lauren Alaina, Raelynn, and there's been this influx of really amazing artists who happen to be women. I think I'm not really attached to the females in country conversation as much anymore but I think, you know, we're here to stay, and we've always been here, and we've always been good.



Fox News: Helpful to go in already knowing youve won?

Morris: Yeah, it definitely is an ice breaker going into the awards already having one, and it was just so crazy when I heard I did win because I was in London at the time, and we were doing a festival out there, and my manager was like You just won an ACM. And I was like How? Its so early! But it was so cool, and then I was so proud of my friends Brothers Osborne and Jon Pardi for winning their first ACMs too. So I feel like we're all going to walk with our heads a little higher into the awards show.



Fox News: And you have a collaboration at the ACMs as well (with Thomas Rhett). What do you feel its doing for the genre?

Morris: Performing with Thomas Rhett our song Craving You, Im so excited for the fans to see it, and sort of see our worlds come together because I feel like he's sort of a genre pusher and boundary pusher, and I feel the same way about my music It just seemed natural for us to do a song together at some point, and so I'm excited to debut it at the ACMs.



Fox News: Touring wise, what you learned from this headlining tour?

Morris: I learned what my fans really looked like for the first time. I had never seen all of them in one space. I've always been opening up on different tours, so this was my own show, own production, and it was so cool to see everyone's faces and have that really intimate club moment where you can see them singing back to you and see each and every one of them


Tina Fey blasted college-educated white women who voted for

Donald Trump.

A lot of this election was turned by white, college-educated women who now would like to forget about this election and go back to watching HGTV, the actress opined during a celebrity Facebook Live fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union. You cant look away because it doesnt affect you this minute, but its going to affect you eventually.

The 30 Rock star made the comments during a conversation that

was mostly about womens reproductive rights with Donna Lieberman, executive director of the ACLU in New York, and Louise Melling, the organizations deputy legal director.

At the end of the brief interview, Fey had one final comment:

I personally would like to make my own pledge to college-educated white women to not look away, not pretend that things that are happening now wont eventually affect me if we dont put a stop to it, she pleaded.

Its not the first time Fey has commented on the November elections.

During an interview with David Letterman in December she lamented, I definitely came out of last month feeling misogyny is as much more real than two years ago. But the thing I worry about [more] than actual human interaction is the Internet. Because thats just despicable: people just being able to be awful at each other without having to be in the same room.

She continued: Its metastasizing now, thanks to our glorious

president-elect who cant muster the dignity of a seventh-grader.
Tyra Banks just changed the game.

Just two weeks after announcing her return as host of "America's Next Top Model." the supermodel has done away with one of the competition's biggest criteria: age.

EXCLUSIVE: Simon Cowell Admits He Was Shocked When Nick Cannon Quit 'AGT,' Talks New Host Tyra Banks

In an Instagram video on Saturday, Banks announced that the show's longtime age range of 18-27 is no longer a requirement. Now, hopefuls of all ages are allowed an encouraged to audition.

"You know, I've stood for diverse beauty and erasing cookie-cutters when it comes to what is deemed beautiful. There have been 23 cycles of "America's Next Top Model" and every single cycle, we say, 'You have to be 27 years old or younger.' You know what I hear all the time? 'Tyra, come on! Why have an age limit?'" Banks explained in the clip.

"So you know what? I'm taking that age limit off," she continued. "You want to audition for "America's Next Top Model"? I don't care how old you are, honey, you just need to know how to smize and be open to learning how to work the runway like a supermodel."

EXCLUSIVE: Tyra Banks Returns to 'ANTM' to Offer Judges' Panel Advice on Cycle 23 Finale

Banks has already been hard at work on cycle 24 of ANTM. Last week, the mother of one shared a photo of herself "working overtime" on the series to make sure it was "off the chain."
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A federal judge has rejected President Donald Trump's free speech defense against a lawsuit accusing him of inciting violence against protesters at a campaign rally.

Trump's lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by three protesters who say they were roughed up by his supporters at a March 2016 rally in Louisville. Trump's lawyers contend that when the candidate said "Get 'em out of here," he didn't intend for his supporters to use force.

Two women and a man say they were shoved and punched by audience members as Trump directed them from the podium. Much of it was captured on video and widely broadcast during the campaign, showing Trump pointing at the protesters and repeating "get them out."

Judge David J. Hale in Louisville ruled Friday that the suit against Trump, his campaign and three of his supporters can proceed.

Hale found ample facts supporting allegations that the protesters' injuries were a "direct and proximate result" of Trump's actions."It is plausible that Trump's direction to 'get 'em out of here' advocated the use of force," Hale wrote.

Plaintiffs Kashiya Nwanguma, Molly Shah, and Henry Brousseau allege that they were physically attacked by several members of the audience, including Matthew Heimbach, Alvin Bamberger, and an unnamed defendant they have yet to be able to identify.

Bamberger later apologized to the Korean War Veterans Association, whose uniform he wore at the rally. He wrote that he "physically pushed a young woman down the aisle toward the exit" after "Trump kept saying 'get them out, get them out," according to the lawsuit.

Heimbach, for his part, sought to dismiss the lawsuit's discussion of his association with a white nationalist group and of statements he made about how Trump could advance the group's interests.

The judge declined, saying such information could be important context when determining punitive damages.

The judge also declined to remove allegations that Nwanguma, an African-American, was the victim of racial, ethnic and sexist slurs from the crowd at the rally. This context may support the plaintiffs' claims of negligence and incitement by Trump and his campaign, the judge said.

"While the words themselves are repulsive, they are relevant to show the atmosphere in which the alleged events occurred," Hale wrote.

Lawyers for Trump and his campaign also argued that they cannot be held liable because they had no duty to the plaintiffs, who assumed the risk of injury when they decided to protest at the rally.

The judge countered that under the law, every person has a duty to every other person to use care to prevent foreseeable injury.

"In sum, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have adequately alleged that their harm was foreseeable and that the Trump Defendants had a duty to prevent it," the judge ruled, referring the case to a federal magistrate, Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl, to handle preliminary litigation, discovery and settlement efforts.
New Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Friday night said President Trump didnt win the election and suggested his Republican Party doesnt care about voters.

The comments by Perez, Labor secretary under President Obama, appear to leave little doubt about the direction in which he will try to take the struggling committee.

Donald Trump, you dont stand for our values. You didnt win this election, Perez said at the rally hosted by the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, according to a video posted by The Daily Caller.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel later slammed Perezs comments, saying they are "dangerous and undermine our democratic process,



Perhaps Mr. Perez needs a lesson on how the Electoral College works. But whether he likes it or not, Donald Trump is our president," McDaniel also said. "He should be ashamed of himself for insulting the millions of Americans who dont share his liberal vision for our country."

Washington Democrats have since 2010 lost control of the House, then the Senate and the White House in 2016.

The defeat last year of frontrunner Hillary Clinton was an especially tough loss, considering hacked emails revealed that committee leaders tried to give Clinton the edge over primary challengers. And committee Chairman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, resigned in the aftermath.

Perez spoke Friday in Newark, New Jersey, ahead of the states gubernatorial election in November, and thanked attendees for participating in the worldwide protests after Trump took office in January.

"We have a bully in Washington in the White House," he also said, according to several news reports.

Perez was elected by Democrats in February, in a close race with Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress.

The contest was considered one between a progressive and an establishment candidate in Perez and raised concerns about whether either could reconnect with disaffected, Middle America loyalists who this time voted for Trump.
Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, did not reveal payments he received from three Russia-connected entities on a financial disclosure form he filed upon joining the Trump administration.

Flynn ultimately filed two financial disclosure forms, one Feb. 11 and one on Friday. On the first form, filed days before Trump asked Flynn to resign as national security adviser for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about a conversation Flynn had with the Russian ambassador to the U.S., the retired Army lieutenant general omitted payments he received for three speeches to Russian companies.

One of the companies was RT, a media outlet funded by the Russian government. Documents released by a congressional committee show that Flynn was paid $45,000 for that appearance.

The other two companies were the Volga-Dnepr Group, a Russian air-cargo company; and Kaspersky Government Security Solutions, a U.S. subsidiary of a leading Russian cybersecurity firm.

Flynn's lawyer Robert Kelner told the Associated Press the first filing included the speaking fees in bulk. He also noted that the initial filing was a draft and was not followed by consultations with federal ethics officials because Flynn left the administration just days after turning it in.

In addition to the speeches, Flynn earned more than $1.3 million for work for technology firms, political groups and government contractors as well as lobbying for a firm owned by a Turkish businessman.

Flynn's recent financial history, made available Saturday by the White House, comes amid his effort to win immunity from congressional probers in exchange for his cooperation with official inquiries into contacts between Russia and Trump's campaign in 2016.

The disclosures detail Flynn's business and financial activities dating back to 2014. The filing includes the activities of Flynn Intel Group Inc., a consulting firm that he and partners set up in 2015. The company filed as a foreign agent last month with the Justice Department, acknowledging that its lobbying work last year likely benefited the government of Turkey even as Flynn was advising Trump's campaign.

Flynn's ties to Russia have been scrutinized by the FBI and are under investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees. Both committees are looking into Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and any ties between Trump associates and the Kremlin.

Kelner said that Flynn's first filing normally would have been revised through a consultation between the White House counsel's office and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.

"Because he resigned, that usual consultation process was suspended. When the White House contacted him this week, and asked him to complete the process, he did so," Kelner said, noting the second filing is the finalized version.

An OGE document obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request by The Associated Press showed that there were no written communications between the agency and Flynn's lawyers about his financial disclosure and ethics agreement between the November election and March 17.

The White House on Friday released scores of disclosures from Trump administration officials.

Flynn declared last month in a filing with the Justice Department that his company's lobbying for a Dutch-based firm owned by a Turkish businessman "could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey." Flynn's client, Ekim Alptekin, told the AP that the decision to file as a foreign agent had come under pressure from Justice Department officials.

The Daily Caller reported Friday that Justice Department officials contacted Flynn on Nov. 30. A document obtained by the media site under the Freedom of Information Act quoted Justice Department concern about a pre-election op-ed that Flynn authored stressing Turkish government aims and "potential ties between Lt. Gen. Flynn and others who might be acting on behalf of the government of Turkey."

Flynn reported that he served as a consultant for the FBI and received more than $5,000 in compensation from the bureau. Kelner said the FBI compensation was for a speaking event in 2015 and training Flynn provided to the bureau.

Flynn reported between $750,000 and $1.5 million in mortgage debt related to his personal home and a rental property. He also had a line of credit between $15,000 and $50,000, the filing shows.

In a separate filing to the Justice Department last month, Flynn and his business, Flynn Intel Group Inc., detailed $530,000 worth of lobbying work for Inovo BV, the Turkish firm owned by Alptekin. On his new disclosure, Flynn said only that he personally earned compensation in excess of $5,000 from Inovo BV.

As part of his firm's lobbying, Alptekin invited Flynn last September to meet at a New York hotel with a group that included Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and energy minister Berat Albayrak, son-in-law of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Another participant, former CIA director James Woolsey, said the group discussed a plan for the covert removal of a political foe of Erdogan's, a Muslim cleric based in Pennsylvania. Flynn acknowledged he attended the meeting, but a Flynn spokesman said Woolsey's claim was false and that "no such discussion occurred."

Flynn's new disclosure also details a $10,000 payment for a speech in New York last October paid by Ibrahim Kurtulus, a New York financial adviser who is also listed as an advisory board member for the Turkish American National Steering Committee. The group's website says it aims to "promote and amplify a unified Turkish American voice on issues that affect the Turkish American community and Unites States."

But Kelner said Saturday that the speech paid by Kurtulus was made to an audience of Korean-Americans. Kurtulus did not immediately reply to phone calls by the AP to several numbers associated with him in New York.

The new disclosure also details several Flynn speeches for conservative groups and think tanks. Flynn was paid $15,000 for a speech to the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Los Angeles group headed by a longtime conservative activist. Flynn was also paid $10,000 for a speech to the National Center for Policy Analysis, a nonprofit think tank promoting libertarian ideals.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from the Wall Street Journal.
Hundreds of people protested in front of Ivanka Trumps Washington D.C. home on Saturday for climate justice.

LGBTQ activists hosted a dance party protest to send the clear message that our climate and our communities matter, a detailed Facebook event said.

A crowd of protesters took to the streets with signs to protest President Donald Trumps administrations stance on climate change, the Daily Mail reported.

The entire Trump Administration has shown a blatant disregard for our planet and its inhabitants, the event page read. Also, in case you hadn't heard, Trump revoked protections for LGBTQ government employees and removed LGBTQ questions from the census.

Barricades were put up in front of Trumps home by police, although it was uncertain if she and her family were home during the protest, WUSA reported.

Police told WUSA that the event had ended peacefully.


The top Democrat on the House committee investigating the ever-expanding probe into Russias involvement in the 2016 presidential race said Sunday that panel members still have no definitive evidence that the Trump campaign was working with Moscow to defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

The first public indication that Russia might have been directly involved emerged in late summer with the release of hacked emails related to the Clinton campaign and from the Democratic National Committee.

I don't think we can say anything definitively at this point, California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Commitee on Intelligence, told CNNs State of the Union. We are still at the very early stage of the investigation. The only thing I can say is that it would be irresponsible for us not to get to the bottom of this.

The U.S. intelligence community concluded several months ago that Russia meddled in the race, in which Trump upset the frontrunning Clinton.

And now, the FBI as well as the House and Senate intelligence committees are investigating the matter, which includes retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn being fired as Trumps national security adviser for not disclosing talks with at least one Russian official.

The ordeal has grown to include allegations by Trump that the Obama administration wiretapped his campaign and evidence that Flynn initially failed to disclose roughly $67,000 in speaking fees from companies associated with Russia.

Flynn lawyers have suggested their client will testify on Capitol Hill in exchange for immunity.

Schiff said Sunday that he received the immunity offer with healthy skepticism, explaining that such a deal might undermine the Justice Department probe.

Democrats and others say the House investigation has already been undermined by committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes and are calling for an independent, bipartisan probe like the so-called 9/11 Commission.

Nunes, R-Calif., went directly to Trump after a secret intelligence briefing instead of first reporting his findings to the committee. He later acknowledged reviewing the reports at the White House.

Nunes has resisted calls to step down. Schiff went to the White House last week to review the same documents that Nunes saw.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Fox News Sunday that he doesnt see the need for an independent probe.

Its just not necessary based on what we know now, he said. We have a bipartisan investigation underway. .. We dont need another investigation. Its being handled appropriately.

Trump, who has suggested Flynn did nothing illegal and was a political victim, tweeted this weekend that the Russia-connection story is fake news and The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers.

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence purportedly will begin interviewing witnesses this week and wants to speak with Trump's son-in-law and close adviser Jared Kushner.
President Trump has said the United States is ready to act alone against North Koreas nuclear program if China does not take a tougher stance, just days before he hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida.

Trump made the comments in a Financial Times interview posted Sunday on the newspapers website.

We will talk about North Korea," Trump said. "And China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don't it won't be good for anyone."

Trump added that the United States could "totally" handle the situation in North Korea without China's help. While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbor, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.

However, Trump also made clear again that he wont reveal his foreign policy strategy through the news media.

"I'm not going to tell you (my plan). You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East," he said.

Still, Trump attempted to make clear hes not an isolationist opposed to alliances.

I do believe in alliances, he said in the interview. I believe in relationships. And I believe in partnerships. But alliances have not always worked out very well for us.

A State Department spokesman said late Sunday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been in touch with a top Chinese official about the upcoming trip.

The relationship between the United States and China has been uncertain since Trump's election.

During his campaign he accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods and declare Beijing a currency manipulator, though it is unclear whether Trump will follow through with either threat.

Trump told the newspaper that he doesn't "want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet."

Trump's ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, also offered tough talk on China, saying on ABC's "This Week" that the U.S. is pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Korea's nuclear program.

U.N. resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year, the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.

"They need to show us how concerned they are," Haley said. "They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that."

Asked what the U.S. would do if China doesn't cooperate, Haley said: "China has to cooperate."

Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, however, said he doubted that Beijing will cooperate.

"I've been working on the North Korea problem since 1994," Carter said on ABC. "And we have consistently asked Chinese leaders ... because they uniquely have the historical and the economic relationship with North Korea to make a difference.

"They haven't used that influence, and so it's hard for me to be optimistic with that," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ATLANTA  A man charged with arson Saturday in the raging fire that collapsed part of Interstate 85 north of downtown Atlanta has been arrested more than a dozen times, mostly on drug charges.

Jail records show that Basil Eleby has been arrested repeatedly since 1995. Accused of starting the fire below the elevated highway, Eleby now faces charges of first-degree arson and first-degree property damage.

Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas, both charged with criminal trespass, were arrested along with Eleby on Friday." We believe they were together when the fire was set and Eleby is the one who set the fire," Deputy Insurance Commissioner Jay Florence said.

The fire sent flames and smoke high into the air Thursday from an area used to store state-owned construction materials and equipment. It burned so hot that the concrete and steel overpass disintegrated, crippling traffic in a city known for dreadful rush-hour congestion.

Florence would not discuss how the fire was started or why, saying those details would be released as the investigation progresses.

Eleby's bond was set at $200,000 pending his next court appearance on April 14.

Dozens of firefighters battling the roaring blaze beneath the roadway moved safely out of harm's way amid telltale signs the roadway was breaking apart from the intense heat."They heard the cracking of the concrete," Atlanta Fire Chief Joel Baker said. "They could see concrete was flying all over the place toward firefighters."

Firefighters shut down the roadway before it fell and retreated safely without injury.

Experts in structural engineering said fires on highways and bridges rarely burn long enough or hot enough to cause a complete collapse  but it has happened. Intense heat can compromise even steel-reinforced concrete, said Lauren Stewart, director of the Structural Engineering and Materials Laboratory at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

"With fires, especially fires that burn for long periods and with high heat, you can see structures, anything from buildings to bridges, can have their material properties degrade," Stewart said.

It's happened before. In 1996, a fire in a big pile of tires beneath I-95 in Philadelphia left a span too weak to handle cars, shutting down 4 miles of the busy East Coast route.

Atlanta commuters struggling to find different routes or use mass transit had better get used to longer commutes: Repairs will take "at least several months," said Russell McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

McMurry announced Friday that 350 feet of highway will need to be replaced in both directions on I-85, which carries about 400,000 cars a day through Atlanta and is one of the South's most important north-south routes.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao promptly released $10 million for the initial repair work, and the Federal Highway Administration promised more in emergency repair funds. Officials gave no estimate of how much the job would cost.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities in Northern California say five men were shot during a fight at a birthday party and that a suspect was arrested.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting Saturday night at a house in Pittsburg, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area, and they found five victims with gunshot wounds.

Pittsburg Police Capt. Rathnesh Raman tells the East Bay Times (http://bayareane.ws/2nu1YZa) that the injured were taken to hospitals and are in stable condition.

He says officers arrested a 23-year-old man who was held by party guests until police arrived.

Witnesses told police the suspect and his friends started a fight with the victims after being asked to leave. During the confrontation, the suspect pulled out a gun and started shooting.

He has been booked into county jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and other felonies.
A Marine vet in Phoenix is outraged that someone would torch his American flag.

KPNX-TV reported Saturday that Brian Ellison found the burned remains of the flag in his driveway Wednesday morning. The flag was attached to the front of his home.

Theres two big pieces that you feel when you see something like that, Ellison told the station. Youre sad, and youre mad. There's not a lot that you can do about either one of them. So I came home and put another flag up.

Ellison reported the vandalism to Phoenix police, who were investigating, the station reported.

Lisa Ellison told KTVK-TV that the look on her husband after he found the flag in the driveway was like somebody shot him.

He just was devastated that somebody would do this, she said.

Ellison and his wife live in a quiet neighborhood, according to KPNX.

The flag means everything to me, Ellison told the station. When you say your oath and you join the military you stand in front of that flag when you raise your right hand. When we lose a service member or a veteran dies we put it on the casket.
The Mormon church plans to build five more temples across the globe.

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Sunday during a twice-yearly Mormon conference that one of them will be in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

The others will be in Brasilia, Brazil, the greater Manila area of the Philippines, Nairobi, Kenya and Pocatello, Idaho.

It brings the total number of temples built or under construction to 182 worldwide.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is approaching 16 million members.

This weekend's conference held in Salt Lake City is broadcast online to church members around the world.
The El Paso County Sheriffs Office made its tenth arrest Saturday in connection to a double homicide, bringing the total number of people arrested while investigating the case up to 18, many of whom are believed to be part of a newer gang in the area.

Endo Velarde aka Sleepy, turned himself in to the Criminal Justice Center around 7:10 p.m. Saturday.

He is being charged with Attempt to Influence a Public Official in the double murder of Derek Greer and Natalie Partida. He was also booked in on an outstanding warrant unrelated to the homicides.

According to sources, many of the people arrested are connected to a gang called the South Side Soldados, it means soldiers in Spanish. Its a newer gang in El Paso County. It is not believed the two teens killed were in the gang.

There were two new arrests in the case Friday.

Breeana Dahlberg was in custody on a charge of second degree kidnapping. El Paso County Sheriffs deputies also located, and took Carlos Tink Meza into custody.

They had previously announced he was a suspect who was on the run and they requested help from the public in finding him.

Meza was found along Fountain Creeks bank hiding under a log the sheriffs office said. He faces a charge of possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

A total of 18 people have been arrested on felony charges during this investigation, nine of those directly related to the kidnapping and murder of the two Coronado High School students.

Its been nearly three weeks since the bodies of 15-year-old Derek Greer and 16-year-old Natalie Partida bodies were found dumped on the shoulder of Old Pueblo Road, just south of Colorado Springs.

Its a tragic story of two teens whose lives were cut very short, said Jacqueline Kirby, spokeswoman for the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

Read more from FOX 31 Denver.
A witness who claims the driver of a pickup truck that collided with a church minibus in rural Texas, killing 13 people on Wednesday, acknowledged he had been texting while driving  highlighting the danger of being on the phone behind the wheel.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Conrad Hein wouldn't comment Friday on whether texting might have played a role in the Wednesday collision on a two-lane road about 75 miles west of San Antonio, near the town of Concan. But officials have said the truck driver appeared to have crossed the center line.

Jennifer Morrison, the investigator in charge of the team from the National Transportation Safety Board, would only say that distracted driving will be among the issues investigated.

The witness, Jody Kuchler, a 55-year-old self-employed welder, told The Associated Press he and his girlfriend were driving back to their home in the nearby town of Leakey when he came across a truck that was driving erratically across the road.

"He kept going off the road and into oncoming traffic and he just kept doing that," said Kuchler, who first shared the account of what happened with the San Antonio Express-News.

Kuchler, who followed the truck for at least 15 minutes, said he called the sheriff's offices for both Uvalde and Real counties and told them "they needed to get him off the road before he hit somebody."

Kuchler told the AP he witnessed the crash and afterward, he checked on both the bus and the truck and was able to speak with the driver of the truck, who the Department of Public Safety has identified as 20-year-old Jack Dillon Young, of Leakey.

"He said, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was texting.' I said, 'Son, do you know what you just did?' He said, 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry,'" Kuchler recalled.

The wreck on Wednesday occurred along a curve in the road where the speed limit is 65 mph, according to Department of Public Safety officials. The bus occupants  members of First Baptist Church of New Braunfels in Texas  were returning from a three-day retreat in Leakey, about 9 miles from where the crash happened.

Twelve people on the bus died at the scene, authorities said. Another died at a hospital. One bus passenger remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition, according to the church. Young, the driver of the pickup, also remains hospitalized.

While dozens of cities across Texas prohibit the practice, there is no statewide ban on texting while driving. Local ordinances however may not have applied in the rural area where the crash occurred. Laws in 46 other states ban sending or reading email, using apps or engaging in other use of the internet while driving.

The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature approved a statewide ban in 2011 but it was vetoed by then-Gov. Rick Perry, who characterized such prohibitions as government micromanagement and said educating drivers was the key to deterrence. A similar proposal passed the Texas House a few weeks ago but has yet to make it to a Senate floor vote.

The number of motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. last year topped 40,000 for the first time since 2007, according to the National Safety Council. The number of vehicle crash deaths in Texas rose 7 percent last year to 3,464, slightly higher than the national rise. One-in-10 driving fatalities in 2015 were caused by some kind of distraction, the U.S Department of Transportation said.

One family recalled their last moments with their loved ones before the deadly wreck in an interview with FOX San Antonio.

It was a great day. One we hadn't had in a long time, Charlotte Banks told the television station about the last day with her 83-year-old mother Avis Banks.

Banks said her mother was like her superwoman, she kept the family together.

As reality sets in, Banks told Fox San Antonio she'll forever hold the last memory she has telling her mother "I love you".

If you forgot to tell somebody today you love them you might want to stop and pick up the phone really quick. If you are texting and you are so busy with those little thumbs, make sure the last thing you tell them when you get off is you love them, she said.

Read more from FOXSanAntonio.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The ex-Tennessee school teacher accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old student is being sued for divorce by his wife of 31 years.

Jill Cummins filed the divorce petition against Tad Cummins, 50, in Tennessee, WHNT-TV reported Friday.

She cites irreconcilable differences in the court filing, the station reported. She also accuses Cummins of inappropriate marital conduct.

Cummins, 50 and the girl, Elizabeth Thomas, were reported missing on March 13 from Culleoka, a Tennessee community about 60 miles south of Nashville. Police have issued an Amber alert for Thomas and say they have warrants charging Cummins with sexual contact with a minor and aggravated kidnapping.

Jill Cummins says in court papers that she married her husband in July 1985 and that she has not spoken to him since the day he and Elizabeth disappeared.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Friday that surveillance images obtained from a Walmart in Oklahoma City, Okla., show Cummins and Elizabeth purchasing food items in the store with cash.

The statement says the images captured on March 15 show Cummins had altered his hair to appear darker and Thomas may have changed her hair color to red.

Cummins is Elizabeths former health teacher. He was fired following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact with the girl.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tewksbury Police are investigating a carjacking that happened at a gas station Saturday evening.

The woman was pumping gas on Andover Street when someone got into her car and the woman tried to spray him with gasoline. He took off, dragging her, said police, but fortunately, she was not seriously injured.

"She said that her car got stolen, someone took off with her car," a gas station attendant told FOX25's Jim Morelli. "When she wasn't paying attention, pumping her own gas, he just hopped right in and tried to take off with it. He tried to close the door and she fought back."

Surveillance video shows the suspect getting into the car as the woman tries to fight him off.

The suspect remains at large with the stolen vehicle.

The car is a red Mazda with New Jersey plates, and a car matching that description has been found in Lowell, police said. Lowell police confirm they're actively looking for a suspect, but did not say if it was related to the carjacking.

Read more from FOX25Boston.com.
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Police in Moscow have detained about two dozen people at unauthorized rallies in the capital, a week after anti-government protests broke out across Russia.

The police presence was notably heavy in central Moscow on Sunday. Pedestrian access to Red Square was only through metal detectors and police blocked off Pushkin Square, traditionally a gathering point for demonstrations.

About 20 people were arrested while trying to conduct a march on Triumphalnaya Square, which is adjacent to a main avenue, and seven others were detained at Manezhnaya Square, which is adjacent to the Kremlin, according to police figures reported by the state news agency Tass.

Last week's protests, in which more than 1,000 people were arrested in Moscow alone, were the largest opposition show of defiance in several years.
The family of a British-Iranian woman detained in Iran marked the first anniversary of her detention by tying yellow ribbons on the branches of trees at a park near her home.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held in Iran for one year on allegations she conspired to overthrow the country's cleric-run government.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has dual British-Iranian citizenship, was returning home to Britain after visiting her family in Tehran with her toddler daughter.

Ahead of the anniversary event in northwest London on Sunday, she described her wish to see her husband and child dancing to Michael Jackson in "the middle of our sitting room."

Supporters also affixed to the trees quotes from Zaghari-Ratcliffe's fellow inmates at Evin prison in Iran describing what they would do with one day of freedom.
Israel on Sunday officially unveiled David's Sling, a joint Israeli-U.S. project designed to intercept medium-range missiles.

Davids Sling -- which sees Israels Rafael Advanced Defense Systems collaborating with American defense contractor Raytheon -- also produces the Patriot missile system.

HALEY: ASSAD A 'WAR CRIMINAL' PROTECTED BY RUSSIA, IRAN

The system is designed to shoot down incoming rockets with ranges of 25 to 190 miles, targeting mostly the missiles that were fired by the Lebanese Hezbollah organization toward Israel in recent years. It will make up the middle tier of Israels multi-layer missile defense capabilities.

The lowest layer is the Iron Dome system, capable of intercepting short-range rockets, small unmanned aerial vehicles and some mortar shells like those that have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip or from southern Lebanon. And at the top are the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, which are intended to engage long-range ballistic missiles. The Arrow was put in use for the first time on March 17, when it intercepted an incoming Syrian anti-aircraft missile.

THOUSANDS TOUR TRINITY SITE, BIRTHPLACE OF THE NUCLEAR AGE

At the event at the Air Forces Hatzor base in central Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the cutting-edge technology of Davids Sling will help protect Israel against its enemies. Whoever seeks to hit us  will be hit. Whoever threatens our existence  places himself in existential danger, he said.

Referring to the biblical story of David and Goliath, Netanyahu added that just as King David protected the Jewish people 3,000 years ago, Israel will continue to follow in his footsteps.

Netanyahu also acknowledged and thanked the U.S. administration for its support At a time when budgets are tight, know that the government and people of Israel are grateful for the ongoing support by the United States."

The director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Navy Vice Admiral James D. Syring, also attended the ceremony. In his remarks, Syring said that the delivery of this system was due to years of hard work and heralds a "new tier of aerial defense.

It is an impressive day for an already impressive year," he said, referring to developments and testing of several different aerial defense systems.

The head of the Israeli Air Force, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, stated during his speech that the air force will continue to grow in our capabilities and defense abilities in a turbulent Middle East and the new technology we received will bring the air force to a whole new level of defense for the State of Israel."

However, with Hezbollah expected to fire more than 1,000 rockets per day in a future conflict with Israel, military and political officials have warned that even the three layers of missile defense will not be capable to maintaining a 100 percent success rate.
The Latest on Serbia's presidential election (all times local):

3:35 p.m.

About 30 percent of Serbia's electorate had turned out to vote in the country's presidential election six hours before the polls were to close.

That turnout is about the same as when Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic's right-wing party won a parliamentary vote in 2014. Vucic is now seeking the presidency.

Opposition candidates were expected to benefit from a higher turnout.

Vucic needs to win by more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff election on April 16 that would put him in a much trickier position against a single opposition candidate.

___

11:55 a.m.

Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic's main challengers in the presidential election include human-rights lawyer and former Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Vucic's former mentor, Vojislav Seselj.

Jankovic, an independent candidate, said Sunday he's happy with his campaign, which has galvanized the pro-democratic movement in Serbia that has been upset with the country's persistent corruption and growing autocracy.

The opposition has accused Vucic of muzzling the media and intimidating voters ahead of the election. Vucic denies such accusations, saying only he can bring stability to a region scarred by the wars of the 1990s, which Vucic had supported at the time.

One of the biggest surprises of the election campaign has been Luka Maksimovic, a media student who is running as a parody politician.

Decked out in a white suit, oversized jewelry and a man-bun, Maksimovic's satirical candidate mocks corruption in Serbian politics by promising to steal if he is elected.

___

9:45 a.m.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic is taking inspiration from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

If he wins the country's presidential election as expected Sunday, Vucic is likely to transform the Serbia's largely ceremonial presidency into a more powerful position that would let him rule unchallenged, like Putin has.

Contrary to his claims that he wants to lead Serbia into the EU, Vucic has been pushing for deeper ties with longtime ally Russia.

Putin has endorsed Vucic in the election against 10 opposition candidates.

Right before the vote, Vucic visited Putin, who reportedly promised to deliver fighter planes, battle tanks and armored vehicles to Serbia.

The move triggered fears of an arms race in the western Balkans, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.

___

8:45 a.m.

Voters in Serbia are casting ballots in a presidential election seen as a test of public support for populist Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and his autocratic rule.

Vucic, an ultranationalist turned a pro-EU politician, is slated to win by a high margin against 10 opposition candidates. His political clout could face a blow, however, if he does not sweep his opponents in the first round of voting Sunday.

Vucic needs to win by more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff election on April 16 that would put him in a much trickier position against a single opposition candidate.

Vucic, prime minister since 2014, is expected to use his win to appoint a figurehead successor and transform the presidency from a ceremonial office into a more muscular role.
A sapphire rush has brought tens of thousands of people into the remote rainforests of eastern Madagascar, disfiguring a protected environmental area and prompting calls for military intervention.

More high-quality sapphires have been found in the biodiverse area known as Corridor Ankeniheny-Zahamena in the past six months than were found in the entire country over the past 20 years, according to Vincent Pardieu, a French gemologist who has been visiting mines there for more than a decade and was in the area last month.

"I can tell you this is big," Pardieu said. Gem trade shows around the world now have "nice, big, super-clean sapphires" from the region. "It's the most important discovery in Madagascar for the past 20 or 30 years."

Tens of thousands of miners and gem traders have poured into the rainforests around the village of Bemainty, said local officials. The miners have cut down thousands of acres of forest in the protected area, which environmental group Conservation International helps to manage, said the officials.

This island nation is renowned for its biodiversity and the protected forests in the eastern corridor area are "one of Madagascar's most precious resources," according to the World Bank. The corridor is home to more than 2,000 plant species found nowhere else on earth and 14 endangered species of lemur, according to the Ministry of Environment, Ecology, and Forests.

With local officials unable to control the situation, Conservation International has called for a military intervention.

"We have made many requests to the government to call the army," said Bruno Rajaspera, the group's director of projects. "But there are too many influential people that are involved in the trade of the stones. The government doesn't dare take concrete action."

The prime minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Madagascar produces about half of the world's high-end sapphires, according to Michael Arnstein, president of The Natural Sapphire Company, a U.S.-based gemstone business.

Arnstein, who has been visiting the country for two decades, said about 70 percent of its sapphire market is controlled by Sri Lankans, who smuggle the gems back to their country to be cut and exported for sale. About $150 million worth of sapphires might leave Madagascar every year, though the exact figure is impossible to know as the industry is not well regulated, he said.

"You have all these small-scale, Wild West operations," he said. "Everything's pretty much illegal. There's no oversight, no taxes. It's chaos."

The latest rush for sapphires began about six months ago, leading Madagascar's government to hold meetings in November and declare the corridor's protection a national priority. Environmentalists hoped the government would send in the army, as it did during a smaller rush in 2012 after the gems were first discovered in the area. At the time, the government arrested and deported several Sri Lankan gem traders.

The gem traders bring laborers from other parts of Madagascar to the corridor, Rajaspera said. The workers carry in food and equipment by hand, trekking at least five hours through the jungle to reach the mining sites, which are inaccessible by car or motorcycle.

As more and more miners entered the area, Conservation International tried to help maintain security by paying police forces, but the it said the situation remained out of control. By October, the population at the main mining site was growing by about 1,500 to 2,000 people a day, according to Rosey Perkins, a British gemologist who was there at the time.

The jungle paths saw a heavy flow of traffic, with people carrying rice, chickens and even goats out to the mining sites. The main site "looked quite wild," Perkins said. "It was a real surprise to see a whole field of humanity out in the wilderness."

Many residents of the Didy area that includes Bemainty and surrounding villages also want the national government to take action, according to Didy's mayor, Davidson Radoka. Only a small percentage of locals profit from the mines, he said. Some schools have staffing issues as teachers leave to try their hand at mining. And with so many new mouths to feed, demand for goods has increased, sending the prices of staples such as rice up 50 percent or more.

Above all, people worry about their safety. "Security is a very, very, very serious problem right now," Radoka said. Bandits are often out at night, and eight people have been murdered in the Didy area since Dec. 21, he said.

The conditions at mining sites, with tens of thousands of people living in close quarters without sanitation facilities, can cause diseases that spread to local villages. Recently there was an outbreak of typhoid fever in the Didy area, Radoka said.

Despite the living conditions, aspiring miners keep coming to the corridor. Two years of drought in many parts of Madagascar have led farmers to seek out alternative means of income.

The mines are attractive to the newcomers because most of the sapphires are found within six feet (two meters) of the surface.

"You have a lot of people who are employed. Without this discovery, they would be in serious trouble," Pardieu said. "That's why the authorities are not doing anything. They are letting people mine. They don't want to have 20,000 people starving in town, with no money."

Local officials believe the number of miners in the Bemainty area is far higher, perhaps as many as 200,000.

Officials say they worry that if the mining remains uncontrolled, it could spread. In November, a group of about 500 miners went deeper into the protected area to search for gemstones.

"They arrived suddenly, and we saw that this could be a big problem for our area," said Nestor Rafenonirina, the director of the northernmost park in the corridor. His agency, Madagascar National Parks, used a police brigade to remove the miners. But if their numbers grow, such action would be harder to take, he said.

Pardieu said he expects many more sapphire and ruby mines to be discovered in the protected area over the next five to 10 years: "There is just one deposit after another."
The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices killed 20 devotees after intoxicating them in eastern Punjab province, police said Sunday, in what officials said was the outcome of a dispute over custodianship of the shrine.



Senior police officer Mohammad Bilal said the shrine custodian in a village near the city of Sargodha some 200 miles north of Multan was arrested Sunday morning along with four others for killing worshippers with batons and knives. Bilal said another four people were in critical condition.



A doctor at Sargodha hospital told Geo TV that the victims were killed while nude and the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks.



Liaquat Ali Chatta, area government administrator, said Abdul Waheed and his four alleged accomplices were arrested and the matter was being investigated. Chatta said Waheed is a retired government employee and seemed "mentally unstable."



Chatta said the custodian was allegedly in the practice of "beating and torturing" devotees to "cleanse" them. He said Waheed had confessed to the murders.



Zulfiquar Hameed, regional police officer for Sargodha and surrounding districts, said the main suspect's confession and other relevant statements suggested the incident was the "outcome of jealousy and dispute over custodianship" of the shrine.



"This man was afraid of losing prominence and that the position would go to somebody else," said Hameed, who is heading the probe of the incident. "The issue of custodianship ends to this level of incident."



Rana Sanaullah, law minister for the Punjab provincial government, said an initial investigation showed that Waheed had a collection of followers who would regularly visit the shrine and face torture in the name of religious cleansing.



The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohammad Gujjar. Shamsher Joya, a local police officer, said Waheed would come to the shrine twice a week from Lahore, and his followers would submit to "beating and torturing with a red hot iron rod."



Joya said Waheed divulged during the investigation that he had acted to kill the victims after unearthing a plot to poison him.

Waheed alleged the plot was hatched by Asif Gujar, only son of the religious leader buried in the shrine, according to Joya. The 35-year-old Gujjar is among the 20 victims.



Police said the victims were killed at a house adjacent to the shrine and their clothing was found burned.
Pope Francis says he is "deeply pained" by "the gigantic avalanche of mud" in Colombia that has caused scores of deaths and injuries.

The pope called attention to the tragedy during his Angelus blessing Sunday on a visit to the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, which was struck by a pair of quakes that killed 28 people five years ago. The region has largely been rebuilt.

Francis said he was praying for the victims in Colombia and offered thanks to those helping with the rescue efforts.

The death toll from one of the worst disasters in Colombia's recent history neared 200 early Sunday after heavy rains caused three rivers to surge through the city of Mocoa, near the border with Ecuador.
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Pope Francis has arrived in Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region, which was hit by deadly quakes in 2012, on a visit to signal hope to central Italy, which was struck by more devastating temblors last year.

The pope will meet with survivors of two quakes that killed 28 people during the daylong trip that will include an open-air Mass, a meeting with priests, nuns and seminarians and a stop at the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral in Carpi.

The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding after the magnitude-6.1 and magnitude-5.8 quakes in May 2012 has often been cited as exemplary. It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.

Central Italy is still reeling from quakes last August and October that killed nearly 300 people and left thousands homeless.
These are the never-before-seen photos of evil Adolf Hitler produced by the Nazis to try and show what a nice chap he was.

Hundreds of black-and-white images show the Nazi dictator grinning and interacting with children in an effort to portray him as a personal friend and guardian of the German youth.

At the time, the propaganda worked as thousands of young people came to believe Hitler as a personal friend and father figure.

Thus, through the encouragement of the many youth organisations were set up for that very purpose.

There were also numerous pictures depicting Hitler working tirelessly for the German people  even though historically, he was known not to be a morning person who rarely woke up before midday.

The series of propaganda postcards have been published in Hitlers Alpine Headquarters by James Wilson  which takes a look at how Hitler transformed the small mountainside region of Obersalzberg into his home and the Nazis southern headquarters.

Read more from The Sun.
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Swedish rescue officials say a bus with some 60 people on board  mostly schoolchildren  has crashed in central Sweden, resulting in many injuries.

Rescue services spokesman Peter Nystedt says some 25 people were injured  some seriously  in the accident on a main highway, south of Sveg, a small town 430 kilometers (260 miles) northwest from the capital, Stockholm.

The bus reportedly was en route to a ski resort on Sunday morning, local media said. Pictures showed the bus lying on its side in a ditch beside the highway.

The cause of the accident was not known but the road reportedly was icy when the accident occurred at about 7 a.m. (0500 GMT).

No further details were immediately available.
Britain for the first time is honoring a woman with a statue in Parliament Square: suffragist Millicent Fawcett, a leader of the campaign to win women the right to vote.

Prime Minister Theresa Mays calls Fawcett an inspiration in the battle against the injustices of today. May said Sunday "it is right and proper that she is honored in Parliament Square, alongside former leaders who changed our country."

The statue will be erected as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the People Act of 1918, which gave some women the right to vote. Equal voting rights came a decade later.

Parliament Square in London, in the shadow of the Palace of Westminster, includes statues of some of the world's most important figures, including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
Uruguay is looking for 22 missing crew members of a South Korean ship after finding two survivors.

Two Filipino survivors were in good health floating in a life boat when they were found Saturday by a commercial boat participating in the search. Uruguayan Navy spokesman Gaston Jaunsolo told The Associated Press that the survivors said the Stella Daisy split in two and sank.

A Brazilian Navy plane joined the rescue team at around 2,485 miles (4,000 kilometers) off Uruguay's coast. Argentina's Navy has also been helping.

The South Korean foreign ministry says the vessel's shipping company lost contact with Stella Daisy on Friday.
MADISONSet amid the farmland of rural Madison, Hebron Lutheran Churchs roots go back to the early 1700s, when 20 German families seeking a new life sailed across the Atlantic, headed for Pennsylvania.

But they never got there.

Two theories exist as to why the ship landed in Virginia. One is that a storm pushed the boat south. The other, and more accepted theory, is the captain deliberately took them to Virginia so he could make money by selling the Germans to the state governor.

The 80 Germans began a church group in Germanna, 20 miles north of Fredericksburg, in 1717. After eight miserable years, they moved west to present-day Madison County. There, they built a temporary log church in the Hebron Valley. In 1740, the current church building was erected. It was called the German Chapel or Old Dutch Church until the Hebron name was adopted around 1850.

* * *

Now, 300 years after the congregation formed in 1717, Hebron is still moving forward. On Sunday, April 30, the small church will celebrate its history with an anniversary service at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and several history presentations.

More than 300 people are expected to attend, including Virginia synod officers and the president of Roanoke College, a Lutheran school, according to Bill Price, chairman of Hebrons 300th anniversary committee. With the church only holding about 200 people, the overflow will be outside under a tent watching on a projector screen.

With local residents making space, coupled with carpooling and buses, parking should be manageable, according to Price. Were going to solicit the help of a lot of folks, he said. We dont think parking is going to be an issue.

Significantly, Hebron possesses a rare 1560 edition of a Martin Luther Bible, written in German. A conservator at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington restored the Bible in 2010, and its now kept in a vault. The Bible, which is about 9 by 12 by 5 inches, will be on display for the April 30 service.

Hebrons communion ware is among the oldest of any Lutheran congregation and is still in use.

Those wishing to attend the anniversary service should print the registration form from the churchs website, hebronlutheranva.com, fill it out and return it with payment, which covers all activities and lunch.

* * *

By its status in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Hebron is permitted to have female pastors. Institutions in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod have only male pastors.

The Rev. Patricia Covington has been the pastor of Hebron Lutheran Church since 2011. The Rev. Karen Taylor was the first woman to lead Hebron, from 2005 to 2009.

Our sanctuary has been in continuous use as a Lutheran worship site since its construction in 1740, Taylor stated during her tenure. We are humbled to minister in the shadow of generations of saints who came before us.

In his book History of the Hebron Lutheran Church from 1717-1990, William Peter Huddle, a former Hebron pastor, stated: For sixteen years (1717 to 1732), they had been without the services of a Lutheran pastor. They were scattered and like sheep without a shepherd.

Hebrons first pastor was John Caspar Stoever, who served a 300-member congregation from 1733 to 1739, until he died at sea sailing back home from Europe.

The Rev. William Carpenter served from 1787 to 1813, the longest tenure of all Hebrons pastors.

* * *

In January 1789, James Madison and James Monroethe future fourth and fifth presidents, respectivelyattended a service at Hebron Lutheran, then debated outside in the snow for two hours. They talked about the new Constitution and fate of the new federal government. Both men were campaigning to be the first elected member from the 5th Congressional District to the U.S. House of Representatives.

After the debate, Madison rode a horse 12 miles home in the cold. His nose was frostbitten by the time he got back to Montpelier, current Hebron member Jane Volchansky said.

Madison won the election on Feb. 2.

In 1790, Carpenter began conducting services in English; they were only done in German before then.

In 1802, a Tannenberg pipe organ was installed after being transported by an ox cart from Pennsylvania. Hebron purchased it for 200 pounds. It was only one of nine remaining Tannenberg organsand it still exists today, restored in 2015 for excellent service. One of the history presentations on April 30 will be about the organ.

* * *

Hebron suffered a discouraging era from 1820 to 1850. By 1847, the membership had declined to about 70.

The Revs. Alonzo Ludden, with his efficient leadership, and William Bowman, with his pre-eminent pulpit presence, resuscitated Hebron in the 1850s. More than 100 people joined the church. And a new roof and pulpit improved the churchs look.

Some of Hebrons pastors in the late 1800s also preached at Mount Nebo Lutheran Church, a few miles south in Rochelle.

During Huddles tenure, from 1897 to 1921, the membership grew, the Sunday school was prosperous and the current cemetery was established by 1904.

In 1968, when Bernard Troutman was the pastor, a tornado tore apart the Hebron Valley, destroying four 200-year-old oak trees surrounding the church. The church building sustained only minor damage.

Under Troutman, Hebron invested $22,000 to make numerous repairs, including a new altar, communion rail, goblet-shaped pulpit and carpet. The flooring was completely rebuilt to repair damage done by termites. The building also was insulated and painted.

In 1990, Hebron had a 250-year rededication service of the 1740 building. At that time, there were 350 baptized members, a much higher total than the current figure of 100.

On April 30, Hebron membersplus many morewill pass cornfields, cows and the stone wall-surrounded church cemetery on their way to 899 Blankenbaker Road to celebrate 300 years of faith.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools faced accusations of lavish spending on chairs, essential oils and out-of-state conferences during a recent public forum.

But School Board Chairwoman Erin Grampp disputed claims of wasteful spending in a letter to Board of Supervisors Chairman David Ross. The letter, dated Friday, summarizes many of the expenses at issueincluding trips to conferences in Toronto, Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Spotsylvania Republican Committee Chairwoman Dale Swanson and Fredericksburg Virginia Patriots leader Michael Hirsch, both of whom have butted heads with the School Board, made some of the disputed remarks at a public hearing Tuesday to solicit feedback on next fiscal years county budget.

In perhaps the most eye-raising claim, Swanson and resident Hamza Atif said the school system spent about $40,000 on two chairs. What kind of two chairs are those? asked Atif, whose LinkedIn page says he is an intern for the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Are they like gold chairs? he questioned.

Grampps letter called those comments grossly inaccurate. The school system actually bought 175 chairs for $40,152, or $229.44 each, she said.

Swanson also said educators paid about $6,000 for a bookcase, but Grampp said the amount was actually $5,636 for 32 metal bookcases.

Swanson, however, was not far off when she said the system forked over $800 for essential oils. Grampp said schools paid $758.64 for the oils, which she said are part of an overall student behavior modification strategy in the alternative school. She said the strategy had proved effective, but did not elaborate.

Swanson said in an interview that the school system should release invoices showing exactly how its money is spent.

The weekly bill list posted on the school systems website is unclear, she said. That list, for instance, described the new chairs as CHAIR, PH.D. SERIES, UPHOLSTERED SEAT.

Without an invoice, I dont know what they purchased, Swanson said.

Grampp wrote that the system posts its bills in a spirit of transparency, and said people should contact the school system with any questions. No attempt was made to clarify the assumptions about the chairs and bookcases, she wrote.

Ross said he briefly skimmed through Grampps note, but did not have a reaction. I guess I really dont have any thoughts on it, he said. He did not make any of the comments cited in the letter, but is a political ally of Swanson and Hirsch.

Hirsch, the local tea party chair, questioned the need for out-of-state conferences, which he said contributed to the shortfall in the classroom  created by bad spending policies and poor priorities. County Administrator Mark Taylors budget proposal keeps taxes steady, but is more than $4 million shy of what the School Board says it needs to help cover 2 percent pay raises, in addition to rising health care rates and Virginia Retirement System payments.

Grampp detailed four conferences in her letter but included only the cost of the trip to Las Vegas.

The system, she wrote, spent $1,099 for a graphic arts teacher to attend a Photoshop World Conference last year in Vegas. The letter included a detailed description of the conference, which it said is dedicated exclusively to the Adobe Photoshop properties software used in some classes.

The school system had not sent a teacher to the conference in more than five years, wrote Grampp, who said federal grant money helped pay for the trip. The content and capacity of the Adobe platform has increased exponentially in that time, she stated.

Hirsch recently posted a video on YouTube of Supervisor Chris Yakabouski, a frequent target of the tea party, saying at a recent meeting that, We do not have people, and I will state for a fact, we do not have people that fly to Las Vegas for conferences.

Yakabouskiwho has defended schools against allegations of wasteful spendingsaid he was trying to contrast the countys spending with that of a federal agency, but may not have finished his thought. He said his whole point was that the county does not spend frivolously.

If you want to take my words out of context, Im used to it. But when he gets caught basically lying about things, this is his typical MO, Yakabouski said of Hirsch.

The three other conferences detailed by Grampp included:

A 2016 International Baccalaureate Conference of the Americas in Toronto. IB teachers must complete training in order to assist our students in meeting the rigorous standards of the program at Spotsylvania High School, Grampp wrote. IB teachers have also completed online training to reduce costs, she said. About 50 students are enrolled in the program, which costs $36,000 annually for membership dues and professional development.

A 2015 National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in New Orleans, which one schools employee attended last year. That employee led a workshop at the seminar.

A 2016 Computing Technology Industry Association Partner Summit Conference in Orlando. That conference provided required training for career and technical education teachers, Grampp wrote.
Exploring Crows Nest Natural Area Preserves mature forests and scenic overlooks by foot has finally gotten easier.

Nearly a decade after its nearly 3,000 acres nestled between Accokeek and Potomac creeks in Stafford County were dedicated as a preserve, eight miles of hiking trails officially opened to the public on Saturday. They can be used Thursdays through Sundays.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe was on hand for the ceremony, and helped unveil the new Hiking Crows Nest sign. It features a map showing the trails through some of the best deciduous hardwood forests remaining in the states coastal plains.

This is a great day for Virginia, he told the approximately 40 attendees. This is such a special place for us.

Protecting Crows Nest has been one of Staffords, and the states, highest land conservation priorities for years. The high, narrow peninsula contains 50 acres of tidal and non-tidal wetlands, which account for 60 percent of all the marshes in the county. It also includes 2,200 acres of mature hardwood forest, including two forest types recognized as globally rare by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreations Natural Heritage Program, according to the preserves Facebook page.

Bald eagles nest there; it provides habitat for numerous plant speciesDutchmans breeches and spring beauty are currently in bloom; and the land played an important role in National American, Colonial and Civil War histories in Virginia.

McAuliffe said that the preserve is No. 1,143 in his Virginia Treasures initiative, which he included in his final pitch to convince international food and beverage maker Nestle S.A. to move its U.S. headquarters from Glendale, Calif., to Rosslyn.

Those folks in California told me that was a huge selling asset, he said of the initiative. We need to lean in and protect these assets all across the commonwealth because they are such a valuable asset, not only for recreation, but last year we had 10 million visitors to our parks. Think of that. Ten million folks came and spent $225 million dollars, creating about $20 million in tax revenue, which is very important. One million were from outside this state.

The number of nature preserves in Virginia has grown from none in 1990 to 63 today, McAuliffe added. Only 21 have public access.

At Crows Nest, that had been previously been available only at an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant canoe and kayak launch, which has a parking lot on Brooke Road. It opened in 2015. Access to the main part of the preserve was limited to a few open house days each year, mainly because there were no funds to upgrade a 1.6-mile access road off Raven Road.

Requests for funds to pave the dirt access road with gravel were repeatedly turned down by the General Assembly. Stafford supervisors ended up applying for a recreational access grant through the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The work was done by the Virginia Department of Transportation in coordination with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Theres no other place in Stafford that has this access to hiking trails, Mike Lott, Northern Region Stewardship supervisor for VDCRs Virginia Natural Heritage Program, said just before the opening ceremony. The longest trail here is 5 miles. At Government Island, its about a one-mile round trip. Its extremely popular, and I suspect this will be, too.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Paul Milde, chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, said that the group of about 40 attendees would probably have been sitting in someones living room if Crows Nest hadnt been saved from development.

The 2,872-acre parcel was purchased in two phases in 2008 and 2009 for $34.1 million, with Stafford putting up $9.5 million of the total cost. The rest was cobbled together from many sources.

Milde thanked a number of attendees for their efforts in helping preserve Crows Nest, including House Speaker Bill Howell and his wife, Cessie, and Hal Wiggins, who retired last year from the Army Corps of Engineers field office in Fredericksburg and was part of a grassroots Save Crows Nest effort.

Very few times in life do dreams really come true, Wiggins said afterward. The stars had to align to make this great opportunity to save the great, vast Crows Nest peninsula and its wetlands. I am eternally grateful to everyone who stepped up to the plate to make it happen.
This Tuesday at the University of Mary Washingtons Great Lives lecture series: Caligula and Nero.

For sheer tabloid pleasure, it would be hard to beat Romes most scandalous emperors, and certainly the worst of Augustus successors in the first century AD. Sadism, incest, matricide and persecution of Christians and Jews were just a few of their many misdeeds. It will come as a surprise to many to learn, as Great Lives speaker Barry Strauss will point out, that Caligula and Nero were also serious policy-makers with genuine successes to their credit. He will discuss the good, the bad and the uglybut mostly the uglyin a titillating talk that gives new meaning to the phrase, They dont make em like that anymore.

Barry Strauss, who has spoken twice previously in UMWs Great Lives series (on Hannibal and Spartacus) is professor in humanistic studies and chair of the department of history at Cornell University. His latest book is The Death of Caesar: The Story of Historys Most Famous Assassination (March 2015). He is also the author of such books as The Battle of Salamis (2004), The Spartacus War (2009), and Masters of Command: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar and the Genius of Leadership (2012). According to Publishers Weekly, No one presents the military history of the ancient world with greater insight and panache than Strauss.

The Tuesday lecture, sponsored in part by Chancellors Village, will be held in UMWs Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. It is open to the public, free of charge.
HOW do you know what to believe, anymore?

Fake news, anyone?

Lies, deception, unrealities of all kinds and outright insanities rule the news media and the president alike, and are believed by millions of grazers, voters who never look beneath the surface, never check facts and generally relish a clueless existence. Is that too harsh?

During the Cold War, it was said that nothing is what it seems. And, today, it seems nothing has changed in that respect.

An opinion piece on this subject is hard for me to write. The facts, history, outrage at the behavior of our political classes of both parties and a visceral fear for the future cloud and confuse my mind.

Fear for our country and our personal safety in these turbulent times exact a price. How does one deal with the unforeseeable?

I felt I must do something, so I decided, before I lost my ability to cope, to err on the side of caution and seek a second, more clear-headed and even divine opinion from the Lady of the mountain at Old Rag, just west of Culpeper.

I wish to beg her answers to the dilemma that faces us: How to find peace in this chaotic world?

On a balmy March day, I ascended a rugged trail well known to me with a heavy heart but high hopes for inspired guidance from the unique entity who resides here and determines the fates of all who presume to conquer her heights.

As I labored up the rocky incline I was, perhaps, too eager for her company as I hoped and even prayed at every step that she would come to my rescue, soon. Am I really so needy?

At long last, my Lady of the mountain made herself known to me late in the day near the peak as I paused for an energy drink and to catch my breath. Suddenly, she was there, caressing, all around me and in a delightful mood to match the brilliant sunshine and gentle breezes emanating from her bosom.

I was happy as my burden was lightened by her presence, and I decided to waste no time but to engage her in a respectful tete-a-tete in an effort to relieve my worst fears for the future.

What do you think of our new president? I ventured.

She looked at me sideways, with a hint of mischief in her eye and an almost cruel purse to her lipsshe frightens me when she does that.

You have a new president? She asked. Her voice echoed across the ridge.

Not wanting to seem too assertiveshe is, after all, vastly superior to me and my safety on the mountain is hers to grant or deny, I shrugged my shoulders, looked down at the rough gray boulder I was perched on and said, Yes, maam, in an unenthusiastic, noncommittal voice, like a little boy, answering his mother.

She looked at me, said, You dont seem too pleased with your new president.

I thought about that, about the untruths endlessly repeated in news broadcasts, screwed my face into a grimace and said, Well, when our previous president was a man who lowered the level of the oceans, loved his country, worked well with Congress and said You can keep your health care and keep your doctor, its a real change-up when he is followed by a man who hates women, despises health care, loathes immigrants and is the modern embodiment of Adolf Hitler. All lies, of course.

It got quiet on the mountain. The songbirds stopped singing. The breeze stopped blowing. On the horizon, dark clouds began to form.

My Lady gazed off into the distance, as if accessing something I couldnt see and then looked back at me with that sideways look, again, but without the pursed lips this time.

I could read her mind, and our smiles coincided, and we burst into an abandoned, raucous laughter that rang through the forest all the way to the parking area far below. All was right in my world.

I came away that day with the sure knowledge that a little laughter can go a long way to the relief of the anxiety that has bedeviled me.

Humor is a trip to blessed sanity in a world where nonsense is routinely peddled as truth on an hourly basis, and we are encouraged to see God-given freedoms such as speech as a threat rather than a blessing.

A sense of humor, by itself, will not solve our problems, but being able and willing to laugh at ourselves is a step in the right direction.

When I can no longer laugh, Ill go back to the mountain and ask my Lady for a miracle.

Eckel Davis lives in Spotsylvania County.
WHEN SOMEONE youve loved, trusted and depended on for decades says hes leaving to answer a new calling, the feelings are bittersweet. There is a measure of sadness, of course, but also appreciation for the role hes played and respect for the difficult decision hes made.

As his patients learn of Dr. Tim Powells plans to leave the Fredericksburg Christian Health Center, which he founded in 2003, the mixed emotions are expected. Some of those patients have been seeing him since he arrived in the Fredericksburg area in 1993.

For Powell, his faith-based mission has always been to serve the poor, to make sure everyone has access to health care, whether they have insurance or not, whether they can afford to pay or not. For Powell, health care is not something people are supposed to simply do without.

Though the ongoing debate about health care in America seems to grow louder with each passing day, our nation remains a long way from ensuring that as many Americans as possible have access to the health care they need. The center in suburban Spotsylvania County is a place apart from the national debate among moneyed interests and political power players. Its a place of healing.

Dr. Powell has made a career of striving, one patient at a time, to make care available right here at home. By operating a faith-based clinic, and offering to pray with his patients, his work is more challenging because the clinic is thereby ineligible for state and federal funds.

His organization has nevertheless found a way to carry out its mission to the tune of $3 million in services provided to the poor and uninsured for the past 14 years. That translates into some 40,000 visits, or an average of about 3,000 visits a year by 1,000 patients. Yes, it is faith-based, and some of that faith is placed in a community that has been forthcoming and dependable with donationsfunds that are complemented by grants and insurance payments.

What Powells mission means is more than the day-to-day wellness or urgent care that he and his associates provide. It opens an avenue to longer and healthier lives for his patients, so their ailments dont become chronic, inhibiting their abilities to make a living or pursue satisfying lives. That is what an investment in accessible health care can mean.

Powell may be moving on in August, but he is certainly not one to abandon his mission. In Greenville, N.C., he will teach students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University who will become a new generation of doctors. And he promises to educate them on the importance of providing health care to the poor.

Hell also focus on the same objective to which he has dedicated himself hereworking to make sure poor residents in his new locale have the medical care they want or need.

Meanwhile, Powells successor at the Fredericksburg area clinic, Dr. Theron Stinar, vows to carry on the clinics outreach even though a trust fund thats provided half of the $200,000 contributed annually by the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation was exhausted last year. The network of area businesses, churches and individuals who have backed the clinic plan to carry the mission forward.

Stinar, in fact, says his goal is for the clinic to reach even more of the regions estimated 16,000 uninsured adults.

For Powell and his family, the good work they have been doing will continue to evolve. Wife Laura, a family nurse practitioner at the clinic, will share her skills in the familys new town. Daughter Lauren, who graduated from the University of Virginia last spring, is taking a year off before medical school to serve at the Fredericksburg clinic. She recently organized a private fundraiser to encourage sponsorship of an uninsured patient for $75 a month, hoping to raise $60,000 in the process. Of course, the center always welcomes donations.

Dr. Powells departure, it would seem, is not a circumstance to lament, but rather an occasion to recognize the legacy of faith-based and accessible indigent health care that he leaves behind. We wish the Powell family well in the next phase of their lives and hope for continued success for the mission of the Fredericksburg center they created.
Health-care actions have consequences

Now that repeal of Obamacare has been a dismal failure, President Trump says the best thing politically would be to just let Obamacare explode.

What? With Republicans in charge of both Houses of Congress and the presidency, it is they who are in charge, and it is they who will be blamed if it does explode.

About 50 percent of Americans now approve of Obamacare.

If millions of lower, middle and upper class Americans lose their insurance, dont blame Democrats. They may have built that house, but now it is up to the present occupant to maintain it.

Republicans constantly remind us that elections have consequences. And one consequence of winning an election is that the winner is now responsible for what happens.

Mr. Trump, the public and history will hold you responsible for what you door dont do. Its one of the consequences of victory. Its part of the job.

Please do your job to the benefit of all Americans.

Jay Brock

Fredericksburg
Presidents travel ban is un-American

As a young female American citizen, Donald Trumps presidency has instilled fear in me. Although I have not been affected personally by the travel ban, I fear for those facing discrimination because of the presidents actions.

For someone to have such power to force our society to label its citizens as terrorists is dictator-like. Why does it seem like this country is going backward? What happened to the U.S. Constitution?

I attend James Madison University, a school dedicated to the man who wrote the Constitution. Thankfully, Madison penned the amendment that doesnt allow people of different religions to be discriminated against.

For President Trump to try to make the nation turn against a certain religion because of his fear of terrorism is not American. With his travel ban, he is attempting to make every single Muslim appear to be a terrorist, which they are not.

He is trying to make it OK for American citizens to turn on Muslims and treat them like outsiders. For society to function properly, there must not be such thing as outsiders. We must be united.

I am very proud to be from Virginia because Attorney General Mark Herring fights on our behalf to protect the Constitution.

Angela Rios

Stafford
Pressure is mounting for the devolved governments to be given full control over agricultural support and spending, once the UK leaves the EU.

A recent report from the Welsh Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee insisted that the UK government should commit to present levels of funding for agriculture, post Brexit.

And, while it may be necessary to have UK-wide regulatory frameworks for things such as food safety and animal welfare, these must be agreed by all UK governments  not imposed from the centre.

See also: Brexit free-trade deal vital for farming

According to committee chairman, Mark Reckless, leaving the EU should provide significant opportunities for Wales to plot its own course for agriculture.

But we can only take advantage of this opportunity by making sure that Wales has a say on any new UK policies and frameworks, he told Farmers Weekly.

Any future common framework must be able to accommodate differing policies across the UK; what is suitable for the Welsh uplands is very different from what is right for the Scottish lowlands.

Mr Reckless acknowledged any future financial support for producers in Wales would be shaped differently, taking into account the role of farmers in promoting biodiversity and tackling the effects of climate change.

But we are clear our landscapes and rural economies will continue to be managed largely by farmers.

Their stewardship of our countryside is a large part of what attracts people to Wales, and their role should be supported with public funding.

Scots messages

Similar thinking is being applied in Scotland, where NFU Scotland has prepared a briefing paper for MPs and MSPs.

In it, the union sets out all its goals for Brexit, including maintenance of current funding levels for agriculture and the ability to set future support mechanisms for Scottish farmers.

Scotland currently receives some 16% of the UK allocation of CAP funding, it said. If a future agricultural budget is not ring-fenced, Scotlands share could be subject to the Barnett Formula which would cut the allocation to 8% or 9%.

As for how this money is spent, NFUS recognises there is a difference of opinion between Westminster and Holyrood.

While the UK government wants a UK framework, with some leeway for devolved administrations to do their own thing, the Scottish government wants full repatriation of all powers, together with full budgetary control.

Unacceptable

NFUS wants to see Scottish ministers deciding on the future farm policy, and suggests the UK framework approach should be limited to things such as the regulation of pesticides and animal welfare.

NFUS is clear that any approach that drops a Defra-centric, one-size-fits-all policy on to the devolved nations would be unacceptable, said the briefing paper.

The future support package must, therefore, be a commonly agreed framework, with devolved delivery.

As for what this policy should look like, NFUS is open to new forms of support that encourage innovation, restructuring and greater market focus.

But if the policy pendulum swings too far and too quickly away from direct income support, then many farm businesses will not be able to cope, it warns.
With the end of this month, we're wrapping up our wave of coverage to coincide with our cover story on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. To close things out, we wanted to take a look back at 2016's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. We spoke with Naughty Dog's president Evan Wells, Uncharted 4's creative director Neil Druckmann, writer Josh Scherr, lead artist Tate Mosesian, and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy's game director Kurt Margenau and creative director Shaun Escayg about their favorite moments from Nathan Drake's final adventure.

Watch the video below to learn the stories behind Crash Bandicoot and the series' wildest setpiece. Also, just a heads up, the video contains FULL SPOILERS for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

Click on the banner below to enter our hub of exclusive content that we'll be updating throughout the month.
I first discovered the Dances of Universal Peace when attending a Sacred Dance Week at Pacific School of Religion in California in the early 1990s.

At the time, I was delighted to be learning more about ways in which to use dance in worship. I had always loved music and dance, and connecting the arts with my faith was very exciting to me. Most of the dance I knew about was performance-oriented: how to get a message across using movement while a congregation watched. Liturgical dance was wonderful.

But these dances were different! They were simple but beautiful ways in which everyone in a group or congregation could move together. They were like spiritual folk dance. You danced in a circle, usually holding hands, with musicians in the middle and a leader teaching everyone the dance. First you learned the words, then you learned the tune so you could sing the words, then you learned the movements so you could put it all together. It was a way to pray that involved every part of me, and that connected me with other people and with God at the same time.

Not only that, I discovered these dances were interfaith! They honored a huge variety of religious traditions, using sacred phrases, music and movement from all over the world. There were dances reflecting not only Judaism, Christianity and Islam, but also Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Native American and other indigenous faiths, Goddess religions and more. It was a wonderful way to visit different religions and cultures than my own. It wasnt a matter of debate; dancing and singing together went deeper than our differences. You didnt have to agree about theology; you just took the other persons hand and danced with them.

It was a way of centering our hearts on the sacred. It was like the opportunity to learn another persons language, or to discover that we could understand each other even though we spoke very different languages. For me, the Dances of Universal Peace were a bit like Christian Pentecost: an experience of spiritual unity beyond differences.

The Dances of Universal Peace were started in Berkeley, California in the 1960s by Samuel Murshid Lewis. He was 70 years old and was looking for a way to teach young people about God. Having studied Sufism (the mystical element of Islam), as well as Zen Buddhism and the mystical traditions of Judaism and Christianity, he had much to share. He was deeply influenced by the Sufi teacher Hazrat Anayat Kahn, and also the early modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis.

Lewis started with 30 dances using sacred phrases from Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Since then others have developed many more dances using texts and music from more traditions, so that there are now more than 700 Dances of Universal Peace. The Dances focus on common threads of love, peace, and unity. Lewis taught the hope that if people from around the world could learn to dance, eat and pray together that there could be peace in the world.

I think that in this time of religious polarization in our world, the Dances of Universal Peace offer a timely method and message. They actually are now international and are happening in circles large and small all over the world. They are a wonderful way to pray for and to embody peace.
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

So begins George Orwell's dystopian drama "1984," his 1949 novel whose popularity has surged since President Donald Trump took office earlier this year. The book climbed to the top spot of Amazon's best-seller list in January after Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway defended false claims about the inauguration crowd as merely "alternative facts."

"1984" has been made into a film on two occasions, first in 1956 and later in _ you guessed it _ 1984. The latter version is now heading back into theaters, this time as a pointed commentary on our modern times.

On April 4, more than 180 art-house theaters around the United States, including the Darkside Cinema in Corvallis, will screen the film in protest of Trump's administration. Theaters in 165 cities and 43 states will host the screenings as part of a joint effort by the Art House Convergence and United State of Cinema organizations.

"A lot of us have felt that (with) the current administration, a lot of our most essential values are sort of under assault," said Dylan Skolnick, co-director of Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, N.Y., and one of the organizers of the national screening. "In particular, things like the existence of actual facts. And '1984' has had this sudden uptick in popularity because it really explores a lot of those issues."

Originally released in its namesake year, the more recent film version of the book stars the late John Hurt as Winston Smith, a propagandist tasked with rewriting history to align with the dictates of the Party and its omniscient figurehead known as Big Brother. (The timing of the screenings is not random: April 4 is the date of the first entry in Smith's resistance diary.)

"Orwell's portrait of a government that manufactures (its) own facts, demands total obedience and demonizes foreign enemies has never been timelier," a press release for the event stated, adding that the screenings encourage theaters "to take a stand for our most basic values: freedom of speech, respect for our fellow human beings and the simple truth that there are no such things as 'alternative facts.' "

"Obviously '1984' is a nightmare, but it's also a warning," said Hadrian Belove, co-founder of Cinefamily in Los Angeles, one of the theaters showing the film. "We felt that thinking about what all this means is a good thing right now."
Organizations representing members of the National Guard and Reserve are mobilizing to prod Congress into restoring benefits for active duty deployments that have been denied under a new legal authority quietly implemented several years ago by the Pentagon.

As reported by the Gazette-Times in December, three dozen Marine reservists from Oregon took part in a months-long deployment to Honduras last year as part of a humanitarian mission. Only after returning to the States just before Thanksgiving did they discover that they would not be receiving the same benefits as the full-time Marines who were part of the same task force.

The reason for the disparity is a mobilization authority known as Section 12304b, which was created in 2011 as part of an omnibus defense spending bill and has been used with increasing frequency in the last few years. It allows members of the Guard and Reserve to be deployed without receiving valuable benefits such as G.I. Bill educational assistance, pre- and post-mobilization health care, vocational rehabilitation services, reduced age for retirement and federally subsidized differential pay to make up for their lower salaries while theyre away from their civilian jobs.

As of late last year, according to figures in the national military publication Stars and Stripes, roughly 4,700 members of the Guard and Reserves had been deployed under 12304b authority.

Two bills aimed at restoring those lost benefits fell short last year in Congress, but now a fresh offensive is under way.

The Educational Development for Troops and Veterans Act would restore G.I. Bill benefits for 12304b deployments and shore up other educational assistance programs for military personnel. The Reserve Components Benefits Parity Act is a more broad-based measure that would restore all the benefits currently denied members of the Guard and Reserve who go on active duty under 12304b.

The Military Coalition, an influential umbrella group made up of 33 advocacy organizations, has made eliminating the disparity in benefits between reservists and full-time military personnel one of its top legislative priorities for the 115th Congress, a message it delivered during the annual breakfast of the House National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus on March 8.

Meanwhile, advocates for guardsmen and reservists say theyre working hard behind the scenes to line up congressional support.

Those guys go out and do the same mission as their active duty brothers and sisters, and they dont get the same benefits as the active duty folks get, said Matt Pincus, senior legislative programs manager for the National Guard Association of the United States.

Everyone realizes this needs to get fixed, he added. Its just a question of how do we fix it.

While there is bipartisan support for the issue in principle, Pincus said, some Republicans have been reluctant to sign on to the reform bill because it would be expensive to implement and no cuts to other programs have been identified to offset the costs.

On that front, there may be cause for optimism in the Trump administrations push to dramatically increase defense spending.

We certainly have hope, said Susan Lukas of the Reserve Officers Association. Unfortunately, the budget document they submitted to Congress doesnt say whether any of this money could be spent on the Guard and Reserve.

Like Pincus, however, she sees widespread support in both chambers for some sort of reform measure.

I think theres a very good chance that would happen, Lukas said. Every congressional staffer and member weve contacted has spoken positively about those benefits, and I think with that kind of backing youre going to see something positive come out.
The Corvallis City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the downtown fire station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd.

The fairly heavy agenda includes a discussion of whether to appeal a Benton County court ruling on the citys challenge to new state annexation rules, a decision on a piece of the Kings Boulevard extension debate, the annual ambulance rate review and a 7:30 p.m. public hearing on new land-use notification rules.

In other public meetings:

Saturday

 Ward 1 Corvallis Councilor Penny York will be the government comment corner guest from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.

Tuesday

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners hold a work session at 9 a.m. in the county boardrooms, 205 NW Fifth St. Discussion topics include a resolution proposing a universal health care system in Oregon and the possible transfer of Arnold Avenue to the city of Adair Village. At noon the board will meet to decide whether to formally commit funds to renovate the Public Service Building and whether to pay $470,000 to secure right of way for a future overpass at the railroad trestle on Southwest 53rd Street.

 The Corvallis Downtown Parking Committee meets at 5 p.m. at the downtown fire station to discuss recommendations of Oregon State University graduate students who studied parking and other issues on Second Street.

 The task force working on the citys climate action plan meets at 5 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave.

 The Philomath Park Advisory Board meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 980 Applegate St. to discuss music in the park planning and an update on a park planned for 11th Street.

 The Adair Village City Council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6030 William R. Carr Ave. to discuss council goals.

Wednesday

 The Corvallis Community Involvement & Diversity Advisory Board meets at 5 p.m. at the Madison room. Board members will conduct interviews from groups applying for neighborhood empowerment grants.

 Benton County will host an open house to discuss potential routes for a Corvallis-Albany bike path from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sunset Building, 4077 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The meeting will include a 45-minute public comment period and an additional opportunity to vote on routes.

 The Corvallis Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. at the downtown fire station. No public hearings are scheduled. Commissioners will undergo training on statewide planning programs and land-use decision-making.

 The Corvallis-Benton County Library Advisory Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at the library.

Thursday

 The Corvallis City Council will meet in a 4 p.m. work session at the Madison room. Councilors will discuss a legacy streets program and draft recommendations for the Imagine Corvallis 2040 action and implementation plan.

Friday

 The Corvallis Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meets at 7 a.m. at the Madison room.

 The Corvallis City Legislative Committee meets at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 501 SW Madison Ave.

April 8

 The League of Women Voters of Corvallis hosts a state legislative forum from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the library. Invited to attend are state Sen. Sara Gelser and state Reps. Andy Olson, Mike Nearman and Dan Rayfield.
Oregon State University has named Charlene Alexander its chief diversity officer.

Alexander, who also will hold vice president status, comes to OSU from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where she served for the past four years as associate provost for diversity and director of the universitys diversity office. A 20-year faculty member and administrator at Ball State, she starts work in Corvallis on June 30.

Alexanders OSU responsibilities include guiding institutional diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice throughout the university. She replaces Angela Batista, who had served in the position on an interim basis since Feb. 1, 2016. Batista will resume her previous role of associate provost for student affairs and dean of student life.

Im thrilled that Charlene will bring her talents and capabilities to Oregon State, said OSU President Ed Ray. I created this position to oversee institutional change and strategic initiatives to help advance Oregon State University as a community characterized in all we do by inclusive excellence.

I am very honored to be the first permanent vice president and chief diversity officer at such an incredible institution, said Alexander, who will report directly to Ray.

I am very impressed with the faculty, staff and students whom I met during my visit to OSU. I think the university has a really great foundation to build on, and I sincerely appreciate OSUs commitment to doing this right, to ensuring that diversity, inclusion and social justice are at the heart of the university.

Alexander, who started at Ball State in 1997 as director of the universitys counseling program, officially retired from Ball State on Friday.

Ball State board chair Rick Hall said that Alexander was instrumental in making the university's student racial demographic reflect that of Indiana as a whole.

Your focus has always been on getting results, and weve got those results," Hall told the Ball State Daily News.

Alexander grew up on the West Indies island of Trinidad and completed her secondary education at Rye St. Antony in Oxford, England. She received a bachelors degree in psychology and a masters in counseling and guidance from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska before earning her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Jessie Ryan was ready to move out of her Warrior II pose when she felt a nudge on the back of her leg.

When she turned around, she couldnt help but laugh when she saw Quincy, a 1-year-old mini-goat, staring back up at her.

It was the moment Ryan had traveled from Portland to the mid-valley to experience: the birthplace of a nation-sweeping craze known as goat yoga.

How can you not connect with this face? Ryan asked as Quincy bleated back to her. Youre in the middle of doing a pose, thinking about how terrible everything is, when a goat comes up and kisses you or steps on your fingers and all that stress goes away. It sounds like something a modern-day Lewis Carroll would write.

Ryan joined 15 other people this week for one of the first goat yoga classes of the new year at Corvallis Hanson Country Inn.

But they aren't the only ones who have signed up for founder Lainey Morses sessions  the waitlist for the class grew to 2,400 people over the winter.

Goat yoga combines a one-hour yoga session with the animal-therapy of social mini-goats that wander around and interact with the class. When Albanys Morse first combined the words goat and yoga for a simple event last July, she inadvertently created a media whirlwind. Since then, her life has been anything but simple.

Goat yoga fever

In the last eight months, stories have appeared in hundreds of media outlets around the world, including the Washington Post, Time magazine, The New York Times, CNN, NPR, ESPN, National Geographic, Vogue, BBC and hundreds of blogs.

Last September, the Post's Karin Brulliard wrote, Well, its about time: Someone has finally launched a yoga class with goats and noting that when Morse created the class magic was made.

Two months later, under the headline Bring a Yoga Mat and an Open Mind. Goats Are Provided, New York Times reporter Kirk Johnson wrote, As you smell that grass on a yoga mat, you realize that you have entered the goats world, not the other way around.

There is now a "Goat Yoga" page on Wikipedia too.

Even "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon covered the story in a September 2016 opening monologue.

Apparently, theres a farm in Oregon that offers a yoga class that you can take with goats roaming around you, he said. They even have a special position called the downward facing [soundbite of goat bleating].

Morse, who lives at Albanys No Regrets Farm with her 11 Nigerian dwarf goats, had hosted several goat-centered events previously, including Goat Therapy (spending relaxing time with goats) and Goat Happy Hour (spending relaxing time with goats and wine). They were well-attended, locally popular and helped supplement her income. But Morse had no idea goat yoga would hit like it did.

Nothing prepares you for that; its just absolutely mind-blowing Morse said this week while preparing for a class at the Hanson Country Inn. You always hear about something going viral but you dont know what it means until you experience it. Its intense. Its like a roller coaster you cant get off. Its the most crazy thing you could ever do.

The media blitz started last summer after Heather Davis, a yoga instructor at Corvallis Live Well Studio, suggested to Morse the farm as a fun place to host a yoga class. To drum up publicity, Morse posted photos and videos on social media featuring Davis doing a yoga pose with one of Morses mini-goats on her back.

"I really like yoga and I really like goats. I guess other people do too," Davis said. "I told Lainey this felt like the most Oregonian thing ever. But neither of us expected this."

In less than a day, the photos and videos gathered hundreds of social media "likes" and shares, attracting local and national media attention. And the more media attention the story got, the more calls Morse received for interviews and from people asking to sign up for a session.

It got to the point where I was doing nothing but answering phone calls, she said. I lost 20 pounds when it all started happening. I would be so busy during the day Id forget to eat. I just wasnt thinking about myself.

Morse had also been diagnosed with Sjogrens syndrome, an immune system disorder similar to lupus.

I think that played a part too. It just got to be a lot. Everything was going 1,000 mph, she said. I mean, who do you go to for advice when something goes viral? You almost feel lonely because theres no one to go to when something hits like that.

No regrets

Morse is no stranger to marketing  it was her full-time job at Corvallis' Henderer Design + Build in Corvallis for more than 10 years. Last November, when she was getting 30 to 40 calls each day, she realized she had to make a choice: Quit a job she loved to focus on what could be a flash-in-the-pan, blink-and-youll-miss-it fad; or keep her job and ignore a potentially life-changing new business idea. Morse, who came up with the name No Regrets for her Albany farm, said the potential was too enticing to ignore.

I loved my job, but I love goats too. And as much as I loved what I did, when you hit the media lottery, you dont walk away from that, she said. And I already had debt from medical bills and from my divorce. At that point I thought, Im going to be in debt for the rest of my life anyway. Now I have a glimmer of hope.

Morse said she decided to go all in on the idea and borrowed a big chunk of money to start the business. In addition to previous projects and Goat Therapy and Goat Happy Hour events, she established a website (www.goatyoga.net), made deals with local businesses and farms to host goat yoga events, and bought a van (complete with goat yoga decals, pictures and a Caution: Mini goats on board sign) to transport her animals.

I have a vehicle that people are constantly stopping to take pictures of and tell people about, Morse said. What other vehicles get attention like that other than the Batmobile or the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile? Thats pretty cool.

Since making her decision to start the business, shes noticed many strange side effects. She trademarked the name Goat Yoga and has started selling licensing agreements, but numerous copycats have also sprung up around the country.

I heard of one place thats trying to do yoga with bunnies now, she said. Its exciting that so many people are loving this idea, but it is still weird to see businesses across the country starting because of whats happened here.

The right time, the right place

Morse said her Goat Therapy and Goat Happy Hour events showed her that she wasnt alone in her love of the therapeutic and calming effects of spending time with goats. And she hoped goat yoga would resonate like those previous events did.

When I was first diagnosed, I would come out every day and sit here with my goats and I would feel better. Its not healing diseases but its really hard to be sad when a goat comes up to snuggle you, she said. Its such a simple thing, but it makes so many people so happy.

Morse also hears the same questions every day from others trying to determine why people have responded to these sessions: Why goats? Why not dogs or cats or bunnies?

People use horses and dogs for therapy animals, but to me goats seemed like perfect therapy animals, she said. Theyre not as intimidating and big as horses. And dogs, what if youre allergic or if they dont bond with you or if theyre too shy? Goats dont care; they just want you to pet them. They have this sense of calm and they kind of go into a meditative state. Maybe thats why they work so well with yoga.

Fermin Perez, of Portland, said during a Corvallis session this week that the idea of combining goats and yoga made sense.

"The goats are peaceful and it just helps you destress," he said. "Theyre hanging around you or doing their own thing and thats calming, which is what the whole point of yoga is."

Everyone who has taken part in a session has come away with positive feelings, Morse said. But, like many others, shes still trying to piece together exactly why goat yoga's become such a phenomenon. One possibility she suggested: an overload of negativity around the world needed to be counterbalanced with some positivity.

I think people are so sick of that negativity, she said. I think the political climate especially is so insane that people are grasping for anything thats positive and happy. And thats hard to find nowadays.

As with anything new and popular, however, goat yoga's generated some negative reactions. Morse has received emails and messages critical of her business. Animal rights activists in other parts of the country have attacked her for the way she handles her goats.

For the most part, people are supportive, she said. But everyone has a right to believe what they want and if they want to be unhappy they will be. I think unhappy people are going to gravitate in the direction of being negative and theyre going to continue being negative no matter what you do. You cant fight that.

Lightning in a bottle

With all of the attention, Morse said it's sometimes difficult and stressful. Luckily, she has a business thats all about addressing that stress.

I know that everyone is going to have a different reaction, and for a lot of people, when they see the words 'Goat Yoga,' it might sound silly, she said. But when you see it happening and you experience it, you quickly realize its anything but silly.

One of the participants in Morse's latest classes was a woman battling breast cancer. Morse said seeing the look on the womans face when a goat approached her brought tears to Morses eyes.

One of our babies went up to her and nuzzled her face and it made her so happy, Morse said. It was very powerful. I had no idea it would get this big and help someone fighting cancer and make them feel better. Its not curing her disease, but it made her really happy. And shes still tweeting about it. I think thats not silly at all.

Morse continues to receive more than 30 calls every day. Lately, many have come from other parts of the world, which means she sometimes gets calls from India or England at 3 a.m. While she could sleep through it and ignore the media buzz or let someone else handle it, Morse said she almost never passes up an opportunity to tell someone about her business.

Everyone wants to do something they love and makes them happy. Its a double bonus when you can see first-hand how happy its making so many people, she said. I think when you catch lightning in a bottle like that, you dont ignore it or walk away from it.

But she knows that at some point, the international media spotlight will be gone.

Its got to die down sometime, right? Maybe in November it did a little bit, but then another story went big and weeks later I had 1,000 people on the waitlist, she said.

Morse said that although there's a waitlist and many sessions are sold out, openings are still available. Goat yoga classes take place Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for $30 with special discounts for Oregon State University students and faculty. Goat Yoga & Wine Tasting is $50 with sessions on Saturdays and Sundays at Emerson Vineyards. For more information, visit www.goatyoga.net.
Germany Launches Spying Probe Into Turkish Religious Official

Sputnik News

02:38 01.04.2017

German prosecutors are looking into Halife Keskin, a top official at Turkey's state-run religious affairs agency Diyanet, on suspicion his agency was spying on ethnic Turks in Germany, a local newspaper reported Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) Keskin, who heads the agency's foreign affairs department, reportedly tasked its representatives across the world with collecting information on supporters of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung cited its sources as saying.

Turkey believes Germany is harboring supporters of Gulen, accused of masterminding last July's failed military coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Tuesday, the Federal Prosecutor's Office opened an inquiry into unnamed members of Turkey's foreign intelligence agency MIT on similar charges. On Monday, German media revealed Turkey's intelligence agency MIT kept tabs on some 300 of Turks living in Germany on suspicion they supported US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, accused of plotting last July's failed attempt to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The extent of Turkish spying on its citizens became known after the MIT handed a list of targets to the German foreign intelligence agency, BND. Pistorius said 10 to 15 people and entities, including two firms and a school, were under surveillance in Lower Saxony alone. They had been warned against going to Turkey to avoid persecution.

 Sputnik

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Mattis Discusses U.S. Concerns About North Korean, Russian Actions

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

LONDON, March 31, 2017 North Korea is moving in a "very reckless manner" with its nuclear and missile programs, while Russian activities in Afghanistan are also of concern to the United States, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said here today as he discussed cooperation and security concerns with his British counterpart.

The U.S. is working through the United Nations and with allies to address the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, Mattis said in a joint press conference with British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.

"This is a threat of both rhetoric and growing capability and we will be working with the international community to address this," Mattis said.

The undertaking includes diplomatic moves with "those that we might be able to enlist in this effort to get North Korea under control," according to the secretary, who was on his first trip to the United Kingdom as defense secretary.

"Right now, it appears to be going in a very reckless manner in what its conduct is portraying for the future," Mattis said of North Korea's government. "That's got to be stopped."

Afghanistan Developments

Mattis also expressed concern about Russian activity in Afghanistan.

"We have seen Russian activity vis-a-vis the Taliban," he told reporters.

"I'm not willing to say at this point if that has manifested into weapons and that sort of thing, but certainly what they're up to there in light of their other activities gives us concern," Mattis said.

The United States and Russia no longer have a cooperative engagement, but the U.S. would be interested in engaging with Russia on a political or diplomatic level, Mattis explained.

"Right now, Russia is choosing to be a strategic competitor," Mattis said. "We're finding that we can only have very modest expectations at this point in areas that we can cooperate with Russia, contrary to how we were just 10 years ago [or] five years ago."

Additionally, Mattis said he and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are still reviewing recommendations on strategy in Afghanistan.

"We have not made a decision, yet," Mattis said, explaining he and the chairman have received the advice of Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and NATO's Resolute Support mission.

"I have not put a recommendation forward to our president at this time," Mattis said.

Defeating ISIS in Syria

Regarding Syria, Mattis said the focus is on the defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

"We're working this one day at a time, as we throw [ISIS] on to the back foot," he said, noting the terrorists have intentions of striking targets outside of Syria.

"That's an immediate threat that goes to Europe," he said. "We're going to have to keep them on their back foot, and that's what we're concentrating [on] at this point."

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Trump Authorizes Pre-Emptive Somalia Airstrikes in Latest US Military Escalation

Sputnik News

18:38 31.03.2017

US President Donald Trump has ramped up US military operations in Somalia, authorizing pre-emptive airstrikes against the terror group al-Shabaab. Less than three months into his presidency, President Trump has also increased the US involvement in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to stop embroiling the US in costly foreign wars.

However, since his inauguration, the president has been busy increasing the activities of the US military across the globe. Somalia joins the list of Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

"The additional support provided by this authority will help deny al-Shabaab safe havens from which it could attack US citizens or US interests in the region," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said in a statement.

President Trump has labeled Somalia an "area of active hostilities" and authorized the US military to conduct pre-emptive "precision airstrikes" in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia and the Somalia National Army, which has been suffering heavy losses in the entrenched battle against Islamist insurgents.

Under the former administration of President Barack Obama, the US had only been able to employ air-strikes against al-Shabaab militants in self-defense situations when African Union or Somali government troops accompanied by US advisers, came under attack.

The official grade of certainty that civilians won't be killed has been lowered from "near certainty" to "reasonable certainty."

Just days after taking the presidential oath, Trump re-classified Yemen in the same way. Since then, the US military has carried out 45 airstrikes in Yemen, more than have ever been conducted in any year in the country.

However, US defense officials have insisted that the changes would not result in a relaxing of procedures to prevent civilian casualties.

Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the head of US Africa Command, supported President Trump's decision to step up the fight against al-Shabaab in Somalia..

"It's very important and very helpful for us to have little more flexibility, a little bit more timeliness, in terms of decision-making process," Gen. Waldhauser said.

In response to questions about the role of the US military, Trump told a group of senators this week that the US was "doing very well" in Iraq.

"The results are very, very good," the president repeated.

It's not yet clear what impact increased air power will have on the spread of radical Islam in Somalia, or the wider region.

 Sputnik

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Opening NATO Liaison Office in Moldova 'Unacceptable' - President

Sputnik News

14:52 31.03.2017

Opening of NATO's Liaison Office in Chisinau is "unacceptable" as it may negatively affect the situation with the development of relations between Moldova and the breakaway republic of Transnistria, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the liaison office, which would be a small diplomatic mission with only civilian staff, would soon open in Chisinau.

"Our position regarding the opening of NATO's office in Chisinau remains the same this step is absolutely unacceptable. We have recently noted a significant progress in the process of Transnistrian settlement, and the opening of NATO's office in the Moldovan capital may negatively affect the dynamics of Chisinau-Tiraspol relations," Dodon wrote on his Facebook page.

In late November, Moldova Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Stoltenberg signed an agreement on setting up a NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau.

In February, Dodon expressed concern over establishing NATO liaison office in the state's capital and proposed not to move forward hastily. The president stressed that the agreement on setting up the office was signed before he assumed office in late December, 2016, and the status of the office might be reviewed in the future if NATO proceeded with its establishment. According to Dodon, the opening of the liaison office, scheduled for 2017, is potentially harmful to negotiations on Transnistria settlement.

Transnistria, a region with a predominantly ethnically Russian and Ukrainian population, is a self-proclaimed republic that seceded from the Soviet Republic of Moldova in 1990 fearing possible reunion with Romania. The separation led to a conflict known as "The Transnistria War" that ended in a ceasefire declared in July 1992, but the issue remains unresolved.

Since 2005, the talks on the conflict in Transnistria have been held in the 5+2 format, which, apart from Transnistria and Moldova, includes the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, the European Union and the United States as mediators. The latest round was held on June 2-3, 2016 in Berlin.

According to Moldova's constitution, the country has a neutral status, although it has cooperated with NATO under the Individual Partnership Action Plan since 1994.

 Sputnik

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US Reviewing Recommendations to Send More Troops to Afghanistan - Mattis

Sputnik News

14:29 31.03.2017(updated 16:59 31.03.2017)

The United States is reviewing the recommendations to send more troops to Afghanistan, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) Last week NATO Resolute Support Mission Commander Gen. John Nicholson said he plans to request more troops in Afghanistan to prevent the country from becoming a terrorist safe haven.

"On the question about the more forces for Afghanistan, the suggestion and recommendations coming in to us from the NATO commander in the field have been received. We are reviewing those right now Obviously, in light of our relationship with the UK, we always engage with them on issues like this So we'll be working with our allies on that issue, we have not made a decision yet. I have not put a recommendation forward to our president at this time," Mattis told a press conference.

The United States and its allies launched a military operation in Afghanistan in 2001 following 9/11 terror attacks. The mission in Afghanistan ended on December 28, 2014. On January 1, 2015, NATO announced its new mission in the country, called Resolute Support, to train and assist the Afghan security forces.

Afghanistan has been experiencing significant political, social and security-related instability for decades, as terrorist organizations, including the Taliban and Daesh, both outlawed in Russia, continue to stage attacks against civilian and military targets.

 Sputnik

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Norway Acquires 'Anti-Russian' US Patrol Aircraft, Keeps Mum About Price

Sputnik News

14:22 31.03.2017

The Norwegian government has signed a contract for the purchase of five US P8 Poseidon patrol aircraft with the intention to keep a closer eye on Russia's submarine activity in the north. However, both the total purchase purchase and the operational cost are kept secret.

The secrecy surrounding the acquisition of Norway's new surveillance aircraft is so strict that neither the public nor the Parliament is informed about the final price for the acquisition. Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Sreide said in a statement that the project's total cost amounted to "about 10 billion NOK" ($1.2 billion), assuring that the expenditure is covered by the long-term plan for the armed forces.

According to Norwegian daily Klassekampen though, part of the expenditure is placed under the Intelligence Service budget. Despite the Norwegian government's pledges to increase the defense budget by 180 billion NOK (over $21 billion) over the next 20 years, individual acquisitions may still constitute classified information.

In the case of the notorious Poseidon deal, information about the aircraft's sensors and equipment was considered highly sensitive and thus kept hidden both from parliament and the Norwegian public, despite the fact that the Finance Ministry specifically requests all public procurements exceeding 750 million NOK ($88 million) to undergo external quality assurance, which was clearly ignored this time.

Left Party leader and Parliamentary Defense Committee member Trine Skei Grande claimed far smaller procurements to undergo parliament's scrutiny.

"We have papers here dealing with tens of millions, which are the size of a bible. Here, we have a billion investment which only is described in a few sentences," Trine Skei Grande told Klassekampen, venturing that Norway previously burnt its fingers on major defense investments with a poor foundation in parliament.

The five P8 Poseidons will replace the fleet of six P3 Orions currently in service. The first planes are expected to land on Norwegian soil in 2022. The aircraft will be used for monitoring the waters off Norway's coast, particularly following the activity of Russian submarines.

In the fall of 2016, the Orion generation of surveillanceaircraft was reported to be struggling with discovering the newest Russian submarines. Following a "submarine pursuit" in Vestfjord outside the city of Bod, which was much less known than the Swedish 2014 submarine hunt, yet equally fruitless, a US P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft landed for the first time at Andya Air Station, which later proved to be a field power display.

Monitoring Russian activity has high priority for Norwegian surveillance aircraft and is also considered very important for NATO. Klassekampen's unrevealed sources claimed Norway to be under mounting US pressure to deliver good intelligence about Russian submarine activity. In case Norway fails to deliver, the US will come with its own aircraft to carry out the mission, the unrevealed source claimed, but was vehemently disclaimed by the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The Boeing P8 Poseidon is a maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and is designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction. It is seen as a replacement for the Lockheed P-3 Orion and its multiple variants.

 Sputnik

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Finns Mull Co-Housing Male, Female Conscripts to Boost Equality, Morale

Sputnik News

12:04 31.03.2017(updated 12:27 31.03.2017)

As the number of women applying for voluntary military service grows in Finland, the Armed Forces feel pressurized to change their routines. Finland has considered accommodating male and female conscripts together in shared cabins to boost equality.

The new arrangements have been stipulated since the number of female conscripts is increasing rapidly. This year, 1,126 Finnish women applied for voluntary military service, which is almost 300 more than last year, which was also a record year, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

In addition to joint housing, the Finnish Armed Forces is considering to merge the selection of female volunteers with male conscripts, in order to step up integration, promote equality and boost troop morale. Lieutenant Colonel Juho Raulo of the Uusimaa Regional Headquarters ventured that the system does not distinguish the conscripts based on their ethnic background or beliefs and consequently sees no reason to do so based on their sex.

"I do not understand why you cannot not sleep in the same house, when you still go to war together," Juho Raulo told Finnish military newspaper Ruotavaki. "If women were treated in the same cycle as men, it would facilitate the practical work and also generate cost savings."

According to Raulo, the changes would make it easier for women, as well. Accordingly, they would pass a medical examination at the state's expense and participate in local call-ups, thus sparing the necessity of traveling hundreds of kilometers for their selection ceremony. He also predicted the number of women in the army to grow further, doubling in a decade at the current rate.

At present, male and female conscripts share accommodation at camps and on Navy ships, but not at army barracks. According to Colonel Petteri Tervonen of the Defense Command, there are good examples from the other Nordic countries, where joint cabins allegedly have led to a more equal treatment of enlisted women.

"Not only separate do cabins for women and men reduce cohesion, they also make it more difficult to organize the training," Petteri Tervonen told Yle.

However, Johanna Norrgard, who served in 2015, argued that it can get a little tricky with mixed-sex cabins.

"Dressing after shower may become a little awkward with 10 men in the room," Johanna Norrgard told Yle.

Chairman of the Finnish Servicemen Union Juuso Kurttila argued that co-housing would strengthen the sense of unity among soldiers of both sexes, however maintained that girls still should be allocated separate locker rooms.

In 2016, Finnish female soldiers brought it to the media's attention that parts of the uniform, such as pants with braces, were not adjusted to women, forcing them to undress themselves "almost naked" to ease themselves.

A poll by Yle revealed mixed reactions to the co-housing proposal among Finns, with 59 percent of respondents arguing the situation was perfectly normal the way it was and 41 percent supporting the change.

The Finnish Armed Forces are based on universal male conscription. All men aged 18 years and over are liable to serve either six, nine or 12 months, with the option of alternative service. Some 27,000 conscripts are trained annually. In peacetime, Finland has a standing strength of 16,000 troops. Its conscript-centered armed forces can mobilize up to 230,000 combat troops and service personnel within one to four weeks, which is the largest in Scandinavia.

Women were granted the right to serve in the army in 1995, and their percentage has been rising ever since.

 Sputnik

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Poland Mulls Adding Australian Warships to Naval Fleet

Sputnik News

03:56 31.03.2017

As part of an ongoing push to improve its armed forces, the Polish parliament is considering adding a pair of frigates from Down Under.

Named after the cosmopolitan capital of South Australia, the Adelaide class frigates signal "a major upgrade for Poland," said Michal Jach of the Polish National Defense Committee.

Warsaw expects each warship to cost approximately $700 million, Jach added.

Poland also plans to decide where it will source three new submarines by the end of 2017, Defense News reports. The country is entertaining bids from French, Swedish and German contractors.

The new subs likely won't arrive until 2023, Jach told a local Polish news outlet.

Poland is currently in the midst of a massive military expansion, to the tune of $14.5 billion, even as unprecedented levels of NATO forces land in Poland to conduct joint military drills.

At a recent news conference, Lt. Col. Steve Gventer exclaimed that the presence of at least 3,500 US Army soldiers in Poland is not merely for training purposes. "This is a mission, not a cycle of training events," Gventer told reporters.

The US claims that a "greater force," in the form of more troops, is needed in Europe to deter the "Russian threat."

"I need armored and mechanized brigades," Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti told the House Armed Services committee on Tuesday.

Moscow maintains it doesn't pose any threat to Eastern Europe.

 Sputnik

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'No Such Thing': Beijing Balks at Island Construction in South China Sea

Sputnik News

03:20 31.03.2017(updated 08:40 31.03.2017)

The Chinese Defense Ministry rejects the notion that man-made islands are a real fixture in the South China Sea, alleging there is "no such thing" via a spokesman on Thursday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian promptly acknowledged that China had engaged in a large construction endeavor in the South China Sea, but said "most of the building is for civilian purposes."

Wu declined to specify exactly what was meant by the comment, saying that Beijing has already provided this explanation on multiple occasions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang has said China's projects in the sea are "a normal right under international law for sovereign nations," while noting that the construction is "normal" and not part of plans to militarize the region.

In a slight against Washington, Wu said regional countries have reached a stable equilibrium in the South China Sea for now, but outsiders want to amplify hostilities concerning the area's waters.

Satellite imagery captured on March 6 showed the build-up of a military installation on the North Island of the Paracels. Taiwanese media outlets noted that the construction looked like "preparation for a harbor," indicating China may be looking to bolster its naval presence in the area. The Paracels are claimed by a host of countries, including China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In the nearby Spratly Islands, China has developed structures that defense analysts say could be used to store and station surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. One US intelligence official remarked that "it is not like the Chinese to build anything in the South China Sea just to build it," Sputnik reported February 23.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has blasted Beijing's activity in the South China Sea as illegal and threatened to blockade China's access to the area. This prompted an op-ed in the Global Times to fire back, saying that blockades in the South China Sea would lead to a "military clash."

 Sputnik

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US-led Coalition Boosting Airfield Capabilities in Syria

By Ahed Al Hendi, Carla Babb March 31, 2017

With the capture of a strategic airfield in northern Syria this week from Islamic State, U.S.-backed forces and the American military have access to five air installations in the region, a network that can prove decisive in the fight against Islamic State, according to U.S. officials and analysts.

Two U.S. officials told VOA that American engineers and crews were working on repairing and restoring the airfield near Tabqa dam that was taken by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on Sunday.

U.S. General Carlton Everhart, commander of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, told VOA that his men had airlifted SDF forces behind IS lines to allow them to launch the attack that captured the airfield.

Everhart would not confirm or deny whether his men were repairing the Tabqa airfield, because of operational security, but said his men would be able to "do so at a moment's notice."

In 2014, IS fighters gained control of the air base from Syrian forces, killing at least 160 soldiers in the battle. It was formerly a Syrian government maintenance and attack base for Syrian air force MiG fighters purchased from Russia.

SDF commanders told VOA that the airfield was in tatters when it was captured, and that Islamic State fighters had destroyed much of the infrastructure. With repairs, though, the airfield could be used for flying in supplies, military hardware and troops to help SDF rout IS from its nearby de facto capital, Raqqa, Kurdish officials say.

The capture of Tabqa airfield comes as the U.S.-led coalition has been quietly increasing its aerial capability in northern Syria to include more landing areas and bases for taking the fight to IS.

Kobani to play role

U.S. military officials and SDF commanders told VOA on Friday that an airbase in Kobani will be the headquarters for U.S.-led coalition operations to retake Raqqa.

The Kobani base includes an airfield that was built from scratch by U.S. forces, they said. The base has been "up and running for a while," one U.S. military official said, but is "still a work in progress."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the U.S. military official said the airbase about 110 kilometers north of Raqqa would be used in the same way as Qayyarah Airfield West in Iraq is being used for operations to retake Mosul.

Last week, U.S. Major General Jay Silveria said that the installations in Iraq and Syria were "key for setting a posture for the fight to continue" against Islamic State.

Silveria, the deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, told reporters that Air Force engineers had restored a Syrian airfield so it is capable of receiving regular shipments of ammunition and supplies. In March alone, Silveria said, the airfield was used for at least 50 landings by C-17s and more than 100 landings by C-130 military cargo planes.

The Kobani airfield "is used more due to its size and because it is better equipped," SDF commander Nasser Haj Mansour told VOA.

Kobani and the newly seized airfield in Tabqa increase the capability of the U.S.-led coalition to strike from the air and resupply troops on the ground.

Those bases add to three others already controlled by U.S. allies in the region: Syrian Kurds built an airbase last year on farmland known as Abu Hajar airport in the Rmelan area and nearly doubled the length of the runaway to initially allow for delivery of cargo. Two other airfields in the region, one formerly used for agricultural purposes and the other a former Syrian military base, have also been expanded by Kurdish forces.

Alternatives to Turkey's Incirlik

Since the rise of Islamic State, the U.S.-led coalition has used Incirlik Air Base in Turkey as the main staging area for air attacks against IS in Syria and in northern Iraq. The base is also used to support U.S.-based forces in both countries.

But relations between the U.S. and Turkey have become increasingly frayed over American support for Kurdish forces in the Syrian civil war and Turkish demands for the extradition from the U.S. of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Turkish leadership blames for July's failed coup in Turkey.

Ankara opposes Washington's support for the Syrian Kurdish forces fighting IS. Ankara contends the SDF's Syrian Kurdish militia, known as the YPG, is a terrorist group affiliated with the outlawed PKK the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has been battling the Turkish state for many years.

Although U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hailed Turkey as a trusted ally in the fight against IS during his visit to Ankara this week, Turkish officials have continued to issue veiled threats of reprisals for the support Washington has given to Syrian Kurdish fighters. Turkey could, for example, place restrictions on flights by U.S. and coalition aircraft from the NATO base at Incirlik.

However, analysts note that the U.S.-led coalition's efforts to upgrade air facilities in northern Syria could eventually reduce its reliance on the Incirlik base.

"Any alternative to Incirlik reduces Turkish bargaining power and leverage," said Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official who is now an analyst with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington.

Gonul Tol, the Middle East Institute's program director for Turkey, told VOA that bases like Tabqa are not yet viable alternatives to the scope of Incirlik.

"Incirlik is a NATO base, al-Tabqa is not," he said. "Al-Tabqa does not measure up to NATO military standards. I don't think it can be an alternative to Incirlik. Air bases in Eastern Europe may be an alternative, but not al-Tabqa in Syria."

U.S. commander Everhart said the fight against IS has no bounds, and that his forces will take the fight to IS no matter where they are based in the region, "whether it is in Incirlik or whether it is at al-Udeid [in Qatar] or whether it is at another place."

VOA's Kasim Cindemir contributed to this report.

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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, April 1, 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 six strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed three ISIS wellheads.

-- Near Raqqa, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed a weapons storage facility and a vehicle-borne bomb; and damaged a bridge.

-- Near Palmyra, a strike destroyed two ISIS-held buildings and a bunker entrance and damaged two bunker entrances and an ISIS-held building.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 45 engagements against ISIS targets in Mosul, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government.

The strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed two fighting positions, a vehicle-borne bomb, a sniper weapon system and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged three supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed 12 ISIS mortar teams, four ISIS tactical units, two ISIS heavy-machine-gun teams and an ISIS sniper team.

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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US claims 229 civilian deaths by coalition airstrikes since 2014

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 10:16PM

The US military's Central Command has announced that US-led coalition air strikes against foreign-backed Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in Iraq and Syria have "unintentionally" killed 229 civilians since such operations began in 2014 amid reports estimating the civilian death toll at nearly 1,500 in March alone.

As of the end of February 2017, "it is more likely than not, at least 229 civilians have been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve" in Iraq and Syria, said a statement released by Centcom, the US military command in the Middle East on Saturday.

The tally, however, does not include civilian fatalities inflicted in March -- which may potentially include large numbers of civilians killed in aerial attacks over several days in Mosul's al-Jadida area.

This is while a UK-based non-profit monitoring group, Airwars, announced that the US-led coalition airstrikes may have already killed 1,484 civilians in Iraq and Syria just in March, as cited Friday in a report by US-based Magazine Newsweek.

Pointing to the rising number of civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria since US President Donald Trump came to office in January, Airways further estimated that 455 civilian deaths occurred in February as the result of US-led airstrikes, while the figure stood at 613 in January.

The non-profit group further underlined that it has been overwhelmed with reports of civilian casualties since Trump took office.

"Almost 1,000 civilian non-combatant deaths have already been alleged from coalition actions across Iraq and Syria in Marcha record claim," Airwars said.

Meanwhile, the UN human rights office reported that at least 300 civilians have been killed in US-led aerial attacks against ISIL in the western half of Mosul since mid-February, including 140 killed in a single March 17 airstrike on a building. Dozens more were allegedly killed in another strike last weekend, according to Amnesty International, and by similar airstrikes in neighboring Syria in the past month.

In Syria, as fighting around ISIL stronghold of Raqqa intensified, civilian fatalities from US-led airstrikes climbed to 198 in March -- including 32 children and 31 women -- compared to 56 in February, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Western-backed and pro-opposition group.

Attention has focused on one particularly deadly airstrike on March 17 in which, according to top American commander in Iraq Stephen Townsend, US-led forces "probably had a role in those casualties."

This is while nearly 43 different reports of possible civilian deaths in the two terror-ravaged Arab countries are still under investigation by the coalition, according to the official statement.

However, critics, including monitoring groups, insist that the actual figure is much higher.

The US-led coalition claims it has initiated an investigation into the reported casualties while justifying the high civilian death toll by insisting that ISIL terrorists have used civilians as human shields, making it difficult to avoid civilian deaths despite its state-of-the-art technology.

"Evidence gathered on the ground in East Mosul points to an alarming pattern of US-led coalition airstrikes which have destroyed whole houses with entire families inside," said Amnesty International Senior Crisis Response Adviser Donatella Rovera, who carried out field investigations in the Iraqi city.

"The high civilian toll suggests that coalition forces leading the offensive in Mosul have failed to take adequate precautions to prevent civilian deaths, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law," Rovera added.

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Venezuela's Supreme Court reverses ruling on National Assembly annulment

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 4:26PM

Venezuela's Supreme Court has reversed its ruling to strip Congress of its legislative powers after President Nicolas Maduro asked the judicial body to review the decision.

The Supreme Court announced on its website that it had canceled the ruling to assume legislative powers of Congress, media reported on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that the National Assembly was in "contempt" and annulled its legislative powers.

Friends and foes alike criticized the decision.

Lawmakers from the opposition, which dominates the National Assembly, and their Western backers, including Washington and the Organization of American States (OAS), described the move as a "coup" while Venezuela's Attorney General Luisa Ortega, an ally of Maduro, called it a "violation" of the constitution.

During a speech in Caracas on Friday, Maduro said the constitution had remained intact and that there was no "breach" of it with regards to the Supreme Court's ruling.

Venezuela's leader, however, urged the court to review the ruling "to maintain institutional stability."

Meanwhile, tensions remain high between the government and the opposition, who blame one another for the chaos and instability gripping the once-booming oil giant.

Maduro's opponents blame his socialist government for the country's socioeconomic problems, while the government says its US-backed enemies are waging an "economic war" against the Latin American nation.

The main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable, won a landslide victory in legislative elections in December 2015, with a promise to oust Maduro. However, it failed in its attempt to force him from power by seeking to hold a recall referendum.

Since then, relations between the leftist executive and rightist legislative bodies have remained sour.

Venezuela's leader accuses the US of orchestrating an attempt to topple him as part of a wider offensive against Latin American leaders defying the US hegemony.

Maduro is a former bus driver who became a close ally, political prodigy, and successor of the late iconic figure Hugo Chavez.

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Paraguay protesters torch Congress building after vote on presidential re-election

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 1:56AM

Angry protesters in Paraguay have set fire to the National Congress building amid violent rallies over the senators' closed-door vote to approve a bill that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election.

Infuriated demonstrators in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion stormed the Congress building on Friday night and set it ablaze after it was revealed that the contested measure was approved by 25 lawmakers, two more than the 23 required for it to be passed in the 45-member upper chamber.

The demonstrations erupted earlier in the day, with hundreds of protesters clashing with riot police, prompting them to use rubber bullets and water hoses in a bid to disperse the furious crowd.

According to the fire service, some 30 protesters and police officers sustained injuries in the unrest.

Dozens of protesters battered down the Congress' entrances and fences, shattered windows and ransacked the offices of lawmakers before setting fire to the building. Opponents say the new measure will clear the way for dictatorships.

Right-wing President Cartes, who took office in mid-August 2013, is striving to reform the constitution in order to allow him to run for office again in an election in 2018. Since 1992, the South American country has banned re-election to prevent dictatorship.

On Saturday, the lower house Chamber of Deputies, where Cartes has a majority, will vote on the bill. If the measure secures a favorable vote, the electoral court will then have to call for a referendum on the reform within three months.

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Canada Extends Mission In Iraq, Syria For Three Months

April 01, 2017

Canada has announced it is extending its military mission against the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Iraq and Syria through June 30.

Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan on March 31 said the three-month extension will allow the government to further evaluate the nature of Canada's contributions to the U.S.-led coalition.

The mission was scheduled to finish at the end of March.

Canada first deployed forces to Iraq in mid-2014 and has twice extended its mission and expanded it to Syria.

A statement by the National Defense said the "scope and mission of Canada's military contribution will remain the same over the next three months."

It said the focus will remain on providing "advice" and "assistance" to Iraqi security forces.

Sajjan said about 200 Canadian special forces are operating in eastern Mosul.

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces are battling to free Mosul from IS fighters, their last stronghold in the country.

East Mosul has been declared liberated. Iraqi forces are gaining ground in heavily populated west Mosul but are facing fierce resistance from an estimated 1,000 IS fighters.

IS captured wide swathes of territory in 2014 and declared a so-called caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq.

The militants are now seeing those gains reversed, and they are being pressured in their final two strongholds -- Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/canada-extends-iraq- syria-missions/28404382.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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U.S. Senator Seeks Probe Of Firm Linked To Russia Dossier

Mike Eckel April 01, 2017

WASHINGTON --- A leading Republican U.S. senator has called for deeper Justice Department investigations into the Washington lobbying firm connected to the explosive dossier compiled on President Donald Trump during last year's election campaign and the firm's alleged Russian ties.

The focus of the March 31 letter, from Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is Fusion GPS and the work it did in particular connected to the human rights law passed last year known as the Global Magnitsky Act.

The letter, addressed to Acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente, targets the work Fusion did in 2015 and 2016 connected to the act, which had been introduced in Congress but at the time not yet voted on.

The letter cites from a complaint filed by British-American businessman William Browder that alleged Fusion GPS, a public relations firm founded by a former Wall Street Journal reporter, may have worked as a lobbyist "for Russian interests in a campaign to oppose the pending Global Magnitsky Act [and] failed to register under [U.S. law]."

"The issue is of particular concern to the committee given that when Fusion GPS reportedly was acting as an unregistered agent of Russian interests, it appears to have been simultaneously overseeing the creation of the unsubstantiated dossier of allegations of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russians," the letter said.

Fusion GPS surfaced in the public eye earlier this year when a report compiled by a former British intelligence officer about Trump's business dealings in Russia emerged. The report, which was published in full by BuzzFeed, contained salacious and damning allegations about Trump, was reportedly commissioned by Fusion GPS initially for Trump's Republican opponents, but then was acquired by Democratic operatives.

The Grassley letter highlights the work done by a Russian-American man named Rinat Akhmetshin, who was instrumental in the Washington premiere of a film that sought to undermine the narrative surrounding the Magnitsky law's namesake, Russian whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky.

Barely showing up in U.S. lobbying records, the 48-year-old Akhmetshin cut a low profile in Washington lobbying circles, even as he was tied to such efforts as bolstering opponents of Kazakhstan's ruling regime; discrediting a fugitive former member of Russia's parliament; and undermining a Russian-owned mining firm involved in a billion-dollar lawsuit with company information allegedly stolen by hackers.

Asked to comment on the allegations in the Grassley letter, Fusion GPS said in an e-mail to RFE/RL: "Fusion GPS was working for the U.S. law firm of Baker Hostetler, at its direction, in a litigation support role. That work is a matter of public record. By the very nature of that work, Fusion GPS was working with a law firm to ensure compliance with the law. Fusion GPS was not required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act."

Akhmetshin did not respond immediately to an e-mail seeking comment.

For his part, Browder is a London-based businessman who invested millions in Russia before being forced to leave the country in the mid-2000s. After the Russian companies he founded began to see unusual financial activity, Browder hired Sergei Magnitsky to investigate.

According to U.S. federal court records, Magnitsky then uncovered what appeared to be an audacious tax fraud scheme that stole $230 million from the Russian treasury. Magnitsky was later imprisoned by Russian authorities, accused of committing the same fraud he reportedly uncovered.

He died in a Moscow prison in 2009, suffering from ill health and, his supporters say, after being tortured. Three years later, after lobbying from Browder, the U.S. Congress passed the original Magnitsky Act, which sanctioned people allegedly connected to Magnitsky's death, the underlying tax fraud, and other human rights abuses.

Last year, as Congress was considering passing new legislation that would expand the authority of the president to sanction rights abusers anywhere in the world, a film was screened in Washington that cast doubt on the narrative surrounding Magnitsky, insinuating instead that he was an accomplice in the tax fraud that was orchestrated by Browder.

The film, by Russian filmmaker named Andrei Nekrasov, was screened at the Newseum, at an event organized by Akhmetshin.

"It is particularly disturbing that Mr. Akhmetshin and Fusion GPS were working together on this pro-Russia lobbying effort in 2016 in light of Mr. Akhmetshin's history and reputation," the letter from Senator Grassley said.

By tying Fusion to Akhmetshin's work, Grassley appeared to be also trying to undermine the salacious dossier, which Trump has repeatedly and resoundingly denied.

"As you know, Fusion GPS is the company behind the creation of the unsubstantiated dossier alleging a conspiracy between President Trump and Russia," the letter said.

"It is highly troubling that Fusion GPS appears to have been working with someone with ties to Russian intelligence -- let alone someone alleged to have conducted political disinformation campaigns -- as part of a pro-Russia lobbying effort while also simultaneously overseeing the creation of the Trump/Russia dossier. The relationship casts further doubt on an already highly dubious dossier," it said.

In a closely related matter, U.S. federal prosecutors have been engaged in a multiyear battle in U.S. courts to seize what they say are some of the proceeds netted from the original $230 million tax fraud in Russia.

hat case, known as USA v. Prevezon, alleges that a Russian businessman named Denis Katsyv used some of the Magnitsky funds, after they were laundered through European banks, to buy real estate in Manhattan.

he case, which has prosecutors seeking to seize more than $11 million in real estate and bank accounts, went on hiatus last year after a U.S. judge threw the defendants' lawyer, Baker Hostetler, off the case.

Last month, the defendants' new lawyers again asked the U.S. judge to throw out the case.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/us-senator-magnitsky-russia -dossier-investigation/28404229.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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Vucic Poised For Presidential Victory With Serbia At Crossroads

RFE/RL April 01, 2017

Serbian voters are heading to the ballot boxes on April 2 in a presidential election that is likely to consolidate the power of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as the country tries to balance its European goals with its relationship with Russia.

With a lead of almost 40 percentage points over the closest of 10 rivals, a parody candidate whose only platform is to mock the Balkan nation's political establishment, Vucic appears poised to win a five-year term outright. (NOTE: Polling stations open on April 2 at 07:00 Prague time and close at 20:00)

That would allow the 46-year-old leader of the center-right Progressive Party to avoid a second round on balloting on April 16, which could prove tricky as it would give the fractious opposition a chance to regroup.

While the result looking like a foregone conclusion, what's less clear is the direction the country of 7.3 million will head as it stands at the crossroads between the European Union and Russia.

Belgrade's relations also remain tense with other capitals in the war-torn region of the former Yugoslavia, and it continues to dispute the legitimacy of a nearly decade-old declaration of independence by its former territory, Kosovo.

"He [Vucic] is capable of establishing relationships with people around the world, and he is able to protect Serbia from attacks -- first and foremost, attacks from our neighbors," says Slavica Djokic, a Belgrade pensioner who plans on voting for the prime minister.

A former ultranationalist who broke away from Radicals in 2008 to establish the more moderate Progressive Party, Vucic has pledged his commitment to Serbia's goal of membership in the EU by 2019.

At the same time, Vucic, an information minister under Yugoslavia's late strongman Slobodan Milosevic, has brought Serbia closer to Russia with increased talk of military and economic cooperation.

"We are doing all we can," Vucic said on March 27 in a broadcast on privately held TV Pink in reference to defending Serbia's interests, both east and west. "We are cooperating with the EU, with Russia, with China, with everyone where we have our own interests and everyone knows that we are a reliable partner."

The integration of the Western Balkans is a key policy goal of the EU and United States, who say they hope to stabilize a region ravaged by war and economic turmoil and riddled with political corruption.

But many Serbs are disillusioned with the country's politicians as they struggle to shake off a legacy of political corruption that has taken root since it emerged following the 1990s conflicts that broke apart Yugoslavia.

Reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and bringing Serbia into the EU have hit many workers hard, exacerbating the backlash. Longtime ally Russia, meanwhile, opposes the integration of Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, into the NATO security alliance, and the EU and is trying to extend its influence in the region.

With tensions simmering between ethnic Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, an ethnically charged political stalemate in Macedonia, and accusations of Russian interference in Montenegro's move toward NATO and the EU, concerns have grown over Serbia's direction and how it could reignite the Balkan powder keg.

"Vucic benefits from his populist rhetoric and an image of a strong-handed leader able to successfully maneuver Serbia's interests between Russia and the West," according to Andrius Tursa, an analyst at Teneo Intelligence.

Just days before the vote, U.S. President Donald Trump told Vucic in a letter that the EU membership "will help ensure a more prosperous and secure future for your country and the Western Balkans."

"Serbia's efforts to fully normalize relations with Kosovo also stand as further testament to how shared aspirations of peace can overcome even the most difficult challenges," the letter, made public by the Serbian government, said.

None of the opposition candidates -- including ex-Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj, and former Serbian ombudsman Sasa Jankovic are likely to present a major challenge to Vucic.

A March 27 opinion poll by Ipsos Strategic Marketing and published in the Serbian newspaper Blic, put Vucic at 53 percent -- well ahead of Luka Maksimovic, a satirist running as Ljubisa Preletacevic-Beli, second with just 11 percent. If the polls hold true, Vucic would post an outright win and avoid a second-round runoff on April 16 against the second-place finisher.

A March 29 poll by Demostat gave Vucic 56 percent to second-placed Beli's 9.5 percent.

Victory would give Vucic and his Progressive Party, which has a majority in parliament, control over the entire legislative and governing process, and some observers and voters are concerned that could push the Balkan nation back into the autocracy that Milosevic symbolized during his decade in power.

"He took all of the power for himself. All the levels of the power are in his hands. Through the Progressive Party, Vucic has taken over everything. Local power is controlled by him, and the government, and Parliament," says Radenko Obradovic of Belgrade.

Jeremic, who accused Vucic of running a dirty-tricks campaign after the ruling party issued a statement on March 20 saying Jeremic was surrounded by "the biggest criminal gang in Serbia," has urged his supporters to turnout in high numbers in hopes of forcing a second round.

The government is "afraid" of a second round because it would be more difficult to influence the results in a round which would be more of a trial of Vucic by the "court of the people," Jeremic charged at a rally on March 29.

Vucic has apologized for his party's statement.

By correspondent Alan Crosby in Prague with contributions from RFE/RL's Balkan Service

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/vucic-serbia- presidential-election/28404991.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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Armenia Violates Karabakh Ceasefire 155 Times Over Last 24 Hours

Sputnik News

09:36 01.04.2017

Military units of the armed forces of Armenia violated ceasefire 155 times along the contact line in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh over the past 24 hours, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

BAKU (Sputnik) The Armenian military has violated the ceasefire along the contact line in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh 155 times over the past 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Saturday in a statement.

"Military units of the armed forces of Armenia violated ceasefire 155 times throughout the day, using large-caliber machine guns and 60 millimeter mortars (17 shells)," the statement reads.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) proclaimed its independence from Azerbaijan in 1991. The military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia ended in 1994, and Azerbaijan lost control over this Armenian-dominated region. The OSCE Minsk group has been trying to settle the conflict since 1992.

In April 2016, the clashes between the joint Armenian-NKR and Azerbaijani forces sparked in the region, when both sides accused each other of ceasefire violation. The sides agreed to a ceasefire on April 5, but clashes have continued.

 Sputnik

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Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills Afghan Commander, 2 Soldiers

By Ayaz Gul April 01, 2017

A Taliban suicide car bomber killed an Afghan regional base commander and two soldiers Saturday in the southeastern province of Khost, officials and insurgents said.

A government spokesman, Mubarez Zadran, told VOA the Afghan forces were targeted in Mando district. The powerful blast also wounded six students from a nearby school, most of whom suffered life-threatening injuries.

A Taliban spokesman who said insurgents carried out the assault claimed the explosion had killed five Afghan special forces members. He asserted the slain Afghan commander was a "trustworthy" partner of U.S. forces and had worked closely with them in the region.

Khost borders Pakistan and was formerly a stronghold of the notorious Haqqani terrorist network, which is fighting alongside the Taliban against local and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Kabul alleges Haqqani fighters stage their attacks from sanctuaries inside Pakistan and contends they receive support from Pakistani intelligence claims that Islamabad denies.

Insurgent attacks in Afghanistan have risen sharply in recent days, as they often do when springtime weather approaches.

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Armenia Election - 2017

On 02 April 2017 Armenians voted in parliamentary elections in what was expected to be a tight parliamentary race, based on the track record of President Serzh Sarkisian and the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) he headed. And despite widespread popular discontent, due partly to the deteriorating economic situation and partly to lingering doubts over the legitimacy of its victory in the 2012 ballot, the HHK was likely to poll enough seats to garner a majority in the new legislature and form a coalition government.

President Serzh Sarksyan's ruling Republican Party won elections. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) had 49.12 percent of the votes while the opposition Tsarukyan Alliance led by wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan gathered 27.32 percent. The government-loyal Dashnaktsutyun Party had 6.57 percent and the opposition bloc Yelk ("Way Out") 7.77 percent, enough for both to enter parliament. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said there had been abuses in the election including vote-buying, putting pressure on public servants, and intimidating of voters to vote for certain parties. It said in a statement the poll was "well administered and fundamental freedoms were generally respected", but added: "There was credible information of vote-buying, of pressure on public servants including in schools and hospitals, and of intimidation of voters to vote for certain parties."

Like Sarkisian and former President Robert Kocharian, with whom he is reportedly on good terms, Karapetian was born in Nagorno-Karabakh. He is reputed to be a competent economic manager. Russia's concern was that Sarkisian, who did not make any public comment on the Sasna Tsrer hostage-taking until five days after it began, was losing his grip. Sarkisian may in turn have been persuaded that Karapetian is competent to deliver the kind of tangible change for the better that the population so desperately wants.

The coalition behind businessman and former world champion arm wrestler Gagik Tsarukian has voiced suspicions that the government was preparing electoral fraud. Ahead of the vote, the US Embassy and the EU delegation to Armenia also said they were "concerned by allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties." Tsarukian, is considered to be one of richest people in Armenia. During the campaign, the oligarch vowed to cut tariffs on natural gas and electricity and boost public-sector salaries and pensions.

Outgoing Armenian PM Hovik Abrahamyan, who was appointed two years earlier, had overseen a deterioration in economic growth, which slowed to 3 percent in 2015 from 3.5 percent in 2014 - below the government's growth forecast of 4.1 percent. Abrahamyan was replaced in September 2016 by Karen Karapetyan, a former head of national gas distributing company ArmRosGazprom. Karapetyan, who previously served as mayor of the capital city, Yerevan, worked as the first vice-president of Gazprombank - connected to Russia's main oil and gas company, Gazprom - and was deputy CEO of Russian gas producer Gazprom's GAZP.MM Mezhregiongaz unit.

Parties needed to overcome a 5 percent benchmark to secure representation in parliament, while the threshold for alliances is 7 percent. A total of five parties and four blocs with around 1,500 candidates took part in the elections. Armenias National Assembly has no limit on the maximum number of seats, with the law only stating that a minimum of 101 deputies is required to form a stable parliamentary majority of 54 percent. The new one-chamber parliament, elected for five years, is to appoint a ceremonial head of state in 2018 when President Sargsyans term expires.

Armenias ruling Republican Party along with three other parties made it into parliament in the countrys first general elections since adopting constitutional reforms which extended powers of the legislature and the prime minister. The Republican Party of Armenia, headed by current President Serzh Sargsyan, garnered 770,441 votes and secured the victory. The countrys leading businessman, Gagik Tsarukyan, and his Tsarukyan bloc came in second with almost half as many votes (428,836). The Elk (Way Out) opposition alliance garnered 122,065 of votes and is third on the list. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (also known as Dashnaktsutyun) tailed the set of the parties that won seats in the parliament, with 103,048 votes. The Republican Party has received 55 seats in the parliament, while 31 seats go to the Tsarukyan bloc. Nine seats were taken by the Elk opposition alliance, and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation got seven seats.

The new government is reportedly likely to be temporary, with the new configuration emerging only after the 2017 parliamentary election and the end of Russian-allied President Serzh Sarkisian's second term in 2018, when the transition from a semi-presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic is completed.

When Sarkisian's second term expires in early 2018, the country switches from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system in line with constitutional amendments narrowly approved in a referendum in December 2015. Government critics believe that the reform was aiming to allow Sargsyan to keep his leading role after his term ends, this time as prime minister rather than president. The constitutional amendments approved in December 2015, which will take effect after Sarkisian's second presidential term expires in March 2018, stipulate that cabinet ministers must be selected from among parliamentarians.

Both major parties support close ties with Russia, the key ally in the frozen Nagorno-Karabakh against Azerbaijan. That Sarkisian will then succeed in taking over the role of prime minister is not a foregone conclusion, especially given indications that Moscow may prefer to see incumbent Prime Minister Karen Karapetian retain his post. Moscow now regards Karapetian, not Sarkisian, as its main partner in Armenia. But Karapetian is technically not eligible to run for parliament in light of the requirement that candidates must have lived in Armenia for four years prior to the ballot.





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David's Sling

Davids Sling, also known as Magic Wand, is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, as well as cruise missiles fired with ranges between 40 to 300 km. The David's Sling system entered into service with a ceremony on 03 April 2017 at the Hatzor military base in central Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense officials were in attendance at the ceremony launching Davids Sling. The IDF had announced 22 March 2017 that the Davids Sling medium-range missile defense system would be fully operational within the next two weeks.

Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel stated during his speech that the air force will continue to grow in our capabilities and defense abilities in a turbulent Middle East and the new technology we received will bring the air force to a whole new level of defense for the State of Israel." Eshel's speech however was cut short due to electrical outage. Prior to leaving the stage he jokingly added that "while the power might be out, these systems will work, they will defend the State of Israel."

srael and the United States carried out a series of successful interception tests with an advanced version of the Davids Sling missile interception system, the Defense Ministry announced on 20 March 2019. The Defense Ministry, in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), successfully completed a series of interception tests on Davids Sling weapons system, the ministry said, adding that The success of the series constitutes an important milestone in the State of Israels ability to defend itself against existing and future threats in the arena.

David's Sling will be based in two national sites, and its launch sites will be mobile. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed David's Sling, together with the US defense company Raytheon. David's Sling multi-mission radar was developed by ELTA, an IAI subsidiary, and its fire control station, dubbed Golden Almond, was built by Elisra, a part of Elbit Systems.

David's Sling is designed to intercept short and medium range theatre ballistic missiles (TBMs) from non-separating SCUD-B and SCUD-Cs to separating SCUD-Ds, as well as long-range maneuverable rockets and cruise missiles. David's Sling, with its unique dolphin-shaped manuverable nose can travel over Mach 15, changing direction to seek out its target in the atmosphere providing a hit to kill kinetic metal on metal intercept within centimeters against reentry warheads from ballistic missiles and much slower cruise missiles.

The interceptor is called Stunner, a capability that fills the wide gap for Israel between the current Iron Dome's short-range rocket defense and the Arrow 2's lower space interceptors. This new third layer of defense provides Israel with three (Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow 2) out of four needed layers with its own indigenous missile defense systems. The fourth layer - the long shots from midcourse to low space is currently being handled by U.S. Aegis BMD ships in the Mediterranean Sea. The layer that David's Sling will be replacing is the much older U.S. Patriot PAC-2 interceptor systems operated by Israel.

The Davids Sling Weapon System is designed as an additional layer of defense against ballistic missiles, to add interception opportunities to the joint US-Israel Arrow Weapon System and to improve Israels defense capabilities against missile threats.

The Davids Slings interceptor missile is an advanced weapon with a greater range than the interceptor used by Iron Dome, at least in part due to engine, which switches off and on a few times during the flight. The test involved no warhead, with a trial involving a warhead to be held by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the future. The test brought Israel closer to possessing an active defense shield protecting the country against Islamic militant group Hezbollahs projectiles. The Davids Sling missile defense system, being developed by Israels defense company Rafael and US defense contractor Raytheon, is designed to fill the gap between Iron Domes short-range protection and the Arrow 2 long-range ballistic missile defense program.

The system, to become operational in 2014, would defend Israel against missiles with a range between 70 kilometers (45 miles) and 300 km (190 miles). The Jerusalem Post said that according to the IDF, there are some 200,000 rockets and missiles pointed in the direction of Israel from Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Israel was unprepared to deal with the threat posed by short- and medium-range rockets. As early as 2003, the GOI told the MDA that short-range ballistic missile and rocket threats were developing in Lebanon. As a result of this, the U.S. and Israel started to research this two years ago, and Congress granted Israel US$2 million in 2006, and US$24 million in 2007 to research possible solutions to these threats. The idea was to come up with a system that (a) can intercept threats 30-250 kilometers out; (b) utilizes a fast and agile interceptor; (c) covers all of northern Israel; and (d) addresses the threat posed by the Zelzal missile. The Arrow missile system and PAC-3 Patriots are not sufficient to intercept rockets and missiles launched 30-250 kilometers from Israel.

As of 2006 Rafael and Raytheon were working on "David's Sling," and if funding was found for the project, it could become operational by 2010-2011. The program would cost US$60 million in 2008, and Israel would approach the U.S. for funding support, under a scenario in which the US contributed US$40 million, and Israel US$20 million. Some of the parts for the program would be developed in Israel, others in the US.

The system will be mobile and use advanced missile interceptors with rocket motors, advanced radars, and offer a low-cost, hit-to-kill capability. Advocates claimed that this new system would cost one-tenth of the current hit-to-kill capability, could cover all of northern Israel, and would be able to hit Zelzal missiles. It would be comprised of three radars, three command-and-control posts, and three interceptor batteries with six launchers per battery. Each battery will have 50 interceptors.

By 2009 Israel was making progress on the upper- and medium-tier ballistic missile defense systems (Arrow-3 and David's Sling, respectively). By March 2009 the Israel Air Force had established a new anti-aircraft battalion whose initial task will be to learn the Iron Dome system. The future task of the new battalion would be to receive the Magic Wand system now being developed that is earmarked to provide a response to medium-range rockets. Israeli security officials believed that these two systems will significantly change how Israel deals with terrorist organizations and will even prompt them to find new threats with which to attack IDF soldiers and residents of southern Israel.

Israeli officials asked Congress in March 2015 for an additional $317 million for David's Sling and other Israeli missile defense programs, on top of $158 million already requested by the Obama administration in its fiscal 2016 budget.

Israel successfully tested its David's Sling defense system, also known in Hebrew as Magic Wand, local media reported 25 November 2012. Davids Sling intercepted a test-fired mid-range missile in its first trial run of the kind, the Haaretz daily reported. The fact of the eistence of both programs had been public knowledge for some time, though there was no clear explanation as to the two names.

It experienced an early setback when a Nov. 18, 2013 trial failed because of a faulty sensor setting. But all other interception tests have been successful, Israeli and U.S. officials said.

The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency completed a successful intercept test of the Davids Sling Weapon System on 20 November 2013. This test, designated Davids Sling Test2, was the second intercept test of the Stunner interceptor for the Davids Sling Weapon System, and was conducted at a test range in southern Israel. A target missile was launched and tracked by the systems multi-mission radar. The radar transferred flight information to the battle management control system. The Stunner interceptor successfully performed its planned trajectory and destroyed the target. The successful test is a major milestone in the development of the Davids Sling Weapon System and provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing ballistic missile threat.

On April 1, 2015 Israel announced that it hd successfully tested and validated its new "David's Sling" Air and Missile Defense system against a challenging realistic target missile in the upper atmosphere.

The Defense Ministry and Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency completed on 21 December 2015 the last phase of trials for the David's Sling air defense system, and the Israel Air Force was expected to take possession of the system in the first quarter of 2016. The trials occurred in recent days in southern Israel. 'This test series, designated David's Sling Test-4 (DST-4), was the fourth series of tests of the David's Sling Weapon System and the final milestone before declaring delivery of an operational system to the Israeli Air Force in 2016.

By March 2016 the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has begun to take possession of the David's Sling Weapon System (DSWS). The first phase of the gradual delivery of components included the Multi-Mission Radar [MMR] by Elta Systems; Stunner interceptors by Rafael and its US partner, Raytheon Missile Systems; and the Golden Almond Battle Management Center by Elbit Systems Elisra.

On 25 January 2017 the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a test series of the Davids Sling Weapons System, a missile defense system that is a central part of Israels multi-layer anti-missile array. This test series, designated Davids Sling Test-5 (DST-5) was the fifth series of tests of the Davids Sling Weapon System. This test series was conducted at Yanat Sea Range, operated out of Palmachim Air Base, Israel.

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Poland Expects Contract to Buy Eight Patriot Missile Systems by Year-End - MoD

Sputnik News

11:48 31.03.2017

Poland will purchase of eight Patriot anti-ballistic missile batteries by the end of 2017, Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Friday.

WARSAW (Sputnik) Poland will sign a $7.5-billion agreement on the purchase of eight Patriot anti-ballistic missile batteries by the end of 2017, Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Friday.

"We have completed a very important stage having to do with the acquisition of medium-range missiles. No later than at the end of this year, an agreement will be signed for the supply of Patriot missiles," Macierewicz said at a briefing.

He said the first deliveries are expected two years after the contract is signed.

 Sputnik

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Poland Moves Closer To Finalizing $7.6 Billion Deal For Patriot Missiles

RFE/RL April 01, 2017

Poland says it expects to complete a deal to buy Patriot missiles from U.S. firm Raytheon by the end of the year, as it looks to bolster its defenses in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia.

Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz on March 31 said the $7.6 billion deal will "allow us to guarantee the security of the Polish state."

NATO member Warsaw is attempting to overhaul its armed forces by 2023 to counter what Macierewicz referred to as the "growing aggression and a growing threat from the East."

Poland intensified its efforts following Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014, its support of separatists in eastern Ukraine, and its military and political assertiveness in the region that was formerly part of the Soviet Union or within its sphere of influence.

Poland's deputy defense minister, Bartosz Kownacki, said the missile system would help protect the country against Russian missiles stationed in Kaliningrad, a Russian region on Poland's northeastern border.

Macierewicz told reporters the government and Raytheon had concluded "a very important stage" of discussions on the acquisition of the eight medium-range missile systems.

During negotiations, Warsaw said an earlier price of $12.7 billion for the system was "unacceptable." It said it would pay no more than $7.6 billion.

The contract still requires approval from the U.S. Congress as it involves advanced military technology.

Bill Schmieder, Raytheon's head for Europe, cautioned that it was not yet a done deal.

"It's premature to say that it is all done," he told reporters. "But we have very high hopes that the process will proceed normally."

Also on March 31, Poland's Defense Ministry said it had signed a $524 million agreement with Boeing to supply three 737-800 airliners -- two new and one used -- for the use of senior Polish state officials.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/poland-russia-nato- patriot-missiles/28404230.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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China's army to put forward medical assistance worldwide

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:15, April 01, 2017

The Chinese military will continue to participate in global medical assistance, especially in African countries, according to an article run by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily Friday.

Assistance will include medical cooperation with Africa after the Ebola breakout, and sending experts to the African Union to support the development of a disease control system, said PLA Daily.

In recent years, China's military has sent out more than 170 medical team groups to over 50 countries and regions, according to the article, which quoted an official from the Central Military Commission's Logistical Support Department.

Since 2003, over 4,000 soldiers who specialized in health care or logistics were dispatched on United Nations peacekeeping missions, treating more than 130,000 patients worldwide, according to PLA Daily.

The army will also promote global cooperation on prevention and control of infectious disease and the treatment of health emergencies, said the PLA Daily.

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China offers assistance to transit of remains of DPRK citizen murdured in Malaysia

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:55, April 01, 2017

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China said Friday it offered "necessary assistance" to the transit of the remains of a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen murdered in Malaysia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang cited a Malaysian statement as saying the remains and relevant people were back to DPRK from Kuala Lumpur via Beijing on Friday. He said China helped as a humanitarian act and in line with common international practice.

The spokesman made the remarks at a press conference when answering a question about the death of the 46-year-old DPRK national, who was murdered Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur airport. The man was reported to be Kim Jong Nam.

Malaysia and the DPRK were plunged into a dispute over the man's death and finally reached agreement late Thursday. Malaysia agreed to transfer the body of the deceased to his family after the DPRK produced the required documentation.

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Indian Navy, Coast Guard to Receive Advanced Helicopters

Sputnik News

10:32 31.03.2017

The Narendra Modi government has cleared a $1.2Bln proposal to purchase 32 Dhruv helicopters from government-owned HAL. The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard will get 16 choppers each.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) The Indian Coast Guard has signed up for performance based logistics support for five years for the 16 helicopters it is to get. The contract includes a penalty if the performance doesn't meet the promise made by HAL.

"The Performance Based Logistics is the purchase of logistics support as an integrated, affordable, performance package designed to optimize system readiness and meet performance goals for the product through long-term support arrangements with clear lines of authority and responsibility", said T. Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The helicopters are expected to be delivered beginning 2020. The Navy has asked for installing low-frequency SONAR, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization, for its 16 helicopters.

Despite HAL claims, 14 military and two civilian Dhruv helicopters have been involved in accidents, of which 11 occurred in India and five in Ecuador since 2002. The government has maintained that out of the 16 accidents, 12 occurred due to human error and environmental factors and the remaining due to technical reasons.

The multi-role, multi-mission Dhruv is in 5.5-ton weight class and meets Federal Aviation Regulation specifications. It is an all-weather helicopter that can carry 10-16 people at heights of 10,000 feet.

 Sputnik

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Indian Army Launches Hunt for Bunker Bursting Rifles With Tech Transfer

Sputnik News

14:49 01.04.2017

More than a decade after scrapping a deal due to bribery allegations with South Africa, the Indian Army has launched the process to procure 1,500 anti-material lightweight rifles. In a request for information, the Army has askes global vendors to approach it if ready to transfer technology to Indian firms.

New Delhi (Sputnik) The eight-page RFI makes it clear that the lightweight anti-material rifle will be manufactured under the Make in India program, where priority will be given to those who will offer more technology apart from fulfilling technical specification.

"12.7mm/0.50 rifle having weight less than 15 kilogram should have a range of at least 1.8 kilometers," reads the document issued by the Indian Army. The Army said ammunitions like armor piercing incendiary and tracer (API/API-T), saboted light armor penetrator/tracer (SLAP), armor piercing explosive incendiary and high explosive armor piercing incendiary must be available for the rifles. Interested manufacturers will have to reply to Indian Army by May 15 this year. Currently, Indian Army is using South African anti-material rifles.

"In order to destroy bunker or if enemy is trying to use reinforced vehicles, then anti-material rifles are very useful to destroy those kinds of targets. These rifles can also be used against some terrorists firing from behind a wall or something like that. It is a typical infantry weapon which requires ability to penetrate not too thick material. Currently, these rifles are not in adequate quantity with infantry because we aren't manufacturing it so far. This RFI must be in the direction of developing indigenous capability where Indian company will take technical assistance from foreign company and make it here in India," said Brigadier (retired) Rumel Dahiya, a defense analyst.

India had scrapped a deal with South African firm Denel in 2005 after allegations that it had paid kickbacks to secure a deal with the Indian Army in 2002 to sell 1,000 14.5mm & 20mm barrels NTW-20 anti-materiel rifles.

India's Defense Research and Development Organization had developed a multi-caliber anti-material rifle in 2007 with 1800 meter range. But the Indian Army had refused to induct this rifle due to its weight, which is close to 25 kilogram.

 Sputnik

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Daesh second-in-command killed in Iraqi airstrikes: Report

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 4:56PM

The second top figure of Daesh terrorist group has reportedly been killed along with two other top brass commanders of the Takfiris during Iraqi airstrikes in the western province of Al Anbar.

Citing the Iraqi intelligence apparatus, the Iraqi State TV announced on Saturday that Ayad Hamid Khalaf Al-Jumaili, the man believed to be the deputy of Daesh leader Ibrahim al-Samarrai, also known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed during an air raid on a Daesh position in the region of al-Qa'im near the border with Syria.

Two other senior Daesh commanders were also killed during the airstrike, the intelligence report said.

It is unclear whether Samarrai himself is still in Mosul, but US and Iraqi officials believe he is now hiding in desert areas.

Earlier on Saturday, Iraqi Defense Ministry announced that 150 Daesh terrorists had been killed during Iraqi forces' airstrikes west of the city of Tal Afar in Nineveh Province.

The news comes as Iraqi government forces, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, have liberated more areas in and around Mosul as they are engaged in massive operations to drive the Daesh Takfiri terrorists out of the strategic northern city.

Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) announced in a statement that federal police forces and members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) have recaptured Qazibban neighborhood in western Mosul.

Iraqi army soldiers and PMU fighters launched their offensive to retake Mosul last October and since then they have made sweeping gains against the Daesh Takfiri elements.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Mosul amid army clashes with the remaining Daesh terrorists in the western part of the city.

Apart from the civilians caught in the crossfire in west Mosul, over 200,000 civilians have fled their homes since the operation to recapture the areas started last month, Iraqi officials say.

A separate campaign is also in preparation in Syria to purge the Daesh from its stronghold in the Syrian city of Raqaah.

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Iraqi parliament bans hoisting of Kurdish flags in Kirkuk

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 2:52PM

The Iraqi parliament has voted to ban the hoisting of Kurdish flags over government buildings in the northern city of Kirkuk.

The lawmakers on Saturday passed a bill to prohibit the hoisting of the flag of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in Kirkuk days after the Kirkuk Provincial Council decided to raise the regional flag next to the Iraqi national flag in front of some buildings.

The controversial move was swiftly met with ire in Baghdad as Kirkuk is not part of the semi-autonomous region.

Turkey, Iraq's northern neighbor which has its own issues with Kurds and is in the midst of a crackdown on Kurdish militants, also condemned the flag hoisting.

A day after the council gave the go-ahead, Ankara said that the decision would not help Iraq's future stability, especially at a time when Baghdad was seeking unity in the fight against Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

"We don't approve of the voting held by the regional administration," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with the state-run TRT Haber television news network in Ankara on Wednesday.

On March 28, Arabs and Turkmens residing in Kirkuk protested against the move, describing it as unconstitutional.

Kurds and other officials rejected the claim, saying the Iraqi constitution had not explicitly banned the flag hoisting. They also argued that the move was normal and that Kurdistan flags had already been hoisted in Turkish cities of Istanbul and Ankara. They also justified the move as a response to demands by the majority of Kurds living in the city.

The Saturday bill also banned the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from seeking any direct benefit from the sale of oil in Kirkuk, noting that the income from Kirkuk's oil belonged to all Iraqis and that it should be equally distributed among the KRG and other Iraqi provinces.

Kurdish officials have been at odds with Baghdad over the share of oil income from Kirkuk as part of the crude produced in the area passes through the pipelines operated by the Kurds.

Kurdish members of the Iraqi parliament left the session in protest to the ratification of the bill.

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Airstrike Kills Daesh Terrorist Group's Second in Command in Iraq

Sputnik News

17:17 01.04.2017

According to reports, The second in command of the Daesh terrorist group was killed in an airstrike in western Iraq.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) The second in command of the Daesh terrorist group, outlawed in many countries, including Russia, was killed in an airstrike in western Iraq, state-run media reported Saturday, citing intelligence sources.

"Based on the data obtained from the intelligence, the armed forces' aircraft conducted a strike on the headquarters of the Daesh military command located in the town of Al-Qa'im and destroyed the second Daesh leader after terrorist Abu Bakr Baghdadi terrorist Iyad Hamid Jumaili, known as Abu Yahya, Daesh war minister," Iraqi Media Network cited the sources.

The Iraqi intelligence provided no details concerning the date of the airstrike on western Anbar province, though it noted that two more Daesh group leaders were killed in the airstrike. One of the eliminated terrorists was reportedly of Turkish origin.

The Daesh group has not confirmed yet the death of its chiefs.

On Wednesday, Iraq's security forces eliminated an Daesh "health minister" in Mosul during the ongoing operation to liberate the city from extremists.

In 2014, the Daesh terrorists launched a full-scale offensive against Iraq, seizing a number of cities and towns including the second biggest Iraqi city of Mosul.

The Iraqi operation to recapture Mosul, the key stronghold of the Daesh in the country, began in October 2016 and resulted in the liberation of Mosul's eastern part this January. Fighting continues in the city's west.

 Sputnik

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Iraqi Report: IS Second-in-command Killed in Airstrike

By VOA News April 01, 2017

The chief lieutenant of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in an airstrike in Iraq's al-Anbar province near the Syrian border, Iraqi state television said Saturday.

The report said an Iraqi Air Force strike in far western Iraq had killed Ayad al-Jumaili and several other regional IS commanders. The report did not say when the attack occurred and offered no other details.

Officials of the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition had not confirmed the extremist's death by Saturday evening.

Citing a statement from Iraqi military intelligence officials, the report described Jumaili, also known as Abu Yahya, as the IS war minister. It said, "The air force's planes executed with accuracy a strike on the headquarters of Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the terror group] in al-Qaim."

Jumaili, who once served as an intelligence officer under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, joined the Sunni insurgency after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and analysts said he had since answered directly to Baghdadi.

U.S. and Iraqi intelligence officials have said they think Baghdadi has moved his base of operations about 300 kilometers to the northeast and is hiding in the desert outside Mosul.

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Russia Signs Military Units Inclusion Agreement With South Ossetia

Sputnik News

16:59 31.03.2017(updated 17:57 31.03.2017)

The Russian and South Ossetian defense ministers, Army Gen. Sergei Shoigu and Lt. Gen. Ibragim Gasseyev on Friday signed an intergovernmental agreement on the inclusion of some of South Ossetian military units into the Russian Armed Forces.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) Shoigu said two documents were signed.

"The first one is on the inclusion into the Russian Armed Forces of some units of the South Ossetian Armed Forces, as well as the agreement on the activities of the courier services," he said.

The relevant agreement was approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 14. The agreement allows enlisting South Ossetian citizens in the Russian Armed Forces on the contract basis. According to the paper, while signing a contract on military service in the Russian Armed Forces, a citizen should be discharged from military service in South Ossetia. The further military service of those citizens would be carried out in accordance with the Russian legislation.

The South Ossetian side is set to elaborate documentation on restructuring its armed forces within three months after the agreement enters into force.

Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia, as well as of Abkhazia, following a five-day war that broke out due to Georgia's military operation against the breakaway republics in 2008.

 Sputnik

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Russian Arctic Military Infrastructure to Be Fully Developed by 2020

Sputnik News

12:12 31.03.2017(updated 12:13 31.03.2017)

Russia's military infrastructure in the Arctic will be fully developed by 2020, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at the ministry's conference call Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia has plans to build and equip military facilities mainly on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, the Franz Josef Archipelago, the New Siberian archipelago and the Wrangel Island.

It is also expanding trade and exploration activities in the Arctic by building transport and energy production infrastructure, as well as installing military facilities and developing the Northern Sea Route linking Europe and Asia.

"Every year we have a fairly large number of facilities. This year work on some of the islands should be completed. There are great plans for 2018. All this work should be completed by 2020," Shoigu said.

In December 2014, Moscow unveiled a revised military doctrine that prioritizes the protection of national interests in the Arctic.

 Sputnik

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Russia Floats Out 2nd Yasen-Class Project 885 Submarine

Sputnik News

10:13 31.03.2017(updated 10:26 31.03.2017)

Russia's second upgraded Yasen-class project 885M submarine, the Kazan, has been floated out at the Sevmash shipbuilder in northwestern Russia, a Sputnik correspondent reported Friday.

SEVERODVINSK (Arkhangelsk Region) (Sputnik) Sevmash Director General Mikhail Budnichenko gave the float-out command, followed by apt. 1st Rank Aleksander Beketov breaking a champagne bottle over the Kazan's bow in the ceremonial launch, the correspondent reports.

The Russian Navy is currently equipped with one Yasen-class submarine, the Severodvinsk. The Severodvinsk has a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons, a length of 119 meters, can travel up to 31 knots, and can dive to 600 meters.

Russia plans to have at least eight Yasen class cruise-missile carrying attack vessels in its submarine fleet.

 Sputnik

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Russia bashes Tillerson for anti-Moscow stance during NATO meeting

Iran Press TV

Sat Apr 1, 2017 1:6PM

The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for pursing the policy of his predecessors to demonize Russia as a "threat" during a NATO meeting, expressing disappointment that the military alliance has decided to perform the traditional anti-Moscow "ritual dance."

The ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Tillerson's anti-Russia rhetoric during a speech a day earlier at the NATO headquarters in Brussels showed that the new US administration's policy on Russia was no different compared to that of previous administrations.

"They always have one thing on their mind: the 'Russian threat' myth, 'Russian aggression' slander and endless mantras about the need to confront it collectively," the ministry said, adding that it was baffled by the remarks after NATO and Russia officials met for the first time in almost three years to discuss cooperation on a range of issues.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that NATO's "dual-track approach" vis-a-vis Russia in which the alliance sought dialogue with Moscow while strengthening its military presence along Russia's western border forces Russia to adopt a confrontational stance in relations with the military coalition.

"We have a legitimate question: can we expect any constructive approaches in the Russian-NATO relations when the alliance is stubbornly sticking to its old patterns, when the United States and its allies are obsessed with building up their military presence at our borders justifying it with the necessity of 'containing Russia'?," the ministry noted.

"In fact, we are being drawn into a confrontational paradigm of relations based on the logic of military confrontation," the ministry said.

In his debut speech to the NATO foreign ministers, Tillerson said that the US would continue to back the Western military alliance against what he called "Russian aggression."

"The US commitment to NATO is strong and this alliance remains the bedrock for trans-Atlantic security," Tillerson said, adding, "The NATO alliance is also fundamental to countering both nonviolent, but at times violent, Russian agitation and Russian aggression."

Relations between Russia and the West started to deteriorate some three years ago after political and military developments rocked Ukraine.

The control of the country, which used to be run by a Russia-backed government, fell into the hands of a pro-West government in February 2014, triggering unrest in the south and east of the country by ethnic Russians.

Crimea, a former Russian territory, rejoined Moscow in March 2014 while provinces neighboring Russia also formed self-declared republics.

The West has imposed an array of economic and military sanctions on Russia over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives. Russia has denied involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

During his stay in Brussels, Tillerson also met with the NATO-Ukraine Commission, a body tasked with assessing NATO-Kiev relations and cooperation, during which he reaffirmed Washington's pledge to maintain sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukrainian conflict.

Moscow has reciprocated the Western sanctions by banning imports of a wide range of US and European foods.

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Russia Accuses NATO Of 'Slander' As U.S. Denounces 'Russian Aggression'

RFE/RL April 01, 2017

Russia has accused the United States and its allies of "slander" as the U.S. top diplomat and Pentagon chief denounced Russia's actions in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told his counterparts at NATO on March 31 that the United States was committed to Ukraine's territorial integrity and that U.S. sanctions against Russia will remain in place "until Moscow reverses the actions that triggered our sanctions."

Western nations imposed the sanctions for Russia's illegal 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and for its support for separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine.

"We do not and will not accept Russian efforts to change the borders of the territory of Ukraine," said Tillerson.

The secretary of state added that Washington "will continue to hold Russia accountable to its Minsk commitments," referring to the Minsk process to resolve the Ukraine crisis.

Tillerson was attending his first meeting of NATO foreign ministers amid worries about U.S. President Donald Trump's stated desire for closer relations with Moscow.

He told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, who was also at the meeting, that American and NATO support for Ukraine remained "steadfast" after "Russia's aggression against Ukraine."

Russia responded by accusing NATO of spreading "the myth of a 'Russian threat'" and "the slander of 'Russian aggression'" as a way to unify its members.

"The U.S. and its allies are obsessed with building up their military presence on our borders, justifying it with the need to 'restrain Russia'," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Also on March 31, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told reporters in London that "Russian's violations of international law are now a matter of record -- from what happened with Crimea to other aspects of their behavior in mucking around inside other peoples' elections."

Mattis was likely referring to Russia's alleged meddling during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The U.S. secretary of defense also expressed concern over Russia's activities in Afghanistan and its interaction with the Taliban militant group.

"We have seen Russian activity vis-a-vis the Taliban," Mattis said. "I am not willing to say at this point if that is manifested into weapons and that sort of thing, but, certainly, what they are up to there in light of their other activities gives us concern."

The comments came after U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, told a U.S. Senate committee on March 23 that he had seen evidence of increasing Russian efforts to influence the Taliban "and perhaps even to supply" the militant group.

Moscow denies it provides aid to the Taliban, which is fighting the U.S.-backed government and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on March 31, Russia's ambassador to NATO, Aleksandr Grushko, said Russia is in contact with the Taliban to push the group toward national reconciliation and to ensure security of Russian citizens.

"Many countries" maintain contacts with the Taliban, Grushko said, adding that "the consultations we hold, the work we do, we do it with the participation of Afghanistan's central government."

With reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, TASS, and Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-accuses-nato-united -states-slander-ukraine-aggression/28404566.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Navy's Universal Soldier: New Floated Sub to Fire Kalibr, Onyx Missiles

Sputnik News

16:50 01.04.2017(updated 16:53 01.04.2017)

Russia's second upgraded nuclear-powered Yasen-class project 885M submarine will add significantly to the country's navy, boosting its clout in strategically important regions at sea, according to the Russian news network Zvezda.

The Russian news network Zvezda reported that Russia's second upgraded nuclear-powered Yasen-class project 885M submarine, the Kazan, should help the Russian Defense Ministry resolve the key task of increasing the country's naval clout in the strategically important regions of the World Ocean.

The Kazan submarine was floated out by the shipbuilder Sevmash in northwestern Russia on Friday. It is due to enter service with the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet in 2018 after the completion of a series of state tests.

The Russian Navy is currently equipped with one Yasen-class submarine, the Severodvinsk, which has a submerged displacement of 13,800 tons, a length of 119 meters, can travel up to 31 knots, and can dive to 600 meters.

The Severodvinsk is armed with naval mines, Oniks and Kalibr anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles as well as a range of torpedoes.

According to Russia's Naval Doctrine, the Yasen-class vessels will become the main multipurpose nuclear-powered submarines in the Russian Navy.

At least eight Yasen-class cruise missile-carrying attack vessels are expected to join the Russian Navy's submarine fleet in the future.

"Nuclear submarines of this type are capable of delivering missile-torpedo strikes against [enemy] naval targets and attacking coastal objects with several types of cruise missiles and modifications," according to Zvezda.

The Severodvinsk is armed with up to 32 P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, 40 Kalibr-PL anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine and land attack submarine launched-weapons and an unspecified number of Kh-101 cruise missiles.

Last year, Vladimir Dorofeyev, the director general of Malakhit Design Bureau, was quoted by Sputnik as saying that "the Yasen-class subs can be fitted with all types of cruise missiles that can be fired from submarines."

Unlike the Severodvinsk, the Kazan submarine is more silent and as far as armament is concerned, it has eight SM-346universal vertical launchers.Each of them is due to be equipped with up to five Kalibr missiles. In all, the Kazan can carry 70 torpedoes and missiles, Zvezda reported.

Russian military expert Viktor Mamaykin told Sputnik that "Soviet-made multi-purpose nuclear submarines were significantly inferior to those in America in terms of low-noise performance," a major factor to win a possible war.

"As far as I know, the Kazan's low-noise characteristics are on par with its Western competitors. And now imagine what the Kazan can do if it is able to approach an enemy aircraft carrier strike group. It will be enough to launch just one torpedo at the carrier which will give a lurch, something that will disrupt the work of the carrier's main strike force," Mamaykin said.

Four more Yasen-class subs are currently under construction; the sixth Project 885 watercraft, the Perm, was laid down in late July 2016. A total of eight updated Yasen-class submarines are due to join the Russian Navy by 2020.

 Sputnik

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US Escalates Criticism of Russia Over Ukraine, Vows Sanctions to Stay

By Michael Lipin, Guita Aryan April 01, 2017

The Trump administration escalated its criticism of Moscow Friday, with two of its most senior officials denouncing Russia's treatment of Ukraine and reiterating a vow to maintain U.S. sanctions.

In his first visit to a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accused Russia of "aggression" in Ukraine and told his counterparts that their alliance is "fundamental to countering both nonviolent, but at times violent, Russian agitation" in the region.

He also said U.S. sanctions against Moscow will remain in effect until it "reverses the actions" that triggered them. Washington imposed the sanctions in response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and expanded them after Moscow began providing military aid to pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Tillerson's previous language on Russia had been more conciliatory. After his first meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a Group of 20 major economies meeting in Bonn in February, Tillerson said the U.S. wants to find "new common ground" with Russia and "expects" it to honor commitments to de-escalate violence in Ukraine as part of the 2015 Minsk agreement.

U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, whose role is subordinate to Tillerson, similarly criticized Russian "aggression" and vowed to keep U.S. sanctions in place in remarks to the U.N. Security Council February 2.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis also fired a verbal attack at Russia Friday. Echoing language he used in February, Mattis told reporters in London that Russian "violations" of international law are now a "matter of record from what happened with Crimea to other aspects of their behavior in mucking around inside other people's elections" a likely reference to U.S. allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign.

Senior Russian lawmaker Alexey Pushkov was not amused by the U.S. verbal assaults. In a Friday tweet, he said the new U.S. administration "sounds like the old one Mattis is indistinguishable from (former Defense Secretary Ash) Carter, Tillerson is talking about 'Russian aggression.' (Barack) Obama and (Hillary) Clinton must be happy."

Bloomberg reported that Tillerson's tough language on Russia was well-received by NATO officials.

But NATO's previous secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, told VOA Persian that he believes the Trump administration should go further. After speaking at a Hudson Institute forum in Washington Thursday, Rasmussen said the U.S. should "strengthen" its sanctions in response to what he called Russia's continued destabilization of eastern Ukraine.

Tillerson and Mattis made no reference in their new remarks to Russia's plans for more weapons sales to Iran, a nation the Trump administration has warned against threatening the U.S. or its Middle East allies.

A Russian lawmaker who heads the upper house of parliament's defense and security committee, Viktor Ozerov, visited Iran last November and told reporters that Tehran was in talks to buy $10 billion worth of Russian military hardware. Ozerov said any Russian deliveries of conventional weapons to Iran likely will have to wait until 2020 when U.N. restrictions on arms sales to Tehran expire.

Moscow had taken a major step to boost military cooperation with Tehran before Ozerov's announcement, delivering an S-300 advanced air defense system to Iran last year.

U.S. officials responded to the Russian-Iranian weapons talks with alarm, according to The Washington Free Beacon news site. It quoted State Department officials as saying they had long been working behind the scenes to persuade Moscow not to sell weapons to Iran.

Former NATO deputy secretary general Alexander Vershbow, who also spoke at Thursday's Washington forum, told VOA Persian he does not think U.S. sanctions alone can stop Russia from arming Iran.

"To be effective, the U.S. would have to adopt a unified sanctions approach with Europe," Vershbow said. "While some sanctions imposed on Russia because of Ukraine may cover the Russian defense as well as financial sectors, targeting additional sanctions against Moscow specifically because of Iran may not be an easy issue for agreement with Europe, given its desire not to harm the Iran nuclear deal."

Iran agreed to curb activities that could produce nuclear weapons as part of a 2015 deal with world powers, who agreed to ease sanctions against Tehran in return.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian Service.

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Daesh Tries to Bait US-Led Coalition Into Damaging Syria's Tabqa Dam

Sputnik News

20:49 31.03.2017(updated 21:12 31.03.2017)

Daesh terrorist group has attempted to bait the US-led coalition into damaging the Tabqa dam in the vicinity of the Syrian city of Raqqa, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. Joseph Scrocca told Sputnik on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) -- The Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia) has attempted to bait the US-led coalition into damaging the Tabqa dam in the vicinity of the Syrian city of Raqqa, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. Joseph Scrocca told Sputnik on Friday.

"ISIS [Islamic State] is using this location, which is critical to the population of Syria, as a fighting position seemingly in an attempt to bait the Coalition into damaging the dam," Scrocca said.

Local media reported on Sunday that the Tabqa dam had been damaged, taking its electricity generators off line and prompting fears that the dam had been structurally weakened by US airstrikes. However, Red Crescent volunteer engineers, who went to inspect the dam on Monday, found no structural damage.

The spokesperson explained that the technique matches the group's recent narrative that destruction of the dam is imminent and flooding can occur.

"The Coalition and the SDF [Syrian Democratic Force] take every precaution to safe guard the integrity of the Tabqah Dam," Scrocca stated.

On March 22, the coalition supported air assault of the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) and Syrian Arab Coalition partners in the operation to liberate the dam.

Operation Inherent Resolve has said liberation of Tabqa is critical for the offensive on Raqqa.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Army Advances in Hama, Liberates 16 Villages in Past 24 Hours

Sputnik News

16:18 31.03.2017(updated 16:20 31.03.2017)

The Syrian government forces have gained control over 16 settlements in the north of the Hama province in the past 24 hours, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Friday.

HAMA (Sputnik) According to Syrian military personnel taking part in Hama offensive against al-Nusra Front, terrorists suffered heavy losses and retreated to the border with the Idlib province.

"Syrian army soldiers captured two tanks and two other pieces of military equipment during today's attack [on Friday]," an army officer told Sputnik.

On Tuesday, the Russian General Staff said that a group of 10,000 ex-Nusra Front militants attempted to capture the Syrian city of Hama. Over 2,100 militants have been killed in four days, with the operation continuing to this day and Syrian troops entering a counteroffensive.

According to the Syrian Defense Ministry, the army has eliminated over 2,200 militants from al-Nusra Front terrorist group and affiliated armed groups in Hama since March 23.

 Sputnik

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UN Syria Envoy Says Peace Deal Remains Elusive

RFE/RL April 01, 2017

The United Nations envoy for Syria says the fifth round of peace talks between opposition leaders and the government made "incremental" progress, but he warned that a peace deal remains a long way off.

Staffan de Mistura on March 31 said after wrapping up nine days of talks in Geneva that the sides appeared "keen" on holding a new round of talks, but he said no date had been set.

Opposition and government negotiators met separately with de Mistura, who said he was at least pleased that no one had walked out.

The talks were still in the preparation stage, he acknowledged, and centered on four "baskets" of issues -- governance, drafting a new constitution, elections, and combating terrorism.

"In every negotiation, there are certain issues that need to be prepared...before the real, real peace negotiations start... and it is clear, we are not quite there," he said.

He expressed concerns about the status of a cease-fire agreement brokered by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

De Mistura urged the three nations, which have been sponsoring talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, to "revitalize the cease-fire."

"We really mean it. Successful work in Astana on the cease-fire reinforces Geneva and vice versa," he said.

Fighting in Syria has intensified during the past two weeks.

Rebel groups launched drives against districts in the capital, Damascus, and captured several villages near the provincial capital of Hama.

A counteroffensive by Syrian government forces recaptured most of the areas.

The war in Syria, which began with a government crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in March 2011, has killed an estimated 300,000 people and displaced millions more.

Russia and Iran back President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey and the United States support various rebel groups fighting the government.

But the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump declared this week that it isn't pursuing a strategy to push Assad out of power, saying its focus is on defeating the extremist group Islamic State, which is still controlling large swaths of territory in Syria and neighboring Iraq.

"There is a political reality that we have to accept in terms of where we are right now," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on March 31.

On March 30, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Assad's "longer-term status" would be decided by the Syrian people, while the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said of Assad, "Do we think he's a hindrance? Yes. Are we going to sit there and focus on getting him out? No."

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/un-syria-peace-talks- geneva-assad/28404251.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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Turkish minister says other military operations possible in Syria

Iran Press TV

Fri Mar 31, 2017 11:53PM

Turkey has not ruled out the possibility of yet another military intervention in war-torn Syria despite officially announcing the completion of a months-long offensive in the Arab country, claiming that the end of a military operation does not mean that "threats" against Ankara have been eliminated.

"When the need arises and a threat occurs against Turkey's security, Turkey will not hesitate to conduct other operations in order to eliminate this threat," said Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik on Friday, two days after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced the end of Turkey's major military operation on Syrian soil.

In August 2016, Turkey began a unilateral military intervention in northern Syria, code-named Operation Euphrates Shield, sending tanks and warplanes across the border. Ankara claimed that its military campaign was aimed at pushing the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group from Turkey's border with Syria and stopping the advance of Kurdish forces, who were themselves fighting Daesh, but Damascus denounced the operation as a breach of its sovereignty.

"Therefore, the end of Operation Euphrates Shield does not mean the threats against Turkey are completely over," Isik further told reporters in the eastern Black Sea province of Gumushane.

The Turkish minister also claimed that the operation had cleared 2,000 square kilometers from the presence of Daesh, adding that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD)'s "dream of merging cantons" in northern Syria had been crushed. Ankara has listed the PKK, and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD, as terrorist organizations.

"The operation is over, but what needs to be done will continue to be done," Isik further said.

However, neither Yildirim nor Isik have elaborated on whether Turkish forces would be withdrawn from northern Syria.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, echoed Isik's comments, saying Ankara would not remain "indifferent" to its security and would engage in similar military operations as long as threats persisted.

"We continue to have security measures in the area on the highest level. Turkey will continue its effective fight against terrorist organizations in this region, on the borders and other areas within the framework of both the UN Charter's Article 51 and our national security priorities," Kalin added.

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Turkey to Continue Efforts in Syria to Ensure National Security - General Staff

Sputnik News

16:35 31.03.2017(updated 16:48 31.03.2017)

Turkey will continue its efforts to ensure its national security in Syria, despite the end of the Euphrates Shield operation, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Friday.

ANKARA (Sputnik) On Wednesday, the National Security Council announced that Ankara formally ended the campaign, saying that it was a success. The council did not specify whether Turkey plans to pull its forces from the region.

"The Euphrates Shield operation, launched on August 24 to protect our national security from terrorists, primarily from the Islamic State terrorist group [Daesh, banned in Russia], conducted in coordination with the international coalition, was successfully completed at this stage. Efforts to ensure national security, prevent any undesirable incidents, and to ensure the possibility of our Syrian brothers returning to their homes will continue," the statement said.

Ankara viewed Kurdish activities as an attempt to achieve greater autonomy and eventually establish and independent state, something Turkey views as unacceptable. Operation Euphrates Shield was supposed to prevent this from happening. In fact, the Turkish leadership has always maintained that its military offensive was targeted against Daesh and the Kurds. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his supporters view both groups as terrorist organizations.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Says It Will Keep Military Presence In Syria

April 01, 2017

The Turkish Army says it will keep a military presence in Syria to prevent any "unwanted formation" and ensure stability in the region.

The statement on March 31 comes two days after Turkey announced it was ending its Euphrates Shield military campaign near the Turkish border in northern Syria.

It said that phase of its operation against Islamic State (IS) militants and "terrorists" in the region was "successfully completed," but it did not rule out a new military campaign inside Syria under a different mission name.

"We are continuing our operations to protect our national security, prevent any unwanted formation, allow our displaced Syrian siblings to return to their country, and maintain security and stability in the region," the military said on March 31.

Turkey launched Euphrates Shield last August, with troops, tanks, and warplanes backing Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels battling to push IS extremists away from the Turkish border region.

FSA troops have also been fighting Syrian Kurdish fighters that Ankara says are "terrorists."

The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 when protests broke out against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Since then, more than 300,000 people have been killed and millions more have been displaced by fighting that has created one of the largest migrant crises in Europe since World War II.

Turkey and the United States have been supporting various factions fighting Assad's government, while Russia and Iran back Assad.

IS fighters have also entered the war and are opposed by both sides.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-says-will-keep- military-presence-syria/28404378.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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UN chief Guterres welcomes announcement of adherence to ceasefire in eastern Ukraine

31 March 2017 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed yesterday's announcement of an agreement on adherence to a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, in accordance with the Minsk Agreements, by 1 April, and on the disengagement of forces and hardware in Stanytsia Luhanska by 6 April.

A statement from his spokesman said that the Secretary-General welcomed the announcement by the Trilateral Contact Group a group of representatives from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of a new agreement on ensuring the full adherence to the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons, in accordance with the Minsk Agreements, by 1 April, and on the disengagement of forces and hardware in Stanytsia Luhanska by 6 April.

"The fate of the civilian population remains of great concern. The Secretary-General urges all parties to fully abide by their renewed commitment. He hopes that this will enable further progress in the security, humanitarian, political and economic fields," said the statement.

Further to the statement, Mr. Guterres further urged the parties to do their utmost to ensure the safety and security of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

"The Secretary-General reiterates the UN's full support for the efforts of the OSCE, the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy Four, and calls on all concerned to intensify their diplomatic efforts in this context," the statement concluded.

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Stratcom Commander Makes Case for Modernizing Nuclear Triad

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ROSSLYN, Va., March 31, 2017 Nuclear capabilities are the bedrock of American defense and will remain so, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said at the Military Reporters and Editors annual meeting here today.

Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten said the United States has about the right numbers of nuclear weapons, but they need to be modernized.

Saluting Stratcom's People

Hyten saluted the sacrifices of the service members under his command who stand watch as they maintain America's nuclear deterrent and other missions.

"Deterrence will always be cheaper than war, and there is nothing more expensive than losing a war," the general said, quoting from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein.

Hyten said it will take roughly 6 percent of the defense budget to modernize the country's nuclear arsenal. Right now, nuclear arms take about 3.5 percent of the budget.

"We have to increase [spending] somewhere between 2.5 and 3 percent," he said. "That leaves 94 percent of our defense budget to do the things we have to. When you think of the survival of our nation -- and I think that is the most important reason we have a military  the backstop of all of that is the nuclear enterprise."

Nuclear Deterrent: Backbone of Homeland Defense

The general said it would irresponsible to not fund nuclear modernization, as the nuclear deterrent is the backbone of homeland defense.

Hyten said people often ask him if it is possible to eliminate nuclear weapons. They want to know if he can imagine a world without nukes. "And the answer is yes, I can imagine a world without nuclear weapons," he said. "In fact, I know what a world without nuclear weapons looks like, because we had a world without nuclear weapons until 1945."

He asked the reporters to imagine what the world was like in the six years preceding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "In those six years, the world in conflict killed somewhere between 60 million and 80 million people," he said. "That's about 33,000 people a day, a million people a month."

As horrible as the world is today, he said, there is nothing remotely resembling this situation. The world has seen bloody conflicts -- Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were awful, but nowhere near the level of carnage the world had experienced, he said.

What changed in 1945, Hyten said, was the reality of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons, he added, prevented the major power conflict that had plagued the world in previous centuries.

"They prevented the kind of wanton destruction that you saw in World War II, and somehow the world has stayed that way," the general said.

Necessity to Modernize Nation's Nuclear Triad

Hyten said nuclear weapons undergird the motto of Strategic Command and its predecessor organization, the Strategic Air Command: Peace is our profession.

Deterrence has changed in the 21st century, Hyten said, and the command must modernize the nuclear triad and the command-and-control systems that are part of them.

"The submarines are the most survivable element of it; the ICBMs are the most ready; the bombers are the most flexible," he said. "When you put those pieces together, it gives our nation the ability to withstand any attack and respond if we are attacked, which means we won't be attacked."

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Dancing Ken Hanks, who died aged 81 on Saturday, April 1, was very much in the public eye, and loved by the residents of Cheltenham.

Ken was instantly recognisable, with his flamboyant outfits and his happy smile.

He was well-known throughout Cheltenham for his colourful clothes and his love of American country music and he even stood for parliament in the 2005 general election.

He was also famous for his tireless charity work over decades and is thought by his friends to have raised close to 1 million.
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The county is in mourning after Dancing Ken Hanks passed away yesterday.

The lively character had raised more than 1million for charity in his lifetime before he died at the age of 81.

As the news broke yesterday, thousands of people shared their memories of Ken and some even called for a lasting tribute to him.

Ken was well known throughout Cheltenham, where he lived in a colourful house in Wellington Street, and in Gloucester, where he ran popular country and western nights at Wall's Social Club in Barnwood.

Tributes to Ken Hanks

And on Facebook there were calls for a lasting tribute to the man.

Read the top tributes below:

Billy Dudfield: Deserves a statue on the Prom that man !!!

Owen Schoning: Definitely deserves recognition from Gloucestershire and Cheltenham for the services to others and charity. Peace to you Ken. Respect.

Sharon Langford: So sad. Such a shame he was never honoured for his charity work while he was alive. RIP Ken

Carol Wilson:A true legend

"Dance with the angels"

Linda Gillatt Can't help but feel a little bit of Cheltenham has been chipped away. In peace Ken.

Julie Howe: Very sad news I remember the fun nights I had at county and western nights at the walls club when I went with my grandparents use to love dancing and watching the all the dances rip

Felicity Cleaves: Sorry to hear this news. Saw him only last week and he seemed the same as ever. I chaired an election hustings when he was a candidate and he was a delight to have on the panel.

Thomas David Kane: I knew dancing ken years ago he loved his country music and his dancing he was a great man rest in peace ken

Brian Chu: Gutted. A great loss to Cheltenham. Sincerest condolences to his family.

A true gentleman and a legend he will be sadly missed from all the staff at walls club xx rip ken x - Sharon Bembridge

Neil Dowding: A sad loss. A great guy and always happy / fun. Dance with the angels Ken.
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The family of Cheltenham legend Dancing Ken Hanks - who died aged 81 on Saturday - have spoken movingly of the man they knew and loved.

Fiancee and 'soul mate' Carole Elt

"I'll love him forever and he'll never be forgotten."

Those are the words of Carole Elt, the fiancee of Dancing Ken Hanks.

And judging by the reaction of Cheltenham people to the news, that goes for the entire town.

But Carole, along with Ken's three children knew the private man as well as the one we all saw.

And she said there was a different side to him.

Carole, 72, said: "He was very flamboyant, and that was something he really was  but he was also a very thoughtful, and kind man.

"He loved children - and he was brilliant with my four grandchildren. He was so patient and would play with them so much.

"He was very confiding in me  we'd tell each other our problems, and that's why we got on so well, I think  we were soulmates."

Despite Ken being diagnosed with cancer late last year, Carole said that he never lost his sense of humour  and that will be her abiding memory of him, his willingness to make a joke.

She said: "Just before he went into hospital last week I rang him and he said 'I've drunk a bottle of rum, I've drunk a bottle of red wine and I'm as sober as a coot.' He knew he was poorly but he always wanted to make a joke."

Carole's son Mark Pickering used to take Ken out on Saturday nights and would be introduced to ken's friends as either his bodyguard or stepson. Mark has also said he will never forget Ken.

Ken's son Bradley

Ken's youngest child Bradley, 29, said even towards the end of his life, Ken was very independent.

He said: "He was quite a private person. He wouldn't ask anyone for anything, he wouldn't ask for a lift, even when he was ill. He lived for helping other people, but he was very independent himself. In a way I think he was too proud to ask for help."

But that living for others has made Bradley Ken's other children Kelly and Melvin very proud of their father.

Bradley said: "We've seen what others have said about him  and it is a comfort. It just makes me smile to think that so many people loved him whether it was to do with his dress or the work he did for charity.

"My memory of him is being with us on Christmas Day and playing with my two sons. My father had six grandchildren and he was always there for anyone whenever they needed anything."

A full and well-lived life in a nutshell

Ken Hanks was born in Cheltenham in 1935 and attended St James School.

He worked in a laundrette in the town and started fundraising when a colleague there had epilepsy.

He is thought to have raised close to 1 million for a variety of local causes including Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Bettridge School, National Star College, St Vincent's Centre, the Battledown Centre for Children Cheltenham General Hospital and the Cobalt Appeal.

He was awarded the Medal of Honour by Cheltenham Borough Council in 2011.

He stood for election as Cheltenham MP for the Monster Raving Loony Party four elections, 1997, 2001m, 2005 and 1010. He saw his vote increase steadily until 2010, when it fell slightly.

He had three children and six grandchildren.

Ken's fiancee Carole will take on the running of the Music club that ken ran every Sunday. It will continue at the Walls Club in Hammond Way Barnwood every Sunday at 8pm and raise money for the causes that Ken supported all his life.

In 2014, documentary maker James Palmer went to meet Ken and made the following film

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Tributes from others

Mayor Councillor Chris Ryder said: "On behalf of the town I'd like to extend our condolences to Ken's family.

"He was a colourful and charitable character and was a friend to many in Cheltenham. He was very generous to the Mayor's charitiers annually and will be sorely missed."

Former long-serving borough councillor and Cheltenham Mayor Barbara Driver 's first duty as mayor was to give Ken the town's Medal of Honour. She said: "I've known Ken for many years  I've danced with him, and he arranged some events for me. His award was very well deserved. He really was a fantastic person and he did so much for everyone. Goodness, he was generous to the nth degree."

Former Echo Editor Kevan Blackadder said: "Cheltenham simply won't be the same place without Dancing Ken and that's not just because of his fantastic charity work. "I saw him about a fortnight ago walking through Cambray Place, dressed in his colourful clothes, pulling along his trusty shopping trolley and saying a cheerful Hello to everyone he passed.

"My abiding memory as Gloucestershire Echo editor was when he stood as Cheltenham's MP for the Monster Raving Loony Party. I chaired a hustings in Parabola Arts Centre and, to every question, he was the one who gave the most straightforward answers - and they were all honest, which is probably why he was never going to make a full-time politician.

"The biggest cheer of the night came when the candidates were asked what was the first thing they would do if they became Cheltenham MP. He said simply: 'Open more free public toilets'."

Liz Hunkin, spokeswoman for the Cobalt Fund said: "Ken was an inspiration to all of us within the charity sector. His enthusiasm for fundraising never waned. Nor did his zest for life and his flamboyant character. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with the family at this sad time."

Anita Syvret, who also edited the Gloucestershire Echo for many years said: "Dancing Ken gave Cheltenham an altogether cheery face and punched a hole in its stiff upper lip image. He brought a smile to an otherwise dull political backdrop when he joined the Monster Raving Loonies. And his carol singing on the Prom will never be forgotten.

Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk said: "This is such a sad day. Dancing ken hanks was a Cheltenham institution and a true one-off. His wonderful eccentricity made people smile wherever he went and his memory will live on in the countless causes he supported in a lifetime of charitable works. We will miss him very much."

Cheltenham's former MP, and Lib Dem candidate at the next election Martin Horwood faced a challenge from Ken at two general elections, 2005 and 2010.

He said: "We'll all miss Ken. At election times he always added a bit of colour and humour but he was very kind with it and carried on with his charity fundraising all the time.

"When he did hustings with the other candidates, it turned out he also had pretty strong views on a whole range of issues but I think it was basically that he really cared about the people and about Cheltenham."
Danville City Council approved $125,000 in grant money this month for a crime reduction program that includes a full-time crime analyst position.

The money comes from a three-year grant program under the Virginia attorney generals office and Danville Police Chief Philip Broadfoot hopes the city will cover the cost for the crime analyst once grant money ends in about 18 months.

Broadfoot hopes the city will adopt and fund the position.

The department hired full-time crime analyst Jason Smythe on Nov. 1, Broadfoot said.

I really was taken by the opportunity to be their first crime analyst, Smythe said in an interview Wednesday.

A crime analyst digs through data, studies it and makes predictions that officers and investigators can follow up on, Broadfoot said.

Smythe has monitored gang activity and looked for trends in stolen weapons, burglaries and drive-by shootings, he said.

Another employee, Cpl. Tim Scearce, has been performing crime analysis for the department for about three years, but he has other job duties, the police chief said.

Broadfoot held a news conference March 24 to discuss stolen firearms. The information gathered in that presentation  15 firearms stolen in Danville in 2016; 24 firearms stolen so far this year  was a collaborative effort between between the two analysts, Smythe said.

I think being able to identify certain patterns, puts [police] one step ahead, he said.

Over the past two or three years, crime analysis has helped the city reduce burglaries from about 500 to about 200, Broadfoot said. Analysis enables the department to anticipate where crimes will occur and who will be involved, he said.

We want to do the same with other crimes like drive-by shootings, gunshots, gang activity and those types of things, he said, adding those types of crimes are a little more complicated to work with than burglaries.

It takes a special skill set and full-time devotion to perform the job, Broadfoot said.

We wanted him to work with police officers to figure out trends and where we need to be to prevent crimes from occurring, he said.

Were excited about the promise that a crime analyst will have.

Broadfoot added the department will continue to use Smythes and Scearces talents.

Once the grant funding runs out, Broadfoot said he hopes he can present data and show results to city council to show the position is well worthwhile.

The full-time crime analyst position pays a little more than $50,000 per year. Other items the grant money funds included benefits for the analyst, directed patrol overtime, travel and training, equipment and supplies.

The city pays Scearces salary and benefits, Broadfoot said.

The state attorney generals office received the $125,000 award from the Department of Criminal Justice Services under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program for implementation of the citys Danville Crime Reduction Program.

Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee.

Michael Livingston contributed to this report
Danville Community College Licensed Practical Nursing students and teachers say test prep, in-person meetings and tutoring support from staff helped them to excel on license exams for the past several years.

Earlier this month, the most recent cohort of nursing graduates received their results on the National Council Licensure Examination state board tests. With all graduates passing, DCC has maintained a 100 percent pass rate on the test since 2012  making it the only program in Virginia to do so.

DCCs practical nursing programs roots begin in 1953 when then-Danville Memorial Hospital collaborated with Danville Technical Institute, said assistant professor of nursing Cathy Barrett.

The college also has had a registered nurse program since 2009.

Barrett said practical nurses are attracted to the program because of its relatively short completion time of about three semesters but also because of the hands-on nature of the job.

Practical nurses give bedside care and medicine while assisting registered nurses with ongoing patient assessments. Licensed Practical Nurses can manage staffs of other LPNs and nursing assistants in long-term care facilities, among others.

Recent LPN graduate Haley Key said she loved the off-site nature of her DCC classes.

I have always wanted to be a nurse so I decided to just take it step by step, Key said in an email.

Key said the careers of her father, a firefighter, and her step-mother, as a practical nurse career, led her to this career path.

They were my inspiration to want to help people so much, she said.

After getting her nursing assistant and EMT certificates in high school, Key said the LPN degree was another step toward become receiving her register nursing and bachelors of science in nursing degrees.

My favorite part of the program was the clinicals, Key said. Im a hands-on person so I learned a lot from the clinicals.

Barrett said the program helps students prepare for the rigorous exams in several ways, including regular meetings with students to discuss academic and clinical performance.

One of the things weve done recently is to offer more tutoring to the students, she said.

Nursing students begin taking practice questions for the state boards during the first semester, so they can understand how the questions are worded and structured, Barrett said.

That process, Key said, was an immense help.

DCC provided us with plenty of study material between books and online resources so we could do plenty of practice questions to prepare for NCLEX, she said.

Barrett said the program currently has two cohorts of nine and five students, respectively. About 20 percent of licensed practical nursing students pursue a registered nurse license, she said.

Metcalfe reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
For the past year, victims of domestic and sexual assault have found refuge and compassion at Haven of the Dan River Region, Inc.

Although each client is unique, their challenges may be similar  few or no financial resources, little or no family support, no job or job opportunities, and no transportation.

We work with each client to determine their resources, strengths and personal objectives so we can help them realize what goals they want to set, said Lisa Caviness, the executive director. Our goal is not to direct, but to facilitate and help them realize what they want to gain.

The program is a 30- to 45-day temporary shelter for victims of domestic or sexual assault.

During this time, we work with the victims to assist them to reach their personal goals. Each victim who comes to the shelter has very individual and unique circumstances, Caviness said.

The shelter is staffed by five people during the day, with a relief staff providing security and operating the emergency hotlines at nights and on the weekends, among other responsibilities.

Christina Carley, resident/relief administrative coordinator, arranges schedules and training. Lisa Cowan is the case manager who engages daily with the residents and their children.

Caviness said it takes unique individuals to work at the shelter.

You cant help but get emotionally invested because the clients are coming from a vulnerable place. You have to have a nurturing personality, she said. The clients are sharing their innermost fears. Christinas first client had broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a concussion. We had to assist her with changing clothes and in the bathroom, so sometimes its a very intimate role we have.

The shelter

Danville Regional Medical Center donated the building and maintains the grounds, and Gods Pit Crew remodeled it from an office into living quarters. A host of community foundations, organizations and individuals maintained operations until the shelter became eligible for state and federal funding, Caviness said.

The home has four bedrooms with bunkbeds; each room can accommodate a crib. There is only one bathroom, which Caviness said can be challenging at times, as can the combined kitchen, dining room and living room. An additional refrigerator has been added since the shelter opened.

We had four kids 10 and under not long ago with adults, so the space can be challenging, Caviness said. Theres no place for solitude because of space constraints.

The Boys and Girls Club donated old playground equipment when the club got new equipment.

During the first year the shelter accommodated 1,480 overnight stays, serving 35 women and 22 children. Sixteen requests went unfulfilled because of a lack of space.

The apartment-sized washer and dryer in a narrow hallway were inadequate for the workload, so a regular size washer has been put in a storage room.

I have the Pinocchio Syndrome, Caviness said. I want a real house.

She cites the need of a fence around the play area so mothers will feel safe when their children go out to play.

Since clients are adults, they are free to come and go as they please, but Caviness said there are rules about hours to be in and communication about where they are going.

The first step is to create safety and then autonomy through good decision making, she said.

The bulk of the shelters funding is provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services/Victsims of Crime Act. Ongoing contributions come from Danville Regional Medical Center and the Daly Family Trust, as well as individual families and community civic and church groups.

The clients

The shelter serves victims of sexual and/or domestic violence, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation or age, Caviness said.

Thus far, we have served victims who are employed full time, another who just retired, several with very young children, others with no children. We have served several victims who had a mental health disability, one who was HIV positive and one was deaf, she said.

Some are employed, while most are underemployed and are seeking/desiring full-time employment in order that they can be financially independent, thus not feeling forced to depend upon their abuser. Several of our clients were enrolled in college courses.

Caviness remembered one of their recently retired clients who said she had spent her whole life living with her husbands physical abuse, but now that her babies had their own babies, she realized, I just dont have to take this no more.

Her good church family lifted her up and her son helped her, Caviness said. She got a good vehicle and a job.

Carley and Caviness agreed she was one of the success stories that make their work worthwhile.

Weve had a number of them, Carley said. Theyre happy and free and able to transition out of what was holding them down.

Although Haven focuses on Danville and Pittsylvania County, clients also come from Caswell County, North Carolina, which does not have its own shelter, other areas, or even other states.

Due to the nature of abuse and depending on the circumstance, you have to sometimes move out of the primary residential area. We had a resident from New Mexico in a high-profile case who had to be moved out, so she came here and stayed, Caviness said.

Referrals to the shelter come from a variety of sources, including the Danville Police Department, Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office, Danville Regional Medical Center, other shelters, Danville Social Services and the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

The hotline also took 246 calls in the past year  151 of them concerning domestic violence and 63 for sexual assault, among other calls.

Other services

Services are available to victims who do not stay at the shelter  individual and/or group support, court advocacy, safety planning, sexual and/or domestic violence education, as well as assistance with employment, education, applying for services through the Department of Social Services and assistance with the Danville and/or Pittsylvania Victim Witness Assistance Program.

Two victim advocates, Cheryl Hogg and Monica Davis, have their offices at Haven.

Im a court advocate, explained Davis, who mainly works with domestic violence victims. I support victims in court and offer them services, such as helping them fill out protective orders and referring them to any services, such as legal aid. I speak up for the needs of the needy.

She said about 40 percent of the women and men she contacts let her help, but only about 10 percent need the accommodations of the shelter.

Cheryl Hogg works primarily with victims of sexual assault.

I am trained to support the victims of the crime of sexual assault. I offer information, emotional support and assistance in finding needed resources, such as counseling and filling out paperwork as well as providing information on their legal rights and protection, Cowan explained. I often go to court with victims and meet with them on a one-on-one basis; I facilitate support groups; can accompany victims to obtain protective orders; offer information about options available; and support their decision making.

Ninety-three women, eight men and 13 children were served through advocacy services during the past year.

The frustrations

Although there are many successes, Caviness and Carley admit the frustration of putting into place the necessary resources for clients to move out and find a means of supporting themselves after such a short time at the shelter.

A client walks through our door with one bag, no savings and no job and then we are supposed to set them up for success. Its rather daunting, Caviness said. We cant even get our Christmas shopping done in that period of time every year.

The re-victimization rate is high because of their lack of resources as they leave the facility, she said.

The biggest challenge is locating affordable housing for victims who work for minimum wage or just a bit more, or locating affordable, safe housing for victims who are also disabled, specifically those that have a mental health diagnosis, she said.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Rejuvenation Salon & Spa, 145 Holt Garrison Parkway, is offering discounts on teal-colored hair extensions or dying a strand of hair the color teal to promote an awareness of sexual assault in a Hairs What You Can Do Campaign.

The Haven staff will be delivering gratitude goodies in April to local first responders, who are typically the first ones to be in contact with a victim of sexual assault. These include the Danville Police Department, Danville and Pittsylvania Countys Sheriffs Department and Danville Regional Medical Center.

The Haven staff will be present at several fairs and events throughout the area with information on sexual assault.

Elzey is a freelance writer for the Register & Bee. She can be reached at susanelzey@yahoo.com or (434) 791-7991.
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Officials from the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts told two area district attorneys that hiring their wives was illegal, then gave its approval to the two women trading jobs.

Emails obtained by the News & Record show this job swap in January 2015 by Pamela Bradsher and Cindy Blitzer was sanctioned by the state courts office, or AOC, after a lawyer had suggested the wives of the district attorneys should resign.

What happened after that decision ultimately ignited an ongoing investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation and a lawsuit by a whistleblower who said the wives were paid when they didnt work.

Craig Blitzer, the Rockingham County district attorney, who has since resigned, hired his wife, Cindy, on Jan. 1, 2015, to work as his legal assistant at a salary of $46,900 a year.

That same day, Wallace Bradsher, the district attorney for Person and Caswell counties, gave his wife, Pamela, a substantial raise and a promotion to investigator, making $48,000. She had begun working for him on Jan. 7, 2011.

On Jan. 13, 2015, the wives swapped jobs and salaries without public explanation.

The district attorneys offices in Person, Caswell and Rockingham counties have been under an investigation by the SBI since July 25, 2016, for the alleged theft of state money through misuse of the states payroll system. That whistleblowers subsequent lawsuit accused Blitzer and Bradsher of paying their wives a salary despite their rarely having worked.

The News & Record since October has asked AOC officials about the legality of these district attorneys hiring their wives and the involvement of AOC officials in the decision for their wives to exchange jobs. AOC officials repeatedly declined comment and said that particular information was protected by personnel law.

On Monday, AOC officials, responding to a public records request from the News & Record, provided 251 email documents sent to and from Wallace Bradsher and Craig Blitzers work accounts between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15, 2015.

These documents clarify the AOCs role in the discussion of the wives employment and include the minutiae of the prosecutors daily concerns in the workplace.

Craig Blitzer was sworn into office for the first time on Jan. 1, 2015. Included in his correspondence are concerns about choosing new furnishings for his Rockingham County office and complaints about the janitorial staff.

Wallace Bradsher, who was just beginning his second term, reviewed biblical imagery for flyers to be sent to his staff to illustrate his leadership.

And included in Bradshers emails was a proposal to give his wife a 28 percent pay raise, a plan that led to 21 email chains among the Blitzers, the Bradshers and AOC officials.

A salary increase

On Dec. 16, 2014, Person/Caswell County Senior Assistant District Attorney Hollie McAdams sent an email to Margaret Wiggins, who at the time was the AOCs human resources officer, explaining Wallace Bradshers plan to restructure his office. The note discussed promotions and salary adjustments, including Wallace Bradshers plan to give a 28 percent pay raise to someone who shared his last name.

Wiggins replied directly to Wallace Bradsher on Dec. 17, 2014: Is Pam Bradsher a relative? If so, I caution you about the hiring of relatives. I see that she was hired January 7, 2011. The policy definitely speaks to authority over relatives regarding promotions and salary. Although she may be reporting to someone else in the office, you are the authority for classification changes and salary increases.

The email included the AOCs policy.

That policy states: If a hiring authority should employ an immediate family member of another Judicial Department employee, the hiring authority should certify that the employment does not result in a conflict of interest in which one employee supervises, or otherwise has influence over his or her other immediate family member in regard to their employment, transfer, promotion, salary administration, or related management or personnel considerations.

Emailed conversations about Pamela Bradsher ceased until a few weeks later, when, at 1:15 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2015, Wiggins wrote again to Wallace Bradsher to express concern about Pamela Bradshers employment:

I recently discussed with you my concerns and cautions about our employment of relatives policy as it related to the promotion and salary increase you proposed to implement for Pam Bradsher, your spouse. Yesterday I was reminded that in addition to our policy, as an elected official you are subject to the State Government Ethics Act.

Wiggins included applicable portions of that law in her email. Definitions have been added by Wiggins in parenthesis:

A covered person (the DA) shall not cause the employment, appointment, promotion, transfer or advancement of an extended family member (spouse) of the (DA) to ... a position to which the (DA)... supervises or manages.

Ethical issue

Within 14 minutes of that message from Wiggins to Wallace Bradsher, Wiggins also sent an email to Craig Blitzer: It has come to my attention that you have employed Cindy Blitzer, who I understand is your spouse. The hiring of relatives is an issue as it relates to our policy on the employment of relatives and the State Government Ethics Act.

Wiggins recommended that Blitzer seek a waiver from the State Ethics Commission to employ his wife.

Wiggins wrote that she regretted not having talked about the policy and state law in the training for new district attorneys that Blitzer received before taking office. She also said she was working to add additional information in the human resources policy.

Wiggins did add more details to the human resources policy that included the portion of the State Government Ethics Act that deal with the hiring of relatives. But that update would not happen until Jan. 13, 2015.

That date is significant because it is the day the wives swapped jobs, a process that is detailed in subsequent messages among the AOC, Craig Blitzer and Wallace Bradsher.

At 8:02 a.m. Jan. 9, 2015, Craig Blitzer forwarded the email about his wife from Wiggins to his legal assistant, Melinda Richardson. He then replied at 8:07 a.m. to Wiggins, thanking her for informing him his actions were illegal:

Margaret  Thank you for this information!!! I will contact the State Ethics Commission today and will advise you accordingly.

Three days passed before the next email.

At 8:59 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2015, Wallace Bradsher wrote to inform Wiggins that he had spoken to the State Ethics Commission and wanted to have a discussion with her.

A few hours later, Wiggins wrote to Bradsher to recommend that his wife resign.

Today you ask (sic) me what appropriate action should be taken if the State Ethics Commission does not find an exemption for this situation, Wiggins wrote. I am advised, by our General Counsel Pamela Best, that if that is the case, Pamela Bradsher should resign her position with your office effective immediately.

A solution

Less than an hour later, Wiggins discussed an alternate plan. Its unclear from the correspondence who made this proposal.

At 12:46 p.m. Wiggins wrote to Wallace Bradsher: We do not see an issue with Pam Bradsher resigning her position with your office and taking a position with another judicial office if one is offered. Im glad you found a workable solution to this issue.

At 1:59 p.m. Best emailed Richardson, Blitzers legal assistant: Melinda, I tried to return your call, but all circuits were busy. I believe Mr. Blitzer and Mr. Bradsher have found a solution to this issue. If you still need to discuss this with me, please give me a call.

A minute later, Richardson forwarded the email to Blitzer and asked if she needed to do anything.

At 2:27 p.m. Craig Blitzer responded: No we have it resolved  THANK YOU !!!

At 3:03 p.m. Craig Blitzer emailed Wallace Bradsher: Just called your cell. I left a message for Margaret. Ill call you as soon as I hear from her. Thx!!

Theyre hired

At 7:49 p.m. the first email from one of the wives is sent. Cindy Blitzer emailed Wallace Bradsher: I accept your offer of employment for under (sic) the terms that you set forth in your letter.

Wallace Bradsher sent this email to his legal assistant, Gayle Peed, at 8:46 a.m. Jan. 13: Please contact HR and take whatever steps are necessary to get Mrs. Blitzer transferred into our system; Beacon, Courthouse Badge, etc. Thank you. WB

Person and Caswell county officials confirmed last month that they never received a request to provide a courthouse badge to Cindy Blitzer.

At 10:14 p.m. Wallace Bradshers wife emailed Craig Blitzer: Dear Mr. Blitzer, I accept your offer for the VWLA (victim witness legal assistant) position under the terms you set forth in your letter.

At 2:32 p.m. Craig Blitzer responds: Thank you!! And welcome aboard!!

How it works

The AOCs policy for recruiting people to fill vacancies requires district attorneys to post their positions  but not necessarily all of them.

Positions that are identified as policy-making, appointed or elected are not required to be publicized. Exceptions include temporary or contract positions, such as during a budget reduction, to avoid a reduction in force, or in a disciplinary transfer or demotion.

Executive positions or certain judicial department positions, which only include assistant district attorneys in a prosecutors office, dont have to be posted.

Other exceptions occur in order to maintain the essential services of the division or office or if it is recognized that candidates for the vacancy are in short supply.

The AOC and the hiring authority set minimum training and experience standards needed for applicants and specify a period of time in which applicants must apply. Anyone who applies outside that posting period is ineligible for that position.

The day after Cindy Blitzer accepted her new job, Wallace Bradsher sent an email to McAdams to create a schedule for his staff for the month of February. He wrote, I would not put Cindy on the schedule for February; that will be a work in progress and will be primarily doing indictments and felony file prep.

Within 12 days of going to work for her husband, Cindy Blitzer was promoted from legal assistant to investigator, a job that requires a year of legal, judicial, law enforcement or investigative experience and an associate degree. It also requires knowledge of evidence collection, investigative techniques and the judicial system.

AOC spokeswoman Sharon Gladwell did not answer questions last week about why Pamela Bradsher and Cindy Blitzer were given preferential treatment instead of those positions being open to the public or why Cindy Blitzer was able to swap into a position for which by definition she did not qualify.

Gladwell said in an email that she could not comment on specific questions because of the pending whistleblower lawsuit, but she did provide details about the AOCs relationship with district attorneys.

In general, Gladwell said, the agency can tell an official when something violates the law, but the agency does not have enforcement powers.

District attorneys are constitutional judicial officials, independently elected by the people of their districts, Gladwell said. NCAOC has no authority over the decisions judicial officials make. This includes employment decisions.

Voicemail messages left for Cindy Blitzers attorney, Joe Zeszotarski, and the Bradshers joint attorney, Heather Adams, had generated no response by Friday.

Craig Blitzers attorney, Chris Clifton, said he could not comment on a pending lawsuit.

Wiggins, who has retired, answered her cell phone Tuesday and said she was interviewed by the SBI. She declined comment, saying she did not want to rely on her memory to discuss something that happened more than two years ago.

SBI agents reportedly began investigating allegations against the two district attorneys offices after Debra Halbrook, a former employee in Wallace Bradshers office, reported that the district attorneys were having employees falsify time sheets for their wives in what Halbrooks whistleblower lawsuit calls the Bradsher-Blitzer Hire My Wife scheme.

Halbrooks attorney, Drew Erteschik, said Tuesday that, when he filed the lawsuit, he sent the AOC requests for the production of documents of this kind, but he said he had yet to receive a response. Having not seen the emails, Erteschik said he wasnt prepared to comment.

The investigation

Halbrook filed her lawsuit in February, claiming she was fired from the job she held for more than 20 years when Wallace Bradsher learned she reported him to the SBI.

Halbrook alleges in her lawsuit that Cindy Blitzer worked in the Person/Caswell County district attorneys office for only a few hours a day and only five days a year. She also stated that law enforcement officials and members of the local bar association had never met Cindy Blitzer.

While employed in the Person/Caswell offices, Cindy Blitzer did not have keycard access, which means to get to the district attorneys office she would have had to stand in a security line with the general public.

Iredell Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite, who initiated the SBIs investigation, has named both Cindy Blitzer and John J. Stultz, the former Person/Caswell chief assistant district attorney and now a District Court judge, as suspects in the investigation.

According to Halbrooks lawsuit, Wallace Bradsher fired Cindy Blitzer on Oct. 25, 2016, only three days before the public learned about the SBI investigation.

Pamela Bradsher, who did possess a Rockingham County Courthouse keycard and used that card on 36 of the 156 business days of her employment in that office, resigned Aug. 18, 2015.

Rockingham County Courthouse records also revealed that since Halbrook filed her lawsuit on Feb. 21, Craig Blitzer had stopped using his own keycard. He resigned from his position as district attorney March 10.
GREENSBORO  When Charles Murphys underground oil tank began showing signs of leakage, he didnt realize immediately what a potentially expensive and complicated saga was about to unfold.

The Jamestown homeowner stood at the threshold of an effort in which costs could rise to $10,000 or more to completely clean up the accumulated pollution stemming from a leak that might have gone undetected for months or years.

Thats why they had to dig up the yard, Murphy said of contamination that in his case, state records show, threatened the groundwater under his Tangle Drive lot. They came out and dug up the tank as well as the contaminated dirt and then backfilled with clean soil.

Murphy would have faced a budget-busting bill from environmental consultants and their backhoe-digging contractors except for one saving grace that cut his share to about 25 percent of the full tab  North Carolinas special fund to help homeowners and farmers pay for removing storage-tank pollutants that can threaten the surrounding community as well as sabotage a homes resale value.

But that was then and this is now: Any homeowner in Murphys shoes today can forget about financial help from the state storage-tank fund that paid about 75 percent of his costs six years ago.

Cost-cutting state legislators voted in 2015 to eliminate the states Noncommercial Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, with the final payouts made last December to those lucky enough to have squeaked in under the wire.

When it was operating at full tilt, the fund paid an average of $6.5 million a year in residential claims, about a fourth the average amount distributed yearly from a similar program that helps owners of commercial USTs in such places as gas stations and truck terminals clean up their leaks and spills.

The residential fund distributed $11.3 million to homeowners cleaning up their leaking storage tanks during 2005, its busiest year.

An in-depth study of the state UST initiative by the General Assemblys program evaluation staff four years later warned the residential funds spending levels could not be sustained. The 2009 report estimated it would take about $36 million to resolve a then-existing backlog of 2,108 residential UST cases  only eight fewer than North Carolinas current, statewide list of household and farm leaks that are still unresolved.

The report urged legislators to channel more money into the residential program and get homeowners to shoulder more cleanup costs, but it didnt recommend torpedoing the whole residential fund as occurred two years ago.

Thats a shame because this is the exact type of thing, neither Republican nor Democrat, thats really positive, Murphy said of the residential UST fund. Now it doesnt exist. Thats really stupid.

Fair Play?

By way of contrast, the General Assembly left in place the residential funds commercial counterpart that helps the Exxons and BPs of this world clean up messes from underground storage tanks, also known as USTs.

Certainly, commercial leakage from a 10,000-gallon UST threatens more damage and more people than a corroded, 60-year-old residential tank that might not have been used in decades and that never held more than 300 gallons of heating oil.

But fair is fair, said Anne Coan of the N.C. Farm Bureau Federation that supports reactivating the residential program. Both funds drew substantial amounts of their money from a small slice of the states per-gallon tax at the pump on motor fuels, a source the commercial account still taps.

We always felt that if the state was going to use tax money to clean up the commercial tanks, they could use tax money to clean up the noncommercial tanks, too, said Coan, the farm groups director of environmental affairs. The Farm Bureau Federation was really disappointed that the General Assembly phased out that program.

The unintended consequence of zapping North Carolinas residential program might be a drop-off in cleanups or tank removals by homeowners who cant tell at the outset how big a problem they face.

Doug Canavello, president of Pyramid Environmental & Engineering and an experienced environmental consultant, said that homeowners are not ringing his phone as often now that the trust fund is no more.

We still get calls from homeowners, just not as many, said Canavello, who added that hes not sure what the people who dont call are doing about the residential USTs they just learned about. Some may just throw in the towel, I guess.

Out of sight ...

Underground residential tanks are not as popular as they once were because people are more likely today to warm their homes with natural gas or other fuel sources than with heating oil drawn from a storage tank.

Although property owners are supposed to acknowledge the existence of a retired UST when they sell to the next person, homeowners sometimes are surprised to learn they have one because the person they bought from didnt know, forgot or did not share that information.

There was nothing disclosed to me, said Greensboro resident Hoy Craver, who learned his Westland Drive house either still has or once had problems with a leaking UST when a reporter called him last week to ask about it.

Craver said he bought the house early last year, never thinking a UST might be lurking underground because the house now has a gas furnace.

But records from the state Department of Environmental Quality show that a prior owner reported a UST leak on April 14, 2014, at Cravers current address, and that the problem was never resolved.

Getting the bad news

Many homeowners only discover they have an abandoned UST on their property when they start to sell it, said Carin Lee Kromm, who monitors UST problems in the Triad for DEQs division of waste management.

Residential USTs are completely unregulated, so state officials dont have a clue how many are in Guilford County, across the Triad or statewide, Kromm said.

Other than those discovered by happenstance or through the efforts of a home inspector, the only time we know about them is when they have leaked, Kromm said.

Canavello said that these residential USTs are often found alongside a house.

Theyre not deep; you go down a foot-and-a-half, two feet and theres the tank, Canavello said.

They usually emerge as an issue in the middle of a home sale because the buyer or seller hires a home inspector to examine the property, and the inspector notices pipes rising from the ground and going nowhere, he said.

Thats when we get the call from an anxious real-estate agent, Canavello said.

Murphy, the Jamestown resident, said that he and his wife learned of their problem when their oil-fueled furnace kept flickering out.

An inspector found that was happening because moisture was getting into the fuel line through a hole in their UST, Murphy said.

Regulated or not

The more sweeping threat from commercial tanks  often along major roads or at highway interchanges  continues to expand geographically as developers build new convenience stores, trucking terminals and other businesses with a need to store fuels.

But in contrast with their smaller residential counterparts, commercial UTSs like those beneath the service bays at modern-day convenience stores are heavily regulated with required leak detection systems, double-walled construction to contain leakage and exterior spill-catching devices. There are 1,490 such commercial tanks in Guilford County.

The state has 91 regulators who keep an eye on commercial tanks across North Carolina, while only four focus on residential UST problems. Gov. Roy Coopers proposed 2017-19 budget envisions adding three staff members in the states UST section partly to beef up efforts to deal with a statewide backlog of 2,100 unresolved, leaking residential USTs.

Thats because even though many home owners have moved away from home heating oil, the state continues to face significant problems with underground tanks installed years ago and now rusting away, state officials say. Made with a single wall of metal, many are simply nearing the end of their natural life.

The local scene

Guilford County and state inspectors responded to a total of 38 releases last year from residential USTs in various parts of the county, eventually resolving 29 of them to the point the properties either were cleaned up or slapped with land use restrictions linked to underground contamination that could not affordably be removed to a level that rated a completely clean bill of health.

As of mid-March, the state DEQ database showed Greensboro alone with a total of 126 home sites beset by documented, UST releases of home heating oil that have yet to be rectified  three of them dating to the late 1980s and 39 that began during the 1990s.

The length of time a residential UST site remains unresolved is not a completely bad thing because over time, natural forces tend to break down the pollutants to levels that require less cleanup, said Art Barnhardt, DEQs storage-tank section chief based in Raleigh.

With a release that happened 20 or 25 years ago, theres a natural degradation that has taken place, Barnhardt said. As we work down our inventory, were finding that the sites are becoming less expensive to close.

Pyramid Environmentals operations manager, Mike Jones, said the main worry associated with a residential UST leak is contaminated groundwater that could end up in a nearby well used for drinking water.

Many of them occur in populated areas where theres municipal water lines, which lowers the risk, Jones said of UST leaks, noting that makes it much less likely the homeowners and their neighbors would depend on well water.

Residual petroleum

With the loss of the trust fund, DEQ has relaxed its cleanup goals for such low risk residential property where drinking water is not an issue, so that a UST removal is less costly these days for the homeowner. In fact, where pollution isnt a factor, it might be accomplished for as little as $1,500 to $2,000, Kromm suggested.

They felt that since were taking away that payment, then we should make it a little easier for them to reach closure, she said of state leaders attitude toward homeowners dealing with a UST leak in the absence of a safety net from the now-defunct cleanup fund.

In exchange for not cleaning such a site to standards that might have been sought before the trust fund was eliminated, homeowners must attach a public notice to their property that it has some residual petroleum contamination, said Jones.

Thats sort of an administrative way of saying that some remains, but we  the state of North Carolina  are OK with it because the risk is very, very low, he said.

Not everybody is OK with that outcome, which DEQ allows in low-risk situations involving both commercial and noncommercial UST leaks.

It represents a surrender of North Carolinas traditionally stringent groundwater standards that have served the states environment well, said Grady McCallie, policy director for the nonprofit North Carolina Conservation Network.

How do we deal with the liability that has been created? McCallie asked rhetorically. There are places where there has been contamination now for decades, we dont know about it yet and we wont know about it until somebody gets sick  and even then we may not know about it if somebody doesnt fully investigate why they are sick.

State Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Greensboro) said she also is concerned because you have contamination thats staying in the ground and who knows if it migrates?

And Harrison said that formally saddling a home site with a designation of residual contamination creates a liability on your property, meaning it could cost owners who must sell their homes at a reduced price because of the stigma of pollution or who get into disputes with neighbors because underground pollution might have spread across property lines.

I think a lot of homeowners are going to get hurt, Harrison said.

Harrison added that the Republican-led General Assembly approved eliminating the residential trust fund two years ago as a budget item rather than tackling the concept head-on in a separate bill that would have received lengthier and perhaps more in-depth scrutiny.

So the way it was accomplished was not through a deliberative process, Harrison said.

Jamestown resident Murphy said that he remains thankful for the help he received from the now-defunct fund.

One of the reasons we jumped right on it was because that program did exist, Murphy said of his UST leak.

And if the fund hadnt been there?

Wed have been in a pickle.
Health care is essential to all of us. Sadly, the poorest among us often have the worst health outcomes for lack of access to quality care.

The latest health care bill proposed by Republicans decreased access for poor women in a number of ways, including the elimination of federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

This would have only worsened health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable among us.

The bill ultimately failed, but the health care debate is far from over.

And it will continue to include Planned Parenthood.

So, wed like you to know who we really are and what were really about.

Every day in health care centers throughout North Carolina, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) works to provide first-rate reproductive health care services to all individuals who need them, along with essential education and support.

For more than 35 years, Planned Parenthood has served residents of the Triad with compassionate, nonjudgmental care, including preventive services such as birth control, lifesaving cancer screenings and sexual-health education. Ensuring that women always have access to Planned Parenthood health services is essential. In fact, one in five women will visit a Planned Parenthood health center in her lifetime.

Planned Parenthood believes that womens preventive care  including birth control  is basic health care. This shouldnt be a revolutionary idea, but unfortunately the topic of access to birth control has become increasingly politicized.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 21,710 Guilford County women are in need of family planning services and are not currently being served by public health or community health clinics.

What Planned Parenthood is doing in Greensboro:

We provide essential reproductive health services ranging from basic gynecological and breast exams to family planning to testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

We are a federally funded Title X provider, which allows us to provide family planning services to uninsured, low-income women at little to no cost to the patient.

Last year, we provided family planning services to 2,465 women, men and young people in Greensboro. The majority of patients, 58 percent, were 20-29 years of age and were uninsured.

Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of comprehensive sex education in our community. Each year, Planned Parenthood affiliates reach 1.5 million young people and parents with effective sex education and outreach in programs run by professional educators and youth peer educators.

According to SHIFT NC, teen pregnancy in North Carolina has declined more than 69 percent since it peaked in 1990. And although the overall teen pregnancy rate in Guilford County is lower than the states as a whole, the repeat teen pregnancy rate is somewhat greater than the state average. Teen pregnancy can have high social and economic costs, including reduced educational achievement for teen mothers.

We provide multi-session sex-education programs that use an evidence-based curriculum. We engage young people and their parents or caregivers in programs that foster open, effective parent/child communication to help families talk more comfortably about issues that can be difficult to discuss.

Teens that have completed their evidence-based program join the alumni group and become the next generation of Planned Parenthood leaders, making a meaningful difference in their community through service projects, educational presentations and advocacy.

The care that Planned Parenthood provides in Greensboro is rooted in the 100-year-old legacy established by Margaret Sanger and other early champions of womens reproductive rights who held the basic belief that each individual has the fundamental right to manage his or her fertility, regardless of their income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or place of residence.

We believe in providing care, no matter what.

And we want to make it clear to Congress that playing politics with the lives of women is unacceptable.

Help us hold Congress accountable.
Two things have happened recently to prompt this response, one in New York and the other in North Carolina. The first is the firing of a supposedly independent U.S. attorney by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The attorney said, as reported in The New York Times, that he was investigating police corruption. I believe this is consistent with a lifetime of personal observation; earlier in life, I was an Air Force OSI agent.

The second thing was observed in reading the News & Record. It reported that police were explaining to state legislators how to respond correctly to being pulled over. This, to me, sounded as if, or implied, there was nothing wrong with how they were pulled over. The problem, too often, is the tone police use. It takes two sides to settle a controversy. A harsh tone, even in a routine stop, is intimidating. It sounds like the person stopped is being treated as if he is low-class. Im white but have heard both tones in my 87 years.
STONEVILLE Progress being made in commerce and local business across western Rockingham County was celebrated during the Western Rockingham Chamber of Commerce annual membership dinner at the Celebration Event Center in Stoneville on March 23.

Rockingham Countys own, The Hoppers, performed for the several business owners, public officials and town administrators in attendance.

The group, inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2012, was formed in Madison back in 1957. It features the husband and wife duo of Claude and Connie Hopper, as well as sons Dean and Mike Hopper.

Dean, who is the oldest son of Claude and Connie, serves as lead vocalist alongside his wife Kim, who joined the group in 1989.

Last Thursday, Americas favorite family of gospel music brought that talent back home through a heart-wrenching, soul-moving, diverse performance that included words of advice, songs of encouragement and vocal ranges that most performing acts dream about.

Following the concert, local businesses were awarded for excellence in 2016.

Sturm, Ruger and Co. received the 2016 Corporate Business Award. The Southport, Connecticut-based company expanded for the first time in 25 years, when it opened its third manufacturing plant in Mayodan during the summer of 2013. The full-line manufacturer of American-made firearms started with 35 full-time employees locally. In August 2016, the group announced it would expand from 325 full-timers to 500 in the next 18-24 months.

Also seeing major growth in Rockingham County in 2016 was Charlies Soap, which was named the 2016 Small Business of the Year. WRCC Executive Director Mavis Dillon pointed out that it might not be long before the maker of the highest-grossing laundry powder on Amazon.com becomes a corporate entity. The Sutherlands purchased a 120,000-square-foot Stoneville facility in January and plan to be fully moved in by June.

In the business of growth category, PBJs Boutique in Madison was recognized for its continued success and expansion of products since opening in late 2014.

Individually, two major business influencers were honored for their contributions to western Rockingham County.

Catherine Smith was selected as the 2016 Business Person of the Year. The longtime financial advisor at Edward Jones in Madison opened Living Stone Wealth Management in 2016  an independent Raymond James firm  on South Market Street in Madison.

Following a strong performance that was led by his comedic storytelling and baritone vocals, Claude Hopper, the group founder of The Hoppers, was named the recipient of the Donnie Joyce Award.

The award is given to an individual who carries the same community and business spirit that Joyce did during his 13 years as chamber president and 30-plus years as a teacher and administrator for Rockingham County Schools.

Hopper, who is known as one of the states most influential businessmen, has been majorly involved in music publishing and serves on the board of directors locally for First Bank in Mayodan.

To close the dinner, the chamber announced the re-launch of its website  http://wrcchamber.com which features a full listing of business memberships, whats happening section and calendar of events.

When that interstate gets finished, this place is going to boom and we want to be right in the middle of it  not being reactive but proactive, said Jeff Pruett, WRCC executive board chair. We have the right people on board and everybody out here knows whats getting ready to happen and we want to be on top of it.

This is a new beginning and we are going to continue to grow.
BURLINGTON Mr. Jesse Ben "Johnny" Dickerson, III, 60, of Burlington, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Funeral services will be held at eleven o'clock on Monday, April 3, 2017 at Wilkerson Funeral Home with the Revs. James Garner and Tommy Bright officiating. Interment will follow in the Mabe Family Cemetery. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Johnny was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky on May 18, 1956 to Jesse Ben Dickerson, Jr. and Annie Mabe Dickerson Winkler. He was a member of Graham Church of God. He loved spending time with his family and his dog, Macho. He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Coy Lee Dickerson. Survivors include his mother and step-father, Annie Mae and George Winkler; his daughter and son-in-law, Jessica Alcon-Bright and Chris Bright; his grandchildren, Ethan and Payton Alcon; his step- grand-daughter, Kayleigh Bright. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Wilkerson Funeral Home, 1909 Richardson Drive, Reidsville, North Carolina 27320 to assist the family with funeral expenses. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.wilkersonfuneral.com.
If theres one thing Carla Zilka wants to stress about the burgeoning practice thats ballooning into a billion-dollar industry, its this: Most people understand meditation all wrong.

Please write this down, the Greenwich Water Club yoga programs director said during a tour of the clubs new meditation center and with a clear note of exasperation.

Meditation is not about removing all thoughts from your mind  everyone will tell you that. Thats not going to happen. We have 70,000 thoughts a day, Zilka said. Seventy thousand, she repeated louder. Meditation is about allowing the thoughts to be there but not allowing them any time.

The real purpose of meditation, according to Zilka, is to distract you from all those thoughts so you can be present. There are different types of meditation to fit all personality types, Zilka said, but each is geared at focusing people on a small action or repeated word that commands all their attention.

Let me ask you, the former Wall Street trader and General Electric executive said in a tone implying she already knew the answer. When was the last time you were just totally quiet and present?

Similar prompts have led millions, including Silicon Valley stars and corporate chiefs such as Greenwich resident Ray Dalio, whos attributed his success to transcendental meditation, to set out on their own mindfulness practices. For Zilka, the rising tide of apps and studios dedicated to both is encouraging as she credits meditation with keeping her sane during trying times.

Finding community in meditation

In 1987, fresh out of college, the Saratoga, N.Y., native headed straight to one of Manhattans top trading floors at Shearson Lehman Bros., where she recalls being the only woman. Working in a stressful, competitive environment in a city where she knew no one was tough, Zilka said. I went to New York and I just felt daggers. It was like I needed to put up a shield to protect myself.

Finding a safe, supportive community was crucial for her, and she discovered it at Jivamukti Yoga, a studio founded in New York City thats expanded around the world and culled notable clients like Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum, Madonna, Steve Martin and Sting. Within a month of first attending, I was going every day, Zilka said. Now, she requires all her yoga teachers to attend and train at the same studio.

From the high-stakes New York trading floor, Zilka marched her way through a number of high-powered corporate jobs, including rising to vice president of growth for consumer finance at GE and running her own global consulting firm. Just a brief outline of her resume indicates why shed want to learn how to press pause on her thoughts.

Since joining the Water Club two years ago after selling her own yoga studio, Zilkas empathy for members crammed schedules and overworked minds has helped prioritize changes to its offerings that increased yoga classes participation and membership, according to Mike Wieneke, club director of programs and member services, as people can sign up solely for the clubs yoga program headed by Zilka.

What were all here for

The newest addition is the clubs conversion of a storage room into a serene meditation space thats intended to be a sanctuary that provides everything Zilka once wanted as a new New Yorker: safety, serenity and peace.

This is a safe harbor, Zilka said, pointing out defining details such as infrared radiant heating panels that warm the room, but dry like India not humid like Florida, an altar with dancing Shiva, the calming sound of trickling water and meditation cushions with heavy Mexican blankets.

The clubs new meditation room and expanded classes are planned to debut Sunday, during its annual Yoga Open House. By fall, Zilka also hopes to have published her newest book on meditation called The Happiness Process, and launched a meditation instructors curriculum she co-designed.

Her pivot from successful corporate businesswoman to immersion in meditation training is evident through her answer as to why the ancient practice has re-emerged and gained so much traction. Were going through a revolution where people are saying, How do I feel better when theres a conflict of what Im doing and what I should be doing? she said.

My son told me, I dont want to go to college, work and then die. As a collective, were moving toward consciousness. And right now, this moment is the only thing thats real. The past is an illusion. The future is an illusion. Being conscious in the present is the only place where we can find happiness, and isnt that what were all here for?

MBennett@greenwichtime.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_
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Week 13 was one of the most anticipated ever, thanks to the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+.

It was the most important event since the MWC and understandably got plenty of attention. Well, the Galaxy S8 duo is now official so we finally get the complete picture (not that the leaks left many unknowns).

Meanwhile Moto X (2017) was leaked, and Nokia 6s teardown suggested HMD may be able to deliver the build quality that we expect from the Nokia brand.



Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ unveiled: widescreen powerhouses Ultra wide screen with ultra dynamic range and the Bixby assistant are the highlights of the flagship duo.





Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+: prices and dates Check when the S8 duo will be available for the various carriers and how much will cost.





Nokia 6 teardown: built like a tank The Nokia 6 may prove to be one of the best-built phones of 2017.





Galaxy S8 to bring new version of Samsung's signature ringtone Samsung has teamed up with Grammy Award winner Jacob Collier on Over the Horizon 2017.





Android co-founder's upcoming bezelless smartphone gets photographed Andy Rubin himself has started teasing the device, which has been rumored to launch under the Essential brand.





Galaxy X arriving in Q3 2017, earlier than the Galaxy Note 8 A Chinese tipster says the Galaxy Note 8 will arrive after the foldable smartphone project.





Samsung Galaxy S8 to use Sony IMX333 camera The Samsung Galaxy S8 duo could premiere a yet unknown Sony IMX333 camera sensor.





Alleged LG V30 front panel shows a dual-selfie cam Are we in for the first quad-cam phone later this year? That is assuming LG doesn't drop the dual back camera.






Haiti - FLASH : Piracy plunges the metropolitan area into the dark





The Electricity Haiti (EDH) apologizes to its customers in the metropolitan area for the extended power outage occurred Thursday, March 30 around 6:00 p.m. that deprived from power the entire metropolitan area during the first part of the evening.



"This cut is the result of acts of vandalism perpetrated by individuals who caused a major short circuit in the area of Mirebalais on the Peligre / Port-au-Prince transport line with desnuded cables. [...] Our engineers and technicians were able to re-establish several circuits in the evening [...]



The EDH warns all saboteurs and accomplices who risk their lives, that of the population by perpetrating these dishonest acts, that their irresponsible actions are reprehensible and will be punished in accordance with the provisions of the law."



The Electricity of Haiti recalls that the piracy of its transmission lines, disrupt its efforts to guarantee the customers a reliable food and affects on the other hand the development of Haiti.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20491-haiti-flash-sabotage-of-the-edh-grid-at-the-airport-tabarre-area.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politics : Continuation of the tour of Jovenel in the Great South





Friday, President Jovenel Moise was in the town of Louroux (8th section of Fonds Rouge), to inquire about the situation and the needs of the inhabitants of this commune. In order to give a quick response to the population, he said he had instructed the Minister of Social Affairs Roosevelt Bellevue to quickly open community restaurants to help the people of the South. Recalling that there were already 3 community restaurants in operation in Grand'Anse: Les Irois, Chambelin and Fond Rouge. For the South zone, the restaurants in Tiburon, Les Anglais, Chambelain and Coteaux are running and two community restaurants in Abricot and Corail are expected to start operating on Sunday, April 2.



Moreover, concerning the 240 people who have lived for 6 months in a cave near Louroux, President Moise said "that The situation of these poor people has been used maliciously as many people have let it be believed" claiming that these families do not really live in a cave, but because of the rain and lack of shelter they sheltered there temporarily. Surprising and contradictory statements that cast doubt on the reliable information reported by Food For The Poor Haiti on NGO in Haiti for 30 years, one can not more serious and partner of the Government ; who also questioned the help given to his families by of Pastors, Food For The Poor Haiti and other local NGOs, who confirm that these families live in this cave since the passage of Matthew... https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20485-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20462-haiti-flash-over-a-hundred-haitians-survive-in-a-cave-for-nearly-6-months.html



At the end of the day, President Moise visited the state of the communication infrastructure, including bridges over several of the Department's rivers, including the Grande riviere, Guinaudee, Voldrogue and the river of Roseaux, before going to the Public University of Grand'Anse (UPGA).





Finally, with the students, the Head of State discussed numerous measures to accompany the universities and public and private schools of the country, including the establishment of school buses, the establishment of a student credit system, from the Kore Etidyan program.



Saturday, the Head of State continued his tour in Grand'Anse accompanied by Senators of Grand'Anse, Honorable Jean Rigaud Belizaire and Sorel Jacinthe, he visited the communes of Mafranc, Moron and Chambellan.



Discussions with various local and central government authorities have focused on several sustainable development projects, such as solar and fossil energy, the rehabilitation of several schools and high schools in the area, health infrastructure for the population and the gabionage of the rivers of Grand'Anse.



His tour continued up to Dame-Marie and the tip of the peninsula.



HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diplomacy : The new Chancellor met his Dominican counterpart





At the end of March, the new Chancellor of Haiti Antonio Rodrigue met with his Dominican counterpart Miguel Vargas at the conclusion of the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM), held in Kingston in Jamaica. The two Chancellors were accompanied by several officials from their respective countries.



At this bilateral meeting, the Dominican Chancellor recalled the position of the Dominican Government faced the Haiti's foreign policy, underlining the excellent relations, openness and goodwill manifested both by the Dominican President Danilo Medina and by the new President of Haiti Jovenel Moise.



He referred to the Tripartite Agreement (Haiti, Dominican Republic, United States) signed in Laredo (Texas) at the end of 2016, which envisaged the establishment, through a binational committee, of a comprehensive program for the modernization of Border area between the two nations of the island https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19519-icihaiti-security-tripartite-agreement-for-the-modernization-of-the-border.html He mentioned the important investment opportunities, the development of infrastructures in the border area (roads, hospitals, schools, housing, industry etc...) the formalization of trade. Vargas stressed that entrepreneurs from several countries were interested in investing in the development of the border area, which would generate a lot of jobs for both countries.



The Dominican Chancellor finally spoke of the possibility of organizing a meeting between Presidents Medina and Moise.



For his part, Antonio Rodrigue, Haiti's Minister of Foreign Affairs, positively assessed the meeting with his Dominican counterpart and expressed the great interest of Haiti to continue deepening the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries "In Haiti there is a willingness to work together with the Dominican Republic, and as a minister, we are ready to continue to deepen these relations."



He recognized the importance for Haiti the levels of relations and trade with the Dominican Republic and also addressed the issue of the significant presence of Haitian nationals on Dominican territory.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20481-haiti-economy-jovenel-moise-very-interested-in-the-binational-project-quisqueya.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : Preparation of the 7th AF assessment





Yesterday Saturday in Jacmel, ended a three-day workshop, organized by the Ministry of Education, dedicated to the finalization of the evaluation test of the 7th Fundamental Year, in the perspective the evaluations planned for May.



Some 20 senior managers from the Directorate of Support for Private Education and Partnership (DAEPP), of the Directorate of Curriculum and Quality (DCQ) and the Directorate of Planning and External Cooperation (DPCE), 2 inspectors, 3 teachers and one high school principal attended the workshop.



During the workshop, participants analyzed the performance of the students and the difficulty of pre-test questions in mathematics, Creole and French communication, administered in 5 schools in the metropolitan area on March 8th, in order to improve the questionnaires.



On May 16th, a pre-pilot phase will be launched and 3,000 students from the 7th Fundamental Year (FY) in 60 schools administered public and private at the national level will pass this "exams". The results obtained are expected to further improve the questionnaires and standardize them before submitting them to a larger and more representative sample of students.



Unlike official examinations, this initiative of the Ministry of Education seeks to evaluate students, the work of teachers and the real quality of the learning process. These evaluations (without a score) will help identify problems and encourage decision-making for better governance of the system.



Note that in parallel on May 16, more than 100,000 students in 4th AF will be assessed in mathematics, communication Creole and French.



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politics : Roadmap of the Minister of Trade and Industry





Within the guidelines set by President Moise , translated into roadmaps, handed to each minister https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20507-icihaiti-politics-handing-of-roadmaps-to-ministers.html , Prime Minister Lafontant asked Pierre Marie du Meny, Minister of Trade and Industry, to take all necessary measures to facilitate industrialization, promote employment and boost the economic development of the country.



Roadmap of the Minister of Trade and Industry :

"[...]



Mr. Minister, in the implementation of my Government's policy, I entrust you with the task of carrying out the necessary reforms to raise the commercial and industrial sector at all levels.In this perspective, I ask you to :



- Finalize and validate the industrial policy document together with all stakeholders;

- To draft, together with the Ministry of the Economy and Finance and the sectors concerned, the private sector strategic development document;

- Develop strategic infrastructure to limit transaction costs and stimulate production and trade;

- Facilitate the setting up of Purchasing and Distribution Centers in the "Chefs-lieux" of departments with a view to ensuring better distribution of goods throughout the territory;

- Establish a plan for the deployment of industrial micro-parks (MPI) in line with the economic potentials of the regions and speed up their implementation;

- Construct and develop a large "commercial free zone" in the port area of Gonaives or Miragoane with a view to promoting greater availability of imported goods necessary for the development of strategic activities in the country;

- Erecting in the region of Wharf of Port-au-Prince a"Warehouse under Customs" to facilitate the import in volume of goods of equipment in support of the development of major works;

- Establish, in partnership with the private sector, agro-export zones (ZAE) by putting in place all the appropriate logistic chains;

- Finalize the implementation of the Common External Tariff (TEC) with CARICOM, with a view to fostering the full integration of the country into the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME);

- Establish, in conjunction with the private sector, a storage capacity of petroleum products in the northern region of the country and a propane storage area in the Miragoane region in order to halving the consumption of charcoal within five years;

- Establish reference prices for all goods and services to be ordered and purchased;

- Establish reference prices for purchases of basic goods and services;

- Provide all necessary incentives for the establishment of at least one new cement plant with a capacity of 2 million tonnes in the country;

- Take all measures to ensure the hygiene and quality of the products marketed;

- Strengthen quality control of food products;

- Encourage and facilitate the establishment of national enterprises capable of carrying out large-scale work;

- Take measures to facilitate the emergence and development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs);

- Work with relevant sectors to make necessary changes to the Labor Code to allow companies to work 24/24 by establishing the three-eight (3x8) system;

- Working with stakeholders to improve coordination and implementation of business climate reform;

- Finalize the draft bills on improving the business climate and the development of the private sector in order to submit them to Parliament's vote;

- Intensify the policy of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) by further reducing the time and cost of registration of public limited companies;

- Launch the 'PROMETHEE' program, with a view to supporting young university graduates with viable business projects;

- Make arrangements, in consultation with the sectors concerned, in order to grant to taxpayers who invest in areas without adequate public infrastructure a tax holiday of five (5) years;

- Take all necessary measures to increase and diversify the country's export basket;

- Work towards improving Haiti's performance in the World Bank's Doing Business and World Economic Forum competitiveness rankings;

- To develop, with the stakeholders, a policy for the development of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowlege Process Outsourcing (KPO), Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO)

- Establish an appropriate incentive system with relevant actors, in particular the MEF, to foster the development of enterprises in the technological services industries such as BPO, KPO, LPO

- Develop, in conjunction with relevant ministries, the draft law establishing the Border Band as a Priority Investment Area (ZIP).



Mr. Minister, the apparel and garment industry is a source of jobs to be exploited in order to give activities to young people who are looking for work. As part of the Policy of professional integration of the government by the creation of companies, I recommend you to work, together with the competent institutions, to :



- Establish a guarantee fund for the garment sector;

- Improve the legal framework for the operation of the sector;

- Organize a targeted seminar program to enhance the media coverage of the sector's activities;

- Establish a Clothing Marketing Bureau in partnership with ADIH;

- Accompanying industrialists, contractors and workshops in the garment and garment sector.



Measures should be taken to promote the craft sector and make it an industry that supports growth. You must :



- Establish a national register of craft professionals with a system of identification based on civil status;

- Take incentives to encourage artisanal operators to formalize themselves;

- Work with relevant bodies to extend the social protection system (health insurance, pensions) to all stakeholders in the sector;

- Establish and systematize, in favor of operators organized by trades, training sessions tailored to their needs;

- Work with relevant bodies to create a suitable line of credit to support the development of the artisanal sector;

- Provide permanent recreational and exhibition space to promote artists, facilitate the flow of their products, educate the population in the arts and culture;

- Establish a promotional and information center to facilitate the connection between artists and cultural property markets.



I ask you to start preparing the Budget 2017-2018, which will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers, after arbitration by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and filed within the legal deadlines in Parliament.



You will also have the task of increasing transparency, the fight against corruption and the good management of public property. It will be up to you to organize, direct and animate the services, teams and agents of the State placed under your responsibility.



Jack Guy Lafontant, Prime Minister"



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20529-haiti-politics-roadmap-of-the-minister-of-finance.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20519-haiti-politics-foreign-affairs-roadmap.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20508-haiti-flash-roadmap-for-the-establishment-of-the-haitian-army.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/04/01 | Source

Added the upcoming Korean drama "The Best Hit"'s page to HanCinema database

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Voting in Maryland? Here's what you need to know

Need help looking up candidates? Here's a breakdown of the critical seats across the state.
Christopher Propst has been named the Youth of the Year by The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Hickory. The Youth of the Year title is bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.

Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year program honors young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. Propst will go on to vie for the North Carolina Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Christopher is a wonderful example of the impact The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club has on our members, said Kassyndra Xiong, unit director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Hickory. He is confident, successful, and poised for a great future thanks to the programs and mentorships he has received in our clubs. He will represent his club and community well at the state competition.

Propst has been a member of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Hickory since he was 5 years old and during that time he has been involved in numerous club activities. He is a junior at Hickory High School and exemplifies his leadership skills through his participation in the Army ROTC Program. Propst organized and facilitated his Army ROTC Programs efforts to support The Salvation Armys Red Kettle Program. Recently, he was chosen to represent The Salvation Armys North/ South Carolina Divisional Band and participated in the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade. Propst was one of the youngest members chosen to perform.

There are not enough words to describe how The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club has impacted my life, Propst said. The club is my second home and the people there are my family. They have taught me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to, no matter what Ive been through in life and they are always my biggest supporters in all that I do. I only hope that one day I can make a positive difference in the life of a child the way they did for me.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas National Youth of the Year recognition program is presented by Disney, which has supported the youth advocacy organization for more than 50 years. Toyota is the Signature Sponsor of Youth of the Year. Additional support is provided by University of Phoenix and the Taco Bell Foundation.

If Propst wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Southeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September to compete for the title of Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000.
My dearest daughter,

As I write this letter to you, a new India is rising. Some say an era of hope, nationalistic pride and development is at hand, where lost greatness will be regained. Others predict an era of hate and darkness, where our worst instincts will overwhelm the founding principles of your country. By the time you come of age in 2028, the path your nation took back in 2017 would be amply clear.

Last week, I was wearing my optimistic hat, and I wrote that our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi--he may be yours as well--would not be able to convert India into a Hindu Pakistan because that would cripple his own ambitions of creating a developed nation by 2022: This does not mean you should expect neatness, order and prosperity around you. What you should expect is a Hindu India. The ascendance of a hate-spewing yogi with a criminal record was enough to shock my conditional optimism into pessimism.

It is hard not to be pessimistic. A tide of righteous resentment is currently sweeping your country, targeted at its minorities and at a tiny, elite--yes, I among them--who call themselves liberal and secular. These are terms you may never hear, but you know them because you lived these ideals. When you were seven, you had two best friends. One was Muslim, the other was Christian. You shared in their lives, and they in yours. Along with the Sanskrit invocations you learned in school and those stories of the Mahabharata and Ramayana from your grandmother, you learned hymns at church, knew when maghrib prayers began and once suggested that we fast during Ramzan. We were fortunate to live in a neighbourhood of great diversity and togetherness. Did you know that your first Diwali was organised by Muslim friends in a completely Muslim neigbourhood?

There are many things you may not remember because your memories might be overwhelmed by new Indias unending flood of discoveries: The rishis and munis who, we are already being told, invented flight, nuclear power and inter-species head transplants; the vedic mantras that may made possible Indias first mission to Jupiter; and how our national drink, cow urine, supposedly cures cancer. You probably know the cow as our national animal, but an aggressive, meat-eating creature once held that honour. Of course, the tiger must be extinct, its forests given over to development.

Much of what you heard when you were a child may now be myth.

For instance, that great Ram temple at Ayodhya: There was once a mosque called the Babri Masjid there. You have heard me say how wrong it is to strengthen your faith by destroying that of others, how wrong it is to be so insecure that you get pleasure by oppressing others, forcing on them your view of life and culture. Did you know that Karnavati was once Ahmedabad, Bhagyanagar once Hyderabad and Sambhaji Nagar once Aurangabad? Rana Pratap Marg in Delhi was, for decades, Akbar road, named after a great emperor who forged the best of Muslim and Hindu cultures but could not escape the tag of invader, because his forefather was one. Of course, the forefathers of your Prime Minister were also invaders from a time further back but are now Hindu, so that does not count.

In my era, to not be a Hindu--or to be a secular Hindu--is to invite scorn and suspicion at best and hate and violence at worst. We, as secular Indians, lose friends every day, as Indias majority buys into a narrative that minorities--especially those invaders -- must live at our sufferance. We, as Hindus, are now infatuated with the passions our new leaders have excited in us, and history tells us that mass infatuations do not easily fade. Around you, the signs of repression will be evident. Some minorities may have accepted their place, others may be in conflict with the state. India is empowering--as one commentator put it this week --the worst of itself.

But you, my dear, are a Hindu, however flawed a Hindu you may be if you have followed your parents path. To be Hindu is to be privileged--I fear for your friends who were not--and you can always cash in on that privilege. As I and your mother told you, you can be anything you choose. If you embrace another religion and select as your partner someone from another religion--unless such marriages have been banned--you know we will always approve. After all, growing up, some of your friends came from inter-religious marriages, where both mother and father retained their religions and imbibed your friends with the best of both worlds.

If you choose to be a Hindu, do remember the forgotten tenets of your religion and the wisdom of its scholars. You will find it ironic that Swami Vivekananda--yes, the same one eulogised by our great leader--said that quarrels and disputes over religion indicate the absence of spirituality, that his faith preached universal toleration and all religions as being true. Remember what the Upanishads say: Sarve bhavanthu sukhinah...maakaschit dukha bhaag bhavet. May all become happy. May no one suffer.

Recall that heritage of love and tolerance, not the heritage of hate that infatuates your nation, and fight for and find your place in your India. There will be nowhere to run to because vast swathes of the world will be milder or more virulent versions of your country. The principles your family lives (or lived) by may fade, but they will never disappear.

As a columnist, I do not claim to be able to affect the course of a nation on a path to repudiate its own scriptures and principles. But, as your father, I will try to influence your life. I hope I was successful.

Samar Halarnkar is editor, Indiaspend.org, a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit

The views expressed are personal

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After spending eight years in jail for a crime he didnt commit, P Satyam Babu finally walked free on Sunday, two days after the Hyderabad high court acquitted him of raping and murdering a student in 2007.

Babu was released from Rajahmundry Central Prison on Sunday midday, and was overcome with emotion on seeing his mother, Mariyamma.

At last truth has won, I suffered in jail for eight years. Now the real culprits in Ayesha Meera case should be punished, he said, ANI reported.

Ayesha Meera, a 19-year-old bachelor of pharmacy student, was raped and brutally murdered in a private womens hostel in Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada on December 27, 2007.

Police claimed a breakthrough when Babu was arrested in a cellphone robbery case on August 17, 2008. They also said he had confessed to the murder.

On September 30, 2010, the Mahila sessions court in Vijayawada sentenced Satyam Babu to life imprisonment.

The high court directed the Andhra Pradesh government to pay Babu Rs 1 lakh compensation for the wrongful conviction, and ordered action against the police officers who investigated the case.

Babu thanked Meeras parents for standing by him, and demanded that justice should be done.

Meeras parents -- Shamshad Begam and Iqbal Basha -- alleged that Babu, a Dalit, was made a scapegoat to save the real culprits. They also alleged that relatives of then state minister Koneru Ranga Rao were involved in the crime.
A group of women and youngsters ransacked a liquor shop at Khimlasa village in Bundelkhands Sagar district on Saturday, after repeated requests to shift it out of their locality fell on deaf ears.

Bina MLA Mahesh Rai said the local liquor contractor, Madan Dubey, had informally agreed to the villagers demand that two wine shops in the residential area be relocated soon. However, his promise remained unfulfilled for a long time  causing the residents to go on a rampage.

Khimlasa police station officer JS Randhawa told the HT that he was yet to receive a complaint in this regard. Dubey could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

This was no stray incident. Residents of many villages in the Bundelkhand region want liquor outlets shifted out of residential zones.

On Friday, residents of Rajakhedi village in Sagar launched an agitation to demand the relocation of a liquor shop in the area. The protesters, led by BJP MLA Pradeep Lariya, also submitted a memorandum in this regard to police officers and the local administration.

In another incident, many women from Pathariya Jat village recently visited the collectorate with a memorandum that liquor shops be established at a safe distance from their homes. Residents of Satai Road in Chhatarpur went a step further, blocking a busy road to demand the relocation of a liquor shop from the vicinity of a private school. The chakka jam was lifted only after sub-divisional magistrate DP Dwivedi and police officials assured them of prompt governmental action.

Dwivedi told Hindustan Times that the liquor shop had been recently shifted from a national highway to the locality in keeping with a Supreme Court order. We have directed the excise department to submit a report, following which the administration will take action, he added.

Residents of Mata Madia area under Motinagar police station in Sagar city also took out a march recently to protest the presence of a liquor shop near a temple.
A local court in Ludhiana issued an arrest warrant against Bollywood actor Rakhi Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against sage Valmiki, who wrote the mythological Hindu epic Ramayana.

The warrant was issued on March 9 on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of the Valmiki community with the comments she made in a programme last year, police said on Sunday.

By doing so she has hurt the religious sentiments of a large number of his followers, the complaint said.

A two-member team of the Ludhiana police has left for Mumbai with the arrest warrant, a police official said.

Sawant had failed to appear before the court during the last hearing held on March 9 despite the court issuing her repeated summons. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for April 10.
Recently, a UK-based woman, Anna Rowe, was duped by a British man Antony Ray, who used Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khans picture on Tinder to lure her into a relationship. This went on for 14 months before he was exposed to be an imposter. Saif is not the only actor whose picture has been used on dating apps for such fake profiles. Bollywood actors including Varun Dhawan, John Abraham and Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman and Johnny Depp have also fallen prey to such unethical acts of users. So dont be surprised if you came across one while swiping right or left.

I have come across many profiles on Facebook, that have my picture on it but a completely different identity, says actor Arjun Bijlani. Some people have informed me about this as well. It is really sad that people resort to such means of cheating on social media and dating apps. I suggest that everyone be very careful while interacting with a stranger on the web. Actor Rashami Desai says that the moment somebody informs her about a profile with her picture, she tells them to report the profile or block it. This is a hazard that comes with being popular. Our pictures are all over the net and people use it as a disguise, she adds.

Not just actors, some users recall discovering such fakes. I have come across some profiles, which have people from Spain and the US in the profile picture. But when we get into a conversation, after a point, they start talking in Hindi and apologise for putting up a fake picture, says, 22-year-old physiotherapist, Esha.

Another user, Surbhi, a Delhi-based banker says, Ive often seen names and pictures of Bollywood actors on dating apps, but I know that they are mostly fake because its quite unlikely that such big actors will have a profile on Tinder. I swipe left (reject) because there is no point in wasting their time and mine.

When contacted, a spokesperson of Tinder responded by saying that they take all possible measures to ensure safety of the users. We continue to advise our users to be vigilant, pay close attention to basic safety tips, always exercise discretion in their interactions while using the app. Users who violate our terms of service  in their online or offline behaviour  are banned from Tinder, said the spokesperson, adding, Users can easily report a profile or any suspicious activity, behaviour or unauthentic information and moderate all flagged requests in real time. Reporting a user for spam or inappropriate conduct is straightforward and easy to do. On any given profile, users can tap the 3 dots icon and select Report. From here, Tinder evaluates, takes the necessary action, and removes the inappropriate profile.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Certain incidents leave you horror-struck. The manner in which Ravindra Gaikwad, an honourable member of the 16th Lok Sabha, thrashed an Air India employee, provoked a number of thoughts. How can an advocate of violence become the peoples representative in a non-violent country?

A day after the incident, on March 24, I heard Ravindra Gaikwad saying on TV that the Air India employee had been misbehaving. I hit him with slippers. Thats what Balasaheb has taught us: Whoever does mischief, you should hit them hard below the ear. The correspondent asked him: Being an MP, dont you think your behaviour will send out the wrong message? But Gaikwad was unfazed and shamelessly stubborn. He proudly announced that he hit the airline employee 25 times with his slipper. This set me thinking: Was it a figure of speech or was he really counting the blows he landed.

Can this worthless parliamentarian answer this: If people begin to emulate his behaviour, what will happen to the countrys law and order situation? He lost his temper when he didnt find the facilities in accordance with his whims, but did he think how the airline treats average citizens? Gaikwads colleague Shashi Tharoor also has a unique view on this. Thats why when he used the adjective cattle class to describe the poor facilities in an economy class flight, it evoked widespread condemnation. How can you possibly compare people flying economy with animals?

Subjected to the slightest of personal discomfort, these peoples representatives resort to violence. Why cant they raise their voice for the welfare of the average traveller?

Vitthal Radadiya is another such honourable parliamentarian. Elected from the Porbandar constituency, Mahatma Gandhis birthplace, on a Congress ticket in the 15th Lok Sabha, his video went viral in 2012. In it he was threatening a toll booth plaza employee by brandishing a gun. Radadiya subsequently joined the BJP and made headlines again last year when he was seen kicking a 70-year-old man. Has any action been taken against him?

Here I am reminded of an incident that happened in the Rajdhani Express a few years ago. An MP with a criminal record arrived in the AC first class compartment along with an army of bodyguards. But there were just two seats reserved for him and his associates. Where would the gunmen go? Predictably, they forced other passengers to vacate their reserved seats and sat there. The tearful travellers narrated the tale of their humiliation to the train conductor but received only sympathy filled with remorse in return. The conductor, wearing a black coat, was heard telling them to tolerate the insult. Its a matter of a few hours, dont bother engaging with them. The night will soon pass. But if you take them on, they will rob your mental peace for the next few days, was his advice. The hapless legal passengers sat in a cramped space between seats with a heavy heart. The MP and his cronies didnt just displace them from their seats, they also partook the dinner meant to be served to those with tickets.

You keep hearing stories about the misbehaviour of dignitaries in the Rajdhani, Shatabadi and other express trains but the railway administration has been able to do precious little about it. After these misdemeanours were highlighted, the incidents reduced a little but they didnt disappear. This inaction always kept bothering me. So, when the managements of six aviation companies decided to ban Rabindra Gaikwad, I was surprised. Not only did Air India ban him from flying, it even cancelled his Mumbai-Pune reservation. On March 24, Gaikwad was repeatedly announcing on TV that he wasnt a BJP MP, as if a BJP MP was some despicable creature. Now when the same BJP has refused to intervene in the decision-making process of airlines, his fate is hanging in the balance.

The MPs problem is that even when he travels by train, journalists are chasing him. Of course, flying is ruled out for some time. Whatever point Gaikwad was trying to make by hitting an airlines employee with his slipper has been resoundingly defeated.

Still, it doesnt appear that Gaikwad is displaying any remorse for his deed. Why should he, when his party is standing by him. Now even the BJPs Shatrughan Sinha appears to have come out in his support. Therefore, even as this column was being written, the controversy refuses to die down. At one time leaders such as Gandhi proved that seeking an apology made you grow in stature. Clearly, the times have changed. The arrogance of Indian politics and our politicians are evident in their misdeeds.

Doesnt this scenario scare you?

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief Hindustan

letters@hindustantimes.com
Finance minister Arun Jaitleys decision to introduce electoral bonds through this years budget, as a move to help weed out black money, has once again put the spotlight on transparency in political funding.

While, over the past week, Parliament and the media have extensively debated the efficacy and implications of the proposed electoral bonds, both have conveniently glossed over a key concern: Do voters have a right to know about the finances of political parties? Or how does the worlds largest democracy empower its voters with information that they ought to have on the vote seekers?

In 2013, the Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled that political parties are public authorities as defined in the Right to Information (RTI) Act and are, therefore, liable to information that the public might seek from them. This quasi-judicial order was hailed by as a victory for RTI activists, who saw it as an important step toward bringing transparency in political funding and strengthening the nations democratic fabric. Four years on, however, political parties have refused to comply with the CIC order and the government has told the Supreme Court  where a petition on this subject is being heard  that political parties should be kept out of the purview of the RTI.

The resistance on the part of the political parties, or the stand taken by the government, is not entirely unjustifiable. To begin with, the CIC equated a political party with a public authority because the former performs public duties, enjoys constitutional and legal rights and receives substantial government funding. The RTI Act, however, provides for only one of these three conditions to deem a non-government organisation as a public authority  substantially financed, directly or indirectly, by funds provided by the appropriate government. Also, neither the Act nor the CIC ruling offers any measurement of what qualifies as substantially financed. Hence, the CICs argument for bringing political parties under the RTI Act becomes legally untenable, unless the law is amended to make way for a wider definition of public authorities.

Political parties also have a genuine concern when they say they might not have the resources to cater to RTI queries, which will likely flood them if they were to accept the CIC ruling. It is also not clear what is the nature of information the public can seek if parties are brought under the RTI purview. Unless there is clarity, the provision is more likely to be misused by political parties against each other and trigger a political war that does no good to democracy.

Notwithstanding all that, the political class must reckon with the growing distrust and disillusionment among voters over lack of accountability and transparency in the actions of what they perceive as public institutions. Political parties may not be bound by constitutional obligations, but, as one analyst commented, they are important instrumentalities that enable democratic participation in the governance process.

Voters do have a right to know how the political parties are financed and governed. Many democracies in the world have found a way to empower their voters with that right. While some have taken the RTI route, others have brought laws to ensure that political organisations make adequate disclosures to the public. India would do well to learn from their experiences. Whether through amendments to the RTI Act, or through other laws applicable to organisations engaged in public activities, it is time the government and the political parties stopped stonewalling on the issue and found a resolution that has been long overdue.

Rajesh Mahapatra is chief content officer, Hindustan Times.

He tweets @RajeshMahapatra

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DEHRADUN: Days after chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announced zero tolerance towards corruption, the BJP government has readied a list of honest officers as part of its plan to fulfil its poll promise of delivering clean administration.

The CM will pick a team of officials and bureaucrats with impeccable track records... They will take over soon..., a senior official told Hindustan Times, adding that the list was ready and is being reviewed at the highest level. The list was prepared on the basis of the available records of the services put in by the high ranking bureaucrats as well as other officials and the inputs gathered by the local intelligence unit.

The chief minister had directed top bureaucrats to prepare a list of officials with clean track record soon after he took over on March 18. The list includes the top, middle and lower level officials whose track record was found clean and delivery fast, another official said, adding the move was in keeping with the BJPs pre-poll promise of providing a clean and efficient administration.

The reports of the chief minister assembling a team of honest and efficient officials came amid reports of a major bureaucratic shake up on the cards.

BJP state vice-president Jyoti Prasad Gairola confirmed that a move was on to prepare a list of officials who are both honest and efficient. The move is in keeping with the chief ministers recent announcement of his governments zero tolerance towards corruption, he told Hindustan Times.

The Trivendra Singh Rawat-led BJP government has already introduced a strengthened Lokaykta Bill in the assemblys recently concluded interim budget session. The proposed anti-graft law though had to be referred to the Select Committee after the opposition Congress raised some objections to certain provisions.

Parliamentary minister Prakash Pant is on record saying that the BJP government was committed to keep its pre-poll promise to get the anti-graft law passed in the assembly within the 100 days of coming to power.

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The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has registered an FIR against student union members for removing a CCTV camera installed at one of its hostels.

JNUSU president Mohit Pandey and other union members had dismantled the camera at Brahmaputra hostel on Friday to protest a recently imposed surveillance rule.

Police said an FIR was filed against Pandey, JNUSU general secretary Satrupa Chakravarty and union members Amal Pullarkkat, Dileep Yadav and Abhay under sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 427 (mischief causing damage worth Rs 50) on the basis of a complaint lodged by the university administration.

The case was registered at the Vasant Kunj (north) police station.

While the university already has CCTV cameras installed at its gate and administrative block, students did not approve of its hostels coming under electronic surveillance. JNU officials, however, said they were only doing it in adherence of a high court directive.

The students took the camera installed at Brahmaputra hostel with them, and dismantled the wiring. They even misbehaved with workers. Such behaviour is unacceptable, said university registrar Pramod Kumar.

Pandey, for his part, said the university management had installed the surveillance equipment without following due procedure. This administration has made a hobby out of criminalising acts of resistance. The JNU administration bypassed every democratic body to impose CCTV cameras on us. This administration goes to the high court and talks about dialogue, but when it comes to deciding policies, it tries to push everything in an authoritative manner.

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A police complaint has been filed against Prashant Bhushan, a senior advocate and the co-founder of the new political party Swaraj Abhiyan, for his alleged inflammatory tweets against Lord Krishna.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga filed the complaint at the Tilak Marg police station.

Police, however, are yet to file an FIR.

Bhushan, a prolific tweeter, had taken to the micro blogging site earlier on Sunday to flay the Anti- Romeo squad formed in Uttar Pradesh at the behest of newly elected chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Romeo loved just one lady, while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser. Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes Anti-Krishna squads? asked Bhushan.

Romeo loved just one lady,while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser.Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes AntiKrishna squads? https://t.co/IYslpP0ECv  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

The comment has since been retweeted over 650 times, and garnered over 3,500 replies.

Many Twitter users have retorted claiming that Bhushans alleged dig at Lord Krishna was an attack on Hinduism and Hindus.

Bhushan has been trolled ever since.

Within hours, Bagga also took to twitter and announced that he would be filing a complaint against Bhushan for insulting Lord Krishna.

Filing A police complaint today against Prashant Bhushan for insulting Lord Krishna https://t.co/JCCdkpbGsa  Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 2, 2017

Bagga in his complaint accused Bhushan of intentionally and deliberately posting derogatory remarks ....for the purpose of insulting and outraging the religious sentiments of Hindu community.

The Delhi BJP is holding a press conference over Bhushans remark.

Bhushan, meanwhile tried to clarify his position, saying he only criticised the UP governments action and did not intend to hurt anybodys sentiment.

Bagga was not convinced. After we filed compliant, he is giving clarification. But we will not withdraw the complaint unless he tenders an apology. Even in the past he made such comments. His latest statement has hurt millions of people living in this country, he said.

The Anti-Romeo squad, which was instituted to check eve-teasing, has been viewed by many as a veiled attempt at moral policing. Critics of the drive have cited how couples who were spending time together consensually were also picked up and harassed by members of the squad.

Bagga, who was recently appointed as Delhi BJPs spokesperson had in October 2011, attacked Bhushan over a statement he had made on Kashmir.

Delhi BJPs media convener Praveen S Kapoor also took to twitter and tagged BJP President Amit Shah, UP Chief minister Yogi Adutyanath and minister Urja Sharma to take note of Bhushans  filthy tweet and order action.

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With an eye on purvanchali votes, JD (U) supremo Nitish Kumar will be holding his first rally on April 9 in Burari  the same area from where Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal kicked off his campaign last week for the April 23 municipal elections.

The Bihar chief minister will also hold another rally the same evening in Badarpur apart from a roadshow in some south Delhi localities.

Burari assembly seat is dotted with unauthorised colonies with purvanchalis  migrants from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh dominating the constituency. The constituency is represented by AAP legislator Sanjeev Jha. Post-delimitation earlier this year, the number of municipal wards in the assembly segment has increased from four to six.

The first rally will be organised at Chhath Ghat in Burari. The same day the Bihar chief minister will address another rally in Badarpur. On way back from Badarpur rally, we are planning to hold his roadshow in Khanpur and Tughlaqabad areas, said Sanjay Jha, JD(U) general secretary and Delhi in-charge of the party.

In 2012, Kumar had attended a Bihar Diwas function, held to commemorate 100 years of the formation of Bihar at Nirankari grounds in Burari. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, who had not entered politics then, had also performed at the event, Jha said.

The JDU is planning to contest from assembly seats in rural areas and unauthorised colonies and the party plans to present the Bihar model of governance under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, besides raising the issue of liquor ban in the eastern state.

Ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar, held months after AAP emerged victorious in assembly elections in February 2015, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had extended moral support to Nitish Kumar, who led the grand alliance of the JDU, the RJD and the Congress.

The JDU has been justifying the decision to contest elections in the Capital saying the traditional voters in Delhi and are not happy with the performance of AAP.

The JDU has already declared names of 105 candidates. Jha alleged that the returning officers were harassing JDU candidates on the pretext of party symbol.

Some returning officers have been harassing us on the pretext of party symbol. As a recognised party with arrow as our party symbol, we are shocked to learn about this discriminatory attitude. The state election commission has already notified our symbol in Delhi, which is available with the returning officers. We have registered a complaint with the state election commission, said Jha.

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A former Delhi University leader and a 22-year-old BTech graduate are among the 160 people, whose names were announced as contestants for the municipal elections on April 23.

The party has given five seats to its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which will contest on BJP symbol  lotus.

The Punjabi and Sikh dominated areas such as Pratap Nagar, GTB Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, Tilak Nagar, and Kalkaji were given to SAD.

Office-bearers given tickets

Five office bearers, including Delhi vice presidents Shikha Rai and Kamaljeet Sehrawat too figure on the list of 160 candidates.

Rai, also a Supreme Court lawyer, will contest from Greater Kailash while Sehrawat has been nominated from Dwarka B ward, under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

State secretary, Rajesh Lavadia, has been given a ticket from Karol Bagh and two district presidents  Santosh Pal and Parvesh Sharma  from Laxmi Nagar and Ram Nagar wards.

Several relatives of former state office-bearers and district-level workers too have been given tickets.

Candidates with a difference

Poorva Sankla, who is a BTech is the youngest candidate at 22 years selected from Raghubir Nagar seat. Also, former president of Delhi University Students Union (1998) Jaiveer Rana has been given ticket from Bijwasan ward and Narendra Kumar Chawla, organiser of Janakpuri Ramleela committee, from Janakpuri West.

According to state unit leaders, tickets have been given to people from Uttarakhand in areas dominated by them.

The party has named 48 candidates in SDMC, 58 in East Delhi Municipal Corporation and 67 in North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Candidates for the remaining 112 seats will be declared soon.

Four Muslim candidates

Four Muslim candidates too figure on the list. Kunwar Rafi will contest from Zakir Nagar while Sartaaj Ahmed has been nominated from Chauhan Bangar, which comes under East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Famudin Safi will contest from Delhi Gate and Sabra Malik from Mustafabad.

Miffed party workers

Party leaders said that some party volunteers were not pleased with the decision of giving five seats to SAD. The decision is not right especially after Akalis drubbing in Punjab election. It is not a wise decision to give tickets to Akalis as BJP has strong base in all five wards, said a party leader.

As soon as the list was out, some sitting councillors annnounced their decision to contest as independent candidates. Krishan Gahlot, councillor, Nawada who won in the 2016 bypoll said, I won the elections last year and assured the residents to work for development of roads, drains, cleanliness and pension for senior citizens. But I have not been given ticket by the party. Now I will file the nomination as an independent contestant on Monday.

Last month BJP president Amit Shah announced that the party would not give tickets to sitting councillor or their relatives. As promised we have not given tickets to any existing sitting councillors, said Rajiv Babbar, vice-president, state BJP unit. However, if someone is the relative of former MLA there cant be any problem with this.

BJP runs the three MCDs in Delhi and will be fighting an anti-incumbency of 10 years.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday his government would extend the power subsidy scheme to tenants as well, a move aimed at the lower middle class, the partys support base, ahead of the civic elections.

This is the second largesse promised by the citys ruling party looking to snatch control of the three civic bodies --- south, north and east municipal corporations -- from the BJP. It has already announced to do away with the house tax for all residential properties.

Tenants in Delhi are not getting benefits of power subsidy. Will make sure they are benefitted after the MCD elections, Kejriwal tweeted Sunday morning.

The move would benefit those who live in rented flats but were denied subsidy benefit by the owners who charged them at an average rate, party sources said.

The number of such tenants was in the thousands, an AAP leader said.

Soon after coming to power in Delhi in 2015, the Kejriwal government provided 50% subsidy to households consuming up to 400 units per month.

They were getting complaints that tenants in unauthorised colonies and villages were not getting the benefit, an AAP leader said.

Instead of a separate meter for every flat, the property owners have got sub-meters installed. They charge the tenants on an average basis, which in many cases is arbitrary, the leader said.

The voting for the 272 municipal wards will be held on April 23.

The AAP, which suffered a blow in the recent state elections when it finished second in Punjab where it was fancying its chances, is keen to put the defeat behind.

The BJP wants to retain control of the civic bodies in the city, which bucked the so-called Modi wave in 2015 to give a record win to AAP.

The Congress is desperate to make a comeback in Delhi, which it ruled for 15 straight years before being dislodged by AAP.

The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party, the Swaraj Abhiyan, a grouping of leaders expelled from the AAP, and the Janata Dal (United) are the other parties in contention.

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A typographical error in a verdict delivered by the Delhi High Court has allegedly led to a double-murder convict being released.

The convict, as of Sunday, was reported to be absconding for more than three months, posing a threat to eye-witness in the case against him.

The goof up happened in a verdict passed by a bench of Justice GS Sistani and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal on December 24 last year, in which Jitender alias Kalla, who was serving life imprisonment, was let off as he had already served 16 years in jail.

Jitender was convicted for shooting and killing Anil Bhadana, the then president of Satyawati College Students Union, on March 10, 1999. The next day, he shot dead the father of a man who was an eye witness in Bhadanas murder case.

On December 24, a high court bench set Kalla free for having spent 16 years in prison.

Later, on March 22, it retracted its verdict admitting that, A typographical error was noticed post delivery of the judgment dated December 24, 2016 in the concluding portion.

The bench rectified the error and deleted the two extraneous sentences  to the period already undergone by the appellant i.e. 16 years and 10 months and The appellant be released forthwith, if not required in any other case

The bench has also directed the city police commissioner to take steps to arrest Jitender alias Kalla and take him into custody at the earliest. It has also directed the police to provide protection to all three complainants and the eye-witness in the case.

We further direct the commissioner of police to take steps to take the appellant Jitender alias Kalla into custody at the earliest, the bench said.

On March 10, 1999, Jitender had stormed into a reception of a wedding in north Delhi and had shot dead Anil Bhadana, the then president of Satyawati College Students Union.

According to police, Jitender had killed Bhadana because he was about to depose against him in a criminal case.

The next day, he went to house of Sumit Nayyar, an eye witness, who had informed police about Bhadanas murder. On not finding Sumit, he shot Sumits father KL Nayyar thrice in the chest, killing him on the spot.

In 2013, a trial court had convicted Jitender to 30 years rigorous imprisonment in the first case and life imprisonment in the second case.

Jitender appealed against the trial court verdict before the high court. Following which he was erroneously released in December.

The brother of the deceased in the first case and son of the deceased in the second case had later even written to Chief Justice G Rohini that Jitender has not been arrested and sent back to jail.

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College is often called the best time of ones life. But for transgender students, the period is one of unmitigated misery filled with snide comments, taunts and constant ridiculing that often culminates in physical violence. Little wonder, then, that our colleges and universities hardly have any trans or gender non-conforming pupils. Much of this bias stems from an absence of proactive policy formation to shield the vulnerable community from discrimination.

Last week, however, brought some good news as Indias technical education regulator modified the definition of a co-ed institution to mean men, women as well as transgender. This meant that the 3,000-plus institutes registered with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will have to include the transgender option and relevant information in their prospectus, forms and any other material. The regulator will also ask institutes to maintain the data of male, female and transgender students separately.

The measure is expected to help transgender students from being forced to check either the male or female option in college and university forms  the practice itself a unique form of violence perpetrated on a population who brave many risks and dangers to sever ties with genders they dont identify with.

These developments come on the back of similar successes by transwomen in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu who went to the court to get a third gender or other option inserted in government job forms, college prospectus and entrance tests. Over the past year, an increasing number of universities and colleges have also revised their norms and stated their intent to welcome more transgender students.

The importance of education for the community cannot be stressed more. Structural barriers and violence in schools, colleges and universities keep transgender students out of educational institutions, ensuring that they dont receive the necessary training for job skills and crushing any dreams they might harbour of becoming engineers, professors, lawyers or doctors. As a consequence, an overwhelming majority of transfolk are forced to live on the streets, beg for survival and go into sex work  only to be stereotyped as criminals by the same society that denied them a fair shot.

Three years ago, the Supreme Court said that transgender people had a right to jobs and education, and mandated quotas to ensure the uplift of the community. But on the ground, little has changed as authorities have dithered with framing policy and cracking down on bias and hatred. The AICTEs move is to be lauded but one hopes that colleges and universities will implement it both in letter and spirit  support and encourage transgender students, sensitise staff to not indulge in discrimination and set up redressal mechanisms so that a pervasive atmosphere of hostility is dispersed. It is the least a country owes to one of its most marginalised groups.
Around 10 lakh students appeared in the JEE Main 2017 examination held on Sunday across more than 2,000 centres in 109 cities in India and abroad.

The pattern of questions of JEE (Main) exam 2017, for B.E/B.Tech courses (Paper I), was similar to that of the last five years. It had objective type, multiple choice questions (MCQ). There were 30 questions each from physics, chemistry and mathematics. Four marks were allotted for each right answer and one mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. There will be no negative marking for questions not attempted.

The Paper was set from CBSE Class 11 and 12 syllabus. Expectedly, many of the questions were conceptual with some needing analytical skills. Twenty-five questions were easy, 53 moderately difficulty and 12 relatively more difficult.

In the D Set, questions 34 and 54 of physics were tough and needed analytical ability beyond NCERT book/deep study. In chemistry there were two or three questions requiring deep conceptual understanding and application. In mathematics Set-Ds question, 28 was controversial and few questions were lengthy. However, serious students must have found paper relatively easy, compared to last year.

In our opinion, well-prepared candidates maintaining their cool during the exam should have been able to attempt most of questions.

Overall difficulty level for the paper was between easy to moderate. A candidate who stayed focused for two years and worked towards improving speed and accuracy, by taking regular quizzes and mock tests, he/she must have done reasonably well. It is always relative performance, which matters in such competitive examinations.

Cut-off for CML (Common Merit List) in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 was 113,115,105,100 respectively. Cut-off this year is going to be high around 115.

Admission through centralised allocation process in NITs / IIITs / DTU / CFTIs for over 24,000 seats in undergraduate courses will be done according to merit list based on marks in JEE Main examination. However, a candidate must be in top 20 percentile of respective board or should score minimum 75% marks in his/her board examination.

Additionally, a total of 9 states (Haryana, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Gujarat, M.R., M.P., Odisha, Punjab and Rajasthan) will also accept JEE-M ranks to fill seats through their own seat allocation process.

Top 2, 20,000 candidates of JEE Main will be eligible to appear in JEE Advanced on May 21, 2017 to fight for one of 11,032 seats in IITs.

(Trikha is director, FIITJEE. Views expressed here are personal)
A large number of parents from Gurgaon and Faridabad took out a protest rally in the city on Sunday demanding a rollback of the fee hike by various private schools in the city. They have been complaining that the hikes are unjustifiably high.

Parents from 40 private schools in the city, including DPSG, Ryan International, Salwan Public School, Blue Bells Model School, GD Goenka, Shiv Nadar, and from Faridabad schools, took part in the Aakrosh car rally that began from mini secretariat to Civil Lines. They handed over a memorandum of their demands to divisional commissioner D Suresh at his residence.

Read | Gurgaon: Parents to step up protest against huge school fee hike on Sunday

They also alleged harassment by the police during the protest and demanded that divisional commissioner should take action against the cop. There was a face-off between the police and the parents when the latter were asked to show permission to stage a protest in the city. Sushil Sarwan, sub divisional magistrate (SDM), had to intervene to ensure that the parents staged a peaceful protest.

The police officials did not want us to protest on Sunday due to birthday celebration of PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh. Over 500 people had come to wish him, said Anil Kumar, member, All India Parents Forum for Education.

Police misbehaved with us. They held one of the parents by the collar and thrashed some of us when we refused to stop the protest. One of the parents mobile phone was also broken in the tussle, said Bhupinder Singh, general secretary of the forum.

Parents from several city schools have also decided to take out a protest rally at Jantar Mantar on April 9 along with All India Parents Forum for Education.

Read | As parents protest fee hike, Gurgaon schools asked to discuss hike beforehand

In earlier memorandums by parents associations in the city, parents have vehemently criticised the schools and exposed how they fleece the parents. But it all fell on deaf ears and authorities did not take any action, said Ajay Vats, a parent.

Apart from a rollback of the fee hike, parents said they have also demanded compliance with CBSE-affiliation norms by schools, more transparency in the audit process, and better focus on parent-teacher associations and safety of students on campus.

We have been demanding the same thing for the last three years. We are tired of the apathy of the schools and Haryana government officials. None of these schools follow the rules of the government or the CBSE and yet no action is taken against them. The government officials have also turned a blind eye to all the issues, mostly pertaining to fee hike, said Ramesh Rana, national president of the forum.

There is no transparency in the working of the schools. If schools are not making any profits, why cant they show us their account books, said Rajkumar Yadav, a parent.

Divisional commissioner D Suresh assured parents that the states additional chief secretary PK Das will soon come up with new guidelines and their demands will be taken care of. Das has called a meeting on April 5 in Panchkula with divisional commissioners of Hisar, Ambala, Rohtak and Gurgaon regarding fees and fund of private schools.

Parents demands will be discussed in the meeting in Panchkula on April 5 and policy guidelines will also be discussed, he said.

Suresh also said that he has marked an inquiry to the SDM on the parents complaint that the police harassed them during the protest.

However, assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Manish Sehgal, police spokesperson, said, The allegations are baseless. The police did not harass the parents. They just asked them if they had asked for permission for the protest.

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Malin survivors who lost everything during the July, 2014 devastating landslide were given a fresh start on Sunday with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis presenting them with new houses built by the government.

However, many were teary-eyed as they left their temporary homes where they had spent two and half years after the tragedy struck.

It was this place where many survivors rebuilt their lives.

Read: Malin landslide a tectonic as well as manmade phenomenon: Study

According to the villagers, around 25 of them got married among them some remarried after they lost their spouses in the landslide.

On July 30, last year, torrential rain triggered a landslide early in the morning at Malin village in Pune district. A chunk of the hillside gave way, sending mud, rocks and trees cascading down on the village, killing 151 people.

The tragedy prompted massive rescue operations for eight days, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working day and night.

Over 40 houses were buried in a landslide triggered by heavy rains at Malin village in Pune, Maharashtra. (HT File Photo)

Around 30 months later, the district administration has recreated an entirely new village where survivors shifted after a small ceremony. The 67 houses built on eight acres of plot by the government are a few kilometers away from the site that witnessed the landslide.

Among the survivors who started their life afresh are Dilip Lembhe and Sunil Zanzare.

Lembhe, 47, had lost his wife, mother and two children in the landslide while Zanzare, 37, lost his entire family including his wife.

Read: Malin mudslide tragedy now a part of school curriculum

Zanzare married Asha from Ahmednagar district while Lembhe, who was reluctant at first to remarry, married one Manisha from Tambe village.

It would have been difficult to stay alone for the rest of the life after losing everyone from the family, said Zanzare.

In most cases, the men escaped the death as they had gone to inspect their crop when the tragedy struck.

Those who lost their kin got substantial financial help from the government. For every deceased person, compensation up to Rs 8.5 lakh was given.

While the village has got a new address, the villagers say it is difficult for them to forget the past.

Around 30 months later, the district administration has recreated an entirely new village where survivors shifted after a small ceremony. (HT Photo)

We are all starting a new life. However, the old memories are still afresh in our minds, said Raju Zanzare, who lost his parents.

The new house built for each family is 425 square feet in area and stands on 1,500 square feet plot at Amade, around eight kilometers from the actual site of mudslide.

Read: Malin landslide survivors asked to relocate

Besides houses, the administration has built a community hall, a Gram Panchayat office and a bus stop.

The school building, which was the only sign of survival during the tragedy, has been rebuilt at the same place.

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PATNA After the JD (U) and Congress, it is now the turn of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), senior partner in Bihars ruling, three-party grand alliance (GA), to throw its hat in the ring for the 272 wards of the north, south and east Delhi municipal corporations, to be held on April 23.

The decision to put up candidates for municipal corporations of Delhi (MCD) elections was announced here on Sunday by RJD president Lalu Prasad.

We will put up candidates in the MCD polls, Prasad said, although he did not say how many seats the RJD would contest in Delhi urban bodies elections, in which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress and the BJP are the major players.

Observers here were of the view that the RJDs decision to try its electoral luck in the MCD polls indicated to a growing competitiveness among GA partners to expand their electoral base to beyond the geographical boundaries of Bihar.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar-JD (U) has already announced its candidates for a large number of MCD wards, as has the Congress, another GA partner.

The RJD move to contest the MCD polls was announced on a day on which the RJD chiefs elder son, health minister Tej Pratap Yadav rode a horse-drawn chariot in Patna to promote the DSS (Dharmnirapeksha Sevak Sangh), a socio cultural organisation he has floated to counter the RSS.

Voicing intent to promote the little-known DSS, especially among the youth, Tej Pratap advised senior BJP leader Sushil Modi to join his organisation. This came in response to Modis advice to Tej Pratap earlier to join the RSS so that he could understand the working of the organization and inculcate discipline among his followers.

For his part, Lalu had some encouraging words for his elder son and his nascent outfit. It is an organisation of the youth and is committed to the cause of secularism, the RJD chief said.

Prasad demanded a high level inquiry into the possibility of tampering of EVMs, in light of the recent incident in Madhya Pradesh where a voting machine, during its trial run, had allegedly dispensed only slips bearing the BJPs lotus symbol, irrespective of the button pressed.

Top leaders of the country are demanding the same. There should be proper enquiry as how EVM machines could dispense BJP slips only, he said. Prasad had joined the BSP and AAP in demanding a probe into the possibility of EVM tampering, following the BJPs scintillating win in the UP assembly poll.

Asked about the demand for elevating RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to the post of President of India, the RJD chief said: The BJP is in power at the centre and can get elected anybody of its choice to the top post. Nobody is being consulted in the matter, he said.

SPECULATION RJD decision hints at growing competitiveness among GA partners to expand electoral base beyond Bihar

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had issued a show-cause notice to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for their twisted documentary on Kaziranga National Park before the Assam government had lodged a formal complaint, a Right to Information (RTI) reply has revealed.

The BBC has been banned by the NTCA from shooting inside 47 tiger reserves for a period of five years after the documentary titled Kaziranga: The Park shoots people to protect rhinos was shown on its world channel on February 10 and 11.

Read | NGO calls for tourist boycott of Kaziranga based on BBC film, Assam unperturbed

It was for the first time that an organisation has been banned for alleged violation of the permission, the NTCA said in a reply to an RTI application filed by this correspondent, on the ground that the BBC violated the condition of not getting the documentary vetted by a government nominee before broadcast.

The NTCA also accused BBC correspondent Justin Rowlatt of giving a false synopsis with surreptitious mal-intent for obtaining permission and using spasmodic events to gauge conservation efforts with scant understanding of the laws in place.

In an email response, a BBC spokesperson said, We approached the relevant government authorities to ensure their position was fully reflected, but they declined to take part.

The broadcaster termed the authorities reaction to the documentary as extremely disappointing.

The programme was balanced, impartial and accurately reported on what we found on arrival. It covered both the successes achieved through Indias conservation policies, and the challenges, which include the impact on communities living next to the parks.

The NTCA has asked the external affairs ministry to revoke Rowlatts visa. The MEA has not decided on the request so far.

Britains Princess Kate feeds a rhino calf at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) at Panbari reserve forest in Kaziranga in Assam during a visit with her husband and Prince William in April last year. (AFP FILE PHOTO)

BONE OF CONTENTION

The trigger for the NTCAs action is the 2010 directive of the Assam government providing immunity to forest officials under section 197 of the code of criminal procedure in case they kill a person while discharging their duties.

In every case, there is casualty of poachers in the cross-fire/counter fire/ambush attack. The magistrate having jurisdiction over the area is informed and all action is taken as per law, Assam forest department said in a complaint against the BBC to the Centre on February 27, two weeks after NTCA issued a notice to Rowlatt.

Accusing BBC of promoting anti-national sentiments, the department has taken strong objection to the use of words kill the unwanted inside the park and putting this uncompromising doctrine into practice in the documentary.

The BBC quoted official data to say that while 50 poachers were killed, only two forest guards died in cross-firing, and questioned the park authorities conservation strategy. The department had retorted saying 206 poachers were arrested and 50 were killed between 2014 and 2016.

If the park authorities were on a killing spree, the number of poachers died should have been more than 200, which is not the case, and it shows that the park does not have any shoot to kill policy, the department said, accusing BBC of following London-based tribal rights advocacy group, Survival Internationals false propaganda on shoot to kill policy.

Survival International spokesperson asked why the casualty of poachers was so high if the guards were shooting in self-defence, as just two guards were killed since 1968, when Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary.

The people around Kaziranga have made many sacrifices in the name of conservationmany have already been evicted from their ancestral lands at least once and face eviction again due to the expansion of the park. They report to us that they have also faced violence at the hands of park guards, including shootings and torture. Even a seven-year-old boy has been shot and maimed for life, NGO spokesperson Lewis Evans said.

Rowlatt had spoken to the boy, Akash Orang, and his family to show the disquiet among people living around Kaziranga, following the killing of the so-called poachers.

There is an interview in which a slain locals father says that his hands were chopped off by the guard, a claim denied by the forest department. His son Goanburah was shot dead by the guards when he was allegedly leading a gang of poachers in December 2013.

The documentary uses such narratives to portray how the shoot to kill policy had created fear among locals while describing the conservation strategy as anti-people.

The Kaziranga park has about 2,400 single horn rhinos, up from a few hundred in the 1970s, and the effort to control poaching here has been lauded across the world. Survival International, however, said that allowing the killing of people was wrong as it would lead to more bloodshed in other tiger reserves of India.

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta said the park authorities had not issued any shoot to kill policy and added the 2010 notification of the Assam government does not provide complete immunity but only for initial immunity.

This (shoot to kill policy) belief has gained currency since nobody has bothered to find out the facts, Dutta said, while agreeing with the BBC that Kaziranga was one of the worst maintained wildlife areas in the country.

A forest guard keeps vigil at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam state during the floods last year. (AP FILE PHOTO)

THE DIVIDE

The confrontation between the BBC and the NTCA shows the divide that ails wildlife conservation in India where locals are in conflict with animals, a reason for the rise in human-animal conflicts in around 660 notified homes for wildlife in the country.

NGOs like Survival International say the present conservation strategy adopted in tiger reserves is fundamentally anti-people as it restricts peoples access to their livelihood sourcethe forest and its producewhile organizations like World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature and Bombay History Natural Society (BNHS) supports arming forest guards to protect wildlife.

The forest guard needs support. He or she needs guns, but also institutional mechanism that will empower her more than a token arm, wrote Neha Sinha of BNHS in an article in support of the Assam forest department.

But, Tushar Dash, a tribal rights activist, found the approach wrong, saying arming guards was alienating locals leading to increase in confrontation, as in Kaziranga. We need to democratise conservation process in tiger reserves, making locals an integral part of conservation. The forest departments cannot hunt them by branding them as poachers, he told HT.

An effort to strike a balance between people and wildlife in tiger reserves was made in 2006 when the government amended the Wildlife Protection Act to synchronise it with the Forest Rights Act that provided for the recognition of rights of tribals and forest-dwellers across India.

But, it has remained on paper only because the environment and tribal affairs ministries have failed to reach an agreement on the new conservation model.

A forest official shows shell casings that were recovered from a site where a rhinoceros was killed by poachers with an AK-47 rifle at Kaziranga, a day after Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate spent a day at the Park on April 13, 2016. (AP FILE PHOTO)

While the environment ministry insists that core areas of tiger reserves should be inviolatefree from any human interferencethe tribal affairs ministry wants forest dwellers to have the right to collect minor forest produce to sustain their livelihood.

The RTI reply shows that Kaziranga has become an epitome of this conflict with 18 rhinos poached in 2016 and many locals falling prey to firing by the forest guards even though the government has sanctioned Rs 24 crore for development of villages around the world heritage site.

IMPACT

While the BBC said that it reported what it saw on ground, the NTCA is not willing to buy the argument and termed the documentary as breach of trust. And now the government wants to prevent anything similar in future.

Official sources said the government would introduce more stringent norms for filming inside tiger reserves by allowing local forest officials to review the content and ensure that the producer follows the script submitted to government. The government is also looking at the possibility of imposing a penalty under the Wildlife Protection Act.

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A BJP candidate for the by-election to Keralas Muslim-dominated Malappuram parliamentary constituency has promised quality beef for the people if they elect him.

Sreeprakashs poll pledge counterbalances a growing effort in BJP-ruled states to enforce a ban on eating beef and slaughter of cows, considered sacred in Hinduism. A day before his remarks, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh proposed the death sentence for cow killers.

I will ensure quality beef and standard abattoirs in my constituency. My opponents are citing beef ban just to portray my party in bad light, Sreeprakash said on Sunday.

Sreeprakash, the BJP candidate for the parliamentary by-election in Malappuram, campaigns in his constituency. (HT Photo)

Kerala is among a handful of states where there is no restriction on sale and consumption of beef.

The main talking points of the by-election in Malappuram -- where 65% of the population is Muslim and 5% are Christians -- are beef and triple talaq.

Sreeprakash held the Congress guilty of enforcing the cow slaughter ban when the party was in power, and putting the blame on the BJP to show his party in a bad light.

The BJP has been accused of launching an ill-judged crackdown on unauthorised slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, after it came to power in the northern state last month. Butchers were griping that even licensed abattoirs are being targeted.

Sreeprakash said the clampdown was on illegal meat outlets, not on licensed ones.

No doubt, if elected, I will ensure halal beef in the constituency. In Kerala, there is no ban on beef so that question (of ban) doesnt arise here.

The poor mans protein  as the meat sold cheap is called  beef is almost a staple in Kerala. From crispy cutlets to ulathiyathu or meat fry, 50-odd beef recipes tickle the palettes of people in Kerala.

Besides Muslims and Christians, a sizeable number of Hindus eat beef, which constitutes about 40% of the total meat consumed in the state. An estimated one million cattle are brought from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka every year.

Beef undoubtedly is food for thought in the Malappuram by-election, necessitated by the death of the former Union minister E Ahamed of the Muslim League, who won the seat in the 2014 general elections with a big margin of 1,94,000 votes.

The Muslim League and the states ruling CPM are targeting the BJP for the beef ban, an emotive issue for the constituencys meat lovers.

In some parts of the country the government is preparing a menu for its citizens and days are not far it will also insist how we should eat, Muslim League candidate PK Kunhalikutty, a former minister, said at a rally.

Malappuram is recording a stiff three-cornered contest between Kunahlikutty, CPMs MB Faisal and Sreeprakash of the BJP. Sreeprakash polled 7.58% votes in 2014.

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Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday reiterated the states inability to release Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, saying there was no sufficient water in the states reservoirs at present.

An official delegation from Tamil Nadu on Saturday held meetings with Karnataka chief secretary Subhash Khuntia and other state government officials in Bengaluru, with a request to release 3 tmcft of Cauvery water on humanitarian grounds.

Their (Tamil Nadu) officials had come... they have had meeting with our chief secretary. We have explained to them that there is no water in our Cauvery reservoirs. We have told them that if there are rains and we get water, we will give for drinking, Siddaramaiah told reporters.

He said now, we dont have water to give them.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra on March 21 said all interim orders of releasing 2,000 cusecs of Cauvery water by Karnataka would continue to be in force till further orders.

Following this, Karnataka had expressed its inability in supplying Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in line with the apex courts directive, saying the state itself is facing a shortage of drinking water.

Meanwhile, former chief minister SM Krishna,who recently joined the BJP,termed as correct the states stand not to release water to Tamil Nadu, citing the reason that water level in the reservoirs was just enough for drinking water needs.

Noting that Tamil Nadus main intention was to get the Cauvery Management Board created, former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy hit out at the state government and the ruling BJP at the Centre and its MPs for not taking the issue seriously.

Pointing at a protest by Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi, he said, the central government can take decision at any time... they (Congress and BJP) are more interested in winning the polls (by-polls).

The Supreme Court will on July 11 commence the final hearing of the appeals filed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala against the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal on sharing of water for 15 consecutive workings days.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had an emotional reunion on Sunday with one of the five Assam Rifles guards who escorted him to India during his escape from Tibet in March 1959.

The Dalai Lama embraced retired jawan Naren Chandra Das at an interactive session organised at the Namami Brahmaputra River festival by the Assam government in Guwahati.

Thank you very much.... I am very very happy to meet such an old member of the Assam Rifles who guarded and escorted me to India 58 years ago, a visibly emotional Dalai Lama said on the occasion.

Looking at your face, I now realise I must be very old too, he said to Das in jest.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama embraces Naren Chandra Das, a retired havildar of the Assam Rifles, at the Namami Brahmaputra festival in Guwahati on Sunday. (PTI)

Dressed in his Assam Rifles uniform, the 76-year-old Das, later told PTI that he had escorted the Dalai Lama as his armed guard in 1959, two years after joining the force in 1957.

At that time, he was posted at Lungla near the China border after completing his training at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.

Guards of Assam Rifles Platoon no. 9 had brought the Dalai Lama from Zuthangbo and handed him over to five of us at Shakti. We brought him to Lungla from where he was escorted on his onward journey to Tawang by another group of guards, the retired jawan said.

Asked whether he had any interaction with the Dalai Lama during that journey, Das said they were not allowed to talk or interact with him. Our duty was only to guard and escort him during a part of his journey.

He said he was overwhelmed by the warmth in his embrace.

Asked what the Dalai Lama whispered in his ears while they embraced, he replied, He was happy to see me.

The Dalai Lama also presented a silk shawl to the guard.

For the Assam Rifles, he also signed an old photograph of his during his journey into India.

Assam Rifles director general Lt Gen Shokin Chouhan was also present on the occasion.
A Mehrauli resident was arrested on Sunday for allegedly raping a 22-year-old woman from Uzbekistan for nearly six months.

Police said the woman filed a complaint on Friday, accusing one Sonu alias Sumit of duping her into coming to India for employment. He had allegedly contacted her through Facebook by posing as a senior executive at a Gurgaon-based IT company. He received the woman at the airport, and offered her a place to stay at Mehrauli.

Sonu took her passport and money, claiming that he needed to keep them as security deposit. He then moved in with the woman and raped her for nearly half a year, a police officer said.

The accused was arrested after a medical examination of the woman confirmed rape. Police have registered a case against him, and are investigating if he is part of a larger human trafficking racket.

This is the second case of sexual assault on an Uzbekistan national to be reported in the last one month. On March 15, a woman residing in Vasant Kunj accused her live-in partner and four friends of gang-raping her.
The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday hit back at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying it should introspect on its performance in the recently concluded assembly elections in Punjab instead of blaming the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The poll panels comment was in response to a representation that AAP had submitted to the EC on March 25 seeking verifications of votes cast using EVMs in the Punjab assembly elections.

The party urged for crosschecking of the votes polled with the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) data to settle the issue of EVM safety.

It is for your party to introspect as to why it could not perform as per your expectations and it is unfair on the part of your party to attribute the unsatisfactory poll performance to the alleged tamperability of EVMs, EC secretary Arvind Anand said in a letter to the AAP.

The VVPAT dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for.

Rejecting the AAPs plea for verifications of votes, the EC said it was fully satisfied with the tamper-proof functioning of the EVMs.

AAP chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had also visited the Election Commission on Saturday to lodge a protest about the functioning of the EVMs, reiterating that the devices were fudged repeatedly in elections.

The Congress also raised the EVM malfunctioning issue on Friday after some media reports suggested that VVPAT machine was dispensing slips of BJP symbol only during a demonstration exercise in Madhya Pradeshs Bhind.

Anand further said that the Supreme Court had never cast any aspersion or expressed any doubt that election process is interdicted/rigged by use of EVMs.

The Commission strongly objects to this wrong and imaginary extrapolation of the Supreme Courts order. This may please be noted as a responsible political party, Anands letter says.

Following its electoral debacle in Punjab, AAP had raised allegations that the EVMs can be tampered with.

The EC said such allegations have been dismissed by various high courts unequivocally reiterating that given the effective technical and administrative safeguards, EVMs are not tamperable and integrity of electoral process is fully preserved.

The poll panel said it has put in place an elaborate technical and administrative system of safeguards to ensure error-free functioning of the EVMs in elections.

Stating that EVMS used in the polls go through mock test on three occasions in the presence of agents of political parties/contesting candidates, the commission said no credible evidence of malfunctioning of any of the devices was brought to it notice when the process was followed ahead of Punjab elections.
Cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) investment in Bihar and Jharkhand declined by 294% during first nine months of 2016-17 from the figure recorded during corresponding period of previous fiscal.

As per statistics of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Patna regional office, that covers both Bihar and Jharkhand, during April-December, 2016, the cumulative FDI inflows into these two states stood at just Rs 69 crore.

This is in contrast to April- December, 2015, i.e the first nine months of the previous fiscal of 2015-16, when the figure for these two states stood at Rs 272 crore or $43 million.

Biz buzz Infrastructure problem and bureaucratic red-tapism are two major hurdles in ensuring FDI inflow As per RBI, during April-December 2016, cumulative FDI inflows into Bihar & Jharkhand stood at just Rs 69 crore

Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under the Union commerce ministry, compiled statements of FDI inflows collected from 18 regional offices of RBI.

However, the figure in the first nine months of current fiscal is marginally better than what it was during the entire fiscal of 2014-15, when the figure was Rs 68 crore.

Bihar industries secretary, S Siddharth, refused to comment on this matter. I really have no idea about these figures and so I cannot comment, Siddharth told the Hindustan Times.

First thing that is necessary to attract FDI is image makeover of Bihar .



- Sanjay Goenka, ex-VP, BIA

Former vice-president of Bihar Industries Association (BIA), Sanjay Goenka, said that the first thing that is necessary to attract FDI is image makeover of Bihar and projecting it as an investor-friendly state. Good that investors from other states have started taking interest in Bihar during the last couple of years. If this continues, then only will we be in a position to attract foreign investors, Goenka said.

Meanwhile, secretary general of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Ranjeet Kumar Garodia, said that infrastructure problem and bureaucratic red- tapism are two major hurdles in ensuring FDI inflow for Bihar and Jharkhand.

Jharkhand industries secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal could not be contacted for his response.

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Former spokesperson of Samajwadi Party (SP) Gaurav Bhatia, who had quit the party five days before the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, formally joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday.

Once a prominent party face on the television batting for his erstwhile SP, Bhatia joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP national secretary Bhupendra Yadav and national general secretary Arun Singh at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Bhatia also met BJP president Amit Shah later during the day.

The BJP, however, remained mum on the role of Bhatia in the party.

On Sunday, Bhatia said, The SP was moving away from the ideals of Ram Manohar Lohia. There is no value of loyalty and sincerity and it has been surrendered to dynastic politics.

A Supreme Court lawyer, Bhatia, who was appointed as additional advocate general of the UP government led by then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for inspiring him to join the party.

He was also the national president of the legal cell of the SP.

BJP swept the UP assembly elections and returned to power after 14 years by winning 312 seats while the SP-Congress alliance got 54 seats.

Bhatia, however, refrained from launching any personal attack on former UP chief minister or his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Bhatia resigned from all posts of the SP on February 5 in the run up to the elections saying that it was becoming difficult for him to continue serving the party.

He then accused the SP of compromising the very principles of democracy, secularism and socialism that he had had strong belief in.

At the time of his resignation, Bhatia refused to disclose the reason why he was leaving the party.
Four Delhi students who were arrested for allegedly chasing textiles minister Smriti Iranis car were booked for stalking and using offensive gestures and language, police said on Sunday.

The students, all in the age group of 18-19, were released on bail a few hours after their arrest on Saturday evening but a probe was on into the incident that caused a security scare.

The students were taken to a hospital for a medical examination. They were found to be drunk, Delhi Police chief spokesperson Dependra Pathak said.

The four could be jailed for a maximum of three years if found guilty of stalking. The second charge of attempting to insult the modesty of woman, through words or gestures, is a lighter offence that can invite a fine or a one-year jail term or both.

The students were returning in a hired Santro car from a friends birthday party in south Delhi when they came across Iranis official vehicle near the Myanmar embassy around 5pm on Saturday.

The minister was headed to Ashoka Hotel in Chanakyapuri, an area dotted with foreign missions.

The four youngsters overtook her vehicle twice in a rash and negligent manner, police said. They then followed her car, prompting Iranis personal security officer to call police.

Two emergency response vehicles were immediately alerted and they chased the Santro car for about a kilometre and intercepted it near the French embassy on Shanti Path within minutes.

The students were taken to the Chanakyapuri police station, where the minister arrived to record her statement. The four are students of the Delhi Universitys Ram Lal Anand College.

A television actor-turned-politician, Irani was named the human resource development minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. She was later shifted to the textiles ministry.
The Modi governments plan to change information law norms, including a 500-word limit for an application and higher fee, has activists worried who see it as an attempt to dilute the RTI.

The changes proposed will make information expensive and take online the process of complaint for denying information, shutting out thousands of citizens who do not have access to the internet or are not Net-savvy.

The intention is clear. The government wants to make getting information difficult as the draft rules empower public authorities more than citizens, right to information (RTI) activist Lokesh Batra said.

One of the new rules says an RTI application should not be more than 500 words but exceeding the limit cannot be a ground for rejecting the request.

The department of personnel and training has set April 15 deadline for comments on the proposed changes -- the first by the Modi government  that have been put up on its website.

The proposed norms ask the applicant to bear the postal charge for sending the information sought. As of now, the government foots the bill.

Enacted in 2005, the RTI is the only law that empowers citizens to question the government, with over 10 million applications filed with the Centre in 2015-16.

The government has come out with a new format for non-compliance of a citizens request that bars hand-written appeals.

Appeals will have to be filed online, a move that will make the process difficult for hundreds of Indians, who are poor and barely literate.

Officials will be allowed to file documents to counter claims of false information, which will lengthen the process. At present a citizen can file an appeal within 30 days if denied information. The period is 60 days for incomplete data.

New norms put on the applicant the onus of sending a copy of the appeal to the information officer, a job which is the responsibility of the official or the department concerned.

If not done, the appeal can be rejected.

First appeal is filed within the department and second is with the central information commission.

Information will also get pricier. Government publications such as the economic survey and National Sample Survey Office data will no longer be available for the RTI fee of Rs 10.

Info seeker will either have to pay the market price of the publication or Rs 2 for photocopy of each page, double the present rate.

The previous UPA government, too, had tried to weaken the RTI but dropped the idea in face of stiff opposition from civil society and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

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The family of Rajender Singh Shekhawat in Haryanas Mahendragarh district has been struggling from past many months to bring him back home from Saudi Arabia, where he is allegedly being harassed by his employer from around a year.

Shekhawats brother Satvir said he had gone to Saudi in November 2015 to work as driver, following in the footsteps of his cousin Raj, who was already working there. However, five months after he had gone, Raj died in a tragic accident.

Satvir said after his training, Shekhawat was forced by his employer to drive truck without license, which he refused because he didnt want to violate any laws in the foreign land that had strict punishments. Irked by his refusal, his employer refused to return his passport and stopped giving him any salary, Satvir said.

In a video released by Shekhawat from Saudi, he said that he moved labour court in Saudi, but to no avail. The Indian Embassy here did not help either. My employer constantly threatens to kill me and I have no one here. Please help me return to my country, he pleads to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external minister Sushma Swaraj.

Back home in Mahendragarhs Jarwa village, his wife Sunita and three daughters have been running pillar to post to seek help. We have sent letters to Sushma Swaraj, VK Singh, but have not got a reply yet. We met Haryana minister Ram Bilas Sharma and a couple of other MPs, but no one has helped us yet, Sunita said.

We are worried about him. We get to speak to him occasionally, and he always complains that he is sleeping empty stomach most of the times. Here, we too are suffering without money since he is the only bread winner in our family, she added.
The heat wave in Maharashtra has subsided, with many places in the state on Sunday recording a negligible rise in temperature, bringing relief to people experiencing scorching mercury for the last few days.

As predicted, the heat wave in Maharashtra has subsided with most of the regions reporting a minor rise in the day and night temperature, the Meteorological department said in a release.

Though Chandrapur in east Maharashtra remained hottest at 43.8 degrees Celsius, temperature in many parts rose between 1-2 degrees Celsius, which is negligible, it said.

Temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Nashik in north Maharashtra -- which was 1.3 degrees Celsius below normal.

The minimum temperature in Aurangabad, located in Marathwada region, rose by 5 degrees Celsius, which is the highest such increase in the state.

Aurangabad recorded a minimum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius and maximum of 39.2 degrees Celsius -- a departure (change) of 1.6 degrees Celsius, it stated.

VK Rajeev, India Meteorological Departments (IMD) director for Mumbai, told PTI that the overall drop in minimum temperature was the main reason behind the relief.

The IMD said the change in the direction of northerly winds avoided further escalation of temperature. It predicted that the temperature is expected to subside, as warm winds were not coming towards Maharashtra.
Hindustan Times has bagged three prestigious digital first awards -- one silver and two bronze -- on the global platform during the annual Malofiej summit in Pamplona, Spain.

The six-day summit from March 26 to 31 saw Hindustan Times clinch the silver award in the Portfolios category for its set of stories that included an air quality dashboard, an interactive on demonetisations ever-changing rules, an investigation into the anatomy of riots in Uttar Pradesh and a history of the Padma awards presented through data, among others.

There was no gold medal winner in this category. Hindustan Times shared its position with FiveThirtyEight, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

HT journalists who worked on this project included Anand Katakam, Piyush Aggarwal, Aparna Alluri, Harry Stevens, Gurman Bhatia and Abhinash Jha. Other contributors from the newsroom included Appu Esthose Suresh and Abhinav Rajput, among others.

The Malofiej award is named after Argentinian cartographer Alejandro Malofiej -- one of the pioneers of infographic design.

The award honours the best in data visualisation, visual storytelling and information graphics for online and print mediums. This year, 134 news organisations from 31 countries participated. The bulk of the entries came from the US.

Hindustan Times also won a bronze each for two of its features told through data visualisation: Every Hindi film song by Lata Mangeshkar in one graphic, and a six-part investigation into Indias Death Penalty presented through data. To see more work produced by the Hindustan Times data team, you can go to 2016  The year in graphics and visuals.
After fixing three important cases involving constitutional questions the Supreme Court has prepared a roll of over 5,000 cases to be listed during the forthcoming summer break.

These matters would be heard by the two regular vacation benches  comprising two judges each - that would sit from May 11 to July 2. A duty roaster of the judges is yet to be announced.

An advance list of 5,298 cases was issued on Saturday by the SC registry. It is possible that some of the cases might be heard before the commencement of the summer break. In that case the particular matter will get deleted from the list.

According to the notice an advocate should approach the registry officials before April 28 if he or she does not want the case to be heard during the vacation. A request in writing should be submitted to the registry after informing the counsel of the opposite side.

The SC is also willing to add new matters to the existing list. Lawyers of contesting parties can approach the registry and express willingness to argue during the break.

This decision comes two days after Chief Justice of India JS Khehar announced in the open court that for the first time in the apex courts history, three constitution benches of five judges each will sit during the summer break.

He did so on Thursday while fixing May 11, the first day of the summer break, for hearing petitions demanding scrapping of triple talaq, nikah halala and practice of polygamy among Muslims.

The court will also hear if WhatsApp sharing with Facebook, its parent company, details of calls, messages, photographs and documents exchanged by 160 million Indian users violated the citizens right to privacy.

The third constitution bench will examine whether children born to Bangladeshi migrants could be accorded Indian citizenship.

Nineteen of the 28 judges will be hearing cases during the 45-day break, which is unprecedented. Typically, four SC judges work during court holidays.

The court was ready to give up its vacation to hear issues of grave importance, the CJI said. The court is ready to sit even on Saturdays and Sundays to hear the matter, he said, brushing aside objections by senior counsel.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi expressed concern over simultaneous hearing of the cases and said cases were usually heard during the break only after the approval of the lawyers.

The practice of courts breaking for summer and winter holidays has often come under criticism in the face of huge backlog. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last year questioned the long vacation. The SC breaks for around 10 days in winters.
Stepping up its hunt for black money stashed abroad, India has approached Switzerland for banking details of at least ten persons and entities suspected to have kept untaxed money in Swiss banks.

These include two listed textile companies, while others are associated with an art curator and his carpet export business.

Switzerlands tax department issued notices to them last week to reply within 30 days to appeal the decision about providing administrative assistance in information requests from India.

Under its local rules, Switzerland provides a final chance to the concerned persons and entities before sharing the information about suspected cases of tax crimes with any foreign jurisdiction. These notices are made public through gazette notifications if they are not reachable directly by the concerned banks or the tax department.

At least ten such notices concerning individuals and companies with Indian links were issued last week -- which could be the highest for a country within a week.

The notices name two listed textile firms -- Neo Corporation International and SEL Manufacturing Company Ltd.

There are also some companies incorporated in tax havens like Panama and British Virgin Islands. Most of the companies and individuals are associated with a carpet export business and an art curator with operations across several countries.

These are Abdul Rashid Mir, Amir Mir, Sabeha Mir, Mujeeb Mir and Tabassum Mir. The companies named in these notices include Cottage Industries Exposition, Modale SA and Progress Ventures Group.

Some of these names had figured in the leaked Panama Papers too, but several of them including the two listed firms have denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier, the notices were issued by Switzerlands Federal Tax Administration (FTA) asking some of them to designate a representative to exercise their right to be heard before the assistance is extended to India.

India has been seeking administrative assistance, including access to bank account details of the persons and the companies suspected to have stashed undisclosed funds in banks in Switzerland, after furnishing some evidence to justify the suspicion.

As per the local law, Switzerland gives an opportunity to the entity concerned to challenge the sharing of information, before providing the assistance to the requesting nation.

The Swiss notices mention the names of individuals, their nationality and dates of birth. In case of companies, their names and the countries of incorporation are mentioned.

India has shot off administrative assistance requests to Switzerland in several cases in recent months seeking details of Indians suspected to have misused Swiss banks famed high-secrecy walls to evade taxes.

The individuals and companies about whom India has earlier sought information include some listed companies, former CEO of a real estate major, wife of a Delhi-based former bureaucrat, a Dubai-based Indian origin investment banker, a high-profile fugitive along with his wife and an UAE-based holding company, as also some Gujarati businessmen settled abroad and presumably in trading business.

Many of these are suspected to have maintained accounts in Swiss banks through offshore entities, including in Panama and British Virgin Islands.

These requests for administrative assistance, which typically involves exchange of information on submission of proof by the requesting country about the account holders wrongdoing, have been documented by Swiss authorities in their Federal Gazette as per local laws to give the concerned person or entity a last chance to appeal against sharing of data.

While India and Switzerland last year signed a new pact for automatic exchange of information about account details from next year, so far the requests have been made under their existing bilateral tax treaty.

In the past also, names of some Indian nationals figured in Switzerlands Federal Gazette notifications after the Swiss authorities were approached by India for information about those people with regard to the pending tax-related probes against them.

After following the due process prescribed under Swiss law, the information has been shared by Switzerland with India in some cases, pursuant to which the Indian authorities -- including the tax department and Enforcement Directorate -- have proceeded with their prosecution and other actions.

However, the pace of seeking such details seems to have quickened, going by the sudden spurt in the number of Indian names figuring in such notifications.

For long, Switzerland has been known for strict secrecy clauses about details of foreigners having accounts in Swiss banks. However, under growing global pressure, Switzerland has begun sharing information in cases where other countries have been able to present some evidence of suspected illegalities.
A policeman was killed while 14 other were injured in a grenade attack by militants in the old citys Nowhatta area.

The slain policeman was Shamim Ahmad from North Kashmirs Gurez area. While most of the injured are policemen of Jammu and Kashmir police, four CRPF jawans were also reportedly injured.

The injured policemen were rushed to hospital for treatment. More details are awaited.

According to police officials, the militants attacked the police party near Ganjbaksh Park in Nowhatta area around 7 pm when the policemen were winding up after a day-long law and order maintenance duty. Earlier in the day, some stone throwing incidents were also reported in Nowhatta.

Policemen bring one of their colleagues, who was injured in the grenade attack, to a hospital in Srinagar. (Waseem Andrabi/Hindustan Times)

Banned militant organisation Tehreeq-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack in a mailed press release to various news organisations. The outfit claimed its special squad attacked CRPF and that Kashmir police was not their target.

This is second attack in two days. On Saturday, militants had attacked an army convoy in Srinagars Bemina area injuring three jawans.

Kashmir observed a shutdown on Sunday against Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to inaugurate Indias longest road tunnel---the Nashri-Chenani tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

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PM Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed a public meeting in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir after inaugurating the countrys longest road tunnel, the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, in the state.

The 9.2 km-long tunnel will reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by 2 hours. It is also Indias first and the worlds sixth tunnel to have transverse ventilation system, providing fresh air to passengers.



Earlier in the day, the PM also attended Allahabad high courts 150th year celebrations, ahead of his trip to Jammu.

The Prime Minister arrived at Bamrauli airport at 10:20am and proceeded to the Allahabad high court grounds. After attending the function, Modi flew to Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft from Bamrauli airport at 12:25pm.

Watch this space for Live updates:

5:57 pm: PM says there are plans to make nine more tunnels like this in the future which wont be mere road networks but will belinks connecting hearts.

5:51 pm: PM says people sitting on the other side of the border cant handle themselves. We want to show people of PoK how development will take place in Kashmir. He says we want to tell them that those who have illegally occupied their lands, how much they have destroyed them.

Kashmiriyat Insaniyat Jamhooriyat ke moolmantra ko leke hum Kashmir ko vikas ki nayi unchaiyon par leke jayenge: PM Modi in Udhampur pic.twitter.com/DZLMFtz76i  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

5:49 pm: PM says there are two roads for the youth of Kashmir- tourism or terrorism. He says for 40 years, innocent people have bled and the valley was left smeared in blood. No body has been benefitted from the bloodshed and it will never help anyone.

Isi 40 saal mein agar tourism par bal diya hota toh aaj poori duniya Kashmir ghaati ke charnon mein aakar baithi hoti: PM Modi in Udhampur pic.twitter.com/ppbjIHGrE8  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

5:45 pm: PM says the tunnel is the fate line of Kashmir valley. He highlights that the farmers of the region can transport their vegetables, flowers and products to Delhi on time. The tunnel will guarantee and bolster tourism in the land.

5:44 pm: PM Modi says some youth are involved in pelting stones but others are busy in cutting stones (to make the tunnel) to build the future of Kashmir valley.

5:40 pm : PM says the tunnel is a long jump towards development for Jammu and Kashmir. He says the construction of tunnel will be a big news for environmentalists around the world. We have laid down the tunnel in the Himalayas and have successfully done our task of protecting the environment, he says.

5:35 pm: PM addresses public meeting at Udhanpur. He asks people to put on their mobile phone flash and chant Bharat Mata ki Jai to collectively inaugurate the tunnel.

5:25 pm: CM Mehbooba Mufti addresses public meeting, congratulates PM Modi for landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and thanks him for constructing the tunnel.

J&K: 'Modi-Modi' chants at Udhampur rally venue as CM Mehbooba Mufti congratulates PM Modi for landslide election victory in Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/AZs3H8J1Fi  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

5:15 pm: Union ministers Jitendra Singh, Nitin Gadkari addresses rally.

5:10 pm: Prime Minister reaches Udhampur to address a public meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur shortly pic.twitter.com/b5TyL1UwSX  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

3:50 pm: PM Modi, accompanied by Union minister Nitin Gadkari, state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti among others, inspects the facilities inside the tunnel.

3:40 pm: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Chenani-Nashri tunnel in the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. He takes a tour of the tunnel on an open jeep.

12:50pm: I hope the dream of new India and the new generation can be successful: Modi ends speech

12:45pm: Im happy to say our govt has simplified laws, abolished 1200, in less than five years: PM Modi says, speaking about the benefits of digitisation.

With the aide of technology, even the judiciarys work can be made easier. Why shouldnt we use video-conferencing to communicate instead of transporting prisoners to court... Even start ups can help the judiciary by creating innovative services and apps for them.

Technology will empower the judiciary, and save money and time: Modi

12:40pm: PM praises the contribution of lawyers in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.

Watch | PM Modi speaks at Allahabad HC

12:35pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his address, says law has to be fair for all. Quoting Dr Radhakrishnan, Modi says law strives to ensures justice for all, not just the rich.

PM recalls Mahatma Gandhi s philosophy that every decision must benefit the weakest section of the society. Modi says Gandhi took the freedom struggle to the common man.

12:15pm: CJI Khehar addresses the audience and talks on the issue of judicial vacancies. He says, Shortage of judges handicaps the judicial system, adding that an impact can be made if judges work on some of their vacations.

11:34am: We fought against emergency, therefore we are committed to independence of judiciary, says Union law minister Prasad

11:33am: Prasad also calls for expedited appointment of judges to the Allahabad high court

11:31am: Central law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says the justice department will launch a portal shortly to give legal aid. Asks lawyers to register so as to give legal aid to poor

11:24am: Postal department issues an envelope on the occasion to mark the courts 150 years

11:15am: Supreme Court judge Deepak Misra releases a silver coin on occasion of sesquicentennial celebration

11am: PM Modi, Adityanath, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, CJI Khehar on stage at the function marking Allahabad HCs 150th year.

10:24am: PM Modi is greeted by Yogi Adityanath as he arrives in Allahabad

9:30am: A short circuit inside the tent set up for the programme. Security and fire brigade personnel bring things under control.

8:30am:

PMs UP visit 9:40am: CM Yogi Adityanath and governor Ram Naik will arrive at Bamrauli airport in a state helicopter. They will receive the PM at the airport before leaving for the venue of the function. 10:30am: Closing ceremony of Allahabad HCs 150th year celebrations. PM Modi will leave for Jammu after the function. 1:05pm: UP governor and chief minister will fly back to Lucknow.

Other dignitaries who will attend the function in Allahabad include Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, UP governor Ram Naik, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, chief justices and judges of other high courts.

(With inputs from agencies)
Home minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the country is united against any kind of violence and Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam.

The whole country is united against terrorism. The Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam, he told reporters when asked about the violence perpetrated by militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the security forces were giving a befitting reply to militants who are creating trouble in Kashmir Valley.

The home minister had on Friday said that Pakistan was using social media to incite youths in Kashmir to storm encounter sites and help holed-up militants.

The strife-torn region had seen a new trend of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at the sites of encounter between security forces and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants escape, he had said.

The home minister and defence and finance minister Arun Jaitley had also held a high-level meeting on Friday to review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid had said on Thursday that youths who storm the encounter sites in the Valley to hurl stones at security personnel are committing suicide.

Last month, army chief Bipin Rawat had said that local Kashmiri people creating hurdles by throwing stones at the security personnel during anti-terror operations will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face harsh actions.
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas is likely to visit India in May, a month ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis proposed visit to Israel in June, sources have told HT.

Modis will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel and he is set to skip Palestine in a break from the tradition of senior Indian leaders clubbing two countries in the same trip.

We are looking at May for the visit of President Abbas to India. Discussions are underway to finalise the dates, most probably for the second half of the month, a source told HT.

Though the Modi government is trying to put an end to hyphenating Israel with Palestine , historical legacy and Indias close ties with the Arab world makes this a delicate process. India has been steadily increasing its defence and security ties with Israel since mid 1990s, but the successive governments have kept the ties low profile in public.

Read more: PM Modi likely to visit Israel to mark diplomatic anniversary milestone

However, the Modi government hasnt been coy about scaling up its ties with Israel. President Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian head of state to visit Israel. The President visited Palestine on October 12, 2015 before making a three-day trip to Israel from the next day-- something Modi is unlikely to repeat.

But government official insists that there is no change in Indias commitment to the Palestine cause and pointed out it was the Modi government which has done the first ever India-Palestine joint commission. The commission was co-chaired by minister of state for external affairs M J Akbar.

The visit of Palestine Authority President will be another opportunity for India to step up the ties between the two countries, said another source.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Israel.

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PATNA Bihars harsh anti-liquor law appears to have failed to deter students and their guests from consuming alcohol and brawling, in some boys hostels of Patna university (PU).

The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, which came into force on October 2 last year, provides for arrest of all adults in case of recovery of liquor bottle from a house and collective fine on a place in case of habitual violation of prohibition.

The prohibition law in the state has been described in some quarters as draconian as it prescribes even capital punishment for a certain category of cases, a minimum 10-year jail or life imprisonment being the norm as punishment for consumption of liquor.

Yet, many inmates of boys hostels in Patna university, Bihars top varsity for higher learning, appear to be sufficiently unfazed by these tough provisions to indulge in drinking binges on campus.

This became clear early Sunday when a police team led by Patna town deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Kailash Prasad raided a hostel at BN College in PU and arrested three students who were allegedly consuming liquor on the premises and causing nuisance.

The arrested students were identified as Gautam Kumar, Saurabh Kumar and Niraj Kumar, while a fourth student, Kunal Singh, dodged the police and escaped from the spot. However, no liquor bottle was recovered from the possession of the arrested students.

The raid was effected after a complaint was received at the Patna police control room about some unruly students causing on the hostel campus.

"The students consumed liquor on the hostel premises and were causing much disturbance under the influence of alcohol. When one of the students, who was preparing for an examination in his room, objected to their misconduct , a brawl ensued, said an officer of Patnas Pirbahore police station, investigating the case.

The miscreants, armed with stumps and sticks, allegedly slapped another student and even threatened other inmates with physical assault. Sources said when things began going out of hand, a hosteller called up senior SP (SSP) Manu Maharaaj, who ordered action by the police.

This was not a standalone incident. Partying students get into brawls and fisticuffs on a regular basis, as the university authorities turn a blind eye to the goings on, said a PU hosteller.

Official sources confirmed arms and ammunitions, besides bomb making material, had been recovered from PU hostels earlier. There was also a case of a girl being found with a hostel inmate during a recent raid by the police.

Reached for a reaction, the Patna SSP told HT that a special drive would be launched against alcohol consumption in hostels of PU. Those arrested for drinking and causing nuisance early Sunday have been sent to jail under the provisions of the Bihar prohibition and excise act, he said.

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An army officer, who was killed in Saturdays IED blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, was identified as Naib Subedar S Sanayaima Kom, a junior commissioned officer.

Kom was critically wounded in the blast that occurred in the Degwar sector of Poonch around 1:30 pm on Saturday. He was evacuated to an Army hospital in Poonch where he succumbed to his injuries.

A native of Manipur, he is survived by his wife and three children.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said a court of inquiry has been initiated.

Read | 59 army men killed as J-K saw 127 cross-border infiltration attempts in 3 yrs: Govt

Kom was part of an advance party of the 2nd Naga Regiment, which will replace the 12 Jat Regiment in the area. According to an intelligence source, the officer was part of a joint patrol being familiarised with the posting.

This area is known in the past for IEDs (planted) by Pakistan to inflict losses to Indian patrols. It apparently seems that some rogue elements from Pakistan had entered our Territory and planted the IED before escaping back to Pakistan, he said.

The army clearly maps and maintains complete records of minefields, but the bombs, which weigh around 100 grams each, get displaced during rains.

In a similar instance of a landmine explosion, DIG OP Tanwar of the Border Security Force was killed near a forward post in Samba sector on November 16, 2009, when his vehicle went over a bomb.

Then General Officer Commanding-in-chief of the Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, had in January 2013 admitted that frequent accidental blasts in KG sector of Poonch were mines planted by Pakistan targeting Indian soldiers.

Also read | New methods being used to create unrest in J-K: Army chief
It may not be intense yet, but Yadav family feud 2.0 seems to have commenced. The two camps were maintaining a stoic silence after the miserable defeat in the recent assembly elections, but the poll outcome had made it clear that the Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav, to start with, will have to face rough weather at least within the family.

Even as the ambient temperature in Uttar Pradesh has risen drastically, the Mulayam-Shivpal camp has started turning the heat on Akhilesh.

When the party lost the state assembly polls, Mulayam said: No one person could be held responsible for the defeat. He tried to veil his brother Shivpal Yadav's result day statement in which the latter had said that it was not SP's loss, Akhilesh's ego suffered the defeat.

While the party lost, Shivpal won. He also won his Mainpuri seat by a margin of 50,000 votes. Shivpal's victory was single-handed; the party had not supported him.

After the result day, Shivpal stopped making any comments and seems to have gone into a political hibernation.

Mulayam and Shivpal both began giving party events a miss  Mulayam as the chief patron of the party and Shivpal as its MLA. Incidentally, till date, Mulayam has not indicated if he has accepted or rejected the SP's chief patron's position that Akhilesh had declared for him.

Akhilesh chose Ram Govind Chaudhary over Shivpal for naming party's nominee for the leader of the opposition post. It was Shivpal who held the position during Mayawati's previous regime.

Though both Mulayam and Akhilesh were together on the stage when Yogi Adiyanath took oath as UP's chief minister on March 19, that couldn't be taken as a sign for any rapprochement between the rival factions in SP because both Mulayam and Akhilesh are known for making such courtesy gestures to rival parties.

Under the circumstance, the two quick successive meetings with Yogi Adityanath is being construed as pin-pricks to Akhilesh camp. Aparna who had always been considered Shivpal-Mulayam camp 'member', along with her husband and Mulayams second son, Prateek Yadav first met Yogi at his makeshift Lucknow residence at VVIP guest house, and then on Friday, the couple participated in 'cow shelter' visit with Yogi.

Another sign of continued warring between the factions came when Samajwadi Party declared its list of 76-star campaigners for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls. Mulayam and Shivpal were not listed in it.

Akhliesh has already engineered a change in the partys constitution and one of the chief feature of the amendment is increase of term of the national president from three years to five years.

And, now, in Mainpuri on Saturday, Mulayam went on to say "no father ever gives son the chief ministership, but I did. And the whole five years, Akhilesh disregarded me." Mulayam said that because of Akhilesh, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the one who cannot be of his father, can't be of anyone else.

It was in Mainpuri, that Yadav family feud came out in the open when on August 14 last year, Shivpal Yadav had threatened to quit alleging a conspiracy against him. After that, the family feud kept on snowballing till Akhilesh Yadav on January 1 took the reins of power of the party in his hands. Akhilesh could not give Mulayam the promised gift of victory and that set the tone for Yadav family feud's next edition.

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A probe has been ordered after 400 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans at Keralas Pallipuram fell ill due to suspected food poisoning, reports said Sunday.

The 400 security personnel were admitted to various hospitals on Saturday night after they complained of upset stomach and vomiting. They were served fish for dinner.

As many as 109 jawans were under observation at Trivandrum medical college hospital, where health minister KK Shylaja visited them on Saturday night.

The condition of four was a bit serious when they arrived here, but they have quickly responded to the treatment, the hospital superintendent said.

Most of the jawans were discharged by Sunday morning.

The men were trainees who had come from different parts of the country.

The quality of food and other facilities available to paramilitary personnel have been a matter of debate after a Border Security Force man posted a video, complaining about the quality of meals served to them.

Another video purportedly posted by a CRPF jawan complained of the paramilitary forces not being provided same facilities as the army. The soldier requested Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention.
RBI governor Urjit Patel and his deputies have got a big pay hike, with the government more than doubling their basic salary to Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2.25 lakh per month, respectively.

The basic pay of the governor and deputy governors have been revised retrospectively with effect from January 1, 2016 and marks a huge jump from Rs 90,000 basic pay so far drawn by the governor and Rs 80,000 for his deputies.

Still, their salaries are much lower than the top executives of various banks regulated by the RBI.

The monthly emoluments of these top RBI officials include basic pay, dearness allowance and other payments, which totalled Rs 2,09,500 in case of Patel as on November 30, 2016, as per the latest information disclosed on the RBI website.

In response to a query by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the central bank has now disclosed that as per a Finance Ministry communication, dated February 21, the basic pay of the governor and deputy governors have been revised.

Following the revision, the basic pay of the governor stands increased to Rs 2,50,000 per month while the same for a deputy governor would be Rs 2,25,000, RBI said.

The pay hike is with effect from January 1, 2016.

Dearness allowance would be notified by the central government from time to time while all other allowances (are) to be paid at existing rates as if the pay has not been received with effect from January 1, 2016, the RTI reply said.

The RBI, however, did not disclose the new gross pay for Patel and his deputies following the revision in basic pay.

With the earlier basic pay of Rs 90,000, Patel got a DA of Rs 1,12,500 and other payments of Rs 7,000 -- totalling to a gross pay of Rs 2,09,500. The increase in the basic itself would take his gross pay to nearly Rs 3.70 lakh.

Patel, who took over the reins of the central bank in September 2016, had received a salary of Rs 2.09 lakh in October -- the first full month in office. This amount was same as drawn by his predecessor Raghuram Rajan in August that year.

Rajan assumed RBI governorship from September 5, 2013 at a monthly salary of Rs 1.69 lakh. His salary was revised to Rs 1.78 lakh and Rs 1.87 lakh respectively during 2014 and March 2015. His salary was raised to Rs 2.09 lakh from Rs 2.04 lakh in January 2016.

It was not clear whether Rajan, who left RBI on September 4, 2016, would be eligible for arrears as the basic pay for governor has been revised retrospectively while covering little more than nine months of his tenure.

Currently, RBI has four deputy governors -- R Gandhi, S S Mundra, N S Vishwanathan and Viral V Acharya.

At the end of November last year, Gandhi, Mundra and Vishwanathan were taking home a basic pay of Rs 80,000 per month. Acharya took charge in January this year.
Sri Lankas navy on Sunday arrested six Indians trying to smuggle 13.5 kilos of heroin into the country, a spokesman said.

The Sri Lankan ship on patrol detected a suspicious movement at IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line) from Indian waters to Sri Lankan territorial waters in the wee hours, the Sri Lankan navy said in a statement.

The suspected boat movement was continuously monitored by the patrolling ship, the navy said.

The suspects were disguised as fishermen, navy spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge said.

Drug smugglers operate disguised as fishermen, Walakuluge told AFP. We are on alert for drugs coming in.

The drug parcels believed to contain heroin were taken to the Kankesanthurai harbour.

The six Indians will be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for further investigation, it said.

Sri Lankan Navy regularly arrests drug traffickers approaching to the northern waters of Sri Lanka, the statement added.

In 2014, Sri Lanka sentenced five Indian fishermen to death for drug smuggling, but they were later released into Indian custody.

The killing of an Indian fisherman last month along the maritime boundary led to widespread protests in Tamil Nadu.
India has taken up with Frankfurt airport authorities the matter of an Indian woman being asked to strip by the security officials during her travel on March 29.

@CGIFranfurt has taken up this matter with Frankfurt Airport authorities. The matter has been referred to the Police for investigation, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Sunday night.

We are awaiting report of the police investigation, she added.

The ministers tweet came following news reports based on the womans Facebook post.

We were travelling to Iceland from India via Frankfurt with our 4-year-old daughter when I was asked to move aside for this random check, no explanations offered. I was taken into a room and was asked to lift my dress/take it off so that I could be checked to make sure I wasnt carrying anything under my clothes, she wrote.

Im always the chosen one for random security checks... Of course it is random. Of course it is not because Im brown. But this happens every time...
A 13-year-old girl was killed and four persons, including three children were injured, when former Bihar MLA and JD(U) leader Suryadev Singh allegedly opened fire at his 35-year-old nephew in Bikramganj on Sunday evening, police said.

Police cordoned off the house in Tenduni village of Bikramganj in Rohtas district after the incident that took place around 5.30pm.

The deceased girl was identified as 13-year-old Johara Khatoon, while the other three injured children were Diwakar Kumar, 12, Prakash Kumar, 4 and Sahil Kumar, 6.

Niraj Kumar Singh, assistant superintendent of police in Bikramganj, said the injured were admitted at the Sadar hospital.

Reports said the firing took place following a land dispute between the Janata Dal (United) leader and his nephew and associate Guddu.

Suryadev Singh was on the second floor of his house when Guddu passed by the lane. They had some altercation and the ex-MLA fired from his licensed gun, injuring Guddu and the children.

Angry villagers surrounded the house which was locked from inside after the incident, police said.

ASP Singh reached the place and tried to pacify the mob.

The ex-MLA had complained to the authorities that Guddu had forcibly occupied his share of a plot of land. He had also sat on an indefinite strike at Bikramganj some four months back demanding justice.
With Yogi Adityanath becoming the chief minster of Uttar Pradesh, the state has been prevented from turning into another Pakistan, controversial Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi said on Sunday.

By becoming the chief minister of UP, Yogi Adityanath has not only ushered in a feeling of happiness and enthusiasm among the public, but also prevented it from becoming another Pakistan, Sadhvi Prachi told reporters in UPs Sambhal.

Showering praises on Adityanath, she said the way UP government is probing the works of the previous regime, their reality will be exposed soon.

This is probably giving them (Samajwadi Party) sleepless nights, she said.

To a question, she said the UP government should also ban liquor in the state.
A 16-year-old girl, who went missing in Delhi on February 23, is receiving treatment at Hanumangarh district hospital in Rajasthan for genital and internal injuries after she was rescued from a human trafficking gang on March 28, police said.

Locals, including traders, took out a candlelight march in Hanumangarh on Sunday evening, demanding arrest of people involved in the girls trafficking.

The Hanumangarh police and the child welfare committee (CWC) rescued the girl abducted from Delhi and sold to a Rajasthan woman for prostitution.

Police said the girls father filed a case against unknown persons on February 23 at Aman Vihar police station in Delhi.

The girl was conned by a youth, Golu, a relative of her old neighbour Nisha who moved somewhere else in Delhi about a year ago. Golu took the girl with Nisha to a place in Delhi and married her by deceit, police said.

Nisha and Golu brought her to Hanumangarh and sold her for 1 lakh to Manju Agarwal, a trafficking and prostitution handler. They then returned to Delhi, police said.

The girl told police that she was assaulted, sexually abused and raped for a week before she got in touch with a woman, who lived in the neighbourhood.

CWC chairman Jodha Singh said they got a tip-off about the girl on March 28 and informed police who then raided the house and rescued her. The girl narrated her ordeal to the CWC.

Manju forced her to have sex with customers and was supplied to some hostels, said an officer who was part of the rescue team.

The Delhi police sent a team on March 29 for investigations. Sources said more sections would be added to the FIR after the probe.

Deputy superintendent of police (Hanumangarh circle) Virendra Kumar Jakhar said the victims statement revealed that a sex racket involving girls from other states was being run in the district.

Hanumangarh superintendent of police Bhuvan Bhushan Yadav said they were considering registering a separate case for the crime committed in their jurisdiction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

After the girls trafficking was known, Hanumangarh police raided over a dozen places and arrested 18 sex workers and nine handlers in the last three days. The arrested were booked under the prevention of immoral trafficking Act (PITA).
The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a page from the Chandigarh model to circumvent a Supreme Court order mandating the closure of establishments that sell liquor along national and state highways.

It has simply rebranded many of its major state highways as district roads.

The internal roads of the city (currently notified as state highways) connected to a bypass are being declared as additional district roads while city bypasses are being declared as state highways, said a notification issued by Sadakant, additional chief secretary of the Uttar Pradesh public works department, on Saturday.

The Uttar Pradesh government finished renaming the roads barely a few hours before the apex courts order banning liquor vends on highways came into effect at March 31 midnight.

In a move aimed at checking incidents of drink driving, the Supreme Court had ordered late last year that the liquor licences of all shops, bars and restaurants would become void from the wee hours of April 1.

Uttar Pradesh makes Rs 6,000 crore from the proceeds of 8,000-odd outlets, including bars on the highways. Of these, around 203 outlets in Lucknow, 100 in Kanpur, and 221 in Varanasi faced imminent closure due to the court order.

While the notification is bound to legalise a large number of these liquor vends, it would take time to conduct a fresh survey of the ones it cant protect. And the government doesnt want to take any chances. We will comply with the apex courts orders, a senior state excise department official told HT.

Joint teams of excise department officials and police personnel have already started implementing the court order. Shop owners hit by the verdict would either have to shift 500 metres away from the highway or close operations altogether. The distance can be 220 metres in specific areas with a population below 20,000.

The Lucknow Sharab Association (LSA) said many shops in the state capital fell under the Supreme Court orders ambit due to ill-considered decisions made by the public works department. Several areas were included under state and national highways hurriedly. This is why shops from Tile Wali Masjid to Koneshwar crossing, Thakurganj, Balaganj and Dubagga have been forced to shut down, said LSA leader Kanhailal Maurya. And we werent told about this until we paid our licence fees!

Liquor licences, which are given away every March, happen to be a major source of income for the government.

LSA president SP Singh has already approached the high court, pleading that several shops have been wrongly shown to be a part of the state highway.
After the Modi kurta, now the Yogi kurta is all the rage.

At the Udyog Kendra in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Dham in Nagla Chandrabhan area of Farah town in Mathura, women trainees are stitching more and more Yogi kurtas these days to meet the soaring demand.

A saffron Yogi kurta is the latest craze and the women trainees and employees of Udyog Kendra are now stitching more of these cotton kurtas for the summer ahead, said Padamji, director of Deen Dayal Dham in Farah.

Pehle Modi kurta kaafi chala tha, ab Yogi kurta khoob chal raha hai. Ye janata hai, jaisi uski pasand (Earlier, the Modi Kurta was much in demand and now it is Yogi kurta. It is the peoples choice) Padamji told Hindustan Times on phone on Saturday.

Deen Dayal Dham is the birth place of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya who was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and was one of the founder members of Jan Sangh.

TheUdyog Kendra in the Dham imparts training to women from nearby rural areas in sewing and knitting. Clothes prepared here are sold at an outlet here as well as during various events organised on no profit no loss basis, according to Padamji.

Piyush Srivastava, the division in charge of Hindu Yuva Vahini endorsed the trend, saying youth HYV workers were looking for tailors having expertise in stitching kurta like the one worn by new UP chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath, the founder patron of Hindu Yuva Vahini.

Saffron kurta with round collar is in vogue among workers of BJP and other allied branches. The youths associated with HYV are also following the trend, although they wear the kurta with jeans, unlike the chief minister who pairs it with a dhoti as he is a seer, said Piyush.

Owner of a tailoring shop in Agra said, There have been customers who inquired about Yogi kurta but they were be looking for a modified and longer version which could be paired with jeans.

Read more: Whats in a name? Confusion, when it comes to UP CM Yogi Adityanath

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It was an unusual sight in February, the Shiv Senas saffron-coloured banner was seen fluttering over the rooftops of Behrampada, a Muslim-dominated slum pocket in Bandra, after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) poll. The slum was the site of some of the worst riots between December 1992 and January 1993, so it was surprising that its residents elected a Muslim candidate contesting on a Sena ticket.

Between the Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the saffron parties won nearly 75% of the seats in the BMC election, but despite their success, the number of Muslim corporators in the 227-member municipal corporation went up from 23 in 2012 to 32 in 2017.

In Uttar Pradesh, a similar success for the BJP  the party and its allies won nearly 80% of 403 seats in the states assembly and decimated Muslim representation to 5.9% from 17.1% during the 2012 polls. Something similar happened in 1993, following the Babri Masjid demolition and riots of 1992 and a few points higher than their numbers in 1991 (25 members  4.1% in the assembly)  the lowest ever. The outgoing House had 43 Muslims, the highest ever.

About a fifth of Uttar Pradeshs population is Muslim and the community forms a similar proportion of Mumbais population too. So, why did the remarkable success of Hindutva parties lead to divergent results in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai as far as Muslim representation is concerned?

Politicians have found it difficult to compare the results of the two elections. Congress Partys Asif Zakaria, who was re-elected to the BMC from a cosmopolitan Bandra constituency, said, In fact the number of Muslim representatives in the BMC could have gone much higher if the AIMIM had not taken away Muslim votes, thus benefitting the Sena and the BJP.

One reason why Muslims managed to retain their representation, according to community members, could be the growing religious ghettoisation in Mumbai, especially after the 1992-93 riots. The winning Muslim candidates are largely from areas that have a concentration of Muslim voters  Central Mumbai, Govandi-Mankhurd, Khar-Santacruz (East) and Malwani in Malad . One of the consequences  there are many negative ones  of the ghettoisation of Muslims in Mumbai is that there are now constituencies where they form 65-70% of the population, said Abdul Shaban, professor at Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Only Muslim candidates can win in these areas.

This kind of concentration is difficult in large rural constituencies like those in Uttar Pradesh, where so-called minority dominated constituencies  mostly in the western region  have Muslim population of 40% to 50%. Also, the religious polarisation that is seen in elections to national and state legislative bodies is not so apparent in local elections, said Shaban. This is because the (monetary) pie is smaller in municipal elections, so the stakes are lower. In Vidhan Sabha and Parliamentary elections, they (religious divides) can make huge difference.

What explains the acceptability of a party that has been indicted  by the Justice Sreekrishna Commission that investigated the 1992-1993 riots  among Muslims? Supporting so-called secular parties for so many years has got them nothing. Localities where Muslims stay are a mess; no one is providing them civic amenities, said Dr Moinddin Raut of the Muslim Kranti Morcha. So the thinking was: why not go with parties that can get some work done. Everybody is thinking about what is good for them.

Community associations said that parties like Sena had toned down their sectarianism. Firoz Mithiborwala from Muslims For Secular Democracy, said that the Sena spoke a different language in this election. It tried to reach out to other communities and parties, in order to take on the BJP. It is an interesting development.

Javed Shroff, former chairperson of the Maulana Azad Financial Development Corporation, has a different viewpoint. Had right candidates been fielded by the secular parties, the Sena candidates would not have won from Muslim areas, he said.

Also read: BMC poll results: Whose Mumbai is it anyway?

How two key schemes helped BJP trump civic polls in Maharashtra

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The Enforcement Directorates (ED) crackdown on dubious companies suspected of money laundering has revealed the involvement of professionals who were the brains behind the creation and operation of shell companies that convert black money to white.

The raids conducted on Saturday revealed the involvement of a chartered accountant identified as Jagdish Purohit. Purohit, an Andheri resident, was accused of converting black money worth Rs46.7 crore for Nationalist Congress Leader (NCP) leader Chaggan Bhujbal. Sources said Purohit was under the agencys scanner and was summoned after officials did not find him at home.

The agency raided Purohits office in Andheri and seized incriminating documents. Sources said Purohit was previously charge-sheeted in the Bhujbal case, in which the former Maharashtra deputy chief minister was held on money-laundering charges.

Officials alleged that Purohit had formed around 700 shell companies with 20 dummy directors. Of these, 130 companies are still operational.

Purohit gave Bhujbal accommodation entry worth Rs46.7 crore, said an officer. The accommodation entry process entails breaking up large sums of money into smaller and less suspicious sums to avoid coming under the scanner of agencies.

Bhujbal laundered Rs291.71 crore, while his nephew Sameer laundered Rs359.30 crore, said the ED in its draft of charges against the Bhujbals and 51 other associates. The draft was recently submitted to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court.

The central agency said that from 2006 onwards, the Bhujbals and their associates laundered Rs4, 264.25 crore.

READ

Enforcement Directorate hunts 300 shell companies; Bhujbal, Jagan Reddy on radar

Bhujbal staring at an uncertain political future

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The police cracked down on an illegal bike race on the eastern express highway (EEH) early on Sunday and arrested as many as 24 bikers aged 18 to 21.

Investigations revealed that the bikers used a popular mobile messenger application to discuss and decide upon the date and time of the race. A nakabandi was imposed from 2am to 5am at Kamraj Nagar on EEH after we received complaints of young men indulging in bike racing, said a high-ranking police officer privy to the investigation. Though the police signalled to the bikers and asked them to stop, some tried to flee, while others started driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid being detained.

An officer said the accused stay in south Mumbai, central Mumbai, the western suburbs and in Thane.

The police informed the bikers parents of their arrest to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Officers said the event could have taken a fatal turn if the high-speed vehicles had crashed.

Illegal races, inspired by movies and video games, take place in several parts of the city after midnight.

The bikers try to imitate the races depicted in popular movies centered on illegal street racing. Some were using high-end bikes, added the officer.

Investigations revealed that such groups prefer the wee hours as the roads are devoid of traffic. Police said they will crack down on bikers who endanger the lives of other motorists.

We will impose checks at strategic locations in the future to deter illegal bike races, said the officer.

The accused were booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicle act for rash and negligent driving.

READ

HT Road Safety series: Time to get this scary show off Mumbais roads

Mumbai traffic cops race to stop speeding bikers on western express highway

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The Opposition has dared the Shiv Sena to join the Sangharsh Yatra, the statewide week-long march that began last week, demanding a complete loan waiver for farmers. It has also asked the party to clear its stand on the entire issue and why it backed out after teaming up with them on the issue initially.

The seven opposition parties in the state have joined hands to take on the BJP on the issue of loan waiver. They started a 1,500-km protest rally by boycotting the ongoing state Assembly and are interacting with farmers. The rally started from Chandrapur in eastern Maharashtra on March 29, and will culminate in Panvel, near Mumbai on April 4. The Opposition claimed that it has been receiving good response from the villagers.

The Shiv Sena has been claiming to be in favour of the loan waiver. Partys legislators had joined hands with us in the legislature in the first two weeks of the budget session, but now they have changed their stand. Shiv Sena leaders had been saying that their resignations are ready and will be submitted if the loan waiver was not given. My question to the Sena, is what are they waiting for? If the Sena still is firm on the demand, party chief Uddhav Thackeray should join our Sangharsh Yatra immediately, leader of opposition in the state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said.

Ashok Chavan, Congress state unit chief, called the BJP-led government worse than the Nizam rule. While addressing a public meeting in Osmanabad and Latur, Chavan said, The failed policies of the government have destroyed farmers and forced them to go on strike for the first time in history.

The call over Oppositions boycott in the lower house during the ongoing budget session will be taken on Wednesday morning. The Opposition has boycotted the proceedings after 19 MLAs were suspended on March 22 for their unruly behaviour during the budget presentation. Though the suspension of nine of them has been withdrawn on Saturday, the Opposition is likely to continue boycotting for the remaining period of the session.

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Opposition parties in Maharashtra start Sangharsh Yatra for farm loan waiver

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The University of Mumbai has been plagued with delays in declaration of examination results this year and this has affected the academic calender in many colleges. Not only have students been left with little or no time to apply for re-evaluation of answer scripts for errors in marking, but many are upset about having to sit for examinations till the end of April.

The long exam season has now eaten into the colleges summer workshops and certificate course classes, which otherwise start from the first week of April.

Our second-year students are done with their exams but the first year is on a study leave, waiting for exams to begin. The summer workshops are conducted for first and second-year students so that they can learn new skills during vacations but it is unlikely that there will be any vacation this year, said Raksha Choudhary, a professor from a suburban college. She added that because of the examinations, most teachers are busy with supervision and classrooms are occupied, making it difficult to conduct other courses for students.

HT had earlier written about first-year university exam dates clashing with Class XII examinations, which had to be changed eventually, and postponed to April. Colleges are upset about the supervision that will go on till the third week of May, to be followed by assessment work till mid-May. This means that teachers will once again miss out on their vacations because by the first week of June, well start work on the next academic season. This is unfair, said Anju Kapoor, principal of UPG College, Vile Parle.

Students are upset about missing out on the add-on courses, which make their CV look good. Most colleges usually collaborate with outsiders from the industry to organise certificate courses for the students. Even though Im from Delhi, I had applied for work at an ad-agency during my vacations and got the job too. But with the university suddenly postponing our examinations till April, Ill will miss out on work experience, said Gaurav Singha, a student of Jai Hind College.

Its not just enough to be a graduate with a degree anymore if you want a decent job after graduation. One needs to have skills beyond textbooks, and that is exactly what we are focusing on, said Dinesh Panjwani, principal of RD Nationals College in Bandra, where the management has made available four skill-based certificate programs for students, ranging between four and six weeks. With their first-year students busy preparing for the exams, the college has decided to run different batches for students in May as well. This way, our second-year students can opt for these courses in April, whereas the first year students can opt for shorter courses after their exams are over, he added.

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Maha likely to get five private universities offering unique courses

Mumbai college students come up with ideas to change your life, state

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The speculation that Narayan Rane may join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) resurfaced on Sunday after state tourism minister and BJP MLA Jaykumar Rawal called on the sulking Congress leader in Ratnagiri. However, the BJP has termed it a courtesy visit.

Rane, who had held important portfolios in the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments, has reportedly been sulking for quite some time. The latest cause for his discontent is said to be keeping him away from the political developments in Goa, where Congress missed the chance to form government despite emerging as the single largest party in the Assembly elections.

Rane senior and his son Nilesh, a former MP, had recently criticised the state unit Congress president Ashok Chavan, questioning his ability to lead the party in Maharashtra. Rawal, who was in Ratnagiri on Sunday, met Rane senior at his residence.

When asked whether Rane is joining the BJP, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhu Chavan dismissed the speculation. Rawal is a tourism minister. He is visiting Ratnagiri as the city is a key tourist destination. Rawal paid only a courtesy visit to Rane as he is a former chief minister as well as a senior leader in Maharashtra. One should not read too much in such meetings, he said.

Last month, Nilesh had demanded Chavans replacement as the Congress state unit chief with some more capable leader who can lead the party workers in the 2019 Assembly polls. He also stepped down as the general secretary of the Maharashtra unit of the Congress as a mark of protest against for keeping the post of Ratnagiri district Congress president vacant for the last two years.

However, Rane senior, a former Shiv Sainik, had earlier clarified that he was not going to leave the Congress and had blamed his detractors in the party for spreading such rumours. In the recently concluded zilla parishad (ZP) elections, though the BJP made inroads into rural Maharashtra, the Ranes retained their stronghold in Sindhudurg district.

BJP insiders said Rane could prove a prize catch for the party, which is desperate to consolidate its position across the state ahead of the next polls. We hardly have any rural face with a statewide appeal in Maharashtra. If the BJP decides to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in 2019 (sans Shiv Sena), leaders like Rane would be an asset for the party. Rane is resourceful and could be useful in some neighbouring constituencies for the BJP, a party functionary said.

According to him, it wont be surprising if leaders from the Congress, including some from Maharashtra, could be inclined to join the BJP so as to stay close to power.

Also read: Shift in loyalties? Congress Narayan Rane to meet BJP leaders in Delhi
A group of parents of students studying in Delhi Public School, Gautam Budh Nagar, will be approaching UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the deputy CMs, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah and Noida member of legislative assembly (MLA) Pankaj Singh over the school managements recent decision to remove over 60 children from their rolls.

The 60-70 parents have been protesting for the past one year against the 14% hike in school fee and Rs27,300 as annual fee. Despite several meetings and negotiations, the school and the parents have been unable to reach a consensus.

On Saturday evening, more than 60 parents received a snippet as e-mail from school principal Indira Kohli. It read, Dear parent, this is to inform you that the name of your ward of class and section (...) has been struck off from the school rolls on account of non-payment of fee for the entire academic year 2016-17.

Parents said they were shell shocked after receiving the email and are now planning to approach the states elected representatives.

All orders by the state government were in our favour. Still, the school management has decided to punish our children. We will approach every possible venue to get justice, said Pallavi, a parent.

The parents group also intends to sit on a hunger strike if the state and Central governments do not pay heed to their pleas.

Bhim Singh, district inspector of schools (DIOS), said the matter concerns the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). If the school management is adamant on not reducing the fees, the parents should approach the CBSE as the matter comes under the boards purview, he said.

Meanwhile, Indira Kohli, DPS principal, said, Our school is a private body teaching over 2,400 children and the 14% hike was necessary due to (the requirements of the) seventh pay commission in order to meet the staff salary. Their (the parents) contention against annual charges are illegal and there should be no exceptions for a few disgruntled, adamant parents.

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The five-year-old minor who was raped and murdered was adamant in fetching water for bhaiya (brother), a 19-year-old former tenant who is also the accused, despite her mother telling her to stay inside the house to avoid the summer heat. The girl even told her mother that providing water to others is a noble act.

This was the last time I spoke to her. When I told her not to go out, she told me that offering water is a noble act. So, I could not stop her and she went out... but she never came back, the victims mother said.

The girls body was discovered on Friday night in a loft on the first-floor room of an under-construction building, which is around 30 metres from the victim;s house. The loft was around 10 foot high.

The accused used a ladder and stacked bricks around her body to hide it. Maybe he had planned to dispose of the body at night by dumping it into the river (Hindon) that flows nearby. When we were searching for her, he was sitting outside our house, around 5pm. When we asked him about the girl, he laughed. He absconded after that, the girls grandfather said.

The family said that it had no inclination why the man had laughed and then fled the spot.

She called him bhaiya (brother) since the beginning, when his family was our tenant. When her body was found, the police came and took her away saying that she was alive and immediate treatment should be given. However, she had no breath. Her post-mortem analysis and her last rites were hurried up. Her father was pressurised into completing all procedures soon, the victims grandmother said.

The family members said that Pankaj Singhs visit has given them hope of seeing the accused receive punishment for his crime. Pankaj Ji stayed here for nearly 30 minutes and listened to us patiently. He promised us that he will ask the district magistrate to visit us. We even want Yogi Ji (UP CM) to look into the matter and provide us justice. We are a simple family and have not allowed locals to act out despite our suffering. We only want justice, the girls grandmother said.

The locality is on tenterhooks as the incident has left locals agitated. A large contingent of police personnel is camping at the site since Friday night.

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The UP Police will soon initiate the process of deporting Maria Burendi, a Kenyan woman who allegedly faked a racial attack by locals in Greater Noida, as her visa has expired.

We have examined Burendis documents and we found that her student visa had expired long time ago. We will initiate the process and in a weeks time, she will be deported to Kenya, said Dharmendra Singh, senior superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar.

On March 29, the 24-year-old woman had filed a complaint saying that she was attacked by five unidentified men who dragged her out of the cab, while she was on her way to a friends apartment in Omicron society. She said that the cab driver had allegedly fled the spot after she was dragged by the men.

Burendis complaint came in the wake of race riots between Africans and locals on the evening of March 27 that shook Greater Noida. Both police and district administration faced widespread criticism for their failure to provide adequate safety to foreign citizens in Greater Noida.

However, after grilling the cab driver and examining the GPS tracker of the cab, the police alleged that Burendi had lied about the attack as the vehicles movement punctured holes in her account. Post polices declaration, African students association issued an apology to the police for the cooked up story.

The Kenyan High commission had also conducted an inquiry into the matter and they claimed that they were convinced with the polices investigation. The police also said that they will not press any charges against Burendi for submitting a fake complaint as they did not want to stretch the matter.

But it seems that problems for Burendi are far from over as even the Kenyan High Commission is reportedly planning to take action against her.

Adamu Mohammed, a Nigerian national who stays in Alstonia apartments, said that some officials from the high commission had visited the apartments for probe and it is likely that Burendi will be deported.

The day Burendi had lodged a complaint about the attack, representatives from Kenyan High Commission had visited Alstonia apartments where she is staying. After finding out that she had filed a fake complaint, they seemed adamant to take strict action against her, said Adamu.

However, Association of African Students in India (AASI) has declined to comment on the issue saying that only the Kenyan High Commission has the authority to take action on the issue.

The high commission could not be contacted on this issue.

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The Noida MLA on Sunday asked the Ghaziabad police to make an example of a 19-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a five-year-old girl. The police assigned five teams to trail and nab the suspect.

Newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Pankaj Singh was speaking on the sidelines of his visit to the victims residence in Ghaziabad. The girl was abducted, raped and murdered, allegedly by their 19-year-old former tenant.

The victim belonged to a family from Gorakhpur. The girl went missing around 1.30pm on Friday and her body was found in a loft of a room on the first floor of an under-construction building in the vicinity.

Maine SP (city) se baat ki hai ki Kadi karyavahi karke, is tarah ghatna karne se pehle aise rakshason ki ruh kaanp jaye, is tarah ki nazeer is baar jani chahiye aise darindo ko... (I have spoken to SP (city) and asked him to set an example in this case so that such demons get shivers down their spine to even contemplate such a ghastly act), Pankaj Singh said.

The BJP, in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra, had promised to provide safety to women and girls.

It is disturbing to see the condition of the girls parents and grandparents. They were in no position to speak but somehow, they explained their suffering. The police have assured that the culprit will be caught. Relatives of the accused have been picked up and questioning is going on. I will also take up the issue of compensation for the family at the appropriate forum, he said.

After Singhs visit, the district magistrate expedited the documents related to compensation to the victim family under Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh scheme of the state government.

The documents have been processed and the family will receive 10 lakh compensation after the chargesheet is filed. We have also written to the chief ministers office to consider a compensation under CMs relief fund. The amount is prerogative of the CM, said Nidhi Kesarwani, district magistrate, Ghaziabad.

After the girl went missing from outside her house, a case of abduction was lodged at the Indirapuram police station initially. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, the district administration also gave the go-ahead for a post-mortem examination around 4am on Saturday. The family also performed the last rites of the victim early Saturday.

The post-mortem report indicated that the girl had been dead for nearly half a day, indicating the time of death around 4-5pm on Friday. The body was found only around 11.30pm.

The report also states she suffered four injuries  to the face, forehead, chin and private parts. The cause of death is stated as shock and haemorrhage due to ante-mortem injuries.

The scene of crime suggests that the victim had shown signs of struggle before she was killed. The doctors have also ordered a DNA examination of samples from her nails.

Following the receipt of the medical report, the police added sections of rape, destruction of evidence and also the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act to the case.

Five teams are searching the accused in UP and Bihar. Some of his relatives were picked up for questioning. Also, police personnel will remain deployed as the victim and the accused belong to different communities, Anil Kumar Yadav, circle officer (Indirapuram), said.

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The local residents welfare association (RWA) politics touched a new low on Sunday at Indirapuram when some outsiders, who were allegedly roped in by one of the two rival groups, opened fire during a meeting of the association.

Police said the incident took when an RWA meeting was underway at Nyay Khand.

According to the Nyay Khand-2 RWA members, the meeting was organized adjacent to the Central Park. The meetings agenda was to decide election process for the association. However, things turned ugly when a group allegedly hindered the proceedings and some outsiders, who were allegedly roped in by one of the groups, opened several rounds of fire to scare away members of the RWA.

Three to four outsiders were called to the meeting. One of them hurled abuses and urged the members to hit me with a shoe. One of our members countered him for the foul language that he was using. Then, one of these men took out revolver and fired three shots. Two were fired in the air while one was aimed at me. However, after firing shots, they could not flee and were nabbed by locals. They had come in two cars, said Rajendra Pathak, president of the RWA.

The RWA members said elections to the RWA are pending for long and a general body meeting was held to finally decide the election process. A police complaint has been given to the Indirapuram police station. The police seized the two cars belonging to the outsiders and also found some pamphlets of an organisation based at Loni, Ghaziabad.

We have seized two cars belonging to the accused persons and two of them were arrested till Sunday evening. We expect to arrest more people. A case of attempt to murder has also been lodged, said Anil Kumar Yadav, circle officer (Indirapuram).

However, the turn of events at the RWA meeting has raised concerns among the residents bodies. Some of the prominent association members from Indirapuram said that such incidents defeat the very purpose of forming RWAs.

The disputes should be settled amicably or the intervention of the deputy registrar (at Meerut) should be called in case of disputes. If people start taking to violence, then it must be condemned and no compromise could be made on the lives and safety of the residents. Such incidents should be dealt with strictly by the police, said Alok Kumar, founder member from Federation of apartment owners association.

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Orthopaedic implants will be provided at affordable prices at the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlet in Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in two weeks. It was decided during a meeting among the PGIMR administration, committee members, doctors from the orthopaedics department and the AMRIT representative on Saturday.

The administration has also restricted orthopaedicians from interacting with private distributors.

The ortho implants, which are provided at Rs 1.5  Rs 2 lakh by distributors for a total knee replacement, can be provided at Rs 60-Rs 65,000. Cost of other implants will also dip, said an official from AMRIT outlet.

Last month, Hindustan Times had highlighted the issue as how doctors at the orthopaedics department are directly referring patients to private suppliers for buying orthopaedic implants instead of AMRIT outlet, where these were available at cheaper rates.

Following this, a five-member-committee chaired by Dr KLN Rao was constituted around 10 days ago to look into the matter.

The orthopaedics department have agreed to coordinate with AMRIT. Like it was done in the Advanced Cardiac Centre, doctors are to give us a list of equipment in 3-4 days and it will be given to AMRIT, which will keep the entire stock, said a committee member.

All supply will be coming from AMRIT only. The implants will be provided at cheapest rates. Right now, no rate has been decided but there will be heavy discount on implants, he said.

When asked if medical representatives will be allowed to deal with doctors he said, That was the whole root cause of the problem. Doctors have been told that they will not be dealing with private distributors any more.

The prices of implants used for total knee replacement, total hip replacement and other trauma surgeries at the department of orthopaedics, PGIMER, will be reduced drastically.

The decision will benefit hundreds of patients undergoing knee or hip replacement at the regions premier healthcare facility, as the cost of a surgery is likely to come down by Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000.

In case the local distributors do not cooperate with AMRIT, then we can buy these implants from other states, as we have outlets in 136 places, said AMRIT representative.

The AMRIT outlet was inaugurated by Union health minister JP Nadda to provide ortho implants and drugs at reasonable rates.

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Around 6,000 temporary employees at Tata Motors were laid off allegedly in the wake of the Supreme Courts verdict banning sale of BS III vehicles from April 1, 2017.

The apex court on March 29 had banned sale and registration of Bharat Stage III (BS-III) vehicles from April 1, observing that these vehicles could aggravate the deteriorating air quality in the country. It directed all automobile companies to stop sale of BS III vehicles, saying that health of citizens is more important than commercial interest.

Tata Motors also announced a two-day block closure at Jamshedpur plant on March 31 and April 3. It issued a notice in this regard on Thursday. HT is in possession of a copy of the companys notice, which reads, Permanent employees and trainees shall report for their duty on April 4 in the shift assigned to them.

Other than dismissal of temporary employees at the heavy cab fitment line, around 5,000 permanent employees and an equal number of trainees with different segments did not join work during the block closure on March 31. Reportedly, annual production of over 80,000 vehicles will be affected by the block closure and temporary employees severance from jobs.

Ranjit Dhar, outgoing spokesman of Tata Motors, Jamshedpur plant, on Friday said that temporary employees will be taken back into service as per the future production demand. Company sources, however, said that temporary employees will be called back on duty once production of BS IV vehicles starts on a large scale.

Senior trade union leader, DD Tripathi said around 25,000 family members of temporary employees will be affected.

The companys decision would have far reaching effect on the fate of nearly 800 ancillary units situated at Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (AIADA). These units are largely dependent on Tata Motors.

Around 800 ancillary units in AIADA will be affected by the decision. But Tata Motors is capable enough to face this situation and the SC verdict will not have a long lasting effect on the company, said president of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industries Suresh Sonthalia.
The fight between the late actor Pratyusha Banerjees friend, actor Kamya Punjabi, and her former boyfriend, Rahul Raj Singh, seems to be getting murkier. It all started when Kamya had announced last Monday that she would be screening Pratyushas last film, Hum Kuch Keh Naa Sakey, during a prayer meeting held on her first death anniversary, on April 1. The story of the film bears similarities to Pratyushas life, and has a character named Rahul. To recap, Pratyusha had committed suicide and Rahul had been arrested for allegedly abetting suicide, but he was released later.

On Thursday, March 30, Rahul filed an injunction petition, alleging that the film defamed him. Following this, the court stayed the release of the film on Friday, March 31. However, Kamya released the film online on Saturday, April 1; she said that she had not received any intimation from the court.

According to latest media reports, the stay order has been extended and Rahuls lawyers will be sending a contempt of court notice to Kamya on Monday. When HT City spoke to Kamya on Sunday, she said that she had received a document on Friday at 11pm, but she attached little importance to it because she was very doubtful of its authenticity. The document, according to Kamya, was left with her building watchman, it was not in a sealed envelope, and though the letterhead was of an advocate, the document lacked major details like Notice of Motion number and SC Suit number. Kamya sent HT City photos of this document.

Kamya Punjabi received a two-page letter from Rahul Raj Singhs lawyer. The document lacks major details such as the SC Suit number and the Notice of Motion number.

She maintains that she is yet to see any authentic document stopping the films release or get any official notice of the court stay. I havent received any notice as yet, neither has Neerusha (Neerusha Nikhat , producer of the film). Once we get it, I can also hire a lawyer and reply to the stay order, says Kamya.

The actor adds, The day before yesterday (Friday), someone delivered a two-page letter to my watchman at 11pm. The letter was without an envelope and it was on the letterhead of Sneha Singh (Rahul Raj SInghs lawyer). I am not from a village that I wouldnt be able to tell that its not a proper letter.

Kamya says that she only saw this letter the next day, the day of the prayer meeting. I was shooting at that time (when the letter was delivered to the watchman) and I came home and went straight upstairs. The next day, I left for a shoot at six in the morning and came back at two in the afternoon as I had to go to Country Club for the prayer meeting. It was then that my watchman gave me this letter, which was without an envelope, she says.

On the way to Country Club on April 1, she got a call and was told by the management that some people had reached the venue with an official letter to stop the screening. Kamya said that she heard some raised voices in the background when taking this call. Eventually, no screening took place. But since she had not personally received any document, she went ahead and released the film online anyway.

Recalling that episode, she told us, When they can send [the club] a document, why cant they send it to me? They didnt do that, because they knew that we could have objected to it, she says.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that Kamya had left a notice saying that only the dudhwala (milkman) would be allowed to go up to her flat, which is why the notice could not be delivered to her. Refuting this report, she says, First of all, I wouldnt have written a notice in Hindi. And then, how can you prove that it was me who wrote it?

Reacting to the news of Rahul filing a case of contempt against her, Kamya says, Baar baar dhamki deta hai Rahul. Agar ek ladki ki jaan chali gayi and nothing happened to Rahul toh Kamya Punjabi ka defamation case mein kya hoga.

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Looks like one should give up all expectations of a patch-up between comedians Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover. Comedian Raju Srivastava, who was trying to mediate between the two, says Sunil is determined he will not collaborate with Kapil again.I met Sunil recently. He was shooting for Indian Idol right next to where we were shooting for our show. He told me, Raju Bhai, you know me since so long. Its not like Im arrogant ya mujhe koi popularity ka nasha hua hai. But mere saath bahut galat hua hai (Ive been wronged). Ill not come back on the show. Agar Kapil sudhar jaye, phir bhi main vapis nai aaunga (Even if Kapil mends his ways, I wont return), shares Raju, who now features on Kapils comedy show on television, The Kapil Sharma Show.

Kapil and Sunil had a spat on their return flight from Australia, mid-March. Kapil had allegedly slapped Sunil, who then ended ties with The Kapil Sharma Show.

Although Kapil and Sunil were shooting in nearby locations for their respective shows, they didnt meet. I dont think they met each other. At least, this did not happen in front of me, adds Raju.

Meanwhile, there are also reports of Kapil cancelling the shoot of his show in 10 minutes on Friday night because he was not happy with the content and the comic timing. We were shooting, but we felt that we could write the content better and that is why we decided to shoot the next day. This happens on all shows. In fact, the stand-up comedy portion of the show was shot on Friday itself, says Raju.

While there are rumours of the show shutting shop, Raju refutes these claims. We were shooting all night and in fact, I came home at five in the morning. So obviously, the shooting is still on, he says.

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Police in Pakistans Punjab province have arrested five suspects after 20 people were killed at the Sufi shrine of Pir Mohammad Ali in Sargodha on Sunday morning.

The suspects are believed to have gone on a killing spree using knives and batons after the custodian of the shrine, Abdul Waheed, ordered them to kill those visiting the shrine, apparently on fears that someone was trying to take over the place.

Police said the custodian did not seem to be in his senses but had confessed to the crime.The suspect appears to be paranoid and psychotic, or it could be related to rivalry for the control of shrine, regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said.

Four women were among those killed, according to police.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif asked for a police report on the investigation within 24 hours, a senior government official said.

Sufi shrines in Pakistan are a source of revenue for descendants of the saints in whose names they are established.

Rivalries between families for control of these shrines are common, but such level of violence has rarely been seen in the past.

Pakistani relatives wait at a hospital to receive the bodies of victims murdered at a Sufi shrine in Punjab province on Sunday. (AFP)

Liaquat Ali Chatta, Sargodha deputy commissioner, said Waheed is a government employee and seemed mentally unstable.

Chatta said the custodian was allegedly in the practice of beating and torturing devotees to cleanse them.

It appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed them to death, he said.

People would come to the dargah for cleansing their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs.

But in this case, the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process, Chatta said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodha.

Visiting the shrines and offering alms to the poor  and cash to the custodians  remains very popular in Pakistan, where many believe this will help get their prayers answered.

There have been cases of people dying during exorcism ceremonies at some Sufi shrines across Pakistan, but mass killings are rare.

Scene of crime: Members of the police forensic unit survey the shrine after the attack. (Reuters)

For centuries, Pakistan was a land of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam whose wandering holy men helped spread the religion throughout the Indian subcontinent in the 13th century.

Several million Muslims in Pakistan are still believed to follow Sufism, although it has been overtaken in recent decades by more conservative versions of the faith.

Hardliners such as the Taliban or the Islamic State group have carried out major attacks on Sufi shrines because they consider them heretical. (With inputs from agencies)
Bangladeshs High Court on Sunday confirmed the death penalty for two people tied to a banned Islamist militant group for the killing of an atheist blogger critical of radical Islam.

The court also upheld jail sentences for six others after appeals were filed challenging the verdicts handed down by a trial court in 2015.

Sundays decision involves the killing of Ahmed Rajib Haider -- who was hacked to death in 2013. Haider had campaigned for banning the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which opposed Bangladeshs independence from Pakistan in 1971.

One of the defendants was Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the Ansarullah Bangla Team, and the rest were university students inspired by his sermons.

During the trial, the students said that Rahmani incited them to kill Haider in sermons in which he said all atheist bloggers should be killed to protect Islam.

The two North South University students who received the death sentences included Faisal bin Nayeem, who the court said hacked Haider with meat cleavers in front of his house in Dhaka.

Another was tried in absentia. The others received prison sentences ranging from three years to life. Rahmani was sentenced to five years.

The defendants can appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

The High Court said there was no scope to reduce the sentences given the gravity of the crimes.

Prosecutors had earlier said the student who was sentenced to death in absentia and was accused of planning the attack is a member of Jamaat-e-Islamis student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, but the party denied involvement in the killing.

Bangladesh in recent years has experienced a surge of attacks by radical Islamists targeting atheist bloggers and writers, foreigners and members of minority groups.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old Chicago girl that was streamed live on Facebook, police said late Saturday.

Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a press release that the juvenile suspect faces felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.

Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues, Guglielmi said. Police superintendent Eddie Johnson is slated to provide more details at a news conference Sunday morning.

The alleged incident occurred in mid-March. Guglielmi has said police were not aware of the attack until the girls mother approached Johnson as he was leaving a police station on the citys West Side and showed him the video.

Guglielmi said Johnson was visibly upset after he watched, both by the videos content and the fact that there were 40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities.

Police have said the attack involved five or six males.

The girls mother told The Associated Press last month that her daughter received online threats following the attack. The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girls family had been relocated.

The video marks the second time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack that was broadcast live on Facebook. In January, four people were arrested after video showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.
China on Sunday said the Dalai Lama fled to India from Tibet in 1959 after a failed armed rebellion, rejecting his remarks that he had no other option but to escape due to increased Chinese military action.

As it is known to all, the 14th Dalai Lama is an anti- China separatist who have long lived in exile following a failed armed rebellion by the reactionary group of high-ranking feudal serf-owners in Tibet in March 1959, the Chinese foreign ministry said, reacting to his comments.

His remarks which serve his anti-China separatist purpose have no trace of facts at all, the ministry told PTI in a written response to a query about his comments.

About his stay in India, the ministry said, the Chinese government is resolutely opposed to any countrys support and facilitation for the 14th Dalai groups anti-China separatist activities.

The 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader on Saturday recalled during his visit to Assam that On March 10, 1959, there were huge demonstrations in Lhasa, the Tibetan regions capital.

Chinese military action also increased. I had no option but to escape. On March 17, I fled.

He said the warm-hearted welcome he received on his arrival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh 58 years ago was a moment of freedom for him.

Chinese troops entered Tibet in October 1950 overcoming the resistance from the Tibetan army and later the Chinese control over the area was formalised in 1951.

The Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 and has lived in India in exile since then.

For the third time in recent weeks, China warned India on Friday the Dalai Lamas to Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of Tibet, will cause serious damage to bilateral ties.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will visit Tawang on April 4 to attend religious engagements.
Bankrolled by the top prosecuting agency of China, a television series on the high-profile anti-corruption drive launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013 has not only won acclaim but also become an online hit, state media reported on Sunday.

The 55-episode series In the Name of the People, made its debut on state television last week and made an immediate splash.

Many of the cases to be shown have been picked up from real-life and the first episode showed an official who slept on a bed that hid banknotes worth 230 million Yuan or more than $33 million.

Author Zhou Meisen, author of the novel on which the series is based, told official Xinhua news agency it was easy for the makers to get the required permission from Chinas strict censors.

It of course helped that the 120 million Yuan required for the series was financed by the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate, Chinas highest prosecutorial agency accountable to the National Peoples Congress, the countrys Parliament.

Top TV and film watchdogs usually take months to approve material on corruption, but the show was approved just 10 days after submission to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television, Zhou told Xinhua.

State media gloated on the work done by the Communist Party of Chinas anti-graft officials.

The CPC's resolve to fight corruption and build clean government is being mirrored in the arts, with focus on the work of disciplinary investigators whose job is to bring down corrupt officials, whether they are tigers or flies (senior or junior leaders).

The initial success is rubbing off on the actors too.

The actor who plays the main protagonist, Lu Yi, now has 25 million followers on Weibo, a Twitter-like service, and received 33,500 likes for a message he sent promoting the show's premiere on March 28, the report said.

The report added that China's courts had concluded 45,000 graft cases implicating 63,000 people in 2016, with 35 former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above, and 240 at the prefectural level convicted.

Among the tigers brought down by the anti-corruption campaign were Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Bo Xilai, former Party chief of Chongqing Municipality, two of Chinas high-profile politicians during their time.
A large fire broke out early Sunday at a high-rise complex under construction near Dubais largest shopping mall, sending thick gray smoke billowing over the heart of the city.

The site is next to the Dubai Mall and near the 63-story The Address Downtown Dubai tower, which was heavily damaged in a fire on New Years Eve on 2015.

Flames licked out of the podium level of the building as firefighters shot water inside. Every few minutes, small blasts could be heard inside the structure, presumably from exploding propane or welding tanks used by the workers. Ambulances stood nearby but there was no sign of any worker being treated.

The fire appeared to be confined to the lower floors of the structure.

Firefighters battle a blaze at an under-construction tower in Dubai. (AP Photo)

Dubais government media office said the fire erupted at the Address Residences Fountain Views towers, and that firefighters have brought it under control.

Smoke billows near the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, after a fire hit the construction site. (AFP Photo)

Cooling operations are underway and ambulance units are on site, the media office posted on its Twitter account. It said there were no injuries reported.

Smoke rises from a fire at a construction site near Dubai Mall. (AP Photo)

The high-rise Fountain Views complex is being built by large Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties, which raised the mall and the hotel struck in the 2015 blaze. The developer declined to immediately comment.

Large numbers of firefighters were on the scene, and police cordoned off nearby roads.

A blaze erupted in a residential complex under construction near Dubai's biggest shopping mall. (AFP Photo)

It was plumes and plumes of black smoke. It looks like it was quite low down, said witness Anthea Ayache.

A fire rages at an under-construction tower in Dubai. (AP Photo)

She said firefighters responded quickly and many construction workers were nearby watching the fire from a safe distance.

Theres so many fire brigades, so they seem to have gotten on top of it very quickly, she said.

Niall McLoughlin, a spokepersonn for Dubai developer DAMAC, said the fire happened next to the DAMAC Maison luxury hotel.

A fire broke out early Sunday at a construction site near Dubais largest shopping mall, sending thick gray smoke billowing over the heart of the city. (AP Photo)

Dramatic fires have hit skyscrapers in Dubai and other fast-growing cities in the United Arab Emirates in recent years. Building and safety experts have cited a popular type of cladding covering the buildings that can be highly flammable.
A newspaper carrier in the northern German city of Lueneburg stabbed and killed a customer who had repeatedly complained about delivery problems, the police said on Sunday.

The 42-year-old paper-man got into an argument with the 51-year-old customer outside the customers house on Saturday afternoon, and stabbed him multiple times with a knife.

A 23-year-old relative of the victim who witnessed the fight grabbed the newspaper carrier and held him until the police arrived and arrested him.

The homeowner was rushed to a hospital, but died a short time later.

Neither man was named in keeping with German privacy laws.
The US ambassador to the United Nations said there was no question that Russia was involved in the US presidential election and that the actions of the Kremlin will be addressed after the investigations finish.

We dont want any country involved in our elections, ever, Nikki Haley said in an interview aired on Sunday on ABCs This Week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his country meddled in the contest between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

While the White House rejects any suggestion that Trump or his staff had connections to Russia, Trump himself has said he believes Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party emails but that any Russian involvement in the election did not affect the outcome.

US intelligence agencies report that Russia tried to help Trumps campaign effort. The FBI as well as congressional committees are investigating whether the Russian government coordinated with Trump associates during the campaign.

Trump as president persuaded Haley to leave the governorship of South Carolina to represent the US at the United Nations.

In the interview with ABC, she said Trump had not told her not to criticise Russia and that she was beating up on Russia over issues such as its actions in Crimea and its dispute with Ukraine.

There is no love or anything going on with Russia right now, she said. They get that we are getting our strength back, that were getting our voice back and that were starting to lead again, and, honestly, at the United Nations, thats the No 1 comment I get is that theyre just so happy to see the United States lead again.

Haley said the US is also pressuring China to take a firmer stand regarding North Koreas nuclear program. China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbour but claims that its influence over Kim Jong Uns government is limited.

UN resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.

The US would no longer take the excuses from China that theyre concerned, too, Haley said. They need to show us how concerned they are. They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that.

Asked what the US would do if China doesnt cooperate, Haley said: China has to cooperate. This is now down to, do we want to continue to see these ballistic missile attacks from North Korea or does China want to do something about it? She added: At some point, we need to see definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it.
Speculation is rife in Pakistan of a possible change of guard as the Nawaz Sharif government readies itself for a verdict by the Supreme Court on the Panama Papers scandal in the coming week.

Saturdays surprise development where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was diagnosed with kidney stones at a private Lahore clinic suggests the ground is being set for his possible departure to some foreign country while a caretaker government is put in place.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sharif celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary at the Raiwind Palace in Lahore.

Pictures released to the media show his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif by his side. It is expected that Shahbaz Sharif may be asked to take over for the time being as the prime minister leaves for London.

Other names that have sprung up for caretaker prime minister are finance minister Ishaq Dar, who is also related to the Sharif family by marriage.

The meeting between Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan last week is also seen to have taken place in that context, say analysts.

Last year when the Panama Papers scandal indicted three of Sharifs children, the prime minister went to London for more than a month ostensibly for heart treatment. It was only after things had settled that he returned to the country.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan is expected to announce the much-awaited judgment in the Panama Papers case by mid-April.

A five-member bench of the apex court had concluded hearing on the case on February 23, and the final judgment was reserved.

The bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa comprises justices Ejaz Afzal Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan.

Leaked documents from the Mossack Fonseca law firm in Panama last year had showed Nawaz Shairfs sons Hassan and Hussain, and daughter Maryam, owned at least three offshore holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which studied the papers, said those companies had engaged in at least $25 million in property and acquisition deals.

The prime minister said his children have done nothing illegal, but opponents accuse the family of using the tax haven to launder stolen money and dodge taxes.
More than $260 million was pledged in humanitarian aid for Syria following a meeting in Doha on Sunday involving the UN and 25 non-governmental organisations from across the region.

Qatari state media said the total number of pledges stood at $262 million and were made by participants at the meeting which comes ahead of a European Union two-day conference on war-torn Syria later this week in Belgium.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Muraikhi, the UN Secretary Generals Humanitarian envoy, told the Doha meeting that Syria faces a huge humanitarian crisis which requires up to $8 billion in aid for the current year.

He added that more than 13 million Syrians need humanitarian assistance, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Among the organisations at the conference was the Qatar Red Crescent, several from the Gulf Cooperation Council and charities from Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

This weeks Brussels conference is expected to bring together representatives from more than 70 countries and international organisations.

Over 320,000 people have been killed and more than half of the countrys population displaced since Syrias conflict erupted in 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assads rule.

Wealthy Qatar has been one of the biggest financial backers of rebel groups fighting Assad.
The United States will put pressure on China to take action against North Koreas nuclear weapons program, the US ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday, days before a high profile visit by Chinas president.

The only country that can stop North Korea is China and they know that, Ambassador Nikki Haley told ABC in an interview broadcast on Sunday. Were going to continue to put pressure on China to have action.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Donald Trump on April 6 and 7 at the US presidents Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for their first face-to-face encounter.

It is being held amid rocky US-China relations over North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, trade and other issues.

On Thursday, Trump predicted a very difficult summit, noting the disputes over trade policy between the worlds two most powerful nations and leading economies.

But Haley emphasized that at the Florida summit the most important conversation will be how were going to be dealing with the non-proliferation of North Korea.

Beijing, increasingly frustrated with Pyongyangs nuclear and missile activities, announced a suspension of all coal imports from the North until the end of the year -- a crucial source of foreign currency.

Haley deemed that measure -- which was in keeping with UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program and missile program -- insufficient, saying that coal is going in other ways.

At some point, we need to see definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it, she said.
For the hometown love he has shown, Big Sean has been given the key to the city of Detroit. This isnt just me, this is the key to the city for all of us, because I represent yall. I am yall, Sean said during his acceptance speech at the key-giving ceremony earlier today.

Sean is the youngest person to receive the key to Detroit in city history, as he noted in a celebratory Instagram post. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who has held the office since 2014, said Sean is the third person to whom he has presented the citys key, following Stevie Wonder and Berry Gordy.

The key is an award for all the work hes done through his own charitable organization, the Sean Anderson Foundation, which focuses on education, health, and safety initiatives involving Detroit youth. Sean said that his Mogul Prep curriculum  which teaches students about behind-the-scenes jobs in the music industry they can aspire to  will be implemented into the Detroit Public School system this fall.

Big Sean
Ahead of his upcoming sophomore album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, Joey Bada$$ has taken part in a couple of impressive on-radio freestyle sessions. He started off by tackling Futures Mask Off, produced by Metro Boomin, while on the LA Leakers show on Power 106. Earlier today, he surveyed his Twitter followers to see if they would like him to release a CDQ recording of said freestyle. He also asked if they would like for him to keep slaying industry n*ggas beats.

Of course, Joeys fans want both the CDQ of his take on Mask Off and for him to keep going hard with more freestyles. But the tweet has also blown up due to the Pro Era rappers mentioning of industry n*ggas, and his implication that Future belongs in that category, while he does not.

Earlier this week on The Cruz Show  also on Power 106, Joey rapped over Miguels 2010 J. Cole-featuring single All I Want Is You. Are these guys also industry n*ggas, in Joeys opinion? J. Cole happens to be one of the featured artists on ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, along with ScHoolboy Q, Styles P, Chronixx, and more.

Joey likely sees himself as less beholden to the industry than someone like Future due to their respective label situations. Joeys Pro Era operates under Cinematic Records, while Futures Freebandz sits under a major label, Epic Records.

ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ drops on April 7.

Joey Bada$$
Lil Wayne was forced to cancel his show at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota following plane issues. This is the second time the show has been postponed after a February snowstorm forced promoters to push the date back one month. Lil Wayne has offered an explanation for his absence on Instagram, sharing an apology and a letter from the owner and operator of the plane, which explained the technical issues with the plane.

Minnesota Im sorry I kouldnt make it tonight. Had plane issues that was out of my kontrol. Will make it up to yall and reskhedule

According to the letter, the that the flight hydraulics system started to quickly diminish prior to the flight. Upon further inspection, hydraulic fluid was found leaking from the aircraft. Read the message in full below.

A make-up date for the show has yet to be set. Wayne recently appeared on multiple tracks from Young Money artist HoodyBabys Kitchen 24 project. He also contributed to Mike WiLL Made Its Ransom 2, Nicki Minajs No Frauds, and David Guettas Light My Body Up within the last month.

LiL Wayne
Ever since Drake debuted KMT live on his European tour, there has been debate over whether or not the triplet flow he used on the song was directly inspired by South Florida rapper XXXTENTACION.

XXX was just released from jail last week. He will serve 6 years probation for charges of home invasion and battery. However, he still faces charges of aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness-tampering, linked to an alleged assault on his then-girlfriend in October 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail last December.

Now that XXX has done some interviews, the controversial rapper has made a point of criticizing Drake for stealing the flow from his popular release Look At Me. Drake has gone on record saying that he had never heard of X before he recorded KMT, though Xs manager claims otherwise.

Now, unexpectedly, Migos rapper Offset has offered his opinion on the biting accusations, and he seems to be siding with Drake. The Atlanta rapper shared some thoughts on XXXs claims in a live video on Instagram which has been documented by DJ Akademiks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSZCylzBMH3



Yall nas silly, he said. How you aint heard of, and nas talkin like you stole they swag. We aint even heard you. Get your ass outta jail and run that shit up. Whatever your name is.



XXXTENTACION has yet to respond to Offsets comments.



Migos collaborated with Drake in 2013 when the Toronto rapper remixed their regional hit Versace. Quavo, another member of the group, appeared on Portland, a track from Drakes new playlist, More Life.

Offset
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman and a former congressional aide were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on 28 charges in a massive scam involving allegations they took hundreds of thousands of dollars from conservative foundations to fund campaigns and cover personal expenses.

Stockman is accused of using two staffers and a series of shell companies to collect more than $1 million in donations under false pretenses, according to court documents.

"The indictment returned by the grand jury today is a significant case alleging serious violations involving use of official positions for personal gain," Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez said. "Violations of the public trust will not be tolerated."

Stockman, 60, of Clear Lake, and his former director of special projects, Jason Posey, 46, formerly of Houston, were charged with mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission, making excessive campaign contributions and money laundering.

Another Stockman aide, Thomas Dodd, a former special assistant in Stockman's congressional office, was indicted March 1 and pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same scheme last week.

Read more about the allegations and Dodd's guilty plea: Ex-Congressman Stockman accused of stealing $775,000 from foundations, federal court records say

Stockman and Dodd have been released on bond. Posey had not been arrested Tuesday afternoon, said Jennifer Lowery, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office.

Stockman has maintained his innocence, blaming his arrest on a "deep state conspiracy." He was arrested earlier this month by federal officials as he attempted to board a flight to the United Arab Emirates at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Prosecutors initially charged him with a criminal complaint describing two counts in the same alleged conspiracy.

"This indictment is not a surprise to Steve," attorney Shaun Clarke said Tuesday. "He remains resolved to fight and he will plead not guilty."

Federal investigators say that between May 2010 and October 2014, Stockman brought in about $1.25 million in donations under false pretenses.

In 2010, Stockman is accused of diverting nearly $285,000 in charitable donations to pay for his and Dodd's personal expenses. He then took another $165,000 in donations in 2011 and 2012 and used most of it to finance his 2012 congressional campaign, according to court records.

Stockman served twice in the U.S. House, once in the 1990s and again from 2013-2015. He then lost a long-shot bid in the Republican primary to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

When he took office in 2013 as a U.S. representative for the 36th Congressional District, an area that stretches from the Houston suburbs to East Texas, Stockman and Dodd solicited a $350,000 charitable donation. The funds were then spent on personal and campaign expenses as well as a "covert surveillance project" targeting a perceived political opponent, the indictment alleges.

In support of the failed senate campaign, Posey is accused of using a nonprofit entity to secure more than $450,000, about half of which was spent on a mass-mailing. Posey used part of the unspent balance to pay for expenses related to the Senate campaign and to fund personal expenses, according to the charges.
In an effort to broaden its appeal in a challenging retail sector, Stage Stores plans to purchase a substantial number of Gordmans stores out of bankruptcy.

The Houston-based specialty department store chain made a successful bid to take over at least 50 store leases, as well as inventory and other assets. Gordmans, based in Omaha, Neb., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March.

As part of the deal, Stage could acquire an additional seven store leases and a distribution center. Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group would liquidate the remaining locations and assets.

The $75.6 million bid, made jointly with the liquidators, is subject to court approval. If finalized, Stage would take over roughly half of Gordmans' chain of 106 discount department stores in 22 states, granting it an immediate foothold in Midwestern markets where it isn't yet located. Stage operates roughly 800 stores, including Palais Royal, Bealls, Goody's, Peebles and Stage, in 38 states.

Gordmans racked up debt for years as it struggled to adapt to changes in customer demand. The company owes creditors at least $131 million.

Department stores continue to lose market share to e-commerce retailers, fast-fashion chains and off-price stores, all of which lure customers with the promise of convenience and lower prices. They've tried to compete by offering deeper discounts, more return options and wider online offerings, but steep declines in foot traffic have forced hundreds of store closings in malls and shopping centers across the country.

In court filings, Gordmans acknowledged the widespread shift to online shopping, among other things, had undermined its brick-and-mortar business. In February alone, same-store sales declined 20 percent, more than twice the anticipated 9.5 percent decline.

Stage Stores president and CEO Michael Glazer said the company has chosen to acquire only Gordmans' best-performing locations, which are about three times the size of a typical Stage store. He said Gordmans sells a range of inventory other than apparel, a sales category that has recently declined at many brick-and-mortar department stores.

"We took the best stores, and those stores are doing quite well," he said. "For any retailer, if they can get rid of their worst-performing stores, what a difference it can make."

He pointed to the attractiveness of Gordmans' off-price sales model, which is based everyday discounts. That approach, popularized major players including T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, has gained considerable traction in recent years by offering customers the chance to hunt for bargains within stacks of fresh inventory.

Glazer declined to comment on specifics of the transaction, which Stage intends to fund with cash and credit. The company expects to close the bid in the coming weeks.

The move comes after a challenging year for Stage, which reported a $37.9 million loss in 2016. Same-store sales fell 8.8 percent during the same period.

Stage, valued at $70.4 million, owes $163.7 million. It has $13.8 million in cash and equivalents.

Earlier this year, the company outlined a major turnaround plan that includes investing more heavily in online operations and testing new concepts in brick-and-mortar stores. It plans to expand e-commerce operations, improve customer service in stores and reorient merchandise to focus on beauty products and other items.

Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a New York City-based national retail consulting and investment banking firm, called the company's decision to purchase the strongest assets out of bankruptcy a smart move.

For relatively little money, he said, the company seized the chance to tap new markets with a set of well-established stores.

"You're picking the best of what's left," he said. "That's a huge advantage."

Despite its efforts, Stage doesn't expect substantial improvement in the near term. Prior to announcing its plans for Gordmans, the company projected same-store sales to fall again this year between 4 percent and 8 percent.

Stage's stock closed at $2.59, up about 3.2 percent.
For a story about a white colonialist in Asia who swoons at the sight of a shirtless man who owns sex slaves, the latest rendition of "The King and I" sure feels inoffensive.

Chalk it up to director Bartlett Sher's faithful stance on Oscar Hammersteins' book and imaginative, knowing take on Richard Rodgers' music.

In this revival, originally on Broadway in 2015 and now at the Hobby Center through Sunday, we hear two or three unforgettable songs (like the wittily self-conscious "Western People Funny") and several duds ("I Whistle a Happy Tune," also known as "Put On A Happy Face," also known as "this is why some people despise musicals") wrapped in a trite story that perhaps was daring in the 1950s for its implication of interracial romance but today whiffs of fake-Orientalism.

The end result isn't explosive modern-day social relevance - besides, I suppose, that moment when the King considered building a fence around Siam, and the audience chuckled - nor its equally-combustible counterpart, outrage. The musical doesn't make you passionate about its themes either way, even if its titular relationship is born of subtlety and contradiction. It's satisfied, instead, to present craft alone, offering nothing more than a casual sense of contentment.

"The King and I" is about a widowed British colonialist, Anna, who arrives at the Siamese monarchy to teach the King's many children, and the clash of wits, ego, culture, gender and flirtation that follows. It embodies the same paradox you get whenever you plop smart, conscious artists like Sher, and stars Jose Llana, who plays the King of Siam, and Laura Michelle Kelly, who plays Anna, into a world of pat moralities and quaint ideals - a piece of theater that attempts to critique the artistic and social shortcomings of its history but ends up simply symbolizing them.

Llana is loose, funny and charismatic as the fiery counterpoint to Kelly's buttoned-up grace and precision. But they are still playing out old-fashioned pathologies that deserve more reckoning than a harsh scold or a heart attack.

Sure, that moment in "Shall We Dance?" has lost none of its potency, when the King grabs Anna's waist, then glares with nervous machismo into her eyes, and she for the first time allows her pride to surrender to his magnetism. In that scene the King could be all men and all the East, and she all women and all the West, each tempted by each other yet unwilling to submit because to do so would be to give up who they are. That glance carries in it a universe of the unspoken. It embodies the notion that a feminist's desire for masculinity and an anti-colonialist's desire for the West are both fatal wishes.

But what "Shall We Dance?" says about Anna and the King has more to do with lost potential - really, the whole musical could have felt as sweeping as this - rather than climaxes. Hammerstein wrote his way around sexual taboos of his time best he could, making their romance an open secret and therefore all the more irresistible. If only that Llana and Kelly rose to that level of subversion more often.

More Information 'The King and I' When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday Where: Hobby Center, 800 Bagby Tickets: $50-$150; 800-952-6560, hobbycenter.org. See More Collapse

To be fair, the musical relishes individual songs and performances over any grand, unifying arc. Joan Almedilla, as Lady Thiang, sings a stellar "Something Wonderful" that's supposed to be for Anna but really is about her own complicated feelings for her dominating husband. Manna Nichols and Kavin Panmeechao sparkle as the ill-fated lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha, the closest the musical gets to likeable characters (though we see, with Anna and the King, that unsympathetic can also be compelling).

And, despite some minor technical hiccups opening night, the production is a marvel.

Michael Yeargan's set proclaims its presence with lavish colors and flowing silk curtains. In the opening, a ship looms high against the painterly backdrop of the tropic sun's orange glow, shimmering above the silhouette of mountains and greenery. This place isn't modern-day Thailand. It's an artistic approximation for the idea of the exotic.

That ship starts off small - a trick of the eye when watching a stage dead-on - then expands into a behemoth as it glides, surprisingly, toward the audience. Another giant is the obtrusive gray wall of the Siamese palace that produces a feeling of lavish claustrophobia which late in the second act rises up, revealing nothing but white light.

What a tasteful nod to the King's inner battle between isolationism and Western assimilation. In one stroke of set movement, the perceived space onstage expands into an undefined and therefore seemingly infinite space, a well-timed encapsulation of uncharted territory.

And Sher's "The King and I" must be praised for not trafficking in yellowface. It could have easily - and through the years it has been a repeat offender. And this production does not, which is notable, sadly.

If nothing else is modern about the piece, then casting certainly is, as is the rare presence of Llana as an Asian male sex symbol, not to mention the predominantly Asian cast. The best argument for this musical ends up adjacent to the art: that, if nothing else, this is an important career vehicle for Asian-American artists.

Is that enough to justify its existence? "The King and I" was a neat, perhaps even progressive musical in the 1950s that today reads as an existential crisis, a battle of old and new sensibilities.

Revivals can be hard arguments to make. Yet somehow they've done it. Llana's hand on Kelly's waist and the unsaid emotions that scene evokes means "The King and I," ultimately, could escape oblivion. With Sher's impressively respectful rendition as its latest prize, Rodgers and Hammerstein's lyrical sojourn to Southeast Asia may continue to see the light of day. But musical, with its old-fashioned East-meets-West sensibility, will have to hold onto each revival's achievements with a firm grasp, like a corpse clutching a defibrillator, resisting irrelevance, despite everything.
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Genesis Ramirez, a junior at Cesar Chavez High School, wasn't interested in studying history until she took a class in Mexican American Studies. She had been put off in part by the portrayal of Mexicans as "the bad guys" in Texas history books, she said.

Once she started learning about Mexican American history and culture this year, her perspective changed. She especially responded to learning about the Bracero Program, a farm labor agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. Her mother told Ramirez that her relatives participated in the program.

"I felt so good knowing that my family was a part of American history," Ramirez said. "I'm finally looking forward to studying history."

She shared her experience with local educators at a conference Saturday hosted by the University of Houston's Center for Mexican American Studies. The conference, which started Friday, aimed to showcase the benefits of ethnic studies and explore how best to integrate them into Texas public schools, said Lorenzo Cano, the center's associate director.

The issue of ethnic studies prompted controversy recently when a textbook called "Mexican American Heritage" was proposed to be taught in Texas public schools. Critics said the book contained errors, omissions and insulting depictions of Mexican-Americans. State education officials ultimately voted not to use it.

Yet the lack of sufficient texts written for and by members of ethnic communities continues to be an issue across the nation, said Angela Valenzuela, director of the National Latino Education Research and Policy Project. Valenzuela, a keynote speaker at Saturday's gathering, urged a focus on how educators, government and business can support schools that want to develop more ethnic studies offerings.

"You do not need to start a charter school," Valenzuela said. "We need to have ownership over our public education."

Conference attendees walked away with a sampling of available online materials they can introduce in their classrooms, as well as guidance on how to approach school administrators to increase support for Mexican-American studies.

Local high school students shared personal accounts of feeling empowered by taking Mexican-American studies courses. And researchers including Thomas Dee, a Stanford University professor, shared findings that show such coursework improved students' grade point averages by at least 14 points compared to peers.

Students' interest and academic performance improve if they see themselves and their culture in the classroom, said Julio Cammarota, an associate professor of education at Iowa State University. Mexican American and other ethnic studies are an effective way to achieve this, Cammarota said.

"We want to elevate the critical consciousness of young people," Cammarota said.
The niece of a 1980 murder victim said Thursday that she is "accepting the inevitable" two days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texas courts must reconsider whether a convicted murderer is intellectually disabled, which would exempt him from the death penalty.

Lawyers say Bobby Moore likely will get his death sentence reduced to a life term, which would make him immediately eligible for parole thanks to a legal technicality - though few expect he would ever get released.

In 1980 Moore robbed and killed James McCarble, an elderly clerk at the Birdsall Super Market near Houston's Memorial Park. McCarble's niece Marti Jones was 30 at the time.

Jones and other relatives had long sought the death penalty.

"He went to the trouble of killing my uncle," Jones said Thursday. "He could've taken the money that he already had and run."

Family members joined the prison's mailing list to follow the case, Jones said. The past 37 years of litigation included at least two execution dates, one stayed just 10 hours in advance.

After the Supreme Court's intervention this week, Jones said she thinks her family is coming to terms with the likelihood that Moore never will be executed.

"I'm OK with him not dying. I don't care, I really don't care," she said. "After this long in prison, hopefully he's learned his lesson."

On Tuesday the high court struck down the approach that Texas' highest criminal court developed to decide whether someone is intellectually disabled, a category that the Supreme Court in 2002 exempted from the death penalty.

Moore's local defense lawyer, Patrick McCann, said he was "just thrilled that this intellectually challenged guy is going to get a second chance."

Back to Texas

The five-justice Supreme Court majority seemed to agree that Moore was intellectually disabled, said Kenneth Williams, a death penalty expert at the South Texas College of Law Houston. The decision sent Moore's case back to Texas for another review.

The ruling means the state's Court of Criminal Appeals "must find that Moore is intellectually disabled and therefore that he is ineligible for the death penalty," Williams said in an email. That finding would automatically reduce the sentence to life in prison.

Moore's decades behind bars mean he would immediately become eligible for parole, because the option of life in prison without the possibility of parole did not exist at the time of the 1980 crime; the Legislature added the penalty in 2005.

Lawyers, however, say the state parole board would not be likely to allow his release. Williams, the law professor, said the board is a "political body" whose members are appointed by the governor and thus sensitive to public opinion.

Moore's defense lawyer concurred, saying release was about as likely as getting struck by lightning.

"I cannot conceive of any parole board that would give Mr. Moore parole," McCann said. "He, in all likelihood, would not walk out of jail."

Other possibilities

However, a retired Harris County prosecutor said the court still could find Moore is not intellectually disabled, despite the Supreme Court ruling.

"Maybe they will be constrained by that," said Roe Wilson, who for years led the office's post-conviction writ division. "I'm not quite sure."

If the state court found Moore not intellectually disabled - and thus still eligible for the death penalty - then defense lawyers likely would appeal again to the Supreme Court or another federal court.

Moore's defense lawyer said the Court of Criminal Appeals also could order a new sentencing hearing with a new jury - Moore's third.

Prosecutors could once again seek the death penalty, but McCann said he expected the Harris County District Attorney's Office would instead seek life in prison because of Tuesday's ruling and the nearly 40 years that have elapsed since the original death sentence.

One possibility would be a plea bargain in which Moore agreed to spend the rest of his life in prison, a course that has a precedent.

Johnny Paul Penry, convicted of murder in Texas, got his death sentence overturned by the Supreme Court in 2001 not because of his claim of intellectual disability but due to jury instructions the justices found unconstitutional.

In 2008, Penry accepted a plea bargain in Polk County that gave him three consecutive life sentences. The agreement stipulated that Penry would be sentenced to life in prison without parole, but that technically would have been unenforceable since that sentence option did not exist at the time of his 1979 crime. The victim's family agreed to the deal after decades seeking his execution.

"One of the main reasons why we were pushing so hard for death is that we knew what a life sentence meant," the victim's niece, Ellen May, said at the time.

A step in the process

Moore's defense lawyer said it was too early to say whether Moore would accept such a deal. McCann said the decades of litigation - supported by interns from Amicus, a British organization - represent the latest step in a long process.

"We have been grappling with the issue of mental retardation and the intellectually disabled for 50 years in the Texas death penalty system," McCann said. "We still haven't gotten it right, but at least we're farther down the road."
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Steve Stockman was soon to board a plane for the United Arab Emirates this month when his unorthodox life took a sudden detour. The outspoken two-time former congressman from Houston was met at the airport by federal agents holding an arrest warrant.

In his own colorful campaign literature, Stockman, 60, has portrayed himself as a gun-loving, abortion-hating activist and philanthropist who has used frequent travels abroad to deliver Christian charity and medical supplies to developing nations.

But a 28-count federal indictment handed down Wednesday describes Stockman as the head of a complex criminal conspiracy. It alleges that he and two aides collected $1.2 million from three U.S.-based foundations and individuals, laundered and misspent most of that money, spied on an unnamed opponent, accepted illegal campaign contributions, funneled money through bogus bank accounts and businesses, and failed to pay taxes on his ill-gotten gains.

Some of that money went for trips to try to "secure millions of dollars from African countries and companies operating" in Africa, the indictment says.

Stockman has said he's innocent and predicts he'll be vindicated. He described the prosecution as stemming from a "deep state" conspiracy inspired by his own criticism of the IRS while in Congress. His lawyer, Dane Ball, said it was premature to provide a point-by-point defense to all of the allegations outlined in the 46-page indictment.

"Steve intends to enter a not guilty plea next Wednesday, and then turn to mounting a defense in Court," he said.

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman blames 'deep state' conspiracy for arrest

A paper empire

Stockman represented Houston and a swath of East Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-97, and again from 2013-2015, and served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Prosecutors claim that both as a candidate and as a congressman, Stockman was involved in a web of fraud and scams that spanned from 2010 to 2014 and included a paper empire of shell companies. His two ex-congressional aides and campaign workers also were indicted.

Jason Posey, 46, has been described as Stockman's primary accomplice in the scheme to divert donations through companies linked by federal investigators to suburban Houston post office boxes and an array of bank accounts. He has not been arrested. Thomas Dodd, the other former staffer, pleaded guilty earlier this month to two charges related to the same conspiracy and agreed to testify as part of his plea deal.

The purpose of their conspiracy was "to unlawfully enrich themselves and to fund their political activities by fraudulently soliciting and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars," the indictment says.

Prosecutors say Stockman used hundreds of thousands of pilfered funds to pay campaign and credit card debts, to cover personal expenses - and to politically attack Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Money for mailings to attack Cornyn -

Stockman's long-shot Republican primary against Cornyn was the subject of one the scams outlined in the indictment.

In February 2014, Posey solicited and received a $450,000 charitable contribution from an Illinois-based donor that was supposed to finance 800,000 mailings to Texas voters of a campaign publication resembling a "newspaper." The mass mailings for the Senate primary were part of what Posey later swore in an affidavit was an entirely "independent election expenditure" that was handled entirely by Posey and not by Stockman, one of the candidates.

Those mailings, made to look like real newspapers, championed Stockman's candidacy and opposed Cornyn.

Posey received the donation through a company he controlled called the Center for the American Future, but he coordinated the mass mailings directly with Stockman in violation of federal campaign finance laws, the indictment says. Stockman and Posey also sought a partial refund of the mailing costs - $214,718.51 - without the donor's knowledge and split the money, the indictment says.

Prosecutors allege Posey used the money to pay Stockman's Senate campaign debts and his own personal expenses, including "airfare on a flight departing the United States."

On-again, off-again

During his on-again, off-again political career, Stockman has pulled off more than one improbable comeback. He rose from a formerly homeless community-college dropout to earn an accounting degree at the University of Houston. He unseated a popular Beaumont incumbent to obtain his first Congressional seat in 1995. He filed for voluntary bankruptcy when his father got sick and his business failed in 2002 and then bounced back to return to Congress as a Tea Party candidate in 2012.

But Stockman already was embroiled in a web of fundraising scams, prosecutors say, when a newly-formed 36th congressional district created an opportunity for his comeback campaign. The district stretched east from the Houston sprawl and deep into the Piney Woods. It offered such solidly conservative demographics that it attracted Stockman to a crowded field.

There was no incumbent in the race, but Stockman, a dapper born-again Christian with thinning black hair and sparkling eyes, soon posted blue-and-white signs that read: Re-Elect Congressman Steve Stockman. Some voters got letters on what looked like official congressional stationary. And his campaign mass mailings were made to look like real newspapers with names like the Times Free Press.

These fake newspapers and other tactics seemed misleading to his rivals - and familiar. The FEC had fined Stockman's campaign in the 1990s for mass mailing fake newspapers that lacked proper campaign labeling.

Related: 2013 Chronicle exclusive: Campaign finances dog Stockman

(Another similar complaint about Stockman's 2014 Senate campaign remains pending with the FEC.)

In January 2013, after his election, U.S. Rep. Stockman made headlines by inviting Barack Obama-hating, gun-loving rocker Ted Nugent to the State of the Union Address. He drew more attention via a Twitter account dubbed @steveworksforyou.

On the Hill, Stockman crusaded for obscure causes like Bitcoin - a digital currency that has yet to catch on but not for his lack of effort.

But he avoided questions about how he'd made his own money before becoming a representative. He finally filed a disclosure in 2013 - a year late - that listed his $350,000 income as coming from an entity called Presidential Trust Marketing. On that form, Stockman failed to disclose the 10 active business names he'd established from Texas to the British Virgin Islands, though federal law requires candidates and members of Congress to disclose both income and businesses, as the Chronicle reported at the time.

Related: Stockman did not disclose source of income or businesses as Congressman

Presidential Trust Marketing is one of the businesses that Stockman allegedly used in the fundraising conspiracy, the indictment says.

Duped an octogenarian

In 2010-2012, Stockman and his ex-staffers allegedly used two other business names, nonprofits called Life without Limits and the Ross Center, to dupe an octogenarian multimillionaire from the Rothschild foundations in Baltimore to cut a series of checks for $425,000 for charity and voter education efforts that never happened, the indictment says.

A foundation spokesman, David Daneman, told the Chronicle that their meetings "were solely with Stanford Z. Rothschild Jr., who was in his mid-80's at the time and who passed away in February of this year. "It is clear that these individuals were taking advantage of a very philanthropic elderly man."

Another target was a wealthy Illinois captain of industry who leads the Ed Uihlein Family Foundation, which provided $350,000 in 2013 for a project Stockman pitched called The Freedom House.

Conservative foundations were targets of Ex-Congressman Stockman's alleged scams, court records allege

In support of the proposal, Dodd and Stockman arrived at a meeting Jan. 24, 2013, armed with an 18-page document that promised a "three-pronged strategy to promote the ideas of liberty" - including creating a caucus, a training program and gathering place for young conservative Congressional interns.

Most of that donation was illegally diverted too, the indictment said.

About $41,000 was used to pay for months of covert surveillance of someone Stockman considered "a potential challenger in a future primary election," the indictment says. About $20,000 went to Stockman's brother's book business; about $11,000 went to pay for a 30-day drug treatment program for a female associate of Stockman's.

Another $2,200 went to pay for a summer camp for Stockman's nephew and the daughter of a family friend, the indictment said.

Missed 17 straight votes

In December 2013, Stockman declared that he would not run for re-election. Then he announced he'd challenge Cornyn. It was an odd campaign.

In January 2014, Stockman disappeared for three weeks, missing 17 straight votes in the House as well as Senate campaign events. It was during this period that federal prosecutors say he colluded with Posey in illegal mass mailings targeting Cornyn and other opponents. Cornyn easily won.

After leaving Congress in December 2014, Stockman kept right on tweeting with his handle @Steveworksforyou.

Stockman strolled to one recent federal court appearance smiling in sunglasses. He has promised he will be vindicated. Stockman has, after all, already made recent Texas history: It's been more than a decade since any former or current congressman has been indicted in the Lone Star State.
Nearly 3,000 people crowded the Rice University stadium parking lot Saturday to witness one of the school's quirkiest traditions.

For the 60th consecutive year, Rice's residential colleges squared off in an intramural bicycle relay and drinking competition called Beer Bike that requires a team's "chugger" to drink either beer or water before signaling the team's biker to race around the track.

The original Beer Bike riders in 1957 chugged beer before racing, said Marthe Golden, Association of Rice Alumni assistant vice president. Nowadays, competitiveness between the 11 colleges has risen, so the chuggers and riders are different team members. Most chuggers drink water instead of beer since it goes down faster, but they must resort to water if they are younger than 21.

"It's something that really gels together the Rice community in a special way," Golden said.

Beer Bike serves as the finale to a week of events, referred to as "Willy Week," that consists of "beer debates" and International Beer Night, among other traditions. On the morning of Beer Bike, a water balloon fight, "cheer battle" and parade takes place on campus before students head to the race track.

For students, it's a time to demonstrate their pride in their residential college; many dyed their hair to match their college's colors. They also showed support by wearing T-shirts with their teams' slogans, chanting intermittently throughout the race from white tents designated for each college.

Incoming students are randomly assigned a dorm, called a residential college, where they typically stay throughout their four years at Rice, Golden said. "There are a lot of traditions that come with each," she said.

Along with the Graduate Student Association, the colleges participated with a men's, women's and a co-ed alumni team and prepared for months in advance of the competition.

Although several accidents occurred in the women's race, which one alum attributed to the "blustering wind," attendees remained hopeful for their college's win.

Emergency medical personnel took one female rider away on a gurney to a nearby ambulance after she fell off her bike mid-race. She reportedly broke some teeth.

"We had two crashes on our team," said Lovett College rider and Rice sophomore Helena Martin. "Because we didn't know they got hurt because nobody saw it, we didn't start our next team, so we were five people behind and just figured we might as well stop."

Even so, Martin said her team wasn't fazed since it was all in the name of fun.

Rice alum Scott Corron, 52, rode for Sid Richardson College in the alumni race, despite having gone into cardiac arrest only a year earlier.

"It's really cool, the mental aspect of it," Corron said. "Last year in January (when the cardiac arrest occurred), I was given 20-minute CPR, at a time when I was averaging 25-27 on a bike. I had a heart rate of 142 and I fell off my bike, dead. They shocked me, brought me back to life."

Eight weeks after the event, Corron was back on a bike. He took his daughter to Beer Bike a few months later.

"You can't give up. You can't stop," Corron said.
Growth is coming to east Harris County, and officials hope careful planning can prevent flooding of the homes and businesses expected to emerge across a landscape that's now mostly rural.

The Harris County Flood Control District is undertaking an expansive survey of a 202-square mile region along Cedar Bayou that makes up much of the county's eastern border with Chambers and Liberty Counties. It runs from Baytown in the south to FM 1960 in the north.

The effort will help planners understand how water flows through 128 miles of the bayou and its many tributaries, particularly during severe storms. Results of the study, expected to be complete in February 2018, will help determine where to dig detention ponds or widen or straighten the bayou.

The study area is lightly populated - close to 60,000 people across Harris, Chambers and Liberty Counties, according to Census Bureau estimates - and sparsely developed. But that's expected to change, in part because of the Grand Parkway, the region's outermost ring road.

A 44-mile segment of the parkway moved toward construction in March. The tollway is expected to facilitate development of new subdivisions and strip centers in the study area, as it has elsewhere.

"We're really trying to get ahead of the curve," said Commissioner Jack Morman, whose Precinct 2 includes the affected area. "We're trying to anticipate future needs. This area, as far as Precinct 2 is concerned, is really the epicenter of where we are going to see growth in the future."

Houston's booming population and development provide a constant challenge to the flood control district, which each year must prioritize how to spend $60 million on projects to limit damage from the area's frequent torrential rains.

The district has focused much of its work on controlling floods threatening built-out areas - many neighborhoods were built prior to today's understanding of weather and floods.

In some parts of fast-growing northwest Harris County, the flood control district has planned big regional projects that can double as parks, wildlife habitat and walking trails in advance of new development. This approach is reflected in the Cedar Bayou study as well.

The study is funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the Texas Water Development Board and $400,000 from the flood control district.

It could lead to projects such as dredging big ponds along waterways to hold more rainwater and stop areas downstream from flooding. Other potential projects include buying out parts of flood-prone neighborhoods or straightening a channel and adding concrete so rainwater flows out faster.

The survey would also map out floodplains of certain tributaries for the first time.

Dena Green, the flood control district's feasbility studies department manager, said some developed parts of the study area have flooded in the past. One example is the neighborhood around Roseland Park, a small park near the intersection of the Grand Parkway and Cedar Bayou in Baytown.

That's where Robert Barksdale, 65, has lived since 2012. His home is close to Cedar Bayou. On a recent Wednesday, Barksdale said, five inches of rain came down in his neighborhood, backing up a ditch near his home that is supposed to drain into the bayou. Water pooled outside his ranch-style, one-story home and rose almost to his doorstep.

Barksdale, a retired fleet logistics manager from Dallas, is glad the flood control district is studying flooding issues in the watershed. A storm surge from Hurricane Ike in 2008 put almost all the homes in his neighborhood underwater.

Barksdale said flooding has worsened, including during a storm in March, since the construction of new homes around the Grand Parkway less than a mile from his house.

"It backed up more recently than it has any other time," Barksdale said. "It makes a difference."
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Almost deported

Regarding "Reprieve spares doctors facing removal to India" (Page A1, Friday), as a doctor, I read with shock the story about two Houston doctors being told to leave the U.S. abruptly due to a paperwork error.

Doctors Pankaj Satija and his wife Monika Ummat have lived in Houston legally for 10 years, work in Texas Medical Center and are in good standing with the Texas Medical Board. According to the article, they complied with all requirements of the Customs and Border Patrol. They are accused of nothing more than a clerical error.

Amazingly, they were just hours from being forced to leave their home, their busy medical practices, and the only country their young children have ever known until an 11th-hour court order granted a 90-day reprieve.

What do we gain by forcing them to leave America? Will the best and brightest continue to fight to come to America if we casually toss them aside for typographical errors?

At his recent town hall, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, said ICE would target "criminals and bad guys," and that he would use the power of the purse to prevent law-abiding, contributing members of our society from being at risk. Doctors Satija and Ummat seem to be the ideal example of people we want to keep in Houston.

We should be thankful they received a stay, but we should be troubled that this happened to them and possibly many others with lesser skills or access to legal representation.

We are better than this.

Jason Westin, Houston

Planned Parenthood

Regarding "Vote lets states withhold federal funds from Planned Parenthood" (Page A13, Friday), our leaders engage in abuse. Vice President Mike Pence and fellow Republicans just took action that is hurtful to the 2.5 million people who use Planned Parenthood services each year.

Is it hurtful to force a woman to have an unwanted child because she couldn't obtain contraceptives?

Is it hurtful to children to be accidentally conceived by parents who cannot care and support them?

Is it hurtful for a woman to be denied a test to detect cancer or HIV?

Is it hurtful to people who are deprived of the opportunity for sex education?

What would we call any action that is hurtful to so many women who cannot protect themselves? Chances are we would call it "abuse." Why don't we label this for what it is?

Laury Adams, Houston

Antics pretty obvious

Regarding "2 White House officials gave intel to Nunes, sources claim" (Page A12, Friday), if the info that House Intel Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., got about President Trump and his associates being incidentally swept in foreign surveillance came from a White House source, then there was no need for him to "brief Trump on what he'd learned."

Undoubtably Trump already had that same info. Their meeting was to discuss "strategy" for dealing with it. How dumb do these guys think we are?

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin needs to take Nunes off that committee immediately. If he doesn't, then Ryan becomes part of this widening story.

David Bradley, Spring

Forward step politically

Regarding "Poe quits Freedom Caucus over health bill failure" (Page A5, Monday), U.S. Rep. Ted Poe made national news when he withdrew from the Freedom Caucus following the Republican failure to past a bill to undo the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

Some might see this is a step to the left; I just see it as a step toward a pragmatic center. If that is where Poe prefers to be, I welcome the move. In our highly partisan political space, those willing to look beyond party politics and compromise to develop policy that's good for Americans should be lauded.

With the extra time on his hands, Congressman Poe might consider joining the fast-growing and strictly-bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. Now with 17 Republicans and 17 Democrats, this group is studying real solutions to our energy and climate challenges.

Peter Bryn, Houston
Dastardly path

Regarding "Abbott's priorities lingering in Austin" (Page A3, March 26), as chair of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, I was tasked in the 2001 and 2003 legislative sessions with dealing with demands from the Capitol to cut our budgets. This is more difficult to accomplish than some other agencies because of long-term commitments already made for education, health care and other services. When students enroll they are being offered years of a services of a certain quality and reducing funding arbitrarily basically amounts to a bait and switch.

Of course, we dealt with those requests with a cooperative attitude; times were tough, and we needed to do our part. But The UT System was allowed to find places to cut which produced minimal damage to invaluable programs. And in 2003, the Legislature found ways to reallocate funds to higher education by the end of the session.

There exist many programs with great value that are distinct from usual academic offerings. Special funding by the Legislature provides financial support and allows these unique, highly productive programs to thrive. By the time the programs are funded they have passed rigorous reviews at many levels. And they are vital to the reputation Texas needs to attract the best and brightest students, faculty and researchers.

The current approach of whacking away at such invaluable programs is a disastrous way to fund higher education. This shameful way of allocating resources has a hint of antagonism to higher education and comes across as punitive. Someone in leadership needs to show up and change this course of destructive behavior.

Charles Miller, Houston
WASHINGTON - The photo was striking: the pose so iconic yet the figures so unaccustomed. Two powerful politicians, arranged side by side, smiling for the cameras. But these two were women - British Prime Minister Theresa May and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Not just women, but women in skirts, showing their legs - their knees, even. And the Daily Mail could not resist the opportunity to splash the shot at the top of its front page, with the headline: "Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!"

Oh, please. As former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband tweeted, "The 1950s called and asked for their headline back."

If anything, the piece, by columnist Sarah Vine - yes, women can be their own worst enemies - was even more offensive. "There is no doubt that both women consider their pins to be the finest weapon in their physical arsenal. Consequently, both have been unsheathed," Vine wrote, deducing political calculation in the rival postures. May was "demurely arranged," with "knees tightly together ... ever the vicar's daughter," she wrote, while Sturgeon's "shorter but undeniably more shapely shanks are altogether more flirty, tantalisingly crossed."

Vine dismissed the ensuing outrage as the huffing of humorless "snowflakes still stuck in a rut of Seventies-style feminism," unable to accept that mocking politicians' looks is an equal-opportunity sport among U.K. tabloids. "I could understand the criticism more if Sturgeon and May were like (German Chancellor) Angela Merkel and Hillary Clinton, determinedly and deliberately frumpy in order to close down any sort of conversation about the way they look."

There is, it seems, no winning this gender and politics game. Frumpy you win, flirty I lose.

It's naive to imagine that looks don't matter in politics, or that female politicians' appearances - their clothing choices, their hairdos, their weight - don't matter more than their male counterparts'. Men, with their dark suits, have a uniform that women lack. When that is discarded - think tan-suited Barack Obama holding a news conference - the public is distracted. At least for the foreseeable future, as female leaders remain the exception rather than the norm, their appearance is almost automatically distracting.

Indeed, that was, or could have been, the powerful lesson of the May-Sturgeon photograph. There they were, arguably the two most powerful politicians in Britain, unabashedly female, unapologetically in charge. The familiar arrangement of leaders with an unfamiliar twist. The more the public witnesses women in such roles, the less jarring it becomes. Unless, of course, their joint appearance gets turned into Legs-it, and whose are shapelier, thereby diminishing them as sexual objects.

Yet for all the Daily Mail's unvarnished sexism, the British are in a sense way ahead of us in the United States. They have their second female prime minister, and last year's Tory race came down to two women. Nearly 30 percent of members in the House of Commons are women, compared with 20 percent in the U.S. House and Senate.

For most of the 2016 campaign, it looked like this would be the moment when Americans would begin adjusting to the reality of a female president. Not yet. Instead, President Donald Trump has the fewest women in his Cabinet since Jimmy Carter. Besides his daughter, there are few women in the top ranks of his White House. One, Dina Powell, was recently named deputy national security adviser, but another, Deputy Chief of Staff Katie Walsh, is leaving. During the pre-inaugural festivities, Trump summoned adviser Kellyanne Conway ("my Kellyanne") onto the stage to praise her fierceness in disconcerting terms. "When my men are petrified to go on a certain network, I say, 'Kellyanne, will you do it?' " Trump said. "So anyway, thank you, baby."

Baby? Really? Maybe not such a long way after all. Meanwhile, Vice President Pence, we were just reminded, has a long-standing policy of not eating alone with a woman not his wife. Pause for a moment and imagine how that rule would affect you in your workplace.

And then that notorious photo of the House Freedom Caucus at the White House, a few dozen white men gathered to discuss, among other matters, eliminating maternity care from required health coverage. The only diversity involved the color of their ties. The vice president proudly tweeted it out.

The May-Sturgeon shot is the flip side of the Freedom Caucus photo. The Daily Mail's editors looked at May-Sturgeon and could see only "Legs-it." Pence looked at the picture of himself with the Freedom Caucus and saw nothing out of the ordinary. One reaction is overly attuned to gender, the second oblivious to it. Neither is correct, but both are telling.

Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.
The last time I saw Bob Lee, he was focused and lucid, despite years of suffering from multiple sclerosis. He was the unofficial mayor of the Fifth Ward, a community organizer who tended to the needs of people, from finding laptop computers for needy students to saving elderly widows the cost of mowing their lawns by doing it himself. The MS finally put him in a wheelchair but he kept gathering clothes and making calls and helping people. Then three weeks ago painful cancer put him in the hospital and he died March 21. He said the doctors were taking care of his body, and he was taking care of his mind. He was focusing on love.

He had pictures of the many children he loved - one of them, my daughter, his godchild. I became part of his network. One day he might be telling me about an old lady who kept rooms for intellectually disabled people and needed an air conditioner, and could I get some of my "potnahs" to chip in for one. When I was down, he could pick up on it from the tone of my voice and encourage me. And when he was down and disappeared for about six months, I got on him about turning his back, just not on me but his other friends and family.

He had suffered a lot during the last year, since his younger brother, Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee, died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Together they had built the most powerful, unchallenged political coalition in Houston politics. It was based on what Bob called a rainbow coalition, and its origins go back to the late '60s, when Bob was a member of the Black Panthers in Chicago.

The story was told in a 1969 documentary, "American Revolution II," by the late Mike Gray. It showed Bob Lee, a thin, young man with a deep voice, a black beret and a calm gravity organizing a group of young Appalachians against police brutality. It was the first time a black community organizer crossed the color line.

During the early '70s, when Mickey Leland, Barbara Jordan and El Franco Lee and other blacks won elections to the Texas Legislature, Bob flew in from Chicago and helped them organize.

"My suggestion was to seek out the white community in Houston," Bob said. "It was a young, progressive community, and they were in the college communities."

Bob urged Franco to stay away from the news media, saying, politicians who live by the media, die by the media.

"What you want to do," he said, "is go to the churches, find the people and go to them. Every human being you meet on the streets is a constituent. You always talk about their services and needs."

The philosophy worked. Franco Lee was elected again and again from a precinct of 900,000 people in which blacks are a minority.

I met Bob in 1989. The first thing he wanted to know was where I had gone to high school. Bob graduated from Wheatley in the Fifth Ward about the same time I graduated from Milby in the East End.

"So," I said. "You're the guy they wouldn't let me go to school with."

That was the beginning of a long friendship. I was the fine arts editor at the Houston Chronicle and working on a column called "State Lines" for the Sunday "Texas" magazine. Bob sold us several stories, always humorous and full of his love of life. Often he wrote about his mother's family, who hailed from the East Texas town of Jasper, behind the pine curtain.

In the summer of 1997, he became concerned about reports that racists had been burning rural black churches. On weekends, he had been driving to a Jasper cemetery and spending the night under a pine tree with a pump shotgun he used to hunt squirrels. I went along, not taking the threat very seriously. About 1 a.m., he got nervous and decided we should leave. He wasn't worried about his safety, but mine.

Early on a Monday morning in June 1998, Bob phoned and poured out a grief and rage I had never heard before. Someone had lynched the son of his mother's cousin. Someone had dragged him 3 miles down a country road outside Jasper and left the body at the gate of the Huff Creek Cemetery, where his mother was buried.

I had known Bob for eight years, and I had never heard such anger. He was describing a lynching that had happened on a road we had driven together and ended in a cemetery we had sat in together.

His grief at El Franco's death was terribly painful. He helped raise Franco from a baby, took him everywhere, on his high school dates, to his social work in Oakland, teaching disabled children to swim. Many of Franco's ideas, such as the Street Olympics and recreational swimming programs, came from hanging out with Bob. When Franco started the Thomas Street AIDS clinic, Bob worked there for 10 years as a social worker, helping people he grew up with go through illness and death. He and Franco were what are called servant leaders. They didn't do their work for themselves, but for all of us.

Berryhill is the chair of journalism at Texas Southern University.
By proposing draconian cuts to medical research, the Trump administration threatens a large - and growing - pillar of the Houston-area regional economy. Worse, those cuts are part of a larger assault on science. Today, federal scientists are threatened with limits on what they can research, publish and even what they can post on Twitter. And then there is the movement that elected President Trump, which has been widely characterized as a revolt against "elites" - a group to which scientists arguably belong.

In response, Houston's scientific community is planning a March for Science on April 22 - Earth Day - in concert with marches around the country. Organizers of the march say it is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be counted.

Fellow scientists, we are right to feel threatened. At the same time, if we are honest with ourselves, we must accept some responsibility for this state of affairs. We have not created "alternative facts," but we have taken some steps down this slippery slope, allowing subjective interpretations to masquerade as objective facts. If even scientists are willing to step onto this slope, is it surprising that some members of our society end up at the bottom?

We must admit that we sometimes oversell the value of facts. Irrefutable facts are rare; most science is awash in uncertainty. And, even where empirical evidence is strong, facts do not translate into neat policy prescriptions. That is because there isn't a single significant challenge facing our society that can be decided on facts alone. Instead, we are always selecting among competing values. When we assert the science alone can tell us what to do, we take a step down that slippery slope.

Take climate change, for example. Science tells us that the climate is changing and that human activity is to blame. Beyond these facts, we quickly enter the realm of interpretation - about what the impacts will be, and about the actions we must take. We simply cannot take such projections and analyses as "facts." There is uncertainty surrounding our projections; not everything that will influence global economies and local livelihoods has been accounted for in our models.

Furthermore, policy choices on climate require weighing various public goods - environmental protection, economic growth, public health, jobs in various sectors - that are sometimes in conflict. There is no single, inarguable "best pathway" into the future. And yet scientists often have asserted that we know exactly what must be done to address climate change.

As scientists, we must be scrupulously honest about the limitations of empirical evidence. This requires a certain amount of humility, an admission of what we do not know. We must be careful to delineate where facts end and values begin. And we must recognize that value judgments invariably involve tradeoffs, with real-life winners and losers.

In the heat of a War on Science, admitting the limits of empirical evidence may seem like unilateral disarmament. Our opponents do not admit uncertainty, and they rarely play fair. But now - especially now - it is critical to earn and maintain the public's trust. So yes, we scientists should take to the streets on April 22. But in the long run, honesty and transparency is the best way to preserve the integrity of science - and its future.

Kinzig is a professor in the School of Life Sciences and chief research strategist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.
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* ACCC decision bars collective bargaining on Apple Pay

* Banks wanted access to Apple's contactless payment technology

* ACCC did not want to force Apple to act like Android (Recasts, adds interviews, bank comments)

By Jamie Freed

SYDNEY, March 31 (Reuters) - Apple Inc on Friday won a victory in its global fight to prevent banks from introducing their own mobile payment services on Apple devices, as an Australian regulator barred lenders from bargaining collectively for access.

The decision by Australia's competition watchdog, the first of its kind, will stop the banks from introducing their own mobile applications on iPhones and Apple Watches that could be used for contactless payments instead of the Apple Wallet.

The banks had hoped to circumvent transaction fees and get customers to engage more frequently with their own apps, potentially unlocking more of Australia's contactless payment market valued at an estimated $84 billion a year.

"It will have global implications," Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman (ACCC) Rod Sims told Reuters after the ruling came down.

"If others need to think it through ... weve at least got something out there which they can kick off from."

A win by four of the largest Australian banks involved in the case, which command two-thirds of the nation's credit card market, would have given them more negotiating power and could have sparked similar appeals to regulators for access to Apple's systems in other jurisdictions around the world.

Apple does not allow any of its 3,500 bank partners in 15 global markets access to the near-field communication (NFC) technology behind its payment system.

The Australian regulator was concerned that giving the banks bargaining power could reduce competition by forcing Apple to act more like Alphabet Inc, whose Google arm owns the more open Android operating system that allows contactless payments from individual apps.

"(Apple and Android) are very different offerings and they have different implications for ease of use, security and customer experience," Sims said.

Story continues

"It is a tricky issue for a competition regulator to force one competitor to adopt a strategy of the other competitor."

An Apple spokeswoman said it was a great decision for Australians who wanted the "easiest, most secure and private payment experience possible with Apple Pay".

The banks involved - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) , Westpac Banking Corp, National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB) and Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd - have yet to allow use of their cards with Apple Pay, which was introduced to the country last year.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd began offering Apple Pay to customers last year after reaching a deal with the U.S. company, while Macquarie Group Ltd and ING Groep NV's ING Direct introduced Apple Pay in February.

ONE AT A TIME

Payments consultant MWE Consulting last year estimated the Australian "tap and go" market at A$110 billion ($84.32 billion) a year and growing, although to date more transactions are with contactless cards than mobile phones.

Lance Blockley, a payments expert representing the four banks involved in the Australian ruling, said they would now review their strategies regarding Apple Pay individually.

"I suspect Apple will want to talk about Apple Pay rather than NFC access," he said, referring to any future negotiations.

A Westpac spokeswoman said the bank remained open to introducing Apple Pay, while CBA and NAB declined to comment and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank could not be reached immediately for comment.

Steve Worthington, a business professor at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology, said the four banks that battled Apple might now pay a financial price for doing so in the form of higher fees for using Apple Pay.

"If you were in Apples shoes what would you do?," he said. "Would you give them the same deal (as the early adopters) or would you punish them by trying to make it more favourable to Apple?"

($1 = 1.3084 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Jamie Freed, Editing by Stephen Coates)
Getty

Today, not one single country has achieved gender equality. Women and girls throughout the world continue to face widespread violence, discrimination and disadvantage. And there remain many unfair laws that deny justice to those who have been wronged.

But the good news is that progress is being made and small steps taken by large numbers of people can have a big impact.

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Each one of us has a role to play in achieving gender equality. We can all be agents of change by acting as catalysts for positive transformation through everyday activism, and by taking a stand against prejudice and mistreatment whether it is on our doorstep or far away.

Here are just five recent examples of important victories that have been won thanks to individuals from across the globe joining forces with women's rights campaigners:

1. In Pakistan, the government has passed laws that increase the sentences for "honour" killings and rape, and close a loophole that enabled killers to walk free.

So-called honour crimes are one of the most severe forms of violence against women and girls. Every year in Pakistan, hundreds are killed by relatives who blame them for bringing shame on the family's reputation or as atonement for "wrongs" perpetrated by others.

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In 2016, Qandeel Baloch, a social media star who used her public profile to encourage other young women to pursue their ambitions, was murdered by her brother for the "shame" she had caused their family. Qandeel's public commitment to equality and justice was a beacon for others striving for change in Pakistan.

Previously, "forgiveness" law in Pakistan meant victims frequently faced intense pressure to pardon their attackers. When a woman was murdered, her relatives had the right to forgive the crime and allow the culprit to go unpunished, something that frequently occurred because the killer was a family member.

After years of campaigning by human rights groups, in October 2016 a bill was passed stating that a victim's relatives could only pardon her killer if they faced capital punishment, but perpetrators must serve a mandatory life sentence.

A separate bill has increased the sentence for rape and makes prosecution easier. This has huge significance in Pakistan, where rape conviction rates have historically been almost non-existent.

2. In Malawi, the Parliament this February outlawed child "marriage" when it set 18 as the minimum age of marriage, largely due to persistent efforts of women and youth activists.

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Malawi has one of the highest levels of child marriage in the world. Half of the country's girls are married, frequently trapping them in a cycle of poverty as they are more likely to become pregnant before they are physically or emotionally ready and are less likely to finish school.

The popular belief that girls should marry as young as possible to capitalise on their fertility means that child marriage is deeply rooted in Malawian culture. Raising the age of marriage is an important step in protecting girls' rights and comes at a time when many countries across Africa are doing more to ensure legal equality for women and girls.

3. In the USA, sustained efforts by grassroots campaigners have helped bring positive development in Virginia, where the state's General Assembly has unanimously passed legislation criminalising the practice of female genital mutilation with up to a year of prison and a $2,500 fine. The bill now awaits the signature of Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Female genital mutilation involves the partial or complete removal of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The procedure can cause a wide range of significant long-term physical and psychological problems and is a serious human rights violation. The Virginia legislation is an important step towards protecting women and girls particularly in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, which has the second highest concentration of those at risk in the USA, behind New York City, Newark and the Jersey City tri-state area.

4. In the UK, Parliament is close to agreeing ratification of the Istanbul Convention. This is a pan-European treaty which requires governments to implement a variety of measures to prevent all forms of violence against women. The IC Change campaign which spearheaded the parliamentary push is volunteer-led.

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Once turned into law, the UK Government will be legally required to enact all necessary measures specified in the Convention to prosecute perpetrators and protect women experiencing sexual and domestic violence as well as those affected by forced marriage, female genital mutilation and sterilisation. What's more, the state will have to ensure there is adequate funding for support services such as rape crisis centres, helplines and shelters.

5. In Lebanon, civil rights organisations have spearheaded a public campaign calling for the government to repeal a law that allows a rapist to escape punishment by marrying his victim. In December, a parliamentary Committee agreed that this law should be changed.

Today in Lebanon, as in many countries, cultural traditions place a big emphasis on controlling women's and girls' sexuality. A bride is expected to be a virgin so anything that affects her virginity is seen as a source of shame. Some still believe it is better for someone who has been raped to marry her attacker because nobody else will want her. These cultural traditions place a heavy burden on the victim and put pressure on her to 'agree'.

To help ensure this unjust law is repealed, international women's rights organisation Equality Now is supporting local groups by asking people to contact Lebanese government officials to request that Parliament act as soon as possible.

All these victories were achieved thanks to individuals speaking out about an injustice that compelled them to take action. We all benefit from the little acts of kindness that people do every day, often without recognition. In a world where problems sometimes seem insurmountable, it's good to remember that all the small steps can combine to achieve fantastic things. Each of us has that power of change. Together we are even stronger.

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About Equality Now:

Equality Now is an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world by combining grassroots activism with international, regional and national legal advocacy. An international network of lawyers, activists, and supporters achieve legal and systemic change by holding governments responsible for enacting and enforcing laws and policies that end legal inequality, sexual trafficking, sexual violence, and female genital mutilation.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Last June, immediately after the Brexit referendum, I wrote: 'My overwhelming emotion is one of sadness.'

But now, the sadness has turned to deep anger -- at the hypocrisy, dishonesty and sheer political cowardice that has characterised the response to the referendum result of both the UK's major political parties.

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I need to be clear: I am not directing my anger at the 17.4 million voters who voted to leave the EU. Each one of them had their own reasons -- some good, some bad -- and each vote was as valid as every other vote. I am a democrat and I believe in democracy. Parliamentary democracy.

No. I am angry at the politicians who are knowingly and deliberately taking the country along a course that they themselves believe to be profoundly mistaken. What is that if it is not hypocrisy, dishonesty and cowardice?

It was Theresa May's breathtakingly disingenuous letter to the EU, triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, that sparked my fury. Because what it revealed, far more starkly than she can possibly have imagined, is the appalling flimsiness of the pro-Brexit case.

For example: 'Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs the liberal, democratic values of Europe. We want to play our part to ensure that Europe remains strong and prosperous and able to lead in the world, projecting its values and defending itself from security threats.'

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Excuse me? If we 'want to play our part', why in God's name are we leaving the EU?

'Europe's security is more fragile today than at any time since the end of the cold war.' (Translation: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are a danger to us all.) In which case, why on earth does Mrs May threaten to withhold security cooperation unless she gets her way on trade? ('In security terms a failure to reach agreement would mean our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened.' Threats are never a good idea if you're trying to play nicey-nicey.)

Yes, I understand the tactics. The prime minister doesn't have too many negotiating cards to play, and the UK's expertise and experience in the fields of intelligence and security is highly valued by our EU partners. As The Sun headline put it with that paper's unerring instinct for taste and decency: 'Your money or your lives - trade with us and we'll help fight terror.'

The truth, as we all know, is that Mrs May thinks it would be better for Britain if it stayed in the EU. So do her chancellor, Philip Hammond, and her home secretary, Amber Rudd. So does every living ex-prime minister, from John Major to Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Ah yes, David Cameron. The man who apparently still thinks he was right to promise an in-out referendum, just like Tony Blair, who still thinks he was right to back George W Bush when he decided to invade Iraq. Two colossal misjudgments by two prime ministers unable to admit that they might be fallible.

Theresa May told MPs after she had sent her 'Dear President Tusk' letter to Brussels on Wednesday that leaving the EU 'is this generation's chance to shape a brighter future for our country.'

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This generation? Which generation could she be thinking of? Hers (she's 60)? Or my children's (they are in their 30s)? Because it so happens that although the prime minister's -- and my -- generation voted overwhelmingly to leave, my children's generation voted even more overwhelmingly to remain. So much for negotiating a post-Brexit deal on behalf of future generations ...

Mrs May channels her inner Thatcher (with whom she hates to be compared) when she insists that 'there can be no turning back', just as Mrs T used to insist that there was 'no alternative' to her economic policies. There was then, and there is now -- even if Mrs M needs us to believe that reversal is not an option.

Remind me, who was it who once said: 'If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy'? Ah yes, of course, her Brexiteer-in-chief, David Davis.

So what would a braver, more principled and more honest political leader have done? They would have said: 'We acknowledge and recognise the result of the referendum, even though we believe it to have been profoundly mistaken. We will attempt to negotiate a new relationship with the EU, and we will then ask British voters whether they wish to accept or reject the terms we have been offered.'

Sometimes, it is useful to look at ourselves as others see us. I was particularly struck by the Los Angeles Times headline: 'With Brexit, Britain pulls the trigger -- on itself.' The French newspaper Liberation went for: 'Vous nous manquez deja - ou pas.' ('We miss you already -- or not.') The German Die Welt preferred just one word, in English: 'Farewell.'

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Mrs May is trying desperately to convince the EU27 that failure to negotiate an equitable Brexit deal would hurt them as much as it would hurt the UK. I doubt that she'll get very far; as Stephen Bush of the New Statesman pointed out, cutting off your nose to spite your face hurts like hell and you're never the same afterwards. 'But while you will see people without noses living successful lives, to date, no nose has managed to carry on without a person. The bad news is that Britain is the nose in this analogy.'

What makes me even angrier than the prospect of the gratuitously self-inflicted pain we are about to suffer is the way in which the Brexit disaster will crowd out any consideration of all the other major crises on which the government should be focusing.

Critical cash shortages in the NHS, schools, social care, the police and prisons? Sorry, you'll have to ask someone else.

President Trump tearing up climate change legislation? Sorry, no time to respond.

Famine sweeping across parts of Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, threatening the lives of twenty million people? Sorry, we're busy.

Civilian casualties as US-led coalition forces bomb Mosul? Sorry, call back.

North Korea? Turkey? China? Sorry, get someone else to deal with them.
Dado Ruvic / Reuters

The Government has begun to make demands for access to messages on WhatsApp, after it emerged London terrorist Khalid Masood sent a message on the platform shortly before his attack on Westminster.

But this isn't just a sad case of political opportunism from Home Secretary Amber Rudd (after all, her boss Theresa May has been after WhatsApp and Snapchat since 2015) - it's also a hopelessly ineffective tactic.

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Masood may well have sent a message shortly before his attack. But even the security services had had access to WhatsApp, are we really to believe that they would have had the capacity to zero in on this one fateful drop in the ocean of messages constantly being sent and delivered, then to brief and dispatch officers to its exact location, all within the couple of minutes between message and attack? It's impossible.

More likely they would like to look at his messages retrospectively - to learn more about his contacts in the terrorist world.

This is a more reasonable aim. But still not one, I would argue, that's worth giving up the rights the rest of us have to communicate in private.

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary should be asking themselves what exactly it is they are trying to protect from these terrorists, if not the basic freedoms of their citizens?

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They would likely argue that if we've done nothing wrong, we have nothing to hide - and should therefore be more than happy for the government to snoop in on our messages.

(Honestly, if the Government were ever to tap into my WhatsApp chats, I'm sure they'd likely be bored to tears by the endless inane yammering.)

But that's not the point. Private citizens who have indeed done nothing wrong have the right to say and do as they please without interference by Amber Rudd or her friends at MI5.

And further - if we were to open up WhatsApp's encryption to the security services, we'd be creating a back door for hackers everywhere and therefore likely leaving millions open to blackmail over perfectly legal messages (ever sent a saucy photo to your other half, for example?).

This is an issue I'm not even sure Rudd fully understands.

And anyway, WhatsApp don't have a monopoly on encryption. Surely if it became an open platform for MI5 to dip into whenever, the terrorists would just switch to messaging on a new app?

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It's a game of cat and mouse that nobody will ever win. The fight against terror won't be decided by phone encryption - it's so much bigger and more complicated than that.

So while that war still rages, we need to remain clear-headed about where our red lines are.

A huge media storm and slew of reactionary legislation sounds to me like exactly the sort of thing that would encourage more terrorists. If we allow this one evil attack to curtail the freedom of the rest of us, we're effectively holding our hands up in defeat.

After all the Government talk of carrying on and not letting this attack change anything - this kind of invasion into the privacy of the public would represent the exact opposite.

Masood was an evil murderer - let's not allow him to do any more damage.
* Germany's Gabriel says NATO spending target not reachable

* Tillerson: May summit must produce more European spending

* Tillerson says Russia sanctions to remain

* NATO head says trans-Atlantic bond "rock solid"

* Europeans' doubts linger over Trump commitment to NATO (Adds Tillerson remarks on Russian sanctions)

By Lesley Wroughton and Robert-Jan Bartunek

BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reassured his nervous European counterparts over Washington's commitment to NATO on Friday and pressed them again to spend more on defence, triggering a rebuke from Germany.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it was neither "reachable nor desirable" for Germany to spend the agreed NATO target of two percent of member states' economic output on defence. NATO allies have until 2024 to do that.

"Two percent would mean military expenses of some 70 billion euros. I don't know any German politician who would claim that is reachable nor desirable," Gabriel told the first meeting of NATO foreign ministers attended by Tillerson.

"The United States will realise it is better to talk about better spending instead of more spending," he said, noting that humanitarian, development and economic aid to stabilise countries and regions should also count.

In his first remarks to NATO ministers, Tillerson said allies needed to pay up or outline plans for meeting that target when NATO leaders meet on May 25 for the first top-level summit of the alliance to be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump has criticised NATO as "obsolete" and suggested Washington's security guarantees for European allies could be conditional on them spending more on their own defence. He has also said he wants NATO to do more to fight terrorism.

"Our goal should be to agree at the May leaders meeting that by the end of the year all allies will have either met the pledge guidelines or will have developed plans that clearly articulate how...the pledge will be fulfilled," Tillerson said.

Story continues

"Allies must demonstrate by their actions that they share U.S. government's commitment."

In Berlin, German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the government was committed to increasing defence spending and would continue to do so "because we know it is necessary and makes sense to further strengthen our armed forces".

U.S. defence expenditure makes up about 70 percent of the total NATO allies' defence spending. Only four European NATO members - Estonia, Greece, Poland and Britain - meet the two-percent target.

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg rejected Gabriel's call to include non-military spending towards the goal, but said Germany was moving "in the right direction" with more military spending after years of cuts.

He said NATO ministers on Friday discussed national plans for arriving at the target as they prepared for the May summit.

In London, Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said that other European NATO allies must "raise their game, and those failing to meet the two-percent commitment... should at least agree to year-on-year real terms increases."

QUESTIONS OVER U.S. COMMITMENT

Tillerson did, however, offer assurances of Washington's commitment to NATO during his brief stop in Brussels, where he did not hold one-on-one meetings with countries, which is customary during such gatherings.

His initial decision to skip his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers had added to questions about the Trump administration's commitment. The meeting was later rescheduled and he attended on Friday.

"The United States is committed to ensuring NATO has the capabilities to support our collective defence," Tillerson said. "We will uphold the agreements we have made to defend our allies."

Tillerson said NATO was fundamental to countering Russian aggression in Ukraine and said the United States would hold Moscow accountable to its commitments under a two-year Minsk ceasefire deal. He pledged to keep sanctions in place against Moscow until it complies with the Minsk agreement.

Trump has said in the past that, as part of a rapprochement he is seeking with Russia, he is prepared to review the sanctions, which were imposed by Barack Obama over Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula.

"We do not, and will not, accept Russian efforts to change the borders of territory of Ukraine," Tillerson said according to a transcript of his remarks.

"The United States sanctions will remain until Moscow reverses the actions that triggered our sanctions," he added, expressing alarm at a surge in violence along the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said ties between European NATO members and the United States were "rock solid".

He said "fair burden sharing to keep the trans-atlantic bond strong" and "stepping up NATO efforts to project stability and fight terrorism" were on the agenda on Friday as the bloc seeks to respond to the new, harsher tone from across the Atlantic. (Additional reporting by Tom Koerkemeier in Brussels, Andrea Shalal in Berlin and Kylie MacLellan in London; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Louise Ireland and Mary Milliken)
Kansas mens basketball starts KJ Adams Jr. in win against Omaha

The Jayhawks opened their 2022-23 regular season the right way. Kansas mens basketball is 1-0 after a win at home against Omaha.
* Germany's Gabriel says NATO spending target not reachable

* Tillerson: May summit must produce more European spending

* NATO head says trans-atlantic bond "rock solid"

* Europeans' doubts linger over Trump commitment to NATO (Adds more quotes, Fallon, detail)

By Lesley Wroughton and Robert-Jan Bartunek

BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reassured his nervous European counterparts over Washington's commitment to NATO on Friday and pressed them again to spend more on defence, triggering a rebuke from Germany.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it was neither "reachable nor desirable" for Germany to spend the agreed NATO target of two percent of member states' economic output on defence. NATO allies have until 2024 to do that.

"Two percent would mean military expenses of some 70 billion euros. I don't know any German politician who would claim that is reachable nor desirable," Gabriel told the first meeting of NATO foreign ministers attended by Tillerson.

"The United States will realise it is better to talk about better spending instead of more spending," he said, noting that humanitarian, development and economic aid to stabilise countries and regions should also count.

Tillerson said allies will need to pay up or outline plans for meeting that target when NATO leaders meet on May 25 for the first top-level summit of the alliance to be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump has criticised NATO as "obsolete" and suggested Washington's security guarantees for European allies could be conditional on them spending more on their own defence. He has also said he wants NATO to do more to fight terrorism.

"Our goal should be to agree at the May leaders meeting that by the end of the year all allies will have either met the pledge guidelines or will have developed plans that clearly articulate how...the pledge will be fulfilled," Tillerson said.

"Allies must demonstrate by their actions that they share U.S. government's commitment."

Story continues

In Berlin, German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the government was committed to increasing defence spending and would continue to do so "because we know it is necessary and makes sense to further strengthen our armed forces".

U.S. defence expenditure makes up about 70 percent of the total NATO allies' defence spending. Only four European NATO members - Estonia, Greece, Poland and Britain - meet the two-percent target.

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg rejected Gabriel's call to include non-military spending towards the goal, but said Germany was moving "in the right direction" with more military spending after years of cuts.

He said NATO ministers on Friday discussed national plans for arriving at the target as they prepared for the May summit.

In London, Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said that other European NATO allies must "raise their game, and those failing to meet the two-percent commitment... should at least agree to year-on-year real terms increases."

QUESTIONS OVER U.S. COMMITMENT

Tillerson did however offer assurances of Washington's commitment to NATO during his brief stop in Brussels, although U.S. officials said he did not have time for one-on-one meetings, which are customary during such gatherings.

His initial decision to skip his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers had added to questions about the Trump administration's commitment. The meeting was later rescheduled and he attended on Friday.

"The United States is committed to ensuring NATO has the capabilities to support our collective defence," Tillerson said. "We will uphold the agreements we have made to defend our allies."

Tillerson said NATO was fundamental to countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. A meeting on Thursday between ambassadors from NATO and Russia called on Moscow to do more to rein in the Moscow-allied separatists battling Kiev's forces there.

Stoltenberg said ties between European NATO members and the United States were "rock solid".

He said "fair burden sharing to keep the trans-atlantic bond strong" and "stepping up NATO efforts to project stability and fight terrorism" were on the agenda on Friday as the bloc seeks to respond to the new, harsher tone from across the Atlantic. (Additional reporting by Tom Koerkemeier in Brussels, Andrea Shalal in Berlin and Kylie MacLellan in London; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Louise Ireland)
Identity of Body Found Saturday in Pittsfield Released

Pittsfield Police had a trash container cordoned off on Saturday behind 771 Tyler St.

Police vehicles blocked a waste container on 771 Tyler and evidence was being collected on Saturday.

Updated with new information at 7:12 p.m.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The body of a 22-year-old Pittsfield man was discovered in a trash roll-off behind a Tyler Street business late Saturday afternoon, according to the Berkshire district attorney's office.

Investigators believe that Louis E. Ely, of Briggs Avenue, climbed into the climbed into the container. Foul play is not suspected in his death.

The discovery a body had been rumored and there was a heavy police presence at a parking lot at 771 Tyler St. on Saturday. Police, at the time, declined to confirm or deny the discovery.

Police crime scene tape was stretched in front of the waste container at the end of a parking lot adjacent 771 Tyler on late Saturday afternoon. Several Pittsfield Police vehicles were at the scene and one investigator in a white coverall was collecting evidence.

An autopsy was conducted today by Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Robert Welton at the Holyoke Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The determination of the cause and manner of death are pending further toxicological and other testing.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Pittsfield Police Department.
Sydni Jamros, Emily Godfrey and Nicholas Alibozek created toothbrush robots and studied vibration and momentum. There were 55 different projects being presented at the fair. Emily Thurston researched torque and balanced a bean with two different sized weights. Engineers from the General Dynamics Naval Branch helped judged the science fair. PreviousNext

Hoosac Valley Middle Schoolers Present At Science Fair



Lana Kingsley and Madison Puppolo did a psychological experiment and found people are more likely to pick the color blue out of a box of crayons. CHESHIRE, Mass.  More than 90 eighth graders participated in the Hoosac Valley Middle School Science Fair Friday.

"We saw all sorts of stuff," science teacher Mindy Chapman said. "A lot of students were interested in slime this year for some reason so we got them to study it and do some research."

Chapman said this is the second year the school hosted a science fair and students worked individually or as teams on 55 projects.

Emily Godfrey, Nicholas Alibozek, and Sydni Jamros created toothbrush robots and studied vibration and momentum.

Godfrey said they attached small pager motors to toothbrush heads. She said the motor spins and creates a vibration.

"We learned how momentum worked, how vibration worked and how the bristles contributed to everything because we cut them on different angles and some would fall over," she said.

Alibozek said a weight was also placed on the robots and depending on where the weight was placed, the robots would move differently.

"We moved the weight all over the place to see which one would go will go faster or slower and the ones with the weight forward moved faster," he said.

Lana Kingsley and Madison Puppolo did a psychological experiment and found people are more likely to pick the color blue from a box of crayons. Kinsley said out of 44 people and 15 crayons blue was chosen the most.

"Our research showed that most people chose a shade of blue because the people see it everywhere and it has a calming effect," Kingsley said.

Emily Thurston researched torque and balanced a bean with two different sized weights.

"My dad is an engineer and I wasnt sure what to do so he helped me figure this out," she said. "I learned about how even the 2.5-pound weight can be balanced with a 5-pound weight. I learned about the calculation of torque and how its used."

Chapman said she hopes students awaken their inner scientists and kids that may not have been interested in science may see it with new eyes now that they have applied it to something in the world.

"In the classroom, it is sometimes easy to forget how things work in the world outside so the science fair helps make that link," she said. "It may even get them interested in new topics that could get them thinking about college or a career in science."

She said that the judges are from a range of backgrounds including teachers, scientists, and engineers. She said engineers from General Dynamics Naval Branch also judged.

"The kids make some great connections with the judges," she said. "And if we want to keep kids in the county it is important that they make these connections with local professionals."

Chapman said the projects also help prepare the students for high school because thy are long range projects split between multiple disciplines. The students work on their lab reports in science class, work on their research paper in English class and write up graphs in math.

Chapman said the top 15 projects will go to the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts April 29.




iciHaiti - Education : Partnership UNICEF - Ministry of National Education





Friday, Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the new Minister of National Education accompanied by his Chief of Staff Jackson Pleteau had a working session with the UNICEF Haiti team.



On the agenda of this meeting: current and future projects between the two institutions; The training of teachers; Post-Matthew management; Early childhood ; Back to school; Proximity management (community / school relations) and other areas of concern to the Ministry ailming to improve the quality and governance of the education sector.



IH/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - Tourism : Installation of the new DG of the Ministry





Thursday, Colombe Emilie Jessy Menos, the new Minister of Tourism https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20446-haiti-politics-major-projects-of-the-ministry-of-tourism.html in the presence of the executives, employees and actors of the tourism sector, has installed Andy Durosier as the new Director General of the Ministry. He replaces outgoing Director Kenn Duval.



In her speech, Minister Menos, welcomed the remarkable career of Mr Durosier, a specialist in Public Administration, Social Communication and Diplomacy who worked for 12 years in the Ministry of Tourism, successively as Head of Service in the Communication Department then as Coordinator of the Studies and Programming Unit.



In his speech, the new Director General promised to "[...] contribute to the progress of tourism in Haiti, which should help the country's economic growth [...]" He hopes that Haiti will be able to compete on an equal footing with several popular Caribbean destinations in the future.



IH/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - Rotten meat : Brazil transfers information to Haiti





Following of articles in the international and Haitian press about the Brazilian Federal Police's investigation into irregularities in the sanitary inspection system at meat production facilities in Brazil, the Embassy of Brazil in Port-au-Prince, would like to clarify that out of 4,837 meat establishments subject to surveillance in Brazil, only 21 would be involved in irregularities.



These 21 establishments were suspended and placed under a special inspection regime. None of these 21 establishments exported meat to Haiti.



The Embassy of Brazil has transmitted to the Government of Haiti technical information about the investigation and is available for any other information that may be required.



The Embassy also recalls that several countries, that had banned imports of meat from Brazil, have already abrogated these measures and resumed imports (Barbados, Chile, China, South Korea, Egypt, Hong Kong and Qatar).



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MADRID (AP)  Gibraltar expressed outrage Friday at how it said Spain is using the U.K.'s impending departure from the European Union to force renegotiations on the future of Gibraltar, the territory that Spain has been trying to get back from Britain for 300 years.

The nine-page roadmap introduced Friday by EU Council President Donald Tusk says that future Brexit agreements between the U.K. and the EU will only apply to Gibraltar if the governments of London and Madrid can agree to them.

The EU Council's guidelines on Brexit are "a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own narrow political interests," Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement.

"What we are seeing is a clear manifestation of the predictably predatory attitude that we anticipated Spain would seek to abusively impose on its partners," he added.

The EU guideline effectively forces talks over Gibraltar in which Spain will have an upper hand, allowing its government to bring back to the negotiation table the dispute over the encalve's sovereignty, which it ceded to Britain in 1713. The famous territory sits on the southern tip of Spain along the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

Yet members of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's cabinet have acknowledged the difficulty of reaching an agreement on joint sovereignty with London that will also be accepted by the 32,000 inhabitants of Gibraltar.

Almost 96 percent of Gibraltarians chose to remain in the EU in last year's Brexit referendum, but British voters overall chose to leave the bloc. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday gave formal notice that Britain will leave the EU, triggering a two-year departure timetable.

Picardo said the EU guidelines would complicate Brexit talks even further but vowed that they will inflict no change to Gibraltar's "continued, exclusive British sovereignty."

Story continues

"The (British) exit negotiations clearly include Gibraltar, despite Spain's attempts to also have Gibraltar excluded from them," Picardo said. "This draft suggests that Spain is trying to get away with mortgaging the future relationship between the EU and Gibraltar to its usual obsession with our homeland."

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis recently pledged to ensure an open border for the European workers who are key to both Gibraltar and the neighboring area in southern Spain.

"During and beyond the Brexit process, Gibraltar will continue to grow and prosper economically and will, paradoxically, provide wealth for the whole Spanish region around us," Picardo predicted.
Intel (INTC) is the biggest stakeholder in Cloudera ahead of the software developer's IPO, thanks to a $740 million bet the chipmaker placed in 2014.

That stake, which valued Cloudera at a whopping $4.1 billion, carries with it some awkward provisions, as laid out in Cloudera's IPO prospectus on Friday.

In the filing, Intel is listed as owning 22 percent of the company before the offering. Far from just a financial interest, Intel has been developing and marketing products with Cloudera to bring more big data capabilities to Intel's data center processors.

Cloudera's database software, built on open source code, helps businesses perform complicated analysis of disparate data. Its products run on standard hardware, and Intel is aiming to use Cloudera's tools as a draw for big customers.

As far as ownership, Intel has limited ability to bolster its control of Cloudera from here and thus determine its future course.

According to Cloudera's prospectus, an agreement that kicks in at the time of the offering restricts "Intel's ability to acquire more than 20 percent of our fully diluted capital stock, which we refer to as the Intel Maximum Percentage."

Assuming Intel doesn't sell shares in the IPO, an offering of about 11 million shares to the public would bring its ownership to 20 percent.

Lise Buyer, who advises companies as they prepare to go public, said the purpose of the agreement is most likely to reassure potential customers who may be concerned about Intel having undue influence.

"It's like saying, you can ride on the bus but you can't drive," said Buyer, the founder of Class V Group in Silicon Valley. "You can't steer the direction of the company."

There are two ways Intel can increase its stake.

The first would be a full acquisition of the company. The second would be if another investor (excluding a "purely financial investor") buys a percentage that exceeds 20 percent. In that case "Intel's Maximum Percentage shall increase to the percentage held by such Other Strategic Holder."

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Further complicating matters, Intel's operating chief Kim Stevenson left the chipmaker last month and resigned from Cloudera's board of directors. She's now headed to Lenovo, leaving Intel without a Cloudera board member.



Cloudera said that the board will nominate a director designated by Intel at the annual shareholders meeting, and Intel will maintain that seat as long as the company holds at least 10 percent of the stock and doesn't breach the collaboration agreement.

A Cloudera spokesperson declined to comment as did a spokesperson for Intel.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo speaks with the media during his visit to Abuja, Nigeria Febuary 27, 2017.REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/Files

By Ahmed Rasheed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has assured OPEC it will fully comply with an agreement to cut oil supply in order to bolster crude prices, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said on Sunday in Baghdad.

Iraq's compliance stands now at 98 percent, the nation's oil minister Jabar al-Luaibi told reporters, after addressing a conference in the Iraqi capital, also attended by Barkindo.

Compliance with the deal agreed by OPEC and non-OPEC producers at the end of last year to cut supply is "encouraging," Barkindo told the forum.

General compliance with supply cuts by the oil producers was 86 percent in January and 94 percent in February, he added.

The market is already balancing, Barkindo said, adding stocks of crude were coming down.

Luaibi said he was satisfied with the existing deal, but declined to say whether Iraq would support an extension, leaving it to an OPEC ministerial meeting planned in May.

The current deal, he said, "contains many positive elements and achieved a lot of targets; work is ongoing to reach the reduction of 1.8" million barrels per day (bpd) agreed by OPEC and 11 other nations including Russia for their combined production in the first half of 2017.

The accord has lifted crude to about $50 a barrel. But the price gain has also encouraged U.S. shale oil producers, which are not part of the pact, to boost output.

While Iraq is committed to achieving 100 percent of its target reduction, it will proceed with projects to boost oil production capacity to 5 million barrels per day before the end of the year, Luaibi said.

OPEC's second-largest producer, after Saudi Arabia, Iraq will proceed in parallel with exploration plans to increase its reserves by 15 billion barrels in 2018, to reach 178 billion barrels, he said.

Among the plans to increase output capacity from existing fields is a sea water injection plan which is in process of being tendered, he added.

Iraq's oil production has averaged 4.464 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in March, a reduction of more than 300,000 bpd on levels before OPEC cuts were implemented from Jan. 1, state-oil marketer SOMO said on Thursday.

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Average crude exports were 3.756 million bpd in March, versus a record of more than 4 million bpd in November, according to SOMO.

Most of Iraq's crude is exported from southern ports, the region where it is produced. Exports from the south averaged 3.2 million bpd in March, Luaibi said.

Barkindo described as "very constructive" meetings he had on Saturday with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi leaders in Baghdad.

Iraq's natural gas output will triple to 1,700 million cubic feet per day (cfd) by 2018, as it implements projects to reduce flaring, Luaibi told the conference.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Mark Potter)
One team. One Spirit. One Goal. Team Suzuki Philippines reunites and welcomes new members Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines.

In celebration of its recent successes and to jumpstart yet another eventful year, pioneer compact car manufacturer Suzuki Philippines gathered together the Team Suzuki Philippines (TSP) last March 25, 2017 to show its gratitude to its pool of loyal customers and welcome the new members of its growing Car Club family.

Backed by the unwavering support of its Car Club partners, Suzuki Philippines successfully organized and participated in events that contributed to the companys continuing growth over the years.

The inauguration of several new dealerships in different key cities across the country in the past year helped further strengthen the companys foothold in the Philippine market. The company has also successfully marked product launches to address the needs of both the consumer and business markets and has boosted its brand-building efforts across different digital platforms.

Team Suzuki Philippines also joined the 6th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), proudly showcasing customized Suzuki vehicles. It had a major participation at the biennial AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 held at the Philippine Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan through an iconic Car Club Parade.

With more than 3,000 active Team Suzuki Philippines Car Club members, a total of 170 key representatives and officers were invited to celebrate the continued expansion of the TSP family with the announcement of two new additions, namely the Team Ciaz Philippines and the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines.

The Team Ciaz Philippines underscores Suzukis recently launched subcompact sedan, which exudes elegance and a distinct sporty feel with its redefined interiors. It is sure to catch the attention of Filipinos seeking out-of-the-box experiences.

The Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines showcases Suzuki classic. The Suzuki Jimny is best known for its rugged look and durability, which over the years have continued to appeal to the adventurous Filipino.

General Manager of Suzuki Philippines for Automobile Shuzo Hoshikura extended his gratitude to TSP for their unwavering support. The recent years have definitely been a good ride with you. Thank you for sharing our passion for the brands we have worked so hard for. I have been fortunate to witness how you have trusted and cared for our Suzuki vehicles over the years. More than customers, you have become our partners in bringing the Philippine market the quality products and services it deserves, he shared.

To our newcomers  Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines  we could not be any more delighted to welcome you to this growing family. May this be the beginning of a thriving relationship and a fruitful journey toward our dream of enhancing every Filipinos driving experience, he continued.

Established in 2015, the Team Suzuki Philippines is a non-profit organization convened to foster camaraderie and support. The group now comprises eight car clubs  Team Alto Pilipinas, Team Celerio Philippines, Swift 1.2 Philippines, Team Swift Philippines, Team APV Philippines, Club Ertiga Philippines and Vitara Club of the Philippines, and the newly accredited members Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny Club Philippines.
AMONG the 21 dealerships of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) across the country, five have distinguished themselves for their performance last year. On February 25, 2017, IPC recognized these achievements as the company held the 2016 Isuzu Dealer of the Year Awards gathering at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Heading the list of top performers was Isuzu Pasig, which was named Best in Sales Operations. Equaling this achievement were those made by Isuzu Cavite, which took the Best in Parts Operations plum; and Isuzu Cagayan de Oro, which secured both Best in Service Operations and Best in Customer Service titles.

Isuzu Pasig furthered its accomplishment by also being cited as 2nd Runner-up in the Dealer of the Year Award, following closely behind Isuzu Cabanatuan, whose exemplary record last year placed it as the 1st Runner-up.

But owing to unmatched results in all aspects of dealership operations, the top citation was clinched by Isuzu Batangas, which emerged as the 2016 Dealer of the Year. The Gencars, Inc.-owned facility improved on its achievement in 2015 when it placed 2nd Runner-up in the Dealer of the Year Awards.

"Isuzu Philippines manufacturing and offering the most relevant and competent vehicle models to the Philippine market is not enough, we need these products to reach customers in every corner of the country. Needless to say, it is our dealers who ensure that this happens, and on whom we also depend to provide the best possible aftersales services to Isuzu owners. In this regard, we in IPC cannot underscore the important role that Isuzu dealers play in our business, and having one of the widest networks of sales and service facilities in the Philippines definitely works to the Isuzu brand's advantage in the local automotive sector," IPC President Hajime Koso said.

"We both express our sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all 2016 Isuzu Dealer of the Year awardees," he added.
DreamWorks Animations latest and 34th movie, The Boss Baby is inspired by the best-selling book of the same title by Marla Frazee - the film tags us along on a young boys colourful adventures as he discovers that his new baby brother is not what he seems.

Directed by Dreamworks veteran Tom McGrath (Megamind, Madagascar), The Boss Baby is a family comedy featuring the voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy Kimmel and Miles Bakshi. Exploring the wonders of a childs imagination and celebrating the precious bond that can form between siblings in a family, The Boss Baby (Baldwin) and his older brother Tim (Bakshi) discover that love isnt finite after all.

The heartfelt nature of the story and the remarkable charm of the main characters were immediately appealing to producer Ramsey Naito. The story mirrored my life. My oldest son was seven years old when my youngest arrived, and he was really jealous, just like our main character, Tim. I related to the brothers story instantly, says Naito. I love that we celebrate the power of childrens fantasy and imagination in this film.

Tims parents are voiced by Lisa Kudrow (Friends) and funny television host (also 2017s Oscars host) Jimmy Kimmel. Tims parents are simply oblivious to the chaos unleashed by Boss Baby in their household. Barely hanging on to the slightest resemblance of domestic order at home, they have no clue about the strange machinations of Baby Corp. and Puppy Co. where they work.

The parents have a new baby in the house and are both working full time. They are sleep-deprived and barely holding it together, and this needed to be captured in their design, says Naito. We wanted to get away from an idealized version of parents, says production designer David James. Mom, especially needed to be a very real person, at the same time, she had to exude this warmth. Her beauty and her maternal nature go hand in hand.

Meanwhile, Tims dad is just trying to keep up. Like many new fathers, he has this slight deer-in-headlights look, notes James. He tries his best to keep everything under control, but he is a bit overwhelmed by all the changes. They are both loving parents  and the lesson of the movie is that there is love enough going around for everybody. They do have unconditional love for both of their kids, and thats something that Tim learns by the end of the movie.

Baldwin, who voices the titular character, Boss Baby is immensely impressed by the work and devotion of the DreamWorks animators in the movie. I was so impressed by the meticulous world created by the films director Tom McGrath and the rest of their talented team. When we experience the movie as a whole, we are immersed in a parallel world that looks vaguely familiar but unlike any weve seen before on the big screen. Packed with memorable characters and insightful revelations, The Boss Baby celebrates human experiences and foibles, and delivers its final message tenderly  with pure, genuine emotion.

An Easter weekend movie for the entire family, The Boss Baby opens April 15 (Saturday) from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
Imperial Valley News Center

President Trump and the First Lady Host the Womens Empowerment Panel

Washington, DC - American women in every generation have shown extraordinary grit, courage and devotion. Our present generation stands on the shoulders of these titans

On Wednesday, the White House hosted a Womens Empowerment Panel, led by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Small Business Administrator McMahon, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma. The panel discussed the unique challenges that women and young girls face today. President Donald Trump delivered remarks at the event and was joined by First Lady Melania Trump.

Only by enlisting the full potential of women in our society will we be truly able to -- you have not heard this expression before, Make America Great Again.

The President discussed how he has made it a priority for his Administration to ensure that the American economy is a place where women can thrive like never before.

The women leaders in President Trumps Administration are working hard to produce results for the American people and the President continues to make womens empowerment a priority.

In February, President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau from Canada launched the United States-Canada Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs. This month, the First Lady hosted an event for International Womens Day in the East Wing, CMS Administrator Verma hosted a panel on women in healthcare, and Ivanka Trump held a roundtable with women business owners with SBA Administrator McMahon.

The Trump administration will continue to work to ensure that the American economy is a place where women can work and thrive.
Imperial Valley News Center

President Trump Restores Confidence in the American Economy

Washington, DC - President Trump Restores Confidence in the American Economy:

Were going to win economically; were going to win with the economy.  Donald J. Trump

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY: Since President Donald J. Trumps election, economic indicators have responded with record confidence to his pro-growth agenda.

Today, the National Association of Manufacturers released its Manufacturers Outlook Survey showing the highest level of optimism in 20 years.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up over 12 percent since Election Day 2016.

The Weekly Gallup Economic Confidence Index turned positive shortly after the Presidents election and has remained positive for 19 consecutive weeks.

The Business Roundtables CEO Economic Outlook Index recently jumped 19 points, the largest jump since 2009.

The National Association of Home Builders Confidence Index currently is at its highest level in 12 years.

The Gallup Small Business Index reflects the most optimistic small business owners have been since July 2007.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index recently soared to its highest level in more than 16 years.

The American Dream Index recently rebounded to 100.5, up from a 12-month low point in December, the final full month of the Obama administration.

EARLY PROGRESS: In just the first full month of President Trumps Administration, the United States economy has already made promising strides in the job market.

In February, the Presidents first full month in office, the U.S economy created 235,000 new jobs. 58,000 new construction jobs were created. 28,000 new manufacturing jobs were created.

In February, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent.

In February, the U.S. labor force participation rose to 63 percent.

In February, long-term unemployment in the U.S. fell by 49,000.

IMPLEMENTING JOB CREATING POLICIES: President Trump is executing an agenda that favors the American worker.

President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum creating the White House Office of American Innovation, which will implement policies and scale proven private-sector models to spur job creation.

President Trump ordered the United States to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and negotiations.

President Trump initially signed a Presidential Memorandum to clear roadblocks to construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and recently his Administration formally approved the project.

President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access pipeline serves the national interest and is being prepared to be put into service.

President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum to help ensure that new pipeline construction and repair work uses materials and equipment from the United States.

CUTTING GOVERNMENT RED TAPE: President Trump has quickly taken steps to get the Government out of the way of job creation.

President Trump signed an Energy Independence Executive Order to help eliminate burdensome regulations on Americas energy industry.

President Trump directed each agency to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to identify costly and unnecessary regulations in need of modification or repeal.

President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.

President Trump directed the Department of Commerce to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers.

President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome Stream Protection Rule from causing further harm to the coal industry.

President Trump ordered the review of the Clean Water Rule: Definition of Waters of the United States, known as the WOTUS rule, to evaluate whether it is stifling economic growth or job creation.

PARTNER OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR: President Trump has worked hand-in-hand with the private sector to get companies re-investing in America.

Exxon Mobil Corporation announced a $20 billion investment in the United States, which will create more than 45,000 jobs.

Charter Communications announced a $25 billion investment in the United States, and that it will hire 20,000 American workers in the next four years.

Accenture announced the creation of 15,000 new high skilled jobs in the next four years and a $1.4 billion investment in training its own employees.

Intel announced a $7 billion investment in a new factory in the United States, supporting over 10,000 jobs.

Fiat Chrysler announced a $1 billion investment to modernize two plants in the United States, creating 2,000 jobs.

General Motors announced plans to invest $1 billion in the United States, creating over 1,000 new jobs.

Ford announced the cancelation of a plant in Mexico, while adding 700 jobs in Michigan.

FOLLOWING THROUGH FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Trump campaigned on jumpstarting the economic engine of America so businesses could grow and Americans could get back to work.
Imperial Valley News Center

President Trump's Weekly Address to the Nation

Washington, DC - Last week, Judge Gorsuch completed his hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee. After four days of testimony and questioning, one fact became crystal clear: Judge Gorsuch is exceedingly qualified to become the next Justice of the Supreme Court.

Judge Gorsuch is going to serve our people by devoting himself to our beloved Constitution. The Senate saw this firsthand in hours of Judge Gorsuchs impressive testimony. In every step of the process, what has been clear to all is that Judge Gorsuch is a man who respects the law. He defends the Constitution. And in doing so, he will protect our freedoms.
Director Mick Mulvaney: Transforming President Donald J. Trumps Vision into Reality

Washington, DC - Director Mick Mulvaney will never forget his first day as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, walking from a historic office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, across West Exec, and into the West Wing to attend a meeting of senior staff. Although this Washington job would be far different from the position he left behind, the principles that guided and shaped his time in Congress would inform his approach toward advancing President Donald J. Trumps ambitious, but attainable goals.

Aside from the required HR paperwork and trainings, the newly minted OMB Director read briefings and began the grueling, yet gratifying task of ensuring the President was able to keep his promises. After all, that is his new job.

The Office of Management and Budget has a talented career staff with a wealth of institutional knowledge who are essential, especially when youre tasked to advise the President on the best ways to restore American security, secure our border, and fund important priorities like veterans health care and school choice while not adding a dime to the 2018 deficit. Who better than this expert staff at OMB to offer a crash course on the Federal Government than those called the heartbeat of the executive branch?

Budget Blueprint

The first of many steps in President Trumps proactive agenda to put America first started with crafting a budget that would help set priorities for the President. At the same time, it was imperative for the team to look at avenues that would keep America safe as well as help to ensure every agency in the Federal Government minded every dollar of taxpayer money.

At nearly $20 trillion, the national debt arguably serves as the United States greatest national security crisis. This is no small dilemma. The current path is unsustainable and it is time to get Americas financial house in order. For the first time in its history, Americas children and grandchildren could be less prosperous than their previous generation.

The Director with his staff, informed by the Presidents own words, began the arduous process of crafting a budget. Promises and pledges were turned into policies and then developed into numbers. Numbers spurred vigorous discussions with agencies across the Federal Government. The result of that discussion is presented to the White House where the President has the final say on his budget and priorities.

The first priority was to fulfill the Presidents directive to restore our neglected military through a $54 billion infusion that was funded largely by shifting dollars from foreign aid to domestic defense. In historic fashion, this would put Americas security first by reversing the defense sequestration to increase the readiness and lethality to our service men and women.

Next, the blueprint focuses on prioritizing border security, veterans health care, and school choice. It advances the Presidents plan to strengthen our national sovereignty through an investment in a wall coupled with adding additional immigration law enforcement personnel. It fulfills the Presidents commitment to our Nations veterans by providing one of the largest increases in funding for the provision of their health care. Additionally, it provides greater resources to public and private school choice through a $1.4 billion investment.

Finally, the budget blueprint eliminates hundreds of redundant, overlapping, or ineffective programs by looking at its effectiveness, not just its intentions. With every Americans share of national debt at $60,000, this Nation cannot afford to waste one penny on programs that have been around a long time but cant show effectiveness nor align with a core mission of federal government.

The President was elected by the people who want to make America great again. Director Mulvaney shares that vision and will continue to work to help the President realize that aim.
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An Eritrean asylum seeker in Israel is facing a charge of child abuse and 14 years behind bars after she performed a circumcision on her four-year-old son.

The unnamed woman, who works as a hotel cleaner and has been in Israel for over a decade, carried out the circumcision at her home in March 2016 and did not use the traditional instruments used in Jewish rituals.

The woman, known only as A, told the court: This is my son, my baby. After so many requests I made to all sorts of places about how to do it, I took it upon myself and cut. In Ethiopian culture, Eritrean culture, anyone who knows how can do the circumcision.

Her lawyer, Moshe Serogovich, argued that no law regulates the work of mohels, who normally perform circumcisions, and A acted according to her cultural heritage, as reported by Haaretz.

For us, a man with a beard and kippa says a few blessings and performs the bris for an 8-day-old baby, and that seems to be the most natural thing in the world to us, he said.

But if the boy is a bit older and the instruments are different, the same act is suddenly considered abuse that needs to be punished severely.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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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

Prosecutors replied that the cultural defence argument could be used a way to cover up abuse, similar to cases where men accused of beating their wives claim it is normal or acceptable in their culture.

Circumcisions are not regulated by law and there is no requirement for a doctor to be present. The question debated in court is what is the definition of circumcision, who can perform it and when.

According to the indictment, The defendant held the complainant in her hands and instructed him to sit in silence, and The defendant did not respond to the complainants crying and appeals, and continued to cut his skin in the upper part of the sexual organ. As lawyer said this description could be applied to any circumcision.

The indictment also stated that the child had minor swelling three days afterwards and he might need surgery in the future, yet an urologist who examined the child said there was no need for urgent intervention.

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Prosecutors claimed A hurt her son as punishment for defecating in bed, but the charge was strongly denied by both A and her lawyer.

According to experts, circumcisions are often performed by women in rural areas among the Eritrean Orthodox Church, and it is still a common practice when the child is a few years old.

The defendant took her son to nursery school three days after the incident, and asked him to lower his trousers so she could explain what happened to the teacher. The teacher, who noticed he allegedly had a limp and was injured, alerted authorities. He was taken to hospital and handed over to foster care the same day.

Authorities went to As home and took away her two daughters. Police charged her with interfering with an officer in the line of duty as she physically resisted.

Her daughters were returned to her partner several months later and the boy remains with a foster family.

If the court rules in As favour, it would set an important legal precedent.

Past attempts to regulate male circumcision have been defeated.

In 2013 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called on member states to implement restrictions on circumcision, and the resolution also covered female genital mutilation and the coercion of children into getting body piercings or tattoos. The resolution was not welcomed within the Israeli government and the Council dropped its attempt to legislate against male circumcision in 2015.
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Darcus Howe, the British broadcaster, writer, and civil liberties campaigner has died aged 74.

He spent more than half a century campaigning for black rights and is well known for organising the 1981 Back Peoples March.

Howe died peacefully in his sleep in Streatham, south London, according to his biographer Robin Bunce.

Darcus Howe on the Channel 4 current affairs show Devils Advocate (ITV/Rex)

He made his name in the British Black Panthers in the 1970s and worked as a journalist, writing a column for the New Statesman.

Howe also worked as a broadcaster and presented a range of shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and LWT. He was well known for his current affairs show Devil's Advocate.

Diane Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and the shadow Home Secretary, paid tribute to Howe on Twitter.

So sad to hear that Darcus Howe has passeda away. One of the standout activists & public intellectuals of his generation, she said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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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

MP John McDonnell wrote on Twitter: Sad to hear Darcus Howe has died. He was a courageous campaigner against injustice and for equality and civil liberties over decades.

George Galloway tweeted: Darcus Howe RIP. Fighter against racism and imperialism. Civil rights champion. Great leader of black peoples around the world.

In 2009 Howe successfully fought off prostate cancer after first being diagnosed with the illness two years before.

Christened Leighton Rhett Radford, he was born in Trinidad in 1943 and came to the UK in 1961. His father was a vicar and his mother a teacher.
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Six people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a boy was assaulted and knocked unconscious in Croydon in a brutal suspected hate crime.

Four men and two women were arrested late on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said, on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder.

Detectives believe a group of eight people chased the Kurdish-Iranian teen after discovering he was an asylum seeker and launched a brutal attack, they said on Sunday morning.

Police and paramedics were called to Shrublands Avenue at 11.40pm on Friday after reports of a man being attacked. They found a 17-year-old boy with serious head and facial injuries who is now in stable condition in hospital. He had suffered a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain.

DS Kris Blamires, of Croydon CID, said: At this early stage it is believed that about eight suspects approached the victim as he waited at a bus stop with two friends outside The Goat public house in the Shrublands.

It is understood that the suspects asked the victim where he was from and when they established that he was an asylum seeker they chased him and launched a brutal attack.

He has sustained serious head and facial injuries as a result of this attack, which included repeated blows to the head by a large group of attackers.

A number of people came to the aid of the victim as he lay unconscious and injured following the assault.

Chief Superintendent Jeff Boothe, Croydons borough commander, called it a savage attack and said it was only the intervention of passers-by and the arrival of police that stopped it being worse.

He said: A number of bystanders and eyewitnesses tried to intervene and say to the attackers that enough is enough.

By all accounts they didnt actually stop until the sound of police sirens were heard in the background.

Detectives are investigating whether some of those involved had been drinking in The Goat, Mr Boothe said.

The close-knit community has been left shocked by the ferocity of the attack, he added.

Housing minister Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, said: I think most people in Croydon will be as appalled as I am that what appears to have happened is a young man who came to this country seeking sanctuary has apparently been targeted because of his ethnic background.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA

Three 20-year-old men, a 20-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman have been arrested.

The Met is treating the attack as a suspected hate crime, and is appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should call Croydon CID on 020 3276 2234 or 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A raft of new laws are due to come into force this week which could affect your wallet for better or worse.

Here The Independent looks at some of the key changes:

Increase to the minimum wage

The new minimum wage for people aged 25 and over will go up by 30p to 7.50 per hour.

But younger workers are not quite so lucky and the wages of 21- to 24-year-olds will only increase by 10p from 6.95 per hour to 7.05 per hour.

For 18- to 20-year-olds that rate will increase just 5p from 5.55 to 5.60 per hour and for under-18s it will rise from 4 to 4.05 per hour.

The apprentice rate will increase from 3.40 to 3.50 per hour.

Former Chancellor George Osborne promised to raise the minimum wage, rebranded as the National Living Wage in 2015, to 9 by 2020.

But critics say it is not keeping up with the recommended wage set by Citizens UK which takes account of the cost of living.

The charity has currently set the wage needed for an acceptable standard of living at 8.45 per hour across the UK and 9.75 per hour in London.

Changes to pension law

New laws mean consumers will be able to claim a 500 tax-free allowance for employer-funded pensions advice from 6 April.

This means when combined with the Pensions Advice Allowance already introduced, people will be able to claim 1,000 worth of free pension advice.

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 move follows on from reforms introduced during the Coalition government where employers were obliged to offer all their employees a workplace pension on an opt-out basis.

The scheme is designed to fend off a looming social security crisis as fewer and fewer people will be able to rely on the state for help as the population ages and the tax base is depleted.

The introduction of new Immigration skills charge

In 2016, the Government announced its new levy on companies that employ non-EU workers in a bid to reduce migrant numbers.

The charge, which will come into force on 6 April, means companies will be charged 1,000 per employee per year for every non-EU worker they employ with a reduced rate of 364 per worker for small or charitable organisations.

The charge will not apply to PhD-level jobs or to international students who are switching from student visas to working visas but could potentially apply to EU workers after Brexit is complete.

Immigration Minister Robert Goodwin proposed that the tax apply to skilled EU workers after Brexit in a bid to soothe the anger of many Brexiteers who voted Leave because they feared migrants were taking their jobs.

But the proposal was branded idiotic by the Liberal Democrats who said the plan would kill off British business.
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A British-Iranian woman jailed in Tehran for allegedly plotting to topple the government has told how she dreams of watching her husband and their two-year-old daughter playing.

Ahead of the first anniversary of her detention, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe described her wish to see the pair dancing to Michael Jackson in the middle of our sitting room.

The 38-year-old was arrested at Tehran Airport on 3 April while visiting family in Iran with daughter Gabriella.

She was imprisoned for five years in September and lost an appeal against her sentence in January, but maintains her innocence.

Her husband Richard said it had been a long year of separation, a year of our lives interrupted.

The Free Nazanin Campaign said Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe had still not been shown her charge sheet following the appeal or what she has been convicted of.

Gabriella is being looked after by family members in Iran.

On Sunday  the 365th day since the arrest  family and friends will gather at Fortune Green close to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes home Hampstead, north-west London.

Supporters will tie yellow ribbons to a tree in the park along with quotes from inmates at Evin prison in Iran, where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held, describing what they would do with one day of freedom.

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

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes wish reads: My fondest dream has always been to arrive at our home, you ask me if I want to have a cup of tea, then make me one.

I just sit back and watch you two play. This is the image I had most when in solitary confinement.

How I wish I could watch you both dance in the middle of our sitting room to the Michael Jackson music  like when Gabriella was only tiny.

She also told how she would like to put a huge paper on the wall and draw a world in which there are no prisons, walls or fences  and let Gabriella do the colouring.

Mr Ratcliffe, 42, is calling on supporters to tie ribbons on trees near them and send photos, along with their ideas of freedom, to the Free Nazanin Campaigns Facebook page.
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Nuclear power stations and airports have been told to remain resilient to evolving cyber threats, amid fears that their systems may be targeted by hackers.

Energy minister Jesse Norman told The Telegraph that the government was "fully committed to defending the UK against cyber threats, with a 1.9 billion investment designed to transform this countrys cyber security.

But the threat of attack on Britains 15 operational reactors, which account for nearly a fifth of the countrys electricity, from terrorists, foreign spies and hacktivists remains high.

Mr Norman added that the civil nuclear strategy included ways which the sector can defend against, recover from, and remain resilient to evolving cyber threats.

But security services fear that some will nonetheless try to exploit vulnerabilities in the nuclear industrys internet defences.

It comes as intelligence agencies suggested that terror groups may have developed methods of planting explosives in mobile phones and laptops which avoid screening.

This led to the US and Britain banning travellers from a number of countries carrying laptops and large electronic devices on board flights.

Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, an independent think tank for defence and security, told The Telegraph it was crucial for the Government to respond rapidly.

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 potential threats are wide-ranging and are coming from government and non-government sources," he said.

Crucially there has to be clear co-operation with the private sector to tackle this, especially as airports are usually in private hands."
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Four days after formally triggering Article 50, the Prime Minister has been forced to reiterate the UKs steadfast commitment to Gibraltar, as senior figures in the Conservative caused embarrassment by suggesting the UK could go to war with Spain, as it had done with Argentina over the Falklands.

Yesterday morning, a cabinet minister and a former Tory leader both appeared on television to strongly suggest Theresa May would be prepared to go to war with Spain, a Nato ally, if it used the Brexit negotiations to seek to assert sovereignty over the UK territory, something which it has at no point indicated it would do.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, hosted this week by Eddie Mair, that the UK would go all the way to protect Gibraltar and its peoples right to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Minutes later, the former Conservative leader Michael Howard told Sky News: Thirty-five years ago this week, another woman prime minister sent a taskforce halfway across the world to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish-speaking country, and Im absolutely certain that our current prime minister will show the same resolve in standing by the people of Gibraltar.

Gibraltars First Minister Fabian Picardo had earlier told Mr Mair that the possibility of shared sovereignty with Spain would strip of us who we are before adding that the United Kingdom goes to war over the principle of consent all around the world.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Theresa May had spoken to Mr Picardo that morning, and said she would never allow Gibraltar to share sovereignty with Spain, for as long as Gibraltars people did not wish for that to be the case.

On Friday morning, European Council President Donald Tusk published his draft guidelines for the forthcoming negotiations with the EU, which said Spain would be given veto over any deal that would affect the status of Gibraltar, a tiny UK territory on the southern tip of the Spanish mainland. It has been interpreted to mean that a separate deal may have to be negotiated for Gibraltar, over trade but also potentially over freedom of movement, which could require a hard border around the territory.

Gibraltar was not specifically mentioned in Theresa Mays 2,200 word letter triggering Article 50, which was handed to Donald Tusk on Wednesday morning. Mr Picardo said he had had strategic and tactical discussions with Theresa May over the letter, heavily implying he had lobbied for Gibraltar to be included. He said it had been included tangentially via, the letters reference to the Governments Article 50 White Paper, which makes specific reference to Gibraltar.

Spain has made territorial claims over Gibraltar for more than 300 years, and is understood to have lobbied the European Council to have Gibraltars status specifically mentioned in the draft negotiation guidelines.

Gibraltar held a referendum on remaining part of the UK in 2002 and voted 99 per cent in favour, but in last years EU referendum it voted 97 per cent remain.

Mr Fallon told the BBC the UK Government would look after Gibraltar and that the continuation of its UK sovereignty was unquestionable.

He told the BBC: We are going to look after Gibraltar. Gibraltar will be protected all the way. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the agreement of the people of Gibraltar and they have made it very clear they do not want to live under Spanish rule.

Mr Picardo described the prospect of the territory ending up under shared control as awful.

He said: It would strip us of who we are. It would not be British if sovereignty should be shared with Spain.

It would be awful. Our home would be handed over to a party that has no claim to title.

Our day to day lives would not be the lives that would we live today. We would be living in somebody elses land.

Commenting on Michael Howards warning of a potential war with Spain over Gibraltar, Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: It is unbelievable that within a week of triggering Article 50 there are Conservatives already discussing potential wars with our European neighbours.

In only a few days the Conservative-right are turning long term allies into potential enemies. I hope this isnt a sign of the Governments approach to the long negotiations to come.

Brexiteers have gone from cheering to sabre rattling for war in four days, it is absolutely ludicrous.

Labours shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said: Inflammatory comments like those by Michael Howard will not help Britain get what it needs from these difficult Brexit negotiations.

Sadly, its typical of the botched Tory approach which threatens a bad deal for Britain.

Labour is clear that the sovereignty of Gibraltar must be protected and that the interests of British citizens in Gibraltar are safeguarded.

Both Spain and the UK are full members of Nato. No two Nato countries have ever fought a war against one another, and all Nato members, including the United States, are legally compelled to defend any Nato member that comes under attack.
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Two thirds of students think there should be a second referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal, according to research by the National Union of Students (NUS).

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for the terms of the UKs departure from the European Union to be put to the people in the form of a second referendum, probably in two years time. The NUS asked 2,685 UK students, aged between 16 and 24, and 63 per cent of them agreed there should be a second referendum.

Young people voted by a large margin to remain in the European Union, but turn out was dwarfed by older people, whose out votes were decisive in last summers poll.

The NUS has also set out four priorities for students in the Governments negotiations with the European Union, which began this week with the triggering of Article 50.

It has called for urgent action to ensure international students continue to be welcome in the UK, including removing them from official net migration figures, something the Government has consistently refused to do. It has also urged the Government to provide clarity of status for EU nationals in the UK, with particular regard to the large numbers of European academics working in British universities.

It has asked the Government to guarantee UK participation in existing EU student programmes like Erasmus, and to ensure existing EU research programmes of which the UK are currently a part are replaced with UK-EU collaboration.

Malia Bouattia, NUS President, said: NUS is committed to ensuring that students do not suffer as a result of the referendum result. NUS is unequivocal in our support of students, and others, right to remain. I have made this crystal clear in our written evidence to the Education Select Committee on the Impact of Exiting the European Union on Higher Education.

We are fighting to shape the terms on which Brexit takes place. This comes with a certain difficulty, because of the lack of clarity coming from Westminster, but it is our collective task as a movement to fight for better education, to fight for students, for migrants, and for all those who are faced with adverse circumstances. The way we rise to these challenges will shape the future of our sector and our society for years to come.
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The Chancellor is to urge Indian businesses to use the expertise of the City of London in the latest attempt by ministers to build trade links outside the European Union.

Philip Hammonds trade mission to Delhi and Mumbai is part of an effort to build a partnership with India as it tries to forge a future as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

Officials believe the triggering of Article 50, formally starting the Brexit process, makes the trip a significant opportunity for Mr Hammond to highlight the UKs new role in the world.

Mr Hammond said the UK was about to embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history.

The delegation accompanying the Chancellor includes Mark Carney, the Bank of England governor, and ministers including Baroness Neville-Rolfe, the Commercial Secretary, and Mark Garnier, Minister for International Trade.

The Treasury said business figures on the trade mission include some of the UKs most experienced leaders in financial services and FinTech  financial technology  entrepreneurs.

The UK is the worlds largest exporter of financial services and the leading centre for FinTech.

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

Mr Hammond said: Im delighted to be leading such a heavyweight delegation to India to bang the drum for British business. I am determined to create a truly global Britain, reaching out and promoting the best of what we have to offer.

As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history, looking to boost our trade and investment beyond the borders of Europe and strengthening our relationships with the worlds most vibrant economies is more important than ever.

In a reference to Indian prime minister Narendra Modis make in India agenda, Mr Hammond said: The UK is perfectly placed to be Indias financial partner of choice, helping it to raise the finance needed for its continued rapid growth and my message will be make in India, finance in the UK.

Our innovative markets have helped support the development of whole new product classes such as masala bonds that will support Indias transformation.

PA
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Spain has dropped its plan to veto an application by an independent Scotland to join the EU.

The Spanish foreign minister Alfonso Dastis remains opposed to the disintegration of the UK and an independent Scotland but the move shows that Madrid is ready to soften its stance.

Spain has long opposed the breakup of the UK as it fears this would give a boost to separatists in Catalonia, who have been putting pressure on the conservative government of Mariano Rajoy for an independent state.

The Guardian reports that when asked directly whether he would veto an independent Scotland of joining the EU, Mr Dastis said: No, we wouldnt.

Mr Dastis also said that Edinburgh would have to apply for EU membership, standing by his guns that Scotland would have to join the back of the queue, risking to spend a long period of time outside of the union waiting to rejoin.

We dont want it [Scottish independence] to happen. But if it happens legally and constitutionally, we would not block it. We dont encourage the breakup of any member states, because we think the future goes in a different direction, he told European reporters.

Mr Dastis appears to have changed its tone since the Brexit vote. In 2014, he warned Scottish independence would disintegrate the EU but there is now a general sense of compassion from EU leaders for Scotland, which voted to remain in the union at 62 per cent.

Hispanic Day has been criticised in Catalonia previously, with many activists and senior officials calling for it to be banned (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, in Brussels there is not much appetite to speculate on the future of Scotland, when EU officials insist that the UK has to agree the divorce package before negotiating trade talks.

This comes as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the UK will stand up for Gibraltar after it called unacceptable Spains lobbying over the territorys future as part of the Brexit negotiations.

Documents published by the European Council showed that decisions affecting Gibraltar would be referred to the Spanish Government.

The small territory in southern Spain voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK in a referendum in 2002. In last years EU referendum, 97 per cent of its citizens voted Remain.

Spain and all 27 remaining EU countries are able to veto the UKs Brexit deal, but it is uncertain what that could mean in practice.
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A 13-year-old boy died and at least six other children were rushed to hospital unconscious after a carbon monoxide leak at a hotel pool.

Bryan Douglas Watts, 13, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital after the incident at the Quality Inn & Suites in Niles, southwestern Michigan.

Emergency services rushed to the hotel on Saturday morning after staff found six children lying unconscious on the pool deck. A seventh child was later discovered passed out in a first-floor room.

The boy who died was local to Niles, a small town of about 11,000 people.

The other children found unconscious were all aged between 12 and 14, the spokesman said.

Two responding officers were treated for carbon monoxide inhalation but later released from hospital.

Niles Fire Captain Don Wise said the leak was caused by a malfunctioning vent pipe from the pool heater.

Police said that, when they arrived, carbon monoxide levels at the hotel were 16 times the safe limit for the US.

Carbon monoxide, sometimes referred to as "the silent killer", is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas produced when a fuel is burned. When too much of it is in the air, it can replace the oxygen in red blood cells and cause tissue damage or death.

Choice Hotels, which owns Quality Inn, said in a statement it is working closely with local officials to manage the situation. ... Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our guests.

The statement added that its thoughts were with the affected families, and that this isolated incident occurred at an independently-owned franchise.

The other children rushed to hospital are reported to be in a stable condition in hospital.
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Bed Bath & Beyond drowned itself in confusion after insisting it still sold Ivanka Trumps merchandise but does not display any Trump-branded items on its website.

The hot water started rising this week, after the founder of the boycott movement against the Trump family, #GrabYourWallet, posted an email from a Bed Bath & Beyond customer representative telling a customer, At this time, we are no longer carrying Trump merchandise.

Shannon Coulter, who posted the screengrab of the email, was celebrating another win for the grassroots campaign, following similar news from outlets like Nordstrom.

But the New Jersey-based, $6 billion company was quick to pull the plug on the report.

We want to apologize for recent confusion caused by one of our customer service representatives," it said in a statement. "Our customer service representative inadvertently provided information to a customer that was not accurate.

It added: We are not making our merchandising decisions based on anyone's political beliefs. We have Ivanka Trump products in some stores and carry them where consumer demand and business performance justifies it.

Bed Bath & Beyond strives to provide our customers with a wide variety of high quality product choices across our businesses that fit their varying preferences.

A quick scan of the companys website found that searching Ivanka Trump in All Departments yielded no results.

(Bed Bath & Beyond) (Bed Bath & Beyond)

The news follows Nordstrom's announcement that it had dropped Ms Trumps fashion and jewellery brand after poor sales.

President Trump sent a negative tweet about the retailer, and Press Secretary Sean Spicer said an attack on Ms Trump was equivalent to a direct attack of the President.

The incident also led to Mr Trumps adviser Kellyanne Conway urging Fox News viewers to go buy Ivankas stuff, sparking an ethics investigation. The Oval Office lawyer concluded, however, that she was speaking in a "light, offhand manner".

Neiman Marcus also said it was dropping the First Daughters collection. Ms Coulters website lists more than 60 companies which she currently advises Trump opponents to boycott, including New York giants Macys and Bloomingdales.

Despite reported poor sales, Ms Trump and her family are unlikely to suffer financially.

Recent documents showed that she and her husband, Jared Kushner, have assets of $240 million and are primary beneficiaries to their businesses which are worth more than $700 million.
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A Catholic high school teacher stands accused of having sex with a student and trying to delete the evidence.

Theresa Hrindo, 25, faces two counts of sexual assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one of hindering apprehension after she allegedly slept with a 16- or 17-year-old student and deleted photos from their phone.

Ms Hrindo, of Linden in New Jersey, is due to appear in court in May after being arrested on Thursday. The Roselle Catholic teacher is accused of having sex with the teen a number of times between December and February, according to NJ.com.

She has been released from custody on the condition she have no contact with the student. She has also been barred from teaching.

The Archdiocese of Newark reported the alleged sexual relationship to authorities and Ms Hrindo was suspended, the site reported.

Michael Brucki, her lawyer, said: "This whole process for my client, her family and everyone involved is, quite frankly, traumatic."

His client has not been in legal trouble before, he told a judge.
'It's not possible to imagine NATO' without the US, NATO secretary general says

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg refused to answer what would happen to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization if the U.S. were to leave, in an interview with CNBC on Friday.

"NATO is about creating a framework for a strong trans-Atlantic bond, so it's not possible to imagine NATO without North America or without the United States. But I'm absolutely certain that NATO will continue because NATO has been the most successful alliance in history," Stoltenberg told CNBC.

During his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 17, President Donald Trump pushed "hard" in regards to NATO's commitments, said one official. In a joint press conference following the meeting, Trump said he reiterated to Merkel the U.S.'s "strong support for NATO."

Trump had called NATO "obsolete" in January, before he became president, citing that the organization hadn't defended against terrorism. He has repeatedly called on NATO allies to "pay their fair share."

The president also accused Germany of owing a great deal of money to NATO.

When asked about Trump's claims, Stoltenberg said that the key aspect is for the NATO allies to implement a plan laid out in 2014 to gradually increase defense spending until it reaches about 2 percent of GDP within the decade. "And that's exactly what we are starting to do," he added.

Correction: The full name of NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.





More From CNBC


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President Trump has struck a much more cautious note when talking about health care, saying that "hopefully" a new deal will be made.

On Twitter on Sunday morning, Mr Trump wrote that: "Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck."

It was perhaps the first time that the President has used less strident language on scrapping Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, that was signed under former President Barack Obama in 2010.

During the campaign trail and after he stepped into office, he repeatedly promised to "immediately" or "very quickly" abandon Obamacare, which he said was a "disaster" and that it would be "easy" to replace.

He then decided to keep certain provisions of the Act, such as not discriminating against pre-existing medical conditions, and allowing young people to be signed onto their parents' plan until the age of 26, and was consequently branded as "Obamacare-lite" by more hardline Conservatives.

The proposed American Health Care Act bill, kept under lock and key at Capitol Hill, was pulled last month after House Speaker Paul Ryan realised they would not obtain enough votes for it to be passed. Democrats would have voted in block against it, as it would instate a cap on Medicaid spending after 2020 and proposed other controversial clauses like transferring penalties for not purchasing insurance from benefiting the government to the insurance provider.

Many Republicans also felt the new bill did not go far enough to completely repeal the old law, which made premiums and deductibles more expensive and even unaffordable for the middle class.

Mr Trump, once the bill was pulled, said he had never promised to replace US health care within 68 days.

His approval rating quickly plummeted to a record low of 35 per cent by 28 March, found Gallup.

He also tweeted: "Anybody (especially Fake News media) who thinks that Repeal & Replace of ObamaCare is dead does not know the love and strength in R Party!"
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Donald Trump has announced that April will be National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month as the President fights multiple accusations of sexual assault himself.

The President has been accused of sexually assaulting more than 15 women, in a series of allegations that unravelled in the run-up to the election. Mr Trump has denied all the allegations, declaring at a campaign rally that the accusers were sick and hungry for fame.

The White House proclamation on Friday, signed by the President, took a different tone, adding that a persons inherent dignity should never be violated.

Recommended More than 13 women have accused Donald Trump of sexual assault

As we recognize National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we are reminded that we all share the responsibility to reduce and ultimately end sexual violence, it read. As a Nation, we must develop meaningful strategies to eliminate these crimes, including increasing awareness of the problem in our communities, creating systems that protect vulnerable groups, and sharing successful prevention strategies.

The notice pointed to an executive order which instructs Attorney General Jeff Sessions to come up with a strategy to reducing crime, and which has placed much higher emphasis on illegal immigration and drugs than on preventing sexual assault. The proclamation does not signal there would be any dedicated funding or legislation to combat sexual assault.

After a 2005 video was leaked in October which showed the now-President bragging about his right as a star to grab womens genitals, more than a dozen women came forwards, accusing him of assault over a span of at least 30 years.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

Allegations included that of People Magazine journalist Natasha Stoynoff, who claimed he had assaulted her at Mar-a-Lago whilst Melania Trump, pregnant at the time, was in the next room.

Mr Trump responded by asking supporters at a rally to look at her, implying she was not attractive enough to be assaulted.

I dont think so, he told the crowd.

 Trump in response to sexual assault claims - 'Look at her... you tell me'

The accusations include one lawsuit, filed by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos, suing Mr Trump, the host of the reality show, for defamation after he failed to admit he had allegedly assaulted her.

He dismissed his words in the video as locker room talk.

 Donald Trump caught on tape talking about sexually assaulting women: "Grab 'em by the pussy"

In the proclamation, it says: Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of changing social norms that accept or allow indifference to sexual violence. This can be done by engaging young people to step in and provide peer leadership against condoning violence, and by mobilizing men and boys as allies in preventing sexual and relationship violence.

After the video was released and caused an uproar, even amongst Republicans, Mr Trump hurriedly recorded an apology around midnight on a Friday evening at Trump Tower, in which he promised to be a better man tomorrow, but added that the video was nothing more than a distraction from the important issues and attacked Bill Clinton.

 Donald Trump apologises for 'grab them by the p****' remarks, says Bill Clinton has done 'far worse'

Also in 2005, when he was 59 years old, Mr Trump told the Howard Stern radio that he could get away with walking in on beauty pageant contestants because he owned the company.

Mr Trump told the Howard Stern radio show in 2005 that he could get away with walking in on beauty pageant contestants as they were getting dressed as he owned the pageant.

I dont even wait, he said, When youre a star, they let you do it.

The man he had been bragging to in the leaked video, Billy Bush, the former host of Access Hollywood, was fired. Mr Trump, however, became the 45th President just one month later.

April is not just dedicated to the epidemic of sexual assault. It has also been proclaimed National Financial Capability Month, National Donate Life Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Cancer Control Month.
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Women have reportedly received some $13m (10.4m) in settlements related to alleged sexual harassment or other inappropriate behaviour by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly.

Five women have received payouts from either Mr O'Reilly himself or Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox following complaints about verbal abuse and unwanted sexual advances, according to an investigation by the New York Times.

The host of the O'Reilly Factor is one of Fox News' most successful personalities and has worked at the conservative network for two decades.

In 2016, after former chairman Roger Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by fellow host Gretchen Carlson, Mr O'Reilly called for a change in how legal costs are paid and criticised a "tremendously destructive" and "tabloid" society.

He said he stood by Mr Ailes, who later resigned, "100 per cent".

According to the New York Times, the settlements date back as far as 2002, when a female producer left the network following an alleged verbal abuse incident.

In a statement posted on his website, Mr O'Reilly, 67, said: "Just like other prominent and controversial people, I'm vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity.

"In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the human resources department, even on the anonymous hotline.

"But most importantly, I'm a father who cares deeply for my children and who would do anything to avoid hurting them in any way. And so I have put to rest any controversies to spare my children.

"The worst part of my job is being a target for those who would harm me and my employer, the Fox News Channel. Those of us in the arena are constantly at risk, as are our families and children.

"My primary efforts will continue to be to put forth an honest TV program and to protect those close to me."

He has denied any wrongdoing.

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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Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. 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A spokesperson for 21st Century Fox said: "Notwithstanding the fact that no current or former Fox News employee ever took advantage of the 21st Century Fox hotline to raise a concern about Bill O'Reilly, even anonymously, we have looked into these matters over the last few months and discussed them with Mr O'Reilly.

"While he denies the merits of these claims, Mr O'Reilly has resolved those he regarded as his personal responsibility. Mr O'Reilly is fully committed to supporting our efforts to improve the environment for all our employees at Fox News."
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A man who pleaded guilty to killing his estranged wife more than two decades ago recently led authorities to her body, which was buried under the grave of a World War II veteran.

John Sandoval, 52, from Colorado, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 1995 death of Kristina Tournai-Sandoval.

As part of a plea deal, he told investigators the remains were buried at a Greeley cemetery.

Sandoval found an open grave site early in the morning on 20 October, 1995, that was scheduled for a burial that afternoon.

Prosecutors say he dug about two feet (0.61m) below the grave and buried Ms Tournai-Sandovals body, which was wrapped in several layers of industrial-grade plastic.

Cemetery workers then unknowingly buried the veteran over her remains.

That day, detectives found a wet and muddy shovel in Sandovals car and muddy clothes inside his home. After he was arrested, investigators noticed scratch marks on his face, neck and chest.

Charges were not filed at the time because authorities could not find the body, any witnesses or a crime scene.

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

For 7,826 days, 3 hours and 22 minutes, the location of Tinas remains has been a mystery, Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said.

Over the course of the last week, we have finally been able to give her family what they so desperately wanted.

Sandoval was convicted in 2010 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. But an appeals court overturned his conviction last year, ruling a judge wrongfully allowed evidence that Sandoval stalked other women, as well as expert testimony correlating stalkers with murderers.

Prosecutors had been preparing for a new trial when Sandoval acknowledged knowing the location of his wifes body.

Court records show Sandoval had met with his wife to settle a debt before finalising their divorce.

Before the meeting, she warned family members that if anything happened to her, her husband was responsible. She also arranged to talk with her sister by phone after the meeting.
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A sex ring trafficked mentally-ill young men after getting them hooked on drugs for more than 20 years, court papers claim.

The ring is believed to have supplied at least eight wealthy men, who paid $250 for sex in Connecticut and Massachusetts in the US.

Authorities said Robert King, of Danbury, who has been arrested, was at the heart of the prostitution operations, Danbury newspaper the News Times reported.

Court records shows that at least 15 young men in their early twenties were part of the scheme. They suffered from illnesses such schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and some had severe disabilities and were living in group homes.

King would befriend troubled young men, including one he allegedly found going through a dumpster, get them hooked on cocaine and heroin before encouraging them to prostitute themselves to pay for their drug habit.

Im just a gay guy trying to help people, King told police.

According to neighbours testimonies, King used to bring back some of the young men to his mobile home.

They described King as having a nasty temper and said groups of teenage boys would often hang around his house, running up and down the street, apparently high on drugs, the Danbury paper reports.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. 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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 ring has been under investigation from police authorities since January 2016 but Bruce J Bermer, of Glastonbury, owner of the Waterford Speedbowl and New England Motor Sports, who was charged this week with patronising a trafficked person, said King had been sending him prostitutes for more than 20 years.

William Trefzger, a previously convicted sex offender from Westport, has also been charged for the same offence while King has been charged with second-degree prostitution and tampering with a witness.

The court records show that Trefzger first denied involvement in prostitution but later admitted having sex with boys King delivered to his home. He also admitted he knew they had mental health problems.
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They cross at night, trudging for hours through the winter freeze over fields that stretch to the horizon.

They come alone, in pairs, or in groups of 17, their breath clouding the dark air. There are old men and pregnant women, and a toddler being carried in the arms of its mother. All make the crossing in the hope of a better life.

Since the election of Donald Trump, the Canadian border town of Emerson has become the frontline in a new international immigration controversy. Fearful of being deported under the Presidents crackdown on undocumented migrants, hundreds of people are crossing north to Canada, where the youthful and media savvy Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has sought to welcome them.

People are crossing in temperatures that plunge to -30C (AP)

In the first three months of 2017, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested 1,134 migrants  the same as for all of 2016. As spring arrives and the crossing becomes less perilous, that number is likely to rise.

Weve had four cross this week  a Somali, a Honduran, someone from El Salvador, and even an American, said Frank Suderman, manager of the Maple Leaf Motel, located a hundred yards from the border.

Its always at 2am or 5am. They knock on the door. You never know. Weve always had people crossing, but never this many.

The people of Emerson, population 650, say they have done all they can to help those crossing illegally. Some have provided hot coffee and meals, others are members of the towns volunteer fire department, which turns out in all weathers to help people lost or stuck in a blizzard before handing them over to the immigration authorities.

Some, such as Mr Suderman, have washed blankets used by the emergency teams and which get covered in the thick, black fertile mud that has made the area one of Canadas most important farming regions.

And in a province whose nickname is Friendly Manitoba, people are proud of a tradition of welcome and hospitality. Many have little time for Mr Trump and his actions.

People in Emerson say they have tried to help those entering Canada (AP)

At the same time, among some residents, frustration is growing. They say Mr Trudeau has offered almost no financial support to meet their humanitarian role, while others wish those entering the country would follow the official procedure.

I just wish people would come here legally. Weve been an open country, said Johanne Kehler, who works as a cook in Emerson and lives in neighbouring Letellier. If they came in legally, it would be better.

Locals refer to what they say is a legal loophole. Under an agreement with the US, any migrant approaching an official Canadian border crossing will be turned back if they have already made a refugee claim in America.

However, if they are able to set a foot on Canadian soil, they are allowed to stay and make a separate asylum claim.

Emerson sits on the 49th parallel, a circle of latitude that for 2,175 miles designates the border between five US states and four Canadian provinces. Located on the Red River, and at the junction of North Dakota and Minnesota, the town has for more than 200 years been a border community, and dealt with everything that has come with such status.

While the border between the US and Canada is designated by marker posts, some more than a hundred years old, hardly any of it is fenced. Cattle, wildlife and people can walk straight across.

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On the US side of the border, in both North Dakota and Minnesota, The Independent was able to follow country roads that led directly to the unfenced border, some located just a few hundred yards from the official crossing point. It would have been a simple thing to have hopped across.

It was never really a problem. Normally, both countries have had respect, but that respect has gone out of the window, said Doug Johnston, a town councillor and volunteer with the fire department, as he pointed out the towns limits, where Canada ends and the US begins.

Mr Johnston said many in Emerson felt they were at the centre of an international push-and-pull, with Mr Trump doing the pushing and Mr Trudeau responsible for the pulling.

I feel, yes, they are crossing illegally, he said. But when a mother and a child are coming in winter, it shows their desperation.

Officials say the majority of those crossing are from Somalia and other African countries. More recently, people have been arriving from Latin America and Haiti.

This has been going on forever, said Jean-Nicolas Beuze, Canada representative of UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. But the numbers have increased since November.

Muhammad said he entered Canada after Mr Trump deported 100 Somali asylum seekers (Andrew Buncombe ) (Andrew Buncombe)

He declined to speculate that the election of Mr Trump was the reason for the increase. Its very hard to a have a long term view, he said.

Those who work with migrants wish that people focussed on the individuals and the circumstances that led them to cross, rather than simple numbers.

Rita Chahal runs the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council in the provincial capital, Winnipeg. It provides emergency accommodation and legal advice to new arrivals.

Since the recent increase in the number of migrants, Ms Chahal has been subjected to racist abuse on social media. The Council has had to employ security guards around the clock. It does not publicise the location of its accommodation centre.

Ms Chahal said it was only correct that people were concerned about the safety of Canadas border and those entering. But she said there were effective professional organisations such as the police and immigration services, dealing with any threat. People were thoroughly screened before they were allowed to make an asylum claim.

She said she had urged the media to stop focussing on simply the number of people coming. You have to have the human faces.

Among those faces is Muhammad, a 30-year-old businessman and interpreter from Somalia, who entered the US illegally in December 2015, having left Mogadishu six months earlier. His journey involved travelling to the Bahamas where he paid $5,000 (4,000) to a coyote to take him by boat to the south east of Florida.

He was arrested upon arrival, detained and ordered to be deported, then released as he sought to make a claim for asylum based on the lawless and frequently deadly nature of life in Somalia.

He said that on 22 January 2017, he learnt that around 100 Somalis had been deported as part of Mr Trumps crackdown, and he decided to try and make it to Canada.

Sitting in a room in the NGOs accommodation, asking that he not be fully identified or his face shown, Muhammad said he crossed into Emerson as part of a group of ten people on the night of 19 March.

 Meet the migrant fleeing Al-Shabaab who escapes deportation by Trump by crossing into Canada

Having paid for a ride to a town in North Dakota, he walked for more than an hour before the Canadian authorities picked them up.

We were freezing. We could not feel our hands, he said. Officials in Emerson had treated them very nicely, in stark contrast, he said, to how he was treated in the detention centre in the US.

I was in detention and they just treat you like a criminal. I am not a criminal, said Muhammad, whose wife, child and mother are still in Somalia.

Asked if he thought Mr Trump had any insight about the situation in his country, where he said his family was recently threatened by the extremist group Al-Shabaab, he said the New York tycoon had talked of Somali pirates during the election campaign.

The vast majority of the border is unfenced (Andrew Buncombe ) (Andrew Buncombe)

During the campaign, he said he hates Muslims. He said Somalia was one of the countries he does not like. He is racist, he said. He talked about pirates  that is not everyone in the country.

He said he hoped now to be able to attend college in Canada. If his claim for asylum is successful, he would like to sponsor his wife and child. He said he had been able to speak to them and let them know he had made it.

In Emerson, Jackie Reiner opened Little Js Cafe six weeks ago in a room attached to a hotel. She and her partner named it for the nicknames given to their two children.

In the weeks the cafe has been open, it has been packed every morning with locals and outside contractors, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. On a recent morning, the room was full of conversation about the people crossing the border. There was a mixture of sympathy and concern.

Ms Reiner is one of the residents who has appeared frequently on local television, outlining the situation  both local and much broader  in clear and precise terms.

I feel for these people because they have nowhere to go, she said. They have no idea what theyre walking into  its minus 30C. They must be desperate at that point. There is no sane person who would put themselves through that otherwise.

She believed the problem facing Emerson could be solved if the US and Canada spoke to each other. She pointed out that many countries in the world were struggling to deal with the problem of immigration. Why were they not pooling expertise and experience?

She said the issue motivating people such as Muhammad, and those just known by a number or the shorthand of a nationality, was not going to go away. Many were fleeing authoritarian regimes, or war zones.

I would have grabbed my kids months ago and run, with the threats they are getting from Trump and other countries, she said. They dont want to go back where theyre from. Trump is threatening theyre going to be deported: you run.

* Video production by Tom Goulding and Charlie Atkin
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Donald Trump has said that the US is prepared to act alone if China does not take a tougher stand against North Korea's nuclear program.

Speaking just days before he is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida, the US President insisted his country could totally handle the situation with the secretive Communist state.

Yes, we will talk about North Korea, Mr Trump told the Financial Times. And China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they wont. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they dont it wont be good for anyone.

He added that trade was the incentive for China to work with the US. The subject is likely to be one of a number of issues discussed by the leaders along with the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Asked how he would tackle North Korea, Trump said: Im not going to tell you. You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East.

He also refused to elaborate on whether a potential deal that would see the US remove troops from the Korean peninsula in exchange for Chinese pressure on its neighbour. 

Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will, he said. That is all I am telling you.

 US defence secretary Jim Mattis condemns 'reckless' North Korea

While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbour, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong-un's government is limited.

But the US has become increasingly concerned about the Communist country, which is known to have nuclear capabilities and launched three failed missile tests last month.

The relationship between the United States and China has been uncertain since Mr Trump's election.

During his presidential campaign he accused China of unfair trade practices, threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods and declare Beijing a currency manipulator, although it is unclear whether Trump will follow through with either threat.

Mr Trump told the newspaper that he doesnt want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet.

North Korea Prison Camps Show all 7 1 /7 North Korea Prison Camps North Korea Prison Camps An overview of Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps The administration area of Camp 15 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A water treatment system in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps Crop fields and, inset, prisoners in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps The reported crematorium in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A possible mine Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A walled compound in Camp 15 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe

The USs ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, also offered tough talk on China, telling on ABC News' This Week that the US is pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Koreas nuclear program.

UN resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests and last year, the country conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.

They need to show us how concerned they are, Ms Haley said. "They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that."

She added that "China has to cooperate."

The US recently sanctioned 11 North Koreans and one North Korean coal company for their links to the country's nuclear weapons program.

The American Treasury accused the individuals of working as agents of North Korea's government in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba to provide financial support for previously sanctioned companies.
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The former Counsel to President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal said Americans view Donald Trump as insane, angry and he thinks that Mr Trumps Presidency is an unfolding disaster.

As I see it, about maybe half the population right now isnt sure whether he is insane or if hes just a totally angry man, they dont know what hes doing, John Dean told Sky News.

About 40 per cent seem to be happy with him and approve of his job and another maybe 10 per cent are pretty confused or dont care, so its very strange over here now.

"Weve never had a President like this and thats why I have nightmares.

Mr Dean, who served under Mr Nixon in the early 1970s and was described by the FBI as a master manipulator, speculated that the current President appeared to have an attention deficit disorder and had not made any effort to become more Presidential.

I see it as unfolding disaster at this point, he said.

Im kind of happy every morning when I wake up to see he hasnt blown up some part of the world.

Several decades ago, Mr Dean pleaded guilty to a single felony in exchange for being the key witness in the prosecution of the Nixon administration.

In the current administration, former national security adviser Michael Flynn has requested immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying in front of the Senate and House intelligence committees about alleged ties between Trump aides and Russia. The request has been described as not on the table.

The remarks from Mr Dean, now an author, lecturer and columnist, follow similar concerns from Richard Painter, former Chief Ethics Counsel to George W Bush, and Norman Eisen, former Chief Ethics Counsel to Barack Obama.

The latter two are part of a group of plaintiffs suing the President for alleged conflicts of interest at home and abroad while in the White House.

Mr Trumps approval rating dropped to a record low of 35 per cent on 28 March, according to a Gallup poll, the lowest point so early on in a Presidents first term in decades.

He was filmed this week walking out of the latest executive order signing ceremony without signing the order amid reporters questions on Russia, leaving Vice President Mike Pence to gather up the documents on the desk and bring them to him to sign in private.
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A surge in child refugees returning to Calais and Dunkirk in a bid to reach the UK is generating a new consumer base for smugglers and people traffickers in the region, The Independent has learnt.

Charities have warned that the closure of legal routes to Britain and an absence of child safeguarding services in the region have provided smuggling networks with a terrifying new market that involves coercing children into taking illegal routes involving large debts or exploitation.

The number of underage refugees arriving in Dover from Calais through unauthorised routes has steadily increased since the closure of the Dubs scheme, which brought unaccompanied child refugees to the UK, was announced at the beginning of February. According to figures seen by The Independent, seven children were found in lorries at the port of Dover and taken into the care of Kent local authority in the last week of February, compared to just two in the first, three in the second and four in the third.

Authorities in northern France have meanwhile informed The Independent that the numbers of illegal stowaways detected in vehicles at the Eurotunnel port have been on the rise since November, with an estimated 2,100 individuals found at the port and arrested in January, including a large number of minors.

Hundreds of unaccompanied child refugees who were formerly residents in the Calais Jungle have returned to northern France from accommodation centres in recent weeks after being informed they had been rejected by the Home Office, and are now living in small camps run by people smugglers or rough sleeping in Calais. There are an estimated 300 minors sleeping on the streets of Calais and around 120 minors in the Grande Synthe camp in Dunkirk, as well as an unknown number living in hidden encampments.

The British Government announced in early February that it was to close the Dubs scheme  intended to grant 3,000 vulnerable unaccompanied minors a safe passage to Britain  after accepting just 350, as well as ending an accelerated scheme to assess direct family ties through the Dublin regulation.

Following anger from human rights campaigners, the Home Office has since said it would reconsider cases of children normally resident in the Calais camp for family reunification, but this process is said to be very slow and does not apply to vulnerable minors without family in the UK, prompting a growing number to turn to illegal routes.

Charities are warning that the situation has created a new consumer base for traffickers, who are capitalising on the desperation of children by claiming territory of car parks and lay-bys and charging thousands of pounds for them to try board lorries, holding them to large debts when they fail to pay. The average charge is said to be 3,000 (2,550) for a try and 10,000 (8,500) for guaranteed passage.

One 19-year-old Afghan living in the Dunkirk camp who recently travelled from a centre elsewhere in France along with his brother, 16, and his friend, 17, told The Independent they were now spending every night trying to board UK-bound lorries, and were having to avoid dangerous men looking to exploit their pursuit.

In Dunkirk there are dangerous men who work at the parking in Calais. If he sees you he asks why you are here, and says you cant come here for trying, said the teenager.

They have knives and guns. They ask us to pay money. Every person must give 3,000 to try there. Its very bad. I dont give money. Its no longer possible to do it without money in Calais and Dunkirk so we try by ourselves in different cities, but usually police in other cities tell us we have to go back to Dunkirk. I dont know what we will do.

Three weeks ago there was a shooting in the camp. Police came but didnt arrest the men. There are a lot of problems here.

Elaine Ortiz, founder of Hummingbird, a childrens organisation supporting former child residents of the Jungle, said there was an organised network of gangs and smuggling groups who profited from the desperation of children by charging them money to attempt boarding lorries and giving them so-called debts if they cannot pay.

Some of them are smugglers, some of them are traffickers and others are gang members. They patrol different areas, so each part of Calais generally is owned by a gang member, said Ms Ortiz.

They dont necessarily help move people from A to B. They just literally say this area is theirs, and that if anyone wants to try in that area, such as a lorry park, or near a train station, that you have to pay that person money.

Weve known of kids trying to sneak past violent gang members who guard lorry parks and key trying areas, because they dont have the money to pay. If caught they are beaten or given a debt, which they must pay off.

Ms Ortiz told of one case in which a 14-year-old refugee, despite being housed at an accommodation centre in the South of France, was being harassed by a smuggling gang over a debt they ordered him to pay on behalf of his friend, who had succeeded in reaching the UK by boarding a lorry in a lay-by they had claimed.

These people are still harassing him by phone, which is adding ongoing stress to his already fragile emotional state, Ms Ortiz added.

The increased activity of people smugglers in northern France is reflected by the growing numbers of people being found in lorries during border checks at the Eurotunnel. Sebastian Rivera, general secretary of FNTR (the French National Federation of Road Transport), said numbers had been rising since November, and included a large proportion of minors.

Theres been an increase in the number of migrants being found in lorries. There were around 500 each week, and its been growing since. Were told that there are a large number of minors among them, Mr Rivera told The Independent.

There was a steep decline around the time of the demolition of the Jungle, with the numbers dropping in September and October. Now its rising again and this is a concern for lorry drivers.

The most concentrated gathering of migrants is at the Grande-Synthe camp in Dunkirk. Its well-known that the traffickers run this camp and exploit people who go through human misery for a way to go to the UK. The state and the police are trying hard to dismantle these networks of traffickers, but its still a big concern.

It comes days after a report by Europol revealed people smuggling in Europe had expanded so dramatically that it is now comparable to the illegal drugs market, with criminal networks offering services facilitating illegal movement within the EU emerging as one of the most profitable and widespread activities for organised crime on the continent.

Charities on the ground have warned that while this illegal activity in Calais is not new, the return of children to the area and the lack of safe spaces or services to protect them  with child safeguarding systems that were established around the Calais Jungle now gone  has made minors an easy target for people smugglers and gangs in the region.

Unaccompanied boys in Dunkirk camp are currently living and sleeping in communal areas alongside older men, some of whom are said to be people smugglers who are coercing them into pursuing illegal routes to the UK rather than cooperating with volunteers trying to establish a legal passage or claim asylum in France.

(Sue Clayton (Sue Clayton)

British charity Safe Passage, which is working with unaccompanied minors in the Grande-Synthe camp in Dunkirk to help establish safe routes to the UK or claim asylum in France, told The Independent their work was becoming increasingly challenging and dangerous due to the seeming desire by some adult men in the camp to manipulate the children.

Laura Griffiths, the charitys field manager in Calais, said: If a child is seen to be speaking to a volunteer it raises a lot of suspicion about what were talking to them about. Its getting worse. Weve got to be so careful now.

No one in the camp knows who Safe Passage is because we go under the radar. We have to be covert. Weve started using volunteers who serve food and who distribute aid to casually ask kids if theyve got family in the UK, because we dont want to put these children at more risk than theyre already at.

When Calais existed there were traffickers operating there as well, but it was more spread out. The difference is that now there are more children coming to Dunkirk after fleeing from the accommodation centres, and people are there waiting to exploit them.

Establishing legal routes such as family reunification is obviously not a quick process. We need the British Government to provide accommodation for these children so we can register them to access this legal route without having to tell them to go wait in the camp for three months where theyre at risk from these traffickers.

Margot Bernard, child protection officer at Calais-based charity lAuberge des Migrants, said children in the camp were surrounded by adults they dont know and are potential traffickers who try to manipulate their decisions.

Ms Bernard said: The Dunkirk camp is over-populated. It has been increasing in numbers since the beginning of the year, and as a result we have a lot more people sleeping in communal parts of the camp where people didnt used to sleep before. This means a lot of children are now surrounded by adults who they do not know and who are potentially traffickers.

At the moment, whenever I speak to a child there are several adults who just show up and who take part in the conversation. Sometimes I see attitudes that are really frightening, like adults who don't want the children to speak, and that is a big concern.

Annie Gavrilescu, of the charity Help Refugees, said the influx of children returning to northern France desperate to reach the UK meant smugglers were changing their ways of operating, with more trafficking taking place due to unaccompanied minors inability to pay the large sums of money.

This situation is creating a terrifying new market and consumer base for smugglers and traffickers. There have been smugglers here for a long time, but now it disproportionately affects children over adults, and it is more likely to involve trafficking and exploitation, said Ms Gavrilescu.

Minors are the vast proportion of the refugee population in Calais now, and because kids generally dont have any means of income, the way these people profit from them is very different. As children, theyre so much more vulnerable to abuse and trafficking.

UK-based charities working with trafficked child victims who have reached Britain have warned the increase in minors turning to illegal routes will lead to the criminalisation of children once they reach the UK.

Debbie Beadle, head of youth development at ECPAT, a leading childrens rights organisation in the UK campaigning against child trafficking, told The Independent entering the country via unauthorised means makes children likely to lead an underground existence due to fear of the authorities, and become involved in illegal activity as a way of paying off debts to smugglers.

Children who have entered the UK through illegal routes often become criminalised. When they enter the country this way they are susceptible to being exploited and taken advantage of, said Ms Beadle.

They have no idea about the system here and how social services work. They have no understanding that police are people you can trust. Once they know theyre coming in illegally they stay underground because then they are scared about coming to the authorities, and then its so easy for them to be picked up and become involved in illegal activity.

Even when theyre identified by local authorities and are being supported, somehow theres this weird thing going on with lots of children going missing. They often keep the link with the traffickers, who get them to memories numbers or give them phones and theyll often give them someone to contact in the UK.

Often theyre dropping out of school. For a lot of them theyve got a debt on their head, so theyre thinking Ive got to pay off this debt, which is often done through unpaid work or worse forms of exploitation.

According to Unicef, the renewed insurgence of people smuggling in northern France and the mounting concerns about children being a primary target is due to failure by the UK and other European nations to develop an adequate system of safeguarding these youngsters earlier in their journeys.

Lily Caprani, Unicef UKs deputy director, told The Independent: What Dubs uniquely offered was a way to help unaccompanied refugee children stranded alone in Europe to reach safety, without this, these children, including those currently in Northern France, do face very real dangers, Ms Caprani told The Independent.

For those children, entering Europe has not ended the risk to them  the traffickers continue to prey on these very vulnerable children including in Northern France when they try and cross to the UK.

Its not for the UK to solve this crisis alone but we have to make things work for children who have a legal right to be here. The problems returning to Northern France are a symptom of the UK and other European countries not ensuring a sustainable working system earlier in the dangerous journey.

We need legal routes to take children far away from the traffickers who still wait to exploit them. We need family reunion to happen much faster throughout Europe in order bring children together with family members in the UK and to build childrens trust in the authorities to protect their rights.

These children are fleeing hellish circumstances and are simply focused on finding a safe place to stay and rebuild their lives often by reaching family members. Too often, however, this plunges them straight into more danger in the hands of traffickers. We need legal routes that takes away that opportunity and brings them to safety.
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Norway is preparing to cull thousands of reindeer to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Experts said an entire herd of wild reindeer must be exterminated in order to work towards eradicating the disease, The Local reported.

The disease, which leads to chronic weight loss before the death of the animal, was first discovered in Europe last year.

In April, a young caribou was found to be affected, followed by three reindeer and an elk.

Around 2,000 reindeer are estimated to live in Nordfjella, the area the diseased reindeer were found.

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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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Norway's Food Safety Authority has tested thousands of animals across the country to understand how far the disease has spread.

Last week, the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety recommended "comprehensive measures" be taken to eradicate the disease.

In a report, it called for the local population of reindeer to be culled.

If the authorities want to eradicate the disease then we have a golden opportunity now, since it appears that it is limited to the northern parts of Nordfjella, a committee member told NRK.

"If the goal is to eradicate then the best solution is to shoot the entire herd."

Over the weekend, Norway began its annual six-month whale hunt season with a quota of 999 minke whales  up from 880 in 2016.

Despite the new kill quota, officials say that quota of whales has not been fully taken in recent years because demand is scant for whale meat and the industry has seen its numbers decrease because of retiring whalers.

The International Whaling Commission imposed a commercial ban on whaling in 1986, but Norway objected.

Greenpeace called Norwegian whaling "a dying industry" and maintained it is wrong of Norway to violate international agreements.
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Isis' deputy leader has reportedly been killed by an air strike in western Iraq.

Ayad al-Jumaili was hit by the country's air force near the region of al-Qaim near the Syrian border, Iraqi state TV reported, although no dates or details were provided about the raid.

It said he was known by the alias "Abu Yahya, the war minister."

The US led anti-Islamic State coalition said it was unable to confirm the report.

Al-Jumaili was reportedly the head of the groups internal security unit which has carried out public beheading, beatings and rape. It answered to the group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Before joining the extremist groups, he served as an intelligence officer in the Iraqi army until 2003 when Saddam Hussein's regime was overthrown.

The strike is part of Iraqi forces extensive effort to retake the city of Mosul, Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq.

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

US and Iraqi officials believe Baghdadi has left operational commanders with diehard followers to fight the battle of Mosul, and is now hiding out in the desert with senior commanders.

A separate battle is in preparation in Syria to drive Islamic State from its stronghold there, the city of Raqqa.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel's enemies they "put themselves in existential danger" if they attack the Jewish state.

At a ceremony inaugurating a joint US-Israeli missile interceptor, Mr Netanyahu said defending the home front is of the "utmost importance."

He went on to warn "whoever tries to strike us will be hit, those that threaten our existence put themselves in existential danger."

 Israeli rocket hits major air base in Damascus, says Syrian army

David's Sling, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, officially became operational at the ceremony, the military said.

It marks the completion of the multi-tier system that includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from Gaza.

Four Israeli jets struck several targets inside Syria last week and were attacked by three Syrian surface-to-air missiles (Getty)

Arrow was recently used to intercept an anti-aircraft rocket fired at Israeli fighter jets by Syria last month.

The Israeli military said it shot down one of several anti-aircraft rockets fired at its warplanes by Syria last week in the most serious military exchange between the two hostile neighbours in recent years.

Air force officials said four Israeli jets on a mission to destroy a weapons convoy destined for the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah were attacked by three Syrian surface-to-air missiles, one of which was intercepted by Arrow.

Israel's defence minister threatened to destroy Syria's air defence systems "without the slightest hesitation" if they were used to target Israeli war planes again.
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Police in Kuwait have reportedly detained a woman who filmed her Ethiopian maid falling from the seventh floor of a building.

The woman did not try to help the maid and simple called to her Oh, crazy, come back.

Footage, posted by the woman to social media, showed the maid hanging onto a balcony with one hand, shouting hold me, hold me and screaming.

Her hand then slips and she falls down. A loud thud can be heard. The woman filming remained silent.

The maid reportedly survived with only minor injuries and another video showed her walking from the roof with emergency workers.

It is unclear how she came to be hanging from the balcony but local media reports suggested she was trying to kill herself.

The woman said she filmed the event because she didnt want to be accused of the maids murder if she died.

The Kuwait Times reported that lawyer Fawzia al-Sabah would be filing a complaint with the public prosecutor over the behaviour of the woman.

The video has renewed questions over the treatment of domestic servants in Arab countries, where they are employed by many higher income families.

In Kuwait, there are around 600,000 domestic workers, mainly migrants to the oil rich gulf state.

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

Complaints of abuse are commonplace and the countrys kafala system of visa sponsorship prevents domestic workers from changing jobs without the permission of their employer.

Human Rights Watch says the kafala system remains a major obstacle to domestic workers rights despite some progress having been made in 2016 to protect them.
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Russias interference in the presidential campaign began as a story of a hostile adversary attempting to tamper with an American election. It soon expanded into troubling questions about possible collusion between associates of President Trumps campaign and the Russians. Today it has moved directly into the White House.

That this has become, in addition to everything else, a White House story is due to a self-inflicted wound, created by President Trump with his tweets accusing then-President Barack Obama of (illegally) ordering a wiretap of Trump Tower. Attempts to prove that allegation, or at least muddy what has been repeatedly debunked, now have snared others and the questions today include what did White House officials do and why did they do it?

It is still too early draw conclusions about where all these threads will lead. Thats true about long-standing questions of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians  still not proven  as well as the new question about how and why White House officials used House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) to try to cast doubt on those who doubted Trumps tweets about Obama.

It is not too early, however, to know that the investigations are months and months away from completion. And what is now known has not only deeply compromised the House Intelligence Committees investigation into the Russia affair, but also raised questions that White House officials seem unable or unwilling to answer  but which investigators will eventually have to answer.

Added to all that is the statement from the attorney for former national security adviser Michael Flynn, saying that his client has a story to tell and is prepared to testify before investigative panels in exchange for immunity, even if investigators are not prepared to make such a deal. The president applauded Flynn in a Friday morning tweet and described the investigations as a witch hunt by Democrats and the media to obscure or diminish his victory in the election. That assertion is belied by the seriousness of the machinery that is moving forward at the FBI and on Capitol Hill.

The Russia issue will remain a cloud over the White House until those investigations are complete. White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who is in the unenviable position of having to publicly defend his bosss wildest statements, has said the White House is not consumed by these inquiries, but the president keeps undercutting that assertion with his tweets. The tweets about Obama damaged his credibility, and his aides have damaged their own in attempting to explain his accusations.

The Nunes episode illustrates the compounding nature of the problem. When Nunes rushed to the White House more than a week ago to brief the president on what he said was sensitive new information  not bearing on the Russia investigation  that showed that Trump officials had been caught up incidentally in surveillance and perhaps unmasked illegally, he set off a chain of events that continues to reverberate.

At the time, Spicer was asked whether anyone in the White House had been involved in supplying the intelligence information to Nunes. I dont know why he would come up to brief the president on something we gave him, Spicer said. He added, Im not aware of it, but it really doesnt pass the smell test.

Now it is the odour of apparent complicity that the White House is smelling. For days, no one at the White House would answer the easily answerable question of who had cleared Nunes into the White House compound to view sensitive intelligence information. Then on Thursday, shortly before Spicers briefing, the New York Times reported that two White House officials have been involved in helping to provide Nunes with the information. The Washington Post later named a third person who was involved in handling the material.

At his briefing, before taking any questions about the Timess revelations, Spicer announced that the White House had invited the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Intelligence committees to come to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to look at some new information bearing on the question of whether information collected on U.S. individuals was mishandled and leaked that had been found in the ordinary course of business. He offered no answers about possible White House involvement with Nunes.

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee asked the obvious question in response to Thursdays revelations. If members of the National Security Council staff had unearthed material in the normal course of business bearing on the handling of intelligence material, why was it left to Nunes to brief the president? As Schiff put it, Why all the cloak-and-dagger stuff?

There are other curious aspects to the most recent revelations. Ezra Cohen is the National Security Council staff person who was involved in helping Nunes gain access to the intelligence information. Cohen was brought to the National Security staff by Flynn and named to the sensitive position of senior director for intelligence.

According to multiple reports, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who replaced Flynn as national security adviser, sought to move Cohen out of his position. Cohen appealed to White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and chief strategist and senior counsellor Stephen K. Bannon and remained in place. Keeping Cohen in his post would have been a favour to Cohen and thus also to Flynn.

Keeping Flynn happy could be important to Trump. The retired lieutenant general was forced to resign as national security adviser in February after misleading Vice President Pence about the nature of his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition. Initial reports about his departure said that Flynn had made the decision to step down voluntarily. The next day, the story changed: Trump had lost confidence in Flynn and asked for the resignation.

Flynn was unhappy with that characterization and made his feelings known to the White House, according to one knowledgeable official. A day later, the president offered kind words for Flynn in public, calling him a wonderful man who had been treated very, very unfairly by the media. Once again on Friday, the president came to Flynns defence as the investigation deepens.

Trumps original tweets accusing Obama of wiretapping seemed designed to create a diversion from the main investigation into what happened during the election, and they certainly have done that. But he unintentionally set the White House on a path that has led to this moment.

Confronted by flat-out denials from FBI Director James B. Comey and key congressional leaders that Obama had ordered wiretapping, White House officials first sought to redefine the words in the presidents tweets to suggest he only meant some kind of surveillance. Then Nunes entered the picture, acting as an ally of the president, to suggest something like that had taken place, though neither he nor anyone at the White House has described exactly what information he viewed.

Its important to remember that the questions about what White House officials did and why remain secondary to the larger issue of Russias interference and whether Trump associates were involved. Thats the principal focus of the FBI and the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is moving forward with its work despite all the controversy involving the House committee and the White House.

But the cascade of questions for the White House are important and legitimate. Having created this new front in the expanding controversy, the president and his aides will now be forced to endure continued and justifiable scrutiny over what they have done to add to the mystery.

Copyright Washington Post
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For most people, air pollution is barely noticeable.

However, like up to 10 per cent of the population, I am something of a canary in the coal mine.

In the mid-1980s, the skin on my face began to flake off and turn red. A trip to a specialist in Dundee brought the news that I had dermatitis.

The reason, I was told, was a combination of stress and air pollution; the treatment was a combination of a steroid cream, coal tar shampoo and industrial-strength moisturiser.

The specialists confident assertion that pollution was at least partly to blame was apparently controversial at the time, but 30 years later researchers writing in the journal Nature Immunology stated they had found a direct mechanistic link between air pollutants and atopic dermatitis.

Initially, I didnt really blame the modern world for the hassle of having to slather myself in all this stuff to avoid my skin becoming so dry it would start to crack and bleed. I viewed it more as a personal defect.

And, to be honest, it wasnt that bad. As a student in Aberdeen, it was completely under control and I found, to my relief, I didnt need to use the steroid cream at all.

Two experiences changed my thinking. One was a three-month trip to the mountains of Nepal, where I celebrated my 21st birthday in a lodge in Namche Bazaar, a major stop for trekkers heading up to Everest base camp.

Before flying out to Nepal, I had secured a three-month supply of shampoo and emulsifying ointment.

I checked and double-checked at various points on the journey via Pakistan that I had them with me, but then left them behind in a Kathmandu hotel before the final leg, a flight to the worlds most dangerous airstrip, Lukla.

The thought of spending three months looking permanently embarrassed while littering the ground with pieces of skin from my flaking face entered my head.

I thought about going back. I couldnt afford it.

I neednt have worried.

Whatever the stresses associated with my first plane flights and living in a faraway land, it had no effect on my skin.

But replacing the apparently clean air of Scotland for the genuinely clean air of the Himalayas definitely did.

My skin was completely clear, as pristine as it had ever been. No redness, no flaking and no itch. I was cured!

I think I washed my hair  with ordinary shampoo for the first time in five years  all of once while I was in the mountains, ostensibly to study the culture of the Sherpas as part of my degree in social anthropology.

But my return to Scotland also saw my symptoms return. I was no longer cured.

 Sadiq Khan calls air pollution in London a killer

Over the years, moving about between Aberdeen, Edinburgh and northern England seemed to make little difference to my skin.

But in 2008, I moved to London, the second meaningful experience in my attitudes towards air pollution and my skin condition.

Without any doubt, it has been much worse ever since.

I can see blotches on my skin, a patch over my left ear seems to be permanently flaking unless regularly smothered in ointment, I can feel the itch on my cheek and in my hair as I write. I now have beard-druff beard-druff! Oh, the ignominy!

If this is the way my skin reacts, what effect is it having on my lungs? What effect is it having on your lungs? I have no idea. I have a tendency to ignore problems or pretend they dont exist. Probably not the best strategy.

It is very easy to do this when you cant see the problem or smell it or taste it, as one person who viewed film shot by a camera that makes invisible pollution from car exhausts visible told The Independent.

But the estimated 40,000 premature deaths in the UK from air pollution every year should not be ignored. This could be your child, your grandmother or you.

The Government has twice now failed to come up with a plan to improve air quality to the minimum safe standards within a reasonable time. It has twice been taken to court, twice tried to defend the indefensible and lost twice.

If ministers fail a third time  and, given the concentration on Brexit, they might  we must not let them off the hook.
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Theresa Mays historic letter to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, notified him that, under Article 50 of the European Treaty, the United Kingdom intends to withdraw from the European Union. David Mills suggested I compile a list of 10 more. Here they are in chronological order.

1. Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mehmed IV of the Ottoman Empire, legendary and legendarily vulgar reply by the Cossacks to the Sultans demand that they submit to him, 1676. Painted by Repin at a time of Cossack revivalism. Nominated by Chris Bayliss.

2. The letter Benjamin Disraeli wrote to Robert Peel begging for a job in his government, which Peel refused to use against him when Disraeli denied ever having written it, 1841. David Mills.

3. The Morey letter, a forgery purportedly from James A Garfield, Republican presidential candidate, suggesting he was in favour of Chinese immigration, during the 1880 election, which he won anyway. Mr Memory.

4. Jaccuse Emile Zola, open letter accusing Felix Faure, President of France, of anti-Semitism in the Dreyfus affair, 1898. Nominated by Adam Behr.

5. The Zimmermann telegram, coded message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann to Mexican government proposing alliance to help Mexico recover Texas if US joined the war, 1917. Daragh McDowell.

6. The Zinoviev letter, probably a forgery, purporting to be from the Communist International in Moscow, signed by its head Grigory Zinoviev, to the Communist Party of Great Britain, published by the Daily Mail four days before the general election, 1924, and which probably had little effect on the Labour vote. Adam Behr.

7. Peace for our time. Neville Chamberlain (not in our time), the Anglo-German Declaration agreed with Adolf Hitler, 1938. Nominated by Former Spad.

8. Nikita Khrushchevs two letters to John F Kennedy during the Cuban missile crisis, 1962. Top tip: there are three hs in Khrushchev. Daragh McDowell.

9. The Canuck letter, a forged letter to the editor of the Manchester Union Leader, two weeks before the New Hampshire primary in 1972, claiming Senator Edmund Muskie, the favourite for the Democratic nomination, was prejudiced against Canucks (French Canadian immigrants). He didn't win the nomination, but other things were happening too. Mr Memory.

10. Theres no money left. Liam Byrne, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to his successor  he thought it would be Philip Hammond but it turned out to be David Laws  in 2010.

Next week: More Twitter jokes

Coming soon: Famous people whose names are sentences, such as Britney Spears and Clive Staples Lewis

The e-book of Listellany: A Miscellany of Very British Top Tens, From Politics to Pop is just 3.79. Your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, in the comments please, or to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk
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The row about Gibraltar and Spains opportunistic grab for more power over the Rock reminds us of one very important thing  that there is still such a thing as the British Empire and the UK should honour its obligations to these territories  political, moral and military.

In the case of Gibraltar, that could be very heavy indeed. OK, the proposed Spanish veto on a Brexit deal if they dont get concessions on Gibraltar could be a grand bluff, but no one should be in any doubt about how much this outcrop of British imperialism is resented by the heirs of Spanish imperialism. Now the Kingdom of Spain is soon to be the fourth largest EU economy and a significant power, with the backing of the entire bloc behind her. The choice, bluntly, may be between a good deal for the UK and Gibraltar but, say, with joint sovereignty with Spain  or a crash-out-hard, hostile Brexit with the added punishment of a blockade of Gibraltar. That means closing the frontier between Gibraltar and Spain, refusing permission for flights over Spanish airspace to Gibraltar and European sanctions on financial and tax avoidance activities. Dont rule it out.

Maybe not so dramatic a turn of events will take place by 2019, but some of the hard choices between the welfare of 64 million UK British and 30,000 UK Gibraltarians clash. We shouldnt pretend otherwise.

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

So if were serious about looking after Gibraltar then we should know there is a price that will need to be paid. We can make the very valid point that Spain indefensibly retains two pockets of rightly Moroccan territory in North Africa  Ceuta and Melilla across the way from Gibraltar, the last European colonies in Africa. But this wont convince Spain to forget about the Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, whence British Gibraltar arose.

The UK will also need to be mindful of its other associated territories that, unlike Gibraltar, arent in the EU, but may be affected by Brexit. These include the crown dependencies of the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey, plus the remaining possessions from Bermuda to the Falklands to the Pitcairn Islands. Most are too small or poor to be independent, they wish to stay British, and the UK has an historical obligation to protect their welfare. In the case of the Falklands that was rightly absolute. In other places at other times Britain didnt always behave so honourably, including the interests of Caribbean sugar and banana producers after Britain joined the Common Market in 1973.

 Lord Howard suggests May will seek to protect Gibraltar as Thatcher did the Falklands

It is not always easy. On democratising Hong Kong, Chris Patten did what he could, but was always going to have to bow to the vast power of China. Other decolonisation efforts have ended in rebellion or partition, civil war and ethnic cleansing. Today Cyprus is a member of the EU but part-occupied by Turkey, closely linked to Greece and still with UK sovereign military bases, a complex product of a colonial past. Once, by the way, British ministers said that they could never grant independence to the island, as they do now about Gibraltar and Spains claims. There is also some irony in the prime minister of a former British crown colony, Malta, telling the British how the Brexit talks will proceed, in his capacity as host of the EU presidency.

So whether youre pro or anti Brexit, an imperialist or a little Englander, left or right, youll need to take a view on what these remnants of the greatest empire the world has ever seen are worth to you. They shouldnt be forgotten.
Paloma Feijoo and Louise Sweeney shopping in the Lululemon section in Brown Thomas on Dublins Grafton Street. Picture by David Conachy

Luxury department store Brown Thomas has completed a three-year 24m investment programme at its Grafton Street shop with the opening of a new 'athleisure' section, new cafe and new standalone beauty lounge on nearby Clarendon Street.

The store's athleisure section aims to tap into a growing trend for sportswear being worn at other times. Brown Thomas has brought cult Canadian brand Lululemon to Dublin.

Stephen Sealey, managing director of the Brown Thomas Group, said that retailers needed to work harder than ever to get customers into shops.

"Online is growing, and we have substantial plans for that, but the growth in online has taken (consumer) traffic off the streets," he said.

"Because of our investment here we're ensuring that Brown Thomas continues to be a destination not only for our customers but for brands. That's the reason we keep investing."

In 2014/2015, the shop overhauled the ground floor, in 2015/2016 it restored the outside of landmark shop and in 2016 it upgraded the lingerie rooms on the third floor and part of the second floor.

As well as Lululemon, British trainers retailers Offspring will also open in the shop.
Growth has returned in the Irish property market, and some of the old faces are back with a bang, too. Johnny Ronan, probably the most high-profile of all Irish property developers, exited Nama two years ago and has assembled an exciting mix of new projects.

Perhaps the juiciest of the lot is a site at Spencer Dock on Dublin's quays, where Ronan (63) has plans for a mixed-use development, including offices, apartments and a hotel.

But he's not having it all his own way. As the property cycle marches on, so too does time. And so the old dog finds himself in competition with the young pup.

Ronan has been embroiled for some time in a row with a young developer looking to make his fortune in the small and highly-competitive Irish property scene.

Pat Crean (36) has a far lower profile than his erstwhile business partner Greg Kavanagh. Crean and Kavanagh were the duo behind New Generation Homes - Kavanagh the founder and Crean the chief executive. Kavanagh exited the business late last year, leaving Crean in control of most of the group's former assets under the moniker of Marlet Property Group. His profile is probably only going to get higher now.

An interesting wrinkle in the row is that both sides have been backed by UK-based M&G - an arm of the insurance giant Prudential. M&G helped finance Ronan's exit from Nama, alongside Colony Capital, while M&G is Crean's major financial backer.

Crean and Kavanagh were the underbidders when Ronan won control of Spencer Dock - but they beat him to another piece of land on the other side of the Liffey, known as the Hickey site.

Both sides ended up in court over that property, where Ronan had bought up the freehold interests for a number of strips of land on the site. Crean's side had the leasehold interests and was accused by Ronan of breaching covenants relating to them.

Ronan slapped his adversaries with forfeiture notices - ruled to be invalid by Mr Justice Hedigan in the High Court. Counsel for Crean's side had argued that such a ruling was required to "ensure the defendant cannot implement its game plan and try and frustrate the plaintiff in the acquisition of the freeholds of the premises in the first instance, and then in pursuing this development and selling the units in the development". Strong stuff.

Dublin City Council had granted Crean permission for a six- to seven-storey apartment block comprising 91 units, and a seven-storey block with space for shops, offices and a gym.

A further six-storey development comprising two blocks, one with space for shops and offices and another with shops and 45 apartments, was also proposed. A new street extending from Cardiff Lane to Hanover Street East would be constructed under the plan, too.

It is a signature project for Crean, carrying much prestige, as well as potential profit - and the legal row, which continues, threatens much delay.

A source close to Ronan provided insight into Ronan's thinking as to how a resolution might come about: "It's Ronan's land and nobody will be able to build on it unless they reach an agreement with him."

The High Court ruling was last November and since then, things seemed to have quietened down. Until now.

In early March, a letter was sent by Philip Lee solicitors to the directors of the Spencer Place Development Company - Ronan and others.

The letter was on behalf of Integrated Material Solutions (IMS), a company linked to Crean, and said IMS was about to buy a landfill site in north Co Dublin.

The letter said IMS had been told that more than 6,000 tonnes of waste from the Spencer Dock site had arrived at the landfill, and that the waste was hazardous.

"As you know, given that you are the owner of the site from which the hazardous waste has been produced, and because you are the developers of that site and therefore the producers of this hazardous waste, you are liable for the remedial actions and redress required to rectify this matter," the letter says.

"The purpose of this letter is to seek your confirmation that you will take the urgent redress steps required to provide our client with comfort that you are assuming liability for the Spencer Dock waste... in the event that you fail to do so, then our client will have no alternative but to immediately commence High Court proceedings to seek the requisite relief."

The letter says disruption caused by the alleged delivery of hazardous waste would lead to delays in completing the sale of the business, which would cause damage to IMS.

The letter said IMS was also looking for assurance that Ronan's side would "address any future liability which might arise in connection with this unauthorised dumping".

Three steps were listed in the letter under the heading 'Action Required': remediate the facility in accordance with a plan to be agreed between the parties, compensate for the alleged loss and damage, and provide an indemnity for any future claim arising from the alleged misclassification of the waste.

Ronan's acquisition of the Spencer Dock site has not been without controversy.

His and Richard Barrett's Treasury Holdings had controlled the site prior to the crash. When Nama brought it to market, he narrowly prevailed ahead of Crean in the auction process.

Last month, TD Richard Boyd Barrett told the Dail that he had received a folder relating to the site that was "sent anonymously to us, probably by rival developers".

Boyd Barrett was angry about Ronan getting control of the site again after it had been through Nama. He said that the suggestion in the files he had received was that Ronan had got back the sites for around 42m, when comparisons with similar sites would have put the value at 100m-120m.

"This can of worms must be opened and fully investigated and every sale and disposal of Nama assets has to be investigated," Boyd Barrett told the Dail, adding that he thought the Spencer Dock transaction was one of a number of cases that "stink to high heaven".

Ronan's lawyers Eversheds Sutherland sent a robust reply to Crean's side a week after the letter of early March.

"At the outset, having considered the claims made in your letter... it is clear that there was no transfer of hazardous waste as you assert," the letter reads.

"Your client has no interest in the waste licence... and more generally, your client's claim appear [sic] spurious, contrived and fabricated for ulterior purposes. Separately, we will be writing to your client's servants/agents in relation to these collateral purposes."

The letter denies that the waste was hazardous. "Test results seen by our client do not confirm that the waste sampled was hazardous waste," the letter reads.

It said Ronan's side would not commit to remediating the waste, would not pay any compensation, and would not be providing the indemnity sought.

In a statement to the Sunday Independent, IMS said that it planned to issue legal proceedings imminently against Spencer Place Development Company.

"The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating and IMS is cooperating fully with them. Our primary objective is to secure a satisfactory resolution of this matter and we will work with the EPA", IMS said.

Ronan declined to comment for this story. But there is little doubt he will have more to say on the matter.
'In a statement to the Sunday Independent, IMS confirmed that it intended to issue legal proceedings imminently against Spencer Place Development Company.' (Stock picture)

A company linked to developer Pat Crean intends to sue a company linked to rival developer Johnny Ronan.

The spat is on foot of waste material dumped at a landfill in north Co Dublin that the Crean company Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS) is in the process of purchasing.

The material comes from a large site at Spencer Dock on Dublin's quays, where the Ronan company has plans for a major mixed-use development.

Crean's representatives say the material is hazardous and have written to Ronan's representatives asking for the waste to be remediated.

Ronan's representatives responded by saying they rejected the assertion that hazardous waste was deposited at the site, and would not give an undertaking to remediate it.

In a statement to the Sunday Independent, IMS confirmed that it intended to issue legal proceedings "imminently" against Spencer Place Development Company.

"The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating and IMS is cooperating fully with them. Our primary objective is to secure a satisfactory resolution of this matter, and we will work with the EPA," it said.

Ronan declined to comment.

The two developers have also been in dispute over a separate site on the other side of the River Liffey, where a Ronan company owns the freehold interests of some parts of the site and the Crean company owns the leasehold interests.

Crean's former business partner was the high-profile developer Greg Kavanagh, who exited the men's business late last year.
Brazilian meat will be discussed tomorrow at the European Parliament, in light of the recent scandal that engulfed it and caused a number of countries at the time to issue a ban on its meat exports.

Chairman of the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee Czeslaw Siekierski has tabled an oral question for the plenary agenda in Strasbourg tomorrow (Mon)day afternoon on how the Brazilian revelations will impact ongoing trade talks with Mercosur countries? and whether it was now time to review bilateral negotiations and remove meat from the trade agenda?

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis met with the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Blairo Maggi in Brazil last week over the weak flesh meat scandal and emphasised how it did not help the Brazilian authorities to try to downplay the seriousness of the issue.

He said Commissioner Andriukaitis will address the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Luxembourg) on the Meat Fraud in Brazil. He said this is an important opportunity for Agriculture Ministers to make their views clear on Brazilian meat imports which fail to meet EU standards and also on strict EU Commission controls.

Angus Woods said the EU Commission has confirmed that none of the 21 establishments directly involved in the weak flesh scandal is now exporting to the EU. In addition, the EU has introduced reinforced checks at points of import involving 100 pc physical checks and 20pc microbiological checks on all Brazil meat shipments into the EU.

The IFA Livestock Leader said the Brazilian weak flesh scandal is a major lesson for the EU Commission in terms of allowing imports from countries which fail to meet EU standards.

It is clear from the weak flesh scandal that the production systems in Brazil fail to meet EU standards and as a result meat imports from Brazil should not be accepted into the EU.

He said the Brazilian scandal should be regarded as a major setback for Mercosur talks and further access for Brazilian exports to the EU.
Former rugby star and Pendulum Summit chief executive Frankie Sheahan has been declared bankrupt. The ruling was made last week and comes on the back of loans drawn down from Bank of Ireland.

Sheahan had used the loans to buy property as part of his retirement planning during his rugby career. When property crashed, Sheahan found himself able to pay the interest on the loans but not the principal.

"It is with great disappointment and sadness that I have been declared bankrupt," Sheahan told the Sunday Independent.

Bank of Ireland declined to comment.

"The current situation is certainly a major setback but as with all setbacks whether business or sport, one must pick themselves up, brush themselves off and rebuild. In this regard I am focused on continuing my employment for Pendulum 2018 next January. Thankfully, I have my health and I will continue to work hard, and honour my commitments and obligations in the most professional manner with the support of my wife and five young children."

Sheahan had been engaged in a process with the bank that included selling the family home. In his post-rugby role with the Pendulum Summit, he has attracted a range of high-profile motivational speakers to Dublin. Companies Office documents show the company behind the summit is owned by Sheahan's brother, Jonathan. Frankie Sheahan is no longer a director of the business.

"While I am disappointed that the bank forced me into this situation, I will not harbour any bitterness as I feel everyone gets knocks in life... I have learned from some of the best visionaries and business people that dwelling on the past and playing the blame game over legacy issues doesn't serve anyone and setbacks are all part of business success," he said. "I hope to use these teachings and some of the nuggets I have learned in previous careers to weather the storm, to be resilient and to bounce back from this."
Dalkey-based healthcare company Integumen is planning to raise 2.25m (2.6m) via a listing on the Alternative Investment Market in London.

The company, chaired by Venn Life Sciences' chief executive Tony Richardson, said its expected market capitalisation would be 8.25m after the transaction. It plans to commence dealing on April 5.

Integumen was set up "to focus on commercialising technologies in the health and personal care products market which are either on the market or at an advanced stage of product development", according to a document put together by the company.

Its products focus on the areas of skin care, oral care and wound care.

"Integumen operates predominantly in the non-prescription health and personal care market," the document adds.

"At present, no product within Integumen's portfolio needs costly and time-consuming regulatory approvals, which would be required for pharmacological products, or those products claiming medical efficacy," the document reads.

The money raised will be used for working capital, product development, plus sales and marketing.

Integumen's chief executive is Declan Service, who has worked at Venn alongside Richardson. Service and Richardson are Integumen's founders. Set up in May, Integumen went on to acquire one of Venn Life Sciences' subsidiaries, Innovenn.

"We have acquired four highly scalable businesses to bring together an impressive portfolio of technologies and products we can develop and commercialise in our chosen markets," Service said.

"The late-stage development of many of our products means Integumen is now focused on their marketing, sales and distribution."
Hostelworld chief executive Feargal Mooney maintains it has been liberating to be in charge of a public company after working under private equity ownership

Feargal Mooney used to tell people that the last thing he wanted to be was the chief executive of a public company. But life sometimes takes unexpected turns and he now runs Dublin and London-listed Hostelworld, a hostel-booking website.

Longford man Mooney (47) has always had an entrepreneurial streak. "My dad was an accountant so that may have influenced me in some way. My grandfather was probably also a big influence on me. He had a drapery shop ... and, from that perspective, I suppose I was always interested in the idea of buying and selling things."

When at university in Galway, he started his first business, a tuxedo rental company. "I realised that in a university all the clubs and societies that were there were holding black tie dinners, there was one black tie dinner almost every week in UCG. All the guys were going into the city and paying a fortune to rent a tuxedo.

"So I knew I could buy them relatively cheaply. I went to AIB and got a loan, bought 100 tuxedos and bow ties and started renting them out at a cheaper price on campus."

After college he went to work as a financial analyst in Pfizer in New York. A new side project followed - running party cruises around Manhattan where Mooney would charter a boat and book a band and a DJ.

Many people study a course in college that naturally leads them into a certain career. Mooney took a different route and probably more risks than most.

He left his job in Pfizer in the late 90s and came home to Ireland, deciding that he'd "move away from the corporate life".

"I thought that running a guesthouse would be an interesting and more relaxing kind of lifestyle. So I ran a guesthouse in Killarney for a year and realised that was actually really, really hard work.

"People looked at me and said: 'are you mad, why are you giving up a good corporate career to do something kind of oddball like that?'." Later, the experience would stand to him, however.

Mooney enjoyed the change but was soon drawn back into corporate life, joining IT security firm Baltimore Technologies.

Then in early 2002 he was introduced to Ray Nolan and Tom Kennedy, founders of Hostelworld. Nolan was a tech man, Kennedy was a hostels man, and Mooney had a background in finance, had worked for a tech company, and had experience of running a hospitality business - he was the perfect candidate to come on board. He thought he'd stay with the business for three years or so - 15 years later he's still there.

"It's been, from my perspective, so interesting and exciting, almost every three years the business has changed," he says.

"In the early stages - like a lot of startups - it's 10 guys in a bedroom trying to figure out if you can pay the bills, very informal, and very fast-moving. You're not very process-driven, it's all about changing and reacting fast and trying to figure out what is and isn't working.

"I had come from Pfizer, within which there was a very formal environment. Not only were there lots of processes and procedures, but even the Pfizer dress code was very formal and structured. The men could only wear a white shirt, and then I went in to Hostelworld where guys were there in jeans and T-shirts."

The company has evolved exponentially since Mooney's early days. In his first six months the business got itself to break-even point, then it did its first acquisition - rival Hostels.com - in early 2003.

Major change came when private-equity company Summit Partners took a minority stake in the business in 2004 - more formality entered the business in terms of reporting obligations and processes.

There was also change at the top. Kennedy stepped back from the business in 2005, though he remained a shareholder.

Mooney took over as ceo in 2008, replacing Nolan. His first major decision was a difficult one - pulling a planned IPO.

"The whole economy began falling apart, banks were going out of business, it didn't look like it was the best time to go to the market. As you can imagine it wasn't exactly what a new ceo wants to be doing, especially when shareholders had an expectation that they were going to get a big payout on the back of it.

"But it was the right thing to do because the markets just weren't going to support it and the recession was bedded in."

A year or so later a majority stake in the business was sold to private equity firm Hellman & Friedman. The deal meant management could give some liquidity to Hostelworld's early backers. It wasn't just Nolan, Kennedy and Summit Partners who had supported the nascent Hostelworld, there were some owners of small hostels in there too, as was the former U2 manager Paul McGuinness.

But the change to majority private equity ownership brought its frustrations with it. As Mooney puts it, the day they buy you is the day they start selling you.

"For me in some ways that was probably a more challenging period because as you went through it, the natural instincts of a ceo and management team is to run the business and grow the business and take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.

"Whereas private equity owners are constantly looking for their exit and how they make money. So that meant that quite often we were putting forward plans, taking decisions, based on what we as a management team thought made sense for the medium to long-term growth of the business, only to then find that what we'd agreed with them might change three months later because they thought that there might be an opportunity to position the business as being attractive to either a trade buyer or another financial buyer.

"There was a lot of chopping and changing, which is quite frustrating really when you want to run and grow the business."

In that context, he's found the shift to plc status in 2015 to be something of a liberation. The decision to float was in large part driven by the private equity owner's desire for an exit, but Mooney said both he and his colleagues on Hostelworld's management team were also keen to move on and gain a bit more freedom.

"People don't often think about bringing a company public as giving more autonomy. Obviously we've still got a board of non-executive directors, and we've got all the corporate compliance we've got to go through, but I think certainly over the course of the last 18 months as a management team we feel that we have more to focus on the medium to long-term of the business."

He jokes that he used to tell people that the last job he wanted was to be the ceo of a public company, but that was before he was the ceo of a company majority owned by private equity.

In this new phase, Mooney's strategy has centred on a shift from paid search marketing to brand marketing, alongside a focus on mobile, pricing, and expansion in Asia.

"We've made great progress across all of them. Mobile is over half of our bookings now, Asia is our fastest growing destination market," Mooney says.

The marketing strategy has been focused on positioning the hostel experience as fun and distinctive from hotels. Rapper 50 Cent and actor Charlie Sheen are among celebrities enlisted for campaigns. The company was even rapped on the knuckles by the UK advertising watchdog after an ad featuring skinny-dipping revellers jumping into an open water pool. The ad, the watchdog said, was likely "to condone or encourage a dangerous practice" known as tombstoning - jumping from cliffs into water.

The slightly edgy approach is redolent of Paddy Power or Ryanair, companies with which non-executive directors of Hostelworld, Michael Cawley and Paddy McCue respectively, have history. But they don't drive the marketing strategy - that's chief marketing officer Otto Rosenberger, who previously worked for Betfair, P&G and online dating company eHarmony.

Looking to the future, Mooney says the company is "certainly open to looking at acquisitions", though it is not in talks with anyone at the moment.

"We will remain very focused. We believe that key to our success is that we have been very focused on hostels and that whole social travel experience, and we'll continue to be focused on a social travel experience.

"We're not going to go out and buy some hotel-booking business or something that's kind of left-field. We want to make sure it's something that's complementary.

"That does mean that the opportunities are probably a bit more limited. There aren't any other direct hostel booking businesses out there but if there was a business that had a piece of technology or content that would be additive to our mobile app offering or a local Asian business we would look at that. Our sense is that they're probably more smaller businesses rather than big-priced acquisitions."

The business generates a sizeable amount of cash and Mooney says they would be able to fund "a lot" through that channel, despite a policy of paying out 70pc-80pc of profits as dividends. If something bigger came along, the business is debt-free and would be in a strong position if it needed to raise money that way, he added.

Hostelworld's share price was battered - falling below the IPO price - last summer on foot of terrorist attacks in Europe but the business has bounced back since then and published well-received results during the week. The shares are back above the IPO price and early in the 2017 financial year, bookings and revenue are up.

"We're pleased with where things are at but there's still a lot of work to go," says Mooney.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has raised aviation safety concerns over the State's sale of uncertified spare parts to the US firm that also purchased the former government jet.

Florida-based Journey Aviation bought the aircraft spare parts from the Department of Defence for 53,000, a few months after buying the former government jet in January 2015. But 55 of the 87 spare parts did not have certification documentation - a safety requirement for use in global civil aviation.

In a series of emails seen by this newspaper, the aviation company subsequently spent months trying to get the certification documents sent to the US, but to no avail.

After three months of email requests from bosses at Journey Aviation to senior defence officials, the company was told in December 2015: "Apart from the documentation you have already received, there is nothing further we can offer you on certification on the parts. The spare parts were sold in 'as seen' condition. I am sorry the news is not more positive."

The revelation adds to the ongoing controversy over the handling of the sale of the former government jet, which took place in the absence of a competitive sales process. The deal has already been looked at by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and more recently by the Dail's Public Accounts Committee.

Bought by the state in 1992 for 45m, the 14-seater Gulfstream IV jet was sold for 415,000 in 2015. Its new owners have recommissioned the aircraft and it is insured for $5m (4.6m).

The Air Corps had estimated the value of the spare parts to be 405,000 before they were sold to the US firm.

In documents seen by this newspaper, the Comptroller and Auditor General raised concerns with Department of Defence officials about the potential risks of using aviation spare parts that did not have certification documentation.

In an email reply to questions from the state's spending watchdog, a senior Air Corps officer confirmed to defence officials that "it is a mandatory requirement that all aircraft parts must have certification in order to be fitted to an aircraft. It is against all aviation regulations for parts to be fitted to an aircraft without correct certification. Parts are not/cannot be fitted to an aircraft without certification."

It is an acknowledged civil aviation industry standard that certification documentation is crucial to validate that aircraft spare parts conform to international standards, and conform to the design specification for the aircraft and are fit for use.

Irish Aviation Authority civil aviation rules state that "any part not accompanied by the appropriate documentation should be considered to be unapproved".

But last June, the Comptroller and Auditor General asked defence officials "why was the certification documentation not available for all the spares?", and "what are the risks of using spare parts that do not have certification documentation?".

In response, the department stated that certification was not an issue as it had relied on a 'sold as seen' condition in the sales agreement, under which no warranties or guarantees were given.

But on the question about air safety, an Air Corps official wrote: "We would only use certified parts on any Air Corps aircraft."

A Department of Defence spokeswoman told this newspaper: "The parts were sold on an 'as seen' basis, and in such circumstances, it is a matter for the purchaser to deal with any regulatory issues for the re-use of the parts, including certification."
'In saying that, it is important to ensure that the provider you are moving to offers the same level of cover for the hospital you are attending' (stock photo)

Q: My husband and I are on Irish Life Health Plan 13. The cost has increased considerably this year. My husband is on chemotherapy and will be for the foreseeable future. We would like some advice on alternative plans, but want it to be much the same as what we have. My husband is worried a new plan would not cover everything. Ann, Drogheda, Co Louth

The key thing to remember here is that all insurers must give you full credit for all the time spent with another company - so if you are switching to an equivalent plan, you will be covered immediately. You cannot be penalised when you are switching just because you are undergoing treatment.

In saying that, it is important to ensure that the provider you are moving to offers the same level of cover for the hospital you are attending, that the procedures you are undergoing are covered, and that the consultant you are attending is listed with the new provider. Health Plan 13 is a very good plan that offers strong inpatient and outpatient cover. (Inpatient care is treatment which requires an overnight hospital stay; outpatient treatment doesn't require an overnight hospital stay).

I wouldn't recommend reducing any of your inpatient cover, especially when your husband is undergoing treatment. It is important to remain on the same level of hospital cover because if you decrease this, your husband would have to serve the "upgrade waiting period". All insurers have an upgrade rule, which means that if you reduce your cover and then increase it again from a future renewal date, the insurer will restrict your benefits to those offered by your previous plan for all existing medical conditions for the next two years. So, you will pay for the higher cover for the next two years but the additional cover that the new plan offers won't apply during that period.

A good alternative to the Health Plan 13 is Irish Life Health Plan 16.1. This offers the same inpatient cover and, furthermore, your excess (the first part of a claim you pay yourself) for private hospitals reduces from 125 to 75. However, due to your husband's medical condition, he will have to continue paying a 125 excess until he has served the two-year waiting period, at which point his excess will reduce to 75.

On your existing plan, you can claim back 35 for every day-to-day benefit (such as GP and dentist visits) - up to a maximum of seven visits per person a year. The Health Plan 16.1 offers 25 back per visit - up to a maximum of seven visits a year.

If you want to maximise your savings, you can opt for a plan with no day-to-day benefits. However, all of your savings would be wiped out if your bill for day-to-day medical expenses comes to between 150 and 200 a year.

Painless acupuncture cover

Q: What are the best private health insurance plans for acupuncture and reflexology - and what type of cover is provided?

Nuala,

Salthill, Co Galway

Each provider has many plans that offer money back on visits to alternative practitioners.

For example, Laya Healthcare's Complete Simplicity plan covers 50pc of the cost of 12 acupuncture visits a year. VHI's PMI 25 11 covers 40 of the cost of a visit to an acupuncturist, chiropractor, osteopaths, physical therapists or reflexologists - up to a maximum of 12 combined visits a year.

Irish Life Health's Best Ultimate 2 plan covers 50pc of the cost of 13 combined visits to alternative practitioners such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths. Best Ultimate 2 also has a 'complementary therapy' package that can be added for free. This package gives an additional 25 back on three visits to each practitioner.

US health insurance switch

Q I AM living in the United States but considering moving to Ireland to look after my mother. I'm 47. I was born in the US and have an Irish passport. I have health insurance in the US through my job. I have a below-the-knee prosthetic but otherwise I'm in good health. I need to ensure I'm on a good private health insurance plan should I move back to Ireland in case I need further treatment on my knee. Would I be covered immediately for such treatment after buying insurance in Ireland?

Harry,

San Francisco

Unfortunately, you wouldn't be covered immediately. Anybody taking out health insurance for the first time must serve certain waiting periods with all insurers.

There is a 26-week waiting period for any new conditions that may arise, a five-year waiting period for any pre-existing conditions, and a 52-week waiting period applies for maternity benefits. All day-to-day cover, accidents or injuries you may have will be covered immediately at your age. There are allowances on certain plans for money towards prosthetics.

You should get up to speed on lifetime community rating. This means that anybody over the age of 35 who doesn't have health insurance in Ireland must usually pay a loading when they buy it. The loading is an additional 2pc per year for every year you are 35 or over. To avoid the loadings, get private health cover within nine months of your return to Ireland.

Is Copd covered right away?

Q: I have been years on VHI's old Plan B (Health Plus Access). I am in my late 60s. I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Copd). I want to change to Laya Simplicity, but I wonder if that plan will cover me immediately for my existing conditions? Peggy, Crumlin, Dublin 12

All providers are required by law to give full credit for all time spent with another company, so if you switch to an equivalent plan you are covered immediately. If you have already served your waiting periods with your existing insurer, you don't have to serve them again. If you have not served all your waiting periods, you get full credit for the time served.

Both of the plans you mention offer quite similar levels of cover - however they do have a few differences. All public hospitals are covered fully on both, all private hospitals are also covered but with Laya Simplicity, there is a 100 excess on your first two overnight stays in a private hospital and a 50 excess per claim on day case procedures in private hospitals. So, if you are undergoing day case treatment in private hospitals, note that with Simplicity, you must pay this excess per visit to the hospital. You do not have this day case excess on your existing plan.

Simplicity offers stronger cover for certain cardiac and listed specialised procedures so if there is anything that would relate to Copd on this list, you would remain on the same level of cover that your existing VHI plan offers for two years - after which point you can use the increased cover offered on the Laya plan.

Another option from Laya is Simply Connect Plus. This has an excess of 150 on the first overnight stay in private hospitals only. You can also claim money back on day-to-day expenses straight away, whereas Simplicity has an outpatient excess which must be reached before you can claim money back.
I just got off the phone with the ceo of a charitable organisation here in Ireland. He's about to head to the US for a conference which will allow him to meet many potential donors. But most of these meetings will be the "reception or networking" type; casual events that aren't set-up to be formal sales or pitch meetings.

He knows it's essential he introduces himself in a way that is positive, interesting and leaves the other person wanting to know more.

So I had him rehearse his planned introduction for me. Thank goodness. Because his first go simply sounded like he was trying to pack in too much information. There were too many clunky, jargon words. It sounded like more like a brochure and not a relaxed introduction.

Together we re-crafted his introduction so he could quickly give his audience an upbeat, easy-to-understand interesting impression and then move the conversation back to them.

Knowing that there are exceptions to every rule, here's my basic Intro How-To:

1 Write down your first thoughts.

Go ahead. Write whatever comes to your mind about yourself and your organisation. Aim for four components: 1. Hi, I'm (Name), 2. (Title) of (Organisation name). 3. We (What your organisation does). 4, (Question for the other person.)

2 Read that aloud and time it.

Do you sound jargony? Did you just go into company-speak? Assume every person is a lay person and think "conversational". Would your eyes glaze over if you heard someone describe their business the way you're describing yours? Get real and be tough on yourself.

Focus on your timing. You have between 4-8 seconds to introduce yourself and your organisation. I mean it.

Anything more for an introduction and you'll sound forced.

Like my ceo, it's trying too hard. You probably have included superfluous information. People may still be looking at you, but they're likely no longer tuning in.

3 Give that a hard edit.

Okay. Now get out your scalpel or razor and cut! Cut out the jargon, the parentheticals, the disclaimers, the tangents, whatever. Your intro should be high-level and understandable. Go into more detail as the conversation unfolds. Not all at once.

4 Add a superlative - as long as it's interesting and accurate.

Is your organisation the first, the largest, the newest, the something-est? If so, lead with that - in a friendly, not cocky way.

If you have to reach too far for this one, don't force it. But at least consider it. Adding credibility adds interest.

5 Refine and rehearse.

Now re-time yourself. Do you have all four components? Are you under eight seconds? Say it aloud. Say it again. Say it again. Like you mean it. Do you sound effortless and conversational?

Don't forget you'll need to be able to say this without thinking really - as you'll likely be surrounded by other "circles" of people at the conference or networking event. It will be buzzy and noisy.

So you should have this ready to roll. Be memorized but don't sound rote. Make sure you have the question rehearsed.

Of course, it's good to have two or three questions prepared so you don't sound like a single-question robot.

Introducing yourself is not the time to "Give the pitch" or "Position your organisation."

It's your first impression - and even more importantly, it's your chance to begin to get to know the other person. Relationships take time.

Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent. So make sure you take time to purposefully and conversationally craft your introduction.

And remember how I opened this article by saying I was working with a ceo? These tips are not only for them. It doesn't matter whether you are the top brass in an organisation or a new hire just starting out. You have goals don't you?

Where do you want to be in six months? Six years? It's largely up to you. Becoming a better communicator will help give you that competitive edge.

I can promise you that as someone who grew up in the tiny rural town of Farmland, Indiana (yes, that's actually the name of the place), I learned a thing or two about crafting and delivering content after the rigours of delivering hundreds of thousands of live-shots during my career with CNN combined with my time as an international campaign strategist. I do not write or talk the same way I did as a girl.

Developing better communication skills is something we can all achieve.

The same way you are developing your competencies in whatever field you work in, you can also start focusing on how to re-train the way you speak about yourself and your work. You can become a more strategic communicator.

Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent.

So, today, let's start at the beginning. Make sure you take time to purposefully and conversationally craft your introduction.

Gina London is a former CNN anchor and international campaign strategist who is now a director with Fuzion Communications. She serves as media commentator, emcee and corporate consultant.
'Now the timber sector has new challenges in the face of competition from Scottish mills and, with Brexit, possible tariffs and longer wait times at entry points into the UK.' (stock pic)

Forestry is unique - the more economic activity, the greater the environmental benefit. More forests, managed responsibly, provide more habitats for flora and fauna and more potential for recreation. Increased sales of wood translate to more rural jobs and more carbon locked up. Wood from sustainably-managed forests has the lowest carbon footprint of any major building material - including steel, brick and concrete.

The Irish forest industry estimates that it supports around 12,000 jobs and contributes 2.3bn a year to the economy. This is through a supply chain that comprises three critical, interdependent links: the forest and afforestation process, the conversion process (harvesting, sawmilling and boardmilling) and the final end market, where the products are exported and sold.

It all starts with the identification of suitable land for planting. Then, as the trees grow, professional foresters undertake up to three cycles of thinning. Given our climate, Irish trees grow fast - if you consider 30 years fast.

Once the trees are felled, the sawlogs are brought to sawmills - where construction timber, fencing, palletwood and wood chips are produced - and to the three large boardmills owned by Masonite and Smartplymedite in Carrick-on-Shannon, Clonmel and Waterford. These operations are the engine rooms of the supply chain. They directly support 1,000 jobs in towns and villages in the rural economy and have export sales of circa 450m per annum, over half of which is from door skins and MDF and OSB panel boards, produced by Masonite and Smartplymedite.

Progressive investment enabled the industry to respond to construction growth between 2001 and 2007. With the onset of recession in 2008, the companies were able to maintain operations by looking to the UK market. These sales have grown over the past five years and are crucial to providing a return on large capital investments by the industry.

Now the timber sector has new challenges in the face of competition from Scottish mills and, with Brexit, possible tariffs and longer wait times at entry points into the UK. Given the industry's ability to handle past difficulties, there is no doubt it can overcome these ones.

Irish companies have a 5pc share of the UK's 9bn market, which is Europe's largest importer of timber products - and the only show in town for certain Irish timber grades.

To defend this market share and grow, sawmills and boardmills must focus on ambition, leadership, efficiency and sales intelligence. Irish mills are very efficient at processing timber, but they must now look at all the other business processes outside the mill gate. Understanding their customers' current and future needs is key to retaining business. While price is important, customer service and the ability to get timber to a location in the UK within hours are deal clinchers.

Identifying and exploiting a strong customer value position is essential, and a number of mills have honed their value propositions with help through Enterprise Ireland's strategic marketing review programme.

A second line of action over the short term, will involve R&D to create new, added-value wood products for markets in both the UK and mainland Europe.

Thirdly, the sustainability of the sector will depend on the present and growing future supply of wood fibre from private growers across rural Ireland. Ireland has a rich forest heritage, but our woodland cover is among the lowest in Europe, at around 7pc.

As part of Enterprise Ireland's work with the forestry industry and the Department of Agriculture, we are moving to ensure that the interlinked forest, processing and sales elements of the supply chain are each intelligent and efficient enough to protect the growing resource this industry represents for Irish jobs, rural development, exports, recreation and wildlife.

Neil Kerrigan is head of global markets - timber, print and packaging at Enterprise Ireland
New owner and chef, Thomas Hauck, was renovating Karl Ratzsch's restaurant in Milwaukee when many hidden treasures were found, including a collection of antique German steins. Credit: Michael Sears

By of the

The first thing Thomas Hauck and his team of designers did after taking possession of Karl Ratzsch's restaurant this winter was to "get rid of Christmas."

The beloved German restaurant at 320 E. Mason St. kept artificial holly boughs, garland, wreaths  a stringless violin with a big red bow  and other holiday decorations up year-round.

Step 2 was "rounding up the teddy bear collection," some 75 furry friends on display "everywhere," most gifts from customers.

And then, as renovation plans proceeded, the hidden treasures began to emerge. A large antique cuckoo clock. A rare sterling silver duck press. German steins galore, some chest-high. Historic photos, old menus and other memorabilia. And a mysterious padlocked door in the basement that once led to a secret room under the sidewalk.

When Hauck, chef-owner of c.1880 at 1100 S. 1st St., bought Karl Ratzsch's in January from Thomas Andera, Judith Hazard and John Poulos, he didn't just buy a restaurant  he bought a museum. And throughout the dusty, noisy preparations for his Monday opening, each new discovery has been met with glee.

"It's great," Hauck said. "You feel like you're one of those people who work at a museum who gets to curate all these things. It's pretty exciting. There's a lot of history with this place."

Most treasures, including the approximately 4-by-3-foot, intricately carved Black Forest cuckoo clock, will continue to be part of the decor. When Ratzsch's closed, the clock was perched above a wooden support pillar in the restaurant's main hallway. "You walked in, you never saw it," Hauck said.

Asked about the clock, former owner Andera said it was old and expensive to keep in working order. At one point they had to remove the weights and chains because kids would play with them  one child was caught swinging on a chain, he said.

Hauck plans to mount the clock, appraised recently at $40,000, prominently at the north end of the main dining room.

The most surprising find for Hauck, he said, was that duck press. Looking a bit like a medieval torture device, with a hand-cranked wheel on top, the sole purpose of this culinary machine is to extract juices from the carcass of a roast duck to turn into a sauce. Hauck had seen one twice before  at culinary school and in the restaurant he worked at in France.

"It's the ultimate tableside showstopper," he said. "It's 1970s haute cuisine at its finest."

Given its pristine condition, he doubts it was ever used.

Andera said that might be true. He also remembered that a friend of Paul Newman's, dining at Ratzsch's with the actor back in his racing days, once offered to buy the press on the spot for $1,000.

Hauck estimated that a new one like this today would cost $4,000 to $5,000.

While the duck press might have a concrete value, the German artifacts that call Ratzsch's home are priceless. Taking time to study and appreciate the large collection of German steins alone could take a lifetime.

"Look at this one, it's got a whole village on top," Hauck said as he picked up first one and then another: one dated 1916, another 1860.

Andera said many of the German antiques  most dating to the late 19th to early 20th century  were purchased on vacations in Germany taken by the original Karl Ratzsch and his wife, Helen, known affectionately as "Mama Ratzsch."

"They shipped their Cadillac over there," Andera said. "They would tour the countryside in their Cadillac and stop along the way and buy antique steins and glassware. When the Cadillac was full, they would ship it back."

Helen Ratzsch also was friends with the owner of Schrager Galleries on Sherman Blvd., Andera said. "He would find things for her as well in some of the German households in the city."

Didn't the family want any of these treasures for themselves?

"The terms of the sale of the restaurant was 'as is,'" said Andera, who began his career at Ratzsch's as a buser in high school in 1967 and who bought the restaurant (with Hazard and Poulos) from the family in 2003. "They each were allowed to take one keepsake item. They didn't want that much, really."

Hauck plans to display and back-light the steins  once they're cleaned  on wooden ledges ringing the dining room.

A Milwaukee native who grew up in Port Washington and is part German himself, Hauck was especially excited by the old photographs, menus, recipe notes, restaurant ads and the like that he discovered.

Among the many framed historical items are the architect's original 1928 plans for the restaurant; a photo of the predecessor Herman Otto's cafe on Water St.; and the inside of a 1935 menu. Hauck also found menus from the '50s, '70s and '90s.

Twelve days before opening, dozens of these photos were laid out carefully on the floor in an arrangement to go on a wall in the upstairs dining room. Previously these gems were scattered haphazardly throughout the restaurant.

"No one ever took the time to sit back and collect them all and write a discernible story," said Patrick Castro, co-owner with wife Libby of LP/w Design Studios. "This is what in effect we're doing. We're taking it all and editing it into a story people can absorb instead of being overwhelmed."

The Castros have been working with Hauck on the design of the restaurant. It was a fitting choice: Libby Castro has a degree in architecture and a minor in historic preservation; she's on the board of the Pabst Mansion. They got started doing exhibit design, "so there's a storytelling aspect to what we do," Patrick said.

A quirky piece of the Ratzsch's story is that secret room under the sidewalk: a wine cellar, built by Karl Ratzsch Jr. that extended all the way from Ratzsch's front door to the corner at Milwaukee St.

"The temperature is perfect," Hauck said as he unlocked the door to show a visitor.

"That's where we had a lot of our wine storage," Andera recalled, noting that Karl Jr. had an "extensive collection of Bordeaux and Burgundies."

After Karl's son Josef purchased the restaurant, water started leaking in from the sidewalk above, which broke down the glue holding the wine racks together. One day they found some first-growth Burgundies broken on the floor. After that, Josef moved out the wines and began selling off the collection, Andera said.

The door is still covered with parts of wooden wine crates from those days: Mouton Rothschild 1973, Pommard 1972....

Back upstairs, some treasures have merely been moved to a new location in the restaurant.

The antique antler chandeliers from the main dining room are now in the center hallway. The unique hammered-copper door previously leading to the Fable Room, a tiny rear dining room, is now the door to the new first-floor bathroom.

But not everything is being reused or even saved.

Hauck sold the baby grand piano from the main dining room. "It's not the piano Liberace played," Hauck said. "That was sold years ago."

He won't be using the duck press or the decades'-worth of old uniforms  dirndl, lederhosen, tuxedos  that they found. In choosing gingham shirts, khaki pants and semi-rustic denim aprons for his waiters, Hauck said he was going for a "timeless look."

And as much as he appreciates the beauty of the cuckoo clock, it won't be keeping time.

"I think the staff would slowly lose their minds," he said, "if it went off every hour."

And finally, when Christmas rolls around, they will decorate the restaurant, he said, with a laugh, "but with a bit of restraint."
Dublin mobile technology firm Cubic Telecom is in fundraising talks with a number of investors, one of which is believed to be Microsoft Ventures, according to industry sources.

Ceo Barry Napier and management are believed to retain about 50pc of the company and it is understood that an investment would involve them selling some of their stake.

In an interview in January of last year, Napier - a veteran in the mobile telecoms business - said that he believed the business could be worth up to 250m.

Cubic Telecom employs 80 people and has raised 34m in funds. It is positioning itself as a provider of fast mobile data connectivity in a growing number of countries, looking to the emerging 'connected car' and 'Internet of Things' markets.

The firm is already backed by car maker Audi and mobile technology equipment maker Qualcomm, which invested 18m in the firm last year.

It has close links with Microsoft and runs on its architecture. Last year, on a visit to Dublin, Microsoft ceo Satya Nadella said the company was "a fantastic example of an Irish startup that not only has built something that is significant worldwide".

Peggy Johnson, who is now an executive vice-president of business development at Microsoft, is closely involved in its connected car strategy. She also oversees Cubic's strategic investments and previously worked at Qualcomm. Paul Fiskness, a former dealmaker at Qualcomm, now sits on the Cubic Telecom board and works on M&A for it. He is believed to be closely involved in the talks.

Spokespeople for both Cubic Telecom and Microsoft declined to comment.
'A number of companies are vying to deploy vast solar arrays in Ireland as the country struggles to meet a 2020 EU target of generating 40pc of its electricity from renewable sources.' Stock photo: PA

There has been a "sudden wave" of applications to build solar farms in Ireland but there is still no strategic plan for their development, An Bord Pleanala has warned.

One of its inspectors made the damning assessment as she urged the watchdog's board to reject plans for a 25m solar farm planned for Co Wexford.

A number of companies are vying to deploy vast solar arrays in Ireland as the country struggles to meet a 2020 EU target of generating 40pc of its electricity from renewable sources.

Ireland could face stiff fines if it fails to meet the targets.

"There has been a sudden wave of proposed solar power development within the last two years and both the volume and scale of such development is increasing," said an inspector for An Bord Pleanala reviewing the case of a planned solar farm in south Wexford.

"At present, however, there is no spatial strategy or strategic plan to direct such important renewable energy development to appropriate locations at either a national, a regional or a local level," she said, urging that the huge project on a total of nearly 32 hectares be rejected by the planning watchdog.

The 17-megawatt energy farm was being planned by Irish firm Harmony Solar over two separate plots of land. Harmony Solar is owned by Co Louth-based Noel Reid, Dublin-based John Swan, and Lisa Rowe from Bridgetown, Co Wexford, near where the solar farm is planned.

Wexford County Council had rejected the proposed solar farm, solely due to concerns about possible glinting and glare.

An inspector for An Bord Pleanala said the scheme should be rejected for a variety of reasons, including that it would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

But the watchdog's board has given permission for part of the array, which will involve a development on 12-hectares of land that forms part of the overall planned site for the project.

It agreed with its inspector that development of the remaining 20-hectare site that would form the larger part of the solar farm would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It's been calculated that there are more than 600MW of solar farm developments in Ireland that have already been approved or are on appeal.

The watchdog recently refused permission for another Wexford solar farm by Highfield Solar, which would have been the country's biggest. It would have generated about 45 megawatts of power and cost more than 50m to build.

But the inspector in that case said: "It is not demonstrated, in the absence of an assessment at national level, that this particular type of development involving removal of productive lands from agricultural use and significant landscape changes would be beneficial to the country as a whole."
He sat, shoulders slightly slumped, speaking in a quiet voice. On a flash visit to Dublin last week, Twitter boss Jack Dorsey faced the same questions from journalists that he always gets.

"When will Twitter make a profit?"

"What are you doing to combat abuse online?"

"Are you worried about user growth on the service?"

I was one of the journalists. And, yes, those questions were all on my list.

But I felt as if I was watching a man who has been beaten down by relentless one-sided coverage. These days, Twitter is painted either as a problem social media platform or a financial basket case. While the harassment issue is complex, the financial failure tag is lazy and shallow.

Twitter is still growing (its last earnings report cited an extra 10 million monthly users) and is singularly relied on for breaking news in large parts of the world.

It's also ridiculous to base its performance on comparisons with Facebook, a commercial juggernaut that has almost no historical precedent and which makes any rival (bar Google) look weak.

So when Dorsey came to answer these same old questions last week, he looked a bit weary.

"Does Twitter need to charge subscriptions to make ends meet?"

"How long can it go without becoming profitable?"

What must this be like for Dorsey? For people to come up and tell you 'what the problem is with Twitter'? For the company's value constantly to be reduced to comparisons with Facebook or the next financial quarter?

Given that I was there, I asked him exactly that.

"I always look for the upside," he told me. "A lot of it actually comes from Twitter. That speaks to passion. People want us to do the right thing, they want us to fix it. People want us to be around and not to disappear. People just react. Sometimes it's seen as negative, but I see the positive in it. It's form of caring. It's a desire for us to stay around and endure."

That's a fairly diplomatic way of answering it.

If I were him, though, I might have pointed out some of the gaps in the way Twitter gets reported, particularly in the financial press.

The biggest one is the narrative that Twitter is somehow failing.

To my mind, there are many definitions of 'failure'. But including Twitter in that definition stretches its meaning to an unrealistic degree.

Bebo ended up in ultimate failure. So did MySpace. One might even argue that Nokia and BlackBerry have associations with the word 'failure' to some degree. All of those services are either gone or a tiny shadow of what they once were.

But Twitter? Twitter is surely one of the most successful tech companies in the past decade. Without needing to advertise, it's a household name. It is utterly relied upon by tens of millions (perhaps hundreds of millions) for critical information.

And this is a failure?

"Yes, but its user growth has stalled, unlike Facebook."

Yes, Twitter isn't growing its user base at breakneck speed like it was before. But it's still adding them. Just as importantly, its user numbers aren't falling: it is holding steady at over 300m monthly users. That is no mean feat. Ask Google or Yahoo how difficult it is to maintain a thriving, engaged social media base. It's almost impossible. Nine out of 10 companies that try it flame out.

Is Twitter less popular today than it was a year to three years ago? Does anyone believe it may dramatically lose popularity or usage in the next year?

It's probably the opposite. Twitter's utility in mainstream news and live events is deepening rather than waning. Say what you want about Donald Trump, but he hasn't hurt Twitter's prospects of short to medium-term relevancy.

"OK whatever, so people are using it. But it's losing money," continues the criticism.

Yes it is. Its last earnings showed a loss of around $160m. And it hasn't made a profit in its 11 years.

But that being the case, why is it that Twitter is still a traded stock with a market capitalisation of almost $11bn (10bn)? Could it be that, despite all the cribbing, the market thinks it's a reasonable bet for the future?

Here's the thing about a publicly-traded company. If the market and its investors think it's done, they can sell the stock. At any time. But Twitter's share price is actually trading at around the same level now as it was this time last year. Yes, it's a lot lower than its IPO level three years ago. But it's still an $11bn company according to the unemotional, hard assessment of the market.

As for comparisons with Facebook, they're ludicrous. The only companies in history comparable to Facebook's time-compressed success are Google, Microsoft and Apple (with the latter almost collapsing in the 1980s). By any other standard, including Snapchat, Twitter is doing just fine.

As for demanding a profit right now, Twitter could probably deliver it in the next six months if it simply laid off a bigger chunk of its staff. It could say: 'Fine, we'll keep the product as it is, keep most of our sales and marketing, lay off lots of development staff and maybe try to rehire them in a year or two when we're profitable."

Dorsey knows this. Indeed, he alluded clearly to it when I asked him about profitability last week.

"Profitability is a choice," he said. "It's a choice between investment or driving profit. We believe that there's massive opportunity in continuing to grow and invest in the business So we're going to take the time necessary to do the right things for the people using the product and also for our advertisers. And the revenue will follow."

Twitter has a lot of challenges. But relevance isn't one of them. The company and its offering will be around for many years to come.
US President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and his administration's recent bans on travel from some Muslim-majority countries have suffered their biggest broadside from a heavy-hitter on the world stage.

Addressing Tianguis Turistico - Mexico's massive tourist trade fair, which attracts 7,000 representatives from almost 90 countries - the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation delivered a hard-hitting speech not even couched in softly-softly diplomatic language.

Taleb Rifai addressed the packed audience, which included the Mexican president, in the resort town of Acapulco, arguing: "I believe that no wall in the world can isolate Mexico - and any attempt to do so can only isolate themselves too."

In a speech which astonished delegates with its frankness, he added: "The world is looking at you, it respects you. People travel to places they respect - their culture, their society, their people. You want to be with people you enjoy being with, that's why I say the future is Mexico.

"You are on the southern side of the border - it's geography and destiny - but let no one tell you otherwise, you are on the right side of history." And in a direct attack at Trump's policies, he added: "No one on the wrong side of history will ever prevail."

Speaking to the Sunday Independent a day later, Rifai stood by his robust views - also taking aim at recent bans, among others, which curtail the movement of travellers - in line with the United Nation's policy, which he emphasised promotes "safe, secure and seamless travel".

And Rifai, born in Jordan, took issue with the recent orders that are already having an impact on the business travel sectors, as well as leisure industry.

"It's not just safety and security per se," he said. "If you do not connect that with facilitation of travel with open borders and open minds then you end up killing the same industry you're trying to protect. We believe that security on one hand and openness on the other are not a zero-sum game."

The head of one of the United Nation's 15 agencies, he revealed that his sector, which is set to hit revenue of $1.6 trillion by 2020 in the business travel sector alone, has moved on from the old cliches of a Cinderella industry to a global force. Asked by the Sunday Independent whether travel is taken seriously in the corridors of power, he said: "If you asked me this question seven or eight years ago, my answer would have been: 'I don't know, I don't think so'. I remember it was Kofi Annan [who was UN Secretary-General] at the time - then Ban Ki-moon came after that. The heads of these 15 UN agencies meet twice a year and they introduced me to the rest of the group. I could swear I was seeing half a smile on the faces of these people. They were saying, 'Are you serious?' They said, 'What does tourism have to do with our work?'."

But world connectivity is a major arguing point for the UN, he said: "Things have changed a lot since then. Today we speak in front of them and they stop and listen."

On terrorism and geo-political tensions, he added: "The challenges are big but I stand by what I said yesterday - the world has never been better. We have to sit back and think where we came from. We came from a situation where 30 years ago half of this world was ruled by dictators... 20 years ago in the Balkans it was one brother killing another. Forty years ago, no African-American was allowed on the same bus. It's easy to point fingers - but whoever builds that wall is not on the right side of history."

And on Trump's 'America First' campaign slogan, he argued: "What past are we talking about? America has never been greater, when people say make America great again, I say greater than what? I still think America is greater than ever."

And the world tourism boss also wasn't pulling too many punches on last week's Brexit move.

"I have to warn you I'm an optimist - the European Union is the best invention that mankind has ever seen. The world would love to see them together because they would like to be like them."
Katherine Lynch is ready for her close-up. Quite a few close-ups, in fact. Looking around her makeshift dressing room I count 21 outfits and a dozen pairs of shoes, most of which she has been busy trying on for the last three-and- a-half hours.

Rain is pelting against the windows of an elegant Dun Laoghaire seafront hotel, but Lynch's natural warmth and vivacity makes the dull day feel considerably more cheerful.

"I do feel fantastic about myself these days," she says later, after changing into her "civvies" (in reality, a red halterneck dress as glamorous as anything taken away by the stylist). "In the past I've done photoshoots where they say to me, 'Oh, Katherine, just do something funny.' Now I can actually wear these clothes and feel like a sexy b***h."

Lynch's new physique is not exactly a State secret. It has happened in full public view, as appearances on RTE's Celebrity Operation Transformation and Dancing with the Stars helped her to drop three dress sizes in six months. Even more importantly, the comic actress best known for bawdy creations such as Sheila Sheikh ("the scumbag with the bumbag") feels that her audience now has a much better idea of who she really is.

Expand Close Katherine Lynch with partner Kai Widdrington on Dancing with the Stars. Photo: Kieran O'Brien / Facebook

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"Before those shows, I was always pigeonholed as the 'rude, lewd and crude' comedian. Today I think people are able to see me as an all-round person. Sometimes the cameras would film me being really emotional and I'd ask them not to use it, but the public reaction afterwards was so positive that I realised there was no need to hide anything.

"I don't see any contradiction between the two sides of myself - I just see the full humanity. I like that girl who has the balls to gatecrash The Rose of Tralee or chase after Cristiano Ronaldo. I also like the one who writes poetry in private and can be a bit fragile. Basically, I'm a very open person and I roll it out like dice."

In case this all sounds a bit self-centred, it should be noted that Katherine Lynch is anything but a diva. The Leitrim woman greets everyone with a hearty "Howya", insists on buying her own refreshments and tries in vain to find a shared relation when she hears my surname. ("You definitely have the same colouring as my father," she insists.)

Lynch is primarily here today to promote Rock Against Homelessness, a charity event organised by Independent News & Media - owners of the Irish Independent - taking place at Dublin's Olympia Theatre next Friday. She will be sharing MC duties with Al Porter on a bill that includes The Boomtown Rats, Ham Sandwich, Finbar Furey, The Blizzards, Delorentos, Paul Cleary and many others. Proceeds from the gig go to Focus Ireland.

Celebrities who promote good causes can sometimes sound phoney, but Lynch's spirited comments on rough sleepers leave no doubt that this is a subject genuinely close to her own heart. "I live in Temple Bar, smack bang beside the underbelly of Dublin," she points out. "So I see the problem every day. I know a lot of homeless people by name and sometimes I would even give out to them, saying, 'Why are you back on the drink?' or 'Why are you shooting up again?'

"When I first moved there, I would always give the homeless a few euro and every spare blanket I had. But recently I think we've all become a bit apathetic because there are just so many of them. In 20 years' time, we'll feel really ashamed of how we ignored these people - we'll ask why we didn't bang down the Government's doors and ask them to do something. I mean, if you saw a little dog that couldn't look after itself, you'd find it a kennel."

Expand Close Colourful: Katherine in character as Bernie Walsh / Facebook

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Not surprisingly, Lynch was a big supporter of the Home Sweet Home campaign which occupied Apollo House for four weeks over the Christmas season. She describes it as "like a piece of public theatre, exactly what you need to highlight what's going on". She also speaks enthusiastically about her support for the legalisation of drugs and the provision of injection centres around Dublin. "We need to stop treating the homeless like vermin," she declares.

This instinctive sympathy for the under- dog, Lynch points out, is also reflected in her work. She loves to portray women who have been marginalised by Irish society due to their class, lifestyle or sexuality. As a grandniece of the much-loved but famously contrary poet Patrick Kavanagh, she suggests that her rebellious spirit may be partly genetic.

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"Kavanagh's book of collected poems is like my bible. He died before I was born but he's my connection to a bigger thing, whatever that might be. Even though he could be cranky like myself, because he couldn't stand mediocrity, he had an amazing empathy for the human spirit. But Kavanagh also felt like an outsider. John Montague [a fellow Irish poet who died last December] was a good friend of mine and he told me about travelling with him in France. Kavanagh had been invited to make a public speech but looked so dishevelled when he arrived that they asked him to leave. He went away in tears. That's why I believe you can never judge someone on the street, because you have no idea where they've come from or what they've gone through."

This time last year, Lynch was in less than perfect shape herself. She recalls the "incredible stress" of making her television sketch shows, walking around in uncomfortable costumes and high heels for 10 hours in order to get five minutes of usable footage. "I'd be living off crisps and Coke during the day and then going for a burger late at night. I really hate fat-shaming and if you'd asked me, I would have said I didn't care about being overweight. But then, I could have been watching a black and white television all my life and thought I didn't care - until I saw a colour one."

Lynch signed up for Celebrity Operation Transformation because she wanted to live longer for the people she loves. "I also thought I was more likely to succeed if there was an audience looking at me. But to be quite honest, I couldn't have done it if I wasn't getting paid."

In the end she was one of COT's biggest success stories, losing 13-and-a-half pounds from her starting weight of 13-and-a-half stone. Along the way, there were tears on camera, community runs at home in Leitrim and a bizarre episode which saw her strutting into a swimming pool while wearing red high heels. "That was my little act of defiance - I was determined to keep a little bit of glam."

Her new healthy eating regime seems to be fully intact. She spends this interview tucking into a beetroot salad and drinking sparkling water, politely refusing the waiter's suggestion that she might like a glass of wine as well. "I'm having one later, you see," she explains. Without this initial boost to her confidence, Lynch says, she would never have gone on Dancing with the Stars. "I refused five times because I literally don't know my left foot from my right. But in the end, it turned out to be the most enjoyable three months of my entire life."

When it came to choosing a professional dancing partner, she had just one rule. "I said, 'Please don't give me a gay man, because we'll only end up in The George bar knocking back red vino.' So they paired me with Kai Widdrington - straight-as-a-die Kai. He was really kind to me and we genuinely became great pals."

Lynch made it to week nine of the contest, turning in highly entertaining performances of the foxtrot, cha-cha and quickstep along the way. She also shed another stone, for good measure.

"By the end, though, I wanted to leave because it was getting too competitive backstage. I was just there for the craic, really - there was a glitterball to be won but what can you actually do with that? For me, the memories and the friendships are far more important."

As the proud daughter of a Kerryman and regular visitor to that county, Lynch is happy to see GAA star Aidan O'Mahony win the DWTS final a few days after our conversation. "That's just how we are, tribal up the Kingdom!" she emails me.

As for the widespread criticism that DWTS' public votes may have been influenced by factors other than dancing ability, Lynch can only agree. "Thalia Heffernan and Des Bishop shouldn't have gone out so early, but then they don't have parishes behind them. I do."

The parish in question is Mohill, official population: 928. Some creative spirits might feel stifled by life in such a close-knit community, but Lynch speaks of it in almost rapturous terms. "Whenever I go back, they say, 'Oh, you never forget us, Katherine.' How could I forget a place that brought me up so lovingly? Like Hillary Clinton said, it takes a village to raise a child, and everyone dies famous in a small town. Mohill also feels like an underdog and it's surviving really well. But it's heartbreaking to see the death of our other small towns. What are we going to do without them? I'd love to see more non-nationals going there; I think we'd be kinder to them - a few African hurlers would be mighty to see."

As a child, Lynch was encouraged to act by her father, who wrote comic dramas that she rehearsed in their kitchen and then performed at the GAA festival Scor na nOg. "I remember I had one line, 'Come out with your hands up', that I delivered as, 'Come up with your hands out.' When the place erupted in laughter, I realised just how exciting that could be."

At school she was a punk who "bullied the bullies" and had no interest in academia. "I got on with all the teachers; I just hated school itself. I've always responded to individuals, not institutions - for example, I love Mary Lou McDonald but don't particularly like Sinn Fein. On the day I got my Leaving Cert, I stood outside on the steps of my school and tore it up, saying, 'I will never use this in my life.' And I never have."

Despite Lynch's childhood thespian experiences, she spent her early 20s working as a hairdresser, a reflexologist and an antiques shop manager. Her breakthrough came when she won the Alternative Miss Ireland competition in 1998 as the tampon-strewn Miss Tampy Lilette, which led to a regular show in Panti Bliss's bar GUBU. "The gay community really took me to their heart and I had a brilliant, decadent time. There was a big division in those days: we really thought, 'We're cooler than you'. A lot of people assumed I was lesbian myself, which just showed how feckin' ignorant they were. But that was fine - I've picked up more straight men in gay bars than anywhere else."

Television made Lynch a household name, showcasing her naughty-but-nice alter egos in programmes such as Working Girls, Single Ladies and the spoof chat show Wagon's Den. Despite selling out national tours and topping the DVD charts in Christmas 2009, however, her scatological humour divided opinion and she became a critical punching bag. "I got famous just as Twitter was starting up and people were suddenly able to talk directly to celebrities. Some of them thought I could take a few digs, but I couldn't. They really upset me.

"In my opinion, that kind of trolling has been the downfall of comedy. It's the reason why people are so politically correct now, to the point of inverted racism or homophobia. A brilliant sitcom like Only Fools and Horses would never be allowed on television today because it's just not PC enough."

Lynch is speaking from bitter personal experience, since her favourite role of all is Traveller woman Singin' Bernie Walsh (above right; sample hit: Friends in Hiaces). She was particularly irked by claims that the character might be offensive to a community she has regularly socialised with since her childhood. "I never got any flak from Travellers themselves, only settled people. I've been on the cover of Travellers' Voice magazine and I recently did a gig in Limerick with the Traveller comedian Martin Beanz. Bernie Walsh is not a stereo- type; she's a proud, independent woman and the critics who can't see that must have seriously boring lives." As these comments suggest, behind Lynch's extroverted image, there is a sensitive soul who detests snobbery and can be easily hurt. The death of her father in 2010 left her in "awful grief" and resulted in a lengthy career break. "I had got up on stage two days after the funeral and felt like a liar, completely lost. I used to believe in that old showbiz saying 'The show must go on' but now I think it's a load of crap. I'm no good at pretending to be fine when I'm really not."

She eventually channelled those emotions into Settling Dust, a non-comedy album of her own original songs and trad covers (including Patrick Kavanagh's Raglan Road) that she describes as "the greatest therapy you can imagine".

Now that Lynch's profile is higher than ever, she plans to become extremely busy again. She will soon walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to raise money for the Irish Hospice Foundation; she's been offered a leading role in a stage musical (she asks me not to reveal the title yet) and is writing a new one-woman show that will bring her different talents together.

"I don't want to be known as just a comedian anymore," she says. "My role model would be Bette Midler, somebody who can act, sing, tell jokes - do a bit of everything."

Time is getting on and Lynch has an appointment to see Beauty and the Beast in town. With a new boyfriend in her life, she is looking to the future with excitement and confidence. To quote another great Irish poet, however, "How can we know the dancer from the dance?" Lynch laughs and points out at the Irish Sea.

"If I was to get on a ferry now and travel a few hours in that direction, nobody would have a clue who I am. I don't give a damn about being famous. I have a small place in the South of France and I'd happily go there to work in a coffee shop if I had to.

"I don't live with fear anymore; I live with courage. It's a nice place to be. But it took me a long time to get here."

Rock Against Homelessness takes place at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on April 7 at 8pm. Tickets are priced at 30 from ticketmaster.ie

Photography: Naomi Gaffey, naomigaffey.ie

Styling: Brian Conway, briconstyle.com

Hair: Aisling Hamill, hairbyaislinghamill.com

Make-up: Yvonne Maher, yvonnemaher.com

Shot on location at Haddington House, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, (01) 280 1810, haddingtonhouse.ie
A dispute between Johnny Ronan and rival property developer Pat Crean has escalated dramatically this weekend.

Lawyers for a firm connected with Ronan, pictured below, have sent a letter to Crean saying the company intends to sue him for defamation.

The letter alleges that a dossier was disseminated at Crean's behest to reporters and politicians in an attempt to damage the reputation of the company and/or its officers, who include Ronan.

"We have absolutely no idea what they're talking about," a spokesman for Crean said, adding that their "only concern" was the resolution of another issue between the men, relating to the dumping of waste material.

Ronan declined to comment.

The waste dispute relates to material dumped at a landfill in north Co Dublin that a company linked to Crean, Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS), is in the process of purchasing.

The material comes from a large site at Spencer Dock on Dublin's quays, where the Ronan firm has plans for a major mixed-use development.

Crean's representatives say the material is hazardous and they have written to Ronan's representatives asking for the waste to be remediated.

Ronan's representatives responded by rejecting the assertion that hazardous waste was deposited at the site, and would not give an undertaking to remediate it.

In a statement, IMS confirmed that it intended to issue legal proceedings "imminently" against Spencer Place Development Company.
Some 14 people were found hidden in a truck that arrived by ferry at Rosslare Harbour on Sunday afternoon.

Garda Immigration Officers discovered the 12 men and two women during a routine search after the ship from France docked around 2pm.

The people were found inside a refrigerated trailer unit aboard the Irish Ferries Oscar Wilde ferry.

It is understood that apples were being transported in the truck and the temperature of the unit was around 5 degrees.

All members of the group - which includes one youth - are in good health.

However, one man has been taken to Wexford General Hospital as a precaution.

The ferry had set sail from Cherbourg in France on Saturday night but it is believed that the people may have been in the unit for up to three days.

All 14 people - who are understood to be from Iran, Afghanistan and of Kurdish nationality - are currently being assessed by immigration officers.

They will be referred to the refuge application commissioners.

Enquiries are ongoing.
The searches were carried out at private residences and business premises (Stock picture)

Large amounts of financial documentation and electronic media were seized in a major garda operation on Sunday.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) carried out searches at twelve locations in Dublin, Kildare and Meath as part of ongoing investigations into a west Dublin criminal group.

A luxury car and a small quantity of controlled drugs and drugs paraphernalia were also seized by CAB during the operation.

The searches were carried out at private residences and business premises.

CAB were supported by the Special Crime Task Force (SCTF) and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the Dublin Regional Armed Response Unit and Gardai from Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda Districts.

No arrests were made during this phase of the investigation and no other assets were seized.

The investigation is ongoing.
A man will appear in court tomorrow morning charged in connection with a 1.4m drugs seizure at a Dublin premises.

As part of an intelligence led operation, Gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau assisted by the Garda Emergency Response Unit and supported by local Gardai searched a premises in Artane on Friday.

During the course of the operation Gardai discovered 20kgs of cocaine - with an estimated value of 1.4m - and 4kgs of cannabis resin - with an estimated street value of 100,000; as well as component parts of firearms and a quantity of ammunition.

One man, in his 40s, was arrested at the scene and he is detained at Coolock Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

This morning a garda spokeswoman confirmed that the suspect has been charged and will appear before Dublin Distrct Court on Monday morning.
The ebullient restaurant critic Paolo Tullio, who died in June 2015, left almost 900,000 in his will, which went to probate last week.

Although he spent the last years of his life as a food writer, Italian-born Tullio, who died of cancer at the age of 65, was also an accomplished Michelin-starred chef. Documents lodged in the Probate Office last week stated that Paolo Luigi Mario Tullio, of Annamoe, Co Wicklow, left an estate valued at 896,112.

The executor was his artist son, Rocco.

Tullio first came to Ireland to study at Trinity College Dublin and lived here for the rest of his life. He worked as a clinical psychologist in St Brendans Hospital and as an interpreter and translator, among many other jobs.

He married the artist Susan Morley in 1975.

The couple had two children and later divorced, but got back together in later life.

At his funeral, she said: He was the best man Ive ever known.
Fine Gael leadership contender Leo Varadkar has described Sinn Fein's demand for a border poll as "alarming", insisting a vote on Irish unity "at any point in the near future" would be counterproductive.

In a speech to Fine Gael members in Dublin-Rathdown, the Social Protection Minister also said that Fine Gael needed to take a "renewed interest" in the North.

He said he was "very concerned" that Sinn Fein might seek to "manipulate and exploit" recent developments to create division in both parts of the island, and build support North and South.

"The demand for a border poll is alarming," he said. "It is a return to a mindset in which a simple sectarian majority of 50pc plus one is enough to cause a change in the constitutional status of the North. It represents a mindset of: 'There's one more of us than you, so now we're in charge. It's our turn to dominate,'" he said.

A border poll held at any point in the near future would be "counterproductive," Mr Varadkar added. "While things may, and I think are likely, to change in the future, the result of such a poll now is likely to be a clear 'no' to a united Ireland," he said.

"Worse than that, such a campaign would polarise political opinion on both sides, making it more difficult to achieve the type of real co-operation... upon which a shared future can be built.

"I think we need to develop further the structures of co-operation and areas of working together, put in place or promised but not yet delivered, over the last 20 years."

Mr Varadkar added: "I believe in a united Ireland and would dearly love to see it occur in my lifetime. But before we have territorial unity, we must have unity among people.

"Bouncing Ulster Protestants into a unitary Irish state against their will would be as grievous a wrong as was abandoning a large Catholic minority in the North on partition. It could lead to alienation and even a return to violence. A unitary state formed on this basis would not be a good one."

In an important speech in Goatstown, he said he believed the country was entering a period when the importance of Northern Ireland to politics in the South would come to the fore again. "As a party, Fine Gael needs to see this and prepare for it," Mr Varadkar said.

Brexit, he added, would inevitably force the country to reassess its political relationship with the North and Britain as a whole. He also said Fine Gael should insist there would be no border again. A soft border comprised a camera on a pole, he said, and then the camera and the pole could become targets.

The minister said he did not think it possible for the North to have special status in the EU for as long as it remained part of the UK, but it could have special arrangements that allowed the status quo to remain in place.

The EU had shown itself to be "creative and pragmatic" when it came to other territories like Greenland, Andorra and the far-flung French overseas departments. "It can be creative and pragmatic as far as the island of Ireland is concerned," he added.

He said Fine Gael needed to reach out to persuade moderate unionists and middle-ground voters who support the Alliance and Green parties that "people who instinctively understood that Ulster farmers, businesses, students and security would be best served by such an arrangement".

He added: "Real lasting workable unity can only come about with a decent measure of support from both communities. It seems odd that those who have advocated for a shared future and co-operation should now seek to throw that away as they would try to ram through unity on a narrow simple majority basis.

"A broader approach based on persuasion, not on what birth rates might produce, would recognise that the destiny of the two communities in the North will always be intertwined and therefore require a shared future."
Women who have UK abortions involving a fatal foetal abnormality will not have the remains repatriated to Ireland at the State's expense.

Last year, the Department of Health said such a proposal was receiving active consideration following the high-profile case of Amanda Mellet.

The Irishwoman made headlines worldwide after the UN found she suffered discrimination, plus cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, having been forced to travel to the UK to terminate a pregnancy. Her foetus had been diagnosed as having a fatal abnormality.

However, Ms Mellet had to return home - just 12 hours after having the procedure - because of financial reasons despite the fact she was bleeding and felt light-headed.

Three weeks after she had the termination, the ashes of the foetus were unexpectedly delivered to her by courier.

The UN ruled Ms Mellet had undergone financial and emotional suffering.

The Government paid her 30,000 in compensation - because having decided to terminate her pregnancy she then had no option but to have an abortion abroad.

Now, the Sunday Independent has learned that the proposal to provide financial aid to other women in a similar position has been shelved.

The Department of Health confirmed the Government had not changed its position in this area.

"The substantive issues relating to the Eighth Amendment, including those cases where there is a fatal foetal abnormality, are being considered by the Citizens' Assembly," a department statement said.

"However, the policy remit for this area lies with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and there has been no policy change in this area."

Sources insisted the "focus" was now on providing "bereavement care" for families.

"Repatriation is not in the same category - the emphasis is on counselling for families in those situations," one source said.

This is despite the fact that at a meeting with the Terminations for Medical Reasons (TFMR) group in July, Health Minister Simon Harris indicated that financial assistance for women who terminate a pregnancy because of a fatal foetal abnormality might be on the cards.

At the time, the Department of Health had also confirmed Mr Harris would consider "within the law" what other services and responses could be put in place to help affected women and their families.
"When it's happening, it's all you think about, and it's very intense," says chef Alain Kerloc'h. "You are not in your zone, or in your kitchen; they are not your plates. But the person who's bought a ticket for the pop-up doesn't want to hear excuses - they want to know what you're about. And you're telling them your story but you're relying on others to source your ingredients the way you would yourself."

Later this month, Alain Kerloc'h, Stevie Toman and their team from the Michelin-starred Ox restaurant in Belfast will pack up their cars with ingredients and kitchen equipment and drive to Dungarvan in Co Waterford. There, they'll unload into the kitchen of The Tannery, Paul and Maire Flynn's excellent restaurant (see review, page 35), and start preparations for their Sunday lunch pop-up, one of the hot tickets at this year's West Waterford Festival of Food.

Why on earth would people who've worked hard to earn their Michelin star and garnered armfuls of glowing reviews in the process want to do this - and on what's supposed to be their day off?

"Paul Flynn is someone we all look up to," explains Toman. "He's been there, done that, bought the T-shirt - one of only two Irish chefs [the other is Clare Smyth] to have headed up a three-star Michelin restaurant. He's a legend, a great ambassador for Irish food, and we are big fans. So when he called to ask us, there was no question of saying no."

Toman and Kerloc'h are no strangers to this pop-up lark. In 2014, they were honoured to host their former boss, Alain Passard of the three-Michelin-star L'Arpege in Paris, for a collaborative pop-up at Ox, with some courses devised by Passard and others by Toman. Passard is a true culinary superstar and it's clear that - almost three years after that memorable night - the pair can still hardly believe they managed to pull it off.

The following year, Ox popped up at the Ballymaloe Litfest, having driven down in three cars after evening service, arriving at five in the morning. "None of us had any sleep for three days - it was Red Bull all the way," says Toman. "But it was brilliant. We loved it, and none of us will ever forget it."

Last year, they popped up in Greece, as part of a festival celebrating new one-star restaurants in Europe organised by Sani Resorts, and in New York, at The Dead Rabbit - officially the world's best bar, owned by two Belfast natives, Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon.

"That was hardcore," says Toman. "New York is the biggest buzz of all and it was amazing to challenge ourselves to put on an event there with just a couple of days' prep. It was great exposure for the restaurant. We were on an incredible high after that."

And just a couple of weeks ago, the pair put on a St Patrick's Day pop-up in London, flying back to Belfast on the early morning red-eye to be home in time for Saturday lunch service. Whatever about the highs, it all sounds completely exhausting.

"It has to be worth it to do it, in terms of meeting new people and getting our story out there," explains Kerloc'h, who says that they are choosy about which invitations they will accept. "It is stressful when you are doing a full menu, and last year we did so many.

"Our business is established now, but you can't stand still - the restaurant has to progress, which is why we will continue to do pop-ups. If you stand still, then it's all over for you. We are constantly trying to improve what we do, and we are more ambitious now than we ever have been. When we started out, it was very pressured, and we worked hard to get the star. The food has come on in leaps and bounds since we started.

"But now we can't allow ourselves to be happy with what we did last year - we have to do better. A pop-up is always a risk: the stakes are high. We get many invitations, but we have to put the restaurant first. And we have to restrict ourselves to things that we are excited about; it's important to us to feel like we are going to enjoy it, otherwise what's the point?"

It's not just the chefs who are travelling for pop-ups - last year, diners travelled from across the island to attend the pop-up between Takashi Miyazaki, a Japanese chef based in Cork, and Irish chef Katie Sanderson. Their two-night pop-up called Ichigo Ichie, meaning 'once in a lifetime', was at The Fumbally Stables in Dublin. The nine-course meal included dishes such as mirin-dried mackerel osuimono paired with green tea and cardamom kombucha, and sea urchin with wasabi, kaisou and tosazu.

"The first time I met Katie was at the Ballymaloe Litfest, where she was giving a cookery demonstration," says Miyazaki. "I liked what she did and a couple of months later we decided to do a pop-up together. Katie's cooking is vegetable-focused, inspired by Asian cuisine - especially Japanese - and she uses fermentation techniques. I learnt a lot from her. Making and discovering new dishes together was fun; her taberu rayu (peanut sauce) and my mochi (rice cake) dish collaboration was one of the big hits of the dinner.

"We only agreed on the final menu a week before the event. I would have liked to agree it earlier, but Katie and I are quite different - she is much more relaxed, and I mean that in a good way. In the end we made it, though, and it was an absolutely brilliant experience."

On Monday, Miyazaki will be popping up again at a charity dinner for Breakthrough Cancer Research in Bally- volane House (ballyvolanehouse.ie). This time he'll be collaborating with fellow chefs Jess Murphy of Kai in Galway, Ross Lewis from Chapter One in Dublin, Enda McEvoy from Loam in Galway and Robbie Krawczyk, formerly of Tankardstown House in Co Meath, who is rumoured to be opening a new restaurant in Dublin later this year.

"I like doing pop-up ups because they are an opportunity to showcase my food in a way that I can't in my own restaurant," says Miyazaki. "My restaurant in Cork is a simple takeaway premises, with no tables, no menu of courses, and no licence to serve alcohol. At a pop-up I can do a full Japanese kaiseki course menu. I like working on a particular concept in a different location and telling a story, and I get a lot out of working with other chefs, sharing ideas and creating passionate new dishes.

"Last year I did a pop-up in Mitchelstown Caves that was really something special. There was no kitchen equipment, no gas and no cooking facilities inside the cave, and we had to bring in all the tables and chairs. It was tough but it was worth it."

It's not just established chefs who get involved in pop-ups. For young chefs at the start of their careers, the exposure that comes from being able to test their food out on the public before they invest in premises and set up a permanent restaurant is an attractive proposition. Last weekend, young chef Andrew Cox put on Ceviche, his first pop-up, at Sprout & Co on Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, which is owned by his cousins Jack and Theo Kirwan. Cox learned about ceviche during an internship at the Llama Inn in New York, where he worked in the evenings a few nights a week after completing a day's work as a data analyst.

"I kept trying to get a table there when friends or family were in town visiting and I never could," says Cox, "so I thought that if I went to work there, then I might at least get to try the food."

The Kirwans sampled Cox's ceviche when he served it as an unusual starter last Christmas Day, and the idea for a pop-up was born. And the cousins got together every Thursday for the eight weeks leading up to the pop-up to sample and refine dishes and hone the menu for the night.

In the end, the five-course menu included an exceptional tiradito con maracuya - lemon sole with passion- fruit leche de tigre, crunchy quinoa and amaranth - and a ceviche of sea bass with caramelised banana. A deliciously tart and tangy dessert of sorpresa de lima - lime, meringue and oat crumb - was devised by his friend and fellow chef Jake McCarthy.

Now Cox is off to Lima, hoping to find work in a restaurant there, looking to deepen his knowledge of Peruvian food and develop what is already a prodigious talent. Delighted with the success of Ceviche, the Kirwans hope to put on more pop-ups in the coming months - watch their Facebook page (facebook.com/sproutfoodco) for details.

At the West Waterford Festival of Food pop-up (westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com) meanwhile, the Ox team will be collaborating with Paul Flynn himself, and are hoping that not being responsible for the whole menu will mean that the day will be enjoyable rather than stressful. "Paul will come into the kitchen and do a few courses, which makes it more fun and relaxed than it would be with us just doing a tasting menu," says Toman.

"We'll be doing beef aged in lard - it's a technique that we've been experimenting with and it's really good. The meat is aged for 10 days on the bone, and then taken off the bone, dipped in lard and aged for another couple of weeks. This is something new, and the flavour is much more intense. I saw them doing this in Copenhagen - ageing beef in clarified butter - and I showed my butcher how to do it.

"Paul's asked us to do a Jerusalem artichoke ice-cream that he had when he ate at Ox a few months ago. We'll do a few snacks as well. And then hopefully we'll all be able to go and have a few pints of Guinness afterwards."

Watch out for

GRUEL GUERRILLA

Twitter: @gruelguerrilla

Occasional eight-seat BYO dinners put on by Gruel Guerrilla in Dublin. Expect inventive, hyper-seasonal menus featuring plentiful foraged ingredients. There's a suggested donation at the end of the evening, usually around 60.

NORTH EAST

Twitter: @northerncuisine

Chef Eric Heilig hosts monthly Sunday-night dinners showcasing Baltic cuisine at Heron & Grey in Blackrock, Co Dublin, where he works alongside Damien Grey. His partner, Floriane Loup, looks after front of house. Expect to pay in the region of 48 for snacks, a four-course dinner and drink pairings.
The second annual Spanish Wine Week runs from April 23 to April 30, with events throughout the country organised by Wines from Spain.

On Sunday 23rd, The Twelve Hotel in Barna, Co Galway, will host a five-course Hidden Gems late lunch, with Martin O'Donnell's food paired with wines from Cava, Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Albarino and Jumilla, each course and wine introduced by sommelier Fergus O'Halloran (50 per person).

On Monday 24, Boyle's of Kildare will host an evening of Tasting & Storytelling in Kildare town, featuring three whites from Galicia and three reds from Navarra (15 per person).

On Tuesday 25, Green Man Wines in Dublin 6 is holding a wine tasting focusing on The Magnificent Seven Under 25 with wine writer Tomas Clancy. The evening will focus on interesting, authentic bottles with a story to tell (25 per person). On the same day, 64 Wine in Glasthule, Co Dublin, is hosting a tasting of lesser-known Spanish wines with Rafael Salazar of wine distributor Vinostito and featuring winemaker Dani Landi. Tapas will be served (40 per person). And over on Camden Street, Pickle will host a Spanish wine dinner with wine writer John Wilson, pairing Spanish wines with four courses of Sunil Ghai's Indian food (50 per person).

Wednesday 26 sees Rafael Salazar leading a tasting of organic and natural wines in L'Atitude 51 in Cork city to include tapas (18 per person), while the Instituto Cervantes in Dublin hosts a night of Flamenco, Sherry and Iberian Ham starting at 6.30pm (5 per person; tickets limited and can be booked directly on bookings.dublin@cervantes.es. On the same night, Brioche in Ranelagh hosts a Rioja dinner led by Liam Campbell (45 per person) and Woodberrys Wines in Galway hosts a Rioja tasting of wines from Bodegas Ostatu, Gomez Cruzado and Hazana.

On Thursday 27, Ely Wine Bar on Dublin's Ely Place holds a Spanish Spring Roast with wine pairings for 50, while the Farmgate Cafe in Cork's English Market hosts a special Spanish Supper Club for 45. On the same night, there's a Spanish wine dinner with John Wilson in La Touche Wines in Greystones, Co Wicklow, and a masterclass in Spanish Wines by Lynne Coyle, Master of Wine, in Smock Alley, Temple Bar. On Friday 28 and Saturday 29, The Winehouse in Howth, Co Dublin, hosts a Spanish wine tasting each day, featuring six different Spanish wines.

Wine stores around the country will also have a selection of offers throughout Spanish Wine Week. Visit spanishwineweek.ie

Bites...

Party like it's 1999!

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The Grapevine in Dalkey is celebrating 18 years in business, and the first anniversary of its move to Castle Street. From today until April 8, the wine shop will be selling 18 of its most popular wines at 1999 prices, which sounds like a very good reason to beat a path, sharpish; onthegrapevine.ie

Think outside the box

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If you haven't been able to land an evening table at the Camden Street hotspot, you can now try out Karl Whelan's take on Chinese food at lunchtime when there's a daily special priced at between 9 and 13, for eat in or take out. Check out each day's offering on Instagram @hangdaichinese

Help to get your food business cooking

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Food Works has launched its 2017 search for ambitious food and drink start-ups to join its accelerator programme, and is holding introductory meetings in Dundalk, Dublin, Cork and Galway between now and the end of June. See foodworks.ie
mike gamson linkedin

Over the course of almost a decade, Mike Gamson has become one of the most important people at LinkedIn.

As the SVP of Global Solutions, he oversees the talent, marketing, sales, and learning teams, making him responsible for about half of the professional social network's roughly 10,000 employees across 30 countries.

Many of these employees are in their 20s, Gamson told Business Insider, and he finds himself regularly having conversations with young employees about their careers.

There are two pieces of advice he gives to all of them.

1. Determine what you are trying to pursue.

Anyone who's been out of college for even a few months knows that if you try to plan your life in detail, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. But rather than recommend creating a five-year plan, Gamson tells 20-somethings to determine what is driving them.

"Meaning, if you know what you want to be or what you want to do, great," Gamson said. "Then we can build a strategy for how to get there."

"If you don't know what you want to be or what you want to do, then let's at least work backwards from what are things you're interested in, what do you want your life to be like?"

When you determine what drives you and why, you have a better chance of finding objectives to strive toward.

2. Master your role before looking to advance.

Gamson said that while he's determined it to be a universal problem among workers, he finds younger employees place primacy on the outward appearance of career advancement, rather than the actual advancement of skills and proficiency.

He said young employees "are attracted to the next thing before they've really solidified their mastery of their current thing" because of this focus on the optics of resume building.

"And so sometimes I think you have to go slow to go fast in your career," Gamson said. "And when you build out a skills base early in your career, that includes being patient enough to truly master what you're working on. I think it pays dividends later on."

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If Karyn McCarthy had any doubts about the dog trained to protect her daughter Meadbh, they disappeared in the moment the family were involved in a car crash.

Wyn, a Labrador-cross trained to be an assistance dog, had already begun to make a huge difference for Meadbh, who is autistic, when he came into their lives.

But it was while Karyn was on a day-trip to Dublin, with her daughter and another child with autism, that Wyn instantly went into what the family now call "Superdog mode".

"It all happened very suddenly. But I remember that day thinking, thank God for Wyn," says Karyn.

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"We were in a crash with another car. We were shocked, the other child was hysterical, but Wyn just went straight into action. She took over. She leapt across the seats to put her body across Meadbh to protect her. When we got out of the car, I was trying to work out what to do but Wyn just used her whole body to pin Meadbh to the wall. She was very clearly saying 'It's okay, you stay here. I am protecting you. This is my job'."

Meadbh, who is now 15, remembers the moment: "When the car hit us, Wyn jumped in the back to save me."

One of the big dangers, and constant fears, for families with autistic children is the sudden urge for them to "bolt" or take off without warning on a busy street or road. And a prime duty of an assistance dog is to act as an "anchor". Children can be tethered to a special harness fitted to the dog. Their canine companion is trained to be on constant guard, always looking to anchor, shepherd and protect.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. And it will be celebrated at the HQ and training centre of Irish Guide Dogs in Cork, which has become, through over a decade of research and training, a world leading centre for assistance dogs for children with autism.

Many hundreds of dogs have been trained and placed with families nationwide caring for autistic children. Each dog can cost in the region of 40,000 to care for and train over a year-long programme. But working with no state funding and depending fully on donations and a strong fund-raising team, the Guide Dogs charity can only do so much.

"When we opened our online applications for assistance dogs in November, such was the rush from families, we had to close the list in under a half an hour," says David McCarthy, who is in charge of the programme.

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"We believe we are only managing to place dogs with less than half of the families who need them. We have an incredible team and programme here and would love to do so much more. State funding would greatly help us to reach our goal of helping all these children and their families."

Before Wyn arrived into their lives, Meadbh's parents would be in constant worry about her suddenly disappearing and, because of the form of sensory autism that she has, becoming profoundly disorientated or panicked.

"If she ever let go of one of our hands, she would get distracted or lost very quickly. She would get very distressed and could have a panic attack," says Karyn.

"Getting Wyn changed all of that. She always has Wyn to stay with her, to calm her. If she went to walk away from us, or step out into traffic, Wyn would stop that.

"(There were) less meltdowns. There's something very calming about Wyn as a dog for Meadbh - but also for all of us a family.

"One of us would go out for a walk alone with the dog and we'd just have that lovely half hour break, being on our own, a bit of headspace. And when we would go out together, we would have the security of having Wyn there with us, always looking out for Meadbh, always providing that sense of security.

"It's hard to describe what it is like to have that, after years of having to be so vigilant, so worried that Meadbh would take off, run out into the road," she says.

Karyn adds: "Before Wyn, we had about six years where we didn't really have a good night's sleep. We had to have a weighted blanket for Meadbh to try and stop her getting up and just wandering while we slept.

"Wyn very quickly became that blanket. One of the first nights, she went to check on Meadbh, saw she was restless and she just hopped up on the bed, placed her body across her and Meadbh cuddled her. And that's how it works most nights now."

Kim and Billy Burke have had a very similar experience with their son Aaron (10), who is now on his second assistance dog, Wilson. The first, Gus, died of cancer after several years with the family, and they say they feel blessed that the team at Guide Dogs were able to provide a replacement.

Before the Burkes' first assistance dog arrived, they could never go out as a family together. One parent would always have to stay with Aaron while the other went out with his older brother, Shane.

"When Gus came along, it was amazing, we were able to go for walks together, go to the shops, take Aaron to matches with his older brother," says Kim.

"It's hard for people who don't know what living with autism is like, to understand what this means.

"The four of us could never do anything together. And when you have another child, it's very hard on them, to ask them to understand that you will have to spend so much of your time caring for their brother."

She adds: "That's the difference a dog like Wilson can make for the entire family. You will still have good days and bad. But with a dog, there's a calmness, a security. We had such faith in Gus and now in Wilson, we know Aaron will be safe and protected. And he loved Gus.

"After he died, Aaron would go down to lie on his bed every night, thinking he would come back. Now there's that bond with Wilson. It's protection and companionship, security."

Aileen Foy is one of the instructors at the training centre near Cork City. She had been working in banking over a decade ago, when she decided she needed a change in her life and started volunteering at the centre. Now she works mostly with families who are new to the programme, taking them through the training and experience they must gain to know how to live with and depend on an assistance dog.

"It's amazing the difference that the dogs can make and the work is so rewarding for all of us here," says Alieen.

"But it can be hard work for the families. And we are here to help them through those first months. Autism is so complex, every child is different, every family is different and every dog is different."

Labradors are considered the best dogs for the job, often crossed with other working breeds.

The puppies usually stay for a period with volunteer families to help with socialising, and they are trained, evaluated and tested before they are matched with a family. One parent is asked to spend a week living in the centre towards the end of the process, to undergo their own training and familiarisation.

The end result should be a long-term companion and carer who will never tire, never lose focus and always put their child above all else. And a family who can look forward to a calmer, safer, happier future.
Ahead of World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), families affected by autism debunk some of the myths about this poorly understood condition while scientists struggle to come up with an effective way to help.

Jacinta Walsh from Drogheda in Co Louth has been campaigning for supports for children and young people with autism since her son Sam was diagnosed when he was two years old. He is now 17. For her, the most common misconceptions include:

'People with autism do not speak'

"While many people with autism do not speak, they all communicate in various ways," says Jacinta. "Many do speak but may acquire speech later than typically developing children, or they may need some time to formulate their answer when asked a question.

"For those who do not communicate with words, there are many other ways in which they can communicate such as watching and observing behaviour. Many use augmentative and assistive communication methods, the most well known is probably PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), where the child exchanges a picture of what they want.

"This can be developed to quite complex levels of communication without any actual words being spoken. These days there are also many apps and devices which can help support communication."

'Children or adults with autism do not know how to make friends'

"People with autism can find it difficult to make friends, but most will want to have friends," Walsh counters. "They may not want to be in the company of friends as much as a typically developing peer, but most, like everyone, enjoy doing shared activities and having fun with other people.

"For some people with autism with specialist interests in things like computers, gaming or superheroes, there can be nothing better than meeting someone with a similar shared interest. Many people with autism find social rules really confusing and can find it very difficult to make friends thus, leading to loneliness and isolation."

'Children with autism do not give hugs or show emotion to their family or friends'

"Many people with autism are very affectionate and tactile," says Jacinta. "People with autism often have sensory issues so some people may not like to be hugged, and some want to be hugged really tightly.

"They may show emotion in different ways to others, but have feelings and can experience joy, sorrow and other emotions like anyone else."

'More boys than girls have autism'

"This is true, the ratio is about 5:1 boys to girls," she says.

'People with autism can be great at maths or be brilliant scientists - it compensates for being non-verbal/not having social skills, etc...'

"There is a very tiny percentage of people with autism who would fall into the savant category," says Walsh. "Often people with autism can be good at subjects like maths or computers as they are often logical thinkers who can focus on one thing exclusively. But there is no automatic trade off or likelihood that if someone is non-verbal that then they will be a genius at art or music."

'Autism is hereditary'

"At the moment there is a lot of research into the causes of autism," says Jacinta. "There is some evidence that it is genetic, but many people diagnosed today are the first people in their family to have autism. There may be other environmental triggers or combinations of genes and environment that cause autism, but at the moment we just don't know."

'If your child walks round in circles or plays with the same toy repetitively then they have autism'

"There is no blood or medical test to diagnose autism," explains Walsh. "It is diagnosed from a set of behaviours, and if you have a certain number of these behaviours then you are on the autism spectrum. Walking round in circles and repetitive play are two of the behaviours that are on this list, but on their own do not give a diagnosis of autism.

"Many of these behaviours are things that we may all do to some extent, but autism is diagnosed by the combination of a number of behaviours, not just one. If anyone is concerned they should contact their local Disability Team at the HSE."

'If children do not get vaccinated, you reduce the chances of developing autism'

"This has been completely disproven," says Jacinta. As well as being severely autistic, Sam also has a learning disability, is coeliac and has type 1 diabetes.

"He was a beautiful, perfect, happy little boy and we were being told that he would never love us, would never communicate, would never be happy," says his mother.

"These statements have all been proven wrong over time.

"Sam is also a very happy, loving, friendly boy who loves his iPad, Winnie the Pooh, Barney, nursery rhymes, the Beatles and One Direction!

"That is about 95pc of the time. For the other 5pc, Sam can present with severe physical, aggressive, assaultive challenging behaviour. This can happen without warning, in any situation and without any trigger.

"Sam is built like a rugby front-row so this can be extremely dangerous. He has no awareness of what he is doing and it is not personal, it is an internal complete overload.

"He turns 18 in July and there is no adult respite for him and us to avail of. He loves going to respite and it is the single biggest thing that keeps us going.

"It gives us some breathing space where every door in the house does not have to be locked at all times and we are not listening for the minutest change in mood.

"If there is no respite then it is very likely that we will have to start thinking of residential placement.

"Sam's autism has changed all our lives irrevocably. We are extremely limited in what we can do outside the home.

"There is a big impact on our other son. Most things 'normal' families do are not open to us. The constant fighting for services is the biggest challenge."

Expert view - Professor Louise Gallagher: Many children with autism have brains wired differently

Research has found that the brain of a child with autism can be wired differently to other children and there may be a role played by proteins in how brain connectivity works.

Leading Irish researcher in the field of autism, Professor Louise Gallagher of Trinity College, says that neuroimaging research has shown "connectivity in the brain maybe disrupted in autism".

"The best way to think about it is this pattern of disconnectivity that might be happening in the brains of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) shows that they might be wiring themselves somewhat differently to the way typically developing children are wiring their brains.

"That speaks also to some of the genomics (genetic) findings where we see some of those proteins that might be involved in helping to develop brain connections are the proteins that are being disrupted."

The genetic research was the Autism Genome Project that examined the role of DNA and genetics in autism.

At the end of the project, they had looked at close to 2,000 families "and the main output was it served to highlight that, for a small but significant proportion of people with autism, there were specific genetic causes that were to do with changes in the structure of their genome".

Where part of the genome (a person's entire DNA blueprint) was missing or duplicated or disrupted, "you were maybe getting changes in the expression of the genes in those regions that might lead on to changes in how certain proteins are functioning in the brain".

There are rare genetic changes being increasingly recognised as autism syndromes and one gene mutation featuring in research is Neurexim 1.

"It is a protein that stabilises the brain synapse, which is the connection point between brain cells in the brain. We now know that people with deletions with that particular gene might be at increased risk for autism as well as a range of other developmental difficulties."

Work is under way to follow up patients with some of those rare genes to understand what happens to them and why they may have autism or another developmental delay.

The project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, in conjunction with Prof Sanbing Shen at NUI Galway, is following up on these patients.

The research includes brain imagery as well as stem-cell research.

Professor Gallagher is also seeking, with the Institute of Psychiatry in London, EU funding for new research, which could see clinical trials for drug therapy for some autism symptoms.

She says people with autism can find the most impairing symptom for them can be "where sounds or tastes or smells or the sight of something might be aversive and very distressing for them".

"So going to a supermarket or a public place can be really hard, or has to be really well planned and managed for them.

"We hope drug therapies might help improve social communication, help reduce rigidities and target other symptoms.

"If successful, we would be seeking to run clinical trials for new drug therapies for some patients and hopefully will do that here in Ireland.

"It is a very interesting and exciting development coming out of our increased understanding of autism." On the issue of vaccinations, she says: "My public health message is that it is really important to vaccinate your children - you are not putting them at increased risk of autism."

One of the causes of autism is rubella in pregnancy.

"In Japan, during a period of time when the rate of vaccines went down, the rate of autism went up."

April is Autism Awareness Month and Prof Gallagher says there is a need to not just realise that it is a neurological condition.

"We need to research it," she says. "We need evidence-based therapies, we need not to ignore evidence-based therapies, we need to support them and implement them at a medical, psychological and behavioural and social level.

"They really need to be supported.

"It is a very significant disability. Some people with autism will never work but some, if supported, can work - and that will give them a great sense of themselves and it promotes their mental health and well-being."

- Elaine Keogh
Student accommodation - or lack of it, especially in Dublin - has been a topic of conversation for many years. Every August, following the return of many students from their alcohol-infused appreciation of all things sunny (Ibiza), preparing for college becomes the priority and the news outlets are awash with stories that lament the shortage and exorbitant cost of student accommodation.

Historically, this type of accommodation had not been available where it was most needed - on campus or near the colleges. Where supply did exist, it was limited to particular areas like Rathmines, Rathgar and the South Circular Road, which have been synonymous for decades as student hangouts, primarily offering Pre63-type living accommodation.

But recently, this has changed as purpose-built student accommodation has become attractive to the professional investor as an asset class that offers real opportunity.

A number of prominent and substantial new developments are currently under construction in areas such as Dublin's Gardiner Street, Thomas Street and Brunswick Street. These modern, purpose-built structures are a far cry from the digs of old - they comprise of individual, self-contained en-suite bedrooms, with quality communal living quarters, at a cost of roughly 250 per week. An added incentive for the investor with this type of asset is off-season income during summer from short-term tourist lets.

This sector received further attention in recent weeks with the sale of the former Montrose Hotel beside UCD for over 37.6m. The property had been converted to student accommodation in 2014 by English specialist company Ziggurat.

It has now been purchased by Hines, one of the primary funds that have been purchasing distressed residential and commercial stock in volume around the country. This is the biggest purchase to date in Ireland of a fully operational development of its type and because of its proximity to UCD, there should be no difficulty filling its beds.

But Enda McGuane, MD of Winters Property, the largest private operator of PBSA in the country, sounds a note of caution: "Purpose Built Student Accommodation [PBSA] is currently benefiting from the overall shortage of residential accommodation and we advise clients to remember this when conducting development appraisals on sites. You need to carefully consider a site's proximity to a third level institute and the particular student demographic you are targeting, ie., first year, post grad, foreign, when designing a property. This is important for future-proofing incomes, because when construction in the private residential market picks up you will see a drop in demand for PBSA."

He believes that some sites are over-supplied, for example, the new DIT Grangegorman campus that will offer approximately 8,000 bed spaces in its immediate environs. Up to 2,500 of these bed spaces will be provided on campus alone. Yet, once complete, the expected student population will be just 3,000.

While some of the slack may be taken up by students studying at other third-level colleges, demand is likely to fall well short of actual supply, with many students preferring to live closer to their own third-level college.

It is a scenario that has similarities to the residential market which currently has oversupply issues in the wrong locations and under-supply in the areas of greatest demand.

Incentivising landlords

This week the Government increased the number of Rent Control Zones to include Maynooth in Kildare and Cobh, Co Cork, two popular commuter towns for Dublin and Cork cities. According to the Minister, "57pc (186,000) of tenancies nationally are now located in Rents Control Zones". While this will provide some certainty initially for tenants in these locations, the ramifications may be less beneficial for the market in the medium term as investors look elsewhere for returns which are determined by natural market forces.

If we're to believe the rumours, the Government is currently giving serious consideration to introducing incentives to attract landlords back into the residential investment market. Not before time. The incentives anticipated are in the areas of the reintroduction of 100pc tax relief and the abolition of Residential Property Tax for landlords. These moves are necessary now. Some believe though that the result will be higher prices. I disagree. Once access to credit remains controlled, and the Central Bank seem committed to this, then the danger of the market overheating remains limited.

The Government's progress in the delivery of 'rapid build homes' only highlights the fact that the housing shortfall will be solved much more efficiently by the private sector. One only has to look at the recent announcement that three of the five developments of modular homes currently under construction are running behind schedule. Some homeless people will remain in hotel accommodation beyond the target date of July, despite emphatic promises by the Minister to the contrary. I wonder who will be held accountable?

Finally, we are seeing the Government address the core issue - lack of supply.

And so it has come to pass

The dirty deed is done. Britain has invoked Article 50. And the question I'm pondering is who is set to gain from this? The gloves are now off and the hard bargaining begins. The UK will remain in the EU until 2019 at the earliest with many years to follow before trade restrictions will be fully implemented.

Since the vote was taken, UK-based investors in Irish property have all but 'left the building' as they monitor how the situation evolves. And the main Irish property groups have not hosted their usual exhibitions in London this spring.

In the UK, figures recently published confirm that transactions year-on-year are down by up to 20pc in the London area. An additional disincentive was the introduction of the 3pc stamp duty for second properties last April. London is the most-affected area - values have hit a plateau and, in some of the more exclusive areas, are even falling. Yet since 2014, London values had increased by 10pc a year.

It's difficult to assess whether this cooling off can be attributed to Brexit or is a natural adjustment following a prolonged upward movement in values.

In the rest of the UK, values have been less affected with average increases of 5pc experienced over the last 12 months. Areas outside London had experienced lower increases in value over the previous three years.

The UK, like Ireland, is also experiencing a significant shortfall in supply, therefore domestic demand is likely to be the sustaining force over the next 18 months. Closer to home an essential cog in the wheel for our property market will be the retention of an open border between the North and south. One positive is the fact that PM Theresa May alluded to its importance in her 'letter of resignation' to the EU. Based on the initial response from Brussels, it seems the feeling is mutual.

The reintroduction of a hard border would have a negative impact for property both North and south, and would be a backward step, significantly restricting the movement of people and their living options.

Celtic Tiger legacy, SCSI raises new concerns

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has raised concerns that a further raft of problematic Celtic Tiger developments may yet be to surface, at their annual conference on Friday in Carton House, Co Kildare. The Society confirmed that while high-profile cases like Longboat Quay and Priory Hall had received much of the publicity, many of their members are seeing similar issues with buildings constructed between 2000 and 2008.

The SCSI is calling for the Government to undertake a study identifying high-risk residential buildings, focusing mainly on multi-storey developments, to identify where the spread of fire is a high risk. They are also calling for a mandatory Construction Industry Register of competent contractors to protect consumers in the future against recurring defects. Lessons must be learned from past mistakes. Surely this should be a minimum requirement?

Philip Farrell is a market commentator and property consultant
Premium

Mary Kenny Opinion If men want to yammer on about sport, then let them  it helps them connect emotionally

I was travelling on a train from Dublin to Cork, and near me sat two Dublin men. Throughout the entire journey they managed to keep up a fluent dialogue about English football teams. From Aston Villa to Sheffield Wednesday, from Crystal Palace to Manchester City the conversation flowed eloquently. I was in awe at the minutiae of their knowledge and expertise. And if the topic of their discourse lacked a certain variety, it was nonetheless better than sitting in sullen silence, or glued to their phones.
For someone with such an unswerving instinct for spectacle, George Michael's funeral seemed to strike all the wrong notes. The service took place last Thursday in Highgate Cemetery, London amid tight security, with black tarpaulin covering the cemetery's iron gates. It was organised in such a cloak of secrecy that rather than arriving in a hearse, the pop star's body came in a private ambulance. Even the rabidly intrusive British press could barely get any of the details. The most they could tell us was Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley and George's old flame Kenny Goss were in attendance. There was no Elton John, no Candle in the Wind, and no honour guard of distraught fans - the family are determined to make sure the grave does not become a shrine. Like the cause of death it all felt so unfitting.

This was officially named as being a type of heart disease, but most people who spoke about George in the month after his death portrayed a man who had been struggling. In the long wait for the autopsy results, a steady trickle of stories about the wildest excesses of his drugs use, blackouts and the public sex, flowed from the British tabloids. The novelist Tony Parsons, a sometime-friend of George's, wrote this week that it was a warped kind of hedonism which marred the pop star's life. This, Parsons felt, was down to a failure on George's part to recognise which act of the play he was going into. "There is a time and place for party drugs and sex in public places. It is not a man's middle years. After the booze-soaked, chemically crazed tumult of youth and young manhood, your 30s, 40s and beyond are a time for yoga, fruit smoothies and stretching exercises - not rehab and bad drugs and increasingly desperate attempts to stay clean."

What stopped George from ever moving into that squeaky-clean middle age that Parsons wished for him? Probably in common with a lot of gay men, it was a combination of a few factors. He was likely combating the legacy of a damaged childhood by numbing himself with drugs. His lack of children would allow for vast expanses of unstructured free time in which addiction flourishes. And perhaps most invidiously of all he saw a kind of timidity about calling out his destructive behaviour for what it was. George was one of the first gay pop stars. Criticism, or even concern about the way he was living, was conflated with homophobia. And his inner-addict was canny enough to understand how all this worked. Remember when he was caught having public sex in that toilet in Los Angeles? That sad, lonely and drug-fuelled incident was ingeniously repacked for the subsequent music video as an hilarious and sexy adventure. In interviews to promote it, George spoke about the court case he endured as though he had been Oscar Wilde, on trial for loving too much.

Other errant stars - the likes of Amy Winehouse or Whitney Houston - became jokes or were confronted on their struggles by chat-show hosts. George was given a free pass - Michael Aspel once sailed as close to the wind as anyone by admonishing him for being a "naughty boy". The LA incident was public sex as a career move and George brazenly presented a self-destructive behaviour as though it were a stand for personal liberty.

That he was indulged by journalists and fans wasn't surprising. George came from a generation of gay men who moved in their lifetimes from the outskirts of acceptability to the heart of society. It was presumed their own internal self-image moved with the rate of society's progress. But the damage in youth was never going to be undone in their 30s or 40s by some rainbow flag-waving and a few law changes. It's no wonder, perhaps, that drug use is so widespread among middle-aged gay men. Many of them are trapped in a permanent adolescence of self-medication and experimentation.

It is nothing new, of course, for rock stars to age disgracefully: from Keith Richards to Shane MacGowan, we hail them as legends for their excesses. Even Leonard Cohen regally smokes on the cover of his final album. But George's life seemed like something else. The arrests, the confusion, the reported 25 splits a day. This wasn't the glorious bacchanalia of rock. For all his wealth, status and clever self-deprecation, there was an air of compulsion and desperation about it.

On the wall of the Snappy Snaps on Hampstead's high street, a few minutes' stroll from George's old home, there was some graffiti next to the dent where he crashed his car in the early hours of Sunday morning. "Wham!" the graffiti blared, and everyone laughed at the joke. But it was probably a lot less fun to be the substance-addled middle-aged man who had passed out on the steering wheel of his car when he was trying to find his way home. The poet Emily Dickinson wrote of addiction: ''The heart asks first for pleasure, then relief from pain, and then those little anodynes that deaden suffering. By the time he died George was well down the road of suffering.''

A wife and family would put some manners on most straight men, however famous and wealthy. But except for in the Last Christmas video, George was neither straight nor the broody kind. Not for him the status adoption of a black baby from Africa. "Madonna has twins in the school play,'' Bill Maher once quipped, "and George had twins in the hot tub". He was able to openly play by his own rules sexually and there have been various claims about how close he was, or not, to his boyfriend at the time of his death - Fadi Fawaz. The Australian-born photographer said he had been due to go to Christmas dinner with the singer and has lived in the house they shared since the death. But he was not invited to the funeral by George's family; he arrived anyway, having been alerted by a journalist.

In the cliches of the rock biopic, George will probably be remembered broadly as another of the rock stars who burned too brightly and died too young. But his real problem was that he was too old to be behaving the way he did. Drink and drugs seem to enhance a social life when you're young, but they isolate those who persevere and progress with them. In the end, the stories of George wandering around cafes alone, looking for a chat, seemed the saddest bit of the story.

It wasn't hedonism by that stage. It was coping. And the tragic ending underlined that while George was one of the biggest stars of this era, he was also a survivor from another one.
The main political parties in Northern Ireland have been invited to participate in political talks tomorrow at Stormont Castle, Belfast. In a shared approach, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish and British governments have agreed that this phase of talks will be best supported by an "intensive process to drive progress".

The talks have two objectives: to allow the political parties to reach an agreement on the formation of a new executive and to address the implementation of outstanding issues from previous agreements. Elsewhere last week, the British Prime Minister Theresa May's letter to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, which triggered Article 50, contained specific reference to Ireland and the unique and special relationship between Ireland and the UK. It recognised Ireland's priorities, including the preservation of the Common Travel Area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland. It also emphasised the importance of the peace process. Following the triggering of Article 50, the European Parliament also reflected on these issues and identified Northern Ireland as one of only four initial priorities listed by Chief EU Negotiator Michel Barnier. Draft guidelines circulated by Mr Tusk also include very strong acknowledgement of Ireland's unique circumstances. This is to be welcomed, and it must be acknowledged as a diplomatic coup for the Government here.

However, the British government is moving forward with what was described in the Dail last week as the "historically destructive" Brexit process with no political leadership speaking for the people of Northern Ireland. This is an untenable state of affairs. It is incumbent on both the main parties in Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein, to engage meaningfully in talks this week to form a new executive following what were, in our view, needless elections in Northern Ireland. It is instructive that the so-called cash for ash scandal, ostensibly the reason for Sinn Fein's withdrawal from the executive, which precipitated the elections, has been referred to less and less in reports about negotiations. This has given rise to credible speculation that Sinn Fein is seeking to manipulate and exploit recent developments to create division in both parts of the island, and build support North and South.

With its new mandate, Sinn Fein's current approach is to focus on the implementation of agreements that had been previously agreed with the two governments, specifically on human rights, equality and legacy issues. However, the extent of Sinn Fein's demands at this early stage in the negotiation process is in itself becoming prohibitive to the re-establishment of the executive. There is a suspicion that this is a deliberate ploy. It is important to note that there is no statutory provision for direct rule, following its removal - supported by the Irish Government - as part of the St Andrews Agreement more than 10 years ago. If the current negotiations fail, an option open to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is to call fresh elections, something which he is, understandably, reluctant to do at this stage. However, Sinn Fein continues to create the impression that the lure of further elections is attractive following its success in the most recent Assembly elections. The result of that poll means that unionist parties are no longer in a majority and presages a time when pro-union voters may not be either. Sinn Fein's unstated approach indicates a sectarian mindset intended to bolster its untimely demands for a border poll towards achieving a united Ireland. This is foolhardy and cynical in the extreme. That said, it is equally incumbent on the DUP to engage in the governments' intensive process. Failure to do so would be negligent to the interests of all of the people in Northern Ireland at this most critical time.
Reports suggest there are mass arrests and some deaths in Chechnya amid a crackdown on people suspected of homosexuality

Police in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya have reportedly rounded up more than 100 men suspected of homosexuality and at least three have been killed, a respected newspaper says.

Novaya Gazeta said it had confirmed the information with sources in the Chechen police and government.

Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov's spokesman denied the report and suggested there are no homosexuals in the Muslim-majority region.

Ali Karimov said, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti, that it is "impossible to persecute those who are not in the republic".

Mr Kadyrov, who is backed by the Kremlin, has been widely accused of extensive human rights violations.

He has brought Islam to the fore of Chechnya's daily life, including opening what is called Europe's biggest mosque.

AP
The president of Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo threatened to close U.S. stores if President Donald Trump creates policy forcing the company to manufacture in the United States.

Tadashi Yanai, founder and president of Fast Retailing-which owns Uniqlo-told Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun that he will withdraw from the United States if directly instructed to, according to NBC News.

Anyone will think that it is an open-and-shut and impossible situation, Yanai told Asahi Shimbun. If [manufacturing products in the United States] is not a good decision for consumers, it is meaningless to do business in the United States.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a tariff on foreign imports as part of his campaign promise to revitalize American manufacturing. In January, the president urged Toyota to reconsider the location of its planned factory in Mexico. Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Trump tweeted. Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax.

Toyota Motor said will build a new plant in Baja, Mexico, to build Corolla cars for U.S. NO WAY! Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax. - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2017

But retail executives are fearful that such measures, like Trumps suggested 20% border adjustment tax, could significantly increase prices for consumers.

The border adjustable tax is harmful, untested, and would put American retail jobs at risk and force consumers to pay as much as 20 percent more for family essentials, Retail Industry Leaders Association president Sandy Kennedy said in February.

This article was originally published on FORTUNE.com
Now this is the kind of day we can get on board with.

After Christmas, Eid and Hanukkah, no doubt International Pillow Fight Day is the most important date marked down in our diaries.

Okay, okay, you might not exactly have known that it falls on April 1 but it sure looked like a whole lot of fun.

Hundreds of people traded (soft) blows all over the world in honour of this peculiar day. Just looking at the pictures and videos will make you wish youd used your pillows for something other than sleeping on yesterday.

In LA, hundreds of people descended on Pershing Square  many wearing pyjamas and some even prepared with masks and goggles.

By the time it was over, the ground was so covered with feathers it looked like it had snowed on a sunny April afternoon.

LA wasnt the only place getting a slice of the pillow fight action. Feathers were flying all over the world from Bucharest and London to Milan and Toronto.

We dont know about you, but pillow fights are definitely the kind of battles that we want to get involved in.
Supporters are tying ribbons to trees and sharing their ideas of freedom.

On the 365th day since Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffes arrest, family and friends have gathered at Fortune Green  close to her home in Hampstead, north-west London.

The 38-year-old was arrested at Tehran Airport on April 3 last year while visiting family in Iran with daughter Gabriella. She was imprisoned for five years in September and lost an appeal against her sentence in January, but maintains her innocence against a charge of plotting to topple the government.

Supporters tied yellow ribbons to a tree in the park along with quotes from inmates at the prison where Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held, describing what they would do with one day of freedom.

Zaghari-Ratcliffes wish reads: My fondest dream has always been to arrive at our home, you ask me if I want to have a cup of tea, then make me one.

I just sit back and watch you two play. This is the image I had most when in solitary confinement.

How I wish I could watch you both dance in the middle of our sitting room to the Michael Jackson music  like when Gabriella was only tiny.

She also told how she would like to put a huge paper on the wall and draw a world in which there are no prisons, walls or fences  and let Gabriella do the colouring.

Her husband Richard said it had been a long year of separation, a year of our lives interrupted.

He is calling on supporters to tie ribbons on trees and send photos, along with their ideas of freedom.
Police in Pakistan said 20 people have been murdered at a shrine in Punjab province (B.K. Bangash/AP)

The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices have killed 20 devotees after intoxicating them in Pakistan, police say.

Officials said the incident in eastern Punjab province was the outcome of a dispute over custodianship of the shrine.

The shrine custodian in a village near the city of Sargodha, some 200 miles north of Multan, has been arrested along with four others for killing worshippers with batons and knives, senior police officer Mohammad Bilal said.

He said another four people are in a critical condition.

The victims were killed while naked, with the bodies bearing multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks, a doctor at Sargodha hospital told Geo TV.

Liaquat Ali Chatta, area government administrator, said Abdul Waheed and his four alleged accomplices were arrested and the matter is being investigated.

He said Waheed is a retired government employee and seemed "mentally unstable". He said the custodian was allegedly involved in the practice of "beating and torturing" devotees to "cleanse" them.

Mr Chatta said Waheed had confessed to the murders.

Zulfiquar Hameed, regional police officer for Sargodha and surrounding districts who is heading the probe, said the main suspect's confession and other statements suggest the incident was the "outcome of jealousy and dispute over custodianship" of the shrine.

"This man was afraid of losing prominence and that the position would go to somebody else," he said. "The issue of custodianship ends to this level of incident."

Rana Sanaullah, law minister for the Punjab provincial government, said an initial investigation showed that Waheed had a collection of followers who would regularly visit the shrine and face torture in the name of religious cleansing.

The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohammad Gujjar.

Shamsher Joya, a local police officer, said Waheed would come to the shrine twice a week from Lahore, and his followers would submit to "beating and torturing with a red hot iron rod".

Mr Joya said Waheed divulged during the investigation that he had acted to kill the victims after unearthing a plot to poison him.

Waheed alleged the plot was hatched by Asif Gujar, only son of the religious leader buried in the shrine, according to Mr Joya.

The 35-year-old Mr Gujjar is among the 20 victims.

Police said the victims were killed at a house adjacent to the shrine and their clothing was found burned.

AP
Three more people have been arrested over a suspected hate crime which left a teenage asylum seeker with a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain.

The 17-year-old was attacked at a bus stop in Croydon, south-east London, on Friday by a gang of around eight people,

Neighbours claimed up to 20 people watched on while he was kicked and beaten on the ground.

Scotland Yard said a 23-year-old man was arrested in Croydon on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder, while a 26-year-old man and 17-year-old girl were detained on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder.

Five other people are still being questioned by detectives while a sixth, a woman of 20, was released without charge.
A huge explosion rocked a popular French carnival, injuring at least 18 people.

Onlookers were hit by chunks of burning wood and other debris after the fireball erupted from the guy-style figure known as Mr Carnival which was made of straw and wood.

"Many are injured in the face, and all are in hospital," said Nathalie Crespin, a spokeswoman for the Paris fire brigade, adding that five were "in a very bad way."

Around 1,000 children were taking part in the Paris event, near the Charles de Gaulle airport.

Local authorities have described the incident in Villepinte as "accidental" and not a terrorist attack.

At least four people - including one child - were seriously injured in the blast.

It is understood that the explosion occurred when a scarecrow made of wood and straw was set alight on a bonfire during a Caribbean dance event.

Dramatic footage was posted to social media of the incident in Villepinte, a town north of Paris.

One eyewitness told Le Parisien that the person who lit the fire was projects several meters into the air.

Another said that they had seen a child "screaming and covered in blood."

They said that "to begin with, everyone thought the explosion was planned, then we realised something had gone terribly wrong."

A few hundred people, including local families, the mayor and other officials were waiting to watch the lighting of the 20ft high effigy when the explosion took place.

The fuel that was used to light the fighter had apparently been mishandled, Ms Crespin said , adding that the children injured were aged between two to 14.

Along with a few hundred members of the public, she said the mayor and other officials, had gathered to watch the lighting of the effigy.

France is in a state of emergency after Islamic extremist attacks in recent years but authorities said there was no sign of arson or terrorism in Saturday's explosion.

Additional reporting by agencies
Horror unfolds: People flee the scene near New York's World Trade Center after terrorists crashed two planes into the towers on September 11

When two hijacked passenger airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of New York's World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, the cataclysmic attack created the mood of our present era.

It turned the following years into an age of extremes, and the repercussions are still being felt today.

The editorial in the Irish Independent foresaw that things would never be the same again.

The writer warned that the wrong response to the attack could be "catastrophic".

"It is not enough for the United States to meet force with greater force. Yesterday tested its psyche and ability to hold together. The coming days will test its judgement. On that, more than on its military power, the world depends."

The writer was correct to urge caution. These acts of nihilistic violence were followed by ill-judged interventions by the American Bush administration and the British government in Afghanistan and Iraq.

So many other events have flowed from the attack, directly or indirectly, across America, Europe and the Middle East.

As well as leading to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 9/11 contributed to the conflagration in Syria, and the effects of these conflicts have spilled over into Europe.

Its immediate effect, shocking in its sheer scale, was the death of nearly 3,000 people - including workers in the Twin Towers, plane passengers, and firefighters who rushed into the building, as others tried to escape.

It led to a rise of Islamophobia and the populist right. It encouraged anti-immigrant movements - from the National Front in France to Donald Trump in the United States.

It could be argued that fear of immigration from the Islamic East also boosted the once marginal campaign to bring the UK out of the EU.

On its front page on September 12, the Irish Independent described it as "the most devastating terrorist attack in history".

In recent years, some Islamist attacks have been carried out by so called lone wolves, using crude methods such as driving into crowds and lashing out with knives.

But the September 11 attack was like nothing we have seen before or since. As the Irish Independent put it, "The atrocity was meticulous in its coordination and horrifying in its effect."

The Twin Towers were symbols of American capitalism, close to its financial heart in Manhattan.

Some of the 19 hijackers, including the tactical leader of the attack, Mohammed Atta, had undergone special flight training as pilots in preparation.

The attackers may have been medieval in their attitudes, as they sacrificed their own lives in a futile cause, but they were highly sophisticated in their choice of targets.

They were designed to create the maximum effect, and three of the four airliners hit their intended targets after being turned by hijackers into murderous weapons.

It was late lunchtime in Ireland when news of the disaster began to filter through. At 8.45am New York time (1.45 pm in Ireland) American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centre.

Minutes later, on TV screens across the world, there were live pictures of the burning tower, but there was uncertainty about how the crash had happened. There was some speculation that it could have been an accident.

But, among the throng surrounding the TV set in the newsroom of the Irish Independent on that day, there were gasps of disbelief just a few minutes later when a second aircraft, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the south tower.

It immediately became apparent in those chilling moments that this was no accident, and America was under attack. US President George Bush made a TV statement to the people of the United States, saying: "We have had a national tragedy. Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Centre in an apparent terrorist attack on our country."

Within minutes, a third hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the US military headquarters, the Pentagon in Washington DC.

A fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Hijackers had directed the plane towards Washington DC, leading to speculation that their intended target was the White House or the Capitol building. It is believed that the passengers and crew overpowered the hijackers and took control of the plane.

Emergency services rushed to evacuate the towers in scenes of pandemonium, and some desperate figures jumped from the building. As each person leapt, the gathering crowds in the streets screamed.

But within minutes, both towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, including emergency workers and firefighters who had gone into the building to help.

As the Irish Independent report put it, surrounding buildings and thousands of people in the streets below, were covered in a thick coating of dust thrown up by the collapsed towers.

In the hours afterwards, there were feelings of justifiable alarm. There were concerns that this spate of attacks was just beginning, and that the terrorists could strike anywhere at any moment.

In the following day's paper, there was no precise figure on the number of casualties. Families put up signs in Manhattan desperately seeking their loved ones, but within a short time most had to accept that they had perished.

In the days that followed, there was a moving account in the Irish Independent by the novelist Colum McCann of life in New York on September 11, and how the attack affected his family directly. Similar scenes must have played out all across New York and beyond.

McCann was working at home - five miles from the World Trade Centre, and his wife Allison was also at home with the couple's two young children.

The kids were playing on the living room floor with toy train tracks, when McCann picked up an alarmed voice message from his sister in London, concerned about how they all were.

McCann and his wife turned on the TV to see the World Trade Centre ablaze, and immediately their concern was for Allison's father, Roger Hawke, who worked as a lawyer on the 54th floor of one of the towers.

There were frantic phone calls as the family tried to find out what had happened to him. When the second tower collapsed they switched off the television, fearing the worst.

Two hours after the attack, an email finally came through from McCann's mother-in-law: "Your father is okay, thank the Lord. (He) got out of the building minutes before it collapsed. He is walking towards you right now."

When he finally came through the door, after walking the five miles from downtown, McCann's father-in-law took off his shoes, still covered in dirt and debris from the bombing. McCann's daughter Isabella looked up: "Why does grandpa smell of smoke?"

Roger Hawke gave a dramatic first person account of escaping from the tower to the Irish Independent.

"Suddenly, there was a huge bang and the building shook violently, swayed back and forth. I tried to stand but couldn't. Even the windowpanes seemed to bend.

"Outside, there was a storm of debris, papers, concrete, glass falling. I thought immediately it was a terrorist attack and felt sure that the building was going to collapse. I ran out into the hallway and out to the stairwell. The stairs were filled with people, smoke, dust in the air. But it was strangely calm. Very little shouting or screaming.

"We made a space to the right of the stairwell for the injured to get down and the firefighters to ascend.

"The smoke was dense and the floors were treacherous from streams of sprinkler water coming down the stairs. My shoes kept slipping from underneath me. It took well over an hour, maybe 90 minutes, to get near the bottom. When I stepped outside to the plaza, it was unreal.

"Debris, girders, masonry. The air was thick with a blinding white dust-light. It was like stepping into a morning snowstorm."

When the casualty list was drawn up in the days afterwards, and the missing were accounted for, it was found that 2,996 people had been killed and more than 6,000 others wounded.

The deaths included 265 on the four planes, 2,606 in the World Trade Centre and in the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon. The first certified casualty of the September 11 attack was an Irish-American priest, Father Mychal Judge, whose family came from Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim.

Father Judge, the Franciscan chaplain to the New York City Fire Department, had rushed to the scene.

There he met New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who asked him to pray for the city and its victims.

Father Judge followed firemen into the North Tower, where he offered prayers for the rescuers, the injured, and the dead.

He was killed by falling debris in the tower.

Overall, an estimated 1,000 victims who died in the 9/11 attacks had Irish-American links, but just six were born in Ireland.

Among the Irish victims were Galway woman Ann Marie McHugh, who was working on the 84th floor of the South Tower, and Tipperary carpenter Martin Coughlan, who was refurbishing offices in the same tower.

In the Irish Independent on September 12, the attack was immediately linked with the Afghan-based terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden and his al Qaeda militia.

Attacks on his bases in Afghanistan were seen as inevitable.

The resulting war in Afghanistan, which spilled over into Pakistan, led to the deaths of an estimated 150,000 people.

The death toll in the war in Iraq, which has also been linked to the September 11 attack, is estimated at over 250,000. The aftershocks of the 9/11 attack continue until the present, and will still be felt for many years to come.
Last weekend, taxi app Lyft took out a full-page ad in the Sunday New York Times to announce a magnanimous new program it will roll out soon called Round Up & Donate. Opt in and well automatically round up your fare to the next whole dollar and push the difference toward issues impacting everyone everywhere, from climate change to the pursuit of equality.

Yes, its fair to see it as another effort to capitalize while Uber, its biggest competitor, has been beset by scandals for nearly two months straight. And the language of the ad (Sit for something. Its what Lyft was founded on.) led many to roll their eyes. (The New York Observer said the ad is really just a big f*ck you to Uber, while an Adweek reporter wrote on Twitter, Youre a ride share company. Get over yourself.)

But Lyft is simply hopping on board a trend that has already caught on with big names like Bank of America, Barclays and GoDaddy.

The concept of roundups in mobile tech does not belong to Lyft, nor has Lyft added any original twist to it. But enabling charity roundups is an easy way for any company to quickly add a layer of social conscienceand thats why so many are doing it.

Lyft ad in the New York Times, Mar. 26 (via @PatrickCoffee)

GoDaddy first added a charity roundup option in 2011, specifically to benefit Haiti relief, but now has a broader program called Round Up for Charity. Amazon launched AmazonSmile in 2013it isnt roundups, but its a variation on the theme, where Amazon donates 0.5% of every purchase to a charity of the customers choice. Bank of America has a program called Keep the Change that rounds up purchases from your debit card and transfers the money to a savings accountnot for charity, but it could easily add that option.

Doing roundups for charity is a newer subset of the larger spare-change roundup trend, which has become very popular in new mobile tech. Investing app Acorns, which launched in 2012 and has raised $63 million in funding, rounds up each transaction on your linked credit card and puts the difference in an investment portfolio. The idea is for you quietly amass some savings without really noticing it.

Story continues

An app called Lawnmower took the same concept and applied it to bitcoinround up your spare change and use it to buy digital currency. (The bitcoin news web site CoinDesk recently acquired Lawnmower for its research and data.) Bstow, a charity roundup app incubated by Barclays Techstars in Tel Aviv, launched to consumers last year, but CEO Jason Grad says the roundup concept has gotten so popular so fast that Bstow pivoted to become a business-to-business developer of charity roundup platforms for non-profits and larger corporations. (Bstow says it is building one for Barclays.)

Grad says the reason companies like the roundup concept so much is that millennials take to it quickly. Theres low friction for users. Roundups are a low-barrier way that people can help causes they care about without breaking the bank, and without having to make a big, researched decision about where they should donate, he says. There is an enormous movement to make financial decisions more seamless for millennial professionals so that they can create good habits while they are young.

A comment from Lyft about why its adding roundups would appear to bolster Grads point about making millennials feel they are doing good. We deeply believe in participation, a Lyft spokesperson tells Yahoo Finance. Roundup programs are about as easy for a consumer to participate in as charity efforts get. And the company offering the opportunity gets to look like it has a social conscience.

But it doesnt hurt that it was also an instant way to look nice while Uber tries to clean up its mess.



Daniel Roberts is a writer at Yahoo Finance, frequently covering fintech.

Read more:

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Tech CEOs: Heres what Ubers CEO needs to do now

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The video marks the second time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack that was broadcast live on Facebook

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested over the sexual assault of a 15-year-old Chicago girl that was streamed live on Facebook.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect faces felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.

"Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues," Mr Guglielmi said.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is expected to provide more details at a news conference on Sunday morning.

Mr Guglielmi has said police were not aware of the attack in mid-March until the girl's mother approached Mr Johnson as he was leaving a police station in the city's West Side and showed him the video.

Mr Guglielmi said the police chief was "visibly upset" after he watched, both by the video's content and the fact that there were "40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities".

Police have said the attack involved five or six males.

The girl's mother said last month that her daughter had received online threats after the attack. The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girl's family had been relocated.

It is the second time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated an apparent attack broadcast live on Facebook. In January, four people were arrested after a video showed them allegedly taunting and beating a mentally disabled man.

AP
Soldiers rescue a girl in Mocoa after an overflowing river swept through the city (Colombian National Army/AP)

Residents of a small city in southern Colombia are searching for loved ones after heavy rain sent floodwaters, mud and debris surging through homes, killing at least 207 and leaving many injured or missing.

The streets of Mocoa were covered in thick sand, mud and tree branches from the rivers and forest that surround the city.

There was little drinking water and no power, which forced authorities to suspend the search and rescue effort during the night.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who has declared Mocoa a disaster area, said that at least 207 were killed in the landslide but that the death toll was changing "every moment".

Authorities said another 200 people, many of them children, were injured and just as many were unaccounted for amid the destruction.

Bodies were placed in a temporary morgue where three teams of medical examiners were working around the clock to swiftly identify the remains.

Juan Chanchi de Ruiz, 74, said the noise of the surging flood woke her up and gave her enough time to get to higher ground.

Her house was not damaged but the homes of several neighbours were heavily damaged and many people were fleeing with their belongings as the river water remained high.

"Around here, there's nobody. Everybody left," she said.

"People went to their houses and found nothing but the floor," said Gilma Diaz, a 42-year-old woman from another town who came in search of a cousin.

Authorities and residents in the city tucked between mountains along Colombia's southern border spent Saturday tending to victims, trying to find homes on streets reduced to masses of rubble and engaged in a desperate search to locate loved ones who disappeared in the dark of night.

Eduardo Vargas, 29, was asleep with his wife and seven-month-old baby when he was awoken by the sound of neighbours banging on his door.

He quickly grabbed his family and fled up a small mountain amid cries of people in panic.

Mr Vargas and his family huddled with about two dozen other residents as rocks, trees and wooden planks ripped through below.

They waited there until daylight, when members of the military helped them down.

When he reached the site of his home on Saturday, nothing his family left behind remained.

Mr Santos blamed climate change for triggering the avalanche, saying the accumulated rainfall in one night was almost half the amount Mocoa normally receives in the entire month of March.

With the rainy season in much of Colombia just beginning, he said local and national authorities need to redouble their efforts to prevent a similar tragedy.

The tragedy drew international attention, with Pope Francis mentioning the catastrophe during his Angelus blessing on Sunday on a visit to the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, which was struck by a pair of deadly earthquakes five years ago.

AP
Emergency services at the scene of a bus accident in Sweden (Nisse Schmidt/ TT via AP)

A bus carrying school pupils to a ski resort has crashed in central Sweden, killing three people and injuring 20 others.

Seven of the injuries are reported to be serious, rescue officials said.

Prime minister Stefan Lofven said the accident "leaves me and the whole country in sorrow".

The 52 students were en route to a ski resort with seven adults, including the driver, when the accident occurred.

It happened on a main road south of Sveg, a small town 260 miles from capital Stockholm.

The father of Stina Almqvist, one of the students on the bus, said he was woken by a call from his "panic-stricken" daughter.

"She just screamed and screamed," Fredrik Almqvist told the Expressen tabloid. "I can still hear her screams."

The cause of the accident was not immediately known but the road was reported to be icy when the accident occurred at about 7am local time.

Pictures showed the bus lying on its side in a ditch beside the road.

Rescue services spokesman Peter Nystedt said some 30 other people sustained minor injuries.

Friends of the students, from Angskolan high school in Skene, gathered at the school on Sunday.

A priest from a nearby church, Goran Landgren, told reporters at the school that the accident had "deeply upset them all".

AP
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It happens. We make big boo-boos in life for which we feel like punching ourselves. One such boo-boo was made by Milan Schipper, a student who thought he booked tickets to Sydney, Australia.

gofundme

Schipper found cheap flights to Sydney online and booked them without a second thought. But, there was a catch. The tickets which he bought were for Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada and not Sydney, Australia!

This is how Sydney Canada airport looks like. Google Earth

He didnt realise that he wa heading to Canada, until he was already in Canada! "I felt terrible. I think I swore in my head for like 10 minutes," he said. "But there was nothing I could do about it because I already was up in the air, Schipper told Canadas CBC Radio.

Schipper stayed for five hours in Nova Scotia, Sydney and then made his way to Toronto.

This is how Sydney, Australia looks like.

Surprisingly, an airline did send him free tickets to Sydney Australia, but Schipper was reluctant to use them! We guess the trauma of reaching a different place altogether is making Schipper think twice before going to Sydney.

Moral of the story  Always check your tickets, boarding pass before heading to a place, because there are two places on earth with the same name!
Actor Jeetu Verma, who has done popular character roles in many Hindi films Bodyguard, Solider among others was recently attacked in Chittorgarh. While travelling from Mount Abu to Jaipur, a group of local men started pelting stones at his car without any rhyme or reason.

zee news

"There is a 40-km patch of forest area near Chittorgarh, which is en route. It was broad daylight and Jeetu was sitting next to the driver in the front seat. Suddenly, some locals started pelting their car. The driver picked up speed but the stones kept coming. One hit the windshield and it cracked. Jeetu's eye was hit and bleeding profusely even as the driver raced away," Manohar Verma, who is an action director, told Mumbai Mirror.

dna

Verma was immediately rushed to Udaipur Airport from where he was flown to Mumbai and was hospitalized. According to the doctors, Jeetu suffered a 'fractured eyebrow which required 10 stitches and has lost retinal function'.

spotboye/filmymonkey

Actor Suniel Shetty came to his rescue and helped his family make all arrangements after the attack.

Incidentally, this is the exact same place where Sanjay Leela Bhansali was also attacked while shooting his upcoming film Padmavati. While no one was seriously injured in the previous attack, this brutality might cost the actor to lose vision in his eyes.

Are all these protests justified?
Stunned by the Supreme Court (SC) announcement on not exempting hotels and restaurants from a ban on liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways from April 1, the hospitality industry estimates that about 1 million employees could be hit by the order.

Reuters

The SC on Friday ruled that its December 15 order on banning liquor vends across national and state highways is also applicable to hotels and restaurants.

Riyaaz Amlani, president, National Restaurant Association of India, said the association is working on culling out estimates on the number of hotels and restaurants that are likely to be hit.

Pradeep Shetty, a member of the legal committee of the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India, estimated that about 2,000 hotels and more than 10,000 restaurants across segments could be affected by the ban in Maharashtra.

ALSO READ: Liquor Shops Along Highways Shut, Indian Student Assaulted In Poland And Other Must-Read Stories

BCCL/Representational Image

As an industry, we are completely shocked. States like Maharashtra, Assam and Tamil Nadu were of the opinion that the ban would be imposed only on liquor shops. We are pegging the loss of revenue to about 40%, said Shetty. He added that incidental losses will lead to retrenchment and the loss of employment could be about 1 million.

Marquee hotels like the Trident and Leela and properties like Cyber Hub which are in close proximity to the highway are likely to be hit by the ban in Delhi-NCR.

ALSO READ: Shutters Down At Pubs, Bars And Liquor Stores Along Highways As Supreme Court Refuses To Revisit Its Order

BCCL/Representational Image

We are confident that our tenant partners are law abiding citizens and will comply with the SC judgment, said a spokesperson from Cyber Hub in Gurgaon that houses restaurants like The Beer Cafe, The Wine Company and Cyber Hub Social. Michael Koopman, the general manager at The Leela Ambience, said the hotel is not serving liquor to guests until further notice.

In Goa, the excise department has formed teams to make sure that the order is enforced. As the apex court order will affect over 3,000 liquor joints and shops in the state, the traders have pinned their hopes on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for a solution.

ALSO READ: Gurgaon's Bar And Pub Hoppers On High Alert, 34 Top-End Pubs In CyberHub May Go Dry From April 1

BCCL/Representational Image

The SC has modified its order, reducing the distance from 500 metres to 220 metres in areas having a population of up to 20,000.
In order to make its armed forces leaner and highly advanced in terms of technical prowess, China decides to lay off nearly 300,000 troops. Actually China wants to buy new tech weapons for its navy and ailing air force, but in order to do that it needs to cut down on soldiers.

Reuters

The Chinese Defense Ministry announced Thursday that Beijing's plan to reduce troop levels would be completed by the end of the year.

Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said there were "detailed arrangements" to ensure the layoffs would be carried out without delay, Reuters reported. "This year it will achieve its set aims on schedule," Wu told a regular monthly news briefing, without providing further details.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had indicated this in 2015 when he said that Peoples Liberation Army needed to become leaner and more strategic. He said at the time the military was loyally committed to its sacred duty of defending the security of the motherland and the peaceful life of the people, and loyally committed to the sacred duty of safeguarding world peace. But some soldiers pushed back against the reductions, slowing down the process. Veterans held demonstrations in Beijing in February demanding unpaid retirement benefits.

Reuters

China has a 2.3 million strong army, the largest army in the world when it comes to numbers. But despite being high on number, the PLA lacks modern technological prowess which again makes it less competitive to comparatively smaller armies of western countries, especially the US.

And in order to add teeth to its air force, China announced last year it was buying four advanced Su-35 fighters from Russia. Beijing is the second biggest spender on defence after India.
An Indian-origin woman travelling from Bengaluru to Iceland has alleged racial profiling after she was asked to strip by security officials at Germany's Frankfurt airport earlier this week.

Reuters

Shruthi Basappa, who lives in Reykjavik, Iceland and is married to an Icelandic citizen, detailed her ordeal in a series of posts on Facebook.

"We were travelling to Iceland from India, via Frankfurt with our 4-year-old daughter when I was asked to move aside for this 'random check', no explanations offered. I was taken into a room, and was asked to lift my dress/ take it off so that I could be checked to make sure I wasn't 'carrying anything under my clothes'. This whole ordeal happened in front of my 4-year-old," Basappa wrote.

AP

She claimed that she was asked to lift up or remove her clothing even after clearing full body scans. Her request to be patted down gently, owing to a recent abdominal surgery, was also ignored by the security personnel, who shouted at her for voicing her reservations.

Basappa stood her ground and refused to remove her dress. She said the officials backed off after her Icelandic husband walked into the room where she had been escorted for the strip search.

"I hate to play the race card here, but I was the only person pulled aside and peeking at my husband instantly changed the woman's mind about the strip search that was now a regular pat down," Basappa said.

AFP

According to her posts, this isn't the first time she has been pulled aside for detailed security checks.

"I am always the 'chosen one' for random security checks - pat down, baggage check, lets take you into a room for a closer pat down etc... Today though, I was asked to remove the dress I was wearing. Yes. Remove my clothes. Is this the new norm? Isn't it enough to always be the one random person picked out of line that now I need to wrap my head around the fact that I might be asked to strip?" Basappa said.

AFP

Basappa has filed a complaint with the Frankfurt airport authorities, but is yet to hear from them on the matter.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has directed the Indian Consulate in Germany to send her a report on the incident.
Update - 1.10pm: Transport Minister Shane Ross "has played a blinder" in the Bus Eireann dispute, according to Michael O'Leary.

The Ryanair boss has been giving his opinion on the ongoing transport strike.

Despite calls for Minister Ross to intervene, he has repeatedly refused to do, and the Ryanair CEO says that is exactly what a Minister should be doing.

Mr O'Leary said: "Firstly I think he has played a blinder on the bus issue, because he has stayed out of it and the Minister should stay out of those issues.

"Where you have public sector unions running around trying to suck Ministers and politicians into disputes - Bertie was a great man for opening the chequebook and buying off the unions over many years - you have to stay out of it.

"Let the management of Bus Eireann manage it."

Earlier: People Before Profit say the Bus Eireann strike is like 'a miners' strike for Ireland'.

The party is inviting striking bus workers to address its annual conference at Wynn's Hotel in Dublin this lunchtime, to make their case.

Deputy Brid Smith says they can understand, and even applaud, the wildcat action that brought Dublin commuters to their knees on Friday, when the dispute spread without warning to Irish Rail and Dublin Bus services, disrupting tens of thousands of people.

Ms Smith said: "It's like the miners's trike was important for Britain, this is important for us.

"We welcome the fact that the strike has escalated and people feel empowered enough to say 'we are going to close down the capital, because you are not listeneing to us'.

"And really they weren't listening until Friday until they hit the capital, they didn't care about the fact that Cork, Waterford, Galway, Limerick and all of the rural towns were without their proper bus service."

The party says the Transport Minister Shane Ross is at the centre of a perfect storm of his own making over the dispute.

Ms Smith said the Minister is still in denial.

She said: "He has really said 'nothing to do with me', and he has made a fool of himself because everybody is looking and saying he is the Minister for Transport.

"You have a national transport strike that is escalating out of proportion and he is just stepping away from it. It beggars belief.

"He gets paid a big salary not to do his job while he criticises others who are striking to try and save theirs and save their terms and conditions and their pay."
Paraguay's president has fired a minister and top police official after the killing of a young opposition party leader whose death came amid violent clashes sparked by a secret Senate vote for a constitutional amendment to allow presidential re-election.

President Horacio Cartes said interior minister Tadeo Rojas and national police chief Crispulo Sotelo had been let go.
It is "utterly disgraceful" that the security services tapped the phone of the late Ian Paisley while he was an MP, the politician's son has said.

Britain's former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott revealed the firebrand Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician had his calls tapped despite a long-standing convention that MPs should not have their communications monitored.

The former DUP leader's son, also called Ian Paisley, pledged to raise the issue in Parliament when the Commons returns after Easter.

Lord Prescott said then-prime minister Tony Blair told him in 2005 that security services had eavesdropped on an MP.

He said that after pressing Mr Blair for a name, the then-premier told him it was the DUP leader, who later became the North's first minister and a peer before his death in 2014.

Writing in his Sunday Mirror column, Lord Prescott said the surveillance watchdog had wanted to name Mr Paisley but Parliament was not informed.

Lord Prescott said: "Downing Street had been told by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, who wanted to name Paisley.

"Tony asked me to discuss the Wilson doctrine with the Speaker of the House of Commons. I never told him that an MP had been tapped or that it was Paisley.

"Parliament was not informed and Paisley went on to become First Minister of Northern Ireland.

"I can only think that as the peace process was still a concern, mentioning the fact a leading loyalist politician had been tapped by Britain's security services in the past would not have helped."

The convention that MPs' communications should not be intercepted by police or security services is known as the Wilson doctrine after former prime minister Harold Wilson, who announced the policy in 1966.

Ian Paisley Jr

In March 2006, Mr Blair assured Parliament the Wilson doctrine would be maintained despite advice to scrap the policy.

Mr Paisley said the revelation amounted to an "utterly disgraceful breach of the Wilson doctrine sanctioned by a government that would do anything for its own end".

He added: "This will be raised in parliament on 18 April.

Did Prescott oppose Blair on this? All MPs' freedoms undermined by the action of Blair."

The Sunday Mirror said Lord Prescott does not know when Mr Paisley's phone was tapped or whether MI5, MI6, police or the Army were responsible.

He approached then-Commons speaker Michael Martin to discuss how the Wilson doctrine was applied but did not mention it was prompted by what he had learned about Mr Paisley.
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Lib Edwards, MSW, CEAP, LEAP, the Wake Forest Baptist Health Employee Assistance Program director has received the 2017 Presidents Achievement Award from the N.C. Employee Assistance Professionals Association. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by an employee assistance professional who has made significant contributions to the EAPA and to the EAP field. Edwards has a masters degree in social work and is also a certified employee assistance professional and a licensed employee assistance professional. The criteria for the award are service, leadership, contribution, and advocacy.

Chad Hansen has rejoined Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in the firms Winston-Salem office. He will be a partner on the Complex Commercial Litigation Team. Hansen came back to Kilpatrick Townsend from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina where he was the in-house counsel. He earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, with honors and received his B.A. in History from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Eric S. Dutton, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager at DMJ & Co. in Greensboro. He has written many of the firms tax updates, particularly those related to the state sales tax. Dutton earned a B.S. in Business Administration at UNC-Greensboro and a masters in Accounting at East Carolina University.

David Mize, CPA, has been promoted to tax supervisor at DMJ & Co. in Greensboro. He joined DMJ in 2016 and has more than five years of experience in public accounting. Mize is responsible for tax preparation, tax research, tax audit, general accounting, and related consulting services. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Baltimore.

Rick Williams has been named the vice president of Human Resources at Well Spring Services, Inc. He is a senior professional in human resources and is a senior certified professional by the Society for Human Resource Management. He was previously the director of Human Resources and the Payroll/Title IX Coordinator at Guilford College.

Craig Goodson has been named vice president of the Davidson County Economic Development Commission. He was previously with the Lincoln County Economic Development Association. Goodson has more than 25 years of economic development, construction, and private development experience.

Brett W. Hoge of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow has been named to the 2017 edition of the Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers. The list recognizes top financial advisers at national, independent, regional and bank broker-dealers across the United States.

Kevin G. Williams has been elected president of Bell, Davis & Pitt, PA, by the law firms board of directors. His term began April 1. He practices civil litigation. Williams also serves as a State Bar Councilor to the North Carolina State Bar. He has practiced law at Bell, Davis & Pitt since 1998, having joined the firm after receiving his J.D. degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Williams succeeds Stephen D. Poe who served as president for the past six years.

Jeff Waide has been named regional vice president of TierPoint LLC, a national provider of hybrid IT solutions. His area spans Georgia and the western half of North Carolina. He will be based in Charlotte, and will lead the regional sales team efforts to identify how organizations can benefit from TierPoints portfolio of solutions, including private, multi-tenant, hyperscale and hybrid cloud; colocation, disaster recovery, security and other managed IT services.

Yadkin County has received grants from the Connect N.C. Infrastructure Bond program for two parks in the county. It received $41,580 for the Lance Corporal Daniel Swaim Playground and $43,020 for universal design improvements at Yadkin Memorial Park.
NEW YORK  The priorities laid out in President Donald Trumps budget message have some small business owners strategizing how they might benefit from a big boost in defense spending, and others thinking about how to make up for revenue they could lose to cuts in grant programs and subsidies.

While Trumps plan, released March 16, is far from the final word on the subject, he has called for a $54 billion increase in the Pentagons budget. He has proposed cuts elsewhere and no funding at all for 19 agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts. Departments

Its the opening bid in the negotiations, says David Primo, a professor of political science and business at the University of Rochester.

The formal request that will go to Congress is expected in May, and even that version will be subject to negotiations among lawmakers.

Still, the proposal does give small business owners a sense of Trumps goals. Here is a look at how three business owners believe Trumps objectives could affect them:

An end to subsidies?

Air Choice One would lose revenue if the administration succeeds in ending funding for the Essential Air Service program, says Shane Storz, the companys CEO.

The St. Louis-based carrier gets federal subsidies under the program aimed at making it easier for people who live in rural areas to catch flights nearer their homes. The company has 56 subsidized flights a day, carrying about 2,000 passengers a month to seven small cities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee and Arkansas. The federal program subsidizes 60 percent to 70 percent of the cost of Air Choice Ones flights, Storz says.

If the programs funding is reduced or eliminated, the airline would have to cut flights, forcing many passengers to drive two or more hours to an airport served by a major airline.

We get a lot of elderly travelers who dont want to drive, Storz says.

Air Choice Ones subsidized flights run at 80 percent of capacity, a number consistent with major carriers. Storz is trying to increase ridership so the subsidized routes can be sustained even if funding is cut.

If the program ended, it would hurt tremendously, Storz says.

Higher defense spending, higher sales

Inquiries about Frontline Sellings sales management software shot up after the call for higher defense spending was released, co-owner Mike Scher says.

His customers  technology providers to government contractors and subcontractors  are hoping for a jump in sales under the budget plan.

They believe thats going to come to fruition, says Scher, whose company is based in Alpharetta, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. Theyre ramping up their business.

That has already helped Frontline Selling. Scher expects his companys first-quarter revenue will rise 10 percent to 15 percent from a year ago, and hes optimistic enough about government spending that he plans to hire five employees in the next quarter, increasing his staff to 55.

Arts funding cuts mean less business?

The possibility that the National Endowment for the Arts might lose all its funding has Shaun Breidbart concerned that some nonprofit theaters where he puts on stand-up comedy shows may take longer to pay him, or even shut down.

Any funding cut to the agency could mean individuals and organizations lose grants that range from $10,000 to $100,000. Executive directors of some theaters have already told him that if they lose grant money, they might not be able to give him a deposit upon signing a contract, the usual procedure.

Theyre not sure theyre going to be able to spare the cash, he says.

If Breidbart doesnt get those deposits, he cannot pay other comedians who appear with him.
Data collected by the WFU Office of Personal and Career Development show that 98 percent of the Wake Forest undergraduate class of 2016 are either employed or in graduate school.

First Destination data  information collected on students up to six months after graduation  show that while more than a third of Wake Forest graduates remain in North Carolina to contribute their talents to our state, graduates also land jobs nationwide and worldwide.

WFU alum to speak

at hooding ceremony

Anil Rai Gupta, a 1992 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Business, will deliver the WFU School of Business graduate hooding ceremony keynote address on May 14.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in Wait Chapel on the Universitys Reynolda Campus.

Gupta is the chairman and managing director of Havells India, one of the largest makers of industrial and household electrical products in India. Gupta took the company global in 2007 with the purchase of Sylvania in Europe and South America, one of the biggest overseas acquisitions by an Indian company.

Forsyth Tech to hold open house

Forsyth Technical Community College will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Oak Grove Center on its main campus, 2100 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem.

The event offers the community the opportunity to learn about the variety of career and college transfer programs available at the college as well as resources that support students academic success, Forsyth Tech said in a statement.

The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors will be able to meet with representatives from academic programs, admissions and student support services during a program fair.

Five area manufacturers will speak with prospective students about potential careers.

Compiled by John Hinton
Legal Aid of North Carolina could lose nearly half of its funding under President Donald Trumps budget proposal.

The recommended funding cuts could leave poor people in North Carolina and around the country without the means to get legal assistance for domestic-violence restraining orders or to keep from losing homes to foreclosure.

Trump is recommending the elimination of funding for Legal Services Corp., which has a current appropriation of $385 million. Legal Services, which Congress established in 1974, provides funding for 133 Legal Aid agencies throughout the country, said Jim Sandman, president of Legal Services.

It would be devastating, he said Friday about the potential cuts.

Sandman, however, said he remains confident that Trumps potential cuts wont be approved by Congress. He said Legal Services has gotten increases of $10 million in three of the last four fiscal years. And Congress has consistently approved funding for Legal Services, regardless of whether Republicans or Democrats held the majority in Congress or whether a Republican or a Democrat was president, he said.

Most Legal Aid agencies get an average of 38 percent of their funding from Legal Services, Sandman said.

Legal Aid of North Carolina gets 48 percent of its funding from Legal Services, according to George Hausen, the agencys executive director.

That amounts to $10 million to $11 million out of a $22 million budget, he said. The agency has 150 lawyers, including 130 who work full-time, across North Carolina. Nearly 4 million people are eligible for Legal Aids services, Hausen said.

Those people would have nowhere to go, he said.

Valene Franco, the managing attorney for Legal Aids Winston-Salem office, said 12 to 15 lawyers work in the office.

The Winston-Salem office covers nine counties  Forsyth, Davie, Iredell, Yadkin, Surry, Stokes, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes counties.

The lawyers deal with cases involving such things as foreclosure, domestic violence, public benefits such as food stamps, education and bankruptcy, she said.

Its a wide variety of cases that we handle, she said.

The office also has a partnership with the Downtown Health Plaza on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and has another program that helps people understand the Affordable Care Act, Franco said.

This isnt the first time Legal Aid of North Carolina has faced cuts. In 2015, the agency eliminated 45 positions from about 300 statewide after losing $1.4 million in state and other financing the previous year.

More than 100 law schools, the American Bar Association and law firms have objected to Trumps budget proposal.

Both the House and Senate will eventually submit budget resolutions. Those resolutions will be debated, and an agreement will be reached that will be signed by the president.

Sandman said Legal Aid organizations are important because for people to navigate the justice system they need to have legal assistance, and that can be hard to come by for poor people, he said.

Legal Aid is critical to making the civil justice system accessible to them, he said.
Volunteers sought for Literacy Project

The Augustine Literacy Project, a program of READWS, needs volunteers to serve as tutors to public-school students. An information session will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Clemmons Public Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons. Seven-day training classes will begin on Oct. 9, 2017 and Jan. 23, 2018. For more information or to register, email pam@readws.org or call (336) 723-4391, ext 1509.

Veterans coffee to be held this week

A veterans coffee will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the PDQ Restaurant, 285 Harvey St., in the HanesTowne Village Shopping Center.

There is no formal agenda, but organizations with veteran-support programs are invited to attend.

For more information, call Don Timmons at (336) 331-1309.

The coffees are hosted by Hospice & Palliative CareCenter and Rowan Hospice & Palliative Care.

Friends of Central Library to hold sale

The Friends of Central Library will hold its Annual Spring Book Sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the former Forsyth County Environmental Affairs building at the corner of Sixth and Marshall streets. Enter off Marshall Street. The hours are noon-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon- 5 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday, items will be half price or $5 per bag, some exclusions apply.

The sale will include books, DVDs, CDs and other media in good condition.

For more information, email FriendsofCentralLibrary@gmail.com.

Military officers

club to meet

The Military Officers Association of America will meet April 11 at the Clubhouse at Bermuda Run Country Club, 324 Bermuda Run Drive, Advance. A social time with a cash bar will begin at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes dinner.

For reservations, call Warren Boyer at (336) 407-2374.

Jay Phelps, a former officer in charge of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington National Guard will talk about his duties and experiences. He also served a tour of duty providing security at the White House.

All active-duty military officers, former officers and Reserve and National Guard officers and retired officers, as well as guests, are invited.

Information sessions for cat foster families

The Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation will hold an orientation for people interested in being foster caregivers for kittens and cats waiting for a home. The program will be at 7 p.m. April 11 at AARF, 311 Harvey St.

For more information, visit www.aarf animals.org.

Foundation accepting grant applications

The Yadkin County Community Foundation is accepting grant applications.

Funds are available for nonprofit organizations that serve general charitable needs in Yadkin County. Applications and information are available at nccommunityfoundation.org. The deadline for submitting applications is noon April 18.

For more information, contact Colby Martin, the NCCF regional director at (828) 358-0030 or cmartin@nccommunityfoundation.org or visit nccommunityfoundation.org.

Guardian ad Litem volunteers needed

The Forsyth County Guardian ad Litem program is accepting applications for volunteers to be advocates for foster children.

Training is provided and classes will begin April 22.

For information or to apply, go to www.volunteerforgal.org or call (336) 779-6650.

ReadWS needs volunteers

ReadWS needs volunteers for its Reading Parties.

The parties are a parent-oriented seminar that teaches parents and children reading improvement strategies in a fun atmosphere. Parents can then use the strategies at home.

After a training session, volunteers will help one to two times per month. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Tonya Nealon at (336) 723-4391 Ext. 1507 or Tonya@readws.org.

Triad Dog Games

seeks volunteers

The Sergei Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with its Triad Dog Games, which will be held May 20 and 21 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.triaddoggames.com/contact/ or email joy@sergeifoundation.org.
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Legislation which would have prohibited sanctuary cities in the state and banned abortions where a heartbeat is detectable failed to meet the necessary procedural deadline [U.S.News report] in the Iowa Legislature [official website] Friday. First, the sanctuary city legislation would have required counties, cities, and public colleges to enforce federal immigration law. Despite the legislation, no current Iowa cities identify as sanctuary cities. Second, the abortion legislation would have required several things, including banning all abortions where a heartbeat could be detected, requiring 72-hour wait period for receiving an abortion, and creating further legal action against doctors in violation of the law. Despite this second bill not receiving enough support, Iowa Republicans are currently focused on new legislation which would ban almost all abortions around 20-weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion restrictions remain a much contested issue in the US. In March the Texas Senate approved bills this week that would prevent [JURIST report] doctors from encouraging abortions to avoid lawsuits from birth defects and to require doctors to ensure a fetus is deceased before performing certain procedures. In February the Pennsylvania Senate approved [JURIST report] a bill that would ban abortions past 20 weeks. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill into law in January banning the dilation and evacuation abortion method [JURIST report]. In October a federal judge blocked a Mississippi law that disqualified [JURIST report] Medicaid benefits for non-therapeutic abortions. Also in October the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that a state law adding new licensing and inspection rules for facilities that perform abortions is unconstitutional.
On Friday, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, expressed his discontent [UN news centre] with Israels latest decision [JURIST report] to build settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and repeated his previous calls for a two-state solution to resolve the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In particular, a spokesman for Guterres said the UN official condemns all unilateral actions that, like the present one, threaten peace and undermine the two-state solution. This condemnation follows in line with recent international ire for Israels actions in building settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. A recent proposal to resolve the issue noted the Israeli settlements are at odds with international law and are generally in conflict with lasting peace in the region.

While Israel and Palestine have a troubled past [HRW backgrounder], the issue of settlements in the West Bank have escalated tensions in the last decade. In November Israels Ministerial Committee for Legislation unanimously approved [JURIST report] the Formalization Bill to legalize the West Bank outposts. In March 2016 the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said [JURIST report] that the office is concerned about the apparent extra-judicial execution of a Palestinian man in the West Bank. In January of that same year Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged [JURIST report] businesses to cease operations in Israel settlements. In August 2015 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged both sides of the conflict [JURIST report] to reconcile and move towards peace after an attack occurred in the West Bank village of Duma, where Jewish extremists allegedly set fire to a Palestinian home while a family slept inside. Last April HRW alleged [HRW report] that Israeli settlement farmers in the occupied West Bank are using Palestinian child laborers in dangerous conditions in violation of international laws.
Canadian Forces ombudsman Gary Walbourne appears at a Senate veterans affairs committee in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. Walbourne has dropped the gloves in what appears to have become a tense battle with National Defence, accusing officials of "insidious" attacks whenever his office releases a report critical of the department. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
FILE- In this Wednesday, March 1, 2017 file photo, a Spanish flag flies on top of the customs house on the Spanish side of the border between Spain and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar with the Rock as a background, in La Linea de la Concepcion, Southern Spain. The EU's roadmap on Brexit negotiations leaves the U.K. and Spain to discuss what agreements will apply to Gibraltar, a dialogue in which Madrid could have the upper hand. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2017 file photo, Sabal Trail pipeline protesters hold signs against the pipeline project in front of the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in Coral Gables, Fla. The Sabal Trail is an underground natural gas pipeline project from Alabama to Florida. Prolonged protests in North Dakota failed to stop the flow of oil through the Dakota Access pipeline. But they've provided inspiration for protests against pipelines around the country. Tactics used in North Dakota such as resistance camps, social media and online fundraising are now being used against pipeline projects in nearly a dozen states. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)
A Nigerian doctorate student at the International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM), Adedeji Abiodun Liadi, has died. According to reports, he slumped while jogging on the campus field.

He was rushed to the schools medical facility where he was pronounced dead.Popularly known as Olubadan, the deceased hailed from Ibadan, Oyo State. He was 44 years old.

He was a lecturer at the Department of Economics, National Open University Nigeria (NOUN), Lagos. He was buried according to Islamic rites at the Muslim burial ground in Malaysia, with hundreds of people in attendance.
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Virtually every med school hopeful writes a personal statement with some variation of I want to help people. Three years into medical school, helping people seems to be the last thing on any medical students mind. At every stage of medical training, there seems to be a competition designed to consume us. Just getting into medical school can feel like an obstacle course with barriers at every step. First-year medical students are quickly socialized into a culture in which USMLE Step scores and honors are the currency, and prestigious residency programs are the goal.

Our sense of self-worth becomes inextricably bound up to objective measures of performance. A classmate of mine captured the essence of this when she said, After Step 1, I feel like Ill just become a score. All the tropes about compassion and altruism fade away, and that score is all that remains. Residency programs wont consider how often I smile or how well I get to know my patients; they will look at the quantifiable metrics that, for them, define my medical student career. In that environment, it is easy to start valuing ourselves the way residency programs value us. Scoring high makes us feel good about ourselves and scoring low makes us feel bad about ourselves. Developing meaningful relationships with patients is tertiary to impressing residents and the attending; after all, patients do not fill out evaluations.

Our identity and self-esteem become bound up in our performance on multiple choice questions, as if those outcomes reflect a deep truth about who we are. They do not. At their best, multiple choice exams reflect the breadth and depth of our medical knowledge. At their worst, they reflect test-taking skill and what we happened to have for breakfast that morning. Multiple choice exams are simply incapable of judging the complex array of skills that make a great physician, much less a great person. This is no fault of the exams themselves, instead, it is a problem in the way we interpret and value the exam results. While we recognize that residency programs rely heavily on exam scores, we must not let their valuation of us seep into our own sense of self-worth. Residency programs may look at us and see only test scores and a transcript, but we must always know that test scores and grades are only a tiny fraction of who we are.

Self-evaluation can help us achieve a more holistic appreciation for our experiences in medical training:

At the end of each rotation, before receiving your evaluations and grade for that rotation, spend some time thinking about how you would grade yourself. Think about the criteria that are most important to you and how you performed in those areas. Here are some suggestions for criteria to use for self-evaluation:

Did I contribute positively to the care of my patients?

Did I develop meaningful relationships with my patients?

How did I balance between academic and personal responsibilities?

In what ways did I grow as a student? Clinician? Person?

As long as we are honest with ourselves, we are in a much better position to judge our performance than faculty, if for no other reason than because we have much more data. This is not meant to be a feel-good exercise in self-congratulations. It is meant to be a serious way of self-reflection that allows you to honestly evaluate yourself based on your own values.

Having done this throughout my medical school experiences, I have found that my own self-evaluation is fairly independent of my formal school evaluation; the two evaluations agree about just as often as they disagree. This self-evaluation is not intended to undermine or discredit the formal evaluation process; getting feedback from more experienced physicians is critical to our professional growth since they may see things about us that we dont see ourselves and they may have greater insight into what it means to be a physician. If done honestly and with a healthy dose of self-awareness, self-evaluations can keep us grounded in what matters most to us and offer an important alternative to the narrower, test-focused formal evaluation.

Asaad Traina and Devvrat Malhotra are medical students.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The Herald reports:

Auckland Mayor Phil Goffs chief of staff, Fran Mold, has resigned to take up a job with the United Nations in war-torn South Sudan.

Mold will work alongside former Labour Party leader David Shearer, who has the tough job of leading the United Nations mission in South Sudan.
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Bruce Carney of Maxwell says cattle and crops can coexist and benefit one another. (PFI)
A scene fron Don Quixote / Courtesy of UBC

By Yun Suh-young

While March is the month to kick off a new performance season for the year, April is the month to take advantage of the abundance of performances.

Starting this week ballet "Don Quixote" is offered by the Universal Ballet from April 5 through 9 at the National Theater of Korea. The ballet, based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes and choreographed by Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky, returns after six years.

Whereas the novel focuses on the story of Don Quixote and his servant Sancho Panza, the ballet version focuses on the love story between the inn-keeper's daughter Kitri and barber Basilio. While on the journey to rescue Dulcinea, a woman in his dreams, Don Quixote meets the lovers Kitri and Basilio, who he helps get married.

"We chose to stage Don Quixote as our first performance this year because it's a piece everyone can enjoy," said Julia Moon, general director of the Universal Ballet Company.

"It's a ballet for the many Don Quixotes and Kitris and Basilios of today."

From April 28 through 30, the Sugi Opera will be staging "Madama Butterfly" at the Seoul Arts Center.

The story is of a Japanese woman named Ciocio-san (Ciocio which means "butterfly" in Japanese) who gets married to a U.S. Naval officer named Pinkerton. Soon after their marriage, Pinkerton leaves her and gets married to an American woman in his home country. Meanwhile, Ciocio-san gives birth to a son and waits longingly for Pinkerton's return. Three years later, Pinkerton returns to Nagasaki with his new wife Kate to take Ciocio-san's son to raise him. Ciocio-san agrees to hand over her child if Pinkerton comes to see her. When he does, he finds Ciocio-san dead, having taken her own life.

Written by Giacomo Puccini based on the novel by John Luther Long's "Madama Butterfly," the opera premiered in 1904 in Milan's La Scala theater. The Seoul performance is conducted by Carlo Goldstein and directed by Vivien Hewitt.

On April 8, violinist Kim Jae-young and pianist Son Yeol-eum will hold a duo concert at the Seongnam TLI Art Center. A long-time friend and performing partner, the two will be playing Brahms for the one-day concert. The repertoire includes Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100, Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78 and Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108.

On April 21, Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero will be performing in Seoul for the first time.

Montero, known for her improvisations on stage, has released several albums on EMI such as "Bach and Beyond" and "Baroque." A recipient of the bronze prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1995, she shows strength in both classical repertoire as well as improvisation. In 2009, she was invited to the White House as the South American representative at President Obama's inauguration ceremony and played with virtuosos such as Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.

At the LG Art Center, Montero will perform two classical repertoires _ Brahms' Intermezzo Op.117 and Liszt's Piano Sonata in b minor S.178 _ as well as her own improvisations for the second half of the performance.

Meanwhile, a traditional music performance will be available throughout this month in Seoul. From April 1 through 29, the Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation (KOTPA) will be showcasing royal ancestral rites music performance near the Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno-gu, Seoul, every Saturday.

The royal ancestral rites music is a type of music that was developed by King Sejong who also designed hangeul (Korean alphabet). Ancentral rites music is one of the attractions that foreign musicians are most fascinated by when they visit Korea, according to KOTPA.

King Sejong decided to create fusion music which combines the Chinese ceremonial court music and music from the Tang Dynasty in China with Korean traditional music, which came to be called the "jeryeak" or royal ancestral rites music.

The "Jeryeak with a Story," which will take place on Saturdays at 10 a.m., will feature theatrical performances alongside the traditional music. Actors, including Lee Min-woo, will act out the story behind King Sejong's motive to create the fusion music genre and what the historical, political situation was at the time.

Jeryeak was designated as the first Important Intangible Cultural Asset when the system was created in Korea and was also the first to be designated as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Amb. Lee Sang-deok



By Kim Jae-kyoung

SINGAPORE  North Korea is getting more isolated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after a series of recent provocative actions, according to a senior South Korean diplomat.

"ASEAN member states are seeing North Korea's potential threat in a new light," South Korean Ambassador to Singapore Lee Sang-deok said in a recent interview. "Although we need to continue to monitor the situation for a while, I believe that the latest developments are deepening North Korea's isolation in the ASEAN region."

His view came amid mounting criticism toward North Korea after the reclusive country launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and allegedly murdered Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang has been trying to maintain robust ties with ASEAN nations to minimize its diplomatic isolation and economic dependence on China. North Korea currently has embassies in eight ASEAN countries except for Brunei and the Philippines.

Last October, Singapore scrapped its visa-free status for North Koreans in line with fresh sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council. In early March, Malaysia also removed visa-free entry amid a spat over Kim's murder.

"The removal of visa-free status is greatly limiting North Koreans' entry to Singapore and their activities here," Lee said.

In order to improve South Korea's political and administrative system, the career diplomat said that the country needs to take a cue from Singapore in the areas of transparency and efficiency

"The Singaporean government works to enhance its predictability and transparency through consistent policy implementation," he said.

"This naturally forms a virtuous cycle, which leads citizens to trust the policies that their government establishes," he added. "Its transparent and efficient culture also confers additional credibility to companies considering bringing their business to Singapore."

Singapore was used as a reference for Korea's anti-graft law, better known as the Kim Young-ran Act, introduced last year

Lee also said that South Korea should be more open to become an internationally-competitive economy.

"The primary reason for Singapore's success is its open attitude to engage with foreign companies. In Singapore, foreigners have the opportunity to work in government and public agencies."

"Singapore has also created an excellent business environment through its regulatory reform," he added. "It adapts quickly to new markets and technologies and offers an ideal testing bed for them," he added.

Diversifying diplomatic partnerships

Lee, the former director general for Northeast Asian affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that South Korea needs to diversify diplomatic partnerships to tackle diverse challenges weighing on the country.

"The current situation on the Korean Peninsula, such as continued provocations from North Korea and tensions over THAAD deployment, is highlighting the importance of expanding diplomatic partnerships to strengthen Korea's position," he said.

"To that end, Korea should put a top priority on cooperation with ASEAN," he added. "To strengthen partnerships, it is critical to ensure more exchange of high-level government officials and to have a diversified agenda."

In this context, he said that the country should pay special attention to Singapore as the city state is a hub of ASEAN and an entrance to the 10-member bloc.

"Because its society is comprised of multiple ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Malays and Indiana, Singapore could be a gateway to Southeast Asia," he said. "By focusing on Singapore, exporting the Korean wave can be more efficient and diverse."

When expanding the Korean wave in the region, he said that there are two areas the country should focus on  promoting more high-class culture and pursuing two-way exchanges.

"An additional avenue for expansion can be exposing people to a different class of Korean culture, such as fine arts, literature and the performing arts," he said.

"Cultural exchange can be stronger when it is mutual. So it is imperative for Koreans to deepen our awareness and understanding of Singaporean culture as well as other Southeast Asian cultures."

On economic cooperation, Lee said that Singapore can be the best partner for Korea because the two economies complement each other.

According to him, Singaporean companies have extensive overseas networks and ample capital, yet they have limited land and human resources, while Korean firms have excellent technology and rich experiences but lack global networks and capital power.

"Combining the merits and advantages of Korea and Singapore will produce synergy and greater outcomes through cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industries closely related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution," he said.

"This year, we will particularly focus on cooperation in medical services and bio-industries as well as cooperation between SMEs of both countries."
Kim Jong-gil / Yonhap

By Brother Anthony of Taize

On Saturday, Korea's most senior poet died suddenly in his 91st year, only two weeks after his wife's death.

Kim Jong-gil was born in 1926, in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and received the name Kim Chi-gyu. Kim Jong-gil was his pen name. His mother died when he was only two years old.

In his early childhood, he was cared for by his father and grandmother and especially his great-grandfather, who was a noted scholar of the old Confucian tradition. He began to learn Chinese characters from his great-grandfather almost before he could walk. He studied at a teachers' training school in Daegu and from 1940, for several years, he helped edit a literary coterie magazine there. In 1945, after the liberation of Korea from Japanese rule, he entered the humanities section of Hyehwa College (Hyehwa Jeonmun Hakgyo) in Seoul. There he formed a literary club with other students, which began to produce its own magazine.

Having begun to write poems, he won the 1947 Spring Literary Award of the Kyunghyang Sinmun, marking the start of his official career as a published poet. In the spring of the same year, he transferred schools and entered the English department of Korea University.

There he came under the influence of Professor Lee In-su, the first Korean to have graduated in English literature from the University of London, a gifted translator who introduced him to T. S. Eliot's "Wasteland." He graduated in 1950 and during the Korean War (1950-53) he served as an interpreter. From 1953 he taught at Daegu Technical High School and also lectured at the College of Education of Gyeongbok University. In 1954 he was appointed as full-time lecturer at Gyeongbok University and in the same year published a volume of translations of 20th century English poetry. He became assistant professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Korea University in 1958.

In 1960 he was able to go to England, where he spent a year studying at Sheffield University under the guidance of the celebrated critic William Empson. During this time he met T. S. Eliot and other well-known writers and critics. Returning to Korea University, he continued his academic career. In 1969 he published his first collection of poems, "Christmas." In the autumn that year he visited the United States, where he met celebrated poets including Robert Lowell.

In the following years he lectured, published critical studies and served for several years as the university librarian. In 1983 he paid another visit to England, where he met noted literary critics including Christopher Ricks and A. Alvarez. In the following year he was able to spend a year studying at the University of Cambridge. In 1986 he celebrated his 60th birthday by publishing a volume of prose writings, a survey of modern English-language poetry, a second collection of his own poems, "Yellow Dust," and a volume of poetic theory.

Throughout his career, he translated a considerable number of contemporary poems by Korean poets, into English. These translations were published in various Korean journals but were never published as a separate collection. In 1987 Anvil Press (London) published a volume of his English translations of Korean classical Chinese poetry, "Slow Chrysanthemums."

In 1988 he became President of the Korean Poets' Association. He participated in several international gatherings and met Seamus Heaney in Kyoto in 1990. In 1991 a volume of his selected poems was published, followed by a collection of his English-language literary essays, "The Darling Buds of May."

He retired from Korea University in 1992, after which he was free to travel and give papers at various international conferences around the world. In 1993 he was elected a member of the Korean Academy of Arts. He was given the Inchon Award in 1996. His third collection of poems, "An Evening Primrose," appeared in 1997 and in 1998 he received the Korean government's Silver Order of Merit for Culture.

In 2000 his English translations of the poems of Kim Chun-su were published in the United States. In 2003 a volume of German translations of a selection of his poems was published in Germany. In 2005 he received the Gosan Literary Award. In 2008 he published another collection of poems, "Gleaning at Dusk," and a Spanish translation of some of his poems appeared in Mexico. In 2009 he published a collection of essays about his encounters with celebrated international writers and also received the Manhae Award. In 2011 he published the poetry collection "Those Things" and in 2013 he published a volume of his selected poems, "The Kite," which is soon to be published in English, too late for him to see it.

Kim Jong-gil often explained that the pressure of his work as an academic meant that he had very little time to write his own poetry. This year marks the 70th anniversary of his recognition as a poet. He was a living archive of the history of 20th-century poetry and will be sorely missed.
Foreign fashion gurus participate in a discussion on global fashion agenda with Korean audience during the seminar as part of Seoul Fashion Week event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jongno, central Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation



By Kim Jae-heun

Four foreign fashion experts met to discuss major current fashion industry issues at a seminar during Seoul Fashion Week at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jongno, Seoul, Thursday.

The event invited former dean of Parsons School of Fashion, Simon Collins, Italian Chamber of Buyers President Mario Dell'Oglio, Vogue Italy Senior Editor Sara Maino and i-D Fashion feature director Anders Madsen to talk on the topic "How to go Global."

"Not only do young designers require a fashion sense and dressmaking skills, but they also need a global attitude," said Collins. "Korean designers need to think and act like they are global designers, not Korean designers. Korea is passionate about fashion, but people here need to own a global mind and thinking to attract outsiders who are not interested in Korean fashion."

Maino added that a world-class fashion designer needs to own an original story and idea in their clothes and share them with people with different thoughts. The senior editor advised not to focus on regenerating old designs but rather focus on the story a designer wants to talk about in a collection and not to be afraid of questioning ideas.

"Unlike the old days, the world is connected with SNS and storytelling one's vision or story online has become one of the important aspects," said Maino.

Dell'Oglio shared his opinion that finding a personal taste in fashion requires a designer to both study fashion and make clothes himself. Then balancing out creativity in design and needs from the industry comes next, Dell'Oglio said. He said that one's aesthetic sense will bring a big influence in the fashion world.

On the topic of "the influence of fast fashion in the fashion market," Madsen said people no longer need to take the replication sector adversely and it can be seen as one segment of many.

"Many designers recognize the issue with copying designs and trying to find a way out. In Asia, fast fashion and partnering come in to solve the issue of high-end design replication issue," said Madsen.
By Rachel Lee



A package of sanctions imposed by the Donald Trump administration against North Korea, Friday, could be interpreted as a "warning" to Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of their first talks next week, officials here said Sunday.



"The sanctions are to call on China to restrain its closest ally's nuclear and missile programs," a government source said, asking not to be named. "They will certainly make China feel more pressured ahead of the planned summit. That could be a warning from Trump."



The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 11 North Koreans and one North Korean trading firm believed to be involved in the country's weapon programs, March 31. This was the first punitive measure set by the Trump government since it was launched in January.



The measures came amid growing signs that Pyongyang is preparing for a new nuclear test, one of the anticipated issues on the agenda for the first face-to-face talks between Trump and Xi, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.



"With North Korea expected to be high on the agenda, Trump may urge China to use its leverage on the North to stop its provocations. The latest sanctions showed how the Trump administration will handle North Korea and by extension China," another official said.



The blacklisted company is Paeksol Trading Corporation, which the Treasury said has traded North Korean coal and minerals. Despite Washington's efforts to seek cooperation from Beijing to halt its imports of North Korean coal, the company continues to export through "front companies" in Dalian, the southernmost city of Northeast China the Treasury said.



The 11 individuals work as the North's government representatives in Russia, China, Vietnam and Cuba linked to banks, the defense industry and arms sales, it said.



"Today's sanctions are aimed at disrupting the networks and methods that the Government of North Korea employs to fund its unlawful nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.



"These sanctions underscore this administration's commitment to countering the threat to the United States, to our allies, and to stability on the Korean peninsula and in the wider Asia-Pacific region posed by the Kim regime in Pyongyang.



"I urge our partners and allies to take similar measures to cut off its funding."



The South Korean foreign ministry said Washington's new measures were a "stern warning message" to North Korea, which the U.S. said will face a tougher set of punitive measures unless it gives up its nuclear weapons and missile development.



U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declared during his visit to Seoul last month an end to the Barack Obama administration's policy of strategic patience in dealing with North Korea and vowed to explore all options including harsher sanctions and military action. The U.S. top diplomat also stressed the importance of China's role in forcing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, urging Beijing to stop taking retaliatory actions against South Korea over the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.




By Rachel Lee



Philippines Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez hosted a forum at his residence in Seoul on March 23 to celebrate National Women's Month.

With the theme "We Make Change Work for Women," the discussion focused on women's role in galvanizing change in an otherwise traditionally male-dominated society.

More than 60 Filipinas as well as female officials, staff and Korean employees at the embassy attended.

Two notable Korean personalities  Sohn Jie-ae, a visiting professor at Ewha Womans University and former Arirang TV CEO; and Jasmine Lee, the first Filipina and naturalized Korean to win a National Assembly seat  were among the guests.

Sandara Park, a K-pop artist who started her showbiz career in the Philippines, was also present.

The ambassador highlighted women's positive and central role in social development.

"Gender equality is crucial and essential for nation building," he said.

Hernandez also encouraged women not to allow themselves to be left behind, but instead take an "active role in bringing about positive change through meaningful engagements."

Guest speakers also candidly shared their experiences on balancing family life and careers, as well as their roles as forces of social transformation.

The Philippines has been narrowing the gender gap in recent years, with data from last year's World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report putting the Philippines seventh out of 144 countries surveyed, according to the embassy.
By Rachel Lee

Seoul and Copenhagen have agreed to develop cooperation in agriculture, the Embassy of Denmark said.

The Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (EPIS) and SEGES, the leading agricultural education and advisory organization affiliated with the Danish Agricultural and Food Council, signed a memorandum of understanding at SEGES in Copenhagen on March 24.

"Our cooperation with SEGES will focus on joint methods that can utilize the strong points of the Danish agricultural sector, such as human resource development, youth employment and startups, consulting, as well as ICT (information and communication technology) and smart farming technologies," EPIS President Park Chul-soo said. "We believe this will contribute to the increase in Korea's competitiveness in the agricultural sector."

Under the agreement, EPIS and SEGES plan to develop training programs and overseas workshops for rural youth, professional farmers, farm managers, agricultural advisers and other stakeholders. The two also plan to collaborate on promoting agricultural ICT modelling and smart farming technologies, as well as share knowledge on government policies and projects.

Based on these areas of collaboration, the two organizations  Denmark and Korea as a whole  will aim to establish a sustainable partnership in the agricultural sector.

SEGES CEO Anne Lawaetz Arhnung, EPIS executive vice president Park Kyung-ah and Jason Insu Park, senior innovation officer from the Embassy of Denmark, attended the signing ceremony.
By Rachel Lee

Spanish Ambassador to Korea Gonzalo Ortiz awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic by King Felipe VI to Korea's Changwon City mayor on March 22.

At the award ceremony at the ambassador's residence, Mayor Ahn Sang-soo received the Spanish civil order for his efforts in promoting relations between Spain and Korea. Deputy Director-General of the European Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chung Ki-hong and Park Chul, former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, attended the event.

The ambassador said "it was a great honor to present the awards on behalf of King Felipe VI and the government of Spain."

The top envoy also awarded the Spanish Civil Cross Merit to Korea Foundation Executive Vice President Yoon Keum-jin and Michuhol Art Center's Director of Exhibitions Eom Seon-yong.

"We wanted to show our respect and friendship to these people who have contributed to improving Spain-Korea relations," Ortiz said.

According to the embassy, Ahn inaugurated the Cespedes Park in Changwon in November 2015 to commemorate the arrival of the Jesuit priest to Korea in 1597, who was the first foreigner to arrive and the first to publish on Korea.

Ahn has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Spanish city Bilbao and another MOU with a Spanish company to build a marina, among other ongoing projects between the two countries.

Yoon has supported relations between the two countries through various Spain-Korea forums, including conferences and cultural activities in cooperation with the embassy.

Eom was awarded for her role in different events undertaken using her wide knowledge of Spanish art and culture, including promoting architecture and arts to the Korean people through exhibitions of great artists such as Antoni Gaudi, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.
By Rachel Lee

Food experts from Korea and Indonesia will gather in Jakarta to discuss ways to boost cooperation in the food sector.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre and Indonesia's Ministry of Trade will organize the "Trade Facilitation Workshop for Indonesian Food Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises" in Jakarta and Makassar on April 4-6. The aim is to support companies to "enhance competitiveness and gain further access to the Korean market," the organization said.

Over 200 participants from local enterprises are expected to attend.

"The food and beverage sector is the largest subsector of Indonesia's manufacturing industry, accounting for around a quarter of total manufacturing value of the country," ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-sun said.

"Recognizing the importance of the food industry, the Indonesian government designated the industry as one of the 10 priority industry groups for accelerated development in the Master Plan of National Industry Development 2015-2035. I hope this workshop will contribute to the development of the Indonesian food industry, as well as facilitating business cooperation between Indonesia and Korea."

The organization said the workshop will be part of the "Indonesia-Korea Business Forum," organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and the Korea International Trade Association. The forum will feature other programs such as "Indonesia-Korea Cooperation on E-Commerce" and "1:1 Biz Meetings."

Kim, Yang Mulia Ibu Arlinda, director general of the Ministry of Trade, and Korean food experts will introduce sourcing trends, branding and marketing strategies, logistics systems and up-to-date packaging design and technology to business representatives from the Indonesian food micro, small and medium enterprises, an organization spokesperson said.

Starting this year, the ASEAN-Korea Centre has developed its capacity-building program, formerly the Product Development Workshop, into the Trade Facilitation Workshop that covers wider areas important for the acceleration of trade, such as utilization of the ASEAN-Korea free trade agreement.

The ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 with an aim to promote exchanges among Korea and the 10 ASEAN member states.
By Jung Min-ho



Former President Park Geun-hye will be questioned Tuesday at the Seoul Detention Center as the prosecution carries on its investigation into the major corruption scandal involving her close friend Choi Soon-sil.



The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said Sunday that prosecutors will question her at the detention facility in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, following the Seoul Central District Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for her Friday on 13 charges.



"At first, we asked her to come to the prosecutors' office Monday for questioning, which her lawyers rejected because of her psychological state and for security reasons," an official from the team dealing with the case said. "So we have decided to do it at the detention center on Tuesday."



With less than 20 days to collect evidence and testimony before the warrant expires April 19, prosecutors are apparently accelerating the investigation. This will be her second questioning after a first one, March 21, before her detention.



Both or one of the two prosecutors who previously interrogated her  Han Woong-jae and Lee Won-seok  are expected to question her again.



The decision means that she does not have to appear with her hands handcuffed in front of cameras as other suspects have done.



Park is not the first former head of state to be questioned at the detention center; in 1995, two of her predecessors  Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo  were also interrogated there.



With all the key suspects in the scandal pinning responsibility on each other, prosecutors may call some of them in for joint-questioning.



Park, who is charged with 13 crimes, including bribery, abuse of authority and the passing of confidential state information to an unauthorized person  Choi, repeatedly claimed that she didn't do anything illegal or order her aides to do so in order to help Choi.



On the other hand, former presidential secretaries who have been indicted for their roles in the scandal, including An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong, insisted that they just carried out her orders.



For prosecutors, one of the most important tasks is to prove the bribery charge against Park and Choi, in which they allegedly colluded to take money from major companies, including Samsung, in return for business favors.



Prosecutors have already confirmed that the companies gave money to the Mir and K-Sports foundations controlled by Choi, but they still need to prove that Choi and Park made "deals" with the firms and shared the profits in order to indict everyone involved on bribery charges.



Depending on how Park and Choi collected the money from the companies, the prosecution will indict the two on charges of either abuse of power or bribery, which is a more serious crime that could put them in prison for life.



After indicting Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong on charges of giving bribes to Park and Choi, the prosecution is now looking to question the leaders of other major companies, including SK, CJ and Lotte.



Prosecutors are also looking into former senior presidential secretary Woo Byung-woo, who is suspected of abuse of power and dereliction of duty among other allegations.




Bereaved family members walk toward the end of a dock to board a ship which will take them near the semisubmersible recovery ship carrying the ferry Sewol in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Sunday. / Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min

Nine more bone fragments were discovered early Sunday on the deck of a semisubmersible recovery ship to which the salvaged ferry Sewol is secured, but they are believed to be those of animals, not the remains of missing victims, forensic scientists said Sunday.

"Although we believe the bones are from an animal, we cannot say that with 100 percent certainty. Additional DNA testing is needed, which will take about a month," a National Forensic Service (NFS) official said at Mokpo New Port in South Jeolla Province, where the recovery vessel docked, Friday.

The families rushed to the port, only to be disappointed again by the NFS assessment that the bones were not human.

"I wish the officials had told us about the possibility of the bones not being our loved ones so as not to get our hopes up only to be crushed," a mother of one of the victims said.

The same episode happened last week.

Beside the bone fragments, the authorities also collected a passport and a credit card from mud sludge seeping from the ferry, both belonging to the Sewol captain, Lee Joo-seok. A small bag and a ballpoint pen were also discovered but it is not clear who the owner was. Lee is serving a life sentence at the Suncheon Correctional Institution, South Jeolla Province, after the Supreme Court upheld a high court ruling in 2015 that found him guilty of murder, negligence and dereliction of duty.












By Park Si-soo



A South Korean man was found dead inside a condominium in Mont Kiara, an affluent residential town in Malaysia, on Saturday, according to local media.

The man, 58, was found hanged in the bathroom. No other details were available. An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of his death.

According to Malaysian English daily The Star, police broke into the apartment about 11:30 p.m. (local time) after receiving a call about a bad smell.
The Korea Times is holding a series of interviews with presidential candidates. This is the first of the series.  ED.



Bareun Party nominee calls LKP contender unqualified'

By Kim Hyo-jin





Yoo Seong-min

Rep. Yoo Seong-min, the presidential candidate of the Bareun Party, has ruled out any deal with Liberty Korea Party (LKP) nominee Hong Joon-pyo to field a single candidate for the conservative bloc in the May 9 presidential election.

Yoo said Hong is "unqualified" to bid for the presidency, referring to his ongoing bribery trial.

"There is no possibility that the Bareun Party will agree with the LKP on a single candidate for the upcoming election. That will never happen," Yoo said in a recent interview with The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo.

"Look at the bizarre situation in the LKP. The party is still being influenced by loyalists of the ousted President Park Geun-hye, and Hong, a bribery suspect, has been chosen as its candidate."

Yoo, a four-term lawmaker, said a unified candidacy with the LKP is against his plan to chart a new path for conservatives.

"I quit the former ruling party to provide hope for conservatives. For me to join hands with a party led by Park followers and its unqualified candidate means nothing at the moment," he said.

Yoo earlier said he was open to a unified candidacy with the LKP on the condition that the party purges staunch Park followers first.












Bareun Party presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min speaks during an interview with The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo at his office at the National Assembly in Yeouido on March 30. / Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han



By Kim Hyo-jin, Choi Ha-young

Rep. Yoo Seong-min, presidential nominee of the conservative Bareun Party, has a strong belief that the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system can defend the country from North Korea's missile threats.

He said he will seek talks with China actively to resolve a row over the deployment, if elected to the highest office, and make it realize that Seoul has different security interests.

"China should be aware that its security interests are basically different from Korea. It has to understand that for us, the alliance with the U.S. is the priority but we can still cooperate in economy," Yoo told The Korea Times, Thursday. "I will work on renewing the bilateral relationship based on trust and shared interests."

He believes to have leverage in such talks with Beijing, the country needs to show domestic consensus on the need to the THAAD deployment. Early deployment of the battery before the May 9 presidential election can be a way of proving it, he said.

Over the North Korea's nuclear issue, the presidential candidate plans to press China to play an active role in making change. It can be facilitated based on the enhanced ties with the U.S., Yoo said.

"Seoul and Washington should reaffirm the reliable alliance, and persuade Beijing together to step up sanctions against Pyongyang," he said. "If Beijing properly pressures Pyongyang with means of coals, oil, and crops, it can push the country to the point where it cannot stand anymore."

He says a possible change in dealing with the North Korea issue is worth expecting under the U.S. Trump administration.

"For the past eight years Obama ministration had neglected the nuclear issue under the name of strategic patience. Things are different in the Trump administration. Trump has a higher priority here in this region as you see he has already sent his ministers to South Korea."



The following is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: What's your scheme to revolve China's retaliation against THAAD deployment?

A: I believe speedy deployment of the battery is the way to shorten the period of retaliation. It will also damage China's economic interests, if it continues the retaliation. China should be aware that its security interests are basically different from that of Korea. But we have shared interest on peace over the Northeast Asia, trade, investment and technology transfer. Two countries need to build trust based on the shared interests.

If South Korea drops the THAAD deal, China would love it, and relationship between the two nations will turn hierarchic. That's not what Koreans want. In the key time, I'd give priority to security over economy, and resolve the economic issue anyhow. That's how diplomacy should work.












By Yi Whan-woo





Moon Jae-in

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is likely to elect Moon Jae-in as its candidate for the May 9 presidential election in its fourth and final round of primary elections, today.

Moon, the presidential frontrunner, is expected to secure the party ticket for the race at the last primary election among voters from Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, and Jeju Island without a run-off election.

The DPK requires its successful presidential contestant to win the majority of accumulated votes, which is estimated to be 773,000. Otherwise, the top two contenders will compete in a run-off vote to finalize the presidential nominee.

Moon is only 442,000 votes away after accumulating 331,417 votes in the past three primaries in the rest of the country, according to party officials.

"Moon's support rating never fell below 45 percent, meaning he can go straight to the presidential race unless there is an upset, Monday," an official at Moon's camp said.

Moon won three times in a row, garnering support of 60.2 percent in the party's home turf in the Jeolla provinces, 47.8 percent in the Chungcheong region and 64.7 percent in the conservative stronghold of Yeongnam.

The DPK is scheduled to hold a run-off vote, Saturday, if no candidate wins a majority.
Newlywed couples participate in a tree planting hosted by Yuhan-Kimberly and Forest for Peace at Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. / Courtesy of Yuhan-Kimberly

By Park Jae-hyuk

HWASEONG, Gyeonggi Province  Newlywed couples crowded a hill at Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday to plant trees amid growing concerns over the deadly air pollution in Korea mainly caused by fine dust particles.

Yuhan-Kimberly and Forest for Peace hosted the event that 250 couples, who have been married for two years or less, or are soon to be married, attended. There were another 100 people from Yuhan-Kimberly, the Korea Forest Service and Hwaseong City Government at the event.

They planted about 8,000 fir trees on the sunny day to create a forest on the state-owned land, which will be filled with 40,000 trees planted by more than 1,000 couples over the next five years. The hill is expected to be a dense forest in about 30 years.

Participants hoped their efforts will allow their potential children to enjoy cleaner air. Korea has been ranked as one of the worst countries in terms of air pollution.

"I love to look up at the sky, but the heavy fine dust recently hinders doing so," said Lee Yoon-jeong, who joined the event with her husband Moon Joon-sik to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. "The air quality, which was OK when we were young, seems to continue to worsen. So we decided to plant trees for our future children."

According to a Yuhan-Kimberly survey, six out of 10 applicants for the tree planting regarded fine dust as the most urgent environmental issue that needed to be resolved for future generations.

Among 3,920 couples who applied for the event, 52 percent stated a better future as the reason for planting trees, while 24 percent mentioned the resolution of environmental problems.

Government research shows that a hectare of forest absorbs 168 kilograms of pollutants, including fine dust.

"I think fine dust in Korea is a real problem," said Yuhan-Kimberly chief financial officer Joe Kupka, who planted trees with his wife. "So it would be good to address it now, rather than wait until people's health is bad."

While the CFO and Yuhan-Kimberly employees have planted trees for years, most newlywed couples said they had never planted trees. But the participants vowed to revisit the site and some put name tags on their trees.

"We are eager to participate in the event again next year," said Park Ji-yeol, who will tie the knot with his fiance Kim Jeong-san next month. "We consider planting trees for our potential baby's fortune."

The couple enjoyed planting as a meaningful event before their wedding.

"Planting trees is planting our future," Yuhan-Kimberly chief executive Choe Kyoo-bok said. "Elaborately planted trees will grow along with your children."

Since 1984, the joint venture between Korean pharmaceutical firm Yuhan Corp. and global personal care company Kimberly-Clark has provided opportunities for people to participate in various environmental activities under the slogan "Keep Korea Green."
Tokyo should stop teaching lies about Dokdo



Japan approved new education guidelines last week to ensure for the first time that all of its elementary and middle schools teach students that Dokdo is an integral part of Japanese territory. Tokyo also just approved several social studies textbooks that claim Korea's easternmost islets belong to Japan.



Since previous education guidelines did not mention Dokdo, many Koreans are concerned that Tokyo is reinforcing a distorted history education for future generations on baseless territorial claims. The guidelines, which are renewed every 10 years, will be fully applied to the elementary school curriculum starting in 2020 and in middle schools the following year.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rightly called on Japan to withdraw the new guidelines on Dokdo and lodged a complaint with Hideo Suzuki, minister and deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. The Ministry of Education also strongly denounced Japan, saying that its claim of sovereignty over Dokdo is "no different from its imperialist aggression of the past." Japan should always remember that its wartime atrocities have brought despair and suffering to Korea and many other countries.



It is highly regrettable that Tokyo has once again asserted its sovereignty over Dokdo amid escalating tension between the two neighbors over historical rows. Even before Tokyo's renewed claims to Dokdo, the two countries had not been able to resolve their differences over the issue of "comfort women" statues in front of Tokyo's diplomatic missions in Korea. A prolonged absence of Japan's top envoy in Korea has severely hampered bilateral diplomacy. Tokyo recalled Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine in January and he has not yet resumed his duties in Seoul.



History education must be based solely on facts and the truth. Dokdo is an indisputable part of Korean territory from ancient times, based on historical facts and international law. Japan should withdraw the new education guidelines that will pave the way for its schools to teach illegitimate claims on Dokdo.



Its attempt to reinforce its sovereignty over Dokdo will further damage bilateral relations. Tokyo should take note of the fact Korea has done a lot to keep bilateral relations moving forward. Despite strong opposition from the people and the victims of wartime sexual slavery, the Korean government has emphasized a consistent implementation of the 2015 bilateral deal on resolving the comfort women issue. Seoul also signed an information-sharing accord  the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)  last November with Tokyo despite negative public opinion.



Now it is Japan's turn to show that it is willing to establish future-oriented relations with Korea. We urge Japan to abandon its wrongful territorial claims and send its ambassador back to Korea as soon as possible.




Japan approved new education guidelines last week to ensure for the first time that all of its elementary and middle schools teach students that Dokdo is an integral part of Japanese territory. Tokyo also just approved several social studies textbooks that claim Korea's easternmost islets belong to Japan.



Hong has an uphill battle against liberal contenders, such as Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who has had a long lead in opinion polls and Ahn Cheol-soo, who is nearing the nomination of the People's Party with pledges for sweeping reform. In the latest Gallup poll, Hong was way behind Moon, Ahn and other contenders from the DPK with support of a mere 4 percent.



Hong's lack of popularity is not surprising, given that he represents the party of the ousted former President Park Geun-hye, who was arrested Friday on bribery and other charges only a few weeks after being removed from office by the Constitutional Court on March 10.



The former ruling party's nomination of Hong shows that the LKP does not yet understand what the people want in their next president.



After the corruption scandal, many people want their next president to be corruption-free, honest and open to communication. But it is questionable whether Hong fits these descriptions.



The Supreme Court is reviewing his bribery case. Hong has sought to create a hard-line image by vowing to become a "strongman." But it is uncertain what exactly he means. Since it also means dictator, some voters may only be appalled by a candidate with such an outdated concept of leadership.



Many were also repelled by the outspoken former prosecutor's baseless bribery allegations against Moon and his classless remarks about Moon's late friend, the former President Roh Moo-hyun. Hong said that he will commit suicide like Roh if he is found guilty by the highest court.



It remains to be seen how much effect he will have in wooing voters and restoring the people's faith in rebuilding conservative politics.




By Se-moon Chang





I am not sure whether I have all the accurate information. Because of the importance of the subject that may be discussed during the coming April 24 to 28 meetings of theInternational Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, however, I decided to write this article today. I would appreciate it if anyone can supply me with more information that can help me in case I decide to write a follow-up on the subject.



The question is whether the sea located between Korea and Japan should be called the East Sea, clearly meaning East Sea of Korea since the sea is located to the east of Korea, or the Sea of Japan as Japan prefers to call for obvious reasons of economic advantages.



The third option is to use both names concurrently. To answer the question correctly, one needs to review the turbulent history of the relation between Japan and Korea. Briefly stated, Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. The occupation ended when Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces at the end of the World War II. It was 1929, right in the middle of Japan's occupation of Korea, when the name East Sea was changed to Sea of Japan in IHO publications.



Efforts by Korea at IHO to change the name back to the East Seahave not been successful. The question then becomes this. When Japan changes the name while occupying Korea and Korea has no input what-so-ever in the name change, should the new name be accepted as being legitimate? My answer, and I am sure most of you will agree with me, is clearly no.













It may be noted that there is a massive movement to change the name in Washington DC in the United States. Leaders of the Korean Americans in Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington DC are spearheading the movement. Actually, these leaders are very reasonable in demanding that the two names be listed simultaneously. They do not even ask changing the name back to East Sea, which may be asking too much from a country that never really apologized for their long occupation of Korea.



Leaders in the Washington Metro have been so effective that they succeeded in changing the textbook description of the sea to both names in a textbook that is used at all public schools of Virginia. Since the textbook will be delivered beyond the jurisdiction of Virginia, the impact of the name change is expected to be felt beyond the state of Virginia. The final decision on the world-wide change of the name will be made by the International Hydrographic Organization which was established in 1921, although it was called the International HydrographicBureau until 1970. Prior to 1921, the IHO website states that there were "substantial differences in hydrographic procedures charts, and publications" that were used by naval and merchant vessels.



IHO was born after many meetings, which included the International Maritime Conference of 1889 in Washington, D.C., the International Congress of Navigation of 1908 at Saint Petersburg, the International Maritime Conference of 1912 at Saint Petersburg in 1912, and the First International Conference of 1919 in London. The primary objective of the IHO is stated as ensuring "that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted."



Currently, there are 85 member countries, which include Japan, South Korea, and, believe or not, North Korea. It is truly unfortunate that while leaders of Koreans in South Korea and Korean-Americans in the United States are working hard to restore the good name of East Sea, leaders in North Korea pay no attention to the controversy involving East Sea, only to stay busy threatening South Korea. The movement to add East Sea to the current listing of the Sea of Japan began many years ago, but became more intense this year because of the April meeting of the IHO. In the Washington metropolitan Area alone there are many organizations that actively participated in the movement. These organizations include the Voice of Korean Americans, Korean American Society of Virginia, Korean-American Association of Washington metropolitan Area, Korean American Association of Southern Maryland, Organization of Korean American Women, Federation of Korean Associations USA, and more.



There is no doubt that the movement is in search of justice that had long been denied by Japanese occupation of Korea. At the same time, it is not an easy task to achieve the goal because of the enormous economic power that Japan wields in the global economy. I strongly support, as well as compliment, leaders of the Korean community world-wide, especially those of the Washington metropolitan who have worked tirelessly on the movement for the love of Korea as well as for the promotion of friendship between Japan and Korea by working on listing of two names jointly rather than East Sea alone.





Chang Se-moon is the director of the Gulf Coast Center for Impact Studies. Write to him at: changsemoon@yahoo.com.
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu speaks in a meeting with heads and executives of its key affiliates, at the firm's office in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Courtesy of KT



By Lee Min-hyung

Affiliates from KT will cooperate to generate combined sales of 10 trillion won ($8.94 billion) this year, the nation's dominant fixed-line operator said Sunday.

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu also said this Friday after his first meeting with some 400 executives and employees, after officially starting his second three-year term March 24.

Aside from KT, the combined sales from its affiliates reached 9.26 trillion won last year, up 2.5 percent from the previous year. Their operating profits reached 430 billion won during the same period, up 18.9 percent from a year earlier.

The KT chief said the goal is part of the firm's vision to become a platform giant, reducing its heavy reliance on the saturated telecom industry.

"We need human resources and high-end technologies from our affiliates to turn KT into an industry-leading platform group," he said in the meeting.

During the gathering, he called on executives and employees to generate more tangible outcomes in the firm's five new growth areas  media, smart energy, security, intelligent traffic control and healthcare.

Oh Sae-young, president at KTH, the content retail and commerce platform affiliate of KT, said: "We are going to focus on launching differentiated services by combining e-commerce and information and communication technology content." Last year, KTH posted record sales of 200 billion won, backed by growth in its T-Commerce TV shopping platform.

BC Card, KT's credit card affiliate, also pledged to raise its global profile by launching an Indonesian branch this year, and pushing ahead with financial technology business in China and Vietnam.

The KT chief also expressed confidence for growth potential of KT Estate, the real estate investment affiliate of KT, calling on the firm to lead in innovation by equipping the real estate market with state-of-the-art smart energy systems.

KT Estate reported 60.5 billion won in operating profit last year, a whopping 103 percent growth from the previous year on sales of 388 billion won, up 20 percent. For this year, the firm set a sales target of 546 billion won, up 40 percent from 2016.
LG Chem researchers talk about battery development at the company's R&D campus in Daejeon. / Courtesy of LG Chem



By Yoon Sung-won



DAEJEON  LG Chem will invest 1 trillion won ($894 million) in research and development (R&D) this year, the company's CEO and Vice Chairman Park Jin-soo said Friday.



Park said LG Chem aims to post 16.3 trillion won in sales from newly developed products by 2020, doubling this year's 8.5 trillion won.



"We will become one of the top five global chemical companies with 50 trillion won in annual sales by 2025," Park said at a press conference at the LG Chem R&D Campus in Daejeon.



"To this end, we will make preemptive investments in developing core technologies not just for profitability but also for the preparation of long-term business."



The 1 trillion won investment is about 4 percent of the company's annual sales and is the largest in its history, Park said.



BASF, a Germany-based chemical giant, invested 3.8 percent of its annual revenue in 2015, according to LG Chem.

Park said the company will continue to increase its R&D investment by 10 percent a year to make it 1.4 trillion won by 2020.



The number of R&D workers will also be expanded to 6,300, up from 5,300 this year, he said.

The company's R&D goal is to develop core technologies in the next-generation material businesses such as energy, water and bio in the long term.



LG Chem plans to expand sales of products such as super-absorbent polymer, engineering plastic, reverse-osmosis membranes and high-capacity cells for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.



In the life-science sector, the company will concentrate on developing synthetic drugs, vaccines and bio-similars. Its green bio business subsidiary FarmHannong will push for crop protection agents and advanced seeds, Park said.



Late last year, the company appointed the head of the Daejeon R&D center Yoo Jin-nyoung as chief technology officer to boost efficiency of research projects.



Besides the facility in Daejeon, LG Chem runs another R&D center in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Once LG Group completes the nation's largest R&D complex _ "LG Science Park" in Magok, western Seoul _ by the latter half of this year, LG Chem will send 2,500 researchers to the facility to synergize with other group affiliates.



China risk



Korean battery makers are facing the Chinese government's increasing retaliatory action over Korea's deployment of a missile defense system.



China has ruled out Korean companies for subsidies in the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. This has also had a negative influence on LG Chem, which has pushed for China's domestic EV battery market based on its plant in Nanjing.



"We planned to produce EV batteries in China to provide for its domestic demand," Park said. "But it is true that the plan has faced problems. We will break through the problem by keeping technological superiority over Chinese battery makers until the subsidy policy ends by 2020."



He said the Nanjing plant has achieved about 70 percent capacity and will soon reach 100 percent. "It stings that we are not selling to China, even when with the increased factory operation rate in the country," Park said. "But we can sell the products in other regions or allocate the manufacturing capacity for electricity storage systems."



Park also stressed the importance of market diversification.



"There are other markets such as the United States, Europe and India," he said. "China indeed is an important market. But we are dealing with more than 30 partners globally. We can continue to grow based on such a solid client portfolio."
A model introduces SK Telecom's voice-recognition digital assistant device NUGU. The company said the device will be updated to be compatible with IBM's AI service Watson and in the future will be able to understand English. / Courtesy of SK Telecom



By Yoon Sung-won



Telecom companies are expediting their race to create artificial intelligence (AI) businesses by setting up divisions dedicated to them.



SK Telecom recently established an AI business unit directly under the management of its CEO Park Jung-ho. The company said the unit will supervise its AI business applicable to technology development, service planning and business expansion.



The CEO of the nations' largest mobile telecom company pledged to actively seek change in future businesses.



"The new AI business unit will help us get over the stage of survival, and sustain growth by leading the paradigm in new information and communication technology," Park said. "We have determined that it is the most urgent task for us to concentrate our capabilities in a certain area."



The new AI business unit will be headed by SK Planet's CTO Lee Sang-ho. The research and development division for AI technologies will also be divided into two for better efficiency, the company said.



SK Holdings C&C's digital transformation President Lee Ho-soo has been appointed as the head of SK Telecom's information and communication technology unit. Accordingly, collaboration between SK Holdings C&C, which Park used to lead until recently, and the telecom company based on the former's AI-based enterprise system platform Aibril is also expected to gain momentum.



SK Telecom said it started developing AI-related technologies in 2012. Last September, it released a voice-recognizing digital assistant service called NUGU. It will be updated to be compatible with IBM's AI service Watson to support English in the future. The telecom company has had more than 70,000 NUGUs downloaded seven months since its release.



The telecom firm said it will also push for peripheral business areas in the AI sector such as autonomous-driving, the internet of things and digital assistant services.



SK Telecom's archrival KT also strengthened its AI business by establishing a new unit during reorganization in January.



The company has made what it calls the AI Tech Center under its Future Convergence Office. The new unit will focus solely on the research and development of AI technologies as well as strategy planning for AI businesses.



KT's new AI business unit has been focused on research as it integrates separate departments for features such as voice recognition and analysis. Its goal is to develop a profitable AI business model and launch services soon, it said.



Accordingly, the unit will first push for expanding its services portfolio compatible with its voice-recognition digital assistant GiGA Genie platform and its internet protocol TV (IPTV) service.



Launched this January, GiGA Genie has integrated the conventional voice-recognizing digital assistant with the IPTV platform. Users are provided with both audio and visual information by the digital assistant.





Models promote KT's voice-recognition digital assistant device GiGA Genie. The telecom company said the device integrates a set-top box for internet protocol television (IPTV) service. / Courtesy of KT



LG Uplus launched its AI services business unit earlier than its two competitors. The unit has some 80 employees in three sectors  services, platforms and devices.



The nation's smallest telecom company has yet to release an AI-based digital assistant service. It plans to do so within the first half of this year.



LG Uplus also plans to cooperate with group affiliate LG Electronics in the AI services business. LG Electronics has established partnerships with Google and Amazon these. As the electronics maker has already introduced Amazon's digital assistant technology Alexa in its home appliances, including refrigerators, it has applied Google Assistant on its flagship G6 smartphone.



An industry source said LG Uplus will need to collaborate with LG Electronics or a third-party partner to secure core AI technology.



"AI services need multifold base technologies such as machine learning and natural language processing. But researching them from scratch will require too much time for LG Uplus to keep up with the pace of competition," the source said.



Banks adopt intelligent systems



Banks are also pushing to introduce AI-based technologies for sustainable business growth.



One of the examples is the robot adviser (RA) service. Shinhan Bank launched its RA mobile asset management service, dubbed M-Folio, last November.



RA services have been considered to be useful for venture capitalists as their advice is based on investment patterns and solid information, not on expectations of humans.



Woori Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, the Industrial Bank of Korea and NH NongHyup Bank are also gearing up to introduce RA services.



Shinhan has also introduced machine learning big data analysis technology, credit evaluation modeling and financial transaction monitoring systems.



Woori Bank has released a voice-recognizing smart banking service named SORi. Users can give verbal orders to the system. The lender expects that the new banking system will be particularly helpful for elderly customers who are not familiar with smart devices.
Visitors try out Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus at a Best Buy store in Union Square in Manhattan, New York, Thursday. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kang Seung-woo

NEW YORK  Pre-orders for Samsung Electronics' brand new premium Galaxy S8 smartphone are off to a good start, thanks to rave reviews, according to Best Buy, an electronics appliance retailer.

The standard S8 with a 5.8-inch display and the S8 Plus with a 6.2-inch screen have been made available to early adopters here at Best Buy stores among others since March 30 -- one day after Samsung unveiled its latest flagship handset.

Pre-orders for the S8 and S8 Plus in Korea are scheduled to begin from April 7 to 17 and the earlier start in the United States indicates high demand for the smartphones amid Samsung's efforts to promote them in the world's biggest market.

"Consumers are excited about the S8. They want to see its camera and its large screen," said a staff member at a Best Buy store in Manhattan's Union Square.

The store received eight pre-orders for the S8 in the two hours after it became available on March 30, he noted.

The Best Buy store did not further elaborate on the specific number of pre-orders. But other employees handling the Samsung smartphone tallied similar numbers.

"Visitors asked the most about its battery like where it was built and whether you can take it out. Also, they asked about its water resistance, camera and screen resolution, and how much memory it can store," said another Best Buy employee.

One of the biggest new additions to the S8 is Bixby, an artificial intelligent (AI) interface. This has helped promote the new smartphone.

"Bixby is a big help. People heard things about it, but they have not been able to really put it together because no one has seen it before," said the Best Buy employee.

"Now that we have it on the phone and are able to show it off, there is a lot of interest."

All U.S. customers who pre-order the Samsung phones will get a Gear VR headset with a new handheld controller for free, plus $50 Oculus content, according to Samsung.



Rave reviews

Samsung's high-end phones since its ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 last year received two thumbs-up.

"The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus phones unveiled today will make you forget all about the Note 7 debacle," IT magazine Wired said.

Tech website Gizmodo said, "The Galaxy S8 looks like the phone Samsung has been trying to build for the last few years. The integration of Bixby, its newly acquired AI assistant, lets Samsung compete with Google and Apple in a new and, at least for Samsung, unprecedented way."

Samsung and Best Buy have teamed up to promote Samsung brands. They have opened five Samsung Experience Shops since March 2013. Visitors can explore and interact with the tech firm's mobile products there.

"Samsung's Galaxy smartphones have gained recognition in the U.S. in a very short time thanks to Best Buy's support," said Ban Sang-moon, a retail operations manager at Samsung Electronics America.

"We will closely work and cooperate with Best Buy in order for the new Galaxy S8 to achieve success and make it our consumers' most favorite smartphone."
By Jhoo Dong-chan

Workers' pay at the nation's big three shipbuilders nosedived during last year's restructuring amid the global decline in demand.

At Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), the average annual salary plunged 15 million won ($13,410) to 60 million won, the largest drop among the three, according to company reports.

DSME also cut executive salaries by 20 to 30 percent during the second half of last year because of liquidity problems. The company's managing directors' salaries were cut by 10 to 15 percent.

The ailing shipbuilder also had a massive layoff program to reduce its workforce to around 10,000.

The nation's largest shipyard, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), reported that the average salary for its workers was 67.18 million won last year, compared with the previous year's 78.27 million won.

The decline was largely attributed to the company's decision to scrap fixed overtime working hours because of the decline in orders, an HHI official said.

HHI also had a so-called "voluntary retirement program" last year to cut its workforce. Its average length of service is now around 15 years, in stark contrast to its average of 20 years in the 1990s.

The average pay for workers at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) was 68 million won last year, down 3 million won from the previous year. SHI also cut executive salaries by 30 percent, while managing directors suffered a 20 percent reduction.

The company's annual incentive payment was also scrapped last year due to poor sales performance.

"Shipyard employees were once the envy of all Korean workers for their high salaries, but it isn't the case anymore," an industry insider said.

"Such gloomy sentiments in the shipyards are reflected in the local economy. Ulsan, the home of HHI and the richest city in the country, is no longer as economically lively as it used to be. The real estate business there is now the slowest ever."

Due to an industry slump and subsequent decline in demand, Japanese shipyards are reportedly on the verge of overtaking Korean shipyards in order backlogs and market share, while the latter has suffered multitrillion-won operating losses for the past several years.
This is the second in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.

By Park Jae-hyuk





Bulgari Korea CEO Lee Hyun-kyung

Bulgari has been globally known as one of the most socially responsible luxury brands for its various activities like its partnership with Save the Children. The Italian brand, however, seems to act differently in Korea.

The brand specializing in jewelry and fragrances has continued to emphasize its ideal of "sustainable development" for global society as it notes on its official website the definition of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

"CSR is about balancing social, environmental and economic values into the core strategy and operations of a company, in order to improve management of business risks and opportunities while enhancing long-term social and environmental sustainability," it says.

But Bulgari seemingly does not apply these ideals to Korea where the fashion brand has profited handsomely. In particular, Bulgari Korea does not have a donation category on its financial statements, which means it does not donate at all.

Instead, the local affiliate, which is led by CEO Lee Hyun-kyung, distributed 73 percent of its net profits to shareholders in 2014, causing criticisms that its Italian headquarters holding 100 percent share of Bulgari Korea regards the Korean market as an automatic cash machine.
This is the third in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.

By Park Jae-hyuk





Hermes Korea CEO Han Seung-hun

Hermes has long been regarded by Koreans as one of the three top luxury brands, along with Chanel and Louis Vuitton. The French fashion house, however, has been long-criticized for making ill use of its high standing, given its negligent attitudes toward retailers and consumers.

This month, the Seoul High Court ruled against Hermes in favor of Korean fashion brand PLAYNOMORE in a copyright lawsuit filed by the French luxury brand, reversing a previous ruling.

Last May, a Seoul district court accepted Hermes's claim that the Korean company's Shy Family and Shy Girl bags infringed on the design of Hermes's signature Birkin and Kelly bags and ordered PLAYNOMORE to pay Hermes 100 million won ($87,000) in damages.

However, the appellate court said PLAYNOMORE's unique "cartoon-eyes" design represents the bags' identity, noting the partial similarity in design is not enough to prove the claim that the Korean brand violated the laws regarding fair trade and freedom of competition.

"I hope major brands will not file indiscriminate lawsuits against small local brands anymore," said Kim Chae-yeon, designer and founder of PLAYNOMORE.
This is the fourth in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.

By Park Jae-hyuk





Chanel Chairman Alain Wertheimer

Chanel has enjoyed long-lasting popularity among Korean consumers as one of the top three luxury brands, along with Hermes and Louis Vuitton. The fate of its employees in Korea, however, may not be luxurious at all.

According to Chanel Korea, Friday, the company carried out large-scale restructuring last year, which appears to have caused a mass resignation of employees who were working for its marketing and sales departments.

Back then, the Korean branch of the French fashion house said it integrated the department store and duty free divisions into a single unit, which it says was designed to keep up with the rapidly evolving business environment.

"This integration impacted very few positions," a Chanel Korea spokesman said. "As a responsible employer, we supported the people with the highest standards following our usual social policy."

The spokesman denied the possibility of additional restructuring, but industry sources expect that another large-scale shuffle will take place this year. The sources said that employees in finance and personnel divisions are highly likely to be the next targets.

To the chagrin of Chanel Korea employees, the massive payroll cut was not because the Seoul affiliate yielded poor results. Over the past few years, the firm has enjoyed increases in sales at major department stores here and last year it chalked up a double-digit growth.
This is the fifth in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.





Louis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke

By Park Jae-hyuk

Louis Vuitton became highly popular with young Korean women a few years ago for its "relatively" low prices compared to two other top luxury brands  Hermes and Chanel. However, the popularity of the global fashion house seems to be fading.

According to industry officials, Tuesday, Louis Vuitton's sales growth has been decreasing at major department stores in Korea for years. Its sales even contracted at a department store last year, while Hermes and Chanel chalked up a double-digit growth at the same store.

The company's representative also admitted that some of its sales channels face setbacks although specific figures are not disclosed.

"Although Louis Vuitton saw its sales go down at some outlets, its overall sales still increased last year," said a spokeswoman of Wellcom Associates, a PR agent for Louis Vuitton Korea.

Louis Vuitton Korea had enjoyed double-digit growth in sales until six years ago. Thanks to the popularity, the luxury brand has exerted its influence on the nation's leading retailers, especially those who operate duty free shops.

For example, Dongwha Duty Free Shop is having a hard time because of a rumor that its outlet will be up for sale, after Louis Vuitton withdrew last December from the country's first downtown duty free outlet for the first time in 26 years.

Hyundai Department Store faced a backlash last November as well, for claiming Louis Vuitton would open a shop at its envisioned duty free store, which was dismissed later by the sales agent for the brand.
This is the sixth in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.





Swatch Group Korea representative director Christophe Savioz

By Park Jae-hyuk

The Swatch Group has attracted a wide range of consumers in Korea, offering various watch brands addressing all segments of the market  from luxury range Breguet, Blancpain and Omega to mid- and basic-range Tissot, Mido and Swatch.

As an employer, however, the Korean branch of the world's largest watchmaker appears not to be so popular here.

According to corporate assessment platform Job Planet, Friday, more than 60 percent of former and incumbent employees of Swatch Group Korea did not recommend working for the company, rating it a 2.5 out of 5 in satisfaction level.

"The company enjoys a high level of brand equity, but it lacks a reasonable business management system," a Swatch Group Korea worker commented.

A former employee also said, "Managers are reluctant to share important information and they unilaterally order tasks without caring much about teamwork."

The group by no means is silent on its commitment to its staff. On its official website, it highlights the welfare of its employees and the conservation of the natural environment as its two most important corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles.
This is the seventh in a series highlighting operations of foreign luxury brands in Korea.  ED.





Gucci Group Korea President Karim Fettous

By Park Jae-hyuk

Gucci has recently recovered its reputation in the leather goods market, after appointing Alessandro Michele as creative director in 2015. Its global sales rose 17 percent in the third quarter last year, while other luxury brands suffered under the long-term economic slowdown.

Taking advantage of its high popularity, however, the Italian fashion house is suspected of having discriminated against consumers in Korea in terms of pricing policy.

According to industry officials, Friday, the luxury brand cut the prices of its goods by up to 8 percent in Japan last September, while raising the prices of handbags and jewelry marketed in Korea last year by 6 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively.

"Considering multiple factors including tax, tariffs and transport cost, our global head office has set product prices appropriate for each country," a Gucci Group Korea spokesman said.

But the explanation doesn't seem persuasive enough for Korean consumers who are irritated by the inconsistent pricing policy. Against this backdrop, some resort to overseas direct purchases as a more reasonable choice for getting Gucci products.

Korea Consumer Agency data showed last year that Gucci was the most frequently purchased foreign luxury brand through overseas online shopping malls. Respondents preferred buying Gucci to Prada or Chanel, and said the online malls offer 27.4 percent lower prices on average than domestic outlets.

"Overseas direct purchases are merely consumer choice," the spokesman said. "Mentioning the issue seems unrelated to us."

Industry sources said prices of most luxury brands sold here are confidentially decided by global head offices. They said duty free shops or department stores accommodating the brands cannot influence the prices.
The Director General of the Geneva based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Dr. Francis Gurry has commended Sri Lankas efforts to draft a national policy on Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) and has expressed hope that the WIPO supported twin national and cross-regional workshops on this theme to be held in Colombo in April 2017 will lead to legislation that will protect and give value to the intellectual property rights associated with Traditional Knowledge (TK), and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) unique to Sri Lanka. He also praised Sri Lanka for the enhancement of national capacities in several spheres of intellectual property in the country in recent years and for its continued cooperation and active engagement with WIPO.

The Director General made these observations when he met Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Mr. Chinthaka S. Lokuhetti in Geneva on 30th March 2017, on the sidelines of the 37th Session of the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) held from 27-30 March 2017 in Geneva.

Earlier in his address to the Standing Committee Meeting, Secretary Lokuhetti, noted that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved amendments to the Intellectual Property Act No.36 of 2003, which aims to facilitate registration of Geographical Indications in Sri Lanka and safeguard the interests of the producers and exports of Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon. The proposed amendment as an interim measure to protect Geographical Indications (GIs) has now been gazetted, and will be tabled in Parliament shortly and National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO) is making preparations to issue GI registration certificates accordingly.

Secretary Lokuhetti also met with Mr. Minelik Getahun, Assistant Director General of the Global Issues Sector of WIPO who has been invited by the Government of Sri Lanka to participate in the national workshop and G-15 member States workshop on Traditional Knowledge, and Sri Lankas celebration of World IP Day to be held in the week of 24th April 2016 in Colombo. The visit of Mr. Getahun will be the most high-level official visit from WIPO since the visit of DG Gurrys visit to Sri Lanka in November 2013, when a 10 Point GoSL-WIPO Intellectual Property Action Plan was initiated, and under which significant progress has been made in all spheres of cooperation.

The Secretary also met the Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific of WIPO, Mr. Andrew Michael Ong, where the support of WIPO was sought in the formulation of the national IP policy for Sri Lanka, accession to Madrid Protocol, development of IP Hubs within Sri Lanka and in strengthening the capacity of the National IP office (NIPO), in terms of structure, human resources and skills, including the development of middle level management. It was agreed that relevant officials from Sri Lanka undertake a Study Visit to the Republic of Korea in June 2017, with the objective of learning from the best practices in establishing a coherent IP strategy.

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ambassador R.D.S. Kumararatne, Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO), Mrs. Geethanjali Ranawaka, Second Secretary of the Geneva Mission Ms. Dilini Gunasekera, and Mr. Gihan Indraguptha, Head of the G-15 Secretariat were associated in the discussions.

Press release in PDF

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Geneva

31 March 2017
When Taiwanese menswear brand SST&C opened its first U.S. store last year, the company bypassed glitzy shopping hubs such as Beverly Hills or South Coast Plaza in favor of a mall tucked into the San Gabriel Valley.

What Westfield Santa Anita lacks in name recognition, it makes up for with one huge edge: a growing stable of Asian retailers catering to its well-heeled Asian community.

We thought it would be easier to introduce our brand to Asians than non-Asians, said Claire Wang, general manager of SST&C, which stands for Simple, Style, Trend & Casual Life.

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Since October 2015, Westfield Santa Anita has brought in 26 new retailers and restaurants, about two-thirds of which  16 stores  originated in Asia or are Asian-flavored. The new lineup includes an outpost of Muji, the popular Japanese design store, and Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese chain best known for its soup dumplings.

Westfields evolution comes as malls around the country are struggling with declining traffic and the rise of online shopping. Although thats not a new trend, now its not just big department stores that are dying off; many once-popular brands such as BCBG and Wet Seal are also closing stores.

In January, only 21% of U.S. consumers shopped at an enclosed mall, a 30% plunge from five years ago, according to Britt Beemer, founder of Americas Research Group.

To survive, shopping centers are scrambling to bring in unique stores and restaurants. Thats a big shift from the days when they relied on the same arsenal of retailers selling to longtime consumers who came back season after season.

Some centers are welcoming pop-up shops in an effort to cater to millennials. Others are looking to specialize around a theme  such as home improvement, by bringing in paint and furniture stores.

The malls of the future will be much more diverse than the malls of the past, when every mall had a J.C. Penney or Sears, Beemer said. The only way to win in the long term is to become different, and one way is appeal to an ethnic group.

1 / 19 A man checks out a whole salmon on ice at the EMC Seafood & Raw Bar in the new food court of the Westfield Santa Anita mall on March 24, 2017, in Arcadia. The mall has brought in a variety of Asian retailers and restaurants to appeal to the local Asian community as well as tourists. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 2 / 19 Westfield Santa Anita shoppers dine in the malls new food court in front of The Backhouse on March 24, 2017, in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 3 / 19 Mall visitors walk past paper butterflies hanging inside the Westfield Santa Anita shopping center in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 4 / 19 The Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall in Arcadia has brought in a variety of Asian retailers and restaurants to appeal to the local Asian community as well as tourists. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 5 / 19 Nathan Wong and Michelle Qin, of Temple City, take photos inside the Westfield Santa Anita mall on March 24, 2017. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 6 / 19 Employees make cheesecakes inside Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake, a new offering at the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 7 / 19 An employee prepares a chocolate cheesecake at Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake inside the Westfield Santa Anita mall on March 24, 2017. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 8 / 19 Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake, a new dining option at the Westfield Santa Anita mall in Arcadia, has another location in Hawaii. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 9 / 19 Dumplings are prepared at the Din Tai Fung restaurant inside the Westfield Santa Anita mall on March 24, 2017, in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 10 / 19 Dumplings are steamed inside Din Tai Fung at the Westfield Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. Diners to the Asian restaurant often have a long wait. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 11 / 19 Beads for sale are displayed at Maido Stationery, one of several new Asian retailers at the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 12 / 19 Paper butterflies hang inside the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 13 / 19 Penny Tang, an international student from Hainan, China, browses notebooks at Maido Stationery inside Arcadias Westfield Santa Anita mall. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 14 / 19 Mens clothing is displayed at SST&C, which recently opened a new location inside the Westfield Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 15 / 19 Colorful drawing supplies await shoppers at the Muji retail store in Arcadias Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 16 / 19 Shoppers browse pens for sale at the Muji retail store inside the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall on March 24, 2017, in Arcadia. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 17 / 19 Westfield Santa Anita shoppers browse home goods at the new Muji retail store inside the Arcadia mall. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 18 / 19 Mall visitors walk beneath paper butterflies hanging inside the Westfield Santa Anita shopping center. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) 19 / 19 A riot of colorful paper butterflies hang overhead inside the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

The population of Arcadia, the city where Westfield is located, is nearly 59% Asian, and predominantly Chinese, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Whites, the next biggest group, are a distant second, at 30.3%.)

Arcadias average household income is $110,070, compared with $87,877 for California as a whole.

The mall has changed dramatically in recent years, including a $20-million face-lift that wrapped up in 2014. That makeover included a outdoor play space for kids, new seating and fresh flooring.

William Hecht, chief operating officer at Westfield, said the updates are part of a concerted effort to evolve along with the local neighborhood. He said foot traffic and sales rose after the mall freshened up and brought in new retailers, though he declined to give details.

There is definitely a large Asian community there that in the past we didnt cater to as well as we liked, Hecht said. The plan was to bring in unique retailers and retailers that appeal to those that reside and work in that demographic area.

SST&Cs Wang said malls in Asia have to be adaptable because they often have high turnover as brands swiftly open and close. That keeps the shopping experience exciting for consumers. On the other hand, American malls, Wang said, are used to keeping the same anchor stores for decades.

Its the environment  shoppers like to come here to find new things, Wang said. We thought only Asians would buy our clothes, but its not the case. Up to half of its customers are Asian, she said, but around 40% are white.

Since its October launch, monthly sales at the SST&C store in Arcadia have climbed to about $50,000, Wang said. There is still lots of room to grow, she said. The chains stores in Taiwan  which at about 700 square feet are much smaller than Arcadias 2,000 square feet  rake in similar amounts per month.

Were just getting started in the U.S., Wang said. We havent done any advertising or marketing yet, like we do in Taiwan. We want to be the place where guys shop for their prom suits.

SST&C has opened up a second store in Los Cerritos Center in January and is eyeing other locations, some in areas with a heavy Asian demographic.

Westfield Santa Anita has also focused on bringing in restaurants  mostly of the Asian variety  to draw in shoppers who want to eat and shop in one place. Last year, the mall built a second-floor hall that customers have nicknamed Food Alley.

Alley eateries are sandwiched close together, resembling traditional food complexes known as hawker centers that are popular in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. The decor includes a bike piled sky-high with boxes, which is reminiscent of bike couriers in Asia who haul around jaw-dropping loads.

Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake chose the alley to locate its first continental U.S. spot.

Its in the same theme as Din Tai Fung and other brands that are well-established in Asia, but emerging in the United States, said Glenn Inanaga, senior vice president of Panda Restaurant Group. The company behind fast-food chain Panda Express is Uncle Tetsus American franchisee.

We were trying to find places where people might be familiar with the brand, he said.

Business so far has exceeded our expectations, Inanaga said. Panda is currently mulling offering additional cheesecake flavors and new products such as a Japanese cheese tart (which resembles an egg tart).

Shopper Christine Chen, 32, said she likes introducing non-Asian friends to the malls cuisines, which includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Malaysian. It helps that the alley  which Chen jokingly refers to as the Asian hipster section  isnt as overwhelming as many Chinatowns can be.

You would never imagine something like this in a Westfield mall, said Chen, a doctor in Temple City. But youve got to cater to the community. Who has the money here? Asians.

Other mall developers have eyed the prosperous Arcadia market over the years. Rick Caruso, the mall magnate behind the Grove and the Americana at Brand, fought a multiyear battle to build a huge open-air shopping center right next to the Santa Anita race track before finally withdrawing in 2011.

The project, called the Shops at Santa Anita, was beset by opposition from some locals and rival Westfield, which forced Caruso to redo an environmental impact study. Westfield also backed ballot initiatives that would have prohibited Shops from charging for parking and limited its signage.

Some Asian brands say that the strategy of clustering together in an Asian community provides a base level of traffic and consumer interest that can be hard to replicate elsewhere.

Muji banked on its very, very strong brand image among Asians when it decided to open in Westfield Santa Anita in January, said Toru Tsunoda, president of Muji USA.

Muji hoped that local Asian shoppers would help prevent what happened at the chains other two Southland locations in Hollywood and Santa Monica, which both enjoyed big debuts but then saw sales drop slightly.

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When we first open a store, it sells very, very well, Tsunoda said. But its very difficult to maintain the business after time passes. So far, sales have been 50% more than expected, with no visible slump.

Having lots of Asians there helped, he said.

The pack of under-the-radar brands is a draw to shoppers of other ethnicities as well.

Caprice Harper, 50, said she grew up in the area, relying on the shopping center as a regular hangout spot back when it had the typical big-box stores.

Now, Harper said she finds coming to the center exhilarating. She especially enjoys looking at the exotic fare at Chinese grocer Wing Hop Fung, which sells delicacies like birds nest ($1,899 for the biggest box) and dried sea cucumber ($268 per pound).

Its like going to another country, said Harper, an archaeologist at the California Department of Transportation.

shan.li@latimes.com

Follow Shan on Twitter @ByShanLi

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Gary Austin, who founded the Los Angeles improv company the Groundlings  a troupe that launched the careers of Paul Reubens, Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow and Melissa McCarthy  died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. at age 75 after battling cancer.

The Groundlings shared the news of Austins death on its Facebook page, writing, Thank you for giving us a dream, a voice, a legacy and a family.

Turning to improv and stand-up comedy after earning a degree in theater arts at San Francisco State in 1964, Austin, a native of Oklahoma, cut his sketch-comedy teeth as a member of the San Francisco troupe the Committee. He later relocated to L.A. and founded the nonprofit Groundlings company in 1974, assembling its members out of a series of workshops he had launched in a Hollywood theater two years earlier.

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The troupes name came from the Shakespearean era: Audiences who watched performances while standing in the theater yard because they couldnt afford seats were called groundlings.

1 / 1 Lauren Burns, Greg Worwick, Chris Eckert and Matt Cook perform in a skit called Mad Tea Party. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

With Austin as its artistic director, the Groundlings approach to comedy was decidedly cutting-edge. In an article in The Times prior to the official debut of the Groundlings, then-Times theater critic Sylvie Drake predicted, This could be the start of something big.

Indeed, it wasnt long before the Groundlings influence was being felt across the comedy world, and its membership quickly grew. Among its earliest members were such future stars as Craig T. Nelson, Tim Matheson and Pat Morita.

When Lorne Michaels was casting his new NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live in 1975, he plucked Groundlings member Laraine Newman to be part of the original lineup  the first of several Groundlings to go on to find fame on SNL. Austin himself was invited to join the cast but turned Michaels down to stay with the Groundlings.

The Groundlings has meant everything to my career, Newman told The Times in 2014. The relationship between the Groundlings and Saturday Night Live is so entwined, I believe, because the emphasis on character-driven scenes are the most enduring ones for SNL, and characters are emblematic of the Groundlings style.

Over the years, many memorable characters would spring from the stage of the Groundlings, including Reubens Pee-wee Herman, Cassandra Petersons sultry horror-movie host Elvira, Julia Sweeneys androgynous Pat, and Ferrell and Cheri Oteris irritatingly effervescent cheerleaders.

Austin left the Groundlings in late 1979, going on to serve as artistic director of the Gary Austin Workshops in Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C., but he returned on several occasions over the years to direct Groundlings shows. During decades of teaching improv, his list of students would come to include Paul Feig, Helen Hunt, Jennifer Gray, Mindy Sterling and Lindsay Crouse.

Austin is survived by his wife, Wenndy MacKenzie; his daughter, Audrey Moore; a sister, two brothers, a grandson and three great-grandchildren.

josh.rottenberg@latimes.com

Twitter: @joshrottenberg

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Lufthansa's A350-900 fleet in Munich is growing once again  the third A350-900 landed yesterday at its new home base. With the addition of this third member to the fleet, Lufthansa will also be adding Mumbai to the A350-900 flight schedule.

The first flight to the Indian metropolis is planned for 15 April.

At Airbus, the new aircraft carried the production serial number MSN087 and will now fly for Lufthansa under the international registration number D-AIXC. The A350-900 is currently the world's most advanced and most environmentally-friendly long-haul aircraft. It uses 25 percent less kerosene, produces 25 percent fewer emissions and is significantly quieter on take-off than comparable types of aircraft. In February the first of fifteen aircraft arrived in Munich to be stationed there. The A350-900 has capacity to carry 293 passengers  48 passengers in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy Class and 224 in Economy Class.
Wonder Woman took center stage at Anaheims WonderCon on Saturday. The comic book convention packed the arena for the Warner Bros. panel with a crowd thirsty for new footage of Diana Prince in action. The studio was happy to oblige, with just a taste of whats to come with the movies June premiere. But would the comic book aficionados be pleased?

Unfortunately, the titular character (played by Gal Gadot) was absent from the festivities, but director Patty Jenkins and executive producer Geoff Johns (who is also the Chief Creative Officer at DC Comics) were on hand to answer (a few) questions from the fans. First, they discussed at length what they believed was the essence of Wonder Woman.

Heres everything we gleaned from the event:

Wonder Womans warrior origin story is a major part of the film

Jenkins was adamant that the audience see Dianas transformation into a champion, so the movie will be loaded with training scenes. Shes going to be pushed beyond her super-strength, so learning the rules of fighting would set up Wonder Woman beyond the superpowers she was already blessed with.

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[Wonder Woman] is the best fighter in the DC universe, Johns added.

What makes the Amazonian warrior different from the rest of the superheroes? Love.

Jenkins and Johns spent a lot of time discussing the character and, despite her formidable fighting skills, Diana is and always will be about love. Its what makes her unique in the DC universe.

Shes not the only character who has a strong moral compass and a belief system, of course, but what I like about her is that that is her mission, said Jenkins. Her mission is a belief of mankind and what they can be. I feel like there are a lot of superheroes who are chosen or find themselves in these positions. Shes one of the very few who believes in goodness and kindness and justice and love, who comes to our world hoping to instill that in other people, but is willing to use force if thats what she must do, to keep mankind safe.

This superhero craze isnt a fad  its classic storytelling with a cape on

Jenkins lighted up when discussing the current fervor.

Its so much bigger than that, she said. Its not about superheroes. This is the method of universal storytelling that all people have. To me theyre the same as the Greek myths, or the Roman myths or religious figures of every religion. These are common characters that we use to express stories about being a better person or what you would do when faced with various things. To me, thats an incredibly powerful thing. There are a million movies to be told with comic characters.

Dont call Chris Pine a sidekick

Chris Pine, who is playing Diana Princes love interest, Steve Trevor, doesnt get title billing in this film, but Jenkins doesnt want people to think of him only as a secondary character. He brings the comic relief, [the] love story and symbolizes the depth of man, Jenkins said.

Wonder Woman pays homage to Richard Donners Superman

One clip screened at the presentation showed Prince and Trevor ambushed by a group of nattily attired bad guys on the streets of London, and it is absolutely loaded with hat tips to the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve.

The duo duck into an alley to ditch their pursuers and accidentally wind up with the barrel of a gun pointed at their heads in a scene very similar to one in which Clark Kent (Reeve) and Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) are mugged leaving the Daily Planet in the Donner classic. The homages dont stop there.

The scene continued with Trevor standing in front of Prince, ready to take a bullet for her, which almost perfectly mimics the poses from Lane and Kent. But as the villain shoots its Diana (and her Wonder Woman bracelets) who deflects the shot. Quite the gender role reversal.

Jenkins admitted that she was very influenced by the live-action Superman. I was 7 years old when the movie premiered, she said. I was Superman. I was that character who ripped his shirt open.

The lasso of truth will get a little action

Also making an appearance in the above scene, the golden lasso of truth. Fans have waited a long time to see this iconic Wonder Woman accessory in play. Even though the footage didnt show the lassos influence over its hostage, it did glow a lovely golden hue, which made the crowd go absolutely bonkers.

Jenkins will throw down over her love of Wonder Woman

Taking a question from the audience, Jenkins was asked if she felt pressure to go against the grain or take risks. The director took the question as a jumping-off point to address her commitment to the project.

Being the person who gets to make a movie about Wonder Woman, of course, I take that incredibly seriously, she said. I am a huge Wonder Woman fan, and the aspiration comes totally naturally to me. Nothing about DC or nothing about the world or nothing about anything could change that pressure. I want to make great films in my lifetime, and I really want to make a great film about Wonder Woman. Who should make a great movie about Wonder Woman? It should be somebody who loves Wonder Woman. And I know that Im that. So lets go and try.

Classic Wonder Woman canon reigns

For fans worried that the new iteration of Wonder Woman could abandon all back story and source material, Johns reassured the crowd that there are some things in the ethos of this character that will remain unchanged.

All the Wonder Women!  Director Patty Jenkins surprises fans at today's #WonderWoman Cosplay Meetup! #WonderCon pic.twitter.com/hctSgbKKZw  Wonder Woman (@WonderWomanFilm) April 1, 2017

He listed Themyscira [Wonder Womans homeland], the magic lasso, the Amazons and Steve Trevor as unchangeable story points. It would be like removing Krypton from Supermans back story.

However, its still a movie, so it cant possibly be a literal translation of the original comic, which was only a few pages long.

Overall, the audience seemed cautiously optimistic and definitely perked up when the classic comic elements were brought to life. Johns has high hopes and sees the Wonder Woman arm-cross pose as the next Superman hands-on-hips iconic superhero moment.

Arms crossed for Wonder Woman.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

Comic-Con 2016  On Now Cast of 'American Gods' drop divine secrets on the new Starz series On Now Liam Cunningham and Isaac Hempstead on finding the humor in 'Game of Thrones' On Now Acting opposite a giant Hollywood monster on 'Kong: Skull Island' On Now Luc Besson takes us inside his next space odyssey 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' On Now Norman Reedus on the secret Walking Dead' cast Comic-Con ritual On Now The cast of 'Orphan Black' reveal what they want to see resolved in the series finale On Now 'Supergirl' cast on inspiring little girls to pick up a cape of their own On Now Video: Comic-Con: Wishing there could be a body swap between Fitz and Mac on 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'... On Now Charlie Hunnam on the hyper-stylized antics of 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' On Now Comic-Con: Ana Gasteyer and Wyatt Cenac on 'People of Earth'

meredith.woerner@latimes.com

Twitter: @MdellW

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After approving federal disaster funds to help California counties recover from weeks of flooding in January, President Trump has extended the aid to include damage from storms in February.

The decision will make aid available to 42 counties where winter storms, flooding and mudslides have damaged homes and other property.

After five years of drought, last winter brought relief to the state, creating one of the largest snowpacks in Californias recorded history.

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But the weeks of heavy rain and snow that blanketed the Sierra Nevada also inundated low-lying cities and towns along the Sacramento and Russian rivers. In January, several people died in weather-related incidents, and a number of hillsides collapsed and closed off mountain passes.

In response, 34 counties and the Hoopa Valley tribe sought federal assistance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agency announced that up to 75% of the recovery costs could be covered by federal funds and that additional assistance might be available to prevent further damage.

But the rain didnt stop falling.

In February, one of the most powerful storms to hit Southern California in years flooded freeways, triggered dramatic mudslides and downed hundreds of trees and power lines. At least four people died, including a man who was electrocuted by a downed power line in Sherman Oaks. In Victorville, rescuers found a person dead inside a submerged vehicle, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

The presidents latest disaster declaration, announced on Sunday, will cover damage incurred from Feb. 1 to 23.

anna.phillips@latimes.com

Twitter: @annamphillips
If a November ballot measure to speed up executions goes into effect, the California Supreme Court will have to decide hundreds of death penalty appeals in rapid succession.

That mandate would turn the states highest court into what analysts say would be a death penalty court, forced for years to devote about 90% of its time to capital appeals.

Proposition 66, sponsored by prosecutors and passed by 51% of voters, gave judicial leaders 1 years to make new legal rules and then five years to decide a crushing backlog of appeals.

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Prop. 66 would require the California Supreme Court to decide virtually nothing but death penalty appeals for at least the next five years  almost no civil cases at all and no criminal cases other than capital murder, said Jon Eisenberg, president of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

Legal analysts and four bar associations say the measure would inundate all the courts with extra work but hit the top courts seven justices hardest.

In a friend-of-the-court brief, 11 law professors and a nonprofit legal center contended Proposition 66 would grind the wheels of justice to a halt in California.

Death penalty advocates acknowledge the measure would mean extra work for the courts, but say that it is necessary to fix a system that has produced the largest death row in the country and no executions in more than a decade.

The time limit that is built into Prop. 66 is completely unworkable.  Kirk C. Jenkins, appellate lawyer

They contend the workload will be tolerable, and that the courts will have some flexibility in meeting the deadlines.

The California Supreme Court is considering whether the measure can go into effect.

Two opponents of the measure sued in November, contending it illegally usurped the powers of the judicial branch and violated a constitutional rule that says ballot measures must deal with one subject only.

The California Supreme Court put the measure on hold until the justices resolve the case, probably within the next few months.

The appellate lawyers academy takes no position on the death penalty but opposed the initiative on the grounds that it would disrupt the courts and prevent litigants in civil matters from having their cases decided in a timely manner.

It joined the bar associations of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and San Francisco in a January letter written to the state Supreme Court saying that Proposition 66 threatens to deal a mortal blow to Californias courts.

California law guarantees each death row inmate both an automatic appeal to the California Supreme Court and a separate habeas corpus challenge.

The direct appeal is based on what happened at trial. The habeas raises issues that were not reflected in the trial transcript, such as newly discovered misconduct by jurors or prosecutors.

The California Supreme Court has been unable to keep pace with these cases.

Given a backlog of more than 300 death penalty appeals already at the court, the justices would have to decide at least 66 of them each year for the next several years just to catch up, Eisenberg said.

Calculations based on the courts typical annual production indicate the justices would be spending 90% of their time on capital cases, Eisenberg said. Civil case rulings would decline from about 50 a year to just a handful, he said.

That leaves virtually no time for anything other than death penalty cases, Eisenberg said.

Lower courts, as well as the California Supreme Court, would be disrupted, the bar associations said.

The measure would require Superior Court judges to appoint lawyers to handle habeas corpus challenges and to decide those cases quickly.

The letter noted that 110 condemned inmates from Los Angeles County would have to be given lawyers within a year. The clock would start once the Judicial Council, the policymaking body for the court, establishes rules to implement the initiative.

We are not aware of there being 110 qualified capital habeas corpus practitioners within the Los Angeles County area, the letter said.

Kirk C. Jenkins, an appellate lawyer who studies and writes about the California Supreme Court for the law firm Sedgwick LLP, said the bar associations were right.

The time limit that is built into Prop. 66 is completely unworkable, and that is not a matter of ones position on the death penalty, Jenkins said. It is simply unworkable.

The only way to meet the deadlines of Proposition 66 would be for the court to get out of the business of deciding civil cases at least for several years, Jenkins said.

UC Berkeleys David A. Carrillo, director of a center that studies the California Constitution, described the initiative as a new unfunded mandate.

There is no way the courts can get through the existing backlog in five years with their current resources, Carrillo said.

Law enforcement groups have filed several friend-of-the-court briefs in favor of the initiative, arguing that voters have made their will clear.

California voters have elected to retain the death penalty every time the issue has been placed before them, the leaders of several county prosecutor groups reminded the court in one brief.

The lawsuit against the measure named the Judicial Council as a defendant, forcing Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Justice Ming W. Chin to recuse themselves from the case. The chief justice heads the council, and Chin serves on it.

Two of the five other justices will appear for confirmation on next years statewide ballot: Justice Carol A. Corrigan, one of the more conservative members, and Justice Leondra Kruger, appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown two years ago.

California voters have voted down justices on the ballot only once. The issue was the death penalty.

Despite the abiding and long-standing will of the voters, death penalty opponents have used the legal process as a mechanism to frustrate imposition of the death penalty, the prosecutors argued in their brief.

Lawyers on both sides of the debate expect the court to hold a hearing on the case. Two justices from intermediate courts of appeal likely would be asked to fill in for the recused justices

Kent Scheidegger, who helped write Proposition 66, said the portrait of court chaos predicted by the bar associations and some analysts was overblown.

Although the measure would require the California Supreme Court to move quickly to dispatch the backlog of capital appeals, the initiative would also shift initial responsibility for habeas challenges from the high court to trial judges, he noted.

That provision, Scheidegger argued, would save the court time.

Rulings by Superior Court judges on those cases would likely be appealed to intermediate appellate courts and up to the state Supreme Court, but Scheidegger said the trial judges would do the heavy lifting.

I know that all judges hate time limits, but I do think that moving the habeas cases is a reform that most of the justices probably would agree with, said Scheidegger, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which advocates for the death penalty.

Even if the Supreme Court were to strike down the measures deadlines, other requirements of the initiative would still speed up executions, he said.

He cited a provision that would limit public review of the states lethal injection method. Legal challenges involving the method have kept the execution chamber empty since 2006.

Eighteen inmates who have exhausted their appeals could be executed immediately once that part of the initiative took effect, he said.

Former El Dorado County Supervisor Ron Briggs and the late former Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, who filed the lawsuit, argued that the entire measure should be tossed because it violated the rule limiting initiatives to a single subject.

In addition to setting new deadlines and easing approval of an execution protocol, Proposition 66 would require death-row inmates to work to pay compensation to victims families and bar medical associations from disciplining doctors who participate in executions.

It also would place a state agency assigned to represent death row inmates under California Supreme Court control and permit the corrections department to distribute condemned inmates among the general prison population.

The law says a measures provisions must be reasonably germane to the purpose of the initiative.

Polls show support for the death penalty in California has declined since 1986, when voters ousted the late Chief Justice Rose Bird and two colleagues after a campaign that charged they were not enforcing capital punishment.

Still, voters narrowly rejected a 2012 ballot measure to abolish capital punishment and turned down a similar initiative in November, with 53% of voters opposed.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

maura.dolan@latimes.com

Twitter: @mauradolan

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Moments after gunfire erupted at a Boyle Heights intersection, Los Angeles police officers spotted a man walking away from the area.

The officers tried to stop him, the LAPD said, but he ran and pulled a gun from his waistband, prompting police to shoot. The man was struck in the chest and died in an alley.

The officers were wearing body cameras, which are intended to add clarity to controversial moments in policing  including these types of shootings.

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The problem: The cameras werent on.

Last Saturdays shooting was at least the second this year in which body cameras worn by LAPD officers werent recording when they fired their guns. Since the department launched its ambitious 7,000-camera deployment in August 2015, there have been at least four shootings in which officers didnt have their cameras on at the time, according to a Times review of LAPD statements and reports.

Those cases underscore a growing predicament as more law enforcement agencies deploy body cameras. While the use of the technology has increased, so have examples in which the cameras werent on when they were supposed to be.

L.A. police commissioners have signaled concerns about the issue, directing the LAPD to put together a report explaining how often officers are activating their cameras. So far, 2,800 cameras worn by LAPD officers citywide have collected more than 1 million recordings, including some from a handful of other shootings by police.

LAPD brass acknowledged that failing to turn on body-worn cameras before a critical incident is a concern and said it is trying to remedy the issue. But, officials believe instances in which the cameras are left off are generally the result of a lack of familiarity with the devices or the stress of a dangerous encounter rather than a deliberate decision not to activate them.

Similar failures by officers are bedeviling police agencies around the country.

Last fall in Washington, D.C., demonstrators questioned why an officer did not activate his body camera until after he fatally shot Terrence Sterling, a controversial killing in which some witnesses disputed the police account that the 31-year-old intentionally crashed his motorcycle into a police cruiser before he was shot.

The year before, an Alabama police department attracted national headlines after revealing that an officer didnt turn on his camera before fatally shooting a mentally ill man who rushed at the officer with a spoon.

In Alameda County, sheriffs deputies who beat a man in a San Francisco alley in 2015 were wearing body cameras but only one was activated  by accident. A few months later, the Sheriffs Department made it mandatory to turn on the cameras.

They advertised, We have these things and theyre going to produce these wonderful results, and then the public finds out they arent being turned on? Youve really lost credibility, said Samuel Walker, a retired criminal justice professor and expert in police accountability. Thats a very serious problem.

In Los Angeles, the issue has caught the attention of the Police Commission, the five-person panel that oversees the LAPD and reviews every shooting or serious use of force by officers. At the boards most recent meeting on Tuesday  three days after Fred Barragan was killed in Boyle Heights  commissioners grilled LAPD brass on what the department was doing to monitor whether officers were properly activating the devices.

One of the commissioners, Steve Soboroff, said it was increasingly frustrating to review cases in which police officers used force and didnt have their cameras on.

I dont want to find out that theyre off, Soboroff said in an interview. Its such an important piece of evidence.

It is unclear how frequently officers arent turning on the devices during interactions with the public, whether high-profile or routine. LAPD policy requires officers to turn them on before initiating any investigative or enforcement activity with the public or as soon as it is practical and safe to do so.

Assistant Chief Michel Moore said he had seen no evidence that officers are routinely failing to turn on the cameras intentionally, noting that in the few instances in which an officer has deliberately done so, the department has taken action. Those officers can face punishment ranging from a reprimand or demotion to suspension and ultimately termination, according to the LAPDs discipline guidelines.

Moore pointed to a 2015 report  conducted in the first six weeks after the first cameras were deployed  that showed officers in the LAPDs Mission Division turned their cameras on at the start of 87% of 15 incidents. When responding to calls with their lights and siren on, the report said, they activated the body cameras as required 94% of the time.

Each of the LAPDs four bureaus currently tracks whether officers activate their cameras at the appropriate time, Moore said. At the Police Commissions request, LAPD brass is compiling that data to provide a department-wide look at how well officers are following the rules.

Moore said the 2015 results were promising, but acknowledged that in cases in which the cameras arent turned on, the public will want to know why  and what happened in the moments not recorded on video.

We want 100%, he said. You may have, out of 100 instances, you have two or three failures. If those failures are critical instances, that can undermine the publics confidence.

The primary issue, according to Moore and leaders of the police union, is that officers are still getting used to the devices.

They havent caught up to the technology yet, said Steve Gordon, one of the directors of the union that represents rank-and-file officers.

Gordon said officers are usually able to activate their cameras for routine encounters, when theres little urgency. That changes, he said, during a high-pressure situation when the officers have to take immediate action  which may end in a shooting.

When theres some kind of urgency, when all the senses are firing in their systems  they dont remember to activate a camera, he said. Theyre thinking about cars, theyre thinking about suspects, theyre thinking about a million things.

Thats whats coming into question now: Why wasnt a camera on during a shooting? he said. To me, I almost kind of laugh because I think to myself: Youre lucky the officer put their car in park.

Two weeks after the first cameras were deployed to officers in the LAPDs Mission Division in August 2015, two of the divisions officers shot and killed a man who had pointed a gun at one of them. Neither turned their new cameras on until after the shooting, according to a report from LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. The department gives officers a 90-day grace period as they get used to the technology, so the delay in activation was handled as a training issue.

In February 2016, officers in Boyle Heights shot and killed a 16-year-old who was allegedly driving a stolen car and had pointed a sawed-off shotgun at an officer. Beck said in his summary of the shooting that the officers didnt turn their cameras on until after they fired their guns. One officer was still within the 90-day grace period, but the second had been trained to use the body camera five months earlier, prompting the department to open an investigation into why the camera wasnt on.

A month ago, an officer shot and killed a man holding a large metal pipe near a downtown L.A. restaurant. The investigation into that shooting is ongoing, but a department spokeswoman said the officer and his partner did not have their body cameras on at the time.

The department is taking several steps to address the problem.

In Central Bureau, stickers inside police cruisers remind officers to Tell your story. Activate your body-worn. Soon, recruits in the police academy will be equipped with fake cameras they can practice with so that switching them on comes naturally.

Technological advances could also help. The LAPD is testing technology that could activate the cameras when officers flip the emergency lights of their patrol cars. When the lights turn on, so would the body cameras  similar to how the lights trigger the dashboard cameras mounted inside patrol cars.

The department is also working with Taser International, the body camera manufacturer, in hopes of expanding a 30-second buffer on the devices. Currently, when an officer turns his or her camera on, it automatically begins saving video and audio starting 30 seconds prior to the activation. Taser and the LAPD  along with other agencies  are exploring whether that time frame could be lengthened.

Peter Bibring, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said the key to having the cameras on during critical, fast-moving incidents is training officers to turn their cameras on from the very start of every encounter  and ensuring that they do so.

Body cameras dont help provide accountability or transparency if theyre not on, he said. Those high-pressure situations are the ones that they most need to record.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

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Mai Luu left the tenant meeting in tears, a neighbor holding her hand.

At 80, the Westminster resident said, I thought I would stay the rest of my years in one last place. Now I start over. To even think of a place to move to  how do you begin?

A short drive from Little Saigons bustling shopping district lies a haven for many veterans of the Vietnam War  Green Lantern Village & Mobile Homes.

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Residents of the park said the property owner, Walsh Properties LLC, informed them a week ago of plans to apply to the city for a different land-use permit that would allow for development.

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Walsh officials invited residents to a meeting Saturday to hear more about plans for the property.

On Saturday morning, nearly 100 people filled the parks clubhouse, where residents were stunned to learn that the Beach Boulevard property was already in escrow in preparation for its sale. Tenants may be forced to move out by early 2018 once the owner complies with local and state regulations that require that it hold a public hearing and provide relocation services to residents.

Staff from Overland, Pacific & Cutler Inc., an Irvine relocation specialist, will interview each family to document their moving needs before submitting a report to the city.

We worry for the older people. They have no place to go, no one to turn to.  Nhi Tran

I feel frozen. I cant think, said Luu, a former lieutenant colonel in the South Vietnamese Army whose mobile home is filled with old photographs, coupons and Costco brochures. She moved to Green Lantern in 1989, when rent was $400 a month, compared with her current bill of $900.

Its the only home she has known since immigrating to the U.S., after suffering for more than 10 years in a Communist reeducation camp, she said.

We were refugees, she said. We will be adrift again.

Vietnamese Americans now occupy about 80% of the parks 130 units. Residents said they would be priced out of Orange Countys exploding housing market if they had to look elsewhere.

During Saturdays meeting, a Vietnamese interpreter helped explain the views of Ross Bartlett, a member of the park owners family. Bartlett said his family has been considering selling the property for the past decade.

He said his grandfather bought the property at the end of World War II. In order to continue to operate, he said, they would have to rip up roads inside the park and lay new electrical, water and sewer lines on the property at an estimated cost of $3 million, which the family cannot afford.

He declined to disclose any details about the sale of the property for confidentiality reasons. But he said selling to another mobile home park operator wouldnt have made sense.

They would also require repairs before purchase, he said.

Resident David Griffin 51, a six-year resident of the park, said the tenants should have been given notice sooner of the familys plans.

I feel betrayed, he said. They intended to sell the whole time  so why bother to have us together today? If they dont give me fair market value for what I have, I dont know what I will do.

Nghia Bui, 79, a retired army captain, said he plans to stage a protest as the permit process winds it way though City Hall. Before Sunday, he circulated a flier advising immigrants what to say  We are old; we are poor, and, Changing the land is changing my living. Please dont.

No one wants to leave here, said Son Do, 66, a former second lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Army. New people moved in just months ago, others just a few years ago. What choices do they have? How does anyone find a safe and affordable place in Orange County?

Bertha Day, 93, lived at Green Lantern for 35 years until dementia led her to transfer to a nursing home in 2016. Her son, Richard Day, now takes care of his mothers property. He just spent $1,300 on patio and exterior repairs, in hopes of selling. Now what? he asked. So many questions, so much confusion.

Luu, still reeling, faces more sleepless nights.

Its not only her who cannot sleep. We cant sleep, either, said Nhi Tran, 29, who lives near Luu. She said either she or her husband visits Luu daily, helping her with errands. The couple and their daughter moved to the mobile home park from Las Vegas two years earlier.

In my mind, Im thinking: What about my job? What about finding a new school?  said the nurse. But we are young  we worry for the older people. They have no place to go, no one to turn to.

anh.do@latimes.com

Twitter: @newsterrier

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It was no secret during the campaign that Donald Trump was a narcissist and a demagogue who used fear and dishonesty to appeal to the worst in American voters. The Times called him unprepared and unsuited for the job he was seeking, and said his election would be a catastrophe.

Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck. Like millions of other Americans, we clung to a slim hope that the new president would turn out to be all noise and bluster, or that the people around him in the White House would act as a check on his worst instincts, or that he would be sobered and transformed by the awesome responsibilities of office.

Instead, seventy-some days in  and with about 1,400 to go before his term is completed  it is increasingly clear that those hopes were misplaced. In a matter of weeks, President Trump has taken dozens of real-life steps that, if they are not reversed, will rip families apart, foul rivers and pollute the air, intensify the calamitous effects of climate change and profoundly weaken the system of American public education for all. His attempt to de-insure millions of people who had finally received healthcare coverage and, along the way, enact a massive transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich has been put on hold for the moment. But he is proceeding with his efforts to defang the governments regulatory agencies and bloat the Pentagons budget even as he supposedly retreats from the global stage.

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These are immensely dangerous developments which threaten to weaken this countrys moral standing in the world, imperil the planet and reverse years of slow but steady gains by marginalized or impoverished Americans. But, chilling as they are, these radically wrongheaded policy choices are not, in fact, the most frightening aspect of the Trump presidency.

What is most worrisome about Trump is Trump himself. He is a man so unpredictable, so reckless, so petulant, so full of blind self-regard, so untethered to reality that it is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation. His obsession with his own fame, wealth and success, his determination to vanquish enemies real and imagined, his craving for adulation  these traits were, of course, at the very heart of his scorched-earth outsider campaign; indeed, some of them helped get him elected. But in a real presidency in which he wields unimaginable power, they are nothing short of disastrous.

Although his policies are, for the most part, variations on classic Republican positions (many of which would have been undertaken by a President Ted Cruz or a President Marco Rubio), they become far more dangerous in the hands of this imprudent and erratic man. Many Republicans, for instance, support tighter border security and a tougher response to illegal immigration, but Trumps cockamamie border wall, his impracticable campaign promise to deport all 11 million people living in the country illegally and his blithe disregard for the effect of such proposals on the U.S. relationship with Mexico turn a very bad policy into an appalling one.

In the days ahead, The Times editorial board will look more closely at the new president, with a special attention to three troubling traits:

Trumps shocking lack of respect for those fundamental rules and institutions on which our government is based. Since Jan. 20, he has repeatedly disparaged and challenged those entities that have threatened his agenda, stoking public distrust of essential institutions in a way that undermines faith in American democracy. He has questioned the qualifications of judges and the integrity of their decisions, rather than acknowledging that even the president must submit to the rule of law. He has clashed with his own intelligence agencies, demeaned government workers and questioned the credibility of the electoral system and the Federal Reserve. He has lashed out at journalists, declaring them enemies of the people, rather than defending the importance of a critical, independent free press. His contempt for the rule of law and the norms of government are palpable.

His utter lack of regard for truth. Whether it is the easily disprovable boasts about the size of his inauguration crowd or his unsubstantiated assertion that Barack Obama bugged Trump Tower, the new president regularly muddies the waters of fact and fiction. Its difficult to know whether he actually cant distinguish the real from the unreal  or whether he intentionally conflates the two to befuddle voters, deflect criticism and undermine the very idea of objective truth. Whatever the explanation, he is encouraging Americans to reject facts, to disrespect science, documents, nonpartisanship and the mainstream media  and instead to simply take positions on the basis of ideology and preconceived notions. This is a recipe for a divided country in which differences grow deeper and rational compromise becomes impossible.

His scary willingness to repeat alt-right conspiracy theories, racist memes and crackpot, out-of-the-mainstream ideas. Again, it is not clear whether he believes them or merely uses them. But to cling to disproven alternative facts; to retweet racists; to make unverifiable or false statements about rigged elections and fraudulent voters; to buy into discredited conspiracy theories first floated on fringe websites and in supermarket tabloids  these are all of a piece with the Barack Obama birther claptrap that Trump was peddling years ago and which brought him to political prominence. It is deeply alarming that a president would lend the credibility of his office to ideas that have been rightly rejected by politicians from both major political parties.

Where will this end? Will Trump moderate his crazier campaign positions as time passes? Or will he provoke confrontation with Iran, North Korea or China, or disobey a judges order or order a soldier to violate the Constitution? Or, alternately, will the system itself  the Constitution, the courts, the permanent bureaucracy, the Congress, the Democrats, the marchers in the streets  protect us from him as he alienates more and more allies at home and abroad, steps on his own message and creates chaos at the expense of his ability to accomplish his goals? Already, Trumps job approval rating has been hovering in the mid-30s, according to Gallup, a shockingly low level of support for a new president. And that was before his former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, offered to cooperate last week with congressional investigators looking into the connection between the Russian government and the Trump campaign.

On Inauguration Day, we wrote on this page that it was not yet time to declare a state of wholesale panic or to call for blanket non-cooperation with the Trump administration. Despite plenty of dispiriting signals, that is still our view. The role of the rational opposition is to stand up for the rule of law, the electoral process, the peaceful transfer of power and the role of institutions; we should not underestimate the resiliency of a system in which laws are greater than individuals and voters are as powerful as presidents. This nation survived Andrew Jackson and Richard Nixon. It survived slavery. It survived devastating wars. Most likely, it will survive again.

But if it is to do so, those who oppose the new presidents reckless and heartless agenda must make their voices heard. Protesters must raise their banners. Voters must turn out for elections. Members of Congress  including and especially Republicans  must find the political courage to stand up to Trump. Courts must safeguard the Constitution. State legislators must pass laws to protect their citizens and their policies from federal meddling. All of us who are in the business of holding leaders accountable must redouble our efforts to defend the truth from his cynical assaults.

The United States is not a perfect country, and it has a great distance to go before it fully achieves its goals of liberty and equality. But preserving what works and defending the rules and values on which democracy depends are a shared responsibility. Everybody has a role to play in this drama.

This is the first in a series.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Most people in the West understand that when we behold the horizon, when we walk toward it, what we see and the land we walk on often belongs to all of us. A majority of Westerners want to keep public land public, and so do most Easterners, Southerners and Midwesterners. But that fact hasnt prevented a decades-long howling war against federal lands in the West, and it doesnt reap the kind of headlines commanded by the long guns, big hats and cockamamie ideas of those who think the land is theirs, not ours.

I sometimes worry that the bad manners, and bad ideas, of people like Cliven Bundy, his sons Ammon and Ryan and their followers are getting normalized, or at least romanticized. These self-styled patriots counter-factually believe that land acquired by the United States well before most Western states existed must nonetheless be controlled by those states, or better yet, by themselves. (Native Americans, the original inhabitants, dont figure in these fantasies.)

In Nevada, on Bureau of Land Management land northwest of Las Vegas, and at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon, the Bundys and hundreds of their followers precipitated armed standoffs with federal authorities to make their point. In both cases, some among them pointed guns at law enforcement, who chose not to contest the situations in the moment.

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Now 17 of the Nevada freedom fighters  including the Bundys  will be prosecuted in three separate trials, the first of which is underway in Las Vegas. Prosecutions related to the Malheur takeover are over and done in Oregon  Ammon, Ryan and five other government-accused ringleaders were acquitted there, while four of their followers were found guilty. In the Nevada trials, the mix of charges  conspiracy, weapons, assault and other felonies  could put Cliven, his sons and others in prison for the rest of their lives.

I grew up in John Waynes Texas in the 1950s and 60s, and it damn sure wasnt normal to point guns at anyone.

I grew up in John Waynes Texas in the 1950s and 60s, and it damn sure wasnt normal to point guns at anyone, unless you were 6 years old and armed with a cap pistol. Now I live in Montana, where the same rules apply. I do not understand the arms brandishing the Bundys et al indulge in. It got one occupier killed at Malheur: Robert LaVoy Finicum, finally pursued to a roadblock, jumped out, reached for a loaded gun and was shot dead by state police. Pointing weapons at law enforcement communicates a new threshold of unaccountability, the cinematic mythos that a pistolero threatening violence equals kinghood.

As a taxpayer it is not lost on me that Cliven Bundy is allegedly in arrears of more than a million dollars in Bureau of Land Management grazing fees, fees that are already heavily subsidized by the rest of us. The Malheur standoff cost the government  taxpayers again  roughly $9 million, and the Nevada shenanigans and trials surely add hundreds of thousands more to that total.

Of course, those brought up on charges in Nevada and Oregon arent alone in trying to disassemble our public lands. A stubborn minority led by the Republican Party agree with the Bundys goal  privatization  if not their tactics. Abetted by President Trump, these people chafe at Washington control and claim that public lands like the just-designated Bears Ears National Monument, in Utah, represent outrageous government overreach, not to mention a drag on the regional economy. When they talk about local control, though, they really mean transferring public assets to their friends in big business  oil, gas, copper, coal and timber.

Back in the 1980s, President Reagan and his secretary of the Interior, James Watt, tried to privatize Western federal lands, but the Sagebrush Rebellion was beaten back by the hunting and fishing lobby (Reagan voters, by the way). In January, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) introduced a bill to allow the sale of 3.3 million acres of public lands. He was inundated with protests from his constituents  a new generation of anglers and hunters. Chaffetz quickly withdrew his bill.

I think I understand the Bundys. They are being goaded and used, easily agitated by the politics of big business that seeks to liquidate the last of the American wilderness. If the politicians and the pundits who want Washington to leave the West alone were truly interested in economics rather than cronyism, why not end subsidized grazing fees, or below-cost timber sales in places like Alaskas Tongass National Forest? Why not erase the 1872 General Mining Law, which gives away public land to international mining companies?

Its possible that in the Nevada trials, the Bundys will once again evade the law and win acquittal. But in the end, theirs is a lost cause. We regular peace-loving, rule-abiding citizens will not give up our public lands to anyone: not to armed desperadoes, not to contemporary robber barons, and not to the states, which cant afford their upkeep.

These lands are our outdoor churches, our cathedrals  and keeping them that way is the real economic foundation of the West. Open spaces attract new, high-paying industries and yield billions of dollars in tourism and recreation. When we are young, we hunt, hike, fish, camp, backpack, paddle, horseback ride, walk, run, raft and bicycle on our shared lands, and when we are old we stare out at their undiminished beauty.

The great Wallace Stegner wrote in 1960 that it is the American wilderness that forms our national character, separate and distinct from that of other nations. That character, like the wilderness, is under pressure, weakening at the seams, as news reports tell us every day. In heated times like these I find myself much in need of going for a walk  a long walk, on my American land.

Rick Bass is writer in residence at Montana State University. His latest book is the short story collection For a Little While.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook

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To the editor: The opening editorial in your four-part series explaining President Trumps grave faults brings to mind 1984. That actual year was a date 20 years in the future when I was in high school and read George Orwells novel. I still remember our teacher told us fascism-infiltrated governments existed long before citizens recognized the ideologys presence.

In Orwells book, the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth produces blatant politically driven use of alternate facts in an effort to influence the hearts and minds of its citizenry.

By unmasking the three troubling traits about our countrys new leader, citizen patriots will be armed with the information and incentive to combat the alternate reality propagated by our current presidents administration. It is the only way to make American great again.

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Mary MacLaren Rider, Solana Beach

Editorial: Our Dishonest President 

..

To the editor: After giving a list of whats wrong with Trump, you say that it is not yet time to declare a state of wholesale panic or to call for blanket non-cooperation with the Trump administration.

How could anyone have expected anything less than an unmitigated disaster?  Erica Verrillo, Whately, Mass.

But when is it time? After our air and water are dangerous to breathe and drink? After our children have inferior educations? After there are no more foreign students in our schools? After our neighbors are deported? After our endangered species are gone; our public lands are torn apart; our allies are no longer sharing intelligence with us; the arts and humanities are broke and gone?

When, please tell us, is it time for wholesale panic? Before the damn bursts and theres still time to save ourselves and the world, or afterward, standing amid the rubble of what was?

Nikki Harmon, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: You say, Nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck.

I would like to point out that Trump himself amply prepared for this phenomenal train wreck.

Didnt anyone notice that he had thousands of lawsuits filed against him? Or that he cheated students at his bogus university? Or that his casinos broke rules and racked up fines? Or that he had a long, long history of shady business dealings?

Not to put too fine a point on it, but did anyone notice that he was completely unqualified for the job of president of the United States? How could anyone have expected anything less than an unmitigated disaster?

And didnt anybody read The Art of the Deal, in which he laid out his strategy as clear as day? I play to peoples fantasies, Trump wrote. When a businessman plays to peoples fantasies and fails to deliver, thats fraud, not hyperbole. When a president does it, that is also fraud, but on a grander scale  one that can lead to a war.

Its difficult to know whether he actually cant distinguish the real from the unreal  or whether he intentionally conflates the two to befuddle voters, deflect criticism and undermine the very idea of objective truth, you wrote.

Given Trumps history as a con man and a huckster, how can there be any doubt that he knows exactly what he is doing?

Erica Verrillo, Whately, Mass.

..

To the editor: I want to thank you for your concise and insightful series on the failed Trump presidency. I am proud to subscribe to your paper and proud you are the editorial board for the diverse and progressive city of Los Angeles.

I was born and raised in L.A., and you are doing us right with your reporting.

Trudy Sopp, La Jolla

..

To the editor: The Times editorial eloquently lays out the obvious facts of this train wreck of a presidency, but I was confounded by your blue-sky conclusion that its not yet time for wholesale panic or total non-cooperation.

What?

One of the reasons for the Times optimism is that we survived Richard Nixon  an inapt comparison that gravely insults Nixon. I am no fan of the 37th president, but measured beside Trump, he was a dignified statesman and moderate who at least attempted to serve U.S. interests, as best he saw them, on the world stage.

Though Nixons lying and misdeeds in Watergate were serious, they are dwarfed by the train wreck of Trumpism: the broad assault on facts themselves, the oligarchical corruption and venality that is without precedent, the deliberate humiliation of NATO and other allies, and the embrace of a Russian regime that would destroy us.

Steven De Salvo, Pasadena

..

To the editor: Thank you for telling the truth loudly and clearly about the man who holds the office of president for now (I struggle to call him by that title). I have not heard enough unequivocal condemnations from sources in a position to make their voices heard for the record of history.

The threat he presents goes far beyond ideological differences, and we can only hope that our institutions and principled Republicans will join those already resisting to restore the promise of a better, more enlightened future this country has always shown as an example to the world. That promise is being broken, and my heart is breaking for the country I deeply love.

Angela Houle, Rolling Hills Estates

..

To the editor: The wording of your editorial reminded me immediately of the litany of grievances our young nation listed as it proposed rebelling against England in our Declaration of Independence.It is instructive to re-read the Declaration and consider its protests against King George III.

To quote a few: He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners.

May the American public find the courage to oppose Trumps reckless and heartless agenda.

Celia Carroll, Santa Monica

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University of California administration is paying excessive salaries and mishandling funds, state audit says

UCLA campus (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The administration of the University of California system pays top workers salaries and benefits significantly higher than that of similar state employees, and failed to disclose to the Board of Regents and the public that it had $175 million in budget reserve funds while it was seeking to raise tuition, a state audit found Tuesday.

The audit triggered a dispute with UC President Janet Napolitano, who said charges of hidden funds were false, while two members of the UC Board of Regents charged recommendations to give the Legislature budget authority over the Office of the President encroached on UCs constitutional powers.

Among the sticking points, the auditors believe the regents should contract with an independent third party that can assist the regents in monitoring a three-year corrective action plan.

The audit of the Office of the President also found that it failed to satisfactorily justify its spending on system-wide initiatives and inappropriately screened surveys submitted by auditors to campus officials.

Our report concludes that the Office of the President has amassed substantial reserve funds, used misleading budgeting practices, provided its employees with generous salaries and atypical benefits, and failed to satisfactorily justify its spending on systemwide initiatives, State Auditor Elaine Howle wrote to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature.

Furthermore, when we sought independent perspective from campuses about the quality and cost of the services and programs the Office of the President provides to them, the Office of the President intentionally interfered with our audit process, Howle wrote.

The auditor said that because of recent tuition hikes, she recommends the Office of the President should refund available funds in the reserves by returning them to the campuses for the benefit of students.

Ralph Washington Jr. president of the U.C. Students Assn. said if any reserve money is found it should go to help students, possibly by killing the tuition increase or helping students who are starving or homeless, but he is concerned legislators may use the audit to say the U.C. doesnt need so much general fund money.

Students definitely dont want their tuition to go up, he said.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), who serves on the board of regents, said the audit requires more inquiry.

The audit of the UC Office of the President appears to have uncovered the same kind of budgetary misrepresentations and executive excess that weve seen before with the State Parks Department and the Public Utilities Commission, Rendon said in a statement. There are many questions that need to be answeredand answered honestly.

The audit was requested by legislators concerned about high tuition and complaints of a bloated administration overseeing the UC systems 10 campuses.

The reserve included $32 million in unspent funds it received from an annual charge levied on the campusesfunds that campuses could have spent on students, the audit said.

Auditors said salaries paid to those in the presidents office are much higher than the pay of comparable positions in other state government jobs.

President Napolitano agreed with the vast majority of recommendations for improving budget processes and spending, but denied that $175 million was hidden from the UC Board of Regents.

In a letter to Howle, the president said changes were already underway.

The recommendations to [the UC presidents office] are helpful, Napolitano wrote. We welcome this constructive input, which aligns with our proactive efforts to continually improve UCOPs operations, and UCOP intends to implement the recommendations.

However, Board of Regents Chair Monica Lozano and Regent Charlene Zettel asked Howle to remove recommendations that they feel encroach on the constitutional autonomy of the university system, including proposals to have the Legislature approve the Office of the Presidents budget.

As written, we believe these recommendations threaten the Universitys standing as a constitutionally autonomous entity, and the Board of Regents itself, the regents wrote.

Administrative salaries amounted to $2.5 million more than the maximum annual salary ranges for comparable state employees, auditors found.

For instance, an accounting managers maximum annual salary is $169,000 at UC compared to $156,000 for other state employees.

An information system manager can make $258,000 with UC, but $150,000 with other state agencies.

The audit said: 10 executives in the Office of the President whose compensation we analyzed were paid a total of $3.7 million in fiscal year 2014-15  over $700,000 more than the combined salaries of their highest paid state employee counterparts.

On benefits, the Office of the President provided a regular retirement plan but also offered its executives a retirement savings account into which the office contributes up to 5% of the executives salariesabout $2.5 million over the past five years, the audit found.

The Office of the President also spent more than $2 million for its staffs business meetings and entertainment expenses over the past five yearsa benefit that the State does not offer to its employees except in limited circumstances, the audit said..

The audit also said the Office of the President reimbursed questionable travel expenses, including a ticket for a theater performance and limousine services. One person spent $350 per night on hotel rooms, which is above the allowable standard for other state agencies.

The audit said the Office of the President has not managed its own budget  which amounted to $747 million in fiscal year 201516  in a fiscally prudent or transparent way.

Napolitano said the audit was in error in claiming her office failed to publicly disclose tens of millions in surplus funds.

In fact, UCOPs budget and financial approaches reflect strategic, deliberate and transparent spending and investment in UC and state priorities, said a statement by the Office of the President.

Howle disagreed.

Significant reforms are necessary to strengthen the publics trust in the Office of the President, the audit concluded.

Read the audit here.
The Senates Republican and Democratic leaders have set the stage for Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to be confirmed to the Supreme Court this week, but only after a partisan battle that likely will lead to changing the Senates rules.

On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote to send the Gorsuch nomination to the full Senate. Debate in the Senate is expected to start on Tuesday, with a final decision by weeks end.

WATCH LIVE: Senate Judiciary Committee votes on Neil Gorsuchs Supreme Court nomination

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Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, that it is highly, highly unlikely that President Trumps nominee will get the 60 votes needed to cut off debate on the Senate floor under current rules.

So far, only three Democratic senators  Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Donnelly of Indiana  have said they will vote to end debate and support Gorsuch.

Eight Democrats would need to join all 52 Republicans to reach the 60-vote cutoff, and vote counters on both sides say thats unlikely to happen.

Regardless, there will be a confirmation vote this week, and Gorsuch will be confirmed, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

What I can tell you is that Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed this week. How that happens really depends on our Democratic friends, he said, also on Meet the Press.

McConnell has made clear that if pressed, he will trigger a change in the rules and allow Supreme Court nominees from here on out to be confirmed on a majority vote. With 52 Republicans in support, McConnell is confident he can accomplish that change.

Confirming Gorsuch to fill the seat vacated when Justice Antonin Scalia died last year has been a top priority for conservatives. A group backing the nominee has spent millions in television ads to put pressure on Democratic senators from conservative states.

Polls show the nomination, which would largely maintain the current ideological division on the high court, has generated less intensity from Democratic voters. The mobilization on the liberal side has been notably less than among conservatives and also less than the outpouring of protest in the last two months over Republican efforts on healthcare and immigration.

Each side has blamed the other for a breakdown in the tradition that Supreme Court justices should have at least some support from both parties.

McConnell blamed the Democrats for using filibusters to block votes on several of President George W. Bushs nominees to federal appeals courts and then, in 2013, for changing the rules after Republicans blocked several of President Obamas nominees. At that time, Democrats used their majority to allow lower court nominees and executive-branch officials to be approved on a simple majority vote.

That was terrible for the Senate, McConnell said, but it set a precedent for changing the rules for confirming all judges, including justices of the Supreme Court.

Filibusters for judicial nominees were not envisioned prior to 2001, McConnell said. Justice Clarence Thomas, who he described as the most controversial Supreme Court nominee in history, was approved on a 52-48 vote in 1991 when Democrats were in the majority in the Senate, he noted.

McConnells statement that filibusters were never used, or even thought of, before 2001  a claim he has made several times  is not accurate. President Lyndon B. Johnsons effort to elevate Justice Abe Fortas to chief justice was defeated by a filibuster in October 1968, although that filibuster, unlike the current one, was a bipartisan affair.

Fortas nomination came after Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his intention to retire. The nominee was blocked by a coalition of Republicans and conservative, Southern Democrats. After the filibuster blocked Fortas, the chief justices seat was filled the next year when newly elected President Nixon chose Warren Burger for the post.

For his part, Schumer blamed McConnell and the Republicans for refusing to hold a hearing or a vote last year on Judge Merrick Garland, President Obamas nominee to fill the Scalia seat.

Schumer said the refusal to consider Garland broke with 230 years of Senate tradition.

Thats also not accurate. In the 19th century, the Senate more than once took no action on Supreme Court nominations, in a few instances keeping vacancies open for years. Thats not been the practice since the start of the 20th century, however.

Schumer also blamed Trump for not reaching out to Democrats before making his nomination. He said Presidents Clinton and Obama had sought the advice of Senate Republicans before choosing their high court nominees. Trump, he said, relied entirely on the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, which he described as hard right groups.

While McConnell said the Democrats had no rational basis or principled reason for opposing Gorsuch, Schumer insisted he is not a mainstream choice.

There had been a seismic shift in the Democratic caucus after the 49-year-old U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge from Denver refused to answer the most rudimentary questions during his confirmation hearings, Schumer said. The senator added that Democrats were more united in opposing Trumps nominees after the hearing.

The two Senate leaders agreed on one point: Both said they believed the filibuster rule regarding legislation would survive, even if the Senate eliminates filibusters for all judicial nominees.

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

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UPDATES:

1:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional detail on the expected schedule for the debate over the Gorsuch nomination and the spending on advertising by backers of the nominee.

This article was originally published at 12:10 p.m.
The Rezidor Hotel Group announce the signing of the Park Inn by Radisson Asia Istanbul Kavacik in Turkey. The hotel will increase Rezidor's portfolio in Turkey to 24 hotels in operation and under development, and mark the signing of the Group's fifth Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Istanbul.

Park Inn by Radisson Asia Istanbul Kavacik is set to open in Q2 2017.

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Park Inn by Radisson Asia Istanbul Kavacik is situated in the outskirts of Beykoz district, towards the northern end of the Bosphorus. The hotel has excellent accessibility and visibility through its proximity to the Trans European Motorway (TEM), the highway that connects Europe to Asia, and is just 35 km from Ataturk International Airport and 25 km from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.

The hotel will have 110 contemporary rooms and suites, an international all-day dining restaurant and a bar. The meeting and events space includes a ballroom. The leisure facilities include a gym and a spa with hamam and treatment rooms.

We are very pleased to enter into partnership with The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the largest international hotel operators in Istanbul. We believe the Park Inn by Radisson brand will appeal to the domestic and international corporate market. The hotel is destined to benefit from its enviable location close to Istanbul International Financial Centre (IIFC), which is set to become one of the world's top financial centers," said Mr Ahmet Keceli, Chairman of Pusula Ticari Yatirim ve Otelcilik.

Located in the middle of a vibrant business district of Kavacik, the hotel is equally well suited to enjoy iconic Istanbul attractions like the Bosphorus Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Istinye Park, Meydan shopping center and the best of Turkish hospitality.
As questions swirl about the contact members of President Trumps campaign had with Russians throughout the 2016 election, a majority of Americans favor an independent investigation, a new poll has found.

Fifty-two percent of Americans support such an inquiry, while 23% are opposed, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Saturday. Meanwhile, 22% said they neither favor nor oppose an investigation.

The poll, conducted March 23-27, surveyed nearly 1,100 voters and found stark partisan divides.

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More than three-quarters of Democrats favor an independent investigation into ties between Russia and Trump and his campaign, compared with a quarter of Republicans who would like to see such an inquiry.

After last years election, intelligence officials announced that Russia sought to influence the election through hacking, which include attacks on the Democratic National Committees computer systems. On Capitol Hill, Democrats  and some Republicans  have called for an independent investigation, saying the congressional inquiries, particularly the House investigation, have been tainted by interference from the White House.

Last month, FBI Director James B. Comey announced his agency was conducting an investigation into any potential collusion between Trumps campaign aides and Russian officials.

In recent weeks, some of Trumps allies have faced scrutiny for their contacts with Russia.

Michael Flynn resigned as Trumps national security advisor in February after it was revealed he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials about his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.

Last month, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, recused himself from overseeing any possible independent investigation, after it was revealed he met with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador, on a few occasions. This came after Sessions, a staunch Trump ally during the campaign, told members of Congress at his confirmation hearing in January that he had no contacts with the Russians during the campaign.

Trump has denounced any questions surrounding Russia as fake news and a political witch hunt orchestrated by Democrats upset that they lost the 2016 election.

On Saturday, Trump used Twitter  as he often does  to voice his disdain for questions about Russia.

It is the same Fake News Media that said there is no path to victory for Trump that is now pushing the phony Russia story, he tweeted. A total scam!

kurtis.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @kurtisalee

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High-profile lawsuits and legislation have failed to answer a question that has loomed over ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft even as more Californians have decided to drive for the companies: Just whom do the drivers work for?

Whether the drivers are company employees, independent contractors simply paid to share their cars or a new third type of worker has continued to vex lawyers and legislators, with the answer having profound implications for the workers and companies bottom lines.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), who amid strong opposition last year dropped a bid to allow ride-hailing drivers and other workers in the so-called on-demand economy to organize, wants to keep focus on the issue. She hopes to author a bill that would reach the governors desk by the end of 2018.

We have a responsibility to intervene, Gonzalez Fletcher said.

San Jose San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego U.S. Average 145 142 136 109 48 Percent Increase in Ride-Hailing Drivers 2012-14 San Jose San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego U.S. Average 145.00 142.00 136.00 109.00 48.00 Uber and Lyft drivers boom in California Data: abcdefg hijkl mnop qrstu vwxyz 1234 56789 Liam Dillon / @latimesgraphics Source: The Brookings Institution

But Gonzalez Fletcher has yet to offer a bill directly addressing collective bargaining. She and others have faced frustrations in trying to design a system they feel would give workers more power to advocate for their pay and benefits while preserving their flexibility to work when they want.

Last year, Gonzalez Fletcher pulled her bill early in the legislative session after business and labor leaders bashed different parts of it. Business groups were opposed to the idea entirely. Some labor groups didnt like that under her legislation, companies would have to negotiate with separate groups of as few as 10 independent contractors, arguing that companies could easily manipulate small groups.

I think last year would have been a disaster, said Rome Aloise, an international vice president for the Teamsters, who is leading an effort to organize ride-hailing drivers in California.

If Uber and Lyft drivers were employees, the companies would have to pay driver mileage and other expenses, which could increase their costs by more than 30%. But at the same time, the companies would have much greater control over hours and other work rules, a model that might not fit a business where multiple studies have shown the majority of drivers do the job part time for extra income. The same goes for other on-demand jobs, such as freelance writing and running errands for pay.

Its difficult to know how many independent contractors are working in California, but its clear the number is growing, including a boom in ride-hailing drivers. State labor and economic development officials dont track independent contractors, and a long-awaited federal report on the on-demand economy isnt scheduled for release until June.

An October study from the McKinsey Global Institute, the research branch of the Washington, D.C.-based management consulting firm, estimated that up to 30% of the working-age population in the United States and Europe  162 million people  engaged in some sort of independent work, and the number working for ride-hailing companies and other digital platforms was rising rapidly.

From 2012 to 2014, California had four of the countrys top five fastest-growing metropolitan areas for ride-hailing drivers, according to an October study by the Brookings Institution. The number of drivers more than doubled in San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego during that time, the study found.

This is not a boutique part of the economy anymore  certainly not in California, said Mark Muro, a senior fellow and policy director at Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and coauthor of the study. I do think that the platform economy raises very challenging issues about quality of work, benefits, sustainability of work and the safety net. It is not surprising at all that Sacramento is trying to hash some of this out.

Major lawsuits against Uber and Lyft arguing that drivers are employees have ended recently in financial settlements for drivers, but without determining whether they are employees or independent contractors. Last year, Uber agreed to support an informal, union-affiliated association that advocates for drivers in New York City but has no formal collective bargaining rights. The Seattle City Council last year passed an ordinance to allow ride-hailing drivers to unionize. Uber is fighting against a bid by the Teamsters union to do so, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others have filed lawsuits challenging Seattles decision.

In California, the Teamsters held conversations over the past year with ride-hailing industry members, but those have stalled in recent months, Aloise said. He hoped to restart the discussions soon and declined to identify which companies were participating. A Lyft spokeswoman said the company wasnt involved, and an Uber spokeswoman declined to comment.

In preparation for those discussions, Aloise said the Teamsters met with hundreds of ride-hailing drivers in California and learned the difficulties in trying to organize them. In one circumstance, Aloise said, the union met with 30 drivers to discuss various issues, and when he tried to follow up a couple of weeks later, many in the group had stopped driving for the companies. While all drivers want better pay, he said, those who work for a few hours each week have different interests than those who do it full time.

The issues, in some cases, are almost as diverse as the drivers, Aloise said. Its kind of like a mixture between the Tower of Babel and herding cats.

Harry Campbell, who runs a blog and podcast aimed at ride-hailing drivers, said collective bargaining rarely comes up when he speaks with or surveys drivers. But they do have a series of complaints, particularly with Uber, about their treatment, he said. Drivers would like more autonomy to say no to rides without their access to the app being threatened, Campbell said.

A lot of those part-time drivers, those that are working 10 to 20 hours a week, really want to be independent contractors, Campbell said. But they want to be treated as true independent contractors.

Both companies have long insisted their drivers are properly designated as independent contractors and oppose collective bargaining efforts.

Forcing old models onto this new workforce would only serve to limit the freedom and flexibility that drivers love about Uber, company spokeswoman Eva Behrend said in a statement.

Our drivers are independent contractors, and they have made it clear what they value the most about driving with Lyft is the flexibility to drive when, where and for however long they choose, Lyft spokeswoman Chelsea Harrison said in a statement.

Gonzalez Fletcher has introduced Assembly Bill 1099  a number evoking federal tax paperwork for independent contractors as a step toward addressing the matter.

But right now, her bill only requires all companies that accept credit cards and other electronic payments also accept tips that way. That provision is targeted at Uber, which, unlike Lyft, doesnt have an option to tip drivers in its credit card-based app.

She said shes open to amending that bill or introducing another to deal with collective bargaining  one that she hopes could govern all on-demand workers, not just ride-hailing drivers.

One way or another weve got to get to allowing that if they do this kind of work, they have to have some way to have some voice on the job, Gonzalez Fletcher said.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

@dillonliam

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Seven students of Meadow Park Elementary School in Irvine prepared and hosted an entire Thanksgiving meal for around 20 of their teachers, administrators and school staff Wednesday.

The students in the schools Specialized Academic Instruction class, who range in age from 10 to 12, took part in grocery shopping, cooking, decorating and hosting the event as part of the latest life skills portion of their lesson plans.

This year, Meadow Park education specialist Kathi Johnston decided to include more vocational training in the class. Prepping the Thanksgiving meal for guests in the school was their most recent project.

Previously, the class had participated in attending lunches at the nearby Lamppost Pizza and Rubys Diner and buying tickets to watch a movie at the local theater.

As we worked on each item with the students, their excitement grew, Johnston said. They continued to step up to the plate, so we kept adding pieces to the program. I wanted them to experience the entire process of putting together a dinner from the thought process of planning, shopping, purchasing, preparing, cooking, and eating, along with the social expectation with the entertaining.

To prepare for their Thanksgiving party at the school, the students first had to take care of an important order of business  sending invitations.

Each of them drew a turkey on an invitation with the events time, date and place, then personally delivered them to the teachers and staff they regularly see.

Last week, student Joseph Kim handed his invitation to Kristen Jackson, a fifth- and sixth-grade combo teacher at Meadow Park.

He came into my classroom and gave me the invitation after school, Jackson said. He asked, Will you come to my party? and I immediately said, Yes, of course.

Jackson brought the invitation that Joseph hand-drew to the Thanksgiving event and propped it up on one of the tables pumpkin centerpieces while she ate her meal with the students.

Joseph wore a button-up shirt and a blue bow tie to the meal that day.

The students and their teachers took a trip to a nearby grocery store Monday where they found the ingredients they needed for their meal and checked out at the register.

In one wing of the school, a kitchen was available for the class to mash their potatoes, pour their cranberry sauce and stir and measure ingredients to bake their pies and cornbread from scratch Tuesday.

I helped make pumpkin pie, student Danny Warschauer said. That was my favorite.

When hosting the party Wednesday, student Emma Ford was there to greet incoming guests and other students took turns reading speeches which thanked their guests for attending.

While Danny read his thanks to Julie Meves, a support staff member in the speech and language department, he stopped in the middle of a sentence to say Miss Julie I love you.

For future vocational training lessons, the students will decorate cookies and make hot cocoa during the holiday season.

Each month, the class typically takes at least two outdoor trips to practice safe walking by the roads, using traffic signals and navigating the community, Johnston said.

Meadow Park staff at the Thanksgiving meal said they were excited and honored to be a part of the inaugural event.

I would love for this to be the start of an annual tradition at Meadow Park, Johnston said. Several attendees said they would remember this for a long time and that when they have rough days, they will remember the words the students said so eloquently to their mentors: Thank you for helping us.
INDONESIA

Presentation

Pierre Odier will discuss the Mentawai tribe who live in a remote village on Siberut Island and follow a traditional way of life.

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

YOSEMITE

Workshop

REI experts share tips for exploring Yosemite National Park and making the most of your adventures.

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When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the REI store in Huntington Beach, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Admission, info: Free. (714) 379-1938

WRITING/PHOTOGRAPHY

Workshop

Join Charlotte Austin and Kat Carney to learn tricks and tips about travel writing and photography.

When, where: 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: $25. Advance-purchased ticket required. (310) 473-4574.

JOSHUA TREE

Field class

Join naturalist Darrell Shade on a tour of desert wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park.

When, where: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Oasis Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms.

Admission, info: $70. (760) 367-5535

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
Carole Rosner in March went to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster. She is in a walking group of female friends who meet once a month to explore Southern California on foot.

Last month, the group chose the reserve. Rosner said it was her first time seeing the brightest oranges blanketing fields and fields. The Studio City resident took this photo with her iPhone 6.

This photo is featured in Your Scene in the L.A. Times Sunday Travel section. To have your photos considered for Your Scene, email them to yourscene-travel@latimes.com or share them on our Flickr page.

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travel@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimestravel

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The riots, sparked by the arrest of a black motorist for drunk driving, lasted for six days. After the violence, 34 people, 25 of them black, were dead and more than 1,000 were injured.

Bob Hipolito, the guardsman on the left, later told The Times, I was at the tail end of our infantry company, and that guy (Times photographer John Malmin) came up with an entourage of officers. He snapped a picture, and it flashed. Flashes werent what they wanted to have for fear theyd be shot at.

Hipolito continued: I saw that picture years ago, and thought, Gee, it looks familiar. And then I saw the photographers obituary that said where it was taken. So I asked my wife if that looks like me, and she said, Yeah, thats your posture. It was taken on Friday the 13th, probably at 11:30 or 12 at night.

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This iconic image by staff photographer John Malmin was published as Page One lead art in the Aug. 14, 1965, Los Angeles Times. Malmin died in 2003 at the age of 89. Here is a link to his Los Angeles Times obituary: John Malmin, 89; Former Times Photojournalist.

This image above is looking east from Compton Avenue.

This post was originally published on Aug. 12, 2010 and updated on Oct. 14, 2014.
Nguyen Linhs mother blames her daughter for an addiction that started seven years ago.

The older woman, on a visit to Nguyens home in Washington, couldnt get enough of that fresh, garlicky taste tinged with heat and sugar. She stashed five bottles in her suitcase on the flight back to Vietnam.

When Nguyens mother-in-law flew in last year, she requested it at almost every meal.

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Sriracha commands a fervent following in the United States. Fans make movies about the stuff; five-star restaurants offer it. That euphoria is spreading to Southeast Asia, where a chili sauce created nearly four decades ago by a Vietnamese immigrant in Los Angeles is suddenly filling shelves in Ho Chi Minh City. The ubiquitous American condiment, which traces its roots across the Pacific, is finally making its way back.

This plastic bottle debut tells the story of globalization, but it also speaks to the powerful melding of taste and nostalgia in a country that  even more than most  links identity with food.

Its one of few items that makes us feel like were at home, said Nguyen, 46, who works for the World Bank in Washington. Its really special.

The maker of the original Sriracha sauce never trademarked his product, so rivals cannot only duplicate the sauce, but also label it Sriracha. (Jessica Meyers / Los Angeles Times)

Finger-shaped red and green chilies accompany dishes in Vietnam, a nation that prides itself on fresh herbs and balanced flavors. President Obama dutifully dropped the scorching ringlets into his bowl of rice noodles and grilled pork while dining at a Hanoi street-side restaurant last year with chef Anthony Bourdain.

People eat together in the tropical air. The scents of mint and fermented fish sauce cling to outdoor tables and short plastic stools.

Such tastes influenced David Tran, who started producing a peppery marinade 42 years ago in Vietnam. A major in the South Vietnamese army, he fled the country after it fell under Communist rule and Saigon officially took the name Ho Chi Minh City.

Tran settled in L.A., where he was determined to make a concoction colorful and fiery enough to satisfy the Southeast Asian population filing into the city. He named his company Huy Fong Foods, after the freighter that sailed him out of Vietnam.

We started this because we like fresh, spicy chili sauce, Tran said, in a mission statement of sorts on the companys website.

He made his first sauces by hand in a bucket. Tran called one Sriracha, a version of the Si Racha chili sauce that traces back to a coastal town in Thailand. His had a deep red hue, a thick river of garlic, distilled vinegar and jalapeno peppers poured into a plastic bottle with a green top and a rooster logo. The rest is history.

They wanted some authentic Sriracha and all I could say was, sir-what-cha?  Tour guide Vo Vu

Huy Fong Foods credits its local distributor for pushing into Vietnam. Tran, in an email, said strict agricultural regulations in the U.S. make produce more safe to eat. The company directed sales questions to the distributor, C. Pacific Foods.

C. Pacifics Caroline Chang said the Norwalk business sold more than 57,000 bottles since it started working with a Vietnamese client last April.

It is exciting to see them move this much inventory, she said.

The bottles head to places like Phuong Ha Shop, a two-aisle store in downtown Ho Chi Minh City jammed with Heinz ketchup bottles, hoisin sauce and cat litter.

Lots of Vietnamese enjoy American Sriracha because its spicier and has more taste than the Thai version, said Diep Huong, a longtime employee there who estimates the store sells up to 20 boxes a month. The shop attracts foreigners for imports such as chocolate and biscuits, but she watches more Vietnamese buy Trans Sriracha.

The bottles nestle next to rivals: a fire-engine-red Thai one whose label looks remarkably similar save for a Buddha-type figure offering lobster on a tray, and Cholimexs Tuong Ot, a fruitier, less acidic Vietnamese hot sauce.

A 17-ounce bottle of American Sriracha costs nearly $5, around $2 more than the Thai version and five times as much as some Vietnamese hot sauce brands.

Tran is unusual in that he never trademarked his product, so rivals can not only duplicate the sauce, but also label it Sriracha.

My mom bought some out of nowhere and I just liked it, said Vu Duc, a 16-year-old student who  like many in the U.S.  had trouble explaining exactly why. He finished his iced coffee at a cafe and started thinking about dinner. When my mom makes chicken and theres no dipping sauce, its very boring. Im going to ask her to buy more.

Chili sauce is a controversial topic in a country where homemade dipping sauces are an essential part of many meals. Vietnamese take their food seriously. Restaurants fit into alleyways and drift onto sidewalks. Northerners consider additions to pho, the staple noodle soup, an act of corruption; southerners dump heaps of garnishes into their bowls.

Viet people love eating, said Vo Vu, who runs Saigon Street Eats, a food tour in Ho Chi Minh City, with his wife. You can see people are basically eating all day here. And we love talking about eating.

And yet Sriracha has not gone mainstream in Vietnam. The sauce received more online attention when it appeared in Thailand grocery stores in December than when it showed up on shelves here. Ho Chi Minh Citys tourist stands sell Starbucks T-shirts, but few market ones with rooster sauce logos. Connoisseurs can find bottles at larger grocery stores, but outdoor markets with fresh eggs and dried noodles dont stock it.

How to make your own Sriracha 

Some people have gotten used to eating Sriracha with pho, but I dont see it pushing out the other chili options in the Vietnamese kitchen, said Andrea Nguyen, who lives in Northern California and has written several books about Vietnamese food. Sriracha is not synonymous with Viet cooking. Its a Thai condiment.

Many Vietnamese devotees first tasted the rooster sauce on trips to the United States. Tuan Le, who runs L.A.-themed Bunker Bed & Breakfast in a posh district near downtown Ho Chi Minh City, still carts Sriracha back in his suitcase.

You can get it here but people say its not the same, said Le, 31, who grew up in Los Angeles and named his hotel after Bunker Hill in downtown L.A. A California Republic bear flag greets visitors and a hipster courtyard diner offers chicken and waffles, with Sriracha available on the side.

But can a sauce whose origins come from one side of the Pacific make it big when it crosses back? Or is Sriracha an American phenomenon that Vietnamese will always view as a representation of somewhere else?

Vo, the food tour guide, first heard about the cock sauce four years ago while showing around Texans.

They wanted some authentic Sriracha and all I could say was, sir-what-cha?

Hes since found some. While Vo thinks the flavor is nice enough, he questions just how much it will catch on unless they make it more spicy.

Trans simple sauce has never followed convention. Vietnam, like everywhere else, is divided between fans and skeptics. Srirachas future success here rests on winning over some highly discerning palates.

With American Sriracha, the color is more vibrant and the taste richer, said Nguyen Ly, as she perused chili sauce bottles in the basement grocery store of a Ho Chi Minh City mall.

The 22-year-old engineering student tested a dribble in the U.S. and has hunted for it ever since. I dont use the Vietnamese [hot sauce] because it doesnt taste quite the same, she said.

Nguyen once more eyed four rows of glistening red juice, infused with everything from sweet chili to white vinegar, absent of Trans Sriracha.

She turned the cart and made her way down the aisle.

Meyers is a special correspondent.

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The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices killed 20 devotees after intoxicating them in eastern Punjab province, police said Sunday, in what officials are calling a cult ritual.

Senior police officer Mohammad Bilal said the shrine custodian in a village near the city of Sargodha, some 200 miles north of Multan, was arrested Sunday morning along with four others in connection with the killing of worshipers with batons and knives. Bilal said another four people remain wounded in critical condition.

A doctor at Sargodha hospital told the Geo TV channel that the victims were nude when they were killed and that the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapon marks.

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Liaquat Ali Chatta, government administrator of the area, said the custodian, Abdul Waheed, and four others have been arrested and the matter is being investigated. Chatta said Waheed is a retired government employee and seemed mentally unstable.

Chatta said the custodian was allegedly in the practice of beating and torturing devotees to cleanse them. He said Waheed had confessed to the killings.

Rana Sanaullah, the law minister for the Punjab provincial government, said an initial investigation showed that Waheed had a collection of followers who would regularly visit the shrine and face torture in the name of religious cleansing.

The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohamamd Gujjar. Shamsher Joya, a local police officer, said Waheed would come to the shrine twice a week from Lahore, and his followers would submit to beating and torturing with a red hot iron rod.

Police said the victims were killed at a house adjacent to the shrine and their clothing was found burned.

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President Horacio Cartes fired Paraguays interior minister and top police official on Saturday following the killing of a young opposition party leader and violent overnight clashes sparked by a secret Senate vote for a constitutional amendment to allow presidential reelection.

Dozens of people, including a police officer, were arrested Friday evening in demonstrations that saw protesters break through police lines and enter the first floor of Paraguays legislature, setting fire to papers and furniture. Police used water cannon and fired rubber bullets to drive protesters away from the building while firefighters extinguished blazes inside.

In the early hours Saturday, 25-year-old Rodrigo Quintana was shot and killed at the headquarters of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party. Anti-riot police with rifles and helmets had stormed the headquarters.

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Before stepping down, police commander Crispulo Sotelo identified Gustavo Florentin as the riot police agent responsible for Quintanas death and said he had been arrested. Later Saturday, Cartes announced that he had accepted the resignations of Sotelo and Interior Minister Miguel Tadeo Rojas.

Because of the violence, Saturdays and Mondays Senate sessions were canceled. We will evaluate the situation on Tuesday, said Hugo Velazquez, president of the Chamber of Deputies.

The protests broke out after a majority of senators approved the amendment allowing for presidential reelection, a move opponents said was illegal because the vote was taken without all members of the Senate present. Presidents are limited to a single five-year term, and the proposal would allow Cartes and Paraguays previous chief executives to run for the top job again in the 2018 election  a hot-button issue in a country haunted by the 35-year rule of Gen. Alfredo Stroessner.

My colleagues have carried out a coup because of the irregular and illegal manner in which they modified no less than the constitution.  Sen. Luis Alberto Wagner of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party

My colleagues have carried out a coup because of the irregular and illegal manner in which they modified no less than the constitution, Sen. Luis Alberto Wagner of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party said after the Friday evening vote.

The process to pass the amendment began on Tuesday when 25 senators changed the internal procedures to speed up the vote against the wishes of Senate President Roberto Acevedo and other members of the chamber.

Acevedo, of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, said that process violated Senate rules, and he filed an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to have the decision overturned.

Political analyst Ignacio Martinez said the extreme reaction to the move probably is rooted in fears of another long-running government like that of Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay from 1954-1989 after a military coup.

The measure for a constitutional amendment allowing for presidential reelection was backed by 25 of the countrys 45 senators. The yes votes came from members of the governing Colorado Party and from several opposition groups.

After approval in the Senate, the proposal went to the Chamber of Deputies, where 44 of the 80 members belong to the Colorado Party. Approval there would require the scheduling of a national referendum on the amendment.
Those in the nonprofit human services sector aren't jealous. They're happy for direct care workers who learned this week that the state will provide $55 million to increase wages for providers.

But with the concerns raised by direct care workers addressed, human services organizations feel they should be next in line.

The Restore Opportunity Now coalition is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders to allocate necessary funding that will allow human services workers  employees who provide child care, assist the homeless, handle foster care and direct legal services  to earn a living wage.

Like direct care workers, human services workers feel they are "underpaid and undervalued," the coalition said. The main reason they're seeking support from the state, though, is because of the $15 minimum wage adopted last year.

The state is phasing in the hike over time, but nonprofit organizations have spoken out about the challenges they face in paying their employees the increased wage and providing cost-of-living adjustments.

Loretta Zolkowski, executive director of the Human Services Leadership Council of Central New York and a member of Restore Opportunity Now's advisory committee, applauded state leaders for recognizing the need to assist direct care workers.

"That's fabulous. Everything that adds to the community welfare and addresses the needs of the populations that we serve, especially the most vulnerable, is a good thing," she said. "But (Cuomo's) action is insufficient and it leaves out many of the employees of human services nonprofits who do provide very similar services."

Zolkowski said the Restore Opportunity Now campaign is urging the state to provide $12 million which would be used to close the gap between what the state reimburses for contracts and the minimum wage mandate.

If that funding isn't provided, Zolkowski said it would fall to the agencies, many of which are already financially strapped. If they have to fund the increases on their own, they may have to cut services.

"I won't say that agencies have said that they'll fold if they don't get the minimum wage supported," she said. "It is a situation where you just don't want to reduce the level of service to the community and that's what would happen."

Zolkowski added that $12 million in a budget that will exceed $150 billion isn't much. It's also a fraction of what direct care workers were asking for.

Direct care workers requested $45 million. The agreement reached by state leaders gives them $55 million for raises over the next two years.

The next step, Zolkowski said, is supporting the remainder of the human services sector.

"We want to be recognized as the priority partner that we really are," she said.

COMING TO EYE ON NY THIS WEEK

Go to auburnpub.com/eyeonny this week to read interviews with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, a potential Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2018.

The Citizen also plans to catch up with Cayuga County's state legislative delegation once a budget agreement is finalized.















Serbias powerful Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic claimed victory Sunday in a presidential election that was a test of his authoritarian rule amid growing Russian influence in the Balkan region.

Speaking to supporters at his right-wing partys headquarters, Vucic said: My victory is crystal clear. This is a very important day for us, showing which way Serbia should be heading.

A huge majority of people in Serbia support continuation of the reform process, continuation of the European path for Serbia, along with preserving our traditionally good ties with Russia and China, Vucic said, while his backers chanted Victory, victory!

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Vucic spoke after projections by different independent polling agencies had him receiving more than 55% of the votes cast during Sundays election. Liberal challenger Sasa Jankovic placed second with 15% and Luka Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a parody politician, came in third with 9%, according to the pollsters.

Official results are expected Monday.

Vucic, a former ultranationalist who now declares support for Serbia joining the European Union, had been forecast to win the presidency by a big margin. He needed to win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff election on April 16 that would have put him in a much trickier position against a single opposition candidate.

Vucic has been prime minister since 2014. He is expected to use a win in the presidential race to appoint a figurehead successor as prime minister and to transform the presidency from a ceremonial office into a more powerful post from which he could rule unchallenged.

The opposition has accused Vucic of muzzling the media and intimidating voters ahead of the election. Vucic denied the allegations, saying only he can bring stability to a region scarred by the wars of the 1990s, which Vucic supported at the time.

Jankovic, an independent candidate with no party affiliation, said Sunday he was happy with his campaign, which has galvanized the pro-democratic movement in Serbia opposed to the countrys persistent corruption and growing autocracy.

In Serbia, a new, honest political movement has been created, and its the reason why we should be optimistic, Jankovic said after he voted.

Contrary to his claims that he wants to lead Serbia into the EU, Vucic has been pushing for deeper ties with longtime ally Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed him.

Right before the election, Vucic visited Putin, who reportedly promised his signature on the delivery of fighter planes, battle tanks and armored vehicles to Serbia. The move triggered fears of an arms race in the western Balkans, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.

The biggest surprise of the election was Maksimovic, the media student who ran as a satirical candidate..

Decked out in a white suit, oversized jewelry and a man-bun, Maksimovic mocked corruption in Serbian politics by promising to steal if he were elected. His supporters were mostly young voters alienated by Serbias decades-long crisis and economic decline.

Maksimovics widely viewed videos on social media networks portrayed him doing pushups, sucking a raw egg and riding a white horse surrounded by mock bodyguards.
The militant group Islamic State (IS) has vowed in a rare video message in Persian that includes the apparent beheading of four captured soldiers that it will conquer Iran.

In an appeal to sectarian divides, the group also calls on Iran's Sunni minority to rise up against the Shi'a-dominated Iranian establishment.

The 36-minute video, released this week by IS's Diyala Province propaganda arm, has been dismissed by Iran's state controlled media as an attempt the embattled group to divert attention from its losses in Iraq.

Iranians are among the foreign forces fighting IS in Iraq, although they describe fighters who travel there from Iran as volunteers defending holy Shi'ite shrines.

One of the IS fighters in the video, in uniform with a covered face, directly threatens the highest political and religious authority under Iran's 1979 constitution: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Oh, Khamenei, you cursed person, you who has the control of the idolatrous so-called Islamic Iranian regime in your unclean hands, rest assured that soon we will destroy your house like this on your head," the speaker says, pointing to ruins behind him.

Target Practice

In another scene, armed men use pictures of Iranian officials, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Quds-force commander, Qassem Soleimani, for target practice.

IS has taken control of territories in Syria and Iraq, where Iran has assisted the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with military advisers and thousands of fighters.

Reports suggest Iranian forces have also been involved in the fight against IS in Iraq, where Soleimani has appeared alongside Iraqi troops and Shi'ite militias.

Iranian officials have said in the past that their forces have rebuffed attempts by IS to create insecurity in Iran and recruit fighters, although they have not provided details.

IRGC commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said in December 2015 that Iran's "security conditions" make it unlikely that IS could conduct a major attack in the country.

"It is possible that they would do something small, but they can't create insecurity in Iran like they do in in other countries," Jafari was quoted by Iranian media as saying.

The identities are unclear of the four uniformed captives who are shown beheaded in the video, although AFP described them as "captured soldiers."

The IS video appears to be an attempt to recruit among Iranian Sunnis, accusing the 90-percent-majority Shi'ite state of mistreating its Sunni minority and violating their rights.

'Religious War'

Sunnis and other religious minorities in Iran frequently complain of state persecution.

The video calls repeatedly on Sunnis to wage religious war while promising that one day Sunnis will gain control over Iran.

The video also criticizes Iran for allowing its Jewish population to live in safety and have their own temples.

Iran's state controlled television said that the IS "rant...in the last days of its life" were reminiscent of threats made by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein against Iran.

"[Saddam Hussein] claimed that he could conquer Iran within a few days, but despite having the support of dozens of countries, including the United States, he failed to occupy even one inch of our country," the TV report said.

The semiofficial Mehr news agency called the IS threats "ridiculous" while adding that the group was trying "to compensate" for its defeat at the hands of Iraqi forces in Mosul.

The top commander of the international coalition backing tens of thousands of Iraqi forces to retake that city in the Kurdish region of Iraq from IS, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, recently described the battle as "the most significant urban combat to take place since World War II."
Mugen shows two electric high-performance motorcycles

Apr 2, 2017, 8:35am ET

Both bikes are prototypes, but a production model is near.

Honda tuner Mugen will return to this year's Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) with an all-electric superbike named Shinden Roku.

Shinden Roku means "god of electricity six" in Japanese, according to Autoblog. The bike was developed to compete in the TT Zero category, which is open exclusively to zero-emissions machines.

Essentially an update of last year's winner, the Shinden Roku boasts an electric motor that provides 161 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. It draws electricity from a brand-new battery pack.

The frame and the body panels are made entirely out of carbon fiber. A 160-horse rating may not sound like much, but it's plenty of power in a bike that tips the scale at merely 550 pounds. Mugen hasn't released additional performance specifications.

The tuner is serious about electrifying the high-performance two-wheeler segment. It also introduced a concept named E.Rex that previews what a battery-powered dirt bike could look like.

Based on the gasoline-burning CRF 250, the E.Rex receives body panels shaped like a dinosaur's rib cage and a skull-like front panel. All we know about what lies beneath the prehistory-inspired design is that it's equipped with an aluminum frame and an electric motor built by Honda.

Mugen stresses the Shinden Roku and the E.Rex are just prototypes at this point. However, the company explains it's working closely with Honda to bring an electric dirt bike to the market in the coming years.
A 39-year-old Quakertown man is facing assault charges after repeatedly beating a patient he was responsible for caring for, Pennsylvania State Police said.

State police at the Dublin barracks said the attacks spanned September 2016 to April 1 at a home in the 600 block of Apple Road in Haycock Township. The victim is a 39-year-old Quakertown male whom police said is mentally challenged.

The accused was hired as the victim's caregiver, police said. Police did not identify the suspect or state which company he worked for in a news release.

The victim was taken to an area hospital for undisclosed injuries.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Dancer Angeline Gloria has barely missed a step after having a total hip replacement.

Gloria teaches dance and leads several performances each year at the Totts Gap Arts Institute in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

Gloria started dancing at age 4 and she attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and The Juilliard School in New York City. She toured the world dancing from 1972 to 1990.

She now teaches dance at the arts institute founded by her and her husband, James Gloria.

After spending years dedicated to dance, pain in her hip grew to be almost intolerable by 2015, Gloria said.

Not one to rush to the doctor, she begrudgingly went for X-rays in November 2015, she said. The exam revealed that all the cartilage in her hip was gone.

"It was bone on bone," Gloria said. "The doctor said, 'Of course you are having pain.'"

She had total hip replacement surgery at the end of 2015 and spent 12 weeks rehabilitating at Good Shepherd Physical Therapy in Bangor with physical therapists Dennis Duerring and Rachel Snyder.

Being temporarily sidelined, Gloria, who was in her mid-60s, said she was willing to push herself to get back in shape to dance.

"Moving is my identity as a person," Gloria said. "That is a strong motivator."

Duerring said there are standard procedures for hip replacement rehabilitation but Good Shepherd was able to tailor a specific program to meet Gloria's expectations.

"Her goals as a dancer and an instructor brought unique challenges," Duerring said, "but she was motived and eager."

A month after she finished her therapy at Good Shepherd, she was able to dance in a performance at the arts institute, though she admits she was a bit anxious as to how her hip would hold up.

It worked out fine and a year later, she doesn't worry about her new hip when she is dancing, she said.

Gloria is the daughter of Dr. Stewart Wolf, who in the 1950s researched the Roseto Effect in the Slate Belt and gained international renown. Wolf's work concluded that the close-knit Italian family structure common in Roseto led to a low rate of heart attacks and mortality compared to the rest of the nation.

He established the Totts Gap Medical Research Institute in 1958 in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

Wolf died in 2005 and a year later Northampton County purchased 140 acres of the research institute under the provisions of the Farmland Preservation Act.

Gloria leases a building on the property that she has converted from a research institute to an arts institute that offers classes in painting, drawing, dance, music, theater and film.

The institute also hosts a variety of performances and concerts.

John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
A garbage hauler's plan to expand its operation in Alpha stinks, say residents who think it's already too big.

"He's two pounds of sausage in a one-pound skin," said Jack Frank, a 70-year-old borough man who lives across from LMR Clean-Out and Disposal on Route 519.

Frank is among at least 36 neighbors who have signed a petition urging Alpha officials to deny LMR's proposed expansion into an adjacent lot, the site of a vacant restaurant that is already used to park trucks and trash bins.

LMR is a family-owned company that serves northern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania with residential and commercial disposal service and junk removal. Calls for comment on the expansion were not returned.

LMR owner Rob Colontrelle told WFMZ-TV that he is trying to be both a good neighbor and good businessman.

The petition says that if granted, the proposal would result in increased truck traffic in the area of Route 519 and Springtown Road, in addition to "noise, garbage, smell, rodents, pollution near homes, softball field and creek; and doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood."

"This sort of company," it continues, "should reside in an industrial area."

Some comments left on the petition against LMR Clean Out and Disposal's proposed expansion on Route 519 cite noise as a concern. "Do not want garbage business," another wrote. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Frank said trucks have been starting up at 3 a.m. and the noise sometimes continues until after 8 p.m. each day.

"This is our Main Street," he said. "A school at one end, a park at the other. It just doesn't make sense. ... We'd like him to go to an area where this is appropriate."

LMR is already parking vehicles and Dumpsters at the old restaurant site into which it wants to expand. WFMZ reported that the company started moving those trash containers when television cameras arrived.

The expansion must be approved by Alpha's land use. Several calls to the board office to confirm the status of the approval went unreturned.

The borough's website says planning board meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month, but offers no agendas or minutes.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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Naas could have two parades and a festival running alongside the annual Punchestown Racing Festival in 2018.

The views of the public are also being canvassed on social media to assess levels of interest in having a St. Patricks Day parade.

Naas hosts an annual Easter Parade. This event, which attracts a huge level of interest annually, was once staged on St Patricks Day but was moved to Easter because of bad weather conditions.

The canvass is being organised by Naas man Sam Hameed who lives off Newbridge Road. He hopes there will be enough support for the parade, which would take place along with the Easter Parade  and the festival.

I just put it out there on the Naas Matters Facebook page he opened.

I know that there is a successful Easter Parade and some people feel that a second parade would be too close to it but I feel a St. Patricks Day parade would be entirely different. Im trying to establish if there is enough support for it. I spoke to my dad in Pakistan and there is a small St. Patricks Day event there where he lives, so I feel there should be one here. A parade and a festival around Punchestown would stimulate interest in Naas, said Mr Hameed, who operates his own building/tiling enterprise.

He said neither event could go ahead without a fairly broad level of support from within the community. Im not trying to be popular, I just want to see if there is enough interest. Those who want to be involved must be committed.

He said he already has the support of Fianna Fail TD Frank ORourke.

READ MORE: Free events at Naas Easter Parade
Ten days ago, pubs in England unexpectedly won the right to planning protection, as the Government conceded the closing of a loophole that has allowed many good pubs to be converted into convenience stores without needing planning permission.

The news was released by Planning Minister Gavin Barwell to Lib Dem Pub Champion Greg Mulholland, whose record in championing pubs has led him to be hailed as The Casked Crusader by none other than the Sun newspaper, and loathed by lobbyists for the under-fire pubcos the BBPA. Most notably he has led the campaign for a statutory Pubs Code and Adjudicator for tied pub tenants, delivered by Vince Cable and Jo Swinson in Government and defeating the Coalition Government in the process to secure Mulhollands Law.

After falling victim to an orchestrated Labour coup to oust him as Chair of the All-Party Save The Pub Group, Greg has continued to press for relief from business rate increases (alongside PPCs Kelly-Marie Blundell and Daisy Cooper), for a Pubs Code in Scotland where tied tenants have no such protection, and for planning reform. He also continues to fight for better working of the Pubs Code and a change of Adjudicator after the current Government appointed someone accused of inaction and serious conflicts of interest.

Success in such campaigns tends to have many authors, and so it seems to have proved in this case. Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) activist James Watson and formerly active Lib Dem Gareth Epps worked to set out what damage was being done by the loophole. They helped persuade then-Lib Dem Minister Stephen Williams to secure additional protection in 2015  which has helped save a number of pubs. However, a number of companies continue to seek changes  an issue facing criticism from all parties, even managing to unite Nick Clegg and UKIP.

CAMRA has long been running a campaign on planning protection, although their efforts to work with the Co-Op has been derided by Greg who has now tabled an EDM on the subject. It seemed CAMRA knew nothing of the Governments concession, as hours before it was announced they were emailing their members asking them to lobby their MP for the change.

There is still work to be done to protect these community assets across the UK. Protection now exists for pubs in planning law in England and Scotland  but not Wales and Northern Ireland. Calls for the replacement of the Pubs Code Adjudicator are not going away; in Scotland they dont even have an Adjudicator or Code. One thing is certain: Lib Dems will continue to be at the heart of the battles, and then most likely there to talk about them in the pubs afterwards.

* Jo Barleycorn is a pseudonym for someone who is a keen observer of beer and pubs and who is known to the LDV team
Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher have predicted that the Liberal Democrats could gain 100 seats in the County Council election, twice as many as the Tories are predicted to gain. They also say that Labour will lose 50 seats and UKIP 100.

From the Sunday Times ():

Thrasher and Rallings predict that Ukips vote will collapse from 22% to 10%  and that the Tory vote will rise five points to 31%. Rallings said: The Tories will benefit from Ukips decline, but could themselves lose seats to the Lib Dems. The Lib Dems will be looking to take seats from both Tories and Labour as they claw their way back from the humiliation of the 2015 general election. In local elections they benefit from an ability to mobilise support on the ground.

The last time those seats were fought, we lost 124, so even that sort of spectacular rise wouldnt take us back to where we are in 2009.

This is only in relation to England. Every Council seat in Scotland and Wales is up for grabs as well and that will have an effect on the net totals. The Tories are looking to do well in Scotland as Labour crash and burn. I would be looking for good news stories in places like Edinburgh. In one ward in Edinburgh, Lib Dem support is so strong that they have taken the decision to put up a second candidate. Kevin Lang will now have Louise Young, who happens to be his sister, as his running mate in Almond ward. Scottish elections are held using the Single Transferable Vote.

These predictions should motivate us all to get out and help as much as we can between now and the elections on May 4th. Is anyone planning Star Wars themed Good Mornings, by the way? I know, you cant tell me cos you would have to kill me, but it would be quite a cool thing to do.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 475th weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere  Featuring the five most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (26 March  1 April, 2017), together with a hand-picked seven you might otherwise have missed.

Dont forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox  just click here  ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging.

As ever, lets start with the most popular post, and work our way down:

1. Labours own canvassing shows it is in trouble in the Manchester Gorton by-election by Mark Pack on Mark Pack.

A tale of a downhearted Labour campaign and a vibrant Lib Dem one.

2. Some folk think were going to win Manchester Gorton by Richard Morris on A View from Ham Common.

Thatd be the Bookies. And the Greens.

3. How will the Lib Dems do in Mays local elections and what does a good day for them look like? by Nick Tyrone on nicktyrone.com.

A look across the whole UK.

4. On Nick Clegg, timing and the chance of a political comeback by Neil Monnery on The ramblings of Neil Monnery.

Clegg is the best asset the anti-Brexit coalition has, says Neil.

5. George Osborne approached Tim Farron about a new party by Jonathan Calder on Liberal England.

Realignment talk is coming from everywhere.

And now to the seven blog-posts that come highly recommended, regardless of the number of Aggregator click-throughs they attracted. To nominate a Lib Dem blog article published in the past seven days  your own, or someone elses, all you have to do is drop a line to [email protected] You can also contact us via Twitter, where were @libdemvoice

6. What have they done? by Christine Jardine on Dear Scotland.

On the Tories and the SNPs constitutional stand-off

Their competing nationalisms have conspired to create a perfect storm in which we seem expected to simply hold on and hope there are lifejackets.

7. What I did at Lib Dem Conference Part 3 by Jennie Rigg aged thirty nine and a quarter on Thats not what you said in the Jeffries Tube.

How Jennie voted (or sloped off to the pub) on the issues under debate.

8. Lessons from Ebbw Vale by Helen Belcher on Challenging Journeys (Phase 2).

We need to say how wed reform the EU if we want to have a chance of staying in it

9. Supporting Brexit doesnt mean that you cant vote for a pro EU party like the Lib Dems by Daisy Benson on Independent Voices.

Daisy highlights how Leave voting areas are turning to the Lib Dems because we have the right things to say on the issues that matter most to them.

10. My Remainers Diary Day 193 by Jo Hayes on Facebook.

Jos account of Article 50 Day

11. A new centre party? Heres my take by Stephen Tall on Stephen Tall.

Stephen is enthusiastic about the prospect

12. Why Gorton is winnable by Andrew Hickey on SciEnce! Justice leak.

He lives there so he should know!

And thats it for another week. Happy blogging n reading n nominating.

Featured? Add this to your blog post!



<a href="https://www.libdemvoice.org/top-of-the-blogs-the-lib-dem-golden-dozen-475-53831.html"><img src="https://www.libdemvoice.org/images/golden-dozen.png" width="200" height="57" alt="Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice" title="Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice" /></a>

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
BROADCASTER, writer and traveller Manchan Magan is a man with a mission. And he believes each of us can play our part to keep alive particular words in the Irish language by becoming custodians of just one word.

He calls it Gaeilge Tamagotchi and next week he is bringing it to Newcastle West as part of Eigse Michael Hartnett.

Words are being lost in every language all the time, Manchan explained to the Limerick Leader. And it is hard to know exactly what we lose when this happens, he added, as language is a source of culture and heritage.

When you borrow the terminology of another ethnic group it can feel like wearing someone elses shoes, he said. And he is passionate about how words in Irish have a resonance or an an echo for us that the same word in English does not.

So, a few years ago, he came up with Gaeilge Tamagotchi, as an innovative but also fun way of involving all of us as guardians of endangered Irish words.

Originally, he explained, his idea was to use a list of 4,400 words in Irish that describe people. Some words such as amadan, a (male) fool are still widely used but others have fallen into disuse; words like pocaire, a frolicker or rupalai, a tough-nut.

But some people, particularly when he brought the idea to the US, found the words a bit negative or derogatory. So he has expanded the nest of words from which he draws to include other unusual and endangered words such gradhal meaning thick lip from drunkenness or goblach, a luscious morsel.

The words needing guardianship, Manchan explained, are rare, unusual, quirky. I am offering them to anybody willing to care for them, to nourish and nurture them, to slip them into sentences and to name loved ones after, he explained. Use them as your password.

As part of Gaeilge Tamagotchi, Manchan invites people to come to along to a special ceremony he has devised where he meets with each person individually and bestows an endangered Irish word on them. It takes just a couple of minutes.

Manchan is inviting people to come along to his Gaeilge Tamagotchi in Whelans Pub in Maiden St, Newcastle West next Friday, April 7, from 11am to 1pm and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
THE HSE has announced its long-list of objectives for the Mid-West region, which will see a projected spend of 361m this year.

Addressing elected representatives and members of the media at the HSE offices in Catherine Street, Mid-West chief officer, Bernard Gloster detailed a number of projects and initiatives that will be delivered over the next nine months in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary.

Mr Gloster outlined support for a number of major initiatives this year, including the opening of the new hospice at Milford, the completion of the Lord Edward Street primary care centre, improvement to mental health services, such as the new Jisgaw project.

Of the 361m earmarked for the whole Mid-West, 86.66m will be spent on primary care services; 62.9m will be spent on mental health services; and 211.77m has been ringfenced for social care; while health and wellbeing initiatives will be covered by the national HSE budget.

The community healthcare services in the Mid-West, which excludes UL Hospitals Group operations, has a workforce of 3,915 people that serves a population of 380,000.

The HSE have stated that one of the main risks to the delivery of the goals in the Mid-West is the continued dependency on agency workers due to absenteeism, recruitment challenges and responding to clinical presentations.

One challenge, in particular, is the recruitment of psychiatric nurses in the region, Mr Gloster added.

One of the significant problems that we have is, even when we agree with the trade unions what the appropriate levels of staffing is, recruitment in psychiatric nursing. It is a very, very significant pressure valve in Ireland, and it is likely to be for a number of years to come. The attrition rate is very high, the retirement rate is very high, he explained this Monday.

The chief officer said that he is concerned about the growing pressure of caring for people with complex disabilities.

He said that the cost of care for someone with a complex disability can run from 100,000 to 300,000 per year, for the rest of their life.

We have a lot of people, at home, who are caring for and supporting a family member with a very complex disability. And we are going to have to find increasing ways to support them, but we are also going to have to plan for down the road. And, as the years come, and as the people looking after them become older or pass away, our ability to respond to that is something that is continuously challenging.

Mr Gloster said that there will be a particular focus on social inclusion health services for members of the Travelling community, people with addiction problems, and those who are homeless.

They are three groups whose circumstances define that their health outcomes have been traditionally poor, so we have specific focus on those for what we call social inclusion.

An estimated 930,000 home help hours and a minimum of 1,107 home care package clients will be delivered this year.

There will also be a focus on health and wellbeing, with a particular emphasis on the Healthy Ireland initiative. Some measures include monitoring the tobacco-free campus policies at facilities, improving uptake of the flu vaccine for at risk groups, and reducing the levels of chronic disease.

Mr Gloster argued that 80% of the burden of the demand of our health services is caused by the fact that the population has a prevalence of chronic disease that is extremely high.

It was also noted that a design team is due to be appointed by May for a development at St Camillus' Hospital on Shelbourne Road, which will result in 75 additional beds at a cost of around 16m.

It is hoped that the expanded facility, which comprises two new blocks, will be complete by 2021.
THE Ardagh Chalice will not be returning on loan to Ardagh next year to mark the 150th anniversary of its discovery in a local field.

It is disappointing, John P OSullivan, chairman of St Kierans Heritage Association acknowledged. However, he added, they were not that surprised.

It was probably a foregone conclusion, he said.

Late last year association secretary Mary Kury wrote to the National Museum to see if it would be possible to see a return to Ardagh of the chalice in September 2018. However, she told the Limerick Leader, the museum in their response said they were working on their own plan to mark the 150th anniversary and would be launching a new book on the chalice.

Happily, the museum also offered to share expertise and to make experts available to St Kierans Heritage Association for whatever events the association was planning.

The matter was raised in the Dail recently by Fianna Fails Deputy Niall Collins who asked that the Ardagh Chalice be put on display in the village next year.

But the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltachts Affairs, Heather Humphreys said that is was a day to day matter for the National Museum.

I understand that the National Museum of Ireland is working on plans for the anniversary in of the discovery of the Ardagh Chalice in September 2018. The Museum has indicated that it will not be possible to display the chalice elsewhere as a consequence, she said.

Plans to mark the find in Ardagh are still at an early stage, Mr OSullivan said. But at the very least, they hope to have a replica of the original chalice or the Sam Maguire cup, which is based on the chalice.

The community is very keen that the country and the world would know that it is Ardagh, Co Limerick and not Ardagh, Co Longford where the chalice was found in 1868 by workmen digging in a local field, Mr OSullivan added.
TWO men have been arrested and charged with stealing an antique gun from the window of a Newcastle West auction house last month.

Jakub Brzoscikowski, who has an address at Arra View, Newcastle West, and Marcin Wilczewski, of Daar River Walk, Newcastle West, were charged after bench warrants were executed this Monday.

The two men appeared before Newcastle West court this Tuesday morning, charged with stealing the 150-year-old shotgun from ODonovan Associates.

It is alleged that Mr Brzoscikowski and Mr Wilczewski were identified on CCTV footage in which they could be seen taking the shotgun from an open window.

It is understood the weapon was recovered from another individual who is not before the court.

The two defendants were granted bail on condition they abide by several conditions. They must sign on three times a week at Newcastle West garda station and stay away from witnesses connected with the case.

A Polish translator is expected to attend court on the next date to assist both men.

Auctioneer Patrick ODonovan said that the gun dated back to the 1860s, and was therefore likely to have been used in the Fenian conflict of the same decade.

The ornamental gun has an estimated worth of between 600 and 800, and was destined to go up for auction before its theft.

It had been bought at a car boot sale, discovered to be a valuable artefact and ended up in the antiques circuit thereafter.

When the gun was recovered and returned to Mr ODonovan, he told the Limerick Leader that he was glad to have it back.
A LIMERICK man who was in Westminster on the day of the terror attack last week has said the incident was scary, but praised the quick response by security and police.

Patrick Culhane from Mungret was held up in the Westminster complex on Wednesday, March 22, while on a tour with his classmates from the University of Sheffield.

The Broadcast Journalism student was stuck inside for at least five hours while the emergency services dealt with the major terror incident which left five people dead.

We had done a tour of the houses of parliament that morning - we were in the Commons and the House of Lords - then we went on break at 1.30pm, said Patrick.

Me and some friends came back at 2.25pm into Portcullis House where we were to have talks from journalists. Portcullis House is just right across the road from Big Ben and part of the Westminster Complex, he explained.

I went to the bathroom and when I came out, everyone was pressed up against the window. We were on the first floor which looks down onto an atrium. We didnt know what was happening, but then suddenly we saw people sprinting away and security services running everywhere.

We were then told to get away from the glass and were put into a room, and we stayed there for over an hour. We were on lockdown, and were then moved further from the attack location.

We ended up in the corridors of MP offices, and were there for about five hours, said Patrick of the ordeal. Although Patrick was in the bathroom at the moment of the attack, he said some members of the group saw a body on the ground.

I believe it was the police officer, he said, referring to PC Keith Palmer who died when he was stabbed by the attacker, Khalid Masood.

Some heard gunshots, he added. Hours after the attack, the group was allowed to leave the building.

A lot of the road was blocked off and loads of police officers came and spoke to everyone who'd been on lockdown, which was maybe over 500 or 600 people, one by one, said Patrick.

It was scary but I think the security services were on it, and they were good at keeping things calm, so we felt safe pretty quickly.

They just took us through a questionnaire - whether wed seen anything, if we needed support, and gave us a specific hotline number in case we thought of anything later, he explained.

The student praised the work of the police and security services for their fast response to the incident.

They seemed to have the attack contained so quickly, but then it was the Houses of Parliament, so you would kind of expect that, he added.

The entire attack lasted 82 seconds before Masood was shot by a police firearms officer inside the Palace of Westminster.

At 2.40pm, he drove a car over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament, eventually mounting the pavement and hitting pedestrians at random, killing four.

He then crashed the car, and ran into Westminster Palace armed with a knife, where he killed the policeman.
Apr 2, 2017, 10 AM

Eastern Auctions Feb. 25 sale in Halifax, Nova Scotia, included this rare intact 1868 American Bank Note Co. composite proof sheet showing the designs of 19 stamps from 11 countries. The sheet went to a new home for about US$12,500.

This used, well-centered example of the Iceland 4-skilling Official perforated 14x13, bearing a socked-on-the-nose, sans-serif Reykjavik postmark, sold for $3,675 Feb. 25 at the Eastern auction in Halifax.

One outstanding item in the Feb. 25 Eastern auction was this rare strip of three of an early 6-penny stamp showing Britains Prince Albert. Once a part of the John E. DuPont collection, it realized $6,900.

One of the more impressive items in the Eastern sale was this example of a common 3 Small Queen stamp bearing a heavy, dark blue circle with the negative, cursive initials JEE and the abbreviation Ptre. It went for $560.

Eastern described this used $2 Queen Victoria bill revenue stamp with center inverted as remarkably well centered. Free of the usual faults that plague these stamps, it brought $6,050.

Auction Roundup  By Matthew Healey, New York Correspondent

Eastern Auctions held a sale of Canada, British Commonwealth, and Scandinavia Feb. 25 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Among the more eagerly anticipated lots was a composite proof sheet dating to 1868, showing the designs of 19 stamps from 11 nations, all engraved and printed by the American Bank Note Co. of New York. The sheet was produced as a sales promotion, used by the firm to show off its capabilities.

At the time, many governments across North America and South America turned to the expertise of U.S. bank note producers to help ensure the security of their stamps, and firms such ABN had a long roster of clients, as demonstrated by this proof sheet.

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Printed from the original dies in a deep gray-green color, an intact sheet is now seldom seen. Most have long since been cut up into individual die proofs by collectors of one or more of the countries represented: Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Peru.

The sheet went to a new home for about US$12,500, including the 15 percent buyers premium charged by Eastern on all lots.

As usual, the Eastern sale was strong in Canada. One outstanding item was a rare strip of three of an early 6-penny stamp showing Britains Prince Albert. It is shown in the image below.

Canadas early pence-denominated issues were printed on a succession of paper types: laid, wove, hard wove, soft wove.

Telling them apart can sometimes be hard, although the shade of color can help the identification: certain hues only appear on certain papers.

The 6d stamp in reddish purple on very thick, soft wove paper (Scott 10) is one of the more distinctive.

Few multiples of this scarce stamp have survived. According to Eastern, the largest is a strip of three, and only three of those are known.

The strip in their sale, accompanied by the small piece of a letter to which it was once attached, has margins all around and a large manuscript X canceling each stamp.

The trio, heralded as a stunning showpiece whose provenance includes the collection of the late John E. DuPont, sold for $6,900.

The sale included a range of Canada fancy cancels, the sometimes whimsical creations used by local postmasters to obliterate stamps in the 19th century before mechanization led to standardized postmarks.

One of the more impressive was example of a common 3 Small Queen stamp bearing a heavy, dark blue circle with the negative, cursive initials JEE and the abbreviation Ptre (possibly the French Proprietaire, or proprietor). It went for $560.

A used $2 bill stamp, from Canadas third revenue issue, with a black portrait of Queen Victoria inverted in its red frame (Van Dam FB53a) was described as remarkably well centered and free of the faults that are typical for these stamps. It brought $6,050.

Among worldwide lots was an elusive early official stamp of Iceland. Until 1944, the North Atlantic island was a Danish dependency.

Its first stamps, issued in 1873, are identical in design to those of Denmark: a numeral in an oval with arabesques in the corners. The wording in the oval is also the same, but with a twist.

Regular postage stamps are inscribed Postfrim. (abbreviation for Postage stamp). Stamps for Official use are worded Island/jon. Frim. (short for Official stamp  the first letter resembles a p but is in fact an Icelandic thorn pronounced th). The Official stamps colors also differ from those of the regular issue.

A used, well-centered example of the 4-skilling Official perforated 14x13 (Scott O1), bearing a socked-on-the-nose, sans-serif Reykjavik postmark, stood out as an especially nice example of this elusive stamp. It sold for $3,675.
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MASON CITY | A North Iowa man had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he crossed the center line and hit a Hampton motorist last year, killing her, documents allege.

Paul Wood, 59, of Manly, is charged with felony homicide by vehicle for the Nov. 25 death of Griselda Castaneda Tello.

Wood was arrested on Saturday after a four-month investigation that involved testing by the Iowa State Crime Lab, Iowa Medical Examiner's Office and a crash analysis by the State Patrol.

Investigators say Wood crossed the center line in a southbound pickup and hit Tello's northbound Impala on Patridge Avenue between Mason City and Rockwell.

It was a head-on collision.

Tello, 22, of Hampton, died from her injuries.

Another motorist, Jacqueline Sickels, of Sheffield, received minor injuries when her vehicle spun out after hitting debris in the road.

The crash was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators found 0.11 grams of meth and 1.87 grams of marijuana inside Wood's pickup after the crash, according to court documents.

They also allege that he told investigators that prior to the crash he used marijuana and meth, and that test results later indicated the two drugs were in Wood's urine and blood.

He had previously been convicted of marijuana possession in 1999 and 2001. He was convicted in 1999 of possessing meth.

In addition to the felony charge, Wood also was booked for two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia, operating under the influence--first offense, driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway and driving without insurance.

He bonded out of the Cerro Gordo County Jail on Sunday.
OSAGE | Annabelle Fish, age 85, of Osage, was welcomed by the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. She lived at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Per Annabelles request, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Pastor Julie Schubert officiating. Inurnment will be at the Osage Cemetery. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Osage Education Foundation or Faith Lutheran Home.

Annabelle was a lifelong resident of Osage, never leaving the 700 block of State Street. She was born Oct. 17, 1931, in Osage, the daughter of Luther and Christine (Adams) Seeber. She graduated from Osage High School in 1949. Annabelle was united in marriage to Robert Fish on July 29, 1951. She was employed at the Mitchell County ISU Extension Office as office manager for 35 years. Annabelle coordinated entries for the Mitchell County Fair and was elected to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and Alpha Writers. Annabelle enjoyed baking and was known for her delicious cookies. She also enjoyed playing Bridge and traveling. Some of her most memorable trips were to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawaii and Alaska.

Annabelle is survived by her son, Tom (Cindy) Fish of Ankeny; her granddaughter, Emily Fish of Urbandale; four nephews and two nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Fish in 1994; daughter, Janell Fish Hinton; granddaughter, Lindsay Fish; brother, Jerry Seeber.

Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, 641-732-3706.
Mammoths tusks and jaws sit in front of the panels (from left to right)  Henry (Hank) Greely, Beth Shapiro, Gregory Kaebnick, George Church, Ross MacPhee and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

NEW YORK  If humans were to go extinct, would it be ethical to revive the species, to allow us to live once more on this blue planet?

It's a tough call, but maybe not, according to a panel of five experts who debated "de-extinction" during the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City on Wednesday (March 29). Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the AMNH Hayden Planetarium, moderated the debate, which honors Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), a biochemist and science-fiction writer who famously wrote the "three laws of robotics."

Were another intelligent life to de-extinctify humans, would they put us in a zoo-like environment? For a sentient being, that would be "extremely frightening and scary," said panelist Greg Kaebnick, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, an independent bioethics research institute in Garrison, New York. "The animal welfare concerns just get overwhelming." [6 Extinct Animals That Could Be Brought Back to Life]

Then, to further muddy the waters, Kaebnick asked, "Do we deserve to be brought back?"

Yes, we do, said panelist George Church, a professor at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who is working on reviving bits and pieces of the woolly mammoth. But then again, Church, a geneticist, molecular engineer and chemist, has often opined that the science of de-extinction is already here or within reach, and should be pursued.

The panelists (from left to right)  George Church, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Beth Shapiro, Henry (Hank) Greely, Ross MacPhee and Gregory Kaebnick  stand in front of a thylacine, an extinct marsupial from Tasmania also known as the Tasmanian tiger. (Image credit: Copyright R. Mickens/AMNH)

The panel grappled with the issues of de-extinction for more than 2 hours, discussing not only logistics but also ethical quandaries. Logistically, scientists need an animal's entire genetic code to bring it back. But this can be a challenging task: The oldest authenticated DNA is from the bone of a 700,000-year-old horse found in Yukon, Canada, said panelist Beth Shapiro, who co-wrote a 2013 study about the horse in the journal Nature (opens in new tab).

It's difficult to get authenticated DNA from extinct animals, even those younger than that horse, including the mammoth, thylacine (a marsupial from Tasmania that's also called the Tasmanian tiger), dodo and passenger pigeon, Shapiro said. But Church disagreed, saying that there are ways to move forward.

Researchers could either find DNA in these animals' frozen nuclei, or re-create "a successful approximation" of the genome through DNA modification, Church said at a roundtable discussion later that evening.

"These are exponential technologies that improve very, very quickly and have many biomedical uses, like transplants," Church said. "I have no particular reason to doubt that we could make all of the genetic and epigenetic changes we will want to if we wanted to bring back an entire genome."

However, Church's comments were met with disbelief from some of the other panelists. Epigenetic changes are external influences on the genome that can change how much or little a gene is turned on or off, and could be difficult to modulate in a de-extinctified animal.

Lawful look

Even if the science will one day be possible, the legal framework addressing de-extinction is murky at best. If the "resurrected" animal is not a perfect copy, would it be considered the same species? Would it immediately be classified as an endangered species?

Moreover, what if its environment, microbiota (bodily bacteria) and food sources no longer exist? How many animals of a species should be brought back, so that they can have genetic diversity and mate on their own? When does human responsibility toward these revived animals end? [WipeOut: History'sMostMysteriousExtinctions]

"I think one of the toughest moral issues about de-extinction is animal welfare. How many maimed, deformed, stillborn, quasi-mammoths, quasi-elephants is it worth to bring back a sort of mammoth?" asked panelist Henry (Hank) Greely, a professor of law at Stanford University. "There are actually laws in this country, the Animal Welfare Act, that deal with some of those issues."

In addition, why not spend that money for de-extinction efforts instead on saving still-living animals, the panel asked.

The panal talked about de-extinction before a sold-out audience at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. (Image credit: Copyright R. Mickens/AMNH)

De-extinction is a dangerous road, said panelist Ross MacPhee, the curator of mammalogy and vertebrate zoology at the AMNH. For instance, it's hard to know what ramifications an extinct animal will have on modern ecosystems, he said.

Rather than use science to bring back extinct animals, perhaps researchers could use these technologies to design bacteria that would help humans, for instance, by producing fuel or meat alternatives, MacPhee said. Or maybe this science could be used to insert or activate genes in plants and animals that could help them survive in an era of climate change, he added.

Some of this work is already a reality, said Church, who pointed out that scientists have made some plants more resistant to drought and pests.

Also, there have been other successful de-extinction efforts, albeit for local, not worldwide extinctions. For instance, horses used to live in North America, but went extinct at the end of the last ice age. When European explorers arrived in the New World, they inadvertently re-introduced horses to the continent, where they have since flourished.

Likewise, a fungus has rendered the American chestnut functionally extinct, meaning the species is still around (at least in lab-monitored spaces), but not in its natural environment; but scientists have tweaked the chestnut's genome to make it fungus-resistant, Greely said.

The experts agreed that this technology could also be used for evil  for instance, to bring back an extinct virus or to alter an existing virus to make it more contagious.

As this science moves forward, it's crucial to educate and involve the public, the panel said.

"We actually have to have that [discussion] to some degree, case by case, because each effort at de-extinction raises its own unique considerations," Kaebnick said.

Original article on Live Science.
For some people, the mere idea of a bed bug infestation can be shudder-inducing. But if bed begs' penchant for feeding on your blood while you sleep isn't enough to get your skin crawling, know that the sexual behaviors of these tiny, parasitic insects are even more cringe-worthy.

Though bed bugs have been making headlines since the early 2000s, they've been pestering people for thousands of years. "They were originally pests of bats in caves and when humans moved in, we kicked the bats out," said entomologist Dini Miller, a professor of urban pest management at Virginia Tech. Bed bugs started to feed on people, who transported the parasites out into other environments.

Today, bed bugs jump from home to home the same way they've done in the distant past: by hitching a ride on people's things, such as clothes and bags. Just one breeding pair  or even a single female that's already mated  can create a whole new infestation. [Bed Bugs: The Life of a Mini-Monster (Infographic)]

Bed bugs breed year-round, but there seems to be some seasonal variation. "We do know that populations seem to double and triple in summer months," Miller told Live Science, adding that high moisture levels due to humidity may be involved in these population spikes. "Or maybe they just feel sexier."

While in a house or apartment, the insects tend to hide together in shelters called harborages, such as in the cracks and crevices of furniture, wallpaper and box springs. They'll become active at night if they sense people or animals breathing. "When [carbon dioxide] increases in the atmosphere, that lets bed bugs know that food has arrived," Miller said. "It's like smelling bacon at a distance." The bugs will wander around in search of a blood meal, and if they come within 3 feet of such a meal, they can zero in on body heat.

Bed bugs will gorge on blood for up to 10 minutes, filling themselves up with enough blood to last for 3 to 7 days. Feeding puts the insects  especially mature males  in the mood to mate. Once back at the harborage, males will try to mate with mature females, other males, and even immature bed bugs (nymphs), Miller said.

Mating among bed bugs is an unromantic  if not horrific  affair.

Bed bugs have no courtship rituals. What they have, instead, is a type of mating behavior called traumatic insemination. That is, a male will simply climb onto a female, stab her in the side of her body with his hypodermic penis, and release his sperm into her body cavity. Over the next several hours, the sperm will migrate to the female's ovaries.

Interestingly, females have evolved a counter-adaptation to better handle traumatic insemination: a kind of secondary genital structured called a spermalege, which contains elastic proteins and is located in an area of the abdomen that males most often penetrate. These proteins, called resilins, make it so that the spermalege is easier for males to puncture, resulting in less body damage and fluid loss for the female. Males don't have a spermalege; rather, they release an alarm pheromone (acting as a mating stop sign) when another male tries to mate with them.

Still, traumatic insemination wounds the female, leaving scars. Because of this painful and dangerous mating behavior, a female will leave the harborage and seek shelter elsewhere after being stabbed by several males, Miller said.

Mating with more than one male is not beneficial to the female anyway, as a single male can provide her with enough sperm to lay several fertilized eggs daily for up to 10 days. What's more, females that mate only once  and are not subjected to repeated stabbings  produce up to 25 percent more eggs than those that mate repeatedly, Miller said.

After laying all of her eggs, the female will need to feed and mate before being able to reproduce again. Depending on who's around, the female may even mate with her own offspring. Though, in contrast with most other animals, inbreeding in bed bugs does not appear to be genetically detrimental.

Original article on Live Science.
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Student achievements were recognized during the March 27 meeting of the Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Board of Trustees.

Superintendent Dr. Leland Moore gave special recognition to Lincoln Junior High 8th grader Mia Singleterry for being chosen to represent her campus by leading the school board meeting's Pledge of Allegiance. The outstanding student was awarded a new book to enjoy from Barnes & Noble.

Dr. Moore and the board also honored the following Lincoln Junior High School students for advancing to the Texas Junior High School Rodeo Association state competition to be held in Gonzales, Texas: eighth-grader Jacelynn Head, seventh-grader Hayden Ferguson, eighth-grader Cutter Dominy and seventh-grader Jayden Risner.

Coldspring-Oakhurst senior Peyton Ferguson was also recognized for advancing to state in the Texas High School Rodeo Association competition, Region IX. Ferguson recently was awarded three scholarships by the THSRA, totaling $2,450.

In other business, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following items:

-- To engage with the audit firm of Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P., to conduct the district's financial audit for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017.

-- To temporarily grant hiring authority to the superintendent for employment of contractual personnel.

-- Revision to the election judge for Box #3 for the trustee election to be held May 6, 2017.

Executive Session

After a closed executive session, the Board reconvened and voted to accept resignations of certified personnel, employment of certified personnel, and employment contracts of campus level administrators, classroom teachers, counselors and other professional personnel. Also accepted were the Board and Superintendent Goals, as presented.

The next regular meeting of the COCISD Board of Trustees is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 24, at the Jones Educational Complex.
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When Dalia Leal moved from the Rio Grande Valley to north Pasadena four years ago, she thought she had arrived in a hot spot for high-end retail businesses.

There was no Macy's or mall where Leal lived; so she had to drive to McAllen for any serious shopping.

"This (Pasadena) was like the top-of-the-top," she said.

As of March 26, Pasadena lost its claim to a Macy's when the store closed at the former Pasadena Town Square Mall, now called Plaza Paseo, leaving some area shoppers and one business owner with mixed feelings about the future of retail in largely Hispanic north Pasadena.

More Information Final Hours of a business Robert Avery reflects on being in Macy's on the last day of business. See Page 3. See More Collapse

"I used to come to the mall just to go to Macy's, that was the big-name store," Austolia Zambrano said in Spanish.

Zambrano, 70, enjoyed the brand-name choices at Macy's. It was a taste of luxury retail in north Pasadena, said the 35-year resident of the community.

"The shoes, the clothes, jewelry, perfume ... I loved it," she said.

When the mall opened in 1982, it was anchored by Joske's, Palais Royal and Foley's, which had been the original stand-alone department store in north Pasadena since the 1960s. In 1987, Joske's became Dillard's and by 2006, Macy's had replaced Foley's.

In a January press release, Macy's Inc. announced the closure of 68 of its stores nationally in 2017 as an effort to "streamline its store portfolio, intensify cost efficiency efforts and execute its real estate strategy." Additionally, employees such as the 78 at the Pasadena store will have the opportunity to gain employment at other area Macy's stores.

Naty Salon and Spa owner Naty Longoria is thinking of a domino effect on businesses.

Longoria, 56, came to Pasadena from Mexico more than 25 years ago with a plan to start her own salon. For 19 years business thrived at the salon on Pasadena Boulevard, directly across the street from the mall. That success was because, in large part, she believes, of the salon's proximity to stores like Macy's and before that, Dillard's.

"The employees that worked at those stores would send us clients," Longoria said in Spanish. "Likewise, our customers would come here and when they were finished they would go straight to Dillard's and Macy's.

"My clients tell me that they are taking the 'luxury' out of the mall," she said.

The city of Pasadena is eyeing possible new businesses for the area, including restaurants and perhaps a grocery store, and the city's economic development is working closely with the mall for other potential developments, city spokeswoman Jennifer Pederson said.

"While we are always sad to see a business close its doors in Pasadena, there are many exciting things on the horizon in this area," she said.

The mention of Plaza Paseo, the new name for the mall, elicited an eyeroll from Longoria, who has seen the mall become close to a ghost town and how that has affected north Pasadena businesses. When Dillard's closed, she said lost at least 20 percent of her customers, but she regained that much business when Macy's opened later that year.

Longoria predicts her salon will see a similar hit with Macy's closing, but that this time there will be nothing to replace it.

"When I first came here (to Pasadena), opening up next to the mall was good for business, the perfect location for the kind of clients I wanted to attract," she said. "We would always refer our customers to our business by saying we were across from the mall because with Macy's and Dillard's there - that gave us prestige. Now (the mall) looks more like a flea market."

Longoria is paying close attention to the upcoming mayoral election in Pasadena and what candidates have to say about revitalizing the northern part of the city amidst a federal judge's decision declaring the city's previous system of electing City Council members discriminated against Hispanics.

"We have seven candidates, three are Hispanic," said Longoria. "Before, they just elected themselves for mayor and now that it's changing, we might get someone who listens and hears people on this side of town, not just to the south. I do have hope."
NORA SPRINGS | Roger M. Beenken, 90, of Nora Springs, died Saturday, April 1, 2017 at his home. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Hanford Community Church.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave,. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
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Officers are searching for a suspect who they believe stabbed a man to death Saturday morning, according to a San Antonio Police Department release.

Investigators have issued a murder warrant for Michael Ramirez, 51. Police arrived in the 100 block of Halliday Avenue this morning to find Ramirezs alleged victim  a 43-year-old man  dead with multiple stab wounds.
After nearly three years of grappling with contaminated drinking water, the residents of Flint, Michigan, finally obtained some relief as a federal court approved a settlement last week mandating replacement of lead pipes.

However, lead in drinking water is not unique to Flint, and we must confront the sobering need to get the lead out here in Texas as well.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin. It is particularly damaging to children, who absorb as much as 90 percent more lead into their bodies than adults. Once ingested, lead flows from the blood to the brain, kidneys and bones. Childrens organs and bones are immature and more vulnerable than adults; they also have an incomplete blood-brain barrier.

We have known for some time that high levels of lead can cause severe health impacts  including anemia, kidney disease, abnormal brain function and even death. Yet science now confirms that even low levels of lead can cause permanent damage to our children.

Test results now show that lead is even contaminating drinking water in schools and preschools  flowing from thousands of fountains and faucets where our kids drink water every day.

As more schools in Texas test their water, they are finding lead. According to an analysis by Environment Texas, 65 percent of Texas schools that have tested have lead levels greater than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

But most schools arent testing their water for lead. And we often hear only about elevated results  those showing more than 15 parts per billion of lead in the water. Yet there is no safe level of lead. Moreover, even properly done testing often fails to detect lead in water.

The reason for this pervasive problem is simple: All too often, the water delivery systems in our homes and schools are lined with lead  from the pipes to the plumbing and fixtures. In some cases, the service line that brings water from the main pipe in the street into a home or school is entirely made of lead.

So instead of waiting for more tests to confirm this toxin at the tap, we should take a preventive approach, one that prioritizes childrens health and safety.

The common-sense solution is to remove lead from pipes, plumbing and fixtures. And until were sure thats 100 percent done, we can protect our children with filters certified to remove lead at every tap used for drinking or cooking.

Undoing this toxic legacy throughout our communities will take time. But the place to start is with our schools and day cares  the places where our children go each day to learn and play.

Sen. Sylvia Garcia and Rep. Jessica Farrar, Houston Democrats, have introduced Senate Bill 1587 and House Bill 3695 to require water utilities to replace lead pipes in schools and require schools to do regular testing and install filters on water fountains.

As our nation rushed through more than a century of unprecedented economic growth, we allowed toxic health threats such as lead to become embedded into the fabric of our lives. We allowed manufacturers to put this potent neurotoxin in our paint, gasoline and many other products.

For decades, public health officials have been working to undo the damage. Banning lead in gasoline immediately removed a major source of toxic air pollution. Barring lead in paint stopped a major threat to childrens health from becoming even worse, but we are still cleaning up the damage from millions of homes with lead paint, as well as related lead in dust and soil.

Yet until Flint, few of us were thinking about lead in the plumbing that brings drinking water to our faucets. Now we know, and we must act.

For the sake of our childrens health, its time to get the lead out in Texas.

Luke Metzger is director of Environment Texas, a statewide citizen-funded advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces.
Southside High School principal Nathaniel Session, one of the top 30 highest-paid principals in Bexar County, did the right thing by resigning. His immediate departure is in the best interest of the embattled Southside Independent School District.

Session was hired last summer despite a troubling criminal record. Had parents been saddled with such a record, it could have prevented them from volunteering in their childs school.

Session should never have been hired. Impressionable teenagers need administrators to be their role models.

While Sessions hire was perfectly legal, it has caused a major distraction for the school district and given the beleaguered school yet another black eye.

School administrators are allowed wide discretion on how much weight is given to the findings of a criminal background check. Among the factors they consider are the type of criminal case and the time that has lapsed since the incident occurred.

In Sessions case, more attention should have been given to his baggage. He has a misdemeanor family assault conviction from Harris County. The 2012 case involved a woman he since has divorced.

He also had a hot check case, a misdemeanor theft charge, pending at the time of his hire at Southside. The case was dismissed last semester when he made good on the check.

When the news media started asking questions about his criminal record, Session submitted a letter of resignation in early March, effective June 30. Late last week he resigned, effective immediately.

As part of a plea bargain agreement in the assault that sent his then-wife to the hospital, Session was given a one year probated sentence, assessed a $200 fine and ordered to make payments to a Houston-area womens shelter.

As a condition of that probation, he was also ordered to complete a batterer intervention/prevention program, and undergo random drug and alcohol testing, according to Harris County court records.

Session completed the terms of this probation in March 2014. His employer at the time reported the assault case to Texas Education Agency, which has the option to sanction certified educators in such cases. None was issued in this case.

Session was one of Southside Superintendent Mark Eads first hires after he came onboard in May 2016. Sessions $112,000 annual salary ranked among the top 30 for high school principals in Bexar County, according to a list compiled by mySA.com last fall.

Its clear that Southside routinely conducts criminal background checks on prospective employees. So the district should have known of Sessions criminal record.

Whats unclear, then, is why the district weighted the criteria the way it did to hire him anyway. The district wont say.

Southside ISD has been in turmoil for years, and much change is afoot. Optimism was growing that things were finally moving in the right direction after Eads arrived.

Earlier this year, the community welcomed the TEAs assignment of a conservator in Southside ISD and has been anxiously awaiting the replacement of the elected board with appointed members.

Rebuilding this troubled district is going to take a team effort and community support.

Recruiting community members to serve on the appointed board and educators to work in what has been a dysfunctional district are difficult enough under normal circumstance. Administrative missteps like the one that resulted in the hiring of Session only undermine the process.
Judy Piersma, second grade teacher who first taught with Stevenson at Madison: I would describe her as a person who is hard-working, creative, and dedicated. She truly cares about students, families and staff. She always tries to make decisions based on what is best for kids.

One thing I appreciate most about Allison is how approachable she is. Another thing that means a lot to me is that Allison often tells the staff how much she appreciates our efforts. Many people don't get to hear that from their bosses enough.

Even though we are all busy, she finds time to engage in some pretty good pranks! Allison will be missed!

Kathryn Koehler, fourth grade teacher who first worked with Stevenson at Madison as a student teacher: Allison is a principal who leads with great knowledge, heart and humor. She keeps students best interests at heart. In the day and age where public schools are driven by standardized test scores, she continues to deal with the human aspect of life. She gives us the expectation that although academics are first and foremost, children need to be fed and nurtured before learning can happen.

Anyone who enters our school is part of the educational team -- parents, custodians, cooks, paraprofessionals, teachers and most of all, children. I would have to say Allison has been a blessing in my life. She has shared with me a great zest for public school education. Her humor, unconditional love and passion for learning she has shared with students and staff has been a great model for all of us.

One of my favorite memories of her leadership includes the two years Roosevelt was under reconstruction. The construction workers and architects became members of our Roosevelt family. The day the staff was informed of her retirement, silence and tears filled the room.

Julie Lawler, kindergarten teacher who met Stevenson as a new educator: Allison Stevenson is one of the kindest people you could ever meet. Once you meet her, she is the person you most want to emulate. I first met Allison 29 years ago when I was a new teacher out of college.

Allison came over to say hello at one of the beginning of the year meetings. I remember warm her smile, green eyes and red hair! She made everyone feel welcome. Over the next few years, I would see her at meetings. She was a well-respected and loved teacher.

It wasn't until she became principal at Roosevelt that I learned what a completely unselfish person she is. When you are talking with her, she is totally present. She has a way of making you feel important and always thinks of others. Allison is known to leave candy, cards, small gifts and silly gifts for her staff. She is thrilled for your accomplishments and cries for your tragedies.

Plus, she is still fun! One time, when Allison was out of town, she came back to an empty office. Another time, we built a sand castle on her desk. Some of my favorite memories are when Roosevelt was under construction. We knew the construction workers by name and often would include them in activities. As always, where there is laughter, Allison is around.

My kindergarteners love Allison. She often comes in, sits on the floor and talks to them about their activities. My kindergarteners read a book to her in December and May. She makes each think they are incredible and fantastic readers. She knows every student's name and always has a kind word to say to them.

Allison is very compassionate. If a student or family was in need, she would find a way to help.

 Compiled by Ashley Miller
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There are challenging jobs and then there are ones that bring an extra air of responsibility and significance.

As chief executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon knows all too well about the pressures and demands which come with being the leading figurehead of local governance for more than 40,000 of this countys inhabitants.

For the past nine months, the Tuam native has presided over a local authority and county infused with a new found sense of confidence and determination, mirrored by a countrys resurgence from Irelands Celtic Tiger malaise.

Fast forward three quarters a year and you get the feeling the NUIG graduate is still pinching himself at the lofty position he now finds himself in.

Its a very important job regardless of whichever county its in, he said when asked about what goes into being the CEO of a county council.

Its a well sought after job, put it like that but I was very fortunate to be selected through an interview process for the role. Its a very important job, a challenging job but its a job that does attract a lot of interest.

Much of that interest and media spotlight was driven by the controversies that surrounded the departure of his predecessor, Tim Caffrey from office almost 12 months ago.

They are contentions which despite remaining part of an ongoing Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) inquiry, are of little or no concern to Longford County Councils incumbent commander in chief.

I just look at the role in a very positive way, he diplomatically asserted.

The chief executive has got a very, very important role in the context of leading, serving and working with the elected members to represent the communities of Co Longford.

Its a very positive role and I look to the now and to the future.

My primary function is to serve as chief executive of Longford County Council.

That is the number one priority. But the job of chief executive does involve engaging with organisations and bodies, some of which are regional and some of which are national.

We work with the elected members, local community and business groups in making sure those communities are well served by us.

But it also requires us to look beyond the county and to look to regional bodies like the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, neighbouring county councils and to national organisations and departments because our future is tied in to not just how we work locally but how we collaborate with regional and national bodies to make sure the county develops the way it should.

Mr Mahons arrival from his previously held Director of Services role with Mayo County Council also coincided with a changing of the guard at the council executive's top table.

Senior figures headed by the likes of Jack Kilgallon, Frank Sheridan and Barry Lynch either retired or moved on to pastures new.

In their place came Director of Services Barbara Heslin, John Brannigan and Head of Finance John McKeon.

They were changes, some observers, including elected members, believe brought with them a new dimension and air of optimism in Longfords social, economic and infrastructural future.

The anticipated arrival of Center Parcs in a little over two years time is expected to lay much of the groundwork for those well laid intentions.

Simply waiting for the UK leisure resort giant to provide the catalyst in propelling Longfords profile as a tourism destination on a national and international stage is not part of the Galwegians vocabulary however.

(Center Parcs) will be hugely important and will bring a lot of positive economic activity to the county.

On top of that we have to make sure the rest of the county is in a position to attract other types of investment.

For instance, if you look around us and look at neighbouring towns in neighbouring counties we dont have a motorway access to the capital, our neighbouring regional towns have that.

We dont have natural gas in Longford, our neighbouring towns have that. For us to be able to compete with our neighbours to attract the type of investment I believe Longford needs, we need to have those infrastructural facilities in place.

It was precisely at that stage of our conversation the well spoken father of four looked across from the confines of his office to the still vacant shopping centre at the foot of Longford town.

Built and completed in 2009 by bankrupt billionaire developer Bernard McNamara, the 10,000 sq ft facility has remained one of the ill-fated ghosts of Longfords Celtic Tiger legacy.

Now, and thanks to concerted behind the scenes efforts, the centre together with the Council-owned former Connolly Barracks site is in the process of being offered up for sale.

And for someone who has played a key part in bringing those plans to fruition, its a prospect that cant come soon enough.

The council has worked very closely with NAMA and with the receivers to make sure that that project is now virtually ready to go to the market.

The council needs to work locally, regionally and nationally with the different agencies to make sure this town and this county has got the necessary investment and supports in place that will attract investors and visitors to come here.

The area thats called the Northern Quarter which effectively is the shopping centre and army barracks is ready to go to the market and we would be hopeful that the market, as in private market sector, there will be enough interest there so that that quarter should be developed to our satisfaction and to the owners of the shopping centres satisfaction so that it can become a vibrant part of Longford town.

Like a number of other local politicians who have flagged the idea in the past, Mr Mahon is quite receptive to the idea of a new hotel taking up anchorage there.

A large slice of that assumption is based on the increased need for beds one of Britains largest commercial companies is set to bring to Longford once it sets up operations here.

Its hard to see how Longford isnt going to move forward without a fully thriving hotel somewhere in the town, opined Mr Mahon, while professing the belief that Longford was now on the cusp of a very, very significant uplift in the broader tourism sector.

We cant at the moment host large conferences in the town because we dont have the facilities.

The demand for bed space will increase significantly (with the arrival of Center Parcs) and it will raise the profile of Longford.

That coupled with the significant number of tourism projects that have been developed by the county council either in the south of the county along the Royal Canal Greenway and the concept of a Wilderness Park around Lough Ree and the enhancement of the Corlea centre is going to improve the quality of the tourism attraction there. The whole concept of the literary trail in and around Edgeworthstown is going to attract people and the rebel trail in the north of the county means there will be a lot of other things for people to do in Longford when Center Parcs does arrive here.

The clear and decisive tone in the county CEs voice is refreshing. Making sure the county, at both ends of the county is well placed to reap the rewards from a revitalised wider economy is something the qualified civil engineer clearly places a lot of emphasis on.

A recently launched 43m capital investment plan covering headline topics from housing to infrastructural modifications may be aspirational in its delivery but is very much symptomatic of the confidence that currently permeates through the corridors of Aras an Chontae.

We have very ambitious plans in housing, in getting new builds built, and we are already working on a housing scheme in Drumlish. We are also planning to regenerate a lot of housing areas in towns and villages around the county and tidying up existing towns by providing more appropriate housing in the towns and villages around the county as well as roads and tourism facilities around the county.

If you look at what has happened in the last year, it is evidence based in that we have started a housing programme and we hope to carry out a lot of purchases to repair houses in Longford town and county this year, said Mr Mahon.

We are also looking at the renew and lease scheme which will involve upgrading houses around the town and the county.

We have a lot of work going on in town and village renewal schemes and have got significant grants from the Department of Rural Affairs in that area but also in the REDZ programme (Rural Economic Development Zone). There is money to build a pedestrian bridge to improve the whole interactivity around this part of the town so there is a lot of money coming from the State that might not have come in the past and there is a prospect of similar monies coming over coming years which gives us the degree of confidence to plan for the next three years. Of course plans are one thing, making them become a reality is an entirely different prospect altogether.

The fact Department of Transport officials willingly signed off on over 500,000 last year to allow for the completion of the Royal Canal Greenway between Abbeyshrule and Ballymahon was, perhaps, further evidence of Longfords burgeoning tourism appeal.

If we can attract similar funding this year we will complete the Royal Canal Greenway throughout the county so that hopefully by the end of the year we should have a continuous greenway throughout the county along the Canal with a link back into Longford town and that will connect with the Canal Greenway which runs right through Westmeath.

I am fairly sure that will attract tens of thousands of tourists from the Shannon at Clondra back through Westmeath and all the way to Dublin.

Whether those bold predictions come to pass or not, Longford, as Mr Mahon is only too well aware has other challenges in its path.

Arguably the biggest of those is how the local authority and other state agencies continues in its efforts to offset the 170 job losses at Cameron.

Mahon and his team, together with the councils current crop of 18 elected members, came in for plenty of heightened attention in the days and weeks following that announcement.

The setting up or a multi-agency group in response was a measure he believes was the right one in terms of showing leadership and support to those affected.

More recently, he, together with Cathaoirleach Mick Cahill brought that agenda to the attention of IDA dignitaries in New York as part of the Big Apples St Patricks Day celebrations.

A perennial topic for conversation among certain sceptics, the Council chief defended the decision to travel, saying the chance to showcase Longford was simply too good of an opportunity to spurn.

The county council was invited by the Longford Association in New York to attend their annual St Patricks Day celebrations and also to accompany them on the parade in New York.

That was an invitation that was very welcome and it allowed us, myself and the Cathaoirleach to go to New York and meet firstly with the Longford diaspora in New York and, secondly, to take the opportunity to meet with national bodies, some of whom are based outside of the country, to promote everything that Longford has to offer.

This council is very keen to promote Longford as a place with huge potential. There is work to be done but the potential is there to convince investors and government departments to stay with us so we can deliver on all of our plans.

And delivery, you feel, is something Longfords most senior civil servant remains very much intent on realising.
Culture / Art Republik

The contemporary art fair that makes collecting friendly to both first-time and established buyers will feature works of over 300 artists like Jieun Park from Korea and established Singaporean sculptor Lim Leong Seng

Apr 02, 2017 | By Teo Hui Min

The Affordable Art Fair (AFF) returns to Singapore from April 7 to 9 at the F1 Pit Building. Since its launch in Singapore in 2010, the fair has been an enjoyable addition to the growing calendar of local arts events. Breaking down assumptions about what it means to be an art collector, the AAF has been a key event promoting art appreciation and developing the art market here in Singapore.

Taking place across nine countries globally each year including London, New York, Hong Kong, and Germany, AAF has built a reputation for showcasing a reliably high quality of contemporary art that appeals to established and new collectors alike. The 2017 Spring edition in Singapore promises engaging programmes and an opportunity to acquire unique and affordable pieces of art to supplement or start a burgeoning art collection.

With works priced between S$100 and S$15,000, the fair brings 41 international and local galleries together to present a wide selection across artistic styles and mediums including paintings, photography, sculpture, drawing, edition prints, contemporary calligraphy, and more. Featured this time are artists such as Jieun Park from Korea, Chinese artist Wong Xiang Yi, and well-known Singaporean sculptor Lim Leong Seng. With works from over 300 artists on view, there is something for everyones budget and taste.

Past editions have seen 20% of visitors buying their first piece of art at the fair, and new buyers can take full advantage of the welcoming atmosphere to explore freely, and to ask questions about buying art. Helping to facilitate a smooth and pleasant experience for buyers, there will be free professional wrapping for artworks as well as advice on the framing and display of works.

There is something for visitors of all ages. For one, there are free art tours such as the daily 35-minute Gallery Speed Dating Tours for visitors to hear from five to six galleries about their artists, along with other complimentary workshops and demonstrations. Open throughout the day, the Childrens Art Studio will be running sculpture workshops for children aged four and above, providing an entertaining and educational programme for the youngest of art lovers. There will also be a variety of art installations throughout the fair that will provide the opportunity for a sensory engagement with artworks.

The #ArtHappy Evening on April 7 hosted in association with Art Republik will be a fun evening to kick off the fair, and will feature art performances, tours, workshops, and music. Fair-goers can enjoy a glass of wine and unwind while soaking in the creative atmosphere and seeking out interesting works of art.

Continuing a tradition of charitable giving, S$1 from every ticket sold (including public days and the #ArtHappy Evening) will go to the Woodbridge Hospital Charity Fund (WHCF). Managed by the Institute of Mental Health, the WHCF works towards improving the lives of persons with mental illnesses in Singapore and hopes to bring art therapy to more patients, and use art outreach to raise awareness for mental health issues. AAF will also be bringing back the Charity Feature Wall with all works priced at S$500 and with 50% of sale proceeds going towards the WHCF.

Art Republik looks forward to discovering great artworks and an unforgettable experience at the Affordable Art Fair.

This article was published in Art Republik 14.
Lifestyle / Gastronomy

The home of mustard may become a hub for French wine and gastronomy with an education centre offering cookery courses from Ecole Ferrandi and a hotel

Apr 02, 2017 | By AFP Relaxnews

The French city of Dijon is set to become an international hub for French wine and gastronomy thanks to a vast development opening in 2019. The site will be home to exhibition spaces, a four-star hotel and an education centre, with cookery courses from the renowned Ecole Ferrandi school.

After its initial announcement in February 2016, the Cite internationale de la gastronomie et du vin  or International Gastronomy Exhibition Centre  in the Eastern city of Dijon is starting to take shape, with key features of the development outlined March 21. The centre hopes to become a major focus of local life and will be fully integrated into its surroundings, thanks to a 540-home eco-neighbourhood and a 13-screen movie theatre also planned for the complex. A 4,500 square metres mall area will feature wine bars and four restaurants, as well as boutiques selling cookery, kitchenware and tableware items.

The development, located on the site of the citys former General Hospital, hopes to provide a high-quality showcase for Frances renowned culinary culture. The project is reminiscent of the recently opened Cite du vin wine museum and cultural centre in Bordeaux, destined to become an international hot spot for wine lovers.

As the capital of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region, Dijon is an ideally situated stop-off point for visitors touring the vineyards of Burgundy. French wine and gastronomy will be celebrated in various ways at this multifaceted complex. For example, the Bureau interprofessionnel des vins de Bourgogne (BIVB) wine school is due to run wine-related courses in the centre, and the renowned Parisian cookery school Ecole Ferrandi will be teaching cooking and pastry-making courses. Students will follow a five-month program, taught in English. Developers expect to welcome 110 international students per year in a specially designed 750 square metres training space.

Accessible by high-speed TGV train and by freeway, Dijon hopes to become a major tourist destination. To anticipate demand, the development integrates a 125-room four-star hotel located in historic buildings dating from the hospitals extension in the 17th and 18th centuries. The hotel will have a restaurant, a spa and an outdoor pool.

Visitors will be able to explore French gastronomic culture via to a 1,700 square metres exhibition space hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions that celebrate the gastronomic meal of the French, as enshrined in UNESCOs cultural heritage. Local Burgundy wines will enjoy their own specific showcase in the former hospital chapel, where visitors can find out more about the characteristic wine-growing plots  or climats  of the regions vineyards.

The first sections of Dijons Cite de la gastronomie et du vin is scheduled for completion in 2019. One million visitors are expected each year.
MASON CITY | A Mason City man who called 911 to report a burglary at his house was arrested when the officers found several bags of marijuana, but no burglar, inside his home.

Trey Richey, 23, was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a felony drug tax stamp violation and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richey called police about 7:25 a.m. Sunday because he heard noises and thought someone was breaking into his residence at 1226 N. President Ave., said Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen.

He said officers dispatched to investigate the alleged burglary found no sign that anyone had tried to force their way into the red, two-story home, but smelled marijuana and found drug paraphernalia.

Investigators checking the residence for a potential burglar also saw several large bags of marijuana, a box of plastic bags and a digital scale with marijuana on it -- all in plain view, according to court documents.

Drug paraphernalia was allegedly found around the home, including in Richeys bedroom.

Officers walked out of the home Sunday morning carrying items in brown paper bags, as well as a television from the house.

They were at the scene for about five hours.

Police say they determined the house hadnt been broken into and nothing was missing from the home.

Richey remained jailed Monday afternoon on $10,000 bond.

His next court date is Friday in District Court in Mason City.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Russian Revolution and Soviet Power

One read with great interest the articles of Rosa Luxemburg (Mainstream, November 5, 2016) and Dr Paresh Chattopadhyaya. (Mainstream, Annual Number, 2016) Both bring to light the contra-dictory nature of Soviet revolution and its complexities, which continue to daunt scholars and analysts alike

Nature and Role of Soviets

The origin and evolution of the Soviets and their subsequent loss pf power under the rule of the Communist Party is a rich and increasingly complex task in view of the growing body of historic facts/documents. Therefore, the Russian revolution needs very careful treatment without reaching rash conclusions.

There is undoubtedly a serious need for rethinking on the entire history of the revolution and its various aspects.

The Soviets were born spontaneously in the first decade of the 20th century in the course of the revolution of 1905. This is a crucial fact, having bearing on their subsequent history. The Soviets were genuine mass organisations, which formed the basis of the revolution of 1917.

The fact cannot be underestimated that the Soviets were the organisation of the workers, peasants and the soldiers. Often the role of the soldiers is ignored. It was during the First World War (WW I) that the Soviets spread rapidly among the Army units at the front. The soldiers played the decisive role in the Russian Revolution, imparting it a relatively peaceful form. They made the Tsarist downfall and revolution possible. An armed revolution from outside would not have been possible in Russia; hence the great importance of the armed forces joining it.

A Genuine Revolution

Much is being written these days on the genuineness of the Russian Revolution, whether it was carried out by the people or by the Soviets and party or it was just a coup by a handful. Much work is needed in clarifying the several issues related. Roy Medvedyevs seminal work on October 1917 revolution is great contribution. We need to discuss more.

Yet it is an undeniable fact that it was the Soviets which overthrew the Tsar, not any party. The power passed partially to the Soviets of Workers, Peasants and Soldiers in Petrograd or St Petersburg in March (February) 1917. All the major parties of the revolution were present, and yet no party led them. The balance of military forces within the Russian Armies made it possible for the soldiers to take over power, supported of course by the workers and peasants and guided, to an extent, by the Mensheviks and other factions.

So the Soviets were the genuine revolutionary force, acting as the main vehicle of the giant transformations in Russia. They virtually held the real power at a time when the Kerensky Government held formal power. This feature was aptly brought out by Lenin as a rare event in history in the form of a dual power. This was one of the main reasons why Lenin was able to lead the great events in Russia.

In his celebrated April Theses, Lenin identifies the axis of the tactics of the revolution in taking over full power, that is, also the governmental power. Here, Lenin has identified the crucial role of the Soviets in the Russian Revolution.

The crisis of world imperialism, sharpest in Russia, tore asunder the feudal-monopoly tsarist political order, making it the weakest link. Here the Soviets were to play a central role. Millions of people joined the anti-tsarist revolt. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers began to desert the war fronts, joining the growing revolutionary upsurge in Russia. The most crucial arm of the state machine, the armed forces, began to turn against the Tsar himself. Russia was becoming mature for revolution.

Two centres of power emerged after the overthrow of the Tsar: the Soviets and the Constituent Assembly. There was a constant conflict between the two till the eve of the November Revolution. This conflict decided the fate of the revolution.

Lenin, Soviets and Revolution

Here a crucial point arises. It appears the Bolsheviks, particularly Lenin, were the only force to have recognised the great revolutionary potential of the Soviets as the mass organisation of the revolution. There could be any amount of criticism of Lenin on the relationship between the party and the Soviets. A lot of work is being done and many facts are coming to light. Reassessment of several aspects of the Russian Revolution is needed, undoubtedly.

But the fact remains that it was none other than Lenin who understood the potential of the Soviets. It was mainly he who galvanised them into an unprecedented revolutionary upsurge after dispelling their illusions.

February to October (or March to November, 1917) is one of the most fascinating periods in world history. In this brief period, the revolution turned into one of the most momentous events. It was all in its greatest splendour, revealing now one and now the other aspect in a rich display of historic shifts and quick changes. The revolutionary tactics had to change almost every week, even every day, and therefore had to be extremely flexible. Only an organisation and an individual who had mastered dialectics could negotiate such a rich complexity. It was Lenin again who rose to the occasion and led the forces in the vanguard through complicated pathways to victory. It was Hegelian dialectics in practice by him. Never before or after has dialectics been so well practised. It remains an example for all the revolutionaries of the world.

The Soviets, consequently, became the carrier of the revolutionary process, leading up to its successful culmination. Objectively, the Soviets became the ground for conflicting interests and tactics. The resolution of these contradictions would open the way forward.

Lenin alone among all the major figures of Russian Revolution understood the central role of the Soviets. There can be any amount of criticism of his role, and we definitely need to go deeper into history. But it is undeniable that Lenin alone understood the historic place of the Soviets. No other leader has been able to do this. This was the greatness and depth of Lenins theoretical and practical understanding as well as of his contribution to Marxism.

The councils (soviets) in Germany of the period had similar potential, perhaps even more. During 1918-23, the country was constantly lingering on the verge of a classical proletarian revolution. But it missed the opportunities constantly because mainly of the subjective factors. The various parties of the social democrats, including the Spartacists, and the later Communists failed to really live up to the situation. The blame goes mainly to the social democrats, who held a majority among the working class. The leaderships failed to theoretically sum up the great revolutionary build-up. As a result, they failed to mobilise and throw the councils into the decisive action to take over all power. They swung between the extremes of premature or late actions, and ultimately got annihilated.

The extreme weakness of the German CP was also a big factor.

In contrast, the Bolsheviks, and in particular Lenin, were theoretically absolutely clear as to their tactics leading up to the revolution since April 1917: the Dual Power had to be ended; to resolve it, the masses inside and outside the Soviets had to be cleared of the illusions regarding the nature of the government; this had to take the form mainly of a prolonged peaceful explanatory work among the working masses; full power thus had to be taken over by the Soviets which already had the real power in contrast to the formal power of the ruling party/class, etc.

The concept of dual power and the need to end it is one of the extraordinary concepts in the history of the theory of revolution. Dual power could not go on for ever: it had to be settled or it would settle down (get resolved) either in favour of one side or the other. Either the big bourgeois-imperialist-feudal combine would win or the Soviets representing the working masses, including the working class, peasants and the soldiers.

Lenin adopted the strategy and tactics of taking over full power. To this end the Bolsheviks decided to gain a majority in the Soviets by convincing them of the correctness of their strategy. The struggle to defeat the Kornilov Revolt of July 1917 was a major milestone on the way, when the extreme Rightwing was defeated, the Kerensky Government was successfully defended and the power of the Soviets considerably strengthened.

Various political trends and parties fought out in the broad platform of the Soviets, including the Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, Cadets, Socialist Revolutionaries, etc. Their debates are rich. They went through stages whereby the Soviets were convinced of the futility of the World War and of the legitimacy of the Kerensky Government. This realisation finally prepared the Soviets in favour of the revolution.

There is one contestable and debatable point on way to November 7. That is about the role of the Constituent Assembly (CA). It can be argued whether the CA could have been turned into a peoples tribune. It is very difficult at present to provide a final answer.

Yet it cannot be doubted that the mass of the people led by the Soviets took full power on November 7, 1917, staging the first ever successful working class revolution, participated in by the peasantry and the soldiers.

Lenin, Party and the Soviets

The subsequent history of the Russian Revo-lution and the collapse of the Soviet Union have opened up many issues, generating debate and discussions. They have only enriched the theory of the revolution and of socialism. An extra-ordinary amount of literature has come up, inviting indepth study and analyses. Many clarifications are coming up as to what should not have been done. It is clear that a revolution cannot proceed further and socialism cannot be built without democracy. This in two senses: One, the democratic revolution, that is, preparing the ground for the move towards socialism, has to be prolonged and with material preparations. Two, revolution and socialism have to fully assimilate the spirit and build structures guaran-teeing democracy. Socialism must have the in-built mechanism of democracy, the system of checks and balances. Socialism must have in-built guarantees against centralisation and Stalini-sation.

The question of the actual nature and practice of the working class power is yet to be solved.

Lenin and the Bolsheviks committed many mistakes, including creating certain grounds for the subsequent rise of Stalinism. The questions should be put against the background of WW I, the intervention in Soviet Russia by 14 imperialist countries and the resultant Civil War. It appears that Lenin overestimated and overstated the socialist or proletarian nature of the Russian Revolution. This only helped to short-circuit the prolonged democratic nature of the revolution.

Power indeed passed into the hands of the Soviets, no doubt about it. The power structure was cut out according to the Soviet nature, not the party nature. The Council of Peoples Commissars and the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Soviets were the most democratic structures in the history of the Soviet Union. It was these structures that step by step got corroded, thanks to centralisation and subsequent Stalinisation. The Party and its leading bodies, particularly the Polit-Bureau, replaced the Soviets. Thus power passed from the Soviets to the party in the course of Stalinisation. Lenin and his colleagues have to bear some responsibility for it.

Yet, it is to the credit of Lenin that he recognised the growing degeneration of Soviet and party power and the loss of democratic rights. A little earlier, Rosa Luxemburg pointed out the growing centralisation of power in the party and the state. Lenin mentioned in 1920 that the peasants had every right to overthrow the Soviet power because of its misdeeds. He was gravely concerned about centralisation, and said between 1920 and 1922 that the Tsarist state machine had remained basically intact. He called for the removal of Stalin as the General Secretary of the RCP(B). Had Lenin lived he would have no doubt gone deeper into the problems of democratisation.

Much is to be learnt from Lenin about collective and democratic functioning. He never held the post of the General Secretary and there never was such a post in the party till 1922. Lenin did not insist on creating it till that year. It was created more to coordinate the party centre. He became the Prime Minister only under pressure, a post lower than the that of the Chairman of the CEC. He often was in a minority, and had several different viewpoints in his team. He regularly convened the party Congresses, almost every year.

There is a need to go deeper into the mechanics of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and re-examine it in order to understand what exactly is the nature and structure of the working class power.

The author is a Marxist ideologue.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Trouble over China getting land in Sri Lanka

Trouble has broken out in Sri Lanka over its allocation of land to China for a supermarket and naval facilities. The government in Colombo had moved some shops and business houses from Hambantola to build an industrial zone for Chinese investors.

Last week thousands demonstrated at the inauguration of an industrial zone at Hambantola, as the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Yi Xianliang, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, came there for the inauguration of the zone. Thousands of protesters against the zone had to be driven away with water cannons and tear gas as they resisted against being moved away from their land, resisting notices of acquisition.

A Sri Lankan Government Minister said the Chinese investors had requested 15,000 acres of land there, but the Prime Minister said he would give only 1235. But even that area could not be surveyed because of public resistance.

The government has blamed the Opposition, in particular supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former President, for the discontent in Mambantola, as he called it Chinese colonisation.

The development of the port was initiated under Rajapaksa, who had been criticised for signing uncompetitive contracts that subjected Sri Lanka with heavy debts to the Chinese Government.

The new government plans to grant a state-controlled Chinese firm, called CM Port, an 80 per cent stake in a 99-year lease for $ 1.2 billion. It maintains that the industrial park there will attract five billion dollars in investment and create 100,000 jobs.

The signing of the lease on the port has been postponed, after Arjuna Ranatunga, the Ports and Shipping Minister, complained to the President, Maithripala Sirisena, about some clauses in the contract, one granting CM Port control over internal security and another allowing it to claim fees for navigation.

Rajapaksa, who used to be the Member of Parliament from Hambantola and still wields considerable political influence, is railing against giving the rights of landlord over the industrial zone to a foreign private company and raising concerns about control and sovereignty.

The author is a veteran journalist who writes on international affairs.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Back to Square One

We are back to square one. The Supreme Court has advised the two parties, those who want the Babri Masjid to be reconstructed and those who claim that the site is that of Lord Ramas. In its judgment, the Court has advised the different parties to sit together and sort out the problems through negotiations.

One surprising part of the advice is that the Chief Justice of India is willing to mediate for an out-of-court settlement. He has said: Give a bit and take a bit. Make an effort to sort it out. He points out that these are issues of sentiments and he can even step aside and let his brother judges to decide. How can the Chief Justice or, for that matter, his brother judges mediate because their very office is supposed to be above controversies?

Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu icon, has been elected as the leader of the Uttar Pradesh legis-lative party of the BJP with a huge margin and installed as the Chief Minister. Whether the credit for securing this majority in UP goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or to the Yogi, who has the reputation of being a hardcore Hindu leader, it shows that Hindutva is sweeping the country. Obviously, the RSS is behind the move.

In the past, the RSS always stayed distant although it was the final arbiter. But now it is so confident of the Hindu majority, particularly after the BJP swept the elections in UP, that it doesnt mind coming out in the open. It is already preparing for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, minces no words when he tells the swayamsevaks to be prepared to meet the increasing attacks on the RSS and get ready for the next Lok Sabha polls.

In the face of what has happened in the recent Assembly elections, the RSS fears that the Opposition parties might join hands together to fight it out. In such a scenario, the BJP-led NDA may lose ground. The RSS, or for that matter, the BJP, knows that despite getting 42 per cent of the vote-share in UP, the combined efforts of the other parties fetched 55 per cent of the vote- share. It means that the non-BJP parties would have to come together. This doesnt seem possible at present.

The bigger danger may force them to sink their differences and fight the saffron brigade. As Nani Palkhiwala, the late eminent jurist said, when the house is on fire you dont think whether to save the drawing room or dining room. You want to save the entire house. He was referring to the looming threat of the erstwhile Jan Sangh getting a majority in Parliament. It is another matter that the Janata Party, comprising most Jan Sanghis, came to power at the Centre in 1977. But the sticking point was to sever relations with the RSS.

However, the Jan Sangh elements, who are now a part of the ruling BJP, refused to snap ties with the RSS. Subsequently, L.K. Advani walked out and founded a separate party, the BJP. Liberal elements in the party like Atal Behari Vajpayee, too, left the Janata Party. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise that his sobering influence did not allow the hardcore elements to take over when the party came to power.

It, however, shows that secularism has not taken roots in the country. It is unfortunate that the independence struggle, aimed at a secular democratic country that included this noble thought in the Preamble of the Constitution, seems to have gone awry. The Hindutva elements, slowly and gradually, swept the country. Today, you can see that soft-Hindutva has spread even in Kerala where the BJP, for the first time, has made inroads.

As it is, the party has captured the imagi-nation of people and has come to power in over a dozen States. This also means that a secular party like the Congress has been losing its grip in the States which it ruled once. Even the regional parties are losing their relevance as it happened in UP. Obviously, the BJP has been able to influence the minds of most people. The Rajya Sabha elections look like strengthening the BJPs hands.

The Assembly elections in such States as Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will really show whether the Lok Sabha would be captured by the BJP or not. However, the future is ominous. The revival of the Ram Mandir issue could shape the future of the country and would polarise the nation further. Yogi Adityanath has repeated Modis words of sabka saath, sabka vikas.

But the content of the party cannot change overnight. Though the UP Chief Minister may not be saying it in as many words, he will have to follow the RSS and BJP agenda of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, sooner or later. If the all-powerful Yogi has been installed as the Chief Minister by the BJP High Command, it must be with a clear-cut intention.

Whatever may the outcome, the Court cannot decide on what is apparently a matter of faith. That is perhaps why the CJI has offered to mediate for an out-of-court settlement. But then there have been several attempts since 1986, involving five governments of different colours. It was mainly because both parties seem to be adamant that they dont want to make any compromises. Under the circumstances, another attempt by the CJI may not help.

Except for the BJP, none of the other parties is enthused over the offer by the Supreme Court Bench. It looks as if the Apex Court also is not clear in its mind how to settle the dispute. This long-ranging issue needs a quick solution for the comfort of all parties concerned. But, unfortunately, it doesnt seem to be coming, at least in the near future.

The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Towards Bosnia?

From N.C.s Writings

Bombay is burning. Sopore is burning.

Bombay marks the worst of Hindu-Muslim communal violence since the bloody days of the partition that came with the independence of India. The civil aministration having failed, the Army has been called in to put down killing and looting in the countrys commercial capital famous for its cosmopolitan culture.

And Sopore? The Border Security Force under constant attack from the militants fighting for Kashmirs secession, allegedly launched an attack against the civilian population setting fire to their tenements, in which nearly a hundred reportedly perished. Whatever news about this ghastly operation that could trickle in beating the official censor has horrified large sections of the public.

At one place, the Army is called to enforce civil order and at the other place, rampage by the security forces infuriates the civilian population against the government. In other words, the very forces that the government summons at one place to maintain its authority, destroys the very same authority at another place. The law of diminishing returns plays havoc upon a government using the armed forces to establish its authority at home.

The hazards of using the armed forces to deal with internal disorder have long been acknow-ledged. Only last year, a warning by the Army chief in a press interview created quite a stir but could hardly be denied. He is not the first Army chief to have advised the civil authority on this score. In fact, such internal emergency assignment deflects the armed forces from their primary responsibility of guarding the frontiers of the country from foreign armed attack. Instead, if the Army is ued as an internal police, its own morale has the danger of being undermined while it usurps to itself the role that rightly belongs to the civilian authority. All this is known to our national leaders, and yet they are compelled to use the armed forces because of their having allowed to develop a situation which in reality brings out the bankruptcy of their own policies.

If violene in all its hideousness has arrived in Bombay, it is entirely due to the failure of the government in facing the Ayodhya crisis which itself shook the very foundations of our demo-cratic, secular society. And this failure at Ayodhya has not only damaged our democracy at home but our standing abroad as well. So much so that India has to bear the odium of having to get the SAARC Summit put off because its own Prime Minister could not attend it for the fear of having to face possible demonstrations against him. And if this is the depth to which our prestige has plummeted in South Asia, one may easily imagine how much this in its turn impairs our standing in the world today.

In terms of the durability of our republic, the Ayodhya crisis has brought to the fore for the first time the serious concern of a large body of opinion in this country whether the enbittered polarisation that has been generated between a large section of Hindus and Muslims could be overcome at all, or whether the poison would spread to the five-and-a-half lakh villages where the two communities have been living for ages in harmony and with honour.

One wonders if the perpetrators of the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya realised the full impact of their vandalism when they carried out the secretly planned operation on December 6. Because, they have not only hurt the feelings of a minority community which they hate, but they have also in the process despoiled the Supreme Court and defaced the Constitution. To plead that all this is irrelevant in the urge for worshipping Lord Ram does not carry conviction, because behind the whipping of religious frenzy on the part of the political elements involved in the campaign for building the temple by destroying the mosque has been, in the eyes of the discerning observer, the drive to garner votes for accession to power.

Subsequent measures taken to deal with the Ayodhya crisis has not helped to extricate it from the trivial world of petty politics. Neither the ouster of the BJP Governments in four States and the ban on certain parties nor the ordinance acquiring the disputed area as also the setting up of two trusts for building a mosque and a temple, has helped to reinvigorate a sense of confidence in the Central Government, just as the much published campaign against comm-unalism by like-minded political parties has hardly made any impact on the mass mood. All over the country, a sense of hopelessness has crept in about the efficiency of and intention behind any action by the accredited political parties. In other words, the public impression is fast gaining ground about the bankruptcy of political parties in dealing with problems facing the country today.

As for the gruesome incident at Sopore, its fall-out will be no less calamitous. Whatever may be the claims of the authorities, it is generally known that the continued presence of the security forces to deal with any militancy leads to the alienation of the local populace, as it has happened at a number of places in the Kashmir Valley in the last three years. The Sopore incident, however, has much more disastrous impli-cations. The clash between the militants and security forces, by all available accounts, was turned into an all-out attack against the local population of this important town in Kashmirs apple country, with the BSF virtually carrying fire and sword against the civilian population.

Apart from this amounting to serious violation of the norms of conduct in any military operations, the horrendous incident indicates that whatever public support the Indian authorities might still be retaining in the Kashmir Valley, even that is being recklessly squandered by the very security forces which are supposed to replenish it. Sopore points to the surest way of losing the Kashmir Valley for good for India. It is true that the government has understood the significance of the Sopore tragedy, as two Cabinet Ministers were despat-ched by the Prime Minister to bring him a first-hand report.

But Sopore is not just an aberration. It is an ominous portent of things to come. The temper in the Valley is turning from alienation to antagonism as the Sopore incident underlines, and with more Sopores to come, the militant base will expand and not shrink in the Valley.

At the present moment, our government is excited over the prospect of the British Foreign Secretary accusing the Pakistani authorities of sending arms to the Kashmir militants. This, however, does not rule out the Western pressure, particularly of the USA and Britain, upon India to talk direct to the militants and settle with them on the basis of conceding the essence of their demand, which of course will mean at least autonomy in the real sense. While New Delhi has so long been unable to declare any concessions to win over the militants or their following, it is clear that unless and until the Centre is prepared to concede what may be called the essence of independencein the shape of extensive autonomythe Kashmir Valley would be lost to India forever. Here too is a threat to Indias integrity unless the challenge is met boldly and politically.

Bombay and Soporeunless we are prepared to handle with courage and statesmanship, what prevents us from going the way of Bosnia?

(Mainstream, January 16, 1993)
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Conversion of a Hindu Priest in India

by L.K. Sharma

India is a happening place. It has just witnessed the rare event of a Hindu priest becoming the Chief Minister of its politically most influential State of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Ajay Singh Bisht became Yogi Adityanath and after the death of his spiritual father became the head of his religious establishment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned hard to win the State Assembly elections for his party and then ensured that the State is ruled by a monk in saffron clothes who converts Christians to Hinduism and delivers anti-Muslim speeches.

A Yogi becomes a Commissar! But Hindus pray for a Commissar to become a Yogi, a more evolved being. And in this case, a political animals right to be called a Yogi can be questioned. Many Hindus would say that this militant-monk, this fire-brand BJP leader who spreads hate is no Yogi.

If Adityanath looks up the meanings of the Sanskrit words yoga and yogi, he would give up his divisive politics and uphold the principle of unity in diversity. Yoga signifies union, balance and moderation. In New York, Hot Yogais a brand but a true Yogi cannot go about exposing himself to criminal cases and fuelling violence against a community.

But all that does not matter because the Prime Minister is behind the Yogi and the media is suffused with comments applauding Modis astuteness. Before the States Chief Minister was selected, the Yogis followers went around shouting the slogan that those who want to live in the State must hail their Yogi! Modi saw the Yogis potential. This Yogi also runs a Hindu youth organisation, independent of the BJP.

The Hindu card matters in elections but its effectiveness rises and falls from time to time. Even in the recent surcharged sectarian atmos-phere, the BJP would not have got such an overwhelming majority had it projected this Hindu monk as the chief ministerial candidate.

In his poll campaign, Modi used the themes of development and Hindutva (Hinduness) in the right proportions. Thus the selection of the monk after winning the election has been described by a commentator as bait and switch.

Hinduism marks a clear distinction between the spiritual and temporal power. So is an ancient religion transforming contemporary politics or the ruling partys politics modifying Hinduism?

This reporter, steeped in the Hindu tradition, was horrified when he first saw the Knights of Armour glorified in the Christian churches or read about a Pope of a bygone era who issued a clarion call for the destruction of the non-Christians.

Of course, like the Christian churches of the yore, several Hindu temples and self-appointed Hindu saints are very wealthy, owning large sums of cash, gold and real estate.

And if Great Britain learns from the largest democracy, the Conservative Party should field the Vicar of Bray as the next Prime Minister! He would establish Heaven on Earth, which means the return of the British Empire! Other miracles will follow. A joke doing rounds in India in the context of a Hindu priest coming from a non-priestly caste becoming the Chief Minister could then have a British version.

Pilot to Heathrow Control Room: Im 300 miles from land a 600 feet above water and no fuel, please instruct.

Control Room to Pilot: OK. Shut your eyes. Repeat reverentially the Lords Prayer after me.......

(In the Indian joke, the airport is Lucknowthe seat of power of the priest-Chief Ministerand the prayer to be recited is addressed to Lord Hanuman  Lord Rams devotee.)

In the ancient Hindu tradition, the priests preached and the rulers ruled. The division of labour is clearly marked; based on the accident of birth or by the virtue of the persons conduct. The priest enjoyed a status higher than that of the king and was respected by the ruler as his Guru and adviser. But a priest would never be the king.

The ancient Hindu traditions notwithstanding, Yogi Adityanath is following the footsteps of some Hindu priests who began to participate in politics in order to challenge Nehru immediately after independence. They were upset as Nehru talked to millions of his countrymen about the need to develop a scientific temper and march towards modernity. He called dams and other development projects as temples of modern India. Nehru was the prime target of the Hindu Right-wing political formations that attracted many heads of the Hindu religious establishments. Of course, they could not mount a significant challenge during all these decades and no serious setback was caused to the nations secular ethos.

The new UP Chief Minister, who transformed himself from an ordinary mortal into a Yogi, took to politics like duck to water and has been winning parliamentary elections for years. This priests fiery speeches and hateful rhetoric promoted the consolidation of the Hindu votes in the 2014 parliamentary elections and the latest State Assembly elections.

For the same reason, the new Chief Minister has caused unease among those who see this as an initial step in the grand plan for eventually turning India into a majoritarian state, called Hindu Rashtra.

The Yogis selection also indicates that Prime Minister Modi does not want to take any risk in 2019 when he would seek a second term. He has figured out that he cannot win without the consolidation of the Hindu votes and without a promise to end the appeasement of the Muslims. Some Muslims may vote for him out of fear. His party sent a strong political message when it did not select even one Muslim candidate in the State elections. Modis devotees have heartily welcomed the selection of the Yogi. One commentator applauded Modi for staging the third disruptive event after the surgical strike against Pakistan and demonetisation.

But Yogis selection has upset some of Modis followers. They were mesmerised by Modis development dreams. Now they advise Modi to be like Nehru or at least discipline the foul-mouthed fanatics in his party. These innocent columnists, driven by their hatred of the Congress regime, never understand where Modi came from.

They ignored Modi playing the religious card during his election campaign in UP. Modi gathered more votes for his party by saying that the State Government should provide equal patronage to the Hindu crematorium and Muslim graveyard. The implied political charge of Muslim appeasement against the State Government was clear.

They say a person charged with inciting sectarian violence and facing criminal cases ought not to have been chosen, especially since Modi had made a lot of noise about decriminalising politics.

But Modi will dismiss with contempt this tiny section of his devotees displeased with him over the Yogi Adityanath affair. Their newspaper articles cannot shake Modis self-confidence. Hypothetically, today if Modi were to declare that in 50 days, he would make the sun rise in the west, hordes of his devotees in India, UK and America would hail him through the social media.

With appropriate gestures, he might explain how this New India, to be transformed by his New Politics, would help the poor. Also the New Sun God would stop appeasing the people of Eastern India, infiltrators into the sacred nation from across the border! Tweets will blame the Congress governments of the past for obstructing the change in solar trajectory!

After all, Modi is no ordinary man. He got a massive mandate by the people of India. In a democracy, that is the end of the argument!

However, since arguments are still allowed in India, a Yogi becoming a ruler may lead to a vigorous debate. Some Modi devotees may be looking for a verse in the sacred texts of Hinduism that sanctions the wielding of political power by a Yogi!

The Hinduism texts do contain contradictory statements, leaving scope for argumentation. A Vedic hymn questions even the Divines ability to know everything. That would be considered heretic in some other religions.

Are Hindus more spiritual than the Wester-ners? Is the concept of monkhood different in Hinduism and Buddhism? If some Buddhist monks turned violent, why cant the Hindu monks do the same? Why do the Jain monks refrain from hurting even the insects in the air and on the ground? Did Gandhi weaken the nation by preaching non-violence? Isnt muscular Hinduism needed to fight the Islamic fundamentalism, as Yogi Adityanath keeps saying.

The Hinduism experts have to seek answers to such questions while political analysts may tell us whether the Yogi was chosen because he belongs to a dominant caste. Could a Hindu priest belonging to the small Brahmin community have been chosen in his place?

The academics joining the fray will invite hostile reaction of the kind that seeks to intimidate the historians and political scientists criticising the sectarian rhetoric in India. The American scholars of Hinduism are more vulnerable as some recent events have shown. But they will be rewarded if they cite a sacred text justifying the Yogi becoming the king!

The view that the Hindu tradition marks a distinction between the spiritual and temporal power will be contested through cyber posts and You Tube videos. The Hollywood Hindus have been encouraged by the resurgence of Hindu nationalism in India now ruled by the Emperor of Hindu Hearts. They run a rapid response team to rubbish any criticism of Modi. Even devout Hindus committed to the nations secular Constitution are called sickular and fake Hindus.

Someone well-versed in the sacred literature of Hinduism rarely questions the political Hindus. One exception was the late Ramu Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhis grandson, a teacher of philosophy. After the BJPs movement to build a temple to Lord Ram at a place where Ram was born, Ramu Gandhi said in New Delhi that as per the Hindu tradition, the place where a baby is born is considered impure and thus a temple cannot be built there.

Ramu Gandhis argument did not convince the pious Hindus who demolished the mosque that was said to have been built in that place. Years ago, Ramu Gandhi got away, today a philosopher would hesitate to challenge a mob!

The Ram Temple issue has been hibernating. With the Yogi as the Chief Minister, the BJP will push it to the front-burner. Modi has taken off his mask, at least temporarily. In the parlia-mentary election in 2019, Modi wishes to use the Yogi. So religious polarisation will be a continuing crusade.

If religious passions are inflamed, it is election time. This is what every regular visitor to India has come to know.

(Courtesy: Open Democracy)

The author is a senior journalist and writer who worked in India and abroad (notably Britain) in several major newspapers. Now retired, he is a free- lancer.
PORT BYRON  Maj. Gen. Anthony P. German, the adjutant general of New York, announces the recent service accomplishment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their initial commitment to serve community, state and nation.

The newest citizen soldiers to complete Army basic combat training and advanced individual training were welcomed to their units during a New York Army National Guard battle handoff ceremony March 12:

 Pvt. Richard Hyde, from Port Byron, was formally welcomed into the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a transition ceremony at the armory in Auburn.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit dmna.ny.gov or 1800goguard.com.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Selection of Yogi Adityanath: Peoples Verdict Sabotaged

The following statement has been issued by Debabrata Biswas, the General Secretary of the All India Forward Bloc, on March 20, 2017.

By appointing Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has sabotaged the peoples verdict and openly challenged the democratic practice of the nation. It could have been democratic if the BJP leadership dared to announce his name as the chief ministerial candidate before the elections.

The Gorakhpur MP, Yogi Adityanath, was known for his venomous speeches against the time-tested secular tradition of our great nation. There have been numerous criminal cases registered against him on intimidating the minorities and abetting communal tension and violence. The Election Commission of India has served notices against him on his anti-national speeches and his attempt to divide the society on religious and caste basis. On a number of occasions the Commission warned him on his acts and speeches. By selecting such a person as the Chief Minister of the most populous State of India, the BJP openly defied the judicial system, the Constitution and the rich tradition of our democratic practice.

The black hands played behind the curtain for selecting Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh pushed the State, which is notorious for communal tension and violence, into a more vulnerable situation. It is a fact that, if the BJP could have announced his name as the chief ministerial candidate the before the elections, the result could have been different.

The All India Forward Bloc, the party founded by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the revolutionary hero of India, will a launch nationwide campaign against this undemocratic as well as dangerous ploy of the BJP. The party will organise public meetings, citizens conventions, Save Democracy  Save Secularism Campaign to expose the BJP and Sangh Parivar gang-up. The party urges upon the patriotic people of India to come forward to resist the communal forces by holding high the rich values of our democracy and secularism.
Interview with Ahmed A. Al-Ghannam, Chairman of KAPICO Group Holding

KAPICO is a family business that started in 1950 with a small shop. How did you manage to grow so much over the years?

KAPICO Group is a holding family group between two families. The Al-Ghannam family started with my father along with his two brothers, Ahmed and Yusuf. In 1950, they bought a small shop for used spare parts. They have developed our automotive business through the Group until it became one of the largest automotive spare part and aftermarket companies in Kuwait and the GCC region. We represent spare part manufacturers worldwide. From there, we have diversified our automotive business geographically into the GCC region, South Africa, and India.

You are currently present in four core branches, including automotive, healthcare, lifestyle, and infrastructure. You are pushing mostly for automotive and healthcare. How are you involved in the healthcare industry?

We are a second generation. When we came in, the company was concentrating only on the automotive branch. We then did a preliminary study on how to expand into other areas. We entered into different lines, such as food and beverage. We eventually came to the healthcare sector, where we have established a one of a kind hospital merging health services and hotel services. Because of this concept, Royale Hayat Hospital is now one of the most famous hospitals, not only in Kuwait, but worldwide.

Is this your only hospital? Are you planning on adding new medical centers?

Ten years after establishing Royale Hayat Hospital, we are quite proud to see it as a model. According to third parties who have surveyed our clients, Royale Hayat Hospital has become one of the best hospitals in Kuwait and our services have been recognized. Kuwait is an emerging market for the health sector. There is much to do in terms of expansion here. We are seriously examining how to expand in Kuwait in different lines as well as different sectors, north and south of Kuwait, and in Kuwait City.

In which areas are you looking to expand?

Royale Hayat Hospital began with mother and child services, concentrating on OBGYN and children. We have expanded and added other specialties, including dental, cosmetic, and family business. Royale Hayat Hospital is now at one hundred percent occupancy. We expect to add other specialties like orthopedic, physiotherapy, and a one day surgery center to help accommodate the market.

In Kuwait, we have good retail counters where we can provide a wide variety of spare part brands, from Japanese to American, Korean, and Chinese.

Who are your clients at Royale Hayat Hospital? Are you serving Kuwaitis or also medical tourists from the region?

Of course, Kuwaitis are the first client, but we have a large number of expats in Kuwait. In some of the specialties, especially cosmetic, we have a relationship with a well-known surgeon in the region, and people specifically come to Royale Hayat Hospital to book a surgery with him. As long as our services at Royale Hayat Hospital are over and above, people will continue to come.

The concept here is that this not just hospital, but a hospital where you are extremely comfortable. In Europe, the only thing about caring in a hospital is the medical aspect, and the aspect of being comfortable is forgotten.

The vision behind Royale Hayat Hospital is merging the health sector with the hotel sector. When we started to implement that idea, it was not only bringing the expertise, but also developing the facility for that expertise. When you come into the lobby, you feel like you are entering a hotel, not a hospital. Therefore, our rooms are considered suite rooms. All the medical equipment is hidden. You feel like you are in a hotel room with nice sofas and nice bathrooms. Inside the bathrooms, you have your towels, robe, and toothbrush, and all of this is facilitated along with nice colored doors. We also have a nice cafeteria. Over and above, the housekeeping is different from any hospital. Adding to that is the room service. With our room service, you pick up your phone and you have a menu like at a hotel. Your food comes to you on a nice trolley with nice silverware. The smile from our staff will reduce the sickness that you have. These are the things that make you feel comfortable.

What is your strategy to develop and push this concept, and in the healthcare sector in the medium term?

Our three to five year strategy is to start expansion into different areas in Kuwait with our one day surgery center and various specialties. Our priority is to expand into the GCC region, starting from the Royale Hayat Hospital concept. We have been in discussions and there are some groups that are already very interested.

Into which countries will you expand?

We are aiming for Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman. The Royale Hayat Hospital concept of mother and child care is the bread and butter of the healthcare sector. OBGYN and obstetrics are a major area in this sector, especially for the younger population.

How are you different from other suppliers in supplying spare parts for international manufacturers? Are you the leader in the market? If you go to South Africa or other countries, what can you provide as a key competitive advantage as a Group?

The aftermarket spare part sector is a very delegated line. There is imitation in the market and trust issues. The Group has emphasized trust in this area. They have built up that trust for the client and we are being very transparent with the client. This is one of the main elements for the retailer or the wholesaler. The Group is the leader in the aftermarket sector today. From the beginning, they have built up a good infrastructure and a good warehouse to supply regionally, not only to the GCC but also into the MENA. The Group was the first supplier of aftermarket spare parts in the region. In Kuwait, we have good retail counters where we can provide a wide variety of spare part brands, from Japanese to American, Korean, and Chinese. In addition to that, we also supply all types of aftermarket spare parts, from windshields to batteries, lubricants, tires, and chassis. If you bring us a chassis, we can build up an automobile with the engine, body part, gears, and all types of aftermarket spare parts.

What is your strategy for the automotive segment? Do you want to grow further in the region?

Our strategy is to grow this sector by merging unique services, as we did with the health sector by merging the hotel with the hospital. When you go to a garage, it is always dirty, oily, and greasy. Now, we have new showrooms that do not feel like a garage. You can bring your car in for service, changing tires, or buying spare parts or accessories, and there is a cafe, a service office, a nice television to watch the news or a movie with a nice coffee. It is very relaxing. This is the new concept. Our strategy is to develop the retail portion. Our next strategy is to diversify geographically into the region, going further to other countries. In India, we have a distributor and also in other countries in Africa and some of the countries where we do not have a joint venture. We went further to South Africa and we have established a headquarters. After doing research and study, we found that South Africa has a very promising automotive market. We started in that market almost sixteen years ago, and now it is the second largest operation for us in the automotive sector. In South Africa, we started in Johannesburg as a distribution for other dealers in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and other areas. Then, we decided to service our client there. So, we also went into Durban and Cape Town and opened our own structure, and it has developed very quickly. I can now supply my client with one day delivery instead of three day delivery from Johannesburg. Another strategy is to go into the manufacturing of spare parts and have our own brand. Our name is well established now and trustworthy in the market there.

Are you beginning manufacturing in South Africa or in Kuwait?

The manufacturers are in the far east. When you sign with them, you give them your specifications for the automotive parts. They need the volume to give you your own brand.

They crate this brand for you under your own name?

Yes, we are working on that brand, now. It is a very long term strategy to create our own brand in the automotive sector.

Can you replicate your expansion in South Africa in other countries to appeal to other regions?

We believe in going to other countries, but there are criteria you must fulfill. Especially when you are an investor, you must be very relaxed on the partnership that you do and the country scope and bylaws of the investment.

Where do you see the company and the automotive spare parts and aftermarket sector in the medium term of three years time? What would you like to have achieved?

Now, we are focusing on developing the retail business. We foresee that retail everywhere is becoming the strength of any trader. When we went to UAE, we started as a wholesaler. After six or seven years, we have now started developing the retail sector. In South Africa, we also started as wholesalers and are now developing the retail side. We foresee that the demand on the retail sector will provide a very big income.

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BASSETT  Located at 24 A Governor Stanley Highway in Bassett, theres an operation taking place few wouldve assumed from the outside of the building, where the letters spell out Light Electric Company.

Eddie Light of Light Electric Company donated the 40,000 square foot space to a calling Jimmy Willard felt compelled to answer. Together, Willard and his wife, Carol Willard, sought to do what they could to help people locally and nationally who are food insecure.

Having started Disaster Relief Food Ministry from their home, moving to the large space was a big deal for Jimmy and Carol, who also partnered with Feeding America Southwest Virginia. The change of address meant that the nonprofit could go from helping 15 families to helping several hundred.

Since Disaster Relief Food Ministrys inception in 2012, the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization has taken on the challenge of helping to feed those in one food insecure area of Southwest Virginia  Henry County.

While they dont turn away people from other countries who demonstrate a need, they focus on their immediate surrounding area, which a study conducted in 2014 and produced in 2016 by Feeding American Southwest Virginia revealed was 15-percent food insecure. Comparatively, Martinsville City was 23-percent food insecure, a number only matched by Danville.

Passionate about feeding peoples stomachs and souls, the Willards take the Biblical passages found in Matthew 25 to heart.

Never turning away anyone, no matter their perceived circumstance, Jimmy said people often ask what the requirements are to attain a box of food from Disaster Relief Food Ministry.

A lot of people ask me what the qualifications are and if I need to see their I.D., Jimmy said. I tell them, God already qualified you. I dont need to see your I.D.

While Jimmy said people who have a need are welcome to stop by the warehouse at any time, whether or not someone will be in the building is hit-or-miss.

However, theres one day a month when the location will be full.

The fourth Tuesday of every month, we give out food and have a church service, Jimmy said.

Registration for a box of food begins promptly at 9 a.m. when doors open. A ticket given at registration is required to show during distribution in order to receive a box of food.

At 10 a.m., people are invited to attend an hour-long church service where Jimmy preaches. Theres no requirement to stay for the service to get a box of food. According to Jimmy, some people do stay for the service, some dont  and thats okay.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we pass out boxes of food and drinks, Jimmy said.

Theres also cookies and donuts to munch on and coffee available to sip at the monthly event.

The nonprofit also gives food though pre-arranged home delivery services to those who cannot make it to the warehouse.

While Disaster Relief Food Ministry accepts donations of nonperishable items, canned goods, meats and a limited selection of produce  due to having only one produce cooler  Jimmy said monetary donations are also appreciated.

Working with other organizations, Jimmy said he could buy the food for 19 cents per pound, so a monetary donation could stretch farther than a physical donation of food, a sentiment echoed by Amanda Allen, marketing and communications coordinator of Feeding America Southwest Virginia.

We love donated food. Its great, Allen said. But if people are on the fence about whether to give a food donation or monetary donation, we tell them monetary donations go farther.

Working with large partners, like Kroger, is also an asset to the partner programs.

At Kroger, when the food is rotated or if it doesnt sell for whatever reason, they bring it to us, Allen said.

The partnership between companies, organizations and the community is vital to ending world and local hunger.

Without partners, we couldnt get food to everybody in Southwest Virginia, Allen said. With partners, more people in Martinsville-Henry County will have the food that they need.

Likewise, Jimmy said, Feeding America Southwest Virginia helps us. It wouldnt be possible to do it without them.

While Disaster Relief Food Ministry provides food for those in need, the organization also provides hope.

I tell them, My prayer is that you wont be sitting out here to get a box. My prayer is that one day youll be standing here giving them out, Jimmy said.

To learn more about Disaster Relief Food Ministry or to make a donation, visit the organization on the web at . To learn more about Feeding America Southwest Virginia or to make a donation, visit the nonprofit on the web at www.faswva.org.
For the first time since records began, the month of March was colder than December, January and February in Boston. The city of Worcester came close to breaking the same record, but was off by just a few tenths of a degree.

Joe DelliCarpini, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said records for Boston go back to 1872. The average temperature in Boston for March was 34 degrees. Records show the average temperature in Boston for February was 36.6 degrees and it was just above 35 degrees for January and December.

"This has not occurred since records began," the National Weather Service said.



DelliCarpini said in the past few years, the state has seen March getting colder.

Fun fact, March in Boston was colder than all than DJF. Only happened in 2017 since records began. Other 3 missed: pic.twitter.com/HScOMUEb7x  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) April 2, 2017

Worcester was close to breaking the record for having March colder than January, February and December. The records for Worcester first began in 1892, according to DelliCarpini.

"They just missed," he said.

The average temperature of Worcester in March was 29.8 degrees, the same as January. December however was the coldest month with an average of 29.6 degrees. The February average temperature in Worcester was 32.1 degrees.
easthampton high school.jpg

Three Easthampton High School students were arrested on March 30, 2017, one day after a confrontation in the school's parking lot where a student who had reportedly posted a racial slur online was allegedly assaulted.

(Mary Serreze photo)

EASTHAMPTON -- Three Easthampton High School students were arrested Thursday night following an altercation in the school's parking lot on Wednesday afternoon.

Joshua Brown, 18, pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court Friday to charges of assault and battery and intimidating a witness, reports the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Brown was released on conditions that he stay away from the victim. Two juveniles were also reportedly arrested.

The alleged victim, who is white, reportedly posted a racist statement online before he was was confronted Wednesday by a group of students who are racial minorities. He had sent a former girlfriend a message on Snapchat asking if she was "still dating that n-," according to a police report viewed by the Gazette.

Police say they examined video and that the student was punched by the three other students. The victim was taken to the doctor by a parent and diagnosed with a concussion, according to the report.

The arrests came hours after hundreds of students staged a walkout Thursday and marched to the Municipal Building on Payson Avenue. Some students said they were unhappy with the way the School Department handles racist incidents.

City and school officials subsequently met with students at an all-school assembly, and issued statements saying neither racism nor violence are acceptable.

What appears to be cellphone video of the incident was posted online by Turtleboy Sports, a blog devoted to criticizing "social justice warriors."
A woman who was being carjacked Saturday night sprayed gasoline on the suspect before the man drove off while dragging the woman.

Video released by the Tewksbury Police Department shows a woman pumping gas at the Circle K around 7:25 p.m. Saturday. A man then gets into her Mazda, the video shows.

The woman tries to pull the suspect out of the vehicle and eventually sprays him with gasoline. Police said the suspect drove off while dragging the woman. She was not seriously injured however.

The vehicle was recovered, but police are still searching for the suspect.
anthony spano.jpg

Anthony Spano

(Submitted photo)

CHICOPEE - The funeral for a city firefighter who collapsed and died while exercising last week is scheduled for Wednesday.

Anthony J. Spano, 47, of Ludlow, had worked as a firefighter and EMT for 14 years when he collapsed on Thursday. He leaves a son, Anthony Joseph Spano, his father Stephen Spano, of Chicopee, two sisters and his former wife, according to his funeral notice.

Calling hours for Spano will be held on on Tuesday from the Cierpiel Memorial Funeral Home and his funeral will be held on Wednesday at Holy Name of Jesus Church at Assumption on Wednesday.

People reacted with sadness and shock after learning of Spano's death. The cause is not considered suspicious.

Firefighters and city officials from across Western Massachusetts offered their condolences in memory of Spano.
HARTFORD Hartford police arrested a 42-year-old Hartford man in connection with a Friday stabbing that left the victim in critical condition at Hartford Hospital.

Vincent Poteat, 42, of 34 Willard St in Hartford was charged with first-degree assault after police were called to that address at about 1 a.m. Friday and found a 24-year-old man with a stab wound to the chest. The victim was in a common hallway in the building.

Police say they are treating the incident as a domestic dispute as the two men are related.

The Hartford Police Major Crimes division is investigating the incident.
PFL Tech Inc. is a marketing technology company that provides sales enablement and marketing automation solutions, as well asprinting, mailing, and fulfillment services. They also provide some great Montana Jobs.
Confidence in the Bay Areas economy has eroded as many residents worry that exorbitant housing costs could help usher in a significant downturn, a new Bay Area Council poll revealed Saturday.

Just 31 percent of those surveyed said they believe the Bay Areas economy today is better than it was six months ago  a steady erosion from the 35 percent who felt that way last year, 46 percent in 2015 and 53 percent in 2014.

"These results are troubling, and the negative outlook in the Bay Area is a little out of whack with the national results that show rising consumer confidence nationwide," said Micah Weinberg, president of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute.

By GEORGE AVALOS | [email protected]

Full Story: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/01/confidence-in-bay-areas-economy-slipping-new-poll-finds/
"The cows will die."

We thought that would get your attention; it certainly caught ours.

The quote came from Rosa Jimenez, 26, whose husband works on a Pepin County dairy farm, as she talked about the difficulties and fears facing undocumented workers in Wisconsin's dairy industry in the face of President Donald Trump's increasing crackdown on illegal immigration and his effort to move ahead with plans to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Yes, we need the work, but the farmers also need us because there are farms where 20, 25 or 30 people work, and nobody has papers," Jimenez said, "Imagine if they got rid of all or them, if they did a raid and took everybody. What are the farmers going to do? The cows will die."

Jimenez is not the only worrier these days. Dairy farmers across the state are nervous about the future of their farms and their state's $43 billion-a-year dairy industry which relies heavily on immigrant laborers, many of whom are here illegally, according to the news report by Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.

Even as state legislators last week were busying themselves with the honorific job of naming cheese the state's official dairy product at the behest of fourth-graders at Mineral Point Elementary School, there is talk in America's Dairyland of selling off herds to cut losses before the labor market dries up and farms are forced to shut down.

"If ICE came in here and checked my employees and found they were undocumented and those 10 people left, my next option of course is to close down ... and try to find a market for my cows and sell out," John Rosenow, a farmer in Buffalo County with about 550 cows, told reporters. "I wouldn't be able to farm anymore and it would just about kill me. I mean the cows have to be milked. I know of no other source of labor."

The decline in recent immigration numbers has already pushed up wages for dairy farm work. While laborers used to command wages of $8 an hour, shortages have pushed it up to $11 to $13 an hour, and in some places as high as $15, according to a USA Today report this month.

That, too, puts pressure on dairy farms to survive.

Statistics in the news story from the dairy industry lend credence to Rosenow's fears. An estimated 51 percent of all dairy workers in the United States are immigrants and, of those, more than three-fourths are undocumented.

According to the news report, researchers estimate that eliminating immigrant labor in the dairy industry would "reduce production by 23 percent or 48 billion pounds of milk." Shedding immigrant labor would cost the U.S. economy $32 billion and eliminate more than 208,000 jobs in dairying and related industries.

And, yes, that would cost consumers, too. The WPR-Wisconsin Center for Public Journalism story posited it would drive up milk prices by 90 percent  pushing the cost of a retail gallon of milk from $3 to about $6.

There are possible solutions for the dairy state's looming immigrant worker shortage. Seven years ago, a survey showed 85 percent of Wisconsin's dairy farmers backed a proposal for a guest worker program for the dairy industry  but that has not happened. There are such programs for seasonal crops like blueberries and sweet potatoes, the news report said, but not for year-round employment like dairy farms. Cows are not seasonal  they need to be milked.

The dairy industry is not alone in facing immigrant worker anxiety. As Oconto Falls dairy farmers, Tim O'Harrow told reporters, "This country cannot produce enough food to feed its own people without foreign labor. It isn't just dairy. It's workers in slaughterhouses, it's workers picking fruit. It's all aspects of food is being supplemented by foreign labor. Because American citizens will not, will not do the work. It isn't a matter of how much money. It's a matter of they will not do it."

Those are the fears that crisscross America's Dairyland. There is some irony in the fact that Trump, who has steadily pushed for an immigration crackdown, was elected in part because of strong support in rural Wisconsin.

Some dairy farmers, like Jason Vorpahl of Random Lake, make a distinction for their workers. "We need some way to keep our (immigrant) labor force that's here intact. I am OK with deporting the felons. And I am OK with deporting people who are looking for a handout and aren't working. But I am not OK with deporting the hard-working, tax-paying immigrants who are here right now," Vorpahl said.

There is irony, too, in the fact illegal immigrants have helped build the current $43 billion state dairy industry which accounts for half of all the state's agricultural revenue as the number of dairy farms has decreased steadily, but their size has increased. Immigrant labor has allowed that to happen.

The question now is whether Trump and Congress can parse a solution to campaign promises versus the state's need for a reliable dairy workforce. Otherwise, the cows will die.

This editorial appeared in the March 26 edition of The Journal Times of Racine (Wisconsin), another Lee Enterprises publication.
The term "employee-friendly building" is something that Bruce Kramer, the vice chairman of Consumer Direct Care Network http://consumerdirectcare.com/ , likes to use to describe the companys shiny new 72,000-square-foot headquarters in Missoula.

With no administrative offices in the corners of the four-story building so that more people can enjoy natural light, a huge second-story rooftop deck, and a special Liquid Planet coffee/snack lounge, the $23 million project was designed with the input of the companys 235 workers who will begin calling it home in April.

"Weve made a lot of investment in employee-centered spaces," Kramer explained on a recent tour of the new facility, which has been under construction for 19 months.

DAVID ERICKSON [email protected]

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/consumer-direct-care-network-to-move-workers-into-massive-new/article_966d6069-4d47-54ec-811e-f653e29e3b6a.html

***

Montana Career Opportunities  IT Developer, IT System Support Analyst and more  Consumer Direct http://www.matr.net/article-76263.html
Smartphone owners carry important files on them  documents, irreplaceable photos and videos, for example. What are you doing to back-up your device in case its lost, stolen or damaged?

There are a few solutions, such as syncing the phone with a computer via USB, or inserting a microSD card (for Android) or Lightning flash drives (for iOS), but one of the cheapest and easiest ways to safeguard your smartphone is by taking advantage of free cloud services.

Question is, which one should you go with?

Marc Saltzman , USA TODAY

Full Story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/saltzman/2017/04/02/whats-best-way-back-up-your-iphone-android-icloud/99878888/
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Stress-related mood and anxiety disorders affect millions of people in the United States. A new study examines the neurobiology behind these illnesses and finds that controlling a molecule that activates cannabinoid receptors can reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Share on Pinterest Endocannabinoids help the brain to adapt to stress, and new research shows that the 2-arachidonoylglycerol endocannabinoid plays a key role in anxiety. More than 40 million U.S. adults (or 18 percent of the entire population) live with anxiety disorders, including clinical depression, panic disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generalized anxiety disorder affects almost 7 million of these adults, and another 7.7 million are estimated to be affected by PTSD. Anxiety is usually caused by a variety of factors, which can include genes, family history, personal circumstances, and life events, as well as chemical imbalances in the brain. A new study  published in the journal Nature Communications  investigates these mental disorders from a neurobiological perspective. Specifically, by using a mouse model, researchers from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, examined the brains adaptability to stress and found a naturally occurring chemical that may play a key role in the development of PTSD and depression. The corresponding author of the study is Dr. Sachin Patel, director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry and James G. Blakemore Professor of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University.

Studying the link between endocannabinoids and anxiety Starting off from the premise that stress is a major exacerbating factor in the development of depression and PTSD, Patel and colleagues set out to investigate the neurochemicals involved in stress resilience  namely, the brains ability to adapt to the negative effects of stress. Endocannabinoids are part of the so-called endogenous cannabinoid (or endocannabinoid) system, which consists of endocannabinoids and their receptors. The system is present throughout the human body, and it helps to regulate crucial aspects of our health, such as our immune and nervous systems. Endocannabinoids are lipids that act as a kind of a neurotransmitter. Mainly, they activate the CB1 and CB2 brain receptors. CB1 can be found in several brain areas, including the neocortex, the hippocampus, the amygdala, the cerebellum, and the hypothalamus. These brain areas are known to be involved in emotional and behavioral reactions, homeostasis, learning, memory, and decision-making. Patel has previously researched the role of endocannabinoid brain receptors and singled out the CB1 receptor as playing a key role in anxiety. Patel and his team located CB1 receptors in the brains amygdala and found that if this receptor is blocked or the gene that encodes it is deleted, anxiety increases. Additionally, in a separate study, Patel and colleagues demonstrated that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) also has a critical role in regulating emotional behavior. Using a mouse model, they showed that mice that had a lower quantity of 2-AG were more likely to behave in a way that suggests anxiety and depression, whereas an increased level of the chemical had the opposite effect.
If you were at Newark Airport on April 1, you may have seen dozens of adorable puppies. And these were puppies with a purpose: They are all being trained as seeing eye dogs by The Seeing Eye.

A big component of these service dogs' training is getting them ready for the world. Michelle Barlak of The Seeing Eye explained that the training is a two step process: The first is for puppies at about 7 weeks old to go to families who will train them for house manners as well as socialize them to as many environments as possible. This includes taking them to shopping malls, music concertssedate ones at music halls, not rock concertsand on trips.

When the puppies are about 14-16 months old, they are paired with their new owners, who then have formal training with instructors at The Seeing Eye for four months (training for owners who have previously had seeing eye dogs is three months). Every month, a group of about 24 people, from all over the U.S. and Canada, start their training at The Seeing Eye's suburban New Jersey campus where the dogs are trained in rural, suburban and urban environments. They then move on to what the school calls "the ultimate urban environment: New York City."

The trip to Newark Airport was for the first part of the puppies' training. Ninety puppies yesterday had the run of Terminal Cs baggage areas, checkpoints and gates (and ninety more will next Saturday, April 8). The Port Authority and United Airlines let them onto the AirTrain planes, "as well as the airfield so that one day they can help guide visually impaired travelers through this and other airports," according to a press release from the Port Authority.

One trainer, Casey Johnson, told WCBS 2, "The exposures the most important, because when they are with their graduate  their new owner  theyre going to be going out to lots of different places and being exposed to so many different things."

"Trained volunteers receive the puppies when they are seven weeks old and help the animals be good family dogs and learn commands like 'park,' which means go to to the bathroom," NJ.com reported. "A few of the puppies -- still in training -- had accidents along the terminal."

"Training and achieving real-life experience is essential for Seeing Eye puppies. I am impressed with the courtesy shown by the Newark Liberty Airport staff and the pride they take in being part of this important process," said Seeing Eye Director of Canine Development Peggy Gibbon. "These dogs learn to traverse through security checkpoints, become acclimated to the noises of a bustling airport and experience the busy airport environment so none of these experiences bother them when they encounter them as fully trained Seeing Eye dogs."

The Seeing Eye, founded in 1929, is a non-profit organization and states, "The school receives no government funding. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the fee we charge to our students has remained unchanged since the 1930s -- $150 for their first Seeing Eye dog or $50 for a replacement dog. Military veterans are only charged $1." You can donate here.
This article offers a step-by-guide to preparing for a mammogram. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help minimize the stress that some people experience.

The thought of a mammogram can be daunting, but they take just 20 minutes to complete and can save lives.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that can help doctors detect breast cancer. Preparing for a mammogram can help reduce anxiety about the procedure and may lead to more accurate results.

Share on Pinterest A mammogram is a part of the routine screening.

A mammogram is a diagnostic tool and a key part of routine screening for breast cancer.

A doctor may recommend a mammogram if there is a change to the breast, such as a lump, that could indicate breast cancer or if the persons age or level of risk means that they would benefit from routine screening.

Recommendations vary as to how often a person should have a mammogram, but recent guidelines from the American College of Physicians suggest the following for women who have an average risk of developing breast cancer:

Age 4049 years: The woman should ask her doctor whether routine screening is a good idea.

Age 5074 years: A woman should consider screening once every 2 years.

Age 75 and above: At this age, or if the person has a life expectancy of 10 years or less, there is no need to screen for breast cancer.

People whose risk of breast cancer is higher may need more frequent screening. These people include those with:

a personal history of breast cancer or a high risk breast lesion

genetic factors, such as a mutation on the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

childhood radiation exposure to the chest

The American Cancer Society make different recommendations.

Each persons case will be different. The individual should ask their doctor for recommendations.
Boy bands have always had a charm of their own. And through the years, weve witnessed the rise and fall of some of the best boy bands in the world. We secretly wish some of them had never broken up. But, any which ways, well thank them for the music and carry on with our lives.

1. The Beatles

Origins: 1960s Liverpool, England

Genre: Rock/Pop

Members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison

Pitchfork

The Beatles started a revolution across the world through their music. To say that their music invoked a silent rebellion is to state the obvious. They had women, men and children falling for them with their cult tunes.

All-Time Favourites: Imagine, Hey Jude, Yesterday

2. Jackson 5

Origins: 1960s, Indiana, USA

Genre: Disco/Soul/R&B

Members: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson and Randy Jackson

ABC

When Michael Jackson was all but a kid, this was who he wasthe young little boy with the enthralling vocals in the band. It was, honestly, very difficult not to love these guys and find yourself tapping your feet along with the soulful music.

All-Time Favourites: Ill Be There, Can You Feel It, Rockin Robin

3. The Temptations

Origins: 1960s, Michigan, USA

Genre: R&B/Soul/Rock & Roll

Members: David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams and Eddie Kendricks

BBC

They immortalised R&B with their perfect harmonies and synchronized melodies. And they did it by being gentlemen in suits. Together, they created some of the most timeless classics that would go on to remain some of the most played songs of all time.

All-Time Favourites: My Girl, Since I Lost My Baby, The Way You Do The Things You Do

4. The Monkees

Origins: 1960s, Los Angeles, USA

Genre: Rock

Members: Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith

ABC News

They were fun and their music contributed to some of the dance anthems of the 60s. But, thats the beauty of these guys; they never lost it. Even today, you can play a Monkees number and youll find yourself shaking to the beat of the music and singing along.

All-Time Favourites: Im A Believer, You Just May Be The One, Every Step Of The Way

5. Michael Learns To Rock

Origins: 1980s, Aarhus, Denmark

Genre: Soft Rock

Member: Jascha Richter, Mikkel Lentz, and Kare Wanscher

MLTR

If there were heart-break songs in the 80s, it was by Michael Learns To Rock. If you needed a song to perfectly put to words how you were feeling, it was one of their songs. They gave us some of the most relatable, yet melancholic songs to nurse the broken-hearted souls in the 80s.

All-Time Favourites: Out Of The Blue, Paint My Love, 25 Minutes

6. Backstreet Boys

Origins: 1990s, Florida, USA

Genre: Pop/R&B

Members: Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie D and AJ McLean

Billboard

The Backstreet Boys were quite easily the modern, more Pop version of the Beatles. They wereprobably still area cult, in their own right; with the girls swooning over them, the guys wanting to be them and the kids singing to their latest tracks and mastering the hook steps, too. I personally thought AJ McLean was the coolest thing to ever happen to that group.

All-Time Favourites: Quit Playing Games, Everybody, I Want It That Way

7. NSync

Origins: 1990s, Florida, USA

Genre: Dance Pop

Members: Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez and Lance Bass

NSync

You couldnt have been a 90s teenager and not have heard and even loved NSync. And if you did, then, you raved about their music, tried to dress the way that they didhair spikes and shades, included. It wasnt just their music that made it to your playlists; but, it was also their styling tactics that made it to your wardrobes.

All-Time Favourites: This I Promise You, Space Cowboy

8. Westlife

Origins: 1990s, Sligo, Ireland

Genre: Pop Rock

Members: Nick Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden

BBC

These guys were gold. They were the good guys in the boy bands circuit, if at all there was such a thing. They sang like the choir and you felt like youd been to heaven. The lyrics hit you right in the feels and for once, you didnt mind being a little cheesy because Westlife brought out that side in you. Plus, they covered so many older songs and gave them a new-age turn that the listeners could never get enough of.

All-Time Favourites: My Love, You Raise Me Up, Home

9. Boyzone

Origins: 1990s, Dublin, Ireland

Genre: Pop

Members: Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating and Shane Lynch

Wikipedia

The Irish boy band had their own brand of style, vocals and charisma. They were the modern aged gentlemen who looked as good as they sang. You wanted to serenade your girl the way they serenaded just about anyone. You wanted to wear a waistcoat the way that they did without looking like a stuffed vegetable. And you wanted to take those high notes and still sound like a man, the way that they did.

All-Time Favourites: When You Say Nothing At All, All That I Need, Love Me For A Reason

10. Savage Garden

Origins: 1990s, Queensland, Australia

Genre: Pop

Members: Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones

Official Charts

These two boys gave us the ultimate slow-lovemaking songs we wanted. This was probably the band you played when you lost your virginityor hoped to, at the very leastto that special someone (did it work out?). You wanted to be able to sing these songs to that person without sounding like a pervy McPerverson to that girl. These songs were the ultimate sex songs when you were feeling the love. And well, they still hold true.

All-Time Favourites: Truly, Madly, Deeply, To The Moon And Back, Crash And Burn

11. Boyz II Men

Origins: 1980s, Pennsylvania, USA

Genre: R&B/Soul

Members: Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman

BBC

This African-American boy band reinvented the word cool for young lads in the 80s and 90s. You wanted the all-white Tshirt and worn out denims; the razor-cut hair with the cool accessories. These guys were like a cultural significance of coming of age for men. If you listened to themchances are you didyou considered yourself the Alpha Male who knew his shizz.

All-Tiem Favourites: Ill Make Love To You, More Than Youll Ever Know, Your Home Is In My Heart

12. Blink 182

Origins: 1990s, California, USA

Genre: Alternative Rock/Punk Rock

Members: Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, Matt Skiba, Scott Raynor and Tom DeLonge

Spin

They were the new-age boy band at an electrifying level. They were cool, more grunge and made you feel like being the outlier was cool. The band resonated with a more honest, opinionated generation of youth who said whatever they felt, however they pleased and laid it all on the table.

All-Time Favourites: After Midnight, Shes Out Of Her Mind, Always

13. One Direction

Origins: 2000s, London, England

Genre: Pop

Members: Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Mallik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson

Billboard

One Direction was easily a pandemic that took over the world, for however short a period of time. And for a while, every song that released, played, or aired was by 1D. Their concerts were sold out, their fan clubs were ridiculously large and the number of girls swooning over them was unreal. But, they created some great music, all said and done. And, in a way, recreated a magical wave of the almost-dead boy bands culture. Suddenly, it was cool to be a boy band again.

All-Time Favourites: What Makes You Beautiful, Steal My Girl, Fireproof

14. The Wanted

Origins: 2000s, United Kingdom

Genre: Dance Pop

Members: Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes

Pinterest

Around the same time as 1D, came another boy band called The Wanted. They were like the ante to the boys in One Direction and while they may not have had concerts full of audiences and as many women swooning over them, some of their numbers were definite chart-toppers and playlist dominators.

All-Time Favourites: Glad You Came, Chasing The Sun, We Own The Night

15. Blue

Origins: 2000s, London, England

Genre: R&B, Pop Rock

Members: Anthony Costa, Duncan James, Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan

Wikipedia

These guys had a league of their own and if they were mayors of the ultimate cool zone. They took R&B and Pop Rock to a whole new level and made you fall in love with the way their music came with a cultural undertone that wasnt too pronounced. They werent the all-out band that were ever-present. And thats what made them tick.

All-Time Favourites: All Rise, One Love, Bubblin
In a country where celebrities are Godlier than Gods themselves, how often do you see a Bollywood star stepping down from the pedestal and promoting cleanliness in the rural parts of the country? But thats exactly what sets Akshay Kumar apart from the rest of them.

Akshay Kumar recently visited Reghwan village, in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh where he, along with the Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Narendra Singh Tomar dug out a filled toilet pit to let his fans know that theres no shame in maintaining toilets.

Digging my 1st #TwoPitToilet in Khargone District of MP with Minister Narendra Singh Tomar #MakeTheChange #WasteToWealth pic.twitter.com/GFV1bMgOaz  Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 1, 2017

He even held the compost in his hands and encouraged people to take sanitation seriously. He also talked about how safe sanitation techniques and the need for initiative, especially in the rural parts of the country.

In most probability, this may be a publicity stunt for his upcoming film Toilet  Ek Prem Katha but if its helping the country get cleaner, why the hell not!
After a week's delay, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Monday on whether or not to recommend Judge Neil Gorsuch for Antonin Scalia's old seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Yesterday, New York politicians, activists and about 150 people convened at Foley Square to ask Democrats to filibuster Neil Gorsuch.

Democrats have promised a filibuster on Gorscuh's nomination since he was tappedby President Donald Trump, . There are 52 Republican Senators, which means they would need eight Democrats or Independents to vote with them to get the required 60 votes to break break a filibuster and bring Gorscuh's nomination to a full vote.

If the Democrats stand firm, the Republicans can also call upon the so-called nuclear option, change the rules, shut down the filibuster, and Gorsuch gets in with a simple majority. (Back in 2013, Democrats used the nuclear option to advance filibustered nominations of judges, which, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer now regrets.)

So far, two Senate Democrats say they will vote for Gorsuch, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

The People's Filibuster in Foley Square was plea for Democrats in Washington do everything they can to prevent Gorsuch from joining the highest court. The speakers at the rally included Public Advocate Tish James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, as well as trans activist Sean Coleman, Muslim American activist Mohammed Khan, and union leaders Rahn Wade and Chris Policano.

Stringer told the crowd, "We cannot and will not settle for a Supreme Court justice who will simply be a mouthpiece for Donald Trump."

The action was just one of fourteen similar rallies held yesterday in cities around the country, and was organized by the People's Defense and the Working Family Party. There were also at least two other anti-Trump protests in Manhattan on Saturday, including a March For Health that went from Trump Tower to Columbus Circle, and an April Fool's Parade that featured an rolling effigy of the President tweeting on an outhouse toilet.


In this city, restaurants come and go faster than you can say "ethically sourced ramen burger." And even though there are great new additions to the culinary landscape popping up every week, you've gotta give kudos to anyone who can stick it out for over a year. With that in mind, we bring you Still Got It, our tribute to establishments that continue to serve mouthwatering meals and drinks long after the buzz has fadedor where the lingering hype is still justified.

Is the double cheeseburger at Anchored Inn the best cheeseburger in Brooklyn? Hell if I know, I'm not really into ranking things in extremely specific numbered lists. Is it the best deal in Brooklyn? Well, to be honest, no it usually isn't although in the modern casual upscale economy that food like this burger exists in, $13 for a double cheeseburger and fries isn't bad. However, is the cheeseburger happy hour deal at Anchored Inn the best deal in Brooklyn? Take it from me, the guy who has BROKELYN tattooed on his body, yes, yes it is.

The Anchored Inn is a good bar to stop in at if you find yourself in or near the post-industrial mystery zone bounded by Bushwick Avenue, Meserole Street, Morgan Avenue and Grand Street. It's also good to seek out, if only to see their collection of black velvet paintings of dogs and world famous dictators. It used to be the only game in town if you wanted a bite or a drink before a show at Shea Stadium, and while there are more competitors now, sometimes the old ways are the best.

But about that cheeseburger happy hour deal. Every Monday through Friday, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., you can get a double cheeseburger, fries (you could get a salad but come on get the fries) and a draft beer for just $15. With five different $6 and $7 drafts, you're saving money AND getting a complete meal (even without the salad, the burger comes with grilled onions, lettuce and a tomato and that counts enough for a vegetable serving) for less than $20. Eat, drink and sit back and take in the bar's impressive collection of paintings of world leaders and animals.

A post shared by The Anchored Inn (@theanchoredinn) on Mar 7, 2017 at 12:35pm PST

Don't want the burger? Hey, there's no law that says you have to get it (yet...). You can also go light with a single dill pickle for a dollar or a romaine salad ($6/$9) if you need some light fare before a show at The Paper Box or Shea Stadium (it's coming back, damn it). Or, if you're famished after a show you can go with a crispy buffalo chicken sandwich or torta ($11). Or, you can get truly decadent and get the Carmen fries, which are your standard french fries covered in cheddar sauce, Oaxaca cheese, bacon, scallions and chipotle mayo. The Carmen fries should not be eaten alone.

Of course, The Anchored Inn is also a bar, and beyond their draft beer options, they've got a roster of cheap American domestic bottles and cans for just $4, and no cocktail will run you more than $10. Or for the more sugar-tolerant among you, there's the $10 Flight-O-Rita, which is, yes, a flight of three Bud Light 'Ritas for your tasting pleasure.

And while The Anchored Inn already had a pretty good thing going in its one room, the demise of punk/metal club The Acheron provided the kind of crisistunity for the bar to expand. Pool and pinball and little more room to move might not be exactly what you want instead of more music space, but as FREEwilliamsburg pointed out, it's way better than "handing over the keys to some Excel-proficient over/landlord."

The Anchored Inn is located at 57 Waterbury Street, (718) 576-3297
N. KOTZIAS: Today we had the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and we discussed stability and security issues in Europe and the immediate region. For our part, we talked about the need for stability structures to be created in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Middle East. In our interventions, we talked about the instability that exists, particularly in the Western Balkans, and I stressed that all sides have to be taught what I call a culture of compromise and consensus. We also talked about the Ukraine problem, and for the first time we had the new U.S. Secretary of State present here at NATO.

JOURNALIST: Do you have any comment on the Hellenic Aid funding that was recovered?



N. KOTZIAS: We are on a course for recovering funds. We have located some 14 million. Yesterday and today we took back small sums. I think the Foreign Ministry is showing that it is, in many aspects, a productive Ministry that fights back against corruption and any attempt to waste public money.
Names and faces

Upon Keith Jensen announcing his retirement, Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) board of directors has named Jeff Key, PE, as the firms new president. RPA is a multi-disciplinary professional engineering firm headquartered in Helena.

Jensen began working at RPA in 1983, after his graduation from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree with honors in civil engineering. When RPA instituted a board of directors within its business structure, Jensen was selected to serve as vice president until 1998, at which time he was named president. Under his management over the past 19 years, RPA grew from 12 employees in one office to nearly 60 in four offices: Helena, Kalispell, Bozeman and Fort Collins, Colorado.

Keys responsibilities as the new president will be to provide leadership, direction, and guidance, while developing and implementing policies and procedures. Key will also be responsible for the management and general operations of the firm that includes finances, staffing, organizational structure, and marketing.

Awards and honors

Montana Legal Services Association honored

The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) recently received a competitive award from the Mary Byron Project for its innovative domestic violence prevention efforts. MLSA received a cash award of $10,000. The Mary Byron Project has made the Celebrating Solutions award annually for 14 years.

MLSAs award was in recognition of the Survivor's Legal Project, which works to provide civil legal services free of charge to empower domestic violence survivors. Project attorneys help low income survivors obtain orders of protection, parenting plans, child support orders and other family law court orders distributing property and ensuring family security and stability.

MLSA utilizes innovative technology to expand the projects reach to survivors in isolated and remote areas of Montana that otherwise could not be reached. MLSAs website, www.MontanaLawHelp.org provides information on a variety of legal issues relevant to survivors and includes informational articles, links to various resources and interactive court forms. To reach people without Internet access or who are fearful of using home computers, MLSA partners with the Montana Supreme Court to establish legal information kiosks in libraries, courthouses and other public places. Trained staff at these self-help kiosks help users find legal information.

Learn more at www.marybyronproject.org.

***

Local eateries honored for food safety

Public health officials recognized 50 local food establishments recently for their exceptional efforts to make, serve, and sell safe food to the public.

Environmental health specialists with Lewis and Clark Public Health presented 15 Gold and 35 Silver Fork Awards during a ceremony before the City-County Board of Health.

The health department has been offering the awards since 2011. This year set a record for the most Gold Fork winners.

To be eligible for an award, a food establishment must offer sit-down dining and have been open for at least a year. The awards are based on the results of unannounced inspections conducted in 2016 by environmental health specialists from the health department. This year, 221 facilities were eligible for awards.

Gold Fork Award winners

Augusta Public Schools

Broadwater School

Burger King, 2820 Prospect Ave.

Capital High Sodexo

CR Anderson Middle School

East Valley Middle School, East Helena

Eastgate School, East Helena

Four Georgians School

Helena High School

Lincoln School District 38

Pizza Hut, 3267 N. Montana Ave.

Radley School, East Helena

Smith School

Warren School

Wendys, 1900 Prospect Ave.

Silver Fork Award winners

Applebees

Arbys

Bennys Bistro

Buffalo Wild Wings

Burger King, 3130 N. Sanders St.

C Bar N Mission, Augusta

Capital High School Cafeteria

Carroll College Dining Services

Central/Lincoln School

Chilis Grill & Bar

Costco

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 1700 Prospect Ave.

Days Inn Helena

Hardees, 1919 E. Custer Ave.

Hardees, 320 Euclid Ave.

Hawthorne School

Helena Middle School

Intermountain Childrens Home

Jim Darcy School

Lattes and Sundaes

Lazy B Bar and Cafe, Augusta

Los Cazadores, East Helena

Masonic Home of Montana

Panda Express

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Ray Bjork Learning Center

Real Food Store & Deli

Rossiter School

Starbucks, 1300 Prospect Ave.

Steves Cafe, 1225 E. Custer Ave.

Taco Del Sol

Taco Johns, 2301 N. Montana Ave.

Target Food Avenue Express

Village Inn Pizza Parlor

Wolf Creek School Lunch Program

For more information, contact the health department at 457-8900 or publichealth@lccountymt.gov.

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Guidelines

The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we dont guarantee return of these). Email your information to irstaff@helenair.com.

There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday.
David Wilcox I edit The Citizen's features section, Lake Life, and weekly entertainment guide, Go. I've also been writing for The Citizen and auburnpub.com since 2006, covering arts and culture, business, food and drink, and more. Follow David Wilcox 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

AUBURN  You know Peter Basile.

Maybe you know him as the man holding court at Dunkin' Donuts, greeting customers between sips of black coffee. Maybe you know him as the regular marcher in Auburn's Memorial Day parade, flag jubilantly in hand. Or maybe you know him as the surprisingly graceful skater at Reva Rollerdrome, from the time he was 5 until the rink closed almost 70 years later.

If you don't know where you've seen Peter Basile, though, you know what you've seen on his gently scrunched face: a smile. And you know that you couldn't help smiling back.

Peter's nephew, Rob, is counting on those smiles this week as his uncle turns 75. On Friday, April 7  two days after Peter's April 5 birthday  a ceremony will take place at Memorial City Hall where Mayor Michael Quill will read a proclamation honoring the Auburn mainstay.

Then, at Curley's Restaurant, an after-party will be held where guests can talk with Peter and share stories about him for a documentary Rob is making about his uncle and his stature in the Auburn community. It's hard to get the stories out of Peter, Rob said, but he expects many of the people Peter has touched will be happy to tell them April 7.

"You can't go anywhere in Auburn without running into somebody that knows Peter," Rob said. "He's just a fixture of this community."

It's hard to get those stories out of Peter because he has an intellectual disability. The umbilical cord connecting him to his mother, Catherine, was wrapped around Peter's neck at birth, depriving his brain of oxygen. It being the 1940s, Catherine and Peter's father, Tony, didn't understand the disability that resulted as they raised their son on Kensington Avenue on Auburn's west end.

Peter thrived on the skating rink, as well as the Arc of Seneca Cayuga's workshops and Camp Columbus, but he struggled in an Auburn school district unprepared for his disability. So he was institutionalized. Peter spent 10 years spanning his late teens to his early 20s at Newark State School, where he was prescribed medication for mood swings that he continues to take today.

By then, Peter had been given a nickname: "Crazy Pete."

Rob, now 48, "was almost embarrassed" by the name as he grew up the oldest of three to Anthony, Pete's brother, and Bonnie Basile. By his teens, though, Rob defended his uncle. Today, he sees "Crazy Pete" as a badge of honor. Though the Basiles didn't understand Peter's disability back then, Rob does now  and he also believes he understands why it leads some to call his uncle "crazy."

"The more stories people tell me about 'Crazy Pete,' it seems more like it derives from his happiness," Rob said. "They say, 'Pete, you're crazy! Why are you always happy?'"

Peter returned to Auburn on weekends during his treatment in Newark. Once it ended, he was cared for by his mother. Meanwhile, Rob saw his uncle on holidays, then less frequently after he enlisted in the Marine Corps and, later, relocated to southern New Jersey.

By 1980, Peter's mother had reached retirement age. Wishing for her son to receive attentive care and continue his Arc of Seneca Cayuga programs while she wintered in Florida, Catherine sought a new home for Peter through the state Office of Mental Health's Family Care program. She found one in Pat and Jim Burns, of Port Byron. They "treated Peter like a family member," Rob said.

Peter stayed in the Burns home until 2008, three years after Jim passed away. A second Port Byron family didn't work out. Then, in 2015, Catherine passed at the age of 96.

That was when Rob and his uncle became closer.

"All I have is Pete," said Rob, whose own parents have passed away as well. "He's kind of my responsibility."

Peter lived with Rob in New Jersey for a few months. Though he returns there for summers and holidays, Peter was never home in New Jersey, Rob said. He recalled a time he took his uncle skating there. After half an hour of greeting people at the rink, Peter grew frustrated because he wasn't being greeted back  not like he was at Reva Rollerdrome.

So Rob searched for another Family Care home for his uncle. And, four weeks ago, Peter moved into the Elbridge home of Karen Dye.

Thursday at the Genesee Street Dunkin' Donuts, as Peter asked customers his signature "You know me?" and many responded in the affirmative, Dye said "it's been great" hosting Peter so far.

He's the second Family Care guest for Dye. Her son Kenneth, 37, also has an intellectual disability. After Dye retired from running a landscaping company due to arthritis, her daughter suggested Dye apply the knowhow she developed raising Kenneth to working in human services. Her first guest was Esther, who passed away in January after seven years at Dye's home.

Esther's passing followed a year in which Dye also lost her mother and her husband, the latter to the same cancer that would claim Esther.

"I thought I didn't want to do this anymore," Dye said. "Then they bring me Peter, and I just loved him."

Dye said raising Kenneth mostly prepared her for her new guest. One has to have a sense of humor, she said, like when Peter tells people in Dunkin' Donuts that he was brought there by "the lady." Peter also has some anxiety. For instance, Dye can't tell him they're going out for ice cream in a week  he'll ask if they're going every day until they do. So she has to tell him right before they go.

Still, no amount of human services experience could prepare Dye for one part of hosting Peter: the people who, indeed, know him.

Whether it's diners at Smitty's Fish House or strangers tapping on Dye's window while she's pumping gas, Peter gets so much attention in public that she sometimes feels like a celebrity's chauffeur, she said. He's even been greeted by audience members at the Movie Tavern in Camillus and, at Waterloo Premium Outlets, a retired Auburn police officer now working as a security guard there.

From Elbridge, Peter comes to Auburn two or three times a week. He used to come more often, but Rob said his uncle learned to enjoy staying home when he was in New Jersey. Now, Dye said, he'll sit in her home listening to Bing Crosby on her record player, humming, singing and then dancing along.

When Peter does come to Auburn, he spends much of his time with Sam Giangreco, a skills enhancement specialist III with the Arc of Seneca Cayuga.

Giangreco said he's known Peter all his life, but never thought he'd be working with him. Through the Arc's Senior Styles program, Giangreco teaches Peter everyday life skills and escorts him around the community. They also volunteer together, pushing wheelchairs to the beauty salon at The Commons on St. Anthony, cleaning the pews of Holy Family Church and more.

Every time Giangreco coughs, he said, Peter will touch his shoulder and ask, "You OK, Sammy?"

"It's a hoot," Giangreco said. "He watches over me like I watch over him."

After 75 years of walking, biking and skating all over Auburn, Peter "is in better shape than most people I know," Giangreco said. His neatly pressed pants hide legs as sturdy as those of a piano.

Molly Swartwood, a community mental health nurse through the state Office of Mental Health, has seen Peter for almost 12 years. You'd never know he's 75 not only because of the shape he's in, Swartwood said, but the cheer he shows. Every time she sees Peter he boastfully asks, "Are you gonna take my blood pressure?" She usually tells him she doesn't need to.

When it comes to Peter's care, Swartwood said, Rob is "extremely involved and wonderful." And with people like her and Giangreco watching out for Peter, Rob can rest easy despite his distance.

"Auburn has always looked out for him," he said. "Having his disability, we've never feared Peter walking around Auburn or people mistreating him."

Rob hopes his documentary can do justice to the bond Peter shares with his community. He's already shot B-roll, and plans to shoot Peter in his Auburn element  Doubledays games at Falcon Park, Mass at Sacred Heart Church and more  this summer. Rob's cousin Joe Graceffo, also of Auburn and now living in Napa, California, will help produce and release it  probably online, Rob said.

With that project, as well as Friday's proclamation honoring Peter, Rob said he won't be offended by anyone continuing to call his uncle "Crazy Pete." That's just how some people know him, he said.

Asked about his nickname, though, Peter has his own opinion: "No. Peter."
Steve Barry doesnt take for granted what life has given him.

Being grateful is important, he said, grateful for what you have every day and sharing some of that generosity that you have with others who are less fortunate or are in a difficult place in their life journey.

This is part of what guides him and brought him to volunteer at Good Samaritan Ministries and the Helena Area Habitat for Humanity program.

Barry worked for the Montana Highway Patrol  absolutely the best job you could ever have. No doubt, he said  and then the state departments of justice and corrections until he retired in 2012. He is on the Habitat for Humanity board and its committee that screens those who want to help work on the houses that will become their homes.

Jacob, our executive director, is just a gift to us. Young, energetic, visionary. And to be able to help him and his staff through the board ... is just a real remarkable thing to be able to participate in, Barry, 66, said.

He speaks highly of Good Samaritan Ministries and its executive director. With Good Samaritan Ministries he tried to help people released from state incarceration return to society. Some succeeded, he said, but others didnt.

It wasnt a good fit for me," he said. I really struggled with that part of ministry.

Habitat is a good fit because Ive built two houses myself, he said and explained that a father-in-laws help, a $20,000 loan and a $35 construction book allowed him to build a home in Bozeman. He followed it with another in Billings in 1983 when he was transferred there by the Montana Highway Patrol.

He and his wife Laura have been married 45 years. They bought a home in Helena when he was transferred here for a promotion in 1986.

The fact that there are agencies like (Habitat for Humanity), that can help someone who likely is not going to be able to ever own a home on their own, has the possibility, the potential with some shared work in a home, to actually have a safe and a secure energy efficient place. Thats life changing, just absolutely life changing.

While owning a home allows a family to care for itself, Barry said, the consequences are also generational.

Thats a big deal.

Habitat for Humanity, he noted, is looking for five families for the homes its planning on building in 2018.

Parents influence

When Barry left his work behind him, he became an ordained deacon and serves with Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. He also walks a path shown him by his parents, his mother, Beverly, and his step-father, Tony Lutkie.

His stepfather came into his life when he was a little more than 5 years old. Lutkie was a Gallatin County deputy sheriff and then the town marshal in Three Forks, where Barry was raised.

Thats where I got that influence for law enforcement, Barry said.

What he learned from his stepfather had less to do with enforcing the law than assisting people.

In a small town like that, we were always helping people. People drop by the house and it was always money out of the pocket or buying them gas or giving them a meal. My mom ran a restaurant there for a while and worked in the local grocery store for most of her life, he said.

We were always doing something around the town; always active and involved in projects.

His stepfather worked a second job, cleaning the post office or as a janitor at the high school or grade school too so there would be a little extra money for the family and to pay for unexpected expenses.

He came from a poor background, Barry said of his stepfather, who was one of 10 siblings in a Wisconsin family. He left home when he was 12 years old and never finished high school.

As the town marshal he knew when people were having a tough time and did what he could for those families, Barry said.

Its the nature of small-town policing. He was always there.

Barrys parents didnt have a lot either but he never knew that as a child. They had a home, food on the table and enjoyed the simple things of life, he said.

I think thats a good life lesson too. Always has been, and weve tried to instill that in our kids.

When Barry talks of his childhood heroes, he mentions astronaut John Glenn and President John Kennedy, but reserves his highest praise for his stepfather.

His work ethic and the way he treated people and cared for people -- always looking out for the little guy. He truly, Id say, shaped me more than anyone.

Beverly left her mark on her son too.

Mom was a very caring woman and a hard worker as well. I think her treatment of people is what I really take away. She was kind and gentle with everyone she met even those who gave her a hard time in the businesses she worked in.

She never said a bad word about anyone. She respected everyone for where they were at, he said.

Building futures

Steve and Laura have known each other since they were children. She grew up on a ranch outside of Willow Creek, and he lived in nearby Three Forks.

Family is important to them. They lived in their first Helena home for better than 20 years before buying a larger house about seven years ago to accommodate their four children and 10 grandchildren when they all came for a visit.

When Barry talks about families that have been helped through Habitat for Humanity, he talks about them being safe and secure, and in housing where a landlord cant increase the rent and the heating wont fail when its needed most.

What he receives through his volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is knowing that hes helping people.

Helping others get to a place where they couldnt see themselves getting, he said. The number of people who cant even envision themselves owning a home or being able to afford one or seeing their family in a home, thats what I really get from this.

A woman who worked a service job, living paycheck to paycheck, waited for seven years to get a home. During that time her children had grown and moved on with their lives. But the security that small home brings her is just amazing, Barry said.

Twenty, 30 years from now when Im dead and gone, to see the difference thats going to make in her family and their families and the influence theyll have on our community, thats a big deal.

Its really setting people up to succeed.

His participation with Habitat for Humanity comes from gratefulness, he said -- just paying it back.
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...
Andrew Kuhn | MLive.com file

Dead pests, expired food and more violations at Saginaw-area restaurants Feb. 27-March 5

By Heather Jordan | hjordan@mlive.com

Saginaw County Department of Public Health officials routinely inspect area restaurants, coffee shops, hospital cafeterias, churches, hotels and other places where food is served to the public. The food service inspection reports, which can be found online here, detail any health code violations that are found as well as actions taken to correct them.

There are three types of violations: core, priority foundation and priority. Priority foundation and priority violations are the more severe types of violations.

Food service establishments typically are subjected to two routine inspections per year. Depending on the number and type of violations found, one or more follow-up inspections may be required.

Here's a look at the inspections conducted during the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, 2017. The health code violations listed below are copied directly from the reports.

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Beamers

11850 Gera Road, Birch Run 48415

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Core: Facility does not have a servsafe allergen certified manager. Provide a current servsafe allergen certified manager within 90 days. A copy of the certificate can be faxed to 989-758-3711 attn:andrew or emailed to amendyk@saginawcounty.com as a correction of this violation.

Core: There is no lighting in the mop sink area where some chemicals and dry goods are stored. Provide proper lighting.

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Birch Run Deli

8501 Main St., Birch Run 48415

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Priority: There is a container of Raid "flying insect" pesticide present not approved for food establishments on the chemical storage rack below the three compartment. Discard unapproved pesticide. ***corrected*** the pic discarded the unapproved pesticide.

Priority: There are two gallons of milk with a use-by date of 2-25-17 and an opened container of egg whites with a use-by date of 2-3-17 present in the prep cooler. Discard past date food. Note: the pic discarded both gallons of milk and the container of egg whites past the use-by dates. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection.

Core: 1 - Facility does not have a servsafe certified manager. Provide. 2 - Facility does not have a servsafe allergen certified manager. Provide. Note: copies of the servsafe certifications can be emailed to amendyk@saginawcounty.com or faxed to 989-758-3711 attn:andrew as a correction of this violation.

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Butch's Tony's Take Out

2525 E. Genesee, Saginaw 48601

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Priority: Jar of home canned salsa in cooler. All food shall be from an approved source. Corrected--pic removed from premises.

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Jeff Schrier | MLive.com file

daVinci's Italian Restaurant

524 N. Main St., Frankenmuth 48734

Follow-up inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Priority: ***Corrected*** No cold holding violations observed during the follow-up inspection.

Priority: ***corrected*** no chemical storage violations observed during follow-up inspection.

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Great Lakes PACE

3378 Fashion Square Blvd., Saginaw 48603

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Violations: none

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Tom Gilchrist | MLive.com file

Holiday Inn Express

926 N. Main St., Frankenmuth 48734

Follow-up inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Priority foundation: ***Corrected*** Facility has a thin tipped thermometer.

Priority: ***Corrected*** Facility has switched to using time as a control for both hot and cold foods on the buffet line since breakfast is only served a maximum of 3 hours. Sop is present in the kitchen.

Priority: ***Corrected*** No past date food present during inspection.

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Heather Jordan | MLive.com file

Hooters

5538 Bay Road, Saginaw 48604

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Core: Several small cutting boards throughout facility are scored and stained. Provide surface that is smooth and easily cleanable as required.

Core: Interior of walk-in freezer has a large amount of ice buildup. Clean interior of walk-in freezer as required.

Core: Clean utensils stored with food/mouth contact surface exposed. Store clean utensils inverted to protect food/mouth contact surface.

Core: Food items stored under condensate lines in walk-in freezer have ice build-up on their exterior packaging. Relocate food to store in a protected manner as required.

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Heather Khalifa | MLive.com file

Indigo Venue

234 S. Water St., Saginaw 48607

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Violations: none

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Andrew Kuhn | MLive.com file

KFC

3900 Hess St., Saginaw 48601

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Core: Pans stacked wet. Ensure all equipment is allowed to air dry before storage.

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Ashley L. Conti | MLive.com file

LeFevre's Family Bowl

6220 State St., Saginaw 48603

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Priority foundation: Cut tomatoes and lettuce held under refrigeration longer than 24 hours not provided date mark of consumption. Provide date mark as required. At time of inspection cut tomatoes and lettuce without date mark were discarded.

Core: Establishment's servsafe manager has not completed the required allergen training. Complete allergen training and provide copy of certificate to this office within 90 days.

Core: Floors in storage area especially under storage shelves and equipment are not clean. Clean floors as required.

Core: Interior of microwave oven is not clean. Clean as required.

Core: interior of reach-in kenmore and gibson freezers with an excessive amount of frost buildup. Defrost freezers and maintain clean as required.

Core: Gold-n-chef refrigeration unit has a significant amount of standing water in the bottom of its interior food holding area. Repair refrigeration unit to be in good working condition.

Core: Plastic cup without handle being used as serving utensil for cooked taco meat and is stored directly in the food product. Use serving utensil with handle and store as required.

Core: In use wiping cloths being stored on counter. Store in use wiping cloths completely submersed in an approved chemical sanitizer solution between uses.

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Levi's Food and Spirits

5800 Brockway Road, Saginaw 48638

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Core: Grease on wall behind cooking equipment. The facility shall be kept clean. Clean all areas on a regular basis.

Core: Cutting boards scored and stained. Cutting boards shall be resurfaced or replaced when they are no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Replace or resurface cutting boards.

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Main Street Pitas

646 S. Main St., Frankenmuth 48734

Follow-up inspection March 2, 2017

Core: ***Corrected*** Facility provided a copy of a servsafe allergen certificate via email. See attached copy of the certificate.

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Mike Maxa's Place

3451 Carrollton Road, Carrollton 48724

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Violations: none

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Jeff Schrier | MLive.com file

Oakley Community Church

327 S. Main St., Oakley 48649

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Violations: none

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Office Liquor Bar

2321 N. Michigan Ave., Saginaw 48602

Follow-up inspection Feb. 27, 2017

Priority foundation: Violation has been corrected--hot water is available at the kitchen handsink.

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Peace Lutheran Church

3427 Adams Ave., Saginaw 48602

Follow-up inspection March 2, 2017

Core: Corrected. Pic provided copy of allergen training certificate to this office via e-mail on 03/02/2017, attached. No site visit required.

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Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com file

Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie

576 S. Main St., Frankenmuth 48734

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Priority: 1 - Dish washing area - the hot water sanitizing dish machine is not sanitizing to provide a surface temperature of 160 degrees f (checked with thermolabel). Repair to sanitize surface at 160 degrees f. 2 - Bar - the hot water sanitizing dish machine is not sanitizing to provide a surface temperature of 160 degrees f (checked with thermolabel). Repair to sanitize surface at 160 degrees f. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection.,

Priority: The chemical dish washing machine has no detectable sanitize (tested with paper strip). Provide a concentration of 100ppm sanitizer. Note: facility manually mixed chlorine in a tub to sanitize at 100ppm. Facility will use manual sanitation until the dish machine can be serviced. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection.,

Priority: An employee was observed putting dirty dishes into the dish washer then stacking clean dishes without washing their hands. Employees shall wash hands between work with dirty and clean utensils and equipment. Note: discussed with pic and dishwasher proper hand washing. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection.

Core: Facility does not have a current servsafe manager. Provide a copy of a current servsafe manager. A copy can be faxed to 989-758-3711 attn:andrew or emailed to amendyk@saginawcounty.com as a correction of this violation.,

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Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com file

Retro Rocks

110 S. Hamilton, Saginaw 48602

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Violations: none

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Joseph Tobianski | MLive.com file

Rib Shack Restaurant

1801 E. Genesee St., Saginaw 48601

Follow-up inspection March 3, 2017

Priority foundation: ***Corrected*** a consistent date marking policy is being used.

Priority: ***Corrected*** proper time is being labeled on the time as control bar-b-q sauce.

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Melanie Sochan | MLive.com file

Saginaw Fairfield Inn

5200 Fashion Square Blvd., Saginaw 48604

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Violations: none

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St. Charles Wolverine Sportsmen Club

14690 Ithaca, St. Charles 48655

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Core: There is a servsafe manager on staff but no allergen certified manager. Provide an allergen manager.

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Jeff Schrier | MLive.com file

T.Dub's Pizzeria & Pub

565 S. Main St., Frankenmuth 48734

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Priority foundation: There are two unlabeled bottles of clear liquid present on the chemical storage shelf. Label all chemicals with a common name. Note: the pic said the liquid was sanitize and labeled it. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection.

Priority foundation: There is no paper towel at the hand sink. Provide. Note: the pic provided paper towel during the inspection. *This violation requires a follow-up inspection. ***Complete the risk control plan by 3-10-17.,

Priority foundation: there is no soap present at the hand washing station. Provide. Note: the pic provided soap during the inspection. *this violation requires a follow-up inspection. ***complete the risk control plan by 3-10-17.,

Priority foundation: 1 - kitchen - there is a container of ham, corn beef hash, and pre cooked sausage without date mark for discarding. Provide. 2 - pizza prep cooler - there is a container of sliced tomatoes and a container of pepperoni without date mark for discarding. Provide. 3 - facility - the facility has some items with a prep date, some with discard, and some with both. Provide a consistent means of date marking. Note: the pic provide proper date marks for all undated food. *this violation requires a follow-up inspection.

Core: the facility does not have a servsafe allergen certified manager. Provide a current servsafe allergen certified manager within 90 days. A copy of the certificate can be emailed to amendyk@saginawcounty.com as a correction of this violation.

Core: the floors including below and behind the grill line and behind the mop sink and water heater are not clean and have debris including broken plates and utensils. Clean routinely.

Core: 1 - walk-in cooler - there is no lighting. Repair to provide proper lighting. 2 - walk-in freezer - there is no lighting. Repair to provide proper lighting.

Core: 1 - dry storage - the light does not have a protective shield. Provide. 2 - freezer - the light does not have a protective shield. Provide.

Core: there is an orkin monitoring trap present under the hand washing station that has serveral dead flies and other pests present. Remove dead pests from facility.

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Prairie Saloon

5996 Fergus Road, St. Charles 48655

Routine inspection March 3, 2017

Priority foundation: In the storage area there are several dented cans on the shelf. Remove all dented cans from the facility. The dented cans were removed from the facility.

Priority: there is a container of detergent stored over the three compartment sink in the kitchen. Store all chemicals separate and below all food contact surfaces. the detergent was moved to underneath the three compartment sink.

Core: there is a servsafe manager on staff but no allergen certification. Provide an allergen certification.

Core: the floor and wall next to the grill line are covered in grease. Clean the floors and wall routinely.

Core: 1) the grill in the kitchen has a leak on the top panel so grease and oil is dripping onto the floor. Repair the grease trap on the grill. 2) the table that the grill is on is in poor repair and wobbly. Repair the table.

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Trinity United Methodist Church

1629 Brady St., Chesaning 48616

Routine inspection Feb. 28, 2017

Core: There is a servsafe manager but they do not have an allergen certification. Provide an allergen certified servsafe manager.

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Heather Jordan | MLive.com file

White Pine Middle School

505 N. Center Road, Saginaw 48603

Routine inspection March 1, 2017

Core: Establishment's servsafe manager has not completed the required allergen training. Complete allergen training and provide copy of certificate to this office within 90 days.

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YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken

5055 State St., Saginaw 48603

Routine inspection Feb. 27, 2017

Violations: none

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Saginaw native Anna Kidder in Antarctica

From left to right: Jacquie Sagasta, Allison Maynard, Dr. Michael Noonan, Emma Wiesenfluh and Anna Kidder, a Saginaw native, traveled to Antarctica in late December, 2016 as a part of Canisius College's Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation Program. The group experiences the native animals in their natural habitats, and even filmed a documentary focusing on water flow and its central role in every ecosystem.

(Jacqui Sagasta)

SAGINAW, MI -- Some people spend their entire life without traveling the world, seeing what it has to offer. Others, however, begin young and go to the bottom of the world.

That is the case for Anna Kidder, a 21-year-old Saginaw native and junior at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. She and three colleagues were fortunate enough to embark on an almost three-week trip to Antarctica.

Kidder and the three other students traveled through the Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation Program (CAC) from the end of December of last year until the middle of January this year. The program lets students participate in once-in-a-lifetime trips to explore different ecosystems than what they are used to.

It cost $9,000 per student to take the trip. That money covered the lodging, transportation and most of the food costs.

Kidder, a double-major in French and animal behavior, ecology and conservation, got involved with the CAC program because it is a branch of her major.

There were two main purposes to the trip, according to Kidder. One was to provide an educational experience for the students who go on the trip. The second purpose was to do conservation outreach.

Every day, they were working on materials that would be used in conservation education. Each student had an individual project they would work on. Kidder's project involved writing a rough draft of a children's book about Antarctica.

"I think children's books provide a really excellent way to help children fall in love with certain places that they otherwise may not experience," she said.

During their trip, the four students observed southern fur seals, humpback whales, king penguins, elephant seals and more than 60 other species of mammals and birds.

Kidder and her group also went to a couple islands around Antarctica before they reached the continent. The group was actually on the peninsula of Antarctica for "about three days or so," according to Kidder.

"The beauty of Antarctica really is indescribable," Kidder said. "It was amazing to see all of these animals in their natural habitats, but also to learn about the international initiatives to protect them."

Michael Noonan, professor of animal behavior, ecology and conservation at Canisius College, led the four students on the trip.

The professor said what his students experienced was "priceless" and far beyond what he could teach them in the classroom.

The students saw ecological variables play out first-hand, tidal pools where krill hatch and a behemoth whale consume krill out in the open sea, according to Noonan.

"(The students) got to witness snowfall leading to the formation of new glaciers, and they also saw 100-year-old ice come to the surface on old glaciers," Noonan said.

During most days on the trip, Kidder and the group would wake up around 7 a.m. and eat breakfast. Depending on the day, the group would get on a Zodiac boat and go on an excursion on the water. Lunch would be served after the first excursion, then a second excursion would be taken. After the second trip on the water, the group would eat dinner and then engage in informal discussions and other activities.

If the group was at sea for an entire day on the boat they were living on, there would be lectures from the naturalists that were on board. People would also be taking photos of the surroundings at that time or doing assignments they had to do for the program.

In between all of that, Kidder and her colleagues were also filming a documentary for the CAC program entitled "A World in Blue and White," which shows viewers water flow across the planet and the role water plays in all ecosystems.

The documentary will be used as an educational resource for local middle and high school students. Kidder and one other student helped film it while the other two students narrated it.

Many people were emotional when it was time to leave, Kidder recalls.

"It was kind of sad (to leave), but it was time to go," she said. "We had been on that ship a long time. I was ready to go home, but it was definitely emotional for a lot of the people.

"I fell in love with this beautiful place that I had no experience with. It was really amazing."

Kidder's dream job is to work in a zoo as an education curator. She has an internship this summer in Buffalo where she will be working at a facility that does swim exercise and rehabilitation with dogs.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Wondering when Supreme Court nominations became so politically contentious? Only about 222 years ago -- when the Senate voted down George Washington's choice for chief justice.

"We are in an era of extreme partisan energy right now. In such a moment, the partisanship will manifest itself across government, and there's no reason to think the nomination process will be exempt from that. It hasn't been in the past," University of Georgia law professor Lori Ringhand said.

This year's brouhaha sees Senate Democrats and Republicans bracing for a showdown over President Donald Trump's nominee, Neil Gorsuch. It's the latest twist in the political wrangling that has surrounded the high court vacancy almost from the moment Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016.

Each side has accused the other of unprecedented obstruction. Republicans wouldn't even hold a hearing for Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee. Democrats are threatening a filibuster, which takes 60 votes to overcome, to try to stop Gorsuch from becoming a justice. If they succeed, Republicans who control the Senate could change the rules and prevail with a simple majority vote in the 100-member body.

As she lays out in "Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings and Constitutional Change," the book she co-wrote, Ringhand said, "There were more rejected nominees in the first half of the nation's history than in the second half. That controversy has been partisan in many cases, back to George Washington."

John Rutledge, a South Carolinian who was a drafter of the Constitution, was the first to succumb to politics. The Senate confirmed Rutledge as a justice in 1789, a post he gave up a couple of years later to become South Carolina's chief justice.

In 1795, Washington nominated Rutledge to replace John Jay as chief justice. By then, Rutledge had become an outspoken opponent of the Jay Treaty, which sought to reduce tensions with England. A year after ratifying the treaty, the Senate voted down Rutledge's nomination.

The rejected chief justice was partly a victim of his own design. He was among the drafters who insisted Congress should have a role in the Supreme Court appointment process, rather than leave it solely to the president, historian Henry Abraham wrote in his history of high court appointments, "Justices, Presidents, and Senators."

Rutledge was not the last to get close to the lifetime appointment to the court only to see it yanked away. The most recent were Garland and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, whose nomination by President George W. Bush was withdrawn under pressure from conservatives.
The Youth Forest Monitoring Program is gearing up for its 20th year in the field, putting high school students into the forest to learn and make recommendations for how their backyard forest should be managed.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is required, like other national forests, to monitor conditions on the ground. Two decades ago YFMP began offering high school students internships that trained and put them in the field, collecting data and doing a post-season public presentation of findings and recommendations.

We have 20 years' worth of data that was collected and to see the progression of treatments that have worked and what has worked well or not in certain areas across the forest, said Forest Service public affairs officer Kathy Bushnell. We dont have a lot of money to always prioritize funding for monitoring, so its been a critical piece the students have been able to do.

Students accepted into YFMP receive a week of training to learn techniques and protocols for monitoring water, soils, recreation and wildlife. Following training, students split into five teams and under the direction of field instructors, monitor between 45-50 sites on the forest, including a trip to the Scapegoat Wilderness.

What makes YFMP unique is that its very local and has local partners that support it financially, Bushnell said. Thats huge for a program that doesnt have funding coming through a specific agency.

The $80,000 program receives support from The Montana Discovery Foundation, Lewis and Clark County, Helena College and others.

Executive director of the foundation Debbie Anderson found the mix of kids from rural and urban schools as a big positive of the program. She also praised program leader Liz Burke with the Forest Service for YFMPs longevity.

Field instructor and retired Capital High science teacher Tom Pedersen touted the preparation the program provides for future scientists.

Its a huge step in the door for those kids to go into this field, he said. Theyre trained at a level where we can go out with the scientists and pretty much do a lot of things they want us to do.

Its neat to watch kids grow up and become young scientists and become the people that are training you.

A survey found 40 percent of YFMP students went on to work seasonally or permanently for the Forest Service.

Its one of the greatest ways to get out and explore your backyard, said four-year veteran of the program Caleb Noble. I never wouldve made it to most of these places on my own. These guys know how to make the outdoors a lot of fun. What kept me coming back was the hands-on experience with ecology and applying it to practical applications.

During his first year the troop discovered noxious weeds in the Scapegoat. In subsequent years he returned to the site, observing the effectiveness of pulling and spraying the Forest Service took on at the behest of the student recommendations.

The recommendations and public presentations are important in giving the students and the program a voice, Pedersen said.

The idea is to go back to these sites and see how it changes over time, he said. You cant make decisions based on one year and looking at the past gives us the big picture.

Professionals with the Forest Service have readily offered their time and equipment to help the program succeed, Pedersen said. Students have been able to monitor water, beetle kill, grazing and even impacts from climate change in the programs 20 years, he added.

I hope this program continues  and when money gets tight we find a way to fund and keep it going because the long-term benefits are tremendous and outweigh any money thats put into it, he said.

While conservation corps programs contribute valuable work on forests across Montana, YFMP has gained regional accolades for its local drive and emphasis on science and monitoring, Bushnell said.

Id say it is more important now that ever to get the younger generation connected to public lands and the natural world, she said. Not only have the past 20 years been very successful but its why were seeing a renewed commitment to the program, because of how important it is and important it will be for the next 20 years.
Iron & Steel | Imports from China, 2019: 4 percent. (Image: Moneycontrol)

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State-run SAIL has recorded an 8 per cent growth in total sales at 13.14 million tonnes in FY 2016-17.

"SAIL has recorded the best ever sales performance for any given year during Financial Year 2016-17 with a growth of 8 per cent over corresponding period last year (CPLY). The total sales stood at 13.143 million tonnes," Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) said in a statement.

The company also recorded the best ever total sales figure for March 2017 at 1.575 MT, a rise of 21 per cent over the year ago, it said.

On the production front, the company has recorded a growth of 12 per cent in saleable steel production for 2016-17 over the preceding fiscal.

"The techno-economic parameters showed improvement in financial year 2016-17 of three per cent in coke rate and six per cent in BF productivity over CPLY," it said.

The company's increasing footprint in exports has also contributed to the best ever numbers with exports rising three-fold during the period, SAIL further said.

"At the same time, the SAIL is readying to offer more value added products to cater to the growing needs of domestic steel market with a view towards more customised products," it added.
Stayzilla founder Yogendra Vasupal

The woman proprietor of Chennai-based advertising Jigsaw Solutions, which was allegedly defrauded of Rs 1.69 crore by Stayzilla, today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to address issues of funding and transparent business models at the earliest.

Radha Shekhar, in a letter to Modi, said this was needed to avoid any suffering women entrepreneurs like her face at the hands of a few 'unscrupulous businessmen' posing as startups.

Jigsaw had alleged Stayzilla had defrauded it of about Rs 1.68 crore for services it rendered since last year. Yogendra Vasupal, co-founder of Stayzilla, an online hotel and homestay booking company, was arrested on March 14 for alleged cheating and criminal intimidation. He has twice been denied bail.

Radha also wrote to IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. She alleged Stayzilla has indulged in unethical business practice which should be strongly discouraged, "instead of letting them take cover behind the startup ecosystem.""If not, any blind support to a fraudulent company would totally undermine the trust in

"If not, any blind support to a fraudulent company would totally undermine the trust in startups, even as many are folding up due to poor business practises and mindless spending." Radha said as a small player her firm is heavily dependent on timely payments of bills by the

Radha said as a small player her firm is heavily dependent on timely payments of bills by the clients, since it has to pay its vendors. Her firm did not have any issues with most clients -- including Kotak Mahindra Bank, who have been clearing its dues in time -- barring Stayzilla, she said. Radha said that for more than a year since January 2016, Stayzilla had been dodging payments

Radha said that for more than a year since January 2016, Stayzilla had been dodging payments totalling Rs 1.69 crore after ad campaigns were carried out for them through airline boarding passes and outdoor billboards.

Repeated efforts to clear the dues were met with evasion, she said. She claimed Stayzilla had got large funding in March 2016, despite which it had resisted paying the dues. Radha said a legal notice from one of her clients forced her to file a complaint with Chennai police after the sudden announcement of

Radha said a legal notice from one of her clients forced her to file a complaint with Chennai police after the sudden announcement of closure of Stayzilla on February 23.

There was no prior intimation of closure to creditors, just a blogpost on their website of 'failed business model', which was reported by the mainstream media. Later the two promoters went underground. This was further proof that the company wanted to escape all its liabilities, she said.

Radha pointed out that after a probe, Chennai police had arrested Vasupal and remanded him to custody, "while his CFO Sachit Singhi continues to abscond to this day." She said it seemed her firm was being 'wrongly painted' by the startup community as posing a threat to them for taking legal recourse, whereas her firm had sought action against only one startup for cheating them.

Faced with a concerted outcry in support of a defaulter, they reached out to the media to explain their side of the story, she said. She noted that in consequence, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge had stated that supporting Stayzilla's founder would be akin to supporting a defaulter like Vijay Mallya.
K. V. Kamath, President of New Development Bank, poses for a picture before start of an interview with Reuters, in New Delhi, India, March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RTX33DBR

New Development Bank, funded by the BRICS group of nations including India, has approved the terms and conditions for adding new members and will come out with final criteria for the same, NDB head K V Kamath said today.

The terms and conditions for membership have been approved by the board at its meeting today, he said.

"We will now work on the criteria... Clearly, there ought to be countries which fit in aspirations with which the bank was setup. Global South is an important constituent... We will certainly look at the wider set of countries," he told reporters after the meeting.

Asked if any country has evinced interest, he said it is early to talk about the countries which may like to join the board till criteria are announced.

"That is a bit premature because before the board formally approves the process going forward we are not in a position to actually go to that stage in terms of getting countries to show interest," he said.

The next board of governors meeting will be held in Shanghai next year, he said.

Kamath said NDB has invested USD 1.5 billion in as many as seven projects since its inception in July 2015. "For 2017 we plan to do 15 projects for a value of USD 2.5-3 billion. This will be in the area of infra especially sustainable infrastructure."

He said the global economy has started improving and the economies of all our member countries have also started improving including India.

India continues to show good performance, China being stable with 6.5 per cent growth and three other member countries which were facing some challenges seem to be showing positive growth this year.

Asked by when will NDB approve India's request for USD 2 billion in loans, Kamath said: "The pipeline that they have given us is going to be done over the next year and a half. We will also have to allow that all projects will not be ready for consideration. The USD 2 Billion worth of projects, we expect that to be done over two years."

NDB was created with a vision to support and foster infrastructure and sustainable development initiatives in emerging economies.

The Bank will complement the efforts of other existing financial institutions to realise the common goal of global growth.

The founding members of the NDB -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) -- have put in capital of USD 1.5 billion thus far as capital contribution.

NDB is also planning to raise up to 500 million through 'masala bonds' and increase its exposure to infrastructure projects in India to around USD 600-700 million during the year.
Imported Mercedes Benz cars are seen next to containers at Tianjin Port, in northern China February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee - RTS100D8

India-Malaysia CEO's forum has pitched for a balanced mega trade agreement among 16 countries, including India, China, Australia and ASEAN members, that include both commodities and services.

"Both trade and investment will benefit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ... Therefore, the Forum calls for a balanced RCEP which will address both trade and services and be concluded at an early date," the forum said in a statement today.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega trade agreement being negotiated among 16 countries including ASEAN, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

RCEP aims to be a deep integration trade agreement covering trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement/legal and institutional issues among others.

The IndiaMalaysia CEO Forum held its meeting yesterday and presented its report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the statement said.

The meeting coincided with the visit of Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razaq to India from March 31  April 4, 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razaq today held wide-ranging talks on cultural, economic and strategic engagement.

The CEO forum said that there is a need for fresh investments by public and private sector companies from both sides, adding, "some hand holding would be needed, which can be provided by Invest India on the Indian side and MIDA on the Malaysian side." "Both sides also noted that companies can also look for the possibility of joint-venture in each other's countries or third countries

"Both sides also noted that companies can also look for the possibility of joint-venture in each other's countries or third countries specially in the ASEAN region," it added. The CEO forum identified key sectors for further cooperation and as well as the next steps required to boost bilateral economic cooperation. "India offers

The CEO forum identified key sectors for further cooperation and as well as the next steps required to boost bilateral economic cooperation. "India offers

"India offers good opportunity for Malaysian Pension and Provident Funds to invest in Indian Infrastructure assets  specially brownfield assets in various sectors like road, aviation, power, offering long-term steady returns. Investments could also be made in Indian Infrastructure Funds," the statement said.

Noting that in initial years Malaysian companies participating in India's infrastructure programme had experienced difficulties which have been subsequently addressed by India, the statement said, "This has provided fresh impetus for Malaysian companies to re-look and consider investing in Indian infrastructure projects in a big way."

It also pointed out that the Indian side was looking at railway, water treatment and other projects in Malaysia. Malaysia is India's third largest trading partner in ASEAN. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and India stood at USD 12.8 billion in 2015-16, as against USD 16.9 billion in 2014-15.

The trade balance is in favour of Malaysia (USD 5.4 billion in 2015-16). The forum members also agreed that specific sectors like manufacturing, industrial corridors in India and SMEs needs to be nourished and given special focus including in the context of India's Make in India initiative and Malaysia's focus on SMEs.

"The forum members agreed that laws and regulations should be made easier by the governments to ensure that professionals on both sides can practice in each other's country without impediments," the statement said.
State Bank of India (SBI)

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Five associates and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank became part of the State Bank of India (SBI) today, catapulting the country's largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world.

State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), merged with SBI with effect from April 1, the bank said in a statement.

"With this six-way mega merger, SBI has again displayed its ability to change and evolve in order to continue as the country champion among banks in India and to create enduring value," SBI said.

With this merger, the bank will join the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets, it added.

The total customer base of the bank will reach 37 crores with a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country.

The merged entity will have a deposit base of more than Rs 26 lakh crore and advances level of Rs 18.50 lakh crore.

Welcoming all the stakeholders of merged entities, SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said the bank will strive to conclude the transition process within a quarter.

"The combined entity will enhance the productivity, mitigate geographical risks, increase operational efficiency and drive synergies across multiple dimensions while ensuring increased levels of customer delight," she said.

Post merger, the bank will rationalise its branch network by relocating some of the branches to maximise reach.

This will help the bank optimise its operations and improve profitability, she said.

Integration of treasuries of the associate banks with the treasury of SBI will bring in substantial cost saving and synergy in treasury operations, she added.

The government had in February approved the merger of these five associate banks with SBI. Later in March, the Cabinet approved merger of BMB as well.

SBI first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State Bank of Indore was merged with it.

The board of SBI earlier approved the merger plan under which SBBJ shareholders will get 28 shares of SBI (Re 1 each) for every 10 shares (Rs 10 each) held. Similarly, SBM and SBT shareholders will get 22 shares of SBI for every 10 shares.

SBI had approved separate schemes of acquisition for State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad. There will not be any share swap or cash outgo as they are wholly-owned by the SBI.
N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder and chairman of Infosys, listens to a question during an interview with Reuters at the company's office in Bangalore February 28, 2012. Picture taken on February 28, 2012. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (REUTERS - Tags: BUSINESS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PROFILE HEADSHOT) - RTR30CV2

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Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has questioned the pay hike given to COO Pravin Rao, in what may be a fresh battle ensuing between the company's founders and the management led by Vishal Sikka.

The company informed exchanges yesterday that shareholders had approved the board's decision to give a salary hike to the COO.

Below is the full text of the letter written by Murthy:

"I have lots of affection for Pravin. Let me state you the facts.

I recruited Pravin in 1985 and had nurtured him throughout my stay at Infosys since then.

He had been sidelined. He was not even a member of the Executive Council at Infosys in 2013 when I came back. Kris, Shibu snd I encouraged him, elevated him to the board, and made him the COO when we recruited Vishal as the CEO. So, this abstention has nothing to do with Pravin.

Those of us who have always stood for fairness in compensation and practised it, right from the day Infosys was founded, will have to demonstrate it when needed. This is a time when it is needed. Nothing more and nothing less.

I believe in striving towards reducing differences in compensation and equity in a corporation. You may not know that my Infosys salary at the time of the founding of Infosys was just 10% of my salary in my previous job. I ensured that my younger, co-founder colleagues got 20% higher salary over their salaries in their previous job even though I was 7 levels above them in my previous job and was 11 years older than them. I gave them huge equity compensation the like of which has never been replicated in this world. So, this abstention comes from somebody who has walked the talk.

I have always felt that every senior management person of an Indian corporation has to show self restraint in his or her compensation and perquisites. He or she has to fight for maintaining a reasonable ratio between the lowest salary and the highest salary in a corporation in a poor country like India. The board has to create a climate of opinion for such a fairness by their actions.

This is necessary if we have to make compassionate capitalism acceptable to a majority of Indians who are poor. Without compassionate capitalism, this country cannot create jobs and solve the problem of poverty. Experts tell me that capitalism may come to an end in the not-so-distant future if the current corporate leaders do not heed this advice in India.

Further, giving nearly 60% to 70% increase in compensation for a top level person (even including performance-based variable pay) when the compensation for most of the employees in the company was increased by just 6% to 8% is, in my opinion, not proper.

This is grossly unfair to the majority of the Infosys employees including project managers, delivery managers, analysts, programmers, sales people in the field, entry level engineers, clerks and office boys who are toiling hard to make the company better.

The impact of such a decision will likely erode the trust and faith of the employees in the management and the board. With what conscience can a decent person like Pravin (a man schooled in Infosys values for over 30 years) tell his juniors that they should work hard and make sacrifice to reduce cost and protect margin? I have got so many mails from these people asking whether this resolution is fair. No previous resolution in the history of the company has received such a low approval.

Finally, given the current poor governance standards at Infosys, let us also remember that these targets for variable pay may not be adhered to if the board wants to favor a top management person.

Thanks.

Narayana Murthy"
Union Minister of State for Finance Arjum Ram Meghwal today expressed confidence that the historic tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) will roll out from July 1.

"100 per cent GST will be implemented from July 1," Meghwal said here when asked on GST roll out.

"In the last meeting four rules had been approved and the next meeting is in Srinagar," he said on the sidelines of ICC organised on investment opportunities in African country Democratic Republic of Congo.

Adding further, he said, government will resolve the problems of the trade and if GST begins from July 1, there will be no loss to trade and industry.

On March 29, Lok Sabha approved the four supplementary legislations.

The Central GST Bill, 2017; The Integrated GST Bill, 2017; The GST (Compensation to States) Bill, 2017; and The Union Territory GST Bill, 2017 were passed after negation of a host of amendments moved by the opposition parties.

The Council, however, deferred a decision on tax structure to its next meeting on May 18-19.

Meghwal said that states are been told to strengthen their IT infrastructure and focus on manpower training.

"Trade, chambers are suggesting. We are continuously meeting them and communicating the benefits. If there are some problems..we will solve it," the minister said.

He said government will open guidance centres including in the villages where internet is available to support the trade in getting registered with GST.

Meanwhile, Meghwal said government was ready to cooperate for greater trade relationship and cross investments in the central African country of Congo which offers huge opportunity in agro, mining and hydro power.

India was building 16MW x4 hydro power plant in the country which was expected to be completed in the next 30 months, a BHEL official said.
The Nifty closed below its crucial psychological level of 9,200 on Friday but the trend still remains on the upside as long as the index trades above 9,075-9,100 levels.

But, it was a historical month for our markets as our benchmark indices posted a monthly close on record highs. Investors need to stay on the long side and use intermediate dips to create fresh long positions in the market.

Fresh Put writing has shifted the market base higher from 8,850 to 9,020, which is another promising sign for our market to keep the momentum going.

We have collated top ten data points on how to help you in spotting profitable trade.

Key Support & Resistance Level for Nifty:

The Nifty50 closed above its crucial 5-DEMA and 10-DEMA placed at 9,142 and 9,114 respectively on the first day of April series.

According to Pivot charts, the key support level for Nifty50 is placed at 9,153, followed by 9,132 and 9,113. If the index starts to move higher then key resistance levels to watch out are 9,192, followed by 9,212, and 9,232.

Nifty Bank

Nifty Bank came under a bit of selling pressure and closed 176 points lower or 0.8 per cent at 21,444.15. Important Pivot level which will act as crucial support for the index is placed at 21,380, followed by 21,317, and 21,220. On the upside, the key resistance level is 21,540, followed by 21,637 and 22,701.

Bank Nifty has been making higher lows from the last seven trading sessions and if immediate lows of 21,330 is broken then it may see a profit booking towards 21,000 zone where one can again accumulate long position for the next up move towards 21,700 and then towards 22,000, Chandan Taparia, Derivatives and Technical Analyst at Motilal Oswal Securities told Moneycontrol.com.

Call Options Data

On the options front, maximum Call open interest (OI) of 33 lakh contracts stands at strike price 9,200 which will act as a crucial resistance level for the index, followed by 9,500 which now holds 31.43 lakh contracts in open interest and 9,300 which has accumulated 24 lakh contracts in OI.

Call Writing was seen at strike prices 9100 (1.09 lakh contracts added), followed by 9,200 (5.5 lakh contracts added), 9,300 (4.6 lakh contracts added) and 9,400 (3.4 lakh contracts added)

Call unwinding was seen at strike prices 8,700 (2.5 lakh contracts were shed), followed by 8,800 (0.35 lakh contracts were shed), 8,900 (1.4 lakh contracts shed), and 9,000 (0.6 lakh contracts shed).

Put Options Data

Maximum Put OI of 37 lakh contracts was seen at strike price 9,000 which will now act as a crucial base for the index from 8,900 earlier which has accumulated 25 lakh contracts in open interest. The strike price 8,800 accumulated 24 lakh contracts in open interest.

Put writing was seen at strike prices 8,800 (2.1 lakh contracts added), followed by 9000 (6 lakh contracts added), 9,100 (5.7 lakh contracts added), 9,200 (6.9 lakh contracts added).

We have scattered OI concentration on different strikes as participants started to build their position for the new series, said Taparia. India VIX moved up by 2.22% at 12.42 but overall lower volatility is keeping the bullish market undertone, he said.

FII & DII Data:

The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth Rs 296 crore compared to domestic institutional investors who bought Rs 1,499 crore in Indian equity market.

Stocks with high Delivery%

High delivery percentage suggests that investors are accepting the delivery of the stock which means that investors are bullish on the stock.

72 stocks saw Long Buildup:

32 stocks saw short covering:

13 stocks saw Long Unwinding:

Long Unwinding happens when there is a decrease in OI as well as in price.

57 stocks saw Short Buildup:

An increase in open interest along with a decrease in price mostly indicates short positions being built up.
Union minister Harsh Vardhan today took a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his attack on EVMs and said for the AAP leader the voting machines means 'Everyone Votes (for) Modiji'.

The Union Minister for Science and Technology said Kejriwal will soon demand the Election Commission be handed over to the Delhi government.

"For Arvind Kejriwal, EVM stands for 'Everyone Votes Modiji' I'm sure he'll soon demand the Election Commission be handed over to Delhi gov?? (sic)," he tweeted.

Harsh Vardhan, an MP from Chandni Chowk, was BJP's Delhi chief ministerial candidate.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Election Commission to investigate cases of "faulty" EVMs and ascertain if their software can be tweaked "in favour of the BJP".

The CM's remark came a day after some media reports suggested that Voter-verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine was dispensing slips of BJP symbol only, irrespective of the button pressed, during a demonstration exercise in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.

After Punjab Assembly poll results, Kejriwal had alleged that EVM tampering may have led to AAP's poor showing there and had said it could be part of a "conspiracy" to keep the party out of power in the state.
Jordan's state media say public and private sector officials from Saudi Arabia and Jordan have signed 15 economic agreements, including establishing a joint fund that will launch an estimated USD 3 billion worth of investments in Jordan.

The Petra news agency says the agreements were signed after a meeting late yesterday between Saudi King Salman and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Planned projects include reconstruction and rehabilitation of a north-south highway in Jordan and setting up a power plant on Jordan's eastern border.

Saudi Arabia has been one of Jordan's main financial backers. Jordan has faced an economic downturn, with sluggish growth, rising public debt and high unemployment.
Ex-choir director in Bucks County pleads no contest to molesting two students, secretly filming another
November 17, 2007 McClatchy Falls for EFP PSYOPS Campaign You will remember the U.S. propaganda campaign around Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. That figure's media picture was build up by the U.S. occupation in Iraq as 'leader of the Iraqi resistance'. That this was propaganda was so obvious that I had no trouble to document and satirize it here back in June 2005. Finally in April 2006 the 'serious' media found out too. Tom Ricks wrote how the Military Plays Up Role of Zarqawi: One internal briefing, produced by the U.S. military headquarters in Iraq, said that [General] Kimmitt had concluded that, "The Zarqawi PSYOP program is the most successful information campaign to date." After the Ricks story the Zarqawi boogeyman's usefulness had expired and two month later the military claimed to have finally killed him in an air attack. Last week another PSYOPS campaign was laid to rest. But unlike with Zarqawi this one is buried to keep it alive. And the media, including McClatchy's (former Knight Ridder) Washington Bureau, falls for it. Since 2004 the U.S. government and military spread a meme about Iran as providing Explosive Formed Penetrators to the Iraqi resistance. Iran has always rejected the allegation. EFPs are machined copperplates used in powerful roadside bombs against U.S. military vehicles. For quite a while this story has been debunked by reports about EFP manufacturing in Iraq. These were substantiated, while the "Iran provides EFPs" meme was never proven by any evidence. There were pieces in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and by Reuters. Doubts about the Iran origin of EFPs have also been raised in the New York Times. NBC news had U.S. officials at least partly walking back their claims. The Columbia Journalism Review, Inter Press Service and Newshogger Cernig ran good summary stories including many sources. We also discussed the 'evidence' here. Still the PSYOPS campaign was kept up and the meme repeated over and over by the usual propaganda (pdf) tools. A recent New Yorker piece finally pulled the plug. Early October Seymour Hersh wrote: David Kay, a former C.I.A. adviser and the chief weapons inspector in Iraq for the United Nations, told me that his inspection team was astonished, in the aftermath of both Iraq wars, by the huge amounts of arms it found circulating among civilians and military personnel throughout the country. He recalled seeing stockpiles of explosively formed penetrators, as well as charges that had been recovered from unexploded American cluster bombs. Why would Iran take the risk to provide stuff to the Iraqi resistance when "stockpiles" of said stuff were and are available in Iraq anyway? This was evidence that the earlier U.S. claims, which were never supported by any physical evidence like a catch at the border, were most likely unfounded. David Kay is an impeccable source on the issue. The military had a serious problem. After Hersh's story the EFP case had to be laid to rest without saying that it has always been a lie. A casket was needed and a funeral pompous enough to hide the fact that the casket is empty. In early November Secretary of Defense Gates announced the near death of the patient: Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that his understanding is Iran has informed the Iraqi government that it will try to stem the flow of Explosively Formed Penetrators into Iraq. I dont know whether to believe them, Gates said Thursday. Ill wait and see. He did not say where he learned of these supposed assurances, nor could he say who in Iran might have made such assurances to the Iraqi government. Two weeks later we hear the funeral eulogy: Iran seems to be honoring a commitment to stem the flow of deadly weapons into Iraq, contributing to a more than 50 percent drop in the number of roadside bombs that kill and maim American troops, a U.S. general said Thursday.

[...]

Simmons, a deputy commander of Multinational Corps-Iraq, told reporters that the number of roadside bombs either found or exploded nationwide had fallen from 3,239 in March to 1,560 last month. To bury the "EFP from Iran" meme it is now alleged, without any proof and logic, that Iran has halted a flow of weapons it never provided in the first place. Why do I say without logic? General Simmons tries to drag a causality from a stemmed flow of arms to lower attack rates. But the attack rates in Iraq are lower because the U.S. military is currently buying off the Sunni resistance. The Shia resistance under al-Sadr has been put to a temporary rest for an organizational overhaul. The attack rates in Iraq are lower because the 'surge' is a 'success'. If the level of resistance is lower, as Petreaus in Congress asserted over and over, the number of roadside bombs must be lower too. That is a primary causality. To now link the lower number of bombs to an alleged stop of an alleged import of weapons does not make logical sense. There are still tons of weapons in Iraq. Just three weeks ago a weapon cache with 124 ready to use EFPs and 159 additional EFP copper disks was found in Diyala province. How does that fact get along with General Simmons claim about a decrease in EFP uses as a consequence of lower supply from Iran? It doesn't fit. The Zaqrqawi boogeyman was largely PSYOPS disinformation.

The "EFPs from Iran" tale was a PSYOPS campaign.

The "less attacks because Iran stops EFP-flow" story is part of a PSYOPS campaign. This is obvious. That's why I am sad that a news outlet like McClatchy's Washington Bureau, with has been a remarkably truthful source on the whole war on Iraq campaign so far, is falling for the story. Jonathan Landay and Nancy Youssef write: Iran stops sending a deadly weapon to its allies in Iraq Iran appears to have stopped shipping the deadliest type of weapons used against U.S. troops in Iraq after a European government confronted Tehran with proof that the weapons came from Iranian factories and Iraqi officials warned their neighbor that instability in Iraq affects the entire region, U.S., Western and Iraqi officials said. The story is based on an unnamed 'Western diplomat' and anonymous 'U.S. intelligence officials'. It includes not a single doubt or caveat on the primary U.S. military assertion of EFPs from Iran to Iraq. But it includes and confuses (likely false) claims of another weapon flow. This one from Iran to the Taliban in Afghanistan. But again there is no proof at all. Just anonymous sources who have 'interests'. The cleric Shia Iran helped to install the U.S. supported Karzai government in Kabul and it helped to ouster the puritanical Sunni Taliban who killed their Hazara brethren. How likely is it that Iran would provide weapon to the Taliban? To kill more Hazara? Isn't it much more likely that claims about such weapon smuggling are just another PSYOPS campaign directed against Iran? Why do Youssef and Landay stenograph such junk claims without any caveat? Posted by b on November 17, 2007 at 19:34 UTC | Permalink Comments
April 02, 2017

Iraqi WMDs Anyone? Washington Post Makes Unfounded Claims Of Iranian Supplies To Insurgencies

The Washington Post falls back into its 2005 mode of blaming Iran for the capabilities of a local insurgency. This time it is not Iraq where Iran is allegedly providing to insurgents, but Bahrain.

Old and debunked claims are hauled up and propaganda from the U.S. proxy Sunni dictatorship is cited as "evidence". It is a top-right front-page story in the Sunday edition and thereby "important". It is also fake news.

The headline: U.S. increasingly sees Irans hand in the arming of Bahraini militants.The core:

The report, a copy of which was shown to The Washington Post, partly explains the growing unease among some Western intelligence officials over tiny Bahrain, a stalwart U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf and home to the Navys Fifth Fleet. Six years after the start of a peaceful Shiite protest movement against the countrys Sunni-led government, U.S. and European analysts now see an increasingly grave threat emerging on the margins of the uprising: heavily armed militant cells supplied and funded, officials say, by Iran.

The authors insert caveats:

While Bahraini officials frequently accuse Tehran of inciting violence, the allegations often have been discounted as exaggerations by a monarchy that routinely cites terrorism as a justification for cracking down on Shiite activists.

But after noting that Bahraini authorities notoriously lie the authors regurgitate approvingly the claims of exactly those authorities:

... the countrys investigators said in a confidential technical assessment ... a copy of which was shown to The Washington Post ...

That is supported, the authors say, by:

... interviews with current and former intelligence officials ...

Surly, "current and former intelligence officials" are paragons of truth and veracity and whatever they claim MUST be true.

At issue is the detection of one basement workshop in Bahrain where someone is using "$20,000 lathes and hydraulic presses" to produce shaped charges and also stored a pile of C4 explosives.

A $20,000 lathe is at the lower end of low-quality professional tooling. Hydraulic presses can be made from car jacks. How to make hollow charges and explosive formed penetrators (EFPs) is described in the CIA's Explosives for Sabotage Manual which the U.S. translated and distributed for decades in Afghanistan and elsewhere. C4 explosives of various origins, including from Iran, are available on black weapon markets throughout west-Asia.

Source: CIA Handbook

Nothing of the above points to the conclusion that these are "cells supplied and funded .. by Iran". The only connection to Iran the Bahrani police found and which is noted in the piece is:

One of the six caches involved C-4 in its original Iranian military packaging, the report said.

The piece does not note where the C4 in the other five caches came from. A detailed chemical analysis will be able to find the "signatures" of the chemical production facilities. If only one of six explosive caches comes from an Iranian manufacturer the problem Bahrain has on hand with the C4 is hardly of Iranian origin. So why are the manufacturing origins of the other five caches of explosives not mentioned at all? Did those caches come from the U.S. or from Saudi factories?

But the problems with the piece do not end there.

After noting how unreliable Bahrain official claims are, it discussed at length such Bahraini claims.

After describing the cheap equipment used to make shaped charges in Bahrain it goes on to explain how Iran, and only Iran, gives those to insurgencies. It quotes some guy from the Zionist propaganda shop Washington Institute who:

saw echoes in Bahrain of Irans practice of supplying tank-crushing EFPs to Iraqi Shiite militias, which used the devices in an effort to create no-go zones around Shiite strongholds.

Iran did not and does not supply EFPs to Iraqi insurgents. The Iraqis made those themselves. That was documented here and elsewhere even ten years ago:

The WaPo story, though on today's Sunday paper's frontpage, has a (web-)dateline of April 1. That is probably the only reliable claim it carries.

There is no evidence that Iran provides for a Shia insurgency in Shia majority-Sunni ruled Bahrain just as there is no evidence that it supplies Zaidi fighters in Yemen who fight Al-Qaeda and its Saudi sponsors.

But there is by now a steady stream of Saudi and U.S. propaganda that makes such claims. These claims sound awfully similar to the claims made before the war on Iraq of (non-existing) Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. To find such again on page one of the Sunday edition of a major newspaper is more than disturbing.

Posted by b on April 2, 2017 at 14:40 UTC | Permalink

Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE:

This is the first in a five-part series on the new Broughton Hospital project.

When the new Broughton Hospital is completed it will be inadequate the day its doors open.

Thats according to local state Legislator Hugh Blackwell (R-86).

But it may be another two years before the doors are opened.

Thats because of problems with construction. Construction on the new mental hospital started in early 2012 and was expected to take around two years.

Five years later, the project isnt complete, lawsuits have been filed and equipment, including computer servers, that have already been ordered sit in storage unused.

And now the state is threatening to fire the contractor of the project.

State threatens contractor

Archer Western Contractors is the contractor for the new $129.8 million Broughton Hospital and was the contractor for Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro. The $138 million Cherry Hospital opened in August, three years after it was scheduled to open.

Of the $129.8 million cost of the new Broughton Hospital, the state has paid Archer Western $109,401,307.16, according to information from the state.

N.C. Rep. Hugh Blackwell (Burke) said construction on the new Broughton Hospital is way behind schedule and DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen was in Morganton in late February for a meeting about the new hospital. He said he believes the meeting was about DHHS officials deciding what to do about the problems with the hospital.

In a statement to The News Herald, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said, On Feb. 22, 2017, (the department) notified Archer Western Contractors (AWC) of Charlotte, engaged since 2012 in construction of a replacement for Broughton Hospital in Morganton, of its intent to list them in default of their contract. The letter of intent gave the contractor 15 days to develop and deliver a schedule that satisfies concerns expressed by DHHS. AWC provided its response to DHHS on March 8, 2017, and the response is being evaluated.

The response from Archer Western is more than 900 pages.

The letter from the state to Archer Western says after more than two years of meetings and reviewing records of the project, DHHS has lost all confidence in the contractors ability to complete the project by the latest completion date of July 18.

The letter says, in part, Accordingly, this letter is to officially notify AWC that DHHS and the State have elected to employ, and by this letter commences, the contractually specified process to annul AWCs contract.

The letter says the state declares the company is in default per the stipulations of the contract.

The completion of the DHHS Hospital Project has been consistently and egregiously delayed by the acts and omissions of AWC constituting breaches of the contract throughout the course of the Project, the letter says. AWC has failed to perform as promised under every past recovery plan and now can provide no reasonable or even credible plan to seasonably complete the work. Similarly, throughout AWCs work on the Project, it has not provided sufficient subcontractor labor to meet numerous critical deadlines in AWCs many schedules.

The letter goes on to say, Over the past year, AWCs 25-person on-site management team has accomplished little or no improvement in AWCs overall rate of performance, in AWCs quality control of the work, nor in assuring that AWCs subcontractors were performing their work pursuant to the Projects plans, specifications, applicable building and life safety codes, approved submittals and industry standards to minimize numerous nonconforming work issues and subsequent corrective work. AWC has also made no significant effort to cure certain material breaches of the Contract, cure certain material breaches of a Memorandum of Understanding between DHHS and AWC dated Dec. 20, 2013 under which many of AWCs earlier breaches and delays would be resolved, if but only if AWC met the MOUs conditions.

It goes on to say completion date of the project has been a moving target since January 2014. The contract completion date for the project was supposed to be Sept. 19, 2014, according to the states letter.

The state said in its letter that after 15 months of work, the projects design team found several major items of non-conforming work, the rework of which alone were sufficient to cause a substantial delay in the progress of the Project.

Contractor response

Archer Westerns response was long and detailed.

As a preliminary matter, we want to express that we take DHHSs Notice and its desire to complete the Project as soon as possible extremely seriously and again confirm our commitment to complete this Project with DHHS, while working through the other impacts and issues that Archer Western has incurred, as discussed with you in the past, the response says, in part.

It goes on to say, Archer Western has never in its history had a contract terminated for default by a public owner, and we intend to do everything in our power to prevent that from happening on this Project. Since receiving the Notice, Archer Western has commenced to investigate, address, and correct, where appropriate, each alleged basis for termination. While our focus is on the development of a successful completion plan, we disagree with many of the statements in the letters and wholeheartedly dispute each of the stated bases for termination cited in the Notice. For that reason, we are compelled to respond to each alleged basis of termination, and include a detailed response to this letter.

The company included a revised completion plan for the project. Its newly revised completion date is Oct. 10, according to its response to the state.

But other sources say it likely will be another two years before it is completed.

The response also said that Archer Western is in the best position to complete the project as quickly and efficiently as possible, and any attempted termination of the contract will only lead to additional, significant costs and delays, as well as litigation for wrongful termination.

As Archer Western has stated all along, and as is required between the parties on every construction project and in every agreement, Archer Western will need, and is asking for the cooperation and good faith of DHHS, the design team, and their respective partners to make this happen, the response says.

It says for Archer Western to be able to complete the hospital by Oct. 10, it would increase its manpower from numerous subcontractors, supplement the project with new trade subcontractors and enhance management and subcontractor management via an expanded AWC management and project closeout team.

While Archer Western believes the project can be completed working five days a week, it says subcontractors are committed to working weekends and authorizing overtime, if needed. It says the company has assigned champions to each specific subcontractor to ensure work progresses adequately.

In the response, the company makes other promises of oversight of the project to ensure work progresses, including from Archer Western owners and officials and holding weekly stakeholder meetings that would include DHHS.

Sharon McBrayer is a staff writer and can be reached at smcbrayer@morganton.com or at 828-432-8946.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Sunshine and some clouds. High 73F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 53F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.
PANA  A house fire tragedy in Pana early Sunday that claimed the lives of a baby and a toddler has shocked the community and left some neighbors feeling nervous.

And while there is nothing to suggest Sunday's fire at 808 E. 2nd St. was anything but a tragic accident, it comes in the wake of a spate of arson fires that began burning back in the summer.

The alarm was raised on Sunday's fire at 5:43 a.m and heroic rescue efforts by a Pana police officer at first and then Pana firefighters were initially beaten back by the intense heat and smoke. The police officer had been on the scene within a minute and was told the children were inside by family members. Firefighters later recovered the bodies of a 3-month-old baby and a 2-year-old from the ruins of the two-story older home.

Firefighters said the father of the children had suffered significant burns from his own attempt to rescue them and the children's mother was also injured, but less severely. They were both being treated in Springfield Memorial Hospital later Sunday. Their home is expected to be a total loss and the American Red Cross is assisting the parents, who also have support from an extensive wider family.

Authorities were withholding the names of the family.

Neighbor Jeremy Durbin, who lives barely a block away, said the amount of fires in Pana is unnerving, with a total of seven arson attacks since July 8. Now we've had this tragic fire a block down this way, he said, pointing towards the East Second Street house, And (in early March) the arsonist burned the old business (a former grocery store) about a block that way, he said, indicating the business address on Cedar Street.

With the arsons going on and everything, it's just kind of spooky. And they haven't caught the arsonist yet. It does make you nervous.

The cause of the East Second Street fatal fire remains under an investigation involving Pana firefighters, Pana police, the state fire marshal's office and the Christian County Coroner's Office.

Pana Fire Chief Rod Bland said the cause was undetermined but might have been electrical in nature. He said the arsonist had only struck at buildings that had often been left empty for some time, not occupied family homes.

Bland, who only lives a few blocks away and had arrived on scene shortly after the police patrolman, had seen the officer put a ladder up to window and break through in his attempt to reach the trapped children.

But the smoke and the heat were just so heavy, there was no way to make entry, Bland said. I got my fire gear on and tried to make entry into the front door and there was just no way... too much smoke and too much heat. There was just no way of getting in.

His firefighters were on scene within minutes and, fearing for the children, attempted a rescue while wearing breathing apparatus. But the fire busted out, it come through the roof in the back and everything and we just had to pull them (the firefighters) out and get that fire under control, Bland added.

Bland said it took around 20 minutes to knock the fire down to where firefighters could safely get back inside and that is when they found both bodies upstairs in the smoldering remains of the burned out upper story.

The fire chief, who has been with the Pana department for 40 years, says a tragedy like this scars everybody involved, not least his own firefighters. He said his department had mutual aid help from the fire departments in Tower Hill, Oconee, Nokomis and Assumption and there were a lot of young firefighters coming face to face with intense tragedy.

We are calling in a critical debriefing team to help them deal with all this, Bland added. We are going to make sure everybody is OK.

As for the work of his firefighters, the chief said he was heartened and humbled by the sheer intensity of their efforts to save those children. They went well above and beyond trying to make entry into that house, he added. They worked their tails off trying to make this (a successful rescue) happen and it just wasn't going to happen this time.

Brandy West lives in a large, century-old two story home close to the fire scene and is friends with the family that lived there. She described the father as a good man who works his butt off to take care of his kids. She said the nightmare that has befallen his family should make everybody think twice about their own fire safety.

My house is old and we've got that old electrical wiring and we've been doing some rewiring, trying to make updates, she said. Now, I just want to get a lot more smoke detectors.
What if there were a place in Midland where inventors and entrepreneurs could have space to develop their ideas and products while having business guidance and the funding support necessary to see them through?

Thats the question Brent Hilliard, Keith Stretcher and the rest of the Midland Development Corp. board have wanted to answer for three years since first allocating $5 million for the creation of a business incubator and makerspace. This week, that dream could come closer to reality.

On Monday, the MDC board will vote on approving the terms of a partnership between the economic development organization and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin that would not only create a place at the Center of Energy and Economic Development for scientific creativity and business growth, but also facilitate the addition of engineering programs.

The MDC is offering UTPB $5 million, to be paid in five yearly installments, that would fund the construction of a third floor of UTPBs under-construction engineering building and convert no more than 10,000 square feet of space at the CEED building for use as a makerspace and incubator, according to a term sheet obtained by the Reporter-Telegram.

The extra space at the engineering building will allow UTPB to add chemical and electrical engineering programs, and the conversion at CEED will enable the MDC to do what it has wanted for many years.

Hilliard, the MDC board chairman, said he and other city officials traveled years ago to learn more about another citys economic development. Thats when I fell in love with something I had never head of: an incubator program, he said.

Business incubators take many forms, but their primary goal is to facilitate business growth. They offer mentorship, networking and training opportunities to startups, and some help direct businesses to find capital investments. As an economic development organization, the incubator is apropos to the MDCs mission. But being successful means having the right partner.

If you look at incubator programs, the next questions are: Can one be successful in Midland, and what does it actually take? Hilliard said. Theres a bit of a curve there to figure out who has had a successful incubator program. What we learned is that in order to have a successful incubation program, you have to have a university involved in it because its so closely tied to education.

Having the incubator and makerspace -- which provides resources for the creation of any number of technologies -- adjacent to the new engineering building creates greater opportunities for new technologies to grow right here in Midland.

You can get educated in an engineering class. You can take the ideas you have and move over to a makerspace facility and create your vision, move over to an incubation program and then go to (the Small Business Development Center) and get the money you need to actually start your program, Hilliard said. Its a one-stop shop for four things.

The incubator and makerspace, which, per the term sheet, will be operated by UTPB, isnt just for college students.

Theres something for everyone here, Hilliard said. If you have the money for a (college) education, you can get an education. If you dont have a (college) education and want to start a business, you can still come here. Each thing will build on itself.

Stretcher says the partnership provides the opportunity to allow Midlanders to get the skills they need in the Tall City and stay here rather than moving outside the area and possibly never returning. Its a problem known as brain drain, where communities lose skilled workers to other communities.

We have heard people tell us over and over that they want their sons and daughters to be able to come back to Midland and get good, high-paying jobs, Stretcher said. What were trying to do is partner with UTBP to provide that opportunity for a Midlander to stay here and get a good job.

A person can graduate from high school from Midland Independent School District or one of our excellent private schools and go to UTPB and get an engineering degree and never leave the city of Midland, he said.

Plus, the partnership is a chance for Midlanders to see their tax money put to good use. The MDC is funded by the quarter-cent Type A sales tax. It brings in between $8 million and $11 million per year.

The people in Midland pay the sales tax, and they rightfully have the expectation that were going to do something to help their sons and daughters and make it where brain drain doesnt continue, Stretcher said. Thats really important to us. Were going to do everything we can to partner with whomever wants to partner with us.

The partnership itself came from a request by UTPB to City Councilman J.Ross Lacy, an alumnus.

(UTPB President David Watts) reached out to me in November and said we had the $52 million for the engineering building but are about $8 million short on building out the third floor, Lacy said. He said our goal is to bring chemical and electrical engineering. I thought that was a fantastic idea because it gets two more engineering programs localized out here.

Lacy brought the issue to Hilliard, and the solution to be voted on this week was rendered in just a few months. The partnership is one of several the MDC has engaged in recently.

On Wednesday, their cooperation with the SBDC was formally announced. The MDC will fund and the SBDC will facilitate the Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge, a competition that will help four or five Midland-based businesses grow though mentorship and financial backing of between $50,000 and $75,000 apiece. Its not free money, however. Businesses will have to meet certain goals, such as having 50 percent of revenues come from outside the Midland area within three years.

The MDC is also partnering with Texas Department of Transportation and local government entities to get transportation projects completed faster. In vein of its deal with UTPB, the MDC has also worked with Midland College on its nursing program to educate nurses who can stay in the Tall City and work at Midland Memorial Hospital.

What MDC is interested in is to get those relationships in place to direct or co-sponsor some other program that hasnt been thought of or hasnt been funded. Both of the colleges in our city know that, said Hilliard, who foresees the partnership with UTPB producing great opportunities in Midland. Were stronger together than we are apart, so we need the universitys help in molding this and making it work for us. And theyre really good at it.

The issue will be voted on by the MDC board at its monthly meeting Monday. City Council must also approve it, as must the University of Texas System board of regents.

We have every reason to believe the UT System, City Council and our board will approve this, Hilliard said.

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes.
A new service company has opened in the Permian Basin, drawn by the regions rising oil field activity.

Calgary, Alberta-based STEP Energy Services has just opened a service center at 3403 East County Road 44 in Midland to serve Permian Basin operators.

Brock Duhon, the companys vice president, coiled tubing, said in a phone interview that the company had noticed a huge increase in unconventional drilling activity in the Permian.

We did a presentation in March 2016 at the Petroleum Museum and got great attendance and a number of clients, so in April we decided to open in the Permian Basin, he said.

The Midland service center, the companys second in Texas, is a 5,000- square-foot facility that houses two coiled tubing units that are fitted with 2 5/8-inch tubing string and related pumping and pressure control equipment. The service center includes two full mechanics bays with a wash bay and six offices. It employs 35 people, and Duhon said it is essentially fully staffed with just a couple of openings.

Once a well is fractured, we go in and drill out the composite plugs and clean up the well and get it ready to put on production, Duhon said.

Clients include BHP Billiton, Pioneer Natural Resources, Brigham Resources, Jagged Peak Energy and Diamondback Energy.

Coiled tubing has been used in the oil fields for decades, but Duhon said as horizontal drilling became more prominent, legacy coiled tubing equipment became unfit for the job.

We built new fit-for-purpose equipment for the shale plays, he said. We couldnt find a purpose for legacy equipment.

The company is looking to build two or three more units by the end of the year, which would bring its total to six or seven coiled tubing units in Texas. Where those new units will be deployed will depend on which market has more demand, he said

Well watch the market and see what happens with activity, Duhon said.

STEP is also active in the Eagle Ford, where it has two coiled units.

Were also looking to move into the Haynesville Shale in East Texas and Louisiana, he said.

Duhon estimates equipment in both the Permian and Eagle Ford are at 80 percent utilization.

He said STEP sees the Permian as a center for the companys future growth.

We expect continued growth and will focus on the Permian, he said.

As part of the celebration of the Midland centers opening, guests were asked to bring donations for the West Texas Food Bank. Duhon reported that donations filled a truck bed.
James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

The costs of producing oil in the major U.S. shale fields have dropped by almost half over the past two years, but none as much as West Texas Midland Basin, a part of the prodigious Permian.

Drillers in the Midland, the eastern section of the Permian Basin, used to produce oil for about $71 a barrel, according to a new report by the Norwegian energy research firm Rystad Energy. Last year, that cost dropped by half, to $36 a barrel.
A survey recently gave insight into students experiencing sexual assault and misconduct at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and freshman Patsy Chavez hopes the results will influence the institutions response.

The study found 8 percent of female undergraduates reported experiencing rape, and 8 percent of students reported experiencing unwanted sexual touching.

Chavez is confident the university would take sexual misconduct claims seriously.

I feel like they would based on the classes they give us and the survey, Chavez said. I expect them to do something.

But few students report incidents to the university, making it a challenge to combat the issue, according to Teresa Sewell, senior associate vice president for student services. She said the survey results help staff to know about student experiences.

It tells us whats happening, Sewell said. We want to be able to provide students resources. It tells us its not happening on our campus as much as other campuses. One is too many. We want to be able to assist those students.

As a result of the survey findings, the university plans to take action through training and programming. Sewell thinks the measures will help students succeed on campus.

Preventing incidents

The results came from the Cultivating Learning and Safe Environments (CLASE) report, released March 24. The study examined sexual assault and misconduct at 13 UT System academic and health institutions. More than 28,000 students took the online survey in fall 2015 and spring 2016.

At UTPB, 887 students filled out questionnaires  constituting 19 percent of those invited to participate in the survey.

The study found 8 percent of UTPB female undergraduates experienced rape, compared to 10 percent of them at all UT academic institutions. Also, 8 percent of UTPB students experienced unwanted sexual touching, compared to 12 percent at all UT academic institutions.

Nationwide, nearly 1 in 5 undergraduate females experienced some type of sexual assault since entering college, according to a 2009 report in the Journal of American College Health.

Sewell said the rate of incidents at UTPB  though lower than UT statistics  is too high. She said the university has education programs to help prevent sexual assault and misconduct.

We try to discuss with them the risks associated with different behaviors, like drinking and drugs, Sewell said. We encourage wise behaviors  always know where your glass is and go with a buddy.

The survey revealed 43 percent of unwanted sexual contact victims and 56 percent of perpetrators had used alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.

Its a trend that sometimes happens at parties, according to UTPB sophomore Lorenzo Masonsong.

Most occurrences of rape or sexual assault Ive known  not just gossip  usually the girl is drunk and the guy takes her home instead of leaving her there, Masonsong said.

Another student, freshman Oliver Grundy, has heard about similar scenarios. He believes the UTPB alcohol policy shows the university is committed to curbing sexual assault. Student alcohol use and possession are prohibited on campus, and Grundy said the policy could prevent incidents from happening on school grounds.

Students are introduced to sexual assault information during the first 45 days of their time on campus, when theyre most vulnerable, according to Wendy Kane, director for student life.

There are so many changes youre dealing with, Kane said. This is one of those changes youre not able to handle. Thats why were trying to get information out to students about how to report. Thats why were doing things like bystander intervention.

Falcon Family Bystander Intervention is a program that encourages students to interfere when they notice behavior that could lead to sexual misconduct or inappropriate actions. Kane said students are taught UTPB is an environment where everyone should be treated with respect.

The message of respect extends to the universitys education about consent, according to Sewell.

The survey showed 41 percent of unwanted sexual contact perpetrators attended UTPB. Additionally, 71 percent of victims of unwanted sexual contact had a close relationship with the perpetrator, and 9 percent of students in a romantic relationship experienced physical violence.

Kane said the university has programming throughout the school year to address healthy relationships. It hopes to add a student-led component to its sexual assault awareness task force.

It would be peer-to-peer  young men to men and young women to women, Kane said. Research shows the efficacy and effectiveness in reducing the behavior and increasing reporting and seeking of services. Its taking away the societal shame of being a victim.

The university also recently increased training to address sexual harassment. In the survey, 14 percent of UTPB students reported sexual harassment by another student, and 7 percent reported experiencing sexist gender harassment by a faculty or staff member.

Sewell said UTPBs culture of intervention extends to sexual harassment.

In a group of students if sexist comments are being made, students can say, Thats not right, Sewell said.

Encouraging reporting

For UTPB students who experienced victimization, less than 1 percent told someone at the university before taking the survey. It represented the lowest reporting rate of UT academic institutions.

Sexual misconduct, people dont want to report it, Sewell said. They feel theyre going to be embarrassed or ashamed. They feel bad enough about the incident, and they dont want to come for help. Its difficult for them.

Some bills filed in the Texas Legislature address campus sexual assault reporting after recent scandals at Baylor University.

Senate Bill 576 would introduce reporting requirements at public institutions, and Senate Bill 968 would require some public and private schools to provide an electronic option for reporting sexual assault. Also, Senate Bill 969 would grant students amnesty from other disciplinary actions if they report sexual assault.

At the university, 18 percent of victims disclosed the incidents before taking the survey, compared to 28 percent of them at all UT System academic institutions. Of UTPB victims who had previously disclosed information, 74 percent told a close friend other than a roommate.

Kane said the universitys intervention programming addresses ways for students to respond to peers who share information.

If a friend tells you and they havent told anyone at the university, you can seek help, Kane said. Even if its at the counseling center  which is completely confidential  they can have someone to talk to.

The report showed 80 percent of student-perpetrated sexual harassment incidents occurred on campus, and about one-fourth of unwanted sexual contact incidents happened there.

Kane said students who experience off-campus sexual misconduct may choose to report to local police or other entities unrelated to the university.

Our students tend to be a bit older if you look at us and our sister institutions, Kane said. While [the survey] doesnt address age, the percent [of victims] in a serious, committed relationship is much higher. A situation happens off campus with their partner, and they might not be reporting it to us.

Kane also hopes to extend information to students taking online courses. UTPB lists resources for sexual misconduct on a webpage, but Kane said theres room to reach out even more.

Integrating students in online classes is important for us, Kane said. We have places for local, state and national resources for students. We can put them online  maybe in the syllabus. Who knows where theyre going to see it and decide they need help?

A majority of victims and non-victims reported feeling safe on campus at UTPB. The survey also found most students thought UTPB would take a report of sexual misconduct seriously. Still, Grundy believes some students may feel uncomfortable with disclosing incidents to the university.

They think that they might look down upon them, Grundy said. Ive heard situations where the person says something has happened  they just say that because theyre mad at them. [Victims] might not get believed.

Victims in the survey reported mental and physical health problems at higher rates than non-victims. Sewell hopes encouraging reporting will allow students to be successful.

If its impacting them  psychologically, socially, academically  there are issues from this, Sewell said. We want to get them help. We want them to be able to interact in those ways as they would normally.

Some of the UTPB programs that stress reporting and preventing sexual assault were implemented between the time students took the CLASE survey and the UT System released the results, according to Kane. The second survey is scheduled for this fall, she said.

Well be interested to see what those numbers say, Kane said. We did this completely independent of those results.
DECATUR  Natiliee Martin just learned to ride a two-wheeler without training wheels.

I want to learn to ride better so I can do it by myself,, said the 8-year-old, who attended the Cub Scouts' Bike-O-Rama on Saturday at Stephen Decatur Middle School. She was also sporting a black bike helmet with flexible spikes in a Mohawk shape on top of it.

Her aunt, Rebecca Martin, said she only had to push Natiliee a couple of times before the youngster had it all figured out.

The Cub Scout event was open to the public, but the chilly weather kept the attendance from being what pack leader Jonathon Tish had hoped for. With April upon us and warmer weather on the horizon, he said, he hoped kids would come and be inspired to play outside and ride their bikes instead of playing video games indoors.

We go for bike rides as a family, said Tish's wife, Shantel, who is also a Scout leader. She doesn't let their son, Austin, play video games nearly as much as he wants to because she wants him to be outdoors.

A big part of the day was Decatur Police Department's bike patrol officers and Macon County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Wendell, who provided bike safety tips and a course in obeying traffic laws, which bicycles are just as required to do as motor vehicles are, said Officer Robert Murray.

They have to follow the rules of the road same as anybody else does, he said. They probably don't know that. Most people don't know that.

Both men enjoy bicycle patrol, and Officer Josh Davis had to rib his co-worker a little about how difficult it is to ride a bike all day for someone all out of shape. In turn, Murray joked about how when they arrest someone, they give that person a ride on the handlebars back to the jail.

They walked the kids through safety checks before getting on their bikes to ride, that they should make sure the tires are fully inflated, and the pedals and chain are tight, tuck in their shoelaces so they don't get tangled and cause an accident, and that their helmet is on correctly. They advised that proper helmet placement means the front should be on their forehead, not pushed back, and the chin strap tight enough to keep the helmet in place, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable to wear.

Ted Weiscope, who has been riding BMX since the 1980s, was on hand to give trick riding demonstrations. He competes in the USA BMX competitions and his daughter, age 20, is in a finals competition this weekend in North Carolina.

Yeah, you get hurt, he said with a laugh. You get hurt a lot.

It takes practice and skill to ride BMX, he said, but he loves it and can't imagine giving it up.

Tish split the kids up into groups and they fanned out across the Stephen Decatur parking lot to stations, where they learned to stop safely, anticipate having to stop, look both ways, give hand signals to indicate a turn, and other traffic safety rules.
We are collating signatures to petition ...
Whew! That was close.

I wasnt expecting to be waiting on the edge of my seat for the outcome of this years Dutch parliamentary elections. But I wasnt expecting Donald Trump to be Americas president, either.

After Brexit, Great Britains vote last year to leave the European Union, and Trumps upset election victory, the whole world has been watching to see whether a wave of anti-immigrant populist upsets would win a trifecta in the Netherlands and keep rolling through upcoming elections in France, Germany and other European elections.

In the Netherlands, that movements champion in parliamentary elections was anti-Muslim firebrand Geert Wilders, a Trump fan with similarly interesting hair and xenophobic attitudes toward immigrants and refugees.

To give you an idea of where he stands politically by American standards, one of our own prominent xenophobes, Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican, gave Wilders a shout-out on Twitter as one who understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies.

The backlash against Kings remarks was bipartisan. Among Kings Republican critics, for example, Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida, a child of Cuban immigrants, immediately tweeted back, Do I qualify as somebody elses baby?

But King also won praise  from David Duke. The former KKK leader and former Republican Louisiana gubernatorial nominee praised Kings tweet as proof that sanity reigns supreme in Kings northwest Iowa congressional district.

And King doesnt sound far removed from Wilders, who is known for such comments as: I dont hate Muslims. I hate Islam, and Islam is not a religion; its an ideology, the ideology of a retarded culture.

And Wilders sounds mightily close to the sentiments of long-experienced French anti-immigrant leader Marine Le Pen. She has been showing higher approval numbers than ever in in the run-up to presidential elections in May, in which she is campaigning for a French exit from the EU.

And Germanys chancellor Angela Merkel faces tough challenges in September elections from the right over her generous policies toward refugees.

Against that backdrop, Hollands record high turnout that left Wilders in second place offered a hopeful sign that the momentum of Le Pen and others might be stalled and even pushed back. Significantly, a number of experts are saying the chaos and confusion that followed Brexit and the rise of Trumps unorthodox regime may have alarmed Dutch voters enough to raise a counter movement against radical populist change, at least for now.

Can we all get along? Until Trumps upset victory, we Americans usually provided a better model of how a vastly diverse society can work, despite our periodic clashes over race and ethnicity. Unlike Europe, our identity as Americans is not tied to our ancestral identity, regardless of what kind of outlandish ideas Rep. King may have about who is a real American.

Yet as much as we call ourselves a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of immigration debates.

The rise of Brexit, Trump and Wilders are not only about racism. Fears, suspicions and resentments about the ethnic future of Western civilization add fuel to the current fervor. This is particularly true in Europe, shaken in recent years by a flood of refugees from the Middle East, and in the U.S., where Trump made immigration and his proposed Mexican border wall his signature campaign issues.

But another similarity between Europe and the U.S. is the polarization of politics between left and right, made worse by a near-complete collapse of the center-left.

Into the power vacuum, some of Europes disillusioned left-wing voters have drifted toward racial populists is much the same way that some former Barack Obama voters switched to vote for Donald Trump. When things look bad enough, any sort of change looks better than the status quo.

The populist rise in the Netherlands gave a wake-up call to the sensible political center. But traditional politicians in Europe and America cant afford to hit the snooze button. They need to offer better alternatives to those who feel displaced and left behind by industrial and geopolitical change.
In a world that has seemingly gone mad with violence, Everyday Hero winners reminded people there is still a lot of good to be found.

Everyday Hero winners share thoughts about what awards mean to them

Some winners urge people to volunteer, to give to community

That was the message from many of the recipients of News 13's and Spectrum Network's Everyday Hero annual Salute to Everyday Heroes luncheon on Thursday, March 23, at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park.

"It's nice because it means people are recognizing you and your work," said Volunteer Hero of the Year Johnny Stringer about his award.

Stringer, who is a constant figure in his Orange County community, hopes that his volunteer hours for the Orlando Police Department gives neighbors a sense of security. It is through his experiences that he shares this advice to those who are considering donating their time.

"Give volunteering a try. A lot of people volunteer and you have to see the results and see you will like it," Stringer said.

And those are words echoed by 103-year-old Viewers' Choice Hero of the Year Barbara Mandigo. News 13 viewers selected Mandigo because she makes teddy bears for children with serious illnesses at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis.

"It's nice to be able to help people and get together," Mandigo said.

Some of the award winners appreciated that their efforts were recognized, such as firefighter for the Lake Mary Fire Department Bruce Williams.

Williams, who helped young brain-cancer sufferer Cameron Fulling to be a firefighter for a day, said it was "one heck of an honor" to be named Public Service Hero of the Year.

Mother Lataasha Byrd is also appreciative that she was recognized as well with the Health Advocate Hero of the Year award, as she gave up her career to stay home and help her 6-year-old daughter Cairo with Down syndrome.

"It seems like my hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. It has paid off," she said.

Education Hero of the Year winner Benoit Glazer shares Byrd's thoughts.

"It's nice to be recognized," said the former musical director for the Cirque de Soleil show, "La Nouba," who has opened his home to give free concerts to the community.

"We work hard to save the arts," Glazer said.

Yet there is a different type of recognition that Carissa Kent likes about her award for Hero of the Year  for the gopher tortoise.

"The gopher tortoises are not well known and this award brings recognition," Kent said, who volunteers her time to rescuing the large animals.

When asked what advice she can give to those who want to help the gopher tortoise, Kent urged that people need to work hard and to never give up.

"Be their voice," she said. "And know how valuable they are."

The only award winner who was not in attendance was Alex Martinez, the Young Hero of the Year.
Dear Abby: There is a boy I like at school. He is a very well-known person around school. I'm not. I do have a wide variety of friends, and I even talk to some of his.

My friends know I like him, and they would like for me to talk to him. I wouldn't mind that, but what would I say? They want it to happen in person, but I want to do it by text, where I feel more me. What should I do?

-- Tennessee Teen

Dear Teen: Listen to your friends and approach him in person. A smile and a hello should break the ice. Then follow it up with a question about some activity that's happening at school.

Receive, don't take

Dear Abby: Could you please address the etiquette of tasting samples at stores, events, food shows, etc.? People walk up and try to grab a sample with dirty, bleeding, scabby hands not realizing that other people will also be sampling that food.

Samples are supposed to be given to each person. And when that happens, the food handler should be wearing clean gloves and be the only person touching the food.

Please let people know that once someone without gloves touches this food, the demonstrator must discard it for health reasons. Also, samples cannot be given to children without their parents' permission, and any food allergies must be addressed before someone asks for a sample.

-- Mary in Florida

Dear Mary: Your suggestions are not only good manners, they also make common sense. I hope that readers who don't know better will learn from your letter for the sake of everyone's health.

Financial aid I

Dear Abby: "Enough to Share" (Dec. 5) was interested in supporting her daughter's friends through the college application process. "Enough" could mention to the family that SAT and ACT fee waivers should be available through the school counseling department if the twins are considered low-income.

Students should also know about government assistance programs, such as the Pell Grant, which can give additional money toward tuition for any low-income student. They can get more information through their schools when they fill out their FAFSA forms.

-- Title I Teacher

Dear Teacher: Thank you for the pertinent information. Read on for some instructive input from another reader:

Financial aid II

Dear Abby: Many schools have "Helping Hands" funds available for this purpose and would allow the family to donate to these specific girls anonymously, if need be. As an educator, I encourage everyone to reach out to a local school to offer help to struggling high school students. If they are in a position to do so, they should ask if they can sponsor a student in the college application process or sign up to mentor.

-- A Little Goes a Long Ways

* * *

To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 to: Dear Abby, Letter Booklet, Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.
Four victims of a chain-reaction crash in Antioch Saturday were upgraded from critical condition, the CHP said.

The crash on Highway 4 in Antioch Saturday injured 10 people, including the child and three others whose condition had improved Sunday to stable and minor. .

All four had been in critical condition on the day of the incident, but by Sunday, three of them were listed as having minor injuries after hospital evaluation, said Officer Rick Rohrback of the Contra Costa County CHP. Things were either getting better or not as bad as they came across, Rohrback said.

The collision occurred at 6:18 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway, near A Street, just east of the Lone Tree on-ramp.

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A Toyota sedan with seven occupants had stopped in the middle of the highway behind a bumper that had fallen. A Toyota minivan with three occupants slammed into the sedan causing a shutdown on the freeway, the CHP said.

It was pretty significant, thats for sure, said Robert Marshall, spokesman for the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District. We had vehicles across all lanes and we had people out of the vehicles and down in the lanes.

A 14-year-old girl was taken by helicopter to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland. Two others were flown to UC Davis Medical Center, and a fourth person was rushed by ambulance to a local trauma center.

Marshall said he did not know whether the victims who were found lying on the highway were thrown from their cars or had climbed out after the crash.

Officer William Ogilvie of the California Highway Patrol said all the westbound lanes were closed on Highway 4 in Antioch between 6:33 p.m. and 7:47 p.m. as multiple helicopters landed on the highway and five ambulances transported victims.

Traffic on the highway was backed up for miles and remained slow for at least an hour after the crash was cleared. Ogilvie said the cause of the collision is under investigation.

Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
President Donald Trump has proposed sharp cuts to the federal agency that helps turn brownfields into productive properties, but Connecticut officials say that wont keep the state from pressing forward with its own brownfield programs.

Connecticut has about 1,000 brownfields: properties that are blighted, vacant or underutilized but ripe for cleanup and redevelopment.

Most brownfield efforts are undertaken by private owners or by municipalities. In Connecticut, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection oversees the regulatory components of any needed cleanup while the state Department of Economic and Community Development handles funding and redevelopment.

At the federal level, the U.S. EPA typically performs all these functions. And while the amount of money involved is not great  on average, municipalities in Connecticut receive a combined $1 million to $1.5 million annually from the EPA  the potential loss of EPA experts who help with the states efforts could hurt.

If theres a reduction of staff at the federal level, then it will only make the process slower, said Tim Sullivan, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

Connecticuts brownfield program was established in 2006, but ramped up in 2011 when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy took office and allocated more funding for it, Sullivan said. Since 2012, the state has invested $191 million to investigate, remediate and revitalize more than 160 old or vacant factories, mills, warehouses and other contaminated sites and structures.

The program is active in every part of the state, Sullivan said.

Malloy has included $40 million in next years proposed budget to cover grants and loans for brownfields programs, the same level as in the current fiscal year. Last Monday, he announced $5 million in new grants for a list of brownfield projects around the state.

Sullivan said he is optimistic that the governors spending proposal for next year, which is financed through bond issues, will be approved by the legislature, because brownfields programs have historically enjoyed bipartisan support and the backing of towns, cities and private entities.

In the most recent grant cycle, the state received 25 applications and funded 13. It also made eight or nine loans, which Sullivan expected would happen this year, too.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th, introduced a bipartisan bill that would restore the original $250 million to the federal program and broaden its availability to include nonprofits and community development agencies. Under the bill, applicants could receive up to $950,000 for brownfield projects, including $600,000 for cleanup -- three times the current cleanup figure.

Esty said last week the outcry has been so strong against cutting the brownfields program  which few believe would survive Trump's proposed 31 percent cut to EPA funding  that shes optimistic Congress will revive it. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and legislators from both parties support it, she noted.

Connecticut has been very committed to brownfields  and creative, Esty added. More federal funding would assist our state, which has such a strong program.

Esty said the EPA program, which was created in 2002, has been wildly successful, with a return on investment of $18 for every federal dollar spent. The demand is so high, she said, that the EPA is generally able to fund only 30 percent of the grant requests.

Brownfields, when cleaned up, translates into jobs in the communities, Esty said.Its one of the most effective environmental and economic development investments we can make.

Among these successes of the state program is the Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, where the state helped revitalize an old factory. The brewery now has about 100 employees and is expanding, Sullivan said.

Officials in the Danbury area hope for similar success.

Danbury is considering turning the old Mallory Hat factory into transitional housing. Earlier this month City Council created an ad hoc committee to review the proposal.

Asbestos, arsenic, mercury and lead were removed from some of the buildings, which were later demolished, using $2 million from the EPA. The soil still needs to be remediated.

Last Sunday, about 125 Redding residents came out to the community center to hear a presentation about turning the old Gilbert And Bennett wire mill into a residential and commercial community for artists and young people.

The town foreclosed on the site in 2015 and is battling the owners in court over $3 million in taxes owed to the town and another $19 million owed to a taxing district. The debate returns to court this week for a status hearing.

New Milford is wrapping up the remediation of the Century Brass site, which has been vacant for about 30 years. Renovating the property and selling it so it can be returned to the towns tax rolls has long been a priority of town officials.

Meanwhile, in addition to state funds, more money is going into the projects from municipalities and private entities. For every dollar spent since the state program started, an average $5.55 came was added from non-state funding. During the current year, the non-state contribution is $11.27 for every state dollar spent.

Theres broad agreement and broad recognition of the importance of finally doing something about these sites, Sullivan said.

Redeveloping brownfields is a win for the environment and for the economy, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee said in a statement. This investment transforms contaminated properties from an environmental and economic burden to an asset to local communities and the whole state.

Staff writer Julia Perkins contributed to this report.
Dear Dr. Roach: After a capsule endoscopy for unexplained chronic diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding, I was told that I most likely have an arteriovenous malformation in my small intestine. Since diagnosis, getting further help with this has been frustrating. Some doctors have suggested that the diarrhea and pain could be vascular-related, while others dismiss that idea. Several times over the years, I have worked in the cramped crawlspace under my house, and subsequently each time had some of my worst episodes ever of bloody diarrhea the next day.

One doctor suggested that intermittent bleeding from the AVM could cause diarrhea due to blood acting as a cathartic agent. Is this possible? Can blood act as a laxative?

-- A.S.

A: An arteriovenous malformation is a direct connection between an artery and a vein. These can occur in many places in the body (the brain being probably the most dangerous), but the small intestine is a common site. The usual symptoms of an AVM in the intestine are visible bleeding (bloody or dark bowel movements) or symptoms of anemia (fatigue, inability to exercise normally, being pale). Diarrhea and pain are decidedly uncommon. I am not at all convinced that the AVM (which often are found incidentally, in people with no symptoms) is the cause of the bloody diarrhea. It may be unrelated.

It is certainly true that a large amount of blood acts as a cathartic. This is important because a very large amount of bleeding in the stomach, despite having traveled the remainder of the digestive system, sometimes can still look just like blood when it comes out. This can fool the person (and the unwary doctor) into thinking that the source of the bleeding is in the colon. However, I have never heard of an AVM bleeding briskly enough to do that, though I suppose it is possible.

Your anecdote about the crawlspace exercise one day and bleeding the next day makes me concerned about a separate diagnosis: ischemic colitis. This is a common cause of moderate GI bleeding and cramping pain, most often in older adults, often happening after exercise. The diagnosis needs to be considered when the bleeding occurs, as the appearance of the colon can rapidly improve.

Grease on hands

Dr. Roach writes: A recent column on removing grease from the hands generated some responses from readers. Several people wrote to include a mild abrasive, such as sugar or coffee grounds, in soap. I find that commercial products, such as GOJO or Fast Orange, work well.

A wound-care specialist pointed out that I commented only on hand cleaning and degreasing, and not about taking care of cuts and abrasions. Once the hands are cleaned and degreased, cuts should be bandaged. I recommend using antibiotic ointments, as they protect the wound. Never use harsh soaps or hydrogen peroxide on an open wound, as it damages the healthy regenerating tissue more than any bacteria that might be there.
NORWALK  The annual meeting of the Norwalk Land Trust April 4 Tuesday night incorporates a free public lecture on a new environmental study projecting how rising sea levels might affect coastal communities in Connecticut like Norwalk.

Dr. Adam Whelchel, director of science at the Nature Conservancy of Connecticut and a global authority on community resilience, strategic planning and team-building, is the speaker.
MidMichigan Health and Michigan Medicine, the health care division of the University of Michigan, have partnered together to bring an advanced hepatology specialty clinic to Midland.

This collaborative clinic provides specialized medical consultation to patients from across central and northern Michigan who has been diagnosed with advanced or complex liver disease. Staffed by specialists from the University of Michigan and located in the Campus Ridge Building on the campus of MidMichigan Medical Center  Midland, the goal of this specialty clinic is to provide patients with timely consultations conveniently located close to home.
AUBURN  The deputy chief of the Auburn Police Department has been suspended without pay following his weekend arrest on drunk driving charges.

Roger J. Anthony, 44, was arrested at 2:48 a.m. Saturday, April 1, after police received a 9-1-1 call of an erratic driver in the town of Aurelius, according to New York State Police. Troopers searched the area at around 2 a.m. and found Anthony's vehicle in a ditch at the intersection of Half Acre and Sevior roads.

Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler said Anthony was off duty when his personal vehicle went slightly off the road early Saturday morning. New York State Police responded to the scene and, upon further investigation, Anthony was arrested and charged with first-offense driving while intoxicated and aggravated DWI, both misdemeanors.

Anthony  who had been driving with his wife  was issued an appearance ticket, state police said. Police confirmed that Anthony's blood alcohol content was .18 at the time of his arrest. The legal limit is .08 percent.

At a Monday afternoon press conference, Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert and Butler announced that Anthony has been placed on unpaid suspension.

"A decision regarding Deputy Chief Anthony's discipline will depend on the outcome of his case," Dygert said. "We do take the situation very seriously and are committed to taking the appropriate action once all the facts have been collected and heard."

Dygert had confirmed Sunday that Anthony was arrested for drunk driving over the weekend and was initially placed on administrative leave "pending more information." Dygert had said he was waiting for some official documentation from the courts before making a decision about Anthony's pay and title.

"He has rights as a person and as an employee and we want to make sure we're dealing with things within his rights," Dygert said on Sunday.

Anthony has been on the police force since January 1997. In 2000, he was assigned to the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force as a narcotics investigator. He was named deputy chief in July 2016.

"I can tell you that Deputy Chief Anthony has a stellar 20-year career with our department with zero disciplinary issues in the past," Butler said Monday. "I would ask that people look at the totality of what he has given to this community. ... I just don't want the one mistake that he made to overshadow the good work that he's done."

At this time, Butler said he has not named an interim deputy chief, choosing to take on many of Anthony's duties himself while reallocating some responsibilities to other members of the department.

Meanwhile, Anthony's defense attorney Rome Canzano said the case will be heard in Aurelius Town Court. Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said he will apply for a special prosecutor to handle the case.

"I think Deputy Chief Anthony is a valuable member of this community ... and I am certain and hopeful that this will be resolved in a way that he will be able to resume his career," Canzano said. "Hopefully he will be a better person and a better police officer following that."

If convicted, Anthony could face a maximum of one year in jail and three years probation. His next court appearance has been scheduled for 7 p.m. April 19.
CARBONDALE  A year ago, Scott Martin said he might have been the type of person to discount that someone was actually followed around in a store or harassed because they were of a certain race or ethnicity.

He said he would pick apart their stories, knowing that they must have done something to elicit heightened scrutiny or the perceived harassment.

But a year after spending time and having talks with people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, he said he has learned to not be so quick to dismiss their stories.

"I would say 'come on, you must have done something'," Martin said he once responded. "I've discontinued that . One of the things I'm' doing (differently now) is trying to listen to people's stories without discounting them. That's one of the things I've done, is try to listen more."

Martin and six other members of the Race Unity Group of Carbondale came together to share how they've been impacted in the year since the group formed. The Race Unity Group grew out of a need some people had to want to continue discussions about issues of race after the showing of the documentary "Racial Taboos."

The group has meet once a week since last February, talking about the difficult issues of race relations: They managed to talk through the all of the racial unrest in this country, including the bloody July 4th week that saw at least two unarmed black men shot and killed in traffic stops and the shooting of several police officers in Louisiana and Dallas.

They've also socialized together and visited each other's churches; recently, some met up to go and see the movie "Hidden Figures" about African American female mathematicians who worked for NASA in the 1960s.

They talk to each other about various concerns and sometimes have guest speakers in to discuss various issues.

Being a part of the group has emboldened Sumera Makhdoom to invite to group meetings those she feels might benefit or could add to the discussions.

Barb Neafcy, one of those who helped pioneer the group, said she has long considered herself conscious of race relations, but ran into an uncomfortable moment during national dialogue over the Black Lives Matter versus the Blue Lives Matter movements. She'd walked into a bathroom where there were several African American women.

"I have always had an easy time with friends of all races  that's never been a problem for me," Neafcy shared with the group.

"And I felt for the first time, in eons, uncomfortable, because they felt, no doubt, uncomfortable, unsure, fearful, because they didn't know what to expect from me," she said. "I thought 'OK, there is a discomfort level here that I didn't expect to have'. They don't know me  they have every reason not to feel comfortable in my presence."

They've also learned what they can do to defeat racism, such as acting as "white allies," defined as those who take it upon themselves to renounce racism when they see it displayed or perpetuated.

Martin said he was encouraged that recently several white couples from throughout Southern Illinois came to the meeting for the first time, curious to know how they might work to resolve larger issues of divide. One recent meeting included a couple from Goreville and Benton.

They're saying "this may be a way that we can work in these issues" of race relations, Martin said.

One thing Fern Chappell, one of the people who initiated the initial screening of "Racial Taboos" in Carbondale, said she's looking forward to the group doing work with staff at Southern Illinois University.

One of the last ones to speak was Deb Martin, who sat in the middle of the group, an African American woman on either side of her and a Muslim woman within arm's reach.

She said when she looked around the living room where they were all seated, what she saw were "friends."

"That's what we've become," she said. "And that was why we started this group."
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwas administration activated its entire security and bureaucratic machinery which spent the better part of last week hunting for exiled former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere after receiving false intelligence that he had sneaked into the country and met with opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa in Masvingo, NewZimbabwe.com can exclusively reveal.

This came after a false intelligence alert indicating the former Zanu PF national political commissar had sneaked into the country from his South Africa base and held a meeting with Chamisa in the ancient city was sent out, jolting government into action

Intelligence and official sources told NewZimbabwe that the information about Kasukuweres presence in the country was received on Monday and it led to Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives and information officers in the ministry of Information being despatched to gather as much information as they could in what turned out to be week-long wild goose chase.

Sources said Deputy Information minister Kindness Paradza convened a meeting of all information officers at the Munhumutapa government office complex Monday and instructed them to diligently hunt for every little bit of information about the meeting between Kasukuwere and Chamisa.

Kasukuwere fled the country at the height of the November 2017 military coup which toppled the late former president Robert Mugabe and ushered in a new administration led by the incumbent, Mnangagwa.

He was a key member of the Generation 40 faction of Zanu PF which engaged in a fierce political gamesmanship with Mnangagwa in a deadly succession fight which saw the military stepping in and tilting the odds on Mnangagwas side.

He briefly returned into the country in 2019 and got arrested on multiple charges, including border jumping, corruption and abuse of office.

We were told that there had been an intelligence alert indicating that Kasukuwere had sneaked into the country and met with Chamisa on Monday in Masvingo. So everyone activated their contacts and it later turned out to be a hoax. The security apparatus was also despatched to scurry for the same information, an official source said.

It was deputy minister Paradza who gave the instruction and feedback has since been given to him that this was a false alarm, the source said.

Kasukuwere dismissed the claims in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Saturday.

Its all lies. I dont know what they are trying to achieve. I was never in the country, he said.

Chamisas spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said the move showed extreme desperation by a cornered and panicking regime.

The system is now panicking, it is understandable that Zanu PF is aware that president Chamisa is the inevitable leader of the people, Sibanda said.

Why else would so many resources be used in investigating a meeting that never was, he said.

Efforts to get comments from Paradza were fruitless as calls on his mobile number went unanswered.

Kasukuwere has often been touted as a potential threat to Zanu PFs stranglehold on power and was last year rumoured to have formed his own opposition party which would contest the 2023 general election.

Chamisa on the other hand has been giving the ruling party headaches with his visits to predominantly Zanu PF controlled rural areas across the country.

He has so far toured five provinces.

 NewZimbabwe

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Lambert here: Henry VIII clauses. Really? Yes, really. Really!

The Real News Networks Kim Brown interviews Nick Dearden, who built strong relationships with campaigners in the global south as director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, helped win a new law to stop Vulture Funds from using UK courts to squeeze huge debt payments out of poor countries, and joined Global Justice Now in September 2013.

KIM BROWN: Welcome to The Real News Network in Baltimore. Im Kim Brown.

The British government published its proposals on Thursday for a Great Repeal Bill, aimed at converting European Union law into domestic law, on the first day after Britain leaves the EU. Britains Brexit minister, David Davis, told Parliament that the Great Repeal Bill will provide clarity, and certainty for businesses, workers, and consumers, across the United Kingdom, on the day the UK leaves the EU.

However, a recently released report from the group called, Another Europe Is Possible, has warned that the proposals grant the government an almost unprecedented level of unaccountable power. Using a political process that will chill democratic scrutiny.

Joining us today, to discuss the Great Repeat Bill, and its implications for democracy in the United Kingdom, were joined by Nick Dearden. Nick recently wrote an article titled, Whats the Great Repeal Bill and why should we be worried about it?

Nick is joining us today from London, Nick welcome back to The Real News.

NICK DEARDEN: Thank you very much.

KIM BROWN: Nick, you recently responded to the proposals for the Great Repeal Bill by saying, The White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill confirms that it will give unprecedented powers to the government, to change a very significant proportion of law, and that the use of Henry VIII powers on this scale should send a chill down the spine of anyone who genuinely believes in parliamentary sovereignty.

Can you explain precisely why you think this bill poses such a threat to democratic rights?

NICK DEARDEN: Sure. Well, first of all, weve been governed by European law since the early 1970s, so much of our law is made in the European Union. Our government has a role in that. We elect representatives who have a role in making those laws. And those laws, by this point, amount to 10,000 or more specific pieces of legislation, regulation, and statutory instruments.

So, were talking about a huge quantity of law. And it covers workers rights, it covers environmental protection, it covers consumer protection, it covers some of our fundamental human rights. So, this is a vast amount of law thats got to be transposed from European law, into British law, and its got to be done relatively quickly. So, its a mammoth task.

And the government argues, the only way we can do that task is by giving unusual and exceptional powers to the government, the Executive. In particular, they have these things called Henry VIII powers, or Henry VIII clauses - Henry VIII was an English monarch in the Renaissance period, famed for chopping off the heads of some of his wives - and he took upon himself some powers whereby he could issue decrees by proclamation outside of the Parliament.

And these powers, they were controversial even then, but they somehow managed to survive, and were worried that in this process of supposedly simply transferring law from European to British law, actually a huge amount of power through Henry VIII powers, and so on, are going to be delegated to ministers so that they can begin tampering with our rights, protections and standards, without parliamentary scrutiny, and without parliamentary approval.

KIM BROWN: David Davis, who is the minister for Brexit, had this to say about the future role of the European Court of Justice.

DAVID DAVIS:Resettlements. I can confirm, the Great Repeal Bill will provide no future role for the European Court, in the interpretation of our laws. And the bill will not oblige our courts to consider cases decided by the European Court of Justice, after we have left.

However, for as long as EU-derived law remains on the UK statute book, it is essential that there is a common understanding. As such, we propose the bill will provide for the European Court case law, be given the same status in our courts, as decisions of our own Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court does not frequently depart from its own decisions, but it does so from time to time. And we would expect the Supreme Court to take a similar, sparing approach, to departing from the European Court of Justice case law. But we believe its right, it should have the power to do so.

KIM BROWN: Nick, what concerns, if any, do you have about the loss of influence in the European Court of Justice, and are they allayed by the willingness to incorporate the ECJ case law into UK case law?

NICK DEARDEN: The European Court of Justice, is a particular bogeyman for some of the people on the right wing of the Conservative Party, whove never liked the European Union. They view it as, us being essentially having our laws adjudicated by a foreign court. I mean, actually thats not true, because were a part of the European Union. Were part of its democratic processes, and its a proper court, with proper judges and all the rest of it.

Its a positive thing that theyre going to maintain past precedent, because without that its going to be really difficult to work out how British courts are going to be able to judge some of the laws that were transferring into British law. Therell be no case law to go on. So, thats a positive thing.

But, I mean, more generally, I really find their arguments about the European Court of Justice just a bit silly. I mean, were still going to have to conduct huge amounts of trade, we hope, with the European Union. And that trade is going to be governed by dispute resolution panels. Maybe even investor state dispute resolution panels, which allow corporations to sue governments for doing things they dont like. This is far, far less democratic than the European Court of Justice was.

And, really, a lot of these people, they live in a past era, where there was much less economic integration. And rather than trying to make that economic integration as democratic as possible, and give it a strong social aspect, and give people a voice in it, they simply just want to pretend it doesnt exist.

And so they say, well, the Parliament here in Westminster has to be absolutely sovereign; nobody else can have any interference in our internal affairs. The Parliament at Westminsters always been sovereign. It made a sovereign decision to join the European Union. It can, as weve now seen, make a decision to leave the European Union.

But, the idea were not going to be affected by any other international institutions in the world is frankly crazy. And I would much prefer to have adjudication by a court with proper judges, that was part of a democratic system, than I would completely unaccountable international institutions and trade deals, which is what were going to end up with post Brexit.

KIM BROWN: What are you calling for? And what can people in the UK do on a practical level that might influence the Great Repeal Bill?

NICK DEARDEN: The number of laws that are going to be, not just transferred, but also changed in the next two or three years, is going to be absolutely phenomenal. And it will touch everybody in the country, and every aspect of their lives. And I think people arent geared up anywhere near enough for what a big task this is, and how, if we dont keep our eyes on it, if we dont try and hold to account the government, challenge what theyre trying to do in various important ways, were going to end up with the most enormous power grab.

You know, we dont have a written constitution here. And most countries that have written constitutions, they wouldnt allow something like Henry VIII powers. But we have a very archaic parliamentary system. Unfortunately, that does make it easier, for governments like ours, who believe they have a mandate from the British people  even if the British people only voted marginally to leave the European Union  and they didnt vote for all manner of other things that are now being told were being told, well, thats just how it is, this is what people voted for.

We never voted to leave the European Single Market, but were being told we absolutely have to. We didnt vote to rip up freedom of movement of people across the European Union. Were now being told, and yes, absolutely thats what people voted on. So, all kinds of major decisions are being taken at the moment. And not only are we, as a public, unaware of that, but Parliament is particularly supine, in its ability to challenge the government, or confront the government, or change any of this.

And if we really want to change any of this, then ordinary people need to educate themselves about whats going on, and we can help do that by trying to explain what the Great Repeal Bill is. We need to get this stuff in the media, and most important, we need to tell our elected representatives not to simply sign away their authority for scrutinizing, and holding the government to account, about how these laws are going to be changed, and what our new laws are going to look like.

I mean, theres going to be Were going to completely have to rethink our trade regime, our food and farming policies. Our immigration policies, our taxation policies - all of these things are going to have to be rewritten  and theyre going to have to be rewritten very quickly. At the moment, I would say, our Parliament is simply proving itself not to be up to the job of scrutinizing this.

So, if our elected representatives are unable to do it, it falls to us as people, to really start looking in detail at whats going on. Protesting where we need to protest, challenging and confronting where we need to challenge and confront, and make sure

KIM BROWN: Well, speaking of challenging and confronting, Nick, I mean, how do you feel the opposition, namely Jeremy Corbyn, and the Labour Party, how do you feel that they have been doing in challenging whats been called, the right wing Brexit here?

NICK DEARDEN: Its been very difficult. Jeremy Corbyn has had a very rough ride within the Labour Party itself. There are many MPs who simply dont support him, and they make no bones about the fact they dont support him. So, hes finding it difficult to control the Labour Party. As a result of that, and the line that the Labour Party has taken on Brexit, and on holding the government to account, I think for many, many people has been less than satisfactory.

Even though our governing party, the Conservatives, only have a very small majority. When the bill that triggered our exit from the European Union went through Parliament, there were hundreds of amendments put down on that bill, not a single one got through.

So, you know, the opposition has been unable to provide any kind of scrutiny, accountability, guidance - call it what you want - on the government. And they are now going to negotiate our exit, with absolutely no say from Parliament at all, and thats a really frightening situation. Especially for a country like ours, that doesnt have a constitution, because theyre effectively going to be rewriting that constitution.

So, hes struggled. Corbyn has struggled, the Labour Party have struggled. They partly struggled because there are huge divisions in this country. Its a very, very divided country at the moment. There are some very frightening things happening. And I think the opposition parties are struggling to get a grip with just how serious this situation is, and how they can get some leverage. Because all this is being swept before this idea, that this is the will of the people.

And theres nothing you can do to challenge anything that Theresa May  an unelected Prime Minister  wants to do. Remember, this government wasnt at the time of the last general election; it wasnt that long ago, most of this government looked completely different. The Prime Minister was different, a different person. And the manifesto that that party stood on has been essentially ripped up.

And they are simply governing by doing whatever they feel they want to do, and its really a very frightening situation. And the opposition in Parliament, have not done anywhere near enough to try to redress this.

KIM BROWN: Indeed. Well, we have been speaking with Nick Dearden. Nick is a director of Global Justice Now, which is UK-based public interest and social justice organization, affiliated with Another Europe Is Possible.

And Nicks group is in opposition to the Great Repeal Bill, which has been triggered in conjunction with the Brexit, the UK departure from the European Union.

Nick, we really appreciate you bringing us this story. We hope to stay on top of it, and you give us updates as things continue to transpire.

NICK DEARDEN: Well, thanks for your interest.

KIM BROWN: Thank you, and thank you, and everybody, for watching The Real News Network.
'It wasn't meant to be': Chandler Smith comes up short in third Chandler Smith talks about what more was needed tonight and what could've been done differently as he puts a cap on the season.
Irish international development agency Vita is proud to launch a new book 'Growing the Potato Crop' by former Teagasc stalwart and renowned potato expert John Burke.

The book, which is expected to be a significant game changer for potato farmers in East Africa, focusses on improving potato productivity in sub Saharan Africa.

Effectively it is a training manual for farmers, crop specialists, agronomists and extension workers across the region and beyond. It provides practical guidelines to improve crop productivity, combined with an astute application of the scientific principles underpinning those guidelines. It is based on Johns own expertise, accumulated through his vast experience of working with Teagasc, Vita and the potato farmers of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Through Johns expert guidance, over 12,000 farmers in East Africa have already seen their yields increase by 300% on average, while the programme is now being rolled out in five more sub Saharan countries.

Teagasc is very proud to have collaborated with John Burke and Vita on this book, announced Professor Gerry Boyle, Director of Teagasc, at the launch. It will have an enduring impact long after we have all moved on. It is a vital tool in combatting poverty through sound, informed, research  led agriculture.

The printing of the book was sponsored by well - known potato grower John OShea from Iverk Produce in Kilkenny who has been a key driver of Vitas potato programme from the start in 2011, alongside other members of the Irish Potato Federation.

Asked why he was so engaged in the project, John OShea replied: Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the joy on a farmers face when he harvests his crop, and sees that by following some simple steps he can improve his yield from four ton per acre to twelve ton per acre.

John Weakliam, CEO of Vita, said; Vita has been very lucky to have someone of John Burkes calibre so deeply involved with our work, and indeed we are grateful to all in Teagasc and John OShea, who have both given unstinting support. This book will enable potato farmers everywhere to improve their situations and that of their families, and therefore, its value is almost immeasurable.

John Weakliam took the opportunity to thank the University of Wageningen, who alongside Teagasc co-sponsored three PhD students. He also noted that the programme enjoys huge support from the Irish Government, through funding from Irish Aid.
Bus Eireann is to close its X7 Clonmel to Dublin bus service from this Sunday, April 2 as the strike by the company's workers continues with Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers now set to be balloted for industrial action.

South Tipperary has been without Bus Eireann bus services since the strike over cuts to workers' pay and conditions as well as the axing of several bus routes began last Friday.

The Waterford to Limerick rail service that passes through South Tipperary stations and links South Tipperary rail passengers to the Cork/Dublin rail service at Limerick Junction was affected up to 11am on the first day of the strike but is now running as normal.

Iarnrod Eireann said all rail services serving Thurles Railway Station are also operating as normal after being temporarily affected last Friday morning.

Private bus companies operating in South Tipperary have experienced a significant increase in business since the strike broke out.

Paul Kavanagh of JJ Kavanagh & Sons Buses reports there has been an 15% to 20% increase in the number of passengers using their seven daily bus services between Clonmel and Dublin since the strike began last Friday. He said they were delighted with the extra business.

The new date for the withdrawal of Bus Eireann's X7 service, which operates 8 bus services daily between Clonmel and Dublin, was announced by acting chief executive of Bus Eireann Ray Harnan in a letter to staff last week ahead of the outbreak of the strike.

He also announced the closure and reduction of other threatened bus services around the country in the letter. The Dublin-Limerick and Dublin-Galway services will be reduced from April 2 while the Athlone- Westport service will cease on April 16 and the Dublin-Derry service will cease on June 25.

Meanwhile, a public meeting about Bus Eireann's closure of rural bus services will take place in the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre tonight (Wednesday, March 29) at 8pm.

The National Bus and Rail Union's Save our Bus Service (S.O.B.S.) campaign will feature at the meeting with Bus Eireann driver Mark Fitzgerald addressing the meeting about the bus routes facing closure.

Independent Clonmel TD Seamus Healy, who has visited the Bus Eireann workers on the strike picket line at Clonmel Rail and Bus Station to show his support for their industrial action, has called for a big turnout to the Save Our Bus Service public meeting in Carrick-on-Suir.

"The Clonmel-Dublin and Carrick on Suir - Dublin Bus Services have now been abolished by management and we must ensure that these services are reinstated immediately," he declared.
SOUTH TIPPERARY beekeepers travelled to Dublin recently to protest against the Heritage Bill that's being debated in the Seanad at present

This bill contains a provision which, if enacted, will allow hedgerows to be cut in March and August. The beekeepers say that such a step would have a seriously detrimental impact on bees and wildlife.

"Bees are crucial to the survival of both wild and cultivated plant life", says a spokesperson for the group.

"Their unseen work as pollinators ensures plants can reproduce and in turn support animal life. Their worth to agriculture is immeasurable and the humble bee is a key contributor to our rich environmental diversity in Ireland.

March is a vital month for our nesting birds and the endangered birds are being put in further jeopardy by a law that promotes the destruction of their habitats. Our bees will also suffer by extending the permitted times to cut down vegetation and flowering wild plants", the spokesperson added.

The protest group of beekeepers and Birdwatch Ireland met with a number of Senators and TDs to try and have the terms of the Heritage Bill changed.
Two talented brothers willplay a special concert in Cashel in aid of a local primary school.

The Deanery School Parents Association are proud to be bringing Vladimir & Anton to Bru Boru, May 4, at 8pm.

Vladimir & Anton are Slovakian sibling musicians with a shared rare gift  mastery of the classical violin, and these young virtuosos have been playing together for almost 20 years. Vladimir & Anton push their instruments and each other (sometimes literally) on to ever greater heights of artistic expression, joyful harmony and thrilling duels, this is sibling rivalry sound-tracked like you have never heard it before.

They will be joined at this special concert by New Inn Voices.

The brothers have been busy touring the UK as special guests of superstar soprano Katherine Jenkins, they have also played a special concert at the Slovakian Embassy in London as part of the Euros 2016, as well BBC Proms in the Park in Belfast.

This thrilling collision of sound, performance, ancestry and rivalry combines to wonderful effect in Vladimir & Antons must-see live concerts, and on their debut album, recorded live onstage in Ireland.

Local choir 'New Inn Voices' directed by Jayne McConnon will also be performing on the night.

With 36 members, it is a diverse choir with a wide spread of ages  from older teens to grandparents, and includes all types of people  from farmers, to teachers, to nurses, students and busy parents. It is quite an extraordinary group as not one member, including their Choir Director (who is also the singing teacher at the Deanery School) and accompanist, is a professional musician.

All proceeds in aid of the Deanery School Parents Association and will directly benefit all pupils attending the school. Early booking of tickets is recommended. 20 each, from Bru Boru 06261122 or Cashel Tourist Office 06261333
SPRINGFIELD  A long-debated plan to wrest the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum free of what critics call a stifling bureaucracy occurred Friday when Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an executive order creating a separate state agency for the once-vaunted showplace.

It began as Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's idea to bolster the facility's impact and update tourist-worn exhibits three years ago, then became a subject of bogged-down negotiations between Madigan and a newly inaugurated Rauner a year later. It culminated with a stroke of the executive pen in a rare if unintended moment of agreement between the feuding political powers.

"We have made government transformation a priority in order to deliver the best services to taxpayers at the best value," Rauner said in a statement. "We owe it to our citizens to be good stewards of the state's resources, and these changes will deliver on that promise."

The order dissolves the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which had oversight of the library and museum. The Department of Natural Resources will absorb its remaining functions. It's expected to save $3.2 million a year  40 percent less than the estimated savings when Rauner promoted the plan just two years ago.

In a separate order signed Friday, Rauner combined the Human Rights Commission with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, promising that it will speed up resolution of discrimination complaints.

The $115 million library and museum, financed heavily with federal earmarks and christened in 2005 by then-President George W. Bush, was lauded as a crowning tribute to Illinois' adopted son, Lincoln, the 16th president. It drew its 4 millionth visitor in February.

But the state's constant budget struggles, even predating the current two-year stalemate on an annual spending plan largely viewed as a Rauner-Madigan showdown, has left its exhibits unchanged and some of its technological wizardry dated  although the trove of Lincoln documents it holds lures researchers worldwide.

Critics such as Madigan have blamed shortcomings on red tape produced by the Historic Preservation Agency, administrator of 29 other historic sites and numerous memorials that drew 1.6 million visitors in 2016. If the library and museum stood alone, they say, it would be able to move more quickly in hiring experts and act with the necessary rapidity to snare historic collections up for sale.

"The museum is a great asset to the state of Illinois and is kind of buried as a division within an agency," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said Friday. "It will flourish as a stand-alone agency."

The extrication has also been sold as a money saver during the nation's longest budget standoff since World War II. Government continues to operate because of court orders and patchwork appropriations. State records indicate the Historic Preservation Agency budget to be roughly $22 million, with about $12 million dedicated to the Lincoln library and museum.

When Rauner proposed in 2015 that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's tourism division take over the remaining historic preservation functions, his office estimated an annual savings of $5.7 million. A year later, Rauner's proposed budget estimated the transfer to DCEO would save $4.5 million. In the governor's proposed budget for the year that begins July 1, the merger with Natural Resources would save $3.2 million.

Madigan proposed the idea in May 2014. Critics said he was doing a favor for the landlord of his state office in Chicago and the landlord's friend, Eileen Mackevich, then the library and museum director. But Madigan said neither had lobbied him. Mackevich resigned in late 2015.

Madigan, at the dawn of tense budget negotiations with newcomer Rauner in the spring of 2015, resurrected the library and museum separation. Rauner and he discussed a trade: Madigan's separate Lincoln agency for a privatized commerce department for Rauner. But talks broke down and neither happened.

Current Madigan legislation to separate the museum has moved to the House floor. Brown said the speaker's staff has worked with Rauner's on the executive order language. Madigan will continue to push the legislation so the breakup has the force of law.

Rauner spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis downplayed a connection between Rauner's action and Madigan's wishes. She said it is standard practice for a governor to consult legislative leaders before penning executive orders that reorganize government.
Residents in San Diegos South Bay reported feeling an earthquake that rattled Baja California Friday night, striking near Tijuana, Mexico.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake  a 3.5-magnitude rattler, 10.5 kilometers in depth  hit south of the border at 11:40 p.m. Friday. It was centered 3.1 miles southeast of Tijuana. Residents in Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch and Imperial Beach told NBC 7 it was strongly felt in their communities.

Chula Vista Jenn Pavlov said she first heard rumbling, then felt the movement.

Sunny Rodriguez described a similar experience: "It started with a low rumble, then the house shook hard once side to side," Rodriguez told NBC 7 on Facebook.

The USGS said the epicenter of the earthquake was about five miles from San Ysidro and less than 10 miles from Chula Vista.

No damage or injuries were reported.

Eastlake resident Amber Fournier told NBC 7 she felt a huge jolt hit her home.

It almost felt like an explosion and I jumped up. I was in bed; I started hitting my husband, like, What is going on? Fournier said.

She said the jolt lasted only a few seconds. Her kids slept right through it.

Eastlake resident Michelle Portilla also described the temblor as quick.

I heard the noise first, Portilla recalled. I felt like someone was shaking the walls and then I felt kind of like a wave. [It was] very quick though.

Portilla said her children didnt feel the quake, but her husband did  although for him, it was no big deal.

Residents in other parts of the county reported feeling the earthquake, too, including in Spring Valley, Lakeside, El Cajon and Rancho San Diego.

El Cajon resident Heidi Lee told NBC 7 the quake "felt like a giant gave our house a good swift kick."

Did you feel the earthquake in your neck of the woods? Share in the comments section below.
President Donald Trump on Sunday approved a disaster declaration for several California counties ransacked by powerful winter storms.

A total of eight of the Bay Area's nine counties overwhelmed by flooding and mudslides between Feb. 1 and Feb. 23 are eligible for federal funding, according to the White House. The counties listed include Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties.

Jurisdictions may also request money for hazard mitigation measures, according to the White House.

A drought-stricken Bay Area benefited from the record amounts of winter rainfall, but the much-needed water also triggered hillsides to crash into homes, roads to crumble and water to overwhelm neighborhoods. One of the hardest hit locations was neighborhoods along Coyote Creek in San Jose. Thousands of homes and cars were filled with flood waters when the swollen Coyote Creek breached its banks.
Folks in San Francisco on Saturday gathered together to share one message with senators: reject the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.

The impassioned demonstrators in the city by the bay joined demonstrators from 13 other cities across the nation as part of rejection effort, which was coined "The People's Filibuster."

Gorsuch is expected to face a confirmation vote next week, but protesters at Justin Herman Plaza wanted Democratic senators to understand they have support if they choose to say "no" to the impending confirmation.

"It is about getting people out to show the senators that are opposing Gorsuch that we have their backs, that senators will support the filibuster, that we have their backs," Cat Carter from the People's Defense said.

Demonstrators added that they do not favor some of Gorsuch's ideologies and stances, which could resemble those of President Trump.

Avril Swan of San Francisco said she's worried how Gorsuch would rule on women's rights. She also voiced concern that Gorsuch's rulings could end up "supporting corporations over individuals."

Ellen Koiviston of San Francisco added that she wants transparency and fairness among the federal government's leading bodies.

"We gotta make sure we have the Supreme Court actually operating as a check and balance," she said.
Nearly one year since two-year-old Arianna Fitts disappeared from San Francisco, family and community members determined to locate the young girl gathered on Saturday to hold a candlelight vigil and reinstill hope that the toddler is still alive.

The young girl was reported missing in early April 2016 just days after her mother, Nicole Fitts, was found dead in John McLaren Park. While grieving the loss of her sister, Contessa Fitts has remained committed to finding her young niece, who was last seen in February.

"I can't believe it's been a year already," Contessa Fitts said. "I still can't believe that all of this has even happened. It seems to unreal."

Despite the "devastation" that the whole ordeal has triggered, Contessa Fitts is still optimistic.

"I do believe that Arianna is still alive," she said.

Police said Arianna Fitts sometimes stayed with caregivers for extended periods while her mother worked.

Claire Bonnar, a friend of Nicole Fitts, believes the child could be with a former babysitter, Helena Martin, who has been questioned multiples times by police.

"The silence on (Martin's) part and the part of her family has been staggering," Bonnar said before claiming that the babysitter played a part in the toddler's disappearance.

Martin's attorney presented the following statement to NBC Bay Area:

"We want the baby to be found. We are as traumatized and as concerned as anyone else. Helena Martin was not involved. Once it was put out there that she was a person of interest, it made her life very difficult."

Contessa Fitts said "it's a high possibility" that Martin could have also handed the toddler to someone else.

"I do believe that someone is caring for (Arianna)," Contessa Fitts said. "I believe that the whole reason this happened is because someone wanted Arianna."

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the death of Nicole Fitts. Recreation and Park Department employees on April 8 found her body buried in a shallow grave near a playground and covered with a plywood board. Police have not released a cause of death.

Nicole Fitts was last seen on the night of April 1, when she went to meet someone she knew, and was reported missing by her family on April 5, according to police. Police said they had obtained video showing Nicole Fitts near the area where her body was later found.

Two-year-old Arianna Fitts has been missing for nearly a year, but on Friday San Francisco police uncovered a new lead  a car that may be connected to the case. Cheryl Hurd reports.

Many questions still remain in the case, but on Friday San Francisco police uncovered a new lead  a car that may be connected to the case.

That discovery gave Contessa Fitts a glimmer of hope.

"That's huge," she said. "Knowing this detail is huge for me. It gives me hope that it's going to soon, hopefully soon, lead to the people who are responsible."

Nicole Fitts was an employee at a Best Buy store on Harrison Street in San Francisco, and the store last year announced a $10,000 reward for information in the case.

Police have executed search warrants at locations in Oakland, Emeryville and Daly City in an effort to locate Arianna and also followed up on leads in Southern California. Police are also reviewing computer, cell phone and financial records.
Casting for a good cause, 125 anglers dropped a line in the pond at Sun Valley Beach Resort in Stafford Springs Sunday.

It was a day of fishing fun, all to benefit the Connecticut chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

After a motorcycle accident left him blind, Paul Duquette of Bristol wanted to do something to help others in a similar situation.

I didnt really do much until I went to Louisiana. I spent 10 months in the Louisiana Center for the Blind, and went to school to be blind, and that was eye-opening, Duquette explained.

The fundraiser created a scholarship fund to send someone else to the same school Duquette attended. Gary Allen, President of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, said the money will also be used to help connect patients with new technology and important services.

"It just gives people knowledge that there's other people that need help, there's other people out there that are in the same situation that they're in," explained Allen.

Allen was joined by several members of the Connecticut chapter along the shores of Sun Valley Resort, casting a line into the water. The Fish for a Harley tournament drew avid anglers and motorcycle enthusiasts, as well. On the shore, more than 100 fishermen were angling to hook one of the five fish specially tagged for prizes.

Good time to spend outdoors. They enjoy fishing and spending time with the family, and a chance to win a good prize, said Tom McKinney of Vernon.

Just a half hour into the five hour tournament, Brian Law of West Suffield caught the big prize: a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Its great. I dont win much, said Law.

Law said he planned to give the new bike to his father.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early. A few showers developing later in the day. High 79F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
The number of arrests by police in California has plunged in recent years, but that doesn't necessarily represent good news on crime, according to an analysis published Saturday.

In Los Angeles, the amount of arrests made by the Los Angeles Police Department dropped by 25 percent from 2013 to 2015, even as the city saw a spike in crime, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the San Diego Police Department also saw significant drops in arrests during that period," wrote the Times. "The statewide numbers are just as striking: Police recorded the lowest number of arrests in nearly 50 years, according to the California attorney generals office, with about 1.1 million arrests in 2015 compared with 1.5 million in 2006."

There's no clear reason behind the decline.

Law enforcement officials said fewer officers and changes in strategy could be behind some of it.

Others said increased scrutiny of officers after a series of high-profile shootings and beatings, most involving black suspects, have led to less motivation.

In a national survey of law enforcement officers in 2016, 72 percent said they and their fellow officers were less likely to stop and question people because of such incidents.

"Not to make fun of it, but a lot of guys are like, 'Look, I'm just going to act like a fireman.' I'm going to handle my calls for service and the things that I have to do," George Hofstetter, a motorcycle deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and a former union leader for deputies, told the Times. "But going out there and making traffic stops and contacting persons who may be up to something nefarious? 'I'm not going to do that anymore.'"

Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck did not agree, saying he hasn't seen significant hesitance.

"I'd be denying human nature if I didn't say police are very cautious about what they do now because of the scrutiny," Beck said. "But do I see it? I don't really see things that make me think that the workforce as a body is retreating. I don't see that at all."

Proposition 47, a ballot measure passed by state voters in November 2014, downgraded some felonies to misdemeanors, and many police officers told the Times that means those arrests are often not worth the time and effort they take.

Beck said in his city the increase has come in the most serious crimes, while the decrease has come from drug arrests.

But he said a positive change in policing is partly behind the drop in arrests, with less emphasis in his department on just making countless busts as was the case decades ago.

"The only thing we cared about was how many arrests we made," Beck said. "I don't want them to care about that. I want them to care about how safe their community is and how healthy it is."
A high school student from Connecticut has won the national Doodle 4 Google competition, earning prime real estate for her design on Google's homepage through 3 a.m. Saturday.

The theme for this year's annual event was "What I see for the future." Sarah Harrison, a sophomore at Bunnell High School in Stratford, depicted her vision of inclusion and acceptance in her artwork titled "A Peaceful Future."

My future is a world where we can all learn to love each other despite our religion, gender, race, ethnicity, or sexuality. I dream of a future where everyone is safe and accepted wherever they go, whoever they are, Harrison wrote in her Doodle submission.

Sarah will also receive a $30,000 college scholarship and visit Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, to meet with the Doodle team. Her high school will receive a $50,000 Google for Education grant to spend on technology and advance STEM programs.

William Floyd, head of external affairs for Google, said in a statement that this years competition was meant to get students thinking about the future they want to create for the world and the submissions were nothing short of inspiring.

Ultimately, Sarahs doodle captured the best of everything we saw, representing values like diversity, inclusion, and respect in an inspiring and creative image, he said.

Harrison said she was thinking about the current state of the world when designing her artwork.

When I started, I was thinking of how theres a lot of animosity toward diverse communities of people in the world right now, Harrison said. So I wanted to draw something that I hoped would show that we can all get along well, and that its possible for us to be happy with each other. I want everyone try to be more open, accepting, and respectful to people. You dont know what theyve been through - and they dont know what youve been through - so we all deserve respect from each other.

The finalists from each of the different age groups between K-12 will receive a $5,000 college scholarship and a Chromebook, as well as a trip to the Googleplex to meet some professional Doodlers at Google.

Doodles are a regular feature on the Google.com search page. Google has often used the artwork to celebrate holidays, spotlight causes and honor people and places.

See the winning Doodle submissions from each state here.
A driver was shot and killed on Roosevelt Boulevard in the Summerdale section of Philadelphia Sunday morning.

The 39-year-old man was driving on Summerdale Avenue eastbound towards the Boulevard when he stopped at a light. As he waited, another driver in a white Cadillac drove up alongside him and opened fire, hitting the victim several times in the head and neck. The shooter then took off.

The injured driver then swerved over six lanes of traffic and crashed into a fence on the outer lanes of the Boulevard.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made and the motive is unknown. Police are continuing the investigation.

Police are responding to a scene at East Roosevelt Boulevard and Summerdale Avenue where a man was shot and killed while driving around 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning. NBc10s Matt DeLucia has the latest details.
A woman died from her injuries after a car struck a deer and then crashed into a utility pole in the Andorra section of Philadelphia.

Police say the accident happened around 12:30 Sunday morning on Hagys Mill Road. A 27-year-old man was driving when he struck a deer. The impact caused him to crash into a PECO utility pole. The pole then fell onto the car, splitting it in half, according to police.

The 22-year-old woman in the passenger seat was ejected from the car and taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. Police have not yet revealed her identity.

The driver was transported to Einstein Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Newark police say a suspect in a series of bank robberies in the city has been captured.

Authorities say 31-year-old Nicholas R. Vaughn was arrested Friday evening by Maryland State Police after a vehicle pursuit that began in a bank parking lot in Newark.

Police were sent to the bank after an employee called 911 about a man matching the description of the serial bank robber.

Arriving officers also recognized the man, who sped away. Newark police contacted Maryland State Police, who stopped the suspect vehicle at a truck stop in North East, Maryland.

Maryland authorities arrested Vaughn on an outstanding warrant from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, while Newark detectives obtained an arrest warrant for four bank robberies.

Vaughn was being held in Harford County awaiting extradition to Delaware.
A United States Marine veteran who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan walked down the aisle Saturday to the love of his life during a beautiful wedding ceremony in Oceanside.

Vibrant spring flowers, lace table cloths and, of course, a gorgeous white gown, filled the Paradise Falls event venue in Oceanside, all for the wedding of veteran U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Van Etten and his bride, Samantha Yovandich.

Their wedding story is one that involves tragedy, love and generosity.

Al and Cathie Ransom own Paradise Falls, a wedding and event venue in Oceanside. Al is a retired United States Marine Colonel, who helps veterans by gifting weddings to wounded warriors. The Ransoms gift one wedding a year through a program called "Vows for Vets", this years recipient is Marine veteran Chris Van Etten. NBC 7's Todd Strain shares a love story that involves Marines, prosthetic legs, an underwear model and a great amount of generosity.

The ceremony was a gift from Paradise Falls owners Al and Cathie Ransom. Once a year, the couple helps veterans by gifting weddings to wounded warriors through a program called "Vows for Vets."

This time, it was Van Etten's turn to tie the knot.

Wedding planners said the couple had some normal wedding day jitters Saturday but were excited to finally become husband and wife and show the world their unbreakable bond -- through thick and thin.

Van Etten is a double-amputee who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan. On June 13, 2012, Van Etten was on patrol when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

I remember thinking, 'Okay, I just stepped on a bomb, I should probably check myself to see if Im okay.' I prepped myself to look down to see what had happened -- at the time it felt like my legs were still there -- you dont realize when you get hurt, then the pain starts happening, Van Etten recalled, sharing his story with NBC 7 earlier this week.

Shortly after that, military doctors told Van Etten that he had lost his legs, but that he was stable now and was going to be okay.

Tricia Walton/Paradise Falls

Like many veterans, Van Ettens injuries and war experience took him to a dark place. He remembers thinking he was not sure where his new life was going to take him.

Its not only a physical blow to your body, but a mental blow to your self-esteem because you are now changed and youre not sure how the rest of the world is going to accept you, he said.

To help get out of his mental funk, Van Etten started working out and getting in great shape. The result was an underwear modeling job.

Four years after losing his legs, he was part of the Jockey brand's "Show Em Whats Underneath" campaign, which focuses on sharing inspirational stories.

When Van Etten was working out, he also found the love of his life -- or, rather, she found him.

Van Etten said Yovandich saw him at a gym doing pull-ups with his prosthetics on, then she told a friend, Thats going to be my boyfriend someday.

She was right.

Soon, the couple began dating. About a year later they were engaged. On Saturday, they were married.

Thanks to the Ransoms generosity via their "Vows for Vets" program, the entire cost of the couple's $50,000 wedding was covered from the flowers and chairs, to the music, food and cake. Various vendors also donated items and services to make the Van Etten wedding possible.

Al Ransom is a retired Marine Colonel and told NBC 7 earlier this week that giving wounded warriors the weddings of their dreams is their favorite thing in life.

"Theres nothing that makes us more proud than being able to do such a thing because we receive more than we give," Al said.

Al said the cause is close to his heart.

"For my 30 years in the Marines, my war was Vietnam and we werent received well when we came home, so I didnt want that to happen to those I see now," he explained. "My wife and I are in a position to do something about it, so for the past six years now weve done one or more weddings for a wounded warrior."

Van Etten said he and his bride were originally planning a small wedding in a friends backyard. Saturday's shindig far exceeded his expections.

"I dont think that just because you get injured that someone should take care of your wedding for you, but its humbling to think that there are people out there that do think that," he said, speaking fondly of the Ransoms.

The Ransoms also own the Los Willows wedding venue. Between there and Paradise Falls, the couple puts on about 100 weddings a year, but these wounded warrior gifted weddings are the only ones the Ransoms personally attend, that makes Al emotional.

Its not just Chris and Samantha, every one weve had in the past, I love them all, said Ransom, holding back tears.
Harry Jaffe, a longtime chronicler of the people and politics of Washington, D.C., writes a column for NBC Washington's First Read DMV blog.

New York has its Central Park Five case, in which five young men of color were convicted of the brutal rape and sodomy of a jogger in 1989.

Washington, D.C., has its Fuller case, in which 17 young African Americans originally were charged with leaving Catherine Fuller to die in a pool of her own blood. Eight were convicted of brutally raping and sodomizing her with a metal pipe in an alley behind H Street, NE, in 1984  all for $40 and her cheap jewelry.

Both cases are doubly infamous  at first, for their sheer savagery, and in hindsight for their flawed prosecutions.

The Central Park five were freed in 2002 after another man confessed to the rape, confirmed by DNA evidence. And on Wednesday the Supreme Court heard arguments by lawyers who contend the ten men convicted of murdering Catherine Fuller were not given a fair trial and could very well be innocent.

Justice was served in the Central Park case.

But based on what I heard this week in the nations highest court, the six men still jailed for the Fuller murder might not get relief. Lawyers for the Fuller Six argued that prosecutors suppressed evidence that pointed to another potential perpetrator. They maintained police coerced confessions and withheld crucial facts.

Having that evidence, defense attorneys at the original trial would have presented jurors with an alternative theory of who killed Fuller.

But, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, we dont know how the jury would have reacted to that alternative theory.

Said Justice Department attorney Michael Dreeben: The argument for another trial is speculative, at best

The Supremes are not prone to deciding on speculation.

Here are the grim facts: Catherine Fuller, 48, lived with her husband and six children a few blocks north of the bustling storefronts on H Street, Northeast. One drizzly October afternoon she returned from her jobs cleaning houses and decided to walk up the street for groceries. About 90 minutes later a street vendor saw blood pooling under a garage door on an alley behind H Street and alerted police. They found Fullers 99-pound body, naked except for her bra and sweater. They never found the pipe.

Police were clueless, literally. No DNA, no fibers, no forensic evidence, no witnesses. Based on an anonymous tip about a few teenagers who hung around a nearby park, detectives crafted a theory that a gang known as the 8th Street Crew had assaulted Fuller for her cash and jewelry, even though some of the accused knew Fuller and her kids.

Police cornered and threatened potential witnesses who broke down and gave statements that supported the gang rape theory. According to court briefs submitted by attorneys working with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, cops wrung statements from drug addled teenagers and got confessions by playing one young man against another.

The case mesmerized the nations capital. It corroborated the stereotype that gangs of young black boys were wilding through neighborhoods.

After a six-week trial in 1985, a jury deliberated for days on the ten men, from 16 to 25. The jury acquitted two and found eight guilty. One died in prison, one was freed on good behavior and six remain behind bars.

Provoked by questions raised by a Washington Post reporter in the late 1990s, innocence project investigators dug into documents. They found that some witnesses were shaky at best and pressed for new hearings. Two witnesses recanted. The trail to vacating the convictions began to materialize.

Investigators then discovered prosecutors notes about James McMillan, a 19-year-old who lived off the alley where Fuller was found. Police had arrested McMillan for violent assaults on women. He had attacked Nadine Winter, then the Ward 5 council member, who screamed she was being murdered.

Moreover, McMillans assaults bore a horrible resemblance to what befell Catherine Fuller. He had grabbed middle-aged women, dragged them into garages and assaulted them. Investigators found evidence that McMillan was at the scene when police found Fullers body.

That would have been powerful evidence, defense attorney John Williams told the eight justices.

Justice Anthony Kennedy asked: Why would he have been hanging around the scene? You don't murder someone and show back up.

Maybe he left something, Williams responded. Criminals are not that clever.

In 1992 James McMillan assaulted and murdered a woman in the same neighborhood, with chilling similarities to Fullers demise. He was convicted and is still serving time. But that was not a factor in the 1985 Fuller trial. From jail, McMillan has claimed he didnt kill Catherine Fuller.

The innocence project lost its case for a new trial in D.C. federal court and on appeal.

Lets say the Supreme Court grants the new trial, which I seriously doubt. The witnesses would be hard to locate, H Street and the city around it is transformed, jurors would have no frame of reference.

Oddly, the scene of the crime remains the way it looked 32 years ago. The narrow alley is shabby and strewn with trash. The three-block strip of H Street from Seventh to 10th looks eerily similar. There are two pawnshops, a few carry-outs and check cashing operations. Metal bars protect windows.

But all thats about to be wiped away. Redevelopment is pressing in from all sides. I would guess all traces of the H Street Catherine Fuller knew in 1984 will be erased in a year.

Chances that the men jailed for killing Fuller might get another trial are likely to evaporate, as well, despite the best efforts to get them another day in court.
A homeowner in Germantown, Maryland, shot and injured a 19-year-old man suspected of breaking into his home, police said.

The homeowner told police he heard noises in the basement of his home in the 11700 block of Tall Pines Drive early Saturday morning. He said he got his handgun and discovered two people in his basement, police said.

One person threatened to kill him, police said. The homeowner fired his gun twice at the man, striking him once, according to police.

Montgomery County police officers responded about 2:11 a.m. and found the man in the backyard of the home, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital and is in serious condition with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police said the description of the second person has not been confirmed.
Montgomery County police say they are investigating a student's threat to Clarksburg High School.

A student posted a threat on Instagram that said, in part, "I can shoot up Clarksburg High School better than Columbine."

The post was later removed.

Police and school officials said the threat is not credible.

Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Starks said police spoke with the student and the student's father. The student has not been charged, he said.

Starks said the department is taking the threat seriously.

A spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools said the student will face disciplinary action and there will be a larger police presence at the school on Monday.

Please see message regarding the recent threat to Clarksburg High School. The letter below was sent to families from Mr. Whiting. pic.twitter.com/szZ9tFTrb9  Clarksburg HS (@Cburg_Coyotes) April 2, 2017

The police investigation is ongoing.

No further information was immediately available.
The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is weighing whether to call for an impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump.

Vice Mayor Marc McGovern has filed a policy order for Monday's city council meeting pushing for an investigation.

McGovern said he and others in the city believe Trump has violated the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits government officials from profiting from foreign businesses.

McGovern said he believes Trump is still deeply involved in his business operations and there is evidence showing he has business dealings with foreign countries, which violates the clause.

Cambridge voted overwhelmingly for Democrat Hillary Clinton in last year's presidential election.

The order calls on the U.S. House to back a resolution directing the Judiciary Committee to investigate whether there are grounds to impeach Trump.
A plane leaving from Boston Saturday morning had to make an emergency landing after a collision with a flock of birds.

The JetBlue flight 897 took off from the Boston Logan International airport on Saturday and was heading to Liberia, Costa Rica. The plane made an unexpected landing at the Orlando International Airport at 11:25 a.m.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the flight landed after a possible problem with landing gear was reported. The pilot believes the aircraft, an Airbus A320, collided with a group of birds during the departure from Boston. The pilot declared a state of emergency and the plane took to the ground. JetBlue released a statement clarifying, the plane landed, out of an abundance of caution following a bird strike.

The aircraft was able to land safely in Orlando and maintenance crews are performing an inspection. There were no reports of any injuries to any passengers or crew members on board.
A man in New Hampshire is under arrest after allegedly breaking into a home in Manchester.

Police first received reports of a suspicious person around 3 p.m. on Saturday. A man dressed in dark clothing was seen in the area of Titus and Cameron Streets in Manchester. The man was seen getting out of a dark colored car and repeatedly walking around the residence. Eventually the man entered the home on 160 Titus Ave from the rear door. The owner, Pat Sudak, says she was unaware anyone was inside.

When the officers entered the home, they found David Hill hiding in the basement. Initially, Hill refused to reveal himself. But the officer warned he had a police K9 with him, and Hill eventually surrendered.

The 51-year-old from Concord, New Hampshire was charged with burglary and resisting arrest.
Police have identified the man suspected in a violent carjacking in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.

The incident happened on Saturday night at the Circle K gas station on Andover Street in Tewksbury. Police released surveillance footage that captured the entire exchange. The video shows the man walking around the woman as she pumps her gas. He circles around both her and the car. When the woman turns away, the man gets into the drivers seat.

The woman fought back, taking the gasoline pump and completely dousing him along with the car. She opened the door, continuing to fight, but he drove away. The woman was momentarily dragged before the man was able to escape.

The Tewksbury Police Department identified 32-year-old William Tighe as the suspect. Police believe he lives on Starbird Avenue in Tewksbury. Officers are searching for him in Lowell and in Somerville. They consider him dangerous and have a warrant for his arrest. In addition to the carjacking, Tighe is wanted for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

James Silva was working behind the counter at the time of the attack. He said he was helping another customer when the victim burst into the store claiming someone stole her car. As soon as she walked in, Silva said he immediately smelled the gas and they called for help.

"She said, 'someone stole my car'," Silva recalled. "I mean, I was helping the customers so I just turned and looked and smelled all the gas and she was covered in gas, just panicked. I gave her the phone right away."

Officials say the car has been recovered in Lowell, but are still looking for Tighe.

The victim is a woman who was visiting the area from New Jersey. She was taken to the hospital after the incident to receive treatment for minor injuries. She has since been released and is recovering.
Making his first official visit to Washington, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump would be a significant step in the international rehabilitation of the general-turned-politician who was kept out of the Obama White House.

But, analysts caution, there may not be much more that Egypt's president could take from Monday's White House visit, branded as historic by pro-government media at home.

There has been no official word on the specifics of the wish list el-Sissi is taking to Washington, but expectations include more military aid, designating el-Sissi's nemesis  the Muslim Brotherhood  as a terrorist group, and restoring the kind of strategic partnership Egypt enjoyed with the United States for more than 30 years.

Another issue that may arise is the Arab League's territorial demands in exchange for peace with Israel, reaffirmed last week. El-Sissi, whose country already has peace with Israel, may be in a position to help Trump push for a broad deal and gain points in Washington  but there is potential for disagreement as well.

Admittedly, the Egyptian leader has reason to be optimistic about his relations with Trump.

Former President Barak Obama kept el-Sissi at arm's length after the Egyptian leader rose to power in 2013 when, as defense minister, he led the military's ouster of the Islamist Mohammed Morsi. He was elected president a year later but has ruled with an iron grip.

Obama never invited el-Sissi to the White House, allowed his administration to repeatedly admonish his government over its human rights record and briefly suspended some U.S. military aid, which normally runs at $1.3 billion a year.

The Egyptian media responded by accusing Obama of supporting the Brotherhood and destabilizing the country through his administration's backing of a popular 2011 uprising that ousted long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

In contrast, Trump and el-Sissi hit it off from their first encounter in September, when the Republican nominee spoke of "good chemistry" between them following a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

The same media that vilified Obama hailed Trump as a strong leader who will treat Egypt with respect and appreciated el-Sissi's leadership. Moreover, there is expectation that a Trump administration will be far more tolerant of human rights abuses in the name of stability and counter-terrorism.

A senior White House official was non-committal on what the administration was prepared to do on military aid and the Brotherhood. Briefing reporters, he spoke of Washington's wish to sustain a "strong security assistance relationship" with Egypt.

Washington wants to use el-Sissi's visit to "reboot the bilateral relationship and build on the strong connection" the two leaders established when they met in New York, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Short-term, it is an important victory for el-Sissi," said Michael W. Hanna of New York's Century Foundation.

The Egyptian leader, Hanna said, has steadily earned international respectability in large part due to a key Western shift in the perception of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East  emphasizing stability over human rights or democratic reform.

El-Sissi has also recently won plaudits for some painful economic reforms.

But a convergence of interests on Monday is far from guaranteed.

"Probably too much has been made of the 'chemistry' between Trump and el-Sissi  there are convergences of interest, and there is the absence of tension that existed with the Obama administration, but that's about it," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

El-Sissi may find himself pushing back against some of the Middle East policies reportedly being considered by the Trump administration, like creating a military coalition of Sunni Arab U.S. allies against the perceived threat of non-Arab Shiite Iran. There has been talk of deeper U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led coalition's fight against Shiite rebels in Yemen, with Egypt possibly being urged to contribute forces.

Egypt has never shared Saudi Arabia's view of Iran as a looming existential threat and has also resisted pressure from Riyadh to contribute troops to the war in Yemen. Trump's position on Tehran seems closer to the Saudi perspective.

Egypt, however, does see an existential threat from the turmoil in Libya, with which it shares a porous desert border. Cairo would prefer Washington more involved in the search for a political settlement unifying the country's rival administrations, thus paving the way for crushing militant groups operating there.

El-Sissi may find it difficult to afford, politically or financially, involvement in a foreign military adventure.

His country is in the middle of a deep economic crisis, his army is engaged in a tough fight in Sinai against militants led by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group and his security forces are conducting a long-term crackdown on critics while watching for any signs of public unrest fueled by the soaring cost of living.

"The weakness of the Egyptian economy and the continuing predicament over terrorism in Sinai don't leave in Egypt's hands many important cards," wrote Mohamed el-Menshawy, a U.S.-based analyst.

Another possible source of differences between Trump and el-Sissi may be the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Egypt has for decades been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians' right to statehood. El-Sissi reasserted that position when he addressed an Arab summit in Jordan last week, saying a Saudi peace plan adopted by Arab leaders in 2002 remained the basis for a settlement.

The plan provides Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for its withdrawal from lands occupied in 1967, allowing the creation of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Veteran columnist Raghida Dergham wrote in the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat Friday that Trump could push el-Sissi to abandon this initiative and convince other Arab countries to de-emphasize the Palestinian issue.

"What the American president wants from Egypt is to remove the Palestinian question from Arab priorities and marginalize the Arab initiative, which cannot be delivered by el-Sissi," she wrote.
In excellent care of Newbury Dogs Trust

A DOG overwhelmed by busy kennel life is seeking a special someone to form a close bond with in a new home.

Currently cared for by Dogs Trust Newbury, Carrie is a sweet natured girl who is looking for a human chum to share lots of cuddles with, as she just loves people and affection.

Carrie finds kennel life rather overwhelming and has been eagerly awaiting her special someone, having spent 56 days with the Hamstead Marshall re-homing charity.

Jenny Hopkins, assistant manager at Dogs Trust Newbury, said:

Carrie likes to take her time getting to know new people, but once you have built a bond she will become your best friend  especially after some tasty treats, as she loves her food!

This sensitive soul would appreciate a quiet home with few visitors and lots of space to explore. Although she can live with older teenagers over the age of 16 years, she would prefer to be the only dog so that she receives all the attention.

Anyone interested in offering Carrie a loving home, contact Dogs Trust Newbury on 0300 303 0292 or visit the rehoming centre at Plumbs Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, Berks, RG20 0HR.

For more information about the charitys work please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

Dogs Trust also has a charity shop situated at 47 Northbrook Street, Newbury, near the Clock Tower. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Anyone wanting to donate items from a spring clear-out are asked to drop them off during opening hours. All money raised through the shop goes towards funding Dogs Trusts work across the country. To contact the shop telephone 01635 38509.

Dogs Trust is the UKs largest dog welfare charity and cares for nearly 15,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 20 Rehoming Centres across the UK and one in Ireland.
Pramod Thomas By

Express News Service

KOCHI: Before walking briskly into his office every morning, V P Nandakumar, managing director and CEO of Manappuram Finance, would have walked at least six kmmost of it through his farm at Valapad in Thrissur. Nandakumar says he is very particular about his morning walk.

Probe him further and he reveals that its not the walk per se that matters but the quality time that he gets to spend at his farm. In fact, he says, he chalks out his plan for the day from the farm itself.

I am passionate about eco-farming, and I keep trying out new ideas in my own farm here at Valapad. I find it very relaxing to move around the farm and it also allows me time to gather my thoughts for the day and to do some deeper reflection, he says.

Even though his hectic schedule doesnt allow him much time for reading, he manages to catch with most financial dailies. When work gets too hectic, he takes a break.

I take occasional break and go out with my extended family, children and grandchildren included. Last December, we were in South Africa and before that, during the Onam break, we went to France. South Africa was a great experience, especially the wild-life parks, very different from the usual tourist experience, Nandakumar adds.

His wife Sushama, a retired headmistress, is now the Managing Director of Manappuram Jewellers, which owns the Riti Jewelry chain of jewellery stores. He has three children. His eldest daughter Sumitha is a gynaecologist. His two sons-Sooraj and Suhas- have done their MBA from the UK. Now they are at senior positions in the company.

His advice to wannabe entrepreneurs: To build a successful business, think big and stay focused on the long term goal of building a world-class institution. Remember, short cuts dont work here. Be transparent and dont forget to recognise and reward your stakeholders.

KOCHI: Before walking briskly into his office every morning, V P Nandakumar, managing director and CEO of Manappuram Finance, would have walked at least six kmmost of it through his farm at Valapad in Thrissur. Nandakumar says he is very particular about his morning walk. Probe him further and he reveals that its not the walk per se that matters but the quality time that he gets to spend at his farm. In fact, he says, he chalks out his plan for the day from the farm itself. I am passionate about eco-farming, and I keep trying out new ideas in my own farm here at Valapad. I find it very relaxing to move around the farm and it also allows me time to gather my thoughts for the day and to do some deeper reflection, he says. Even though his hectic schedule doesnt allow him much time for reading, he manages to catch with most financial dailies. When work gets too hectic, he takes a break. I take occasional break and go out with my extended family, children and grandchildren included. Last December, we were in South Africa and before that, during the Onam break, we went to France. South Africa was a great experience, especially the wild-life parks, very different from the usual tourist experience, Nandakumar adds. His wife Sushama, a retired headmistress, is now the Managing Director of Manappuram Jewellers, which owns the Riti Jewelry chain of jewellery stores. He has three children. His eldest daughter Sumitha is a gynaecologist. His two sons-Sooraj and Suhas- have done their MBA from the UK. Now they are at senior positions in the company. His advice to wannabe entrepreneurs: To build a successful business, think big and stay focused on the long term goal of building a world-class institution. Remember, short cuts dont work here. Be transparent and dont forget to recognise and reward your stakeholders.
Sunitha Natti By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: As you enter the 19-storied SBI Bhavan, at Nariman Point in Mumbai, a giant wall poster of the banks former headquarters greets you.

The image of the imposing buildings, while giving a sense of the banks size and scope, also epitomises its historic march, from donning the hat of a commercial bank to being a bankers bank and a banker to the government. It has long ceased to be the latter

The image of the imposing buildings, while giving a sense of the banks size and scope, also epitomises its historic march, from donning the hat of a commercial bank to being a bankers bank and a banker to the government. It has long ceased to be the latter two, but has consolidated itself as everymans banker.

On April 1, it has rewritten history again  six associate banks have folded up into the parent bank, creating one of the worlds top 50 banking behemoths and becoming the first Indian bank to achieve this feat.

When mergers happen, companies court uncertainty and failure, prompting ratings agencies and brokerages to ring alarm bells. But this isnt the case with SBI, probably for three reasons.

One, its consolidated balance sheet including associate banks assets and liabilities is in the public domain, their business mix and customers are similar.

Two, SBI had earlier merged two other associate banks and three, the merger is among group companies and not outsiders with different work cultures. But whats little known is that SBI itself was formed merging three presidency banks and so, integration issues are a no-brainer.

It was first set up in 1806 as the Bank of Calcutta and if you consider this as the genesis of SBI, then the bank is 212 years old. In 1921, it was amalgamated with the Bank of Bombay and the Bank of Madras as the Imperial Bank of India and the combined entity was considered a monolith among Indian commercial banks.

During the First Five Year Plan, focus shifted to rural areas, and it was renamed and thus, SBI was born with a sense of social purpose and to aid economic development.

Currently, the industry is dominated by public sector banks aggregating 22, including the merged SBI. A number of committees have recommended consolidation. The latest to bat for consolidation includes RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya, who believes the system will be better off if there are fewer but healthier banks.

This thought process is not new and often, weaker public sector banks were merged with the strongest to build size. For instance, since 1991, there were 19 takeovers but a majority were bailouts (like GTB-Oriental Bank of Commerce) and not to gain efficiencies of scale.

The SBI-Associates merger is a departure from this trend and will likely spur more acquisitions. Theres buzz already about merger talks between Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank. Speculation is also rife about Federal Bank, IDFC and other smaller players considering inorganic growth. Consolidation comes with benefits. It increases capital efficiency, improves loan recovery, capital can be used efficiently and the merged entity will have room to raise capital.

But some believe the timing isnt ripe as banks need to strengthen themselves first, be it achieving operational flexibility, streamlining recruitment, or building core capabilities. The NPA issue continues to be bothersome.

Many Indian banks have failed in the past, forcing the government to constitute a Central Banking Enquiry Committee, which cited the following reasons for bank failures: insufficient capital, poor liquidity of assets, combining non-banking with banking activities, irrational credit policies, and incompetent and inexperienced directors.

Ironically, some of these problems persist and until bankers consciously attend to these, the industry may run the risk of remaining fragmented.

MUMBAI: As you enter the 19-storied SBI Bhavan, at Nariman Point in Mumbai, a giant wall poster of the banks former headquarters greets you. The image of the imposing buildings, while giving a sense of the banks size and scope, also epitomises its historic march, from donning the hat of a commercial bank to being a bankers bank and a banker to the government. It has long ceased to be the latter The image of the imposing buildings, while giving a sense of the banks size and scope, also epitomises its historic march, from donning the hat of a commercial bank to being a bankers bank and a banker to the government. It has long ceased to be the latter two, but has consolidated itself as everymans banker. On April 1, it has rewritten history again  six associate banks have folded up into the parent bank, creating one of the worlds top 50 banking behemoths and becoming the first Indian bank to achieve this feat. When mergers happen, companies court uncertainty and failure, prompting ratings agencies and brokerages to ring alarm bells. But this isnt the case with SBI, probably for three reasons. One, its consolidated balance sheet including associate banks assets and liabilities is in the public domain, their business mix and customers are similar. Two, SBI had earlier merged two other associate banks and three, the merger is among group companies and not outsiders with different work cultures. But whats little known is that SBI itself was formed merging three presidency banks and so, integration issues are a no-brainer. It was first set up in 1806 as the Bank of Calcutta and if you consider this as the genesis of SBI, then the bank is 212 years old. In 1921, it was amalgamated with the Bank of Bombay and the Bank of Madras as the Imperial Bank of India and the combined entity was considered a monolith among Indian commercial banks. During the First Five Year Plan, focus shifted to rural areas, and it was renamed and thus, SBI was born with a sense of social purpose and to aid economic development. Currently, the industry is dominated by public sector banks aggregating 22, including the merged SBI. A number of committees have recommended consolidation. The latest to bat for consolidation includes RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya, who believes the system will be better off if there are fewer but healthier banks. This thought process is not new and often, weaker public sector banks were merged with the strongest to build size. For instance, since 1991, there were 19 takeovers but a majority were bailouts (like GTB-Oriental Bank of Commerce) and not to gain efficiencies of scale. The SBI-Associates merger is a departure from this trend and will likely spur more acquisitions. Theres buzz already about merger talks between Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank. Speculation is also rife about Federal Bank, IDFC and other smaller players considering inorganic growth. Consolidation comes with benefits. It increases capital efficiency, improves loan recovery, capital can be used efficiently and the merged entity will have room to raise capital. But some believe the timing isnt ripe as banks need to strengthen themselves first, be it achieving operational flexibility, streamlining recruitment, or building core capabilities. The NPA issue continues to be bothersome. Many Indian banks have failed in the past, forcing the government to constitute a Central Banking Enquiry Committee, which cited the following reasons for bank failures: insufficient capital, poor liquidity of assets, combining non-banking with banking activities, irrational credit policies, and incompetent and inexperienced directors. Ironically, some of these problems persist and until bankers consciously attend to these, the industry may run the risk of remaining fragmented.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi is fast becoming unsafe for Uzbek women. In the last 20 days Delhi police registered two cases of rape and gangrape filed by Uzbek women. On Saturday, a 22-year-old Uzbek woman has alleged that she was raped for nearly six months by a man who had offered her a job in south Delhi's Mehrauli area.

According to the police, the victim said that the accused took away her passport and money and threatened her too. The accused is yet to be arrested as the victim has not recorded her statement in front of a magistrate.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that the accused got in touch with her through Facebook and posed as senior executive with a Gurgaon-based company, he said. After she came to India, he took away her passport and money and started living with her and raped her over a period of six months, they added.

Eariler, in March another Uzbekistan woman was allegedly beaten up and gangraped by four men. The victim had alleged that she was raped by her ex-boyfriend and his friends at her rented flat in south Delhis Masoodpur area. The incident had taken place on the intervening night of March 9 and 10 but the woman was quite scared and didnt report the matter to the police.

NEW DELHI: Delhi is fast becoming unsafe for Uzbek women. In the last 20 days Delhi police registered two cases of rape and gangrape filed by Uzbek women. On Saturday, a 22-year-old Uzbek woman has alleged that she was raped for nearly six months by a man who had offered her a job in south Delhi's Mehrauli area. According to the police, the victim said that the accused took away her passport and money and threatened her too. The accused is yet to be arrested as the victim has not recorded her statement in front of a magistrate. In her complaint, the woman alleged that the accused got in touch with her through Facebook and posed as senior executive with a Gurgaon-based company, he said. After she came to India, he took away her passport and money and started living with her and raped her over a period of six months, they added. Eariler, in March another Uzbekistan woman was allegedly beaten up and gangraped by four men. The victim had alleged that she was raped by her ex-boyfriend and his friends at her rented flat in south Delhis Masoodpur area. The incident had taken place on the intervening night of March 9 and 10 but the woman was quite scared and didnt report the matter to the police.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: In the second attack on security forces in Srinagar in two days, militants on Sunday evening attacked a patrol party of police and paramilitary CRPF men at Nowhatta area in downtown Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, killing a policeman and injuring 11 others.

The militant outfit, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attack.

CRPF spokesman in Srinagar said militants lobbed a grenade towards security deployment near police station Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar this evening when the police and CRPF deployment was being withdrawn from the area.

The authorities had deployed large numbers of police and paramilitary personnel in sensitive areas of the Valley including downtown Srinagar today to maintain law and order and foil anti-India protests in view of the shutdown called by separatists against Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the State. PM inaugurated countrys longest road tunnel at Srinagar-Jammu national highway today.

The grenade hurled by militants exploded with a big bang, causing injuries to at least 12 police and CRPF men.

The injured security men were immediately removed to different hospitals.

One of the critically injured policemen identified as Shamas-ud-Din of Gurez, Bandipora succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

CRPF spokesman said three of its personnel were injured in the blast while others were policemen.

He said the injured CRPF men have been shifted to army hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment.

Immediately after the attack, police and paramilitary personnel laid siege around the area to conduct combing and search operation. However, no arrests were reported during the operation.

Militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A spokesman of the group told local news gathering agencies in Srinagar that militants of the outfit carried out the grenade attack.

He said militants of special squad lobbed the grenade on police and CRPF deployment inflicting casualties on them.

Todays grenade attack was the second militant attack in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, in two days.

Earlier, a group of militants had attacked an army convoy near a hospital at Bemina, 5 kms from city centre, on Saturday.

The militants had indiscriminately fired on the army vehicle, part of the convoy, injuring three soldiers.

The surge in militant attacks in Srinagar comes ahead of bypolls for Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat. The bypolls for the seat will be held on April 9 and opposition National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah is facing direct contest with ruling PDPs Nazir Khan from the seat.

SRINAGAR: In the second attack on security forces in Srinagar in two days, militants on Sunday evening attacked a patrol party of police and paramilitary CRPF men at Nowhatta area in downtown Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, killing a policeman and injuring 11 others. The militant outfit, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attack. CRPF spokesman in Srinagar said militants lobbed a grenade towards security deployment near police station Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar this evening when the police and CRPF deployment was being withdrawn from the area. The authorities had deployed large numbers of police and paramilitary personnel in sensitive areas of the Valley including downtown Srinagar today to maintain law and order and foil anti-India protests in view of the shutdown called by separatists against Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the State. PM inaugurated countrys longest road tunnel at Srinagar-Jammu national highway today. The grenade hurled by militants exploded with a big bang, causing injuries to at least 12 police and CRPF men. The injured security men were immediately removed to different hospitals. One of the critically injured policemen identified as Shamas-ud-Din of Gurez, Bandipora succumbed to injuries in the hospital. CRPF spokesman said three of its personnel were injured in the blast while others were policemen. He said the injured CRPF men have been shifted to army hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment. Immediately after the attack, police and paramilitary personnel laid siege around the area to conduct combing and search operation. However, no arrests were reported during the operation. Militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesman of the group told local news gathering agencies in Srinagar that militants of the outfit carried out the grenade attack. window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[]; window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTE1MjE3fHw4fHw2fHwxLDIsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'}); He said militants of special squad lobbed the grenade on police and CRPF deployment inflicting casualties on them. Todays grenade attack was the second militant attack in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, in two days. Earlier, a group of militants had attacked an army convoy near a hospital at Bemina, 5 kms from city centre, on Saturday. The militants had indiscriminately fired on the army vehicle, part of the convoy, injuring three soldiers. The surge in militant attacks in Srinagar comes ahead of bypolls for Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat. The bypolls for the seat will be held on April 9 and opposition National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah is facing direct contest with ruling PDPs Nazir Khan from the seat.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: The four Delhi University students who were arrested for chasing and overtaking Union Minster Smriti Irani's car here on Saturday evening were released on bail here on Sunday, the police said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P. Meena told IANS that the four students -- identified as Anand Sharma, Avinash, Shitanshu and Kunal -- were released from police custody in the morning.

"The students were kept in custody at Chanakyapuri police station after being arrested. They were thoroughly interrogated there and were released after furnishing bail bonds," the officer said.

The police said that three of the students are residents of Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh, Kannauj and Shahjahanpur while the fourth is from Rajasthan's Dausa.

"They are pursuing Bachelor of Science course from a college in Delhi University's South Campus," another police official said.

The students, all in their early 20s, were arrested on Saturday evening on charges of stalking, intending to insult the modesty of a woman and common intent under the Indian Penal Code.

Irani's security staff complained to the Police Control Room (PCR) at around 5 p.m. on Saturday about the four students chasing her car and trying to overtake her pilot car on the Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri.

The minister's security staff then stopped the students' speeding Santro car after chasing it near the French Embassy, when it tried to overtake Irani's pilot car repeatedly.

The students were then handed over to the staff of a PCR van and the local police later took over the case for investigation and found all four were "under the influence of alcohol".

NEW DELHI: The four Delhi University students who were arrested for chasing and overtaking Union Minster Smriti Irani's car here on Saturday evening were released on bail here on Sunday, the police said. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P. Meena told IANS that the four students -- identified as Anand Sharma, Avinash, Shitanshu and Kunal -- were released from police custody in the morning. "The students were kept in custody at Chanakyapuri police station after being arrested. They were thoroughly interrogated there and were released after furnishing bail bonds," the officer said. The police said that three of the students are residents of Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh, Kannauj and Shahjahanpur while the fourth is from Rajasthan's Dausa. "They are pursuing Bachelor of Science course from a college in Delhi University's South Campus," another police official said. The students, all in their early 20s, were arrested on Saturday evening on charges of stalking, intending to insult the modesty of a woman and common intent under the Indian Penal Code. Irani's security staff complained to the Police Control Room (PCR) at around 5 p.m. on Saturday about the four students chasing her car and trying to overtake her pilot car on the Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri. The minister's security staff then stopped the students' speeding Santro car after chasing it near the French Embassy, when it tried to overtake Irani's pilot car repeatedly. The students were then handed over to the staff of a PCR van and the local police later took over the case for investigation and found all four were "under the influence of alcohol".
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs elder son and Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Sunday mocked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as demoniac and Nathuram Godses descendants.

Addressing the first public programme of his newly formed Dharmnirapeksh Sevak Sangh (DSS) in Patna, the 29-year-old first-time legislator asked his supporters to vow to keep struggling to prevent the growth of communal forces like RSS in Bihar and in other parts of the country. Hundreds of young men on bikes took part in a procession of DSS that Yadav-led, sitting in a horse-drawn chariot.

I challenge (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat here in front of all these people and journalists present here. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians will ride on that chariot standing here and we will ride on your chest, said the young politician, in his address.

A large audience with a majority of youngsters applauded as Yadav delivered the speech that drew comparisons with his fathers style of rustic phraseology and postures. RSS has no shame. Even ageing people wear half pants. They have half their minds, which is why they put on half pants, said Tej Pratap in a long tirade of ridicule at RSS.

We all know from newspapers and television reports that our country does not belong to the people of any single religion. It does not belong only to Hinduvadis or RSS. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians have contributed equally to the making of our country. But communal forces such as RSS are trying to divide the country and the people. Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath are from RSS and wore half pants. They hold sticks and do left-right, left-right parade. All these people are descendants of Nathuram Godse, said Tej Pratap.

In further statements that drew sharp reactions from BJP, he said: All those people with demonic powers (asurik shakti) have now come to power. There is a demon (danav) now sitting in power in UP.

Attacking senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, he said: I regard him as a respectable figure like my father or uncle, but he keeps criticising me and my family. Does RSS teach him this? He should join DSS and acquire some knowledge.

All these are statements of a highly immature person desperate to rise in politics. He must first learn to speak properly. He is only 29 and RSS is 92 years old, said BJP legislator Nitin Navin.

PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs elder son and Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Sunday mocked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as demoniac and Nathuram Godses descendants. Addressing the first public programme of his newly formed Dharmnirapeksh Sevak Sangh (DSS) in Patna, the 29-year-old first-time legislator asked his supporters to vow to keep struggling to prevent the growth of communal forces like RSS in Bihar and in other parts of the country. Hundreds of young men on bikes took part in a procession of DSS that Yadav-led, sitting in a horse-drawn chariot. I challenge (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat here in front of all these people and journalists present here. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians will ride on that chariot standing here and we will ride on your chest, said the young politician, in his address. A large audience with a majority of youngsters applauded as Yadav delivered the speech that drew comparisons with his fathers style of rustic phraseology and postures. RSS has no shame. Even ageing people wear half pants. They have half their minds, which is why they put on half pants, said Tej Pratap in a long tirade of ridicule at RSS. We all know from newspapers and television reports that our country does not belong to the people of any single religion. It does not belong only to Hinduvadis or RSS. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians have contributed equally to the making of our country. But communal forces such as RSS are trying to divide the country and the people. Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath are from RSS and wore half pants. They hold sticks and do left-right, left-right parade. All these people are descendants of Nathuram Godse, said Tej Pratap. In further statements that drew sharp reactions from BJP, he said: All those people with demonic powers (asurik shakti) have now come to power. There is a demon (danav) now sitting in power in UP. Attacking senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, he said: I regard him as a respectable figure like my father or uncle, but he keeps criticising me and my family. Does RSS teach him this? He should join DSS and acquire some knowledge. All these are statements of a highly immature person desperate to rise in politics. He must first learn to speak properly. He is only 29 and RSS is 92 years old, said BJP legislator Nitin Navin.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: After a Bengaluru based woman was allegedly strip-searched at Frankfurt airport, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report on this issue.



"Raveesh - Plz send me a report on this. @CGIFrankfurt (sic)," Swaraj tweeted to Indian consul general in Frankfurt Raveesh Kumar.



On Wednesday, 30-year-old Shruthi Basappa, who was traveling from Bengaluru to Iceland was asked to strip during a security check by Frankfurt airport officers. She took the issue to social media, alleging racial profiling, which drew the attention of media and authorities concerned.

Shruthi Basappa's facebook post said, "I would like to know if it is regular protocol to ask passengers to remove their clothing, be it their underwear as part of 'random security checks'. I am an Indian passport holder, my husband is Icelandic and I have an Icelandic residence permit and we were on our way to our next transit flight to Berlin. We were travelling to Iceland from India, via Frankfurt with our 4-year-old daughter when I was asked to move aside for this 'random check', no explanations offered. I was taken into a room, and was asked to lift my dress/ take it off so that I could be checked to make sure I wasn't 'carrying anything under my clothes.

This whole ordeal happened in front of my 4-year-old. I was given no explanation as to why I was put through this ordeal. I specifically requested for a regular scan, using whatever equipment is in place despite the fact that I had just gone through a body scan, given that 1. It is absolutely ridiculous to be stripping in an airport no less, for no reason. 2. It is violating. My constant requests to be patted down gently because of a recent abdominal surgery (proof of which I was carrying in hand) was constantly ignored and resulted in being shouted at aggressively by the woman in charge. She then proceeded to call her supervisor who parroted the same lines about how they wanted me to take my dress off. I would really like to hear from the #FrankfurtAirport authorities if this is the norm? Why are passengers being asked to take their clothes off? I hate to play the race card here, but I was the only person pulled aside and peeking at my husband instantly changed the woman's mind about the strip search that was now a regular pat down. I'd appreciate a response from you at the earliest.



A large section of Twitter users criticised the act of the Frankfurt airport officials.

Raja Sampath @raja_beach_boy tweeted, Racism is how Europeans have thrived through their history. Stupid to expect them to be otherwise now!

Debarati Majumder @debarati_m tweeted, Shruthi Basappa was victimised at Frankfurt airport because of her skin color. Humans are more or less racists & authorities are humans

BENGALURU: After a Bengaluru based woman was allegedly strip-searched at Frankfurt airport, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report on this issue. "Raveesh - Plz send me a report on this. @CGIFrankfurt (sic)," Swaraj tweeted to Indian consul general in Frankfurt Raveesh Kumar. On Wednesday, 30-year-old Shruthi Basappa, who was traveling from Bengaluru to Iceland was asked to strip during a security check by Frankfurt airport officers. She took the issue to social media, alleging racial profiling, which drew the attention of media and authorities concerned. Shruthi Basappa's facebook post said, "I would like to know if it is regular protocol to ask passengers to remove their clothing, be it their underwear as part of 'random security checks'. I am an Indian passport holder, my husband is Icelandic and I have an Icelandic residence permit and we were on our way to our next transit flight to Berlin. We were travelling to Iceland from India, via Frankfurt with our 4-year-old daughter when I was asked to move aside for this 'random check', no explanations offered. I was taken into a room, and was asked to lift my dress/ take it off so that I could be checked to make sure I wasn't 'carrying anything under my clothes. This whole ordeal happened in front of my 4-year-old. I was given no explanation as to why I was put through this ordeal. I specifically requested for a regular scan, using whatever equipment is in place despite the fact that I had just gone through a body scan, given that 1. It is absolutely ridiculous to be stripping in an airport no less, for no reason. 2. It is violating. My constant requests to be patted down gently because of a recent abdominal surgery (proof of which I was carrying in hand) was constantly ignored and resulted in being shouted at aggressively by the woman in charge. She then proceeded to call her supervisor who parroted the same lines about how they wanted me to take my dress off. I would really like to hear from the #FrankfurtAirport authorities if this is the norm? Why are passengers being asked to take their clothes off? I hate to play the race card here, but I was the only person pulled aside and peeking at my husband instantly changed the woman's mind about the strip search that was now a regular pat down. I'd appreciate a response from you at the earliest. A large section of Twitter users criticised the act of the Frankfurt airport officials. Raja Sampath @raja_beach_boy tweeted, Racism is how Europeans have thrived through their history. Stupid to expect them to be otherwise now! Debarati Majumder @debarati_m tweeted, Shruthi Basappa was victimised at Frankfurt airport because of her skin color. Humans are more or less racists & authorities are humans
Shankkar Aiyar By

The expertise of politicians over verbal calisthenics is no secret. This week, in Parliament, there was a display of calisthenics of the statistical kind.



Kapil Sibal, former Union minister, dived deep into the data set of Census to establish that the low count of tax payers is because many had no income. The effect was not very different from the impact of his famous defence of the 2G policy during the UPA regime.



The provocation was a statement in the 2017 Budget. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Indians are largely a tax non-compliant society. Jaitley pointed out that the number of people showing an income of more than `50 lakh was only 1.72 lakh, and contrasted this with the sale of 1.25 crore cars in five years and foreign travel by 2 crore Indians in 2015.



The answer to why India has a low count of tax payers can scarcely be binary. The issue is located at the intersection of a complex matrix of legal and socio-political realities. The truism about India is that for every statement, the opposite is equally true. India boasts of over 50 billionaires on the Forbes Billionaires list. It is also home to nearly 300 million living below the poverty line.



The low count of tax payers in India owes its genesis to two principal factors. One is poor income levelsnearly 60 per cent of the populace is dependent on 14 per cent of the national income. Secondly, India is perhaps the only economy where 80 per cent of the workforce and over 45 per cent of the economy is in the informal sectoracross 16 large states, only 5 per cent of the establishments host 10 or more workers.



The struggle to track tax dodgers dates back to 1947the first Income Tax Investigation Commission headed by Justice S Varadachari. Since liberalisation, the challenge had been to align rising incomes visibly expressed in consumption with collection of income tax.



The data on returns and collections illustrates the expectations paradigm. In 1992, the number of returns filed was 37.36 lakh. The number of returns for income above `10 lakh: 2,321. In 2000, the number of returns filed rose to 1.42 crore. The number of returns filed for income above `10 lakh: 78,109. In 2014-15, over 3.65 crore returns were filed. The number of returns with income of over `10 lakh was 24. 4 lakh and that over `1 crore was 48,417.



In these 25 years, Indias GDP grew from `5.86 lakh crore (or $290 billion) in 1991 to over `130 lakh crore (or $2 trillion) in 2015, and the per capita income from around `6,000 to over `92,000 (or from $300 to $1,500). Successive regimes have correlated the GDP data, and that of consumption, with returns and collections and held it as an argument justifying the potential for higher realisation of taxes and a bigger number of tax payers.



Jaitley is not the first finance minister to lament about the gap between implicit income levels and explicit collections. In 1997-98, P Chidambaram bemoaned how in a country of over 900 million only 12 million were assessed for income tax. A year later, Yashwant Sinha said it was a matter of great anxiety that the total number of assesses constitutes less than 1.25 per cent of our population. The grief is about width and depth. In 2013-14, Chidambaram revealed that in a two trillion economy only 42,800 persons admitted to a taxable income exceeding `1 crore per year.



There have been attempts to contain evasion. Manmohan Singh in 1995 introduced TDS on payments over `20,000. Chidambaram used ownershipof homes phones, four-wheelers or foreign travelto bring spenders into the returns net. Sinha added credit card ownership and club memberships and cast the net wider across 35 cities. Thereafter, PAN was made mandatory for buying property, shares, vehicles, fixed deposits and even bank accounts. Data was dredged from the Tax Information Network.



The lament persists; thanks to the structural and systemic issues. At a structural level, tax policies have been deployed to achieve multiple objectivesfrom savings to investments to behavioural change. This has led to a plethora of exemptions, distortions and multiple failures. This had been identified by the task force on Tax Reforms headed by Vijay Kelkar as early as in December 2002.



The task force had observed that the myriad and often contradictory exemptions have led to complexity and such complexity is inherently regressive and therefore favours the rich and the powerful. The recommendations included doing away with the fog of confusion in exemptions, reducing compliance costs and harassment. The task force also pushed for a tax on agricultural incomes. Governments since have cherry-picked recommendations. The Direct Tax code, which promised the overhaul of the Income Tax Act, has been in the making for well over a decade.



The systemic approach has been typically more of the sameperpetual pursuit of the middle class, professionals and the salaried class. Logic dictates that the focus should be on those outside the tax net, outside the formal system, on the scourge of the benami economy. It would be interesting, for instance, to cross reference number of business establishments, number of new businesses, number of new cabs, and also consumption data from GST with tax returns a year from now.



Compliance is a loaded phrase and the political class must accept that the business model of politics fails the moral hazards test. It is imperative that candidates and parties reveal where the money that they spend is coming from. The fear of political retribution does not preclude transparency in the US!



Above all tax compliance demands demonstration effect. It is not enough to say that the tax collected is allocated for progress. Governmentsat the Centre and in the statesmust produce outcome reports that present evidence that the hard earned monies of tax payers have been invested and have yielded results.

shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com

The expertise of politicians over verbal calisthenics is no secret. This week, in Parliament, there was a display of calisthenics of the statistical kind. Kapil Sibal, former Union minister, dived deep into the data set of Census to establish that the low count of tax payers is because many had no income. The effect was not very different from the impact of his famous defence of the 2G policy during the UPA regime. The provocation was a statement in the 2017 Budget. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Indians are largely a tax non-compliant society. Jaitley pointed out that the number of people showing an income of more than `50 lakh was only 1.72 lakh, and contrasted this with the sale of 1.25 crore cars in five years and foreign travel by 2 crore Indians in 2015. The answer to why India has a low count of tax payers can scarcely be binary. The issue is located at the intersection of a complex matrix of legal and socio-political realities. The truism about India is that for every statement, the opposite is equally true. India boasts of over 50 billionaires on the Forbes Billionaires list. It is also home to nearly 300 million living below the poverty line. The low count of tax payers in India owes its genesis to two principal factors. One is poor income levelsnearly 60 per cent of the populace is dependent on 14 per cent of the national income. Secondly, India is perhaps the only economy where 80 per cent of the workforce and over 45 per cent of the economy is in the informal sectoracross 16 large states, only 5 per cent of the establishments host 10 or more workers. The struggle to track tax dodgers dates back to 1947the first Income Tax Investigation Commission headed by Justice S Varadachari. Since liberalisation, the challenge had been to align rising incomes visibly expressed in consumption with collection of income tax. The data on returns and collections illustrates the expectations paradigm. In 1992, the number of returns filed was 37.36 lakh. The number of returns for income above `10 lakh: 2,321. In 2000, the number of returns filed rose to 1.42 crore. The number of returns filed for income above `10 lakh: 78,109. In 2014-15, over 3.65 crore returns were filed. The number of returns with income of over `10 lakh was 24. 4 lakh and that over `1 crore was 48,417. In these 25 years, Indias GDP grew from `5.86 lakh crore (or $290 billion) in 1991 to over `130 lakh crore (or $2 trillion) in 2015, and the per capita income from around `6,000 to over `92,000 (or from $300 to $1,500). Successive regimes have correlated the GDP data, and that of consumption, with returns and collections and held it as an argument justifying the potential for higher realisation of taxes and a bigger number of tax payers. Jaitley is not the first finance minister to lament about the gap between implicit income levels and explicit collections. In 1997-98, P Chidambaram bemoaned how in a country of over 900 million only 12 million were assessed for income tax. A year later, Yashwant Sinha said it was a matter of great anxiety that the total number of assesses constitutes less than 1.25 per cent of our population. The grief is about width and depth. In 2013-14, Chidambaram revealed that in a two trillion economy only 42,800 persons admitted to a taxable income exceeding `1 crore per year. There have been attempts to contain evasion. Manmohan Singh in 1995 introduced TDS on payments over `20,000. Chidambaram used ownershipof homes phones, four-wheelers or foreign travelto bring spenders into the returns net. Sinha added credit card ownership and club memberships and cast the net wider across 35 cities. Thereafter, PAN was made mandatory for buying property, shares, vehicles, fixed deposits and even bank accounts. Data was dredged from the Tax Information Network. The lament persists; thanks to the structural and systemic issues. At a structural level, tax policies have been deployed to achieve multiple objectivesfrom savings to investments to behavioural change. This has led to a plethora of exemptions, distortions and multiple failures. This had been identified by the task force on Tax Reforms headed by Vijay Kelkar as early as in December 2002. The task force had observed that the myriad and often contradictory exemptions have led to complexity and such complexity is inherently regressive and therefore favours the rich and the powerful. The recommendations included doing away with the fog of confusion in exemptions, reducing compliance costs and harassment. The task force also pushed for a tax on agricultural incomes. Governments since have cherry-picked recommendations. The Direct Tax code, which promised the overhaul of the Income Tax Act, has been in the making for well over a decade. The systemic approach has been typically more of the sameperpetual pursuit of the middle class, professionals and the salaried class. Logic dictates that the focus should be on those outside the tax net, outside the formal system, on the scourge of the benami economy. It would be interesting, for instance, to cross reference number of business establishments, number of new businesses, number of new cabs, and also consumption data from GST with tax returns a year from now. Compliance is a loaded phrase and the political class must accept that the business model of politics fails the moral hazards test. It is imperative that candidates and parties reveal where the money that they spend is coming from. The fear of political retribution does not preclude transparency in the US! Above all tax compliance demands demonstration effect. It is not enough to say that the tax collected is allocated for progress. Governmentsat the Centre and in the statesmust produce outcome reports that present evidence that the hard earned monies of tax payers have been invested and have yielded results. shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com
T J S George By

Education in India is in tatters because of horrendous corruption. This is making the country wobble like a skyscraper detached from its foundations. The authorities ignore the crisis because they are themselves either the destroyers or protectors of the destroyers. Frauds and scoundrels have been having such a field day that it is difficult to imagine the country rising to its potential in the foreseeable future. So much for our glorified development.

How can there be any kind of development when examination papers are routinely leaked, copying becomes a cottage industry as in Bihar, admissions are based on bribes, and colleges and examiners are, to a large extent, fake? Cheats have invaded even the army. In Mumbai recently question papers of the army recruitment examinations, supplied by insiders, were made available to aspirants at `2-5 lakh/head. Forged domicile certificates were also on sale if a candidate wanted to appear in another exam centre. Investigators said the racket had been going on for two yearswhich means battalion-size numbers of unworthy recruits might already be wearing army uniforms.

How many unworthy recruits who got fake medical degrees from fake medical colleges must be there in our hospitals? The Medical Council of India, the supreme controlling authority, was dissolved in 2010 because of corruption. President Ketan Desai was arrested. But the influential Desai remains active while the government announcement of creating a new controlling body remains on paper.

Remember the biggest scandal of them all was the Madhya Pradesh governments Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal, tasked with conducting eligibility tests for medical colleges and government jobs. It was manipulated for so long that thousands of unqualified people became doctors and government servants. So powerful were the manipulators that, after the story broke in 2013, at least 48 people were killed, mostly witnesses, and a journalist who had started investigating the story. Were the guilty punished? Are the Vyapam examinations clean today? Keep guessing.

We all know the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, ICSE, is the prized class X examination conducted by more than 2,000 schools in the country. But the Intermediate Council of Schooling Education is also ICSE. Their website offers not only class X pass but also degrees from MBBS to BL, from BSc to BCom. The police busted the racket in 2014. The racket reconstituted itself in different formats.

Kerala is currently scandalised by the private colleges not only fleecing the students but also beating them up as a routine practice. A law university had shed its original backers and become a family-controlled business with the chief organisers daughter becoming the principal. Women students, unable to tolerate the principals high-handedness and caste insults, launched an agitation that attracted massive public support. The principal was forced to resign. But the support extended by the ruling communist leaders to the college owning family casts doubts on whether the widely-detested principal is really gone or is only having a holiday.

A student committed suicide in another private college. Students went on strike saying it was murder. They said the college had a special torture room where any student who raised questions about the colleges affairs was given appropriate treatment. The chairman of the college was arrested and bailed out. Two others charged with torture are at large. Again, the government is on the side of the college, which ensures that inquiries are getting nowhere. All this in a state once reputed for its high level of education and its model colleges.

In Vellore last month, the chairman of the GGR College of Engineering, G G Ravi, was hacked to death by a gang armed with sickles. Apparently Ravis family had a long-running war with a known rowdy Mahalingam. In September 2015 Mahalingam had tried to kill Ravi, but Ravi escaped while his sons chased Mahalingam and stoned him to death. The gang finally took its revengewhich is all fine, but what have people of this kind got to do with colleges of engineering and stuff?

Plenty. Gangsters have tur-ned to education because tens of thousands of youngsters are out there seeking jobs. They are easy prey. Education of some quality is the foundation without which no country can progress. If education at the government and private levels is taken over by racketeers and torturers and killers, all patronised by corrupt politicians and civil servants, what hope is there for the country? Human history, said H G Wells, becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.

Not much of a race for us, is it?

Education in India is in tatters because of horrendous corruption. This is making the country wobble like a skyscraper detached from its foundations. The authorities ignore the crisis because they are themselves either the destroyers or protectors of the destroyers. Frauds and scoundrels have been having such a field day that it is difficult to imagine the country rising to its potential in the foreseeable future. So much for our glorified development. How can there be any kind of development when examination papers are routinely leaked, copying becomes a cottage industry as in Bihar, admissions are based on bribes, and colleges and examiners are, to a large extent, fake? Cheats have invaded even the army. In Mumbai recently question papers of the army recruitment examinations, supplied by insiders, were made available to aspirants at `2-5 lakh/head. Forged domicile certificates were also on sale if a candidate wanted to appear in another exam centre. Investigators said the racket had been going on for two yearswhich means battalion-size numbers of unworthy recruits might already be wearing army uniforms. How many unworthy recruits who got fake medical degrees from fake medical colleges must be there in our hospitals? The Medical Council of India, the supreme controlling authority, was dissolved in 2010 because of corruption. President Ketan Desai was arrested. But the influential Desai remains active while the government announcement of creating a new controlling body remains on paper. Remember the biggest scandal of them all was the Madhya Pradesh governments Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal, tasked with conducting eligibility tests for medical colleges and government jobs. It was manipulated for so long that thousands of unqualified people became doctors and government servants. So powerful were the manipulators that, after the story broke in 2013, at least 48 people were killed, mostly witnesses, and a journalist who had started investigating the story. Were the guilty punished? Are the Vyapam examinations clean today? Keep guessing. We all know the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, ICSE, is the prized class X examination conducted by more than 2,000 schools in the country. But the Intermediate Council of Schooling Education is also ICSE. Their website offers not only class X pass but also degrees from MBBS to BL, from BSc to BCom. The police busted the racket in 2014. The racket reconstituted itself in different formats. Kerala is currently scandalised by the private colleges not only fleecing the students but also beating them up as a routine practice. A law university had shed its original backers and become a family-controlled business with the chief organisers daughter becoming the principal. Women students, unable to tolerate the principals high-handedness and caste insults, launched an agitation that attracted massive public support. The principal was forced to resign. But the support extended by the ruling communist leaders to the college owning family casts doubts on whether the widely-detested principal is really gone or is only having a holiday. A student committed suicide in another private college. Students went on strike saying it was murder. They said the college had a special torture room where any student who raised questions about the colleges affairs was given appropriate treatment. The chairman of the college was arrested and bailed out. Two others charged with torture are at large. Again, the government is on the side of the college, which ensures that inquiries are getting nowhere. All this in a state once reputed for its high level of education and its model colleges. In Vellore last month, the chairman of the GGR College of Engineering, G G Ravi, was hacked to death by a gang armed with sickles. Apparently Ravis family had a long-running war with a known rowdy Mahalingam. In September 2015 Mahalingam had tried to kill Ravi, but Ravi escaped while his sons chased Mahalingam and stoned him to death. The gang finally took its revengewhich is all fine, but what have people of this kind got to do with colleges of engineering and stuff? Plenty. Gangsters have tur-ned to education because tens of thousands of youngsters are out there seeking jobs. They are easy prey. Education of some quality is the foundation without which no country can progress. If education at the government and private levels is taken over by racketeers and torturers and killers, all patronised by corrupt politicians and civil servants, what hope is there for the country? Human history, said H G Wells, becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe. Not much of a race for us, is it?
By PTI

BARIPADA: A physically challenged minor girl was allegedly raped by a youth inside the premises of Lord Jagannath temple here, police said today.

The incident took place when the 11-year-old girl went inside the temple for 'Darshan' of the Lord late on Friday night when the shrine was virtually deserted, they said.

Taking advantage of the situation, a 28-year-old youth escorted her to the bathing mandap of the Lord and raped her before fleeing.

The victim was rescued in a critical condition from the spot. Angry locals spotted the accused and thrashed him before handing him over to the police.

The girl was admitted to the SCB medical college at Cuttack as her condition worsened, police said. Baripada sub-collector S K Purohit along with police officers visited the spot and has sanctioned Rs 10,000 for the treatment of the girl, officials said.

BARIPADA: A physically challenged minor girl was allegedly raped by a youth inside the premises of Lord Jagannath temple here, police said today. The incident took place when the 11-year-old girl went inside the temple for 'Darshan' of the Lord late on Friday night when the shrine was virtually deserted, they said. Taking advantage of the situation, a 28-year-old youth escorted her to the bathing mandap of the Lord and raped her before fleeing. The victim was rescued in a critical condition from the spot. Angry locals spotted the accused and thrashed him before handing him over to the police. The girl was admitted to the SCB medical college at Cuttack as her condition worsened, police said. Baripada sub-collector S K Purohit along with police officers visited the spot and has sanctioned Rs 10,000 for the treatment of the girl, officials said.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A 32-year-old German tourist was allegedly raped near Mahabalipuram on Sunday when she was sleeping alone near the seashore.

She was having a sun bath near a casuarina grove when three unidentified men accosted her. One of them is believed to have raped her, said a senior police officer who was part of the investigations. The officer said the woman was alone and was taking rest after a walk along the seashore at Telguar Thottam in Pattikulam.

Police sources said the woman informed her family after she managed to escape from her assailants. The family, in turn, contacted the German Embassy in Delhi and the embassy officials also got in touch with the State government over the incident.

As the information reached them, senior officers of the Kancheepuram district police visited the spot and conducted enquiries. The woman was taken to a government hospital for treatment. Police sources said the woman had come to Mahabalipuram along with her family as part of a tour.

CHENNAI: A 32-year-old German tourist was allegedly raped near Mahabalipuram on Sunday when she was sleeping alone near the seashore. She was having a sun bath near a casuarina grove when three unidentified men accosted her. One of them is believed to have raped her, said a senior police officer who was part of the investigations. The officer said the woman was alone and was taking rest after a walk along the seashore at Telguar Thottam in Pattikulam. Police sources said the woman informed her family after she managed to escape from her assailants. The family, in turn, contacted the German Embassy in Delhi and the embassy officials also got in touch with the State government over the incident. As the information reached them, senior officers of the Kancheepuram district police visited the spot and conducted enquiries. The woman was taken to a government hospital for treatment. Police sources said the woman had come to Mahabalipuram along with her family as part of a tour.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Thirty-one men hailing from Telangana, who were deceived by an agent and forced to work under unfavourable conditions in Iraq, will return to India on Monday.

They will be arriving at the Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi on Monday morning at 5 AM after both the State and Central government worked together to get them back from the unsafe working conditions they were exposed to in Iraq.

The men, who were working with a construction firm aiding the coalition war against ISIS at Erbil, were duped by an agent with the promise of employment.

"The men were made to pay over a lakh rupees to an agent, who lied to them about the working conditions. They will be making their way back to Telangana via train after a brief stay in Delhi," said Basanth Reddy, who has been lobbying with the State government for their safe return.

HYDERABAD: Thirty-one men hailing from Telangana, who were deceived by an agent and forced to work under unfavourable conditions in Iraq, will return to India on Monday. They will be arriving at the Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi on Monday morning at 5 AM after both the State and Central government worked together to get them back from the unsafe working conditions they were exposed to in Iraq. The men, who were working with a construction firm aiding the coalition war against ISIS at Erbil, were duped by an agent with the promise of employment. "The men were made to pay over a lakh rupees to an agent, who lied to them about the working conditions. They will be making their way back to Telangana via train after a brief stay in Delhi," said Basanth Reddy, who has been lobbying with the State government for their safe return.
By PTI

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has sought assistance from the Centre to bail out chilli farmers in the state who have been left financially stressed due to lack of a fair price for their produce.

Telangana Marketing Minister T Harish Rao today urged Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to help the chilli farmers in the state by providing funds. During the current year, chilli production increased by 14 per cent resulting in adverse impact on prices.

The commodity which commanded a price of Rs 10,000 per quintal last year was available in a range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 this year, Rao said in a letter to Singh. A committee of officials has recommended procurement of chillies at Rs 7,000 per quintal directly from farmers, he said.

"Against the total chilli production of 698353 MTs this year, 10 percent of the production which is 174588.25 MTs, is proposed (to be procured) under MIS (Market Intervention Scheme) with an estimated cost of Rs 502.59 crores," said the letter.

He requested for 50 per cent Central assistance under the Market Intervention Fund under the MIS be made available to Telangana by the Centre. Telangana Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivasa Rao said he spoke to the Union Agriculture Minister to get the produce purchased through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd).

Upset over not getting a remunerative price, scores of farmers staged a protest at the Enumamula agriculture market at Warangal last week and some of them burnt some quantity of chilli. Similar incidents took place in other places in the state.

Meanwhile, both the Congress and BJP have attacked the Telangana government for inept handling of the chilli farmers' issue. The state Congress alleged that the TRS government was in "deep sleep" to the woes of Chilli farmers.

It has called for protests tomorrow in headquarters of Assembly constituencies. Telangana Congress president and MLA N Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the state government purchase chilli produce at a price of Rs 12,000 per quintal. He asked the party cadre to submit memoranda to Tahsildars tomorrow to make the state government act on the issue.

Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said in a statement that the state government should be more accountable on the issue.

Referring to the reported comments of TRS MP Kavitha that MSP is Central Government's responsibility, the BJP leader said the state government cannot escape its responsibility by making such statements.

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has sought assistance from the Centre to bail out chilli farmers in the state who have been left financially stressed due to lack of a fair price for their produce. Telangana Marketing Minister T Harish Rao today urged Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to help the chilli farmers in the state by providing funds. During the current year, chilli production increased by 14 per cent resulting in adverse impact on prices. The commodity which commanded a price of Rs 10,000 per quintal last year was available in a range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 this year, Rao said in a letter to Singh. A committee of officials has recommended procurement of chillies at Rs 7,000 per quintal directly from farmers, he said. "Against the total chilli production of 698353 MTs this year, 10 percent of the production which is 174588.25 MTs, is proposed (to be procured) under MIS (Market Intervention Scheme) with an estimated cost of Rs 502.59 crores," said the letter. He requested for 50 per cent Central assistance under the Market Intervention Fund under the MIS be made available to Telangana by the Centre. Telangana Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivasa Rao said he spoke to the Union Agriculture Minister to get the produce purchased through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd). Upset over not getting a remunerative price, scores of farmers staged a protest at the Enumamula agriculture market at Warangal last week and some of them burnt some quantity of chilli. Similar incidents took place in other places in the state. Meanwhile, both the Congress and BJP have attacked the Telangana government for inept handling of the chilli farmers' issue. The state Congress alleged that the TRS government was in "deep sleep" to the woes of Chilli farmers. It has called for protests tomorrow in headquarters of Assembly constituencies. Telangana Congress president and MLA N Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the state government purchase chilli produce at a price of Rs 12,000 per quintal. He asked the party cadre to submit memoranda to Tahsildars tomorrow to make the state government act on the issue. Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said in a statement that the state government should be more accountable on the issue. Referring to the reported comments of TRS MP Kavitha that MSP is Central Government's responsibility, the BJP leader said the state government cannot escape its responsibility by making such statements.
By Zara Manucharyan

There are lines of voters waiting outside the 7/39 and 7/40 polling precinct in Yerevans Malatya-Sebastia district.

There are also lines inside the polling station, causing many impatient voters to fill out their ballots in plain sight.

Earlier this morning, at 7/39, the machine taking fingerprints broke down several times.

At 7/40, election committee president Roubik Hakobyan, of the Prosperous Armenia Party, twice entered the voting booth to assist voters.

As of 2 p.m., 560 voters cast ballots at 7/39, and 653 at 7/40, out of a total 1,827 eligible voters.
Pradip R Sagar By

NEW DELHI: New Delhi: The Armys age-old system of keeping fuel dumps at military camps in operational areas is turning out to be one of the biggest threats to the lives of our jawans.



Nineteen soldiers have been burnt alive and nearly a dozen others suffered injuries in attacks involving fuel dumps on the border with Pakistan in the last five months.



According to an internal report prepared by the Army headquarters, fuel dumps at military camps pose a high-level threat to the safety and security of soldiers. This is perhaps a bigger threat than the increasing sophistication terrorists are acquiring in their methods of attack these days.

The Armys internal report assumes importance in the wake of the deadly Uri attack in September, in which 19 soldiers were killed. This was one of the worst attacks against the Army on the Line of Control.



Army Supply Corps is responsible for providing logistic support to the operational units, and the issue has been causing serious worry. Depending on the size of the operation, this may mean that several thousand liters of fuel must be received and stored each day, which is susceptible to enemy shelling and terrorist action, the report pointed out.

To overcome this problem, petroleum units have to quickly establish large, fire resistant fuel storage and dispensing systems, it said. Old vintage barrels and jerrycans being used for storage and transportation of fuel in operational conditions are susceptible to enemy artillery shelling and terrorist actions, the report warned.



While looking at solutions, the report suggested collapsible fabric petroleum tanks as the best alternative. Technological advances in materials and fabrication techniques have enabled the manufacture of large and lighter fabric tanks made from thinner thermoplastic urethanes, which are fire resistant. The new technology permits the development, manufacture and fielding of collapsible tanks with a capacity of over 50,000 litres, the report said.



An advantage with such tanks is that these can be deployed rapidly and recovered using fewer personnel and equipment. As it is constructed with heavy duty, reinforced fabric, the tank can be rolled into compact, transportable units and different modes of transport, including dropping via parachute, can be used depending on the operational terrain.

The report also examines the contemporary practices employed by other countries. NATO forces, for instance, use pillow tanks while the US marine forces use collapsible storage containers that provide temporary as well as long term liquid storage.

NEW DELHI: New Delhi: The Armys age-old system of keeping fuel dumps at military camps in operational areas is turning out to be one of the biggest threats to the lives of our jawans. Nineteen soldiers have been burnt alive and nearly a dozen others suffered injuries in attacks involving fuel dumps on the border with Pakistan in the last five months. According to an internal report prepared by the Army headquarters, fuel dumps at military camps pose a high-level threat to the safety and security of soldiers. This is perhaps a bigger threat than the increasing sophistication terrorists are acquiring in their methods of attack these days. The Armys internal report assumes importance in the wake of the deadly Uri attack in September, in which 19 soldiers were killed. This was one of the worst attacks against the Army on the Line of Control. Army Supply Corps is responsible for providing logistic support to the operational units, and the issue has been causing serious worry. Depending on the size of the operation, this may mean that several thousand liters of fuel must be received and stored each day, which is susceptible to enemy shelling and terrorist action, the report pointed out. To overcome this problem, petroleum units have to quickly establish large, fire resistant fuel storage and dispensing systems, it said. Old vintage barrels and jerrycans being used for storage and transportation of fuel in operational conditions are susceptible to enemy artillery shelling and terrorist actions, the report warned. While looking at solutions, the report suggested collapsible fabric petroleum tanks as the best alternative. Technological advances in materials and fabrication techniques have enabled the manufacture of large and lighter fabric tanks made from thinner thermoplastic urethanes, which are fire resistant. The new technology permits the development, manufacture and fielding of collapsible tanks with a capacity of over 50,000 litres, the report said. An advantage with such tanks is that these can be deployed rapidly and recovered using fewer personnel and equipment. As it is constructed with heavy duty, reinforced fabric, the tank can be rolled into compact, transportable units and different modes of transport, including dropping via parachute, can be used depending on the operational terrain. The report also examines the contemporary practices employed by other countries. NATO forces, for instance, use pillow tanks while the US marine forces use collapsible storage containers that provide temporary as well as long term liquid storage.
Kumar Vikram By

NEW DELHI: In a departure from its strategy for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP is likely to field Muslim candidates in over two dozen seats dominated by the minority community in the forthcoming MCD elections.

The partys spectacular show in UP, including in the Muslim-dominated areas of the state, was achieved despite the absence of any Muslim candidate in the BJP list. Now with Muslims also contesting on its behalf, the party feels that it has a better chance of winning the civic polls.

BJP is already on an overdrive in the Capitals Muslim-dominated areas. Muslim organisations associated with BJP and RSS have started holding meetings and are interacting with community members on issues like triple talaq. The party feels that a large number of Muslim women voted for it in the UP elections due to its vocal opposition to the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq.

Of a total 272 municipal wards in Delhi, 62 have considerable number of Muslim voters while 24 are dominated by the members of the community. Areas such as Seelampur, Seemapuri, Okhla, Matiya Mahal, Ballimaran and a few others have a high concentration of Muslim population.

Muslims are the deciding factor in 24 wards, according to Yasir Ali Jilani, state convener, Muslim Rashtriya Manch. We have already started working in those pockets. Our main task is to make people aware of the work done by the present government. The community appreciates the work, Jilani said.

Teams of Muslim Rashtriya Manch are touring the area, informing people how the BJP and the government have positioned themselves on the side of Muslim women on the issue of triple talaq. We have started a signature campaign in the Muslim-dominated areas and sought the views of women on this. Our women are very hopeful of this government, he said adding that over one lakh Muslim women have participated in the campaign against triple talaq.

We have also raised the issue of health facilities in Muslim-dominated areas. It turns out that these areas dont have much health facilities and the Delhi government has failed to fulfill the requirements, he said.



A state BJP leader said that winnability was the main factor in selecting the candidates and the party has shortlisted many Muslim names for areas having a large population of the community. Even during the UP polls, the senior leaders had said that the Modi government was committed to end the evil social practice of triple talaq and the issue is still relevant, he said.



Only this week, scores of Muslims joined BJP, which partys Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari attributes to the support of Muslim women, saying it is due to their immense trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

NEW DELHI: In a departure from its strategy for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP is likely to field Muslim candidates in over two dozen seats dominated by the minority community in the forthcoming MCD elections. The partys spectacular show in UP, including in the Muslim-dominated areas of the state, was achieved despite the absence of any Muslim candidate in the BJP list. Now with Muslims also contesting on its behalf, the party feels that it has a better chance of winning the civic polls. BJP is already on an overdrive in the Capitals Muslim-dominated areas. Muslim organisations associated with BJP and RSS have started holding meetings and are interacting with community members on issues like triple talaq. The party feels that a large number of Muslim women voted for it in the UP elections due to its vocal opposition to the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq. Of a total 272 municipal wards in Delhi, 62 have considerable number of Muslim voters while 24 are dominated by the members of the community. Areas such as Seelampur, Seemapuri, Okhla, Matiya Mahal, Ballimaran and a few others have a high concentration of Muslim population. Muslims are the deciding factor in 24 wards, according to Yasir Ali Jilani, state convener, Muslim Rashtriya Manch. We have already started working in those pockets. Our main task is to make people aware of the work done by the present government. The community appreciates the work, Jilani said. Teams of Muslim Rashtriya Manch are touring the area, informing people how the BJP and the government have positioned themselves on the side of Muslim women on the issue of triple talaq. We have started a signature campaign in the Muslim-dominated areas and sought the views of women on this. Our women are very hopeful of this government, he said adding that over one lakh Muslim women have participated in the campaign against triple talaq. We have also raised the issue of health facilities in Muslim-dominated areas. It turns out that these areas dont have much health facilities and the Delhi government has failed to fulfill the requirements, he said. A state BJP leader said that winnability was the main factor in selecting the candidates and the party has shortlisted many Muslim names for areas having a large population of the community. Even during the UP polls, the senior leaders had said that the Modi government was committed to end the evil social practice of triple talaq and the issue is still relevant, he said. Only this week, scores of Muslims joined BJP, which partys Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari attributes to the support of Muslim women, saying it is due to their immense trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ankur Sharma By

NEW DELHI: More than 100 hotels and bars, including 10 five-star hotels, on six national highways connecting the National Capital have stopped serving liquor following the Supreme Court order banning sale of liquor in outlets located within 500 metres of highways, which came into force across the country on Saturday.

Hotels such as Leela Kempinski, Radisson, Le Meridien, Crown Plaza etc along the highway in Gurgaon are among the affected properties.



Also hit are some of the hotels built in Aerocity area at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

While the hotel industry claims that the ban order will affect tourism and jobs, anti-liquor activists are happy that it will save lives. We are very happy as the order will save thousands of lives.

Every year, almost 1,50,000 people die in road accidents, of which 70,000 deaths are occurring on highways, mainly because of drunken driving. Now, the fatality figures will definitely come down, social activist Prince Singhal, who leads a campaign Against Drunk Driving told The Sunday Standard.

Hospitality industry sources say national highways like NH-8 and Delhi-Jaipur highway will be most affected as 60 per cent of hotels and bars are situated there. More than 35 pubs and bars situated in DLF Cyber Hub in Gurgaon are fearing major financial losses as they say they have invested heavily in those outlets.

Beer Cafe CEO Rahul Singh, Honorary Secretary for the NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India), welcomed the Supreme Court decision, but claimed that the closure will affect the hotel and tourism industries.

It is a Supreme Court order and we honour it and there is nothing wrong with it. Drunk driving is illegal and it should be tackled with strong deterrents. There are many countries where you cant simply drink and drive, because the law is so strict there. But, here the law is not so strict. In India cities live on highways and vends on highways should be shut. But it the issue should be handled in such a way that it will not affect tourism and the hotel industry, as both are major providers of employment, Singh said.

NEW DELHI: More than 100 hotels and bars, including 10 five-star hotels, on six national highways connecting the National Capital have stopped serving liquor following the Supreme Court order banning sale of liquor in outlets located within 500 metres of highways, which came into force across the country on Saturday. Hotels such as Leela Kempinski, Radisson, Le Meridien, Crown Plaza etc along the highway in Gurgaon are among the affected properties. Also hit are some of the hotels built in Aerocity area at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. While the hotel industry claims that the ban order will affect tourism and jobs, anti-liquor activists are happy that it will save lives. We are very happy as the order will save thousands of lives. Every year, almost 1,50,000 people die in road accidents, of which 70,000 deaths are occurring on highways, mainly because of drunken driving. Now, the fatality figures will definitely come down, social activist Prince Singhal, who leads a campaign Against Drunk Driving told The Sunday Standard. Hospitality industry sources say national highways like NH-8 and Delhi-Jaipur highway will be most affected as 60 per cent of hotels and bars are situated there. More than 35 pubs and bars situated in DLF Cyber Hub in Gurgaon are fearing major financial losses as they say they have invested heavily in those outlets. Beer Cafe CEO Rahul Singh, Honorary Secretary for the NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India), welcomed the Supreme Court decision, but claimed that the closure will affect the hotel and tourism industries. It is a Supreme Court order and we honour it and there is nothing wrong with it. Drunk driving is illegal and it should be tackled with strong deterrents. There are many countries where you cant simply drink and drive, because the law is so strict there. But, here the law is not so strict. In India cities live on highways and vends on highways should be shut. But it the issue should be handled in such a way that it will not affect tourism and the hotel industry, as both are major providers of employment, Singh said.
Yatish Yadav By

NEW DELHI: April 10 will mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhis Satyagrah when he landed in Patna to launch the non-violent movement against the British violence on peasants in the nondescript town of Champaran. And it will offer fascinating opportunities for political leaders to cash in on his apolitical legacy and add lustre to their electoral fortunes.

The fiercest optics will be witnessed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. They will try to walk in Gandhis slippers on the day it all beganApril 10. Delhi and Patna will be inextricably linked that day with Champaran pushed on political translites.

According to sources, Modi is unlikely to visit Champaran or Patna where Nitish is holding grand celebrations. The Bihar CM is learnt to have invited the Dalai Lama and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen among other world leaders. The PM, instead, may inaugurate an exhibition in Delhi. However, to make the Centres presence visible, the Ministry of Culture will put up an exhibition at Champaran between April 4 and 9, sources said.

The Nitish Kumar government is planning laser shows in Patna and Champaran as well as seminars, talks and cultural shows on Mahatma Gandhis life to mark the Satygraha centenary.



While the NDA government, which has mastered the art of hi-tech campaign, will have 3D Models, dynamic panels, aqua graphics, interactive exhibits and touch screens with software to showcase Bapus life.

We are still discussing the theme for the programme. It may be called From Satyagraha to Swachhata to give a boost to Prime Ministers Swachh Bharat Mission as well as educate people about Gandhian philosophy, sources in the government said. The officials are, however, tightlipped over the PMs engagement on April 15 when Nitish Kumar is planning Gandhi Smriti Yatra from Motihari. This town is the headquarters of now East Champaran district and Gandhi had arrived here on April 15.

The Bihar Chief Minister, it seems, started early. Days before Prime Minister Modi invoked Champaran Satyagraha in his Man ki Baat on March 26, 2017, Nitish was in Motihari on March 23, sharing the dais with Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of the Mahatma, to launch Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations. The year-long celebration of Bihar government is seen as an attempt to enhance Nitishs marketability when the focus will shifted to 2019 battle. Just around the time, the Modi government would be gearing up for grand celebrations for 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma.

NEW DELHI: April 10 will mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhis Satyagrah when he landed in Patna to launch the non-violent movement against the British violence on peasants in the nondescript town of Champaran. And it will offer fascinating opportunities for political leaders to cash in on his apolitical legacy and add lustre to their electoral fortunes. The fiercest optics will be witnessed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. They will try to walk in Gandhis slippers on the day it all beganApril 10. Delhi and Patna will be inextricably linked that day with Champaran pushed on political translites. According to sources, Modi is unlikely to visit Champaran or Patna where Nitish is holding grand celebrations. The Bihar CM is learnt to have invited the Dalai Lama and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen among other world leaders. The PM, instead, may inaugurate an exhibition in Delhi. However, to make the Centres presence visible, the Ministry of Culture will put up an exhibition at Champaran between April 4 and 9, sources said. The Nitish Kumar government is planning laser shows in Patna and Champaran as well as seminars, talks and cultural shows on Mahatma Gandhis life to mark the Satygraha centenary. While the NDA government, which has mastered the art of hi-tech campaign, will have 3D Models, dynamic panels, aqua graphics, interactive exhibits and touch screens with software to showcase Bapus life. We are still discussing the theme for the programme. It may be called From Satyagraha to Swachhata to give a boost to Prime Ministers Swachh Bharat Mission as well as educate people about Gandhian philosophy, sources in the government said. The officials are, however, tightlipped over the PMs engagement on April 15 when Nitish Kumar is planning Gandhi Smriti Yatra from Motihari. This town is the headquarters of now East Champaran district and Gandhi had arrived here on April 15. The Bihar Chief Minister, it seems, started early. Days before Prime Minister Modi invoked Champaran Satyagraha in his Man ki Baat on March 26, 2017, Nitish was in Motihari on March 23, sharing the dais with Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of the Mahatma, to launch Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations. The year-long celebration of Bihar government is seen as an attempt to enhance Nitishs marketability when the focus will shifted to 2019 battle. Just around the time, the Modi government would be gearing up for grand celebrations for 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma.
Ritu Sharma By

There are only 50,000 Nigerians living in India, but there are over a million Indians living in Nigeria. Thousands of Indians living there will be thrown out on the streets if the forcible eviction of Nigerians in Goa does not stop.

 Jacob Nwadibia, administrative attache of the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi in 2013

The ominous words from a Nigerian diplomat in the aftermath of a diplomatic row over the killing of their national in Goa in 2013 are not a red herring if the recurrence of violent incidents against African nationals in India is not prevented. Diplomats and watchers of India-Africa ties believe incidents such as the attack on four Nigerian students in Greater Noida on March 27 this year can adversely impact the interests of India and Indians in the continent. The four were attacked after a 16-year-old boy died allegedly of drug overdose administered by Nigerians in the area.

India has desisted from qualifying the recent attacks as racially-motivated and termed them criminal acts by uniformed and misguided people. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay invoked the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam to drive home the point that African students are welcome in India.



But more than love for humanity, it is Indias national interests and interests of its diaspora across the African continent at stake. The Indian diaspora worldwide is estimated to be 25 million, and as per the United Nations Development Program, it is second to only China. Out of this overseas community, Africa accounts for about 2.8 million people spread across 46 countries.

The majority of diaspora have taken up citizenship of the country of their residence and have risen to important positions, and are pivotal in furthering India-Africa ties. In Uganda, the Indian Diaspora is less than one per cent of the population, but pays 50 per cent of the countrys income tax.

Mauritius, South Africa and Reunion Island have Indian communities in dominant positions with a strong political presence. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe fall in the category of countries with a sizeable Indian community.

According to 2016 MEA figures, there are 35,000 Indians in Nigeria. Of these, 25,000 are Indian nationals and 10,000 are foreign passport holders. Indians have greater rights in Nigeria as it runs a CBSE-affiliated Indian language school in Lagos with over 2,000 students. It also has two temples in Lagos. In the MEAs words, Indians there enjoy a largely non-controversial existence. It was reciprocity that the Nigerians have been demanding in India.

In 2013, India had realised that discrimination against Nigerians and other African nationals can have reverberations for the Indian community in African countries. Ties between India and Nigeria hit a nadir after the murder of a Nigerian in Goa in 2013. The killing led to demonstrations from Nigerians in the state and it snowballed into a row between Indian politicians and Nigerian envoys in India. Signboards reading Say no to Nigerians, say no to drugs appeared across the coastal state. The incident evoked a strong reaction from Nigeria, which threatened to have a quid pro quo reaction against the Indian community there.



Sudan and Nigeria rank fourth and fifth among the top 10 countries from where students come to study in India. About 42,420 foreign students were studying in India in 2015, of which 1,990 were Nigerians and 2,047 Sudanese. In 2013, nearly 37,000 Nigerians took Indian visas for medical tourism and business.

About the recent attack in Greater Noida, former Indian ambassador to Nigeria, Anil Trigunayat, said: This is likely to happen if there is a repeated occurrence of such incidents. The reaction might not necessarily be organised, but emotional. Some unsocial elements can also exploit the situation by attacking Indians in Nigeria. He added that Nigerians like India, but repeated occurrence of incidents such as in Greater Noida can dent Indias image. Another Indian diplomat said that no retaliation has been reported against Indians in Nigeria, but conceded that a possibility is there.

Following the attack, African students there have been advised against venturing out of their houses. Our parents are very scared. They are asking me to come back to Nigeria and relocate to some other country for studies, said Najib Hamisu Umar, Nigerian Students Coordinator, who is doing his PhD in electrical engineering from Noida International University.



Indians enjoy a good life in Nigeria, which has made them the target of crime syndicates, especially kidnapping and armed robberies. On July 25, 2012, two Indians were killed and one wounded in an attack by an armed group on Indian-owned Gum Arabic factory in Maiduguri, Borno State.



We dont want a situation that can lead to inter-country problems. But we want security for African students. Nigeria is a friendly country. We welcome Indians. They live comfortably. They enjoy lot of benefits. Our government gives them security. It is baffling to see Indians treating us like this, said Sam Bukola, a student of IEC College of Engineering and Technology in Greater Noida.



Former diplomat K P Fabian echoed the sentiments. It (attacks on African students) shows that some elements in our society are violent. India has taken necessary action to avoid retaliation at the state level, but at peoples level there can be some reaction, he said.



India has been providing capacity-building assistance to many African countries, including Nigeria, by giving scholarship to students. The scholarships form an important part of Indian foreign policy in the continent. We cannot compete with China in terms of cash, but we have built up a lot of goodwill through capacity-building assistance. We have increased our influence through soft power. But when Nigerian students come here and have bad experiences, it creates bad blood between the two countries people, Trigunayat added.



Indias trade with Africa has seen a jump in recent times from $25 billion in 2006 to $70 billion. This is far behind China-Africa trade that is valued at $222 billion in 2014. Keeping this in mind, India played to its strength. The 2015 India-Africa Summit in New Delhi saw a representation of over 40 countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced 50,000 scholarships for African students in India for five years. In 2011 the Manmohan Singh government had provided scholarships to over 27,000 Nigerians from 2012-2015.

Nigerian students in India reacted strongly after the Greater Noida incident. It is obvious that India is not a suitable place for foreigners, especially the black race. India is not our home no matter how much you love to stay there. The people are complicated. They dont respect the law. They dont respect foreigners, said Salisu Dahiru Idris, a student of Greater Noidas Lovely Professional University, in a Facebook post.



African students in Greater Noida are under virtual house arrest and are scared to even let journalists in for interviews. They have taken to social media to vent their anger. In its advisory following the attacks, Association of African Students in India had asked the African Union to suspend its bilateral trade ties with India.



A senior African diplomat in Delhi said his nine-year-old son studies in a reputed school in Delhi. He sits alone in class because no Indian child is willing to sit next to him because he looks weird. The class teacher and school authorities were embarrassed when the parents complained, but the behaviour of his peers is shocking.



Indian diplomats in African countries talk about the zero social interaction of Indians with the natives. No Indian man goes on a date with an African woman. Relationships between Indian women and African men is totally unacceptable. Africans notice this and rightfully resent it, an Indian diplomat said.



India cannot afford to take its ties with African countries lightly. In the 60s, Uganda expelled 55,000 of its citizens of Asian origin, including 30,000 of Indian origin, on grounds of sabotaging the countrys economy, and rendered them stateless. If repercussions of the Greater Noida attack are felt in African countries, about 8 per cent of the Indian diaspora could be at the receiving end.

There are only 50,000 Nigerians living in India, but there are over a million Indians living in Nigeria. Thousands of Indians living there will be thrown out on the streets if the forcible eviction of Nigerians in Goa does not stop.  Jacob Nwadibia, administrative attache of the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi in 2013 The ominous words from a Nigerian diplomat in the aftermath of a diplomatic row over the killing of their national in Goa in 2013 are not a red herring if the recurrence of violent incidents against African nationals in India is not prevented. Diplomats and watchers of India-Africa ties believe incidents such as the attack on four Nigerian students in Greater Noida on March 27 this year can adversely impact the interests of India and Indians in the continent. The four were attacked after a 16-year-old boy died allegedly of drug overdose administered by Nigerians in the area. India has desisted from qualifying the recent attacks as racially-motivated and termed them criminal acts by uniformed and misguided people. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay invoked the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam to drive home the point that African students are welcome in India. But more than love for humanity, it is Indias national interests and interests of its diaspora across the African continent at stake. The Indian diaspora worldwide is estimated to be 25 million, and as per the United Nations Development Program, it is second to only China. Out of this overseas community, Africa accounts for about 2.8 million people spread across 46 countries. The majority of diaspora have taken up citizenship of the country of their residence and have risen to important positions, and are pivotal in furthering India-Africa ties. In Uganda, the Indian Diaspora is less than one per cent of the population, but pays 50 per cent of the countrys income tax. Mauritius, South Africa and Reunion Island have Indian communities in dominant positions with a strong political presence. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe fall in the category of countries with a sizeable Indian community. According to 2016 MEA figures, there are 35,000 Indians in Nigeria. Of these, 25,000 are Indian nationals and 10,000 are foreign passport holders. Indians have greater rights in Nigeria as it runs a CBSE-affiliated Indian language school in Lagos with over 2,000 students. It also has two temples in Lagos. In the MEAs words, Indians there enjoy a largely non-controversial existence. It was reciprocity that the Nigerians have been demanding in India. In 2013, India had realised that discrimination against Nigerians and other African nationals can have reverberations for the Indian community in African countries. Ties between India and Nigeria hit a nadir after the murder of a Nigerian in Goa in 2013. The killing led to demonstrations from Nigerians in the state and it snowballed into a row between Indian politicians and Nigerian envoys in India. Signboards reading Say no to Nigerians, say no to drugs appeared across the coastal state. The incident evoked a strong reaction from Nigeria, which threatened to have a quid pro quo reaction against the Indian community there. Sudan and Nigeria rank fourth and fifth among the top 10 countries from where students come to study in India. About 42,420 foreign students were studying in India in 2015, of which 1,990 were Nigerians and 2,047 Sudanese. In 2013, nearly 37,000 Nigerians took Indian visas for medical tourism and business. About the recent attack in Greater Noida, former Indian ambassador to Nigeria, Anil Trigunayat, said: This is likely to happen if there is a repeated occurrence of such incidents. The reaction might not necessarily be organised, but emotional. Some unsocial elements can also exploit the situation by attacking Indians in Nigeria. He added that Nigerians like India, but repeated occurrence of incidents such as in Greater Noida can dent Indias image. Another Indian diplomat said that no retaliation has been reported against Indians in Nigeria, but conceded that a possibility is there. Following the attack, African students there have been advised against venturing out of their houses. Our parents are very scared. They are asking me to come back to Nigeria and relocate to some other country for studies, said Najib Hamisu Umar, Nigerian Students Coordinator, who is doing his PhD in electrical engineering from Noida International University. Indians enjoy a good life in Nigeria, which has made them the target of crime syndicates, especially kidnapping and armed robberies. On July 25, 2012, two Indians were killed and one wounded in an attack by an armed group on Indian-owned Gum Arabic factory in Maiduguri, Borno State. We dont want a situation that can lead to inter-country problems. But we want security for African students. Nigeria is a friendly country. We welcome Indians. They live comfortably. They enjoy lot of benefits. Our government gives them security. It is baffling to see Indians treating us like this, said Sam Bukola, a student of IEC College of Engineering and Technology in Greater Noida. Former diplomat K P Fabian echoed the sentiments. It (attacks on African students) shows that some elements in our society are violent. India has taken necessary action to avoid retaliation at the state level, but at peoples level there can be some reaction, he said. India has been providing capacity-building assistance to many African countries, including Nigeria, by giving scholarship to students. The scholarships form an important part of Indian foreign policy in the continent. We cannot compete with China in terms of cash, but we have built up a lot of goodwill through capacity-building assistance. We have increased our influence through soft power. But when Nigerian students come here and have bad experiences, it creates bad blood between the two countries people, Trigunayat added. Indias trade with Africa has seen a jump in recent times from $25 billion in 2006 to $70 billion. This is far behind China-Africa trade that is valued at $222 billion in 2014. Keeping this in mind, India played to its strength. The 2015 India-Africa Summit in New Delhi saw a representation of over 40 countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced 50,000 scholarships for African students in India for five years. In 2011 the Manmohan Singh government had provided scholarships to over 27,000 Nigerians from 2012-2015. Nigerian students in India reacted strongly after the Greater Noida incident. It is obvious that India is not a suitable place for foreigners, especially the black race. India is not our home no matter how much you love to stay there. The people are complicated. They dont respect the law. They dont respect foreigners, said Salisu Dahiru Idris, a student of Greater Noidas Lovely Professional University, in a Facebook post. African students in Greater Noida are under virtual house arrest and are scared to even let journalists in for interviews. They have taken to social media to vent their anger. In its advisory following the attacks, Association of African Students in India had asked the African Union to suspend its bilateral trade ties with India. A senior African diplomat in Delhi said his nine-year-old son studies in a reputed school in Delhi. He sits alone in class because no Indian child is willing to sit next to him because he looks weird. The class teacher and school authorities were embarrassed when the parents complained, but the behaviour of his peers is shocking. Indian diplomats in African countries talk about the zero social interaction of Indians with the natives. No Indian man goes on a date with an African woman. Relationships between Indian women and African men is totally unacceptable. Africans notice this and rightfully resent it, an Indian diplomat said. India cannot afford to take its ties with African countries lightly. In the 60s, Uganda expelled 55,000 of its citizens of Asian origin, including 30,000 of Indian origin, on grounds of sabotaging the countrys economy, and rendered them stateless. If repercussions of the Greater Noida attack are felt in African countries, about 8 per cent of the Indian diaspora could be at the receiving end.
Namita Bajpai and Siddhanta Mishra By

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: At a time of meaty tumult, the slaughterhouses and meat shops in Uttar Pradesh are staying closed due to uncertainty over clear directives from the authorities on licences. Although traders associations in UP called off stir earlier this week after meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expiry of licences of some legal abattoirs on March 31 has stopped them from opening the shops.

Of around 140 illegal slaughterhouses in the state, over 100 have already been shut. Axe has also fallen on the mechanised abattoirsall export unitson pretexts galore. No prior notice was issued to the owners, neither were they given time to complete their documents. Around nine of such plants of total 45 in the state have faced crackdown so far. The traders associations, including All India Meat and Live Exporters Association (AIMLEA) and All India Jamiat-ul-Quresh (AIJUQ), called their meeting with the CM reassuring and satisfactory. But they expressed their inability to come back to work till their licences are renewed.

Licence of some meat traders had expired in 2013 and the municipal authorities did not renew them while many others had their licences expired on March 31, AIJUQs state vice-president Haji Shaqeel Qureshi said. CM Yogi Adityanath, during the meeting, reassured the meat traders that the government would not let any injustice or discrimination meted out to them and his government just want to regularise the meat trade in the state in conformance of the Supreme Court ruling and National Green Tribunal rules so that these concerns dont pose any risk to residents.

Those running with proper documents and licence wont be touched. Even more, mutton, chicken and egg sellers dont have to worry, said health minister Siddharth Nath Singh who was attended the meeting. UP, now meat-free state, is the biggest producer of meat in the country. In fact, the state contributes 60 per cent to countrys total meat production. Meat trade is `22,000 crore strong industry in UP and when combined with leather it stands to be `50,000 crore industry in UP.

Prevailing commotion in the past one month, orders are being cancelled and exporters have already suffered a loss of `4,000 crore in the past one month. According to sources, while buffalo meat production has fallen by 40 per cent, mutton production, too, has seen a 30 per cent decline. A huge workforce of over 5 lakh is engaged in UP meat industry. Small meat traders like Iqbal Qureshi are the worst hit. Qureshi, the meat trader from Chandni Chowk, who also runs a roadside Dhaba confirmed that supply is very meager and soon they need to shut the shop.

This is like disaster for us. My restaurant does not have a big freezer store place where we can stock the goat and buffalo meat. At present, supply is meager and so is the demand, but within a month the entire meat market will be running dry, traders in UP have gone on strike and slaughter houses shut down, there is no option for us but to pull our shutter down.

With Navratras going on, the demand for meat is low but meat market experts say the moment that ends demands and prices will skyrocket. Ghazipur, capitals biggest meat and fish wholesale market has witnessed a 15 per cent rise in prices of mutton and buffalo meat.



Kanishk Tuteja owner of Nukkad Cafe believes that the meat will affect the business and the quality of food soon. If the distributors and the whole sellers do not have enough supplies then it will obviously affect our business. At present, we have started storing meat in cold storage, but that might damage the quality of food as it will not be fresh Tuteja said.

Three days after his swearing in ceremony, CM Adityanath issued orders for inspection of slaughterhouses. All the DMs, municipal authorities and police administration across the state were asked compile the details of illegal slaughterhouses. On their part, UP meat traders are taking the plea of laxity on the part of nodal authorities, like Municipal officers, who did not renew the licences which had expired long back. They argue that despite their applications for renewal or issuance of new licences, the authorities failed to move and let the slaughterhouses and meat shops continue without proper documents allegedly in lieu of money. The crackdown though does seem to have stunted the growth of greasy palms.

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: At a time of meaty tumult, the slaughterhouses and meat shops in Uttar Pradesh are staying closed due to uncertainty over clear directives from the authorities on licences. Although traders associations in UP called off stir earlier this week after meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expiry of licences of some legal abattoirs on March 31 has stopped them from opening the shops. Of around 140 illegal slaughterhouses in the state, over 100 have already been shut. Axe has also fallen on the mechanised abattoirsall export unitson pretexts galore. No prior notice was issued to the owners, neither were they given time to complete their documents. Around nine of such plants of total 45 in the state have faced crackdown so far. The traders associations, including All India Meat and Live Exporters Association (AIMLEA) and All India Jamiat-ul-Quresh (AIJUQ), called their meeting with the CM reassuring and satisfactory. But they expressed their inability to come back to work till their licences are renewed. Licence of some meat traders had expired in 2013 and the municipal authorities did not renew them while many others had their licences expired on March 31, AIJUQs state vice-president Haji Shaqeel Qureshi said. CM Yogi Adityanath, during the meeting, reassured the meat traders that the government would not let any injustice or discrimination meted out to them and his government just want to regularise the meat trade in the state in conformance of the Supreme Court ruling and National Green Tribunal rules so that these concerns dont pose any risk to residents. Those running with proper documents and licence wont be touched. Even more, mutton, chicken and egg sellers dont have to worry, said health minister Siddharth Nath Singh who was attended the meeting. UP, now meat-free state, is the biggest producer of meat in the country. In fact, the state contributes 60 per cent to countrys total meat production. Meat trade is `22,000 crore strong industry in UP and when combined with leather it stands to be `50,000 crore industry in UP. Prevailing commotion in the past one month, orders are being cancelled and exporters have already suffered a loss of `4,000 crore in the past one month. According to sources, while buffalo meat production has fallen by 40 per cent, mutton production, too, has seen a 30 per cent decline. A huge workforce of over 5 lakh is engaged in UP meat industry. Small meat traders like Iqbal Qureshi are the worst hit. Qureshi, the meat trader from Chandni Chowk, who also runs a roadside Dhaba confirmed that supply is very meager and soon they need to shut the shop. This is like disaster for us. My restaurant does not have a big freezer store place where we can stock the goat and buffalo meat. At present, supply is meager and so is the demand, but within a month the entire meat market will be running dry, traders in UP have gone on strike and slaughter houses shut down, there is no option for us but to pull our shutter down. With Navratras going on, the demand for meat is low but meat market experts say the moment that ends demands and prices will skyrocket. Ghazipur, capitals biggest meat and fish wholesale market has witnessed a 15 per cent rise in prices of mutton and buffalo meat. Kanishk Tuteja owner of Nukkad Cafe believes that the meat will affect the business and the quality of food soon. If the distributors and the whole sellers do not have enough supplies then it will obviously affect our business. At present, we have started storing meat in cold storage, but that might damage the quality of food as it will not be fresh Tuteja said. Three days after his swearing in ceremony, CM Adityanath issued orders for inspection of slaughterhouses. All the DMs, municipal authorities and police administration across the state were asked compile the details of illegal slaughterhouses. On their part, UP meat traders are taking the plea of laxity on the part of nodal authorities, like Municipal officers, who did not renew the licences which had expired long back. They argue that despite their applications for renewal or issuance of new licences, the authorities failed to move and let the slaughterhouses and meat shops continue without proper documents allegedly in lieu of money. The crackdown though does seem to have stunted the growth of greasy palms.
Ritu Sharma By

NEW DELHI: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi brings out the India-Israel relations out of the closet by paying a standalone visit to the country, Tel Aviv hopes more visibility would translate to diversification

of ties.

The political openness displayed by the Indian government in accepting its relationship with it has not gone unnoticed in Israel. It has welcomed the increased visibility to the ties and is looking forward to diversify the relationship.

India and Israel during our low key ties have developed relations in the field of development and defence. The ties are becoming more and more visible in the last few years. At the political level, the Indian narrative says we can have good relations with anyone. We are committed to Arab cause, we are committed to have a good relation with Israel, Israels Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon told The Sunday Standard in an interview.



The Ambassador said that working on defence gave the two countries the luxury of keeping them low key and Israel would strengthen its collaboration with India in other sectors such as Agriculture and especially water. It is looking towards increasing the people-to-people contact and hopes that the change in the Indian outlook would be sustainable and irreversible.

Tel Aviv is bringing its technological prowess to align with PM Modis initiative Make In India as it intends to help India in increasing productivity and make it an industrial country. There has been a perceived change in the way Narendra Modi-led government has been carrying out its foreign policy in the Middle East. The PM will be skipping Palestine during his visit to Israel. This would be a major departure from the long standing Indian foreign policy.



India has changed itself dramatically from a regional player to a player that looks around for more partners and coalitions. The Non-Aligned Movement also is still changing its nature. Of the other geopolitical effects that the world has witnessed, the zero-sum game attitude has changed, Ambassador Carmon added.

While India was one of the first countries to recognise Israel in 1950, it was also the first non-Arab state to recognise Palestine in 1988.



The PM signaled that it will be pursuing its ties with one of its biggest defence partners with vigour as he met Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the margins of the UN, instead of meeting Palestinian President. The meeting was followed up with another meeting with the then Israeli President Shimon Peres in Singapore.

NEW DELHI: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi brings out the India-Israel relations out of the closet by paying a standalone visit to the country, Tel Aviv hopes more visibility would translate to diversification of ties. The political openness displayed by the Indian government in accepting its relationship with it has not gone unnoticed in Israel. It has welcomed the increased visibility to the ties and is looking forward to diversify the relationship. India and Israel during our low key ties have developed relations in the field of development and defence. The ties are becoming more and more visible in the last few years. At the political level, the Indian narrative says we can have good relations with anyone. We are committed to Arab cause, we are committed to have a good relation with Israel, Israels Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon told The Sunday Standard in an interview. The Ambassador said that working on defence gave the two countries the luxury of keeping them low key and Israel would strengthen its collaboration with India in other sectors such as Agriculture and especially water. It is looking towards increasing the people-to-people contact and hopes that the change in the Indian outlook would be sustainable and irreversible. Tel Aviv is bringing its technological prowess to align with PM Modis initiative Make In India as it intends to help India in increasing productivity and make it an industrial country. There has been a perceived change in the way Narendra Modi-led government has been carrying out its foreign policy in the Middle East. The PM will be skipping Palestine during his visit to Israel. This would be a major departure from the long standing Indian foreign policy. India has changed itself dramatically from a regional player to a player that looks around for more partners and coalitions. The Non-Aligned Movement also is still changing its nature. Of the other geopolitical effects that the world has witnessed, the zero-sum game attitude has changed, Ambassador Carmon added. While India was one of the first countries to recognise Israel in 1950, it was also the first non-Arab state to recognise Palestine in 1988. The PM signaled that it will be pursuing its ties with one of its biggest defence partners with vigour as he met Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the margins of the UN, instead of meeting Palestinian President. The meeting was followed up with another meeting with the then Israeli President Shimon Peres in Singapore.
Rakesh K Singh By

NEW DELHI: The use of Chinese mobile phones without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number in Indias neighbourhood is becoming a major concern in the security establishment in Delhi, which is now planning to take up the issue with respective governments.



Sources in the security establishment said, phones without IMEI are used in Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles and Bangladesh. In Nepal, around 70 per cent of handsets sold are without IMEI. Similar handsets are also used in Pakistan, which often come handy for terror groups for insidious activities without being traced.



Complicating the issue further, in many smaller countries, telecom service providers issue SIM cards without any ID, which makes tracking impossible. IMEI numbers of cellular phones are stored in the Equipment Identity Register of the service provider and the location of the handset can be tracked by using it.



The demand of phones without IMEI is high as they come relatively cheaper. Chinese handsets are often fitted with spywares and malwares, which keep transmitting data to the home country once the devices are connected to the network. Another issue of concern, officials said, is the spill over of Chinese telecom network signals in North Nepal, where communication between users cannot be tracked. Likewise, SIM cards of Indian service providers are functional in South Nepal. India will take up the issue with the respective governments. Delhi may offer financial and technological help for capacity building for tracking mobile phones, a MHA official said.



The use of Chinese phones in Nepal is of particular concern as a number of Pakistan-backed terror and fake currency syndicates operate from there. Pakistan-based terror group Jamat-ed-Dawah has developed a network of sympathisers among the Rohingyas, seeking to carry out subversive activities in India and Bangladesh, Intelligence officials said.

NEW DELHI: The use of Chinese mobile phones without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number in Indias neighbourhood is becoming a major concern in the security establishment in Delhi, which is now planning to take up the issue with respective governments. Sources in the security establishment said, phones without IMEI are used in Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles and Bangladesh. In Nepal, around 70 per cent of handsets sold are without IMEI. Similar handsets are also used in Pakistan, which often come handy for terror groups for insidious activities without being traced. Complicating the issue further, in many smaller countries, telecom service providers issue SIM cards without any ID, which makes tracking impossible. IMEI numbers of cellular phones are stored in the Equipment Identity Register of the service provider and the location of the handset can be tracked by using it. The demand of phones without IMEI is high as they come relatively cheaper. Chinese handsets are often fitted with spywares and malwares, which keep transmitting data to the home country once the devices are connected to the network. Another issue of concern, officials said, is the spill over of Chinese telecom network signals in North Nepal, where communication between users cannot be tracked. Likewise, SIM cards of Indian service providers are functional in South Nepal. India will take up the issue with the respective governments. Delhi may offer financial and technological help for capacity building for tracking mobile phones, a MHA official said. The use of Chinese phones in Nepal is of particular concern as a number of Pakistan-backed terror and fake currency syndicates operate from there. Pakistan-based terror group Jamat-ed-Dawah has developed a network of sympathisers among the Rohingyas, seeking to carry out subversive activities in India and Bangladesh, Intelligence officials said.
By AFP

MOCOA: The death toll from a devastating landslide in the Colombian town of Mocoa stood at around 200 on Sunday as rescuers clawed through piles of muck and debris in search of survivors.

The Colombian Red Cross, which provided the revised consolidated toll, said it was unclear how many people were still missing.

An earlier Red Cross tally said 234 had been killed and more than 100 were unaccounted for. A spokesman for the organization said the miscount was due to confusion about the identities of the victims.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was "profoundly saddened" by the disaster, which struck the town of 40,000 with little warning late Friday after days of torrential rains that caused flooding of three area rivers.

"I pray for the victims and want to assure those who weep for the missing of my closeness to them," the pope said in a statement.

At least 203 people were injured, some 300 families were affected and 25 homes destroyed, the Red Cross said.

The Pacific rim of South America has been hard hit in recent months by floods and mudslides, with scores killed in Peru and Ecuador as well.

In Mocoa, the capital of the department of Putumayo in Colombia's Amazon basin, the avalanche of mud and water swept away homes, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber buried in thick mud.

President Juan Manuel Santos was scheduled to return to Mocoa on Sunday along with cabinet ministers to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

The president met with rescuers and survivors in Mocoa on Saturday, and declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations.

"Dear God, I don't want to even remember that," said street vendor Marta Ceballos, who survived the mudslide.

"To see how some people screamed, and others cried, ran, tried to flee in cars, on motorcycles, and how they were trapped in the mud. It's all too, too difficult," she told AFP.

Ceballos said that she lost all of her material possessions. "The only things I, fortunately, did not lose were my husband, my daughters and my nephews," she said.

Putumayo Governor Sorrel Aroca called the event "an unprecedented tragedy" for the area.

There are "hundreds of families we have not yet found and whole neighbourhoods have disappeared," he told W Radio.

Carlos Ivan Marquez, director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, told AFP the mudslides were caused by the rise of the Mocoa River and tributaries.

Some 130 millimetres (5 inches) of rain fell Friday night, Santos said. "That means 30 percent of monthly rainfall fell last night, which precipitated a sudden rise of several rivers," he said.

"Our prayers are with the victims and those affected," he added.

One thousand emergency personnel, including soldiers and local police, were deployed to help the rescue effort. Mocoa was left without power or running water, and there were reports of people looting stores searching for bottled water.

"There are lots of people in the streets, lots of people displaced and many houses have collapsed," retired Mocoa resident Hernando Rodriguez, 69, said by telephone.

"People do not know what to do... there were no preparations" for such a disaster, he said.

Several deadly landslides have struck Colombia in recent months.

A landslide in November killed nine people in the rural southwestern town of El Tambo, officials said at the time.

A landslide the month before killed 10 people in the north of the country.

Climate change can play a big role in the scale of natural disasters, such as this one, a senior UN official said.

"Climate change is generating dynamics and we see the tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency and magnitude of these natural effects, as we have just seen in Mocoa," said Martin Santiago, UN chief for Colombia.

MOCOA: The death toll from a devastating landslide in the Colombian town of Mocoa stood at around 200 on Sunday as rescuers clawed through piles of muck and debris in search of survivors. The Colombian Red Cross, which provided the revised consolidated toll, said it was unclear how many people were still missing. An earlier Red Cross tally said 234 had been killed and more than 100 were unaccounted for. A spokesman for the organization said the miscount was due to confusion about the identities of the victims. At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was "profoundly saddened" by the disaster, which struck the town of 40,000 with little warning late Friday after days of torrential rains that caused flooding of three area rivers. "I pray for the victims and want to assure those who weep for the missing of my closeness to them," the pope said in a statement. At least 203 people were injured, some 300 families were affected and 25 homes destroyed, the Red Cross said. The Pacific rim of South America has been hard hit in recent months by floods and mudslides, with scores killed in Peru and Ecuador as well. In Mocoa, the capital of the department of Putumayo in Colombia's Amazon basin, the avalanche of mud and water swept away homes, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber buried in thick mud. President Juan Manuel Santos was scheduled to return to Mocoa on Sunday along with cabinet ministers to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region. The president met with rescuers and survivors in Mocoa on Saturday, and declared a public health and safety emergency to speed up rescue and aid operations. "Dear God, I don't want to even remember that," said street vendor Marta Ceballos, who survived the mudslide. "To see how some people screamed, and others cried, ran, tried to flee in cars, on motorcycles, and how they were trapped in the mud. It's all too, too difficult," she told AFP. Ceballos said that she lost all of her material possessions. "The only things I, fortunately, did not lose were my husband, my daughters and my nephews," she said. Putumayo Governor Sorrel Aroca called the event "an unprecedented tragedy" for the area. There are "hundreds of families we have not yet found and whole neighbourhoods have disappeared," he told W Radio. Carlos Ivan Marquez, director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, told AFP the mudslides were caused by the rise of the Mocoa River and tributaries. Some 130 millimetres (5 inches) of rain fell Friday night, Santos said. "That means 30 percent of monthly rainfall fell last night, which precipitated a sudden rise of several rivers," he said. "Our prayers are with the victims and those affected," he added. One thousand emergency personnel, including soldiers and local police, were deployed to help the rescue effort. Mocoa was left without power or running water, and there were reports of people looting stores searching for bottled water. "There are lots of people in the streets, lots of people displaced and many houses have collapsed," retired Mocoa resident Hernando Rodriguez, 69, said by telephone. "People do not know what to do... there were no preparations" for such a disaster, he said. Several deadly landslides have struck Colombia in recent months. A landslide in November killed nine people in the rural southwestern town of El Tambo, officials said at the time. A landslide the month before killed 10 people in the north of the country. Climate change can play a big role in the scale of natural disasters, such as this one, a senior UN official said. "Climate change is generating dynamics and we see the tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency and magnitude of these natural effects, as we have just seen in Mocoa," said Martin Santiago, UN chief for Colombia.
By AFP

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings.

May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes."

Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain.

On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover Gibraltar.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office.

"The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added.

"We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process."

British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away".

"Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar."

"The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today."

The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Spain said Sunday it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.

"There is no intention to close the border. The idea is that Spaniards who live in the Campo de Gibraltar and who work in Gibraltar continue to do so," Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in an interview published in daily newspaper El Pais.

Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it "unnecessary" and "discriminatory."

"This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests," Picardo said in a statement.

Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings. May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes." Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain. On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover Gibraltar. This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula. May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office. "The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added. "We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process." British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away". "Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar." "The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today." The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe. Spain said Sunday it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow. Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier. "There is no intention to close the border. The idea is that Spaniards who live in the Campo de Gibraltar and who work in Gibraltar continue to do so," Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in an interview published in daily newspaper El Pais. Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it "unnecessary" and "discriminatory." "This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests," Picardo said in a statement. Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.
Gurgen Asatryan, a candidate for parliament on the HAK-HHzK ticket, alleges that soldiers waiting to vote at the 37/14 polling station in the Tavoush community of Koghb are being instructed to cast their ballots for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

Asatryan says that Khachatur Gulanyan, commander at the local army base, is instructing the soldiers to do so.

Asatryan has visited the polling station has so far twice to investigate the alleged violation.

After his first visit, Gulanyan left the polling station, only to return later.

Gagik Abovyan, president of the local election committee, told Hetq that he knew of the crowds of soldiers at the polling station, but hadnt received any complaints that soldiers were being instructed to vote for the RPA.
By AFP

THE HAGUE: The start of Dutch-hosted ceasefire talks to end a four-decade insurgency waged by communist rebels in the Philippines has been delayed to Monday, mediators said.

"The formal opening is now pushed to tomorrow," Helene Revhaug, spokeswoman for the Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF), mediating the planned discussions, told AFP on Sunday.

"They are still working on the agenda setting for the (latest) round" of discussions, Revhaug added.

The talks are the fourth round to date between Manila and the National Democratic Front. Discussions have been on-off for 30 years but were restarted by President Rodrigo Duterte after he took office last June.

The insurgency began in 1968 in the poverty-stricken country and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives according to the military.

The government says it wants a permanent ceasefire, although a week of negotiations on the outskirts of Rome in January ended without such a deal.

"The (front) believes it is possible at the soonest time to have a bilateral ceasefire agreement," chief rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement issued late Friday from his exile in The Netherlands.

But the same day, chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello forecast "very difficult and exacting" talks with no guarantees for a breakthrough.

The National Democratic Front comprises several groups, the most prominent of which is the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose guerrilla unit is the 4,000-strong New People's Army (NPA).

THE HAGUE: The start of Dutch-hosted ceasefire talks to end a four-decade insurgency waged by communist rebels in the Philippines has been delayed to Monday, mediators said. "The formal opening is now pushed to tomorrow," Helene Revhaug, spokeswoman for the Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF), mediating the planned discussions, told AFP on Sunday. "They are still working on the agenda setting for the (latest) round" of discussions, Revhaug added. The talks are the fourth round to date between Manila and the National Democratic Front. Discussions have been on-off for 30 years but were restarted by President Rodrigo Duterte after he took office last June. The insurgency began in 1968 in the poverty-stricken country and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives according to the military. The government says it wants a permanent ceasefire, although a week of negotiations on the outskirts of Rome in January ended without such a deal. "The (front) believes it is possible at the soonest time to have a bilateral ceasefire agreement," chief rebel negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said in a statement issued late Friday from his exile in The Netherlands. But the same day, chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello forecast "very difficult and exacting" talks with no guarantees for a breakthrough. The National Democratic Front comprises several groups, the most prominent of which is the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose guerrilla unit is the 4,000-strong New People's Army (NPA).
By AFP

MOSCOW: Police said they detained 29 opposition protesters in Moscow on Sunday, a week after hundreds were arrested during a rally organised by leading Putin critic Alexei Navalny.

"Twenty-nine people were detained by police for breaches of public order," the city police's press service said.

Opposition supporters had begun to walk peacefully along the city's main Tverskaya Street from a central metro station at around 1030 GMT in an event coordinated via social media.

Police in helmets and body armour swiftly moved to halt a protest which drew around 100 people.

An AFP photographer at the scene said people were detained as they simply walked along the street, without shouting slogans. One man holding a poster was detained first.

The latest detentions came after Navalny organised protests in cities across Russia on March 26, most of them unauthorised.

The largest rally in Moscow saw about 500 people detained according to police, while OVD-Info, a website that monitors detentions of activists, put the total at almost 1,000.

Navalny called the protest over his anti-corruption investigation into Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev linking the latter to huge mansions and vineyards in a video report garnering more than 16 million views on YouTube.

Among those protesting on Sunday was a 16-year-old boy called Pavel Dyatlov who became a symbol of youth protest in last week's rally after being photographed climbing up a lamppost and being detained by police.

Dyatlov told AFP he had come back to protest on Sunday after reading about it on social media, saying the protest was "calling for the current government to stand down, or for early presidential elections."

"We were heading towards Red Square and the police started to push us back," he said before police detained him again.

Witnesses said police targeted people photographed at the previous rally.

"Right from the start I saw that they were detaining children and 'faces from the the media' -- you could see they were acting in a targeted way," said 70-year-old Natalya Ponomarenko from the Moscow region, who also attended last week's rally.

"I came here a second time to see what the result of March 26 would be," she said, stressing that the participants were peaceful and "the plan was to go for a walk."

OVD-Info reported at least 32 people were detained Sunday, including at least four minors.

Posts on Facebook linked the latest protest to little-known nationalist group Novaya Oppozitsiya, or New Opposition, which called for people to turn out in support of those detained last week.

Navalny, who is currently serving a 15-day sentence behind bars for disobeying police at last Sunday's demonstration, distanced himself from Sunday's event.

"He knows absolutely nothing about this," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on Twitter.

The authorities earlier Sunday laid on a massive police presence in anticipation of an unauthorised protest on Red Square.

Journalists saw only a handful of activists there, however, some of whom voiced support for President Vladimir Putin. OVD-Info reported 11 arrests.

In the large Siberian city of Novosibirsk, around 400 people turned out for an authorised anti-corruption rally, Interfax news agency reported.

MOSCOW: Police said they detained 29 opposition protesters in Moscow on Sunday, a week after hundreds were arrested during a rally organised by leading Putin critic Alexei Navalny. "Twenty-nine people were detained by police for breaches of public order," the city police's press service said. Opposition supporters had begun to walk peacefully along the city's main Tverskaya Street from a central metro station at around 1030 GMT in an event coordinated via social media. Police in helmets and body armour swiftly moved to halt a protest which drew around 100 people. An AFP photographer at the scene said people were detained as they simply walked along the street, without shouting slogans. One man holding a poster was detained first. The latest detentions came after Navalny organised protests in cities across Russia on March 26, most of them unauthorised. The largest rally in Moscow saw about 500 people detained according to police, while OVD-Info, a website that monitors detentions of activists, put the total at almost 1,000. Navalny called the protest over his anti-corruption investigation into Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev linking the latter to huge mansions and vineyards in a video report garnering more than 16 million views on YouTube. Among those protesting on Sunday was a 16-year-old boy called Pavel Dyatlov who became a symbol of youth protest in last week's rally after being photographed climbing up a lamppost and being detained by police. Dyatlov told AFP he had come back to protest on Sunday after reading about it on social media, saying the protest was "calling for the current government to stand down, or for early presidential elections." "We were heading towards Red Square and the police started to push us back," he said before police detained him again. Witnesses said police targeted people photographed at the previous rally. "Right from the start I saw that they were detaining children and 'faces from the the media' -- you could see they were acting in a targeted way," said 70-year-old Natalya Ponomarenko from the Moscow region, who also attended last week's rally. "I came here a second time to see what the result of March 26 would be," she said, stressing that the participants were peaceful and "the plan was to go for a walk." OVD-Info reported at least 32 people were detained Sunday, including at least four minors. Posts on Facebook linked the latest protest to little-known nationalist group Novaya Oppozitsiya, or New Opposition, which called for people to turn out in support of those detained last week. Navalny, who is currently serving a 15-day sentence behind bars for disobeying police at last Sunday's demonstration, distanced himself from Sunday's event. "He knows absolutely nothing about this," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on Twitter. The authorities earlier Sunday laid on a massive police presence in anticipation of an unauthorised protest on Red Square. Journalists saw only a handful of activists there, however, some of whom voiced support for President Vladimir Putin. OVD-Info reported 11 arrests. In the large Siberian city of Novosibirsk, around 400 people turned out for an authorised anti-corruption rally, Interfax news agency reported.
By AFP

PARIS: Russia looms large over France's presidential election, with candidates on the hard left, right and far right all promising to improve ties with the Kremlin, accused by some of meddling in the vote.

As US authorities press their investigation into alleged Russian interference in favour of Donald Trump in America's election, officials on both sides of the Atlantic are warning of possible attempts by Russia to also sway the French vote.

This week, the chairman of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence outright accused Russia of an "overt effort" to disrupt France's April 27-May 7 vote.

"I think it's safe by everybody's judgement that the Russians are actively involved in the French elections," Senator Richard Burr told reporters.

European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans also rounded on Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin -- who hosted French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for a visit on March 24 -- of trying to weaken an already ailing EU.

"There is a reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe," Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain.

"Because he knows the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us....And a divided Europe means that Putin is the boss."

Moscow has denied any meddling in France's affairs but Putin's meeting with Le Pen -- who is forecast to go head-to-head with pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron in the election run-off -- has put Russia back in the campaign spotlight.

"There is undeniably a growing Russia syndrome in both our foreign and domestic policy," former French diplomat Pierre Vimon, a researcher at the Carnegie Europe foundation, said.

Three of the five leading candidates -- Le Pen, conservative nominee Francois Fillon and Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon -- want to bring Russia back in from the cold by, among other things, lifting sanctions imposed over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The three have also expressed varying degrees of support for Russia intervention against anti-regime rebels in Syria's civil war.

Macron and Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon take a more sceptical view of Putin.

The two back continued sanctions on Russia and have insisted that Russian-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must go.

In February, a Macron aide accused Russian state media of a "smear campaign" against the 39-year-old defender of open borders and immigration, whom polls show ultimately beating Le Pen.

Macron's team also pointed a finger at Russia over a flurry of cyberattacks on his campaign website.

Le Pen, whose party in 2014 received a loan from a Russian bank, dismissed the claims, declaring there was "not the slightest proof."

Russia had initially seemed keener on self-described Putin "friend" Fillon, who is alleged to have been paid to arrange a meeting between the Russian leader and a Lebanese billionaire in 2015.

In November, Putin hailed the Republicans nominee as "very principled" and a "great professional".

But since January, when Fillon, 63, became embroiled in a damaging scandal over payments to his wife, the Russian leader appears to have shifted support to 48-year-old Le Pen.

The sight of a smiling Le Pen clasping hands with the Russian rankled France's Socialist government.

"It's not up to Russia to decide who will be the next president of France," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault declared on Friday.

Fillon counselled against giving into "fantasies", while warning Le Pen that Russia was "dangerous".

The candidates' pronouncements are being closely parsed for clues as to how they would tackle the Russian strongman.

Fillon believes the West "provoked" Russia by expanding NATO's presence into eastern Europe and has called for an alliance with Putin and Assad's regime against the Islamic State, which has claimed several attacks in France.

Le Pen, who has predicted that the EU "will die" if she wins, has hailed Putin's nationalist world view.

"A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin's world, Donald Trump's world in the United States, Mr (Narendra) Modi's world in India," she said.

Melenchon, by contrast, sees Russia chiefly as a bulwark against US "imperialism".

PARIS: Russia looms large over France's presidential election, with candidates on the hard left, right and far right all promising to improve ties with the Kremlin, accused by some of meddling in the vote. As US authorities press their investigation into alleged Russian interference in favour of Donald Trump in America's election, officials on both sides of the Atlantic are warning of possible attempts by Russia to also sway the French vote. This week, the chairman of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence outright accused Russia of an "overt effort" to disrupt France's April 27-May 7 vote. "I think it's safe by everybody's judgement that the Russians are actively involved in the French elections," Senator Richard Burr told reporters. European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans also rounded on Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin -- who hosted French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for a visit on March 24 -- of trying to weaken an already ailing EU. "There is a reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe," Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain. "Because he knows the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us....And a divided Europe means that Putin is the boss." Moscow has denied any meddling in France's affairs but Putin's meeting with Le Pen -- who is forecast to go head-to-head with pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron in the election run-off -- has put Russia back in the campaign spotlight. "There is undeniably a growing Russia syndrome in both our foreign and domestic policy," former French diplomat Pierre Vimon, a researcher at the Carnegie Europe foundation, said. Three of the five leading candidates -- Le Pen, conservative nominee Francois Fillon and Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon -- want to bring Russia back in from the cold by, among other things, lifting sanctions imposed over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The three have also expressed varying degrees of support for Russia intervention against anti-regime rebels in Syria's civil war. Macron and Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon take a more sceptical view of Putin. The two back continued sanctions on Russia and have insisted that Russian-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must go. In February, a Macron aide accused Russian state media of a "smear campaign" against the 39-year-old defender of open borders and immigration, whom polls show ultimately beating Le Pen. Macron's team also pointed a finger at Russia over a flurry of cyberattacks on his campaign website. Le Pen, whose party in 2014 received a loan from a Russian bank, dismissed the claims, declaring there was "not the slightest proof." Russia had initially seemed keener on self-described Putin "friend" Fillon, who is alleged to have been paid to arrange a meeting between the Russian leader and a Lebanese billionaire in 2015. In November, Putin hailed the Republicans nominee as "very principled" and a "great professional". But since January, when Fillon, 63, became embroiled in a damaging scandal over payments to his wife, the Russian leader appears to have shifted support to 48-year-old Le Pen. The sight of a smiling Le Pen clasping hands with the Russian rankled France's Socialist government. "It's not up to Russia to decide who will be the next president of France," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault declared on Friday. Fillon counselled against giving into "fantasies", while warning Le Pen that Russia was "dangerous". The candidates' pronouncements are being closely parsed for clues as to how they would tackle the Russian strongman. Fillon believes the West "provoked" Russia by expanding NATO's presence into eastern Europe and has called for an alliance with Putin and Assad's regime against the Islamic State, which has claimed several attacks in France. Le Pen, who has predicted that the EU "will die" if she wins, has hailed Putin's nationalist world view. "A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin's world, Donald Trump's world in the United States, Mr (Narendra) Modi's world in India," she said. Melenchon, by contrast, sees Russia chiefly as a bulwark against US "imperialism".
By AFP

The career diplomats working at the UN headquarters building don't yet quite know what to make of the outspoken newcomer in their midst, US ambassador Nikki Haley.

But they agree on two things: She seems intent on shaking things up as she assumes the rotating chair of the Security Council and she's not afraid to use undiplomatic language.

This was on display again when she appeared on America's Sunday morning political talk shows to stake out US positions and defend her boss, US President Donald Trump.

Not much will get done under the month-long US presidency of the Security Council if veto-wielding permanent members Russia and China block US initiatives.

But Haley did not hold back.

Haley told ABC News that, whatever Trump has said about his respect for President Vladimir Putin, the US leader "has not once called me and said, 'Don't beat up on Russia.'"

And she did indeed chide the Kremlin, warning that Russia's actions in Ukraine and any interference in the US election that brought Trump into the White House would be punished.

"We called them out for it," she insisted.

China is also in her crosshairs, despite this week's preparations for Trump to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping to set the tone for relations between the great powers.

In an interview with news agency reporters, Haley demanded that China halt covert imports of North Korean coal and work seriously to halt Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

"I know China says they're worried about North Korea. I know China wants to see North Korea stop with the testing. Prove it. Prove it," she said.

The blunt language has won Haley immediate attention at the United Nations, where she has vowed to reinvigorate what she calls the "stale" institutional culture.

Eyebrows were raised when Trump picked the 45-year-old governor of South Carolina -- a fellow Republican with little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the world body.

- Outsider perspective -

But, in her own view, she has a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies.

"Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last week.

"In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well."

Haley was born to immigrant Indian American parents, but she rose quickly in South Carolina politics and was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Her conservative views were popular in South Carolina. And she won national attention by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse after a racist gun massacre in her state.

In February last year, as Trump was challenging the Republican establishment to secure the party's White House nomination, she called the brash property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president."

And just weeks before the vote she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate.

Nevertheless, the former outsider who had once been the nation's youngest governor was an early pick by Trump's transition team.

At the US mission, Haley replaces former ambassador Samantha Power, an outspoken foreign policy academic who was popular with her Security Council colleagues.

Haley is a veteran of retail politics in the American South and has a very different style -- plainspoken but warm and direct -- which envoys from US allies privately welcome.

And just as she brings a different personality and perspective to her role, she stands out among her colleagues in the Trump administration foreign policy team.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has adopted an almost undercover style, spurning most opportunities to talk to the press and public on his travels.

- Policy still in flux -

Other influential policymakers, like Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, work mostly behind the scenes.

Haley, however, has an energetic public schedule. As a full cabinet member who answers to Trump, she has in some ways become the voice of a US foreign policy still in flux.

Last week she addressed the AIPAC pro-Israel group in Washington, delivered her remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, then whizzed back to the capital late Wednesday.

On Thursday she was back in New York to attend the Security Council session, brief reporters and symbolically receive the Security Council gavel from British ambassador Matthew Rycroft at an evening drinks event.

From Monday, she will wield this hammer in the world body's top committee, and she has laid out an ambitious agenda, beginning with a bid to host a debate on human rights that will be resisted by many of America's opponents.

The career diplomats working at the UN headquarters building don't yet quite know what to make of the outspoken newcomer in their midst, US ambassador Nikki Haley. But they agree on two things: She seems intent on shaking things up as she assumes the rotating chair of the Security Council and she's not afraid to use undiplomatic language. This was on display again when she appeared on America's Sunday morning political talk shows to stake out US positions and defend her boss, US President Donald Trump. Not much will get done under the month-long US presidency of the Security Council if veto-wielding permanent members Russia and China block US initiatives. But Haley did not hold back. Haley told ABC News that, whatever Trump has said about his respect for President Vladimir Putin, the US leader "has not once called me and said, 'Don't beat up on Russia.'" And she did indeed chide the Kremlin, warning that Russia's actions in Ukraine and any interference in the US election that brought Trump into the White House would be punished. "We called them out for it," she insisted. China is also in her crosshairs, despite this week's preparations for Trump to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping to set the tone for relations between the great powers. In an interview with news agency reporters, Haley demanded that China halt covert imports of North Korean coal and work seriously to halt Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. "I know China says they're worried about North Korea. I know China wants to see North Korea stop with the testing. Prove it. Prove it," she said. The blunt language has won Haley immediate attention at the United Nations, where she has vowed to reinvigorate what she calls the "stale" institutional culture. Eyebrows were raised when Trump picked the 45-year-old governor of South Carolina -- a fellow Republican with little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the world body. - Outsider perspective - But, in her own view, she has a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies. "Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last week. "In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well." Haley was born to immigrant Indian American parents, but she rose quickly in South Carolina politics and was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Her conservative views were popular in South Carolina. And she won national attention by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse after a racist gun massacre in her state. In February last year, as Trump was challenging the Republican establishment to secure the party's White House nomination, she called the brash property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president." And just weeks before the vote she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate. Nevertheless, the former outsider who had once been the nation's youngest governor was an early pick by Trump's transition team. At the US mission, Haley replaces former ambassador Samantha Power, an outspoken foreign policy academic who was popular with her Security Council colleagues. Haley is a veteran of retail politics in the American South and has a very different style -- plainspoken but warm and direct -- which envoys from US allies privately welcome. And just as she brings a different personality and perspective to her role, she stands out among her colleagues in the Trump administration foreign policy team. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has adopted an almost undercover style, spurning most opportunities to talk to the press and public on his travels. - Policy still in flux - Other influential policymakers, like Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, work mostly behind the scenes. Haley, however, has an energetic public schedule. As a full cabinet member who answers to Trump, she has in some ways become the voice of a US foreign policy still in flux. Last week she addressed the AIPAC pro-Israel group in Washington, delivered her remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, then whizzed back to the capital late Wednesday. On Thursday she was back in New York to attend the Security Council session, brief reporters and symbolically receive the Security Council gavel from British ambassador Matthew Rycroft at an evening drinks event. From Monday, she will wield this hammer in the world body's top committee, and she has laid out an ambitious agenda, beginning with a bid to host a debate on human rights that will be resisted by many of America's opponents.
Gujarat: Cow slaughter becomes a life term offence after amendment of the law

Gandhinagar, Mar 31 : After the amendment of the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act of 1954 by the state legislature, cow slaughter became a offence that could offer life imprisonment, raising a fresh controversy amidst the ban on slaughter houses in Uttar Pradesh by BJP government, on Friday, media reports.





(Posted on 31 March 2017, 1667889949 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php  (Posted on 31 March 2017, 1667889949 173O212O198O32)

The amendment of the bill raised the fine and term of life imprisonment, if anyone found to have possession of beef.Contrary to earlier fine of 50000 thousand rupees, now it ranges between 1-5 lakhs while the life imprisonment ranges between 7-10 years which was 3-7 years previously.The amendment of the law just came after Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani hinted at such a development could take place, earlier this month.BJP government brought these amendments as the state is heading towards its assembly election in 2017.Keywords: Gujarat, cow slaughter, amendment of the law, life imprisonment.
The marijuana industry has been on a roll lately. Just last year, five states legalized medical cannabis (two of which did so entirely through the legislative process and without putting a measure on a ballot), while the number of recreational marijuana states doubled to eight. In fact, had a recreational marijuana measure not been defeated in Arizona by just 2 percentage points, it would have been a clean sweep for cannabis in the November elections.

The success of the pot industry is directly correlated with the rapidly changing perceptions surrounding it. Gallup, which has conducted surveys on how many respondents would like to see cannabis legalized nationwide for almost 50 years, found that only 25% favored its nationwide legalization in 1995. As of 2016, this approval rating had jumped to 60%, representing an all-time high.

A separate and more recent survey from the independent Quinnipiac University found 59% national support for recreational marijuana and only 36% opposition. When it came to just medical marijuana, an overwhelming 93% of respondents would like to see it legalized.

The federal government digs in its heels

Standing in the way of this popular opinion are the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Congress. In August, the DEA denied two petitions that requested it reschedule or de-schedule marijuana from its current Schedule 1 status. The DEA declined with the reasoning that there was inadequate safety and benefits data available, as well as improper oversight for a drug that can be easily abused. As a Schedule 1 drug, marijuana is labeled illegal and having no medical benefits.

Congress, on the other hand, is caught in something of a catch-22. Lawmakers want lots of additional benefits and risk data that can only be found through running clinical trials, yet these trials are nearly impossible to run since obtaining marijuana for medical research is exceptionally difficult with the drug bearing a Schedule 1 designation.

But this may not be the worst of it for the marijuana industry.

In February, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that the Trump administration would not remain as lax in the federal regulation of cannabis as the Obama administration had been. The good news is President Trump has been unwavering in his support of medical cannabis, meaning the 28 states that've legalized medicinal pot are likely safe.

Recreational cannabis is a different story. Spicer intimated that a federal crackdown should be expected on the recreational marijuana industry, though what's not known at this time is to what degree. Spicer's comments could simply imply tougher regulations that ensure legal weed stays out of the hands of minors. Then again, it could involve a full-scale reversal of the hands-off approach under the Obama administration, leading to enforcement of federal laws against recreational cannabis. With ardent marijuana opponent Jeff Sessions recently appointed the U.S. attorney general, the chances for pot's growth to come to a crashing halt are seeming more likely by the day.

Recreational-marijuana states scramble to protect their cash cow

If (and this is a big "if") the federal government does choose to completely roll back the freedoms of state-level recreational pot, it puts more than just the cannabis industry in a bind. States like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon have come to rely on the tax and licensing revenue generated from the recreational marijuana industry to fill gaps in their budgets.

For instance, Colorado wound up selling more than $1.3 billion in legal marijuana in 2016, a more-than-30% increase from the prior-year period, when legal cannabis sales fell just shy of the $1 billion mark. Overall, $875 million in Colorado's sales came from recreational marijuana, with the remainder coming from the medical side of the equation.

However, there's a major difference in taxation between the two. Medical pot is only taxed at 2.9% in Colorado whereas recreational marijuana bears a 17.9% tax. Having its recreational weed business banned would cost Colorado well over $100 million in annual tax revenue, at least $40 million of which goes to fund its schools.

Colorado's legislature is therefore developing a plan that could help protect its marijuana crops from being seized should the federal government present it with a worst-case scenario.

A bill that was proposed last week and passed in the state's Republican Senate by a 4-1 vote would allow Colorado's approximately 500 licensed recreational marijuana growers to immediately reclassify their cannabis as medical instead of recreational. The bill would allow this change to be "based on a business need due to a change in local, state or federal law or enforcement policy."

The upside of such a bill is that it would protect from seizure the more than 800,000 marijuana plants that were being grown in Colorado's retail system as of this past summer. The downside, though, is that it would still strip Colorado of highly valuable taxable income because the tax rates on medicinal pot are substantially lower than recreational. In other words, it would be a victory in name only for Colorado.

Other states are discussing similar methods to protect their marijuana industries against a potential federal crackdown.

The waiting game continues

For now, the uncomfortable waiting game continues for the marijuana industry and investors who are eager to get in on an industry expected to grow by more than 23% per year over the next decade, according to investment firm Cowen & Co. Though cannabis represents an incredible growth opportunity, two factors should keep investors away from marijuana stocks for the time being.

For starters, most marijuana stocks are losing money, and they'll probably continue to do so for the near future. The seven-largest companies combined hardly generate any revenue, and just one is profitable over the trailing year, and by a small amount at that. The marijuana industry is far from established, and businesses that continue to bleed red will eventually succumb to the pressure from fundamentals-focused investors.

More importantly, no one's exactly sure what the Trump administration might do to the recreational pot industry. There's obvious concern with Sessions as attorney general that a worst-case scenario could come true, which would be devastating to a lot of marijuana stocks.

Simply put, until we have more answers, your money should stay far away from marijuana stocks.

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Solar Projects: SBI signs 200 Million Euro loan deal with European Investment Bank

New Delhi , Mar. 31 : The European Investment Bank today confirmed new support for solar power generation in India in partnership with the State Bank of India.





(Posted on 31 March 2017, 1667889950 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/bank-news.php  (Posted on 31 March 2017, 1667889950 173O212O198O32)

The EUR 200 million (INR1,400 Crores) long-term loan will support total investment of EUR 650 million in five different large-scale photo-voltaic solar power projects and contribute to India's National Solar mission and reduce dependence on fossil fuel power generation, said an official statement.Four schemes across the country, with a generation capacity of 530 MWac, have already been identified.The loan agreement was formally announced in New Delhi ahead of the inauguration of the first permanent presence in India of the European Investment Bank by Finance Minister Jaitley, European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer and Vice President Andrew McDowell, responsible operations in India and South Asia."The new cooperation between the State Bank of India and the European Investment Bank will scale up investment in large scale solar power generation across India. Close cooperation between technical and financial teams from both institutions will ensure that world class projects are supported." highlighted Mr B Sriram, Managing Director, State Bank of India."Large scale investment in renewable power is essential to enhance affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. The European Investment Bank is pleased to strengthen our close partnership with the State Bank of India to support world class solar energy developments that will make a significant contribution to India's ambitious renewable energy goals. Unlocking new investment in large scale solar generation is crucial to ensure that renewable energy plays a leading role in India's energy mix in the years ahead. This new project reflects the shared commitment of India and the European Union to tackle climate change and implement the Paris Climate Agreement." said Andrew McDowell, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, speaking at the start of a four day official visit to India.The EUR 200 million 20 year long-term European Investment Bank loan will support individual projects following technical and financial due diligence. It is expected that projects in Telangana and Tamil Nadu states, and elsewhere in the country, will be backed by the new initiative. The European Investment Bank will support investment in individual solar projects alongside financing from Indian banks and project promoters.The entire process of arranging the loan was facilitated by SBI's subsidiary, SBI Capital Markets."This new initiative demonstrates the European Investment Bank's commitment to support climate related investment and sustainable development around the world and here in Asia. We are pleased to highlight the importance of this project and renewable energy investment in India at the opening of our new Representation to South Asia in New Delhi," added Vice President McDowell.The European Investment Bank has financed projects totalling EUR 1.7 billion (approx.INR 11,900 crores) in India since 1993. Last year the European Investment Bank Group provided EUR 84 billion to finance new investment around the world, including EUR 19.6 billion for climate related investment.Earlier in the day, Dr. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and appreciated India's strong and proactive measures in the field of climate change, and expressed the bank's continued support for India's efforts in this direction.The Prime Minister had met a high level delegation of the European Investment Bank a year ago at the EU-India summit and promised support for establishment of the bank's regional office in Delhi. This office was inaugurated today.In course of the conversation today the Prime Minister explained India's policies in the areas of climate change and environmental sustainability.The European Investment Bank has lent over one billion Euros to India towards environmentally sustainable projects including the Lucknow Metro.
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Kejriwal meets Election Commission over EVM tampering row

New Delhi , Apr. 1 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday met Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi to discuss the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) tampering issue.





(Posted on 01 April 2017, 1667889951 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php  (Posted on 01 April 2017, 1667889951 173O212O198O32)

"We have been saying that the EVMs were tempered. Are the elections in this nation being conducted fairly? Are people casting their votes or machines itself deciding it?" Kejriwal said addressing media after meeting Election Commission.He further alleged that the software in the machines was changed, so that when the voters press any button it will only lead to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Calling for tamper-free elections, Kejriwal said that machines have not been checked which raises a big question mark on democracy.Defying Election Commission's claim that machines cannot be tampered, he said they are being tampered at a large scale.Earlier this week, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached the Election Commission over EVM tampering in Punjab Assembly Elections and alleged that there is clear and irrefutable evidence of manipulation of results at polling booths.The AAP has appealed to the Election Commission of India that the results of all polling booths where VVPAT had been deployed be cross-checked with the paper trail.In the letter submitted to the ECI, the AAP stated, "After analysis of booth wise voting pattern, we have reached to a conclusion that there has been large scale rigging through tampering of EVMs. Initial analysis has shown that on several booths, where the Aam Aadmi Party has secured very less number vote, voters in much bigger number than the total number of votes secured by the Aam Aadmi Party have come forward saying they had voted for AAP."Politicians have openly alleged tampering of EVMs in the recently concluded assembly elections with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and Kejriwal leading the charge.
DLF Promenade turns blue on Autism Awareness Day

New Delhi , Apr. 2 : As the world celebrates the Ninth Annual World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2017, DLF Promenade Mall will be turning blue to spread the awareness on autism.





(Posted on 02 April 2017, 1667889952 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/health-news.php  (Posted on 02 April 2017, 1667889952 173O212O198O32)

The Mall along with Autism Center for Excellence (ACE), an autism education center, will host a series of events on 2nd of April at the mall.On April 2, DLF promenade along with ACE will do an Autism awareness walk across the mall followed by a performance by an acclaimed band 'A Dog Without a Bone'.There will be a few musical and dance performances by the special kids from ACE. These activities will commence at 4:30 pm at the atrium of the mall followed by turning the mall blue.It was just nine years back when UN had declared April 2nd as the Autism Awareness Day and in honor to mark this day, various famous landmarks/monuments including Empire State Building in New York City, Effiel Tower in Paris and many more have been lit up with blue lights.
Biilie Lourd remembers Grandmother Debbie Reynolds on her 85th birthday

New Delhi , April 02 : Billie Lourd would always have a special place in her heart for her 'Abadaba'.





(Posted on 02 April 2017, 1667889952 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php  (Posted on 02 April 2017, 1667889952 173O212O198O32)

The 'Scream Queens' star paid a special tribute to her late grandmother Debbie Reynolds on Saturday, which would have been the actress' 85th birthday.The 24-year-old-actress took to Instagram and posted a candid photo of Reynolds dressed in dressed in green, standing next to her late mother (and Reynolds' daughter) Carrie Fisher.She captioned the snap, "Happy 85th to my constantly classily clad Abadaba."In January, Lourd used Instagram to make her first public statement since the deaths of her grandmother and mother, one day apart, in the last week of December 2016.In that post she wrote, "Receiving all of your prayers and kind words over the past week has given me strength during a time I thought strength could not exist. There are no words to express how much I will miss my Abadaba and my one and only Momby. Your love and support means the world to me."She also reportedly delivered eulogies for both Fisher and Reynolds at their joint private memorial service in January.Last week, Debbie and Carrie were honored at a public celebration of their lives.Many of their family members and friends, including celebs, attended the memorial, which had followed a private funeral. Even 'Star Wars' droid R2-D2 made an appearance.
Although management has yet to confirm that it will exit the Obamacare marketplaces soon, reports are that Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) is close to announcing it will leave a significant number of states as soon as 2018. If so, then it will mark another high-profile loss for the Affordable Care Act exchanges, because Anthem is the country's second-biggest health insurer, and it sells plans in 14 states.

What's going on

Obamacare provides individuals and families without insurance an opportunity to buy health insurance through a federal or state-run marketplaces, or exchanges. These marketplaces allow insurers to compete on services and price to win members. Insurers, however, have yet to figure out how to price plans sold on the exchanges, and that's leading to significant losses on their Obamacare plans.

After reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in losses on Obamacare plans in 2015, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the nation's biggest insurer, announced in 2016 it would stop selling plans in more than 25 states, taking their participation down from 30 states in 2016 to fewer than five states in 2017.

Other insurers are also reducing their exposure to the exchanges, including Humana (NYSE: HUM) and Aetna (NYSE: AET), which had been hoping to merge together. After regulators blocked that merger, Humana announced this past February that it will cease selling Obamacare plans altogether, eliminating coverage for consumers in 11 states. Aetna is still considering what its plans will be for the exchanges in 2018, but it already cut its participation from 15 states in 2016 to four states in 2017.

If Anthem follows their lead, it will be a big blow to the program, because it's been a significant player in the marketplaces since they first opened up for enrollment in 2013. If Anthem exits the exchanges in 2018, it would reduce competition in over 144 regions of the country. Importantly, a departure could leave consumers in states including Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio without any insurers on the marketplaces, according to the news website Axios.

What's gone wrong

Losses on exchange plans are the result of insurers incorrectly modeling for more young and healthy Americans signing up. Obamacare includes tax penalties to nudge healthy people to enroll in health insurance, but many people have decided to pay the penalty or file for an exemption rather than sign up for insurance. Those decisions have tilted membership pools toward older and sicker patients, who require more expensive healthcare services.

The makeup of members has also been negatively impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to make Medicaid expansion optional. Many Republican-led states chose not to expand Medicaid, shifting many less healthy people who would otherwise have ended up on the program to Obamacare's exchanges. Mandating insurers spend at least 80% of premium revenue on patient healthcare and limiting premiums on older members to no more than three times what's charged younger members have also presented problems for insurers when it comes to accurately pricing plans.

Insurers' ability to turn a profit on Obamacare plans has also been hurt by legislation that's broken the ACA's risk-sharing rules. Funding Obamacare's risk corridors would have offset insurer losses caused by lopsided membership pools, but Republican lawmakers passed legislation in 2015 that mandates risk corridors be budget neutral. Because less money is being paid into the risk-sharing program than is being requested by insurers, the government currently owes billions of dollars to insurers on losses on plans since Obamacare opened for business.

Unfortunately, insurers are now faced with a decision to increase premiums significantly to make up the difference or exit the marketplaces altogether, and following Donald Trump's election, the option to exit has gotten more attractive.

Trump campaigned aggressively to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something else, and last month, Republicans in the House of Representatives proposed the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The AHCA has stalled in the House (for now), but reform could still happen, and that would ostensibly be done in a manner that would be more friendly to insurers. Also, it's unclear what the future is for Obamacare penalties for going without insurance, and absent those penalties, many more healthy Americans may drop their coverage, creating additional losses for insurers.

Since any potential replacement plan may eliminate expensive, mandatory care such as preventative services while also rolling back age-rating and out-of-pocket limits, there seems to be less of an incentive for insurers to support the Obamacare exchanges.

What's next

House Republicans hoped to vote on the AHCA in March, but opposition from subgroups within the Republican Party caused the vote to be tabled for now. Efforts to rework the AHCA to win more support, however, appear to continue, so it's possible a vote on a replacement plan could still happen this year. If it doesn't, then uncertainty in the health insurance market could be enough of an added risk to convince insurers like Anthem to quit Obamacare, at least until they have a better handle on Washington's plans for reform.

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Prince Jackson honors dad MJ with a tattoo

New Delhi , April 02 : Now, Prince Jackson will always have his father Michael Jackson with him.





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The 20-year-old gave a fitting tribute to his father Michael Jackson by sharing a video of his new tattoo featuring the 'King of Pop'.He captioned the video, "Thanks @dermagraphink for sittin 9hrs with me for such an incredible and beautiful tattoo. I will be posting more of this."The tattoo shows an illustration of Michael in one of his most iconic moves (his legs crossed and arms raised to the sky) and one of his most recognizable outfits (a black suit with a red shirt, black suspenders, black shoes, white socks, arm band, matching fedora - and single, white sequin glove).The same video was shared by tattoo artist Justin Lewis, who works at Timeless Tattoo in Hollywood, with a series of hashtags.He captioned the footage, "#MichaelJackson#kingofpop #mj #moonwalk #anuk #wings#MichaelJacksonjr. I had so much fun @princejackson I am so pleased that I made your day braddah. #inksaddle#inkmachines #colortattoo#timelesstattoola #tattooistart #inkmaster#Hollywood #Love (sic)"The 'Billie Jean' hit-maker died of cardiac arrest in June 2009 at his Los Angeles home. He was 50.
Missiles fired from Afghan border into Pak's Kurram Agency

Peshawar [Pakistan], Apr. 2 : At least four missiles were fired into Kurram Agency area of Pakistan from across the Afghan border on Sunday.





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The Express Tribune cited officials as saying in a statement that two rockets, each fell into the Shangak and Kharplan areas, destroyed a shop completely. There was, however, no loss of life in the incident.Last month, a suspected missile-firing U.S. drone killed two Afghan Taliban militants in a village near the Afghan border. The missile struck the two men while they were riding a motorcycle in north-western Kurram.Earlier in February, the Pakistan Army said that it destroyed camps and a training compound of militants across the border in Afghanistan following which the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi handed over a list of 76 terrorists orchestrating terrorist activities in Pakistan from the Afghan soil.
Pak Army Chief supports democracy: Imran Khan

Islamabad [Pakistan], Apr. 2 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)Chairman Imran Khan has said that Chief of Army Staff General General Qamar Bajwa is a supporter of democracy.





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His statement came hours after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Asif Ghafoor tweeted about a meeting between Kaptaan and General Bajwa."The only thing I would like to say about the meeting is that the good news is that the army chief stands by democracy," local Pakistan media quoted Khan as saying.Khan's remark comes after he had met General Bajwa.Speaking at an event about PTI's Billion Tree Tsunami project, Khan said that he is happy as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has taken up an important task to deal with climate change.The PTI chief assured people that one billion trees will be planted by the end of 2017.He said the project will have a positive impact in the long run on the generations to come.PTI's Billion Tree Tsunami project aims to increase the province's forested area by at least two percent.
Pak Army Chief arrives in London for three-day visit

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], Apr. 2 : Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday reached London for a three-day official visit.





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According to an ISPR statement, the Pakistani Army Chief will interact with UK's political and military leadership."COAS arrived in London, UK on three days official visit. Will interact with UK's political/military leadership," said the statement.Meanwhile, a seven-member British Parliamentary delegation is to arrive in Islamabad today in continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries.The delegation is expected to hold talks with Pakistan's political leadership and the business community to promote bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, reports Radio Pakistan.The aim of high level parliamentary visit is to further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 62F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 44F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
AUBURN  Thomas Ryder observed as one of his students practiced with a plastics machine.

Ryder, the instructor of an injection molding plastics class at Cayuga Community College who is also an engineer at Currier Plastics in Auburn, spoke to his students with a smile on his face as they were huddled around the machine. The class is a part of CCC's Plastics Technology Stackable Program, which offers hands-on training in fields like blow molding and injection molding.

One of the goals behind the CCC program is to help plastics industry employers find local graduates and other workers  three of Ryder's students are Currier employees, while the other student works at Elbridge-based Tessy Plastics  better prepared for the jobs they're trying to fill.

A new study found that businesses throughout New York state are struggling to find such workers. The study, released by the Public Police Institute of New York in February, covers the state's skill gap  the separation between skills potential employees actually have and the abilities businesses are seeking in workers.

It placed a particular emphasis on skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The study surveyed more than 100 business leaders, along with STEM leaders.

While STEM skills were a major concern, many respondents also reported difficulty finding employees with "soft skills" like problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, time management and communication skills.

Solutions to the skill gap suggested by the study included policy that would "(s)treamline education regulations and decision-making processes to facilitate innovation."

That's one goal behind CCC's plastics program. The two-year program, which works with Currier and Tessy, among several other companies, started last year.

Ryder, who has been teaching the injection molding class for CCC since January, described his skill gap observations.

"From what I've seen and what I have seen at our company, we have a lot of older guys who have been in manufacturing for a long time and they're getting ready to kind of retire in that area," Ryder said. "And we also have a lot of new guys who are starting to pick up, but there's nobody in that middle range to follow the guys who are retiring."

Ryder said he had noticed that dearth of experienced employees prepared to follow the group that's retiring in other companies where's he's worked, as well.

"Something that we struggle with is trying to close that gap so we can have a better transition of skills," Ryder said.

Ryder said the CCC class gives students the opportunity to work with machines and employ critical skills that would be used on a manufacturing floor.

The skill gap is also an issue public K-12 educators are tackling.

Port Byron Central School District Superintendent Neil O'Brien said the "evolution of education is changing," with classes focusing on project-based learning, problem-solving, teamwork, technology and other concepts, which serves as a reflection of industry needs.

O'Brien said he has noticed more jobs can be performed from home, which he said wasn't considered culturally when he was a student, and many schools now offer electives such as coding, he said. To further address this emphasis on technology, Port Byron will be providing each student with a Chromebook laptop.

It's part of an effort to prepare students for future employment.

"At the end of the day, the Cayuga County economy needs more high-wage, manufacturing jobs," O'Brien said.

"We just need to find more opportunities with our (Cayuga-Onondaga) BOCES  which is a phenomenal facility  and CCC to get more people of all ages to be more educated in these fields," he said.

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Associate Superintendent for Management, Regional Services & Finance Pete Colucci said the organization offers services such as career and technical education programs that help junior and senior high school students learn specialized skills.

The Public Policy Institute study also praises the New York State Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, a six-year program that allows students to learn STEM-related skills and get a high school diploma and associate degree. The program is available to Auburn Enlarged City School District students.

John Currier, president of Currier, said he has seen a lack of skills like problem-solving, communication, critical thinking and collaboration.

"There's definitely a huge gap in even basic skills, like communication. Or more than that, effective communication," Currier said.

Currier attributed some of those issues to an over-reliance on technology like email, which he believes is invaluable when conveying technical information but can also hinder communication when workers are sending basic messages to someone in the neighboring office instead of simply walking over. He admits even he has been guilty of too much email communication in the past.

He said some candidates show proficiency in "soft skills," technological understanding, mathematical and English skills, and other abilities. On the other end of the spectrum, he has seen some people who struggled getting up to speed on performing certain tasks, let alone adopting to changes to the job.

"The problem we've got is, this is a moving target," Currier said.

Currier acknowledges that the manufacturing business changes at a blistering pace, with many of the things he once saw as sacrosanct when he started in the industry now irrelevant.

He said the CCC program lets potential workers get a glimpse of the manufacturing business and receive real-life experience and training that would be readily applied at Currier.

"This whole situations is a win-win for everyone," Currier said.
News18  Blogs  India

What's it about Goa?

Photo: Reuters/ File pic

Five years ago, I witnessed Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar fly as a common man would. No VIP treatment, no front row seat, no entourage, no car on the tarmac to drop and receive him. He flew like you and I do. I was so pleasantly surprised, I felt I should share it with others. I wrote about it and it went viral. I guess Indians are not used to see or hear about their netas without frills. It was shared many times over on social media and was reproduced with permission as a front page lead story in a leading Goa news website. It was also carried without my name (after deleting two lines giving away my identity) by a national newspaper attributing the piece to an Indian.



2017



I have just returned from Goa and this time I met three citizens in less than a week who left an impression on me worth sharing. My friend has a house in Goa which he frequents when he needs a break. He invited me to join him and I did. Below is a first-hand account of my experience in less than a week.



On day two after reaching Goa, my friend called a vendor to hire a car. Anthony, the owner arrived with a brand new car minutes after my friend had stepped out to buy some groceries. I introduced myself as a guest of my friend and accompanied Anthony to inspect the car for dent or damage. It is standard practice just to avoid stress later. The car was clean. Anthony handed over the keys to me and proceeded to leave. I asked him if he needed any security deposit but he declined. He only wanted an identification document and I offered to fetch it from my luggage kept in the house. He changed his mind and left without it. I was perplexed. Here was a man who handed over the keys of a brand new car to a stranger without any identification document or security deposit. I asked my friend, when he returned, if he frequently hired cars from Anthony. He said no, this was the first time and he didnt know Anthony.



A day later, my friend and his wife made up their mind to buy a washing machine and they made their way to the market to look for one. They arrive at a store where they met its owner Dominic for the first time. They found the product they were looking for and after some quick negotiation, my friend headed to the cashier to make the payment. On reaching there, he found his wallet missing and soon realised he had left it at home. Visibly embarrassed, he turned to Dominic and suggested that the product is delivered after he returns to the store with the payment the next day. Dominic didn't think it was necessary and instead asked the store clerk to prepare the piece for delivery the same day. He told my friend to handover the cheque to the delivery boy. I looked at my friend in amazement. I was not familiar with a dealer who on the first meeting delivers a product without any payment whatsoever. If that's not enough, he was also okay to accept a cheque after delivery without insisting on cash or payment by card.



The very next day, my friend and I were on our way to pick up dinner for the kids at home. My friend stopped at a fuel station on the way and asked for a thousand rupees worth of fuel. The attendant asked if we needed petrol or diesel and my friend muttered diesel in a state of absent-mindedness not realising he was driving a petrol car. Barely had the car travelled 50 meters after fueling, the engine made strange noises and stopped. My friend had figured out his folly and we pushed the car back to the pump to request for help.



The attendant dialed his manager who had left for the day barely half an hour ago to report this problem. Prakash, the manager arrived in 15 minutes and summoned a mechanic from his home, who had also called it a day. It took 20 more minutes for the mechanic to arrive but the manager did everything possible to engage us in the interim. He was cheerful and tried to make us feel better. He said such things happen and theres nothing to worry. The mechanic arrived on his bike without his tools. Promptly, the manager supplied all that was needed for the job to the attendant requesting him to hurry as he knew our kids were waiting for us to bring them food.



The mechanic got to work in no time and emptied the diesel into the first bucket. He then moved to the second bucket to empty the petrol. Having done that, he opened the bonnet to empty any remnant left in the tube leading up to the engine. He proceeded to switch the ignition on and off till he was satisfied that there was no trace of fuel left.



Once the job was done, my friend asked for petrol worth a thousand rupees following which he proceeded to pay both the mechanic for fixing the problem and the manager for the petrol. The mechanic wanted just five hundred rupees. My friend and I expected more knowing that he had been summoned from home well past his duty time. Now it was the turn of the manager to surprise us. He refused to take money for the petrol as the emptied fuel was already in his possession. Both of them were aware that we had hungry kids at home and we would have gladly paid them more at that time of the night. But they chose to charge us what they felt we owed them. It was unbelievable.



Anywhere in the national capital region where my friend and I live, it would be a miracle to find Anthony, Dominic and Prakash. And here I was lucky enough to have spotted them in just three days. Driving home that night, I wondered if there is anything in Goa's air which makes Goans the way they are. And if it's so, it may be worth moving from Delhi to Goa not just for the pleasant sea breeze but to live among people like Anthony, Dominic and Prakash.
Jahanabad (Uttar Pradesh): Some labourers are feared trapped inside the building of a cold storage facility in Fatehpur's Jahanabad area where sudden leakage of ammonia gas created panic among the residents on Sunday evening.



The Uttar Pradesh Police immediately cordoned off the area and restricted traffic within two kilometre of the accident site.



Residents who live in the vicinity are being evacuated keeping in view the situation.







Efforts are on to ascertain the circumstances that led to the leak and investigation into the incident is in progress, police said.



On March 15, more than 20 people were trapped after a cold storage building collapsed following a blast triggered by ammonia gas leakage in Shivrajpur area of Kanpur district.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking to restrict lawmakers from practising any other profession, saying though the petitioner has a valid point the issue is beyond the realm of its jurisdiction.



"The prayers made in this petition do not fall within the realm of our jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said.



The bench observed that the petitioner in the matter has been affiliated to a political party and though he has a valid point, the court cannot frame policies in this regard.



"There are doctors who became IAS officers and engineers who are diplomats," the court told the petitioner, adding, "You also have a political affiliation."



The petitioner, advocate and BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, told the bench that the restriction imposed on judges and public servants against engaging in other professions should also be applied to the lawmakers.



"Today, I saw five MPs in the Supreme Court. They have come here after signing a register at 11 AM in Parliament," he told the court.



To this, the bench said, "Your arguments make sense, but how can we frame policies?" The petitioner had sought framing of a uniform policy to restrict the lawmakers from practising any other profession.



He had said in his plea that members of Parliament "must attend Parliament everyday and dedicate themselves full-time for the welfare of people" as they have a very important role in the federal system.
Beijing: China on Saturday asked India to exercise "restraint" on its plan to link the strategic border district of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh with a railway network, saying any "unilateral action" might "complicate" the unresolved border issue.



"We hope that the Indian side can exercise caution, show restraint and refrain from unilateral actions that might further complicate the question so as to create a sound condition for enhancing mutual trust between China and India and promoting proper resolution of the boundary question," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.



"China's position on eastern section of the China-India boundary is consistent and clear. At present, the two sides are working to resolve the territorial dispute through negotiation and consultation," the ministry told PTI in a written reply following a query about reports that India was exploring possibilities to link Tawang with a railway network.



China has in recent days upped its rhetoric on claims to Arunachal Pradesh, which it says is Southern Tibet, and even warned India of "serious damage" to ties if New Delhi allows Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to visit the state next week.



The ministry yesterday warned New Delhi that the visit of the Dalai Lama, the highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, will "come down to India to make a choice".



Tawang, which happens to be the birthplace in 1683 of the sixth Dalai Lama, is at the centre of Tibetan Buddhism and a friction point between India and China relations.



India and China are in discussion to resolve their border dispute that covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While Beijing claims Arunachal as part of Southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute also covers the 'Aksai Chin' area, which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.



The ministry said the two sides have "agreed that pending final settlement, both sides will work together to properly manage the dispute" and preserve peace in the border areas.



The Chinese reaction to the possible rail network and the Dalai Lama's visit to Tawang was the third time in recent weeks the foreign ministry has aired its objections.



Tawang has immense strategic value to India due to its location. The hilly region close to the Sino-India border was also in the news earlier this month when Dai Bingguo, a former Chinese Special Representative for India-China border talks, said the border dispute can be resolved if New Delhi accepts Beijing's claim over Tawang.



"If the Indian side takes care of China's concerns in the eastern sector of their border, the Chinese side will respond accordingly and address India's concerns elsewhere," Dai had told the Chinese media in an interview.



But the proposal was rejected as impractical by Indian officials as Tawang is an integral part of Arunachal Pradesh and has sent representatives to Parliament in every election since 1950.



Lian Xiangmin, Director of contemporary research of China's state-run Tibetology Research Centre, last month said, "Tawang is part of Tibet and Tibet is part of China. So Tawang is part of China. There is not much problem here."



India, giving a push to its strategic interests, is exploring the feasibility to link Tawang with a rail network.



The government has asked Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who is also a Member of Parliament from Arunachal West seat, to explore the feasibility of arail network in the remote area.



The two ministers will tour the state to study the viability of connecting Tawang with Bhalukpong - the last station of the Railways on Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary at a distance of 378 kms - and to commence the final location survey of a new broad gauge line connecting the two cities.



It takes 18 hours from Guwahati in Assam to reach Tawang byroad. Guwahati is the nearest major city and Tawang residents depend on it for medical emergencies.



The other broad gauge railway line tha twill be part of their survey will be the 249 km North Lakhimpur-Bame-Silapathar section, which is between Pasighat airport and Rupa in Arunachal.
New Delhi: Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, an accused in a coal scam case, has been allowed by a special court to travel abroad for business purposes.



Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar on Saturday allowed the plea filed by Jindal, seeking the court's permission to visit the US and Italy from April 7 to 16.



The court, however, imposed certain conditions on him.



Jindal, a former parliamentarian, has been asked to inform the investigating officer and the court about the details of the places visited within seven days of his return.



"He shall not tamper with evidence, nor try to influence any witness in any manner and will not use the permission granted to him contrary to the rules," the court said.



Jindal has earlier been granted bail by the court after imposing several conditions.



Besides Jindal, the CBI had charge-sheeted former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former Coal Secretary H C Gupta and 11 others in the case of alleged irregularities in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd (GSIPL).



The CBI recently filed a supplementary charge sheet in the case naming five more persons as accused in the case, including Jindal Steel's adviser Anand Goel.
The AAP wrote to the Election Commission, alleging large scale rigging and tampering of EVMs in Punjab and demanding verification of paper trail.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati too alleged tampering of EVMs during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday advised the Aam Aadmi Party to "introspect" on its Punjab performance and said it's "unfair to blame EVMs".AAP which was widely expected to win the elections won 20 seats in the Punjab Assembly, came second in 26 constituencies while over two dozen AAP candidates lost their security deposit.AAP's National Secretary Pankaj Gupta said his party analysed booth-wise voting pattern and reached a conclusion that electronic voting machines were tampered with.There is "clear and irrefutable evidence of manipulation of results at polling booths" in the Punjab Assembly polls, he alleged.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on March 15 also alleged that manipulation of EVMs may have led to the AAP's poor showing in Punjab and said it could be part of a conspiracy to keep the party out of power in the state.In another development, the EC is set to buy next generation EVMs that become "inoperable" the moment attempts are made to tinker with it, a move which comes amid claims by some parties that the machines were tampered with during the recent Assembly polls.
The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 km (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 km.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday amid a shutdown call by Kashmiri separatists.A multi-tier security setup was put in place for the Prime Minister's visit.The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crore a year. "Rs 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day," Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh said.The security setup included elaborate deployments, area domination, checkpoints and alertness in border areas and vigilance at vital installations in the region by various security agencies, a police officer said.Security drills were carried out by police and other security wings. Three helipads were also sanitised and checked by security teams headed by the SPG.(With PTI inputs)
Britney Ferrell, 25, is one of several protesters featured in the new documentary about Ferguson, "Whose Streets?"
The "Modi-Modi" chants added to an already fervent atmosphere, even before the PM arrived at the dais to speak.

Alluding to the violence the state has remained mired in, he said: "Had we focused on tourism in the last forty years, the entire world would have descended upon Kashmir."

Invoking former PM Vajpayee, Modi said: "Following the mantra of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamhooriyat, we will take Kashmir to the new heights of development."

: After inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Udhampur and said, on the one hand, some misguided youngsters were pelting stones, while others from the same society constructed tunnels.Before hitting out at stone pelters and neighbour Pakistan, and invoking former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM Modi asked the attendees to switch on the flash of their phones and raise their hands.In a lively speech, PM Modi paid attention to the youth of the valley in particular. Declaring the inauguration of the tunnel as a leap towards development, Modi said the youth in Kashmir had two choices. "On one side, you have tourism, and on the other, you have terrorism," he said.In an apparent attack on Pakistan, Modi said: "Those across the border can't even take care of themselves. We want to show our fellow Kashmiris across the border how Kashmir progresses," he added.Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, making it operational for traffic.
New Delhi: The apex consumer commission has asked a hospital in West Bengal to pay Rs 8 lakh to a man, whose wife died hours after giving birth to a girl in 2000, saying the amount was adequate for mental agony in bringing up a motherless child.



The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) allowed the appeal of the man against the West Bengal state commission's order which had given a clean chit to the nursing home -- Niranjan Smriti Kalyan Kendra also known as Priyabala Nursing Home -- in Burdwan district.



"Having regard to the fact that the patient was only 32 years' old with a life expectancy of 70 years and died within a day of C-section delivery, leaving behind an infant baby girl; was previously engaged as a private tutor, earning Rs 800-1,000 per month.



"The medical expenses incurred and the fact that there is no straight-jacket formula to quantify the loss of a wife to the husband, the loss of love and affection of a mother to the infant, we are of the considered view that a lump sum amount of Rs 8 lakh would be adequate and just compensation for the mental agony in rearing of motherless children," an NCDRC bench presided by D K Jain said, while holding the hospital guilty of negligence.



The bench also noted that the doctor and the nursing staff failed to establish that they have performed the duty of care as per the standard established norms of normal medical parlance.



"This amounts to negligence on the part of the hospital, the treating doctor and the nursing staff, for which the complainant has to be compensated," it said.



While passing the order in favour of complainant Jitendra Nath Chowdhury, the commission referred to a 2014 judgement of the Supreme Court which had observed that "the duty of a hospital is not limited to diagnosis and treatment but extends to looking after the safety and security of patients."



According to the complaint, Chowdhury's wife underwent C-section surgery on May 22, 2000, and gave birth to a baby girl a few days before the due delivery date in June as the doctor suspected that the umbilical cord was around the neck of the foetus.



Soon after the delivery, the staff lifted the woman by their hands instead of using a stretcher to shift her to another room but dropped her on the floor in the process due to which she suffered head injuries, it said.



When the man asked for a doctor, the staff refused and said the woman had already been given medication, it alleged, adding that the woman's condition kept deteriorating and delay on the part of the doctor in attending to her proved fatal.



During the proceedings, the counsel for the nursing home, doctors and the staff denied the allegations levelled by the complainant and claimed that such claims were not specified in the FIR.


New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the country is united against any kind of violence and Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam.



"The whole country is united against terrorism. The Muslims have realised that terrorism is an attempt to defame Islam," he told reporters here when asked about the violence perpetrated by militants in Jammu and Kashmir.



He said the security forces were giving befitting reply to militants who are creating trouble in Kashmir Valley. The Home Minister had on Friday said that Pakistan was using the social media to incite youths in Kashmir to storm encounter sites and help holed-up militants.



The strife-torn region had seen a "new trend" of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at the sites of encounter between security forces and terrorists and pelt stones to help the militants escape, he had said.



The Home Minister andDefence and Finance Minister ArunJaitley had also held a high-level meeting on Friday to review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.



Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police S P Vaidhad said on Thursday that youths who storm the encounter sites in the Valley to hurl stones at security personnel are committing suicide.



Last month, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said that local Kashmiri people creating hurdles by throwing stones at the security personnel during anti-terror operations will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face "harsh" actions.
Bengaluru: Congress leader P Chidambaram has claimed there was an "undercurrent" of Opposition among the people against the AIADMK (Amma) government led by K Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu though it might not be reflected in the outcome of the April 12 RK Nagar assembly byelection.



There were 130 members (of ruling party) in the assembly confronted with a situation where they have another four years and two months of their tenure to go, he told reporters in Bengaluru last night on the sidelines of launch of his book "Fearless in opposition - Power and Accountability".



Replying to a question on how he saw the future of Tamil Nadu politics, he said, "They (the 130 MLAs) have realised they have to stick together and stand together. If they fall out, government will fall...



"But there is hardly in government and governance in Tamil Nadu because all 130 assembly members are waging a battle for survival to remain in power for the remaining term," he said.



"But I think there is an undercurrent of opposition against the present dispensation which might not be reflected in the byelection," he said.



Chidambaram said byelections were usually dominated by police, muscle and money power. "We have to wait for the more general elections that take place. That will happen when the local body election will take place," he added.



The Congress leader also said he cannot say whether the RK Nagar byelection will benefit DMK, the ally of Congress, or there would be a formal split in AIADMK.



The AIADMK (Amma) led by V K Sasikala and AIADMK (Puratchithalaivi Amma) of rebel group led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam are locked in a bitter battle in the bypoll necessitated by the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5 last year.



Both the factions are facing a litmus test as the outcome would have a bearing on their future.



Besides the DMK, candidates of BJP, CPIM, DMDK led by actor Vijaykanth are also contesting the byelections to the city constituency.
: Over a fortnight after taking oath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold his first cabinet meeting on April 4 where key issues in the BJP's poll manifesto, especially farm loan waiver, are likely to be taken up."The cabinet meeting will be held in the evening on April 4," state Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters in Lucknow.Speaking in Varanasi, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said a proposal has been prepared for loan waiver of farmers and it will be presented before the cabinet at its first meeting.BJP, in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra (manifesto), had promised to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his election speeches that writing off farmers' loans would be among the foremost tasks of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.Modi had promised during his election campaign that a decision on loan waiver would be taken at the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government in the state.According to officials, there are around 2.30 crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh of whom, around 2.15 crore fall in the 'small and marginal' category.They had suffered losses due to natural calamities in the recent past and were unable to repay loans amounting to about Rs 62,000 crore.As the figure is huge, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling various options, including raising loans, to honour the saffron party's commitment to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers.A state finance department spokesman said Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal has already started deliberations with senior officials of his department in this regard.The government will have to pay the banks to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and for that, it will have to either seek funds from the Centre or raise loans on its own, the spokesman said.Sources in the government said it would be difficult to handle the burden of loan waiver in a single financial year. They added that it was one of the reasons for putting the cabinet meeting on hold till some way was found to honour the prime minister's poll promise.Some officers were of the opinion that a decision in this regard could be taken and a policy formulated later, but the chief minister insisted that the decision be made once the policy was clear, so that there were no hurdles.ALSO READ: Surya Namaskar In Yoga is Like Offering Namaz: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Kabul: Two more planes carrying Afghans deported from Europe landed in Kabul this week, failed asylum seekers sent back under an agreement between the European Union and Afghan government.



The arrivals mean 248 people have been deported from Europe to Afghanistan this year, compared with 580 throughout 2016, said Hafiz Ahmad Miakhel, spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations.



The number of Afghans deported from Europe is small compared to the thousands returning voluntarily, but deportations are rising and some migration experts say expelling people to a country where the government controls less than two thirds of territory amid a Taliban insurgency is wrong.



Fifteen deportees arrived by chartered flight from Germany on Tuesday, while 19 landed on Wednesday from Austria and 10 from Sweden. Another flight, from Finland, is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.



European governments say those deported back have failed rigorous asylum tests, and that major cities like Kabul are sufficiently safe.



Afghans were the second largest group of asylum seekers in Europe in 2015, and concerns about security and their integration have encouraged politicians to take a tougher line.



"We are committed to the agreements but we need more assistance from the international community to help these people," Miakhel told Reuters, referring to an October agreement between the EU and the Afghan government.



"There is a war against the Taliban, against Daesh (Islamic State), against Al Qaeda and this year we will have more forced deportees than last year," he said.



FAILED APPLICATIONS



Shams Ahmadi, a 24-year old ex-policeman, said he landed in Kabul on Jan. 24 after his asylum application, pending in Germany since 2011, failed a second time and police arrested him.



He said he had left Afghanistan after the Taliban blew up his house in the province of Ghazni, killing his father, and that his family had fled to Iran.



He plans to go to Europe again.



"I cannot live in Afghanistan. If I leave Kabul I will be shot by the Taliban," he told Reuters at a non-governmental organisation office in western Kabul helping him with cash for lodgings and medicine to deal with mental health problems.



Another recent returnee, Reza Alizada, said he had lived in Norway for about 18 months before police raided his hostel and detained him. He said he was 17 years old but Norwegian authorities had found him to be in his early twenties.



"I have nobody here to help me, and I have no networks to help me find a job," he said, reflecting broader worries among returnees in a country with an unemployment rate of 40 percent.



Reuters could not verify their stories. The German and Norwegian embassies in Kabul did not respond to requests for comment.



Afghanistan will welcome more returning migrants than any other country in 2017, including up to one million from neighbouring Pakistan, said Masood Ahmadi at the International Organization for Migration in Afghanistan.



"If you are coming to Afghanistan against your will, you are not ready to return. Re-integration back into society will be very difficult and forced deportations have the stigma of failure," he said. "It will encourage re-migration."
Kabul: At least 10 terrorists were killed overnight when Afghan security forces repelled an attack by Taliban in northern Takhar province, police said on Sunday.



"Dozens of terrorists stormed Darqad district centre at mid-night (on Saturday)," Tolo News quoted a military official as saying.



He said three policemen and nine militants were injured in the attack in the district bordering Tajikistan.



Several security towers around the district office building were damaged following the clashes in the province, 245 km from the militants.
Berlin: Chancellor Angela Merkel said refugees in Germany must respect tolerance, openness and freedom of religion, while senior members of her party called for a ban on foreign funding of mosques.



Merkel, who will seek a fourth term as chancellor in what is expected to be a tight election in September, has come under fire for allowing more than one million refugees to enter Germany over the past two years.



Interviewed by a Syrian journalist who came to Germany in 2015 and asked about what Germany was expecting from refugees, Merkel said in her weekly podcast:



"We expect the people who come to us to stick to our laws."



Merkel said it was paramount that new arrivals respected and understood the liberal values of modern Germany such as tolerance, openness, freedom of religion and freedom of opinion.



The centre-right leader urged Germans to show openness in return. "We know very few things about Syria, we know very few things about Iraq or African countries. And we must see this as an opportunity to learn more and experience more," she said.



Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has lost support since her decision in 2015 to leave Germany's borders open for hundreds of thousands refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria and Iraq.



Immigration and security are set to be major issues in the election, in which the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to enter parliament.



In an apparent attempt to address unease among traditional CDU voters over Merkel's migration policy, CDU deputy party leader Julia Kloeckner called for stricter rules for Islamic preachers and a ban on foreign funding of mosques, echoing comments by other senior CDU members in recent days.



Most of the four million Muslims living in Germany have a Turkish background and some mosques in Germany are financed by the Turkish government.



"An 'Islam law' can place the rights and duties of Muslims living in Germany on a new legal basis," Kloeckner told Bild am Sonntag.



Kloeckner also called for a public register that would list all mosques in Germany and provide background information on sponsors and financiers.



Such rules should also include a right to a Muslim religious counsellor in prisons, hospitals and nursing homes, she added.



The CDU's coalition partner and rival party the SPD, whose new leader Martin Schulz will stand against Merkel in September's election, flatly rejected the idea.



"In my opinion, the proposals are hardly compatible with the German constitution," SPD deputy leader Olaf Scholz told the Funke media group, adding that a law could not only be made for a single religious community.



The chairman of the Islamic Council in Germany, Burhan Kesici, said the proposals were populist and put Muslims under blanket suspicion.
AMHERST  Republican gubernatorial hopeful Corey Stewart hammered in his platform of aggressive immigration law enforcement at a candidates forum Saturday using a picture of three undocumented immigrants arrested this week related a teenagers death in Bedford County.

Stewart, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chairman, opened with his hard-line stance on illegal immigration, a signature of his campaign. He returned to the issue multiple times, including once when asked about education during a question-and-answer session alongside fellow GOP hopefuls former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie and Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach.

A crowd of about 150 people showed up for the roughly two-hour gubernatorial forum in Amherst County at the Winton Country Club, one of the few debates scheduled to be held in the Lynchburg area prior to the June election. They meet at Liberty University in April.

Candidates gave 90-second responses to questions sourced from the crowd, on issues including abortion, charter schools, transgender rights regarding locker rooms and bathrooms, and Central Virginia Training Center.

This is a picture of three despicable human beings. They murdered and mutilated a 17-year-old innocent Virginia boy, here in Bedford, in the Bedford area, Stewart said speaking in Amherst County.  The number one job of government, whether its on the federal level or the state level or the local level is protect the lives, the safety and the rights of all of you.

Three members of the MS-13 gang  made up Salvadoran nationals, first-generation Salvadoran-Americans and other Central and South American immigrants  were arrested and charged with second degree murder in relation to the death of 17-year-old Raymond Wood, Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown announced Friday.

The crowd generally responded well to Stewarts call for enforcing immigration law, which has been ramped up since Republican President Donald Trump took office, but a couple Nelson County residents werent sure what Stewart was getting at by repeatedly holding up the picture.

Ingrid Sherwood, a semi-retired educator, said she would have liked to hear more about education during the forum. When asked about Stewarts use of a picture of the three suspects, she said part of me agreed, and part of me thought he was capitalizing on a young mans death.

There are illegal aliens who commit crimes. There are Americans who commit crimes. Whats the percentage? I dont know, Sherwood said.  I dont know if that was a gimmick or not.

When asked whether as governor they would withhold state money from localities declaring themselves sanctuary cities, all three candidates said they would.

After the 2017 General Assembly, Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would outlaw sanctuary cities, which passed each legislative chamber along party lines. The bill would have prevented any locality from adopting laws restricting enforcement of federal immigration laws. Democrats decried it as only a message bill meant to create fear in immigrant communities.

An illegal alien by definition is an illegal alien, Wagner said, adding the Democrats shouldnt complain because they did not reform immigration when they owned Congress early in former Democratic President Barack Obamas term.

 We have to control our borders. We have to protect our citizens. We have to protect our jobs, he said.

Stewart said he would go further than depriving those localities of specific state money for law enforcement, but also require vetting of the immigration status of anyone who was arrested for a crime anywhere in Virginia. He referenced an ordinance passed in Prince William County early in his tenure as well as an Arizona state law.

Thats the only thing thats going to prevent these despicable people from committing additional crimes against your families, Stewart said.

Gillespie said he knows everyone in the room has the family or Raymond Wood in our prayers tonight and this evening.

 We have to enforce our laws. Cities and counties do not get to pick and choose which federal laws we comply with and which federal laws we dont, Gillespie said, before turning to attack the two Democratic candidates Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former 5th Congressional District Rep. Tom Perriello on the issue.

When asked how they would handle allocating the Central Virginia Training Center property once the Madison Heights facility is shuttered, Wagner and Stewart both answered as if the training center was already closed.

The Madison Heights facility serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is slated for closure in 2020 as part of a plan to fulfill a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice.

Wagner said many training center residents require round-the-clock care and belong in an institutional setting.

Last month a longtime resident Tyler Bryant died after being transferred to Hiram W. Davis Medical Center in Petersburg in January. His mother, Martha Bryant, protested the transfer of him and his brother Taylor, saying they would receive inferior care anywhere but CVTC.

Southeastern Virginia Training Center in Chesapeake, which Wagner said is in his area, is the only one of five to remain open. He said he worked to restore money for the training centers and blamed the DOJ for forcing the decision. The levels of funding  forced us to shift the funding into more of these community settings.

That being said, Wagner said the propertys use ought to be the countys decision even though it belongs to the state.

While the state prepares for closure, Amherst County supervisors have asked for a plan for the 391-acre property right across the James River from Lynchburg out of concern over the local economy.

Stewart said it should never have been closed. He said community settings are not practical for all training center residents.

As governor, not only would I find another purpose for it, I would repurpose it for the same thing, Stewart said.

Before the forum began, Gillespie said he spoke with an attendee regarding what to do with the property. He said he would research the idea of the state making the site pad ready, so it is ready to be developed.

The state should take a new look at the training centers, though, Gillespie said.

Theres been a pendulum swing toward, you know, in-home care and community setting and that kind of thing as opposed to bigger settings and institutional settings, Gillespie said.  I think weve gone too far in that direction.

 The News & Advance staff contributed.
Gender, business dinners and 'leaning in'

Vice President Mike Pence recently revealed that he never eats alone with a woman to whom hes not related. To some, its a sign of his commitment to his faith, his fidelity and his wife. To some, its a sign that hes a misogynist.

I want to put aside the morality of Pences stance for a minute and talk about the real implications of a man deciding to treat women differently in this context. Ive been professionally employed my entire adult life, including starting my own business more than a decade ago. And during that time, Ive worked hard to be taken seriously, to hustle for new business, to lean in and to take every opportunity that comes my way. Ive eaten dinner alone with a man dozens of times over the course of my professional career. I can think of at least three times when a major financial decision was reached during one of those meals. If any of those men had a policy like Pence, I would have been seriously hampered in my job. I would have not gotten the deal, not advanced the project and not built the social relationships that are critical in my business. Not only that, but I would have been put at an even more serious disadvantage because similar meetings were happening with my male competitors.

When were all fighting for the same project, or looking to move up the same career ladder or seeking the same mentorship, singling out women as a potential threat at meal times does us a huge disservice. Heres a solution: If you feel the need to protect yourself from the temptation my female presence presents, feel free to avoid meals when its just the two of us. But to be fair and respectful of the impacts of that decision, you must also refrain from dinners when its just you and another guy. Thats right  only group dinners for you from now on! Its going to be inconvenient at times, but its the only way to uphold your values in a way that isnt a direct slap in the face to women everywhere. Treat us equally. What is good for the goose is good for the gander, no matter their gender.

JENNIFER WOOFTER

Lynchburg

Time to speak out

There are so many things happening in Washington and around the country that are concerning, that it is difficult to address them all. Some of these include efforts to reduce protections for workers, people living in poverty and the environment.

The issue that I find most concerning, however, is the unabashed racism present in the administration. This seems to have given permission to racists in public office, like Rep. Steve King, and throughout the country to publicly declare their racism and attack people of color and non-Christians.

Immediately after the election, I asked Rep. Bob Goodlatte to speak out against the presence of the white supremacists in the administration, such as Stephen Bannon and Sebastian Gorka. I asked him to do so again after the inauguration as it was becoming clear that these views were having a major impact on policy. He has not responded to me nor has he spoken out against racism and white supremacists at the highest level of power in our government and in his party.

I can think of only two reasons for Goodlatte and other members of his party to not speak out on this matter. One is agreement with these views. The other is fear of drawing the wrath of the president and the alt-right trolls which might impact his ability to get his legislative agenda passed. I am asking again, Rep. Goodlattte, either take a stand against a racist administration or let your constituents know your reasons for not doing so. Is it complicity or cowardice?

MARTY PACIOCCO

Amherst
The Repenters redeems

The award recognises stories for young adults.

Three finalists were selected from among submissions of published books and unpublished manuscripts. The other finalists are local writer Lisa Allen-Agostini for her manuscript Waiting for the Bus and Viviana Prado-Nunez (Puerto Rico/USA) for the self-published book The Art of White Roses.

In 2016 local novelist, Tamika Gibson won the prize with her d?but novel De First Fam- ily.

Hoseins novel also made the long list of the 2017 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, but lost in the fiction category to Jamaican Kei Millers historical epic, Augustown.

The prize, which is in its seventh year, recognises books in poetry, fiction, and literary non-fiction.

Hosein, a physics teacher from Cunupia, spoke with Sunday Newsday about his nomination before the short list was announced.

I wasnt expecting it at all. He said the book is pretty graphic for Caribbean literature and was pleasantly surprised it was chosen.

On being nominated for the Burt Award, Hosein said that he had entered on a whim and had originally planned to send in another manuscript but ran out of time.

When I saw the list (confirming my nomination) I did a double take. I really did not expect that. Hosein said he was glad as the Burt Award facilitates the publication of winners novels and he did not know how else his novel would have been published.

Thirty-year-old Hosein and the late historian Angelo Bissessarsingh were the only two Trinidadians on the OCM Bocas long list, Bissessarsingh for his twin books Virtual Glimpses into the Past and A Walk Back in Time. Bissessarsingh won the non-fiction category, the first time a Trinidadian has done so in the seven-year history of the OCM Bocas Prize.

Hosein explained that The Repenters is based on second hand stories and centres around a 12-year-old boy, Jordan Sant, whose parents were murdered when he was a baby and he was sent to an orphanage, St Asteria Home for Children.

A new nun nicknamed Mouse comes to work at the orphanage and Jordan is immediately smitten by her. He eventually runs away from the orphanage and into the underbelly of Port-of- Spain.

Hosein wrote the first draft while studying at University of the West Indies (UWI) seven years ago, and the story was much different, with the protagonist becoming a serial killer.

Asked about the inspiration for it, Hosein recalled when he was eight he visited an orphanage with his family to donate food. He said he was deathly afraid of the thought of being a child without parents. I wanted to get into the mind of overcoming not having parents. He described the novel as a coming-of-age tale and noted that the protagonist exhibits a popular Trinbagonian characteristic -- taking grim situations and putting them in humorous contexts.

Hosein said he first got interested in writing when he was about five-years-old and enjoyed watching Tom and Jerry cartoons.

He recalled that although Jerry usually won in the confrontations, there was one episode where Tom won and Jerry ended up in a mental hospital.

This inspired Hosein to come up with his own scenarios where Tom would win.

In his early years at primary school he used to enjoy verbal storytelling but disliked creative writing because of its descriptive nature. He found it boring. However, when he moved up to Standards Four and Five and started writing longer stories in preparation for the then Common Entrance Examination he began to get into writing. At age 22 he wrote a story that centred around pride and featured a girl wearing a magical mask from a demon salesman.

He later wrote stories about the other six Biblical deadly sins, which eventually became the collection, Littletown Secrets (2013).

Although there was not much of a market for fantasy books then, he managed to get the book published.

I took the chance (to publish) and it paid off. It became popular with teachers and he was invited to do readings.

He was also invited by Bocas Lit Fest to read in the Childrens Caravan.

Asked why he was drawn to younger characters, Hosein said it is their ability to be easily influenced by the smallest of changes.

His story, The Monkey Trap, about a man who believes his six-year-old son is a monkey, was submitted to the Commonwealth Short Story competition.

It did not make it into the final five, but was picked up by Akashic Books from Brooklyn and was included in a collection, Pepperpot.

Hosein said he is glad he submitted to the competition.

You cant lose anything. In 2015 he won the Commonwealth Short Story competition (Caribbean) with The King of Settlement 4.

Asked his advice for aspiring writers, Hosein said they should question everything and always be observant, which can sometimes lead to a story and a character.

Every little thing can be a story. Hosein said he has a couple of manuscripts he plans to revisit after a year and see if they are still good.

He writes about 1,000 words per day, and when he is finished with something he takes a break from it before reading it again.

He admonished aspiring writers to avoid sharing their premature writing, as this tends to create a feeling that the work is finished and they dont need to press on with it.

He also pointed out that writing may involve quite a bit of rejection for some people.

He described it as a literary lotto, the more you play you are bound to get something.

The winner of the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature will be announced on the evening of April 26 at the opening celebration of the 2017 NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port-of-Spain.

The Repenters, published by Peepal Street Press, is available for purchase on Amazon
Tom Brady Just Became

First NFL Player to Do This
Mormon leaders reminded church members Saturday about the importance of performing ceremonial baptisms on dead ancestors who didn't receive the ordinance while alive. It's a practice unique to the faith that came under fire in the past from Jews when they discovered Holocaust victims, including Anne Frank, were being baptized. Henry Eyring told a worldwide audience during a twice-yearly Mormon conference in Salt Lake City that God wants all his children "home again, in families and in glory." He encouraged listeners to use the religion's massive genealogical database to trace their roots, reports the AP. Ceremonial baptisms occur when a member brings an ancestor's name to a temple.

Mormons believe the ritual allows deceased people a way to the afterlife if they choose to accept what they see as an offering of love. The belief that families are sealed for eternity is one of the faith's core tenets. The practice is becoming more common because young church members have embraced it, said Eyring, a member of a top governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Separately, the AP reports church president Thomas S. Monson on Sunday announced the 15.8 million-member Mormon church plans to build five more temples across the globe: in Saratoga Springs, Utah; Brasilia, Brazil; the greater Manila area of the Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya; and Pocatello, Idaho. (Read more Mormon stories.)
A top adviser to President Trump has urged the defeat of a Michigan congressman and member of the House Freedom Caucus, which derailed the White House on legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Government ethics lawyers say the tweet by White House social media director Dan Scavino Jr. violates federal law that limits political activity by government employees. The White House denies Scavino had run afoul of the law, reports the AP. Two days after Trump himself tweeted a threat to the conservative group of fellow Republicans, Scavino followed up Saturday by singling out GOP Rep. Justin Amash, tweeting Trump "is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan" and Amash "is a big liability," adding: "#TrumpTrain, defeat him in primary."

Amash, who began serving his fourth House term in January, responded by retweeting Scavino and adding: "Trump admin & Establishment have merged into #Trumpstablishment. Same old agenda: Attack conservatives, libertarians & independent thinkers." Ethics lawyers who worked for both Republican and Democratic presidents say Scavino violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that limits political activity by government employees. They say it doesn't matter that Scavino tweeted from an account marked as "personal" and not from his official government Twitter account, as the White House asserts. One lawyer points out the description beneath the photo on the account Scavino has designated as personal: It shows Scavino in the Oval Office, and he is identified as director of social media and a senior adviser to Trump. (Read more House Freedom Caucus stories.)
The body of a woman who went missing more than two decades ago has been foundburied under the grave of a World War II veteran. John Sandoval, 52, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 1995 death of his estranged wife, Kristina Tournai-Sandoval. As part of a plea deal, the Colorado man told investigators March 22 her remains were buried at a Greeley cemetery. Sandoval found an open gravesite early in the morning on Oct. 20, 1995, that was scheduled for a burial that afternoon. Prosecutors say he dug about 2 feet below the grave and buried Tournai-Sandoval's body, which was wrapped in several layers of industrial-grade plastic. Cemetery workers then unknowingly buried the veteran over her remains, reports the AP.

The Greeley Tribune reports Tournai-Sandoval had planned to meet her husband of three years for one last time before finalizing their divorce, in order to discuss an IRS debt. That meeting was to take place Oct. 19, 1995; it was the last day she was seen alive. Detectives found a muddy shovel in Sandoval's car, muddy clothes inside his home, and noticed scratch marks on his face, neck, and chest. Charges were not filed at the time because authorities could not find the body, any witnesses, or a crime scene. Sandoval was convicted in 2010 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. But an appeals court overturned his conviction last year. Prosecutors had been preparing for a new trial when Sandoval offered to give up his wife's location in exchange for taking a life sentence off the table, reports the Denver Post. He could be up for parole as soon as 2028. (Read more murder stories.)
They "said they were going to go start the Armageddon." What followed wasn't the end times, but the brutal end of one family in a crime that remains one of the worst in East Tennessee memory. In a lengthy piece, the Knoxville News Sentinel revisits the Lillelid murders on their 20th anniversary, and explains that while most of the facts of the case are known, some questions remainincluding whether the six people now serving life without parole for the murders intended to commit such a crime on the night of April 6, 1997. On that Sunday, Vidar and Delfina Lillelid, 34 and 28, respectively, were driving back to Knoxville from an annual Jehovah's Witness convention about 100 miles northeast. They stopped at a rest stop with Tabitha, 6, and Peter, 2, and Vidar spotted a group of teens. He asked them if they wanted to learn about God. It was a fatal mistake.

The sixNatasha Cornett, Karen Howell, Dean Mullins, Joe Risner, Crystal Sturgill, and Jason Bryantranged in age from 14 to 20 and had taken off from Kentucky, on what Cornett suggested should be a Natural Born Killers-like murderous spree to the Mexican border. The Chevrolet Citation they were driving needed to be swapped out for another car, and they decided the Lillelids' van would suffice. They had Vidar drive, and followed in the Citation. Along a road in rural Greene County, the family was forced from the van, shot multiple times, and left in the mud. The Citation was there, too, having gotten stuck on a stump when the group apparently tried to drive off in it, too. Though its license plate was gone, the car was a crucial clue for policewho discovered that Peter had managed to survive. Read the full story for more on the crime and its aftermath. (Read more Longform stories.)
The wife of Tad Cummins, the Tennessee teacher suspected of kidnapping his freshman student, has filed for divorce. WHNT reports marital misconduct and irreconcilable differences were listed on the complaint filed Friday by Jill Cummins, who was married to Tad for 31 years. Cummins, 50, and his student Elizabeth Thomas, 15, have been missing since March 13 and were last caught on camera in an Oklahoma Walmart; the video was taken March 15 and released Friday. Jill, who Heavy reports works in the same school district as Tad, pleaded to him directly in a press conference in March, asking that he return the girl safely.

"Tad, this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this," she said. "No matter how far you've gone and what's happening right now, God's grace is sufficient for you, and he wants you to come home." According to WSMV, Jill's lawyer issued a statement Friday asking the media to respect her privacy as she navigates this trying time. "The filing of the divorce complaint is the first step to removing Jill from this situation. Jill will attempt to move forward with her life. This is a difficult time for her and her family." (The DA says it's possible Cummins is now in Mexico and posing as a missionary.)
Iraqi intelligence networks on Saturday said one of the Islamic State's highest-ranking leaders has been killed in an airstrike near the border with Syria.

Baghdad : Iraqi intelligence networks on Saturday said one of the Islamic State's highest-ranking leaders has been killed in an airstrike near the border with Syria.

Known as IS' number two, Ayad Hamid Khalaf al-Jumaili was killed in the town of al-Qaim in Anbar province, located on Iraq's border with Syria, Efe news service quoted Iraqi intelligence as saying.

Al-Jumaili was dubbed the IS minister of war.

The Iraqi authorities pointed out that the bombing also claimed the lives of IS military leader in al-Qaim, Turki Jamal al-Dulimi, known as Abu Hajar, and Salem Muzfer al-Ajami, an IS administrative official in that town.

The intelligence added that the aviation directed "a precise blow" against a position of IS leaders in that Iraqi town.

However, the intelligence gave no further details regarding the time of the attack or whether it was carried out by aircraft of Iraqi air forces or the US-led international coalition.

IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi talked to his supporters one month ago through a written speech distributed in the Iraqi city of Mosul, acknowledging the defeat of his forces against Iraqi government troops, according to military officials.

Mohamed Ibrahim al-Bayati, head of Security Council of Nineveh province, saids that IS prominent leaders move aimlessly on the borders between Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi forces, backed by the international coalition, launched a major offensive in Mosul to drive IS extremists out their main stronghold, where al-Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate on June 29, 2014.
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About a decade ago, Kevin Kraft knew adopting lean production methods into his hydraulic cylinder manufacturing plant would help his bottom line but wasnt sure how do it.

Now, the government-supported manufacturing consultancy program that helped his company go lean could be in jeopardy.

Services offered by Wisconsins manufacturing consultancy programs and the 58 other providers across the country may have to scale back dramatically if the Trump administrations proposed budget is adopted without changes.

Kraft, owner and CEO of JARP Industries in Schofield and Wausau, began meeting with WMEP, which specializes in assisting small and mid-sized manufacturers on a variety of topics including lean manufacturing about 10 years ago. Kraft credits working with WMEP for helping his company implement lean processes and grow the business to its present size of about 160 employees.

WMEPs primary role in working with us has been on lean manufacturing principles and helping us with some concepts and value stream mapping, said Kraft. Through lean, we found cost savings and found how we could do more with the same number of people, so for certain (WMEPs) help had an impact on our capacity and our costs.

Budget cut impact

Preserving and growing domestic manufacturing jobs was a major campaign issue for Trump, one the president returned to last week. He met with the National Association of Manufacturers on Friday at the White House, touting a new survey from the group that 93 percent of members polled now have a positive outlook on their companies, up from less than 57 percent this time last year. About 420 manufacturers responded to the quarterly survey.

Yet his budget calls for discontinuing federal funding to the MEP program, which the administration says will require the MEP centers to rely on state and private funding as it was originally intended when the program launched nearly 30 years ago. The move would save $124 million, part of a $1.5 billion, 16 percent budget cut to the Department of Commerce.

The administration seeks to boost defense spending by 10 percent, or $54 billion, as part of an effort Trump believes is necessary to strengthen the military. It is cutting from other areas of federal spending to do it.

Buckley Brinkman, CEO of Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, questioned the move to eliminate resources that help smaller manufacturers work smarter, find ways to grow and add jobs  as Trump pledged to do during his campaign.

MEP has a direct impact on manufacturing, and when you start talking about measurable impact, over the history of the program the whole national system has a return of $12 to $1, Brinkman said.

The national MEP program says it has helped manufacturers find more than $1.4 billion in cost savings annually and $9.1 billion in increased or retained sales.

Brinkman, who was WMEPs executive director and CEO from 2011 to 2015, said his organization and those he oversees operate on a total budget of about $7 million, $3.2 million of which comes from the federal government.

If the budget cuts remain, our activities would be substantially limited, forcing staff cuts, Brinkman said.

He noted the federal budget process is lengthy and there still is time to work with Wisconsins representatives before the new federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

MEP consulting programs are not free, but the services may be provided at no cost if offered through programs provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. or other partner organizations, Brinkman said.

Improved operations

As Krafts knowledge of lean  continually looking for ways to streamline workflow  improved, he sought out additional help from UW-Madison and its lean operation management courses. Several JARP employees have taken and completed courses and programs on lean since 2011.

Jeff Oelke, a member of the engineering professional development staff at UW-Madison, said working with Krafts management team through the years helped them to recognize the benefits of lean principles. Seeing the big picture helped them overcome any resistance to change.

The not-so-obvious strategic benefit of attending and completing the lean operations management certificate is the improvement to manufacturing lead times and creation of capacity, Oelke said. What were attempting to achieve is improving flow of material, which leads to shorter manufacturing lead times and in most cases increased plant capacity that we have to sell with no additional costs other than raw materials. Thats what JARP was able to achieve.

Krafts company adopted a process called single-piece flow, which eliminated some steps in making a cylinder component and cut production time from more than 20 days to 12 days.

Kraft said WMEP helped guide him and other executives to look at how operations could be more efficient.

Were probably about 50 percent bigger than we were about 10 years ago, Kraft said. WMEP has been very good about keeping up with the times and staying current of what companies needs are today.

Brinkman said that if federal support is eliminated, MEP wouldnt disappear, but its approach would be different.

Wed have about a year to transition to a different business model, he said. In terms of organizations who focus on small- and mid-sized manufacturers and helping them be more competitive, were the only game in town.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 16F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 16F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In responding to questions about his decision to spend $10,000 worth of taxpayer money on commemorative coins engraved with the phrase Kicking Ass Every Day, state Attorney General Brad Schimel on Wednesday whipped out that old attack on one particular class of public workers.

His employees and others in law enforcement and the military deserve the coins as an acknowledgment of their hard work because, he said, unlike some other state workers, his arent bureaucrats who will let you wait in line for 45 minutes and then, like Marge Simpsons sisters on The Simpsons show, pull the screen down and say theyre going to their lunch break.

Marges sisters, Patty and Selma, work at the Springfield Department of Motor Vehicles, and while they arent known for their work ethic, Wisconsins DMV workers may well be kicking more ass than Schimels crew at the Department of Justice.

I was struck by Schimels comments before the Legislatures budget committee because of how tasteless it is to throw a whole category of your fellow state employees under the, ahem, bus.

Tasteless and misinformed, as it turns out.

DMV administrator Kristina Boardman declined to respond in kind to Schimels assumptions about her offices work ethic, but she was happy to share data from the departments performance improvement program.

From 2014 through 2016, for example, 84 percent to 91 percent of customers at DMV services centers had wait times of 20 minutes or less. The time it took to complete a transaction during those years averaged from 5 minutes and 44 seconds to 6 minutes and 39 seconds. And more than 90 percent of the time, slots were available for driving tests at customers preferred service center.

When I went to the DMVs Madison East service center to get my first Wisconsin drivers license about 10 years ago, I was in and out so quick my then-1-year-old daughter never raised a fuss.

DMV takes its responsibility to provide efficient service to the public very seriously, Boardman said. We closely monitor the data to ensure we are hitting the goals we need to, while always looking for new opportunities to improve.

It took six minutes from the time I left a message with Boardman on Thursday morning until she called me back. I mention this only because I dont recall a time when a highly placed state official has personally responded to one of my inquiries so quickly, and without knowing what I was calling about.

If theres been a low point recently in the DMVs service record, it came in 2011-13.

That was the era of fallout from a law enacted by Schimels fellow Republicans known as Act 10, which stripped state workers of most collective bargaining rights. The result was an efficiency-hobbling wave of retirements at the DMV and lots of time spent recruiting and training their replacements.

I would be happy to provide the DOJ with an opportunity to tout its own performance metrics  such the average amount of time for completing a case  but it doesnt really have many of them.

The nature of the work at DOJ is different than something like wait times at the DMV, said DOJ spokesman Johnny Koremenos. Every case or investigation is different, so comparing the time from case to case would be like comparing apples to oranges.

There are some outside indicators of the agencys performance, though.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette, for example, reported in February that 16 months after getting $4 million in grants to test a backlog of some 6,000 rape kits, Schimels office had so far completed tests of only nine.

Last month, this newspaper reported that while its made improvements of late, the DOJ takes, on average, seven workdays longer to process public records requests than state agencies as a whole, and two political advocacy groups  one liberal and one conservative  complain the office takes too long to respond to their records requests.

In fairness, the DOJs work ethic has been robust when it comes to challenging policies set by the Obama administration, such as the Clean Power Plan and guidance to allow transgender students to the use the bathrooms that correspond with their gender identities.

Schimel has also appealed a federal courts ruling that Republican-drawn Assembly district maps are unconstitutional, and launched an investigation into who leaked secret documents that made the governor look bad to The Guardian newspaper.

He is not investigating who leaked documents favorable to Walkers position to The Wall Street Journal.

Maybe its not that Schimels office doesnt work as hard as the DMV; its that most of its hard work is done on behalf of Republicans.
New Delhi:

Tax evasion of over Rs 5 crore under the GST regime would invite big troubles for people as it will be termed as non-bailable offence with the police having authority to make an arrest without a warrant.



The Central GST (CGST) Act provides that if the offences relating to taxable goods and/or services where the amount of tax evaded or the amount of input tax credit wrongly availed or the amount of refund wrongly taken exceeds Rs 5 crore, shall be cognizable and non-bailable.



In a 223-page FAQ on Goods and Services Tax (GST), the CBEC said other offences under the act are non-cognizable and bailable.

Read | Financial year 2017-18: Fresh income tax rules, ban on sale of BS-III vehicles, hike in General insurance premium and more

The government has set a target date of July 1 for roll out of the GST, which will subsume central excise, service tax, VAT and other local levies.

As per the FAQ, cognizable offence means serious category of offences in respect of which a police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court.

Non-cognizable offence means relatively less serious offences in respect of which a police officer does not have the authority to make an arrest without a warrant and an investigation cannot be initiated without a court order, it said.

Outlining the safeguards to be taken during arrest, the FAQ said if a person is arrested for a cognizable offence, he must be informed in writing of the grounds of arrest and he must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest.

If a person is arrested for a non-cognizable and bailable offence, the Deputy/ Assistant Commissioner of CGST/SGST can release him on bail and he will be subject to the same provisions as an officer in-charge of a police station under section 436 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Read | GST panel clears few rules, to meet again in Srinagar on May 18-19

The FAQ provides that, if a person does not appear before a CGST/SGST officer who has issued the summon, he is liable to a penalty of up to Rs 25,000. Also, the tax department have guidelines to ensure that summon provisions are not misused by field officers.

As per the guidelines, summons are to be issued as a "last resort where assessees are not co-operating and this should not be used for the top management.

"Also the language of the summons should not be harsh and legal which causes unnecessary mental stress and embarrassment to the receiver," it said. Further, summons by the superintendents should be issued after obtaining prior written permission from an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner with the reasons for issuance of summons to be recorded in writing.

"Senior management officials such as CEO, CFO, General Managers of a large company or a Public Sector Undertaking should not generally be issued summons at the first instance. They should be summoned only when there are indications in the investigation of their involvement in the decision making process which led to loss of revenue," the guidelines said.

The Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST) Act have empowered the officers from Police, Railways, Customs, village officers, and any other government officers to assist CGST and SGST officers under the GST regime.

Read | Under new GST regime, CBEC will be renamed to CBIC

For all the Latest Business News, Economy News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Congress released its second list of 127 candidates late on Sunday for the upcoming municipal elections in Delhi. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken shared the list on his official Twitter handle.

With this, the party has announced its complete list of candidates a day before the deadline for filing of nomination for the elections.

"Following is the second list of 127 candidates for the Delhi municipal elections!" Maken said.

FOLLOWING IS THE SECOND LISTOF 127 INC CANDIDATES FOR THE DELHI MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS!

ALL THE BEST! pic.twitter.com/plac4auJhF  Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) April 2, 2017

The party had released its first list on Saturday evening. Congress' rival BJP too announced its first list of candidates on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, the Delhi State Election Commission has extended time for filing of nominations for the polls by three hours on last date- April 3.
New Delhi:

An arrest warrant has been issued against Bollywood actress and dancer Rakhi Sawant in case of making unacceptable remarks against sage Valmiki, writer of mythological Hindu epic Ramayana.

Warrant was issued against her on March 9 as the Valmiki community complained that their religious sentiments were hurt with her comments on a programme telecasted on a private channel in 2016, according to police.

"By doing so she has hurt the religious sentiments of a large number of his followers," the complaint said.

"A two-member team of the Ludhiana police has left for Mumbai with the arrest warrant," a police official said.

On March 9 hearing, Rakhi Sawant failed to appear before the court even when court had issued her repeated summons.

Well the next hearing of the case has been scheduled for April 10.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Amravati:

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet was expanded by CM N Chandrababu Naidu. He inducted 11 new ministers and dropping five taking the number of ministers to 26.

Five incumbent ministers were dropped in the maiden reorganisation of the state Council of Ministers since the government was formed on June 8, 2014.

Soon after the rejig, one of the dropped ministers Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy resigned from his Assembly membership.

The veteran TDP leader from Chittoor forwarded his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao this morning. A copy of the letter was also sent to the CM.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh Health Minister enjoins centre to lower NEET cut-off

Governor E S L Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at a function near the state governments transitional headquarters at Velagapudi.The AP Cabinets strength has now increased to 26.

Nara Lokesh was elected to the state Legislative Council under the MLAs quota last month.

Veteran Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and state unit president K Kala Venkata Rao was inducted into the Cabinet while his sister-in-law Kimidi Mrinalini was dropped.

The four YSRC MLAs, who were sworn-in as ministers included R V Sujay Krishna Rao, Bhuma Akhila Priya, Ch Adinarayana Reddy and N Amarnatha Reddy.

Also Read: BJP vows to fight Telangana govt's Muslim quota move

From the TDP, Pithani Satyanarayana, Nakka Ananda Babu, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, Kalva Srinivasulu and Kothapalli Samuel Jawahar got Cabinet berths.

Since February 2016, 21 out of the 67 MLAs of the YSRC have crossed over to the TDP. Of them, one Bhuma Nagi Reddy died last month. His daughter Bhuma Akhila Priya has been made a minister.

The MLAs, who switched sides, had earlier said they did so only to ensure development of their respective constituencies.

Some were offered ministerial berths, the YSRC had alleged.

The five ministers dropped from the Cabinet are Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, Kimidi Mrinalini, Peethala Sujatha and Ravela Kishore Babu.

Palle held many portfolios like Information and Public Relations, Information Technology, Telugu Language and Culture, Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Telugu Affairs.He has now been made the governments chief whip, a post that has a Cabinet ministers rank.

Though it was initially expected that Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana too would be dropped and handed a special responsibility with Cabinet ministers rank, the Chief Minister was said to have decided against it.

There were murmurs of dissent in Kadapa, SPS Nellore and other districts also as some aspirants were denied Cabinet berths.

In Kadapa, the home turf of YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, there was some resentment among those opposed to Adinarayana Reddy, who has been made a minister.

A couple of other legislators too were said to have decided to quit their posts but some MPs and other senior leaders apparently intervened and pacified them.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Beijing :

China on Friday asked India to exercise restraint on its plan to link the strategic border district of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh with a railway network, saying any unilateral action might complicate the unresolved border issue.

We hope that the Indian side can exercise caution, show restraint and refrain from unilateral actions that might further complicate the question so as to create a sound condition for enhancing mutual trust between China and India and promoting proper resolution of the boundary question, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Chinas position on eastern section of the China-India boundary is consistent and clear. At present, the two sides are working to resolve the territorial dispute through negotiation and consultation, the ministry told in a written reply following a query about reports that India was exploring possibilities to link Tawang with a railway network.

Also Read: At least 20 killed in Pakistan by mentally ill custodian of dargah

China has in recent days upped its rhetoric on claims to Arunachal Pradesh, which it says is Southern Tibet, and even warned India of serious damage to ties if New Delhi allows Tibets exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to visit the state next week.

The ministry on Thursday warned New Delhi that the visit of the Dalai Lama, the highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, will come down to India to make a choice.

Tawang, which happens to be the birthplace in 1683 of the sixth Dalai Lama, is at the centre of Tibetan Buddhism and a friction point between India and China relations.

India and China are in discussion to resolve their border dispute that covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While Beijing claims Arunachal as part of Southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute also covers the Aksai Chin area, which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.

The ministry said the two sides have agreed that pending final settlement, both sides will work together to properly manage the dispute and preserve peace in the border areas.

The Chinese reaction on Friday to the possible rail network and the Dalai Lamas visit to Tawang was the third time in recent weeks the foreign ministry has aired its objections.

Read More: ISRO shakes hands with private sector industry to make heavy duty satellite

Tawang has immense strategic value to India due to its location. The hilly region close to the Sino-India border was also in the news earlier this month when Dai Bingguo, a former Chinese Special Representative for India-China border talks, said the border dispute can be resolved if New Delhi accepts Beijings claim over Tawang.

If the Indian side takes care of Chinas concerns in the eastern sector of their border, the Chinese side will respond accordingly and address Indias concerns elsewhere, Dai had told the Chinese media in an interview.

But the proposal was rejected as impractical by Indian officials as Tawang is an integral part of Arunachal Pradesh and has sent representatives to Parliament in every election since 1950.

Lian Xiangmin, Director of contemporary research of Chinas state-run Tibetology Research Centre, last month said, Tawang is part of Tibet and Tibet is part of China. So Tawang is part of China. There is not much problem here.

India, giving a push to its strategic interests, is exploring the feasibility to link Tawang with a rail network. The government has asked Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who is also a Member of Parliament from Arunachal West seat, to explore the feasibility of a?rail network in the remote area.

The two ministers will tour the state to study the viability of connecting Tawang with Bhalukpong - the last station of the Railways on Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary at a distance of 378 kms - and to commence the final location survey of a new broad gauge line connecting the two cities.

It takes 18 hours from Guwahati in Assam to reach Tawang by road. Guwahati is the nearest major city and Tawang residents depend on it for medical emergencies.

The other broad gauge railway line that will be part of their survey will be the 249-kilometre North Lakhimpur-Bame-Silapathar section, which is between Pasighat airport and Rupa in Arunachal.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The race for state schools superintendent is playing out against a stark background  Wisconsins gap in academic success between black and white students is the widest in the country.

Two-term incumbent Tony Evers and his challenger Lowell Holtz each say hes in the best position to help school districts, though its unclear just how much influence the state superintendent and the Department of Public Instruction can have on local decisions.

The issue has served as the lens through which a number of changes to the states educational landscape have taken shape, including the creation of private school voucher systems, an increase in charter schools, the adoption of a new set of controversial academic standards and an overhaul of school discipline policies.

Though Holtz once supported Evers, a central message to Holtzs campaign this year is that Evers has had eight years leading the Department of Public Instruction to make significant progress in closing the states achievement gap, and schools progress in that time has been too small.

If you look at his speech (from Evers 2009 election), he was going to turn things around for his large, urban areas, Holtz said. I thought things were going to happen. After eight years, weve gone from somewhere in the middle of the road to worst in the nation. I dont believe he knows how to do it, and if he did know how to do it, he would.

But Evers cites progress, saying the bar by which gaps are measured has also been raised during his tenure and that a statewide turnaround cant be made overnight on an issue that is heavily influenced by poverty, which schools cant alone address. And a key proposal Evers has made to tackle the issue  a significant overhaul of the states school funding system  has been ignored by Gov. Scott Walker and a Republican-controlled Legislature four times since 2011.

To say that weve been avoiding this problem would be an absolute pile, because weve spent lots of time and lots of money to make progress and weve made some, but not enough, Evers said.

State law says the state superintendent has the power to aggressively intervene in persistently low-performing school districts, but not actually assume complete control over the administration of the districts.

But whoever wins the April 4 election would lead the DPI, an agency that administers state and federal funding for 422 school districts and state funding for the private school voucher programs. The myriad state superintendent duties include licensing teachers, writing and adopting academic standards, helping districts find qualified teachers, inspecting school buildings and intervening in low-performing schools when needed.

Holtz urges community solution

In December, Holtz and a candidate that was later eliminated in the spring primary election discussed the possibility of one of them dropping out of the race in exchange for landing a six-figure, taxpayer-funded job at DPI overseeing urban districts.

Holtz suggested the job at DPI would give him complete authority over districts in Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine and potentially Green Bay. The proposal gave Holtz the authority to create rules for the districts, change school boards and break apart school districts.

Those districts have high percentages of students living in poverty and more than 80 percent of their black children are not proficient in reading and math as measured by state tests, according to DPI data.

Holtz disavowed the idea once it became public. Instead, Holtz said if he is elected, he would build teams of DPI staff that would help urban districts foster relationships with parents and other community members to create a school community that feels ownership over a school and its students academic achievement, attendance record and graduation rates. Improving safety in schools also is a centerpiece of his campaign.

The very last thing I want is to impose some kind of takeover on a school district. Just scientifically, it doesnt work, Holtz said in an interview. From my own personal experience, the only way were able to turn around large, urban districts is getting everybody on board  businesses to parents. When you do that, and then focus on making it a positive learning environment within the school, you have a lot more opportunity for success. If a community feels ownership over a school, it keeps it rolling.

Holtz said the DPI also could do more with districts like Madison, which has no shortage of community involvement and interest in its schools but fewer than 60 percent of its black students are graduating in four years and about 80 percent are testing poorly in reading and math.

He said he would bring what are known as Innovation Zones to Madison if elected. Innovation Zones look different in each district but generally allow districts to create different rules or programs for schools or groups of schools in an effort to boost student achievement in significant ways by crafting a unique school day or special instruction or tutoring plans, for example.

Those are intelligent kids and were wasting generations of children by not looking at some of these other options, Holtz said.

Six states have Innovation Zones, which generally require school districts to ask the state for greater flexibility in structuring the school day and how they teach kids, much like how charter schools are treated. Holtz said Madison would be a good candidate for freedom from some state and federal requirements.

You cant say were doing everything we can and were still failing, Holtz said. Were the adults. We dont have a choice. The kids  we cant give up on our kids.

Holtz says his experience overseeing Beloit schools between 2006 and 2009 gives him credentials for this task  while there, graduation rates rose about 20 percentage points among black students.

Evers seeks funding overhaul

Evers has long championed an overhaul of the states school funding system as one way to address gaps in achievement. This would include providing a minimum amount of funding per student in school districts and some extra for students living in poverty, living in foster homes and students learning English as a second language.

The proposal has been rejected four times by Republican lawmakers, in part because it requires a significant boost in funding to work.

Evers also has said lawmakers need to properly fund public school districts before expanding the states taxpayer-funded school voucher programs to ensure districts like Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee and Racine have enough money to provide needed tutoring, teachers and other programs to improve academic achievement among low-performing students.

I still believe we have some obligations around the achievement gap, especially in areas of extremely high poverty and difficult and sometimes dysfunctional neighborhoods, Evers said.

Evers also said he has worked to provide districts with flexibility they need to address challenges. Evers said he has worked to give Milwaukee Public Schools the latitude to offer more summer school programs and said he hopes to be able to help the district provide year-round instruction in the future.

Theres no data to support a top-down interference by the state or federal government. I think the state has an obligation to remove obstacles. Have we done all those things? Yes. Have we turned the Titanic around? No, Evers said. I accept the fact that we havent had enough progress  I also believe its a community and statewide issue that transcends kids and their schools. If you have such an economic disparity in the state as we do, that has an impact.

Adopting the rigorous Common Core education standards in 2010 was another way to improve academics across the state, Evers said. The standards, which Holtz opposes and said he would get rid of, tell teachers what students should know and what skills they should have in each grade level.

Evers also said part of his work to provide schools with guidance on how to reduce gaps in achievement will come through a council convened of educators, education-related lobbyists and lawmakers that Evers heads to figure out how Wisconsin will carry out the measures of the new federal education law Every Student Succeeds Act.

For the districts with the widest gaps  Madison and Milwaukee  Evers said the department has been working for six or seven years with Milwaukee to standardize their curriculum across the district to ensure students at every school will receive the same kind of educational programs, even if they move around the district throughout a single year.

Evers, like Holtz, said community engagement is key in improving academic achievement among students  especially those living in poverty, who generally do more poorly in school than their wealthier peers. In Madison, however, Evers said coordinating the efforts from various organizations to ensure the areas most in need of extra help get it would make more of an impact on academic achivement.
New Delhi:

Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, an accused in a coal scam case, has been allowed by a special court to travel abroad for business purposes.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar yesterday allowed the plea filed by Jindal, seeking the courts permission to visit the US and Italy from April 7 to 16.

The court, however, imposed certain conditions on him. Jindal, a former parliamentarian, has been asked to inform the investigating officer and the court about the details of the places visited within seven days of his return.

He shall not tamper with evidence, nor try to influence any witness in any manner and will not use the permission granted to him contrary to the rules, the court said.

Delhi special court grants bail to ex-Coal Secretary, others in coal scam

Jindal has earlier been granted bail by the court after imposing several conditions.

Besides Jindal, the CBI had charge-sheeted former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former Coal Secretary H C Gupta and 11 others in the case of alleged irregularities in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd (GSIPL).

The CBI recently filed a supplementary charge sheet in the case naming five more persons as accused in the case, including Jindal Steels adviser Anand Goel.

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New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Friday accepted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for hearing related to printing coloured photographs of candidates on ballot papers and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) instead of the black and white ones being affixed now.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, however, turned down the petitioner's oral request that the direction for inclusion of coloured photographs be issued for the MCD election next month.

The bench said, "no such direction at this stage". The matter will be heard on May 8. The counsel for the Election Commission of India and Delhi state election commission, against whom the directions were sought, said as per the norms it is not mandatory to print coloured photos on the EVMs.

Voting will be held in 272 wards of the municipal corporations in Delhi on April 23. The public interest litigation (PIL) by two undergraduate students -- Anil Kumar and Pratap Chandra -- said that the Election Commission had issued a direction in March 2015 that in elections held after May 2015, in addition to the election symbols of the party candidates, their photographs shall also be fixed on the ballot papers and on the EVM.

It had directed that the candidates shall present their latest coloured or of black and white (B&W) photo within three months of nomination, but in all subsequent elections, only B&W photographs were fixed on ballot papers.

"When ECI has sought coloured as well as B&W photos from the candidates, there should be no reason for affixing B&W photos of the candidates," the plea has said. The plea, filed through advocate Biraja Mahapatra, said that the coloured photographs are an additional?measure for removing confusion from the minds of voters at the time of voting.

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New Delhi:

The Congress on Sunday hit out at the BJP over Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singhs remark to hang cow killers, saying the party is raking up the issue to divert the attention from the agitation for liquor ban.

The main opposition party in the state also demanded stern action in connection with the alleged deaths of cows in government-aided bovine shelter homes.

The chief minister had said in Jagdalpur that those who kill cows would be hanged in his state.

There is no opposition to ban on cow slaughter. But the chief minister should first tell what action was taken into the deaths of cows reported in government-aided gaushala (cow shelter home), Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel told PTI.

Also Read: Video | Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh says 'will hang those who kill cows'

Nothing happened in those incidents, which reveals how serious the state government is about the issue, he said.

No stern action was taken against the guilty into the deaths of cows in such a shelter home in Bhanupratappur (Kanker district) last year, he said.

Why action was not taken? Do they belong to BJP (those running gaushala)? You (CM) are making such a tall statement just to divert attention of people from the protest going all over the state demanding liquor ban, Baghel said.

He also said that before making such statements, the government should arrange for rehabilitation of cows straying on the streets, proper fodder for them and other facilities.

Notably, Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal had last year said that the state was the first in the country to enforce the law in letter and spirit to ban the slaughter of cows, buffaloes and their progeny.

Slaughter of cow, buffalo, bull, bullock, calf, and possession of their meat is banned in Chhattisgarh. Transport, export to other states for slaughter is also banned.

These offences attract same punishment of 7 years jail and fine up to Rs 50,000.

The Chhattisgarh government had informed in the state Assembly last year that as many as 1,373 cases of cattle smuggling had been registered (till February 2016) under the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, which was enacted in 2004.

In those cases, around 30,922 bovines were rescued from smugglers. The BJP-ruled Gujarat recently passed a more stringent law making cow slaughter punishable with life-term.

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New Delhi:

After the current EVM row, Election Commission is set to buy next generation EVMs which will stop operating the moment attempts are made to tinker with it.

The M3-type electronic voting machines (EVMs) are also equipped with a self-diagnostic system for authentication of genuineness of the machines.

These will come with a public key interface-based mutual authentication system.

Only a genuine EVMmanufactured either by atomic energy PSU ECIL or defence PSU BELcommunicates with other EVMs in the field.

Also Read: For Kejriwal EVM means Everyone Votes for Modiji, soon he will demand EC be handed over to Delhi govt, says Harsh Vardhan

Any EVM manufactured by other companies would not be able to communicate with other machines, thus exposing it.

Around Rs 1,940 crore (excluding freight and taxes) will be required to procure the new machines which are likely to be introduced by 2018, a year before when the next Lok Sabha elections are due, the Law Ministry has said, quoting details made available by the Election Commission to be given to Parliament.

The Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle, he said.

On December 7 last, the Union Cabinet had approved a fresh tranche of Rs 1,009 crore for the Election Commission to buy new EVMs so that it can phase out the ageing ones before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Cabinet had also authorised the Election Commission to vary the quantity to be ordered on BEL and ECIL based on their production capacity and past performance.

On July 20 last, a similar Election Commission proposal to buy nearly 14 lakh new EVMsthe first trancheat a cost of Rs 9,200 crore during 2016-17 was approved by the Union Cabinet.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Law Ministry had said that EC has not purchased a single new machine in the last three fiscals.

Also Read: EC appoints high-level to team supervise MP by-polls after complaints of faulty EVMs

Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary had said that the poll panel has informed the government that it had not procured any electronic voting machine during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

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New Delhi:

The Election Commission has dismissed Aam Aadmi Party's request for verification of votes cast using electronic voting machines (EVM) in Punjab assembly elections.

In a letter sent to the party, the EC said: "allegation regarding tamper-ability of ECI-EVMs has already been considered by the commission and such allegations have been dismissed by the ECI and various High Courts unequivocally reiterating that given the effective technical and administrative safeguards, EVMs are not tamperable and integrity of electoral process is fully preserved."

In a strongly-worded letter, the EC also it is for the AAP "to introspect as to why your party could not perform as per your expectations and it is unfair on your part to attribute unsatisfactory poll performance of your party to the alleged tamperability of EVMS."

The election watchdog also said that the AAP is free to file an election petition in the state high court if it wants to verify votes cast in Punjab polls with data of paper trail.

The poll watchdog said after declaration of results only alternative available to verify the data of votes cast is to file an Election Petition before the High Court concerned.

Party chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had urged the EC on Saturday to investigate cases of "faulty" EVMs and ascertain if their software can be tweaked "in favour of the BJP".

Kejriwal met chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi and also demanded ballot papers be reintroduced in the country.

Read | Election Commission strongly rejects EVM tampering charges, says devices are credible and totally tamper-proof

The Election Commission's claim that EVMs cannot be tampered with is completely "wrong", Kejriwal asserted. The CM's remark comes a day after some media reports suggested that Voter-verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine was dispensing slips of BJP symbol only, irrespective of the button pressed, during a demonstration exercise in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for.

Read | EC set to buy new EVMs that stop working if tinkered with

Here are the key points cited by the Election Commission:

# Allegation regarding tamper-ability of ECI-EVMs has already been considered by the commission and such allegations have been dismissed by the ECI and various High Courts unequivocally reiterating that given the effective technical and administrative safeguards, EVMs are not temperable and integrity of electoral process is fully preserved.

# As regarding some foreign countries having stopped using EVMs, the commission has come across comparisons between ECI-EVM and EVMs used by foreign countries. Such comparisons are both misplaced and misguided. ECI EVMs are Stand-alone Machines. Therefore, ECI-EVMs cannot be compared with machines of other countries for the following reasons

# It is noteworthy that in your representation, you have yourself mentioned that All political parties, irrespective of their ideology, have expressed satisfaction in the EVM as a mechanism to conduct elections, representations in the meeting in 2010 urged the Commission to consider introducing Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) for further transparency and verifiability in the polling process. The commission is fully committed to deploy VVPATs for greater transparency in a phased manner given the financial constraints expressed by the Central Government and the production capacity of the two manufacturing companies.

Read | EC appoints high-level to team supervise MP by-polls after complaints of faulty EVMs



# Honble Supreme Court had never cast any aspersion or expressed any doubt that election process is interdicted/rigged by use of EVMs. The commission strongly objects to this wrong and imaginary extrapolation of Honble Supreme Courts order. This may please be noted as a responsible political party.



# The commission has put in place an elaborate technical and administrative system of safeguards to ensure error-free functioning of EVMs in elections. It is for your party to introspect as to why your party could not perform as per your expectations and it is unfair on the part of your party to attribute unsatisfactory poll performance of your party to the alleged tamperability of EVMs.

# As regards your demand for verification of votes cast in EVMs in Punjab State Legislative Assembly with paper trail data of VVPAT, your attention is invited to Rule 93 of the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, which is reproduced below:-

[93. Production and inspection of election papers.(1) While in the custody of the district election officer or, as the case may be, the returning officer

(a) the packets of unused ballot papers with counterfoils attached thereto;

(b) the packets of used ballot papers whether valid, tendered or rejected;

(c) the packets of the counterfoils of used ballot papers;

(cc) the printed paper slips sealed under the provisions of rule 57C.

(d) the packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll or, as the case may be, the list maintained under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 152; and [(dd) the packets containing registers of voters in form 17-A;]

(e) the packets of the declarations by electors and the attestation of their signatures; shall not be opened and their contents shall not be inspected by, or produced before, any person or authority except under the order of a competent court.

[1A) The control units sealed under the provisions of rule 57C and kept in the custody of the district election officer shall not be opened and shall not be inspected by, or produced before, any person or authority except under the orders of a competent court.]

Read | MCD polls: Delhi LG Baijal rejects CM Kejriwal's demand for paper ballot instead of EVMs, says change not feasible

Hence, you are informed that after declaration of result only alternative available to verify the data of votes cast is to file an Election Petition before the competent court i.e. High Court concerned.

# You shall highly appreciate that every EVM, being used in the poll, is subject to pass a mock poll test on three occasions, as explained above, in the presence of agents of political parties/contesting candidates. Wherever, VVPATs are used, the electronic result of Control Unit is tallied with the Paper Count of VVPAT in the mock poll before starting actual poll. Moreover, no credible material has been brought to the knowledge of authorities during and at the time of above processes in Punjab elections to show alleged tampering in EVMs used in Punjab State. This activity was scrupulously followed in the State of Punjab during recently concluded assembly elections and nowhere any discrepancy was observed in result of mock poll.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

Union minister Harsh Vardhan took a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his attack on EVMs and said for the AAP leader the voting machines means Everyone Votes (for) Modiji.

The Union Minister for Science and Technology said Kejriwal will soon demand the Election Commission be handed over to the Delhi government.

For Arvind Kejriwal, EVM stands for Everyone Votes Modiji Im sure hell soon demand the Election Commission be handed over to Delhi gov?? (sic), he tweeted.

Harsh Vardhan, an MP from Chandni Chowk, was BJPs Delhi chief ministerial candidate.

ALSO READ | Watch: When Arvind Kejriwal 'chanted' Modi-Modi during MCD polls campaign in Delhi

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Election Commission to investigate cases of faulty EVMs and ascertain if their software can be tweaked in favour of the BJP.

The CMs remark came a day after some media reports suggested that Voter-verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine was dispensing slips of BJP symbol only, irrespective of the button pressed, during a demonstration exercise in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.

ALSO READ | MCD polls: Delhi LG Baijal rejects CM Kejriwal's demand for paper ballot instead of EVMs, says change not feasible

After Punjab Assembly poll results, Kejriwal had alleged that EVM tampering may have led to AAPs poor showing there and had said it could be part of a conspiracy to keep the party out of power in the state.

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New Delhi:

Former Samajwadi Party leader Gaurav Bhatia on Sunday bringing an end to speculations about his comeback in SP joined BJP.

After joining BJP Bhatia said, I have been in Samajwadi Party for many years and Lohias principals have ended in the party. Work of Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi inspired me to join BJP.

Read More: Samajwadi Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia resigns from all party posts

Amit Shah told me that elections come and go but we need good people in the party for building a new nation. And I joined BJP to be a part of Modis new thinking, he added further.

Bhatia also thanked Amit Shah and Modi for working towards building a new India.

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Allahabad:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured Chief Justice J S Khehar that his government will make all efforts to back his resolve to reduce burden on the judiciary and pendency of cases.

I assure the chief justice that government will back his sankalp (resolve) to bring down the burden on the judiciary and reduce pendency of cases, he said in his address at the sesquicentennial celebrations marking 150 years of the Allahabad High Court.

Noting that he felt that there was an element of pain in the speech of Justice Khehar, Modi said the government had done away with 1200 old laws to find a way out of the maze of the statues and also help the judiciary in modernising the system.

ALSO READ | 'Allahabad HC is like a 'Tirtha Kshetra' for our judiciary, says PM Modi on its 150th anniversary

He asked the people working on startups to bring about innovations to strengthen the judicial system.

The Prime Minister lauded the steps being taken by the chief justice to make use of technology in simplifying the working in the courts and bring about qualitative change.

Modi also said video conferencing should be used for deposition made in courts by those facing trial, the witnesses and officials to prevent wastage of time and money.

He appealed to the judiciary, the government and the people to make 2022, the 75th year of Independence, a target year to take the country to greater heights.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Justice Khehar raise the issue of pendency of cases in courts including the Supreme Court and said he was taking steps to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

He asked the judges to consider sitting in courts for five days during vacation to clear at least 10 cases each day and bring down the pendency.

This way thousands of small matters like matrimonial disputes and mediation cases can be settled and arrears of cases brought down he said and referred to a system of court management under which pendency of cases in Malaysia had been brought down to one-fifth.

He said he proposes to have three constitution benches during this summer vacation to help reduce the arrears in the apex court.

ALSO READ | Watch: When Arvind Kejriwal 'chanted' Modi-Modi during MCD polls campaign in Delhi

On the issue of simplification of procedure, Justice Khehar said he is making efforts to make the system paperless in the Supreme Court in a month or so.

The gathering was attended by UP and West Bengal governors Ram Naik and K N Tripathi, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adtiyanath, Allahabad High Court CJI Dilip B Bhosale and members from the legal fraternity.

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New Delhi :

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration has moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction to restrain its students from staging any demonstration within 100 metres of the administrative block.

The plea by the JNU administration was filed before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, who had recently asked the students to ensure the decibel levels were kept low during protests so that there was no disturbance in the functioning of the university.

The court had on March 17 modified its order restraining the students from protesting within 100 metres of the block and had directed that the protest, if any, should be peaceful and not block lanes or roads leading to the administrative block.

Also Read | Govt will help reduce pendency of cases on judiciary: PM Narendra Modi in Allahabad

Alleging that the students of JNU have disobeyed the courts direction, despite assurance given by them before it, the plea has sought action against the ones who have violated the order.

The petition by JNUs counsel Monika Arora has sought immediate indulgence of the court while highlighting that on March 23 the students had staged a dharna, burnt the effigy of the Vice Chancellor right outside the administrative block and blocked entry and exit of university officials.

While seeking direction to the police to provide adequate security as and when requested, the plea sought direction that no dharna/demonstration/street plays etc. will be allowed with or without noise making instruments within 100 metres of the administrative block of the JNU.

Read More: 'Allahabad HC is like a 'Tirtha Kshetra' for our judiciary, says PM Modi on its 150th anniversary

The court has fixed the plea for hearing on April 12.

The courts earlier direction were issued on JNUs plea against the blocking of its administrative department by the agitating students.

Earlier, during hearing of the plea, the court had suggested the Jawaharlal University Students Union (JNUSU) President and the administration have a meaningful dialogue among them, which may lead to resolution of several problems.

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New Delhi:

22 HIV-infected children who were abandoned by their birth parents and left to fend for their themselves on the streets of India have been adopted by a man from Mumbai.

Rajib Thomas, better known by his children as Papa Reji and to India as Mister India, was pained to meet a young homeless girl that was infected with HIV. He was entering a hospital as the young girl begged for food outside, according to a leading daily.

Hero dad adopts 22 HIV-positive children who were abandoned by their parents https://t.co/7Y6xOKiv1O pic.twitter.com/XbPB7ayIS5 a Bobby (@Artist10023) April 1, 2017

aIt was the year 2007 when I met an HIV-positive girl outside a hospital and she asked me to get some noodles for her. I couldnat get it that day but promised to come back again.a

A man who lived by his words and listened to his heart, Papa Reji went back the next day to find out more about the young girl and buy her the noodles she asked for. When he arrived, he was told that the girl did not survive the night.

aThe next day when I went there, I got to know that the girl was no more. I was devastated after hearing the news, so it was then that I thought of doing something for these children.a

Rather than allow his mind to block the chance meeting with the young HIV-infected girl, Papa Reji chose to visit an HIV/AIDS specialist and learn more about the misunderstood condition. During the discussion with specialist Divya Mithale, Papa Reji made the decision to take in two HIV-infected babies and give them the proper love and care they deserved.

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No one knows for sure when humans started burning coal. Historians have documentary evidence of coal burning in China at least as far back as 1,000 B.C., and we know coal was used for funeral pyres around the same time in Wales. A fairly recent study by John Dodson of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization used radiocarbon dating of sediment samples in northern and western China to estimate coal was used there as early as 2,000 B.C.

Ancient texts also refer to burning coal, including the writings of Aristotle, Nicander, and Theophrastus. Even the Christian Bible refers to burning coals. So the first time someone rubbed two sticks together to light a black (or dark brown) rock of coal was at least 3,000 and likely 4,000 years ago.

And notwithstanding the rhetoric we often hear from politicians and environmental groups, mankind is likely going to continue burning coal for at least the next 1,000 years, too (assuming humans still inhabit the earth by then).

The only way to stop the worlds deep-seated love affair with coal is to find a new fuel or technology thats as cheap, reliable, abundant and easy to transport.

Unfortunately, such a thing doesnt exist today (sorry solar and wind advocates).

Im an environmental lawyer, and I believe humans are  almost certainly  significantly contributing to climate change. But Im also a realist. And I believe the sooner were all honest about the situation we are facing, on both sides of the coin, the better.

Lets quickly run through our options if we want to keep living in an electrified world.

Solar and wind energy are great, but theyre not even close to a solution to our coal addiction. Solar and wind are significantly more expensive than coal as an energy source (if you take away the subsidies) and much less reliable (without batteries or some other form of backup generation). And I dont believe its ever going to be cheaper to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and have batteries back them up, as it is to dig up coal from the earth and burn it.

Of course, that doesnt mean we should abandon these renewable technologies. We should continue to build them at breakneck speeds in places where its sunny or windy and where people can afford them. But solar and wind energy will never fully displace coal use around the world.

Neither will natural gas. Thats because its a gas, which makes it much harder than coal to transport and store. In some places where natural gas is abundant and the wells are relatively close to electric generators (like many parts of the United States), natural gas can be cheap enough and reliable enough to offset coal use. But natural gas is not abundant everywhere in the United States or worldwide. Its simply a matter of geology. Natural gas can only be extracted from certain rock formations. And once you get the gas out, storing it isnt easy. It generally requires large underground caverns, which also arent pervasive around the world.

That leaves us with the one technology that could have, and likely should have, displaced all coal use after it was invented: nuclear energy. Its reliable and abundant. The fuel is relatively easy to transport. And its clean burning.

Nuclear energy isnt cheap (at least not now), and nuclear proliferation and waste storage are serious issues. We dont want people making bombs out of the waste, and we dont have anywhere to put it. As a technology, unfortunately, its time has likely come and gone.

Which brings us back to coal. As Christian R. Palich, president of the Ohio Coal Association, recently told me: One of the key staples of a strong, vibrant American economy is the access to affordable and reliable energy that coal provides. Many on the left have made demonstrative negative statements on the future of the coal industry, but regardless of what they try to claim the future looks bright under the Trump administration, which values what the industry provides families and businesses.

Until 2014, worldwide coal use increased every year for at least 75 years straight. But in 2015 and 2016, the International Energy Agency recorded the first significant dip in worldwide coal use. Environmentalists rejoiced and proclaimed the end of coal.

Yet realistic options to completely replace coal dont exist, so its use is bound to continue if we want electricity. In the best-case scenario for the climate, worldwide coal use will continue to slowly decline.

But it wont be enough to make any sizable dent in global greenhouse gas emissions.

To do that, we have only one option: We have to find a new way to generate cheap, abundant, reliable energy thats easy to transport. As a society, this should be our top priority. Everything else is just noise.
Baripada:

A physically challenged minor girl was allegedly raped by a youth inside the premises of Lord Jagannath temple, said police, police said on Sunday.

The horrific incident took place when the 11-year-old girl went inside the temple for 'Darshan' of the Lord late on Friday night when the shrine was virtually deserted, they said.

Taking advantage of the situation, a 28-year-old youth escorted her to the bathing mandap of the Lord and raped her before fleeing.

The victim was rescued in a critical condition from the spot. Angry locals spotted the accused and thrashed him before handing him over to the police.

The girl was admitted to the SCB medical college at Cuttack as her condition worsened, police said.

Baripada sub-collector S K Purohit along with police officers visited the spot and has sanctioned Rs 10,000 for the treatment of the girl, officials said.

Also Read: 5-year-old girl sexually abused, smothered to death in Ghaziabad

Also Read: Bikaner rape: Rajasthan Women Panel claims victim's father was 'unstable' while filing the complaint

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Jalandhar:

The Punjab Police arrested Amandeep Dhothian, the prime accused in the Nabha jailbreak case on Saturday. The police also recovered a revolver and live cartridges from his possession.

"Dhothian was arrested on a tip off near the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex in Jalandhar late last night," outgoing Jalandhar commissioner of police (CP) Arpit Shukla said on Sunday.

He said police also recovered a .32 bore revolver, seven live cartridges, four SIM cards and Rs 5,000 from his possession. He was one of the "most wanted" gangsters in the state.

Read | Nabha jailbreak mastermind Gurpreet Singh Sekhon arrested in Moga



Dhothian is facing 26 heinous cases across the state, he said. With his arrest, Punjab Police has so far nabbed four of the total six escapees from Nabha jail.



Besides Dhothian, others who were arrested in the recent past are Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, KLF militant Harminder Singh Mintoo and Neeta Deol. Those who are still to be arrested are gangster Vicky Gounder and militant Kashmir Singh.



In a sensational jailbreak, a group of armed men stormed the Nabha jail in police uniforms and managed to free six prisoners - Harminder Singh Mintoo and Kashmir Singh, both terrorists, and gangsters Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol - from the maximum security jail at Nabha in Patiala district on November 27 last year.



Mintoo was nabbed from Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi while Deol was arrested from Indore in Madhya Pradesh (MP) early this year.

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New Delhi:

Two of the Delhi University students who were accused of chasing Union Minister Smriti Iranis car on Sunday tendered apology and said they were just having fun and making a video for Instagram.

"We have apologized for our mistake. We have not done anything objectionable, but if she feels so then we are apologising for it.We do agree that they have taken the right action against us. We won't repeat this ever," said one of the accused.

Giving details of the incident he said, "We four were returning from our friend's birthday party. We were making a video for Instagram and the music in the car was loud. We were just making funny videos. When we overtook the car, we didn't know that Smriti Irani was there in it. We would have not done this if we knew that it was her car.

Also Read: Delhi: 4 drunk DU students chase Smriti Irani's car, detained

Earlier in the day, the four students who were booked for chasing Irani's car on Saturday evening were granted bail.

An FIR has been filed against them under Section 354 D (stalking) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The incident took place on Saturday night when four students consumed alcohol at a friends birthday party were returning home. On their way back, Union Minister Smriti Iranis car was passing by and the drunk students without realizing who is inside started chasing down the car.

Smriti Irani first made a PCR call and later lodged a formal complaint with the Chankyapuri police station following which the four were arrested and later granted bail.

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New Delhi:

In one of the biggest crackdowns on Shell companies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at 100 locations across India.

At present over 300 shell companies have been identified and are under scanner. These companies are accused of being involved in money laundering. These raids have been carried out at shell companies in Delhi, Patna, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and other metro cities.

The Directorate has been combing through the records of operators who run shell companies and are suspected to have converted black money into white.

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Udhampur (J&K):

Sending out a message to the misguided youth of Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said 40 years of bloodshed has not benefitted anyone and that they should choose tourism over terrorism to ensure the states development and well-being.



He again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees slogan of Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat (Kashmirism, democracy and humanity) and said this prime motto will be used for taking the state to new heights of development and no obstacle can stop us.



Modi, who was on a brief visit to Udhampur to inaugurate the countrys longest road tunnel between Kashmir and Jammu, used the occasion to tell the stone-pelters of the valley that stones can be used for better purposesbuilding infrastructure.



Addressing a rally here, he told the Kashmiri youth that if they ignore the invaluable tradition of sufi culture, they would lose the present and put your future into darkness.

Read | PM Modi takes apparent jibe at Pakistan in Udhampur rally: Those across border can't even take care of themselves | Key Highlights



In a veiled manner, the Prime Minister also hit out at the rulers of Pakistan who are eyeing Kashmir, saying they cant even take care of themselves.



He said his government was committed to ensure fast-paced development of Jammu and Kashmir, which would also tell the people living under occupation in the other parts of the state how they are being destroyed.



At the event attended by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some union and state ministers, Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.



I want to tell the misguided youth of Kashmir valley, realise the power of a stone. On one hand, there are some misguided youth who pelt stones, on the other hand, there are youth from the same Kashmir who carve stones to build infrastructure, he said.



The message was clearly for the youth who are indulged in stone-pelting in the Kashmir valley and thus risk their lives.



I want to tell the Kashmiri youth, there are two paths in front of you which can determine your futureone is tourism, the other is terrorism, he said.



Over last 40 years, there has been lot of bloodshed. My own Valley has been blood-soaked, my Kashmirs beloved youth, my Hindustans beloved youth. Nobody has benefitted from this bloodshed, the Prime Minister emphasised.



He said if the people of Kashmir had devoted the same 40 years to development of tourism, the valley would have been blessed with tourism of world class.

Read | PM Modi inaugurates India's longest road tunnel; distance between Jammu and Srinagar cut down by 31 kms

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New Delhi/Lucknow:

Lawyer-politician Prashant Bhushan on Sunday stoked a controversy with certain remarks on Lord Krishna while criticising the anti-Romeo drive in Uttar Pradesh, following which he was booked for hurting religious feelings.



Romeo loved just one lady, while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser. Would (UP CM Yogi) Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes Anti-Krishna squads? Bhushan tweeted.



As the controversy erupted, he tried to control damage by tweeting that his remarks had been distorted and he had no intention of hurting religious sentiments.



My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.We have grown up with legends of young Krishna teasing Gopis. The logic of Romeo squad would criminalise this. Didnt intend to hurt sentiments, he added in another tweet.

Read | Video | Three UP cops suspended after locals shave off boys head in their presence



However, by then separate police complaints had been filed against him by Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Bagga in the national capital and UP Congress spokesperson Zeeshan Haidar in Lucknow.



Manzil Saini, Senior Superintendent of Police of Lucknow, said that they have registered an FIR against Bhushan under IPC sections related to hurting religious feelings and promoting enmity between different groups.



The FIR has been registered against Prashant Bhushan under sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR has been lodged at Hazratganj Police Station, the SSP told PTI.



Haider said he had lodged a police complaint against Bhushan for his indecent remarks on Lord Krishna, who is revered across the world. This is not a question of Hindu or Muslim. The tweets of Bhushan have hurt sentiments of crores of devotees.

Read | UP CM Yogi Adityanath asks officials to ensure no unnecessary harassment by anti-Romeo squads



The Tilak Marg police in Delhi, where Bagga has lodged a complaint, is looking into the matter, a police official said, adding no FIR has been lodged yet.



The special anti-Romeo squads of UP Police were formed to check eveteasing after the Yogi Aditynath government assumed office last month, fulfilling one of the poll promises of the BJP. Critics have alleged that it has led to incidents of harassment.



Stressing that his government was firm on upholding the security and dignity of women, Chief Minister Adityanath had said the state-wide drive was launched to free public places of anti-social elements and check incidents of eve-teasing, indecent behaviour and passing of lewd comments at women and girls.



Bhushan is a leader of Swaraj India party, which he along with his associate Yogendra Yadav floated in October last year after being expelled from AAP.



Reacting to Bhushans offensive tweet, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla, said, It simply reflects his narrow mindset. The tweet has hurt the sentiments of billions of devotees of Lord Krishna not only in India, but across the world.



He is the same Prashant Bhushan, who had once said that Kashmir is not a part of India. Hence, the need of the hour is to initiate stringent legal action against him.



BJPs National General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Bhushan should study the Indian epics before commenting.

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New Delhi:

Students of Kolkata's Jadavpur University on Sunday raised 'Azadi' (freedom) slogans as a show of protest against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Students of Jadavpur University were holding banners which read "Yogi is the new Trump...Brahminical version of white supremacy". They also raised slogans like "Azadi", "Halla Bol" and "RSS door hatao".

The 'Azaadi'A slogans were raised by the students in front of the Academy of Fine Arts where an international seminar on the persecution of minority Hindu-Buddhist Christians in Bangladesh is going on.

#WATCH: Students of Kolkata's Jadavpur University raise 'Azadi' slogans, outside Academy of Fine Arts. pic.twitter.com/HvMjFLXSIf a ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

"This protest is against the RSS' conducting of seminar on the issue of minorities in Bangladesh. We think the same RSS which has been the reason for the deaths of thousands in Godhra, in Muzaffarnagar cannot address the minority issue. We doubt their credibility, rather we think they are here to evoke communal sentiments and pitting one against the other. So we are protesting here," Debopriyo Som, a student, and United Students Democratic Front (USDF) member told ANI.

Earlier, Posters calling for 'azadi' for Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland were put up at Jadavpur University in February only to be torn down by ABVP activists, who allegedly vandalised the university complex on Wednesday.

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Lucknow:

After taking oath, UP CM Adityanath Yogi will hold his first cabinet meeting on April 4 to take up on some of the key issues of BJPs poll manifesto including farm loan waiver.

The cabinet meeting will be held in the evening on April 4, state Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters here.

Speaking in Varanasi, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said a proposal has been prepared for loan waiver of farmers and it will be presented before the cabinet at its first meeting.

BJP, in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra (manifesto), had promised to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his election speeches that writing off farmers loans would be among the foremost tasks of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

Suggested Read: Major decision taken by UP CM Yogi Adityanath in last two weeks

Modi had promised during his election campaign that a decision on loan waiver would be taken at the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government in the state.

According to officials, there are around 2.30 crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh of whom, around 2.15 crore fall in the small and marginal category.

They had suffered losses due to natural calamities in the recent past and were unable to repay loans amounting to about Rs 62,000 crore.

As the figure is huge, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling various options, including raising loans, to honour the saffron partys commitment to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers.

A state finance department spokesman said Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal has already started deliberations with senior officials of his department in this regard.

The government will have to pay the banks to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and for that, it will have to either seek funds from the Centre or raise loans on its own, the spokesman said.

Sources in the government said it would be difficult to handle the burden of loan waiver in a single financial year.

Also Read: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath orders probe into Gomti riverfront project

They added that it was one of the reasons for putting the cabinet meeting on hold till some way was found to honour the prime ministers poll promise.

Some officers were of the opinion that a decision in this regard could be taken and a policy formulated later, but the chief minister insisted that the decision be made once the policy was clear, so that there were no hurdles.

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Lucknow:

Meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh have called off their strike against crackdown on illegal slaughter houses. Office bearer of Lucknow Bakra Gosht Vyapar Mandal Mubeen Qureshi said, "The Uttar Pradesh government assured us that it would open the Maulviganj slaughter house here and at the same time build another slaughter house."

Showering praises on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he said, "The state government listened to our views and grievances with an open mind. We are opening our shops tomorrow."

He also said that the government has assured the mutton sellers that their licences would be renewed in the framework of law. "We are expecting to get renewed licences in the next 15-20 days," he said. Endorsing the state government's directive to ensure cleanliness at shops, Qureshi said the shop keepers have been told to maintain hygiene which all of them would adhere to.

Read Also: UP Slaughter houses ban: AMU students complain to VC for bland food

The strike by the meat sellers lasted for nearly five days. Secretary of All India Jamait ul Quresh Ashfaq Qureshi said that chances that the indefinite strike, which began on Monday, will end soon gained ground after representatives of the agitating meat-sellers and exporters met Adityanath a few days ago.

Though the strike had been going on for sometime now, the impact was not felt much in view of 'Navaratra' during which people in north India generally abstain from consuming non-vegetarian food. Shops selling fish, egg and chicken were open in the state capital but there were not many buyers.

Read Also: UP meat sellers strike effect: Prices may soar in Delhi after Navratra

Representatives of agitating meat-sellers and exporters had earlier met the state Health minister Siddharth Nath Singh on Tuesday to arrive at a reconciliation.

The office-bearers of their associations had submitted a memorandum to the state government and wanted to meet the chief minister with their demands which included allowing them to operate the slaughter houses as their closure was affecting their livelihood.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the India's longest Chenani-Nashri tunnel. The PM also addressed a public rally in Udhampuras Battal Ballian village after the inauguration ceremony.

As Indiaas longest road tunnel and Asiaas longest bi-directional highway tunnel, it traverses a distance of 9.2 km connecting Chenani in Udhampur district with Nashri in Ramban district. The Ministry of Road transport says the tunnel is a part of the 286 km long 4-laning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Highlights of PM Modi's speech at Udhampur after inauguration of the Chenani-Nashri tunnelA

Watch full speech here:



#6:00 PM

Those across the border can't even take care of themselves, says PM, in apparent attack on Pakistan which fuels unrest in Kashmir

#6:00 PM

PM's message to Kashmiri youth: If you ignore the invaluable tradition of sufi culture, you'll lose the present & put future into darkness

#5:57 PMA

Plans to make nine more such tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir; then it will not be a network of roads, but hearts: PM ModiA

#5:56 PMA

PM Modi at Udhampur: Kashmir has to follow Vajpayee's mantra of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, Jamuriyat for development, harmony

#5:52 PM

I congratulate J&K CM Mufti for successfully using over 50% of special package allotted to state by Centre: PM ModiA

#5:51 PMA

The path of bloodshed has not helped any one and will never help anyone: PM Narendra Modi in Udhampur

#5:50 PMA

Kashmiri youth have two options - terrorism and tourism; Terrorism has only taken lives of scores of Kashmiri youths

#5:49 PMA

Every Indian dreams of visiting Kashmir once, theA Chenani-NashriA tunnel will allow them to realise the dream and give a boost to region's economy

#5:48 PM

PM Modi at Udhampur: Chenani-Nashri tunnel is a blessing for Kashmir traders, will allow weather-proof transportationA



#5:45 PMA

While some youths are using stones to hinder development, others are breaking them off to pave way for it

#5:43 PMA

PM Modi at Udhampur: Over 90% of Chenani-Nashri tunnel crew was from Jammu and KashmirA

#5:40 PM

PM Modi at Udhampur: Chenani-Nashri tunnel is development boom for Jammu and KashmirA

#5:40 PMA

PM Modi at Udhampur: Blessed to be visiting Maa's darbar during Navratras

#5:38 PM

LIVE | PM Modi invites public to inaugurate Chenani-Nashri tunnel with mobile camera flash



#5:35 PM

PM Modi begins address amid chants of his name

#5:30 PM

J&K: 'Modi-Modi' chants at Udhampur rally venue as CM Mehbooba Mufti congratulates PM Modi for landslide election victory in Uttar Pradesh



#5:15PM:A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur shortly



Watch video of tunnel's inauguration here: A



A

#3:45PM

PM Modi inaugurates longest tunnel of India between Jammu and Srinagar

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India's longest road tunnel the Chenani-Nashri tunnel in J&K pic.twitter.com/foasCcNNRw a ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

Here are 10 important facts you need to know about the tunnel:

# The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is Indiaas first and the worldas sixth road tunnel equipped with a transverse ventilation system, which basically means it has inlets 8 m bringing fresh air into the main tube along with exhaust outlets every 100 m opening into the escape tube.

# The tunnel comprises of two tubes which are connected by 29 cross passages at regular intervals along the entire length of the tunnel.

# Out of the two tubes, the main traffic tube has a diameter of 13 metres. The escape tunnel has a diameter of 6 m and can be used in times of distress or to tow any vehicle that has broken down.

# The tunnel would reduce travel time on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by almost 2 hours. By bypassing Kud, Patnitop and Batote, the tunnel not only reduces the distance between the two cities by 30 km, but also averts the danger of snow and landslide blockades.

# The Chenani-Nashri tunnel, located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet, is built in a record time of 5 and a half years by spending Rs 3,720 crore.

# Indiaas first fully integrated mechanism engineering has been employed for movement of vehicles to the inflow and outflow of air, and even the evacuation of passengers or vehicles in distress.

# Longitudinal exhaust fans installed at regular intervals will concentrate on 300 m on either side of the fire, pushing the smoke upward. Firefighters and rescue workers will use the escape tunnel to evacuate and treat people.

# BSNL, Airtel and Idea have set up facilities inside the tunnel to carry signals so that there is no loss of mobile phone connectivity will not be an issue

# SOS boxes have also been installed every 150 million for passengers. The boxes will also have basic first-aid kit and essential medicines.

# A total of 124 cameras have also been installed in the tunnel. Apart from this a linear heat detection system inside the tunnel will alert the Integrated Tunnel Control Room (ITCR) located outside the tunnel if there is a need for any intervention.

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As Wisconsin celebrates its state Capitol centennial this year, one of the people being honored is Oliver La Mere, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation who served as a Capitol tour guide from 1928 to 1930.

A display in the rotunda recalls how he created a small museum containing traditional Ho-Chunk clothes, jewelry and ceremonial objects, and taught visiting school groups and Boy and Girl Scout troops about American Indian culture.

Unfortunately, the tours died with La Mere. The state packed his artifacts into three large trunks and sent them to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

But if La Meres experiment is worthy of recognition today, why not revive it? Bringing back Native American tour guides would be a fitting way to add substance to the Capitols centennial celebration. It also would be a vast improvement on how the state Capitol now portrays native people as defeated and uncivilized.

State capitol art and stories have long been a subject of interest to me. Minnesota, my home state, had a heated debate about the derogatory images of Native Americans and slanted depiction of history inside its capitol during a recent renovation. Not long ago, on a tour of the Wisconsin Capitol, I saw grounds for similar concern.

The tour included the Assembly chamber and the mural Wisconsin, which highlights the states past, present and future, through a 1917 lens. The image representing the present includes the arrival of Europeans: lumbermen, farmers and miners and their families. To the left, representing the future, is a young white woman sheltering the Lamp of Progress. To the right, representing the past, are two Indians who shade their eyes from the light, suggesting the order of things entirely passed away, according to the official state Capitol guide. The natives are half naked, symbolizing a lack of civilization.

Lawmakers face this image as they debate bills that affect Wisconsins native peoples: the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida, Potawatomi, Chippewa, Mohicans, Lac Courte Oreilles and others.

Meanwhile, a governors conference room painting The Closing Scene of the Winnebago War of 1827 depicts Chief Red Birds surrender to Major William Whistler. The guide book trivializes the wars cause, calling it an unfortunate misunderstanding. It was provoked by the U.S. governments failure to keep treaty agreements.

Problematic Capitol art is not unique to Wisconsin. The Minnesota Senates allegorical mural The Discoverers and Civilizers Led to the Source of the Mississippi shows a priest converting a half-naked native man and woman while the angels of Discovery and Civilization fly overhead. The Alabama State Capitol painting Wealth and Leisure Produce the Golden Period of Antebellum Life in Alabama, 1840-1860, shows a well-dressed white couple riding their horses while a black mammy tends to young child on the mansion porch.

During the state Capitols centennial, Wisconsin has a wonderful opportunity to bring new and diverse voices to the tours, including restarting native-led tours that focus on Native American culture.
Sambhal:

Controversial Hindutva leader Sadhvi Prachi said on Sunday that with Yogi Adityanath's appointment as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the state has been prevented from turning into 'another Pakistan'

"By becoming the chief minister of UP, Yogi Adityanath has not only ushered in a feeling of happiness and enthusiasm among the public, but also prevented it from becoming another Pakistan," Sadhvi Prachi told reporters in Sambhal.

Showering praises on Adityanath, she said the way UP government is probing the works of the previous regime, their reality will be exposed soon.



"This is probably giving them (Samajwadi Party) sleepless nights," she said. To a question, she said the UP government should also ban liquor in the state.

Read | Adityanath remarks on 'surya namskaar' is to befool Muslims: Owaisi

Will UP CM Yogi Adityanath prefer to offer namaz over surya namaskar, asks Azam Khan



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New Delhi:

On Sunday, Qutub Minar was lit in blue lights in order to observe the ninth annual World Autism Awareness Day as a part of the international #lightitupblue campaign to raise awareness among people about the disorder.

Lighting up the minaret in blue is a symbolic representation towards inclusion for disability and a real attempt to create a shift in consciousness, Archana Nayar, Founder, Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE), said.

Recognised internationally, World Autism Awareness Day witnesses events across the globe that attempt to sensitise people towards the disorder as well as aim at increasing acceptance of autistic individuals in the mainstream society.

The #lightitupblue campaign is an internationally led effort to create awareness about autism involving architecturally significant structures.

The Qutub Minar is a unique historical monument which is a visible and accessible part of our capital city while being a popular landmark, she said.

ACE has associated with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to light up the monument.

The move, Nayar said, was an expression of Indias support for the global autism community.

Keeping in mind the spirit of inclusion and acceptance, ACE has also collaborated with PVR Cinemas for a sensory friendly screening of the 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy Sing at PVR Sangam in New Delhi.

For us to have a proper movie experience, the sounds qualities are higher as compared to the lights and viewers are obviously not allowed to move around the movie theatres. But, for autistic people, it is the other way round, Nayar said.

The screening was slightly modified wherein the lights were turned up while the sound was turned down, and the viewers were able to move about freely.
Kandahar:

In a very unfortunate incident, at least nine civilians were killed when an Afghanistan army commando unit detonated explosive and ammunition caches which it recovered after raids.

Two provincial officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media, confirmed that nine civilians, including two children, three women and four men from a single family were killed the explosions caused the roof of their house to collapse.

Suggested Read: Eight soldiers die in Afghan army helicopter crash

Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor in Helmand, said Sunday that soldiers conducted an operation in which they found explosive and ammunition caches and detonated them.

Rasoul Zazia, spokesman for the army in Helmand, also confirmed the operation in Lashkar Gah the capital of the province late Saturday night.

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Lahore :

At least 20 people, including six members of a family, have been killed at a dargah allegedly by its mentally disturbed custodian and his associates in Pakistans Punjab province.

According to Deputy Commissioner Liaqut Ali Chatha, the incident took place at the dargah of Muhammad Ali Gujjar in a village in Sargodha district, some 200 km from Lahore, at around midnight on Friday.

The custodian, Abdul Waheed was apparently suffering from serious mental health issues, Chatha said.

Chatha said it appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed 20 people, including three women, to death.

Also Read: Federal judge rejects Donald Trump's free speech defence against lawsuit

Police official Mazhar Shah said that the motive behind the crime has not been ascertained yet but locals have said that from last two years the suspect used to visit the area for spiritual sessions with the disciples.

We have taken five people, including the caretakers of the dargahWaheed and Yousuf, into custody for interrogation, Chatha said.

Three persons, including two women, have been injured. They have been shifted to hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.

People would come to the dargah for cleansing their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs. But in this case the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process, Chatha said.

Read More | Colombia: At least 206 dead after overflowed river triggers mudslides in Mocoa

According to senior police officer Bilal Iftikhar, one injured witness also said there was a clash between two groups of the caretakers of the dargah over its possession.

Twenty people of both groups, including six members of one family, were killed, the police officer said.

We have launched an investigation into all aspects of this case to ascertain the facts of this gory incident, Iftikhar said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodah.

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Dubai :

A huge fire broke out early on Sunday morning out at a three 60-storey tower complex near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the worlds tallest building.

No casualty has been reported in the fire and three workers trapped inside the building have been rescued.

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroshi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence, said they are taking necessary steps to control the fire.

Cooling operations will continue, Matroshi was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

Also Read: Equador Presidential elections could decide Julian Assange's fate

The building named The Address Residence Fountain Views was under construction that was expected to be completed by April 2018, Dubai Media Office said.

Fire at Fountain Views towers has been brought under control; cooling operations are underway pic.twitter.com/QcNoBxEgjv  Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 2, 2017

Officials have confirmed that the fire was brought under control.

Major Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief, was also at the scene inspecting the damage and assessing the situation.

Mohammad Jaseem, who lives in a building opposite to it, said his family woke up hearing the sirens of police cars and fire trucks. He said soon they realised it was a nearby building under construction that caught fire.

Read More: At least 20 killed in Pakistan by mentally ill custodian of dargah

Eyewitnesses also saw helicopters and teams of fire trucks on site, as they cordoned off the areas and rushed to extinguish the flames.

The fire led to major traffic jams in the area with several roads being closed and people advised to take diversions.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Louisville:

A federal judge has rejected President Donald Trumps free speech defence against a lawsuit accusing him of inciting violence against protesters at a campaign rally.

Trumps lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by three protesters who say they were roughed up by his supporters at a March 1, 2016 rally in Louisville, Kentucky. They argued that Trump didnt intend for his supporters to use force.

Two women and a man say they were shoved and punched by audience members at Trumps command. Much of it was captured on video and widely broadcast during the campaign, showing Trump pointing at the protesters and repeating get them out.

Also Read: Pak PM Nawaz Sharif diagnosed with small kidney stone: Maryam

Judge David J Hale in Louisville ruled on Friday that the suit against Trump, his campaign and three of his supporters can proceed.

Hale found ample facts supporting allegations that the protesters injuries were a direct and proximate result of Trumps actions, and noted that the Supreme Court has ruled out constitutional protections for speech that incites violence.

It is plausible that Trumps direction to get em out of here advocated the use of force, the judge wrote. It was an order, an instruction, a command.

Plaintiffs Kashiya Nwanguma, Molly Shah and Henry Brousseau allege that they were physically attacked by several members of the audience, including Matthew Heimbach, Alvin Bamberger and an unnamed defendant they have yet to be able to identify.

Bamberger later apologiSed to the Korean War Veterans Association, whose uniform he wore at the rally. He wrote that he physically pushed a young woman down the aisle toward the exit after Trump kept saying get them out, get them out, according to the lawsuit.

Read More: New York elects Donald Trump as their 'king' for April Fool's Parade

Heimbach, for his part, sought to dismiss the lawsuits discussion of his association with a white nationalist group and of statements he made about how Trump could advance the groups interests. The judge declined, saying such information could be important context when determining punitive damages.

The judge also declined to remove allegations that Nwanguma, an African-American, was the victim of racial, ethnic and sexist slurs from the crowd at the rally.

This context may support the plaintiffs claims of negligence and incitement by Trump and his campaign, the judge said.

While the words themselves are repulsive, they are relevant to show the atmosphere in which the alleged events occurred, Hale wrote.

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Colombo:

Six Indian Smugglers has been arrested by Sri Lankan navy on Sunday in charge of allegedly smuggling 13.5 kg drugs into the country.

The Sri Lankan ship on patrol detected a suspicious movement at IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line) from Indian waters to Sri Lankan territorial waters in the wee hours, the Sri Lankan navy said in a statement.

"The suspected boat movement was continuously monitored by the patrolling ship," the navy said.

The drug parcels believed to contain heroin were taken to the Kankesanthurai harbour.

The six Indians will be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for further investigation, it said.

Sri Lankan Navy regularly arrests drug traffickers approaching to the northern waters of Sri Lanka, the statement added.

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Wisconsin will pick a state superintendent of public instruction to guide its K-12 education system Tuesday.

Madison will choose School Board and City Council members, as will countless local communities across the state.

Dane and other counties will select judges.

Some school districts will ask voters for money. This includes the Verona School District, which is seeking $163 million to build a high school, convert an existing high school into a middle school, and complete other projects  with much of the cost paid for by taxes from Epic Systems Corp.

The State Journal editorial board is recommending several candidates for public office, listed here. We met with and interviewed these candidates and their opponents before choosing the best prepared people.

To read our full endorsements, go to go.madison.com/endorsements.

Voting for local office holders is one of the most significant ways you can impact your community. These are the leaders who will set local budgets, raise local taxes and decide policy affecting your children, neighborhoods and services.

Be sure to bring an acceptable photo identification card to the polls, which open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. For most people, thats a Wisconsin drivers license. Poll workers also will accept a Veterans Health Administration, military, tribal and some student ID cards, as well as U.S. passports. Go to www.BringIt.Wisconsin.gov for a full list. And to see whats on your local ballot, go to MyVote.WI.gov.

Dont miss this chance to have your say.


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Todays article is about a neighbor of ours whose name was Howard Bud Button, who passed away March 1. Bud lived two houses from us, on the corner of Wilbur and Throop avenues, with his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Eleanor, who passed away in 2013.

Anyone who knows Bud would soon agree that he was a gentleman with many gifts and talents and he was a friend to everyone who knew him. He was a quiet man and he possessed a unique sense of humor that would make other folks laugh.

Bud shared the same birthday as our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in 1921, in the village of Camillus. After high school, Bud served as an apprentice tool maker at Camillus Cutlery.

When he turned 21 he married his beautiful bride, Eleanor Lawrence, who lived in Sennett. Bud served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II as a nose gunner, flying more than 50 missions over Germany with the 449th Bomb Squad. Bud was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of an injury he received during a direct hit from ground fire. Here is the story of that event in Buds own words:

On Dec. 2, 1943, I received my greetings from Uncle Sam to join the armed forces. It was on our first wedding anniversary. I became an Air Force member shortly after the indoctrination was complete. After much schooling, our crew was formed and we picked up our new airplane at the staging area in Topeka, Kansas. From there we flew to North Africa and on to Southern Italy to Gratraglia, located in the heel of Italy. It was the 15th Air Force of the 449th bomb group and the 716th squadron for combat duty  we used heavy Bombers B-024 Liberator planes that weighed approximately 28 tons.

In December of 1944, we were introduced to the enemy of Hitlers regime. Our squadron was flying wing position and the leader was the late Sen. Lloyd Benson. We made a 180-degree turnaround and BANG! Our first meeting with enemy flak. The target was Salgbery, Austria, at Hilters hideout. The first two blasts were close enough to see the fire exploding them. I was flying nose turret and the safety glass in front of me saved my life. Truly a miracle that I was not killed. My helmet was blown off and a wonder my head was not in it. My oxygen mask was severed as well. I was blown out of the turret and back into the navigators compartment. A large piece of flak found its way through the bottom of the plane and through my flying boot and into my foot. The flak weighed a quarter pound. The next blast cut our control cables and hydraulic lines. Praise God, for by his grace we made it back to the base. We had over a 1,000 holes in our plane, our ground crew said. My life was spared and my reward was the Purple Heart. Our crew went on to finish 50 missions before returning to the good ol USA. I was discharged from Dalhart, Texas.

Eleanor and Bud lived in Eleanors homestead in Sennett and they raised three sons: Jerry Button and his wife Pat, Roger Button and his wife Pauline, and Tim Button and his wife Maureen. All three boys were very good athletes and so were their kids.

Buds grandkids are Kevin, Ryan, Melissa, Dugan, Katrina, Hope and Jenna, and Buds great grandchildren are Emily and Jacob.

Buds sisters are both in their 90s, just like Bob and Eleanor were. Shirley is married to Bob Howell and Nancy is married to Glen Brundidge, both pictured here today. Bud also had several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Bud was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Phyllis Button, and his grandson, Scott Button.

After the war, Bud was employed for 38 years at Alco, until he retired in 1983. His other love was their dog, Tinkerbell, who is loved by all the family. Today, Tinkerbell is 126 years old (dog years) and Im sure he misses both Bud and Eleanor. If anyone would like to adopt a very small dog named Tinkerbell, please contact any member of the family that Ive mentioned here today.

Thanks Bud, and all the Button family for being great Legends of Auburn.
The parting messages of Michael Gilmore, the now-retired Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, from his final 62 page F35 report.

When will you make the Milestone C/Full-Rate Production decision?

 Director Test and Evaluation Answer: Since the Milestone C/Full-Rate Production decision cannot be made until after IOT and E is completed and DOT and E has issued its report, it cannot occur by the threshold date of October 2019 and will likely not occur until early 2020, at the soonest.

The Joint Strike Fighter Program has already consumed more than $100 billion and nearly 25 years. Just to finish the basic development phase will require at least an extra $1 billion and two more years. Even with this massive investment of time and money, Gilmore told Congress, the Pentagon and the public, the operational suitability of all variants continues to be less than desired by the Services.

Ineffective or unsuitable for missions and unreliable and three times the cost per hour to fly

The Strauss Military Reform Project details the many problems

 Electronics Used to Justify Cost Not Delivering Capabilities

 Ineffective as a Fighter

 Ineffective as an Interdiction Bomber

 Ineffective as a Close Air Support Platform

 Navys F-35 Unsuitable for Carrier Operations

The test teams have found that the hook point on the F-35Cs arresting gear wear out after 5 landings.

 Price Tag Is the Only Thing Stealthy about the F-35

DoD has estimated that all training and operational operations over the 50-year life of the program (assuming a 30-year life for each aircraft) will be $1 trillion, making the cost to buy and operate the F-35 at least $1.4 trillion.

The cost just to operate the F-35 is so high because the aircraft is so complex compared to other aircraft. Based on the Air Forces own numbers, in FY 2016 each F-35 flew an average of 163 hours at $44,026 per flying hour. For comparison purposes, in the same year, each F-16 in the fleet flew an average of 258 hours at $20,398 per flying hour. A-10s flew 358 hours on average at $17,227 per hour. While these hours have never been independently audited, and it is it is impossible to know if they are complete, the available data indicates that the F-35 is more than twice as expensive to fly as the aircraft it is to replace.

 Combat Effectiveness at Risk

 Can the F-35 Be Where Its Needed, When Its Needed?

 F-35 Reliability Problems

If used in combat, the F-35 aircraft will need support to locate and avoid modern threat ground radars, acquire targets, and engage formations of enemy fighter aircraft due to unresolved performance deficiencies and limited weapons carriage availability.

The F-35 Joint Program Office attempted to dismiss the Gilmore report by asserting All of the issues are well-known to the JPO, the U.S. services, our international partners, and our industry.

Which is can be translated as  We know it is crap and we do not care keep spending the money [trillion plus dollars].

The marines, air force and Navy plan to adapt how they fly and operate to make it work.

 Russia can beat up on countries like Syria and Ukraine but their economy is ten times smaller and their military budget is fifteen times smaller. Russias jet engines are inferior to the USA.

 China has not fought a way since a border war in 1980. The chinese military is mostly for controlling the civilian population. Chinas jet engines are inferior to Russias engines. China still has not built bombers as effective as the B52, B1 or B2.

 The US has 3 to 4 times the number of reasonably modern and effective fighters.

 All other militaries in the world are either allies or would get wrecked in two weeks or less against US air power.

 North Korea would get wrecked but how much damage could they do to South Korea before they got stomped ? Seoul is within artillery range.

 North Korea has a few inferior to Hiroshima nuclear bombs. The US probably could hit and destroy their ability to launch before they could deploy their nukes.

 The North Korea, Iran, Russia and China military scenarios are not helped by overspending on a problem plane.

Stealth vulnerable to Long Wave Radar and Passive Detection

Defense Aviation reported how a F-117 stealth fighter was shot down in 1999.

In 1999, when a Serbian missile unit shot down an F-117 stealth fighter with an obsolete Soviet-era SA-3 surface-to-air missile, a system first fielded in 1961. Serbian air defense crews discovered they could detect the stealth aircraft by using their missile batterys longwave search radar.

Then, using spotters and the missiles own guidance radars, the Serbian forces were able to track, target and kill one stealthy F-117.

To show that was no fluke, the Serbian SAMs hit and damaged another F-117 so badly it never flew in the Kosovo Air War again.

The Russians have never stopped building such radars and are now selling modern, highly mobile, truck-mounted digital longwave radars on the open market for prices as low as $10 million. The Chinese and the Iranians have followed suit by developing similar radar systems.

Passive detection system (PDS) can detect and track the radio frequency (RF) signals emitted by an aircraft like radar signals, UHF and VHF radio signals, identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) signals, data link signals like Link-16 and navigation transponder signals like TACAN. Every aircraft in the world is susceptible to PDS, stealth and non-stealth alike, and the F-35 is no exception.

Various problems

When Lockheed Martin first won the contract 17 years ago, the F-35 was expected to begin operational testing in 2008. Once they failed to meet that, 2017 was supposed to be the big year for the start of the combat testing process. We now know that this process will almost certainly be delayed until 2019  and possibly 2020.

Trump criticized the F35 program but declared it ok after just trimming $600 million.

The F-35 program will continue to be a massive drain on time and resources for years to come, and will provide our armed forces with a second-rate combat aircraft less able to perform its missions than the legacy aircraft it is meant to replace.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday lauded Governor Ayodele Fayose for setting Ekiti on a solid rock in the education sector.He said the governor was gradually reenacting efforts that will bring back the old glory when the state took the lead in education.Sanusi, who was represented by former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, also commended Governor Fayose and the Vice Chancellor of the tate Ekiti university, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele for being detribalized in nature and for his vision in making the university abeacon to others in the country.Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said this in Ado Ekiti while being conferred with honourary degree in finance by Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.Others, who bagged similar academic laurel included: Governors of Gombe, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu.The Emir of Kano expressed gratitude to the university for finding him and other awardees worthy of being bestowed with the academic titles.This is indeed a great honour to us and it will remain in history. I am one of the happiest in this room looking at the enviable records reeled out by Governor Fayose being the achievements Ekiti recorded under his leadership.I have seen the remarkable achievements Fayose is making in Ekiti and the affection he has for his people. I want to congratulate you. And I want to tell you that the Emir is Kanos Ambassador in Ekiti varsit and I know that he will be willing to be of help to this university, he said.Speaking, Fayose said education remained the best legacy and thriving industry to every Ekiti man, saying his government would do everything humanly possible to preserve and maintain the status the state has achieved in the sector.Fayose promised that his government will continue to pamper our teachers, because when the foundation is strong, then the university level can be taken for granted.Ekiti is a State that can supply 10 professors per family. This underscores the level of priority we place on education and we will not keep our identity as the Fountain of Knowledge and this can only reflect if we take the lead in the sector, he said.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, has said that Ogun State alone attracts 75 per cent of the Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria.The British envoy stated this when she led a delegation from the Department for International Development on a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Abeokuta, a statement by Adejuwon Soyinka, the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Amosun, on Friday, said.The envoy expressed delight at the development and asked how the administration had been able to achieve the feat.Beaufils expressed the intention of the British government to engage the state and assist it in the agricultural and agro-allied sector.Responding, the governor thanked the DFID for the offer, but stressed the need for the agency to assist the state in several other areas.He said his administration would always interface with development partners and agencies that have the wherewithal to support the state.Commending the agency for its contributions to the development of Nigeria so far, the governor urged it to further assist Nigeria in its bid to diversify its economy.
Why China is able to Develop and Nigeria Cannot

The minor and medium powers also exist. A minor power is one that is fairly able to satisfy its obligations in the conduct and management of international relations, as well as still provide the basic needs of the people. As regards the medium powers, they are essentially regional influentials, that is, the African conception of a region as defined in Article 1, paragraphs (d) and (e) of the 1991 Abuja Treaty Establishing The African Economic Community, which has been integrated as part of the AU Act. In fact, Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi came up with the need for Nigeria to seek to establish and coordinate the Concert of Medium Powers (later Lagos Forum) in order to make Nigeria more relevant in the management of global affairs.

The Peoples Republic of China, depending on what criteria are considered, can be rightly described as a developing or developed country, a great or a super power in waiting.In classical international relations, the fundamental difference between a great power in the 19th Century and 20th Century and a super power in the post-World War II era, is the capacity and capability to project one-self economically, politically, militarily, technologically, and culturally worldwide. Only the United States and the former Soviet Union met the criteria at the end of World War II, and by force of necessity, the two of them emerged and imposed themselves on the international community and the whole world had to acquiesce to the development. As a result of perestroika and glasnost (openness and reconstruction), the Soviet Union destroyed itself through strategic miscalculation. The Soviet Union was disintegrated, thus leaving the US as the only existing super power. Russia, which succeeded the Soviet Union appears to be struggling to occupy the vacuum created.The point being made here is that China is a quiet master planner, a developed and developing nation which often presents itself ordinarily as a developing country and therefore as a Third World country. Vie Internationale argues that China is a developing nation not in the general conception of a Third World country but one still making efforts to improve on its developed status. Vie internationale argues that Nigeria is neither under-developed nor developing. The notion of an under-development necessarily implies that the efforts at development are inadequate or that the stage attained, going by other standards, is below. We contend here that, when compared with China considered as a developing country, Nigeria is, at best, a non-starter and therefore a non-developing country.Without doubt, Western countries hide under the cover of macro-economic and militaro-industrialist factors to relegate China to the Third World or the group of truly poor and non-developing nations of the world. For any country of Africa to put itself as a Third World country at the same level with China is simply to engage in serious strategic miscalculation.As noted in this column last week, a delegation of the Developing Countries Think Tanks, comprising delegates from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Lebanon, Cambodia, etc, was invited by the International Department of the CPC. The recently established Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS) and the Society for International Relations Awareness, represented by Bola A. Akinterinwa and Owei Lakemfa respectively, represented Nigeria on the delegation.The delegation continued with its tour of different institutions and regions that play critical roles in the growth and development of China. Many observations came to my mind during the tour: emphasis on self-identity, Chinese mania of doing things, emphasis on self-reliance, friendship and hospitality of people at all levels. There is nothing like weekend of no work. The delegation was received on Saturdays and on Sundays by public officials i their offices. There is no European or African time. Any time fixed is time adhered to. The approach to all meetings was to present China, the province or the county to the delegation, with emphasis on achievements, readiness to relate with all the peoples of the world on the basis of win-win policy.Perhaps more interestingly I began to understand gradually why China is able to develop on the basis of self-reliance and why Nigeria is not even on the path of qualifying to begin to develop. In other words, Nigeria is not really developing and does not even qualify to be called underdeveloped. As noted above, a developing nation is already positively engaged in efforts at improvement. An underdeveloped nation simply refers to a country whose service delivery to the people is below universally acceptable average, especially in terms of security of the stomach, safety of life and property, and protection of fundamental human rights. What describes Nigeria of today more appropriately is non-developing or under-developing, especially when compared with the state of development of various provinces and local government areas in China.First, the different places the delegation was taken to clearly show that the Government of China has a well-defined focus and the necessary commitment required for its execution. I discovered that there is nothing that made China great or that can make it a superpower that does not exist in Nigeria except. If it were not for governmental clairvoyance and political chicanery, there is no reason why Nigeria should not be great as a people and nation-state.Without scintilla of gainsaying, most leaders in Nigeria are money-seeking and self-seeking essentially, especially those of them that are appointed into the membership of Governing Boards or Councils of government agencies and parastatals . Many of them cannot guide as required but are very good and quick in tainting existing achievements they meet on ground if not in completely destroying them. This observation is largely based on the experience from the General Ike Omar Nwachukwu-led Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.When I took a look at what had been done and still being done in China to make the country great, and compared them with what I had tried to do for the NIIA, I simply had much pity for the people of Nigeria, and particularly for my generation, even though my generation cannot be said to be a wasted generation. What I tried to do was simply to go beyond what Professor Bolaji Akinyemi did in terms of infrastructural development of the NIIA by building a new international conference centre. It will be good for patriotic Nigerians to ask questions about the institute, about the international conference centre, about the raising of its standard in all ramifications.Questions should be asked because what makes China a model of self-reliance and enduring growth and development is precisely the philosophy of not accepting to operate below international standard in whatever is to be done officially. I decided to raise the bar by first of all applying the rules and regulations to the letter. Non-PhD holders were not only reminded that they would not be able to go beyond the grade level of a Senior Research Fellow. In other words, they would not qualify to be assessed for promotion to the professorial cadre. This policy was already put in place in the institute since the 1980s, In fact some Research Fellows were compelled to go to University of Lagos for doctoral education. Some academic members of the Governing Council who knew much about this fact opted to say nothing about the truth. The Council was interested in documentary evidence to justify my decision. This looks good but what is behind six is more than seven. Time will tell what exactly is after six. Meanwhile, no country can develop on the basis of the attitudinal disposition of the Ike Nwachukwu-led Governing Council.What is happening to the international conference centre and the new Office of the Director General that I newly put in place? What about the new Office for the Chairman of the Governing Council? What about the Founders of the NIIA, as well as former Directors General who were honoured with the naming of halls, committee rooms after them? Signage that were paid for and installed and which all visitors to the institute commended, were removed by Mrs.tellabimbolaada during her one month tenure as Director General, in the wrong belief that the legacy left by Bola A. Akinterinwa would be removed? The names of people like that of the first Director General of the NIIA, late Ambassador Lawrence Fabunmi, former Foreign Minister, Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi and Director General of NIIA, and those of founders of the institute were removed. Does the removal of any signage diminish the integrity of a founding father? Whenever I take a look at the video recording of the destruction of my photograph, I simply pray for the destroyer in sympathy, because the destruction or removal of whatever had been done in any public institution is at best pettiness, myopia, and of course, waste of public resources.In China, heroic people are respected and remembered. Their efforts are sustained with new and additional efforts. In Nigeria, they are defamed as a result of ignorance and weakness of mind. Even when people want to destroy anything, it should still be done with a bit of common sense. In the same vein, in worshiping God, it should still be done with common sense. God wants everyone to behave rationally. If destruction is done with the application of a little common sense, there will not be any need for wastages. Sooner or later, and under the Freedom of Information Act, the Institute will be called to explain by all the stakeholders. How the modern-day civil and public servants behave at the NIIA cannot help national development.There is no policy of impunity in China. Nobody condones any act of serious indiscipline in China as it was easily done with the protection of the Governing Council at the NIIA. The people of China do not do that. They build and consolidate. They do not destroy. If Nigeria is to make progress, the attitudinal disposition towards objectivity of purpose must first be encouraged. Patriotism should be a desideratum. Nigeria and altruism must be the first priority in all undertakings of the citizens.`Explained differently, development should not simply be seen as the provision of infrastructure. It is essentially about the extent of integrity of the people. It is about the extent of capacity to defend the national interest. It is only in Nigeria that a Minister will go into the open to condemn Nigerians abroad in the belief that they had done something wrong, or if they had not done anything wrong, they would not have been mistreated. Most unfortunate, many Nigerians had been mistreated without just cause.Last week Tuesday, a French policeman killed one Chinese national in Paris. Within 24 hours following the incident, the Chinese living in Paris and environs not only demonstrated against what they called cold murder of their compatriots, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also summoned the French ambassador in Beijing for explanation. The Chinese government did not wait to find out what offence he might have been committed to have warranted his being shot dead. The belief of the Chinese is that all Chinese residing in France are entitled to national protection of the host state and the national protection of China under both private and public international law.In Nigeria, diplomatic protection under the Vienna Conventions (Public International Law) and under Private International Law, particularly in terms of denial of justice, does not mean much. As a result, there is no strong umbilical cord tying the state and the people of Nigeria together. Patriotism therefore suffers. Anti-Nigeria sentiments then have more room to grow.More disturbing is the issue of a 21-storey building, Beijing House, being planned to be built at the NIIA by the Chinese. For the purposes of greater cooperation in the area of research and development and with the ultimate objective of promoting better understanding between the NIIA and Chinese international relations research institutions, I made the need for a Beijing House at the NIIA known to the Chinese Consul General in Nigeria when he paid me a courtesy visit as NIIA Director General.The suggestion had earlier been raised with our Chinese partners during our various joint seminars in both Nigeria and China. This matter was discussed to the most important level, making the request official and transferring all documents to the Government of Nigeria for ownership. The matter can be considered dead as it was the Chinese Consul General that was asking for where the NIIA was on the matter thereafter. The point is that every discussion, every decision, every declared intention, etc, is always taken seriously and officially by the Chinese.When the Chinese partners of the NIIA were convinced that such a Beijing House could not but be relevant, especially when I took them round to see what the Germans and the British had done for the institute, and particularly how the Americans had played active part in the establishment of and donation of books to the institute at the initial stage, the Chinese had no basis to hesitate. They were quickly decided to examine the proposal but at the level of the Federal Government. It is better to leave the rest of the story to history to tell. However, why should anyone expect Nigeria to develop in this type of circumstance? The 21-storey building was designed to be fully funded by the Chinese. The architectural design was done and it was to cost about N7billion without the equipment.It should simply be noted here that no nation, no institution operates on the basis of dont care attitude and still expects to grow and develop. What the Chinese are doing to the point of excellence, which can be easily done in Nigeria, but not done because of the kind of people who parade themselves as leaders but which they really are not, is simply identifying a national focus, pursuing it with commitment and involvement of the people at all levels, as well as predicating political governance on transparent accountability and self-reliant policies. This observation brings us to one major reason why China is developed and still developing.China is a developing nation in spite of its current great power status. In light of this, we believe that all the countries hitherto described as developing, should be re-designated as non-developing countries. China is considered developing essentially because of its unwavering commitment to research and development, equity and fairness, creativity of purpose and involvement of the generality of the people of China in policy making. All the Chinese companies that are competing well internationally as at today (Huawei, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), etc) devote the greater part of their attention to research and development. Apart from that, the people think beyond the box. They live in the future.For instance, the Huawei, does not allocate less than 10% of its income to research. Besides, of the 180,000 members of staff in the company, 80,000 of them, that is, 44.4%, are engaged in active research. The cardinal objective of research is to pave way for better understanding of societal problems, to enhance a better living. Research is one of the major dynamics of development in the First World. Research is a journey to the unknown. When the unknown becomes known, advantage is then taken of it in many ways. This is why several business entrepreneurs readily support research and development in advanced countries. The problem, however, is that private sector financing of research, and particularly, industrial research, is not a big deal in Nigeria.Let us also look at another dynamics of development in China: the 12345 Public Service Hotline of Jinan from which lessons could also be learnt. The public service hotline centre was set up by the CPC ruling party on September 9, 2008 with only one telephone set and one staff to address all the peoples complaints and promptly too. Since then, more than 16 million calls have been received, on average daily calls of between 10,000 and 12,000. Unlike in 2008 when communication connections were done by telephone lines only, today is witnessing applications for information through mobile phones, text messages, etc.The centre is open for duty for 24 hours daily without interruption. This is to ensure that any Chinese wishing to call can do so at any time convenient to them. The objective is also to help improve the image of Government of China, as well as enhance national development and efficiency, and provide standardised service.In terms of administrative authority, the 12345 centre is placed under the direct authority of the Mayor of the Jinan City, in the Shandong Province but supervised by the Inspection Committee and the news media. Great emphasis is placed on quality service and control through insistence on compliance with 8 criteria. In fact, in appreciation of the centre, it has been acknowledged as a Model Service Centre.Three points are noteworthy at this juncture. First, operationally, citizens often call for four things. They call for information guide and 59% of the calls deal with questions that are quickly responded to. In this regard, for instance, an 8-year old Chinese telephoned to inquire about the direction from which wind is coming from. The second category deals with demands and they are appropriately sent to the desk officers in the relevant departments for answers. When such answers are responded to, answers are transmitted to the initial callers who would also later be contacted to find out the extent of his or her satisfaction. Many a time, the centre also calls the citizens to find out what their needs or complaints are. Thirdly, the usefulness of the centre is to the extent that the International Standard Organisation has used the centre as a special case study, thus reflecting the importance attached to the centre. 98.17% of the people of China are reported to have given the centre a high approval rating.If 59% of the calls are information-driven, 31% are calls for inquiry and help, and only 6.2% are calls making suggestions, leaving only 3.8% for complaints, there can be no disputing the fact that bridging communication gaps between the governing authority and the governed is necessary in political governance in order to maintain peace. Nigeria has a Complaint Commission. Nigeria even has some telephone lines for emergency. However Chinas approach to the issue is more serious than the way it is in Nigeria. So is the handling of anti-corruption in China more serious than the way it is in Nigeria.In this regard, a political party does not need to be in power before engaging in creative projects like the 12345 centre. In fact, it is when one is in the opposition group that this type of project ought to be conceived, especially in preparation for the 2019 elections. For Nigeria to begin to develop, the needful has to be done ab initio.
The police on Saturday arraigned 13 University of Lagos (UNILAG) students at a Special Offences Mobile Court in Oshodi, Lagos, over alleg...

The police on Saturday arraigned 13 University of Lagos (UNILAG) students at a Special Offences Mobile Court in Oshodi, Lagos, over alleged unlawful invasion of Television Continental (TVC) station in Lagos.Prosecuting counsel, Effiong Asuquo, who is the Office in Charge, Legal Department of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, said the accused persons committed the offence on Friday.He said they invaded the premises of TVC to protest the alleged rustication of one of their students.The defendants are: Femi Adeyeye, Toni Aina, Kodri Yaya, Asimi Oladime, Ismahim Olalekan, Segun Okesola, Abdulazeez Soneye, Idris Abogunloko, and Muyiwa Olaniyi.Others are Toheed Oladimeji, Joseph Akanni, Lukumon Olusegun, and Abiodun Agbeniyi.Asuquo said the students also invaded the UNILAG main campus and disrupted academic activities.The prosecutor said the protest was a bid to stop the semesters examination scheduled to begin on Monday.The police said the alleged offence contravenes sections 168 (1) (d) and 2 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.The students were arraigned before Chief Magistrate P.E Nwaka, on two counts bordering on unlawful invasion and disruption of activities.They pleaded not guilty to the charge.The magistrate ordered their remand at the Kirikiri prison pending their bail hearing on April 6.
Nigeria Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has described as mischievous and concocted, allegations that the sum of N310million was stolen from his house.Reacting through a press statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, he added that the allegation that the said money purportedly stolen from a Bureau de Change operator in November, 2015 by suspected operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and some Army personnel belonged to him was spurious and targeted at misleading the public.The statement also said the publication by some online media platforms was a rehash allegations for malicious reasons, saying Mr. Senate President has nothing to do with the money.The statement said: the Office wants to reiterate that the Senate President had nothing to do with the said stolen money by suspected security agents then and even now as being maliciously peddled by some online media to tarnish his image.It would be recalled that when the incident was reported by the media in December 2015, a section of the online media which has become notorious for dragging the name of the Senate President into issues that he knows nothing about, the DSS issued a statement where it stated that it had arrested some of its men that partook in robbing a Bureau de Change operator in Abuja.This Office had also in a statement, in reaction to the false report, stated that the Senate President had nothing to do with the money allegedly stolen. We still insist that he has nothing to do with the money and we challenge those still rehashing the stale and fake news to avail themselves of the reports of the police and the DSS on the matter to avoid misleading members of the public unnecessarily.Let me state that the Senate President has no army personnel among his security details. Therefore, it becomes absurd for one of the suspect in the robbery to have claimed according to the report that the money was brought to the Senate Presidents house from where they connived to steal it.The report remains a lie which must be disregarded by the public, and should it be recirculated tomorrow, it will still remain a lie. At best we count this unwarranted fake report as part of the April Fool ritual. But the public deserves a better deal from its sponsors and purveyors.Besides, the content and intention of the fake is nothing but baseless allegations emanating from the infantile minds of unreasonable interlopers, hell bent on rubbing mud on the reputation of a distinguished Nigerian, who is today in his capacity as the Senate President, is working assiduously with critical stakeholders to stabilize and grow our economy. Enough is enough.
A fresh corruption charge now awaits the immediate past Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike in court.

A fresh corruption charge now awaits the immediate past Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike in court.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing him of receiving N10million donation from a litigant before his court.The anti-graft agency claims that Umezulike conferred undue advantage on himself.The commission had on March 16 arraigned the former CJ before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over non-disclosure of assets.While the process was on, a key witness against Umezulike was arrested in Abuja and hauled before a court in Enugu for alleged forgery of a document.The intervention of the Attorney-General of Enugu State however saved the witness, Chibuike Jonathan Nnamoko from being sent to jail.The Enugu AG faulted the police for arraigning the witness for forgery in his jurisdiction without his knowledge or any case file.The fresh charge filed against Umezulike by Kayode Oni, A.I. Arogha and Esin-Oti Ebipade, shows that: The court is informed by the Executive Chairman, EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Innocent Azubike Umezulike is charged with the following offence:Use of office to confer corrupt or unfair advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Act( Laws of the Federation) 2000.Innocent Azubike Umezulike sometime February 2014 at Enugu within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst being the Chief Judge, High Court of Justice, Enugu (a public officer) did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon yourself by inviting one Prince Arthur Eze, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oranto Petroleum Limited, who was a litigant in pending and concluded civil matters to wit: suit No. E/388/2010: Prince Arthur Eze v Diamond Bank Plc and E/147/2012: Prince Arthur Eze v Major Concepts Limited respectively presided over by you to the launch of a book titled ABC of contemporary land law in Nigeria, authored by you, where the said Arthur Eze donated N10million only by a Fidelity Bank Plc cheque drawn in the account of Oranto Petroleum Limited which you accepted and paid the said sum of N10million only into your Zenith Bank Plc account number 1001189952 and thereby committed an offence.A Federal High Court in Enugu had placed an interim forfeiture order of a sum of N50 million belonging to Justice Umezulike in a Zenith Bank account.Prior to his trial, the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the chairmanship of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, had recommended him and Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal for compulsory retirement.The NJC also dismissed Justice Kabiru Auta with a directive that he should be handed over to the police in Kano for prosecution.An EFCC source, speaking on the arrest of witness Nnamoko said: we got an intelligence report that he was arrested by some policemen for forgery and arraigned before a court in Enugu without the knowledge of the Attorney-General of the state.The AG has however intervened by insisting on due process. He said the police should send its investigation report to his office and after considering all evidence, the state will advise as appropriate.They were almost sending the witness to prison in order to intimidate him and withdraw from giving evidence. We are investigating those behind this.
President Muhammadu Buhari has opted to seek legal opinions in deciding what to make of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, following the latest refusal o...

President Muhammadu Buhari has opted to seek legal opinions in deciding what to make of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, following the latest refusal of the Senate to confirm him as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The legal consultations will form an integral part of the planned peace talks between governments mediation team headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and National Assembly leaders.The Federal Executive Council constituted the team recently to interface with the NASS leadership with a view to resolving the differences between the two arms.It was gathered yesterday that the Osinbajo-led team was yet to contact the National Assembly leaders.Authoritative sources said yesterday that Buhari had called for advice on the import of Section 171 of 1999 Constitution which is the bone of contention on the fate of Magu.The Section says: (1) Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall rest in the President.(2) The offices to which this section applies are namely.(a) Secretary to the Government of the Federation.(b) Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.(c) Ambassador, High Commissioner or other principal Representative of Nigeria abroad.(d) Permanent Secretary in any Ministry or Head of any Extra-Ministerial Department of the Government of the Federation howsoever designated; and(e) any office on the personal staff of the President.(3) An appointment to the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation shall not be made except from among the Permanent Secretaries or equivalent rank in the Civil Service of the Federation or of a State.(4) An appointment to the office of Ambassador, High Commissioner, or other Representative of Nigeria abroad shall not have effect unless the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.(5) In exercising his powers of appointment under this section, the President shall have regard to the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity.(6) Any appointment made pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (2) of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President and shall cease when the President ceases to hold office;Provided that where a person has been appointed from a public service of the Federation or a State, he shall be entitled to return to the public service of the Federation or of the State when the President ceases to hold office.Section 11 of the Interpretation Act says: (1) Where an enactment confers a power to appoint a person either to an office or to exercise any functions, whether for a specified period or not, the power includes-(a) power to appoint a person by name or to appoint the holder from time to time of a particular office;(b) power to remove or suspend him;(c) power, exercisable in the manner and subject to the limitations and conditions (if any) applicable to the power to appoint,-(i) to reappoint or reinstate him,(ii) to appoint a person to act in his place, either generally or in regard to specified functions, during such time as is considered expedient by the authority in whom the power of appointment in question is vested.(2)  A reference in an enactment to the holder of an office shall be construed as including a reference to a person for the time being appointed to act in his place, either as respects the functions of the office generally or the functions in regard to which he is appointed, as the case may be.Prof. Itse Sagays Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) believes that by virtue of Section 171, Magu can continue to act as Acting EFCC chairman.The Department of State Security Service, some government officials and the Senate think otherwise.The Senate on Wednesday stopped the consideration of the 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners who were nominated by Buhari to protest Buharis refusal to sack Magu after it rejected him for a second time.A top level source said although the President has stuck with Magu for now, those opposed to the EFCC acting chairman are drawing attention to Section 11 of the Interpretation Act in the constitution.The source said: The President is being painstaking in taking a decision on Magu.He has sought legal advice on the contentious Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act.The legal advice might either strengthen his position on Magu or determine what action to take. It will also assist him to engage the National Assembly leadership on Magus fate.Buhari is aware of argument for and against the retention of Magu but he does not go by the spur of the moment because of posterity. He is aware of Magus impeccable contributions to anti-graft war. And on a personal note, he is with Magu.He runs a peculiar presidency based on adherence to the rule of law and not Executive fiat as the case was in the past.Another source said: the Presidents ultimate decision on Magu will have to take cognizance of the EFCC Establishment (2004) Act and the rejection of the officer by the Senate for the second time.Apart from the law, some government officials prefer a political solution to the controversy on Magu. We are hopeful that Osinbajos mediation team will be able to resolve this issue amicably.There is a dilemma before the President. He favours Magu for the job and he does not pretend about it. But he has to manage the anger of the Senate too.The battle over Magu is now in the realm of legal technicality, especially his continued stay in office in Acting capacity. This is why the President needs sound legal advice, not jaundiced type.The questions to be resolved are:* Can the President re-nominate Magu for the third time?* What becomes of Magus status in the light of his rejection for the EFCC job for the second time by the Senate?* Should Magu remain in office in Acting capacity as EFCC chairman until Buhari takes a decision or as long as it takes Buhari to decide his fate?*If Buhari does not re-nominate Magu for a third time, can he remain in Acting EFCC chairman till the end of Buharis tenure in 2019 in the light of the provision of Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution?A principal officer in the National Assembly said: We are awaiting communication from the Vice President before we constitute our team which will meet with the mediation committee from the Executive.Certainly, we are bound to disagree on issues in line with the principle of separation of powers but we are also expected to reach consensus for the betterment of the society at large.We have issues with the interpretation if Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution.Shortly after Magus last rejection, the Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, had told our correspondent that Magu can continue to serve in acting capacity.He said: We believe that there is nothing inhibiting him from being in office as the Acting EFCC chairman. We are of the opinion that he should remain in office.If you look at Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, the President is empowered to retain him as long as he wants in acting capacity. As long as the President remains in office, Magu can continue to act as EFCC chairman.Responding to a question, Owasanoye added: If there is something new, we would have modified our position but the Senate acted on old report without considering the Presidents points in the re-nomination letter.
Ace Nigerian comedian, Seyi Law has said that he rejoiced over the arrest and detention of US trained journalist, Kemi Olunloyo.The duo once had a face-off when the controversial journalist made a public post that Seyi Laws daughter was obese.Law, in an Instagram post, disclosed that he was very happy to hear that Kemi was arrested.He said this would serve as deterrent to people who put out things on social media to malign others.The comedian wrote, I was one of the few who was happy when they heard Madam Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo was arrested as I believed it will serve as deterrent to others who will just put out things to malign others.Madam Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo has never been entirely right and we must acknowledge that and instead of just going after the Pastor, we must ask that he should be kind enough to forgiveI dont know if what Madam Kemi wrote about the Pastor was true, but what if it is not, we know what it means to have your character questioned, nonetheless we plead for his forgiveness.We cant force it and so we plead for his forgiveness.I have read from people shouting hell on the Pastor and I just laughed as I know what some would have done if it was them.Please dont forget that we are Humans first before Pastoral call.I therefore, plead with whoever is behind the case against Madam Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo to forgive for Christs sake.
Bukky, mother of Stephanie Otobo, accuser of General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has accused lawyers of ...

Bukky, mother of Stephanie Otobo, accuser of General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has accused lawyers of manipulating her daughter.In an exclusive interview with online platform,, the trader also explained why she went to beg Suleman in Auchi, Edo State over the sexual allegations.She denied she was threatened to apologise to Suleman, saying the assertion by her daughter was untrue.According to Bukky: All those lawyers are using her to get their own names. They should leave my daughter alone. They should leave my daughter out of this matter.I am still talking about all those lawyers. They should leave my daughter alone.She is not wayward, that is why what is happening is surprising me. Somebody is behind this matter because she was not like that before.She is a good child. She loved me and I love her. So, along the way, I dont know what happened; that is why I said they are manipulating her, using something against her and I want every Nigerian to help me to pray, pray for her that God should deliver her.On why she went to beg Suleman, Bukky said: I beg the man of God to forgive her so that this matter can die off. Because I cannot continue with this (and) the way I am seeing it.I dont want anything of such to happen again. Nobody threatened to kill me or prompted me to do so. I went there on my own to apologise to man of God.Nobody threatened me. It is because I am a mother. I did not bring her up this way and the way she is behaving is not normal.I was not threatened. I am a mother. I cannot continue to see her in that manner. She has been saying all sorts of things. We are not happy and that is why I went to apologise. I went there alone; nobody threatened me.
The Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) Enugu State chapter, on Sunday slammed the Nigerian Senate over what it described as its attempt to cripple the countrys democratic process.The group, therefore, warned that if Nigerians failed to shut down the Senate, the Senate as currently constituted will not only shut down the strident anti-graft war being waged by President Muhammadu Buhari, but also our fledgling democracy.The BSOs declaration came as a reaction to the speech made by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President at the opening ceremony of the 28th Enugu State International Trade Fair at the weekend.In the speech, Ekweremadu, who represented the Senate at the event had lamented that: Sadly, our SMEs potentials are grossly underutilized and underdeveloped. They are stifled by a wide range ofchallenges, such as access to finance, poor infrastructure, lack of access to market, multiple taxation, inconsistencies in government policies and official corruption, which have slowed down their very roles in our economic resuscitation.Reacting in a statement on Sunday, BSO through Mr. Eze Chibueze, its Publicity Secretary, described the statement made by Ekweremadu as contradictory to the position taken by the same Senate he represented at the Trade Fair, especially on the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).Chibueze further stated that: We are, therefore, outraged that the same Senate in one breadth admitted that official corruption is the bane of our economic prosperity and indeed is the bane of our collective development, whilst on the other breadth is viciously waging unpatriotic offensive against President Buharis war against pervasive corruption in our land. Who kills his war commander?Otherwise, how come the Senate couldnt trust the sound judgment of the C-in-C, who after perusing the Department of State Security (DSS)s report refereed to him in December 2016, dismissed it and sent back Ibrahim Magus name for the second time for confirmation? To us,it is corruption fighting back.We are in league with majority of patriotic Nigerians and foreign friends of our dear country who believe that Ibrahim Magu is doing a fantastic job, which in the first place made Mr President to nominate him. Accordingly, we call on Mr President not to succumb to arrantblackmail and propaganda being mounted by looters.Its our considered view that Magus recent exposure of the Paris Fund scam, in which the Senate President and some governors were allegedly fingered, the petition against the Deputy Senate President on his table and sundry corruption charges against high number ofsenators which incensed the rogue senators. Hence Crucify Magu! Crucify Magu! Crucify Magu!Is it not the height of cruelty for any sane person to tamper with the Paris Club refund funds, which was recovered since 2005 and no president thought it wise to return the funds to the people since2006, 20007, 2008 and up till 2017 when our dear President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the funds be returned to the States for salary and pension arrears?We are, therefore, appalled that the name of Senator Bukola Saraki and cohorts have featured again in their custom to circumvent the funds meant for masses, Chibueze said.He added that In the sordid cross-road where Nigerians are precariously placed on cliffhanger  the BSO had no valid option but to mobilise patriotic Nigerians for a two million march to the National Assembly to SHUT DOWN THE SENATE and drum support for the anti-corruption of war of Mr. President.To this end, we challenge our dear compatriots to wake up and accordingly call on compatriots to join us in this crusade. For when again shall we have an anti-graft president like Buhari?In sum, BSO members resolve to resist any attempt to truncate President Buharis anti-corruption war which bar has been raised and which has received commendation from international transparencyagencies, the United States of America, United Kingdom and prominent Africans, including revered former Ghanaian President, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings.
A top member of the terror sect Boko Haram, Bulama Kailani Mohammed Metele, has turned his back on the group and surrendered to the mili...

A top member of the terror sect Boko Haram, Bulama Kailani Mohammed Metele, has turned his back on the group and surrendered to the military, the army announced yesterday.Metele, who is number 253 on the list of Boko Haram leaders declared wanted by the authorities for their role in the insurgency, surrendered to troops of 145 Task Force Battalion, 5 Brigade at Damasak, Borno State, according to army spokesman, Sani Usman.He hails from Tumbun Bera in Borno and belonged to the Mamman Nur faction of the terrorists group under the leadership of Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.He is currently undergoing further interrogation, Usman said, adding that soldiers also arrested two other suspected Boko Haram terrorists carrying out surveillance on Kareto and Dangalti villages.He said preliminary investigation shows that they were on reconnaissance mission to facilitate possible attack on the communities.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said that the Yoruba nation is unshaken in its support for President Muhammadu Buharis government.He said this while speaking at the South-West zonal meeting of National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) in Lagos.Tinubu, who was represented by the APC National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure; assured that Buharis government will not relent in its effort to ensure the turn around of Nigerias economy.He said: South-West support for Buhari is unshaken despite the various challenges in the country, which we believe the present government is addressing.There is no doubt that there is no party in Nigeria that can surpass APCs achievements in office.We are doing the best we can with the little resources we have to move the nation forward. We need peoples support to turn things around in the country, he said.Also speaking, Senator Adesoji Akande said he is fully in support of the Buhari administration, adding that the incumbent government has done a lot to address some of the problems facing the country and implored Nigerians to continue to support the APC administration.Meanwhile, in his response, President Buhari, who was equally represented by Senator Ajayi Boroffice, charged Nigerians towards positive change in the country, adding that the change message must be carried to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
The Auditor loves a good tea party.

Cucumber sandwiches. Scones with clotted cream. Nasty emails accusing you of extortion.

You know, the kind of klatsch Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin threw for Gov. Chris Christie earlier this week.

Reacting to Christie's ambush of non-for-profit Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and his repeated demand that it hand over some $300 million of its more than $2 billion surplus to expand addiction treatment, Martin fired off a message that was not very genteel.

"To try and raid their reserve funds to pay for his opiate reform program," snarled Martin in a Wednesday media release, "borders on extortion."

Earlier in the week, the governor spoke at a Bordentown union hall and blasted Horizon's reluctance as "obscene" given its not-for-profit status.

"That an insurance company in this state that calls themselves a non-profit sits on nearly $3 billion of your money, in surplus, and doesn't want to give any of it to help take care of members of our families who are drug addicted and need treatment," said Christie. "It's obscene."

In fact, Horizon is not tax-exempt, and has offered Christie $135 million in funding for expanding treatment.

But for Martin, Christie's new post as chairman of Trump's new opioid addiction commission apparently signaled that his public shaming of private companies might soon be going national.

"Gov. Christie must not be allowed to use his new position and expanded government power to try to extort money from private companies to pay for government programs," wrote Martin.

And even though the GOP's much ballyhooed repeal of Obamacare seems to be on hold for the foreseeable future, Martin was clearly jittery about policy holders becoming piggy-banks.

"The last thing we need is the governor stealing money from the pockets of healthcare policy holders," she warned, adding that "this financially reckless, self-serving behavior must be stopped before it causes more consumer and economic harm."

But it seems Christie has little cause to worry that the president might suddenly embrace the tea party perspective.

On Thursday, Trump threatened the tea party-backed Freedom Caucus to "get on the team" or he would target them in the 2018 midterm elections.

Another Tea Party Patriots co-founder, Mark Meckler, reacted with characteristic understatement on Thursday.

"The man who promised to 'drain the swamp' now appears to be the Creature from the Black Lagoon," said Meckler, who now heads the conservative activist group Citizens for Self Governance. "He is now on the side of the swamp monsters."
TRENTON -- The state Legislature passed and Gov. Chris Christie signed over the summer a law requiring New Jersey's $71.6 billion public worker pension fund divest from companies that boycott Israeli goods and businesses.

As of this month, that law has changed nothing, according to the Division of Investment, which is obligated to report its compliance. In this first report, state officials said there are no such holdings.

However, the state did divest in a company that was doing business with Iran to comply with an older pension ban law.

Lawmakers roundly supported the law Christie signed last year as a show of support "to our friends in Israel that New Jersey has your back," as one state senator put it.

New Jersey has one of the largest Jewish populations in the U.S. and is said to trade more than $1.3 billion in goods each year with Israel.

The division and State and Investment Council are barred under the law from investing pension fund assets in companies that boycott Israel and demanded they dump any existing holding, of which there are none, according to state officials.

New Jersey had previously prohibited the pension fund from investing in businesses with ties to Northern Ireland, Sudan and Iran.

The division was compelled to sell shares in a polish oil company to comply with a 2007 law that says no pension assets may be invested in any companies doing business in Iran.

Specifically, the law applies to "any foreign company that has an equity tie to the government of Iran ... and is engaged in business operations with entities in the defense sector or nuclear sector of Iran, or engaged in business operations with entities involved in the natural gas or petroleum sectors of Iran ..."

The legislation said the state "must take action to respond to these calls for the destruction of Israel and threats to world peace and stability."

Since that law was enacted, the state has sold investments in more than two dozen companies, but none recently.

"Although in recent annual reports we did not have investment activity to report, there's been a recent uptick in companies dipping their toe back into Iran, based upon the loosening of sanctions that happened in 2015," said Sue Sarnowski, the division's compliance officer.

The federal government lifted sanctions on Iran as part of a deal for the country to curtail its nuclear program.

Officials also reported the pension fund posted 8.62 percent gains so far this fiscal year, which began in July. That follows a tough fiscal 2016, which ended in June, during which the fund lost 0.87 percent.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Join us at Michael Gulotta's Maypop for the next Todd Price Taste Club
Editors Note: The Dodge Connection is an ongoing series of articles tracing the history of Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, one of Council Bluffs most famous residents, as well as the varied connections of Dodge and the Dodge family members to the residents and businesses in the Omaha-Council Bluffs community.

At 8:30 on the evening of April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress and asked for a declaration of war against Germany in order to make the world safe for democracy.

On April 4, Congress granted Wilsons request.

On April 6, the United States officially entered the fight.

Training grounds were in demand and many cantonments sprang up around the country, including Council Bluffs. The cantonment was named Camp Graham in honor of Park Commissioner A. C. Graham. It sat on the top of the highest bluff in Fairmount Park.

Persons who wanted to write to the boys at Camp Graham could address their letters to Company L, Third Iowa Infantry, Camp Graham, Council Bluffs.

The work of pitching camp began early on a Sunday morning in mid-July, and by noon things were in fine shape. By Monday, a visitor to the camp would not have known by appearances that it had risen in so short a time.

The YMCA offered the use of the Y showers so it was unnecessary to install showers at the camp.

Camp days were filled with hard work for the soldiers and a strenuous military routine was laid out for them. A four-mile hike every morning was one of the features of the intensive drilling which they had to undergo.

Boys who lived in the city had the privilege of sleeping in their own homes, but they had to be back at camp by 7 a.m. the next day.

This camp was built directly above the General Dodge property in Fairmount Park.

Gen. Grenville M. Dodge didnt live to see his beloved country enter into the Great War  he had warned against involvement  but he would have been proud to see his family, neighbors, friends and his adopted city of Council Bluffs support the war effort.

The Dodge Engineers were returning to camp by way of Fairmount Avenue and were ordered to halt. They then received enough homemade cakes for the entire company.

Every lady who lived on the street baked and donated a cake for the boys of Company B. When the cakes had been loaded into a nearby automobile, the members of the company gave a rousing cheer. Lt. Erwin Spetman delivered the sweets to the camp.

In August 1917, the soldiers at the Camp Graham cantonment gathered wood from the General Dodge orchard. In the spirit of goodwill, an Iowa Avenue woman took the soldiers a bushel of fresh beans.

The same month, Lettie Dodge Montgomery hosted the Daughters of the American Revolution in her home all day. The ladies spent the morning making bandages and slings, which would be distributed for use through the Red Cross. They resumed their efforts after a basket lunch.

Citizens of Council Bluffs pitched in to support the soldiers, bringing fresh fruit, cookies, cakes, reading materials and more. The homemade lemonade was appreciated immensely after drilling in the hot sun.

The Ladies of the Dodge Engineers held a meeting that October at the Council Bluffs Public Library.

They acknowledged contributions from Lettie Dodge Montgomery, Ella Dodge Pusey and Mrs. N.P. Dodge, Jr., of several barrels of the finest apples to be found. Barrels were shipped to the soldiers.

An effort was made by the military bureau to have an officer of the Iowa Guard Medical Department detailed to Camp Graham, where Company L and the Dodge Engineers were encamped.

Cases of sickness had been attended to by local physicians and at least one of them made a daily trip to the camp. But it was felt that because the boys were in the federal service, they should have a regular medical officer detailed in proper form.

Interesting bit of trivia

The Great War introduced a new coat style that became a classic for the rest of the century and beyond: the trench coat. A need for all-weather coats inspired a new style and fabric.

In London, Burberry patented an all-weather, breathable fabric, a chemically processed fine cotton gabardine that was approved for military use.

The new military style coat featured a wide collar, extra fabric at the top of the back, epaulettes and a belt. The trench coat became a fashion staple for both men and women for the next 100 years.
Russell W.J. Slate learned a lot about World War I as a child sitting on the lap of his great-grandfather, who served in that war.

He would describe everything to me, Slate said. That was like my best moment as a child, not about war itself, but he had my undivided attention.

Rosalie Shepherd recalled how fortunate her father, Carl Henry Rogers, had been while serving over there with Iowas 168th Infantry.

About 90 percent of his division were amputees, she said. He had no amputations, though he did suffer hearing loss from all the cannons.

Those who fought in the Great War are long gone, but their stories are kept vivid today by their descendants, of which there are many in this area.

As he was sitting at a table at the Council Bluffs American Legion headquarters recently, Slate was full of pride for his great-grandfather, Joseph Matusevich, who came to this country from Russia. Matusevich was a White Russian, as opposed to a Red Russian, who supported the growing Bolshevik movement.

Matusevich came to the U.S. in 1916 and worked for the U.S. War Department and was later shipped off to Europe.

He got hit by mustard gas, the worst feeling ever, Slate said. He couldnt smoke anymore.

Matusevich regretted taking a persons life over politics, Slate added.

World War I was politics, he said.

Unknown to many perhaps, but after the war U.S. President Woodrow Wilson actually sent troops to overthrow the new communist government in Russia.

My great-grandfather was one of them, Slate said.

Shepherd recalled the hardships her father endured and came home to recount.

In the heat of battle, the action doesnt stop to allow the injured to reach hospitals.

If there were any injuries, they would just cut the limb off right there, said Shepherd.

The food wasnt inviting, either.

They ate bread with lard on it, Shepherd said.

Marty Shudak, director of assessment and data management at the Council Bluffs Community School District, had a grandfather who served in the war. Frank Shudak Sr. was a Polish immigrant, though he was actually born in Petrograd, Russia, and was a cossack, his grandson said.

He came to America as a teenager after escaping from jail for smuggling ostrich feathers across the Austrian border. His parish priest told him to go to America to avoid a great war that was going to be coming through Europe.

A birth certificate indicated his grandfathers last name was spelled Siudak in Poland, but was changed to Shudak when he arrived at Ellis Island.

He could barely speak English, Marty Shudak said.

Frank Shudak Sr. fought in France in several major battles, including at Marne, the Black Forest and the Argon Forest.

I think at the Battle of Marne, he saved a guy who was a coder of sorts and valuable if captured by the enemy, Marty Shudak said. He told my grandmother how he saw so many men killed and could hear bullets whizzing by him and could never understand why he was not hit.

She said she was praying for him every day and knew that was why. I remember her telling me this story when I was young and how so many men who survived came back maimed, and she wanted a full husband. She said that was the power of prayer.

Because of the brutality of war, its understandable that there were World War I soldiers who found it tough to later relive their days of battle with loved ones.

A case in point was Clarance Howard Hickey, better known to friends as Clarance Howard, and an uncle of Council Bluffs resident Leota McManus.

He never talked about it, she said.

McManus said it was only after Howard died in 1963 that his ordeal in battle become known through his wife.

Born in Illinois, Howard grew up in Council Bluffs and enlisted for service on June 26, 1918. After a short training period at Camp Dodge near Des Moines, Howard was sent to the heart of battle in the trenches in France.

He was shot and gassed, McManus said. It was two days before help arrived. The trenches were never nice places. They were cold and wet and muddy. It was awful to lay there.

After the war, Howard worked for the Council Bluffs Public Works Department for nearly two decades, McManus said.

For more than 30 years, Howard was also president of the local Last Mans Club, a group of area World War 1 veterans. The last man to survive was to drink a bottle of wine. Howard never drank it.

Michael Wilson of Urbandale, whose mother lives in Council Bluffs, had a great-uncle, Herb Thordsen, who served in the American Expeditionary Forces in the Great War.

According to Wilson, Thordsen enlisted on June 5, 1917, and, after training in Des Moines and in New York State, was shipped off to war on the Carpathia, the ship that rescued survivors of the Titanic disaster.

In his datebook, Thordsen wrote: Aug. 26 and 27, moved into trenches at night; Oct. 3, left woods in graveyard past Hindenburg; Oct. 8, chased out of valley; Nov. 11, peace.

That was the word everyone was glad to hear.
Among the countrys World War I heroes were a group of Council Bluffs doctors and nurses.

Amid the mustard gas and mortar rounds of 1918 France, a group that was primarily local doctors and nurses became the first mobile hospital unit on the front lines. Long before the days of M*A*S*H, many of the pioneers behind bringing the hospital to the wounded  and not vice versa, as was standard procedure in that era  hailed from Council Bluffs.

They saved tremendous numbers of lives by being up close to the front, said James L. Knott, a retired doctor and Unit K historian.

Knott, who worked at Jennie Edmundson Hospital for 30 years before his retirement in 1993, explained that before World War I units had difficulty getting the wounded back to Army hospitals in time for treatment to help.

With the growing havoc and deadliness wreaked by new inventions in warfare  such as planes, bombs, tanks, nerve gas and improved guns  and ongoing health hazards of bacteria and disease associated with trench warfare, reducing the time before reaching a hospital was more critical than ever for the health of soldiers.

Before, theyd have to cart them a long distance back to the hospital, Knott said.

Often within range of German artillery, Council Bluffs doctors and nurses were caring for American, French and British soldiers much more quickly than ever before. Women, too, worked alongside the men in a war zone in what was considered a controversial practice at the time.

Officially titled Mobile Hospital No. 1, Unit K was nicknamed the Council Bluffs unit during the war. Seven of the 12 doctors and 16 of the 21 nurses (15 from the Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing and one from Mercy School of Nursing) hailed from Council Bluffs. Fifty enlisted men also served as their orderlies.

Leading the mobile hospital across the Atlantic was Maj. Donald Macrae Jr., then the head surgeon at Jennie Edmundson.

Dr. Macrae had volunteered with the Iowa National Guard as a surgeon during the Spanish-American War in 1898 and served in the Philippines. He remained active in the National Guard after returning to Council Bluffs, where he opened his own practice and served as the citys mayor from 1904 to 1907.

When World War I broke out, he resigned his post with the Guard. With permission from the Armys surgeon general, he formed what became the first mobile hospital unit for the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. The unit was financed and trained primarily in and around Council Bluffs.

Macraes wife sold her car and discharged her servants to raise funds to support Unit Ks efforts. She and other volunteers  including wives, mothers and sisters  rolled bandages and knitted clothing for those overseas.

People in southwest Iowa really got behind him, Knott said.

Unit K departed Council Bluffs for Europe in late 1917 and arrived in Europe in early 1918. The group saw its first action at the offensive near Coulommiers, France, on June 12, 1918.

After the war, Macrae, writing for the Journal of the Iowa State Medical Society, looked back at what awaited his unit in France:

Each man and woman ... realized the importance of the active work ahead, but few appreciated the frightfulness and awfulness of the life, the horror of the shells and bombs, and fewer still held the slightest conception of the words non-transportable wounded.

And those non-transportable wounded  too badly injured to be taken away from the battlefield for treatment  would make up the lions share of Unit Ks patients.

In his six weeks at Coulommiers, Macrae estimated 26,000 wounded soldiers, most from the bloody firefights in nearby Belleau Wood, passed through Mobile Hospital No. 1 and an adjacent hospital. Only a superhuman effort kept the hospital working.

Shelling and bombing and many narrow escapes only stimulated our nurses and men to do better work without thought of sleep or food, Macrae wrote.

Though battles continued near Coulommiers, Unit K was reassigned to Chateau-Thierry on July 29. As many as 14 subsequent moves, to near Verdun  the site of the bloodiest battle of World War I and where, during four years, an estimated 900,000 soldiers were killed  and then to St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne, exposed Unit K to the true ghastliness of the war.

There, the Council Bluffs unit experienced injuries from shrapnel, gas and gangrene. Temperatures soared and plummeted without warning, and the elements and unforgiving life in the trenches took their toll on soldiers and medical personnel alike.

Unit K suffered two casualties during the war, though neither were from combat injuries: a nurse and an enlisted man died of pneumonia while in France.

Estimates vary on the number of soldiers that came under the care of Unit K. Maj. Frank Earl Bellinger  also a Council Bluffs doctor and the groups unofficial historian  said it was nearly 5,000: Macrae wrote that more than 7,000 non-transportable wounded soldiers passed through the units supervision.

They saved many, many, many lives and helped a lot of people, Knott said. The MASH units nowadays are a descendent of them.

Unit K officially left France in April 1919 and returned to Iowa on May 5. After being decommissioned at Camp Dodge near Des Moines, the Council Bluffs unit returned home to a large ticker-tape parade down the middle of Broadway.

In a 1934 Nonpareil article, it was mentioned Macrae had earned the Croix De Guerre from the French government and the distinguished service cross.

The article also said he told a general to go to hell when the general tried summoning Unit K nurses for a dance. After all, as Lt. John B. Long recalled in the story, the nurses and enlisted men alike  whom Macrae called the most wonderful set of men and women ever assembled for any duty  were already swamped tending to wounded soldiers in the trenches.

Council Bluffs also named a park after the Mobile Hospital No. 1 commander, who returned to his practice after the war. Macrae Park once stood near the intersection of East and North Broadway, though the U.S. Highway 6 expansion later claimed the park.

Bellinger, meanwhile, also picked up where he left off before World War I. He operated a surgery clinic for more than 50 years, serving as president of the Christian Home (now Childrens Square U.S.A.). He later advocated to pave Indian Creek in the 1930s and pushed for the Broadway viaduct.

One of the 16 Council Bluffs nurses, Mattie Gibson, continued to ascend in the health care industry after returning stateside.

Gibson spent 20 years at Washington (D.C.) Childrens Hospital, later becoming the superintendent emeritus of the hospitals nursing staff. When a new hospital was constructed, a ward was named in her honor.

After Unit K returned to Council Bluffs, Macrae had nothing but praise for the groundbreaking mobile hospital unit  and, in writing for the Journal of Iowa State Medical Society, already recognized the Council Bluffs units place in history.

Without question, when the history of this great war is written, Macrae wrote in 1920, no page will be brighter than that written of the work and indefatigable devotion of the medical man, assisted by his wonderful nurses and men of the medical department.
The Museum of Danish America  an Elk Horn institution celebrating Danish roots and American dreams  toasted a milestone Wednesday.

Museum staff, volunteers and interns lifted glasses in a skal salute during a Facebook video announcement of the institution achieving accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.

Only 3 percent of the nations estimated 33,000 museums are accredited. In Omaha, for example, only the Joslyn Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

This is an important milestone but its not the end-all, said Rasmus Thgersen of Omaha, the Elk Horn museums executive director.

Accredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence, said Laura Lott, president and chief executive of the American Alliance of Museums.

Accreditation is clearly a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.

The Museum of Danish America was organized in 1983 as the Danish Immigrant Museum. The new name was adopted in 2013.

The museums half-timbered building opened in 1994 as a national center for the Danish-American community. It houses more than 35,000 artifacts.

The museum staff develops exhibitions that tour the nation, operates a genealogy center and hosts an internship program for Danish and American graduate students.

The 35-acre museum grounds have been transformed into the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park, named for the Danish immigrant and colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The museum opened the 8,000-square-foot Christensen Curatorial Center in 2014.

Thgersen credited his predecessor, John Mark Nielsen of Blair, with leading the museum to accreditation. Nielsen retired in January.

A two-person team of peers from the American Alliance of Museums said its site visit at the museum last fall found an institution deeply embedded in its local and national communities and garnering respect that is a model for similar museums.

The Elk Horn museum joins four Sioux City institutions  Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City Public Museum, Loren D. Callendar Gallery and Sergeant Floyd River Museum  as the only accredited museums in western Iowa.
Last week, these McCook Community College students spent part of their spring break doing an MCC end-zone dance at AT&T Stadium. The stadium is home of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. The students are from the vice presidents freshman leadership class, which includes a spring break trip each year. This year students and Vice President Andy Long went to Texas and visited sites in Dallas, San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
Catastrophic wildfires have swept through parts of cattle country in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Blazes across more than 1 million acres have killed at least seven people and thousands of cattle, burning prairie grass and destroying fencing.

The flames looked 30 and 40 feet tall, the Wichita Eagle reported last week about the Kansas fires, the largest in the states history. The wind pushed the fire so fast that firefighters driving 50, 60 or even 70 mph down the highway couldnt get in front of it. ... Embers would ignite new fires a quarter mile away.

Clark County, Kansas, had 400,000 acres of fire damage. One cattle producer lost 14,500 of his 14,800 acres of grassland.

There can be no quick turnaround from such devastation, but its encouraging that cattle producer organizations and other groups from around the country are stepping forward to offer aid.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Association is calling for donations to help meet the need for fencing supplies, feed, hay and trucking services. Donation addresses and contact information are on the associations website (www.nebraskacattlemen.org under newsroom). The Iowa Cattlemens Association will hold an online auction Friday to provide assistance (iacattlemen.org/).

These producers are showing commendable solidarity in the wake of this devastation.

 The Omaha World-Herald
Tricia G. Bellich, Paul Kosteski, and Kyle Lawrence have joined the firm of Bryce Downey & Lenkov LLC in its Schererville office. Bellich joins as an income member, with extensive experience handling workers compensation and employment law matters through the appellate level in the states of Indiana and Illinois. Kosteski joins as an associate, practicing workers compensation defense. Lawrence also joins as an associate, practicing general liability and workers compensation defense.
The artistry and beauty of stellar equestrian arts will be in the spotlight in Chicago for the next few weeks.

Cavalia's "Odysseo" continues through May 28 under the White Big Top at Soldier Field.

The show, the brainchild of Normand Latourelle, is a production that celebrates a blend of theatrical, equestrian and multimedia arts.

"We created Cavalia 14 years ago," said Latourelle, during a recent phone interview. Latourelle, who was also one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil, said the first rendition of Cavalia came to Chicago nearly a decade ago.

"I created a totally new production six years ago," Latourelle said about the "Odysseo" show. The Chicago production is the Midwest premiere of the show.

Latourelle said they "worked hard" to get the best possible location for "Odysseo."

"We were very lucky to get Soldier Field," he said, adding it's a spectacular location along Lake Shore Drive for a unique show that's considered the world's largest touring production.

Massive white tents, called the White Big Top, are situated in the South Lot of Soldier Field, where various breeds of horses, aerialists and other artists will perform their magic.

The show features 65 horses. "'Odysseo' is an odyssey where man and horse go together to discover the landscapes of the world," Latourelle said, about the production. "It brings nature to the stage."

In the show, a number of landscapes are shown via 3D technology. "It gives you a sense that you are there," he said.

Latourelle said the starring horses actually seem to enjoy performing in the show where, he stressed, they are treated with the utmost respect.

"The stage is a playground for the horses. "They come to play. Half of the time (they're on stage), the horses are free." (The show often features the equines roaming around and freely engaging in their art during various segments).

With the Cavalia concept, Latourelle said his original intent was to "integrate the horse world and the performance arts world."

In addition to the horses, there are aerialists, acrobats and other artists in the show. Latourelle calls his show a production "for every age."

FYI: Cavalia's "Odysseo" will be performed through May 28 under the White Big Top at Soldier Field's South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $34.50 to $269.50. There are also group prices and a special Rendez-Vous VIP package, which includes buffet dining, premium seats, a visit to the stables and more. Call 866-999-8111 or visit cavalia.com
Lakeshore Public Media and NWI Coalition for Civil Discourse will hold a third town hall meeting on "Race, Justice, Community and Policing," this time in Michigan City.

Our goal is to have a true dialogue with the community and with government officials and law enforcement, Lakeshore Public Media President and CEO James Muhammad stated. It is an opportunity to engage in conversations that challenge assumptions and improve understanding across the board in order to move Northwest Indiana forward collectively.

The discussion between citizens, law enforcement, government officials and community group representatives will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 in the auditorium of Michigan City High School, 8466 W. Pahs Road.

Garrard McClendon, host of the public affairs show "CounterPoint with Garrard McClendon," will moderate the talk about race, fair policing and potential solutions.

This is a community conversation to start the process of clearly identifying the challenges we face," McClendon said. "We need to explore the perceptions that people have on all sides of the topic which is instrumental to leading us to a better understanding.

Panelists include Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer, LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney John Espar, LaPorte Police Department Assistant Police Chief Julie Smith, IUN sociology professor and ACLU Indiana Board member Kevin McElmurry, Wesley Scully of the LaPorte County NAACP and LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center Executive Director Erika Stallworth.

Parts of the discussion will later air on "CounterPoint with Garrard McClendon." The public is welcome to attend.

We are looking for a civil discussion in which we need to hear multiple points of view, so we want to hear questions from people that represent our diverse communities, McClendon said.

If interested in going, register in advance at laportecountytownhall.eventbrite.com.
Since Ive been writing this column, Ive met some very interesting people along the way. There are so many things Ive discovered that go on behind the scenes in this great city by many faceless and nameless people. So many people volunteer their time, sometimes its hard to keep track.

The Portage Kiwanis Club is just full of many people that you see at so many other events as well. You see this club is committed to helping children; children in families that would otherwise would normally have to just get by or do without.

The Kiwanis Club of Portage was formed in 1997 at this time of year and meets every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Cafe at Porter Hospital, Portage Campus. They always welcome new members over the age of 18. Many great events have grown from the Portage Kiwanis Club including the Portage Relay for Life and Portage Rebuilding Together. They are also a proud sponsor of the Annual Portage Safety Day and Bike Rodeo which teaches kids and parents all kinds of safety procedures, provides bike helmets and smoke detectors.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Portage Kiwanis Club giving back to the community. A celebration is in the works for current and past members which boasts over 150 people during those 20 years. Ive always been proud to call myself a Kiwanian because our children need us now more than ever. There are so many distractions and health concerns that can make or break a kid.

There are more than 250 Kiwanis Clubs in Indiana and the Kiwanis are in more than 80 countries helping children throughout the world. All the money that the Kiwanians raise stays in the community that it serves. The club also supports the "gem of the Childrens Miracle Network", Rileys Childrens Hospital. Ive personally witnessed a few of the miracles Rileys dedicated staff performs to save children in some of the worst health circumstances

This Saturday is their 11th annual all-you-can-eat Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg Hunt. The breakfast features AYCE pancakes, sausage and beverages for $5 and will be from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Oakwood Hall of Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. Pictures with the Easter Bunny and kids crafts are free. The event is cosponsored by Portage Parks Department. Proceeds from this fundraiser go to support the Myron Fessler Scholarship Program for four Portage High School seniors and their future higher learning endeavors. The scholarship program is named for the beloved Willowcreek Middle School teacher who lost his life to cancer some years back. He was a great mentor to scores of Portage kids at a time in their lives that is very unsettling; the middle school years.

The free Easter Egg Hunt is for kids ages 3 to 11 years old and starts at 9:30 a.m. I miss the boys being small and searching all over for those colored eggs filled with surprises but before I know it, I hope to watch our granddaughters giggling and doing the same thing.

What a morning it will be for everyone. Come on out and get some pancakes and have a great morning with the bunny. Portage Kiwanis rocks!
EAST CHICAGO  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is calling on Mayor Anthony Copeland to disclose anticipated future land use of the soon-to-be-demolished West Calumet Housing Complex, saying a prompt decision on this issue is in the best interests of the city and its residents.

For several months, residents and community groups have requested details from Copeland about his plans for the lead- and arsenic-contaminated complex, which is located within the EPAs USS Lead Superfund site.

"We need to know what the use of the property will be put to, and design the remedy on that, whether it's commercial or residential. There's a big difference if the entire site is going to be paved in concrete, be a playground, (or residential)," Robert Kaplan, acting regional administration for EPA Region 5, told The Times Thursday.

Prompted by questions from The Times, Copeland issued a general statement Friday, saying the city "will make public our solution once we have an approved plan."

The residents of East Chicago should know that abandoning the West Calumet property and leaving it an open field is not one of those options. The redevelopment process of a (Superfund site) is a process that takes time, research, and numerous discussions with community residents, faith-based organizations and community-based organizations," he said.

Selecting a cleanup plan

As is the case with most EPA Superfund sites across the U.S., families at West Calumet would have been allowed to stay during excavation under a cleanup plan selected by the EPA in 2012.

But those plans were shelved last summer after the East Chicago Housing Authority and Copeland announced they instead wanted to relocate the 1,000 residents and demolish the 346-unit complex following the EPAs discovery of dangerously high levels of lead in the soil. A few dozen families remain at West Calumet, but housing officials hope to have the entire complex vacated by Friday.

Ongoing EPA cleanup efforts are underway in two nearby contaminated neighborhoods in the Superfund site, where hundreds of families were not ordered to leave.

The city and housing complexs decision to demolish necessitates changing key provisions and assumptions in the selected remedy, Kaplan wrote in a March 22 message to Copeland.

Kaplan said the EPA first requested input in August.

With this letter, I am renewing that request, Kaplan wrote.

Copeland said city and housing officials have focused efforts on relocating the dozens of remaining families from the site during this trying time with a move-out deadline next week.

"Our plan, which will have considerable public input before moving forward, will focus on bolstering our community and economic development efforts," he said in the statement.

Future site uncertainty

The Times requested from Copeland a general timeline for demolition, and more information about funding sources and total costs for demolition. No answers were provided. Its unclear if the city has secured all dollars required to tear down the complex.

Due to the uncertainty of the future site use, EPA's Kaplan said the agency is proceeding with a feasibility study that evaluates cleanup alternatives and estimated costs for various future-use scenarios. EPA cannot, however, select a new remediation plan without first knowing the city and ECHAs intended future use, Kaplan said in the letter.

As of Friday, the EPA said the agency has not yet received a response from the city, though Copeland said his administration "is in talks" with the EPA about remediation options.

The East Chicago/Calumet Coalition Community Advisory Group sent a letter to Copeland on March 22 requesting any current or redevelopment plans and information about the planning process for redevelopment for the entire Superfund site.

The group also requested the names of investors, stakeholders and other agencies involved in any redevelopment plan meetings and any plans to potentially use eminent domain powers to acquire properties on the USS Lead site. They had not received a response as of Friday.

The neighborhoods within the USS Lead Superfund site are among the most densely populated areas in East Chicago, and about 20 percent of the city's land is residential while the rest is mostly industrial, according to EPA documents.

Relocation rare under Superfund

EPAs Kaplan maintained in his letter to Copeland that the 2012 remedy would have proceeded last summer in a safe manner, protective of residents  As we discussed, EPA has many years of experience in cleaning up similar lead contaminated soil in residents areas in a safe and efficient manner.

The EPA has said its uncommon for the agency to evacuate Superfund sites, noting how numerous protective measures are put in place to prevent the spread of airborne toxins.

Our strong preference, as an agency, and theres guidance for this, we want to leave people in place (and) not split up neighborhoods. We want to minimize dislocation and keep people safe in homes, Kaplan told The Times.

The state's housing agency  the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority  recently agreed to contribute $2.08 million for the security and demolition of West Calumet, though that will not cover all costs.

The money will be provided to the Managed East Chicago Housing Authority, the nonprofit development arm of ECHA. The state agency projects that demolition will be completed by Sept. 28.

An attorney for the East Chicago Housing Authority declined comment Friday about ECHA's involvement in redevelopment plans, saying the local authority's efforts are now focused on relocation efforts of families.
The tiniest patients at hospitals in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties received hand-made red hats during the month of February as part of the American Heart Associations Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign.

With the support of local sponsor Bosak Auto Group, the American Heart Association collected over 1,000 hats and distributed 100 hats to each participating hospital in Northwest Indiana.

Hats were collected at all five Bosak Auto Group locations in February. Additionally, Bosak raised funds through paper heart sales and placed donation tins throughout its dealerships.

Via a combination of corporate sponsorship and fundraising, Bosak Auto Group was able to present the American Heart Association with a check for more than $10,000, which will help to fund lifesaving research in the region.

This has been a meaningful experience as many Bosak employees and community members dropping off hats have shared their personal heart stories throughout the activation of this partnership, said Theresa Bosak, owner of Bosak Auto Group.

The Little Hats, Big Hearts program raises awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country. Each hat is laundered and individually packaged with information on heart disease.

On Feb. 10, a little volunteer with a big heart helped distribute the hats to the hospitals. Quinn Hansen, 16 months old, of Portage, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at birth. Accompanied by her mother, Karli Hansen, and grandmother, Mary Ann Hansen, she visited the new moms and babies in hospitals throughout the region.

Quinn was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. She since has had two open heart surgeries to complete the repair of her heart defect.

It is vital to bring awareness to our community and to continue raising the funds that make research on congenital heart defects possible. Because American Heart Association is a lead funding source for research for congenital heart defects Quinn is now a happy, healthy baby with a normal life expectancy, said MaryAnn Hansen.

Red hats for the 2018 campaign will be accepted at all Bosak Auto Group locations through the remainder of 2017. Hats can be both newborn and preemie sizes made of yarn that is red; cotton or acrylic; medium to heavy weight; and machine washable and dryable. Call 219-765-0127 or visit heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts.
EAST CHICAGO  A soft-spoken Minerva Trevino apologized as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on-site coordinator leaned in closer to hear what she had to say.

Im sorry. Im supposed to be on oxygen right now, but I had to come to this meeting, said the elderly East Chicago resident, straining to describe how EPA officials tested her property for lead contamination in 2012, but are only now beginning the process of removing the toxic soil.

Trevino has lived since 1971 in the 4700 block of Grasselli Avenue in the EPAs lead- and arsenic-contaminated USS Lead Superfund site. She said she was diagnosed three years ago with pulmonary fibrosis.

With no history of smoking, Trevino said she has wondered in recent months if her health problems were caused by the citys decades-long heavy industry and polluted air, water and soil in the neighborhood.

Local, state and federal officials have long known about the polluted soil in the neighborhood, but only recently began addressing the issue with any sense of urgency.

I do wonder about that, Trevino said.

About 50 residents, attorneys and researchers were in attendance Saturday at the East Chicago Librarys Pastrick branch, where Purdue University researchers announced a collaboration with Harvard and Boston University to test lead levels in East Chicago residents' bones.

Linda H. Nie, an associate professor at Purdue University in Lafayette, said blood testing provided by the East Chicago Health Department offers only a snapshot of a persons current lead levels.

Bone lead levels, tested with an X-Ray fluorescence device, can measure long-term exposure. She asked interested residents to sign up Saturday if they want to participate. The study will be limited to 20 to 40 people.

Ellen Wells, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at Purdue, said she hopes to launch a more in-depth, long-term study on other health impacts due to lead exposure in East Chicago.

At Saturday's meeting, EPA staff said the agency will resume cleanup this month at priority properties  defined as properties with lead levels of at least 1,200 parts per million lead or 68 ppm arsenic in the top 6 inches; 400 ppm lead in the top 6 inches and a child under 7 or pregnant woman living at the property, regardless of blood lead levels; or 400 ppm lead in the top 24 inches and a child under 7 living at the property with blood lead level at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter.*

The CDC recommends public health intervention at blood lead levels of 5 mcg or higher, but EPA on-site coordinator Dan Haag said after the meeting the consent decree reached in March with companies responsible for the pollution set the limit at 10 mcg/dl based on blood draw testing last year or later.

About 120 properties in Zone 2, the middle part of Calumet, and more than 70 properties in zone 3, the eastern section of the neighborhood, will be cleaned this spring, according to the EPA.

As part of the agreement, the EPA last month secured $16 million in funding from companies responsible for contamination in the Superfund sites Zone 2.

The funding, in part, will help pay for soil cleanup, indoor dust sampling and, where needed, indoor cleaning, Haag said. The EPA will also conduct preliminary testing for lead-based paint, EPA staff said.

The state and federal government reached a $26 million settlement in 2014 with Atlantic Richfield and DuPont for the environmental cleanup in zones 1 and 3. Zone 1 encompasses the West Calumet Housing Complex and former Carrie Gosch Elementary School, while zone 3 includes homes in East Calumet.

Until recently, EPA had been funding emergency cleanup efforts in zone 2, which was not included in the 2014 settlement.

Some residents on Saturday questioned the effectiveness of the cleanup. Others, including resident and former City Councilman Jim Ventura, asked why the companies couldn't buy out the homes.

Any agreement that EPA makes is going to be constrained in some way by the authority that EPA has. We cant force (companies) to buy out properties. All we can say is theres contamination here and we want it cleaned out, Leo Chingcuanco, an attorney with EPA who worked on the consent decree, said.

*Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify EPA's definition of priority properties for cleanup.
HAMMOND  Be Bold. Be Brave. Dream Big.

Those messages came through loud and clear for 75 tween/middle school girls during Saturdays Real.Strong.Girls.: Strong Women for Strong Girls retreat at Purdue University Northwest hosted by Lake Area United Way.

Launched last year, the Real.Strong.Girls. initiative was formed to combat bullying; health issues including alcohol, drug and cigarette use; mental illnesses and suicide; as well as improve girls self-esteem, confidence and resiliency. Other sponsors included NIPSCO, Indiana American Water and Vanis Salon & Day Spa.

You gotta dream big. Your vision is yours. Be brave, be bold, be gutsy, said Marci Crozier of Omni Fitness Center during her Guts & Grace Power Talk that helped kick off the Love Your Selfie! event at the PNW Library and Student Union Building. There is nothing better than sisterhood.

Each of the girls received a purple bag filled with items such as a notebook to write down dreams for their future. Divided into purple, pink and grey pods, the girls attended three 40-minute sessions in classrooms and the auditorium from 10:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then ended the day with a Power Lunch featuring speakers from NIPSCO, Mielle Organics, P&R Smart Media and U.S. Steel.

Im from the same area as you. Im no different than you. My dad is a steelworker. My mom worked at Merrillville High School, said Brianna Cherise Hairlson, 27, a graduate of Howard University in Washington D.C.

A dream is anything you want to see in your life, said Hairlson before attendees wrote down their dreams and created vision boards with stickers and pictures taken from magazines. You need the help of other people. Look around the room at these women. Find trusted individuals like these women to help you.

Talitha Adams, 12, a sixth-grader at Hammonds Scott Middle School, wrote in her dream book that she wants to become a scientist, travel the world and attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Eggers Middle School eighth-grader Jamika Brooks-James, 14, said she wants to become a doctor, specializing in internal medicine and own the office as well as have enough money to go to college with no debt and learn French in two years.

Another future physician, 12-year-old Layla Dunlap, a seventh-grader at Scott Middle School, said she wants to be a pediatrician because I like working with kids. Also my grandma was a nurse.
GRANGER  U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., announced Sunday he will support the nomination of Federal Appeals Court Judge Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court.

"I have said consistently that part of my job is to carefully review, debate, and vote on judicial nominations, including nominees to the Supreme Court. It is my obligation as Senator to consider the qualifications of each nominee that comes to the Senate floor to determine if he or she can faithfully serve on our nations highest court," Donnelly said in a press release.

"I take this responsibility very seriously. After meeting with Judge Gorsuch, conducting a thorough review of his record, and closely following his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I believe that he is a qualified jurist who will base his decisions on his understanding of the law and is well-respected among his peers."

Donnelly also commented on former President Barack Obama's pick for the nomination Merrick Garland.

"I was deeply disappointed by the way the most recent Supreme Court nominee, Judge (Merrick) Garland, was treated by the Senate, but as Senator, I can only vote on the nominee that comes to the Senate floor. However, I believe that we should keep the current 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees."

Indiana Republican State Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer said Donnelly's decision was due to voters' input.

"Senator Joe Donnellys decision wasnt the result of dumb luck, it was because Hoosiers from every corner of the state flooded him with calls, letters and tweets demanding that he respect their will and support this outstanding nominee," Hupfer said in a written statement Sunday afternoon.

"There was nowhere Joe Donnelly could go without hearing from us. Our efforts put him in a box with no way out," Hupfer said.

According to several media reports Sunday, Donnelly would be the third Senate Democrat to come out in support of Gorsuch being named to the nation's highest court. The other two are Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

All three are facing re-election next year,

Attempts to reach Donnelly for further comment on his decision were unsuccessful Sunday afternoon.
Since the inception of the South Shore rail spur, I have wondered how it was sold/coerced to communities it will not affect. The corridor it will run through actually affects only a few cities. So why did towns like Merrillville, Gary, Griffith, Crown Point, Whiting, etc., even pledge money to it?

Now state Rep. Ed Soliday has introduced a bill to intercept these funds from cities that want to reduce or eliminate their donations. You remember Soliday was the driving force behind the wheel tax some cities have implemented.

It seems almost criminal to me that the state will confiscate funds from cities that cannot afford to lose any, just to finance a boondoggle that will not benefit them. Let Hammond, Munster and Dyer foot the bill since their communities are the ones to gain from it. Leave other cities the freedom to contribute if they so wish.

Ed Soltys, Whiting
Lawmakers in Albany are still trying to hammer out a deal over the state budget and NY1's Zack Fink has an update on the negotiations.

Governor Cuomo is considering taking an extreme measure to keep state funding in place, since lawmakers in Albany missed their deadline to create a budget.

It was due at midnight.

The Governor says lawmakers are still negotiating over affordable housing and raising the age of criminal liability to 18.

New York is one of only two states that prosecutes 16 and 17-year-olds as adults.

Although Cuomo put money in the budget to increase the age, sources tell us Republican lawmakers want more compromises that Democrats aren't happy with.

It's speculated that 'Raise the Age' may be be left out.

The Governor says he is giving lawmakers the weekend to come to an agreement.

If that doesn't happen he says he will put forth emergency legislation to extend the current budget.

Sources say Cuomo won't allow lawmakers to get paid until they come to an agreement.
Protestors rally outside Gracie Mansion against the controversial plan to redevelop the Bedford Union Armory.

"We voted you in, we'll vote you out," they chanted.

Dozens held a "Kill The Deal" rally, urging the Mayor to throw out the current deal and start from scratch.

The City wants to turn the century-old armory in Brooklyn into a mixed-use complex called Bedford Courts.

Opponents say it won't provide enough affordable housing.

"Mayor de Blasio has opened his third shelter in Crown Heights," said one protester. "And yet, right across the street at the Bedford Union Armory, they want to put 58 one million dollar condos that doesn't make sense. You'd rather warehouse us like cattle than provide affordable housing for us."

"The armory is city property, and in it being city property, that means we pay taxes, we support the upkeep and its existence period so if they're going to turn it into housing, why not let it be something that the community can continue to benefit from?" said another.

The city's economic development corporation says half of the available apartments will be affordable housing units.
Pedestrian deaths across the nation are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths last year  the highest total in more than two decades.

Meanwhile, pedestrian accidents in Auburn, including bustling Auburn Univeristy, are on the same trajectory as last year, with three accidents reported since January this year, which is the same number for January-March 2016. Twenty-two pedestrian accidents occurred in 2016, four of which were fatalities.

No pedestrian accidents have ended in fatalities this year, but an Auburn University student who was hit by a truck on Tuesday remains in the intensive care unit at Midtown Medical Center in Columbus. Though she is improving, her condition is still listed as unsatisfactory, according to Auburn police Lt. Jamey Presley.

Too many distractions

Increased driving because of an improved economy, lower gas prices and more walking for exercise and environmental factors are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent spike in nationwide pedestrian fatalities in 2016. The figures were prepared for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices.

But researchers say they think the biggest factor may be more drivers and walkers distracted by cellphones and other electronic devices, although that's hard to confirm.

Walking and miles driven are up only a few percentage points, and are unlikely to account for most of the surge in pedestrian deaths, said Richard Retting, safety director for Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants and the author of the report. Meanwhile, texting and use of wireless devices have exploded, he said.

"It's the only factor that that seems to indicate a dramatic change in how people behave," Retting said.

The report is based on data from all states and the District of Columbia for the first six months of 2016 and extrapolated for the rest of the year. It shows the largest annual increase in both the number and percentage of pedestrian fatalities in the more than 40 years those national records on such deaths have been kept, with the second largest increase occurring in 2015. Pedestrian deaths as a share of total motor vehicle crash deaths increased from 11 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2015.

"This latest data shows that the U.S. isn't meeting the mark on keeping pedestrians safe on our roadways," said Jonathan Adkins, the safety association's executive director. "Every one of these lives represents a loved one not coming home tonight, which is absolutely unacceptable."

Campaigns to help

Though the majority of pedestrian accidents occur at night during lower visibility hours, Presley said the main key to preventing accidents is for drivers and pedestrians to remain alert.

You need to be prepared for a pedestrian to pop out into the crosswalk, even through thats not entirely legal, Presley said. As a pedestrian, you need to be prepared that when youre crossing in the crosswalk and you do have the right-of-way, somebody could break the law and enter that crosswalk. You need to be on guard and not be distracted.

Auburn police work to prevent pedestrian accidents through a yearly campaign in partnership with Auburn University called Travel With Care.

Officers work with university representatives to inform those walking on campus and around town proper traffic laws involving yielding, right of way and properly using crosswalks. Officers also issue warnings and citations for traffic violations.

Traffic fatalities overall jumped 6 percent last year, pushing deaths on U.S. roads to their highest level in nearly a decade and erasing improvements made during the Great Recession and economic recovery, according to data released last month by the National Safety Council, a leading safety organization. The council estimates there were more than 40,200 traffic deaths in 2016. The last time there were more than 40,000 fatalities in a single year was in 2007, just before the economy tanked. There were 41,000 deaths that year.

But pedestrian deaths are sharply outpacing fatalities overall, climbing 25 percent from 2010 to 2015, according to Retting's research. Total traffic deaths increased about 6 percent over the same period.

More than twice as many states reported an uptick in pedestrian fatalities than had decreasing numbers.

National trends noted

The problem is greatest in large population states that have urban areas where people do a lot of walking. Delaware, Florida and Arizona had the highest rates of pedestrian deaths relative to their populations, while North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming had the lowest.

The striking increase in pedestrian deaths has grabbed the attention of the National Transportation Safety Board, the government panel that investigates accidents and makes safety recommendations. The board held a forum on pedestrian safety last year, and currently has an investigation underway to broadly examine the causes and potential solutions to the problem.

Pedestrians "are our most vulnerable road users," said NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr.

People are "more easily distracted than when we didn't have so many easily accessible, essentially, computers in our palms," she said. "We look at that as an increasing risk for pedestrians."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The failure of the Republican Party to parlay its control of the White House and Congress into a repeal of Obamacare launched a predictable blame game in Washington. The Tea Party-inspired House Freedom Caucus, which opposed its partys repeal and replace substitute, faulted House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. It turns out these three dozen conservatives were always more about repeal than replace.

President Donald Trump denounced the Freedom Caucus and House Democrats. This made sense, considering that these odd bedfellows joined forces to oppose the Ryan-crafted replacement legislation. Others blamed Donald Trump himself. His finger-pointing didnt exactly put anyone in mind of Harry Truman-style the buck stops here leadership.

Nor did the president display the perseverance exhibited by the leader Trump said he wanted to emulate. As Ronald Reagans pre-eminent biographer noted recently, it took Reagan 323 days to get his 1986 tax reform bill through Congress, even though he enjoyed far higher job approval ratings than Trump and the bill had bipartisan support. This White House, with the concurrence of Paul Ryan, pulled its Obamacare substitute bill after 17 days.

Is the moral of the story that an inexperienced Oval Office occupant with a short attention span equals ineffectiveness? Perhaps. Another lesson of this fiasco may be more disquieting: What if the U.S. has simply become ungovernable?

To be sure, the whole subject of government-subsidized health care has tripped up Democrats for a long time  Republicans, too. Guess which prominent Republican said the following during the health care debate: One of these days, you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and childrens children what it once was like in America when men were free.

The speaker was Ronald Reagan back in 1963  long before the Freedom Caucus began throwing spitballs onto the ceiling of the Capitol  when Reagan was the official spokesman for the American Medical Association in its lobbying effort against the creation of Medicare.

Only a decade later, President Richard Nixon was putting the final touches on his Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, which would have required private employers to provide basic health coverage to all employees, with the government stepping in to insure the poor and the unemployed through a Medicaid-like program. Sound familiar? It should  it was an early version of Obamacare.

There is widespread support in the Congress and in the nation for some form of comprehensive health insurance, Nixon said in a February 6, 1974, statement to Congress. He was right, but Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., bottled up the White House plan. Kennedy, who later regretted his stubbornness, was holding out for a single-payer plan.

The point is that who should pay for health care and how it should be provided has long been an ideological touchstone for both major political parties. The sheer size of the industry  the trillions of dollars it consumes, its constant technology-driven changes  not to mention that millions of lives are at stake in getting the public policy just right, mean that even if Congress were populated by 535 altruistic independents with no further political ambitions, this would be a very difficult issue.

But the Affordable Care Act that President Barack Obama signed into law on March 23, 2010, was passed on a straight party-line vote. Fixing its flaws has been beyond the ken of the nations two major political parties, which scarcely know how to negotiate anymore.

One reason is that the intellectual polarization in each party is real, and a barrier to compromise. Both the Senate and House are full of members who wont stand up to their partys ideologues or financial backers. Moreover, House leaders operate under a hoary guideline called the Hastert rule, which holds that the party in charge wont move legislation unless a majority of that partys members approve. This recipe for gridlock is named after disgraced former House Speaker Denny Hastert, R-Ill. Heres an alternative idea: Any rule of thumb named after a convicted child molester should be ignored.

But back to Obamacare. In the ACA debate, all the attention was on the 40 million to 50 million Americans who lacked health care coverage. They included young (usually healthy) people who opted out to save themselves money, the working poor who couldnt afford insurance, those between jobs and self-employed Americans, some with pre-existing medical conditions.

The new law prohibited health insurers from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions, earmarked billions of dollars for Medicaid so that states could offer medical care to those at 135 percent of the federal poverty level, and required Americans to purchase insurance. This last feature was the notorious mandate that existed primarily so that all Americans  even healthy millennials  would pay into the system, and help underwrite the rest of it.

So what have been the problems? Well, there are several, but Ill mention three.

First, if the government requires you to purchase something, the government must define that something. The definition of health insurance proved to be a sticky wicket. The debate centered on those without insurance. But the governments definition ensnared millions of people who already had it. Why? Because a plan that met the federal requirements now had criteria ranging from birth control and mental health benefits to physical therapy. These are all good things, but they added costs to less encompassing plans  and raised the premiums of Americans who already had insurance.

Defenders of Obamacare say that many of these people had lousy plans that actually covered very little  and that people who had them and became seriously ill ended up in bankruptcy. This is partly true. Some had purchased plans that essentially covered catastrophic care. But those plans no longer passed muster.

Second, the ACA originally set up pools of money called risk mitigation corridors to help insurers bridge the transition to the new system. Risk mitigation was designed to protect companies in the individual market that found themselves saddled with an unsustainable number of unhealthy people. Led by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., congressional conservatives targeted the risk mitigation money as corporate welfare and succeeded in decimating these payments. This led to insurers simply pulling out of the market, leaving the government in the untenable position of requiring Americans to purchase something they could not find for sale.

Third, the incentives to enforce the mandate were never aligned very well. In truth, Congress was uncomfortable passing a truly punitive penalty for those iconoclasts (or financially strapped millennials or small business owners with limited budgets) who felt the need to opt out. Its a balancing act that the law hasnt figured out how to finesse.

Others have different perceptions, but my point is that 17 days isnt enough time to hash it out. It might take 17 months  or more. But the process cant begin until the two parties start talking to each other. Practically speaking, that might necessitate a call from President Trump to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In the meantime, a Republican administration is responsible for enforcing a troubled law it has bad-mouthed. This means that if the ACA falls  even if it falls on its own weight  Republicans will share the blame. The Freedom Caucus would be perfectly content with that result. I suspect voters going to the polls in 2018 would have other ideas.

Carl M. Cannon is executive editor and Washington Bureau chief of RealClearPolitics.
MANILA  President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines suggested on Friday that 19 police officers accused of killing a politician should spare themselves a lengthy trial and plead guilty because he planned to pardon them anyway.

I cant leave these officers behind. If they are convicted? No problem, Duterte said. They can call me and say they have been convicted, and Ill tell the judge to pardon them all.

He said the officers would be not only be reinstated, but also promoted.

Dutertes comments were criticized by opposition leaders and human rights groups, who have accused him of abusing his powers in a monthslong crackdown on drug dealers and users that has left thousands of people dead.

Leila de Lima, a senator and former rights commissioner who was jailed in February on what she says are trumped-up charges, said Dutertes pledge to free the police officers was extremely disturbing.

Its crass impunity, de Lima said in a statement smuggled out of jail.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino, an opposition leader, said Dutertes comments meant there were some individuals and groups who are above the law. He added: It would be better to let justice takes its course before issuing promises.

The 19 officers were arrested after the November shooting death of Rolando Espinosa Sr., the mayor of Albuera, a town in the central Visayas region. Espinosa was killed in his jail cell after being arrested on a drug charge in October. Duterte had accused him of being one of 150 local officials involved in the drug trade.

The officers, led by Marvin Marcos, a police superintendent, have claimed that a gunfight broke out in the provincial jail after the mayor pulled a gun, which he had concealed in his cell, on the men who were there to serve a search warrant.

Espinosa was the second politician on Dutertes list killed by officers in less than two weeks. In October, another mayor, Samsudin Dimaukom, was gunned down by police officers after reportedly firing at them at a checkpoint.

The case highlights Dutertes attempts to silence and kill not only criminals actively involved in the drugs trade, but also leaders who may oppose his policies and tactics.
SACRAMENTO  Theres little question that Californias rapidly rising home prices have become something of a crisis for low- and middle-income people. California is rapidly becoming a renter majority state, according to a Register summary of a recent Los Angeles real-estate conference. And because their hopes of ever buying are pipedreams, low- and middle-income Californians are trapped in housing with rapidly escalating rents.

Its not just a problem for family budgets, but one that affects the nature of our communities. Theres a reason homeownership is referred to as the American Dream. People buy homes, settle down, raise families and take part in these communities where they are rooted. They build equity, too. Indeed, our high home prices are a prime reason so many Californians high-tail it to other states, where home prices are more affordable.

What can policymakers do about the situation? As someone who follows the Legislature, Im used to hearing inadequate and misguided solutions that focus mainly on building more government-subsidized affordable housing. But even by Sacramento standards, the solution offered at that above-mentioned California Association of Realtors conference is eye-popping.

The obvious place to do something is on the property tax, said Chris Hoene, executive director of the California Budget & Policy Center, a Sacramento think tank, according to news reports. Hoene said we (policymakers and voters) should amend Proposition 13, the 1978 initiative that capped property taxes at 1 percent of a propertys value (plus local bonds) and limited increases to 2 percent a year.

Prop. 13 remains the third rail of California politics, he admitted, in that anyone who touches it meets a speedy political death. Hoene didnt offer specific reforms, per the Register, but his basic argument is the proposition restricts local governments ability to raise taxes to pay for affordable housing. Also, by restricting tax increases until properties change hands, it forces local governments to rely on development fees, which discourages home building.

In reality, eliminating  or amending  the crowning achievement of the states 1970s-era tax revolt would indeed address the housing affordability problem, but not in the way that Prop. 13s critics are suggesting. It would be the equivalent of fixing a citys urban problems by dropping a bomb on it. Thats because it would increase  often doubling, tripling and more  the property taxes Californians pay on their homes and would be something of a nuclear option that would obliterate an incalculable amount of home equity.

If, all of a sudden, I had to pay an extra $400-$500 a month to the tax collector, the value of my home would fall. Borrowers and lenders would have to calculate that new payment amount in the qualification formula. It would immediately raise my taxes and transfer it to our state and local governments, which are notorious for squandering the pile of money they already receive. It could crush the state economy, too, and even hurt the rental market, as taxes would rise on multi-family units, also.

Prop. 13 passed because rapidly rising home values were accompanied by rapidly rising tax bills. That was forcing people, especially the elderly living on fixed incomes, out of their homes because they couldnt afford the new payments. Californias governments have not become more fiscally responsible since then, so the same thing would happen. Implementing a split-roll  i.e., removing tax limits from commercial property  would obliterate business development.

Lets put an end to the silly argument that government-funded affordable-housing programs are any solution to the current affordability problem. These overpriced projects mainly subsidize a handful of lower-income people who essentially win the Lottery. Theres not enough money in the world to subsidize our way out of the states housing crunch.

The causes of the housing crisis are obvious. Local governments put builders through the ringer to get approvals to build new housing units. NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yarders) oppose zoning changes that allow higher-density housing in suburban areas and environmentalists file lawsuits to stop new housing in undeveloped areas. Growth controls abound.

As an example, the state Supreme Court in 2015 rejected the environmental impact report for the Newhall Ranch project that would have provided 20,000 housing units north of Los Angeles even though the Board of Supervisors had approved the project a dozen years earlier. The court expressed concerns about the threespine stickleback fish and the projects impact on global warming.

Approval efforts continue for that project, but if it takes decades to permit housing or the courts put fish over development projects, and all the while population keeps booming, guess what? Theres going to be a housing shortage and those existing housing units will soar in price. Rents, of course, will increase precipitously. Lower-income people wont have a chance to get their foot on the first rung of the housing ladder.

The answer is to get government out of the way and let the housing market work. That may not be as attention-grabbing as calls to undermine Proposition 13, but its the only real solution to the housing crisis.

Steven Greenhut is Western region director for the R Street Institute. He was a Register editorial writer from 1998-2009. Write to him at sgreenhut@rstreet.org.
The official account says William Lyon and his older brother, Leon, founded a small Orange County homebuilding firm in 1954 to build houses for soldiers returning from the Korean War.

An unofficial version  as told by his son, Bill H. Lyon  was that Lyons father, Depression-era builder and Kahlua importer Al Lyon, wanted to get him away from the risky business of flying airplanes.

So veteran combat and commercial air pilot William Lyon hung up his wings in 1954 and co-founded Luxury Homes in Fullerton, the first of several homebuilding companies Lyon would run over the next 63 years.

Eventually, his namesake development company, William Lyon Homes, became the 20th biggest homebuilding firm in the nation, according to Builder Magazines 2016 ranking, selling almost 2,800 homes in 2016, generating more than $1.4 billion in gross revenue.

In February, that era came to an end when the man affectionately known as the general stepped down from the board of directors.

Gen. Lyon, who earned that rank as commander of the U.S. Air Force Reserves in the 1970s, was 20 days shy of his 94th birthday when he officially retired.

It was part of an ongoing transition, long in the works, son Bill H. Lyon said.

Lyon stepped down as his firms chief executive in March 2013, and he stepped down as board chairman last year. Bill succeeded his father as board chairman.

The career that started with GI homes in Fullerton and ultimately housed thousands of families in Orange County and throughout the West made Lyon one of Orange Countys most wealthy and influential men.

He survived several market downturns, riding out the tough times by slashing inventories and staff and selling off land at a loss to raise capital. Lyon barely survived the early 1990s downturn. Following the housing crash of 2007, the Lyon family transferred a controlling interest in their firm to new investors, although the General retained his position at the helm.

In May 2014, Builder Magazine inducted Lyon into its Builder Hall of Fame.

Hes a giant in our community. Hes built a name, hes built neighborhoods, hes built trust and discipline, said John McManus, Builder Magazines editor. His land acumen, his focus on homebuyers, his approaches to accessing capital, and his fiercely entrepreneurial spirit made his company a kind of academy for a couple of generations of homebuildings leaders.

INFLUENTIAL LEADER

Lyons impact goes beyond the homebuilding industry.

He co-owned and operated a regional airline, AirCal, and invested in hotels. He also was instrumental in creating the Orangewood home for abused and neglected children, with the building of Santa Margarita High School, the founding of the Republican New Majority, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and was a major donor to charitable groups and Republican causes.

Lyon was one of the three most influential men in Orange County, along with Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren and South Coast Plaza developer Henry Segerstrom, said Larry Higby, a former Nixon White House aide who co-founded the The New Majority, a Republican group, in 1999 along with Lyon, George Argyros, Bren and others.

Not only was he a community developer, but equally important, he was a community leader, Higby said of Lyon. Bill was one of those unique guys who doesnt just write a check. He gets involved, which is why he makes such an impact.

Lyon is credited with building more than 100,000 homes in six Western U.S. states over the course of his career, a statistic that hasnt been updated in about a decade.

He was one of the great homebuilders, said Tony Moiso, Rancho Mission Viejos chairman. His mark on Southern California, especially Orange County, is hard to match. He has impacted many, many thousands of lives that probably will never meet him, never knew anything about him. But he impacted those lives very positively.

WANTED TO FLY

The Los Angeles native fell in love with flying after a $1 flight at a Culver City airfield. He attended the University of Southern California, but the day after World War II broke out, he tried to enlist as a Navy pilot, his son said. He was rejected because he had a deviated septum.

He then went to the Dallas Aviation School and later managed to get into the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserves as part of an aircraft ferrying unit, delivering planes to war theaters around the world.

He just wanted to fly, Bill Lyon said.

After the war, he became a pilot for Frontier Airlines, his son said, then he went back into active duty during the Korean War,, flying 75 combat missions in C-46 and C-47 transport planes.

He got back home somewhere around 1954, Bill recalled. His father was trying to figure out a way to get him out of airplanes and do something less dangerous.

Al and Leon Lyon were working together operating Guardian Thrift and Loan. William Lyon joined his father and brother in founding Luxury Homes.

After selling the company in 1968, Lyon retained control of a subsidiary, William Lyon Development, the first in a series of homebuilding firms that would bear his name.

But Lyon, who had been active in the reserves since the war, later got tugged back into active duty. In 1975 he was named commanding general of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, bringing his business skills to manage the divisions $700 million budget for the next four years.

In 1981, Lyon and real estate developer George Argyros paid $61.5 million to buy troubled regional air carrier Air California, later renamed AirCal. They sold it five years later to American Airlines for $225 million.

In 1987, Lyon and investors purchased The Presley Companies, a homebuilding firm operating in California, Arizona and New Mexico thats the predecessor to todays William Lyon Homes. He also partnered in creating an apartment company with Western National Group. When the partnership split, Lyon and fellow investors continued to operate the apartment firm now called Lyon Living.

Gen. Lyon is bigger than life. Everybody wants to grow up and be Bill Lyon, said Western National CEO Michael Hayde, who recently stepped down as New Majority chairman. People underrate him. They think of him as a homebuilder. Hes way more than that.

YOU DONT SAY NO

One of Lyons greatest skills was as a charity fundraiser and recruiter for philanthropic causes, Hayde said.

You dont say no to Bill Lyon, he said.

Former Orange County Supervisor Bill Steiner met Lyon in 1980 when he was running the Albert Sitton Home, an overcrowded childrens emergency shelter.

Kids were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, Steiner said. Things were bleak, very bleak.

Lyon spearheaded the drive to build a new facility, raising $8.5 million to build the Orangewood Childrens Home.

Gen. Lyon said it was time to take these children to heart, Steiner said. I just credit him with being the heart and soul of this effort to help abused kids in the county. And were talking about thousands of kids.

Bill H. Lyon said his father and mother, Willa Dean, remain active.

For their ages, theyre doing remarkably well, he said. For my father in particular. His 94 is better than most peoples 74.

Rancho Mission Viejo Chairman Moiso, 77, said Lyon already was big time when he got into the land development business. Lyon, he said, was his mentor.

One of the great joys of being a homebuilder, Lyon told Moiso early on, is going back to a project 20 to 40 years later and seeing something he helped put in the ground.

Think about this, Lyon said. You have provided a place for people to live and raise their families and go to school and recreate and go to work. Thats really rewarding.

Contact the writer: JeffCollins@scng.com, RegJeffCollins on Twitter
The Bascom Group in Irvine has acquired Villas at Tustin Apartments, a 406-unit infill apartment community, for $94 million or $231,527 per unit. The sale closed March 28. Villas at Tustin marks Bascoms 21st multifamily property closed in Orange County and its 166th multifamily property closed in California. Over the past twelve months, Bascom reports it has acquired $1.3 billion in multifamily properties throughout the U.S.

Newport Beach-based The Saywitz Company has completed the sale of the former PCA Aerospace manufacturing facility in Compton. The industrial and manufacturing complex had been occupied by PCA and its predecessor companies for more than 40 years. PCA filed bankruptcy at the end of 2016. The landlord, Barry Saywitz Properties, renovated and rehabbed the facility, selling it to Distribution Ventures for $5.7 million. Barry Saywitz represented both parties in the transaction. The new owner intends to use the property for research, development and manufacturing.

Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has brokered the sale of Monterra Springs Apartment Homes, a 111-unit multifamily community in La Habra for $30 million or roughly $271,000 per unit. Alexander Garcia Jr., Christopher Zorbas, David Sperling and Michael Cavner, all with IPA, represented the unnamed seller, and procured the buyer, who acquired the asset via a 1031 exchange. Monterra Springs Apartment Homes, at 861 South Glencliff St., was built in 1969 on 5 acres.

Lee & Associates in Newport Beach has completed the sale of an industrial building at 3017-3027 S. Halladay St. in Santa Ana for roughly $2.2 million. The buyer had several units in an industrial multi-tenant building in Costa Mesa which were scheduled to be converted to residential units. Kevin Thomas of Lee & Associates represented the seller, KBM Properties and the buyer, B.J.A.M.

New ventures

Buchanan Street Partners in Newport Beach has announced is launching a new multifamily platform. The firm, in a statement, said it would it would deploy $500 million over the next five years to support the initiative. Kevin Hampton has been hired as an executive vice president to lead the platform. Buchanan Street said it has invested in more than 14,000 multifamily units, often serving as the equity partner. Going forward, the company said it will focus on acquiring properties directly. Hampton and his team will pursue core-plus and value-add investment opportunities in the Western United States, with an immediate focus in Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix. Hampton was formerly the president of PLC Apartments.

Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, a commercial and multifamily mortgage banking subsidiary of Enterprise Community Investment Inc., is expanding its West Coast platform with six new hires joining its existing Irvine office. Bellwethers expansion is expected to add more than $1 billion in annual loan volume, the company said in a statement. Sixteen additional employees are being added to the companys San Diego and Los Angeles offices. Thirteen people will be based in a newly formed Los Angeles office and three will work in the new San Diego location.

People in real estate

Janet Walley has been named CEO of Gold Coast Community Management in Orange. Walley brings over 44 years of expertise in community association management. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of staff and client relations from both of Gold Coasts offices in Orange and Palm Desert. Gold Coast is currently responsible for the professional management of over 100 HOAs.

Milestones

Santa Ana-based First American Financial Corp., a provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk solutions for real estate transactions, has been named one of the 2017 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. This marks the second consecutive year First American has earned a place on the list. Companies vying for consideration must participate in an employee survey and respond to an in-depth questionnaire about their programs and company practices.

The Money Source, a national mortgage lender with an office in Santa Ana, has been recognized as one of Americas Top Mortgage Employers by National Mortgage Professional Magazine. Scoring gave weight to various company factors, and included compensation, speed, marketing support, technology, corporate culture, long-term strategy, day-to-day management, internal communications, training resources, industry participation and innovation.

Coming up

Stanfield Real Estate of Huntington Beach and Newport-Beach based HOM Sothebys International Realty will host a home sellers seminar from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday April 8 at the Ayres Hotel, 325 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. The event is free. To register, call 714-442-0736.

The real estate briefs are compiled by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Samantha Gowen, business editor at the Register. Send related items to sgowen@scng.com. Allow one week for publication. High-resolution photos also can be submitted.
WASHINGTON The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says theres no question Russia was involved in the U.S. presidential election and insists President Donald Trump would fully support strong action against the Kremlin once investigations are complete.

Speaking in television interviews broadcast Sunday, Nikki Haley contended there is no contradiction between her tough stance and Trumps repeated public statements seeking to minimize Russias role. She said Trump has not once told her to stop beating up on Russia.

She joins Defense Secretary James Mattis as Trump administration officials who have forcefully called out Russia for its actions during the 2016 U.S. campaign.

We dont want any country involved in our elections, ever, Haley said. We need to be very strong on that.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his country meddled in the 2016 contest between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. While Trump himself has said he believes Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party emails during the election, he has repeatedly lambasted as fake news any suggestion that he or his staff had connections to Russia.

Trump continued his attacks over the weekend, tweeting: It is the same Fake News Media that said there is no path to victory for Trump that is now pushing the phony Russia story. A total scam!

He added on Sunday: The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers.

U.S. intelligence agencies report that Russia tried to help Trumps campaign effort. The FBI as well as congressional committees are investigating whether the Russian government coordinated with Trump associates during the campaign. The White House is also trying to quell a firestorm over its behind-the-scenes role in helping the Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, view secret intelligence reports that he says pointed to inappropriate leaking.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, went to the White House on Friday to view materials that he said were precisely the same. He declined on Sunday to describe the contents, but criticized the unorthodox disclosure to Nunes, suggesting that the material was more likely an effort to deflect attention and create a cloud through which the public cannot see.

Whenever they see the president use the word fake, it should set off alarm bells, Schiff said. I think thats really what going on here.

Trump as president persuaded Haley to leave the governorship of South Carolina to represent the U.S. at the United Nations. She said she was beating up on Russia over issues such as its actions in Crimea and its dispute with Ukraine.

When asked if she believes Trump should publicly take a harder Russia stance, she said: Of course, hes got a lot of things hes doing.

Theres no love or anything going on with Russia right now, Haley said. They get that were getting our strength back, that were getting our voice back and that were starting to lead again, and, honestly, at the United Nations, thats the No. 1 comment I get is that theyre just so happy to see the United States lead again.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said it was indisputable that Russia attempted to influence the U.S. election, reiterating his call for a special select committee.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he didnt think another review was necessary, citing the bipartisan work from the Senate Intelligence Committee.

I think they clearly laid out that theyre going wherever the facts take them, McConnell said, referring to Republican chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina and Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the panel. We dont need yet another investigation. We know the FBI is looking at it from their perspective.

Dmitry Peskov, Putins press secretary, said Russia was not worried about what any U.S. investigation might reveal. We insist that any blaming that Russia could have been interfering in domestic affairs of the United States is slander, he said.

Haley, Peskov and McCain appeared on ABCs This Week, Haley also was on CBS Face the Nation, Schiff spoke on CNNs State of the Union, and McConnell appeared on Fox News Sunday and NBCs Meet The Press.

AP White House Correspondent Julie Pace and AP writer Catherine Lucey contributed to this report.
You might find this hard to believe. I voted to save the jobs of 287 Santa Ana teachers, and Barbara Pearson, president of the Santa Ana teachers union, responded by threatening to recall me.

On March 14, I voted no on the school districts proposal to cut 287 teachers in order to balance our out-of-control budget. My four board colleagues  three of them backed by the powerful Santa Ana teachers union  all voted yes.

I pointed out that Barbara Pearson helped create this disaster by pushing for a 10 percent raise in December 2015, despite a looming budget deficit.

I lost the debate that night, but Ive been poring over the district budget since, looking for ways to save $28 million  the cost of those 287 teachers.

Our district pays $883,000 a year for marketing. And last year we spent $2.2 million (the equivalent of 28 teachers) on travel, $31.8 million on Professional and Consulting Services and $600,000 on dues and membership fees to organizations.

I could go on, but you get the picture. If you dont, consider this minor, but powerfully symbolic, outrage: The district pays half of the $140,000 annual salary of the unions full-time leader to represent her union in contract negotiations with us.

But the union is trying to flip the script. On Tuesday night, March 28, speaking to a packed board meeting, Pearson said the real problem in Santa Anas budget is my commitment to public school choice  that my fight for excellence in education for everybody is attacking the school district. And then Pearson made this bold declaration: She said its time to recall me.

If thats the price of standing up for teachers and students, then I welcome the debate that will come with any recall effort.

It was Pearson who negotiated and claimed victory for the 2015 pay hike that I predicted would lead to the current budget crisis  and now she is trying to recall me. Thats the alternate universe we live in.

In Santa Ana, as in all California school districts, those teachers targeted for layoff will be our youngest, most enthusiastic and often most promising teachers  because union contracts require that the last to be hired are the first to be fired, never mind quality. This is because Pearson, and most of the rest of the union leadership, are tenured teachers  there is no chance they will be among the 287 teachers who are slated to lose their jobs.

And, because the targeted teachers are the newest teachers, they often work in the poorest-performing schools  the most desirable positions in the best schools having been plucked by teachers with more seniority.

Eliminating these newer teachers in these already troubled schools will create chaos in the classrooms of students already facing some of lifes most difficult challenges. Classroom sizes, already too high, will increase. Overworked teachers will be stretched even further.

In the days since Pearson leveled her threats to force me out, Ive been overwhelmed by supporters I never knew I had. Im here for the students and their parents and the teachers. Im here to help them make sure every one of our kids has access to an excellent public school education.

If a union leader thinks that is a reason to recall me, then lets get started.

Cecilia Ceci Iglesias is a Santa Ana Unified School District board member, and community relations director for the California Policy Centers education initiative.
In all the after-action analysis of the March 24 failure of the ObamaCare repeal/replacement proposal in the US House, little has been said about the frustration faced by many House Members in knowing the proposal  regardless of the intricacies of House negotiations  would face immense difficulty in the Senate if it would indeed pass the House.

We make that observation not only because a handful of Senators in the Majority Party had vowed either to block the House proposal or to so alter it as to make it unrecognizable  not only because of these individuals and their own ideas and demands but also because of the Senates rules.

Though many have taken note of the Senates so-called Byrd Rule, which relates to limitations on the content of budget reconciliation proposals, we contend a greater problem is in the Senates 60-vote supermajority requirement to bring virtually any proposal to a vote  the cloture rule. It is that rule which prompted the GOP House and Senate Leaders to choose the budget reconciliation vehicle (exempt from the 60-vote rule) for ObamaCare repeal/replacement and, just as important though less often noted publicly, the disqualification of Planned Parenthood from taxpayer funding.

It was the choice of reconciliation that broke the ObamaCare repeal/replacement into three separate stages, with stage three being a later proposal  requiring 60 votes  that House conservatives were demanding in March, demanding such critical reforms as opening the health insurance market to robust competition by expressly authorizing in federal law the marketing of policies across state lines. Because of the Senates 60-vote cloture rule  and because of the Minority Partys stubborn refusal either to repeal or to reform their pet healthcare takeover legislation  conservatives were right to fear that stage three would never come.

But its not just the building of a free-market health insurance system that is jeopardized by the cloture rule in these days of determined Democratic Party fanaticism. The 60-vote cloture rule has stopped every reasonable pro-life legislative proposal for the past eight years.

Those Americans who have blamed Congress for legislative inaction over the past eight years  especially since the GOP regained control of the House in 2011  ought instead to be blaming the Senates unyielding embrace of its Minority-empowerment cloture rule.

Defund Planned Parenthood? House says yes; Senate never votes on it. Protect young girls from being transported across state lines for abortions behind their parents backs? House says yes; Senate never votes on it. Barring abortions on babies aged 20 weeks or older and subject to excruciating pain? House says yes; Senate never votes on it.

It is the Senate  regardless of which party was in control  which sheltered Barack Obama from having to demonstrate how merciless he was as President; if Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry generally did not want a bill to be enacted into law, it simply never saw the light of day in the Senate, because the abortion industry controls enough Senate votes to block cloture every time.

Confirm Neil Gorsuch? Get rid of the 60-vote rule. Repeal/replace ObamaCare? Get rid of the 60-vote rule. Defund Planned Parenthood and redirect womens healthcare grants to legitimate community health centers, as in Sen. Ernsts gestating legislation? Get rid of the 60-vote rule.

The Senate does not have to worry about losing its distinctiveness as a deliberative body. It will still be unique, as its Members are elected statewide rather than in districts, and each Senator is subject to voter accountability only every six years. Those are characteristics which will still have the effect of slowing down proposals and facilitating robust debate. But Minority control is not only problematic, it is unAmerican, and it is time for the Senate to put this sullied tradition into historys dustbin.
SANTA ANA  Grammy-winning superstar Common dropped by a community center in Santa Ana on Saturday, April 1  rapping and preaching about criminal justice reform.

Common, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., was the surprise guest at a free musical festival called Schools Not Prisons, which featured an array of performers, including a mariachi band, and singer and Laguna Hills native Aloe Blacc.

Nonprofit activist organization Revolve Impact started the Schools Not Prisons Tour last year with 10 concerts. The festival combines music and art to advocate for California and its local jurisdictions to use its financial resources for education and criminal justice reform  including better programs for inmates to prevent recidivism  rather than simply putting people in prisons.

Im here for the fight, Common said to a raucous crowd of about 550 people at the Delhi Community Center. Im with you as we move this journey for Schools Not Prisons and go toward prison reform.

Im rolling with you.

Attendees were treated to a free lunch  choice of teriyaki chicken bowl, tacos or hot dogs  an outside art exhibition that highlighted social-justice issues such as deportation and police violence, and music, including a Native American blessing and drum circle to kick things off. The Santa Ana High School jazz band also performed as a warm-up act.

Several people also spoke, including two Santa Ana teenagers; one of them, who said she was undocumented, read poetry.

Mass incarceration does not keep us safe, said Mike de la Rocha, the founder of Revolve Impact. It takes resources away from what really keeps us safe. We must invest in schools.

Common wasnt listed on the festivals official schedule. Halfway through the festival, De la Rocha announced there was a special guest and asked the events disc jockey, DJ Yellow Black Bird, to play a song to welcome him.

Once the song hit its first notes, the crowd, realizing it was a Common track, erupted.

We love you Common! some in the crowd yelled. Yes! Yes! Yes!

He performed one song, The Light, which was nominated for a Grammy off his 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate.

Then, after talking about the need to create programs that keep children out of trouble and educate those in prison so they can be productive when they get released, Common launched a free-style rap without any backup beats.

The rap, off the top of his head, was an ode to Schools Not Prisons. He gave shout outs to the diverse audience  the black brothers and queens, the white brothers and queens, the Asian brothers and queens  and Santa Ana itself.

Were all human beings, Common said. We all make mistakes.

The criminal-justice system should be about forgiveness.
ORD, Neb.  You have an image fixed in your head of a small-town Nebraska bar, an image of three weather-beaten old boys in seed caps perched on bar stools, silently sipping Busch Lights as the dusty old jukebox wheezes a dusty old country song.

Works just fine, so far as stereotypes go, right up until the moment you enter Ords Scratchtown Brewery on an unseasonably warm Thursday evening.

The indoor taproom and outdoor patio are packed with 30-something professionals  the sort of people who do not exist in the stereotype. They sit elbow to elbow with the City Council president, a mailman, a trucker and a couple of farmers and hoist a variety of Scratchtowns own beers: double IPAs, imperial porters and dopplebocks. There is no dusty jukebox here. There is no Busch Light.

Here, in this town of 2,100 people, three business partners  an electrician, an ex-banker and a former Omaha Chamber of Commerce exec  are brewing what may be the best craft beer in the entire state.

And here, in this central Nebraska town left for dead decades ago, the Scratchtown trio and a whole bunch of other residents are also crafting one of this states best small-town success stories.

You have an image fixed in your head of a small Nebraska town. Ord is busy destroying that image, one craft brew, one new family and one major project at a time.

This is a happy place where people come to talk. To connect, says Caleb Pollard, one of the brewery co-owners, as he lounges on the Scratchtown patio in the late-afternoon sun. It was our dream to bring people here, from Ord and from all over, to break bread in our taproom. Our bread just happens to be beer.

The Scratchtown dream started soon after Pollard and wife Christina left Lincoln and relocated to Ord, where they had no relatives and no roots. The reasons for their move are instructive: Caleb had grown tired of spending two hours in a car each day commuting to Omaha; they wanted to raise their kids in wide-open spaces; and, finally, because Ord leaders recruited them with coordinated aggression not often seen in small towns. That aggression has become a hallmark of how this central Nebraska town does business.

Caleb became Valley Countys economic development director. Christina got a good job at the hospital, where shes now chief quality officer. They settled into Ord and made friends. Caleb dabbled in home brewing on the weekends. And then he started wondering: Could a town like Ord support a small-town brewery? Could he turn this crazy idea into a sudsy success near the edge of the Sand Hills?

He found partners. First, his friend Jade Stunkel, who invested money and business expertise. And then the secret ingredient: an Ord native named Mike Klimek, who had recently been laid off from Omahas First National Bank and called Caleb  the countys economic development director  looking for financial industry work. Mike also happened to be a skilled, award-winning home brewer.

Caleb told him to forget about banking. You should open a brewery, he said. Heck, we should open a brewery together.

Mike wasnt having it. I found the nicest way possible to tell him he was (bleeping) crazy, he says.

But Caleb kept working. He took long pickup rides on weekends with Jade, where they drove over the rolling hills and talked about what it would be like to bring craft beer  and outsiders  to this gorgeous but largely unknown area of the state. And he hung out on Mikes back deck on summer evenings. They drank Mikes home-brewed beer, talked life and watched as the blazing sun sunk below the horizon. One night, after they had one too many, Caleb said this: Wouldnt it be awesome to make beer in this town and live here and do this forever?

Mike looked out at the sunset. Yes, it would, he said.

The next morning, after Caleb sobered up, he picked up his cell and dialed Mike. We still doing this? Yes, Mike said again. Yes, I guess we are.

So in 2012, the trio sunk their life savings into the construction of the first craft brewery in this part of Nebraska since ... well, since Prohibition.

A lot of people in Ord were cautious, waiting to see if we could do this, Caleb says. And maybe 20 to 30 percent of people here thought we were nuts, and definitely going to fail.

Which is fascinating, because not long ago, many residents of Ord thought exactly that same thing about Ord itself.

To understand the towns fall and rise, we need to briefly rewind three decades, to the mid-1980s when the American farm crisis smacked Ord hard.

The towns ag-dependent economy got hammered. Nobody was building, so the lumberyard closed. So did two hardware stores. People had less money for food, so the bakery closed, as did two grocery stores, as did almost every mom-and-pop restaurant in town.

With crop prices spiraling ever lower, and no end in sight, many longtime Ord families picked up and moved: Texas. Arizona. California.

The only real local philanthropy came in the form of college scholarships, so the areas high school students could leave home and likely never return.

We were helping kids escape, says Bob Stowell, a veteran lawyer in town. The mid-80s through the 90s was a period of very, very low hope.

Things started to change around the turn of the century, when a local resident donated $1.2 million to the county with the vague directive to improve the area.

The county government didnt really know how to manage that money, so Stowell and several others created the Valley County Economic Development Board, filling it with city leaders and hiring a dynamic 23-year-old named Bethanne Kunz to run the new organization.

In 2001, the new board put out a survey question: Would Ord residents support a city sales tax for economic development in the area? Most of the residents surveyed had the same answer: No.

And yet Stowell and other city leaders followed that survey result with a serious campaign, giving nearly three dozen presentations and hosting three public community meetings. Late that year, the town voted, and the ballot measure to add a 1 percent local sales tax passed with 74 percent of the vote.

That, Stowell says, began everything.

The economic development board used a donated building and the new economic development money to attract a call center that brought 100 new jobs to Valley County. City leaders aggressively fought to lure a $50 million ethanol plant and $9 million corn oil factory to the area. That led to a $16 million distillers grain operation and several offshoot trucking businesses. They also gave a 99-year free lease to an international company, SubConn, that makes parts for underwater cables, a move that spawned the development of more related businesses on the outskirts of Ord.

As the areas job base expanded for the first time in generations, Ord leaders used a combination of $2.6 million sales tax money and federal grants to renovate Ords downtown, a high-profile move that drew a few tourists and caused city pride to swell.

And then, not content with these improvements, Ord leaders did something even bigger: They partnered with the Nebraska Community Foundation on an audacious project to teach Ord residents  both adults and children  how to be better leaders and better entrepreneurs.

Today, heres what that looks like: The Ord area supports a four-year leadership academy, where local adults learn how to better impact their community. The school system has a mandatory eighth-grade class on leadership, and elective classes for high school students who want to start their own businesses. Theres a summer entrepreneurship camp for teenagers, and a day where high school students speed date with local businesses, and another event where they present their business plans to the public.

[ Read more: Nurturing the next generation of Nebraska entrepreneurs ]

Today, 70 percent of Ord High School students say in an annual survey that they want to return to Ord after college graduation. (A decade ago, that same survey showed that 30 percent of Ord high schoolers wanted to return home.)

The towns population is steady. More shockingly, census data show the total number of young adults living in Ord spiked by 53 percent between the years 2000 and 2010.

It all leads to this: Ord Public Schools boasts 626 students this year, a spike of roughly 12 percent since 2012. And, even better, public and private enrollment figures show this years Ord-area kindergarten class is the largest in the past decade.

None of this happened by accident, Stowell says. The success is feeding on the success. And theres no reason it has to end anytime soon.

Which brings us back to Scratchtown Brewery as the sun sets on another Thursday night. The City Council president is chatting with a businessman. The trucker is drinking Scratchtowns Black Eye Imperial Porter, which has won numerous national awards and is coveted by beer nerds across the Midwest.

Everyone is talking about how people from Lincoln and Omaha and Kansas City and Denver show up here on the weekends, often just to try the brews.

From your bar stool it is easy to see why Scratchtown is a runaway success. Its a product of three founders who combined business skill and brewing skill with a healthy dose of bravado. And it is also a product of Ord, Nebraska, a small town that is destroying small-town stereotypes and then clearing the rubble for places like Scratchtown.

You know what term I hate? asks Mike Klimek, the Scratchtown brewer. I hate the term good enough. 

Caleb Pollard grins and says,  Good enough doesnt go on tap here.
Nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs is key to growing our economy. Thanks to support from the Valley County Community Foundation Fund, young people in Ord, Nebraska, and the surrounding area have plenty of opportunities to explore their strengths, creativity, and their interest in running their own business.

We first met Shelby Kittle of Ord five years ago as a seventh-grader selling her hand-painted fishing lures at Valley Countys EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) camp. Shelby liked to fish, and she liked to paint, so creating custom-made fishing lures made perfect sense.

She and about 20 other inventive young people got the chance to launch their own businesses during the four-day ESI camp. The youths learned about product development, visited with local entrepreneurs, produced their own marketing materials, and even met with bankers to secure loans.

Shelbys favorite part of the camp was the final days product fair on the courthouse square. Each camper displayed and sold their products to the public.

Was it tough to make the sale?

Not really, Shelby said. I told them about the 43-inch muskie, and the 13-inch perch and the 33-inch pike we caught. And that seemed to work.

At the end of the day, Shelby had done quite well. After paying back the bank her $10 loan, she had a profit of about $100. Shelby was careful to include her calling card with each sale she made.

One day I came home and some lady had come back with my card, and my mom had sold her all of my deep divers! Ive always planned on having my own business someday. Im not sure what the business will be, but Ill probably stay pretty close to home, Shelby told us.

I cant believe people would do all of this for a 12-year-old girl!

Then again, why wouldnt they?

ESI is an award-winning entrepreneurship curriculum developed by UNL Extension, Nebraska Community Foundation and other collaborators. It has been offered in Valley County for six years, and its success has spawned other programs, such as a Youth Entrepreneur Showcase during the high school wrestling tournament, and a Business Discovery Day and Career Exploration Day for regional high school students. Youth also can join the Chamber of Commerce at a reduced rate.

Over the past five years, Shelby Kittles homegrown business has taken off. She expanded her product line to air-brushed mailboxes and paintings of rural scenes. She marketed successfully at county and state fairs and at farmers markets. She presented at numerous statewide conferences and events, and most recently, addressed the Nebraska LEAD Alumni during its 2016 Ag Adventure tour, and she has participated in Valley Countys ESI camp each of the last five years.

I love it! Every year its different, with interesting business tours and guest speakers. Lately Ive been mainly helping, working with the other kids. I really enjoy that, she said.

When asked about her future, the 16-year-old is emphatic. I want to be an entomologist. When I was a freshman I joined FFA and did beekeeping as my project.

She says her ESI camp experience has turned up her dreams. Everything ties back to beekeeping. Ive always been interested in bugs. My earlier products at ESI camps were profitable, and they helped me earn and save the money. All the equipment I needed for two hives was funded by my fishing lures and air-brushing business. A scholarship from the Nebraska Beekeepers Association gave her equipment for an additional hive and bees. This past summer she was producing and selling her cut comb, which is honey in the wax, at the farmers market in Ord.

My long-term goal is to be an entomologist and somehow find a way to make that profitable here in Ord. It will be something to do with plants and pests, but I want to come back here.

Today, as a high school junior and an FBLA officer, Shelby is a mentor to younger students pursuing their dreams of creating successful enterprises. For the past three years, I have had the opportunity to watch these young entrepreneurs as they grow their own businesses. I truly enjoy seeing how they improve and change as the years go by. Im so glad to know that young entrepreneurs are making something of themselves at such an early age.

I do want to come back to Ord. People in a small community really care about kids and families and do so much to help them out. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone is trying hard to grow the community.

Valley County Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. For more information on this and other community stories visit www.NebraskaHometown.org.
The forensic evidence recovered by Omaha police  four bullet casings and a black T-shirt  seemed almost an afterthought in a daylight shooting witnessed by multiple people.

Witnesses took the stand and put a killer away for life. And for 10 years, the items sat in an evidence locker, untested.

But thats about to change.

Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon recently ordered DNA examination on the casings and shirt in response to a motion filed late last year by Antoine D. Young. The 43-year-old Omaha man is eight years into a life term for the first-degree murder of Raymond Webb, shot repeatedly while behind the wheel of his car in an Omaha fast-food drive-thru.

Young has always insisted the witnesses got it wrong  that he didnt kill anyone.

If forensic analysts can pull a genetic profile from the clothing and casings, it could help settle lingering questions about whether the right man is behind bars.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine agreed to allow the DNA tests without an appeal. But that doesnt mean the prosecutor now harbors doubts about Youngs guilt.

Were confident in our conviction, and we dont think theres any issue, Kleine said last week. So why not clear the air?

The judges decision also is significant because it marked the third time Young had sought DNA testing of the evidence.

Its definitely a huge step toward an exoneration for an innocent person, said Tracy Hightower-Henne, an Omaha lawyer with the Nebraska Innocence Project. Young also is being represented by two lawyers with the Midwest Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri.

The judges previous denials of Youngs motions for testing relied on a provision of state law that required defendants to show DNA testing was unavailable at the time of their original trials.

DNA testing was common by 2009, when a jury convicted Young, but his trial attorney didnt ask for it. Despite the fact that the evidence had never been tested, the courts essentially ruled that Young had blown his opportunity and was no longer entitled to the testing.

The Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the rulings.

But in 2015 the Nebraska Legislature changed the DNA Testing Act, which had gone on the books in 2001.

The amended law makes it easier for Young and others by allowing courts to order the testing if biological evidence from the cases had not been analyzed before. Lawmakers did away with the need to show that the trials predated the advent of DNA technology.

The amended law also allows retesting of previously tested evidence if a defendant can show that new DNA technology could produce more accurate results.

The Innocence Project reports that of the 349 DNA exonerations in the United States since 1989, 71 percent involved eyewitness misidentification. Youngs trial turned on competing eyewitness testimony.

Jurors heard from six people who witnessed the shooting, which took place shortly before 3 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2007, as Webb sat in the drive-thru lane of a Taco Bell near 62nd Street and Ames Avenue. Four said the shooter wore a black shirt, one said the shirt was white and the sixth was unsure.

Two of the witnesses identified Young as the shooter, saying they were with Young outside a nearby barbershop when Webbs car pulled into the Taco Bell. The two witnesses said they saw Young run across the street and fire the gun through the drivers-side window of Webbs car.

Young now says he has evidence to prove one of those witnesses contacted Youngs brother before the murder trial and offered to withhold his testimony in exchange for $10,000. That witness is now dead.

At trial, three witnesses testified that Young was at a family picnic at a city park 4 miles from the Taco Bell the entire afternoon of the shooting. Young has told the court he can produce additional witnesses who will vouch for his alibi.

In addition, Young asserts he can present yet a different witness who identified the shooter as another Omaha man who was released from prison last year after serving time for an unrelated gun crime.

Last summer, before the man was released from state custody, Youngs lawyers put him on the witness stand and asked if he killed Webb. The man invoked his constitutional right to not answer potentially incriminating questions.

The World-Herald is not naming the man because he has not been charged in connection with the case.

Records indicate that police were told there had been a long-running violent feud between the man and the victim. But they also show that authorities eliminated him as a suspect after he passed a polygraph examination.

In the recent DNA order, the judge said testing should be done on the evidence recovered from the crime scene as well as swabs taken from Young and the man whom Young accuses.

It remains to be seen if any identifiable DNA can be recovered from the evidence. Obtaining DNA from bullet casings has proven more difficult than from other sources.

The testing will be done at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and will be paid for by the Innocence Project.
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers are gearing up for a fight over a property tax plan that would benefit mostly rural taxpayers but take relief away from more urban ones.

On one side is State Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, who introduced Legislative Bill 640.

He said winners and losers are inevitable in a plan aimed at righting the state school aid system without spending more money.

Groenes bill would take the $224 million now in the Property Tax Credit Fund and send it as state aid to school districts with the heaviest reliance on property taxes.

Some are going to lose a little bit of their credit, some are going to get more, he said. Life aint fair.

On the other side, Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, the Revenue Committee chairman, said he cant support a bill shifting tax burdens from one group of property taxpayers to another.

He said complaints about property taxes are not confined to agricultural land owners.

Im hearing it across the state, so a plan like this is a concern, Smith said, predicting a major battle if the measure gets out of committee. Thats not going to be pretty.

A World-Herald analysis of four school districts illustrates how the tax plan could play out.

The analysis found that property owners in the Columbus and Lincoln school districts would pay more in property taxes with LB 640 than with the current property tax credits.

Groenes latest version of the bill would add $76.37 to the tax bill on a $100,000 home in Columbus and $31.57 to the bill on a home in Lincoln of the same value.

The effects on homeowners in the Omaha Public Schools would be similar to those in the Lincoln district.

Property owners in the Blair and Aurora school districts would pay less in property taxes with LB 640 than with the current tax credit program.

Groenes latest version would lower the tax bill by $109.85 on a $100,000 home in Blair and by $50.84 on the same value home in Aurora.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said the results are not surprising because the goal is to correct the huge shift in property tax burdens onto farm- and ranch-land owners.

The shift occurred because of soaring ag land prices over the past decade, which led to steep increases in property valuations.

If were not going to have winners and losers, it would not correct the shift, Friesen said.

LB 640 attempts to ease that burden by creating a new state aid program for school districts with heavy reliance on property taxes.

Those districts tend to have large amounts of agricultural property and levies well below the state-imposed lid. Levies in those districts dropped as ag land valuations rose.

The original version of LB 640 would provide the new aid to districts that are 60 percent property tax-funded.

An amended version, pushed by Friesen, would lower the aid cutoff to districts that are 55 percent property tax-funded.

Friesen said he would like to see the cutoff brought down even further in the future, perhaps to 35 percent or 40 percent.

LB 640 also would lower the maximum school levy, which would have the greatest effect on urban districts.

Lower levies would mean more aid to those districts under the existing school aid formula, which fills the gap between a districts needs and the amount it can get from property taxes.

The original bill would lower the levy lid to $1 per $100 of valuation, down from $1.05. The amended version would go even lower, to $.987.

LB 640 would pay for both types of school aid increases with the money now allocated for property tax credits.

Nebraskas property tax credit program uses state tax dollars to offset part of the annual tax bill for property owners. The credits appear as a line on the annual property tax statement.

The fund was at $204 million last year and provided credits of $89.57 per $100,000 of valuation to all property owners.

For the current year the fund was increased to $224 million, with the additional money earmarked to provide larger credits to owners of farmland and ranchland.

If valuations remained constant, the credits would stay at $89.57 for residential and commercial property and increase to $107.48 for ag land.

Smith noted that nearly half of the property tax credit fund will go to ag land property owners this year.

Because of those larger tax credits under current law, the World-Herald analysis of LB 640 found that ag land property owners would see smaller savings or larger costs than other property owners.

The amended version of LB 640 would lower the tax bill on a $100,000 farm field in Blair by $91.94, compared with the property tax credits.

In Aurora, the savings on the same value field would be $32.93. Both are less than the savings on a $100,000 home in those districts.

Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha said the analysis shows that it is important to look at all the pieces of a potential tax package together to see how various taxpayers would be affected.

We need to know who the winners are, who the losers are and what are we doing to grow our economy, Harr said.

He said LB 640 could be one way to tackle property tax problems, although he thinks the bill needs work.

The Legislatures Revenue Committee is slated to meet Monday afternoon to continue working on a possible tax package. Smith, along with Gov. Pete Ricketts, has said the package should include both income and property tax changes.

Neither Groene nor Smith would predict if LB 640 would wind up in the mix.

Earlier in March, Smith called the bill a pivotal piece of the package because it addresses property taxes.

On Friday, Smith said the bill needs to eliminate the urban-rural shift before it could be included.

Groene, meanwhile, said he has the votes to get LB 640 advanced from committee without any accompanying income tax measures.

Last month the committee majority had tentatively decided to put three bills into the emerging package.

The three are Ricketts plan to cut the top income tax rate, his proposal to change how farmland and ranchland are valued, and a bill to change the bottom two income tax brackets and lower corporate tax rates.
The new Blair Library and Technology Center opened Saturday.

The $6.1 million facility includes a maker space complete with a 3-D printer and laser engraver and more than 50 public computers.

The model of the old quiet library where you just go to get a book or study is on its way out, Mayor James Realph said. This library will be more of an activity space.

The 24,000-square-foot facility is nearly four times the size of the communitys old library and is designed to include more meeting and gathering spaces, Realph said.

The community really deserves this, said Gayle Roberts, the librarys director. With all this new technology, we are able to bring the world to this community.

The library also includes several study rooms, a large conference room and a display space that Roberts hopes to use for art and traveling exhibits.

There are really a lot of possibilities here, she said.

The facility was built as a cooperative between the City of Blair and the Blair Library Foundation, with funding from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development program.

The completion of this project is really a testament to how much this community loves its library, said JoEllen Maras, the president of the foundation, which was formed in 2002. Its incredible to see the dream finally happen.

The towns previous library, which was about 6,200 square feet, was sold in February and closed in mid-March.

It was so cramped and crowded in there, Realph said. It was definitely time for a new space.

Realph hopes the community takes advantage of the library and its technology right away.

I see this as a destination, especially for our young people, he said.

Maras said she envisions the library attracting people from outside of Blair, too.

I know its easy for people to say Well, just go to Omaha for a library,  she said. But this is really important for a small town like us. We are really proud.
LINCOLN (AP)  A Lincoln housing group is experimenting with the tiny house concept by building a larger  but still small  home on a nonstandard lot that most builders would reject.

At nearly 800 square feet the house is big by the normal standards for tiny houses, which usually run 500 square feet or less and are often built on wheels for transport. The Lincoln house will feature a main floor, finished basement space and a detached one-car garage when it goes on the market next month. A price hasnt been set.

The nonprofit Affordable Housing Initiatives joined the citys Urban Development Department in using federal funding to build the home close to downtown.

Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Mini-houses are part of the fabric of housing in other areas, and we thought it would be great to have an experiment here, Dave Landis, development department director, told the Lincoln Journal Star.

And, said City Councilman Roy Christensen, they could help fill a housing need in Lincoln. Traditional housing projects can be good for neighborhoods but can harm poor people in them by raising property values.

I started thinking about, What options do low-income people have? and I started looking around, and I found tiny homes, Christensen said.

The nonstandard lot where the new house sits is one of many that the city owns and that most builders avoid as impractical.

Putting a tiny house on such a parcel puts property tax revenue in city coffers, officials said.
LINCOLN  Nebraskans have a few more opportunities to say I saw that being made when they one day stand before a towering monument to Chief Standing Bear near the State Capitol.

Idaho sculptor Benjamin Victor will continue to work on the 11-foot Standing Bear statue from 1 to 4 p.m. each afternoon through Tuesday at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center in Lincoln.

Victor was commissioned to create the $250,000 sculpture of the Ponca chief by the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs and paid for with a gift by Nebraska native Donald Campbell.

Victor said he has been working on the project for about five months. After the clay rendering is complete, the statue will be cast in bronze and will be installed in September in Lincolns Centennial Mall.

In 1877 Standing Bear and other members of the tribe fled Indian Territory in Oklahoma, where they had been relocated by the federal government, to return to their ancestral land in northeast Nebraska. The chief sought to honor the dying wish of his son, who wanted to be buried in Nebraska.

Standing Bear fought to remain in Nebraska in a landmark federal court trial in Omaha. The chief won his case, which marked the first time Native Americans were recognized as people under the law.

Hes such an inspiring person, Victor said last week. When you think of all the hardships he went through to be recognized as a human being.

The trails center is located at 228 N. 21st St. in Lincoln.
While Washington has been absorbed in battles over health care and incipient scandals, a real war is escalating sharply in Syria and Iraq: the one against Islamic State.

Without much public notice, thousands of U.S. combat troops are back on the ground in the Middle East: roughly 7,000 in Iraq, almost 1,000 in Syria and 2,500 in Kuwait.

Those troops arent only special operations forces; they include artillery teams fighting in Iraq and a helicopter unit that has flown behind Islamic State lines in Syria.

U.S. airstrikes have intensified, too, and civilian casualties have spiked dramatically since the beginning of the year. As many as 200 civilians may have been killed in Mosul this month; the Pentagon says its investigating.

The death toll is a tragedy. But its also a grim sign that the long offensive against Islamic State, begun by President Barack Obama in 2014, is moving rapidly toward success  and for that, President Donald Trump deserves some credit.

Under Obama, who waged a light footprint strategy with minimal U.S. troops, Islamic State lost most of the territory it once held in Iraq and almost a third of what it held in Syria.

But taking the extremist groups most important strongholds, Mosul in Iraq and Raqqah in Syria, was taking longer.

Enter Trump. The new president, after claiming he had a secret plan to win the war, told his generals to give him one in 30 days. They responded with an outline  a skeleton plan, in the words of Defense Secretary James Mattis  that could be described as Obama Plus: more bombing, more troops, fewer restrictions on commanders.

The Obama strategy wasnt failing, but it was slow, James Jeffrey, a former ambassador (and former Army officer) whos advising the administration, told me. This is more  not only more troops, but more willingness to use them. Its a change of maybe 20 percent, but its an important 20 percent.

Paradoxically, the success of those changes comes with its own danger: the peril of catastrophic success, a phrase military officials use to describe the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

That experience taught a lesson: Conquering territory doesnt guarantee that a war will stay won. So Trump administration officials are quietly planning for an open-ended commitment of U.S. troops to both Iraq and Syria for stabilization operations after Islamic State is defeated. And that may well require more American troops, not fewer.

In Iraq, stabilization means persuading the government in Baghdad, which told U.S. forces to leave in 2010, to let them stay longer.

In Syria, where the U.S. doesnt want to cooperate with the government of President Bashar Assad, it means setting up an interim administration of local leaders under the protection of U.S. and allied troops.

A State Department official said stabilization means making sure people can come back to their homes, theres a security apparatus in place thats locally based, theres a local government in place.

In Jeffreys view, it also means a continued effort to negotiate the Assad regime out of power. If the Assad regime remains in power, youll just get another (Islamic State), he said.

It all sounds expensive, ambitious and not quite in keeping with Trumps campaign promise to take the U.S. out of the nation-building business.

That may be one reason officials take pains to say their goals are limited.

Stabilization . . . is very distinct from long-term reconstruction, long-term nation-building, a State Department official said.

Eventually, officials say, they hope the oil-rich countries of the Persian Gulf will pay to rebuild Syria and Iraq.

Good luck with that. Other countries arent likely to pony up  and the effort isnt likely to succeed  unless the United States is involved, too.

One more dilemma: To make stabilization work, Trump is going to have to spend money on the State Department and foreign aid agencies whose budget he wants to cut. (Thats not just my civilian opinion; Mattis says that every time he appears before Congress.)

It all sounds a lot more complicated than the strategy Trump suggested in his campaign.

I would bomb the (expletive deleted) out of them, he said then. Id blow up every single inch. There would be nothing left. And you know what? Youll get Exxon to come in there, and in two months . . . theyll rebuild it brand new.

And Ill take the oil, he added.

It wont be anywhere near that simple  or that rewarding  but if Trump listens to Mattis, he might just achieve a goal that eluded his predecessor: pacifying Iraq and Syria.
Omaha in coming years faces the challenges and the opportunities that come with a growing city.

Voters face important decisions in Tuesdays primary election in choosing capable leaders to keep the city on a strong path.

We find Jean Stothert and Heath Mello to be the strongest contenders in the mayoral contest.

Stothert has managed the citys budget well, assisted by a strong economy and her predecessors tough tax decisions, including launching the restaurant tax. She negotiated employee union contracts that will help shore up pension funds. She reined in Fire Department spending, added 56 police officers and plans to create a long-discussed fifth police precinct. After campaigning in 2013 against the restaurant tax, she now says cuts in property tax rates are more important.

She shows energy and dedication, but her strong personality has sometimes gotten in the way. Her economic development record has been spotty.

She landed in hot water over unpaving subpar streets but has made progress on street repairs.

Mello has yet to make a compelling case for ousting a competent incumbent, but he is clearly the most qualified challenger after two terms in the Legislature. As Appropriations Committee chairman, he helped develop the state budget based on the Republican governors recommendations and steered a two-year, $8.7 billion budget through the Legislature with no dissenting votes. He helped protect funding for the University of Nebraska and Omaha Public Schools and made sure Omaha was eligible for sewer repair grants from the water fund.

He was called on to carry a number of bills, including the one creating the Omaha Land Bank. He showed he could work effectively with most members of the Legislature.

Turning to the City Council contests, the World-Herald recommends:

District 1: Pete Festersen, an executive with a health care company, is seeking a third term. A past council president, he has focused on adding police officers; streetscape renovations in Benson, Florence and Dundee; and electronic reporting on property crimes. He shows fiscal discipline and demonstrates an ability to work with colleagues, neighborhoods, businesses and developers.

District 2: Ben Gray is an active, capable incumbent who volunteers to steer young people away from gangs. He has pushed mayors of both parties to help lure development to north Omaha. He says the citys next steps must include restoring the 16th Street link with downtown Omaha; seeks a more coherent vision for the riverfront; and wants Crossroads redevelopment prioritized.

Tanya Cooper, a graphic designer who works in subscription sales at the Omaha Star, leads the OIC Neighborhood Association and helps teach financial literacy to teens. She wants the city to do more to connect people with volunteer opportunities, particularly those leaving prison. She wants the city to boost north Omaha residents access to capital to start small businesses.

District 3: Chris Jerram is articulate and well-informed on issues such as policing, economic development and boosting job opportunities for low-income people. He says he has promoted communication between developers and neighborhoods in his district. Jerram, a lawyer, notes he has been a leader to increase the citys financial support for Heartland Workforce Solutions.

J.R. Jasso, a senior media producer at Creighton University, says he wants to make Omaha neighborhoods safer and encourage economic development and responsible financial stewardship. A social and fiscal conservative, Jasso said he would promote communication between police and neighborhoods. He emphasizes the taxpayers burden and the need for fiscal restraint by the city.

District 4: Jim Rogers, former executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party and a former staffer for U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, wants the city to focus on economic development, such as seizing growth opportunities in the corridor between the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Old Market to increase tourism. He says he could help craft a workable plan to address citywide street repairs.

Vinny Palermo, who owns a tree trimming business, would step down from the Omaha Public Schools board if elected to the council. A former Public Works and Metropolitan Utilities District employee, he says the city should work better with its employee unions but must restrain costs. He urges using tax-increment financing to drive development in the Rosenblatt-Old Market corridor.

In Council Districts 5, 6 and 7, all candidates automatically advance to the May 9 general election.
Ed Kyle and his wife, Barbara, arent intense check-off-a-species birders.

But they added all kinds of wonders to their list during their first trip to view the annual spring migration through Nebraska. The Virginia couple wanted to hit the trifecta: sandhill cranes, greater prairie chickens and American white pelicans.

They saw nine bird species in Nebraska and many more at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Missouri, formerly known as Squaw Creek.

Just as many others have found, nothing could surpass the cranes.

The sunset with the cranes was No. 1, Kyle said. All of them taking off in the morning was pretty incredible.

So was standing on the bridge at the Fort Kearny State Recreation Area one evening and watching and hearing thousands of cranes flying overhead.

The prairie chickens were a close third. Kyle said their territorial fights were fascinating.

The only bummer on the nine-day portion of their trip in Nebraska was the low numbers of white pelicans at the Harlan County Reservoir. Kyle said they had better viewing opportunities at the Loess Bluffs with its marsh and ponds.

Kyle took thousands of pictures. Hell print and hang some, make photo books and share them with family and friends.

Its fun to see how well I can do, he said.

They spent most of their time in the Kearney area with a side trip to McCook to see the chickens. DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge was the next stop, followed by visits to the Amana Colonies and Pikes Peak State Park in northeast Iowa with its 500-foot bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

Effigy Mounds National Monument is nearby. More than 200 prehistoric mounds built by Native Americas are there, including several shaped like animals.

Theyll finish up by exploring the small Wisconsin towns that Barbara loves before driving home with their 23-foot travel trailer, three weeks after they started.

It took them 3  days to drive to the Midwest from Roanoke, but staying in a camper saves on hotel and restaurant bills.

Weve had hard, long days in the past, and its just draining, Kyle said. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery.

They parked at the Kearney RV park and campground off I-80 and near the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.

They found the archway fascinating with its history of the Pony Express and the pioneers and the convergence in the area of the Oregon, California, Mormon and 49er trails.

Theyre already planning a trip through the southwest next May and June on their way to Californias Yosemite National Park. Theyll visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado, Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, along with the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Not bad for a retired clinical psychologist and teacher.

Ive been a casual birder most of my life, Kyle said. I guess in doing these trips weve become more serious birders.
Accession Day: Valley lights up on this day when J&K became part of India

AAP "merely a party of UT Delhi", only Cong can challenge BJP in Gujarat, HP: Azad

Ahead of Modi's visit, Independent MLA holds protest in Srinagar

India

pti-PTI

Srinagar, Apr 2: Independent legislator Sheikh Abdul Rashid, along with dozens of his supporters, today held a sit-in here demanding that the Centre take steps to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Rashid, along with supporters of his Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), assembled near Press Enclave, shouting slogans against the Prime Minister, who is visiting the state.

They later dispersed peacefully. Modi is visiting Jammu region to inaugurate the longest highway tunnel in the country, which would reduce the travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 31 kms.

Speaking to reporters, Rashid, who represents north Kashmir's Langate constituency in the Assembly, said today's protest was to tell the Prime Minister that Kashmir is not about economic packages.

"You are giving so much of hype by constructing that tunnel as if you are doing a big favour to Kashmiris... just cutting short the distance by 10 or 20 kms, does not make a difference. "We need only one package that is resolution of Kashmir dispute," the legislator said.

PTI
At a Kejriwal rally when people chanted Modi, Modi

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Modi Modi at Kejriwal rally. During a rally addressed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal he had to listen to chants of Mod, Modi. Kejriwal was campaigning for the Municipal Corporation Delhi polls when this incident took place.

Kejriwal was however not amused. He asked the crowd if chanting Modi's name would waive off the house tax. If house tax is waived off then even I am ready to chant Modi's name the Delhi CM said.

Has the PM relaxed electricity charges for the people of Delhi, he asked. If he does all this then even I am ready to chant the PM's name he said.

He also chose to being up the issue of EVM tampering. Are the elections in this nation being conducted fairly? Are people casting their votes or are the machines deciding, he asked.

OneIndia News
My life is 1%, dear death: The spooky diary of the accused in J&K DGPs killing

Ayesha Meera muder case: Falsely accused Satyam Babu freed after 8 years

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Vijayawada, April 2: After spending eight years in jail for a crime which he never committed, an Andhra Pradesh youth finally walked free on Sunday. Pidathala Satyam Babu was released from Rajahmundry Central Prison, two days after the Hyderabad High Court acquitted him in the case of rape and murder of a student.

At last truth has won, I suffered in jail for eight years. Now the real culprits in Ayesha Meera case should be punished: Satyam Babu pic.twitter.com/2MgMQvESLc  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

Speaking to media, Satyam Babu said ,''At last truth has won, I suffered in jail for eight years. Now the real culprits in Ayesha Meera case should be punished.''

The court directed the Andhra Pradesh government to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to Satyam Babu and ordered action against the police officers who investigated the case.

The Mahila Sessions Court in Vijayawada on September 30, 2010, had sentenced Satyam Babu to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of Ayesha Meera.

The 19-year-old Bachelor of Pharmacy student was raped and brutally murdered in a private women's hostel in Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada on December 27, 2007.

The police claimed a breakthrough when Satyam Babu was arrested in a cellphone robbery case on August 17, 2008. Police said he confessed to the murder too.

When he finally walked out of jail on Sunday, Satyam Babu was overcome by emotions on seeing her mother Mariyamma.

He thanked Ayesha's parents for standing by him and demanded that justice should be done by punishing the real culprits. Ayesha's parents alleged that the poor Dalit youth was made a scapegoat to save the real culprits.

Shamshad Begam and Iqbal Basha alleged that relatives of then state Minister Koneru Ranga Rao were involved in the rape and murder and to mislead the investigations the police pinned the rape and murder on Satyam Babu and arrested him.

IANS
Bad days ahead for Akhilesh as Yogi launches probe into financial irregularities

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Bad days for former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav are projected. UP CM, Yogi Adityanath is now reviewing projects undertake by Akhilesh. The projects that are under the scanner are the Rs 864.99 crore Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre, Rs 872.58 crore CG City, Rs 355 crore Jansewhar Mishra Park and Rs 153.05 crore beautification project in and around the Human Maze and Imambara in Lucknow.

Yogi has directed officials to track the financial irregularities involved in these projects. The probe would focus on the Yadav family members who are alleged to have invested in these projects or have had interests. The directive by the UP CM came after he was flooded with complaints about irregularities and poor quality of work.

It was alleged that the previous government had spent around Rs 1,100 crore against the sanctioned budget. Most of these projects remained incomplete and officials suspect that a part of this money had been siphoned off.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 2, 2017, 8:56 [IST]
Drunk DU students arrested for tailing Smriti Irani's car

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Apr 1: Four Delhi University students on Saturday allegedly followed the car of Union minister Smriti Irani in Lutyens' Delhi in an inebriated state, after which they were arrested, police said.

The Union Textiles minister's staff around 5 PM called police and said that some students in a car were following her vehicle and trying to overtake it near Moti Bagh flyover and their actions were unwanted, a senior police officer said. Acting on the complaint, police intercepted the car, in which the four youths were travelling, near US Embassy, he said.

The four students, in the age group of 18-19 years, were detained at Chanakyapuri police station. "Their medical examination has confirmed the presence of alcohol in their blood," he said.

The accused students stay in a PG in Vasant village and had liquor at a friend's birthday party. After the party, they were driving around for fun, the officer said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal said if such incident can happen with a minister then the plight of the common people can be imagined. "@smritiirani chased by men in Delhi. If it happened with Minister, can imagine plight of common ppl. She's given Z security, wat abt others? (sic)" Maliwal said in a tweet.

"Good @smritiirani acted against men who chased her. Encourages others 2 report. Imp centre state work together for women safety in Delhi," she tweeted. Legal action is being taken against the accused youths.

PTI
'Two-finger test' should be banned in matrimonial dispute cases too, says Maharashtra doctor

ED crackdown on shell companies: What was unearthed

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Enforcement Directorate cracked down on at least 1,000 shell companies on Saturday. Companies allegedly linked to Y Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chagan Bhujbal and former BSP leader Babu Singh Kushwaha faced the ED's music. The raids were conducted on the basis of the money trail found in various cases booked under the Foreign Exchange Management Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

ED sources say that they have recovered several documents and incriminating evidence. On the basis of this further investigations will be conducted, ED officials informed. Here are the key factors about the raids.

In Kolkata the ED found at least 50 companies that were registered under the same address. On questioning the landlord, he said that he had rented the premises to a man three years back. Within three months of renting out the property the person vanished.

In Delhi the ED found at the premises of a chartered account, S Gupta that he had set up 200 shell companies. He had also given accommodation entries to several people in Uttar Pradesh including politicians.

In Mumbai, one Jagadish Prasad admitted that he had floated 700 shell companies with 20 dummy directors.

In several cases the ED found that large sums of money had been remitted to foreign accounts through these shell companies. ED officials estimate that in all a sum of nearly Rs 11,000 crore may have been remitted.

In one case the ED found that a shell company had exported carpets to its sister concern abroad. The proceeds were never realised.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Sunday, April 2, 2017, 9:03 [IST]
Ghulam Nabi Azad urges youth not to go near the encounter sites

India

pti-PTI

Srinagar, Apr 2: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday urged the youths in Kashmir valley not to go near the encounter sites as it was akin to playing with fire.

"I would not like the children to go to encounter sites, it is not good and I am not in this favour that children rush to the encounter sites. Obviously, it is akin to playing with fire," he told reporters.

He said whenever there is a gunbattle between the security forces and the militants, people can be caught in crossfire if they go near the encounter sites.

"Whether he is an elderly person, youngster or a child, he will face loss in the crossfire. I am not a proponent of this, because our children could fall victims to the bullets," Azad said, after addressing a joint rally of the Congress and National Conference at Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir's Kulgam district which falls under Anantnag Parliamentary constituency.

The Congress leader said he would pray to Allah that the situation remains peaceful in the state because whenever it deteriorates the poor are the most affected lot, as their bread and butter depends on tourism.

"When situation is not peaceful, then tourists do not come here. So, those associated with the tourism sector become unemployed, at a time when unemployment in our state is at its peak," he said.

Referring to the bypolls, the Congress leader said that the NC and Congress, which have entered into a seat sharing arrangement, would win both the parliamentary seats. Congress' G A Mir is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat while NC chief Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

"We will win both the seats and fight the BJP resiliently because in the Rajya Sabha we have our voice but in the Lok Sabha there is no voice of opposition from Jammu and Kashmir.

"In Lok Sabha, there are around 350 members of the government. So, if we want that the voice of Jammu and Kashmir people reverberates in Parliament, both of the opposition members should get elected," he said.

Earlier, addressing the rally, Azad urged the people of south Kashmir to ensure the victory of the JK Congress Committee chief, as it would amount to unifying secular forces in the State. Claiming that the secular fabric of the country as well as of the state was in 'great danger', Azad said there was a need to take effective measures to fight the menace of RSS.

The Congress general secretary said the upcoming by-polls is an opportunity for the people to safeguard their interests.

"Efforts are being made to harm the age-old tradition of brotherhood and harmony, but Congress is capable enough to defeat the forces hell bent upon harming the secular fabric of the country," he said.

Azad claimed that there was "mass discontent" among the people due to the government's misrule and mismanagement of the situation in the Valley. "As a result, people in the entire valley are living in great fear," he said, blaming the ruling dispensation for deep alienation among the people.

PTI
Indian woman asked to strip in front of 4-yr-old daughter at Frankfurt airport

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Apr 1: An Indian woman was allegedly asked to strip by security officials at Frankfurt airport, prompting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday to seek a report from the Indian consul general concerned.

"Raveesh - Plz send me a report on this. @CGIFrankfurt (sic)," Swaraj tweeted to Indian consul general in Frankfurt Raveesh Kumar. Her tweet came following news reports based on the woman's Facebook post in which she alleged that she was asked to strip at the airport while she was on way to Iceland from Bengaluru on March 29.

"We were travelling to Iceland from India via Frankfurt with our 4-year-old daughter when I was asked to move aside for this 'random check', no explanations offered. I was taken into a room and was asked to lift my dress/take it off so that I could be checked to make sure I wasn't carrying anything under my clothes," Shruthi Basappa alleged in the Facebook post.

"I'm always the 'chosen one' for random security checks - pat down, baggage check, lets take you into a room for a closer pat down etc. Of course it is random. Of course it is not because I'm brown. But this happens every time. Every. Single. Time," she alleged.

PTI
ISI transferred Rs 800 crore to separatists to fund Kashmir unrest

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Between 2016 and 2017 a sum of Rs 800 crore was transferred to the separatists in Kashmir to create the unrest, an Intelligence Bureau file states. Money came in through various channels, the IB dossier reads while also adding that fund transfer had slowed down after November 2016.

The money was sent exclusively to fuel the Kashmir unrest, the IB file also states. Money was paid to stone pelters and also to hold demonstrations, the dossier further notes. The IB has been working on this dossier since early 2016.

It indicates that the unrest was plotted before July 2016 itself. However the protests erupted after the death of Burhan Wani the Hizbul Mujahideen commander in an encounter.

While tracking the money trail, it was found that a chunk of the cash was moved through hawala routes. There was also a considerable amount of money that was sent in through the terrorists. Terrorists were told to carry large chunks of cash and hand deliver the same to the touts of the separatists who would wait at the border to receive them.

While money was used to pay off the stone pelters, there was also a large chunk that was spent on propaganda. Payments were paid to spread propaganda through social media and messaging applications. There was also money that had been paid to raise Islamic State flags in the Kashmir Valley, the IB also notes.

OneIndia News
FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

J-K: One killed, 11 security personnel injured in grenade attack

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

One police jawan was killed and 11 other security personnel inured in a Grenade attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowhatta area on Sunday, said reports.

The injured include four CRPF jawans and seven policemen. The have been rushed to SHMS hospital in the state capital

On Saturday, an army convoy was attacked near the JVC Hospital in Bemina area of Srinagar

The attack occurred at around 1 pm, while the convoy was on its way from Parimpora to Panthachowk

Three jawans were injured in the attack.

In December last year, three soldiers of the Indian Army were killed when militants opened fire on a convoy along Pampore highway in Jammu and Kashmir. The militants are said to have fled the spot after firing indiscriminately.

Incidents of attack on the army have been on the rise since the September 29 surgical strike. Police and Intelligence Bureau officials have said that security convoys are sitting ducks during surprise attacks.

OneIndia News
Liquor ban: States ask Centre to de-notify national highways

India

oi-Madhuri

After Supreme Court's ban on Liquor shops along the highways, the state government is mulling the denotifying of even existing highways. The bar owners, wine merchants in the states have decided to demand denotification of highways as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh did, hoping to reduce the impact.

According to the owners, 90 per cent of the shops are on these roads and the government would lose significant amount of tax, besides lakh of people losing their source of income.

As per the latest reports, Maharashtra is adversely affected with this liquor ban. The state would be losing yearly revenue of Rs 7,000 crore. According to Excise Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, a total of 25,513 liquor licenses in the state, licenses of 15,699 outlets which are along the highways will be affected. He further said in Delhi, 100 authorised liquor vends, restaurants and hotel bars had been shut down by Saturday morning.

Here are the estimated loss of each states with the Supreme Court order on liquor vends along state and national highways to shut down:

Karnataka

Out of the 10,149 liquor licences issued by the Karnataka Excise Department for liquor stores, bars and hotels, as many as 5,950 licences are with the outlets located within 500 metres of highways - 2,510 wine shops, 1,599 bars, 219 star hotels and 173 clubs.

Jharkhand

Excise Secretary Avinash Kumar said that out of the total 1,432 liquor shops, the state Excise Department has identified at least 670 shops that fall within 500 metres of the highways.

Haryana

According to the Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said that 194 bars won't be allowed to serve liquor from now on. He further said that the Haryana government is likely to lose annual revenue of Rs 100 crore as the state has to close 40 per cent of the total 478 bars located in hotels and restaurants in the state.

Punjab

Punjab Excise department has suspended the licences of about 2500 liquor outlets across the state.

West Bengal

West Bengal has about 1,800 off-shops within 500 metres of highways, generating a total of over Rs 1,000 crore in revenue for the state.

Maharashtra

Nearly 15,699 liqour outlets shut down in Maharashtra.

Kerala

Around 1,700 liquor vends were forced to shut down in Kerala.

Gujarat

The dry state which is reported to have around 56 licensed liquor shops, of which 12 are on highways has been instructed to 'temporarily' be shut.
Modi bats for IT to solve problems at Smart India Hackathon

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Apr 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said pitched for enhanced use of information technology to solve day-to-day problems facing the society and urged budding innovators to come out with solutions.

Addressing over 10000 participants in the Smart India hackathon, an HRD Ministry initiative to promote innovation, especially among engineering students, he said technological solutions are at the heart of his initiatives like 'New India', smart cities and cashless transactions. He also asked them to distinguish between knowledge and skill, and said their focus on "skill engagement optimisation" will play a key role in converting demographic dividend into development dividend to pave the way for a new India.

Modi also underlined his government's commitment to the initiative, saying over 29 ministries are involved in the exercise and solutions that come out of it will be taken to their logical conclusion. India has played a lead role in knowledge since ancient times, he said, noting that 'zero' was invented here and it has travelled from "Upanishads to 'upgrah' (satellites)". "But there is a need to use more information technology to solve problems facing the society. The society is getting more technology-driven," he said. Following his speech via video conference he also interacted with several participants in several cities who shared their innovations and ideas with him.

While interacting with the students, Modi said the passion to realise the dream of "new India" should be akin to every Indian's dream for freedom in pre-independence India. He said it is an illusion that government knows everything and has solutions to all problems as he asserted that people outside it also have lots of good ideas and they can together solve existing problems.

He noted that the hackathon participants have been tasked with the responsibility of finding solutions to over 500 problems and challenges for the society in day-to-day life, and told them that it is a challenge as well as opportunity for them.

"When you channelise your energy in the field of governance, many positive results will come out of it," he said. Mentioning innovations like driver-less vehicles, he said of all things internet will be very important in the coming times and it is being used extensively in the smart city project. Innovation is the foundation of future and history is written by those who challenge the existing order, he said.

Modi asked them to persevere and never give up on their ideas as he noted that many entrepreneurs were rejected before they went on to found billion dollar firms. His government has launched start-up India and Mudra scheme to help innovators, he said.

The session had few light-hearted moments as well. At one point, interacting with a student named Adinath, Modi said, "Ek Adityanath hai, aur ek Adinath". A smiling Modi also asked the student whether he was interested in joining politics. The PM sought solutions to tackle cyber crime from the participants. Ideas proposed by the students included distribution of low-cost sanitary napkins in rural areas and engaging them in projects to develop rural infrastucture.

PTI
PM Modi to unveil logo, theme and website of Indias G20 Presidency on Nov 8

Varanasi lights up with 8 lakh lamps on Dev Deepawali; PM shares pics too

Modi inaugurates India's longest Chenani-Nashri tunnel

India

oi-Madhuri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Udhampur amid high security on Sunday. Chenani-Nashri tunnel, will bypass three major stations - Kud, Patnitop and Batote - on the highway.

The tunnel is expected to reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Jammu by two hours and reduce the distance from 41 km to 10.89 km.

The cost of the tunnel built is Rs 2500 crore. The time taken to build this tunnel is 5 and a half years. And the daily fuel savings are to the tune of Rs. 27 lakhs.

The tunnel is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a statewide shutdown on April 2. However, people in the Kashmir Valley are hardly enthusiastic about the opening of the longest road tunnel.

The key features of the tunnel are that it is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.

There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with 'Cross Passages' connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres.

It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres.

OneIndia News
Now AAP offers free water, power subsidy to Delhi tenants

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, April 2: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said those living in rented houses will also get free water and subsidised electricity if the AAP comes to power in the civic corporations.

"Those staying in rented houses don't get benefit of low water and electricity tariff. After municipal elections, we will make sure even they receive the benefit," Kejriwal tweeted.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader also appealed to the people of Delhi not to vote for the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"The BJP hiked the electricity rates in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. If you vote for the Congress or the BJP in the civic polls, they would hike electricity and water rates in Delhi as well," he said.

Delhi's three municipal corporations with a total 272 members go to polls on April 23 and the results would be declared on April 26.

IANS
Pak ex minister Rehman Malik becomes victim of April Fool's Day prank

International

pti-PTI

Islamabad, Apr 1: Pakistan's former interior minister Rehman Malik fell for a April Fool's Day prank when he reacted to a fake news story about naming of Islamabad's new airport after Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Express Tribune ran a story as an April Fool's Day prank on its website that the government has decided to name a new airport in the capital after the Chinese leader.

Hours later the prank elicited a serious reaction from Malik who expressed 'serious reservations' over it as the airport is named after Benazir Bhutto, the slain leader of Pakistan Peoples Party. He warned the government that his party would take the issue to an 'extreme level' if it tried to the rename the airport.

"The government should avoid taking any steps which may hurt the feelings of the public," Malik said in a statement issued to the media. "There is no precedent in the past to rename organisations [or facilities] which are named after national heroes," he said. He also asked the government for a clarification.

PTI
Hindus in Britain are very well behaved, smart and rich

UK airports and nuclear power stations on high alert

International

oi-Madhuri

Britain's airport and nuclear power stations on Sunday were put on high alert amid fears that their systems may be targeted by hackers.

Over the last 24 hours, the British intelligence service Spies have issued a series of threat, warning terrorist might have discovered means of bypassing scanners in airports and security at nuclear facilities.

They believe that the terrorist have found ways of planting an explosive in laptops or smartphones which would not be picked up by screening.

Recently, the UK had followed the US in preventing passengers on flights from carrying laptops and tablets in the cabin. The decision was prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets.

The UK ban on any electronic item larger than a normal smartphone applies to all direct passenger flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

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Story first published: Sunday, April 2, 2017, 15:41 [IST]
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Sri Lankas Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to WIONS Padma Rao Sundarji in an exclusive interview: Excerpts:

Your government came to power in 2015 promising to improve relations with its closest neighbour India. But core issues continue to linger. Your closeness to China is a strategic threat to India. How can you reassure New Delhi?

Our friendship with China is not at the expense of India. India should not get too worried. The two governments understand whats happening, and we are moving closely. It is only the Indian media which talks of an uneasiness in the ties. Theres nothing I can do about it. We have good defence and economic ties with New Delhi. We are looking at how India can help develop Trincomalee harbour along with Japan. We are both committed to seeing the success of the Bay of Bengal as an economic area. The economies of the five southern Indian states should be at least worth 500 billion dollars. If we work together, that can grow to nearly a trillion dollars. There is close sharing of security information. This has been one of the good periods in relations with India.

Your bilateral relationship with Beijing is your prerogative, of course. But its skewered heavily in favour of China. You owe China 8 billion dollars, i.e. a 12th of your overall overseas debt. Surely China is not offering you a mere hand of friendship but an iron fist in a velvet glove?

I dont know why you are so worried about China. No one has offered us an iron fist, with or without a velvet glove. Please remember the global financial crisis of 2007, China was one of the major players to assist many countries with infrastructure development. Sri Lanka is not an exception. It is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) who have a special friendship. Some people even feel they are trying to dominate other developing economies. Yes, we have taken a large number of commercial loans from China but also from others. To repay them is a concern, so we are inviting foreign investment.

Chinese military submarines have docked in Sri Lanka and caused annoyance to India. Can you assure India on record through this interview that there will be no Chinese military presence in Sri Lankas sovereign territory, at least during the remaining two years of your tenure in office?

Chinese military submarines have been coming to Sri Lanka regularly. There is only one instance which became an issue. That was under former President Rajapaksa. Chinese submarines came here and the Indian government claimed  and I think  they were not informed. Just like any other country, the Chinese will come to Sri Lanka and visit us at times agreed by and convenient to us.

But there is no defence relationship with China.

In your southeastern port of Hambantota, you have offered Chinese companies equity for debt, even land for a Free Trade Zone. In Colombo, you delayed the China-built Port City Project to assure India. After all, 80% of transshipments from India transit Colombo. But the project has recommenced and is firmly in Chinas hands. Surely Chinas String of Pearls is beginning to choke Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has always been the hub of the Indian Ocean. From time immemorial, Chinese ships have been coming to Sri Lanka on the Silk Route. Hambantota port was built with Chinese assistance. We have only said we are unable to pay the debts on it and that we will offer it to anyone who is willing to take it up. We persuaded Beijing to accept a debt-to-equity transfer. Some Chinese companies applied. We took the best and have got the Chinese to agree to go up to 1.5 billion dollars to pay for their share of the Joint Venture. We have 20 per cent for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). So if anyone else in Sri Lanka wants to invest in Hambantota, we will give them the freedom to do so.

Is that an open invitation to India too?

Well, Indian ships can come to Hambantota, there is no problem at all.

But of course there is. China provided military equipment and helped Sri Lanka defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009. So youre really saying that the Chinese will continue to visit but India will be kept informed.

Actually, New Delhi is aware of that.

Sri Lanka has 21.2 million Muslim citizens. After Hindus, they are your countrys second largest minority. Your justice minister recently told your Parliament that 31 elite Muslims from Sri Lanka have joined the Islamic State (IS). There is growing radicalisation in the neighboring Maldives. And Pakistan  also your close military ally  is the epicentre of global Islamist terrorism. You met PM Nawaz Sharif recently. We hope you expressed your concern over his hosting globally banned terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed?

I met Mr Sharif very briefly. The vast majority of our Muslims work with other Sri Lankans. Of those who went to IS, some have been killed, we are in touch with the families of the others.

The promise of greater autonomy to Sri Lankan Tamils detailed in the Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987 remains unfulfilled. Your Sinhalese majority remains staunchly opposed to it.

Its not just a Tamil versus Sinhalese issue, its a centre versus periphery issue. Every province wants greater autonomy. But we have to be realistic and are discussing it. We are a democratic country.

First, the encounter with an LTTE operative Gobi and his men and the subsequent unearthing of caches of weapons in the Northern Province some years ago. And more recently, the plot to assassinate your moderate Tamil National Alliance leader, M A Sumanthiran. Is the LTTE on the rise in Sri Lanka again? Or  and like you often accused your predecessor government of doing, are these merely engineered rumours to justify the continued presence of the armed forces in the former war zones even eight years after the war ended?

The LTTE has been wiped out. And the number of the army troops in the North is being reduced gradually.

Mr Prime Minister, a very last question. What is your personal equation with Indias PM, Narendra Modi?

I have known him for a long time. In fact, Ive kept in touch with him since his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, when no one thought he would be the prime ministerial candidate. We continue that acquaintance and friendship.

(Source: DNA India)
David Baazov Sells Two Thirds of His Stake in Amaya

Published April 2, 2017 by Ivan P

David Baazov sells further 12 million of Amaya shares for C$267.7 million, reducing his stake in the company to just 3.8%.

The former CEO and a majority shareholder in the Canadian gambling giant Amaya, David Baazov, has recently sold 12 million of his shares in the company, giving up about two-thirds of his remaining stake. Baazov sold his shares at the price of C$22.31 per share, for a total of C$267.7 million.

Former CEO Losing His Interest in Amaya?

Earlier in March, Baazov disposed of seven million of Amaya shares, earning C$133 million in the process. After that transaction, he was left with a 12% stake in the company. With the most recent sale, his share was reduced to 3.8%.

These moves seem to indicate that the former CEO is no longer interested to play a major role in the company which he helped grow tremendously, securing the $4.9 billion purchase of PokerStars, which was the biggest transactions in the online gambling history.

Not Seeing Eye to Eye with Company Leadership

For a long time, Mr. Baazov had plans to buy Amaya and take the company private. However, the AMF (Canadian securities regulator) put a wedge in those plans, when they launched an investigation to tackle insider trading allegations in connection with the purchase of the Rational Group (PokerStars former owners).

Baazov was a person of interest in that investigation, which led to his resignation from the position of the Amaya CEO. Initially, this didn't sidetrack Baazov's plans, as he continued his efforts to find investors who'd help him realize his vision for the company.

However, with his latest attempt falling through, primarily because of the lack of transparency, and Amaya recently adding provisions that would prevent any such future attempts by Mr. Baazov, it became apparent that whatever happens with Amaya in the future, the former CEO wouldn't be part of that future.

This recent development probably prompted Baazov to start offloading his shares, as he'll likely be looking to move on to another project. As for Amaya, the company will stay open to other potential investors or strategic partners, which their attempt at a merger with William Hill last year clearly demonstrated.
Oregon's long winter has given way to a springtime of fear in farm country, with farmers and orchardists bracing for a widespread immigration crackdown that could worsen an already chronic labor shortage in the state's $5.4 billion agricultural economy.

Providers of fruits and vegetables, nursery stock, produce, and meat products say the skilled workers who put food on our tables and plants in our yards can't easily be replaced. Their speed, dexterity, and crop knowledge of crops, as well as their willingness to work long hours and unpredictable schedules in isolated areas makes them vital to the industry.

The Trump administration's vows of aggressive enforcement against undocumented workers -- many of whom are longtime residents of the state -- and the companies that employ them could create chaos from farm to market and all points in between, industry leaders say.

"It's a big deal for us," said Bill Sweat, co-owner of Winderlea Vineyard & Winery in Dundee who has served on the Oregon Wine Board and as board president of the Oregon Winegrowers Association. On a 1 to 10 scale, he said, he'd put worry about an enforcement-induced labor shortage "at about an 8."

Their fears are so great that some in the industry refuse to discuss the issue on the record, fearing that they could become a target of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Jeff Stone, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, said he's urged his members not to talk to the media about the issue as he and others work for a solution.

Oregon's agricultural sector raises everything from cattle to Christmas trees, and employs approximately 87,000 workers, said Dallas Fridley, regional economist for the Oregon Employment Department. Though Findlay said he had no way of knowing how many of them were undocumented, a Pew Research Center analysis of federal data estimates that immigrants accounted for one-third of all agricultural employment in 2014. Of that pool, just over half are undocumented, the report estimates.

Recent actions stir fears

Growers and workers alike say that enforcement actions in farming regions were rare until recently, when a series of ICE raids created fears about what might lie ahead during the growing season.

On Valentine's Day, the agency detained Roman Zaragoza-Sanchez, a married father of five with no criminal record from Sandy. The agency told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Zaragoza was undocumented and had "an outstanding order of removal" issued against him. He remains in ICE custody pending deportation to Mexico.

Ten days later, ICE detained at least 10 workers during a raid near Woodburn. Several were released, but four have cases before the immigration courts and are undergoing removal proceedings, ICE said.

President Donald Trump's Jan. 25 executive order states that ICE will not exempt classes or categories of undocumented immigrants from potential enforcement. Worker advocates say that's a departure from past practice of prioritizing enforcement against those who pose the greatest risk to public safety.

Tim Bernasek, a Portland agricultural employment attorney who is legal counsel for the Oregon Farm Bureau, said growers don't know what to expect in light of those cases.

"It's already such a tenuous situation that this is just one more log on the fire of a problem that's already burning," said Bernasek, of the Dunn, Carney law firm. "It's so difficult to get a workforce."

Growers say that even the fear of immigration raids could keep workers away during the narrow harvest window of such weather-sensitive crops as marionberries, pears, and wine grapes. Some who have tried to hire non-immigrant workers say they've had little success in attracting and keeping those employees.

"There are not a lot of people looking for work - legal or illegal," said Ken Bailey, a fourth-generation cherry grower at Orchard View Farms in The Dalles who hires hundreds of workers each harvest season. "If you take the illegals out there are not going to be enough."

Oregon unemployment is at a record low, sliding to 4 percent in February. That's the state's best showing since at least 1976.

Searching for options

Some fruit growers are looking into a little-used visa program as a possible source of workers during the harvest season, Bailey said. The H-2a visa for temporary agricultural works is difficult for employers to secure, as they must demonstrate that there aren't enough U.S. workers "who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work." It also is based on the assumption of a steady, regular work flow that doesn't exist in many harvest situations.

Oregon farm facts

Key numbers about Oregon's agricultural industry, based on 2015 data:

Total workforce:

87,137

Year-round workers:

25,812

Employees who work only one quarter:

35,909

Q3 2015 workforce:

61,878

Annual crop value:

$5.4 billion

Number of farms:

34,600

Total Oregon farmland:

16.4 million acres

Average farm size:

474 acres

Sources: Oregon Employment Department, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Additionally, workers can use the visas with only one company, a restriction stymies those who want to move from one harvest to another.

The H-2a "is not very efficient," Bailey said. "It's not a good business model." But growers are looking for anything that might work if an immigration crackdown decimates the agricultural workforce, he said.

Growers and workers agree that the looming crisis has its roots in the nation's failure to adopt a comprehensive immigration policy that welcomes foreign workers, who are vital to agriculture and some service industries. President Ronald Reagan approved an amnesty program 30 years ago that put millions of undocumented workers on a path toward citizenship. Since then, however, Congress has failed to create a policy that resolves the status of the nation's estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants.

Employers say the state's farm labor is increasingly made up of longtime undocumented immigrants. Many have families here, including U.S.-born children.

In a report released in February, economist Josh Lehner of Oregon's Office of Economic Analysis notes that some 150,000 Oregon residents were born in Mexico. About two-thirds of them migrated to the state in the 1990s and 2000s, with fewer than 10,000 arriving after 2009, according to Lehner's analysis.

Lehner's report noted that 40 percent of the state's foreign-born residents came from Mexico, and that a vast majority came to the U.S. a decade or two ago. About one-quarter of foreign-born Oregonians came from Asia, followed by countries in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

The numbers highlight the potential humanitarian toll a widespread crackdown would create: Many undocumented workers now have children who were born and raised here. And, some are married to U.S. citizens.

Worker advocates have been urging undocumented residents to prepare for possible arrest and deportation by learning their rights, applying for citizenship if eligible, and getting their financial and family issues in order.

Ramon Ramirez, president of the 6,500-member PCUN farmworkers union, said the Woodburn-area raid in February "created a shock wave" in local immigrant and agriculture communities.

"We haven't seen anything like this in maybe 30 years," he said of the local raid and others. "If the raids continue, we won't have any farmworkers to pick the crops."

It's that worry that is prompting collaboration between growers and workers' organizations on finding short-term and long-term solutions to a problem that has spanned generations, said Stone, of the nurseries association. Stone said he and other industry leaders will work to bring their concerns to members of Oregon's political delegation.

Stone said he understands long-standing public concerns about immigration that are reflected in Trump's attacks on undocumented workers.

"The president is not wrong that the immigration system is broken, and the American people are not wrong to be frustrated that the system is broken, " said Stone, who was an aide to Oregon Republican Sen. Bob Packwood when the Reagan amnesty program took effect.

Both political parties are partly to blame for the nation's failure to come up with a policy that works for workers and employers, and both now need to be part of the solution, he said.

"We can talk about (building) walls, but adults are going to have to get in the room and solve the problem," Stone said. "Folks want to do the right thing."

--Gordon Oliver

Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive

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Xi Jinping, Donald Trump

China's President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump will meet Thursday, April 7, 2017, for two days of discussions on a number of thorny issues dividing the world's top two economies.

(Fabrice Coffrini, Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

The leaders of the globe's two largest economies will meet in the week ahead in the gilded rooms of Mar-a-Lago, an estate that evokes a time of American economic ascendance.

President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a day and a half of high-stakes international diplomacy and economic gamesmanship.

As a candidate, Trump threatened to slap a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports. While that may still be Trump's opening offer, the vows China has since made to respond with tariffs of its own might change that part of the conversation.

China is the biggest market for U.S. exports from 33 states. It also is the second-largest holder of U.S. government debt. Meantime, the United Staets is the second-largest buyer of Chinese-made goods.

In other words, there are deep economic ties between the two nations that run well beyond the walls of a seaside private club.

After taking office, Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Just last week, he canceled Obama-era climate policies. Both actions bring with them the potential of China filling the void American has left behind.

China is not a party to the TPP, but the United States's absence from the deal could provide China with an opening for corralling its Asian neighbors into its own trade deals. Similarly, should China decide to move forward with its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions while the U.S. doesn't, it -- not America -- could become the de facto home of clean energy innovation.

These are just a few of the macroeconomic stakes involved in the coming week's talks.

Both countries hold sway, something long-term investors must recognize.

China is Boeing's biggest market. Chinese-made Apple iPhones have translated into billions in profits for the California company's shareholders. Meantime, Netflix and Google have left China over the government's control of the internet and favoritism for Chinese firms. Facebook and Twitter are blocked in China.

An evenhanded, diplomatic, dare I say presidential performance will reassure investors mutually destructive economic policies will not distinguish U.S.-China relations.

--Tribune News Service
ELLIOTT.JPG

The Elliott State Forest, in a file photo

(Staff/File)

The newfound willingness by Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read to help find a way to keep the Elliott State Forest in public ownership carries enormous promise for present and future generations of Oregonians.

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What was to have been a sell-off of the forest to raise cash for Oregon schools now becomes a money puzzle for the Legislature, however, soon to debate buying most or all of the forest and ensuring payment to the state's Common School Fund for the loss of Elliott's dwindling logging revenues.

Read's turnabout has history. In 2015, as a member of the Legislature, Read introduced a bill that would have allowed lands such as the Elliott to be purchased by the Legislature and placed under the management of a state agency to avoid sell-offs to private parties. It went nowhere. It would have been a deft way around the Oregon Constitution, in places moldy from age and requiring that lands such as the Elliott be held for the exclusive purpose of generating revenue for public schools. But late last year, as Oregon's new treasurer, he could find no defense for further delays and argued that selling was the way to go.

The use of the Elliott as an engine of the Common School Fund was smart many decades ago, when Oregon had a lot of trees to cut and sell. But things have changed dramatically. Oregon has expanded in population and development, wildlife species and waterway protections have been mandated, and logging has declined sharply. Recreational use of Oregon's forests, meanwhile, has surged, and newfound environmental values, among them the natural storage of carbon in a time of climate change, have emerged.

Along the way the Elliott's logging revenues nose-dived, sinking too low in recent years to meet constitutional obligations. The overseeing State Land Board - Read is one of three members to decide the Elliott's fate - saw little option but to sell it off and said as much late last year, with Gov. Kate Brown the lone holdout. Selling the Elliott would place more than $200 million in proceeds in an investment account, generating stable earnings for schools. And selling would allow the Land Board to narrowly acquit its constitutional obligation. But it would do so by offloading public lands granted to Oregonians long ago by the federal government.

Angus Duncan chairs the Oregon Global Warming Commission, runs the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and has advised several Oregon governors. He is among those who talked in recent weeks with Read about forest values, among them carbon storage in a time of climate change and the rising need for the public to hold on to a dwindling resource: forest lands. "We can make more dollars, but it's much harder to make more forests," Duncan told The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board last week. "The Elliott presents a situation in which there's a hold of the past and present upon the future."

Only months ago, Read acknowledged his 2015 initiative but said he saw no other option for the Elliott than to sell it, albeit with several conditions to protect the public's interests. Last week, however, following his announcement that he'd returned to an old stance, he explained to the editorial board that he senses "momentum in the Legislature" to possibly create a land-transfer mechanism, in which the state would purchase some or all of the Elliott and assign its management to another state agency, thereby keeping valuable forestland in state ownership.

Good. In joining Brown as one of two keep-the-Elliott votes on the land board, he makes probable the best of all outcomes: The Elliott State Forest will remain in public hands. In reversing himself, he not only throws the matter back to the Legislature but re-enters the graces of Oregon's conservation community, which mobilized mightily for the Elliott. Separately but pertinently, the election of Donald Trump as president, and the fear he'd broadly diminish protections of public lands, only deepened the fight to protect the Elliott.

The deal's not done. That will take action by the Legislature, now considering Senate Bill 847, wisely sponsored by Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, a neighbor to the Elliott. Roblan's bill maps the kind of land transfer that could allow the protection of the Elliott and other state lands, provided the Legislature finds the bonding to pay for it.

Lawmakers should look ahead, rather than behind, as the value of the Elliott is gauged for present and future generations. The forest is just too valuable not to keep.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
Phoenix Singer

The author states that policies adopted by sanctuary jurisdictions offer the only meaningful protection against deportation for immigrants whose only violation of law is being an undocumented person.

(Don Ryan/AP Photo)

Wayne A. Cornelius

The Trump administration has unleashed a campaign of terrorizing immigrant families and communities, using an enforcement strategy that makes anyone without papers a target for deportation. They need not have committed a crime - undocumented presence is a civil, not criminal, offense. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A major goal of this indiscriminate dragnet is to induce mass self-deportation, eliminating the need for immigration agents to pursue and remove millions of undocumented people.

The logic is that if the government makes day-to-day life uncertain and anxiety-producing, the undocumented will give up and return to their homelands. No scientific evidence supports this logic, and much evidence suggests it's wrong-headed.

On Wednesday Portland's city council approved a resolution declaring Portland a "Welcoming City, a Sanctuary City, and an Inclusive City for all residents." The resolution reaffirms the policy announced by Portland's police chief in February, prohibiting the use of city funds, personnel and equipment to enforce federal immigration laws.

The nation's more than 400 sanctuary cities and counties are under fire from Trump, who seeks to halt federal funding to such jurisdictions, warning ominously of a "public safety threat" if local police cannot be enlisted in his deportation campaign.

Available evidence runs in the opposite direction. Nationwide statistics show that crime rates are lower in sanctuary counties compared with non-sanctuary counties. A 2016 study by social scientists at Arizona State University and the City University of New York, provides compelling evidence that law enforcement officials view sanctuary jurisdictions as an important tool for enhancing public safety. More than 750 police chiefs and sheriffs nationwide expressed serious concerns about involving their officers in immigration enforcement. They reported that in places where local police had been involved in such enforcement, immigrants were far more reluctant to contact the police if they were victims of, or witnesses to, a crime.

In a 2017 study by University of Chicago sociologist Angela S. Garcia, undocumented immigrants interviewed in southern California's 21 sanctuary cities and counties said they were generally willing to interact with police. Their fears revolved around potential retaliation for reporting gang-related activity, not deportation. But in cities working with immigration agents, undocumented residents were anxious about contacting local police.

Another rationale for Trump's attack on sanctuary cities is that their existence stimulates undocumented immigration, but there is no evidence of such a magnet effect. Undocumented migrants, as with the majority of immigrants, are drawn here by economic opportunity and family. Some are fleeing gang and drug violence. None of these key drivers of migration would be weakened if sanctuary cities ceased to exist.

There is no substitute for comprehensive immigration reform, legislation that would put millions of undocumented immigrants on a path to legalization, not deportation. But prospects for passing that are dim, since Republican majorities in both houses of Congress are unlikely to vote for it, even if Trump were supportive.

Meanwhile, policies adopted by sanctuary jurisdictions offer the only meaningful protection against deportation for immigrants whose only violation of law is being an undocumented person.

Already, undocumented parents fear taking their children to school or to the doctor. Domestic violence victims avoid going to the court house for a restraining order (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now detaining undocumented persons there). Even driving to work -- necessarily without a license, since Oregon voters two years ago blocked issuance of driver's licenses to the undocumented -- exposes them to possible deportation.

Welcoming resolutions like those passed by Portland and other Oregon cities don't interfere with federal officers in performance of their duties. They strengthen Oregon's 1987 state law on sanctuary, currently under fire by anti-immigration groups, by showing that cities and counties endorse it.

More localities should step forward to clarify their policy. Officials who run these municipalities deserve strong public support. They are doing the work Congress has failed to do.

Wayne A. Cornelius is distinguished professor of political science, emeritus, at the University of California-San Diego, and director emeritus of UC San Diego's Mexican Migration Field Research Program. He lives in Portland.
The events are called "charlas" - talks - and Catholic Charities holds them in schools and churches, places where, so far, the immigration authorities don't go. The charlas explain to undocumented Oregonians their legal rights: the times when they don't have to answer questions, that they shouldn't let anyone into their home without required authority.

And how to prepare a power of attorney, so that if they're deported, they can leave their U.S. citizen children in the custody of a relative or a neighbor.

"It's super difficult to tell someone to fill out a form giving custody to someone else," explains John Herrera, director of immigration legal services at Catholic Charities in Portland. "It is always so hard to explain to a parent that the best you can do is find someone to take care of your child."

But otherwise, your kids might vanish into to the foster care system.

The organization has been holding charlas for a decade. Lately, however, it's been holding a lot more of them.

Donald Trump ran for president on a pledge to round up huge numbers of undocumented immigrants, and now millions of people have been waiting for the other boot to fall. "Among immigrants and refugees, there is a lot of uncertainty about who's going to be deported," says Herrera. "We don't know what's going to happen - "as the president talks of hiring thousands and thousands more enforcement agents."

Last week, uncertainty - not to say fear - ramped up considerably. U.S. Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III threatened sanctuary cities that were refusing to cooperate with deportations - like, say, Portland - with cutting off federal law enforcement funds. Sessions warned sanctuary cities (and states and counties) that they were making America "less safe by putting dangerous criminals back on the streets," making a connection between immigrants and violent crime that is statistically untrue but politically appealing. Last week, an Oregon Republican spokesman, Kevin Hoar, echoed the attorney general, accusing Portland of protecting "criminal illegal aliens who are murdering and raping."

Lately, the unease has been turned up in other ways. Several local young immigrants covered by President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program have recently been detained. While the government officially maintains that its deportation efforts target criminals, its raids have increasingly swept in others, shown in a regional Northwest operation last week.

Local law enforcement officials oppose a sanctuary crackdown, because - aside from not wanting to lose federal money - they see it driving immigrant communities deeper underground, making them unwilling to talk to police about any other crime. Already, says Herrera, undocumented immigrants - who may have been here a decade or longer - are becoming reluctant to deal with government about programs that would benefit their American citizen children, or even for something like a marriage license. In Los Angeles, sexual assault reports are down by a quarter, presumably due to women concluding that government might be more dangerous than their attacker.

Oregon authorities have resisted the Trump administration's threats. Last week, Gov. Kate Brown cited "my recent executive order that precludes all state agencies from treating Oregonians as criminals solely on the basis of immigration status," and insisted, "What the federal government can't do under the U.S. Constitution is conscript state law enforcement officers to implement the policies of this administration."

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler challenged the administration's power to cut off law enforcement funding - San Francisco and Seattle have already filed suits on the issue - but conceded that the federal immigration agency "has the power to operate within our city, and does not have to inform us of their activities."

Herrera points out that there are parts of Oregon where the feds don't often reach, but local sheriffs and police might have their own agenda. In some parts of the country, such as California's Central Valley, farming figures are beginning to express concern about the impact of mass deportation. But in Oregon, reports Herrera: "I haven't heard anything. My question is, what are they going to do? Who is going to pick up the crops?"

Catholic Charities doesn't have its own attorney as it works with Oregon's undocumented immigrants - estimated at as many as 150,000 - although it's hoping to add one. Now, it gets help from volunteers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, some support from local foundations and, adds Herrera, "parishes are starting to step up" - although he notes that Catholics, like everyone else, are not entirely united on the issue. Catholic Charities' funding from the federal government, for refugee resettlement and some other programs, is either dropping or endangered, and it's not easy to find outside help when everybody else's funding is threatened, as well.

Herrera came here in 2003, a lawyer from Colombia, granted U.S. asylum from a bloody civil war thickened by heavily armed drug gangs. He understands something about insecurity and looking around corners. "We're not protecting criminals," he says of Catholic Charities' efforts. "We're protecting families from being separated."

When the elevator opens on John Herrera's floor of the Catholic Charities building in Southeast Portland, arrivals face a large-print quotation from Pope Francis: "I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty, because it has been out on the streets."

Or holding charlas in church basements.

David Sarasohn's column appears on the first and third Sundays of the month. He blogs at davidsarasohn.com.
BLOOMINGTON  Parity between online retailers that don't collect sales tax and brick-and-mortar merchants who do has gotten a boost from e-commerce giant Amazon.com.

On Saturday, Amazon began collecting sales tax in all 45 states that have one. Alaska, Delaware, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire do not have sales tax.

Amazon has stepped up, and they are doing the right thing, said Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. They are going to collect in every state that has a sales tax; and not just the ones (where) they have a physical presence.

Under current federal law, retailers must collect sales tax only in states where they have a physical presence.

In Illinois, Amazon and other e-commerce merchants are required to collect and remit the state's 6.25 percent sales tax under the state "e-fairness" law that went into effect in 2015.

But to really level the playing field between e-commerce businesses and brick-and-mortar merchants, the federal government has to authorize the collection of sales tax, or the United State Supreme Court must overturn a 1992 decision in the case of Quill vs. North Dakota, said Karr.

The Quill decision was pre-Internet. It said that someone had to have a physical presence in order for the state to compel collection" of sales or use tax in the purchaser's state, said Karr. "If they were to (overturn it) then states could collect it.

At the federal level, the Marketplace Fairness Act is among several bills introduced to address sales tax collection on out-of-state sales.

Absolutely, it's a leveler," said Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner. "It may very well benefit retailers and local governments because right now you can shop online and not have to pay any sales tax.

"Local governments' sales tax revenues are flat or declining so that is one of the things the Marketplace Fairness Act would address."

Since 1990, Illinois has collected a 6.25 percent tax on retail sales, with the state keeping 5 percent and returning 1.25 percent to local governments.

The total amount of sales tax remitted to the state was around $11.2 billion in fiscal year 2016, of which Bloomington received $13.7 million as its share.

Bloomington and Normal also levy local sales taxes as home-rule communities, so the current total sales tax, city and state, is 8.75 percent for both communities.

Bloomington anticipates receiving $24.7 million in local home rule sales tax revenue for the fiscal year that ends April 30, said Carla Murrillo, Bloomington budget manager. About $2.4 million of that amount is earmarked for McLean County's mental health initiative, including expansion of services and space at the county jail.

Officials note that even though people are required to pay a use tax on online purchases when they file their tax returns, the compliance rate is low.

Another proposed bill would amend Illinois' Use Tax Act to make online purchases more accountable.

It would require retailers with more than $100,000 in gross sales to Illinois customers, and who do not collect tax on those sales, to notify those purchasers that tax is due and that they must file a return with the state.

If enacted, the legislation would further require those merchants to report to the Illinois Department of Revenue the total amount Illinois purchasers paid for their purchases during the preceding calendar year.

Amazon has been collecting sales tax in Illinois so that bill would not apply to them," said Karr. "The bill applies to entities that are not required to collect tax in the state so that means they don't have a physical presence here."

The Illinois Department of Revenue estimated that uncollected sales tax from e-commerce transactions cost the state $212 million in 2013.

I believe that is the last study the Department of Revenue conducted or provided estimates on, said Illinois Department of Revenue spokesman Terry Horstman.

A more recent study has not been conducted because it's difficult to differentiate between online purchases and brick-and-mortar commerce, he said.
BLOOMINGTON  The Central Illinois Chapter of The Links will celebrate its 15th annual scholarship program with a tea time fundraiser this month.

Doors open at 11 a.m. April 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center at 10 Brickyard Drive in Bloomington. The event will start with a silent auction and tea will be served at noon.

This years theme is 15 Years of Crystal Brilliance.

The purpose of the event is to raise money for chapter programming and scholarships that are given to local high school seniors and Heartland Community College students.

At least 10 scholarships will be awarded at the luncheon. Scholarship applicants submitted a written essay and recipients are chosen based on grades, community involvement and their essay.

Since 2005, the local chapter has awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships.

Many scholarship awardees have gone on to college and graduate school and onto some very fulfilling careers. They come back and share just how meaningful our scholarship has been to them, said Renee Thompson Fletcher, president of the Central Illinois chapter.

Were eager to invest in the youth of our community and help make it possible for them to go on to higher education.

The event also will feature actress Karan Kendrick, known for The Hunger Games and Hidden Figures. She will speak to the group about her life journey and women empowerment.

This event has become a signature in Central Illinois, said Thompson Fletcher. The support we get from the community has a lot to do with it. Attendance at our tea event continues to grow and people look forward to that.

Tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under.

Tickets can be purchased through a LINKS member or at www.centralillinoislinksinc.org.

The Links Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit public service organization of more than 14,000 professional women. The purpose of the group is to engage in educational, civic and intercultural activities to enrich the community.
NORMAL  A Bloomington man was killed after being struck by an SUV Friday night on Veterans Parkway in Normal, police said.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate Jeffery A. Darr, 50, died from multiple blunt injuries, said McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis. Toxicology reports are pending.

Police were called at 8:24 p.m. to the scene between Fort Jesse and Shepard roads. Witnesses said Darr entered the southbound lanes of traffic near Shepard and was struck by a vehicle.

Firefighters and police found Darr showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:19 p.m. by the McLean County coroner's office.

Police said Darr was crossing the road in an area that was not designed for pedestrian traffic and the road was not well-lit. Investigators are working to determine why he was in the roadway.

The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with police, police said.

Southbound traffic was stopped at Shepard Road and northbound traffic from Fort Jesse Road was restricted to one lane as authorities investigated the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to contact Normal police at 309-454-9535.
Because of his promotion of originalism, Justice Scalia divided judges into two kinds: those who emphasize the letter of the law and all the rest. Judge Gorsuch has indicated that he follows those who emphasize the letter of the law.

Two problems arise to suggest that this approach is a bad one. the first problem is that in fact a judge uses something other than the law to reach a judgment. If all judges followed the letter of the law, there would be no need for judges as everyone would agree. Instead, a judge uses his or her humanity, the precedents that he or she finds important, as well as prejudices  the stuff of the current confirmation hearings.

In other words, originalism seems a contradiction, or at least a paradox in its denial of the personal, and human, factor in coming to the conclusion.

The second problem is that this approach can  and does  deny justice. When Justice Scalia was asked about the Nuremberg trials, he remained silent  knowing that no written law existed to bring to judgment crimes against humanity. In other words, his silence suggested that the Nuremberg trials were unjust, whereas the common sense of humankind understood that the Nazis needed judgment on their evil.

Justice is about people: law is there to judge people. Very smart people, like Justice Scalia and Judge Gorsuch, often think that their knowledge of law itself enables justice, whereas their "originalism" tries to deny compassion, prejudice, and common sense  and creates injustice.

Joris Heise, Bloomington
Georgia lawmakers passed the "campus carry" gun bill on Friday. If approved at the governor's office, the bill will give licensed gun owners above the age of 21 the permission to carry concealed handguns in public colleges and universities.

Lawmakers approved the campus carry bill, HB 280, at the end of the legislative session after several deliberations. Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed a similar bill last year as it failed to convince him on how the law would keep students safe around campus.

HB 280, however, addressed the governor's concerns. Cited in the bill were exemptions as campus carry doesn't cover university residences and dorms, fraternity and sorority houses, shared sites with preschools or highs schools in the campus and sporting events facilities, as per CNN. Campus carry also doesn't cover private colleges and universities.

Students for Campus Carry Director Robert Eagar said these exemptions were but minor fixes and he's hoping it will be approved and amended, too. His group appealed to the governor to sign the bill passed on his table.

"I think this would give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to defend themselves," the student advocate said, as per USA Today. "If they can carry anywhere else, this would be no different," he added.

Anti-gun violence advocates, however, called on the governor to oppose the bill again. "Governor Deal said that it would 'require overwhelming justification' to allow guns on campus," Lindsey Donovan of Moms Demand Action said, per US News. "That justification didn't exist a year ago and it certainly doesn't exist now."

Governor Deal has 40 days to decide on the campus carry gun bill. Georgia is one of 17 other states across America that disallows guns in schools but pro-gun advocates believe this is a violation of the Second Amendment.

Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers discussed gun bills at the legislative sessions in the last five years. The state's legislators already passed the bills twice.
Patna: Supporters of Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav were livid on Saturday when the police brought the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) chief to a court in Patna for his bail petition hearing in handcuffs, reportedly a violation of an existing rule under which a sitting MP is not allowed to be handcuffed.

As reported, Yadav was arrested on March 27 in a case of causing disruption to normal life in Patna last January. He is cooling his heels at Patna's Beur Jail after his request to keep him in the prison infirmary was denied by the jail officials.

On Saturday, the JAP leader was expected to be brought to the court of Sangeeta Rani for a hearing on his bail petition. As the prison armored vehicle transporting Yadav from Beur Jail to the court arrived at the courthouse around 12:30 pm, police slapped handcuffs in the MPs hand while escorting him to the courtroom.

Seeing this, dozens of party workers and activists cried foul and started to chant anti-administration slogans saying the Nitish administration was trying to 'finish off' Pappu Yadav for his war against the corrupt regime in Bihar.

"Pappu Yadav is a 5-term Member of the Parliament. He is no threat to the society and he has no intention to escape from the judicial custody. By putting handcuffs in his hands, the city police acted like the thugs of the Nitish government who have been ordered to crush any voice of dissent in Bihar. However, our voices cannot be crushed and our fight against this corrupt regime will only get stronger," said party state President Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha.

Other leaders including Akhlaq Ahmed, Raghupati Prasad Singh, and Premchandra Singh condemned the handcuff incident saying Pappu Yadav's only crime was to launch a fight against the failed government of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Accusing the government of acting out of malice, JAP leaders said if Pappu Yadav was not released immediately, they will be forced to launch a statewide stir that would bring Bihar to its knees.

Incidentally, in spite of all the drama at the courthouse, the judge declined the bail plea of Pappu Yadav asking the police to submit the case diary from January that led to the arrest of the JAP leader.
Total developing own Iran banking channels

04/01/17

Source: Press TV

French energy giant Total says it is trying to develop its own mechanism to carry out Iran-related banking transactions without falling afoul of US primary sanctions that still restrict doing financial activities with the Islamic Republic.



Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne told the New York Times that his company was trying to find European lenders willing to be a day-to-day banker in Iran - in a sign that shows the company's determination to press ahead with its investment plans in Iran.



Pouyanne added that his company had been sending small amounts of euros from banks in Europe to Tehran to learn how difficult it was to make transactions in Iran.



Wary of running into trouble with the American authorities, larger banks are for now staying away, wrote the New York Times.



"We have identified some, I would say, medium-sized banks who are ready to work with Iran," Pouyanne said.



He added that Total had put several token transactions through the banking system as test, hoping to identify difficulties in getting money into and out of Iran.



"There are some constraints, but we can do it," he told the New York Times in an interview.



Total signed a preliminary agreement with Iran last year to develop Phase 11 of the country's giant South Pars gas field. The French major would lead a consortium that comprises China's CNPC and Iran's Petropars over the project. Nevertheless, it would still need Washington's green-light before sealing a final deal with Tehran over the project.





Total signed a preliminary agreement with Iran in November 2016

to develop Phase 11 of the country's giant South Pars gas field.

(file photo by Islamic Republic News Agency)

Pouyanne told reporters in February that his company's final investment decision on Phase 11 would depend on whether US President Donald Trump waives executive orders against investments in the Iranian energy sector.



Nonetheless, Total chief indicated in his interview with the New York Times that his company was eager to venture into the Iranian market even though other global energy giants had hung back over fears of punitive measures by the US.



"We are a little bolder than others," Pouyanne said. "It is part of our strength."
Iranians celebrate Sizdah Bedar nature festival by going outdoors

04/02/17

Report by Press TV; photos by ISNA_UR

Iranian people are celebrating Sizdah Bedar, the traditional Persian festival of nature, by spending time outdoors with family and friends. The ancient Iranian festival was held on Sunday, which this year marks the 13th day of Farvardin the first month on the Persian calendar.



People celebrating Sizdah Bedar in Isfahan by Zayandehroud river





The festivities include picnicking outdoors in parks, valleys, mountainsides, or the countryside.



Sizdah Bedar gives Iranians a chance to play outdoor games, have special food, and enjoy the fresh springtime air. It is also referred to as Nature's Day.





Sizdah Bedar in Qazvin



Ash-e reshteh, a popular Iranian stew made of noodles, greens and beans, and covered with curd, in addition to lettuce with sekanjabin, a traditional Iranian syrup made of honey and vinegar, are eaten by many people on this day.



Sizdah Bedar marks the end of the two-week Persian New Year (Nowruz) Spring holidays and has deep roots in Iranian history.





Sizdah Bedar in Vakilabad, Mashhad



Nowruz itself has been known for over 3,000 years and is celebrated worldwide, not only by the Iranians, but also by other groups and ethnic communities living in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea region, and the Balkans.



Nowruz marks the first day of Farvardin and is the day of the vernal equinox marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.



It usually falls on March 21. Families gather together on this day to observe rituals and celebrate.



Sizdah Bedar in Tehran


























Does the Road to Tehran really lie through Sana'a?

04/02/17

By James Spencer (source: LobeLog)

The Washington Post reports that "The Pentagon is looking to increase support for Saudi Arabia's two-year-old war against Houthi rebels in Yemen[. ...] The Pentagon views increased support for the Saudi-led coalition as one way of potentially pushing back against Iran's influence in Yemen, as well as shoring up ties with an ally that felt neglected by the previous administration."

The policy is apparently not completely decided. "The Trump administration has yet to make a final decision and Defense Department officials are locked in a debate over the issue with the White House, with some senior aides to Trump favoring confronting Iran elsewhere, one advisor said." However, the Secretary of Defense's subordinate commander, CENTCOM chief Army Gen. Joseph Votel told Congress this week that "there are vital U.S. interests at stake" in Yemen, which is both vague and remarkable-military doctrine used to define "Vital Ground" as "Ground of such importance that it must be retained or controlled for the success of the mission." The current DoD Dictionary no longer has such an entry, but it does raise the question of what the U.S.'s mission in Yemen is.

In terms of economics, Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab / Straits of Perim are a key choke-point on the normal East - West trade route via the Suez Canal. Yet the World did not stop turning while the Suez Canal was closed in the 1960s and 1970s. Shipping went via South Africa (and, increasingly, can now go via the Northern Sea Route.)

In terms of regional politics, Yemen is unimportant to the Iranians, except to goad and divert Sa'udi attention from Syria and Iraq - which are Iran's Vital Ground. The Shi'a in Yemen are Zaydis, very different from Iranian Shi'a, and have their own, independent agenda. Similarly, the Kingdom of Sa'udi Arabia is actually concerned with the potential of a genuine democracy in its backyard, not Iranian expansion.

Geo-politically, Yemen is of little and declining importance. More widely, while the Sa'udis may have "felt neglected by the previous administration". In fact, what Obama was trying to do was balance the Shi'ism-exporting Iran with the Wahhabism-exporting Sa'udi Arabia, and thus reduce the cost in blood and treasure to the U.S. tax-payer; surprisingly thrifty for a law professor. Geo-strategically, backing the Sa'udi side in this struggle renders the U.S. vulnerable to the potential shock of a Sa'udi revolution as happened when the Iranian Empire fell in 1979.





Aftermath of Saudi bombardment of Yemen

(March 2015 file photo)



The problem with the U.S. "pushing back against Iran's influence in Yemen" is that Iran's influence in Yemen is minor, and so intangible that the U.S. and the Sa'udi-led Coalition have struggled to produce (publishable) evidence of it. Most of the weaponry used by the Huthis and Salihis has come from domestic (many U.S.-supplied) sources, as does the financing. The UAVs and anti-tank guided missiles possibly sent from Iran are not game-changing in either quantity or quality, so cutting off that supply will have limited impact on the battle for Yemen. The Coalition already has a tight blockade against Yemen, and CTF-150 has been in place countering terrorist weapons moves for 15 years.

It is difficult to see how "Pressing ahead with stalled arms shipments to the Saudi government; using drones to help gather intelligence for strikes on Houthi targets; and assistance in planning the recapture of the critical Red Sea port city Hodeidah from Houthi forces" would tip the balance much in the Coalition's favour: the U.S. has already provided advanced military equipment, and supplied extensive intelligence. So far, with that U.S. assistance, the Coalition have captured most of the level terrain close to the coast / Sa'udi border. Such further U.S. assistance to consolidate the Coalition's conquest will have no impact on the really hard fighting - the battle to break into the mountains and seize Sana'a.

One humanitarian reason suggested for U.S. military assistance is that "the recapture of the critical Red Sea port city Hodeidah from Houthi forces ... would allow humanitarian supplies to flow into the famine-wracked country." Yet while there are Huthi / Salihi obstacles in Hodeidah, the main limitations on getting "humanitarian supplies to flow into the famine-wracked country" are the Coalition blockade and the lack of bulk-handling equipment, since the Sa'udis refused to let the UN land replacement cranes. Inland, there are also major problems distributing the aid, some of which are Huthi / Salihi checkpoints / shakedowns, but many are due to damage to infrastructure by Sa'udi airstrikes, the limited quantities of fuel available for trucks to distribute the aid - and indeed, the fighting itself.

There is one mildly optimistic note: since the IRI - Huthi relationship is tenuous, there is little risk that "seeking to checkmate Iran's influence in Yemen could provoke retaliation from Tehran against the United States". Just as Yemen is unimportant to the Iranians, so, too, are the Yemenis.

If there is no coherent mission, the potential for mission creep is frightening. Yemen has been called Nasser's Vietnam; Washington was sucked into its own Vietnam incrementally, starting with "advisors" and Foreign Military Sales ....



About the author:

James Spencer is a retired British infantry commander who specialized in low-intensity conflict. He is an independent strategic analyst on political, security and trade issues of the Middle East and North Africa and a specialist on Yemen. Photo: Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
A man who apparently had drank bleach injured two deputies Wednesday as they approached him in a hospital waiting room.

Colorado River Medical Center staff called the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday to report that the man, later identified as Charles Klado, 32, of Needles, was acting unusual after coming in with a gallon bottle of bleach and claiming to have drank from it, a sheriffs news release states.

When the two deputies dispatched to the center approached Klado, he became violent and combative toward them, tried to disarm them and resisted their efforts to arrest him, the news release states.

After a struggle, the deputies were able to take Klado into custody and have him treated for the ingestion of bleach, the news release states. He was later transported by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas for further treatment.

Both deputies were treated at the hospital for unspecified injuries.

According to the news release, the case is being forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorneys office for review and filing of charges.

Sheriffs booking records did not indicate Saturday that Klado was in custody.
Though a closure of the southbound lanes of the 15 Freeway in Fontana inconvenienced area businesses and passing motorists, traffic in the area was relatively light on Saturday.

Even on the 215 in Devore, which officials had recommended as an alternative route to the 15, traffic did not appear to be particularly heavy, according to a California Department of Transportation quickmap.

Transportation officials had feared the 55-hour closure  part of a $3 million Fontana-funded project to install a new storm drain underneath the freeway  would cause traffic backups through the Cajon Pass.

RELATED: Why 15 Freeway lanes are closing for two weekends

A similar closure will close the northbound lanes starting at 11 p.m. Friday, April 7.

Still, the closure had inconvenienced some area businesses and passing motorists.

Laura Rivera, an attendant at the Arco gas station off the 15 Freeway and Sierra Avenue, said business was down by 25 percent Saturday morning.

She figured everyone was taking the detour to the 215, which meant less business at the station.

Its less people coming through, said Rivera, who works a 12-hour shift starting at 5 a.m.

The weekends are typically busy for the gas station, which is one of the last stops before getting to the Cajon Pass.

Motorist John Mann got off on Sierra Avenue to put air in his tires. Mann, who was traveling from Pinion Hills, was a little annoyed to learn that he wouldnt be able to get back on the 15 southbound.

Mann and his family were on their way to the Irvine Spectrum shopping center.

I didnt expect to not be able to get back on the freeway, he said. I guess were taking the scenic route.

According to his GPS, that meant an extra 3 miles to get to the 210 and then back on the 15 southbound.

Ive never been to Irvine and I thought it would be nice to get out of the High Desert and see a little green, he said.

As Mann wrapped up, he conveyed, at least its not bad weather.

Over at the nearby Chevron gas station, the same thing happened to Joyce Allgood, of Victorville, who was on her way to Orange County when she got off the 15 southbound at Sierra Avenue to fill up her tank.

We got off and now we cant get back on the freeway, she said. Now we have to backtrack.

But she said the minor detour wasnt going to ruin her plans, adding that she left early to give herself time.

You have to prepare because you never know about a traffic closure or accident, she said.

Allgood, who was at the gas station shortly before noon, said there was no traffic driving down the Cajon Pass.

Over in Devore, where motorists were advised to use the 215 as a detour, businesses hadnt experienced any extra bump in traffic. About 10:30 a.m., there were only two cars at the Shell gas station off Devore Road.

Anna Freeman, the attendant at the Shell station, said, its business as usual.

Freeman said she expected the delays to occur later in the day and Sunday, when motorists are heading back from Las Vegas.
Hemet residents are again asking that traffic controls be installed near West Valley High School after a teenage boy was seriously injured when he was hit by a truck while in a crosswalk.

Nick Tusant, 16, was crossing Mustang Way near Morgan Hill Road on his way to school at 6:28 a.m. March 24 when a Dodge Dakota pickup driven by a 71-year-old man struck him, police said.

RELATED: Student hit by truck near West Valley High School

Nick remained hospitalized late last week with a severe brain injury.

Hes in very critical care with a lot of brain trauma, Nicks father, Richard Tusant, said by phone Wednesday, March 29. The only thing we can look forward to in the short term is trying to get the swelling down.

The crash prompted an online petition from Hemet resident Teena Riley seeking to have a stop sign erected because of the alarming number of accidents at the intersection.

These accidents are completely preventable by installing a stop sign  to slow the vehicles who are driving through the area at speeds that are not suitable for driving conditions near the school, the petition states. If installing a stop sign can save the life of even one person, then the benefit will have drastically outweighed the potential cost.

Riley, who has children at two other Hemet schools, said its important to advocate for stronger safety at the crosswalk.

No parent should ever get the phone call that their child has been injured or killed simply walking into or out of their school parking lot, she said.

Riley is organizing a candlelight vigil near the site from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8, to raise awareness about the dangers of the intersection, the need for the stop sign and/or speed bumps, and to acknowledge the students who have been injured there.

The crosswalk was upgraded in November 2012 after three students were hospitalized that February after being hit by a car. The crossing includes flashing lights on two posts under crosswalk signs and lights embedded in the ground that flash when the crosswalk is in use.

RELATED: Crosswalk completed near West Valley High

Since the crash, the Hemet police have had an extra presence in the area and officers have been issuing tickets to unsafe drivers, West Valley Principal Janice Jones said.

A request for a stop sign would go to the city and be reviewed by the engineering department. Interim City Engineer Nino Abad said a study would be done to see if traffic controls are warranted based on issues such as traffic volume and the number of crashes.

The three-way intersection, which is between a housing tract to the north and the school to the south, is not far from Sanderson Avenue, which has signals, and there are laws related to traffic-signal spacing, Abad said.

Abad said there are options besides a full signal, referring to the pedestrian signal near Hemet Valley Medical Center that functions only when someone is crossing the street.

Steve Covington, chairman of Hemets Traffic and Parking Commission, questioned the proximity to Sanderson. He suggested that perhaps more signs can be installed to alert drivers to the crosswalk.

I dont know the exact distance, but westbound traffic at the crosswalk would back up considerably into Sanderson with a stop sign or a light, he said. This is definitely a tragic accident and the city will do everything possible to make sure the area is as safe as legally possible, he said.

Richard Tusant said he and his wife, Jessica, are praying for their sons recovery. Hes their only child.

We dont know what the future will be like, he said. I just want to get my son home.

He said Nick, a junior, would walk to school every day and use that crosswalk.

Nick enjoys video games, is a film buff and a member of FFA, his dad said. He is a quiet leader who likes to remain behind the scene.

He loved being helpful, Richard Tusant said. He didnt have to be in the spotlight.

Jones said Nick is an integral part of the schools agriculture program.

Nick is known and loved by many people on campus, she said. He is known for his quick smile, impeccable manners, his intelligence and his excellent work ethic.

The school community has reached out to the family, she said.

School staff has been collecting money and food gift cards for the student and his family, which we delivered to them at the hospital this week, Jones said.

A donation page has been set up at gofundme.com/nick-tusant-medical-fund.

We just love him. We want him home, Richard Tusant said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will meet the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a grand durbar of chiefs at the Manhyia Palace on Saturday as part of his three-day tour of the Ashanti Region.



The president will use the historic occasion to personally thank the Asantehene for his support during the 2016 polls.



He will also thank the people of Asanteman for voting massively for him to win the 2016 presidential election.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos move is to maintain constant interaction with Ghanaians, and he intends to institutionalise it by spending a weekend in a region every month of his tenure in order to acquaint himself with challenges confronting the regions. He would be accompanied by senior government officials.



Sources disclosed that in accordance with tradition, President Akufo-Addo, would seek Otumfuos blessings to help him properly steer the affairs of the country.



DAILY GUIDE has gathered that from the Manhyia Palace, the first gentleman of the land would meet members of the transport unions in Kumasi and visit the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to see the abandoned Maternity Block.



He would go to the Kumasi Central Market and later interact with the media in the city.



On Sunday, the president is expected to attend two church services, at the Saint Cyprians Anglican and the Bantama Methodist Churches and meet Muslims. The tour will be climaxed with a rally at the Jubilee Park.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ghana and Japan on Friday, signed two grant agreements totally $ 58.4 million, geared towards the improvement of international corridor roads and sector budget support to promote health service delivery.



The signing of the agreements were initialled for Ghana by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, while that of Japan was by Mr Kaoru Yoshimura, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan and Mr Koji Makino, the Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).



The grant agreement signing was done in Accra at a reception to mark the 60 years anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.



The first is $ 56.6 million ( 4.375 billion) grant agreement for the project for the Improvement of International Corridor Roads in Ghana.



This comprises of the implementation of the project for improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout and the detailed design for the rehabilitation of National Trunk Road N8 Phase II.



The concept of the rehabilitation of the National Trunk Road N8 Phase II involves: Rehabilitation of the 31.2km Assin Fosu - Asssin Praso road section with asphalt concrete pavement and the dualisation of the 1.2km section in the centre of urbanised area of Assin Fosu township.



Others are the replacement of an existing railway overpass bridge with a box culvert, reconstruction/rehabilitation of drainage facilities between Assin Fosu and Assin Praso and installation of a toll collection facility at the south of Assin Praso township.



The second grant is a $ 1.8 ( 200 million) sector budget support to promote health service delivery in Ghana.

The overall aim of this grant is towards poverty alleviation through improved health status of the Ghanaian population and the attainment of Universal Coverage of Health Services in Ghana.



The grant, which is to support government budget allocation to the primary health care level, would be given to the Ministry of Health for onward allocation to the Ghana Health Service, which is the implementing body of the grant.

The grant amount would be disbursed with 2017 to support community health activities in Northern, Upper East and West Regions.



It would specifically support home visit activities of Community Health Officers (CHOs) and system strengthening.

Madam Botchwey said the event was an important milestone for the two countries to recognise the significance of bilateral partnership that they have had in the process of their socioeconomic development through the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA).



"Japan has remained a reliable friend of Ghana, since the arrival of the great scientist, Dr Noguchi of blessed memory in the then Gold Coast in 1927, to conduct research into yellow fever for the survival of mankind.



"The relationship between the two countries was further consolidated, when Ghana attained Independence in 1957, with the two countries establishing diplomatic relationship that year," she said.



"The strengthening of relationship between our two countries over the years had been characterised by our common desire to forge friendship and corporation based on mutual respect and support for each other's development aspiration, as well as solidarity in the pursuit of peace, stability and security," she added.



She said remarkably, the traditional bonds of friendship and corporation forged at the political level had greatly manifested in steady economic growth of the two countries.



Madam Botchwey said over the past decades, Ghana and Japan had enjoyed fruitful economic and technical corporation as evidenced by the latter's assistance to the former in practically every aspect of the economy; such as finance, agriculture, food aid, governance, infrastructure development, culture, education and trade.



On the international scene, the Foreign Minister said, Ghana and Japan share common positions on global issues such as the reform and composition of the United Nations governance structure.



She said the two countries had over the years supported each other's candidature at the international level.

"The Government and people of Ghana sincerely appreciate the considerable financial and material support extended by Japan to Ghana over the years in our quest for economic development," she said.



Mr Yoshimura said the signing of the two grant agreements, was a proof of the strength of the relationship between Ghana and Japan.



"Japan has been a consistent development partner to Ghana since Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Ghana started in 1963," he said.



"I am, therefore, very much excited about how far our two countries have come," he said.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Faced with hiring a fourth chief executive in roughly a decade, the Cayuga County Legislature is looking to get some independent analysis of how the position of administrator is working.

At the same time, legislators are looking for a different consultant to take a look at the big-picture structure of county government, hoping to find some efficiencies that could help as budget pressures intensify for all counties in New York state.

Cayuga County administrator, reorganization discussions move forward Cayuga County is working to hire two different advisers  one to assist with assessing the r

Taking a hard look at the administrator post makes sense. Cayuga County is far better off with a professionally qualified and experienced manager overseeing day-to-day operations of county government, with its hundreds of employees and $143 million annual budget. But since transitioning to this model from the old system of elected Legislature chairs serving as the day-to-day chief, there have been struggles regarding issues such as chain of command and the definition of duties.

Paying a well-vetted consultant to help improve the job description ahead of hiring the next administrator should be a wise investment because ultimately, an effective county administrator can help the county become considerably more efficient.

And that leads us to our assessment of the other consulting plan. While we understand the idea behind getting outside help to examine county government's overall structure, it seems exactly like the kind of thing the Legislature should ask its next county administrator to do.

From school superintendents to private sector CEOs, one of the first tasks any newly hired top manager of an organization should take on is an assessment of the operating structure. Why should Cayuga County taxpayers pay a consultant to do the same thing just weeks or months before a new administrator is brought on board?

There's also the potential for overlap with the consultant who will be looking at the administrator post. Any examination of overall county government structure would need to dive into how top management operates.

So as legislators research their options in the next few weeks, they want to reconsider the wisdom of what seems like a plan to employ dueling consultants.
Fire on Saturday afternoon reduced the bedroom of the overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, into ashes.



Several belongings of the King estimated at several thousands of Ghana Cedis including his chieftaincy regalia have all been lost to the fire which is believed to have been caused by power surge.



It took the timely intervention of fire service personnel of the Ghana National Fire service to save other rooms from in the palace from catching fire it but has been established that everything in the chiefs room has been burnt beyond recognition.



A source at the police said the chief lost all his belongings that were in his bedroom. The Regional Minister is currently on his way to Nalerigu to assess the extent of damage caused to property of the chief



Chief E.D.sulemana (Noloabi Rana) who is a sub chief from the area confirmed the unfortunate incident to mynewsgh.com in a telephone interview.



It is true fire gut his bedroom and burnt everything. That is the reason why I rushed to Nalerigu to sympathize with him, he revealed.

Source: mynewsgh.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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Founder of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has commended Dr Cadman Mills, brother of the late John Evans Atta Mills for opening up on some of the circumstances surrounding the death of the President in July 2012.



Thank you, Brother Mills. Thank you for telling us the truth you know. Some said we should not talk. But your brother was our President and we needed and still need to know what happened to him. I maintain my position that some used him for their personal, political and material benefit when he needed them to take care of him. He was NDC and I am PPP but we will both be forever Ghanaians. Thank you, Dr Nduoms post on Facebook read.



Dr Cadman Mills in an interview on Starr FM intimated that his brother was not treated well by his handlers at the presidency in his last days.



He expressed that handlers of his brother hid his ailment for political expediency adding, that the government has treated the former President, shabbily after his death.



According to Dr. Atta Mills, almost five years after his brothers demise, government is yet to disclose to the family what the late president is entitled to as an Article 71 office holder.



My brother got very sick and was in South Africa in 2005 and he had treatment in South Africa and part of the effect of the treatment that he had was that progressively it affected his vision and affected his hearing a little bit. Otherwise, the treatment was extremely successful and he was getting progressively better. The only problem he had was [with] his vision and even that was getting better with time. We were very conscious of the sickness he had in 2005, and, therefore, he regularly had medical checkups to confirm that everything was ok, Dr Atta Mills told Bola Ray on Starr Chat, Wednesday.



He added: Now, some things were happening that I must be very honest I wasnt happy about. Fiifi, as I called him, was very open, very honest and hell sit down with you and tell you in gory detail what his prognosis was, what the diagnosis of his disease was.



Hes not somebody who will hide things, but for some strange reason, they decided that politically it was not allowable for people to know that he was sick. Before that I went to China and when I came back I couldnt recognise my brother, he was not even coherent. He was very visibly sick and Id never seen him like that before and I said we had to evacuate him immediately. We had to go to the U.S and that is when they started telling me that elections are going to be soon and politically it was not right. That was the first time I was very disrespectful of the Presidency.



I told them my peace of mind and I decided we had to go to the USA. What really got me furious was that they said he was going to the U.S for a routine medical checkup and I said what are you people talking about. My brother is a human being, hes not well. I wanted him to take the time necessary to get well. The fact of your being a president doesnt mean you dont get sick and what is political about getting sick but you see the narrative had been developed for a long time that he was a very sick man, he was on the verge of death at any given time, all of these were not true. 



Whatever got him ill, was it in April or May, was something Id never seen before. Surely enough we went to the US and lucky enough they detected very quickly whats causing it and he got much better. I was very angry with him when he came back and he wanted to show everybody that he was well. I confronted him on a lot of things including that.







Source: Ghanaweb.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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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is working with the government, Victoria Police and Melbourne Mayor Robert Doyle to introduce a number of new safety measures to protect Melburnians from events like the tragic car attack in January that killed six.

Mr Andrews told the media that the new safety measures being considered include:

Everything from bollards, planter boxes  these sort of permanent things  but with a technological angle, so bollards that can come up and down when needed, controlled from a central point  then of course sirens and other warning devices, theyre being looked at very closely as well. It may well be a very effective way of making sure in the event people need to take cover and need to take evasive action.

While the safety upgrades to the CBD might cost the government more than $10 million, the premier said he is committed to making Victorians feel safe in their cities  and to honouring the people who lost their lives in January.

Bourke Street calls us to make changes in honour of the memory of those who died and to honour the sacrifice and the service of so many who came to their aid. The world is changing, it is a different environment today than it was even five or 10 years ago and we need to respond to events that have happened on the other side of the world, and tragically events like Bourke Street.

Source: ABC.

Image: Wayne Taylor / Getty.
The famous Oxford-Cambridge boat race in London was almost cancelled on Saturday arvo after an actual unexploded WWII bomb was found metres from the starting line.

Police were called on Saturday after a person walking by Putney Bridge on the Thames River spotted the bomb on the foreshore. I know it looks like a huge turd, but it was an actual submerged bomb.

Marine experts examined the bomb and it was successfully removed by specialist officers, Scotland Yard said. Though initially there were concerns that the race would have to be cancelled, the removal of the bomb meant it could proceed as planned.

Chief Inspector Tracy Stephenson issued a statement on the bomb:

Im very happy to update that the ordnance has now been safely removed and the race will be going ahead as planned. We have been working very closely with the organisers of the boat race to plan this event, which is eagerly awaited by spectators and supporters alike.

A spokesperson for the race said it had only ever been called off during the first and second world wars.

Source: The Guardian.

Photo: London Metropolitan Police.
A Sydney man who was accused of being drunk and was thrown out of a Parramatta pub by security and arrested after allegedly only throwing back one beer has been handed a cool twenty thou by a judge who agreed that his arrest was unlawful.

Not a bad payday for a pint.

According to Johnny Raads complaint, he had just bought his second VB at the Albion Hotel when a security guard approached him and said he was intoxicated and needed to leave the venue. Raad says he had actually asked the same security guard a question only minutes earlier.

After an argument, a second security guard allegedly approached Raad in a menacing fashion and likely pushed him. Raad approached police who were at the venue and complained that he had been assaulted by security. The police promptly reprimanded him for not leaving the venue when instructed, and put him in handcuffs in the back of a paddywagon when it apparently looked like he was walking back towards the venue.

He spent two hours at Parramatta Police Station before being released.

Judge Matthew Dicker wasnt totally sold on the notion that Raad had only had one beer  given that hed been at the pub for three hours  but couldnt really establish the facts either way. Though he agreed Raad wasnt drunk, he said the security guards belief that he was intoxicated was a reasonable assumption.

But that didnt matter in the end. Because the police did not intend to charge Raad, the Judge Dicker found they were not lawfully justified when they arrested him. A person cannot be arrested merely to prevent the continuation of [an] offence if the police do not intend to charge the arrested person with the offence, he said.

He also noted the fact that multiple officers were involved in the arrest, even though Raad did not resist.

He handed Raad $20,000 on the grounds of false imprisonment. The freedom of a member of the public is important and arrests must take place for valid and lawful reasons, Dicker said.

There ya go, team. As always, know your rights.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Photo: The Simpsons.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with Dr. Martens because its their bloody birthday. To mark this impressive milestone, were taking a look at how Dr. Martens 1460 Boot influenced the 90s  and how the 90s influenced music in turn. Keep reading to find out how you can win one of five pairs were giving away, or head HERE to buy some.

Although incredible in their own right, were not talking about the likes of the Spice Girls, Hanson or S Club 7  were talking about the rebels of self-expression. Folks who moved in lesser-known circles, owned their sound, and progressed their genres into the non-mainstream mainstream.

Anyway, we took a look at a few of our fave bands and how they shook shit up in the 90s because we reckon their noise is, and will always, stand the test of time.

NIRVANA

Photo: Paul Bergen / Getty.

Ask any 20-something guitarist about the first 5 songs they learnt to play and well bet you a shiny dollar that at least one of them was a Nirvana tune. Bonus points if it was Smells Like Teen Spirit.

The group was comprised of guitarist / vocalist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and legendary drummer Dave Grohl who went on to found the iconic rock band, Foo Fighters.

Establishing themselves as a pillar of the US grunge scene, Nirvanas incredibly well-received 1991 album Nevermind became the anthem for an entire generation of angsty kids.

Oozing with enough lyrical apathy to make Gandhi take up smoking, Nirvanas messy riffs and loud choruses have influenced many of todays modern bands. Violent Soho, Blink 182, DZ Deathrays, and Basement all owe a big part of their sound to the OG grunge lords.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS

Photo: YouTube.

The Smashing Pumpkins took grunge to its melodic extreme, combining noisy, fuzzy guitars with moments of soft musical bliss. They were the masters of both realms and when they hit the scene, people listened.

Formed by frontman Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha, the bands iconic lineup also included bassist Darcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

The Pumpkins spawned hit after hit, many of which youre sure to remember, like 1979, Tonight, Tonight, Bullet with Butterfly Wings, Zero and Today.

Along with a persistent presence at some of the worlds biggest music festivals, Corgan and the band also made a cameo appearance in an episode of The Simpsons. You know the one.

Modern bands like Pity Sex, Silversun Pickups and A Perfect Circle are all heavily influenced by The Smashing Pumpkins (APC even stole Iha as their guitarist).

PEARL JAM

Photo: Pinterest.

Pearl Jam do that song Alive, the one where Eddie Vedder goes Owwaahhhh, OOHHHHHH Im a still alive, AYYYEEEE. You know, the one your dad always turns up when hes listening to Triple M in the car.

Lets face it, Pearl Jam have been a huge influence to what is now known as Dad Rock. Bands like Creed and Nickelback all owe a piece of their success to the Jam. But theres decent bands, too. Both Kings of Leon and Band of Horses draw inspiration from Eddie and the gang, along with acts like The Gaslight Anthem and Death Cab for Cutie.

GARBAGE

Photo: Pinterest.

With tunes like Stupid Girl, Push It, Crush and When I Grow Up, youve probably heard four-piece outfit Garbage whether you know it or not (the songs have feat. in films from Luhrmanns Romeo & Juliet to peak-Adam Sandlers Big Daddy).

Fronted by Shirley Manson (no relation to Marilyn Manson or his rumoured rib-removing, cock-sucking behaviour), the alt band were essential to 90s rebellion and badass feminism. In fact, theyre still pumping, with Shirley telling people who reckon shes too old for rock music at 50 to shove it, and same tbh.

NO DOUBT

Photo: Pinterest.

No Doubt  comprising of vocalist Gwen Stefani, guitarist Tom Dumont, bassist Tony Kanal, and drummer Adrian Young  have scored themselves two Grammys, five MTV Video Music Awards, and have even performed for Paul McCartney / POTUS at the annual Kennedy Centre Honours.

Whats our point? They managed to create a sound influenced by ska punk, reggae fusion, punk rock, pop punk, new wave, alternative rock and pop rock that penetrated the mainstream. Yep, it aint easy staying true to a sound (one that traditionally hasnt been all that much of crowd-pleaser) and have it be established as some of the most iconic tunes of the 90s.

At its most basic level, they bridged the gap between the masses and rock-loving subcultures without pissing either party off  a task thats easier said than done.

Look, weve just touched the surface of why the 90s were such an iconic era for music. We could go on and on about The Cranberries, Green Day, Oasis, Silverchair and the like, but theres someone else we wanna hero.

Dr. Martens, specifically the Dr. Martens 1460 Boot, was there for it all. The first pair of em rolled off the production line on the 1st of April, 1960 with the intention of being sold to blue collar folks. It was only a matter of time before they were adopted and subverted by diverse individuals, musicians, subcultures and tribes.

To celebrate its birthday and influence on music across the board, were giving away five pairs of these iconic shoes. If youre keen on scoring yourself some, enter the comp below:

WIN 1 OF 5 PAIRS OF DR. MARTENS 1460 BLACK BOOT

If youre not willing to let fate decide, head HERE to buy a pair.

Photo: Pinterest.
One child was killed and more than a dozen other people were injured in southwest Michigan on Saturday after a carbon monoxide leak in the indoor pool of a hotel in Niles.

The leak was discovered Saturday morning at the Quality Inn & Suites after staff members glanced through the window of the hotel's indoor pool and saw several children unconscious, lying on the deck, according to a local report.

First responders rushed the children to local hospitals; some of the rescuers were overcome by the noxious gas in the attempt, South Bend, Indiana, NBC-affiliate WNDU reported. Carbon monoxide readings in the hotel's enclosed pool area were 16 times higher than normal levels, the fire department told the news station.

MLive.com reports the child who died was 13-year-old Bryan Douglas Watts of Niles:

Watts and five other children, ages 12 to 14, were found unresponsive near the pool at Quality Inn & Suites about 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1.

Watts was pronounced dead at Lakeland hospital in Niles and the other children are being treated at Memorial hospital in South Bend. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Heidi Prescott, a spokeswoman for Beacon Health system, told The Washington Post that eight children had been brought to Memorial Hospital, along with one law enforcement officer. Six other patients - including the child who died - were taken to nearby Lakeland Hospital, said spokeswoman Megan Yore.

Each year, more than 400 Americans die of carbon monoxide poisoning and another 20,000 visit the emergency room, according to the CDC.

A Lebanon County, Pa., man and his daughter died in 2006 of CO poisoning at an Ocean City, Md., hotel.
Donald Trump,Haider al-Abadi

In this Tuesday, March 28, 2017 photo, President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with the Fraternal Order of Police. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

POTOMAC FALLS, Va. (AP) -- President Donald Trump says that the United States is prepared to act alone if China does not take a tougher stand against North Korea's nuclear program.



Trump's comments in an interview with the Financial Times come just days before he is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida. The two are expected to discuss a number of issues, including North Korea, trade and territorial disputes in the South China Sea during their meeting on Thursday and Friday.



"Yes, we will talk about North Korea," Trump told the newspaper for a story that appeared Sunday on its website. "And China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don't it won't be good for anyone."



Trump said trade was the incentive for China to work with the United States. Still, he said the United States could "totally" handle the situation in North Korea without China's help.



Asked how he would tackle North Korea, Trump said: "I'm not going to tell you. You know, I am not the United States of the past where we tell you where we are going to hit in the Middle East."

As wiretap issue refuses to die, Trump tells media to 'find the leakers'



While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbor, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.



The relationship between the United States and China has been uncertain since Trump's election. During his campaign he accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods and declare Beijing a currency manipulator, though it is unclear whether Trump will follow through with either threat.



Trump told the newspaper that he doesn't "want to talk about tariffs yet, perhaps the next time we meet."



Trump's ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, also offered tough talk on China, saying on ABC's "This Week" that the U.S. is pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Korea's nuclear program.



U.N. resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year, the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.



"They need to show us how concerned they are," Haley said. "They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that."



Asked what the U.S. would do if China doesn't cooperate, Haley said: "China has to cooperate."

US ambassador to UN calls for 'very strong' stance on Russia



Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, however, said he doubted that Beijing will cooperate.



"I've been working on the North Korea problem since 1994," Carter said on ABC. "And we have consistently asked Chinese leaders ... because they uniquely have the historical and the economic relationship with North Korea to make a difference.



"They haven't used that influence, and so it's hard for me to be optimistic with that," he said.
Update: Vehicle fire cleared.

The vehicle fire that was slowing Sunday traffic on Interstate 83 has been cleared.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the vehicle fire broke out around 12:21 p.m. Sunday in the southbound lane of I-83 at Exit 40A to Limekiln Road.

The fire caused a lane restriction for about an hour.

For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources.

Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here.

Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
A 32-year-old Lebanon man was killed in an early-Sunday crash in Swatara Township.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Jonestown, Tye Boehler died after the crash that occurred around 2:25 a.m. on the 100 block of Moore Road.

Pennsylvania State Police.

The vehicle in which Boehler was a passenger went off of the south side of the road and hit a tree with its passenger side.

Boehler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three others were in the vehicle when it crashed.

The crash remains under investigation.
14713_audgen_childline_WJS_04.jpg

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on the upcoming town-hall meeting: 'We want to help facilitate sharing of information from a variety of perspectives, and we want to explore what changes are needed to improve health care for everyone.'

(PennLive archives)

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and Treasurer Joe Torsella will headline a free town-hall style public meeting April 6 in Lancaster to discuss how changing America's

Pa. Treasurer Joe Torsella: 'This discussion on the future and finances of health care is happening all across Pennsylvania, as families struggle to navigate the system and plan for what's ahead.'

complicated health-care system could affect residents, businesses, and the commonwealth's finances.

"While momentum to make major changes to the nation's healthcare system is temporarily stalled in the Washington quagmire, Pennsylvania residents and businesses need more information about how they might be affected by changes proposed to date," DePasquale said in a Friday press release. "We want to help facilitate sharing of information from a variety of perspectives, and we want to explore what changes are needed to improve health care for everyone."

A panel of health-care, business and advocacy experts will offer their perspectives to the discussion, which will take place Thursday, April 6, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the High Auditorium of the Cooper Building at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, 850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster.

The list of panelists include the following:

Gene Barr, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry;

Jan Bergen, president and CEO, Lancaster General Health;

Paula Bussard, chief strategy officer, Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania;

Akash Chougule, deputy director of policy, Americans for Prosperity;

Ray Landis, AARP PA;

Marc Stier, director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.

Torsella: "This discussion on the future and finances of health care is happening all across Pennsylvania, as families struggle to navigate the system and plan for what's ahead. Proposed changes in health care have implications for the financial health of both the commonwealth and its families. That's why the auditor general and I, as the state's independent fiscal officers, think it's so important to bring the discussion into a town hall setting, and hear directly from constituents."

The town-hall meeting is free and open to the public. On-site parking is available (follow "Event Parking" signs to Cooper Building main entrance). Pre-registration is not required, but seating is limited to 400.
Shutterstock photo.

Top letters of the week

As you might imagine, we get more letters to the editor here at PennLive Opinion than we could ever hope to run. Some are turned down because they're too long. Some don't make the cut because they just don't have that something that makes them worthy of publication.

None of these have run on PennLive before. It's a nice way to clear the decks on a Sunday morning before another busy week of news devours our collective attention.

Ready? Here we go.

Don't Edit

Shutterstock photo.

10. Reader wants to make "The Sharks in the Park 2017" a reality

The Harrisburg area hosted Lancaster County's band, The Sharks, many times during their career. As a fan of this iconic 1980's band I'm asking readers of Pennlive to contact the Longs Park Amphitheater Foundation in Lancaster County.

Please ask them to consider having the Sharks play during their Summer Concert Series this summer. I have started a campaign on Facebook and know dozens of people have responded and voted for this band that won the MTV Basement Tapes competition in 1986 .

They originally played in this Amphitheater in 1982 and this year would be the 35th anniversary of that moment. This would undoubtedly bring back great memories to those in attendance and give the younger generations a chance to experience their music. Contact the foundation at 717-735-8883 and tell them you want to see "The Sharks in the Park 2017 ".

DAVE FRANTZ, Manheim Township

Don't Edit

Shutterstock photo.

9. National Wildlife Refuges should be safe places for wildlife

It saddens me that our Congress is considering legislation that would allow the killing of wolf pups and bear cubs and their mothers, while in their dens on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.

These National Wildlife Refuges should be safe places for wildlife. Yes, Alaska is seeking to kill baby animals in their dens, chase down bears from planes and helicopters, use steel-jaw leghold traps and neck snares to catch and kill bears, and allow dumping of baits to habituate bears to an area where they can be more easily killed.

All of these are proposed to occur on 16 national wildlife refuges covering 76 million acres in Alaska.

The House of Representatives, with Representative Scott Perry's supportive vote, passed this resolution in February. It has now moved to what is sometimes referred to as the "cooling saucer" of the U.S. Senate. I truly hope our senators act responsibly and ethically and vote no on SJ Res 18.

THOMAS MILLER, Monaghan Township

Don't Edit

Photo by MARK PYNES, The Patriot-News

8. Clerk of Court candidate says office is inefficient but, that's not what she said 7 years ago

Words are easy to speak, but facts are facts. In her campaign literature, Cathy Little says her motivation to run for Clerk of Court is "gross mismanagement, the inefficiencies, the overspending " in the office. But in her May 7, 2010 letter to the editor in the Carlisle Sentinel she wrote, "...only (Denny Lebo) has a proven record of watching out for taxpayer dollars..... Working with him everyday, I can attest that he is constantly looking for ways to make the office more efficient, ever mindful not to waste the taxpayer's hard earned money."

In fact, by employing quality employees and implementing cutting edge technology in the office, we are handling a 69 percent increase in our docketing caseload with only 14 percent more payroll hours, and processing 140 percent more payments monthly with just 20 percent more payroll hours in our Costs and Fines department.

This has resulted in the yearly per capita cost to Cumberland County taxpayers to run the clerk's office being reduced from $.37 in 2010 to actually subsidizing the County General Fund by $.15 per capita in 2015. Little's campaign words are contradicted by these facts and her own words from 2010. This should make suspect anything she says the rest of the campaign.

As Little ended that 2010 letter to the editor: "Will you vote for someone who is untested and unproven? That's not a gamble I'm (she was) willing to take".

The entire letter can be found by searching "Cathy Little" on May 7, 2010, on www.cumberlink.com.

DENNY LEBO, Cumberland County Clerk of Court, West Pennsboro Township

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Photo by Daniel Zampogna, Pennlive

7. Reader claims he knew before most people that Donald Trump would be victorious

In December of 2015, I sent a "Letter to the Editor" to PennLive. I said the 2016 presidential election was "already over" and that Donald Trump would be our next president. I said Trump would "brutalize and bully" his way to the presidency and his campaign, based on "hate, fear and intimidation", would greatly enhance his chance of winning the presidency.

How many people in the United States knew that in December of 2015?

My "Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator", "ENFP", means I have more intuition and perception than most people. I am a "big picture" person who also likes to simplify and summarize things "down to their basics".

It will soon be obvious to most people in our country that President Donald Trump will not act and think like many of our previous presidents. Trump wants to be a very strongly authoritarian leader like Russian President Vladimir Putin and has indicated so many times.

One of the other scary things about him is he "viciously attacks" and demeans people who disagree with him, even if they are members of the judiciary in our country or even our previous president. The rest of our country will find out what I have known since December of 2015, and that is we have elected a man as president who has the potential to be dangerous, and not because he is a Republican or a Democrat, but because he is Donald Trump.

JOHN SZWAST, Camp Hill

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Photo by CHRISTINE BAKER

6. Here's the truth about war-on-women bills

I was on the Capitol steps March 13 standing with Planned Parenthood and Keystone Progress to push back against House Bill 77 and Senate Bill 3.

We all know the truth about these war-on-women bills: 20-week bans are part of an agenda to ban all abortion, 20-week bans criminalize doctors, 20-week bans are unpopular and 20-week bans are unconstitutional.

These bans and the shuttering of clinics across the nation are leading to higher maternal death rates.

Would my legislators ban cardiac events, hypertension, preeclampsia, and other life-threatening conditions affecting women in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum?

Would my legislators pay attention to the opposition by the medical community?

Hoping one day I'm entitled to my life as promised in the Bill of Rights.

BARBARA SMITH PEARCE, Monroe Township

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5. The president is a liar and if he doesn't stop, remove him from office

Even though I am not a supporter of President Donald Trump I take no pleasure in saying this but it must be said. The president of the United States is a liar. This is truly an awful thing to say, but we must recognize the damage his lies are causing this country.

He has lied about three to five million illegal votes cast in the election, lied about news organizations spreading fake news and being "the enemy of the people", and lied about former President Barack Obama wire tapping his phones.

This what dictators do and it absolutely undermines the very foundation of our democracy. Leaders around the world do not trust him and our standing with the global community is diminished. This must stop and if it doesn't he should be removed from office.

WILL LOCKWOOD, Lower Paxton Township

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Photo by James Robinson

4. Trump Administration's proposed budget ignores dire human needs

It is tragic and cruel that the Trump Administration is ignoring dire human needs in favor of a greatly increased Pentagon budget.

I oppose proposed cuts in many good domestic programs, such as nutrition programs, the Environmental Protection Agency, Legal aid to the poor, the National Institutes of Health, and Medicaid. It is also very wrong that President Donald Trump wants to cut relief/development programs that would help many in Africa, Haiti, and other parts of the developing world at a time when the worst famines and wars are taking place in many such areas.

I also deplore Trump's cruel travel ban and his deportation of many brave and hard working refugees and undocumented immigrants.

These desperate people should be welcomed and given help and amnesty.

There is so very much waste in the Pentagon budget that, could alone meet many of these human needs. May God use us to reach out in His love to people of all races, creeds, and nations. We are one of all family in Him.

JOHN F. FUELLER, retired United Methodist Pastor, East Manchester Township

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Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP

3. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats can keep Obamacare for themselves

Someone once remarked that there wasnt a microphone that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didnt like. Chutzpah. Thats what Schumer displayed in his recent remarks at, yet, another media microphone.

Imagine his being involved in the passing of Obamacare that had not one vote from those on the right side of Congress and, now, his suggesting that those very same Republicans should tweak Obamacare to "improve" it instead of creating an entirely new "healthcare" plan. Certainly, in his view, "improving" Obamacare would get the Democrats off the hook as the plan is disintegrating before their very eyes. The Democrats currently own Obamacare outright. Why should conservatives now agree to help prevent the Democrat death-spiral?

To my mind, as despicable as it would be for Republicans to rescue the Democrats from their own legislative folly, it would be worse for House Speaker Paul Ryan to push through a bill that is little more than a slight improvement on Obamacare. To call either plan "health" care is nearly comical as the ultimate leftist legislative goal has always been single-pay government insurance with concurrent control over American lives.

What is needed at this juncture is the complete repeal of Obamacare (as promised) and allowing health care to return to a market-based system sourced entirely on Constitutional law. Sometimes, what is needed in government change is a very bold plan that seeks to further strengthen the Constitution.

I urge Congress to find some chutzpah to give us back control over our own lives including doctor and insurance choices.

GAYLE CRANFORD, Fairview Township

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2. Trump lies, again. What happened to repeal and replace on day 1?

After the Republican American Health Care Act bill's demise, President Donald Trump speaks defiantly to reporters who ask about future plans for Obamacare, arguing that "I never said repeal it and replace it within 64 days."

Repeal-and-Replace in 64 days? No. Trump lies. Again. If that's too strong a word for conservatives who still worship (at) his feet, then Trump's brain is incapable of retaining and recalling what it verbalizes. It's one or the other.

Trump's pledge, his promise, his assurance, his guarantee, his rant on the campaign trail was "repeal and replace". At Valley Forge on November 1, 2016: "We're going to immediately repeal and replace Obamacare, have to do it".

So where was his vaunted replacement plan on "day one", Inauguration Day? In the figment of his brain that imagines delusion, only.

Now the great deal maker blames Democrats, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for this legislative debacle. Will he also inculpate House Speaker Paul Ryan, who authored the Trump-endorsed American Health Care Act ?

Obamacare has serious problems, yes. (Frankly, when insurers saw Obamacare enrollment wasn't meeting expectations they knew they were in financial hot water and sought an out: "Hey, Republicans, rail against Obamacare and then let us redraft for you guys a new version that will give us insurers ever 'yuger' profits.")

Trump walks back his loudly touted - oft screamed - guarantee to his electorate, supplanting sulking and lying for the crafting of a real remedy to the challenge of affordable health care in America. Ah yes, the 'art' of the dealmaker.

LARRY E. ARNOLD, Susquehanna Township

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1. Bannon and Trump should take some advice from Ronald Reagan

As we anxiously await Steve Bannon's and our president's next veiled attempt at a religious test for entry into our country, I think we all should consider the following quote by our Republican friends' modern day hero.

"We must never remain silent in the face of bigotry. We must condemn those who seek to divide us. In all quarters and at all times, we must teach tolerance and denounce racism, anti-Semitism and all ethnic or religious bigotry wherever they exist as unacceptable evils. We have no place for haters in America  none, whatsoever," former President Ronald Reagan.

How low are we willing to go as a society?

JEFFERY ZIMMERMAN, Falls Township, Wyoming County
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Growing cannabis plants intended for the medical marijuana market are shown at OrganiGram in Moncton, N.B., on April 14, 2016. New Brunswick wants to be your marijuana supplier. The Liberal government, led by 34-year-old Brian Gallant, sees weed as green gold, an important creator of revenue and jobs in a province that badly needs both. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward
A Short Trek in Bhutan's Wild East

By Michael Buckley

Where the yaks and the Yetis roamand where Brokpa nomads weave their legends

Our 4WD vehicle has reached the end of the road. This pot-holed dirt track is the furthest east you can drive in Bhutan. From here, the only option is traveling on foot. In the tracks of Bigfoot. Welcome to Bigfoot Valley, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, a sign announces. This region has been set aside for wildlifeand supposedly to give Yetis a place to roam and find peace.

They have not only found peacethey have completely eluded Yeti-spotters employed by the Bhutanese government. Nonetheless, the high-altitude snowman is celebrated in Bhutan. A set of triangular Bhutanese postage stamps features the hairy beast of the far east. The toughest hike in the world is named after the Yeti: the Snowman Trek. This trek, right across the Himalaya range of northern Bhutan, takes almost a month to completeif the hiker actually manages to pull that feat off.

So far, the hairiest part of this trip has been traversing the main east-west road by 4WD to get to our trek start-point. The road is being widened from one lane to two. Which is being done in random order for the entire length. This means you have no idea when you drive around a corner whether a cliff-face is being dynamited or being excavated from a recent landslide, with precipitous drops off the side of the road.

The trip to Sakteng is best done in the spring or summer. But my timing is Novemberwhere a narrow window of time, post-monsoon, permits you to reach Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary before the icy grip of winter really closes inwhen temperatures plunge to minus 15 Celsius overnight in December and January.

The only ethnic group inside the sanctuary is the Brokpa. Sometime in the 7th century AD, Brokpa nomads fled Tsona in southern Tibet to escape an oppressive chieftain. They brought their most precious possessions with themtheir yaks. They also brought their legends and beliefs. Over a millennium later, the Brokpa are still yak-herders, semi-nomadic in nature, living inside Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhutan includes ethnic groups in its national parks and wildlife sanctuariesunlike what happens in neighboring Tibet where nomads are booted out of so-called national parks to make way for Chinese mining ventures and megadam building.

Encountering the Brokpa

We set off trekking with guide, cook, and wranglers, urging along horses that carry all our gear. Treks in Bhutan must be fully self-supported. Were hiking in yak country now, and they're bounding away, scared of us. On the horizon, we see some tantalizing snowcaps. A few hours into the hike, we have our first encounter with the Brokpa. Theyre a group of horsemen, foisting bowls of home-made moonshine on us. Some men are clad in serge-red woolen jackets. Others are wearing hairy jackets made from ghoral, a wild goat.

The Brokpa are a tough-looking lot: they have a dark complexion, and curlier hair than Bhutanese. Women wear a distinctive felt hat, made from yak-hair and shaped to the head, with parts woven into extensions that act to drain off rainwater. The moonshine offering is of uncertain alcoholic strength. Staggering onward and upward after this encounter, we finally reach the village of Merak.

First stop next morning: the village school, to present some books and crayons we have brought along as gifts. The atmosphere is tense: the school is under lockdown with all the kids arrayed across a field outdoors, bent over papers, doing their final exams. Each kid has a felt piece attached to his or her rear, to sit ona practical Brokpa innovation.

We wander around the town, poking our heads into small shops. One place seems to serve as a bar, with men gathered on benches outside drinking beer and eating chilli paste. Chili paste? Yes, the Bhutanese are very fond of chilies, adding them to almost every dish. And somehow the chilies keep finding their way into my food. The biggest mystery of this trip thus far is why the food continues to be laced with chilies. I have asked our cook to cool it, as they aggravate my lips, cracked from exposure to the elements. Then the food arrives, spicier than ever. The cook denies any chili additions.

We go to the cooking area. I pick up a bottle with chilies prominently displayed. Did you use this sauce? He laughs. Of course not! Then I pick up another bottle showing a graphic of tomatoes on the front, labeled Tomato Chili Sauce. How about this one? The cook nods in the affirmative. Turns out he cannot readin Bhutanese or English. He is going by the illustrations on the bottles.

The Brokpa are fairly self-sufficient in the food-line, deriving everything from their yaks and their sheep and goats. They make their own yak-milk, butter, curd and cheese. But they need to barter for chilies, tea, salt and other addictive items. Some shops have a fridgea big fridge. To get here it was carried in on some poor porters back. Inside the fridge: bags of chilies, and rows of a very stinky cheese made from yak-milk. It is used to flavor yak-meat soup.

The Brokpa conduct a big trade in yak-cheese, which is stored inside animal skins and shipped to towns in Bhutan and also carried by porters across the border to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, in India. There is also a brisk trade in wool from yaks, goats and sheep. The yak-herding and trading season is winding down due to the cold, and most folks are busy chopping up wood for winter, where they gather around wood-burning stoves that double as cooking devices.

Yak-assisted Trek

As we get ready for the next leg of the trekup and over a high pass, disaster strikes. The horseman who is supposed to carry all our gear has backed out at the last minute. But out of calamity can come better things. Pema, my guide, rushes frantically around the village and hires a herder with half a dozen yaks. We will be on a yak-assisted trek instead. The yaks eye us suspiciously and put up a valiant struggle against being loaded with gas canisters, cooking gear, and duffle bags. But once they are coaxed past the village gates, they give up and start eyeing the lush pastures beyond.

The day is long and strenuous, but ultimately rewarding, with sublime views of distant Himalayan snowcaps. We eventually crest 4,140-meter-high Nyukang La, marked by prayer flags. To my great disappointment, we have not spotted any wildlife, except birds. Maybe the wildlife is observing us, but is too stealthy for us to spot it. Pema explains that yak-herders out in remote pastures get glimpses of wildlife. Sometimes unwelcome glimpses as there is conflict with wildlife that goes after baby yaks or sheep. A snow leopard will attack a baby yak. So will packs of wild dogs. And rarely, one of their yaks just plain disappearsperhaps taken by a Yeti.

Making slow progress on the knee-jarring descent from the pass, we are caught out in dense bamboo and rhododendron forest at twilight. Coniferous trees look surreal because they have heavy loads of goat-beard moss hanging off them. Everything creaks, swaying in the wind, and the imagination starts working overtime. Is something stalking us?

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Recapturing My Religious Satirical Soul in Lutherland, Germany

By Becky Garrison

A religious skeptic who can't resist Christian satire visits Germany during celebrations of the anniversary of Martin Luther's reformation movement.

The year 2017 is special to Lutherans and church history buffs. Its the five hundredth anniversary of when Martin Luther (1483-1546) supposedly posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Even though no historical evidence exists that Luther actually nailed his theses to any church door, tourists continue to arrive in Wittenberg, fake hammers in hand, to reenact the supposed event.

This strikes home to me: For 14 years, I wrote for The Wittenburg Door (misspelling intentional), which was the nation's only religious satire magazine. After the Door closed its doors, I thought my days poking fun at the church's foibles had come to an end. Here was a chance to resurrect this particular brand of writing, or at least, to reexamine if I wanted to resume the mantle of a religious satirist.

Certainly, theres plenty to satirize in the official celebrations of Luthers life going on now, starting with their propaganda for virtual consumption on the Internet. Germans may not be known for their sense of humor, but the actor portraying Luther in the Virtual Luther app (available at Google Play and iTunes) did make me laugh, albeit unintentionally. Animated videos featuring a Lego inspired Luther depict a Disneyfied version of following in Luther's steps. Yes, we are in the Luther Decade (2008-2017), a ten-year series of celebrations commemorating the launch of the Reformation.

As soon as I got to Wittenberg, the Luther-branded wares stared at me, begging for a response. Really now: rubber duckies, beer, and chocolate with Luthers face? Its good German beer and chocolate, though. Dutifully, I took my share of photographs hoping for inspiration to strike me, similar to the thunderstorm that apparently scared Luther into becoming a monk. No reaction happened. I felt no response to the medieval wares for sale on Reformation Day (October 31), no burning desire to return just to immerse myself in the entire towns three-day reenactment of Luthers wedding to Katharina von Bora each June. Not even taking a selfie next to the famous Castle Church door (replica bronze doors, not the original wood) could motivate me to resume my role as a religious satirist.

Traveling through the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, I found that some other sites along the 1,000-mile Luther Trail also carry out the German equivalent of "Washington Slept Here." Here marks the quaint spot where Luther may (or may not) have paid a visit, stopped for a pint, and spent the night.

At various themed restaurants, tourists can chow down on Luther's favorite treats such as charcoal grilled Thuringian Bratwurst. Many people, perhaps those who like the Medieval Times interactive dinners, seemed to delight in the meals served by period-costumed waiters at Hotel "Eisenacher Hof" in Eisenach.

Moving Beyond "Lutherland"

Every so often, I found a spot devoid of tourist trappings where I could be still and reflect upon the actual history behind the hoopla. Take, for example, Erfurt, a town known as Luther's spiritual home. Here Luther enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501 and later joined the city's Augustinian Monastery as a monk in July 1505. The town wasn't all Lutherfied, so that I could stroll along the Kramerbrucke (the Merchants Bridge) built over the Breitstrom (part of the Gera River) and feel for myself this piece of history without any push to join in some kind of prepackaged experience. In particular, the crisp cold that permeated the stone walls of the monastery gave me a clear sense of how the climate and architecture shaped Luther's studies.

A trek through Wartbug Castle produced in me a similarly eerie dank chill. At this UNESCO Heritage site overlooking the town of Eisenach, Luther sat for close to a year translating the Bible into German, hidden from Imperial orders for his arrest and death under a false name by a powerful patron. I could not fathom spending even one night in the sparse wood-paneled room.

I did delight in spending a night nearby, however, at the Romantik Hotel auf der Wartburg, a hotel situated at the foot of the castle designed to complement the castles brown stone architecture. I sweated in the German-style clothing-optional spa surrounded by the stone walls of the castles and a view overlooking the woodlands and the neighboring town of Eisenach. Finally, I found my version of paradise where I could soak into the history and landscape of this region, leaving behind any dreams of reawakening my religious satirical persona.

Connecting with Cranach

During my tours, I kept hearing the stories of how Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) and his son, Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586) used their skills as painters and printers to depict and promote the theological and political themes of the Reformation. Touring their workshops in Wittenberg and gallery exhibits of their work held throughout the region gave me opportunities to learn the details of how their work was at least as important as Luthers writing to the Reformation. They used the newly-invented printing press to devastating effect, inventing mass propaganda techniques that have been with us ever since, now expanded via online social media tools.

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Into the Depths of the Sahara in Algeria

By J. Jaye Gold

Venturing into the vast Sahara Desert where its sand in every direction, takes quiet unplugging to the extreme.

Flies swarmed around her eyes. She was a frail, wrinkled woman, in her forties I guessed, but looking much older. Her face was dark brown, with tiny brown eyes to match. She never once swatted the flies away.

She sat in the sand beneath a date palm tree that offered a thin veil of shade. She wore a tan cloth wrapped around her head. The strands of gray hair that had slipped out from under it were stuck to her forehead with sweat. Her dress was also tan. It had no doubt once been dark brown but had faded with time. She wore tattered black sandals that were too small for her feet and left two toes sticking out of the ends. She was playing with a piece of dry reed, and her eyes kept shifting from it to us. She looked at us curiously, but privately, not wanting to be noticed, but to notice.



After a few minutes, she rose and came closebringing with her an unknown language and an as yet unknown request. She wanted medicine for her eyes. We carried with us ointment along with remedies for other maladies that afflict the uninformed. Not that we were angels of mercy, but more that we knew of no other commodity that our 65mph world possessed that could be so easily appreciated and accepted.

Shaka squeezed the by-prescription-only potion into the corners of the woman's eyes. She seemed satisfied that the western woman had worked her wonder. Eventually she wandered over to sit beneath a stunted palm, scooped some dates from the sand, and munched them as she waited for her miracle to commence.

Magic Hash Hiding

We had arrived at the oasis of Taghita minute island of date palms on the edge of the Algerian Sahara.

Last night we crossed the border. The guards kept us there for four hours, searching our belongings in hopes of finding anything that would justify the payment of a bribe. Mostly they looked for money, but drugs would also serve their purpose. It was forbidden to bring in the currency of their country, which could be obtained cheaply in Morocco. They claimed their Algerian money had great value. The rest of the world accepted about sixty percent of their claim.

Just before the border, I had stashed some hashish in a toy magic trick. The hash was for us; the trick was to entertain the local kids  another of our premeditated attempts to communicate rather than alienate. The toy was a wooden tube with a clown's head on one end. When you twisted and folded it in half, it turned into a six-inch bunch of flowers. Silly, yes, but it has always served its purpose in helping me draw in someone or someones.

About three and a half hours into the search, one of the guards found the tube and was trying to figure out what it was. I took action. I said, "Regardez," took it out of his hand, and commenced playing magician, hoping that I could entertain him for a minute and he would go onto something else.

I tucked the trick under my arm, rubbed my hands together and blew on them, like with dice at the craps table. A few of the guards laughed at my antics. I took the trick in one hand, extended my arm, and held it up for the audience to see. I brought it down to waist level and, with a few waves of my hands, swiftly turned it into a bouquet. I handed it with a bow to Camas, who smiled, took it, and curtsied. It worked. We were allowed to repack and go on our way. That night we slept in no-man's landthe two hundred yards between the end of Morocco and the beginning of Algeria.

Key to the Desert

In the morning we walked southeasta direction that revealed a post-revolution vista primed with barbwire, cement barricades, and spent shell casingsremnants of the struggle with French colonials decades earlier. We hoped to supply ourselves with the necessities for our venture into the interior in the village of Beni Ounif, first in our path. Unfortunately, their stores were stands, and their stands held only a few cans of peas and jars of apricot jam. We stocked up. This, and our freeze-dried supplies would have to fill not only our stomachs, but the many idle hours to come in which our relatively affluent lives had accustomed us to applying the food-for-boredom solution.

The onslaught of warnings from the locals about the desert had subsided when Shaka's eye patient, speaking on our behalf, had uttered the magic wordAmericanswhich immediately puts the individuals referred to in a separate category. Whether that category be magician, idiot, superhuman, or superfool I have no idea, but it usually has some profound effect.

Taghit's finest have agreed to supply a camel caravan that will take us out into the depths of the Grand Erg Occidentalthe portion of the Sahara Desert that most resembles an oceanand come back for our remains, as they put it, in one week. Payment has, of course, to be made in advance. No explanation was forthcoming and none was needed. The next morning we are to meet them at the edge.

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Image: www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IBNS): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought report into the incident in which a 30-year-old Indian woman travelling from Bengaluru to Iceland this week was asked to strip by Frankfurt airport security officers.

Swaraj has sought the report from Consulate General of India in Frankfurt in Germany after the report surfaced in media.

Shruthi Basappa in a Facebook post shared that even though she had cleared the full body scan, the security officers were still apprehensive about her.

She was asked to remove her clothes by security officers which she claims to be a case of "racial-profiling."

Basappa was adamant in refusing to pull up her dress and insisted that her husband be called in.

The officers reportedly stopped only after her husband, an Icelandic, walked into the room.

She had also alleged that owing to her brown skin tone, she is often singled out and subjected to random checks by security officials at airports.

An architect by profession, Basappa, in a her FB post available with media wrote: "I was asked to remove the dress I was wearing. Yes. Remove my clothes. Is this the new norm? Isn't it enough to always be the one random person picked out of line that now I need to wrap my head around the fact that I might be asked to strip? Do I need to wax my legs? Do I need to carefully put together a special 'for travel lingerie' set that has nothing to do with seducing my husband but more about hiding the outrage, anger, humiliation and disgust that is an inevitable part of travelling through airports?"
Image: twitter.com/arunjaitley

New Delhi, Apr 2 (IBNS): Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley will chair the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Finance Ministersa Meeting in New Delhi on Monday morning.

The meeting will be attended by the seven Finance Ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka apart from officials from these countries and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

As a part of the SASEC initiative, the member countries have come up with SASEC Vision for the economic growth of the sub-region, which will be launched by Union Minister of Finance of India during the meeting.

It will be followed by consideration of the Joint Ministerial statement.

The event will be a unique opportunity for the member countries to discuss and exchange ideas and strive to foster better cooperation in the sub-region. Myanmar has joined the SASEC programme as its seventh member and will be officially welcomed during the event.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting SASEC in this endeavor.
A tantalizing question lingered after a 23-count federal bribery indictment was filed March 21 against Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams:

Had the city's top prosecutor tailored a plea deal in a criminal case to suit a wealthy backer who had plied him with luxury gifts?

Prosecutors allege that Williams certainly had offered to do so. Williams flatly denies it. Both sides have refused to identify or discuss that case.

Regardless, one thing is clear after an Inquirer and Daily News review of the 2012 proceedings now at the heart of the corruption probe: If Williams' benefactor sought to buy a favorable outcome in court, he didn't exactly get what he'd paid for.

The defendant in that case -- Michael Myers, a Philadelphia nightclub DJ identified in Williams' indictment as "Person #1" -- ultimately pleaded guilty to drug distribution and firearms charges and spent a year in a state prison.

His punishment exceeded the county jail term sought by Mohammad N. Ali, the Bucks County businessman who had asked Williams to intervene, and was similar to dozens of other sentences in comparable drug cases that year, a review of court records shows.

Neither Ali nor Myers has been charged in Williams' case, and neither returned calls for comment.

But lawyers involved in Myers' 2012 case said they did not recall Williams taking an interest in its outcome. In fact, most said they had not realized its connection to the allegations against the district attorney until contacted by a reporter in recent days.

"I have no relationship with Seth Williams. I have no relationship with this Ali person," said defense attorney Anthony J. Petrone, who represented Myers with cocounsel Greg Pagano in 2012. "It would never have dawned on me that any case that I had been involved in would be the subject of that indictment."

The resolution of Myers' case is likely to loom large in Williams' defense. But any argument that the district attorney took no steps to compromise Myers' prosecution, despite what he may have promised, may not be enough to save him, said former federal prosecutor L. George Parry.

"All he had to do was agree to look into the issue; whether he followed through or not is irrelevant to the charges against him," he said. "The mere fact that he may have benefited from trading on his office is enough to convict him."

The Inquirer and Daily News were able to identify the case at the center of Williams' indictment by comparing specific date references in text messages between Ali and Williams quoted in court filings against a database of state criminal court records. Sources familiar with the investigation into the district attorney later confirmed the findings.

According to the indictment, Ali showered Williams with gifts worth thousands of dollars  an all-expenses-paid Caribbean vacation, a $3,000 custom-built sofa, and $500 dinners at pricey Philadelphia restaurants  while seeking his help with Myers' case.

Yet it remains unclear why the Jordan-born Ali, who at the time owned a prepaid-phone-card business in Feasterville, might be willing to make such a substantial financial outlay to benefit Myers, then 36, a man who before his 2011 arrest Ali says he had never met.

Packing dance floors

Known to spend his time at tony cigar bars or the decorous Union League, Williams routinely surrounded himself with the city's moneyed elite. Myers, meanwhile, made his money packing dance floors at Rumor, at 1500 Sansom St., and other trendy Center City nightclubs.

In fact, it was at Rumor that Myers came to Ali's attention, the businessman's lawyer, Mark Cedrone, said.

Ali was a frequent patron and a friend of the owners, the lawyer said. Myers was one of the club's resident DJs, sometimes performing under the stage name DJ Canberra.

According to Williams' indictment, Ali first contacted the district attorney about the case six months after Myers' arrest. At the time, Williams and his then-girlfriend were vacationing in a presidential suite that Ali had paid for at an all-inclusive Dominican Republic resort.

"If you can do anything to help [Myers], it would be very appreciative [sic] (as long as you have no problem with it)," Ali said in a text message quoted in court filings.

Williams responded: "I will look into it." Moments later, prosecutors say, he sent another text to Ali in hopes of scheduling a return trip to enjoy the Punta Cana resort's private beaches and personal butler services later that year.

As Myers' trial date approached, the gifts  many of which Williams later would report in financial-disclosure filings he revised in 2016  continued. And in September 2012, Ali pushed the district attorney again.

"[Myers] was begging me if he can get 1 year or so, so he can be in Philly [jail]," Ali said in another text message quoted in the indictment.

Williams responded: "If it gets continued, I will then ask for the file and see what can be done to make it a county sentence."

According to the indictment, Williams chided Ali for waiting until the night before Myers' trial to ask for help.

"Always give me at least a week to help a friend," the district attorney said. "I have no problem looking into anything.  I can't promise I will drastically change anything once it has gotten to the trial stage, but I can always look into it."

"Drawing a pretty hard line"

Despite the district attorney's alleged offer to Ali, Myers pleaded guilty the next morning. The deal he accepted from the District Attorney's Office contained a recommendation for a state prison term. That was the very sentence Williams allegedly offered to help him avoid  and one that, according to Myers' lawyer Petrone, the courtroom prosecutor overseeing the case had been adamant about from the start.

"I remember [Assistant District Attorney] Ed Jaramillo drawing a pretty hard line," Petrone said. "If there was going to be any plea negotiations, he was not willing to come down to a county sentence."

Jaramillo, a veteran prosecutor in Williams' office, declined to comment. His lawyer, Michael Schwartz, said he is cooperating fully with federal investigators.

"There is no suggestion that he handled the case improperly in any way," said Schwartz, who also represents other employees of the District Attorney's Office considered to be witnesses but not targets of the government's case against Williams.

Pagano, Petrone's cocounsel, also remains skeptical that Williams took any steps to alter the outcome, no matter what he may have promised Ali.

Ultimately, Myers was sentenced to one to two years. He served his time in a state prison in Huntingdon County and was paroled in December 2013.

"It was a hard, hard-fought case," Pagano said. "That leads me to believe that [the outcome] was a result of his lawyers' efforts and not any influence of Seth Williams."

Yet if federal prosecutors prove their case against the district attorney, the case that put Myers behind bars for just under a year could send Williams to prison for far longer.
Updated on 3/4/2017 4.07pm:

Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia T.S. Tirumurti confirmed that the present visa rate for six months will be maintained.

The new rate is for one year with multiple entry. We will retain the existing rate for six months, he added.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/03/indian-visa-fee-increase

Indian Visa for Malaysian Tourists Increased 240%!!

Yesterday, there is a revised for Indian Visa for Malaysians. The new Visa rate for Malaysian tourists increased 240% from previous rates. It sounds like an April Fools prank but it is not. In fact, there are many websites still showing the old Indian visa rates for Malaysians.

How much is the new Indian Visa rates for Malaysians?

The old rates for Indian Visa for Malaysians was RM 190 and now it is priced at RM 457 effective 1st April 2017. The Indian Visa is for up to six months of single to multiple entries to India for Malaysians.

There are many flights from Malaysia to India especially from airlines like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Malindo Airways. With such a high increase of Indian Visa for Malaysians, will it affect the numbers of Malaysians visiting India?

We never visited India before and to pay RM 457 for a tourist visa, we might have to think twice. For Malaysians visiting India for the first time, please take note that you are required to apply a tourist visa and it is RM 457 now.

You can find the new Indian Visa rates at High Commission of India official website at http://www.indianhighcommission.com.my/visa_service_new.html#

High Commission of India Address and Contact:

Level 28, Menara 1 Mont Kiara,

NO 1, Jalan Mont Kiara, 50480,

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: (00-603) 6205 2350, 6205 2351,

6205 2352,6205 2353 & 6205 2354

Fax: (00-603) 6143 1173

Opening Hours: From 9.30 am to 12 noon on all working days.

Website: www.indianhighcommission.com.my

Wilson Ng A Father and traveler who enjoys to eat, shop, travel and taking pictures with Samsung S22 Ultra and Sony ZV-1. Im a full time blogger, youtuber and father for two. I used to travel around 17 International trips per year but now staying at home. Remember to follow us at www.instagram.com/placesandfoods and www.youtube.com/placesandfoods. For advertisements or features, contact me at [email protected] See author's posts
Srinagar, Apr 2 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday the longest road tunnel in India on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.



With the inauguration, the tunnel was made operational for traffic.

Security was heightened across the state for Modi's visit.

"PM Modi dedicates the Chenani - Nashri Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir to the nation," PMO India tweeted.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Modi to the state.
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Some things never change. Donald Trump cant tell the truth. Its just not in his wheelhouse.

His (Trumps) track record has not improved. Hes still on our scale earning about 70% of mostly false, false, or pants on fire, Angie Holan of PolitiFact said of President Trumps continued record of inaccurate statements on CNNs Reliable Sources.

Watch as Brian Stelter celebrates International Fact-checking day here:

He (Trump) was by far the most inaccurate speaker on the campaign trail. Has he improved his credibility since taking office? Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter asked.

Angie Holan of PolitiFact replied with what those who can stand to pay attention to President Trump on a daily basis already knew, As far as what we choose to fact check, which are statements that grab our attention and sound wrong, his track record has not improved. Hes still on our scale earning about 70% of mostly false, false, or pants on fire.

The other thing Ive noticed about President Trump is he will stick to his inaccurate talking points, he wont drop them the way some of the more traditional and experienced politicians will if they get repeatedly fact-checked, Holan elaborated.

So does that mean fact-checking doesnt work? Stelter asked.

I think fact-checking works from the point of view of citizens being informed, Holan said, citing concerns about peoples ability to rely on what theyre reading. Democracy doesnt work without an informed electorate, she said.

Its not about informing the President; hes a lost cause. Its about informing the people.

What should be addressed at the same time as the fears about pro-Trump fake news coming from Macedonia is the reality that our collective loss of faith in what we are reading, our fears that we cant trust what we hear or read, feeds right into the Russian agenda to undermine our democracy.

So while fact-checking is a must, critical thinking and discernment matter. For example, when news outlets report on an ongoing story, a developing story, there will be clarifications and corrections as more information is learned. That is not fake news. Fake news is also not a point of view. Fake news is an event that did not happen, like Trumps belief in 3-5 million illegals costing him the popular vote.

Trump has not improved since he he landed at the bottom of a Politifact list during the primaries, with a sad 9% of true or mostly true statements. Just 9% of the things Donald Trump said during the primaries that were fact-checked were mostly related to the truth. Let that sink in for a bit, because fake news pushed by Russian bots gave Trump a huge assist as well.

Its a fake, fake Trump world.

Trump then launched his general election campaign with no less than 21 fact-checked lies during his acceptance speech.

To call Trump the liar-in-chief would be accurate, but more importantly its not just that Trump lies. Its the kind of lies he tells, and the fact that he seems unable to determine fact from fiction. Discernment isnt a thing Trump has. Trump has fallen for every low-brow conspiracy offered by far right wing fringers like Alex Jones. Trump gets his ideas about things that actually never happened from fringe sources, and he hasnt learned yet to question them.

Perhaps Trump can tell fact from fiction but doesnt care so long as hes feeding his ego and in order to feed his ego he must lie about reality. But Im afraid Donald Trump really does believe that he saw thousands of Muslims cheering on 9/11 in New Jersey.

Trump has reached an alarming distance from reality and inability to be brought down to earth where its not clear that he has a grasp on reality at all.

Fact-checking is a thing, it matters. And while all politicians lie, they dont lie like Donald Trump does. They dont deny reality like Donald Trump does. They dont use horribly inflammatory rhetoric to make wildly unfounded accusations with not even a nod to a supporting basis from a position of enormous power like Trump does.

All politicians spin. But not all politicians deny basic reality. And those who do do not belong in government.

Sure, Donald Trump doesnt care that hes been branded a liar by fact-checking organizations, but it matters. It matters to the majority of the country, who do not support Donald Trumps presidency or his agenda.
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Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fell apart and could only nervously laugh as Meet The Press host Chuck Todd called him out on not allowing a vote on Obama Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.

Video:

Mitch McConnell cannot answer why he refused to allow even a vote on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee. pic.twitter.com/iOuE9e14fS  Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 2, 2017

Chuck Todd opened this clip with a whopper of an opportunity for McConnell to see where the interview was going and try to find a shred of integrity with which to save himself. Todd asked, Do you have any regrets on how you treated Merrick Garland (President Obamas Supreme Court nominee) last year?

Instead, McConnell chose to double down on an already debunked lie, No, the tradition had been not to confirm uh vacancies created in the middle of a presidential year. Youd have to go back 80 years to find the last time that happened. It goes back to 1880s to find the last time it happened.

Then McConnell claimed that everyone knew if the shoe had been on the other foot, Democrats would not have filled a Republican seat in a presidential election year, which not only is inaccurate and nothing but hopeful projection, but is quite a joke considering how eager Democrats were under Obama to roll over and let Republicans stab them in the back just to help the people. McConnell mixed up his words here and was already showing signs of tripping over his lie.

This is typical McConnell, dishing out his already debunked lie to a usually willing press who rarely if ever call him out on the spot.

But Chuck Todd wasnt having it this Sunday. Chuck Todd called McConnell out. And it is a thing of beauty.

Todd charged, Well, I understand that, and thats a rationale to vote against his confirmation. Why not put him up for a vote?

McConnell expressed his shock at being called out on the specific way his lie doesnt hold up, even if it were true (and its not). Really? McConnell asked.

Todd, Look Im just asking -

McConnell again, Really? Nervous laugh.

Todd, Any senator can have a rationale not to vote for a confirmation. Why not put Merrick Garland on the floor and if the rationale is, you know what, too close to an election, then vote no.

Mitch McConnell tried his pompous laugh, the one he uses when he tells reporters that he wont be talking about that topic today, huh huh huh.

But it went nowhere, and it sounded nervous.

Taking a deep sucking breath, McConnell launched into a sputterfest,  Look, ah, I-ah, wa- we were we litigated that last year. The American people decided they wanted Donald Trump to make the nomination, not Hillary Clinton, and whats before us now Chuck is not what happened last year but the qualifications of Neil Gorsuch.

McConnell listed off why there were supposedly no principled reasons to vote against Gorsuch.

Thats an interestingly bad choice of defenses, because people got to hear Neil Gorsuchs qualifications because he was given a hearing, unlike Merrick Garland. And this was exactly Chuck Todds point.

Todd explained that it has not actually been litigated according to many Democratic Senators who believe Merrick Garland was mistreated. McConnell tried his laugh again but Todd didnt leave it.

Again, what was wrong with allowing Merrick Garland to have an up or down vote? Todd pushed.

McConnell dug himself back into his old debunked lie, the one where he points at Joe Biden for something Biden said (not did) and cries, He did it first, mommy!

Todd ignored the lie and put McConnell in the corner of his own making, asking him if he was prepared to make that a Senate rule, that no Supreme Court nominee would be confirmed in election years, and pointing out how ridiculous it was, he asked if we were headed to not confirming in any even numbered year.

McConnell fake laughed again, attempting to sound condescending, but once again fell short.

McConnells exact claim was debunked over a year ago by PolitiFact, and pretty much anyone with a working brain. There is no longstanding tradition of not filling a Supreme Court vacancy in a presidential election year.

In March of 2016, PolitiFact ruled on this exact McConnell dodge, and gave it a false.

The truth is the Republican Party broke 230 years of precedent by refusing to even let Justice Garland have a hearing, and this was Chuck Todds point.

Mitch McConnell led the charge in this ridiculous, unprecedented obstruction and denial of the power the people had given President Obama, not once but twice- with a much larger win than President Trump, and unlike Trump, there were no concerns about illegitimacy hanging over Obamas head, except by those conspiracy mongers like now President Trump. On the other hand, Trump is under multiple investigations for possible collusion against the U.S. with the Russian government.

Mitch McConnell is rarely called to account for his gross mistreatment of Merrick Garland and indeed the entire Senate and three branches of government system. It was a big moment to watch Chuck Todd call McConnell out, and when McConnell trotted out his usual lies, Todd swerved expertly around the lies to bring them home to their naturally ridiculous conclusion.

The real situation here is McConnell has no legitimate reason for his unprecedented obstruction of Merrick Garland, and he can hardly cling to the rules or tradition as his life jacket since he has been destroying tradition and rules since Obama took office.

Now facing the possible obstruction of a much less qualified and less reasonable person than Merrick Garland, who is a moderate and respected across the aisle unlike the right wing extremist Neil Gorsuch, McConnell will say and do anything to try to bully Democrats into finishing his dirty work. But Democrats are set to filibuster. A candidate is supposed to earn the votes the actual traditional way for good reason and if they cant, the candidate should be changed  not the rule.

McConnell is desperate to hand Trump a win with Gorsuch, but he doesnt have a leg to stand on given his own behavior last year. And so its nervous laughter topped off with some old, moldy sputtering lies for McConnell.

Image: Screen grab via NBCs Meet the Press, Chuck Todd Mitch McConell
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House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) caught the Trump White House red-handed engaging in the Russia cover-up when he went to the White House to view documents.

Video:

CNN State Of The Union host Jake Tapper asked Schiff about the documents that he viewed at the White House.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee answered, The most important thing people need to know about these documents is not classified, and its a couple things. First, the Deputy Assistant to the White House informed me when I went to see them that these are exactly the same materials that were shown to the Chairman. Now, this is a very interesting point. How does the White House know that these are the same materials that were shown to the Chairman if the White House wasnt aware of what the Chairman was being shown? And the second point that was made to me, and this was also underscored by Sean Spicer, and that is it was told to me by the Deputy Assistant that these materials were produced in the ordinary course of business.

Well, the question for the White House and Mr. Spicer is, the ordinary course of whose business? Because if these were produced for or by the White House, then why all the subterfuge? Theres nothing ordinary about the process that was used here at all.

And Jake, I think the answer may come from the President himself. You can say a lot of things about the President, but one thing you can not say is hes not subtle, and I think his tweets tell the story. And the story is, look over there at leaks, and look over there at anything we can claim that the Obama administration did wrong on incidental collection or anything else, but whatever you do, under no circumstances look here at me or at Russia. I think thats really whats going on.

Rep. Schiff caught the White House red-handed in their cover-up. The lesson here for Trump is that he and his White House should never have tried to BS a former prosecutor. Schiff is smarter than this White House, and he is not going to stop coming after them in this investigation.

The White House official that tried to smokescreen Schiff made a huge mistake that ended up adding evidence to claim that the Trump administration is trying to cover-up the Russia scandal.

Adam Schiff isnt falling for the White Houses attempts at misdirection and that could be really bad news for the political future of Donald Trump.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 74F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 53F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.
Guwahati, Apr 2 (IBNS): Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday said that India showed him a bigger horizon of religion.

While speaking at the civic reception hosted by the Assam government to felicitate his visit to Assam on the occasion of Namami Brahmaputra festival at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati, the Dalai Lama said that Indian thoughts are very helpful to understand reality.

The Tibetan spiritual leader also advised the gathering to put reasons over faith while embracing religion.

The Dalai Lama further stressed on secular and ethical education as the key to development and human peace.

Religion is entirely an individual choice. Change of religion sometimes creates more confusion. Therefore it is always better keep original faith and try to understand about the value of religious teachings for peace and happiness. It is always better to carry out closer conduct and understand the teachings of other religions before changing ones own religion, the Dalai Lama said.



While I was in Tibet, I thought Buddhism as the best religion. But after coming to India and interacting with people belonging to different faiths, I realized that all religions are good as all of them have emphasised on human love and compassion, the Dalai Lama commented while speaking on inter-religious faith.

Change is always in the mind of the people as most of the problems are created by them. Main issue before humanity today is to bring peace and happiness in the world. Human intelligence shouldnt be controlled by negativity but by compassion and love, the Nobel Laureate for Peace stated.



The Dalai Lama who also interacted with the people and gave reply to their queries spoke volumes about Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as a practical, determined and active leader and expressed confidence that under his leadership the state would make giant strides.



Earlier, the Dalai Lama also visited the festival venue at Kachomari Ghat and offered his obeisance to the Brahmaputra.

Assam governor Banwarilal Purohit who also graced the programme expressed the hope that with the blessings of the Dalai Lama the Chief Minister would be able to perform more resolutely to bring about a significant development to the state and soon Assam would be one of the top ranked states of the country.

Lauding the initiative taken by Government of Assam to glorify the Brahmaputra and thereby to promote culture, civilization, rich potential and resources of the state, the Assam governor hoped that the festival would take the people closer to the Brahmaputra.



Purohit also advised the state government to call all the senior officials from the districts to the venue of Namami Brahmaputra festival and administer them the oath of total transparency in administration.



Purohit alongwith other dignitaries released the brochure of Festival of Faith, which the Assam government in joint association with India Foundation proposes to hold in the month of May, 2017.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while speaking on the occasion lamented the fact that inspite of enormous contribution and presence, Brahmaputra is most often negatively projected in the country as the river that causes flood and erosion.



This is a gross injustice to the Brahmaputra, Sonowal said.

Stating that the Brahmaputras contributions to the states life and economy is immeasurable, Sonowal said that state Government is organizing Namami Brahmaputra to showcase the rich potential and possibility of this river to augment Assams tourism, culture and economy.

Underlining the importance of more and more research on Brahmaputra by the new generation to promote the river in the world arena, the Assam CM said that the people of Assam owe a lot to the Brahmaputra for fertility of its soil and rich civilization.



Further saying that the government would promote economy without affecting bio-diversity and ecology, Sonowal vowed to make Assam as an organic hub of the country.



He also urged the people to takes steps for glorifying the Brahmaputra and letting people know about its contribution to Assam in a more vigorous way.

Assam Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered the welcome speech, the vote of thanks was delivered by state Industry and Transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.

Chief Secretary of the Assam government VK Pipersenia, DGP Mukesh Sahay and Director General, Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan were also present in the programme.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Apr 2 (IBNS): In a major fillip to the tourism sector of the state, Centre has sanctioned an amount of Rs 98.35 crores for a Heritage Circuit for Assam.

Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sarma announced this while taking part in a meeting with the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati on Sunday.

This amount which has been sanctioned for development of the Tezpur, Majuli and Sivasagar circuit under the scheme of Swadesh Darshan includes development of a composite tourist infrastructure in Majuli , comprising of an interpretation centre near Kamalabari ghat, log huts, watch towers, cafeteria, elevated walkway, solar illumination, landscaping etc. worth Rs 61.26 crores, development of Ranghar, Joy Sagar and Talatal Ghar in Sivasagar and development of Kanaklata Udyan and Bamuni Hills in Tezpur.



The first instalment of Rs 19.67 crores against the sanctioned amount was released by the Government of India on March 31, 2017.

Development of this heritage circuit will give a tremendous boost to Assam Tourism in the background of the publicity that Assam has received in the run up to and during the Namami Brahmaputra festival.

Also in a major development, the Tourism Ministry has decided to transfer the rights of Brahmaputra Ashok Hotel presently managed by ITDC to the Assam government.

All necessary modalities to formalize the transfer of rights will be executed within next 15 days.

The Tourism Ministry has also decided to work collectively to enlist Majuli in the coveted list of World Heritage Site. Already Tourism Ministry has engaged the Archaeological Survey of India to prepare the dossier for submitting the same to UNESCO.



The Tourism Ministry has also sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the Namami Brahmaputra festival organized for the first time by the Assam government to glorify the river Brahmaputra as well as to promote tourism, economy and civilization of the state at global arena.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed his gratitude to the Union government for this gesture and has expressed hope that the Tourism Ministry will continue to provide support to the State Government in developing Assam as prime tourist destination.

The Assam government has also submitted a memorandum to the Union Tourism Minister on various issues concerning development of tourism sector in the state to which the Minister assured to look into the same positively.

State Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, ATDC Chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam VK Pipersenia, DGP Mukesh Sahay and several senior officials of the state government were present in the meeting.

Representing Government of India, Regional Director, Tourism was also present alongwith the union minister among others.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Today the New York Times featured another attack on Michael Flynn, which other outlets, like CNN, have picked up and trumpeted. The Times story was precipitated by the Trump administration making available to the press the Form 278s (financial disclosure forms) that have been filled out by incoming members of the administration. The Times must have immediately requested General Flynns 278 and gotten it via email, which is the procedure the administration has set up.

So what is the story, and why is it important, given that Flynn is gone from the administration, having served it for less than 30 days?

Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser who was forced out of the job in February, failed to list payments from Russia-linked entities on the first of two financial disclosure forms released Saturday by the Trump administration. The first form, which he signed in February, does not directly mention a paid speech he gave in Moscow, as well as other payments from companies linked to Russia. The second, an amended version, lists the names of the companies that made the payments under a section for any nongovernment compensation that exceeds $5,000 in a year. That list appears to include all of the work that Mr. Flynn, a retired three-star Army general, has done since leaving the military in 2014, without providing compensation figures for any of it. No reason was given for the discrepancy between the two forms.

Thats the story; it is followed by the usual Times editorializing. You can see a typical Form 278 here. The Times says that the first time he filled out the form, Flynn did not directly mention a paid speech or other payments. There is no explanation of what directly means. I speculate that Flynn may have initially aggregated his income by category, e.g. speeches.

It is not clear why Flynn filed a second form. The Times tells us that he signed the first form in February. He resigned from the administration on February 13. So was the second form filled out after his departure? The Times doesnt say. I speculate that during the few days between when he filed the first form and when he left the administrationor maybe even thereaftersomeone in the ethics office told him that he should itemize the various speeches, etc, rather than listing his income by category. Which he dutifully did, perhaps after he had already been fired. (We can answer these questions when we see the Form 278s; the Times does not reproduce them in its article.)

The Times complains that on the amended form, Flynn listed his various sources of income, but didnt provid[e] compensation figures for any of it. Actually, that is standard practice, if you look at the form, although some nominees do add specific payment amounts.

In sum, the Timess latest shot at General Flynn adds nothing to the readers knowledge of any issue. It is just more bile directed at the Trump administration.

On Friday, two senior administration officials conducted a press briefing on the administrations release of the Form 278s for its nominees. They were proud of the administrations exemplary transparency, but the Democratic Party press corps was in attack mode, as always:

Q But do you have to make 180 requests for 180 names, but youre not going to give us the names? We could sit here and go look them up, but can you not provide that? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I dont know that I can. Certainly I dont know that I have that list. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, were not  were following the instructions and the guidelines, and following along the way the Obama administration  SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No different than what they did. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  what the Obama administration did. Were doing it exactly the same way, exactly the same manner. Q Okay, thats not  you do lots of things differently than the Obama administration (inaudible) about every day. So dont rely on the Obama administration. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Actually, no, no, youre absolutely right. You know what we did differently? Were actually ahead of schedule. So the Obama administration released these items on April 3rd, and were now March 31st. So we are different. Q Two questions for you. One is, now that youve finished up doing this round, can you tell us how many billionaires work in this administration? (Laughter.)

The reporters were eager for information about Ivanka Trump:

Q Are we going to see a financial disclosure separately from Ivanka Trump, who I guess has just taken a staff job just this week? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, not today. She literally two days ago started the process. She has 30 days to even fill in the form. Jared will be there. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The good news about that is, is that for purposes of Jared Kushner, all of her assets are imputed to him, so theres not going to be any surprises.

Its just another day in the presss guerrilla war against the Trump administration.

ONE MORE THING: It isnt germane to the main point of this post, but it should be noted that the Times article includes this contemptible reference to David Horowitz:

The speaking fees, all of which were from 2016, ranged from about $10,000 to about $22,000. He gave talks to relatively run-of-the-mill groups like the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in Nebraska, but also to the David Horowitz Freedom Center in California, which the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as an anti-Muslim hate group.

A disgusting lie perpetrated by two smear merchants, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the New York Times.
Swedens establishment is sticking to its story: there are no issues with immigration. The countrys refugee policy is going swimmingly. When President Trump referred to Swedens problems with refugees in a speech, that countrys politicians and reporters closed ranks, pretending, absurdly, not to know what he was talking about.

So to learn what is going on in Sweden, you have to read between the lines. This story from The Local (Swedens news in English) is a good example. The headline tells us, Stockholm venue suspends club nights due to repeated sexual assaults.

A popular nightlife spot in Stockholm has put several of its club nights on hold following an increase in sexual assault, violence and thefts, the venue announced. We had an enormous amount of messages, particularly from female guests, who complained of sexual harassment and bad attitudes, Ingmari Pagenkemper, Managing and Artistic Director at the Sodra Teatern club on Sodermalm, told The Local. Security staff had regularly been ejecting people identified as gropers or troublemakers, she said  sometimes as many as 15 on a single night  but the combination of darkness, loud music, and a large venue occasionally made it difficult to identify those responsible.

Still, the people who run the club seem to have a pretty good idea of who is committing these crimes, even if they dont want to inform us:

Only some of Sodra Teaterns club nights had been affected; the venue declined to specify which ones, and Pagenkemper said she didnt know why certain events appeared to attract offenders.  For some reason, some nights with a certain kind of music attracted large groups of men who cant behave themselves  I really dont know why, said Pagenkemper. But it is unacceptable to have guests or staff feeling unsafe.

What kind of music, one wonders. And who comprises these large groups of men?

We are working on finding a solution that allows us to protect our guests while continuing to be an open, democratic, warm venue, she explained.

Democratic? What does that mean? Why wouldnt it be democratic to bounce men who grope women?

We dont want to reject people based on how they look or assumptions about what they might do.

So, how do they look? What is she talking about? Why would someone make assumptions about what they might do? Who are they?

Were proud to offer such a diverse range of events and we welcome everyone  except those who cant behave.

There is that worddiverse! But what is Ms. Pagenkemper talking about? Is there some relationship between diversity and sexual assault?

Sexual assault in Sweden, particularly at concerts and festivals, has been thrust into the spotlight recently. Swedish festivals saw high profile reports of sexual crimes last year, including at the popular Bravalla festival in Norrkoping, the Putte i Parken festival in Karlstad, and Stockholm youth music festival We Are Sthlm.

Women attending concerts and festivals have reported being assaulted by people who appear to be refugees or recent immigrants. But dont worry. The Local wont mention that inconvenient fact. The article closes on a typically defensive note:

Differences in the way sexual crimes are reported in different countries have led some right-wing factions in the UK and US to label Sweden as the rape capital of the world.

So crime statistics are explicitly politicized: only right wing factions point out that Swedens reported incidence of rape is unusually high. Official Swedish crime statistics put the rape rate at .00068 in 2016, compared with the U.S. rate of .00028 in 2015. (Both rates are computed as a percentage of the entire population, male and female, adult and child.) The U.S., like Sweden, broadened its definition of rape in 2013.

Some might say that Sweden has a sex crime problem. Or, more specifically, an immigration problem. But dont tell Swedens politicians and reporters. They dont want to hear about it.
This past Thursday morning the Kansas City Star obtained audio of Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill warn[ing] Democratic donors that blocking President Donald Trumps Supreme Court nominee could have dire consequences. The Stars Brian Lowry posted the audio (below, I hope) along with his article reporting on it.

Articulating the kind of rational calculation I set out in Will the Dems die on Mount Gorsuch?, McCaskill told her supporters: Im very uncomfortable being part of a strategy thats going to open up the Supreme Court to a complete change. The following day, however, McCaskill announced that she would back a filibuster of the Senates confirmation vote on Gorsuch.

Somethings happening here. What it is aint exactly clear.

Either the Senate Dems have become subservient tools of their lunatic base or they perceive a weak link (or three) among their Republican colleagues. Up for what should be a competitive reelection contest in 2018, McCaskill presents as an interesting case study in the possibilities.

Via Staff/Weekly Standard and Jim Swift/Weekly Standard.
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Many of Nigerias opposition parties have been inactive since the 2015 general elections due to leadership, financial, accommodation and sundry challenges even as INEC processes the applications from 86 associations seeking registration as political parties.

In this second part of the series, Festus Owete reviews the status of more opposition parties. Read the first part here.

African Peoples Alliance, APA: This party has virtually gone to sleep. Perhaps, besides participating in the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections, the only thing the APA can be remembered for since the end of the 2015 general elections is the reaction of its presidential candidate, Adebayo Ayeni, to the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President. It will be recalled that Mr. Ayeni, a former deputy governor of Ondo State, said in 2015 that God told him he would succeed former President Goodluck Jonathan. I came into the race because God directed me to contest. God told me categorically that I will succeed President Goodluck Jonathan and I believe what God says, hence my resolve to contest the forthcoming election.

Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN: Although, no one was available at the Global Plaza, Jabi, Abuja, national secretariat of the ACPN when PREMIUM TIMES visited, the party has been struggling to stay afloat since the end of the 2015 polls. The party fielded candidates in three of the four governorship elections held since 2015  Bayelsa, Kogi, and Ondo states. Its National Chairman, Ganiyu Galadima, who spoke in a telephone interview with this newspaper, lamented the stoppage of government grants to political parties which he said has been slowing down its activities. He, however, said the party operates with the limited resources available to it.

Better Nigeria Progressive Party, BNPP: This is one of the three parties whose de-registration by INEC was voided by the court in December 2015. However, since then, the party is yet to re-stamp its feet on Nigerias political scene. It only managed to participate in the Ondo gubernatorial poll.

Citizens Popular Party, CPP: The CPP has been trying to find its feet since the exit of its former National Chairman, Maxi Okwu. When PREMIUM Times visited the Lozumba Compex, Area 10, Garki, Abuja national secretariat, it was discovered that the party had since relocated to Orozo, in the outskirt of Abuja. However, this challenge of the office space did not deter the party from participating in the electoral activities in the country. The CPP presented candidates in all the four governorship elections held so far since 2015.

Democratic Peoples Congress, DPC: Although registered few months after the general elections, the DPC is one of the parties that has impressively played the opposition role to the Buhari administration. The party has not failed to offer its views on national issues. Through its National Chairman, Olusegun Peters, the party once warned against granting Mr. Buhari emergency powers to tackle the economic issues, saying it would lead to tyranny. It also demanded the resignation of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, over the free fall in the value of the naira. The DPC, however, commended some appointments by the APC administration, including those of ministers and Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman. The party also presented candidates for the Ondo and Kogi governorship elections.

Independent Democrats, ID: It was one of the two parties registered in 2013, the other being Peoples Democratic Movement. It participated in all the four governorship polls held so far, namely in Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo and Ondo. It is already preparing for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. As part of the preparations, ID recently held a congress in the state during which it elected new officials. It said it is determined to take power from the ruling APGA. For this opposition party, the Buhari administration has not performed poorly, especially in the south-east geo-political zone. Its chairman, Edozie Madu, said I score the Buhari government 95 percent in this area, he said.

KOWA Party, KP: When PREMIUM TIMES visited the Global Plaza, Jabi, Abuja national secretariat of KOWA party, it was empty. The National Secretary, Mark Adebayo, later confirmed to this newspaper in a telephone interview that the party was shopping for a new office space. Even so, that has not deterred the party from engaging in some activities. It presented candidates in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Edo governorship elections. It is also one of the few parties that has not wavered in playing the opposition role. KOWA party comments and states its position on national issues. As a way of repositioning the eight-year-old party ahead of the 2019 general elections, in September last year, four young Nigerians whose ages range between 28 and 35, were named directors of the party. They now man the directorates of Growth and Strategy, Technology, Policy, Research and Development, and the New Media. The following month, it appointed a US-trained Computer Analyst, Nelson Michael, as its Chief Technology Officer.

Labour Party, LP: This party has not kept anyone in doubt that it is alive. Apart from participating in all the four governorship elections, its national secretariat located at Number 29 Oke Agbe Street, Garki 11, Abuja is always bubbling with activities. Joseph Ndirang, the Chairman of the FCT branch of LP, told PREMIUM TIMES during its visit that it was already preparing for future elections. He said the party recently organized capacity building workshops for its officials and members at the ward level and those of the state and national levels would commence soon. Mr. Ndirang, who lamented the financial state of the countrys opposition parties, said ahead of the 2019 general elections, the party had kicked off massive membership recruitment across the country. It was one of the first parties to criticize President Muhammadu Buhari for the delay in naming his cabinet. It also challenged the federal government on the increasing prices of food stuff and non-cohesion in the act of governance. The 15-year-old party recently emerged from a crisis which almost tore it to shred. A group of party members addressed a press conference in Abuja during which they announced the sack of its National Chairman, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the deputy national chairman, South, Callistus Okafor, and acting National Secretary, Julius Abure. The crisis led to the exit of its only senator, Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), who defected to the APC.

Mega Peoples Progressive Party, MPPP: This party emerged from the 2015 general elections to begin a crisis that almost tore it apart. Its National Chairman, Oludare Falade, was purportedly dismissed from the party by some members of the national executive committee for alleged financial impropriety. Mr. Falade, however, denied the allegation, describing it as a ruse, illegal and gross violation of the partys constitution. The crisis in the party has obviously affected its opposition role. It participated in the Bayelsa and Edo governorship polls.

New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP: The 15-year-old NNPP fielded candidates in all the four governorship elections held since 2015. It may not play the opposition role because it pledged support for Mr. Buhari shortly after the presidential election.

Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM: This party was registered in August 2013. Despite the excitement that trailed the registration, the party initially linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, cannot be said to have made any impact in the political arena. It did not present a candidate during the 2015 presidential election, but instead adopted the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, who subsequently won the election. Since the end of the general election, it has only participated in one of the four governorship elections  Bayelsa where its candidate, Moses Siasia came a distant third with 1,572 votes. In Edo, the party adopted the PDP candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Attempt by this newspaper to locate its office was unsuccessful. Its National Chairman, Bashir Ibrahim, did not respond to a call and text message sent to him.

Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN: Perhaps the major activity the PPN engaged in during the period under review is the conduct of an election in May 2016 to pick new executive members to pilot its affairs. The exercise produced Razak Eyiowuawi as national chairman and Abubakar Bello as national secretary. Mr. Eyiowuawi, who was the national secretary, defeated Kelvin Allagoa, the partys presidential candidate in the 2015 poll but who subsequently stepped down for Mr. Jonathan of the PDP. Interestingly, PPNs major strength is in Ogun State where it was funded by former Governor Gbenga Daniel. The party also fielded candidates in the Kogi, Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

People for Democratic Change, PDC: This party can be remembered for only two things since the 2015 general elections. First is the petition filed by its candidate in the Enugu East Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Chimaroke Nnamani, against the winner of the election, Gil Nnaji. The party won the case at the tribunal but lost at the Court of Appeal. Second is its participation in the governorship elections conducted in four states. Not many activities are credited to this party believed to be strong only in Enugu State.

Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA: The PPA has been active since the last general elections. It participated in all the four governorship elections but failed to fly in all. Regardless, since its founder and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, dumped it for the ruling APC last November, the opposition party appears to be in disarray. Mr. Kalu explained that he left the PPA because of the entire Igbo cause. The truth is that although Im an Igbo man, but I love to be where other Nigerians are seated, he said. PPA was like a South East political party while APC is where all Nigerians are seated.

Peoples Redemption Party, PRP: One of the oldest opposition parties, the PRP was recently re-registered as a political party. The party made news headline recently when it was disqualified by INEC from participating in the Ondo governorship election. The commission had banned the PRP from contesting the election because it was planning to appeal the judgement of a Federal High Court that set aside the de-registration of the party. It could not present candidates in the three previous polls because of the ban. Led by a former governor of the old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, the party has been consistent in its criticism against every federal administration, including the current APC-led federal government.

Social Democratic Party, SDP: Apart from participating in the four governorship elections held since 2015, two major events have happened in the camp of the SDP. The first was the allegation that its National Chairman, Olu Falae, collected N100 million on behalf of the party from the PDP to support former President Goodluck Jonathan who was the PDP candidate in the 2015 presidential election. The former SGF admitted receiving the money, but said it was distributed to the state branches of the party for onward distribution to other levels of the party. The second was the dumping of the party by a former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, for the APC. Mr. Osoba was a member of the APC but left for the SDP due to differences between him and Governor Ibikunle Amosun. For a party created to encompass the ideals of a centre left, the SDP cannot be said to have been playing opposition role. There was no life at the Plot 2105 Herbert Macaulay Way, Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja, national secretariat of the party, when PREMIUM TIMES visited.

United Democratic Party, UDP: This party floated by the late Second Republic Transport Minister, Umaru Dikko, has managed to take part in the Kogi and Ondo governorship polls. The party also relocated from the Asokoro District, Abuja home of the late Mr. Dikko to Garki II District of the federal capital. The UDP National Chairman, Godson Okoye, who was the partys presidential candidate in the 2015 election declined commenting on its activities since the end of the general elections when PREMIUM TIMES spoke with him on phone.

Unity Party of Party, UPN: Registered in April 2014, the UPN is one opposition party that has kept the Buhari administration on its toes. At every opportunity, its 80-year-old National Chairman and founder of a Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Frederick Faseun, has described the administration as lacking focus. It is, however, not surprising. Mr. Faseun was an unrepentant supporter of Mr. Jonathan. He has repeatedly lamented the poor performance of the Buhari administration and urged it to fulfill its pledge to Nigerians. Nevertheless, he scored the administration high for its corruption war but cautioned that it should not be selective.

United Progressive Party, UPP: Although, it is one of the parties that has remained vibrant in the last 23 months after the general elections, its operating base does not suggest so. When PREMIUM TIMES visited its national secretariat in the Wuye District of Abuja, it was literally empty. A staff of the party, who did not want his named mentioned because he was not authorised to speak, told this newspaper that its top officials were engaged somewhere. Nevertheless, the party has not relented in playing the opposition role. It has taken up the Buhari administration on issues relating to the economy, the 2017 budget and others. At some point, the partys National Chairman, Chekwas Okorie, claimed that Mr. Buhari was getting things wrong because he was not prepared for governance. The UPP received a boost recently when leaders of pro-Biafra organisations across the world adopted it as Biafras national party. The party participated in the Kogi and Edo polls. It has stepped up preparation for the November poll in Anambra State. Earlier this month, the UPP reconstituted its Anambra State Working Committee. It presented candidates in the Bayelsa and Edo governorship elections.

Young Democratic Party, YDP: Registered in 2014, the YDP has yet to demonstrate its purpose of existence. It had claimed to be born out of the conviction and struggle of a new class of passionate young patriotic Nigerians who believe in the possibility of new Nigeria and the establishment of the Nigeria of our dreams. Instead, in the last few months the YDP has been trying to find its right leadership compass following the crisis that broke out in the party as well as the resignation of its National Chairman, Ezekiel Nya-Etok, early October. After the chairmans resignation, about 34 members of the national executive council were suspended for alleged anti-party activities. The NEC chaired by Raphael Horsfall was then mandated to ensure there was peace, unity and stability amongst members of the party, reconcile aggrieved members, protect, preserve and respect the sanctity of the partys constitution. Despite the crisis, the party participated in the Edo and Ondo governorship polls.

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Three persons, all suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers, died in their own explosions in the early hours of Sunday when they attempted to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with explosive vests strapped around their bodies, an official said.

Two of the suicide bombers tried to make entry into the city through one of the known entry points near Muna Garage, a popular bus station along Maidugurui-Gamboru road.

They could not advance far into the town before some local security operatives spotted them. The bombers immediately detonated themselves to avoid being caught. No one but the two attackers died, an official said.

The spokesperson of the police in Borno State, Victor Isuku, said another lone suicide bomber, at the same time at a different location in the area, tried to attack civilians but was prevented by security operatives. The bomber ended up killing himself and injuring a civilian, he said.

Today, at about 0438hrs (4.38am), two male suicide bombers detonated IED strapped to their bodies by Alhaji Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area, Maiduguri killing themselves alone. A truck was partly damaged, said Mr. Isuku, a deputy superintendent of police.

Also at Dusuma village in Jere LGA, a suicide bomber detonated IED strapped on him almost at the same time, killing himself, while one person was injured by the explosion.

Boko Haram insurgents have sustained attacks using suicide bombers who attempt to sneak into the city through two locations: Muna Garage along Maiduguri-Gamboru road and Molai axis along the Maiduguri- Biu highway.

Dozens of such attacks have been carried out in the past six months, which have resulted in death and injuries and to dozens of people.

Some of the few arrested suicide bombers have told security officers that they were primed to carry out the attacks by Boko Haram leaders in remote bushes. They said the Boko Haram leaders dropped them on the outskirts of the town using motorcycles.

The factional Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a recent video said his faction of the group is responsible for the suicide bombings, an assault he boasted will continue for a long time.

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A dog died saving dozens of people at a wedding party in Maiduguri after it attacked a suicide bomber, an official said.

The dog stopped the teenage suicide bomber from detonating her explosives in the crowd.

The dog, according to the police, belonged to a resident of the neighbourhood where the wedding took place.

The suicide bomber was about making her way into the gathering at the wedding ceremony before the dog pounced on her.

The girl, whose original mission appeared to have been thwarted, detonated her explosive while battling to wriggle herself from the canine grip of the dog.

The gallant dog paid the supreme sacrifice as it died alongside the suicide bomber.

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Borno State, Victor Isuku, said the incident happened at about 7.30 a.m. in Belbelo community of Jere Local Government Area in Borno State.

Information just received indicate that today at about 0733hours (7.33am), a female suicide bomber with IED strapped to her body, attempted to infiltrate a wedding ceremony gathering in Belbelo community of Jere LGA, he said.

She was however prevented by a watch dog, so she had to detonate the IED to kill herself and the dog.

The dog was owned by resident in the locality, said Mr. Isuku, a deputy superintendent of police.

Although the police did not state if the dog was trained in bomb detection, it is not common in Nigeria for dogs owned by civilians to be so trained.

Mr. Isuku said normalcy has since been restored in the area and no further casualty was recorded apart from the dog.

The incident occurred few hours after three suicide bombers blew themselves up at two different locations not far away from the spot where the wedding took place.

About 100,000 people have been killed in Borno and neighbouring states since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency started.

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The management of Lagos-based television station, Television Continental (TVC), on Sunday disputed police claim that 13 students of the University of Lagos were remanded in Kirikiri prison over unlawful invasion of the television facility at the Ikosi neighbourhood of Lagos.

The Management of Continental Broadcasting Service Limited (owners of TVC) refutes these stories and categorically states that TVC has no hand in the arrest of the students.

TVC did not at any point report or lodge any complaint at the police station, remarked Abisola Agbaje, the legal manager of TVC in a press release in Lagos.

Ms. Agbaje said, Truly, the Students came into our premises on Friday the 31st of March, 2017 on or about3 p.m. to protest the alleged rustication by UNILAG.

The protest was peaceful which we have on record and the students left our premises peacefully.

She explained that the report of the protest was yet to be aired because as at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, Unilag authorities were yet to respond to the allegation, and that as a responsible media organisation, reputed for fair and balance reportage we had to hold on until we get UNILAG authorities side of the story.

Ms. Agbajes position was corroborated by the deputy chief executive of the station, Lemi Olalemi, who, non-plussed at police claims, said the students who came to the facility were really well behaved and did not do anything untoward to warrant arrest in my opinion.

He joined Ms. Agbaje to call on the Nigerian Police to step forward and state when, and if TVC indeed lodged a formal complaint that led to the arrest of the students.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt the students, protesting the rustication for two semesters of a visually-impaired student, Lawrence Success, were arrested on Friday and charged to a mobile court on Saturday for criticising the institutions management.

The magistrate ordered their remand at Kirikiri Prison pending their bail application and adjourned the case to April 6, for determination of their bail.

The institutions semester examination is scheduled to begin on Monday.

The police prosecuting counsel, Effiong Asuquo, the Officer in Charge, Legal, of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 31.

He said the accused engaged in riotous invasion of TVC, protesting the alleged rustication of one of their students.

According to him, the students also invaded the main campus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, and disrupted normal activities in the institution.

The prosecutor said the alleged invasion by the students was a ploy to stall commencement of exams.

He said the offence contravened Section 168 (1) (d), and Section 2 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

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The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has called for deliberate effort to remove mines from the Sambisa after the sack of the terrorists from the forest.

The Chief of Army Staff, who made the call in an interview in Maiduguri on Sunday, said that this effort will require the assistance of the United Nations, relevant NGOs and development partners.

According to Buratai, this is because such project requires much resources and effort that the country alone may not be able to finance.

The army is currently doing a limited demining of routes in the forest to enable troops to move around for operations.

Strictly speaking, we have not started demining the Sambisa forest.

The areas we are concentrating on are where we are working, where our troops will have to move from one point to the other.

These are the efforts we are making to create safe lanes for troops to pass from one point to the other.

But, for our deliberate demining efforts, it will require much, much resources, much more effort, and we may even request for the civilian demining support in that regard.

Demining is not restricted to the military only, there are several organisations that have been doing this, the UN is one and there are other NGOs that are involved which actually work under the umbrella of the UN.

So, as comprehensive efforts, these bodies need to be invited to support what the military is doing right now in a limited capacity in that regard, Mr. Buratai said.

He, however, said the army had acquired more equipment for the demining to make the areas where troops operate in the Sambisa safe for them.

On remnants of the terrorists, Mr. Buratai said of the three affected states by insurgency in the North-East, Yobe and Adamawa were now almost 100 per cent free of the insurgent except Borno.

The army chief, however, said that some terrorists were still believed to be hiding in bushes in remote areas in some local government areas in Adamawa and Yobe. According to him, soldiers are trailing such terrorists.

Mr. Buratai said what was needed now was massive deployment of police and civil defence personnel in major towns, and communities where people had returned to.

We need more policemen deployed even in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Bama, Damasak, Gubio, Monguno and Baga and other towns where people have returned; they  police need to really take over.

Apart from the regular police, the Mobile Police also are key, we need them to be there.

There are concerns all over that at this stage we really need the civil authority to come and take up their responsibilities fully, Mr. Buratai said.

This, he said would relieve the army from civil job to enable troops concentrate and move deep into the bushes for clearance and mop up of remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Some Immigration and Customs personnel have been deployed. I am aware that they are in some border towns like Ngamboru Gala and Damasak, and some other areas, he said.

On Amnesty Internationals continuous accusation of human rights violations by personnel of the army, Mr. Buratai insisted that the army does not infringe on individual rights.

He said the army was guided by laws, including the 1999 constitution, its own rules of engagement and international law on armed conflict in its operations.

We know what we are doing, definitely we will not infringe on individual rights.

We have our own constitutional role; we have our own rules of engagement which are in tandem with our constitution, in tandem with even the international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.

If, in course of our duty, someone feels that something has gone wrong contrary to what they believe in and they go beyond to call for arms embargo and denial of certain weapons or equipment to the Nigerian military, I think the government will address that appropriately.

This accusation or denial has been on even before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the embargo has been on, and they have been denying the military of some quite important equipment but what happened, we still defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

That is what we are all acknowledging and indeed celebrating.

By and large, I think it (arms denial) has no consequence for now even if they continue to deny us the equipment for us to prosecute the counter insurgency operation in the country.

But that does not mean that we do not need such equipment. We need external support. We have a number of countries, who are supporting us and we are doing our best with whatever we have, we utilise them effectively, he said.

(NAN)

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The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organisations, has urged the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, to update it with details of its investigation into an earlier petition forwarded to the Bureau on the lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye, for allegedly operating a foreign bank account.

In a letter sent to the Bureau and signed by CSNAC National Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the coalition said in pursuant to Sections 1, 2 & 3 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, it is requesting for a comprehensive information on status of CCB investigation of the aforementioned matter.

The letter reads: In our petition dated 7th December, 2017 we called the attention of your office to a report of 6th of December, 2015, by an online newspaper, SaharaReporters revealing that Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District has since 2010 illegally operated bank accounts in the United States of America.

According to the report, Mr. Melaye opened two accounts, one a current and the other a savings account in the name of Daniel Din Melaye, posing as a student.

The report further stated that by leaving the impression of himself as a student, Senator Melaye was able to open a Campus Edge current account with account number 4460 1649 8396 and a regular savings account with account number with 4460 1647 5966 with Bank of America in the state of Maryland.

He obtained a bank debit card with account number ending with 8873. One of his last transactions on the account took place on the 4th December, 2015, the same day he addressed his colleagues at the floor of the Senate, on a proposed retrogressive, repressive, anti-free speech and anti-democracy bill on social media and public petition censorship. It was an approval of payment for a transaction relating to the purchase of cosmetics from a Kremlin based MagnitKosmetik store. Also, on September 1, 2015, Mr. Melaye approved payment to a New York based Schweiger Dermatology.

CSNAC noted further that, The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 in the Fifth Schedule Part I Section 3 prohibits Public Officers from operating foreign accounts. It provides as follows:

The President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Ministers of the Government of the Federation and Commissioners of the Governments of the States, Members of the National Assembly and of the Houses of Assembly of the States, and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly may by law prescribe shall not maintain or operate any bank account in any country outside Nigeria

Mr. Melayes actions are gross contravention of the Code of Conduct for public officers by virtue of the above mentioned constitutional provision.

Your Bureau is empowered by the Constitution to prosecute before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and if found guilty, the tribunal should amongst other punishments provided for under Section 18(2), impose a vacation of his seat at the Nigerian Senate.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains the ground norm and an infraction of any of its provisions should not be treated with kids gloves in order to forestall a chaotic state of lawlessness in the country.

Lawmakers contravening the same law promulgated by the Parliament makes a mockery of the legislature and portrays the entire law making process as a mere charade.

The coalition noted that by that petition, it had demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of Mr. Melaye, just as in the case of Senate President Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal if found culpable.

This will go a long way in reaffirming the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as, deter other lawmakers and public officers from contravening same. Copies of bank statement of Senator Dino Melaye, as published by SaharaReporters, were attached to the petition, CSNAC said.

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Kolkata, Apr 2 (IBNS): Several people were injured when activists of ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) engaged in a clash with each other at Kona area in Kolkata's twin city Howrah on Sunday, reports said.

According to reports, when an election of local Kona-Chamrail-Jagadishpur Cooperative Bank's credit society was underway, supporters of CPI-M and TMC engaged in a skirmish and had started throwing bricks aiming at each other.

Few shops were ransacked at the area when several motorcycles were vandalized thrown into ponds.

Later, alleging that TMC-sheltered miscreants had attacked local villagers on Sunday and charged crude bombs at the area since Saturday night, CPI-M activists and residents of the area blocked a road nearby.

A heavy police force was deployed there from Liluah Police Station nearby to bring the situation under control.

Local TMC leaders claimed that they were not involved in the clash.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
The Catholic Church on Sunday confirmed the death of a health coordinator, Christiana Umeadi, in an auto crash.

In a statement signed by Christian Anyanwu, Director of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, CSN) in Abuja, the Church said Ms. Umeadi was until her death a member of Sokoto Diocese.

Mr. Anyanwu said Ms. Umeadi, a reverend sister, who was returning to her station after participating in mass cerebrospinal meningitis immunisation, was involved in an auto crash at Bakura, in Zamfara State.

He said that the medical team had covered several parts of Sokoto diocese for the immunisation in the last one month and as the outbreak got worse the health team intensified their efforts.

The states they covered, he said, include: Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi.

Mr. Anyanwu explained that Ms. Umeadi led her team to Zamfara State for the immunisation exercise in March, where they were billed to spend just a day in Gusau town.

He noted that her remains had since been deposited in the morgue at the Usmanu DanFodio Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto.

He said that her immediate family, the Dominican Congregation, the Diocese of Sokoto and all her patients were left in utter shock and disbelief.

We all resign to the will of God and trusting that our Sister will rise again at the resurrection, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that until her death, Ms. Umeadi was the Assistant Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Gusau, and Zamfara State.

The church has yet to announce a date for her burial.

NAN reports that health officials reported over 100 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis in Sokoto State with five deaths.

At least 80 people have lost their lives to meningitis in Zamfara in the last two months, the state Commissioner for Health, Suleiman Gummi, has said.

Meningitis had earlier killed at least three students in a Secondary School in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

Severe heat occasioned by intense solar radiation and living in congested apartments are parts of what medical experts believe are causing meningitis.

(NAN)

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Saturday announced the arrest of about 25 persons throughout the country for extortion and illegally selling registration materials to the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, candidates.

The culprits, according to the Registrar/Chief Executive of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, were apprehended by a combined team of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU, members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Police Force, following a tip-off.

He said that the e-Brochure and e-Syllabus which were meant to be free were being sold by the culprits as high as N800 each nationwide, while at the same time also extorting money and inflating cost of registration from candidates.

Among the registration materials being sold by them include copies of the UTME e-Brochure and e-Syllabus.

Speaking with journalists in his office in Bwari, Abuja, shortly after the arrests, Mr. Oloyede, a professor, said the people that were caught were those who were on illegal pilgrimage.

He said, Our quality assurance unit, particularly the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit had to go out to see what is happening, following reports of extortion. We were having reports that candidates are paying more than the N5,500 that is required. The perpetrators have been cautioned and are presently under surveillance. For many of them that have been caught, I dont think they will want to be caught for the second time in the future after serving the severe punishments awaiting them.

We keep on telling people that they are to pay just N5,500, which is N5,000 to JAMB and N500 for the book (e-Brochure and e-Syllabus) and that is all. But for the centre where they register, the owner of the centres will get a maximum of N700. We have arrested about 25 persons, all over the country. They are those who are doing what they are not supposed to do, by charging the candidates higher than expected. They will not escape justice, they will appear in Court.

According to him, JAMB has not asked anybody to pay extra money or asked anybody to go to any business centre for the creation of profile.

Mr. Oloyede said the banks and Computer-Based Test centres have reached an agreement with JAMB, that they would create the profile for the candidates.

And whether you go to the banks, NIPOST or anywhere to buy the pin, it is part of their responsibility to create the profile for the candidates. Nobody is expected to pay more than what we have specified. But what we have found out is that many people are gullible. What we have done is that the ACTU had gone out and raided the centres. We found out that many of the centres are playing on the ignorance of the candidates. We have advertised in 10 national newspapers, yet they still allow themselves to be extorted, he emphasised.

Mr. Oloyede also faulted claims by many of the candidates who have the impression that it would be better for them to register only in JAMB-owned centres.

He said, It is not true, whether you register at the JAMB centres or in any accredited centres, there is no difference. But we have large number of people in CBT centres owned by JAMB. I think that is unnecessary. You can go to NIPOST, you can go to other accredited CBT centres.

People are saying that there is poor connectivity, I dont know what they mean by that. May be, they are using old terms. Many of the business centres who want us to return to the old practice or those who are producing the scratch cards and want to continue extorting money from people are the ones echoing this noise and creating unnecessary problem for the candidates.

While assuring that every eligible candidate would be registered before the end of the one month exercise, the JAMB CEO, cautioned against panic registration, adding that if anybody stresses himself or herself, it is because they want to do so.

In some cases, we rush to something that we do not need to rush for. There is also this argument that banks are having problems, if you have problems going to banks, why cant you go to NIPOST? Why cant you go to online for interswitch or remitter? We have sold our pin to all these people for the candidates to access all these online. We have shouted and made the noise. When people are not listening, what can we do?, he stressed.

He commanded members of the NSCDC and the Nigeria Police who, he said, have been very wonderful.

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The visiting Norwegian Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Ronny Berg, on Sunday announced the readiness of more Norwegian fishery companies to export their products to Nigeria.

Mr. Berg told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that his delegation was in Nigeria to look at the new existing opportunities for Norwegian fishery products in the Nigerian market.

The Deputy Minister, who led a delegation of 30 Norwegian representatives to a seafood conference in Lagos, said that the companies were becoming more interested in the Nigerian market for their products.

Norway has been exporting stockfish into the Nigerian market since the 1890s, and till date, Norwegian seafood represents an important source of protein to many Nigerians.

But we have noted that in the last two or more years, there has not been adequate presence of our companies and their products in the Nigerian market.

So, my delegation is visiting Nigeria to meet with the relevant Nigerian Government agencies, stakeholders in Nigerias fishery industry, as well as make presentations at the Seafood conference.

We still see Nigeria as a major market for our fishery resources. My delegation is, therefore, in Nigeria, to showcase and interact with Nigerians on what Norway is ready to contribute to Nigerias current fishery needs, he said.

Mr. Berg said the companies were willing to increase their exports to Nigeria, not only of stockfish, but also more of mackerel and salmon.

The Deputy Minister expressed optimism that his delegations visit would also afford them the opportunity to meet with the Nigerian Customs Service and visit the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, as well as other stakeholders.

Mr. Berg also said that there was a lot for the Nigerian fishery development industry to benefit from Norwegian companies and experts, in the course of cooperation and collaboration between both countries.

We are really here in Nigeria to enter into new business cooperation relationships with our friends and counterparts in the Nigerian fishery industry on what we currently have to offer the Nigerian market in terms of fishery resources, he added.

(NAN)

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The All Progressives Congress National Working Committee will, on Tuesday, meet senators on the platform of the party to discuss growing tensions between the Senate and top officials of the Buhari administration.

Worried by the worsening relationship between the two arms of government, the party had embarked on a series of consultations with the key actors aimed at resolving the growing impasse, the partys spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement Sunday.

The party hopes the scheduled talks will help quell a wave of bitter exchanges between the executive and the legislature that had continued to heat up the polity.

Earlier this week, the crisis led the upper legislative chamber to suspend consideration of President Buharis nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioners in protest against Ibrahim Magus continued stay in office as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The senators had declined to confirm Mr. Magu as substantive chairman of the anti-graft office after two requests by the president.

The president sent the list of 27 nominees as electoral officials to the Senate last week.

The senators also protested alleged disrespect of the National Assembly by appointees of the president.

The Senate has been locked in prolonged supremacy battle with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Babachir Lawal, and Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali.

Messrs. Lawal and Ali declined separate summons of the Senate last week, over issues bordering on alleged corruption and alleged non-compliance with official dress code, respectively.

The ruling party expressed confidence in its ability to resolve the latest rift between the two arms of government but warned members to be mindful of their conduct as it finds a lasting solution to the crisis.

The party, however, warns that it would not hesitate to take appropriate action against any member whose utterances or behaviour are capable of jeopardising the peace initiatives or further worsening the existing situation, the APC said.

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Goods and cash worth millions of naira were destroyed by fire on Saturday when more than 40 shops were razed at Baboko market in llorin, the Kwara capital.

A witness account revealed that the inferno started in one of the affected shops at about some minutes past 1 a.m.

Nobody was able to ascertain what caused the fire which lasted for several hours.

Witnesses said it took the combined team of officials from the state fire service and sympathisers time to put out the fire at about 6 a.m. on Saturday.

The chairman of the Baoko market Association, Abdulrasaq Lasoju who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in llorin on Saturday expressed sadness over the incident.

He said that the affected traders had lost their sources of livelihood to the inferno and appealed to the state government to come to their assistance.

Mr. Lasoju also appealed to the Kwara Government to establish a fire service centre at the market to curb constant fire outbreak.

NAN recalled that the state internal revenue service in early 2016 renovated over 70 shops in the market.

Tiamiyu Raji, the state director, state fire service, said they received a distress call at about 1a.m. and succeeded in putting out the fire at about 6 a.m. on Saturday.

He said they could not ascertain the immediate cause of the fire, but warned people to always switch off all electrical appliances at the close of each day business.

(NAN)

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Udaipur, The M.P. Birla Group celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Birla Cement Works, the second member of its 10-member Cement Division, at Chanderia . Shri H V Lodha, Chairman of the Group, and members of the Board of Directors of Birla Corporation Limited, were present on this auspicious occasion.Shri Lodha said Birla Cement Works was the first dry process plant in India, using the latest technology. The M.P. Birla Group has two cement plants at Chanderia, Birla Cement Works (1967) and Chanderia Cement Works (1986). Today, the total production capacity of the plants per year is 4 million tons and, in the near future, it would go up to 5.5 million tons. Despite restrictions on blasting in the Chanderia mines since the past six years, the plants were working in full gear. Shri Lodha congratulated the Chanderia team on its initiative in ensuring normal performance of the plants and presented 40 employees with the Long-term Service Award.Shri D.N. Ghosh, Member, Board of Directors of Birla Corporation Limited, the flagship Company of the M.P. Birla Group, said it was a great occasion when we can take pride of ourselves. He praised the contribution of the Chanderia team since the past 50 years. He emphasized that a large part of the profit made by the Company went to charitable work.Shri Pracheta Majumdar, Executive Director, said we keep pace with the times but without sacrificing our basic values. Referring to the CSR activities of the group, he referred to the multi-speciality hospital being set up at Chittorgarh and support to the poor by Priyamvada Birla Arvind Hospital and South Point School, in Kolkata.Cement Division, M.P. Birla Group:The Cement Division of the M.P. Birla Group now has 10 units across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, with a total capacity of 15.5 MT. The Group acquired the cement business of Reliance Infrastructure Limited recently.The units at Chanderia produce Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), OPC 43 Gr., OPC 53 Gr. & SRC, under the brand name Birla Samrat CHETAK Cement. The cement facilities at the units have received the ISO-9001:2008 quality system certification, covering the entire range of production. CHETAK Cement is ideal for mass concrete, RCC/pre-stressed/precast structure (for reduced thermal crack), increased water tightness of concrete, increased resistance to sulphate soil & aggressive water and increased resistance to alkali aggregate reaction, besides corrosion resistance properties.
Guwahati, Apr 2 (IBNS) : Assam governor Banwarilal Purohit on Sunday inaugurated a two-day seminar on Sanskrit titled aSanskrit-its present state and future in Assama, at Phanidhar Dutta Memorial Hall of Gauhati University.

Attending the function as a chief guest which was organised by Sanskrit Bharati Assam, the Assam governor said that Sanskrit is an important subject that not only enlightens, it also enhances ones knowledge base.

He urged upon the students to use this subject to become wise at the same time as a tool to know our rich antecedents.

He also said that Sanskrit is a language which has a prominence in the land of Assam which is predominantly a confluence of all sacred saints and gurus.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University Mihir Kanti Choudhury also exhorted on the need of including Sanskrit in the school curriculum.

He also pointed out a definite connection between science and Sanskrit.

The governor assured all support to Sanskar Bharati in taking Sanskrit to a great height and wished success in all its future endeavours.

Director of Sanskrit Promotion Foundation, New Delhi Chand Kiron Saluja, Dr. Dibyajyoti Mahanta President of Seminar Organizing Committee, Organizing Secretary, Sanskar Bharati Bhaben Saikia and a host of other dignitaries were also present in the function.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
ATLANTIC CITY  The pop-up art installation exhibit that transforms unused spaces in the city will return Friday.

ARTeriors is celebrating its third year of presentations that will allow artists to create their own installments and features performance artists. This years events will take place in the former Ginsburg Bakery at 300 N. Tennessee Ave.

We want to point out how important art is to people, said Joyce Hagen, executive director of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.

Were working very hard to make this part of our new scenario. Most everyone thinks the arts can help our economy to survive in this tourism market, so a lot of people are working very hard to make that happen.

Americans for the Arts has done studies for some cities in New Jersey. The nonprofit helps show economic impact from the arts. A study in Princeton from the 2010 fiscal year showed arts-related jobs brought in $44,570,000 in resident household income. More than $2 million in state government revenue was also generated by arts programs.

Locally, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has proposed improvements to the the Atlantic City arts district in its 2017 Tourism District Master Plan.

According to the proposal for the arts district, the CRDA is planning to provide space in the Mississippi Avenue retail space in the soon to be completed Christopher Columbus Corridor Parking Garage. The garage is located near the Atlantic City Outlets at the The Walk.

One recognizable artist in the ARTeriors exhibit who has participated in many South Jersey art shows and whos active in the African American Heritage Museum is 87-year-old Marilyn Wynns Threadgill, who crafts mixed-media sculptures.

Originally from New York, the sculptor and her painter husband, Robert Threadgill, have been Atlantic City residents since 2001. Threadgill said she missed the art scene in New York and has been happy to be a part of ARTeriors.

Im not a gambler. Im not interested in gambling, so Im glad to see the arts coming back to the city, she said. Hearing about cutting out some of the art programs in schools and the president talking about cutting out the National Endowment for the Arts, that makes me want to cry.

President Donald Trump unveiled a budget plan in mid-March that would eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts to finance military increases and make a down payment on the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

The impact of such cuts could trickle down to South Jersey arts organizations.

Threadgill also creates dolls, but she said visitors at the ARTeriors event will get to see sculptures much more abstract this year, including her sculpture The Emerging of an Idea, which encompasses childbirth. She primarily uses found objects and scraps in her home to complete her work.

Ginsburg Bakery will also feature installation artists Blockhead Customs, Heather Deegan Hires, Greg Moissinac, Morgan Penza, Kelley Prevard and Marianna Smith.

Performance artists include Steve Kuzma and band, Travis Love, Shari Sanahi, Jacob Wolos and South Jersey Poets Collective.

We try to move it around the city so that different parts of the population that live nearby can get involved with it, Hagen said. We want these to be community projects.
MAYS LANDING  All eastbound lanes of the Atlantic City Expressway were closed Sunday afternoon after a tractor-trailer carrying fuel overturned on the Atlantic City Expressway, spilling more than 6,000 gallons of gasoline.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Flynn said he could not estimate how long the hazardous material cleanup would take, but police would reopen the road after that was complete.

As of 7:20 p.m., emergency personnel on scene said the hazmat cleanup was done and wreckers were arriving to handle the debris of the crashed tanker.

As of 10 p.m., the road remained closed.

The tanker's driver was walking and talking with police and emergency responders after the crash, emergency personnel on scene said. There was no word on whether the driver was injured.

Police have the eastbound lanes blocked off near the Frank S. Farley service area.

Motorists can drive into the rest stop and cross over to the westbound lanes to leave the area and seek an alternate route.

Drivers said eastbound traffic approaching the police roadblock was very slow, with some motorists getting out of their cars and walking toward the roadblock, while others drove into the rest stop to park and wait.

Major backup at mile 20 AC Expressway east, truck off into middle embankment. Police on scene. pic.twitter.com/NOKOTYcOXa  Erin @ #GearsAC (@ACPressGrugan) April 2, 2017

The accident occurred just after 1 p.m. Sunday near mile marker 20 eastbound. Passing drivers reported seeing a liquid spilling from the tank and a strong odor of gasoline.

The state Department of Environmental Protection's emergency response unit is on the scene in support, said Bob Considine, DEP press director.

The environmental impact of the spill is milder than it could have been.

"The spill will not impact any water body. There are no homes or residences in the area of concern," Considine said.

The state Forest Fire Service is on the scene to provide support to the incident commander, he said.

"The responsible party has two contractors on site who are setting up to offload the tanker and recover the product," Considine said. "Vineland Hazmat is also assisting in those cleanup efforts, which should carry on throughout the evening."

Police and emergency crews remained on scene Sunday evening, including the Atlantic County hazmat team and Cologne and Laureldale fire companies. Firefighting crews applied foam to the spilled gasoline.

The gasoline tanker, which holds 8,700 gallons, was full and appeared to have spilled all but about 2,000 gallons, emergency personnel on scene said.

Mutual aid also included Millville hazmat personnel and fire companies from Rosenhayn, Galloway and Mullica townships and the Atlantic City International Airport, and the Collings Lakes Fire Department's heavy rescue unit.

The state DEP would not have a cost estimate on the cleanup Sunday, Considine said.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Editor's note: This is the first story in a new series on domestic violence. The second installment will publish Friday morning online, looking at how New Jersey's legal system handles domestic violence.

Martina Singleton slid to the floor, thinking about her baby in the crib.

All she could think was: Im going to die. Im going to die here in front of my child.

Her ex-husband had cracked a pool stick over her head, and when she tried to stand, he punched her in the face.

Singleton fought to get back on her feet, seeing the look in his eyes: You aren't dead yet?

She eased up the wall to where the phone was, but he pulled it from the wall and smashed her in the head with it, sending her back to the floor, praying now.

"Oh God, please. Let me live."

Singleton got up again. Once he left, she grabbed her daughter and ran out of the house and down the street, zigzagging like she "was drunk," to her sisters' house.

When they opened the door and saw her, they screamed.

Friends remember Jacqueline Hoyle, Atlantic City's 11th shooting death this year Jacqueline Hoyle should have been celebrating her 25th birthday Friday.

Domestic violence is prevalent in every part of the world, with one in four women experiencing severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner in her lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. One in seven men have experienced the same.

It transcends race, age, gender, economics and education levels, and can manifest in any number of criminal acts, from trespassing, stalking and burglary to homicide.

Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence, said Claudia Ratzlaff, CEO of the Womens Center in Atlantic County.

All citizens need to weigh in, she said. They need to be educated on how they can impact violence because we all know a victim and we all know a perpetrator.

In New Jersey, domestic violence-related restraining orders are on the rise. A 2015 report from the state courts showed 32,691 domestic violence complaints filed in Family Court for the entire state  a 950-case increase from the previous year.

Among Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties, more than 5,000 new domestic violence complaints were filed in Family Court for the year.

Last year, there were about 52 domestic violence-related deaths in the state. In 2013, the state ranked 21st in the number of intimate-partner homicides, according to the New Jersey Domestic Violence Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board.

Despite these alarming statistics, domestic violence cases are extremely difficult to prosecute: Nearly eight out of 10 municipal domestic violence complaints end up not being prosecuted, often because victims don't want to follow through with their complaints.

In Atlantic County municipal court, 1,586 complaints were disposed, but of those, 1,461 were dismissed in 2015.

In response, the state Supreme Court formed a task force to look at domestic violence. The report, published last year, says the state needs to revamp domestic violence laws, courts need to change policies, police officers and lawyers need to be better trained, and more resources are needed to fight domestic violence.

Meanwhile, the violence keeps happening, including the recent slayings of Tara O'Shea-Watson, of Cumberland County, and Jacqueline Hoyle and Bessy Blanco, both of Atlantic City. All were allegedly murdered by former partners.

* * *

Singleton is 61 now. She keeps her black hair cropped and rounded off to her chin. For the past 20 years, she has worked at the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse in Cape May County, where she is the sexual assault program coordinator and counselor and works with women who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

That is my purpose in life. Thats why I survived. I survived to help others, she said. I survived it, but you might not.

To this day, she is not sure how she made it to her sisters' home, other than through "the grace of God."

She had run away from a sheltered upbringing by her grandmother at 16 and straight into the arms of the man who would end up abusing her.

When she first met him, though, she thought she had found her "knight in shining armor."

At 20, she got married. The marriage fell apart quickly. It started with name-calling, putting her down, having affairs  even getting another woman pregnant  to pushing, shoving and cursing.

Singleton said she didn't know much about the world and was raised Christian, where marriages were "until death do you part." But the abuse continued until the day she feared she might die in front of her child.

Even after the attack, Singleton went back to her husband, because she believed a child needed a father. But she also had another fear  that if she left, he would take their daughter.

It wasn't until her daughter was 2 years old that she secretly moved some of her belongings out of the home they shared, and left.

On average, it takes a woman seven times to leave a domestically violent relationship, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Fear, embarrassment, financial dependence or religion can factor into why a woman may stay.

Leaving isn't always easy and a restraining order isnt always a one-way ticket to freedom.

A restraining order is only as good as you feel your significant other is law-abiding, if you feel law enforcement impacts him or he has something to lose, Ratzlaff said.

For women who have children with their abusers, it can be hard to fully liberate themselves legally, she said.

Jeremiah Monell rejects plea bargain offering 30 years in prison BRIDGETON  Jeremiah Monell rejected a plea bargain Thursday that called for a 30-year state

* * *

Marie's battle with her ex-husband has moved from their home to the courts, but if you ask her, she doesn't feel any safer, even with the thick stack of legal papers that tells a story of custody disputes, restraining order violations and other accusations.

She called The Press of Atlantic City in January. While she said she fears her ex will retaliate against her, she still wished to talk about her experience with abuse. The Press is not identifying her because of her concerns for her safety.

Domestic violence response training for volunteers in Cumberland VINELAND  New Jersey State Police and the Center for Family Services are looking for volunt

Marie said she felt pressured by family to marry her ex-husband because they were having a child and he was wealthy.

Before long, her ex-husband told her to leave her job, get rid of her car and put her cellphone bill in his name  making her financially dependent on him, she said.

Her ex-husband had affairs, which she said they tried to work through with therapy, but he eventually became emotionally abusive. Later, she said, he choked her in front of their children, but she was afraid to call police.

A 2008 study found choking is one of the strongest predictors of homicide in domestic violence, with 43 percent of women murdered by a partner who choked them previously.

The final attack, which did not involve choking, led Marie to calling the police. Her attacker was removed from the home, but Marie said her divorce proceedings were marred by lawyers telling her to drop her temporary restraining orders to move into civil proceedings.

With children in the mix and no money or job to continue to pay her lawyers, her ex-husband received partial custody. Marie has a final restraining order now, but she said her ex-husband finds other ways to harass her. She said she feels like a prisoner in her own home.

Thats my constant life, watching over my shoulder, she said. I want the full custody of my children. This joint legal stuff is killing me. I cant put them in counseling. I cant do anything.

Marie said she feels police and judges have not taken her seriously, and said at one point she was accused of abusing her restraining order by reporting him all the time.

Some domestic violence cases, such as Marie's, boil down to only two witnesses: the abused and abuser.

If the system is overused, Ratzlaff said, its because "of how its set up as a referee.

Marie is navigating the system as well as family courts alone, and said she's in desperate need of legal representation. She wonders if by the time she gets help, it will be too late.

Is something going to happen to me? One of my kids?" Marie asked. "And everyone is just going to say, 'Sorry'?"
If youre hunting for a job, hoping for a raise or depending on a retirement account, your future hinges on President Trumps next big undertaking, cutting taxes.

And the picture looked rosy until last week. After the election, stocks soared on expectations that tax cuts would ignite an economic boom. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation was estimating that the Republican tax plan would lift wages nearly 8 percent and produce 1.7 million new jobs over the decade. Harvard economist Robert Barro was predicting that Trumps overall economic agenda could boost the nations growth rate from 2 percent to as much as 4 percent.

But when House Republicans failed to pass Obamacare repeal last Friday, it set off alarms that the Trump administration might lack the moxie to deliver its agenda.

As with health care, the path to tax reform is littered with landmines. Heres how Trump can sidestep them and succeed.

1. Pass corporate tax cuts first to get the economy roaring. The House GOP plan includes corporate tax cuts, tax breaks for most individuals and something new, a border adjustment tax. If Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wants to get tax reform done by August, he needs to pare down this agenda. Cutting top rates for high earners will provoke demagoguery and scare off moderate GOP lawmakers. The border adjustment tax creates so many winners and losers in each industry that it will be lobbied to death.

Instead, start with what has universal Republican support  reducing Americas corporate tax rates  the highest in the developed world.

The GOP plan slashes rates from 35 percent to 20 percent  Trump is pushing for 15 percent  and rewards companies for investing in equipment by allowing them to write off the costs immediately instead of over several years. Economist Larry Kudlow calls these changes growth propellants. To accelerate the impact, lawmakers can make the cuts retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017.

2. Trump should take the lead. Last weeks health reform failure shows the House GOP is not up to the task. Yet already, the gang that couldnt shoot straight on repealing Obamacare is demanding the president rely on their version of tax reform, as House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, urged on Sunday. Fortunately, the White House quickly countered that Trump is driving the train on this.

3. Beware of the border tax. To raise $1 trillion to pay for the tax cuts, the GOP is flirting with a 20 percent levy on all imports, and a break for U.S. companies that export. Trump initially labeled the idea too complicated. His instincts are good. Too many winners and losers. Oil drillers win, but refiners processing imported crude lose. Detroit wins, but car dealers selling imports lose. Consumers pay 20 cents more per gallon at the pump and a lot more at Wal-Mart. But factory workers here benefit. Japanese automakers are already considering moving production facilities to the U.S. if the border tax passes.

With so much at stake, no wonder eight GOP senators are balking, including Tom Cotton of Arkansas, home of Wal-Mart. Yet House Speaker Paul Ryan, who resisted changes to his Obamacare repeal bill, is making the same mistake again. He says opponents of the border tax simply dont understand how it works.

4. Tolerate deficits short term. Ryan and fellow deficit hawks insist tax cuts have to be offset with tax hikes or spending cuts immediately. If President Reagan had done that, there would have been no Reagan economic revolution. As the Tax Foundation confirms, tax cuts spur growth and ultimately yield more tax revenue.

5. Dont count on Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has already ruled out supporting a tax break for profitable and powerful corporations. As if class warfare is the answer.

While Dems squabble over how to divvy up the economic pie, Trump and Republicans are trying to grow a bigger one. If you work for a living, it will mean more money in your wallet.

Betsy McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.
Martina Singleton slid to the floor, thinking about her baby in the crib.

All she could think was: Im going to die. Im going to die here in front of my child.

Her ex-husband had cracked a pool stick over her head, and when she tried to stand, he punched her in the face.

Singleton fought to get back on her feet, seeing the look in his eyes: You arent dead yet?

She eased up the wall to where the phone was, but he pulled it from the wall and smashed her in the head with it, sending her back to the floor, praying now.

Oh God, please. Let me live.

Singleton got up again. Once he left, she grabbed her daughter and ran out of the house and down the street, zigzagging like she was drunk, to her sisters house.

When they opened the door and saw her, they screamed.

Domestic violence is prevalent in every part of the world, with one in four women experiencing severe physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner in her lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. One in seven men have experienced the same.

It transcends race, age, gender, economics and education levels, and can manifest in any number of criminal acts, from trespassing, stalking and burglary to homicide.

Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence, said Claudia Ratzlaff, CEO of the Womens Center in Atlantic County.

All citizens need to weigh in, she said. They need to be educated on how they can impact violence because we all know a victim and we all know a perpetrator.

In New Jersey, domestic violence-related restraining orders are on the rise. A 2015 report from the state courts showed 32,691 domestic violence complaints filed in Family Court for the entire state  a 950-case increase from the previous year.

Among Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties, more than 5,000 new domestic violence complaints were filed in Family Court for the year.

Last year, there were about 52 domestic violence-related deaths in the state. In 2013, the state ranked 21st in the number of intimate-partner homicides, according to the New Jersey Domestic Violence Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board.

Despite these alarming statistics, domestic violence cases are extremely difficult to prosecute: Nearly eight out of 10 municipal domestic violence complaints end up not being prosecuted, often because victims dont want to follow through with their complaints.

In Atlantic County municipal court, 1,586 complaints were disposed, but of those, 1,461 were dismissed in 2015.

In response, the state Supreme Court formed a task force to look at domestic violence. The report, published last year, says the state needs to revamp domestic violence laws, courts need to change policies, police officers and lawyers need to be better trained, and more resources are needed to fight domestic violence.

Meanwhile, the violence keeps happening, including the recent slayings of Tara OShea-Watson, of Cumberland County, and Jacqueline Hoyle and Bessy Blanco, both of Atlantic City. All were allegedly murdered by former partners.

Singleton is 61 now. She keeps her black hair cropped and rounded off to her chin. For the past 20 years, she has worked at the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse in Cape May County, where she is the sexual assault program coordinator and counselor and works with women who are survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

That is my purpose in life. Thats why I survived. I survived to help others, she said. I survived it, but you might not.

To this day, she is not sure how she made it to her sisters home, other than through the grace of God.

She had run away from a sheltered upbringing by her grandmother at 16 and straight into the arms of the man who would end up abusing her.

When she first met him, though, she thought she had found her knight in shining armor.

At 20, she got married. The marriage fell apart quickly. It started with name-calling, putting her down, having affairs  even getting another woman pregnant  to pushing, shoving and cursing.

Singleton said she didnt know much about the world and was raised Christian, where marriages were until death do you part. But the abuse continued until the day she feared she might die in front of her child.

Even after the attack, Singleton went back to her husband, because she believed a child needed a father. But she also had another fear  that if she left, he would take their daughter.

It wasnt until her daughter was 2 years old that she secretly moved some of her belongings out of the home they shared, and left.

On average, it takes a woman seven times to leave a domestically violent relationship, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Fear, embarrassment, financial dependence or religion can factor into why a woman may stay.

Leaving isnt always easy and a restraining order isnt always a one-way ticket to freedom.

A restraining order is only as good as you feel your significant other is law-abiding, if you feel law enforcement impacts him or he has something to lose, Ratzlaff said.

For women who have children with their abusers, it can be hard to fully liberate themselves legally, she said.

Maries battle with her ex-husband has moved from their home to the courts, but if you ask her, she doesnt feel any safer, even with the thick stack of legal papers that tells a story of custody disputes, restraining order violations and other accusations.

She called The Press of Atlantic City in January. While she said she fears her ex will retaliate against her, she still wished to talk about her experience with abuse. The Press is not identifying her because of her concerns for her safety.

Marie said she felt pressured by family to marry her ex-husband because they were having a child and he was wealthy.

Before long, her ex-husband told her to leave her job, get rid of her car and put her cellphone bill in his name  making her financially dependent on him, she said.

Her ex-husband had affairs, which she said they tried to work through with therapy, but he eventually became emotionally abusive. Later, she said, he choked her in front of their children, but she was afraid to call police.

A 2008 study found choking is one of the strongest predictors of homicide in domestic violence, with 43 percent of women murdered by a partner who choked them previously.

The final attack, which did not involve choking, led Marie to calling the police. Her attacker was removed from the home, but Marie said her divorce proceedings were marred by lawyers telling her to drop her temporary restraining orders to move into civil proceedings.

With children in the mix and no money or job to continue to pay her lawyers, her ex-husband received partial custody. Marie has a final restraining order now, but she said her ex-husband finds other ways to harass her. She said she feels like a prisoner in her own home.

Thats my constant life, watching over my shoulder, she said. I want the full custody of my children. This joint legal stuff is killing me. I cant put them in counseling. I cant do anything.

Marie said she feels police and judges have not taken her seriously, and said at one point she was accused of abusing her restraining order by reporting him all the time.

Some domestic violence cases, such as Maries, boil down to only two witnesses: the abused and abuser.

If the system is overused, Ratzlaff said, its because of how its set up as a referee.

Marie is navigating the system as well as family courts alone, and said shes in desperate need of legal representation. She wonders if by the time she gets help, it will be too late.

Is something going to happen to me? One of my kids? Marie asked. And everyone is just going to say, Sorry?
125 YEARS AGO

From 1892: During this past week several carloads of mules and scrapers have passed through on their way to work on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad west of here near Ash Fork.

There was a grand revelry at Powells Opera House on Friday night with the INOAs second annual ball with all the beauty and chivalry of Flagstaff present. It began with the Grand March as all couples swept around the hall. The ladies in their finest toilettes were elegant and appropriate for the occasion and the Boys in Blue presented a handsome martial appearance in their new uniforms. This was followed by a Silent Manual Drill by the Company, then a Bayonet Exercise by Sergeant F. C. Hochderffer of California. The music and dancing were splendid.

There will be a Magic Lantern Show at Powells Opera House on Wednesday night.

The band of tramps who broke into the cabin of T. J. Coalters ranch and stole a lot of bedding and clothing last week were overtaken at Walnut and brought back to this place, where they taken before Justice Gibson. They confessed the theft and were fined $50 each and are now working out their fines on our streets.

O. P. Harding in from Oak Creek on Tuesday, says he expects the strawberry and trout crops will be better than usual this year.

The storm on Monday was general along the line of the Atlantic & Pacific. Here about a foot of snow fell, which was blown about by the high winds and drifted badly. Then Monday night the temperature dropped to ZERO.

100 YEARS AGO

1917: Fletcher Fairchild returned on Monday from a trip to the new coal discoveries north of this place. The extent of the deposits is not yet known but development work will commence next month. It is hoped that a paying coal deposit may be found.

Friends of Will Hochderffer will be pleased to learn of his rapid recovery from his accident with a run-a-way a few weeks ago. He has so far recovered the use of his foot as to be able to once more to be on duty at the Parlor Exchange Lunch Counter.

Due to the inclemency of the weather Sunday last and the consequently small attendance at the Presbyterian Church the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is postponed until Easter Sunday when the Reverend J. A. Manual of Albuquerque will be present to assist.

No  TO  Bac, is a sure cure for the tobacco habit and is guaranteed for everyone. It acts directly on the nerve centers destroying the craving and prepares the way for total discontinuance without inconvenience. It is sold by Druggists. Dont spit your life away. Send for your book right away. Sterling Remedy Company, Box 53, Indiana Mineral Springs, Warren County, Indiana.

John Nead has let the contract for the building of a 5-room cottage near the home of David Babbitt. Mr. Nead has charge of the Hardware Dept. of Babbitt Bros. His family will join him as soon as their new home is complete.

75 YEARS AGO

1942: The increased depth of water storage at Lake Mary and the fine record by the Flagstaff Fire Department have resulted in a decrease in Flagstaff insurance rates.

A serious wartime farm labor shortage cannot fail to result in a decrease in agricultural production. It has already forced 10 of the longest term dairy farms in Arizona to close down with the loss of 700 milk cows. Earl Mahoney, Vice Chairman of the Agricultural Division of the Arizona Civilian Defense Council and Executive Secretary of the Arizona Farm Bureau.

You are in step with the drive to save paper when you use your own shopping bag at Safeway, 107 Leroux.

Heat with Standard Stove and Furnace oil. Phone 186 for accurate metered service by Weber Bros. Distributors.

All men who were 45 years of age before February 16, 1942, and have not reached their 65th birthday are required to register for the 4th Draft. Major W. W. Midgley, Chairman of the Local Draft Board.

Blood Bank Week is under way. Tuesday night the members of the 20/30 Club had their blood typed in the basement of the Court Building by Fred J. Baker, Bacteriologist with the State Health Department. The project was directed by the local Red Cross, and included members of the Flagstaff Electric Light Company, the City Volunteer Fire Department and the Sheriffs Department.

50 YEARS AGO

1967: The entire business community has a gripe against the city council. There is a rising clamor in which the parking meters are assailed and there is a demand to return the streets to 2-way. The real problem is a lack of parking and the missing of a chance to build a suitable parking garage.

As our annual spring cleanup goes forth, City Sanitary Engineer Leonard D. Hueppel reminds citizens that there are 2 acres 12  miles on the Old Sunset Crater Road where large trash, old building material and concrete can be dumped. Its open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The City Sanitary Fill, also called the garbage dump, is 10 miles north on Route 89. Turn off at the sign. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week.

Since December 16, when the Coconino County Superior Court found the water unsuitable for human consumption, Doney Park residents have been carrying their water by hand. An investigation by the Health Department found that the Black Bill  Doney Park Association water contains a large amount of silt, a great deal of marine life and other debris. The practice of chlorinating the collection basin is insufficient to handle the contamination.

The Flagstaff City water supply at Lake Mary has held steady all week.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting with the company proposing to build an Asphalt Batch Plant near SmokeRise and the matter of the smog and other pollution controls required of them before a permit will be considered possible.

H. 44 Wed. L. 24 Fri. No rain.

25 YEARS AGO

1992: The Mission Uniform Linen Service at 2450 E. Huntington is moving to Phoenix, saying that they cannot meet the Flagstaff wastewater disposal standard. The cost of the new equipment required exceeds the ability of the local operation to continue here. The entire staff will be laid off.

The Supreme Court has refused to permit the Havasupais to block operation of a uranium mine operation near their reservation in the Grand Canyon.

The colorful Painted Lady butterflies we are currently seeing are much more numerous in their northward migration this year than is usual. They winter in Mexico, where this years drought has dried up their usual habitat, thus sending them northward earlier in the year and in greater numbers. Few will actually make it all the way to Canada. They will disperse across a wide area of western United States, with most laying their eggs along the way where the new generation will hatch, develop and then make their return journey to winter quarters in Mexico. Judy Hite, Flagstaff Arboretum.

The Grand Canyons Kaibab Trail is closed. A large area of limestone about 40 feet wide, 20 feet high and 10 feet thick directly above the switchbacks has become seriously unstable. Our unusually wet winter and a recent series of small earthquakes seem to be the cause of this treacherous development.
Guwahati, Apr 2 (IBNS): Assam BJP unit on Sunday issued a show cause notice to its legislator after the saffron party lost a municipality board in middle Assam.

The saffron party issued the show cause notice to its MLA after the party had lost the Hojai municipality board in the middle Assam and it was newly formed with the help of AIUDF, Congress, Independent and other dissidents of BJP.



The chairman of the BJP-led municipality board was faced no confidence motion on Saturday and the saffron party had lost its control in the municipality board after not able to show the majority.



State BJP unit general secretary Vijay Kumar Gupta said that, following direction by the Assam BJP unit president Ranjit Kumar Das, the party has issued a show cause notice to Shiladitya Dev, BJP MLA of Hojai constituency after he defied the party instruction and made mispropaganda against the party.



The party also asked the MLA to submit answer within seven days.

The party issued show cause notice to the legislator about the incident of no confidence motion against Chaturthi Biswas, Chairman of Hojai Municipality board on April 1, and thereafter he defied the party instruction and disobeyed. The MLA also made mispropaganda against the party and other office bearers of the state BJP unit, Vijay Gupta said.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)


BOGOTA, Colombia, April 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global organization Mercy Corps has a team on the ground in the city of Mocoa, the capital of the department of Putumayo in Colombia, following devastating mudslides that leveled homes and destroyed highways. According to news reports, more than 250 people were killed and scores more are missing and left homeless.

"Our first concern is for the survivors of this disaster, and for the families whose loved ones are missing or have died," says Provash Budden, Mercy Corps' country director in Colombia. "The Colombian government has a strong first response system and a well-developed disaster unit, and we stand ready to assist."

Mercy Corps team members in Mocoa report that survivors urgently need food, clean water, blankets and hygiene kits containing soap, toothbrushes and other essential supplies. In addition, survivors of the disaster will require psychosocial support and safe spaces for vulnerable women and children.

"We have been working in Putumayo for 11 years and know the region well," says Budden. "We will be coordinating with the government and other humanitarian organizations to fill any gaps in the response to this tragedy and help the people of Mocoa build back stronger."

Join us and support Mercy Corps' work in Colombia and elsewhere in the world.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps empowers people around the world to survive through crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. Recognized as a leader in delivering rapid, lifesaving aid to hard-hit communities, Mercy Corps has responded to almost every global emergency in the past 20 years, including the Nepal earthquakes (2015), Philippines typhoon (2013), the Japan earthquake and tsunami (2011), Horn of Africa drought and hunger crisis (2010) and Kashmir earthquake (2005). Mercy Corps was also one of the first responders to the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004) and Haiti earthquake (2010).

SOURCE Mercy Corps

Related Links

http://www.mercycorps.org


WASHINGTON, April 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

GETTING IN THE HABIT

Profile America  Sunday, April 2nd. In 19th century America, local coffeehouses, which roasted their own beans, ruled. Then, in 1900, Hills Brothers started packing roasted, ground coffee in vacuum tins. In the next several years, instant and decaffeinated coffees were developed. In a move to return to fresh-roasted whole bean coffee, the first Starbucks opened in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market this week in 1971. Borrowing from Italian practice, the chain added espresso, latte and mocha. Public acceptance ramped up in these past 46 years, and now the firm has more than 25,000 stores in some 70 countries, with about 11,500 in the U.S. That's well over half of the 19,500 coffee shops across America. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.

Sources:

Coffee culture/accessed 2/2/2017: www.ushistoryscene.com/article/american-drinking/

Opening/accessed 2/2/2017: www.starbucksmelody.com/2015/03/22/pike-place-starbucks-history/

Growth/accessed 2/2/2017: www.starbucks.com/about-us/company-information/starbucks-company-timeline

Starbucks global count/accessed 2/4/2017: https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-top-10-global-stories-of-2016

Domestic numbers/accessed 2/2/2017: www.statista.com/statistics/218366/number-of-international-and-us-starbucks-stores/

U.S. coffee shops/Economic Census/NAICS 7222135: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ECN/2012_US/00CCOMP1//naics~7222135

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotion of the U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics and accounts drawn from cited non-Census sources are employed for illustrative or narrative purposes, and are not attested to by the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Audio" in the "Library" pull-down menu).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

Related Links

http://www.census.gov


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
Brussels, March 28 : Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on Tuesday stepped up calls for the British government to offer a "cast-iron guarantee" to European Union (EU) nationals on their right to remain in the UK after Brexit, a media report said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an event in Brussels, Khan said an offer to 3.3 million EU nationals, one million of whom are Londoners, would be "the perfect gesture of goodwill" and urged the rest of the EU to make the same move, the Guardian said in the report.

Khan is visiting the Belgian capital a day before the British government plans to trigger the two-year process that will end Britain's EU membership in 2019.

"A bad Brexit deal that hurts London would hurt the European Union too," he said.

He evoked supply chain disruptions and businesses quitting London for New York or Singapore, rather than heading to Paris or Frankfurt.

"A hard Brexit really is a lose-lose situation," he added.

During his stay, Khan will meet Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, and Antonio Tajani, the President of the European parliament, the Guardian report said.

Speaking days after EU leaders, minus British Prime Minister Theresa May, celebrated 60 years of European unity, Khan praised the bloc, describing it as the foundation for peace and a symbol that countries could work together.

"In London, we will always consider ourselves part of the European family," he added.
Srinagar, March 28 : A militant was killed in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Tuesday while three local youth protesting the operation were also killed, officials said.

Defence ministry spokesman, Col. Rajesh Kalia told reporters here that the gunfight in Durbugh village of Budgam's Chadoora area ended in the afternoon when the lone militant holed up inside a house was killed.

"The body of the slain militant and his weapon have been recovered from the site of the gunfight which has ended," he said.

A soldier was also injured in the gunfight that lasted for nearly 10 hours.

Three youth identified as Zahid Rashid Ganai, Saqib Ahmed and Ishfaq Ahmed Wani were killed when security forces opened fire on local residents protesting the operation.

The three youth were seriously injured and shifted to hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

Acting on specific information about presence of militants, security forces surrounded Durbugh village but as they closed in on the house where the militants were hiding, they were fired upon, sparking of the gunfight, the official said.

Protests erupted in the area during the gunfight.

Protesting youths also pelted stones at vehicles of the Central Reserve Police Force at Nagam village, three km away from Durbugh, as they were bringing troopers to augment the security forces engaged in the gunfight.
Kabul, March 29 : At least 47 militants were killed as government forces stormed Taliban hideouts in Farah province on Wednesday, an army official said.

"As the result of well-coordinated operations launched against Taliban in Bala Block district, so far 47 rebels have been killed and 51 injured," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying.

He earlier put the number of Taliban militants killed at 30, saying the operations targeted Taliban bastion in Shiwan area.

Bala block is Taliban hotbed in Farah province.

Operations would continue until the insurgents are wiped out from the area, the official said.

Taliban militants who are active in Farah are yet to comment.
Chandigarh, March 29 : The Punjab Vigilance Bureau will conduct a thorough probe into the Rs 31,000 crore foodgrain scam in the state, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Wednesday.

He said that his government would get to the root of the scam and ensure stringent punishment for the guilty.

The Congress, before it came to power in Punjab earlier this month, had rejected the previous government's move to convert the alleged misappropriation of Rs 31,000 crore into a term loan.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the consortium of 33 banks had, last year, refused to provide the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) guarantee to Punjab for purchase of paddy till the foodgrain money was accounted for.

Amarinder Singh told media here on Wednesday that a 'White Paper' on the state's poor financial health would soon be made public to fix the accountability of all those responsible for it.

"The 'White Paper' would be an eye opener for people and will acquaint them with the mismanagement and maladministration of the decade-long 'misrule' of the erstwhile SAD-BJP government," he added.

He assured that not even an inch of any farmers' land would be confiscated at any cost and the state government would bring in a legislation in the soon to secure the rights of the peasantry and ensure that no farmer is harassed by any bank in case of non-payment of outstanding loans.

"Banks have been directed not to issue any auction notices to farmers in case of non-payment," he said.

Reiterating that his government would negotiate the loans of the farmers with banks, Amarinder Singh said that the government would safeguard the interests of farmers.
New Delhi, March 29 : India has become a net exporter of electricity for the first time during the eleven months (April-February) of the current fiscal, the government said on Wednesday.

"As per Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the designated authority of government of India for cross border trade of electricity, first time India has turned around from a net importer of electricity to net exporter of electricity," a Power Ministry statement said here.

"During the current year 2016-17 (April to February 2017), India has exported around 5,798 million units (MU) to Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar, which is 213 MU more than the import of around 5,585 MU from Bhutan," it said.

"Export to Nepal and Bangladesh increased 2.5 and 2.8 times respectively in the last three years," it added.

According to the statement, ever since the cross border trade of electricity started in the mid-1980s, India has been importing power from Bhutan and marginally exporting to Nepal.

On an average, Bhutan has been supplying around 5,000-5,500 MU to India, it said.

India had also been exporting around 190 MW power to Nepal over 12 cross border interconnections.

The export of power to Nepal further increased by around 145 MW with the commissioning of Muzaffarpur (India)-Dhalkhebar (Nepal) 400kV line, the statement added.

India expects the export of power to Nepal to increase by around 145 MW shortly over the 132 kV Katiya (Bihar)-Kusaha (Nepal) and 132 kV Raxaul (Bihar)-Parwanipur (Nepal) links.

The ministry said that at present, around 600 MW power is being exported to Bangladesh.

A few more cross border links with neighbouring countries are in the pipeline which would further increase export of power, it added.
Guwahati, Apr 2 (IBNS) : At least three militants belonging to the anti-talk faction group of United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA) (Martin group) were killed and another was injured during a fierce gun fight with army and police in Assamas hills district Karbi Anglong on Sunday, officials said.

Karbi Anglong district SP V Shivaprasad Ganjala said the encounter took place at Jullian village, about 17 km north east from Manja in the district.



Based on intelligence input, the troops of 15th Gorkha Rifles and the Assam police team led by Karbi Anglong Additional SP had jointly launched operation at the remote area in Singhasan hills on Sunday morning about presence of a militant group at the area.



When the troops reached the area, the militants had started fire and bullets were exchanged lasting for couple for hours, the top Assam cops said.



During the gun battle, three militants were killed and another militant of the group injured.



Security personnel had recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter area.

The slain militants are yet to be identified.

More reports are awaited.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
New Delhi, March 30 : India and Nepal will soon sign a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to facilitate a pilot run for the movement of traffic-in-transit.

"An MoI on India-Nepal Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) pilot run will soon be signed by India and Nepal to facilitate movement of traffic-in-transit belonging to Nepal from the port of arrival in India to Nepal. The pilot aims to demonstrate the benefits, especially in terms of reduced costs, of the ECTS system," the Finance Ministry said in a statement here on Thursday.

Currently clearance is done through physical inspection which is time consuming as well as costly.

The MoI will include the use of ECTS to follow the cargo (containers and full-body trucks) as it moves from the port of arrival through India, to the Nepal border.

The ECTS will lead to reduced cost and save time as it speeds up cargo clearance at border crossings.

The ECTS uses technology such as satellite positioning systems, cellular communications, radio frequency (RF) identification, web-based software and others, to ensure the security of the cargo and avoid any interference in transit.

The pilot project will be supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework, and its success will serve as the basis for its use in other SASEC corridors as well as in inland movement of cargo.

ECTS pilots have already been done along the Kolkata-Jaigaon-Phuentsholing route between India and Bhutan, and for inland trans-shipment in India.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh seeking the cancellation of an FIR registered by the CBI against him and his wife in a corruption case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered the case on September 23, 2016, under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the Chief Minister, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan and an associate Chunni Lal.

The case was registered after a preliminary inquiry that allegedly found that Virbhadra Singh, during his term as a union minister from 2009 to 2012, accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The Chief Minister's counsel had argued that the permission of the state government and Home Department was not sought before raiding his residence.

On October 1, 2015, the Himachal Pradesh High Court in an interim order had restrained the CBI from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet against Virbhadra Singh without its permission.

The matter was later transferred to the Delhi High Court.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a chargesheet against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

The CBI filed the chargesheet here before Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal, who has listed the matter for Saturday for consideration of the investigation report.

Besides Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan, his associate Chunni Lal, Joginder Singh Ghalta, Prem Raj, Lawan Kumar Roach, Vakamullah Chandrashekhara and Ram Prakash Bhatia are also chargesheeted in the case.

The CBI has booked the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Codecdealing with abetment and forgery and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its report, the CBI has cited around 220 witnesses to support its allegations.

The Delhi High Court earlier on Friday dismissed the plea of the Chief Minister and his wife seeking to quash an FIR registered by the CBI against them, in connection with a case of corruption.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered the case on September 23, 2016, under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan and an associate Chunni Lal.

The case was registered after a preliminary inquiry found that Virbhadra Singh, during his term as a Union minister from 2009 to 2012, allegedly accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
London, March 31 : European Council President Donald Tusk has said the EU will not punish Britain, because Brexit is "punishment enough", as he released a set of draft guidelines on Friday for the two-year Brexit negotiations.

Tusk spoke at a news conference in Malta on Friday after the guidelines were sent to the heads of the 27 remaining members of the EU, reported the Independent.

The draft guidelines appeared to offer a concession to Prime Minister Theresa May, suggesting that talks on future trade arrangements could begin once "sufficient progress" was made on the initial Brexit deal.

Tusk said that the EU will not seek to punish Britain in the initial stages of the talks. "We will not be punitive. Brexit itself is punitive enough," he said.

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who is the incumbent rotating EU President, appeared alongside Tusk at the conference and said the Brexit negotiations will be tough but "it will not be a war".

He warned both sides that citizens in Britain and other EU nations should not be used as "bargaining chips".

Going into the two-year negotiation period triggered by Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (official process to leave the EU), the EU would think of the people first, Tusk said.

The residential rights of EU citizens living in Britain would be one of the main focuses.

The EU companies in Britain would need to be safeguarded against losing the protection of the 27-member bloc's law and regulation, he said.

Tusk also said the EU would honour all its commitments, and stressed that Britain would have to as well.

He also raised the issue of Britain's financial bills with the EU, estimated to be as much as 51 billion pounds ($64 billion).

In a sign of the bloc's determination to secure a "divorce bill" from Britain, he said: "We will need to make sure that Britain honours all financial commitments and liabilities it has taken as a member state."

He also said the EU would seek "flexible and creative solutions" to avoid the creation of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Britain's only land border with the EU.

Tusk will meet May in London ahead of an EU summit on Brexit, which will not include her, on April 29.
Madrid, March 31 : The European Union has put the future of Gibraltar at stake in the coming Brexit negotiations, effectively backing Spain in its centuries-old dispute with the UK over the British overseas territory.

A Brexit deal will not automatically apply to Gibraltar and could be vetoed by Spain, according to the EU's draft guidelines for the UK's exit negotiations, reported the Independent on Friday.

After lobbying from Spanish diplomats, a clause has been inserted in the EU's draft Brexit negotiating guidelines that appears to allow Spain to exclude Gibraltar from any transitional single market access arrangement or future trade deal with the UK if it is not satisfied with the status of the territory.

It came as Donald Tusk, the European Council President, set out the EU's nine-page draft negotiating position, making clear Britain must make significant progress with its divorce from Europe before any talks on future trade terms begin.

The guidelines add: "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the UK may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the kingdom of Spain and the UK," said the report.

It means issues relating to the territory will have to be solved bilaterally between Downing Street's negotiating team and Madrid and will likely become a contentious point throughout the two-year timeframe to negotiate Britain's exit deal, the daily said.

The territory, situated on Spain's southern tip, has been in British hands for over 300 years and residents there voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining within the EU at the referendum last June by 96 per cent.

The draft guidelines also make clear the EU is willing to consider a "transitional" deal after Brexit and is also prepared for talks to collapse.

Tusk's document said: "In these negotiations the Union will act as one. It will be constructive throughout and will strive to find an agreement. This is in the best interest of both sides.

"The Union will work hard to achieve that outcome, but it will prepare itself to be able to handle the situation also if the negotiations were to fail," it further said.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed a chargesheet against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others in a disproportionate assets case. Congress cried foul, calling it a case of "political vendetta".

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed the chargesheet here before Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal, who has fixed Saturday for consideration of the investigation report.

Besides Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan, his associate Chunni Lal, Joginder Singh Ghalta, Prem Raj, Lawan Kumar Roach, Vakamullah Chandrashekhara and Ram Prakash Bhatia are also chargesheeted in the case.

The CBI has booked the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with abetment and forgery and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its report, the CBI has cited around 220 witnesses to support its allegations.

The Delhi High Court earlier on Friday dismissed the plea of the Chief Minister and his wife seeking to quash an FIR registered by the CBI against them, in connection with a case of corruption.

The CBI had registered the case on September 23, 2016, under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan and an associate Chunni Lal.

The case was registered after a preliminary inquiry found that Virbhadra Singh, during his term as a Union minister from 2009 to 2012, allegedly accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

However, the Congress dismissed it.

"It is an old case. Only a chargesheet has been filed. It is a clear case of political vendetta. There is no question of his resignation. Virbhadra Singh has said that he would fight to the end," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the media.
London, April 1 : The UK government has said that it will stand up for Gibraltar's interests after the territory accused Spain of using Brexit to forward its territorial aims, a media report said on Saturday.

After reported lobbying from Spain, the European Union's Brexit negotiation strategy is that decisions affecting Gibraltar will be run past the Spanish government, the BBC report said.

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said this was "unacceptable".

"This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests."

"Brexit is already complicated enough without Spain trying to complicate it further," the BBC quoted Picardo as saying.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson held talks with Picardo in an effort to reassure him of the UK's support.

Johnson said: "As ever, the UK remains implacable and rock-like in our support for Gibraltar."

An EU source told the BBC the inclusion of the Gibraltar issue in the document had come after lobbying from Spain.

However, British Prime Minister Theresa May had not mentioned Gibraltar once in her 2,200-word letter triggering Article 50 (the official process of leaving the EU), starting the Brexit process.

Spain has long contested Britain's 300 year-rule of Gibraltar.

Gibraltarians, who number about 30,000, rejected by 99 per cent to 1 per cent the idea of the UK sharing sovereignty with Spain, in a vote in 2002.

However, Spain has continued to press its territorial claim.

In last June's EU referendum, Gibraltar voted by 96 per cent to 4 per cent to remain in the EU.
Johannesburg, April 1 : Standing ovations, stamping feet and screams of admiration greeted ousted Indian-origin Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas at the memorial ceremony for ANC stalwart and revered anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada on Saturday.

Gordhan and Jonas were honoured by a huge crowd of hundreds at the Johannesburg City Hall. Axed Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom and Former Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi also attended the ceremony, South Africa's News 24 reported.

The former Finance Minister and his deputy were ousted by President Jacob Zuma over allegations that they held secret meetings abroad in an attempt to undermine the country and its economy.

Gordhan and Hanekom were seated next to former President Nelson Mandela's widow, Graca Machel.

Also in attendance were Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel as well as former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, among others.

Representing the Nelson Mandela Foundation, professor Njabulo Ndebele did not mince words in lashing out at the current state of the ANC-led government.

"A criminal syndicated government is a beast that can swallow us into oblivion," said Ndebele.

The memorial came at a politically heated time, following a cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma during which he fired a number of ministers.

The Kathrada Foundation Youth Desk's Busi Nkosi during her tribute to Kathrada, shared memories of their jokes together and Kathrada's "teddy bear hugs".

The memorial was originally to be held jointly by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the SA Communist Party. However, following the cancellation of a state memorial, the Gauteng ANC also joined in on the commemoration ceremony.

Kathrada died on Tuesday morning, and his funeral service was held at West Park cemetery in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

President Zacob Zuma was asked by Kathrada's family not to attend the funeral.
New Delhi, April 1 : Four Delhi University students were arrested for "chasing, misbehaving and overtaking" Union minister Smriti Irani's car in an inebriated state here on Saturday.

Police said the minister's security staff complained to the Police Control Room (PCR) at around 5 p.m. about the four youths chasing her car and trying to overtake her pilot car near the Myanmar Embassy in Chanakyapuri area.

All the four students -- identified as Anand Sharma, Avinash, Shitanshu and Kunal -- are in the age group of 20-25 and students of a South Campus college. They have been detained for interrogation at the Chanakyapuri Police Station.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P Meena told IANS: "During their medical examination, they were found to be under the influence of alcohol."

Smriti Irani's security staff stopped the students' speeding Santro car after chasing it near the French Embassy, when it tried to overtake the minister's pilot car repeatedly, Meena said.

They later handed over these students to the PCR van and the local police, who had reached the spot by then.

"They have been held for speeding, drunken driving and misbehaving with the minister and her staff," the officer added.
Guwahati, April 1 : Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who arrived in Assam on Saturday, recalled his first arrival there way back in 1959 and expressed his emotional attachment with the state's people and other parts of the region.

The spiritual leader arrived in Assam on Saturday to deliver a lecture organised by a local media house, the Assam Tribune Group of newspapers. He is expected to take part in Namami Brahmaputra festival and deliver a speech at the Gauhati University on Sunday.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit different places of Arunachal Pradesh from April 4 including Tawang, which China often claims as disputed territory.

China has expressed its concern over Indian government's move to allow Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, saying it will impact bilateral relation between the two countries.

"Whenever I come here I feel the emotional attachment with the people of Assam and northeast. I had to escape in 1959 due to Chinese Army's increased activity in Tibet. When we send some of our men to Indian border, they readily agreed to allow us entry," he said while recalling his first arrival in Assam.

Appreciating India's secular identity, the spiritual leader said Indian secularism teaches everyone to respect for all religion and non-believers. "India also has the tradition of Ahimsa (non-violence). Ahimsa is based on compassion. We have to apply our intelligence to be compassionate. For a peaceful world we need a compassionate mind," he said.

Saying that the last century (the 20th century) was one of century of violence where more than 200 million people were killed, the Dalai Lama said that 21st century is, however, giving a ray of hope as the youth are more compassionate. He also advocated for strong spirit of dialogue to resolve disagreements.

Opposing the pattern to identify religion with terrorism, the Dalai Lama said that he feels very uncomfortable when terrorists are associated with particular religion. "Terrorists may belong to a particular religion, but that they do not represent the religion. I am very uncomfortable when someone says Muslim terrorists or Buddhist terrorists. A true Muslim never follow the path of violence. There may be mischievous persons among Buddhists, Muslim, Hindus, Christians or Jews. These mischievous persons cannot represent the community," he said.
Kolkata, Apr 2 (IBNS): Robbers armed with firearms and choppers stormed a jewellery store at Sonarpur area in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, barely 12 km. from Kolkata, on Sunday evening, reports said.

According to reports, at least seven 'unidentified' dacoits attacked D.S. Debnath Jewellers at Sonarpur Rail Gate (East) area, metres away from Sonarpur Police Station and Sonarpur railway station, at around 7:15 pm. and robbed the store at gun-point in a 15-minute operation.

When proprietor of the jewellery shop tried to stop the miscreants from robbing the store, dacoits stabbed him and shot bullets aiming at the middle-aged man.

A female staffer of the store and two locals were also injured as robbers opened fire and charged crude bombs on them while leaving the place after operation.

Sustaining bullet injuries, four persons were rushed to M.R. Bangur Hospital in south Kolkata's Tollygunge area.

As the health condition of the shop owner, Dipak Debnath, deteriorated, he was shifted to a private hospital at E.M. Bypass area, where he has been declared dead, according to the latest update came in.

Remaining three persons are being treated in serious conditions in city hospitals.

As robbers threw at least four crude bombs, which did not go off, on railway tracks nearby, train service at the area was disrupted for hours following the incident.

However, a huge police force have been deployed to the spot.

A police official said that they have started probe into the matter while none has been arrested in connection with the case.

"Besides quizzing eye-witnesses and locals, we are examining jewellery store's CCTV footage to identify and catch the robbers' gang," a senior police official told IBNS.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Images: Facebook)




Islamabad, April 2 : At least 20 persons were killed and three injured by the custodian of a shrine in Sargodha city of Pakistan on Sunday morning, officials said.

According to Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, custodian Abdul Waheed, believed to be suffering from mental health issues, killed his disciples from machetes and batons after drugging them at the Ali Ahmed Gujjar shrine.

The deceased hail from different areas of Punjab, Geo TV reported.

The police have arrested Waheed along with five of his associates.

They mercilessly killed the people after stripping them, a police official said.

The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

According to the official, the motive behind the crime is yet to be ascertained but people said that the suspect used to visit the area for 'spiritual sessions' with the disciples.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has demanded an inquiry report into the incident.
New Delhi : Every literary work has its significance, for good or bad, but sometimes only its negatives receive focus, leading to some striking creations being disparaged, damned and doomed. Like this ornate Urdu tale of fantastic marvels, very popular and praised in its heyday but then long criticised as devoid of merit. Why did this happen?

The case of "Fasaana-e-Ajaib" (c.1843) is a good example of how the fierce struggles in literature, especially on the issues of style and tradition, between rival schools can doom some works. This was rather unfortunate as this "dastaan" by Mirza Rajjab Ali Beg 'Suroor' (c. 1786-1867) had one of the most attractive heroines ever seen in Indian literature.

The work is representative of Urdu's Lucknow style, which, for its practitioners, was intricate and highly-polished, but was derided by rivals (usually of the Delhi school) as convoluted, conceited, frivolous and decadent.

And then he rendered it in "moqouffa ibarat" (rhyming prose), quite prevalent and appreciated in his own era of pre-1857 India but less than easy for readers in subsequent ages. (The style can be understood from Suroor's chapter headings, eg. "Rihaa hona us giraftar-e-dam sehr ka jadugarni ki jaal se aur mulaqat honi Malka Mehr-Nigar sahib-e-husn-o-jamaal se. Malka ki tabiyat ka lagao, tazah shamseer-e-ulfat ka ghao. Baham ki cherh-charh, banao ka bigarh....") or briefly experienced late in the first episode on 1857 in Shyam Benegal's iconic "Bharat Ek Khoj" as a rebel soldier (Om Puri) explains the events at Meerut.

Suroor was also unwise to pick on his contemporary Mir Amman 'Dehlvi', who under British direction, sought to pioneer a simpler form of spoken and written Urdu with his "Bagh-o-Bahaar/Qissa-e-Char Darvish".

Maulana Abdul Halim 'Sharar', in Guzashta-e-Lakhnau", his magisterial tome on all facets of Lakhnavi culture, credits Suroor with developing Urdu prose, but notes "unfortunately, the author made an attack on Mir Amman in his preface, with the result that he was a failure in the eyes of the people of Delhi so much so that a refined and distinguished man like Maulvi Muhammad Husain Azad (whose 'Ab-e-Hayat' is the first history of Urdu literature), called him 'that vagabond from Lucknow'. It is impossible to say how long it will be before the late Rajjab Ali Beg is forgiven for his impertinence..."

Quite long.

In her "A Critical Survey of the Development of the Urdu Novel and Short Story" (1945), Shaista Akhtar Banu Suhrawardy holds that "apart from the fact that it is the first original romance in the Urdu language, there is little to commend" the work "whose rhymed prose makes it difficult to read, and this difficulty is further enhanced by the extensive use of every literary conceit". She doesn't think much of its plot or characters too, save one However, in more recent times, experts like Gyan Chand Jain ("Urdu ki Nasri Dastanen") and Ibne Kanwal ("Dastaan se Novel Tak") take a more balanced view of Suroor.

Suroor's story tells of prince Jaan-e-Alam, finally born to long-childless King Firoz Bakht (like of "Bagh-o-Bahaar"), whose horoscope predicts a turbulent period in his 15th year. One day, at this age, he sees a prattling parrot in the market and buys it. His wife, Mah-Tilat cannot resist, a la Snow White's wicked stepmother, asking if she is the fairest of all. No, replies the bird, it is actually princess Anjuman Ara of a faraway kingdom. An entranced Jaan-e-Alam leaves forthwith to win her hand.

Braving (and besting) evil magicians (both male and female), jinns and devs and picking up magical skills like transferring himself into another living being's body, he accomplishes his mission despite Anjuman Ara turning out to be a little coquettish.

But, on his way, he meets and falls in love with the beautiful and wise Malka Mehr-Nigar, who is also patient, understanding and brave. Letting him continue his mission and waiting for his return, it is she who saves the day when Jaan-e-Alam is betrayed by his close associate, the wazirzada, who accompanied him on his mission but gets separated early on.

When reunited, he grows jealous of Jaan-e-Alam, who remains oblivious and even teaches him magic. Figure how that will turn out, when after a demonstration, 'Jaan-e-Alam' returns to the camp and orders all monkeys in the area to be captured and killed!

One of the rare works that has never been translated into English, and even difficult to read in Urdu save for accomplished exponents, an abridged 'children's version' is available and tells the story with a flavour of the original language. If even this is beyond you, a transliteration is available at my blog vahshatedil.wordpress.com.

(Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in )
London, April 2 : Researchers have developed a process to turn grass into biofuel that could one day be used to power aircraft.

"Until now, grass has mainly served as feed for animals. But apart from that, grass can also be used as biofuel. Due to its vast abundance, grass is the perfect source of energy," said scientist Way Cern Khor from Ghent University in Belgium.

Khor investigated methods that can disintegrate and treat grass until it can be used as a fuel.

To improve its biodegradability, the grass was pretreated at first and then bacteria were added. They convert the sugars in the grass into lactic acid and its derivatives.

This lactic acid can serve as an intermediate chemical to produce other compounds such as biodegradable plastics (PLA) or fuels.

The lactic acid then was converted into caproic acid, which was further converted into decane which can be used in aviation fuel.

Although it might sound revolutionary, the scientists cautioned that there is still a lot to do before this becomes reality.

Right now the amount of biofuel that can be made from grass is still limited to a few drops. The current process is very expensive, and engines should be adapted to this new kind of fuel.

"If we can keep working on optimising this process in cooperation with the business world, we can come down on the price. And maybe in a few years we can all fly on grass!," Khor said in a statement released by Ghent University.
Imphal, April 2 : After ordering a probe into the CCTV camera scam in Manipur, the BJP-led coalition government has ordered another probe into the traffic light scam.

According to officials, some more probes will be ordered in the coming days as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its pre-poll pledge said it will book the corrupt elements if the party forms government in Manipur.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Suresh Babu on Saturday said a three-member committee comprising Additional Director General of Police Pramod Ashatana, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Secretary Sumant Singh, and Inspector General of Police Soibam Ibomcha will probe the scam.

The committee will submit a report within 15 days.

According to complaints, the sub-standard traffic signal light equipments installed in Manipur did not function a single day.

BJP sources said that despite the media expose and demand for probe, the previous Congress government did not order any inquiry.

Official sources said that a sum of Rs 1,93,75,000 was deposited for installation of the traffic signal lights with solar and battery back ups at 12 points in the Imphal city.

Though the money was deposited in 2005, the installation work was completed in 2011.

The Congress government had said that after installation of the system, traffic will flow smoothly.

"Perhaps Imphal is the only state capital in the country which does not have traffic light system. Traffic cops are regulating the traffic at some busy points while leaving all others unmanned," a BJP official said.

"After nightfall, the traffic points are left alone and it is for the drivers to negotiate the busy crossings."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said: "The Centre has sanctioned Rs 150 crore for the construction of marketing complexes in all the hill districts. These may be replicas of the marketing complex in the Imphal city."
Dakhla (Morocco), April 2 : His expertise as a soil scientist has helped arrest degradation and grow crops in several areas across Africa and the world. Much sought after and bestowed with many prestigious awards, Indian American scientist Rattan Lal is keen to share his knowledge with India to boost soil health and productivity, but sadly, he says, no one is interested.

"The trouble with India is nobody listens. But here (meaning abroad), people listen," Lal, a Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State University, told IANS on the sidelines of an international conference here.

Lal, in his early 70s, who has a slew of awards and honours to his credit, including the M.S. Swaminathan award and the Norman Borlaug award in India, says he tried to reach out to the then Manmohan Singh government and even to the current Narendra Modi government with his offer of help, but to no avail.

Simple and unassuming, Lal, who is Director of the university's Carbon Management and Sequestration Centre, said his extensive work in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s at an institute that was part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), focused on the impact of deforestation on climate change.

"The study focused on run-off erosion, drought stress, soil degradation for the whole of Africa, and humid tropics," Lal said on the sidelines of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation, where he was invited to read a paper.

"We developed a method to cultivate soil so that erosion does not happen. Cultivation is done without the plough. Weeds are first controlled by herbicides, and we grow a cover crop to press down the weeds. We showed that this can work even if the land is at a gradient," said Lal, who is also on advisory panels of the Moroccan and French governments.

"Right now, in 150 million hectares around the world, crop is grown following this method," said Lal, who belongs to Punjab.

According to him, this method of agriculture is being followed in Ohio, where the "soil has not been ploughed since 1960".

"Crops grow every year there. We kill the weeds with herbicides and leave the weeds on the ground. This covering prevents the soil from being washed away. Even the crop residue is left on the ground, as mulch.

"The weeds and crop residue left on the ground prevents the carbon from escaping into the atmosphere," he said.

"Soil carbon sequestration is my field of expertise. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and the carbon remains in the leaf residue as humus, which enriches the top soil. If we do agriculture correctly, and the carbon taken from the atmosphere by plants is put back into the soil, then we can reduce the carbon footprint in the world -- at the rate of 0.4 per cent a year."

Lal said in India the crop residue is burnt off or fed to cattle and cow dung too is burnt. "The land gets nothing back, the soil is depleted. Carbon content in the top soil should be two per cent/100 gm of soil. But in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh -- the granary of the country -- the carbon content in the top soil is a mere 0.05 per cent."

This leads to the fertiliser and pesticides leaching into the ground water, which causes cancer. "This is a serious problem," he said, adding that he had met the then Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia under the UPA government and told him that the crop residue and dung should "go back" into the land. "But he didn't have the time to listen."

When the Narendra Modi government came in, he tried to meet the Prime Minister on the subject. "We tried to fix an appointment to meet (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj last year, but it did not work out," he said.

According to Lal, even brick kilns should be banned as brick-makers use the valuable top soil where all the nutrients reside, and it takes thousands of years to enrich the soil. Fodder for cattle should be grown in separate areas.

"The wheat and rice we grow is for the people to eat, but the husk is for the soil to eat. That equity we must maintain. India is pushing for improved crop varieties but ignoring soil and water very badly," said Lal, who studied at the Punjab Agricultural University and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the early 1960s.

Among top international awards Lal has received are the IPCC - 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Certificate and the von Liebig Award.

(Ranjana Narayan was in Morocco on the invite of the Crans Montana Forum. She can be reached at ranjana.n@ians.in)
New Delhi, April 2 : UN green panel chief Erik Solheim has lauded India's efforts in embarking on a path to an "inclusive green economy", saying that moving towards a low-carbon future would serve its own interests well.

"What we can see in India is a country beginning to embark on a path to an inclusive green economy because it makes perfect political and economic sense," Solheim told IANS in an email interaction from Arkhangelsk in Russia, where he is attending an international conference on development of the Arctic.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director said the country has the potential to unlock huge development and growth with a shift to renewables.

But India, he said, is facing multiple challenges.

"There is a need to lift hundreds of millions out of poverty, address long-term energy security and cut urban air pollution. It simply cannot afford to conduct business as usual, because the arguments for this shift are so compelling."

For Solheim, innovations in expanding solar energy in places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala send a very strong message that resonates across the country.

"We're seeing huge private sector uptake. India revolutionised the information technology sector and I see no reason why it shouldn't do the same for renewable energy."

Advocating renewable sources, Solheim said these "are the future" and fossil fuels are the past.

"Innovations in how we harness wind and solar power and energy storage is also accelerating and pushing down prices. These sectors have established themselves as providers of greater energy security with more jobs, better quality jobs and better paid jobs."

He said no country or company could afford to ignore this trend.

"When it comes to embracing a low-carbon future and building a green economy, the train has already left the station. More importantly, countries like India and China are embarking on this journey not because they wish to please others, but because they are ultimately serving their own interests," he noted.

"That means ensuring their citizens can breathe clean air. It means building resilient economies and ensuring long-term inclusive wealth," he said.

For Solheim, who has spent a lifetime fighting for the environment, renewables are a major economic opportunity and not an obligation.

"In that respect I am convinced there is sufficient momentum and a strong incentive to stay on this path," he added.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Asuncion, April 2 : Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes has sacked the Interior Minister and the chief of police after Friday night's violent protests against a bill that would allow the President to run for a second term in office.

The protestors stormed the Congress and set fire to the building, the BBC reported.

The authorities have arrested four police officers after a 25-year-old protestor, Rodrigo Quintana, was killed on Saturday.

Around 200 protestors were detained but many have since been released.

The protestors had taken to the streets following a private meeting of 25 senators -- a slight majority of the house -- which approved a bill to amend the Constitution.

Paraguay was controlled by military ruler General Alfredo Stroessner, who seized power in a coup, from 1954 until 1989.

The current Constitution, created in 1992 after the dictatorship, limits the head of state to a single five-year term.

Protestors were angered by the bill which would have allowed President Cartes' to remove the restriction and run for re-election, reports the BBC.

The bill must also be approved by the other house of Parliament -- the Chamber of Deputies -- where President Cartes' party holds a majority.

President Cartes' term is due to end in 2018.
Jammu, April 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday afternoon to inaugurate the Nashri-Chenani tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

A special plane carrying the Prime Minister landed at the airfield at Udhampur, where the headquarters of the army's Northern Command are located.

Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, Council Chairman Haji Inayat Ali, senior ministers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and top army, police and civil administration officials received him and presented him flower bouquets.

From the Udhampur airfiled, the Prime Minister flew in an army helicopter to Chenani where he will be inaugurating the 9.2-km-long tunnel that connects Udhampur and Ramban districts on the Highway.

Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, who also represents the Udhampur-Kathua parliament constituency, have already reached Chenani to receive the Prime Minister there.

After inaugurating the tunnel, Modi is scheduled to address a BJP rally in Battal Balian area of Udhampur.

Three helipads have been constructed to facilitate Modi's visit to the inauguration and the rally sites.

The Prime Minister will fly back to New Delhi in the evening.
Mumbai, April 2 : Eyebrows were raised when Karan Johar, who has as much link with Hindustani classical music as the sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan has with tabloid gossip, released the latter's new book "Master On Masters". But the musician says has only good things to say about Karan, who he feels is not just multi-faceted, but courageous too.

When asked why Karan, the softspoken sarod exponent became sentimental, and said: "My family I have always shared close ties with Karan's parents Yashji and Hirooji. All of us have in my family have the greatest regards for Karan Johar."

"In such a short time of his life, he has achieved so much. Barely in his 40s, he is a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted personality. He has produced and directed so many successful films, carrying his father's legacy forward."

Khan is all praise for Karan's autobiography "An Unsuitable Boy".

"You need tremendous courage to share your most private thoughts. He has tremendous courage of conviction. This is why we all love and respect him in our family. We wish a great life for his two children the angels Yash and Hiroo," he said, referring to Karan's newly-born surrogate twins.

About his new book on the maestros of Hindustani classical music, Khan said: "I hope my book is well received by the people of India and overseas, especially by those associated with the classical musical fraternity."

He wonders why only the kith and kin of classical musicians pen biographies.

"Classical musicians, especially performing artistes, choose to write only about their fathers or gurus. I wanted to change that in my own humble way. I am grateful to my publishers and to Karan Johar. At the release he read a paragraph from the chapter on Begum Akhtar so eloquently."
Udhampur, April 2 : The central government on Sunday announced that it has sanctioned Rs 4,300 crore for the construction of ring roads -- one each in Jammu and Srinagar -- to decongest traffic in the two cities of Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told a rally near this Jammu town that Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 2,200 crore have been earmarked for the ring roads in Srinagar and Jammu respectively.

"Tenders for the Jammu ring road have already been invited and tenders for Srinagar will be invited shortly. The work on the ring roads will start in three months," Gadkari told the rally, held after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-art Chenani-Nashri tunnel -- the longest in India.

The tunnel, that connects Udhampur and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir, bypasses a dangerous hilly terrain of over 30 km of the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Gadkari said the tunnel would provide an all-weather road to the Kashmir Valley and reduce two hours of travel time on the 300-km highway -- the only surface link that connects Kashmir with the rest of India.

He said the government was constructing a total of 13 tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir to boost connectivity and infrastructure development in a state that has long suffered from industrial backwardness due to the lack of roads.

The government was planning to spend Rs 60,000 crore on an infrastructure development programme in the state, the minister said.
Google maps

Islamabad, Apr 2 (IBNS): At least 20 people, including six members from one family, were killed and four others were injured by custodian of a shrine in Sargodha in Pakistan's Punjab province, media reports said on Sunday.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner (DC) Liaquat Ali Chatta told media that the custodian of Shrine of Mohammad Ali Gujjar, Abdul Waheed, used a dagger and a club to kill his victims.

Waheed is believed to be a resident of Lahore and a government employee.

According to reports, a heavy contingent of police was rushed to the shrine.

Waheed has also been arrested.


Shimla, April 2 : Expressing solidarity with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, against whom a chargesheet was filed in a Delhi court over graft charges, six ministers in his cabinet on Sunday rejected the opposition BJP's demands for his resignation.

The people in the state and the Congress, in particular, would not tolerate attempts of BJP leaders to tarnish the image of Virbhadra Singh and destabilise the democratically elected government, a statement by the ministers, including Vidya Stokes and Mukesh Agnihotri, said.

They advised the BJP leaders -- two former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar and Suresh Bhardwaj -- to refrain from issuing misleading statements as the Congress would not bow down to their pressure tactics.

The ministers said Virbhadra Singh was a six-time Chief Minister and was not going to be un-nerved by the threats and pressure tactics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The statement comes in the wake of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filing a chargesheet before Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal in Delhi against Virbhadra Singh and others for allegedly amassing assets worth around Rs 10 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income.

The Delhi High Court earlier on Friday dismissed the plea of the Chief Minister and his wife seeking to quash an FIR registered by the CBI against them.

Goyal, who was scheduled to take cognisance of the CBI's final report in the case, on Saturday fixed April 3 for consideration of the chargesheet filed by the CBI against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and others.

The CBI has booked the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with abetment and forgery and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its report, the CBI has cited around 220 witnesses to support its allegations.

"Everybody is aware that false and fabricated cases were made against Virbhadra Singh in the past also but every time he had come out clean from the courts," the ministers said.
New Delhi, April 2 : The four Delhi University students who were arrested for chasing and overtaking Union Minster Smriti Irani's car here on Saturday evening were released on bail here on Sunday, the police said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P. Meena told IANS that the four students -- identified as Anand Sharma, Avinash, Shitanshu and Kunal -- were released from police custody in the morning.

"The students were kept in custody at Chanakyapuri police station after being arrested. They were thoroughly interrogated there and were released after furnishing bail bonds," the officer said.

The police said that three of the students are residents of Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh, Kannauj and Shahjahanpur while the fourth is from Rajasthan's Dausa.

"They are pursuing Bachelor of Science course from a college in Delhi University's South Campus," another police official said.

The students, all in their early 20s, were arrested on Saturday evening on charges of stalking, intending to insult the modesty of a woman and common intent under the Indian Penal Code.

Irani's security staff complained to the Police Control Room (PCR) at around 5 p.m. on Saturday about the four students chasing her car and trying to overtake her pilot car on the Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri.

The minister's security staff then stopped the students' speeding Santro car after chasing it near the French Embassy, when it tried to overtake Irani's pilot car repeatedly.

The students were then handed over to the staff of a PCR van and the local police later took over the case for investigation and found all four were "under the influence of alcohol".
New Delhi, April 2 : The Election Commission will replace over nine lakh Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with advanced M3 machines before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the government has informed Parliament.

These machines will become inoperable the moment someone attempts to tamper with them. The new EVMs are likely to be introduced by the end of 2018.

The move comes in the wake of allegations of EVM-tampering by several political leaders in the February-March assembly polls.

While the M3 EVMs are technologically advanced, there is no operational difference between these and other EVMs and they do not affect booth-management system, Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha in a written reply earlier this week.

The minister said the Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 in a phased manner before the General Election and simultaneous assembly polls in 2019.

Listing the features of the new M3 EVMs, the Minister said it has a Public Key Interface (PKI)-based mutual authentication between various EVM units for identifying a genuine unit, of authorised manufacturer, in the field to ensure that only genuine EVMs can be used for communication within the network.

"Its design ensures that the EVMs become inoperable the moment an attempt is made to physically open the EVMs," the Minister said.

As per the Election Commission, approximately Rs 1,940 crore, excluding taxes, duties and freight charges, will be required for procurement of the said machines.

In another reply, in the Rajya Sabha last week, Chaudhary said the poll panel has informed the government that "they have not procured any electronic voting machine during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17".

Soon after the results of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls were declared, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati alleged that the EVMs had been "managed" to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Other opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, sought a probe by the Election Commission after a report about EVM-tampering emanated from an assembly constituency in a bypoll in Madhya Pradesh.

On Saturday, the Congress wrote to the Election Commission, saying the poll panel should revert back to use of paper ballot if political parties are not convinced about the credibility of EVMs.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also urged the ECI on Saturday to investigate cases of faulty EVMs to ascertain if they were tampered to favour the BJP in the assembly elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab.
New Delhi, April 2 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asked if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are prone to tampering, and said the incident in Madhya Pradesh pointed in that direction.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to replace over nine lakh EVMs with tamper-proof M3 EVMs before the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Does it mean that the present EVMs are tamper prone? That's v (very) scary. MP (Madhya Pradesh) incident shows that its software was altered," Kejriwal said in a tweet on Sunday.

Soon after the results of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls were declared, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati had alleged that the EVMs were tampered with.

Other opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Saturday sought a probe by the Election Commission after an EVM malfunctioned during an official demonstration ahead of the by-elections in Ater and Bandhavgarh assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress wrote to the Election Commission urging it to revert to the system of paper ballot if political parties were not convinced about the credibility of the EVMs.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also urged the ECI to investigate the cases of faulty EVMs to ascertain if they were tampered with to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the just-concluded assembly elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Goa.
New Delhi, April 2 : Myanmar, which has joined the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme as its seventh member, will be officially welcomed into the project-based partnership at the SASEC Finance Ministers' meeting here on Monday to be chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, an official said.

"The meeting will be attended by the seven finance ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka apart from officials from these countries and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)," an Indian Finance Ministry statement said here on Sunday.

As part of the SASEC initiative, member countries have come up with the SASEC vision for economic growth of the sub-region, which will be launched by Jaitley during the meeting, it added.

This will be followed by consideration of the joint ministerial statement.

"The event will be a unique opportunity for the member countries to discuss and exchange ideas and strive to foster better cooperation in the sub-region," the statement said Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das will deliver the welcome address.

The Asian Development Bank is supporting SASEC in this endeavor.
Diamond Harbour (West Bengal), April 2 : Alleging a conspiracy was afoot to trigger unrest in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday slammed the opposition parties for what he said was targeting of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

He said the people of the state will respond democratically to the political attacks by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party against the Chief Minister.

"A conspiracy is afoot to incite unrest in Bengal. In the name of development, the Centre is hurting the people of Bengal. It has stopped funds for midday meals, rural employment guarantee scheme and Integrated Child Development Scheme. We will not bow before Delhi," the TMC leader said here.

"The Congress is a party without principles; CPI-M a party without character; and the BJP aimless. They have come together and are attacking Mamata Banerjee. They are using agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate to try to threaten the Chief Minister. If the Trinamool Congress is pinched, the people will give a befitting reply democratically," said Abhishek, Trinamool Youth Congress President and Diamond Harbour MP who is Mamata Banerjee's nephew.

Abhishek underwent a surgery for an orbital fracture below the left eye last October after his car hit a towing vehicle at Ratanpur, about six km from Singur, on the Durgapur Expressway in Hooghly district.
Kolkata, April 2 : South India was the most affected as the indefinite strike called by truck owners to protest mainly against the proposed 50 per cent hike in the third party insurance premium entered the second day on Sunday.

"Lorries are not going to southern states from other parts of the country. Trucks which have national permit have been diverted.. .All south India bound trucks and lorries have stopped. And there is no movement from south India also," All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) President S.K. Mittal told IANS over phone.

AIMTC is the apex body of truck operators in the country.

He said the response from other parts of the country was also "good".

Mittal claimed the situation could turn for the worse as LPG gas carriers and tankers are set to join the strike from Monday.

All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners' Association (ACOGOA) president Channa Reddy said apart from south India, the strike has evoked a "great response" from the eastern states as well.

"The strike is continuing. There is virtually no truck movement to and from south India. In North India also truck movement is paralysed because of this," Reddy told IANS over phone.

The South India Motor Transport Association and South Zone Motor Transporters' Welfare Association (SZMTWA) had gone for the indefinite strike from Thursday and All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners' Association (ACOGOA) joined the protests from Saturday.

In Maharashtra, the effect was "partial".

In a bid to resolve the stand-off, the strikers will meet Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Chairman on Monday, and take a decision on whether to continue with the agitation based on the discussions with the regulator.

"Officials of the Ministries of Road Transport, Highways and Finance will also be present at the Hyderabad meeting on Monday," said Mittal.

The third party premium for automobiles is decided by IRDAI while all other premium rates are decided by the insurers - private and government-owned. Fleet owners normally go only for third party policies and take care of the damages to vehicles on their own.

Truck owners are also demanding reinstatement of tariff advisory committee and protesteing against fines proposed in the Motor Vehicles Act amendment.

Mittal said truckers have been demanding category wise real time data from the insurance regulator but this has not been provided so far.

"Lorries whose insurance premium is due, are noo renewing it, as they are opposed to the sharp and arbitrary increase in the premium," he said.

In West Bengal, rows of trucks were stranded at various points, across the state. There was no loading and unloading of goods. There were fears that the strike could lead to severe shortage of fish, vegetables and fruits, triggering a price increase.

According to Mittal, the total number of trucks in India is around 94 lakhs.
Moscow, April 2 : Russian police made dozens of arrests here on Sunday as opposition activists staged unauthorised demonstrations in the country's capital.

Police sources quoted by privately-owned news agency Interfax said the majority of detentions were made in central Triumfalnaya Square.

The riot police on the scene used a megaphone to warn demonstrators of the consequences of unauthorised protest before they arrested dozens of people, including minors, and bundled them into police vans for questioning, EFE news reported.

Many of the activists belonged to the New Opposition group, which includes nationalist factions unaffiliated with traditional extra-parliamentary opposition organisations.

The New Opposition had called for the march without the permission of the city council -- a prerequisite for all demonstrations in Russia, where political dissent is closely monitored.

Other groups were arrested elsewhere in Moscow, including a band of young protesters who had gathered in the city's iconic Red Square.

In an attempt to thwart any unauthorised demonstrations, police had cordoned off Manege Square, which also lies at the very heart of Moscow, in the shadow of the Kremlin.

The Russian prosecutor's office on Friday warned that it would pursue punitive measures against anyone caught staging unauthorised demonstrations.

There has also been a recent clampdown on social media and blog posts that encouraged opposition protests, EFE added.

The measures follow the large-scale protests that erupted across Russia on March 26.

Russia's principal opposition leader and presidential hopeful, Aleksei Navalny, was taken in to police custody for his role in organising the events and was sentenced to 15 days in prison.

That sentence, coupled with a previous conviction for embezzlement -- which he stated was politically motivated -- may cast doubt on his ability to run against President Vladimir Putin in the 2018 elections.

Although an outspoken Putin critic, Navalny had actually called the protests against Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev after accusing him of being the most corrupt man in Russia.

Thousands flooded the streets of the major cities across Russia on that day and hundreds were detained.
North Polyethylene Report-The Global Impact This oversupply will create opportunities for large export growth because North American polyethylene is globally competitive. Roberto Ribeiro, President of Townsend Solutions

Domestic production of polyethylene will exceed domestic demand, creating opportunities over the next decade for North American companies to export their excess supply to regions like China, Africa and India. Thanks to the shale gas revolution, North Americas cost competitiveness is driving this expected production capacity of polyethylene (PE) faster than domestic demand increases.

The global demand for PE, the largest global plastic resin, is expected to grow to 170 million metric tons per year by 2026, thats up from the 100 million metric tons per year produced in 2016.

By 2019, North American PE production capacity is expected to grow by 36%, while demand is only going to grow by 11%, says Roberto Ribeiro, President of Townsend Solutions. This oversupply will create opportunities for large export growth because North American polyethylene is globally competitive.

The increased domestic production of polyethylene has encouraged 123 PE converter investment announcements in the United State during 2015 and 2016. This number is expected to continue to grow.

Over the next decade, 110,000 new plastic industry jobs will be created, according the American Chemistry Council. All of this will make North America one of the most competitive regions in the world for production polyethylene products such as food packaging, films and pipes.

While there are many benefits of the large growth in PE products, there will be several challenges for producers and logistics solutions. PE producers can prepare for the growth by developing significant trade partners and routes into four new regions  China, Western Europe, India, and Africa, says Mr. Ribeiro.

Rail, truck and port congestion, container shortages, and limited sailings will hamper efficient logistics, especially at the Port of Houston  where most exports will flow out of because of its proximity to producers and packagers, says Taylor Robinson, President of PLG Consulting. Alternative solutions will need to be developed outside the Houston area to provide options that can speed up the supply chain and minimize cost.

PLG Consulting and Townsend Solutions have developed the most comprehensive report available on the dynamic polyethylene expansion in North America. For more information go to: http://www.polyethylenereport.com.

About PLG Consulting:

PLG Consulting is a bulk logistics expert delivering solutions worldwide since 2001 to clients in the chemical and energy markets. The PLG experts are a team of industry veterans with real-world experience in the petrochemical industry, logistics, engineering, infrastructure design, and supply chain.

For more information contact Taylor Robinson at PLG Consulting at: trobinson(at)plgconsulting(dot)com.

About Townsend Solutions:

Townsend Solutions was founded in 1977 to provide market research, analysis, strategic consulting and advisory services to the petrochemical industry. Townsend is a culturally diverse team of 40+ handpicked petrochemical professionals, representative of over 20 different countries with a broad global footprint, and unique understanding of local markets.

For more information contact Peter Callais at Townsend Solutions at: petercallais(at)townsendsolutions(dot)com.
Gautam Sashittal, CEO, DMCC 2017 is likely to be an interesting year for precious metals, given shifting geopolitical sentiments. DPMC provides key industry stakeholders a platform to connect and strengthen relations.

DMCC, the authority on trade, enterprise and commodities in Dubai has today announced the key speakers and experts who will address participants of the sixth annual edition of the Dubai Precious Metals Conference (DPMC). The conference is set to explore challenges and opportunities facing the precious metals sector across key markets including China, India, Middle East and Turkey.

The two-day event, taking place on 9th  10th April at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina will welcome speakers and attendees from around the globe, including London Metal Exchange and DGCX.

Held under the theme of Connecting Markets and the New Era of Global Trade, the event will bring together miners, investors, engineers, asset managers and professional services representatives from across the precious metals sector to explore the industrys most pertinent topics. The discussions will focus on how shifting geopolitics will impact the trade flows of precious metals. The panels and workshops that will take place across the two days will look at various topics including the importance of branding in the global precious metals industry, applications of the global Shariah standard in gold, implications of taxation for gold in global hubs and the dawn of a new era in the global bullion industry.

Commenting on the upcoming conference, Sanjeev Dutta, Executive Director, Commodities, DMCC, said: With Dubai as a leading hub for the gold and precious metals trade, DPMC provides key industry stakeholders a platform to connect and strengthen relationships across the value chain at a crucial time. It is encouraging to see a high calibre of organisations assemble to provide context to the discussions and contribute to what we are sure will be insightful and thought-provoking conversations. The ultimate outcome is to prepare participants to navigate what will be an interesting year for the precious metals industry, a market worth over $300 billion globally, given shifting geopolitical sentiments.

In line with Dubais focus on innovation, the morning of the first day will focus on the future for precious metals and the new era of the bullion industry, including master classes in technology innovations in the industry, such as the role of 3D printing in jewellery manufacturing and understanding Blockchain. Representatives from GCoin and The Royal Mint will lead discussions around how Blockchain works and supports transparency and efficiency for responsible sourcing, as well as its application in live transactions. The dawn of a new era in the global bullion industry will also be the theme of another dedicated panel session, with discussions facilitated by representatives from Sharps Pixley, London Metal Exchange, and Ekaterinburg Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant.

A hot topic will also be the new global Shariah standard in gold, with a panel dedicated to the phenomenon, moderated by Gerhard Schubert, Founder and Managing Consultant, Schubert Commodities Consultancy DMCC. Participants will include representatives from Amanie Advisors, Emirates NBD, and Bank Lombard Odier & Co. It is worth mentioning that the World Gold Council was behind the launch of the standard in collaboration with The Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in December 2016. The Standard deals with the Shariah rulings for gold in its various forms and categories, the Shariah parameters for gold transactions and the rulings for gold-based financial products in institutions.

Dutta concluded, By capitalising on the Emirates geographic position, sophisticated infrastructure, and regulatory standards, DMCC has connected markets between the East and the West. We look forward to continuing to work collectively with the industry to support the growth of this sector, and strongly believe that the events like DPMC go a long way towards this goal.

For more details on the event and to view the conference agenda, please visit: http://www.dpmc.ae/.
Islamabad, Apr 2 (IBNS): An explosion hit Pakistan's North Waziristan area which left at least two security personnel injured on Sunday, media reports said.

The explosion occurred when a security forces vehicle was passing from the area.

A bomb planted by the side of a road in the Kand Ghar area of Shawal exploded when a security forces vehicle passed by, officials quoted as saying to Dawn News, adding that the bomb had been planted to target the vehicle.


Image: Google Maps

Toronto, Apr 2 (IBNS): A new agreement has been recently signed to plan for the First Nation community's future by Indigenous, federal and provincial leaders in Kashechewan, media reports said.

"Today is a celebration of us coming together, nation-to-nation, to build a strong foundation with the Kashechewan First Nation," said Carolyn Bennett, the minister of Indigenous and northern affairs, in Friday's release.

"This agreement is an important collaboration ... which will result in better health, education and economic outcomes and build a better future for all of [Kashechewan's] members," CBCNews reports said

According to CBCNews reports, during the spring people were forced to fly out of Kashechewan to hotel rooms in the south to escape from the threat of flooding to the community.

Federal government had issued a written release in conjunction with the announcement stating that an action plan, still to be developed, will support the short, medium and long-term sustainability of the community.

According to federal officials, a steering committee, consisting of representatives from the federal and provincial departments as well as the community, will guide how the action plan and will be implemented and report on its progress yearly.

The plan, said the federal officials, will focus on improving housing, socio-economic sustainability, health programs, infrastructure, schools and community facilities and relocating the flood-prone First Nation near James Bay, hundreds of kilometres north of Sudbury, Ont.

Kashechewan Chief Leo Friday said the move to a spot about 20 kilometres away could cost between $500 million and $1 billion but it would be worth, said Leo, considering the costs of repeatedly flying people out of the community during spring flooding of Albany River.

89 percent of the First Nation voted in favour of relocation during a referendum held in 2016.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Id like to address the elephant in the room. That elephant being the Republican Party and their refusal to represent the majority of their constituents. Lets begin with stricter gun control (something that would help lessen the fears parents have when sending their children off to school), 53% of Americans favor this (Pew Research) yet the elephant in the room refuses to consider any such thing. Over 70% of Americans want stricter background checks yet again; the elephant in the room refuses to represent them. 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal. Again, the elephant in the room pushes laws that do the opposite. 74% of Americans do not want social security reduced in any way. But the elephant in the room pushes to do just the opposite, cut social security. 63% of Americans now prefer Medicare for all, but the elephant in the room fights it with all its might. 67% of Americans feel more needs to be done to reduce climate change, but not the elephant in the room. The elephant sides with the fossil fuel industry claiming its not a big concern. Given these few statistics (there are more like them) its obvious that the Republican Party is the party of minority rule, quite the opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. The Republican Party has become a power cult, not a party that represents the majority of Americans. Remember this while you mark your ballot in this midterm election. Save Democracy! Vote Democratic!
The Trump administration's recently released 2018 federal budget outline could mean significant cuts to the $2.5 billion per year the United States contributes to United Nations peacekeeping operations. These costs savings would go toward increased U.S. military spending.

In theory, this sounds like a good idea: Why should the United States spend taxpayer dollars on foreign peacekeepers when it could be using the money to increase the capabilities of its own military?

The answer is that U.N. peacekeeping operations are generally successful and much more cost-effective than using U.S. forces. Research by RAND found that U.N. peacekeeping operations have a pretty good track record and can be an effective means of terminating conflicts, insuring against their reoccurrence, and promoting democracy. This conclusion is supported by research by Nicholas Sambanis who found U.N. peacekeeping operations have a robust positive effect on peacebuilding outcomes  (which is) stronger when peacekeepers remain. In other words, U.N. peacekeepers are good at their jobs, especially if they stick around.

U.N. peacekeepers are an incredibly good deal when compared to U.S. forces.

But what about the cost to the United States? It turns out that U.N. peacekeepers are an incredibly good deal when compared to U.S. forces. Let's take a historical example. In 2004, a coup in Haiti created a potential refugee crisis as Haitians attempted to flee the violence in boats bound for U.S. shores. The George W. Bush administration decided to deploy U.S. military forces to Haiti to stop the violence and prevent a potential influx of refugees. After the initial intervention, Haiti was far from stable. In order to maintain stability, a long-term military presence was needed. The United States didn't want to keep forces in Haiti and was able to convince the other members of the U.N. Security Council to authorize a peacekeeping mission.

The Government Accountability Office put together a report comparing the actual costs of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti to a hypothetical U.S. force (over a 14 month time period). The GAO determined that if U.S. forces stayed in Haiti, it would have cost the United States $876 million. The cost to the United States of the actual U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti was $116 million.

In other words, the deployment of U.N. peacekeeping forces saved the United States approximately $760 million in just over a year.

This is not unusual. U.N. peacekeeping missions cost substantially less than deploying U.S. forces. The United States pays roughly 28 percent of the total costs of U.N. peacekeeping missions. Some say that the United States is paying more than its fair share, but peacekeeping costs are divided according to a formula based on wealth and the ability to veto. So the United States is paying roughly the same percentage as other countries; it's just a lot richer. When you look at U.N. peacekeeping contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product, the United States actually pays a slightly lower percentage than fellow Security Council members the United Kingdom, France, and Russia.

It's possible that there are U.N. missions that simply aren't in U.S. national security interests. In these instances, it wouldn't matter whether U.N. or U.S. forces were more cost-effective. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley is currently conducting an assessment of peacekeeping missions. This is a wise step for any new administration, but the goal should be to provide the most security for Americans at the lowest cost, not just to save money.

The goal should be to provide the most security at the lowest cost, not just to save money.

The U.N. has over 90,000 uniformed personnel deployed to 16 operations around the world. That is more than any other country or international organization. The United States could have prevented or ended any one of these missions by using its veto, but it didn't. In fact, the George W. Bush administration voted for more new U.N. peacekeeping missions than the Obama administration. Moreover, it was the Defense Department, not the State Department, which pushed for new funding for U.N. peacekeeping training under the George W. Bush administration.

The Trump administration may or may not agree with how previous Republican and Democratic administrations interpreted U.S. national security interests. Three U.N. missions are expected to close down this year, which will lead to cost savings, but other ongoing U.N. missions appear to remain as necessary as ever. For example, the Trump administration has emphasized the threat of terrorism. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali is on the front lines in the fight against al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and other militant groups. Over a hundred U.N. peacekeepers have died since the mission was established in 2013. It's worth careful consideration as to whether or not major funding cuts might now be in order.

Heather Peterson is an associate policy analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and a former civil servant in the Defense Department policy office responsible for U.N. peacekeeping.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on March 29, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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Four Delhi University students, who followed Union minister Smriti Iranis car in Lutyens Delhi in an inebriated state, have been arrested for allegedly stalking and outraging the modesty of a woman.

The four youths, in the age groups of 18-21, are students of DUs Motilal Nehru College.

A PCR call was received around 5 pm on Saturday that four youths in a car were indulging in lewd and unwanted actions, said a senior police officer.

The call was received from the ministers staff that the youths were trying to overtake her vehicle near Moti Bagh flyover and their actions were unwanted.

With the help of PCR van, the car was intercepted near the United States Embassy.

The four youths were apprehended and taken into custody.

Till Saturday night, they were detained but on Sunday they were arrested, a police officer said.

They were released on bail later from the Chanakyapuri police station.

Their medical examination was carried out and it was found that they had consumed alcohol.

They stay in a PG in Vasant village and had consumed alcohol at a friends birthday party. After the party, they went out on a ride for fun.

The youths apologised for their act. They told police that they didn't know that they had overtaken Iranis car and that they didnt indulge in any misbehaviour.

...whatever happened was in ignorance. We apologise for whatever happened, one of them said.

Their mobile phones have also been seized by police.

In 2015, four employees of a garment store in Goa were arrested after Irani had found a camera pointing towards the trial room at the store.
Two weeks after taking oath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold the first meeting of his cabinet on April 4. Key issues in the Bharatiya Janata Partys poll manifesto, especially farmers loan waiver, could be taken up at the meeting.

The cabinet meeting will be held in the evening on April 4, state Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters in Lucknow.

He, however, did not elaborate on the issues to be taken up during the meeting.

The agenda has not been finalised so far, he said.

The BJP, in its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra (manifesto), had promised to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his election speeches that writing off farmers loans would be among the foremost tasks of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi had promised during his election campaign that a decision on loan waiver would be taken at the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government in the state.

According to officials, there are around 2.30 crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh of whom, around 2.15 crore fall in the small and marginal category.

They had suffered losses due to natural calamities in the recent past and were unable to repay loans amounting to about Rs 62,000 crore.

As the figure is huge, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling various options, including raising loans, to honour the saffron partys commitment to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers.

A state finance department spokesman said Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal has already started deliberations with senior officials of his department in this regard.

The government will have to pay the banks to waive the loans of small and marginal farmers and for that, it will have to either seek funds from the Centre or raise loans on its own, the spokesman said.

Such decisions are not taken in haste. I can assure (you) that the decision would be taken soon and a large number of farmers would be benefited, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said.

The state government is seriously working on this front and a concrete decision would be taken soon. We are working to evolve the best possible solution, the minister had said last week.

Sources in the government said it would be difficult to handle the burden of loan waiver in a single financial year.

They added that it was one of the reasons for putting the cabinet meeting on hold till some way was found to honour the prime ministers poll promise that the BJP government would take a decision on farmers loan waiver at its first cabinet meeting.

Some officers were of the opinion that a decision in this regard could be taken and a policy formulated later, but the chief minister insisted that the decision be made once the policy was clear, so that there were no hurdles.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the promises made in the BJPs manifesto for the state assembly election will be on the agenda of the Yogi Adityanath governments first cabinet meeting, scheduled to be held at Lucknow on Tuesday.

Decisions on a number of important issues will be taken at the cabinet meeting on April 4. The focus will be on honouring the promises made in the partys sankalp patra (manifesto), he told reporters in Allahabad.

Maurya, however, declined to comment when asked if farm loan waiver would be on the agenda of the meeting.
Former Samajwadi Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, who had quit the party in the run up to Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday.

Bhatia, who was additional advocate general of the Uttar Pradesh government during the SP rule and one of the prominent faces of the party in television debates, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah inspired him to join the BJP.

He quit as SP spokesperson on February 5. Bhatia, who is a Supreme Court lawyer, said, The SP was moving away from the ideals of Ram Manohar Lohia. There is no value of loyalty and sincerity and it has been surrendered to dynastic politics.

He, however, refrained from launching any personal attack on former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav or his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He joined the party in the presence of BJP national secretary Bhupendra Yadav and national general secretary Arun Singh at the party office. Bhatia later met Amit Shah.

The BJP, however, didnt comment on what role Bhatia would play.

Bhatia is the general secretary of the Bar Association of Supreme Court. He is an alumnus of Bridgeport University in the United States and Lucknow University from where he did his LLB. He has been spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party for long, a statement from BJP said.

Bhatia said he has belief in the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas call of Modi and Shah.

He said the country can develop only under the leadership of the BJP.

IMAGE: BJP president Amit Shah greets former Samajwadi Party leader and spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo
By Press Trust of India: From M Zulqernain

Lahore, Apr 2 (PTI) At least 20 people, including six members of a family, were drugged and killed with batons and knives at a shrine allegedly by its "mentally ill" custodian and his associates in a village in Pakistans Punjab province.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said that the incident took place at the dargah (shrine) of Muhammad Ali Gujjar in a village in Sargodha district, some 200 km from Lahore, at around midnight yesterday.

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The shrine custodian 50-year-old Abdul Waheed, who was apparently suffering from a critical mental disorder, used a dagger and sticks to kill his victims, he said, adding Waheed had phoned the victims, telling them to come to the shrine.

Two women and as many men managed to escape, in an injured condition, from the shrine. One of them reported the crime to locals who then informed the police.

The injured have been shifted to hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.

Chatha said it appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed 20 people, including three women, to death.

Citing a Doctor at Sargodha hospital, the Geo TV said that the victims were murdered nude and the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks.

Police official Mazhar Shah said that the motive behind the crime has not been ascertained yet but locals have said that from last two years the suspect used to visit the area for spiritual sessions with the disciples.

The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohamamd Gujjar.

People would come to the dargah for "cleansing" their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs.

"But in this case the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process," Chatha said.

He said that the prime suspect, a resident of Lahore, is an employee of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Chatta quoted Waheed as saying that he killed his disciples because, according to him, they poisoned his spiritual leader, Ali Muhammad, to death two years ago.

Waheed told the police that had he not killed them, they would have poisoned him too, Geo TV reported.

One of the victims included the son of Waheeds spiritual leader. "Asif Pir Ali was the son of Muhammad Gujjar [the spiritual leader]," said a family member of the deceased.

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"We have taken five people, including the caretakers of the dargah - Waheed and Yousuf, into custody for interrogation," Chatha said.

The shrine was cordoned off for a search operation.

According to senior police officer Bilal Iftikhar, one injured witness also said there was a clash between two groups of the caretakers of the dargah over its possession.

Twenty people of both groups, including six members of one family, were killed, the police officer said.

"We have launched an investigation into all aspects of this case to ascertain the facts of this gory incident," Iftikhar said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodha.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a report on the incident from IG Police within 24 hours. He also announced an amount of Rs 500,000 for families of each of the deceased person, while Rs 200,000 for each injured person. PTI MZ CK BSA UZM ZH

--- ENDS ---
With the expected launch of The Peoples Liberation Army (Navy)s second aircraft carrier on April 23, China will match India in carrier numbers reports Ajai Shukla.

IMAGE: The new Shandong aircraft carrier will be categorised as a Type 001A carrier, while its predecessor the Liaoning is termed a Type 001 carrier. Photograph: Reuters

Five years ago, India had two aircraft carriers and China had none. Now, perhaps as early as this month, the Peoples Liberation Army (Navy) will match India in carrier numbers.

With INS Viraat decommissioned last month, the Indian Navy has just a single carrier, the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya. The PLA(N) too operates a single carrier, the Liaoning, bought from Russia and refurbished in Dalian, China.

However, at an alarming speed, another Chinese carrier is coming on stream. Naval analysts believe that, on April 23 -- the PLA(N)s 68th anniversary -- its second carrier will be officially launched.

Chinas English language media, including Peoples Daily, quoted Chinas defence ministry spokesperson Wu Qian as stating on Thursday that a date for the launch would be soon announced, which wont keep the public waiting for too long.

The new carrier is being named Shandong. While the Liaoning is termed a Type 001 carrier, the Shandong will be categorised Type 001A.

After the Shandongs launch, says Chinas defence ministry, it would still have to undergo one-two years of outfitting (of weapons, radars, instruments, etc) and another year of sea trials before joining the PLA(N)s operational fleet in 2020.

Meanwhile, Indias second carrier, INS Vikrant, being fabricated at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, has fallen eight years behind schedule. Originally to be delivered in 2015, it is now expected to be fully operational only in 2023, years after Chinas second carrier joins the PLA(N) fleet. Worryingly, the Indian Navy plans to commission a partly operational Vikrant by end-2018, without its aviation complex (flight operations control) or LR-SAM anti-ship missiles. That means for some time, maybe years, the Vikrant would lack both strike and defensive capability.

Further, a Comptroller and Auditor General report revealed last year that the MiG-29 fighter was riddled with problems and that serviceability rates were just 15-35 per cent.

While the Vikrant would have taken 14 years to build from the time its keel was laid in 2009, the Shandong would have taken barely half that time, assuming construction commenced soon after 2012, when the Liaoning finally vacated her berth at the Dalian shipyard.

India, however, does enjoy superiority in its existing carrier. INS Vikramaditya, a 40,000-tonne carrier that embarks 36 aircraft, including 26 MiG-29 fighters, is a battle-ready platform. The Liaoning, displacing 55,000-60,000 tonne, is termed by Beijing as a training and research vessel and is not yet assigned to a PLA(N) operational fleet. Even so, it carries a full compliment of 36 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, including 24 Shenyang J-15 (modelled on the Sukhoi-33) fighters; and ten helicopters, including the Changshe Z-18, Kamov-31 and Harbin Z-9. Last November, her political commissar declared the Liaoning was combat ready.

The experience of renovating and operating the Liaoning is evident in Shandongs design. Displacing 65,000 tonnes, it features a ski-jump launch system similar to the Liaoning (as do the Vikramaditya and Vikrant). However, Chinas defence ministry says it will have more cargo room, more sophisticated radar, more advanced weapons systems and more reliable engines than the Liaoning.

Like India, China plans to build future carriers with a catapult launch system rather than a ski-jump, which restricts the payload aircraft can take off with. Since they carry less weapons and fuel, fighters operating off a ski-jump carrier have shorter flight ranges and lesser punch.

The PLA(N) carrier that follows Shandong, called the Type 002, would overcome these drawbacks with a catapult launch system. A catapult accelerates aircraft to a higher take-off speed, allowing greater payload and faster launches. It is not clear when the Type 002 would be built, or if it would be nuclear powered.

Indias third carrier, INS Vishal, however, is being planned as a technologically cutting-edge warship with American design features. Like the Type 002, it will have a catapult launch system that equips all US Navy carriers. As Business Standard reported (November 7, 2016 Navys second home-built carrier will be nuclear but will come only in 2030s) Vishal will feature nuclear propulsion, an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and the capacity to embark at least 55 aircraft. It will be built in India and will join the fleet by 2030-35.

Chinese naval strategists say the PLA(N) will eventually operate five -six carriers, with two deployed at all times in the Western Pacific and two in the Indian Ocean. Indian naval planners plan on three carriers -- one each based in the eastern and western coasts with a third in reserve for maintenance and repairs.
At least 20 people, including six members of a family, were tortured and killed at a shrine allegedly by its mentally ill custodian and his associates in Sargodha in Pakistans Punjab province.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said the incident took place at the dargah (shrine) of Muhammad Ali Gujjar in a village in Sargodha district, some 200 km from Lahore, around midnight on Saturday.

The custodian Abdul Waheed, who was apparently suffering from mental disease, used a dagger and a stick to kill his victims, he said.

Chatha said it appeared that the caretakers of the dargah had first drugged the visitors, stripped them and then stabbed and clubbed 20 people, including three women, to death.

Police official Mazhar Shah said that the motive behind the crime has not been ascertained yet but locals have said that from last two years the suspect used to visit the area for spiritual sessions with the disciples.

We have taken five people, including the caretakers of the dargah -- Waheed and Yousuf, into custody for interrogation, Chatha said.

Three persons, including two women, have been injured.

They have been shifted to hospital where their condition is stated to be critical.

People would come to the dargah for cleansing their sins and allow the caretakers to beat them with clubs.

But in this case the visitors were first drugged and then stabbed with daggers and hit with clubs, apparently during the cleansing process, Chatha said.

He said that the prime suspect, a resident of Lahore, is an employee of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

According to senior police officer Bilal Iftikhar, one injured witness also said there was a clash between two groups of the caretakers of the dargah over its possession.

Twenty people of both groups, including six members of one family, were killed, the police officer said.

We have launched an investigation into all aspects of this case to ascertain the facts of this gory incident, Iftikhar said.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the dargah soon after the incident and a search operation was launched in adjoining areas. An emergency has been declared in hospitals in Sargodha.

Image used only for representational purposes.
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 9-km long 'ChenaniNashri Tunnel' on Sunday. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and MoS PMO Jitendra Singh are also present. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the countrys longest road tunnel that links Kashmir Valley with Jammu by an all-weather route and reduces the distance by 31 km.

The 9-km long ChenaniNashri Tunnel, built at the cost of Rs 2,500 crore, was dedicated to the nation by the prime minister in Chenani in presence of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

After the inauguration, Modi, along with Vohra and Mehbooba, travelled in an open jeep through the tunnel for some distance.

The prime minister, the governor and the chief minister then posed for a photograph with the engineers who were involved in construction of the tunnel.

The tunnel, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches, will reduce the journey time by two hours and provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar.

The estimated value of daily fuel savings will be to the tune of Rs 27 lakh, according to the PMO.

The tunnel is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

IMAGE: The PM is received by the chief minister and J&K Governor N N Vohra. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com



The key features of the tunnel are that it is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.

There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with Cross Passages connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres.

It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres.

Speaking at a public meeting in Udhampur after inauguration, the prime minister said 40 years of bloodshed has not benefitted anyone and that the misguided youth of Kashmir should choose tourism over terrorism to ensure the states development and well-being.

He again invoked former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees slogan of Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat (Kashmirism, democracy and humanity) and said this prime motto will be used for taking the state to new heights of development and no obstacle can stop us.

IMAGE: The PM, along with the J&K governor and chief minister, takes a tour of the tunnel. Photograph: @PMOIndia/Twitter

Modi used the occasion to tell the stone-pelters of the valley that stones can be used for better purposes -- building infrastructure.

He told the Kashmiri youth that if they ignore the invaluable tradition of sufi culture, they would lose the present and put your future into darkness.

In a veiled manner, the prime minister also hit out at the rulers of Pakistan who are eyeing Kashmir, saying they cant even take care of themselves.

He said his government was committed to ensure fast-paced development of Jammu and Kashmir, which would also tell the people living under occupation in the other parts of the state how they are being destroyed.

Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.

I want to tell the misguided youth of Kashmir valley, realise the power of a stone. On one hand, there are some misguided youth who pelt stones, on the other hand, there are youth from the same Kashmir who carve stones to build infrastructure, he said.

The message was clearly for the youth who are indulge in stone-pelting in the Kashmir valley and thus risk their lives.

I want to tell the Kashmiri youth, there are two paths in front of you which can determine your future -- one is tourism, the other is terrorism, he said.

Over last 40 years, there has been lot of bloodshed. My own Valley has been blood soaked, my Kashmir's beloved youth, my Hindustans beloved youth. Nobody has benefitted from this bloodshed, the prime minister emphasised.

He said if the people of Kashmir had devoted the same 40 years to development of tourism, the valley would have been blessed with tourism of world class.

IMAGE: Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel will have fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations. Photograph: @PMOIndia/Twitter



Meanwhile, normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley due to strike called by separatist groups against Modis visit to the state for inauguration of the tunnel.

Most of the shops, business establishments and fuel stations were shut in Srinagar -- the summer capital of the state, officials said.

However, they said, the weekly flea market, locally known as Sunday market, was open as many vendors had set up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk.

The officials said most of the public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally in many areas of the city.

Similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the Valley, they said.

The officials said security forces have been deployed in strength at sensitive places across the Valley to maintain law and order.

Asking people to observe a general strike, the separatists -- chairmen of rival factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Mohammad Yasin Malik -- in a joint statement on Thursday had said all rhetoric about development or construction of tunnels and roads are futile and will not succeed in luring us.

They said the prime minister was visiting the state at a time when situation was extremely gloomy.

Calling or observing a shutdown does not meet the demands of the situation but there is no other option left by the authorities. We do not nourish any animosity with the Indian prime minister, but it is frightening and painful that instead of taking notice of genocide in the state, he is awarding and rewarding assassins, they said.

The separatists said Kashmir is a political issue and not a problem related to governance, economic packages, incentives or a law and order.
In the long-running rivalry between the 'Delhi Karmapa' and the 'Chinese Karmapa', the latter seems to have won. Ajai Shukla reports.

India's play in Tibetan religious politics has always been a high stakes game. Indias grant of refuge to the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959 led to the 1962 war with China; and tensions between New Delhi and Beijing continue over the iconic Tibetan leaders splittist (separatist) activities, allegedly masterminded from India.

With the Dalai Lama safely out of Beijings clutches, China ensured control over the Panchen Lama, a second major reincarnated Buddhist lama, based in Xigatse.

Within days of the Dalai Lama identifying a six-year-old Tibetan boy as the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995, Beijing spirited him away and anointed its own puppet Panchen Lama.

Now, political manoeuvring has intensified around who is the Karmapa -- who heads the ancient Karma Kagyu school of Buddhism.

Since the early 1990s, two lamas have claimed to be the 17th Karmapa.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the so-called Chinese Karmapa, is recognised as the legitimate Karmapa by Beijing, the 14th Dalai Lama and most adherents of the Kagyu sect.

In 2000, aged 14, he escaped to India, claiming that he was not allowed to pursue his studies and religious duties in Tibet. He has headquartered himself in the Gyuto Monastery, near Dharamsala.

His rival is Trinley Thaye Dorje, the so-called Delhi Karmapa.

In March 1994, Thaye Dorje fled Tibet, via Nepal, to India. Here, he was officially identified as 17th Karmapa by the Shamar Rinpoche, one of the four regents authorised to identify a reincarnated Karmapa.

Yet, Thaye Dorje does not command the loyalty of most Kagyu Buddhists. His power, say his detractors, stems from deep connections with players in the Indian state.

It has long been speculated that Indian intelligence suspects that the Beijing Karmapa, Ogyen Dorje, was a Chinese plant sent to India to divide the Kagyu sect.

Now, in the long-running rivalry between the Delhi Karmapa and the Chinese Karmapa, the latter seems to have won, say close observers of the Tibetan diaspora.

With Thaye Dorjes announcement on Thursday that he had married a close childhood friend last Saturday, the Delhi Karmapa, appeared to have disqualified himself from a realistic chance to be accepted as the 17th Karmapa.

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, is delighted to share the wonderful news that he has married in a private ceremony, said an announcement on his website.

His spokesperson contends that Thaye Dorje continues his activities as Karmapa.

However, he has passed on responsibility for monastic ordinations to another lama, being ineligible as a married person.

The spokesperson insists: Karmapa Thaye Dorji has been Karmapa from birth, and will continue his activities in this lifetime, as he has for the previous 16 incarnations.

Yet, the reality is that, even though the marriage of high lamas is not unheard of -- and the 15th Karmapa had been married himself -- only accomplished spiritual masters can marry and yet claim the spiritual authority associated with a post like the Karmapa.

Straws in the wind have suggested a more approving stance by New Delhi towards the Chinese Karmapa in recent times.

In December, he had been allowed to visit Tawang; and he was also permitted to attend a Buddhist gathering at Nalanda.

Yet, simmering tensions over who is really the Karmapa continue to play out between the two factions. At the picturesque Rumtek monastery, near Gangtok, which aspires to be the seat of the Karmapa, an armed police detachment keeps the peace after monks from rival Kagyu factions fought a pitched battle there in 1992.

The Indian Supreme Court is hearing the case to determine ownership.

Karma Kagyu is one of Buddhisms four major sects. Nyingma is the oldest, which first travelled to Tibet from India through the iconic Guru Padmasambhava. The Sakya sect has a unique tradition of teaching followed by debate, a tradition that other sects deemed potentially heretical.

Then there is the currently influential Gelug sect, which is followed by the Dalai and Panchen Lamas. Linked with the famous Ganden monastery outside Lhasa, the 700-year-old Gelug sect has components of all the previous three sects.

IMAGE: Trinley Thaye Dorje. Photograph: @17th.Karmapa/Facebook
By Press Trust of India: Peshawar, Apr 2 (PTI) Four missiles fired from Afghanistan today landed in northwest Pakistans restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

One of the missiles hit a shop and other landed near a mosque in Shungak area in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency. Two other missiles hit a graveyard in Kachkina area.

The residents were panicked after the shop was destroyed in Shingak area. No incidents of loss of life were reported, authorities said.

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An official said the missiles were fired from Afghanistans Paktia province.

Kurram, which borders three Afghan provinces, is one of the most sensitive tribal areas.

The incident occurred in the same area where the Pakistani Taliban on Friday targeted a Shiite imambargah with a powerful car bomb, killing at least 24 people and injuring nearly 100 others at a crowded market.

The blast struck the womens entrance of the imambargah in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency, sending the large number of people gathered for Friday prayers near the market into a frenzied run for safety. PTI AYZ CPS

--- ENDS ---
PHOENIX  Got one of those plastic covers or films over your license plate?

Be prepared to get out your screwdriver or razor blade to take it off.

Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday signed legislation making it illegal to put any covering or substance on a plate "that obscures from any angle the number, characters, year validating tabs or name of the jurisdiction issuing the plate.'' The measure takes effect 90 days after the end of the session, meaning probably not until sometime in August.

Violators would be subject to civil fines decided by a judge.

The issue has been at the heart of the debate now for more than a decade over the issue of photo radar.

That's because many of these coverings are deliberately designed to keep the plates of offending vehicles from being clearly photographed. And foes of the practice sought to keep the plate coverings legal to defeat the cameras.

Prior efforts by other lawmakers went down to defeat in 2004, 2008 and 2010.

But that issue of photo radar did not arise at the hearings this year. Instead, Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said what's behind his legislation are concerns that bad guys will get away because police officers and witnesses to crimes won't be able to read the license of the vehicle.

He noted that SB 1073 has the backing of several different organizations of police officers. And Farley said this has nothing to do with whether cameras can catch speeders and those who run red lights.

"The problem is that these things don't just hide the photo radar flashes,'' he said. "They hide low-angle sun as well.''

Farley said that should be obvious to anyone who commutes early or late in the day and tries to read the license plate of the vehicle in front.

"The ones that have these coverings on them, you can't read them at all,'' he said. And that, said Farley, has gotten the attention of police officers and sheriff's deputies.

"If we're going to require license plates at all in order to identify the cars to law enforcement and witnesses at crimes, we should make sure they're not obscured,'' he said. "Otherwise we're giving an unfair advantage to criminals.''

The big surprise to some lawmakers was the need for the bill.

"I thought it was already illegal,'' Sen. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, said during a hearing on the legislation. She wasn't the only one.

"Then why did I get a ticket for it?'' piped up Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix.

Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, responded he was at a loss to explain.

"Some visionary cop gave you a ticket that's not legal yet,'' he quipped.

"It was so embarrassing,'' Brophy McGee responded.

The senator did not recall the specific of the citation. But there already is a law that motorists "shall maintain each license plate to it is clearly legible.''

That language clearly deals with situations where the plate is not visible from any angle. This new law covers instances where the question of visibility may depend on from where it is being viewed.
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating with more inputs)

Peshawar, Apr 2 (PTI) Four missiles fired from Afghanistan today landed in northwest Pakistans restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, triggering panic among the residents, officials said.

The missiles were fired on upper Kurram Agency from Afghanistans Paktia province, according to the political administration.

One of the missiles hit a mosque while another destroyed a shop in the remote Parachinars Shingak area. Two other missiles hit a graveyard in Kachkina area.

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The residents were panicked after the shop was hit. No incidents of loss of life were reported, authorities said.

Kurram Agency, which borders three Afghan provinces, is one of the most sensitive tribal areas. Its Afghan border has remained closed since February over fear of terror activities.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month ordered the immediate reopening of Pakistans border with Afghanistan in a goodwill gesture, even as he hoped that the Afghan government would address Islamabads concerns on cross-border terrorism.

Pakistans border with Afghanistan is more than 2,400 km long and is the main route of trade between the two countries. The two-way annual trade is between USD 1.5-2 billion.

The incident occurred in the same area where the Pakistani Taliban on Friday targeted a Shiite imambargah with a powerful car bomb, killing at least 24 people and injuring nearly 100 others at a crowded market.

The blast struck the womens entrance of the imambargah in the remote Parachinar in Kurram Agency, sending the large number of people gathered for Friday prayers near the market into a frenzied run for safety.

Last month, a suspected missile-firing US drone killed two Afghan Taliban militants in a village near the Afghan border in northwestern Kurram. PTI AYZ CPS

--- ENDS ---
Voting on Tuesday? Check here to get the information you need

With the arrival of the general election, voters across Morgan County will be casting ballots for a number of elected positions.
YEREVAN -- An RFE/RL reporter who was investigating allegations of vote-buying in Armenias April 2 parliamentary vote was attacked a few hours after polls opened.



The incident occurred after Sisak Gabrielian, a reporter with RFE/RLs Armenian Service, saw citizens leaving a local campaign office of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) in Yerevans Kond neighborhood with money in their hands.



People inside the campaign office, who refused to identify themselves, said that it was salary money and that citizens were not receiving "election bribes."



Gabrielian said he was then roughed up by ruling party loyalists, receiving minor injuries.



A reporter with the news site Araratnews.am was also attacked by government loyalists after filming people leaving the HHK campaign office in Kond. The attackers confiscated her video equipment.



Following the incident, the office of HKK candidate Hakob Beglarian issued a statement, denying that any vote-buying was taking place inside the office.



The statement said that the altercation took place "outside the office" and that it was "between journalists and citizens."

With reporting by Suren Musayelyan in Yerevan
Michael Flynn, the former U.S. national security adviser, did not report payments from a Russian state-backed television network and another firm with Russia ties in an initial financial disclosure, new documents released by the White House show.

Documents made public on April 1, signed by Flynn on March 31, listed speaking engagements to Russian entities, including the state-backed television channel RT and Volga-Dnepr Airlines, a charter cargo airline.

The disclosure does not say how much Flynn was paid for the speeches, but they are listed in the category titled "sources of compensation exceeding $5,000 in a year."

An earlier disclosure, signed by Flynn on February 11, omitted payments to Flynn for three speeches he made to the Russian companies.

Flynn's lawyer said the first filing included the speaking fees in bulk and that the disclosure was a draft version and not followed up because he left the government days afterward.

The payments from RT came to light in an indirect manner.

Representative Elijah Cummings (Democrat-Maryland) on March 16 released documents showing Flynn was paid more than $67,000 by Russian companies before the U.S. presidential election, including $33,750 from RT.

Cummings claimed that Flynn's acceptance of payments from RT violated the emoluments provision of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits retired military officers from accepting gifts from foreign powers.

Flynn was fired by U.S. President Donald Trump as national security adviser on February 13 after only 24 days on the job.

Trump said the firing was because Flynn lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his discussions with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the presidential transition period.

The latest discrepancies on reporting income linked to Russia could add to Flynns potential legal programs.

He remains under scrutiny for his contacts with Russian officials in several separate investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Through his lawyer, Flynn on March 30 expressed his willingness to testify before House and Senate intelligence committees if he is granted immunity from prosecution.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and The Washington Post
Central Asia often seems like a remote region. You dont hear much about Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan playing roles in international affairs. There is an impression that the five countries are tucked away in the heart of the Eurasian landmass with only the most tenuous of ties to the world outside.

A new book, Dictators Without Borders: Power And Money In Central Asia, argues that this is far from the case, that the elites of these countries are, in fact, very well connected to the outside and are also very knowledgeable about laws and regulations in the world beyond Central Asia.

This has allowed a relatively few people in Central Asia to locate or accumulate great wealth abroad. It has also allowed the Central Asian governments to encumber political opponents who have fled their countries. At the same time, these international laws and regulations have helped some of these political opponents not only find safe havens away from Central Asia but, in some cases, retain money they brought out of their countries under unclear and, at times suspicious, circumstances.

To take a closer look, we asked the authors of Dictators Without Borders -- Alexander Cooley, the current director of the Harriman Institute at Columbia University in New York, and John Heathershaw, associate professor at Exeter University in the U.K. -- to join us on the Majlis podcast.

Those of you who have been following Central Asia for any time at all will no doubt be familiar with the extensive, previous work of our guests.

Moderating the discussion was RFE/RL Media Relations Manager Muhammad Tahir, and for this one time I joined him in that role as well, as I had some questions I wanted to ask our guests.

Cooley recalled that he had already dedicated a chapter in an earlier book (Great Games, Local Rules) to the topic of transnational corruption and Heathershaw had also researched and written on such practices in Tajikistan.

Heathershaw said the two started discussing transnational corruption and found that "you spot the patterns from one Central Asian state to another...Certain kinds of practices by Central Asian elites, by company service providers that enable these flows and these networks to emerge."

Cooley mentioned that there is "this kind of constant refrain that Central Asia lacks connectivity," but the two authors' research showed it was "not the lack of connectivity, theyre the wrong kinds of connectivity. Theyre systemic kleptocracy and capital flight through which these societies and countries are looted and then, with the assistance of this apparatus in the Western states, funds are taken out of the country. So theres this myth of global isolation."

Cooley explained that far from sitting in their countries and enjoying lifestyles beyond the abilities of the average citizen in Central Asia, the regions elites often "maintain residences overseas, they maintain bank accounts overseas, they purchase luxury real estate, they engage with international charities and international organizations, so theyre as much global players."

Heathershaw said these "global financial dimensions [are]...extremely important in telling the full story of how Tajikistan recovered from the civil war. Theyre important in telling the story of the political instability in Kyrgyzstan." And, Heathershaw said, "Theyre important in telling the story of how Kazakhstans rise as a major oil and gas power enables certain kinds of corruptions, whether Kazakhstan will fall victim to a resource curse or not."

Cooley noted that "the playbook tends to be similar," saying, "What we tend to get are elites with access to state assets, using offshore companies, shell companies that are registered overseas to parse the ownership of these assets to obscure what happens with these revenues later and these sales, and then to sort of structure deals in a way that enables future payoffs."

Heathershaw pointed out that while there are rules and regulations in Western countries to prevent such activities on their territories, in fact often these are matters of self-regulation. Heathershaw mentioned that in the United Kingdom, "real estate agents are supposed to report if they have a suspicion [about a client]...but very often, obviously, they have an interest not to report that."

And Heathershaw mentioned that the Central Asians have become acquainted with "intermediaries who facilitate these networks and exchanges."

Another sign Central Asias governments are connected globally is their use of international organizations to hamper the activities of political opponents who have fled Central Asia.

"One of the arguments that runs through the book is that in this quest to go after political opponents who have fled overseas, the Central Asian governments start using certain international institutions and foreign policy tools for these kinds of political purposes," Cooley said. "One of these institutions is Interpol and the Red Notice system."

Many Central Asian opposition figures have been detained, particularly in cities in Europe. Cooley said that "by tagging political opponents with accusations like theyre terrorists or that they have been involved in money laundering, this constricts the ability of political opponents to move overseas, to catch airplanes or even trains, and so their mobility is restricted and often times they are detained and then processed through the legal system of these various countries in which they find themselves."

Exeter University is compiling a database of known Central Asian political exiles to provide law-enforcement agencies, and others, outside Central Asia with a source of information about Central Asian citizens who have fled their countries and are wanted -- on frequently dubious charges -- back home.

The use of political asylum is also a topic addressed by Cooley and Heathershaw.

While most of those fleeing Central Asia have good reasons to do so, some seem to be taking advantage of asylum laws.

"If you were a former regime insider, you had access to a ministry or an insider privatization deal and you have now fallen out with the current regime, persona non grata, and you leave, part of the paradox of fleeing an authoritarian regime is you have a pretty strong case for political asylum," Cooley said.

Heathershaw said that despite the best of intentions "global governance just hasnt kept up with these business practices and these political practices."

Heathershaw said it really should not be so surprising that Central Asian governments and elites have figured out how to use international systems and organizations to advance their own aims.

"The [Central Asian] states became independent in an era of globalization and therefore the states reflect that reality," he said.

Cooley concluded, saying, "The take-home message [of Dictators Without Borders] is as much a mirror on how we [in the West] facilitate these extraterritorial spaces for these financial transfers and for these extraterritorial authoritarian types of attacks."

Listen to or download the Majlis podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes.
At least 59 people were detained in Moscow on April 2, according to the website OVD-Info, which tracks police actions against protesters in Russia. The arrests come a week after more than 1,000 were arrested during a demonstration organized by leading Kremlin critic and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny. (RFE/RL's Russian Service)
The trial of Crimean journalist Mykola Semena, indicted on separatism-related charges in the Russia-controlled territory, resumes on April 3 after a two-week adjournment.



Shortly after it got under way, the presiding judge halted the proceedings following a defense request for a more open and accessible process by holding the trial in a larger courtroom.



Semena, an RFE/RL contributor, is being prosecuted for an article he wrote criticizing Moscow's seizure of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and expressing support for a blockade of the territory initiated by Ukrainian activists.



The trial at a Russian court in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, began amid mounting international pressure on Moscow to drop the case against Semena, 66. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.



The charges stem from a 2015 article he wrote for RFE/RL's Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) website that Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea allege called for the violation of Russia's territorial integrity.



The column was part of a wide-ranging discussion on the website about options for Crimea and was a response to an earlier column that opposed a blockade.



Outside the court on March 20, Semena, who is barred from leaving Crimea and must request permission to travel outside Simferopol, said that he was not guilty and that the article he wrote does not include calls for the violation of Russia's territorial integrity.

"Crimea's status is in dispute," he said.



The start of Semena's trial followed a European Parliament resolution calling on Moscow to free more than 30 Ukrainian citizens who are in prison or face other conditions of restricted freedom in Russia, Crimea, and parts of eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Russia-backed separatists.



The nonbinding resolution urged Russia "to allow all the above-mentioned people to travel freely, including Mykola Semena, who is being prosecuted for his journalistic work for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty."

Washington has also called on Russian authorities "to drop spurious charges against Mr. Semena and release him and all other Ukrainians held by Russia for political reasons."



Ten members of the U.S. Congress have signed a letter urging prosecutors to drop the charges, which they said appeared to be "part of a concerted effort by Russian and Russian-backed authorities to clamp down on independent media."



Russia seized control of Crimea in March 2014 after sending in troops without insignia, engineering a takeover of the regional legislature, and staging a referendum that was swiftly dismissed as illegitimate by Ukraine, the United States, and a total of 100 countries in the UN General Assembly.



Moscow has portrayed its takeover of Crimea as necessary to protect ethnic Russians and other residents of the peninsula from oppression by pro-Western officials that took power in Kyiv following the 2014 ouster of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.



That narrative has been rejected by Ukraine and Western governments, which accuse Russia-backed authorities in Crimea of rights abuses against Crimean Tatars and others opposed to Moscow's rule there.



Natalya Poklonskaya, the former Russia-installed prosecutor-general in Crimea who filed the charges against Semena and who now serves in the Russian parliament, has accused RFE/RL's Krym.Realii of providing "justification for acts of sabotage and extremism" and inciting "ethnic hatred."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Serbian voters cast ballots on April 2 in a presidential election that is likely to consolidate the power of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as the country tries to balance its European goals with its relationship with Russia. None of the opposition candidates -- including former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and former Serbian Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic -- is currently considered likely to present a major challenge to Vucic. (RFE/RL's Balkan Service)
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
By Press Trust of India: Cairo, Apr 2 (PTI) Six dreaded Takfiri terrorists were killed and 29 suspects were arrested during army raids on their hideouts in restive North Sinai, officials said today.

During the raids in Rafah city, two tunnels were also discovered and destroyed, military spokesperson Colonel Tamer el-Refae said in a statement.

Takfiri is a term for hardline Sunni Muslims who see other Muslims as infidels, often as a justification for attacking them.

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Egypts North Sinai has witnessed many terrorists attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.

The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

The military has launched security campaigns in the North Sinai area, in which some terrorists are based.

The security forces have arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. PTI YES PMS

--- ENDS ---
In the bruising world of politics, Susan Platt is not afraid to wrangle with men.

In January, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor called U.S. Rep. Dave Brat, R-7th, a cowardly man when the congressman seemed shy about holding a town hall meeting.

While managing now-Rep. Don Beyers campaign for governor in 1997, a news report quoting anonymous sources said Platt went on a profanity-laced tirade during a feud with other Democratic officials.

When reminded of the news account this week, Platt chuckled and said there may have been one small curse word, but that she simply was sticking up for Beyer.

On the campaign trail now for herself, Platt says her two Democratic primary challengers are fine men. But she predicts the GOP will nominate state Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel for the general election and says shes the only Democrat who can defeat Transvaginal Jill Vogel in November. The nickname stems from Vogels 2012 sponsorship of a bill that would have required a transvaginal ultrasound for women seeking abortions.

Platt, 62, the former political operative, aide to future Vice President Joe Biden and lobbyist, announced in January that shed make her first run for office. The catalyst was the surprise election of President Donald Trump, she said.

I never intended to run for office, she said. If Im going to get elected, Im going to get something done.

Platts opponents in the primary are Justin Fairfax and Gene Rossi, both former federal prosecutors from Northern Virginia.

Fairfax announced his campaign in May after narrowly losing in the Democratic primary for attorney general in 2013. Rossi, like Platt, is a first-time candidate.

On the GOP side, two other candidates are competing with Vogel in the June 13 primary: state Sen. Bryce E. Reeves of Spotsylvania County and Del. Glenn R. Davis Jr. of Virginia Beach.

Virginia has never had a woman serve as governor or lieutenant governor.

If Platt were nominated and her prediction of a Vogel nomination holds true, it would guarantee that a woman would become lieutenant governor. The new officeholder in the part-time job will replace Democrat Ralph S. Northam, who is running for governor.

Platts campaign got attention in the past two weeks when comedian and gay rights activist Rosie ODonnell endorsed Platt.

It just came out of the blue, said Platt, who jumped off the couch at her Fairfax County home to tell her husband when she saw the Twitter alert.

And then a poll released by the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University showed Platt with a clear lead over her primary challengers, although 60 percent of those surveyed were undecided.

She led Fairfax, who is black, by 28 percent to 8 percent among black voters in the Wason Center poll.

Platt has been around politics long enough to know that a favorable poll for a candidate whos been in a race for only two months doesnt mean she can slack off.

Platt grew up in Pittsburgh, where her grandfathers family had immigrated from Czechoslovakia to work in steel mills.

Her father was in the Navy and became a mechanical engineer after going to college on the GI Bill. He was the only one of 13 siblings to go to college.

When she was 5, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and died four years later.

Her father, who died in 2015, raised her to work hard.

My pops empowered me to be the strongest and best person that I could be, she said. And that I could do whatever I wanted.

She attended the University of Pittsburgh and moved to the Washington area after college. After working at a law firm where she met her husband, Ron, she got a job on Capitol Hill as a scheduler for U.S. Rep. Tim Wirth, D-Colo.

In 1990, state Del. Alson H. Smith Jr. of Winchester asked Platt to manage the congressional campaign of his son, David M. Smith.

The younger Smith lost to GOP incumbent D. French Slaughter Jr., but Platts first time managing a campaign helped her land a job working for U.S. Sen. Charles S. Chuck Robb, D-Va., on the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and then as Robbs campaign manager for the 1994 campaign against Republican Oliver North and independent J. Marshall Coleman.

Robb, a former governor, was re-elected in a year when President Bill Clinton was unpopular and Republicans swept congressional races with their Contract With America. The race was one of the biggest in the country.

Platt got the job managing Robbs re-election after writing a memo that he liked about how he could win.

I really liked the campaigning. I really liked the grass roots, Platt said. I really liked being out there talking to people and organizing people.

She worked as chief of staff to Biden, then a Democratic U.S. senator from Delaware, from 1995 to 1997.

And she and Mary Sue Terry started an activist organization called the Farm Team in 2008, with the goal of increasing the presence of women in Virginias public life by recruiting candidates, raising money and providing professional services and advice for candidates. It was folded later into Emerge Virginia, also founded by Platt, which trains Democratic women to run for office.

Terry is the only woman ever elected statewide in Virginia. She was elected attorney general in 1985 and 1989 and then lost the race for governor to Republican George Allen in 1993.

Virginias five statewide offices are filled by white men. This is a good year for a candidate who happens to be a woman, said Terry, of Patrick County.

Its easy to say that Susan is a highly energetic, creative and focused person, Terry said. She thinks strategically and tactically, and Im sure she would do a great job as lieutenant governor.

Among women who have run for the job in Virginia, Jody Wagner was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2009 but lost to Republican Bill Bolling. Leslie L. Byrne was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2005 and also lost to Bolling.

Platt and her husband live in the Great Falls area of Fairfax. As a longtime lobbyist in Washington, she has worked for Henrico County-based tobacco company Altria, ADP and other companies.

On policy, Platt and the other Democratic candidates are progressive. Platt backs more environmental protections, has come out against two natural gas pipeline projects in Virginia, and wants to create a new state Cabinet position to help parents navigate the various agencies that provide services to needy children.

Shes running as a childrens advocate and for promotion of jobs and a diverse economy. She served one term on the Virginia Tourism Corporation board, appointed by then-Gov. Tim Kaine.

Platt recently posted a tweet that illustrates what she has long faced in Virginia politics: Today, a male Dem elected official told me he doesnt like how I advocate for more women in office. Now Im more determined than ever.

She said she didnt want to name the individual but wanted to make a point. That mind-set is why she started organizations to help women run for office.

The encounter, she said, is not the first one and it wont be the last one.
On March 16, Richard Burr, the North Carolina Republican who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee, spoke in Richmond at the Commonwealth Club, the all-male bastion whose members include more than a few Republicans.

He talked about national security, the economy and education.

Burr did not bring up  nor was he asked about  his committees investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Burr did not bring up  nor was he asked about  his Democratic partner in the just-opened inquiry: Mark Warner of Virginia, whose supporters include more than a few members of the Commonwealth Club.

Some in the room thought it odd that neither topic was discussed, especially on the day that Burr and Warner  who, as the ranking Democrat on the intelligence committee is its vice chairman  would issue a statement dismissing as baseless President Donald Trumps claim that his predecessor, Barack Obama, ordered the bugging of Trump Tower.

Warner, who was invited to the Burr luncheon but could not attend because of a prior commitment, finds himself in the thick of an issue far removed from those on which he built his political career  first as a governor and, now, as a senator. Among them: the economy, taxes, deficit reduction, jobs, pensions and finance.

These days, Warners focus is more abstract but no less absolute:

That American democracy, the core of which is representative government, was corrupted by the Kremlin through an elaborate web of internet bots and trolls, false news stories and hacked emails to help Trump by hurting Hillary Clinton  and that Trumps campaign, which repeatedly claimed the election was rigged for her, may have rigged it for him.

As Warner told The New Yorker magazine, This may very well be the most important thing I do in my public life.

The investigation  its initial harmony stands in jarring contrast with the acrimony that is derailing a probe by the House Intelligence Committee  means renewed national prominence for Warner, whose widely known preoccupation with bipartisanship seemed creakily anachronistic after Trumps unexpected victory but could be crucial to determining the validity of that victory.

That Warner, having had bromances with several top Republicans  Burr, the latest  is seen as impartial in a controversy, the focus of which is impartiality, could add an important national security credential to the Democrats resume and, perhaps, again lift him into presidential orbit.

Some of his friends are intrigued by the notion, but  Trumps presumed difficulties in 2020, notwithstanding  Warner could face his own: The Democratic rank-and-file, consumed with rage for Trump, shifts even further to the left, isolating Warner from a party that gave him one of his first paying jobs as a fundraiser in the late 1970s.

Warner was an unofficial candidate for the 2008 Democratic nomination. He started an exploratory committee and visited the important early primary and caucus states.

In that cycle, his appeal hinged on the unheard-of: He convinced a Republican-controlled legislature to raise taxes, suggesting he could bring a two-party solution to the nations frayed finances.

Warner withdrew in 2006, saying, in effect, he lacked the fire in the belly for a national campaign.

Two years later, he defaulted to a Senate candidacy, winning his first term with 2.3 million votes  400,000 more than Obama received in breaking the four-decade Republican presidential win streak in Virginia.

Those early years in Washington were frustrating for Warner and his constituents.

Accustomed as a governor  and before that, as a multimillionaire info-tech executive  to giving orders, Warner found himself taking them as a freshman in the seniority-driven Senate, where he and then-Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada had a contentious relationship.

Being seen and not heard  very often, that is  rattled a headline-savoring personality who suddenly was generating a lot less ink.

That changed, somewhat, during the raucous debate over Obamacare. Warner staged standing-room-only town meetings  great, big, noisy affairs at which he, in sweaty shirtsleeves, was supposed to do more listening than talking. In the process, he shored up the bipartisan bona fides he established as governor.

But Warners votes in 2009 for the Affordable Care Act  not a single Republican in Congress supported it  and for Obamas $800 billion economic stimulus plan disappointed many of his buddies in the business class  actual and de facto Republicans who had believed he was a different Democrat.

Two years later, Warner sought to reassure those friends, some of whom would drift to Ed Gillespie in 2014, contributing to Warners near-defeat for a second term.

Dusting off his bipartisan shtick, Warner teamed with a Republican senator from Georgia, Saxby Chambliss, on a sweeping plan to balance the budget, erase the deficit, stabilize Social Security and Medicare, and overhaul the tax system  and do it all without squeezing more money from Americans.

It didnt go anywhere. But it did make for another Republican friendship.

Through Chambliss, Warner met Burr.

Burr, in his third term, has been a member of the intelligence committee since 2007 and its chairman since 2015. Warner joined the committee in 2011  he had wanted a seat on Armed Services, but a Virginian, Jim Webb, already was a member  and became vice chairman this year because of an unusual shuffle by two senior Democrats.

Dianne Feinstein of California relinquished the intelligence committee vice chairmanship to become the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. She succeeded Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who wanted to become the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.

The Senate Intelligence Committee oversees about 15 agencies. Some of the largest are based in Virginia, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

That makes the committee assignment, for Warner, constituent-sensitive. Many of those cloak-and-dagger types are Virginia voters.

And though Warner and Burr, at the committees opening hearing Thursday and at a news conference the previous day, were a picture of unity, they have been anything but.

In February, Warner publicly scolded Burr after news reports he had contacted reporters, at the urging of the Trump administration, to discourage stories on Russian interference in the U.S. election.

Warner said Burrs actions threatened the integrity of their committees investigation, much of which could unfold  out of view  in a room lined with lead to prevent eavesdropping, and where even senators must surrender their mobile telephones.

It is an investigation that, a former general counsel to the Senate committee wrote in The Washington Post, holds greater promise than that of its House counterpart  if only because of structural reasons.

For example, the Senate Intelligence Committee, in the absence of its chairman, is controlled by its vice chairman. Since the chairman and vice chairman are required to be members of different parties, the leadership arrangement promotes bipartisanship.

Plus, Suzanne Spaulding said in her commentary in The Post, the vice chairman can issue a subpoena without the chairman as long as it backed by the committee.

At the moment, the Senate Intelligence Committees members tend to be less ideological than their respective caucuses, and the committee has a better record than many others of operating in a bipartisan fashion, Spaulding said.

Despite the sharply partisan climate in Washington, chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and vice-chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) have so far lived up to the committees bipartisan roots.

But can they keep it that way?
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India JS Khehar for the first time after Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls today as a function in Allahabad High Court.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CJI JS Khehar, UP Governor Ram Naik and UP CM Yogi Adityanath at Allahabad High Court. (Photo: @PIB_India)

By India Today Web Desk: Facing criticism over action against illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said that 'no one is above law'.

Yogi Adityanath was speaking at a function to mark 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Allahabad High Court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and UP Governor Ram Naik were among those present on the dais.

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Yogi Adityanath said, "No one is above law. It is the rule of law that offers solution to a dispute. Deliberations over judicial system are invaluable. Law holds a higher position than the rulers," Yogi Adityanath said.

"Whenever there was a crisis looming over democracy in India, the Allahabad High Court has protected it. The court has given some verdicts that shaped the direction of Indian society," Yogi Adityanath said.

Weeks before national emergency was declared in 1975, the Allahabad High Court had declared the election of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from Raebareli as invalid. Many believe this verdict challenged the authority of Indira Gandhi, who responded by imposing emergency in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that delivered several landmark judgements including one on the Babri mosque-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute of Ayodhya.

CJI JS Khehar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the function by lighting the lamps at the Allahabad High Court.

ALSO READ |

Yogi Adityanath gives Uttar Pradesh's bureaucracy the jitters

ALSO WATCH |

--- ENDS ---
Propaganda on steroids is how Virginia Sen. Mark Warner characterized Russian interference in the November presidential election. As news dribbles out, the public is getting a clearer sense of just how well that phrase fits.

Its been apparent for some time that Russia not only hacked Democratic campaign headquarters and arranged for the release of damaging files, but that it also has been using Twitter bots and other social-media devices to spread misinformation. The other day reports surfaced indicating just how far Russia went, including creating fake accounts made to look like they belong to everyday Midwesterners. Warner says Russia is paying an army of 1,000 Internet trolls or more to make mischief, or worse, in cyberspace, not only in America but in Europe as well.

Unfortunately, the Trump administrations response to this has been reprehensibly underwhelming, and the entanglement with Devin Nunes, the Republican running the House Intelligence Committees investigation into the Russian job, further deepens the suspicion that the White House would prefer not to get to the bottom of things.

Democrats suspect the White House might actually be at the bottom of things. Anything is possible, although a more likely scenario is one in which the Trump campaign was an unwitting beneficiary of Russian hacking and disinformation rather than a co-conspirator. Nevertheless, the Trump administrations laid-back attitude toward what former Vice President Dick Cheney likens to an act of war cannot continue.

Nor can its indifference to Russian adventurism abroad. The bear has moved aggressively on several fronts  from its military incursions in Crimea to backing Bashar Assad in Syria to bolstering Marine Le Pen in France, and even possibly supplying the Taliban in Afghanistan  and it has violated an international arms treaty with the deployment of a prohibited cruise missile. These are the actions of a rogue state, not a peaceful world citizen.

The regime of Vladimir Putin also directs its viciousness with pinpoint accuracy: Those who cross it have a remarkable tendency to wind up dead. Former Russian parliament member Denis Voronekov was gunned down in Kiev; Sergei Magnitsky, who exposed theft by Russian officials, was arrested on trumped-up charges and beaten to death while in prison. Oleg Erovkin, suspected of providing an unflattering dossier on Trump to a former British agent, was found dead in his car. Nikolai Gorokhov, a lawyer representing the Magnitsky family, fell out of a fourth-floor window while allegedly trying to move a bathtub (he was critically injured, but survived). We would not be surprised to pick up the paper one day and read that a Putin critic committed suicide by shooting himself in the back of the head a dozen times.

Last week tens of thousands of Russians marched in protests against official corruption. Authorities arrested hundreds of them. Westerners might be encouraged by such signs of domestic resistance  were it not for Russias longstanding tradition of quieting dissent at home by turning bellicose abroad in order to stir up patriotic fervor. A Putin beset by discontent at home is more dangerous to the international order, not less so.

And Putin already has done great harm to the United States. Even if the Trump campaign turns out to have had nothing to do with Russias disinformation campaign, the issue has become a burning oil platform in Washington, consuming vast amounts of time and attention that would be put to better use focusing on current threats. Because of it Americans trust their system even less than before, and American allies must wonder, even more than they already do, what strange motives propel White House deliberations in foreign affairs.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
All the speakers at the closing ceremony of the 150th anniversary of the Allahabad High Court praised the role played by it in the protecting democracy and establishing rule of law. Five of several landmark judgments of the Allahabad High Court are discussed here.

By Prabhash K Dutta: The Allahabad High Court today marked its 150th anniversary with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CJI JS Khehar attending the closing ceremony of court's year-long celebrations.

Beginning its journey in 1866, the Allahabad High Court has played significant role in establishing the rule of law in the India after Independence.

The high court has delivered several judgments that kept the powerful ruling class in check and helped millions of people.

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THE INDIRA VERDICT

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had won the 1971 parliamentary election from Raebareli defeating socialist leader Raj Narain convincingly. Raj Narain challenged Indira Gandhi's election on the grounds of electoral malpractices and violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The case was adjudicated by the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975. The Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices and declared her election invalid.

The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was convicted by a single-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court. Justice Jagamohanlal Sinha pronounced the judgment to Indira Gandhi, who was present in the Allahabad High Court.

The Allahabad High Court barred her from holding any electoral post following this verdict and also debarred her from contesting election for six years.

It is widely believed that the Allahabad High Court verdict prompted Indira Gandhi to declare emergency in the country on June 25, 1975.

Interestingly, just a day ahead of proclamation of emergency, the Supreme Court had stayed the Allahabad High Court verdict. Later, the apex court overturned the Allahabad High Court judgment.

But, the all-powerful Prime Minister had changed the course of post-Independence Indian history.

THE BABRI JUDGEMENT

Six years into hearing over the title suit in Babri masjid-Ram janmabhoomi dispute of Ayodhya, a special full bench of the Allahabad High Court the land, where Mughal era mosque stood for nearly 500 years before being pulled down in 1992, be divided into three equal parts among the contesting parties.

The Allahabad High Court ruled that Ram Lalla, the Nirmohi Akhara and the Waqf Board would be the joint-title holder of the disputed land. Two-third of the land went to the Hindu plaintiffs while the other one-third was placed under the Sunni Muslim Waqf Board.

A 2-1 majority verdict of the Allahabad High Court also ruled that the portion of land right beneath the central dome of the demolished mosque was the place of birth of Lord Ram "as per faith and belief of the Hindus". This is the spot where the idol of Ram Lalla is placed in a makeshift temple.

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The Allahabad High Court's ruling was a decision that shocked many and surprised several prominent legal luminaries.

The matter is pending before the Supreme Court, which, interestingly, has recently suggested that the dispute be resolved through mutual settlement through consultations.

BAN ON CASTE RALLIES

In July 2013, the Allahabad High Court delivered another landmark judgment that helped 'purify' politics in Uttar Pradesh to some extent.

The Allahabad High Court banned caste-based rallies with immediate effect issuing notices to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh government, the Election Commission and all the leading political parties of the state.

A bench of Justices Uma Nath Singh and Mahendra Dayal delivered the verdict on a PIL seeking ban on such rallies.

The Allahabad High Court accepted the petitioner's argument that there was an upsurge in caste-based political rallies in Uttar Pradesh. Caste-based rallies are against the spirit of Constitution and led to enmity among the politically rival castes, the petitioner said.

The ruling had come in the backdrop of caste-based rallies held by the two leading parties of Uttar Pradesh - the BSP and the SP.

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The BSP had held Brahmin Bhaichara Sammelan in Lucknow only days ago. It had also organised Muslim Bhaichara Sammelans at Barabanki and Lucknow. The Samajwadi Party too had held Brahmin Sammelan.

The Allahabad High Court ruling put brakes on caste-based rallies in the most populous state of the country.'

BABUS MUST SEND THEIR KIDS TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

In August 2015, the Allahabad High Court took the role of a reformer. Taking serious note of the pathetic condition of the primary schools in Uttar Pradesh the Allahabad High Court ordered all the sarkari babus to send their kids to government schools.

The Allahabad High Court directed the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that children or wards of government officials, those serving in the local bodies, representatives of people and judiciary are sent to these schools.

The Allahabad High Court tersely observed, "Only then would they be serious enough to look into the requirements of these schools and ensure that they are run in good condition."

The Allahabad High Court said that that even though the government schools catered to the needs of 90 per cent population of children, their condition was 'shabby'.

THE TRIPLE TALAQ RULING

In December last year, the Allahabad High Court again delivered a landmark judgment declaring the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional.

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The Allahabad High Court said triple talaq violates the rights of Muslim women. "No personal law board is above the Constitution," the Allahabad High Court added.

Calling triple talaq 'cruel' and 'most demeaning', the Allahabad High Court said that the practice 'impedes and drags India from becoming a nation'.

The single-judge bench of Justice Suneet Kumar said, "The question which disturbs the court is - should Muslim wives suffer this tyranny for all times? Should their personal law remain so cruel towards these unfortunate wives? Whether the personal law can be amended suitably to alleviate their sufferings? The judicial conscience is disturbed at this monstrosity."

The case is presently being heard at the Supreme Court, which has formed a constitutional bench to hear the matter.

The apex court has expressed its willingness to forgo summer vacation to hear the triple talaq case while asking the Centre to state if it will 'cooperate' to expedite the judicial process in the matter.

Also Read:

Modi at Allahabad High Court: More use of technology in judiciary crucial for new India

Allahabad: With PM Modi, CJI Khehar on stage, Adityanath says law is supreme

Also Watch:

Allahabad High Court's ruling on triple talaq gets mixed reactions

--- ENDS ---
The first movie to ever be shown in the White House was The Birth of a Nation, director D.W. Griffiths 1915 three-hour tribute to white supremacy, the Old South, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. After seeing it, President Woodrow Wilson exclaimed, It is like writing history with lightning. And my only regret is that it is all so terribly true.

Except that Wilson most likely never said such a thing. According to A. Scott Bergs 2013 biography, Wilson, the president sat through the film looking bored and lost in thought. When the lights came on, he left the room without saying a word and later wrote that he wished the movie might be avoided, particularly in communities where there are so many colored people. The flowery review was probably made up by author Thomas Dixon Jr., whose book The Clansman served as source material for the film.

However, the very fact that the president of the United States would sit through a movie that glorified the Klan and the murder of a black man says much about Wilsons attitudes toward racial issues in the early 20th century  even if the movie was a box-office smash across the country. For all of his accomplishments as a leader who guided the U.S. through World War I, who achieved landmark legislative victories and established America as a world power, Wilsons record on race is still a stain on his legacy.

Federal agencies and offices where blacks and whites had worked side by side since the end of the Civil War were segregated under Wilson. The U.S. Post Office, which for years had offered some of the best jobs African-Americans could find in Washington, was allowed to segregate and force black workers into jobs that paid less.

Wilson did not officially order segregation to happen within the government. He simply did nothing to stop it, even as Jim Crow laws swept the South.

The segregation of the federal work force is not something he began, but he allowed it to continue, said Andrew Phillips, curator at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton.

Yes, times were different in America in the 1910s, but the societal view doesnt forgive Wilson, Phillips said.

Blacks had voted overwhelmingly for Wilson when he was first elected in 1912, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt, whose campaign split Republican voters. By the middle of Wilsons first term, however, many black leaders were disenchanted with the presidents record on racial issues, especially his silence regarding segregation in government.

William Monroe Trotter, a black activist, criticized Wilson in person during a meeting at the White House in 1914. Trotter told the president that two years ago, you were heralded as perhaps the second Lincoln, according to Bergs book. Trotter asked if there was a new freedom for white Americans, and a new slavery for your Afro-American fellow citizens. 

The New York Age, an African-American newspaper, editorialized that Wilson bears the discreditable distinction of being the first President of the United States, since Emancipation, who openly condoned and vindicated prejudice against the Negro.

Wilsons progressive views in other areas of policy made his lack of sensitivity to racial problems much more difficult to swallow, Phillips said. The founding fathers had their racial baggage, considering that men such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, but those men seemed to be from ancient times, even in the early 20th century. Wilson has often been called the first modern president.

Wilson is viewed as much more modern, Phillips said. Washington and Jefferson seem to get a pass.

The Wilson library and museum does not avoid subjects about race and gender issues in its exhibits. That wasnt always the case, said Robin von Seldeneck, the library and museums president and CEO.

We show warts and all here, she said. Its very easy to judge the past by todays standards. We just want to educate and show where we came from as a country.

Three years ago, students staged a sit-in at Princeton University, where Wilson had been a professor and president. The students demanded that Wilsons name be stripped from campus buildings, which included the School of Public and International Affairs. The universitys board of trustees decided to keep Wilsons name, but vowed to seek transparency in recognizing Wilsons failings and shortcomings as well as the visions and achievements that led to the naming of the school and the college in the first place.

Balancing the warts with the achievements at the Staunton museum is as tricky as it is important, Phillips said.

Our goal here is context, not to defend or attack, he said. Wilson is the father of American international policy. Reagan, the Bushes and Obama all adopted the Wilsonian philosophy. We just say what happened within the context of the time.
BLACKSBURG  Virginia Techs board of visitors is set to vote Monday on making a significant investment into one of the schools new destination areas while at the same time once again raising student tuition.

The board is scheduled to vote on a resolution to approve a $78.45 million project to fund facilities and operations associated with the intelligent infrastructure and human-centered communities destination area.

The resolution marks the most significant step forward for Tech into implementing its evolving destination area plan. A resolution draft states the university has identified the funds for the program, which are all outside the general budget and at least a third will come from a $25 million donation from a group of four donors.

Destination areas are a voluntary educational path in which students can take core classes but also pursue multiple, cross-disciplinary opportunities.

Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands called the development exciting.

We set ... aggressive philanthropy and industry targets and were able to meet them quickly, Sands said. It was ready. ... We already had industry and philanthropy chomping at the bit.

Getting acceptance from the real world was vindication for the vision pushed by Tech administrators in the last year.

Its really the first proof of concept, said Tech Provost Thanassis Rikakis, who has spent much of his tenure at the university shaping the project. If you get integrative strengths and you talk to people in industry and philanthropy they will buy in.

He added that 135 faculty who will be involved in the intelligent infrastructure destination area from all colleges at the university are key to the programs success.

In the same meeting Monday, the board is scheduled to consider an increase in tuition and fees for the 2017-18 academic year. Tuition and fees have risen for the last 16 years at Tech, also a national trend.

According to a recommendation from the university to the board, tuition and mandatory fees would rise to $13,329 for in-state undergraduates and $31,014 for out-of-staters. The new rate would represent a 3.5 percent and 3.7 percent increase, respectively, from this academic year.

Resident and non-resident graduate students will pay $15,072 and $28,810 respectively, which represents increases of 3.7 and 3.8 percent.

Last year, Tech had its lowest hike in 15 years  2.9 percent for in-state and out-of-state undergraduates.

Revenue created from pieces of destination areas  corporate partnerships, philanthropic donations and competitive research dollars  are supposed to combat the trend of rising tuition in the future, Tech officials have said.

The millions of dollars invested in destination areas will go toward providing researchers, faculty and students with tools to develop autonomous vehicles, smart construction techniques, urban planning, drone research and other infrastructure technologies as part of Techs intelligent infrastructure for human centered communities destination area.

Money will specifically go toward the following:

$50 million for a pair of buildings adjacent to Bishop-Favrao Hall. The buildings will host laboratories, classrooms and a dining hall and will be at the center of the intelligent infrastructure destination area.

$10.9 million for the rural smart road project and a $3.5 million expansion of the Virginia Automation Park, where smart vehicles and unmanned aircraft will be tested and able to communicate. Those projects will be located at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

$10 million for a Smart Design and Construction Complex  a high bay facility, a support building and the installation of better utility infrastructure for this district to support expansion and energy research.

$2.05 million for an autonomy study park near the Duck Pond that will include space for land, water and air vehicles to be tested in the pond itself as well as in a caged-in facility.

$2 million for an intern park at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to connect university faculty and students with corporations and governmental agencies.

The destination area funding will come from non-general funds, which comes from revenue streams other than tuition and mandatory fees.

In 2016, the university invested $2.6 million in the wider destination area concept. The money went toward giving faculty time to develop courses and research programs, and to purchase equipment to support the programs infrastructure, Tech officials said last year.

University officials previously vowed to put about $75 million into the intelligent infrastructure destination area. Millions in private dollars were in the plans since last year, and now Tech has $25 million.

The donors include John Lawson, president and CEO of W.M. Jordan Co., and a former board of visitors rector; the charitable foundation controlled by the Hitt family of HITT Contracting Inc., in Washington, D.C.; and two other donors who Virginia Tech declined to name.

It took a little while to fully understand, but ultimately Rikakis turned out to be a deft salesman of the concept, Lawson said.

Lawson said getting involved in the project was a smart move for a company that already employs dozens of Tech graduates and will look to employ more in the future. Tech graduates from the program will be highly marketable in industry because of how theyll work with people with diverse educational paths, he said.

The cross-collaborative nature is important, Lawson said in a telephone interview. It brings all the areas of expertise that is aligned perfectly with our overall mission.

Getting input from alumni, partners and donors in industry was the core of the success of the intelligent infrastructure destination area, Sands said. Industry partners will supply internships in the new intern park and help fund research projects that include Google X, Hitt Contracting and energy companies.

Students who are currently involved in research with the faculty in the program will be part of the destination areas starting in the fall, Rikakis and Sands said.

Rikakis estimated that in the next year and a half, students would begin to be able to start getting concentrations in the intelligent infrastructure destination area.

As for the rest of the destination areas, Tech leaders said intelligent infrastructure can serve as a template. In the next two or three years, the others will take similar shape.

Sands said the university is identifying philanthropists and people in business to take part in the remaining destination areas. He vowed that the work in them will continue.

This is not the only one, Sands said. Its just the first.
A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Wythe County Friday night killed two women, a Radford University student and Virginia Tech student, and sent five other people to hospitals with injuries.

A Honda Insight driven by Tech student Paige M. Neubauer, 21, traveling south on I-81, near Fort Chiswell about two miles north of the Interstate 77 interchange, crossed the median and struck head-on a Honda Civic traveling north shortly after 10 p.m., state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. The impact caused the Insight to spin around in the northbound lanes and be struck by a northbound Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Neubauer, of Virginia Beach, died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from her electric hybrid car.

The driver of the Honda Civic, Rachel E. Jones, 22, of New Castle, was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. The hospital said Saturday afternoon her condition is undetermined.

The passenger of the Civic, Bridgett J. Oliver, 21, of New Castle, died at the scene. Both Jones and Oliver were wearing seat belts.

Irvin Clark, Radford University Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, sent a message to students and faculty Saturday about the crash. He said Oliver was a senior honors nursing major. Jones was a fellow honors nursing student, Clark said.

School of Nursing Director Tony Ramsey shared with me what a tremendous impact Bridgett made to the honors nursing program and how she was looking forward to a career where she could serve the needs of and help others, he wrote.

Radford University is providing grief counselors through the weekend to students.

Neubauer was majoring in communication studies, according to the universitys student directory. She was a member of the schools Delta Gamma sorority.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 46-year-old Georgia man, and his three passengers were taken to the hospital in Pulaski County for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Lanes were shut down until 1:30 a.m. while the state police crash reconstruction team investigated.

The outpouring of emotions and fond memories of Neubauer on social media did not come as a surprise to Caroline Cogan, the sorority chapters president.

Paige was one of the most genuine people Ive ever met in my entire life, and I dont have any memories of when she didnt have a smile across her face, she said. Our sororitys motto is do good, and she lived by that motto.

Neubauer worked as a cashier at the campus dining eatery Hokie Grill and Co. On a Facebook page called VT Crushes  where people can anonymously share who they have a crush on  Cogan said, Paige has been mentioned on there probably more times than anybody else, because she just had the biggest smile and was so bubbly.
Two FIRs under non-bailable sections have been registered in Mumbai against TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar accusing him of sexual harassment.

By Saurabh Vaktania, Mustafa Shaikh: The Mumbai Police have still not been able to locate TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar even after two FIRs were registered against him in Mumbai accusing him of sexual harassment.

However, India Today team managed to locate the house of Arunabh Kumar in Mumbai (address withheld) but he was not at home.

Two FIRs were filed against Arunabh Kumar; one at MIDC police station while the second was registered at Versova Police Station and the TVF CEO has been evading the police since then. Both the cases against him are of sexual harassment.

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According to sources, Arunabh Kumar is preparing his legal ground to be prepared against the cases against him. When India Today rang the bell of his house, two people came out identifying themselves as Arunabh Kumar's friends.

Both his friends refused to come on record. Speaking to India Today, one friend said, "Arunabh stays here with us from a long time. During the Holi festival, when the first blog by anonymous girl went viral on internet, he left home and has not come here since then."

Another friend added, "Arunabh used to stay with us, but after the incident he never came home. We even tried to get in touch with him and called on his mobile phone but his phone is not reachable."

With two FIRs against Arunabh Kumar under non-bailable sections, his statement has not been recorded officially as of now.

An anonymous blog post by someone who chose to go by the name Indian Fowler put the Founder and CEO of content creation company The Viral Fever (TVF) Arunabh Kumar in a spot.

Arunabh has been booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 (A) (punishment for sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

Also read: TVF's Arunabh said I looked hot and my tattoo was sexy, says woman in FIR

Also read: TVF case: In FIR, woman alleges Arunabh Kumar touched her inappropriately during interview

--- ENDS ---
One hundred years ago today, the world changed, thanks to a speech given by a preachers son from Staunton.

On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war  and enter the United States in a world war that had yet to earn a numerical suffix.

A nation that had once seceded from Europe now crossed the Atlantic to plunge itself into European affairs. We havent extricated ourselves yet.

The world we have today was shaped by that war, our decision to enter it, and all the decisions made and not made in its aftermath. The reparations imposed on Germany led to World War II. The promise that the British made to create a national home for the Jewish people led to the founding of Israel. The way the allies divided up the Middle East  in complete disregard of the people actually living there  led to many of the problems we have there today. Wilson wanted the Kurds to have their own state; they never got it, but their national aspirations still roil three nations that did emerge out of World War I: Turkey, Iraq and Syria.

All that lay in the unknown future, though, when Wilson went before a joint session of Congress. The war in Europe was then entering its third bloody spring. Politicians who had chortled that their boys would be home by Christmas of 1914 now looked on in horror at what they had set in motion. Except nothing was in motion. The two sides were locked into static front lines that did nothing but chew up men by the thousands. The Germans still thought they could bleed France white. The British thought their naval blockade would starve Germany into submission. The Germans worried the British might be right and gambled that unrestricted submarine warfare would sink enough ships to make the British sue for peace. They knew the Americans  still idealistic about navigation of the seas  might enter the war, but the Germans figured the British would quit before the Americans could get themselves organized for war.

The Germans also had what seemed a clever idea: Mexico. The German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman sent instructions to his ambassador in Mexico: If the United States entered the war, the ambassador should encourage Mexico to declare war on the United States in hopes of regaining Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Germans would offer generous financial support.

There was only one problem: The trans-oceanic cable that the telegram was transmitted on ran through a relay station in Great Britain, and British codebreakers were reading everything that passed through. Within a day, they had deciphered most of the message. Within two weeks, it was in the hands of President Wilson.

The world of 1917 seems so very different from 2017, yet also very much the same. Then it was intelligence services secretly reading telegrams; now its intelligence services snooping on emails. The technology changes but the politics do not.

Wilson had just been re-elected the previous November. The outlines of todays politics were taking shape then. Wilson, the Democrat, had run as the anti-war candidate  He kept us out of war. His Republican opponent criticized him for not making the necessary preparations in case war came. Americans were generally in a mood to stay out of a conflict that didnt seem to concern them.

There were also different opinions as to which side was right: Many German-Americans and Irish-Americans had little sympathy for the British. But nobody much liked Mexico. Just the year before, the revolutionary Pancho Villa had led a raid on Columbus, New Mexico, that left 22 Americans dead  the kind of thing that today we might call a terrorist attack. Wilson responded the way any American president would: He sent the Army after Villa. For nearly a year, there were raids back and forth across the border that left casualties on both sides. General John Pershing never did catch Villa, and privately complained that Wilson had imposed too many restrictions that made real warfare impossible  exactly the kind of complaint generals might make of certain presidents in more recent history today.

Pershing marched out of Mexico about the same time that Wilson was making public the intercepted Zimmerman telegram. Only 69 years had passed since the end of the Mexican War. The Southwest was still sparsely populated. The idea that Mexico might want that land back was not completely preposterous when you consider today that China very much wants a Taiwan it lost 68 years ago and some Arabs want back land they lost to Israel 69 years ago. Pershing soon had a new mission  in Europe. Historians still debate how much the Zimmerman telegram impelled the United States to war, and how much it was the sinking of American cargo ships  or how much was the influence of New York bankers who had loaned billions to the allies and wanted to make sure they got their money back.

Regardless, Wilson asked Congress to go to war. Thats a quaint constitutional requirement that presidents today dont bother to honor  and Congress doesnt bother to enforce. Virginias U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine repeatedly pushed both President Obama and now President Trump for congressional authorization for their strikes against the Islamic State; Congress has repeatedly yawned.

Wilson framed war in moralistic terms: A war to end war that will make the world safe for democracy. The war didnt do either of those things, but it did change America.

Xenophobia put German-Americans on the defensive; Harrisonburg  a city with a long German heritage  changed the name of German Street to Liberty Street. The war elevated to prominence Herbert Hoover, the organizer of American relief efforts in Europe, as well as Wilsons assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Roosevelt. It gave a farmer from Missouri named Harry Truman his first taste of leadership. The war accelerated the industrialization and urbanization of America, and the migration of African-Americans from the South to the North. The war accelerated lots of things that went on to shape America  Prohibition, womens rights, speculation in stocks.

History doesnt remember April 2  or April 6, the day Congress actually voted for war  the way we remember, say, Dec. 7 as Pearl Harbor Day. But a century later, it still cuts the same swath through history.
WAYNESBORO  U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said he takes very seriously the current congressional and FBI investigations into possible Russian interference in last years presidential elections.

Kaine, D-Va., a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees,

said Russia remains a major adversary of the United States .

During a stop in Waynesboro at the Valley Program for Aging Services on Friday, Kaine spoke of his expectations about both Senate and House investigations concerning Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

We will get to the bottom of it in the Senate, Kaine said.

Kaine said hes encouraged by the bipartisan approach of Senate Intelligence Committee vice chairman Mark Warner, Kaines Virginia Democratic colleague, and the committees chairman, North Carolina Republican Richard Burr.

Hes less confident about the House investigations integrity. Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes has been criticized for giving information to the White House before discussing it with his fellow committee members.

The House investigation has blown up, Kaine said.

Kaine said he experienced firsthand the sort of hacking techniques like those allegedly used by the Russians.

His cellphone number was published by WikiLeaks in September when he was running as the Democratic nominee for vice president.

The result was countless creepy messages on his cellphone, Kaine said.

The Democratic senator has come under fire for his announcement this past week that he will vote against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.

I spent six weeks reading his opinions, said Kaine of Gorsuchs rulings as an appeals court judge in the U.S. Tenth Circuit. He is an activist judge.

Kaine said Gorsuchs tendencies are especially evident regarding womens health care.

Kaine, a former civil rights lawyer and professor of constitutional law at the University of Richmond, also met with Gorsuch.

When reaching his conclusion, Kaine said Wednesday that Gorsuch has repeatedly taken an activist approach to cases involving a womans right to make her own decisions about her health.

Kaine further said that Gorsuch has taken extraordinary steps to force reconsideration of rulings that preserve access to reproductive health.

His opposition to the Gorsuch nomination is no reflection on the judges qualifications.

Judge Gorsuch unquestionably has an impressive professional and educational background, but a nominee to the Supreme Court must also demonstrate sound judicial philosophy, Kaine said.
Mary Ann L. Miller, VP-Business Relationship and Communications Officer of Bank of Botetourt in Daleville, VA, was one of nearly 1,500 banking industry leaders who visited the nations capital to discuss the growing number of regulatory challenges impacting Americas banks. The visit was part of the American Bankers Associations annual Government Relations Summit and organized by Virginia Bankers Association.

On Capitol Hill Mary Ann met with US Representatives Scott Taylor, Dave Brat, Bobby Scott, Donald McEachin and Morgan Griffith as well as Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. She, along with fellow bankers throughout the state, used her time with elected officials to advocate for common sense policy solutions for regulatory issues that are particularly challenging to community banks. Her main focus was to ensure that the congressmen understood the negative effects resulting from the unfair tax advantages of credit unions, which have been using tax preferred status to enter into areas outside of their original purpose.

Community banks play a critical role in driving the nations economy, said Miller. This meeting not only allowed me to highlight that role, but also to support legislation that would allow us to better serve our customers and communities.

Each March, bankers from across the nation gather in Washington for ABAs Government Relations Summit to personally share their concerns with leaders of Congress and federal regulators. ABAs Government Relations Summit is held concurrently with its Mutual Community Bank Forum, Emerging Leaders Forum and Womens Leadership Forum in Washington.

Chartered in 1899 Bank of Botetourt operates twelve retail offices in Botetourt, Rockbridge, Roanoke, and Franklin counties and in the City of Salem, all in Virginia; and the mortgage company Virginia Mountain Mortgage. The Bank maintains thirteen ATMs around the area, seven of which accept deposits, and offers fee-free ATM access at any Sheetz location in the country.

--Mary Ann Miller
Business News Tpg Forecast To Earn Even With 5 6 Initial Market Share In Singapore | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The Business-to-Business E-commerce Market report describes the forecast ... 2.5 Business-to-Business E-commerce Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type by Player 2.6 Business ... Read More TPG (NASDAQ:TPG) has observed the following analyst ratings within the last quarter: According to 5 analyst offering 12-month price targets in the last 3 months, TPG has an average price target of ... Read More Within the last quarter, TPG (NASDAQ:TPG) has observed the following analyst ratings: These 5 analysts ... by an editor. SHARE THIS POST TPG NewsMORE Related Stocks Find News News Indices Commodities ... Read More LPG Market Size is projected to Reach Multimillion USD by 2029, In comparison to 2021, at unexpected CAGR during ... Read More TPG Real Estate has closed on its latest real estate equity fund securing more than $6.8 billion, according to a news release ... real estate investing business," Kelvin Davis, partner and ... Read More DBMR released a report titled Ambulatory Infusion Pumps Market which delivers detailed overview of the Ambulatory Infusion Pumps market in terms of market segmentation by type, route of ... Read More The MarketWatch News Department ... the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon. Low-end business routers start right about where consumer models top out. While they share some ... Read More --(BUSINESS WIRE ... is now projected to be 5.2%, compared to the previous forecast of 4.9%. IDC has maintained its outlook for the worldwide services market even against the backdrop of a ... Read More These 5 analysts have an average price target of $33.0 versus the current price of TPG at $27.6, implying upside. Below is a summary of how these 5 analysts rated TPG over the past 3 months. Read More Sign up for the daily Marketplace newsletter to make sense of the most important business and economic news. The interest rate on the average 30-year fixed-rate ... Read More The paper segment accounted for the leading market share in 2021 owing to high demand ... discussed in the report to assist investors and business owners with a better understanding of the ... Read More The e-commerce segment, on the other hand, is expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The stainless-steel segment held the majority market share in 2020, holding ... Read More
Business News Fox Bill O Reilly Settle Claims With Five Women New York Times | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Juliet Huddy, a former anchor for Fox News Channel ... the culture at Fox News, Bill OReilly and Huddys decision to sign a non-disclosure agreement after reaching a settlement with Fox.Oct ... Read More Former Fox News host and current author/podcaster Bill OReilly bitterly complained to NewsNations Chris Cuomo about Maggie Habermans Hate Trump book Confidence Man: The Making of ... Read More And if an investment sounds too good to be true and has Bill OReilly ... Advisors  which OReilly shilled for via Facebook ads and enormous billboards in the New York City area  is ... Read More On Thursday, The Daily Beast reported that National Realty Investment Advisors, an upscale real estate investment firm with celebrity backing from disgraced former Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly ... Read More We have had a ton of success on Fox News side with shows like Outnumbered and The Five, says Lauren Petterson, the president of Fox Business ... working at New York affiliates ... Read More Former Fox News host Bill OReilly on Wednesday criticized Tucker Carlson for airing a lengthy interview with Kanye West, saying the rapper isnt a newsworthy figure. On Newsmax, host Eric ... Read More Former Fox News host Bill OReilly on Wednesday criticized Tucker Carlson for airing a lengthy interview with Kanye West, saying the rapper isnt a newsworthy figure. On Newsmax, host Eric Bolling ... Read More By Benjamin Mullin, Lauren Hirsch and Katie Robertson The two parts of Rupert Murdochs media business, News Corp and Fox Corporation ... which was viewed by The New York Times. Read More Fox Business Network celebrates its 15th anniversary on Saturday and original anchor Neil Cavuto believes its "no-nonsense, no-jargon" approach to covering the business news helped democratize an ... Read More
Business News While Trump Promotes Coal Chile And Others Are Turning To Cheap Sun Power | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Chilean stocks this year are leapfrogging those in other countries, including the U.S. The iShares MSCI Chile exchange-traded fund (ECH) is up more than 3% year to date, while the U.S. benchmark S ... Read More BEIJING (AP)  China plans to boost coal ... a news conference held during a ruling party congress. That would be a 12% increase over last years 4.1 billion tons. Ensuring an adequate power ... Read More BERLIN (AP)  Climate activist Greta Thunberg says it would be "a mistake" for Germany to switch off its nuclear power plants if that means the country must burn more planet-heating coal. Read More Angry supporters of Donald Trump are calling for the US Securities ... SPACs are businesses set up for the sole purpose of acquiring other firms. The SEC is reportedly investigating the way ... Read More She claims its not her fault, though, reportedly telling investigators that one of Trumps other lawyers, Evan Corcoran, told her to sign it. NBC News adds that Bobb insisted a disclaimer be ... Read More Billionaire investor Thomas Barrack testified Monday that his friend Donald Trump's presidency was "disastrous" for his business. Barrack made the comment while ... with other nations like UAE's ... Read More 1 - These are the best cheap Windows laptops ... Why this is important for your business: While were still talking robots, I couldnt resist including this news because its not the ... Read More Donald Trump lashed ... their jobs," a Fox News spokesperson told Insider. Trump has made bogus claims the 2020 election was stolen from him the center of his rallies and other public statements ... Read More Former President Donald Trump's "divisive" politics ruined his billionaire friends business, real estate ... misusing his position of influence and power with the Trump administration to ... Read More A Chinese official says the government plans to boost coal production through 2025 to avoid a repeat of last years power shortages ... said at a news conference held during a ruling party ... Read More BEIJING (AP)  China plans to boost coal production ... said at a news conference held during a ruling party congress. That would be a 12% increase over last years 4.1 billion tons. Ensuring an ... Read More
Business News Iraq To Boost Crude Oil Production By Year S End Minister | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Iraq cant afford to reduce its oil production as part of a move by OPEC+ to slash output, according to the top candidate for the Iraqi prime ministers post, who said the country needs the ... Read More At the 19th Ministerial Meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries, Azerbaijan supported the decision to increase daily crude ... the end of the year, the calculation of Azerbaijan's oil production ... Read More Iraq is advancing some key associated gas projects at the Gharraf and Nassiriya oil fields. Baghdad's move comes at a time that it looks to improve relations with the U.S. again. Every year ... Read More OPEC+ nations are falling way behind on their production targets for crude oil, despite delivering a small boost ... S&P Global. While OPEC members pumped more oil last month, led by Saudi Arabia ... Read More OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia on Friday defended the oil cartel and its partners' decision to cut crude ... The UAE, Iraq and OPEC's secretary general have backed the oil production quotas cut after ... Read More U.S. oil output climbed to nearly 12 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, government figures showed on Monday, the highest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as shale companies have ... Read More To increase world oil prices, OPEC and its oil-producing allies announced plans earlier this month to cut crude production ... Will Iraqs new prime minister bring change  or more of the ... Read More Russias seaborne crude oil exports spiked to a five-month high last week as buyers scrambled to get their hands on as much cheap Russian crude oil as they could ahead of the sanctions that go into ef ... Read More Crude oil and natural gas production ... second half of the year, for a half-to-half increase of 12.1%. Total footage is projected to increase 34%. Employment in the U.S. oilfield services ... Read More Benchmark U.S. crude oil for November delivery fell $2.64 to ... 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events ... Read More
Business News Asia Markets Trade Mixed China March Manufacturing Pmi Beats Expectations | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Asian stocks are mixed ahead of the U.S. midterm elections with trading likely to stay bumpy in a week that brings new inflation data and other events that could shake markets ... Read More Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday following an upbeat session on Wall Street as investors look towards crucial midterm elections. Read More This is CNBC's live blog covering Asia-Pacific markets. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed on Monday ... as 2.39% in early trade after Chinese President Xi Jinping said China reserves the ... Read More (Sharecast News) - Stocks were mixed in Asia at the close on Monday, after an avalanche of data was released in China ... while the flash manufacturing PMI was still in contraction territory ... Read More Japan preliminary PMI October manufacturing 50.7 (prior 50.8). China -1.43% ... Oil rose in early Asian trade on Monday as expectations of tighter supplies globally ahead of European Union ... Read More (Sharecast News) - Stock markets were in a mixed state in Asia on Monday ... Component was ahead 0.37% at 11,162.26. China's central bank sated market expectations on interest rates earlier ... Read More This is CNBC's live blog covering Asia-Pacific markets. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday ... The Shanghai Composite in mainland China rose 1.53% to end the session at 3,025.51 ... Read More The purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 49.2 in October, down from 50.1 in September, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Monday. A reading above 50 ... Read More Asia Market Update: Equity markets trade mixed; China and HK indices lag ... All information provided by Trade The News (a product of Trade The News, Inc. "referred to as TTN hereafter") is ... Read More China's construction sector makes great strides in... China's light industry registers revenue, profit g... China's FAST telescope films magnetic fields nearb ... Read More TOKYO (AP)  Asian shares were mixed ... for Chinas longer-term direction. Further de-coupling f rom U.S. technology seems to be the story, said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG ... Read More
Business News This Is Why Australia Hasn T Had A Recession In More Than 25 Years | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Two years ago, early in the pandemic, Australia went into recession for the first time in 30 years. And what an unusual recession it was. It was sharp, but rather than following the collapse of a ... Read More When that has happened in the past, we have had a recession ... Australia consumers rather gloomy: If the graph does not display click here And of course we know why: inflation. Or more ... Read More Picture: The Australian Echoing former prime minister Paul Keatings infamous statement, this is a recession that Australia had to have ... a little bit more than we have in the past ... Read More Two years ago, early in the pandemic, Australia went into recession for the first time in 30 years. And what an unusual recession it was. It was sharp, but rather than following the collapse of a ... Read More WRAL News spoke with economists Mark Yusko and Campbell Harvey along with Raleigh-based business owner Jeff Hastings about the economic numbers they're watching to see where things are heading. Read More It is probably a good time for a budget because the economy is doing reasonably well up to this point, he told Sky News Australia ... rates and so I dont want to minimise that but ... Read More Almost two-thirds of corporate economists believe the United States is already in a recession or will ... the National Association for Business Economics. More than half the NABE respondents ... Read More In determining whether a recession has occurred, the nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research doesn't just ... be more severe than forecast? Some economists say 'yes' and here's why. Read More Unfortunately, its far worse than ... recession. After hitting that record high, the US daily average fell for 98 straight days, dropping to $3.68 a gallon, as oil prices tumbled more than 25% ... Read More
Economy News This Confidence Boost May Be The Starting Pistol On Iraq S Road To Becoming A Market Economy | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The U.S economy has ... is throughout the economy. Expectations are for it to have declined on a monthly basis in September to 0.5% from 0.6% in August. Other economic news this week will include ... Read More The housing market ... road since rate hikes take time to impact most parts of the real economy, with mortgage rates and housing being the notable exception. The Fed risks triggering a U.S ... Read More chief investment officer of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Michele had spoken about the ripple effects the Feds recent actions could have on the economy. Read More But heres the thing ... greater risk is an economy at the mercy of rising prices, said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson in a report. She argued that inflation may boost growth nominally ... Read More For all latest news ... country's economy. Leaving no room for naturally regulated allocation of resources poses risks for the creation of a more mammoth problem -- a possibility of a black-market ... Read More The outlook for the U.S. economy from Wall Street's biggest ... slowdown develop at some point driven by lower confidence levels, which may lead to reduced spending and business investment ... Read More For the sixth time in the past seven months, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. Thats according to ... lowest reading for the confidence index since May 2020, Goss says. Read More Sign up for the New Economy Daily newsletter, follow us @economics and subscribe to our podcast. Indias economy showed signs of slowing-but-steady growth last ... Read More The outlook of the U.S. economy from Wall Streets biggest ... slowdown develop at some point driven by lower confidence levels, which may lead to reduced spending and business investment. ... Read More
Outdoor News China Gets Serious About Smog Control | RobinsPost News & Noticias

(CN)  China may be able to blame its severe air pollution problems  at least in part  on the wide-ranging effects of global climate change. In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, ... Read More China very sincerely wants to curb air pollution across the nation and has taken serious measures in that direction. Beijings current Five-Year Clean Air Action Plan aims to reduce overall ... Read More As China now sits on the cusps of an environmental catastrophe, with its cities choked in smog  which up to a third of which can come from vehicle emissions  will the country continue ... Read More Roughly two-thirds of people polled in 35 major cities were in favor of a fireworks ban over New Years, or Spring festival as its called in China ... levels of smog and toxins in the ... Read More SHANGHAI--China's northern regions are facing a sustained period of pollution for at least the next two weeks, the environment ministry warned, with heavy smog threatening to overshadow the ... Read More The Punjab government has rolled out a 10-point policy to control pollution ... suffering from smog and pollution as it harms the health of citizens and can lead to serious lung, heart and ... Read More Even as cases rise, deaths are blamed on lockdowns and iPhone production takes a hit, China insists Xi Jinping's signature policy is "completely correct." ... Read More But Walkers floating of his air pollution ... roll please, China: Since we dont control the air, our good air decided to float over to Chinas bad air, so when China gets our good ... Read More He said the Punjab government was going to unroll the Smog Policy of 2022 soon. He said there was a need to introduce cheap technology for industries to control pollution. The secretary said ... Read More Authorities have shut down primary schools, factories and construction sites to protect millions of New Delhi residents from toxic smog that has blanketed the capital city. Read More SHANGHAI - China's northern regions are facing a sustained period of pollution for at least the next two weeks, the environment ministry warned, with heavy smog threatening to overshadow the ... Read More
Health News Texas Mother Gives Birth In Hospital Parking Garage | RobinsPost News & Noticias

A man fatally shot two Dallas hospital employees over the weekend, opening fire after accusing his girlfriend who had just given birth of infidelity ... Garcia said at a news conference Monday. Read More DALLAS (AP)  The 30-year-old man charged with capital murder in the fatal shooting of two Dallas hospital employees ... facility for the birth of a child, a Texas prison official said Sunday. Read More A Texas man who is facing capital murder charges for fatally shooting two nurses over the weekend was at the Dallas hospital while his girlfriend was giving birth, it was revealed. Nestor ... Read More DALLAS (AP)  A man fatally shot two Dallas hospital employees over the weekend, opening fire after accusing his girlfriend who had just given birth of ... Garcia said at a news conference ... Read More Police: Boyfriend at Texas Hospital for Baby's Birth Kills 2 By JAKE BLEIBERG and ... system," Dallas police Chief Eddie Garcia said at a news conference Monday. "A violent individual such as ... Read More DALLAS (AP)  A man fatally shot two Dallas hospital employees over the weekend, opening fire after accusing his girlfriend who had just given birth of infidelity ... police Chief Eddie Garcia said at ... Read More
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Politics News Russia Is Succeeding At Influence Election Interference Around World Mccain Says | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Kremlin-connected entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin admitted Monday that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so  confirming for the first time the accusations that he has ... Read More Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Monday he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue doing so in future, the first such admission from a figure who has been formally implicated ... Read More Russias meddling in Trump-era politics was more directly connected to the current war than previously understood. Read More
Politics News Why All The Subterfuge Top Democrat Says Trump S Dismissal Of The Russia Investigation Should Set Off Alarm Bells | RobinsPost News & Noticias

The former presidents rally script centers on juxtaposing conditions two years ago with now, relying on misrepresentations of both. Read More Related Articles National Politics ... Judge says hell appoint monitor for Trumps company While the Clinton campaign did pay researchers to dig up dirt about Trump and Russia, and well ... Read More Tulsi Gabbard, the former 2020 presidential candidate and current Fox News ... Trump, theres no denying that the unprecedented raid on his Palm Beach home earlier this week has set our country ... Read More The California Democrat decided to use that incident as the focal point of Trumps first impeachment ... the House speaker weighed politics over a thorough investigation, telling Politico ... Read More Congressional committees issued subpoenas to all of them to testify. Such subpoenas for a former chief executive are about as rare as it gets on Capitol Hill. Thats why the blockbuster subpoena ... Read More Former President Donald Trump is appealing a federal judges decision last ... which roiled US politics after the 2016 election, fueled the FBI probe of potential Trump-Russia collusion and ... Read More By then, Trump's "unelectability ... way: We all know that he's so much more likely to lose the White House than anybody else running for president on our side of the aisle. So why would we ... Read More Just one-third of the public  34%  says he should not have to appear, which includes 67% of Republicans. "If Trump does testify, partisans of all ... Fox News Digital covering politics ... Read More It was extraordinary in part because McMullin, who is running as an independent and says that ... Republican and Democrat, voted "in line with Trump's position." It found that Lee voted in ... Read More The Justice Department in August retrieved thousands of documents from Trumps residence at Mar-a-Lago, including troves of classified and top-secret ... nine of which Trump says belong to ... Read More Roberta Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, said she was pleased with the ruling and looked forward to filing the new claims next month and moving forward to trial with all dispatch. Trumps ... Read More Not all of the ... John Durhams inquiry into the Russia probe, which seems like a lifetime ago. That the Trump-requested special counsel to investigate the Russia investigation is still active ... Read More
Elections News Polls Open In Armenia Parliamentary Elections | RobinsPost News & Noticias

It's municipal election day in the province as polls in Toronto and other major ... when hundreds of vehicles blocked streets around Parliament Hill as Lich and others called for an end to COVID ... Read More More info A new poll has suggested that not only will the Conservative party likely lose the next election ... for leaving open the possibility that the makeup of parliament is not necessarily ... Read More As education increasingly becomes a focus in the midterm election, a new Fox News registered ... and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with 1,206 registered ... Read More KUALA LUMPUR: There has been a total of 12 by-elections and four state polls since the last general election on May 9, 2018. During the term of the 14th Parliament, there were 12 by-elections ... Read More Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is optimistic his alliance can achieve a simple majority in general elections ... dissolved Parliament on Monday for early polls despite major floods ... Read More The elections come nine months before Parliaments term expires, following calls for early polls from Ismails United Malays National Organization. UMNO, the biggest party in the ruling ... Read More It's municipal election day in the province as polls in Toronto and other major cities opened at 10 a.m. and are set to close at 8 p.m., with variation in some regions. Residents in many ... Read More
By Press Trust of India: Shouting "Modi, Modi" will not satiate your hunger, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday told a group of men who tried disrupting his rally by raising slogans in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said if doing so would have resulted in the abolition of house tax, the key poll promise of AAP for the upcoming municipal polls, then even "I would shout Modi, Modi".

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"Lekin isse aapka pet nahi bharega (But it won't satiate your hunger). Few people have turned mad," Kejriwal said, addressing the rally at north east Delhi's Ghonda, even as a small section of the crowd continued their sloganeering.

#WATCH: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's reply to the crowd chanting 'Modi Modi' at his rally in Delhi pic.twitter.com/SRpiq0ZJxq- ANI (@ANI_news) April 1, 2017

A group of youth repeated the same act at Kejriwal's second rally of the day at Ambedkar Nagar's Gautam Vihar Chowk area. In his address, Kejriwal repeated his allegation, made on Friday at his first poll rally, that the BJP and the Congress were "conspiring" to take over the departments of water and power to effect a tariff hike in these areas.

He promised to make Delhi sparkling clean within a year and to shore up the revenues of the cash-strapped corporations that have faced a series of strikes by sanitation workers over non-payment of salaries. He also ran through the AAP government's decisions to slash power tariff by half and provide water free of cost (capped at 20,000 litres per connection every month) and reforms in the areas of education and health.

"Where did we get the money? We did one thing, we ended corruption. We have saved Rs 350 crore from the construction of five flyovers in the last two years.

"We will use the same to abolish house tax through Section 177 of the DMC Act. We will turn the MCDs around just like we made the Delhi Jal Board a profitable enterprise despite providing water free of cost," he said. At the Ghonda rally there was a brief interruption when the stage sunk a little when Kejriwal was being greeted by the local leaders.

#WATCH: Crowd chants 'Modi-Modi' at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's rally in Delhi's Gautam Vihar Chowk area. pic.twitter.com/2ETHKDVLKS- ANI (@ANI_news) April 1, 2017

Also read

Arvind Kejriwal slams Election Commission ahead of MCD polls, citing tampering in EVMs before MP bypoll

Delhi LG orders recovery of Rs 97 crore from Arvind Kejriwal's AAP for 'splurging' on ads

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Elections News Raffi Hovannisian Oro Will Make It To Parliament If Fair Elections Are Held | RobinsPost News & Noticias

Republicans have passed these laws while claiming they need to make ... news outlets that reported on elections and political victories while often neglecting to mention they were held under ... Read More He further stated that the LG election held in 2018 ... four types for making elections free, fair and just. A solid legislative consensus among all stake holders in Parliament must be reached ... Read More The midterms typically don't draw as large of a turnout as presidential election years, but the races can make a big impact ... The 2022 midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Read More This year the midterm elections will be held on November 8 ... according to the latest Fox News Power Rankings. In the Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada Senate races, Democrat incumbents face a ... Read More In 37 states, school board elections arent held in conjunction with statewide or national elections. This strange system was deliberately created to give special interests an advantage ... Read More Elections can put a heavy finger on the scales ... Then, in September, the new Parliament enshrined into law a government pledge to cut Australias greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by ... Read More The state officials who administer fair, accessible and secure ... of individuals and reduces the cost of elections. Eliminating the practice can make it harder for certain groups of people ... Read More local councils and more are held Nov. 8. There are gubernatorial elections  an election in which the governor's office is on the ballot  in 36 states and three territories this year. Read More CBS3 spoke with senior CBS News political correspondent, Major Garrett, about the upcoming midterm elections, and how and why mail-in ballots could take more time to process, meaning in a close ... Read More
Elections News Suu Kyi Wins Half Of Seats In Myanmar By Elections | RobinsPost News & Noticias

She said: My mum shook me awake with the news ... in Myanmar, he said. Aung San Suu Kyis NLD won a landslide victory in Novembers elections, securing 396 out of 476 seats, which ... Read More At the end of the day, Aung Sang Suu Kyi is a politician who wanted to win ... one in Myanmar. Rohingyas were prohibited from running and voting in the election, and no Muslims won a seat ... Read More Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile A court in military-ruled Myanmar ruled Tuesday ... proceedings confirmed that Suu Kyi and Win Myint pleaded not guilty ... Read More Myanmar Court Jails Suu Kyi ... least 18 offences ranging from graft to election violations, carrying combined maximum terms of nearly 190 years. Suu Kyi has called the accusations against her ... Read More After his release from prison, Mr Weik returned to doing business with former generals and, according to a 2017 report in online news ... San Suu Kyi votes early in Myanmar's 2020 general elections.( ... Read More A court in military-ruled Myanmar ... Win Myint related to the rental, purchase and maintenance of a helicopter by a third member of the Cabinet in her former government. Suu Kyi was the de ... Read More
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Potus News Mark Cuban Tweets Thoughts On Donald Trump And Russia | RobinsPost News & Noticias

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Potus News Trump S Response On Russia Issue Called The Most Suspicious Part Of His Presidency | RobinsPost News & Noticias

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Potus News On Russia Trump Administration Hews Closely To Obama Playbook | RobinsPost News & Noticias

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One of the more unusual consequences of extreme climate change could include an increase in the frequency of rainbows appearing across the globe by 2100 by as much as 5 percent. Researchers behind a ... Read More A new poll shows a top issue for voters in New York may benefit some Republican candidates in particularly tight races across the state. Democratic candidates have traditionally easily won the ... Read More New York City and New York state leadership partnered with the City University of New York to launch a state-of-the-art science park and ... according to an Oct. 19 news release. Read More Climate change will increase opportunities to see rainbows, according to a new study. The studys authors estimate that by 2100, the average land location on Earth will experience about 5% more days ... Read More New Yorks long-term economic success will ultimately depend upon private businesses deciding whether to bet on the citys future. But in health care especially, government has an outsize role ... Read More Lincoln Center is the home of New York City's most famous performing arts ... And that's proven acoustical science." The stage has moved 25 feet closer to the audience, and some of the audience ... Read More to consider upstate New York for its factory. It also comes months after Congress passed the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act, which set aside $52 billion to bolster the semiconductor industry. Read More The goals and objectives of the New York State Climate Leadership and Community ... not disintegrated into an elite group that ignores science, damages our economy and restricts our personal ... Read More In a referendum on Democratic Governor Kathy Hochuls short time in office, New Yorkers will vote on Tuesday in a race thats dramatically narrowed as Republican Lee Zeldin has hammered his opponent ... Read More Ribeiro/for New York Daily News) Many weaknesses in the legal system influence wrongful convictions, like misused forensic science, unreliable eyewitness testimony, and failures by prosecutors and ... Read More NEW YORK, Oct. 11 ... in-depth master classes in science, guided by renowned scientists, for students and lifelong learners around the world. SHARE THIS POST Find News News ... Read More The development of the ink began in 2014, when Ephemeral's founders were studying and teaching engineering at New York University ... a second major in political science. She previously worked ... Read More
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The CISF recently did away with the need for air travelers to get their hand baggage stamped at seven airports across the country.

By Manogya Loiwal : The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) recently did away with the requirement for air travelers to get their hand baggage stamped at seven major airports.

The Director General of CISF OP Singh said the force, which provides security to a majority of Indian airports, aims to introduce the new practice at all airports by the end of this year.

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"We are trying to make airport innovative and technology driven. We intend to give passengers a hassle-free journey so it (no hand baggage stamping) has been started in seven airports has after series of trial run," Singh said.

The CISF DG added, "Hopefully, (the stamping of hand baggage will be done away with at) all airports...by year end. Presently stamping has been done away with to give passengers a smooth flying experience. Augmentation of airports in terms of both technology and manpower will be done."

Recently, the Airports Council International awarded good ratings to several airports in India based on passenger amenities and security. Some airports, in fact, were rated even better than those in the US and UAE.

In other comments, Singh said that the Jabalpur and Jamnagar airports will soon be given CISF security and that the force is working on a white paper to upgrade and integrate the entire security apparatus across the country.

Singh acknowledged that the perimeter intrusion system at airports needs to be stronger. Perimeter walls at several airports are old, Singh said, adding that extra manning is also required.

The biggest challenge, Singh said, is tackling grey areas that do not come under the coverage of CCTV cameras.

Singh took over CISF just last year after a successful stint in the National Disaster Relief Force, he made several modifications and was also at the helm of rescue operations during the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

ALSO READ | Good news: Hand baggage stamping not needed at these airports from April 1

--- ENDS ---
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N Sreeprakash, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the upcoming by-election in Malappuram, has promised that he will ensure the supply of good beef from clean slaughterhouses in his constituency.

By India Today Web Desk: Even as the BJP-ruled Gujarat imposes life term for cow slaughter and Uttar Pradesh witnesses massive crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, a BJP candidate in Kerala seems to be going against the party's tenets.

Kerala is among the few places in India that place no restrictions on the consumption of cow meat.

While most other BJP-led governments have been unequivocal in their support to measures that ban the sale and consumption of cow meat, one of the party's candidates in Kerala is making headlines for luring voters with the promise of "good beef" if elected.

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N Sreeprakash, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the upcoming by-election in Malappuram, has promised that he will ensure the supply of good beef from clean slaughterhouses in his constituency.

"There will be efforts from my side to ensure good-quality beef at clean abattoirs," Sreeprakash was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

Sreeprakash went to on to slam the Congress for banning cow slaughter during its tenure in Kerala.

Sreeprakash's comments come just a dat after All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party president Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for its "hypocrisy" on beef and banning cow slaughter. 'The BJP's hypocrisy is that cow is mummy in Uttar Pradesh and yummy in the Northeast," Owaisi said.

His comments were in reaction the Yogi Adityanath government's drive to strictly enforce Uttar Pradesh's ban on cow slaughter, even as a BJP member in Nagaland said that a ban on beef like the one in UP would not be enacted in the north-eastern state if the party came to power.

Om Saturday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said that anyone found committing cow slaughter should be hanged.

Notbaly, there is no ban on cow slaughter in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and BJP-ruled Arunachal Pradesh.

Also read:

Owaisi slams BJP over beef 'hypocrisy', says cow 'mummy' in UP, 'yummy' in Northeast

Will hang cow killers, says Raman; Owaisi slams BJPs

--- ENDS ---
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Last week, the main highlight discussed by the mass media was the jewelry brand bought out by De Beers. Only idle minds missed the opportunity to write about it, but most of all I was surprised by the statements of some industry experts about the difference in the chosen business strategies. All this cropped up as if inviting to assess how differently the market is viewed by stakeholders: while some diamond miners are deliberately choosing a resource-centric approach and confine themselves to extracting and selling raw minerals, De Beers is choosing its own strategy for building a strong brand, including its projection to retail.

However, a chosen development strategy means that a company had a chance to choose the most cost-effective alternative out of several possible options. If there is nothing to choose from, this is no longer a strategy, it is just adaptation to existing conditions. Let's face it: "Strategy" has nothing to do with this. For now, none of the market players, except De Beers, is able to create a full-cycle holding spanning from mine to well-developed international retail, even if they really wanted to.

ALROSA is often expected to develop its own retail - as it is the largest diamond mining company, which has its own diamond-cutting arm, and it tried to open its own stores in the past. But, firstly, ALROSA is a Russian company, which means that the attitude to its retail in the West will be certainly ambiguous for political reasons (even if Yakut diamond miners are related to politics in the same way as ballerinas to astronautics). Secondly, ALROSA is a state-owned company, and the state as a shareholder is unlikely to ever approve the opening of retail jewelry stores, the more so abroad. A state-owned mining company fits perfectly into modern Russian realities, but state-owned stores selling luxury goods look obviously like venturing too far.

Other second-tier miners cannot boast to have such an opportunity either. At least because the creation and promotion of a branded jewelry network require substantial funds. Last year, De Beers invested $ 85 million into promoting Forevermark only. Judging by the past interviews of the company's management, the launch of DBDJ cost it $ 400 million. Such amounts of money can be put up neither by Petra with a profit of $ 66.8 million for 2016, nor by Rio Tinto Diamonds with a profit of $ 47 million, nor by Gem Diamonds with a profit of $ 32.3 million, nor by Dominion with a net loss of $ 34 million.

Diamond-mining companies adhere to the "raw commodity" business model not because they consider it to be the only winning one, but because they do not have an alternative. Similarly, De Beers for historical reasons has no other alternative but to develop a brand. This is not good and not bad  it is exactly the same kind of something given as the weather outside. Both options have their pros and cons, and both are necessary for the current market, if it is to exist in the future.

The brand for some

The whole history of De Beers is the history of a brand. Since the time Cecil Rhodes arrived in Africa and started buying up diamond deposits, the words "diamonds" and De Beers have become almost synonymous. The slogan "A Diamond is Forever," which was later recognized as one of the most successful in history, did not formally mention De Beers or any other brand and did not invite people to any particular jewelry store, but there was no need in this at all: Except De Beers, there were simply no other suppliers of diamonds to the market. The cartel sold stones both from its own deposits and from deposits owned by others, buying out rough diamonds under trade agreements, regulating their supply and setting prices.

For a hundred years of its existence, the brand of De Beers has gained not only worldwide fame, but also sometimes a dubious reputation. The company was able to create a massive demand for this product, which before that was the object of select consumption, and built a unique trading system. However, as information in the world became more accessible, the cartel model of this business was becoming evident to more and more people. Due to its monopolistic manipulation of prices De Beers for a long time did not even have the right to work in the U.S., and later, by decision of the European Commission lost the right to buy Russian diamonds for re-selling.

Actually, De Beers began to develop its jewelry brand setting up stores for De Beers Diamond Jewellers and Forevermark only in the 2000s  at the time, when the cartel system was breathing its last and the market saw the emergence of new and strong independent producers, which made it more logical for De Beers to promote its own name, rather than invest in generic marketing for the benefit of competitors.

What is De Beers without a brand? The company, which is closing a loss-making asset in Canada and mining diamonds in Africa. Of course, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are quite calm and stable countries by African standards. But this is evident only for professional market players. What part of the American hoi polloi, do you think, know where Botswana is, if quite a number of them have small knowledge even of the geographical location of U.S. states? Does the average person there see a big difference between Namibia and, for example, Sierra Leone? Does he or she realize that an employee of an underground mine run by De Beers in Botswana is tens of times more socially protected than an illegal artisanal miner somewhere in the CAR? Especially when Google, now the main source of information for most people, by no means returns pictures of unformed miners, if searched for African diamonds.

Brands are often "at war" with each other, trying to grab a bigger piece of the market pie. I think everyone saw examples of the "poster wars" being waged between McDonalds and Burger King. Probably, jewelry retail brands are also doing something similar. However, this does not apply to diamond mining companies. De Beers does not need to build a brand to increase the number of consumers. In the B2B sector, all diamond mining companies are well known, and every one of them has a queue of midstream buyers. However, the sector of consumer trade is crowded with so many players that even De Beers will not be able to lay hands on a large enough share generating revenues comparable to those from the sale of rough diamonds.

But building a brand is necessary for De Beers to restore reputation and grapple with consumer myths and negative stereotypes, building consumer confidence. In essence, all the actions undertaken by De Beers in the field of retail are aimed precisely at giving a signal to consumers: See, it's not a cartel any longer! Look, in this incomprehensible and questionable market there is still a place where you can buy a guaranteed good diamond, not tainted with bad stories. This message is more than relevant at a time when, on the one hand, the market is being invaded by synthetics, and on the other hand, the Time Magazine comes out with an image of African children digging for blood diamonds on the cover.

Obtaining control over DBDJ is a logical step in this story permitting not only to strengthen consumer confidence, but also to segment the market. A simple solitaire ring with an 0.5-carat diamond is sold by DBDJ at prices starting from $ 4,150, while a one-carat diamond ring is traded at $ 12,500 and above. In one of the previous reviews, we quoted average prices for rings graced with diamonds of different sizes. The rings bearing VS1/G diamonds of 0.5 carats in size were sold by the majority of online stores at $ 1,700 to a maximum of $ 2,000. A solitaire ring with a one-carat average-grade diamond was priced at around $ 4,000-5,000. The assortment offered by De Beers will cost at least twice as much as similar pieces from mass retail and it is clearly focused on "premium" buyers. Given that 40% of Americans earn less than $ 25,000 per year, the classic "one-carater" for engagement from DBDJ will be a pleasure worth not two, but six months wages.

For more ordinary people, there will always be Forevermark - though not branded by the name of the great corporation, but still a diamond with guarantees and even special engravings. Other moves by De Beers are pursuing exactly the same thing - creating guarantees. Recently, the company announced that its subsidiary, the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), partnered with Chinese retailer Lukfook to produce diamond grading reports under a joint brand and probably confirm the color, quality and clarity of diamonds in a supplement.

According to the company's website, IIDGRs diamond grading services will be priced at $ 50 to $ 1,500 per stone, depending on its weight. A customer will have to pay $ 60 to grade an 0.5-carat stone and $ 100 for a one-carat stone. This partnership is extremely beneficial for everyone. According to our estimate, the availability of such a certificate will increase the cost of diamonds by an average of 3%, which will most likely bear down on buyers, as they have to pay for additional guarantees. But this money does not just create consumers confidence in that they really bought a valuable thing. This money also creates consumer confidence in De Beers as a company that guarantees quality. And the guaranteed quality, in turn, creates an added value to the diamonds thus sold (3%).

In the recent past, a well-known industry analyst dreamed of a sui generis division of diamonds into good and bad. In line with this logic, good diamonds, having proven origins and not violating human rights, should have been sold with a premium, while "doubtful" diamonds, not having the "right" confirmations, should have been sold at a discount. As you can see, the analysts dreams are not so far from coming true.

Diamonds for many

In a recent review, we already said that market fragmentation is a quite possible phenomenon, despite all its destructiveness. And in theory, the first to "break away" will be the premium segment, in which diamonds - real, proper and high-quality stones with a guarantee - remain to be the lot of the elite. The remaining part of the market - three quarters of the world's diamond output, millions of workers and their families  will play on the same field with synthetics, probably losing to the latter in terms of price and affordability.

However, there is good news as well. More than 60% of jewelry sales are still accounted for not by branded networks, but by small single stores. Half of the buyers are still not ready to spend more than $ 1,000 on a diamond jewelry piece, and only 15-20% (according to a report released by Bain) are willing to plunk down more than $ 5,000. And these buyers will not go to the premium segment, even if it will offer thrice as strong guarantees compared to other market segments - they will simply not have money for that. In fact, it is for these buyers - ordinary people who dream to share their emotions with their close friends and relatives - that all the other diamond mining companies do their work.

As we have already mentioned, none of them is able to create their own jewelry brand. They choose another way - cheaper, but thus, perhaps, more accessible and understandable to the consumer: marketing based on the origin of diamonds. Dominion Diamond is promoting the CanadaMark brand - stones mined in Canada and hence not related to conflict stories. Rio Tinto working in team with jewelry designers and retailers offers "Diamonds with a story" - a project in which every diamond is supplemented with a brochure about where and how it was produced. Rio even developed special recommendations how to design and dress stands for those sellers who want to take this product for sale, thereby creating the most comfortable working conditions for the project participants.

This approach does not promote the trademarks of Dominion and Rio Tinto. It does not require to open a diamond-miner-owned jewelry store maintaining there sellers and experts. But it gives guarantees of the origin and quality of diamonds sold to consumers much in the same way. In a situation where the Kimberley Process is increasingly being criticized and the World Diamond Council is not in a hurry to expand the system of guarantees, rough diamond producers have to take care of their consumers comfort themselves. Who, if not the producers of rough diamonds, are responsible for where and how their product was extracted?

It is strange, why Russias ALROSA has not taken this path so far. The term "Russian cut" in the professional environment is more likely to be associated with an example of commercially questionable operations, albeit splendid in their appearance. In the mass consciousness, however, this is for sure a more controversial story than the "CanadaMark," prompting to avoid spending money to dispel these stereotypes. But the story of Yakutia could theoretically be successful in the same way as today the Canadian origin is enjoying success. Yakutia is not Africa: It did not have civil wars, its local population was not oppressed (there was practically no population in Western Yakutia before the start of diamond mining there), and there were built entire cities and a complete system of social guarantees. Add to this the local flavor, a couple of stories from the Yakut folk epic, which among other things is considered to be an intangible treasure of humanity according to UNESCO, along with the Belgian brewing culture - and voila, you have a conflict-free product with an interesting ethnic component on your hands.

Restricting their business to mining only and selling regular diamonds without creating some added value, miners are running high risks. Right now, their business is not in danger, but anything can happen in today's unstable geopolitical environment. For example, there may rise another wave of concern about human rights. And under such conditions, regular diamonds from Russia or South Africa will formally not differ at all from regular diamonds mined, for example, in Zimbabwe, whereas finding a way out of this situation will take some precious time.

Needed symbiosis

Be that as it may, to compare both these models of business in terms of efficiency is at least incorrect. It is all the more incorrect to make predictions about which of them will survive in the end. Both of them exist in parallel, and moreover - they need each other to create an integrated market.

The majority of diamond mining companies work "out of the way" of end users, selling to them not their own brands, but diamonds with guaranteed origin and quality. In essence, this activity shapes and forms the very foundation of the global market trading in rough and polished diamonds. Polished diamonds have always been positioned as an exclusive expression of feelings, which is - over and above - expensive. But diamonds cannot exist only in the premium segment - this is contrary to the original ideas of Cecil Rhodes. A diamond should be desired, but still available to a person who wants to propose to a beloved woman. Without observing this condition, the market will simply disappear.

As the founder of the market, De Beers is engaged in the restoration of its brand. This facilitates market segmentation and, perhaps, will make some changes in the picture of the existing retail. But this is necessary. In a situation where most consumers, by virtue of the stereotype, continue to associate all diamonds with the Cartel, it is important for De Beers to break this opinion and build a new image  the image of a responsible company that is transparent and guarantees the quality and ethics of its goods. Ultimately, if buyers will stop associating diamonds with hungry African children, this will benefit the entire industry.

Elena Levina for Rough&Polished




Erik Jens, the Global Head - Diamond & Jewellery Clients - AMRO BANK N.V. comes armed with professional experience in banking, financing and investments. He has specialized in private wealth management solutions, investments in hedge funds, private equity and real estate industry; and has served as director/advisor to various hedge funds and private equity funds at Fortis, which later became ABN AMRO.

Erik Jens has also held various senior executive positions at Fortis MeesPierson in banking and investment services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands Antilles, Ireland, United Kingdom, USA and Asia.

In an interview with Rough & Polished, Erik Jens speaks about the global gems & jewellery industry, expressing immense confidence in its future; and reiterating that sufficient finance is available for companies, which show good performance and maintain transparency.

Some excerpts:

Your optimism at the 'Diamond Financing Summit' in Mumbai was contagious and brought much cheer to the participants. What's the reason behind the enthusiasm? More so, when other bankers, barring one saw a rather gloomy scenario?

First of all, I'm a 'posimist', that is 'positive' and 'optimistic'. Every threat offers an opportunity. Every challenge creates strength. I sincerely believe the financing of a niche like the diamond and jewellery industry has a great future now all industry stakeholders including the banks are starting to speak the same language realising that change is there to stay and that issues need to be tackled rather than just talking about it. Music to my ears after being somewhat lonely the last years in my quest for transparency, innovation, sustainability in order to create a bankable sector again.

Do you think the global gem & jewellery industry will pick up momentum in the near future? The major Chinese market is still slow; no sign of EU improving; while Middle East & US seem to be the only sustenance? In fact, US too is unpredictable given the political situation there. Your views?

Well the diamond and jewellery industry is there already for many centuries. The problem is that everybody just looks at the day of today and tomorrow and seldom take some distance and look at longer trends. All research reports tell us that the diamond and jewellery industry has become more cyclical like other consumer and luxury sectors. Also, the boom in China basically covered up the underlying trend of overproduction and stockpiling and lead to high and not sustainable prices. Now the market is adjusting and demand is at lower levels, creating room for lower prices which will make diamonds more attractive to buy. After all, this is not a game of volume and turnover, its about profitability. Also with lower prices one can make interesting margins, provided you manufacture at the right yield with the right product. Innovation is key in that matter. The story on the millennial is overstated. First of all, they are not the big spenders on consumer durables yet. They rather spend their money on travel and other type of experiences. After accumulating some wealth however, they will spend money on luxury goods including diamond jewellery for sure. However, the product must be clean, provenance transparent, modern and cool, and different from what their parents liked and bought. That requires a thorough understanding of the needs of the new consumer wherever in the world they are. I'm happy to see that our clients and stakeholders like Diamond Producers Association for instance, are working on these themes.

As a banker and market watcher, what's your opinion about the current Indian G&J industry? Will it boost itself and be back to its robust self soon, having faced numerous challenges in recent times? The recently concluded Signature IIJS seemed to foretell good times soon. Do you see 'light at the end of the tunnel'?

As I said I am a 'posimistic' person and as Winston Churchill said: 'Never let a good crisis go to waste'. The industry is going through a healthy correction with a good sense of realism, de-leveraging, optimisation and derisking. Of course, the demonetisation impact came on top of it all, but again that is only a short-term impact which in itself is also cleaning up certain practices in certain areas of the industry. I believe strongly in India, its sheer opportunities. Just like in China we see the development and growth of a new middle class. That in itself will continue to boost growth and thus demand for luxury goods including diamonds and jewellery.

Having catered to the global diamond industry for many decades and seen the ups & downs of the industry, what's the bank's general philosophy in financing the industry? Does it go tandem with the strategies of the financial sector? Or, any specific strategies formulated for the diamond industry, given the diamond business is rather unique?

The diamond industry is different indeed, but at the same time that is also the challenge. Why should finance practices be so different from the commodity industry? I keep on repeating this! Yes, the product is not a commodity, far from it, that makes it different, but finance practices should not be different from commodities, so we as a bank look at more asset based financing, more secure lending. Keep the mystic but get rid of the mystery. We have optimised and derisked our portfolio and geographical footprint in the last few years and we are happy were we are now, steady as we go. We are open for good business in all our locations and we invite other banks and financial institutions to join us in supporting the industry. One should never forget that you need to know this market, inside out. It's a niche with global connectivity of which you need to be part of to understand to manage your risks very well.

For the readers benefit, can you take us through the challenges within the financial/banking sector while assessing clients in the G&J industry. And of course, how the Funding Banks benefit with good returns by financing a niche industry like G&J industry.

What I said earlier, the challenge is the fact that one needs to understand the flow of goods and the flow of funds. Same for your counterparts and your clients counterparts. Thus 'KYC', Know Your Customer, but also 'KYT', Know Your Transaction. Finance takes place on receivables, inventory and is provided as working capital. Also, goods itself are small and relatively easy to move around. In for instance factoring or commodity business that is not the case and in case of insolvency or distressed clients you have easier access to the underlying goods as collateral you can work out. In diamonds that's different although I still don't see the need to have all your polished goods in your own custody. With modern techniques, our clients could have the polished goods for instance in an independent vault with goods registered with 3D technology and certificates. When a buyer comes in goods can be quickly delivered, or part of inventory shipped in and out during the day, creating sufficient buffers to finance. Thus, more asset based!

What changes have you have seen in the Finance sector of late? Investors and non-bank financial institutions are also now entering the scene in large numbers. So, does it mean more competition among lenders and therefore funds available easily? Does it also mean Finance is available; and that it's the companies that have to be bankable to benefit? Your comments please.

Well I honestly don't see investors and non-banks entering the scene in large numbers. Fortunately, we see a few new players in Dubai and Antwerp but that is still step by step and in most cases replacement finance from the banks leaving the scene. I do believe it is healthy to have more players and more competition. But I am afraid some of those new comers provide finance too quickly and at too easy terms, creating another leverage on the sector, and if so accidents are bound to happen. These parties will run out quickly then and leave the industry behind with no finance at all I'm afraid. Pressure is on the financial sector by the regulators when it concerns financing the diamond industry so change towards a better bankability must come from inside, not from outside the industry. Therefore, I was happy to see the sense of urgency expressed by the industry during the Finance Seminar organised by the WFDB and GJEPC during the Presidents Meeting in Mumbai early February.

So, if there's no dearth of Finance, what according to you is the biggest challenge and real debate in the diamond financing scenario? Is it adaptability; a change in mindset; or most importantly a clean reputation of the industry? What's your take on this?

What I said during my speech, bankability is one thing, but reputation and perception is another, and perhaps even more important. That indeed takes a shift in mind set by the industry but also by the regulators, NGO's, banks etc. That can only be achieved if the industry is united to solve a few challenges and shrug away the sometimes dodgy reputation and it polarization. And let's not forget that is also key for consumer confidence, after all, they are expected to keep buying the end product. I feel that people sometimes forget this, too busy with their own environment rather than looking at the consumer.

You touched upon 'Blockchain Technology' too but can you briefly explain how this will benefit the industry on the whole? And finally, your advice to the G&J industry to keep it transparent and robust for it to last longer?

As I mentioned, if applied correctly, blockchain is the most impactful digital transformation in our life time. Changing the way we record and process data. I'm happy to see already different initiatives in the industry. It creates a perfect watertight change of custody. Provenance tracking and understanding origin and identity of the diamonds, mined, traded, polished, distributed, is key for all stakeholders. More importantly for the end consumer to create trust and ultimate transparency. But also for the financial sector as underlying goods are traceable which creates more asset based finance options I talked about and thus visibility. Its all about trust and comfort with respect to authenticity. Can you imagine the whole debate around fraud with for instance KP certificates or with synthetics, would disappear? Or the whole blood diamond theme, which is still out there as well, gone? Regulators, law enforcement, NGO's, UN, OECD, Civil Society, etc., will applaud! More financial institutions will be attracted to the industry as we will see almost perfect transparency and strongly improved reputation also as a result of tightened self-regulation. And the millennials will know better in the future they are buying a cool and modern product, experience. I know this is a dream, and if we can't put the whole valuechain on blockchain, lets do parts of the chain first and connect them later into one chain of custody.

Wrapping up, this is an unrelated question. Recent media reports mentioned that Italian banks including major lenders Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, Ubi Banca, and Banco Popolare missold diamonds to their clients. What's your opinion as a banker, on 'Banks acting as Agents for Investment Diamonds'?

I really don't have a view on this. The only thing I know is that when people deal with diamonds as investment, people should buy them because they like them, just like when buying art. Also, realise that the investment is not very liquid, but best to be used as asset diversification.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished


By Press Trust of India: New Delhi/Lucknow Apr 2 (PTI) Lawyer-politician Prashant Bhushan today stoked a controversy with certain remarks on Lord Krishna while criticising the anti-Romeo drive in Uttar Pradesh, following which police complaints were filed against him.

"Romeo loved just one lady, while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser. Would (UP CM Yogi) Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes Anti-Krishna squads?" Bhushan tweeted. As the controversy erupted, he tried to control damage by tweeting later that his remarks had been distorted and he had no intention of hurting religious sentiments.

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"My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.

"We have grown up with legends of young Krishna teasing Gopis. The logic of Romeo squad would criminalise this. Didnt intend to hurt sentiments," he added in another tweet.

However, by then separate police complaints had been filed against him by Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Bagga in the national capital and UP Congress spokesperson Zeeshan Haidar in Lucknow.

"I have lodged a police complaint against Prashant Bhushan for his indecent remarks on Lord Krishna, who is revered across the world. This is not a question of Hindu or Muslim. The tweets of Bhushan have hurt sentiments of crores of devotees," Haider said.

The Tilak Marg police in Delhi, where Bagga has lodged a complaint, is looking into the matter, a police official said, adding no FIR has been lodged yet.

The special anti-Romeo squads of UP Police were formed to check eveteasing after the Yogi Aditynath government assumed office last month, fulfilling one of the poll promises of the BJP. Critics have alleged that it has led to incidents of harassment.

Stressing that his government was firm on upholding the security and dignity of women, Chief Minister Adityanath had said a state-wide drive has been launched to free public places of anti-social elements and check incidents of eve-teasing, indecent behaviour and passing of lewd comments at women and girls.

Bhushan is a leader of Swaraj India party, which he along with his associate Yogendra Yadav floated in October last year after being expelled from AAP.

Reacting to Bhushans "offensive" tweet, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla, said, "It simply reflects his narrow mindset. The tweet has hurt the sentiments of billions of devotees of Lord Krishna not only in India, but across the world.

"He is the same Prashant Bhushan, who had once said that Kashmir is not a part of India. Hence, the need of the hour is to initiate stringent legal action against him."

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BJPs National General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Bhushan should study the Indian epics before commenting. PTI NV/PR SLB RT AKK

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Standing in front of a packed room of residents, government officials and recreation business managers at the Museum of Northern Arizona Thursday night, Art Babbott relayed a story that has become all too familiar in Flagstaff.

It was about a Fort Valley resident who called the Coconino County Supervisor the Tuesday morning after a weekend when the Highway 180 corridor north of town was packed with snowplayers. The man was furious after it had again taken him an hour and 45 minutes to commute to work at Flagstaff Medical Center on Sunday evening, Babbott said.

These types of resident complaints, as well as the safety hazards, traffic gridlock, parking violations and forest trash associated with winter snowplay along Highway 180 have reached a new peak, Babbott said.

But the simple, fast and inexpensive partial solutions have already been exhausted, he said. Babbott told the audience of about 100 people that solving the corridors gridlock dilemma will require stepping out of their comfort zone, and the time to do that is now.

We are out of the realm of the easy, Babbott said. We're into the realm of what is uncomfortable to consider and what is sometimes, on most days, none of us want to consider.

He emphasized that any effective strategy needs to come with a funding source, which could involve charging visitors and users, partnering with private entities or something else. But the point is, money to solve this problem isnt coming from Phoenix or Washington, Babbott said.

We had better be willing to lean in, step up and develop local strategies and local resources for our share of those issues, he said.

Over the past few years, Babbott has developed a trio of proposals to address traffic on Highway 180, but he said he doesnt want those to be the only options on the table. He organized Thursdays forum called Grappling with Gridlock, to present his ideas, but more importantly to solicit residents suggestions, find areas of consensus and decide on priorities for gridlock solutions.

The aim is for community members to define and rally behind a set of strategies that local agencies and officials, in conjunction with an existing winter recreation task force, can work toward implementing, Babbott said.

THREE PROPOSALS

For his part, Babbott has developed three ideas that havent yet been part of the collective consideration. At this point, he said he has yet to put dollar figures to any of the proposals.

--One strategy is for a private entity to improve and maintain a dirt Forest Service road that could serve as an egress route for cars leaving the Highway 180 corridor to reach Interstate 40.

--Another idea would involve snow recreation businesses charging a per-user fee that would help fund enforcement, public safety, corridor management and development of a secondary access road.

--A highway toll on northbound recreational visitors to fund similar improvement and enforcement projects was his third proposal.

Babbott said his ideas aim to match the scale of the problem  the corridor only gets jammed 15 to 30 days out of the year, so he isnt suggesting, for example, that Flagstaff rally around the construction of a paved bypass costing millions of dollars and requiring years of work. Theres also climate change that is causing warmer temperatures and less snowfall in the Southwest, which adds more uncertainty about local snowplay recreation in the long run, he said.

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

Attendees at the gridlock discussion didnt coalesce around any single idea, and came up with an array of suggestions beyond Babbotts ideas.

They included:

Creating a reservation system with the idea that people would be able to reserve a parking or snowplay pass before making the trip to Flagstaff. That would allow visitors to be assured they have a place to go and would enable local managers to cap visitation to and parking along the 180 corridor at a sustainable number, an idea many supported.

Better use of radio or other information technology to relay information about real-time weather, traffic and parking conditions.

The creation of more snowplay areas outside of the 180 corridor.

Providing more parking turnouts along the highway.

Better enforcement of existing parking laws. Babbott agreed that enforcement must be ramped up and made more consistent, but county and state law enforcement dont have the resources to dedicate deputies or troopers exclusively to that task, he said. Instead, Babbott said he would like to see non-certified law enforcement personnel hired and assigned to assist with parking enforcement in the corridor, which may require changes to state or county laws.

In terms of revenue sources, there was minimal support for a toll road concept, but at least one group at the forum liked the idea of user fees while another suggested looking at the city's bed, board and beverage tax to help fund corridor management projects.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK

Babbott has already met with officials at the Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Gov. Doug Duceys office to discuss the severity of snowplay gridlock, his ideas, and the potential for multi-agency collaboration on such work.

Laura Jo West, supervisor for the Coconino National Forest, said she is optimistic that the Forest Service can find a way through its regulations to implement a solution to the corridor gridlock.

That said, questions do remain on several components of Babbotts proposals, West said. The agency hasnt determined, for example, if it can charge a user fee, as Babbott proposed, for drivers to simply access a Forest Service road if no additional amenities are provided. Authorizing plowing, grading and winter maintenance of the road also would probably require some sort of environmental analysis by the agency, she said.

For its part, ADOT didnt specifically address what it would take for the agency to move forward on Babbotts ideas, though spokesman Ryan Harding wrote in an email that the agency aggressively explores ways to advance projects when they are identified. On a parallel track, the agency is starting a process to develop a Corridor Master Plan for the highway.

J.R. Murray, general manager at Arizona Snowbowl, and Wendell Johnson, manager at Arizona Nordic Village, both said its too early in the process to say whether they support or oppose the concept of recreation businesses charging user fees to support corridor management.

NEXT STEPS

Although it's a problem that has dogged Flagstaff for decades, Babbott said he believes there is now new momentum to follow through on ambitious strategies that can significantly change the corridor's traffic congestion.

"I think what is different this time is that multiple agencies from the Forest Service to ADOT to the city to the county to citizens are all standing up at the same time," Babbott said. "It's a combination of desperation, opportunity and willingness of partners who haven't always been at the table."
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Apr 2 (PTI) One person was killed due to bird flue as six new cases of the H7N9 infection were reported in Chinas central Hunan province, authorities said today.

The six new cases of the H7N9 infection were reported from March 24 to 30, according to a statement issued by the provincial center for disease control and prevention.

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One person died of the infection, health authorities said.

It said cold and rainy weather in many regions of the province contributed to the spread of the virus.

Live poultry trading has been suspended in the provincial capital Changsha since March 17. The suspension will last for 21 days.

In Chinas eastern Shandong province, a 58-year-old man tested positive for the virus in the city of Linyi yesterday, the provincial health and family planning commission said.

China is on a three-day holiday for Tomb Sweeping Day, when people in some regions slaughter poultry as a tribute to ancestors.

Health experts advise the public to avoid exposure to live poultry and not to buy unlicensed poultry meat, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. PTI KJV CPS

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By SA Commercial Prop News

Acucap Properties CEO Paul Theodosiou said management continued to focus on the property fundamentals, and have positioned the fund so that it owns premium-quality shopping centres and offices.



Acucap Properties (ACP) has reported a distribution of 159.89c per unit for the six months ended September 2013 - 5.9% higher than the corresponding six-month period last year and in line with guidance for the full year to end-March 2014.

Retail leases for 34853m were renewed or expired during the first half at an average terminating rate of R131.16/m. Leases were signed over 39009m at an average rate of R136.08/m. The retention rate by income was 60% and these leases were renewed at rentals on average 14.3% higher than expiring rentals.

Acucap Properties CEO Paul Theodosiou said management continued to focus on the property fundamentals, and have positioned the fund so that it owns premium-quality shopping centres and offices.



It said the office market remained under pressure with vacancies increasing from 2% at March 31 2013 to 4.8% at end-September.



In October Acucap announced the acquisition of a 50% undivided share in Greenacres Shopping Centre for R508m at an initial yield of 7.7%. The other 50% of Greenacres was acquired by Sycom.



With a gross lettable area (GLA) of 40767m Greenacres is one of three retail properties that make up a single combined shopping mall with a GLA of 89529m the other two properties being The Bridge @ Greenacres (44062m GLA) in which Acucap owns 27.5% and a standalone Woolworths store owned by Woolworths (4700m GLA).



Good trading density supported by more than 1-million shoppers a month has resulted in strong interest from all the major fashion retailers at Greenacres to either expand their stores or introduce new brands. Plans will also be developed to upgrade the mall and offer a contemporary easier and more pleasant shopping experience and the intention is to implement these plans as soon as possible after transfer of the property Acucap said.



Acucap intends to fund the acquisition by a vendor placement of linked units.

Property fund manager at Alternative Real Estate Capital Management, Maurice Shapiro, said a key strength for Acucap was its storage business.



"Acucap is the first South African listed property company to venture into self-storage properties. This is a well-established asset class offshore and as South Africa demographics change and we see further urbanisation, there will be a bigger demand for storage space as residences become smaller.



"We believe it is an untapped market in South Africa with good growth potential, and in a short space of time Acucap have grown this small part of their business to 33 sites. Acucap intend listing the self-storage business separately in the next 18-24 months with not less than R1bn in value," Mr Shapiro said.

On prospects Mr Theodosiou said its board maintained previous guidance for full-year distribution growth of between 5% and 6%. For the 2015 financial year growth in excess of 7% is expected.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Finance MEC Ina Cronje met the local business sector in Nongoma, where she announced that the provincial treasury had injected R4 million to assist the KwaZulu-Natal town with experts in infrastructure development.



The KwaZulu-Natal Finance Department has injected R4 million to assist with infrastructure development in the dilapidating Nongoma town.

This comes after the local business sector had complained that it was becoming difficult for them to run their business at the town due to a number of challenges which include ageing infrastructure.

As part of her budget consultation roadshows, Finance MEC Ina Cronje met the local business sector in Nongoma on Wednesday, where she announced that the provincial treasury had injected R4 million to assist the town with experts in infrastructure development.

The Provincial Treasury, through the panel of infrastructure experts (Infrastructure Crack Team), intervened and appointed LTE Consulting as Project Management Support Unit to build capacity and assist the Municipality with the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant projects.

Our Infrastructure Crack Team is working with Nongoma municipality to unlock bottlenecks in infrastructure projects. We will always assist municipalities that need our intervention to unlock infrastructure projects.

We are happy to announce that the road upgrade in town is near completion. The bus and taxi rank construction project is almost complete.

These are exciting projects that assist to bring development in our community. This is a commitment that our government has made to improve the lives of our people, MEC Cronje said.

Nongoma municipal mayor, Councillor Jeremiah Bhekumthetho Mavundla, could not hide his excitement about the development in Nongoma.

Mavundla commended the Provincial Treasury for its intervention, saying: Nongoma is no longer the same since the Provincial Treasurys intervention. We have witnessed the Crack Teams interventions driving development to another level.

He explained that prior to the interventions, the municipality had had capacity problems which prompted them to seek help because infrastructure problems were spiralling out of hand.

Deputy Chairman of Nongoma Taxi Association, Mthukutheli Mchunu, was overjoyed. He said the construction of the bus and taxi rank was a huge relief to the bus and taxi industry.

We did not have space and used to park our vehicles all over the town causing traffic congestion. It was a total chaos. Today, our town is at peace and the traffic is flowing smoothly, he said.

The MEC also heard that some businesses were affected negatively by late payment by some government departments.

MEC Cronje said the provincial government had committed itself to pay service providers within 30 days after the receipt of an invoice.
By Press Trust of India: London, Apr 2 (PTI) Britains nuclear power stations and airports have been instructed to "remain resilient" against potential terrorist attacks, amid fears that their systems may be targeted by hackers, according to a media report.

Security services have issued a series of alerts in the past 24 hours, warning that terrorists may have developed ways of bypassing safety checks, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

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Intelligence agencies believe ISIS and other terrorist groups may have developed methods of planting explosives in mobile phones and laptops that can evade airport security screening methods.

It was this intelligence which is understood to have led the US and the UK to ban travellers from a number of countries carrying laptops and large electronic devices on board.

Now there are concerns that terrorists will use the techniques to bypass screening devices at European and US airports, the paper said.

There were also fears that computer hackers were trying to bypass nuclear power station security measures, it said.

Security services fear that some will nonetheless try to exploit "vulnerabilities" in the nuclear industry?s internet defences.

Energy minister Jesse Norman said the government was "fully committed to defending the UK against cyber threats, with a 1.9 billion investment designed to transform this country?s cyber security."

But the threat of attack on Britains 15 operational reactors, which account for nearly a fifth of the country?s electricity, from terrorists, foreign spies and "hacktivists" remains high.

Norman said the civil nuclear strategy published in February sets out ways to ensure that the civil nuclear sector "can defend against, recover from, and remain resilient to evolving cyber threats."

Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, an independent think tank for defence and security, said that it was crucial for the Government to "respond rapidly".

"The potential threats are wide-ranging and are coming from government and non-government sources," the paper quoted him as saying.

"Crucially there has to be clear co-operation with the private sector to tackle this, especially as airports are usually in private hands," he added. PTI ZH AKJ ZH

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Much has been said about the governments expressed intention to tax pastors of all church denominations around Samoa; however, so far no firm decision has been made.

Still, the matter has become such a contentious topic of public debate, so that it now looks as if any amicable consensus the government might have been hoping for, is clearly nowhere to be seen from this point.

The poignant anomaly here though is that after 55 years of political independence, Samoans everywhere have grown so used to the belief that church ministers were their visible link to their God, which follows thats just the way they believe it should always be.

And now that the idea they would be required to pay taxes to their government  taxes by the way is not exactly the kind of word that both thrills and stimulates - the question that jumps naturally to mind, is: Why should they be forced to pay taxes to their government when they do not have jobs like everyone else, including all the big businesses around the country?

Back on 22 March 2017, a story on the front page of the Samoa Observer, quoted Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as having said he supported his Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, on his plan to review Income Tax Laws.

The Minister himself pointed out that the main idea behind the review is so that everyone who earns an income will pay tax, and he went on to say, that includes Church Ministers and the Head of State.

Revealed Tialavea: The Ministry is reviewing all the (existing) laws. The main idea is to make sure that everyone in this country pays tax.

He also said: I took the oath when I was selected as the Minister that I would do everything to make sure that we get extra money for the development of the country.

So we are now in the process and we are reviewing the laws to make sure that everyone pays taxes.

Tuilaepa concurred, saying: The review should have happened 20 years ago.

Oh yeah!

Why he said that though, he did not explain.

The point is that 20 years ago was 1999. At the time, Tuilaepa was already the Prime Minister of Samoa. In fact, he became prime minister in 1998. So why did he not see to it that the laws in question were reviewed then?

He did not say.

What he said though was: That is why I am grateful to the Minister and his Ministry for coming up with this plan.

He maintained that the proposed changes would not be targeting any particular group, saying: The announcement that was made by the Minister is that the Ministry is in the process of reviewing all laws on income tax so everyone can pay tax.

They took an oath that they will look at all the avenues where they can get money for the development of our country.

The proposed changes look at including every working person in Samoa.

Reminded Tuilaepa: Tax money is extremely important to development.

As you know, these monies are for the development of our country. But we are not targeting a group of people.

Fine.

As for the churches, Minister Tialavea said they had been approached, and he explained: We are now in the process of carrying out consultations with churches.

We already had a meeting with the Executive of the Samoa National Council of Churches where we discussed the issue.

Tialavea also revealed weve been looking at the businesses belonging to the churches.

We are revisiting the existing law so they can all be included. They pay V.A.G.S.T. but not income tax.

Its only fair for them to pay taxes as well for the businesses they have in Samoa.

In response, the Chairman of the Samoa National Council of Churches, Deacon Kasiano Leaupepe, urged the government to exercise caution, particularly on its plans to tax the offerings received by the members of the clergy.

He told the Samoa Observer: It is something they have to consider very carefully. Its a sensitive matter because it is not the same for all the churches in Samoa.

He also revealed: Weve told the Ministry the decision will not come from the Samoa National Council of Churches; this is because the Council is not the ones to decide on this matter.

We will leave it to leaders of each Church in Samoa to come up with their own ideas in relation to this and then present it to the Ministry for their report to Parliament.

Leaupepe said his only wish was that the review is fair and that everyone is given an opportunity to present their views.

He explained: Different churches in Samoa have their own systems. So its something that they should look at carefully because it is not the same for all the churches in Samoa.

For example, the Methodist church and the C.C.C.S church have their own systems, different from the Catholic Churchs system.

If we look at the plan they have now, they are targeting the money given to faifeau (pastor) on Sunday (alofa/peleti).

Leaupepe added: There is a big difference between a person working for the government and a faifeau (church Minister).

A person who works for the government works 9-5 from Monday to Friday. As for a church ministers, they work days and nights.

If someone in the congregation dies late at night, the family will call the faifeau to come and conduct the service. Thats before anything else. No matter what time of the night something like this happens, the faifeau will always be called.

It can happen any day and any time of the day or night. There are sacrifices. They sacrifice a lot in the carrying out of their duties and calling from God.

Leaupepe also explained: The other important role of faifeau to me is that they never stop praying for the wellbeing of our people and our country.

They pray day and night not only for members of their congregations, but also for the whole country, and for those working in the offices.

At one point, Leaupepe wondered out loud as to why the Framers of Samoas Constitution had not considered, taxing the clergy back then.

I wish this was something that was included in the Constitution of our country, he said. It wouldve been very easy if it was there from the beginning.

Because we all know that all the churches we have in Samoa now did not originate from within our country.

They were all brought into the country. So it wouldve been nice if they had this in the beginning, so they could ask all the missionaries who brought in the churches in Samoa to pay their taxes before establishing their churches in Samoa.

He suggested though that it would be far better if the government would tax the Church as a whole, rather than targeting individual pastors.

I believe they shouldnt ask individual pastors to pay taxes, he said. I believe they should target the income each church gets. For example, they should tax the money the Catholic Church gets and the money the Methodist Church gets.

That way, it would be fair for each church because it is harder and unfair to go after each individual pastor.

You know, the money that our people offer to pastors is given out of their own will. They do this in the name of God. Not because of anything else.

He also said: Pastors are addressed as representatives of God; they were chosen to spread the word of God.

I know the main reason they offer things to pastors. Its because of their love for God, and because our people are used to giving with the belief that they will be blessed tenfold by God, if they give wholeheartedly.

Asked for a comment on Prime Minister Tuilaepas claim that even Jesus Christ paid taxes, Leaupepe laughed.

We all know the story, he said. Jesus held up the coin and asked the people to look at the image on the coin. He asked them whose image was on the coin and people said it was Caesars.

So Jesus said, give back to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods.

He paused and then he said: This means, whats been set aside for God and has been blessed for God, should be for God.

Those are sacred.

According to Tuilaepa though, tax money is extremely important to the development of Samoa.

He said: As you know, these monies are for the development of our country. But we are not targeting a group of people.

The little snag here though is that for the last nineteen years during Tuilaepas reign as prime minister of this country, scores of millions of Tala in tax funds that had apparently been intended for the development of our country, had somehow been squandered away by mainly his seemingly never-ending squads of corrupt big lauia, who seemed to know quite well when it was time to disappear, and then along the way when the time was once again just right, they showed up.

In any case, thats the problem our poor country has been struggling with over the last 20 years, and it is still struggling with it today.

So what is the solution?

Its simple enough.

Until Prime Minister Tuilaepa decides that its time to put a permanent lid on the evil called bureaucratic corruption, by barring once and for all those big lauia of his from getting even that close to the till, and then start afresh by allowing himself to be guided by the brand new trick called transparency and accountability, the funds that hes planning to make from taxing the church pastors and the businesses the churches own, will not even be close enough to sweeten his little hand*.

Now thats the solution, if you truly want to know.

Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless.

* All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.

- William Shakespeare

Macbeth act 5, sc. 1, l. 51 (1606)




The Police have nabbed the second suspected over the recent burning of Coin Saves new Fugalei outlet.

Police Spokesperson, Sua Muliaga Tiumalu, said he is a teenager who lives in the Apia township area.

The suspect is a 17-year-old male from one of the villages in Apia, he told the media.

He is now in custody with his other friend and they will appear in on the 3rd of this month.

They are now charged with burglary, arson and theft.

Last month the companys newest branch at Fugalei was burnt.

C.C.T.V footage helped the Police identify the suspects who broke into the building and burnt it.

Sua highlighted the importance of installing C.C.T.V Cameras.

He said this is something all business owners should invest in.

We know its expensive but its very important because with this incident the C.C.T.V. cameras were able to help us with our investigation, and especially as we were able to identify the suspects even though their faces were disguised.

So the ministry encourages all businesses about the importance of installing cameras to safeguard their business.
The Chief Executive Officer of Samoas first ever online shopping company, Etuale Scanlan,

Is excited about being invited by Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB) to their Golden Experience Trade Promotion occurring this month, April.

This is an opportunity for Samoa Market to get its brand and name out to a lot of people who may not have heard about us yet, Mr. Scanlan said.

We want to make people aware of our partnership with S.S.A.B and allow them to see the great range of S.S.A.B products that we currently have.

The Samoa Market online company officially launched its services in 2016 and from then the company has been receiving substantial positive response from Samoans around the world utilising the companys online services.

Some of the most popular products that people purchase for their family and friends are, wholesale food as well as supermarket items, faalavelave supplies, Samsung fridges and washing machines, building materials, mobile phones and other electronics, Mr. Scanlan said.

Samoa Market has some new services available on their website for Samoans around the globe to look into and help their families suitably which is the online cash power service as well as offering free delivery services to certain villages in Samoa upon completion of an online transaction.

This is our first S.S.A.B Golden Experience Trade Promotion and I am extremely thankful for the invitation to take part. I understand that we are one of the two local companies so we are proud to fly the Samoan flag.

We are very happy to have Samoa Market as one of the local suppliers on board (out of two local suppliers) to educate our people, about the services they offer online said CEO Fiti Leung Wai.

The Golden Experience Trade promotion is an event hosted by S.S.A.B every two years for its international partners from around the world to come to Samoa and meet the actual people who are buying and using their products every day.

I would have to say that I am excited to meet existing and potential customers during the trade promotion, said Mr. Scanlan.

Etuale Scanlan is looking forward to also meet other suppliers from here and overseas at S.S.A.Bs trade promotion. Visit www.samoamarket.com today and purchase online so your families and friends in Samoa can uplift.
Dear Editor

Re: Beautiful Samoa to welcome back the world on Monday

Okay C.E.O. of Tourism Industry, why dont you have the time to go to Savaii?

If you promote Samoa to the world as a tourism destination then Savaii should be including in your tour. Savaii is part of Samoa and you must treat both islands equally in a Tourism Industry.

Be very careful because by not including Savaii in your promotion it might backfire on you people.

Be a good and fair C.E.O. to both islands, Savaii and Upolu.

Moaga Nuusa
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has refuted criticism from members of the public following media reports on the possible closure of the Matautu wharf from August to October.

Reports stated that the wharf was likely to be closed for the installation of the Tui Samoa Internet Cable.

This has raised major concerns especially from the business community.

However, Prime Minister has moved to re assure the nation that nothing of the sort will happen.

He said we have nothing to worry about, as the government has already done whats needed to be done in order to avoid trouble.

Weve already talked to all the shipping agents in relations to this.

The vessel is expected to arrive in August, and while its in Samoa, no other boat can dock at the port during this period.

Ive seen reports from the media and the criticism in relation to this problem. I dont know if its because they (media) dont understand or maybe they dont want to understand.

The thing is, the plan for this vessel to come to Samoa wasnt something that was decided overnight.

This has been in the planning for some time. Thats why weve consulted other shipping agents so we can come up with a solution to avoid any possible disruption in the future.

Moreover, Tuilaepa said this also has proved why he has so many times, raised the issue that we need to extend our wharf.

We need to extend our wharf because it is small. It is getting to a point where we no longer have enough space for the big vessels.

Thats why we are looking at extending it and having a bigger port.

Nevertheless, Tuilaepa wants to remind people that Samoa can profit from this project.

People always look at the negative side of things.

But we need to also look at the brighter side of things.

You see the other thing is, the company who is responsible for bringing this vessel is one of the biggest companies in terms of installation and repairing of submarine cables.

It is our hope to attract this business here in Samoa to monitor and look after submarine cables not only in Samoa but also in the Pacific.

When that happens, it can create job opportunities for our people and also this can guarantee that nothing can ever go wrong with our submarine cable once it is installed.

We will get money from it. People are complaining now without knowing that the main reason we consulted with the shipping agents now is so that we can find a solution and to make sure that there will be no problems in the future.

We need to remember that for every problem, there is always a solution. And for every sickness, there is always a cure.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Lemauga Hobart Vaai also shared the P.M.s positive spirit.

He said the Chamber has been working proactively to engage all parties who are directly affected to seek a solution.

It is with this due respect, that the Chamber is facilitating high level dialogue with members of the Samoa Submarine Cable, Samoa Ports Authority, Samoa shipping agents  stevedore companies and business leaders and our major importers for a mediation session to seek solutions to this issue.

We understand the complexities of the issue and long term benefits the cable will bring for our country and the disruptions to our economy if shipping delays occur.

Our main aim is to ensure in these talks that there are positive outcomes to ensure no disruptions and any harmonious affects to our business community and community at large.
San Diego County's many layers of government regulation may explain 40 percent of the area's high cost of newly built housing, according to a new study released Wednesday.

The Fermanian Business and Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University said even a 3 percent cut in regulations could benefit consumers through $2.5 billion in higher income, a $3.1 billion boost to the county economy and 37,331 more jobs.

"I think there probably is no more important issue, either short term or long term, than the cost of housing in San Diego," said Lynn Reaser, the center's chief economist and principal author of the study.

"For our children, for the many friends we have, for the people we depend on for various goods and services, the cost of housing is a major impediment. For our economic growth it also is a critical challenge. For companies deciding either to come here or leave here or more importantly whether they decide to expand here, it's heavily dependent on the cost of housing."

The 71-page study, financed with between $50,000 and $100,000 from area builders and the California Homebuilding Foundation, focused on five cities and the unincorporated area of the county.

Based on those cities' building permit processing history over the last three to five years and estimates from about 20 development companies, Reaser's group concluded that regulation could represent up to 55.9 percent or $480,746 of the cost of a new $860,000 apartment or condo in Carlsbad.

"Our initial response was wow, that's a big thing," said Glen Van Peski, director of Carlsbad community and economic development.

He said he would like to see the evidence behind that finding but believes the city is constantly looking at ways to cut housing costs. Coincidentally, he said, the city has put on hold a proposed a fee of $20 per square foot for new apartments pending the outcome of a lawsuit elsewhere.

San Diego mayoral spokesman Craig Gustafson said city staff are reviewing the report's accuracy and recommendations and will identify potential streamlining initiatives.

" Any future efficiency measures would join a series of reforms Mayor (Kevin) Faulconer has already enacted to help reduce the overall cost of housing so more San Diegans have the opportunity to achieve their housing goals, Gustafson said.

The Building Industry Association of San Diego County and other industry and housing advocacy groups have formed a loose coalition, Housing You Matters, to publicize the report and seek reforms at the local level. Joe LaCava, chairman of the San Diego city Community Planners Committee, said he would reach out to join the coalition.

"It's time we stop talking about this every couple years and actually get serious about getting in there and doing the hard work (of reform)," LaCava said.

Former San Diego City Council President Tony Young, now CEO of Rise San Diego, an urban neighborhood improvement group, joined other leaders at a press conference at Liberty Station.

"This is something all of us can embrace, from the building community to housing advocates," Young said.

Former Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, now CEO of the local Habitat for Humanity low-income housing group, said even a couple earning $80,000 cannot afford a new home. Former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, head of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, called the report a "wakeup call" for all government leaders.

Numerous previous studies have analyzed various aspects of San Diego's housing market, often pinpointing the cost of permit processing and building infrastructure and public facilities, plus dealing with anti-development feelings in some neighborhoods.

For this study, Reaser's center broke down the home-building process into its various phases and assigned costs at each level - from the initial entitlement of raw land for development to the actual construction.

The cost in time at every step was estimated for the first time, Reaser said, and was found to be responsible for between 3.8 percent of the cost of a new home in Santee to 23.4 percent for a high-end home in San Diego.

Extended delays translate into higher costs because of the added financing necessary to keep a project afloat pending final approval. Those added costs get passed on to the ultimate builder and buyer in the form of higher land costs for each lot and the final price point.

Carlsbad's Van Peski said delays aren't solely a city's fault.

"Only part of the time it's in our shop," he said. "A lot of the time it's in their (developers') shop."

The report included a number of recommendations, including setting a 30-day deadline for tentative subdivision map review and standardizing building standards countywide.
CITY COUNCILS

DEL MAR

The Del Mar City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Suite 100 at 2010 Jimmy Durante Blvd., when it will hold two public hearings, rescheduled from March 6, on shoreline protection work to be done at 2928 Camino Del Mar and 2938 Sandy Lane. The council will also hear updates on the clean water program, the Camino del Mar Streetscape Plan, and the police department feasibility study.

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ESCONDIDO

The Escondido City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss labor and property negotiations, litigation and personnel at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers, 201 N. Broadway. In open session at 4:30 p.m., the council will consider its response to SB 54, which would restrict the ability of California law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal, civil and criminal immigration law enforcement agencies. The council will also review the Draft 2017-2018 City Council Action Plan and provide input on strategies to accomplish goals.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside City Council will meet for a public workshop at 2 p.m. Tuesday in City Council Chambers at 300 N. Coast Highway for a workshop on marijuana legislation, and to introduce an ordinance extending the citys prohibition to nonmedical commercial cannabis businesses pending additional city regulations. The council will meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss labor and property negotiations, and litigation. At 5 p.m. in open session, the council will consider amended plans to build a recycled water treatment plant, including $12.9 million for design services; and resolutions updating city parking lot fees, regulations and restrictions, including setting fees for all parking meters at $1.50 per hour.

POWAY

The Poway City Council is scheduled to meet in special session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive. In regular session at 7 p.m., the council will open a public hearing postponed from March 21 on a waiver from undergrounding utilities at 13737 Temple St. The council will also hear a report on the citys water fund, including moving savings from the purchase of solar power to the water fund, and will hold a workshop on the Poway Road Corridor Study.

VISTA

The Vista City Council will hold special meetings at 2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, to interview candidates for city boards, commissions and committees.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

CARDIFF

The Cardiff School District board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in the district auditorium at 1888 Montgomery Ave.

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board will meet in special session at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Breakers Conference Room at the district office, 11232 El Camino Real, San Diego, for a governance workshop.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido Union School District board is scheduled to meet in closed session at 6 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 2310 Aldergrove Ave., to discuss personnel and litigation. In regular session at 7 p.m., the board will consider the job description for a Positive Behavior Intervention Support Specialist; and will consider allowing the district to apply for project funding for Central and Orange Glen elementary schools, Mission Middle School, Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Quantum Academy. The board will also consider new and/or revised policies on the Local Control and Accountability Plan, Admissions, Suicide Prevention and the school calendar.

FALLBROOK

The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board will meet in closed session at 5:45 p.m. Monday in Room 106 of the district office, 321 N. Iowa St., to discuss student discipline and personnel. In open session at 6 p.m., the board will consider adding two preschool teachers and four preschool assistants to the Mike Choate Early Childhood Education Center.

SAN DIEGUITO

The San Dieguito Union High School District board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 710 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, for a workshop on student achievement and state accountability reporting. In closed session at 6 p.m., the board will discuss student discipline and personnel. In regular session at 6:30 p.m., the board will consider awarding various contracts for services and construction and maintenance work; and will consider a contract with OpTerra Energy Services for energy-related improvements to district facilities.

SAN PASQUAL

The San Pasqual Union School District board will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trussell Hall, 15305 Rockwood Road, Escondido, to discuss litigation and personnel. In open session, the board will receive the San Pasqual Education Teacher Associations request to open negotiations for the 2017-2018 school year, and will hear updates on the Local Control and Accountability Plan, and on the solar program.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach School District board will meet in special session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 309 N. Rios Ave., to certify the bond election and then to authorize issuing Series A bonds. The board will also consider various contracts and bids for work at the districts schools.

VALLECITOS/RAINBOW

The Vallecitos School District board is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 5211 Fifth St., Rainbow, to discuss staff reports and enrichment programs. In closed session, the board will discuss litigation.

VALLEY CENTER

The Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in closed session to discuss litigation, personnel and labor negotiations at the district office, 28751 Cole Grade Road. In open session at 6 p.m., the board will consider proposed district goals and objectives for 2017-18; proposed updates to the Governance Handbook for 2017-18; and first and second readings of revised board policies. It will also hear a report on the Local Control and Accountability Plan.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
A few years ago, a dog food company wanted to move into Liberty Stations arts and culture district, so it tried to make its menu appear artistic.

We had a wonderful time saying we didnt care how artistic their dog food was, said Judy McDonald, a board member with the NTC Foundation, which manages the districts tenants.

Dog food, no. Comic books and quilts, yes.

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As the arts district has evolved, controlling the tenant mix is one way its administrators have driven to preserve its mission of focusing on arts and culture. Moving into Liberty Stations arts district in the first few years  when nobody in San Diego knew where (or what) was Liberty Station  was a risky proposition, say some longtime tenants.

Now, vacant spaces dont stay empty long.

Once a ghost town, now bustling on busy days and humming on quiet ones, Liberty Stations arts and culture district is marking its 10th anniversary this year. Events  from dance and music to watercolor exhibitions  are at the heart of the celebration.

I think its astounding that weve been able to create what weve created out of mud and dirt and broken-down buildings, McDonald said. The challenge going forward, McDonald said, is the same as always: staying true to the original vision that arts and nonprofits are essential, while paying bills.

Ideal for creating

Malashock Dance, a modern dance company and educational nonprofit founded in 1988, was one of the first tenants, along with San Diego Ballet and San Diego Dance Theatre. Sitting on a wooden crate turned on its side in an upstairs studio, John Malashock, the founding artistic director, talked about what Liberty Station has offered. Primordially, a home, and the fulfillment of a dream. The organization was working out of various studios before then. Malashock did research and helped design the building, making it suitable for dancers.

To have this kind of openness around you, he began, looking at his sun-drenched surroundings. I think back to the old basement studios I used to have to dance in in New York. Friends from New York come out here, and its like, Oh my God. Id kill for this. 

The early years were tough, since the military facility was etched into San Diegans mental maps, he said, adding that Vons and Trader Joes moving in (outside the district) has helped.

The Liberty Station Arts District  a cluster of arts organizations, nonprofits, restaurants and businesses that occupies a section of the 550-acre former base  has a city mandate to foster the arts.

Lauren LeVieux, an oil painter, described it as an ideal environment for creating. She moved there in 2015 from her home studio.

I have the light, the fresh air, and I have long stretches of time to work alone, she said. She has been soaking up the history and mingling with other artists. In the last six months, she said she has sold more art than in any other year, mostly to tourists.

Success stories

A few weeks ago, Alan Ziter walked past one of the districts 10 unrenovated buildings  untouched since the end of its Navy days, margarine yellow walls now flecked with grime  and said its being eyed as a performance space. Another project is a boutique hotel. Short term: grant-funded, site-specific art installations.

Ziter, hired as the executive director of the NTC Foundation in 2003, visited the base in 1993, when the Navy was planning its exit. He grasped the spaces potential as a destination for artists to create and sell  which San Diego sorely needed back then, he said. It still needs it, he added.

Cris Scorza, education curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, said the conversion of historic buildings into a mixed-use complex with a focus on arts has contributed to the regions cultural life. MCASDs building downtown was similarly repurposed, she added.

Construction on the $110 million redevelopment started in 2005, Ziter said, with funding coming from private donors, city redevelopment money, tax credits and conventional financing.

Every phase has its own unique challenges, he said. The first phase coincided with the peak of the real estate market; prices for materials were high. The recession hit during phase two, making it hard to find tenants.

Ziter, accompanied during an interview and tour by a public relations consultant, shared some of the districts success stories: A childrens theater program needed more space. A museum increased its membership. The 16 renovated buildings are 98 percent occupied; two thirds of those spaces are leased to artists or art organizations. Among 82 tenants, 27 are startups, and 20 are businesses owned by women or minorities.

Nancy Tokos, another painter, has also been satisfied. Her studio near Liberty Public Market gets a lot of foot traffic. She is collaborating with the markets management to bring works by the districts artists to the markets bare walls.

Recreational Music Center, a music school, has expanded from 900 to 6,500 square feet. David Gereghty, the schools founder, said tighter parking is a great problem to have. Comparing the arts district to a university campus, he said: Its so much bigger than any one of us.

Big hopes

Join a community. Be more visible here than in a standalone studio. Thats the pitch Ziter has made to prospective tenants.

Ziter, a seasoned arts nonprofit administrator who moved here from Chicago, brought up the pattern in which artists enliven a neighborhood and get priced out. The 55-year leases signed for each building with the city will help preserve the original vision, he said.

This will be an arts district for many years to come, he said.

Several tenants said lower rents  now, not down the line  would attract more artists, and in turn help cement the spaces success.

It is tough for artists who are here to pay their rent, LeVieux said. In March, she downsized to a ground-floor studio, paying $600 a month for around 130 square feet.

While Malashock Dance still rents a studio at Liberty Station, it moved its business offices downtown. The move was a financial decision, Malashock said, adding that rent (including utilities and maintenance) for the studio and office grew approximately 50 percent since 2007, from around $48,000 a year to around $72,000 a year in 2016.

McDonald said lower rents are not possible.

I dont see any way in the immediate future for that to happen, she said, given the need to pay bills. Every one of us would like to rents to be less expensive, without any question.

Ziter said rents for artists are very competitive, and amenities, from safety to maintenance, are high quality. Tenants who contribute capital to fix up their buildings can sign more affordable leases, he added.

As the district evolves, some hope for a parking structure or performance venue. Everyone involved in the district, whether tenant or administrator, said keeping the commitment to nonprofits and artists is essential. In LeVieuxs words: I want the community of artists to grow and become stronger.

Popescu is a freelance writer.

Update
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck conciliatory note while addressing a public rally at Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. PM Modi asked the stone-pelting youths of Kashmir to shun violence.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the stone-pelting youths of Jammu and Kashmir to shun violence and join the mainstream of development.

PM Modi said, "Some misguided youngsters are pelting stones but see here, youth of Kashmir are using the same stones to build infrastructure."

"Youth of Kashmir have a choice to make from two paths tourism and terrorism," PM Modi said addressing a rally at Udhampur after inaugurating Aisa longest tunnel.

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The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is likely to reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by at least two hours.

"The path of bloodshed has not helped any one and will never help anyone," Modi said.

PM Modi reminded the youths of Kashmir of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's policy of 'Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat'.

PM Modi said, "Whenever I come to Jammu and Kashmir, it is natural to remember the vision and work of Atal Bihari Vajpayee."

"Our sole Mantra is development and the way we want to achieve that is through Jan Bhagidari. We want to involve the youth," Modi said.

PM Modi's conciliatory note is significant in the view of the stern warning served recently by Army Chief Bipin Rawat, who had said that the jawans would deal with the stone-pelters in tough manner.

MODI AT UDHAMPUR: WHAT ELSE PM SAID "Youth of Jammu and Kashmir worked very hard in the making of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel. I congratulate them for this," Modi said. "I am very happy to be in Jammu and Kashmir today. The tunnel inaugurated today is world class and it is matching the best standards," Modi said. PM Modi said that the Chenani-Nashri tunnel is an example of pursuing the goals of development without disturbing the nature. "This tunnel is environment friendly and this tunnel will help in the fight against global warming," Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Chenani-Nashri tunnel. (Photo: @PMOIndia) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Every Indian wants to see Jammu and Kashmir. The beauty of this land can draw so many people. Tourism will also bring economic growth." "Kashmiriyat Insaniyat Jamhooriyat ke moolmantra ko leke hum Kashmir ko vikas ki nayi unchaiyon par leke jayenge," Modi said at the Udhampur rally. PM Modi said, "It has been 40 years since when innocent lives have been lost. None has benefitted from this violence. It is the Valley of Kashmir, whose blood has flowed. Had there been focus on tourism for all these 40 years, the entire world would have come to sit at the feet of Kashmir Valley." "Some people need to look at the condition of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which lags behind on the scale of development. We want to show to the people of PoK that there can be development on this side of Kashmir," Modi said.

--- ENDS ---

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As a kid in a military family, and later enlisting in the military himself, Tony Teravainen had firsthand experience with the kind of help military families need financially. As president, CEO and co-founder of Support The Enlisted Project, a non-profit providing financial assistance and counseling to military and veteran families, he works to keep programs and services available to people who need them to get out of financial crises.

I know the immediate hardships and the more permanent effects of military service. I know what our young enlisted families go through because I lived that childhood. I know what our young enlisted folks endure because I lived those hardships during eight years of enlisted service, he says. I know the physical and emotional challenges of leaving the service, especially those associated with an abrupt and unplanned discharge because I endured that separation.

Teravainen, 48, lives on a small ranch in the Highland Valley area of Escondido with his wife, Jaclyn, and their three kids. He went from working as a strategy consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton to volunteering and taking on the leadership position with STEP to help first with developing strategy and now with maintaining the tools and resources military families need.

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Q: Tell us about STEP.

A: In a nutshell, we perform a financial intervention where social workers help families solve their immediate issue, such as stopping an eviction, and set a path to get back to financial self-sufficiency. One-on-one counseling gets each family on a positive monthly budget and STEPs financial grant program will pay to stop the loss if there are no other options. STEP receives no state or federal funding, so we rely on our local community to fund the support of our local military families.

Q: What are your goals for the organization in your role as president?

A: I want it to be there for every military family or transitioning veteran who needs its services. I changed the course of my life and will continue to pour myself into STEP, to pull every rabbit out of every hat, to continue to turn over every rock and chase every lead until we can put that solid and sustaining foundation under STEP.

Q: You grew up in a military family. What was your own familys experience like in terms of any financial hardships?

A: When I speak about STEP and the people we serve, I draw most of my passion, empathy and stories from the parallels in my own life. It seemed normal at the time, but now I see how the military family lifestyle was full of irregular challenges; I see how it shaped me and my family. Much of my childhood saw my dad serving our nation while working a side job or selling something for commission. At the same time, my mom would work part-time at night or on weekends when my dad was there to stay with us. As we kids grew older, mom had to shift to full-time work to help make ends meet. She still remembers the stress of the lack of funds, of sleep, of time away from family.

What I love about Highland Valley in Escondido ...

My neighborhood is very much like my ranch. Most folks have jobs in the city, but conduct their gentlemans ranch on the side. Well over half of the people have animals of one sort or another and very few are not growing some crop or engaged in some type of activity tied to their ranch. On weekends, we hear chickens from all directions, all types of machinery, chain saws, tractors, and the like. With about 10 wineries within 2 miles of my house, there are lots of tourists driving about. The air is clean; the noise low and everybody has their projects and stays busy.

Q: What were the difficulties you experienced in your transition out of the military?

A: My discharge was an unplanned, and unwelcome, medical retirement. While serving, I had developed medical conditions that disqualified me from being on submarines, working with nuclear power and even going to sea on a surface ship. Knowing my discharge was coming was a hard adjustment to be sure. It seemed to take forever, but came so fast at the same time. I honestly did not understand everything that was happening and my primary thought through this was that I just needed to get back to work. I later learned that this kind of denial is a common pattern, where folks fight to stay in the service, then just walk away from the system and try to make it on their own after discharge. I didnt utilize any support programs then, and it was about 15 years before I finally registered with the VA.

Q: What causes these financial crises for military families?

A: Its complex. Families are sent to Southern California, with its high cost of living, from all over our great nation with differing experiences in personal finance. When you combine their financial inexperience and the high cost of living environment with their low-income salary, it spells danger. Then add to the mix an unsustainable deployment schedule, lack of child care, a real spousal unemployment rate over 50 percent, and the unreimbursed costs of moving, now you have a powder keg. One seemingly normal issue could tip the scales: a death in the family, a blown tire or transmission, an auto deductible, one misread contract, a delayed paycheck, etc.

Q: How are they counseled about their finances?

A: We have a financial planning program that combines social work, change management and financial planning theories with a goal of changing the clients financial culture. STEP utilizes the solution-focused approach (SFA), which is an evidence-based social work practice that is particularly effective in working with families in crisis. Recognizing that a crisis typically lasts only four to six weeks, the approach focuses on the here-and-now, utilizing the familys strengths and resources while putting the family in the drivers seat throughout the intervention.

Q: Whats covered in this education about finances?

A: Basic budgeting, goal-setting, debt reduction techniques, and savings planning are covered in the education, but these explanations are customized to meet each client where they are in their financial path.

Q: What do you consider a successful completion of the STEP program?

A: Success is when a family can financially survive without external financial support; when they can reduce their debt; when they build their savings; when they have the confidence to take control of their financial world. We have a series of follow-up surveys  we track families on goals they set during counseling, if they are using tools, if they have moved above a given threshold, not bouncing checks, or hitting savings goal.

Q: What is the best advice youve ever received?

A: It was about fundraising. I am not a natural salesman and within my first year on the job, I was trying to find my fundraising golden bullet. I was asked, How many people have you done a direct ask for money this month? I said none and described the other work Id been doing. I was told, Tony, you are the face of this organization, you are the head fundraiser. If you dont focus on fundraising, youll have no money for programs. Its not about you, its about the programs. I am grateful for that bluntness and development support.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you

A: I am a very strong introvert. My Myers Briggs profile is INTJ or The Mastermind; perfect for the visionary, process improvement and analytical aspects of my job. Not as perfect for my role as frontman. This role has challenged me for sure, but I said to myself when I took this job that I need to be the person STEP needs me to be to succeed. I have improved greatly, but it is still exhausting to be the person out in front.

Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: I find peace on my ranch, and given half a chance, I would work every day from dawn to dusk on my ranch. I have enough projects planned to last me years. I would be happy just doing that, leaving the mountain once a week to go to Home Depot and the feed store. Ranching is more than tending orchards or animals; theres a lot of strategy and planning involved. These last few years at STEP have proven that I need my quiet time and my ranch gives me that.

Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @lisadeaderick
San Diego police installed audio sensors that detect gunfire in four neighborhoods last November, and the first batch of data shows that only one in four shootings were reported to police.

Of 61 shootings, 26% were called in by residents, according to data collected by the system called ShotSpotter.

The sensors were installed in Valencia Park, Lincoln Park, Skyline and OFarrell. Most of the activations between Nov. 26 and March 27 included multiple gunshots, and nearly all of them happened at night  many between 9 p.m. and midnight.

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San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said the early data seem to confirm what officers have heard from residents: Theyre afraid to reach out to police for fear of retaliation.

ShotSpotter has given a voice to the voiceless, she said.

But community leaders critical of the system said the network has done little to give voice to residents, most of whom werent included in any talks about the technology.

Its almost like [this technology] is being shoved down the communitys throat. said Bishop Cornelius Bowser of Charity Apostolic Church. It tells the community, We know whats best for you rather than letting the community tell [the department] what they need, he said.

The audio equipment is placed at least 30 to 40 feet above street level to determine when and where shootings take place. Once the sensors pinpoint where the gunshots came from, the sound is sent to a review center where a specialist determines if it was gunfire.

The review center is staffed by employees of SST Inc., the company that sells ShotSpotter, not the police department.

If the sound is determined to be gunfire, the incident is forwarded to police. Officers in the field get the location, time of the shooting and the number of rounds fired. They also can get information such as how many shooters are present and if theyre on the move.

The technology is used in more than 90 cities worldwide including New York, Oakland and Miami.

Zimmerman said the system has informed officers of shootings they never would have known about, and allowed them to respond more quickly and accurately to ones the community did call in.

Theyre able to swoop in on evidence left at the scene and, in one case, it led officers to a weapon used in a killing and several home invasion robberies. In another instance, officers got to the scene so fast a teenager who fired his gun didnt have time to get rid of it and was arrested.

What we want to be is proactive, Zimmerman said, and send a message that if youre going to fire a gun in our neighborhoods, were going to do everything that we possibly can to prevent that.

And if we cant prevent it, to take you into custody as quickly as we can.

When the technology was first unveiled, San Diego community leaders were concerned that it was installed with little to no input from residents living in those neighborhoods. They also worried it would contribute to the over-policing of communities of color.

Those concerns persist, said Bowser, who is also a member of the Black Advisory Board to the San Diego Police Department.

Bowser partnered with the department to combat gang violence nearly a decade ago, and he helped shape the Community Assistance Support Team to stop retaliatory gang violence.

Over the years, he said, he has seen how effective community policing initiatives can be in trying to diminish violence and create strong ties with the community.

Bowser said he doesnt feel ShotSpotter is a system that will help build partnerships, in part because of how little the community was involved in the implementation, he said.

This should have been something the community wanted, not just something the police wanted, Bowser said.

Invasion of privacy is also a concern, he said.

Although the system isnt designed to pick up conversation, there have been instances in which conversations immediately following shootings have been used in court.

In one case, an Oakland mans dying words were used as evidence against his suspected killer.

Chief Zimmerman said it was too early to say whether the department will keep or expand the year-long program. It cost $245,000 and was paid for through asset forfeiture funds.

Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
To anyone who has seen the unnervingly thin Potato Chip Rock jutting into the air, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus announcement Saturday that the iconic formation had broken off seemed plausible, if not inevitable.

Which is what made it a perfect April Fools Day joke.

It worked into peoples preconceived notions, Vaus said. It took off from there.

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Take off it did. By 3 p.m. Saturday, his Poway Now Facebook page post had 34,000 views. He posted his fake news announcement on other Facebook pages and on his Poway Now website, as well. The website is not a city website.

The announcement was accompanied by an altered photo of the rock, tip gone.

The rock is one of San Diego Countys more popular hiking destinations atop Mount Woodson, just outside of Poway, and on weekends there is often a line of people waiting to have their photos taken on the gravity-defying stone.

A group of friends and family members pose for a photo on Potato Chip Rock in 2015. (Charlie Neuman / UT San Diego/Zuma Press)

While the mere thought of Potato Chip Rock breaking off is not far-fetched, the details in Vaus news announcement are pretty eyebrow-raising.

Vaus tall tale describes how a 7-foot piece of the rock fell into Lake Poway below. But he assured readers that the tip would be hoisted by helicopter and promptly glued back on in less than an hour.

Overseeing the repair will be world renowned adhesive expert Dr. Lirpa Sloof, Chairman Emeritus, School of Viscoelastics, University of Eastern Finland, the story reads. Sloof, inventor of Krazy Glue, says a quick repair can be made. This is simple science. Using the latest acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives, which actually increase the intensity of their bond over time, the rock will be better than new!

Dr. Lirpa Sloof? Try April Fools spelled backwards.

Anyone who bothers to read to the end gets tipped off to the gag: And theres no doubt in my mind Potato Chip Rock will be stronger than ever after the repair and ready to welcome visitors for many more April Fools Days to come, it reads.

People shared the fake story around social media, and a few asked the parking lot attendant at the trailhead whether the trail was still open, Vaus said.

One citizen even emailed Vaus, suggesting the city should lower water rates rather than use funds to fix the rock.

When asked if Vaus had any qualms about carrying out such a gag in his role as a trusted public official, he laughed it off.

There is no danger. I think its a healthy thing for a public official to have a sense of humor, Vaus said. Frankly we could use more politicians with a sense of humor.

Whats the worst thing that could happen, someone decide not to go up there today?

Davis writes for The San Diego Union-Tribune.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
San Diego County has taken in more refugees than any other region of California for the past seven years, according to state data.

Its the latest evidence of a decades-long trend in which the county has admitted a few thousand refugees each year, fueled by successions of strife around the world  from the fall of Saigon, Vietnam, to the Iraq War. That has made the area a hub of such resettlement in the United States.

The current phase of large-scale displacement has largely occurred in the Middle East, as war-weary Syrians and persecuted Iraqi Christians flee their countries. The unrest has led to an exodus of hundreds of thousands of people seeking refuge in nearby nations and increasingly in Europe.

Germany and other members of the European Union are struggling over how many of these individuals to accept. In past years, Germany has taken in about one refugee for every 1,000 residents, according to data cited by various German news outlets. Thats roughly the same figure as in San Diego County.

This region gets approximately 3,000 new refugees each year, with a striking majority hailing from restive Iraq.

Refugee arrivals The number of refugee arrivals in California and San Diego County has decreased by more than 60 percent since 2009. In San Diego County, the number of refugees from Iraq outpaces those from other countries.

So far this year, the county has led the state in new refugees, said the California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau. It also topped the state list last year, while Los Angeles County  about three times larger in population  came in a distant second.

Scholars and refugee advocates said San Diegos particularly pleasant weather, cultural diversity and extensive support network for refugees have made it a favored place for resettlement.

Federally contracted resettlement agencies and other organizations have formed a strong infrastructure of services available to refugees from the moment they step foot in San Diego, helping them navigate complex processes such as finding jobs, establishing financial credit and obtaining proper health care.

The community here accepted us. It made us feel confident, said Nasra Zora, an Iraqi refugee. She and her husband, Khaled Madalo, fled their native Iraq in 2001 after receiving repeated threats from government authorities.

Theyre part of an estimated 14,500 Iraqi refugees who have started new lives in the county since 2009, the most of any ethnic group by a significant margin, according to data from the countys Health and Human Services Agency, which oversees local refugee resettlement programs.

Zora and Madalo first went from Iraq to Lebanon, where they spent seven years and had two sons. The United States granted refugee status to the family in late 2007, and the household resettled in El Cajon with relatives.

San Diego Countys profusion of ethnic cultures makes it ideal for resettlement because refugees are likely to find people with similar backgrounds and stories of survival, said Zara Marselian, CEO and president of La Maestra Community Health Centers in San Diego. Her network provides health and wellness resources to low-income residents, immigrants and refugees.

People seek a sense of community, they seek a sense of belonging. Where theyre going to belong faster is San Diego because there are other refugees from their country that have experienced similar things, Marselian said.

Refugees are essentially asylum-seekers whose claims of persecution or other types of harm have been validated or otherwise recognized. Individuals must petition the United Nations for refugee status. Afterward, they must wait for an interview  a process that typically takes years. If theyre cleared, applicants are connected with a country or countries willing to accept them.

Resettlement cases in the U.S. are handled by several national umbrella agencies that together determine the best placement for those admitted. If refugees have family members in a particular area of the country, for example, theyre likely to be sent there.

The U.S. State Department contracts resettlement in California to certain agencies.

In San Diego County, the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities, the Alliance for African Assistance and Jewish Family Service of San Diego are federally sanctioned to resettle refugees. They act as one-stop shops, assisting refugees with every aspect of their new life for several months after arrival.

The region first saw a large wave of refugees in the 1970s, when the fall of Saigon brought about 360,000 Indochinese  Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians and Hmong  to the U.S.

Kongseng Soukbandith came to San Diego as a refugee from Laos in 1975.

Soukbandith, who currently works at La Maestra as a pediatric medical assistant and does outreach in the refugee community, remembers having minimal resources available to her and her children upon their arrival. Todays refugees have a much stronger support system, she said.

Its better now because everyone can take care of themselves with the better infrastructure, said Soukbandith, 65.

Political unrest in Africa brought another wave of refugees to San Diego in the 1980s and early 90s, especially those from Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Daniel Ukang, now 36, was only 7 when government forces overtook his village in Sudan, killing people in plain sight. He hid alone in a bush for three days until the violence passed, but he was separated from his parents in the process.

Ukang became one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, one of more than 20,000 children who were displaced or orphaned when villages in southern Sudan were attacked during the countrys civil war.

Being chased by the enemy  it was just very rough, he said.

Ukang lived in a tent at a refugee camp in Kenya for 10 years, eating one meal per day. He was granted refugee status in San Diego in 2001. His wife, Mary, and their son were able to reunite with him seven years later. The couple now has four children.

The first thing I thought when I came here was, This is amazing, he said. The weather was the number one thing.

Ukang, who works at the Barona Resort & Casino, still carries the weight of his past.

What everybody has gone through is unforgettable. ... Sometimes you have nightmares about what happened, he said. But seeing other (refugees) making good progress makes you stronger.

Large groups of Middle Eastern refugees began settling in the U.S. after the Iraq War began in 2003. They continue to come, particularly with the heightened persecution of Syrians and Chaldeans.

Whats likely to significantly impact the nations refugee population in the years to follow is the stream of Syrian refugees expected to resettle in the United States. Under mounting pressure to respond to the Syrian crisis, President Barack Obama said the U.S. would take in at least 10,000 displaced Syrians in the current fiscal year, which began this month.

Local resettlement agencies said they dont have details yet on whether theyll admit Syrians, though they say its likely. They estimate that between 100 to 300 Syrians may be placed in this region.
Meet Roger Hedgecock, apple grower.

Nowadays, the retired conservative radio and UT-TV talk show host can be heard on his Julian orchards taped phone greeting inviting visitors to Volcan Valley Apple Farm from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday.

Hedgecock, 70, gets the occasional query, Wait a minute ... Roger, is that you? from some unsuspecting visitor who recognizes his face or voice. But on the farm, politics is absolutely forbidden, insists Hedgecock, once San Diegos mayor.

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Although he still does a five-minute weekday radio commentary and a one-minute Channel 8 TV commentary on Sunday, Hedgecock craved a new challenge.

I wasnt considering becoming the owner of an apple orchard until this property came up for sale, said Hedgecock, who owns a vacation home in Julian.

He negotiated for 11 months before striking a deal for the 10-acre orchard with 7,000 trees that bear seven varieties of apples.

I wanted to do something I know nothing about, noted Hedgecock, who immediately reached out to pros, hiring veteran management and consulting with Julians guru grower, Ray Meyer, 82.

Ever since opening on Aug. 11, he and his wife, Cindy, who manages the farms U-Pick sales ($12 a bag), have been spending most of their days in Julian.

Volcan Valley Apple Farm, at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive, is next to Menghini Winery, the heart of this weekends Apple Days Festival activities.

While flanked by wineries, the orchard was enough for Hedgecock, who said he had no desire to jump aboard the fast-growing viticulture trend.

I didnt want to get into that much trouble.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
A Temecula mother pleaded not guilty Monday to charges includingsecond-degree murder and drunken driving in connection with a crashlast month that killed her 9-year-old daughter and injured hersons.

Deputy Public Defender Leah Kisner entered not-guilty pleas onbehalf of Karen Faye Honeycutt, 41, during her arraignment atSouthwest Justice Center in French Valley.

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Her former husband, Aaron Honeycutt, attended the hearing butdeclined to comment.

He is the father of Chloe Honeycutt, who died in the Jan. 26crash.

Chloe Honeycutt was thrown from her mothers gray, 1996 JeepCherokee when it crashed on Vail Ranch Parkway near ValentinoDrive, authorities said.

Karen Honeycutt reportedly lost control of the Jeep whilespeeding east on Vail Ranch Parkway, then hit the center median andcrashed into a tree and concrete light pole.

She was on probation at the time, having been cited in April fordriving while her license was suspended for operating a motorvehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

She later pleaded guilty to driving without a license.

Authorities said Chloe Honeycutt and her brother, CharlesWilliams Jr., 17, were not wearing seat belts and were thrown fromthe Jeep.

Their younger brother, Zachery Myles Honeycutt, 8, had minorinjuries, according to Temecula police.

Williams, a junior at Chaparral High School, had major injuriesin the crash.

His father, Charles Williams Sr., said he does not believe thatthe children would have been in a vehicle without their seatbelts.

Myles informed me that Charles did have on his seat belt and heforgot to put on his, the elder Williams wrote in an e-mail to TheCalifornian.

Chloe was the one that always made sure the boys had on theirseat belts and if not, she would tell on them. We are hoping thatthey find something in the investigation that disputes the initialfindings, he wrote.

He noted that Karen Honeycutt was a loving mother who had beenstruggling.

She was on antidepressants and having difficulties dealing witheveryday life, he said.

She was very good at her job at Wells Fargo, but when she lostit, her life changed, he said. Karen was not the same afterthat.

Karen Honeycutt, a Louisiana native and former San Marcosresident, faces 22 years to life in prison if convicted ascharged.

She also faces a charge of drunken driving causing great bodilyinjury, and prosecutors have tacked on a sentencing enhancementalleging that she had four prior drunken driving convictions innorthern San Diego County.

Speaking about vehicular homicide cases in general, Chief DeputyDistrict Attorney Creg Datig said a second-degree murder charge isfiled when what the defendant did was dangerous to human life andthe defendant knew his or her actions endangered the lives ofothers.

In that case, the defendant can be charged with second-degreemurder under the legal theory of implied malice, said Datig, whose20 convictions make him Californias leading vehicular homicideprosecutor.

Prosecutors wont rely on a defendants general knowledge thatdrinking and driving is dangerous to make their case.

We have to prove that the suspect personally appreciated thedanger their actions created, Datig said.

While it is common sense that drinking and driving is inherentlydangerous, he said, prosecutors are required to prove that adefendant personally knew that this behavior was dangerous.

There are several ways prosecutors can do this.

One way, Datig said, is when a defendant has priordrunken-driving convictions and was ordered to attend alcoholeducation classes, which teaches about the dangers of drinking anddriving.

Another way is if the defendant got into a series of nearcrashes before the actual crash, which should call the driversattention to the fact that he or she should not be driving.

Karen Honeycutt remains jailed with bail set at $1 million.
During Udhampur rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youth of Kashmir to utilize employment and educational opportunities provided by the government.

By India Today Web Desk: After inaugurating the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel on Jammu-Kashmir Highway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a rally in Udhampur.

Jammu and Kashmir's Chenani-Nashri tunnel, touted as India's longest tunnel, is also the country's "safest", with provisions to ensure the safety of passengers from fire incidents and collision inside the 10.89 km-long tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, says a top official.

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Commenting on the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "it is a state-of-the-art project. It will increase tourism and ensure supply of essential goods.

The tunnel will help reduce the 41 km-distance between Chenani in Udhampur district and Nashri in Ramban to 10.89 km and can be covered in 10 minutes, instead of the two-and-half hour needed currently. The Jammu and Srinagar Highway is considered to be the lifeline of the state.

Once all the other 12 tunnels are constructed, it will reduce the length of the 293 km between Jammu and Srinagar by 62 km. This 231 km can be covered in 4-4.5 hours.

Here the live updates:

This is not network of roads, will build network of hearts. The youth should join employment opportunity provided by government and educational opportunities: PM Modi

People of Kashmir must make use of education, training schools: PM Modi

We plan to build nine more tunnels: PM Modi

Youth of Kashmir have a choice to select one of the two paths- one of tourism the other of terrorism: PM Modi

We want to tell people of Kashmir who are living in PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), how they are missing development under Pakistan: PM Modi

Vajpayee gave mantra of Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhuriyat: PM Modi

Every Kashmiri remembers Vajpayee fondly: PM Modi

I have visited Jammu-Kashmir multiple times for work, have only experienced hospitality of Kashmiri people: PM Modi

Credit to Mehbooba Mufti government for using central grants well for the upliftment of people: PM Modi

I congratulate Mehbooba Mufti administration for the work done: PM Modi

This game of blood has failed to benefit anyone in 40 years: PM Modi

The path of bloodshed has not helped any one and will never help anyone: PM Modi

No one profited from terrorism. It only made Kashmir bleed: PM Modi

With our infrastructural efforts, everyone will be able to visit Jammu-Kashmir and tourism will help the state prosper: PM Modi

Every Indian has a dream to visit Kashmir: PM Modi

I want to tell people what the strength of stone is. One time there are those pelting stones, then there are those who are constructing Jammu-Kashmir with stones: PM Modi

This Chenani-Nashri tunnel is a big leap for Jammu-Kashmir development: PM Modi

This tunnel will protect the Himalayas and environment: PM Modi

This tunnel is a ray of hope for climate change activists: PM Modi

This Chenani-Nashri tunnel is a tunnel of development: PM Modi

I congratulate Nitin Gadkari and his team for the tunnel: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins address.

Last year, during very troubled times you supported me and my government: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to PM Modi

Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanks PM Modi.

Kashmir is safe for tourists: Mehbooba Mufti

I want PM Modi to visit Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti

Watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate Chenani-Nashri tunnel, India's longest tunnel in Jammu-Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
John Mathew, 22, killed his alleged girlfriend of over an year on her birthday with a hammer that he gifted her.

By Pramod Madhav: In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old woman was hacked to death in Chennai with a hammer by her boyfriend who later committed suicide.

Jennifer Pushpa, a resident of Kottiivakkam was allegedly in a relationship with John Mathew, 22, for more than an year.

HOW IT HAPPENED On Saturday, John and Pushpa went to tiger caves in Mahabalipuram on the outskirts of Chennai to celebrate latter's birthday. Inside the cave, John asked Pushpa to open her present, which to her shock was a hammer. He used the same hammer and hit her repeatedly until she died. After killing Jennifer Pushpa, John hung himself on a nearby tree with her shawl.

After killing Jennifer Pushpa, John hung himself on a nearby tree with her shawl.

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Investigations reveal that John was reportedly miffed with Jennifer as her parents had been persuading her to break up with him.

Jennifer's parents were not happy with their relationship as John worked as a tailor whereas Jennifer had been placed with an IT firm recently.

The incident has sent shock-waves among people in Mahabalipuram and tourists as tiger caves is a very popular tourist destination.

Also read: Bathinda shocker: Woman sacrifices grandchildren to ward off 'evil spirits'

Also read: Delhi shocker: Woman raped near posh Hauz Khas Village

Also read: Haryana shocker: Dalit youth murdered for marrying upper caste girl in Hisar

Also watch: Bengaluru: Knife-wielding man in women's undergarments caught lurking near girls' hostel

--- ENDS ---
Heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, pushing sediment and rocks onto buildings and roads in the capital of southwestern Putumayo province and immobilizing cars in several feet of mud.

A man searches for his belongings after heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, pushing sediment and rocks into buildings and roads in Mocoa, Colombia

By Reuters: Flooding and mudslides in the Colombian city of Mocoa sent torrents of water and debris crashing onto houses in the early hours of Saturday morning, killing 254 people, injuring hundreds and sending terrified residents, some in their pajamas, scrambling to evacuate.

Heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, pushing sediment and rocks onto buildings and roads in the capital of southwestern Putumayo province and immobilizing cars in several feet of mud.

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"It was torrential rainstorm, it got really strong between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.," said local resident Mario Usale, 42, who was looking for his father-in-law in the debris.

"My mother-in-law was also missing, but we found her alive two kilometers away. She has head injuries, but she was conscious."

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos flew to Mocoa, population 345,000, to oversee rescue efforts on the city outskirts and speak with affected families.

"We will do everything possible to help them," Santos said after confirming the death toll. "It breaks my heart."

The army said in a statement that 254 people were killed, 400 people had been injured and 200 were missing. More than 1,100 soldiers and police officers were called in to help dig people out in 17 affected neighborhoods.

Santos gave a lower death toll of 193 via Twitter.

Even in a country where heavy rains, a mountainous landscape and informal construction of homes combine to make mud and landslides a common occurrence, the scale of the Mocoa disaster was daunting compared to recent tragedies, like a 2015 landslide that killed nearly 80 people in Salgar, Antioquia. Colombia's deadliest landslide, the 1985 Armero disaster, left more than 20,000 dead.

"It's a big area," Mocoa Mayor Jose Antonio Castro, who lost his house, told Caracol radio on Saturday. "A big portion of the many houses were just taken by the avalanche."

He said that people were warned ahead of time and many were able to get out, but several neighborhoods and two bridges had been destroyed.

Weather authorities said light rains were expected in the area on Saturday night and Sunday.

Photos posted on Twitter by the air force showed neighborhood streets filled with mud and damaged houses, while videos on social media showed residents searching for survivors in the debris and struggling to move through waist-high water during the night.

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The universe is not only all about science, it has an artistic side as well. Example proving the statement is Saturn's North Pole, which looks like a watercolor painting. The space agency NASA not only likes to discover things from the universe but also likes to inspire about the artistic side of the universe, and presently the Saturn.

According to CNET, NASA's Cassini spacecraft captured an image of the Saturn's North Pole. This image was captured in September, which led NASA to wax poetic in a release on Monday. The image shows the north pole of Saturn displaying the beautiful bands in it and the swirls which are present in it. This image clearly looks like a watercolor painting brushwork.

The image shows the iconic hexagon for Saturn. The different shade of the band in Saturn's North Pole originates from the different air flow speeds and the heights of the clouds. When these two meet and flow past each other, this eddies and swirls get produced.

Gizmodo calls Saturn as the golden retriever of the solar system. This is because of the artistic view of Saturn's North Pole. Saturn's defining hue was pure golden in color or it can be called "alien proto-molecule blue". The artistic form of the planet was tweeted by Jason Major, a space enthusiast.

When Cassini captured the image of Saturn's North Pole, it was located around 890,000 miles (1.4 million kilometers) away from Saturn. The mission was launched in the year 1997 with joint efforts from NASA, Italian Space Agency and European Space Agency. The mission is scheduled to end in the year 2017 but the spacecraft is still studying Saturn and its number of moons. After ending of the mission, Cassini will jump into Saturn's atmosphere. This polar vortex looks like an artistic painting in the universe.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Juniors and seniors at West Florence High School celebrated the last of their high school years Saturday night at this years prom, themed Elegant Night.

Senior James Haynes was chosen to be prom king, and senior Olivia Holland was prom queen. Haynes recently signed with Newberry College to play football, and Holland has plans to go to the University of Virginia.

Science teacher Laura Howard led the prom committee this year as members chose the theme. The final vote was between elegant night and 80s, and Howard said the 80s were voted down very quickly.

They just wanted to go with a ballroom theme, Howard said. When you step in, youll be able to tell. Honestly, it kind of has a Beauty and the Beast feel. Its a lot of fun. Theres single red roses and stuff, but that wasnt planned.

Howard said although prom is a right of passage, its mainly the kids who want to have it each year.

Its kind of a social highlight, Howard said. They like getting dressed up and pretty. Its a fun night for them.

Senior Paulina Macias said she came because she doesnt have much time left in the United States.

I want to have fun with my friends, Macias said. Im going to graduate early. Im going to leave after graduation to my country, Mexico.

Junior Ebony Smith said she loved practically everything about prom. Its a time to forget about your grades and have fun with your friends, she said.

The music, the singing, the dresses  everybody just gets sparkled up, Smith said. I love it.

Senior Dustyn Williams said prom was a time for him to make a few final memories before graduation. After he graduates, Williams hopes to attend Clemson University.

Its senior prom. Its the last prom Ill have, Williams said. I just wanted to come out and have fun. Im going to be a mechanical engineer and do baseball for college.

More than 600 students attended prom. Of them, 15 women were eligible for queen, and 15 men were eligible for king.
By Press Trust of India: Beijing, Apr 2 (PTI) Exposure to a common class of pesticides - used on crops as well as to kill mosquitoes and other insects - may cause boys to reach sexual maturity earlier, a new study has warned.

Previous research shows that early puberty increases the risk of diseases in adulthood, for example, testicular cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

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Early puberty also can stunt growth and cause behavioural problems.

The class of pesticides studied, pyrethroids, accounts for more than 30 per cent of global insecticide use, said Jing Liu, an associate professor at Zhejiang University in China.

These chemicals are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with the bodys hormones.

"We recognise pyrethroids as a new environmental contributor to the observed trend toward earlier sexual maturity in boys," Liu said.

Today, a boys body matures into an adults between the ages of 9 and 14 years on average, researchers said.

Experts believe that many factors, including environmental toxins, are responsible for the decreasing age at onset of puberty for both boys and girls.

Pyrethroids are used indoors and outdoors to kill mosquitoes and other insects, and are sprayed on crops.

Humans likely receive most of their exposure to pyrethroids from food and residential use.

Evidence of recent exposure to the chemical appears in human urine as a metabolite, or molecule, called 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA).

In a study of 463 boys aged 9 to 16 years, researchers found that a 10 per cent increase in 3-PBA was associated with a four per cent increase in the boys levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Both these hormones spur production of testosterone in males.

Having an increased urinary level of 3-PBA raised the odds of a boy being at an advanced stage of genital development by 73 to 110 per cent, Liu reported.

Since, it is difficult to test the cause of environmental risk factors in humans, the researchers sought to identify in animals how pyrethroids alter the timing of puberty.

After they exposed male mice to cypermethrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, at the relevant levels that are present in humans, they observed an accelerated onset of puberty in the mice.

They demonstrated that cypermethrin had a direct effect by inducing testosterone formation and interfering with intracellular processes that are critical to male sexual development, Liu said.

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"Given the growing use of pyrethroid insecticides, we must prudently assess these chemicals for their risks to childrens health," he said. PTI MHN MHN

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Two crew from the 1993-built 266,000 dwt Stellar Daisy were found drifting in a life raft while 22 are unaccounted for after the vessel went missing 2,000 nm from Uruguay.

The ore carrier sent a distress call before noon on Friday saying it was taking on water. South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the crew sent a text message to owners Polaris Shipping saying that the ship was sinking.

The Uruguay authorities believe the vessel sank. There "strong smell of fuel" and spotted debris, "an indication that the damaged ship had sunk," a statement from the navy said, according to reports.

The Marshall Islands-flagged VLOC had crew of 16 Filipinos and eight Koreans.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Noting that comprehensive health care is still a "far cry", a group of doctors today said there is a serious fear that the recently unveiled National Health Policy will remain only on paper.

Noting that the NHP was declared after the budget for the year had been presented, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) said that this raises doubts over the intentions as the government in power had cut the expenditure on health by 20 per cent last year.

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Noting that one interesting target on population stabilisation has been fixed in the policy which advocates increasing the proportion of male sterilisation from less than 5 per cent currently to 30 per cent, IDPD said that it is "fraught with the danger of coercion reminding us the of the emergency era".

"Comprehensive health care in India is still a far cry and based on the past experience there is a serious fear that the Health Policy 2017 will remain in papers only," IDPD doctors said at the national seminar on Health Through Peace.

"The health policy was declared after the budget for the year had been presented, it raises doubts over the intentions as the government in power had cut the expenditure on health by 20 per cent last year.

"If the government was serious about increasing the budget it could have done before the budget presentation. Promise of increasing the public spending of GDP on health to 2.5 per cent by the year 2025 is too low," said Shakeel-ur-Rahman, General Secretary of IDPD.

He maintained that the increase in GDP on health to 2.5 per cent has been announced in past also ? first in 12th Plan of government by 2017 and again in the draft National Health Policy Bill by 2020.

The body said that one of the main thrust in the policy document is on "strategic purchasing" of health services from private sector not only for secondary and tertiary care but also in primary health care in urban setting.

The NHP 2017 brought by the government recently aims at providing "assured health services to all" and also proposes free drugs, diagnostics and emergency care services in all public hospitals.

"This in turn will weaken further the moribund public health sector which has been starved of sufficient health funding by successive past government.

"The policy is a mixed bag of moderate plan for all stakeholders ? promise of modest increase in resources, promise of improved access to care and accountability-oriented provisions and formulation of strategic purchasing of care, thus paving way for further expansion of outsourcing to largely unregulated private sector," the body said. PTI TDS KUN

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In a statement, Air India condemned the incident and said that they will also probe the matter at their end.

By Press Trust of India: Two inebriated British nationals of Indian origin were arrested for allegedly harassing a 28-year-old air hostess on an Air India flight from London to Delhi.

After a complaint was filed, both the accused, who are real estate agents were arrested and later got bail, police said.

In a statement, Air India condemned the incident and said that they will also probe the matter at their end. The accused were identified as Jaspal Singh (35) and Charandeep Khaira (36), who had come here from London to attend a marriage ceremony in Jaipur, said DCP (Airport) Sanjay Bhatia.

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Their breathalyser test indicated they were drunk, he said.

On March 29, while they were on the flight they asked the air hostess to get them some food but when she took some time to respond they got irritated, police said.

They started making lewd comments. After the plane landed here, the crew reported the matter to the security agencies and a case was registered.

Condemning the incident, Air India said in a statement, "The AI is also carrying out its probe and the incident is condemned. At the same time we urge our passengers to draw a line of ethics while flying and using our services so that it does not cause inconvenience to either the airline and supporting staff or our valued travellers".

Also read:

Air India to launch direct Delhi-Washington flight

Ravindra Gaikwad row: Shiv Sena meets speaker to demand action, not against MP, but against Air India

Grounded MP Gaikwad tweaked name 4 times to book Air India tickets

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Four victims of a chain-reaction crash in Antioch Saturday were upgraded from critical condition, the CHP said.

The crash on Highway 4 in Antioch Saturday injured 10 people, including the child and three others whose condition had improved Sunday to stable and minor. .

All four had been in critical condition on the day of the incident, but by Sunday, three of them were listed as having minor injuries after hospital evaluation, said Officer Rick Rohrback of the Contra Costa County CHP. Things were either getting better or not as bad as they came across, Rohrback said.

The collision occurred at 6:18 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway, near A Street, just east of the Lone Tree on-ramp.

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A Toyota sedan with seven occupants had stopped in the middle of the highway behind a bumper that had fallen. A Toyota minivan with three occupants slammed into the sedan causing a shutdown on the freeway, the CHP said.

It was pretty significant, thats for sure, said Robert Marshall, spokesman for the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District. We had vehicles across all lanes and we had people out of the vehicles and down in the lanes.

A 14-year-old girl was taken by helicopter to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland. Two others were flown to UC Davis Medical Center, and a fourth person was rushed by ambulance to a local trauma center.

Marshall said he did not know whether the victims who were found lying on the highway were thrown from their cars or had climbed out after the crash.

Officer William Ogilvie of the California Highway Patrol said all the westbound lanes were closed on Highway 4 in Antioch between 6:33 p.m. and 7:47 p.m. as multiple helicopters landed on the highway and five ambulances transported victims.

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Traffic on the highway was backed up for miles and remained slow for at least an hour after the crash was cleared. Ogilvie said the cause of the collision is under investigation.

Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
More than 200 farmworkers and their supporters marched in Santa Rosa on Sunday morning to protest President Trumps immigration policies, which they say threaten both workers and the countrys thriving agriculture industry.

Agriculture in California is huge, one of the states biggest industries, said Juan Garcia, a United Farm Workers union coordinator who helped organize the rally. The growing immigration threats could throw a wrench in that business by scaring workers into staying home.

But what makes this labor protest different is that the growers who desperately need those immigrant workers to pick their crops are quietly rooting for the demonstrators.

In recent years, heightened efforts to tighten border security, combined with changing demographics and economics in Mexico, have steadily trimmed the number of immigrants, both legal and those in the country without documentation, available to work the harvest.

Its been a persistent problem for the last decade-plus, said Tom Nassif, president of Western Growers, a trade organization that represents family farmers in Colorado, Arizona and California. Were looking at every avenue we have to get an immigration bill to provide a road to legalization ... so workers dont have to worry about being deported.

While Trumps call for a wall on the Mexican border and his promise of tougher dealings with undocumented residents have struck fear in many immigrant families, theyre far from the only reasons for the growing dearth of farmworkers.

A record 2.7 million people were deported during the Obama administration, and an improving economy in Mexico  and a slow U.S. recovery from the Great Recession  pushed many immigrants, legal and otherwise, to return to their home country.

A 2015 study by the Pew Research Center found that from 2009 to 2014, 1 million Mexicans and their families, including U.S.-born children, left the United States for Mexico, while an estimated 870,000 Mexican nationals came to the U.S.

The labor shortage has ... been gradually been getting worse, said Guadalupe Sandoval, executive director of the California Farm Labor Contractors Association. As far back as 2012 or even 2010 there were reports that more workers were returning to Mexico than coming to the U.S.

There are plenty of other reasons for the decline of the farm labor pool.

The birthrate in rural Mexico has fallen, so there are fewer large families with kids eager to find work in the U.S, recent studies have found. And the workers from those big families of the 1950s, 60s and 70s who came to the U.S. as young men and women are older and becoming less willing  and less able  to do the backbreaking work of picking crops like strawberries and chili peppers.

There also have been improvements to the Mexican economy, since some of those businesses Trump says left the country actually did move to Mexico, Sandoval said. A lot of California growers have moved operations to Mexico, where theres cheaper labor and fewer restrictions.

Those changes have been a problem, said Dave Kranz, a spokesman for the California Farm Bureau.

The (farm labor) system was designed for workers to go back and forth, coming to the country to work and then returning home when the harvest was done, he said. But since 9/11, its been much more difficult to come and go, especially come.

Since workers now in the United States arent sure they will be able to come back to the jobs that are waiting for them, theyre more likely to put down roots in this country.

And if people are now living in the country year-round, they may be looking for employment thats less seasonal than farm labor, Kranz added.

There also are far fewer migrant workers  laborers who follow the crops  than there used to be, Sandoval said.

Most farmworkers have settled in, found their place, and theyre not moving, he said.

With families staying in one place, the children of undocumented workers, many of them born in this country, can go to school and stay the year instead of being pulled out each time their family moved to the next harvest.

And as the children become better educated, very few of that next generation want to work in the fields, Sandoval said.

Not everyone agrees that theres a farm labor shortage. For union leaders, what shortage there is could be solved if growers were willing to pay higher wages.

It depends on the area, but (a labor shortage) is generally not a problem in California, Armando Elenes, a vice president of the United Farm Workers union, said in a Bakersfield interview. Most Kern County growers are still paying minimum wage, with a few paying a bit more.

When its an issue of recruitment, you should see more competitive wages, he added. Growers are complaining, but theyre not competing.

But growers argue that higher wages dont bring more people into the farm labor pool; they only move the same group of workers from one farm to another.

With higher wages all you are doing is incentivizing musical chairs, said Nassif of Western Growers.

Even wages like $15 per hour for vineyard workers in the Napa and Sonoma areas arent enough to entice workers from other industries to move into the fields, where the workday is long, hot, hard and dusty.

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Californias farmworkers will be getting a raise this year after Gov. Jerry Brown signed bills last year boosting the minimum wage and applying the states overtime rules to farm labor. And thats also a concern for growers.

Those new rules are combining with the labor shortage to force changes in California agriculture.

Growers are looking to move to crops that require fewer people to harvest, Kranz said. Were not growing as much asparagus in California now for just that reason, since the fast-growing crop needs lots of workers to harvest it at its peak.

Growers are looking into increased mechanization and into changing crops, he added. There are a lot more almond orchards in California not only because the market is good and stable, but also because they need a lot less people.

But the need for farmworkers isnt going away as long as theres a demand for fruits and vegetables that look perfect on the supermarket produce aisle and are too fragile to be picked by machines.

Sundays rally and march through downtown Santa Rosa, held on the weekend honoring the birthday of United Farm Workers union founder Cesar Chavez, was led by farmworkers carrying a banner reading, We Feed You. Others carried the red-and-black UFW flags, along with signs saying, Your Wine. Our Labor, as they chanted Chavez si, Trump no.

The immigration crackdown doesnt just hurt workers, but also growers and consumers, said Garcia of the UFW. Sundays march was a way of reminding people that the work we do helps the economy, both by providing fresh produce to stores and by spending their paychecks in the community.

Even farmers sympathetic to Trumps call for increased border security see the need for immigration changes.

Jason Giannelli of Bakersfield is a 31-year-old farm manager who argues that we have to protect ourselves as a nation.

But he also remembers that his great-grandfather came to the United States at age 14 and worked in a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco before moving to the Central Valley to farm.

We need to look at revising or revamping our immigration policy, he said. We need people who come here and work. Everybody got a start by coming to the U.S.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth
Silver screen siren Greta Garbo, who always said she wanted to be left alone, isnt.

The actress, who has been dead for 27 years, is at the center of a contentious lawsuit between two prominent Bay Area brothers  the great-nephews of the leading lady  over the whereabouts of her Oscar statuette.

The Academy Award and another valuable keepsake  a carved whale tooth given to the actress by President John F. Kennedy just days before he was assassinated  havent been seen since last year, one of the brothers maintains. The objects seem to be even more elusive than the great Garbo herself was.

In the suit, filed this month in Marin County, the great-nephews  both trustees of the estate of their parents and the guardians of the Garbo artifacts  appear to be embroiled in a nasty dispute over the ownership of the items.

AP

Grandnephew Craig Reisfield of Mill Valley alleges that his brother, Derek, of San Francisco appropriated the items and, when questioned about their whereabouts, coerced their mother, Gray Reisfield  Garbos niece and sole beneficiary of her estate  into signing a backdated document giving the items to Derek.

Derek misappropriated the statuette and scrimshaw and then attempted to conceal his malfeasance by having Gray sign backdated gift letters, the lawsuit filed March 15 in Marin County Superior Court alleges.

Derek Reisfield  a prominent venture capitalist, a founder of the MarketWatch financial news site and a member of the board of directors of the San Francisco Zoo  did not immediately return requests seeking comment. His lawyer, Marc Axelbaum, said it was unfortunate that Craig has publicly aired the familys personal and private business, and added that his client strongly disagrees with the allegations and intends to contest them vigorously in court.

Craig Reisfield, a longtime financial adviser, told the court that his brother had concealed his actions for months and admitted taking the statuette and the tooth only after family members had reported to police that the mementos were missing from Gray Reisfields apartment in New York City, which formerly belonged to the actress.

Asked to describe why he brought the action against his brother, Craig Reisfield said Friday, The action speaks for itself. It was my preference to settle this thing and not to go this (legal) route, but I decided to let the process play out. Its absolutely incredible, and very unfortunate.

In seeking to have his brother removed as trustee of the family trust, Craig Reisfield told the court his mother was not in a position to sign away the objects because failing mental capacity meant she could not name the current president, could not recall her birth date (and) could not say what year it was.

According to court documents, Derek Reisfield disputes that account and maintains his mother signed over the items to him in 2014 and that they are rightfully his.

How much the gold-plated statuette may be worth on the open market is hard to know. The award was given to Garbo in 1954 to mark not a specific performance but her entire screen career. Other Oscars have sold at auction for a few thousand dollars to up to $1.5 million, depending on whose Oscar it was. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the statuettes, has a policy that Oscars may not be resold, but its ability to enforce that policy is far from clear.

Its a unique object of significance, both to movie history and to family history, said Craig Reisfields lawyer, John J. Stein.

The value of the carved whale tooth, or scrimshaw, is harder to determine. It depicts an image of a sailing ship, and it was once on display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston. Websites offer similar specimens for sale for prices ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. But a whale tooth given by a legendary president to a legendary actress could be worth much more.

The Swedish-born actress, three times nominated for an Academy Award, was one of Hollywoods greatest stars from the 1920s to the 1940s. She starred in such classics as Mata Hari, Camille and Ninotchka.

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Playing the part of a troubled Russian ballerina in Grand Hotel, which won the best picture Oscar for 1932, Garbo famously uttered the plea, I want to be alone. Years later, the actress  known for valuing her privacy  said that the line I want to be let alone was more accurate when applied to her. She died in 1990 at the age of 84.

In a 2005 interview in a Swedish newspaper, Derek Reisfield recalled Garbo as always very generous  she would joke a lot. She was extremely funny and liked practical jokes and gadgets and things like that. She loved small children.

She was an extraordinary person, but you just did not think or worry about what she or who she was, he said. She was my great-aunt.

A judge has scheduled a hearing on the brothers dispute for April 17 in San Rafael.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF
More than a dozen residents of an Oakland apartment building were displaced when their units were damaged in a fire early Sunday, authorities said.

Firefighters responded around 3:45 a.m. to the blaze at 3814 39th Avenue near MacArthur Boulevard, said Oakland Fire Battalion Chief James Bowron.

Fourteen adults and two children were displaced. Six units in total were damaged  two by fire, two by smoke and two by water, Bowron said. The building has about 40 apartment units.

One woman, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a hospital for treatment of a condition that Bowron said was not related to the fire.

She was having chest pains, so it could be secondary from seeing the fire, he said. She was not a burn victim.

No other injuries were reported.

Residents were already evacuating the three-story structure when firefighters arrived. One man jumped from a second-story window and landed on the front lawn of the building. Bowron said the man was not injured.

The apartments that sustained damage from the fire will have to be completely rebuilt, Bowron said, but the other residents could be back in their homes quickly, depending on how fast the landlord decides to move.

Bowron said firefighters were working with PG&E to restore power for the remaining residents.

The blaze was extinguished within about 45 minutes, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Bowron said.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Applications from international students to the University of California have fallen for the first time in 12 years  reversing an era of robust global interest in the famed public institution, a Chronicle analysis shows.

The drop-off follows more than a decade in which the number of international applications rose by an average of 21 percent a year  or more than 2,500 annually  and coincides with the election of President Trump. UCs application period for fall 2017 was the month of November 2016. Trump was elected on Nov. 8.

International undergraduate applications for next fall dropped by 1 percent from the prior year to 32,647, a decline of 353 requests. Applications from Mexico plunged by 30 percent. Countries with large populations of Muslims collectively sent in 10 percent fewer applications.

The last time undergraduates from around the world shied away from UC, the United States had just led a multinational invasion of Iraq in 2003. The war coincided with a plunge in international interest in UC campuses and other American universities in 2004 and 2005 that even post-9/11 security crackdowns had failed to achieve.

Now the phenomenon appears to be back  not only at UC, but at campuses across the country, according to a new national survey of 261 colleges and universities by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Nearly 40 percent of those schools reported a drop in international applications of at least 2 percent, with the greatest decrease from countries in the Middle East.

The perception is that this administration wants to keep these students out, said Melanie Gottlieb, the associations deputy director. Admissions officers reported that would-be applicants expressed concerns about negative rhetoric around the Muslim faith, and immigration changes  even before the (aborted) travel ban from Muslim-majority countries, Gottlieb said.

Asked to respond, a representative from the U.S. Department of Education said only, We cant speculate.

The UC application numbers analyzed by The Chronicle reflect undergraduates hoping to transfer in or start as freshmen. Graduate-level data were not immediately available  but many graduate students say they feel concern after the Trump administrations two attempts to block citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. These students say they want to minimize their risks when they pick a place to study. So the idea of obtaining a student visa, then possibly learning their home country has been banned, is chilling.

Rozhin, 35, lives in Iran and spoke on condition her last name not be used. She has a masters degree in fine arts and had hoped to apply to art schools in the U.S. this year. Thats changed.

Applying to U.S. schools seems very risky to me because even if I get admitted and get a visa, I dont know what might happen in the future and what new rules can surface, she said in an email interview.

Some students from abroad fear they could get stuck if they returned home to visit their families.

With the news around banning people from Iran and few other countries, I no longer can consider applying to U.S. schools because there are too many uncertainties and potential hardships when it comes to visiting my family, said Shilan, 22, an Iranian who asked that her full name not be used. She said shell apply to graduate programs in the United Kingdom and Turkey instead.

About 1 million college students from other countries study in the United States, or 5 percent of the total enrollment, according to the Institute of International Education. The population has risen steadily for decades, but has soared by 41 percent since 2009.

California colleges host more of those students than any other state  about 150,000, the institute reports. Last fall, UC admitted 17,339 freshmen from other countries to its nine undergraduate campuses. The vast majority, 83 percent, came from 21 countries.

This year, in an unusual turn, fewer students in 15 of those countries applied to UC than last year. Seven of those countries  United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the Philippines  have large Muslim populations. Collectively, applications from those countries dropped by 10 percent, to 1,561 from 1,727.

Also, fewer students are applying to UC from Mexico, a country Trump is seeking to literally wall off from the United States. Applications fell 30 percent since last year  to 98 from 140.

UC Berkeley saw a 1 percent drop in freshman applications from other countries after years of annual increases that ranged from 7 to 50 percent. UC Riversides international freshman applications also fell, by 2 percent. UCs seven other undergraduate campuses had increases  but far fewer than in previous years. The increase at UC Davis, for example, was 3 percent for next fall, compared with 21 percent for last fall. A similar pattern repeated at the other campuses.

The UC brand remains very strong among international students, said Stephen Handel, the universitys associate vice president for undergraduate admissions, who said he wasnt sure why international applications dipped this year.

Its really hard to tell at this point, he said. Of course, the national dialogue (about immigration) is out there. Students around the world read the newspaper. But there are other things in play.

He said price might be a factor; UC recently increased the surcharge out-of-state residents pay by 5 percent, raising their annual tuition to $41,964 beginning this summer.

He acknowledged, though, that UC often raises its price, and global applications havent previously suffered.

Last year, when UC raised the surcharge by 8 percent, international applications still grew by 3,161. UC also increased the price by 8 percent the year before that, yet received 2,583 more international applications than the previous year.

Whatever the reason, Handel said, hes focusing on who actually enrolls, not on who expresses interest. And students havent made those decisions yet.

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But Gottlieb of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers said that looking at applications offers clues about what people around the world are thinking. Making them feel welcome confers unexpected benefits, she said.

When international students go back home, they become ambassadors in their country for U.S. education  and for U.S. economic interests because theyve had this positive experience in the United States, said Gottlieb of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

But without them, there are negative side effects, she said. Well lose the ability to capture that soft diplomacy.

The loss of innovation is another potential problem. Many innovators in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are immigrants who studied at American universities.

Mamoon Hamid, 39, came to the United States from Germany as a teenager. Hoping to become an astronaut with NASA, he studied electrical engineering at Purdue University, a school that has produced nearly two dozen astronauts selected for space flight.

Although Hamid never became an astronaut, today he is co-founder and general partner of Social Capital, a Palo Alto venture capital firm that invests in health care, education and financial services companies.

If he were a teenager now, Hamid said, he would not apply to the United States.

In the current environment, he said, I would say that America is a closed country  Id stay in Europe.

If many others do the same, Hamid said: We lose innovation. We lose people who want the American dream. We need that.

Hamed Aleaziz and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Haleaziz, @nanetteasimov
The big and bold blitz by Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers to raise the gas tax and vehicle license fee to pay for a $52 billion fix-up of the states crumbling roads, rails and bridges has hit a speed bump right here in the Bay Area  thanks to a trio of suburban lawmakers saying, Not so fast.

The lead doubter is state Sen. Steve Glazer, a moderate Democrat whose district stretches from Livermore up to Orinda and over to Brentwood. Not only is he tax-averse, but his single biggest concern is outlawing BART strikes like the two that made life miserable for his constituents in 2013  and word is, he wont vote for the transportation package unless it contains such a ban.

Glazer declined to comment on his discussions with Brown and legislative leaders on what it will take to get his vote  other than to say he wanted a guarantee that any package would include a commitment to reliable transit.

He definitely wants that, said fellow Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, who has talked with Glazer a number of times about the BART strike ban.

Heres the problem for Glazer: Legislative Democrats, heavily dependent on union money and ground troops to get elected, are not likely to vote to ban BART strikes.

Id be surprised if the Legislature went for it, Wiener said. But Steve is passionate about it.

He added, I wouldnt vote for it.

The two other Bay Area question marks on the mega-transportation and tax plan are Democratic Assemblyman Timothy Grayson of Concord and GOP Assemblywoman Catharine Baker of San Ramon  both from the same neck of the woods as Glazer.

Even though shes a Republican  the only GOP legislator from the Bay Area  Baker sometimes votes with Democrats. Not often, though: The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association gave her a 75 percent rating in 2016.

Like any bill that comes before me, I will give it thoughtful consideration, but I will tell you this plan has some very tough sledding ahead of it, Baker said. It certainly does with me.

These are significant tax and fee increases, Baker added, and the legislation lacks the reforms to Caltrans that would be needed to make sure that we are spending the money in the right way.

Grayson said in a statement that he was waiting until language of the deal is released before taking a position.

The three lawmakers are outliers in a Bay Area legislative delegation whose districts tend to be more tax-friendly.

It doesnt have everything I wanted, Wiener said of the package, but we did get a threefold increase in mass transit money, so Im for it.

Even the governor, however, admits that a 12-cent hike in gas taxes and increased fees on vehicle registrations ranging from $25 to $175 are a heavy lift. And hell need every vote he can get, because the package requires two-thirds support in both the Assembly and Senate to pass.

A 2015 poll by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies found Californians strongly opposed (74 percent) to increasing vehicle registration fees. They also opposed (63 percent) raising the gas tax. Those voters disapproved of the increases even when told they would fund road repairs.

Last week, a KPIX-5/Survey USA statewide poll found that only 23 percent of Californians surveyed think taxes and fees need to be raised for roads, compared with 61 percent who think Caltrans should spend its money more efficiently.

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 governor and legislative leaders have set a deadline of Thursday to pass the package, with the Senate being the first stop.

The idea is to get momentum going for what could be an even harder sell in the state Assembly, said one source involved in the discussions.

All of which bring the focus back to Glazer  and its one reason Brown, state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon descended on Concord the other day, in the heart of Glazers district, to push for the plan.

If we dont do it, the roads will crumble, the governor warned.

Not that the show of force is likely to affect Glazer. Hes never gotten much help from leading Democrats.

When he ran for the Senate, the state Democratic Party endorsed his opponent. He was Browns chief strategist in the 2010 gubernatorial election, but when Glazer made a run four years later for the seat Baker eventually won, the governor declined to endorse him.

Thats left the governor and legislative leaders with precious few favors that Glazer needs to repay.
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A 50-year-old man was arrested in Bodega Bay on Saturday after kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office said.

Timothy Lee Marble, a Napa resident, was arrested about 5:40 a.m. at Highway 1 near South Harbour Way when he called 911 saying his companion had jumped out of his car and run away, sheriffs Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a statement.

When deputies arrived at the scene, Crum said, the girl stumbled out of the bushes, covered in road scars. She told deputies that Marble had raped her, Crum said.

The girl was immediately transported to a local hospital and was reunited with her mother.

Investigators determined that the girl ran away from her Napa home Thursday night after getting into an argument with her mother. She was at a Napa gas station about 3 a.m. Friday, just hours after running away, when she met Marble, Crum said.

The account of the assault is based upon information provided by the girl, Crum said.

He has a different side of it, but theres definitely probable cause in making the arrest, Crum said of Marble. His accounts of the event differed somewhat. Some corroboration and some distortion.

The girl told deputies that Marble said he would give her a ride and told her to get into his red Chevy pickup. He drove her to an unknown location, where they smoked marijuana and Marble made sexual advances toward the victim, Crum said.

When the girl rejected his advances, she told deputies, Marble tied her to a tree and sexually assaulted her, Crum said.

After untying her, Marble put her back in the truck and used a syringe to inject her with methamphetamine, Crum said. He then assaulted her two more times, and used a razor blade and knife to make superficial cuts to her leg and to scratch his name onto her skin, Crum said.

Marbles name was still visible on the girls skin, Crum said.

As Marble continued driving to Bodega Bay, the victim jumped out of the moving truck and ran into the bushes, she told deputies. Marble stopped his truck, called out to her and threatened to kill her, according to Crums statement.

When she didnt answer, Marble called 911, Crum said.

Marble was arrested on 11 felony counts of sexual acts with a minor, kidnapping and child abuse. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. As of Sunday, Crum said Marble did not have a lawyer, and he refused to answer more questions without a lawyer present.

Marble has a long criminal history and is a felon convicted of drug charges. Police said he had no previous sexual assault charges.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
The AAP had approached the Election Commission over the reliability of the EVMs after its defeat in the Punjab Assembly election.

By India Today Web Desk: The Election Commission on Sunday asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to introspect on the reasons for the party's defeat in the recently held Assembly election in Punjab, instead of blaming the EVMs. The EC also made it clear that only a high court can order verification of votes cast in the polls with data of paper trail.

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In a letter to AAP, the EC said it was time for the AAP "to introspect as to why your party could not perform as per your expectations and it is unfair on your part to attribute unsatisfactory poll performance of your party to the alleged tamperability of EVMS." The EC said as per election law, after declaration of results only alternative available to verify the data of votes cast is to file an Election Petition before the High Court concerned.

After the election results that was declared on March 11, the AAP had had alleged that poll authorities in Punjab had refused to accept its demand to tally results with paper trail audit. The AAP had moved the EC and raised the issue of reliability of the EVMs. The AAP had also raised concerns over the results of Punjab Assembly polls.

The Commission said no credible material had been brought to the knowledge of authorities during and at the time of EVM "mock drills" in Punjab elections to show alleged tampering in EVMs used in the state. "The Commission strongly objects to this wrong and imaginary extrapolation of (the) Supreme Court's order. This may please be noted as a responsible political party," it told AAP.

It said, "any surmise based on foreign studies or operating system based EVMs used elsewhere would be completely erroneous. The ECI-EVMs cannot be compared with those EVMs and ECI-EVMs are tamper-proof."

AAP RESPONSE TO EC LETTER

"It is unfortunate that instead of taking due action, the Election Commission is issuing political statement on the issue of EVM tampering. The incident of EVM tampering in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, where the VVPAT enabled EVM printed BJP's election symbol Lotus irrespective of the button pressed during a mock trial, has made it clear that Electronic Voting Machines are not tamper-proof. The incident shook the faith of millions of Indian voters in the impartiality of the Election Commission and the entire process of elections using Electronic Voting Machines.

The incident of Bhind has shown that the Election Commission has completely failed in its duty to protect the EVMs and the integrity of the election process and therefore failed in fulfilling its constitutional obligation of conducting free and fair elections.

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The Aam Aadmi Party urges the Election Commission that for the sake of the institution's dignity and credibility, it should take immediate action to restore faith of the common man in the electoral process. Turning a blind eye to the shocking reports trickling in from UP, Maharashtra, Punjab and now Madhya Pradesh would serve no purpose and would only erode the credibility of the Election Commission."

(With inputs from PTI)

Watch the video here:

Also read: AAP was sweeping Punjab, even BJP's Advani doubted EVMs: Kejriwal asks EC to probe alleged tampering

Also read: EVM tampering issue: Supreme Court wants Election Commission's reply within 4 weeks

--- ENDS ---
Hoodline reported recently that Ruben Flores, an Inner Sunset resident who had emblazoned a deep retaining wall at the back of his hillside home with the words No Ban, No Wall, had painted over the message. He said that someone had complained to the city, and that hed received a letter from authorities asking him to cover it, or the city would paint it over and charge him. When he learned he needed a permit, he decided to cover it up for now. Flores, born in Mexico and living in the United States for nine years, expressed disappointment that what he considered an act of conscience had been thwarted.

The citys Department of Public Works confirms that a blight notice was issued in late February. The DPWs Rachel Gordon says, however, that the property owner did not respond by telling DPW he wanted to retain the work. He could have informed us that he wanted it to remain (no permit required), and the blight notice would have been removed.

So this is a public service announcement: If its your own property, paint away, San Franciscans.

Susana Bates / Special to The Ch

The highlight of The Chronicles Visionary of the Year dinner on Thursday, March 30, was winner Priscilla Chans heartfelt response to her award. In a voice rough-edged by emotion, the pediatrician-philanthropist said she never could have imagined where her life would lead. In San Francisco, she said afterward, as admirers swarmed around, you can make amazing things happen.

The event, described in Bob Egelkos news story, was marked not only by a sense of community, but also by a lack of the political commentary that has so often dominated public occasions in recent months. It was a feel-good night.

That said, on the way out, I encountered Fine Arts Museums Board of Trustees President Dede Wilsey, usually a defender of the Republican party, who started our chat with a one-liner ( Trump went to Washington and thought he could play Monopoly, but he ended up playing Sorry). She went on to express anger about proposed federal budget cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, especially focusing on the threatened abolition of the governments Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Program that insures art sent from abroad to be shown in U.S. exhibitions.

Cutting the program would be devastating to our museums, she said, and she is setting out for New York and Washington to talk to every politician Ive ever given money to. Im calling in my markers. Its a no-brainer. Theres no downside to the program. And the NEA cant go away.

The scheduled April 11 appearance of political trickster Roger Stone at the Commonwealth Club is off. This was not due to criticism from locals whod complained about his tactics and his vulgar responses to political adversaries. The cancellation came from Stone himself, who is the subject of a Senate Intelligence Committee investigation about connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. He tweeted: I have canceled my speech at the Commonwealth Club in SF  death threats. Shame. Was looking forward to lunch with my pal Willie Brown. (Incidentally, the April 19 program with former Mexican President Vicente Fox, mentioned herein a few days ago  still on  is a Commonwealth Club event, too.)

The San Francisco Symphonys tribute to Brent Assink, the executive director who left that job at the end of March, was, as Joshua Kosman has written, a perfect evening, during which much polished language  unquestionably the finest ... simply the best ... highest standards, said event chair John Goldman  was employed to describe the honoree.

Tall and lanky Assink has a kind of Midwestern grace, and while of course he was pleased to be so honored at an all-out admiration-fest, modesty is his natural mode. When past board President Nancy Bechtle presented him with a custom-made leather jacket with Eagle-Eye Assink on the back (because he was noted for catching typos in symphony paperwork), he modeled it but didnt strut.

Assink was lauded as a smart and effective administrator, but there was more to be said: When it was maestro Michael Tilson Thomas turn at the microphone, he recalled a long-ago gig conducting the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Upon arrival, I was met by a young man who was an artistic liaison. He was very tall and very good-looking. I am happy to say that I behaved in a most respectful manner. Even though he told me that he was an organist.

I thought it would be rude to turn around to see whether Assink was blushing.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

A cane is like a training bra: It provides temporary support and then, hopefully, you outgrow it.

Elderly man to elderly man, overheard at Moonstone Restaurant in Cambria

(San Luis Obispo County)

by Steve Abney
PHOENIX  Good morning and welcome to the Giants fourth Opening Day at Chase Field in six years. Its a tradition like no other.

(Dont sue me, Masters. You cant draw blood from a stone.)

This is also my first pregame post of the year. I and my colleagues who cover games will have these daily with lineups and any pregame news and analysis. So you might want to check back from time to time to see if theres anything new.

I always retweet the link. Please follow me @hankschulman.

We have some early news that is not earth-shattering, but still important for those who follow the team deeply.

The Giants set their roster, and as expected outfielder Chris Marrero, infielder Aaron Hill and reliever Neil Ramirez have made the team. The Giants needed to clear three 40-man roster spots and did so by placing Will Smith on the 60-day disabled list and designating for assignment pitchers Ray Black and Ian Gardeck.

Trevor Brown and Mac Williamson have the honor of being the first Giants played on the new 10-day disabled list.

Gardeck had Tommy John surgery last spring. Black is a hard thrower who has been beset by arm injuries.

The Giants theoretically could have placed Gardeck on the 60-man as well, ensuring he would remain with the organization, but they would have had to promote him to the big-league club and immediately disable him. They then would have had to pay him the major-league minimum rather than his minor-league salary.

In truth, this is a good time to DFA players. Most teams have set their 40-man rosters after much discussion and think long and hard before claiming a player. Chances are both pitchers clear waivers and can be outrighted to the minors.

The Giants, by the way, are 2-1 in the three openers at Chase since 2012. They lost that year behind Tim Lincecum but won in 2014 and 2015 behind Madison Bumgarner.

Theyve won three straight season openers overall.

An earlier version of this story had Joe Panik hitting ninth behin Madison Bumgarner. That was never the case. The Diamondbacks inadvertantly posted the wrong lineup in the media work room.

A few other notes:

Hill, who wore number 94 in spring training, has changed to 7, which was Gregor Blancos.

Bochy said he is comfortable using any right-handed reliever against left-handed hitters now that he has only one lefty (Ty Blach) in the bullpen. But he acknowledged that Derek Law might be the optimal choice because he has four pitches and moves the ball in and out well. He actually had a lower batting average allowed against lefties (.188) than righties (.232) as a rookie.

Will Smith, who had Tommy John surgery Tuesday, is here. He was wearing street clothes in the clubhouse and did not plan to go onto the field for introductions. It wouldnt feel right, he said.

The Giants are not interested in outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., who was cut from the Blue Jays.

Sounds like Triple-A Sacramento will not have many similiar lineups from one day to the next. Bochy said Jae-gyun Hwang will play third, first and left. Christian Arroyo will move around the infield. Kelby Tomlinson will play second and short, and Orlando Calixte will be at second, short and center.

The lineups:

GIANTS

Span CF

Belt 1B

Pence RF

Posey C

Crawford SS

Nunez 3B

Parker LF

Panik 2B

Bumgarner P

DIAMONDBACKS

Pollock CF

Owings SS

Goldschmidt 1B

Lamb 3B

Tomas LF

Drury 2B

Peralta RF

Mathis C

Greinke P

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman
Kendall Graveman puts everything in motion Monday night at the Coliseum, but the As starter will be trying not to get too amped up.

I think its about keeping the adrenaline down, not throwing through the sink, being about to locate, breathe and get the first out, the first inning, first pitch, whatever under your belt, Graveman said. And, hey, the 2017 season will start on my first pitch.

Sonny Gray would have pitched in this slot were it not for a lat strain that will keep him out until late April, but Graveman had the better season of the two last year. He planned to talk to Gray on Sunday about how he handled pitching Opening Night each of the two previous seasons.

Two years ago, I was able to see him go (eight) innings, and he dominated, Graveman said of Grays one-hit outing against Texas in 2015, the As only win in an opener in the past 12 years. It is a big night. Its Opening Night. Theres going to be a lot of hoopla, but you have to go out with the same mind-set every time.

Graveman had a cold last week, but he said Saturday that he has fully recovered and is feeling good.

The Angels are coming off a fourth-place finish, and their starting pitching is something of a question mark, but the As havent won a season series against them since 2013 and know what theyre facing.

Youd like to get off to a good start in your division, and the Angels present many challenges, manager Bob Melvin said. They have some very high-profile guys, they like to hit and run, create some action, so we have to be ready for that kind of thing. They always have the potential to be a very good team with guys like Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.

Opener in Oakland: The As are expecting a sellout to open the 2017 season, and there are two pregame ceremonies.

At 6:20 p.m., radio broadcaster Ken Korach and members of Bill Kings family will unveil a plaque commemorating the late As play-by-play man that will be placed on the plaza level above home plate. The Frick Award will go to King during the Hall of Fame induction weekend in July.

After that, a field named for Rickey Henderson will be dedicated; the scout who signed him, James Guinn, will be among those on hand.

Joshua Henry, who plays Aaron Burr in Hamilton, will sing the national anthem, and Hamilton cast members will sing God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Monday

vs. Angels

7:05 p.m. NBCSCA, ESPN2

Nolasco (8-14) vs. Graveman (10-11)

Tuesday

vs. Angels

7:05 p.m. No TV

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.

Shoemaker (9-13) vs. Manaea (7-9)

Wednesday

vs. Angels

7:05 p.m. NBCSCA

Richards (1-3) vs. Cotton (2-0)

Leading off

Dedication: As players will line up for the ceremony to name the playing surface Rickey Henderson Field. I know Rickey thinks he could still play, and I dont doubt he could, catcher Stephen Vogt said. Hes one of the greatest of all time. Its pretty cool for us to be around while theyre honoring him.

 Susan Slusser
In early February, Jennifer Gorovitz disembarked at Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport at the end of the 14-hour flight from San Francisco International Airport and headed to passport control.

The passport agent peppered the vice president for finance at the New Israel Fund, a nonprofit that awards grants to civil rights groups in Israel, with questions about her visit for a board meeting and what the organization does. We promote civil society, Gorovitz told him. According to Gorovitz, the agent replied: Yeah right, civil society for Palestinians.

Im not really understanding whats happening here, Gorovitz told the agent after the questions continued for a while. Im a former CEO of the San Francisco Jewish Federation; Ive advocated for Israel my whole life; Ive raised millions of dollars for Israel.

Still, Gorovitz was taken to a separate area and questioned for another 90 minutes when finally, after colleagues intervened on her behalf, she was allowed to enter.

I was upset, Gorovitz told me. My whole belief system was turned upside down.

After the incident was reported in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the New Israel Fund received an apology from the director general of Israels Population and Immigration Authority.

A few days later, Israel rejected the visa application of a Human Rights Watch researcher, Omar Shakir. Then in early March, the Knesset  Israels parliament  passed a law blocking activists calling for an international boycott of Israel from gaining entry to the country. Israels frustration with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, or BDS, campaign has grown in recent years. And the law, proponents said, was designed to keep out haters. (The New Israel Fund does not support the movement.)

Israel has turned back ardent critics at the border before. But formalizing a political litmus test for entry shows just how threatened it feels by the boycott campaign and just how far to the right the country has moved.

The law makes no distinction between those who advocate a complete boycott of anything Israeli  academics, wine, technology  and those who support a much narrower boycott of Jewish settlements and the products manufactured there. The latter is designed to pressure Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and enable Palestinian statehood and has wider support, especially among liberal American Jews.

In fact, the law wont lessen international censure. Only an end to the occupation has a shot at doing that, though many Israelis will point to previous Israeli withdrawals from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip and tell you no matter what Israel does, the world will still be against it.

What the law will do is further alienate progressive American Jews already concerned about the direction Israel is headed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus public fondness for President Trump despite the xenophobic and racist tones of his campaign and early policy moves wont make this community feel any more at ease. The March 22 Senate confirmation of U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who personally funded settlements and referred to the liberal American Jewish organization JStreet as far worse than kapos (concentration camp prisoners who performed tasks for the Nazis), only heightened the apprehension. At his confirmation hearing, Friedman called his choice of words hurtful and said he deeply regretted saying them. Still, JStreet has seen a recent spike in support, including here in the Bay Area.

Israel can pass whatever law it wants, Ori Nir, spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, told Israels i24NEWS after the bill passed. But it should be cognizant of the repercussions. The repercussions here are dissing a huge sector of a very pro-Israel American demographic.

Nir described his boss  a woman born in 1948, the year of Israels founding  as someone who has spent her adult life fighting for Israel. But because she supports boycotting settlement products, she wont be able to visit Israel.

Israeli officials I spoke to say such concerns are exaggerated and in fact only the most vocal leaders of the BDS campaign will likely be blocked. The Knesset still has to coordinate how the law will be implemented. Most likely if you are a Bay Area resident who liked a tweet or Facebook post about the boycott and are planning to visit Israel, you should have no problem.

I believe the intention of the law is to address  people who are discriminating against Israelis, just because theyre Israelis, Israels consul general in San Francisco Andy David told me, referring to the groups that actively try to block Israelis from participating in academic forums and similar gatherings. I would say, generally speaking, to Jews in the Bay Area that theyre always welcome and theyre welcome to criticize Israel if they feel the need to do that.

So the law may be largely symbolic and the Gorovitz incident may have been a mistake  all other New Israel Fund board members traveling from abroad entered the country without impediment. But they also could be a harbinger of more harassment of visitors the current Israeli government deems hostile.

This would be a mistake. Demonizing Americans, particularly American Jews, who love Israel but want an end to settlements and the occupation, makes no sense. If Netanyahu, as he likes to say, really sees himself as the leader of all the Jewish people, he should answer the concerns of this community, rather than seek to silence it. Israel doesnt have friends to spare.

Janine Zacharia, a former Washington Post Jerusalem bureau chief, teaches journalism at Stanford University. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
April 4, 1984, is the day that Winston Smith, the protagonist of George Orwells classic tale 1984, began his revolt against Big Brother and the Party. In solidarity with this dystopian antihero and to punctuate a resistance to President Trump, more than 100 movie theaters nationwide will screen 1984 on Tuesday.

But whats the point? The rule of the Party is forever, as OBrien, a Party elite, tells Smith.

We just witnessed the futility of our election system, the powerlessness of our voice, and the meaninglessness of our alleged choice between the lesser of two evils. For all our downtown marches sound and fury, for all our pink hats and cardboard signs, what does it all mean?

Are we living in Orwells world?

In his world, three superpowers control the planet and are at constant pointless war with each others weakest allies, colonizing villagers and ostensibly vying for the cheap labor of Africans, Indians and others in what we call the developing world. Rather than have any principled basis or aim at truly destroying the opposing mega-state, the continuous war is waged only to consume the time and energy of the people who create the weapons and goods needed for war. Their efforts are literally blown up in battle rather than being used for publicly enriching social services. By keeping the people poor, ignorant, sickly and tired from working long hours, the power elite in 1984 seeks solely to maintain power for its own sake.

In our world, the billionaire class has taken control of our government and creates policies that benefit the 1 percent while cutting services for the 99 percent. We spend about a fifth of our federal budget on defense-related expenditures, we lack universal health care, and our public schools and infrastructure are deeply underfunded. Weve been involved in questionable military conflicts for decades against opponents whom we demonize in the media and seemingly are never able to defeat.

In Orwells world, the Party creates history at whim, having elite members constantly fabricate and re-edit events in order to reflect the Partys ever-changing perspective on any issue or entity. Similarly, the Party creates science itself on the premise that if we all believe something to be true, then it is. The Party ensures that all people think what the Party wants them to think, be it that the Earth is the center of the universe or that 2 + 2 = 5.

Doublethink is a Party axiom defined as knowing something to be a lie yet believing it anyway out of Party loyalty. But when employed by enemies, it is defined simply as evil deceit. For example, the Partys war department is called the Ministry of Peace, the torture department is the Ministry of Love, and the censorship and fake news department is the Ministry of Truth.

Doesnt this reflect the upside-down choices President Trump has made to fill key Cabinet positions with billionaires whose life work and principles oppose the very missions of the departments theyre supposed to lead? Its Orwellian that Trump and friends weekly spew alternative facts regarding key issues meant to foment public fear, namely that 3 million people voted illegally in our last election or that he was wiretapped by President Barack Obama and British intelligence. Trump has had removed from the White House website and thus has disavowed all references to hard science such as climate change and social science regarding LGBTQ rights. Hes editing science to support his executive orders.

As an Inner Party member tells Smith, If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face  forever. It is this militant boot that movements such as Black Lives Matter and the Womens March on Washington are fighting to throw off. The resistance movement has been exceptionally strong over the past year, with American Indians coming together with activists nationwide to fight oil pipelines; tens of thousands protesting weekly against Trumps efforts to curb civil rights; national leaders, foreign and domestic, critiquing this administrations unprecedented rollbacks on social welfare, immigration reform and climate change efforts; and now congressional investigations into Russia-related activities of Trumps inner circle.

The Partys three slogans  War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength  as Orwell wrote in 1948, point out the absurd hypocrisy that the Party uses to dupe the people and to which almost all of them patriotically succumb. But not us  we resist. Go see 1984 on Tuesday to beat the drum of resistance and to honor the memory of a revolutionary forebear who, surviving the era of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, knew too well what the likes of brothers Trump, Tillerson, Bannon, Sessions and Kushner and Sister DeVos are up to.

Ali Ebrahimzadeh is an attorney practicing law in California, New York, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. (www.aeesq.com). To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.

Screenings of 1984

Where: Go to www.unitedstateofcinema.com to find one of the 29 art houses in California showing the film starring John Hurt.

When: Tuesday, April 4
Californias justice system has an inequality problem that is so obvious, so glaring, that a wide-ranging coalition of legal advocates  from civil liberties organizations to the California chief justice  have come together to change it.

Its the bail system.

The idea behind the cash bail system was that a defendant awaiting trial who had given the court a large sum of his or her money would be less likely to skip town.

It may sound sensible, but in practice, Californias approach to bail has exacerbated economic inequality and created a two-tiered system of justice before defendants even face their trial.

The median bail amount in California is $50,000. Meanwhile, a recent survey by the U.S. Federal Reserve found that 46 percent of Americans couldnt afford even a $400 emergency expense.

So in a state like California, which has the nations highest poverty rate by some measures, what that has meant is that wealthy defendants have been able to buy their way out of jail before trial  and everyone else has not.

More than 60 percent of the people in our jails are awaiting their trials or sentencing. California taxpayers spend more than $4.5 million every day on the unsentenced jail population.

There are additional costs, too, for those stuck in custody because they couldnt afford to pay their bail. They suffer major disruptions in their work and family lives that can reinforce the cycle of poverty.

This is inequitable and unjust, and has nothing to do with public safety. (A wealthier defendant isnt necessarily safer for the public, shes just wealthier.)

There are ways to scale back the use of bail without compromising public safety, and California needs to try them.

State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and state Sen. Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, have introduced AB42 and SB10. These are companion pieces of legislation that would facilitate the use of evidence-based pretrial assessment tools for judges as an alternative to the cash bail system.

The bills would require certain arrested people to receive pretrial risk assessments, which will be passed on to a magistrate or judge for a decision. Then its up to the judge to decide whether the arrested person can be released on his or her own recognizance, with or without certain conditions (like an ankle bracelet, for example).

There are classes of defendants  including those charged with domestic violence, stalking, rape and other violent or serious felonies  who would not be eligible for the assessment procedure.

It may sound like a huge change, but when it comes to reducing the use of cash bail, California is actually late to the party.

State legislatures are taking their cues from states such as Kentucky, which has seen early success with its fledgling assessment program, and cities such as Washington, D.C., where nearly 88 percent of defendants are already being released without cash bail.

Bay Area counties are also in the forefront.

San Francisco has been using a pretrial assessment program on a pilot basis, and the county is expecting a savings from jail usage of at least $3 million per year.

Santa Clara County has been using a risk assessment program to reduce its jail population, and it has saved $33 million in six months  with a 99 percent public safety rate for the defendants released.

Any assessment tool will have to be means-tested and evidence-based, and judges will probably use it cautiously at first. But this is a criminal justice reform that must go forward, and the state Legislature should approve these bills.
BAKERSFIELD  Even as Kern County wrestles with the impacts of its stalled, two-pronged economy of oil and agriculture, change is coming and potential new avenues for growth are appearing.

Bakersfield College, perched high above the dusty, 10,000-acre Kern River oil field where thousands of rigs pump 24/7, is seeing a surge in enrollment. Many of the new students are crowding into the short-term, employment-friendly vocational classes the community college offers.

Were running out of space for things like welding and auto technology, said Janet Fulks, the colleges dean of institutional effectiveness. She said overall enrollment has grown by more than 4,000 students since 2014, during the peak of the drought and the start of the oil price decline.

Many of those students are older, she added, and arent looking for a two-year degree.

Were offering skills classes with a compressed schedule so that students can complete them in a matter of weeks, instead of an entire semester, Fulks said. Students can take classes like arc welding and work beyond the oil fields.

The countys growing reputation as a hub for alternative energy also points to a different  and greener  future for the community.

With huge windmills spinning in the Tejon Pass and along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains, Kern County now leads U.S. counties in wind power capacity. Fields that used to sprout cotton plants and row crops now sparkle with acres of solar panels.

Kern County already produces more renewable energy than any other county in the state, according to the California Energy Commission, and the numbers are growing as more companies invest in solar and wind power.

If there is a positive thing out of the (oil price crash), its the shift to green energy, which is keeping some people here, said Rob England, field organizer for the Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Central Labor Council.

For a number of suddenly unemployed oil workers, the alternative energy world provided a soft landing.

When union electricians were hit by the same layoffs that devastated the local oil business, it was anything but a disaster for them, said Brian Holt, assistant business manager of Local 428 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Bakersfield.

When a number of the oil companies cut to skeleton crews, our members were able to move straight over, to solar energy jobs, with virtually no one going without work, Holt said.

President Trumps affinity for the coal industry and his skepticism about global warming have raised questions about the future of alternative energy. But its not just the president who could slow the green energy boom in Kern County.

We need a real concentration into the green economy, and the only way we can do that is through education and training, England said. But the problem with Kern is Kern. A lot of people believe in climate change, but some people dont. And every time you say something not complimentary to the oil business, you get attacked.

Change is even spreading to farming, an industry that often has been slow to adapt.

Not that many years ago, cotton was king in Kern County. By 2015, though, cotton couldnt crack the countys list of the top 15 crops.

Cotton is a thirsty crop, said Beatris Espericueta Sanders, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau. So farmers are replacing cotton and vegetables with permanent crops, like nut orchards, that can live with drip irrigation.

Another possible path away from reliance on agriculture and energy: logistics.

Kern County is one of the logistical centers of the state, where Highway 99 and Interstate 5 meet, said county Supervisor Leticia Perez. We have a Target distribution center and are trying to attract similar businesses to diversify the county economy.

Already, huge warehouses are being built around the community of Grapevine, 30 miles south of Bakersfield and less than a two-hour drive from downtown Los Angeles and the rest of the vast Southern California market.

But even with these changes, theres still plenty to worry about in Kern County, said Perez.

Development is a moving target. I listened to people tell me how uncertain the process is, since so many challenges can occur legally, she said. Its so uncertain it doesnt always make sense to make commitments for years down the road.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth
PHOENIX  Saying the technology is unproven and potentially dangerous, state senators voted Thursday to block any state or local law allowing people to purchase only "smart'' guns.

Part of what is in HB 2216 precludes any sort of mandatory tracking technology on guns. That includes not only being able to locate weapons using GPS technology but also having weapons that can send out an electronic message when they have been fired.

But most of the debate Thursday surrounded the development of weapons that know who is supposed to be able to fire it and, more to the point, who is not. And HB 2216 if it becomes law says what's offered for sale in Arizona can't be limited to those guns.

That stance bothered Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson.

"This technology holds the promise of potentially, particularly with fingerprint recognition before it's able to be triggered, of stopping the horrible tragedy of children finding a gun, playing with it, and then killing themselves or others,'' he said. Farley said the same is true of a teen who is depressed taking his or her own life.

But Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said the flaw in those arguments is that the technology is not yet perfected. And the result, he said, is someone who and is rightly entitled to use the weapon may find it does not work when needed.

Anyway, he said, it's not like anything in the legislation precludes Arizonans from buying one of these guns.

"It simply prevents any government entity from mandating that's the only type of weapon you can buy,'' Kavanagh said.

None of that satisfied Farley who argued, in essence, that guns without this technology are essentially defective products because of how dangerous they are. And that, he said, should make the sale of anything other than smart guns illegal.

"You can't buy certain car seats that have proven defective,'' Farley said. And he said the Consumer Product Safety Commission bans the sale of items that cause death and injury.

"Sometimes, when there's the possibility of saving innocent lives, you have to mandate something in order to make it happen,'' he said.

Several companies have been looking at the technology that is designed to ensure that only those authorized to use a weapon can actually get it to fire.

One example involves the use of some sort of radio-frequency fob or ring. Only if the weapon is in the proximity of that device will it work.

Another is similar to existing technology that allows a computer user to sign in and unlock the device with a fingerprint.

Kavanagh argued none of that is ready for prime time.

"The finger might be dirty,'' he said. "When the person needs the gun for self-defense it won't work.''

And then there are situations where the gun owner has been incapacitated.

"You might want a friend or a relative nearby to be able to use the weapon,'' Kavanagh said. "They would not be able to use it if they were not part of the system.''

Farley sniffed at the argument that the technology may not yet be fully perfected.

He said the federal government mandated the installation of seat belts in vehicles in the 1960s, long before they were as effective as they are now.

"That doesn't mean we should have banned people from being able to mandate seat belt use,'' Farley said. "And it saved lives even before it was perfected.''

Now, he said, seat belt technology is better at saving lives.

"So you shouldn't in advance stop people from mandating a technology that can save lives just because it doesn't absolutely work perfectly yet,'' Farley said.

Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, told colleagues they don't need to look far for situations where smart-gun technology would have saved a life.

He cited an incident last week in Phoenix where a 9-year-old was killed by his 2-year-old brother. In that case, Quezada said, the younger boy found a gun that parents had left "laying around'' the house.

"And a life was lost,'' he said.

Quezada said this isn't the kind of technology that should draw the opposition of gun-rights groups.

"We're not taking guns away from people who have the right to be using them,'' he said.

But Kavanagh noted that's only part of the objection to smart weapons. He said there's also "the problem with tracking,'' referring to the ability someone to use GPS to track a weapon and also be able to tell when it was fired.

The measure now needs a final roll-call vote. The House already has given preliminary approval to similar language.
The Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle.

By Press Trust of India: The Election Commission is set to buy next generation EVMs that become "inoperable" the moment attempts are made to tinker with it, a move which comes amid claims by some parties that the machines were tampered with during the recent assembly polls.

The 'M3'-type electronic voting machines (EVMs) are also equipped with a self-diagnostic system for authentication of genuineness of the machines.

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These will come with a public key interface-based mutual authentication system.

Only a "genuine" EVM -- manufactured either by atomic energy PSU ECIL or defence PSU BEL -- "communicates" with other EVMs in the field.

Any EVM manufactured by other companies would not be able to communicate with other machines, thus exposing it.

Around Rs 1,940 crore (excluding freight and taxes) will be required to procure the new machines which are likely to be introduced by 2018, a year before when the next Lok Sabha elections are due, the Law Ministry has said, quoting details made available by the Election Commission to be given to Parliament.

The Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle, he said.

On December 7 , the Union Cabinet had approved a fresh tranche of Rs 1,009 crore for the Election Commission to buy new EVMs so that it can phase out the ageing ones before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Cabinet had also authorised the Election Commission to vary the quantity to be ordered on BEL and ECIL based on their production capacity and past performance.

On July 20 last year, a similar Election Commission proposal to buy nearly 14 lakh new EVMs, the first tranche , at a cost of Rs 9,200 crore during 2016-17 was approved by the Union Cabinet.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Law Ministry had said that EC has not purchased a single new machine in the last three fiscals.

Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary had said that the poll panel has informed the government that it had not procured any electronic voting machine during 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Also Read:

EVM tampering issue: Supreme Court wants Election Commission's reply within 4 weeks

EVMs: Mayawati has a point, many countries have banned them since they can rig electionsAlso Watch:

Bhind EVM row: Top cop, district magistrate ousted in Madhya Pradesh after EC order

--- ENDS ---
BAKERSFIELD  The November election is far from over in the Central Valley.

All along Highway 99, which cuts through Californias agricultural heartland, are Donald Trumps weathered Make America Great Again campaign signs, many of them tied to the metal mesh farm wagons that haul crops from the fields.

Pasted to all those aging mini-billboards are newer notices reading, Thanks for voting, reminders of just who won the election. Here in the heart of Red State California, President Trumps victory has been a ray of hope in communities where the recession lingers.

We voted for (John) McCain, we voted for (Mitt) Romney, but we werent happy with it, said Cathy Abernathy, a Republican consultant in Bakersfield. We didnt have the faith in them we do in Trump.

But the fundamental disagreements that made the 2016 election so divisive  and continue to roil the country into the third month of Trumps presidency  are dotted all over the dusty landscape. For Kern County , how Trumps presidency plays out could be a matter of economic life or death.

Years of drought and tumbling oil prices have hammered an area where agriculture and energy have been the keys to the economy for more than a century. With unemployment, home foreclosures and Medi-Cal numbers among the highest in the state, residents of solidly Republican Kern County are looking to anything that can lead them back to prosperity.

Darrell Feil is co-owner of Abate-a-Weed in Bakersfield, which clears weeds and pests from oil field facilities and other property and sells outdoor power equipment like high-end mowers. Feil has helped build it into a far bigger company than the one his father opened in 1965 in an old Laundromat on the outskirts of town, but hes been feeling the financial pinch.

We want to create more jobs, but we havent been able to, Feil said, standing in his companys showroom. Weve had to put a freeze on hiring and pay increases, and we havent had to do that before. (My partner and) I have taken cuts.

Like many here, Feil viewed Trump as someone who could bring an end to the bad times, even if no one was exactly sure how.

People looked at Trump as someone who pretty much speaks his mind, who seems pretty authentic. I feel he understands business, Feil said. The new president has rough edges, theres no doubt about that. But you see what hes doing  cutting back the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), building pipelines  and you like that.

Not everyone in the Central Valley is a Trump fan. All around Kern County are signs and electronic billboards warning of the potential costs of the changes in Medicaid  known in California as Medi-Cal  the president and congressional Republicans have pushed as part of their failed  for now  effort to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Posted along Highway 99 and in some of Bakersfields poorest areas, the signs focus is Californias health care program for low-income people, which would have suffered a significant funding cut under the GOP plan: Lets Put Kern County First. Medi-Cal cuts = 4,000 Jobs Lost.

Others serve as bleak reminders of the financial woes the recession has brought to the Central Valleys hard-hit farming communities:

51% Merced County Residents Have Medi-Cal.

45% Madera County Covered by Medi-Cal.

50% Fresno County Covered by Medi-Cal.

55% Tulare County Residents Have Medi-Cal.

Were trying to remind people whats at stake, said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, the consumer advocacy group behind the campaign. We want to tell people that even if youre not on Medi-Cal, its a critical part of the health care system in your community.

But pushing back against the new president can be a hard sell in Kern County, where Trump pulled 53 percent of the presidential vote, the fourth-highest figure in the state, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a top GOP leader in Congress, represents most of the county. Combine that with a stalled local economy thats showing few signs of recovery and a Democratic-run state government many locals view as the enemy, and its no surprise that change, any change, is seen as a step toward a better future.

Trump, for instance, has argued that boosting domestic oil and gas production will mean more jobs for the energy industry, although its unclear what effect that change would have on the falling oil prices that get much of the blame for the local job losses.

In Kern, the numbers are shocking. Domestic crude oil from Chevrons sprawling Kern River oil field sold for $90 a barrel in 2014 before plummeting to $44 in 2015 and recovering only slightly to $50 by last week. Those prices have shut down some 8,000 wells and put thousands of people out of work.

Those oil jobs are hard to replace, and its unclear if Trumps energy policies will bring them back.

Youre seeing some of the best and brightest moving out of our community because it was their jobs that were keeping them there, said Rob England, field organizer for the Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Central Labor Council, located in Bakersfield. And those were good-paying jobs, where people with no higher education could move into the middle class.

Its the reverse America Dream for many of those workers, which is really sad.

In agriculture, Kerns other big economic driver, the years-long drought forced both the state and federal governments to cut back on water deliveries, leaving farmers to watch their fields go fallow.

Jason Giannelli is a farm manager for Ten-Star Farming. Hes 31, grew up in Kern County and is a fourth-generation farmer. Standing on a dirt road with his preschool daughter, Cecily, he watched as the sprinklers watered one of his companys onion fields in the late afternoon.

When you only get 20 percent of your (water) allocation, its tough, said Giannelli, who started working on his familys farm when he was 8 years old. Its hard to leave your ground fallow, but when you dont have the water, theres not much else to do.

Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez is a Democrat and no fan of Trump and his policies. But the former public defender has seen up close how the struggles in oil and agriculture have affected the entire county and can understand the desire for change.

Everywhere you go, whether its a Punjabi convenience store or a Republicans farm, people are very worried, she said. There are fewer jobs with more fallow fields, and were unsure of whats coming next from the Legislature. People here really feel under siege.

Ralph Martinez also knows how Kern Countys agonizingly slow recovery has hurt its poorest residents. As development director for the nonprofit Community Action Partnership of Kern, hes seen the number of clients skyrocket for the food banks, employment services and other programs the partnership runs.

When we take the food bank out in the evenings to small communities in the county, we may have 500 or 600 people line up, Martinez said. At the fairgrounds in Bakersfield, there were people waiting for blocks.

The county is in no position to pick up the slack, since eight of Kern Countys largest taxpayers are energy companies, which together used to account for nearly a third of the countys revenue.

Now its less than 10 percent, and theres no way to replace that money, Perez said. We have a revenue crisis. About half the population qualifies for public aid.

But compared with the human price tag, money may be the least of the countys costs.

Perez said she was at the airport when she met a man in his late 30s who now was working only sporadically after years in the local oil industry.

He was leaving his wife and day-old baby at home to go to Nebraska, where he heard there was some windmill work available, she said. He told me, I dont need the roller coaster rideof the oil business.

Trump has been quick to talk of his plans to get energy workers, especially in the coal industry, back to work. But its the alternative energy side thats growing, with the solar industry employing 374,000 workers to coals fewer than 70,000 and the wind turbine industry, like that windmill work in Nebraska, adding another 102,000, according to a 2016 report by the Department of Energy.

If that oil worker getting on a plane to Nebraska and his family move to the Midwest, they will be part of a disturbing trend. From 2011 to 2016, roughly 7,350 more people left Kern County than moved in, making it the only one of Californias 11 largest counties with a negative migration pattern.

For Kern County residents, the antipathy often shown to oil production by environmentalists and out-of-towners is yet another example of the gulf between the Central Valley counties that produce much of Californias food and energy and the populous coastal communities that consume it.

The oil industry is our greatest source of jobs and revenue, but its under perpetual assault and uncertainty, Perez said.

And when it comes to water and Kern Countys agriculture, she said, politicians and environmentalists look at us as the bad guys, and we argue that were feeding the world.

Like a lot of farmers, Giannelli blames many of the countys problems on what he calls a regulatory drought, with environmental rules pushed through Sacramento by the population-rich coastal cities whose residents only connection with agriculture is often the produce aisle at Safeway.

Thats an attitude tailor-made for Trump, who promised last year to end this war on the American farmer and to get rid of a lot of those regulations that don't mean anything except cost you a lot of money and a lot of time.

That day cant come soon enough for Feil, the Abate-a-Weed owner. He said its almost a full-time job making sure his mowing and land-clearing crews are up to date with their certifications and meet all the rules for using pesticides and machinery.

Its not like its one big bill, he said. Its like that medieval torture where you keep adding one more rock until eventually youre squashed.

Farmers complain that recent state laws boosting the minimum wage and applying overtime rules to farmworkers will send their costs skyrocketing. Others argue that Californias tough emission standards and environmental regulations not only affect the oil wells and farm machinery, but also limit the amount of water available to raise crops.

With Trump in the White House and local Republicans like McCarthy and Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare in congressional leadership roles, Kern County is looking to Washington for help  and its starting to come.

Trump vowed in a debate last year to cut the Environmental Protection Agency until there were only little tidbits left, and hes moving to make good on that promise. The president has called for slashing the EPAs budget by nearly a third and cutting its workforce by more than 20 percent.

On Tuesday, Trump visited the EPA to sign a series of executive orders overturning climate protection rules, including one regulating methane emissions from oil and gas operations. That came less than a week after Californias Air Resources Board approved what were billed as the countrys toughest rules on methane emission.

Thats the kind of action from Trump that plenty of Kern County residents were hoping to see.

Abernathy, the Republican consultant, said she met Trump in August at a farmer-oriented fundraiser in Tulare.

The first thing he said was Im going to get you your water, she said. You knew what Trump stood for. You didnt see the other candidates with the same resolve to push things back.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Trump is going to get plenty of pushback elsewhere in California, where Democratic leaders argue that any short-range economic gains that looser environmental rules might provide arent worth the long-term damage to the countrys air, water and farmland.

Gov. Jerry Brown has called Trumps moves to gut the rules aimed at climate change a colossal mistake, and has vowed to fight them in court.

But in Kern County, even Supervisor Perez, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for state Senate in 2013, argues that Brown and the state government need to work more closely with oil and agriculture interests.

Were concerned about the environment, especially the air and the water, she said. But its best when we all have positions at the table, not with one group being demonized.

Economic uncertainty is far from the only concern in Kern County. Trumps call for stricter immigration rules, more deportations and a wall on the Mexican border add to fears in a county where more than half the residents are of Latino origin and undocumented residents play a crucial economic role in fields, orchards and vineyards.

Among undocumented residents, theres a great fear that if they go out, they might not be coming home, said Fatima Hernandez, programs director for the United Farm Workers Foundation. Theyre strategizing about the best time to go out shopping. Theyre not sending their kids to school.

Even immigrants with legal status are worried.

More on Kern County Alternative energy, logistics may be paths to Kerns recovery

Theres also a large group of people, legal residents, who typically go back home (to Mexico) after the harvest to visit family, said Armando Elenes, a vice president of the United Farm Workers union. Many are opting not to go and staying here. Even if I am a legal resident ... and not affected by the travel ban, I worry that if I leave the country, the government might not let me back in, even with my green card.

Drought-induced cutbacks in agriculture have also hit the immigrant community hard. Fewer crops mean less need for farmworkers. And for undocumented workers, a bad economy is even tougher, Hernandez said.

You dont qualify for most government programs ... so families are going hungry, she said. They depend on food banks, which are also facing problems with more clients and fewer donations. People are losing their homes and multiple families are staying under one roof.

But even when people are eligible for government benefits, its hard to persuade them to apply, Hernandez said. Its been doubly difficult, she added, since Trump has called for making immigrants who use public benefits, even if they receive them for their children born in the United States, subject to deportation.

Just how Trumps changes to immigration policy and enforcement will play out here and across the country is not yet clear.

But even with the new presidents pro-growth and antiregulation campaign promises holding the prospect of better, more prosperous times for Kern County, local residents know that Washington, D.C., is still a lot farther away than Sacramento. And its far more likely that a Democratic president will replace Trump in four or eight years than the Republican Party will somehow rise to power in California.

We have a lot of education to do, said Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong of Bakersfield. We have to remind people that while a lot of state and federal regulations hurt us in the Central Valley, they will also have an impact throughout the state, whether its in gas prices or the cost of food.

Thats not easy to do in a part of the state thats always taken pride in its independent ways and its willingness to hang on to a rural, blue-collar style of life that much of California has abandoned.

We try to get the growers to understand they need to increase their political presence. But they prefer to hope for the future, which is what farmers have always done, said Beatris Espericueta Sanders, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau. But its never been more important to get actual farmers with plaid shirts and cowboy boots at the table.

Chronicle staff writer Joaquin Palomino contributed to this report.

John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth

Online extra

To see a video of Abate-a-Weed owner Darrell Feil talking about Kern County, go to: http://bit.ly/kern-county
By Press Trust of India: Dubai, Apr 2 (PTI) A huge fire at a 60-storey tower near the Burj Khalifa today sent a thick black smoke billowing over central Dubai that enveloped the worlds tallest building, the latest in a series of worrying blazes to hit the desert city.

The fire broke out early morning at the under-construction residential tower named The Address Residence Fountain Views near Dubais biggest shopping mall.

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No casualty was reported and the fire was brought under control by firefighters pulled in from eight stations after hours-long effort.

Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Police initially rescued three workers trapped by the fire. Another worker was rescued later.

The Dubai Media Office said the property - which has three towers, each 60 floors high - belonged to local developer Emaar and was due to be completed by April next year.

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi said the fire started in the parking area on the fifth floor and then quickly spread to the seventh floor, the Gulf News reported.

He did not explain the cause of the fire.

"We received a call at 5.35 am, about a fire in Fountain Views Tower in Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard. The fire firefighter arrived at 5.40am. It was a big fire," he said.

Cooling operations at the tower will continue.

Mohammad Jaseem, who lives in a building opposite to the tower damaged in the fire, said his family woke up hearing the sirens of police cars and fire trucks, the Khaleej Times reported. Eyewitnesses also saw helicopters and teams of fire trucks on the site.

Authorities had cordoned off nearby roads, but the thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.

The site of the blaze was next to a 63-storey tower which was was heavily damaged in a fire on New Years Eve in 2015.

Major fires have hit high-rises in Dubai in recent years, mainly due to flammable material used in cladding, a covering used on the side of the buildings.

In July last year, the 75-storey Sulafa tower was gutted in a fire. And in 2012, a blaze gutted the 34-storey Tamweel Tower in Jumeirah Lake Towers district.

Dubai, located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. PTI UZM ZH AMS ABH

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By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Apr 2 (PTI) Former Nepal prime minister Baburam Bhattarai and several other leaders were today arrested during a protest outside the Election Commission office against a new provision that bars them from contesting the local level polls in May on their respective party symbols.

Bhattarai, 62, and the coordinator of the Naya Shakti Nepal (NSN), was leading the protest against the Local Level Election Act, 2017 that bars parties not having representation in the parliament from contesting on their election symbols.

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NSN leaders Parshuram Tamang and Hisila Yami and the leader of the Revolutionary Maoist Party CP Gajurel were also arrested during the protest in Kathmandu. They were taken into custody at Nepal Police Club at Bhrikuti Mandap, police said.

The authorities had imposed restrictions in the area in view of the protest.

The leaders demanded that they be allowed to contest the May 14 polls on their party symbols. However, the EC has made a provision according to which only those political parties represented in the parliament can contest on their symbols.

After his detention, Bhattarai briefly spoke to media and vowed that the protests would continue until the provision was amended to allow the parties to use their party symbols.

He urged the EC to allow them contest on their party symbols, upholding the sentiments and values of a multi-party democratic system.

Local Level Election Act, 2017 requires that if political parties are to contest the local polls under their respective symbols, they must have representation in the parliament.

The political parties are registered with the EC but lack representation in the parliament.

Yesterday, the NSN had submitted a memorandum to Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda with a 48-hour ultimatum to amend the provision, following which they had threated to stage sit-ins.

Bhattarai, who was Nepals prime minister between August 2011 and March 2013, formed the NSN in January last year after quitting the Prachanda-led UCPN-Maoist, claiming his party would become an alternative force in the countrys politics. He has spent his student years at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University. PTI SBP ABH

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After having defended the Samajwadi Party for years, party's former spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia today joined the BJP. Gaurav Bhatia had announced quitting the Samajwadi Party in a Facebook post on February 5.

By India Today Web Desk: Former Samajwadi Party spokesperson and president of its legal wing Gaurav Bhatia today joined the BJP.

The development came at a time when the party, which he defended for year in numerous television debates, finds itself at its lowest political ebb and the party that he has joined has been the wrecker-in-chief.

Bhatia had quit the Samajwadi Party on February 5 just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Speculation was going on for nearly two months that Gaurav may join the BJP.

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In a Ffacebook post, Gaurav Bhatia had announced quitting the Samajwadi Party. He had accused the party of deviating from the principles of socialism, which it espoused.

"Despite having devoted over one and a half decades, it is hard for me to continue serving the party when it is compromising the very principles of democracy, secularism and socialism that I have always believed in," Gaurav wrote.

Gaurav Bhatia had further said, "I have decided to resign from the post of National President - Legal Wing of the Samajwadi Party and all other posts related to the Samajwadi Party."

"This decision is firmly entrenched in my principles of democracy and socialism," Gaurav Bhatia had said.

Also Watch:

SP leader's bouncer to Sachin Tendulkar: Resign from Rajya Sabha if not interested

--- ENDS ---
Police is now on a look out for the culprits and have formed four teams for the search operation.

By Pramod Madhav: A 38-year-old German national, Jestina today filed a police complaint in Mahabalipuram, near Chennai that she was sexually assaulted by two men at a beach.

She was then immediately rushed to the Kanchipuram General Hospital for medical examination.

Police is now on a look out for the culprits and have formed four teams for the search operation.

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This comes only 48 hours after a jilted lover hacked his girlfriend to death inside the famous Tiger Caves in Mahabalipuram.

Also read: Chennai shocker: Man kills girlfriend with hammer wrapped as birthday gift, hangs self with her shawl

Also read: TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar unreachable since blog accusing him of harassment went viral, say friends

Also read: Odisha: Mentally challenged minor girl raped near Jagannath temple

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: London, Apr 2 (PTI) In the quest of more sustainable energy sources, scientists have developed grassoline - a biofuel derived from grass that could one day power aircraft.

Researchers investigated methods that can disintegrate and treat grass until it can be used as a fuel.

"Until now, grass has mainly served as feed for animals. But apart from that, grass can also be used as biofuel. Due to its vast abundance, grass is the perfect source of energy," said Way Cern Khor from Ghent University in Belgium.

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To improve its biodegradability, the grass is pretreated at first. Then bacteria are added which convert the sugars in the grass into lactic acid and its derivatives, researchers said.

This lactic acid can serve as an intermediate chemical to produce other compounds such as biodegradable plastics (PLA) or fuels.

The lactic acid was then converted into caproic acid, which was further converted into decane. Decane can be used in aviation fuel, researchers said.

"Right now the amount of biofuel that can be made from grass is still limited to a few drops. The current process is very expensive, and engines should be adapted to this new kind of fuel," they said.

"If we can keep working on optimising this process in cooperation with the business world, we can come down on the price. And maybe in a few years we can all fly on grass!" Khor said. PTI MHN MHN

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) The country added over 5,400 MW of wind energy capacity in 2016-17, beating its own target of 4,000 MW.

"Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set another record in the wind power capacity addition by adding over 5,400 MW in 2016-17 against the target of 4,000 MW," the ministry said in a statement today.

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According to the statement, this surpassed the previous higher capacity addition of 3,423 MW achieved in 2015-16.

The leading states in wind power capacity addition during 2016-17 were Andhra Pradesh (2,190 MW), Gujarat (1,275 MW) and Karnataka (882 MW).

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana and Kerala reported 357 MW, 288 MW, 262 MW, 118 MW, 23 MW and 8 MW wind power capacity addition respectively during 2016-17. These figures are tentative, the statement added.

During 2016-17, MNRE took various policy initiatives in the wind energy sector, including introduction of bidding, re-powering policy, draft wind-solar hybrid policy and new guidelines for development of wind power projects. PTI KKS ABM

--- ENDS ---
BELGRADE, Serbia  Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic appeared headed toward a first-round victory in Serbias presidential election on Sunday, winning more than 50 percent of the vote among a field of 11 candidates, according to exit polls and early results.

If the preliminary vote count holds and Vucic passes the 50 percent threshold, he will avoid a riskier two-way runoff on April 16.

While Serbia is a parliamentary republic, and the presidency is intended as a largely symbolic position, the actual effect of the election result is seen as removing the last check on Vucics power and as a further erosion of Serbias nascent democratic institutions.

Vucic, by far the most popular political leader in the country, will choose his successor as prime minister, most likely a pliant one, and he is expected to exercise unchallenged control over all of the countrys main political institutions: Parliament, the executive branch, the ruling party and now the presidency.

With its coalition partners, his party has a strong and solid majority in Parliament, and the courts are weak and seen as politically controlled. The departing president, Tomislav Nikolic, had been one of the few checks on Vucics power.

With Vucic in the presidents office, Serbia is likely to follow the same domestic and foreign policy course as during his time as prime minister: enacting the political and economic changes required for membership in the European Union, while simultaneously seeking closer relations with Russia. Creating tensions with Brussels, Vucic has refused to support sanctions against Russia.

Declaring victory in Belgrade, the capital, Vucic said, When you have results like this, its clear to everyone that there is no instability. ... Serbia is strong, Serbia is powerful, and it will be even stronger.

The regional trend is toward weak democracies with autocratically minded leaders, who govern through informal patronage networks and claim to provide pro-Western stability in the region, according to a study by the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group.

The biggest surprise of the election was Luka Maksimovic, a student who ran as a parody politician and came in third with 9 percent, according to pollsters. Decked out in a white suit, oversize jewelry and a man-bun, Maksimovic mocked corruption in Serbian politics by promising to steal if he were elected.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.

Matthew Brunwasser is a New York Times writer.
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By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Apr 2 (PTI) An Indian man was among five persons who have been killed when a truck hit a stationary bus in western Nepal.

The speeding truck with an Indian registration number plate hit the Kathmandu-bound passenger bus from behind during wee hours in Chormara forest area on the East-West Highway in Nawalparasi district yesterday.

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The truck driver, Riyaz Khan from Bihar, was killed along with four passengers of the bus. Five others were also injured in the mishap.

The bus, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dang area, was standing on a road due to a deflated tyre when the incident occurred. PTI SBP CPS

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today called on the New Development Bank to lend USD 2 billion for Indian infrastructure projects, a request that the lender said could be met in two years.

Speaking at the second annual meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB), founded by the BRICS bloc, he asked the two-year old multilateral agency to be nimble footed in disbursing faster loans, saying it must be alive to the role envisioned for it by its founders.

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India, he said, has a huge unmet need for infrastructure investment, estimated at about Rs 43 lakh crore (about USD 646 billion) over the next five years.

"Seventy per cent of this will be required in power, roads and urban infrastructure sectors," Jaitley said here. "This offers an enormous opportunity to an institution like the NDB, whose core mandate is sustainable infrastructure development."

The first agreement for an NDB loan in India to finance major district roads in Madhya Pradesh was signed a couple of days ago, Jaitley said.

"With this, the NDB will have its first footprint in India. We have proposed projects worth about USD 2 billion for NDB funding, which I hope will be taken up by the board expeditiously," he said.

Later speaking to reporters, NDB President K V Kamath said the Indian government has a very strong pipeline of projects and the NDB is working on the same.

"My own view is that the pipeline they have given to us is probably going to be done in next year or year and a half and we will also have to allow for the fact that all projects may not be ready for consideration. So clearly, there is scope for USD 2 billion and we expect that to be complete in over 2 years," Kamath said.

He pointed to the distinction that India was seeking funds for projects in the green power area initially and now for projects in water, rural areas and roads.

At the meeting, Jaitley made it clear that India will work with the NDB to develop a strong shelf of projects in specific areas such as smart cities, renewable energy, urban transport, including metro railways, clean coal technology, solid waste management and urban water supply.

"The uniqueness of NDB should lie in faster loan appraisal, a lean organisational structure resulting in lower cost of loans, a variety of financing instruments, including local currency financing, adoption of country system whenever possible and flexibility in responding to the needs of the clients," he said.

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Being a lean organisation, "it is also expected that the NDB will not only offer loans at cheaper rate, but influence the more established MDBs (multilateral development banks) to revisit their high cost model", he said.

"Overall, it is our expectation that the Bank will bring in a whiff of freshness in project and loan appraisal as also will be nimble footed to meet the expectations of its clients," he said.

Jaitley further said the NDB is at a crossroads and the meeting today will deliberate on the Banks strategy for the next 5 years, including issues such as the capital, loan portfolio and expansion of membership.

The group of five major emerging economies, known as BRICS, had in July 2015 launched a development bank aimed at financing infrastructure projects, mainly in member countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. PTI JD DP ARD

--- ENDS ---
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- An undercover prostitution sting over the weekend nabbed a New York City Department of Corrections employee and U.S. military veteran.

James Ferry-Vasquez, 41, was arrested at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Comfort Inn on Wild Ave. in Travis. He was charged with patronizing a prostitute, according to a NYPD spokesman.

A Westerleigh resident, Ferry-Vasquez served more than eight years in the U.S. Army, according to public records and various social media pages.

The incident is under internal investigation by city Corrections officials, and potential disciplinary action could include termination, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Ferry-Vasquez was hired in January, 2016, sources said.

The vast majority of employees perform their duties with integrity, said DOC spokesman Peter Thorne."...Commissioner Ponte has zero tolerance for those who don't."

The Comfort Inn, which is tucked behind a Holiday Inn and surrounded by woods and parking lots, was one of four West Shore hotels where the city put up hundreds of homeless families in 2015 and 2016.

City officials agreed to end the program after a triple murder at the Ramada Inn, amid push back from residents and borough leaders. But there have since been talks to reinstate the program.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--Staten Islanders may be one step closer to seeing a jail come to the borough.

An independent panel released its findings on Sunday in which they recommended the closing of jail facilities on Rikers Island in the next ten years.

The Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, led by former New York state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, also called for the establishment of five state-of-the-art borough-based jail facilities.

The Commission's recommendation comes after more than a year of in-depth research and extensive community outreach. The 146-page report details how to safely reduce the jail population by instituting reforms at multiple stages of the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing.

The report outlines how to replace the mass incarceration model at Rikers Island with "smaller, safer, and more humane facilities" located closer to court systems in the civic centers of each borough. The commission believes that Rikers severs connections for inmates with their families and communities.

Jails in each borough would also eliminate "massive operational costs of transporting inmates to and from Rikers each day for court appearances," according to the report.

The report states that closing the jail facilities on Rikers could free up the space needed to house city infrastructure crucial to New York City's future. Rikers Island is uniquely positioned to accommodate an expanded LaGuardia Airport, reducing delays and serving millions more passengers annually, the commission stated.

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who convened the commission said: "For too long, Rikers Island has been a symbol of dysfunction and violence and a stain on our criminal justice system...The release of today's report is a landmark day for our city, for New Yorkers, and for anyone who has ever been ensnared by the criminal justice system."

Mark-Viverito said that the details in the report, along with support from Mayor Bill de Blasio, will make closing Rikers a reality.

The mayor has said that he won't completely rule out opening a new jail on Staten Island as an alternative if the Rikers Island complex closes.

However, Borough President James Oddo took to social media last week making it clear he was not in support of bringing a jail to Staten Island.

Oddo tweeted: "This. Will. Be. A. War."

This isn't the first time Staten Island was faced with a jail coming to the borough.

The borough came close in 1987 when then Staten Island Borough President Ralph Lamberti, reached a deal to bring the facility to the borough instead of taking on four new homeless shelters.

The deal didn't sit well with Staten Islanders, as Guy Molinari ousted him in the 1989 election.

Lippman noted that the commission had received input from a "wide range of elected officials, community leaders, and everyday New Yorkers."

"Closing Rikers Island is an essential step toward a more effective and more humane criminal justice system and our Commission's charge was to develop a blueprint for how we can achieve just that," Lippman said. "Our report builds from a solid foundation of progress in which New York City has successfully driven down crime and incarceration rates, illustrating that more jail in no way leads to greater public safety."

Lippman acknowledged that transforming these recommendations into real actions would take "time, resources, and, most of all, political will to enact."

However, he noted that the commission has the support of the mayor, along with Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has proactively advocated for the closure of Rikers.

The Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration also recommends enhancing inmate programming and investing in Corrections Department training, including a state-of-the-art training academy and longer training periods. The commission is comprised of two dozen experts, policymakers, and advocates from a variety of backgrounds, including law enforcement, academia, judges, advocacy groups, business, and those who have spent time behind bars.

The full report can be read online at http://www.morejustnyc.com/the-report-1/.

Want to discuss your feelings about a jail in Staten Island? Visit

to join the conversation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island is the latest borough to be hit by the newest bike craze.

Kids popping wheelies in busy streets and weaving between traffic has been going on in the other boroughs, especially Manhattan and Queens, for about five years now, local experts say.

But the trend has recently been exploding on Staten Island.

"It's new on Staten Island; it's been around for about a year and half," said a local bike shop owner who wished to remain anonymous. "It's only going to get bigger."

"It's the biggest part of the growth in the industry," said George Bennett, owner of Bennett's Bicycles in Port Richmond.

NEW TREND EMERGES

Some local experts said the bike community on Staten Island has been split into three parts -- the cyclists, the BMX'ers and the new sect of street riding.

Cyclists are people riding for exercise or transportation and BMX'ers are the ones riding on ramps in skate parks.

The new generation, ranging from ages 12-16, have taken the daredevil riding to a new extreme. They're riding BMX bikes with bigger wheels, 24-26-inches, and performing tricks in traffic.

"The kids doing wheelies on Hylan is a different sect," said Lucas Rusinak, 24, a BMX rider from West Brighton.

In a few YouTube videos, some kids even ride their bikes against traffic, confronting buses in the bus lane and try to touch moving vehicles as they're doing wheelies.

They are seen passing red lights on dangerous roads, including Hylan Boulevard, Amboy Road and Page Avenue, and daring motorists to hit them.

"I think it's an adrenaline thing and they get a kick out of it," said Ed Pollio, co-founder of the 5050 Skatepark in Clifton. "I think it gives bikes a bit of a bad reputation."

The stunts include popping wheelies while standing on the seats and pedals, sometimes switching sides and jumping up and down.

According to the bike shop owner, out of the 60-70 kids, only five of them are riding recklessly along Hylan Boulevard.

"They advertise on social media a rideout and a lot of kids come from other boroughs come out," he said. "It's totally insane."

[Editor's note: Video contains some strong language and lyrics.]

RRDblocks, a 25-year-old Harlem man who gained notoriety on the bike scene through social media posts about his rides through Manhattan streets and organized rideouts, said he understands the adrenaline rush because nothing gets your heart pumping like going at a bus.

But, he warns, the Staten Island kids have taken it to a new level.

"I rode with them before, and they were doing crazy stuff, so I just left," said RRDblocks, who is considered by many as the Michael Jordan of the new trend. "It ain't going to stop until someone gets hurt.

"I wasn't doing that when I was 12. The next generation is out of control."

UNFAIR CRACKDOWN?

Recently, cops have been cracking down on the riders by confiscating their bikes and even arresting two teens.

But, local experts say, that is an unfair reaction to kids who are being active instead of having their heads buried in their phones or spending countless hours playing video games.

"To me, it's good the kids are out of the house and away from the computers," Bennett said. "It's been a while since I've seen kids outside.

"It's a tough borough to ride in traffic."

But they agree there should be some form of discipline, whether it's a summons or community service. But taking the expensive bikes away is not the answer.

"I think they do need to be ticketed and penalized, but their bikes should not be taken away," Pollio said. "That's wrong."

The dilemma, some feel, is that these kids have no where to go. Since the ramps at Midland Beach were torn down, there is no designated space for bikers to do wheelies.

If they go to a regular park, the joggers and families with little kids complain.

And there aren't enough bike lanes on the borough.

"There are kids doing much worse," said the bike shop owner. "These are generally good kids. They are not the kids doing drugs."
A 13-year-old girl is also among those killed in the shooting.

By Rohit Kumar Singh, India Today Web Desk: Janata Dal (United) leader Suryadeo Singh today allegedly shot dead two people and injured four others following a scuffle over a land deal in Bihar's Sasaram.

A 13-year-old girl is also among those killed in the shooting. The deceased minor has been identified as Hazara Khatun.

Of the four injured in the shooting, three are minors - Diwakar (8), Prakash (12) and Sahil (4).

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The incident took place today afternoon when former RJD MLA Suryadev Singh, had a tiff with his relatives over a land dispute that turned ugly, resulting in Singh open firing.

MASSIVE DEPLOYMENT IN AREA

The police have arrested the JDU leader apart from six others.

His revolver has been recovered and three more rifles impounded from his residence.

There is massive deployment in the Bikramganj area, as police fears backlash from the Muslim community.

Singh who began his political career with CPI (ML) in the early 90's later joined the RJD and became MLA from Bikramganj in Sasaram district.

Also Read:

Bihar seals 7 illegal slaughterhouses following BJP's demand

JD (U) leader's tweets indicate all is not well with grand alliance in Bihar

Also Watch:

WATCH: Bihar minister calls PM Modi 'dacoit', hits his photo with slippers

--- ENDS ---
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police have released a photo of the man sought in connection to a West Brighton hit-and-run that left a 13-year-old boy with two broken legs.

Police say a 2004 black Chrysler sedan was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed Thursday on Henderson Avenue when he turned left onto Broadway and struck the boy in the crosswalk who has been identified as Qwaddelll Lovelace.

The hit-and-run driver was attempting to avoid being pulled over by police when he struck Lovelace, a spokesman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said.

After hitting the boy, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a telephone pole. He fled the scene on foot.

Police said Thursday evening that the boy suffered two broken legs, but was in stable condition.

Lovelace's grandmother, Callie Givens, said Friday that the family is praying for the boy to make a full recovery.

"He is a good child," Givens said. "Just keeping our fingers crossed, praying that he pulls through."

The man sought for questioning in connection to the incident has been identified as 24-year-old Tyreek Wilson. Police have released a photo of the individual and describe him as 5 feet 11 inches in height and 175 pounds.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island committee unveiled their community campaign to push for Mayor Bill de Blasio's promised indoor pool on the North Shore.

The Staten Island North Shore Indoor Pool Committee met near Lyons Pool on Sunday to discuss the campaign for the $50 million indoor pool.

At a town hall meeting last April 2016, de Blasio promised the pool and said, "This borough deserves an indoor pool."

Kelly Vilar, a member of the committee, said that she hopes to have a discussion with de Blasio, Councilwoman Debi Rose, Borough President James Oddo and the Parks Department about the location of the pool.

On March 27, Oddo said in a statement that Petrides would most likely be the site of the indoor pool.

But the committee believes that the location is not in the right place for those who need access to it.

"The North Shore community is plain-out lacking in recreation facilities," Vilar said. "There needs to be something here for the people in this community."

The committee sent a letter to city elected officials and agencies with their concerns and recommendations when the site was announced.

In their letter, the committee said, "We urge the city to consider a North Shore site where need for public recreation is the highest in the borough, public transportation is more accessible, and the resolve to issues of public access, equity, and restorative justice can be made."

The committee discussed North Shore alternative locations for the pool, specifically Goodhue Park in New Brighton, which the Parks Department acquired a few years ago.

"The public indoor pool belongs where the public needs it," Vilar said.

Want to discuss the location of the proposed indoor pool on Staten Island? Visit the comment section to join the conversation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It started six years ago with a small group of students and a big mission - to offer Russian Jews the chance to reconnect with their faith.

Today, Staten Island Hebrew Academy in New Dorp enrolls 86 students from kindergarten to grade 6 and its dean, Rabbi Shlomo Uzhansky, says that is nothing short of a miracle.

"It was a risky proposition from the beginning," he says. "This was a product the community would have to learn to love."

After 70 years of communism in the former Soviet Union, many Russian Jews had disconnected from their religion, even after relocating to other communities like Staten Island.

"We give children the love of learning," says Chana Uzhansky, head of school, who is joined by sixth-grader Talia Krugolets in the main office. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"A Jewish education is not always popular with the Russian community," Uzhansky explains. "But we broke down that barrier and have made it popular."

Ninety percent of Hebrew Academy families are Russian, the rabbi confirms.

Uzhansky and his wife, Chana, who is head of school, started their independent co-educational academy in 2011 with 11 students in borrowed space in Westerleigh. By the end of that first year, two more students had been added to the roster.

Founded in 2011, Staten Island Hebrew Academy is located at 2707 Hylan Blvd., New Dorp. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

The school has outgrown its current location at 2707 Hylan Blvd. and will soon move to a larger building in the New Dorp area to accommodate its expanding enrollment.

The new location will offer more classroom space, a playground and a gym, enabling the Uzhanskys to add grades 7 and 8.

Classes will remain small, capped at 20, Mrs. Uzhansky says.

EMPHASIS ON JUDAIC STUDIES

The Hebrew Academy curriculum is tailored to each child's gifts and talents. During two hours of Judaic studies a day in all grades, students learn to read and write in Hebrew.

Third-graders Isabelle Shtaynberg, Anna Gershkovich and Abigail Bezvevsky have some fun as dismissal time nears at Staten Island Hebrew Academy. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

They also develop character-building traits including chessed, or kindness, and simcha, or happiness, and learn to appreciate the good in people, explains Dina Khukhashvili, Judaic studies principal.

"They develop strength from within to make the right decisions," she says.

Holy days and holidays are incorporated into daily lessons. Each student is preparing a Haggadah, the Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. A special celebration at the school on May 2 will mark Israel's Independence Day.

Dina Khukhashvili, Judaic studies principal at Staten Island Hebrew Academy, is affectionately called "Mrs. K" by her students. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

The staff includes 20 teachers, some of whom are part-timers specializing in select subject areas like the Russian language. Special-education services are also available at the school.

The curriculum features Singapore Math and the Orton Gillingham Reading Approach.

Yoga, art, music and drama are offered as extra-curricular activities. Classes go on field trips to the Liberty Science Center, the New York Hall of Science, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Jewish Children's Museum.

"We like the individual attention and small class sizes" at Staten Island Hebrew Academy, says Julia Motina, joined by her daughter, third-grader Dana Binkevich. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"We like the individual attention and small class sizes," says Julia Motina of Dongan Hills, whose two children, Lia and Dana Binkevich, attend Staten Island Hebrew Academy. She has a hard time convincing them to leave the building and part with their friends when she picks them up at the end of the school day.

"And I love uniforms," she quickly adds. "They don't have to pick out what to wear," making it easier to get out of the house in the morning.

Uniform colors for Hebrew Academy students are navy blue, light blue and white.

Students get ready for dismissal with Sarit Glickman, first-grade assistant, and Sasha Ortiz, administrative assistant. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

Tuition is $10,000 plus a $500 building fund. Only 70 percent of the cost to run the school is covered by tuition, so Rabbi Uzhansky spends much of his time fundraising. An active Parent-Teacher Association led by co-presidents Regina Agres and Irine Keselman also pitches in.

NATIVE OF UKRAINE

Rabbi Uzhansky emigrated from Kiev, Ukraine, to Philadelphia with his parents and younger brother when he was 13. He received his rabbinical certification from Bet Medrash Gohova in Lakewood, N.J., and studied for two years in Israel.

A passionate educator and a Philadelphia native, Mrs. Uzhansky earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Touro College and is a candidate for a doctoral degree in exceptional childhood education from Northcentral University.

Elliot and Zachary Agres are twins in the fourth grade at Staten Island Hebrew Academy. (Staten Island Advance/Claire Regan)

"I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl," she shares. "I love working with the children. I find them to be awesome because they're real, they're honest, they're genuine. They have raw goodness."

At Staten Island Hebrew Academy, "we give them the love of learning," she adds.

Former Willowbrook residents now living in Lakewood, the Uzhanskys have been married since 2003 and have four children under the age of 12.

As he offers a tour of his school, the rabbi reflects on its mission to offer a superior academic education while bringing children back to their Jewish roots with a deep love and appreciation of their Jewish heritage.

"Unless you are able to appreciate yourself for who you are, you will never be able to appreciate others for who they are," he offers.
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says there's no question Russia was involved in the U.S. presidential election and insists President Donald Trump would fully support strong action against the Kremlin once investigations are complete.

Speaking in television interviews broadcast Sunday, Nikki Haley contended there is no contradiction between her tough stance and Trump's repeated public statements seeking to minimize Russia's role. She said Trump "has not once" told her to stop "beating up on Russia."

She joins Defense Secretary James Mattis as Trump administration officials who have forcefully called out Russia for its actions during the 2016 U.S. campaign.

"We don't want any country involved in our elections, ever," Haley said. "We need to be very strong on that."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his country meddled in the 2016 contest between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. While Trump himself has said he believes Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party emails during the election, he has repeatedly lambasted as "fake news" any suggestion that he or his staff had connections to Russia.

Trump continued his attacks over the weekend, tweeting: "It is the same Fake News Media that said there is 'no path to victory for Trump' that is now pushing the phony Russia story. A total scam!"

He added on Sunday: "The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers."

U.S. intelligence agencies report that Russia tried to help Trump's campaign effort. The FBI as well as congressional committees are investigating whether the Russian government coordinated with Trump associates during the campaign. The White House is also trying to quell a firestorm over its behind-the-scenes role in helping the Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, view secret intelligence reports that he says pointed to inappropriate leaking.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, went to the White House on Friday to view materials that he said were "precisely the same." He declined on Sunday to describe the contents, but criticized the unorthodox disclosure to Nunes, suggesting that the material was more likely an "effort to deflect attention" and "create a cloud through which the public cannot see."

"Whenever they see the president use the word 'fake,' it should set off alarm bells," Schiff said. "I think that's really what going on here."

Trump as president persuaded Haley to leave the governorship of South Carolina to represent the U.S. at the United Nations. She said she was "beating up on Russia" over issues such as its actions in Crimea and its dispute with Ukraine.

When asked if she believes Trump should publicly take a harder Russia stance, she said: "Of course, he's got a lot of things he's doing."

"There's no love or anything going on with Russia right now," Haley said. "They get that we're getting our strength back, that we're getting our voice back and that we're starting to lead again, and, honestly, at the United Nations, that's the No. 1 comment I get is that they're just so happy to see the United States lead again."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said it was indisputable that Russia attempted to influence the U.S. election, reiterating his call for a special select committee.

But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he didn't think another review was necessary, citing the bipartisan work from the Senate Intelligence Committee.

"I think they clearly laid out that they're going wherever the facts take them," McConnell said, referring to Republican chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina and Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the panel. "We don't need yet another investigation. We know the FBI is looking at it from their perspective."

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, said Russia was not worried about what any U.S. investigation might reveal. "We insist that any blaming that Russia could have been interfering in domestic affairs of the United States is slander," he said.

On other topics, Haley said the U.S. is also pressing China to take a firmer stand regarding North Korea's nuclear program. Trump is scheduled to meet later this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping over a range of issues. While China provides diplomatic and economic support to its neighbor, it claims that its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.

U.N. resolutions have failed so far to deter North Korea from conducting nuclear and missile tests. Last year, the North conducted two nuclear tests and two dozen tests of ballistic missiles.

"They need to show us how concerned they are," Haley said. "They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that."

Asked what the U.S. would do if China doesn't cooperate, Haley said: "China has to cooperate."

Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, however, said he doubted that Beijing will cooperate.

"I've been working on the North Korea problem since 1994," he said. "And we have consistently asked Chinese leaders ... because they uniquely have the historical and the economic relationship with North Korea to make a difference.

"They haven't used that influence, and so it's hard for me to be optimistic with that," he said.

Haley, Peskov, McCain and Carter appeared on ABC's "This Week," Haley also was on CBS' "Face the Nation," Schiff spoke on CNN's "State of the Union," and McConnell appeared on "Fox News Sunday" and NBC's "Meet The Press."
Are end-run voter initiatives the only way left to crack the solid wall of Republican control at the Arizona Legislature?

Or are Republicans right: Once power is too readily transferred via special interest groups to easily manipulated direct democracy, then the checks and balances of the three branches of government break down. Limiting the reach of initiatives to only cases of extreme legislative intransigence, then, is a defense of representative democracy.

Wed suggest that both sides have a point  neither one-party nor mob rule is a responsible way forward. But we contend that Arizona and national politics wouldnt need to ask those questions if elected leaders were responsive to what citizens are looking for in a participatory democracy.

To back up first, were not the first ones to notice that polarized politics arise from electoral districts that give representatives safe seats and little reason to compromise. We thought a citizen redistricting commission might solve that problem in Arizona, but Justice Department rules on minority representation overrode balanced politics. The need to assure Native Americans and Hispanics of elected seats meant packing Democrats into a minority of safe districts. Republicans, who have nearly the same registration as Democrats statewide, received what proved to be decisive majorities in 18 of 30 districts  GOP turnout is often 10 points higher than Democrats.

But why do extreme partisans emerge in districts that only marginally favor one party or the other? Political scientists finger a party primary system that turns out far more hard-liners than moderates, presenting general election voters with two highly partisan choices and usually no one in the middle  very few independents have yet to declare for office.

One way toward more bipartisanship is to reform the primary system so that the top two candidates move on the general election, regardless of party. In that way, a moderate Republican in a heavily GOP district could move on as the second-place finisher to the general election, where she might pick up enough Democratic and independent votes to win a seat. The states of Washington and California are trying just such a nonpartisan blanket primary arrangement.

Another way is to change the way candidates are engaged in politics from the bottom up. In Arizona, the Clean Elections Commission has tried to attract more candidates with a variety of backgrounds by offering public funding, and then requiring public debates for those taking the money. Needless to say, incumbents have tried to undermine what amounts to a challenger-enabling system by limiting the funding. But the Citizens United decision has also done its part by making it easier to inject far more special interest money into electoral politics than Clean Elections could ever match.

What was clear with the Trump campaign success is that many voters felt neither party, with their entrenched incumbents, was speaking to their concerns about the economy, social disorder and their distrust of government, the media and leaders in general. We dont believe Trump, however skillful a campaigner, is prepared as president to provide the answers they want  at least not based on his first two months in office. And when his administration is found lacking, that will open up an opportunity for new leaders to fill a void for citizens if they pay attention to what voters are looking for.

And what is that? Social scientists who have done exit polls and focus groups with voters for years report that their answers are very different from what most partisan politicians and leaders of yes/no initiative drives deliver. They want a range of options that are fully explained, then a safe space in which to discuss and debate the issues. They want to know what the solutions, not just the problems, look like, and which organizations relevant to their lives can implement them. And they want people like themselves, not experts or career politicians, to represent them in public service.

Those are tall orders, especially in an era when government and politics seem to reward just the opposite kind of politician. We contend, though, that new leaders willing to engage those aspects above of true citizenship, aided by some combination of open primaries, public funding and term limits, would go a long way toward breaking the partisan gridlock and animosity that seem rampant at every level of government. Otherwise, we are left with end-run initiatives, filibusters and campaigns based on wedge issues, not substance. Its a choice thats beginning to seem more self-evident every day.
At least 11 security personnel were injured in the Nowhatta grenade attack.

By India Today Web Desk: One police jawan was killed in Nawhatta area of Srinagar when militants hurled a grenade on the CRPF. The policeman has been identified as Shamim Ahmad from Gurez Bandipora.

At least 4 CRPF personnel and 7 police jawans were injured in the attack.The injured have been rushed to the SMHS hospital in Srinagar.

Police said militants lobbed a grenade at a security force party in old city's Nowhatta area at around 6:30 pm as they were withdrawing from the area after the day's deployment.

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"A police constable identified as Shamim Ahmed was killed in the grenade explosion. Eleven other security personnel including eight policemen and three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were injured," said a police officer here.

The attack came on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state to inaugurate the Nashri-Chenani tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

Separatists in Kashmir Valley had called for a shutdown to protest Modi's visit.

The security forces have launched a search operation in the area.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also read: Udhampur: PM Modi opens Chenani-Nashri tunnel, asks stone-pelters to look at stone-cutters

Also read: Beerwah: PDP govt pushed Kashmiri youth to the wall, says Omar Abdullah

Kashmir: Hours after PM's speech, grenade attack in Nawhatta; 1 killed, 10 injured

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ACT Policing has dedicated welfare officers, who support staff with "emotional first aid" and refer them to external services, but their work has no specific peer-to-peer component.

The AFP is recruiting new welfare officers across the country as part of a wider mental health reform. The agency's chief medical officer, who was appointed last year to oversee the restructure, said the initiative would be similar to a peer support program.

Former Australian Federal Police psychologists are calling on the agency to reinstate a peer support program they say was crucial to internal mental health support.

Lacey Clews and Heidi Horvath were psychologists with the AFP for between eight and 10 years from 2004. During that time they helped set up a wellbeing peer support program. Peer support officers either had experienced mental health issues or were passionate about supporting those who were struggling. They completed training in understanding trauma-related illness and regularly discussed strategies to support their colleagues to speak out.

Ms Clews said the program was in place for about two years from 2006, when there were also dedicated welfare officers in every state and territory.

"Hierarchy chose to withdraw a whole host of services away from wellbeing services including the removal of the welfare positions from the regions, and expecting psychologists to primarily do their work from the same location at workstations in AFP headquarters," she said. There was an outsourced counselling hotline at these headquarters.

"Then the peer support program never really gained a foothold, because although we had great feedback there were not enough resources put towards it. It was really disappointing for me because I believed in what it was."

Both Ms Clews and Ms Horvath said the AFP's re-structuring of wellbeing services was a step forward, but said a standalone peer-support program should also be considered.
The jawans have been admitted in hospitals across Thiruvananthapuram.

By India Today Web Desk: At least 400 jawans at a CRPF camp in Thiruvananthapuram's Pallipuram took ill last night due to suspected food poisoning, Kerala police said today.

An enquiry has been ordered in the case, and a sample has been taken for investigation, the news agency ANI reported.

The jawans have been admitted to various hospitals across the city with complaints of upset stomachs and vomiting.

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109 jawans have been placed under observation at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram where state health Minister KK Shylaja paid a visit last night.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH VIDEO | 400 CRPF jawans fall ill due to suspected food poisoning; enquiry ordered

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Senator Abetz was upset about the idea of public money being wasted on a Mardi Gras float. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Senator Abetz was obviously upset about the idea of public money being wasted on a Mardi Gras float, so he asked Medcraft's crew to account for how much money had been devoted to this extravagance. ASIC reported that it had provided $511 for the T-shirts worn on the big night. And the good news is that these T-shirts will be washed and used again next year. Illustration: John Shakespeare. Tuned out

CBD's report last week on the latest Mark Latham implosion revealed that he had been in negotiations with Kerry Stokes' Seven Network before Sky News offered him a lucrative  but exclusive  deal that forced him to turn down Seven's overtures. Is Seven interested now that he is back on the market? No, is the clear answer from the Seven bunker. Nine has presumably had its fill after Latham's short-lived stint with Karl Stefanovic's The Verdict. Given Latham's only current gig is with a News Corp paper, maybe Rupert Murdoch or Lachlan could pull a few strings for him at Ten. The network is going broke anyway, so it's not like its shareholders like Lachlan  or News Corp's Foxtel  have got much to lose. Not so peachy

Three years have now passed since Terry Davis retired from the top job at Coca-Cola Amatil, but the beverage group is still suffering indigestion from one of his ill-fated acquisitions. His replacement, Alison Watkins, was recently forced to wipe another $172 million off the carrying value of its fruit processor, SPC. This leaves the business, which has barely turned a profit in all its years of CCL ownership, valued at just $156.3 million. Davis had acquired the SPC ardmona business, as it was then known, for $700 million back in 2005 with much fanfare. "The snack business is very complementary to the beverage business," he told the market when the deal was still in the works. Ten years later, on the eve of his departure, he wrote down the value of the business by $404 million in an attempt to take out the trash for the incoming Watkins.

"My view is, the acquisition was made on my watch," said Davis at the half-year results in February, 2014. "And it was appropriate that the write-down also occurred on my watch and it gives her [Ms Watkins] a clean slate to go and do what she needs to do." We guess the question now is, what does Watkins need to do next? Her patience must be wearing thin, but so are the restrictions hampering any further surgery on the business. Another announcement from Davis before he left CCL was the deal with the Victorian government which saw the state stump up $22 million over three years to help CCL transform the SPC operations. A key condition was for SPC to guarantee jobs for at least 500 full-time workers for three years. The guarantee will soon end. "The joint investment programme with the Victorian government is expected to be completed in 2017," said an analyst report after the company's half-year results.
About 20 years ago when wealthy New Zealand family the Cassels were sailing their newly purchased wood-lined yacht the Galerna home from Spain they were attacked by machinegun-wielding pirates in the Red Sea.

Now the family faces another battle over the boat, but this time the high seas have been swapped for the civil courts.

The Galerna was built in 1973 to ferry the Danish royal family around the fiords of Scandinavia.

The majestic boat  more old world wealth than nouveau riche  is now a prime rental for those with a bit of cash to splash and time to sail the South Pacific. Its opulent Prince Henry suite alone costs $11,700 a night to rent, according to yacht charter websites.
If the government wants to see more older people staying at home, it needs to make it easier for them to do so. As Canberra architect Tony Trobe points out, ACT planning regulations create unnecessary restrictions that prevent older Canberrans from staying in their neighbourhoods. Ultimately, this leads to older people being disconnected from their way of life, their community and the support systems they've built up, in some cases over decades.

Planning regulations tightly restrict what owners can build on residential blocks zoned RZ1. Dual occupancies can sometimes be built, but Mr Trobe says a restrictive formula virtually kills any incentive to do a dual occupancy.

However, as the ACT government sells off blocks on which Mr Fluffy asbestos-affected homes once stood, it has loosened these restrictions -- only for these blocks in particular -- so that those larger than 700 square metres are now allowed to be dual occupancies.

Mr Trobe says loosening the restrictions more widely for other RZ1 properties would rejuvenate neighbourhoods and provide housing types that are "badly missing" from the market. It would also make it easier for older people living on those blocks to redevelop their home into something more liveable as they age.
On April 22, dozens of letters protesting President Donald Trump written by women around the United States will arrive at the White House in a giant envelope (of sorts) in the shape of a vagina, courtesy of female-oriented platform Mogul. The campaign, called #ReadMyLips, is a reference not to George H.W. Bush's fateful 1988 campaign promise not to raise taxes, but to female anatomy. And so the anti-Trump vagina protest motif has moved from the abstract and craft-centric (that is, the pussy hat) to the branded and literal.

Vaginally oriented resistance wasn't born in response to Trumpism. Eve Ensler's play The Vagina Monologues, as much a remonstration against women's oppression as an ode to the pudenda, first appeared in 1996. The current, ubiquitous incarnation is a reference to Trump's notorious 2005 "Grab them by the pussy" remark, the recording of which made waves during (but evidently didn't decide) the 2016 presidential campaign. But it also evokes the accusation, made against women who supported Hillary Clinton, that they were voting with their vaginas. All of that "vagina" talk was demeaning and insulting, and thus a prime target for a reclamation campaign. Clearly The Vagina was posing some sort of threat, so what could be more delightful than rubbing The Vagina in oppressors' faces? (Metaphorically, of course.)

The 'pussy hat' represented the growing movement of resistance to Trump and his threats to women's rights. Credit:Getty Images

The vagina protest also offers an opportunity for large-scale solidarity, at a time when feminism appeared in need of unity. Had Clinton lost because of an insufficiently intersectional approach - that is, because of a focus on middle-class white women? Or was her mistake failing to win over, well, middle-class white women? What if both were true? A New York Times headline on December 30 that read "Feminism Lost. Now What?" seemed to sum up the state of the women's movement writ large.

If women couldn't agree on a moderate Democrat to become the nation's first female president, what was left? Well, there were vaginas. The visual provided by that sea of Women's March pink pussy hats served as a cathartically necessary moment of solidarity, a pause in the ongoing contentious debates over where, precisely, the feminist movement's boundaries should be drawn.
One of Australia's top criminal barristers says it is "reasonably clear" that federal Human Services Minister Alan Tudge or someone in his office committed an offence punishable by up to two years in prison by revealing personal details of a Centrelink client.

Melbourne QC Robert Richter believes Mr Tudge or one of his staff members broke social security law by releasing tax and relationship information about writer Andie Fox after she wrote an article critical of Centrelink's debt collection program.

The federal opposition commissioned Mr Richter to provide it with the legal advice after the personal information was published in a subsequent media article.

Mr Tudge says the disclosure was authorised because it was aimed at correcting the record over "false assertions" in Ms Fox's article. He says he was given written legal advice from his department's top lawyer that the disclosure was legal.
The Turnbull government has launched a full-frontal assault on Labor over company tax, demanding the opposition reveal whether it would keep $24 billion in tax relief for business or jack up taxes if it wins the next election.

The federal opposition has railed against the company tax cut package since it was announced in the May 2016 budget, arguing it was unfair and rewarded the big end of town. It has supported a tax cut only for companies with an annual turnover of up to $2 million.

But after successfully passing laws that will cut the tax rate from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent, and eventually to 25 per cent for businesses with a turnover of up to $50 million, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann took aim at the opposition.

Speaking to Fairfax Media, the government's chief economic spokesmen said Labor should make clear whether, if it won the next election, it would repeal the tax cut and lift the rate back up to 30 per cent, which would hit 880,000 businesses around Australia.
Treasurer Scott Morrison says the government could try to pass the rest of its company tax cut plan before the next election, while leaving the door open to tax rises elsewhere in the May budget.

But Labor's shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh has refused to say if the opposition would keep or reverse the $24 billion in company tax cuts passed by the Turnbull government, if it wins the next election, potentially undermining business certainty about the tax relief.

Treasurer Scott Morrison advocated during his days as social services minister a downsizing policy in which people would be encouraged to sell their large homes by having some or all of the proceeds quarantined from the pensions assets test. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The tax cuts will flow to companies with an annual turnover of up to $50 million after a deal was struck with the Nick Xenophon Team late on Friday.

The tax rate will fall over time to 27.5 per cent, at a cost to the budget of $5.2 billion over the next four years, and eventually to 25 per cent over the medium term.
A notorious larrikin, Karl Stefanovic's groomsman speech was as cheeky as it was out-of-tune.

Although, in this instance, it wasn't just the playful digs about his little brother Peter getting high, staring at his new bride's bottom or their parents questioning his sexuality, as Karl sang his wedding speech to the tune of Oasis' Champagne Supernova, the Today host was literally a little off-pitch too, much to the amusement of the 160 wedding guests.

Karl Stefanonic with Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys. Credit:SylviaJeffreys/Instagram

"She wakes at dawn, does many gigs, reads the news, pays for the Double Bay digs. SJ you're such a bloody find," they sang of bride, Sylvia Jeffreys. "Saw you walking down the aisle, so beautiful she made him smile ... all day you will find him gazing on her great behind."
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, is spearheading the privatisation of Land and Property Information. Credit:Wolter Peeters At Hastings, Mr Hoskins played a key role in its consortium's successful $10.3 billion bid for NSW's TransGrid. It has since come to light that two of its five shareholders are based in the Cayman Islands. A Carlyle spokesman said "it expects to pay Australian tax on Australian investments" like other companies. Protesters in front of NSW Parliament House demonstrating against the NSW government's privatisation of the Land Titles Registry. Credit:Kate Geraghty "Global investors use Cayman Islands to make sure they don't pay double or even triple tax on their investments in collective investment vehicles," the spokesman said.

"These vehicles are widely accepted by tax authorities around the world because they are tax neutral [and] Australia has a tax information sharing arrangement with the Cayman Islands." Richard Hoskins is a Managing Director at the Carlyle Group, a bidder for Land and Property Information NSW. Credit:The Carlyle Group Revenue raised by the privatisation will go to Restart NSW and is earmarked for sport stadium redevelopment. The government is pushing ahead, despite protests from lawyers, real estate agents and surveyors who claim a for-profit operator would compromise the integrity of the state's Torrens land title system, which underpins billions in economic activity each year. In his second reading of Labor's new bill to repeal the legislation allowing the LPI transaction last week, finance spokesman Clayton Barr raised concerns about tax haven links. The bill is waiting to be debated.

"It is unthinkable that a state government in Australia would consider entering into a sale process that supports tax evasion," he said. London calling Westpac-owned Hastings and First State Super have teamed up to create "Australian Registry Holdings". They registered the entity in Victoria on March 16. Hasting's Andrew Faber and First State's Mark Hector are listed as its two directors. However, the joint venture is 100 per cent-owned through RBS Pension Trustee Limited in London - suggesting LPI profits may make their way to the UK before being distributed to the joint venture partners.

Hastings did not respond to a request for comment. Northern lights The third syndicate - comprised of Canadian infrastructure giant Borealis and stock transfer company Computershare - registered "Aurora Holding 1" in Victoria on March 22. ASX-listed Computershare owns half through two new companies - registered on March 10 and March 21. It did not respond to a request for comment. Its annual report shows it controls entities in secrecy jurisdictions, including Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey.

It also has business ties to Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. The new link Link Group and Macquarie Group's Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) form the fourth bidding group. ASX-listed Link registered "Link Land Registry Services" in NSW on March 23 - one week before final bids were due. The pair created and own "Autumn Finance". Link would not reveal the entity's purpose or provide a comment.

Macquarie is known for its tax minimisation strategies. It sent an unsolicited scoping study about privatising LPI to the Labor government in 2009. A spokesman for Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said that prior to submitting binding bids, all consortia were required to seek clearance from Commonwealth bodies including Foreign Investment Review Board, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Tax Office. "The NSW Government will not proceed with any transaction unless and until the necessary clearances from Commonwealth agencies have been received," he said. This week, Labor will attempt to win the support of Reverend Fred Nile's Christian Democrats so it can push its repeal bill through the Upper House. "The majority of the potential buyers of our land titles registry are companies that will happily wipe their hands and walk away at the first sniff of trouble or as soon as their profits are no longer protected," Mr Barr said.
Lucy Turnbull's Greater Sydney Commission has been keen to get as much feedback as possible about its plans to shape the city over the next 20 years. But not always if you want to talk about specifics.

The commission late last year released draft district plans that broadly spell out how many new dwellings need to be built across the city. It has since been attempting to secure publicity for those plans.

Lucy Turnbull chairs the Greater Sydney Commission. Credit:James Brickwood

But the complicated structure of Sydney's planning system, of which the Greater Sydney Commission is now a crucial part, means that some of the most senior people in that organisation are unable to discuss issues that can generate the greatest community passion.

As well as Ms Turnbull as chief commissioner, the planning body also employs environment and economic commissioners. Then there are six "district" commissioners who oversee the planning of different areas of Sydney, but who also sit as the heads of planning panels that decide whether to approve or reject large development applications.
The Enforcement Directorate in Goa had forwarded a list of 14 shell companies to its counterpart in Kolkata in connection with the Louis Berger case

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in one of its biggest crackdowns, conducted raids on nearly 300 shell companies across country in connection with various money laundering cases.

In Kolkata, the ED raided 14 shell companies which were allegedly involved in the Louis Berger bribery case. These 14 shell companies had routed Rs 2.2 crore from US-based Louis Berger company, said an ED source.

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE'S CRACKDOWN ON 14 SHELL COMPANIES: According to the investigation by Enforcement Directorate, US-based Louis Berger company was awarded a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project for Rs 2.85 crore in 2009. The project cost was reportedly Rs 65 lakh while the remaining Rs 2.2 crore crore was allegedly meant to bribe then Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and then PWD minister Churchill Alemao to get contracts for other JICA projects. The US office of Louis Berger company had issued a cheque of Rs 2.2 crore which was allegedly encashed by these 14 Kolkata-based shell companies. These companies, after taking their commissions, delivered the money to Delhi-based hawala operator Raichand Soni, who in turn allegedly delivered the money to Digambar Kamat and Churchill Alemao in Goa. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate attached movable and immovable properties, worth Rs 1.2 crore, of former Goa CM Digambar Kamat. The ED also attached eight flats, worth Rs 75 lakh, of Churchill Alemao. Alemo, however, claimed these were his ancestral property. The Goa Enforcement Directorate had forwarded a list of 14 shell companies to its counterpart in Kolkata in connection with Louis Berger case for further investigation. Goa ED had suspected that these shell companies allegedly played a role in laundering money to the accused in Goa.

ALSO READ:

Louis Berger bribery Case: ED attaches properties of former Goan CMs Digamber Kamat and Churchill Alemao

All you need to know about Louis Berger Bribery scam

ALSO WATCH

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A NSW man who was pulled over for high-range drink-driving in Sydney's north got straight back behind the wheel, police say.

Officers noticed the 44-year-old's unregistered car in Frenchs Forest about 6.30pm on Saturday before he allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.264 - more than five times the legal limit.

His licence was immediately suspended but police allege he was back behind the wheel about an hour later.

His second breath test recorded a slightly lower level of 0.229.

Police were forced to confiscate his car keys to prevent him driving further.
A family has told of their horror as they watched their home crash into trees and power poles, as it was swept away in flood waters on the Gold Coast.

"What the frick is happening to our house," one of the two Gallo children said as they watched their house float away, on video obtained by Nine News.

"It's all just gone mate, it's all gone," replied mum Helen Gallo.

The family filmed as their house was swept away in floodwaters at the Gold Coast, and noticed towels and lights still on the roof.
A Sunshine Coast man has escaped unharmed after a shark bit off the back of his kayak in Moreton Bay on Sunday afternoon.

The 39-year-old man from Maroochydore was paddling towards Mud Island with a group of people when the shark attacked his 6.5-metre kayak about eight kilometres east of Woody Point.

The man made a triple-zero call and water police were able to track his location with the aid of incoming aircraft to Brisbane Airport.

Water police rescued the man just before 4pm and his damaged kayak was also recovered.
A St Lucia birthday party was lucky not to end in fatalities according to police on scene, after a rear balcony collapsed during Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to 27 Highland Terrace just after 7.30pm and nine people, all aged in their 20s, were hospitalised with minor injuries including cuts, abrasions and broken bones.

Witness Julia Saleemi told the ABC: "It just collapsed underneath us ... it was horrendous to see."

According to neighbours there were at least three boys, possibly as many as five, who moved into the house in early 2016 and were believed to be University students originally from New South Wales.
The homicide squad is investigating the death of a woman taken to hospital from a private boarding house in Frankston that was previously investigated by the local council over complaints it had contributed to soaring crime rates in the area.

Residents of Daly Street delivered a petition to Frankston Council in 2014 over two adjoining boarding houses that required the regular attention of police and ambulance officers.

Police are hunting for a cab driver after a suspected hit and run in Brunswick. Credit:Rob Gunstone

On March 25, an ambulance was again called to a property at 11 Daly Street, where officers found a 45-year-old woman in a critical condition.

The woman was taken to Frankston Hospital, where she died three days later.
Paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale outside court in 1993. Credit:Geoff Ampt "The more I talked about it, the less it killed me on the inside." After almost 1460 days, the inquiry concluded its final public hearing on Friday. Paul Levey addressing the media in Rome last year. Credit:Getty Images While survivors lauded the royal commission for allowing them to share their stories, some say the inquiry only skimmed the surface of the sexual abuse epidemic.

One key figurehead who did not escape criticism was Cardinal George Pell. Cardinal George Pell, speaking in Italy last year. Credit:Getty Images/Marco Di Lauro Survivor Paul Levey said he'd lost all faith in Cardinal Pell, who stood on the steps of the Hotel Quirinale in Rome last year, pledging to help the survivors and do something to stop suicides of victims in Ballarat. Fairfax Media has previously revealed details of confidential police reports that count at least 40 suicides by people sexually abused at the hands of Catholic clergy in Victoria, but that number has only grown. Gerald Ridsdale appeared before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2015. Credit:Damian White

"He's [Cardinal Pell] done nothing since then," Mr Levey said. "They were empty words. He was just waiting for us to go away and hoping we couldn't come back." In 1982, when he was 14, Mr Levey was sent to live with Gerald Ridsdale by his father, after he'd struggled to cope with his parents' separation. Clutching a walking stick and with tears streaming down his face, Mr Levey broke down as he told the inquiry in 2015 he was "sexually abused all the time, just about every day". "That moment changed my life," Mr Levey says today.

"I always thought I was the only one, but there were thousands of others out there carrying this pain." He said it was unfathomable that Cardinal Pell did not know he was being sexually abused by Ridsdale. Mr Levey was one of 15 Ballarat clergy sexual abuse survivors who travelled 16,000 kilometres to Rome to bear witness to Cardinal Pell's evidence to the sexual abuse inquiry. The commission had accepted a medical report which said the cardinal was at risk of heart failure if he made the journey back to Australia. Mr Levey said he wants to see canon law rewritten to compel Catholic priests to report to authorities when a person confesses to child sex crimes.

Tony Wardley was abused by multiple Christian brothers and a Catholic nun while he was a schoolboy at the former St Alipius Boys School in Ballarat. "[The commission has] done everything in its power and been extremely compassionate to survivors but there will always be more to uncover," Mr Wardley said. "It doesn't matter if you tell the clergy to swear on the bible and tell the truth, they never will. But the thing is, this destruction stretched further than just clergy ... there were coppers and others who turned a blind eye too." "But you can't change the past. All you can do is learn from it and make sure it never happens again by enforcing ironclad laws to protect kids and I believe that starts with a public register of sex offenders." Ballarat was an epicentre of the Catholic clergy paedophile crisis.

At least four Christian Brothers teaching at St Alipius in the early 1970s were child sex offenders, as was parish priest Ridsdale. Scores of Ballarat survivors lay their broken hearts on the line during the inquiry, most detailing a destructive pattern of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health problems and suicide attempts. Peter Blenkiron. Credit:Eddie Jim Peter Blenkiron, was 11 when he was raped by disgraced Christian Brother Edward Dowlan. He said an ongoing support system and redress scheme which provided individualised care for victims was yet to be established.
The Dunsborough Tavern's steak sandwich is in the running to be named the best in regional WA and will go up against other country pubs and restaurants to win the title.

Dunsborough Tavern head chef Tim Baarspul told the Busselton Mail it was great to be nominated for the popular menu item and that his secret to a top sanga was using quality ingredients.

Dunsborough Tavern head chef Tim Baarspul.

Chef Baarspul makes his own relishes, dill pickles and onion jams for the sandwich and uses MSA grade scotch fillets.

"It just has to be a classic," he said.
But the last two years had shown individuals face the biggest annual cost increases, followed by the states and the federal government the smallest increases. "So there's a lot of pressure on the system, but if you feel it as individuals that is because actually you are getting more and more of the cost," he said. And while Australia as a country spent about $180 billion on health, the average of the OECD countries, so there was no total spending crisis  certainly not in federal terms  pressure remained and people wanted to know the money was well spent. Dr Crombie said some of the system's present rules were "bizarre" and gave little incentive to "smart stakeholders" to do the right thing in a system that paid clinicians based on each activity. "If you think hospital is solution to most things it will end up that way and you will not be able to afford it."

He said the cost of Medicare rose four per cent in the past 12 months because doctors got smarter at which item codes they charged for, figuring out how to "upcode". "I can tell you that the population hasn't gone up by four per cent," he said. "That's the kind of system we are dealing with and if you do 'short-run' things, you are never going to make any difference to the system because there are much smarter people at the coalface who will figure out how to optimise what they are getting. "If you give a person a bunch of nails and you say you'll pay them for every nail they hammer in, you'll get a lot of nails whether they are the right thing to do or not. "Doctors are no different to any other human and will be incentivised to do a lot of activity, no matter what they tell you."

He gave the example of a hospital professor he met with whose department was inundated with referrals from GPs. Management, overwhelmed, kept trying to think of ways to stop more people coming in from referrals. A suggestion was made to set up a team of community-based specialists to work with GPs and primary carers to raise their skills, and provide an out-of-hospital instant reference point to stop people needing to go to hospital. But the idea was dismissed because if the hospital could not record those outpatients or inpatients, its budget would be cut. Another example was given in which while it was commonly acknowledged that more mental health services were needed in the community, not the acute end of the system, 93 per cent of the money was at present spent on acute care.

"Again, you make more money that way," he said. "Psychiatrists get more money through their relationships with hospitals." He said these were the kinds of problems with fee-for-service systems that could not be changed to allow people to innovate. "There is no shortage of innovative ideas in the system but how can you carve money out of hospitals which are high profile and consume everything, typically, that's available?" he said. "If you think hospital is solution to most things it will end up that way and you will not be able to afford it." Primary care and preventive health needed a greater priority and he hoped for a mechanism in which states and the federal government could make bilateral agreements on "carve-outs" of their hospital allocations for non-acute interventions.

While states could, obviously, spend their own money on such initiatives, they were under greater pressure to maintain the status quo. He said the public was understandably worried about costs. A recent survey of 1535 Bupa customers unsurprisingly showed this was their number one issue  and "this was before we sent out the rate letter". "It is absolutely on people's minds," he said. Dr Crombie said, however, the public had scant knowledge of what controlled health system costs.

The survey showed almost one-third thought private health insurers had the most important role, followed by 27 per cent who believed the federal government controlled costs, and lower down were the states. People assigned the lowest responsibility of all to hospitals and doctors. "But they actually have an unfettered right to provide services," he said. "That is the hallmark of our system, clinical autonomy. We don't believe in managed care. "But you can see the conundrum, if you want the cost to be managed but you don't want me telling the doctor what to do.

"If you are going to have a fee for service system where doctors and hospitals can do whatever they want, effective or not effective, we are going to have to find a way to sheet that responsibility to them and the way we pay for things. Someone has to manage the system, basically. The public haven't joined the dots here and that's why it's so hard to get any political traction. "We have a significant challenge to talk and educate people about the choices, but those choices are possible and people are starting to talk about different ways." He gave the example of Bupa's attempt with partner Genesis HeartCare to negotiate a bundled payment without individual copayments, funding instead based on a "best practice" judgment in an attempt to change a culture in which it was lucrative for cardiologists to put as many stents into people's hearts as possible, whether necessary or not. Australian Medical Association of WA president Andrew Miller said Dr Crombie's was a "suspicious" way of thinking. He said fee for service medicine was very good value in Australia and fees were kept under control both by market forces and what the insurers were prepared to pay.

"What he also knows is 93 per cent of procedures in Australia are done without out of pocket costs or small out of pocket costs," he said. "Fee for service is an efficient way of saying we need these procedures done and unless the work is done you don't get paid. If you pay someone a salary and they don't get anything done, is that any better? "Dr Crombie doesn't like to talk about private health insurance making more than a billion a year in profits and Bupa is a multinational corporation taking premiums paid by families. "His companies have some of the lowest benefit policies in the industry, junk policies." Dr Miller did agree that more resources needed to be put into primary care.

"Unwinding the Medicare freeze and rewarding primary carers for what they do would be a good start. GPs are the most efficient spend of money," he said. Murdoch University health policy expert Franceso Paolucci also addressed the event, echoing the fears about the "burden of cost on individual decisionmaking" and the system's design around acute care. "Increasingly we have a chronicity problem. Our trend is towards dealing with ageing and chronic diseases and our per capita spending will double if not triple  very soon," he said. "The gaps in the primary care space are clear and evident." He warned, as he had done publicly in Perth before, of the urgent need to address the duplication of services between private providers and Medicare, and to reform the "perverse incentives" given on the form of subsidies for private health insurance.

He said the private health system needed empowering to become a full realistic substitute for Medicare, with a defined national package of services, for out-of-pocket payments to be scaled to income and for premiums to be responsive to consumers' personal risk factors. All the speakers agreed the health ship was too big to be turned around easily. Australian Health Policy Collaboration director Rosemary Calder said attempts had inevitably faced two major roadblocks: the complexity of the federated system and the mix of public and private funding providers, with the corresponding duplication of services. Numerous commissions and reviews going back to 1997 had failed, Professor Calder said, to reform a system the OECD had described as "too complex to navigate". More than once, establishment of a national health product and performance commission had been recommended, to steward the system rather as the Reserve Bank did the economy.
A teenager who threw a brick at a boy during a brawl outside a Perth party, killing him, has been sentenced to six years behind bars.

The boy, now aged 18, had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 17-year-old Sudanese-born Kuol Akut.

Kuol Akut was killed at the Girrawheen party Credit:WA Police

In sentencing him on Friday, WA Children's Court president Denis Reynolds described it as a "classic example of peer group pressure".

"Regrettably, loyalty and wanting a sense of belonging can result in a person, and particularly a young person, engaging in serious anti-social behaviour," he said.
London: A senior member of Theresa May's ruling Conservative Party says the British Prime Minister would go to war with Spain over Gibraltar.

Michael Howard, a former Tory leader, said he expected Mrs May to defend the territory, as then prime minister Margaret Thatcher did when she went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands 35 years ago.

Mrs May issued a statement on Sunday saying Britain was "steadfast" in its commitment to Gibraltar and would work with the territory on the southern tip of Spain to secure the best possible outcome from Brexit talks.

The European Union proposed on Friday offering Spain a right of veto over Gibraltar's future trade relations with the bloc. That would give Madrid sway over the fate of the enclave once Britain has left the bloc and the status of its overseas territory is no longer an internal EU matter.
A visit by India Today to spots along the Delhi-Panipat route showed that while several liquor vends are shut to comply with the Supreme Court's order barring alcohol sales along highways, others continued with their operations.

By Anand Patel: A day after Supreme Court deadline to wind up business for liquor vends on highways ended, the booze sale is continuing surreptitiously, a visit by India Today to locations between Delhi and Panipat reveals. Most of the vendors were located close to popular dhabas along the national highway.

The first stop was Kundli on the Delhi-Haryana border, where a liquor vend with half its shutter down was found operating. Customers were easily able to peek into the store.

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The second stop was stop was in Sonepat's Murthal, a popular pit stop among those driving along the national highway. AT Murthal, a liquor vend was seen operating even though it was barely 50 meters away from the highway. The Supreme Court order allows liquor sale only beyond 500 meters from the highway. In case of areas with a population of less than 20,000 people, vends are permitted to operate beyond 200 meters from the highway.

The team then stopped at Samalkha near Panipat, where again a liquor shop was operating barely 100 meters from the highway, right next to a popular dhaba. The India Today team also found that some liquor vends have indeed shifted from the highways to locations within permissible limits.

Interestingly, it is not difficult to find liquor vends as the dhaba owners, confectionery shops were well aware of the new outlets within easy reach from the highways and were very forthcoming in guiding commuters to them.

'STATE GOVERNMENTS LACK WILL TO IMPLEMENT SUPREME COURT'S ORDERS'

Harman Sidhu, who runs the NGO ArriveSafe, alleges that state governments lack the will to implement Supreme Court orders. In many cases, he further sayss, the excise licenses issued to liquor vends do not mention the addresses of the shop/

Sidhu further said that ever since the matter came up in the Supreme Court, states have tried to find new ways to evade compliance. Punjab and Haryana have pleaded that the liquor vends should allowed to be present on state highways to compensate for the revenue losses incurred once vends on national highways are shut down. Chandigarh and Rajasthan, on the other hand, have denotified their state highways while Goa and West Bengal gave licenses to bars to double up as liquor vends, he says. This despite the fact that the data available with the Union Transport Ministry shows that drivers' fault is the chief factor behind road accidents, killings and injuries on all roads in the country. Drivers' fault emerged as the main cause behind 77.1 per cent of the total road accidents during 2015 as against 78.8 per cent during 2014.

Of the mishaps falling under the drivers' fault category, over speeding accounted for 62.2 per cent of all accidents (3,86,481) and 61 per cent of all deaths (1,06,021 deaths). Furthermore, accidents and deaths caused due to 'intake of alcohol/drugs' within the drivers' fault category accounted for 4.2 per cent(16,298 out of 3,86,481) accidents and 6.4 per cent (6,755 out of 1,06,021) deaths.

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Over all, intake of alcohol/drugs was responsible of 3.3 per cent of all accidents (16,298 out of 5,01,423) and 4.6 per cent of all deaths (6,755 out of 1,46,133 deaths).

ALSO READ | Dry way on the highway: Supreme Court's 2016 ban on liquor sales comes into effect today

ALSO READ | Supreme Court for ban on liquor shops along highways

ALSO READ | No liquor shops on national, state highways from April 1: Supreme Court

WATCH VIDEO | Don't be high on highway; No liquor to be served along state, national highways

--- ENDS ---
Kim Jong-un had signalled that his regime was working on a missile capable of reaching the United States. Credit:AP "I have great respect for him. I have great respect for China. I would not be at all surprised if we did something that would be very dramatic and good for both countries and I hope so," he told the paper. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, also issued a stark warning, saying America would "no longer take excuses from China". North Korea launches four missiles in an undisclosed location North Korea last month. Credit:KRT/AP Haley said: "They need to show us how concerned they are. They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China, and they know that.

"China has to co-operate. This is now down to: 'Do we want to continue to see these ballistic missile attacks from North Korea, or does China want to do something about it?' " She spoke as the US took over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. She added: "We're going to say what we think, and we're going to move the ball and that's what this is about." Concern has been mounting about the North Korean missile program in the US for some years. During the handover of power, the administration of former US president Barack Obama identified North Korea as the top national security issue for the Trump administration.

Some US security officials believe the regime of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un might have a nuclear-armed missile capable of hitting the United States within four years. South Korean intelligence warned last month that another nuclear test by the North was imminent, with analysts suggesting Pyongyang might seek to "overshadow" the US-Chinese summit in Florida with a show of force. South Korean government sources told the Korea JoongAng Daily that preparations at the North's Punggye-ri nuclear proving grounds would be completed before the weekend. Last month, North Korea fired a missile into the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula just as Trump was hosting Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister, at Mar-a-Lago. Rah Jong-yil, a former head of South Korean intelligence, told the Telegraph that China could tackle the issue "very easily by closing the border entirely and completely strangling all business and economic traffic between the two countries".

Last week, US senator John McCain said only Beijing could control Kim, whom he branded a "crazy fat kid". McCain told MSNBC earlier this month: "China is the only one that can control Kim Jong-un, this crazy fat kid that's running North Korea. They could stop North Korea's economy in a week." On Thursday, Trump had warned the summit would be "very difficult". He said: "The meeting next week with China will be very a difficult one in that we can no longer have massive trade deficits and job losses. American companies must be prepared to look at other alternatives." The summit is taking place at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's palatial club in Florida, which has been called the "Winter White House".

His son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner has emerged as a key architect of the summit along with Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador. The two men chose Mar-a-Lago as the venue and have reportedly worked closely on crafting a joint statement the two leaders will deliver. Kushner and his wife Ivanka, Trump's daughter, were said to have been invited to the Chinese embassy in February. Ash Carter, US Defence Secretary under Obama, said he doubted Beijing would co-operate. He said: "I've been working on the North Korea problem since 1994 and we have consistently asked Chinese leaders, because they uniquely have the historical and the economic relationship with North Korea, to make a difference. They haven't used that influence, and so it's hard for me to be optimistic with that."

Carter, speaking on Sunday shortly before Trump's comments, warned a US pre-emptive strike against North Korea's nuclear weapons risked triggering an invasion of South Korea. "I'm confident of the outcome of that war, which would be the defeat of North Korea," he said. "But I need to caution you, this is a war, an intensity of violence associated with it, that we haven't seen since the last Korean War. "Even though the outcome is certain, it is a very destructive war so one needs to proceed very carefully here." Trump said he believed Brexit would be a "great deal" for the UK and also " really good" for the European Union. His view on whether other countries would leave the EU appeared to have moderated, and he now believed they were less likely to.
Paris: France's polling watchdog has issued a warning over what it says is a misleading Russian news report claiming that Francois Fillon, the scandal-hit conservative candidate, has regained the lead in the presidential race.

The Polling Commission criticised a French-language report by Sputnik, a state-run Russian news agency, for presenting a social media survey by Brand Analytics, a Moscow-based online research firm, as a "poll" showing Mr Fillon as the front-runner.

In fact, French opinion polls, which are supervised by the authorities, show Emmanuel Macron leading on about 26 per cent, with Marine Le Pen, the Front National leader, one point behind.

Mr Fillon is currently polling in third place, on 19 per cent. If he comes third in the first round of voting in three weeks, he will be eliminated from the second and final vote next month.
Washington: The courts keep taking US President Donald Trump both seriously and literally. And the President's words are proving to be a real headache.

A federal judge in Kentucky is the latest to take Trump at his word when he says something controversial.

Judge David J. Hale ruled against efforts by Trump's attorneys to throw out a lawsuit accusing him of inciting violence against protesters at a March 2016 campaign rally in Louisville.

At the rally, Trump repeatedly said "get 'em out" and "get 'em the hell out of here" before, according to the protesters, they were shoved and punched by his supporters.
Donald Trump has some conflicted ideas about the Middle East. Credit:Getty Images "The White House is less conflicted than the Obama administration about authoritarian tendencies, civilian casualties, and domestic human rights records of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and other countries," Schake tells us. "Stable states working with us to stamp out terrorism is this administration's priority for the Middle East." Even Syria's Assad regime is to be left in place in the name of stability. The foreign minister of one of these "stable states" put it rather more succinctly: "He doesn't like Iran. He wants to do business, and he's not going to tell us how to do business inside of our country." Shared values? Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Credit:Getty Images Making Arabia Stable Again doesn't have quite the ring of another famous Trump slogan, but it does capture the nostalgia many American policymakers feel for a time before the invasion of Iraq and the "Arab Spring".

"For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region ... and we achieved neither. Now we are taking a different course," Condoleezza Rice told an audience in Cairo in 2005. An F-16 at the 14th Dubai Air Show in 2015. Bahrain's human rights concerns will not prevent it purchasing a batch of these fighter jets. Credit:Bloomberg What the course was never became entirely clear, but it certainly didn't seem to work. Barack Obama too vacillated on this question, backing the calls of protesters for democracy in Egypt in 2011 before switching back to arming a military coup's leader in the name of national security. What is now being proposed is a bit like Trump's narrative of firing up the coal industry and manufacturing again - returning to a past American posture without any indication that times and conditions have changed. Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste in a Cairo courtroom in May 2014. Credit:AP

The administration recently swept aside human rights concerns to approve the sale of F-16s to Bahrain. But a real indication of how far it is willing to go to restore the status quo ante will come with this week's visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has thousands of civilians in jail for participating in pro-democracy protests. As any Australian who watched the trial of Peter Greste knows, the rule of law in Egypt is a malignant farce. Much more importantly, there is no proof at all that subjecting more and more people to this kind of treatment does in fact create states that are stable. Rather, when people see no chance of working within constitutional and political norms for reform, increased extremism and violent breakdowns in state order become more and more likely. A penny for your thoughts: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (hands raised) with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Washington on March 22. Credit:AP The President, who is America First in all things, is unlikely to raise these sorts of issues with his guest. Yet failure to do so guarantees that the US will be faced with further problems down the track. 2. The question of borders

Donald Trump is of course famous for his commitment to borders and sovereignty, as manifested in his wall on the frontier with Mexico and his repeated attempts to institute a travel ban. While Schake sees Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's meeting with a coalition to fight Islamic State as proof of his attention to the needs of Middle Eastern allies, I couldn't help wondering about the thoughts of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who joined Tillerson on stage for the event. The first travel ban would have directly targeted Iraqis, regardless of their political affiliations. The second left them unscathed. This bipolar approach cannot have gone unnoticed by other nations in the region, and in the absence of explicit detail about future strategy (which Trump is temperamentally disinclined to give) it will give them pause. The aftermath of an air strike in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which killed at least 100 people and injured hundreds more. Credit:AP

Moreover, if Trump genuinely does care about stable states, then the borderlessness of the Middle East today should appal him. Turkey is conducting military operations in Syria, Egypt has bombarded Libya and both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sent troops into Bahrain and conducted indiscriminate air strikes in Yemen. This is before we discuss the enormous refugee flows that these overlapping conflicts have created. Is the Trump administration prepared to take a clear stand on the importance of borders in the Middle East? Or will it decry some incursions while overlooking others? 3. The question of Islamism Perhaps the strongest endorsement Trump could give to Sisi at their meeting would be to follow his lead in outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood. This would be in keeping with his Breitbart-fuelled campaign rhetoric and would also mark the realisation of a dream long held by Christian hardliners in the Republican Party.

However as recent State Department advice has pointed out, a sweeping ban on the movement would in fact destabilise the Middle East, since branches of the Brotherhood have elected MPs sitting in the parliaments of Jordan, Tunisia and Yemen, to name just three. Those movements on the spectrum of Islamism (or political Islam, as it is sometimes known) that make a commitment to be bound by the rules of democratic process must be encouraged rather than persecuted. They represent a genuine challenge to anti-democratic Islamists such as Islamic State, who recently devoted the cover of their magazine Dabiq to damning "The Murtadd [apostate] Brotherhood". US President Donald Trump with his newly appointed National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster in February. Credit:New York Times The alternative is that a class of political pariahs will be created across the region, undermining faith in politics and swelling the ranks of militancy. Indeed, one of the grandfathers of jihadism, the Jordanian Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, recently expressed the hope that Trump would move ahead with a Brotherhood ban. The US President shows little sign of caring for such distinctions. Trump has a penchant for use of the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism", though his new National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster has reportedly urged him to drop that term from speeches.

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn, centre. Credit:Bloomberg The question is whether Trump will feel more inclined to the approach of his old national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who saw Turkey's Islamic Gulen Movement as a threat to US security and recommended the extradition of its "radical" leader Fethullah Gulen. He currently lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and is the prime target of the Turkish president's ire. It has since emerged that even while working for the Trump campaign in 2016, Flynn was being paid by Turkish businessmen to push their government's line. It is not impossible that Egyptian businessmen also have this sort of access to Trump Tower. Can the counsel of career diplomats and servicemen prevail in such circumstances? 4. The question of Iran Schake tells us that one of the pillars of the new, "working" strategy from the Trump White House is "laying the foundation for an anti-Iran coalition once the IS problem has been solved". Yet in the same analysis we are told that "Russia is to be palliated, their interests supported".

In the words of "Scarborough Fair", we seem to have found an acre of land between the salt water and the sea strand. Palliate this? Russian troops in the devastated Syrian city of Aleppo. Credit:Russian Defence Ministry/AP Let's be quite clear: the objectives which Schake proclaims as Trump's priorities  defeating IS in Iraq and in Syria, while leaving Bashar al-Assad in charge in Damascus  are also the priorities of Iran, for which its soldiers are fighting and dying on the ground in both countries. But beyond these immediate military objectives, there is a much longer-term alliance between Moscow and Tehran which makes it almost impossible to see how a Trump administration can oppose and antagonise the latter while "palliating" the former. The strongest manifestation of that alliance is the nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers, including Russia, which Trump has repeatedly described as "terrible". It is notable that Trump no longer talks about ripping the deal up, but if he did return the US to its traditional position of outright hostility to the Islamic Republic he would for once in his life be on the same page as Arizona senator John McCain, who made "bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran" into a refrain on the campaign trail in 2007.
Bangkok: Shortly before sunrise on September 3, 2012 a black Ferrari slammed into a motorcycle policeman, dragging his mangled body along a Bangkok street, before speeding away.

The drip of brake fluid led police investigating the hit-and-run death of their colleague to the gated residence of one of Thailand's richest families.

But almost five years later 32 year-old Vorayuth Yoovidhya, an heir to the Red Bull fortune and the alleged Ferrari driver, has refused for the seventh time to meet prosecutors in a case that critics say is an example of the privilege enjoyed by Thailand's wealthy class.

Kong Rithdee a columnist at the Bangkok Post, criticised delays in the case at the weekend, saying people "stuck in the lower strata of the justice food chain" have been thrown into jail for murkier circumstances.
Islamabad: A custodian of a Sufi shrine in Pakistan's Punjab province killed at least 20 people in an apparent ritual killing in Saturday night, a district administration official said.

The attack occurred in Sargodha. The custodian, Abdul Waheed, and four others were arrested.

"Abdul Waheed used club and knife to kill these people visiting the shrine. He has confessed that he killed the victims," said Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta.

He said an injured woman had fled the scene and informed hospital staff of the attack.
Washington: Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday accused both the White House and the Republican chairman of the Intelligence Committee of attempting to "distract" from the congressional investigation into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

Last month, Chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican, made a point of racing to the White House to brief President Donald Trump on intelligence he had viewed that, he said, showed that some Trump campaign officials had been caught up in the government's surveillance of foreign nationals and that their identities had perhaps been improperly unmasked.

News reports later revealed, however, that at least three senior White House officials were involved in handling the intelligence information that Nunes had received - prompting an outcry from Democrats, and even some Republicans, that Nunes had politicised his committee.

They said Nunes was simply acting on behalf of the president to try to buttress Trump's earlier claims, on Twitter, that former president Barack Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower during the election campaign.
Cooperation can no longer be a handshake on November, 11th --- Within 10 months new government intends to implement their program to boost the lives of St. Martin inhabitants.

MARIGOT:--- Former Mayor of Saint Martin Albert Fleming got the honor to decorate President-Elect Daniel Gibbs on Sunday shortly after his 18 member majority voted in favor to elect him President of the Collectivity at the official installation ceremony.

The election of the President took place by vote, the 23 member council had to vote for the president who was the only candidate that postulated for the seat, of the 23 territorial council members 18 voted in favor Gibbs becoming the President of the COM, 4 voted blanc and one of the votes deemed null since the member of council wrote the word blank on the ballot.

The official ceremony had some hiccups because Territorial Council member Alain Richardson did not agree with the make-up of the executive council since he postulated for a seat in the executive council and he did not get that seat based on a number of votes his party received on March 26th.

Due to this President Gibbs and the secretariat of the Collectivity had to ensure that each member of the executive council was elected by the council. Representing TEAM Gibbs the majority and ruling party he got all four vice presidents namely:-

1st VP Valerie Damaseau --- 23 votes.

2nd VP Yawo Dzha Nyuiadzi --- 23 votes

3rd VP Annick Petrus --- 23 votes

4th VP Steven Patrick --- 23 votes

The two additional members of the seven-member council also elected by votes are Marie-Dominique Ramphort (23 votes) and Louis Mussington (23 votes)

It should be noted that Alain Richardson from MVP and Marthe Ogoundele Tessi also wanted to be members of the executive council, Ogoundele Tessi was of the opinion that the Alliance for Hope, Justice, and Prosperity would have gotten 2 seats in the executive council but when it became clear that the residual seat was going to TEAM Gibbs based on a number of votes his party received on March 26th she immediately pulled back and allowed the leader of the Alliance Louis Mussington to hold the seat as a member of the executive council. It is clear that the leader of the MVP Alain Richardson did not agree with the outcome so he did not vote in favor of the candidates that were presented to be on the executive council, this of course made the official ceremony longer since the council had to vote for each member of the executive council, after which they conducted the first Territorial Council meeting with two agenda points before continuing with the official ceremony.

Based on the calculations on the votes cast on March 26th it was divided by 23/6 = 3.83

Proportional Division;

Votes obtained by each list divided by the Electoral Quotation (QE)

The lists Gibbs and Mussington equal 22/3.83 = 5.74 equal 5 seats.

List MVP equal 1/3.83 = 0.26 equal to 0 seat.

The residual seat was given to the list that obtained more votes.

Team Gibbs divided by the number of seats already obtained 22/5 + 1= 3.66

Votes obtained by MVP 1/0+1 = 1

Therefore, the two lists namely Team Gibbs and Alliance received the most votes and they got the residual seat. President Gibbs then nominated his candidate to be the 6 members of the Territorial Council in the person of Marie-Dominique Ramphort

In his official address to the nation, President Daniel Gibbs was very firm and clear on what he intends to do for St. Martin in order to bring about change and prosperity. He made clear that while being deputy he voted for a law to enhance cooperation between the Dutch and French side and that he said will be worked on speedily because cooperation can no longer be a hug and handshake on November 11th.

Besides that the forgotten districts French Quarter and Sandy Ground will receive more attention, one being more public services will be in these two districts, while an office for the territorial police will also be established in both districts.

President Gibbs also made clear that what his team promised on the campaign trail they intend to deliver but the people will see progress 10 months from now. He said they do need time to unblock and clean up what they met now that they have taken office.

He said his government intends to work on diversifying the tourism industry, work will be done to eliminate the early morning and afternoon traffic from Grand Case to Philipsburg since some major road works will be conducted. The repairs on Marina Royale and Gallis Bay Port will take place along with camera surveillance.

President Gibbs said that his government will work on creating jobs for the youths, reduce youth delinquency by providing courses to the youths so that they could fit in the job market. The newly elected president said that they intend to do something to create jobs for people because they cannot have the social services with a 38 million debt since women, and the unemployed are living on the RSA. This he said will be addressed since this government intends to diversify the economy, more focus will be placed on agriculture and the fishing industry while the environment will have their full attention. President Gibbs said very soon the French side will embark on a massive clean-up campaign in every district on the French side.

President Gibbs said his team will also ensure that article 74 (the Organic Law) works in favor of St. Martin because it is working for St. Barths but the same law is a handicap for St. Martin, he said this can never be so and as such his government will do what it takes for article 74 to work in the interest of the people of St. Martin. He called on the opposition to work with the new government mutually in order for them to move the country forward since there is a lot that has to be done to bring the Collectivity back on track.

Among the invited guests at the installation ceremony on Sunday were Governor Eugene Holiday and his wife Marie-Louise, Prime Minister William Marlin and his wife Gabriel Marlin, President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, Victor Banks from Anguilla and other overseas guests.

On Sunday Guillaume Arnell officiated the ceremony in the absence of outgoing president Aline Hanson who could not be at the ceremony due to her medical condition.

Click here to view photos of the installation ceremony of the Territorial Council 2017
PHILIPSBURG:--- During the police management team meeting on Thursday, March 30th, the case regarding the shooting at a police patrol by two men on a scooter which took place on Wednesday, March 29th was one of the main points of discussion.

Shooting at police officers has not only become more frequent, it has also become extremely radical, with no regard for the lives of others. Luckily no one was injured during this last incident. The police management has become quite concerned for the safety of all officers and has been providing additional training for the officers on how to better deal with these types of situations. However, the management team is making it abundantly clear to the community that this criminal act by individuals is totally unacceptable and will definitely cause the officers who are there to maintain law and order, to react likewise to protect themselves and others. The police will not be intimidated, back down, and will not stop and will continue to weed out those criminal elements hiding in our community.

The management team is also extending sincere gratitude to the Gendarmes on the French Side who reacted immediately to assist the police, to locate the suspects who had fled to French Quarter on a scooter. As a result of their swift actions, they were successful in arresting one of the suspects and confiscating the scooter. This is the great working cooperation the Gendarmes and Police Department have been working on for quite some time by using articles from the Treaty of Concordia. Together both departments we will continue to work to bring this cooperation to the highest level.

In addition, the Police department is encouraging the community to continue calling in when they witness a crime or have knowledge of any criminal activity going on. Let us come together as partners in the fight against crime. If you do this today, it just might prevent yourself from becoming a victim tomorrow.

Fighting crime is not only a police problem; it is also a community problem. The police department is, therefore, asking the community to get on board with them. You never know when crime will come and knock at your door. A simple anonymous phone call to the police tip line may save your life, the life of a family member or any other person.

To share information with your police department please call 54-22222, the community police officer responsible for your district, the emergency line 911 or the anonymous tip line #9300.

KPSM Press Release
PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) is in full preparation to host its Junior Minister of Tourism Panel Discussion/Competition 2017, which will deliver St. Maartens representative for the Youth Tourism Congress hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

The event is structured to mirror a CTO Board of Directors Meeting whereby students must come prepared to share their knowledge and views on salient tourism issues. The students will be asked to choose one (1) of three (3) tourism related topics to research and present their findings to a panel of judges and an audience comprising fellow students, teachers, and parents who can attend. There will also be a Mystery topic provided on the day which none of the students will know of beforehand. This will test the students ability to be spontaneous.

The event will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017, from 9 am to 12 pm at the Belair Community Center or the Philipsburg Cultural Center.

Participating schools are Milton Peters College (4 sections), Sundial, MAC High, St. Dominic High, St. Maarten Academy, and Charlotte Brookson. The winner of this panel discussion will be awarded the title of Junior Minister of Tourism for one year during which time they will represent the island at local and regional functions together with the Tourist office.

Additionally, he or she will go on to represent St. Maarten at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Youth Tourism Congress slated to take place in Grenada this year during the month of October. In Grenada, they will go up against eight to ten other countries/islands for the regional title of Junior Minister of Tourism.

Head of the STB Rolando Brison extended thanks to the participating schools and congratulated the students in advance who have opted to participate. He said the students have chosen to participate in an event that can stimulate careers and change lives.

The first time I was ever exposed to tourism was over 16 years ago when I was given the honor to represent my school in the youth tourism debates, which lead to me representing my island and then the Caribbean as the first chairman of the CTO Youth Congress, Brison said.

I'm a firsthand witness to the power of youth tourism awareness initiatives like these in preparing future leaders of our tourism industry. This is a project very dear to my heart, and I'm very pleased with our product development team at STB for doing such a great job putting this together, and were excited that such a large number of schools and students have chosen to participate, he added.

Brison will meet with all student teams participating in the panel discussion soon.
It would've seemed like a bit of an overreaction to outsiders when 4,500 resident doctors in Maharashtra proceeded on mass casual leave between March 21 and 24 after a colleague was assaulted by relatives of a patient under his care.

But the attack on Rohit Kumar, a junior doctor at Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak municipal hospital, wasn't the first. Since January 2015, there have been over 50 incidents of patients' relatives or attendants assaulting doctors in state-run medical establishments. In many cases, the doctors were grievously injured and hospitalised.

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On March 14, Rohan Mhamunkar, a doctor at the civil hospital in Dhule, was thrashed by relatives of an accident victim. Mhamunkar had suggested that the patient be shifted since the hospital didn't have a neurosurgeon. He suffered multiple injuries and came precariously close to losing an eye.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) justified the strike, which was withdrawn on March 24 after a rap from the Bombay High Court. MARD officials say assaults on doctors are increasing as the government has not kept its promise of appointing enough security guards and installing CCTV cameras in hospitals. Now, state medical education minister Girish Mahajan has promised to recruit 1,100 guards at the earliest.

A public interest litigation in the high court on March 22 claimed at least 58 patients had died over just two days of the strike. However, the government maintained that not every death was because of the agitation. On March 23, the state government appointed a committee to ascertain how hospitals could be secured. A positive move that will hopefully not end up as a cosmetic exercise.

--- ENDS ---
POINTE BLANCHE:--- Management of Port St. Maarten recently met with a representative from the Netherlands Investment Agency (NIA) which ensures optimum compliance of projects with the requirements eligible for financing opportunities offered by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port St. Maarten, Mark Mingo, met with the Director of the NIA Peter Martens, who was on a working visit to Sint Maarten in search of opportunities that could qualify for funding from the EFSI.

It was a pleasure to have met with Mr. Martens from the NIA. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dutch Representative Chris Johnson for his coordination of this meeting. We provided a lot of information with respect to investments made in the past and what type of investments need to be made in the near future in order to keep the port and the destination overall competitive in cruise tourism. Caribbean destinations are facing a number of challenges such as private cruise port islands and the opening up of Cuba.

The EFSI offers more competitive commercial loans within the European Union or associated countries, to support projects in areas such as smart cities, circular economy, energy transition and support for corporate finance. Infrastructure and logistical investments fall within the scope of the aforementioned, and the port has already been making investments in a Global Logistics System (GLS) software platform that streamlines crane operations making it more efficient and effective to the benefit of customers as well as Portbase Port Community Systems.

Port St. Maarten has taken a strategic approach in order to secure more business, and we are working diligently on this by meeting and having discussions with cruise line executives as part of our on-going marketing efforts. We need to look at building on our strengths in order to continue to grow in the foreseeable future, as our competitors in the region are securing funding to expand their cruise infrastructure.

Cruise lines across the board are making considerable investments in constructing Future Larger Vessels (FLV). The next generation ships are the largest ships ever to be built which will be larger and hold more passengers than those currently serving the cruise sector.

Port St. Maarten must be ready to accommodate the next-generation cruise ships that are currently under construction or will be built in the foreseeable future. These investments will take time to be made, and therefore it is very important to start from now in order to make those strategic sustainable investments to protect our cruise tourism product and grow our economy, CEO Mark Mingo said on Sunday.

The two organizations where EFSI funds are drawn from is the EIB Group responsible for the overall implementation consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF).

The role of the NIA is to set the course and prepare the road for parties approaching the EIB and the EFSI in particular and to provide information about the objectives and possibilities of the EFSI fund.

The NIA: advises and assists public and private parties in the preparation and development of investment projects; advises and assists government departments and other government bodies in producing an inventory of investments; brings investors and financial parties in the Netherlands together: banks, sectoral banks, the Netherlands Investment Institute (NLII), Regional Development Agencies (ROMs), etc.

The NIA, established by the Dutch Ministers of Finance and Economic Affairs, also undertakes the acquisition of regional, national and cross-border projects with a high probability of success; carries out Quick Scans to determine the viability of projects; encourages the submission of suitable projects; and addresses obstacles in regulations and permits, in consultation with the partner council.

The EFSI is an initiative launched jointly by the EIB Group and the European Commission to help overcome the current investment gap in the European Union by mobilizing private financing for strategic investments.

With EFSI support, the EIB Group will provide funding for economically viable projects where it adds value, including projects with a higher risk profile than ordinary EIB activities.

It will focus on sectors of key importance where the EIB Group has proven expertise and the capacity to deliver a positive impact on the European economy, including Strategic infrastructure including digital, transport and energy; Education, research, development and innovation; Expansion of renewable energy and resource efficiency; and support for smaller businesses and midcap companies.
Claim: A secret tape recorded aboard the doomed space shuttle Challenger captured the final panic-stricken moments of the crew. Rating: About this rating False

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Seventy-three seconds into the 28 January 1986 flight of the space shuttle Challenger the craft broke apart, killing the seven astronauts aboard. Videotapes released by NASA afterwards showed that a few seconds before the disaster, an unusual plume of fire and smoke could be seen spewing from the lower section of the shuttle's right solid-fuel rocket. It was generally assumed (and NASA did little to disturb this opinion) that all aboard died the moment the external tank blew up.

NASA later conceded it was likely that at least three of the crew members aboard remained conscious after the explosion, and perhaps even throughout the few minutes it took forthe crew compartment of the shuttle to fall back to Earth and slam into the Atlantic Ocean. The agency was highly secretive about matters relating to the Challenger tragedy, actively fighting in the courts media requests to be allowed access to photographs of the wreckage, the details of the settlements made with the crews' families, or the autopsy reports, and this reticence to share information likely convinced some that there was more to the story than was being told.

Such an environment breeds its own rumors, and Miami Herald reporter Dennis E. Powell wrote that the crew were likely all alive and conscious until the shuttle's crew compartment plunged into the Atlantic Ocean:

When the shuttle broke apart, the crew compartment did not lose pressure, at least not at once. There was an uncomfortable jolt  "A pretty good kick in the pants" is the way one investigator describes it  but it was not so severe as to cause injury. This probably accounted for the "uh oh" that was the last word heard on the flight deck tape recorder that would be recovered from the ocean floor two months later. As they were feeling the jolt, the four astronauts on the flight deck saw a bright flash and a cloud of steam. The lights went out. The intercom went dead. After a few breaths, the seven astronauts stopped getting oxygen into their helmets. Someone, apparently astronaut Ronald McNair, leaned forward and turned on the personal emergency air pack of shuttle pilot Michael Smith. The PEAP of Commander Francis Scobee was in a place where it was difficult to reach. It was not activated. Even so, if the crew compartment did not rapidly lose air pressure, Scobee would only have had to lift his mask to be able to breathe. Two other PEAPs were turned on. The three others were never found. Though the shuttle had broken to pieces, the crew compartment was intact. It stabilized in a nose-down attitude within 10 to 20 seconds, say the investigators. Even if the compartment was gradually losing pressure, those on the flight deck would certainly have remained conscious long enough to catch a glimpse of the green-brown Atlantic rushing toward them. If it lost its pressurization very slowly or remained intact until it hit the water, they were conscious and cognizant all the way down. In fact, no clear evidence was ever found that the crew cabin depressurized at all. There was certainly no sudden, catastrophic loss of air of the type that would have knocked the astronauts out within seconds. Such an event would have caused the mid-deck floor to buckle upward; that simply didn't happen.

A purported transcript of the Challenger crew's final horrifying moments has circulated online for many years, supposedly taken from a "secret tape" leaked from NASA:

A secret NASA tape reveals that the crew of the shuttle Challenger not only survived the explosion that ripped the vessel apart; they screamed, cried, cursed and prayed for three hellish minutes before they slammed into the Atlantic and perished on January 28, 1986. The tape is said to begin with a startled crewman screaming,"What happened? What happened? Oh God - No!" Screams and curses are heard - several crewmen begin to weep - and then others bid their families farewell. Two minutes forty-five seconds later the tape ends. That's when the shuttles crew compartment, which remained intact after the vessel exploded over the Atlantic, hit the ocean at over 2,000 miles per hour, instantly killing the crew. "Cover up? Of course there was a coverup," declared Robert Hotz, a member of the Presidential commission that investigated the disaster. "NASA can't face the fact that they put these astronauts in a situation where they didn't have adequate equipment to survive. NASA doesn't give a damn about anything but covering it's ass," he said. The official account released by NASA ends with shuttle pilot Michael Smith saying, "Uh-oh!" Some NASA employees have evidently heard more - much more. And they provided the rest of the account based on what they've discussed within NASA in the last five years. The astronauts had time and realized something was happening after the shuttle broke up. "All shuttle astronauts carry personal recorders and the tape in question apparently came from Christa's (McAuliffe), which was recovered after the shuttle disaster," said Hotz. Jarvis was sitting beside her, and when he figured out what was happening he said, "Give me your hand." "NASA insists there's nothing like that on tape but they're talking about the mission tape, not Christa's. So they're not lying, but they're not telling the truth, either." A journalist with close ties to NASA was even more emphatic, "There are persistent rumors, dating back to the disaster, that this tape is absolutely bone-chilling." The following transcript begins two seconds after NASA's official version ends, with pilot Michael Smith saying, "Uh-oh!" Times from the moment of takeoff are shown in minutes and seconds and are approximate. The sex of the speaker is indicated by M or F. T+1:15 (M) What happened? What happened? Oh God, no - no! T+1:17 (F) Oh dear God. T+1:18 (M) Turn on your air pack! Turn on your air... T+1:20 (M) Can't breathe... choking... T+1:21 (M) Lift up your visor! T+1:22 (M/F) (Screams.) It's hot. (Sobs.) I can't. Don't tell me... God! Do it...now... T+1:24 (M) I told them... I told them... Dammit! Resnik don't... T+1:27 (M) Take it easy! Move (unintelligible)... T+1:28 (F) Don't let me die like this. Not now. Not here... T+1:31 (M) Your arm... no... I (extended garble, static) T+1:36 (F) I'm... passing... out... T+1:37 (M) We're not dead yet. T+1:40 (M) If you ever wanted (unintelligible) me a miracle... (unintelligible)... (screams) T+1:41 (M) She's... she's... (garble) ... damn! T+1:50 (M) Can't breathe... T+1:51 (M/F) (screams) Jesus Christ! No! T+1:54 (M) She's out. T+1:55 (M) Lucky... (unintelligible). T+1:56 (M) God. The water... we're dead! (screams) T+2:00 (F) Goodbye (sobs)... I love you, I love you... T+2:03 (M) Loosen up... loosen up... T+2:07 (M) It'll just be like a ditch landing... T+2:09 (M) That's right, think positive. T+2:11 (M) Ditch procedure... T+2:14 (M) No way! T+2:17 (M) Give me your hand... T+2:19 (M) You awake in there? I... I... T+2:29 (M) Our Father... (unintelligible)... T+2:42 (M) ...hallowed be Thy name... (unintelligible). T+2:57 (M) You...over there? T+2:58 (M) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall... not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures... though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... I will dwell in the house... T+3:15 to end. None. Static, silence. Rest in Peace

However, this "transcript" originated with an article published in a February 1991 issue of Weekly World News, a tabloid famous for creating news stories out of whole cloth. There never was such a transcript, nor was the crew of the Challenger known to have been wearing personal recorders. Moreover, personal recorders would not have picked up the comments of crew members on different decks as the faked transcript would have us believe.

Not everyone aboard died the exact second the external tank exploded; that much is known. A complete understanding of exactly what happened in that cabin after the explosion remains elusive because the impact of the crash, plus the six weeks the wreckage and bodies spent in the sea, made it impossible to determine precisely when and how everybody aboard died. (Six weeks in sea water would also have ruined any unshielded audio tapes that miraculously survived the explosion and the crash.)

If the cabin depressurized immediately, the crew would have lived about 6 to 15 seconds after the blast; if not, they might have survived for the full two minutes and forty-five seconds it took the cabin to fall 65,000 feet back to Earth. They most certainly could not have lived through the crushing 207 mph impact with the waters off the Florida coast, which negates the wilder versions of "survived astronauts" rumors that had them still alive for hours (and even days) under the sea, waiting for rescuers who could not reach them in time.

Possibly the best clue towards solving the mystery of how long the doomed crew survived lies in what NASA learned from examining the four emergency air packs recovered from the wreckage. Three had been manually activated, which demonstrated that at least some of the crew realized something had gone wrong and had taken steps to save themselves. However, the fourth unactivated pack speaks with an even stronger voice, indicating that most likely realization of the circumstances and loss of consciousness were occurring at roughly the same time.

That was the conclusion of Dr. Joseph Kerwin, director of Life Sciences at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. His July 1986 report was based on an official examination of the debris of the crew compartment, audio tapes and other data recorded on the shuttle, the remains of the astronauts, and photographs of the capsule as it fell after the shuttle exploded.

In the report, Dr. Kerwin said: "The cause of death of the Challenger astronauts cannot be positively determined, the forces to which the crew were exposed during the orbiter breakup were probably not sufficient to cause death or serious injury, and the crew possibly, but not certainly, lost consciousness in the seconds following orbiter breakup due to in-flight loss of crew module pressure."

In other words, they might well have lived for the full spiral down and might even have been fully conscious for all of that hellish descent. But even if so, this fabricated "transcript" does not preserve their final words.
Federal fentanyl bust leads to arrest of two Elkhart men

Two Elkhart men are accused of conspiring to ship the fentanyl to Austin, Texas.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI) Malaysia and India today urged countries to resolve the South China Sea dispute without resorting to threat, by exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoiding unilateral actions that may increase tensions.

They also emphasised that all parties should show utmost respect to the United Nations Convention on Laws of Seas (UNCLOS), 1982 which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.

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Malaysia is one of the claimants to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law and UNCLOS.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two sides were conscious of their role and responsibility in promoting economic prosperity, freedom of navigation, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, especially its oceans.

The two leaders also welcomed the strong cooperation in the areas of defence and security and resolved to conclude an MoU on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime, apart from agreeing to finalise the Treaty on Transfer of Prisoners.

They also welcomed operationalisation of mechanism for sharing information intelligence, including for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and white shipping.

White shipping information refers to exchange of relevant advance information on the identity and movement of commercial non-military merchant vessels.

"Our wide ranging defence partnership has already brought our armed forces closer. We are cooperating in training, capacity building, maintenance of equipment and military hardware, maritime security and in disaster response," Modi said. PTI PR AAR

--- ENDS ---
Where in the solar system will humans go next? NASA and private industry are mulling whether astronauts should first go back to the moonor instead voyage directly to Mars. A near-Earth asteroid could be a third possible destination for near-future human missions.

THE WOODLANDS, TexasShould the U.S. send humans back to the moon in a 21st-century reboot of the cold warera Apollo program  or should the nation go full-throttle and for the gusto, sending crews to all the way to Mars, where none have gone before? U.S. scientists and policy makers have grappled ad nauseam with America's next great otherworldly destination for decades, without making much meaningful progress. Now that it is approaching a half-century since an American  or anyone at all, for that matter  last left low Earth orbit, the debate seems lost in space.

Soon that shall change, many advocates of human spaceflight believe, through a hybrid of new initiatives by Pres. Donald Trump's administration as well as commercial efforts led by private industry. The Trump White House's vision for U.S. astronauts remains at present a foggy TBD, but there are plans afoot to relaunch a National Space Council. Helmed by Vice Pres. Mike Pence, the council would set a new space agenda not only for NASA but also for U.S. rocket companies, big and small, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Orbital ATK.

In the meantime, speculation about the U.S.'s future in space has reached its highest point in recent memory, as made clear here last week by the proceedings of the 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC). At the meeting, scientists unleashed the latest findings regarding Earth's moon, Mars, asteroids, comets and myriad other cosmic objects of interest, often with a hopeful eye toward rekindling human voyages to other worlds. Although robotic probes are the persistent currency of discovery in today's planetary science, many researchers increasingly see astronauts as crucial agents of exploration in the not-too-distant future.

Destination Moon

"Planetary science will completely change once we get crew beyond low Earth orbit," says David Kring, a senior staff scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. "The best way to explore the moon is by the well-trained astronaut, hands down. Apollo demonstrated that wonderfully."

Kring says he is eager to see the first NASA exploration missions using the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which is currently being developed along with a crewed Orion spacecraft. At the Trump administration's insistence, NASA is assessing the prospect of flying a two-person crew around the moon in mid-2019  years ahead of schedule for the delay-plagued SLS and Orion programs. "I'm even more anxious to see crews deploy robotic assets to the lunar surface and eventually land there themselves," Kring adds. "We need to get back on the surface. We need to collect samples. And we need to bring them back to Earth."

A Scientific Bonanza

The moon is a bonanza for scientists, Kring says, because it offers crucial insights for understanding the origins and evolution of Earth and other planets: how they formed from the accretion and differentiation of smaller bodies; how they were bombarded by impacts early in their histories; and even how some of them migrated in their orbits around the sun. "The best place to answer those questions is on the moon," he explains, given that its airless surface contains the scarcely altered imprints of 4.5 billion years of solar system history.

You can't be a Martian without being a lunatic, suggests Clive Neal, a lunar scientist at the University of Notre Dame. (Image credit: Barbara David)

Here on Earth destructive geologic processes cloud our view of those long-gone formative eons, Kring says. Even on modern-day Mars, a planet far more inert than Earth, many of the answers we might seek to our solar system's deepest mysteries have been erased by the slow workings of geology.

Kring also sees the moon as a gateway to Mars. "We have to have legitimate, meaningful milestones on our way to Mars," he explains. "We all want to get humans on Mars. The question is how do you get there? I don't think we're going to develop the right workforce with the capabilities to magically get to Mars by 2035 or 2045. We need to develop the techniques and the workforce for that leap, and that can happen in [lunar orbit] and on the moon."

Every Martian is a Lunatic

According to Clive Neal, a lunar scientist at the University of Notre Dame, any moon-versus-Mars argument is a nonstarter. "It's not either-or," he says, because the moon can enable Mars by tapping lunar resources to support a sustainable human expansion deeper into the solar system.

"You can't be a Martian without being a lunatic," Neal says. "If you want to do 'flags and footprints,' go to Mars now. But you'll never go back, because that's Apollo  a fantastic program, but it was not sustainable."

To Neal, Earth's satellite is first and foremost a world rich in resources that can and should be used. For example, he pointed to sun-shy craters at the lunar poles, where near-constant darkness has trapped and preserved water ice ripe for conversion into oxygen, water and rocket propellant. "We have to do some basic geologic prospecting," he says. "And if the moon's resources are shown to be substantial, "you then bring the Moon into our economic sphere of influence. I view the moon as enabling, and that comes through its resources."

Apollo Dreams

Speaking at a breakout session prior to the formal start of the LPSC gathering last week, Apollo 17 moon walker and geologist Jack Schmitt reflected on the value of human exploration of the moon. It had been nearly 45 years since Schmitt bunny-hopped his way across the low-gravity lunar landscape in December 1972 during the final Apollo mission; half of Apollos 12 moon walkers have now died. With the passing of his Apollo 17 crewmate, Gene Cernan, earlier this year, Schmitt spoke as the last living person from that mission to have set foot on the moon.

Schmitt's speech raised issues familiar to many in the audience. For decades, he has championed the potential economics of lunar mining for helium 3, an isotope that could be crucial for certain forms of nuclear fusion. The lunar surface has soaked up vast quantities of helium 3 from billions of years of bombardment by the solar wind, Schmitt explained, and drawing on that resource is how a lunar settlement could support itself. Provided, that is, that scientists back on Earth can first figure out how to make nuclear fusion an economically viable power source  a goal that has eluded them for decades.

Schmitt's faith in a lunar future for humankind is unwavering. "A settlement on the Moon based on helium 3 export to Earth for fusion power makes a lot of sense to me. It starts not only to make us a two-planet species but enables, I think, Mars exploration in many different ways," he noted.

Apollo 17 moon walker and geologist Jack Schmitt champions the possible economics of mining helium 3 on the moon. (Image credit: Barbara David)

For example, he said, helium 3 mining would produce by-products including water, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen. These useful substances exist in only the most minuscule traces in lunar soil  but such an enormous amount of surface material would have to be processed to harvest helium 3 that they would accumulate in significant amounts. Water sourced from the low-gravity moon, Schmitt explained, could be utilized as a protective, radiation-thwarting cocoon, built into the superstructures of Mars-bound crewed spacecraft. "A few inches of water around a spacecraft weights an awful lot and it is expensive bringing it from Earth. You can produce water anywhere on the moon," he said.

Red Planet Runs

Others have little time for the moon and the decades that would be required to develop infrastructure there. Their eyes are instead on the bigger prize: Mars. Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO and chief rocketeer, is the foremost example of the "Mars first" contingent. And according to SpaceX engineer Paul Wooster, Red Planet planning by Musk's private company is steadily progressing. "The vision for SpaceX, long-term, is making it possible for large numbers of people to go to Mars," he says.

SpaceX plans to build a mega-rocket and a giant interplanetary crew transporter to populate Martian outposts and eventually a full-size city, Wooster reports. But before the company can achieve those wild goals it must first firm up its capability to send something  anything at all  to Mars. That would come via interplanetary flights of the firm's Red Dragon spacecraft  a derivative of the SpaceX Dragon capsule that has already hauled cargo to the International Space Station and in due course will take astronauts there. Wooster says SpaceX is intent on rapidly building up surface infrastructure on Mars, hopefully beginning by the mid-2020s. "We obviously have a lot of work ahead of us," he says.

A crucial component of the SpaceX plan for Mars has been demonstrated several times here on Earth. The company has repeatedly landed its Falcon 9 rocket's first stage at sea on a drone ship, and on land at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Because the first stage can then be repeatedly reused rather than flown once and discarded, an economy of scale could develop that greatly reduces the cost of access to space, and thus the price tag of a bank-busting plan to colonize Mars. For SpaceX's ambitious plans to work, the company will have to develop and demonstrate reusability on its next generation of rockets poised to debut after Falcon 9.

Wooster says an unpiloted SpaceX Red Dragon flight to Mars, able to deliver roughly one ton of useful payload, is being considered for 2020. Other Red Dragons could follow every two years or so, when Mars and Earth are in favorable alignments that minimize the fuel needed for an interplanetary crossing.

SpaceX Red Dragon nears autopilot touchdown on Mars. The private firm has the Red Planet in its sights to establish an outpost, and eventually a city, on that distant world. (Image credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX Marks the Spot

"First and foremost is to learn how to land large payloads on Mars," Wooster says. In preparation for planting an outpost on that far-off world, experiments onboard Red Dragon are set to test on-the-spot propellant production. That can be done, he says, by processing water from Mars' surface and with gases extracted from the carbon dioxiderich atmosphere. In fact, NASA is also set to try out something similar  a Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) on the space agency's Mars 2020 rover.

SpaceX has been quietly working with NASA and non-NASA landing site specialists to plot locales for plopping down its spacecraft. Site selection is driven by the quantity of water the firm is looking for  thousands of tons, Wooster explains. One such spot "is looking quite promising," he says: Arcadia Planitia, a smooth plain on Mars that appears to have large quantities of ice near the surface.

Of course, where there is ice there may well be subsurface pockets of liquid water  and potentially life, raising the possibility that SpaceX could violate "planetary protection" protocols by landing in such regions. Wooster says SpaceX is working with NASA's Office of Planetary Protection to properly address such concerns. For now, he reiterates that the company is most definitely open for business and eager to entice researchers to make use of Red Dragon for toting their experiments. "SpaceX is a transportation company," Wooster explains. "We're very happy to deliver payloads to Mars for various people," he adds, an offer that has also piqued NASA's interest in contracting with the company to launch a potential science experiment in 2020. "We want to turn this into a steady cadence where we are sending [Red] Dragons to Mars based on every opportunity as we go forward, and eventually shifting over to our large Mars vehicle to deliver very large payloads," he concludes.

Be it back to the moon or first footfalls on Mars, the trajectory taken by the U.S. appears to have the research community in ready-and-waiting mode. Whether it comes via government-backed public-private partnerships, international collaboration or go-it-alone endeavors by the only nation to have landed astronauts on the moon, there is plenty of extraterrestrial science that can  and will  be done, potentially even by humans.

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"I have been working for AAP for four years now. I have devoted my time, energy and money for the party," Aam Aadmi Party said.

By Mail Today Bureau: Miffed at not being given a ticket to contest the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) election on, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker attempted self- immolation on Saturday.

Surendra Sethi of Mongolpuri in outer Delhi reached MLA Rakhi Birla's office where he had an argument with her on the issue. He then came out and poured petrol on himself.

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Just as he had set himself on fire, people caught hold of him, extinguished the flames and rushed him to the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital. He is said to be out of danger now.

Sethi told media persons, "I have been working for AAP for four years now. I have devoted my time, energy and money for the party. I sought a ticket from Mongolpuri's ward number 54. I learnt there are in total 13 claimants for a ticket from AAP for the ward. I respect the hard work of all these people."

"But eventually, AAP chose a man who is a rank outsider. Nobody knows his name here and he has never even organised a langar (community kitchen) in Mongolpuri as opposed to the kind of social work we have done," Sethi added.

He said when he went to discuss the issue with Birla, she dismissed the issue. Also when he asked her what he should do now, "commit suicide?" she answered, "It is not my concern." Angry, he tried to do the same.

Birla's office did not respond to queries regarding the incident.

BJP, Congress and AAP are dealing with the issue of disgruntled workers who have been denied tickets for the April-23 MCD polls. A prominent face of Congress from Malviya Nagar, Neelam Gulati, also reportedly quit the party Saturday and joined Shiv Sena.

Also Watch: Vigilance department exposes loopholes in AAP's Feedback Unit

Also Read

AAP runs into further trouble, vigilance department cites loopholes in party's feedback unit

--- ENDS ---
El-Aaiun (Occupied Territories) 2 April 2017 (SPS) - The Moroccan forces surrounded Saturday El-Aaiun, the capital of the occupied Western Sahara, by moving in massive military equipment from different regions, stationed in the outskirts and center of the city, said the Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Community Abroad.

Dozens of military vehicles entered El-Aaiun coming from the military wall that separates Western Sahara and its people, where the Moroccan army is entrenched, distributed to different places in the city, as well as some rural areas in Ed-Shera and Fum-Elwad.

The Moroccan authorities often move in its military forces in conjunction with the visit of their king, however, the size of the forces that has been dumped in El-Aaiun these days is a dangerous precedent that added to the crimes of Moroccan in Western Sahara, said the same source. (SPS)

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If you think concern over a presidents perhaps too- cozy relationship with a foreign country and its dictator is something new, you have not read the critics of Thomas Jefferson more than 200 years ago.

In Nina Sankovitchs new novelistic history of a great American family, The Lowells of Massachusetts (St. Martins Press), we see how many people in New England were up in arms over the Southern presidents affection for France and his tolerance of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The lawyer-turned-writer John Lowell received much support for his broadsides against Jeffersons blind eye toward the atrocities of the French Revolution and the way the president seemed to ignore Napoleons obvious interest in dominating Europe and crushing England.

The criticism of Jeffersons ties to France was a revelation to me, Sankovitch says of the way her research into the history of the Lowell family from 1638 to 1922 kept surprising her. I saw so many of the events in American history from a point of view I never considered.

The family history marks a big departure for the Westport writer, whose first two books were personal memoirs involving her love of reading and her fascination with the dying art of letter-writing.

The book grew out of the research Sankovitch did for Signed, Sealed, Delivered, which touched on the letter-writing of the poet Amy Lowell (1874-1925) and spawned the initial idea of doing a novel about the life of the Pulitzer Prize-winner.

Ive loved Amy Lowell since I was in the second grade. I used to copy her poetry, Sankovitch says. She was such an interesting character  an obese lesbian poet from a Boston Brahmin family. I was going to focus on Amy, but she had a codicil in her will that all of her letters were to be burned when she died. I was horrified at first, but you can only burn the letters in your possession, and there were plenty out there in (other places).

Sankovitchs reading gradually expanded from Amy Lowells time to the earliest American days of the Lowells in the 1620s, when Perceval brought his family over from England and planted their roots here. The more she read, the more Sankovitch became fascinated by the impact of this one family on the countrys history, playing key roles in the American Revolution, the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.

I read a history of the Lowells from the 1930s, but it was very curated to only tell the side the family wanted. That got me going, because I wanted to know more, especially about the women. Who read what, who saw what and who wore what, she says.

The resulting book is an astonishingly compact 328 pages (considering how much family history it covers) and reads like a fine novel. You might be reminded of one of those deep digs into history and storytelling that James Michener used to do in his novels Hawaii and Chesapeake.

Its an immigrant story, Sankovitch says of another surprisingly timely element in the book. They came to escape England, looking for social and economic security.

Many members of the family wrote well  even those who were merchants or men of the cloth  which aided Sankovitch in her research. They left such a big trail  so many documents. That made them an easier family to study. Even (original settler) Perceval wrote and was very expressive, she says.

The author admits the project was daunting, since she intended to cover so many years in the life of a family and was determined to keep the narrative tight.

It was overwhelming at first, she says. So many of the kids were named the same thing that it was hard to keep them straight. I would be reading about one of the children dying at 3 years old, and then they would name the next child the same thing. ... Francis named his son John Jr., and I didnt get that at all.

In addition to huge pieces of white paper taped to the wall with family trees drawn all over them, Sankovitch filled stacks of marble notebooks, each one devoted to a different person.

Im sure there was an easier way; young people would probably do it all on a computer, she says.

The author is pleased by the advance praise of the books narrative momentum from the 17th century into the 20th century.

I wanted it to read like a novel about a family, rather than a textbook, she says.

jmeyers@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @joesview
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Connecticut Democrats, have joined more than 30 senators in backing a bill to reverse President Donald Trumps moves to end the fight against climate change.

The bill seeks to rescind Trumps executive order reversing several landmark U.S. initiatives designed to lessen climate change.

This damaging executive order erodes commonsense rules that are vital to the health of our planet, Blumenthal said.

In Connecticut, we know climate change is not an issue we can kick down the road for the next generation, Blumenthal added. Severe, irreversible damage is being done right now, and we must take action immediately. The Trump Administrations decision to undo the Clean Power Plan flies in the face of reality, threatens our safety and signals an utter disregard for the future of our planet.

The Clean Air Healthy Kids Act would block federal agencies from implementing the actions outlined in President Trumps Energy Independence Executive Order. These actions include reevaluating the Clean Power Plan, which is currently on track to provide $54 billion in climate and health benefits each year, prevent thousands of premature deaths and asthma attacks in children, reduce electricity bills for homes and businesses, and create thousands of good-paying jobs.

The time for debating climate change is over, Murphy said. President Trumps executive order will undo the years of progress weve made in Connecticut to curb pollution and protect our environment. The quality of our air and water in our state will worsen, and climate damage will cause irreversible harm to our economy and national security.

Trump has said the regulations stand in the way of jobs and represent an overreach by the federal government.
Design is a challenging profession, and most designers learn early on in their careers that there are two ways to do it. Some choose to take the entrepreneurial route and launch their own brand, electing to deal with the challenges of production, marketing, and eCommerce. Others decide to leverage the resources of big box brands and design strictly for another company, which often limits their creative control and scope. But, there are new trends in the industry that are beginning to blur the line between the role of designer and entrepreneur.

eCommerce is on the rise worldwide, and because the middle class is growing globally, online retailers can expect significant growth in the coming years. A recent study found that online sales increased by 7.5 percent between June 2015 and June 2016. That kind of growth indicates a shift in consumer thinking, something ideal for smaller brands. If a retail business can operate without opening a brick-and-mortar location, designers who have a product but lack the capital to purchase coveted shelf space have the chance to compete.

Here are four industry trends that will help designers who want to go the entrepreneurial route:

1. Designer empowerment

While online growth gives designers options for eCommerce, it does not necessarily solve all of the other problems that come with starting a brand. For example, designers work tirelessly to create designs their fans and customers will like, but the product itself will never get developed without a manufacturing partner to actually produce them. Brands like Etsy opened up the eCommerce world for designers but did little to help them with production and operations.

There are a growing number of companies trying to take that next step and provide platforms that solve logistical hurdles for entrepreneurial designers.

Ryan Kang, CEO of ROOY, a footwear creation and eCommerce platform, shares, Many designers cannot afford high start up costs and do not know how to create the operational side of their business. Manufacturing platforms help to eliminate those costs by leveraging networks of manufacturers and by being able to make low minimum quantities.

Marketing can also be a challenge. Designers often understand the importance of branding and social media, but are not experts on sales and consumer behavior. Kang explains, Even for designers that can produce their own shoes; they often run into the problem of where to market their brand. Designers are supposed to be focused on the product, so it makes sense that the rest of the business has loose ends.

eCommerce and manufacturing platforms are paving the way forward for designers.

2. Asian market

A growing middle class in numerous Asian countries is driving significant growth in the region. Data from Transparency Market Research shows that the regional market is expected to increase by $17 billion over the next seven years. Designers looking to reach new markets can benefit from familiarizing themselves with style trends in these markets to tap into that growth.

The potential for sales amidst such growth is significant. For designers in these regions its important to gear up production now to match the projected increase in demand. With thriving fashion centers in Seoul and Tokyo, the potential for visibility is increased for those that can tie themselves to trends.

3. Social commerce

Everyone is aware of the importance of social media for a brand. An online poll from Civic Science found that 20 percent of consumers said social media impacts what kind of clothing and accessories they purchase. Social commerce, however, is deeper than a promoted Instagram post or an influencer giving an online review.

Consumers are not just looking for new brands -- they want to learn about the brands development and participate in its story. This development in consumer preference has driven companies to invest in content marketing, and some of them are changing the way we perceive advertising altogether. Brands that connect the consumer to the story behind the product help establish a stronger connection to the brand. That is a unique advantage for entrepreneurial designers who, by nature, have a human story to tell that is more relatable than big box retailers. Designers need to be aware of this and capitalize on that advantage.

4. Millennials are shopping specialty

Millennials are quickly becoming the most influential consumer group. This means millennial preferences will begin to dictate the way brands behave in the market.

Marshal Cohen of NPD Group shares, With so many retailers and brands trying to court this segment, it becomes very competitive and challenging to win share of younger Millennials discretionary, hard-to-come-by spending.

Marshals study found that millennials prefer shopping with specialty brands for unique product offerings, dedicating 3.2 percent of their entire spending to specialty retail, compared to a more conservative 1.9 percent from older consumers. Designers seeking access to this powerful consumer group will likely find more success with smaller platforms than big box retail.

Designers that want to tap into these trends should consider what assets and experience they bring to the table to determine what partners they need to help launch their brand. For those with design expertise, but needing support with manufacturing, marketing, or eCommerce, a creation platform may be an ideal option to help get their designs into the hands of their customers. The result will be a market with fewer middlemen, bringing designers and consumers closer than they have even been before.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
April Fools Day falls on a weekend this year, so youre safe from any pranks that might be perpetrated in the workplace, such as the traditional whoopie cushion on a chair, office supplies in jello and boxes coming to life in the stockroom.

But it hasnt stopped a number of brands from getting ahead of the holiday -- although we use "holiday" very loosely -- and putting a prank out to the world.

From a purely practical perspective, working for a news organization, sussing out the truth is of utmost importance. So all of us here at Entrepreneur tend to be a little wary of press releases about new features or initiatives that land in our inboxes around the end of March and are just this side of outlandish.

Related: An April Fool's Day Prank Led This Burger Chain to Start Selling Milkshakes Made With Crickets

We understand wanting to appear like you appreciate whimsy, but we have to wonder if its the best use of time and resources to make something that isnt real. There could be a positive outcome, but there is always a danger of annoying your customers and the media, having it fall flat and or just being quickly forgotten.

And if everyone is participating, how do you make your prank stand out from the crowd? A lot of companies seemed to run into that problem this year. So to that end, here are some of the 2017 April Fools Day offerings that either impressed or confounded us.

Honda

The car manufacturer put out a commercial advertising its new horn technology: buttons with emoji faces that have corresponding horn sounds. The horn is supposed to let drivers express how they are feeling, like if they want to say hello to a neighbor or commiserate with the person stuck in traffic with them. We have to say, the ad is actually pretty charming. We give it an

Coffeemate

The coffee creamer maker put out a tweet that coffee flavored Coffeemate is coming soon. If you look at the @ replies, some people have been fooled by the companys photoshop job, but wed characterize the execution of this joke as weak tea. (Sorry, had to).

You've been asking for it, so we delivered! Coming to stores soon, Coffee flavored Coffee-mate! RT if you're ready! pic.twitter.com/xV0kQhQ9DA  Coffee-mate (@Coffee_mate) March 31, 2017

SodaStream

SodaStream pulled in a big name with Paris Hilton. The fake commercial is for NanoDrop, a supposedly super hydrating drop of water made to cut down on plastic waste. Hilton has a surprisingly proficient deadpan delivery and is a good sport. And we all just want to save the turtles, dont we?

Burger King

In Japan, the fast food giant released burger scented perfume, and in the U.S., the company made an ad for Whopper flavored toothpaste. Honestly, we enjoy hamburgers, but thats a bridge too far. Its just gross. And the ad is a little creepy.

Although, we are sensing a trend here: Honda, SodaStream and Burger King all went for the mad science aesthetic in their videos. Which is to say, if everyone is going to participate, eventually the pranks begin to run together.

Duolingo

Duolingo and Honda seemed to be on the same page. The language learning platform put together a course for translating emoji, promising users that they can learn emoji in just five minutes a day. For free. Well played, Duolingo.

Image credit: Duolingo

Lyft The ride-hailing service put out a 60-second clip advertising -- we think? -- a fake device that lets you request a car by just using your thumb. We're not really sure what we just watched here. We can appreciate the Tron-inspired aesthetic, but honestly, we're just pretty confused by this one.

KFC

In Canada, the fast food chain had better luck than Lyft with the futuristic tech commercial vibe. It put out an ad for a voice-activated smart device shaped like, you guessed it, a bucket. Points for simplicity and staying on brand.

Ikea

An Ikea in Singapore joked that it would be swapping out the toys in its childrens play center in favor of an array of tablets. Cue the concerned parents talking about the dangers of too much screen time. The joke was pretty well thought out -- the directions to kids to not run with the tablets was a nice touch.

Image credit: IKEA

FreshDirect

The grocery delivery service advertised pitless avocados. The commercial perfectly satirizes the comically complicated kitchen activities at the beginning of infomercials, complete with the black and white filter and over-the-top frustration.

Snickers

Nope, sorry, none of that. Better luck next year, champ.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Men who work in night shifts can suffer from these severe health problems.

By Asian News International: Working in night shifts can make things worst for men between the age of 20 to 27, as a study finds, cumulative sleep restriction and circadian disruption can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life.

Researchers found that healthy men had reduced levels of a marker of bone formation in their blood after three weeks of cumulative sleep restriction and circadian disruption, similar to that seen in jet lag or shift work, while a biological marker of bone resorption, or breakdown, was unchanged.

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The results of the study are scheduled to be presented at the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

"This altered bone balance creates a potential bone loss window that could lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures," said lead investigator Christine Swanson from the University of Colorado in Aurora.

"If chronic sleep disturbance is identified as a new risk factor for osteoporosis, it could help explain why there is no clear cause for osteoporosis in the approximately 50 percent of the estimated 54 million Americans with low bone mass or osteoporosis," Swanson added.

They conducted a study on 10 men, in which six were aged 20 to 27 and the other four were aged 55 to 65, in 2012 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

For three weeks, the participants went to sleep four hours later than the prior day.

Also Read : What do you think is more addictive, nicotine or sugar?

The men were allowed to sleep only 5.6 hours per 24-hour period, since short sleep is also common for night and shift workers and ate the same amounts of calories and nutrients throughout the study.

The results indicated that after three weeks, all men had significantly reduced levels of a bone formation marker called P1NP compared with baseline.

This decline was greater for the younger men than the older men: a 27 percent versus 18 percent decrease - the levels of the bone resorption marker CTX remained unchanged, an indication that old bone could break down without new bone being formed.

"These data suggest that sleep disruption may be most detrimental to bone metabolism earlier in life, when bone growth and accrual are crucial for long-term skeletal health," she concluded.

--- ENDS ---
A 21-year-old man has been stabbed to death at an off licence in east London.

Metropolitan Police officers found the victim suffering knife wounds inside the shop, in Freemasons Road, Canning Town, around 3.30pm on Sunday.

Three men, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are currently being held at an east London police station.

Police cordon: Emergency services at Freemasons Road, Canning Town / Twitter/@Holly_chestie

Images taken at the scene showed forensic officers working behind a large police cordon.

A blue forensics tent was also erected outside the shop.

Murder scene: Forensic officers outside an off licence where a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death in Freemasons Road, Canning Town / Barney Davis

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: Next of kin have been informed.

Formal identification awaits. A post mortem examination will be held in due course.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) are investigating.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the HMCC on 020 8345 1570 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A council has been told to stop criminalising the destitute and abandon controversial plans to ban begging and busking.

Havering council launched a consultation in February proposing a new Public Space Protection Order which includes bans on spitting, begging, charity solicitation and unlicensed street trading in Romford.

It will also criminalise busking with amplified equipment and will only allow it in designated zones.

But a campaign group has accused the council of trying to implement draconian proposals which will impact the most vulnerable and destitute people in Romford.

A petition has been set up by Jonny Walker of the Keep Streets Live campaign - a non-profit organisation supporting art, culture and community projects in public spaces.

Protest: the petition has been signed by more than 1000 people

On the petition page, which has more than 1,400 signatures, Mr Walker wrote: At a time when homelessness and destitution is rising across the UK, these new powers will do immense damage to the most vulnerable members of society.

If the proposals are passed, anyone caught breaching the regulations could face an on-the-spot fine of 100  which could increase to 1,000 if left unpaid.

Mr Walker said it is waste of public money as many people could not pay the fines, adding: The cost of processing people through the courts does not represent good use of scarce public resources.

The new powers will criminalise people who are doing no harm, he said.

The petition is calling on the council to remove entirely misplaced plans, arguing that council bosses should focus on protecting the most vulnerable instead of prosecuting them.

[We] publicly call on Havering Council to remove plans to criminalise busking with a PSPO and to instead work alongside the Keep Streets Live Campaign, Musician's Union and Equity to bring in new guidance allowing swift enforcement to be taken against buskers who cause a real nuisance, the petition argues.

We also ask that the council remove the clause on 'begging and seeking alms' and to use existing powers to target only those whose behaviour genuine causes alarm, harassment and distress to others.

The consultation closes on April 5.

The Standard has approached Havering council for a comment.
L ondoners basked in the sunshine as temperatures soared higher than Istanbul in the capital.

The mercury hit 17.2C in St Jamess Park on Sunday  six degrees higher than the Turkish city, the Met Office confirmed.

Sun worshippers took to the citys green spaces to enjoy the warm spring weather as crowds of people gathered in the Royal Parks and on Hampstead Heath.

Forecasters said more sunshine will grace the capital on Monday as temperatures look set to hit highs of 19C.

Sunny Sunday: A woman picks daisy's in the sunshine on Hampstead Heath / PA

Charlie Powell, from the Met Office, said: Monday will be the nicest day this week with temperatures in parts of central London getting as warm as 19C.

Tuesday looks likely to be a washout, Mr Powell added but sunny spells will return by Friday.

He said: Tuesday will be the worst day this week, blighted with damp weather and clouds but the rest of the week looks as though the sunshine will return and continue into next weekend.
E d Miliband said he does not recall if he cried or not after suffering a heavy defeat 2015 general election.

However the former leader of the Labour party admitted that it was a terrible shock when his party did much worse than the polls had predicted.

Despite some polls predicting that Labour would finish as the largest party, they won only 258 seats compared with David Camerons 306.

Speaking to Eddie Mair on Sunday's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Miliband said: "It was a terrible shock. It was a terrible shock for lots of people.

"I believed the polls. I wont believe them again."

Asked if he cried or not, he said: "No, I don't recall."

He added: "It was very upsetting. The days afterwards were very, very upsetting days."

He also rejected the suggestion he was depressed afterwards, saying: I wouldnt describe it that way.

He said: "Its hard, very hard, hard as I watch whats happening to the country."

The morning after the election Mr Miliband quit as Leader of the Opposition, telling colleagues who had lost seats he was so sorry.
T he Labour party has called on Theresa May to give NHS workers from the European Union special status in the Brexit process.

MPs have urged the Prime Minister to introduce an "NHS guarantee" while the Liberal Democrats have made calls for the Government to implement an "NHS passport" to protect the rights of health workers from the continent.

Tory former health minister Dan Poulter said it was essential not only to reassure existing NHS workers but also allow the health service to continue recruiting from the EU.

The MP, who also works as an NHS doctor, told The Observer: "The NHS is heavily reliant on the contributions made by many dedicated EU healthcare professionals, and without them, our health and care system simply wouldn't be able to cope."

He added: "Protecting the rights of EU nationals to continue to live in the UK and care for patients is essential, but it is also important that we look after the best interests of the patients of tomorrow.

"Having the right work visa rules to ensure that in future, healthcare professionals from within the EU can continue to contribute to the NHS and care for patients, must be a priority."

Brexit: Article 50 Triggered - In pictures 1 /26 Brexit: Article 50 Triggered - In pictures Britain's ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow delivers British Prime Minister Theresa May's formal notice of the UK's intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Common PA Britain's ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow delivers British Prime Minister Theresa May's formal notice of the UK's intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels AFP/Getty Images European Council President Donald Tusk holds a news conference after receiving British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit letter in notice of the UK's intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to EU Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium Yves Herman/Reuters Prime Minister Theresa May takes her seat after announcing in the House of Commons PA The time 12:20pm shows on Big Ben on March 29, 2017 in London, England. The British Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the Houses of Parliament as Article 50 is triggered and the process that will take the United Kingdom out of the European Union begins Carl Court/Getty Images D-day: pro-EU protesters outside of the Houses of Parliament today as Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 AFP/Getty Images EU Council President Donald Tusk holds British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit letter which was delivered by Britain's permanent representative to the European Union Tim Barrow (not pictured) that gives notice of the UK's intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty in Brussels, Belgium Yves Herman/Reuters PMQ's in The House of Commons PA Jeremy Corbyn speaking at PMQ's in The House of Commons Sky News Theresa May leaving for the House of Commons Jeremy Selwyn Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at the headquarters of Vivendi in Paris where he took part in TV interviews to discuss the imminent triggering of Article 50 by the UK to leave the EU Stefan Rousseau/PA Britain's permanent representative to the European Union Tim Barrow arrives at the EU Council headquarters for as meeting before hand delivering British Prime Minister Theresa May's notice of the UK's intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to EU Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium Yves Herman/Reuters Britain's ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow arrives at the British representation of the European Union in Brussels Aurore Belot/AFP/Getty Images A giant headed Theresa May in Parliament Square, London during a protest by Avaaz after PM signed a letter to trigger Article 50 that starts the formal exit process by the UK from the European Union David Mirzoeff/PA British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson walks down Whitehall Jack Taylor/Getty Images Britain's PM Theresa May signs the official letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, invoking Article 50. AFP/Getty Images

The newspaper said a total of 2,348 doctors from the 27 other EU states left NHS England between July and September 2016 compared with 1,281 in the same period in 2015 - a rise of 83 per cent.

Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said: "This NHS crisis will be compounded if the 140,000 EU nationals working in the NHS and social care sector walk away.

"It's time for an NHS guarantee for these workers ensuring their rights - offering these workers who care for our sick and elderly the certainty that they deserve.

"What's more, we need urgent guarantees that the NHS will be able to continue recruiting from the EU as it currently does. Yet we have no clarity whatsoever from the Prime Minister."

A Government spokeswoman said: "Overseas workers form a crucial part of our NHS and we value their contribution immensely.

"The Government has been clear that public services and other industries that depend on migrant labour would need to be able to continue to recruit workers from overseas."
S ecurity services tapped the phone of the late Ian Paisley while he was an MP, John Prescott has claimed.

The firebrand leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) had his calls tapped despite a long-standing convention that MPs should not have their communications monitored, the former deputy prime minister said.

Lord Prescott said then prime minister Tony Blair told him in 2005 that security services had eavesdropped on an MP.

He said that after pressing Mr Blair for a name, the then premier told him it was the DUP leader, who later became Northern Ireland's first minister and a peer before his death in 2014.

Writing in his Sunday Mirror column, Lord Prescott said the surveillance watchdog had wanted to name Mr Paisley, but Parliament was not informed.

Lord Prescott said: "Downing Street had been told by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, who wanted to name Paisley.

"Tony asked me to discuss the Wilson Doctrine with the Speaker of the House of Commons. I never told him that an MP had been tapped or that it was Paisley.

"Parliament was not informed and Paisley went on to become First Minister of Northern Ireland.

"I can only think that as the peace process was still a concern, mentioning the fact a leading loyalist politician had been tapped by Britain's security services in the past would not have helped."

The newspaper said Lord Prescott has decided to break his silence over fears that electronic snooping to catch terrorists will lead to an erosion of privacy.

The convention that MPs' communications should not be intercepted by police or security services is known as the Wilson doctrine, after former prime minister Harold Wilson, who announced the policy in 1966.

In March 2006, Mr Blair assured Parliament that the Wilson doctrine would be maintained, despite advice to scrap the policy.

The Sunday Mirror said Lord Prescott does not know when Mr Paisley's phone was tapped or whether MI5, MI6, police or the Army were responsible.

He approached then Commons speaker Michael Martin to discuss how the Wilson doctrine was applied but did not mention it was prompted by what he had learned about Mr Paisley.

Lord Prescott was concerned that a constituent's private matters could be overheard if spies were listening to MPs' calls.

In his column, Lord Prescott said he was concerned about the state's powers of surveillance under Theresa May.

"The challenge as a minister is to balance national security against the freedoms we enjoy," he said.

"But this government seems determined to ensure Big Brother is not only watching you, he's monitoring your calls, emails and texts."
A rmed police have shot dead two pitbull-type dogs after a man and woman were bitten and another dog was seriously injured.

Police rushed to Bolton, Greater Manchester, at 10.20am on Sunday after reports that six dogs were dangerously out of control.

Emergency services found a 60-year-old woman who had been bitten on the hand and a man with an injured leg.

Greater Manchester Police said: "Armed response officers were deployed to the scene and two dogs were humanely destroyed and two dogs have been seized.

"Officers are currently searching the area for another dog who is believed to be part of the group."

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray and allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in public.

Superintendent Chris Allsop said: "Highly trained officers responded quickly to the scene and took control to avoid the situation from escalating.

"The officers acted with our number one priority in mind; to protect people and prevent them from harm.

"I'd like to thank to the public for their patience and full cooperation as we remain at the scene and carry out our inquiries."

Two roads that were closed in the area have now reopened, and officers are trying to find the injured dog.

Anyone who sees a dog loose in the area is asked to tell police, while witnesses or those with information are urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


By Press Trust of India: Allahabad, Apr 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advocated the use of technology for speedy delivery of justice and assured CJI JS Khehar that the government will make all efforts to back his resolve to reduce pendency of cases.

He also asked startups to come up with innovations that could aid the judicial system to dispose of cases expeditiously.

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"The government wants that the judicial system of our country makes full use of information and communication technology. This should be given priority," he said, noting, "This can help save a lot of time and money."

Addressing a function to mark 150 years of the Allahabad High Court, Modi said, "I assure the chief justice that government will back his sankalp (resolve) to bring down the burden on the judiciary and reduce pendency of cases."

He also said video-conferencing should be used for deposition made in courts by undertrials, witnesses and officials to prevent wastage of time and money.

"So many precious hours of officials, which should have been spent doing administrative tasks, get used up in travelling to far-off places to appear in courts. This can be obviated through video-conferencing," he said.

The Prime Minister noted that security concerns associated with physical production of undertrials in courts could be addressed by use of video-conferencing.

Many unfortunate incidents have taken place in Uttar Pradesh during transportation of undertrials to courts but with Yogi Adityanath as chief minister, there may be a drop in such incidents, Modi remarked, evoking peals of laughter.

The PM recalled that during the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign he had said that he would abolish archaic laws if elected and the government has now done away with 1,200 redundant laws.

"It is in the interest of justice that the people of the country are liberated from this huge, complicated tangle of laws," he said.

Quoting the address of the then president S Radhakrishnan at the centenary celebrations of the high court five decades back, Modi said every law must ensure justice and welfare of all, not just the rich and this principle remains relevant.

Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the need of judging every action on the touchstone of how it would affect the poorest of the poor and this should be the intention behind every law made, the PM said.

During his address, he appealed to the judiciary, government officials and the people to make 2022, the 75th year of Independence, a target year to take the country to greater heights.

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At the function, he paid tributes to the contributions of people with legal background, including the Mahatma and Jawaharlal Nehru, who had put the need for Independence in the mind and hearts of the people.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Justice Khehar raised the issue of pendency of cases in courts, including in the Supreme Court, and the shortage of judges, and said he was taking steps to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

He asked the judges to consider sitting in courts for five days during vacation to clear at least 10 cases each day and bring down the pendency.

"This way thousands of small matters like matrimonial disputes and mediation cases can be settled and arrears of cases brought down" he said and referred to a system of court management under which pendency of cases in Malaysia had been brought down to one-fifth.

He said three constitution benches will sit during this summer vacation to help reduce the arrears in the apex court.

Justice Khehar recalled the contribution of legal luminaries like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Tej Bahadur Sapru and KN Hegde.

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Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the gathering the government is committed to complete independence of the judiciary.

He asked lawyers to volunteer to help the poor get access to justice and highlighted the steps being taken by the Centre to reduce pendency, including minimising litigation by the State and meeting the long-standing demand of filling up vacant posts of judges.

"The Prime Minister has said that the government is committed to independence of the judiciary and that it should be complete," he said.

He said that to reduce arrears in courts, the government is setting up sahayata kendras (facilitation centres) that would be devoted to speedy disposal of such cases as may have been pending for 10 years or more.

"A pilot project for legal aid was being launched for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," the minister said.

He also said that the process is on for finalising a national litigation policy.

"Already, I have at the direction of the Prime Minister written to chief ministers of states and my colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers to ensure that the number of cases filed by the government is reduced as far as possible.

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"There has been a long-standing demand for filling up of vacant posts of judges. That too will be taken care of," Prasad said.

There are nearly 5,000 vacancies in the subordinate judiciary and 2.7 crore cases are pending therein. While 38.7 lakh cases are pending in high courts.

The function was also attended by UP and West Bengal governors Ram Naik and K N Tripathi, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale, UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and members from the legal fraternity. PTI NAC TIR SC TIR

--- ENDS ---
T he Duchess of Cornwall today met victims of human trafficking and spoke afterwards of how she had been deeply moved by the experience.

Camilla was visiting the Progetto Arcobaleno Association, a small charity which works with underprivileged people in Florence, Italy, including the homeless, unemployed, drugs and substance abusers and those involved in prostitution.

Some of these were deeply vulnerable young women who found themselves at the mercy of the brutal people traffickers as they attempted to flee to a better life in Italy.

Given their very obvious vulnerability, the duchess, who is on the second day of a five-day trip to the country with her husband, Prince Charles, met with them in private.

She described the meeting as being difficult at times due to the horrific experiences the women had been through, but ultimately deeply moving  and even, occasionally, uplifting, given that some had managed to turn round their lives.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, shakes hands with Naples mayor Luigi De Magistris earlier in the trip / REUTERS

She said: They come here and its funny because when you start talking to them they are all very silent and very shy and they dont want to open up about it. But you get them talking for a bit and you suddenly start hearing their stories and where they have come from.

Actually, we spent five minutes in complete silence. Then eventually you say would one of you like to start saying something and they just shake their heads.

But then you just go and do something else and [then] one of them comes and taps you on the shoulder and they do want to tell you their stories.

The Progetto Arcobaleno Association was up in 1985 by a group of volunteers and aims to raise awareness of the plight of the disadvantaged and enable its members to return to an independent life.

Visit: Prince Charles visits earthquake-hit Amatrice / AP

The centre, which is open all-year round, is home to up to 16 Italian or foreign permanent residents and eight day guests at any one time.

The services on offer to them include a language school, legal advice centre, vocational training, traineeships, IT courses and business start-up advice.

It is one of three centres in Florence for immigrant children, working in tandem with public primary and secondary schools and the local community.

Almost ten years ago it also began to support women victims of human trafficking and currently provides safe houses for female abuse victims.

It also provides legal and psychological support in order to facilitate a return to independence, as well as work placements and a helpline service.
C ivil rights activist Darcus Howe has died aged 74.

The writer and broadcasters biographer Robin Bruce said he had died peacefully in his sleep at his Streatham home on Saturday, the BBC reported.

He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007.

Mr Howe spent 50 years campaigning for black rights and organised the 1981 Black Peoples March following a fire in New Cross, south-east London, which killed 13 black teenagers.

He successfully challenged racism in the police during the Mangrove Nine trial at the Old Bailey in 1970.

Mr Howe was born in Trinidad in 1943 and moved to the UK in 1961.

The journalist, who edited Race Today magazine for 11 years, lived in Brixton for more than 30 years.

He also contributed to Voice Newspaper and New Statesman magazine.

He began his broadcasting career in the 1980s, presenting shows on the BBC, LWT and Channel 4.

Writers, politicians and celebrities took to social media to pay tribute.

The Voice News tweeted: We regret to inform you that respected journalist, activist & former @TheVoiceNews columnist #DarcusHowe has died. May he rest in peace.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott wrote: "So sad to hear that Darcus Howe has passed away. One of the standout activists & public intellectuals of his generation."

And, Labour MP Helen Hayes said: "Sad to hear of the passing of Darcus Howe, great loss to Brixton & to the cause of equality and human rights RIP."
L ondoners have held a vigil for a London mother a year after she was jailed in Iran.

Charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, from Hampstead, was arrested at Tehran Airport on April 3 last year while visiting family with daughter Gabriella.

She was imprisoned for five years in September for allegedly plotting to topple the Iranian government and lost an appeal against her sentence in January but maintains her innocence.

On Sunday - the 365th day since the arrest - family and friends gathered at Fortune Green close to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's home in north-west London.

Moving vigil: Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, addressed family and supporters in Fortune Green, West Hampstead / PA

Supporters tied yellow ribbons to a tree in the park along with quotes from inmates at Evin prison in Iran, where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held, describing what they would do with one day of freedom.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's wish reads: "My fondest dream has always been to arrive at our home, you ask me if I want to have a cup of tea, then make me one.

Huge support: Family and friends tie yellow ribbons to trees / PA

"I just sit back and watch you two play. This is the image I had most when in solitary confinement.

"How I wish I could watch you both dance in the middle of our sitting room to the Michael Jackson music - like when Gabriella was only tiny."

She also told how she would like to "put a huge paper on the wall" and "draw a world in which there are no prisons, walls or fences - and let Gabriella do the colouring".
M asterchef's John Torode has denied co-host Gregg Wallace's claim that the pair are close friends.

They may have a matching passion for food, but the presenter said the pair have had vicious arguments while filming and have never been to each other's houses.

Mr Torode's blunt comments came days after Mr Wallace said on live television that they share a close emotional bond.

After 12 years judging the show together, the 51-year-old Australian chef told The Mirror: "It's funny, we've never been friends.

"We've not been to each other's houses. He's so OCD, he wouldn't know what to do.

"If we go away to somewhere like South Africa, we do things separately.

MasterChef finalist Emma Spitzer explains how to cook Kashk Bademjan

"If we do go out for a drink, I'll invariably be at one end of a big old table and he'll be at the other."

Mr Torode's claim came despite being asked to be best man at Mr Wallace's wedding to Anne-Marie Sterpini last year.

Co-host Mr Wallace, 52, told ITV's Lorraine on Thursday: "I film with John six or seven months of the year, so we are very close to each other physically, and emotionally we are very close to each other.

"What's great about having a partnership is that if one of you is a bit off, a bit down, the other one naturally steps up, so I rely on John a lot."

They reportedly met during Mr Torode's early career working at central London restaurant Quaglino's, which served vegetables supplied by Wallace.

The duo later began presenting and judging the popular BBC cooking series when it was revamped in 2005.

But the Australian chef told how disagreements over their hopeful cooks' dishes on the show have been known to continue away from the cameras.

Describing how they once had a "massive fight" over a contestant after a few too many drinks, he said: "We've had a couple of stand-offs over the years ... I've just had to walk away from him."

The current series is now three episodes and one quarter-final into the competition.

While they both praised Leanne's perfect puddings, they gave opposite reviews of Imran's Indian spice-infused platter, leaving it down to guest judge Amol Rajan to break the tie.
Late night on April 1, the Mumbai Police control room received a call that some anti-social elements were going to blow up one railway station in south Mumbai on Sunday evening.

By Saurabh Vaktania: A phone call on the night of April 1 put several agencies in Mumbai like the ATS and Mumbai Police on toes.

Late night on April 1, the Mumbai Police control room received a call that some anti-social elements were going to blow up one railway station in south Mumbai on Sunday evening. The cops and other agencies swung into action and searched some particular areas the whole night. Police arrested two people in the connection.

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On April 1 at around 11:45 pm, the Mumbai Police control room received a call from Dongri area. The caller said, "When I was in Dharavi based leather shop, I heard two people talking about some plan to be executed on Sunday evening."

The caller further added, "They were discussing that on Sunday evening at 5 pm, they will carry out a blast at Parel railway station on central line of Mumbai local."

A top police officer told India Today, "The caller even provided two mobile numbers to the control room, claiming both the men exchanged numbers. We did not want to take any chances, as nowadays terrorists are trying to attack the trains."

The officer added, "After receiving the call, we immediately informed the same to the ATS, RPF, GRP and other agencies. Local crime branch and police stations too were informed. The caller had given address of one leather factory in Dharavi where several teams were dispatched."

For the whole night the cops scanned the Dharavi area. The team searched the area with a dog squad but the operation was kept a secret. Interestingly, the cops found the factory and found two people to whom the numbers belonged to.

Another senior police officer said, "We along with the ATS interrogated the two workers at leather factory unit but both seemed to be innocent. They knew nothing about the incident. They were completely unaware. The two workers are from Bihar. Further investigations are on."

--- ENDS ---
The prime minister will later head to Jammu and Kashmir where he will inaugurate Asia's longest tunnel.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Allahabad today morning to attend the closing ceremony of the Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations.

The prime minister's plane landed at the Bamrauli airport on the outskirts of the city at around 10 am where he was greeted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Ram Naik.

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Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, several Supreme Court judges and chief justices of various high courts are at the Allahabad High Court event.

LIVE UPDATES:

I urge those involved with the start up sector to innovate on aspects where technology can help the judiciary: PM

Technology is playing a big role in this century and I see technology having a big scope in the judiciary as well: PM

Over 1200 obsolete laws have been scrapped by the Government since May 2014: PM

Let us think about the India we want to create when we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022. Let every citizen prepare that roadmap: PM

Gandhiji was special because he integrated everything he did, be it cleanliness or Khadi, with the freedom of India: PM

Those associated with the legal profession played a vital role in the freedom struggle and protected our people against colonialism: PM

The Allahabad HC is like a 'Tirtha Kshetra' for our judiciary: PM

I am in the city that played a major role in the freedom movement, PM Modi says, adding that Allahabad should inspire Indians.

We would not have won freedom if every Indian didn't dream of 'azaadi', Modi says.

The government promises full support, Modi says, commenting on CJI Khehar's statements about the shortage of judges.

Praises Dr. Radhakrishnan, the first vice president of India.

Allahabad is the pilgrimage spot for law: Modi

This is Modi's first visit to the city after the Bharatiya Janata Party swept Uttar Pradesh in the recent Assembly polls. This is also the first time Yogi Adityanath and Modi will appear together since the former became the chief minister of the state.

The year-long sesquicentennial celebrations were inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in March last year.

After the Allahabad event, Modi will head to Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir where he will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, which is Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel.

SECURITY SCARE

Today morning, there was a short circuit followed by smoke billowing out of the carpet at the pandal set up for the event. The mishap took place around 30 minutes before Modi and Adityanath were to reach the event.

The short circuit created panic among those present with the hall going dark. Electricians were quickly called in and power was restored within minutes.

(With inputs from Shiv Pujan Jha)

ALSO READ | PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Chenani-Nashri tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir today

--- ENDS ---
CURTIS  Leadership and educational opportunities for women in agricultural careers is at the forefront for the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The NCTA Women In Ag organization is a popular club on the campus of the agricultural college for its community service and educational programs.

Although the students are away from campus for the Universitys Spring Break, National Agriculture Week is a highlight for promoting the collegiate group and recent activities, said Jo Bek, advisor and NCTA animal science professor.

We believe it is important to help in agricultural literacy and educating consumers about our lifestyle in agriculture, the career opportunities and our educational programs at NCTA which prepare young people for production agriculture, agribusiness, education, veterinary technology and animal health, and many more professions, Bek said.

Last month, several members of the NCTA Women In Ag club joined Professor Bek at the annual Nebraska Women in Ag conference in Kearney.

In addition to attending the various programs and interacting with the participants, our students assist by being session moderators and make introductions of the speakers, Bek noted.

Students who attended were: Nebraskans Courtney Allen, Valley; Maggie Brunmeier, Bayard; Rachel Dather, Verdigree; Jayde Hessler, Gibbon; Alyssa Novak, Eldorado; Alyssa Nowicki, Grand Island; Rachel Schmitz, ONeill; and Jordan Bayliss, Albert City, Iowa.

NCTA offers many campus activities which enrich the academic experience for students.

Student organizations such as Collegiate Cattlemen and Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the Agricultural Education curriculum for students like me who are going into the teaching profession, are just a few of many clubs we enjoy at NCTA, said Eleanor Aufdenkamp, Women in Ag president and sophomore from North Platte majoring in agricultural education.

The Women in Ag club hosts community service activities for the campus and Curtis community such as baking for holidays and hosting guest speakers for campus forums.

Additional information on NCTAs student organizations and agricultural and veterinary technology careers is available at ncta.unl.edu or 1-800-3CURTIS.
Good ones just keep coming. That was my analysis of this weeks visit to the Panhandle by the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Class 36. We had the privilege of interacting closely with this group of young professionals as they learned more about western Nebraska and agriculture in this part of the state.

Looking back on past Jacks Insights articles, I noted that in April 2015 Nebraska LEAD was also my topic. However, due to the quality of this program, I decided it was worth writing again to spotlight the impact of Nebraska LEAD on developing leaders, and what the recent visit by Nebraska LEAD to the Panhandle included.

Nebraska LEAD involves a group of 30 dynamic young Nebraska leaders from across the state, ranging in age from 25 to 55. Nebraska LEAD Fellows, as they are known, are selected to participate in a two-year leadership development program that includes 12 three-day seminars, a national and an international study experience.

The mission statement of Nebraska LEAD is To prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership.

The LEAD purpose is:

The dynamic industry of agriculture plays a profound and over-riding role in every phase of Nebraska life. The LEAD Program recognizes that the development of human resources for agriculture and Nebraska should not be left to chance. The LEAD Program strives to address the needs of community members involved in the business of agriculture by presenting opportunities to broaden ones knowledge and strengthen leadership and decision-making abilities.

To understand what the Nebraska LEAD 36 Fellows experienced while in the Scottsbluff area this past week, heres an overview of their three-day agenda. This also illustrates the commitment and dedication of the people and businesses in this area who support Nebraska LEAD with their time and money.

 Sunday afternoon they visited Legacy of the Plains museum, where Kevin Sandberg, Jessica Groskopf and Nancy Haney gave an overview of the history of agriculture and the ethnic diversity in the Panhandle. This included a stop at the Scotts Bluff National Monument and Museum.

 Next they were hosted by Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) by Jason Stratman, who updated them on the new Agricultural Technology training program that WNCC recently implemented.

 Sunday evening concluded with dinner at El Charrito restaurant sponsored by 21st Century Equipment and hosted by Owen and Karen Palm.

 Monday began with an overview of health care in the Panhandle at Regional West Health Services by Tadd Greenfield.

 Next, while driving on a bus provided by WNCC, the Nebraska LEAD Fellows were given an overview of water issues by John Berge and management of irrigation in the North Platte Valley by Dennis Strauch.

 The UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center was their next stop, for Courtney Schuler to tell about the dry edible bean industry in the Panhandle. This stop was followed by a driving tour of the Panhandle Research Feedlot and discussion by Matt Luebbe.

 A drive to the Wildcat Hills Nature Center where Gary Shoemaker greeted them with a lunch sponsored by the Nebraska Sugar Beet Growers Association and comments by Kendall Bush and Mark Spencer about growing sugar beets. Paul Burgener gave an overview on the Panhandle economy; Brenda Leisy provided details of tourism in the Panhandle, including plans for the total eclipse in this area in August.

 Back on the bus, Gary Stone continued the discussion of deficit irrigation in the Panhandle and some of the research done by the Panhandle Research and Extension Center addressing this topic.

 Next, the group was hosted at Darnall Feedlot, where Lane Darnall and Jake Dean described how the feedlot and cow-calf industries interact with the economy and the cropping and range segments in the Panhandle. Leon Kriesel also gave a great overview of dryland cropping systems, certified seed and how these play into Panhandle agriculture.

 The group then visited 21st Century Water Technologies, where Owen Palm, Chad Schneider and Jeremy Becker discussed how technologies developed for improved water efficiency are changing the way that irrigation is done.

 Monday concluded with a dinner at the Steel Grill hosted by area LEAD alumni Laif and Sondra Anderson and First National Bank.

 Tuesday morning the Lead fellows were back at the Panhandle Center, where Michael Ann Relka discussed sugar beet production and the Western Sugar Cooperative. This was followed by an overview of Extension in the Panhandle by Jim Schild and a panel of Extension professionals made up of Rob Eirich, Cody Creech, Kelley Rice and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel.

 Nebraska LEAD fellows ended their seminar with a lunch at the Scotts Bluff Country Club hosted by Western Sugar Cooperative and Jerry Darnell.

So, I think you can see that the three-day visit to the Panhandle for Nebraska LEAD fellows from Class 36 was packed full of great information. Also impressive to me is the support and dedication given by local businesses and people to encourage the development of leaders in agriculture for Nebraska. Looking over the long list of Nebraska LEAD alumni from the past 35 years of the program assures me that many participants in Nebraska LEAD from the Panhandle are now active leaders at local, state and even national levels. As I said at the beginning of this article  the good ones just keep coming.

Nebraska LEAD is recruiting fellows for Class 37. Anyone interested in either nominating someone, or applying yourself, can find more details at http://lead.unl.edu/nominateorrequestapp or by emailing email Kimberly Braaten at kbraaten2@unl.edu. You may also call Kimberly at 402-472-6810.
The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, built in a record four years, will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by at least two hours.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel, the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway today.

The tunnel, built in a record four years, will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by at least two hours.

PM Modi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and ministers Jitendra Singh and Nitin Gadkari will address a gathering in Battal later.

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Commenting on the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "it is a state-of-the-art project. It will increase tourism and ensure supply of essential goods.

The inauguration of the Chenani-Nashri is a "proud moment," and will bring about a "revolution" in Jammu and Kashmir, Jitendra Singh said.

Reacting to separatists' call for a strike on the day of the PM Modi's visit, Panthers Party Chairman Harsh Dev Singh said the Hurriyat Conference was acting on Pakistan's orders.

The government should come up with a strong action plan against anti-India elements, he said.

Here's a video of the project posted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP.)

India's first & Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel, #ChenaniNashri, to be inaugurated by PM @narendramodi on April 2nd, 2017. Have a look. pic.twitter.com/OurNmhD10Z- BJP (@BJP4India) March 29, 2017

(With inputs from Ashwini Kumar)

ALSO READ | PM Narendra Modi to launch Asia's longest bi-direction road tunnel in J and K: All you need to know

WATCH VIDEO | Prime Minister Modi inaugurates Chenani-Nashri, India's longest tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
It was a whirlwind weekend, but the 29 members of the LEAD 36 class agreed it was an enlightening trip. The organization is designed to prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership.

The young men and women toured ranches and feedlots, visited museums and health facilities, and learned about the various crops, as well as tourist opportunities in the Panhandle during their 2 1/2 day stay.

Tuesday morning, March 28, the group visited the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center where they learned what the Extension is all about, and met with a Western Sugar Cooperative representative.

Michael Ann Relka, a Western Sugar agriculturist, showed videos on sugar beet production as well as harvest, and explained the functions of the Western Sugar Cooperative, which is grower owned.

The question and answer session that followed the films covered many topics, from cooperative membership to no-till sugar beets, to government support of domestic sugar production.

She explained that the U.S. Government does not subsidize sugar production. Instead, loans are made on the sugar, and if sugar prices are too low to repay the government, the sugar is forfeited and the government then distributes the sugar through various programs. Relka noted that excessive imports from Mexico, which are in violation the international agreement, are a major problem, as are countries that subsidize sugar production.

Additionally, PHREC personnel explained the various departments that work out of the Scottsbluff offices.

Jim Schild, associate director, gave an overview of the operations. A panel of directors then discussed the future of the Extension in the Panhandle. Rob Eirich, a member of LEAD Class 18, explained the Beef Quality Assurance program, which he conducts throughout the state, although his office is in Scottsbluff. Cody Creech, dryland cropping systems specialist, reviewed efforts underway to produce crops in this area where precipitation is some times nonexistant. The Learning Child program was addressed by Kelley Rice, district 4-H coordinator. She explained some of the new avenues being used to prepare todays youth for the future. She said a lot of work is being done in and with school district coordination. Community development efforts were addressed by Cheryl Burkhart-Kreisel, a member of LEAD Class II. She explained the Community Vitality Initiative, which deals with determining what is needed to make a community successful.

When asked by LEAD members what they could tell people back home and in eastern Nebraska about the Panhandle, a variety of thoughts were offered.

According to Schild, the biggest resource in this area is the renewable supply of water, thanks to the canals and other features of the irrigation system that early settlers and professionals envisioned for this region.

Another offered people as the biggest resource, and their ability to overcome adversity.

One offered the heritage of the Panhandle and the fact that it is different than that of the eastern part of the state, and there is no desire to be like others.

Burkhart-Kreisel challenged the LEAD group. How do you want to use this experience in your community, she asked.

Following lunch at the country club, the LEAD Fellows left for their homes throughout the state.
TORRINGTON, Wyo.  An hour before the 6:30 p.m. start time on Monday, March 27, the Eastern Wyoming College parking lot was quickly filling up. Visitors drove from as far as Rapid City, South Dakota, and Lander and Douglas, Wyo., to learn from the speakerTemple Grandin, world renown for her success in overcoming autism challenges.

Grandin was in Goshen County as a fundraising project for the Southeast High School FFA, the Bent Barrels and Broken Arrows 4-H Club, and the Western History Center. Nearly 700 people eagerly lined up to hear her presentation.

Grandins main focus was on encouraging children to learn to play and work together in preparation for a successful life. It is also important to encourage children who have special conditions to get involved in the world around them, she said.

She credits her mother for providing the support and initiative to help Grandin learn to live in the world around her.

According to Grandin, too many children are held back by special education labels. Each child needs to be encouraged to be all he or she can be. She used Jane Goodall, Thomas Edison and Elon Musk as expamples who learned to think outside the box, and benefited from getting involved in life.

There is a tendency to over-protect kids, she said. You need to stretch them. She also advised parents to get their children outside and playing with others so they learn to share and get along.

Children get interested in things they are exposed to, Grandin said. Steven Speilberg had an internship at Universal Studios. Elon Musk worked at a car wash and used car wash valves with different seals.

Throw away those electronic devices, she advised parents. Children learn from early experiences. They need to learn how to work.

According to Grandin, ideally, by the time a student reaches college, he/she should have two summer jobs under their belt, because a work ethic is important in other aspects of life.

Regarding autism, she said that detection seems to have increased over the years, but Grandin believes the increase is due to changes in diagnostic criteria.

I had to prove I was not stupid, said Grandin, a professor in the Animal Science department at Colorado State University. She held jobs growing up, including carpentry work and a disastrous Kool-Aid stand, and entered college on probation. Her favorite classes were biology and English literature, and she credits her science teacher for turning her around.

She said people considered her weird, and to make headway looking for employment, I showed myself by my portfolio. It included quality paper, and she changed her address from an apartment to a suite in the Oasis Building, rather than Oasis Apartments.

She was quite successful as she has been a consultant to national companies, such as Cargill, advising on livestock handling facilties and other management issues. Her suggestions can be found in livestock handling facilities around the world.

As a visual thinker, she said she thinks in pictures, which she believes helps her understand animals, who also are influenced by objects around them.

Grandin also describes herself as a bottom up thinker. This method begins with a specific example, and works through the possibilities. On the other hand, she believes that a top down thinker over-generalizes.

Id be a fine candidate for video addiction, she admitted.

Grandin also cautioned against labels for messed up behavior. You must not screen out students with unique skills, she cautioned, adding that the world needs engineers and mechanics as well as doctors and mathematicians. And some different children can accomplish a lot in specific surroundings. Much more than expected.

Regarding livestock management, Grandin said that stockmanship matters. Problems often arise because there are too few people to handle the job, causing injuries to cattle, and thus reducing returns to owners.

She said, People who like animals get better results, when working livestock. Some people have the knack and others should not handle livestock.

Dont understaff and overwork your help, she advised.

She also cautions against over selecting for traits in breeding practices. This can result in disastrous physical conditions.

Having overcome autism challenges, in addition to being a female working her way into a mans world in the 1970s, Grandin is proud of her accomplishments, but at the same time humble and more than willing to share her knowledge with the world.
TORRINGTON, Wyo.  Returning Eastern Wyoming College students, as well as community members, will find a new addition to the EWC campus when the fall semester begins in August.

EWC President Richard Patterson hosted a media tour March 31 to update progress on the $23 million project.

Well have so much more to offer our students, Patterson said during the tour. The community and the legislature have been very supportive of this project, providing the funding that includes a county bond issue.

It will be an asset for many years, providing educational opportunities for not only the youth in our county and Wyoming, but those from other states.

The 69,000-square foot Career & Technical Education Center houses Community Connections, cosmetology, health technology and welding programs, including classrooms, an auditorium, computer centers and a student commons area. The new building allows for increased enrollment in each of the programs.

Cosmetology is in the front of the building on the ground floor. Included in the open floor plan will be a barber chair for the first barber training program in Wyoming. Private rooms are available for skin treatments, tanning and provide the potential to offer massage in the future. One cosmetology classroom is on the ground floor next to the service area, and two are on the second floor.

Health technology students will find a new lab setting on the second floor that includes hospital room environments.

There are head wall units just like those in hospitals, Patterson said during a stop on the tour. The restroom and shower are like those in hospitals, too.

We now have two great training rooms for our CNA (certified nursing assistant) students. It is set up like our regular nursing program on the Douglas (Wyoming) campus.

He added that a local nursing program is not out of the question in the future.

The welding program covers the north half of the ground floor. It offers individual welding booths for as many as 72 students, and includes three special training booths for instructors. These units are larger, making it possible for a student and instructor to move freely. The booths are divided into three shops. Also available is a separate machine tooling training room. Four classrooms and space for certification testing by American Welding Society welding inspectors are included in the layout.

Dusty Nash, project superintendent for FCI Constructors of Wyoming LLC, the lead contractor on the entire project, said the metal booths in the welding department were fabricated at a Gering business, and that one of those involved in manufacturing them is a former EWC welding student.

Community Connections is a combination of community education offerings, as well as the workforce office. Located on the ground floor, it includes classrooms, a computer center and a meeting room.

Construction should be complete by June. The welding department will be the first to move, and furnishing the rest of the departments will begin.

According to Ron Laher, EWC vice president of administrative services, $250,000 has been designated for new furnishings. This is in addition to current items that will be moved.

The project is funded with a $20 million appropriation from the Wyoming Legislature and a $3.1 million in general obligation bonds approved by Goshen County voters in November 2014. In addition to major contractors, 33 subcontractors, including several local businesses, have been involved.

According to Tami Afdahl, director of college relations, the public will have an opportunity to visit the complex during a dedication ceremony in August.
In spite of the wet weather over the weekend, the Scottsbluff Kennel Club's dog show is averaging about 623 handlers a day, along with a large number of spectators.

The show began Friday at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell and runs through Sunday.

Suzanne Lilja-Kingma, the shows publicity chair, said attendance is up from last year, which is a good sign.

Founded in 1971 as the Panhandle Kennel Club, members went through a long process of four to five years to become fully sanctioned for show status by the American Kennel Club.

Our first show was in the grassy area in front of the 4-H building and we only had two rings, Lilja-Kingma said. We now have a total of seven rings in the events center at the fairgrounds.

Originally, the Scottsbluff Kennel Club scheduled their shows in June, the same time as Casper and Laramie so participants could show at all of them. Members later made a similar arrangement with Rapid City for about 10 years.

Finally, the local club decided to host its own three-day, back-to-back show over a weekend in June. When a Colorado club gave up their showing weekend in the spring, the Scottsbluff Kennel Club applied for the date, the 13th showing weekend of the year.

The Scottsbluff Kennel Club currently has about 50 members.

As the clubs show chairman, Tony Van Beek said his job is to keep the weekend organized and running smoothly. However, it takes a lot of work by lots of people to get the show ready in the first place.

Our members are on committees, but we all work together to make sure everything is ready, Van Beek said. The food committee makes sure all the participants stay fed. Others work with the vendors who come for the show. We also need to be prepared for any emergency that may arise.

He added its a lot of work, but lots of fun for people who like to work with dogs.

The AKC sanctioned dog show wraps up Sunday with hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell.
Constituents of Third District Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) are invited to meet with a representative of his office at a mobile offices on April April 4 in Harrisburg.

At mobile offices, Third District residents can meet directly with one of Smiths staff members about federal issues and take advantage of the services available through his office.

Smith, who has offices in Grand Island and Scottsbluff, will provide his mobile office and a staff member at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Banner County Courthouse, 204 State St. in Harrisburg.

For additional information, contact Congressman Smiths Grand Island office at 308-384-3900 or his Scottsbluff office at 308-633-6333.
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Apr 2 (PTI) At least nine persons were killed and six others injured in an explosion at a house in northern Chinas Shanxi Province.

The blast occurred yesterday at the house on Nanhuan West Road in Fushan County in the city of Linfen. Ten people were buried in the blast.

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The illegal storage of explosives was believed to be the cause of the blast. Nine bodies have been found and one person has been rescued, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Six people who were at the site have sustained minor injuries. The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, the report said. PTI KJV UZM AMS

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After looking at some new census numbers last year, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis added two new employees, almost doubling its staff to five people. One of those new workers is solely devoted to growing membership.

We learned theres 3,000 Hispanic-owned businesses, and we dont even have 10 percent of that (as members), said Hispanic Chamber President and CEO Karlos Ramirez, who has headed the organization for six years. When I started, it was me and a secretary.

Strengthening business and social networks among ethnic minorities is what demographers and immigration experts say ultimately attracts new immigrants. When people put down roots and feel part of a community, family members and others with a similar ethnic makeup tend to follow.

The entry points of the country  cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Miami  are still taking in the bulk of new immigrants, but their offspring are increasingly looking beyond those cities.

Thats been spreading out over time, and it depends on social networks and family networks and recruitment policies on the part of businesses and local communities, said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

For the last several years, St. Louis business and political leaders have looked to immigration as a salve for the regions stagnant population and economic growth. After a 2012 report citing the regions low attraction to immigrants compared to other cities, they launched the Mosaic Project to help integrate immigrants and ethnic minorities into the regions economy. Theyve touted the work of the International Institute of St. Louis, which resettles refugees and offers English classes and other services to new residents.

But with what many view as anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of President Donald Trumps administration  through cuts in the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. and talk of curbing both the number of immigrants and those admitted through a visa program for high-skilled workers  the regions task just got harder.

Cities like St. Louis then are competing for a smaller pool of newcomers, said Anna Crosslin, International Institute president and CEO. Immigrants are not the answer to a communitys economic woes, but they are a very important part of a plan to turn around communities.

Slow-growth blues

Attracting more immigrants is a strategy many Rust Belt cities have emphasized to try and prop up population and economic growth that lags the coasts and Sun Belt metro areas.

In order to grow, to get the kind of (gross domestic product) growth that we need as a country and as a region, we need more people, St. Louis Regional Chamber President Joe Reagan said after a recent conference in St. Louis with New American Economy, a coalition of mayors and business leaders that touts the economic benefits of immigrants. We need everybody. We cannot afford to close the door and turn our back on any individual.

If the last U.S. Census estimates are any indication, immigration keeps the St. Louis metro from dipping into population losses most years. Yet the numbers still lag well behind most metro areas.

The St. Louis region was estimated to have lost about 1,500 people in 2016, according to census figures released last month. Since 2010, the area grew only about 0.6 percent, well below the national average and above only six other big cities including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. And at 1.3 percent, the St. Louis regions 2015 GDP growth was only about half of that in other U.S. metro areas.

Theres little to suggest the population growth here will change from current trends, said Charles Gascon, an economist at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank. Its not all bad, he points out. True, population growth means economic growth and perhaps political power. But it can also mean congestion, pollution, spikes in the cost of living and greater inequality.

Its not necessarily the case that by pushing people in, you solve those problems, Gascon said. In some cases you can make them worse.

Natives who leave the area are the biggest weight on the regions lackluster population growth, a trend occurring across the Midwest as people move south and west.

That would be way in the net negative if it werent for the steady stream of people coming from other countries, said John Posey, director of research at the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the regions planning arm.

Frey, the Brookings demographer, points out that New York consistently records among the highest percent of natives leaving, but immigrants offset that population loss and keep the nations largest city growing.

St. Louis has some work to do if it wants immigrants to help it grow at more than a tepid pace over the coming decades. The number of net new immigrants to the region has ticked up to above 4,100 for the last three years in a row, pushing the average number of immigrants to about 3,600 since 2010. Thats an increase from the average of 3,100 in the last decade.

But the region still ranks far below almost all big metros in the percent of immigrants that make up the regions 2.8 million people. With about 125,000 foreign-born residents, only 4.5 percent of area residents are immigrants, ranking St. Louis 249th in the country, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

Part of the challenge is that the base off of which we are building is small, the International Institutes Crosslin said.

Visas are limited, and national immigration policies form the bounds of how many immigrants local leaders can attract, Gascon said. But local initiatives like St. Louis is emphasizing can eventually bear fruit. It takes time and effort, but it is something, with targeted efforts, you can see how that works, he said.

Give me your students

The uptick in immigrants here in recent years appears to be correlated with an increase in international students. About 44 percent of the foreign-born in St. Louis have college degrees, higher than both the 31 percent of native St. Louisans and 30 percent of immigrants across the country with college degrees, said Migration Policy Institute President Michael Fix.

The immigrants flowing into many of these Rust Belt cities like St. Louis have strong human capital profiles, he said. The factories have left, but the great universities remain.

Younger immigrants may be attending universities in the region, but getting them to stay and start or join businesses is another matter.

Its not impossible, but theres only so many routes you can take within the system to do that, Gascon said.

Retaining more international students studying science and technology has been the focus of several reports cited by the Mosaic Project, which is housed in the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Area employers cite a shortage of high-skilled workers as the main obstacle to business expansion, according to a report from the Office of International Studies and Programs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The rhetoric many see as anti-immigrant embroiling national politics may already be having an effect, Crosslin worries. Fix said he recently heard a corporate leader say university applications are taking a hit.

The flow of high-skilled immigrants is slowing a little bit, Fix said. People are reluctant to come, particularly from India and China.

It can happen again

While President Trumps executive order barring travel from certain countries is tied up in the courts, his reduction in the number of refugees the country can resettle to 50,000 is already having an impact. It cut in half the number allowed the prior year, when St. Louis resettled about 1,100 refugees, many of them Syrians.

The country is already about to hit the new cap, Crosslin said, so St. Louis will likely only get about 550 refugees this year.

The number of refugees the region gets is small but significant. St. Louis often points to the influx of Bosnian refugees that helped repopulate some southside neighborhoods.

Only about 8,000 or 9,000 of those were settled here as refugees, but their relatives and fellow expats decided to come here from other U.S. cities due to the network some built here. Now, theres an estimated 50,000 Bosnians in the region, many of them children of the original refugees.

It can happen again, Crosslin said.

St. Louis is a big city because of immigrants, she said, pointing to the German, Irish and Italian immigrants who made their way to the middle of the country by way of the Mississippi River during the early to mid-19th century.

That slowed to a trickle after Chicago became the great rail hub in the center of the country. And migration patterns among lower-skilled Latin American immigrants largely bypassed St. Louis during those immigration waves in the 1980s and 90s. Chicago, again, has gained the network that attracts those Latin American immigrants who leave the South and West for the Midwest.

But Ramirez, at the local Hispanic Chamber, is working to build St. Louis Hispanic business network. St. Louis Hispanic community is small and dispersed compared to other big cities, but Mexicans still made up the largest single group of foreign-born residents here: almost 15,400, according to St. Louis University professor J.S. Onesimo Sandovals analysis of census figures.

Most of the estimated 90,000 Hispanic residents of the St. Louis region are now the descendants of immigrants. And the Hispanic Chamber projects that population to almost double over the next 15 years.

Its already doubled membership in the last five years, and Ramirez said big local corporate employers have become members, hoping to support area workforce growth or recruit to meet diversity initiatives. A year ago, Ramirez himself became the chairman of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, the regions primary business attraction and growth agency.

He thinks St. Louis and Missouri appear to be trying to be more welcoming to Hispanics, which he said is the best thing it can do if it wants to add immigrants and diversity.

Given the Hispanic Chambers growth, the support for (immigrant health care provider) Casa de Salud  and less legislation in Jefferson City that is anti-immigrant, all of that would indicate to me that were definitely on an upward trend, Ramirez said. But all of that could easily change.

Walker Moskop of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
According to officials, the accused identified as Abdul Waheed used a dagger and baton to kill all his victims.

By Kaswar Klasra: At least 19 people were hacked to death by a shrine custodian in Sargodha, Pakistan on Friday night. Officials said that the accused is mentally unstable.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta told India Today that the accused identified as Abdul Waheed used a dagger and baton to kill all his victims. He added that Waheed is mentally unstable.

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Chatta said that the incident was reported by one of the injured victims who was rushed to the District Hospital in Sargodha. He said that she was one of the three survivors who managed to flee from the scene.

Taking action upon her information, a team of police personnel rushed to the shrine and arrested the suspect. At least 19 bodies were recovered from the area surrounding the shrine.

Pakistan local media said that custodian was reportedly an employee of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Sargodha.

Locals from the region said that the accused visited the shrine twice a month and used to torture devotees by setting them on fire.

He reportedly told the locals that it was a part of the healing process.

The police has said that Waheed has admitted to the crime.

Also read | Pakistan: Bomb blast in Parachinar kills at least 11, several injured

WATCH | Pakistan: Shrine custodian hacks 20 devotees to death

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Police are asking for help finding a woman who was last seen on surveillance video walking on the Illinois side of the Chain of Rocks Bridge Thursday.

Gift Kamau, 20, left her Florissant home on the morning of March 30. Her vehicle was found that evening in Madison County. Footage from a surveillance camera showed her walking across the Chain of Rocks Bridge from about 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day, but it's unknown if she crossed to the Missouri side.

Kamau has worked for at least two years at Kakao Chocolate in Clayton, according to a co-worker, Cassidy Lueken, 20. She said employees are praying that Kamau will be found safely.

"We all just search and pray we will hear something soon," Lueken said. "She is an awesome and amazing person. She has been so strong and independent. It's unbelievable."

Lueken said Kamau was born in Kenya but is now an American citizen. She lives in Florissant with her parents.

Her mother, Catherine Muiru, 48, told the Post-Dispatch there had been no indications anything was wrong before her daughter disappeared.

"We are very worried," Muiru said.

Friends and family had said Kamau was attending St. Louis University, but the school said she had not been enrolled since 2015.

Kamau is described as a black woman with brown eyes, black short wavy hair, about 5-feet, 3-inches tall and slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Madison Police Department at 618-876-4300 or St. Louis County Police at 314-889-2341 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
Pidatala Satyam Babu was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010, in the Ayesha Meera rape and murder case.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Pidatala Satyam Babu, a youth who was sentenced to life in the Ayesha Meera rape and murder case, was released today from Rajahmundry Jail in Andhra Pradesh.

In a landmark judgment, the Hyderabad High Court on Friday not only acquitted Satyam Babu, but also awarded him compensation worth Rs 1 lakh compensation for putting him in jail for eight years.

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The court reprimanded police for jailing him without cause, or proper evidence to show his involvement.

It said it was inhuman on their part, and ordered action against the officials responsible for Satyam Babu's arrest and confinement.

Here's what he said after his release from jail.

At last truth has won, I suffered in jail for eight years. Now the real culprits in Ayesha Meera case should be punished: Satyam Babu pic.twitter.com/2MgMQvESLc- ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

THE AYESHA MEERA RAPE AND MURDER CASE

It may be recalled that Ayesha Meera was raped and murdered in a hostel in Vijayawada and there were rumors that a politician's son was involved in the incident.

Ayesha Meera, a 19-year-old pharmacy student, was gang-raped and murdered inside the girls' hostel on December 26, 2007.

Ayesha, a resident of Tenali town in Guntur district, was a student of Nimra engineering and medical college in Vijayawada, located 100 km away from her home. She was staying at Sri Durga Ladies Hostel in Ibrahimpatnam village near her college.

Ayesha's blood-soaked body was found in the hostel toilet. Her legs and hands were tied to a water tap and an iron rod with her own dress in the morning on December 27, 2007.

Her head was in a pool of blood. It was clear that it had been banged on the wall, and that she'd become unconscious before she was brutally raped.

An autopsy report stated that she wasn't only raped, but that even after she died, the attacker hit her head with an iron rod. Police couldn't find any other evidence except a love letter written allegedly by the killer, and some blood stains on Ayesha's clothes.

Police first said a youth named Anjanneyulu was the accused in Ayesha's murder.

However, it was revealed that he was a scapegoat. Police couldn't counter the evidence produced by the his family, and he was let off.

SATYAM BABU NABBED

Then police nabbed Satyam Babu, who is poor, fatherless, belongs to a down trodden community, and was suffering from a deadly nervous disease.

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After ensuring that he could't prove himself innocent - as he got nobody to back him or prove his innocence - he was framed in the case.

Satyam Babu can't walk on his own, can't even stand on his own, and needs two people to attend to him all the time.

The prosecution argued that this physically-handicapped person had climbed two stairs and crossed the iron security mesh and killed the girl in such a merciless manner. Ayesha was raped and killed inside the ladies hostel, which was locked securely from inside by the warden and guarded by a security person.

She was not alone in the room. There were two other roommates with her on that fateful day, but nobody heard any noise.

Nobody knew what happened, nor did they see anything while their roommate was raped and brutally killed.

There were no traces of anything - the killers, foot prints, finger prints, sweat traces, hair, excess blood in the corridor. Everything was wiped off clearly, even before police reached the spot.

(With inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ | CM Yogi Adityanath visits gang-rape survivor who was made to drink acid, assures speedy justice

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ALSO WATCH | Satyam Babu acquitted and released from jail

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Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has claimed that uninterrupted fuel supply will continue across Pakistan.

According to details, oil tankers association is staging a sit-in protest against the implementation of services sales tax.

PSO has clarified its stance over the issue and said that although the protest is not against PSO, still the company is monitoring the matter very closely to ensure continuous supply of petroleum products countrywide.

PSO has further clarified that it will ensure fuel supply in every condition across the country.

Earlier on Friday, the prices of petroleum products were raised by Rs 1 per liter. Petrol and diesel are now being sold at Rs 74 and Rs 83 respectively.
Nawaz Sharif directs that all steps involved in the process should be clearly laid down so that investors should not face hindrances.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed to prepare a comprehensive code of procedure to facilitate domestic and foreign investment for setting up of business in Pakistan.

According to a statement, he directed all ministries and attached departments to take needful steps for procedural codes to be followed by investors for investment.

He said the process devised for ease of business should be notified for public information.

Nawaz Sharif said all such processes and transactions should be identified to streamline certifications, approvals, licenses, permits or similar instruments.

Prime Minister further directed that all steps involved in the process should be clearly laid down so that investors should not face hindrances.
The Dalai Lama arrived in India's northeastern state of Assam on Saturday ahead of a visit to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, a region run by New Delhi but claimed by Beijing.

The Tibetan spiritual leader's trip is expected to fuel tensions between India and China over strategic issues such as China's growing ties with Pakistan. China claims the region in the eastern Himalayas as "South Tibet".

The Dalai Lama told Reuters TV at the airport in the Assam city of Guwahati that his visit was to promote religious harmony.

He said he was happy to be back in a region that revived his memories of escape from Tibet in 1959, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

"I still feel the feeling of that time," he said.

China, which considers the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist, said on Friday it was "resolutely opposed" to the visit, and urged India to "avoid taking any actions that would further complicate the border issue".

An Indian government official said on Friday that the Dalai Lama's visit was religious, not political.
As a US lawmaker described Russia as a revisionist power, a top American general warned that Moscow may be providing weapons and other support to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

In my view, Russia is a revisionist power that will cause further trouble across Europe and in the international order more generally, Senator Ben Cardin, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said at a congressional hearing in Washington.

Russia sought to undermine and interfere in our election, and how we respond to (President) Putins broader strategic game is one of the key challenges of our time, he added.

At another Capitol Hill hearing, Gen Joselg L Votel, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), told members of the House Armed Services Committee that Russia was trying to revive its influence in Afghanistan.

Gen Votel also confirmed that the Trump administration was doing a complete review of the US policy on Afghanistan, which explains why there have been more than a dozen congressional hearings and think-tank debates in Washington this month on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

At the Senate hearing  The Road Ahead: US Interests, Values and the American people  Senator Cardin said that the end of the Cold War was not the end of Russias influence, which reminded the American people of its presence by interfering in the 2016 US elections.

Russia has attacked our democracy, illegally annexed Crimea and invaded eastern Ukraine. Putins Russia now considers itself in an existential struggle with the West, he warned.

At the House panel, Congressman Rodney Davis, an Illinois Republican, asked Gen. Votel: What kinds of support are the Russians sending to the Taliban? And how direct is their involvement? What does that mean about our ongoing conflict there?

Its fair to assume they may be providing some kind of support to them in terms of weapons or other things that may be there. Again, I think that is the possibility. I believe what Russia is attempting to do is they are attempting to be an influential party in this part of the world, said the general, who as CENTCOM chief looks after the greater Middle East region, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Gen. Votel, however, acknowledged that the Russians also had some concerns about Afghanistan because its close to former Soviet states that they consider to be within their sphere.

But in general, I dont consider their outreach and linkage to the Taliban to be helpful to what we have been  trying to accomplish for some time now in Afghanistan, he said.

Congressman Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from Ohio, asked how the growing Russian influence in Afghanistan could affect the US policy for that region.
The second trailer of Power Paandi puts Rajkiran on the sidelines and focuses entirely on the romance between Dhanush and Madonna Sebastian.

By India Today Web Desk: Dhanush is making his directorial debut with the slice-of-life drama film Power Paandi. Starring Rajkiran in the titular role, Power Paandi revolves around the life of Paandi (Rajkiran) and while the first trailer did not reveal much detail about the story, it did bring back memories from Balu Mahendra's legendary film Thalaimuraigal.

Now, the younger Paandi in the film is essayed by Dhanush himself. The makers of the film released a second trailer yesterday which focused entirely on the chemistry between young Paandi i.e Dhanush and his ladylove played by Madonna Sebastian.

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Dhanush is seen kicking some ass in the short trailer followed by the usual romantic scenes between him and Madonna. It remains to be seen whether Dhanush has given himself a proper character in the film or if he will just appear in flashbacks.

Produced by Dhanush's production company Wunderbar Films, which has backed the National Award-winning films Kaaka Muttai and Visaaranai, Power Paandi also stars Prasanna, Revathi and Chaya Singh.

Scored by Sean Roldan with cinematography by Velraj, Power Paandi is scheduled to release in theatres on April 14 this year.

Watch Power Paandi trailer here:

WATCH Power Paandi trailer 1: Dhanush makes a good impression with his directorial debut

ALSO READ: All you need to know about the Dhanush parentage controversy

WATCH: Dhanush appears in court to get birthmarks verified

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With a guest list of international stature and performances by priests from various temple towns of the country, the festival connects the north-east to the rest of the country.

By Manogya Loiwal : Even heavy rainfalls have not been able to dampen the spirit of celebrating the river Brahmaputra in Assam.

Lakhs of visitors from across the state and the country are already visiting Guwahati and various locations identified for celebrating 'Namami Brahmaputra', the festival of the river.

'The Namami Brahmaputra River Festival', the biggest river festival of India in the North East was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in presence of Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal.

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The Namami Brahmaputra Festival which will continue till April 4 will comprise of several cultural programmes including traditional exhibitions and film shows.

This river festival is organised in the 21 districts of Assam through which the mighty Brahmaputra river flows.

The river is intrinsic to the economic and socio-cultural aspects of the state.

An overwhelmed Sarbananda Sonowal could not stop thanking the 14th Dalai Lama for gracing the festival and blessing the people and state of Assam.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance, Education, Tourism, Health and Family Welfare Minster of Assam said, 'What incredibly delightful enthusiasm of the people of assam. We are indebted to the mighty Brahmaputra for nurturing our culture and enriching Assam's lifeline. In reverence, we celebrate Namami Brahmaputra.'

The cost of the festival has already run into several crores and landed the festivities into controversy too.

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has questioned the use of public money for such events.

'Namami Ganga Festival was celebrated to accelerate the cleaning of the sewage and industrial wastes from the Ganga river so that people could benefit from it but here, Namami Festival is organised just for the sake of merry making. Brahmaputra is responsible for erosion, floods and making thousands of people homeless, landless leading to deaths in the area. It affects the whole economy. Assam's economy has been badly affected by Brahmaputra floods and every year we lose around 8000 hectares of land. Already, we have lost around 4 lakh hectares of land. We do not want a festival but a rejuvenation of Brahmaputra so that the Assam economy gets benefitted, people get benefitted in navigation as well as in river transportation," said Tarun Gogoi.

Senior IAS officer at the helm of affairs of the entire festivities Ashutosh Agnihotri exclaimed, 'The gathering on the banks of river Brahmaputra across the state is unseen and unheard of in the history of Assam. This is a new and beautiful beginning of paying more respect to the river and nature.'

The entire city of Guwahati is illuminated and streets are full of people celebrating the life and livelihood the river has given them over the centuries.

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With a guest list of international stature and 'aarti' performances by priests from various temple towns of the country, including Varanasi, this is perhaps a unique way of connecting the north-east to the rest of the country.

Despite the political differences between the political parties, this festival is a victory of the river and not the revered.

(With inputs from Anuraag Baruah in Guwahati)

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Rheumatism and a desire to put the frighteners up some noisy partygoers played a big part in establishing one of the Bay of Plentys largest family honey businesses.

Mossops Honey celebrates 70 years this autumn. Its roots started on the other side of the Kaimai Range, migrated across to the Bay, and now they have hives spread throughout the central North Island and East Coast.

Back in 1947 Neil Mossops father Ron, who worked at Waharoa dairy factory, had heard about the positive effect on rheumatism that bee stings could have thanks to the venoms ability to ease inflammation of joints.

Ron was well ahead of his time, with researchers only today starting to learn more about how the venom increases anti-inflammatory hormones in the body.

Dad decided to get a few hives and subject himself to stings while he looked after them, and sure enough he found the stings did help him with his joints, says Neil.

The cheesemaker and boiler operator-turned-backyard beekeeper soon learned bee hives could also have a positive effect keeping other unwelcome ailments away.

800 hives

It was the days of the 6 oclock swill, when people would drink as much as they could and then pile out of the pub, continuing to drink at home. We had a bunch of rowdy people who would always congregate at the end of our street once the pubs shut. Dad asked a beekeeper if he could put a few hives there  it soon dealt to the noisy parties!

Rons passion for beekeeping grew and he leapt at the opportunity in the early-1950s to buy 800 hives off a Te Aroha beekeeper.

In those days that was a lot of hives, enough to be a full-time business and he bought the lot for 22 shillings and sixpence. Today a single hive can be worth up to $1000.

Most honey collected then was predominately pasture-based, but Rons passion for variety and innovation shone through when he tracked down the source of a sweet tasting, light-coloured honey that had appeared in his hives.

They followed the bees right up into the top of the Kaimai Range to find the source, which turned out to be Tawari. Its less common today, but the Tawari tree had a flower that yielded this beautiful butterscotch-type honey.

Honey supply

During those early years Ron worked hard building relationships with landowners and farmers through the Waikato, running hives in return for a generous supply of honey.

In todays increasingly competitive honey industry it is a tradition Neil and Wendy continue, along with making hive rental payments that provides valuable income for farmers on some of the tough hill country around the East Coast and central North Island.

Ron had also been retailing Mossops Honey around shops in the region, and in 1961 the family opened their store on the site they continue to occupy today at Tauriko.

Ever innovative, Neil, like his father Ron, was also the first beekeeper in New Zealand to commercially provide hives for kiwifruit pollination, moving eight or nine hives at a time around on his Ford V8 truck. He was a pioneer working with the families who planted the first kiwifruit in the Bay of Plenty.

Kiwifruit pollination

Today, we cart 400-450 hives at a time on a 44 tonne truck, travelling and returning in a day to places Dad would have stayed overnight at, given how rough the roads and routes were back then, says Neil.

These days kiwifruit pollination is still an important part of the business, but not as significant given honeys increasing value.

Those honey sales expanded well in the 1980s, after Neil and Wendy bought the business from Ron in 1981. This also included their first exports.

Hong Kong was relatively easy to export to in those days and today we export to 10 countries with Asia and the United States really strong market for us, says Wendy.

Their pioneering ventures continued as the Mossops closely followed early research on Manuka honey done by the late Professor Peter Molan at Waikato University.

Until then field honey and Tawari were the main honey types; Manuka was really a bit of an unknown, seen as a bit different, says Neil.

A group of beekeepers, however, saw Manukas potential  forming the Unique Manuka Factor association, which Mossops was part of.

Antibacterial power

Meanwhile, Wendy witnessed the antibacterial power of Manuka when she saw how it healed an ulcer her mother had struggled to have healed conventionally.

I saw how the skin around the ulcer was softened and that was the seed of an idea to develop a skincare range using Manuka.

But it was not until 2007 when she met a cosmetologist capable of developing a genuinely natural range of products that she saw the birth of the companys Natruel range.

The 1980s really became the decade where Manuka was discovered and better understood, she says.

Wendy and Neil recount the many challenges the business has faced during the years, from the Whakatane earthquake, to the vine disease Psa-V in kiwifruit  but perhaps the biggest one was learning varroa had infected New Zealand beehives in April 2000.

At one stage all beekeepers in the North Island were going to have to burn their hives, but fortunately that did not eventuate.

Meantime, we have learned to manage it, although it has come at significant extra cost, says Wendy. The family also dealt with the loss of their iconic store to arson attack in 2008, doubly painful as it had been the Mossop family home. Rebuilding it with a fresh new image has played a big role in giving the Mossop brand a new look and created even stronger interest in the busy state highway shop.

Third generation

Today Wendy and Neil are proud to see their own family taking over as the third generation, with sons Ryan and Duane employed, and youngest son Joshua working alongside the business with his own bee operation, Beelieve Enterprises. Their daughter Charity has also been closely involved in the business during the years.

Wendy says their focus on providing a consistently high quality product, with minimal stirring or treatment, has lent Mossops honey a different texture to most commercial honeys and earned them many dedicated customers in New Zealand and around the world.

Meanwhile, the innovative couple are looking forward to the forthcoming launch of another honey-based product for winter, a specially developed cough elixir that promises to help ease the usual winter colds thanks to Manukas now well-known healing properties.

We feel weve been very blessed to work where we are, in the business we are in and to have our family close and involved, with plenty of challenges and opportunities for all of us to be involved in, says Wendy.
Koula and Theo Vellinga met in Limassol, Cyprus in 1953. They fell in love and were married three months later.

Over the next 52 years of married life, although having no children, they travelled and lived in many countries. They had a full life well lived, during which they collected a lot of treasures along the way.

After marrying they set up home in Holland, and in 1969 relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, where Theo worked as a director of a dairy factory.

On Theos retirement in 1976, the couple came to New Zealand on holiday and eventually moved here, purchasing a property in Whakamarama, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

The Vellingas first art purchase was a painting by Josef Verheyen (1899-1976) in Holland, which they hung proudly in their living room.

Over the years they added to their collection, buying through local galleries and taking a close interest in the artists as well as the art. Their home in Whakamarama became so full of artworks that some new acquisitions were simply placed against the walls.

Theo passed away in 2005 after being in care from Parkinsons disease for some years. Koula continued to actively collect art, travelling to exhibitions and auctions in Hamilton and Auckland as well as becoming a well known and loved figure on the Bay of Plenty art scene.

As her mobility diminished, Koula eventually went into care and passed away in 2014.

Her collection of paintings, known as The Koula Collection, is on display today at Baycourt, and is available to purchase and enjoy.

The auction of her collection will be held on Monday and represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from a single collection assembled over four decades with a definite local flavour.

Its clear when viewing the collection that Koula enjoyed a wide variety of art covering a full range of styles, subjects, sizes and values. She and Theo purchased many of the works from local Tauranga galleries, and there is a definite Bay of Plenty bias in the collection. Its appropriate, therefore, that the Fine Art Society New Zealand are holding the auction in Tauranga to give local collectors an opportunity to begin or add to their own art collection.

Estimates in the auction catalogue range from $200- $18000, providing opportunity for new collectors to purchase quality art at reasonable prices.

The auction of the Koula Collection is the fourth art auction held in Tauranga by Fine Art Society New Zealand and will take place on Monday April 3 commencing at 6.30pm at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre.

Viewing of the Koula Collection is on today from 10am-4pm and tomorrow from 9am-1pm. All intending bidders are required to register for a bidding number prior to the auction commencing.

Weekend School, by Arthur Dagley (1919-1998) (acrylic on board).
Stepping off the summit of Mauao by paraglider wasnt something on my bucket list, but as I love to explore life a little randomly, I tend to write my list retrospectively anyway.

If I could have a wish though it would be to be on the Mount Main beach when the Takitimu waka arrived about 1290 AD, or to meet explorer Captain Cook on that first morning 400 years later when he sailed into the Bay of Plenty during his 1769 expedition.

That air of excitement and discovery compels me to go explore the wonder of this nonpareil world around me, usually pulling me out of bed before dawn, and finding me watching the sunsets in the evenings. Locally, they say the Bay of Plenty is the undiscovered jewel of New Zealand, whereas others say the best spots can be found in Queenstown, Rotorua, Wanaka, and every coast, beach and bay. New Zealand, the pearl of the South Pacific. Everyone has their favourite place.

Darrell Packe broke into my rhapsodic cloud nine with an offer to take me on a flight, as Id recently written about an out-of-town paraglider who had crash landed in a Norfolk pine along Marine Parade. I vaguely thought he was meaning a tandem out of a plane and said yes! without hesitation.

A week later after meeting him I realised he meant paragliding. Off the top of the Mount. Tandem. I wasnt aware anyone was tandeming off the summit, just doing solo flights. It turns out you dont need to be an extreme elite athlete to do this, one of quite a few misconceptions I had. I asked Darrell how safe was it?

Well its only the ground you need to be concerned about, says Darrell. In the air itself youre totally safe, you cant crash into the air.

I marvelled at this logic, did some googling. He was right. No one hurt themselves in the actual air. It seemed a lot like sailing, catching the breeze. I was in!

Mount Paragliding, which Darrell runs, takes students through each stage of training to become a safe and competent paragliding pilot. I discovered that in New Zealand the NZ Hang Gliding Paragliding Association  NZHGPA  has clear requirements, training, and certification. There are courses, flights and examinations to complete that cover Civil Aviation restrictions and requirements, air give-way rules and safety.

There are 14 paragliding and hang gliding clubs throughout NZ with over 700 members in the NZHGPA enjoying uncrowded skies, flying from coastal ridges and high mountains. I already knew that a mild northerly or easterly breeze is when our local paragliders are jumping off Mauao. Its the same glorious golden days and evenings I wheel a piano along Pilot Bay to play while people are shipnicking while watching cruise ships leave port while the sun sets. The sea breeze comes in from the ocean, flowing up the ridge of Mauao, providing the lift that paragliders need to launch themselves.

Stunning aye, says Darrell, a phrase I hear him say a few times before and during our flight. It sure is.

Ive often paused in front of the shell middens around Mauao, reflecting on the people who came before me who touched these shells, lived here on the slopes, and watched the sun rise. To Ngaiterangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga, Mauao is a taonga which has immeasurable value and symbolises the endurance, strength, identity and uniqueness of each iwi. Mauao feels more to me than an extinct volcano, its a link between the past and present and I always feel connected to something deeper than just the physical world around me.

On the summit, it was clear Darrell was wanting no chat during the pre-flight checks. Hed lugged the 17kgs of tandem gear up the stairs while Id gone the scenic, gentler route. After laying it out, everything is checked twice before launch. Its similar to the checks a pilot makes before taking a plane up.

The most important thing for me is your safety, says Darrell, adjusting and checking my harness and straps.

The most important thing for me is trust in his ability to keep me safe. Its a bit like faith and science, I research and check the facts, believe them and then trust takes me beyond that. Well thats the rationale in my head when Im standing there analysing why I seem to have no fear. It could also help that Darrell is a calmly spoken, focused person who knows what hes doing. Its always easier to have trust in someone who has a deep voice, I have discovered!

Of course there is risk. Theres risks in driving a car too. Later I read the information Darrell provides to new students who want to become certified solo pilots:

Everyone who lives, dies. Yet not everyone who dies, has lived. We takes these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us.

I thought about the times I had nearly died. Then lived beyond that. Every time Ive flown, I trust a pilot to strap whats really a skyscraper to their waist and lift us up into the blue.

At the top of Mauao I say hello to Laurie and Marge Heavey who sit and watch us. Its the first time in 40 years that theyve been up to the top of Mauao. I ask them what they think about paragliding.

I think its amazing, amazing, says Marge. Youd feel like a bird up there.

A 73-year-old, Tom, takes off before us. A well-known local pilot, he has flown over a hundred times. Another solo pilot, Darren, also takes off before we do.

There is a cleared area below the summit on the east face which is on about a 45 degree angle. We go nearly a third of the way down it so that the canopy is already above us on the slope.

While Darrell is checking the gear, I see an unusual small stone embedded in a knoll down this launch ramp. Gently breaking it loose from the soil which was already dislodged around it, I call up to Laurie to ask him to take it for me as Im pocketless and need to be hands free to hold the GoPro camera we are taking with us on the flight. Leaving it behind would mean eventually it could be damaged or lost as it was becoming exposed to the elements. Removing it didnt seem right either, but it was one of those split second decisions. A few days later Laurie brings it into Sun Media, washed and cleaned. I think it could be a melted bottle, but would love to know what it is, so if any readers can identify what substance its made from that would be great to know. Im very aware that all activities undertaken on the mountain must be conducted in a manner that respects the mana of Mauao, so if this isnt rubbish but something significant it needs to be placed back in a nearby location.

The launch was smooth and I was simply lifted off the land, stepping out into the big blue. It was exhilarating, I felt alive and yet very safe. It was perfect.

Beautiful up here, the view is stunning, says Darrell as we settle into the flight, peacefully gliding back and forth along the face of Mauao. It was. Is. Just unbelievably amazing.

The view is spectacular. Its one of the best days imaginable in Tauranga with a clear sky, and you can see all the way to White Island, Whale Island and Mayor Island. And beyond. Im feeling ecstatic. Speechless. I think about the waka arriving 730 years ago. What a sight it would have been for them making the climb to the summit and seeing their people and vessels on the beach below.

This is another activity you can do in the Bay, says Darrell. Its such a beautiful place we live in and to fly over it is very special.

It truly is. Very special. I hadnt realised how accessible paragliding is for anyone. People watch paragliders doing it and wish they could too. And they can! Tom is paragliding at age 73, clearly youre never too young, never too old; its a sport for everyone.

Another myth contradicted. Plus I dont have to be an extreme athlete to do it.

Were just average people who are enjoying life and enjoying a sport, says Darrell. Not extremists throwing themselves off a hill.

Good, another urban myth debunked.

What about that guy in the Norfolk pine a couple of weeks back? Why did he end up in a tree?

An out-of-towner, hed wanted to land closer to his car and although he was already landing safely and smoothly into wind, decided at the last minute to make a turn. Changing at this late stage to downwind, his descent quickened and a further over-adjustment landed him in the tree.

From out-of-town. Like the Aucklander who landed in a tree near Gareth Morgans house a while back. Out-of-towners. As a local, Darrell grinned at that.

The same day Im flying with Darrell from the summit of Mauao, a 55-year-old man crashed his paraglider while attempting to take off on a flight near Twizel. Id read about it that morning but it hadnt put me off.

Through Mount Paragliding, the first part of learning to fly is to do six solo flights off a low site like at Tay Street where students jump from the grass above the dunes, with all the gear provided. This can be spread over a few days. They get used to launching the glider and having good ground control before moving on to flying. Understanding the safety of the sport, how to launch the glider, how to lay out the glider and how to clip into the harness are all part of the initial training.

Ground control or ground handling is done through walking around on the grass with the glider above, where students learn to be in charge of the glider, controlling it. The Twizel accident had happened on launch, it seemed the pilot hadnt left the ground before hurting himself.

Initial training is carried out on a flat field, says Darrell. Then quickly progresses up shallow slopes to high flights.

When learning to fly, starting off as a student includes a tandem flight, usually from Mauao. Local paragliders also fly from off the Kaimai Range, Ohiwa, Raglan and the Paeroa Range near Rotorua.

The tandem side of it is done usually on a student educational flight experience, says Darrell. So what we do is if people want to sign up to learn paragliding, then tandem is part of that.

Learning to fly competently is something that Mount Paragliding and other training organisations seek to ensure. Run very professionally, safety systems are the major consideration in training and flying. As well as the practical skills needed to fly the paraglider, schools teach meteorology, flight theory, piloting skills and air law. Enjoyment follows.

We have such a great bunch of people, Darrell says of his students. And they love the environment we teach in. Everyone gets along.

My half hour flight with him seems to end too soon. It feels like wed been floating and drifting back and forth through the air far longer, turning back into the wind and sailing repeatedly past the climbers standing on the summit. I cant stop grinning. Far below are sheep, bush and more climbers. My face is plastered with the biggest smile ever and I feel so buzzed and alive. It seems so effortless, although I know Darrell is constantly feeling and reading the breeze, making adjustments on the canopy ropes above, and leaning his weight to each side to help turn us and sail back again through the air.

We leave the side of the Mount and set off towards the ocean before turning to head back, descending gently and coming in to land on the soft sand on the Mount Main beach near the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service club.

As we flowed down the air onto the sand I again marvel at how there is such an abundance of resources and scenic locations here in the Bay that leaves visitors, and me, speechless.

Id seen and experienced the golden sunrises, hot springs, geothermal reserves of Waiotapu, the beaches, the sea, and now Id experienced it from the perspective of a bird.

Stunning, aye, grins Darrell.

Yes it is, and Im still smiling.
Minister for Maori Development and Associate Minister for Economic Development Te Ururoa Flavell has praised recent initiatives by Waikato-Tainui that benefit its people and wider Waikato region.

He recently visited the Waikato River Festival, the launch of a new drivers licence grant and meeting with graduands of the Waikato Beekeepers Training Collective.

Government-funded agency Te Puni Kokiri has partnered with Waikato-Tainui on all of the projects, working with Tainui Waka Tourism, Trust Waikato, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, NZ Tourism and Aotearoa Experience to deliver the Waikato River Festival He Piko He Taniwha.

The Waikato River Festival aims to establish and develop a month long programme to showcase and acknowledge the tupuna awa and its tributaries as a national taonga.

Other initiatives include partnering with NZTA and Mercury to support the launch of Kia Haere Tu a tribal development initiative to support Waikato-Tainui beneficiaries to obtain their drivers licences and undertake a defensive driving course. It is hoped this will lead to outcomes that will better prepare tribal members for employment opportunities, and in the long term contribute to safer roads.

Te Puni Kokiri have also worked with the Waikato River Trust and Whai Manawa Limited to support the Waikato Maori Beekeepers Collective to establish its Beekeeper Training programme aimed at Maori landowners.

A year on, the collective will graduate its inaugural intake with their Level 2 Apiculture certificate.

Te Ururoa describes each initiative as realising a different future for Waikato-Tainui  a transformation demonstrating their belief that something better was possible not only for their beneficiaries, but also the wider region.

Doing what we have always done will not get us to our destination of achieving our aspirations. The tribes collective courage and appetite to shift thinking to overcome any constraints to progress contributes to a powerful platform from which to grow collectively.
The Bay of Plentys reputation as a region on the rise is having a positive effect on the tourism sector, with latest figures showing a $63 million increase in year-to-year spend.

MBIEs latest statistics show year-end spending to February in the coastal Bay of Plenty region (which encompasses both the Western Bay of Plenty/Tauranga and Kawerau-Whakatane districts) was up 6.7 per cent, from $876m in February 2016 to $939m in February 2017.

Overseas visitors attributed for nearly a quarter of the annual guest spend, $213 million, up 13.3 per cent on the previous year.

The Bay of Plenty also retained its position as a popular spot for Kiwis with $725m of the total year-to-date spend attributed to the domestic market, up five per cent.

At the same time, spending in Tauranga for the month of February was up 4 per cent to $87 million, outperforming its neighbour Rotorua, which saw $75 million in spending for the month.

Tourism Bay of Plenty CEO Kristin Dunne is thrilled with the latest figures, which come at the tail-end of a busy summer season.

While we had a fantastic summer period, the consistency of these upwards figures heading into the cooler months show the Bay of Plenty has much more than traditional summer holiday appeal, with an abundance of natural attractions, increased retail opportunities and a growing cafe and restaurant culture.

Its also exciting to see overseas visitor spending on the rise.

Kristin says the region is starting to reap the rewards of careful planning and putting long-term strategies in place to draw out the peak season into the shoulder months (March/April  October/November) - a key goal for Tourism Bay of Plenty.

These upward trending figures also come at a time when the Bay of Plenty has been ranked the fastest-growing region in the country at 7.7 per cent, according to latest Statistics New Zealand data.

The region performed strongly across the professional and administrative services, and agriculture, primarily kiwifruit.

Kristin says such indicators show the Bay is in a strong position nationally, and such growth can only mean positive things for the region in the future.

The growth in both the economy and visitor numbers, feeds into region-wide initiatives Tourism Bay of Plenty is implementing, primarily the No Place Like Home campaign.

The campaign, rolled out in January, is a community-focussed project, designed to make residents aware of experiences and attractions in the region that are uniquely Bay of Plenty.

By seeking engagement and feedback from residents and local operators, Tourism Bay of Plenty aims to create bigger and better events and opportunities, which will grow and develop the region into a thriving location for visitors and locals alike.

While in its infancy, the No Place Like Home campaign has massive potential and will help connect with locals to share the nuggets of gold and encourage them to be ambassadors for their region.

We received an amazing level of feedback to the survey and this is already helping pave the way for the region to push towards our goal of becoming a billion-dollar tourism industry.
By India Today Web Desk: Remember Go Goa Gone actor Puja Gupta? She may be missing from the Bollywood scene for quite a while, but if the pictures on her Facebook account are anything to go by, she is on a high in her personal life. The actor seems to have found love in investment banker Varun Talukdar, and the couple's Facebook accounts are full of adorable pictures with each other.

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Varun's relationship status on his profile says he is "in a relationship" and their PDA in pictures leaves no room for doubt. Friends of the couple are also going gaga over how cute the two look together and keep commenting the same.

This guy i tell you @varuntalukdar ??? A post shared by Puja Gupta (@iampujagupta) on Dec 17, 2016 at 2:16am PST

On the work front, rumour has it that Puja will reprise her role as Luna in the Go Goa Gone sequel. Saif Ali Khan, who also produced Go Goa Gone, had recently confirmed that he intends to make a sequel of the zombie comedy. However, no details about the cast have been announced yet.

PHOTOS: Who's that gal? Meet B-town's new bikini babe, Puja Gupta

ALSO WATCH: Meet Bollywood's new Romeo!

--- ENDS ---
Though she died when he was only 4 years old, his faith-healing great-grandmother Ida inspired a haunting question that has lingered with Jim Minick throughout his life and now challenges the readers of his first novel, Fire Is Your Water.

A powwow healer of the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, Ida was well known for her ability to help people heal, but one day Jim remembers his grandmother was severely burned. It was his Uncle Mark who powwowed over her wounds. As he heard the story, Jim, whose first memory is of sitting on Idas lap, wondered why she didnt powwow the injuries.

For Minick that question opened up another inquiry: What happens to a faith healer faced with a doubt-producing crisis?

The characters in Fire Is Your Water struggle to answer that question as their lives intertwine but also follow different faith paths.

A book description offers readers this lure: Sacred chants are Ada Franklins power and her medicine. By saying them, she can remove warts, stanch bleeding, and draw the fire from burns. At age 20, her reputation as a faith healer defines her in her rural Pennsylvania community. But on the day in 1953 that her familys barn is consumed by flame, her identity as a healer is upended. The heat, the roar of the blaze, and the bellows of the trapped cows change Ada. For the first time, she fears death andfor the first timeshe doubts God. With her belief goes her power to heal. Then Ada meets an agnostic named Will Burk and his pet raven, Cicero. A jealous raven, a Greek chorus of one, punctuates the story with its judgments on the characters and their actions, until a tragic accident brings Ada and Will together in a deeper connection.

The powwow doctors arent the only part of Minicks family history to inspire the novel. A horrible barn fire into which two women ran and saved all the animals, his parents meeting over a scoop of ice cream on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the places he grew up and Minicks own injuries in a 1983 gas station explosion add to the storyline and presented the author his greatest challenges.

Minick began work on Fire Is Your Water 15 years ago. He possessed at least 30-some years and four generations of family stories with which to work. He began a non-fiction work, but the volume of material still proved intimidating. It was a big undertaking, he said, noting that writing a full-length book, fiction or non-fiction, is a long-haul commitment.

Then an epiphany struck. Write a novel. Shorten three-plus decades into three years and focus on two generations.

In the meantime, Minick taught full time and wrote four other books, including The Blueberry Years, winner of the Best Nonfiction Book of the Year from the Southern Independent Booksellers Association.

Themes from his own life are woven into the novel.

Minick has long loved birds, especially the smart ones like ravens and crows. To create Cicero, he read and researched ornithology and spent time with the late William Roberts and Joyce Roberts, who rescued and treated larger birds. William drove Minick to see several nests in Grayson County.

The idea for a talking bird was inspired by an article about a talking crow in ETSUs magazine Now & Then.

His journey of questioning faith sparked some of the books storyline. He values the countering voices of his main characters: Ada, Will and Cicero.

As he wrote the novel, Minick learned about creating tension, developing scenes and other writing lessons.

When the book was released earlier this month, Minick celebrated the feeling he described as exquisite when he first held the novel after working on it so long. And, he acknowledged the nerve-wracking anticipation of waiting to learn how it would be received.

An educator at Augusta University and Converse College, he may now empathize more with his students as they wait on grades. He calls working with them great fun as he watches them blossom and nudges them onward.

The writing bug infected Minick early. Hes been a writer since the sixth grade when he wrote a poem for his teacher, whom the students affectionately nicknamed Hot Lips Haller. He got his first positive review when she loved it.

Today Minicks work has earned acclaim from his peers and reviewers.

Minick is working on his next book: a nonfiction one recounting the stories of survivors of the worst tornado in history, which occurred in Kansas. Minick called that process of making art out of other peoples stories daunting, but enjoyable. He hopes he can do justice to the survivors memories.

In the meantime, Minick is looking forward to returning to Southwest Virginia and Wytheville for a reading and book signing on Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at the Heritage Preservation Center for an event benefiting the Friends of the Rural Retreat Library. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Rural Retreat Library or the heritage center.

Each reading presents a challenge, the author said, noting that audiences see a book in different ways. He tries to tailor the passages he reads to individual audiences.

Though hes teaching farther south, Jim and his wife, Sarah, still call their Wythe County farm home. A small-town native, Minick said, I love the mountains.

As readers absorb Fire is Your Water, he hopes theyll come away with a greater value of the natural world, listen to the birds and see the fire in everything.

When Minick was an infant, one of the powwow healers in his family wrote a protection chant for him that his father carried with him for years.

Today, the middle-age author believes in the power of prayer and positive thinking. He reflected, Faith is a mysterious thing as well as healing. There are many paths to living a good life. He added, We need to be kind to each other.

A reading

A talk and book signing by Jim Minick

Hosted by the Friends of the Rural Retreat Library

Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m.

Heritage Preservation Center

115 West Spiller St., Wytheville

Tickets are $10
Update: This article was updated at 11:20 a.m. with information from the New York State Police.

AUBURN, N.Y. -- The deputy chief of the Auburn Police Department has been charged with a DWI offense, according to city officials.

Deputy Chief of Police Roger Anthony, 44, was charged with DWI, City Manager Jeff Dygert said. Dygert said Police Chief Shawn Butler told him about the charge Saturday morning.

A call came in to law enforcement at 2:10 a.m. Saturday for a pick-up truck driving erratically, according to New York State Police.

The truck was found off the road near the intersection of Sevior and Half Acre roads in Aurelius, troopers said.

Anthony had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.18, state police said, more than twice the legal limit.

He was charged at the scene with aggravated DWI and unsafe lane change. He was given a ticket to appear in the Town of Aurelius Court on Wednesday.

Anthony has been placed on administrative leave, and the status of his pay will be determined on Monday, Dygert said.

Butler declined to comment and said all further information and media inquiries would be handled by city officials.

Anthony was named deputy chief in July 2016, according to the Auburn Citizen. He has been on the police force since 1997.

Further information will be reported as it becomes available.
ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- Guy M. Pyke was 70 years old. He drove a 1989 dark-colored Chevrolet Blazer.

Guy M. Pyke

And in 1999, he went missing. Now sheriff deputies in central New York are making the case public again in the hopes that someone will come forward with information on his whereabouts.

Pyke, of 4965 Aitchison Rd., Onondaga, left home on April 2, 1999, to go visit some relatives up in Watertown, according to the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office. He never returned home.

He was last seen in the Evans Mills area in Jefferson County, but there haven't been any sightings of him since, deputies said.

Guy Pyke took his 1989 Chevrolet Blazer up to Watertown to visit relatives. He was last seen near Evans Mills.

Pyke -- who would be 89 now -- is about 6-feet tall and weighs about 168 pounds. He has gray hair, blue eyes and wears glasses.

Pyke also has alzheimer's disease and dementia, officials said.

Sheriff's detectives ask anyone with information on Pike to call (315) 435-3081 or send a tip to Tip411.
The fan club presidents and general secretaries have unanimously said they are eagerly awaiting for the superstar to take the plunge into politics.

By Pramod Madhav: After news broke out that Rajinikanth will be meeting his fans today at Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, hundreds of fans from all across the State thronged to Chennai, just to have a glimpse of Superstar.

The meeting was scheduled by Rajinikanth All India Fans Club President Sudhakar and only the presidents and general secretaries were invited.

Earlier, Rajinikanth in an interview had made it clear that the meeting was called as a photo opportunity for his fans as it has been long pending

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The fan club presidents and general secretaries have unanimously said that arrangements have been done for Thalaivar's entry into politics and they are just waiting for his word. The fans who assembled in front of Raghavendra Hall made it very clear that their wish is for their Thalaivar to enter politics.

"I have been waiting since morning here. All to see Thalaivar's face and tell him certain truths about the condition of our State. He has to enter politics. There is no other way," claimed Sundar, a resident of Madurai who was waiting with his three-year old daughter.

Saghalya, an Agriculture student from Salem said that she also visited Chennai for the same purpose but was disappointed to hear that Rajinikanth will not be meeting his fans today.

"I came to see Rajinikanth, if he enters politics, he'll rock the world. They say that he doesn't know anything about politics but even today's politicians know nothing about anything. As a youngster I feel that if he enters politics, he will definitely rock," she asserted.

In the last 10 years, Rajnikanth has met his fans twice. In 2008, he met them and advised them to do their duty without expecting anything in return. In 2012, Rajinikanth advised them to quit smoking.

His next meeting with the fans is definitely expected to make some wave in the politics of the state.

Also read:

Rajinikanth to replace SRK as brand ambassador of Malaysia Tourism?

2.0: Rajinikanth plays 5 roles, Akshay Kumar in 12 looks? NO, says Shankar

SEE PIC: Thalaivar Rajinikanth meets Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak

--- ENDS ---
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Rochester man ran from a traffic stop, dropped a loaded handgun during the chase and then fought back when officers arrested him, Syracuse police said.

Gregory Cole

About 7 p.m. Wednesday Officers Leonard Brown and Joel Dorchester stopped a Subaru car in the 800 block of Butternut Street. Police did not say what the reason for the stop was.

As Brown approached the vehicle he noticed the man in the back seat, identified as Gregory A. Cole, making "suspicious movements" that made Brown think he was trying to hide something, police said. Dorchester had Cole get out of the car.

When Dorchester asked Cole to put his hands on the car, he is accused of running.

Leonard caught up to Cole and grabbed him as he tried to jump a wooden fence, police said. But the fence collapsed and Leonard and Cole fell on the ground.

When Cole fell, a silver handgun fell out of his pants, police said. Leonard struggled with Cole on the ground after the fence collapsed. Police said Cole resisted, but Leonard and Dorchester eventually arrested him.

The gun that fell out of Cole's pants was a loaded .25-caliber Titan handgun, police said.

Cole, 24, of 17 Carl St., Rochester, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. He was arraigned in Syracuse City Criminal Court and held at the Onondaga County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail or $100,000 bail bond. He remained jailed Saturday.

The driver of the Subaru was issued two traffic tickets and released.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A city man was arrested on gun charges after officers were called to deal with a domestic dispute, Syracuse police said.

Officers Brendan Cope and Chad King responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday to the 200 block of Martin Luther King West for a domestic complaint.

The officers met with a woman who told them she had been in an argument with a man, identified as Khalil Davis. Police said the woman told them that during the argument she noticed a black and tan handgun in Davis' waistband.

The woman told Cope and King that she thought Davis might still be in her apartment and gave them permission to go inside.

When Cope and King walked into the bedroom of the apartment, they saw Davis sitting on the floor in a pile of clothing. Cope arrested Davis.

Then King and Officer Travis Holmes noticed a handgun on the bed next to where Davis had been sitting, police said. The gun was a loaded black and tan .40-caliber Glock, which was reported stolen from North Carolina.

Davis, 19, of 232 Taft Ave., Syracuse, was charged with second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of stolen property.

He was arraigned in Syracuse City Criminal Court and ordered held at the Onondaga County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail or $100,000 bail bond.
Congress

The Capitol Dome is seen at dawn in Washington, Thursday, March 30, 2017.

(J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

Dear Congress,



With all the controversy swirling around President Donald Trump's White House, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that federal government is not just embodied in one person. He is not king. You, Congress, are co-equal with the executive branch, along with the judiciary. Americans are counting on you to fulfill your constitutional role as a check on the powers of the president. Your recent record on this point is mixed.



On the minus side of the ledger, there's the House Intelligence Committee's dumpster fire of an investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election. Rep. Devin Nunes, the California Republican in charge of the committee, has become a partisan mouthpiece for the White House as it seeks to bolster the president's unfounded accusation that the Obama administration wiretapped the Trump transition team. Need we remind you, Congress? You work for us.



The Senate Intelligence Committee took up the Russia investigation this week with a conspicuous show of bipartisanship and a promise to rise to the occasion. Pardon us, Congress, if our faith in you is a little shaky. Appoint a joint committee or an independent, 9/11-style commission to get to the bottom of this mess.



On the plus side of the ledger is your level-headed response thus far to Trump's request for $1.5 billion to begin construction of his "big, beautiful wall" on the U.S.-Mexico border (you know, the one Trump said the Mexicans would pay for). Senate Republicans are setting aside the request, saying it will complicate negotiations to pass a budget extender and avert a government shutdown on April 29.



Meanwhile, Congress, some of your members are properly skeptical of the administration's cost estimate for the wall: $20 billion for 1,827 miles of barrier. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, was told the $2.6 billion requested for 2018 would buy less than 75 miles of wall; at that rate, the entire wall would cost $67 billion. Of course, lost in this discussion is the fact a wall won't solve the problem of undocumented immigrants; two-thirds of them in 2014 were admitted legally but overstayed their visas.



The White House also laid out $18 billion in domestic budget cuts to pay for the wall, including $1.2 billion from National Institutes of Health research grants and $1.5 billion from Community Development Block Grant aid to cities. This is where a glib political promise hurts real people.



Syracuse receives about $4.5 million in CDBG funding a year, which finances more than 30 agencies and programs that provide affordable housing, stabilize neighborhoods, train workers and keep young people out of trouble. Trump's proposed budget for the next fiscal year eliminates CDBG funding entirely. We are counting on you, Congress, to remember who you work for when you exercise your power of the purse.



Finally, Congress, we want to address this last part to your Senate side, and specifically to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer pledged to filibuster the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. We get that Schumer and Democrats don't like Gorsuch's conservative legal philosophy, and are still sore over Obama nominee Merrick Garland not getting a hearing or a vote. We get the politics driving Schumer's obstructionism. But it's a dead end. Republicans have the votes to confirm Gorsuch. He deserves an up-or-down vote, just like Garland deserved one.



Do your job, Congress. We're counting on you.



Yours truly,

The Editorial Board
Kellyanne Conway

Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway is interviewed by Howard Kurtz during a taping of his "MediaBuzz" program, on the Fox News Channel, in New York on March 10, 2017.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Even on April Fools' Day, editor Rex Smith from the Times Union says there's no place for fake news.

A community blog hosted by the Union's website falsely reported Saturday that Kellyanne Conway, a senior advisor to President Trump, would be the commencement speaker at the University at Albany.

"As soon as we were alerted to the post, we removed it from our site and suspended the blog. We apologize to anybody who was misled by this post, which was not written by a Times Union staff member," said Smith on the website.

Conway has defended Trump on many occasions including when Meryl Streep criticized him at the Golden Globes. She also insisted that Trump did not mock The New York Times' Serge Kovaleski, who has arthrogryposis, which affects the flexibility and movement of his arms.

When Conway appeared on CNN's "New Day" with Chris Cuomo in January, she defended her boss and said that people shouldn't take Trump at face value and should 'look at what's in his heart.'

"Why is everything taken at face value?" she said to Cuomo. "You can't give him the benefit of the doubt on this and he's telling you what was in his heart, you always want to go with what's come out of his mouth rather than look at what's in his heart."
April Fools' Day 2017: the best (and worst) pranks April 1st --- a day colloquially known as "April Fools' Day" or "the worst holiday ever" --- isn't even until tomorrow, but because the month of April starts on a Saturday this year, all the #brands are already out in force to pollute the internet celebrate the occasion with a bunch of tiresome fun pranks meant to thirstily self-promote their products bring some levity into our day-to-day lives. The Verge

The ethics of emulation: how creators, the community, and the law view console emulators If you follow emulation news, here's a story you've probably heard. Nintendo releases a brand new Legend of Zelda game for a young console. It is immediately heralded as one of the greatest games ever made. Reviewers give it perfect marks. It is, definitively, the best reason to own Nintendo's new hardware. And mere weeks after its release, when buzz was at its highest, a PC emulator was able to run that massively popular game... PC Gamer

Inside the making of 'Mass Effect Andromeda' On Wednesday 22 February, there was a curious, disbelieving buzz in the studios of the video game developer BioWare in downtown Montreal. That morning, NASA had announced the discovery of seven Earth-sized, potentially life-harboring planets orbiting a dwarf star called Trappist-1, around 40 light years from Earth. Many at BioWare - home to the beloved Mass Effect series of sci-fi role playing games - felt that the timing was a little too good to be true. Glixel

Amazon is dead serious about delivering your goodies by drone Almost four years ago, in a puffy 60 Minutes piece about Amazon, CEO Jeff Bezos gave us a peek at a secret project: autonomous "octocopters," also known as giant drones. The flying devices, Bezos assured us, would cut out UPS and FedEx to deliver packages to Amazon's customers. At the time, skeptics dismissed it as a publicity stunt and doubted that the company would ever pursue the seemingly nutty scheme. Backchannel

Iron Man-style flight suit inventor struggles to convince anyone it is not an April Fools' A British inventor had built an Iron Man-style flight suit, but is struggling to convince anyone it is not an April Fools' joke. Richard Browning, a former Royal Marine Reserve, has created the machine using six miniature jet engines and a specially designed exoskeleton. But many news organisations have been getting in touch to ask if it is just an incredibly convincing hoax. The Independent

Game over, Uwe Boll In a small, cold film studio in early 2016, the man known by the Internet as the "worst director in the world" was doing what he does, well, worst. "O.K., one more time," said Uwe Boll (his first name is pronounced "OO-vah"), feeding lines to one of the actors in the absence of a script. "Straight in the lens: '. . . has been killed. By the law . . . er . . . the law enforcement? Has been shot by law enforcement.' Yes. O.K., do it. Ready, and . . . Action!" Vanity Fair

The $2 32-bit Arduino (with debugging) I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Arduino. But if I had two serious gripes about the original offering it was the 8-bit CPU and the lack of proper debugging support. Now there's plenty of 32-bit support in the Arduino IDE, so that takes care of the first big issue. Taking care of having a real debugger, though, is a bit trickier. I recently set out to use one of the cheap "blue pill" STM32 ARM boards. Hackaday

The reckoning: Why the movie business is in big trouble The uncertainty surrounding the film business and the direction it needs to take in order to survive is also being manifested in the corporate suites. Sony Pictures is struggling to find a replacement for outgoing CEO Michael Lynton, having cycled through likely candidates such as former Disney COO Tom Staggs, while considering more offbeat options like former Hulu head Jason Kilar. Variety

Why I always tug on the ATM Once you understand how easy and common it is for thieves to attach "skimming" devices to ATMs and other machines that accept debit and credit cards, it's difficult not to closely inspect and even tug on the machines before using them. Several readers who are in the habit of doing just that recently shared images of skimmers they discovered after gently pulling on various parts of a cash machine they were about to use. Krebs on Security

Reverse engineering malware 101: Section 1 - Fundamentals In this section you will be setting up a safe virtual malware analysis environment. The virtual machine (VM) that you will be running the malware on should not have internet access nor network share access to the host system. This VM will be designated as the Victim VM. On the other hand, the Sniffer VM will have a passive role in serving and monitoring the internet traffic of the Victim VM. This connection remains on a closed network within virtualbox. Secured.org

Security update for the LastPass extension On Saturday, March 25th, security researcher Tavis Ormandy from Google's Project Zero reported a security finding related to the LastPass browser extensions. In the last 24 hours, we've released an update which we believe fixes the reported vulnerability in all browsers and have verified this with Tavis himself. Most users will be updated automatically. Please ensure you are running the latest version (4.1.44 or higher), which can always be downloaded at https://www.lastpass.com/. LastPass

Amazon and Walmart are in an all-out price war that is terrifying America's biggest brands Last month, Walmart gathered some of America's biggest household brands near its Arkansas headquarters for a tough talk. For years, Walmart had dominated the retail landscape on the back of its "Everyday Low Price" guarantee. But now, Walmart was too often getting beaten on price. So company executives were there, in part, to reset expectations with Walmart's suppliers... Recode

How the IBM 1403 printer hammered out 1,100 lines per minute Introduced in October 1959, IBM's 1401 data-processing system was one of the first transistorized computers ever sold commercially. The 1401 marked the transition from wiring panels and punch cards to stored programs and magnetic tape drives, and it offered performance and versatility at a price that even small businesses could afford---about US $6,500 per month ($54,000 today). IEEE Spectrum

VPNs are not the solution to a policy problem The US House of Representatives just voted to eliminate the FCC ISP privacy rules. If you are interested in a further reading about the details of said rules, this article is a good place to get started. As Americans begin to accept this new reality, the discourse shifts to what we can do to workaround this particular issue. Yes, VPNs are a workaround at best, and a shitty one at that. AsinineTech

Twitter ditching default egg profile photos because they're tied to "negative behavior" If you want to harass your fellow internet denizens on Twitter, you'll have to do it without the cover of an anonymous egg in your profile photo: The social media site says it's doing away with its default avatar, partly because it's become associated with online harassment and other bad behaviors. The Consumerist

A faster single-pixel camera Compressed sensing is an exciting new computational technique for extracting large amounts of information from a signal. In one high-profile demonstration, for instance, researchers at Rice University built a camera that could produce 2-D images using only a single light sensor rather than the millions of light sensors found in a commodity camera. MIT

Virtual lemonade sends colour and taste to a glass of water When life hands you digital lemons, make virtual lemonade. A system of sensors and electrodes can digitally transmit the basic colour and sourness of a glass of lemonade to a tumbler of water, making it look and taste like a different drink. The idea is to let people share sensory experiences over the internet. New Scientist

How to start a hardware company with just $60K Two years ago, CoBattery raised a little over $60,000 on Kickstarter. And while many Kickstarter campaigns fail or take forever to fulfill their orders, we fulfilled all of our Kickstarter orders without raising any extra outside money. Cobattery
World Health Day is on April 7, and the World Health Organization has released a new statement on a slow and silent killer around the world that many are struggling to deal with- Depression.

Between the stigma and the prejudice surrounding the disorder, and the lack of funding for the treatment and recovery of patients, depression has turned into a silent killer that tops the list of the world's causes of serious illnesses.

Depression

As of February this year, over 300 million people are living with depression worldwide, which is an 18 percent increase between the years of 2005 and 2015. WHO's initiative for World Health Day "Depression: let's talk" which is also a year-long campaign for the organization, aims to encourage all the people around the world living with depression to go out and seek the help and support that they need.

What's more, the organization also aims to remove the stigma and prejudice surrounding the mental disorder, something that stops many who are living with the disorder to shy away from seeking help until it is too late or have already done serious damage to their overall health.

"The continuing stigma associated with mental illness was the reason why we decided to name our campaign Depression: let's talk," said Dr. Shekhar Saxena, WHO's Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in a press release.

WHO also impresses the importance of investing in mental health support and the consequences of failing to do so, especially in low-income countries where there is little to no support for mental health facilities.

What's The Threat?

A major contributor to the stigma surrounding depression is the ignorance about just how debilitating depression can be. Depression is a fairly common mental disorder that afflicts people of all ages, with more women affected than men and can lead a person to completely cease from functioning in society. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.

Apart from the more obvious effects of depression such as lack of interest and energy, anxiety, disturbed sleep, and lack of appetite, depression can also lead to serious physical damage to a depressive person if left untreated. For instance, depression has been found to lead to cardiovascular diseases and vice versa.

There are different methods of diagnosis and treatments for depression such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but WHO still advises medical practitioners to be very careful when treating their patients.

As such, there are ways to treat depression and help a depressive person to fully function and live full lives and WHO is continuous in their work, aiding countries in increasing their mental health services.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The long-held theory that the rapid expansion of the universe is led by a mysterious force called dark energy has been challenged by a new study.

The study by a team of Hungarian and American scientists noted that the current standard models of the universe are flawed as these fail to consider the impact of the large-scale structure of the universe. An illusory concept like dark energy would not have crept in if the changing structure of the universe has been rightly considered.

Dark Energy Concept Questioned

Led by Gabor Racz of Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, the study questioned dark energy by offering an alternative to the reigning cosmological models.

The study spots flaws in the current models in terms of approximations for the origin and evolution of the universe and staggering neglect of its structure and matter.

"Our findings rely on a mathematical conjecture which permits the differential expansion of space, consistent with general relativity, and they show how the formation of complex structures of matter affects the expansion," said Laszlo Dobos, co-author of the paper and also from the same university.

According to Dobos, many vital issues were sidelined in the earlier models. If these are taken into perspective, it is easy to explain the acceleration of the cosmos without dark energy as a factor.

Dobos noted that the theory of relativity still remains the key to understanding of the universe's evolution. But Dobos highlighted "coarse approximations" to Albert Einstein's equations of relativity as having side effects - the need to point to dark energy - in order to back up observational data.

Dark Energy As A Pervasive And Mysterious Force

Ever since the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago, triggering the birth of the universe, the cosmos has been expanding. That the universe is expanding was asserted by astronomer Edwin Hubble and has been proven by studies of galaxies.

Enthusiasts of dark energy have been projecting it as a mysterious force accelerating the growth of universe. It is believed that dark energy makes up 68 percent of the observable universe's energy.

In the latter part of 20th century, "dark matter" came into prominence, with astronomers asserting its evidence to explain the movement of stars within galaxies. They said dark matter is covering 27 percent of the universe's total content, with "ordinary matter" confined to just 5 percent.

In the case of dark energy, the concept unfurled as a new component in the 1990s from the studies on explosions of white dwarf stars in supernovae.

Dark energy currently has no properties describing the nature of its existence, which is why it's assumed to be an essential part of empty space referred to as the cosmological constant, represented by the Greek letter lambda (). The cosmological constant was proposed by Einstein for explaining why the scattered mass through the universe is not pulling back under its own gravity.

The combination of dark matter and dark energy as factors in explaining the evolution of the universe is what is known as the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (CDM) model, and it assumes that the universe expands uniformly. While this model is based mostly on Einstein's general theory of relativity, it still leaves much to conjecture.

These approximations are what the researchers of the new study are contesting, saying that these assumptions fail to take into account how large-scale structures in the universe influence its expansion.

New Expansion Model

The new mathematical simulations on the expansion of the universe take into consideration how gravity influences the particles that represent dark matter. The new model shows how matter clumps together and how matter is not distributed evenly in space. The large-scale structures, which look like empty spaces, create sections where evolution happens at different rates.

The new model counters the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model and says the expansion varies at different regions depending on the structural changes.

If the new finding receives acceptance, it will impact many models about the evolution of the universe and research in physics.

The study has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Euclid Mission Of ESA To Study Dark Matter

Meanwhile, the Euclid mission of the European Space Agency will be studying dark energy and dark matter.

Expected to be launched in 2020 aboard a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana, Euclid will take an average 30 days to make its way to gravitationally stable area Lagrange point. It will have a course of six years and 15,000 square degrees of sky in its survey.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ludhiana Court has issued an arrest warrant against Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against sage Valmiki.

By Press Trust of India: A local court in Ludhiana has issued an arrest warrant against Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against sage Valmiki, who wrote the mythological Hindu epic 'Ramayana'.

The warrant was issued on March 9 on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Valmiki community with her comments on a programme on a private television channel last year, police said today.

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"By doing so she has hurt the religious sentiments of a large number of his followers," the complaint said.

"A two-member team of the Ludhiana police has left for Mumbai with the arrest warrant," a police official said.

Sawant had failed to appear before the court during the last hearing held on March 9 despite the court issuing her repeated summons.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled for April 10.

Also Read

Everyone is going crazy over Rakhi Sawant's 'sexy' Narendra Modi dress, and not in a good way

--- ENDS ---
The basic pay of the RBI Governor as well as Deputy Governor has been revised upwards, but still remains lower than salaries drawn by top executives of banks regulated by the central bank.

By Press Trust of India: Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel and his deputies have got a big pay hike with the government more than doubling their basic salary to Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2.25 lakh per month, respectively.

The "basic pay of the Governor and Deputy Governors" have been revised retrospectively with effect from January 1, 2016 and marks a huge jump from Rs 90,000 basic pay so far drawn by the Governor and Rs 80,000 for his deputies.

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Still, their salaries are much lower than the top executives of various banks regulated by the RBI.

The monthly emoluments of these top RBI officials include basic pay, dearness allowance and other payments, which totaled Rs 2,09,500 in case of Patel as on November 30, 2016, as per the latest information disclosed on the RBI website.

In response to a query by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the central bank has now disclosed that as per a Finance Ministry communication, dated February 21, the basic pay of the Governor and Deputy Governors have been revised.

Following the revision, the basic pay of the Governor stands increased to Rs 2,50,000 per month while the same for a Deputy Governor would be Rs 2,25,000, RBI said.

The pay hike is "with effect from January 1, 2016".

Dearness Allowance would be notified by the central government from time to time while "all other allowances (are) to be paid at existing rates as if the pay has not been received with effect from January 1, 2016," the RTI reply said.

The RBI, however, did not disclose the new gross pay for Patel and his deputies following the revision in basic pay.

With the earlier basic pay of Rs 90,000, Patel got a DA of Rs 1,12,500 and other payments of Rs 7,000 -- totalling to a gross pay of Rs 2,09,500. The increase in the basic itself would take his gross pay to nearly Rs 3.70 lakh.

Patel, who took over the reins of the central bank in September 2016, had received a salary of Rs 2.09 lakh in October -- the first full month in office. This amount was same as drawn by his predecessor Raghuram Rajan in August that year.

Rajan assumed RBI governorship from September 5, 2013 at a monthly salary of Rs 1.69 lakh. His salary was revised to Rs 1.78 lakh and Rs 1.87 lakh respectively during 2014 and March 2015. His salary was raised to Rs 2.09 lakh from Rs 2.04 lakh in January 2016.

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It was not clear whether Rajan, who left RBI on September 4, 2016, would be eligible for arrears as the basic pay for Governor has been revised retrospectively while covering little more than nine months of his tenure.

Currently, RBI has four deputy governors - R Gandhi, S S Mundra, N S Vishwanathan and Viral V Acharya.

At the end of November last year, Gandhi, Mundra and Vishwanathan were taking home a basic pay of Rs 80,000 per month. Acharya took charge in January this year.

ALSO READ | 7th Pay Commission: Committee on Allowances yet to submit report, wait for good news gets longer

ALSO WATCH | 'RBI's image has been dented beyond repair,' employees claim in letter to the Governor

--- ENDS ---
Venezuela and Colombia resumed air operations on Monday with an inaugural flight departing from Caracas to Bogota after more than two years of suspension, said the Caribbean country's... | Read More
By Press Trust of India: Kolkata, Apr 2 (PTI) In an effort to strengthen its organisation in West Bengal and "unite" the Hindus, RSS has planned to celebrate Ram Navami on April 5 in a big way throughout the state, with support from BJP.

"It (Ram Navami) is a religious festival but through it we plan to organize the Hindus and unite them against the fundamentalist forces," a RSS functionary here said.

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"Fundamentalist forces have increased across Bengal. Several bordering districts are witnessing huge demographic imbalance due to infiltration", Bidyut Mukherjee, the organizational secretary of RSS, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, told PTI.

RSS had passed a resolution at its Coimbatore Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expressing concern over the growing Jehadi activities and the declining Hindu population in West Bengal.

Expressing support to the RSS programme, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "We fully support such a programme to celebrate Ram Navami. It will help people to unite against the anti-national forces and vote bank politics".

There will be more than 200 camps with yatras, public meetings and processions held across Bengal, including in the city.

Big processions and meetings will be held in North Dinajpur, Burdwan, Birbhum, Nadia, West Midnapore districts among others, he said.

The selection of the locations is significant as North Dinajpur borders Bihar and Bangladesh and has a high Muslim population, while various parts of Burdwan and Birbhum are communally sensitive.

The programmes are being organised under the banner of Rama Navami Utjapan Samity (Organisation for celebration of Rama Navami).

Asked Bengal Additional Director General (Law and order) Anuj Sharma said "I do not have any information about such programmes as of now. I will have to check".

Each of the processions and meetings will have participation of around 15,000 people, Mukherjee said claiming that festivals like Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja were not allowed in some parts of Bengal and time has come for the Hindus to assert themselves.

"The RSS and the BJP for last few years have been trying to polarise the state communally, but they have failed. Everybody has the right to organise religious programmes. But our government will not tolerate any attempt to create division among communities," a senior Trinamool Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad is, on the other hand, taking up programmes on the issue of construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

It will organise processions and special puja in the districts on Ram Navami and after and has also planned a ?Hindu Dharma Sabha? in Kolkata on April 11, VHP spokesperson Sourish Mukherjee said.

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"We are launching a state-wide awareness programme about the historical importance of Ram Mandir and Ram Janmabhoomi movement," he said. Sounding a caution, CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra accused the RSS of "masterminding communal riots in the state and said the Left parties would protect communal harmony at any cost. PTI PNT SUN KK MM

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Veteran banker and NDB President K V Kamath has described the merger of SBIs associate banks with the parent a "good first step", saying there is scope for further consolidation as large banks are needed to cater to the growing economy.

Kamath also underlined the need for a bad bank to deal with rising non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banking sector with a rider that it should be created only after putting in place a proper funding mechanism.

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"If you look at the size of our economy, we need a few more large banks. So clearly there is space for consolidation in the public sector and possibly in the private sector also because you need much larger banks to cater to this economy," said Kamath, the first head of the Shanghai-based multilateral lending institution New Development Bank.

He is here in connection with the second annual meeting of the BRICS-created New Development Bank (NDB).

Kamath said in India either banks need to grow organically to that scale or go in for consolidation process.

With the regard to merger of 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 -- with SBI, he said, "On a broad basis, consolidation had to happen, so it is a good first step".

However, he added that in the consolidation process one has to be careful that the merged entity remains healthy and is able to meet the challenges.

"It cannot be an arithmetic addition of few banks together or two banks together," he told PTI in an interview.

On the idea of bad bank, Kamath opined, "I look at it in a simple way. If a bad bank can be funded with enough capacity to take these (bad) loans off the books of the existing banks, its a great solution.

"But first we will have to get the funding in place. Then we have to look at the timelines to get these things organised because we do not have much time".

On whether the NDB would be willing to fund a bad bank, he said, "No. Our focus is on infrastructure funding".

The idea of a bad bank was floated in the Economic Survey, which suggested creation of the Public Asset Rehabilitation Agency (PARA) to help tide over the enormous problem of stressed assets, which have touched double digit.

The gross NPAs of public sector banks have risen from Rs 5.02 lakh crore at the end of March 2016 to Rs 6.06 lakh crore in December 2016. PTI RR CS MR ABM

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) In a major boost to its powers, regulator Sebi may soon get access to internet and call data records of fraudsters and market manipulators in a foreign country and also seek freezing of their overseas assets.

Sebi already has powers to seek call data records, excluding the exact content of the communication, from telecom firms within India and these details have often helped the regulator act against defaulters in cases like market manipulation, fraudulent trades and insider trading.

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The new powers to seek such details from abroad will help the regulator in cases involving entities and persons in foreign countries, as Sebi would be able to establish regular connections between them even without access to exact content, a senior official said.

Globally, regulators rely a lot on access to such technology-linked records and use the subscriber records and traffic data to prove passage of information.

The additional enforcement powers will be available to Sebi through the Enhanced Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Consultation and Cooperation and the Exchange of Information (EMMoU), which has been approved by the IOSCO, the apex international body of market regulators.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is a key member of IOSCO (International Organisation of Securities Commissions), which is recognised as the global standard setter for regulations in the securities markets worldwide.

To get the additional powers, Sebi and other regulators would need to migrate to the new EMMoU from the existing MMoU.

The new mechanism will also enable regulators to obtain and share audit work papers, communications and other information relating to audit or financial account reviews.

Besides, they would be able to compel physical attendance for testimony (by being able to apply a sanction in the event of non-compliance), and also freeze assets if possible or, if not, advise and provide information on how to freeze assets at the request of another regulator.

The sharing of internet and telephone records, excluding the exact content of communications, would also be possible with the assistance of a prosecutor, court or other authority. Regarding the content of the communications, the regulators would have to contact the authorised entities.

The enhanced standard for cross-border enforcement cooperation was approved by the IOSCO last Friday and offers the member regulators new enforcement powers for responding to the challenges arising from recent developments in global financial markets.

The IOSCO said the MMOU and the EMMoU provide a mechanism for securities regulators to share essential investigative material, such as beneficial ownership information, and securities and derivatives transaction records, including banking and brokerage records.

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Both documents also set out specific requirements for the exchange of information, notably ensuring that no domestic banking secrecy laws or regulations prevent the sharing of enforcement information among securities regulators.

The MMoU, since its launch in 2002, has provided the regulators around the world with key tools to fight cross- border financial fraud and misconduct that can weaken global markets and undermine investor confidence.

For 15 years, regulators have used the MMoU to help ensure effective global cooperation and strengthen international securities markets.

IOSCO said that the securities markets have undergone sweeping changes in recent years, driven by things such as new technologies and regulation, and the growing role of market- based finance.

"These forces have spurred IOSCO to develop an enhanced standard on cross-border enforcement information exchange that goes beyond the MMoU and responds to recent market developments," it added.

Ashley Alder, CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, and Chair of the IOSCO Board, said, "The adoption of the EMMoU represents a significant milestone for IOSCO because it enhances cross border enforcement cooperation among our members and builds upon the success of the current MMoU.

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"With its expanded powers, the EMMoU will enable IOSCO members to meet the challenges of combating financial misconduct in an increasingly cyber/tech dominated environment."

Paul Andrews, Secretary General of IOSCO, said: "The Enhanced MMoU marks a turning point in cross-border enforcement cooperation and information sharing among IOSCO members. It raises the standards of enforcement action, making it increasingly difficult for wrongdoers to conduct cross- border misconduct in global securities markets."

The EMMoU also envisages the obtaining and sharing of existing communications records held by regulated firms.

The securities regulators are currently required to sign the MMoU to become a member of IOSCO.

IOSCO said the MMoU will remain in effect as long as any signatories continue to wish to use it, while the objective is for all MMoU signatories to migrate eventually to the EMMoU.

Currently, 112 securities regulators are signatories to the MMoU. In 2015, the signatories made 3,203 requests for information, compared to only 56 requests in 2003.

IOSCO said it will undertake various initiatives to support the implementation of the EMMoU, including technical assistance programmes, political support and an ongoing communication strategy. PTI BJ ABI BAL

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A Georgia man accused of beating up his nephew's father on Feb. 6 as another man pointed a gun at the victim was arrested Friday, according to a Baton Rouge Police report.

Marcus Bennett, 22, and Chosen Roach waited for the victim while Bennett's sister, 26-year-old Apriel Bennett, called the victim back to her house at 3131 Midway Ave. after he dropped off their son.

Baton Rouge woman arrested after allegedly luring child's father to home in murder attempt A Baton Rouge woman is accused of helping her brother and a friend assault and attempt to ki

Bennett, of 5805 Stateridge Road, Duluth, Georgia, was booked into Parish Prison on aggravated assault with a firearm, simple battery and principal to attempted first degree murder.
An inmate cowboy is sent sprawling by a not-so-friendly bull during the bull-riding competition in the famous Angola Prison Rodeo. The well-attended rodeo is a big source of cash for the prison, and not all of the cash has been well-tracked. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor discovered more than $160,000 missing from the funds of an employee recreation club that raises most of its money at the rodeo; the volunteer fire department's booth was also shut down this fall amid allegations of missing money. Auditors also found that the money raised by the rodeo was not being deposited in the state treasury.
My then five-year-old son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) around the time in 2007 the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). He was on the cusp of school and I worried what the diagnosis meant for his future.

Each April 2 UN signatories and the international autism community try to raise awareness of this developmental condition. WAAD joined the competitive "cause awareness calendar". It's supported by a "Light it up Blue" global campaign. Recent years have seen some Victorian landmarks alight in support. Many politicians and high-profile leaders don "Blue Ribbons", talking about equal opportunity, before soon wearing another ribbon.

For those living with ASD, however, or those who love them, each day is about advocating for understanding and empowerment. While April 2 celebrates diversity, for many, including me, it's a sobering time to feel "blue" about ongoing ignorance and barriers. Ten years on I wonder what gains have or haven't occurred as they impact my son and others I know. My observations are informed by key reports, and years of advocacy and conversations.

The gains in areas of early diagnosis, intervention and allied health supports are evident. As too is the potential a properly funded National Disability Insurance Scheme could provide to improve inclusion, self-determination and participation in society.
The BJP-affiliated RJKS union is moving in on businesses once dominated by the Sena's BKS.

After giving the Shiv Sena a bloody nose in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections last month, the BJP is making steady inroads into another Sena bastion-Mumbai's trade unions. Launched in January, the BJP-affiliated Rashtriya Janhit Kamgar Sanghatna (RJKS) has already grown to 50,000 members, mostly in establishments where the Shiv Sena's Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS) had hitherto held sway.

Nearly 70 per cent of Mumbai's establishments-government undertakings and private businesses-are controlled by the BKS, but a toppling game is underway. For starters, RJKS spread wings in Mumbai's Bombay Hospital and the Trident and Palladium hotels, apart from a dozen or so smaller businesses. It is now looking to expand to the local manufacturing industry, service sector and aviation, all places where it sees the BKS's hold slackening.

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RJKS general secretary Siddharth Palaspagar claims the organisation's success comes from being able to bring more benefits to workers. "We forced the management of Silver Courier to hike salaries by Rs 3,000 [a month] where BKS had managed just Rs 200 last year," he says.

Palaspagar believes that with the BKS losing influence in the trade unions, it's an opportune moment to occupy the space. The BJP's Maharashtra spokesperson, Madhav Bhandari, believes the party being in power in both Maharashtra and Delhi is serving as a catalyst for the RJKS.

For years, the leadership of Mumbai's trade and labour unions helped the Shiv Sena build a strong base among workers' families. The BKS produced several firebrand leaders for the Shiv Sena, including Dattaji Salvi, Chhagan Bhujbal and Narayan Rane.

BKS chairman Suryakant Mahadik, though, scoffs at suggestions of a challenge to his outfit. "The BKS is a trusted organisation among all trade workers," he says. "It works not only for wage increase but the self-respect of workers."

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One of our greatest responsibilities in the education system is to produce young men and women with the basic skills they need for life after school. No matter their path, our students should leave school able to follow instructions in equipment manuals, write a job application or prepare a simple invoice.

From 2020 students will need to demonstrate that they have a minimum level of literacy and numeracy to be eligible to receive the Higher School Certificate.

From 2020 students will need to demonstrate that they have a minimum level of literacy and numeracy to be eligible to receive the Higher School Certificate. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The minimum standard is being set at a nationally agreed benchmark of literacy and numeracy that will give employers, universities, colleges and the community confidence that students have the skills they need for success when they leave school. But, more than this, it will help ensure that as students move through high school  and even before  achieving these skills is a priority for their time at school.

The same reform was introduced in Western Australia in 2013 for students sitting the HSC equivalent in 2016, and has resulted in a significant increase in literacy and numeracy attainment.
All schools in south-east Queensland, and many in northern New South Wales, have been closed following tropical cyclone Debbie, which hit the area last week causing large-scale destruction.

An increase in extreme and unpredictable weather events in Australia continues to occur, which often disrupts students attendance at school.

Flooded streets in Lismore over the weekend. Credit:Jason O'Brien

In July 2015, more than 40 schools were closed in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands of NSW due to a snowstorm.

In June 2016, around 12 schools closed in New South Wales due to a weekend of storms.
One of Australia's defining features and greatest strengths is cultural diversity. Almost half our population was either born overseas or has at least one parent who was.

This reality is much celebrated, for it enriches our society and economy. There was an uplifting example of the community's appreciation of diversity in recent days, when The Age's education editor, Henrietta Cook, reported that 16-year-old twins Grace and Tahbisa, born in South Sudan, had been ordered by their school to remove the hair braids they had worn since birth and which are a key part of their cultural identity.

Tahbisa (left) and Grace have now been allowed to keep their braids. Credit:Eddie Jim

The Age was inundated with messages of support for the year 11 students, who have been at the school for years and were shocked by the demand. The girls were also flooded with such messages when they wrote about their experience on a Facebook group, Women of Colour.

The principal of the school rightly responded to the furore by reversing the decision. She had first insisted the order had nothing to do with the students' background. Rather, she said, it reflected the school's "strict uniform policy", which "applies equally to all students".
The rise of Donald Trump in the US, far right groups in Europe, and One Nation here is seen as a seismic repudiation of Western political establishments by a deeply distrustful public.

Many voters  fed up with the self-serving agendas of major parties  have gravitated to populist leaders like Trump, based on their promises to revitalise and return 21st century politics to the people. Yet so much of the serious commentary and analysis about today's political disruption is being devoted to the antics of the new US president. As a result, three key questions about the so-called age of Trumpism are being overlooked.

Many voters don't like Trump personally or favour his policies. Credit:Chip Somodevilla

The first being, why is the battle to remake politics across Western democracies being won by the radical right? The success of ultra-conservatives in America, Europe and Australia in projecting themselves as vanguards of political change is more than perplexing when we consider what it stands for. As the term ultra-conservatism implies, its world-view takes conservatism to extremes.

Mainstream liberal conservatism attempts to combine traditional values, continuity of the present, along with faith in the future though measured progress. The ultra-conservative movement, on the other hand, rejects not only the future. It is also deeply ambivalent about, if not deeply alienated from the present.
"He is determined to rid the Philippines of ice and he will stop at nothing."

"He is intent on wiping out the drug lords," said Bishop of the murderous nine-month rampage, which has left more than 7000 dead, including children , many through extrajudicial killings which primarily target the poor . "He is unapologetic.

But if the minister is in any way reassured by her recent tete-a-tete with the self-confessed gunslinger , her precis of the discussion is, frankly, less than consoling. In fact, coming from a woman with a deft grasp of diplomacy, Bishop's words  uttered on Sky News recently  are utterly dismaying.

While the rest of the planet is struggling to fathom the sheer scale of human rights abuses carried out under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs"  with mounting evidence of international law violations and crimes against humanity  Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recently insisted that Duterte has provided her with "detailed reasoning" for the slaughter. Well, that's a relief.

Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte at Manila's Rizal Park for a vigil to show their backing for the president's so-called war on drugs. Credit:AP

It's not that Bishop hasn't made mention of Australia's concerns about human rights under the brutal crackdown; she has, on more than one occasion, although what she said privately to Duterte is a matter of conjecture. But words matter  as our foreign minister knows more than most  so we should be wary of what she has chosen to subsequently divulge about her meeting with the Filipino leader, because it sets a different tone altogether.

Bishop's depiction of Duterte suggests he's single-minded, resolute  not exactly a criticism  and she is at pains to point to the "considerable detail" offered by him on the drug issues confronting about "4 million" of his country's people, which presumably includes his reasons for the wholesale slaughter of drug suspects, many of whom are not dealers at all, according to Human Rights Watch, but users: the very people, in other words, that Duterte has ostensibly been galvanised to defend.

And, seriously, what sort of "detail" could possibly provide the context for the grisly campaign that has seen Duterte attract not just worldwide condemnation, but the scrutiny of the International Criminal Court? What reasoning could conceivably justify the vigilante death squads, the routine falsification of evidence, and generous bounties for those who kill drug suspects, no questions asked? And what social maladies are likely to be remedied by flooding the morgues with many of the nation's most vulnerable, including young children?

The spectacle of an Australian foreign minister stepping up to parrot Duterte's anti-drug rationale  flawed, as it happens, when you consider that rates of drug addiction in the Philippines are actually around half the global average  is beyond the pale.
Carrie Fisher's daughter has paid a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother Debbie Reynolds on what would have been her 85th birthday. Billie Lourd, 24, posted a photograph on Instagram of her mother and grandmother, who died a day apart in December. Billie Lourd, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2015. Credit:Kevin Mazur/WireImage "Happy 85th to my constantly classily clad Abadaba," she wrote in the caption.

Reynolds's nickname is a reference to the song Aba Daba Honeymoon, which she performed with Carleton Carpenter in the 1950 film Two Weeks With Love. Actress Lourd did not attend a public memorial in Hollywood last week to honour Fisher and Reynolds. Fisher's brother Todd, who organised the service, said he understood why she skipped the event at Forest Lawn Cemetery, where the two actresses were buried together earlier this year. "I think she would have loved it. But it would have ripped her heart out," he told USA Today. Fisher, who shot to fame as Princess Leia in Star Wars, died on December 27 aged 60 after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles.
'We were frustrated because there wasn't the roles for us' ... Nicole Kidman (right) in Big Little Lies with Shailene Woodley (left) and Reese Witherspoon. Then there's Jane, who after a horrific sexual assault is determined to fight against the intrusion of shame and victimhood; and Kidman's tragic Celeste, who is trapped in an ultra-violent, hyper-sexualised marriage, and who is introduced in the premiere episode to strains of Charles Bradley singing "I'm a victim . . . of loving you". (On the whole, the show has brilliant and shrewdly executed music selections.) The performances are magnificent; each of these women are doing some of the best work of their careers in this series. It helps that they are given composite material and complete, three-dimensional characters to work with (a rarity for women actors in general, especially those over the age of 40, as two thirds of these leads are). However, it's not surprising so much as disappointing to discover that the initial reaction to Big Little Lies, from a bulk of male critics who reviewed it, was to dismiss the series as escapist frivolity. Labelled as "trashy", "soapy", even "a sham", the responses to this series speak worrying volumes about the way male critics (and male audiences) perceive work that chooses to centre itself on women's lives and interests. Aside from the fact that Big Little Lies is far too real and raw to be considered a "soap opera"  I don't know how many soaps these guys are watching (but may I remind them that Passions, an actual soap opera, includes a doll that has come to life and acts as a sidekick to the show's villain, Tabitha)  these assessments of the show are both condescending and dismissive. Melodrama, trash, and soap opera are the genres historically marketed towards women and, whether or not this is true, they are generally considered to be soft, silly and indistinct. Big Little Lies is none of those things; it's hard as nails and compellingly specific.

Take, for instance, Celeste's domestic violence storyline, which is portrayed with care and heartbreaking confidence by Kidman and the terrifying (and terrifyingly handsome) Alexander Skarsgard as her abusive husband, Perry. The story has been lauded not just by critics, but also by domestic violence prevention professionals and therapists, for its unflinching specificity and its magnification of issues women face all over the world, across all different social and economic stata. Big Little Lies is not afraid to "go there"  it addresses the sexual component of domestic violence (an uncomfortable area many people would like to avoid considering); and it asks the big, awkward question: Why doesn't she leave him? The answer, we find out, is so much more complicated than what we fear when we wonder why victims of DV do not leave their partners: there is love there, there is an element of compulsion, of attraction, even of safety that keeps Celeste from striking out on her own to save herself. Regardless of privilege, the issues Madeline, Jane, Celeste et al grapple with are shockingly universal. When one in four women have experienced sexual assault in their lives, Jane's history of sexual violence is achingly, uncomfortably familiar. The truth about critics who dismiss Big Little Lies as a "compendium of cliches about upper-middle-class angst" is that they're uncomfortable or unfamiliar with actually having to give these sorts of stories  women's stories  attention. Big Little Lies is what's considered "prestige TV": It's produced by a high-end cable network; it features tentpole stars, including four Oscar-nominated female actors; it's directed by an Oscar-nominated director (Jean-Marc Vallee). It's expensive, well-produced and compellingly rendered for television. For men who are not used to women's stories, or indeed female characters, of this high calibre, (because they are so often relegated to "middle brow" realms where male critics don't have to engage with them) the only way to respond is to dismiss it all as "stock characters and situations", or "soapy melodrama that's more annoying than entertaining".
Chongyi Feng, the Sydney academic who was prevented from leaving China but who returned to Australia on Sunday morning, says he will continue to return to the country to pursue his research.

"I need to finish my work," said Associate Professor Feng, who landed in Sydney about 8.30am.

But Professor Feng, who works at the University of Technology, Sydney, was unable to shed much light on the reasons Chinese authorities prevented his departure from the country.

"It is still a mystery to me," he said via a telephone interview.
Australian legal firms are experiencing unprecedented demand from people who have suffered alleged child sexual abuse in institutions such as churches, schools and youth groups.

The demand has been spurred on by revelations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and legal reforms which allow survivors to make a claim for damages regardless of when the abuse allegedly occurred.

Shine Lawyers received 61 inquiries about historical child sexual abuse in 2012, prior to the commencement of the royal commission in 2013. Last year the firm received 730 inquiries, an increase of more than 1000 per cent.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn has also experienced a surge in people exploring their legal options, with hundreds of new inquiries.
Thousands of residents in Lismore and Northern NSW were given the all clear to return to their homes on Sunday as the full extent of the floodwater carnage became clear.

Lismore mayor Isaac Smith labelled his town "a war zone" and as the water, mud and sewage began to subside, that was exactly how it appeared.

Aerial view of flood waters near Lismore area in NSW. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who will visit the region on Monday, urged residents to be patient as authorities surveyed the damage.

"This is a huge catastrophe," she said in Sydney. "This is a massive, massive natural disaster."
Siddaramaiah however, said that if it rains, Karnataka will gladly release water for drinking purposes to Tamil Nadu.

By Nolan Pinto: With the summer heat intensifying in Karnataka and with a long way to go before the monsoon rains begin, CM Siddaramaiah today said that Karnataka is not in a position to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters after the Police Flag Day function, he said that the reservoirs are empty and this has been conveyed to the visiting team of Tamil Nadu water officials who met Karnataka Chief Secretary Subhash Khuntia on Saturday in the Vidhana Soudha.

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The team from Tamil Nadu consisted of four officials and was headed by its Public Works Department Principal Secretary S K Prabhakar. They had requested Chief Secretary Khuntia water for drinking purposes. The meeting lasted for an hour.

"We have explained our constraints to release water because of the severe shortage in the basin. It is difficult to meet Tamil Nadu's request. But we are ready to help in the coming days when the water availability increases," said Khuntia after the meeting.

It is alleged that the Tamil Nadu team did not discuss the recent Supreme Court order asking Karnataka release 2,000 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu. They had sought water based on humanitarian grounds.

As of today, the situation in the state's Cauvery reservoirs is only 8.8 tmcft. Karnataka requires about 3 tmcft per month and can only manage till the end of May.

Cauvery water dispute: All you need to know

Also read:

Cauvery water dispute: Karnataka govt not following Supreme Court's order is contempt of court, says AIADMK

Cauvery water dispute: Karnataka's U-turn after inflow in reservoirs increased

Tamil Nadu farmers: How monsoon, politics and note ban brought skull protest to Jantar Mantar

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A man has allegedly attacked NSW paramedics as they attempted to assist his pregnant girlfriend, who had gone into labour.

The woman's 22-year-old partner allegedly became violent after the paramedics arrived at the unit in Belmont, in the NSW Hunter region, shortly before 2am on Sunday, to take the woman to hospital.

A man allegedly attacked paramedics as they attempted to help his pregnant girlfriend in Belmont overnight.

According to police, the man allegedly threatened paramedics after being told he could not accompany his girlfriend in the ambulance.

He then allegedly assaulted one of the paramedics, before kicking the ambulance several times as it drove away.
Nelson Raebel was wading through floodwaters near his Logan property when he went missing on Friday.

Ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie, downgraded to a tropical low by the time it reached Logan on Thursday, had flooded parts of the 77-year-old's Eagleby Road block, which backed onto the Logan River.

A search for the father of two ended on Saturday after emergency services found his body close to where he was last seen.

His death, the first fatality in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie in Queensland, has left many shocked, including his two daughters and wife Sylvia, who he cared for.
Two Melbourne teenage girls are missing - one for a fortnight - and police have growing concerns for their safety.

Hiedie Buegge is 16 years old and has been missing since March 19, last seen in the Frankston area.

Hiedie Buegge, 16, missing since March 19.

Police have concerns for her welfare due to her age and the length of time she has been missing.

Hiedie is 157 centimetres tall, with a slim build, blonde hair and blue eyes. She has a facial piercing.
A move to force trucks off suburban rat runs and onto the future West Gate Tunnel tollway is facing resistance from the heavy transport industry.

Trucks will be banned from detouring through key suburban streets in Yarraville and Footscray once the Western Distributor project is completed in 2022.

Heavy vehicles will be prohibited from Francis Street and Somerville Road in Yarraville, and Buckley Street and Moore Street in Footscray, the Andrews Government announced on Sunday.

The ban will be enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Britain's airports and nuclear power stations have been told to tighten their defences against terrorist attacks in the face of increased threats to electronic security systems.

Security services have issued a series of alerts in the past 24 hours, warning that terrorists may have developed ways of bypassing safety checks.

Intelligence agencies believe that Islamic State and other terrorist groups have developed ways to plant explosives in laptops and mobile phones that can evade airport security screening methods.

It is this intelligence which is understood in the past fortnight to have led the US and Britain to ban travellers from a number of countries carrying laptops and large electronic devices on board. Now there are concerns that terrorists will use the techniques to bypass screening devices at European and US airports.
New York: Fox News host Bill O'Reilly says he is "vulnerable to lawsuits" because of his high-profile job, in response to a New York Times report detailing payouts made to settle accusations of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviour.

O'Reilly posted the statement to his website after the Times report on Saturday, and Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox backed him in a statement.

The newspaper reported that O'Reilly or 21st Century Fox have paid $US13 million ($A17 million) to five women since 2002 over these complaints "in exchange for agreeing to not pursue litigation or speak about their accusations against him".

The story said more than 60 people were interviewed, including current and former employees of Fox News or its parent company and people who know the women behind the complaints or are close to O'Reilly. Most demanded anonymity.
Doctors are on the cusp of launching the first new male contraceptive in more than a century. But rather than a Big Pharma lab, the breakthrough is emerging from a university start-up in the heart of rural India.

Years of human trials on the injectable, sperm-zapping product are coming to an end, and researchers are preparing to submit it for regulatory approval. Results so far show it's safe, effective and easy to use  but gaining little traction with drugmakers. That's frustrating its inventor, who says his technique could play a crucial role in condom-averse populations.

Male contraception is a low priority for Big Pharma. Credit:Robert Banks

A new birth-control method for men has the potential to win as much as half the $US10 billion ($13 billion) market for female contraceptives worldwide and cut into the $US3.2 billion of annual condom sales, businesses dominated by pharmaceutical giants Bayer, Pfizer and Merck & Co, according to estimates from the last major drug company to explore the area.

India's reversible procedure could cost as little as $US10 in poor countries, and may provide males with years-long fertility control, overcoming compliance problems and avoiding ongoing costs associated with condoms and the female birth-control pill, which is usually taken daily.
Sir Tim Barrow (left), Britain's permanent representative to the EU, hands Theresa May's Article 50 letter triggering Brexit to the European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels. Credit:AP "The task before us is momentous but it should not be beyond us," May finished her letter, optimistically. 1. Building Brexit Britain. Britain will officially be out of the EU on March 31, 2019. Credit:Luke MacGregor On Thursday the government set out its 40-page plan for a "Great Repeal Bill", to deal with the tower of European laws that apply to Britain, and what happens on Brexit Day 2019 when they no longer do.

In a considerable irony, the government has decided the only practical solution is to import every single European law into British law, wholesale. A senior member of British Prime Minister Theresa May's own party says she would go to war with Spain over Gibraltar. Credit:AP Tens of thousands of European statutes, treaties, regulations, case law and directives, ranging from workers' rights to the kinds of chemicals allowed in cakes, will be "copy and pasted" into British law to avoid the need to reinvent an extraordinary number of wheels in an impossibly short time  and to smooth the way to a trade deal. According to some estimates more than 40,000 legal acts will apply to this process, plus 15,000 court verdicts and 62,000 international standards. "This approach will provide maximum certainty as we leave the EU," the Prime Minister said.

She brought in heavyweight support: serial wife-decapitator Henry VIII, Britain's all-time champion on troublesome continental directives. The Great Repeal Bill will include so-called "Henry VIII clauses", which the British parliament website defines as "provisions (that) enable the Government to repeal or amend (a law) after it has become an Act of Parliament". Once the GRB passes, ministers and civil servants can quickly fix problems that emerge from the EU legislative transplant. This week's white paper admitted that "a significant amount of EU-derived law" would not work properly when converted and would need such tinkering. But Henry VIII provisions aren't popular in parliament, because MPs see making laws as their job, not an unchecked government's. There's a fair amount of suspicion, especially among non-Conservatives, that the bill as described would give the government a free hand to make British law on the environment, health, safety, consumer protection, employment rights and equalities without even having to ask the House of Commons its opinion.

As Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn put it, the government has proposed giving itself "essentially dictatorial powers". Lib Dem Tom Brake demanded "proper and rigorous safeguards". Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon was also scathing about the plan for European regulations to revert to Westminster. "Those powers should automatically come to this chamber," she told the Scottish parliament at Holyrood. "What the Tories are actually planning is a power grab on this parliament." When the Great Repeal Bill arrives, it may not have an easy ride. 2. Splitting assets

Next month a special EU Council meeting will agree on the continent's guidelines for the Brexit negotiations. That's the official line. But German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande have already insisted the first item on the agenda must be the key principles of Britain's exit. This is the "divorce agreement" anticipated by Article 50. Britain has pledged money for things such as pension liabilities for EU staff, EU loans, projects and programs. The EU has committed to spend the money; for Britain to pull out would leave the continent in a financial hole. Researchers have estimated the bill as high as 60 billion ($84 billion). A new study released this week found that Britain has a gross liability of 86.9 billion, but it could barter that down by offsetting a share of EU assets and income to about 69 billion, then subtract EU money due to British institutions such as universities, bringing the bill down to about 36 billion.

Naturally, Britain will try to bargain this down further. "Don't underestimate the difficulty of agreeing on the money," says Anand Menon, professor of European Politics at King's College London. "It's going to depend on presentation as much as anything else  everyone has to come out of it able to say they won, and that's not easy." There will be all sorts of wrinkles  how much does Britain deserve for 1/28th of the value of the EU buildings in Brussels? What is its share of the European Investment Bank? And don't expect the Europeans to play nice. Spanish journalist Jordi Barcia said he has already seen the signs of "Operation Seduction" by the British ambassador to Spain. "The kind of over-optimistic message the UK government is desperately trying to spin  let's strengthen our friendship and all  won't be easy to sell in Spain," Barcia says.

"Public opinion believes Brexit is damaging the European project and the Brits want to have their cake and eat it." 3. Citizens' rights One of the most worrying parts of the divorce process is currently the status of EU citizens in Britain, and British citizens in the EU. It should be the least contentious. There is goodwill on both sides to look after those whose lives have been thrown into doubt by Brexit. But, again, there are wrinkles.

"The problems are largely legal and administrative," explains Menon. "Let's say they agree it's sensible to give everyone the right to stay [where they are]. Except  we haven't got the first bloody clue who they are. How do you police that? How do you avoid, for example, Boris from Warsaw who's been here for ages, whose customers love him, who popped back to Poland for his mother's funeral on an arbitrary cutoff date and lost all his rights? "To do it carefully, genuinely, is going to be very difficult. And then there's the difficulty about rights, what are we guaranteeing? There's a European Health Insurance card. We are agreeing European citizens will be covered here. But the day we leave the EU our citizens lose all their rights to health insurance [on the continent]. Those sorts of things need a lot of time to figure out  there are so many reciprocal rights built into the treaties." 4. Future trade Britain has insisted it wants to define its new relationship with Europe  outside the single market, sort of outside the customs union, with a fresh and comprehensive free trade deal  in parallel with the rest of this process. This may not be doable. Says Angela Merkel: "The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our inter-linked relationship, and only when this is dealt with can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship."

There are two or three big roadblocks looming. One is the issue of Northern Ireland  a politically fraught border which if closed could jeopardise a hard-won peace (Gerry Adams said it would "undermine the fundamental human rights elements of the Good Friday Agreement"), and if open could become a smugglers' highway for avoiding trade tariffs and restrictions. Another is the issue of adjudication. Brexit minister David Davis argues Britain is already free-trading with the EU and has perfectly aligned systems on things that usually put spanners in trade deals such as product standards  so the two sides don't have to face many of the usual challenges to a trade deal. Menon doesn't buy it. "If we're out of the EU, what shall we do about tariffs? If we accept each others' standards from Brexit on, what will be the method of adjudication? You don't do that on faith. The EU is going to say we've got the European Court of Justice, you should try it sometime, and to Theresa May that's going to be an absolute red line." May has already hinted that Britain would agree to retain key EU regulations to try to ensure a smooth path to the continent for British businesses  especially in industries such as financial services, energy, aviation and communications.

But the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier is likely to insist, in return, that Britain submit to the EU's Court of Justice for dispute resolution  a concession of sovereignty that would irk Brexiteers no end. 5. The end of the road "Two years is a myth," says Menon. "I refuse to believe it can be done in two years without some kind of transitional arrangement ... a holding pattern." For a start, take out two Augusts because the French wouldn't work through summer for a world war, let alone trade negotiations. There are two French elections and a German election this year (the latter often followed by a drawn-out coalition fight). Next year there are elections in the European parliament, Austria, Sweden, Hungary and Finland. "Then there are unexpected (delays)  a Eurozone crisis. And you'd need five months at the end to get everyone to sign up to it," adds Menon.

The divorce deal can be agreed by heads of government in a room in Brussels, but a trade deal needs ratification by parliaments across the continent. "There's no way you can negotiate a comprehensive trade deal with your nearest partner with whom you've got an incredibly complex trading relationship in the time we've got." And imagine, says Menon, that in a year and a half's time Theresa May goes to parliament with the deal she has negotiated  and the parliament rejects it. "She has to resign  she has staked her reputation on this deal," Menon says. "I don't see how she stays in power. And if she stands down, all bets are off. She might be replaced by a Remainer. You never know. If Boris Johnson was prime minister we wouldn't be going for this kind of Brexit." Then, the EU might "pause the clock" on Brexit to switch to an entirely different flavour of deal.

Of course the prime minister knows this. Which, perversely, means if there's a fair chance parliament wouldn't like the deal emerging over time, it's in her interests to blame the EU and storm out of negotiations. 6. Thinking again Legally, Article 50 itself doesn't seem to consider that a country might change its mind during the two-year negotiation process. The House of Lords got legal advice saying, literally, "you are entitled to change your mind" before the two-year cutoff. Lord Kerr, who actually wrote the law, told the BBC in November 2016 "you can change your mind while the process is going on if a country were to decide actually we don't want to leave after all everybody would be very cross about a waste of time but legally they couldn't insist that you leave". When Britain's Supreme Court considered the implications of Article 50 this year, it left the question untouched, because it didn't need to touch it. It had suited the parties to the case to assume it was irrevocable  the government for political reasons, the Remainers because it helped their case.
Ivanka Trump does not have the same "escape hatch" as her father. Credit:AP But real estate projects like the Kushner Cos.' deals have become a magnet for opaque foreign money - often from parts of the world that present thorny policy questions, such as China, where Kushner's company has actively sought investors, as well as the Middle East and Russia. As part of his exceptionally broad portfolio in the White House, Kushner has been a crucial figure in arranging the visit of the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, on Thursday in Florida. The mystery behind many real estate investments involving foreigners prompted the Treasury Department last year to push for additional disclosures as a way to combat money laundering. Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner. Credit:AP While Kushner may face a potential ethical minefield, the disclosure form makes it difficult to determine exactly where those mines might be situated. The form, which runs 54 pages and lists hundreds of entities, reveals few details about the underlying investments that make up the Kushner empire, such as the addresses of buildings, sources of financing and names of partners.

John Pudner, a conservative who has helped elect Tea Party candidates to Congress and now runs a nonprofit group called Take Back Our Republic, said that Kushner and Ivanka Trump, if they wanted to serve in the White House, would have been better off if they had taken the difficult step of liquidating their holdings. "A win-win for the president's family and everyone else is if there were no question anytime a decision is made that it's being done for the good of the country," he said. The actions by Kushner stand in contrast to the moves by some other top aides to Trump, such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, former chief executive of Exxon Mobil, who before he was sworn in agreed to liquidate all of his stock holdings and his ownership stake in Exxon, putting his assets mostly into Treasury bonds and other permitted investments, such as diversified mutual funds, which make formal financial conflicts unlikely. Kushner, by contrast, continues to hold multimillion-dollar lines of credit from institutions such as Citigroup and Deutsche Bank, while companies he is still a beneficiary of have billions of dollars in additional loans from heavily regulated institutions. Richard W. Painter, who served as a White House ethics lawyer in the Bush administration, said that Kushner's financial holdings would complicate any interactions he might have with such banks. "The one thing Jared really ought to stay completely away from is anything having to do with Dodd-Frank," Painter said, referring to the 2010 law that increased capital reserve requirements and instituted many other regulatory changes that affected the nation's banks.

Trump has said he hopes to roll back the law, with the help of Congress and his top aides. Several of the companies that are in business with Kushner Cos. have faced scrutiny by federal law enforcement. Deutsche Bank, for example, reached a $US7.2 billion settlement last year with the Justice Department over its sale of toxic mortgage securities. Kushner, who frequently speaks with world leaders and is tasked with overseeing Middle East peace negotiations, also has an unsecured line of credit worth as much as $US5 million from Israel Discount Bank. Kushner Cos. has also taken out at least four loans from Bank Hapoalim, Israel's largest bank, although they are not disclosed in the filing. That firm is the subject of a Justice Department investigation into whether it helped wealthy Americans evade taxes with undeclared accounts. Another potential conflict rests in Ivanka Trump's continued stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, a project that has drawn protests from ethics experts who worry that people representing special interests could stay there or host events there to gain influence with the White House, which is just a few blocks away. Ivanka Trump has rolled her fashion brand into the Ivanka M. Trump Business Trust, which is overseen by her brother-in-law, Josh Kushner, and sister-in-law, Nicole Meyer. The documents released Friday valued the trust at more than $US50 million.

Discussions about changes in federal tax law - a major agenda item for Donald Trump that could affect issues such as depreciation on Jared Kushner's buildings and clothing imported for Ivanka Trump's brand - could also pose problems, or force them to recuse themselves from participating. "They are going to have to walk a fine line between matters they are involved with financially and the policies they are helping create and legislation they may be advocating," said Scott Amey, general counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, a nonprofit group. The federal ethics regulations formally prohibit federal employees from being involved in any "particular matter that will have a direct effect on a financial interest, if there is a close causal link between any decision or action to be taken in the matter and any expected effect of the matter on the financial interest." But Painter said that most administrations had interpreted the law more broadly, so that officials who own stakes in individual industries do not participate in even broad policy decisions affecting that sector, unless they seek a formal ethics waiver, as certain officials did during the first George Bush administration, given that they owned energy industry stocks and were participating in the decision to enter the war against Iraq over its invasion of Kuwait. Federal employees, under ethics rules that Donald Trump imposed, are also prohibited, for at least two years after they arrive in the government, from working on particular matters that involve former employers or clients, even if these actions do not directly financially benefit the federal employee.

The disclosures by Kushner and other White House officials released Friday demonstrate just how complicated it is going to be to police these rules, given the vast and extremely complex financial assets not only within the Trump family but also among dozens of aides they have selected. The National Economic Council director, Gary Cohn, as well as the top White House aides Christopher Liddell and Reed Cordish, collectively reported assets with a maximum value of more than $US1 billion. Stephen Bannon, Donald Trump's chief strategist, reported assets worth as much as $US53.9 million. Even Bannon's aide Julia Hahn, who is 25, reported investments worth between $US1 million and $US2.1 million, according to a tally by The New York Times, while Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, had assets worth between $US11 million and $US44 million. Some of those financial holdings are already creating questions. Liddell, an assistant to the president and the director of strategic initiatives, has participated in White House meetings since January that involved several companies in which he continued at least through February to own stock in, including International Paper and General Motors. Bannon disclosed more than $US500,000 in income from entities linked to hedge fund manager Robert Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah Mercer, major Republican donors who were crucial figures in Bannon's appointment as the Trump campaign's chief executive last year.
By Puneet Kumar Sharma, India Today Web Desk: Delhi Police on Sunday morning formally arrested the four Delhi University students who were detained last night for tailing union minister Smriti Irani's car. The four were later released on bail after being charged for stalking and insulting the modesty of a woman.

News agency ANI reported that one of the four accused tendered an apology to the union minister.

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In an interview with ANI, the accused, whose face was covered, said 'I accept that I violated the law. We were dancing inside our car and were making a video for Instagram. We didn't realise who was sitting in the car (which the four were following). We apologised to her on the spot. We did not mean to harass anyone and if any one of us did harass her - knowingly or unknowingly - we apologise. I just want to ensure that our lives do not get ruined.'

#WATCH One of the four college students accused of tailing Union Minister Smriti Irani's car, apologizes to the Minister pic.twitter.com/NDQINzgR2l- ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

Earlier in the day, First Information Report has been filed against the four boys, who are between 18 and 19 years old, under Indian Penal Code sections 154D (stalking) and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman).

The four belong to Delhi's Ram Lal College and were detained last night after Irani called the Delhi Police control room to lodge a complaint about her car being followed by the four youngsters.

The accused were in a car of their own and news agency ANI reported early Sunday morning that police had confirmed the presence of alcohol in their blood.

The four had gone to attend a friend's birthday party and on the way they started following Irani, a police official said.

ALSO READ | 4 DU students detained for allegedly chasing, trying to overtake Smriti Irani's car

WATCH VIDEO | One of 4 DU students accused of 'stalking' Smriti Irani apologises

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Camp Quality Texas presented $18,000 from Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club +VIDEO

HOUSTON (April 1) -- A large number of members from the Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club received a hero's welcome at Camp Quality Texas Saturday when they rode into the picturesque Forest Glen campgrounds just southeast of Huntsville to deliver a charitable donation in the amount of $18,000.

Campers, parents and faculty members alike were gathered outside in anticipation of the Deacons arrival, and the kids soon lined up to take rides on the various motorcycles filling the campground. Deacon liaison David Reed then presented Camp Director Stephanie Weber with the big check, one of several the charity-minded motorcycle club distributes each year. A registered 501(c)(3) charity, the Deacons of Deadwood have distributed more than $2.2 million to Houston-area charities since its inception in 2002.

"We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the Deacons of Deadwood," Weber said. "Without their financial support each year we wouldn't be able to give so many campers the week they look forward to for so long.

"Our campers always cherish the opportunity to meet these wonderful men and even take little rides around the camp on their motorcycles. Even those campers not strong enough to sit up were able to join in the fun in a sidecar. What a wonderful day."

Camp Quality Texas is a summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with cancer. Many difficult physical and emotional challenges face a child, and his or her family, when battling cancer. Camp Quality Texas has developed "Smile Therapy," so that with a laugh in their hearts and smiles on their faces, campers find themselves capable of more than they may have dreamed possible.

The Deacons of Deadwood M/C boasts a diverse membership of executives and blue-collar workers bonded by a love of motorcycles and donating their time and talents to bettering their community.









"The Deacons of Deadwood have been supporting Camp Quality Texas for five years now and have spent a lot of time with the kids at various events," Reed said. "They truly have a family atmosphere with all of the campers and it is so exciting for us to ride up to the camp and see the smiles on the kid's faces. This makes all of the hard work so worthwhile to even brighten their day for a moment."

In 2017, the Deacons of Deadwood are proudly supporting Camp Quality, Child Advocates, Archway Academy, Children At Risk, Addi's Faith, Joe Joe Bear, Casa de Esparanza, Devereux Foundation, Mission Bend Christian Academy, Dream League, and Boys and Girls Country.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Two decades before the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, in antebellum New Orleans, a French-speaking woman of African descent named Henriette Delille founded a religious order for black women called the Sisters of the Holy Family. Now, some 175 years later, Delille is poised to become not only New Orleans first official saint, but also the first U.S.-born black saint.

Delilles story is inspiring. She was born in 1812 and, as a young Creole woman, she lived with a white man in a common-law marriage permitted under the system of placage (an extra-legal system that circumvented the laws preventing interracial marriage). When she was 24, after the death of two young sons, she experienced a religious conversion of sorts that led her to found the Sisters of the Holy Order. Her focus was tending to the elderly, caring for the sick, and teaching slaves and free blacks whose access to education opportunities was severely limited. She was known for conducting itinerant catechism classes on the banks of the Mississippi. And all of this took place during a period in Louisiana history when taking any actions that might disturb the population (for instance, by educating them) was considered criminal behavior.

As Virginia Gould and Charles Nolan, editors of No Cross, No Crown: Black Nuns in Nineteenth Century New Orleans note, "That a small band of Afro-Creole women founded a religious community in the antebellum South was remarkable Conventions of class, race, gender, and condition held implications for free women of color in New Orleans as they did nowhere else in the Deep South. Delilles work, in other words, is remarkable.
Days before Tad Cummins allegedly kidnapped Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas, surveillance footage from a Tennessee Walmart showed him looking at dark red womens hair dye. Two days after the alleged kidnapping, Cummins and Thomas were spotted together at a different Walmart, more than 650 miles away and Thomass light brown hair appeared to be dyed dark red.

Cummins, 50, is believed to have kidnapped Thomas, 15, on March 13. A former teacher at Thomass school in Maury County, Tennessee, Cummins was suspended in February after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student, his personnel file reveals. He had allegedly demonstrated inappropriate behavior toward Thomas, including trying to kiss her, and continued to make contact with her even after the school ordered him to stop. Barely a month after his suspension, Cummins disappeared with Thomas. Since March 13, they have been seen only onceand the sighting suggests Cummins may have carefully planned his flight with the underage girl.

New footage released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations shows Cummins and Thomas in a Walmart in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 15, two days after the alleged kidnapping. It is the only confirmed sighting of pair. Their appearance on camera is brief. Cummins pushes a shopping cart through the stores front entrance while Thomas walks alongside him. In a statement, the TBI said Cummins used cash to purchase food, but did not buy anything significant.

But both Cumminss and Thomass appearances are significantly different from when they disappeared. In the footage, Cummins appears to have dyed his gray beard darker. Thomass light brown hair appears dark red.

The surveillance images of Cummins and Thomas ... clearly show Tad Cummins with an altered appearance to darken his hair, the TBI said in a statement. The same images show Elizabeth may currently have red hair.

The March 15 video is not the first footage of Cummins behaving suspiciously in a Walmart. When Cummins and Thomas disappeared, the TBI released footage of Cummins in a Tennessee Walmart, in the hopes that someone might recognize Cummins from the video. The video shows him making multiple trips up and down an aisle full of womens hair dye. He finally selects a package from a shelf full of dark red and brown dyes. The footage was captured in the days before they disappeared, a TBI spokesperson said.

Now Cumminss strange purchase has taken on a grim new significance, suggesting that he may have planned to abscond with Thomas and alter their appearances. Investigators have compiled other evidence indicating that Cummins might have planned the alleged kidnapping.

Investigative efforts have determined that on March 10th, Cummins did online research about his Nissan Rogue, in an effort to determine if certain features could be tracked by law enforcement, the TBI said in a statement last month. Investigators also determined that five days earlier, on March 5th, Cummins did similar online research on the topic of teen marriage.

Cumminss reappearance with Thomas in Oklahoma just two days after the alleged kidnapping also suggests advance planning. Oklahoma City is more than 650 miles away, nearly 10 hours by car from Maury County. To make matters worse, investigators previously thought Cummins might have fled with Thomas in the opposite direction, after the TBI received a tip that the pair had been sighted in Alabama. The tip was debunked last week.

But the new footage has offered some solace Thomass family.

The Oklahoma City sighting is the first piece of evidence that Tad and Elizabeth did leave together and they are together, Thomass father said in a statement on behalf of the family. It is no longer a matter of speculation. We now know with certainty that he took her. Seeing those photos of Elizabeth brought me such mixed emotions. It was good to be able to see her face, finally.

Thomass father said he thinks of his daughter every time he drives past Shoneys, the restaurant where Thomas was working when she disappeared.

Every time I drive by Shoneys, I think about how that was the last place she was seen alive. Its so good to know shes out there. My precious little girl is out there, and we have to bring her home.

While Thomass coworkers at Shoneys told police that she left the restaurant with a bag and entered Cumminss car on March 13, her family told local media that Thomas had not intended to disappear for long.

On the morning of her disappearance, "she woke up her older sister and said 'Hey I'm leaving, but if I'm not back by 6:00 come looking for me,'" her sister-in-law Danielle Thomas told WHNT.

Coworkers also indicated that Thomas may have previously hidden in the restaurant when Cummins came looking for her. Once, when Cummins visited the restaurant, Thomas allegedly hid in the bathroom and begged a coworker to tell Cummins she wasnt working that day, her familys lawyer told WKRN.

Even if she had willingly accepted a ride from Cummins on March 13, the underage girl had long been the target of predatory behavior from the former teacher, prosecutors allege. A former homeschool student, Thomas might have been viewed as more vulnerable by a predatory adult.

"Most educators would sympathize with that child and probably even try to get them some help however they could," Maury County District Attorney Brent Cooper told WHNT. "But that's not what Mr. Cummins did. He decided to act his own desires apparently.

Cummins took a job with the school district in 2011, prior to which he worked as a respiratory therapist. When he applied for the teaching position, he cited references from his previous careersome of whom barely knew him, The Daily Beast previously reported.

Thomass family said they will not allow Cummins to escape detection again.

Please take note that Elizabeths hair is dyed darker now, as is Tads, her father said. They have made an effort to disguise themselves. We will not be fooled by this disguise. Our family cannot express how much we appreciate everyone searching for them and remaining aware that they are out there.
By Press Trust of India: By Kishor Dwivedi (with pix)

Abu Road, Apr 2 (PTI) Nestled in the foothills of the Aravallis in Rajasthan is a solar power plant which not only caters to the power needs of a township of 10,000 people but also generates power enough to cook over 35,000 meals a day.

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With a total capacity of one Mega Watt, India One is the biggest project which works on Concentrated Solar Thermal Power technology, say officials at the plant.

Officials at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) say the plant is the biggest of its type -- Solar Thermal.

The project recently earned praise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed it as an "inspirational model" in the field of clean energy.

Spread over an area of 25 acre are 770 parabolic reflective dishes, each one with an area of 60 sqmeters, which roughly equals to an average 2 BHK house, and produces an output of 1 MW generated purely from water and steam.

"The project works on concentrated solar thermal power technology which is cost-effective and has a high output.It has a relatively simple construction, modular design and aninnovative thermal storage concept which provides power round-the-clock," says Yogendra Hingane, who has been associated with the project as engineer and planning expert for over last six years.

India One is a research project of World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a registered charitable trust/solar research centre and a sister organisation of the NGO Brahma Kumaris.

The project is sponsored by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources (MNRE) in collaboration with the German government.

India One team consists of about 50 engineers and project support staff which include Golo Pilz, Head of Project, a German settled at Abu Road, and Jayasimha Rathod, the CEO.

While small-scale projects to harness solar energy had started at the Brahma Kumaris centre in Mount Abu and later at its Abu Road based headquarters in the early 1990s, the current project picked pace in 2010.

"The groundwork for India One began in 2006.In 2009 we had applied for permission from the government and work started in 2010. Initially, we experimented with generating power to make tea or heat water.

"Today we are capable enough to provide energy enough to cook more than 35,000 meals a day besides other power requirements here for thousands of people," says Hingane, who has previously worked for international companies in Russia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Chile.

Around Rs 80 crore have been so far been invested in the project, he informs that 70 per cent of the cost has been funded by the government and the German collaboration.

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"But, 90 per cent of the components used in the project are made in India. Except for the turbine generator, which is not made in India and has been imported from Germany, and the special reflector glass, from the US, everything is indigenous," he says.

He also highlighted how Solar Thermal Power Technology (STPT) was better suited for long-term power need as against the more prevalent photovoltaic cells.

"In PV cells one may want to store the energy and use batteries for that.The batteries these days are made of LED and however carefully maintained, it would need replacement after 4-5 years.These batteries pose threat to the environment and also increase the cost of power generation," explains Hingane.

He added that STPT uses only water to produce steam which was used to create energy and hence, poses no threat to the environment.

According to MNREs 2016-17 annual report, Indias total installed capacity has reached 310 GW with mix of Thermal (69.4 per cent), Hydro (13.9 per cent), Renewable (14.8 per cent) and Nuclear (1.9 per cent).

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"It is evident that renewable power has secured the second position after thermal and is spreading its wings rapidly in India," it notes.

Projects on renewable energy assume significance because the government has upscaled the target of renewable power capacity to 175 GW which includes 100 GW from Solar power to be achieved by 2022, the MNRE report says.

India has an estimated renewable energy potential of about 900 GW from commercially exploitable sources including 750 GW solar power, assuming three per cent wasteland is made available, official data says.

While there are several renewable energy projects, some operational and many underway, which have a capacity running into several mega watts, the India-One solar plant is unique because it does not depend on the use of photovoltaic cells, explains an official at the project site.PTI KIS DV

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Dorothea Dix, the great-grandmother of American national health care, was an unlikely reformer. This campaigner for mental health suffered from mental illness herself; this battler for benevolence was so belligerent she earned the nickname Dragon Dix. Loving humanity, not humans, she admitted I have no particular love for my species, but own to an exhaustless fund of compassion.

This seemingly small-hearted missionary for bigheartedness infuriated countless colleagues and subordinates while stirring sympathy for the suffering. She established dozens of health care institutions, trained thousands of nurses, and enjoyed a tender heartbreaking relationship with an unlikely manMillard Fillmore.

A tumultuous childhood that began 215 years ago on April 4, 1802, turned Dix into this bundle of contradictions. Dorothea fled an alcoholic father and depressive mother to live with her wealthy, generous grandmother in Boston when she was 12. Apparently, her parents misery and her grandmothers magnanimity rubbed off on her.

Hemmed into teaching, like so many smart, ambitious women at the time, Dix opened an elementary school in the family mansion in 1821. Four years later, Dix published a common sense primer for teachers. Conversations on Common Things was reprinted sixty times in the next forty years. Despite these successes, she closed her school in 1836, then spent more than a year in England convalescing from fatigue, often code word for depression. While in London, she met social crusaders, including the prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, demonstrating the mutual exchange among the Atlantic Basin aristocracy at the time.

Before fixing problems, one must notice them. Dorothea Dixs transformational encounter occurred in 1841 while teaching Sunday School in the East Cambridge House of Corrections. She found her calling in the prisons dirt, violence, and cruelty. In 1843, after inspecting jails and almshouses throughout Massachusetts, she published a detailed expose, focusing on the systematic abuse of the insane.

Understanding in her Memorial to the Legislature of Massachusetts, that she had to apologize for surrendering ... my habitual views of what is womanly and becoming, warning she would depict ugliness from which my womans nature shrinks, she explained that nevertheless truth compelled her. Uttering what become her motto, she proclaimed: I tell what I have seen.

Begging the legislators to hasten to the relief of the victims of legalized barbarity, she offered a searing prose poem of the great nineteenth-century, upper-crust female reformer. I come to present the strong claims of suffering humanity, she wrote. I come to place before the Legislature of Massachusetts the condition of the miserable, the desolate, the outcast. I come as the advocate of helpless, forgotten, insane and idiotic men and women; of beings, sunk to a condition from which the most unconcerned would start with real horror; of beings wretched in our Prisons, and more wretched in our Alms-Houses. And I cannot suppose it needful to employ earnest persuasion, or stubborn argument, in order to arrest and fix attention upon a subject, only the more strongly pressing in its claims, because it is revolting and disgusting in its details.

Back then, Dix had to crusade state by state, touring, inspecting, then lobbying successive state legislatures. Two years later, Dix had her first-born child, Trenton State Hospital, the first of 32 state institutions and one federal institution she would establish. She also inspired the proliferation of mental hospitals from 13 to 123 in her lifetime. In 1848, she went national, lobbying for a federal land grant to help build more humane insane asylums.

While visiting Washington, she met the Vice President Millard Fillmore, months before he suddenly became president in 1850. It was like so many DC relationships, part business, part pleasure. Unlike many such relationships, it appears to have remained within proper boundsalthough it did get messy. Fillmores wife Abby died in 1853. His remarriage in 1858 shifted the tectonic plates of their friendship: Charles M. Snyder, who published 150 of their letters, says Dixs tone changed, hiding from her apparent disappointment by sticking to business.

One typical exchange, if rendered less stiffly, could sound like two friends grumbling about media and politics today. On September 24, 1858, Dix observed: it is consoling amidst the much that is evil and vicious to know that goodness is wider spread, and more certainly anchored than evil in our land. Bad deeds are widely printed, while small note is made of daily and incidental well-doing. Therefore the former comes to be magnified as dominant.

Fillmore responded flirtatiously: I wish I could see your genial face, and catch your quiet smile. Covering his fears about the looming Civil War, he wrote: I am looking on calmly, hoping for the best and bracing my nerves for the worst. Bemoaning the tendency to lawless anarchy among the people he nevertheless trusted the conservative power of the better portion of community to correct these evils, and save the last Republic from becoming a stench in the nostrils of nations.

Although some scholars label her the Forgotten Samaritan, Dix was well-known enoughand important enoughto help launch nursing as a profession during the Civil War, training over 2000 nurses. Her appointment as Superintendent of Army nursesdespite lacking any nursing trainingmade her the first woman to serve in a federal-level executive position, the New York Times recently noted. In one of many nods to sexism, she helped make the new profession respectable for women by seeking nurses who, the journalist Mary Livermore wrote, were plain almost to repulsion in dress, and devoid of personal attractions.

Alas, in government, working as insider not outsider, Dixs gender alienated sexist men, while her bulldog personality and dictatorial ways alienated others. A 30-year-old nurse, Louisa May Alcott, before becoming famous writing about Little Women, would recall being wary of this great woman, writing: no one likes her and I dont wonder. Dragon Dix only lasted two years as Superintendentfailing to achieve American immortality with the two angelic nurses of the time, Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale.

By 1867, Dix was busy expanding her crusade for the insane to Europe. She continued being a full time do-gooder, until dying at the age of 85, on July 17, 1887.

If today, in the twenty-first century, Americans are starting to consider free national health care as a basic right, its only because in the twentieth century Americans started considering every individuals welfare a governmental responsibility. That assumption first required a nineteenth-century compassionate revolution, wherein Americans started taking on fellow citizens suffering as a communal concernand feeling the national responsibility for everyones health that Dorothea Dix nurtured.

Clearly, not all crusaders for compassion are compassionate themselves. Still, its hard not to admire someone who could turn the misery she saw into such conscience-prodding, empathy-inducing, solutions-oriented proverbs, proclaiming: If I am cold, they are cold; if I am weary, that are distressed; if I am alone, they are abandoned.
In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, many wondered whether a vulgar, thrice-married, unapologetic serial adulterer could win the votes of Americas evangelical Christians. But, shocking almost everyone, Donald Trump continued to sweep primary victories with the help of the religious right. Then came the pussy grabbing tape an October surprise so distasteful, so troubling, that Trumps loyal God-fearing bloc seemed at risk.

Yet there was one man who never lost faith.

According to Lance Wallnau, an evangelical leader based in Keller, Texas, Jesus told him, Donald Trump is a wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness. God, Wallnau said , knew what the polls did not: that Trump would win the election. So God, according to Wallnau, made a vision of Trumps victory appear to himnot in a burning bush but in an internet meme and Wallnau became Trumps man.

Wallnau had just released his first book, Gods Chaos Candidate: Donald J. Trump and the American Unraveling, when the Washington Post published the 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which Trumped bragged about sexually assaulting women. Speaking last week on Pat Robertsons The 700 Club, Wallnau explained that the man and the tape were all a part of Gods plan. The only reason this could happen is because God allowed it because God is actually letting this man experience humbling because he really didnt have anything he could think of repenting before, but now hes got something, Wallnau said.

Eight out of ten evangelicals went for Trump in the end.

In advocating for Trumps election, Wallnau at various times had likened his candidate to St. Peter, King Cyrus , and Martin Luther, as well as non-biblical figures including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Winston Churchill. Now Wallnau is claiming Trumps victory as evidence of his gift for prophecy and using the win, as Trump would likely appreciate, to further fund his mission and the business empire that fulfills it.

A self-described author, speaker, doctor of theology, and political and business strategist, Wallnau is most known for promoting Seven Mountains Dominionism, a belief that Christians shouldnt relegate their faith to church, but should use it to take over the secular institutions of education, religion, politics, the arts, business, media, and family policy. In Wallnaus view, Trump was chosen by Godwhose followers were nudged by Wallnauto help Christians rule over the earth, which will ultimately result to biblical law over us all. (It bears including here that Wallnaus doctorate was earned from Phoenix University of Theologyan institution which gives students credit for life experience and doesnt require that they enroll in actual classes. Religious scholar Warren Throckmorton has called Phoenix a diploma mill, while documenting its popularity with a number of evangelical superstars.)

Jesus chose a businessman to give him governmental keys to restore the kingdom, Wallnau said a week before the election . Jesus is putting his hand on a Peter right now...Trump is a businessman with the keys of the kingdom right now to wreck what hell has been doing over the United States.

A magnetic, media-loving entrepreneur who often speaks inexpertly, Wallnau maybe isnt so different from Trump himself. Wallnau seems most himself in his study, speaking in a more charming Rush Limbaugh style into a portable mic in videos he broadcasts live to a loyal periscope audiencemostly about God and politics, and the terrible media.

This week, Wallnau made news when he claimed a cake made by a pair of hookers turned a gay bar owner straight. In a follow-up video, Wallnau, his feathered hair stuck with sweat to his forehead and tufts of grey chest hair fighting their way through the gap in his unbuttoned polo shirt, praised Andrew Breitbart and railed against the fake news.

Liberals are crazy," Wallnau said on his Facebook page, which has a quarter of a million followers. Referring to the local coverage of his pray-the-gay-away dessert, Wallnau said, "[They] will look for any dangling participle of political impropriety and then fasten upon it with a zeal of an anaconda and then begin to squeeze the life out of you."

Wallnaus colorful commentary is a well-loved staple on Christian news programs like The 700 Club and convicted felon Jim Bakkers Prophecy & End Time News show .

It was on these programs that Wallnau offered his most ardent support for Trump during the election and where he now continues to claim that the 45th president snatched the White House from actual witches.

What I believe is happening is there was a deliverance of the nation from the spirit of witchcraft in the Oval Office, Wallau said on Bakkers Show in February .

And the protests following Trumps win? All those millions of women in pink hats, chanting? Clearly witches.

The spirit of witchcraft was in the Oval Office, it was about to intensify to a higher level demon principality, and God came along with a wrecking ball, shocked everyone, the church cried out for mercy and BAMGod knocked that spirit out, and what youre looking at is the manifestation of an enraged demon through the populace, he explained.

Like Donald Trump, Wallnau makes a good living, though also like Trump, just how much he earns from his multiple businesses is a bit of a mystery.

A number of businessesboth for-profit and tax exemptfall under The Wallnau empire. He is the owner and director of Ninja Sheep Marketing Inc, The LanceLearning Group, 7MCity Corporation and also Lance Wallnau Ministries, a non-profit formed in the 1990s that has brought in over $5 million in the last five yearshalf of which it annually spends on staff salaries, mostly to its two directors, Lance Wallnau and his wife Annabelle, according to the charitys public tax forms . The couple made $286,000 in 2015 from the non-profit alone. The other half of its expenditures goes to travel, and various unnamed expenses, some of which could include other Wallnau products. Its largest offering of program services, according to the forms, are meetings and presentations throughout world to staff, pastors and congregations to help them understand the transition and keys to building Christian community and encourage their continued growth and maturity.

In addition to selling books and CDs, Wallnaus websites operate on tiered membership systems . For access to things like more Wallnau videos, special newsletters, private Facebook group access, and curious events like Lances Dream Trip, the faithful can sign up for monthly recurring payments ranging from $25 for Ascend Partners to $1,000 a month for Life Mastery Partners. The logo beside each of Wallnaus offerings is in the shape of a mountain, which also looks very much like a pyramid.

Its unclear how much his various for-profit businesses bring in, but it appears that Wallnau needs more. This year, days before Christmas, Wallnau reached out on his Facebook page to apologize to his followers for not asking for enough money in the past. Suddenly I am getting calls from other countries like Ethiopia, Africa, Israel and others but don't always want to tell these countries, I can't afford to come. I can't afford the plane fares and hotels and the numerous other expenses required to share the 7m message and the gospel on a global scale, he said.

Days later, Wallnau sent another fundraising newsletter lamenting that doors have opened into China and Africa but we dont have a big enough budget to send the team that is needed.

And maybe he got enough for that global expansion, because days later, Wallnau sent out yet another fundraising plea , asking members to be an army rising up in the earth and support his new media venture. I need only $100,000 and I can start to BROADCAST WEEKLY FROM WASHINGTON D.C. he wrote.

Wallnau subscribes to a brand of the prosperity doctrine favored by televangelistssimply, that Gods blessings come quickly to those with giving hearts (and open wallets). In one of many videos on the subject, Wallnau recounts how sowing a seed by donating $1,000 to a local preacher when he was poorIt was like giving blood, he saidactivated in him a gift for prophecy and ministry.

THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU! he writes .

Wallnau may be confident in his prophecies and the power of donations, but the evangelist isnt taking any chances when it comes to President Trump. In January, he joined a group of fellow ministers and founded The National Governing Council of POTUS Shield , which plans to pave the way for the country to return and reaffirm its Judeo-Christian principles, according to its websitean internet property which features the image of a glowing Capital building, with a sword, multiple shields, bursts of lighting, and a couple of lions roaring from atop its dome.

They accept donations.
In 1988, the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin debuted an exhibition of Lucian Freud paintings. By all accounts, the show was a success, with the Germans warmly embracing the work of the famed British paintermaybe a little too warmly.

On May 27, the gallery filled with students on a trip to see the exhibit. It was just another day at the show with visitors milling around examining Freuds paintings under the watchful eye of art guards when someone noticed something alarmingone of the works was missing.

In broad daylight, in the middle of a crowded show, someone had absconded with Lucian Freuds relatively small painting of his one-time friend Francis Bacon.

The painting in question was a 7-by-5-inch oil painting on a sheet of copper that had been completed in 1952, the same year the Tate in London acquired it for their permanent collection.

While Freud had started a second painting of his fellow artist, the missing copper canvas was the only portrait of Bacon that he ever completed.

In a 2008 piece in The Guardian, art critic Robert Hughes called the painting an unequivocal masterpiece, continuing on to write that smooth, pallid pear of a face like a hand-grenade on the point of detonation, those evasive-looking eyes under their blade-like lids, had long struck me as one of the key images of modernity.

But twenty years earlier, that important image of modernity had disappeared with not so much as a peep heard or a glimpse caught in the time since. Zero substantial leads have turned up in the case of the missing Francis Bacon.

The seeds of Freuds small masterpiece were sown in 1945, when Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon were introduced by their mutual friend, artist Graham Sutherland.

The 23-year-old Freud and 36-year-old Bacon hit it off almost immediately.

In his book, The Art of Rivalry: Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art, Sebastian Smee described their friendship as the most interesting, fertileand volatilerelationship in British art of the twentieth century.

The two painters were opposites in many ways. At the beginning of their friendship, Bacon was a rising star on the British art scene while Freud was still toiling over his canvases in relative obscurity. And toil he didFreud was painstaking in his work, spending up to several months working on one piece, while Bacon painted much more quickly and instinctually.

But despite their different working styles, they developed a deep friendship and respect that would lead to each artists work being influencedand criticizedby the other.

At the height of their relationship, the two painters would meet daily at the Gargoyle Club, and then the Colony Club once it opened, where they would drink, gamble, and argue the evening away with a coterie of other friends who came and went. While art was the most important thing in their lives, they also lived on the edge with days filled with drink and debauchery.

During that time, the two were spending so much time together that Lady Caroline Blackwood, Freuds second wife, said, I had dinner with [Bacon] nearly every night for more or less the whole of my marriage to Lucian. We also had lunch.

Naturally, given the amount of time spent in each others company talking about art, the artists also decided to paint one other. Bacon completed 16 works of Freud, the most influential of which was a triptych of his friend sitting in a chair that became the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction when it was snapped up for a cool $142 million in 2013. (This record was shattered in 2015 when a Picasso sold for ++$179.4 million.)

But the much more methodical Freud only reciprocated with two paintings. Bacon sat first for three months in 1952 resulting in the Francis Bacon on copper. Freud worked on the second painting of his friend between 1956 and 1957, but it was eventually left unfinished after Bacon stopped sitting for him. (The unfinished work still fetched a respectable $9.4 million at auction in 2008).

Bacon complained a lot about sittingwhich he always did about everythingbut not to me at all, Freud told The Telegraph in 2001. I heard about it, you know, from people in the pub. Really he was very good about it.

For a quarter of a century, the friendship burned bright. But, as was most likely inevitable given the two very opinionated and passionate artists, their friendship blazed to an end by the 1970s and it would never recover.

While all missing or destroyed art delivers a deep blow to an artists oeuvre, the loss of Francis Bacon was a particularly upsetting one.

Not only was it a seminal portrait in the development of Freuds style, but, some have suggested, it also was an emotional reminder of his former friend.

After discovering that Freud kept a Wanted poster of the portrait (more on that later) hanging next to his studio door, Smee told Artsy, I knew that he wanted that painting back very much because of its quality, but I also thought it must have been partly to do with the fact that the subject of the painting was this person who had played such a crucial role in his life and in his artistic career.

With no suspects in the theft, all that was left to do was speculate who could have taken the painting.

A camera crew visiting the exhibit filmed the portrait at 11am; by 3pm, it had been reported missing. Sometime in those four hours, someone had simply unscrewed the piece from the wall and walked off with it, aided by the fact that there were no alarms or cameras in the vicinity. Rather than an organized crime ring or an experienced art thief, Freud always thought the culprit was someone a little more naive, a little closer to home.

I wonder whether it was taken by a student because it was stolen when the gallery was full of students. Also, for a student to take a small picture is not that odd, is it? Freud told The Telegraph. He also suspected that the student nabbed it not out of admiration for Freuds talent, but out of an admiration for Bacon.

Germany has a 12-year statute of limitations on prosecuting crimes like these. Once the statute on the Francis Bacon theft had expired, Freud decided to make one last attempt to recover the painting.

In 2001, ahead of a retrospective planned the following year at the Tate, Freud sketched out a black and white reproduction of the missing painting on a poster that proclaimed Wanted in bright red type. Would the person who holds the painting kindly consider allowing me to show it in my exhibition next June? the text read above the offer of a reward of over $100,000 for its return and the promise that no questions would be asked.

Around 2,500 copies of the poster were printed and plastered across Berlin but, alas, no one stepped forward to heed Freuds polite plea. The only thing that came out of the campaign was the aforementioned art on Freuds wallone of these posters received a place of honor hung next to the door of the artists studio.

The loss continued to sting Freud up to his death in 2011.

From the day it was taken in 1988, the artist only allowed black and white photos of the painting to be shown or printed.

It was a decision he made partly because there was no decent colour reproduction, partly as a kind of mourning, the painter told The Telegraph.

It was an artisticand a symbolicgesture of loss. In fact, the painting is quite near monochromeso it comes out quite well, and I thought it was a rather jokey equivalent to a black arm band. You knowthere it isnt!
Is a small amount government funding worth the political pressure that President Trump can put on public broadcasting?

Thats the question our public broadcasting entities should be asking themselves now that the president, as expected, has proposed cutting all federal funding for public broadcasting. NPR commentators should be thinking how nice it would be to feel free to criticize President Trump without fear of repercussions. PBS reporters should be daydreaming about an unfettered ability to report the real news, including calling out all of Trumps facts.

Cut the cord, public broadcasting, and be free.

I say this as a fan of public broadcasting. We need independent media now more than ever, and state-funded media are not independent. Public broadcasters are less critical of the government than either they could or should be. Yes, comparatively speaking public broadcasting receives relatively little money from the government. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) gets about $450 million per year, which is essentially a rounding error in the federal budget, and NPR has consistently maintained that, on average, less than 1% of its operating budget comes in the form of grants from CPB and federal agencies and departments. But the absolute numbers are inconsequential. Public broadcasting fights tooth and nail to keep the meager scraps of public money it gets, demonstrating that the funding, however small, is significant enough to affect their behavior.

In claiming independence, public broadcasters have contracted a form of Stockholm Syndrome that ignores both history and reality. Public broadcasting was created to be controlled by the government. In 1967, during the initial debates over the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Senator Norris Cotton (R-NH) came right out and said it: if we have occasion to feel that there is a slanting, [or] a bias, Congress could either make the directors very uncomfortable or they could shut down some of their activities in the Appropriations Committee.

In fact, privately funded, independent, non-commercial television networks predate public broadcasting, and our modern public broadcasting system was partially created to supplant them. National Educational Televisioncreated in 1952 with the Ford Foundation providing the lions share of fundingwas able to air hard-hitting, if not subversive, documentaries such as Who Invited US?, which was critical of U.S. foreign policy, and the British documentary Inside North Vietnam, which contradicted the governments claims that the military hadnt attacked civilian targets.

Even without government money, Inside North Vietnam got 33 members of Congress to sign a letter of protest. With government money, it is unlikely it would have ever been aired.

NET understood that government money always came with strings. A mid-60s NET pamphlet explained how there would be a furor in Congress if a publicly funded entity presented a candid documentary on segregation, or socialized medicine, or birth control, which is why NET eschewed government funding. When the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was created in 1967, President Johnson, and later President Nixon, hoped that a controlled CPB could put NET out of business.

For any media- and image-obsessed president who is willing to push his power to the limit, public broadcasting presents an easy target. Nixon used budgetary pressures and personnel choices to push CPB toward more administration friendly messaging.

A 1969 memo outlined the administrations goals: creating a new public media network to compete with more independent sources such as NET. That network could be controlled because the White House would have a hand in picking the head of such a major new organization if it were funded by the Corporation [CPB]. That major new organization became PBS. After PBS began broadcasting, NET was finished as a separate network. Some of its programs, such as NET Journal, and facilities (New Yorks WNET) were picked up and maintained by PBS.

The Nixon administration threatened to withhold funding increases unless certain concessions were made. Frank Pace, Jr., then chairman of the CPB board, was told by Peter Flanigan, a presidential assistant, that the proposed $5 million increase in the funding for the Corporation was contingent upon the creation of new program production facilities to replace National Educational Television. But the new production facility must not be anti-Administration. Pace responded that that there are limitations on his ability to control total programming and broadcasting policies of noncommercial stations, but Flanigan made it clear: government funding of CPB should not be used for the creation of anti-Administration programming.

NETs anti-Administration programming eventually pushed the Nixon White House to try to supplant any private funding with pure public funding, as well as prohibiting the CPB from accepting outside funding. Only then could the politics of public broadcasting be completely under their control.

As a result of these pressures, as well as 40 years of Republicans complaining and threatening defunding, the CPB began to consciously stay out of the White Houses and Congresss political crosshairs, creating a gun-shy culture that, I would argue, still exists today. If President Trump cant get rid of the CPBs funding, it seems likely that hell pull a Nixon and harm the organizations independence even more.

If public broadcasting officials want to regain the independence that NET once enjoyed, I have a suggestion: Announce that you will be giving up government funding in an effort to free yourself from political pressure, create a non-commercial, non-profit media entity that runs entirely on donations, and then hold the biggest fundraiser youve ever had.

I will gladly write the first check.
Lets cut to the chase. If you asked me for my prediction on whether the Democrats will filibuster Neil Gorsuchthe vote is slated for ThursdayId tell you that by an oh-so-slight margin I think they probably will. Ill explain why later, but first lets break down the categories.

Here, from CNN, is an almost absurdly thorough list of where the Democratic senators stand. This story has 36 Democrats on record as saying theyll filibuster Gorsuch, which mean theyre going to vote no not just on the nomination itself but on the preceding cloture vote. Thats the vote to cut off debate, on which 60 votes are needed.

The 36 includes all the people youd expect, the ones from safe deep blue states or who dont face reelection for a while or both. But the list includes a few mild surprises. Claire McCaskill is up this year in a state Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points. Sherrod Brown will be facing a well-financed opponent in a state (Ohio) Trump won by eight points. Browns a liberal and probably has a presidential run in the back of his mind should he win reelection this fall, so those would be his reasons, but it still seems like it might be a risky vote. Bill Nelson is up in Florida, which Trump carried, and Tim Kaine is up in Virginia, which Hillary Clinton carried very narrowly.

Next come the three Democrats who have said theyll vote for Gorsuch, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia and, just as of Sunday, Joe Donnelly of Indiana. Theyre all up for reelection this year, too. I guess activist types are mad at them, but Trump won their states by about 150 points or whatever. Its hard to hold this against them.

Their votes dont matter anyway. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer can lose seven Democrats. And this is the point where this drama takes on aspects of game theory. Heitkamp, Manchin, and Donnelly are the 53rd, 54th, and 55th votes for cloture. Wholl be the 56th, the 57th? And more to the point, wholl be the 59th andmost dramatically of allthe 60th?

Of the remaining, undeclared nine, the one who seems most likely to join that troika is Jon Tester of Montana. Tester was elected back in 2012 with just 49 percent of the vote.

UPDATE: On Sunday night around 8:30 or so, word came down that Tester will support the filibuster. Well well well!

The other eight are an interesting mix who for the most part are resisting the filibuster for institutional reasons. Here you have Pat Leahy, Dianne Feinstein, Ben Cardin, Chris Coons, Mark Warner, Bob Menendez, Michael Bennet, and Angus King. (Interesting side note: The Judiciary Committee is voting on Gorsuch Monday, and Leahy, Feinstein, and Coons all sit on that committee.)

They dont like seeing the place get more and more polarized. There have only been four filibusters of Supreme Court nominees in modern U.S. history: Abe Fortas in 1968, William Rehnquist (twice, in 1970 and 1986), and Samuel Alito in 2006. Alito got 75 votes on cloture and 58 on his nomination (in all such situations, some senators vote to allow the final vote but then still vote no on the substance).

They also may sense that Mitch McConnell has the votes to go nuclear anyway. That is, if the Democrats hold the line and block Gorsuch on the cloture, McConnell is expected to move to change the Senate rules so that cloture isnt needed. He needs 51 votes for that. As there are 52 Republicans, most people assume he has the votes, but when asked directly by Chuck Todd on Meet the Press Sunday, he didnt say yes (or no). McConnell can afford to lose two Republicans (that would yield a 50-50 result, and Mike Pence would break the tie). Him losing three is pretty hard to envision, given the pressure theyre all going to face to stick with the team. So Gorsuch gets in anyway.

Liberal groups and activists just dont have the same leverage over Democrats that conservatives have over Republicans. I mean theres talk radio and Fox and Breitbart and so on, but I also mean the National Rifle Association. The NRA started playing bigly on Supreme Court nominations about a decade ago, and now, it controls Republican legislators on Court nominations just as it does on everything else. When he was blocking Merrick Garland last year, McConnell ruled out a lame-duck session vote on Garland on the grounds that the NRA was against him (he mentioned other groups, but he name-checked the NRA first). This year, at a White House rally-the-troops Gorsuch event, Wayne LaPierre sat next to Trump.

If the Democrats cave, what will happen is that some of the undeclared nine will get together and move as a bloc. Theyll do this to make sure no one has to be the 60th votethat is, the eighth Democrat to join the 52 Republicans and allow for a final vote. That person would surely face a primary in his or her next race. So theyll move as a group to make sure its 63 or so and no one individual can be fingered as having case the fateful vote.

Either that or the line will hold. Certainly, the only Democrats who need the cover of voting to move Gorsuch through are the four I mentionedManchin, Heitkamp, Donnelly, and Tester. The others can all survive what will be seen as an obstructionist vote by Republicans in their states, especially given that McConnell is going to turn right around and do away with the judicial filibuster. So they can say McConnell blew up the Senate.

Im not sure blocking Gorsuch will accomplish much. Schumer says he wants Trump to consult with Democrats and pick a less extreme nominee. That doesnt strike me as Trumps nature. And anyway, McConnell is likely to go nuclear, and we'll end up with Gorsuch anyway.

So if we're going to get him anyway, why not make McConnell push the nuclear button? Saying no to Gorsuch would be great for rank-and-file liberals morale, and their belief that their party is fighting for them. Theres a part of me that hates to see all this posturing, but the bigger part of me thinks its a scandal that Associate Justice Garland wasnt seated a year ago.
By Press Trust of India: London, Apr 2 (PTI) Sounds of nature such as the gentle burbling of a brook or the gushing of the wind in the trees may help us relax by physically changing our mind and bodily systems, a new study has found.

Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK conducted an experiment where participants listened to sounds recorded from natural and artificial environments, while their brain activity was measured in an MRI scanner and their autonomic nervous system activity was monitored via minute changes in heart rate.

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They found that activity in the default mode network of the brain (a collection of areas which are active when we are resting) was different depending on the sounds playing in the background.

When listening to natural sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an outward-directed focus of attention.

However, when listening to artificial sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an inward-directed focus of attention - similar to states observed in anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

There was also an increase in rest-digest nervous system activity (associated with relaxation of the body) when listening to natural compared with artificial sounds and better performance in an external attentional monitoring task.

Researchers also noted that the amount of change in nervous system activity was dependant on the participants baseline state.

Individuals who showed evidence of the greatest stress before starting the experiment showed the greatest bodily relaxation when listening to natural sounds, while those who were already relaxed in the brain scanner environment showed a slight increase in stress when listening to natural compared with artificial sounds, researchers said.

"We are all familiar with the feeling of relaxation and switching-off which comes from a walk in the countryside, and now we have evidence from the brain and the body which helps us understand this effect," said Cassandra Gould van Praag of Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. PTI APA MHN MHN

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Singha Beer available in cans in the UK

Molson Coors and Singha Beer, have announced the launch of 330ml cans in the UK. The can is available to the on and off trade ahead of the Thai New Year from 13 April. The can is a staple for Singha Beer in Thailand.

The brand claims that the 330ml can will tap into consumers sense of nostalgia for those who remember it fondly from trips to Thailand. It also claims that the 330ml can format is also growing in popularity in the UK amongst premium and craft beers, ideal for drinkers wanting to try Singha for the first time.

The 5% ABV Thai beer is part of Molson Coors World Beer portfolio alongside brands such as Grolsch, Cobra, Staropramen and Pravha.

Rob Hollis, head of World Beers at Molson Coors explains: Singha is an iconic Thai beer with a strong brand and heritage worldwide. The new 330ml cans are a great way of building on the history of this great product and driving nostalgia amongst consumers who may have enjoyed Singha Beer while on holiday. What is more, for potential stockists the 330ml can also brings advantages such as being stackable in the fridge, lighter to transport and a format that is driving interest with drinkers as something different in the fridge

Singha Beer was the first beer to be brewed in Thailand by Royal Permission in 1933 and is steeped in Thai tradition, from its lion logo to its white and gold label signifying purity and regality. Owned by the same family to this day, Singha Beer remains the only beer to display the Royal Garuda, the national emblem of Thailand, on its product.

2 April 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
Randy Shumway, a former Eagle newspaper carrier, has been named one of Utah's CEO's of the Year by Utah Business magazine. Shumway started Cicero Group, a strategy consulting firm, out of his home 16 years ago, according to the magazine's profile of him. The company now has 350 employees and offices in five cities. Shumway stepped down as CEO of the company at the beginning of the year but still has a role in the company as chairman and partner. He started his business career at 8, delivering papers for The Eagle through high school.
Love old or unusual movies but never know when they're on? Here are several I recommend:

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948): One of the greatest films of the '40s, writer/director John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a classic tale of the corrupting power of greed. Humphrey Bogart stars as a two-bit drifter who meets a young man (Tim Holt) while on a job in Mexico. The two stumble across a crotchety old prospector (Walter Huston, the director's father) who claims to know where a pile of gold lies waiting in the mountains. The dynamics of the gold-lusting trio are fascinating (and horrifying) to watch. The Hustons made Oscar history by both winning Oscars for this film (dad for supporting actor, son for screenplay and director), a feat that wasn't repeated until The Godfather Part II in 1974.

Turner Classic Movies, 4:45 p.m. Thursday

East Side, West Side (1949): Mervyn LeRoy's slick and steamy melodrama stars Barbara Stanwyck and James Mason as a long-married New York couple, and Ava Gardner and Van Heflin as the two people who could break up the marriage. Gardner has returned to the city, years after having an affair with Mason, and wants to resume the hanky-panky. Heflin is the mysterious and sexy newcomer caught in Stanwyck's radar. As if these four weren't enough, the movie also has the wonderful William Frawley, Gale Sondergard, Cyd Charisse and former First Lady Nancy Davis. East Side, West Side is a fun romp about how the rich and privileged misbehave.

Turner Classic Movies, 10:15 a.m. Friday

Learning To Drive (2015): Any time Patricia Clarkson gets a starring role in a movie, it's a cause for celebration. It doesn't hurt when her co-star is Ben Kingsley, either. Clarkson plays a privileged New Yorker whose life falls apart when her marriage abruptly ends. To reassert her independence, she decides she needs to learn to drive. Enter Sir Ben as a Sikh immigrant from India who tries to instruct her while she skids through her new life. He's got romantic problems of his own, as well. The bottom line is, you can't go wrong with these two great stars. The fact that it was edited by one of the greatest editors ever, Thelma Schoonmaker, is an added plus.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Under Siege (1982): Steven Segal made one really good movie and this is it. Segal plays a Navy cook who gets locked into a freezer when a terrorist (Tommy Lee Jones, in a tremendously entertaining performance) and his team take over the battleship. The movie was directed by Andrew Davis, who had another huge success with Jones the very next year with The Fugitive. Under Siege is thrilling, beautifully made and well-acted. If you missed it when it came out, now's your chance to catch one of the best action films of the 1990s.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Trivia Question #679: In what film did Patricia Clarkson play the wife of a famous U.S. Treasury agent?

Answer to Trivia Question #677: Joe Pantoliano played "Guido, the Killer Pimp" in 1983's Risky Business.

Bryan native Ray Ivey is a writer and movie fan in Hollywood, Calif. He would love to hear from you at rayivey@ca.rr.com. You can also visit his blog at www.starkravingray.com.
Houston author Laura B. Edge has written a picture-book biography of Tad Lucas: Trick Riding Rodeo Cowgirl (Pelican, $16.99), illustrated by Texas artist Stephanie Ford.

Lucas (1902-1990), who performed in rodeos and Wild West shows from the 1920s until her retirement in 1958, is considered the greatest rodeo cowgirl of all time, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

She is the only person elected to all three rodeo halls of fame -- the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1967 (first woman elected), the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.

Upon her death in Fort Worth, her will established the Tad Lucas Award honoring women who excel in any field related to western heritage.

Lucas was born Barbara Barnes in Nebraska, the youngest of 24 children.

"She didn't crawl like most babies; she slithered," Edge notes, "Her dad thought she looked like a tadpole. The name stuck, and everyone called her Tad.

"She learned to ride almost before she could walk. By the time she was seven, she was helping her dad tame wild horses."

The family moved to Fort Worth, and at a rodeo there she met bronc rider Buck Lucas. They married and spent their honeymoon on a ship to England with a Wild West show.

She suffered a major riding injury at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933 and was told she would never ride again.

"She was back in the saddle trick riding in a year," Edge writes. She and her daughter, Mitzi, performed trick riding routines together for 20 years.

Young readers: Dallas journalist, author and humorist Michael Merschel has written Revenge of the Star Survivors (HolidayHouse, $17.95 hardcover), a 320-page humorous sci-fi novel for ages 10-14.

"My situation is desperate," the novel begins. "I have crash-landed in an inhospitable world.

"I am surrounded by aliens. Hundreds of them. All hostile. They look humanoid, but so far I have been unable to make sense of their primitive social order."

This is Clark Sherman's reaction to being enrolled in the eighth grade at Festus Middle School.

Read more at HolidayHouse.com.

Cookbook: Stan McDonald of Big Lake has published his own cookbook, The Texas Chef: Down Home Texas ($20 spiral-bound).

The 89 recipes are organized into nine categories: breakfast, soups, party foods, vegetables and sides, poultry and fowl, pork, beef, seafood and desserts.

A few gems: Grandma's corn cakes, Texas kolaches, catfish stew, bacon deviled eggs, ranch-style vegetables, chicken and dumplings Texas style, slow-roasted BBQ ribs, Little Hoss Ranch pot roast, Hill Country-roasted oysters, and no-churn cinnamon banana ice cream.

For more information, and to order the book, see his web site -- thetexaschef.com.
From an Aggie whose names graces a library at the heart of campus to an Aggie who stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets took time Saturday to reflect on former students who gave back to A&M after graduation.

The Corps of Cadets inducted 12 more former students into its Hall of Honor, which has added members since 1993 as a way of showcasing former cadets, said Donald Crawford, Corps of Cadets Association executive director.

"This is a way to recognize them for not only their accomplishments in life, but for what they've done for Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets," Crawford said.

Crawford, a member of the Hall of Honor himself, said the induction is humbling both for the inductees and current cadets, especially those who view video interviews of the honorees.

"It's very personal," he said. "I think it has a direct impact on each cadet that gets to see that particular individual ... to actually hear in their words about how honored they were to be selected."

This year's inductees include Frederick Giesecke, who came to Texas A&M at the age of 14 and graduated in 1886. Giesecke went on to become the first former cadet to become Corps commandant and dean of Texas A&M's architecture department. According to the association, he designed or supervised the construction of several buildings on campus, including Sbisa Dining Hall, the Academic Building, Cushing Library -- which was named after fellow inductee Col. Edward "E.B" Cushing -- the Systems Administration Building and Hart and Walton halls.

Former Texas A&M University System regent Richard Box is another inductee. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1961 and eventually from dentistry school, Box served in Vietnam as an Army dentist. He commanded the Texas State Guard.

Inductee Arno Krebs graduated from A&M in 1964 and went on to earn the 2006 Aggie Lawyer of the Year award. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus by the Association of Former Students and Texas A&M in 2017.

"It meant a lot, because it was a total surprise," he said. "All of those of us who were in the Corps for any length of time and have been Aggies committed to helping Texas A&M, it's nice to be recognized."

He said the Corps has changed since his senior year, the first year women were admitted to the school on a limited basis and the first year the institution went by the name Texas A&M University, not the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.

"It's a totally different place. We joke about the fact that when we were in school, we'd come back to campus late Sunday night or early Monday morning, and now the kids either don't leave or when they come back in the fall, they come back early to see their friends and do what college students do," he said with a laugh.

Jokes aside, Krebs said he is honored to be a 2017 inductee and "proud of what A&M has become."
After gathering thousands of petition signatures in support of creating a new community college district, a Research Valley Partnership-sponsored task force is now likely turning its attention to a new goal -- having Brazos County join Blinn College's taxing district.

The RVP's Brazos Talent Initiative Steering Committee has gathered the required 10,000 petition signatures from registered voters it needs for the county to have an election regarding the creation of a new community college district. But the push that began in November to bring the concept to a vote could be put aside for now as the committee moves to pursue a different election.

Michael Beckendorf, chairman of the RVP's board of directors, said the petition -- which the group spearheaded largely as a way to address what it feels is a need for better workforce training in Brazos County -- received "well over" 13,000 signatures. Those signatures will still be certified, he said, but a meeting will be held next week to determine the next steps.

"At this stage, I really think that it's better for everyone that we entertain joining the district with Washington County," Beckendorf said.

In addition to its criticisms of Blinn's workforce training offerings, a perceived lack of local control and governance and the higher tuition rates paid by Brazos County students have been critiques of the RVP steering committee. Blinn currently operates with Washington County as its sole taxing district, offering its programs and trainings to students in its 13-county service area. While students from Washington County pay a lower, in-district rate thanks to the taxes paid in the county, those from outside the county pay a higher out-of-district rate.

Adding Brazos County to Blinn's taxing district was initially an option discussed when the committee began its work, officials said at a November press conference, but the concept of creating a new, separate community college presence and a tax to support it was ultimately the choice the group chose to aggressively pursue.

But the lengthy process of creating a new community college district, which would further require support from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, a successful election and legislative approval, appears to have stalled the plan, as evidenced by a recent discussion of the RVP's board of directors.

At its March 22 meeting, the board put off giving direction to the steering committee on how to move forward with its "talent initiative." Two board members, Brazos County Judge Duane Peters and Chairman-Elect Casey Oldham, indicated they would prefer to end work on the current petition.

Oldham said to continue to spend resources and money on pursuing the effort "is not a good use of our taxpayer dollars," calling the process "challenging" and "threading a needle."

"To continue to spend money on this thing, I think, is a lost cause and a waste of our time," Oldham said.

Peters similarly said the current petition process "has a lot of issues," and that he feels the easiest path now would be to instead ask voters if they would like for the county to join Blinn's taxing district.

Peters also expressed interest in being "part of what's going on" with the recently announced partnership between Blinn College and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service for a workforce training program at the forthcoming RELLIS Campus.

Beckendorf said a meeting will be held this week to solidify whether the committee plans to now concentrate on joining Blinn's taxing district. Brazos County residents could see a petition to put that question to a vote as early as mid-April, he said. That petition would need 5,000 signatures.

Certifying the signatures from the first petition, meanwhile, will keep the first option pitched to voters on the table. While Beckendorf said he can't speak for the whole talent initiative steering committee, he said the majority have expressed the benefit of refocusing its efforts at this time.

While the RVP committee weighs its options, Blinn and the Texas A&M University System have been making strides on their own promises to expand local workforce training offerings.

The two institutions announced a deal earlier this week to hire an outside consulting firm to assess workforce needs in the Brazos Valley. The $225,000 agreement will pay for a report that will detail industry needs and labor conditions for Brazos, Robertson, Leon, Grimes, Milam, Washington, Burleson and Madison counties.

The report, which is expected to be complete in May, will be used to help design programs to help address the community's workforce needs. The Texas A&M University System is also forming an external advisory council to help guide the efforts at the 2,000-acre campus. Members of the advisory council will be "individuals with significant knowledge of the current and evolving public and private sector workforce needs," Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp wrote in a letter seeking nominations.
Much of the Brazos Valley could see up to 3 inches of rain today as severe weather could include possible tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center assigns a rating for the risk of severe weather on a scale of 1 to 5. The center has put the Brazos Valley at a 4 or "moderate risk" for today. With the moderate risk, widespread severe storms are likely and could be long-lived and intense. The storms may bring destructive hail, strong tornados and damaging winds, the NWS states on its website.

The National Weather Service in Houston said the storms are expected to persist through the day.

According to the NWS in Houston, in addition to the severe weather threat, there also is potential for heavy rainfall. Several counties are in a flash flood watch that is in effect until 7 p.m. tonight, including Burleson, Brazos, Grimes and Madison counties. Some locations in or near the watch area could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, the NWS said. In College Station, 2 to 3 inches of rain is possible.

A warm front becoming stationary within an unstable environment may provide the right conditions for daytime storms, the NWS said in a weather statement. Moist air flowing into the boundary could make for thunderstorm cells that move slowly and produce heavy rainfall.

The greatest potential for heavy rainfall is north of a line that runs from Brenham to Livingston in Polk County.

In the event of severe weather, the NWS recommends having multiple ways to receive weather information in case one way fails. Weather radio, wireless emergency alerts and weather apps, the National Weather Service website and local meteorologists on television and radio are some of the ways the organization recommends finding reliable information.

If a tornado warning is issued, the NWS suggests that if you do not have a storm shelter, to go to a safe room or interior room away from windows and to remember pets.

If you are outside, seek shelter in a sturdy building and avoid sheds or storage facilities. Do not stay in a car if a tornado strikes. The organization recommends driving to the closest shelter is possible. If not, either get down in your car and cover your head or get out and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch.

The NWS also urges those who are in areas subject to flooding to get to higher ground during a flood and do not walk through flood waters. The organization also reminds drivers to not drive into flooded roadways or around a barricade, as a vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in a matter of seconds.
By Press Trust of India: Colombo, Apr 2 (PTI) The Sri Lankan navy today said it has arrested six Indians for allegedly smuggling 13.5 kg drugs into the country.

The Sri Lankan ship on patrol detected a suspicious movement at IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line) from Indian waters to Sri Lankan territorial waters in the wee hours, the Sri Lankan navy said in a statement.

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"The suspected boat movement was continuously monitored by the patrolling ship," the navy said.

The drug parcels believed to contain heroin were taken to the Kankesanthurai harbour.

The six Indians will be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for further investigation, it said.

Sri Lankan Navy regularly arrests drug traffickers approaching to the northern waters of Sri Lanka, the statement added. PTI Corr UZM

--- ENDS ---
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in the U.S. and in Texas. Back when I was in elementary school, it was rare to see an obese child. Today, when I go to my sons elementary and intermediate schools, it almost is common.

The data bears this out. Since the 1970s the percentage of obese children has tripled. Nationwide, today about one in five of our children is obese.

Sadly, in Texas we are near the bottom, ranking 47th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in childhood obesity rates. More than one-third of our school-aged children either are overweight or obese. This is a problem both now and in the future.

Obese kids are more likely to be bullied and teased and have lower self-esteem, are more socially isolated and have higher rates of depression. Additionally, they have higher rates of chronic disease such as asthma, bone and joint issues and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity even is affecting our military, where reports indicate it is becoming increasingly harder to find healthy recruits.

A recent study found that injury rates in basic training have increased in the past two decades.

Injury rates are closely tied to fitness level and recruits from Texas had a significantly higher injury rate than recruits from other states.

Childhood obesity also has long-term effects. Obese kids are twice as likely to grow up to be obese adults.

Adult obesity has a variety of negative health consequences and is linked to diabetes, sleep apnea, cancer, heart disease and early death.

Childhood obesity is caused by many different factors. We know genetics is important, but the genetic make-up of the population doesnt change that rapidly. After genetics, the major drivers are how much we move and what we eat. Schools play an important role in the health and wellness of our children. Movement during the day is essential. Children are recommended to get 60 minutes a day of physical education.

When our children leave for school just after 7 a.m. and get home at 5 p.m., it is clear that a significant amount of physical activity needs to be done during the school day or it wont happen at all. Our schools do very well with offering physical education classes up to high school, where daily physical education is not required. Strategies that include walking and biking to school, safe places to play before school and activity breaks during classes can help get our children closer to an hour a day and also improve attention in class.

Food eaten at school can account for up to half the calories that children consume daily. It is essential children get healthy food during the school day. The National School Lunch and Breakfast programs have good nutrition standards that provide a balanced meal. What is more concerning is non-nutritive food given during and after school.

The College Station school districts Wellness Plan states, Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior. Yet, the schools routinely break these guidelines. In one of our intermediate schools newsletter parents are asked every week for candy donations to reward the students for good citizenship.

At a local elementary school, students were given Hot Cheetos for just showing up for school.

This happens in our afterschool programs and fundraisers also.

At Kids Klub, tickets are given for good behavior and other positive incentives. The top prize these tickets can be used for is a drive-throughs Slushy.

At elementary school carnivals sweets abound. In particular, the soda ring

toss is a game where students throw rings over soda bottles and receive a 2-liter bottle as a prize. These may seem like innocent behaviors but research has shown that sugary beverages, chips, and sweets contribute to weight gain in children.

Marlene Schwartz from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University said it best: Rewarding children with unhealthy foods in school undermines our efforts to teach them about good nutrition.

Its like teaching children a lesson on the importance of not smoking, and then handing out ashtrays and lighters to the kids who did the best job listening.

The Action for Healthy Kids network has many good ideas for non-food rewards at all levels of school such as extra recess time, homework passes and recognition ceremonies.

We still can reward and acknowledge our children. Lets just do it without harming their health.

 Jay Maddock is dean of the Texas A&M School of Public Health.
Those of us who breathe in clean air, eat safe foods and drink clean water every day should cherish what we have. Not everyone around the world -- or even around the country -- is so blessed.

Over the years, presidents from both major parties have promoted cleaner air and water for all Americans. Through a series of regulations, this nation is well on its way to reaching that goal.

We also are on the way to reducing humankind's effect on our changing climate, although we have a long way to go. Yes, the climate constantly is changing, but every reputable scientist says the denizens of earth are increasing that change rapidly -- and not to the benefits of everyone who calls this planet home.

There are those good people who, while enjoying the fruits of the environmentalists' labors, continue to deny that climate change is serious or even exists -- and if it does, there is no reason to believe humans are responsible in large part for the degradation of our atmosphere and our planet. To them, many environmental protections are unnecessary and, often, overly burdensome.

Perhaps some of the regulations are not as clear or as necessary as they were intended. Every government regulation, whether involving the environment or some other aspect of life, should undergo review periodically.

But to throw out a regulation simply because it was put in place by a different party or because it inconveniences your fat cat buddies is wrong. That is exactly what President Donald Trump is doing. To be sure, he is doing exactly what he promised when running for the office last year.

The president certainly telegraphed his intentions by appointing climate-denier Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to run the Department of Energy, a department he has said he wants to dismantle. Many of Trump's supporters cheered those and other appointments, while the rest of America -- and the world -- cringed. Yet, they are there and we must demand they not undo all the good that has been done under presidents of both parties over the past 50 years.

Simply put, regulations exist because a potential problem was identified and some well-intentioned people came up with what they believed to be a solution. For the most part, those regulations have benefited most Americans, who enjoy safe foods, refreshingly clean water, breathable air. Yes, some of the regulations come with a financial cost, one that is passed on to consumers.

The president shouldn't overturn rules wholesale without considering the reason for those rules, options for change, and a long-term understanding of what happens if the rules remain in place or if they are negated. Perhaps some of the regulations do need to be modified, and maybe even some tossed out, but we won't know if we don't look at each one individually.

Last week, President Trump issued an executive order to overturn some of the climate and energy initiatives put in place during the administration of Barack Obama. The EPA is tasked with deciding whether the regulations should be repealed, modified or replaced. The decisions reached should be made without pressure from the White House. Get scientists involved, people who actually understand the climate and the future of energy in America.

And remember, whatever is undone by this Republican administration is likely to be returned by a Democratic administration. Decisions on energy and climate and a myriad of other issues should not be political Ping Pong balls.
What issue do Iowa voters most often say is critical? You might be surprised
CBS/Cliff LipsonOn Sunday night, Luke Bryan will host the 52nd ACM Awards for the second time with Dierks Bentley. Before that, Luke learned the craft with Blake Shelton for three years. By now, hes feeling like an old pro.

With each passing year, I think you get a little more savvy, a little better, and you remember when something kinda worked, and when something really worked... the Entertainer of the Year nominee says. Its kinda like you wanna minimize any margin of error and make the show go off without a hitch and represent country music in the best way possible.

As for sophomore-year emcee Dierks Bentley, he admits staring down the camera lens can be hard.

For a couple guys like us that arent used to using teleprompters at all, all the sudden you get that thing out there, and if its not moving at the right speed, or its going too fast or too slow, it can definitely throw you off... he confesses.

In the end, the two prove its their spontaneous senses of humor that will always see them through.

Luke will read whatever, Dierks accuses. Youre definitely a Ron Burgandy type, he says, referencing the main character of Anchorman.

Am I a good reader? Luke asks.

Ah, youre pretty good, Dierks acquiesces. Luke will just say anything that shows up in his mind, so I think its better to have Luke on a teleprompter than to have him just free-styling off his brain.

I feel it corrals my intellect quite frankly, Luke counters.

It probably keeps the lawsuits down though, Dierks adds, getting the last word.

You can check out how Luke and Dierks do starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, when the 52nd ACM Awards air live from Las Vegas.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
On March 31, as President El Sisi was about to head to Washington, Human Rights published an article titled, Sisis Egypt is a Poor Partner for the United States in the Fight Against Terrorism. It warns President Trump against amending ties with Egypt, concluding that Hosting Egypts repressive president sends the wrong message to the world on how to overcome the scourge of violent extremism and terrorism.

Human Rights reckons El Sisi and violent extremism and terrorism are somehow connected if not synonymous. So, enough is enough; it is time to take Human Rights to task. The sweeping statements; the arrogant, know-it-all approach; and, more importantly, the incorrigible inaccuracies, call for a rebuttal.

To start with, the adjective Poor is elusive. Yes, Egypt is financially poor, but I dont believe the writer is talking about poverty per se; I wish he were. Or maybe the writer considers Sisi, himself, poor. And he may be right there since the repressive leader donated half his possessions and half his salary to Egypt.

The writer starts off by saying that the Egyptian government has portrayed Sisi as a religious moderate playing a leading role in the fight against violent extremism, which is, in my perspective, perfectly true even if portrayed implies the opposite. Indeed, Sisi is a moderate Muslim. He doesnt exemplify the Wahabi/Salafi notions but adheres to the Muslim altruistic traits: benevolence, humbleness, and compassion, while fighting violent extremism by, first, promoting religious reform and, second, by confronting terrorism.

Since taking power by military coup from the elected, Muslim Brotherhood-backed, government of Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, Sisi has pursued policies that have fueled the grievances exploited by violent extremists. All rhetoric military coup and elected  Morsiaside, the writer believes that Sisis policies creates extremists, as though extremism did not exist in 2011 when a bomb in an Alexandria church killed 21 churchgoers or in 97 when 70 were massacred in a Luxor Temple. The examples, prior to Sisi, are endless. Indeed, theyve escalated, but terrorism escalated all around the world, too.

Countries consider every terrorism act an act of war, and they react immediately with upped surveillance and enhanced security measures. This while the writer prefers President Sisi to sit idle, do little, and watch officers and conscripts die at the hands of extremists. Egyptians would not have accepted that president.

As mere examples of retaliatory measures, after the many explosions in Paris, France declared a three-month state of emergency, struck ISIS targets way inside Syria, and closed borders. It conducted warrantless searches and indiscriminate and intrusive surveillance tactics. This while Belgium deployed more than 1,800 soldiers, carried several hundred raids, detentions, stops, and searches as Human Rights mentioned. And yet such measures were never considered repressive, suppressive, destructive, dictatorial, counterproductive, or non pluralistic, as this article suggests Sisi is.

In a convoluted and verbose thought, the writer says, His repressive policies have denied space to independent mainstream religious voices, who could credibly challenge and rebut extremist ideologues, while co-opting religious leaders to validate his dictatorial rule, thereby undermining their independence and credibility in the fight against extremist ideologies.

Unless the writer implies the Muslim Brotherhood organization is a mainstream religious voice which would be misleading, Independent mainstream religious voices have not been denied space. Quite the contrary, many a time El Sisi has been critical of Al Azhar, the real mainstream voice, but he has never instituted change. He left it to Al Azhar to change from within; it has yet to comply.

When Sisi visited Al Azhar a couple of years back, he said:

Is it possible that 1.6 billion people [Muslims] should want to kill the rest of the world's inhabitants  that is 7 billion  so that they themselves may live? Impossible! All this that I am telling you, you cannot feel it if you remain trapped within this mindset. You need to step outside of yourselves to be able to observe it and reflect on it it from a more enlightened perspective. I say and repeat again that we are in need of a religious revolution. The entire world, I say it again, the entire world is waiting for your next move... because this nation is being torn, it is being destroyed, it is being lost  and it is being lost by our own hands.

In addition, Sisis Egypt has received tens of billions of dollars of support from absolute monarchies in the Gulf, anxious to ensure that the popular demands for more representative government and human dignity, heard during the short-lived Arab Spring of 2011, should not take root in the Arab World sounds as though support from monarchies is unsound.

Yes, Gulf States supported June 30th and the ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood president, fearing what has been inflicted on other Muslim countries: the Arab Spring turned Syria into a wasteland, Libya into a fractioned country, and Yemen into a starved one. The Gulf States also realize that Egypt is pivotal in the fight against terrorism and must remain strong.

The writer goes further; Sisis government perpetuated anti-Christian sectarianism and intolerance of religious diversity, failing to "protect Christians." This thought is utterly flawed. Of all Egyptians leaders, El Sisi is the most respectful of other religions and other peoples in general.

During his several visits to the Coptic Cathedral, Sisi identifies all Egyptians as one entity. To him, Egyptians are Egyptians without any hyphenation, as in Egyptian-Copt or Egyptian-Muslim.

As for being unable to protect Christians, I dont believe that any country is able to fully protect its citizens against terrorism. Egypt tries though; churches are the most protected of all buildings and institutions in Egypt, intensely guarded and barricaded with roadblocks and barbed wired. As Christian festivities approach, security measures are heightened even further.

The writer goes on to say, There can be no credible reform while religious institutions operate within the framework of rigid state restrictions. From the perspective of an Egyptian, Id rather see the Azhar reform its books and doctrines, improve its sermons, and train its sheikhs than have it continue to dwell on issues that can be exploited negatively.

But the most convoluted message of all lies here: The government suppresses peaceful dissent and stifles pluralism. The writer is unaware that in Egypt, currently, peaceful dissent does not exist. What happened after June 30th and continues till today is brazen terrorism. Hundreds maybe thousands of army officers and conscripts have died; judges, police officers, helpless laypersons, and, of course, Copts have been victimized. If he considers such behaviour peaceful dissent, then he is steering Egyptians towards erring.

The writer suggests President Trump challenge Sisi; otherwise it will fuel resentment of the United States in Egypt and beyond. This is contrary to the truth; if President Trump offers strong support to Sisi, and Egypt, it will smooth out the wrinkles and resentment left by President Obama, and remedy the snub that continued for four years.

President Trump extended the invitation to President Sisi because he wants an ally in Sisi. He realizes that Egypt and its president are pivotal in the war against terrorism, fighting a huge slice of that war alone, and that it is high time the US pitches in.

Human Rights, your message is flawed and biased. Hosting Egypts president at the White House sends the right message to the world.
By Press Trust of India: Colombo, Apr 2 (PTI) The Sri Lankan navy today said it has arrested six Indians for allegedly smuggling 13.5 kg drugs into the country.

The Sri Lankan ship on patrol detected a suspicious movement at IMBL (International Maritime Boundary Line) from Indian waters to Sri Lankan territorial waters in the wee hours, the Sri Lankan navy said in a statement.

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"The suspected boat movement was continuously monitored by the patrolling ship," the navy said.

The drug parcels believed to contain heroin were taken to the Kankesanthurai harbour.

The six Indians will be handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for further investigation, it said.

Sri Lankan Navy regularly arrests drug traffickers approaching to the northern waters of Sri Lanka, the statement added. PTI Corr UZM MVV

--- ENDS ---
DANBURY  The arrest of a Danbury man by U.S. immigration agents on his scheduled court date last week has led some observers to wonder whether courthouses have become target enforcement areas since President Donald Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration.

ICE arrested Julio Virgilio Paida-Morquencho, 22, a citizen of Ecuador, on Monday. The agency later said he was considered a fugitive after failing to leave the United States as ordered by a federal immigration judge in 2013.

It was the latest incident in what Susan Storey, the states chief public defender, sees as a disturbing pattern. She noted that similar incidents have occurred in Norwich, Middletown and New London, and that immigration agents interviewed more than 20 inmates on March 20 when they were brought to the Bridgeport Correctional Center.

I am getting reports from different public defender offices around the state, since ICE seems more emboldened to detain clients who are known to be coming to court or in scheduled programs that have been court-ordered, Storey said. People are just disappearing and its very concerning.

She said these people include those charged with less serious crimes, not just those charged with or convicted of serious felonies.

Im very concerned about children going home and not knowing where their parents are, she said.

Targeting these defendants, even those who have committed violent crimes, can have unintended and detrimental consequences, said Mike Lawlor, Governor Dannel P. Malloys criminal justice advisor.

It is not only criminals that come to court, Lawlor said. Victims come, witnesses come, and if they are afraid to come then it will make it impossible to convict criminals that victimize immigrants or anybody else where immigrants are the witnesses.

Obviously ICE has a job to do and they get to do it, he added. On the other hand, we have a job to do, and that includes protecting public safety.

An ICE official confirmed Friday that the agency uses state law enforcement records to locate aliens for targeted enforcement in federal immigration matters. However, the official said, the agency does not ask state or local judicial officers to report suspected immigration violations.

ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer added that current ICE policy directs agency personnel to avoid conducting enforcement activities at sensitive locations unless they have prior approval from a supervisor or the circumstances are exigent. Sensitive locations include schools, hospitals and places of worship, but not courthouses, correctional facilities or probation offices.

While ICE does arrest targets at courthouses, generally its only after investigating officers have exhausted other options, Neudauer said.

He said many of those ICE take into custody at or near courthouses are foreign nationals who have prior criminal convictions in the United States.

Absent a viable address for a residence or place of employment, a courthouse may afford the most likely opportunity to locate a target and take him or her into custody, Neudauer said. In such instances, where deportation officers seek to conduct an arrest at a courthouse, every effort is made to take the person into custody in a secure area, out of public view, but this is not always possible.

According to court documents, Paida-Morquencho faced numerous charges from 2014, including fourth-degree sexual assault and illegal sexual contact with the victim. He had pleaded guilty to risk of injury to a child and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday for sentencing.

Storey has asked the states public defenders to contact her every time they become aware of ICE activity.

Karen Martucci, director of external affairs for the state Department of Correction, confirmed Friday about two dozen men at the Bridgeport Correctional Center were interviewed by ICE agents on March 20. Martucci said all the inmates signed consent forms before being interviewed, which is policy at the state-run institution.

She added that ICE has interviewed large groups of inmates during intake, as it did March 20, before Trump became president, but it was not a consistent practice, and that it has long been ICE practice to have agents visit the prison two or three times a week.

To help ensure that immigrants rights are not violated, Storeys office created an internal task force, including public defenders, private immigration attorneys and representatives from Yale University, to draft a fact sheet for dissemination to the clients of the 43 public defenders offices.

The document was translated into several languages, including Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese and Mandarin.

I think theres an attitude now ICE can act with impunity, Storey said. Were scared and angry for our clients.
Two residents from Bethel and Redding will be among the 11 firefighters honored at this years Connecticut State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame Dinner.

Clarence Rees of the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department and David A. Sanford previously of the West Redding Fire Department will be honored at the ninth annual dinner. Rees has served the department for 44 years and was previously Bethels emergency management director and public works director. Sanford, who died in 2007, will be honored for his 45 years as a firefighter with the West Redding, Danbury, Wilton and Westport departments. The award will be presented to his family.
The tiger died of hunger as it couldn't hunt for prey, the park's director said.

By India Today Web Desk: The reserve's director, Surendra Mahra, said the body of the big cat was found along the roadside at the Sarpduli range by a tourist.

The tourist was initially excited on having spotted a tiger, but on a closer look noticed that the animal was dead since the body was motionless with flies swarming all over.

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The tourist then informed authorities who performed a postmortem of the animal.

The tiger was found to have a deep wound on its leg and the postmortem confirmed that it died of hunger as the animal's stomach was found empty. The tiger died as it could not hunt for prey, Mahra said.

According to a recent Wildlife Institute of India survey, the Corbett reserve has the highest population of tigers in India, with a count of 215.

(Inputs from PTI)

ALSO READ | Randeep Hooda lends muscle to online plea against proposed highway in Corbett Tiger Reserve

ALSO WATCH | Corbett Tiger Reserve: Tourists block frightened tiger's path

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NORWALK  Cynthia Barnett watched with a smile as dozens of young girls teamed up to transform cardboard waste, construction paper and small mechanical widgets into creative games of their choosing.

More than a hundred girls from all around southwestern Connecticut made their way to Norwalk Community College on Saturday to put their creativity and engineering prowess on display at Barnetts biannual Amazing Girls Science Invent and Innovation Conference.

The event, hosted by the Barnetts nonprofit organization the Saturday Academy, engages kids ranging from third to eighth grade in an all-girl interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) conference where they can participate in hands-on leaning experiments that challenge them to unleash their creativity and ignite their curiosity.

This year, girls were challenged to do their best MacGyver impressions and make interactive games, such as a pinball machine, ball toss game or toy crane, with various household items and little engineering building blocks called littleBits.

These exercises challenge the girls to use recycled materials to create things. It not only engages their problem-solving and creative abilities, but it helps them learn how to interact with one another and learn how to work in teams, Barnett said.

By fostering these important engineering skills in an environment that encourages fun, Barnett hopes build a bridge to a brighter future for women in a field that is currently dominated by men.

For whatever reason, Barnett said, women are not going into the different STEM fields. With conferences and science-specific events like this, Barnett hopes to spur a scientific interest in girls at a young age.

For me, its critical that girls have an opportunity to see that science is fun and that, indeed, they can become the future generation of women going into sciences, Barnett said.

The Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey showed that, though women comprise 48 percent of the U.S. workforce, they make up only 24 percent of STEM workers.

Sahiba Dhindsa, a Staples High School freshman and alumnus of the Saturday Academy, has already seen the implicit biases that exist within the field.

As a young girl, Dhindsa remembers being told by the boys in her robotics club to concentrate on making their robot look pretty and to leave to more complicated details to them.

Guys tend to try and take the lead, they try to push you toward the non-engineering aspects of the team, and I hated that because I was there to build robots not make designs, Dhindsa said.

It wasnt until she joined the all-girl engineering team at the Saturday Academy that Dhindsa felt that could pursue her dream unfettered. Seven years after her first stigma-free taste of the field with the goal of pursuing a future in robotics or some similar branch of engineering, Dhindsa returned to the conference as a mentor for the next generation of potential engineers.

The Saturday Academy made me confident that I could do engineering just all well as any boy, and I hope that I could help inspire some of that same confidence in these young girls, Dhindsa said.

ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1046; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
NORWALK  Malta House and Family & Childrens Agency of Norwalk each was presented Friday with a $25,000 check representing proceeds from Norwalks 24th Annual Community Ball in January.

This will allow us to pay for about three months worth of daycare, our nursery where our women can leave their children when theyre out interviewing, working, going to school, doctors appointments, Kim Petrone, board chairwoman at Malta House.

Malta House, a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides food, a roof, support services and independent living skills to homeless mothers and their children, was one of two local nonprofit social-service organizations chosen by Mayor Harry Rilling to receive proceeds from this years community ball.

We picked two organizations that are so worthy of our consideration, Rilling said during the check presentation at City Hall on Friday morning. Its very difficult (to choose) each year because we get five, 10, 15 requests.

Family & Childrens Agency, which provides foster care, adoption, counseling and homeless services as well as home care for elderly persons living independently, received the other $25,000 check.

It is a wonderful contribution to the work that we do, said Family & Childrens Agency President and CEO Robert F. Cashel. This will allow us to extend the work we do with children and families, adults and seniors that we work with, and programs like our after-school programs.

The two $25,000 checks were the largest to date from the annual community ball. Although attendance was down somewhat at this years ball with roughly 480 people attending, the event raised a substantial amount due to the selling of sponsorships where local businesses and entities paid money to sponsor the cocktail hour, the dinner hour and o ther aspects of the ball.

Rilling thanked his staff and wife, Lucia, for helping organize the ball.

They worked so hard and it takes a lot of time, a lot of energy  reaching out to the community to get donations, organizing everything, Rilling said.
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NORWALK  The new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, says carbon dioxide is not a primary cause of climate change  despite a clear scientific consensus it is.

Sen. James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, goes even further: He says climate change isnt happening at all, and he once held up a snowball in Congress to prove global warming isnt real.

But, according to a recent survey, most Americans, and most Connecticut residents, accept climate change as a fact. Seventy percent of Americans over 25, and 72 percent of Connecticut residents, agreed global warming is happening.

If climate change is controversial among todays adults, its likely to be much less controversial among tomorrows: Climate change  and similarly controversial topics like evolution  are taught as the accepted scientific consensus in Connecticut biology and environmental classes.

While not every student accepts  or should accept  the scientific consensus without question, educators say theres seldom much contention in class.

Their generation finally has access to this treasure trove of scientific evidence that weve collected from people being curious about this for the past 30 years, said Mark Linsky, a science teacher at Brien McMahon High School,

This year marked Linskys first year teaching AP Environmental Science at the school. He said he had a couple of students enter the class skeptical of the idea of climate change  and mans role in it  based simply on what theyve seen on TV or heard at home.

He asked them though, like all of the students, to be open-minded, a critical thinker and spend the following months delving into the science.

Im not going to tell you what to think, he said, you need to be able to do that.

The state is in the midst of converting school science curriculum to the Next Generation Science Standards, an inquiry-based program created by several states, the National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Under the standards, teachers will increase the number of lessons on climate change and environmental topics.

For now, climate change, Linsky said, is just barely touched on in freshman physical science classes. He said, within the current curriculum students dont get a real opportunity to dive into the topic at the high school level unless they take an elective course  such as his AP Environmental Science class.

Over the course of the year in his class, Linsky has students read through scientific studies, learn the carbon cycle, decipher the natural and human influences on climate change and generate possible solutions for global problems. They also focus on how to interpret data, such as correlation versus causation, and read and watch reports from various organizations.

The same course is taught by another teacher at Norwalk High School.

The curriculum for the course in general is outlined by AP, which places an emphasis on teaching global change at the end of the year, but also bits of it sprinkled throughout.

You cant talk environmental science without talking global climate change, Linsky said. The kids all know it's a hot topic... A lot of them coming in thats one of the things they want to have an understanding of. They have the same illusion that we grew up with  that there are two side to this.

If the existence of climate change is widely accepted, its cause can be more controversial. A nationwide study published by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication showed while 70 percent of adults 25 and older accept it as fact, 59 percent believe its caused by humans.

But scientists around the globe point to findings that prove otherwise.

Linsky compared the climate change debate to the controversy that surrounded the health effects of cigarettes. Big tobacco companies claimed for years their product didnt pose a health risk, though more and more evidence poured in showing otherwise. Eventually a consensus was reached and today the health risks of cigarettes are commonly known and accepted as fact.

The same phenomenon, Linsky said, is unfolding today with the fossil fuel industry and the scientific findings of its impact on the world.

There never was a debate, he added, it was just being presented that way and that debate is over. 97 percent of climate scientists worldwide accept this is happening and that we are the major hand in it.

He understands how the appointment of so-called climate skeptics or climate-deniers to high positions in the U.S. government  especially to the EPA  could serve as a seal of approval to some of the disbelief in climate change or its cause.

As to whether he agrees with teaching that other side, Linsky said, Really good science should not be about belief. Its about empirical evidence and the way that evidence is interpreted.

He tells his students, to be open minded, to be critical thinkers and to trust in science. Because, he said, it works. I really do see it as our most potent tool to ascertain truth.
NORWALK  Forty years ago, Elinco Corp. manufactured motors along Main Avenue and spilled toxins that made their way into a nearby aquifer used for Norwalks drinking water.

The company used the industrial solvent Trichloroethylene, now an established carcinogenic, as part of the manufacturing process. Elevated levels of TCE in groundwater were first detected in the Kellogg-Deering Well Field in 1975, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The findings launched a series of investigations aimed at determining the source.

I knew what kind of companies used the solvent that we were finding in the drinking water well, so I took a look and I found that a company that has to clean electric boards mostly uses solvents that evaporate and leave clean electric connections. TCE does the job, said Diane Lauricella, a Norwalk resident and environmental inspector at the time. I did a site walk-through. I found that TCE was leaking from their tank.

The ongoing research resulted in a report that prompted the EPA to classify the site at 272 Main Ave. as a Superfund site. Established in 1980, the EPA Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up the nations most contaminated lands and responding to oil spills and other environmental emergencies.

State and local officials now fear the EPAs role may change under President Donald Trumps plan to reduce the EPAs budget by 31 percent, from $8.1 billion budget to $5.1 billion, trim its workforce by 20 percent and gut clean air and water regulations.

Susan Sweitzer, senior project manager at the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, wont venture a guess on how such cuts, if enacted in the forthcoming federal budget, might impact the city. She is confident speaking about the EPAs role at the former Elinco site. While still subject to monitoring, the property is now cleaned up and targeted for redevelopment.

More Information Cleanup at 272 Main Ave. 1960 to mid-1970s, Zell Products Corp., metal cosmetic and handbag frames Mid-1970s to late-1990s, Elinco Corp., fractional horsepower motors 1975, elevated TCE levels detected in groundwater 1975 to 1980, Connecticut Department of Environmental inspections 1981, aerator installed to reduce groundwater contamination 1996, treatment facility finished 2005, testing confirmed soil cleanup standards met 2006, soil extraction system dismantled See More Collapse

Thats probably a very good case study for the function of EPA in assisting a property that was completely contaminated and is coming back to proposed uses, Sweitzer said. You went from nothing to something, over a long period of time.

That scenario could also play out at Manresa Island, where NRG Energy began deactivating its power plant in June 2013. Power generation stopped the following year on the 125-acre property. Leftover wastes include halogenated chemicals, acids and bases. The property owner is working toward remediation goals and groundwater-monitoring work continues, according to the EPA.

Contamination, however, isnt limited to Superfund sites or large properties like Manresa Island.

Ground contamination is commonplace in South Norwalk due to its industrial past. Sweitzer said buried gas and oil tanks are likely all over the place. To better understand the problem, the Redevelopment Agency secured in 2010 a $400,000 EPA grant to inventory properties throughout South Norwalk and beyond.

Last year, the Redevelopment Agency landed another $400,000 grant from the federal agency to, among other things, assess contamination at Ryan Park. The agency has received a $2 million grant through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to clean up the park in advance of its rebuilding as part of the Washington Village Transformation Plan.

The state and the DECD have been pretty proactive in providing brownfields grants and loans to the private sector to help clean up these properties and its been effective, said Kim Morque, president of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, which has redeveloped numerous properties in South Norwalk. Assessments really do help to get a handle around existing brownfields and the scope and the issues so that they can be put back into productive use.

Morque said its too early to tell what the EPA budget cuts, if enacted, would mean for Norwalk and Connecticut.

These things have a tendency to play out over a longer period of time, and policy changes, especially around environmental matters, dont turn on a dime, Morque said.

Reuse of the former Elinco site played out over several decades. A plan is now before the citys Zoning Commission to build a big-box store and other retail on the property. The cleanup is complete and residents concerns now center around potential traffic.

The property, nevertheless, remains an EPA Superfund site subject to monitoring every five years. As such, Lauricella is concerned about the proposed cuts to the EPA budget.

We want to have a public meeting to discuss what the status is of the site, Lauricella said. We find were hearing less and less, staff is cut, they get less money and were afraid they wont have the staff in place to keep track of any of this.

The EPA cuts also would impact the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which relies up federal grants. For the current award period, the EPA provided the DEEP $33.7 million  nearly 62 percent of its federal grant funding.

We use EPA funds to support work that lies at the very heart of our efforts as an environmental agency, DEEP Commissioner Robert J. Klee recently wrote in a message to staff. This money covers the cost of positions and programs that protect our air, water, and lands. These funds cover everything from monitoring of air and water quality to permitting, compliance assistance, and enforcement across the whole scope of our Environmental Quality Branch.

rkoch@hearstmediact.com
WESTPORT  Kion Bruno knows a thing or two about the difficulties of making it in America as an immigrant.

Though he may not have experienced it firsthand, the stories of his Iranian immigrant grandparents instilled in him a respect for those who fled their respective countries for the greener pastures of the U.S.

Bruno recognizes that without immigration his grandfather might never have succeeded in microbiology, and Bruno would never have grown up in Westport, or even the U.S., for that matter. Luckily for Bruno, those things did happen. His grandfather did come to the U.S. and he did succeed.

And now Bruno has the opportunity to pave the way to help more immigrants come to the U.S. in pursuit of their dreams.

Earlier this year, Bruno founded the Building Bridges Club at Staples High School in the hopes of building bridges of understanding between Americans and Middle Easterners by highlighting similarities between the Westport community and those in the Middle East.

Propelled by the two travel bans enacted by President Donald Trump in the last several weeks and the overall unwillingness of the new administration to advocate for the resettlement of refugees in the U.S., Bruno and Building Bridges Club have started a series of talks and interactive sessions with various Middle Eastern people to emphasize the differences between men and women seeking asylum in the U.S. and average Westporters are superficial at best.

In that spirit, the club hosted a panel discussion Saturday afternoon, featuring speakers including U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Iranian refugee Ali Majeed and recent Syrian refugee Mohamed, whose last name has been withheld for safety purposes.

We are proud that the Staples Building Bridges Club is fulfilling its mission by sponsoring an event that unites our community. By bringing together important government leaders, refugee families, refugee support agencies, high school students and many members of the local community we hope to help victims of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. This will be an incredible learning moment for Westport and a great show of unity for a tremendously important cause, Bruno said.

The panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session followed a screening of the documentary, Salam Neighbor, a documentary co-directed by a Westport Greens Farms Academy grad that plunged viewers right into the heart of the worlds most recent humanitarian crisis in Syria. The goal of the documentary and the panel was to illustrate the daily horrors refugees suffered, not only in their home countries, but also in the refugee camps in which they were forced to reside until asylum was granted.

Through the discussion and documentary, Bruno hoped to instill that same willingness to help others, which he had ingrained in him by his grandparents.

For Mohamed, who has been in the U.S. for almost a year, it was that willingness to help that made his transition possible.

It is something special when people can overlook their differences and can come together to help someone else, Mohamed said. I must thank the people, as a citizen of Connecticut, you decided to support your government in welcoming refugees here when many other parts of this country were shooting their jaws and saying, We dont want refugees. 

This compassion was on full display as town residents packed into the Staples auditorium in a show of support for refugee resettlement.

Club members estimate they made upwards of $3,000 in donations, which will be go to the International Institute of Connecticut and Nu Day Syria.

Bruno said he and his club members hoped the success of their first event could be continued in further events so they could make a difference by helping the cause of refugees through more-unifying, townwide events.

Westport has always welcomed citizens from all over the world, and we will continue to do so now and into the future. Westport is a place where we live by values that embrace equality, inclusiveness, open-mindedness, respect for each other and support for the basic rights and dignities of all people.  This discussion and fundraiser is one way that Westporters can become involved and demonstrate support for those experiencing untold horror and personal tragedy Marpe said.

ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1046; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE
By Press Trust of India: Malkangiri (Odisha), Apr 1 (PTI) Two persons, including a village guard, were killed by Maoists in Odishas Malkangiri district accusing them of being police informers.

Police said a group of Maoists stormed the house of a 55-year-old village guard at Jantapaie in Chitrakonda area around midnight last night and forcibly took him away.

His body bearing marks of wounds inflicted by some blunt object was found in the outskirts of the village this morning, the police said.

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A letter recovered from the spot said the village guard was killed as he was providing information about Maoist activities to the police.

In another incident, the rebels shot dead a man at Cheliamunda village yesterday, police said.

In this case too the assailants left behind a letter at the site saying that the man was killed as he was acting as an informer for the police, the police said. PTI COR SKN KK KK

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CAIRO  An award for one is an award for all. At least, thats how Fire Chief Steve Oseka sees it.

Oseka, fire chief of the Cairo Volunteer Fire Department, was honored as the statewide Instructor of the Year by the Nebraska Society of Fire Service Instructors. He got the news in January at a ceremony in Kearney.

You dont expect it. We go out and train, Oseka said about firefighting and teaching. We dont do it for the awards, we do it because we like it.

To receive the award, Oseka had to be nominated. The three men who nominated him were:

n Scott Kuehl, president of the Loup City Volunteer Fire Department.

n Chuck Hoffman, who is chief of the Grand Island Rural Fire Department and a retired director of the Nebraska State Fire Marshall Training Division.

n Todd Brehm, a Nebraska Deputy State Fire Marshall.

Oseka was floored and overwhelmed by the news, which came as a surprise at the ceremony. Oseka said he got a call about the ceremony, so he figured he was nominated for something, but didnt know the specifics. He said Kuehl, Hoffman and Brehm read letters to the crowd of why they thought Oseka deserved the award.

The award is open to any EMS or fire instructor in the state.

You win that, thats pretty special, Oseka, who has been on the department for 33 years, said.

But the fact that the award is done through peer nominations is what really made it special for him.

Oseka said he was overwhelmed hearing the kind things his friends said about him. He said he may have gotten a little choked up, but the experience was very cool.

You read their letters and its pretty humbling, Oseka said.

Though he joined the department when he was about 20 years old, Oseka said some people on the department have more than 40 years of service. Oseka said the department becomes a tight-knit family.

When we first got on, they tell you the name on the back of your shirt is more important than the name on the front of your shirt, Oseka said.

Thats very true, he said. The name on the back  in his case Cairo Volunteer Fire Department  is more important than the Oseka on the front.

Thats what this award is for. Its not just me, its our whole department and family, Oseka said.

And firefighting is one big family, pretty much statewide, in Nebraska, he added.

Oseka said he couldnt stress enough the quality of the people on the department. He said he wouldnt be able to volunteer as a firefighter if it werent for his family  especially his brothers, sisters and his brother-in-law  who covered his chores for him.

Oseka and countless others volunteer to serve their communities in this way  while also holding down regular jobs.

Oseka said the Cairo community is supportive of the department, especially the rural board. He said the board works to get the department the funding and equipment it needs, which Oseka said hes thankful for.

The award is a big honor, Oseka said  but its about much more than just himself.

This is a reflection of our fire department, he said.
Applications available for LEADs Group 37

Fellowship applications for Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Group 37 are now available for men and women involved in production agriculture or agribusiness.

Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state, said Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program director.

In addition to monthly three-day seminars throughout Nebraska from mid-September through early April each year, Nebraska LEAD Fellows also participate in a 10-day, national study/travel seminar and a two-week international study/travel seminar.

Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, Nebraskas political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing and health care, Hejny said.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is designed to prepare spokespersons, problem-solvers and decision-makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry.

In its 36th year, the program is operated by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nebraska colleges and universities, business and industry, and individuals throughout the state.

To request an application, email Kimberly Braaten at kbraaten2@unl.edu. Requests can also be sent to 104 ACB, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583-0940. Applications are due by June 15.

For information about the selection process, call (402) 472-6810.

Nebraska cattle on feed up 1 percent

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.44 million cattle on feed on March 1, according to the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 1 percent from last year.

Placements during February totaled 425,000 head, up 8 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of February totaled 420,000 head, unchanged from last year. Other disappearance during February totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.

Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on March 1. The inventory was slightly above March 1, 2016.

Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.69 million head, 1 percent below 2016. Net placements were 1.64 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 315,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 330,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 490,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 395,000, 900-999 pounds were 124,000, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 40,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.65 million head, 4 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 56,000 head during February, 3 percent below 2016.

NFU urges Trump to oppose Dow-DuPont merger

Following European Union approval of the proposed merger between Dow Chemical and DuPont Co., National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on the Trump administration to block the deal. The merger, if approved by the U.S. Justice Department, would create the largest biotechnology and seed firm in the U.S.

The reduction in competition that would be wrought by a Dow-DuPont merger will result in less innovation, higher prices, and less choice for farmers, NFU President Roger Johnson said in a letter to President Trump. Given the damaging and lasting effects this merger will have on family farmers and rural America, we urge you to oppose this merger.

Johnson said the Dow-DuPont merger occurs amidst a massive wave of consolidation in the agricultural inputs sector. The combination of the two companies, coupled with the concurrently proposed mergers of Bayer-Monsanto and ChemChina-Syngenta, threatens to limit major players in the agrichemical and seed sectors to just four companies.

And that is bad news for farmers who rely on competitive pricing for their inputs, Johnson said.

The merger of Dow and DuPont, the fourth and fifth largest firms, would give the resulting company about 41 percent of the market for corn seeds and 38 percent of the market for soybean seeds, he said. If the Dow-DuPont and Bayer-Monsanto mergers were both approved, there would effectively be a duopoly in the corn and soybean seed markets.

Johnson said the merger would limit choice in the marketplace for farmers. As Dow and DuPont look to leverage any efficiencies from the merger, there will be reductions in seed portfolios, he added.

He also noted that the merger will likely diminish innovation competition  the elimination of direct competition from one another will reduce the incentive to develop new products.

Dow and DuPont biotechnology pipelines contain overlapping input and output traits in development for corn, soybeans, and cotton, as well as crop protection, Johnson said. Innovation is key to farmers and ranchers ability to increase crop production and improve crop quality. Without stand-alone competition between Dow and DuPont incentivizing innovation, farmers profits and consumers access to affordable food are at risk.
The Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) Board of Directors has called for a ban on importation of products from Brazil pending the results of further investigation by Brazilian authorities.

The board also issued a renewed call for the reinstatement of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) following the news over extensive corruption involving the Brazilian meat-packing giant, JBS and BRF, the largest poultry packager in the world.

Brazilian authorities recently conducted extensive undercover investigations in packing plants in Brazil controlled by the two entities. The probes uncovered:

n The bribery of health inspectors in which payments were made to avoid health inspections.

n The addition of cardboard and potatoes to some of the products produced.

n The use of a cancer-causing acid on some products so that they could acquire the Brazilian stamp of approval despite being rotten or of questionable origin.

In light of this food safety scandal, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland and the European Union have all banned the importation of Brazilian products, resulting in a dramatic decline in exports from the South American nation, said NeFU President John Hansen, Those countries took decisive actions to protect their nations food safety and food consumers. The Trump administration should act decisively and do likewise.

Some in the U.S.  such as Sonny Perdue, who is Trumps nominee for secretary of agriculture  said such a ban could result in retaliatory actions by the Brazilians, Hansen said it is more a public health issue and should have priority over any other considerations, including trade considerations.

In addition to food safety risks, Hansen said the NeFU Board was also concerned about the potential risk of reintroducing hoof and mouth disease into the United States.

Hoof and mouth disease was eradicated in the United States in the 1920s, but remains endemic in South American herds.
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.
Grand Island is a diverse community with families from throughout the world. While there are many languages spoken, all people share common problems, whether it be alcohol or drug abuse, family relations or mental health concerns.

The new Professional Care Counseling has five therapists who operate separate businesses but work together and share a common space. The therapists are Adriana Arroyo-Herrera, Thomas Florez, Timothy Hurley, Elia Rivera and Lisa White.

In addition to serving couples, families and children, four of the five offer alcohol and drug counseling.

Elia, Tim, Lisa and I went to the same school, Doane College, and we talked about working together after we graduated, Arroyo-Herrera said. It was a joke kind of thing, but Elia found this building and asked about us going in together. We all said, Lets just do it.

For White, Florez and Arroyo-Herrera, Professional Care Counseling is a part-time venture as they also have other counseling jobs. For example, Arroyo-Herrera has worked for Friendship House as a counselor for five years.

For Rivera and Hurley, their practices at Professional Care Counseling are full-time. All five have earned masters degrees.

Whites practice is White-Sutton Counseling. She is a provisional licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a provisional licensed mental health practitioner and specializes in mental health and substance abuse.

Florez is a provisional licensed mental health practitioner and a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. She specializes in addiction, co-occurring disorders, in-home care, relationship issues and general mental health concerns.

Hurley, who operates Hurley Counseling, is a provisional licensed mental health practitioner. He specializes in marriage and family counseling, anxiety, depression, adolescents and stress management.

Rivera, who operates Rivera Counseling, is a provisional licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a provisional licensed mental health practitioner.

Arroyo-Herrera is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and provisional licensed mental health practitioner. She operates Arroyo-Stoltenberg Counseling.

Both Rivera and Arroyo-Herrera are fluent in Spanish.

I wanted to help the Spanish-speaking community, Arroyo-Herrera said. A lot of people need the services and there are not a lot of Spanish-speaking counselors to give it. I wanted to be able to work with other than drug and alcohol clients, along with people who dont speak English.

Growing up in Mexico, Arroyo-Herrera said, she always wanted to be a counselor or a lawyer.

I came here when I was 21, she said. I had to learn English and go to school.

While attending college, one of her classes focused on drugs and alcohol.

I got intrigued about it, so I changed my major and I started doing drug and alcohol counseling, she said.

She attended Central Community College and got her bachelors degree from Bellevue University before earning her masters in mental health counseling from Doane College.

That allowed me to branch out as both a mental health and drug and alcohol counselor, Arroyo-Herrera said.

The therapists at Professional Care Counseling each have their own specialty.

Because we know each other, we are able to help each other when we know a client needs more specialized counseling, Arroyo-Herrera said.

While many of their clients are referred to them by the courts or other agencies, they also accept walk-in clients.

We are here and ready to help people, Arroyo-Herrera said.

Because many of their clients are low-income, she said, they can base their fee on a sliding scale. Hours are flexible to fit clients schedules.
Since moving to Grand Island eight years ago, I have had the opportunity to work with the Hall County Community Collaborative as a partner and as an executive board member, as well as working with Grow Grand Island.

It is amazing what a small group of committed people can do to support the needs of a community. The purpose of this article is to share the collaborative efforts between Grow Grand Island and the work of H3C in Hall County specific to improving early childhood development, providing supports to families, and supporting day care providers.

The Hall County Community Collaborative has been working since 2005 to develop and sustain infrastructure and build relationships to improve the education and wellbeing of young children in Hall County. This work has been undertaken with funding and technical assistance from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. The work of the H3C is braided with the work of community partners to provide a continuum of services for youth through age 24 in an effort to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors in youth and families.

In 2013, Hall, Buffalo and Dawson county representatives conducted community-based needs assessments to identify how these communities could strengthen the early childhood system of care in the respective counties. These efforts enabled Hall County to identify the need to provide social-emotional support for families with very young children and support local child care centers serving the families.

The need to improve early childhood services was also identified in the study for Grow Grand Island in that a skilled workforce requires a quality daycare system for employees.

As a result, the Rooted in Relationships/Pyramid Model initiative was an opportunity the H3C could access to meet the service needs identified. This model gives child care centers and families opportunity for comprehensive health and well-being education for young children through trained adults and meets the social-emotional needs of young children. It is also a workforce development initiative that strengthens the classroom skills of child care teachers and directors. These skills can be shared with teachers in classrooms and with parents, build personal skills of child care staff as employees, and be used as a parent/staff recruiting tool for child care centers.

The Birth to 11 years H3C sub-committee, led by Renee Hunt (GIPS Director of Special Education), is comprised of representatives from RiR, DHHS, Early Development Network, Grand Island Public Schools, GIPS Early Learning Center, Sixpence, Head Start/Early Head Start, child care centers, Central Community College Early Childhood Program, Grand Island Public Library, Educational Service Unit 10, and other community groups. Wide representation enables the group to look at early childhood development as a system and address gaps and barriers as identified, problem-solve, and better coordinate efforts to serve families with young children.

It takes a whole village to raise a child and through the work of H3C partners more children will have the opportunity to be successful in life. Research supports that early childhood education has long lasting positive impacts on a childs future success.

Robin R. Dexter is an associate superintendent for Grand Island Public Schools.
A Kearney High School project to inventory ecosystem features, including plants and wildlife, at the site for a wetland-outdoor learning center to be developed this summer got a $1,000 boost Thursday from the Central Platte Natural Resources District.

The CPNRD board approved the funds for a Kearney Outdoor Learning Area BioBlitz, which will be from 7 a.m. to noon April 22  Earth Day  and involve KHS and University of Nebraska at Kearney students as data collection leaders. The BioBlitz budget is $2,000 for equipment, supplies and marketing materials.

The funding application to CPNRD says the public and students from other Kearney schools will be invited to participate. Experts such as wildlife biologists, soil scientists and botanists will be present to confirm identifications of species and site conditions.

Project leaders are KHS life sciences teachers Alison Buescher and Rick Lindeman and grant writer-coordinator Mark Whitacre.

CPNRD Programs Committee Chairman Bob Schanou of Shelton said Thursday the goal is to identify soil, water and wildlife conditions now, and then have future KHS and UNK students determine changes at the site over the years.

The application says the area is south of the main KHS campus along Turkey Creek. KHS students will be involved in the design and development of the outdoor learning center, which is being funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

BioBlitz participants will assemble April 22 at the high schools Scott D. Morris Institute. They will be assigned to teams and given instructions about collecting and inputing data.

In other business at Thursdays CPNRD board meeting in Grand Island, an agreement was approved to spend $343,259 over the next four years for an ongoing crop water use-evapotranspiration study with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that includes the entire Central Platte district.

CPNRD General Manager Lyndon Vogt said study information is being used to determine crop water use by different crops grown in the NRD and to assist producers with irrigation scheduling.

Also Thursday, the board approved a change order for the Prairie/Silver/Moores drainage improvement project in the Grand Island area to allow the current phase one contractor, Van Kirk Brothers Construction of Sutton, to remove roots and other debris left from tree-removal work. The cost is $344,000.

Eastern Projects Committee Chairman Jerry Wiese of Grand Island said the work was scheduled in phase two, for which bids will be taken soon, but it should cost less to have the current contractor do the job. It is in the budget, in the sinking fund, so were just using it now, rather than later, he said.

In other business, the directors were reminded that the 29th-annual Nebraska Childrens Groundwater Festival will be May 9 at Central Community College and College Park in Grand Island. CPNRD is the main sponsor of the event

The board also was updated by CPNRD Biologist Mark Czaplewski on Platte River Recovery Implementation Program work to identify additional water projects to meet first increment (13 years) goals to reduce river depletions and the steps ahead to seek a first increment extension to 2032.

CPNRD Chairman Jim Bendfeldt of Kearney has been re-elected as Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. He gave a short overview of a recent trip to Washington, D.C., by 55 NARD representatives.
People around the area are being evacuated.

By India Today Web Desk: Many labourers are feared trapped in Fatehpur's Jahanabad area of Uttar Pradesh after an ammonia leak at a cold storage was reported.

People in the vicinity are being evacuated. Transport services within 2 kms from the cold storage has been stopped for precautionary measures. Fire tenders have not reached the spot yet.

More awaited awaited.

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--- ENDS ---
Charles S. Chic Chapman, 81, of Grand Island died Thursday, March 30, 2017, at CHI Health St. Francis, in Grand Island, surrounded by his family.

In honor of his wishes, he was cremated. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rev. Marty L. Egging will be the celebrant.

Inurnment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Team.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic or the Central Nebraska Humane Society. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Charles was born on Aug. 19, 1935, in Fremont, son of Jack and Edith (Button) Chapman.

He was married to Mary K. Fogarty on Nov. 7, 1959, in Omaha. To this union, five children were born: John, Colleen, James, Julie and Jennifer. He was involved in all phases of the trucking industry his entire life. He was one of the founders of Central Nebraska Traffic Club in 1968. Chic was also an insurance agent for several years and had been a Boy Scout counselor.

Chic traveled in 50 states and many countries. In his early years he loved to hunt and fish. When he was no longer able to do this, he still enjoyed birds and wildlife by watching from his window or driving around with family. He drove stock cars at Nebraska raceways and boxed in Golden Gloves. Chic was also an avid reader his entire life.

He never knew a stranger and was always willing to help others, whether he knew them or not. He could converse on almost any subject, and his knowledge was a wealth of information for friends and family to seek his advice. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren, and one of his greatest joys was when the grandchildren came to visit.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, and his children: John, Colleen (Clyde) Childers, Jim, Julie (Greg) Hamik, all of Grand Island, and Jenny (Dan) Knipping of Kearney; a sister, Mary Ida Wisnieski of Dodge; a brother, John J. Chapman of Seattle; sister-in-law, Sandy Fogarty of Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchildren, Max, Jaden, Ryan, Lydia and Emery Knipping; Carson, Logan and Hannah Hamik, and Tommy Childers; numerous nieces and nephews; and others he considered family, Danny and Shane Madsen of North Bend and Cindy Meyer of Crete.

He was preceded in death by parents Jack and Edith Chapman of North Bend; a brother, Dave of Pescadero, Calif.; brothers-in-law, Joe Wisnieski of Dodge and Tom Fogarty of Tucson, Ariz.

Your thoughts and prayers may be given and a video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Chics obituary.
YORK  Thelma Eunice (Shipley) Hill, 101, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017, in York.

She was born to Charles and Elva Lavern (Richardson) Shipley on Aug. 8, 1915, in Custer County near Litchfield.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Burial will be in the Brewster Cemetery near Brewster. The Rev. Art Phillips and The Rev. Mike Carl will officiate.

She and her twin, Velma Agnes, were the youngest of six children.

The Shipley family moved to the Madison Square community in Loup County in 1924, where they farmed. The children attended Madison Square School and Taylor High School.

Thelma married Hazen Smith in 1932. During the 1930s, Thelma did laundry for the construction workers with a gas engine-powered washer.

For several years she carried the West mail route in a Model T, helping out patrons by bringing them needed supplies (groceries, chicken feed and kerosene) along the route.

In 1941 Hazen and Thelma purchased the Taylor Clarion from Hazens parents. They continued to operate the newspaper for 35 years. During that time, the paper received many awards. One of the big highlights was in 1969, when they received the General Excellence award. Others included a photography award and another for Thelmas weekly column, Right Around Home. Right Around Home was enjoyed by many, though the family members may not always have enjoyed being the subject matter she wrote about.

In 1976 they sold the Taylor Clarion and retired to Long Pine. They enjoyed taking extensive trips around the U.S. While visiting family in Lincoln in August 1979, Hazen passed away of a massive heart attack.

Thelma met evangelist Paul Hill and they married in 1982, making their home in California and Oregon. After Pauls death in 1987, she returned to Nebraska to be near her family. Since 2002, she made York her home.

She enjoyed her visits from family, Sales with Carole, and community gatherings where son-in-law Jim Sprague entertained. She was always ready  with five minutes notice, Carole would say, Want to go to Hobby Lobby? Jim continued to share that with her.

She was quite a musical person, playing several instruments, including her beloved organ. Just 10 days before she passed away, her granddaughter had her once again play, In the Good Ole Summertime  Pretty good for 101 years old.

Thelma was a big advocate for writing and assisted many youth at the high school with their journalism class. many of them can still hear her say, now spell that correctly.

Always young at heart, she would tell family she didnt want to join those old people at Bingo, etc.  though they were all younger than her. She was proud of being 101 and still living alone.

She was a member of the Nebraska Press Women and Taylor Assembly of God Church, and was an active participant in many community events through the years.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands Hazen and Paul; a twin sister, Velma, and older sister, Edith Primus; brothers, Orval, Claude and Paul; daughters, Elaine Harris, and Carole Sprague; a daughter-

in-law, Karen Smith; sons-in-law, Bill Harris and Richard Lewis; and a granddaughter, Heather.

Surviving Thelma are a daughter, Jeanette Lewis of Taylor; sons, Leland Smith (Dot) of Foster, Mo, David (Susan) of Norfolk and Dan (Lynn) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; a son-in-law, Jim Sprague of York; 19 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, four step-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Is the Republican party capable of governing?

That question was posed on NBC by Mick Mulvaney, President Trumps budget director. So far, the answer is no. And until party leaders stand up to their own right-wing purists  Sen. John McCain once called them wacko birds  the answer will continue to be no.

The crushing defeat of the Republicans health care overhaul is just the latest symptom of a chronic condition that has crippled the House GOP for years. A determined band of about 35 ideologues, calling themselves the Freedom Caucus, has dominated party policy by opposing virtually any initiative that violates their narrow-minded orthodoxy.

Their adamant opposition was not the only reason the health care bill died  it was a poorly drafted, widely derided document that failed to generate public support  but the Freedom Caucus was the biggest factor in the measures demise.

Former Republican Sen. Judd Gregg summed up the problem facing his party for The Washington Post: Most of the people who are in opposition to this have never governed, dont know how to govern, and dont want to govern. Unfortunately, Republicans now control the government and have to learn how to govern.

They cannot govern if the crazies call the shots. This is a vast and diverse country, comprising countless economic, regional, political, racial, religious and ethnic interests. The only way to govern America effectively is through a spirit of compromise and consensus.

But that is the exact opposite of the Freedom Caucus theology. To them, compromise is betrayal, and consensus is treason. Rep. Ted Poe of Texas resigned from the group after the health care debacle and blasted his former friends on CNN: Theres some members of the Freedom Caucus, they would vote no against the Ten Commandments if they came up for a vote.

Another Republican, Mike Coffman of Colorado, said of the caucus: They vote as a bloc. And so youve got to penetrate that bloc ... Weve got to figure out how to do that.

Coffmans correct, but that will be very hard to do. For one thing, the Freedom Caucus has been highly successful, frustrating former Speaker John Boehner so badly on issues like funding the government and reforming immigration that he resigned in disgust.

Moreover, the group does not exist in isolation. They enjoy the strong support of outside pressure groups, like Heritage Action and the Club for Growth, which reinforce their rigidity and thrive on constant agitation. As a Wall Street Journal editorial noted, Legislative compromises dont help Heritage Action raise money for its perpetual outrage machine.

That outrage machine is fueled as well by incendiary talk radio hosts and websites, who swell their audiences and incomes with incessant assaults on the whole notion of accommodation.

Caucus members are largely insulated from political accountability because they represent safe districts and have only one fear: a primary challenge from the right. And party leaders have lost many of the traditional tools they once used to keep members in line.

Withholding campaign funds as a pressure tactic no longer works, because members today can raise cash directly from wealthy donors like the Koch brothers or individual supporters around the country. And leaders cannot barter votes for earmarks  appropriations that favor projects in a members district  because they were banned years ago.

So the president and his congressional allies are left with a profound problem. Despite Poes defection, fragmenting the Freedom Caucus will be very difficult. So what are the options for the rest of the GOP?

If they kowtow to the wacko birds, whatever bills they produce would be far too extreme to pass the Senate. If they defy the caucus, they wont have enough Republican votes to pass anything. Which leaves a third option: working with the Democrats.

Sen. Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, was talking about health care, but his words apply to a whole series of issues crowding the agenda: raising the debt ceiling, passing a budget, reforming taxes, refurbishing infrastructure.

I dont think one party is going to be able to fix this by themselves, Graham told a town meeting. So heres what I think should happen next: I think the president should reach out to Democrats.

Many Democrats, however  pressured by their own hardliners on the left, and encouraged by Trumps plunging poll numbers  have decided that massive resistance to Republican rule is their best route to political revival.

Still, Mulvaneys question hangs over Washington. If Republicans dont at least try to work with Democrats, doubts about their ability to govern will continue to grow.
WASHINGTON  What an amazing, terrific, incredible son-in-law!

Whether or not we have daughters, we should all be so lucky as to have someone like Jared Kushner, the husband of President Donald Trumps elder daughter, in our lives.

Ivankas hubby has so mesmerized Trump he was selected to lead the administrations campaign-to-White-House transition and was tasked with filling key staff positions, including Cabinet posts.

Then Trump made Kushner, a 36-year-old with no government experience, his senior adviser. Hes also to work on relations with countries such as China and key allies such as Mexico and, oh yes, peace in the Middle East. Really.

And on Kushners 67th day in Washington, Trump also made him head of a brand new Office of American Innovation. (Stephen Colbert was wrong; it is not being called the Bureau of Obvious Nepotism.)

Not that Kushner has actually been inside many federal agencies but he is now charged with overhauling the federal bureaucracy and fulfilling Trumps many campaign promises. (Unfortunately, Kushner was vacationing in Aspen, Colo., when the ill-fated effort to repeal and replace of Obamacare was not happening. Also, because he is an Orthodox Jew, Kushner cant work on Friday nights or Saturdays.)

One of Kushners tasks is to decide which branches of government to privatize, giving Big Business a well-deserved opportunity to get its hands on fulfilling lucrative taxpayer needs.

Kushner is a well-known commodity in New Yorks posh social circles; he inherited the reins of a lucrative real estate business from his father, who was put in prison by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he was a U.S. attorney. Fittingly, Kushner took the transition team away from Christie, who was supposed to be in charge until it actually happened. Christie also was not given a coveted Cabinet position in the administration. Kushner has stepped down as CEO of his familys business.

The White House says the new Office of American Innovation will bring to government the best, most lucrative practices of great American business corporations. (Perhaps they forgot such corporations dont fill key posts with sons-in-law.)

Kushner will give talented business friends the potentially lucrative opportunity to swoop, like SWAT teams, into federal agencies, where they will prod and pull, examine technology and data, and experiment with ways to make government offices smaller.

While Kushner was heading the transition office, he held, along with his wife and his two brothers-in-law who run the Trump business empire, a meeting with the head of a Russian bank that is under U.S. sanctions because of Russias annexation of Crimea and war in Ukraine. Kushner also met with the Russian ambassador before Trump was sworn in.

Kushner says he gladly will testify before the House and Senate intelligence committees on whether he discussed lifting sanctions, which would have been illegal. Kushner is expected to say he did nothing wrong. Congress is also investigating the extent of Russias interference in the November presidential election.

Meanwhile, the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of the Trump teams stunning number of connections with Russia and whether anything was treasonous.

But amid the swirling conflicts of interest involving the Trump administration, at least one has ended. The Kushner family business says it and a Chinese company that bought the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel have ended talks over a $4 billion Manhattan real estate deal.

As Kushner begins his overhaul mission, will he and his team oversee potentially lucrative government contracts? Why, yes, they will. If the team thinks contracts should be awarded to new bidders, that could well happen. The Washington Post says Kushner is especially proud that his team has no government experts but is culled from business and has a broad mandate to reform the federal bureaucracy. Already, emails are flying back and forth with suggestions from various business interests.

The Kushner SWAT team is spreading its wings as the federal bureaucracy is reeling from Trumps proposed budget, which takes huge swaths from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department.

Will government look different? Yes. Will it be more efficient? We dont know. Will it be smaller? We dont know. Will there be more corruption? We dont know. Will some people make money off of this? They always do.
From day one, as the 44-year-old Yogi began functioning out of his suite in the VVIP guest house, bureaucrats have been burning the proverbial midnight oil to get in his good books and also to fix the "wrongs" of the predecessor government.

By Indo-Asian News Service: For the burgeoning and slack bureaucracy of India's most populous state, peace of mind is the first casualty after the saffron-robed Yogi Adityanath took over the reins as its 21st Chief Minister almost a fortnight back.

From day one, as the 44-year-old Yogi began functioning out of his suite in the VVIP guest house, bureaucrats have been burning the proverbial midnight oil to get in his good books and also to fix the "wrongs" of the predecessor government. As Adityanath inspected the Annexe office at the Shastri Bhawan, sprucing up of the dingy, unkept offices across the state began at lightening speed.

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The officials lost no time in making employees read out and take the "swacchta shapath" (cleanliness oath) and wield the broom to make the offices and the premises spic n' span.

Officials like the district magistrates of Ghaziabad (Nidhi Kesharwani), Lalitpur (Roopesh Kumar), Gonda (Ashutosh Niranjan), Sant Ravidas Nagar (Suresh Kumar Singh) and Hathras (Avinash Krishna Singh) have gone into proactive mode to ensure the tehsil and collectorate offices are clean and drinking water is available for people coming to meet them.

Adityanath's surprise inspection of the Hazratganj police station in the state capital has also spurred the men-in-khaki into action, with many happily wielding the broom and cleaning up police stations. This seemingly has annoyed former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav so much so that he told mediapersons last week that he did not know that "adhikaari itni acchi jhaadoo lagate hai, warna main bhi inse khoob jhaadoo lagwata" (had I known the officals can sweep so well, I too would have got them to wield the broom).

DAILY INSPECTIONS AT POLICE STATIONS

Inspector General of Police (Lucknow) A Satish Ganesh has been conducting daily inspections at various police stations, ensuring they are clean and that complainants are attended to in a proper manner. As a result of a diktat from Adityanath, referred to as "maharaj ji" by the faithful, almost all police stations now have earthen pitchers (ghadas) full of clean drinking water and jaggery to go with it.

The new Chief Minister's "desire" that officials work for 18-20 hours has also sent jitters down the spine of the babudom.

The effect is for all to see as at a public holiday--Jhulelal Jayanti--contrary to deserted offices earlier, government offices were abuzz with activity as many senior officials were spotted working, preparing presentations for the next review meetings that the chief minister's office has scheduled over the next few weeks.

Pictures of Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav--the presiding deities of the past dispensation, have been consigned to the store rooms and smiling portraits of Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi now occupy the place of pride in all major offices.

Time was when government vehicles with blue bacons could be spotted till as late as 10 am in the popular Lohia and Janeshwar Misra parks. They have suddenly gone missing. Fitness freaks in the bureaucracy now wrap up their morning walks early to be at the office by 9.30 am, something which was termed "flexible working hours" during the previous government. Gutkaa, paan and paan masaala which hitherto were part of the 'nawaabi rehan sehan' (princely lifestyle) now stand banned and anyone found chewing these prohibited items is hauled up.

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CM'S DRIVER FINED FOR CHEWING TOBACCO

On Friday, a driver in the VVIP fleet of the Chief Minister's cavalcade was fined Rs 500 by the Secretariat Administration Department (SAD) for chewing tobacco in the secretariat premises.

A religious and committed cow lover, Adityanath's ascendancy has also meant more care for stray cows who are now being herded to 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) across the state and given privileged treatment.

Closure of illegal abattoirs, one of the core agenda points of the BJP during the 2017 state assembly polls, has been taken by officials a wee bit more seriously than expected.

In a bid to outdo each other in the maddening race to impress the Chief Minister, they cracked down on slaughter houses across the state, even downing the shutters of legal, license-holding shops. Thousands of people employed at these places were rendered jobless and meat delicacies went off the plates, forcing intervention of the Chief Minister himself, who warned officials against any overzealousness and asked them to stop harassing legal meat traders.

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'PERFECT' WHEAT PURCHASE CENTRES

Adityanath's diktat of "perfect" wheat purchase centers for procurement -- to eliminate middlemen -- has also sent the officials into a tizzy. Having doubled the purchase targets for earlier target of 50,000 metric tonnes, Adityanath got going in his first week of work to provide succour to the farmers, who seemingly voted for the BJP overwhelmingly. These purchase centers began work from Saturday and the Chief Minister has asked legislators and party MPs to go and monitor their functioning so that feedback could be gathered on "compliance of his orders".

After a terse warning from Adityanath to ensure pothole-free roads across the state by June 15, officials have begun work on an "elaborate action plan" to get "things moving at the earliest" an official said on Saturday. The task is uphill, rue officials, while pointing out that this would mean work on some 53,615 km of roads under the Public Works Department.

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"We do not know the Chief Minister much, he is still unknown territory," said an official while trying to explain how difficult it is for them to gauge Adityanath's mind.

Written by Mohit Dubey

From India Today Magazine: Up and about

Also read: How UP's meat business was run before Yogi Adityanath cracked the whip

WATCH | India Today special: How Gorakhpur welcomed Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, April 3, 2017 00:00 2045 a291276806121264c0bd211cde73d584 4 Inforial Free

Hundreds of domestic and foreign legal officials, practitioners, corporate counsels, corporations, arbitrators and mediators are expected to join vigorous discussions for the enhancement of arbitration and mediation practices in the whole Asia-Pacific region.

The 3rd Annual Symposium for Arbitrators and Mediators (3rd ASAM), hosted by the Indonesian Academy of Independent Mediators and Arbitrators (MedArbId), will be held in Jakarta on April 26, 2017.

MedArbid was created on 17 August 2015 with a vision to be the Indonesias leading and largest association of independent mediators and arbitrators.

ASAM brings together experienced dispute resolution professionals, relevant government officials, judges, and business community to build relationship and discuss issues that are critical for improving access to justice.

Themed Collaboration between National Courts and Dispute Resolution Professionals, the 3rd ASAM will be the largest and most important symposium on arbitration and mediation in Indonesia as it is supported by various prominent arbitration and mediation institutions in the region, such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Kuala Lumpur Regional Center for Arbitration (KLRCA), Asia Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA), Resolution Institute , Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

For dispute resolution professionals, ASAM is a very rare opportunity for mutual interaction and an building an international network. For the business people, it a forum to acquire greater knowledge of the role of mediators, arbitrators, and judges in the resolution of disputes, said MedArbIds chairman Tony Budidjaja.

the enhancement of arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution practices. The 3rd ASAM will feature speakers from around the world tackling different issues: The Rising Presence of Dispute Resolution Professionals in Indonesia and Asia Pacific Region, The Role of National Courts in Assisting Parties throughout and beyond the Arbitration and Mediation Process, Emerging Issues and Challenges in International Arbitration and How They May Affect Future Practice, Trends and Technologies Likely to Impact the Practice of Mediation and Arbitration in the Future. Keynote speakers will include Prof. Dr. H. Muhamad Hatta Ali, S.H., M.H., the Chief Justice of the Indonesian Supreme Court, Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Indonesian Military Gen. (Ret.) Dr. H. Wiranto, S.H., and Attorney General Drs. H. Muhammad Prasetyo, S.H., M.H. The symposium is further supported by various prominent organizations, such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Kuala Lumpur Regional Center for Arbitration (KLRCA), Asia Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA), Resolution Institute, Indonesian Capital Market Arbitration Board (BAPMI), Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC-Asia). For more information, please visit http://medarbid.org/en/event/upcomingevents

-(-/-)
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Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 2, 2017 10:05 2046 a291276806121264c0bd211cde731591 1 Science & Tech Google,google-translate,mobile-application,technology,application,#technology,#Google,translation-technology Free

With this new update in the Word Lens feature inside the Google Translate app, users will be able to get an English translation of Korean words inside photographed images, even when they are not connected to the internet.

To utilize the feature, users can open the Google Translate application in their phone and take a photograph of the words they wish to translate. The Word Lens feature will detect words in an image and match them with the words stored in its database. It will then provide users with the translation of the words from the image.

Read also: Apple makes a comeback in Indonesia with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

In an official statement, Google said that the feature was created to help travelers, with the example of travelers to South Korea. Word Lens will hopefully be helpful as it can be hard to find signs with English translations in South Korea.

The update is available for both the Android and iOS systems. While Google Translate has been translating 103 languages, the new Word Lens update is now able to translate 31 languages into English and vice versa. The languages include Korean, Japanese, French and Spanish, and the list is growing. (asw)

Editor's note: Paragraph one and four in this story has been corrected.
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Linkedin Alanda Kariza (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, April 1 2017

Being born in the early 1990s makes me a millennial, which includes those born in the late 1980s to the early 1990s. This generation not only generates attention, but also prejudice. We are deemed to be the instant gratification generation, who often changes workplaces and want great paychecks without doing lots of work.

They say we have big dreams, but we also want a good work-life balance. Better yet, we have the opportunity to attain this, with the exponential rise of social media fame and startup companies.

A number of prominent figures in generation Y, as it is called, have reaped benefits from the opportunity. One can easily mention Awkarin, a teenage social media personality named Karin Novilda, who claims she earns more than Rp 70 million per month simply by promoting products through her social media channels.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, April 1 2017

Culture and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendy has warned hackers to refrain from any activities that could disrupt the implementation of the computer-based national exam (UNBK) for students of junior and senior high schools or other institutions of the same level, which will take place from April to May.

To secure the UNBK, we have partnered with the National Encryption Agency [Lemsaneg]. Still, we are asking hackers not to disrupt the implementation of the exam, he said as quoted by Antara on Thursday. Muhadjir, who is also a former Malang Muhammadiyah University (UMM) rector, acknowledged that the technology used by the Culture and Education Ministry was not advanced. That was why the ministry had also involved the Indonesian Ombudsman and the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) to participate in monitoring the national exam.

Exams for vocational school students will be conducted from April 3 to 6 while senior high schools and Madrasah Aliyah (Islamic senior high schools) will hold them on April 10 to 13.

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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan  Sun, April 2, 2017 11:00 2046 a291276806121264c0bd211cde7340eb 1 National aceh,creature,pygmy,ape,Orang-Pendek,Internet,online-audience,internet-frenzy,sighting,ghost Free

It's not a ghost; its a Mante, an ancient tribe thought to have been extinct, says YouTube account Cut Loucia.

The user was referring to an Old Malay or Proto Malayan pygmy tribe that is widely considered to be a myth. I only believed it after watching this.

The comments were made on a clip posted by user named Fredography on March 22, which was quick to trigger an internet frenzy.

(Read also: Mysterious figure caught on camera in Aceh sparks internet frenzy)

In the video, which had been viewed more than 8.8 million times as of Saturday, a group of trail motorbikers was startled by the appearance of a human-like creature that was smaller in stature suddenly emerging from the woods.

The bald, topless figure stopped briefly before running off. Some of the riders tried to chase it, but it ran back into the woods and disappeared.

The Mante tribe was said to have lived in forests in the Aceh hinterland, where the footage was reportedly taken.

The sighting has resulted in discussions about whether the Mante do exist.

Anthropologist Fikarwin Zuska of the University of North Sumatra in Medan said no scientific research had proven the existence of the Mante tribe.

The tribe has only been found in Aceh or Gayo folklore, Fikarwin said on Friday, adding that books based on folklore made some people consider the story part of history.

3,020 views

Viral Video Pemotor Trail Bertemu Makhluk Kerdil di Hutan Aceh, Spekulasi pun Berkembang



from @sukisury https://t.co/1gb0YgsqTA  chirpstory (@chirpstory) April 1, 2017

Others have speculated that it was an Orang Pendek, which literally means short man but refers to cryptids in remote and mountainous forests of Sumatra.

Researchers have reported numerous sightings of Orang Pendek since the 1920s, whom they believe are no more than 120 centimeters in height. This humanoid creature is said to be bipedal but covered in thick fur.

Regardless the size, it is incredibly powerful and said to have the strength to rip small trees straight out of the ground, according to Exemplore, which refers to it as the ape man of Sumatra.

Artist impression of an Orang Pendek. By Tim Bertelink (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Fikarwin shrugged off the speculation, saying it may have been someone small in size who could have been in the forest for a number of reasons.

Mount Leuser National Park (TNGL) spokesman Joko Iswanto said he did not believe the footage was shot in the protected forest.

No motorcycle community has been reported to conduct activities here because such a thing is forbidden, he said on Friday.

We have never heard of the Mante tribe being in the park, let alone sighted any, Joko added.

Nonetheless, Facebook user Fredo Pastrana, the owner of Fredography, said he would never reveal the exact location of where the footage was taken.

For the sake of environmental sustainability, we must remain silent. Banish any thought of finding the [creature]. Find God instead, he wrote on Facebook on March 26. (bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 2, 2017 19:52 2045 a291276806121264c0bd211cde73bbe0 1 City national-exam,vocational-schools,Education-and-Culture-Ministry,Education,computer-based-test Free

Vocational school principals in Depok, West Java, have expressed optimism that the computer-based national exams (UNBK), which will commence on Monday, will run smoothly.

The head of the Depok principals forum, R. Cholil, said 10,740 students from 124 vocational schools located in the city would participate in the five-day tests online.

All vocational schools spread across the city will conduct paperless national exams, he told reporters in Sunday.

He added that of the total number of schools, three were state schools while the rest were privately run.

Until today, we have not faced any problem. We have not received any complaints or difficulties, he said.

Despite technical glitches in the past two years, the government has decided to expand the implementation of computer-based national exams throughout schools in the country.

Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy has warned hackers to refrain from any activities that could disrupt the implementation of the UNBK for students of junior and senior high schools or other institutions of the same level, which will take place at various times from April to May.

To secure the UNBK, we have partnered with the National Encryption Agency [Lemsaneg]. Still, we are asking hackers not to disrupt the implementation of the exam, he said on Thursday. The minister urged all relevant parties to avoid any misconduct. (fac/wit)
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Linkedin Christine Armario (Associated Press) Bogota  Sun, April 2, 2017

An avalanche of water from three overflowing rivers tore through a small city in Colombia while people slept, destroying homes, sweeping away cars and killing at least 193 unsuspecting residents.

The incident triggered by a sudden, heavy rainstorm happened around midnight Friday and into early Saturday in Mocoa, a provincial capital of about 40,000 tucked between mountains near Colombia's southern border with Ecuador.

Muddy water quickly surged through the city's streets, toppling homes, ripping trees from their roots and carrying a torrent of rocks and debris downstream. Many residents did not have enough time to flee.

According to the Red Cross, 202 people were injured and 220 believed missing. President Juan Manuel Santos declared a state of emergency and said the death toll will likely rise but warned against speculating about how many are dead. Late Saturday, he said the toll had reached 193.

"We don't know how many there are going to be," he said of the fatalities when he arrived at the disaster zone to oversee rescue efforts. "We're still looking."

Eduardo Vargas, 29, was asleep with his wife and 7-month-old baby when he was awoken by the sound of neighbors banging on his door. He quickly grabbed his family and fled up a small mountain amid the cries of people in panic.

"There was no time for anything," he said.

Vargas and his family huddled with about two dozen other residents as rocks, trees and wooden planks ripped through their neighborhood below. They waited there until daylight, when members of the military helped them down.

When he reached the site of his home Saturday, nothing his family left behind remained.

"Thank God we have our lives," he said.

As rescuers assessed the full scope of the damage, many residents in Mocoa continued a desperate search for friends and relatives.

Oscar Londono tried in vain throughout the night to reach his wife's parents, whose home is right along one of the flooded rivers. He decided it was too dangerous to try to reach them in the dark. So he called over and over by phone but got no answer.

Once the sun began to rise he started walking toward their house but found all the streets he usually takes missing. As he tried to orient himself he came across the body of a young woman dressed in a mini-skirt and black blouse.

He checked her pulse but could not find one.

"There were bodies all over," he said.

When he finally reached the neighborhood where his in-laws live he found "just mud and rocks." Rescue workers with the military oriented him toward the mountain, where he found his relatives camped with other survivors.

"To know they were alive," he said, "it was a reunion of tears."

Santos said at least 22 people were seriously injured and being airlifted to nearby cities, as the small regional hospital in Mocoa struggled to cope with the magnitude of the crisis. Herman Granados, an anesthesiologist, said he worked throughout the night on victims, cleaning wounds. He said the hospital doesn't have a blood bank large enough to deal with the number of patients and was quickly running out of its supply.

Some of the hospital workers came to help even while there are own relatives remained missing.

"Under the mud," Granados said, "I am sure there are many more."

The Red Cross planned to set up a special unit in Mocoa Saturday afternoon to help relatives search for their loved ones.

"In this moment, it's chaos," said Oscar Forero, a spokesman with the Colombian Red Cross. "There are many people missing."

Rescuers suspended the search late Saturday night due to darkness but vowed to continue at first light Sunday.

Santos blamed climate change for triggering the avalanche, saying that the accumulated rainfall in one night was almost half the amount Mocoa normally receives in the entire month of March. With the rainy season in much of Colombia just beginning, he said local and national authorities need to redouble their efforts to prevent a similar tragedy.

The crisis is likely to be remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in recent Colombian history, though the Andean nation has experienced even more destructive catastrophes. Nearly 25,000 people were killed in 1985 after the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted and triggered a deluge of mud and debris that buried the town of Armero.
By India Today Web Desk: A bunch of guys are using pictures of Bollywood and Hollywood actors like Varun Dhawan, Saif Ali Khan, Hugh Jackman and John Abraham on the dating app Tinder to lure unsuspecting women into relationships.

Recently, a UK-based man named Antony Ray used pictures of Saif Ali Khan on his Tinder profile and cheated Anna Rowe, another UK resident, and began a relationship with her that went on for fourteen months!

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Speaking about this incident, Saif Ali Khan told Hindustan Times, "This is a good example of the risks of online dating. There is a parallel universe out there and people need to be aware that they may be taken for a ride. Sometimes the deception can even lead to violence and death, as in Israel a few years ago when a boy was lured into enemy territory by a fake date and was killed."

Saif is not alone. Tinder profiles with pictures of stars like Varun, John, Hugh and even Johnny Depp exist on the dating app. Whenever you come across such a profile, do not hesitate to swipe left.

When probed about the same, a spokesperson of Tinder told HT, "We continue to advise our users to be vigilant, pay close attention to basic safety tips, always exercise discretion in their interactions while using the app. Users who violate our terms of service - in their online or offline behaviour - are banned from Tinder."

FROM INDIA TODAY MAGAZINE: Love me Tinder, a sex revolution driven by dating apps

WATCH: Left Twinder swipes to Naagin, what our generation wants freedom from

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 2, 2017 23:11 2045 a291276806121264c0bd211cde73c0f5 1 City KPU,KPU-Jakarta,debate,candidate-debate,ahok,#Ahok-Djarot,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,2017JakartaElection,#2017JakartaElection,#JakartaGubernatorialElection Free

The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU) has announced that the topics of a televised debate in the lead-up to the second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election will be inequality and social justice, law enforcement and the demographic dividend.

KPU Jakarta commissioner Dahliah Umar said the main themes would have several sub-themes.

They include transportation, housing, reclamation projects, public services in the fields of education and health, and small and medium enterprises or business-related matters, she said as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Saturday.

The debate between incumbent candidate pair Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Anies Rasyid Baswedan-Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno will be held on April 12 at Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta. The debate will last 150 minutes, comprising 120 minutes for the debate and 30 minutes for TV advertisements.

Dahlia said that in the debate, the panel would pose questions to each candidate pair. As in the debate for the first round of the election, each side will be allowed to ask questions of the other.

During the debate, Jakartans will also be given the chance to ask questions of each candidate pair. The mechanism has not yet been revealed. The debate will be aired live by 13 TV stations. (wnd/ebf)
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar  Sun, April 2, 2017 15:08 2045 a291276806121264c0bd211cde736876 4 National Russia,drugs-use,denpasar Free

The Denpasar Police have arrested a Russian woman for the alleged possession of 0.37 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

The Russian, who has been identified only as GNA, was arrested on Jl. Dewi Sri in Kuta on March 23 following a tip-off.

"She told the police she bought the drug from someone at Kerobokan prison. We're investigating who supplied the drug," Denpasar Police narcotics division chief Comr. I Gede Ganefo said.

"She said the drug was for personal use. She has been a drug user for a year, " Ganefo said.

(Read also: Bali police to combat drug abuse, terrorism)

The 29-year-old woman said she need the drug to help her work.

"GNA said she was more focused and got more inspiration when under the influence of drug," he added.

GNA has lived in Bali for eight years.

The woman will be charged with violating the Narcotics Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. (dmr)
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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Magelang, Central Java  Sun, April 2, 2017 11:16 2046 a291276806121264c0bd211cde734e57 1 National murder,Taruna-Nusantara,Magelang,Central-Java,Juvenile Free

In less than 24 hours since the case broke, Central Java Police investigators have arrested a person suspected of killing Krisna Wahyu Nurachmad, a 15-year-old student of Taruna Nusantara high school in Magelang, Central Java.

The suspect is also a student of the prestigious school, identified only as AMR, 16, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said on Saturday.

We have questioned 17 witnesses, he said, adding that the suspect confessed on Friday night to killing the victim.

The 10th grader, Krisna, was found dead and covered in blood in his bed in the schools dormitory early Friday morning.

He killed Krisna because he was outraged that the victim had caught him stealing money from their friends, Condro said.

(Read also: Murder case shocks prestigious school)

The suspect, Condro said, had also been annoyed that when Krisna borrowed his cellular phone it had been confiscated. Students of the school are prohibited from using cellular phones.

According to Condro, AMR bought the knife he used to attack Krisna at a convenience store.

Given his age, AMR has been charged under the 2014 Juvenile Protection Law. He has also been charge under Criminal Code articles on murder that carry a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison. (bbs)
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Linkedin Hans David Tampubolon (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 3 2017

Folktales from other countries are commonly read and studied at international schools but not stories from Indonesia.

Indonesian children who study at international schools often forget about their roots but this is not the case with writer Andari Deswandhy.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 3 2017

Author and filmmaker Djenar Maesa Ayu said although she preferred working behind the scenes, an offer to play a stepmother in Kartini, Hanung Bramantyos new film, made her decide to return to the big screen.

In the past few years Ive been focusing more on making films but I believe the essence of life is learning, she was quoted by Antara as saying.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Magelang  Mon, April 3 2017

Investigators from the Central Java Police named a suspect in the killing of Krisna Wahyu Nurachmad, a 15-year-old student of Taruna Nusantara High School in Magelang, Central Java, only hours after he was found dead in the schools dormitory early on Friday morning.

The suspect is a fellow student of the prestigious school, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said on Saturday.

We have questioned a total of 17 witnesses, he said, adding that the suspect had admitted to having killed the victim on Friday night. He killed Krisna because he felt angered by the victim who caught him stealing money from their friends.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 3 2017

With local hard-line Islamic groups fanning sectarian sentiments in Indonesias public sphere and several Muslim-majority countries ravaged by bloody conflicts, the youth wing of the nations largest Islamic organization is calling on Muslims to reexamine their understanding of their own faith.

GP Ansor, the youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has launched what it calls the Humanitarian Islam movement to counter an understanding of Islam that has birthed conflicts, including acts of terrorism.

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the organizations chairman, said the movement aimed to contextualize the basic teachings of Islam to produce an alternative understanding.

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 3 2017

Ahead of commencing his duties as the Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Hasan Kleib expressed his optimism about upholding Indonesias human rights progress, which will be his first priority in his new position.

The career diplomat will head off for duty on April 17 at the Indonesian Permanent Mission, or PTRI, to the UN in Geneva, which is one of the two Indonesian entities abroad specifically assigned to handle issues involving world organizations, and stands separate from consulates general and embassies.

The other office is located in New York, in the United States, where Hasan had previously served as deputy permanent representative from 2007 until 2010, including when Indonesia held a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2007 to 2008. He later became the permanent representative, or ambassador, from 2010 until 2011.

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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 2, 2017 09:11 2046 a291276806121264c0bd211cde72f790 1 News Amsterdam,Netherlands,KLM-Royal-Dutch-Airlines,airline-ticket,#airlines,traveling,#traveling,CONTEST,#CONTEST,Kings-Day Free

In conjunction with Kings Day in the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is hosting a contest until April 3.

Dubbed the KLM Orange Squad contest, the winner will receive a pair of KLM economy class tickets and enjoy a three-night stay at a hotel in Amsterdam.

Those who wish to join the contest can visit the airlines website and answer a few simple questions.

(Read also: Rutte visits Little Netherlands, pledging more help)

The winner from Indonesia will fly to Amsterdam with other five winners from the region, forming a squad. The winners will have the chance to attend Kings Day.

Kings Day, also known Koningsdag, is celebrated every April 27.

The national holiday was first celebrated in 2014 to honor the Netherlands current monarch, King Willem-Alexander.

Kings Day replaced Queens Day, previously held on April 30, after King Willem-Alexander took the throne from his mother Queen Beatrix in 2013.

King Willem Alexander is the first male monarch from the ruling House of Orange. (asw)
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Linkedin Stefanus Ajie (The Jakarta Post) Karanganyar, Central Java  Sun, April 2, 2017 08:57 2046 a291276806121264c0bd211cde72f27f 1 Activities Barongan,Karanganyar,performing-arts,dance,#performance,Performance Free

Gamelan music could be heard faintly on the slopes of Mount Lawu, in the village of Plosorejo, Karanganyar, Central Java. It was coming from the house of Anang Gondo Sarwanto, a student at the Indonesian Fine Arts Institute (ISI) in Surakarta who is studying wayang (Javanese puppets).

Warok, a powerful knight with a gallant appearance.(JP/Stefanus Ajie)

On that Tuesday morning, Anang performed several traditional dances known as Barongan performing arts to celebrate the anniversary of the Nayantaka arts community, where he teaches dance, wayang and gamelan to young villagers. About 40 children from elementary to high school have joined the community. Anang is hopeful that engaging children in art activities will have a positive impact on their daily lives amid the strong influence of modernization.

Ganongan dance depicting a character named Klana Sewandono.(JP/Stefanus Ajie)

Read also: Melasti purification ritual graces Yogyakarta beach

A Jatilan dancer falls into a trance while performing outdoors. (JP/Stefanus Ajie)

By noon the performance had began with the Jathilan dance, which depicts the courage of horsemen, followed by the Ganongan dance staged by elementary school students. At the peak of the event, the audience was entertained by the famous Reog dance, which include a number of dancers performing in a trance.

The dance is accompanied by a combination of Javanese gamelan and Western musical instruments.(JP/Stefanus Ajie)

The Barongan uses masks to illustrate the characters being played, which can be a knight, a clown, spirits, animals and other mystical creatures according to Java legend. A variety of dances that are part of Barongan include Reog, Jatilan, Kuda Lumping, Klana Topeng, Warok and Ganongan. These dances feature a series of movements that depict various Panji stories, the epic story of Raden Inu Kertapati and Dewi Sekartaji in the days of the Khadiri Kingdom in East Java (1042-1222). (kes)
This latest advertisement is going viral for all the right reasons.

By India Today Web Desk: In a country where the LGBT community strives for their basic rights on a daily basis, the latest Vicks ad has set an example.

The ad directed by Neeraj Ghaywan of Masaan fame, throws light on transgender rights while challenging the gendered idea of motherhood.

The hard-hitting advertisement features Gauri Sawant who is a transgender activist, and is also the director Sakhi Char Trust, in Malad, Mumbai, that helps transgenders and people with HIV and AIDS.

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The ad opens with a little oprhaned girl sharing the story of her demised mother, who goes on to talk about the woman who adopted her, Gauri Sawant. The girl recalls the immense love that her mother has showered upon her. And as she does so, it is revealed to the audience that the mother is none other than Gauri, a transgender.

The ad is both heart warming and heart wrenching. Gauri's selfless love towards an adopted child, juxtaposed with her own marginalised identity, is a motif that runs throughout the film. The ad is clearly a wake up call for the society to stop looking down on transgenders--to identify them beyond socially constructed stereotypes.

The narrative is based on the true story of Gauri and Gayatri. Gauri Sawant was thrown out of her house by her father who was in the police. Losing her mother at an early age, and being tortured by the family for being a transgender is her story. She adopted Gayatri when the child lost her real mother, a sex worker, to HIV-AIDS.

Gauri and Gayatri's story is a mirror reflecting back at us, showing us how we've failed as a society on the levels of humanity. The ad is a successful attempt to get people to reflect upon their idea of sexuality, gender and transgender rights in particular.

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Calling Virbhadra Singh as symbol of compromise of the Congress with corruption, Yadav said that it is against the dignity of public life that he remains the CM of Himachal Pradesh.

By Brijesh Pandey: If Congress is left with any morality then Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh should be asked to resign immediately says BJP National General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav.

After the Delhi High Court's order in the matter of corruption allegation and DA against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, the BJP today hit hard at the Congress.

BJP national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said that lack of ethics in the Congress and the influence of corruption has increased so much that even after the decision of the Delhi High Court, the Congress is silent on this issue.

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If the Congress is left with any morality, then Virbhadra Singh should be asked to reisgn immediately.

Yadav said that the investigation done by the CBI shows that the Himachal CM had shown in his accounts that profit from his apple orchards in 2008-09 and 2010-11 was more than Rs 6 crore and what is funny is that apples worth Rs 6 crores were sold on two wheelers, whereas the profit in the preceding and subsequent years was zero.

Virbhadra Singh had filed a case in the Delhi High Court against the CBI but the court dismissed his case.

Commenting on the court order, the BJP leader said that the court has made it clear that there is no political vindictiveness in this case.

Yadav added that one can notice that fake entries have been made in the illegal contracts. The cuttings done on stamp paper register clearly proves that the entries were done at later dates.

Calling Virbhadra Singh as symbol of compromise of the Congress with corruption, Yadav said that it is against the dignity of public life that he remains the CM of Himachal Pradesh.

The Congress hit back at the BJP and said that Virbhadra is a major irritant in the eyes of the party.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi asked if Vyapam was not a corruption case? Did Vasundhra Raje not help Lalit Modi? What did Sushma Swaraj do? There cannot be two ways to look at corruption cases.

--- ENDS ---
Don't let the fact it's a bit pricier to visit put you off visiting Switzerland. It's an incredibly beautiful place, with fresh air and skies wide open letting the sun hit every inch of the mountains and water. From Geneva to Basel, along the France border you will find that Switzerland is a truly magnificent country.

Lake Geneva is as clear as can be and very inviting for a swim, even on a cold February afternoon. This huge body of water opens up along the border shared between Switzerland and France on the southern side, and makes for quite stunning views of enormous mountain ranges, including the highest peak in Europe, Mont Blanc.

I can't speak for what it's like to be at the highest point because I couldnt afford a full day to reach the top. Mt. Saleve, on the other hand was quite remarkable. A cable car takes you nearly to the top where there is a nice restaurant as well as a small cafe for you to fuel up before paragliding off the edge or hiking further up.

There are some extraordinary sights as you get higher up in the mountain. Simply taking a deep breath will provide some much need understanding for where in the world you are and what in the world you are doing. If you have the time, Mont Blanc is also well worth it.

Back at the bottom of the mountain you are going to have to rebuild your strength from the tasking adventure you had just finished. In Switzerland, cheese is meant to be indulged in - so find a good fondue place and have yourself a night. My friends and I could not get enough of it and actually treated ourselves to a second night of fondue before heading north to Basel the next day.

The locals are really what make Geneva as enjoyable as it is. Our server during our fondue dinner, Santiago, stayed with us for the majority of our meal to learn about us and to give us all of the advice we needed to enjoy a night out on the town. And that is exactly what we did.

The next day I took a four hour ride along the French border to Basel. This city, located on the German border, is very medieval-looking, but there are some streets that resemble the colonial style. Anywhere you go, men and women are peacefully walking along enjoying their surroundings.

The tomb of Erasmus is located in the heart of Basel, just off of the Johanniterbrucke Bridge. This is a special spot to see as it has so much history to it. I certainly was inspired by such meticulous and careful preservation and devotion to the great theologian.

At last the sun begins to set on such a great Switzerland stay, with the third night of cheese and a beautiful view of amazing architecture on The Rhine River, one can appreciate the opportunity to travel. Be sure to make the most of every moment while travelling, whether that is climbing a mountain or simply sitting at the very end of a stone pier for an extended amount of time.

Switzerland has a lot more to offer - head east to hit the Swiss Alps and really live life to its fullest.
A youth centre has brought childhood favourite Hungry Hippos to life using skateboards, baskets and a collection of colourful plastic balls.

The Kingdom Celebration Centre in Maryland hosted an event for teens, inviting them to gather at the church and share food, talk life and, of course, play nostalgic games they enjoyed as a child.

Youth Pastor Reuel Williams, at the Kingdom Celebration Centre, said: Fun in general is a help to kids in our current social climate. We find that teenagers are so much more stressed and angry in this generation. They are dealing with a lot more than we did. It helps them to be able to let down their guard and have fun.

In addition, prior to that game the kids were kind of closed off to each other. Everyone was hanging with only the people they knew. Once we split them up into teams and they had to work together, they let down their guard and formed new relationships. It was awesome.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) The apex consumer commission has asked a hospital in West Bengal to pay Rs 8 lakh to a man, whose wife died hours after giving birth to a girl in 2000, saying the amount was adequate for mental agony in bringing up a motherless child.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) allowed the appeal of the man against the West Bengal state commissions order which had given a clean chit to the nursing home -- Niranjan Smriti Kalyan Kendra also known as Priyabala Nursing Home -- in Burdwan district.

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"Having regard to the fact that the patient was only 32 years old with a life expectancy of 70 years and died within a day of C-section delivery, leaving behind an infant baby girl; was previously engaged as a private tutor, earning Rs 800-1,000 per month.

"The medical expenses incurred and the fact that there is no straight-jacket formula to quantify the loss of a wife to the husband, the loss of love and affection of a mother to the infant, we are of the considered view that a lump sum amount of Rs 8 lakh would be adequate and just compensation for the mental agony in rearing of motherless children," an NCDRC bench presided by D K Jain said, while holding the hospital guilty of negligence.

The bench also noted that the doctor and the nursing staff failed to establish that they have performed the duty of care as per the standard established norms of normal medical parlance.

"This amounts to negligence on the part of the hospital, the treating doctor and the nursing staff, for which the complainant has to be compensated," it said.

While passing the order in favour of complainant Jitendra Nath Chowdhury, the commission referred to a 2014 judgement of the Supreme Court which had observed that "the duty of a hospital is not limited to diagnosis and treatment but extends to looking after the safety and security of patients."

According to the complaint, Chowdhurys wife underwent C-section surgery on May 22, 2000 and gave birth to a baby girl a few days before the due delivery date in June as the doctor suspected that the umbilical cord was around the neck of the foetus.

Soon after the delivery, the staff lifted the woman by their hands instead of using a stretcher to shift her to another room but dropped her on the floor in the process due to which she suffered head injuries, it said.

When the man asked for a doctor, the staff refused and said the woman had already been given medication, it alleged, adding that the womans condition kept deteriorating and delay on the part of the doctor in attending to her proved fatal.

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During the proceedings, the counsel for the nursing home, doctors and the staff denied the allegations levelled by the complainant and claimed that such claims were not specified in the FIR. PTI AG RKS SJK SMN DV

--- ENDS ---
"We will hang those who kill cow," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said on Saturday.

By India Today Web Desk: In the backdrop of BJP's aggressive push for cow protection, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday said that those who kill cows in his state would be "hanged".

"There is no such thing (cow slaughter) happening in the state. It hasn't happened in the state in the last 15 years. Has it? We will hang those who kill ("maarega usko latka denge)," the Chief Minister said.

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BJP on Friday brought a legislation in Gujarat prescribing life sentence for cow slaughter.

With the passing of the amendment Bill by the state Assembly, Gujarat became the first state in the country to make cow slaughter punishable with life term. It has also been made a non-bailable offence.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has also ordered a crackdown on illegal abattoirs in the state, saying it is only aimed at making them compliant with the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.

In Haryana too, the BJP government had in 2015 made a stringent law against cow slaughter with the offence attracting a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to 10 years.

BJP's stand on cow protection has been criticised by rival who allege that it is an attempt to impose the Hindutva agenda on the country.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also Read

Owaisi slams BJP over beef 'hypocrisy', says cow 'mummy' in UP, 'yummy' in Northeast

Gujarat: Cow slaughter now a life term offence after Assembly amends law

--- ENDS ---
Rollover results in passenger being injured after being enjected

The highway patrol and Watertown Fire Rescue responded to a rollover accident on Saturday. Passenger was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining injuries.
By Press Trust of India: airport authorities

New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) India has taken up with Frankfurt airport authorities the matter of an Indian woman being asked to strip by the security officials during her travel on March 29.

"@CGIFranfurt has taken up this matter with Frankfurt Airport authorities. The matter has been referred to the Police for investigation," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted tonight.

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"We are awaiting report of the police investigation," she said.

The woman in her Facebook post had alleged that she was asked to strip by security officials at the Frankfurt airport while she was on way to Iceland from Bengaluru. PTI AAR

--- ENDS ---
As the title of the book suggests, this volume is a collection of plays from South Asia, which deal with the social and political performance of Islam in the region after 1947. It distinguishes between Islam as faith and Islam as political ideology; however connected the two might be in the constantly evolving narrative of jihad at home and abroad. The first of its kind, the anthology puts together six play-texts from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, which offer insights into a situation where the performance of political Islam refers to both the constructions about the myths about the religion, and their deconstruction through a variety of theatrical modes.

The first play, At the Sound of Marching Feet (Payer Awaj Pawa Jai) is from Bangladesh and written by Syed Shamsul Haq. The same text is translated into English by the author himself. The other entry from Bangladesh is called Life of Araj (Araj Charitamrita), written by Masum Reza and translated by Bina Biswas and Sayantan Gupta. Of the two entries from India we have The Djinns of Eidgah by Abhisekh Majumdar and The Far-Reaching Night (Bahut Dur Tak Raat Hogi) by Zahida Zaidi and translated by Ameena Kazi Ansari. The two plays from Pakistan are We Shall Resist(Hum Rokaen Gae) by Anwer Jafri, translated into English by Sheema Kermani, and Watch the Show and Move On(Dekh Tamasha Chalta Ban) by Shahid Nadeem, translated by Shuby Abidi. All these six plays seem to be in conversation with one another in contexts of competing nationalist narratives predicated on Islam in South Asia. The playwrights may or may not be much aware of one anothers works, although their plays sometimes cross borders to take part in the regions annual theatre festivals and seminars.

As the editor makes it clear, the book hopes to establish a connection between the plays, thus creating a complex framework of South Asian theatre around the narrative of Islam a pattern that broadly hinges on the plays abiding as well as changing contours of relationship with society and politics. Islam, as a spiritual worldview, is, therefore, less the theme of any of the plays here, and more of a trope which, tempered within the crucible of divisive politics in colonial and postcolonial South Asia, has been used to breed and foster narratives of nation-making that continue to largely affect the state of affairs in the region. On the other hand, the targeting of Islam or unequal treatment of its followers in places where they are the minority becomes an equally significant aspect of this anthology. The concerns addressed in the plays in this book go beyond the cliched frame of communalism to incorporate much wider patterns of life woven circuitously around the political and personal exploitation of a faith, as much by its professed followers as by its detractors.

This anthology further demonstrates how theatre, in its different forms, supplements conventional history, which cannot often help leaving out of its purview the intangibles of the past such as feeling, belief, and memory and thus betrays its own inadequacies and erasures. The plays invite comparison with one another, engaging with this situation from perspectives of the three countries concerned  the idea of azadi countering the performance of state-sponsored nationalism and the predicament of life in the Kashmir Valley today (The Djinns of Eidgah, 2012); Hindutva politics shaking the long-held principles of a plural India, and often threatening to erase the religious Other (The Far-Reaching Night, 2006); sectarian violence and abuse of Pakistans blasphemy laws by self-professed guardians of Islam (We Shall Resist, 2009); Islamisation of Pakistan at the expense of political governance, and persecution of non-Muslim minorities (Watch the Show and Move on, 1992); the clash between ethno-linguistic and religious nationalism, culminating in Bangladeshs Liberation War (At the Sound of Marching Feet, 1976); and censorship of production/dissemination of scientific knowledge and threat to the lives of secular liberals in the country (Life of Araj, 2001).

As nation-building in South Asia remains a continuous, unfinished product, trouble keeps brewing around the contesting constructions of the Muslim subject by Muslims as well as non-Muslims of a geo-political and cultural space that they have co-inhabited historically. The plays also underscore the need to resist violence in the name of faith, and uphold the ideals of plurality and hospitality across the region. Widely performed but largely unpublished, these six plays with their geographic and stylistic range provide a good spectrum of some of the best writing in contemporary South Asian drama. The editor, who has in his lengthy introduction offered us a framework for studying the plays as both texts and performance pieces, needs to be congratulated for clearing the readers mind of a lopsided understanding of Islam related to be the source of all political malaise and other forms of religious fundamentalism.

The reviewer is professor of English at Visva-Bharati University.
In one of its biggest crackdowns on shell companies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday conducted simultaneous countrywide raids on around 110 premises and 300 shell companies that were suspected to be involved in dubious and illegal transactions during demonetisation, officials said.

The operation was carried out across 16 states with multiple teams of the agency raiding the premises of about 300 shell firms in prominent places like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Patna, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Bengaluru among others.

"Several top business houses were searched in various cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata," the official said.

The raids were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to investigate instances of money laundering and illegal foreign exchange transactions.

"Investigations had revealed that certain entry operators and fraudsters were using a network of companies, some of which have been used repeatedly while some others were discarded after use or kept dormant for a long period," an Enforcement Directorate official told IANS.

The official said that some of the companies were involved in major money laundering cases related to Maharashtra-based politician Chhagan Bhujbal, YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, former chief engineer of Noida Yadav Singh, National Rural Health Mission, AGS Infotech, Rajeshwar Exports and others.

He said that some other entities were found to have been used for laundering demonetised currency after the November 8 banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The official said that certain shell companies remitted huge amounts to other countries for imports but no imports had been made, thus causing loss of foreign exchange.

"These companies had either produced forged bill of entry or not submitted any bill of entry. A sum of Rs 20 crore was found available in bank account of one entity and the same will be considered for attachment."

In a case relating to Kolkata, the official said more than 50 companies had the same registered address which on verification was found to be vacant residential premises.

"The landlord of the premises has stated that he had let out his home to a private individual around three years back who disappeared in three months. He had then subsequently received loan recovery letters against two companies registered on the address.

"These two companies are already under investigation," the official said.

During investigation, the Enforcement Directorate said it arrested one person named Jagdish Prasad Purohit who has admitted to having formed around 700 shell companies using 20 dummy directors, and 130 of the companies are still in existence.

"He had also provided accommodation entry to the tune of Rs 46.7 crore to Chhagan Bhujbal," the official said.

The official said the agency officials recovered the photograph of a fake ID card of a special agent in the anti-terrorism division, Interpol, in the name of one Chetan Shah during a raid at a house in Mumbai.

"The entry operator connected to Rajeshwar Exports company was also searched. The company had made remittances to the tune of Rs 1,476 crore for import of diamonds, which were grossly overvalued," the official said.

The official said a chartered accountant at Barakhamba Road in Delhi had formed more than 200 shell companies and had given accommodation entries to a number of persons in Uttar Pradesh.

"He was also found to be involved in conversion of black money into white for some of the sand mafias of Uttar Pradesh."

In another case, the Enforcement Directorate investigators found a shell company which has exported carpets to its sister concern incorporated outside India.

"The export proceeds were never realised and the person behind these companies had applied to RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for write off of the outstanding export proceeds," the official added.

Official sources said the action is part of the mandate given to the ED under a Special Task Force created by the government last month on the directions of the Prime Minister's Office.

The task force was created under the co-chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary and Corporate Affairs Secretary to monitor the actions taken against shell companies by various agencies from regulatory ministries and Enforcement Agencies.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said last month that harsh punitive action will be taken against shell companies, including freezing of bank accounts, striking off of names of dormant companies and invoking Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.

Shell companies are companies that exist only on paper, and can be used for money laundering.

The statement said there were about 15 lakh registered companies in India and only six lakh of these file their annual returns.
India and Malaysia have expressed keenness to take their bilateral trade to $15 billion in the "immediate future", with the CEO's Forum identifying infrastructure, healthcare, education and SMEs as key areas of furthering cooperation.

A joint statement of the India-Malaysia CEO's Forum issued on April 1 called for a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its conclusion at an early date.

The forum's meeting held on Friday coincided with the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The Malaysian leader is on a five-day visit to India.

The statement said that Malaysia is India's third largest trading partner in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Bilateral trade between Malaysia was $12.8 billion in 2015-16 as against $16.9 billion in 2014-15 and the trade balance is in favour of Malaysia.

"The prime ministers have expressed their aspiration to see this trade increase to $15 billion in the immediate future," it said.

The statement said there has been significant growth between the two nations in various sectors. "The total investments from Malaysia stood at around $7 billion or more as against total investments of around $2.5 billion from the Indian side."

At present, there are around 120 Indian companies, including 61 Indian joint ventures, seven Indian Public Sector Undertakings and 60 Indian IT companies operating in/from Malaysia.

The CEO's Forum noted that there exists knowledge deficit on the opportunities available in both countries and underscored the need for greater business to business exchanges, regular meetings of the CEO's Forum and organising trade and investment promotion events.

It said both trade and investment will benefit from RCEP, which aims to be a deep integration agreement covering trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement/legal and institutional issues, among others.

"Therefore, the forum calls for a balanced RCEP, which will address both trade and services and be concluded at an early date."

The statement said India offers good opportunity for Malaysian Pension and Provident Funds to invest in Indian Infrastructure assets, especially brownfield assets in various sectors like roads, aviation and power. Investments could also be made in Indian Infrastructure Funds.

The forum noted that there has been an upsurge of Indian investments in the healthcare sector in Malaysia.

Noting that Malaysia with 3.2 million diabetics has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates amongst adults worldwide, the statement said experience from India will be used to work with the local communities in Malaysia to improve screening, early detection, awareness and management of diabetes.

It said Indian and Malaysian governments must form a Joint Healthcare Taskforce to deliberate and ease processes that would permit doctors to practice in either nation after necessary licensing.

The statement said a joint cord-blood repository between India and Malaysia for both private and public users must be considered as Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy is a greatly preferred option for treating blood disorders.

The forum members welcomed the move of the Government of Malaysia to invite Ayurveda and Siddha practitioners to Malaysia.

On education, the forum members called for early signing of a MoU to recruit Indian teachers for English language education in Malaysia.

Referring to tourism, the members emphasised on the need to encourage visa-free travel for Indians and Malaysians.

It said Malaysia should support and champion the introduction of the Asean Common Visa for travellers from outside the region.

The forum said there is a need to review the bilateral Air Services Agreement.

The two sides agreed that separate working groups would be set up on infrastructure, healthcare and education to suggest recommendations and strategies.

The statement said meetings of the CEO's Forum would be held bi-annually, alternatively in India and Malaysia.


The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, started functioning as unified entity from Saturday post merger of its five associate banks, besides Bharatiya Mahila Bank.

The five associate banks merged with the SBI are State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore.

With the merger, the SBI joins the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets.

"We welcome the customers, employees and all other stakeholders of associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank to SBI fold. The bank will strive to conclude the transition process within a quarter," SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said here in a statement on Saturday.

"The combined entity will enhance productivity, mitigate geographical risks, increase operational efficiency and drive synergies across multiple dimensions while ensuring increased levels of customer delight," she said.

The total customer base of the bank reaches 37 crore with a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country. The merged entity now has a deposit base of more than Rs 26 lakh-crore and advances level of Rs 18.50 lakh crore.

"The bank will rationalise its branch network by relocating some of the branches to maximise the reach. This will help optimise its operations and improve profitability. Integration of treasuries of the associate banks with SBI will bring in substantial cost saving and synergy in operations," the statement said.

Post-merger, all the customers of associate banks now enjoy the benefits of a wide array of digital products and services offered by the State Bank of India, the bank said.

Online SBI, the bank's web banking platform is the fifth-most visited financial site, globally.
The former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief and Shimla MLA, Suresh Bhardwaj on Saturday sought chief minister Virbhadra Singhs resignation on moral grounds.

Talking to mediapersons, the BJP leader said, Following Delhi High Courts verdict quashing Virbhadras plea and also the CBI charge sheeting him in disproportionate assets (DA), he should step down on moral grounds as the prima facia case is against him. The CBI court will take cognizance of it.

Bhardwaj, who is also the chief whip of the BJP Legislature Party, advised the CM that instead of looking for options of double bench or Supreme Court he should present himself before the CBI court.

Whatever may be the courts options, looking at his stature of being a longest serving chief minister and former union minister of steel he should step down till he comes clean out of it, he said.

He said that although the Congress party has issued statement that party is standing firmly with Virbhadra Singh, however, it should instead make him resign to save the remaining grace of the party. Bhardwaj said that the BJP had even before the assembly elections and after the Congress government had assumed power raised corruption charges against him in DA case.

The BJP has already raised a state-wide campaign against 'corruption and mafiasim' against Congress government and will continue so, he added.

The music of political vendetta with the investigation agencies taking action under pressure of BJP that the Congress is harping is baseless as now the court has given a verdict vacating stay, he said.

The statement of CM showing faith in the judiciary should also pay heed to the Delhi HC quashing his plea. Replying to a question on early elections in the state, Bhardwaj said that the state will function as per the constitution.
The candidates appearing or preparing for competitive examinations (HAS, IAS and others) in Himachal Pradesh would soon be able to access entire information online as the State Public Service Commission (PSC) is all set to launch e-Governance Project to start paperless functioning, making it the first PSC of the country to do so.

Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) Chairman K S Tomar on Sunday informed the e-Governance Project would be launched within a week as the Commission has got nod for the same from Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEIT) of Union Communications and IT Ministry.

Rs.5.24 Crore World Bank funded e-Governance Project under Good Governance and Best Practices in India would lay foundation for online examination (Paperless Exams). The Project will be implemented in three years and would be replicated in all state Public Service Commissions (PSCs) in India, he said.

The Pilot Project would focus on providing online services to applicants, conducting online study material, speedy disposal of departmental promotions Committees cases, establishment of facilitation and database centres, use of cloud technology etc.

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, (NICSI) which had prepared the Detailed Project report (DPR), would help the Commission in implementing the project, Tomar said.

He said the HPPSC would create its name in history as other PSCs would follow Himachal modules which would be laced with Cloud Enabled configurable Multi Tenant System to improve functioning and efficiency of the commissions.

A delegation had visited Kerala PSC recently to study the online examination system which needs to be implemented on mandatory basis by all PSCs. Otherwise, all of them would lag behind keeping in view the pace advancement of the 21st century, Chairman added.

Under the project, the HPPSC would visualizes total work flow based functioning in its various branches with web based interfaces to share the information with the client organisations.

For the benefit of aspiring candidates, the commission would set up a facilitation centre as well as database of examination held, syllabus prescribed for various examinations, sample question papers and in some cases, wherever possible, shareable database of material for exercises by the candidates in their places, he added.
The UT Chandigarh's Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Prison Department on April 1 initiated special programme under which the preparation and distribution of nutritious food meant for the Anganwadi centres would be taken care by the jail inmates.

The scheme was kicked off with preparing and distributing food for nearly four centres while rest of the centres would be covered in phased manner.

Under the supervision of Additional Inspector General (AIG) SK Jain, the food was cooked by both male and female jail prisoners. Afterwards, nearly 8 to 10 cans were brought to the centres for the distribution of food to Anganwadi children.

While talking to The Statesman Jain said, The entire food has been cooked by our prisoners. I have seen the recipes and food menu for the centers. Rest assured that it won't be spicy.

"Nothing is more satisfying than a happy smile on the faces of these children," Jain said.

Meanwhile the prison department is getting equipped for kitchen in Jail. At present here are 500 Anganwadi centres in Chandigarh out of which 100 are being served with cooked food.

This is the beginning of the scheme, the prison department has worked hard and cooked delicious food. We are also waiting for the jail kitchen to get fully equipped with the machines so that we can serve to the rest of the centers soon, said Nishu Nee Namrata Singal, Director, UT Social Welfare Department.

The prison food was enjoyed by the children along with the officials present there. They were served halwa, rice along with theblack channa dal (black chickpeas). Children are needed to be reminded about the cooked meal, this small practice from the government and the efforts of the people is much appreciated, Nishu Nee Namrata Singal said.
Was it a mere coincidence that Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat visited Nepal earlier this week close on the heels of Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquans high-profile trip to the Himalayan nation at the head of a high-level 19-member military delegation?

This was Changs first visit from China to Nepal at the Defence Ministers level since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1955. The Chinese leader went out of his way to woo Kathmandu, offering a grant assistance of $32.3 million to the Nepal Army (NA) for the purpose of strengthening its capacity to deal with natural calamities and providing it equipment for UN peacekeeping missions in high conflict zones. He also discussed holding the first-ever military exercises by the two Armies.

During his visit, Gen Rawat too met top Nepalese leaders and was conferred with Honorary General title of NA in keeping with an age-old tradition signifying close and special military ties between India and the Himalayan country.

While no parallel can be drawn between the two visits since both had their own significance, there is certainly a sense of disquiet in India over the growing proximity between Nepal and China with New Delhi particularly concerned over the upcoming joint military exercises.

When asked about the Chinese Defence Ministers visit to Nepal and its implications for India, a source here said New Delhi invariably monitored all such developments in its neighbourhood Nepal which have a bearing on the countrys security and its strategic interests.

It is quite clear that China's continued attempts to reach out to Nepal in recent years have sent alarm bells ringing across the Indian establishment which has been desperately trying to minimise Beijings role in the Himalayan nation.\

India had learnt a lesson from the earlier K P Sharma Oli-led government in Nepal during whose term the Indian influence sunk to a new low due to its pro-China policy. Therefore, not only did it monitor the Chinese Defence Minister's visit to Kathmandu but also kept a close eye on Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda's' visit to China, primarily to attend a multilateral meeting.

His visit concluded without any substantial agreements between the two countries. According to observers, Chinas main purpose was to send a message to India that it continues to engage with Nepal.

However, the Nepalese PMs decision to support Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative to link Asia with Europe, Middle East and Africa is unlikely to please India since the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part of that initiative. India has already conveyed to Beijing its strong opposition to CPEC on the ground that it runs through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India and Malaysia today signed seven MoUs, including one on setting up a fourth generation technology park in Andhra Pradesh, as the two countries decided to intensify cooperation in countering terrorism and radicalisation.

The accords were signed after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak during which they also agreed to step up defence and security cooperation between their two nations.

The other MoUs relate to air services, sports, setting up of a urea and ammonia manufacturing plant, exchange of palm oil technology, mutual recognition of educational qualification and human resource development.

Mr Razak, who is on his third visit to India since becoming the Prime Minister in 2009, complimented PM Modi on bold economic reforms and congratulated India on high economic growth.

History binds us together. Indian languages, culture and food are popular in Malaysia. I am a fan of Indian films, especially after my visit to Chennai, he said at a brief media interaction with PM Modi after the agreement-signing ceremony.

On his part, Mr Modi said the decisions taken by the two sides today would drive the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level. Referring to the bilateral defence relationship, the Indian leader noted that the two countries were cooperating in training and capacity building, maintenance of equipment and military hardware and disaster response.

He also hailed as inspirational the Malaysian PMs leadership in countering terrorism and radicalisation. We agreed on a shared vision to enhance our strategic partnership. A vision that prioritises an action-oriented approach, he added.

Mr Modi said the two countries had agreed to further strengthen their strategic partnership to shape an effective response to common concerns and challenges.

Meanwhile, the India Malaysia CEO Forum, which also had its meeting today, emphasised the need for public and private sector investments from both sides in the identified sectors and called for conclusion of a balance Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement at an early date.
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A delegation of over 400 devotees from Pakistan on Saturday arrived at the shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti here to pay their homage to the Sufi saint.

The devotees, accompanied by the officials of the Pakistani Embassy, reached Ajmer this morning by a special train to attend the 805th 'Urs' (death anniversary) of the saint.

They will offer 'chaadar' (sacred cloth) at the shrine on behalf of the Pakistan government.

The administration has made special security arrangements in the wake of the visit by devotees from the neighbouring country, District Magistrate Gaurav Goyal said.

They will stay put at the Central Girls School here, he said.

The devotees will leave Ajmer for Pakistan on April 8. PTI CORR AQS


The Supreme Court has rejected a PIL seeking action against illegal Bangladeshi migrants whose influx, the petitioner claimed, has affected the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar dismissed the petition filed by an NGO which claimed that 20 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have taken shelter in India.

"Heard counsel for the petitioner. The instant petition has been filed as a cause in public interest. We find no ground to entertain the instant petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," the bench said.

The apex court was hearing the PIL filed by NGO Satyamev Jayate seeking action against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other foreign territories.

"Direct the Election Commission of India to initiate action to efficaciously and expediently identify and strike off the names of such electors from its rolls who are otherwise disqualified under Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950," the plea said.

The apex court had in March asked the Centre to release funds for fencing the India-Bangladesh border to check cross-border influx into Assam, saying the task has to be completed soon.

It had passed the order after perusing the Centre's status report on the progress made in the works relating to securing and fencing the international border, and said the Madhukar Gupta Committee would "oversee and supervise" it.
The United Nations is raping children. The facilitation of these child rapes is in part funded by the UK taxpayer. You think this is fake news? Well, lets go right to the top and check the facts.

Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in releasing the 2016 UN annual review said that there were 145 cases of sexual exploitation and abuse involving troops and civilians across all UN peace missions in 2016 alone. The United Nations Secretary General is talking about his own organisation. These 145 cases involved 311 victims and even the UN recognises that this is the tip of the iceberg. Many of the victims, by the UNs own admission, are children.

UN Peacekeepers and staff raping children is not a right-wing conspiracy or fake news, it is admitted by the UN itself.

But is the UN repeating the mistakes of the Catholic Church by obfuscation and minimisation of the problem, not taking it head on and stamping it out? The UNs language is interesting here. It is wishy-washy as if child rape were a problem that needed to be minimised, not wiped out. I fully recognise that no magic wand exists to end the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse, Guterres said. Nevertheless, I believe that we can dramatically improve how the United Nations addresses this scourge. Dramatically improve the situation? He is kidding, right? What about wiping it out? The Secretary General proposed a four-part strategy: putting the rights and dignity for victims at the forefront of UN efforts; working relentlessly to end impunity for those guilty of sexual abuse and exploitation; building a network to support UN efforts including civil society, external experts and organisations; and raising worldwide awareness of the problem to address the stigma victims face.

I have a much better idea. Lets start with the language that is used here. Let us not hide behind large concepts. Let me be blunter. What is a better term than sexual abuse of the 14-year-old child, together with her 18-year-old friend, set upon by UN peacekeepers near Bambari airport in Central African Republic late in 2015? This is not sexual abuse. This is the gang rape of a child. It is neither sexual abuse nor an indiscretion. It is not something to be minimised. It is something to be wiped out with brutal efficiency. If this is not shocking enough, the 14-year-old child became pregnant (as many others who are abused do) and her rape was paid for and facilitated by you, the reader. You paid for this gang rape through your taxpayer funds to the UN.

Have you ever wondered why countries like Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan send so many peacekeeping soldiers? It is because the UN pays for these countries to send soldiers. It is a huge export earner for their militaries and it is paid for by the net contributing countries like the UK, the US and Australia. And this is not a surprise or unknown. Google food for sex and UN sexual abuse and see just how much comes up and for how long it comes up. See for how long Kofi Anan, Ban Ki Moon and now Antonio Guterres have been saying something must be done.

I am not a right-wing UN basher  I used to work for the UN. As my close friends will tell you, one of the reasons I left the UN is because I call them the second largest harbourer of paedophiles behind only the Catholic Church. But maybe I am wrong. Maybe the UN is worse. How bad could this problem be?

Well, the UN has well in excess of 100,000 staff and Peacekeepers at any given time. Often the number is higher. Approximately two thirds are male  at least 66,000. The National Crime Agency in Britain estimates one in 35 (almost three per cent) of the male population have paedophilia tendencies. If the UNs staffing profile was similar to the broader population that would mean that there are about 2,000 men with paedophilia tendencies working for the UN. And many of them are in positions of authority, with diplomatic immunity and impunity to act. And the UN wants us to believe that the number of victims is in the hundreds?

Here is what I think should be done. The UN and large international NGOs need to put specific paedophile checks and filters in place in the recruitment process. I know few NGOs that do. Second, the International Criminal Court should be empowered to criminally charge UN staff, Peacekeepers and international NGO staff for crimes involving children.

Thirdly, the UN knows which soldiers were deployed in areas where the children were raped. Those soldiers should all be DNA tested and matched against the children born of rape. The rapists should then be charged, if not in their home courts then elsewhere. Fourthly, all UN agencies and NGOs should have independent and robust confidential whistle-blowing procedures to identify the paedophiles. The UN should be given six months to implement this mechanism  failing which all funds should be withheld from the agency.

What can you do to help? Do not donate a single cent or pound to any organisation unless it satisfies you that it has a process to eliminate paedophilia. And how can you tell? Here is a good test: ask the agency how many of its staff they have referred to the police. Because if the answer is none then they are not taking this problem seriously.

Is this too extreme? People have been using soft words about paedophilia in the UN and large NGOs for decades. None of this is secret. None of this is surprising. But never have we actually put pressure for something to be done.

This is child rape, perpetrated in our name, using our money and it must stop. Now.

Andrew MacLeod worked as an aid worker for the Red Cross in Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the 1990s and for the UN in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other locations in the 2000s. He is the author of A Life Half Lived. The Independent.
When I attended High School in the USA, we were asked by our teacher to which of the four temperaments we thought we belong ~ to the sanguine, the phlegmatic, the choleric or the melancholic type? We were 17 years old and nobody in the class wanted to be anything but sanguine ~ to be a positive, active and lively person. The self-image we all had, with me being no exception, was of an extrovert person without real problems, a happy-go-lucky boy or girl. In other words, we felt, even though only 16 or 17 years old, as perfect human beings, untouched by the deeper problematic of the human condition, ignorant of the soul-searching and struggles that were ahead of us.

Perhaps we all later learned that we were not, and could never hope to be, unalloyed sanguine persons. We have strands of the other three temperaments within our personality. We are given to anger or to fits of irritation ~ that is, we are part-choleric. We are laid-back, sluggish and slow ~ we are part-phlegmatic. We are also in-drawn, contemplative and given to moods of mournfulness ~ we are part-melancholy.

The specific mixture of these temperaments is what constitutes our individuality. In each of us one temperament is likely to dominate at a given moment. Such dominance may vary during the passage of time, or even depend on the dynamics of external circumstances. Our personality defines itself anew again and again with, hopefully, a few constants.

The theory of the temperaments has a hallowed history going back to ancient Greece. The four temperaments were related to the bodily fluids, to the four elements (earth, fire, air and water) and to the planets. Modern science, especially medical science, may no longer rely on this theory to understand human beings. Psychology has developed finer and more varied techniques. However, the alternative educational system evolved by Rudolf Steiners Waldorf School Movement (which maintains schools all over the world, including in India) still makes use of the four temperaments to understand young people.

Do we in India have any similar classification? Yes, there are the three gunas. Can we in any way relate the four temperaments to the three gunas? Indeed, this appears to be possible without any serious loss of substance. The sanguine temperament is certainly akin to the sattva-guna which is the quality of purity, clarity and peace. The choleric temperament can be associated with raja-guna which is the quality of activity, anger and erratic movement. Remains the tama-guna, the quality of inertness, which has a parallel in the phlegmatic temperament.

This leaves the melancholic temperament unassociated to a guna. In India, the guna-system is considered all-comprehensive and a tool to gauge the dispositions of every person. One guna is predominant and the two others are admixed in larger or lesser quantities resulting in an unlimited variety of human dispositions.

What is melancholia? What makes it so special? For the Indian psycho-analyst Sudhir Kakar melancholia is the defining attribute of the creative person. It is the inclination of humans to draw inward and consider the larger and essential issues of life. The ancient Greeks associated melancholia with the element Earth, with the Autumn season and with the Evening from among the periods of the Day. Interestingly, Earth, Autumn and Evening reveal one common feature ~ that is they fuse different elements or strands into a union. Earth is, in the Indian understanding, the coming together of all other elements ~ of air, fire, water ~ into space (akash). Autumn is the transformation of summer into winter, containing both these seasons. Evening is the twilight zone where day and night meet with both lingering on. Therefore, these phenomena have a special density, or intensity, which the other elements, seasons and times of the day lack. Similarily, in melancholia the three gunas join and create a temperament of special intensity.

In European painting, melancholia was deeply expressed in the works of the masters of German Romanticism, like Caspar David Friedrich. What do we see? We see vast, often empty landscapes stretching to the farthest horizons, and men or women peering out into the distance in an attitude of yearning and expectation. It is the yearning for the Infinite, for the Limitless. The figures view the horzons knowing that beyond one horizon is another and still another one ~ yet even this another and still another one does not give them the satisfaction to know Infinity.

Melancholia becomes manifest not in the yearning, but in the distressing realization that no matter how far the distance stretches before our eyes, a final and definite attainment cannot be expected. It is, in a sense, a pessimistic view which does not quite harmonize with the general Indian idea that Infinity, the Divine, is forever attainable if only we make a sincere effort. However, men would not normally stop with this disappointing realization and resign themselves to it. Melancholy posssesses an energizing componement, an element of defiance. Melancholic persons, it is said, are perfectionists and develop a strong tenacity when they face obstacles. They are not easy to satisfy and go on and on striving to reach their ideal. The realization that perfection (Infinity; the Divine) is impossible in human life gives them the desperation to attempt it anyway.

The melancholic person is able to find an emotional outlet and some satisfaction in one activity which has the semblance, the proximity of Infinity, of the Divine ~ in creative activity. This brings us back to Sudhir Kakars dictum. By conjuring lines and colours on a canvas, by creating imagined worlds through language, through music or dance, artists become Co-Creators with the Divine and attain ~ for those inspired moments of the creative act ~ a semi-divine status. It is in those moments that melancholia dissolves into its antipode ~ ananda ~ and that a foreboding of Infinity becomes possible. It may now be clear why melancholia has a special place among the four temperaments and the three gunas. Ultimately, once the pessimistic block of melancholia is overcome it develops a power which seeps into the other temperaments, spreads among the three gunas and becomes pervasive.

Melancholia always possesses the ambiguity of the Not-Yet. This state of uncertainty, this delicate emotional and mental balance breeds creative activity. As a conclusion let me quote two telling passages of an unknown Hungarian writer Bela Hamvas (1897-1968) which demonstrate the foundational relation between melancholia and the Infinite. Hamvas wrote copiously and with berserk energy without ever getting published in his lifetime. It is only in recent decades that he is being discovered and recognized as a furiously original writer. I here re-translate him from the German:

Melancholia seizes those who realize that they are not immortal. We cannot retain anything except ourselves, until finally we lose ourselves, too- perhaps! Who knows? That doubt is what we call: melancholia.

The writer is presently Tagore Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. His last book is meant for both children and adults: Together We are Strong! Ramu and Tara Grow Up in the Himalayas (Ponytale Books, New Delhi).
The clock has been turned back. Six years after the Arab Spring, Egypt's repressive dictator, who was toppled in 2011 after 30 years in power, is today a free man. Former President Hosni Mubarak has been released, and his repression has thus been relegated to the footnotes of history. One could argue that the Arab Spring, most particularly the historic upheaval in Cairo's Tahrir Square, has been reduced to irrelevance. He has been acquitted of the primary charge of involvement in the killing of protesters during the popular revolt for democracy and liberty.No fewer than 850 people were killed when police clashed with demonstrators during the 18-day revolt. It is a quirk of the law, such as it exists in post-Mubarak Egypt, that while members of the ancien regime walk free, many leaders of the 2011 uprising languish in jail.

Indeed, the release has been facilitated by the relics of the Mubarak era ~ the judiciary and a quasi-military government. After the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood dispensation in 2013, there was really no impediment to buttress the agenda of the old order.With Mubarak's release, the certitudes of the Arab Spring have been binned together with the spirit of democracy. This must rank as the distressing implication of his freedom. His agenda has survived, however.

And not least because the government has come to be helmed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who toppled Mubaraks Islamist successor, Mohammad Morsi, after just a year in power. The abuses of the pre-2011 era are said to be creeping into the system to the extent that discussing Mubarak and the totems of his rule are now integral to the social/political discourse in Egypt.

He was the first of the toppled leaders to face trial and he must now be enjoying a quiet chuckle as Egypt bears witness to a defiance of history. This arguably is the most charitable construct that can be placed upon his acquittal.

Any balance-sheet on the sixth anniversary of the Arab Spring, that the democratic bloc might contemplate, must be a distressing reconstruction of contemporary history. It has been partially effective in Tunisia ~ where it all began ~ but Libya remains ever so fractious.

The dictator soldiers on in Syria, a country in tatters. Yemen and Saudi Arabia, if unscathed, are in ferment. Across the Arab region, only the ISIS has gained a foothold ~ a testament to the political vacuum generally.More accurately, the Supreme Court in Egypt has spoken against the democratic upheaval. It is the way history often works, as the British historian, GR Elton, had remarked in another context.
Congress leaders are desperate that their vice president Rahul Gandhi be rebranded if the party has to improve its chances in Assembly elections to Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh at the end of the year. The question is how to go about it.

Rahul Gandhi proved that he is not a vote catcher in the 2014 Lok Sabha and the subsequent Assembly polls disappointing the Congress party, which expects its leaders to bring the party to power. There is a lot of disgruntlement brewing within the party. Even senior leaders are openly talking about surgery in the organisation, bringing accountability and sacking the non- performers.

At least half a dozen top leaders have privately expressed their dismay but they do not have the guts individually or collectively to go and tell Rahul what should be done. They want that Rahul should get rid of his rootless coterie which they feel is responsible for the state of affairs. As is the habit in the party, they do not want to blame Rahul but his team is on the firing line. His team includes hand picked members like Sanjay Nirupam, C.P.Joshi, Mohan Prakash and Prashant Kishore among others.

While critics feel that Rahul should be dumped, his supporters want him to be elevated and given a free hand in restructuring the party as well as to go for a new revival strategy. Since Sonia Gandhi is ailing and not fit enough to continue the rough and tumble of politics, Rahul has to lead from the front. This they feel is urgent and imperative as the BJP has been expanding fast and becoming a pan-Indian party while the Congress space has been shrinking. What the party lacks today, as a senior Congress leader put it recently in private conversation, is leadership, strategy, communication and finance.

So what should Rahul do now? First and foremost, he has to reinvent himself, become a 24/7 politicians and stop his disappearing acts. The party needs a new brand Rahul to click with the voters. He has donned the role of the angry young man but that has not clicked. Moreover, he must check the erosion of senior leaders leaving the party. For instance, only recently two senior leaders N.D.Tiwari and S.M.Krishna had left the Congress to join the BJP. There are others who are waiting to follow them reminding one of the Sitaram Kesri era in 1997 when several Congressmen left to join other parties. It was only after Sonia Gandhi took over in 1998 that erosion was checked.

Secondly, Rahul should involve the party leaders in reinventing the party. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair did it by reinventing the Labour party. For this the Congress has to think of new ideas, new issues, new strategy, new programmes and new election planks instead of clinging to the secular versus communal plank, which has failed to click. Also there is a feeling that the party is much too pro-Muslim, which is pushing the Hindu voters towards a BJP that is trying to polarise the electorate. This reinvention will be a daunting task, as it needs a nuanced strategy. The results of the recent Assembly polls including UP have proved that the issues the Congress and other Opposition parties raised did not click with the voters. Also, going after Prime Minister Modi has proved to be counter-productive.

Thirdly, at least now the Congress should build the organisation from the gross-roots. The District Congress, the Pradesh Congress and the other arms of the Congress like the Seva Dal, NSUI and Mahila Congress need to be activated with new faces and new ideas with a view to reconnect with the voters. The past decades have proved that the Indira Gandhi era of politics does not work with the new voter profile.

Fourthly, at least now the Gandhis should a groom second line of leadership at the Central as well as the state level and project dynamic leaders as chief ministerial faces and Pradesh Congress presidents.

Fifthly, the party should decide which should be the main target sections to woo. The BJP has identified the poor, the women and the youth as well as done proper caste arithmetic for winning polls. The Congress, which had the support of the poor under Indira Gandhi has lost that constituency over the years, even to Modi as shown by the recent polls. The Brahmins, Dalits, and Muslims who were its core voters have abandoned the party for the past three decades after the rise of caste and identity based parties. Women too are disenchanted with the Congress.

The optimists in the Congress point out that it is not too late to revive the party. After all despite its drawbacks, the Congress still has about 19.3 per cent vote share in comparison to the 31 per cent vote share of the BJP. With proper alliances, the arithmetic could be made up to fight the BJP in future. The tragedy is that Rahul despite 13 years of experience in the party has not gained the required leadership qualities. If he realises that he is not up to it he should make way for others.
Confrontation is the new norm of the political game. And, as recent events would confirm, the BJP/NDA plays it with cynical relish ~ despite the shouting of sabka saath sabka vikas from every available platform. The summary use of the numbers in the treasury benches in the Lok Sabha to reject the amendments to the Finance Bill that had been voted by the Rajya Sabha articulates the cementing of the stand-off between the two Houses of Parliament.

Since the numbers crunch differently in each House, the potential for further confrontation is live, and with government expected to secure a majority in the Elders only rather close to the end of its Lok Sabha mandate there will be some tense times ahead ~ with the Leaders of both Houses, and the ministers for parliamentary affairs indicating that they would deem it a loss of prestige if they were to make the mini-compromises needed to secure cooperation or consensus across the aisle.

It would be over-simplistic to argue that the squabble over the Finance Bill started when the majority-Opposition in the Rajya Sabha pressed amendments to a money bill that it was not empowered to reject. The trouble actually began when the Finance Bill made sweeping changes in other enactments, thereby bypassing the Elders. The questionable misuse of the money bill route to provide an umbrella for authoritarian legislation has aroused the ire of the Elders earlier too: some of its Opposition members wonder if the Upper House or second chamber is being stripped of its relevance.

The matter has been raised in the apex court, a number of leading intellectuals have recently expressed their apprehensions in a letter to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha/Vice-President of India. That high dignitary has not spoken out on the issue, maybe he will as his tenure nears its conclusion a few months hence ~ though he has not minced his words when flaying the prevailing climate of intolerance that is as suffocating as the smog-poisoned air in the Capital during winter. A climate, which as some provisions in the Finance Bill suggest, enhances the powers of the income-tax officials ~ the governments new-found storm-troopers after demonetisation.

It is ironic that the finance minister should spearhead the assault on the rights of the Elders: he is a member of the Rajya Sabha having bitten the Amritsar dust when he attempted to secure a spot in the Lok Sabha.

Like so many other senior members of the BJP, Mr Arun Jaitley consistently points out how the common folk were deprived of their rights during Indira Gandhis Emergency. The increasing reality is that Modi sarkar favours a similar brand of high-handedness ~ without even the formal proclamation of 1975.
Vaibhav (name changed) sits on the sofa, walks to the door and flops back to the couch. The drill continues as he mumbles to himself.

The mannerisms of Vaibhav (35), who is autistic, are often identified as those of a mentally challenged person and the awareness about the disorder remains limited to (mis)representations in films, experts say.

As we observe the ninth World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday, the "awareness about autism is nowhere close to what it needs to be". It was only last year that autism was officially recognised as a disability in India.

"There is improvement in awareness but that is only because earlier we were at zero and now we have made some improvement. But even today we see people misunderstanding and believing in myths related to autism," says Indrani from Action for Autism (AFA), an open door school for autistic children.

Autism can perhaps be best associated with Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic individual called Raymond in the famous 1988 film 'Rain Man', but Dr Praveen Gupta of Neurology Fortis advises against confusing cinematic representations of the disorder with real life cases.

More than often, a learning disability is considered as a quintessential autistic identifier, thanks to popular Bollywood films.

"Several films have displayed learning disability and that is where the popular public perception stems from.

"In fact, autism is a disease of social integration and how the mind interacts with the environment. It impacts a child's speech, intelligence and other faculties," says Dr Gupta.

In medical terms, autism is a complex life long developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life, and early symptoms include repeating the same activity for a long period of time and loss of early acquired language among others.

But, what aggravates the condition, Dr Gupta says, is the time lost in diagnosis.

"Lay people do not recognize signs so clearly. Also, for sometime, parents are in denial and believe that the problem with their child will improve with time.

"So, a lot of time is lost in seeking appropriate attention. Also, individuals professionally qualified to treat autism are smaller in numbers," he says. .
China has introduced new restrictions in the far-western region of Xinjiang in what it describes as a campaign against Islamist extremism.

The measures, which took effect from Saturday, include prohibiting "abnormally" long beards and the wearing of veils in public places, reported South China Morning Post newspaper.

The latest restrictions, outlined in a sweeping new anti-extremism legislation, come on the heels of a series of steps to increase surveillance in the region that include the surrender of passports and mandatory GPS trackers in cars.

It will also be illegal to refuse to watch state television and listen to state radio, or prevent children from receiving national education  activities deemed "manifestations" of extremism, according to the official news website News.ts.cn.

"They're doubling down on security in Xinjiang," said James Leibold, an associate professor at Australia's Le Trobe University, whose research focuses on China's Uyghur minority.

The law didn't explain these measures in detail or define abnormal, but according to the state-run China Daily, long beards would be banned "as they are deemed to promote extremism".

The regulation, passed by the Xinjiang legislature's standing committee, said special task forces to curb extremism would be set up at regional, prefectural and county governments and local leaders would be evaluated annually for their localities' achievements on the matter.

Beijing blames Islamist militants and separatists for attacks in Xinjiang that have killed hundreds of people in recent years, reported the daily.

Rights groups claimed that the conflicts were caused by the government's repression of religious freedom and unfair ethnic policies.

The new law also banned: Using religious instead of legal procedures to marry or divorce, meddling in other people's weddings, funerals and inheritance; not abiding by family planning policies, and deliberately damaging legal documents.

The rules also stated that workers in public spaces, such as stations and airports, are now required to "dissuade" those who fully cover their bodies, including veiling their faces, from entering, and to report them to the police.
Iran is willing to mediate between Pakistan and India over the long-standing Kashmir issue if requested, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Mehdi Honardoost, has said.

"Any conflict or tension between the two countries (Pakistan and India) will hinder the progress and development of both the countries but will also impact upon the economies of other regional countries," said Honardoost during an interview to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Commenting on Pakistan-Iran trade ties, Honardoost said a Free Trade Agreement draft has been signed between the two nations and it will soon be operative to enhance two-way business and trade engagements.

"Our future is bright after the removal of impediments. Hopefully, our trade relations would continue to grow," he remarked.

Concerned officials from both the countries are also expected to meet in an upcoming 20th round of Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) soon to further strengthen trade ties between the two, he added.

To a question on the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Honardoost said the project was not only a game-changer for the region but would be a unifying force for the countries in it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning Israel's enemies not to test the Jewish state at a ceremony inaugurating a joint US-Israeli missile interceptor.

Netanyahu said on Sunday that defending the home front is of the "utmost importance" and went on to warn "whoever tries to strike us will be hit, those that threaten our existence put themselves in existential danger."

David's Sling, meant to counter medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, officially became operational at the ceremony, the military said.

It marks the completion of the multi-tier system that includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from Gaza.
Bhutan is a small kingdom wedged between two mighty countries, India and China, in the shadows of the Himalayas. It is a country steeped in Mahayana Buddhism, myths and legends under the sovereign rule of the Wangchuck Dynasty. The magnificent landscape is picture perfect with majestic mountains sweeping down to lush valleys carved by cascading rivers.

Locals still wear their national costumes as their daily attire with pride and success is measured via the Gross National Happiness index because here the welfare of the people is paramount.

Bhutan has never been big on tourism and slow to progress. The internet only arrived here in 1999 and its infrastructure is still a work in progress.

Thimphu  the capital of Bhutan

Thimphu the capital city has no skyscrapers or traffic to blot its cityscape. The mini roundabout is a pavilion with statues of goddesses while policemen physically conduct the traffic instead of traffic lights.

There are hints of modernity creeping in slowly with new buildings but this is tightly controlled by the government who insist that they be inkeeping with Bhutanese tradition.

On a hill overlooking the city, the colossal Dordenma Buddha statue of 51.5m high cast in bronze and gilded in gold is like a spiritual beacon to the people. Dzongs (a type of fortress), which are found everywhere in the country, were built in ancient time as fortresses and monasteries. Today they are used as monasteries as well as government administration offices.

Punakha District  the heart of Bhutan

Travelling into Punakha, the old capital, the heart of Bhutan, is on bone-shaking unfinished road hewn out of the mountainside. The scenery is the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the country which unfolds at every turn of the road. Prayer flags are installed everywhere to send prayers to the universe.

Punakha Dzong, also known as Palace of Great Happiness, was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. He was a Tibetan Lama, who unified Bhutan as a nation-state and instilled a unique cultural identity. The mighty fortress has glorious allegorical frescos, intricate artwork and carvings and houses the most sacred relic known as Ranjung Karsapani and the resting place of Zhabdrungs embalmed body.

The most esoteric temple in the Punakha District is the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang where the phallus symbol is worshipped notably by women to beget children. We walked through the village amidst rice fields where every house has a phallus image painted on the walls for good luck. The gift shops sell penis talisman for fertility much to the amusement of tourists.

Valley of Phobijkha  flight of the cranes

The valley of Phobjikha is a breath-taking vista where the wide sweeping valleys are flanked by lofty mountains. It is a vast wetland that welcomes the annual winter migration of the rare and endangered Black-Necked Crane where hundreds flock in from the Tibetan Plateau in late October till mid February for their winter roost.

This natural wonder is celebrated with the Black-Necked Crane Festival in November every year with crane-themed dances, folk songs and drama performances in the Gangtey Monastery. The ancient monastery sits atop a spur overlooking the stunning valley and houses a Buddhist school and prominent religious iconographies. It is said that the cranes circumambulate three times in their flight over the monastery on every arrival before landing on the wetland nearby and do the same on their return flight as if to pay respect to Gangtey Monastery.

Bound for Bumthang

The district of Bumthang in Central Bhutan is the nations religious heartland and home to some of the oldest temples and Dzongs in the country. Jakar, a small settlement that sprawls over an expansive valley is home to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country built in the 7th century dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha.

Trek to Tigers Nest

The ascent to Taktsang Lhakhang, the Tigers Nest, revered as the countrys most sacred site and iconic landmark is the climax of most visitors to Bhutan. Legend has it that their most revered saint Guru Rinpoche, flew to the mountains on the back of a celestial tigress in the 7th century at a time when the area was abound with demons to harm people.

He meditated in the cave for three years, three months and three days to subdue the evil spirits living in the caves. The temple was first built in 1692 to consecrate the sacred site and ever since it has been a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist saints, monks, devotees and a major tourist attraction.

The mountain is over 3,120 metres high and the temple is 900 metres from the car park. The path varies in steepness along the way, hugging the mountain ledge overlooking a picturesque valley of blue pine and rhododendrons. After the cafeteria half way up, a stretch of steep climb reaches the view point where a long flight of steps leads down to an iron bridge by a waterfall and then another tortuous flight of steps take you up to the temple complex. The path is festooned with colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. As in all Dzongs and temples, shoes have to be removed before entering and photography is strictly forbidden. Cameras and phones have to be surrendered at the security checkpoint at the entrance of the temples.

Bhutan is, after-all, about spiritual journeys and trekking in the wild terrain with the mystic of Shangri-La.

Fact File

Bhutan can only be visited with prior arrangement with a tour operator for a minimum package from US$200 per day that includes hotel, guide, land transport and meals.

Check out information and formalities of visiting Bhutan with Tourism Council of Bhutan

Drukair is the sole airline that flies to Bhutan
India and Malaysia have expressed keen interest in taking their bilateral trade to $15 billion in the "immediate future", with the CEO's Forum identifying infrastructure, healthcare, education and SMEs as key areas for cooperation.



A joint statement of the India-Malaysia CEO's Forum issued on Saturday called for a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its conclusion at an early date.



The forum's meeting held on Friday coincided with the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. The Malaysian leader is on a five-day visit to India.



The statement said that Malaysia is India's third largest trading partner in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Bilateral trade between Malaysia was $12.8 billion in 2015-16 as against $16.9 billion in 2014-15 and the trade balance is in favour of Malaysia.



"The prime ministers have expressed their aspiration to see this trade increase to $15 billion in the immediate future," it said.



The statement said there has been significant growth between the two nations in various sectors. "The total investments from Malaysia stood at around $7 billion or more as against total investments of around $2.5 billion from the Indian side."



At present, there are around 120 Indian companies, including 61 Indian joint ventures, seven Indian Public Sector Undertakings and 60 Indian IT companies operating in/from Malaysia.



The CEO's Forum noted that there exists knowledge deficit on the opportunities available in both countries and underscored the need for greater business to business exchanges, regular meetings of the CEO's Forum and organising trade and investment promotion events.



It said both trade and investment will benefit from RCEP, which aims to be a deep integration agreement covering trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement/legal and institutional issues, among others.



"Therefore, the forum calls for a balanced RCEP, which will address both trade and services and be concluded at an early date."



The statement said India offers good opportunity for Malaysian Pension and Provident Funds to invest in Indian Infrastructure assets, especially brownfield assets in various sectors like roads, aviation and power. Investments could also be made in Indian Infrastructure Funds.



The forum noted that there has been an upsurge of Indian investments in the healthcare sector in Malaysia.



Noting that Malaysia with 3.2 million diabetics has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates amongst adults worldwide, the statement said experience from India will be used to work with the local communities in Malaysia to improve screening, early detection, awareness and management of diabetes.



It said Indian and Malaysian governments must form a Joint Healthcare Taskforce to deliberate and ease processes that would permit doctors to practice in either nation after necessary licensing.



The statement said a joint cord-blood repository between India and Malaysia for both private and public users must be considered as Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy is a greatly preferred option for treating blood disorders.



The forum members welcomed the move of the Government of Malaysia to invite Ayurveda and Siddha practitioners to Malaysia.



On education, the forum members called for early signing of a MoU to recruit Indian teachers for English language education in Malaysia.



Referring to tourism, the members emphasised on the need to encourage visa-free travel for Indians and Malaysians.



It said Malaysia should support and champion the introduction of the Asean Common Visa for travellers from outside the region.



The forum said there was a need to review the bilateral Air Services Agreement.



The two sides agreed that separate working groups would be set up on infrastructure, healthcare and education to suggest recommendations and strategies.



The statement said meetings of the CEO's Forum would be held bi-annually, alternatively in India and Malaysia.
The censor board has recommended six cuts in the Bengali film Shunyota (Emptiness), that deals with the plight of people post-demonetisation, for a U/A certificate, the filmmaker said here on Saturday. He added he will accept them.



In a letter to the movie director Suvendu Ghosh, the Kolkata regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification has asked him to communicate within 15 days his "acceptance or otherwise" of the recommended cuts. The missive said that the cuts were decided as per the directives of the CBFC chairperson and recommendations of the examination committee.



".. This is to inform you that that as per the directives of the chairperson, CBFC, as well as the recommendation of the Examination Committee, your film has been passed for issue of certificate under 'U/A category with the cuts."



The recommended cuts included deletion of two sequences and muting of four sentences/parts of sentences/words with beeps.



One of the recommended deletions was a ten-second sequence that talks of "a large number of unacceptable death processions in the country revolving around demonetisation".



Ghosh was also asked to mute a part of a sentence with a beep that says "while the big fish will survive, the small fish will be trapped".



"If I accept the four mutes and two deletions, the film will be passed," said Ghosh, adding: "I will go by the recommendations."



Earlier, the Kolkata Regional Office of the SBFC had referred the film to the board's Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani for a decision on certification citing "differences of opinion among members of the (examining) committee".



Ghosh has claimed his film was the first on demonetisation.
A policeman was killed and 10 paramilitary troopers injured in a grenade attack here on Sunday evening, police said.

Police sources said militants hurled a grenade at a security force party in Nowhatta area of the old city, and a policeman was killed and 10 Central Reserve Police Force troopers injured in the blast.

"The injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment," a source said.

The area has been cordoned off and searches started to locate the militants.

The attack has come on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state to inaugurate the Nashri-Chenani tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

Separatists had called for a shutdown to protest Modi's visit.
MATTOON -- The merry sounds of many voices singing Jingle Bells, accompanied by actual bells, filled Pagliaccis restaurant at lunchtime Saturday.

This springtime performance of Jingle Bells was not part of an elaborate April Fools Day joke. The song opened the annual Santa Claus Gathering of those who portray Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus

Organizers of the gathering reported that 24 Santas and eight Mrs. Clauses from throughout Illinois and from Indiana attended the event this year.

We just get together because we like being Santa Claus and we like the camaraderie, said Windsor resident Jim Morgan, who has portrayed Kris Kringle for 16 years.

Morgan said they are not busy with Christmastime activities or summer parades in early April, so its a good time to recharge your batteries and visit with other Santas. He said attendees at the gathering also help each other, including sharing tips on venues and events in need of a Santa.

Charleston resident Glenn Richard, who has played this role for 10 years, said Santas like to share their ideas and experiences during events like the gathering in Mattoon. Richard said his experiences as Santa began after he kept peppering a friend with questions about his work as Saint Nick.

"I just kept asking him questions, and two months later he asked, 'Why don't you start a beard?'" Richard said of Santa's signature facial hair. Richard said he ended up growing a beard for the first time, but needed to use a product from Sally Beauty Supply to turn his new whiskers fully white.

Richard, a retired insurance agent, said he has played Santa in recent years at malls in Sarasota, Fla., and the Nashville, Tenn., area. He said his longest tenure was seven Christmas seasons at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, where he worked the equivalent of second shift.

"When I would get to work in the afternoon, there would be a long line of families waiting to see me," Richard said, adding that it sometimes took a couple of hours for a family to get through the line. He said he would stay on duty until late into the evening after the last family had visited with Santa.

Charleston resident Jim Glass, who is a retired construction worker, said he started portraying Father Christmas 10 years ago at the suggestion of a veteran Santa -- Tom Lynch of Charleston.

Glass said he and his wife, Joanne, have enjoyed hitting the road to spread Christmas cheer in their "sled" -- a 1966 Cadillac. He said his work has taken them to Las Vegas, Houston, Florida and other warm locations.

"I like to stay in the South because I get all the snow I want here when I get back," Glass said with a laugh. He noted that much of his time as Santa is spent at Bass Pro Shops.

To play Santa, Glass said it is essential to love children. Glass estimated that he hears wish lists from 8,000 to 10,000 children every Christmas season. Glass added that he tries to set aside time every season to visit children at hospitals.

Morgan portrays Santa alongside his wife, Linda, who serves as Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Morgan said they try to ensure that children have positive experiences during their photo shoots with Santa, adding that she loves to see the smiles on their faces when they see Saint Nick.

"If you have a chance to bring some happiness to people in the world, that's worth it to me," Morgan said.
The Senate is headed for a tense showdown over President Donald Trumps Supreme Court nominee that could have far-reaching consequences for Congress, the high court and the nation.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republicans are determined to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch within the week. But to do so, they will likely have to override Democratic objections and unilaterally change Senate rules so that Gorsuch can be confirmed with a simple majority in the 100-seat chamber, instead of the 60-voter threshold.

Though it may seem arcane, the approach is known on Capitol Hill as the nuclear option, because it strikes at the heart of the Senates traditions of bipartisanship and collegiality.

It would allow all future Supreme Court nominees to be confirmed without regard to the objections of the minority party. And senators of both parties say that proceeding with the rules change could ultimately lead to complete elimination of the minority partys ability to block legislation via filibuster, one of the few remaining mechanisms that force bipartisan cooperation in Congress.

Once you go down this path its awful easy just to keep going, and that is not a good thing, said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a senior lawmaker.

Nevertheless, Republican senators are fully prepared to take the step, blaming Democrats for forcing them into it by preparing to filibuster a well-qualified nominee.

And Democrats are just as ready to push the GOP to pull the trigger, even as they argue that McConnell and Republicans will have only themselves to blame.

He can prove that he cares about the Senate by not changing the rules, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told The Associated Press, referring to McConnell.

As of now, Gorsuch claims support from 54 senators  the 52 Republicans, along with two moderate Democrats who are up for re-election in states Trump won, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. One by one, most of the other Democrats have lined up against Gorsuch, citing his rulings in favor of corporations or his vague answers during his confirmation hearings. Though Democrats remain a handful shy of the 41 votes that would be required to mount a filibuster and trigger a rules change, it is the widely expected outcome.

I remain very worried about our polarized politics and what the future will bring, since Im certain we will have a Senate rule change that will usher in more extreme judges in the future, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri said Friday as she became the latest Democrat to announce plans to join the filibuster against Gorsuch.

Gorsuch, 49, has served more than a decade as a federal appeals court judge based in Denver. He is mild-mannered but deeply conservative, in the mold of the justice he would replace, Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.

McCaskill and other Democrats have pointed out that while Gorsuchs confirmation wont change the ideological balance of a court that will be likely to split 5-4 on important cases, that could be what happens next as liberal justices age along with Justice Anthony Kennedy, 80, who often acts as a swing vote.

Republicans argue that the filibuster has almost never been used against a Supreme Court nominee and they are right; even Clarence Thomas got onto the court without a filibuster, despite highly contentious confirmation hearings over sexual harassment claims from Anita Hill.

The only Supreme Court nominee to have been blocked by a filibuster was Abe Fortas, President Lyndon Johnsons nominee for chief justice in 1968. After a procedural vote failed, Johnson withdrew Fortas nomination. Fortas was already a sitting justice on the Court.

But the Supreme Court blowup has been a long-time coming, and both parties share the blame. Republicans were prepared to invoke the nuclear option on lower court nominees in 2005, but a bipartisan group of 14 senators made a deal that stopped it. Then Democrats took the step in 2013 when they grew frustrated over lower court nominees getting blocked, but left the Supreme Court subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Now, with Trump in the White House and politics ever more polarized, there appears to be no room for compromise.

Democrats are still fuming over the treatment of former President Barack Obamas Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, who never even got a hearing from Republicans last year after Scalia died. And for Republicans, Gorsuchs nomination is the one positive note so far in the trouble-plagued Trump administration, and they are determined to get a win.

Though some GOP senators have privately counseled caution, McConnell has no plans to wait and has declared definitively that Gorsuch will be confirmed on Friday. If Gorsuch joins the court shortly thereafter, he would be in time to hear the last set of cases in the courts current term, including one about church-state separation.

The stage will be set for the next Supreme Court nominee to be confirmed with a simple majority, potentially tilting the court ideologically for decades to come. And an uncertain future will await the filibuster itself, and the Senate as a deliberative, bipartisan institution.

It just continues on a downward spiral; its us thats to blame, its the base, its responding to the base on each side, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. Its both sides that have taken us to this place.

(AP)
United States intelligence suggests terrorists have obtained airport security screening equipment to test the effectiveness of their ability to conceal explosives in laptops and other electronic devices, ABC News has confirmed according to two sources familiar with the matter.

CNN first reported that intelligence suggested the screening equipment had fallen into the hands of terrorists.

Last week, ABC News reported that new restrictions for electronics on certain U.S. bound flights were based on new intelligence that radicals associated with ISIS are actively working on developing ways to smuggle bombs onto commercial airliners.

ABC News first reported that ISIS had developed creative new bombs built into electronic devices which could be smuggled aboard commercial airliners. Last week, law enforcement and intelligence officials tested the bombs, found them to be viable and then sent teams to the airports to see if they could be smuggled through. The threat led to the electronics restrictions.

The use of screening equipment is the latest evolution of a threat in which Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula shared its bomb-making expertise with Khorasan Group, an organization of terrorists in Syria, and other al-Qaeda associates in both Syria and Iraq; and now with ISIS.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the story, but provided a statement:

As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics, wrote DHS.

The U.S. government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements to keep passengers safe. To that end, we use a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen.

Over a week ago, DHS banned all electronics bigger than a cellphone from the cabins of nine airlines direct flights to the U.S. from 10 airports in eight Muslim-majority countries citing threat intelligence gathered by authorities and intelligence analysis paired with other government information.

(Source: ABC News)
The crowded campaign for an open congressional seat in a strongly Democratic district in Southern California could provide a hint about the direction of the party in the age of Donald Trump.

The race among nearly two dozen candidates for the vacant House seat in a district that falls mostly within Los Angeles could be viewed as a continuation of last years presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, which showcased the split between establishment Democrats and the partys left wing.

The contest comes at a time when Democrats across the U.S. have been sparring over the partys future after losing control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress in November.

Sanders narrowly carried the House district over Clinton.

The first congressional primary since Trumps election is being watched nationally for insights into how the party is shifting. Democrats have seen their power waning across the country  Republicans sit in 33 governors chairs, control 32 state legislatures and, if Neil Gorsuch is confirmed, will secure a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Its time to change politics as usual, said Ken Zinn, political director for National Nurses United, which supports former Sanders adviser Arturo Carmona.

The front-runner in Tuesdays election is widely viewed as Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, a Democrat whose home turf in the Legislature overlaps with the 34th Congressional District.

Hes lined up the kind of establishment support that usually proves decisive in local contests, including the backing of the California Democratic Party and endorsements from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the former congressman, Xavier Becerra, who stepped down after he was appointed state attorney general.

For rival Carmona, Democrats need to embrace issues championed by the Vermont senator, including universal health care, closing the growing wealth gap and making education free at public colleges and universities.

The similar agendas arent surprising. Carmona was a deputy political director for Sanders campaign last year. Hes one of several candidates who point to Sanders as an inspiration.

We can change our nation and keep the American dream alive by rejecting establishment politics, he says on his website, which prominently features a snapshot of him with the senator.

The echoes of Sanders and Clinton from last year are one plot in the race with 23 candidates on the ballot. Trump has been a target for just about everyone.

A sparse turnout is expected, so theres uncertainty about the outcome. An early look at voting suggests ethnic politics also are influencing the contest.

According to an analysis by nonpartisan research firm Political Data Inc., theres been a surge in mail-in ballots from Asian voters. That would appear to be an encouraging sign for Robert Lee Ahn, a Korean-American Democrat who has actively courted the communitys voters.

Ahns campaign has filed complaints over misprinted Korean-language sample ballots that could confuse voters. County election officials didnt say how many sample ballots were mislabeled but described it as a small number. Correct materials were resent to all Korean-language voters, they said.

The only Republican in the race, William Rodriguez Morrison, could be a surprise factor if all the GOP voters fall his way while Democrats sprinkle their votes widely. However, only about one of 10 voters in the district is Republican.

Longtime downtown LA resident Patricia Berman is looking for a new face, with Congress long in gridlock. Shes supporting first-time candidate Sara Hernandez, a lawyer and former teacher who also worked for a city councilman.

I think its time for someone with some experience, but not so much theyve become part of the problem, says Berman, who heads the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council.

Californias election rules  sometimes ridiculed as the jungle primary  essentially guarantee that the outcome on election night will be inconclusive.

It could take weeks of vote-counting to sort it out.

All candidates appear on a single ballot, regardless of party. If no candidate clears 50 percent of the vote to win outright, the two top finishers head to a June runoff.

The large number of candidates makes it likely no candidate will collect half the votes, and the race for a runoff spot is expected to be tight.

The gap between the second-place person who makes the runoff and third place is probably going to be only a couple hundred votes, said Paul Mitchell of Political Data.

The district is the face of a changing California.

Its diverse  heavily Hispanic, with pockets of Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipinos. Less than one-third of the voters are white. It ranges from gritty neighborhoods east of downtown Los Angeles to hipster hangouts like the citys Little Tokyo neighborhood.

That diversity is reflected in the candidates, who include a dozen women and two immigrants, along with younger candidates in their 20s or early 30s.

The large, varied field of Democrats could be a sign of things to come in neighboring districts. For example, Democrats have been gaining ground in once-reliably conservative Orange County, which could open the way for a wave of new candidates.

With Trump in the White House, many voters dont simply want a safe vote, says Jaime Regalado, former executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles.

They want a warrior, and a warrior on the left.

(AP)
Bchasdei Hashem, the two frum Jews injured in the Shabbos afternoon stabbing attack on HaGai Street in the Old City of Jerusalem have been released from Hadassah Hospital.

There injuries were light than first reported, and Baruch Hashem they were treated and released on Sunday. They were heading to the Kosel when the 17-year-old Arab terrorist attacked them with a knife. The attacker fled but was detected by border police and shot dead.

A third victim, a policeman, was also injured and he was listed in light-to-moderate condition.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Officials in the Prime Ministers Office on Sunday morning 6 Nissan report that at present, there is no understanding between Israel and the Trump administration pertaining to construction in Yehuda and Shomron but nevertheless, Israel will honor a request from President Donald Trump, taking significant measures to limit construction in yishuvim to permit advancement of peace efforts. In line with the decision, construction will take place inside current communities whenever possible.

Should this not be the case, in communities where this is not possible due to legal, security or topographical realities, construction will take place as close to current construction as the situation permits. Israel will not permit the establishment of new outposts. As for the expellees of Amona, the community will be rebuilt inside the legal boundaries of Shilo.

While this may satisfy the White House, condemnation can already be heard from Europe and the United Nations, which have condemned the cabinet decision.

In addition to the UN, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned the policy decision, which he calls a unilateral one that is contrary to international law and the vision of two nations for two peoples.

Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan told the media he and his colleagues will do their utmost to continue construction, adding the government that does not cease the historic opportunity [to build] has no moral or political right to exist.

Dagan calls on the administration to build, adding if this does not occur, there will not be a government, perhaps hinting the Bayit Yehudi party will break from the government if widespread construction does not begin in areas of Yehuda and Shomron following the years of the construction freeze during the Obama administration.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Lifetime Isa, a new tax-friendly savings vehicle, has launched aimed at people looking to buy their first home and save for retirement.

We explain how the Lifetime ISA will work, whether it is worth considering and why it may be good for saving for a first home but not a wise move to invest in for your pension.

New Lisa: For every 1,000 invested or saved, the Government will provide a 250 top-up

What is this new savings vehicle called Lisa?

It is a version of the popular Individual Savings Account - commonly known as an Isa - but with a twist designed to appeal to wannabe first-time home buyers who worry about whether to prioritise that or saving for retirement.

Savers will be able to make annual contributions up to 4,000 which will then be topped up with a generous 25 per cent bonus from the Government.

So for every 1,000 invested or saved, the Government will provide a 250 top-up. The bonus will be paid annually in the first year but monthly thereafter.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 39 can take out a Lisa. The maximum Government bonus is 32,000, payable if someone makes the maximum annual contributions from age 18 to the cut-off age of 50.

But given Lisa is aimed at helping people buy their first home, few will receive this amount of bonus. Those who invest all the way to retirement may do, however, they are likely to be better off using a pension for this, as we explain below.

How does this help me buy a first home?

The Government is hoping that with the top-up bonus on offer, Lisa will encourage more people to accumulate sufficiently big cash pots to use as a home deposit.

The rules allow homebuyers to use the proceeds from Lisa to put down a deposit on a home valued up to 450,000. Money can be accessed on the plans first anniversary.

What if I dont end up using the Lisa to buy a home?

That is fine. The Lisa then doubles up as a quasi-pension. Contributions will continue to attract the 25 per cent bonus until age 50 with penalty-free and tax-free access from age 60.

A traditional pension is a better provider of retirement income because contributions receive tax relief  while employers are now duty bound to top up contributions

But no one should take out a Lisa unless they plan to use it as a home deposit builder.

A traditional pension is a better provider of retirement income because contributions receive tax relief  while employers are now duty bound to top up contributions.

Can I take cash from my Lisa to meet a financial emergency?

Yes, but there will be a price to pay. Any withdrawal made after April 2018 other than for the purposes of funding a first-time home purchase  or post age 60 or in the case of terminal illness  will attract a 25 per cent penalty.

What about the Help-to-Buy Isa? Will this disappear?

No. Savers will be able to open new Help-to-Buy Isas until November 2019 although Lisa will be a better proposition.

This is because the maximum Government bonus available under the Help-to-Buy Isa is restricted to 3,000 (on a contribution of 12,000). Also, the maximum contribution is more proscriptive, 200 per month after a maximum initial payment of 1,200.

Although the Help-to-Buy Isa rules allow first-time buyers to use the proceeds to purchase homes up to the value of 450,000 (as with Lisa), this is only in London. Anywhere else, the maximum house purchase price is capped at 250,000.

Also, under the Lisa rules, all the plan proceeds including the bonuses can be used to fund a home deposit. This is not the case with Help-to-Buy because the bonus is only paid after completion on a house purchase.

The Government has acknowledged that Lisa is a better vehicle by allowing Help-to-Buy Isa savers to transfer their accumulated funds into the new vehicle. The transfer of the plans value will not count towards the 4,000 annual Lisa allowance but will be eligible for the 25 per cent Government bonus.

So, where can I go to take out a Lisa?

At the moment, Lisa providers are thin on the ground. Hargreaves Lansdown and The Share Centre are up and ready while others such as Nutmeg and Skipton Building Society are poised to launch accounts.

It may pay aspiring home buyers to wait for more providers to surface before plumping for a specific plan.
RPS is a company that likes to think big  it advises clients on how best to implement major projects, ranging from bridges and oil rigs to shopping malls and housing estates.

In Australia, it helped with plans to strengthen Sydney Harbour Bridge and is currently working on a tunnel beneath the harbour and a new airport for the city.

In Scotland, it advises Scottish Water and is helping the Port of Dundee on a complex expansion plan. In England, the company is advising on HS2 and helps major UK housebuilders and retailers to secure planning permission for new sites.

Solid: RPS advised on the strengthening of Sydney Harbour Bridge

In Norway, RPS advises on infrastructure projects, such as roads, hospitals and schools. And there is a growing business in the US too, where President Trump made infrastructure investment a cornerstone of his election campaign.

In January 2014, RPS shares were worth more than 350p. Today they are 246p. The company suffered from the dramatic downturn in the oil and gas industry, but responded rapidly to plunging investment in the sector and is back on the front foot. The share price should rise as recovery gathers momentum.

Founded in 1970, RPS floated on the stock market in 1987, the first technical consultancy in the world to become a public company. At the time, it was valued at 4 million. Today, RPS has a market capitalisation of more than 550 million. Over that time, profits have risen a hundredfold and the group has paid out about 165 million in dividends.

RPS has weathered recessions, other economic downturns and the financial crisis, to develop and grow regardless. Its resilience can be attributed to four main factors.

First, it is staffed by clever people who do their jobs well. Second, it holds on to its customers, so 85 per cent of its work comes from long-term clients. Third, it is led by a highly experienced chief executive, Alan Hearne, who knows the business inside-out. And fourth, the group reacts and adapts fast to changing circumstances.

The energy business is a case in point. RPS made 35 million from advising oil and gas companies in 2014, equivalent to half underlying profits. By 2015, the oil and gas element had slumped to 11 million. Last year, profits from this sector were little more than 5 million.

RPS responded by cutting the number of staff in the energy division by more than half, streamlining costs across the group and expanding divisions such as water and infrastructure, both organically and through acquisition.

The company, which has its headquarters in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has also been restructured into three areas  Europe, North America and Australia Asia Pacific. There is no longer a separate energy business, and management numbers have been reduced. These measures meant that in 2016 profits were scarcely changed at 51 million, while the dividend was maintained at 9.7p. A number of people from the energy business were also deployed elsewhere, so RPS still has more than 5,000 staff. Oceanographers, for example, who were measuring tides and currents for oil rig construction, can now perform similar work for offshore wind farms or water companies.

BOSS WAS SHUNNED BY KIDS FOR VOTING LEAVE HOPE: Alan Hearne says Brexit will help long-term RPS chief executive Alan Hearne, 64, is a softly spoken former academic. Head of an international business, he has the hallmarks of a classic Remainer. But he is sanguine about the triggering of Article 50 because he voted Leave in the referendum on EU membership. Hearne, an economics graduate, thinks the EU is badly run and doomed to years of weakness, which will ultimately lead to the collapse of the euro. His children did not talk to him for weeks after the vote but he insists he was acting for their generation rather than his own. Admitting Brexit is likely to cause short-term pain, he suggests this will be followed by long-term economic gain. Hearne speaks as a man who has spent decades doing business on the Continent. Having joined RPS in 1978 with a doctorate in environmental planning, he became chief executive in 1981 and has been at the helm ever since  a total of 36 years. Most chief executives of listed companies tend to find new jobs or be kicked out after just a few years. But Hearne has stayed the distance. Shareholders believe he knows what hes doing and, crucially, he still loves the job.

Encouragingly, too, the oil and gas business picked up in the second half of last year and recovery has continued this year, while other parts of RPS are making good progress. Hearne is particularly optimistic about America and Australia. The US business currently generates just 15 per cent of group profits. But with American infrastructure in dire need of an upgrade, RPS, as a well-known and highly respected consultancy, is well placed to benefit.

Australia is also investing heavily in infrastructure and RPS is involved in several major projects, from land decontamination to light railway construction.

Analysts expect profits to rise marginally this year to 53 million, increasing to almost 60 million for the year ending December 31, 2018. A dividend of 10p is pencilled in for 2017, increasing to more than 10.2p the following year.

Midas verdict: RPS has been through tough times and has proved it can bounce back. The company is well run and should profit from long-term trends, such as a growing need for improved roads, railways and airports, as well as greater investment in water and renewable energy. There is a strong focus on the dividend too, making this a good stock for income seekers. At 246p, the shares are a buy.

Traded on: Main market Ticker: RPS Contact: rpsgroup.com or 01235 438 151
We round up the Sunday newspaper share tips. This week, Midas looks at infrastructure specialist RPS, the Times analyses chemicals company Croda, and the Telegraph assesses future prospects at drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline.

FINANCIAL MAIL ON SUNDAY

RPS is a company that likes to think big  it advises clients on how best to implement major projects, ranging from bridges and oil rigs to shopping malls and housing estates.

In Australia, it helped with plans to strengthen Sydney Harbour Bridge and is currently working on a tunnel beneath the harbour and a new airport for the city.

In Scotland, it advises Scottish Water and is helping the Port of Dundee on a complex expansion plan. In England, the company is advising on HS2 and helps major UK housebuilders and retailers to secure planning permission for new sites.

In January 2014, RPS shares were worth more than 350p. Today they are 246p. The company suffered from the dramatic downturn in the oil and gas industry, but responded rapidly to plunging investment in the sector and is back on the front foot. The share price should rise as recovery gathers momentum.

Analysts expect profits to rise marginally this year to 53 million, increasing to almost 60 million for the year ending December 31, 2018. A dividend of 10p is pencilled in for 2017, increasing to more than 10.2p the following year.

Midas verdict: RPS has been through tough times and has proved it can bounce back. The company is well run and should profit from long-term trends, such as a growing need for improved roads, railways and airports, as well as greater investment in water and renewable energy. There is a strong focus on the dividend too, making this a good stock for income seekers. At 246p, the shares are a buy.

>>>Read the full Midas column here

THE TELEGRAPH

A little piece of good news greeted the beginning of Emma Walmsleys reign at GlaxoSmithKline last week.

An application by rival Mylan to market a generic copy of the British groups blockbuster drug Advair was rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration.

It will be a brief celebration. Copycats are like buses: another will be along imminently.

Even if Walmsley arrives in the office tomorrow armed with a new strategy for Glaxo at the start of her first full week in charge, the fruits of her labour are unlikely to be reaped while she is chief executive.

Instead, she is left with a series of big decisions inherited from Sir Andrew Witty, who set Glaxo on its current course of concentrating on higher-volume, lower-value goods including vaccines and painkillers; a strategy that dovetails with her marketing background.

Wittys reluctance to carry out a giant merger  favouring a complicated asset swap with Novartis  became something of a badge of honour. You suspect the legacy he would like to be remembered for is futureproofing the company.

What Walmsley must show is there is life in the product pipeline or otherwise restock it. The company expects important clinical trial results on 25 products currently in development, but most of those are back-weighted to 2018.

The 15 times this years earnings that the stock currently trades on equates to a 20pc premium to the average multiple over the last decade.

It could be that the market has finally woken up to the potential of the new Glaxo: stable, diversified, innovative. It could have been a beneficiary of so much monetary stimulus, plus the flight to safety that has sent defensive stocks to fresh highs.

The challenge is there is not enough good news around the corner to see the shares make immediate progress from here. Hold.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Chemicals companies are rare animals on the London market. Where once the likes of ICI and Courtaulds dominated the FTSE, now just a scattering of names remain.

Croda, the East Yorkshire maker of chemicals for everything from acne treatment to household cleaning, is one of the last survivors among a field that includes plastics maker Victrex and Synthomer, the Doncaster maker of industrial chemicals.

Founded in 1925 to refine the grease from sheep wool, Croda has enjoyed a steady but unspectacular rise. It is run by a chemistry graduate, Steve Foots, who joined from York University in 1990 and was mentored through the ranks to take the top job in 2012.

Brexit has changed all that, turbocharging its shares and profits. Thanks to the 95% of its business done overseas, Croda has benefited from the slump in sterling. The 35.64 share price and market value of 4.7bn put it within touching distance of the FTSE 100 once again, after it was relegated in 2013.

Foots has been busy with small acquisitions, but a big deal has eluded him. So far its sky-high valuation has kept predators away. But chemicals deals are back in vogue, from the Dow and DuPont mega-merger of 2015 to ChemChinas bid for Syngenta and PPGs swoop on AkzoNobel. Compared with those deals, Croda would be bite-sized.

Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas cited the company as a likely takeover target  but warned that might kill the goose that lays the golden egg  neutering its entrepreneurial DNA. Foots may need to dust off his chequebook to keep the vultures at bay. Buy.
Home sellers keen to maximise profits can pick from a growing number of online-only estate agents.

In a slowing housing market, where sellers may struggle to achieve their desired price, marketing properties online can be a useful way to pocket extra cash.

High street agents charge around 1.5 per cent on the sale price. If you sell a property for 300,000, when VAT has been added you will see around 5,400 of the proceeds go to the agent.

Result: Mike and Zoe Smith saved 11,255 in fees on their flat sale

Sell for 600,000, and the agent pockets a whopping 10,800.

But rising numbers of cheaper online rivals offer a fixed fee of between around 499 and 1,000, depending on the level of service you want. The price is fixed no matter how much the value of the house  for a service that includes arranging a valuation, advertising the property on major property websites and dealing with offers.

Sellers who have saved thousands by using an online estate agent include Zoe and Mike Smith. They sold their new-build two-bedroom flat in Highbury, North London, just over a year ago, saving more than 11,000.

The couple attracted plenty of interest when they marketed their flat through Settled for 650,000. Zoe, 31, who works in marketing, and Mike, 32, an advertising executive, paid 399 to use the service (the charge is now 499) and accepted an offer within a week.

Zoe says: The fee included professional photographs, a messaging service and support, and getting listed on the major property websites. We could see how many requests there were for viewings and any offers made. As a result we felt more in control.

The couple, who were recommended the website by a friend, negotiated a final sale price of 647,500. Zoe says: We sat down in our kitchen with the buyer and discussed points they were concerned about, and set up a WhatsApp group which sped up the sale by taking out the middleman.

Zoe and Mike preferred being able to handle the viewings themselves. She says: We could answer questions an agent wouldnt be able to.

They already had the Energy Performance Certificate (required to put any property on the market) and floorplan from when they bought the flat. She says: I wrote the ad, with help from Settled. Given everyone uses the internet these days rather than looking in an estate agents window, we thought wed give it a go  and it worked for us.

If the couple had sold their flat through an estate agent charging 1.5 per cent of the sale price, they would have paid 11,654 in fees, including VAT. Based on this, they saved 11,255 by using an online agent.

New entrants

A string of online-only agents have opened in the past year. Countrywide, the UKs largest residential estate agent, launched an online service last summer with fees starting at 795, combining a digital offering with its traditional service.

Yopa, which stands for Your Property Agent, launched in January 2016 and charges a fixed upfront fee of 780. Settled was set up in 2015 and charges a fixed fee of 499, far below the big commissions paid to traditional agents. They have numerous rivals, including HouseSimple, eMoov, Tepilo, Hatched, easyProperty and Purple Bricks.

The biggest websites report booming numbers of sales and the opportunity to save a chunk of cash. For example, House Simple, with fixed fees from 595, sold more than 1,800 homes last year  more than double the number in 2015.

Check Testimonials

Before signing up with an online agent, check the quality of its listings and service. This includes property descriptions and photographs, as these are key in finding potential buyers.

Find customer testimonials at online directory Allagents.co.uk. Make sure you can seek redress if anything goes wrong by confirming they belong to the Property Ombudsman at tops.co.uk.

Finger on the pulse: Before signing up with an online agent, check the quality of its listings and service

As an example, Purple Bricks, the largest estate agent in the online market, lists around 9,000 properties for sale. It uses a hybrid model, employing a network of local agents to provide face-to-face services.

Charges are 849 outside London and 1,199 in some parts of the capital and customers opt to pay up front, after ten months or on sale completion (whichever comes first). Importantly, even if the property does not sell, the fee must still be met.

Some experts claim high street agents have valuable negotiation skills that can help secure a higher price, plus they keep a list of potential buyers on their books.

Sam Tyrer, managing director for retail at Countrywide, says: Getting a property on the market is the easy part. Obtaining the right price from the right buyer at the right time is what makes a difference.

She admits online services can work for some sellers. She says: Some customers value the choice to do more themselves  perhaps an experienced seller, with a straightforward property, who has the free time to manage their own viewings.

Many online agents use local advisers who will visit your home to offer a valuation. But be prepared by doing your own research. Rightmove and nethouseprices provide tools that compare nearby properties. Use an online agent that advertises the home on all the main property websites, including Rightmove and Zoopla.

Decide who negotiates the sale

Consider the figure you would be willing to accept before viewings begin and stick to this. Online agents allow you to view any offers via their websites. Simply accept or reject. And remember nothing is legally binding until exchange of contracts.

Alex Gosling, from HouseSimple, says: Sellers can negotiate directly with the buyer on price if they wish. But we generally advise the account handler acts as the middleman between the seller and buyer.
The Government must guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK as a matter of urgency, business leaders demanded this weekend putting the status of such workers at the centre of Brexit negotiations.

The president of the Confederation of British Industry, Paul Drechsler, told The Mail on Sunday he had spoken to bosses who warned him it was the paramount issue facing their firms.

I do not know what the problem is, but I would sort this out on Monday morning if not earlier, said Drechsler. An estimated 3.5 million EU citizens live and work in the UK.

On ice: Three quarters of waiting staff in Britain are from the Continent

The CBI demand came as the European Union made workers a key issue in its response to last weeks Article 50 letter from the Prime Minister, which formally triggered Britains departure from the EU.

Britain had called for parallel talks on the terms of its exit and a new trade deal with the EU once Britain leaves the union.

However, the EU said there had to be at least significant progress on the terms of separation  including EU workers rights and Britains financial obligations to the union  before talks on Britains future trade relations can even begin.

Guaranteeing EU citizens residency and working rights in the UK could also tackle fears in the financial sector that an exodus of EU citizens would hit British lenders, if EU workers defaulted on loans issued by UK banks.

Credit risk consultancy 4most said a sudden break could land banks with 5 billion in losses if EU citizens driven out of jobs in Britain defaulted on loans issued to them by British banks. There have already been reports that banks in the UK are becoming less willing to offer loans and mortgages to EU citizens.

Mark Somers, chief operations officer at 4most, said: Many of those who have come to work in the UK from the EU have taken out loans on the assumption that they would be able to repay them whilst they live here. If they lose that right to remain, without any managed process as to how they can reasonably pay back the loans, there could be significant and unexpected credit risk to UK lenders.

While uncertainty remains over all aspects of the talks, Drechsler said the Article 50 letter and the EUs response had set the right tone and could form the basis for a successful deal. He added: Everyone would like to come out of this with a relationship that benefits all countries.

Both sides have, however, emphasised they are not bound to reach an agreement.

In its outline for trade negotiation, which emerged on Friday, the EU made clear it was planning for a deal but was prepared for the worst. The union would work hard to achieve an agreement, it said. However, it added it will prepare itself to be able to handle the situation also if the negotiations were to fail.

Drechsler also said businesses urgently needed a transitional deal to be struck in case no final trade agreement could be reached, adding: We need that set out early on in the process. We in business invest over three, five, even ten years. To make those decisions we need to know there will be no cliff-edge.

Drechsler said he had spent recent days meeting businesses in the Midlands and East of England, and the status of EU workers was at the top of their agenda. Last night, one CEO told me he could not express strongly enough how important this was. He told me there were people in tears at his company because of the uncertainty, he said.

The CBIs concerns over the status of existing workers was echoed by concerns over future skills shortages from other business groups. Last week, the British Hospitality Association warned of a 60,000 shortfall in workers for the sector if migration from the EU was too tightly controlled, adding that three quarters of all waiting staff in Britain are EU workers.

The Institute of Directors new chief executive Stephen Martin also raised the issue in an interview with The Mail on Sunday.

Declaring himself to have voted Leave in the referendum Martin nonetheless said: One of the big things seems to be about immigration, but that to me is not an issue.

I want more people to come, not just from Europe but from elsewhere in the world.
You might have heard, oh, I dont know, one or two thousand times, that Charleston, South Carolina, has got it going on.

This historic port city has embedded itself at the top of many a best list for good reason. Its food, architecture, culture and charm make it an ideal getaway, especially in the spring.

Heres where to stay and play:

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA: Culture vultures have been flocking to this stateside spin on the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, since 1977. For 17 days in late spring, a dozen of Charlestons theaters, churches and outdoor spaces host operas, plays, dance productions and concerts at the popular performing arts festival.

Highlights of this years installment include a lavish production of Tchaikovskys opera Eugene Onegin in the recently renovated Charleston Gaillard Center, jazz concerts by Grammy and Tony award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Druid theater companys rendition of Waiting for Godot. The shindig  featuring more than 160 ticketed events  is May 26 to June 11. Hotel and ticket packages are available at www.gospoleto.com.

THE DEWBERRY: This former federal office building went from eyesore to eye-catching, thanks to deep-pocketed developer John Dewberry, who spared no expense in transforming the boxy, seven-story structure into a luxury hotel that debuted last year. A bastion of midcentury modern design, the 155-room Dewberry Charleston (think Mad Men) is a disrupter in a hotel scene traditionally dominated by an antebellum aesthetic (think Gone With the Wind).

Vintage furniture, bedding imported from Ireland and enough marble to build a mini Taj Mahal give the place a rich feel, but the vibe is decidedly unstuffy. The ground floors sprawling Living Room is a welcoming spot to camp out with your laptop and a cup of coffee, or sidle up to the brass bar for a handcrafted cocktail likely made by a mixologist with a formidable beard. The property sits across the street from Marion Square, home to the popular Charleston Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays as of April 8 (www.charlestonfarmersmarket.com). Overnight rates start at $299.

Info: 334 Meeting St.; 843-558-8000; www.thedewberrycharleston.com.

SURF: Dont be surprised to find clusters of people swarming around the outside of oyster bar 167 Raw. Theyre waiting for a table or counter space to open up at this bijou Nantucket Island import that doesnt take reservations and is as big as a minute, as one local put it. An ever-changing selection of expertly shucked bivalves and ceviche draws the hungry masses, who also pack the place for the equally tasty tacos, ahi poke and sandwiches. Closed Sundays.

Info: 289 E. Bay St.; 843-579-4997; www.167raw.com/charleston.

AND TURF: Pork may be king in South Carolina, but Texas pitmaster John Lewis gives beef the royal treatment at his bold entry into the citys barbecue scene. After making a name for himself in Austin, he built his own smokers out of propane tanks and drove them to his new home in Charleston last year to open Lewis Barbecue in the up-and-coming Half Mile North hood. Ask a manager for a tour of the smokehouse before settling in at a picnic table under a shady oak tree with your cafeteria tray full of decadent beef brisket, Texas hot guts sausage and green chile corn pudding. Closed Mondays.

Info: 464 N. Nassau St.; 843-805-9500; www.lewisbarbecue.com.

THE RESTORATION: With 54 spacious suites spread across five buildings, The Restoration feels more like a collection of pieds-a-terre than a downtown hotel. The intimate vibe extends to the common areas, where guests gather in the library for pre-dinner noshing during the complimentary wine-and-cheese hour nightly 5-6 p.m. A couple of hours later, help yourself to fresh-baked cookies and port. Continental breakfast gets delivered each morning to the rooms, all of which have kitchenettes  not that you should be cooking when surrounded by this many great restaurants.

The decor skews rustic-chic with splashes of indigo, a nod to what was once one of the states biggest cash crops. The rooftop pool makes a relaxing spot for guests to survey The Holy Citys collection of church steeples  a view that also can be had by anyone who heads to the upstairs restaurant and bar. Overnight rates start at $299.

Info: 75 Wentworth St.; 877-221-7202; www.therestorationhotel.com.

KAYAK: The Lowcountry has no shortage of wildlife in and around its waters. The best way to take it all in is from the vantage point of a kayak. Charlestons natural wonders are often overlooked; theres a lot more to this place than food and hospitality, said Chris Crolley, owner of Coastal Expeditions. The company runs a slew of kayak tours out of Shem Creek on the other side of the iconic Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant. Usually about three hours long, the excursions are led by knowledgeable guides eager to explain the areas ecosystem while shepherding paddlers past the creeks working shrimp trawlers to various points of interest.

Some tours are tailored to bird nerds, while others explore Charleston Harbor at sunset or stop at an island to scout for ancient shark teeth and fossils. On our mellow paddle, we spotted a bald eagle, egrets, a great blue heron and  best of all  Atlantic bottlenose dolphins a stones throw from our boats. Tours typically cost about $65. No experience necessary.

Info: 514 Mill St., Mount Pleasant; 843-884-7684; www.coastalexpeditions.com.
Engine room: The Dagenham Ford factory

The European boss of Ford is confident Britain will secure a tariff-free trade deal with the EU  but said the motor giant was making contingency plans in case talks fail.

Jim Farley said he had applied for a banking licence in Germany in case his UK-based car finance arm was frozen out of Europe under Brexit.

He also said he had asked Ministers for assurances similar to those given to Nissan and Toyota after the referendum result.

Our first message to them was we expect a level playing field, he said. We have big investment decisions coming up in the next couple of years and the right deal between the UK and EU will let us continue investing in new technologies we believe in. The UK is a centre of global excellence for us.

As well as engine manufacturing plants in Bridgend, South Wales, and Dagenham, East London, Ford has a research facility in Dunton, Essex, and a Manchester finance arm, employing 14,000 staff directly in total.

Brexit can boost Britains pubs

The pub industry is calling for changes to how beer and food are taxed following Brexit.

Brigid Simmonds, of the British Beer and Pub Association, has called for a rise in the threshold of low-strength beer, which has a lower rate of tax, from 2.8 per cent to 3.5 per cent ABV  an increase not allowed under EU law.

Publicans also want VAT to be lowered from 20 per cent for food served in bars. Supermarket meals are zero-rated.

Simmonds said: A drop in the rate of VAT to 15 per cent for pub meals could create 78,000 jobs. As the Repeal Bill goes through, there will be opportunities to remove more of the red tape that membership of the EU has imposed on businesses.
Boom: Bath City Council wants to tax overnight stays

Some of Britains top tourist destinations have asked for the power to impose a hotel room tax to capitalise on the expected flood of tourists cashing in on the weak pound.

City councils in Bath, Bristol and Edinburgh are joining Londons call for such a levy last year. The Government is expected to respond to the requests as soon as next month.

The plans centre on a tax starting at 1 per room per night, which could raise hundreds of millions for cash-strapped cities. But hotels have bristled at even that sum. In January the Greater London Authority mooted a 5 per cent tax  a rate similar to Berlins  to raise 240 million a year.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, of Bath and North East Somerset, is one of those leading the call. He said: We are in conversation with the Government, as are other authorities.

He said talks were being held across the joint authorities of Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, but could also be pursued by individual authorities.

A possible tourist boom has been identified as one of the few bright spots of the tumbling value of sterling for UK consumers.

Another local authority source familiar with the talks said: There is a shortfall in funding for many local authorities. We are about to find out what substance there is in central Government promises to devolve power over local finances. Edinburgh City Council is also understood to have engaged in talks with the Scottish Government. One source said it had yet to receive a response.

But a spokesman for Holyrood said last night there were no plans to implement any new taxes as the tourism sector is currently subject to the second highest VAT rates in Europe by the UK Government. Sources in England say they are also waiting for a response.

Hotels in London already face a 117 million increase in taxes this year in the form of new business rates, according to consultancy CVS, raising the annual total to 476 million, with the new charges starting to bite this weekend.

Mark Rigby, head of CVS, said: It will be hard for the cost to be absorbed long-term and that could result in rising room prices.

But a council source said: Is a 1 surcharge per night really going to be the difference between someone holidaying here or not?
A bright yellow high-vis waistcoat hangs on the coat stand in Stephen Martins office, and a hard hat sits on the desk. Here in the grand Georgian residence of the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall the workwear seems out of place.

So does Stephen Martin.

The new director general of the IoD, former chief executive of a Scunthorpe-based building group, seems a stranger to the establishment of which he is now a part.

A different hat: Stephen Martin in Channel 4s Undercover Boss

His new office is a few hundred yards from Whitehall. But he prides himself on not being a member of the Westminster bubble and positions himself as an outsider who is bringing a new pair of eyes.

In the style of Michael Gove, he casts doubt on experts. The economists got it wrong before and are still getting it wrong, he declares.

Stephen Martin voted for Brexit.

The hard hat on his desk is not a prop, he says. I didnt bring it in to pose, he insists, explaining that he was visiting a construction site earlier in the day. And Martin does not come across as a natural master of spin. In fact he seems bewildered by the world into which he has been thrown. Like a schoolboy relating a trip to the big city, the 51-year-old Martin enthuses about his trips to No. 9 Downing Street.

Do you know about No 9? he asks. Do you know whats in No 9? Nobody knows. No 9 is the Department for Exiting the European Union. Well, I didnt know it was No 9. Im learning these things all the time, its great! The fact that the Department for Brexit is at No.9 has not received much publicity, but it is hardly a state secret.

Martin is a stark contrast to his predecessor, the urbane Simon Walker, who was already a well-known figure in the City before he took the helm at the IoD.

He also stands out for having voted for Brexit. Brexiteers are far from unknown in the business community, but among the leaders of business groups they are a rarity.

But Martin is ready to defend Brexit as good for British business. The next few years will, undoubtedly, bring uncertainty for business, but I believe the long-term impact will be positive for the UK as we develop strong trade deals with the faster growing emerging economies.

But on the specifics, matters become more confusing. Martin believes in more not less immigration. One of the big things seems to be about immigration, but that to me is not an issue. I want more people to come, not just from Europe but from elsewhere in the world. We want to have the best people here irrespective.

Regulation from Brussels was his main reason for voting out, he says, and here he argues there can be some immediate gains for business.

There was a lot of concern from business leaders about the way the European courts decided on the implementation of regulations in areas like employment law, he explains. For example the ruling that overtime had to be included in holiday pay calculations  something the UK Government had told firms wasnt the case. After Brexit, future European Court of Justice rulings wont apply to the UK, which will give businesses more certainty.

The landmark case last year between British Gas and one of its workers has set a precedent. Of course Theresa May has said workers rights already in place will not be eroded.

There will also be tax benefits to companies from Brexit, Martin claims. Small businesses are currently required to register for VAT if their turnover exceeds 83,000; this is the maximum permitted by the EU. Following Brexit we will have the ability to introduce a much higher compulsory threshold, like 150,000, and this will reduce the compliance burden on small businesses with minimal VAT inputs, he says.

Again, though, whether we can shift such tax thresholds will depend on the final deal agreed with Brussels. It may also depend upon whether our cash-strapped Chancellor can afford it.

But Martin is realistic about the chances of a quick solution to the Brexit talks. Its a mammoth task and its not going to happen in the next two years, he declares.

The referendum campaign was littered with promises and threats from the respective parties and Martin has already shown his disdain for the economic prophets of doom from the Remain camp.

Does he feel the promises of sunny uplands from the Brexit side were perhaps equally misplaced?

The exaggeration on both sides of the campaign was disappointing as you want people to be given a fair idea of what they are voting for, he concedes. But the referendum campaign is over and now we have to move beyond that debate and come together to work out what is best for our economy and society.

Martin, who was born and brought up in Northern Ireland has lived and worked much of his career in the North of England, rising to become head of the 143 million turnover construction group Clugston.

Prestigious: The Institutes grand headquarters in Londons Pall Mall

Even with Brexit dominating the business horizon he has an eye outside the gilded South East. Theres so much focus on Brexit that everything else gets left behind. Weve got to carry on with that and look at the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine and spreading the wealth around the country. Not just London and the South East.

The sense that London and the Home Counties enjoy a favoured status in Britain is widely felt and Martin reveals a whiff of this when he relates his own surprise at having been approached to be director general of the IoD.

My name is very common. I thought theyd got the wrong one. I was based up in Scunthorpe in Construction! he says.

But even before the IoD job, Martin had enjoyed a brush with fame  on reality TV. In 2009, he appeared on Channel 4s Undercover Boss, in which he swapped his CEO role to pose as a worker at his own company. He claims the experience was extremely useful, his only frustration being that while undercover he could not use his position as CEO to immediately sort out any problems.

Since arriving at the IoD in February he has toured the building and met staff. On the table in his office is an origami swan made by a woman working in the IoD cloakrooms.

Well over half our employees are women. Thats great, he says. Coming from construction, thats been one extreme to the other.

And he says the IoD itself  used by many members as a Mayfair club with private dining rooms  is no longer as it was.

It used to be all men in ties. But now its far more diverse and the younger people coming through have a totally different outlook. Weve got this fantastic historic building. But we dont want to be seen as stuffy and a gentlemans club. Thats an outdated view of the IoD.

It is indeed and the Institutes own dress code is straightforward, stating simply: Members and their guests should dress as they would for their business needs.

Hard hats all round, then.
Chancellor Philip Hammond is facing pressure in both Houses of Parliament to reveal how many special tax deals UK authorities have struck in the last two years with large corporations.

The Advanced Thin Capitalisation Agreements have been used by global groups to reduce UK tax liabilities by offsetting their profits against loans from international parent companies.

The agreements, also known as transfer pricing arrangements, determine how much interest on such loans can be offset against UK corporation tax.

Your number's up: Chancellor Philip Hammond is coming under more pressure in Parliament

Campaigners from Tax Justice Network say there were 500 of these deals in force in 2014, but the current total is unknown as the Government has stopped releasing this information.

Margaret Hodge MP has tabled a Commons question to the Chancellor asking if his department, has discontinued the publication of annual transfer pricing statistics.

Lord Harries has lodged six questions in the Upper House, asking how many deals were in place in the last two years and how much money was involved.

It was revealed last week that Formula 1 used an Advanced Thin deal to pay just 5.2 million of corporation tax on underlying profits of 372 million in 2015, a rate of less than 2 per cent.
Mid-sized companies have been the driving force behind the UKs overseas turnover in the last five years, an analysis has revealed.

And this underlines the critical importance of these firms as the UK prepares to leave the EU, says the study by accountancy and business advisory business BDO.

Medium-sized businesses  which it classed as those with a revenue of 10 million to 300 million, AIM-listed and private-equity owned  have increased international turnover by 50 per cent since 2011, from 84 billion to 127 billion.

In contrast, FTSE 350 and small firms have seen overseas turnover fall by 14 per cent (425 billion to 366 billion) and 25 per cent (13.9 billion to 10.4 billion) respectively, BDO said.

In 2016 mid-sized firms increased overseas trade by 7 per cent (from 119 billion to 127 billion).

But the levels of overseas trade of FTSE 350 and small businesses in 2016 fell 30 per cent (524 billion to 366 billion) and 13 per cent (from 12 billion to 10.4 billion).

BDO classed large businesses as those on the FTSE 350, and smaller businesses as those with a turnover of less than 10 million.

It urged the Government to engage with the overlooked and undervalued 30,000 mid-sized firms that are our economic engine. They represent only 1.5 per cent of all companies, but contribute one third (1.2 trillion) of all UK turnover, the study added.

It warned that they are too big to benefit from initiatives aimed at small firms, but not large enough to win the attention that FTSE firms command.

The report follows the triggering of Article 50 by Theresa May and the publication of the outline of the Great Repeal Bill. Paul Eagland, managing partner at BDO, said: The success of these businesses should not be taken for granted. It is crucial the Government factors the needs of these mid-sized businesses ahead of negotiations.

Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the Great Repeal Bill, gives small businesses stability and certainty that Brexit will not mean sudden big changes in regulation over the next two years.

While transferring EU regulations into domestic UK law should eventually allow an overhaul of some of the more burdensome processes, which inhibit productivity, it is in no ones interest for there to be a cliff-edge moment.

Bivek Sharma, of KPMG Small Business Accounting, said: For small businesses, triggering Article 50 represents the start of a two-year period in which to minimise any disruptive effects of Brexit.

Entrepreneurs can begin by closely assessing their business models, starting with their supply chain, their product offering and methods of talent acquisition. By diversifying and keeping their eggs in separate baskets, entrepreneurs can prepare for what comes next.

Concern: Azimo's Marta Krupinska

But Marta Krupinska, co-founder of online money transfer business Azimo, expressed concern about the impact of Brexit on start-ups.

She said: As an immigrant, UK resident and founder of a British-based business, Im disappointed.

Krupinska said Azimo succeeded because of access in London to talent, funding and regulation.

She explained that 70 per cent of its team hail from overseas and that it has international investors. Regarding regulation, she said: One licence and FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) passport means we have been able to operate in multiple countries.

My concern is the impact Brexit will have on my ability to employ my current staff, and on my ability to hire and remain competitive.

Will this talent pool reduce as people seek employment in other sectors, and will investors be drawn to more open markets?

More broadly, I worry about the future of the UK start-up scene as the leaders of tomorrows businesses set up elsewhere.
The newly-weds Temakholo Mavimbela (Kaelani Kubina) and Mavela Dlamini (Aaron Wahlmuth).

PHONJWANE  An American couple which met on Facebook got married yesterday through the Swazi custom known as kuteka.



The unique event occurred in Phonjwane, a few kilometres from Siphofaneni.

Aaron Wahlmuth, aged 24, who was named Mavela Dlamini when he arrived in Swaziland, traditionally married his girlfriend who is known as Temakholo Mavimbela aged 27.

The wifes original name is Kaelani Kubina and she is three years older than the husband.



During their stay in Swaziland, the two are being hosted by two different families  the Dlaminis of Phonjwane and Mavimbelas of KaLanga in Siteki. The event was attended by the couples host families and their colleagues from the American Peace Corps volunteers (emavolontiya).

The two started dating when they arrived in Swaziland in June 2015.



Just like other people who marry through this custom, the two underwent all the stages that complete the custom.

The event started at 3am, when the bride went to the kraal accompanied by her colleagues and family members.



There she performed the popular kumekeza (continuous crying) until sunrise. The process of wailing signifies the fact that the wife is entering a stage in her life where there is a lot of hardship. Despite the chilly early morning weather, she wore only sidvwaba (traditional skirt) made of cowhide. She also carried a symbolic spear.

Those with her in the kraal sang traditional songs that befitted the custom until after 6am, when the group went into a forest where the bride took a bath and awaited a message from her in-laws, who were expected to officially welcome her into her new home.



While they awaited the message, inviting them over, they were served with food as breakfast and the bride was fitted with what is known as sicholo (a Swazi traditional way of doing hair) in the Swazi setting. However, that service had to be attempted by three people as each of them failed due to the texture of the brides hair. She was then covered with a blanket by the grooms aunt.



After that, the group, accompanied the bride, was then invited over and they had to wait by the gate until an indication to walk in was made.

As Temakholo made her way into the Dlamini homestead, the groom emerged, doing the traditional victory dance known as kugiya as he pranced towards his beautiful wife. Then came the smearing of lubovu (red ochre) on the brides face.



In turn, Temakholo did the same to her new son who according to the Swazi tradition is called `Umntfwana welubovu.

Culturally, the family chooses one son belonging to the family and gives him to the bride as a gift. This is a way to test if the new wife will be able to take care of children. After being dressed with sidziya, (wrap-around dress), the bride had to run towards the gate. At that moment, one of the grooms family members instructed her to return, while shouting the type and colours of the cow that would be offered to indicate that she was officially a wife (insulamnyembeti).

That marked the end of the ceremony, after which the bride was taken to a room where she was also presented with a goat.



An excited Mavela explained why they chose to get married traditionally.

We met on Facebook through our group page but we didnt talk until we arrived in Swaziland, he said.

A week was enough for me to win her heart. We decided to marry through the traditional way because we respect and love Swazi culture. Both of us are also close to our Swazi families. So, we felt we should create a platform where our local families can be part of this ceremony as we will have a white wedding in America.



The lovebirds will be returning to America in October this year.

Mavela said their families were aware of the decision they took and could not wait for the white wedding when they returned home.

Kaelani, the wife, is involved in HIV/ AIDS awareness campaigns in the country, among other projects.



The groom, meanwhile, works with rural schools, where he helps pupils with English lessons.

The newly-married woman said she loved the fact that Mavela had a sense of humour.

He always makes her laugh and is adventurous.



I told my parents about this a month ago and they are okay with it. They just cant wait for us to return home to have our white wedding.

She also said she was currently staying at KaLanga at Siteki as she previously stayed at Mbutfu.
SIPHOFANENI  Newly-weds Pastor Sikhumbuzo and Jabu Shongwe were showered with more gifts at St Philips yesterday.



This was during a ceremony hosted by the pastors church, Divine Healing Ministries at Phumulamcashi, where the couple was welcomed and presented to church members and community members.

The ceremony was attended by close to 200 people including Mpolonjeni Member of Parliament (mp) Jacob Siwela, who was representing the Lubombo Regional Administrator Sylvia Mthethwa, Chief Mshikashika of KaNgcamphalala, and many other guests.



Chief Mshikashika presented the couple with a cow.

He lauded Sikhumbuzo for the impact he has had in the community since he arrived. He said his foundation had contributed immensely to combating poverty in that area.

Siwela also came to the party as he made his contribution to the church.

The MP pledged E1 000 to the newlyweds.



He said Sikhumbuzos ministry would now be better since he had a helper.

He then asked the church to establish a new branch in his constituency.



I hope the church will have revivals in my constituency before my term of office elapses, said Siwela. He will vacate office next year.

Other gifts that were pledged during the ceremony included chickens, blankets, sheets and four goats.

Money was also contributed by guests who were present on the day.



Bishop Nash Shongwe and his wife Zanele also pledged to give the couple a cow. Sikhumbuzo, I am proud of you, said Bishop Nash.

The founder of Divine Healing Ministries recalled reading newspaper headlines where his name was associated with his son, who was then problematic.

He said he (Nash) was not involved in any criminal activity but his name would always be used to sell newspapers.
MBABANE  Officers of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) want to be paid more than the countrys civil servants.



This is contained in a report compiled by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, which analyses effectiveness of the Anti Corruption Agencies in the SADC region.

These include Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.



According to Wikipedia, a civil servant or public servant is a person employed in the public sector for a government department or agency.

The report was launched last week in Johannesburg, where officials from the said States were in attendance.



Swaziland was represented by Jabu Phakathi, the ACCs Public Relations Officer (PRO). Former judge Maxine Langwenya was also in attendance.

In the report, among other things, the ACC laments the fact that it does not have enough funds, has shortage of staff and a high staff turnover.



Staff members must be incentivised by higher salaries than those of civil servants. Their terms and conditions of service must also be reviewed to provide them with accommodation in government houses, reads part of the report.

The commission also submitted that there was an insufficient budget allocated by government, hence a need to grant the commission independence in budget related matters.



The ACC wants to be funded from the Consolidated Fund and be permitted to mobilise resources in order to meet all its programmes.

The lack of funding from government also downplays the commissions wish to have secure and decentralised offices.

This makes the team inaccessible to the majority of people who might want to report acts of corruption by visiting these offices.



The matter of investigators allegedly arresting people to settle personal or political scores and to embarrass was also highlighted.

The ACC must actively market itself to address the perception that it makes arrests to embarrass and settle personal scores. This requires that its website be updated and be made user friendly and that its offices be decentralised. The commission must make its report public and accessible, without charging a fee and must be more visible for educational purposes, not only when making arrests, reads the report.
MBABANE  Clicks Stores is selling HIV self-testing kits, without the knowledge of the Ministry of Health.



The kits were found on display at the Swazi Plaza branch of this popular store. Each box costs E63.

The kits are packaged in a blue rectangular box and have a Clicks brand.

The inscription on the box indicates that the kit is used to test for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies.



The packets are displayed on one of the aisles of the store  and not at the pharmacy.

Dr Velephi Okello, Deputy Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, said they were not aware that such a product was being sold over the counter. Okello said government had not yet approved HIV self-testing kits.

She said government needed guidance from the Swaziland National AIDS Programme (SNAP), which stipulated procedures to follow when testing. People who are buying and using them are at risk and those selling them have not received approval to do so from the ministry, said Dr Okello.



Dr Okello said businesses that wanted to provide such products needed to request permission from the ministry.

The ministry would grant or deny those requests based on set regulations. Okello sensed potential risks associated with the use of self-testing kits.

She wondered what happened after people had tested themselves and found that they were positive, without having undergone any counselling.



She said there had to be guidelines given to people after testing. The person also has to be informed on when their next appointment, to confirm the results, would be.

Elaborating on the issue of safety, Okello said normal HIV testing kits had expiry dates, principles of how to keep them and instructions on how to use.



She said in HIV testing, there was no room for error. Self-tests are taken by one when he or she is alone. Counselling is needed because even if you can tell me that I am positive today, I might just be depressed and it might take time for me to accept the results, she said.
MBABANE  Residents of Mafutseni have learnt, over the years, that a sacred tree within their community is regarded as a national symbol because King Sobhuza II used to rest under it.

As a result, numerous feasibility studies for public projects, which recommended its removal, have not been adhered to.



One of these projects was the relocation of the Puma Filling station, at a cost of E8 million. However, the new structure which, now houses the filling station, is valued at E14 million.

Prior to this construction project, the Mafutseni Police station was built  and still, the sacred tree was not touched. Currently, a flyover bridge, which is part of the road that leads to the King Mswati III International Airport in Sikhuphe is being built.



The total cost of the road project, inclusive of the flyover bridge, is estimated at around E880 million. The ongoing projects are constructed by Inyatsi Construction.

Chief Ngalonkulu confirmed knowledge of the said tree. He spoke to this publication in two interviews.



The traditional leader confirmed that the tree was an important symbol for the Swazi nation because King Sobhuza II rested under it. This was during the first interview, when he requested that he be given more time to gather facts on the matter.



In the second interview, which was done a week later, he started by clarifying that the tree was not the Kings meeting place but where His Majesty used to rest. I could not get more information about the tree because the person I trusted to enlighten me on it is in hospital. However, like I said, I know King Sobhuza II used to rest under the tree. He did not hold meetings there as some people say, explained the chief.



When he was called for comment for the second interview, he said he was actually next to the tree. He further said his observation was that the tree would soon die because it was very close to the new Manzini-Mbadlane road and some of its roots were exposed by the construction vehicles. I do not want to commit myself regarding whether the tree has affected any developmental projects because that is not my field. It is for engineers to discuss.



Christopher Gamedze, Mafutseni Member of Parliament (MP), also confirmed that he knew the tree. He termed it a national symbol. The legislator said he did not have enough information because he was still young when he learned of the importance of the tree.
Most Lincoln Board of Education candidates are reluctant to advocate -- at least at this juncture -- for reducing the districts tax levy amid what will be an unexpected revenue increase from a revaluation of homes in Lancaster County.

The four incumbents cited uncertainty about what the Legislature will do with state aid, the need to balance funding over multiple years and continued brisk enrollment growth. The one challenger said he'd lower the levy and give money back to taxpayers.

We have a lot of variables with our budget, said Barb Baier, who is running for her fourth term in northwest Lincolns District 3. We need to see what the Legislature and the governor comes up with (with the state aid formula) and we need to take that into consideration. So its hard to say how that will play out.

Baier is one of three incumbents running unopposed, along with Kathy Danek in northeast Lincolns District 1 and Don Mayhew in southwest Lincolns District 7. Both Mayhew and Danek are seeking their fifth terms.

Lanny Boswell, seeking his second term in District 5 in south and southeast Lincoln, is being challenged by Lincoln businessman and motivational speaker Preston Harris.

Both will advance from Tuesday's primary election to the May 2 general election.

Lincolns booming housing market prompted the Lancaster County Assessor to do a total revaluation of residential property a year earlier than normal.

The assessor expects the total residential valuation, after protests are considered, to increase by 10.5 percent. And without adjustments in the tax rate, local governments will see a larger-than-anticipated influx of property tax revenue.

The revaluation -- which resulted in higher assessments for many homeowners -- prompted the City Council to pass a resolution putting council members on record as leaving the already-approved two-year budget alone, and would mean a reduction in the citys tax rate for next year.

Lincoln Public Schools, on the other hand, has yet to get to work in earnest on its 2017-18 budget, which makes up a significantly larger portion -- more than 60 percent -- of Lincoln homeowners property tax bill.

The two main sources of the school districts general fund budget are property taxes and state aid, although federal funds and some other sources factor in.

In building its annual budget, LPS relies on a three-year forecast, because an increase in property tax revenue one year generally will mean a decrease in state aid the following year, said Liz Standish, associate superintendent of business affairs. The district will often put money in cash reserve -- or pull it out -- to help balance out the funding.

In building the current 2016-17 budget, the district forecast a 2.3 percent increase in property tax revenue (the actual increase was 2.28 percent), a 2 percent increase for 2017-18 and a 7 percent increase for 2018-19 (when the total revaluation was scheduled to happen).

The district's current $402.4 million general fund budget included $202.3 million in property tax revenue. The district levied the state-imposed maximum $1.05 per $100 of valuation, as it has for the previous three years, although it shifted a half-cent of the tax levy to a building fund this year.

Because the revaluation of residential property does not take into account commercial property or new property, city finance staff estimated the overall valuations for the city could increase 6.2 percent.

LPS officials havent done similar calculations, but the school district's property tax base is nearly -- although not exactly -- the same.

A 6.2 percent increase in valuation, with the same $1.05 tax levy, would bring in an additional $12.7 million in tax revenue for LPS next year.

At the last board meeting, the Lincoln Independent Business Association called on the school board to adjust the levy to give the windfall back to taxpayers.

Harris, who is challenging Boswell for the District 5 seat and is on LIBAs school liaison committee, said he would adjust the budget to give homeowners relief.

In return, he said, hed ask the community to step up and volunteer in the schools.

Instead of taking their money, Id ask people for their time to help support the district, Harris said. It would help the school district build a community of people wanting to see students succeed.

Boswell said lowering the levy is something the board has to look at but that the property tax is just one of the factors the district must consider.

We have to look at all of that and the impact an increase in revenue would have on state aid next year, he said.

Harris said money currently in the district cash reserve would act as a buffer, and lowering the tax levy would gain taxpayers' trust so it would be easier if the district found it needed to raise it in the future.

Danek and Mayhew said pending legislative bills that could dramatically affect state aid and school budgets require the board to be cautious.

But questions about the levy miss the point, Mayhew said, because the district could reduce its budget by millions and only give homeowners a few dollars in property tax relief.

The real problem is over-reliance on property taxes to fund schools, he said.

"The real problem is the governor and Legislature lack the political will to close sales tax exemptions and use the money to support state aid and reduce property taxes."

Both Danek and Baier said enrollment growth -- which has been close to 1,000 students each year in recent years -- must be taken into consideration.

I appreciate LIBAs interest in sharing their take on the budget, but I have to disagree a little with the word windfall, Baier said.

In the 12 years shes been on the board, it has never been able to budget for all the districts needs, she said.

Wed have to look at all the variables before deciding whether to lower our levy.

Danek said the continued growth of the district makes that seem unlikely.

With drawing 1,000 kids a year I dont see a pass for us to lower the levy, she said. Couple that with the Legislative proposals and it makes me more unsure than normal.
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By Patrick Donachie

A Baltimore man was arrested and charged with killing a man who grew up in Jamaica, authorities said.

The suspect allegedly traveled to New York City for the express purpose of killing black men as a part of a racist agenda, according to Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. James Jackson, 28, of Baltimore, was charged with murder in the first degree and murder as an act of terrorism, a classification not often used in city criminal courts, the DA said.

On March 20 at about 11:25 p.m., Timothy Caughman, 66, walked into the Midtown South Precinct at 357 West 35th St., and officers realized he had been stabbed in the chest and back. EMS officials arrived and brought him to Bellevue Hospital, where he died, police said.

Police learned that Jackson allegedly approached Caughman, and after a dispute, stabbed him in front of 462 9th Ave. before fleeing the scene. Police released a photo and video of Jackson, who surrendered to authorities. Vance said Jackson had traveled from Baltimore to New York and walked the streets for three days, seeking a black person he could assassinate. Vance said he randomly selected Caughman on the basis of his skin color before repeatedly stabbing him.

James Jackson wanted to kill black men, planned to kill black men, and then did kill a black man. He chose Midtown as his crime scene because Manhattan is the media capital of the world, and a place where people of different races live together and love one another, Vance said. We must never take for granted New Yorks remarkable diversity. We must celebrate it, protect it, and refuse to let violence and hate undermine the progress we have made as a city, a state and a nation.

Caughman was born in Jamaica, Queens and grew up in an apartment in the South Jamaica Houses, according to the New York Times. The paper reported that Caughman had worked at a variety of jobs and had also run a division of the Neighborhood Youth Corps, a federal program which helps provide part-time employment for young men and women. He was living in Manhattan at the time he was murdered.

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, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Now its our collective responsibility to speak clearly and forcefully in the face of intolerance and violence  here or across the country. We are a safe city because we are inclusive. We are a nation of unrivaled strength because we are diverse. No act of violence can undermine who we are.
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Gilbert Baker, the colorful gay artist and activist who created the iconic rainbow flag, has died.

Mr. Bakers first flag was an eight-colored banner that flew over the 1978 Pride festivities in San Francisco. The rainbow flag has since become a symbol of the LGBT community recognized worldwide  celebrated at pride festivals, brandished at protests and forever raised over the corner of Castro and Market streets.

Friends said Mr. Baker, 65, died Thursday in his sleep at his home in New York.

Mr. Baker, a former soldier who taught himself to sew, proposed the rainbow flag at a time when San Franciscos gay and lesbian community was struggling to find a symbol to unite under. He personally rejected other ideas: the pink triangle, a Nazi badge reclaimed by gay activists that Mr. Baker found depressing, and the Greek letter lambda, which he deemed too obscure.

The rainbow was joyful, celebratory and inclusive. And it was relatively easy to make  and share.

That day when he raised the first rainbow flag, he knew that was his lifes work. And for every march, every protest, every celebration, every memorial, he was always sewing and sewing and sewing, said Cleve Jones, a longtime San Francisco gay activist and friend of Mr. Bakers who helped him hand-dye the fabric for that first flag.

I take some comfort in knowing that he will be remembered. For generations to come, people will know that flag, Jones said. Its an example of how one person can have an amazing and brilliant idea that reaches not just millions, but hundreds of millions of people.

Mr. Bakers first flag was eight solid stripes; within a year, he had agreed to drop two colors  pink and turquoise  largely because fabrics and dyes in those shades werent always readily available. The six-color flag  red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple  is what is recognized globally now.

Mr. Baker replicated his flag dozens of times over the years. He crafted a mile-long banner to parade down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and he sent flags around the world in support of gay rights protests. He sewed the rainbow flag used in the movie Milk, along with a new flag for this years television miniseries When We Rise.

I remember the most fabulous queen Id ever seen in my life shows up in sequins with a sewing machine in his arms, and he insisted on creating that flag exactly the same way hed created it then, said Dustin Lance Black, who wrote Milk and wrote and directed When We Rise, which was based on Jones memoir of the same name.

He inspired you with his passion and his joy to come together, Black said. That was always his thing, how do we bring each other together. Thats partly why its so painful to lose a force like him now, when were living in such divided times. He made us truly a family, and gave us a symbol of hope and pride.

According to his online biography, Mr. Baker was born in Kansas in 1951 and joined the army in 1970. His story as a soldier is told in the book Conduct Unbecoming, by former Chronicle staff writer Randy Shilts, about gays and lesbians in the U.S. military.

Mr. Baker was stationed in San Francisco just as the gay civil rights movement was taking off in the city, and so when he was honorably discharged in 1972, he stayed put. He went to work making banners for gay and antiwar demonstrations, some for his friend Harvey Milk, San Franciscos first openly gay supervisor.

Milk marched under Mr. Bakers first rainbow flag in the June 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom parade, just months before he was assassinated.

Mr. Baker continued to create banners for other causes and events. Just a few weeks ago, he met with Supervisor Jeff Sheehy in his City Hall office to talk over ideas for Sheehys float in this years Pride Parade.

Gilbert was our own Betsy Ross, said Sheehy, who worked with Mr. Baker repeatedly in the 1990s on political causes. He was a genius at political theater, at political art. Hes one of these heroes who never sought attention for himself. But he was relentless.

Mr. Baker was flamboyant and outspoken, a lover of high heels, drama and anything that sparkled, friends said. He was an early member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the drag queen charity and protest group, and he had a well-known fondness for wicked humor.

Nobody could make me laugh like Gilbert, Jones said.

Mr. Baker never made money off of his creation, Jones said. Not long after the first flag went up, I told him hed better patent it, and he said, No, its my gift to the world, Jones recalled. And I said, Girl, youre going to regret that. But he never did, Jones said.

The flag design may seem simple, and obviously ubiquitous, now, but it came from a creative mind, and from a man deeply connected with his hippie, psychedelic roots, said Tom Taylor, who met Mr. Baker not long after he made the first flag and who is now the keeper of the flag in the Castro.

Mr. Baker attached meanings to every color on the flag, and he personally campaigned for his design all around the city before the San Francisco LGBT community fully embraced it, Taylor said.

Gilberts presence in the world will never be forgotten, said Jerome Goldstein, who married Taylor in a ceremony officiated by Mr. Baker four years ago.

HIV disease may someday be forgotten, all of the ugly political and religious fights that weve had, they may be forgotten, Goldstein said. But the rainbow flag will endure forever.

A candlelight vigil was held Friday night at Castro and Market streets, beneath his flag.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
The wave of suspensions handed down to fraternities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in recent months has created an environment of uncertainty in the Greek system, two alumni advisers told the NU Board of Regents on Friday.

Bill Barna, a 1986 UNL graduate and vice president of Sigma Alpha Epsilons chapter board, told regents that recent action taken against fraternity chapters has reverberated among alumni and donors with ties to the Greek system.

Last week, UNL suspended Phi Gamma Delta, best known as FIJI, for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, including reckless alcohol use, hazing and inappropriate sexually based behavior.

Phi Kappa Psis UNL chapter received a multi-year suspension in February after an investigation uncovered problematic alcohol use in the chapter house at 1548 S St., as well as at off-campus parties.

In all, five fraternities have been suspended since 2014 for violations of student conduct rules.

Those suspensions have raised questions as Sigma Alpha Epsilon has worked to raise $2.6 million for improvements to its 88-year-old chapter house at 635 N. 16th St., Barna said.

One of the things that continues to come up is the continued viability of the Greek system at UNL and whether their donations of $10,000 or $50,000 would be wasted because the fraternity is no longer part of the system going forward, Barna told regents during the public comment period of Fridays meeting.

Barna said the simple answer to those concerns was Yes, your money will be well-spent going forward.

But current and former fraternity members have felt under the gun, he said.

We do acknowledge, however, there is a feeling of trepidation amongst the alums; theres a feeling of gloom amongst our student members about the relationship that exists right now between the Greek system and the UNL administration, Barna said.

Jerry Woodward, a 1989 UNL grad who sits on the corporate board for Sigma Nu, said alumni around the country always ask the same question when Greek life at UNL comes up in conversation.

What is the universitys position on and what is the commitment to fraternity life and Greek life in general? Woodward said.

UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green said a number of issues involving individual houses over a period of years have created a feeling that UNL is not Greek-friendly.

Thats not true, not true at all, said Green, who sits on the national board of Alpha Gamma Rho.

Donde Plowman, UNLs executive vice chancellor, is in the process of creating a task force to study the Greek system, the universitys alcohol policy and how it polices those rules, Green said.

Speaking after the meeting, Green said he would love to see the Greek system more prosperous at UNL -- not the opposite.

But there is a perception -- I think its a misperception that is out there in the fraternity system because of the number of penalties there have been, because of the number of suspensions -- that there is some kind of systematic oppression trying to put the Greek system down, he said.

Thats not true at all. I would say exactly the opposite.

Woodward told regents that while the fraternity has had some problems -- Sigma Nu was suspended in 2014 when dozens of fire code violations were discovered inside its chapter house at 625 N. 16th St. -- he tells alumni that the relationship between Greeks and UNL is very positive.

We do have our challenges, but we hope that our commitment together is strong to continue the great experience our students need to have here at the University of Nebraska, Woodward said.

In 2014, Sigma Alpha Epsilon ended the pledge process to eliminate the potential for hazing to take place, replacing it with a certification program that includes education to teach the risks associated with alcohol and partying.

Alpha Gamma Rho also ended the pledge process, and other fraternities have moved away from the tradition.

Barna said members of the Greek community will continue to work with UNL administrators to seek common ground.

Were committed to changing that gloom to optimism, he said.
Bogota, Colombia

An avalanche of water from three overflowing rivers tore through a small city in Colombia while people slept, destroying homes, sweeping away cars and killing at least 193 residents.

The incident triggered by a sudden, heavy rainstorm happened around midnight in Mocoa, a provincial capital of about 40,000 tucked between mountains near Colombia's southern border with Ecuador.

Muddy water quickly surged through the city's streets, toppling homes, ripping trees from their roots and carrying a torrent of rocks and debris downstream. Many residents did not have enough time to flee.

According to the Red Cross, 202 people were injured and 220 believed missing. President Juan Manuel Santos declared a state of emergency on Saturday and said the death toll will likely rise but warned against speculating how many are dead.

"We don't know how many there are going to be," he said of the fatalities when he arrived at the disaster zone to oversee rescue efforts. "We're still looking."

Eduardo Vargas, 29, was asleep with his wife and 7-month-old baby when neighbors banged on his door. He quickly grabbed his family and fled up a small mountain amid the cries of people in panic.

"There was no time for anything," he said.

Vargas and his family huddled with about two dozen other residents as rocks, trees and wooden planks ripped through their neighborhood below. They waited there until daylight, when members of the military helped them down.

"Thank God we have our lives," he said.

As rescuers assessed the full scope of the damage, many residents continued a desperate search for friends and relatives.

Oscar Londono tried throughout the night to reach his wife's parents, whose home is along one of the flooded rivers. He decided it was too dangerous to try to reach them in the dark. So he called over and over by phone but got no answer.

Once the sun began to rise he started walking toward their house.

"There were bodies all over," he said.

When he reached the neighborhood where his in-laws live, rescue workers with the military pointed him toward a mountain, where he found his relatives camped with other survivors.

"To know they were alive," he said, "it was a reunion of tears."
As out-of-towners sweep into downtown Albany for conventions at the Capital Center, they might find themselves with a little spare time to see the sights. If so, they can oooh at Cohoes Falls. Ahhh at the tulips in Washington Park. Crane their necks and gawk with wonder, or perhaps confusion, at The Egg.

And they don't even have to go outside. If weather or conference scheduling fails to cooperate, they can mosey around the newly opened center and check out its seven mammoth murals, all of them celebrating the city and county of Albany  and all of them created by artist Dahl Taylor.

"The idea, for me, was to show  kind of as quickly as possible  what Albany is about," said Taylor, eyeballing his handiwork on a recent walk through the structure on Eagle Street. Each mural offers an artful melding of photographs and drawings. Each presents varied glimpses into Albany's present and past.

And each is, by strict definition, huge. Six are more than 13 feet tall. One is almost 50 feet wide. While the murals don't capture every wee detail of Albany culture, Albany history, Albany lore, they go a long way toward introducing the capital of New York state to those who only know it as, well, the capital of New York state. If visitors look closely, they'll see an innovation hotbed that spawned plastic billiard balls and perforated toilet paper. They'll see an old Dutch settlement rich with culture. They'll see a natural commercial hub that's been busy transporting goods for more than 40 decades  and a city that kept a mayor in office for more than 40 years.

"A good bit of this I kind of knew just from bein' here forever," said Taylor, a Delmar native who's exhibited in galleries and done varied commercial work. (He's designed Sam Adams beer labels and once took a gig for Crest, painting with a toothbrush.) "I think this is in most Albanians' consciousness, you know? But this, to me, is the idea of what it is to put Albany forward to visitors  to guests. You know, what are we? Why is Albany different from any other city?"

Greeting attendees on entry is a big, welcoming mural  10 1/2 feet tall and more than 49 feet wide  that packs on the first Albany impressions. Look right there: the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol, inspired by the Grand Opera House in Paris and designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Now look to the right: Nipper the RCA dog, his head cocked with alert curiosity at his master's voice. And there, right behind him: the Half Moon weather vane that spins atop the SUNY administration headquarters, aka the Delaware & Hudson building. At eight feet tall and 800 pounds, it's the largest working weather vane in North America.

More Information If you go Capital Center Murals Where: Capital Center, 55 Eagle St. Albany Info: 487-2009; albany capitalcenter.com See More Collapse

This strip of Albany images in the main lobby is "kind of an overview  the first impression," Taylor said. "You got a postcard from Albany  what's Albany about?" Capital Center General Manager Doug McClaine likes the postal analogy but employs another: "I call it a snapshot. It's massive, but it really does show you Albany in one grand entrance, you know  from A to Z, right there."

Of the murals in general, McClaine said, "They're awesome. ... I think it's exactly what we were trying to accomplish, and I think it's the perfect depiction of Albany."

Around the corner from that giant postcard/massive snapshot are five themed, smaller murals  "smaller" meaning 13 1/2 by 12 feet  nestled between meeting-room doors. The "commerce" mural touches on nanotech, cast-iron stoves and Albany as a nexus for brewing. "Culture" has the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Plaza Art Collection, the mastodon at the New York State Museum.

"History" mixes photos of historic houses (Schuyler, Ten Broeck, Cherry Hill) with drawings of World War I hero Henry Johnson and the DeWitt Clinton locomotive  the first steam passenger train in America. In "Transport," we find the Port of Albany, the Erie Canal, Robert Fulton's steamboat on the Hudson. And in "Nature," looming above the city's varied greenswards, is a verdant, sunny photograph of the waterfall in Cohoes.

Many images, and much input, came from the assorted Albany organizations and institutions that helped Taylor brainstorm ideas over the murals' two-year development. But Taylor took "a good bit" of the photos himself, he said. The "Transport" mural's towering photo of downtown Albany, its localized cluster of tall buildings and the highway and river snaking beyond them  that's his. "That I took from the Corning Tower. And Cohoes Falls I shot."

Albany photographer Gary Gold snapped the one featured in the seventh and final mural, which sits upstairs at the top of the escalator. The only mural not showcased (with abundant explanatory text) on the Capital Center website, the nearly 14-by-14-foot cityscape takes an aerial view of the city  Gold shot it from a helicopter  from the Hudson looking up to the Capitol. "I had wanted State Street," Taylor said, "because this, to me, is the heart of the city."

He calls it "a kind of Albany 'Then and Now.'" At the mural's lower reaches, as State bottoms out at the SUNY building, the photo morphs seamlessly into Taylor's drawing. Below that, it blends into an old engraving, the oldest he could find, showing the river and the city on a hill. He tracked it down in a volume of "Picturesque America" and bought it from an antique dealer in Philadelphia.

Of what vintage is the Albany depicted in the engraving? Taylor doesn't know. "Well, there's a steamboat in there  and it looks like they're building the cathedral. There's the old Capitol, right?"

Yep, there it is. Early to mid-1800s, then.

According to Michele Vennard, president and CEO of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the murals help capture the city's contributions over the centuries. She and her colleagues are "looking at our historic and cultural assets all the time," she said. "So it just turned out to be a very interesting and unique way for us to talk about our very long, 400-plus-year history and all the great things there are to see and do."

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The print job was done  in massive panels of vinyl wallpaper, their seams virtually invisible  at DM&J digital printers in Menands. The total cost, which included paper, printing fees and Taylor's commission, was around $58,000. The total area is more than 1,500 square feet.

The murals are "absolutely what I envisioned," Vennard said. "And it was a great vision that Dahl had as we began to talk about them."

Asked if his new work contains any little surprises, Taylor smiled. "Oh, yeah. I have my son in here." Kieran Taylor is the one and only Easter egg tucked away in the Capital Center murals, and you'll find him in the big, broad entranceway mural out front. There he is, out on the river in a racing shell for the Albany Rowing Club. Third from right, curly hair, orange shirt. "So that's my hidden thing," the artist said.

Just down and to the right of rowing Kieran stands Major Gen. Philip Schuyler, arms crossed and face set in stone, literally, outside Albany City Hall. He's far larger than life. Walking into the Capital Center for a weekend of professional hobnobbing, conventioneers will stare Albany's Revolutionary War general smack in the face.

"I decided to use Philip Schuyler as our spokesperson  like our unelected ambassador. I just love that statue," Taylor said. "And he looked nothing like that in real life."

In designing the murals, he put the largest images on top, smaller details below, and worked hard to picture the view. "I had to keep reminding myself that whatever I drew here was not going to be that big on screen," he said, making a little 'O' shape with his right hand. "It was gonna be this big." His arms flew up to embrace the wall. "And it was gonna be right where people were standing."

So what did he do? "I nudged, and nudged, and fussed, and moved and printed out. ... That was the hardest thing  to envision how they would exist in this space because it is so big, and I didn't want them to be overpowering."

He had samples to work with, and he knew the general shape and palette of the building. "But you just don't know. You don't know how the printing is gonna come out. I mean, you don't know how it's going to exist in the light of this space." He needn't have worried. "It's exactly as I hoped."

abiancolli@timesunion.com  518-454-5439  @AmyBiancolli
Skip Dickstein

Who among us wants the unemployable alcoholic? The homeless, addicted veteran? The HIV-positive addict? The homeless and lost parolee? The Rev. Peter Young, that's who. The programs he developed to serve the disenfranchised of New York state have been enormously successful. As a citizen and taxpayer of the state, I was outraged to read that Robert Kent, general counsel of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, would treat Young with such disrespect.

Young developed programs that included housing, vocational training and addiction counseling to countless suffering and underprivileged people who struggled to fully integrate into society. The Peter Young Housing, Industries and Treatment programs served the chronically underserved in the human services field; they did so with very limited resources, using both public and private funding to accomplish their mission. The end results of Young's tireless labor of love was a grateful taxpaying citizen.
Minister Simon Coveney was the toast of Templemore on Friday evening when he visited the Fire Station and announced a 1.3 refurbishment to include two bays, drill tower and ancilliary facilities for the station. The awarding of a tender for the proposed extension and refurbishment of Templemore fire station allows the process, which has been in the pipeline for almost a decade to proceed with construction expected to commence just after Easter.

Minister Coveney said he was delighted to be able to announce the award of a tender, valued at approximately 1.3m, to extend and refurbish the fire station at Templemore to Pinnacle Building Contractors. This development, one of 26 fire station building and refurbishment projects around the country being supported by his Department under their 2016-2020 Fire Services Capital Programme, underlines the Governments continuing commitment to the fire service.

He went on to say this grant aided development, of an extended station to include two appliance bays and ancillary facilities, would serve to further enhance the capabilities of Tipperary Fire Service going into the future.

Cllr Joe Bourke, Chairman of the Templemore Thurles Municipal District played a significant role in securing the funding and joined with Tipperary County Manager Mr Joe MacGrath in saying that it was ' a great day for Templemore and Tipperary.'

See this weeks Tipperary Star for full report.
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.
Aging Partners invites senior citizens and the public to participate in workshops April 21 through June 2 designed to help older adults prevent falls.

The program, Stepping On -- Building Confidence and Reducing Falls, will be offered 9-11 a.m. every Friday at the Waverly Senior Center on the lower level of the First United Methodist Church, 14410 Folkestone St.

Registration is required by calling Aging Partners at 402-441-7575, and the suggested contribution is $4 per class.

Peggy Apthorpe with Aging Partners Health and Fitness said workshops will help participants identify why they fall and learn to prevent falls with strength and balance exercises, home safety suggestions and a medication review. Apthorpe said participants will leave with more strength, better balance and a feeling of confidence and independence.

Participants can attend as many classes as they want and are encouraged to attend as many as possible.
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CHICAGO -- Most of economist Tyler Cowen's new book, "The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream," is a mega-depressing read.

Inequality is rising. Segregation by socioeconomic class, educational attainment and race is skyrocketing. The country is generally less dynamic and more risk-averse -- when people have the opportunity to move for a better quality of life or more rewarding job, they tend to settle for staying put.

America is on track to cleave itself into a binary of haves and have-nots through a system in which affluent people use technology to intentionally match themselves with those just like them. Meanwhile, the poor end up in failing schools in crumbling neighborhoods with few supports.

And, paradoxically, this rising inequality breeds political disengagement, which only buttresses the inequity.

The whole mess, Cowen says, is a result of a long period of things being pretty darned good.

For instance, even though we worry about societal violence, racial strife and police impunity when dealing with minorities -- the period we are now living through is relatively safer and calmer than in the 1960s and 1970s.

"With all of our fears of terrorism, the crime waves and riots of the 1960s and the early 1970s were much more destructive. During an 18-month period in 1971-1972, there were more than 2,500 domestic bombings reported, averaging out to more than five a day," Cowen writes.

He cites the 1965 Watts riots in which "4,000 people ended up in jail, 34 people were killed (mostly by the police), hundreds were injured, and about $35 million in property (1965 dollars) was destroyed."

In contrast, today's Black Lives Matter movement "is notable for avoiding any particular kind of political endorsement, and it is also more positive than destructive in its orientation. It favors inclusiveness, gender equality, and justice and peace rather than revolution."

This last bit is just one of many interesting observations Cowen makes about the world that African-Americans inhabit.

He observes: "Circa 2016, you can see a black president on your television or internet screen, but that doesn't mean you're going to see more neighbors of a different race than you would have seen a few decades ago.

"When police misbehave, and taped recordings of that misbehavior comes to the attention of citizens, it does not happen in an atmosphere of harmony and slowly increasing progress under commonly lived public institutions. Many Americans know or at least instinctively feel that the ideal of equal treatment is in some ways receding along the horizon. It may not always or even usually be a matter of deliberate prejudice, but if you don't live in the right neighborhood or go to the right school, you can't count on getting fair treatment or even tolerably acceptable treatment."

Cowen illustrates this with the startling statistic: "If we look at the country as a whole ... the average black student attends a school that is about 8.3 percent white. Is that really a fulfillment of the integrationist civil rights dream of the 1960s?"

This civil rights dream is about the only thing on minorities' minds these days. Nearly invisible in mainstream media, the conversations that go on between people of color center on whether the inequalities Cowen discerns will erode their painstakingly made gains in economic, educational and social status.

Despite the long slog of distressing statistics, Cowen does offer some hope.

He suggests that African-Americans, through their unique vulnerabilities in society and their increased protests over high-profile grievances, are exhibiting signs of dissent from the complacent class. And that this may signal an opportunity to tackle the larger questions of why so many Americans are relatively satisfied with an increasingly dysfunctional status quo.

"Maybe these incidents" -- the Black Lives Matter movement, the election of Donald Trump -- "are just the beginnings of some deeper fissures in American life, fissures ... that will bring a 'great reset,' and fissures that in some fundamental ways will make the pot boil over. If Ferguson [Missouri] was step one and Trump was step two, what then will be next? Keep your eye on these issues. They won't be going away anytime soon, and they are heralding the beginning of a new phase in American social life."

Everyone -- rich, poor and in between -- can help usher in this new phase productively. We'll just have to disconnect from our technology-enabled comforts long enough to engage with the task.
Ed Sheeran is an absolutely unstoppable juggernaut in the charts by this point. Last week, we noted how he was set to equal a record held by Eminem if he kept up his success, and this week, hes managed to do just that. But with Aussie talent closing in on Sheeran, could we be near the end of his reign?

The ARIA singles charts for this week are once again dominated by Ed Sheeran. While Shape Of You sits on top of the charts for the twelfth consecutive week, equalling a record set by Eminems Lose Yourself back in 2002, the rest of the chart is fleshed out by seven more songs that bear Sheerans name, two less than this time last week. If Sheeran hangs around on top of the charts for one more week, we will have managed to witness Aussie charts history, something that doesnt happen all too often these days.

The second position is held The Chainsmokers & Coldplays Something Just Like This collaboration once again, while the third spot is held by Zedds Stay, at one position higher than last week. Number four however, sees Drakes Passionfruit make a huge leap from the 16th position. While Drakes More Life project was the only album truly giving Sheeran a run for his money last time, it makes sense that we would have seen a huge leap in the singles charts by Drake, though considering the drop that More Life has seen in the albums charts this week, its hard to say whether this success will continue.

Sadly, Aussie tracks are a minority in this weeks charts, with only four of the 50 spots being held by Aussie artists. Our first Aussie track, the Ryan Riback remix of Starleys Call On Me, sits at #23, followed closely by Pnaus Chameleon at #24. Amy Sharks Adore is sitting nicely at #27, while Sheppards Keep Me Crazy climbs one spot higher this week, at #37.

The albums charts however, are certainly a little bit more favourable towards Aussie artists. While Sheerans  (Divide) takes the top spot for its fourth solid week, two Aussie artists are keeping him company, with Lee Kernaghans The 25th Anniversary Album debuting at number two, and Northlanes surprise Mesmer LP debuting at number three. The rest of the top ten is just as diverse, with The Beauty And The Beast, Trolls, and Moana soundtracks sitting at positions four, six, and eight, respectively, Adeles 25 at number five, and James Blunt and Steel Panthers newest records featuring at seven and ten, respectively.

Sadly, last weeks best chance to topple Sheeran, Drakes More Life project, falls down to the ninth spot this week, despite the rapid success of the records lead single, Passionfruit, in the singles charts.

Aussie talent also features incredibly well outside of the top ten as well. While former number one placeholder, The Waifs Ironbark, sits at #16, its kept in good company by sleepmakeswaves Made Of Breath Only, and Ali Barters A Suitable Girl, which debut at positions #15 and #17, respectively.

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Elsewhere, Aussie talent is rife thanks to Keith Urbans Ripcord (#22), The Wiggles Nursery Rhymes and Greatest Hits (#26 and #31), Mindsnares Unholy Rush (#33), and a number of compilations and retrospectives, including entries from INXS, Crowded House, and Cold Chisel.

While Sheeran is unfortunately keeping Aussie talent from the top spots once again this week, we can certainly take solace in the fact that Aussie artists are certainly giving him a run for his money. Who knows, maybe this time next week we wont be talking about a new record being broken, but rather how Lee Kernaghan or Northlane managed to overtake the current king of the Aussie charts?
Forum helps immigrant homeowners, business owners make a plan OLATHE, Kan. - The plan is to have a plan - that's the message mortgage brokers, insurance agents, bankers and attorneys are sending to immigrants. The Olathe Latino Coalition held an immigration forum on Saturday, to inform and educate. "If we inform ourselves more, we grow more," business owner Gilberto told us.

Here's a weekend workshop among ethnic residents of the metro focusing on legal rights amid an immigration crackdown and. Take a look:
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- An accidental shooting sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries on Sunday. Police said shortly before 11:30 a.m., an accidental shooting occurred in the parking lot of Cabela's in KCK. Police did not say exactly how that shooting happened, or precisely how he was injured, but said the man is expected to be okay.
RACIAL IDENTITY POLITICS WILL INFLUENCE THE SELECTION OF THE NEW KCPD TOP COP MORE THAN ANY OTHER FACTOR!!!

IS KANSAS CITY LOCKED INTO THE SELECTION OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLICE CHIEF OUT OF TACITLY RACIST FEAR OF RIOTING AND RACIAL POLITICS AMID INCREASING URBAN CORE CRIME???

Tragically, political correctness already threatens to hijack the discussion of a critical decision for Kansas City  The selection of a new Police Chief.To wit and because every other media outlet in town is afraid to mention it . . .How do we know this???Because that's exactly the way it played out last time . . .Kansas City outsiders and clueless suburbanites don't know this but retiring Chief Forte was actually the safer option among contenders for his job. People who really know Kansas City understand and lament that there's actually two KCPDs -- One Black and the other white -- Among a coalition of top brass among African-American high ranking police leaders, Commander Forte was actually the more amenable to influence from white political leaders and was considered the "safer" choice.But during his tenure, the political landscape changed in Kansas City and throughout the nation.Kansas City now lives in the shadow of thewhich proved to be nothing less than the precursor for the absolute destruction of Missouri Democratic Party given the incompetent, middle-of-the-road fumbling of then Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.Residents of the Show-Me State and the world witnessed a political establishment paralyzed with fear against social justice protest and unable to protect Quiktrip or Little Caesars from the vengeance of some social justice warriors and straight-up looters, arsonist and criminals. Just a quick reminder of the chaos that most people would like to forget . . . Fergson riots were so confusing and catastrophic thatgiven the call to destruction of some protesters shipped in from out of state.Since 2015, deadly police shootings of young, African-American men have inspired a wave of protests just like Ferguson across the nation in Baltimore, New York, St. Paul, Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana . . .Kansas City avoided these riots and mainstream media credits the work of Chief Forte inas the determining factor that saved KCMO from burning down.Brief personal aside here given that TKC's Latino heritage is also fair game amid KC's continually growing ethic population.. . . Vince Ortega has been passed over for nearly two decades and there just aren't many top ranking Latino KCPD denizens to compete for the job. Moreover, given the current immigration battle . . . Avoiding the topic altogether and letting the Feds do all the deporting is a tactic that most cities seem to be adopting.But I digress . . .Now . . . The change in leadership puts Kansas City at a crossroads . . .The question that timid media and "progressive" denizens of the local discourse won't ask . . .This political consideration is ultimately unproductive givenThe very cruel and unfair reality is that the current divisive discourse focused mostly on unproductive racial divisions makes increased flash mob riots, shooting and robberies on the Plaza along with the horrific homicide rate in the urban core "okay" as long as progressive racial quotas are satisfied with an African-American police chief in charge. Put even more simply, Kansas City progressive won't stand for a white police chief arresting all the Black kids on the Plaza over the weekend but if an African-American leader is in control, that somehow makes it more acceptable . . . This worldview represents nothing less than the worst conception of "multiculturalism" that Kansas City has to offer which ultimately hasn't helped to solve so many ongoing problems.Tragically, local media and leadership are too cowardly to address this crisis and directly confront the racial identity politics which influence the selection of a new Kansas City police chief.Developing . . .
Movenpick Hotel Bahrain added another prestigious award to its list of achievements, as it was voted Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East by Skytrax Awards 2017.



It is the third time in a row that the five-star hotel claimed the honour.



The award comes as a result of hotel guests voting in the largest, annual global airport hotel customer satisfaction survey. The Skytrax Awards are based on nominations by 1.84 million airport travellers, which include guests from 235 airport hotels worldwide. They recognise hotels that combine convenience, comfort and top quality service as an integrated package for today's travellers.



An airport hotel isnt just near the airport; it also has to be an instant haven where guests can count on well-deserved rest, convenient facilities and relaxation options. This fantastic recognition communicates volumes about the consistency in service and quality we provide, said Daniel Kaan, general manager of Movenpick Hotel Bahrain. Im especially proud of our staff members who go the extra mile to ensure our guests can look forward to a very comfortable stay, no matter what time they check in.



Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, added that the Middle East category is considered a heated contest. He said: "This is a very competitive region for airport hotels and underlines the high performance standards being achieved by Movenpick Hotel Bahrain.



Just a two-minute walk from Bahrain International Airport, the 106-room Movenpick Hotel Bahrain is only 15 minutes by car from the business centre of Manama. The boutique hotel overlooks the sprawling Arad Bay Lagoon, one of Bahrains protected areas. In addition to award-winning dining experiences, the hotel offers rejuvenating therapies in 12 treatment rooms at the luxurious Rimal Spa. - TradeArabia News Service
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has brought their conflict into a civil relationship. The bridge towards a more relaxed and friendly relationship are their children. Because of them, Pitt has reasons to fly to Cambodia several times.

The "Allied" actor visits his children once in a while to spend time with them. According to Hindustan Times, the ex-couple are now talking directly to each other. The same source reported that Pitt has been secretly traveling with Jolie and the pair has been meeting up and carrying out legal proceedings discreetly.

The "Maleficent" actress reiterated once again that her ex-husband was a "wonderful" father. This declaration was a total contradiction to what she has been saying about Pitt in September during the height of their custody battle.

It can be recalled that Angelina Jolie filed for sole custody of their six children. She allowed Pitt only for brief and supervised visits to their children. But now, the 41-year-old actress has put her guard down and allowed the 53-year-old actor to spend longer time with their children. She even said that they will always be a family as per E! News.

The same source reported that their children spend time alternately with their parents while in Cambodia. It is noted that Jolie is in Cambodia to promote her film, "First They Killed My Father." Pitt's travel to the country has been done in secret probably to avoid too much press coverage. However, there are people who are wondering what the "By The Sea" couple are up to.

It seems that the "World War Z" actor's travels back and forth to Cambodia has taken a toll on his body as he was spotted thinner last Thursday. But the actor looks fit and great with his slimmer appearance.

The court battle has cooled down because they opted for a private hearing of their cases. Or perhaps the anger and the conflicts have been settled internally. Jolie is now talking positively about her ex-husband which is a total turnaround from what she has been saying about him in the not so distant past. Did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reconcile behind the public's eyes? The Brangelina fans would be so elated if they did.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
SAN DIEGO -- I never thought I'd say this, but Mark Halperin is right.

In May 2015, I wrote a column criticizing Halperin for a series of questions that he posed to Ted Cruz that I considered racist. Exhibiting both bad journalism and bad manners, Halperin -- who was then co-hosting an online interview show -- seemed eager to determine if the Republican senator was a real Cuban-American, as opposed to one of those cheap knock-offs you find at the Miami airport. As I wrote, Halperin did everything but ask Cruz to "play the conga drums like Desi Arnaz while dancing salsa and sipping cafe con leche."

But apparently even a clueless journalist can find a kernel of wisdom now and then. And recently, Halperin -- who is now a senior political analyst for NBC -- redeemed himself by offering, in an interview with The Hill, an insightful comment about where journalists are going wrong in covering President Trump.

Halperin had his epiphany while he was on the defensive. Some of his colleagues in the media club worry that he is too cozy with Trump.

That could have something to do with the fact that the journalist was recently invited to dine privately at the White House with the president. Or the fact that Trump is letting senior advisers speak with Halperin, and his "Game Change" co-author John Heilemann, for a book about the 2016 campaign.

Halperin's critics include reporters, anchors and columnists who, during the presidential campaign, were cozy with Team Hillary. These media types did everything from attending an off-the-record dinner at the home of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, to submitting their stories to Clinton officials before publication, to soliciting anti-Trump material from the Democratic National Committee.

And yet, the left-wing media remains suspicious of anyone who they believe to be in the tank for Republicans. Which is ironic given that so much of the media -- especially if based in New York or Washington -- has long snuggled up next to Democrats.

A few years ago, when I was writing for CNN.com, I was grilled over lunch by my editor. He wanted to know the exact nature of my friendship with Cruz, who was at the time getting a lot of attention leading up to his presidential campaign. The editor wanted to be sure that, even as an opinion writer, I could be fair in covering my friend.

That's fine. But my editor knew that I was also close to a couple of rising stars in the Democratic Party -- then-Housing Secretary Julian Castro and Rep. Joaquin Castro. He didn't ask about them. I guess journalists are allowed to be friends with Democrats.

It's no wonder the media is in crisis. Even amid soaring ad revenue at anti-Trump outlets such as CNN, MSNBC and The New York Times, most Americans think the media is the last place you should go if you want the unbiased truth about what's going on in the world and what it means to you.

In February, Gallup found the trust that Americans have in the media to "report news fully, accurately and fairly" is at its lowest level in the history of the survey. Only 32 percent have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media. Meanwhile, a recent Monmouth University poll found that a majority of Americans believe that all the major news outlets -- including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News -- dabble in "fake news."

In fact, contempt for the Fourth Estate has united the political parties. Republicans are upset at the media for trying to destroy Trump, while Democrats are furious at them for helping elect him by torpedoing his GOP primary opponents.

Still, that's not what Halperin was talking about. He has zeroed in on something bigger, and ultimately more dangerous: the changing role of the media. He told The Hill that reporters "should not be combatants trying to beat the people we're covering." Since Trump became president, he said, "too many people in the media have decided that we're going to be warriors in some kind of hostile confrontation with the people we cover."

This is spot on. Too many journalists are in the arena, protecting their employers' brands and going mano a mano with Trump. This means they're combatants, and that they've stopped being journalists.

Halperin figured that out and blew the whistle. Many of his colleagues will hate him for it. But the rest of us should thank him.
He watched one battle for Whiteclay from behind a camera, chronicling activists' efforts a decade ago to blockade the flow of beer from the northwest Nebraska outpost onto its dry reservation neighbor to the north.

This week, Mark Vasina plans to view another battle for Whiteclay from a seat in the audience.

He'll load up his Toyota Prius and make the nine-hour drive from Plano, Texas, to the Nebraska State Capitol, for what activists view as a pivotal moment in their fight to stop a century of Whiteclay alcohol sales.

"This is historic," said Vasina, who produced the 2008 documentary, "The Battle for Whiteclay."

"This has never happened," he said. "In the history of Whiteclay, it has never happened."

Citing concerns about law enforcement, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission is forcing Whiteclay's four beer stores to explain why they should be allowed to continue operating in a dozen-person town on the doorstep of South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.

For the store owners, it ranks among the most significant threats to their livelihoods in generations of legal and public relations fights.

Attorneys for Arrowhead Inn, State Line Liquor, D&S Pioneer Service and Jumping Eagle Inn have sought a last-minute cancellation of Thursday's hearing, a request that is still being considered by a Lincoln judge.

If the hearing occurs as scheduled, it is expected to draw the attention of national media outlets and protesters from across the region.

Hobie Rupe, the Liquor Commission's executive director, will preside over the hearing and wants the crowd on its best behavior.

"There will be no clapping, no booing, no hissing," Rupe said last week. "This is not a public forum. This is an administrative hearing that is open to the public to view.

As such, it should feel more like a courtroom than like the legislative hearings usually held at the Capitol. Only witnesses called by state officials, the beer stores or Sheridan County residents who are formally protesting renewal of the stores' licenses will be allowed to testify.

Those witnesses will be questioned by lawyers for each party to the case: the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, representing the state; Warren Arganbright of Valentine and Andrew Snyder of Scottsbluff, representing the beer stores; and Dave Domina of Omaha, representing the opponents.

Rupe hopes to have the hearing wrapped up in a single day.

A ruling is expected by month's end  when the beer stores' licenses are set to expire  but all sides agree the issue will almost certainly be appealed in court. The stores' ultimate fate could take months, even years to decide.

Words uttered six months ago at another public hearing triggered the beer stores' current trouble.

Sheridan County Commissioner Jack Andersen told members of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee that local officials "absolutely do not" have adequate resources to police the tiny, unincorporated village on the county's northern edge.

Lawmakers had called the October hearing to examine ways to boost law enforcement in Whiteclay, with its decades-long reputation as a "skid row on the prairie." But the Liquor Commission seized on Andersen's comments.

Instead of automatically renewing their licenses, the commission ordered the stores to reapply, effectively holding them to the same standards as someone seeking a new liquor license.

Under state law, the Liquor Commission can deny applications for new licenses if law enforcement in the area is inadequate.

The stores reapplied, and 13 Sheridan County residents formally challenged them. That triggered Thursday's hearing.

Andersen has said his comments were taken out of context, and the Sheridan County board recommended in January that the licenses be renewed.

Even if the Liquor Commission agrees, the beer stores still face significant tests in the coming months.

The Attorney General's Office has accused the stores of selling to bootleggers, keeping inadequate records and other violations of state liquor law.

A separate hearing on those charges is scheduled for May.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 2

The much sought-after lifestyle show of the region, Thailand Week 2017, culminated at Himachal Bhawan here today. The Tribune was the media sponsor for the event.

Hundreds of residents from the tricity and the surrounding areas visited the fair on all days and made the most of a variety of herbal, cosmetic, food, jewellery, art, paintings, electronic and other items at the shopping festival.

Traders from the region also participated in B2B meetings held on the sidelines of the show. Herbal health products from Thailand generated most queries from traders.

Our herbal products, especially oils and balms meant for any kind of pain, are a mix of 40 and more herbs to relieve any kind of body pain and were selling like a hot cake at the fair, said an exhibitor.

We have a lot of faith in the alternate systems of healing and wellness much like Thailand. We enjoyed choosing from a variety of health products available at the fair, said Mamta Sharma, a housewife from Mohali.

Thailand Week 2017 was inaugurated by Kavita Singh, Secretary, Industries, Chandigarh Administration, and MD, CITCO, Chandigarh.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the Office of Commercial Affairs (OCA), Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, and Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, had organised the 5th edition of Thailand Week from March 29 to April 2.

Panuwat Jantharajit, counsellor (commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, said: Our aim is to boost people-to-people contact between Thailand and North India. Indian and Thai cultures are similar in a lot of ways and events such as Thailand Week are aimed at taking the traditional bond between the two countries forward. Direct flights from Chandigarh to Thailand, slated to start soon, will also boost trade as well as people-to-people ties between the two nations

Rohit Grover, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council, welcomed 30 participants from Thailand who displayed a variety of products.
OMAHA  A 22-year-old western Iowa woman has been arrested following a crash in Omaha that left her young son critically injured.

The crash happened late Thursday night on Interstate 80 in Omaha. Police say the woman told officers she was driving when she and another woman in the car began arguing. She says the other woman grabbed the wheel, sending the car into a light pole.

When officers arrived, no one was there. Officers later found the women and boy at an Omaha hospital, where the boy was being treated for critical head injuries.

Police say the women had been drinking, and that the boy's mother had a blood alcohol content of .198  more than twice the legal limit to drive.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 2

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today was all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending full support to her government during the Kashmir unrest in 2016 in which over 100 people were killed in five months.

Lauding Modis leadership and determination, she termed him a strong leader who could take bold decisions. Last year was not good for the state. I am thankful to the PM who kept Home Minister Rajnath Singh with us during the difficult times. I alone couldnt have done anything and it was due to your support that the situation today is under control, Mehbooba said while addressing the gathering at Udhampur this evening after Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel.

I am happy that you are a strong person and you do whatever you commit, the CM said after congratulating the PM for the UP elections win.

Citing her fathers decision of joining hands with the BJP for the betterment of the state, she said, Since 1947, we fought three wars (with Pakistan) and won but still our strength is democracy. My father believed in democracy and through it everything can be solved.

Speaking about the inauguration of Indias longest road tunnel at Udhampur today, she said, The tunnel will not only cut distance but will also bring Kashmiri people closer to India. I am hopeful that you will help in making a new J&K and bring the state out of trouble, the Chief Minister said.

Mehbooba extended the invitation to tour operators to visit Kashmir and enjoy its beauty.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated South-East Asias longest tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The tunnel will connect Chenani in Udhampur district to Nashri of Ramban district in the state.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The state-of-art 9.2 km all-weather tunnel is a part of the ambitious 286 km-long four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

It will reduce the distance between the states summer (Srinagar) and winter capitals (Jammu) by 31 km.

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh, J-K Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti received the Prime Minister, who later rode the complete distance of 9.2 km to reach Nashri, the north end of the tunnel.

Work on the tunnel began on May 23, 2011, and its expected date of completion was May 2016 but the completion got delayed due to technical reasons and some unavoidable circumstances.

The opening of tunnel will strengthen the Kashmir Valleys integration with the rest of the country.

Built at a cost of Rs 3,720 crore, the tunnel is the first in India to be equipped with world-class Integrated Tunnel Control System, through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication, electrical systems tolling, etc, is automatically controlled.

It will save fuel to the tune of Rs 27 lakh per day between Chenani and Nashri.

It will cost a light motor vehicle Rs 55 for one side journey and Rs 85 for a to and fro journey as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the nodal agency in the execution of work, has set up toll points at both the ends. For a months travel, the motorists will have to shell out Rs 1,870.

The vehicles such as small buses will have pay Rs 90 for one-way and Rs 135 for to and fro.

Buses and trucks will be charged Rs 190 for a single journey and Rs 285 for return. The collection of toll from road users will start from Monday morning.

The NHAI has also constructed a parallel escape tunnel (6-m diameter) along with the main tunnel (13-m in diameter) for evacuation of commuters in case of emergency.

The two nine km-long tubes are connected by 29 cross passages at regular intervals along the entire length of the tunnel.

The tunnel has been illuminated with around 4,000 lights. At least 124 CCTV cameras have been installed at equal intervals of 75 metre to keep round-the-clock surveillance on the movement of vehicles inside the tunnel.

#WATCH live from J&K: PM Narendra Modi takes a view of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel https://t.co/JWXgDREe5t  ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017

The maximum speed limit to be followed in this tunnel is 50kmph. Mobile network of telecom operators including Airtel, Idea and BSNL; and 92.7 FM Radio channel facility is also functional inside the tunnel.




Arteev Sharma & Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Udhampur, April 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated to the nation the South-East Asias longest tunnel between Chenani in Udhampur district and Nashri of Ramban district on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

The state-of-the-art 9.2-km bidirectional tube is a part of the ambitious 286-km-long four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar highway. It will reduce the distance between the states summer capital (Srinagar) and the winter capital (Jammu) by 31 km, cut the travel time by two hours and save fuel worth Rs 27 lakh per day. The structure consists of a 9-km-long, two-lane main tunnel with a parallel escape tunnel of the same length. The two tunnels are connected by 29 cross-passages at regular intervals along the entire length of the tunnel.

Built at an elevation of 1,200 m on one of the most difficult Himalayan terrains, the tunnel will ensure an all-weather passage on a route that often sees heavy traffic jams and disruptions due to landslides, snow, sharp curves, breakdown of vehicles and accidents.

Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh, Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti received and accompanied the Prime Minister, who also rode the complete distance of 9.2 km in the tunnel in an open jeep to reach Nashri, the north-end of the tunnel.

I want to convey to the people of Kashmir that the tunnel might have been constructed between Udhampur and Ramban, but it will be a line of good fortune and destiny for them. It will prove a boon for farmers of Kashmir who have been facing losses due to poor connectivity and hostile weather conditions. They will now be able to sell their produce in Delhi markets. It will end the financial losses being suffered by them, Modi said while addressing a rally in Udhampur after inaugurating the tunnel.

This is not merely a long tunnel. It is a big leap in terms of development and progress for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said.

The work on the tunnel was started on May 23, 2011, and its expected date of completion was May 2016 but the completion got delayed due to technical reasons and some unavoidable circumstances. The opening of tunnel will strengthen the Kashmir valleys bond with the rest of the country.

Constructed at a whopping cost of Rs 2,519 crore, the tunnel is the first in India to be equipped with the world-class integrated tunnel control system, through which ventilation, fire control, signals, communication, electrical systems and tolling etc are automatically actuated.

The tunnel has an efficient, transverse ventilation system. There are inlets bringing fresh air at 8-m intervals and outlet for exhaust every 100 m. There is also a fully integrated control system with ventilation, communication, power supply, incident detection, SOS call box and fire fighting. Fitted with intelligent traffic mechanism, the tunnel has fully automatic smart control and no human intervention will be required for its operations. The tunnel is also equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. Very few tunnels in the world have this kind of fully integrated control, said an official spokesperson.

The tunnel is illuminated with around 4,000 lights installed inside the two-lane tube. About 600 bulbs of 150 Watts each are installed in the escape tunnels while there are 1,200 lamps along the footpaths on both sides for pedestrians. 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 in the tunnel is 50 kmph.

The project has provided employment to over 2,000 unskilled and skilled youth of J&K as 94 per cent of the work force was from the state. Around 600 to 900 people from across the country also worked on the project in three shifts over the past four years.

PM inspects tunnel, all praise for it

PM Narendra Modi on Sunday inspected the 9.2-km Chenani-Nashri tunnel after dedicating it to the nation. He travelled through the tunnel from its south-end at Chenani up to the north-end at Nashri. He was accompanied by Governor NN Vohra and CM Mehbooba Mufti in an open Gypsy while Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and others travelled in another vehicle. After flying to Udhampur in his official plane, the PM reached Kendriya Vidyalaya at Chenani in a helicopter and then drove to the tunnel where he reached at 3.44 pm. He then boarded the Gypsy at the Chenani-end and inspected the tunnel by travelling up to Nashri. He then returned to Chenani. Modi also inspected an SOS call unit and walked inside the escape tunnel. After spending 40 minutes inside the tunnel, he was all praise for it during his speech at Udhampur where thousands of people had reached to listen to him. TNS

Commuters stranded after highway shut for inauguration

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, commuters faced the heat as all traffic was stopped on the highway. No vehicle was allowed to move on the highway either from Jammu to Srinagar or to Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts or from the other side to Jammu since Sunday morning till evening when the PM left. Every day thousands of vehicles ply on the highway which is the lifeline of the state. Thousands of people from Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts daily come to Jammu for their official and personal work. Many ambulances carry patients from these districts to Government Medical College, Jammu, but all these were halted on Sunday as the PM had to inaugurate the tunnel. Thousands of passengers left stranded in scorching heat, just to inaugurate a tunnel. #Fruits_Of_Democracy, wrote a lawyer, Babur, on his Facebook page. Most of the people didnt vent their anger on social networking sites but they were upset as neither the state government nor the administration had given any prior information for closing of the highway for the day. TNS

Not part of dais gathering, MLA skips function

Udhampur MLA Pawan Gupta boycotted the function organised in his constituency for Prime Minister Narendra Modi after allegedly being humiliated by state BJP leadership. There was no reason to attend the function when due regard was not given to the peoples representative, enraged Gupta told The Tribune. Being the representative of the local people, it was my duty to welcome the dignitary, like the Prime Minister, but due to dirty politics the local BJP leadership managed to get my name deleted from the list of persons who were to share the dais with the Prime Minister. The function was held in the area that falls under the Udhampur Assembly constituency. As per the protocol, the organisers had to give importance to local MLA Pawan Gupta but due to threats from local BJP leaders, his name was deleted from the list of those persons who shared the dais with the Prime Minister. Earlier my name was in the list but due to threats by some local BJP leaders, I was asked to sit with the audience. It is a humiliation to the institution of an MLA so I decided to stay away from the function, Gupta said, adding that when former PM Manmohan Singh had inaugurated the Udhampur railway station some time ago, local MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, who belonged to Panthers Party, was given due respect. Settling political score in such functions reflect the cheap politics of the local unit of the BJP, Gupta said, adding that by humiliating him the BJP had insulted the people of Udhampur. OC
Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 1

General House of the Municipal Corporation today approved a Budget of Rs 1,316 crore for 2017-18. More than approval of the Budget, councillors from all parties, MLAs and officials looked interested in knowing about the key decisions taken by the MC authorities regarding demands raised on March 30 against a few officials/contractors, due to which the meeting had to be adjourned.

Municipal Commissioner Jaskiran Singh had to surrender to the objections raised by General House on March 30 to the violations of the Municipal Act in carrying out work under the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB).

While reading out the report, the Commissioner said violations were found in a few works. The Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu took the mike and asked the former to clearly inform the House whether there were violations. The Commissioner said: "Yes, the Municipal Act was violated while carrying out PIDB works.

Ashu calmly asked House to decide whether they were comfortable that projects worth several crores were carried without the approval of House or the Finance and Contract Committee or they were united to lodge a complaint against the then Commissioner for not taking prior permission of House (as per the MC Act) before launching works.

Ashu said: Eh tuhadi izzat da sawal hai dosto (Friends it is a question of your prestige and the prestige of the entire House). At this, House decided to complain to the state government against the then Commissioner. He alleged the PIDB projects were carried out by the Commissioner along with a few halqa in-charge of the previous government. Most of the wards were neglected.

Regarding an inquiry against a few officials, including JEs, SDOs and XEN, who misled House, the Commissioner admitted that these officials had provided partially wrong information and House would decide on action against them. The house unanimously decided to write to the state government against the erring officials who provided wrong information to their seniors regarding development work in councillor Mamta Ashus ward.

The BJP councillor, Gurdeep Singh Neetu, who had raised a lot of hue and cry against a contractor at the meeting on March 30, was absolutely silent on the issue. He had demanded a Vigilance inquiry against the contractor and did not let the proceedings continue over the issue. The Commissioner said the matter was settled to Neetu's satisfaction.

The councillors were told that the contractors, who left their regular work to start the PIDB projects in wards would be made answerable.

Budget increased to Rs 1,316 crore, from Rs 1,248 crore

As expected, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria did not look satisfied with the Budget amount. He made it clear in House that there was a big scope for generating income but officials never bothered about presenting the real picture in House. He said mechanised sweeping was put in development column whereas it should have been included in "establishment". He said when officers/staff in various departments failed to make recoveries, the amount of Budget was decreased. Rather than pulling up the staff and officials, the figures were decreased, so as to achieve the targets. He said there was a big scope for generating revenue through advertisements, tehbazari and the operation and maintenance cell, and the Budget amount should be increased. After his suggestion, the proposed Budget amount of Rs 1,248 crore was increased to Rs 1,316 crore by House.

Soma terms SAD thug

On the issue of mechanised sweeping and scam, Independent MLA PS Soma made a point before the Mayor, to which Tanvir Dhaliwal, SAD councillor, objected. Soma said: I left your party because it was a thug party. Jasbir Singh Sokhi, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and Tanvir Dhaliwal objected to his remarks and asked Soma to feel sorry for the loose language. While Soma refused, Ashu intervened and asked all of them to maintain calm, and the proceedings continued.

Women power 'dormant'

Most women councillors remained mum while their male counterparts raised issues one after another. Barring two or three councillors, most women were enjoying tea and biscuits during House proceedings. One third of MC General House is reserved for women councillors.

Ashu leads charge among Cong MLAs

All Congress MLAs, including Rakesh Pandey, Sanjay Talwar and Surinder Dawar, preferred to remain silent in House while all points were raised by Ashu.
Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 2

The Jalandhar police today arrested Aman Dhotian, a notorious gangster who, along with five others, had fled during the Nabha jailbreak. Operating in Amritsar region, Dhotian was wanted in more than 26 cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping. The state police had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

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Jalandhars outgoing Police Commissioner Arpit Shukla said the criminal was nabbed near the PAP Chowk following a tip-off. He was carrying a .32 bore pistol, Rs 5,000 in cash, four SIM cards, live cartridges and a cellphone. In town to meet acquaintances, he was planning to kidnap somebody for ransom, he said, applauding DCP Navjot Singh Mahal, ACP Manpreet Singh Dhillon and SHO Vimal Kant for the catch. During the Nabha jailbreak on November 27 last year, Dhotian had held a guard deployed at the prisons main gate captive. He had used a pistol to break open the lock and then escaped along with Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh alias Mintoo, another terrorist Kashmir Singh, and gangsters Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol.

Acting swiftly, the Punjab counter-intelligence team, in a joint operation with the Patiala and Moga police, had arrested jailbreak mastermind Sekhon and his three aides from a house at Dhudike village in Moga. Soon after, Mintoo too was arrested from the New Delhi Railway Station. Kashmir and Gounder are still at large.
Guwahati, April 2

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday had an emotional reunion with one of the five Assam Rifles guards who escorted him to India during his escape from Tibet in March 1959.

The Dalai Lama embraced retired jawan Naren Chandra Das at an interactive session organised at the Namami Brahmaputra River festival by the Assam government here.

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Thank you very much.... I am very very happy to meet such an old member of the Assam Rifles who guarded and escorted me to India 58 years ago, a visibly emotional Dalai Lama said on the occasion.

Looking at your face, I now realise I must be very old too, he said to Das in jest.

Dressed in his Assam Rifles uniform, 76-year-old Das, later told PTI that he escorted the Dalai Lama as his armed guard in 1959, two years after joining the force in 1957.

At that time, he was posted at Lungla near the China border after completing his training at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.

Guards of Assam Rifles Platoon no. 9 had brought the Dalai Lama from Zuthangbo and handed him over to five of us at Shakti. We brought him to Lungla from where he was escorted on his onward journey to Tawang by another group of guards, the retired jawan said.

Asked whether he had any interaction with the Dalai Lama during that journey, Das said that they were not allowed to talk or interact with him. Our duty was only to guard and escort him during a part of his journey.

He said he was overwhelmed by the warmth in his embrace.

Asked what the Dalai Lama whispered in his ears while they embraced, he replied, He was happy to see me.

The Dalai Lama also presented silk shawl to the guard.

For the Assam Rifles, he also signed an old photograph of his during his journey into India.

Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Shokin Chouhan was also present on the occasion.  PTI
Simran Sodhi

As India and Israel celebrate 25 years of diplomatic ties, a host of events have been planned by the Israeli embassy to promote the friendship. Last week saw one such delightful dance event in the capital performed by the Dafi Dance group. Choreographer Dafi Altabeb and artiste Nini Moshe have been performing the world over with their team.

The performance was titled It couldnt have happened before and was an intense, personal enactment of a range of emotions on stage. As both Altabeb and Moshe point out, this piece speaks about the fact that sometimes things are happening for us, right under our noses and in front of our eyes, but we are so busy with other things that we miss the point. The unique moments are not going to happen again. You carry someone, its heavy and you complain but if you just change the vision of your eyes, you will see that this person is not hanging on you, but hugging you.

The performance was also a take on the modern relationships where the idea is to cherish this moment instead of complaining about it. Arent we all missing a big long hug in our life? That was the poignant question posed by the Dafi dance group.

For the dance group, performing in India was a huge excitement and they felt happy to see the reaction of the audience and to hear their amazing warm comments after the show.

Choreographer Dafi Altabeb has been successfully staging dance performances and touring all over the world  International Exposure Festival (Israel), Napoli Theater Festival (Italy), Guang-Gue Modern Dance Festival (China) and Viva Dance Festival (Brazil).

They point out that dance is a global language that everyone, everywhere around the world can understand and connect with. The Dafi Group is looking forward to coming back to India to give workshops and to perform in front of an audience they found wonderful and warm. For a friendship celebrating 25 years, this was a beautiful reminder of the ties that bind and dance.
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 1

Capt Amarinder Singh, who has always opposed the setting up of Khalsa University on the campus of Khalsa College here, has asked his officials to review the file passed by the earlier Parkash Singh Badal-led Cabinet in this regard.

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Talking to The Tribune, the Punjab Chief Minister accused the Khalsa College Governing Council of attempts to dilute and subvert the heritage status of the century-old college. Slamming the Badals and Majithias, he said: It was an illogical move. Their aim was to undermine Guru Nanak Dev University by setting up their own private university to mint money. I have asked my staff to study the file.

Capt Amarinders family has had a long association with Khalsa College. While his grandfather Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and father Maharaja Yadvinder Singh were its Chancellors from 1927 to 1952, he too was Chancellor between 1972 and 1978.

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The Cabinet in July 2016 had given its nod to setting up Khalsa University. It began operating from the college campus a month later. The Khalsa University Bill, 2016, was passed by the Vidhan Sabha in September. Capt Amarinder had then declared that if voted to power, the Congress would scrap the legislation.
Mohali, April 1

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday ruled out bringing a Spain-like Historical Memory Law to erase all remnants of the humiliating British rule in the state as proposed by Manpreet Badal.

It is a part of India's past from which we have already learnt our lessons and moved forward," he said and made it clear that he is personally not in favour of tampering with history, "be it good or bad".

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State finance minister Manpreet Badal had reportedly spoken about bringing a legislation in lines with Spain's 'Historical Memory Law' which would pave the way for renaming colonial landmarks in the state and formally condemn British rule.

The Historical Memory Law of Spain condemns Francisco Franco's dictatorship and honours its victims.

Speaking to mediapersons after appointing Congress leader Lal Singh as chairman of Punjab Mandi Board, the Chief Minister said as a historian himself, he does not believe in "wiping out" history but in "learning from it".

Amarinder said this could be Manpreet's personal opinion and he would look into any such legislation as and when it is formally brought to his notice.

"By changing the name of Akbar Road, one cannot wipe out the existence of Mughal emperor Akbar. History can neither be changed nor rewritten," the Chief Minister said.

Replying to another question, Amarinder said the Reserve Bank of India is likely to release the pending Cash Credit Limit for Punjab on Monday and disclosed that he had personally called up Finance Minister Arun Jaitley last night over this issue.  PTI
New Visions Southminster United Methodist Church, 2915 S. 16th St., will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt for preschool through fifth grade from 10 a.m. to noon next Saturday, April 15.

All kids will find candy-filled eggs, followed by games, crafts and snacks. The Egg Hunt will conclude by 11:30 a.m., games will continue until noon.

Bags will be provided for all participants to carry their eggs.

For more details call (402) 474-5513 or (402) 570-8602.
Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Batala, April 2

A notorious gangster was shot dead on Saturday night in what police suspect is a gang war.

Some people travelling in a vehicle shot Lala, who faced several criminal charges at various police stations in Majha region, thrice when he had stopped his vehicle to inspect a tyre that they first fired at. He was travelling with his nephews, one of who called his father.

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Two bullets hit his left leg, while one hit his abdomen. Lala died on the way to a hospital.

The incident occurred close to SSP Deepak Hiloris residence on the Dera Baba Nanak road near the ROB. Police have registered a case of murder.

Hillory said occupants of the other vehicle had made sure there were no eyewitnesses to the crime.

The two boys sitting in the car do not have much information to offer. Police usually rely on eyewitness accounts but in this case there are none. I have formed five teams, each headed by a senior officer, and all of them have been despatched to different locations, said Hilori.

Police however suspect involvement of a rival gang, Bhuri gang.

Four months ago Bhuri died following a drug overdose but his gang is still active. We suspect the involvement of Golu Harpuria, the main member of the Bhuri gang, an investigating officer said.
Harvinder Khetal

Unlike their popular pairing on a funny show rehearsed well to produce comedy, and some spontaneity spicing it up, last week Kapil Sharma ended high up in a plane yelling rowdily at Sunil Grover quite like that lowly lout who tends to get short-tempered when high on spirits. The high-spiritedness (lively and cheerful behaviour or mood) associated with the high flying (very successful) duo seemed to have been spirited away and their brand of comic timing flew out of the window, leading to a rather tragic fall out between them. In fact, this aerial baggage proved too heavy for Sunil. The boorish behaviour of the cork high and bottle deep (very drunk) Kapil bore such deep hurt in Sunil that no amount of pacifying could put the genie back in the bottle (to attempt to revert a situation to how it formerly existed but usually the impossibility of such an attempt).

There are many instances of the air being thick with angst in the thin air of the atmosphere at high altitudes, with passengers increasingly showing attitude. Air travel has become quite common these days, and so have soared cases of air rage (sudden violent anger or aggressiveness provoked in a passenger on board an aircraft by the stress associated with air travel).

The incident involving Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad has to take the highest spot insofar as lowliness goes. The high muckamuck (an important and influential person, especially someone who is overbearingly or arrogantly so) boasted on TV that he had hit an airline staffer 25 times with his slipper when he was denied a business class seat  the flight did not have a business class.

It reminds me of this gag:

A blonde with an economy class ticket insisted on sitting in the first class cabin. To every crew member requesting her to go to her seat, she adamantly pouted: I will go to Jamaica on this seat only. Finally, the pilot had to be called in. He whispered something in her ear and she immediately got up and went to the economy class section. How? The pilot had told her: This section of the plane is not going to Jamaica!

Back to Gaikwad: in an unprecedented move, the jet-setting MP was grounded by the Indian Airlines and six other private airlines that banned him from flying in their planes. Since that day, he has been reportedly refused air ticket seven times. Perhaps, Gaikwad was emboldened by fellow parliamentarian Pappu Yadav, who two years back allegedly shoved and threatened to hit an airhostess with slippers when she asked him not to throw leftover food in the aisle on a flight. He had denied the allegation. It seems that the reason for Mr Yadavs foul mood was something like this:

It was mealtime on a flight.

Would you like dinner? the airhostess asked John.

What are my choices? John asked.

Yes or no, she replied.

But jokes apart, with the phone cameras being ubiquitous today, the miles-high meltdowns are being captured and made to shame unruly passengers, leaving little room for denial. This hot-headed Colombian woman caused a stir on a journey to New York when she lost her cool when asked to speak softly by a co-passenger. The flight attendants failed to calm the hysterical lady. She apologised for her deed only after her video surfaced online. But she added that it happens all the time and she had the bad luck of being recorded.

Her it happens all the time remark would be endorsed by the airline crew who often find themselves willy-nilly caught in the crossfire. Even frequent flyers not only notch up miles (free travel) but also tales of air rage, how they had a tough time controlling themselves from throwing certain annoying people out of the plane!

hkhetal@gmail.com
Beijing, April 2

At least nine persons were killed and six others were injured in an explosion at a house in northern Chinas Shanxi Province.

The blast occurred on Saturday at the house on the Nanhuan West road in Fushan County in the city of Linfen. Ten persons were buried in the blast.

The illegal storage of explosives was believed to be the cause of the blast. Nine bodies have been found and one person has been rescued, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Six persons who were at the site have sustained minor injuries. The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, the report said.  PTI
Niamey, April 2

Nigers President Mahamadou Issoufou has said that he would not amend the Constitution to allow him to seek a third term after his second and final mandate ends in 2021.

One of my greatest ambitions is to organise free and transparent elections in 2021 and pass the baton to another Nigerien whom the Nigeriens will have chosen, the president yesterday said in an interview on state television on the occasion of the first anniversary of his inauguration for his second mandate on April 2, 2016.

The constitution of Niger limits the president to two terms of five years. Issoufou, 65, was re-elected in March last year following the end of his first term, albeit in elections boycotted by the opposition.

Me, I am a democrat at heart (...) I dont have the arrogance to think that I am an irreplaceable providential man, the head of state said.

According to Issoufou Niger needs strong democratic institutions, and for this there needed to be alternations in power.

If he succeeds, he will be the first democratically elected president of of the vast west African country to ensure a peaceful transition of power to a new head of state.

His predecessor Mamadou Tandja was overthrown in 2010 by a military coup for having modified the constitution in order to remain in power at the end of his two legal five-year terms.

Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world but rich in uranium, has never experienced a real democratic transfer of power since its independence in 1960.

The democratic process begun in 1993 has often been interrupted by military coups.

In recent years, Niger has been hit by attacks from Boko Haram Islamists, whose insurgency has spilled over from neighbouring Nigeria, but despite its porous borders the country is an island of stability in a troubled area.

Besides Nigeria, neighbouring Mali and Libya are also battling jihadist groups.  AFP
Beijing, April 2

China called on the United States to respect international trade rules and improve cooperation and dialogue in reaction to two new orders by US President Donald Trump calling for an investigation into trade abuses.

Any US trade enforcement measures should comply with generally accepted international trade rules and differences between the two countries should be handled properly, an unidentified spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in a speech on Saturday.

China is willing to cooperate with the United States on a basis of equality and mutual benefit, the spokesperson said in the speech released on the ministrys website.

Trump signed executive orders on Friday aimed at investigating possible abuses causing large US trade deficits and stopping import duty evasion. He will host Chinese President Xi Jinping this Thursday and Friday at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, where trade is expected to be a central talking point as well as North Korea and Chinas ambitions in the South China Sea.

Trump, who has taken a harsh stance on Chinas trade practices, last week tweeted that the meeting will be a very difficult one, citing massive trade deficits and American job losses.

China maintains that the China-US trade imbalance is mostly the result of differences between the economic structures and development stages of the two countries.  Reuters
Area banks and credit unions will have them in their lobbies, April 10 through May 12.

So will hair salons, realty offices, pharmacies, grocery stores, Real Racines tourism office, the Volunteer Center of Racine County, local custard stands and more.

They are Movers for Moms donation boxes. And people throughout Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties are invited to help fill them with essential care items for mothers in need.

Movers for Moms is an annual donation drive, hosted by the Two Men and a Truck moving company around Mothers Day, which benefits those living in womens shelters. The companys Racine franchise is one of about 300 Two Men and a Truck locations across the country that participate in the campaign. And in 2016, the 39 donation sites in the local drive collected 5,000 items including toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, gift cards and more, for the Womens Resource Center.

Growing support

This year, at least 50 donation sites will be set up throughout the three counties  a new record for the Racine franchise, according to its owner, Tim Lightner.

The response from the community has been great, said Lightner, who also owns the companys Madison franchise.

Movers for Moms purpose is to help support women who might otherwise not be thought about on Mothers Day, and to let them know they are appreciated, Lightner said. The project is a natural fit for Two Men and a Truck  a company whose core values include giving back to the community, caring for others and The Grandma Rule: To treat everyone the way you would want your grandma to be treated. And it is an easy way for all kinds of people to get involved, he said. It really is a win/win/win situation, all around.

Now an international company, Two Men and Truck was founded by a single mother, said Sheri Rice, marketing director for the Racine and Madison franchises, and Lightners wife. And Movers for Moms is one of several community support programs the company organizes each year.

She recently retired, but her three kids are still active in the company, Rice said. And she hand-selected charities that were near and dear to her heart. This is something built into our culture. We dont just talk about it, we do it.

Staying local

This years Racine-area Movers for Moms drive will coincide with the drives held by company offices in Milwaukee and Waukesha, so that it will occur across nine counties in southeastern Wisconsin at the same time, Rice said. While items collected by the Milwaukee and Waukesha offices will be benefit shelters in those areas, all of the donations made in Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties will go to Racines Womens Resource Center, she said.

And the WRC is always very appreciative of the items collected, big and small, Lightner said.

We have people who donate one or two items on the list, and all the way up to insurance offices that hold internal contests with their employees to see who can donate the most items, he said. We even had one guy who donated his winnings from March Madness to the cause. It is really neat to see how everyone comes together for this.

Aiming high

Lightners movers and drivers also love this project, he said. They get to talk to a lot of people, and I think all of us have a relative or a friend who has found themselves in a situation where they needed help. It makes me feel so good, to be able to help.

The 2017 drive marks the 10th anniversary of the Movers for Moms national drive, and the companys goal is to collect 350,000 items for moms nationwide, Lightner said.

Here in the Racine/Kenosha/Walworth area, Rice said she, too, wants to aim high with this years drive. I would love to see us double the amount this year and collect 10,000 items, she said.

We like to think of it as truckloads of appreciation, Rice said.

For a list of donation sites and more information about Movers for Moms, go to https://twomenandatruck.com/about-us/community-service.
OKLAHOMA CITY  In the race for Oklahoma governor, the buttoned-up, business-backed Todd Lamb could face a Republican primary challenge from two populists each named Gary  Jones and Richardson.

The lieutenant governor hasnt formally announced, but Lamb maintains a million-dollar war chest and an active connection to business leaders through the E Foundation, a nonprofit he founded that has developed several policy goals for state government.

Then there are his possible challengers who are still testing the waters. Gary Richardson has campaigned for the job before as an independent, but he is now a Republican. The Tulsa litigator has found a strong ally in landowners upset over turnpike expansions and drivers upset about turnpike fees.
Syrian refugees draw water at Kawergosk camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in March 2014. The Syria conflict is now in its seventh year.  UNHCR/Brian Sokol

Kuwait City/Geneva  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) today signed an agreement worth US$10 million to improve the living conditions of Syrian refugees in northern Iraq.

The KFAED contribution, the first ever to UNHCR, will have a substantial impact on the water, health, sanitation, shelter conditions in five camps hosting 97,000 Syrian refugees in Dohuk and Erbil, in northern Iraq.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Kelly T. Clements, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, and Abdulwahab A. Al-Bader, the Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

The generous contribution from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is extremely welcome and timely, with the number of Syrian refugees in the region now exceeding 5 million people, Clements said.

Many Syrian families in Northern Iraq have been displaced for extended periods of time and live in dire conditions. They need our solidarity and our support, now more than ever, she added.

The KFAED contribution reflects Kuwaits pioneering humanitarian efforts and is a real commitment to creating a brighter future for refugees, added the Deputy High Commissioner.

Iraq currently hosts over 230,000 Syrian refugees, most of whom are located in the northern part of the country, in Erbil, Duhok and Sulaymaniyah. Over 90,000 Syrian refugees, almost 40 percent, live inside camps, including Domiz 1, the largest refugee camp in Iraq, Domiz 2, Basirma camp, Darashakran camp and Qushtapa camp, where the project funding will be directed.

The Deputy High Commissioners two-day mission to Kuwait follows the High Commissioners visit last year and comes just ahead of the Brussels conference, Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region Conference in Brussels, on 4-5 April 2017. The Ministerial conference will discuss the implementation of commitments made a year ago to support Syria and outline the way ahead for the refugee response.

Kuwait has previously hosted three international humanitarian pledging conferences, and nine top donors' meetings in support of the international humanitarian response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Kuwait also co-hosted the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in 2016, during which the country pledged US$300 million in support of the Syria humanitarian response over the next three years.

By 2016, the State of Kuwait had provided a contribution of US$360 million to UNHCR for the Syrian crisis and Iraq. In 2015, the country held the position of largest donor per capita and was UNHCRs sixth largest donor globally.

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First Ibby Europe Regional Conference Bridging Worlds Reaching out to Young Refugees with Books and Stories: the conference will be held on 6th April (9-17.30, Sala Concerto) and will include an overview of the current situation worldwide. Three panels will look at issues related to libraries, to books and to the Silent Books collection. The aim is also to develop a section on the current IBBY Europe website for sharing information and looking at future activities.

Bridging Worlds Reaching out to Young Refugees with Books and Stories: the conference will be held on 6th April (9-17.30, Sala Concerto) and will include an overview of the current situation worldwide. Three panels will look at issues related to libraries, to books and to the Silent Books collection. The aim is also to develop a section on the current IBBY Europe website for sharing information and looking at future activities. Download the programme .
RACINE  In what was billed as a "Where's Paul Ryan Town Hall," immigration and refugee activists rallied at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center in Racine on Saturday to urge Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to block some of President Donald Trump's agenda.

Nearly 300 people showed up some with their own signs and others provided by organizers that said things like "represent us too" and "Love Trumps Hate," a phrase made famous by Hillary Clinton during her nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church was one of a dozen speakers who rallied the crowd, showing solidarity with Muslims.

"If there is a Muslim registry, I will be a Muslim and I will be on the the list," Larsen said.

Racine residents Jose and Alejandra Loza walked over to the gym from their neighborhood to bring their three children to the rally for the experience.

"I want my children to know they can fight for their rights. I want them to know they have a say, not just because of your race or nationality," Alejandra Loza said. "The United States is a place of freedom."

Alejandra Loza said her parents came to America from Mexico illegally in the 1980s, but became legal through Ronald Reagan's amnesty program. But she feels more needs to be done.

"My children are not illegal and I am not illegal, and we're treated like outcasts," Loza said.

'Not afraid'

The event was organized by Voces de la Frontera, National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Fair Immigration Reform Movement to encourage like-minded residents of Racine County to join their march on Milwaukee, in what they call the "May 1st General Strike." Organizers said the protests will be taking place nationwide that day.

Speakers spoke at a podium with a 10-foot-tall effigy of Ryan.

NLDON's national campaign coordinator Salvador Sarmiento, who works out of Los Angeles, suggested that Wisconsin's 1st district congressman should be voted out of office.

"We're not afraid of Trump and we're not afraid of Trump's agenda," Sarmiento told the crowd.

Ryan won re-election in November by 35 percent. Since the Obamacare repeal failed, Ryan's approval rating nationally has been falling. However, locally, a March 22 Marquette Law School Poll shows Ryan with a 45 percent favorable rating and a 38 percent unfavorable rating.

Children

One of the two dozen local students who came to the rally, Horlick High School student Yvonka Vazquez, wanted to know how Ryan would ensure the well-being of children who are caught up in the immigration restrictions of the Trump administration.

Ryan's office wanted to make clear that the country's immigration enforcement priority is and should be violent criminals, not children.

"We've got to make sure these laws are being enforced, that we are controlling our borders so violent criminals and repeat offenders don't come back in and do these horrific things," Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement from his office. "When people in this country have confidence that our border is secure and laws are being enforced, the country will be in a much better position to fix some of these bigger, more thornier problems."

State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, who's also running for mayor of Racine, spoke at the rally and said he want to be there to learn first-hand what immigrants and refugees are going through.

"You come to understand how public policy proposals affect people in the real world," Mason said. "They're facing a political scrutiny and a level of discrimination that we haven't seen against immigrants in a couple generations. So it's important for elected officials like me to see how it affects people."

Mason said people who aren't American Indians forget their own history of immigration.

Somali refugee Mustafa Nuur, who came to the rally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said he can't forget his father, Omar Nuur, who was killed by rebels in his country for standing up for violence and the oppressed.

"No one deserves to go through that, especially children. There are a million more with a similar story," Nuur said.

Nuur spent 10 years in a refugee camp before he came to America and he said he is honoring his father's legacy by joining the struggle and trying to recruit refugees to speak out everywhere.

"In America, I feel safe after a very, very long time," Nuur said. "In America, I can sleep."
The final approval to a $25 million settlement to litigation against Trump University was given on Friday by US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel. The now-defund real estate seminar program was once owned by Donald Trump. He agreed not long after his election to settle two class-action suits that were filed by former customers of the program in California and New York.

The lawsuit claimed that Trump University defrauded customers who paid more than $30,000 to participate in the seminars. They were given false advertisements and were promised they would learn Trump's personal real estate tricks that Trump had hand-picked seminar leaders. Trump acknowledged that he did not choose the instructors.

Trump University victims waited seven years for compensation. The settlement was endangered after Sherri Simpson, a former student at Trump University, argued that she should be allowed to opt out of the agreement and continue litigation against Trump. Simpson felt distressed that the settlement did not require Trump to admit fault and apologize.

The ruling in San Diego settled two lawsuits and a civil lawsuit from New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. He claimed that Trump University was not licensed when it began operation in 2005 according to CBS Local.

Curiel said that the settlement was fair and adequate. He said that many of the former customers are likely to recover 80 or 90 percent of the amount they spent on the program. The settlement will be available to more than 5,000 former customers of the program according to The Washington Post.

The ruling provided finality for the matter. Trump had worked to settle civil matters before taking office by settling a number of suits that was pending for years.

For violating the state's education laws by calling the program a university despite offering no degrees or traditional education, the $25 million included a penalty of $1 million that was paid to the state of New York. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the settlement would provide relief to the victims of Trump's fraudulent university.
The Cheatham County School District has introduced its first mobile interactive robot on Tuesday. It is intended for long-term homebound students from Sycamore Middle School.

In December, the students approached the Cheatham County School Board about their idea to help their fellow homebound student. They said that the robot would allow the student to navigate the halls of SMS and participate in class through video without having to leave their home.

The School Board surprised teacher Beth Stokes and her students with the Double 2 robot to show their full support for the students' initiative. The Double 2 robot is specially designed to help students learn from anywhere. It has helped save schools thousands of dollars and reaching more students.

The Double 2 robot's simple design included a camera kit, audio kit, iPad Air, 6-8 hour battery, lateral stability control, charging dock, dual kickstands and self-balancing feature. It is equipped with a mechanism for shock absorption. It helps maintain its lateral stability as it goes over common obstacles in a classroom setting, such as cords, bumps, or a change in threshold.

The power drive enables the robot to go up to 80 percent faster than normal driving speed. Its 5 megapixel camera kit includes a 150 degree wide-angle lens that can increase the field of view by 70 percent both left and right sides.

Interim Director of Schools Stacy Brinkley thanks the students for bringing up the idea and it shows how the students from SMS are striving to make experiences for all students better. She also said that they were fortunate to have teachers like Mrs. Stokes that give the students project-based learning experiences.

Stokes said that she is proud of her students' effort. She showed her appreciation to the SMS administrator and the School Board by thanking them for listening to and believing in her students.

The new robot will be named Alpha, representing the district's first robot and project that was student-inspired according to The Tennessean.
Parkinson's disease afflicts seven to 10 million people around the world and 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year. Those afflicted experience rigidity or immobility in their motor skills. However, researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have discovered a method to combat the degenerative nature of Parkinson's.

Researchers have conducted a clinical trial using a drug for cancer patients to people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The patients reacted positively to drug and have shown some progress in their condition.

The drug, whose trade name is called Sargramostim, is currently used for patients undergoing chemotherapy and is not available for people with Parkinson's. However, the research showed that the drug powers up the immune system and turn the destructive nature of white blood cells into a protective one to protect the brain.

During the trial, patients who were given the drug showed an improvement in their motor skills and a reduction in the tremors that characterize Parkinson's disease. This is the first time that a drug can halt or slow down the disease. The drugs that are currently in use only fights the symptoms for a period of time before the patient finally succumbs to the disease.

The researchers are excited because the drug affects the disease itself rather than just the symptoms offering hope to patients and their families. However, they cautioned that they need a bigger number of subjects to further confirm their initial study. They added that they will review the data first and improve the formulation and administration of the drug before they begin another round of study.

Parkinson's patient Tim Hoffman, a retired teacher who was part of the clinical trial, said that his posture and flexibility has improved. However, they were not informed prior to and during the study that they were given Sargramostim.

The study was published in the Nature Research journal.
Fake tattoos have been around embellishing people who would want to sport a tattoo without having to risk being pricked by needles or even contemplate on having it permanently etched on skin. What if you were presented with having fake tattoos that can do much more than just be an adornment?

Electronic tattoos or E-tattoos have been around for as early as four years ago; however, though the aim is to control devices using imprinted temporary e-tattoos on skin, the technology has not really caught on yet. With advancement in technology, it might make a splash soon.

Researchers from Saarland University in Saarbrucken, Germany led by Martin Weigel, has been at work on concepts for super-thin temporary electronic tattoos that turn skin into touch-sensitive buttons, called SkinMarks, developed under Saarland University's Human-Computer Interaction research project, Futurism reported.

The technology involves printing wires and electrodes on temporary transparent tattoo paper employing conductive ink, thinner than the width of human hair. The tattoo is transferred to the skin using water, much like ordinary temporary tattoos, and like it, it can last a couple of days before completely rubbing off.

The e-tattoos are sensitive to touch and are ideal for use in conjunction with a smartphone such as adjusting the volume. An added feature the researchers did with SkinMarks e-tattoos that separate it from other e-tattoos is its electroluminescent abilities. The tattoos glow when a current passes through it.

The group tested the device by connecting them to a computer; future iterations will link the e-tattoos to Android smartphones. Weigel said that they have tested the SkinMarks e-tattoos' feasibility and is now looking forward to practical applications, according to New Scientist.

One practical hurdle the team has to overcome is to shrink the microcontrollers used to transmit the signals from the tattoos to an external device. Currently, the team uses copper tape to connect the tattoos to an Arduino microcontroller attached to the body via a wristband.

It might not be too long a wait though since the technology seems to work well based on video trials the Weigel's group released on YouTube and various online publications. Further, the group will introduce their work in Denver, Colorado this coming May 2017 at the Computer-Human Interaction Conference (CHI 2017).

However, Chris Harrison from Carnegie Mellon thinks the technology will be ready in about 10 years. Admittedly, he finds Weigel and his group's research amazing. He adds that by basing the device on cheap temporary tattoos, it made the technology available to artists, programmers, and hobbyist.

Furthermore, Harrison said, once current limitations are overcome, on-skin devices are the next logical step in wearable technology. He predicts skin-based controls will soon become the new normal.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Police are looking for a woman they said got away with cash Saturday after allegedly robbing the clerk at a bank located inside a Mount Pleasant supermarket.

The robbery reportedly occurred at 2:18 p.m. at the Tri City National Bank branch located inside the Pick n Save, 1202 N. Green Bay Road, just south of Spring Street.

Mount Pleasant police said the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money and no one was injured in the incident.

Police described the suspect as an African-American female, 40-50 years of age, who was wearing a dark jacket, dark leggings and brown boots.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is asking anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and has information related to the robbery to call them at 262-664-7933.
Criminal complaints Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31:

This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit www.journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts.

Ali M. Ali, 1700 block of Commerce St., Milwaukee, conspiracy to commit manufacture/deliver marijuana, and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Bradley J. Anderson, 1500 block of Blaine Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and battery.

Adolfo Araiza, 400 block of Randolph St., Racine, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Mark A. Bell, 200 block of Ohio St., Racine, battery, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Jarvis D. Booker, 1800 block of Clayton Ave., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining drug trafficking place, possession of a firearm by a felon, and recklessly endangering safety.

Reginald W. Brown, 2800 block of Cottage Drive, Sturtevant, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Michael J. Budz, 24200 block of Washington Ave., Kansasville, battery, disorderly conduct, and obstructing an officer.

Clayton V. Campbell, 1500 block of Summit Ave., Waukesha, disorderly conduct.

Maria A. Chamblis, 1500 block of S. Memorial Drive, Racine, mayhem, domestic abuse assessments, use of a dangerous weapon, recklessly endangering safety, and substantial battery.

Clayton V. Campbell, 1500 block of Summit Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct.

Larry D. Davis, 1300 block of Buchanan St., Racine, retail theft, and obstructing an officer.

Crystal L. English, 3400 block of 10th Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, and use of a dangerous weapon.

Alvin S. Franklin, 5500 block of Byrd Ave., Racine, possession of marijuana.

Deon L. Gayles, 2200 block of Prospect St., Racine, theft from a person or corpse, use of a dangerous weapon, and battery.

Xavier D. Gentry, 1300 block of Blake Ave., Racine, battery, and disorderly conduct.

Victor A. Guajardo, 2200 block of Washington Ave., Racine, possession of a controlled substance.

Travis P. Guthrie, 3700 block of Buckley Road, Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Michael D. Hardy Jr., 1000 block of Blaine Ave., Racine, manufacture/deliver heroin, and resisting an officer.

Darius Harris, 900 block of Hamilton St., Racine, possession of a firearm by a felon.

Ariel R. Henderson, 4100 block of St. Clair St., Racine, possession of marijuana.

Jerald D. Hodges, 200 block of Belvidere Road, Waukegan, Ill., possession with intent to deliver heroin.

Thomas J. Johnson, 5100 block of Graceland Blvd., Racine, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct.

Matthew C. Jordan, 200 block of Potter Road, Elkhorn, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Megin L. Jorgensen, 1000 block of Washington Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments, battery, use of a dangerous weapon, and recklessly endangering safety.

George E. Kramer, 900 block of Washington Ave., Racine, retail theft.

Donald M. Matera, 8800 block of Shannon Lane, Sturtevant, theft.

Alexjandro M. Medina, 2100 block of Slauson Ave., Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Alexis N. Miller, 2200 block of Washington Ave., Racine, possession of a controlled substance.

Joey Miller, 1500 block of Liberty St., Racine, obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct, and bail jumping.

Casey O. Nelson, 5000 block of Byrd Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse assessments.

Linda M. Otto-Elias, 3800 block of Linda Lane, Mount Pleasant, retail theft.

Leonard Pavia, address unknown, Racine, first degree sexual assault of a child under age 12, and child enticement.

Jasmine J. Phillips, 3400 block of Kentucky St., Racine, attempt first degree intentional homicide, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

Romero J. Ramirez, 2100 block of Kentucky St., Racine, resisting an officer.

Latasha L. Ratelis, 3900 block of Country Lane, Racine, forgery, and personal identity theft for financial gain.

Bryan D. Schmidt Jr., 8500 block of Heather Ave., Burlington, possession of narcotic drugs, possess illegally obtained prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kelli P. Schneiker, 3400 block of Ivy Lane, Racine, strangulation or suffocation, battery, and criminal trespass.

Demond Shields, 1100 block of N. Springfield, Chicago, Ill., possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana.

Allen B. Wainwright, 6000 block of Margery Drive, Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Lashan T. Wilkerson, 1600 block of Summit Ave., Racine, theft, and concealing stolen property.

Dashawn L. Wright, 1700 block of Durand Ave., Racine, obstructing an officer, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture marijuana, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and possession with intent to deliver heroin.
Authorities say a carbon monoxide leak caused by a malfunctioning pool heater at a southwestern Michigan hotel has killed a child and sickened about a dozen other people, including seven other children and several police officers.

The Niles police department confirmed the death of Bryan Douglas Watts, 13, of Niles, in an email to CBS News.

In all, 12 people were taken to area hospitals, CBS affiliate WSBT reports. Two children remain in serious condition, Memorial Hospital in South Bend told CBS News. Five children are in stable condition and one has been released, the hospital said.

Quality Inn & Suites employees called 911 around 10 a.m. after seeing six unresponsive children on the pool deck. The Niles Police Department said the six children ranged in ages from 12 to 14. A seventh child was found unresponsive in a hotel room, police said.

Additionally, three police officers and two hotel employees were among the 12 taken to area hospitals.

Niles Fire Capt. Don Wise says a high level of carbon monoxide was detected in the pool area and lower levels were found in other parts of the hotel.

At those levels, they dont have much time before they go unresponsive, Wise told CBS Detroit.

An inspection by a mechanical engineer showed the cause was a malfunction in the pool heater, the Niles Fire Department told WSBT.

The hotel is closed and Wise says it is unlikely to re-open Saturday. A mechanical engineer is being contacted to determine the source of the leak.
Handout picture released by the Colombian Presidential press office showing an aerial view of mudslides caused heavy rains, in Mocoa, Putumayo department, on Apr 1, 2017. (Photo: Cesar Carrion/Presidencia Colombia/AFP)

They were the latest victims of floods that have struck the Pacific side of South America over recent months, also killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.

In the southwestern Colombian town of Mocoa, the surge swept away houses, bridges, vehicles and trees, leaving piles of wrecked timber and brown mud, army images from the area showed.

The mudslides struck late Friday after days of torrential rain.

President Juan Manuel Santos visited Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo department, on Saturday to supervise rescue efforts in the heavily forested region.

He declared a state of "public calamity" in a Twitter message, declaring measures to speed up rescue and aid operations. He expressed his condolences to victims' families. "The latest death toll is 154. It is a truly terrible figure," Santos told reporters.

The Red Cross aid group said 400 people were injured and 220 were missing. The Red Cross had initially put the death toll at 16 but warned it would rise because hundreds of people were missing.

"The number is rising enormously and at considerable speed," Rescue official Cesar Urena told AFP. The disaster is of "large proportions," he added.

NATION IN MOURNING

Putumayo Governor Sorrel Aroca called the development "an unprecedented tragedy" for the area. There are "hundreds of families we have not yet found and whole neighbourhoods have disappeared," he told W Radio.

Carlos Ivan Marquez, director of the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, told AFP the mudslides were caused by the rise of the Mocoa River and tributaries. The rivers flooded causing a "big avalanche," the army said in a statement.

Some 130 millimetres (5 inches) of rain fell Friday night, Santos said. "That means 30 percent of monthly rainfall fell last night, which precipitated a sudden rise of several rivers," he said.

He promised earlier on Twitter to "guarantee assistance to the victims of this tragedy, which has Colombians in mourning." "Our prayers are with the victims and those affected," he added.

RESCUE EFFORTS

The authorities activated a crisis group including local officials, military personnel, police and rescuers to search for missing people and begin removing mountains of debris, Marquez said.

A thousand emergency personnel were helping the rescue effort.

Mocoa, a town of 40,000 people, was left without power or running water. "There are lots of people in the streets, lots of people displaced and many houses have collapsed," retired Mocoa resident Hernando Rodriguez, 69, said by telephone.

"People do not know what to do ... there were no preparations" made for such a disaster, he said. "We are just scarcely realising what has happened to us."

Several deadly landslides have struck Colombia in recent months.

A landslide in November killed nine people in the southwestern rural town of El Tambo, officials said at the time. A landslide the month before killed 10 people in the north of the country.
Cherry blossoms in Tokyo. (Photo: AFP/Toshifumi Kitamura)

Over the past few weeks, local weather offices have been sending civil servants like Nishii out to so-called barometer trees that signal when sakura - cherry blossom in Japanese - have bloomed.

It's no small matter. Millions of Japanese celebrate the explosion of white and pink flowers heralding the change of season, with the Tokyo area expected to hit full bloom this week.

Parks are full, restaurants are packed, and companies get in on the action with sakura-branded merchandise, from pink beer cans to flower-motif candy.

The festivities come at a time when Japan kicks off a new business year, many university graduates start their first full-time jobs, and older colleagues shift into new positions.

The very short season - full blooms only last about a week before the petals start falling off trees - has long been cast as a symbol of the fragility of life in Japanese art and literature.

"Sakura have soaked into Japanese peoples minds because they come at a time when many are starting a new chapter in their life," Nishii said, as he inspected a barometer tree in Mito city, about 100km northeast of Tokyo.

"They capture people's hearts because they bloom only for a short period of time."

"WE DRINK BECAUSE IT'S SPRING"

Blooms in a particular area - they start as early as March in southern Kyushu and as late as May in northernmost Hokkaido - are official when a half dozen or more flowers blossom on a barometer tree.

Inspectors initially come once a day, but once the buds start swelling up, the visits increase to twice daily, Nishii said.

The location of a sample tree is a tightly guarded secret to prevent pranks.

"We carefully observe them so as not to miss any open buds and once we confirm it, we officially announce the blossom season's start," he said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has been monitoring cherry blossoms since 1953, but timing the blooms is still far from an exact science.

A big rainfall can wash out the delicate flowers while a cold weather snap sometimes delays their appearance.

It's a nail-biting experience for some, including many tourists who book travel around the expected times for a full bloom when trees are covered in a blanket of flowers.

Parks in Tokyo have already been filling up as friends, families and colleagues stake out choice spots, laying plastic tarps on the grass as they start hours-long parties under the pretty-in-pink trees.

Yusuke Kinoshita was one of thousands of locals and tourists who gathered in Ueno Park, one of the capital's most popular sakura viewing spots, even before the blooms started.

"I've been drinking since 10 this morning," the 39-year-old hotel worker said one recent weekday afternoon after his shift, noting that his boss would be joining the boozy party later on.

"It's the Japanese way for the most junior colleagues to stake out a spot and get the party going once the boss comes.

"We drink because its sakura season," he added. "We drink because it's spring."
As Afghan security forces continue their military operations against the Taliban and Islamic State-backed militants in the country, the government plans to improve its security forces in the next few years to help beat the growing threat posed by militant groups, Afghan officials said.

As part of a four-year security plan, Kabul plans to beef up the countrys elite Special Forces, and efforts are underway to improve its air force.

Our commando forces would be further strengthened and they should receive more arms, new and sophisticated equipment, General Dawlat Waziri, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defense told VOA.

The plan would double the special operation forces currently serving in the capacity of a military division of 17,000 troops. A new military corps is to be created within the Afghan National Army structure to accommodate the growing number of elite forces.

Given the nature of the warfare, Afghanistan has shifted its focus from conventional warfare to special operations in an effort to help defeat a growing insurgency that has become potent in recent years and an emerging Islamic State threat that has made inroads in various parts of the country.

Currently, Special Forces conduct 70 percent of the country's military operations. The elite forces are trained as quick reaction forces and conduct regular night raids against militants in various regions of the country.



NATO has confirmed that more commandos will soon join the Afghan national security and defense forces. Captain Bill Salvin, spokesperson for Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul, said recruitment and training for more commandos is already underway.

Growing Air Force capabilities

The Afghan government also wants to increase its air force capabilities to provide logistic and close air support to Afghan forces on the ground.

Spokesperson Waziri told VOA the country's air force is expected to soon receive up to 200 helicopters and other aircraft.

Afghan security forces have also been provided with surveillance drones for use in restive regions.

We do use drones to collect intelligence on militant groups as part of our military tools in the fight against terrorism, General Mohammad Radmanesh, the deputy spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defense told VOA.

According to Radmanesh, the Afghan army received 10 drones from the U.S. for surveillance purposes last year which are being used in several provinces including Helmand, Nangarhar and Kunduz.

The surveillance drones that we have started using are very helpful in monitoring militant activities in the northeastern zone, Lt. Gen. Sher Aziz Kamawal, commander of the Spinzar Corps in northeastern Kunduz province told VOA.

Kamawal added that drones are operated by Afghan military personnel, trained by NATO forces.

NATOs combat role

Despite successes, Afghan security forces continue to struggle against a potent insurgency and an emerging threat posed by Islamic State.

Afghan officials say continued training, support and equipment will turn the tide of the war in favor of the Afghan government.

Currently, around 13,000 NATO troops, including 8,400 Americans, are part of the Resolute Support Mission, which is tasked with training Afghanistan's 300,000 national security and defense forces.

NATOs train, advise, and assist mission is essential to our shared goal of ensuring that Afghanistan develops the capability to contribute to regional stability and prevail over terrorist threats, including al-Qaida and ISIS, U.S. secretary of State Rex Tillerson told a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Friday.

As planned, U.S.-led NATO forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Under a new mission, NATO troops have kept a rather passive role, but they continue to take part in combat missions from time to time to help the Afghan security forces.

Last month, U.S. Army General John Nicholson, the current NATO commander in Afghanistan, asked U.S. officials to send a few thousand more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to break what he termed a "stalemate" in the fight against the Taliban and Islamic State.

The Afghan government welcomed Nicholsons call for additional troops, citing the countrys ongoing war on several fronts against different militant groups, which has stretched the countrys security forces increasingly thin.

Corruption charges

Besides battling an emboldened insurgency, Afghan security forces also face rampant corruption in their ranks.

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has repeatedly warned that corruption and mismanagement could lead to military failure in the country.

President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to crack down on corruption in the government and the countrys security sector.

Last week, the Afghan Defense Ministry dismissed nearly 1,400 of its officials over corruption charges over the past year. A senior general leading a military corps in the restive Helmand province, Moheen Faqiri, was fired and arrested on charges of corruption last week.

Despite challenges, NATO officials in Kabul seem optimistic about the long-term prospects of the Afghan national security forces.

We can see a gradual improvement in the Afghan security services and we believe that we will see additional improvements this year, Captain Salvin told VOA last week. It takes a while to build an institution like an army or a police corps.
Australian authorities Sunday said they found a third body in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie and accompanying floods that swamped the countrys east coast, as receding waters start revealing the human and economic cost of the storm.

The disaster zone stretched 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Queensland states tropical resort islands and Gold Coast tourist strip to the farmlands of New South Wales state.

The body of 77-year-old Nelson Raebel was found in floodwaters in the state of Queensland on Saturday afternoon, Queensland Police said, bringing the national death toll to three since the cyclone hit Tuesday.

Authorities are searching for three people that remain missing in flood-hit areas of Queensland.

Widespread devastation

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the devastation caused by the storm was huge.

It is going to take months to repair, she told reporters Sunday.

The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the event a catastrophe, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

Photos taken by emergency services in the town of Lismore, in New South Wales, show businesses in the town center inundated with brown water.

Mayor Isaac Smith, who was assessing the damage Sunday, told Reuters it resembled a war zone.

Several large rivers in New South Wales that had reached major flood levels were receding, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said Sunday.

Evacuations ongoing

Evacuation orders were still in place for a number of townships in the states north, while the city of Rockhampton in Queensland braced for record-level flooding next week, as water moves downstream into the Fitzroy River catchment.

Its almost the size of Texas in the U.S., its a huge catchment, and thats why it can take some time for water to make its way downstream, said meteorologist Michelle Verry from the Queensland BOM.

Verry said what remains of the cyclone has moved off Australias eastern coast.

Storm to slow economy

Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, one short of the most powerful level five, pounded Queensland state Tuesday, smashing tourist resorts, bringing down power lines and shutting down coal mines.

Australias Defense Force was deployed to help deliver medical personnel and supplies to communities in the north of the state.

Debbie will hit Australias A$1.7 trillion ($1.3 trillion) economy, with economists estimating it will slow growth to less than 2 percent in the first quarter.
At least 16 people, including 13 policemen, were injured in an explosion Saturday outside a police training center in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, Egypt's interior ministry said.

The ministry, which is in charge of security, said the blast was caused by a bomb planted in a motorcycle parked near the police center. In addition to the police officers, the explosion wounded three civilians.

Louwaa el Thawra, or the Revolution Brigade, claimed responsibility for the attack on social media.

The Egyptian government is struggling to counter an increasingly violent insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula targeting Egyptian police and security forces. Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been killed.

Several militant groups, including Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, control large swaths of the Sinai, which borders the Gaza Strip and Israel, independent of authorities in Cairo.

The militant campaign in the peninsula accelerated after the Egyptian military overthrew elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
Witnesses and relatives in southern Afghanistan say a pre-dawn bomb blast killed at least 10 civilians, mostly children and women, in an area where Afghan national security forces were conducting anti-Taliban operations.

It was not immediately clear whether an airstrike by government forces or an insurgent armed retaliation caused the deadly explosion Sunday in Baba Ji, a volatile portion of Lashkargah, the capital of the embattled Helmand province.

The blast destroyed a house, causing the civilian deaths, residents said.

A regional military spokesman, General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, confirmed that a search operation had been underway in the area to clear it of Taliban insurgents.

We are aware of the reported civilian casualties and a special commission has been tasked to investigate them, he told VOA, without giving further details.

Opium poppy-growing Helmand is Afghanistans largest province and is mostly under the control or influence of the Taliban. The insurgents also are entrenched in areas around Lashkargah and have made several attempts in recent months to overrun the city.

Provincial Governor Hayatullah Hayat told VOA last week that Afghan forces have launched clearing operations to push back insurgents from areas in and around Lashkargah, as well as other districts.

We are undertaking these operations to strictly avoid civilian casualties and destruction of houses and shops, Hayat asserted.

The offensive went into action shortly after the Taliban captured the administrative center of the key district of Sangin late last month.

The United Nations documented a record number of Afghan civilian casualties in 2016 and repeatedly has called on warring sides to avoid harm to non-combatants.
Families and rescuers searched Sunday for victims of flooding and landslides in southern Colombia that have killed at least 254 people, including children, injured hundreds, and devastated entire neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, these are still preliminary figures, tweeted President Juan Manuel Santos, who traveled to the town of Mocoa again Sunday to supervise relief operations. We offer our prayers for all of them. We send our condolences and the entire country's sympathies to their families, Santos wrote.

He blamed climate change for the disaster, saying Mocoa had received one-third of its usual monthly rain in just one night.

Santos thanked China and the Inter-American Development Bank for donating $1 million and $200,000 respectively toward relief efforts, as well as Germany and Belgium.

Several rivers burst their banks near Mocoa in the early hours of Saturday, sending water, mud and debris crashing down streets and into houses as people slept.

Volunteers and firefighters tended to 82 bodies downstream in the town of Villagarzon and said many corpses were still caught in debris.

Disaster officials said more than 500 people were staying in emergency housing and social services had helped 10 lost children find their parents.

The catastrophe came after days of torrential rains that left large parts of the region without electrical power or running water.

Pope Francis addressed the tragedy Sunday at the Vatican, saying he was profoundly saddened.

In recent months, heavy rains and flooding have struck along the Pacific coast of South America, killing scores of people in Peru and Ecuador.
An inferno burned early Sunday in a high-rise tower complex being built alongside Dubais largest mall, its thick black smoke shrouding the worlds tallest building nearby in this desert metropolis where skyscraper blazes remain a worry.



Though authorities said the fire caused no injuries, the blaze happened just a block from the 63-story The Address Downtown Dubai tower, which burned in an inferno seen around the world on New Years Eve 2015.



Sundays fire at The Address Residences Fountain Views complex began around 5:30 a.m., just before sunrise. Maj. Gen. Rashid Thani al-Matrooshi, the director-general of Dubai Civil Defense, described the fire as an accident that started in a parking level of the 72-story Fountain Views building. He did not immediately offer a cause.



Dubai Civil Defense also posted a picture online of three workers it said it rescued from inside the structure. It said the men were taken to a hospital to be examined.

Firefighters quick to respond

Anthea Ayache, who witnessed the blaze, said firefighters responded quickly and many construction workers were nearby watching the fire from a safe distance.



Theres so many fire brigades, so they seem to have gotten on top of it very quickly, she said.



Later Sunday morning, flames still licked out of the podium level of the building as firefighters on ladders shot water inside. Every few minutes, small blasts could be heard, presumably from exploding propane or welding tanks left behind by construction workers. Civil defense officials also flew a drone at one point to watch the blaze.

Same developer, earlier fire



The high-rise Fountain Views complex, which is being built by state-backed Dubai developer Emaar Properties, eventually will connect to the massive Dubai Mall across the street. Its planned to eventually be home to 788 apartments and a hotel.



Emaar, which built both the Dubai Mall and the tower struck by the 2015 blaze, declined to immediately comment.



Dramatic fires have hit skyscrapers in Dubai and other fast-growing cities in the United Arab Emirates in recent years. Building and safety experts have cited a popular type of cladding covering the buildings that can be highly flammable. Authorities say theyve changed fire safety rules in the sheikhdom to address the danger, but have offered few details.
Michael Flynn, the retired Army general whom U.S. President Donald Trump ousted as his national security adviser, has amended his financial disclosure statement, revealing his ties with Russia.

Flynn's new filings show the Russian state-sponsored news organization Russia Today - RT - paid him $45,000 to speak at its 10th anniversary celebration. In addition, two other Russian firms paid him several thousand dollars for speeches.

Robert Kelner, Flynn's lawyer, said Flynn's initial filing was a draft, submitted just days before his client resigned. Kelner said Flynn did not have the opportunity before stepping down to consult with the White House counsel's office and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics; part of the process for submitting the forms. Kelner said when the White House asked Flynn afterwards to complete the process, "he did so."

Flynn's amended forms were released late Friday along with scores of other financial statements from senior White House staff.

News about Flynn's failure to report all his financial dealings with Russia came as the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Senate and House of Representatives intelligence committees are investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and how much interaction White House senior staff members had with Russia.

Trump had named Flynn as his national security adviser before the president was sworn into office. Flynn served, however, as head of the National Security Council for just 24 days before he was forced to step down - not specifically because of his Russian ties, according to Trump administration officials, but because he misled Vice President Mike Pence by failing to declare his meetings with Russia's ambassador to the U.S.

Flynn had met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the post-election transition period without advising the administration of former President Barack Obama, who was still in office at the time. The retired general also gave Pence and other White House officials a false version of his contacts with the Russian envoy.
France's polling commission has issued a warning over a Russian news report suggesting conservative candidate Francois Fillon leads the race for the presidency  something which contradicts the findings of mainstream opinion pollsters.

The cautionary note from the watchdog on pre-election polling followed allegations in February by aides of centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron that he was a target of "fake news" put out by Russian media including the Sputnik news agency.

Macron takes a hard line on European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, whereas Fillon has said they are totally ineffective, creating a "cold war" climate that needs to be reversed.

Almost all media in France are drawing on polls that have shown since mid-February that Fillon, a former prime minister, is trailing in third place behind Macron and far right leader Marine Le Pen for the April 23 first round. Third place would mean Fillon's elimination from the May 7 runoff.

State-run Sputnik carried different findings in a report on March 29 under the headline: "2017 presidential elections: the return of Fillon at the head of the polls."



It quoted Moscow-based Brand Analytics, an online audience research firm, as saying that its study based on an analysis of French social media put Fillon out in front.



In a statement, France's polling commission said the study could not be described as representative of public opinion and Sputnik had improperly called it a "poll", as defined by law in France.

"It is imperative that publication of this type of survey be treated with caution so that public opinion is aware of its non-representative nature," it said.

Brand Analytics' track record either for political polling or for commercial internet audience measurement outside of Russia and former Soviet territory is unknown.

Sputnik published an earlier online survey by the firm from mid-February which also showed Fillon with a strong lead over Macron and Le Pen at a time when other polls showed Macrons candidacy beginning to surge with Fillon in third place.

Neither Sputnik in Moscow, nor the company, responded immediately to emailed requests for comment on Sunday.

US intelligence warns



Richard Burr, head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee which is investigating the Russian hacking during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, said last week that the Kremlin was trying to interfere in the French vote.

The Kremlin denied in February that it was behind media and internet attacks on Macron's campaign. Russia has a strong interest in the outcome of the French election since Macron has suggested imposing further sanctions on Moscow if it does not implement its side of a deal to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

Fillon, once the frontrunner for the Elysee before he was hit by a scandal surrounding payments of public funds to his wife and children, dismissed as "fantasy" concerns of Russian interference in the election. Speaking last Friday, Fillon said he would seek a better balance in relations with a country that was nevertheless "dangerous."



Richard Ferrand, the head of Macron's En Marche! (Onwards!) party, said in February that Sputnik and another Russian state-run outlet Russia Today were spreading 'fake news' with the aim of swinging public opinion against Macron.

In February, Sputnik announced it would publish weekly French election polls using representative sampling from three mainstream polling firms  IFOP, Ipsos and OpinionWay  alongside an analysis of social media posts in France from Brand Analytics for which it did not disclose its survey methodology.

Separately, Sputnik carried a news report last Friday about Macron supporters being awarded state decorations when he had been a high-level functionary at the Elysee and economy minister in the Socialist government, suggesting this could amount to influence peddling.

It offered no proof that Macron had organized the decorations, which were sometimes awarded by other ministers. In several instances, it cited awards made by the economy ministry, without mentioning that Arnaud Montebourg, Macron's predecessor, was minister at the time.

The Sputnik report contrasted Macron's alleged action with a judicial inquiry into an award made when Fillon was prime minister to a billionaire friend who owned a cultural magazine where Fillon's wife drew a salary.


RACINE  Mayor John Dickert was born and raised in Racine and has lived in the city for most of his life. For him to choose to leave the highest political office in the city he loves, he said he needed an important, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come about.

Becoming the president and chief operations officer for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative was that opportunity.

Dickert, a board member of three water advocacy organizations, said that while he can protect and help Racine as mayor, his new position, which he announced Monday, will allow him to fight for the entire region.

"It's become overly apparent to me that the water issue is starting to rank as one of the top issues not only in the country, but on the planet," Dickert said. "To have an organization come in and throw something on your lap that's as opportunistic as this, it just means that I have to step up my effort from not just Racine to a larger battle."

The position makes sense for Dickert beyond his passion for the health of the world's water. He will also lobby for legislation that will impact the nation's fresh water supply.

Dickert said the job is a combination of several of his passions.

"It's not that Im just interested in jumping back into lobbying," he said. "It's the fact that it all fits together really well."

Group faces budget cuts

The nonprofit he will be working for receives about half its funding from its member cities, which pay dues based on the size of the city. The other half comes from foundations, including the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation and the Mott Foundation in Flint, Mich.

When Dickert will start has not been determined and on Friday the organization could not provide how much his salary will be, saying it hadn't been finalized.

The organization faces an immediate challenge that many environmental organizations across the country are facing: severe budget cuts from President Donald Trump's administration.

Dickert doesn't believe that the Trump administration supports depleting the Great Lakes, but instead thinks it doesn't grasp the scope of the issue.

"It's about educating the government on the importance of the funding and what it does for the Great Lakes and the country," Dickert said.

Purposes of the funding include ensuring the purity of drinking water (Dickert calls the Flint, Mich. crisis a "warning sign") and keeping invasive fish species like Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.

"These are all things that impact our beaches, our lakes and our water, so it's very, very important," he said.

Aside from the invasive carp, the biggest water issue threatening Racine right now is Waukesha's proposed diversion from Lake Michigan, Dickert said. It's an issue Dickert spoke out against frequently as mayor and one he'll continue to work on in his new role, promoting increased public hearings and discussions on the issue.

"We want to tighten up process so that there's far more light being shown on any diversion from the Great Lakes," he said. "I'm very concerned that this is going to start a new series of withdrawals that they wont be able to stop."

Dickert thinks the country is at a point with its water that it was at in the 1970s, when the Clean Water Act was created. He wants to start another "Clean Water Act-like" conversation to preserve America's waters.

"The reality is there are a whole new set of challenges," he said. "The water may look great from the top, but underneath the water it's not all the great."
Hundreds of men in the Russian republic of Chechnya have been rounded up and detained recently on suspicion of being homosexual, and at least three have died while in custody, according to a prominent Russian newspaper.

Novaya Gazeta, which reported the crackdown Saturday, said it was aware of other sources who say the death toll may be far higher. The gay men who have disappeared from the streets of Grozny, the Chechen capital, and other towns and cities are said to have ranged in age from 16 to 50.

Novaya Gazeta, a Moscow-based publication known for independent investigative reporting and its willingness to confront Russian officialdom, said it learned of the action against gay men in Chechnya from the Interior Ministry in the Caucasus republic, local activists and law enforcement sources.

The men were detained in connection with their nontraditional sexual orientation, on suspicion of such, Novaya Gazeta reported. It said none of the detainees had openly disclosed their sexual orientation  a move the paper equated with asking for a death sentence in the largely Muslim North Caucasus region.

The account also quoted locals as saying Chechens who used gay contact groups on social messaging networks have been abandoning them and closing their accounts. It further quoted sources in Chechnyas special services as describing the police sweep as a preventative clear-out aimed at discouraging public gay rights rallies.

Chechen leader: no gay men here

There was no immediate comment on the report from authorities in Moscow, which has granted its Muslim-majority Caucasus republics freedom to enforce traditional Muslim values.

However, a spokesman for Chechnyas authoritarian leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, denied the Novaya Gazeta report in a statement to the Russian news agency Interfax that claimed no one in the republic is homosexual.

You cannot arrest or repress people who just dont exist in the republic, Alvi Karimov said.

If such people existed in Chechnya, law enforcement would not have to worry about them, Karimov added, since their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return.

Novaya Gazeta has a history of confrontation with the Chechen government and the republics Kremlin handlers.

Reporters death

In 2006, Gazeta reporter and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya wrote a series of reports critical of Russia, Kadyrov and Moscows role in the second Chechen war.

In her last interview, Politkovskaya described Chechen leader Kadyrov to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as a coward armed to the teeth and surrounded by security guards.

She said she hoped to see Kadyrov someday sitting in the dock, in a trial that meets the strictest legal standards, facing justice for atrocities allegedly committed by his forces during the Moscow-backed war against separatists in Chechnya.

Politkovskayas interview with RFE/RL took place October 5, 2006. Two days later, she was shot dead at point-blank range as she entered an elevator in her Moscow apartment building. Her colleagues blamed the assassination on Kadyrov.

The fateful interview that week coincided with then-Prime Minister Kadyrovs 30th birthday, a milestone that meant he could seek the republics presidency, which he did a few months later.

Five men were eventually convicted of killing Politkovskaya.
Jets believed to be Russian hit an outpost run by moderate rebel forces in northwestern Syria near a major border crossing with Turkey, killing at least one fighter and wounding several people, two rebel sources said on Sunday.

They said several raids overnight hit Babeska, a village in Idlib province that has become a haven for several moderate Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups, mainly Jaish al-Islam, a major insurgent group that controls the last major rebel stronghold on the doorstep of the Syrian capital.

Jaish al-Islam is a signatory to a fragile cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey at the end of last year. Rebels say Russia has failed to put pressure on the Syrian government to ensure the cease-fire holds.



The Syrian government considers Jaish al-Islam a terrorist group and blames it alongside other insurgents for waging recent attacks on the government-held areas in the capital.

The village also houses hundreds of families and fighters from the Damascus suburb of Daraya which was evacuated by rebels and surrendered to government control last year.

War jets also believed to be Russian also struck Urum al-Kubra town in rebel-held western Aleppo countryside where five civilians were killed, in an area that witnessed fighting between rebels and the Syrian army, rebels said.
France's centrist presidential contender Emmanuel Macron singled out the far-right National Front as his chief rival Saturday, vowing to win the first round on April 23 as a new poll showed the election race getting tighter.

"The National Front, our main opponent, is attacking us on all sides. Never boo them. Fight them," a defiant Macron told a rally in the southern city of Marseille.

"I want us to kick far from this campaign and from the country the party of hatred and contempt and all those who make us so ashamed. We are going to be ahead in the first round and we're going to beat them," he said.

The presidential race is even closer than it was a week ago, an opinion poll indicated Saturday.

First-round voting intentions for the front-runners, Macron and National Front leader Marine Le Pen, showed both slipping a percentage point to 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Many undecided

Third-place conservative Francois Fillon gained 2 points to 19 percent, while the far left's Jean-Luc Melenchon climbed a point to 15 percent, according to the survey by the BVA polling institute conducted March 29-30.

Complicating predictions, 38 percent of people either could not say how they would vote or may yet change their minds. That was down 2 percentage points from a week earlier, but showed the race remains wide open.

The poll showed independent Macron had solidified his voter base, with 63 percent of those opting for him sure of their decision, up 8 points from a week ago and his highest certainty score since campaigning began in earnest in February.

However, Le Pen still had by far the most solid voter base, with an unchanged 81 percent of her voters certain to pick her.

Shock election outcomes abroad, including the U.S. presidential victory of Donald Trump and Britain's Brexit referendum vote, have fed expectations that Le Pen's anti-euro, anti-immigration platform could sweep her to power in France.

The poll, though, like others this year, showed Macron beating her with 60 percent of votes in the May 7 second round. Fillon's recovery from the lows that followed a fake work scandal surrounding his wife put him within 5 points of Le Pen and 6 points of Macron, with some voters previously tempted to abstain deciding to go for him after all, BVA's commentary said.

BVA put Melenchon's climb since a strong performance in the first TV debate on March 20 partly down to more of his natural sympathizers deciding to vote.

It said official Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon, who was in fifth place at 11.5 percent and also has hard-left policies, could be vulnerable.

Meeting with Estrosi

Le Pen was due to hold a meeting in Bordeaux on Sunday, but it was her two main rivals who made headlines Saturday. During his visit to Marseille, Macron met conservative and security hard-liner Christian Estrosi, part of his strategy to show he wants to transcend the right-left divide.

Estrosi is a key ally of conservative former President Nicolas Sarkozy. He stands a long way to the right of the Socialist government in which Macron was economy minister until last year, but was among those who tried and failed to oust scandal-hit Fillon as the candidate of the Republicans.

Fillon sought to get his campaign back on track by turning back the clock with a warning about France's heavy debts.

France faces the same fate as Greece, he said during a visit to Corsica, reviving a controversy he stoked on the Mediterranean island in 2007 when  during his term as prime minister under Sarkozy  he said he was head of a "failing state."

Fillon has based his campaign on the need to rein in spending and cut France's deficit, pledging 100 billion euros ($106.5 billion) of spending cuts and a reduction of 500,000 public sector jobs, proposals that are tougher than those of any other mainstream candidate.
As his parents wait for word of their son, who went missing in China more than a decade ago, there is a renewed push in Congress to search for him as suggestions emerge that he may be held against his will in North Korea.

Eight senators co-sponsored a resolution Monday to reinvigorate the investigation into the case of David Sneddon, expressing concern over his disappearance in 2004 and likely abduction by the North Korean regime.

The resolution calls upon the State Department and the intelligence community to enlist the help of governments in the Asia-Pacific region  China, South Korea and Japan  and to consider all plausible explanations for Davids disappearance, including the possibility of abduction by the Government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, is leading the effort.

The greatest threat to totalitarian regimes is the truth, Lee said in an email to VOA. It is in pursuit of the truth that I sponsored this resolution asking the State Department and the intelligence community to continue doing all they can to find David Sneddon.

A State Department official told VOA Friday the U.S. embassy in Beijing and the consulate in Chengdu, China, have been in regular contact with local authorities since David Sneddon was reported missing in China, and that it will continue to closely monitor this matter and raise it with Chinese authorities.

The official added, To date, we have seen no verifiable evidence to indicate that Mr. Sneddon was abducted by North Korean officials.

Multiple resolutions on Sneddon have been introduced in Congress, with some passing the House and a Senate panel. Two American citizens are known to be detained in North Korea for crimes against the state  Kim Dong Chul, a South Korean-born U.S. citizen, and Otto Warmbier, who was a third-year University of Virginia student when he was arrested.

China finds no trail

Sneddon, a Brigham Young University student from Nebraska, vanished in August 2004 while touring Chinas Yunnan Province after a term of language study in Beijing. Although there is no physical evidence or any eyewitness testimony, Chinese authorities have concluded that the then-24-year-old man most likely lost his way in the mountains and died after falling into the Jinsha River.

His family and some regional experts have long countered Chinas position. The family collected a volume of evidence of Sneddons likely kidnapping, including multiple witnesses in what they call the Executive Report.

The family and their supporters argue the evidence points to the likelihood that North Korea, a country with a track record of abducting foreign nationals for the purpose of training its intelligence and military personnel in language and culture skills, could have snatched Sneddon.

His parents, Roy and Kathleen Sneddon, of Providence, Utah, recently told VOA they believe that David Sneddon, who can speak both Korean and Mandarin, is probably teaching English in the communist state, which shares a border with China.

Theres a lot of proof that hes totally alive, we dont have his body, and [he] disappeared from China, Kathleen Sneddon said. The most logical place is North Korea because they do that sort of thing.

Reports of Sneddon emerge

Late last year, the Abductees Family Union, a Seoul-based advocacy group for South Korean abductees in North Korea, raised the possibility that David Sneddon is being held captive by the regime.

I received a call not too long ago from a source in Pyongyang that David was moved to a remote area in Mount Myohyang [160 kilometers north of Pyongyang] and is currently under special surveillance, said Choi Sung-yong, head of the union during a recent interview with VOA. There are also reports that Sneddon was seen at Chosun Red Cross Hospital and the Bongsu Church in Pyongyang.

According to Choi, the missing student was taken to the North Korean capital via Myanmar on the orders of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who wanted an American to teach English in the capital.

David Sneddon, who is believed to be in his late 30s, goes by the name Yoon Bong Soo, said Choi, adding that he is married to a 37-year-old woman named Kim Eun Hye and has two children.

Roy and Kathleen Sneddon said the State Department has questioned the credibility of Chois claims and dismissed them. They said much of the support they initially received from the department faded after the change of administration from George W. Bush to Barack Obama.

The term that the Department of State uses is theres no credible information to substantiate the idea that he has been abducted, Roy Sneddon said. That would be anytime something comes forward, there is a statement that says theyre not credible from their point of view.

Rallying support

Without much action being taken by the government to investigate, the Sneddons say they have been devoting their days to calling representatives in Congress to rally support.

I was amazed by how many people in Washington bureaucracy were totally aware of David and were concerned and wanted to be helpful, Kathleen Sneddon said. I got the feeling from many of them that they thought there was validity to our whole situation.

Suzanne Scholte, who heads the North Korea Freedom Coalition, has been helping the Sneddons. She believes there is a renewed interest in the case.

We definitely feel that the Trump administration is taking this case more seriously than the Obama administration, Scholte said. So it may not be necessary to do all the works we did on the resolution, but we are ready to do it again if our government isnt looking at this as it should be.

The Sneddons said they have absolute faith their son is alive and will return to the family sometime, adding, We love and miss him.

This report originated with the VOA Korean service.
President Horacio Cartes fired Paraguays interior minister and top police official Saturday following the death of a young opposition party leader and violent overnight clashes sparked by a secret Senate vote for a constitutional amendment to allow presidential re-election.



Dozens of people, including a police officer, were arrested Friday evening in demonstrations that saw protesters break through police lines and enter the first floor of Paraguays legislature, setting fire to papers and furniture. Police used water cannon and fired rubber bullets to drive protesters away from the building while firefighters extinguished blazes inside.



Death at opposition party offices

In the early hours Saturday, 25-year-old Rodrigo Quintana was shot and killed at the headquarters of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, a different location than the congress building where most of the protests took place. Anti-riot police with rifles and their heads and faces covered by helmets had stormed the opposition headquarters amid the anti-government protests.



Security camera footage showed people in a corridor running desperately from police and Quintana falling to the ground, apparently hit from behind. Seconds later, a policeman carrying a gun is seen stepping on Quintana, who is face down on the ground.





Before his dismissal, police commander Crispulo Sotelo identified Gustavo Florentin as the police agent responsible for Quintanas death and said he had been arrested. Later Saturday, Cartes announced that he had accepted the resignations of Sotelo and Interior Minister Miguel Tadeo Rojas.



I submit to a self-criticism because we politicians have not been able to settle our differences with dialogue and peace, Cartes said in a message posted on his Facebook account hours after the dismissal of Rojas and Sotelo. It hurts me that civilians and police officers were injured.

Amendment sparks protests



The protests broke out after a majority of senators approved the amendment allowing for presidential re-election, a move opponents said was illegal because the vote was taken without all members of the Senate present. Presidents are limited to a single 5-year term and the proposal would allow Cartes and Paraguays previous presidents to run for the top job again in the 2018 election  a hot button issue in a country haunted by the 35-year rule of Gen. Alfredo Stroessner.



My colleagues have carried out a coup because of the irregular and illegal manner in which they modified no less than the Constitution, Sen. Luis Alberto Wagner of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party said after the Friday evening vote.



The U.S. Embassy in Paraguay released a statement saying any change to the constitution should be done in a transparent and open fashion, respecting the democratic process and institutions. It called on Paraguays political actors to work together to overcome their differences.



The process to pass the amendment began Tuesday when 25 senators changed the internal procedures to speed up the vote against the wishes of Senate President Roberto Acevedo and other members of the chamber.



Acevedo, of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, said that process violated Senate rules and he filed an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to have the decision overturned.



Fears of a dictatorship

Political analyst Ignacio Martinez said the extreme reaction to the move likely lies in fears of another long-running government like that of Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay from 1954-1989 after a military coup.



The measure for a constitutional amendment allowing for presidential re-election was backed by 25 of the countrys 45 senators. The yes votes came from members of the governing Colorado Party and from several opposition groups.



After approval in the Senate, the proposal goes to the Chamber of Deputies, where 44 of the 80 members belong to the Colorado Party. Approval there would require the scheduling of a national referendum on the amendment.



Because of the violence, Saturdays and Mondays sessions of the Chamber were canceled. We will evaluate the situation on Tuesday, said legislative president Hugo Velazquez.



Cartes said that Vice Minister of Internal Security Lorenzo Lezcano would replace Rojas as interior minister, and police subcommander Luis Carlos Rojas would take over for Sotelo.
Greeted by tens of thousands of faithful, Pope Frances on Sunday visited Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region that has largely rebuilt from pair of deadly quakes five years ago, an example meant to give hope to central Italy, which is still reeling from more devastating temblors last year.



Francis' first stop was the quake-damaged Duomo cathedral of Carpi, where he laid a bouquet of white flowers at the foot of a statue of the Madonna inside. After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened just last weekend.



"There are those who remain buried in the rubble of life," the pope said in his homily before an estimated 20,000 gathered in the piazza outside the cathedral for an open-air Mass. "And there are those, like you, who with the help of God rise from the rubble to rebuild."



Another 50,000 people watched the Mass on large screens throughout the city of 70,000.



During his daylong visit, the pope also will meet with families who lost loved ones in the quake and hold a discussion with priests, nuns and seminarians.



The Emilia Romagna model of rebuilding after the magnitude-6.1 and magnitude-5.8 quakes that killed 28 people in 2012 has often been cited as exemplary. It included bringing together politicians, entrepreneurs and bishops to decide common priorities.



The papal visit was meant to give a sign of gratitude for the rebuilding, the archbishop of Carpi, Monsignor Francesco Cavina, told the Italian Bishops' Conference television TV2000. But he said it's also "a sign of hope that rebuilding is possible for the people of central Italy, who unfortunately suffered what we did much more dramatically."



A magnitude-6.1 quake on Aug. 24 in Italy's central regions of Umbria, Abruzzo and Marche killed nearly 300 people, toppled thousands of buildings including churches, historic buildings and museums, and rendered many town centers uninhabitable. It was followed by a series of quakes in October, including the strongest in Italy in nearly four decades at magnitude 6.6, that toppled and damaged a higher number of structures, but didn't provoke further deaths since the most vulnerable areas had already been evacuated.



Authorities have estimated the damage from the 2016 central Italian quakes at more than 23.5 billion euros ($25 billion), compared with 13.5 billion euros from the 2012 Emilia Romagna temblors.
The lawyer for a Sydney-based professor who was prevented from leaving China said Sunday that his client has been allowed to return to Australia, apparently bringing closure to an incident that raised concerns about the safety of conducting academic research in China.



The barring of associate professor Feng Chongyi from leaving the country had prompted diplomatic appeals from Australia and an open letter to China's leaders from dozens of academics.



Feng's lawyer Chen Jinxue said Feng flew home from the southern city of Guangzhou on Saturday night after a final round of questioning by security agents from the southwestern province of Yunnan, where Feng had traveled to during his most recent visit.



"By request of the state security department, I am unable to discuss the contents of the discussions," Chen told The Associated Press by telephone. Chen said that while Feng was not able to leave China, he had never been in formal detention.



Feng told reporters in Australia on Sunday that he wasn't sure why he was allowed to leave China, but suspected international pressure may have played a role. He said he was unable to discuss the details of his experience.



Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that the government welcomed the news of Feng's return.



Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last week that her government had been making representations on Feng's behalf despite the long-term Australian resident not having Australian citizenship.



The reasons Feng had been barred from leaving were never clear. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that Chinese law enforcement authorities acted "while performing duties of safeguarding national security."



Feng had been wrapping up a three-week trip researching human rights lawyers. Since July 2015, Chinese authorities have questioned or detained hundreds of activists and independent legal professionals as part of a crackdown on civil society under President Xi Jinping. Some of the lawyers have been labeled threats to national security.



Rights groups and Western governments including the U.S. have urged China to release the activists and lawyers detained in the crackdown, while critics say the campaign is aimed at silencing opponents of the ruling party.



Chen said last week that Feng's troubles may have been related to his research on the lawyers, and that state security officials who met with Feng at his hotel in Guangzhou asked him who he met with in China and in Australia during the course of his research.



The incident unfolded as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang finished up a five-day trip to Australia, during which the two countries sought to boost trade ties.



The open letter on Feng's case, signed by more than 80 scholars, stated that the signatories were "disturbed that a fellow researcher, who has dedicated himself to promote the understanding of and interest in China, has been prevented from returning to his home and workplace for no reason other than his conscientious work as a China Studies scholar.



"Such actions make it difficult for the rest of us to be confident in the research environment in China today, and do not contribute positively to the continued construction of open and productive higher education collaboration between China and the rest of the world."


Somaliland authorities say famine looms in the breakaway republic as the government suspends development programs due to a crippling drought that has killed dozens of people and most of the livestock in eastern regions.

Speaking to VOA in Hargeisa, Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Seylici says drought conditions look set to deteriorate further with an increasing risk of famine.

Seylici says Somaliland has few resources to cope with the drought, which has severely affected the economy.

Getting ready for worse



He says officials decided to suspend the development programs in order to control their budget and be ready if the drought crisis worsens.

Seylici said, We are close to famine, the assessment we made and the assessment from aid agencies show the famine is close to be declared in the eastern regions of Somaliland, because the current rainy season [from late March though May] has not started yet, there is water scarcity and people are losing livestock

When there is fear that a lot of people might die due to the worsening drought, we decided to suspend building developmental projects. Our budget is affected by the drought, as well as Saudi Arabias ban on our livestock export, the Somaliland vice president said

So we decided to divert money to emergency, live-saving and drought-response efforts, he added.

In Somaliland, nomadic communities across the region say they have never experienced this kind of drought.

Seylici told VOA he can only confirm that more than 10 people died of starvation across Somaliland, a lower number than previously stated by other Somaliland officials.

The United Nations Childrens Fund said Friday more children are alarmingly at risk as Somalia faces severe drought and starvation.

Reports from eastern regions of Somaliland say cholera is spreading as people affected by drought have been forced to drink dirty water from dried-up wells.

The United Nations says more than 6 million Somalis need emergency food, including close to 1 million acutely malnourished children.
President Donald Trump says if China is not going to solve the problem of North Korea, "we will."

"China has a great influence over North Korea," Trump told London's Financial Times. "And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't ... and if they don't, it won't be good for anyone."

Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping at the U.S. leader's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida Thursday.

Their two-day summit will undoubtedly focus on North Korea and its nuclear program. Threats and sanctions, including China's recent cut-off of coal imports from North Korea, have failed to deter Pyongyang's drive to become a nuclear armed power.

U.S. experts warn North Korea is planning its sixth nuclear text. Tokyo called a February North Korean ballistic missile launch over the Sea of Japan "intolerable."

Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland told the Financial Times it is conceivable North Korea could have the ability to hit the U.S. with a nuclear-armed missile by the end of the Trump administration in 2021.

Appearing on ABC television's This Week broadcast Sunday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it is time for China to act and stop making "excuses that they're concerned, too."

"They need to show us how concerned they are. They need to put pressure on North Korea. The only country that can stop North Korea is China," Haley said.

All options on table

The White House is considering all options in dealing with North Korea, including military action.

Former U.S. defense secretary Ash Carter, also speaking on This Week, said the U.S. had a plan for a preemptive strike on North Korea's Yeonpyeong research facility in 1994 when Bill Clinton was president.

Carter said the military option always has been and always should be on the table.

He said a preemptive strike on a missile launch pad could trigger a North Korean invasion of South Korea and the certain defeat of the North.

But, he warned the consequences of such a move would be a war that would have "intensity of violence ... that we haven't seen since the last Korean War. Seoul is right there on the borders of the DMZ."

Carter said the North knows the U.S. is emphasizing its deterrent posture and strength on the Korean peninsula.

He also said China knows that the collapse of North Korea would lead to a unified Korea allied with the U.S. right on its border.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, with the two countries expected to reach accord on enhanced collaboration in the fight against Islamist terrorism.

Both have a very deep antipathy toward political Islamism, said H.A. Hellyer, senior fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council. They both view security as very much the first, second and third priority of politics.

In an Oval Office meeting Monday, Trump said that Sissi has done a "fantastic job in a very difficult situation." He noted that the United States is rebuilding its military "to the highest level" as it looks to fight Islamic State militants and offer support to its allies.

Sissi, who is making his first official visit to the White House, said he has a deep appreciation for Trump's "unique personality" and praised Trump for "standing very strong in the counter terrorism field to counter this evil ideology."

An earlier White House statement praised the Egyptian leaders tough policy in battling terrorists.

Sissi has taken bold steps on a number of sensitive issues since becoming president in 2014, it said.



WATCH: Trump's remarks to Sissi before their meeting

Common goals

Analysts and regional experts who spoke to VOA agreed that the meeting is fated to succeed. The two were reported to have gotten along well when candidate Trump met the Egyptian leader in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Given their common emphasis on security, it should be easy to breathe new life into a relationship that was bruised and battered during the Obama presidency, analysts say.

Obama froze aid to Cairo after Egypts military, led by then General Sissi, overthrew Egypts first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, in 2013. (Sissi was elected to the presidency a year later.) Obama declined to invite Sissi to the White House and was critical of the military regimes crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, which Morsi represented as president. Sissi regards the Brotherhood as a terrorist group.

Obamas administration went through the arc from (former president Hosni) Mubarak, through revolution, through the Muslim Brotherhood, through another revolution, to a military-led regime, said Robert Satloff, director of the Washington Institute, which specializes in Middle East policy. It was quite a tempestuous period in Egypt/U.S. relations.

Americas Arab partner

Satloff says Trump is looking to Sissi, who has been outspoken in his condemnation of jihadism, as Americas leading Arab partner in his high-profile fight against radical Islamist extremism.

Sissi has been very vocal about jihadist extremism, how important it is for moderate mainstream Muslim leaders to recapture the narrative from the jihadist extremists, Satloff said in an interview.

Hes gone to the headquarters of Muslim learning in Egypt, al Azhar, and hes challenged the intellectual and thought leaders to recapture the high ground from the jihadists. So I dont think Sissi is going to have a hard time with President Trumps characterization on this issue, Satloff said.

Muslim world watching

The Oval Office meeting was keenly watched in Cairo, where there is intense curiosity about Trumps intentions toward Egypt and the greater Muslim world.

The entire region seems to be holding its breath, says the Atlantic Councils Hellyer. Theyre wondering, OK, Trump has just banned citizens of six Muslim majority countries, and what does that mean. And now the thing with the flights, where airports, including Cairo, you cant take laptops on flights to the U.S. And then whats happening with that inner circle around Trump speaking not just about Islamism, but about Islam and Muslims more generally, Hellyer said.

Cairos political elites were also watching the Oval Office meeting closely for signs of Trumps positions on a number of other important issues: will Trumps proposed cutbacks in foreign spending translate to reductions in crucial military and financial assistance? And perhaps more importantly, will a warm Trump embrace signal a more relaxed U.S. attitude toward the Sissi administrations much maligned human rights record?

A senior White House official Friday indicated the Trump administration would work quietly with Egypt on human rights issues.

Our approach is to handle these types of sensitive issues in a private, more discreet way, the official said. We believe its the most effective way to advance those issues to a favorable outcome.

Human rights on the table

Those were not the words human rights campaigners were hoping to hear. At a briefing for reporters at the Arab Center in Washington Thursday, activists expressed concern about what they see as a slide toward authoritarianism in Egypt that includes cracking down on civil society and closing political space.

I think President Sissi looks at the White House as a big prize to legitimize his rule in Egypt, said Moataz El Fegiery, protection coordinator for Middle East Front Line Defenders in London. If the United States has leverage on Egypt, it is very important that human rights be on the table. Otherwise it is a green light from the White House for President Sissi to continue his massive crackdown on peaceful opposition and civil society.

The Egyptian leader is the first of three heads of state who will be visiting Trump this week as the president continues an extended series of get-to-know-you meetings with major international players.

On Wednesday, Jordans King Abdullah will be a guest in the Oval Office. The following day, Trump will fly to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
RACINE COUNTY  Racine County residents will cast their ballots in the 2017 spring general election Tuesday.

All Wisconsin residents can vote in the State Superintendent of Public Instruction race, choosing between incumbent Tony Evers and Lowell Holtz, a former administrator for several school districts, but many other local races are taking place in Racine County Tuesday.

School district votes and referendums

Residents of the Burlington Area School District, which includes parts of Rochester, Dover and Walworth County in addition to greater Burlington, will see three major referendum questions regarding improving and adding to some of the district facilities. Questions include whether the district should build a new middle school, a community performing arts center and a second gym for Burlington High School.

Voters in the Yorkville Elementary School District will also see a referendum question asking residents whether the district should be allowed to exceed state-imposed revenue limits with a recurring increase that amounts to $1.05 per every $1,000 of property value.

Other school-related votes will include the selection of: two Muskego-Norway School Board members; a Waterford Graded District board member; three Burlington Area School District board members; two members of the Drought Elementary (Norway Joint 7) board; and a Waterford Union High District board member. There are also three Racine Unified School District seats up for election, but none of those are contested.

City of Racine referendum

City of Racine voters can vote on a referendum regarding whether or not to overturn the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission ruling. The advisory referendum will discuss whether or not to adopt the We the People amendment, which would state that only humans (not corporations) should have constitutional rights and that money is not a protected speech, so it should also be regulated. This measure states that political spending should be limited in order to allow Americans to more fully participate in the democratic process without the influence of special interest money.

Municipal races

The east side of the county will see a contested race for a village trustee in Caledonia; Elmwood Park residents will vote for a village president and three village trustees and Sturtevant residents will elect a village president and three village trustees.

And in Racine, all odd-numbered aldermanic posts are up for election this year.

In what may be one of the most hotly contested races Tuesday, Mount Pleasant residents will vote for a village president and three village trustee seats.

On the west side of Racine County, Dover voters will cast their ballot for the Dover town chairman, Norway residents will vote for one of two candidates vying for the No. 2 Town Board Supervisor seat, and Town of Waterford residents will chose two of three candidates running for Town Board supervisor and one of two candidates running for the Town of Waterford Sanitary District.

Other west end races will include Rochester residents electing a village president and three village trustees; Union Grove filling their No. 3 village trustee position and Village of Waterford residents choosing a village president and three village trustees.

To learn more about where to vote go to: https://myvote.wi.gov/ and to read more about the races go to www.journaltimes.com/elections/news/

An initial version of this story contained an incorrect figure for the proposed tax rate increase for the Yorkville Elementary School District. The error has been corrected.
Nikki Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday that President Donald Trump has not blocked her from attacking Russia, even as he continues to assail U.S. news media for its reporting on congressional and legal investigations into whether his aides colluded with Russian officials to help him win the election.

"The president has not once called me and said, 'Don't beat up on Russia'  has not once called me and told me what to say," Haley told ABC News. "I am beating up on Russia."

Haley said Russia's 2014 seizure of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula was wrong, as well Moscow's continuing involvement supporting pro-Russian fighters in eastern Ukraine battling Kyiv's forces.

"When they do something wrong," she said, "I have no trouble calling them out. The president has not disagreed with me" holding Russia "accountable."

Asked whether Trump needs to be "beating up on Russia" as well, Haley responded, "Well, of course. He's got a lot of things he's doing, but he is not stopping me from beating up on Russia."

"The United States continues to condemn and call for an immediate end to the Russian occupation of Crimea," Haley said. She added that "Crimea-related sanctions" levied against Russia will continue to "remain in place until Russia returns control over the peninsula to Ukraine."

The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Moscow, on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin, meddled in last year's presidential election in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state.



Haley told ABC that "certainly, I think Russia was involved in the election. There's no question about that." She added, "We don't want any country involved in our elections, ever. We need to be very strong on that."

The top U.S. investigative agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is probing whether Trump aides criminally colluded with Russian officials to boost Trump's election chances. In addition, intelligence committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives are conducting their own investigations of Russian interference in the election.

Trump only reluctantly accepted the intelligence community's finding about Russian meddling in the election, but he frequently has disparaged news accounts about the ongoing probes.

On Saturday, on his Twitter account, Trump said, "It is the same Fake News Media that said there is 'no path to victory for Trump' that is now pushing the phony Russia story. A total scam!"
Filming on Mary Poppins Returns. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images

Supposedly, we already got our first peek at Emily Blunt looking practically perfect in every way, courtesy of an official Mary Poppins Returns image released last month. Now, though, thanks to some enterprising photographers hanging around the films London production, we have indisputable evidence of exactly what is under Mary Poppinss obtrusive hat. Confirmed: Its Emily Blunts face. The on-set glimpse also provides our first look at Lin-Manuel Mirandas Jack, a lamplighter and probable penguin enthusiast, as well as some new precocious kiddies, presumably the Banks childrens children? Talk about a return on your investment. For more details, and a view of both sides of Emily Blunts face at once, youll have to hold out until Christmas 2018.
Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images\

Tina Fey has always been unapologetic about her views on comedy and jokes  her key to sanity is staying away from the internet, natch  and her political opinions toward Donald Trump dont seem to differ from that mindset in the slightest. Partaking in a group conversation at the Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU on Friday, Fey took aim against white, female voters who supported Trump during the election, explaining that these voters shouldnt turn a blind eye just because some issues dont immediately affect them. (There are a bunch of womens issues that do currently warrant attention, though.) A lot of this election was turned by white, college-educated women who now would maybe like to forget about this election and go back to watching HGTV, she explained. I would want to urge them to like, You cant look away, because it doesnt affect you this minute, but its going to affect you eventually. Again, open two windows. Do watch HGTV. But  to not turn our attention away from what is happening.

Fey has previously spoken out against the Trump administration  in a world where the president makes fun of handicapped people and fat people, how do we proceed with dignity?  and has even recommended books and films to watch to survive his presidency. At the end of her ACLU interview, she also made a final plea to those white, female voters:



I personally would like to make my own pledge to college-educated white women to not look away, not pretend that things that are happening now wont eventually affect me if we dont put a stop to it.

And then you can watch HGTV.


In February 2016, on behalf of our community, Gateway Technical College became the 100th college in America to launch a College Promise program.

Modeled after the Tennessee Promise, there are now more than 150 communities throughout the nation which have college promise programs. The Gateway Promise is a program that inspires youth to earn good academic grades, engage in community service and graduate from high school in good standing. If youth meet enrollment requirements, apply for financial aid and have an expected family contribution of $3,000 or less, maintain a 2.0 grade point average and maintain a full-time student status at the college, Gateways Foundation will help cover the cost of tuition and fees for six consecutive semesters of college at Gateway.

The Promise represents a compelling college affordability solution for hundreds of students and their families. Through the generosity of our community, the Gateway Foundation has established a Gateway Promise endowment that will sustain the promise throughout perpetuity.

Weve had many high school students apply for the Gateway Promise. Of those whove applied, we have 221 potential students being looked at during this point in the process. Well know more exact numbers this month. All of this is exciting, and Gateway staff members are gearing up for a new class of motivated Red Hawks arriving on campus this summer.

College Promise programs are changing the landscape of community and technical colleges as students seek careers that lead to great jobs and less college debt. Starting a career with an associate degree can be just the right start for many high school students. It leads to academic success, perseverance and self-confidence with a sharper focus on a future career path.

Heads Up America, a nonpartisan initiative of the 501c3 nonprofit Civic Nation, has promoted Gateway as a model for other communities to engage business in the development of their future workforce. The United States Department of Education has released the Americas College Promise Playbook that provides practitioners with relevant and factual information about how communities can offer more students access to an affordable, high-quality education through which students can go as far their talents and work ethic can take them. Building business partnerships is highlighted as a strategic strength for promise programs.

Evidence shows that when schools, employers and workforce groups work together, they can all benefit, the Playbook says. I am proud that again the Gateway Promise is featured as a best practice in the Playbook, highlighting the importance of business and community partnerships. Our journey is just beginning. With your help and support, we can continue to provide students an affordable path to college and build a talent-ready workforce for our community.

More information on the Gateway Promise can be found at www.gtc.edu/gateway-promise.
When Republican lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would allow Wisconsinites to carry concealed firearms without training or a permit, some Democrats were alarmed.

This bill is a slap in the face to our neighbors that are demanding real solutions to our states gun violence public health crisis, state Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, wrote in a statement.

On a recent episode of UpFront with Mike Gousha, host Mike Gousha asked one of the authors of the bill, state Sen. David Craig, R-Town of Vernon, if he understood the negative response.

Cant you see that as a typical human reaction? Gousha asked.

I think that would be a typical emotional response, but then you have to look at the facts, Craig said.

Those facts include Wisconsins history of gun laws, the precedent of other states and constitutional rights, he told Gousha, as he explained the bill he co-authored with Rep. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma.

At a base level, the law would give citizens easier access to their constitutional rights, Craig said.

This is a constitutional right, this is a fundamental right laid out by the Second Amendment, he said. Government should be examining that to determine and make sure people arent infringed of their rights.

Giving citizens access to those constitutional rights has panned out well in the past, he said. Already, Wisconsinites do not need a permit or training to carry a gun openly.

In Wisconsin you can open carry (without a permit), he said. Are there any ill consequences of that in Wisconsin of any measurable amount? No, theres not.

Permitless concealed carry is already happening in 12 states, Craig said, ranging in ideology from Missouri to Bernie Sanders' own home state of Vermont.

What makes Wisconsinites any different? he said. And if other states are doing this without ill effect, and weve had the level of permitless carry in Wisconsin without ill effect, why would we not break down that barrier?

The bill makes it easier for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, he said, and those intent on using guns for illegal purposes will do so anyway.

And at the end of the day, people who are hell-bent on conducting violence with a firearm are going to do that, Craig said. The only people who are worried about the law are the law-abiding citizens.

Asked about removing the training requirement, Craig said that some of the training standards were not effective: one was as minimal as hunter safety, he said.

Hunter safety nothing to do with pistol training whatsoever, Craig said. You learn zero about carrying a pistol.

The bill also states that schools would no longer necessarily have to be gun-free zones. This is intended to correct the possibility of legal punishment for a parent picking up their kid from school with a loaded gun in the car. Having a gun in the car is not illegal, but driving it into a gun-free school zone is. In that case, an otherwise law-abiding citizen is now committing a felony, he said.

Craig argued that the law, as currently written, is an inconvenience.

What are you are forcing people to do, is to be out and about on their jobs ... having to turn home to put their firearm arm in a responsible manner and then come back to go get their child, he said.

In his statement, Larson questioned whether the bill was really written for the benefit of Wisconsin citizens.

Unfortunately, Republicans are not willing to stand up to rich gun manufacturers looking for profits at any costs  even our kids safety, he wrote.

Gousha asked about the possibility of the bill being influenced by outside interests.

Is this something the public was clamoring for? Or is this something that the National Rifle Association and certain interest groups were clamoring for? Gousha asked.

Craig said that he campaigned on the issue in 2011, just before Wisconsins concealed-carry law was signed.

Many individuals at that time were asking us to push harder and make sure we have the full use of our Second Amendment votes, he said.

While statements from Gov. Scott Walker and other prominent Wisconsin Republicans issued in response showed support for the Second Amendment without specifically backing the bill, Craig is confident it will be passed.

Weve got more than 40 co-sponsors, he said. At the end of the day, it will become the law of the land.
The Waco Tribune-Herald has launched an integrated online subscription model, All Access, combining its electronic edition, print subscription management and access to the newspapers website, wacotrib.com.

All Access gives print subscribers complete access to all digital platforms through a single login at no additional cost. Nonsubscribers will continue to have free access to much of the wacotrib.com site, including limited views of Premium Content each month.

The monthly cost to nonsubscribers for full online access to the Tribs Premium Content is $9.95. The price covers unlimited access to wacotrib.com from any device, plus access to the electronic edition and the full digital archives.

Much of the content on our website will remain free to users on an unlimited basis, including photos, videos, classified ads, Associated Press articles and obits, Tribune-Herald Editor Steve Boggs said. Our Premium Content includes local stories that appear both in print and online, including opinion articles and analysis.

Last week, the Trib rolled out a new responsive- design website.

Its a game-changer for our mobile audience, which is growing at an incredible rate, Boggs said. The user experience is much improved, and the site is much quicker on mobile devices and tablets.

Online subscriptions cover the use of three devices simultaneously.

Nonsubscribers will continue to have access to a limited number of Premium Content articles each month, before being asked to subscribe.

We actually did a soft launch of the online subscription model last week and were surprised to see 15 users reach their story limit in the first few days, Boggs said. In the initial phase of the launch, the story limit was set very high while we worked through the launch issues. It surprised us how much content our readers consume online.

Some were print subscribers, who registered and kept reading, Boggs said.

As for us continuing to allow unfettered access to our local content? Thats a business model thats no longer sustainable, Boggs said.

Trib Rewards, a new subscriber reward program, also kicks off Sunday. Trib Rewards offers all subscribers, print and digital, coupons and discounts at more than 50 local businesses. It is accessible as a free downloadable app or at wacotrib.com.
Patricia Ann Crook

Feb. 6, 1933 - March 27, 2017

Patricia Ann Crook passed away peacefully at her League City home with her beloved cat, Buddy by her side on March 27, 2017.

She was born the only child of Charlie and Hattie (Cvikl) Flanagan on February 6, 1933 in Waco, Texas. After graduating from Waco High School she married her high school sweetheart, Billy Earl Crook. They moved to Houston, Texas where their son, William Mark was born. After nearly 60 years of marriage, Billy died on October 14, 2010.

Patricia was also preceded in death by her parents and two half sisters, Elsie Eads and Ruthella Davison.

She will be greatly missed by her son, Mark Crook and his partner, Ron Hickman.

Mark extends his heartfelt thanks to Lidia Martinez for her special care and love shown his mother. He is also grateful for Felecia Gambrel and Providence Hospice. Patricia and Billy will be laid to rest in the Waco Memorial Cemetery, Waco, Texas.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the SPCA of Houston.

Crowder Funeral Home

111 E. Medical Center Boulevard

Webster, TX 77598

(281) 280-9000
Spring is here. As I prepared for my homeward journey from London last month, the daffodils were in glorious array. And with the beauty of spring  whether ushered in by Texas bluebonnets or English daffodils  come hopes and prayers for peace and renewal in an extraordinarily turbulent world.

The 21st century began with enormous hope. The globe had bid farewell to the bloodiest century in human history, culminating in the collapse of the ideals  and cynicism  that guided the rise and hastened the fall of Communism. But 9/11 heralded a new world of the 21st century, one filled with vexing challenges that show no signs of abating.

As my flight lifted off the previous day from Istanbul, where the great continents of Europe and Asia meet, the magnificent minarets dotting the stunning cityscape seemed to dwarf the modern high-rise buildings found everywhere around the globe. In their own way, the minarets  and the beautiful calls to prayer issuing from the 3,000 mosques in the greater Istanbul metropolis  symbolized the great challenges of our own still-relatively young century. First among the perplexing issues of our time: Can two great cultures, East and West, live together in peace? 9/11 tragically brought the question violently to Americas homeland.

At the heart of the American experience is the ideal of freedom. But at the point where East meets West, and the Bosporus flows between two mighty seas, freedom is under severe stress. As I departed Istanbul headed back to London, two images flashed in my minds eye. The first, the morning newspaper in Istanbul with front-page photos of 11 reporters (all of them Turkish) imprisoned for alleged crimes against the state. Many locals believe the journalists only offense was severe criticism of government policy.

The second image flooding my mind as we crossed over into the Balkans was that of an American pastor, Andrew Brunson, imprisoned in the west of Turkey for vague offenses against the state. Andrew and his wife, Norine, had lived peaceably and productively in Izmir (ancient Smyrna) for over 20 years. They raised their two children there. Andrews future remains uncertain, caught in the web of intrigue that informs so much of life in the Middle East.

Farewell to Istanbul. But as the British Airways flight headed northwesterly into the setting sun, below on the surface of Earth  35,000 feet below  were vibrant reasons for hope. Countries such as Bulgaria, once conquered by the Ottoman Empire and enslaved under the Communist yoke, have emerged as lands of the free. The culture of liberty  including religious freedom  is alive and well in Bulgaria. Even more remarkably, farther to the west, Albania, once a country of utter darkness, has likewise risen Phoenix-like from the ashes to become a country characterized by liberty under law.

Both countries boast large Muslim populations who live peacefully side by side with their Christian and non-believing neighbors. This is the world as it should be, but not as it is.

Peaceful coexistence, even cross-cultural friendship, can be done. Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation on Earth, enjoys a long tradition of peaceful neighborliness, albeit with rising tensions of late.

The need to understand how and why we can all live together  even with our deepest differences  is increasingly urgent. Societies across the globe need what Mr. Lincoln called a new birth of freedom. Starkly put, Christians should not be beheaded, nor should Muslims suffer any form of state-sanctioned (or societal) discrimination.

While Andrew Brunson languishes in a Turkish prison, we are called all the more urgently to understand how societies filled with sharply clashing world views can not only live in peace but promote human flourishing.

In a world filled with tweets to and fro plus voices of rancor and acrimony, we will do well to tackle the biggest challenge of our century. Examples now are there for us to see and understand.

Heres to the flowers of spring  and to a new birth of human understanding across deep cultural and religious divides.
In defense of Trump

There seems to be some resistance to President Trumps reconfiguring of the government. The son-in-law he gave this responsibility to may be young, but hes very rich, which means hes very smart.

We elected this president with the expectation that hed run the executive branch like his business  and the only business hes familiar with is family-owned and family-controlled. No board, no stock, no investors. Its a top-down model and, as hes said, its made him a multi-billionaire. Thats why he put his children in important advisory positions and given them top-security clearances. We need to give them all a chance to learn their jobs.

Theres a good reason why government ethics dont apply to his children and close advisers: Its so they can operate without interference, creating jobs and increasing national security. Those were his campaign promises to us. Mr. Trump is only accepting the presidential salary so that he can give it to charity later. His sons update him on the Trump global interests only periodically now  not daily like before.

His cabinet consists of mostly super-rich people who know how things work in the business world, which means theyre smart too. They have to run their departments with personal loyalists in order to remove Deep State resistance, so slashing personnel is vital.

We voted President Trump into office and now we can watch him do what he said he would. Strong leaders surround themselves with family and friends so they can help themselves while ruling their citizens  its only fair  and there are examples of this all around the globe.

Shelby L. Muhl, Prairie Hill

Divinely orchestrated

It wasnt by accident. It was, Im certain, by divine design.

It happened a week ago during check-in at the Brazosport High School Class of 1967s 50th reunion in Freeport. Inadvertently, spouses name tags were omitted from the registration packets.

A gentleman approached our check-in table, requesting a name badge. After apologizing for the glitch, I asked his name. Bill Tinsley, he replied.

It struck a chord.

Where are you from?

Waco.

I knew it. I recognized him from the postage-stamp-sized picture that accompanies his columns.

Do you, by chance, write an article for the Waco paper?

Yes, I do.

BINGO! Hundreds of miles from my home in Meridian in Bosque County, almost next door to Waco, I had met face to face a man whom I had only known in print. But a man I had come to greatly admire. Most assuredly, this meeting was divinely orchestrated.

Bill Tinsleys bio tag says that he reflects on current events and life experience from a faith perspective. Simply put. What Ive found is that Bill takes everyday life experiences, applies his wisdom and understanding of Gods desire for our lives and helps us grow in faith as we develop a deeper relationship with our Lord. Undoubtedly, hes been gifted with a talent for witnessing through words.

Often, as Ive read Bills columns, Ive felt as though he took a snapshot from my life and was speaking directly to me. His Scriptural references serve as added emphasis and affirmation for his message. Theyre well taken.

Ive been blessed beyond measure by Bills writing and I look forward to reading and reflecting on his words. Its a highlight in my week. Im grateful to the Waco Tribune-Herald for publishing his phenomenal work and pray you will continue to do so.

Thank you, Bill Tinsley.

Thank you, Waco Tribune-Herald.

Most of all, thank you, Lord.

Jeanette Kattner, Meridian

Bubble gum & abortion

Regarding Donna Myers recitation of supposed facts, including the low incidence of abortions performed by Planned Parenthood: She can cite facts from Factcheck.org all she wants, but if one doesnt understand how these facts are derived, one can be deceived.

To arrive at the 97 percent figure she cites for non-abortion services, Planned Parenthood counts every procedure as a separate activity such as giving a teenager a birth-control pack  one procedure; taking vital signs in preparation for an abortion  another procedure, etc. So by accounting for procedures this way, they can reflect the 350,000 abortions they perform (they count as one giant procedure) as a percentage of 10.6 million procedures. Easy, deceiving math is 350,000/10,600,000 = .033. Amazing!

But suppose I stock a store with bubble gum, lollipops and assault weapons and, on average, I sell 97 bubble-gum packs and lollipops a month and only three times do I sell an assault weapon. You are outraged that I sell assault weapons to young people, but I can say, Oh, no, I run a candy store and 97 percent of my activities are harmless candy sales!

We at Pro-Life Waco learn of these Planned Parenthood tricks from great guest speakers we get like Abby Johnson and Carol Everett, former (and reformed) directors from the Planned Parenthood hierarchy. And thats the service that Pro-Life Waco director John Pisciotta works to provide  shedding the light of truth on this evil organization.

Mitch DeLaRosa, Waco

The American Party

I am sick of politics as usual and politicians who specialize in working against one another and getting nothing done. It is time to form the American Party and, regardless of whether one is Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea Party, Libertine, Green Party or Heinz 57, all could concentrate on truly making our country great again.

First order of business: Returning to God! Without that, we are helpless and hopeless.

Then we must set our sights on more than just myself. We need to act for the good of all the people, not special-interest groups. America must develop 20/20 vision!

We are all for helping people far away and I am not against helping others from foreign countries but not at the expense of Americans right here at home who deserve better treatment, including our elderly, the disabled and the military. Lets look near and then far.

Maybe I am preaching to the choir, but somewhere and sometime things must change. It has to start with me and you and you and you.

If you even partly agree with this message, share it with others! Lets share it across America! Evil prevails when good men and women do nothing!

Jim Fitzhugh, McGregor

Help state employees

As legislators make critical decisions about state government within a 140-day window, its important to acknowledge the contributions of the nearly 150,000 state employees who carry out the Legislatures assigned missions 365 days a year. Their work touches our lives daily.

State employees design and build our roads, ensure the quality of our fuel, regulate child-care providers, license our plumbers and provide countless other essential state services efficiently and at the best possible value to the taxpayer. The pensions and health-insurance benefits state employees work so hard to earn offset infrequent pay raises and salaries private-sector employees would scoff at, particularly given the ever-increasing cost of living.

In fact, most people are surprised to learn that state employees have not seen an increase in take-home pay since September 2014 and that more than 70 percent make less than $49,500 a year. Most people would struggle to support a family on that income. So why do many Texans still choose to work for the state?

As executive director of the non-union Texas Public Employees Association, I can tell you its because they are dedicated public servants  and that is something citizens and lawmakers alike should respect. We must recognize state employees contributions and treat them with the dignity befitting any group of hardworking professionals.

Gary Anderson, Executive Director, Texas Public Employees Association, Austin

Article V Convention, anyone?

We hear talk about term limits for our legislators. Of course, most of us think this is a good idea. We see many lawmakers we think should have been put out to pasture many moons ago.

Does anyone think they would really ever approve this? If anyone could vote on their own job and decide that they have to resign in a certain amount of time, they would never vote on anything like this.

Lawmakers are always talking about assembling independent councils to do important things. Why not let their employers vote on it? How about a national vote on it? I am almost certain it would be a landslide.

Jerry Willett, Lorena
The silence continues on the hundreds of Australians targeted in an international tax sting in Europe after the raids of Credit Suisse's offices over the weekend.

Credit Suisse offices in Europe were raided by local authorities late on Friday as part of a major money laundering and tax evasion investigation.

Credit Suisse's clients are the subject of an international tax evasion investigation. Credit:Bloomberg

The joint international investigation, which includes Australian authorities, has so far identified 346 accounts held by Australians with links to Swiss banking relationship managers alleged to have promoted and facilitated tax evasion schemes.

Of the 346 people, 23 have already come forward or been previously subject to ATO compliance action.
I've always had a curious and oft troubling affection for Bronwyn Bishop, but goodness she strains it sometimes. This week was a case in point, as she went ballistic over being exposed on the front page of the Herald Sun over having refused to co-operate with a government inquiry into her expenses over the past 10 years. She provided details for just two years, and then more or less told them to get nicked, she wasn't playing any more.

On the day the Hun released the details, the redoubtable Ms Bishop thundered, endlessly, on Sky: "Gimme a break  It's one rule for those on the conservative side and another rule for socialists."

Listen, I accept, Ms Bishop, that the Herald Sun is a well-known socialist rag, run by a bunch of pinkos  just as I guess some might think the Turnbull government has socialist tinges. But I think both also felt a bit grim about the ALP's Sam Dastyari's expense proclivities? Yes, and I think in Sam's case, he wasn't even saved because he was asking the Chinese to pay, not the taxpayer, and the sum at issue was the barest fraction of yours?

Ditto, in the silent watch of the night does it occur to you as a smidgen odd to rail against the whole notion of "socialism" when across our brown and pleasant land we, the unwashed masses, are contributing a quarter of a million dollars to your coffers every year for the rest of your life, with no work required on your part?
When I retired at 65, I bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok, packed a rucksack and waved goodbye to my family. I had no plans, I just knew I wanted to travel. Seven years later, I'm still travelling the world.

So far I've visited 50 countries, from the completely unspoilt Myanmar to the magical, photogenic Czech Republic  all a far cry from my native Essex.

I dont think anyone should be limited by age. Credit:Stocksy

I've hugged elephants in Thailand, shared a happy New Year's Eve with a hostel owner and his family in China, and eaten copious local delicacies  be it ants' eggs in Cambodia or snake in Taiwan. I can't imagine settling down. Until I retired, I'd never dreamed of leaving behind my family for a long holiday, never mind several years.

But after 30 years of slogging away running a hair salon and supporting my three children (now in their 40s) as a single parent, I finally felt free.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Apr. 01, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 01, 2017 | 08:45 AM | PADUCAH, KY

Leandra Walker from Paducah is a semifinalist for this year's AQS Quilt Week, April 26  29, at the Schroeder Expo & Carroll Convention Center.



Walker has been chosen to display the quilt, "Big Bang," along with 403 others in the 33rd annual contest, which draws more than 30,000 visitors annually.



Quilts from 44 states and 14 countries have been entered into competiton. Winners will be announced April 25 at the Carson Four Rivers Center. Cash awards totaling $125,000 will be granted.



AQS founder and president Meredith Schroeder said, Extraordinary quilts are being made by todays quilters, and the contest quilts represent an extensive variety of styles, sizes, and techniques. Each quilt in the show is an intricate, creative work of art to enjoy.



The American Quilters Society hosts several shows annually, each with its own quilt contest. Besides the Paducah show, AQS hosts other events in Daytona Beach, Florida; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Des Moines, Iowa.



Awards and categories include $20,000 for the Janome Best of Show; $12,000 for the BERNINA Stationary Machine Workmanship; $12,000 for the AQS Hand Workmanship; $12,000 for the APQS Movable Workmanship; and $5,000 for the Robert Kaufman Best Wall Quilt. Regardless of how BIG BANG places in the final judging, all semifinalists quilts will be displayed at the show, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 people.



Quilts were entered in the international contest from 44 US states and 14 other countries. Come see a wide range of special exhibit quilts including: SAQA: Made in Europe; Kona Color of the Year 2016: Robert Kaufman Fabrics; Applique Quilts from the Collection of Pat and Arlan Christ; Cherrywood Challenge 2016: The Lion King; Focus & Fiber: Quilts by Melissa Sobotka; Double Wedding Ring Quilts: Traditions Made Modern by Victoria Findlay Wolfe; and the AQS Authors Showcase.








By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 01, 2017 | 11:23 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Police are seeking the public's help in a vehicle theft investigation.

According to the Paducah Police Department, officers were notified Saturday afternoon about a vehicle theft at Lourdes Hospital. A hospital employee saw a white man get in a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country minivan on the parking lot and flee the area.

Police said the man was reportedly in his early to mid 20s, with brown hair and tattoos covering his left arm. He was wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

The van was later found unoccupied, parked in the road at Pecan Drive and Alben Barkley Drive.

Anyone with information on the suspect's identity or his whereabouts is asked to contact the Paducah Police Department.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 02, 2017 | 06:04 AM | CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY

Two people were arrested on drug and theft charges after a traffic stop Saturday in Calloway County.

According to the Calloway County Sheriff's Office, deputies stopped a vehicle around 3 am at the intersection of Highway 121 and Kirksey Road. Deputies arrested the driver, 36-year-old Joshua E. Mohler of Murray, for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A search of the vehicle revealed a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine, a synthetic drug and drug paraphernalia. Deputies also found property reported stolen from a separate investigation.

Mohler was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving stolen property. A passenger in Mohlers vehicle, 53-year-old Theresa K. Hitchcock of Sedalia was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Mohler and Hitchcock were taken to the Calloway County Detention Center.
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
Christine Walker is a Community Librarian at a public library in Selwyn. She says I've got a great job - I select the Children's and Young Adult stock for our network.I've always been an avid reader and a firm believer in the power of story, and I love being transported by a great book. She adds Writing is something I've always enjoyed, and now I'm looking forward to doing more!
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/04/2017 (2046 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Business has never been brisker at the Manitoba Association for Retired Government Employees  and it will get brisker as the Tory governments austerity measures kick into gear.

Last week, managers displaced by efficiencies within the department of agricultures management were calling.

You know its the same damn thing as (former premier Gary) Filmon did  its going to be chop, chop, chop, said association president Brian Monkman, adding hes never seen so much interest in his seven years at the helm.

The association started in 1972 as a social club for government retirees. Now, the attraction is a benefits plan that includes health, dental, travel and travel cancellation insurance, said Monkman, a retired fire investigator.

Last week, he received calls from veteran employees of Manitobas department of agriculture.

Theres something happening in agriculture, Monkman said. Theres something going on. Im getting a lot of requests, people who arent 65. Ive had four requests this week from agriculture alone.

An aide to Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler would not say Friday how many people are gone, but emailed a statement: The Manitoba government is committed to fixing the finances of our province in order to protect and improve the services Manitoba families depend on. Manitoba Agriculture has been able to find efficiencies as part of efforts undertaken by all government departments to streamline senior management levels to provide a more effective and efficient administration.

The association has gone from 600 members in 2010 to 2,500, with new members joining daily.

They come in and get our health insurance, Monkman said. Since November, theres been a steady number of people coming in. Every week, theres people coming in to sign up for our health plan. Theyve seen the writing on the wall and chose to retire, or theyve been told to retire.

Theres a lot retiring early. Theyre looking for a second job, to fill in. They need something to do.

Premier Brian Pallister has told government departments and Crown corporations to slash management jobs by 15 per cent. The April 11 budget is expected to bring bad news for those whose jobs depend on government spending, though Pallister has promised to protect frontline workers.

Monkman said hes hearing from concerned community health nurses in southern Manitoba who want to know what benefits they can obtain once they no longer work for the government.

With Manitoba Hydro cutting 900 jobs, Monkman said, the human resources staff takes him to Hydro regularly to meet with staff.

Right now, Hydro is getting hit and Ive taken a big pile of packages over there, he said.

He also hears regularly from employees at MTS. Its been a private company for 20 years, but anyone who has worked there before 1997 can join.

Were seeing people retire from the colleges  Red River, Assiniboine Community College, University College of the North. Were getting a lot of applications from there.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 01/04/2017 (2047 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Today is April Fools day and some of the pranks played on people can be very funny. But often things said in real life situations can be even more humorous.

Over the past few years a number of airlines have taken what has traditionally been serious safety instructions at the beginning of the flight and motivated passengers to listen to them through of the levity they build into their demonstrations or in-flight commentaries.

WestJet Airlines is likely best known for doing these types of announcements in Canada, but around the world other carriers have taken some of these and converted them into hilarious pitches, which suggest a background in stand-up comedy.

DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS WestJet flight attendants are well-known for comical pre-flight instructions.

One of my favourites did come while getting ready for take-off on a WestJet flight during one of the coldest days in winter on a flight that was hardly more than half full.

The flight attendant, in a completely serious tone, asked that all passengers on the flight should find a window seat so that, as she said, Our competitors will think we are taking off with a completely sold-out flight.

I have now heard this one on a couple of flights. We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately none of them are on this flight.

Perhaps recognizing the ridiculous extent to which low-cost airlines have reduced seat space and pitch to add additional rows a captain of one airline commented, This flight is completely full ladies and gentlemen. However an additional sixty passengers will be boarding shortly, so please scrunch in and make room as best you can.

Kulula Airlines is a South African carrier whose aircraft are painted with expressions that have to make you laugh the first time you see one. With large directional arrows, the words This Way Up are painted between the arrows. Another arrow points to the captains window lets readers know that that is The Big Cheese, and on the other side it points out co-captain, the other pilot on the PA system.

As unusual as it may be, apparently the airline does not offer pre-assigned seating of any kind. A flight attendant is reported to have said, People, people, were not picking out furniture here. Find a seat and get in it.

A line occasionally used by more than one airline, Your seat cushions can be used for flotation. In the event of an emergency water landing please take them with our compliments.

No one likes those bumpy landings that get the heart racing as the aircraft settles into a flat taxi mode to get you back to the terminal gate. When these hard landings do occur, sometimes passengers, as well as flight attendants and even pilots will get into the act.

After a particularly rough landing the first officer was at the deplaning door to thank people for flying with the airline. A little old lady with a cane reportedly stopped in front of him to ask, Did we land, or were we shot down.

This one seemed to go a bit over the top. Ladies and Gentlemen. Please remain in your seats until Captain Crush and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, well open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.

On a similar vein after a less-than perfect approach, the flight attendant entoned, We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal. And following on that note was this comment, Ladies and Gentlemen. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened whilst the captain taxis whats left of the plane to the gate

Another was Ladies and gentlemen, we have on our flight today someone who is taking his first flight on his 80th birthday. Please give a round of applause for your captain.

After a particularly crushing landing one pilot came on the intercom to say, As you may already know, we have hit our destination.

On the more positive side, after an exceptionally good landing the comment was, How about that landing? Not bad for his first day.

And about frustrations flight attendants often have to put up with the following comments have been uttered on various flights on different airlines.

Id like to remind you that it is not against federal law to smile at a flight attendant.

Above your head are the control buttons for your reading light and the flight attendant call button. The reading light button will switch your light on and off. Yet no matter how many times you push the other one, it will not turn on your flight attendants.

If there is anything we can do to make your flight more enjoyable then please tell us, as soon as we land in Pittsburgh. If there is anything you can do to make our flight more enjoyable well tell you immediately.

And one more, The yellow button is your reading light. Please dont press the orange button unless you absolutely have to. The orange button is your ejector seat button.

Read Rons blog at.thattravelguy.ca. Listen to Rons latest podcasts via his website, or on demand on iTunes. pradinukr@shaw.ca
We did a lousy job.

Doubtless, there are journalists who would disagree with that assessment of how news media performed during the 2016 campaign, but Ive never met one. The consensus among those I know is that coverage of that campaign represents journalisms biggest fail since the run-up to the Iraq War.

The culprit, of course, is our handling of the unconventional candidate who became president. Among our sins: failure to take him seriously enough early enough; relying too heavily on flawed polling; spending more time covering personality than policy, providing him untold hours of free advertising on certain cable news networks, and not even requiring him to show up in person to collect it.

Perhaps most critically, we embraced a false equivalence. We behaved as if Hillary Clintons shifting explanations for the use of a private email server  troubling though they were  were somehow as ominous and potentially consequential as Donald Trumps mendacity, crudeness, incompetence, and overall unfitness.

In our defense, though, we had never seen anything like him and had no idea how to cover him.

Going on three months into his presidency, we are still figuring it out. But there is reason to be encouraged. Or does it not seem that news media are more willing to frankly confront Trumps constant lying now than they were just a few short months ago? The whopper about Barack Obama bugging Trump Tower seems to have been the proverbial bridge too far.

Suddenly, Time magazine is out with a cover asking Is Truth Dead?

And when Trumps White House cites Andrew Napolitano of Fox News as a source for his ludicrous contention that the British helped Obama wiretap him, Fox admits it cannot substantiate Napolitanos claim and he is summarily disappeared from the air. Given how often in the past Fox pundits have blithely asserted the reckless and bizarre without a twitch of response from the network, this feels seismic.

Thats also a good word for last weeks Wall Street Journal editorial that describes Trump as clinging to the wiretap assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle. That visceral image of the president of the United States would be noteworthy from any newspaper. It is especially so from a conservative paper whose editor made news just a few months ago in defending the papers refusal to label Trumps falsehoods as lies.

While it did not cross that self-imposed barrier, the Journal certainly left no doubt what it thinks of Trumps credibility.

If there is to be a silver lining in the historical dark cloud that is Donald Trump, its that we might someday look back and say that he forced journalism to re-invent itself or, perhaps more accurately, to re-embrace itself, to remember what it is supposed to stand for. Maybe well someday say that he forced us to abandon the fantasy that there is no moral component, no human judgment, involved in reporting the news.

Thats the kind of thinking under which Clintons email troubles are treated as equivalent to Trumps grab-them-by-the-pudenda video or any of his many other epic transgressions of taste and truth. Trump has dragged journalism into a back-alley brawl, and weve been trying to fight it by the Marquess of Queensberry rules.

This era, though, will not allow us the luxury of such delusional niceties. It will require of us the guts to remember that truth matters. You see, our job is not to be anti-Trump, but, rather, anti-bovine excreta. Yes, you might say that has become a distinction without a difference.

But that is neither our fault nor our problem. Its his.
Doesn't it seem ironic that Republican policies and articles of faith expect the poor  knowing their want of realistically marketable job or career skills  to find work anyway? But are essentially leaving them "crying in the wilderness" when it comes to jobs training and readiness, as if insisting (after Afrikaner nationalists down South Africa way in the late 1930's) that "a people alone rescues itself"?

The implied notion, though not put into plain words, is that any attempt by the state or charities to offer jobs-readiness training, or any sort of help towards their own socioeconomic uplift, by offering any sort of tools or resources towards such otherwise noble and worthy ends "only risks perpetuating unhealthy dependency." Thus calling for a more "people-centrist" approach "born out of the Volk to serve the Volk" towards same. And yet offering no advice or suggestions towards such ends, let alone instilling fear that any such offers would only "weaken their character."
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, Kilian Paris, Too Faced, Dr. Jart+, DECIEM, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free shops. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Trinity Industries, Inc. provides rail transportation products and services under the TrinityRail name in North America. It operates in two segments, Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group, and Rail Products Group. The Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group segment leases freight and tank railcars; originates and manages railcar leases for third-party investors; and provides fleet maintenance and management services. As of December 31, 2021, it had a fleet of 106,970 owned or leased railcars. This segment serves industrial shipper and railroad companies operating in agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. The Rail Products Group segment manufactures freight and tank railcars for transporting various liquids, gases, and dry cargo; and offers railcar maintenance and modification services. This segment serves railroads, leasing companies, and industrial shippers of products in the agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. It sells or leases products and services through its own sales personnel and independent sales representatives. Trinity Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1933 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Colombia landslides: Over 200 die in Putumayo floods

Landslides have killed at least 206 people in south-west Colombia and left many more injured, aid officials say.




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Katie Price in the Maldives

By: Emily Lewis WorldWideWeirdNews.com

A model is in a lot of trouble after being seen topless at a beach in the Maldives, according to police.

38-year-old Katie Price of Brighton, the United Kingdom, went to the Maldives to enjoy the warm weather and the spectacular beaches.

While at one of the beaches, she was photographed walking around topless, enjoying the sun and showing off her 32GG breasts.

After the naked photos of Price went viral, police launched an investigation against her for violating Sharia law.

The Maldives is a Muslim nation and its laws are based on the teachings of Islam. The Maldives Police Service said that if Price is found guilty of public nudity, she faces a large fine or even a prison sentence.

Price, her husband Kieran Hayler, 30, and her five children, Harvey, 14, Junior, 11, Princess, 9, Jett, 3 and Bunny, 2, are staying at the newly-opened Kandima resort in the Maldives.

The government wants tourists to observe local customs.

aLocal laws reflect the fact that Maldives is an Islamic country. Serious violations of local laws may lead to a prison sentence. Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited.

aYou should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times, and be aware of your actions to ensure that they donat offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

aDress is generally informal, but you should be sensitive to local dress standards when visiting non-resort islands. Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.

aSame sex relations are illegal, and convicted offenders could face lengthy prison sentences and fines,a the U.K. government warns.
Killer (illustration)

By: William Martin WorldWideWeirdNews.com

A migrant who is seeking asylum in Austria, admitted to his friends that he killed at least 20 people back home, according to police.

Innsbruck police said that have arrested the 27-year-old man, who was once part of the Free Syrian Army, after admitting to killing wounded soldiers loyal to the government of Bashar al-Assad.

One of his friends reported him to police. He initially confessed to the murders, but later recanted once he learned about the murder charges.

He was charged with 20 counts of murder. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors decided to charge the suspect in Austria, as sending him back to Syria to face charges is not an option to the ongoing civil war.

According to the police investigation, the migrant was an officer of the Farouq Brigades, a group that is a part of the Free Syrian Army.

When the suspect encountered a group of 20 wounded soldiers in the city of Homs, he shot them all dead because they were loyal to the government.

Killing injured soldiers is prohibited under the Geneva Convention.
Controversial provisions put Bafi bill on hold

The Bank and Financial Institution (Bafi) Bill, which should have become a law by now, has started gathering dust at the office of Speaker Onsari Gharti,
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) - Georgia lawmakers have left the Capitol for the year, turning the spotlight on Gov. Nathan Deal.

Deal has dozens of bills to review, including a measure allowing licensed gun owners to carry concealed handguns on public college campuses. Deal vetoed a similar bill last year, but lawmakers hope that exemptions in this version will sway him.

The General Assembly also approved several tax cuts, including one aimed at encouraging music and film production. They couldn't agree on a broad income tax cut but backed tax breaks for people getting big-ticket boats repaired or leasing cars.

Deal has 40 days to consider lawmakers' proposals. Some will be easy decisions, such as the $49 billion budget that largely mirrors Deal's funding requests. It includes salary increases for teachers and state-employed law enforcement.
Budhigandaki hydroelectric project: Dhading locals fret delay in compensation distribution

Locals of Dhading have called on authorities to immediately start extending compensation for their land which will be acquired by the Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project.
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) - The Latest on the fire that caused an overpass to collapse in Atlanta (all times local):

11:45 a.m.

The man suspected of starting a raging fire that collapsed a portion of Interstate 85 a few miles north of downtown Atlanta has been charged with arson.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says bond was set at $200,000 for 39-year-old Basil Eleby during a hearing Saturday.

He faces charges of first-degree arson and first-degree criminal damage to property. The arson charge is new. Eleby's next court appearance is set for April 14.

Deputy Insurance Commissioner Jay Florence said Eleby was arrested Friday along with Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas. Bruner and Thomas were charged with criminal trespass.

Eleby has a lengthy criminal history with past charges that include possession and sale of cocaine, criminal trespass and simple battery.

The fire on Thursday evening crippled a major traffic artery in a city already known for dreadful rush-hour congestion.

___

11:10 a.m.

The man suspected of starting a raging fire that collapsed a portion of Interstate 85 a few miles north of downtown Atlanta has a court appearance scheduled.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says Basil Eleby faces a felony charge of criminal damage to property and is scheduled for his first court appearance Saturday morning.

Deputy Insurance Commissioner Jay Florence said Eleby was arrested Friday along with Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas. Bruner and Thomas were charged with criminal trespass.

___

The collapse of a span of Interstate 85 in Atlanta during a raging fire isn't the first time intense heat has taken out a stretch of elevated roadway.

Georgia officials say repairing damaged sections of I-85 north of downtown Atlanta will take months. That's made traffic even more miserable for commuters in a city already known for gridlock.

Three people were arrested Friday in connection with the fire, and officials suspect one of them of setting it.

Lauren Stewart, director of the structural engineering laboratory at Georgia Tech, said intense fire can break down even materials such as steel-reinforced concrete.

Andy Herrmann, a retired partner with the New York-based engineering firm Hardesty & Hanover, said there have been rare instances of gasoline trucks crashing and causing fires that damaged overpasses.
TAMPA, Fla. (WTXL) - Tampa Police have arrested Gary Omar Rivera Montanez, 22, in connection to an early morning shooting. Mike Franck, 34, of Tallahassee died in the shooting.

The shooting left one person dead and at least four injured at a lounge on South Howard Avenue in Tampa, officials said.

The four injured were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The incident occurred about 4:30 a.m. Saturday outside of The Palace Lounge at 219 S. Howard Ave. in Tampa.

The shooting appears to have followed an earlier dispute.

"Someone left got into their car went around Platt St. and then opened fire into the crowd," said Police spokesperson Steve Hegarty.
Four held with red panda skin

Four wildlife traders have been arrested with a piece of red panda skin in Kathmandu.
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State Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to inform Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he will not be permitted to return to his position as minister of communications.

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In light of an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted against him, Netanyahu temporarily transferred the position to his close associate Minister Tzachi Hanegbi.

The position is expected to be filled by a permanent minister this month in accordance with the Basic Law which stipulates that the government may not extend the tenure of a temporary minister by three months.

Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Yariv Katz )

Nevertheless, despite the fact that the prime minister will not serve as communications minister, the AG has reportedly lent his tacit imprimatur to Netanyahus intense involvement in the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) affair

Multiple demands were made from Mandelblit to forbid Netanyahu from intervening in the ongoing dispute over the IPBC. However, senior officials in the coalition said that he believed the prime minister was dealing with the media at large, rather than specific aspects of it in which he has a conflict of interest

The High Court submitted an appeal against Netanyahus maintaining his grip on the communications portfolio and against him continuing to serve as foreign minister.

Responding to the move, the State concluded that since Netanyahu announced that he was temporarily transferring the communications portfolio to Hanegbi, the appeal was rendered redundant for the time being.

(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel)
Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis came out firmly against the BDS movement during a meeting with a delegation of Knesset members, who visited the country to mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel.

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"The government of Spain is entirely opposed to BDS and has already taken a variety of steps to fight the movement" said Dastis. "I ask that you update me on every new extreme initiative in real time, so we can prevent it in real time."

Knesset delegation in Spain

The delegation was headed by MK Revital Swid (Zionist Union) and also sought to advance more friendly policies and relations with Spain.

Delegation members also included Eli Alaluf (Kulanu), Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) and Ya'akov Margi (Shas).

During the event, the Spanish-Israeli Parliamentary Friendship League was launched at a ceremony attended by Spanish senators, congressman, the Israeli ambassador to Spain and other embassy staff.

The Knesset delegation also met with the President of the Spanish Congress, the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain and other senior community leaders.

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis and MK Revital Swid

In addition to his commitment to act against BDS initiatives, Dastis also promised to visit Israel soon with a delegation of Spanish congressman.

Despite some 40 cities in Spain adopting boycott resolutions, some 10 cities cancelled the decision either voluntarily or by court order.

During her visit, MK Swid stressed that Knesset members are excited to be part of the delegation that celebrates 30 years of relations between Israel and Spain.

"The Knesset places great importance to strengthening relations between the two countries and parliaments. Fortunately, the Spanish foreign minister agreed to my invitation to visit Israel and declared that his government is strongly opposed to BDS," said Swid.

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
Norway's foreign minister says a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "is under pressure" as he left Oslo for a visit to the Middle East.

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Borge Brende said, "Only a two-state solution can lead to lasting peace between the parties."

Settlement of Ma'ale Adumim (Photo: EPA)

Furthermore, according to Brende, "A sustainable Palestinian economy and well-functioning institutions are essential preconditions for the two-state solution."

Brende is meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Norway, like neighboring Sweden, has expressed concern that Israel will allow expanded construction in major West Bank settlements.

Jerusalem has said it will limit new settlement construction in the West Bank "when possible" to within areas already developed or at least to contiguous areas.
Insurers told to raise paid-up capital by 4 times

The insurance sector regulator has directed life and non-life insurance companies to raise the minimum stock of paid-up capital by four times within mid-July 2018 to bolster shock absorbing capacity of insurers.
Hundreds of Haifa chemical workers blocked the Geha Interchange on Route 4 on Sunday morning, in yet another protest against the closure of the ammonia chemicals facility in the Haifa Bay, which threatens to imperil the jobs of hundreds of workers.

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The demonstrators, two of whom were arrested, called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to intervene in the crisis to prevent the implementation of a court-ordered decision to empty the facility, and effectively terminate its operations.

Protesters block roads

After one hour however, the people were moved on as traffic activity resumed.

Last week, the workers blocked off the Azrieli Interchange in Tel Aviv , causing major disruptions to the flow of traffic in the area.

The activists are continuing their struggle, criticizing what they have described as foot-dragging and lack of immediate solutions to the crisis.

Claiming that the closure of the facility will place 1,500 workers in danger of losing their jobs on the eve of Passover, one protester urged the prime minister to step in to broker a solution to the debacle.

We call upon the prime minister to intervene. You hold the key to a solution. Only you can save the workers. Prime minister - intervene, said the protester.

For 1,500 workers and their families, time is rapidly running out, added another man present at the demonstration.

This Passover we are all unemployed. No one cares for the 1,500 workers and their families who are being thrown into the street, he vented. No one cares about the collapse of a wonderful factory that (brings in) 2.8 billions dollars each years.

(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel)
AMMAN -- Jets believed to be Russian hit an outpost run by moderate rebel forces in northwestern Syria near a major border crossing with Turkey, killing at least one fighter and wounding several people, two rebel sources said on Sunday.

They said several raids overnight hit Babeska, a village in Idlib province that has become a haven for several moderate Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups, mainly Jaish al Islam, a major insurgent group that controls the last major rebel stronghold on the doorstep of the Syrian capital.
Arab-Israeli leadership has announced its intention to hold the main Nakba Day rally at a memorial for 70 fallen Jewish soldiers who took part in the battles for Yehiam during the 1948 War of Independence.

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The "National Committee for the Protection of the Rights of the Displaced,"(NCPRD) which organizes Nakba Day ceremonies, expect 25,000 people to attend. In addition to the rally, participants will march past Arab villages abandoned during the war.

Nakba Day commemorations 2016

Family members of the fallen and citizens of the western Galilee reacted to the news with anger and astonishment, as Nakba Day ceremonies are usually held in Arab villages or cities.

Head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council, Yoram Yisraeli, vehemently opposed the event, saying, "It will not happen. On Independence Day, Jews will celebrate Independence Day. I will not give my hand to the rally. Let the organizers pick a suitable place to mark the Nakba."

For the time being, police have not approved the rally for security concerns.

Independence Day 2016 celebrations in Israel (Photo: AFP)

According to police, "Security for an event with 25,000 people requires special preparations, which are not available at this time. We are sorry that organizers chose the day Independence Day begins, during which there are hundreds of events across the country that the Israel Police invest all their resources in securing."

Head of the NCPRD, Wakim Wakim, said that if the rally is not approved, he will turn to the High Court. "Maybe this is a political decision," said Wakim.

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
The meetings held on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Jordan are much more interesting than the concluding statement. While the Arab League secretary general was reciting the 17 resolutions, three leaders (the presidents of Yemen, Djibouti and Kuwait) were caught on camera in a deep sleep. At the same time, a long line was forming before the special American envoy.

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Jason Greenblatt came to work around the clock on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. The results: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi landed in Washington Saturday for a proper working meeting with US President Donald Trump, Jordans King Abdullah II will arrive in the middle of the week, and at the end of the month it will be Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas turn.

Arab League summit in Jordan. Officially, as sources on the Arab side claim, the keys for restarting the peace process are already in the ignition, and all it takes is turning the key (Photo: AFP)

Officially, sources on the Arab side claim, the keys for restarting the peace process are already in the ignition. After the summit wiped the dust off the Saudi peace initiative, all it takes is turning the key.

Egypt will get the leading role, Jordan is defined as a key partner, and, Israel will remain an onlooker from the sides that will occasionally make its interests known. Trumps team is rolling up its sleeves to assemble the negotiating table. Thats the reason why Abbas, the least significant player, was the last one invited to the White House.

Moroccos king, who has lost interest in Arab summits, is the only one who blew off the conference without apologizing. The Jordanian intelligence chief, Faisal al-Shoubaki, had taken his king on an embarrassing, last-minute flight to beg at Mohammed VIs palace in Rabat. Al-Shoubaki paid the price: He was dismissed.

All eyes were fixed on Jerusalem. When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the Arab summit with an alternative settlement for the Amona evictees, the Arabs were furious.

The leaders of the Arab world have erased normalization from their lexicon. They now say historic pan-Arab reconciliation, on the condition that Israel agrees or that Trump makes Netanyahu accept the two-state solution and Israel commits to a full withdrawal to the 1967 borders.

In simpler words, when the Right starts exerting pressure, the Arabs will have an excuse: Cooperation from the Arab side will be as abundant as Israeli concessions. The more Netanyahu sticks to his positions and the more Trump lets him off the hook, the more the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain gridlocked.

King Abdullah II of Jordan meeting with US President Trump in DC (Photo: Yousef Allan, AFP)

Theres another aspect to the White House meetings that is equally important. When commentators point to al-Sisis good chemistry with Trump, they are referring to a relationship based on financial interests. Regardless of any diplomatic progress on this front, Egypt must not be allowed to fall.

Its no secret that Egypt is stuck in a state of economic distress. You dont have to be an expert to conclude that an angry and hungry crowd is likely to return to the streets.

The situation in Jordan is pretty similar. Trump, unlike Obama, is unmoved by the situation of human rights in our region. He sees the numbers, and Israel is helping him understand that his administration must strengthen the regimes.

At a dramatic moment, we saw the Egyptian president leave the summit when the Qatari leader began speaking. This wasnt just an exit for show to indicate the quarrel between the two countries. Its important to identify the American meddling behind the scenes and the reprimands to the Saudi kings son which led to a reconciliation between King Salman and al-Sisi.

Heres the deal: If the Saudi king is interested in teaming up with the Trump administration and if the shadow of the Iranian threat is hovering over everyones heads, then Saudi Arabia is required to sign up and contribute its fair share. Here, on the sidelines of the summit, they managed to return the oil shipments to Egypt, and on the way, theyll open their wallets and help the Jordanian king as well.

Were not the only ones with pessimists. No threats were made, but Netanyahu was still hit by the Jordanian king big time. Abdullah insisted on warning, Israel is undermining the chances of peace.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman commented Sunday morning on the recent assassination of Hamas commander Mazan Fukha in Gaza, seemingly deflecting responsibility away from Israel for the hit, while not unequivocally ruling out its ultimate role in the murder.

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Hamas is known for its internal assassinations. Hamas should go and search itself, he said during a visit to Sderot, intimating that the terror organization bore responsibility for Fukha's liquidation.

The Yisrael Beytenu leader was asked to respond to the charge by Hamas that Israel was responsible for the murder, to which he responded that It doesnt matter what Hamas says, but rather what Jews will do. Hamas is known as the most extreme organization. I wouldnt buy a single word they say or anything else. They should do what they want and we will do what we want.

Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Ariel Harmoni/Israeli Ministry of Defense)

Lieberman also assured listeners that whatever claims were made by Hamas, Israel was determined to avoid an escalation of violence, but that the country would act according to its security requirements.

I can only say this: We are not looking for adventures. We are carrying out security with responsibility and determination, and we are doing what we are supposed to domaintaining the security for Israeli society. There is no reason to change the policy into something else," he continued.

Mazan Fukha after his release from Israeli prison

Fukha was released from prison in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal and was deported to the Gaza Strip.

After his release, Fukha returned to terrorist activities and helped found Hamas' West Bank headquarters and manage it from Gaza under the command of Saleh al-Arouri. In addition to Fukha, the operation also included Abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, another terrorist who had been released as part of the Shalit deal.

Together, the three men helped organize and conduct terror attacks against Israelis from the Gaza Strip.

(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel and Fred Goldberg)
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said Sunday that the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not serve as minister of communications "does not negate his involvement in the media" as prime minister.

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Mandelblit made his comments in response to an inquiry by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel.

PM Netanyahu and AG Mandelblit (Photo: Mark Yisrael Salem)

Mandelblit explained, "By virtue of his position, the prime minister is authorized to deal with matters relating to various government ministries. The fact that he no longer serves as minister of communications does not rule out his involvement in the media."

Mandelblit further elaborated that "in the field of communications, there are specific situations in which the prime minister is prohibited from being involved and recommendations have been made to him in the past.

"However, these restrictions do not encompass the entire field of communications and there are subjects in which the prime minister is allowed to be involved in without fear of a conflict of interest."

As it relates to the matter of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), Mandelblit said, "In view of the sensitivity of the matter, it was made clear to the prime minister that in addition to the opinion already offered on the subject, he should refrain from dealing with matters affecting those with whom he has personal relations. In cases involving such matters, he will have to consult with the attorney general. It has been clarified that presently, dealings related to the Israel Public Broadcasting Law of 2014, do not raise the suspicion of a conflict of interest."

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
A leader in Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate was killed in an air raid last month, the Egyptian military said on Sunday.

"Following the results of the air raid on March 18... and upon the security apparatus's investigation, it was revealed that Salem Salmy al-Hamadeen, Aka Abu Anas al-Ansari, was killed," the military spokesman said in a statement.

Hamadeen was one of the founders of the group which was formerly called Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, now called Egypt's Sinai Province, and was responsible for arming and training militants. He died after being wounded in the air raid, the statement said.
The Jerusalem faction of the Lithuanian Orthodox Haredi sect threatened Sunday to cause major disruptions in the Ben Gurion Airport, in yet another measure to resist the mandatory conscription of its adherents into the IDF.

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The extreme minority faction, whose methods are largely rejected by the mainstream Haredi community, announced intentions to intensify tactics to counter the arrest of yeshiva students who refuse to draft into the military.

Part of their reinvigorated strategy, they said, will include staging mass protests near the airport during the busiest periods in the year, which could threaten to delay people arriving at the airport and cause them to miss their flights.

Haredi protest in Jerusalem (Photo: TPS)

Publishing what was labelled an Important Notice, the Committee to Save the World of Torahthe organization which has orchestrated the most recent ralliesexplained that it intended to convey its message to the world.

In light of the escalation and the harassment by the regime of prisoners of the Torah world, it has been decided to widen the demonstration in order to reach the ears of the entire world, the announcement declared.

As part of the activities that are intended to send a message to the nations of the world, a mass protest march will take place in the area of the airport, before the eyes of foreign tourists who arrive in Israel and and go back to their countries. Signs will be carried in English and other languages.

The announcement also stated that out of consideration for the travelling public, the committee will notify shortly the days on which the demonstrations will take place in order to enable them to prepare for the disruptions.

Photo: Ofer Meir

It is recommended to those who are about to fly to follow and stay updated via notices that will be publicized in the coming days so that they can change the day of the flight or, alternatively, arrive earlier at the airport by a few hours.

The demonstration planners warned against police action against the march, threatening that should the activists face state opposition, they would cease prior warnings for the public.

Should these prior notices, which are intended for the benefit of the public, be met with hostile deployment which disturb and prevent the protest march, we will be forced to stage the demonstration on different days without advance notice.

Last week, police arrested 31 ultra-Orthodox rioters during the day Monday and overnight in protests in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh against the detainment of Haredi draft-dodgers and IDF deserters.

(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel)
A Hamas political document leaked on Sunday revealed plans to soften the organizations charter to recognize a Palestinian state on 1967 bordersbut still without recognizing Israel.

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The document was published by the Lebanese news site Al Mayadeen. It is due to be officially released in the coming days by Hamas leader and politburo chief Khaled Mashaal.

Khaled Mashaal (Photo: AFP)

It is possible to agree to a state within the 1967 borders, but it does not necessarily include recognition of Israel and does not mean that there is a relinquishment of historic Palestine, the new charter states. The liberation of Palestine is the duty of the Palestinian people, and the resistance to the occupation is a legitimate right, and armed resistance is a strategic choice. Our right to develop and manage the means of resistance is included in the framework of managing the conflict and not at the expense of the principle of resistance.

The document makes a distinction between Israel and Zionism on one side and the Jewish people on the other: We distinguish between Judaism and Israel and the Zionist program, and our conflict is with the Zionist plan and not with the Jews. In the document Hamas hints at its desire to open up and be accepted in other countriesboth Arab and others.

In the document, Hamas recognizes the PLO (of which it is not a member) as a Palestinian national framework, but it also criticizes the Palestinian Authority and states that it must serve the Palestinian people, maintaining their security and rights.

Palestinian youth in a Hamas camp (Photo: AFP)

Disengagement from the Muslim Brotherhood

Senior Hamas figure Ahmed Yousef said last March that Hamass new political plan would include an agreement to establish a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. He left out any recognition of Israel, specifying that all parts of historic Palestine be returned and insisting on the right of return.

In addition, Yosef claimed that the plan would emphasize that the Palestinian conflict is not with Judaism in general, but only with the occupation and the Zionist movement alone. The armed struggle, he said, will be conducted only in Palestine itself and not against Jews around the world. He added that Hamas would encourage appeals to international forums on the Palestinian side.

He also addressed what he considered to be Hamass need to disengage itself from their ties to Islamic movements in the world, including the Muslim Brotherhood, though Yousef did not mention the organization by name.

Hamass reference to the 1967 borders is not new. In 2014, senior Hamas figure in the West Bank Nayef Rajoub said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth that Hamas would accept a political solution within the 1967 borders as long as most Palestinians accepted it and it would not include recognition of Israel. Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal also said that Hamass struggle was not against the Jews but against the Israeli occupation, as he put it.

(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the ceremony marking the operational integration of the David's Sling air defense system on Sunday at the Hatzor Air Force Base. Also in attendance were Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, GOC Air Force Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, US Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Admiral James Syring and Air Defense Commander Brig. Gen. Zvi Haimovitz.

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Short-range missiles are intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, while David's Sling is in charge of medium-range missiles. Te Arrow 3 defense system protects against long-range missiles.

David's Sling defense system carries out successful experiment (:  ""  )

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In addition to these newer systems, the Patriot defense batteries, designed to bring down manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, will continue to operate for at least the next five years.

David's Sling carries out successful experiment

Lieberman said that David's Sling will enable Israel to deal with threats to its security. "When we look at the map of the world, we see a small pin called the State of Israel," said Lieberman to the crowd. "Around us are 58 Muslim countries, with a joint population of 1.6 billion people, ranging from the Middle East to Indonesia and to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia.

"Every time I ask myself how one can deal with this in addition to $220 billion's worth of arms in 2016 alone, not including Iran, I give myself the same answer: There is only one wayvision, pride and security."

Netanyahu (Photo: Roee Idan)

Lieberman noted that the system has no substitute and cannot be bought anywhere else in the world. "It also of course combines all the knowledge, all our intellectual abilities and that of our partners in the United States. Of course, all this must be added to our excellent security personnel, Air Force personnel and security personnel. This combination will allow us to give an answer to all those who try to harm us to destroy us, and unfortunately there are still those in the world. "

Lieberman (Photo: Roee Idan)

Netanyahu, for his part, called the day a holiday for Israel. He praised US support for Israel's security and for the current project."

Speaking to US representative Syring, Netanyahu said that "Today marks an important milestone in our joint development of cutting-edge missile defense technologies. We face, both of us, increasingly sophisticated threats, but we have repeatedly demonstrated that together we can meet these challenges a lot better than any one of us could do so alone.

David's Sling (Photo: Roee Idan)

"We have pioneering technology here, as Israel continues to be a world leader in this field. The ingenuity of our people and the fighting spirit of our soldiers multiply our strength against our enemies and enable us not only to defend the home front but to achieve victory in battle. I ascribe very great importance to our ability to defend the home front. We have proven this in the allocation of resources and in producing interceptors and other means.

"But despite the importance that I attribute to our defensive capabilities, I reiterate: Whoever seeks to hit uswill be hit. Whoever threatens our existenceplaces himself in existential danger. This approach has ancient sources. Not far from here is the Ella Valley where David defeated Goliath with his sling. King David defended the People of Israel against its enemies 3,000 years ago. He did so with a combination of extraordinary daring and extraordinary ingenuity. We recognize the age-old adage 'Those who dare, win.'

"As an ancient people that treasures life, we continue to march in the path of King David. David's sword in our hand, David's Sling is in our skies and David's shield is on our flag. We will join strength to spirit and we will ensure Israel's victory."

David's Sling was developed by Israeli security forces and the Rafael Advanced Defense System over a decade, as a way to defend against kamikazi drones and heavy rocket fires. Unlike Iron Dome, which is stationary and defends specific areas of Israel, David's Sling is portable, thus providing national coverage.
A senior United Nations refugee official on Sunday called on Gulf Arab states to give more to help Syrians displaced by six years of civil war, saying she saw little sign that the crisis would end any time soon.

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Speaking during a visit to Kuwait to sign a $10 million aid agreement for Syrian refugees in Iraq, Kelly T. Clements, deputy commissioner for the United Nations High Commision for Refugees (UNHCR), also said the UN body lamented the "sad" fact that the number of refugees fleeing Syria's civil war had passed the 5 million mark.

Syrian refugees from the city of Aleppo (Photo: AFP)

"For us at UNHCR, we don't celebrate these milestones. We in fact try not to bring a lot of attention to it because it is not a good story," Clements told Reuters.

Refugees fleeing Aleppo (Photo: Reuters)

"It means basically that we haven't seen a political solution to make it possible for people to go home safely and in dignity and voluntarily."

Syrians have poured across their borders into Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq since anti-government protests in 2011 descended into a full-blown conflict between rebels, Islamist militants, government troops and foreign backers.

Syrian refugees from Aleppo (Photo: Reuters)

Clements said that apart from the 5 million refugees, there were some 13.5 million people who had been displaced inside Syria, some of them moved on twice, three or four times.

Syrian refugees (Photo: Reuters)

"They are not able to support their families. They are in harm's way in terms of mortar shells ... They are not able to put their kids through school. Statistics we have show that a million-and-a-half kids inside Syria are out of school," Clements said.

Syrian refugee children in Lebanon (Photo: Reuters)

"So for us, it is a sad time to see the number exceeding 5 million people," she added.

Speaking after she signed the aid agreement with the state-run Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Clement said that Kuwait was the sixth largest donor to UNHCR, providing some $360 million between 2013 and 2015.

"The other GCC countries have not managed to come anywhere close," she added, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council of mostly oil-rich Arab monarchies. The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

"We would like that to change. In fact the resources that we need in order to provide humanitarian support throughout the world, including places like South Sudan and Somalia or Myanmar, Bangladesh, we are only meeting less than half of our budget," she told Reuters.

She said support from countries like Russia and China was still "much more nascent" than that of the Gulf Arab states, but was increasing.

Asked if she saw an end to the flow of refugees from the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, Clements said: "Obviously we hope that there would be political solutions.

"I have to say that the outlook doesn't look good," she added.
Two clerics at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount were arrested as part of an investigation into the attack in Jerusalem's Old City on Saturday.

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Two civilians and one policeman were slightly injured in the attack.

One of the injured in the attack

The two suspects, dais (charitable workers for Islamic organizations) at the mosque, are named Sami Abed Fatiha and Hasnin Zahnir. Their remand was extended by four days, and a gag order was imposed on every detail of the investigation, apart from the arrest of the two.

During the incident, the attacker, 17-year-old Ahmad Jazal from the Nablus area in the West Bank, was shot dead by the Border Police officer that he had stabbed.
An Iranian-American detained in Iran since last summer has been released on bail of approximately $60,000, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday.

Robin Reza Shahini was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards while visiting family in the northeastern city of Gorgan last July and subsequently sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on charges of threatening national security, according to HRANA.

Shahini went on a hunger strike for a month recently and his health situation had been deteriorating, the HRANA report said. Two other Iranian-Americans are still being held in the Islamic Republic.
Armenians voted Sunday in the country's first parliamentary election since the ex-Soviet nation modified its constitution to expand the powers of parliament and the prime minister.

An exit poll released after voting stations closed showed the Republican Party of Armenia's president, Serzh Sargsyan, getting 46 percent of the vote, trailed by the bloc led by businessman Gagik Tsarukian with 29 percent.

Critics see the amendments as part of Sargsyan's efforts to retain control of the country after he steps down in 2018 due to term limits. If his party controls parliament, he could be appointed prime minister after leaving the presidency.
MONDAY 4/3

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Monday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

TUESDAY 4/4

>> Sexaholics Anonymous, a 12 Step recovery group for those dealing with addiction to pornography, sex, and other forms of lust, meets Tuesday nights at 5:45 p.m. For more information please call our toll free number 1-877-889-8071 or visit sanebraska.org.

WEDNESDAY 4/5

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Wednesday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

THURSDAY 4/6

>> Weight Watchers meets in the basement of the York Towne House, 5th & Grant Ave., each Thursday. Weigh in 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.; Member meeting 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.

>> AL-ANON meets Thursday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Narcotics Anonymous meets Thursday at 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Annex building.

FRIDAY 4/7

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Friday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - AWOL Group meets Friday at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

SATURDAY 4/8

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.
Though investor lending is being tightened, banks will continue to offer steep discounts to owner-occupiers to safeguard their market share, states a new report from Deloitte. The same report revealed that many industry players expect property prices around Australia to continue to climb.

Deloittes annual Australian Mortgage Report, released last Thursday, said that in 2016, the majors offered owner-occupiers discounts on the standard variable rate of up to 130 basis points.

Discounts are currently tracking at 100 basis points for loans that are for 80% or less of the value of a property. This means new owner-occupiers or those refinancing loans should be able to access financing at about 4% per annum.

Some mortgage experts expect discounting for owner-occupiers to continue this year, most likely at a reduced rate of between 80 and 120 basis points.

Malcolm Watkins, executive director of AFG, is leaning more towards 80 basis points. He expects banks to use out-of-cycle SVR rate rises to put some margin back in their business. Other executives, including CoreLogics Lisa Claes, think the reduced rate will be greater than 80 basis points.

The picture is significantly less rosy for property investors: loan discounts have been tightened on top of standard variable rates being increased, according to Deloitte.

To produce the report, Deloitte polled 10 leaders of the mortgage industry, including banks, non-bank lenders, consultants, and mortgage brokers.

The level of bank discounting of SVRs will be closely monitored by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), given the regulators increased focus on responsible lending, said Deloitte partner Kevin Nixon.

If you are offering big discounts, you can expect APRA to ask why, particularly if it looks like the main goal is to increase volumes ahead of quarterly announcements. Further, under the broader culture remit there will be a focus on transparency and fairness in pricing, Nixon told the Australian Financial Review.

Experts say house prices will continue to climb

Banks have been dialling back on lending to property investors to comply with APRAs 10% lending growth cap, causing the total new lending volume to flatten last year at $384bn. This made 2016 the first year since 2012 when settlements did not grow over the previous period.

Half of Deloittes survey participants said they expect settlement volumes to fall this year compared to 2016. However, six out of the 10 survey participants said they expect house prices to continue to climb, albeit at a lower level than 2015-2016.

Property price growth in the southeastern capitals has not kept pace with wage growth. According to Deloitte, property prices climbed 15.5% in Sydney and 13.7% in Melbourne last year; during the same period, wages grew by a measly 2-3%.

Two participants in Deloittes survey said house price growth could climb higher than 2016s, while two said it would be flat. Not one of the participants is forecasting that house prices in Sydney and Melbourne would fall, or that there would be a significant downturn across the country.

Related stories:

Speculation In Property Market Is Worrying Analysts, Regulators

Investors With Interest-Only Loans Will Soon Feel The Heat
Latest News

Washington, DC - President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 2017 as National Donate Life Month:

NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH, 2017

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Every day, Americans sustain the miracle of life by generously donating their organs and tissue to others in need. During National Donate Life Month, we honor the living and deceased donors who gave so others could live, and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our healthcare and science professionals who perform transplants and create techniques to make the gift of life possible.

We also continue our efforts to raise awareness of the life-saving potential Americans have as donors. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reports that 33,606 transplants were performed during 2016, which is an 8.5 percent increase from 2015.

Still, additional donors are urgently needed. More than 118,000 people are currently waiting for organ transplants, and thousands of our family members and friends die each year waiting for matches. This month we remind Americans that people of all ages and from all walks of life can help save lives. Remarkably, one organ donor can save up to eight lives. One tissue donor can help 75 people heal. I encourage Americans everywhere to learn about how they can participate in the gift of life by becoming organ and tissue donors, and the many other ways they can give to those in need.

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 April 2017 as National Donate Life Month. I call upon healthcare professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private organizations to help raise awareness of the urgent need for organ and tissue donors throughout our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-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.

DONALD J. TRUMP
Bhattarai, among other leaders, held from outside EC office (in photos)

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Naya Shakti Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, was arrested from outside the Election Commission (EC) Office at Kantipath, Kathmandu on Sunday.
Islamabad: The custodian of a Pakistani religious shrine and two accomplices have been arrested for intoxicating and murdering 20 devotees with batons and knives early on Sunday, police said.

Four women were among those killed at the Sufi shrine to Mohammad Ali in Punjab province, according to police, who said they had arrested three suspects including the custodian.

"The 50-year-old shrine custodian Abdul Waheed has confessed that he killed these people because he feared that they had come to kill him," regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told AFP.

"The suspect appears to be paranoid and psychotic, or it could be related to rivalry for the control of shrine," he said, adding that the investigation was continuing.

Local police station chief Shamshir Joya said the victims, whose clothes were torn and bloodstained, appeared to have been given intoxicants.

"We suspect that the victims had been given some intoxicants before they were murdered, but we will wait for a forensics report to confirm this suspicion," he added.

Joya said the shrine was built in the area some two and a half years ago. When its former custodian died, Waheed -- a one-time employee of the national election commission -- took over.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has called for a police report on the investigation within 24 hours, a senior government official said.

Visiting shrines and offering alms for the poor -- and cash to the custodians -- remains a very popular custom in Pakistan. Many believe this will help get their prayers answered.

For centuries Pakistan was a land of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam whose wandering holy men helped spread the religion throughout the Indian subcontinent in the 13th century.

Sufis believe in saints which they say can intercede for them directly with God. They have no hierarchy or organisation, instead seeking spiritual communion through music and dance at the shrines of the saints.

Several million Muslims in Pakistan are still believed to follow Sufism, although it has overtaken in recent decades by more conservative versions of the faith.

Hardliners such as the Taliban or the Islamic State group have carried out major attacks on Sufi shrines because they consider them heretical.

In February 88 people were killed and hundreds wounded in Pakistan`s southern province of Sindh when a suicide bomber blew himself up among devotees at a ufi shrine.
Dhaka: A High Court in Bangladesh has observed that Imams would not deliver any sermon which was against the country`s existing law."An Imam`s duty is to conduct prayers at mosque.

He will deliver the right sermon in the light of Islam," The Daily Star quoted the court as saying while passing verdict in Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider killing case.

If anybody makes any derogatory comment about Islam or Hazrat Prophet Hazrat Muhammad or any other religion or make any post in Facebook, he can be put on trial under the existing law of the country, the court said.

"The incident of killing Rajib took place in a planned way. Nobody has the right to take the law in his own hand," the bench of Justice Zahangir Hossain and Md Zahangir Hossain in its judgment said.

It has been found from evidence and argument during hearing of the case that all the seven accused except for Jashim Uddin Rahmani are very meritorious students. But we could not find any reason behind their choosing of such a path, it observed.

The court said that there might be many reasons for such meritorious students to get derailed adding "the guardians have to take the responsibility to keep their children on the right track."

Ahmed Rajib Haider, 35, was hacked to death by machete-wielding attackers in February 2013 in the first of a string of killings targeting secular writers.Earlier in December 2015, a Bangladesh court sentenced two students to death for the murder of a secular blogger delivering the first convictions after a series of such killings.

The judge in the fast-track court found both students and another man, Maksudul Hasan, guilty of murder and convicted another five people on lesser charges related to Haider`s death.

The prosecution has argued that the students had been inspired by the sermons of firebrand cleric Jashim Uddin Rahmani, who was given five years in prison for abetting the murder.

Haider, an architect, became a target of the group after he helped launch a mass protest against the leaders of the largest Islamist party, several of whom are accused of war crimes during Bangladesh`s 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan.

The police said Haider also wrote against Islam and mocked the prophet Muhammad on blog sites.

Rahmani, a firebrand cleric who led a mosque in the Dhaka`s Mohammadpur neighbourhood, had preached that it was legal to kill atheist bloggers who campaigned against Islam, the police added.
Karachi [Pakistan]: At least 19 devotees were allegedly slaughtered by the custodian of a local shrine in Sargodha, Pakistan.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta claimed that the custodian Abdul Waheed used a dagger and a baton to kill his victims, further alleging that the latter is mentally unstable, DawnNews reported.

He further informed that an injured woman who had arrived at the District Hospital in Sargodha had first reported about the killings, adding that she was one of three survivors who managed to flee from the scene of the crime.

Taking action upon her information, a team of police personnel rushed to the shrine and arrested the suspect.

At least 19 bodies were recovered from the area surrounding the shrine.

More details to follow.
Dhaka: The High Court here on Sunday confirmed the death sentence for two persons and different terms in jail for six others for killing Bangladeshi blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider.

The two death row convicts are Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayem alias Dweep, the Daily Star reported.

Rana is also the main suspect in writer-blogger Avijit Roy`s killing.

Blogger Rajib, who was an activist of Shahbagh movement and used to write against Jamaat-Shibir and war criminals on different blogs under the pseudonym Thaba Baba, was hacked to death near his Mirpur house in the capital on February 15, 2013.

On December 31, 2015, a Dhaka court handed down death penalty to the duo while handing down different terms in jail to the six persons, including chief of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), for killing Rajib.

Among the jailed convicts, ABT chief Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, 45, was awarded five-year jail term as he was found guilty of provoking Rajib`s murder through his sermons.

Five other convicts -- Maksudul Hasan alias Anik, Ehsan Reza Rumman, Nafis Imtiaz, Nayem Sikdar Irad and Sadman Yasir Mahmud -- were also students of a private university in 2013.

The convicts, except Rana, have filed separate appeals with the High Court, challenging their sentences awarded by the trial court.

While passing the verdict, the court said there is no scope to reduce the sentences of the convicts in this case as the Rajib killing incident is so horrendous.

The High Court bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Md. Jahangir Hossain came up with the verdict after hearing the death reference and appeals filed by the convicts.

In January this year, the court kept its verdict pending after concluding hearings of the death references and appeals, the bdnews24.com reported.

The Detective Branch pressed charges against ABT chief Rahmani and seven North South University (NSU) students in January 2014 in the case filed by the slain blogger`s father.

The trial began in March that year after the court indicted the eight.

On December 31, 2016, a speedy trial tribunal found all of them guilty of the charges levelled against them.

The death row convicts were also fined 30,000 taka, while convict Hasan Anik received a life term along with a fine of 10,000 taka. An added year of imprisonment had also been ordered upon failure to pay the fine.

Jail terms of ten years each were awarded to Nayeem Irad and Nafij Imtiaj along with a fine of 5,000 taka.

Convict Saddam Yasir Mahmud has got three years in jail while militant leader Mufti Rahmani got a five-year prison term.

The police have found ABT responsible for the deaths of several other writers, bloggers and activists of the Ganajagaran Mancha.

The verdict on Rajib`s murder is the first among these cases.
New Delhi: Indian auto industry will need to seek clarity from "other influencers" like the Supreme Court or NGT on health related issues in future and not just the government as things are "getting more complicated" here, according to Mercedes-Benz.

The German luxury car maker also said the Supreme Court ban of BS-III vehicles is a lesson to be learnt by the industry to avoid recurrence of similar confusion when BS-VI norm is implemented in 2020.

"We are realising that even if you obey everything strictly by the law that does not mean that the Supreme Court or any other body like the NGT cannot bring up issues that are pertinent and impact health in a negative way," Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Roland Folger told PTI.

However, Folger said he was "positively surprised" by the ban on BS-III vehicles as it proved the company's "point that there will be a heightened level of awareness about environmental issues".

Seeking positives from the apex court's decision, he said: "I think that learning from this when we look forward to 2020 for the introduction of BS-VI, we cannot rely only on policy. I think that is the biggest learning from this issue."

In the past, it was predominantly between the government and policy makers that the industry had to associate with, which has now changed, he said.

"It is getting more complicated that you have to think more ahead of time and you cannot only take the indication from the government only...We need to seek clarity from other influencers now, whether that is the Supreme Court or the NGT. That is the biggest lesson learned for us," Folger said.

Calling for self introspection in the industry after the BS-III ban, he said: "If somebody else isn't asking the question we have to ask these questions beforehand. We have to come clear and clarify these points when we bring this issue forward."

With the apex court putting health concerns on priority, he said: "It encourages us to think ahead towards the future that with the same kind of forward planning, BS-VI will happen and our vehicles will be in place ahead of time."

He, however, added: "For future changes, we hope any ambiguity related to the implementation of BS VI norms shall be clarified within the required time-frame, for the successful introduction of BS-VI norms, which will be financially and technically more challenging."

Last week, observing that health of the people is "far, far more important" than the commercial interests of the manufacturers, the Supreme Court banned sales of BS-III vehicles in the country from April 1. The ban impacted over 8 lakh vehicles.
Game 2

SEALED IT! PV Sindhu has her maiden India Open Super Series title, and that too in some style. She defeats Spain's Carolina Marin 21-19, 21-16.

Sindhu on match point. 20-16.

Sindhu's review at 19-13 waisted but she is still leading at 19-14. A matter of two points now.

17-13 to Sindhu. She again has a 5-point advantage. Marin not looking like her usual self.

Marin fighting back. The lead has now been cut short to 2 points. 15-13 it is.

Marin giving points away rather easily. Sindhu now has a 5-point cusion. 14-9 is the score.

Plenty of unforced errors costing Carolina Marin the points. Sindhu now has a 4-point lead at break in second game. 11-7 it is.

Marin warned for taking too much time between points. Sindhu leads 8-7 in Game 2.

The Indian shuttler stealing most of her points by playing around the net as her Spanish counterpart seems to be facing some trouble handling her opponents close-net shots. 7-5 reads the scoreline.

Sindhu has a 2-point cusion for now. The scoreline reads 6-4.

What a rally it was! Marin seals two back-to-back points to put the score 4-2.

Sindhu again has early advantage over Marin. 4-0 reads the scoreline.

Game 1: It is the Indian PV Sindhu who came out as the winner of the first game, winning 21-19.

Sindhu on Game point of first game. 20-19 it is.

Marin moved into lead for the first time but Sindhu forced her out to get the score back level. The Spanish did review the call though! 18-18 it is.

It is closer than expected. Marin with body line smashes to keep the score level. 17-17.

The score is level for the first time in this game. 16-16.

Marin not giving anything away with ease. 16-15 the score stands with Sindhu in lead.

Neck-to-neck it is! Sindhu still carrying advantage though. The score reads 15-13 with the Indian shuttler in lead.

After the break, Sindhu grabs 2 points while Marin gets 1. It's 13-10 to the Indian.

Sindhu has a 2-point advantage at mid-point of Game 1. She sealed the point with an exquisite smash. 11-9 it is.

Marin, despite her exceptional ability to cover ground made to to hard work by the Indian. 9-7 it is to Sindhu.

Sindhu grabs a point after giving away 3 to Marin. 7-4 it is.

Two consecutive points to the Spanish Marin. Sindhu leads 6-3.

Sindhu with a 5-1 lead at this early stage of the Game 1. Marin cannot be discounted though.

Marin has the first point and Sindhu forced her wide to grab the second one. It is 1-1.

18:40 IST: Here's the most awaited match for the day - Women's Singles Final between Carolina Marin and PV Sindhu

18:30 IST: Fernaldi G. M./Sukamuljo S lift Men's Doubles title, defeating Fernaldi G M/Sukamuljo S 21-11, 21-15. Up next is PV Sindhu vs Carolina Marin.

17:40 IST: Danish Shuttler Viktor Axelsen emerges victorious defeats Chou Tien Chen to lift Men's Singles title.

17:10 IST: Two more matches to go before the big one begns. First up is the Men's Singles final.

16:50 IST: Lu Kai-Yaqiong beat Siwai-Qingchen 22-24, 21-14,21-17 to clinch India Open Mixed doubles title.

16:42 IST: Third set currently underway between Zheng/Chen and Lu/Huang and PV Sindhu was spotted making her way on the court, much to the delight of home fans.

15:30 IST: After the prize distribution ceremony of the Women's Doubles event, Mixed Doubled final will be played between all-Chinese pairs of Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen and Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong.

15:25 IST: We have got day's first result. In the all-Japanese Women's Doubles final, Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto defeated compatriots Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao in three grueling games 16-21 21-19 21-10. The match lasted one hour and 12 minutes.

New Delhi: Badminton fans, get yourself ready for yet another PV Sindhu-Carolina Marin slugfest.

The women's singles final in the 2017 India Open Super Series will witness two of the grittiest players on the BWF tour, and today's match-up only re-enforces the fact that the world needs not be worried when there are no Chinese finalists in a big tournament.

Yesterday, Olympic champion Spaniard Marin made short work of world number two Akane Yamaguchi in the first semi-final, winning the match in straight games 21-16, 21-14 in 40 minutes. But the Indian ace survived a grueling three-game match to defeat world number four Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea. The match lasted one hour 12 minutes, with the Rio Olympics silver medallist winning 21-18, 14-21, 21-14.

Here's everything you need to know about the title clash:

Head to head: Marin leads Sindhu in head to head, with the Spaniard winning five of the eight matches. Sindhu won the first meeting in 2011, then Marin won the next three meetings.

In 2015, Sindhu beat Marin at Denmark Open in three games. It was followed by Marin victories in Hong Kong Open and that heart-breaking Rio Olympics final.

But Sidhu beat Marin in their last meeting in straight games last December at Dubai World Superseries Finals.

Who is Carolina Marin, by the way?

She is Rafael Nadal of women's badminton. No exaggeration here. Like her more famous compatriot, Marin never gives up. That one simple aspect of her game makes up majority of her technical deficiencies, and there too, she hardly gets a flaw. Meaning, she is just about unbeatable. Kind of 'Girl Nadal', a epithet she loves to the core.

Besides, she screams. According to her, that makes her a nagging opponent for everyone.

She is only 23, and already achieved everything a badminton can hope for. In fact, she is a trend-setter in the non-Chinese market, with many a first on her name.

According to BWF, she has played 347 matches, winning 264 to have a 'balance' of +181, as against Sindhu's +116. The 21-year-old Indian has played 302 matches, winning 209.

Date: April 2 (Sunday)

Time: Coverage starts at 14:00 IST. Sindhu-Marin match expected at around 17.30 PM IST

Place: Siri Fort Sports Complex, New Delhi

TV Listing: Star Sports Network

Online Listing: Hotstar
Mumbai: Banker Uday Kotak feels there will be strong consolidation in the financial services sector and eventually only five players will dominate the space just like in the global space.

"Globally, in most countries, there are only three to five large banks which dominate. This is how the future will be in our country as well," Kotak, vice-chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank, told PTI in an interview over the weekend here.

India will be no exception to this global trend of having a few dominating players, he added.

When asked about the names of banks which will dominate the domestic banking space, Kotak declined to specify the names but said State Bank of India will be one among them.

"The rest who knows? Can't say anything about ourselves but each of us will have to do our bit to get ourselves onto the high table. You just can't take it for granted," he said.

Kotak, whose bank is widely speculated to be interested in buyouts, acknowledged that consolidation is something his bank is interested in.

"We are open to change that is bold and that can be game-changing in the financial services industry," he said, but quickly added that there is nothing to announce now.

The board of the bank last week decided to raise over Rs 5,300 crore by diluting 3.3 per cent of the promoters holding, for pursuing a host of opportunities, including consolidation.

When asked if his bank which completed an integration with ING Vysya Bank, is ready for another such exercise, Kotak replied in the positive.

"Do you think we are fatigued? We are alive and kicking, and have learnt a lot from the merger. That does not mean we are rushing into a merger but we are always open and keep our eyes and ears open for consolidation," he said.

He said the share of private sector lenders should eventually grow beyond the present 25 per cent or thereabout.

"Competition may be from government banks, new players. You have to be alert, agile and paranoid," he said.

Kotak also made a strong pitch for having norms on "bank mortality", underlining that not all the players who enter due to liberal rules can't make it commercially, and should thus be given exit options.

"That is a big issue. Who is thinking about mortality in banking? We have to see in the long-term how it happens. As you make entry easier, mortality always have to be thought about," Kotak said.

When asked about if e-wallets will succeed, Kotak said, "to some of those models, you need to ask the question- how will you get stickiness and ultimately monetise?"

Advocating a faster push on growth, Kotak said he is getting the vibes of an uptick in growth.

"Macroeconomic stability, now combined with political stability, is a very big plus for the country to embark faster on the growth side. This is our opportunity," he said.

When pointed to the continuing reluctance of private sector to invest since the past three years now, Kotak said, "we need to be bold and get the animal spirits back. We will get it back, people should feel excited to invest."

He said a newer breed of entrepreneurs will emerge and the "historical Lalas" will change.

On whether government can meet divestment targets and if the markets will continue to rally, he said the present bullishness in the capital markets will help government achieve the aggressive divestment plans in fiscal 2018.

On his expectations from the forthcoming monetary policy review, Kotak said he expects the apex bank to go in for a status quo at the next week's review.
New Delhi: Chancellor of the Exchequer and Member of Parliament Philip Hammond will be on a two-day official visit to India beginning on April 5 to carry forward the relationship between both sides.

In tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, Hammond will set out how the UK is perfectly placed to become New Delhi's leading finance partner.

The Chancellor is leading a high-level business delegation including Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney, Commercial Secretary Baroness Neville-Rolfe and International Trade Minister Mark Garnier for talks in Delhi and Mumbai.

This visit is part of the annual UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and the Chancellor's delegation includes some of the UK's most experienced leaders in financial services and some of Britain's most exciting FinTech entrepreneurs.

The UK is already the world's largest exporter of financial services and the leading centre for FinTech.

India's ambitious growth aspirations require it to develop its financial infrastructure and tap into global investors, with estimates suggesting that it needs over $1.5 trillion of capital in infrastructure investment alone in the coming years.

The UK and London are, therefore, perfectly placed to be India's partner of choice to raise the finance it needs to deliver on its plans.

During his visit, he will also recognise the major opportunities for collaboration for British Fintech firms specifically as India continues its drive towards a society less dependent on cash, using technology to increase access to banking and finance for everyone.

This ongoing push across India means that its finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with new payment firms, small finance banks and insurance players entering the field.?

This shift presents enormous opportunities for the UK to work much more closely with India's own exciting Fintech sector and for that reason, this week's visit includes some of the UK's most exciting new Fintech firms, such as TransferWise and World First - who are actively looking to expand their activities and interest with India.

The UK and India already share strong links in these areas. Almost 80 percent of all masala bonds have been issued in London.

British firm Standard Chartered, which employs over 18,000 people in India, recently sponsored a new Chevening Scholarship programme between the two countries. This will see eight top Indian leaders of the future attend an intensive course in financial services in London this year.
PMs polls-in-2-phases proposal faces objection

Amid talks about major parties pushing for May 14 local level elections even if the Madhes-based parties refuse to participate, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is learnt to have proposed polls in two phases, facing a backlash from his own coalition partners as well as the main opposition.
London: The UK will launch a new specialist team of counter-terrorism experts aimed at tackling the "threat" of extremism in the country's prisons.

The 100-strong task force, to be announced on Monday, will train staff on how to deter offenders from being radicalised and advice jails on how to deal with dangerous prisoners.

"Extremism is a danger to society and a threat to public safety. It is right we come together to bolster our response to the threats posed by radicalisation behind bars, and give our hard-working staff the skills and knowledge they need to keep our prisons and communities safe," said Sam Gyimah, the UK's prisons minister.

"This new team will lead this strand of important work to help combat and defeat terrorist threats posed by offenders in the prison estate and in the community. By countering the poisonous and repugnant activities of extremists, we will help ensure the safe running of our prisons and keep the public safe," he said.

The squad will have its "strategy centre" in London, with a number of specialist teams in regions around the UK.

The idea was included in a White Paper put out to consultation in November 2016.

"Extremism in prison endangers prisoners and staff, encourages criminal behaviour and terrorism, and undermines the proper functioning of the justice system," it read.

"Tackling extremism in prison requires dealing with a wide range of offenders, from highly motivated terrorists convicted of extremely serious offences, to prisoners who may be vulnerable or susceptible to extremist ideology," it added.

The new task force jointly formed between HM Prison and Probation Service and the Home Office ? will work closely with police and other enforcement agencies.

Other measures already taken include an instruction to governors to ban extremist literature and remove anyone from communal worship who is promoting anti-British beliefs or other dangerous views.
Jind (Haryana): At least 12 dead bodies have been recovered after the closure of the Bhakra Canal. The bodies were recovered near Narwana in Haryana's Jind district.

The police is suspecting that the corpse have come from Punjab as the water of this canal flows from the state.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Police has informed their counterparts in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab about the incident and asked for the list of missing persons.

The investigation in the matter is underway.

The recovered bodies have been kept in the Narwana Civil hospital.
Shimla: Expressing solidarity with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, against whom a chargesheet was filed in a Delhi court over graft charges, six ministers in his cabinet on Sunday rejected the opposition BJP`s demands for his resignation.

The people in the state and the Congress, in particular, would not tolerate attempts of BJP leaders to tarnish the image of Virbhadra Singh and destabilise the democratically elected government, a statement by the ministers, including Vidya Stokes and Mukesh Agnihotri, said.

They advised the BJP leaders -- two former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar and Suresh Bhardwaj -- to refrain from issuing misleading statements as the Congress would not bow down to their pressure tactics.

The ministers said Virbhadra Singh was a six-time Chief Minister and was not going to be un-nerved by the threats and pressure tactics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The statement comes in the wake of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filing a chargesheet before Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal in Delhi against Virbhadra Singh and others for allegedly amassing assets worth around Rs 10 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income.

The Delhi High Court earlier on Friday dismissed the plea of the Chief Minister and his wife seeking to quash an FIR registered by the CBI against them.

Goyal, who was scheduled to take cognisance of the CBI`s final report in the case, on Saturday fixed April 3 for consideration of the chargesheet filed by the CBI against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and others.

The CBI has booked the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with abetment and forgery and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its report, the CBI has cited around 220 witnesses to support its allegations.

"Everybody is aware that false and fabricated cases were made against Virbhadra Singh in the past also but every time he had come out clean from the courts," the ministers said.
New Delhi: Branding former Uttar Pradesh chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's photograph on ration cards during the Samajwadi Party's regime as "cheap politics", the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday asserted that any social program should be not used for political purpose.

Speaking to ANI here, BJP leader S. Prakash said, "A public utility service provided at the tax pace amount featuring Akhilesh Yadav's photograph on the ration is misleading and a cheap politics on the part of Samajwadi Party during their regime.

Prakash further stated that now after the change of hands in the government in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has taken great initiative of replacing the ration card which will be without any photograph.

"Claiming credit is different but putting photo on the ration cards is unacceptable," he added.

Earlier, on Saturday, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh decided to roll back lakhs of ration cards having Akhilesh Yadav's photo which were not been distributed.

The Uttar Government has also decided to cancel some 3.4 crore ration cards that were distributed before the Election Commission announced poll dates.

The new Aadhaar-linked ration cards will also have silicon chips and barcodes. It will also have details of the beneficiary, the report said.

Till the new cards are made and distributed, the beneficiaries will be given paper-slips for the purpose of ration.
New Delhi [India]: Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Tajinder Bagga on Sunday filed a complaint against senior lawyer and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan for his 'derogatory' tweet against Lord Krishna.

Speaking to ANI, Bagga said it is Bhushan's habit to make these kinds of statements for cheap publicity.

"This is not the first time that he (Prashant Bhushan) has given these kinds of statements. At times he says Kashmir should be given to Pakistan and at times he gives statements on Bharatiya Sena and then at times he says the Bharatiya Sena rapes. Then he alleges that the Bharatiya Sena thrashes the innocents," he added.

Bagga said in his police complaint, he has mentioned that Bhushan has hurt religious sentiments and demanded a probe in this regard.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said crores of Indians are hurt today by Bhushan's statement, adding that the latter must tender an apology.

"It is very unfortunate. Today, crores of Indians are hurt by the usage of words Prashant Bhushan ji has used for Lord Krishna. You will perceive God the way your mentality directs you to. I am hurt to see such an eminent lawyer saw such a thing in Lord Krishna. He should apolgise," he told ANI.

While the debate against Yogi Adityanath's controversial 'anti-Romeo squad' continues, Bhushan jumped into the fray by calling Lord Krishna an "eve teaser".

Romeo loved just one lady,while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser.Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes AntiKrishna squads? https://t.co/IYslpP0ECv April 2, 2017



Later, Bhushan clarified his remarks by saying:

My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

We have grown up with legends of young Krishna teasing Gopis.The logic of Romeo squad would criminalise this.Didnt intend to hunt sentiments  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017

On Saturday, three policemen were suspended after a video of some persons shaving the head of a youth, who was roaming with a female friend, in their presence went viral on social media.

The incident took place on March 22 after the residents of South City Colony called police on finding a youth and a girl roaming around together.

The Yogi Adityanath Government has issued clear directions to police and administration to ensure that youngsters are not troubled unnecessarily in the name of curbing eve-teasing and action is taken against self-proclaimed "anti-Romeo" squads indulging in moral policing.
Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala, at least 400 CRPF jawans posted at Pallipuram in Thiruvananthapuram fell ill due to suspected food poisoning yesterday evening.

While nearly 200 jawans were admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, the rest were treated at various other hospitals following complaints of upset stomach and vomiting after consuming food. Most of the jawans have been discharged.

Talking to media, Medical College superintendent said the situation is not alarming. State Health Minister K K Shylaja visited them at the hospital last night.

Most of the jawans were trainees who had come from different parts of the nation, and it is being said that those who consumed the fish during the dinner fell ill.
Allahabad: The government would appoint facilitation officers in 200 districts of the country where cases older than 10 years are pending in court, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday.

These officers would help the poor people coordinate with the government and the courts and work towards getting their cases heard in fast-track courts, he said.

Addressing a function to mark 150 years of the Allahabad High Court, Prasad said there are around 2.5 lakh common service centres (CSCs) in the country which are run by women and youth where PAN cards, Aadhaar cards are made and other digital services are provided.

"We will train people and attach them with CSC. There are poor people who need justice and they should get proper legal advice before the hearing of a case.

"We are working towards that and begin with 200 common service centres in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as pilot projects," he said.

The minister said in the phase-II of e-computing, the district law service authorities would be computerised.

Prasad exhorted those involved in the legal profession to help the government in achieving its objectives by devoting their time and energy in cases "that may be pro bono and may not bring publicity".

"We will soon launch a web portal and request registered lawyers, who want to work for those in need of justice, to volunteer in the project.

"Working with NALSAR (A Hyderbad-based premier Law University), we will create a database of the people who are in need of justice. And, I am happy to inform you all that UNDP has accepted to work as interface between those seeking justice and those providing legal help," Prasad said.

There are nearly 5,000 vacancies in the subordinate judiciary. There are as many as 2.7 crore cases pending in subordinate courts, and 38.7 lakh cases pending in the high courts.

While the appointments in the higher judiciary have been delayed over the tussle between the Centre and the Supreme Court collegium over Memorandum of Procedure, the Centre has often faulted the judiciary over the vacancies in lower courts.
Allahabad: PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Sunday attended the closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations on Sunday. Here is everything they said at the event.

- Technology is playing a big role in this century and I see technology having a big scope in the judiciary as well: PM

- Over 1200 obsolete laws have been scrapped by the Government since May 2014: PM

- Let us think about the India we want to create when we mark 75 years of freedom in 2022. Let every citizen prepare that roadmap: PM

- Gandhi Ji was special because he integrated everything he did, be it cleanliness or Khadi, with the freedom of India: PM

-Those associated with the legal profession played a vital role in the freedom struggle & protected our people against colonialism: PM

- The Allahabad HC is like a 'Tirtha Kshetra' for our judiciary: PM

- PM Narendra Modi is speaking at closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations

FULL VIDEO of closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations

- Law is always bigger than any ruler: UP CM

- Democracy can be strengthened only is law and order is robust: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

- UP CM Yogi Adityanath addressing the closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations

- PM Modi at the closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations; UP Governor, UP CM & Chief Justice of India also present

PM Modi at the closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations; UP Governor, UP CM & Chief Justice of India also present pic.twitter.com/Xmny7GGNmF  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2017

- PM Modi arrives in Allahabad to attend closing ceremony of Allahabad High Court's 150th year celebrations
Allahabad: Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Allahabad High Court's 150th anniversary on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the institution as the 'Tirtha Kshetra' and said that the use of IT in the judiciary would considerably help expedite delivery of justice.

"The government wants that the judicial system of our country makes full use of information and communication technology. This should be given priority," Modi said, adding, "This can help save a lot of time and money."

He said that his government would extend all necessary support to the judiciary in order to help reduce pendency of cases in courts.

He also encouraged the use of video conferencing facility in courts for the undertrials, witnesses and officials which he said would help prevent wastage of time and money.

"I assure the chief justice that government will back his 'sankalp' (resolve) to bring down the burden on the judiciary and reduce pendency of cases," the prime minister said.

"So many precious hours of officials, which should have been spent doing administrative tasks, gets used up in travelling to far-off places to appear in courts. This can be obviated through video-conferencing," he said.

The Prime Minister noted that security concerns associated with physical production of undertrials in courts could be addressed by use of video conferencing.

Many unfortunate incidents have taken place in Uttar Pradesh during transportation of undertrials to courts but with Yogi Adityanath as chief minister, there may be a drop in such incidents, Modi remarked, evoking peals of laughter.

The PM recalled that during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls campaign he had said that he would abolish archaic laws if elected and the government has now done away with 1,200 redundant laws.

"It is in the interest of justice that the people of the country are liberated from this huge, complicated tangle of laws," he said.

Quoting the address of the then president S Radhakrishnan at the centenary celebrations of the high court five decades back, Modi said every law must ensure justice and welfare of all, not just the rich and this principle remains relevant.

Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the need of judging every action on the touchstone of how it would affect the poorest of the poor and this should be the intention behind every law made, the PM said.

During his address, he appealed to the judiciary, government officials and the people to make 2022, the 75th year of Independence, a target year to take the country to greater heights.

At the function, he paid tributes to the contributions of people with legal background including the Mahatma and Jawaharlal Nehru who had put the need for Independence in the mind and hearts of the people.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Justice Khehar raised the issue of pendency of cases in courts including in the Supreme Court, and the shortage of judges, and said he was taking steps to reduce the burden on the judiciary.

The CJI asked the judges to consider sitting in courts for five days during vacation to clear at least 10 cases each day and bring down the pendency.

"This way thousands of small matters like matrimonial disputes and mediation cases can be settled and arrears of cases brought down" he said and referred to a system of court management under which pendency of cases in Malaysia had been brought down to one-fifth.

He said three constitution benches will sit during this summer vacation to help reduce the arrears in the apex court.

Justice Khehar recalled the contribution of legal luminaries like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Tej Bahadur Sapru and KN Hegde.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the gathering the government is committed to complete independence of the judiciary.

He asked lawyers to volunteer to help the poor get access to justice and highlighted the steps being taken by the Centre to reduce pendency, including minimising litigation by the State and meeting the long-standing demand of filling up vacant posts of judges.

"The Prime Minister has said that the government is committed to independence of the judiciary and that it should be complete," he said.

He said that to reduce arrears in courts, the government is setting up 'sahayata kendras' (facilitation centres) that would be devoted to speedy disposal of such cases as may have been pending for 10 years or more.

"A pilot project for legal aid was being launched for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," the minister said.

Prasad exhorted those involved in the legal profession to help the government in achieving its objectives by devoting their time and energy in cases "that may be pro bono and may not bring publicity".

The minister said that the process is on for finalising a national litigation policy.

"Already, I have at the direction of the Prime Minister written to chief ministers of states and my colleagues in the Union Council of Ministers to ensure that the number of cases filed by the government is reduced as far as possible.

"There has been a long-standing demand for filling up of vacant posts of judges. That too will be taken care of," Prasad said.

There are nearly 5,000 vacancies in the subordinate judiciary and the pendency. There are as many as 2.7 crore cases pending in subordinate courts, and 38.7 lakh cases pending in the high courts.

Hailing the contribution of advocates in the freedom struggle, the Minister said luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Rajendra Prasad had set an ideal of "kaabil vakil, tyaagi neta" (competent lawyer, sacrificing leader) which all ought to follow.

Prasad also recalled landmark judgements passed by the Allahabad High Court, including the one whereby the election of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi was set aside.

Another key verdict way back in 1901 had held that a widow was entitled to receive maintenance, he said.

"I was myself privileged to be a counsel in yet another landmark case - the Ayodhya title dispute. I do not wish to speak about this case much since an appeal challenging the High Court order is pending before the Supreme Court," he added.

In his speech, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lauded the role played by the judicial system in maintaining the balance of power.

The gathering was also attended by UP and West Bengal governors Ram Naik and K N Tripathi, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale, UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and members from the legal fraternity.

(With PTI inputs)
Part of what we should be able to do at RNZ is make use of opportunities to champion and celebrate new writing and new young writers, says RNZs commissioning editor of drama and readings Adam Macaulay. RNZ is very proud to be part of this collaboration with the IIML. Its exciting projects like this that make RNZ different in an increasingly amorphous and sadly uniform media environment.
Rhino killer arrested after 7 years

A team of Chitwan National Park (CNP) arrested a person involved in rhino poaching on Friday. The person identified as Durga Rana Magar of Koluwa-3, Nawalparasi is a notorious kingpin involved in rhino poaching and smuggling of rhino horn.
New Delhi: Four DU students, who followed Union minister Smriti Irani's car in Lutyens Delhi in an "inebriated" state, have been arrested .

The 4 students have been arrested for allegedly stalking and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Till Saturday night, they were detained but later they were arrested for allegedly stalking and using words and gestures to outrage the modesty of a woman, police said.

They will be produced in a court on Sunday.

What happened actually?

- A PCR call was received around 5 PM that four youths in a car were indulging in "unwanted action", said a senior police officer.

- A call was received from the minister's staff on Saturday that the youths were trying to overtake her vehicle near Moti Bagh flyover and their actions were unwanted.

- With the help of PCR van, the car was intercepted near the US Embassy.

- The four youths were apprehended and taken into custody.

'They consumed alcohol'

Their medical examination was carried out and it was found that they had consumed alcohol.

They stay in a PG in Vasant village and had liquor at a friend's birthday party.

After the party, they were driving around for fun on Saturday evening.
Kolkata: South India was the most affected as the indefinite strike called by truck owners to protest mainly against the proposed 50 per cent hike in the third party insurance premium entered the second day on Sunday.

"Lorries are not going to southern states from other parts of the country. Trucks which have national permit have been diverted.. .All south India bound trucks and lorries have stopped. And there is no movement from south India also," All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) President S.K. Mittal told IANS over phone.

AIMTC is the apex body of truck operators in the country.

He said the response from other parts of the country was also "good".

Mittal claimed the situation could turn for the worse as LPG gas carriers and tankers are set to join the strike from Monday.

All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners` Association (ACOGOA) president Channa Reddy said apart from south India, the strike has evoked a "great response" from the eastern states as well.

"The strike is continuing. There is virtually no truck movement to and from south India. In North India also truck movement is paralysed because of this," Reddy told IANS over phone.

The South India Motor Transport Association and South Zone Motor Transporters` Welfare Association (SZMTWA) had gone for the indefinite strike from Thursday and All India Confederation of Goods Vehicles Owners` Association (ACOGOA) joined the protests from Saturday.

In Maharashtra, the effect was "partial".

In a bid to resolve the stand-off, the strikers will meet Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Chairman on Monday, and take a decision on whether to continue with the agitation based on the discussions with the regulator.

"Officials of the Ministries of Road Transport, Highways and Finance will also be present at the Hyderabad meeting on Monday," said Mittal.

The third party premium for automobiles is decided by IRDAI while all other premium rates are decided by the insurers - private and government-owned. Fleet owners normally go only for third party policies and take care of the damages to vehicles on their own.

Truck owners are also demanding reinstatement of tariff advisory committee and protesteing against fines proposed in the Motor Vehicles Act amendment.

Mittal said truckers have been demanding category wise real time data from the insurance regulator but this has not been provided so far.

"Lorries whose insurance premium is due, are noo renewing it, as they are opposed to the sharp and arbitrary increase in the premium," he said.

In West Bengal, rows of trucks were stranded at various points, across the state. There was no loading and unloading of goods. There were fears that the strike could lead to severe shortage of fish, vegetables and fruits, triggering a price increase.

According to Mittal, the total number of trucks in India is around 94 lakhs.
New Delhi: Amid apprehensions raised by some political parties over the functioning of EVMs, the BJP said on Sunday that the party has full faith in the Election Commission.

Reacting to the complaints made by the Congress and the AAP over the functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs), BJP's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav rejected the charge of tampering and said the machines are kept in the custody of district magistrates.

"We lost in a state like Punjab which was ruled by the BJP-Akali Dal alliance, while the Samajwadi Party lost in Uttar Pradesh. In both cases, EVMs were with the district magistrate. We have full faith in the Election Commission," Yadav told reporters at the party headquarters.

The AAP and the Congress had yesterday lodged a complaint with the poll panel following media reports that VVPAT deployed for an assembly bypoll was only dispensing slips of the BJP symbol during a demonstration exercise in Bhind in Madhya Pradesh.

BSP supremo Mayawati had earlier raised questions over the infallibility of EVMs after her party's poor show in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.
Srinagar: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday urged the youths in Kashmir valley not to go near the encounter sites as it was akin to playing with fire.

"I would not like the children to go to encounter sites, it is not good and I am not in this favour that children rush to the encounter sites. Obviously, it is akin to playing with fire," he told reporters.

He said whenever there is a gunbattle between the security forces and the militants, people can be caught in crossfire if they go near the encounter sites.

"Whether he is an elderly person, youngster or a child, he will face loss in the crossfire. I am not a proponent of this, because our children could fall victims to the bullets," Azad said, after addressing a joint rally of the Congress and National Conference at Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir's Kulgam district which falls under Anantnag Parliamentary constituency.

The Congress leader said he would pray to Allah that the situation remains peaceful in the state because whenever it deteriorates the poor are the most affected lot, as their bread and butter depends on tourism.

"When situation is not peaceful, then tourists do not come here. So, those associated with the tourism sector becomes unemployed, at a time when unemployment in our state is at its peak," he said.

Referring to the bypolls, the Congress leader said that the NC and Congress, which have entered into a seat sharing arrangement, would win both the parliamentary seats.

Congress'G A Mir is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat while NC chief Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

"We will win both the seats and fight the BJP resiliently because in the Rajya Sabha we have our voice but in the Lok Sabha there is no voice of Opposition from Jammu and Kashmir.

"In Lok Sabha, there are around 350 members of the government. So, if we want that the voice of Jammu and Kashmir people reverberates in Parliament, both of the opposition members should get elected," he said.

Earlier, addressing the rally, Azad urged the people of south Kashmir to ensure the victory of the JK Congress Committee chief, as it would amount to unifying secular forces in the State.

Claiming that the secular fabric of the country as well as of the state was in "great danger", Azad said there was a need to take effective measures to fight the menace of RSS.

The Congress general secretary said the upcoming by-polls is an opportunity for the people to safeguard their interests.

"Efforts are being made to harm the age-old tradition of brotherhood and harmony, but Congress is capable enough to defeat the forces hell bent upon harming the secular fabric of the country," he said.

Azad claimed that there was "mass discontent" among the people due to the government's misrule and mismanagement of the situation in the Valley.

"As a result, people in the entire valley are living in great fear," he said, blaming the ruling dispensation for deep alienation among the people.
Udhampur (J&K): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the country's longest road tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it the longest leap for development, as he rallied behind the youth to join hands in nation building.

He said terrorism profited no one but only bled Kashmir, asking the youth to choose tourism over terrorism so that the state could achieve new heights.

He again invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's slogan of 'Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat (Kashmirism, democracy and humanity)' and said it will be the "prime motto" in moving ahead "with harmony, with brotherhood, with strong will and determination for the brighter future of the youth" and "no obstacle can stop us".

Modi, who was on a brief visit here to inaugurate the country's longest road tunnel between Kashmir and Jammu, used the occasion to tell the stone-pelters of the valley that stones can be used for better purposes -- building infrastructure.

Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the 9-km-long 'Chenani-Nashri' tunnel, he told the Kashmiri youth that if they ignore the "invaluable tradition of sufi culture", they would "lose the present and put your future into darkness".

In a veiled manner, the Prime Minister also hit out at the rulers of Pakistan who are eyeing Kashmir, saying "they can't even take care of themselves".

He said his government was committed to ensure fast-paced development of Jammu and Kashmir, which would also tell the people living under "occupation" in the other parts of the state (PoK) how they are being destroyed.

At the event attended by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and some union and state ministers, Modi promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and sought the cooperation of the people in this regard.

"I want to tell the misguided youth of Kashmir valley, realise the power of a stone. On one hand, there are some misguided youth who pelt stones, on the other hand, there are youth from the same Kashmir who carve stones to build infrastructure," he said.

The message was clearly for the youth who indulge in stone-pelting in the Kashmir valley, a trend that is growing.

"I want to tell the Kashmiri youth, there are two paths in front of you which can determine your future -- one is tourism, the other is terrorism," he said.

"Over last 40 years, there has been lot of bloodshed. My own Valley has been blood-soaked, my Kashmir's beloved youth, my Hindustan's beloved youth. Nobody has benefitted from this bloodshed," the Prime Minister emphasised.

He said if the people of Kashmir had devoted the same 40 years to development of tourism, the valley would have been blessed with tourism of world class.

Describing as "fate line" the all-weather tunnel which will reduce the journey time from 2 hours to 10 minutes, he said nine such projects are planned for the state as part of infrastructure development.

"Yeh sirf infrastructure network nahi, yeh dilon ko jodne wala network hai (This is a network, not only of infrastructure, but to connect the hearts)," he said amid chants of "Modi, Modi'.

He praised Mehbooba, saying more than half of the Rs 80,000 crore central package announced over a year ago had already been spent by her government in a short span of time.

Speaking before Modi, Mehbooba asked the Prime Minister to give hope to the Kashmiri youth about creating 'New Jammu and Kashmir' since he is a "courageous" leader who does whatever he decides.

She thanked Modi for supporting her solidly last year when the state was "crossing a river of fire", a reference to the five-month-long unrest in Kashmir.

Referring to the 'Chenani-Nashri' tunnel, she said, "it will not only reduce the physical distance, but also connect the hearts and bring the Valley closer to rest of the country."

(with agency inputs)
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) has hiked the power tariff by an average of 9.48 percent for 2017-18 fiscal year.

The revised tariff will come into force from April 10.

The Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued the revised tariff following the power companies proposed for the hike.

In the Industrial category, the hike is 5.02 per cent and in the agriculture category, the hike is 13.18 per cent.

The hike in domestic consumer category, stands at 7.83 per cent whereas in the non-domestic category, the MPERC has hiked the tariff by 7.55 per cent.

In a statement, the MPERC said that it has determined the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Retail Supply Tariff for FY 2017-18 based on the ARR & Tariff Petition filed by the Distribution Licensees namely Madhya Pradesh Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited (East Discom), Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited (West Discom) and Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited (Central Discom), and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL).
Mumbai: Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar is "well" and at home, his wife Saira Banu said on Sunday, clarifying buzz that the 94-year-old actor's health is not up to the mark.

A post from Dilip Kumar's official Twitter handle read: "Message from Saira Banu: By the grace of God, Dilip Sahab is at home and doing well. God has been very kind."

She added that the love of his family, friends and fans keeps him going.

"Sahab believes that to be surrounded by family and friends who love him unconditionally is therapy by itself. He is blessed with the prayers and love of his millions of fans, admirers, friends and well wishers. Dilip sahab himself will be back on Twitter soon, Insha'Allah," the post read further.

Last seen on the big screen in "Qila" in 1998, the actor was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

He is known for films like "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam" and "Karma".
Chennai: Former AIADMK leader R.S. Raja Kannappan has decided to extend his support to the party's faction led by former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, an official announced on Sunday

"Raja Kannappan has decided to join the Panneerselvam camp on Monday," former AIADMK parliamentarian K.C. Palaniswamy told IANS.

"Yes, I have decided to support Panneerselvam," Kannappan confirmed to IANS.

"I do not accept T.T.V. Dhinakaran's appointment as the party's Deputy General Secretary. After the death of J. Jayalalithaa in December, the party should have been handed over to the leaders who were there during founder M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa's time," Kannappan added.

According to Palaniswamy, for the Panneerselvam group Kannappan support is an advantage.

In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Kannappan lost narrowly to Congress leader P. Chidambaram.

More of the AIADMK's former ministers are expected to join the Panneerselvam group, Palaniswamy said.

Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK is split into two factions -- one led by the jailed party General Secretary V.K. Sasikala and the other led by former Chief Minister Panneerselvam.

Both the factions have fielded their candidates for the April 12, by-election from the Radhakrishnan Nagar assembly constituency.

The Election Commission has frozen the AIADMK's two-leaves symbol and the party name for the by-election.
Chennai: The ban on liquor shops abutting national and state highways has hit Tamil Nadu in a big way with closure of 3,320 outlets, more than half of the total shops run by state-owned sole retailer TASMAC.

Complying with the Supreme Court order, as many as 3,320 TASMAC outlets have been closed across the state with immediate affect, top government sources told PTI on Sunday.

Opposition parties, including DMK and PMK, have welcomed the Supreme Court judgement banning liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways from April 1.

According to TASMAC Employees State Association General Secretary Thiru Selvam, the company operated a total of 5,700 Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) outlets.

DMK Working President M K Stalin said the shops that were being shut should not be relocated in the same vicinity, adding employees, however, should not be affected.

PMK chief S Ramadoss, whose party approached the Supreme Court on the issue, claimed the state government was trying to relocate the liquor outlets that were being shut in residential areas and it was "strongly condemnable."

Asked on the relocation of shops, government sources said that the liquor outlets will be relocated without contravening the court directive.

Shutting down liquor shops and bringing total prohibition was being "pursued and done in phases" and already 1,000 shops had been closed in line with the government's policy as announced by late chief minister Jayalalithaa, they said.
Baghdad: In an airstrike, carried out by the Iraqi fighter jets against the Islamic State group outside Mosul, killed more than 100 militants.

As per a report in the Fox News, a government statement confirmed the news.

As per the statement the strikes hit three ISIS targets in Baaj, which is a remote northwestern town near the Syrian border, killing around 150-200 militants.

The officials also said that the militants had crossed over from Syria, which indictes that ISIS still enjoys free movement across the borders.
Security Council secretariat must advise govt: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the national security council secretariat to monitor whether the national security policy, 2073 has been independently and impartially implemented.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings.

May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes."

Her comments came as Spain pledged it would not close its border post-Brexit with the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain.

On matters of trade, the European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover Gibraltar.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office.

"The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added.

"We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process."

British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away".

"Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar."

"The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today."

The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Spain said today it had no post-Brexit plans to close its border with the territory, which depends on the crossing for much of its supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.
London: President Donald Trump's free speech defense in a lawsuit in which he is accused of inciting violence against protesters during his campaign, has been flatly rejected by a federal judge.

Trump's lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by three protesters who say they were roughed up by Trump supporters at a March 2016 campaign rally in Louisville, reports the Guardian.

Trump's lawyers have claimed that when the candidate said "Get 'em out of here", he didn't intend for his supporters to use force.

Two women and a man say they were shoved and punched by audience members as Trump directed them from the podium. Much of the scuffle was captured on video and widely broadcast during the presidential campaign.

Judge David J Hale in Louisville ruled on Friday that the suit against Trump, his campaign and three of his supporters can proceed.

He ruled that there was sufficient evidence supporting allegations that the injuries sustained by the protesters' were a "direct and proximate result" of Trump's actions.

"It is plausible that Trump's direction to 'get 'em out of here' advocated the use of force," Hale wrote.
New Delhi: The Sri Lankan Navy apprehend six Indian fishermen near Nainatheevu for allegedly having cocaine and confiscated one boat.

The Navy personnel recovered 13.5 kg of cocaine from the possession of the fishermen.

The detained fishermen have been taken to the Kangeshanthurai Naval Camp for further investigation.

Earlier on March 26, at least 12 Indian fishermen were arrested and two trawler boats were seized by the Lankan Navy from Pudukkottai and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu.
Seoul: South Korean prosecutors will interrogate ousted President Park Geun-hye who is now in preventive detention over her alleged involvement in a corruption scandal, officials said on Sunday.

A spokesperson of the Attorney General`s Office told Yonhap News Agency that Park, 65, will be questioned on Tuesday in the detention facility in southern Seoul.

The spokesperson also said that she will be questioned in prison only to avoid her going to the Seoul centre.

The Attorney General`s office has set April 19 as the deadline to press charges for her trial, although it aims at doing so by mid-April to prevent a clash with the April 17 start of an official campaign for the presidential elections.

On Friday, a Seoul Central District court judge ruled in favour of the preventive detention of Park as sought by the prosecutor`s office.

The prosecutors believe that there is sufficient evidence that Park conspired with her friend Choi Soon-sil, dubbed the "Korean Rasputin" for her influence over the former president, to create a web to take bribes from businesses, Efe news reported.

The judge and the investigators also said there was a risk of Park destroying evidence.

The prosecutors have pressed 13 charges against Park, including abuse of power, coercion, disclosure of state secrets and bribery, the last one punishable with a minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum of life imprisonment as per South Korean law.

Park, who claimed to be innocent, lost her presidential immunity on March 10 when the Constitutional Court ratified the impeachment, moved in the parliament in December.

Park`s impeachment is the first ever impeachment of a South Korean President since 1987, which has also led to early presidential election to be held on May 9.

A total of 30 people have been charged so far in the scandal, which involves 53 companies, including conglomerates such as LG, Hyundai and Samsung.
New York: Criticising Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, Senator Bernie Sanders has said that her loss revealed the need for the fundamental restructuring of the Democratic Party.

Sanders also did not agree with some Democrats believing the voters, who backed President Donald Trump, are racists, xenophobes and deplorable.

"It wasn't that Donald Trump won the election, it was that the Democratic Party lost the election," CNN quoted Sanders as saying at a progressive rally in Boston on Friday.

He suggested for fundamental restructuring of the Democratic Party, saying that people need a Democratic Party of the working class of this country and not the liberal elite.

Sanders further said that they need a party where candidates are talking to working people and not just spending their time raising money from the wealthy and the powerful.

The Senator also said that he would introduce 'Medicare-for-all' health care proposal as legislation within the next month.

"On every major point facing this country, the American people do not believe in a right-wing agenda; they believe in a progressive agenda. We've got to take that agenda to the people, Sanders said.
Seoul: Search and rescue efforts are underway to find 22 crew members of a South Korean ship that sank in the South Atlantic last week. Two sailors were safely picked up in a life raft, the Seoul government said on Sunday.

The search for the missing South Korean ship, the Stellar Daisy, began on Saturday, one day after the ship`s crew sent a text to their South Korean employer, saying their ship was sinking, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The 266,000-tonne Stella Daisy, carrying eight South Korean and 16 Filipino sailors, departed from Rio de Janeiro on March 26.

The Marshall Islands-flagged ship was sailing near Uruguay when it made the distress call, according to the Foreign Ministry here.

Seoul`s embassy in Brazil asked for assistance to find the missing crew with the Brazilian Air Force dispatching a C-130 plane to the site.

The escape raft carrying the two Filipino crew members was found drifting by commercial ships in the area.

Another raft and two powered lifeboats that can carry up to 30 people each were also discovered, but no one was on board.

Authorities said that all crew members probably were wearing their life vests.
Washington: President Donald Trump on Saturday while recommending a report from an American Media house said that a senior United States intelligence official is allegedly unmasked or exposed the names of Trump associates.

"..not associated with Russia. Trump team spied on before he was nominated." If this is true, does not get much bigger. Would be sad for U.S." tweeted Trump.

Earlier, while taking to his twitter handle Trump applauded New York Times reports showing that the former President Barack Obama's ObamaCare being on the brink of collapse.

"The failing @nytimes finally gets it - "In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for ObamaCare customers to.." tweeted Trump

On Friday, Fox reported, citing a single unnamed source, that the U.S. official was "very well known, very high up, very senior in the intelligence world."

The reports also said that the individual behind the alleged unmasking of private citizens in intelligence reports was not in an officer of FBI.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan arrived at the 9/18 polling station in the S. Spandaryan School with First Lady Rita Sargsyan.

After casting their votes, the President told reporters when he put the ballot into the box, he was thinking that there is nothing more precious than peace.

We will do everything so that there will be calm at the borders and the borders be inviolable.

Asked about their chances in the election, the President mentioned that it isnt the time for evaluating chances, its the time for receiving votes.

Photos by Mkhitar Khachatryan

Parliamentary elections in Armenia began with 2009 polling stations opened in 13 electoral districts nationwide.

The voting will end at 20:00 followed by counting of the ballots.

According to the latest data of the Police, the total number of citizens eligible to vote is 2,564,195, the number of voters without registration is 915.

The number of voters who are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals in 2001.

The number of the members of district electoral commissions is 28,277.

197 police officers have been dispatched to polling stations.

120 news agencies (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations will cover and follow the election.

9 political forces are running in the parliamentary election: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Yelk bloc, Tsarukyan bloc, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc and Congress-APP bloc.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. According to an online article, an incident happened on April 2 in Davitashens 5/17 polling station. A citizens mobile phone has been broken.

The Police HQ told ARMENPRESS the citizen contacted police and said an unknown person damaged his phone.

Police are currently clarifying the circumstances.

Materials are being prepared in the Davitashen police department on the case.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE observers positively assess the electoral process in the 9/41 polling station in Khachik Dashtents School of Yerevan as of 12:00, reports Armenpress.

We have already visited several polling stations, in general, the impressions are positive. We didnt recorded major violations yet, German observer Elvira. Drobinski said.

Petru Movila from Romania said there are some technical issues, but, overall, the electoral process is well organized. There are some difficulties for disabled people, but, in general, the process is positively organized, the OSCE observer said.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia began with 2009 polling stations opened in 13 electoral districts nationwide.

The total number of citizens eligible to vote is 2,564,195, the number of voters without registration is 915. The number of voters who are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals in 2001.

The number of the members of district electoral commissions is 28,277. 197 police officers have been dispatched to polling stations. 120 news agencies (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations will cover and follow the election.

9 political forces are running in the parliamentary election: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Yelk bloc, Tsarukyan bloc, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc and Congress-APP bloc.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Former President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who is leading the proportional list of Armenian National Congress-Peoples Party of Armenia bloc, cast his ballot in the 9/18 polling station in the No 24 Basic School after Suren Spandaryan on April 2, reports Armenpress.

After casting his vote, he told reporters he voted for fulfilling his civic duty.

Asked why the electronic devices didnt recognize his fingerprints, Levon Ter-Petrosyan said with rumor: It is due to agricultural activities. He refused to assess the works of devices, stating that after the election it will be clear how they work.

On April 2, as of 11:00, 13.32% of citizens eligible to vote took part in the voting of the parliamentary election in Armenia.

Based on the results received from 2009 polling stations, the Central Electoral Commission announces that 344.714 citizens cast their votes. According to the CEC data, 2 million 587 thousand 706 citizens are eligible to vote.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia began with 2009 polling stations opened in 13 electoral districts nationwide.

The total number of citizens eligible to vote is 2,564,195, the number of voters without registration is 915. The number of voters who are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals in 2001.

The number of the members of district electoral commissions is 28,277. 197 police officers have been dispatched to polling stations. 120 news agencies (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations will cover and follow the election.

9 political forces are running in the parliamentary election: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Yelk bloc, Tsarukyan bloc, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc and Congress-APP bloc.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. The Police of Armenia received 67 calls on electoral frauds during the campaign, Meruzhan Hakobyan  Chief of Staff of the Head of Police, told reporters in the Central Electoral Commission, reports Armenpress.

Criminal cases were filed over 2 out of 67 cases, the facts over 31 cases were not confirmed.

On April 2, as of 13:00, the Police received 24 reports on electoral frauds.

One of them related to obstructing the free exercise of electoral right of a citizen, two of them related to hooliganism, 1 related to obstructing the fulfillment of powers of a trustee of a candidate, 8 to voting instead of other person, 1 case related to violating the voting secrecy, and 11 related to other electoral frauds, Hakobyan said.

He informed that 4 out of 24 reports are at the material preparation stage, and 20 are being checked.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Viktor Vodolatski - Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Links with Compatriots, head of the Russian State Duma observer delegation, shared his opinion over Armenias parliamentary election in a meeting with reporters in Yerevan on April 2, reports Armenpress.

Our group of observers is comprised of 9 people. We have mainly toured in polling stations of Yerevan. 2 of observers will soon arrive from Gyumri and Stepanavan, he said, adding that he managed to visit 10 polling stations, and yesterday he visited Garni and Geghard to see how the election preparation works are going.

In the morning I passed the entire voting procedure with one of the grandmothers in order to understand where it will be possible to violate something and came to a conclusion that it is impossible to falsify anything, Viktor Vodolatski said.

Vodolatski doesnt think that any voter can complain over the new form of voting. I think various states will learn the elements of this new format so that to avoid complaints later. The new technique only has one problem: sometimes there are crowds since scanner recognizes with difficulty the fingerprints of elderly people. If other countries decide to apply these mechanisms, they must consider this, he said.

Vodolatski said many parties didnt clearly present the further development of Armenia-Russia relations in their programs, perhaps this is the reason that some part of the voters is confused while giving his/her vote to this party or the alliance.

He also informed that after 17:00 they will visit several polling stations and will try to communicate with the youth since they freely, openly say whom they give their votes and why.

In conclusion, Viktor Vodolatski congratulated all on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Armenian-Russian diplomatic relations which marks on April 3. We are determined positively for developing the relations between the two countries in social, cultural, economic and other spheres, he said.

9 political forces are running in the parliamentary election: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Yelk bloc, Tsarukyan bloc, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc and Congress-APP bloc.

The total number of citizens eligible to vote is 2,564,195, the number of voters without registration is 915. The number of voters who are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals in 2001.

The number of the members of district electoral commissions is 28,277. 197 police officers have been dispatched to polling stations. 120 news agencies (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations will cover and follow the election.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Edmon Marukyan, who heads the proportional list of the Yelk bloc in Armenias parliamentary election, cast his vote and urged citizens to vote for Armenias future.

He is confident that the new technologies have minimized the cases of double voting, making it almost impossible.

The news regarding violations relate to vote buying, however in Vanadzor vote buying didnt ever work and those who gave the bribes will knock their heads against the wall because they will understand that their money doesnt give result. The citizens of Armenia cannot be bought, Marukyan said.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia began with 2009 polling stations opened in 13 electoral districts nationwide.

The voting will end at 20:00 followed by counting of the ballots.

According to the latest data of the Police, the total number of citizens eligible to vote is 2,564,195, the number of voters without registration is 915.

The number of voters who are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals in 2001.

The number of the members of district electoral commissions is 28,277.

197 police officers have been dispatched to polling stations.

120 news agencies (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations will cover and follow the election.

9 political forces are running in the parliamentary election: Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Yelk bloc, Tsarukyan bloc, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian bloc and Congress-APP bloc.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. OSCE/ODIHRs and OSCE PAs observer missions of parliamentary elections cover the entire territory of Armenia, ODIHRs spokesperson Thomas Rymer told Armenpress.

Our mission covers the entire territory of the country with all the regions. We can present preliminary conclusions and records during tomorrows press conference. For now we do not want to present not complete information, Rymer said. He did not clarify the number of the observer groups, but noted that they move from one polling station to another.

Head of Administration of OSCE PAs observer mission Iryna Sabashuk also told Armenpress that their observer groups move from one polling station to another, trying to cover the entire territory of the country. Voting still goes on and our observers are still working and I cannot release any number. We regularly get information about electoral frauds. The complete information will be available during tomorrows press conference, Sabashuk said.

OSCE/ODIHR observer mission is comprised of 14 experts, 28 long term and 250 short term observers. The mission is headed by Jan Petersen from Norway. The OSCE PAs observer mission is comprised of 55 parliamentarians from 23 countries led by Jorgen Bekkevold.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. 50.93% of eligible citizens of Armenia have voted by 17:00 during the parliamentary elections, secretary of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Armen Smbatyan told the reporters. I million 310 thousand and 936 citizens out of the total 2 million 587 thousand and 706 eligible citizens have cast their votes by 17:00, Armenpress reports Smbatyan saying.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. 24 short-term observers of the PACE observe the parliamentary elections of Armenia. Spokesperson of PACEs observer mission Bogdan Torcatoriu told Armenpress that all the observers are parliamentarians. Our observer groups still visit polling stations. Possible frauds or similar information will be gathered and presented at tomorrows press conference, Torcatoriu said, adding that the PACE groups do not act on their own, but in coordination with the other international observer missions.

Spokesperson of the European Parliaments observer mission Julien Crampes told Armenpress that their mission is comprised of 12 people. They are divided into three groups visiting polling stations in the capital city, as well as in Kotayk, Ararat and Armavir Provinces. All the results and information on frauds will be gathered and presented during the joint press conference of international observers, Cramps said.

Apart from the PACE and EP, the OSCE/ODIHR, OSCE PA, CIS and CIS IPA carry out observer mission in Armenia.
YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. All the polling stations in Armenia are closed by 20:00. The parliamentary elections are over. The commissions will start counting the votes. Armenpress reports 1 million 317 thousand and 936 out of the total 2 million 587 thousand and 706 eligible citizens or 50.93% cast their vote by 17:00

The process of the National Assembly elections are covered by 120 media outlets (89 local and 31 international) and 55 observer organizations follow the process.

9 political forces compete in the parliamentary elections, the first after the Constitutional changes of 2015 transforming Armenias governance system from semi-presidential into parliamentary. 5 of the forces are parties, 4 are blocs. The Republican Party of Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Renaissance Party, Free Democrats and Communist Party of Armenia, as well as Yelk, Tsarukyan, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan and Congress-PPA coalitions are the 9 forces running for the elections.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said in a statement, "As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history...strengthening our relationships with the world's most vibrant economies is more important than ever"

British finance minister Philip Hammond will head a business delegation to India next week in an effort to boost international trade as Britain begins the process of leaving the European Union.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will be joined by International Trade Minister Mark Garnier and Bank of England governor Mark Carney for the high-level talks in New Delhi and Mumbai.

"As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history, looking to boost our trade and investment beyond the borders of Europe and strengthening our relationships with the world's most vibrant economies is more important than ever," Hammond said in a statement.

Nine months after the shock referendum vote in favour of Britain exiting the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday formally activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown for quitting the bloc.

May insists that Britain will pull out of the European single market to control EU immigration as part of her Conservative government's Brexit plans.

Britain is now looking to strike new trade deals over the coming years with non-EU countries, although it cannot do so while still a member of the bloc.

Next week's talks form part of the annual UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and Hammond's delegation will include leaders from the field of UK financial services.

India's "finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with new payment firms, small finance banks and insurance players entering the field", the Treasury statement said.?

"This shift presents enormous opportunities for the UK to work much more closely with India's own exciting Fintech sector."

The statement added: "The trip is also a significant opportunity, following the triggering of Article 50, for the chancellor to discuss Britain's new role in the world, as it prepares to revitalise its links with friends and allies, opening up new markets and new opportunities for British businesses."
Did Donald Trump incite violence when he barked "get them out of here" at protesters who were then roughed up? A judge decided Friday that it's plausible, allowing a lawsuit filed against the president to go to trial.

U. S. District Judge David J. Hale of the Western District of Kentucky also wrote in an opinion and order released Friday that because violence had broken out at a prior Trump rally and that known hate group members were in the Louisville crowd, Trump's ordering the removal of an African-American woman was "particularly reckless." Citing case law from tumultuous 1960s race riots and student protests, Hale rejected motions to dismiss the pending complaint against Trump and three supporters in the crowd that was filed by three protesters after a March 1, 2016, campaign rally in Louisville. Only a portion of the defendants' motion was granted, but the decision means that the bulk of the claims will proceed. Hale referred the case to Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl.

Hale obviously doesn't fancy Trump's luck and everyone's getting terribly excited on Twitter, but let's just say that bad things happen when weekend editors end up covering courts, he's just kicking it on to a trial that hasn't happened yet, so calm yer fingers.
CEO Bombardier Inc. Alain Bellemare speaks during a ceremony to announce Bombardier's delivery of the first CS300 aircraft to Air Baltic Corporation AS in Mirabel CEO Bombardier Inc. Alain Bellemare speaks during a ceremony to announce Bombardier's delivery of the first CS300 aircraft to Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

Bombardier's top executives will not get their full 2016 compensation for at least three years.

Late Sunday night, Alain Bellemare, Bombardier's chief executive officer, announced in a news release that he had asked the company's board of directors to have 50 per cent of the total planned 2016 compensation for six executives deferred until 2020.

If Bombardier fails to meet certain performance goals by then, the 2016 compensation will not be paid out at all.

The announcement came just hours after approximately 200 people chanted, in French, "shame to Bombardier!" in front of the company's offices on Rene-Levesque Boulevard in Montreal.

The event was organized on Facebook and decried what it called the Liberal provincial government's "austerity measures towards Quebec social programs, while it invests $1 billion US in Bombardier."

Bombardier has been under fire since it became known last week that compensation to chairman Pierre Beaudoin and five senior executives soared to more than $32 million last year, up from $21 million in 2015.

Beaudoin announced late Friday that he had asked the board to scale his pay back to 2015 levels.

On Sunday night, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said he was "satisfied" by the decision to defer compensation until 2020 in a tweet.

However, MNA Alain Therrien, the Parti Quebecois economy critic, said the move obscured the issue and added "insult to injury."

"[Bombardier] was already expected to not give the full salaries immediately," Therrien wrote in a tweet, referring to the statement put out on Saturday by Bombardier that defended how its executives are paid.

That statement said half of the $32 million in compensation would depend on Bombardier's performance over the next three years.

'It's our taxes, it's our money'

Etienne Diotte, the co-organizer of Sunday's protest, said Bombardier receiving public funds while its top executives get increases in compensation is "ridiculous."

Story continues

He thinks the government should be getting more involved in how Bombardier is run.

"When you give $1 billion to someone, you can ask things of them. You don't have to let them just do what they want," Diotte told CBC News.

Jessica Lacombe, a teacher, carried a sign that read "I'm still waiting for my invitation to Bombardier's shareholders' meeting."

She said the company's actions are especially hard to take after years of provincial government austerity that have included cutbacks to health and education.

"If it's private money, they can do what they want, but now it's public money," she said. "It's our taxes, it's our money."

Quebec's minister of Canadian relations Jean-Marc Fournier attended the protest because he said it was important for the government to listen to citizens.

"Quebecers were very proud to support Bombardier and we want that support to be maintained," Fournier said.

He said he hoped the company would listen to the people, but stopped short of saying whether the government had any plans to lay down rules for Bombardier's management in the future.

The Parti Quebecois however has spoken out on Bombardier governance, saying it intends to present a motion in Quebec's legislature this week calling on all of Bombardier's executives to renounce their 2016 compensation increase.

Unions say compensation too high, disrespectful

Early on Sunday, unions representing workers at Bombardier criticised the company's actions.

Renaud Gagne of Unifor says Beaudoin's demand to scale back his compensation doesn't mean much because executive pay in 2015 was already too high.

David Chartrand of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers says Beaudoin's move is a step in the right direction, but notes the pay and bonus packages could be seen as disrespectful to workers, since Bombardier is eliminating more than 14,000 jobs around the world by the end of next year.
Iranian authorities have sentenced a 21 year old man to death for "insulting Islam" through messages he sent on an instant messenger app, when he was only 19.





Human rights lawyers claim that Sina Dehghan, was tricked into confessing to the breach of Islamic law by a promise of release . The Centre for Human Rights in Iran says that once they obtained his confession, prosecutors dropped the agreement and sentenced Dehghan to death in January this year.





The content of the messages is unknown.





A source claims: "During his interrogation, Sina was told that if he signed a confession and repented, he would be pardoned and let go. Unfortunately, he made a childish decision and accepted the charges. Then they sentenced him to death."





Allegedly, his family were told to keep quiet and he would likely to go free.





Prosecutors asked that Dehghan be sentenced to death for "insulting the prophet" as well as to 16 months in prison for 'insulting the supreme leader'.





The sentence has been upheld by the country's Supreme Court, but a request for a judicial review has given his family hope that his life might be spared.





His mother said, "According to Sina's lawyer, steps have been taken for a judicial review, and with the good news we're hearing from him, God willing this case will come to end positively as soon as possible."





Co-defendants Sahar Eliasi and Mohammad Nouri were also convicted of posting anti-Islamic material on social media. Nouri was issued a death sentence, the final ruling of is the Supreme Court remains unknown. Eliasi appealed his 7-year sentence, which was reduced to 3 years.





The Japanese-based messaging app, Line, has since added end-to-end encryption to its messages.





Dehghan is struggling to cope with the incarceration in Arak Prison, the source said, adding, "Sina is not feeling well. He's depressed and cried constantly. He's being held in a ward with drug convicts and murderers who broke his jaw a while ago. He was a 19-year-old boy at the time (of his arrest) and had never done anything wrong in his life."





Despite signing the UN convention on the rights of the child, Iran still attracts condemnation for carrying out executions of minors.





Iran's Islamic penal code makes insulting the prophet a crime punishable by death. Although there is a clause that states that if the insults were made by mistake, or were made in anger, the sentence may be reduced to 74 lashes.





Regarding Dehghan, Human Rights Organisation Article 19 said, "He is now on death row, yet the imminence of the execution of Sina is an affront both to international standards and Iran's own criminal code. "It is also clear that Sina was only given access to a court-appointed lawyer, who failed to adequately defend him in trial." And said further that Dehghan's case illustrates how the Iranian people are "at the mercy of a system where forced confessions, false promises, and threats to family members undermine not only national judicial processes, but the international standards Iran has signed up to."





"Iranian authorities have an opportunity to act to stop the execution, and to take visible steps to implement their own codes of practice. We ask simply that a review of the case be undertaken immediately and the death penalty dropped."

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Source: irannewsupdate.com, April 2, 2017
Expressing concern over the House of Representatives passage of a bill restoring capital punishment, a United Nations panel has reminded the Philippines there is no mechanism for it to withdraw its commitment to abolish the death penalty, under 2 international treaties to which it is a State Party.





The reminder, embodied in a letter by UN Human Rights Committee chair Yuji Iwasawa to the Philippines' Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Teresa Almojuela, was referring to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Second Optional Protocol aimed at abolishing the death penalty.





"The committee is currently in session in Geneva. It expressed its grave concern at information received aboout the passage of a bill through the Houses of Congress to reintroduce the death penalty for drug-related offenses in the Philippines. It understands that the Senate will consider this bill soon," Iwasawa wrote March 27.





The letter said the committee "reminds the State Party about denunciations of the Second Optional Protocol as set out in its General Comment No. 26 on Continuity of Obligations. The Optional Protocol excludes the possibility of denunciation by omitting a denunciation clause to guarantee the permanent re-introduction of the death penalty by States that have ratified it."





The UN panel also urged the Philippines "to take its obligations" under the ICCPR and the Second Optional Protocol "seriously, and refrain from taking retrogressive measures which would only undermine human rights to date."





The human rights committee is the monitoring body of the ICCPR and the Optional Protocols, which includes the Second Optional Protocol aimed at abolishing the death penalty.





"The Philippines is a State Party to all these treaties. In ratifying the Second Optional Protocol, States Parties guaranteed that no one will be executed within their jurisdiction," the letter to Manila pointed out.





The Philippines, through Republic Act 9346, had abolished in June 2006 capital punishment, during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The latter, now a member of member of Congress as 2nd district representative for Pampanga, was 1 of the 54 who recently voted "no" against the bill reviving death penalty, as pushed by allies of President Duterte.





Macapagal-Arroyo led the list of House leaders who were stripped of their posts - she was Deputy Speaker - for voting "No" against the death penalty restoration.





While the bill was carried by the super-majority in the House, it however faces rough sailing in the Senate, with Senate President Koko Pimentel himself noting that the vote was too close to call, and could even split the chamber right down the middle.





Leaders of the new minority bloc, mostly from the Liberal Party, vowed to oppose it. Among their key reasons for opposing the death penalty restoration is precisely the need for the Philippines to adhere to its commitments as State Party to the ICCPR and the Second Optional Protocol.





The senators reminded the Executive that there is no renunciation mechanism for these treaties, and Manila stands the risk of sanctions if it impugns its commitments. However, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who led the push for the bill in the House, had scoffed at the notion that the Philippines cannot define or alter its own policy simply on account of a global commitment.





During the first Senate hearing on the House-led initiative, senators got an admission from government legal experts that, indeed, the commitments to international law formed part of the law of the land. This prompted Justice committee chair, Sen. Richard Gordon to raise the possibility that being in breach of such international laws could constitute an impeachable offense for the Executive.





Gordon decided to suspend further Senate hearings pending submission of a formal legal opinion by the Department of Justice.

Duterte, EU at war over death penalty

Rodrigo Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte has returned to a favorite topic and a favorite form of discourse, and criticized the European Union with violent, threatening language. "You fools. You sons of bitches. Stop interfering with us," he said at a news conference. "No one will tell you, so I will tell you: You are all fools."





Then followed the quote that was heard around the world: "I will just be happy to hang you. If I have the preference, I'll hang all of you."





Would that our Fearless Leader indulged his sense of outrage and took to the warpath against enemies deserving of the Filipino people's condemnation - perhaps a country like Russia, which supports both the murderous Assad government in Syria and the increasingly dictatorial Erdogan administration in Turkey.





Or perhaps - much closer to home - a country like China, which has buried its policy of a "peaceful rise" in the world and replaced it with a policy of assertive and overreaching nationalism. Criticizing Beijing would have the advantage of aligning with Philippine popular opinion about Chinese aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea.





But no. Duterte has chosen instead to continue his fight against the human rights hegemony of those terrifying, faceless, paper-pushing antideath bureaucrats in Brussels: "You are putting us down. You are exerting pressure in [sic] every country with the death penalty."





As far as we can tell, the President is grinding his much-used axe against the European Union again because the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the Philippines not to reimpose the death penalty and because the country's European allies and trading partners continue to voice their opposition to the Duterte administration's ultraviolent war on drugs.





In other words, the President's latest tirade is in defense of his administration, not of the country; it is in response to what he perceives to be criticism of his policies, and therefore of himself.





Retreating to Threats





The telltale sign that the criticism has gotten under his skin is the language that he uses; when he feels greatly offended he goes beyond the rhetoric of abuse (cursing the previous president of the United States or the present pope, for instance) and deploys the tropes of violence: "I will just be happy to hang you. If I have the preference, I'll hang all of you."





This is what people say when they've lost the argument - or when they cannot brook any argument.





Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, who once recommended that the public use its "creative imagination" when parsing the President's often intemperate statements, was reduced to explaining his principal's unstatesmanlike remarks against longstanding allies and partners as a symbolic expression. "I'm sure by this time we understand that it's more than being literal. He basically speaks about an attitude of, you know, emphasizing that we should be left alone to be able to do our part."





We note that President Duterte approves publicly of Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping in part because they don't criticize his war on drugs for human rights violations.





But we also note that the President knows his people well enough to know that he cannot make his fight with the European Union and with European allies and partners solely about death vs life. That would be an ultimately losing proposition. As even the surveys show, a great majority of Filipinos want due process to be followed; they do not want mere suspects killed.





So President Duterte uses the Western history card. He traces EU opposition to the death penalty to Western imperialism and the massive death toll of 2 world wars. "Your guilt, your conscience, is almost genetics. It is passed on from generation to generation."





This is macabre, and downright mistaken. Modern opposition to the death penalty is based on the experience of all of humanity; that experience shows that the penalty claims the lives of mostly poor people. Reimposing it is a backward step - like going back to hanging.





Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Editorial desk, April 1, 2017





UN body to Phl: Stop death penalty revival

A monitoring body of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) has called on the Philippine government to junk the proposal to reinstate the death penalty in the country and abide by its international commitments.





In a letter to Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maria Teresa Almojuela, Human Rights Committee (HRC) chairman Yuji Iwasawa reminded the Philippines that it is a party to the Second Optional Protocol of the ICCPR that prohibits the imposition of capital punishment.





"The committee is currently in session in Geneva. It expresses grave concern at information it has received about the passage of a bill through the House of Congress to reintroduce death penalty, for drug related offenses, in the Philippines," read the letter dated March 27.





"It understands that the Senate will consider this bill soon," it added.





The letter was also addressed to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.





Iwasawa said he regrets the recent development in the Philippines and urged the government to desist from ultimately passing the measure.





"On behalf of the committee, I call on (the Philippines) to take its obligations under the ICCPR and the Second Optional Protocol seriously and refrain from taking retrogressive measures, which would only undermine human rights progress to date," he said.





Last month, the House of Representatives passed on third reading the bill that imposes the death penalty on drug related offenses.





In an earlier statement, UN special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and Nils Melzer expressed concern over the passage of the proposal at the House of Representatives.





"If approved, the bill will set the Philippines starkly against the global trend towards abolition and would entail a violation of the country's obligations under international law," they said.





Callamard is the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, while Melzer is the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.





They reminded the Philippines of its obligation under the second optional protocol of the ICCPR.





"Not only was the treaty ratified and widely advertised, but state authorities have also expressly confirmed on numerous occasions its validity and binding nature on the Philippines, without raising any concerns over the procedure through which it had been ratified," the rapporteurs 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: IOnterAksyon.com, April 1, 2017Source: Philippine Star, April 1, 2017
Re: At the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, W. E. B. Du Bois settled in Gharla [ #permalink

9 Kudos
Class2012 wrote:

I believe there are many who will need to convert their visa from H1 to F1.Let's use this thread to discuss those details.



Few questions that I have.



1.I did my MS here and used my OPT for few months.Can I get another OPT after MBA? I heard different opinions on this.



2.If I go back home(India),can I save the time on H1 visa?



3.How easy is getting CoS while in USA?

However, you would not get a second year at the end of another course of study at the same level - another Master's program.

1) It's a complex question! Here are some good quotes:Dartmouth ( http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis/updates/f1/optfaqs.html ):"Q: Am I eligible for more OPT if I progress to another degree program?A: Yes. If you begin a new degree program at a higher level (i.e. Bachelor to Masters or Masters to Ph.D.) program, you will become eligible for an addition block of 12-months of OPT as outlined above. You are, however, only eligible for one period of 17 month OPT-extension."From USCIS website ( http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ ... f3d6a1RCRD "Note that to be eligible for an OPT extension the student must currently be in an approved post-completion OPT period based on a designated STEM degree. Thus, for example, a student with an undergraduate degree in a designated STEM field, but currently in OPT based on a subsequent MBA degree, would not be eligible for an OPT extension."From a law firm blog ( http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/f1-to ... 28491.html ):"Normally, you can get 12 months of OPT at the end of each LEVEL of education - meaning you could get a year of OPT at the end of a U.S. Bachelor's degree and then again at the end of a U.S. Master's degree.You may be able to get back the seven months of this OPT that weren't used at the end of the second Master's, if you can convince USCIS that it wasn't used.As long as you don't spend a year or more abroad between now and switching back to H-1B, you have 3.5 year left on H-1B once you switch back at the end of the second Master's, PLUS any time spend abroad during the last 2.5 years or those 3.5 years that can be recaptured, PLUS - if you start a green card case and have something on file before the beginning of the sixth year of H-1B time - additional time until processing of the immigrant visa petition and any required prerequisites (such as a PERM case) is complete and an immigrant visa is available for you such that an Adjustment of Status case can be filed."What I gather from that is:- If you already used some OPT for previous master's degree (such is my case with a one-year Masters of Engineering), you are not eligible for new 12 months after the MBA.- Since MBA degree is not part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) fields, we are not eligible for extensions, even with a previous STEM degree- However, you can use remaining H1-B time. The catch here is that to transfer your H1-B, the new job needs to be very similar to the one that issued it to you. I want an MBA to change my career... ha ha ha.- On a somewhat separate note, I previously did research into studying full-time with a pending I-485 and I-140 approved. What I found out was that as long as my company agrees to continue sponsoring me and gives me an offer letter to come back after completion of my studies on hand, it is possible to go to school and finish getting the green card there. Maybe.Final advice: MARRY AN AMERICAN.
A Facebook user, Jeff Obinani, has exposed an unidentified pregnant woman who has been using her condition to allegedly extort money from honest working Nigerians at banks.

Obinani explained that he was at the bank when he noticed that a pregnant womans water broke and she was about to go into labour.

Man shares story of how a pregnant woman used her condition to extort money from honest Nigerians

READ ALSO: Catholic priest sacked after he was discovered to have 2 wives

He said he went to meet her and asked her why she was at the bank instead of the hospital and she told she needed to withdraw money for hospital bills.

The Facebook user who thought the woman was in dire need of help urged people to donate money for her so she can pay her bills and have a safe delivery.

READ ALSO: See the 25-year-old man who was found dead inside the belly of a HUGE python (photos)

According to him the people at the banking hall helped her and she was able to gather N20,000.

He later discovered that the woman had already done the same at another bank where she gathered about N50,000.

Legit.ng gathered that the pregnant lady extorted people at two different banks for N70,000 in total.

Read the story below:

WE were in the bank suddenly I notice a pregnant woman whose water bag has just busted, I ask her why she was here that she supposed to be at the hospital by now, she said she came to withdraw some money for the hospital bills but the bank ask her to bring her BVN now BVN cannot be done in couple of minute anymore.

I ask people to support and help this pregy woman lo and behold Nigeria with our generosity We started contribution money for her We were able to gather over 20k she left quickly because people around are not comfortable with her condition in the bank, the security man held her hand and arrange a taxi for her then she left. 

What happened next:

I was ask to come downStairs and re-park by the security man, if you have been in Diamond bank awolowo road you will know that all the down floors are car park.

Back to the banking Hall I notice the way people were talking has became noisy, some are even looking at me like I did something wrong. 

A man was coming to the bank and saw the security man holding the pregnant woman while coming out, he took his time to look at this woman until the woman left with cab.

When he came to the banking Hall he oppenly ask, please did that pregnant woman seek for money, at the end the man said she just came out from GTBANK and they gather about 50k for her. 

Please what should We call this, am not even sure if she's really pregnant must Nigeria go this extreme na waoo.

Na wa ooo! Is it recession that would make someone go to this length to get money?

Watch Legit.ng's STREET GIST below:

Source: Legit.ng
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
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 ...
Taking the common oral thyroid hormone medication levothyroxine with a glass of cow's milk significantly decreases the body's ability to absorb the drug, a preliminary study finds. Results will be presented Sunday at ENDO 2017, the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"These findings support previous research showing that calcium supplements can interfere with levothyroxine absorption," said principal investigator Deborah Chon, M.D., an endocrinology fellow at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the VA (Veterans Affairs) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, Calif. "Decreased absorption means that patients may not get the full dose of thyroid hormone that they are prescribed."

Although it makes sense that milk, which contains calcium, might interfere with levothyroxine absorption, no study has proved that it does until now, according to Chon.

Levothyroxine is prescribed for patients with an underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism, to replace the natural thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) that is too low, or for patients with thyroid cancer, to suppress their thyroid stimulating hormone levels. In 2014, levothyroxine was the most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S., a survey from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics (now QuintilesIMS) found.

Chon and fellow investigators studied 10 adults (six men and four women), with an average age of 33.7 years, who had no known thyroid disease and had normal thyroid hormone function at the start of the study. No one was allergic to cow's milk or levothyroxine, and none of the women were pregnant or using birth control pills.

Participants fasted overnight before each of two study visits, spaced a month apart. At one visit, participants took 1,000 micrograms of oral levothyroxine alone and at the other visit, they took the same dose concurrently with 12 ounces of 2 percent milk. Before dosing and one, two, four and six hours after ingestion of levothyroxine, participants gave blood samples for measurement of their total T4 levels. Chon said they tested with generic levothyroxine, which most of their patients are taking.

The investigators measured the levothyroxine absorption as the concentration of total T4 in the blood plotted on a graphic curve against time after drug administration, called area under the curve. Over the six hours after the participants took levothyroxine, those who consumed milk at the same time as the medicine had significantly lower total T4 absorption than when they took the drug alone: average area under the curve of 67.3 versus 73.5.

The manufacturer of a brand of levothyroxine recommends that the medication be taken preferably on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before eating food or taking other medications or vitamins.

"The main message of this study is that patients managed with thyroid hormone replacement therapy should be advised to avoid taking levothyroxine simultaneously with cow's milk, given its interference," Chon said.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

People with type 2 diabetes who are "night owls" and prefer the evening for activity report having more symptoms of depression than those who are early to bed and early to rise, regardless of the quality of their sleep, a new study finds. Study results are being presented Saturday at the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"These findings are important because depression is common in patients with type 2 diabetes," said lead investigator Sirimon Reutrakul, M.D., an associate professor at Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand. "Also, previous studies show that untreated depression is related to worse patient outcomes, including diabetes self-care, blood glucose control and diabetes complications."

In the general public, people with a later "chronotype," meaning a preference to go to bed late and wake up late, tend to have more symptoms of depression than do people who go to bed early and wake up early (early chronotype or morning preference), past studies have found. Reutrakul and her co-investigators wanted to study people with type 2 diabetes, who have an increased risk of depression, to learn whether a later chronotype, or preference for evening activity, was independently associated with greater depression symptoms.

Because chronotype may differ by geographic location, with a greater morning preference near the equator, the investigators studied diabetic patients from two different geographic regions: Chicago and Thailand. They received research funding from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok and the Endocrine Society of Thailand.

The U.S. group consisted of 194 patients, 70 percent of whom were women. Similarly, in the Thai group, women comprised 67 percent of 282 patients. All participants answered questionnaires regarding symptoms of depression, sleep quality and preferred times for activity and sleep. Chicago patients answered the questionnaires between February and early April, whereas in Thailand, which has little seasonal variation, patients participated throughout the year, Reutrakul said.

For both groups, those who preferred the evening reported more depression symptoms than did those with a morning preference. This result remained even after the researchers adjusted their statistical analyses for sleep quality, age, sex and other factors that could affect depression.

Their findings, Reutrakul said, support an association between circadian regulation and psychological functioning in patients with type 2 diabetes. She pointed out, however, that they did not prove cause and effect and that the strength of the association was "only modest."

"We need further research to explore a combination of interventions that help with circadian timing, such as light therapy and melatonin," she said. "Learning more about the relationship between depression and circadian functioning might help us figure out strategies to improve physical and mental health for patients with diabetes."
South Africans should expect to pay more for a wide range of computer products  including solid state drives, flash memory, and laptops  in the near future.

The rands exchange rate is the biggest influencer of tech product prices in South Africa, which are imported and typically paid for in US dollars.

The rand weakened from R12.32 to over R13.00 against the US dollar this past week, following President Jacob Zumas order to recall Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan from an international investor roadshow.

The move sparked speculation of a cabinet reshuffle, which was confirmed when Gordhan was replaced with Malusi Gigaba.

This sent the rand plummeting further against major currencies.

Memory shortage drives up prices

The weaker rand will push up the price of technology products in South Africa, but it is not the only reason why we will see higher prices.

Esquire CEO Mahomed Cassim said the price of solid state drives (SSDs), flash memory, and DRAM has seen an increase of 30% over the last three months due to shortages.

These shortages were caused by increased demand from the mobile market, with Samsung, Apple, and Huawei launching new flagship smartphones with more memory and bigger storage capacities.

Smaller brands are following suit, launching smartphones with similar specifications to popular high-end devices.

The increased demand for memory products has put pressure on DRAM and flash memory manufacturers, which are struggling to keep up with orders.

The shortage has caused memory prices to increase, which impacts the price of computer products.

LCD panel shortages

Another area where consumers can expect pricing pressure is televisions and laptops which use LCD panels.

Cassim said display panel pricing has increased substantially, which was also caused by a shortage in the market.

The cause of the shortage is a major manufacturer in Taiwan, which is part of the Foxconn business, recently deciding to stop selling LCD panels to other TV manufacturers.

The decision followed the companys acquisition of Sharps TV business from Sharp Japan, after which it said it will use the panels to grow the Sharp Aquos brand.

The change on the supply side has put enormous pressure on other panel manufacturers since December 2016 to satisfy demand.

The shortage, which Cassim said is estimated to be around 10 million panels, has pushed up prices.

The good news for South Africa is that the strength of rand  prior to Gordhans recall  has made it possible for local TV, monitor, and laptop distributors to absorb the higher costs without increasing prices.

With the rands recent weakening, however, this may change in the near future.

Cassim said Esquire has prepared for the shortage by ordering three-times more than usual, and can now offer great prices on TVs ranging from 32-inch to 65-inch in size.

Now read: SSD prices to increase
YEREVAN.  Armenia is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday, April 2.

According to the new constitutional reforms, which had been adopted based on December 2015 referendum, the National Assembly of the sixth convocation will have 105 deputies (4 of them by special quotes for national minorities), instead of the previous 131 parliamentarians.

The parliamentary elections of April 2, 2017 will be the only nationwide elections to be held in the next five years, since, according to the same constitutional reforms, Armenia will become a parliamentary republic. The president of the country, becomes a ceremonial figure. After April 9, 2018, when the term of Serzh Sargsyan expires, the National Assembly will elect the new president.

There will be operating 2009 polling stations on the territory of Armenia from 08.00 am to 20.00 pm Yerevan time. Votes outside Armenia are not envisaged. The elections for the first time are held exclusively based on proportional system (party lists). At the same time, for the first time votes based on so-called open lists are applied as well.

The voter has a choice: either s/he can vote for a political party (bloc), or, in addition, s/he can vote for one of the candidates nominated by his preferred political force in the territorial constituency. In the first case, the voter needs to enclose the ballot of the preferred political force into the envelope without any notes. In the second case, a voter will check the name of the candidate nominated by his/her preferred political force in a certain territorial constituency.

In total, 5 political parties and 4 blocs will take part in the elections. The parties need to overcome the 5% barrier, whereas the blocs 7% for the seats in the parliament.
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YEREVAN.  Everything will go as normal, said Vladimir Gasparyan, Chief of Police of Armenia, speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Sundays National Assembly election.

Gasparyan added that he had voted for peace and stability.

Reflecting on electoral fraud, he noted: It is a type of crime that there definitely needs to be a side that petitions [for it], a side that takes [it], [and] a side that makes an announcement [for it].

The Armenian Police chief, however, expressed confidence that the neighborhood elite cannot have a role to play during elections in Armenia.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since the new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get 5 percent of votes, whereas the blocs need 7 percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  As of Sunday, the working group, which is set up by the order of the Prosecutor General of Armenia, has considered 225 reports of electoral fraud.

A total of 57 of these reports contained elements of apparent electoral fraud, Office of the Prosecutor General informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. They were forwarded to Police of Armenia, to clarify the circumstances specified in these reports.

The circumstances set out in 42 of these reports were either denied or not confirmed, whereas the others are still being examined.

A total 46 of these 57 reports referred to apparent buying of votes, and 11preventing the free exercise of suffrage.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since the new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get 5 percent of votes, whereas the blocs need 7 percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has already cast his ballot in Armenia parliamentary elections (PHOTO).

Prime Minister arrived at a polling station accompanied by his wife, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter says.

Talking to reporters after casting his ballot, Karen Karapetyan said the time would show the chances of RPA, adding that he wants everything to be peaceful and tolerant.

As to irregularities, Prime Minister said they would fight against violations by using all mechanisms that had been already presented to the public.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get five percent of votes, whereas the blocs need seven percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  President Serzh Sargsyan arrived to a polling station in downtown Yerevan to vote in the parliamentary elections (PHOTO).

President said he voted for peace and added nothing is more valuable thing than peace. We will do our best to have peace along the borders.

As to the chances of his party, the Armenian leader said it is not the day to evaluate chances, it is a day to get votes.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get five percent of votes, whereas the blocs need seven percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  One of the leaders of the Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) Bloc, chairman of the Unity party Vartan Oskanian came to vote with his wife on Sunday, Armenian News  NEWS.am reported.

Speaking to reporters after the vote, he noted that he cast his ballot for the regime change and the future of the country.

Oskanian said that he heard about various violations during the parliamentary elections, but added that had not visited the Bloc's headquarters yet and could not mention concrete information about violations.

However, Vardan Oskanian expressed hope that the authorities will come to their senses and give an opportunity to hold fair elections.

The ORO bloc is led by former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, and ex-FMs Raffi Hovannisian and Vartan Oskanian.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get five percent of votes, whereas the blocs need seven percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  Speaking with reporters at an election precinct, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, stated that they expect good results from Sundays National Assembly election in the country.

Switalski noted that they are expecting very good results because a huge team had worked toward it, and much work was done to conduct good elections in Armenia, reported Aysor (Today) news agency of the country.

Special coordinator of the election short-term observation mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Ignacio Sanchez Amor, for his part, also said they hope to have good results. He added that a huge team had worked toward holding a good parliamentary election in Armenia, so that the country can progress.

The OSCE observers laud the voting process. German observer Elvira Drobinski said her overall impression was positive, and that there were no major election irregularities, according to Armenpress news agency of Armenia.

And Petru Movila from Romania noted that although there were some technical matters, in general, the election process was organized in a completely normal manner.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election Sunday for the first time since the new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get 5 percent of votes, whereas the blocs need 7 percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
YEREVAN. - As of 5:30 pm, the Investigative Committee of Armenia has received 52 reports on electoral violations.

24 violations relate to Yerevan, 7 to Gegharkunik, 5 to Lori, 3 to Voyots Dzor, 5 to Aragatsotn, 2 to Tavush and 1 to Armavir and Syunik each, the press-service of the Committee informed Armenian News  NEWS.am.

All the necessary actions are carried out in the territorial subdivisions of the Investigative Committee to check the circumstances mentioned in the reports.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election Sunday for the first time since the new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whomrepresentatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get 5 percent of votes, whereas the blocs need 7 percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.
After Parliament elections voting procedure ended in Armenia at 8 pm, Armenian Attorney General Office informed that it has reviewed 1,594 electoral violations reports submitted to the office.

According to the Attorney General Office, the vast majority of submitted reports (1,340 reports) did not contain any apparent electoral violation but rather refer to the technical procedures of the voting process, polling booths installation, problems with surveillance devices or other technical issues. Other reports were related to the issues already solved.

Overall, 254 submitted reports contained possible reports about electoral violations. Out of these 254, 87 reports were related to the multiple votes (or vote attempts) by the same person; 74 reports were related to the attempts to repress free voting process; 45 reports were related to violations of the secrecy of voting process; 38 reports were related to the attempts to violate rights of journalists, proxies, or observers; 10 reports were related to the cases of bribery.

Selected 254 reports were sent to the Armenias regional prosecutors offices and police stations for further investigation.

Armenia is holding parliamentary elections for the first time since new Constitution was approved by means of referendum in December 2015. The new parliament will have 105 deputies, four of them representatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2009 electoral precincts is operating throughout the country. These elections are the only national elections in the next five years, as Armenia is shifting to parliamentary republic.

Five parties and four political blocs are running for the parliament. Political parties have to get five percent of votes, while blocs need seven to be elected to the parliament.
YEREVAN. - Considering the fact that earlier in the day total apathy could be observed among the Armenian population towards the elections, todays activeness during the elections is simply unprecedented.

Deputy candidate of Free Democrats Party, Styopa Safaryan, said the aforementioned Sunday.

He noted that during the vote counting, electricity went out at at least two polling stations. In several polling stations the proxies had to sit on the ballot boxes to rule out fraud.

During the day reports were received on the non-operation of the equipment, including cameras, ensuring the election process. Many voters came to the polling stations with accompanying persons, who guided the voters. This was a very well-thought process for carrying out fraud, he noted.

Referring to the overcrowding at polling stations, he noted that considering the number of citizens absent from the country, the voter turnout was anomalous.

Apart from this, Safaryan said that if before incidents occurred at polling stations and scuffles were registered, this time the authorities carried out the fraud more smoothly and discreetly, this being expressed in voter bribing, voter accompanying, as well as overcrowding of voters at polling stations.
Former top federal Medicaid official fields tough questions but gets committee vote to become next secretary of health and human services

State Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Dr. Mandy Cohen has a sterling pedigree with Ivy League credentials and a previous job at the highest level of federal health care.She also has past links to a checkered VA Administration, the disastrous Obamacare website rollout, and a potential conflict of interest with a husband who is a health-care lawyer. Members of the Senate Health Care Committee wanted to know more about those issues during her confirmation hearing Wednesday.Cohen, who worked as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Obama administration, addressed those and other pointed questions in winning unanimous committee approval. That recommendation was sent to the Senate Nominations Committee.Cohen said in her opening remarks.Cohen did undergraduate work at Cornell University, got her medical degree at Yale, and a master's of public health at Harvard. She credited her success to her mother, one of the first nurse practitioners to work in New York who still goes to work nightly in an emergency room.she said.She spent six years at CMS.Cohen said.she said.said Sen. Deanna Ballard, R-Watauga. Yet there were assertions that she had not aggressively pursued fraud along with troubling internal audit reports during her time at a Veterans Administration Hospital working on women veterans' health care issues.Cohen said she worked closely with the Office of the Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office.Cohen said. She already has met with State Auditor Beth Wood, reviewing problems state audits have revealed for possible action.Ballard asked Cohen about conflicts of interest.Cohen said her husband, Sam, is a health care lawyer but has no clients in North Carolina that would pose a conflict of interest. Should that change, she said, they would seek guidance from the State Ethics Commission.Sen. Tommy Tucker, R-Union, asked whether she was in charge of the team that rolled out the initial healthcare.gov website, which was fraught with problems. The epic failure included massive overspending, enormously long delays in accessing the portal, and inability to select the plans desired.Cohen said. Echoing President Obama, she characterized the debacle as a learning moment.Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, zeroed in on Cohen's position at CMS at a time Gov. Roy CooperCohen said. But her understanding is that DHHS must get Washington to approve a Medicaid waiver, or a state plan amendment, and North Carolina could not have received permission to change eligibility requirements to expand Medicaid without getting approval from the General Assembly.Hise asked whether she was ever contacted by anyone in North Carolina regarding the Medicaid expansion plan or the particular waiver sought by Cooper before accepting the DHHS position or being sworn in.Cohen said.Sheshe said.Hise asked Cohen what she thought about DHHS seeking Graduate Medical Education payments that were not allowed by law. Those payments are made to hospitals on top of their base rate for hospital-based or hospital-sponsored medical education.Cohen said, noting that administrators need to find ways to ensure adequate funding for rural hospitals and access to doctors in rural areas.Sen. Mike Woodard, D-Durham, mentioned a series of problems DHHS has had with data breaches. He asked Cohen about her experience protecting medical records.Cohen said that was a major priority for her at CMS. In addition to ensuring they had the best cybersecurity tools, they conducted test drills on staff by sending out emails containing mock phishing scams to see who would click on them. Phishing scams induce people to open a website that unleashes an attack on their computer system, allowing access to personal data.Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, asked Cohen how she would address rural health-care issues.Cohen said.especially with psychiatric care.
As we close out 2020, we wanted to share some of our favorite stories from the last decade. We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we enjoyed telling them. Click here to see the rest of our picks of must-reads and happy new year, Milwaukee!

When a restaurant has been around for over 100 years, there are bound to be myriad stories within its walls. And that was certainly the case for Karl Ratzsch, one of Milwaukees oldest and most iconic restaurants.

The news that the restaurant has closed is surely a blow to the generations of Milwaukeeans who have enjoyed meals at the restaurant over the years. It was, after all, a living, breathing testament to the influence of Milwaukee's German immigrants. It was also home of many, many memories.

History

The restaurant was established by Otto Hermann, who opened Hermann's Cafe on East Water Street in 1904. His stepdaughter Helen joined him from Germany a few years later, assisting him in operating the cafe. Among others to work there was Karl August Ratzsch, who came to Milwaukee on a military tour of the U.S.

After a ten-year courtship, Helen married Ratzsch, and together they purchased the cafe. When development forced them to close the Water Street location, they moved the restaurant to 320 E. Mason St. in 1929. They operated it as the Old Heidelberg Cafe for a number of years before renaming it Karl Ratzsch.

An attention to detail, service and quality allowed the restaurant to flourish, even through the leanest of years. In 1962, their son Karl Jr. took over operations, carrying on the restaurants successful tradition, which included a variety of awards and honors including accolades from "Travel/Holiday Magazine."

From there, the restaurant was passed along to Josef Ratzsch in 1996 and subsequently sold to managers Judy Hazard, John Poulos and Tom Andera, who operated the restaurant until 2016, when the restaurant was sold to Chef Thomas Hauck. Hauck, in turn, put his heart and soul into reviving the restaurant, applying modern technique to the classic menu, and creating a place that he hoped would endure for generations to come.

An homage

We were fortunate to have spent time in recent months with Chef and owner Thomas Hauck and General Manager Jane Bruskiewitz, with whom we sifted through some of the restaurant's photographs and historical paraphernalia. The things we discovered would take an entire book to unpack. However, heres a sampling of some of the fun historical facts, legends and tall tales that caught our eye.

The birth of big ideas

They say good things happen when folks enjoy food and drink together. At Karl Ratzsch, that seemed to ring true. As the story goes, the idea for Summerfest was crafted by Mayor Maier and friends in the booth on the southeastern corner of the bar. And we're pretty sure that wasn't the only big idea to get its start behind those doors.

The explosion

Not all historical moments are rosy. In June of 1937, a tragic accident befell Karl Ratzsch. Pastry Chef Katherine Hermann, widow of the original owner Otto Hermann, was fatally burned by an explosion in the restaurants gas oven. The explosion, which blew the door off of the oven, also destroyed one end of the kitchen.

"The explosion tore the door off the stove oven and hurled it 20 feet against a wall," reads an article by the Milwaukee Journal from June 9, 1937. "A piece of metal punctured a nearby coffee urn. A cash register used for tabulating customers checks was wrecked and a table was littered with debris."

The goose

In 1957, the restaurant hosted a lavish feast at the behest of Arthur Fiedler, an internationally known gourmet and conductor of the Boston Pops who was in town for a series of concerts. The dinner, estimated to cost $1,000, was presented as a reward for Mrs. Robert Christiansen of Fox Point, who had singlehandedly sold the most tickets for Fiedlers concerts.

The menu for the dinner showcased a variety of delicacies from around the world, including iced Russian vodka from East Berlin and Strassburg pate de foie gras. There was also fresh Beluga caviar from Turkey (at the time, it couldnt be obtained from Russia), Chesapeake Bay oysters and a puree of Chukker Partridge Indiene flown to America from India.

Pineapples were flown in from the Hawaiian islands to create Cherries Jubilee a la Hawaii. And five pounds of Brazilian coffee were roasted in Rio de Janeiro and flown to Milwaukee the same day. A Strassburg goose was also to be flown (live) to Milwaukee. However, when customs prohibited the entry of the live goose into the country, Ratzsch sought out the assistance of the French Embassy, who assisted him in obtaining a waiver under "emergency conditions" from the U.S. Agricultural Department. He then flew to Europe and brought back the goose by hand.

The Heinzelmaennchen

If you noticed the carved figures sitting astride the cuckoo clock in the main dining room, youve met the heinzelmaennchen, a race of house gnomes with origins in Cologne, Germany.

As the story, first penned in 1826 by writer Ernst Weyden goes, when the hinzelmennchen arrived, the people of Cologne had things easy.

Bakers needed no employees. Tailors had no need for apprentices. And homes needed no housekeeping. For the heinzelmaennchen spent the wee hours every night baking bread, washing floors and doing a variety of other tasks for the citizens. Eventually, the locals stopped working altogether. They lived a life of leisure, knowing their work would be done while they slept.

And this continued until a tailors wife became so curious about the creatures that she scattered peas on the floor of her home in the hopes they might slip and fall during the night so that she could catch them in action. Infuriated by the trick, the gnomes disappeared forever, leaving the lazy citizens to do their citys work by themselves.



To this day, a famous saying in Koln is: "this must have been done by the heinzelmaennchen," referring to any job that's completed quickly, or with little effort.

The wine

Karl Ratzsch and his wife, Helen, made frequent trips to Germany where they purchased a variety of glassware, beer steins ... and wine. To facilitate, they shipped their Cadillac overseas and filled it up with their finds before shipping it back home.

Needless to say, their wine list  which contained an extensive collection of European wines, including Bordeaux and Burgundies  gained notoriety across the nation.

Of course, they needed a place to keep all that wine. So, Karl Ratzsch Jr. dug his own cellar. Interestingly, it was located under the sidewalk of the restaurant, extending from the restaurants front door to the corner of Milwaukee and Mason Streets. And it wasn't exactly legal.

"He just dug away under Mason Street to create a natural wine cave," notes Hauck. "In the 60s, the city came to do some work and they found the wine cave and cinder-blocked and boarded it up."

Speaking of wine

Sometimes the restaurant had a bit too much of it. During prohibition, the bar at the Old Heidelberg (the original name for the restaurant at 320 E. Mason St.), was also the site of at least one police raid. On a Sunday evening in 1931, prohibition agents arrested Charles Storm, a head waiter at the restaurant, and confiscated four and a half quarts of wine, 12 bottles of beer, a pint of whiskey and half a pint of vermouth. Karl Ratzsch was not found on premise. But he was charged with the possession and sale of liquor, and there was a warrant put out for his arrest.

An article documenting the raid was published in the April 13, 1931 edition of the Milwaukee Sentinel, which read: "The restaurant is patterned after student resorts of the German university city, one of its decorative features being a display of hundreds of ornate beer steins. And occasionally, prohibition agents charge, those steins held real beer."

The kids

Its been a longtime tradition at Karl Ratzsch to bestow well-behaved children with small gifts after their meals. The gifts  usually small toys or candy  were held safely in a chest near the door, and administered after dinner.

Chef Hauck bore fond memories of the tradition. His parents, he says, would always bring a toy back home from the toy-chest at Karl Ratzsch on Symphony Night. It's part of the reason he kept the tradition alive when he took over the restaurant.

The celebs

When it came to popular spots, Karl Ratzsch was THE place to be in Milwaukee. Every politician, every major act that came through the city in the 1950s and 60s, was nearly certain to make stops at Karl Ratzsch, Maders and Frenchys. Among stand-outs are names like Jack and Jackie Kennedy, Jack Dempsey, Duncan Renaldo (AKA The Cisco Kid), Senator Joe McCarthy, and Liberace, who signed the guest book with a flourish.

The upstairs dining room was a treasure trove of photographs of additional celebrity visitors including this shot of Annette Funicello of "Mickey Mouse Club" and "Beach Party" fame.

Price wars

At some point during the 1950s, as competition mounted among restaurants, the owners of fine dining restaurants John Ernst, Maders, Frenchys and Karl Ratzsch reportedly entered into a pact of sorts. The agreement was that none of the restaurants would charge less than $3 for an entree.

Of course, Ratzschs had its own interesting policies on pricing. As the story goes, whenever the restaurant got crowded, theyd raise the prices on the menu. And when the crowd thinned out again, theyd take the prices back down.

Cool tools

Among the culinary objects at Karl Ratzsch was a pristine duck press, a classic culinary tool that, to some, might resemble a medieval torture device. It was used, largely in the 1970s to extract the flavorful juices from a roasted duck carcass in order to create an accompanying finishing sauce.

The renowned Parisian restaurant La Tour DArgent, once possessed multiple duck presses, one of which went up for auction in 2016 and was expected to fetch an estimated price of 4,000 - 6,000 euros.

As the story goes, a friend of Paul Newmans once tried to purchase the press while dining at Karl Ratzsch. His offer? $1,000 on the spot.

A similar press was purchased  for an undisclosed price  by Chef Anthony Bourdain in Paris during an episode of "The Layover."

To see the press in action, see this video from "The Guardian" filmed at La Tour D'Argent.

In memoriam

There is no single article, no list of historic facts, no number of photographs that can pay adequate homage to a restaurant which has played such a prominent role in the history of Milwaukee dining.

However, the countless treasured memories  the family celebrations, the landmark milestones celebrated within its dining room, and the convivial experiences its chefs and staff provided to countless diners over the years  will endure.

R.I.P. Karl Ratzsch. You may be gone. But, you'll not be soon forgotten.
Watching Davit Hovhannisyan prowl a rehearsal hall, its easy to think of a glorious eagle, sharp features, sleek lines and the air of a master of all he surveys.

In his thirteenth year, the most accomplished male dancer at the Milwaukee Ballet is both frightening and enthralling as he works and works on the intricacies of a ballet.

Arriving in Milwaukee just two years after the naming of Michael Pink as artistic director, Hovhannisyan has been one of the most crucial cogs in the turnaround of the company from one that struggled for attention to one of the top regional ballet companies in the country.

He has created numerous memorable roles for Pink and is the perfect match for a man who ranks among the leading storytellers in the world of ballet. Pink is a favorite internationally  and Hovhannisyan has been an integral part of the building of that reputation.

Hovhannisyan will dance the male lead in "La Sylphide," the classical ballet choreographed by August Bournoville in a program that opens April 6. The ballet will be paired with "Sans Pleurer," created by Timothy ODonnell, the choreographer in residence for the ballet company.

The Bournoville version  still one of his most celebrated works  is one of the oldest surviving ballets in the world and has been danced in its original form by the Royal Danish Ballet ever since its creation.

"Sans Pleurer" is a ballet that was spawned by ODonnells trying to answer two questions: Why are men raised to suppress their emotions, and what are the long-term effects on their lives? The cast is made up of 10 male dancers.

Hovhannisyan first hooked up with ballet when his mother put him into the school for the Armenian National Ballet in his hometown of Yerevan. When he was 17, the company toured the United States and when they went home, he stayed in the United States, not wanting to face the mandatory two years in the military.

He pieced together a living installing water pipes, working at a car wash and as a waiter, all the while sending out audition tapes.

"Milwaukee came out of nowhere," he said. "I got a call from Denis (Malankine, ballet master) and he invited me to audition. I didnt even know where Milwaukee was. I just got the address from a magazine. But now, after all these years, I love it here. Its home to me, both the company and the city."

Hovhannisyan is a great storyteller and admits that doing "La Sylphide" is both a challenge and a ballet that is unfamiliar to Milwaukee audiences who are so in love with Pinks work. The ballet is so particular that Dinna Bjrn, the Danish repetiteur who is widely regarded as the greatest specialist in the work of Bournoville today, was brought in. A repetiteur works with the dancers on the steps in a particular ballet.

"She is very particular," Hovhannisyan said. "Each movement has to be perfect. There is a tremendous among of technique involved. Inside your legs are burning but on your face you have to look like you are enjoying it. You just have to know how to look calm, because the audience can always tell. It must look like joy. The audience can read. They can see it in your face. There have been cases in the beginning of my career and and people said, That must have been painful, I could see it in your face. Ive gotten better since then."

Hovhannisyan is 36 now and the end, while not in his neighborhood, is at least on the horizon. But hes not ready to even consider his next steps (pun intended).

"I still absolutely love every second of the dance," he said. "When you feel the connection with your partners and the audience is the best part of it. I love working with the younger dancers. I remember what its like when you are young, how stubborn you are. You dont want to listen to anybody or take any notes. I think I can help them, as long as they want the help."

Hes also been a big help in building an audience for the company and, along with the other leading artists, setting a standard for all young dancers to embrace.

"La Sylphide "and "Sans Pleurer" open Thursday night.
No, you didnt click on a broken link. This April Fools article you were looking for expired at 11:59 p.m. on April 1.

Heres why:

While we found our jokes pretty funny on April 1  and hope you did, too  20+ years of experience shows our readers are less amused for the next 364 days. Even jokes told in good fun can be misconstrued when taken out of context.

The OnMilwaukee April Fools tradition stretches back to 2001, according to founder and Publisher Andy Tarnoff. Back in college, Andy says April Fools Day was a beloved special edition that helped writers at his school newspaper, The GW Hatchet, blow off steam with some not-so-gentle and very profane satire, and it was a practice he wanted to continue when he started OnMilwaukee.com in 1998. A screen shot of the first OnMilwaukee April Fools' edition from 2001. X

Over the years, the OnMilwaukee April Fools edition has ruffled more than a few feathers, although its content rarely extends beyond a PG-13 rating.

Andy and other early staffers remember angry phone calls and emails, especially one from the Milwaukee City Attorney who called him a lowlife, and a local TV exec who didnt find it funny when our staff Photoshopped a sign on his weather dog that read, Need more bitches. Or the microbrewery that is still annoyed that we promoted their Milorganite beer. Or the suburban police department that didnt like our implication that its keystone cops couldnt find the Milwaukee Lion, or its friend, Barry the Ocelot. And on and on.

But the staff of OnMilwaukee has pulled the wool over so many eyes, weve lost count. Despite the ridiculous photos and outlandish articles, there was the time when a TV reporter took our story about freedom fries at Bastille Days in 2003 and ran with it as real news (sorry, East Town Association). Or the angry calls to Betty Brinn Childrens Museum after we announced that the museum was opening a bar for stressed-out parents (sorry, Betty Brinn). Or when the local newspaper made its own version of our April Fools joke that they called The Leek, as a play on The Onion. It wasnt very funny, and needless to say, it didnt come back the next year. No, Shailene didn't really slap Matt LaFleur. X

Speaking of The Onion, yes, we get it. Were big fans, and no, were not trying to be them. Except for one day per year  although we do spend months coming up with stories for one silly day.

And then they disappear, forever, except for in our collective memory.

So, why do we do it? Mostly, because April Fools Day provides both our readers and our staff a much-needed laugh. We dont aim to hurt anyones feelings  last year, for example, we made the decision to avoid any pandemic jokes. Well poke fun at anyone and everyone, including ourselves.

Also, though, its a team-wide effort. The planning meetings start in early spring, and everyone is invited to pitch ideas. Not only do our writers and designers touch every article, but our development team and salespeople participate in all parts of the creative process. While we might start with 100 topics, we all slice and dice and funny them up, and thats why you dont see any bylines on these articles. We tweak parts of our back end, too, like turning off RSS feeds that would remain visible on April 2. Everyone chips in, because our analytics show that a large percentage of the visitors who come to OnMilwaukee on April 1 are seeing us for the first time ever. Wed like them to return when we get back to business the next day.

On that note, historically, April 1 is our most-read day of the year, and some of the stories have gone viral in a time when Facebook and Twitter didnt even exist yet. Traffic is typically three times higher than an average day, sometimes more.Social media just makes it better. No matter how insane we go  and believe us, you have to get in a special state of mind to write Kathy Mykleby changes her name, and face, to Michael Kathyby  thousands fall for it every single time.

But wait, there's more ...

This year, we have a little Easter Egg for you. Were launching Milwordle, which isnt a joke and you may have noticed it yesterday on the site. Instead, its a Milwaukeeized version of your favorite five-letter word game. Ours is different from what you play each day because it includes proper nouns as well as regular words, all connected to Milwaukee in some way. Its hard and its fun, and weve been playing it ourselves and having a blast. You can find it here.

One more thing ...

And, if you're new here, let us take the time to introduce you to OnMilwaukee. We like to think we have a sense of humor the other 364 days of the year, but we also write a bunch of serious and informative articles and guides, too. In fact, we've published more than 60,000 stories during our many years on the scene. We make it easy to find them, too. You can just use the /on prefix to search our site by content. For example:

You get the point. Give it a try!

Were honored that you found our effort funny. Were flattered even if you didnt. And were all laughing with you, too.
Dahua Opens an East Coast Facility In Massachusetts

Dahua Technology USA, a manufacturer of video surveillance solutions proven the world over, is expanding its US operations on the east coast with a new facility in Massachusetts. This is Dauhua's second location in the United States joining the company's first location in Irvine, California which was established in 2015. The decision to further heighten the company's presence on the east coast was driven by a continued increase in business in the region, and Dahua's commitment to deliver best-in-breed support for Dahua's customers, technology partners and reseller network.

The new Dahua facility in Massachusetts will be further expanded with an R&D team focused on specific cutting edge technologies, including deep learning, artificial intelligence, and business analytics. Dahua has already begun to offer some of these leading technologies to select cameras. Another focus Dahua is bringing to the new facility is a complete technical and partner care support center.

"With the launch of Dahua's new All-Star Partner Program, it is essential for us to be positioned as the industry leader for support," said Janet Fenner, Head of Marketing Dahua Technology, USA. "The ability to support our customers and partners is our number one priority, and our new east coast facility is testimony to commitment to achieve this goal."

The new facility will also be used as an east coast repair center to complement the existing repair facility in California. Dahua is also looking to expand its footprint in Texas, where the company is actively exploring a strategic plan to open an additional US facility to manufacture select products to comply with the Buy American Act.
The Colombian government declared a state of economic emergency in the town of Mocoa in southern Colombia, after mudslides left more than 270 people dead, including 43 children. "We have the toll of the people who have unfortunately died," said President Juan Manuel Santos, as he revisited the scene of Friday's disaster. "The latest is 273 people died and 262 are injured," he said. Earlier he said that at least 43 children were among the dead. Santos was to spend the night at a nearby military base and on Tuesday would continue coordinating the emergency response. The president said reconstruction would begin, dismissing risks of further mudslides, but he warned that the country faces rainy weather until June. Santos has flown into the disaster zone for three straight days to oversee the relief effort. He declared an economic emergency Monday to free up relief funds, amplifying the public health and safety emergency he had already declared. The mudslides occurred Friday after heavy rains caused three rivers to overflow, spewing earth, rocks and tree debris over the area. Most of the hardest-hit neighborhoods are poor and populated with people uprooted during Colombia's five-decade-long civil war. Mocoa was home to 70,000 people, according to Sorrel Aroca, the governor of Putumayo department. The Red Cross estimated about 45,000 people in Mocoa were affected by the mudslides. Hopes of finding survivors were fading Monday as some 200 people remained missing. Rescuers clawed through mud and timber as relatives desperately sought loved ones. - People, houses swept away - Survivors told of scrambling onto roofs or hanging onto trees as a sea of mud, boulders and debris engulfed Mocoa late Friday. Some watched as their children and relatives were swept away. Among them was Ercy Lopez, 39, who was left hanging on a tree after the deluge tore away her home. Lying on a mattress in a shelter for survivors, she said people were still searching for her 22-year-old daughter Diana Vanesa. "The hopes of finding her alive are slim now," she said. Debris was everywhere in the remote Amazon town: buried cars, uprooted trees, children's toys and odd shoes sticking up out of the mud. Survivors gathered at the local hospital and at the cemetery to search for family members and friends. Yulieth Rosero had just buried her sister, but was holding out hope of finding her seven-year-old nephew, Juan David Rueda. "I found his little brother, William. He's alive. He's in shock, injured and has no clothes, but he's OK," said Rosero, 23. Hundreds of rescuers were working at the scene of the disaster, using mechanical diggers in the search. Locals said it was never safe to live so close to the three rivers that overflowed after days of torrential rain. Wilson Chilito, 22, said he scrambled onto the roof of a house from where he watched "people, fridges and houses" being swept away. He lost his sister, mother-in-law and at least two other relatives. "This was foreseen for a long time," he told AFP as he packed up belongings from his home, his boots full of mud. Founded in 1563, "the town has about 10 rivers running through it," said Mocoa Mayor Jose Antonio Castro, quoted by newspaper El Espectador. "That means it is not a place where a town should be located." - Vomiting mud - Carlos Acosta had survived by clinging to a tree branch. "I was dying due to a lack of air -- so what did I do? I stuck my finger in my mouth and vomited a lot of mud," Acosta, 25, told AFP. "I sneezed out mud until I could breathe again." He could not save his three-year-old son, Camilo, however. The two were swept away together. But Acosta was knocked unconscious, and when he woke up the child was gone. Residents began burying their loved ones as the identified bodies were returned. A mass funeral was held at a local cemetery, where workers toiled to dig enough holes for the piles of coffins. Santos said the mudslide destroyed a local aqueduct and knocked out power to much of the surrounding area. He said four emergency water treatment plants would be set up to avoid epidemics of diseases such as cholera. Colombia's worst disaster was a volcanic eruption in 1985 that triggered a landslide and destroyed the city of Armero, killing 25,000 people.
AFP News

The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. Just in the past few months, climate-induced catastrophes have killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in damages across the world. Massive floods devastated swaths of Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the western United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh comes in a fraught year marked by Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late-19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. "Whilst I do understand that leaders around the world have faced competing priorities this year, we must be clear: as challenging as our current moment is, inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe," said Alok Sharma, British president of the previous COP26 as he handed over the chairmanship to Egypt. "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?", he said. In a dire warning, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt and heatwaves. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. Delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step toward what are sure to be fraught discussions. Inclusion of the agenda item "reflects a sense of solidarity and empathy for the suffering of the victims of climate induced disasters," said COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. "We all owe a debt of gratitude to activists and civil society organisations who have persistently demanded the space to discuss funding for loss and damage," he said to applause. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He also lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said, calling for solutions that "prove we are serious about not leaving anyone behind". - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, more than 120 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/fz
AFP News

The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. An alarming UN report said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt, heatwaves and other climate indicators. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement, calling the report a "chronicle of climate chaos". Just in the past few months, floods devastated Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh also comes against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid-19 pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late 19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said, noting that only 29 of 194 nations have presented improved plans as called for at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and the Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. Britain's Alok Sharma, who handed the COP presidency to Egypt, said that while world leaders have faced "competing priorities" this year, "inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe." "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?" he said. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. After two days of intense pre-summit negotiations, delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step towards what are sure to be difficult discussions. Stiell said inclusion of loss and damage on the agenda after three decades of debate on the issue showed progress. "The fact that it is there as a substantive agenda item I believe bodes well," he told reporters. COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt said it would be unproductive to speculate on what outcome the negotiations will lead to, "but certainly everybody is hopeful." "Anything that we do effectively has to be on the basis of our common efforts and that we leave no one behind," he said. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said. - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, some 110 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/mh/lg
If you regard livestreaming as the undisputed best marketing tactic, you havent been in marketing long, especially if you think its a standalone strategy. Established brands know getting traction for a full blog requires good, consistent writing combined with patience and measurement, especially if tying in video  edited or live.

Can Livestreaming Replace Blogging?

One livestreamer and public speaker says blogging is worthwhile for numerous reasons. If youre unsure about the value of serious blogging on the web, Rebecca Casserlys strategy will set you straight. Small Business Trends first met Casserly at a livestreamers meetup in New York City in June of 2016. Her understanding of where blogging overlaps with brands, livestreaming, growth, metrics, events and publicity was why we reconnected for this interview.

Rebecca Casserly, known online as BecBoop (and @BoopFashionista on Twitter), is a London based livestreamer and blogger. She is a finalist in the 2017 Shorty Awards for Periscoper of the Year and was a finalist in the UK Blog Awards 2016 for best use of social media. Casserly blogs about fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle at BecBoop.com while engaging with her community of over 135,000 followers across her social media platforms. In 2016, Onalytica.com ranked her the number 4 global beauty influencer based on Twitter influence, and top 50 fashion influencer in 2017. Casserly has worked with many global brands on her blog and was also the first livestreamer to cover London Fashion Week on her Periscope channel. She has presented as an industry expert about her livestreaming experience at Twitter UKs 10th birthday event and also at MojoCon, the worlds largest mobile journalism conference.

* * * * *

Small Business Trends: I was happy to learn that youre aware of the Moz metric named Domain Authority, or DA for short. Where did you learn about DA? Whats your favorite site to learn more about it?

Rebecca Casserly: I first heard of DA when brands or PRs were requesting it as a statistic in order to work with bloggers. This got me wondering what my own blog DA is  BecBoop.com is currently DA 32  and the factors which affect blog DA. To be honest, I mostly read about DA and how to increase it through various blogging groups on Facebook or blog posts. It is a pretty well-known statistic in the blogging world now and its something most bloggers try to work to increase.

Small Business Trends: Yes, bloggers realize brands prefer DA 30 and higher, so bloggers discuss it. Livestreamers almost never talk DA this or DA that, especially Periscopers. Ive noticed tons of Periscopers dont even have a blog, and thats partly why brands arent contacting them. And blog posts generally dont scare brands. When did you start blogging? Do you embed videos into your blog posts? Is it important for live streamers to blog?

Rebecca Casserly: I have been blogging for over four years now, and after two years of blogging I made the move from a small city in the west of Ireland to London. I started livestreaming when Periscope launched two years ago and then developed a strategy to incorporate livestreaming into my blog content. I think its really important for livestreamers to have a website or blog to share their content outside of the platform where they create it. For instance, I usually embed my livestreams into blog posts where relevant.

Small Business Trends: Whats your subscription box BoopBox about, and where can people learn more about it?

Rebecca Casserly: I have just launched my first community based product which I am really excited about! I have been working on this project for months and I couldnt wait to tell my followers on Periscope. The BoopBox is a monthly themed lifestyle subscription box with a twist. Every month the box will have a specific theme and will be full of products which I have curated. Along with this, subscribers will have exclusive access to my private broadcasts, social media tips, giveaways and other fun and exciting content. You can sign up at www.BoopBox.com

I am so excited to announce the launch of my lifestyle themed monthly subscription box #BoopBox Sign up here https://t.co/hxUJBpgPBN pic.twitter.com/yYtRkn2nwb  Rebecca Casserly (@BoopFashionista) March 11, 2017

Small Business Trends: What other platforms do you use?

Rebecca Casserly: I have recently started focusing a lot on my YouTube channel and I create travel vlogs and weekly vlogs over there. I try to upload one video a week. Along with this, I am on Snapchat and Instagram as Bec_Boop.

My Philly vlog will be up on YouTube tomorrow evening! Make sure you've subscribed #travel #youtubers https://t.co/EZX2tAn38n  Rebecca Casserly (@BoopFashionista) March 26, 2017

Small Business Trends: Are you asking your Periscope followers to also follow you on Twitter, or do most of them just do that naturally?

See Also: The Importance of Disclosure in Influencer Marketing

Rebecca Casserly: I always ask my followers to follow on Twitter. Mostly because Twitter is my favourite platform to use, it is the platform I am most active on and I check most regularly. So Twitter is the easiest way for my community to get in touch with me and also see the content which I am sharing. I have also started recommending my followers turn on live-video notifications on Twitter to get a notification every time I start a Periscope broadcast. This way they will have more of a chance to experience the broadcast live.

Small Business Trends: How should people get in touch with you?

Rebecca Casserly: Its really easy to get in touch with me! Im @BoopFashionista on Twitter, or you can email Bec@BecBoop.com

Images: Rebecca Casserly

This is part of the Small Business Trends Livestreamed Livelihoods interview series featuring sessions with today's movers and shakers in the livestreaming world.
Trying to get inside the mind of a customer is a complicated thing. It requires that you really dig in and look beyond the surface level details for meaningful takeaways. While youll probably discover a lot, theres one truth youll definitely uncover: customers crave personalization.

Customers Crave Personalization

Todays customers are busy. Not only are many working more hours, but they also have more things competing for their attention in their free time. While there are other reasons for personalization, this is one of the biggest. Personalization makes shopping faster and more convenient  two things that are highly valued in todays society.

According to a study of 3,000 consumers in the U.S. and the U.K., more than 70 percent of people say they expect personalized experiences when they interact with brands. Notice the wording there. They dont desire personalization  they expect it!

If you study American customers in particular, their expectations are even higher for businesses. They expect personalization, regardless of whether theyre interacting with an eCommerce company or a brick and mortar business.

The good news for businesses is that consumers are willing to work with you in order to receive personalized experiences. One study shows that 63 percent of millennial consumers and 58 percent of Gen X consumers are willing to share data with companies if it means receiving more personalized offers and discounts in exchange.

Connected customers want to be heard, understood, remembered, and respected, marketer Devon McGinnis says. Ultimately, they want to be treated like people  and smarter applications of customer data can help companies deliver experiences with a human touch, at scale.

The fact that shoppers want to help businesses help them is wonderful. It means you can satisfy your customers cravings for personalization in a cost-effective manner. The only question is, are you doing so?

Sadly, most businesses are not. According to an infographic from Kahuna, a leading mobile marketing platform, 85 percent of businesses surveyed know that their audience segments are too broad, and less than 10 percent of top retailers believe their current strategies are effective. Roughly half of all marketers  48 percent, to be exact  know personalization leads to more sales, but the majority struggle to use it effectively.

The moral of the story is this: customers want personalization and are willing to help you improve in this area, but its up to you to take action. If you can do so, youll enjoy a lot of success in the coming years.

3 Ways to Create a Personalized Experience

The gap between knowing that customers want personalization and actually giving them personalized service is clearly large. Its actually fairly simple to get started, though.

Lets take a brief look at some ideas and principles youll find valuable.

1. Move Beyond Mass Production

Theres something to be said for mass production. Its the reason why people visit McDonalds for a burger and fries. They know that, regardless of whether theyre in Indiana, California, or the U.K., the meal will taste the same. Its also the reason why customers stick with the same brands when purchasing things like deodorant, trash bags and light bulbs. Theres convenience and consistency in mass production.

But mass production isnt always a good thing. There are certain products and services that are perceived as having more value when theres low-batch production and personalization  jewelry is one niche that fits this bill.

When a woman shows her engagement ring to friends, she wants to hear people ohh and ahh over her sparkling diamond. The last thing she wants is for someone to say, Oh, thats the same ring I have. Thats why leading jewelers custom design services as a way to personalize and differentiate.

Companies like Diamondere, for example, provide services allowing customers to design custom pieces. The process goes from idea to concept to finished product, allowing Diamondere to stand out in an industry thats otherwise very crowded.

Are there ways you could move beyond mass production and leverage the value of personalization? You may have to think outside the box in this area.

2. Offer a Loyalty or Rewards Program

Customers want to know that your company values their business. There are plenty of ways you can do this, but one tried and true method is to create a customer loyalty program that rewards people for shopping with you.

The classic example that most people are familiar with is Amazon. A few years ago, the company launched its Prime membership service, which is essentially a paid loyalty program that provides personalized value in the form of free (and fast) shipping, online video and music streaming, cloud storage and more.

More traditional loyalty programs include frequent flyer programs and discount credit cards that can be used with retailers at the point of sale  such as rewards programs offered by department stores like Kohls. Are there opportunities for you to offer personalization in the form of loyalty programs?

3. Personalize Email Communication

For eCommerce companies, one of the top things you can do is personalize emails. According to an Experian study, personalized emails have a 29 percent higher open rate and 41 percent better click rate than standard, non-personalized emails.

See Also: Google Matched Content Gives Visitors a Personalized Experience

The great thing is that its fairly easy to personalize emails. If youre using an advanced email marketing service, you should have plenty of features already built in. The tricky thing is balancing your approach.

Before you go hog wild with personalization, youll want to consider what details youre going to include in your emails, marketer Diana Potter says. There is a fine line between helpful and creepy when it comes to personalized emails, and you dont want to step over that line.

Some of the things you can include are names, past purchasing behavior and noted preferences. Youll want to stay away from using personal financial information or anything that could be viewed as an intrusion of privacy. The goal is to make the customer feel like theyre known, but not exposed. Youll probably have to tinker around with this until you find the right balance.

Put the Customer First

If you want to provide personalized products and service offerings to your customers, you have to start putting customers first. Stop thinking about everything in terms of sales and revenue. Instead, look at things through the lens of what makes your customers feel valued.

While this may cost you up front, the end result will be better customer satisfaction, a higher percentage of repeat sales and healthier margins and revenue. In other words, youre making a long-term investment in which the reward is exponentially higher than the input.
Slovak company Litech plans to focus on the development and production of energy sources based on hydrogen-air fuel cells for the air industry and chemical hydrogen production.

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Slovaks and Russians will cooperate on technology projects for drones and energy sources. This stems from a memorandum of cooperation signed by Slovak company Litech and Russian AT Energy on February 9, 2017 in Liptovsky Mikulas.

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Litech plans to focus on the development and production of energy sources based on hydrogen-air fuel cells for the air industry and chemical hydrogen production. Another area should be specialised drones driven by energy from the hydrogen-air fuel cells. They should be able to fly four hours on one fuel tank, the Techbox.sk website reported.

AT Energy is an innovation company that owns a number of technologies and produces hydrogen-air fuel cells, as well as develops the end products and articles based thereon.

Litech is a technology company which is engaged in the introduction of new technologies and developments in the European Union.
Post office releases new stamp and opens exhibition.

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The Slovak post office is commemorating the memory of holocaust victims; with the 75th anniversary of first deportation of Jews to concentration camps, a new postal stamp named Honour was released to hounour holocaust victims. An exhibition at the Postal museum in Banska Bystrica is opening with the same name.

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The exhibition refers to the first deportation of Jews which began on March 25, 1942. The patron of the exhibition is ambassador of the Israeli state in Slovakia, Zvi Aviner Vapni, said Martina Mackova, spokesperson of the Slovak Post Office, for the TASR newswire. Graphic arts students in the third high-school grade also presented perspectives of holocaust topic with sketches and graphics.

Through their art, young people showed that they are not indifferent to the terrible incidents of the recent past, thinks Robert Galik, CEO of the Post Office.

I believe that the message of the exhibition and its forceful portrayal of the topic will become reminders not to forget about the tragic consequences of racial and ethnic hatred, Galik stressed, as reported by TASR newswire. Typography was added to chosen graphics as the base for making philatelist products.

The post office stamp Honour to holocaust victims has a monetary value of 0.85 euros, printed by Postovni tiskarna cenin Prague with offset technique. Its motive is a detail of striped clothing with a yellow star and label with the date March 25, 1942, the day of the first transport of Jewish women from Slovakia. The author of the design is student Karin Uvackova.

Alongside the stamp, the post office released an envelope and stamp FDC (first-day covers) with the date 24.3.2017 and domicile of the town Poprad. The motive of the FDC envelope is a suitcase with a yellow Jewish star from the museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau; the motive of the FDC stamp is barbed wire. The author of the engraving is academic painter Rudolf Ciganik.

The exhibition will be open at the Postal Museum, Banska Bystrica until November 16.
After Earth, Mars is the only planet in the solar system that holds the possibility of life. Scientists think, Mars, to be the second most hospitable planet that could someday hold microbiological life. Some forward-looking space companies already have started planning Mars Colonisation. But in between all these hustle bustles, the one primary question  how the Red Planet became inhospitable to life, it is inbuilt, or some big celestial crashes had converted the planet to a dry and cold planet  remained unsolved and still has been intriguing scientists.

However, in a recent breakthrough to find out the answer to all such age-old unsolved questions related to Mars, a team of international scientists has discovered that harsh impacts of solar winds are responsible for the conversion of Mars from a habitable planet to an unyielding, inhospitable, cold and dry planet. A new study published in this weeks edition of journal Science has claimed that the harsh particles, emitted by the sun stripped away Marss habitable nature and made it what it is these days. Mars once had a thick and Earth-like atmosphere, but the tactless solar winds and the particles, blasted out by the Sun left the original Mars behind and converted it into a dry and cold  a planet which is majorly inhospitable to life, said the researchers in a study, published on Thursday.

As highlighted by the researchers, some 4 billion years ago when Earth just started accommodating life, Mars was also generous to life. It used to have an impenetrable atmosphere, which helped the planet to keep warmed and soaked. But over centuries, the highly harsh and energised particles of the solar wind drifted away Mars dense and hospitable atmosphere and rehabilitated it into an emaciated and still-flinching cover of gases, which are complete unreceptive for life. As shown by the measurements, done by one of NASAs Mars-orbiting spacecraft, Mars is surrounded by several gases which are not suitable for hosting life.

As said by the lead researcher of the study, Bruce Jakosky with the University of Colorado in Boulder, during a telephonic interview, The lines of verification, we recently collected from the satellite data pointed towards the era between nearly 3.7 billion years and 4 billion years ago, which was the period when Mars atmosphere went dreadful. As our research indicates, the atmospheric conditions on early Mars could have accommodated and endorsed microbes, but over the years, the dense atmosphere around the planet vanished, and the planet become opposite to our mother planet. Mars went from a habitable, wet planet to a cold, dry planet we see today, and solar winds and solar particles are most probably the primary cause of this conversion.

The research is based on the data, collected by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN spacecraft  one of eight satellites and rovers which are currently orbiting Mars for exploring its origin, environment, ecology, and life possibilities.
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
Britain has expressed "regret" to Saudi Arabia after an egg was thrown at a Saudi military official during a visit to London, the Foreign Office said.

Anti-war activists last week attempted a citizen's arrest against General Ahmed Assiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led Gulf coalition fighting rebels in Yemen, and then threw an egg that hit him in the back.

An FCO spokeswoman said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson spoke to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the Saudi king and the country's defence minister, on Saturday.

"They discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and the humanitarian situation in Yemen," the spokeswoman said.

"The Foreign Secretary expressed his regret at the disturbance to Saudi Major General Assiri's visit to London on Thursday."

Saudi state media said that Britain had apologised.

:: UK-made cluster bombs used in Yemen war, says Defence Secretary

Gen Assiri had said after the incident that he had been "subject to aggression" by protesters critical of Riyadh's operations in Yemen.

Footage on Twitter showed anti-war activist Sam Walton approaching Gen Assiri last week, putting his hand on the general's shoulder and announcing he was placing him under citizen's arrest, before being pushed aside by the official's security detail.

As the general, shielded by his bodyguards, entered a building, another protester threw the egg.

Video then showed Gen Assiri turning around and making a rude gesture towards the activist.

Human rights groups have criticised Saudi Arabia over its military action in Yemen, where thousands of civilians have been killed.

Riyadh began its campaign two years ago against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

:: Yemen's rebel PM accuses UK of war crimes with Saudi arms sales

Amnesty International last month condemned Britain for transferring arms to Saudi Arabia, saying Yemeni civilians continued to "pay the price".

In recent weeks, Britain has strengthened ties with Gulf states including Qatar, which has announced plans to invest $5bn in the country in the coming three to five years.
Civil rights activist Darcus Howe has died aged 74, according to his biographer.

Robin Bunce said Mr Howe died in his sleep on Saturday, adding that the news had been confirmed by Mr Howe's wife Leila Hassan.

Mr Howe was born on 26 February 1943 in Trinidad and came to the UK in 1961, beginning a career in journalism seven years later.

His first job was at the Notting Hill-based magazine The Hustler.

He was editor at Race Today for more than a decade, and more recently was a columnist for The Voice newspaper.

Mr Howe also had regular columns at the New Statesman and the Evening Standard.

Dr Bunce, who co-wrote the biography - Renegade: The Life and Times of Darcus Howe - with Paul Field, said Mr Howe had been a "grass roots" activist in the 1970s and 80s.

He added: "I think he's also important in the 80s, 90s and 00s, because he brought a radical voice, a voice for egalitarianism and justice to the mainstream media."

Mr Howe wrote about his 2007 prostate cancer diagnosis and the treatment that followed in an article for The Guardian in 2009, which he also used to encourage black men to get tested for the disease.

Dr Bunce, a historian at Homerton College at the University of Cambridge, told the Press Association: "On a personal level, Darcus was enormously warm and generous and he loved life.

"It was a real privilege to get to know him."

The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, wrote on Twitter that Mr Howe had been "a courageous campaigner against injustice and for equality and civil liberties over decades".

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott described him as "one of the standout activists and public intellectuals of his generation".

George Galloway tweeted that Mr Howe was a "fighter against racism and imperialism", a "civil rights champion" and a "great leader of black peoples around the world".

Mr Howe was remembered as "an important voice as many of us were growing up" by actor Adil Ray and a "great broadcaster and visionary" by presenter June Sarpong.
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP)  President Horacio Cartes fired Paraguay's interior minister and top police official on Saturday following the killing of a young opposition party leader and violent overnight clashes sparked by a secret Senate vote for a constitutional amendment to allow presidential re-election.

Dozens of people, including a police officer, were arrested Friday evening in demonstrations that saw protesters break through police lines and enter the first floor of Paraguay's legislature, setting fire to papers and furniture. Police used water cannon and fired rubber bullets to drive protesters away from the building while firefighters extinguished blazes inside.

In the early hours Saturday, 25-year-old Rodrigo Quintana was shot and killed at the headquarters of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, a different location than the congress building where most of the protests took place. Anti-riot police with rifles and their heads and faces covered by helmets had stormed the opposition headquarters amid the anti-government protests.

Security camera footage showed people in a corridor running desperately away from police and Quintana falling to the ground, apparently hit from behind. Seconds later, a policeman carrying a gun is seen stepping on Quintana, who is face-down to the ground.

Before his dismissal, police commander Crispulo Sotelo identified Gustavo Florentin as the police agent responsible for Quintana's death and said he had been arrested. Later Saturday, Cartes announced that he had accepted the resignations of Sotelo and Interior Minister Miguel Tadeo Rojas.

"I submit to a self-criticism because we politicians have not been able to settle our differences with dialogue and peace," Cartes said in a message posted on his Facebook account hours after the dismissal of Rojas and Sotelo. "It hurts me that civilians and police officers were injured."

The protests broke out after a majority of senators approved the amendment allowing for presidential re-election, a move opponents said was illegal because the vote was taken without all members of the senate present. Presidents are limited to a single 5-year term and the proposal would allow Cartes and Paraguay's previous presidents to run for the top job again in the 2018 election  a hot button issue in a country haunted by the 35-year rule of Gen. Alfredo Stroessner.

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"My colleagues have carried out a coup because of the irregular and illegal manner in which they modified no less than the Constitution," Sen. Luis Alberto Wagner of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party said after the Friday evening vote.

The U.S. Embassy in Paraguay released a statement saying any change to the constitution should be done "in a transparent and open" fashion, respecting the democratic process and institutions. It called on Paraguay's political actors to work together to overcome their differences.

The process to pass the amendment began on Tuesday when 25 senators changed the internal procedures to speed up the vote against the wishes of Senate President Roberto Acevedo and other members of the chamber.

Acevedo, of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, said that process violated Senate rules and he filed an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to have the decision overturned.

Political analyst Ignacio Martinez said the extreme reaction to the move likely lies in fears of another long-running government like that of Stroessner, who ruled Paraguay from 1954-1989 after a military coup.

The measure for a constitutional amendment allowing for presidential re-election was backed by 25 of the country's 45 senators. The yes votes came from members of the governing Colorado Party and from several opposition groups.

After approval in the Senate, the proposal goes to the Chamber of Deputies, where 44 of the 80 members belong to the Colorado Party. Approval there would require the scheduling of a national referendum on the amendment.

Because of the violence, Saturday's and Monday's sessions of the Chamber were cancelled. "We will evaluate the situation on Tuesday," said legislative president Hugo Velazquez.

Cartes said that Vice Minister of Internal Security Lorenzo Lezcano would replace Rojas as interior minister, and police subcommander Luis Carlos Rojas would take over for Sotelo.

___

AP writer Patricia Luna contributed to this report.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - An Iranian-American detained in Iran since last summer has been released on bail of approximately $60,000 (47,826 pounds), the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday. Robin Reza Shahini was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards while visiting family in the northeastern city of Gorgan last July and subsequently sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on charges of threatening national security, according to HRANA. Shahini went on a hunger strike for a month recently and his health situation had been deteriorating, the HRANA report said. Two other Iranian-Americans are still being held in the Islamic Republic. Iran's Revolutionary Guards detained Siamak Namazi, a businessman in his mid-40s with dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, in October 2015 while he was visiting family in Tehran. The Guards arrested his 80-year-old father Baquer Namazi, a former Iranian provincial governor and former UNICEF official who also has dual citizenship, in February 2016. Both men were sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying and cooperating with the United States government, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said last October, according to the Fars news website. It did not specify when exactly the sentences had been handed down. Another detainee is Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was sentenced to five years in prison last fall on charges that remain secret, according to her family. The Revolutionary Guards have accused her of trying to overthrow Iran's clerical establishment. Zaghari-Ratcliffe works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a London-based charity that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News. The Foundation and her husband have dismissed the Revolutionary Guards' accusation. The U.S. State Department issued a warning in March 2016 noting that Iranian-Americans are particularly at risk of being detained or imprisoned if they travel to Iran. Shahini, in his mid-40s, graduated last spring from San Diego State University, where he studied international security and conflict resolution, his former classmate Jasmine Ljungberg told Reuters last year. He was set to start a master's program in homeland security at the university last fall, she said. The HRANA report did not indicate whether Shahini would be allowed to leave the Islamic Republic while out on bail. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
The death of an activist during a police raid in Paraguay has heightened tension after a night of violence that saw the countrys parliament stormed and set alight. Rodrigo Quintana, 25, was killed by a rubber bullet fired by police at the headquarters of a liberal youth activist group, the Paraguayan opposition said. It was the darkest episode of a night of unrest sparked by a secret vote in the Senate for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election. Quintanas death overnight on Friday was captured on security cameras at the partys offices in the capital Asuncion. The images are difficult and readers are asked to use their discretion in deciding whether to watch. Warning: Disturbing Video The Interior Ministry said in a statement that an investigation would be opened into Quintanas death. His doctor said he had suffered a severe head injury. Firefighters managed to control the flames on the parliament buildings first floor, although thousands of protesters rioted in other parts of Asuncion and elsewhere in the country into the early hours of Saturday. Around 200 protesters were detained, police said, and shops and government buildings were vandalised. Violence as Paraguay president attempts to overturn one-term rule https://t.co/sKq82rWl36 Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) 1 avril 2017 Amid clashes with security forces, politicians, journalists and police were all said to have been hurt. Paraguays constitution has prohibited re-election since it was passed in 1992, after the fall of a brutal dictatorship. Opponents of moves to amend the text claim it would weaken the countrys democratic institutions. They say the Senate vote was illegal. with Reuters
The Prime Minister is travelling to the frontline of the war on terror for talks on stepping up the fight against Islamic State, known as Daesh, and tackling the Syrian refugee crisis.

Theresa May is visiting Jordan and Saudi Arabia and will pledge more UK support for airstrikes, new counter-terrorism measures and humanitarian efforts.

First, in Jordan, she will announce a joint anti-terror initiative, with new moves "to strike at the heart of Daesh", and promise to improve co-operation on countering violent extremism in the region.

Then, in Saudi Arabia, the UK's largest trading partner in the Middle East, as well as talks on boosting trade between the two countries she will attempt to step up co-operation on counter-terrorism.

During her visit, the Prime Minister is expected to say that the tragic attack in Westminster on 22 March "showed only too starkly that terrorism is an evil facing us all and we must come together to fight it".

She will also say that working with countries such as Jordan on the frontline in the fight against terror keeps British people safe, and that sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia has saved hundreds of lives in the UK.

According to 10 Downing Street, she will also discuss how the UK Government can build on co-operation with Jordan to manage the fall-out from the Syrian conflict.

She is expected to reiterate the UK's commitment to providing humanitarian support to Jordan to bolster its capacity to handle the huge number of refugees it hosts, enabling the refugees to stay close to their homes and create meaningful long-term futures for themselves.

The Prime Minister will begin her visit in Jordan's capital, Amman, where she is expected to agree new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force to improve its capability to strike Daesh targets and defeat the terrorist threat.

She will then visit Saudi Arabia, where - according to No 10 - she will make clear that they are a close and important ally and that the UK will continue to work closely in a range of areas, particularly on counter-terrorism, where UK-Saudi cooperation is vital.

Story continues

On trade, the Prime Minister is expected to explore ways of boosting already strong ties. Exports of British goods were worth 4.67bn in 2015 and services 1.9bn.

Speaking ahead of her visit, the Prime Minister said: "As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world.

"We must look at the challenges that we, and future generations, will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to both our security and our prosperity.

"It is clearly in the UK's security and prosperity interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability.

"An even deeper partnership with these countries, and greater knowledge and understanding of one another, will increase our ability to address the issues that concern us, including the promotion of international standards and norms.

"To tackle the threats we face from terrorism and from geopolitical instability, we must meet them at their source.

"Jordan is on the frontline of multiple regional crises and I'm clear that by working with them, we are helping keep British people safe.

"Likewise in Saudi Arabia: we must never forget that intelligence we have received in the past from that country has saved potentially hundreds of lives in the UK.

"And there is so much we can do together on trade, with immense potential for Saudi investment to provide a boost to the British economy.

"So I hope my visit will herald a further intensification in relations between our countries and deepen true strategic partnerships, enabling us to seize the opportunities ahead and ensure the security and prosperity of our people for decades to come."

It is not the Prime Minister's first visit to these two key Gulf states. She visited Jordan in 2012 when she was Home Secretary and also visited Saudi Arabia in March 2014.

The UK Government's new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force will include:

:: Deploying training teams to help the Jordanians better integrate their Air and Land assets on operations;

:: Providing training in the UK and in Jordan for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, who are the service personnel who direct combat action of aircraft in offensive operations;

:: Increasing the number of places available to RJAF personnel on UK courses in niche areas such as Air Battle Management and Electronic Warfare; and

:: Supporting aviation safety, including through training in both the UK and Jordan.

According to No 10, the UK will also commit to partnering with Jordan in the development and implementation of strategies to counter violent extremism, including active consultation with civil society and affected communities, particularly focusing on youth groups.
A third convoy of rebel fighters and their families began leaving al-Waer neighborhood in Homs on Saturday, April 1, as part of a deal that the Syrian government claims will help end fighting in the area, according to Homs Media Center.

The same source said that 1,458 people were leaving for the rebel-held area of Idlib in Aleppo.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported. the convoy, citing local sources.

The agreement, reached on Monday, March 13, came after a month of escalated shelling of the neighborhood by pro-regime forces. Credit: YouTube/Smart News Agency via Storyful
By Valerie Volcovici and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump held out the possibility on Sunday of using trade as a lever to secure Chinese cooperation against North Korea and said Washington might deal with Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs on its own if need be. The comments, in an interview published on Sunday by the Financial Times, appeared designed to pressure Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this week. "China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they wont. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they dont it wont be good for anyone," Trump was quoted as saying, according to an edited transcript published by the newspaper. Asked what incentive the United States had to offer China, Trump replied: "Trade is the incentive. It is all about trade." Asked if he would consider a "grand bargain" in which China pressured Pyongyang in return for a guarantee the United States would later remove troops from the Korean peninsula, the newspaper quoted Trump as saying: "Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you." It is not clear whether Trump's comments will move China, which has taken steps to increase economic pressure on Pyongyang but has long been unwilling to do anything that may destabilize the North and send millions of refugees across their border. It is also unclear what the United States might do on its own to deflect North Korea from the expansion of its nuclear capabilities and from the development of missiles with ever-longer ranges and the capacity to deliver atomic warheads. NORTH KOREA REVIEW COMPLETED Trump's national security aides have completed a review of U.S. options to try to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile programs that includes economic and military measures but leans more toward new sanctions and increased pressure on Beijing to rein in its reclusive neighbor, a U.S. official said on Sunday. The official said it was not immediately known whether the recommendations put together by Trump's National Security Council had yet made their way to the president. The White House declined comment on the NSC recommendations. Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year, when they meet on Thursday and Friday. China claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the strategic waterway. Trump's deputy national security adviser, K.T. McFarland, said there was a "real possibility" North Korea could be capable of hitting the United States with a nuclear-armed missile by the end of Trump's four-year term, the Financial Times reported. McFarland's estimate appeared more pessimistic than those of many experts, who say North Korea's ability to launch a nuclear missile at the U.S. mainland is at least years away. "The typical estimates are that it will take five years or so," said Siegfried Hecker, a former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States and a leading expert on North Korea's nuclear program. (Additional reporting by Timothy Ahmann, David Brunnstrom and John Walcott; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler and Peter Cooney)
BRUSSELS  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned NATO allies Friday to boost defense spending or come up with plans to reach the alliances budget guidelines within two months.

Tillerson, in his first talks with NATO counterparts in Brussels, said that Washington is spending a disproportionate share on defense compared with its 27 partners, and that he expects action by the time President Donald Trump meets with other alliance leaders on May 25.

NATO leaders pledged in 2014 to halt defense spending cuts and move toward a guideline target of 2 percent of gross domestic product within a decade. Only four other nations currently meet the target: Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland.

Our goal should be to agree at the May leaders meeting that by the end of the year all allies will have either met the pledge guidelines or will have developed plans that clearly articulate how, with annual milestone progress commitments, the pledge will be fulfilled, Tillerson told the ministers.

Tillerson did not say what would happen if European allies and Canada fail to respect their pledges. During election campaigning, Trump suggested that he might not come to the defense of those allies who do not do their fair share, rocking allies near an increasingly aggressive Russia, such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

However, Tillerson sought to calm any fears, saying Friday that we understand that a threat against one of us is a threat against all of us, and we will respond accordingly. We will uphold the agreements we have made to defend our allies.

The United States is by far NATOs most powerful ally. It spends more on defense than all the others combined; 3.61 percent of GDP in 2016, according to NATO estimates, although U.S. spending, too, has tapered off in recent years.

Germany spent 1.19 percent of its overall budget on defense last year.

But German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it would be unrealistic for his country to hike spending from 35 billion euros ($37 billion) a year to over 70 billion euros, which would see Berlin allocate more to defense than Russia currently.

I dont know a politician in Germany who believes that this would be achievable or even desirable, Gabriel said.

He said security is also about crisis prevention, not just combat, and noted that Germany spends a lot of money on refugees who arrive because military interventions have failed.

Seven countries  including Canada, Italy and Spain  would have to virtually double their spending to reach the target.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said that beyond money, its also really important to look at capabilities and what countries are actually doing.

We really feel that were doing our share, she said, highlighting Canadas troop deployment to Latvia to help deter Russian aggression.

Tillerson also urged NATO to do more to fight the Islamic State group and other extremists, notably by countering IS online messaging and propaganda.

NATO has fought insurgents in Afghanistan, and is training Iraqi officers so that local forces can make a strong stand against extremists. There is no appetite to deploy troops in counter-terrorism operations. Allies believe that the international coalition against IS should be leading combat operations, not NATO.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the lesson learned from operations in Afghanistan, but also in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, is that in the long run it is much better to fight terrorism and project stability by training local forces, building local security institutions, instead of NATO deploying a large number of combat troops.

___

Sylvain Plazy in Brussels contributed to this report.
From the outside, Maple St. Records has a bit of an unassuming appearance. After all, it looks just like any other house on San Joaquin Avenue, a residential street a few blocks from University of New Mexico.

But then you enter and walk through the foyer, the kitchen, the living room, down a few stairs  and you start to notice the little details. And the big ones.

Huge studio speakers.

A few desktop monitors and Macs of various sizes crammed onto a large table.

Five guitars of all types sitting in a corner.

A stack of vinyl records on a side table.

Before you realize it, youre in a makeshift recording studio, the same one where  despite its amateur looks  the co-owners of Maple St. Records are working to put Albuquerque on the national music map.

Manu Sandoval, Drew Mitchell and Zach Spalsbury, all with their own personal backgrounds in music, founded Maple St. Records in 2016, with the goal of helping burgeoning local musicians  whether that be through collaboration, production or connection to even bigger labels.

This is a means for them to let that creativity flow, Spalsbury said.

Similar journeys

The trio  all in their early 20s  reside under the same roof. They live together, work together and even play together as PLEASE, their own group with a pop sound reminiscent of something that youd hear on West Coast radio.

And thats exactly where they are being heard these days. In mid-December, the group put its song NAM on SoundCloud, where it got the attention of Noon Pacific, an LA-based blog that was able to exponentially increase PLEASEs exposure.

As a result, NAM is nearing 60,000 listens on SoundCloud, and the group is preparing to release its first EP.

Now the band is trying to help other local artists scratch the surface of big-time potential for themselves, in an environment thats as much about having the freedom to express yourself as it is working to make dreams come true.

Its nice to have people from different backgrounds just have a good time and jam, Spalsbury said. We can all have an influence on each other.

Maple St. Records currently works with about 10 artists  most of them Burquenos  all at different points in their musical careers, but all with seemingly hidden talent, as if the Sandias were a sort of natural obstacle.

We know how much talent there is in this city, Sandoval said. Even when I think we know most of it, theres still so much more here that nobody knows about. Nobody.

And sometimes it comes from unlikely sources, like a recent high school graduate who blew the group away with his trombone skills. Maple St. Records has musicians at the house about four nights in a given week  experimenting, discussing or perhaps even collaborating with the trio as PLEASE, if their styles mesh.

A place on the map

So despite being an hour south of what many consider the art capital of the world in Santa Fe, why havent Albuquerque musicians seen much success beyond The Shins?

From what Sandoval has seen, the problem isnt just that Albuquerque isnt, say, Miami or New York or Los Angeles, or a bastion of chart-topping sound at all. He says its that theres no real sense of community, no consistent urge to help one another grow.

Theres no unity to the scene at all, he said. Everything is so scattered.

Thats the void Maple St. Records is trying to fill. Sometimes all a group needs is a little guidance, Mitchell added, a little bit of a push to get the ball rolling.

The companys biggest goal for now is to get as many EPs produced from as many talented local artists as possible. Theres isnt necessarily a quota to meet; the way Sandoval says it, every time a New Mexico musician gets noticed outside the Land of Enchantment is a small success.

For a group that is comfortable proclaiming itself to be Albuquerques Music Revolution, the focus will always be on home and the homegrown. But for Maple St. Records, its necessary to catch the eye of the gatekeepers of the national music scene for the city to catch the attention that Sandoval says is overdue.

If we can get to where we can know those people, and we have been led through that gate by those gatekeepers, then we can bring it back to Albuquerque, Sandoval said, and do whatever we want.
A novel incentive program started by a Roswell McDonalds owner offers employees a path to make wishes come true.

Nic Snowberger launched the Dream Ambassador program as a way of differentiating his business and to help motivate his workers to achieve their dreams.

Im always looking at unique ways to diversify and to establish myself as employer of choice, Snowberger said.

He has about 145 employees at the four McDonalds restaurants he owns in the southeastern New Mexico town.

Last year, he created a special position on his workforce, a Dream Ambassador whose job is to interview individual employees to learn about their lifelong dream or ambition. The Dream Ambassador, Toni Brumlow, then researches how much it will cost to make it happen, presents that to the employee and helps them craft a budget, a savings plan and set up a bank account to achieve that goal.

If they save 95 percent of amount needed to achieve goal, then we chip in 5 percent, Snowberger said.

For Diana Corral, 32, the program meant she could begin working toward achieving her personal dream.

Ive always wanted to have a tortilla factory. My aunt and uncle had a business like this in Mexico. They had a recipe that was very special, Corral said.

Snowberger recently presented Corral with a $500 check, which she will use to buy equipment for the factory she plans to open in Artesia in a couple of months.

More than half of Snowbergers employees have opted to participate in the program since it started. Some want to further their education, some want to make a big purchase such as a truck, others want a Disney-destination vacation, Brumlow said.

She said Corral, a 10-year employee at McDonalds, jumped at the opportunity and was able to save more than she originally budgeted. She is the first of Snowbergers employees to receive a check through the program.

Since the program started, Snowberger said hes seen an increase job applicants and a 60 percent reduction in employee turnover.
They are not exactly starving artists sacrificing material well-being for the sake of their craft.

They dont worry about where their next meal comes from or keeping a roof over their heads.

Heck, they dont even sign their paintings.

These artists simply do what comes naturally to them as animals at the ABQ BioPark Zoo, where all their creature comforts, so-to-speak, are met and the art they produce is sought after and valued.

Elephants, apes, alligators, arthropods, snakes, small mammals and big cats are all part of the zoos Art Gone Wild program, in which the animals distribute non-toxic paint on a canvas using their bellies, paws, noses, trunks, hooves, fingers or feet.

To be clear, were talking technique that has more in common with Jackson Pollock than, say, Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Technique

The Art Gone Wild program began about a half dozen years ago. We realized we could paint with the animals and people would want those paintings and would pay for them, so we knew this could be a fundraiser, says Allyson Zahm, development manager for the New Mexico BioPark Society, the nonprofit and fundraising arm of the BioPark.

Depending on the animal, Zahm says, keepers may load paint onto a brush and hand it to the animal, or allow an animal to choose the color, or dribble paint on a canvas and let the animal rub, run, slither or walk across it, spreading the colors in unique ways.

The paintings sell from $40 to $260, and the money generated goes for the care of the animal artists, she says.

So when an elephant uses its trunk to slash a brush across a canvas or to spray it with paint, the money raised goes for the care and upkeep of all the elephants; when a lowland gorilla deliberates about where to dab a paint brush, all the great apes profit; and when a millipede and other arthropods leave behind their multiple tiny footprints, the entire Bugarium benefits.

Media

On a recent weekday, senior reptile keeper Bob Gedraitis removes a 3-foot-long American alligator named Drogo from a tank of water and places him on the floor, where a canvas sits in the center of a small area lined with black plastic. Drogo appears uncomfortable with the slick texture of the plastic and after running across the canvas and leaving a few smear marks, makes a futile attempt to escape.

Gedraitis returns him to the tank and removes a slightly larger and more agitated gator they call The Kraken, after a giant legendary sea monster. A new canvas is placed on the floor and this time the gator leaves more interesting impressions of his underbelly and tail.

Painting for alligators as well as other zoo animals is an occasional enrichment activity designed to mentally and physically stimulate them, Gedraitis explains. If it were done on a regular basis, it would become routine, and not as interesting for them.

One-of-a-kind art

Obviously, I dont think the animals know what art is, but they do seem to enjoy the activity, says artist and art collector Mary Ann Weems, owner of Weems Galleries and Framing. She carries a number of animal paintings in her gallery on Montgomery NE, and collects some of the animal art, which she hangs in her home.

And theyre in very good company, Weems says, noting that her personal collection also includes works by Wilson Hurley, B.C. Nowlin, Sarah Blumenshein and Betty Sabo, among others.

I think these animal paintings are collectible, she said. Theyre one-of-a-kind and can absolutely never be reproduced, and I believe they will eventually have more value.

Like human artists, when animal artists die their work often becomes more sought after and valuable. When Daizy the elephant died at the zoo in 2015, Weems said, there was a run on her paintings and all of them immediately sold out.

But the bigger reason to buy an animal painting is that theyre fun, great-looking and dynamic, she said. It also supports the zoo, so purchasing them is philanthropic.

Showing off some animal art paintings hanging in her gallery, Weems points to one called French Boutique created by Lucy, the zoos now-deceased Bengal tiger. Look at this beautiful flow and incredible balance, she says. If you put this work in any major avant-garde museum in the country and gave it an elaborate frame and didnt tell anybody, this could easily be seen as a painting by a famous artist.

All of which underscores the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Although pop icon Andy Warhol once cynically observed: Art is what you can get away with.

To learn more For more about the Art Gone Wild program, or info on purchasing a painting, go to www.bioparksociety.org and click on the animal art gallery; or visit Weems Galleries and Framing, 7200 Montgomery NE. For more Art Gone Wild art, see the gallery at ABQJournal.com. Jaguar Elephant Mountain lion Pair of tasmanian devils Gorilla Prev 1 of 5 Next




Three native New Mexicans recently opened a brewery that shows their support of the military from its name to it ceiling beams.

The 377 Brewery opened late last year on the northwest corner of Gibson and Yale boulevards.

Co-owner Cliff Sandoval said he and his business partners named the establishment after Kirtland Air Force Bases host unit, the 377th Air Base Wing, to honor the bases history, contributions and anchoring of the neighborhood.

Sandoval and his business partners, one a childhood acquaintance and the other a customer from the restaurant he once owned, have never served in the military, but whole-heartedly support those who do.

Manager Maya Williams said the establishment attracts a mixture of military personnel, University of New Mexico students and travelers coming to and from the airport.

It reminds me a lot of a friends backyard or garage, she said of the brewerys feel.

Sandoval said people who live nearby have also made it their regular hangout, and hes met veterans from World War II up to present conflicts.

The 377 Brewery has 12 beers on tap, 10 of them brewed in-house. Wine is also available, and Sandoval invites food trucks to park on the property to serve his customers.

A sign asks customers to respect the three-beer limit.

New Mexico native Lyna Waggner is the brewer. A rare female in the business, she came from the home-brewing scene.

Williams said her favorite beer is the Full Booty Stout. Among the other house specialties are the Red Horse New Mexican lager, named after the 210th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer at Kirtland, the Black Ops Hops black IPA and the 377 IPA.

Sandoval said the range of beers, from dark to light, offers something for any beer-loving palate.

Military personnel who come in are invited to sign the bare wooden ceiling beams. Sandoval hopes to start a program in which people pay $1-$5 to sign the beam, and every three to six months, hell give the collected money to a military-focused charity.

Hes also collecting unit patches from every branch of the military and any era to mount and display.

With a background in the construction and restaurant industries, Sandoval did most of the renovations on the building. He designed it to look like an old airplane hangar or MASH combat medical unit, as if it were made of whatever rough materials were available.

He kept the brewing system small so the business could quickly recover from any mistakes there.

Sandoval plans to have events such as outdoor movie nights and live music this summer.

We really want to just anchor down into this neighborhood right here, Sandoval said.

Regular hours are noon-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon-midnight Friday and Saturday.
April 4 is Equal Pay Day. It is described as the day that women catch up to what men were paid by the end of the previous year. Looked at another way, Equal Pay Day marks the number of days women would work for free if their wages from the first three-plus months could be applied to the previous year so their employers could claim compliance with federal law.

The wage gap was 41 percent in 1963 when the Equal Pay Act was passed. It narrowed over time at a steady rate until 15 years ago. Since then the gap has remained unchanged at 22 percent for all women as compared to all men doing full-time, year-round work. African-American and Hispanic women fare worse at 68 percent and 60 percent, respectively, with slower growth rates. These numbers become even more damning when education is considered. American colleges graduated 7 percent more females than males with four-year degrees between the years 2000 and 2010. Women are at least as prepared educationally as men. If the market alone could correct this, the evidence would be reflected in the Department of Labors statistics.

The city of Albuquerque was the first city in the nation to offer an incentive in contracting to employers that demonstrate low gender pay differentials between women and men in the same job categories. The Pay Equity ordinance became law on July 1, 2015, requiring city contractors to report their employees pay by gender and job category  only average pay gaps are reported; personal information is not collected. If the overall calculated differential is below a certain percentage, the business can receive a preference in getting a contract. Initially the percentage was set at 10 percent. Last month, after collecting pay differential data over a year-and-a-half, it was adjusted down to 7 percent. Data show gaps reported by city contractors range from near zero to over 40 percent. A number of employers have expressed a desire to hire more women in nontraditional jobs. Others have admitted they had not considered their pay practices or looked at differences in what they pay women as compared with men. Still, many are doing well  to date 58 contractors were proud to receive city certification for bidding preferences at a negligible cost to the city.

Why set an allowable pay gap? Should it not be zero? The ideal goal is certainly zero  equal pay for equal work is the law. History has shown us that even a federal law has not budged a 22 percent gap in the past 15 years. Setting an allowable gap at less than one third of the present is a progressive and attainable goal. Imposing a zero tolerance would be nonproductive and discouraging to employers in closing their pay gaps. While future allowable percentages can be lowered below the present 7 percent, attaining precisely zero is likely unrealistic, since factors such as education and experience  some favoring men, some favoring women  will never be exactly the same and must be considered for all but the lowest entry-level jobs.

Anything that benefits both business and workers benefits the city. Tax dollars funding public assistance programs take up the slack where pay inequities drive low wages. When workers are brought up to a fair and equitable level, the burden on the taxpayers is eased. Fair pay is good for our economy and helps fight poverty.

We have set a precedent that others are following. Nationally recognized expert on gender pay equity and consultant to the city, Martha Burk, reports that San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., Tempe, Ariz., and the state of Missouri report progress in their initiatives patterned after our model. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed an executive order regarding state contractor reporting of gender pay equity data also similar to Albuquerques ordinance.

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Albuquerque can take pride in topping a national list for something good.
Just one day before the first anniversary of my newspapers takeover by the Recep Tayyip Erdogan regime in Turkey, I visited the Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico. It was first time I was in a newspaper environment since the takeover. When I entered the building, I realized how much I have missed the smell of ink and paper, the endless rush for deadlines and journalistic debates in a newsroom. I cannot even describe how bad I felt as a journalist of 25 years and as the editor-in-chief of Turkeys largest newspaper, Zaman, when it was taken over on March 4, 2016. On that day, I lost my career, my job, my newspaper.

Horrific scenes from my last day in the newspaper are still vivid in my memory. Our headquarters was raided by hundreds of riot police using tear gas and water cannons. By midnight, police had kicked me out, along with journalists and their families who came to our support. The next morning, they fired me and appointed someone from a pro-government, jihadist, anti-Semitic paper as the new top editor.

Overnight the paper turned into a mouthpiece for Erdogan. Our digital archives were deleted, making it impossible for researchers to use our vast resources. I cannot even find my articles to prove that I am a journalist in a job application. For our remaining staff, the paper was turned into a concentration camp until most of them were eventually fired. Police were everywhere. Each staff member was assigned a number to enter into the building. Soon reporters had two choices: either cooperate or leave without legal rights. Our sister media outlets Todays Zaman, Cihan News Agency, Aksiyon and Irmak TV suffered the same consequences.

Of course, all of this did not come from out of the blue. The takeover was preceded by numerous threats and rumors in pro-Erdogan media for almost two years that the ruling AKP government wanted to silence our paper. Erdogan was not happy with our independent and critical voice. Pressure increased step by step to intimidate our newspaper, and in a similar fashion all critical media. It all started with quarreling with and humiliating our reporters who were asking critical questions during press conferences. We were having regular phone calls directly from Erdogan to fire critical reporters and columnists. After a while, Erdogans government started denying our reporters access to official press meetings. At the same time, our reporters government-issued press accreditation cards were canceled. Despite heavy pressure, we continued to write about huge corruption allegations related to Erdogans family and several members of his Cabinet. Then, Erdogan started to ask people to boycott and not to buy the paper in party rallies. He and his surrogates made phone calls to companies not to run advertisements in our paper. We had an influx of tax inspectors. Then, using an increasingly partisan judiciary, hundreds of cases were filed against our journalists and the company. The number of cases against our newspaper went over 1,000, and there have been times when 20 journalists from our paper were in court on the same day. Our former editor-in-chief was detained for seven days with the claim he was the founder of a terrorist organization. The only evidence for the nasty claim was one news story and two columns.

In fact, our newspaper was a strong supporter of democracy, rule of law and Turkeys European Union membership, and our editorial policy has never condoned terror, be it religiously, ideologically or ethnically driven. But the Erdogan regime struck the final blow by taking over the paper, as with many other critics, using a specially designed court system to accuse us of supporting terrorism.

Ten days after the takeover, I realized that it was impossible for me to live in Turkey because my every step was tracked and my phone conversations were taped. I had to leave my country in the middle of the night with only my jacket. Luckily, there was no restriction on my passport, which became routine after awhile. Currently, there is an arrest warrant against me, and I am in exile in America trying to start my life over, from scratch. Nearly 200 of my fellow journalists are in jail now, dozens of them from my newspaper, including our prominent columnists who are over 70 years of age and young female reporters.

After a staged coup attempt in July of last year, Erdogan shut down our newspaper along with 186 critical papers, television stations and news sites. Our assets were confiscated. Today, Erdogan controls 90 percent of the Turkish media. More than 40,000 people have been arrested and 140,000 purged from their professions  including 7,000 academicians, 15,000 teachers, 20,000 military officers, and 5,000 judges and prosecutors. The leader of the pro-Kurdish party and several MPs have been jailed, elected mayors have been dismissed and half a million people have been displaced. It is no longer possible to call Turkey a democracy.

As a victim of and witness to the process during which our democracy has been hijacked by a populist Islamist leader, I wish my country could turn back to democracy soon, and I urge Americans to never take your democratic rights for granted.
Olivier Uyttebroucks story Rural Water Woes in Sundays Journal reported on the elimination of the United States Department of Agricultures Water and Environmental (WEP) program under President Trumps fiscal 2018 budget proposal. The presidents efforts to kill a program vital to the sustainability of our rural communities should concern us all.

I served as the New Mexico State Director for Rural Development at the USDA during the Obama administration and ran the USDA WEP program. Ive seen firsthand its positive impacts on thousands living in rural communities  many of whom have never had running water in their homes.

In his budget proposal eliminating the program, the president suggests instead that rural communities can be served by private-sector financing or other federal investments in rural water infrastructure, like the Environmental Protection Agencys State Revolving Funds. This statement demonstrates a true lack of understanding as to how the program works and the realities on the ground in places like rural New Mexico.

The USDA WEP program is designed to provide funding in the form of loans, and some grants, to rural community and municipal water systems serving 10,000 people or less. Water systems that apply to the program must show that credit was not available through traditional lenders at reasonable rates.

The USDA plays a vital role for water systems as the lender of last resort. Most water systems cant afford loans at commercial rates of 7 percent or higher, thus USDA lets them borrow from the government at rates that currently stand at about 2.8 percent with terms up to 40 years. Raising the cost of borrowing ultimately forces water systems to raise consumers rates. Water-rate increases are the last thing we should be encouraging in the poorest state in the union.

Some attack government programs as giveaways, but this program is anything but a giveaway. Federal government loans have to be paid back  with interest. The government actually earns money from this program. With a federal loan come other requirements that improve the overall quality of these water systems. USDA requires that water systems be properly engineered, that they charge fair rates and that the water being delivered to customers is clean.

The presidents suggestion that we rely on the EPA Revolving Loan Fund Program alone leaves New Mexico water systems woefully underfunded. The American Society of Civil Engineers 2017 report card on Americas Infrastructure reports that New Mexico needs approximately $1.1 billion in water improvements over the next 20 years. The New Mexico EPA fund stands at $14.8 million this year. At that funding level, it would take 70 years to relieve New Mexicos water funding deficit. However, with regular USDA funding supplementing the EPAs funding, we can easily triple the amount devoted to small water systems annually and make a real dent in our water funding needs.

I will never forget the dozens of water systems I met with during my time at USDA. Many of those systems were run by locally elected community boards who showed real pride in their operations and took seriously their responsibility to deliver clean drinking water to their neighbors. As a society, we should be encouraging those efforts. Instead the president proposes to gut a valuable program and leave rural New Mexicans high and dry.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

HACHITA  Standing between President Donald Trump and his promised border wall is New Mexico rancher William Hurt.

Like thousands of other private landowners and leaseholders who live, ranch and farm along the Mexican border, Hurt knows the border firsthand  the terrain, the people, the risks.

He and his family, fourth-generation ranchers, are among the largest landholders on the New Mexico border. They work in one of the most remote and rugged regions of the state, the southeastern corner of the Bootheel.

Private and state-owned lands make up 67 percent of the nearly 2,000-mile Mexican border, according to a 2015 Government Accountability Office report. Hurt Cattle Co. ranches a mix of federal, state and privately leased or owned parcels, hundreds of thousands of acres from the border nearly to Interstate 10.

Last month, the Trump administration issued a request for proposals to construct a physically imposing barrier on the southern border. To build the wall, the federal government would either need to work with these border landowners and leaseholders or take the land by eminent domain.

Hurt has something to say about it.

Dont even come down here and think about starting building a wall until you get input from the landowner, he said. And work with us and dont come in and start condemning.  The best way to just absolutely get no cooperation is tell me what Im gonna have to do to make you happy.

Hurt has had terrifying run-ins with illegal traffic on his property. He has also had neighborly relationships with farmers and ranchers on the other side of the border.

Like that of many other border ranchers whose views are rooted in real-life experience, Hurts perception of the border isnt one-dimensional.

He is a registered Democrat. He voted for Trump. He is married to a woman from Mexico.

Wall a little radical

The metal roof of Hurts ranch house glints like a diamond in the sun, a spark of civilization miles off lonely N.M. 81 about an hour south of Hachita. The Big Hatchet and Alamo Hueco mountains bookend one side of an immense landscape, the Animas Mountains the other.

Theres about 80 miles of border in the Bootheel, where fewer than 5,000 people live, scattered across the more than 3,000 square miles that make up Hidalgo County. Hurt, 60, raises cattle along close to 30 miles of that border country, where Mexico lies to the south and east.

He wears a beat-up white cowboy hat and drives a Dodge Ram. He is prone to answer the question How are you? with More rain, less government and Id be fine. He has a deep voice, a country drawl and a taste for sarcasm.

He also has strong opinions about what is  and isnt  needed to secure the border.

A wall? Maybe where its feasible; but not on his property, where its not realistic, he says.

A stronger vehicle barrier would be helpful.

More Border Patrol? Yes, but patrolling the line, not the highway 50 miles north.

Immigration reform? He favors a work visa program that would let him legally hire migrant labor. He has only two full-time ranch hands: one a 69-year-old former Border Patrol agent and the other a 66-year-old Mexican immigrant whose legal status Hurt sponsored under the 1986 amnesty law.

My perception of a wall is 30 feet high, 6 feet thick, guard posts every hundred yards with somebody sitting in it, Hurt said. A little radical. That is what I would perceive as a wall. That is what the general public perceives as a wall.

Is that what he wants?

No, he said. I think a wall could work in some places, but not here. Ive seen how the government does things, and they really dont know what theyre doing down here. We need a vehicle barrier  but regardless of what you put down there, the Border Patrol has to be on the border patrolling. Otherwise, you have no control of the border.

No mans land

Border Patrol agents frequently patrol closer to N.M. 9 or 81 because of the difficult terrain, the lack of cellphone service, inadequate manpower and a strategy that favors chasing illegal traffic from north to south, rather than south to north.

But New Mexicos border ranchers take the borderline literally, because they are the ones caught in a no mans land between the line and law enforcement.

Last July, Hurt was driving home in broad daylight when a pickup came barreling toward him.

Distances as the crow flies are meaningless in the Bootheel. The border may lie just 16 miles to the east from his ranch house, but it can take almost two hours to get there on the ranch road  which Hurt maintains  that twists over hills and desert pastureland.

In the border fence, there is a locked gate. Its purpose used to be to move cattle from one side to the other; years ago, Hurt says, there was a sign that said something like, You are entering the United States. Report to the closest port of entry.

But now, its an invitation for trucks loaded with migrants or dope.

Hurts road runs from the border west, past the house where he lives with his wife and their two young boys, and ends at N.M. 81. That July day, a truck loaded with people and bundles nearly ran him off his road.

Hurt speaks Spanish; words were exchanged. The encounter didnt turn violent, and the truck turned back the way it came, heading south.

But it shook him up, he said.

Hurt has more stories like this. Such run-ins are rare, but he and his ranch hands find abandoned marijuana and see the tracks of walkers often enough.

Line in the sand

Illegal traffic in the Bootheel is dominated by men carrying 60-pound sacks of marijuana north  professionals who will head back to Mexico for the next load.

You need a line in the sand that nobody crosses, Hurt said.

But not necessarily a wall, he says. A vehicle barrier to prevent the kind of truck that came in that day. A program by which the federal government could reimburse counties or landowners for their heavy use of private or local roads  which under current policy doesnt happen. More agents closer to the line.

One of the costs they dont include in their estimate of a border fence  conservative estimates range from $15 billion to $22 billion  is the damage it does to the infrastructure getting the materials here, Hurt said.

Highway 81 was virtually nothing but potholes when they got done building the vehicle barrier they put down here, and that was six miles of vehicle barrier. Every time they run one of those semis loaded with water or loaded with steel, they are damaging that little old chip-seal road.

What about the countrys relationship with Mexico?

That question is answered as he pulls up in a cloud of dust to the barbed-wire border fence that divides his land from his neighbors, the U.S. from Mexico, and shoots the breeze with Mexican Mennonites David and Maria Fehr. The wind was whipping.

Joking about Trumps plans for a wall, Hurt repeats his yarn: I tell them, build it 50 feet tall, 6 feet thick, with a guard every 100 yards.

Maria, wearing a dress, sneakers and traditional head covering, deadpanned, Well, at least we wouldnt get the wind.

Everyone chuckled, but then Hurt said seriously, If Mexico could get control of its side and the U.S. could get control of our side, we could all live here with no problem.
Republican Rep. Steve Pearce was among those fiesty Freedom Caucus members who torpedoed the GOPs Obamacare replacement bill 10 days ago, and last week the New Mexico congressman seemed unfazed by President Donald Trumps subsequent Twitter threats.

The Freedom Caucus will hurt the entire Republican agenda if they dont get on the team, & fast, Trump tweeted Thursday morning, six days after the House GOP health care bill went down in flames. We must fight them, & Dems, in 2018!

Pearce, a steady supporter of Trump generally, seems to hold out hope that Republicans will return to the health care issue in the weeks or months ahead, although both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., and Trump have conceded defeat on their particular bill.

The congressman was not offended by the presidents comments on Twitter, Pearces spokeswoman, Keeley Christensen, said in an email Thursday night. He makes his decisions based on what is best for New Mexico. He is optimistic that a solution is possible, and these discussions are ongoing.

  

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grishams campaign for governor of New Mexico got a boost late Thursday when former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced his endorsement.

In my 30 years in the United Stated Senate, I saw some excellent leadership, Bingaman said. It was clear who was in politics for personal gain and who was really there for their constituents. So I can tell you with certainty: Michelle Lujan Grisham is a true leader who fights tooth and nail for New Mexicans in Washington. That is why I proudly support her for governor.

Bingaman, who served 30 years in the U.S. Senate before retiring in 2012, also described Lujan Grisham as a fierce advocate for women, kids, working families, underrepresented communities  anybody and everybody who needs a voice.

Bingamans early endorsement in the 2018 race came as something of a surprise, but it can only help bolster Lujan Grishams campaign and standing among Democrats.

  

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat whose northern New Mexico district includes some of the most severe and pervasive opioid addiction in the nation, last week asked former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for help.

Trump on Wednesday appointed Christie as chairman of a new White House commission to combat Americas opioid problem. In a letter to Christie sent Friday, Lujan noted that Congress this year is spending $500 million to help states with drug treatment and prevention programs. Lujan urged Christie to help make sure another half-billion dollars is appropriated for 2018.

Multiple generations of Americans have been hurt by this crisis because we have historically failed to make the necessary investments in treatment and prevention, Lujan said. I stand ready to work with you on this important issue, but I feel strongly that the problem demands more than rhetoric and good intentions  we need action, and we need resources if we are to turn the corner on this crisis.

  

New Mexicos U.S. senators continued to hammer on the Trump administrations ties to Russia last week.

Sens. Tom Udall, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Martin Heinrich, who sits on the Intelligence Committee, both took to the Senate floor to issue dire warnings and call for independent investigations into the murky matter of Russias influence in the 2016 presidential election.

Our democracy is under attack, Udall declared at the outset of his Thursday floor speech before repeating his call for an independent federal commission, similar to the 9/11 Commission, to conduct an inquiry.

Udall said the commission should fully investigate Russias interference with our election and investigate ties between the president, his family businesses or his close associates and Russia that may threaten our national security.

The American people are not fooled and they want Congress to get to the bottom of this, Udall said. We in Congress have a solemn duty to the American people to do just that.

Two days earlier, Heinrich also declared that we must get to the bottom of what happened.

I know the White House and some in Congress are furiously working to sweep this under the rug, but only the truth will serve as a public means to move past this crisis for our democracy, Heinrich said, adding that hes worried Americans are becoming desensitized to the gravity of what we are confronting.

The presidents campaign officials are under investigation by the FBI for possible links with the Russian government, including whether they coordinated with one another to impact the presidential election, Heinrich said.

I dont think it is hyperbolic to state that the fate of our democracy depends on our ability to thoroughly and carefully get to the truth here, he added. Until we are able to find out the full extent of Russias operations and ensure that we set up protections against similar actions going forward, our democratic institutions will remain vulnerable.

E-mail: mcoleman@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
Its probably no surprise that the percentage of babies born into Medicaid families is higher in states with lower than average incomes. After all, Medicaid was designed in part to provide poor families with health care they could not otherwise afford.

What is surprising  shocking in fact  is that while Medicaid pays for 47 percent of all births nationwide on average, it pays for 72 percent of the births in New Mexico, according to a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on major health care issues domestically and globally.

And other indicators give little hope of ensuring a New Mexico Medicaid baby doesnt become a Medicaid child, Medicaid teen and Medicaid adult who in turn continues the cycle by having his or her own Medicaid baby.

Thats not good for a state, county or city, each of which needs a strong workforce and tax dollars; or for taxpayers, who support Medicaid and other safety-net programs; or for the recipients, who deserve a path out of poverty.

Having that much of the states population depend on tax dollars to cover the cost of births and infant health care is simply unsustainable.

Of course Medicaid expansion, which the Journal supported, has contributed to that 72 percent statistic. But while other states expanded their rolls, we still managed to come out on top.

Some who have a vested interest in the disheartening birth statistic  they tout the Medicaid 3-to-1 match as an economic driver  have put a positive spin on it. James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, and Brent Earnest, secretary of the state Human Services Department, say it shows the states commitment to prenatal care and babies being born healthy. Absolutely  a healthier populace is a key reason the Journal supported Gov. Susana Martinez signing off on the expansion.

However, the staggering number reminds us New Mexico is among the nations poorest states, with about 900,000 of our nearly 2 million residents on Medicaid  the jointly funded federal-state health insurance program for low-income, disabled and other qualifying individuals.

And there are other factors involved in New Mexico having so many Medicaid babies.

One is New Mexicos eligibility rules  a three-member household qualifies for pregnancy-related Medicaid services if the annual household income is $50,400 or less, according to the state Department of Human Services. New Mexicos annual median income is $43,872. So not only New Mexicos poor qualify for this service, which covers all expenses.

Still, the reality is that New Mexicos poverty is the main reason we have so many Medicaid babies.

Jimenezs child advocacy organizations own Kids Count Data Book notes that New Mexico: is worst in the nation in the percentage of children living in poverty; has among the highest percentage of kids living in families where parents lack full-time, year-round employment as well as children living in single-parent families and in families where the head of household does not have a high school diploma.

The data also shows New Mexico is in the top 10 for the percentage of teens not in school and not working; and is dead last for having fourth-graders who can read at grade level. And a new report issued by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says New Mexico girls ages 15 to 19 have a birth a rate of 51 per 100,000  significantly higher than the U.S. rate of 38 per 100,000 girls in that age group.

Data also shows that  hand in hand with poverty  New Mexicos drug and crime rates are also sky high. The Journal has published too many photos of women in jail jumpsuits who are pregnant. And too many stories about young women who watch the father of their unborn children go off to jail.

The most disheartening thing is there is nothing new in these dismal statistics  we are a poor state, where young and uneducated residents have babies, relegating them to a tough uphill climb out of poverty. The cycle continues.

Its clear New Mexico needs to continue to pound the education reform and economic development drum if things are going to change.

Its how we get there thats caused the inertia.

Compromise is a dirty word in todays partisan climate, but that cant keep the states leaders from continuing to try to change the trajectory of our poorest families.

Children should be able to read by the end of third grade, more residents should gain technical training or earn college degrees, more individuals should take responsibility for when they start a family and the state needs to invest in its residents with major tax reform, closing tax loopholes and broadening and reducing the states gross receipts tax.

New Mexico has known for too long it must do better by its residents. Having 72 percent of its babies born on Medicaid is not only unsustainable, its unacceptable.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Baron Vaughn is a comedian, writer and actor.

His profile is rising with roles on Netflixs Grace and Frankie and the upcoming reboot of Mystery Science Theater 3000, slated to air on April 14, also on Netflix.

Yet, the 36-year-olds journey begins in Portales, where his mother gave birth to him while she was a student at Eastern New Mexico University.

As Vaughn grew up, he was raised by his mother and grandparents. He lived in Tucumcari until the age of 8, when his mother, grandmother and he moved to Las Vegas, Nev.

It was there he fell in love with acting and perfected his skills.

But there was something missing.

Vaughn yearned to know who his biological father was, though his mother never wanted to talk about it.

This is why Vaughn is putting out the documentary, Fatherless, which chronicles the search for his father.

It airs at 9 p.m. tonight on Fusion.

Vaughn spent months in between filming for Grace & Frankie and Mystery Science Theater 3000, working on the documentary.

The most difficult part was getting his mother to talk about his father.

I am satisfied with the documentary, he says. Im intimidated because Im putting myself out there. Im also putting my mom out there. Of course, Im concerned about her feeling vulnerable. We talked about it and she seems like its fine. It was really healing for her to let it out.

So Vaughn and his mother set out to Portales to uncover the secrets.

It was there Vaughn got to hear family stories  which were all a first for him.

After Vaughn moved to Las Vegas, Nev., he would get back to Tucumcari to visit his great grandparents every summer.

Coming back from the big city to Portales was a culture shock each time, he says. So wed fly into Albuquerque and drive to Tucumcari. It was during that drive that I would mentally prepare myself. The house I grew up in seemed very small to me. The streets I played in seemed very small. It was a different perspective.

As Vaughns career continues to grow, he wants to take chances with the roles he takes.

In fact, for the role of Bud on Grace and Frankie, he was first drawn to the production because of the chance to work with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and show creator Marta Kauffman.

I never imagined I would be part of it, he says. Then I felt like I really understood Bud, because hes adopted and has a tricky identity. Thats sort of how Ive felt about myself.

When asked what he wanted to accomplish besides trying to find his biological father, Vaughn pauses.

As cheesy as it may sound, he says. I wanted to set an example and show that its OK to delve into things in the past. My hope is that people will be inspired to ask the hard questions and get those answers. I wanted to show that in the end, Im OK. Its all going to be OK.
Spitting rain and chill in the air didnt dampen the festive mood reverberating in Albuquerques South Valley on Saturday morning when a local park was renamed after a social justice advocate with New Mexico roots.

Gateway Park at Isleta and Bridge SW is now Dolores Huerta Gateway Park, in honor of the activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez.

The ceremony was attended by many of her relatives, along with hundreds of residents and local officials. Poets read their works aloud, children from area elementary schools sang songs, and several New Mexico political figures spoke.

After the ceremony, hundreds of people in attendance launched the parade that started Albuquerques 24th Cesar Chavez Day to honor the man who, alongside Huerta, fought for the rights of farmworkers. The city celebrates the day every year with a march and a festival, which took place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Chavez died in 1993, and his birthday, March 31, is celebrated annually across the country.

But the day in Albuquerque began with a ceremony to honor 86-year-old Huerta, who was born in Dawson, which is now a ghost town, in Colfax County. As a young child, Huerta moved to California, where she lived for most of her life. But she said she still has family here and comes back to the state as often as possible.

People ask me, Where did you get this whole idea of social justice? and basically it comes back to New Mexico, Huerta said to cheers. I say to people, it should be a law in the United States that everybody should come to New Mexico to get a taste of humanity.

Huerta delivered a speech that touched on various social justice and current political issues.

She made references to President Trump, without saying his name, and stressed the importance of supporting labor unions, childrens education, Latinos and immigrants and immigration reform.

If our citizens are not educated, all we have is mob rule, and the greedy and the powerful take over, she said. And we have seen the manifestation of that in a current society right now and our current political scheme of things.

Huerta hasnt retired from activism, saying she was recently part of a group that sued a school district for their high rate of minority student expulsions.

Democratic Sen. Tom Udall praised Huertas accomplishments. He urged the audience to keep up their enthusiasm for social justice.

Dolores became one of the most well-known and effective organizers in America. She got things done, Udall said in his speech. Dolores got it done and we can get it done, too. Si, se puede. (The Spanish phrase coined by Huerta and Chavez can be translated as yes, we can.)

Former Bernalillo County Commissioner Art De La Cruz talked about growing up picking onions in the summer near Hatch. He said when he was 9, he worked from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., picking the vegetables on his knees in 100-degree heat without breaks.

I think youre beginning to get an idea of why Dolores work was so important, he told the crowd.

Felisha Rojan-Minjares, a family doctor, attended the ceremony, because many of her patients are immigrants who are worried about health care. She was preparing to join a group of family doctors for the march that followed.

As a native of New Mexico herself, its great to have her as a representative of strength and unity and working for those who work in the field, she said.

Susan Hedrick, an elementary school teacher, said she taught her students about Huerta this week and the students did a day of service to honor her achievements.

This lady is like a living icon, she said, and shes still with us and shes showing us all how to be nonviolent activists.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

In the months since New Mexicans voted overwhelmingly in support of a constitutional amendment allowing dangerous defendants to be held in jail without bond pending trial, the states busiest District Court is grappling with who counts as too dangerous and how that determination should be made.

Newly elected District Attorney Raul Torrez says his office, which represents cases in Bernalillo County, has met resistance from judges who often find that prosecutors have offered insufficient evidence to support pretrial detention. He says judges are asking for unrealistic mini-trials in order to find detention is necessary, while ignoring the will of the voters.

Defense attorneys say they are left unsure how to prepare for hearings. They are worried that the DAs Office is trying to misuse the amendment and that judges decisions are confusing and vary widely.

There are murder cases where its denied, theres been one receiving/transferring (a stolen vehicle case) where it was granted. Theres no rhyme or reason, said Jonathan Ibarra, an Albuquerque public defender. Different judges have different ideas. Even the same judge has different ideas on different days.

Judges say they take the pretrial detentions very seriously and question whether the DA is seeking them in cases in which they arent warranted.

The one thing prosecutors, defense lawyers and judges do seem to agree on: a need for more guidance interpreting the amendment.

Relief may be in sight. The state Supreme Court has been in the process of giving such guidance and has agreed to hear oral arguments April 12 on Torrezs petition asking the court for a written opinion on how courts should interpret and apply the law related to pretrial detention hearings.

Unreliable evidence

Prosecutors say they have filed motions for pretrial detention 72 times  only about 10 percent of their felony cases  and Bernalillo County judges have agreed to pretrial detention in only 26 of those.

Among those rejected by judges are suspected murderers, armed robbers (one is accused of holding up 47 businesses), abusive partners (often repeat offenders), armed carjackers and others.

What I think is that were not delivering on the promise that was made when we presented the constitutional amendment to the voters, Torrez said. I dont think we are meeting the publics expectations about what that constitutional change would mean.

His office targets for preventive detention those cases involving violent crimes or repeat offenders accused of substantial property crimes, he said. Prosecutors then consider the persons criminal history, the charges in the current case and the strength of the evidence.

In 90 percent of the (felony cases) we file, we dont seek preventive detention, Torrez said. This is not something we are overusing, or using without taking into consideration the individual defendants character. Were using it strategically, thoughtfully.

In the state cases in which the motions are denied, judges often note either orally or in written orders that the state did not offer sufficient evidence to support preventive detention. The amendment requires judges to find clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.

Prosecutors often present a criminal complaint, which offers a narrative written by law enforcement of events surrounding a defendants charges. In orders denying preventive detention, judges have repeatedly called criminal complaints unreliable evidence.

Often, judges say that prosecutors should have brought a witness to the hearing  someone whom the defense can question, someone who can help authenticate the evidence presented.

A former assistant U.S. attorney, Torrez argues that  unlike state courts  federal courts uniformly and consistently find that prosecutors can make a case for preventive detention without calling witnesses.

And even though state judges continue to ask for more evidence, Torrez said prosecutors will continue to provide only the evidence that he believes is necessary. He called it a principled disagreement.

He points out that sometimes state court judges do find preventive detention is necessary, even when the state has only offered documents as proof.

We are all trying to figure this out together, he said. I would in no way argue that judges are not applying the law according to their own best understanding, I just happen to disagree with what that standard is.

No trend obvious

The cases in which prosecutors have sought pretrial detention vary tremendously.

Public defender Ibarra said he has seen preventive detention motions on just about every type of felony case.

I think theres a sense that (prosecutors are) filing it on ridiculous cases, he said. There are some cases theyre filing it on where it makes sense, but theres plenty where it doesnt. Theres a reason theyre winning on less than a third of their motions.

Ibarra pointed to a domestic violence case he felt was particularly inappropriate for preventive detention. The case was against a man accused of choking his girlfriend unconscious and threatening to kill her, he said.

The defendant was not arrested until three weeks after the alleged incident, and Ibarra said the woman sent a letter to the court saying that the incident never happened and that she lied.

This is a perfect example of a case that there is probably no way the state can win, he said. They are arguing he is so dangerous he cant be out, even though the officer waited weeks to file a complaint.

In a hearing Friday, the judge released the defendant on his own recognizance but ordered pretrial services, Ibarra said.

In another case, Judge Jacqueline Flores denied a detention motion for Morris Mora, a man accused of stealing a car and possessing heroin. In her order, Flores wrote that the state only offered court documents in support of its motion  three criminal complaints, plea and sentencing documents from a 2008 case, a risk assessment evaluation that did not recommend preventive detention, but that noted three failures to appear.

She said the allegations in the complaint were concerning, but the state did not meet its burden of proof.

The risk assessment tool does not reflect prior arrests  only convictions and pending charges. It has been called into question in the 2nd Judicial District, where the previous district attorney dismissed thousands of cases, saying her office couldnt meet court-imposed time limits.

While the new charges against Mora were not as serious as some other cases in which prosecutors sought pretrial detention, prosecutors pointed out that Mora had two prior felony convictions. A DAs Office spokesman also said Mora had dozens of previous arrests dating to 2003 and that his activity has escalated in recent months.

Presiding Judge Nan Nash said some cases have left her thinking, This does not logically make sense when you think about the seriousness of preventive detention.

Ibarra said he also hasnt been able to track down any trends as to what leads a judge to grant or deny a motion. He said it is good that judges are evaluating each individual case on its merits, but the unpredictability means its tough to prepare for a hearing.

High bonds

Torrez names two cases in his petition seeking guidance from the Supreme Court. In both cases, Judge Stan Whitaker denied the request for pretrial detention, ruling that each suspect should be held on $100,000 bond.

But a major argument by proponents of the amendment was that judges were setting excessively high bonds in violation of constitutional requirements in an effort to keep dangerous defendants behind bars pending trial. Proponents said the new amendment would allow pretrial detention without treading on the constitution.

One of the cases, which has received much media attention, involves Paul Salas, 46, accused of robbing 47 local businesses  sandwich chains, ice cream shops, auto parts stores. He confessed to the robberies, and in at least one case he is accused holding a gun to an employees head.

A prosecutor provided the criminal complaint detailing the allegations and evidence that Salas is a fugitive out of Arizona.

The other case involves Mauralon Harper, 38, accused of shooting and injuring his pregnant girlfriend.

In both cases, Whitaker denied the motions for no bond after determining that the state failed to offer clear and convincing evidence to support pretrial detention.

Jeff Rein, Harpers attorney, said Whitaker expressed concern that prosecutors did not offer witnesses who could authenticate video evidence, a criminal complaint and images of text messages that the state intended to introduce in support of its motion. The DAs Office did not provide witnesses in Salas case, either.

One indication of how important the courts view this issue is the fact that the Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments within two weeks of Torrez filing his petition.

6 defendants cases illustrate how judges make the call

Cases in which preventive detention was denied

Jorge Correa-Reyes is accused of killing a man during a drug deal, according to prosecutors. He also had a warrant for failing to appear in a Metropolitan Court case. Judge Briana Zamora wrote that she recognized that the allegations in the criminal complaint were concerning, the state chose not to present any credible evidence in support of its motion. She also said admitting the complaint without the presentation of testimony would violate Correa-Reyes due process rights. His bond is set at $100,000 cash or surety, and the judge ordered pretrial services. If released, he must also wear a GPS monitor.

Mauralon Harper is accused of shooting his girlfriend in the stomach after she told him to leave her apartment, according to prosecutors. Harper also has a pending robbery case and a warrant for failing to appear, prosecutors said. In denying the states motion, Judge Stan Whitaker wrote that the case had not been indicted and that a prosecutor chose not to call a witness from the investigating agency or a witness who may have some personal knowledge as to the allegations. Whitaker set Harpers bond at $100,000 cash or surety, if released, Harper will have to be supervised by pretrial services and wear a GPS monitor.

Morris Mora is accused of stealing a car from a grocery store, according to prosecutors. When he was stopped, officers found a gun and heroin in the vehicle. Judge Jacqueline Flores wrote that Mora had not yet been indicted on the charges. She said that Mora was not provided an opportunity to challenge the states evidence, which included criminal complaints, documents from a 2008 case and a risk assessment, which did not recommend preventive detention. His bond was set at $1,000 cash only and the judge ordered pre-trial services.

Cases in which preventive detention was granted

Frankie Trujillo is one of three people accused of breaking into a home, tying up three occupants, blindfolding them and robbing them of their car keys and wallets at gunpoint, according to prosecutors. Trujillo faces dozens of felony charges in this case and has a separate pending murder case, according to court documents. In her order granting the motion, Judge Cindy Leos said based on those allegations, combined with Trujillos conviction history, probation violation and pending murder case, she found the state proved that no other release conditions would protect the safety of others.

Aaron Evangel shot at his girlfriend eight times as she tried to leave her home, according to prosecutors. He also beat up another woman for extra drugs, choking her to unconsciousness, prosecutors said. Judge Charles Brown mentioned in his order another pending case in which Evangel was afforded release, including GPS monitoring and bond. None of these options have ensured the defendants compliance with court orders or appearances.

Marcos Cordova is linked to 12 robberies at knife point in January and February, many of which were caught on surveillance video, prosecutors said. Judge Briana Zamora, in granting the motion, wrote that two criminal complaints establish the defendant has repeatedly committed armed robbery. She even said that one of the complaints was particularly reliable and persuasive.
Verizons upcoming AppFlash search service for Android devices has been criticized over privacy concerns after digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) labeled the product as spyware. In a blog post published Thursday, the EFF stated that the largest wireless carrier in the United States is looking to use AppFlash as a way to monetize private user data of its customers. The post publicly calling for Verizon to focus on delivering a quality service without spying on [its] users has since been retracted after the Big Red reached out to the EFF and provided additional information to the privacy watchdog that has now resumed its investigation into the matter.

The New York City-based telecom giant said the AppFlash service is currently only being tested on the LG K20 V and requires users to specifically opt into the service to use it, noting how the app itself can be disabled and isnt forced onto anyone. While that clarification was enough for the EFF to temporarily retract its public accusations and continue investigating the situation, it still doesnt explain what kind of consent is Verizon asking from its customers. The companys privacy policy reveals that users of the AppFlash service yield access to their contact and location information, but it doesnt explain how Verizon is using the harvested data.

The largest mobile service provider in the country has a history of privacy-related issues that recently saw the company pay a $1.35 million fine over privacy violations regarding controversial usage of supercookies to track customers. While Verizon is apparently seeking permission to access user data from AppFlash testers, the company isnt legally obliged to do so and likely wont be for the foreseeable future following a polarizing repeal of broadband privacy rules that the U.S. Congress managed to pass earlier this week. The Republican-only legal initiative aimed to repeal regulations stopping carriers from selling and otherwise sharing user data without explicit consent. The original rules that will soon be officially repealed were enacted under the former Obama administration and havent yet come into effect, though they were supposed to do so later this year. The controversial bill now only needs President Trumps signature to come into force, and the White House already confirmed the President will sign the bill in due time.
YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS. The Tufenkchi Group pharmaceutical factory was opened on April 1 in Jrvezh village, Kotayk province. The factory has been established by Syrian-Armenian businessmen.

Healthcare minister Levon Altunyan, minister of economic development and investment Suren Karayan and Diaspora minister Hranush Hakobyan attended the opening ceremony.

Healthcare minister Levon Altunyan told reporters any medication in demand in the domestic market will be produced in the factory.

In case of consumption of the production, it will enable to decrease medication prices in the market up to 30-40 percent, he said.

According to him, this kind of a factory hasnt existed in Armenia.

Of course we have pharmaceutical productions, which are engaged in other functions, however we didnt have this kind of a factory yet. I hope similar industries will develop, he said.

The factory will produce painkillers, hypertension drugs, nutritional supplements, vitamins, anti-diabetic drugs etc.

Minister of economic development and investments Suren Karayan highlighted the fact that the factory is established by Syrian-Armenians, and expressed the ministrys support to all Diaspora-Armenians in such initiatives.

This initiative is important for the development of the pharmaceutical sector, which has a rather big potential and prospect, which isnt yet realized. By joining the EEU, Armenia received wide opportunities to be able to export its production to the large EEU market, Karayan said.

CEO of the Tufenkchi Group factory Carlo Gaspar said the factory plans to produce 350-400 thousand USD worth of production in 2017 and create 25-30 jobs.

In the future it is planned to expand production, which will result in an addition 50-60 jobs. We closely cooperated with the minister of economic development and investments. The ministry showed us the shortest and easiest way in order to accelerate the factorys launch, he said.

According to him, the factory plans to export production to Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Algiers, Yemen and others.
SUV

That said, we decided to round up the best April Fools jokes from automakers. Each of those ideas present in the photo gallery will be described below. Before we get into that, we hope you enjoyed our dedicated articles on the topic.We will start with BMW Unicorn Parts, the collection of optional components from the German brand. Thankfully, they are not made out of genuine unicorns, but they have rainbow headlights, special side mirrors, and even a horn on the hood. You can only get them if you have a white car. Dacia has masterfully integrated its April Fools idea with its advertising campaigns. The Romanian automaker often laughs at other brands for useless trim options, and present ridiculous ideas as standard on some of their products. One of them is the Dacia Sundero, a practical hatchback that also has a tanning function for its occupants. Skoda s Kodiaq is anthat is designed to be ready to haul an entire family. If you have not started one yet, that is not a problem, because you can always call upon their Rent-A-Family service when you test drive one of their products. You might buy the car once you see how good it can be with an extended family, but use it alone. Honda thought that it might be fun to integrate a dating app within its multimedia unit, complete with Head-Up Display of profile pictures. It is called H-Swipe, and it only works when the vehicle is stationary. This will not become the next Tinder, but it could be fun for a couple of minutes. Lexus  idea for April Fools was a technology that used Vehicle-2-Vehicle communication to tell the car in front to get out of your way. It did it politely, without flashing lights or tailgating, and it could be a solution to prevent the two annoying habits in the future. Hyundai s idea is called Click To Fly, and it involves drone deliveries. This sounds familiar, but the South Korean brand took it up a notch with cars.That is right, they thought about sending cars to their customers doorsteps using drones. The idea might be nice for a service appointment, if you ask us, but we do not want to see flying Hyundais in the skies above.Emoji is not at its first use for this particular day of the year, but it was MGs turn to employ it. Called M.I.C.E., it stands for MG Inter-Car Emoji. At least nobody is texting, but the windows get blacked out to display the images.MAN, the utility vehicle specialists, have unveiled a concept called Ice Cream MAN. While this may not achieve massive sales volumes, it adds 99 individual features, complete with smooth drive.Triumph is not a car maker, but it has devised an invention to make drivers interested in motorcycles. Called "Handlewheel," it changes a set of handlebars for what looks like a steering wheel. McLaren s Special Operations Division could probably do anything to a car if you are willing to wait until it gets engineered. Asking for carbon fiber feathers to wrap your automobile might be a bit too much, but show up to their headquarter with a blank check that wont bounce and see what happens. Renault is famous for its practical hatchbacks, but it also has a relationship with motorsports and Formula 1. They have decided to blend those things together, resulting in the first Formula 1 Hatchback. We do not see this being approved to race, but we would love to have a drive in it.Pets are seen as family members by many people, and we feel the same way about ours. The furry members of the canine species love the open air feeling of a drive in the car, but not all can safely stick their heads out to experience it.BMW has a solution, and it is called dDrive, which is a dog basket to use indoors. Your cat will hate it, but keep the box, which will be appreciated.Since we are on the optic of the other favorite furry friend of the world, cats also need to feel good in cars. In case you have a little tiger in your house, you could buy Lotus  Pet Lid, which is a helmet to keep your cat safe on track days. MINI has chosen a little word play for its idea, and it is called John Cooker Works. It involves placing a large wooden surface in a convertible, which is then used to start a sushi parlor.The ingredients are ethically sourced from Uganda, they say. The wood surface can be stowed in the trunk, and food waste can be burned to get the car going. Dont try this at home, folks.Did you ever feel the need to thank the driver behind you, but did not know what to do? In some countries, drivers use their hazard lights, but do no do this if it may be illegal in your homeland. Instead, use Ford s Active Thank Assist, which safely displays a friendly thank you on the windshield of the car behind you.
Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. This segment operates 54 branch locations and 307 ATMs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, and a customer service center, as well as through online and mobile banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. It offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment offers corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
20 people massacred in brutal drugging and stabbing at Sufi Muslim shrine in Pakistan

Twenty people have been tortured then murdered in a gruesome massacre at a Pakistani Sufi shrine in Punjab

At least four others suffered injuries in the attack at the shrine, believed to have been carried out by the custodian Abdul Waheed.

The shrine, named after the late boxer Mohammed Ali, a convert to Islam, is known in the area as a popular place of pilgrimage and healing for Sufi Muslims in a remote town, Sargodha.

Deputy police commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha said the custodian called asked people to visit. 'As they kept arriving, they were torturing and murdering them,' he told told Geo TV.

The Mirror reported that four women were among those killed and that three suspects have been arrested, including the custodian, aged 50.

It is reported that the victims were drugged, stripped and then killed with a dagger and stick.

The custodian is reported to have confessed he did it because he feared that they had come to kill him. There are also reports of mental instability.

According to the BBC, the shrine was run by a Sufi saint, Muhammad Ali Gujjar, who was not there on the day of the murders.

'The 50-year-old shrine custodian Abdul Waheed has confessed that he killed these people because he feared that they had come to kill him,' Zulfiqar Hameed told AFP.

Pervaiz Haider, a doctor in a Sargodha hospital, said most of the dead were hit on the back of the neck. 'There are bruises and wounds inflicted by a club and dagger on the bodies of victims,' he told Reuters, who tried without success to find contact details for Waheed or any lawyer representing him.

Sufi Muslims are regarded as heretics by some hardliners because of the mystical element of the tradition. A suicide bombing by Islamic State killed more than 80 worshippers at a shrine in Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in southern Sindh province. Last November, more than 50 people were killed in another Islamic State attack at a Sufi shrine in south-west Pakistan.

Additional reporting by Reuters
After Lahore: What's driving the persecution of Christians in Pakistan?

Just before Easter a Church leader in Pakistan told Release International that the anger of extremists against Christians was "boiling over" and that Christians were on "high alert" for attacks over Easter.

We know what happened: a suicide bomber targeted Christians in a park in Lahore and 70 people died.

Over the Easter weekend, too, demonstrators  25,000 of them, according to the Times of India  marched on the capital Islamabad's high-security 'red zone' demanding that the executed Mumtaz Qadri, hanged for murdering reforming Punjab governor Salman Taseer, be declared a martyr.

Taseer had supported a reform of the oppressive blasphemy laws, citing the case of the Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who has been in prison for allegedly breaking them. Police and security forces used tear gas on the demonstrators. The protest is continuing.

But why are Christians being targeted in Pakistan, and what accounts for the hostility shown toward them by the Muslim majority?

The answers are complex  and they show that in spite of the never-ending stream of tragedies and the appalling headlines, these might not even be the right questions. Attacks on Christians are part of a much wider pattern of extremism, fuelled by a poisonous ideology that is profoundly opposed to accommodating different beliefs. To understand what's happening today, we have to understand how Pakistan came to be the way it is.

1. Pakistan wasn't always so Muslim

Before it came into existence as a separate country at Partition in 1947, the country was far more religiously mixed. The horrific violence accompanying independence  around a million people died  saw the mass flight of Pakistani Hindus to India and Indian Muslims to Pakistan. Pakistan's population is now 95-98 per cent Muslim. But that's a broad category: most of them are Sunni Muslim, but there are also Shias and Ahmadis, though they aren't allowed to call themselves Muslims. Christians make up an estimated 1.6 per cent, most of them in Punjab province and most of them from families converted during the colonial era.

2. It wasn't always so extreme

There was a strong Sufi tradition in Pakistan, a religious movement involving worship at saints' shrines, festivals with music and dance, and popular mystical and devotional practices. Sufism is a heart-faith, less interested in the details of Islamic law. It tends to be more accommodating and more tolerant. In the early 1970s it started to lose its influence under attacks from fundamentalists who said it was un-Islamic. This fundamentalism was driven by the migration of Pakistanis to Middle Eastern countries where they discovered more hard-line versions of Islam, and by the rise of Islamic TV and radio stations promoting the Wahhabi or Salafist Islam current in Saudi Arabia.

Cheap air travel meant far more Pakistanis could visit Mecca and Medina, where they were exposed to Sharia traditions. There was a proliferation of hard-line mosques and madrassas in the country, many funded by Saudi Arabia.

3. The government reinforced the hardliners

Pakistan's first constitution, passed in 1973, declared it an 'Islamic Republic'  but it didn't say which version of Islam. The one that prevailed was 'Deobandi' Islam, with roots in 19th-century anti-colonialism. It is highly socially conservative and religiously dogmatic. Just a year after the constitution was agreed, the Deobandi-dominated Parliament passed a law saying people who believed in prophets after Muhammed (like the Ahmadis) were not Muslims at all.

In 1977 the Deobandi-influenced General Zia ul-Haq toppled the civilian government. Laws became increasingly Islamist, with legislation against drinking and extra-marital sexual relations. Sharia courts were introduced and the scope of the blasphemy laws  originally introduced by the British to try to control inter-communal violence  was drastically increased, exclusively favouring Muslims.

4. The Taliban turned on their creators

During the 1980s billions of dollars flowed into Pakistan from the US and Saudi Arabia, which believed Pakistan could help it resist Russia in Afghanistan. It did: Pakistan supported the Mujahideen and the 'good' rebel groups with arms, money and recruits. It thought it could control them, but its proteges turned on it: the extremist Taliban movement regards the government as compromised by its alliance with the West. Many of the madrassas or religious schools designed to produce Muslims devoted to protecting Pakistan have produced terrorists devoted to overthrowing it. The government and the army are now targets of the extremists. As one commentator, Maryam Khan, says: "In Pakistan today, Muslim extremists have become a dominant minority. The bitter tragedy is that the state has not merely abandoned the majority of the people, it has actually played an active role in breeding the militant organisations that are now undermining its own institutions."

5. Christians are targeted  but they aren't the only ones

Christians are falsely accused of blasphemy and imprisoned. A suicide bombing killed dozens at a church service in 2013. A Christian couple were burnt, possibly still alive, in a brick kiln in November 2014. But the hatred of the extremists is directed against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadis and other Muslims. Last year Shia mosques were bombed in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Shikarpur. An assault on a bus in Karachi killed more than 40 people. Ahmadis have been lynched and beaten and their mosques have been burned. Sufi shrines have been attacked in Lahore and Karachi.

Christians are rightly heartbroken and appalled at what happened in Lahore. We pray for the victims and feel acutely for them. It's natural and right that we do so: the Christians who died are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

But when we understand more of the context in which such a dreadful event could take place, we resist the 'Muslims against Christians' narrative. It is far more complicated than that. Yes, hard-line Islamism has grown in Pakistan  but it has grown in good part because of the misguided policies of the West and of Saudi Arabia, which thought they could harness it in their Afghan adventures. And while it is influential, it doesn't reflect the opinion of the majority of Pakistanis.

Furthermore, it isn't just Christians who are under attack. Every minority is at risk  not just from malevolent extremists but from a flawed legal system administered judges and lawmakers who fear the consequences of challenging it.

We should pray for them all. Pakistan is under a spiritual oppression that can legitimately be described as demonic. There are very few signs of hope.
Is Islam a violent religion?

Queen Rania of Jordan has called on the Arab world to reclaim Islam as a religion of peace. Referring to Islamic State extremists, she said: "A minority of irreligious extremists is using social media to rewrite our narrative... hijack our identity and rebrand us."

There are two stories about Islam out there. One is that it's a religion of peace and its adherents only want to live harmoniously with other people. The other is that its fundamental aim is to take over the world, by force if necessary. There is fear, suspicion and confusion. So what are the questions that help us make sense of the different narratives?

People are just people, aren't they?

Yes. In other words, once you've labelled them as 'Muslim', you've said something about them, but maybe not very much. I'm a Christian. I'm also white, British, middle-aged and a rather tepid fan of Aston Villa. I live in a pleasant spa town and enjoy country rambles and biographies of eminent Victorians. There's a lot about religious people that the label doesn't explain or express.

How many Muslims are there, anyway?

Islam is huge, though not as big as Christianity. According to Pew Research, 1.6 billion or 23 per cent of the world's population is Muslim. A minority of those are Arabs: more of them live in India and Pakistan than in the whole of the Middle East and North Africa. This means that if you have a clear idea of what a typical Muslim looks like, you are almost certainly wrong.

How far back does it go?

It's not as old as Christianity or Judaism, and nowhere near as old as Hinduism, but it's old (622 AD). 1400 years is quite long enough for vast quantities of literature, devotional writing, scholarly rows and different schools of thought to emerge. Think of how many Christian denominations there are  not just Catholic and Protestant, but almost infinite sub-divisions within Protestantism and lots of different expressions of Catholicism too. Islam is a bit like that, if not quite as extreme.

It sounds very complicated...

You have no idea. In a nutshell: soon after Muhammed's death Islam divided into Sunni and Shia branches. Sunnis are by far the most numerous, but each tends to dominate in particular countries  Sunnis in Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, for instance, and Shias in Iran. The split was over who should succeed the prophet. Sunnis believed that the heir should be appointed under Arab tribal tradition, whereas Shias believed it should be a descendant of the prophet. For Sunnis the leader was a political governor; Shias by contrast have an imam, a religious figure. The division was sealed in 680 with the death of the Shia claimant, Hussein, at the battle of Karbala  a key event in Shia tradition.

Does this really

matter?

Yes. The different streams fought each other quite a bit, but have also developed in different ways. For instance, Shias view the sayings of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, and his cousin Ali (Fatima's husband), as authoritative; Sunnis do not. There is an organised Shia clergy, but none in the Sunni tradition. The most important difference is about the interpretation of the Qur'an. The Sunni look more to the letter of the Qur'an; the Shia look more to its spirit, though both would say that in the original Arabic we are reading the literal words of God. Arguably there is more room for development in the Shia tradition, but there are extremists on both sides.

So, is Islam just one thing?

Is Christianity? The answer is both yes and no. There are different theological streams in both Shia and Sunni traditions. They argue about evil, predestination and free will, salvation and the knowledge of God  all familiar questions in Christian theology too. In the case of the Athari, they argue about whether to argue at all. There are also various types of popular devotion, such as the cults of saints, and the mystical Sufi tradition. Different schools of law have arisen from different ways of reading the Qur'an and the Sunnah (prophetic traditions). These came out of different reforming movements or political situations. Again, it's important, with different approaches to crime and punishment, for instance.

Questions of truth aside, is it all good and helpful?

No  though on the Christian side, of course, no one should forget the Spanish Inquisition. One example is arguably the Salafi movement which seeks to return Islam to the primitive virtues of its earliest times. In its Wahhabi form it is fundamentalist and uncompromising, seeing Western innovations like democracy as dangerously un-Islamic. Wahhabism is a 'dominant minority' in Saudi Arabia, whose ruling House of Saud formed an alliance with its founder. Its adherents reject religious authorities from later than the first three generations of Muslims; consequently pronouncements from modern scholars and teachers have little influence on them. Islamic State has been described as "untamed Wahhabism".

Ah, yes, Islamic State. What's driving them?

Islamic State is a Sunni extremist group which wants to return Islam to its original pure form. It rejects later 'innovations' and secular laws. In the captured city of Mosul in Iraq it has imposed a school curriculum which bans the teaching of art, music, national history, literature and Christianity. It has banned music and songs, alcohol and tobacco. Women are only allowed to go outside the house if absolutely necessary and have to be veiled. Its goal is to expand its territory throughout the region and beyond. It represents an extreme form of 'political Islam', which seeks to reshape society in an Islamic way. While terror is obviously an appalling perversion of any religion, there is discussion both within and outside Islam about legitimacy of this as a goal anyway. It has also been argued that political Islam is political Islam, and its goals are the same whatever the methodology. However, as we've seen in the UK  in the comments of former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams about sharia law, for instance  there's a legitimate argument to be had about how far a Christian country should go in accommodating Muslim principles.

Do I really need to know all this?

Possibly not, but it is very important to realise that Islam is not a monolithic religion. They agree on the fundamentals, like Christians, but apart from that there is a great variety in thought and practice. Trying to generalise about Muslims is no more sensible than trying to generalise about Christians.

Common sense, surely?

Well, you would think so. But failure to understand this leads some people to believe that Islam is just naturally going to be at odds with other cultures, as Samuel Huntingdon argued in his notorious Clash of Civilizations. Others go even further, like Franklin Graham, who described it as a "wicked" and "evil" religion. So any evidence that it isn't is discounted, or used as evidence that Muslims are playing a deceitful double game  Protestants (and indeed some Catholics) used to say the same about Jesuits. For instance the Common Word initiative from Muslim scholars in 2007 aimed at starting dialogue was dismissed in some quarters as a Trojan Horse; so was a recent Muslim prayer service in Washington. That is not to deny that some Muslims might have ulterior motives in dialogue with Christians, but starting from a position of trust seems like a good thing.

But a lot of Muslims really do seem to believe in violence, don't they?

As a proportion of their total numbers, no  but they do immense and tragic harm, to Christians and other Muslims. So the real question is, why a Muslim in one part of the world would be horrified by Islamic State and someone else would be all for it. The answers include: a response to oppression and powerlessness, the breakdown of law and order, and bad theology  most scholars and teachers reject Islamic State as an abomination. Other cultural factors include the extreme introversion of some communities  in Pakistan, for instance  authoritarian social structures, and deeply embedded historical narratives. Most Muslim-majority countries can point to a history of oppression, colonialism and betrayal by Western powers which we have largely forgotten, while they have definitely not. A sense of being out of place can lead young Muslims in majority Christian countries to set their Islamic identity over against their national loyalities, which leads some to head off to Iraq or Syria to fight for Islamic State. But saying that people do terrible things because they are Muslims is just not true.

So, is Islam a religion of peace?

That isn't quite the right question, because very few religions  including Christianity  are, in an entirely unqualified way. You can go to the Muslim sacred texts and find exhortations to peace, love, tolerance and understanding. You can also find justifications for religious warfare, the subjugation of women, amputations, stonings and goodness knows what. However, most Muslim scholars and teachers in most countries remain true to their faith and their scriptures without advocating any of these things. As ever, there is a complex relationship between scriptures, the historic tradition and contemporary culture. So the point is that the answers to Islam's problems already lie within Islam; dismissing a whole world faith because of the actions of a minority of extremists is not very helpful.

As Queen Rania said: "For the sake of each one of us... for Islam and the Arab world... for the future of our young people, we must create a new narrative and broadcast it to the world. Because if we don't decide what our identity is and what our legacy will be, the extremists will do it for us."

Rev Mark Woods is a Baptist minister and contributing editor at Christian Today. Follow him on Twitter.
Now Trump Rows Back On Climate Change: It Might Be Real After All

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was keeping an open mind on whether to pull out of a landmark international accord to fight climate change, in a softening of his stance toward global warming.

Trump told the New York Times in an interview that he thinks there is "some connectivity" between human activity and global warming, despite previously describing climate change as a hoax.

A source on Trump's transition team told Reuters earlier this month that the New York businessman was seeking quick ways to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

But asked on Tuesday whether the United States would withdraw from the accord, the Republican said: "I'm looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it."

A US withdrawal from the pact, agreed to by almost 200 countries, would set back international efforts to limit rising temperatures that have been linked to the extinctions of animals and plants, heat waves, floods and rising sea levels..

Trump, who takes office on January 20, also said he was thinking about climate change and American competitiveness and "how much it will cost our companies", he said, according to a tweet by a Times reporter in the interview.

Two people advising Trump's transition team on energy and environment issues said they were caught off guard by his remarks.

A shift on global warming is the latest sign Trump might be backing away from some of his campaign rhetoric as life in the Oval Office approaches.

Trump has said he might have to build a fence, rather than a wall, in some areas of the US-Mexican border to stop illegal immigration, tweaking one of his signature campaign promises.

Also in Tuesday's interview, he showed little appetite for pressing investigations of his Democratic rival in the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton.

"I don't want to hurt the Clintons, I really don't. She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways," he told reporters, editors and other newspaper officials at the Times headquarters in Manhattan.

But Trump said "no" when asked if he would rule out investigating Clinton over her family's charitable foundation or her use of a private email server while she was US secretary of state during President Barack Obama's first term.

If Trump does abandon his campaign vow to appoint a special prosecutor for Clinton, it will be a reversal of a position he mentioned almost daily on the campaign trail, when he dubbed his rival "Crooked Hillary," and crowds at his rallies often chanted: "Lock her up."

His comments to the Times about Clinton angered some of his strongest conservative supporters.

Breitbart News, the outlet once led by Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, published a story on Tuesday under the headline, "Broken Promise: Trump 'Doesn't Wish to Pursue' Clinton email charges."

The FBI investigated Clinton's email practices, concluding in July that her actions were careless but that there were no grounds for bringing charges.

The Clinton Foundation charity has also been scrutinized for donations it received, but there has been no evidence that foreign donors obtained favours from the State Department while Clinton headed it.

Businessman and President

Trump, a real estate developer who has never held public office, brushed off fears over conflicts of interest between his job as president and his family's businesses.

"The law's totally on my side, the president can't have a conflict of interest," he told the New York Times. My company's so unimportant to me relative to what I'm doing," Trump said.

Conflict-of-interest rules for executive branch employees do not apply to the president, but Trump will be bound by bribery laws, disclosure requirements and a section of the US Constitution that prohibits elected officials from taking gifts from foreign governments, according to Republican and Democratic ethics lawyers.

"There may be specific laws that don't apply to the president, but the president is not above the law," said Richard Painter of the University of Minnesota, a former associate counsel to Republican President George W Bush.

"Do we really want to run our government where you have the president, the leader of the United States and the free world, saying: 'I'm going to do the bare minimum to squeak by?'" asked Norman Eisen, a former top ethics lawyer in Obama's White House.

Trump's businesswoman daughter Ivanka joined her father's telephone call with Argentine President Mauricio Macri earlier this month and attended a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, raising questions of possible conflicts of interest.

When asked whether House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans in Congress would consider his trillion-dollar infrastructure plan, Trump boasted he was popular with the party's leaders on Capitol Hill.

"Right now, they're in love with me," he said.

Since his November 8 election victory, Trump has been meeting with prospective candidates for top positions in his administration.

Ben Carson, a former Republican presidential hopeful who dropped out of the 2016 race and backed Trump, has been offered the post of secretary of housing and urban development, Carson spokesman Armstrong Williams said.

Carson, a retired surgeon who met with Trump on Tuesday, will think about it over the Thanksgiving holiday, Williams said.

Trump arrived in Florida on Tuesday evening to spend Thursday's holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
Donald Trump donated $100,000 to help Louisiana flood victims, according to pastor

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins announced on Friday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made a $100,000 donation for flood relief efforts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The donation was reportedly received by Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, which is serving as a hub for distributing supplies and hot meals for victims of the floods. "I also want to let you know that as a result of his visit to our church and seeing the work that we are doing to help the community, Donald Trump is sending a financial contribution to the church to aid our efforts," the church posted on its Facebook page.

Perkins said the funds will be used to purchase relief-related supplies, material and services. The funds will not be used for normal church expenses, and they will not give it as cash grants to individuals as well. "Any funds not used in this initial relief phase will be used for subsequent efforts to support and/or directly restore and rebuild homes and church facilities impacted by the flood," he said.

Perkins is extremely grateful for Trump's concern and donation. "I'm grateful Donald Trump visited Louisiana. He helped turn the attention of the nation to a devastated region that faces a very long road to recovery," he told The Christian Post.

Trump earlier visited the devastated Bayou State together with his vice president, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. The state was submerged in massive flooding due to continuous rainfall a week and a half ago.

Perkins, who is a pastor of Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, helped Trump assess the level of damage in the area.

The pastor and his family are actually victims of the flood as well since they were forced to evacuate their home back on Aug. 13 using a canoe. Around 80 percent of Louisiana homeowners have been affected by the flood.
Pressure on US to hold Pakistan to account on religious freedom

Observing that Islamabad has failed to protect freedom of religion or belief, the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom on Thursday demanded Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declare Pakistan a country of particular concern.



"As human-rights concern with serious security implications, the need for greater respect for religious freedom and related rights should be an integral issue in the US bilateral relationship with Pakistan," USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo and its commissioner Felice Gaer said in an op-ed in The Hill.



"We have identified this as a problem, and the US should be devising and demanding solutions. While it is complicated and awkward to do so in the case of an ally, the abuses and threats posed by a growing religious extremism threaten both countries."



USCIRF said designating Pakistan a 'country of particular concern' will help the US to turn its efforts to new solutions and practices to address Pakistan's endemic religious freedom problems".



The assassinations of Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab, and federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti underscored Pakistan's failure to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience or religion for even its most prominent citizens.



Bhatti, known internationally, also opposed the blasphemy laws and said he was speaking for the oppressed, marginalised and persecuted Christians and other minorities.



Although a few brave Pakistanis embraced the two men in death, many more, including in Taseers own ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, stayed silent while extremists praised the murderers.



Both Bhatti and Taseer had angered extremists by demanding a review of the controversial blasphemy law in light of the case of Asia Bibi  the first woman to be sentenced to death under the blasphemy law in Pakistan. Bibi, a Christian mother of two and stepmother to three others, was accused of blasphemy against Islams prophet. Although she has denied speaking ill of the Muslim prophet, she was beaten and has been imprisoned since June 2009. Bibi is still in prison and waiting for a court hearing date for her appeal.



While Taseers killer was arrested soon after the assassination, Bhattis killers have yet to be traced. After repeated complaints that the police was not pursuing the case efficiently, Bhattis brother Paul Bhatti, currently an adviser to Pakistan's government on religious minorities told the Catholic Fides news agency, that investigations into his brothers homicide were finally "on the right track".



"It was committed by the Taliban and Islamist fanatics. Now, we are waiting for the capture of the perpetrators, who are in Dubai," he said. He added that investigators have determined that al-Qaeda's "Brigade 313", led by feared militant leader Ilyas Kashmiri, asked a Taliban commander based in Pakistans Punjab province named Asmatullah Mawaia to kill his brother. There were people who tried to suggest the official was killed by those close to him, but, "the truth has emerged," Paul Bhatti said.



"We were convinced that he had been killed for his work, for his defense of human rights (and) the rights of Christians. ... The investigation has proved us right," he added.



In recent years, armed radicals have escalated attacks against Sufi Muslims and Shias and especially against religious minorities, including Ahmadis and Christians.



Noting that USCIRF has reported on a long chain of religiously related murders and violence dating back to 2001, Leo and Gaer said on September 1, 2010, bombers attacked a Shia procession in Lahore, killing at least 40 and wounding as many as 200. Two days later, bombers attacked a similar procession in Quetta, murdering at least 70 and wounding 160. Scores of Ahmadis were gunned down in May 2010 in Lahore during Friday prayers.



In July of that year, 40 Sufis were slain and hundreds wounded in the bombing of a shrine, also in Lahore. In 2009, violence in the village of Gojra was unleashed against Christians, killing eight and injuring 18, and two churches and 75 homes were set on fire, they wrote.



"Not only does Pakistan typically fail to prevent or successfully prosecute such crimes, it fuels them through its harmful laws, including mandates that criminalize Ahmadis' practice of their religion and a blasphemy law that commonly is used to intimidate religious minorities or others with whom the accusers disagree or have unrelated conflicts," the op-ed said.



They wrote, "These measures embolden religious extremists, fostering a climate conducive to vigilantism and other violence against unpopular religious minorities, women and even members of Pakistan's religious majority."



The seemingly unchecked growth of religious extremism in Pakistan has led to heinous acts of violence being committed among the minority Christian population in the country. Of the 1,060 people charged under the nation's predominantly Muslim blasphemy laws from 1986 to 2011, 46 have been killed either by angry mobs or by individuals. The Christian community has had their churches and homes attacked in recent years.



In a detailed study released last year, Freedom House concluded: Although many other countries have laws against blasphemy, the situation in Pakistan is unique in its severity and its particular effects on religious minorities. The extremist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party has even proposed banning the Bible as blasphemous.



The majority of those prosecuted for blasphemy are Muslim, but the law is disproportionately deployed against Christians, who also often find themselves targets of vigilante violence. At least 35 Christians charged with blasphemy have been murdered since 1986. Many others have endured brutal rapes and beatings, while churches, homes and businesses have been ransacked, looted and burned.



Unfortunately, even before the Taseer and Bhatti murders, the situation in Pakistan was deteriorating. Last November, the US State Department declared: the number and severity of reported high-profile cases against minorities increased and organised violence against minorities increased in Pakistan.



Thousands of Pakistanis who think and believe differently than mainstream Muslims are at risk of being slandered under the blasphemy law, and those who live in poverty or are illiterate are particularly vulnerable. Personal vendettas from neighbors, co-workers and rivals are the most common reasons blasphemy law cases are filed, according to Paul Marshall of the Hudson Institutes Center for Religious Freedom.



Most victims are Muslims, but non-Muslims or minority Muslims suffer disproportionally, said Marshall. Ahmadis [an unorthodox Islamic sect] are probably proportionally the greatest victims. There are more victims from mobs and vigilantes than from the government itself, but the government bears responsibility because it does not protect the victims.
As more incentives and rewards solutions become available to the market, competition among debit and credit card issuers is increasing.

According to a survey by creditcards.com, card users are typically fairly loyal. However, last year 24 percent of all respondents said they replaced an existing card with a new one; and that number increased to 43 percent among millennials surveyed.

So how can credit unions increase card loyalty?

One recommended practice that can create a stickier cardholder relationship is to make sure your cards support digital wallets, such as Apple, Android and Samsung Pay.

Its pretty simple, said Jennifer Kerry, VP/credit card services at CO-OP Financial Services. Card issuers need to embrace mobile platforms because thats how consumers want to buy. In todays world, with digital transformation happening all around us, credit unions have to stay on top of new innovations and trends in order to remain relevant to members.

Mobile Payment Apps Drive Interchange

Supporting mobile payment apps will also ensure that credit unions continue to maintain and grow interchange income. According to CO-OP, interchange represents 74 percent of credit union net income (Callahan and NCUA data  December 2016).

The rate of interchange is always going to be in flux, said Kerry. However, issuers must promote card usage to increase their income.

And if your credit union isnt supporting the Pays yet, you may already be behind the curve.

According to CO-OP Director of Product Development Michelle Thornton, Members who want to use mobile payment apps have probably already uploaded another card  and are producing interchange income for a competitor. Which means you may need to launch a whole campaign around moving your card to the top of the phone in order to get members to use your card instead.

Making up for lost time wont be easy, she adds, but the benefits are worth the effort.

Once consumers upload a card and designate it as the default payment card, 70 percent wont change it, said Thornton. That statistic alone underscores the stickiness of mobile payment apps.

Marketing Across Channels

Enticing members to switch a competitors card out for yours as their mobile app default may seem like a Herculean effort, but it can be done  with a strong marketing campaign across all channels  mobile, online and in the branch.

Members not only need to gain awareness that your credit union supports mobile payment apps, but they must also be shown how to download the app, upload the credit union card, and designate it as the default payment, said Kerry.

And, Kerry adds, credit unions must reinforce their marketing messages at every member touchpoint to gain traction.

Discover Mobile Best Practices at CO-OP THINK

Credit union leaders who attend CO-OPs THINK 17 Conference in New York May 8  12 will have a chance to learn directly from their peers.

THINK 17s theme  Your Digital Transformation Journey  will feature a session that shares case studies revealing how credit unions gained that coveted position at the top of the wallet, and at the top of the phone.
Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, attended a hearing on the state of Alzheimer's disease and questioned witness Maria Shriver on ways to better support caregivers and the need to find a cure for Alzheimer's.said Senator Tillis.Since being elected in 2014, Senator Tillis has been a tireless advocate for finding a cure for Alzheimer's and supporting caregivers. Earlier this year, Senator Tillis joined a bipartisan group of Senators to send a letter to President Trump urging greater investment in Alzheimer's research.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2017 -- Antibiotics save lives every day, but there is a downside to their ubiquity. High doses can kill healthy cells along with infection-causing bacteria, while also spurring the creation of "superbugs" that no longer respond to known antibiotics. Now, researchers may have found a natural way to cut down on antibiotic use without sacrificing health: a maple syrup extract that dramatically increases the potency of these medicines.

The researchers will present their work today at the 253rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS, the world's largest scientific society, is holding the meeting here through Thursday. It features more than 14,000 presentations on a wide range of science topics.

"Native populations in Canada have long used maple syrup to fight infections," says Nathalie Tufenkji, Ph.D. "I've always been interested in the science behind these folk medicines."

The idea for the project really gelled when Tufenkji, who had been studying the antimicrobial effects of cranberry extracts, learned of the anti-cancer properties of a phenolic maple syrup extract. "That gave me the idea to check its antimicrobial activity," Tufenkji says. "So, I sent my postdoc to the store to buy some syrup."

Using the same extraction approach as other researchers have in the past, Tufenkji's team at McGill University separated the sugar and water from the syrup's phenolic compounds, which contribute to maple syrup's signature golden hue.

In an initial test, the team exposed several disease-causing bacterial strains to the extract, but they didn't see much of an effect. Rather than give up on maple syrup altogether, Tufenkji decided to check whether the extract could enhance the antimicrobial potency of the commonly used antibiotics ciprofloxacin and carbenicillin. When her team mixed the phenolic extract with either of these medicines, they indeed found a synergistic effect, allowing them to get the same antimicrobial effect with upwards of 90 percent less antibiotic. The approach worked on a variety of bacterial strains, including E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal problems; Proteus mirabilis, responsible for many urinary tract infections; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections often acquired by patients in hospitals.

Building on this work, Tufenkji's team next tested the extract in fruit flies and moth larvae. The researchers dosed fly food with pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic, with and without the phenolic extract. Flies with meals doused in maple syrup extract lived for days longer than those denied the syrupy topper. The researchers observed a similar outcome with the moth larvae.

To figure out how the extract makes antibiotics work better, the researchers investigated whether the extract changed the permeability of bacterial cells. The extract increased the permeability of the bacteria, suggesting that it helps antibiotics gain access to the interior of bacterial cells. Another experiment suggested that the extract may work by a second mechanism as well, disabling the bacterial pump that normally removes antibiotics from these cells.

Currently, the researchers are testing the maple syrup extract in mice. While it is likely to be years before it would be available to patients as a prescribed medical protocol, and a pharmaceutical company would likely need to purify the extract further to avoid any potential allergic reactions, Tufenkji says, she's hopeful that it may have an edge over other would-be medications thanks to its source. "There are other products out there that boost antibiotic strength, but this may be the only one that comes from nature," she says.

###

A press conference on this topic will be held Monday, April 3, at 9 a.m. Pacific time in the Moscone Center. Reporters may check-in at the press center, South Building, Foyer, or watch live on YouTube http://bit.ly/ACSLive_SanFrancisco. To ask questions online, sign in with a Google account.

Tufenkji acknowledges funding from Canada Research Chairs, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the William and Rhea Seath Award at McGill University.

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 press releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

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Title

Phenolic rich maple syrup extracts synergize with antibiotics

Abstract

The World Health Organization identified antimicrobial resistance as a severe and rapidly growing threat to global health that could undermine decades of progress in combating infectious diseases and preventing healthcare related infections. The true cost of antibiotic resistance will be 300 million premature deaths and up to $100 trillion in global economic losses by 2050. The declining repertoire of useful drugs motivates the need to identify novel approaches to limit the use and maintain effectiveness of antimicrobials/antibiotics. We showed that a phenolic rich extract from maple syrup (PRMSE) can make disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to common antibiotics. PRMSE was obtained by solvent extraction of commercial maple syrup. Our tests showed that PRMSE gave a major boost to the commonly used antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and carbenicillin, in killing Gram-negative clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amongst the phenolic constituents of PRMSE, catechol exhibited strong synergy with the antibiotics. PRMSE also acted synergistically with antibiotics in inhibiting and destroying biofilms, which are common in difficult-to-treat infections, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections. This strong synergy between PRMSE and selected antibiotics resulted in up to a 97% decrease in the amount of antibiotic needed to halt bacterial growth. Thus, PRMSE can be used as an antibiotic synergizer/potentiator for treatment of different types of bacterial infections. The mechanisms for the observed synergy of PRMSE with antibiotics will be discussed. The proposed synergism-based treatment may expand the spectrum of existing antimicrobials, prevent the emergence of resistant strains, and minimize potential cytotoxicity due to high antibiotic doses.
(ASX:LPI)

Hello. I'm Carolyn Herbert from the Finance News Network, and joining me from Lithium Power Internationalis CEO Martin Holland. Martin, welcome back.Thank you very much for having me again.Now, you're unable to attend the Mines and Money conference this year. What are some of the key messages you'd like to convey to people attending the conference?Yeah, so, there's quite a few key messages, but, across the board, we just completed an extensive road show across the Americas, starting in Santiago, over to Toronto, New York and Boston, Connecticut and Dallas and back to Sydney; and now we are really focusing on actually building a mine here, in Chile, in Maricunga. All the exploration work is done. So we are at a point now where we really need to focus on all the deliverables and the milestones that are required to actually build the next lithium mine in Chile.And now to the Maricunga brine project in more detail. Where is it located and what does it contain?So, it's located in the Atacama region of Chile. This region is renowned for 30-40% of the world's supply. Two of the largest lithium companies in the world are in the same region. And this project is the nearest pre-production lithium asset and the highest-grade lithium asset in South America.And Martin, can you tell us about the drilling campaign and the progress on the PFS?Yeah, the drilling campaign was a huge success for the company. Every single place that we put the drill rig from zero metres all the way down to 200 metres, we found high-grade lithium from surface, all the way through. More importantly though, it wasn't just the high-grade nature of the salar, but the porosity and permeability data that we're getting is second to none from any other project out there globally as well, which ultimately allows for maximum lithium extraction, plus having extremely high grade.When it comes to the overall PFS, we're telling the market that we're going to put the right people in the right place at the right time. We've got an overall development timeline in place, and we're hitting every single milestone. We're looking to have PFS completed by year end and move towards bankable feasibility in 2018.So Martin, all lithium salars have a different chemistry make-up. What can you tell us about the Maricunga lithium chemistry?So, chemistry is very important when it comes to lithium salars. Every salar is different, and the Maricunga is actually quite unique. It has a very high-grade lithium. So, twice the grade of most other lithium salars globally. When it comes to contaminants, it has a moderate level of magnesium, but it's actually lower than the Atacama project itself. If you move along, you look at the sulphur, it has zero sulphur, and it also has a moderate level of calcium. Our processing engineer, Peter Ehrens, has worked out how to turn the calcium into a calcium chloride, which actually becomes a saleable product. And we also have a very high grade of potash, which will also be quite valuable as well.So across the board, our engineers believe that there's no real red flags when it comes to the chemistry make-up of the Maricunga salar.And what are the economics of the project?The economics of the projects is looking quite favourable at present, though we are working on our PFS and we're looking to have our bankable feasibility completed in the year of 2018. Though at the moment, with the current price of lithium, this project, due to the higher-grade nature of it, in lithium and also in potash with contaminants that are considered to be low, is going to be a very valuable project, and it will sit on the bottom of the lithium global cost curve.And Martin, to financials now. Can you provide us with a snapshot of the company's financials and funding requirements?The company has raised in excess of $24 million in the last sort of six months. We're currently sitting in a position with about US$5 million in the bank as we sit here today. That will take us through to the next phases. We've also announced that we're divesting our Argentine asset, which we have a number of companies in the data room at the moment reviewing that project, because our focus is to really focus on the development on being Chile's next lithium producer. We are at a point now that we've had many strategic interests across the globe. And we'll look at all different options as we move forward with this development of this mine.So, who's on the register and who supported the company to this point?So, the register is quite extensive. We have about 13 new institutions on the registry. We have now about 1,300 shareholders and the top 20 owns about 70% of the company.And now to a more general question, Martin. What's the operating environment like in Chile?Chile is the home of mining in Latin America. It produces a third of the world's copper supply. It produces a third of the world's lithium supply. It's really got all the infrastructure set up there, and it's a very good place to work in Latin America. If I was to choose anywhere in Latin America, one, two and three, it would be Chile, Chile, Chile. But saying this, moving forward, Aurora Williams, who is the mining minister of Chile, announced at PDAC only last week that Chile's main goal is to find foreign capital to develop the Maricunga. And this is a very big statement, because the Maricunga is the project that Lithium Powerowns.And finally, Martin, what distinguishes LPI from other lithium developers, and what makes an investment compelling?Well, projects in Chile are going to be on the bottom of the lithium global cost curve. We are the only ASX-listed company with exposure to a lithium brine project in Chile. There's been in excess of US$42 million spent on this project. It's been consolidated now. The drilling has now completed. We have all the right people in place now to actually build the mine. And we are now going through those milestones to be Chile's next lithium producer.Martin Holland, thanks for the update.And thanks again for your time.
Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | Kolkata : With an utmost effort to vandalize the International Seminar on Persecution on Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities in Bangladesh as convened by CAAMB (Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh) on 1st April in the auditorium of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers in Jadavpur University Campus. The programme was supported by Center for Research in Indo-Bangla Relations, Kolkata.

In this well attended programme, delegates from Bangladesh, USA, UK, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada and the host country India highlighted the severe fundamental persecution upon Bangladeshi Religious Minorities and Indigenous people now facing an existential threat on them both in the regimes of past BNP govt and presently in Awami League govt in Islamic Bangladesh. Most of the delegates have been working for the rights of minorities in Bangladesh.

The first day of the seminar was focused on Ethnic Cleansing of Minorities Bangladesh-Responsibility of Diaspora in West Bengal and Abroad in the 1st Session; 2nd Session as Rise of Fundamentalism and fate of minorities and 3rd Session as Indo Bangladesh Relations and Minorities in Bangladesh.

Governor of Tripura Tathagato Roy inaugurated the seminar and the prog was attended by Ushatan Talukdar, Member of Parliament, Bangladesh and Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Janasanhati Samity; Arun Kumar Dutta, Coordinator, Bangladesh Minority Rights Alliance, Toronto, Canada; Sitangshu Guha BHBCUC, USA; Dr. Chitta Das, General Secretary, Oikya Parishad UK; Ms.Garg Maity, Director-Bangladesh Womens Unity Council, USA; Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jatiyo Hindu Mohajote, Dhaka; Advocate Rabindra Ghosh, President, Bangladesh Minority Watch; Pinaki Das, Joint Secretary, Sanatan International Foundation (SIF), Dhaka; Ripon Dey, Juba Hindu Mohajote, Dhaka and many others NRIs and NRBs. The delegates presented their matters on the given topics with documentations

Manas Ghosh Ex-Editor of Dainik Statesman; Rantideb Sengupta, Ex. Editor, Saptahik Bartaman, Prof. Achinta Biswas  Ex VC of Gour Banga University; Prof. Esha Dey  Eminent Writer; Binayak Bandyopadhyay  Eminent Poet & Writer; Prof. Joyanta Roy; Sudhendu Mohan Talukdar, National President, Bharatia Gana Parishad, Assam and WB BJP State President, Dilip Ghosh also delivered their opinions in this International seminar.

In his inaugural speech Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy highlighted that fanatic Muslims in Bangladesh have forcefully encroached 8,000 sq kilometer areas from Hindus there in these years. The enactment of Enemy Properties Law in 1965 and culpable encroachment of Hindu properties forced million of Hindus to leave their motherland Bangladesh, Roy told. But, he hoped that the Present Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina would take care the Minorities in Bangladesh with her able initiatives.

BJP State President Dilip Ghosh told that the persecuted Hindus in Bangladesh must build a real unity. Many organisations in the same purpose, vested interest and inner conflicts in them will cause a failure to attain the goal.

Both Roy and Ghosh opined that Bengali Hindus in WB would not be mute spectators after seeing the high persecution and atrocities upon Minority Hindus and Buddhist, Christians, Tribal people in neighboring Bangladesh.

Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik (BJHM), Advocate Rabindranath Ghosh (BDMW) and Advocate Subrato Choudhury (BHBCUC) from Bangladesh presented their experiences of persecution as minority Hindus both in BNP and Awami League ruling in Islamic Bangladesh. The seminar was well conducted by Dr Mohit Roy of CAAMB and Bimal Pramanik of CRIBR.

The CAAMB seminar in Jadavpur was actually shaped as an International stature and many intellectuals, writers, thinkers, rights activists joined the same. But the Naxalite effort to attack on the international delegates and dignitaries is highly condemnable and shameful as well.

To avoid any physical assault on the foreign delegates, the organizers sent them out of the scene by car, but a section of hooligan students of JU attacked and physically assaulted some local invitees in the seminar. The Naxalite students hurled abusive languages and threatened not to conduct any further programmes by any Fascist Hindu Forums in JU campus.

It is apprehend that the attackers did no venture to run their hooliganism in the 1st part of the seminar as there was police deployment as the Governor of Tripura and State President of BJP were present in the venue. Consequently, they appeared in the scene in the later part of the programme.

Police took no action against the hooligan Naxal students of JU. Though the organizers of the seminar took formal permission of the University authority to conduct the same.

The organizers of the seminar sought police protection for the delegates and invitees to attend Second day programme (on 2nd April in Academy of Fine Arts,Cathedral Road-Kolkata) viewing the first day attack in Jadavpur University.

Source : Hindu Existence
China, on Friday banned burqas, veils and abnormal beards in a Muslim province claiming that it is a crackdown on religious extremism.

As per the Independent, the measures also forced people to watch state television, follow decades of ethnic and religious discrimination against Xinjiangs 10 million-strong ethic Uyghur population. The new regulation, which will come to force from today, will dissuade women, who fully cover their faces and bodies, from entering the airports, railway stations and other public places and report about them to police.

Apart from this, they also prohibit the abnormal growing of beards and it would be forbidden to reject or refuse radio, television and other public facilities and services.

The regulation restrains marrying using religious not legal procedures and using the name of Halal to meddle in the secular life of others. The document also bans not allowing children to attend regular school, not abiding by family planning policies and deliberately damaging legal documents.

Source : Indian Express
Puerto Vallarta hosts a unique blend of luxury oceanfront resorts and classic small-town fishing neighbourhoods. Natural beauty surrounds Puerto Vallarta, with Banderas Bay on the coastline and the Sierra Madre Mountains painting the eastern horizon. From shopping in Zona Romantica to dining and drinking along the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta is the ultimate beach getaway.

Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Start your time in Puerto Vallarta with a stroll along the Malecon boardwalk, which mirrors Banderas Bay and bubbles with the energy of street performers, musicians, skaters and local vendors. Youll find excellent snorkelling on the south side of the bay and can spot stingrays floating against sapphire-blue waters. Clubs and beach bars pump with music and dancing well into the night.

Follow the Malecon to Los Arcos, an icon of seafront arches fronting Plaza Morelos Square. Los Arcos also serves as an amphitheatre where you can enjoy outdoor concerts and theatrical performances. Follow the bells toward the much-loved Church of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, where you can attend mass or tour the inside.

Spend an afternoon in Zona Romantica, a bohemian-style beach village thats home to Playa los Muertos or Dead Mans Beach. This is where to enjoy beach volleyball, jet skiing and windsurfing. Cafes, bistros and bars line the streets and alleyways, offering international cuisine, espresso and craft cocktails.

You can visit Isla Rio Cuale, an intriguing island in Banderas Bay, by walking across a chain bridge from Old Town Puerto Vallarta. Youll find quaint craft markets and artisans selling handmade pottery, embroidered dresses and carved wooden toys.

Getting around Puerto Vallarta

Public buses and taxis service downtown Puerto Vallarta as well as the beach and hotel zones. You can also rent a car at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport.
How to Move to Charlottesville, VA: Education and Charlottesville Employment

Posted by Victoria Madison on Sunday, 04-02-2017 4:15 am

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Are you thinking of moving to Charlottesville VA? Maybe you have already found a job witin the area, but you don't know anything about where to live or other necessary information about this city. Maybe you want to find out everything that is necessary to know about a city before you move there? Maybe all you care about is finding movers in Charlottesville VA? If any of this is true, then you are in luck! Summary of Charlottesville Interesting Facts Location Central Virginia Established 1762 Population - ~50,000 Climate Humid Sub-tropical, perfect nearly all year around Charlottesville VA is a beautiful, historic city located in central Virginia. With a deep history rooted in the foundation and early years of the United States, Charlottesville was the home town of two former US Presidents, and played a role throughout the history of the United States. Climate in Charlottesville Most of Virginia shares a humid sub-tropical climate, which means that the state enjoys four disti...

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Burma Man Killed in Buthidaung After Talking to Journalists

member of government security forces in northern Arakan State in March 2017. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  A Rohingya Muslim village official in Arakan States Buthidaung Township was killed by a group of men two days after he was interviewed by journalists on a press trip organized by the Ministry of Information (MOI), according to the local police force.

Hamid Dullah, a 46-year-old assistant administrator of Tinn May village in Buthidaung Township was sleeping at home on Friday night when men entered the house and killed him by slitting his throat.

Hamid Dullah had spoken to the media about military training organized by an armed group in Tinn May village when journalists visited the location on the MOI-sponsored trip on Wednesday.

A total of 18 local and international journalists visited Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships this week on a three-day trip organized by the governments information team.

Hamid Dullah also informed visiting journalists during the Wednesday interview that he had received death threats online for collaborating with authorities regarding the arrest of 17 locals alleged to have undergone the military training.

Maungdaw district administrator U Ye Htut told the Irrawaddy that those who cooperated with authorities and those who talked to media, diplomats and others were being targeted by what appeared to be an organized network.

In late December last year, a Muslim man named U Shuna Myar was brutally beheaded after he spoke with 13 reporters on a government-sponsored trip to Ngakhura village, Maungdaw Township.

Asked whether security provisions had subsequently been planned or undertaken for interviewees and others on government-sponsored trips in light of the potential for reprisal activities, U Ye Htut maintained that it was not possible to provide security for individual interviewees. Police had opened a case into the death of Hamid Dullah, he said.

However, U Ye Htut said that police were providing security to three Rohingya Muslim women in the village of Kya Kaung Taung in Maungdaw Township who told journalists on Thursday that they were raped by Burma Army soldiers during security operations in northern Arakan State in January and later filed cases.

It remained unclear whether the government and others would be reviewing their policies on the organization and conduct of escorted trips by media, diplomats and others after the latest murder.

Meanwhile, U Myint Kyaw of the Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN) urged the government and media organizations to avoid publishing the photos and personal information of interviewees and detainees in the troubled region.

It is dangerous. Detainees may come to harm when they are released, he said in relation to the practice by state media of publishing images and details of those arrested in the area.

The government and media needed to be careful to avoid potential harm to news sources, U Myint Kyaw added.

In a separate incident not known to be connected to the recent media visit, police on Saturday said that earlier that day a group of men abducted a village administrator in the village of Thet Kaing Nya and killed two others.

Maungdaw border polices Brig-Gen Thura San Lwin had previously told media that Rohingya Muslims who accepted National Verification Certificates (NVC) or were granted full citizenship cards for Burma were sometimes threatened by an unknown armed group.

The current NVC process omits holders ethnicity and religion, which has led to a rejection of the document by many Rohingya Muslim villagers, who demand this basic recognition.

Some Muslims receive the NVC secretly and then hide out, away from their village, as they are threatened, Brig-Gen Thura San Lwin said.

According to immigration officer U Than Shwe, 746,000 Muslims live in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Taung Pyo Letwai. About 70,000 ethnic Arakanese live in the area.

Only 4,600 people have accepted the NVC since the project was launched in 2014, according to the official.

Earlier this week a group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, previously named the Faith Movement, or Harakah al-Yaqin, said in a statement that it was carrying out armed resistance in northern Arakan state as self-defense. The group denied links with any international terrorist group.

Under its previous name, the group took credit for a series of armed attacks on 3 border outposts in northern Arakan State on Oct 9. 2016, according to a report released in December by the International Crisis Group.

The report also said that the group had apparently killed several informers.
Burma NLD Wins Nearly Half of By-Election Seats Amid Low Voter Turnout

An official counting ballots in Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar Township on Saturday. / Chan Son / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) won nine out of 19 available seats in union and regional parliaments in Saturdays by-elections although less than 40 percent of the two million eligible voters cast their ballots, according to initial data from the Union Election Commission (UEC).

A total of 24 political parties contested seats in five states and three divisionsRangoon, Bago and Sagaing divisions, and Arakan, Shan, Chin, Karenni, and Mon states.

The countrys main opposition party the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) registered candidates for all seatswinning twoand the ruling NLD contested 18.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis party won five seats in the Lower House, three in the Upper House, and one in Shan State regional parliament.

NLDs senior spokesperson U Win Htein told The Irrawaddy his party didnt win in the other nine constituencies as most eligible voters didnt go to the polls to cast their ballots, saying that he had expected the low turnout.

Turnout for Burmas historic 2015 general election was 69 percent.

The NLD fared poorly in Shan State constituencies gaining only one seat in Nyaung Shwe Township for the regional parliament. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) won four regional parliament seats in Kyethi and Mong Hsu and the USDP won one in Kengtung.

Dr. Aye Maung of the Arakan National Party (ANP) won a Lower House seat in Arakan States Ann Township and Pu Bawi Khing of the NLD won an Upper House seat in Chin State Constituency No. 3 in Thantlang Township.

U Thae Reh of the All Nationals Democracy Party Kayah State won a regional parliament seat in Karenni States Hpruso Township where the NLDs nominated candidate failed to register his candidacy with the district election sub-commission in time last year.

In Mon States Chaungzon Townshipwhere the NLD has courted controversy for persisting in naming a new bridge after Gen. Aung San despite local protestsUSDPs U Aung Kyi Thein got 42 percent of nearly 50,000 ballots while NLDs U Aye Win got only 27 percent

However, U Aung Kyi Thein told The Irrawaddy that he didnt believe his victory was related to the bridge controversy, describing them as separate issues.

U Aung Kyi Thein added he is a native Mon who contributes to the welfare of people in the region. He said supporters of USDP and the former president U Thein Sein made his victory in Chaungzon Township possible.

Among the 19 constituencies, Chin States Thantlang Township got the highest voter turnout with over 21,000 out of some 28,000 eligible voters casted their ballots, according to UEC data.

UEC chairman U Hla Thein said on Sunday afternoon that the by-elections had been held successfully and peacefully.

The Irrawaddys reporter Phay Thet Htet Khin contributed to this report from Naypyidaw.
Burma Midwives Trained to Tackle Maternal Death Rate

A woman lies near her newborn baby in North Dagon Township hospital in Rangoon in January 2014. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

RANGOON  Burma is training up hundreds of midwives in an effort to reduce the number of women who die in childbirth.

Statistics show childbirth and pregnancy-related complications are the leading causes of death among women in Burma, mainly due to delays in reaching emergency care.

According to the most recent census, 282 women die per 100,000 births in the country, equivalent to about eight deaths every day, double the regional average and far above the mortality ratio of 20 deaths per 100,000 in neighboring Thailand or six per 100,000 in Singapore.

Nay Hnin Lwin, 19, is among 200 midwifery students currently studying at the Central Midwifery School in Rangoon.

She said her parents, who live in a rural area, still do not recognize the importance of midwives, relying instead on traditional birth attendants.

If there is an emergency situation, they cannot save lives. Mothers are losing their lives because of them. Im proud to be a midwife to save them from these situations, she told Reuters Television.

At the end of the two-year course, Nay Hnin Lwin and other trainee midwives will be deployed to remote clinics with poor infrastructure and bare-bones medical facilities.

The role of midwives is very important because two thirds of our country is in rural areas. They are not only working on healthcare, but also documenting and compiling data for the country, said Dashi Hkwan Nu, head teacher at the Central Midwifery School.

Burmas healthcareparticularly in far-flung areasis plagued by ramshackle services, with hospitals lacking basic equipment because the military junta diverted funds away from services benefitting the general population to the army.

The government of Burmas first de-facto civilian leader in about half a century, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has launched a series of social reforms such as national health and education plans, and the introduction of a bus transport system in Rangoon.

A year after sweeping to power, however, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi acknowledged earlier this week public frustration with the slow pace of reforms and development.

The midwives training program is being supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which says Burma must tackle maternal mortality in order to raise living standards.

Maternal mortality needs to come down if Burma wants to graduate from the least developed into a middle-income country, said Hla Hla Aye, assistant representative to the Fund.
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IMEMC |  

The Israeli government is planning to illegally confiscate 25 acres of Palestinian lands, in Salfit district, in the northeastern part of the occupied West Bank, to build a college and many colonialist units, in addition to planning two railroad lines.

Jamal al-Ahmad, the coordinator of the Committee for Defending Salfit Lands, stated that Israel wants to build a technical campus belonging to ORT Israel college, in addition to constructing 250 colonialist units on Palestinian lands in Masha and az-Zawiya villages, west of Salfit.

Al-Ahmad added that Israeli is also planning two railroad lines on Salfit lands, to link the colonies in the area with Tel Aviv, and that Israel is constantly expanding its industrial areas on the expense of the Palestinians and their land.

Talking to Maan News al-Ahmad said that Salfit is subject to most of Israels illegal colonialist activities, especially since it is comprised of 204 square/Kilometers, and most of its lands (%74.5) are in Area C of the West Bank, and complete Israeli civil and military control.

There are 18 Palestinian communities in Salfit, with 72.000 inhabitants as shown by statistics of the Palestinian Census Bureau in its 2016 survey, while the number of illegal Israeli colonists in the area Is around 55.000, in addition to 15.000 students studying in Ariel colony college.

Israel has 28 colonies in Salfit, including Industrial Zones in Ariel, Buchanan, Zeev, Emanuel and Carnie Shomron, while their chemical waste is devastating the Palestinian agricultural lands, in addition to the serious environmental damage.

Al-Ahmad stated that all Palestinian communities in Salfit are constantly suffering due to the ongoing and escalating Israeli violations, and are becoming more isolated and fragmented, surrounded by illegal colonies and army bases.

The world needs to know what Israel is doing; the ongoing theft of Palestinian lands, the isolation of Palestinian communities, in addition to all crimes and violations of International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and all related agreements. He said.

He also stated that the strategic aim is ongoing resistance to Israels violations, especially its colonies, and that the current focus is on trying to find support for prosecuting Israel, preventing the annexation of Palestinian lands, and helping the villages.

We are trying to provided free legal support to the villages, and to provide them with saplings and agricultural tools; this is meant to help them rehabilitate their lands and surveying all lands close to the illegal colonies, especially since Israel keeps working on expanding them, Al-Ahmad stated, Israels crimes and violations must be exposed to the whole world; they are escalating to a very dangerous level, isolating entire communities, and stealing the lands, the only sources of livelihoods, from their Palestinian owners.

Via IMEMC
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Iranian petroleum sales to its top four Asian customers rose nearly 60% year on year in March, and total exports have reached nearly 3 million barrels a day. Just four countries accounted for over 2/3s of the total exports China, India, South Korea and Japan. South Korea and Japan in particular had been strong-armed by the Obama administration to cut oil purchases from Iran, in order to force Tehran to the bargaining table. But international sanctions were lifted in January of 2016, and Irans Asian trading partners seem just delighted to ramp up imports.

Although the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has attempted to impose a reduction of exports on member states, so as to firm up weak oil prices, the organization exempted Iran so that it could try to recover the market share it lost under the Obama sanctions. Irans exports were reduced to as little as 1 mn barrels per day in the period of severe sanctions imposed by the Obama administration and its allies.

The French firm Total S.A. is also going ahead with plans to invest massively in Irans South Pars natural gas fields, and is waiting on the US Department of the Treasury to OK the deal. Total does not want to risk huge fines if the DoT later on decides that, e.g., the exploitation of the gas fields benefits groups sanctioned by the US, doing business with whom is risky.

As Iranian president Hassan Rouhani visited Moscow last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Irans trade with Russia is up 70% in the past year. Putin pledged to build 20 nuclear power reactors for Iran, and to arrange for Russian natural gas companies to help exploit Iranian gas. Putin said last week, according to BBC monitoring, the possibility of exporting Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft as well as aircraft for medical use is on the agenda. Russia is also alleged to have sold to Iran the S-300 anti-aircraft defense system.

Despite substantial economic progress after international sanctions were lifted, Irans clerical Leader, Ali Khamenei, slammed the state of the economy and complained that Iran had gotten little from negotiating for the nuclear deal. It seems to me that Khamenei must be politicking in hopes of ending President Hassan Rouhanis time in power. Rouhani is running for a second term, with the elections coming up in May. As a centrist who was willing to negotiate with the US directly, Rouhani has attracted the ire of hard linersthough he is himself a cleric. Khamenei may be playing politics, but it is the case that Irans middle classes suffered from sanctions, and are eager to see the economy roll along again. They now have to decide whether to stick with Rouhani, who has had some successes, or to head hard line voices and dump the president in favor of someone closer to the top clerical power elite.



Related video:

IranExpoTour touristic business services: IranExpoTour touristic business servicesIrans economy after JCPOA
LIMA, PERU--(Marketwired - March 31, 2017) - Minera IRL Limited ("Minera IRL" or the "Company"), (BVLAC:MIRL)(CSE:MIRL)(CSE:MIRL.CN), the Latin America gold mining company, has reported its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2016. The Company has also provided an update on its outlook for 2017.

2016 Highlights:

Financial

Gold sales of 23,343 ounces (2015: 24,056 ounces) at an average realized gold price of $1,245 per ounce (2015: $1,143 per ounce).

Revenue of $29.1 million, (2015: $27.6 million).

Gross profit of $7.2 million (2015: $6.5 million).

Loss before tax of $10.4 million (2015: 14.7 million).

After tax loss of $10.4 million (2015: 15.1 million).

Cash balance of $6.8 million at the end of the quarter (December 2015: $15.6 million).

Debt of $69.2 million at 31 December 2016, up from $65.7 million at 31 December 2015 (including amounts due to Rio Tinto).

Operational Performance

Corihuarmi, Peru

Gold production from the Corihuarmi Gold Mine of 23,399 ounces (2015: 23,917 ounces).

Ore mined and staked of 3,040,331 tonnes (2015: 2,965,576 tonnes).

Waste of 1,430,311 tones (2015: 825,985 tonnes).

Total cash costs were $806 per ounce produced (2015: $793).

Total all-in sustaining costs (AISC) were $1,074 per ounce produced (2015: $1,047)

Ollachea, Peru

Results of the 2016 Minapampa East zone drill program outline an exploration target of 370,000 to 550,000 ounces of gold contained within 3.1 to 4.6 million tonnes, grading 2.9 to 4.3 g/t gold

Commenting on the annual results, Gerardo Perez, Minera IRL Limited's Chairman, said, ""I have the honor to Chair the Board of Directors, which has received the mandate from our shareholders to pursue opportunities which generate value for the Company. Thus, in these few months we have made good progress in the company. The two most important milestones that we achieved last year were"

The revocation of the cease trade orders issued by the Canada and Peru securities regulators and subsequent recommencement of trading on the Lima Stock Exchange (BVL) and Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) earlier this year.

The successful drilling campaign carried out at Ollachea during the second half of 2016, proving the continuation of the Minapampa mineralization over 500m to the east. The results outline an exploration target of 370,000 to 550,000 ounces of gold contained within 3.1 to 4.6 million tonnes. The mineralization at Ollachea remains open to the east and at depth.

"Our Corihuarmi Gold Mine continued to exceed expectations and provided strong cash contributions in 2016. The exploration campaign the Company carried out between December 2016 and March 2017 allows us to extend Corihuarmi's life of mine well into 2019. Whereas we have recorded a gross profit of US$7.2 million, we incurred an after-tax loss of US$10.4. The gold price is, at the date of this report above the US$1,200 level which compared to the price at the end of 2016 of US$1,159 per ounce, and US$1,062 at the end of 2015, shows a moderate upwards trend.

Regarding the Ollachea Project we are currently evaluating to optimize the CAPEX, the processing plant size, cutoff ore grade and mine development strategy.

The cash flow from the Corihuarmi mine covers our general, administrative and social costs.

Regarding the mandate for the U$240m structured financing subscribed with COFIDE dated June 2015; the agreement was revoked by COFIDE due to a strategy change of the organization by the government of Peru. Once the exclusivity clause of the mandate lapses on April 1st 2017, the company's objective is to secure financing for the Ollachea project during the second quarter of 2017.

Community relations at Ollachea remain strong. The Company supports important programs in health and welfare, nutrition, education and sustainable development.

I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to our current Board of Directors, management team and all employees for their loyalty, dedication and hard work. I would also like to thank our shareholders for their continuing support. I feel confident that continuing potential at our Corihuarmi gold mine and our Ollachea gold project places Minera IRL Limited in a good position to continue building a successful Gold Producer Company

A summary of the key financial measures for the three- and twelve-month periods ended 31 December 2016.

Table 1: Summary of Key Financial and Operational Measures

Operating Parameters Three Month Period

Ended 31 December Year

Ended 31 December 2016 2015 2016 2015 Waste (tonnes) 426,499 143,187 1,430,312 825,985 Ore mined & stacked on heaps (tonnes) 729,904 778,038 3,040,331 2,965,576 Ore grade, mined and stacked (g/t) 0.40 0.30 0.32 0.33 Gold produced (ounces) 6,149 6,036 23,399 23,917 Total cash costs ($ per ounce) 1 824 892 806 793 Total all-in sustaining costs ($ per ounce) 1 1,110 1,304 1,074 1,047 Financial Three Month Period Ended

31 December Year Ended

31 December 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenue ($'000) 7,454 7,669 29,163 27,584 Gold sold (ounces) 6,206 6,987 23,343 24,056 Realized gold price ($ per ounce ) 1,196 1,098 1,245 1,143 Gross profit ($'000) 1,660 2,041 7,244 6,527 Loss after-tax ($'000) (2,322) (4,630) (10,413) (15,085) Comprehensive loss ($'000) (2,322) (4,630) (10,413) (15,085) Loss per share - (cents) (1.0) (2.0) (4.5) (6.5)

1 - Refer to the Cautionary Non-GAAP and Non-IFRS Statements at the end of this release

Outlook

In 2017, the Company is forecasting gold production of 22,000 ounces from Corihuarmi. Production is expected to come mainly from the Cayhua zone, along with continued production from zones Susan, Laura, Tambo Nuevo, Diana extension, plus nearby Scree Slope material.

The 2017 Corihuarmi capital budget is $2.0 million for the construction of a heap leach pad. This expansion is to accommodate all of the material that is scheduled to be mined and stacked until the second quarter of 2018.

Between December 2016 and March 2017, the Company completed 7,291 metres of exploration drilling in 86 drill holes at the Corihuarmi mine. The exploration program defined additional material at the Cayhua, Tambo Nuevo and Laura zones. As a result of the exploration activities and evaluation, the Corihuarmi life of mine has been extended until mid-2019.

This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's full Report & Accounts, including the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended 31 December 2016, which are available from the Company's website (www.minera-irl.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
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Red Hat, Inc. provides open source software solutions to develop and offer operating system, virtualization, management, middleware, cloud, mobile, and storage technologies to various enterprises worldwide. It offers infrastructure-related solutions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, an operating system platform that runs on hardware for use in hybrid cloud environments; Red Hat Satellite, a system management offering that helps to deploy, scale, and manage in hybrid cloud environments; and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization, a software solution that allows customers to utilize and manage a common hardware infrastructure to run multiple operating systems and applications. The company offers application development-related and other technology solutions, such as Red Hat JBoss Middleware, a solution for developing, deploying, and managing applications; integrating applications, data, and devices; and automating business processes in hybrid cloud environments; The company's application development-related and other technology solutions also includes Red Hat cloud offerings, a software solution that enables customers to build and manage various cloud computing environments; Red Hat Mobile, a software development platform that enables customers to develop, integrate, deploy, and manage mobile applications for enterprises; and Red Hat Storage, a software solution that enables customers to manage large, unstructured, or semi-structured data in hybrid cloud environments. It also provides consulting, support, and training services; and realtime operating system, distributed computing, directory services, and user authentication. Red Hat, Inc. has collaboration with Juniper Networks Expand to provide a unified solution for enterprises designed to manage and run applications and services. The company was formerly known as Red Hat Software, Inc. and changed its name to Red Hat, Inc. in June 1999. Red Hat, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Schneider Electric S.E. provides energy and automation digital solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Energy Management and Industrial Automation. The company offers busway and cable support products, circuit breakers and switches, contactors and protection relays, electrical protection and control products, energy management software solutions, transfer switches, surge protection and power conditioning products, power monitoring and control products, power quality and power factor correction products, pushbuttons, switches, pilot lights and joysticks, software products, and switchboards and enclosures. It also provides access control, building management, fire detection, sensors and room units, valve and valve actuator, and variable and frequency speed drive. In addition, the company offers feeder automation, grid automation and SCADA software products, medium voltage switchgears and transformers, outdoor equipment, substation automation products, and switchgear components. Further, it provides critical power and cooling services, data center software, IT power distribution products, prefabricated data center modules, racks and accessories, and security and environmental monitoring products; home automation and security, installation materials and systems, light switches and electrical sockets, and uninterruptible power supply products; and human machine interface, industrial automation software, industrial communication, measurement and instrumentation, motion control and robotics, signaling units, programmable logic and automation controllers, power supply and protection, process control and safety, RFID systems, signaling devices, and other industrial automation and control products, as well as solar and energy storage. The company was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France.
The Rockies have designated right-hander Miguel Castro for assignment, thereby clearing a roster spot for left-hander Kyle Freeland.

Castro joined the Rockies in July 2015 as part of their Troy Tulowitzki trade with the Blue Jays, who also gave up righty Jeff Hoffman and shortstop Jose Reyes in the deal. At the time, Castro ranked as one of the Jays best prospects, but his stock has obviously dropped since switching organizations. Now 22, Castro debuted in Toronto prior to the trade and has since posted a 6.12 ERA, 8.35 K/9 and 4.16 BB/9 in 32 1/3 innings between there and Colorado. The hard thrower totaled just 30 1/3 innings last year, 15 2/3 of which came at the Triple-A level. He was even worse there, as he yielded 18 earned runs on 21 hits and seven walks.
Guwahati: Ayursundra Superspecialty Hospital conducted the weekly evening OPD clinic at Guwahati Press Club on Saturday (1 April 2017) for the benefit of its members and their dependants. Dr Prerit Sarma (Emergency Medicine) and Dr Ayona Barthakur (O&G) checked the health status of over 35 participants and offered necessary consultations.

Besides health related free consultations, the participants also got the facility of weight, blood sugar, pressure examinations in the brief camp. The camp was assisted by Satyabrat Baruah (public relation officer), Bijoy Sankar Nath (marketing), Manab Kr Kalita & Jayanta Kalita (pharmacist) and Bandita Kalita (nurse) from the newly launched healthcare institution.

It may be mentioned that the press club launched the unique healthcare program titled 'Evening with a Doctor' with initial supports from Dr Jayanta Bardoloi, Managing Director of Dispur Hospitals in last August. The city based hospital also conducted the first evening clinic in the press club premises.

Till date a number of practicing doctors from Medanta-the Medicity Hospital, Apollo Chennai Hospital, GNRC Group of Hospitals, Down Town Hospitals, Narayana Super-Specialty Hospitals, Swagat Super-Surgical Institute, Sankaradeva Nethralaya Guwahati, Wintrobe Hospital, Barthakur Clinic, Nemcare Hospital, Rahman Hospitals, Sun Valley Hospital, Sight First eye-clinic, Government Ayurvedic College, Institute of Dental Science & Research Center etc attended the camps.
Tripoli (AFP) - AFP's photographer in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, Abdullah Doma, was detained late Saturday for the second time in several days by security services there, his family said.

Doma had been released on Wednesday night after being held for 24 hours over his coverage of a public concert to mark Earth Hour.

Security services had raided Doma's home on Tuesday night and told the family he was to be questioned over his photographic coverage for AFP of the concert at Benghazi university on March 25.

The Awqaf religious authorities, linked to the authorities in the east, had condemned the Earth Hour event in Benghazi as "offensive" to Islam as it went against the segregation of the sexes.

Late Saturday, Benghazi's counterterrorism unit called the photographer, asking him to go to their headquarters "to answer a few questions", his family said.

Relatives who accompanied him there were told by 'policemen' to go back home as he was 'now in detention".

The family was not given any explanation, but one relative believed Doma had been detained once again for covering the concert.

AFP management expressed its concern after Doma was detained again.

It called on the Benghazi authorities to free the photographer as soon as possible and urged that no charges be pressed against him.

Benghazi is controlled by the military authorities of Khalifa Haftar, which contest the legitimacy of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord which is based in the capital Tripoli.

Millions of people from a record 187 countries and territories took part this year in the annual bid to highlight global warming, according to the conservation group WWF.
President Nana Akufo-Addo says the solution to dealing with the destructive activities of illegal miners known as 'galamseyers' has to be comprehensive.

He told journalists in Kumasi Saturday that the piecemeal approach that has characterised efforts to end the menace has not been effective.

We need a comprehensive policy which may even involve legislation, he said in a serious tone.

He said his government is working on such a document which would be outdoored to the nation in the coming days.

Experts have warned Ghana is reeling in an irreparable danger with the continuous activities of galamsey operators.

These miners adopt destructive strategies to extract gold from the bellies of the earth including the use of cyanides which pollutes nearby water bodies.

The Tano River in the Brong Ahafo Region has dried up for the first time in 40 years, a development that has been blamed on illegal miners. The Ankobrah River in the Western Region and Brim River in the Eastern have been muddied due to persistent mining in them.

Officials of the Ghana Water Company have served a notice that the country might import water from its neighbours in 2020 if something was not done about it.

Outraged by the repeated reports of destructive activities of illegal miners, the Lands and Forestry Minister, John Peter Amewu has launched a campaign to bring the situation under control.

He had met the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana to discuss with her some effective ways of discouraging her people from joining the illegal activities.

But the President said considering the widespread nature of galamsey as well as the forces and interests involved, there will be the need for a holistic approach to the phenomenon.

I dont think we are going to be able to deal with it effectively by piecemeal measure, he warned.

He said sooner rather than later governments policy to dealing with the menace would be made public.

It is going to be comprehensive, with the objective of dealing with this phenomenon once and for all in our country.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | [email protected]
02.04.2017 LISTEN

I actually hate university education, especially in Ghana. Our university education is backward-looking in nature; it teaches undergraduates what to think, and not how to think. No wonder I proudly dropped out of university since it offered me no special kind of education. The lecturers are highly opinionated professionals who seek to mould university students into inflexible beings  of course, there are exceptions. I had the chance to be lectured by a science professor during my first year in UCC when I read "Wildlife Utilization" as a liberal course. Frankly speaking, I believe Prof. Monney is a great intellectual by all standards; his sense of reasoning always amazed me and the whole class. Yet he is so unbending and uncompromising towards the primitive methodology for teaching and learning in UCC. In fact, he is a perfect epitome of who a typical Ghanaian professor is.

Anyway, I think I like him. And I also respect professors such as Prof. Allotey and Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, who are among Africa's greatest academics in our contemporary world. Prof. Allotey is the originator of "Allotey Formalism," which is a technique used to determine matter in outer space. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is also arguably the first black man to perform a heart transplant. However, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi statesman, is my favourite professor in the world. He defied the odds in his conservative profession, and created an entirely new system that had a far-reaching impact on millions of people in his country. He proved to the world that the professor could be an unparalleled change leader, and not a mere theorist stuck on a university campus. Although his net worth would not make him a billionaire, he is credited with socially entrepreneurial works that made him a titan in business circles.

Alright, Prof. Muhammad Yunus is a 76-year-old social entrepreneur, banker, economist, academic, and civil society leader. I sincerely regard him as the world's greatest social entrepreneur. Why? He pioneered microcredit through Grameen Bank that alleviated poverty, and financially empowered millions of poor folks in Bangladesh. Mr. Yunus stated that he lent $27 of his money to 42 women in a village during his research project about poor traders and their access to credit in 1976. According to Mr. Yunus's profile on Wikipedia, "Grameen Bank originated in 1976, in the work of Professor Muhammad Yunus at University of Chittagong, who launched a research project to study how to design a credit delivery system to provide banking services to the rural poor. Based on his results, in October 1983 the Grameen Bank was authorised by national legislation as an independent bank."

Moreover, Grameen Bank offered microcredit  without collateral security, and with more flexible payment plans  to poor traders in Bangladesh who were not creditworthy in traditional banking. He and the Grameen Bank team gave the poor a fair opportunity to focus individually on business initiatives to gain income in order to repay their loans. So Grameen Bank placed a premium on empowerement of an entrepreneurial nature  not donating cash as an act of charity. Besides, their prime objective has always been to aid poor people to attain financial independence. Prof. Yunus once declared, "This is not charity. This is business: business with a social objective, which is to help people get out of poverty," emphasising that, "Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor."

Also, it is on record that by July 2007, Grameen had issued $6.38 billion to 7.4 million borrowers. Interestingly, Muhammad Yunus's perception of poor people and poverty simply flies in the face of the conventions. Prof. Yunus could state that, "If we want to help poor people out, one way to do that is to help them explore and use their own capability. Human being full of capacity, full of capability, is a wonderful creation." Again, he once said, "In my experience, poor people are the world's greatest entrepreneurs. Every day, they must innovate in order to survive. They remain poor because they do not have the opportunities to turn their creativity into sustainable income." I dare say that this man has unbelievably redefined poverty, and refuted the capitalist school of thought on poverty.

Well, most people strongly feel that poverty cannot be eradicated from the face of planet Earth. But Prof. Yunus believes otherwise; he proclaimed, "Poverty does not belong in civilized human society. Its proper place is in a museum. That's where it will be." Yes, he has clearly blazed the trail for others to contribute towards that Herculean task. It is not surprising that he was awarded Nobel Peace Prize (2006), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), and hundred other honours across the world. Finally, Professor Muhammad Yunus is a very rare global hero whose unthinkable works will forever be etched in the memory of billions of folks worldwide. And I highly recommend his mind-blowing books "Banker to the Poor" and "Creating a World without Poverty" to well-meaning social entrepreneurs in particular.

Long live Prof. Yunus!

Written by Sir Article,

Founder and CEO of Sircle Communications.
An Accra High Court last Thursday held a landmark decision that the police have no power to seize and search a persons electronic gadgets without a court warrant.

The police arrested the applicant, Edmund Addo, on May 27, 2016 and seized his cellular phone, laptop, internet modem and hard drive.

They then forced the applicant to provide his passwords but he refused.

They later engaged the services of some IT experts to access the phone and the laptop with the purpose of using the evidence gathered to prosecute the applicant.

The suit

The applicant therefore filed a suit on June 13, 2016 and prayed the court to, among other things, declare that his rights to privacy, property, fair trial or education had been, were being or were likely to be violated by the respondents, namely the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General (AG).

Counsel for the applicant, Mr Justice Srem-Sai, also prayed the court to restrain the respondents from further interfering with or violating the above-mentioned rights of the applicant and for the immediate return of the said laptop and mobile phone to the applicant or deposit same with the trial court.

Mr Srem-Sai argued that the police, having already taken custody of the gadgets, had no power to access their content without a court warrant authorising them to do so.

Counsel further argued that having seized the gadgets, the police could not access their contents without first obtaining a search warrant from the courts.

The AG argued that crime was ground for suspending the right of a person to privacy.

The decision

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Anthony Yeboah, upheld the argument of counsel, saying the conduct of the police amounted to a violation of the rights of privacy and fair trial.

The court, accordingly, ordered the IGP to submit the said gadgets to the registrar of the trial court within 14 days.

Mr Srem-Sai later told journalists that the court's decision was very welcoming and its potential ripple effect on all communication gadget users in Ghana was a victory for the rule of law.


The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Gertrude Mensah, has said that an investigation will be conducted regarding the eight teachers in the Akuapem north district who were queried for pounding fufu in school during teaching hours.

Some eight teachers of Amahyia M/A Basic school were last week queried by the Municipal Director of Education, Grace Owusua Addo, for cooking on the school premises and also failing to teach students who were left stranded after the teachers finished enjoying the meal during teaching hours.

The eight teachers, who had already written an apology letter, are yet to face a disciplinary committee according to the Eastern Regional Director of Education.

Mrs Gertrude Mensah revealed this to Citi News after touring some senior high schools writing this years WASSCE.

She said  I have called the Municipal director to get me all the facts about the incident, we will sit on this issue on Monday April 3rd and refer it to the appropriate committee for sanctions.

She added that the Regional education service will deal with this issue very professionally and make sure sanity prevails in the teaching profession. We have been reliably informed that this is not the first an incident of this nature has occurred, I mean how can trained teachers decide to leave students frustrated and go and cook during contact hours.



By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Fire Service bore the scorn of residents in and around Odawna Fitting Shop, a suburb of Adabraka in Accra, as the residents were forced to intervene when a Toyata SUV burst into flames in the middle of the street.

The residents called the Fire Service after they had alerted the driver of the car that the engine had caught fire, but it took the service about 30 minutes to reach the scene.

In between then, one of the residents, Freddy Reindorf, came up with the bright idea of resorting to the drain to fetch some runoff water because there was no water running through the pipes, and no one in the community was willing to sacrifice buckets of water to quench the fire of a stranger's car.

I entered the gutter and started to quickly fetch the water running through the drain for them. We got about three buckets. Then one other resident helped us with buckets and we got about four or five more buckets, Freddy recounted to Citi News.

The fire started out mild, but the residents could only do so much with the slow supply of water from the drain. After about 7 minutes, there was a small explosion in the engine as the fire proceeded to spread to the rest of the car.

When the fire service finally got to the scene, the car had already seen extensive damage from the fire and some residents feel this could have been avoided if the fire service had arrived on time.

Indeed, as the fire truck's sirens and it approached the scene, the residents started to hoot at the fire service personnel, clearly vexed at the fact they were arriving on the scene some 30 minutes.

An eyewitness, Emmanuel Mantey, spoke to Citi News and voiced their concerns. According to him, he could hear people trying to call radio stations and the fire service.

If you look at this location, I know there is a fire station at Makola and another one at Circle. Looking at the distance from there to this place, if you are driving, you should be here in 5 minutes.

It took the efforts of the neighbours to try and quench this fire. Indeed, the fire service is here and not a single drop of their water contributed to the quenching of this fire There have been several complaints about the response rate of the fire service. As a nation, we should get serious and work on this thing because it could be someone else.

The pace at which we were getting the water to even pour on the car wasn't that good. People were fetching the [drain] water to quench the fire. If we had a very good supply of water, this car wouldn't have been in this state, he narrated.

The fire service did a short inspection of the vehicle and spoke to the owner of the car, who wished to remain anonymous.

After making some notes, they backed their truck away and drove off without an explanation as Citi News tried to get a response to the residents complaints.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Cairo (AFP) - An Egyptian court ruled Sunday that a judicial decision to block the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia was invalid, lawyers said, in a blow for opponents of a handover.

The urgent matters court in Cairo invalidated a verdict by Egypt's highest administrative court that went against the islands' transfer.

Saudi Arabia has been a main financial backer of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi since the former army chief toppled his Islamist predecessor in 2013.

The deal to hand over the islands, signed during an April 2016 visit by Saudi King Salman during which Riyadh showered Egypt with aid, provoked accusations that Cairo had "sold" the strategic islands.

Cairo said the two islands -- Tiran and Sanafir -- were Saudi territory to start with, but had been leased to Egypt in the 1950s.

The accord has sparked street protests and a legal battle between the government, which insists along with Sisi that the islands are Saudi, and lawyers opposed to the measure.

The urgent matters court ruled "in favour of disregarding the ruling of the high administrative court," as "the judiciary doesn't have the authority to interfere with matters of sovereignty", said Ashraf Farahat, the lawyer who filed the latest lawsuit.

Khaled Ali, a lawyer who argued in the administrative court that the islands belonged to Egypt, said Sunday's verdict aimed to give the government "judicial cover" as it pushes to hand over the territory.

"They are trying to forge false legitimacy through a court lacking competence to justify presenting the agreement to parliament," Ali told AFP.

Tarek el-Khouli secretary of parliament's foreign relations committee, said the government has submitted the case to the house but debates have yet to start.

"There are extreme contradictions over the matter of competence. Some describe the issue as a matter of sovereignty and therefore should not be under the judiciary's competence," while others say the opposite, said Khouli.

"We are now in front of two contradictory rulings. With this contradiction, in my opinion, this matter should be settled by the supreme constitutional court," said Khouli.
Members of the Eastern Regional Queen Mothers association on Sunday paid a courtesy call on First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House to congratulate her on her new role.

They also pledgeed their support for her as well as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in all their engagements to ensure a successful tenure.

President of the Queen Mothers, Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua of Kyebi, thanked the First Lady for her unwavering support to the President during his struggles to lead the country.

As a sign of their gratitude, the Queen Mothers presented Mrs Akufo-Addo with gifts including pieces of cloth, beads and some artifacts.

The First Lady thanked the Queen Mothers for their visit and gifts. She assured them the promises made to Ghanaians by the President would be fulfilled before the end of their tenure.

She indicated her readiness to work with them to help improve the lives of their people and Ghanaians in general.

Mrs Akufo-Addo also entreated the Queen Mothers to continue to support the government and encourage active participation in their various communities in the governance of the country.

Chieftaincy and Culture Minister, Kofi Dzamesi, expressed his gratitude to the Queen Mothers for their continual support for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and government.

He said the First Lady being an advocate of women empowerment, will bring her influence to bear on leadership and decision making to ensure development concerns in their various communities are adequately addressed.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
The governments of Ghana and Japan have signed two grant agreements to the tune of US$58.4 million designated for some road and health projects..

The first agreement, worth US$56.6 million, will fund the Tema Motorway roundabout project, and will also ensure the rehabilitation of the Yamoransa-Assin Fosu road which had a portion cave in last year.

Other projects that will be undertaken with the fund, include the rehabilitation of the 31.2km Assin Fosu  Asssin Praso road section, reconstruction of drainage facilities along the same stretch and installation of a toll collection facility at the south of Assin Praso township, among others.

The second agreement, worth USD1.8 million, will promote health service delivery in Ghana.

Signing the agreement on behalf of Ghana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the facility will promote social development in Ghana.

On behalf of Ghana, the Minister also expressed her gratitude to Japan for the assistance.

The government and the people of Ghana sincerely appreciate the considerable financial and material support extended by Japan to Ghana over the years in our quest for economic growth and development. In addition to the Eastern corridor bridge project, Japan has extended grant aid and concessionary Yen loans amounting to millions of funds to support the government of Ghana in areas such as food security for underprivileged farmers. Fisheries promotion in Sekondi, promotion of CHPSS compounds and poverty reduction project.

Tonight, we have witnessed the signing of grant aid for two very important projects. Mainly the project for the improvement of Ghanaian international corridors which forms part of the West Africa growth wing project, and the programme for poverty reduction strategy, health sector worth 6 billion, 259 million Japanese Yen and 200 million Japanese Yen respectively. These are all meant to promote economic and social development in Ghana.

The aim of the grant, according to the Japanese government, is to alleviate poverty and improve health care delivery.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana


Carpi (Italy) (AFP) - Pope Francis on Sunday called for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging an end to the bloodshed in the troubled Kasai region.

"News continues to arrive of bloody clashes in Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- fighting which drags in victims and displaced persons," the pontiff told some 20,000 faithful at a mass in Carpi, the northern Italian city that was hit by two deadly earthquakes in 2012.

"I urge everybody to pray for peace, that the hearts of those behind these crimes do not remain enslaved by hatred and violence," the pope said.

At least 400 people have died in six months of unrest which has hit the provinces of Kasai-Central, Kasai, Kasai-West and Lomami.

The remote region has been plagued by violence since mid-August, when government forces killed Kamwina Nsapu, a tribal chief and militia leader who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila's central government.

Congolese church leaders and the papal representative in Kinshasa on Thursday urged the DRC's security forces, widely accused of brutal treatment of opponents, to refrain from using disproportionate force during operations.

Last month, the police accused rebels of killing 39 officers in Kasai, and last week the bodies of two UN contractors were found after they were kidnapped in Kasai-Central.

The two foreigners were kidnapped by unidentified assailants on March 12 along with four Congolese accompanying them.

Pope Francis also said that the people of Colombia were in his thoughts after a huge mudslide in the town of Mocoa on Saturday killed some 200 people, a disaster which left him "profoundly saddened".

The pontiff always said he was praying for Venezuela and Paraguay amid growing political unrest in both countries.
- A serial armed robber has confessed how he robs delivery men

- He said he specialises in tricking sellers of expensive mobile phones by pretending to be online buyers and thereafter rob the sellers at the point of delivery

- He and his gang were arrested in Ojo, Lagos state

Officers of the Lagos state Police Command have nabbed four suspected armed robbers who specialise in tricking sellers of expensive mobile phones by pretending to be online buyers and thereafter rob the sellers at the point of delivery.

Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni

Legit.ng gathered that the suspects, Wilfred Ehis, 30; Bright Eloho, 24, Emeka Egbemedu, 22 and Olanrewaju Kamilu, 33 were arrested in Olamulti Hotel, New Site, Iba, Ojo, Lagos.

READ ALSO: Reno Omokri releases Jonathans SSCE result, blasts ex-presidents critics (photo)

According to Ehis, a Chemical Engineering graduate of University of Benin, Edo state, what I do is shop online for expensive phones and goods. I request the sellers to make home delivery.

I would send the delivery address to the seller. When the seller gets to the address, he would call me and I would control my boys to go to the delivery address and rob the seller.

He stressed: That is my role. I shop online. Send the delivery address to the seller and make sure he is at the delivery address; then control the boys to collect the ordered items from him.

I dont follow them to the robbery scene. It is only Nurudeen, alias Onyeabo that I know carry out the execution. I know he has a locally made short  gun. And, I am aware he had recruited other boys to join him in the robbery.

All I do is stay in hotels. I dont even go out at all. I am always indoor. They do the robbery, sell the phones and give me, my own share of the deal.

Nurudeen is always in hiding. He doesnt come outside since SARS, Lagos picked up his closest friend last year. He is short in size and he sneaks into Lagos mostly at night through the creeks from Ogun State, he disclosed.

READ ALSO: IPOB vows to lockdown Biafra land on May 30 to honour fallen heroes

Items recovered from Ehis when he was arrested were a Tecno Cq phone, an LG 3 Phone; One mobile phone; 2 Wrist watches, a Canon camera Eo87D; one neck lace, one Sony laptop, a wrap of Indian Hemp and an ash colour Altima salon car, with the registration No. APP 493 EH.

After the gang was arrested, about five victims from Computer Village in Ikeja have besieged RRS headquarters to give information about their operation.

Two of such victims who came forward on Thursday March 30 were Oluwaseyi Sunday and Alabede Habib.

Both of them in separate statements stated that Ehis, pretending as Barrister Deji had sometime in February 2017 requested that expensive phones be delivered to him on two different addresses on LASU-Iyana Iba Expressway.

The victims were later robbed by three of Ehiss gang members operating on motor cycle at the delivery points.

The sellers claimed they lost N800, 000 and N450, 000 in the robbery.

The gang had on 7 March, 2017 shot one Sgt. Garba Kadiri, an operative with the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while attempting to evade arrest when they were tracked down by the officers in Pretty Street, Iyana School, LASU  Iyana Road.

READ ALSO: Lawyer caught in courtroom watching video of a lady twerking (video)

The RRS operatives, working on reports from victims of the same robbery perpetrated by the gang, had tracked Ehis and his gang to a location in Iba, where the gang shot the officers before escaping.

It could be recalled that penultimate week,sen of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State arrested three suspects alleged to have murdered a delivery agent working for popular online shopping mall, Jumia.

Source: Legit.ng
- Obayagbona Emmanuel Imafidon revealed that he developed a power-generating device that can end blackout

- He said this has been certified by professors from the University of Nigeria

- The engineering graduate said he needed the support of the government to fully develop it

A Nigerian engineer, Obayagbona Emmanuel Imafidon, has revealed that he has invented a power-generating device that can solve the problem power outage in the country.

In an interview with Guardian, the graduate of Electrical Engineering from the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu said he could generate power from thunder lightning and that he has been working on it since 2006.

He said: I have been researching on generating constant power from thunder lightning. That is using a strike of thunder lightning to generate power that can serve Nigeria and Africa for five years and 30 days. That means that whenever thunder strike for once, we are sure of uninterrupted power for five years and thirty days.

READ ALSO: Buhari makes final decision on Magu as he makes peace with Senate

One may think it is not possible and if it is possible why the western world has not converted lightning to electricity, but what I have developed so far is a prototype. There are five chambers including the trapping zone which is made of lightning arrestor. There is the storage zone and the conversion zone, which convert static energy into current electricity and transmit the energy into transmission zone. The transmission zones will first of all step down the power from as high as five mega volts and there are five storage zones that have the capacity of storing over 25 mega volts of power.

When it stores the 25 MV of power, the conversion zone takes one mega vote at a time, send signals to other sensory zones which shut down other sensory zones from discharging at the same time. Now the transmission zone of the power generating plant will step down the megavolt to whatever Nigerians need.

For instance, Nigeria is generating 330,000 megavolts, but my device generate 5 million volts and then give Nigerians their 330 KV and still have about 4670, 000 megavolts left as reserve.

Nigerian engineer invents power-generating device to end blackout

"Taking a look at the prototype, the first time I worked on it was March 10, 2006. I built this prototype with five zones- the power trapping zone, the annexing zone and in between the annexing zone, there is the sensory zone, conversion zone and transmission zone. In Nigeria, we are generating 330,000 volts. Now when thunder strikes, the trapping zone (which is made of trapping arrestor) will trap a maximum of 5 mega volts from 330mgv that comes from lightning.

"Lightning comes with 330 mega volts and the trapping arrestor here is capable of trapping five million megavolts, thereby allowing 330 megavolts to be wasted in the atmosphere for other lightning arrestors to trap and neutralise the energy to the ground through a process called earthling. If you look at most masts around, you will see something like a Y-metallic shape placed on top of a building, this is called lightning arrestor.

"The lightning arrestor is used to trap the power discharged from lightning and this comes with a lightning power of about 20 billion watts, while in Nigeria we are generating 2,600 megawatts of power. The voltage lightning comes along with 330 megavolts, while we are generating 330,000 megavolts. So you can see that there is a far cry between lightning energy and hydro electricity which the country relies on.

READ ALSO: Four army generals made Obasanjo president - Bamaiyi

"The trapping zone will be built by the Russians, Germany or USA in order to capture a maximum of 5 mega volts and allow 330,000 megavolts to be wasted in the atmosphere for the trapping arrestor. Now, the five megavolts trapped by lightning will send the signal or energy to the annexing zone. You can see that we have so many trapping zones here and that is because you dont know the direction lightning may come from. So, we cannot use one lightning director to achieve the purpose and that is why we have several lightning arrestors here.

"We have various strategic places where these lightning arrestors will be mounted because we have some places that are prone to lightning and these include some parts of Enugu State like IMT area and Zik Avenue. When this lightning arrestor traps the lightning, it transmits energy down the annexing zone. Enugu State is going to be one of our trapping zones of lightning energy. We are going to have one in Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Delta states.

"These riverine areas are prone to lightning. After that, the transmission zone captures each storage zone which accommodates five megavolts each. The five storage zones will give 25 megavolts. With this you can move this quantity through the sensory zones, so that when one is discharging energy, signals will be sent to other sensory zones to trap down other capacitors so that they will not discharge at the same time. The reason is that if they discharge at the same time, before we wait for lightning to come again, it may take a longer time and people will say the invention is not complete.

"That is why we have to create a control measure to shut down other storage zones when one is working. For the one that is working the device is built in such a way that only one sensory zone works from the five megavolts stored in the first storage zone.

"That one megavolt is being transmitted to the conversion zone and this is transmitting electricity into current electricity. When lightning comes with static electricity for instance when there is power outage, especially when it is raining. All of a sudden, there is lightning haze and when it is so, you find out that when lightning strikes, the earth wire will absorb the lightening energy and that energy that is being discharged to the ground carries the energy to the house socket through earth wire. And if the electricity is plugged to the wall socket, the neutral wire will transmit that energy through the wire that is inserted to the plug. When it gets to the electronics, it powers it automatically and that is the moment when it is going off, you will see smoke coming from the socket.

"I have not been able to trap lightning due to insufficient fund to buy the materials. To trap lightning you will need high level energy industrial storage capacitors and this will be built either by Germany, China or USA. It will be built in such a way that when lightning strikes, it will charge the capacitor and the capacitor will retain static energy and this energy that is being retained will be converted through a unit called conversion zone and the conversion zone is an industrialised material that will be built by synergic work of various engineers. It is a project for which the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) needs to support me in order to come up with the work. The materials to be imported for it are not within the country.

"I have done investigations in Lagos, Onitsha and Aba and these things are not within the Nigeria market. We need to build a capacitor and the conversion zone.

"Your car for instance, converts static energy to mechanical energy through the ignition system. That is what enables the car to move. The generator converts static energy from the spark plug through the electrical energy and that is how you have light. The motorcycle converts static energy and that is why you can ride it. So it is possible to convert static energy, stored in the capacitor into electrical energy to give light.

"On the other hand, we will consult other research bodies in Enugu like PRODA which is into building of prototype. The conversion zone is another area where we can source for engineers to build. Currently, what I am doing is incomplete. The prototype cannot generate power, but theoretically it is possible and feasible because it has been proven over and over by professors at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN.)

"There was a time I was interviewed by three professors from the UNN. They called me at a time to come and explain how the strike of lightning could generate electricity in Nigeria and Africa for five years and thirty days. Why I said Africa is because lightning does not only occur in Nigeria alone, it occurs across Africa. So wherever lightning occurs, this power generating plant will be built there.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram release new video taunting Special Forces

"The NSE is there to further the experiment, research, inventions to bring them into limelight. I found out that government set aside funds for research but how the funds are being used is a different kettle of fish. I am emphasising on NSE because in the USA, when a young person invents anything, all their engineers gather to give their support. But in Nigeria, they will want you to carry out the research alone so that when you fail, they will say you dont know what you are talking about.

"One major advantages of generating power from lightning is that it will save Nigeria from constant blackout. Every time you hear that water level has dropped and as such we are not able to generate enough electricity. There is no year that thunder does not strike in Nigeria and one strike of lightning can give power for five years and thirty days, then we will have enough power for our home and industrial needs."

Source: Legit.ng
Borno resident took to the streets t night to celebrated the liberation of their town and applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for defeating the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

A town in Borno after it has been liberated from Boko Haram

Legit.ng gathered that a Facebook user, Naseerdeen, Buhari Abubakry shared pictures of residents in Borno out at night in what used to be a stronghold of Boko Haram.

Residents are happy Boko Haram has been wiped away

Some of the people who commented on the development applauded President Buhari while others prayed for him for making their town safe.

READ ALSO: Nigerian engineer invents power-generating device to end blackout

People walk around at night in what would have been possible in the past

Source: Legit.ng
- The ministry of health issues a public advisory note on how to curtail the spread of the meningitis disease

- Health minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, advises Nigerians to remain calm as the ministry is working to put an end to the epidemic

Prof Isaac Adewole, the honourable minister of health, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health under his purview would nip the outbreak of meningitis ravaging some states in the bud.

He made this statement after his ministry issued public advisory warning to Nigerians after 328 deaths associated with Meningitis have been recorded since November 2016 when he spoke extensively on efforts deployed so far to curtail the further spread of the epidemic.

Nigeria Meningitis Epidemic: Death toll rises to 328 as health minister urges Nigerians to remain calm

READ ALSO: Nigerian engineer invents power-generating device to end blackout

He said: "We have started working with all the affected states in specific areas of collaboration on massive awareness and sensitization, laboratory investigation and analysis, proper documentation and disease surveillance techniques through the National Centre for Disease Control and National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA) who have been of tremendous support since the outbreak. We are in constant discussion with World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, E-health Africa and other international health agencies for supplies of vaccines and injections.

Through our initiatives, we have secured 500,000 doses of the meningococcal vaccines from WHO which will be used in Zamfara and Katsina states with an additional 800,000 units from the British government. By next Tuesday, there will be a meeting with the International Review Group of The World Health Organization (WHO) where request for additional vaccines shall be approved, as part of practical and medically certified efforts to stem this ugly incidence.

Even with the tunnels of accomplishment made, we are not relenting, as we have been assured of millions of vaccine doses through other notable and international donor agencies. Unfortunately, Nigeria had always been bedevilled with the stereotype A in years past but this new strain of the bacterial disease, Meningitis Stereotype C which the vaccine is not commercially available in required quantities and can only be shipped to the country by WHO only if laboratory investigation confirms the existence of the strain type C.

He added: Our ongoing spirited effort is geared to upscale through nationwide immunisation campaign while navigating the menace using a combination vaccine by conducting active case finding, strengthening surveillance, case detection, verification and communication management, performing lumbar puncture of suspect cases in a well coordinated atmosphere under NCDC. Our partners are already re-training physicians on the effective collection of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis.

We are equally advocating for prompt diagnosis and have issued directive to all Federal medical facilities and PHCs to treat all cases of meningitis free of charge. All Nigerians especially residents of Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Zamfara and Jigawa states are advised to seek early attention when discomforted with symptoms of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and avoid clogging together in unventilated and over-crowded rooms.

Legit.ng recalls that the ministry of health had disclosed that 328 deaths have been recorded so far.

READ ALSO: APC treasurer, 4000 others defect to PDP in Katsina

A press statement signed by Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations released on Friday, March 31, said the current outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM), has spread across the country, mostly affecting states in the part of Nigeria which fall within the African Meningitis Belt.

The situation report from the ministry as at Friday, March 31, show that 90 local government areas in 16 states of the federation have so far been affected including Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

The epidemic is not unique to Nigeria, the ministry said, with other neighbouring West African countries like Niger, Chad, Cameroun, Togo and Burkina Faso are facing similar outbreak.

According to statistics from the federal health ministry, 2524 people have been affected across the states, 131 samples confirmed in the laboratory with majority as meningitides type C, and 328 deaths recorded so far.

The outbreak started in Zamfara state in November, 2016. The ministry has, however, advised Nigerians to remain calm as the disease is preventable and curable if presented early, Premium Times reports.

We advise Nigerians to continue abiding by health advice which will be issued periodically as feed back of the situation will be given to the public, it stated.

Source: Legit.ng
Lagos is a model city to many in Nigeria and is fast becoming a modern one with the different projects that the state in carrying out.

However, there are still some parts of Lagos that seems to be left behind in the city's development.

Agboyi residents voyaging through river to get to their community

Legit.ng visit to the community provides an extensive insight with interviews that chronicles the life of residents in Agboyiland who have to defecate in rivers and risk their lives using wooden bridges because the state has neglected them.

The life in Agboyiland

"We have been neglected for many years despite our voting strength. We don't have good drinking water, we don't have toilets, we defecate in the river, we don't have roads. We have only one government primary school that caters for the population of almost one million people.

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"We don't have any secondary school. Water wastes from factories in Ikeja, Ogba and Agege are diverted to our community and this has crippled our fishing business.

"Worse still, we pass through hell to go and come out from Agboyi everyday because there is no bridge that links us with Alapere and other neighbouring communities.

"We voyage through river by canoes everyday and our children who attend secondary schools in Alapere, Ojota and Ketu always encounter difficulty while going and coming through the rivers. We need urgent government intervention to salvage our situation."

These were the words of the Osolomade of Agboyi land, High Chief Abdul-Jeleel Salawudeen during a chat with Legit.ng. Agboyi land is a community of almost 1.5 people in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area.

The community comprises Agboyi 1, 2 and 3 which scatter between Alapare in the west and Ogudu in the south of the local government. Agboyi is surrounded by water and the residents go and come out of the community through canoes.

Legit.ng also gathered that despite the population of people living there, the community lacks basic amenities/facilities ranging from good drinking water, secondary school, roads, hospitals, and a bridge that should link it with other communities.

In his comments, High Chief Salawudeen lamented that in the previous years, politicians came to the community when elections were approaching and resurfaced again when they wanted to seek their votes for another term in office.

He said they had made several promises to give them a bridge but to no avail, adding that each time it rains the community is usually flooded making it extremely difficult for people to go for their businesses.

He said: "We lack basic amenities in this community and because we don't have a bridge that links Agboyi to other communities in Agoyi-Ketu Local Council Development, virtually all social amenities elude us.

"We don't have good water to drink, we don't have toilets, each time there is heavy rain, this community is flooded and we usually find it extremely difficult to come out of our various houses, and there instances when our children could not go to school for days even for weeks. "Agboyi community is in the centre of Lagos state and despite that we have not enjoyed governments' presence here.

"They only come here during election period to canvass for our votes and after the election, they don't come here again until when the next election is approaching. The voting population here in Agboyi community is up to one million and we always vote en-masse for the ruling party since 1999 but we have not enjoyed any dividends of democracy.

READ ALSO: IPOB vows to lockdown Biafra land on May 30 to honour fallen heroes

"The previous governments had come and promised to give us a bridge which they couldn't. The current Governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode recently sent some delegations here to inspect and evaluate the cost of the bride but I don't want to doubt that it will go the way of past government. I believe Ambode's government will soon make our dream of having the bridge a reality.

"We have met with government on several occasions, we have also made our plight known to them through the media.

"I think that is what made Governor Ambode to make bold that he willngive us the bridge as soon as possible. If this is done, some residents who have cars will be able to access our communities with their cars.

"Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has promised to give us bridge in Agboyi land after several appeals to past governments. And I want to believe that to show he is ready to walk his talk that is why he recently sent his commissioners to come and inspect the river from Agboyi 1 to Agboyi 3 and promised that the construction will start very soon.

"And we also believe that it will be done as promised despite that we have had such promise in the past since 1999 when the current political dispensation started. We are hopeful that the time has come when we will have a bridge in this community."

Asked about efforts made by the previous chairmen of the local government and members who have represented them at the State House of Assembly, High Chief Salawudeen said that tried their best but quick to add that their current representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh has done wonderfully well to ensure the promises don't go the way of past government.

He noted: "Our representative at the Lagos Assembly, Hon Tunde Buraimoh ensured that governor delegation visited this community as regards the bridge. The immediate past local government Executive secretary erected some plank bridges for us within the community and I believed you would have seen them when you were coming here.

"If the government can do this bridge for us, a lot of social amenities will be brought here and our business activities will be boosted. Our major occupation is fishing and mat weaving. But in recent time, water pollution has made fishing difficult for us.

"All the water from factories in Ikeja, Ogba and Agege are diverted to Agboyi and this is making life unbearable for us. If our water has not been polluted, you wouldn't have met any of us, we would have gone fishing. "And to buy a keg of drinking water in Agboyi is N100.

"The sellers buy kegs of water in Alapere and other neighbouring communities, transport them here through canoes and sell a keg at the rate of N100 because we don't have any other water to drink.

Each time it rains we are happy because we will have opportunity to get good water to drink and cook and we will also fill our drums and kegs so that the water will sustain us till when it rains again.

"We believe that if the bridge is constructed, everything will become easier for us and life will become bearable as well because pipes will be layed under the bridge to give us pipe-borne water from Alapere.

We have only one primary school, Agboyi primary school but we don't have secondary school, we have one health centre. In Agboyi 1, we have primary 4-6 while we have primary 1-3 in Agboyi 2.

"Agboyi is as old as Lagos State itself. Adeniran Ogunsanya attended his primary education, Standard six here in Agboyi.

Our fathers have been clamouring for this bride since 1960s. It was the former governor of the state, Alhaji Latest Jakande, who gave us electricity when he was the governor between 1979 and 1983.

"He also promised to construct the bridge but unfortunately he couldn't fulfill his pledge before his government was toppled by the Military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari, now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Also speaking with Legit.ng, the Chief Apena of Agboyi 1, Chief Tajudeen Akinyele, appealed to the government to hasten its promise so that the community would not be left out in the development of the state.

He said: "We need serious intervention from the government because we can't sink bore holes let alone dig toilets since we are in swampy area. We defecate on the river because we have no alternative.

We want to urge Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to fulfil his promise so that we can also enjoy the dividends of democracy."

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A representative of Kosofe Constituency 2 at Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Buraimoh, who told Legit.ng at Assembly Complex, Alausa Ikeja that part of his electioneering promises was to lobby the executive to construct a bridge for the people of community, said that he has not reneged from his pledge of bringing dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

Buraimoh, who was the Chairman, Kosofe Local Government between 1999 and 2002, said that Governor Ambode has given him his words that the construction of the bridge would start very soon, emphasised that nobody would be left out in the development of the state by Governor Ambode led administration.

Source: Legit.ng
- Some governors from the South-East region have announced their plans to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the prolonged detention over Nnamdi Kanu

- The governors made the announcement in Enugu while addressing journalists after a meeting

- The governors also agreed to meet with all stakeholder from the South-East to discuss and address all issues that are of interest and important to the people from the region

The governors also agreed to meet with all stakeholder from the South-East to discuss and address all issues that are of interest and important to the people from the region

Some governors from the South-East region have announced their plans to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu.

The governors made the announcement in Enugu while addressing journalists after a meeting.

Legit.ng gathered that the governors led by David Umahi - the chairman of the forum - said issues discussed include the release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention at the Kuje Prison, the growing agitation for the freedom of Biafra by the IPOB and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) among many others.

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He said: "Today, we discussed a number of issues, but lets first announce to you that our secretariat here in Enugu is now fully functional, so that if you have a need to contact the South-East Governors Forum, you do that through our secretariat."

The governors made the announcement in Enugu while addressing journalists after a meeting.

"Fortunately it is also in government house Enugu," Umahi said.

The Ebonyi state governor added that: On the issue of IPOB, MASSOB, Kanus detention, ecological problems of South East, various water dams that have been abandoned in South East, our challenges of power, our challenges of security, and other very many concerns of our people, the South East governors today agreed to meet with the various and appropriate authorities of federal presence to address these problems. We are very committed to this and actions already started on these issues.

READ ALSO: Buhari's newly appointed DG spotted smoking cigarette (video)

He also said that the governors have agreed to meet with all stakeholder from the South-East to discuss and address all issues that are of interest and important to the people from the region.

We approved economic committee of South-East governors and we have mandated then to immediately meet and fashion out roadmap towards our economic integration and this we will do in coming weeks so that they will present a road map for our economic indices and development in our next meeting," Umahi said.

The meeting in Enugu was attended by governors of Enugu, Imo and Anambra states, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Rochas Okorocha and Willie Obiano respectively.

Recall that Governor Okorocha had earlier for a national reconciliation in Nigeria especially among the South-East people.

Okorocha had also blamed Nnamdi Kanu for his arrest and subsequent detention.

He said although the IPOB leader exhibited some youthful exuberance while making his agitation for the freedom of Biafra by insulting some leaders in the country including him now is the time for reconciliation.

Watch Legit.ng video of Nnamdi Kanu blasting Department of State Services for illegal detention on Nigerians below:

Source: Legit.ng
A Ryan Hoffman try with two minutes left on the clock sealed a 28-22 victory for the Warriors over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon in Auckland.



Match Draw Widget

[2017] Telstra Premiership - Round 5: Warriors vs Titans

The Titans dominated the first half to lead 22-12, but failed to score a single point in the second stanza as they battled through another torrid 80 minutes in terms of injuries, which saw them left with only one player on the bench for the final 10 minutes.

Both teams traded four-pointers through the opening quarter at Mt Smart Stadium, with Shaun Johnson and David Fusitu'a crossing for the home side and Dale Copley and Daniel Vidot returning serve down the left for the Titans.

But two tries in the space of three minutes from Kane Elgey saw the Gold Coast take charge in the back end of the half.

The first came after Ash Taylor stood up Sam Lisone to split the line and pass, and the second via a grubber from fullback Tyrone Roberts, giving the visitors a 10-point advantage at half-time after Taylor converted both.

The home side owned early momentum in the second half, enjoying 70 per cent possession through the opening 15 minutes, and scored through captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck directly off a scrum.

With 18 minutes to go five-eighth Kieran Foran capped a dream club debut with a crucial try, receiving the ball from Johnson before dummying and slicing through for a four-pointer from 10 metres out.

Johnson converted to tie scores at 22-all, before both sides muffed attempted field goals in the final five minutes.

But the Warriors would have the last laugh, with Ryan Hoffman charging onto a Johnson ball to break Gold Coast hearts and give the Kiwi franchise their second win of season 2017.

The result wasn't the only negative to come out of the match for the Gold Coast, with Joe Greenwood (concussion) and Nathaniel Peteru (foot) joining Roberts in the causality ward for the already injury-ravaged club.

New Zealand Warriors 28 (Shaun Johnson, David Fusitu'a, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kieran Foran, Ryan Hoffman tries; Shaun Johnson 4 goals) def. Gold Coast Titans 22 (Kane Elgey 2, Dale Copley, Daniel Vidot tries; Ashley Taylor 3 goals) at Mount Smart Stadium. Half-time: 12-22. Crowd: 10,263.
She said Parachute had come along at the beginning of a historic shift, when corporate strategies like outsourcing, subcontracting, downsizing and mergers were starting to erode traditional notions of job security. The idea that you could stay in one job for a lifetime began coming undone in the early 1970s, and Parachutes perennial sales reflected, at least in part, this new reality.

Mr. Bolles said he had come to acknowledge that connection over time, but, he added wryly, the success of Parachute had also reflected the fact that it was a pretty good book.

Richard Nelson Bolles was born on March 19, 1927, in Milwaukee, the first of three children of Donald Clinton Bolles, an editor for The Associated Press, and the former Frances Fifield, a homemaker.

His brother, Donald Jr., who followed his father into journalism, was killed in 1976 in Phoenix when a bomb detonated under his car. Don Bolles was then working as an investigative reporter for The Arizona Republic, and the killing was widely believed to be linked to a series of exposes he had been writing about corporate and organized crime in the state. The assassination resulted in the prosecution of one person but remained largely unsolved.

After serving in the Navy at the tail end of World War II, Richard Bolles studied chemical engineering for two years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, then transferred to Harvard, where he earned his bachelors degree cum laude with a major in physics.

While still an undergraduate, he was moved by a sermon he heard one Sunday at church about a critical shortage of ministers. After graduation, instead of accepting a lucrative job offer in the chemical industry, he decided to become an Episcopal minister.

He attended General Theological Seminary in New York, where he received a masters degree in New Testament studies and was ordained in 1953. He served as a rector at several churches in northern New Jersey, including St. Johns in Passaic, where he often counseled teenagers on sex and drug use.
Timothy Caughman, an all-but-invisible thread in Manhattans tapestry one week ago as he collected bottles and cans for the nickel refund, was honored Saturday by the mayor of New York City and dozens of old friends, whose hair had grayed since they saw Mr. Caughman last.

On a raw morning that felt more like winter than spring, they gathered in the little red brick Mount Zion Baptist Church in South Jamaica, Queens, where Mr. Caughmans father had once been a pastor. They sang the praise of Mr. Caughman  66 when he was killed by an attacker armed with a sword on the night of March 20 while scavenging in Midtown  as an individual of quiet dignity and broad interests.

James Harris Jackson, 28, a white man from Baltimore, has been arrested in his killing and charged with murder as terrorism. The police and prosecutors said he told investigators that he came to New York intending to kill black men. Mr. Caughman was his only victim.

On Saturday, Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke for 17 minutes at Mount Zion, towering over the pulpit and over Mr. Caughmans garlanded coffin. His rhetorical sparks resonated among appreciative mourners.
SYDNEY, Australia  Feng Chongyi said he ran to the airport in Guangzhou on Saturday as soon as he received the message from Chinese officials: Go.

He had been barred from leaving China for just over a week, submitting to questioning whenever Chinese officials felt the need, he said, waiting for a chance to return to Australia.

Here, he has long been a respected academic at the University of Technology Sydney, an expert on Chinas repression of political dissent and its growing influence in Australia. His daughter and wife are Australian citizens.

There, in China, where Professor Feng was born, and where he still often travels, he was questioned as a threat to national security.
This article is based on interviews with more than two dozen people during the past month, including Met trustees, senior executives, curators and former and current members of the digital staff. All expressed admiration for the museum and its acclaimed exhibitions, but many indicated concern that Met leaders would not take a hard look at themselves and find ways to change.

This is not just the singular responsibility of the C.E.O., said Reynold Levy, the former president of Lincoln Center and an expert on nonprofits, speaking generally about the Mets culture and recent struggles. The board needs to hold a mirror up to itself and assess its own performance.

As boards go, the Mets is high end and old school. An international jewel of the art world, the museum sits atop the hierarchy of major New York cultural institutions and a spot on its board has long been considered the pinnacle of prestige.

At 101 members, the board is also unusually large, which means decisions tend to be made in committees, the most important of which are the executive and finance committees. Expectations for most everyone else are relatively simple: deep pockets, attendance at five meetings a year and a willingness to let the Mets top executives handle the details.

If youre not on the executive committee, you dont know anything, said a trustee, who insisted on anonymity because board members have been warned against speaking publicly. Youre expected to work and give, but not to question what goes on.

Another trustee said, Few people have spoken up in a meeting for about 40 years.

This laissez-faire style appeared to work well enough, including throughout the 31-year tenure of Philippe de Montebello, who retired as director in 2008, just before the financial crisis. But the world has changed for the Met since then. Corporate and government donations to cultural institutions have declined; competition from contemporary art institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art has increased; and the demands to reach new audiences digitally have become urgent.
Tally up another award for Moonlight. The movie won for outstanding film, wide release, at the 28th annual Glaad Media Awards on Saturday night, presented by the group formerly known as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Moonlight depicts the coming-of-age story of a gay protagonist who reckons with his sexuality amid a tumultuous upbringing in Miami, and it won the Oscar for best picture in February.

The Glaad Awards seek to honor fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The television shows Transparent and Shadowhunters won for comedy and drama series, respectively, and the much celebrated Black Mirror episode San Junipero won for outstanding individual episode.

Patricia Arquette won the Vanguard Award and in her speech paid tribute to her sister Alexis Arquette, a transgender actress who died last year. And Troye Sivan won the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for his work toward fighting homophobia.

A taping of the awards show will air on Logo on April 6, and a second ceremony will take place in New York on May 6.
 China and the U.S. are maneuvering ahead of their leaders meeting in Florida this week.

President Trump has issued two executive orders reflecting American economic tensions with China, but their limited reach may allow him to focus on North Korea in talks with President Xi Jinping. And China allowed a respected Chinese-born academic, Feng Chongyi, to return home to Australia.

Behind the scenes, the meeting is the handiwork of two people: Chinas ambassador to Washington and Mr. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Dr. Chunkit Fung and Dr. Scott Gregory Hartman were married April 1 at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia. The Rev. Adriene Thorne, a Presbyterian minister, officiated.

Dr. Fung, 38, and Dr. Hartman, 46, are professors at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Fung is an assistant professor of medical oncology, and Dr. Hartman is an associate clinical professor of family medicine.

Dr. Fung graduated from Cornell and received a masters degree in clinical epidemiology and a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is the son of Winghan Fung and Feesing Fung of New York. His mother is a manager at the Golden Unicorn Restaurant there. His father retired as a pattern cutter for Alex Apparel Group, a clothing manufacturer, also in New York.
Luissa Joy Chekowsky and Peter A. Campbell were married March 27 at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. Angel L. Lopez, a staff member in the office of the City Clerk, officiated. On April 1, Jelly Helm, a friend of the couple, led a ceremony, which included Jewish traditions, at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in New York.

Ms. Chekowsky, 43, is the senior vice president overseeing advertising campaigns for all shows as well as branding at Comedy Central in New York. She graduated from the University of Central Florida, from which she also received a masters degree in creative writing.

She is a daughter of Aaron Chekowsky of Palm Bay, Fla., and the late Rose L. Chekowsky. The brides father retired as an analyst from the Social Security Administration in Baltimore.

Mr. Campbell, 44, is an associate professor of theater at Ramapo College. He graduated from the University of Michigan, and received a Master of Fine Arts in dramaturgy from Columbia, from which he also received a Ph.D. in theater focusing on contemporary adaptations of Greek tragedies.
Nayra and Gabriela dont go out much these days, and not just because the two roommates are homebodies. When they venture outside their apartment in Queens, their hesitation is caused as much by emotional wounds as by physical injuries. The two friends are trans women, and though their Jackson Heights neighborhood has a reputation as a welcoming community for gays and lesbians, hate crimes against transgender women have alarmed many in the area.

On the afternoon of March 17, the two women were entering a McDonalds restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue when they heard a man screaming behind them. When they turned around, they said, he began hurling insults.

He called us prostitutes, faggots, bitches, said Gabriela, 33, who, like her friend, spoke on the condition that her last name not be published because of the nature of the assault as well as lingering fear. I looked at him and said, Girl, this man is crazy. He wanted to hurt us.

Within seconds, the encounter escalated from insults to injuries. The man rushed them, knocking them to the ground as he pummeled Nayra, whose ankle was fractured in the fall. Gabriella said that she had pounced on him but that he had gotten up, grabbed a broken umbrella and used it to beat her on her face and hands.
CAMDEN, N.J.  Every few months, the police chief here asks which officers wrote the most tickets.

Elsewhere, this might lead to praise, but in Camden  where 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line, the murder rate compares to that of El Salvador and one of the most interesting experiments in American policing is underway  Chief J. Scott Thomson sees aggressive ticket writing as a sign that his officers dont get the new program.

Handing a $250 ticket to someone who is making $13,000 a year  around the per capita income in the city  can be life altering, Chief Thomson said in an interview last year, noting that it can make car insurance unaffordable or result in the loss of a drivers license. Taxing a poor community is not going to make it stronger.

Handling more vehicle stops with a warning, rather than a ticket, is one element of Chief Thomsons new approach, which, for lack of another name, might be called the Hippocratic ethos of policing: Minimize harm, and try to save lives.
The first boat in New York Citys new fleet of commuter ferries arrived in the city on Sunday morning, completing a voyage from Alabama that was slowed by a side trip through some Florida mud.

The boat, known for now as Hull 200, left Atlantic City early in the morning and passed under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge just before noon. After curling around the Statue of Liberty, it docked at a marina in Jersey City, ending a 13-day trip that began at a shipyard in Bayou la Batre, Ala.

Its arrival was the latest step toward Mayor Bill de Blasios goal of starting new public ferry routes this summer. The mayor has promised a service stretching from the Rockaways to the Bronx that will cost riders the same amount as a subway fare.

But first, Hornblower, the company that the city chose to operate the service, must complete the fleet and assemble it in New York Harbor.
The case of Reza Zarrab in federal court in Manhattan has been far from routine.

Mr. Zarrab, a gold trader from Turkey charged with conspiring to violate United States sanctions on Iran, has been described by prosecutors as having considerable wealth and political influence. Even Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has weighed in, criticizing the prosecution and raising the matter last year with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. during talks at the United Nations.

Now, negotiations in the case have taken on a new dimension, deepening Mr. Erdogans involvement and also broadening to include Rudolph W. Giuliani, a former mayor of New York City, and Michael B. Mukasey, an attorney general in President George W. Bushs administration.

Mr. Giuliani, who is close to President Trump, and Mr. Mukasey were retained by Mr. Zarrab to try to negotiate a resolution to the charges, but in an unusual departure from the way almost all criminal cases are conducted, the talks have not been with the United States attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting Mr. Zarrab.

Instead, Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Mukasey have sought to meet with Trump administration officials  over the prosecutors  to discuss a potential resolution of the case, according to new court filings on Friday. The two men have also traveled to Turkey to meet with Mr. Erdogan to discuss how such a disposition might be reached  a trip that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was told about, the new filings indicate.
BUDAPEST  Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democracy and a free society. As Montesquieu argued in The Spirit of the Laws, a text the American founders revered, a free society is defined by robust self-governing institutions that regulate themselves under the law and pursue their objectives without interference from government.

Academic freedom is a threat to authoritarian regimes everywhere. In Vladimir V. Putins Russia, the European University at St. Petersburg has endured repeated attempts to shut it down. In Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkey, the government is closing campuses and jailing students and teachers.

The latest threat to academic freedom is occurring in the heart of Europe. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government has introduced a bill in Parliament that would effectively abolish the freedom of Central European University, a private American-Hungarian graduate institution (of which I am the rector and president) that has been granting American- and Hungarian-accredited masters and doctoral degrees for more than 20 years.

The bill would forbid the university from issuing its American degrees, require it to open a campus in the United States (it operates only in Budapest) and put it under the control of the Hungarian government. The government would have the power to deny work permits to faculty members from outside the European Union and use the visa system to restrict the universitys ability to choose its students.
With the Midterm Elections less than one week away: What do you consider the top issues that you will be voting on to be corrected by your better representation?

Education Crime Big Government getting Bigger Biden /Democrat controlled Spike in Energy Cost Inflation created by Legislation of Majority in Power Gender Reassignment Corrupted Bureaucratic /Service (DOJ, FBI, etc.) Institutions Abortion Discredited Legacy Media Ending the Corruption of Dishonest Politicians Corruptive Influence of Social Media Wide Open Southern Border
Alexei Abrikosov, who shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2003 for important insights into how certain materials conduct electricity without resistance, died on Wednesday at his home in Sunnyvale, Calif. He was 88.

His death was announced by Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, where he had worked as a scientist. His son-in-law, Gary Micchelli, said the cause was a heart attack.

For decades, physicists have been fascinated and baffled by superconductors  materials, discovered in the early 20th century, that when chilled to very low temperatures allow electrical current to flow through effortlessly.

In 1950, two Soviet physicists, Vitaly L. Ginzburg and Lev Landau, came up with a mathematical model that described the behavior of a superconductor near the temperature at which the electrical resistance fell to zero. The theory largely matched what had been observed in experiments when elements like mercury and lead became superconducting.
MALMESBURY, England  When Michael Aldred joined the British home electronics maker Dyson two decades ago, he had a simple goal: to quickly build a robotic vacuum cleaner.

But Mr. Aldred and his team kept running into roadblocks.

Their first attempt, unveiled in 2001, was too clunky for James Dyson, the companys founder. The next prototype involved creating a computer vision system that would allow the machine to skirt independently around furniture; it took more than a decade to perfect.

As smartphones became everyday tools, Dysons robotics team again had to rethink the vacuum cleaner, adding internet connectivity so the machine could send notifications  with a heat map of where it had cleaned  to a mobile device. After a nearly 20-year odyssey, the robot cleaner, priced at an eye-watering $1,000, finally hit stores worldwide last year.

At times, I really asked myself what I had signed up for, Mr. Aldred said in an interview at Dysons rural headquarters near the border with Wales. But James Dyson always told us to focus on the product. Everything else would follow.
KINSMAN, Ohio  For years, Tammy and Joseph Pavlic tried to ignore the cracked ceiling in their living room, the growing hole next to their shower and the deteriorating roof they feared might one day give out. Mr. Pavlic worked for decades installing and repairing air-conditioning and heating units, but three years ago, with multiple sclerosis advancing, he had to leave his job.

By 2015, Ms. Pavlic was supporting her husband and their three children on an annual salary of $9,000, earned at a restaurant. That year, they tapped a county program funded by Congress, called the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, to help repair their house.

The next year, they voted for Donald J. Trump, who has moved to eliminate the HOME program.

The Pavlics ceiling may no longer be cracked, but in the zero-sum game that Mr. Trumps budget seeks to set up, the nation is showing new fissures. The presidents budget proposal would cut deeply into the Department of Housing and Urban Development, paring rental assistance and eliminating heating and air-conditioning aid, energy-efficiency assistance, and partnerships with local governments like HOME. With the savings, Mr. Trump says, he would beef up military spending and build a wall along the Mexican border.

Keeping the country safe compared to keeping my bathroom safe isnt even a comparison, Mr. Pavlic, 42, said. We have people who are coming into this country who are trying to hurt us, and I think that we need to be protected.
The one I have recently begun to hate is African-American. I think it perpetuates the myth that all blacks come from Africa and so there are some who think they should go back to Africa. So Ive begun to use the term black again. Calling someone black African American is like calling me an Israeli-American just because Im Jewish. I was not born in Israel; I was born here in the U.S. I am no more Israeli than your average black person is African.  Emily Brown

One possible term to use in relation to persons of African heritage is one used in Brazil: Afro-descendant. It highlights a persons family history and avoids the negative of the color black. The term has come into use in Brazil as their large population of persons of African descent have become politically mobilized. It is less demeaning than other terms such as mulatto or persons of color.  Dale Krane

I think immigrant is much more suitable than refugee. I work in southern Turkey among many Syrians. Although the term is politically correct, no refugee will ever use the word as a means of self-identification. It is offensive for them. It could be denial, but they would rather be deemed migrants or immigrants seeking opportunity than a perceived burden on society. For them, refugee carries with it the trauma of what leaving their home was like, and the state of which they left it. In Arabic, it translates broadly to fugitive or runaway. That is cringeworthy for the most part for someone looking to live their life in peace, far away from conflict.  Diana Rayes

Foreigner. To me, this term immediately creates a division with those who are accepted and not accepted; us vs. them. It would be wonderful to omit this term from describing people, as people are not harmful viruses or unrecognizable objects.  Anna Lee-Fields

Inner city. It suggests that anyone from the center of a city must be too poor to get to the suburban fringes, and by default is black or Hispanic. Many inner cities are as diverse as anyplace but the suburbs, yet the label persists as an arch way to say someone is black.  Steve Wolgast
Really, nobodys getting naked, said the girl, who is identified as Student A in court papers and asked not to be named to protect her privacy. This fear that trans people exist and should not have the right to exist. Thats the driving force here.

The school board election is set for Tuesday, only days after lawmakers in North Carolina, mired in a battle of its own, repealed a state law restricting bathroom use in public buildings. In February, after a dispute among his own cabinet officials, President Trump reversed federal protections allowing transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice, leaving those decisions to state and local authorities. That in turn prompted the Supreme Court not to take what advocates had hoped would be a defining transgender bathroom case.

Student A has been a pioneer in Township High School District 211, which covers five schools in relatively affluent communities northwest of Chicago that have a patchwork of ad hoc policies for transgender students. She filed a complaint with the civil rights office of the federal Department of Education in 2013 that resulted in a 2015 settlement allowing her to use the girls locker room at William Fremd High School, in Palatine (and at other schools during school activities). The school had already been quietly allowing her to use the girls bathroom.

But that agreement, essentially a contract between the district and the federal government, applies only to one person: Student A. It will expire when she graduates, making the districts future policy unclear. Waiting in the wings: two transgender boys known as Student B, now in junior high, and Student C, a freshman at another high school, and a transgender girl identified as N.S. who has filed a state discrimination complaint.
When it came to pursuing the Seven Summits, I finally gathered the courage to pick up the phone and nervously call my father, anxiously blurting out what was on my mind. His response, to my horror, was a fate-changing No. I took the biggest risk of my life and stayed up till dawn, pouring my heart out in an email to my father. Ill never forget the anxiety I felt as I pushed that Send button. The next days I heard nothing, and my heart sank deeper and deeper with every passing moment. But never once did regret creep into my mind, and thats when I knew how much this meant to me. At the end of those agonizing silent days, he replied, Youre crazy, I love you, go for it. Little did either of us know how much this simple sentence would change my life.

SHARMEEN OBAID-CHINOY, Academy Award-winning filmmaker and chief executive of SOC Films

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I remember being driven to school when the car stopped at a traffic light and I looked out the window. I saw a girl exactly my age, her nose pressed against the pane. She was barefoot and her hand was stretched out. She was begging. Here I was sitting in the car, wearing a uniform, going to school, and the first question on my mind was, Why is this girl not in school? And thats when really my journey started, because I started asking really difficult questions at home and difficult questions at school that nobody wanted to answer. And my mother just encouraged me to begin writing. So I wrote my first article at the age of 14, began writing poems and later made films about social justice issues.

DR. ANNIE SPARROW, assistant professor, population health science and policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City

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As a critical care pediatrician who spends most of my time working on the Syrian conflict and teaching the few doctors left there, I am often asked about my impressions. There are so many.

But this is the most important one: There is still more life than death in Syria. Syrians didnt come out on the streets in 2011 to discover all the different ways in which they could die  from snipers, bombs, torture, chemical attacks, horrible diseases or starving to death. They came out to live. When you live under a dictator, you dont know any life other than oppression and humiliation. Syrians didnt even know what freedom meant, but they knew they wanted it, and were prepared to fight for it, to discover what freedom means.
BOGOTA, Colombia  Gildardo Ramirez reached Mocoa on Sunday, only to find a scene of rubble where his Aunt Claudias neighborhood had been. He looked desperately through the ruins for his missing aunt, who he said had not been seen since a flood of mud and debris plowed through Mocoa the night before.

I arrived to the house, and it was destroyed, he said by telephone from Mocoa, a small city in the southern mountains of Colombia near the border with Ecuador. The only thing I found was a backpack.

Anxious relatives like Mr. Ramirez and more than 1,500 rescue workers raced on Sunday to find anyone who might still be alive and trapped in the wreckage in Mocoa, where parts of the city have been wiped off the map by a deluge of mud and floodwaters.
MEXICO CITY  From the hundreds of millions of tortillas consumed every year to the countless tons of corn-enriched feed that fattens livestock and poultry, corn is perhaps Mexicos most important agricultural commodity, one at the center of its life and culture.

Now corn has taken on a new role  as a powerful lever for Mexican officials in the run-up to talks over Nafta, the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The reason: Much of the corn that Mexico consumes comes from the United States, making it Americas top agricultural export to its southern neighbor. And even though President Trump appears to be pulling back from his vows to completely overhaul Nafta, Mexico has taken his threats to heart and has begun flexing its own muscle.

The Mexican government is exploring buying its corn elsewhere  including Argentina or Brazil  as well as increasing domestic production. In a fit of political pique, a Mexican senator even submitted a bill to eliminate corn purchases from the United States within three years.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Officials in Afghanistan said on Sunday they were investigating claims that at least nine civilians, including six children, had been killed when Afghan and coalition forces blew up a Taliban weapons depot in southern Helmand Province.

Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand, said troops on a joint military operation in the Malgir area of Gereshk district, just outside the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, had found the cache of munitions late on Saturday.

They set up explosives to detonate the cache, and it damaged the house where the civilians were staying, Mr. Zwak said.

Capt. Bill Salvin, a spokesman for the coalition in Afghanistan, said on Sunday: We have seen the reports of civilian casualties in southern Helmand last night. We take all allegations of civilian casualties seriously, and we will convene an inquiry into this allegation.
But in the 1990s, as Cambodia began to emerge from decades of war, the United States said the money was still owed, with interest and late fees, though it offered rescheduling on favorable terms. Since then the debt has swelled to $506 million.

We lack the legal authority to write off debts for countries that are able but unwilling to pay, Jay Raman, a spokesman for the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh, said in an email last month. These legal authorities do not change from one administration to the next, absent an action from Congress.

Cambodia argues that the loan is invalid because the government of Lon Nol, who seized power in a 1970 coup that deposed Prince Norodom Sihanouk, was illegitimate. But the State Department says the international financial system will fall apart if governments cannot be held responsible for their predecessors debts.

The United States has also disputed arguments by Cambodia that it cannot afford to repay the debt. Once one of the worlds very poorest countries, Cambodia graduated to lower-middle income status last year, with a gross domestic product of about $19 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund. Refusing to service the American loan has impeded its ability to borrow internationally.

I look around me, and to me Cambodia does not look like a country that should be in arrears, the American ambassador, William Heidt, told local journalists in February. He said that the United States wanted to work out a deal that works for both sides but that completely canceling the debt was not an option.

From time to time, for reasons I dont think that we really fully understand, the Cambodian government feels the need to publicly criticize the United States, Mr. Heidt said. I think that reflects some kind of political dynamic inside of Cambodia.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  The appointment of a popular Pakistani general to head a Saudi-led alliance of Muslim countries has set off a furor in Pakistan, amid fears that the move could exacerbate sectarian tensions at home.

Pakistans government last week approved the appointment of a former army chief, Raheel Sharif, to lead the Islamic Military Alliance, a posting announced by Saudi Arabia in January. The alliance includes several dozen mainly Muslim countries with the professed aim of countering terrorism, although it has taken no significant military actions, least of all fighting the Islamic State in Syria or Iraq.

Saudi officials have argued that the alliances Muslim identity will make it more effective in combating Islamic extremists, while sending a powerful message that Muslim countries reject their ideology.

But critics note that the alliance does not include predominately Shiite states like Iran and Iraq, making it more of a Sunni military alliance than an Islamic one. Still, the appointment of Mr. Sharif would give the Saudi-led alliance a more international sheen. Saudi Arabia has also been seeking support from Pakistan for its campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen and may be hoping Mr. Sharifs appointment could bolster that effort.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  The men and women arrived late on Saturday at a Sufi shrine in a village in central Pakistan. Followers of a self-described mystic, the pilgrims were accustomed to rituals in which they received spiritual guidance and sometimes removed their clothes to be cleansed of their sins.

Instead, the Pakistani police said on Sunday, they were given an intoxicating drink and then beaten with batons and hacked with knives, leaving 20 of them dead and four others injured.

After the massacre, the police said they had arrested the shrines custodian, Abdul Waheed, 50. Mr. Waheed, the authorities said, admitted luring the devotees to the site about 12 miles from Sargodha in Punjab Province, and carrying out the killings with the help of at least two associates.
As aging adults, they sued the province for compensation for the hijacking of their lives and the dissipation of their money. When they were finally paid, one siblings share was stolen by her son, who then disappeared.

For North Bay, population 54,000, the quintuplets brought economic salvation in the 1930s. But other than the log house, a visitor will search in vain for any commemoration of the quintuplets  even a roadside plaque.

The house, like its former inhabitants, has been through a lot. A hotel owner bought it in 1962 and moved it from the familys land near Corbeil, a hamlet outside North Bay, to a spot on the highway at the south end of the city, where it was opened as a museum. When its sale was threatened in 1985, public pressure prompted the city to buy it and move it again, to a site operated by the chamber of commerce, with a tourist office and a place to pump out recreational-vehicle sewage.

Two years ago, the chamber told the city that it was no longer interested in operating the site. The city padlocked the house and swiftly found a buyer for the land. Now, with no appetite to use tax money to pay for the museum, it says the house has to go.
LONDON  Britain, which has its second female prime minister and a queen who is the worlds longest-reigning monarch, is getting its first statue of a woman in Parliament Square in London, where there are 11 statues of men.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Sunday that Millicent Garrett Fawcett, who campaigned for the right of women to vote, will be honored with a statue to stand in the company of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.

Mrs. Fawcett formed the National Union of Womens Suffrage Societies in 1897 and died at 82 in 1929, a year after all women in Britain won the right to vote.

Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. May said, continues to inspire the battle against the injustices of today. She added: It is right and proper that she is honored in Parliament Square alongside former leaders who changed our country. Her statue will stand as a reminder of how politics only has value if it works for everyone in society.
BELGRADE, Serbia  Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic appeared headed toward a first-round victory in Serbias presidential election on Sunday, winning more than 50 percent of the vote among a field of 11 candidates, according to exit polls and early results.

If the preliminary vote count holds and Mr. Vucic passes the 50 percent threshold, he would avoid a riskier two-way runoff on April 16.

While Serbia is a parliamentary republic and the presidency is intended as a largely symbolic position, the actual effect of the election result is seen as removing the last check on Mr. Vucics power and as a further erosion of Serbias nascent democratic institutions.

Mr. Vucic, by far the most popular political leader in the country, will choose his successor as prime minister, most likely a pliant one, and he is expected to exercise unchallenged control over all of the countrys main political institutions: Parliament, the executive branch, the ruling party and now the presidency.
A record 47 women were elected to the House of Representatives, 24 for the first time, in what became known as The Year of the Woman. Women also won an additional four seats in the Senate, with Patty Murray, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and Carol Moseley Braun joining the incumbents Nancy Kassebaum and Barbara Mikulski.

That election was influenced by Anita Hills 1991 testimony before and grilling by the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee during Clarence Thomass confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court. Here is a look at some significant ups and downs for women during the 25 years since then.


Coalition Air Force

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Recently, it is reported more and more often about devastating consequences of the US-led coalition air strikes, which kill civilians.

According to Airwars, a non-profit organization, that monitors and assesses reports of civilian casualties allegedly caused by the Coalition, almost 1,000 civilian non-combatant deaths have already been alleged from coalition actions across Iraq and Syria in March, 2017. It is also stressed that it is a record high level of losses for the whole time of the "anti-terrorist" operation in Iraq and Syria.

After the reports about the casualties appeared in the mass media, the Pentagon urgently decided to launch a formal investigation into the stated number of civilian casualties. However, the Western media continues to exert every effort to shift responsibility for the death of civilians to ISIL terrorists.

In its turn, Airwars identified three major events, which have occurred in a short period of time, and led to the death of several hundred civilians. Thus, on March 17, the U.S. Air Force carried out air strikes on a mosque near Aleppo in Syria. According to the Turkish Haberyirmi, the attack killed at least 70 civilians. It should be mentioned that the Pentagon hasn't taken any responsibility for the attack, saying that it was carried out against the positions of the terrorists.

The second attack was conducted on March 20, 2017. That time the coalition aviation hit a school in Al-Badia Al-Ad Dakhiliyah in the south of Al-Mansur (near Raqqa). As a result of the attack, dozens of civilians were killed and injured, most of them were women and children. In addition, the Turkish Anadolu noted that the air strike led to the "almost complete destruction of the school", which was serving as a home for 50 families from Aleppo, Raqqa, and Homs.

The third attack was conducted on March 23, when the coalition aviation struck at the Iraqi city of Mosul. It is known that the Coalition targeted three buildings, in the cellars of which were people. Iraqi military officials claimed that the air strikes killed more than 200 people.

The New York Times reported that nowadays for the Coalition command it is difficult to answer whether dropped bombs or explosive devices of ISIL terrorists led to the mass death of people in Mosul. However, Major-General Maan al-Saadi of Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service claimed that people were killed as a result of the U.S. attack.

It also should be mentioned that the Iraqi authorities decided to suspend the operation in Mosul because of the increasing number of victims among the civilians.

However, despite the fact that these incidents occurred in such a short period of time and led to so many casualties, the Coalition command openly declares that the US military will not give up its tactics, even if it threatens the civilian population. It is difficult to say, how long Washington's bloody campaign in the Middle East will be conducted. Obviously, using an "anti-terrorist" operation as cover, the Coalition again and again conducts indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
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"Suppose Donald Trump and or his associates were directly involved in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee without any help from the Russian government?"

The Democratic Party is going all out with its charge of Russian involvement in the 2016 election. In doing so they achieve two very important goals. First, they distract their voters from asking why Hillary Clinton lost and why they are perennial losers at every level of government across the country. Secondly, they can wage war by other means as they attempt to exact regime change in Russia. That is the desired endgame as they attempt to crush the sovereignty and independence of that resource-rich nation which spans Eurasia.

The so-called evidence of Russian involvement in the election is flimsy at best. Yet the claim has been repeated so often that even skeptics have been deterred from reaching a far more logical conclusion. Suppose Donald Trump and or his associates were directly involved in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee without any help from the Russian government? The exposure of DNC emails and their evidence of corruption and incompetence is a classic political dirty trick and the Trump team had means and motive. As Democrats breathlessly speak of "connecting the dots" to their claims of Russian interference there are other dots to connect that lead in different directions.

On March 9, 2017, Trump's British ally Nigel Farage was seen entering the Ecuadorean embassy in London. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange sought asylum there in 2012 and has been living in the embassy ever since. Wikileaks released the DNC emails which were so damaging to Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. When asked why he went to the embassy, Farage incredibly claimed that he couldn't remember. Several days later he admitted seeing Assange but said his only goal was to meet a man he long admired. The explanation is nonsensical but the encounter points to desperation and guilty panic.

"As Democrats breathlessly speak of 'connecting the dots' to their claims of Russian interference there are other dots to connect that lead in different directions."

Farage was the key figure in the 2016 Brexit referendum which took the U.K. out of the European Union. That result was not just an expression of popular will, it was also a product of high end technological manipulation. Cambridge Analytica is a British political consulting firm which specializes in using social media to maximize get-out-the-vote efforts. They claim an ability to use the information freely given on Facebook to target undecided voters, which turned the tide for Brexit and for Trump too. The firm is owned by Robert Mercer, the hedge fund billionaire who saved the Trump campaign. Trump strategist Steve Bannon was a Cambridge Analytica board member. Cambridge Analytica not only uses technology but has a history of old-fashioned disruption and fraud in nations as disparate as Latvia and Nigeria.

Farage is the public face of Brexit, having been the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), a right-wing group which forced the governing Tories to bring the issue to a vote. In one of his infamous Twitter posts, Trump declared that his friend should be Britain's ambassador to the United States. Yet there may be more to this relationship than a mere ideological bromance. Trump and Farage may be co-conspirators who must stay close lest the other man lose his nerve and tell all.

Another Trump ally is Roger Stone, the champion Republican Party dirty trickster. Stone sent a mob to stop the Florida 2000 vote recount which led to George W. Bush being declared the winner. Stone was involved in the exposure of New York governor Eliot Spitzer's involvement with a prostitution ring. Months before that story broke Stone predicted that Spitzer "wouldn't serve his full term." Stone also funded Al Sharpton's 2004 presidential campaign and used it to help bring down one-time Democratic front runner Howard Dean.

"Trump and Farage may be co-conspirators who must stay close lest the other man lose his nerve and tell all."

Stone bragged about communicating with Assange and knew that a "motherlode" of leaks were on the way from Wikileaks. He also communicated with the hacker known as Guccifer 2.0 on Twitter, a public platform with no secrecy whatever. The Trump people may be dirty but they aren't very smart. The message to Guccifer was used as proof of the Russian connection but it is possible that Stone is as amateurish at this level of subterfuge as the rest of the Trump team.

To sum up, we know the following. The man who released the DNC emails has had at least one face to face meeting with a Trump partisan. The British group that claims success in the Brexit vote and Trump victory is connected with political manipulation around the world and also with Farage and Steve Bannon. Yet another dot can be connected with Roger Stone who has a proven history of making conspiracy theory reality and who bragged about connections with Wikileaks.

All of the contradictions of the Trump era are rolled into one seamy tale. Julian Assange has long been a hero to leftists around the world after he revealed the extent of surveillance over our lives and the depravity of the war machine. Yet he allowed himself to do business with the likes of Trump and Farage. The Democratic Party piles fabrication upon fabrication in an effort to frame Russia for a non-existent crime. They prefer to obey the war makers and their corporate patrons rather than offer policy change that would lead to victory.

The endgame of the Russia bashers isn't clear. Do they want to impeach Trump? Or would they rather have him neutralized and discredited, and thus become an easy target in the 2018 and 2020 elections? Regardless of the intended consequence they have opened a hornets nest they are unprepared to deal with. Intelligence agencies are now political pawns and Democratic bloviating about an "act of war" by Vladimir Putin could very well lead to the real thing.

The democrats have said nothing about what is far more likely than Putin choosing sides in an American campaign. Investigating a likely scenario doesn't suit their purposes at all. If the DNC hack ends the Trump administration it will not be for noble purposes.


David Cobb

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My guest today is David Cobb, 2004 Green Party presidential candidate, campaign manager for Jill Stein's Green Party 2016 presidential candidacy and co-founder of Move to Amend.

Joan Brunwasser: Welcome to OpEdNews, David. Some of our readers may not be familiar with you or the Green Party. Before we jump in, let's get some background out of the way. In the '80s, you were an active member of the Democratic Party. What caused your subsequent break with the Dems?

David Cobb: I was born in rural poverty in Texas, and worked as a shrimper, construction worker and in food service putting myself through college. I share that to underscore that my analysis around economic injustice is a result of lived experience. But I had to work hard to unlearn what society taught me about race, gender and sexual orientation.

I got my start in electoral politics working on Jesse Jackson's campaigns in '84 and '88, and Jerry Brown's in '92. Those experiences taught me that the Democratic Party presidential primary is where progressive politics goes to die. Because all the energy, enthusiasm and money is ultimately absorbed into the Wall Street funded and corporate controlled Democratic Party machine.

As I studied history, I realized that all systemic, transformational change was always spearheaded by alternative political parties-- the abolition of slavery, women getting the right to vote, the creation of the Social Security, pure food and drug laws, ending child labor, the 40 hour work week, the direct election of the US Senate. I realized that if we were going to make systemic change, it would only come if we built an alternative political party.

Which is to say, my Green Party membership is based on cold, calculated analysis about what I think it will take to WIN. With respect, I think it is naive for progressives to stay in the Democratic Party where they are barely tolerated. As Albert Einstein put it: "Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results is the definition of insanity."

JB: Let's go back to your claim about change being fueled by alternative political parties. I'll bet that most of our readers, including me, did not know that. It's a far cry from the "spoiler" argument often levied against third parties. Tell us more; time for a little history lesson.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"We're at a paradigm-shift moment in history, where we will look back at it and realize that a particular model of how we govern our affairs together became outdated. Kall's book Bottom-Up offers great alternatives and solutions that are not found in conventional governing models."



Carne Ross , is a former British diplomat, a strategy coordinator for the UN, and author of the book, The Leaderless Revolution.
...And I'll cry if I want to" was a song sung by Leslie Gore in 1965. How apropos it is now to describe our political situation in 21st Century Amerika.

Imagine the sad fact that a billionaire who never looked out for the working stiff was aided in his electoral pursuit for president by millions of ... working stiffs! They drank the Kool-Aid he offered that promised more good paying jobs ($10 and $12 an hour ones instead of $8 and $10 an hour ones- barely enough to support oneself, let alone a child or two), less competition for those shitty s jobs (illegal aliens OUT), draining the DC swamp (only to be replaced by super rich Military Industrial Empire alligators), and more money for the War Economy to help us fight those dirty "rag-heads" (Muslims OUT too)... and of course an end to Obamacare (which in itself was a sell-out to the private insurers) and replacing it with a better sell-out to those same private insurers. Need I go on?

The Democrat that Mr. 'Make America Great Again' defeated (or should I say was the main reason why so many crossed over party lines and voted for this narcissistic demagogue) would have done her best to serve this same Military Industrial Empire.

Her party, made up of 'kinder and gentler' servants of the super-rich, has done very little to stifle the demise of working stiffs... for generations! Plus, they were, and are still, banging the drums for a new Cold War with the Russkies.

At least our new 'President Cheetos' (most likely for his own selfish business interests) is not buying that rhetoric... yet. Mrs. Clinton, along with the Republicans and her corporate serving Democratic Party, is deeply embedded with the Wall Street predators and the War Economy. So much so that a nice guy like Bernie Sanders chose to only go halfway ('down with Wall Street') and not dare touch the tentacles of a Permanent War Empire (kudos to the late Gore Vidal for that logo).

In the late 1920s and early 1930s the Nazi Party in Germany shrewdly realized that the easiest way to gain legitimacy along with total control was through the electoral vote. Germany had a multi-party system and no one party held the requisite 51% to make permanent policies. The Nazis had to go through many parliamentary elections using creative propaganda to get more and more regular Volk (AKA working stiffs) to abandon the Social Democratic Party (Germany's largest at the time) and some of the center and conservative parties.

Of course, the greatest recruiting tool the Nazis used was the fear of the Communist Party (3rd most popular in Reichstag seats in 1932). As a footnote, please remember that this same fear of Communism (or Bolshevism as the West called it in those days) was the main reason why Britain, the United States and France turned down the Soviet Union's appeal to join forces in the mid-30s to successfully stifle Germany completely.

All in all, in January 1933 the die was cast and the Nazis ruled when the other major political parties (including the Communists) could not agree to join in a coalition and stifle them. That Leslie Gore song could have been played by all the other parties soon after the Nazis, using their 'Enabling Act' (after arson destroyed the Reichstag), banned them all and jailed most of the Social Democratic and Communist leadership. Then the Nazis did the same to all the labor unions, making Germany a ' One Party dictatorship'.

The movers and shakers of our country have been using a more subtle tactic to obtain a complex dictatorship here. They have used the existence of this 'Two Party/One Party' system to control the public or as they refer to us as 'The voters'. If you notice, any semblance of a strong 3rd party is always co-opted by either the Republicans (for any new conservative 3rd party movement) or the Democrats (for any socialist or progressive one).

This has been going on for at least the lifetime of anyone reading this... and then some! With this caveat, the super-rich who really own our corporate state can easily manipulate things. Whenever we working stiffs get really pissed off over one or many of their machinations, as with during the Great Depression, they'll allow changes to occur as a trade off against mass insurrection.

Thus, the New Deal was allowed to flourish because things had gotten so bad that the super-rich realized just how far down the road to destruction they had taken Amerika. The phony so called Vietnam War also had to finally end for the same reasons: You can piss so many off for so long with your lies until it reaches a breaking point. Sadly, things today in Amerika are getting closer to just how bad they were in 1930. What the movers and shakers are banking on is for us working stiffs to continue to march along with this Two Party/One Party con job.

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to... You would cry too if it happened to you!"


student lecture (generic, not any referred to in the article.)

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Reprinted from shadowproof.com Independent journalist Rania Khalek, who is a colleague and friend of mine, had her speaking event canceled at the University of North Carolina in February. She was disinvited by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter on campus because several activists and scholars in SJP chapters throughout the United States disagree with and despise Khalek's views on the Syrian conflict. The SJP chapter made a terrible mistake by disinviting Khalek and allowing a faction to "no-platform" her. However, this appears to be a prevailing trend on campuses throughout the United States. Whenever someone is scheduled to speak, who has views which are considered offensive or abhorrent to causes, there are mobilizations to have that individual's speaking event canceled. Cancellations or disinvitations amount to easily winnable victories. For example, the faction, which succeeded in coercing the SJP chapter into rescinding their invitation to Khalek, was able to claim victory in the struggle against so-called apologists for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad among the left. They were able to celebrate it as a win for rebel groups, who are in a protracted war against Assad which jihadist groups like Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham have come to dominate since an uprising in 2011. But the victory comes at the cost of freedom of expression on a college or university campus. Particularly, students are deprived of the opportunity to hear speech and come to their own conclusions. A forum that is one of the best places in society for debates and disagreements to occur out in the open is shut down because hosts fear the intolerance of a few over-zealous individuals. This is a tactic, which pro-Israel groups wield to suppress Palestinian solidarity activism. And yet, among the left, it is widely favored. It is supported when activists mobilize to stop racist sociologists like Charles Murray from speaking. It is endorsed when conservative darlings like Ben Shapiro or jackbooted authoritarians like Sheriff David Clarke are disinvited from speaking as a result of pressure. Intense backlashes occur against those who question whether reactionary people should engage in such campaigns, however, the fact is if the rights of right-wing authoritarians to speak on campuses are defended, it will be harder for the right-wing to justify shutting down speaking events with left-wing speakers, who promote struggles for liberation to an extent that may deeply offend conservatives. When "No Platforming" May Be Defensible There may be instances where "no platforming" is defensible. Jeremy Waldron's standard developed for his book, "The Harm In Hate Speech," is useful and based in reason. Waldron wrote, "Laws restricting hate speech should aim to protect people's dignity against assault. I am referring to their status as anyone's equal in the community they inhabit, to their entitlement to basic justice and to the fundamentals of their reputation. Dignity in that sense may need protection against attack, particularly against group-directed attacks, which proclaim that all or most of the members of a given group are, by virtue of their race or some other ascriptive characteristic, not worthy of being treated as members of society." "The distinction is in large part between objective or social aspects of a person's standing, on the one hand, and subjective aspects of feeling, including hurt, shock, and anger on the other," Waldron added. "A person's dignity or reputation has to do with how things are with respect to them in society, not with how things feel to them." In other words, it is reasonable to protect people against assaults on their dignity, but there should be no laws or norms for the express purpose of protecting people from feeling offended. Let's apply this standard to Milo Yiannopoulos, a notoriously repugnant and bratty person. Before Yiannopoulos had his speech canceled at Berkeley College, he planned to out undocumented immigrants to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identify them for deportation. At a speech at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 2016, a projection of a photo of one of the university's transgender students was displayed. "This quote unquote nonbinary trans woman forced his way into the women's locker rooms this year," Yiannopoulos declared, as he attacked her for using Title IX to ensure her rights were upheld on campus. He then added, "The way that you know he's failing is I'd almost still bang him." "When you have a room full of people that are just laughing at you as if you're some freak of nature, like you have some kind of mental illness--which is how he described me--it's like, I don't even know how to describe it, but it was way too much," Adelaide Kramer, the transgender student, declared in response to Yiannopoulos' crude attack on her. Yiannopoulos was banned from Twitter for his vicious harassment of "Saturday Night Live" cast member Leslie Jones. He rallied and encouraged his followers to hit her with racial and misogynistic comments because an all-woman "Ghostbusters" reboot was produced. These constitute assaults on dignity. While this kind of speech is definitely protected under the First Amendment, there are virtually no reasons why any venue would want to host such a person regularly engaged in such malicious conduct against people who could have their reputations irreparably harmed (not to mention their safety endangered). Transforming Repugnant People Into Free Speech Heroes Yiannopoulos is a rare beast. People like Shapiro, Clarke, Murray, Asra Nomani, Nonie Darwish, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali have been disinvited from campuses in recent years. They may be revered by Fox News viewers yet they are largely unknown personalities. That is, until the left mobilizes to have their speaking events canceled because they do not like their bigoted or reactionary views. When they have their events canceled, they instantly become a cause ce'lebre for those who value free speech. They effectively gain a platform as a result of the fact that a faction of people on or off campus "no platformed" them. If chapters of the College Republicans, Young Americans For Liberty, Proud Patriots For God, Freedom, And America, or whatever the hell group were simply ignored when hosting these repulsive people, no one would ever know they came to universities to speak. The other issue is these kinds of people are likely considered allies to President Donald Trump's administration. Their views are considered conventional wisdom to many of the political operatives responsible for electing Trump. In contrast, the views of Palestinian solidarity activists, immigrants rights activists, Black Lives Matter activists, antiwar activists, environmental activists, and police and prison abolition activists are offensive and grotesque to the Trump administration. That makes such voices exceptionally important for students to hear. However, if the left will not let conservative students host the people they want on campus, what happens when the right retaliates by escalating their efforts against speakers invited by left-leaning groups or students? What if it becomes difficult to convince administrators that students should be allowed to host rabble rousers at the forefront of important social movements? What if the range of speakers acceptable on campuses narrows to moderate, boring, and uninteresting people, who tolerate the status quo? Or what if administrators are only open to corporate individuals, who have money and ties to networks of influential people that can bring prestige to the campus? Requiring The Inclusion Of Opposing Views At Events What if administrators decide to handle this trend of activism against controversial speakers by ensuring there is "balance" at political speaking events? This often happens with speakers invited to speak about Israeli apartheid. In fact, this is what happened with Ben Shapiro in February 2016. William Covino, the president of California State University Los Angeles, canceled his event until the university could "arrange" for Shapiro to "appear as part of a group of speakers with differing viewpoints on diversity." (Note: Covino eventually backed down and Shapiro did the event while protesters tried to block him and attendees from the university's theater.) Shapiro has vile views on diversity, racism, and Black Lives Matter, but what happens if this is some kind of normal? One can imagine the outrage if a Black Lives Matter event was canceled and rescheduled to include a Blue Lives Matter speaker or if a Planned Parenthood speaker was canceled and rescheduled to include a pro-life speaker. There are all sorts of constitutional and free speech concerns if campuses are places, where groups are only allowed to host certain speakers if they appear with opponents. (Not to mention, it may become impossible to schedule events if individuals insist that they not appear in the same room with someone they loathe.) Condemn what a person stands for and represents, but unless they are engaged in routine attacks on the dignity of defenseless individuals through their work, shutting them down is harmful to freedom on campus. Protecting Against Dogmatism And Groupthink Robert P. George, an American legal scholar and theological conservative, and Cornel West, a Harvard University professor and left-wing activist, came together after Charles Murray's speech at Middlebury College was shut down and a professor was injured during a protest. Both declared, "It is all-too-common these days for people to try to immunize from criticism opinions that happen to be dominant in their particular communities. Sometimes this is done by questioning the motives and thus stigmatizing those who dissent from prevailing opinions; or by disrupting their presentations; or by demanding that they be excluded from campus or, if they have already been invited, disinvited." "Sometimes students and faculty members turn their backs on speakers whose opinions they don't like or simply walk out and refuse to listen to those whose convictions offend their values. Of course, the right to peacefully protest, including on campuses, is sacrosanct. But before exercising that right, each of us should ask: Might it not be better to listen respectfully and try to learn from a speaker with whom I disagree? Might it better serve the cause of truth-seeking to engage the speaker in frank civil discussion?" "Our willingness to listen to and respectfully engage those with whom we disagree (especially about matters of profound importance) contributes vitally to the maintenance of a milieu in which people feel free to speak their minds, consider unpopular positions, and explore lines of argument that may undercut established ways of thinking. Such an ethos protects us against dogmatism and groupthink, both of which are toxic to the health of academic communities and to the functioning of democracies," George and West concluded. Bearing these well-reasoned words in mind, the students at the University of North Carolina, who canceled Khalek's event, responded on March 20 to those upset by the disinvitation. They indicated, "Several members of SJP chapters throughout the US, some Arab and non-Arab scholars of the Middle East, and many Palestine solidarity activists encouraged us to cancel." They cited the "fierce disagreements" over Khalek's "political perspectives" on Syria to explain their decision. "Fierce disagreements" should never justify the disinvitation of a speaker. On the contrary, it should be treated as an opportunity to take advantage of a free and open society by showing the fortitude to grapple with contentious arguments, especially those which divide people to the point where they become committed to destroying the careers of professional people.

Kevin Gosztola Social Media Pages:

Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com

The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.





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"Trump's offensive against the undocumented is essentially Obama's policy with a meaner, orange face."

Advocates of Black community control of police need to do some serious examination of the swirl of issues surrounding the fight over "sanctuary cities." Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week upped the ante, threatening to withhold not only future federal funding to cities that refuse to vigorously enforce federal immigration laws, but to claw back Justice Department grants previously awarded to resistant municipalities. Although there is no question that police-oppressed communities have a huge stake in resisting the Trump administration's anti-immigrant juggernaut, the demand for Black community control of police must not be compromised in the shuffle and scuffle between Democrats and Republicans.

At the heart of the issue is the federal role in law enforcement. Traditional "civil rights" forces have long sought to curb police abuse through appeals for federal intervention, including demands for cut-offs in Washington's aid to local departments. Everybody knows the dance by now: community outrage over police terror is channeled into the U.S. Justice Department, which promises investigations and the possibility of federal suits, sometimes culminating in "consent decrees" that imposed limited reforms on the offending department. When the reforms fail to stop the cops from behaving like an occupying army in the Black community -- as in Cleveland, which has been subjected to two consent decrees in the 21 st century -- repeat the process.

"Traditional 'civil rights' forces have long sought to curb police abuse through appeals for federal intervention."

The profoundly conservative civil rights establishment has only one response to systemic white supremacy at the local level: call in the feds, a time-consuming process that is designed to dissipate dissent and diverts attention from the goal of community empowerment. Local police departments have successfully evaded even their base-line responsibility to report the number of civilians they kill every year to the FBI, whose estimate of the national carnage is thought to be off by half. Black Richmond, Virginia, congressman Bobby Scott got a bill passed, in 2000, that would have required the collection of data on fatal encounters with police, with vague provisions for withholding funds for failure to do so. But the law was allowed to quietly die in 2006. In December of 2014, in the wake of the Ferguson rebellion, Scott's bill was reauthorized by Congress, and was joined on the U.S. Senate side by a Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) bill that would provide grants for "tip lines and hot lines" to allow the public to report to the feds on police killings. However, Booker and Boxer did not push for defunding of uncooperative departments.

Defunding cops is a non-starter among most Democrats and virtually all Republicans -- a political fact that further neuters the traditional, call-in-the-feds response to police terror. However, starving the criminal injustice system on the local level is a different story. Last year, the Movement for Black Lives launched a nationwide campaign to dramatize the huge imbalance in the amounts spent on local Black community housing, health and education needs, and maintenance of the police state. In this context, defunding the police is a matter of community priorities and empowerment, rather than an appeal for the national government to set things right.

The democratic solution to police oppression lies in the exercise of self-determination through Black community control of the police. When local community representatives control the budgetary, hiring and firing process, appeals to a "higher" authority are neither necessary nor desirable.

"Defunding the police is a matter of community priorities and empowerment, rather than an appeal for the national government to set things right."

Donald Trump's war against immigrants is a fascist-inspired offensive that is inseparable from his plans to forcefully pacify Black America. Back in January, Trump vowed to "send in the feds" to tame Chicago. This week, he met with the head of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, who was eager both to enforce oppressive immigration laws and to "reduce the gun violence in the city of Chicago" -- through application of more massive police violence.

Former president Obama's position is no different than Trump's; his rhetoric is simply softer. Obama's Justice Department announced, last July, that it would withhold federal grants to local jurisdictions that refuse to provide immigration data to federal agencies. In other words, he set up the machinery for Trump's crackdown -- after racking up a record as the champion deporter in U.S. history.

"These cities provide no "sanctuary" from police predation for people of color."

Solidarity with immigrant communities is crucial to the struggle for Black liberation in the United States. However, that does not mean making common cause with the Democratic Party, which attempts to portray itself as a friend of immigrants, and whitewashes the fact that Trump's offensive against the undocumented is essentially Obama's policy with a meaner, orange face. It certainly does not call for an alliance with the likes of mayors Rahm Emanuel, of Chicago, and Bill di blasio, of New York, whose police wage relentless war against Black neighborhoods. These cities provide no "sanctuary" from police predation for people of color, immigrant or native born, and it is a damnable lie to pretend otherwise. Sanctuary is only possible when the cops are directly answerable to the people, through Black community control of the police.

Hopefully, these first two months of Donald Trump has taught folks what they should have learned under Obama: that calling in the feds is no substitute for building people's power. It's often just the opposite.






Hail Ceasar

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We from the "true progressive" (aka, Socialist) and true conservative (Libertarian) political spectrum of thought should and do know better. We all see through this obvious "super-rich controlled" Two Party/One Party system that is the servant of what Eisenhower labeled in his 1961 farewell address as a Military Industrial Complex.

This writer has always referred to it as the Military Industrial Empire, which is what we have become since the Soviet Union's dissolution over 25 years ago. Our cherished home, America, has become Amerika. The weeds transplanted from that terrible Nazi Germany mindset have been strangling us for over three generations. Even those who still consider themselves good Republicans or Democrats realize somewhere deep inside their consciousness the folly of such an affiliation. Yet, they continue to "go along to get along" with this empire, in a childish hope of ... heaven forgive us, reforming it.

This latest con job perpetrated on many of our fellow citizens is "Making America Great Again" via Donald Trump. Who would have ever imagined, even three or four years ago (while he was on the air with his mindless dribble of a reality show) that this man would now be elected president?

Well, Trump really won because the other person selected by the super-rich who run Amerika was full of baggage and contempt for working stiffs. Thus, it was many working stiffs who still believe in this Two Party scam who in reality voted against by voting for.

Now this man who many refer to as "President Cheetos" (you know, the orange hair and tan) is running things... well, not exactly. You see, all of our presidents, especially in modern times, are just servants of the super-rich who sit behind the curtain, like the "Wizards of Oz".

Trump's predecessor, Mr. Obama, that nice guy who spoke articulately about "Hope and Change" only served the interests of this empire, giving little hope and less in change to working stiffs. Mr. Trump will do as he has already done; what with his cabinet selections and plans to aid the super-rich, to further the demise of working Americans. Yet, a large percentage of the very people he and his ilk are screwing will continue to rally behind the demagoguery.

Today, as I write we just had the 14th anniversary of one of the most heinous acts our country has ever perpetrated: The pre-emptive attack, invasion and occupation of Iraq.

How many of our neighbors and fellow citizens drank the Kool-Aid the empire was handing out via our elected stooges and mainstream media? How many Amerikans, like the good Germans in 1940, cheered the carpet bombing of Iraq, and the subsequent invasion? We know most of the mainstream media had career moves upward for their cheerleading. People like Lester Holt of MSNBC (the, duh, Democratic leaning channel?) later on became a "celebrated anchor" on NBC; even hosting a 2016 presidential debate.

Little Katie Couric, who marched along the hallways of NBC shouting with a big grin " Marines Rock", also furthered her career. So many of the right wing pundits were 100 % in favor of invasion. Many either as guests or hosts on Fox cable, like Sean Hannity, who said: "[A]s we pointed out, this is a noble cause, and we've got to be so proud of these men and women and what they've been able to accomplish in such a short period of time so the weapons of mass destruction that we will be finding don't end up in American cities. And we applaud them all." [Fox News, Hannity & Colmes, 3/24/03.

What about some others, who have since been labeled as "centrist" journalists? Let's look at one guy who has had his own news talk show going on ten years: Morning Joe, on that "Democratic leaning station" MSNBC. Joe Scarborough in 2003 was one of the strongest proponents of war with Iraq outside of Fox News.

In March of 2003 , he repeatedly made claims that toppling Saddam Hussein would "mean the end of his weapons of mass destruction." In April of 2003, Scarborough said that, "For six months now, George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld have been telling the world that the people of Iraq needed to be liberated from Saddam Hussein's bloody reign. The past three weeks have shown us just how right these three men have been."

In that same commentary, Scarborough pondered whether "journalists at The New York Times and NPR or at ABC or at CNN are going to ever admit just how wrong their negative pronouncements were over the past four weeks."

Meanwhile, while all of this hype and spin was going on, many folks, worldwide for that matter, saw thru the lies and disinformation. So much so, that even before the dastardly deed of March 19th, 2003 on February 15, 2003 the BBC reported that, "There were between six to ten million people marching in over sixty countries"... all to say NO to any US invasion of Iraq. Still, millions of our own citizens followed the pied piper over the cliffs of reason!

Cassius was correct: "The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars, but ourselves..."
reprinted from CommonDreams

At least 19 U.S. states have introduced bills that attacks the right to protest since Donald Trump's election as president

At least 19 U.S. states have introduced bills that attacks the right to protest since Donald Trump's election as president, an "alarming and undemocratic" trend, U.N. human rights investigators said this week.

Maina Kiai and David Kaye, independent U.N. experts on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression respectively, are calling on lawmakers in the United States to stop the "alarming" trend of "undemocratic" anti-protest bills designed to criminalize or impede the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

"The trend also threatens to jeopardize one of the United States' constitutional pillars: free speech," they said in a statement, calling for action to reverse such legislation.

"From the Black Lives Matter movement, to the environmental and Native American movements in opposition to the Dakota Access oil pipeline, and the Women's Marches, individuals and organizations across society have mobilized in peaceful protests, as it is their right under international human rights law and US law," Kiai and Kaye said.

The experts took particular issue with the characterization in some bills of protests being "unlawful" or "violent".

"There can be no such thing in law as a violent protest," the experts said. "There are violent protesters, who should be dealt with individually and appropriately by law enforcement. One person's decision to resort to violence does not strip other protesters of their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. This right is not a collective right; it is held by each of us individually," the experts stressed.

"Peaceful assembly," they added, "is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and the government has no business imposing a general requirement that people get permission before exercising that right."

The experts also emphasized that legislators should be mindful of the important role that the right to freedom of peaceful assembly has played in the history of American democracy and the fight for civil rights.

"We call on the US authorities, at the federal and state level, to refrain from enacting legislation that would impinge on the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, expression and opinion," they concluded.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"The bottom-up revolution is fueling tremendous change in politics, commerce, and how people relate to each other. Rob Kall's book Bottom-Up provides a powerful guide to how organizations can understand and tap bottom-up's power. "



Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall's writings on the "bottom-up" revolution have real potential to show people that they can hold power accountable and improve justice. A book on this subject could help to repair the economic, legal, social, and political fabric of the United States."



Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, former editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Scripps Howard News Service.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Wonderful work! An insightful, integrative adventure into what makes humans flourish. Rob Kall shows us that we know how to do this, that most of human history was about connection and that there are ways to make it happen again. He offers real solutions and practical suggestions for taking back the world for community, connection and well-beingaway from hierarchy, exclusion, and destruction. A new handbook for the necessary revolution!"



Darcia Narvaez, Professor of psychology, Notre Dame, University, author of Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob's bottom-up consulting for Thought Technology over the years to help us incorporate bottom-up thinking in our business and product development has been very valuable. It is a truly disruptive technique, well worth considering, which is well explained in his book."



Hal Myers, PhD, President, Thought Technology, Ltd. Member of the Board of Directors for the Ten to the Ninth Foundation (formerly Singularity University)
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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall gives readers an important wake up call to the bottom up power that they have to protect their rights, powers, and freedoms. His advice applies to all aspects of life, including politics, economics, journalism, entertainment, and psychology and wellness. Kall's book explains the differences between the top-down leadership approach of dominating, fear based, disconnected authoritarianism and the bottom-up connection consciousness that emphasizes values, justice, fairness, equity, and kindness. This book helps readers see the whole elephant as opposed to the disconnected parts. Kall gives great advice as to intensifying, expanding, prolonging, and deepening connections. With his professional background, Rob Kall is the perfect person to write this book. This is a very well-researched book that includes dozens of insightful interviews with top-notch experts. Kall shows how bottom-up small acts can produce massive results. He emphasizes that since we cant avoid this emerging bottom-up connection revolution, we need to learn how to navigate and embrace it. This bottom-up leadership will result in power to the people. This is a fascinating and insightful book, especially in this new era of digital hunting and gathering."



Larry Atkins, author of Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias
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Fake MSM media is now the norm. All mainstream media protects the lies about the Global War On Terrorism.

Instead of recounting the long-proven truth that the terrorists in the Middle East and beyond, but especially in Syria, are imperial appendages/Western proxies, used and manipulated to destroy one country after another, the mainstream protects the narrow interests of a cabal of international war criminals and their hollow stooge political representatives.

Politicians represent a corrupt and criminal Establishment, including the narrow interests of the Military Industrial Complex. They have long since stopped representing "the people", although "the people" are largely unaware of this since they are bombarded with 24/7 lies that protect the governing criminals and the oligarch classes globally. The New World Order is a fascist, totalitarian, supranational, and delusional project of "full spectrum dominance" that creates globalized chaos, mass murder, and impoverishment. It is this toxic endeavour that is being hidden from view.

And now the last bastions of truth and peace are being attacked. Professor Chossudovsky writes that the Harvard Index, a list of online publications which are tagged as "fake" and "false",

goes far beyond the Catholic Church's Index which selectively banned books after careful reading, review and evaluation within the Church's hierarchy. This frivolous decision by Harvard constitutes a violation of the most fundamental principles of university education which are debate, discussion, critique and analysis. The Harvard Index acts as a Lynchpin. It establishes a "new normal", a guideline to colleges and universities across the land, regarding what we can or cannot read, what we can or cannot write. Is it a conspiracy? Yes it is. Harvard's Index broadly undermines the foundation of University education. It instates academic mediocrity.

Universities are thought to be the last bastions of independent thought, where ideas and topics are tested and discussed by experts in research and critical thinking. But now universities are being hobbled by dark state agencies that require a deluded public to advance their criminal projects.

Dark state agencies advance narrow transnational corporate interests, not national interests, beneath the lies, the Public Relations courtesans, the CIA fabrications, and Pentagon overlords. The propaganda budget for the Pentagon alone is reported to be more than half a billion dollars annually.

Those who seek peace, truth, the rule of international law, as well as democratic political and economic systems, are the unstated enemies of our largely covert governing polities.

Whereas the current form of "globalization" engenders global death and destruction, the unheralded but rational and sane (rather than insane and criminal), version is swept under the carpet in this upside down world where left is right and white is black.

In Sovereign Corporations That Occupy The Commons, I write that

The "Fourth World", as defined by Anthony J. Hall in The American Empire And The Fourth World, is a sustainable model of globalization that respects cultural, economic, and environmental pluralism, as it embraces globalized democracy, and the rights of self --determination. It represents trajectories towards Life and the rule of law, but needs to be allied with an effective apparatus of enforcement.

It is this form of globalization that is targeted precisely because it contradicts the current form of dystopian "globalization". But this "forbidden truth", the foundation for international law, is buried beneath the lies and manipulations of imperial agencies.

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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
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.




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Top premium property developers to come closer to Egyptians living abroad and foreign investors

By: Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

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-- April 2, 2017 - Egypt Property Show (EPS), the first Egyptian real estate global roadshow featuring premium development from Egypt's top developers, will kick off in Dubai from May 5 to 7, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Center to bring closer to Egyptian home buyers living abroad and foreign investors an array of luxury properties and turnkey solutions for international real estate investors. The event is the first in a series of exhibitions which will also be held in many cities in the region and around the world.Organized by Spectrum Consultants and Al-Ahram Advertising Agency, EPS seeks to capture an untapped market comprising Egyptian expatriates and Arab nationals looking to invest in premium locations across Egypt, featuring the top real estate developers from the country.Wahid Attallah, CEO spectrum consultants and Head of Egypt Property Show, said: "Egypt's real estate market remains one of the most robust in the region and we would like to take this opportunity to reintroduce to the world this vast untapped market particularly to Egyptians living abroad and key investors keen on expanding their property assets in the MENA region's largest real estate market."Tamer Aly Head of Exhibitions Al-Ahram Advertising Agency said: "Egypt Property Show aims to provide the ideal platform for premium developers to reach out to a rich and yet untapped international audience under one roof. Dubai has been home to many Egyptian expatriates for decades and those who are planning to invest in Egyptian properties will find it easy to shop for real estate solutions that fit their requirements,"Market research has revealed that Egypt's real estate sector has grown exponentially between 2013 and 2015. The market recorded a 30 percent increase in investment in 2015 alone. Many prominent developers have announced that they will proceed with new projects as they see the market on a growth trajectory.Since 2013, Egypt has invested about EGP 43 billion in the real estate sector alone, a massive leap from the sector, which has seen around EGP 20 billion of investments during the last 30 years.Among the latest projects supported by the government include The Capital Cairo, which is among the most promising projects in the country and is being proposed to become the new capital of Egypt. The mega-development is a well-planned community aimed at decongesting Egypt's capital by creating a new government and city district following the international best practices and trends in urban design including smart city projects and an eco-friendly environment.The three-day show has strategically chosen to launch in Dubai given the large number of Egyptian expatriates and Arab investors residing in the Emirate.
ESG reporting in Australia - change afoot, but are companies ready? PwCs comprehensive analysis of the ASX200s ESG reporting and governance.
Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has declared a "clear" victory in Serbias presidential election, an expected result that could increase Russias influence in the Balkan country.

After exit polls indicated a resounding victory, Vucic on April 2 told his Progressive Party supporters: "My victory is crystal clear. This is a very important day for us, showing which way Serbia should be heading."

Vucic has vowed to lead Serbia into the European Union, but he has also pushed for closer ties to longtime ally Russia.

"A huge majority of people in Serbia support continuation of the European path for Serbia, along with preserving our traditionally good ties with Russia and China," said Vucic, who added that a "new government will be set up within two months."

WATCH: Voters Go To The Polls

Official results are expected on April 3. But Vucic declared victory after projections by different several polling agencies late on April 2 gave him at least 55 percent of the votes.

Vucic needs more than 50 percent of the votes to avoid an April 16 runoff against the next highest performer.

Former Serbian ombudsman Sasa Jankovic was second with 15 percent, an Ipsos poll showed, basing projections on 40 percent of votes counted from sample polling stations.

Jankovic said he would wait for the official results before conceding. "This is a political process that has just begun," he said.

Luka Maksimovic, a media student who ran as a satirical candidate, was third with 9 percent, exit polls showed. Maksimovic mocked corruption in domestic politics by promising to steal if he won.

Vucic is expected to use the presidency to appoint a figurehead successor as prime minister and to transform the presidency into a more powerful position to consolidate his power.

A former ultranationalist who broke away from the Radicals in 2008 to establish the more moderate Progressive Party, Vucic has pledged his commitment to Serbia's goal of membership in the EU by 2019.

At the same time, Vucic, an information minister under Yugoslavia's late strongman Slobodan Milosevic, has brought Serbia closer to Russia with increased talk of military and economic cooperation.

"We are doing all we can," Vucic said on March 27 in a broadcast on privately held TV Pink in reference to defending Serbia's interests, both east and west.

"We are cooperating with the EU, with Russia, with China, with everyone where we have our own interests and everyone knows that we are a reliable partner," he added.

The integration of the Western Balkans is a key policy goal of the EU and United States, which say they hope to stabilize a region ravaged by war and economic turmoil and riddled with political corruption.

But many Serbs are disillusioned with the country's politicians as they struggle to shake off a legacy of political corruption that has taken root since it emerged following the 1990s conflicts that broke apart Yugoslavia.

Reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and bringing Serbia into the EU have hit many workers hard, exacerbating the backlash. Longtime ally Russia, meanwhile, opposes the integration of Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, into the NATO security alliance, and the EU and is trying to extend its influence in the region.

With tensions simmering between ethnic Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, an ethnically charged political stalemate in Macedonia, and accusations of Russian interference in Montenegro's move toward NATO and the EU, concerns have grown over Serbia's direction and how it could reignite the Balkan powder keg.

"Vucic benefits from his populist rhetoric and an image of a strong-handed leader able to successfully maneuver Serbia's interests between Russia and the West," according to Andrius Tursa, an analyst at Teneo Intelligence.

Just days before the vote, U.S. President Donald Trump told Vucic in a letter that EU membership "will help ensure a more prosperous and secure future for your country and the Western Balkans."



"Serbia's efforts to fully normalize relations with Kosovo also stand as further testament to how shared aspirations of peace can overcome even the most difficult challenges," said the letter, made public by the Serbian government.

None of the opposition candidates -- including ex-Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj, and Jankovic -- were expected to present a major challenge to Vucic.

If the exit poll projections hold, the victory gives Vucic and his Progressive Party, which has a majority in parliament, control over the entire legislative and governing process, and some observers and voters are concerned that could push the Balkan state back into the autocracy that Milosevic symbolized during his decade in power.

With reporting by Alan Crosby in Prague and contributions from RFE/RL's Balkan Service, Reuters, AP, and dpa
A team of researchers, including UNM Honors College Professor Jason R. Moore, has found a new species of tyrannosaur dinosaur -- the most popular of the prehistoric creatures.

After the fossils were pulled out of the muddy banks of a Montana river, the team was able to analyze the texture of the facial bones of the new species. The findings suggest that the face of tyrannosaurs was covered in a scaly protective layer with a high degree of tactile sensitivity, similar to crocodiles.

"Being a tyrannosaur, they had really small arms," says Moore. "They wouldn't be able to interact with their environment with their hands the way mammals do -- find food, build nests, tend to eggs and young. In order to do these things, Daspletosaurus needed to use its feet or head. The discovery and analysis of the tyrannosaur shows that the dinosaur had a developed face sensitivity similar to the sensitivity in our finger tips, suggesting it could use its snout for all those complex ecological interactions, similar to the way crocodiles do today."

An investigation by a team of scientists from Wisconsin, Australia, Louisiana, Montana and New Mexico has identified and named the new species of the tyrannosaur clan: Daspletosaurus horneri -- "Horner's Frightful Lizard."

The species is named for the renowned dinosaur paleontologist, John "Jack" R. Horner, formerly curator at the Museum of the Rockies (MOR) in Bozeman, Montana. The tyrannosaur's name honors his discoveries of numerous dinosaur fossils and his mentorship of so many students that launched them on to accomplished scientific careers. The name-bearing specimens are stored in the research collections of the MOR.

The fossil resources of Montana, where the new tyrannosaur was found, are central to studies of dinosaur evolution.

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"Montana, similar to many Rocky Mountain states, has lots of rock exposed at the right time and right environment to contain dinosaurs," says Moore. "The fossils are found preserved in ancient river channels and flood plains. If you know what you're looking for, they are widespread."

The research is led by Thomas Carr of Carthage College's Department of Biology in Wisconsin, an expert on the evolution and growth of Tyrannosaurus rex and its closest relatives, collectively called tyrannosaurs.

The family tree

In addition to adding a new species to the tyrannosaur family tree, the team's research provides new information about the mode of evolution and life appearance of tyrannosaurs, specifically the face.

This latest study, published in Nature Publishing Group's Scientific Reports, found evidence for a rare, nonbranching type of evolution in tyrannosaurs and that tyrannosaurs had scaly, lipless faces and a highly touch-sensitive snout.

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"Daspletosaurus horneri was the youngest, and last, of its lineage that lived after its closest relative, D. torosus, which is found in Alberta, Canada," says Carr. "The geographic proximity of these species and their sequential occurrence suggests that they represent a single lineage where D. torosus has evolved into D. horneri."

Moore elaborated, "One of the difficulties in demonstrating this style of evolution is establishing that the different species don't overlap in time. The new radiometric dates we measured help support this temporal separation between D. torosus and D. horneri."

The research confirms that the ages of the two species shows that the evolution of the dinosaur was slow -- happening over a span of 2.3 million years.

The team's work literally changes the face of tyrannosaurs, which they found was covered by a lipless 'mask' of large flat scales and extensive patches of armor-like skin. This conclusion results from comparison of tyrannosaur skulls with those of crocodylians, birds and mammals, and earlier work by other researchers who had matched bone texture with different types of skin covering.

Jayc Sedlmayr, professor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, explained, "Much of our research ... was generated from lab based comparative anatomy, where you get arms deep in 'blood and guts' dissecting birds -- living dinosaurs and crocodilians -- their closest living relatives."

The crocodile connection

"It turns out that tyrannosaurs are identical to crocodylians in that the bones of their snouts and jaws are rough, except for a narrow band of smooth bone along the tooth row," explained Carr. "We did not find any evidence for lips in tyrannosaurs: the rough texture covered by scales extends nearly to the tooth row, providing no space for lips."

"However, we did find evidence for other types of skin on the face, including areas of extremely coarse bone that supported armor-like skin on the snout and on the sides of the lower jaws. The armor-like skin would have protected tyrannosaurs from abrasions, perhaps sustained when hunting and feeding."

The researchers found that, like in crocodylians, the snout and jaws of the tyrannosaurs are penetrated by numerous small nerve openings, allowing hundreds of branches of nerves to innervate the skin, producing a sensitivity similar to that of human fingertips.

This sensitivity is part of a bigger evolutionary story, explained Sedlmayr. "The trigeminal nerve has an extraordinary evolutionary history of developing into wildly different 'sixth senses' in different vertebrates, such as sensing magnetic fields for bird migration, electroreception for predation in the platypus bill or the whisker pits of dolphins, sensing infrared in pit vipers to identify prey, guiding movements in mammals through the use of whiskers, sensing vibrations through the water by alligators and turning the elephant trunk into a sensitive 'hand' similar to what has been done to the entire face of tyrannosaurs."
The healthy development of an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on whether most, if not all, of the cells have the proper number of chromosomes. With pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) technology, doctors can, in principle, spot-check chromosome count before choosing which embryo to implant in the mother. In a new article, however, scholars at Brown University and the University of Washington report that PGS has serious limitations that can only be overcome with more human embryo research, even as they acknowledge the controversy surrounding that research.

What doctors and hopeful parents want to see in PGS is 46 chromosomes -- two pairs of 23 -- a normal state of affairs called "euploidy." An abnormal number, or "aneuploidy," could signal a fatal flaw in early development. In 2013 in the United States, more than 15 percent of IVF pregnancies ended in miscarriage, often because of aneuploidy, wrote Dr. Eli Adashi, professor of medical science and former dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown, and Rajiv McCoy, a genome sciences postdoctoral fellow at Washington. The miscarriage rate rises quickly with maternal age, as does the rate of aneuploidy.

Hoping to prevent a bitter loss, a growing percentage of infertility patients using IVF have turned to PGS. But as Adashi and McCoy wrote in the journal EMBO Reports, PGS has yielded mixed results. Sometimes it has predicted the doom of embryos that became healthy children, and in the small studies conducted so far, there has been mixed evidence that its use leads to a greater likelihood of a successful pregnancy.

"The impact of PGS on the outcome of assisted reproduction remains uncertain," they wrote.

Tricky biology and ideology

The problem with PGS, Adashi and McCoy wrote, stems from how little doctors and scientists really know about early embryo development, which is a complex process. There are two main sources of aneuploidy -- the original cell division that creates an egg cell, called meiosis, and the division of cells in the growing embryo, called mitosis. The first cause, because it occurs in one of the two sex cells that form an embryo, is especially serious and is known to increase with maternal age. Errors in mitosis will affect some but rarely all the cells in an embryo.

In most applications of PGS, doctors sample genetic material from several cells on the outer edge of a five-day old embryo, called a blastocyst. If that yields evidence of aneuploidy, the test usually still can't discern whether it's meiotic, in which case all cells could be affected, or mitotic, in which only a few might be (creating a "mosaic" of ploidy).

Among the many things doctors don't know is what ploidy status they would find if they could safely look elsewhere in the embryo, including its inner cells. Finally, they don't understand yet why some mosaic embryos will succeed and others will not.

"Such insights may improve the diagnosis and selection of healthy embryos through PGS and hopefully will lead to the development of new technologies," Adashi and McCoy wrote.

But human embryo research remains controversial in many places around the world, including the U.S., they acknowledge. Public funding, and sometimes the research itself, is often prohibited.

They conclude with a call to accelerate research.

"This state of affairs hampers the acquisition of new insights into the intricate process of early human development," they wrote. "More importantly, translational breakthroughs intent on improving infertility care are being delayed. Patients afflicted with infertility deserve better."
Denmark is finally upgrading its Cold War era artillery by ordering fifteen Caesar 155-mm self-propelled gun-howitzers with an option for additional six. Caesar is a truck mounted 155mm artillery system from France. Each system costs about $6 million. The armored truck protects the six man crew from shell fragments and rifle fire. The system has a top speed of 100 kilometers an hour on roads, and can halt, and be ready for firing within 60 seconds. It only takes 30 seconds to be moving again after firing. The fire control system uses GPS and inertial guidance, thus enabling the Caesar to use "shoot and scoot" tactics to avoid counter-battery fire. The gun is NATO standard, and can fire three rounds in 15 seconds, or six per minute for extended periods. Caesar was designed with rapid reaction forces in mind. The vehicle can be moved by C-130 aircraft. Caesar began development during the 1990s, with the first production model appearing in 2002, and the French army making the first order, for 72 systems, in 2004. Denmark is ordering a customized version that uses an auto-loader that makes it possible to operate the gun with only three troops. The Danes are also using a larger 30 ton 8x8 Tatra truck which is much better armored than standard 6x6 17 ton truck and can carry more ammunition (up to 30 rounds compared to 18). To keep the same level of mobility the new variant will revive stronger engine (410 horse power). Caesar will replace 12 nearly 50 year old M109A3DK tracked howitzers.

Denmark also ordered 15 Israeli made Cardom 120mm Mortars (also with option for additional 6). Some of the Cardom mortars will be mounted on Piranha V armored vehicles bought in 2016. The United States has used these Cardom systems mounted in Stryker wheeled armored vehicles. The Cardom mortar system is a computerized 120mm recoil mortar which can mounted on light and medium armored carriers. Its state of art fire control system connected with a suitable battle management system can provide accurate, effective and immediate fire support for infantry up to 7 kilometers. The producer claims first round on target takes less than 30 seconds and the highest maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute. The major innovation of Cardom is its automation. Forward observers can transmit digital target location information to the Cardom mortars, which automatically use a system of small electric motors to precisely aim the mortar tube. The first customer for Cardom, in 2002, was the Israeli Army and the troops found the CARDOMs a big improvement over older mortars.

These purchases will enable the small (under 9,000 troops) Danish army to significally boost their artillery long range capabilities (40 kilometers range) and artillery short range systems especially useful for intervention type missions. Moreover it looks like the Danes are focusing their army modernization program around units with high tactical and operational mobility connected with data links and cooperation between different combat systems in mind. As a NATO member the new artillery will work with other NATO nations against a common enemy like Russia. -- Przemysaw Juraszek
Keep your smartphone hack free with these 10 methods

Hacking is no longer restricted to computers, but has moved to smartphones. Besides getting access to your private information and location, a hacker can also easily get access to your email, social media and bank accounts on your smartphone. Further, the privacy concern raised by the state sponsored spies in mainstream phones has made it more difficult for the users to keep themselves secure. A classic example of this was the government hack of an iPhone used by a San Bernardino killer.

While most people arent targets of the FBI, NSA or a foreign government, hackers are always on the hunt to steal financial and personal information of the common man. For instance, your email account on the smartphone, paves way for the hacker to reset your banking and other sensitive passwords.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 10 methods that you can use to keep yourselves safe from hackers and government backed attacks.

1. Keep your smartphone up to date

Always install software updates as soon as they become available on your smartphone, as these updates are known to contain fixes for flaws that might give hackers a way into your device. The same is also applicable for apps. Keep them updated to ensure that bugs and flaws are not exploited.

2. Lock your smartphone with a passcode

This method along with an accompanying self-destruct feature that might wipe a phones data after too many wrong guesses can help you keep your device safe if/ falls in the wrong hands. Make guessing your password difficult for others with the use of six digits passcode rather than a four-digit passcode. To make it even more difficult, use a combination of letters and other characters in your password to further increase the number of possible combinations.

3. Avoid connecting your smartphone to free or public Wi-Fi networks as much as possible

Who doesnt love free Wi-Fi? But everything free comes with its own set of risks. Using free Wi-Fi at public places for checking your bank accounts and emails on your smartphone could be risky as it may expose your smartphone to hackers looking to get sneak in. Hence, it is important to limit your activities on your smartphone while you are using free public Wi-Fi.

4. Always keep your Bluetooth off when in public

Many of us forget to switch off the Bluetooth on our smartphone after using it. This could prove to be a culprit for hacking. So, always make sure to switch off the Bluetooth on your device when youre not using it.

5. Be prepared to track your smartphone

It is always better to plan things in advance before any adverse situation occurs. In this case, we are talking about keeping your data safe in the event your device is stolen.

Use the find my device services offered by both Apple and Google that assists in locating your smartphone on a map, and remotely lock or erase it. For Apple users, this is accessed through the iCloud website  you can check its enabled on the phone in Settings > iCloud > Find My iPhone. While there isnt anything comparable built into Android phones, but Googles Android Device Manager App, along with a handful of others made by third parties, can be downloaded for free from the Google Play app store.

6. Only Buy or Install Apps from First Party Vendors like Apple or Google

A third-party app from a non-secure site is likely to carry Trojans and backdoors and embedded malware or malicious software that might corrupt the operating system, while also stealing personal data. In order to stay secure, only buy or install apps from first party vendors like Apple or Google. Also, be cautious about suspicious permissions requested by apps such as those to make phone calls, connect to the Internet or disclosing of personal information to third parties.

7. Ensure online services are locked

While auto-login can be considered as a useful feature for typing password, it also makes your smartphone an easy target for a hacker to easily open your browser and gain access to all your online accounts. Preferably, avoid using auto-login features on your smartphone and instead use a password manager app that requires to regularly re-enter a master password. Also, try avoid using the same password for more than one app or service, as if this password gets hacked, this could be used to gain access to all your other private information. This is also applicable for secure smartphones as hackers break into online services on a regular basis to steal user credentials, which they later use to try out on other sites.

8. Lock individual apps

If you have a lot of apps that youre constantly logged into, then it would be best if you lock those apps. While this capability isnt built into the OS, there are many free apps such as AVG AntiVirus Free that provide it. In case of iOS users, they cannot directly lock individual apps, and would need an app to do so. You can check out Folder Lock, which is a free app available on the App Store that lets you password-protect your personal files, photos, videos, documents, contacts, wallet cards, notes and audio recordings.

9. Be aware of things happening in the background

Many a times, when we download a file from an email or install an app from a website, we are not aware of things that happen behind the scenes in spite of however trustworthy these sources may be. As an additional security measure on your smartphone for online activities, you can install LogDog  a security app available for both Android and iOS. All you need to do is you give it permission to log in on your behalf to the accounts that you wish to monitor such as Facebook, Dropbox, Gmail, Evernote, Yahoo!, and Twitter. It will continuously monitor those accounts via their own respective activity logs for anything suspicious and will notify you immediately of any events that suggest tampering.

10. Review apps installed on your smartphone

It is a good practice to review all the apps installed on your smartphone regularly. Even though you may have been downloaded the apps from a trustworthy source, the subsequent updates could have turned them into something more evil.

iOS users can check what permission the apps installed on the smartphone are using by going to Settings > Privacy and get all the required information. However, Android users will need to take help of security apps to get an overview of which apps have which permissions. Users can use free packages from Avast and McAfee that alert them while installing a malicious app or issue a warning at the time of a phishing attack.
Microsofts CodePlex to shut down in December 2017

Microsoft said that it has decided to shut down CodePlex, its open source project hosting website that it launched 11 years ago, in an announcement made on Friday.

CodePlex was originally launched in 2006, as there were very few open source project hosting sites for developers to share software, collaborate on code and host open source projects before GitHub came into prominence a few years later. Undoubtedly, over the years, GitHub has become the de facto place for open source sharing and most open source projects have migrated there. Even Microsoft is currently using GitHub and many of its key open source projects are now on GitHub (Visual Studio Code, TypeScript, .NET, the Cognitive Toolkit, and more). Microsoft said that it would work closely with GitHub to promote open source.

While Microsoft has already disabled the ability to create new CodePlex projects on the website, it will be converted into read-only mode in October, before it is completely shut down on December 15th, 2017. In association with GitHub, Microsoft is providing a streamlined import experience to help developers bring their CodePlex source code, license, and documentation to GitHub. Besides this, the developers will also be able to download an archive file with their CodePlex source code, releases, documentation, issues, and license, all in common, transferrable formats like Markdown and JSON. They have also added a new option on the developers project to set an Ive moved banner on the project that will direct their users to their new home page.

For more information regarding the announcement made by Microsoft, click here. Also, check out the guide on CodePlex for migrating to GitHub.
American War is a thought experiment in the form of a dystopian novel. What if the worlds sole superpower and global hegemon were a failed state and international charity case? Instead of being problems on the other side of the world, what if the states of the Deep South were the equivalent of todays Syria and Palestine?

The story is set during the years of the Second American Civil War, which takes place between the years 2074 and 2095. The background is only sketched in, but catastrophic climate change leads the U.S. government to ban fossil fuels, which results in a group of southern red states  Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina  attempting to secede from the union. The planet turned on the country and the country turned on itself.

If youre wondering why Florida isnt one of the rebel states, its because its under water.

Meanwhile, todays conflict zones and developing economies have risen to the top of a truly new world order. The Muslim world has united into the powerful Bouazizi Empire, which now supplies the rebel American states with aid shipments, while the Red Crescent provides humanitarian relief. Closer to home, a Mexican protectorate has expanded deep into the American Southwest, presumably erasing any wall that might have been built. The world has turned upside-down.

Against this political backdrop, Omar El Akkad, a former reporter for the Globe and Mail who was born in Cairo and grew up in Qatar, tells the story of the embittered rebel Sarat (a contraction of Sara T.) Chestnut.

The dramatic narrative takes us through the key events in Sarats life, while intercutting excerpts from various documentary sources that give us background and insight into the bigger political picture. A detailed world is constructed; even if its not that convincing as prophecy, it provides a solid structure for the point El Akkad wants to make.

The Chestnut family hails from Louisiana, one of the purple border states. They are soon caught up in the violence of the civil war, however, and become victims of the tit-for-tat struggle between the forces of union oppression and free state terrorism. Sarat, however, soon leaves victimhood behind, going from being an innocent child playing on the banks of the Mississippi Sea to becoming the avenging fury of the South.

Theres no mistaking all the correspondences El Akkad draws between the events he describes and Americas current war on terror and the situation in the Middle East more generally. After being uprooted from their homes, the Chestnuts flee to a refugee camp where a young and impressionable Sarat meets a sinister teacher who indoctrinates her into the movement. He also trains suicide bombers. Later, the refugee camp is raided in a manner meant to recall the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Drones fly overhead, now largely out of control but still capable of dropping out of the sky and randomly blowing up civilians. Resistance on the part of the occupied population is met with a surge from the North. There is a Guantanamo-like detention camp where rebel prisoners are waterboarded. There is a network of tunnels that the rebels used for getting into the union states. The worlds media looks on in horror.

All of this is familiar stuff, only now it is happening in America, to Americans.

The title is ambiguous, referring both to Americas Second Civil War and the American way of war. There is also a wicked irony in the claim made by an agent of the Bouazizi Empire that everyone fights an American war. Foreign agents are seen involving themselves in Americas domestic conflict because fighting Americans over here is better than fighting them over there.

The message to all of this, or universal slogan of war, is understood by Sarat to be that everyone caught in a cycle of conflict reacts in much the same way the world over. Put yourself in the shoes of the enemy or Other and youll realize that If it had been you, youd have done no different.

This is not a comforting political message for Americans, whose homeland has largely remained free of the chaos and bloodshed experienced by other nations in the modern age. But comfort is exactly what El Akkad is writing against. Sarat sees safety as just another kind of violence  a violence of cowardice, silence, submission. What was safety, anyway, but the sound of a bomb falling on someone elses home?

What if it happened here? American War asks us to imagine the uncomfortable.

Alex Good is a frequent contributor to these pages.

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Jack Charles vs. The Crown

Written by Jack Charles and John Romeril, directed by Rachael Maza. Until April 8 at the Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. Canadianstage.com or 416-368-3110.

As the first event in its Spotlight Australia season, Canadian Stage is presenting this well-travelled autobiographical show by Indigenous actor Jack Charles, a household-name figure Down Under who is now in his 70s.

In the current era of reckoning between Canada and First Nations, Charless story of forced institutionalization, drug abuse, incarceration, and redemption is particularly timely.

Charles opens the show sitting at a potters wheel working with clay as an excerpt from the 2008 documentary about his life, Bastardy, plays on a screen behind him. We watch Charles shoot up heroin on screen, while in the present he works serenely with his hands on a bit of earth.

This sets up the dynamic of the show as a whole: Charles  clean of drugs after a 40-year-habit, grounded, full of life  recalls his past and offers a damning account of the ways in which his experiences led him to addiction and crime.

This is at once a very individual story and one that speaks to historical, systemic wrongs. Charles was one of whats known as the Stolen Generations  Aboriginal children taken from their parents and put into a program of forced assimilation, which of course resonates with the treatment of First Nations in Canadas Residential Schools.

In Charles case this led to early years in a Salvation Army home in the outskirts of Melbourne, where he was the only black child (in Australian parlance, Indigenous people are sometimes called black). Projected photos from the time illustrate this starkly: Charless dark face standing out in a photo of all the young people who lived there.

He was physically and sexually abused in the home, and emerging awareness of his homosexuality added to his sense of isolation and alienation. A brief period of relative harmony in a foster home was ruptured when, at 17, Charles was imprisoned after crossing into an area of the city he didnt have the right to visit, while on a search for his birth mother.

This is galling  the State clamping down on this young person, right when he was trying to claim his Aboriginal identity. Charles understands this as a pivotal point where his life started to go wrong; while he went on to success and high profile as a film and TV actor and co-founder of Australias first Indigenous theatre company, he was also in and out of what he calls the nick (hes been incarcerated 22 times) and hooked on smack.

Charles has the right to considerable anger and to understand himself as a victim. But the show presents him as someone whos moving through the dark stuff in order to make himself useful to others  a sort of living example of what we should never forget, and of the capacity to endure and forgive.

Rachael Mazas production, and the script (co-written by Charles and John Romeril) do a very good job of forging a tone that keeps things light despite the frequent gravity of the subject matter.

Were in Uncle Jacks personal world  he makes a cup of tea, answers his cellphones, and changes his clothes at one point, as a three-member onstage band underscores the action and accompanies Charles when he occasionally sings a few folk-rock numbers. His darkly ironic sense of humour also leavens things, as when he represents his cat burgling as a way of collecting rent from white folks living on Aboriginal land.

Charless struggle is not over: as the shows title suggests, he is working to clear his criminal record in Australia so that he can enter correctional facilities to do outreach and education. As part of his time in the GTA, hes visiting a number of facilities including an Aboriginal Mens home to share his story.

A not insignificant concern about this production during its run at the Berkeley Street run is comprehension: Charles uses a body mike to amplify his voice, and on the night reviewed, flawed sound quality combined with his strong Australian accent made the show frequently hard to understand. Which is unfortunate: this is an Elder voice that needs to be heard.

Spotlight Australia continues through May 7 with performances of theatre, multimedia storytelling, dance, and circus at the Berkeley Street and Bluma Appel Theatres.

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They bonded naturally because of their peoples shared experience of mistreatment and racism since the days of colonialism and both were tasked with the toughest job: to seek facts and reconciliation.

Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the first black archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, was the unflinching social justice activist who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa after the end of the notorious apartheid regime in 1994.

Sen. Murray Sinclair, the first aboriginal judge to be appointed in Manitoba, served as the chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, documenting the history and legacy of Canadas residential school system that affected the lives of thousands of indigenous women and men.

On Saturday, both were honoured at the University of the West Indies annual Toronto gala for the contributions to social change, an event at the Ritz Carlton Hotel attended by 500 guests.

Although Tutu, now 85, was not able to come to the city to receive the award, he and Sinclair, from separate corners of the world, both talked about the countries lessons on righting the historical wrong.

There are common elements in seeking the truth and addressing ways to reconcile. It can be achieved, said Sinclair, who met Tutu years ago when he last visited Toronto. Education is key to reconciliation. Survivors and perpetrators need the opportunity to engage with each other.

In an unrelated meeting with federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould in Johannesburg, Tutu shared his own experience and said it would be up to young people to drive the change.

He actually talked about how it was the young people of South Africa  he was a lot younger, obviously, back in the days before 1994  and it is the young people that will create the change in society, said Wilson-Raybould, who was on an official tour in South Africa.

It is the same way in our country, too, she said Saturday. In order to move beyond that, we need to ensure that the vast majority of Canadians understand that history (of residential schools) and are willing to step up and create the solutions to move past it.

Tutus daughter, Rev. Mpho Tutu-Van Furth, who received the Luminary Award on her fathers behalf, said the anti-apartheid leader was in good health and honoured to continue his strong ties with Canada.

He has this particular fondness for Canada since the 1980s at the height of the apartheid regime. Canadas support was incredible and the welcome was amazing, said Tutu-Van Furth, who was pleased to stand beside Sinclair, whom she met in 2015 during a visit to Canada on a truth and reconciliation conference.

We have a lot to learn from each other. I hope that we have on both sides the humility to listen and learn, and to offer support wherever we can. The process of finding truth and achieving reconciliation is lengthy. Its not an easy process but we can offer encouragement.

Other honorees of this years awards included neurosurgeon Dr. Renn Holness, businesswoman and retired diplomat Kay McConney, entrepreneur and philanthropist Wayne Purboo, cardiologist and community activist Dr. Vivian Rambihar, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Michael Tulloch and GraceKennedy Limited, one of the Caribbeans largest food and finance companies.

With files from The Canadian Press

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MONTREALThey arrive with bulging suitcases, carrying infants in car seats, often with little more than a backpack and a shaky grasp of the language and the land. They are fleeing war, despots and persecution in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere for a better life in Canada.

It is a classic refugee tale with a Trumpian twist that has asylum seekers fleeing the land of liberty in fear of deportation, or using easy-to-obtain American tourist visas only to reach the northern beacon across the border.

In the first two months of 2017, more than 1,100 people had arrived not by presenting themselves to border officers at a controlled crossing, but by entering the country on foot through a breach in the Canada-United States border to avoid forcible return under Canadian law.

According to the Canada Border Services Agency, Quebec accounted for nearly 700 of the total cases in which the RCMP intercepted irregular asylum seekers.

Upon entry, they are arrested and shackled first by awaiting Mounties, then processed and placed into what is becoming an increasingly burdened system.

For those with no family or friends to take them in, the next stop is the first time in the long journey when they can truly rest their heads. The YMCA shelter in downtown Montreal, near the former home of the Montreal Canadiens, is the place some asylum-seekers meet what they describe as their first Canadian family.

The members of this revolving clan speak different tongues and have endured different traumas, but theyve all arrived with the same desperate hope to start over.

Access to the facilities is restricted to employees and clients of the YMCA, and officials refused a request to tour the building and observe its operations. Instead, the Star spoke to former refugees who had participated in the programs, as well as people familiar with how they work.

Gabriel Mujimbere spent six weeks at the bottom of a YMCA bunk bed when he made a refugee claim in 2015. The HIV/AIDS activist and openly gay young man fled his native Burundi at his familys insistence, fearful of the laws against homosexuality. For the last two years the country has seen rampant political violence and human rights abuses.

He was far from home and was further still from what he expected when he and a colleague made their asylum claim at the end of a week-and-a-half training session in Montreal.

I thought if we were lucky we would be housed somewhere in a dormitory, in a camp somewhere, said Mujimbere, now 28.

Thousands of asylum-seekers each year have benefited from this Quebec government program that has been operating since 2010 but remains unique in Canada. Here, staff offer refugees not only emergency shelter with hundreds of beds but also on-site counselling, psychological services and advice about navigating the dizzying new world of forms and lineups and interviews that all refugee claimants face.

The Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers (better known by its French-language acronym, PRAIDA) is a $6-million-a-year program founded on a simple idea.

Its like an investment, said Francine Dupuis, the programs assistant director general. You put a little bit of money in at the beginning, but instead of having people deteriorating in their mental and physical health, they can start to adjust faster to the new society.

But the increasing demand is starting to strain resources, as hundreds of asylum seekers have entered Quebec to get around the Safe Third Country Agreement. The 2004 accord prevents prospective refugees already in the U.S. from filing their claims at the Canadian border, and vice versa. But getting onto Canadian soil to make the claim gets around the deal.

Dupuis said PRAIDAs finances could hit a critical point as early as the summer, meaning that the Quebec and federal governments may need to increase funding if the number of refugee claimants coming into the province does not level off.

Usually when we have ups and downs like the wave we had with the Syrians, the curve eventually became flatter . . . but this new trend seems to persist, she said.

Mujimbere first heard about the program from another Burundian who had come to Montreal as a refugee. The program is run out of a downtown YMCA shelter around the corner from a shopping complex and movie theatre where the Montreal Forum once stood.

He said, I cant let you stay at my place because theres not enough space, Mujimbere recalled. But his countryman told him:  When I got here I stayed at PRAIDA. 

Mohamed Al-Hashemi, a 47-year-old lawyer from Yemen, learned about the shelter from an immigration officer in May 2015 after he illegally crossed into Canada from the United States at Roxham Rd., in New York state, which is the busiest illegal crossing point in the country, connecting Quebec and New York.

Al-Hashemi expected rougher living conditions based on what he knew of refugee camps in the Middle East. He also expected a reckoning  that he would one day have to pay for the services he was receiving in cash or in labour.

There was nothing, he said. They never asked for anything.

Apart from temporary shelter and meals, refugee claimants also receive crash legal courses on the process for claiming refugee status, assistance with the forms needed to receive medical care and welfare payments.

There are trauma counsellors and translators, transit passes and even services that Al-Hashemi said helped him manage the anxiety of being separated from his wife and two children, and resulting from the ravages of the conflict in Yemen.

All the time I was thinking about my country and how the destruction has been so rapid, he said, and there was meditation every two days, there were yoga classes. There are people to comfort you and tell you that everything is going to be good.

Priority is given to those who arrive in Canada with no money, family or friends to rely on, though Dupuis said no one who asks for help is turned away.

Two immigration lawyers, however, told the Star about clients who have used a Montreal homeless shelter, rather than the YMCA, as an emergency residence. None of those clients could be reached to provide further details.

Matthew Pearce, director of Montreals Old Brewery Mission, confirmed there have been several recent instances. Im glad to say the numbers are not high here, but there are a few whove come and if its two, its two too many, he said.

About three years ago, Pearce said the mission asked PRAIDA to stop referring asylum seekers to the shelter when the YMCA ran out of available shelter beds, because shelter staff are trained to deal with mental health and addiction issues, not cultural integration. That discussion appears to have resolved the matter, although some asylum-seekers still trickle in on occasion, Pearce said.

Either theyve fallen through the cracks, or everything is stuffed, such that there are no cracks and theres no place to go, he said.

If all goes according to plan, the welcome for asylum seekers is a scene like the one that played out recently in the office of African Rainbow, an advocacy and support group for gays, lesbians and transgender people of African and Caribbean origins, where Mujimbere now works as assistant director general.

In the middle of the afternoon, there was a knock on the door from a young man who had learned about the group from someone he had met at the YMCA  an encounter that involved three generations of PRAIDA beneficiaries.

Right now more than half of our members are new immigrants, Mujimbere said. Most of those are refugees and many of those are referred to us by PRAIDA.

We offer a place where they can be heard, where the person will feel at ease and understood.

Dozens of other organizations that offer support and services to refugees also have YMCA residents referred to them, whether for help finding rental housing or for more intensive counselling to deal with the traumas that have sparked the odyssey leading them to Canada.

But Al-Hashemi remembers the more simple services, like the chef who prepared him special meals during Ramadan and remembered that he was allergic to fish, or the Saturday tours to help residents navigate and discover Montreal.

They transfer you from a bad situation to a very good situation.

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Military historian Tim Cooks latest book, Vimy: The Battle and the Legend, examines the fighting at Vimy Ridge, and the continuing battle over its meaning. The unveiling of the Vimy Memorial in 1936, 19 years after the Canadians victory, in some ways marked the beginning of the battles outsized legacy. It would be decades until anyone called it the birth of the nation (a view the author does not share). But the emotional pilgrimage of Canadian veterans and civilians to France in 1936 began influencing how Vimy is seen today.

Sunday, July 26, was a warm, sunny day, and the pilgrims  drawn from across Canada and Britain just like the Canadian Corps 19 years earlier  moved up the line. They walked or rode along the main road to the memorial, which was lined with 650 maple trees that had been sent from Canada a decade earlier. During the morning and early afternoon, the pilgrims explored the ruined landscape, still pitted and cratered from the hundreds of thousands of shells that had crashed into the terrain during the war.

Unlike most of the other former battlefields along the Western Front, Vimy continued to display the wars scars, with thousands of grass-covered shell craters and strange undulations to the land evident, a result of mines or trenches. Tens of thousands of replanted pine trees were beginning to repopulate the landscape, but it was untrue, as myth would later suggest, that a tree was planted for each Canadian soldier who fell in the war.

Walking among the new growth, a few of the Manitobans from the 44th Battalion trekked up the Pimple [a strategic point] to the memorial that had been erected there after the battle, which was now crumbling. Some of the gunners wistfully looked into the distance for the artillery memorial at La Tilleul Corner, but it was too far to walk there from the memorial. The restored trenches, with their concrete sandbags and parapets, offered a tangible link to the bitter warfare that lingered in the veterans imagination. There were long lines to make the descent into Grange Tunnel. Some of the pilgrims had been in Grange 19 years earlier and, according to one eyewitness, They saw the names of their comrades pen-knifed into the chalk, memorials to Canadian youths long since dead, but who unconsciously perpetrated their memory in the careless scratching and the crude carvings on the walls.

With at least 50,000 French civilians honouring their liberators of old, the pilgrims were escorted forward to a privileged spot in the large amphitheatre in front of the memorial. Before that, some took the opportunity to send letters and postcards from somewhere in France (invoking the oft-written phrase from the war), taking advantage of a temporarily constructed French and Canadian post office erected on the site. At the amphitheatre, companies of veterans formed up around tall, numbered banners and emblems intended to guide veterans to their pre-arranged groups. The khaki-beret-wearing veterans were placed in front of the memorial, while civilian pilgrims were on the veterans flanks.

Some 500 French children were gathered in a place of honour, a request made by the Canadian organizers so that, according to one document, these children would remember the Canadians with kindly feelings and would continue to care for the monument over the years. As part of the ceremony, an honour guard from HMCS Saguenay stood on the south side of the pathway that runs across the memorial, while a party of 120 veterans stood to the left of the sailors. The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band and a composite band from various Canadian Highland regiments, as well as buglers, were also on parade.

French-Moroccan cavalry men, wearing their traditional blue-and-scarlet uniforms and mounted on white Arabian horses, added to the pomp. Though the bearded warriors represented the French who had fought hard for Vimy in 1915, there was little place for them at the ceremony. Vimy had long since been seized by the Canadians as a national site of significance. There would be little sharing of the glory with other combatants at Vimy previous to the Canadian capture of it, other than a small plaque in tribute to the Moroccan Division erected in 1924 near the memorial.

The Germans, despite losing tens of thousands of dead defending the position, had almost no presence on the ridge after the war. Like the Australians and New Zealanders who edged out the British and French at Gallipoli in the constructed memory of that 1915 battle, the Canadians had long since driven other European powers  who had contributed many more troops to the campaign  from the ridges memory.

Shortly before the King arrived at the monument, the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC), the forerunner of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., began a one-hour-and-35-minute live broadcast. The CRBC used the shortwave facilities of the British Broadcasting Corp. to transmit the ceremony to Canada over the national radio network, while the British shortwave broadcast was heard worldwide. A bilingual announcer was demanded by the Canadians, so that the ceremony could be presented in both languages and by an announcer without a British accent. The program, according to the Winnipeg Free Press, enabled people in Canada to be present not only in spirit but as auditors.

Following his ministers, King Edward moved towards the dais draped in national colours, and with his fair hair tossed by the wind, he began his address in French. Grey clouds had temporarily overcast the skies, but the sun broke through as the King turned to speaking in English, creating a near-holy effect for the thousands of pilgrims who listened in rapt attention.

The King said that the memorial crowning the hill of Vimy is now and for all time part of Canada. Summoning powerful sentiments, he told the British Empire listening in on radios that the world will long remember what happened here, and Canada can never forget. The Dominion during the war stood shoulder to shoulder with France and Britain, as an equal: with this monument, Canada shall stand forever. The final dramatic action by the King was to reveal Canada Bereft by letting drop a Union Jack flag that draped her.

Notably absent from the speakers roster was Walter Allward. The artist was an old man now, with thinning hair, glasses and a deep curve to his shoulders. The death of his son Donald in 1934 at age 28 had revealed to him the grief that thousands of wartime parents carried with them. Allward was not asked to speak at the unveiling of his own memorial. He was mentioned by all the dignitaries only a single time, and almost as an afterthought.

The official records offer no explanation as to why he was excluded, and Allward did not commit his feelings to paper. But the slight must have wounded him. Perhaps the many cost overruns and delays had made him something of an embarrassment; perhaps artists will always be shoved aside when politicians and a King are involved in solemn national rituals.

Amid the talk of sacrifice, death, and Canadas soul being revealed on that ridge, one wonders what the returning veterans thought of the experience. A contributor to The Canadian Veteran wrote that during the ceremony, the mists of time momentarily [lifted], and once again [veterans stood] in the jumping off trenches waiting for the zero hour . . . Even the soft splash of snow and rain on steel helmets [could] be heard  then that crashing crescendo of a tornado of bursting shells, with the obligation of a thousand machine-guns the attack [began].

These words seem a bit dramatic, but no doubt those veterans who had been at Vimy 19 years earlier were drawn back to the battle as they stood on that same ground  ground that the speakers described, over and over again, as being haunted by the war dead. Forty-two-year-old Jimmy Crossby, a wartime sergeant in the 27th Battalion, remembered years later hearing the Kings speech but having his mind wander to the battle he had fought in years earlier: Furtively at first, but then with an overpowering rush, memories of . . . companions, of dirty days and worse nights, came back.

When the official ceremony came to a close, veterans moved forward to inspect the memorial. Hundreds of wreaths representing units, Legion Halls and communities from across the Dominion were laid against the cold stone. Perhaps even more powerful was the act by dozens of mothers who took off their silver crosses, issued by the government after the war to commemorate their fallen sons, and stacked them upon each other. The grieving mothers, some choking back sobs, then formed a circle around the tower of crosses and stood in silence.

Soon the memorial was thronged with pilgrims. They searched for the names of the missing, running their hands over the sandblasted letters that represented friends, uncles, sons, husbands and fathers.

This was their Canada captured in stone. And PPCLI veteran Bill Garvock reflected on the fallen with no known graves who came from many other lands besides Canada and the Mother Country. Represented on the monument are names of men from the steppes of Russia, the rice fields of Japan, the vineyards of Italy, the dairies of Denmark, the forests of Sweden, the ranches of Australia, the bustling cities of United States and the factories of Belgium. There are names of German-Canadians whose next-of-kin resided in Germany, while they were serving in the Canadian Corps.

There was immense power in those names, and pilgrims took photographs or made tracings of the characters to bring home and cherish. For many pilgrims this was their emotional closure for a death two decades in the past. The scattered dead were reconstituted: a silent army of names in waiting. Lost men had finally been found. One of the pilgrims was to write, Each has gained a glorious grave.

The Vimy pilgrimage, in the words of veteran Walter Woods, a civil servant who had devoted much of his life since the war to aiding his fellow veterans, was by far the most momentous event in the lives of Canadian ex-servicemen. In France and Britain there was intense interest in the expedition. The Kings presence was instrumental in making the unveiling an Empire-wide event.

Canadians were no less enthralled by the unveiling, the memorial and the pilgrims, countless numbers having listened to it live on the radio. Others read about it in newspapers that highlighted the accomplishments of the Canadians, specifically at Vimy and more generally in the war. The strong Canadian contingent of ministers, the playing of O Canada, and the prominent place of Canadian veterans and their deeds at the ceremony validated the idea expressed by many of the speakers that Canada had come of age at the ridge in 1917.

In the shadow of the Vimy Memorial, the battle was recast as an iconic, nation-changing event. While no one used the phrase birth of the nation, the sentiment was stark and clear, even though the memorial itself was infused with themes of grief, loss and elegy. The idea of the Great War as the fulcrum upon which the nation had matured may have been present for some time, but there had been few opportunities to allow for the expression of such ideas in such a public way. Now was the time.

Canadians would build on the July 1936 ceremony and continue to remake Vimy in the coming decades, grafting new meanings onto the battle and the memorial. The monument at Vimy was distinguished forever from all the others, even the moving Brooding Soldier at Ypres, and soon the battle, too, would be elevated above all others, with Vimy cementing its place in Canadian history while the Battle of Second Ypres faded in relevance. With the past seeping into the present, and the present into the past, a new Vimy legend was born on that battle-haunted ridge.

Excerpted from Vimy: The Battle and the Legend by Tim Cook. Copyright  2017 Tim Cook. Published by Allen Lane Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

This article has been updated to correct the King Edward VIII photo credit.

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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.

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It stands alone, on the battlefield site of Vimy Ridge in northern France, where nearly 3,600 of our countrys soldiers gave their lives 100 years ago. The monument rises over the Douai plain, its unique limestone spires visible from a great distance.

It has been described as towering. Majestic. Awe-inspiring.

And yet the designer behind this extraordinary memorial  one without parallel in scope or ambition, according to former Star columnist Christopher Hume  remains largely forgotten.

Toronto-born sculptor Walter Allward gave nearly 15 years of his life to the effort. By the time he was done and the monument was unveiled at an elaborate ceremony, his name was mentioned in dignitaries speeches only once.

This week, Allward could finally get his due as up to 30,000 Canadians and citizens from other countries make journey to northern France to stand in front of his creation. Theyll gather to recognize the 100th anniversary of the ferocious four-day battle at Vimy Ridge, which began April 9, 1917.

In July 1936, thousands of French civilians, Canadian First World War vets and their supporters watched the monuments unveiling by King Edward VIII. The late Pierre Berton noted that despite the Great Depression, 6,400 Canadians paid their own way to sail across the Atlantic for the occasion.

From the beginning, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial represented more than just casualties of the famous battle; its for all Canadians who fought and died on French soil in the First World War but had no known graves. On it are inscribed the names of 11,285 fallen soldiers.

The monuments base is made of concrete, reinforced by steel; two towering spires stretch more than 27 metres in the air. Also attached to the monument are 20 large limestone sculptures of humans representing allegorical figures such as Faith, Hope and Canada Bereft, with expressions and poses that signify sorrow and loss.

The monument was the peak of Allwards stellar career. An illustration is found on the back of the Canadian $20 bill, and Allward was the basis of a fictional character in Jane Urquharts novel The Stone Carvers. Other sculptures that Allward crafted sit near Torontos Queen St. W. and University Ave., Queens Park, Brantford, Ont., and in Ottawa in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Despite his momentous achievement, Allward died relatively unknown in 1955, in Torontos Yonge and York Mills neighbourhood. A small death notice in the Toronto Daily Star marked his passing at age 78.

His sculptures live on, but youd be hard-pressed to find many people who remember him today, says Tim Cook, a First World War historian with the Canadian War Museum who just published his new book, Vimy: The Battle and the Legend.

Adds Jeremy Diamond, executive director of the Vimy Foundation: Allward for me is one of these Canadian figures who should be much more well-known. He created what I would consider to be the greatest piece of Canadian public art in our history, in the Vimy monument. The foundation is a Canadian charity formed in 2006 and dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Canadas role in the war.

The foundation believes the Vimy battle, the monument and Allward himself play key roles in that legacy.

The battle claimed 3,598 Canadian lives and an unknown number of Germans. It was far from the conflicts bloodiest, yet today the thought of thousands lost in four days is hard to imagine.

But Canadas role in capturing the ridge resulted in Canadian forces instantly earning immense respect from our allies for our fighting skill and bravery. It stoked national pride at home, and Vimy is considered one of Canadas greatest battles.

Vimy Ridge  a seven-kilometre-long hill in northern France, about 175 kilometres north of Paris  was a strategic point that had been held by German forces during much of the war. From that lookout the Germans could keep watch on their own trenches as well as those of the opposing Allied forces. About 100,000 French soldiers lost their lives or were injured during unsuccessful attempts to take the ridge.

So the Canadians were called in.

An April 9, Easter Monday, the first Canadian assault, in punishing sleet and snow, saw more than 15,000 Canadian soldiers take over most of the territory held by the Germans, considered a breakthrough for the Allies at the time in terms of the broader war.

After the wars end, thousands of memorials to the fallen sprang up all over Canada as the country also tried to make sense of the carnage.

Ottawa soon decided it wanted to build several overseas monuments dedicated to servicemen. The Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission was formed in September 1920 and after looking through 160 submissions  and paring that down to a shortlist of 17, and then two  Allwards design proposal for the Vimy Memorial was selected on Oct. 4, 1921. The monument would sit on land donated by France to honour Canadas war effort.

As Cook notes in his book, Group of Seven member A.Y. Jackson wrote of the design: It went beyond and above anything that the framers of competition conceived of.

Allward had already established himself as a gifted sculptor. He was given a number of prestigious commissions including his memorial to the 1885 Northwest Rebellion, at Queens Park; the monument to the South African War, near Queen St. W. and University Ave.; and his memorial in Brantford to telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

Allward spent years sculpting the allegorical figures for the Vimy monument in his studio in London, England, powerful reflections of the sorrow the nation was dealing with after a war that had claimed about 60,000 Canadian lives.

The models Allward created for the allegorical figures were life-sized at first, and later doubled in size using a pantograph, an enlarging device. These larger versions were used for the memorial.

But the job proved even more challenging than it appeared. Delays caused tensions back home, and cost overruns ran to $1.5 million, a pretty penny in that day.

As Cook writes in his book on Vimy, the memorials commission found their sculptors delays infuriating, but they were still anxious to support him. The hold-up became a topic among Canadian politicians, with some viewing the unfinished memorial as a boondoggle. Cook notes in his book that Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, concerned about the optics of the delay, visited the site in 1930.

(Bennett) was impressed, but ordered sharply in early 1931 that this work must be competed in 1932. His demands were ignored.

One major source of delays was the fact that Allward wanted the perfect material. Cook writes that finding the right stone weighed on Allward, day and night. After a lengthy search through several parts of Europe he found a creamy white limestone in a London rock yard that originated from a quarry in Split, Croatia. The quarry had been closed for years.

About 7,000 tonnes of that limestone would be extracted and transported to Vimy, where it was sculpted and carved for the monument.

Only four years after the unveiling, there were fears that Allwards masterpiece would not survive.

During the Second World War, rumours circulated that Hitlers army would destroy the memorial. But according to published reports, he ordered his special forces to guard it from bombing or defacement, and a photo shows Hitler surrounded by his guards at the memorial. He is said to have admired the monument.

Hugh Allward, a great-great-grandson of Walter, says hes unbelievably proud of the memorial. The landscape architect in Port Perry, Ont., said the family knows the story of the dream in which the inspiration came to the sculptor.

In a 1922 interview, Walter Allward said when things looked bleakest during the war, he dreamed about being on a battlefield and seeing our men going by in the thousands, and being mowed down by the sickles of death, regiment after regiment, division after division.

Cook calls Allwards memorial not as a monument to a tremendous victory, but rather a sombre ode to the tragedy of warfare.

Nothing is on it that overtly says victory.  he says. There are no (Canadian) soldiers standing on a German helmet.

Correction  April 3, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated Walter Allwards given name in a sub-headline.

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Windsor high school student Sarah Lewis has always been fascinated by the men and women who have served this country in times of war.

Thats why shes thrilled to be among the thousands of students travelling to northern France this week for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

About 30,000 Canadians including 12,000 students will be taking part, several from GTA schools.

Aside from the school-organized trips, the Vimy Foundation, a Canadian charity, is sending 25 students, including eight from countries outside Canada, from April 7 to the April 16.

Its very exciting to get this opportunity, says Lewis, one of the students the foundation is sending. Its important to recognize the sacrifices that men and women made in World War I.

EF Education First, a Boston-based company with satellite offices in Canada, is sending 9,000 students and teachers from across Canada to mark the anniversary. Thirty of them will have their costs covered by a travel scholarship the group provides.

Visitors will attend the commemoration April 9 at the Vimy memorial and many are expected to see the new education centre nearby.

Robert Smale, a teacher at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, who is among 35 teachers and students at the school heading to France, said in an email that the visit will be part of a larger focus seeking to honour Canadas proud military heritage.

The First World War is largely a forgotten part of Canada's history, yet its impact on the development of Canada is monumental, Smale wrote. It was the defining moment of the twentieth century and in many ways for our country.

Canadian soldiers had a sense of duty, honour and country. We hope the students will come to appreciate these same virtues through our journey to Europe in the next few weeks. A greater sense of what it means to be Canadian.

But Smale notes: Foremost, we hope students comprehend the sheer horror and tragedy of war.

The Vimy Foundation students were nominated by people in their communities for their good works. Lewis, 16, a Grade 11 student at Vincent Massey Secondary School, was nominated in large part for a project she launched 10 years ago called Socks From Your Heart, which collects donated items for the Street Help Homeless Centre in Windsor.

She has also sent some socks to Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario. Over the years she has collected $84,000 and 24,000 pairs of socks.

Lewis, who sees the trip as a major honour, has had an interest in Canadas wartime history. Last year she travelled to Italy on a school trip to learn about Canadas role in the Italian Campaign in the Second World War.

VIMY EDUCATION CENTRE

A new $10-million education centre near the memorial at Vimy Ridge is set to open April 8. Work began about three years ago, with a goal of informing thousands of visitors each year about Canadian soldiers sacrifice in the First World War, on and far beyond the ridge. Visitors will also learn about the making of the monument.

The origin

A 10-minute walk from the memorial, the education centre evolved from lobbying by the Vimy Foundation, a Canadian charity that educates people about the war. The group approached Ottawa in 2012 about building it. There was what was always supposed to be a temporary interpretive centre at Vimy, says Jeremy Diamond, the foundations executive director. But we thought with the 100th anniversary of Vimy coming up, the site deserved something more permanent and substantial.

The money

Ottawa agreed to pay $5 million for the centre if the foundation kicked in an equal share. The foundation turned to private sector contributions and philanthropists. On the corporate side, an example was Bell Canada, which saw hundreds of employees travel overseas to serve, many of whom died. (Inside the centre is a discreet acknowledgement of sponsors, the foundation says.)

The themes

The education centres main exhibit is called We Will Remember. It looks back at Canada and Newfoundlands role in the First World War, using personal stories, artifacts and historical information. It also looks at how sculptor Walter Allward created the monument. The Vimy Foundation came up with the broad concepts for the centre, while Ottawa pulled together the content for the displays.

The view

The entire length of the centres rear wall has floor-to-ceiling panes of glass. Visitors will be able to look outside to see the former trenches where soldiers on both sides hunkered down and fired their weapons. Also visible are craters on the field, left from century-old shelling.

Three artifacts

Vimy Cross

The centre features an original piece: a large wooden cross that was erected by the 15th Battalion (the 48th Highlanders of Canada) on the Vimy battlefield, two days after the fighting started. The cross commemorates the members of the infantry battalion who died on the ridge. According to reports, the battalion quickly captured German positions shortly after the fighting started.

Allwards tools

Visitors to the centre will get a chance to view sculpting tools used by Walter Allward. While working on conceptual models for the monument, Allward used these tools, which now belong to Christian Corbet, a Canadian sculptor. The tools, which Corbet plans one day to pass down to a gifted apprentice, are being flown to France.

Photo from the Somme

An arresting photo of Canadian soldiers, weary and returning from fighting in the Battle of the Somme, is part of the We Will Remember exhibit in the education centre. Mark Truelove, a B.C. artist, digitally colourized the original black and white image. The photo has been enlarged to about four metres wide. Canadians entered the battle in August 1916 and sustained heavy losses.

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More likely to be in the care of childrens aid. More likely to drop out of high school. Less likely to attend college or university.

Noting these grim statistics for black youth, MPP Michael Coteau also spoke about his experiences growing up in Torontos Flemingdon Park, a place of much promise  but one where he knew more kids who died of violence than went on to post-secondary studies.

The situation may sound hopeless, but I believe there is a way forward, Coteau, the provinces minister of children and youth services, told the Economic Club in a speech last week  the first-ever talk on racism given to the business crowd.

We are starting in our own backyard.

Coteau, as head of the provinces anti-racism initiatives, has introduced a multi-year strategy, which includes $47 million for an Ontario Black Youth Action Plan to directly help at least 11,000 kids from preschool to post-secondary.

We have identified some areas that we think are important, he said in an interview with the Star. Mentorship  we know it works. We know that the early years programs that are out there are not necessarily working within some communities.

We are also going to move forward with an awareness campaign around violence and how it affects communities, and it will be targeted directly into the communities that are affected.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said her party has been pushing the Liberal government for some time to move on this file, after years of reports and studies, and especially after the summer of the gun in 2005, when a wave of violence hit Toronto.

Its a situation that continues to be very, very problematic and worrisome and it affects so many young people in so many communities, she said, adding any initiative will need to be properly funded.

Many of our systems are not meeting the needs of the diversity of our population the way they should be.

Coteau, who took on the anti-racism portfolio last year, is a former Toronto school board trustee. He says boosting graduation rates among black youth is key, as is reducing youth violence.

The numbers are startling, he said. I just want to find ways to reduce those numbers (of violent incidents), reduce incarceration levels, increase graduation levels and have more young people enter post-secondary. Those are my personal goals.

The father of two said going to university was a game changer in his own life, one hed never considered until he transferred to Leaside High School in Grade 11.

I went back to speak to this gentleman in my building, who is from the same island as my father (Carriacou, in Grenada), and you know he was one of the most educated people that I knew  he was a teacher back home  and he said you need to go, and in fact he gave me the $50 to apply.

For Coteau, the first in his immediate family to go to university, it was a decision that opened up so many doors and led him to becoming a cabinet minister.

Theres a lot of success that comes from Flemingdon Park, he said. I just know there could potentially be an explosion of success from a neighbourhood like that.

The government is now reaching out to leaders in the community to work together to determine which grassroots programs are successful for youth, which ones arent, and to provide some co-ordination for those the government will fund.

My job, Coteau said, is to make sure that we are putting the money in the right place.

Likwa Nkala, manager of the youth outreach worker program at East Metro Youth Services in Scarborough, said safe spaces for kids to go after school that offer multimedia or other programs are one way to build skills, help promote youth engagement, and get to a place of leadership  or lead to part-time employment.

Finding programs for parents and connecting families with services they need is a good way to provide support, something the youth outreach workers he oversees do on a regular basis.

Nkala points to the success of programs that reach out to young mothers and fathers in Scarborough through Rosalie Hall, where workers connect and support parents. They recently screened a movie made with youth outreach workers like Michael Kissi, who profiled young black fathers in their 20s in Daddys Home.

Nkala likes the idea of the province collecting race-based data, to provide communities with services that have an impact.

No one agency has the answer, he added. We have to find a way of bringing them together.

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The final straw was a little girl using an iPad with the volume on high, a device her parents refused to turn down despite repeated requests from the staff at Carusos, an upscale Italian restaurant in Mooresville, N.C.

Yoshi Nunez, the restaurants manager, had encountered unruly kids in his restaurant before; but this time, he said, the parents were misbehaving, too.

Finally, we had to ask them to leave, Nunez told The Washington Post. They were upset, but they didnt seem to care about what the other guests thought. We tried to be nice about the situation, but were here to take care of customers, and we cant tell a parent how to control their kids.

That was the incident that triggered the entire thing.

The entire thing, as Nunez puts it, is the restaurants strict ban on children under the age of 5. It went into effect in January, drawing passionate applause from some diners online and angry condemnation from others.

The ban  conceived by the restaurants owner, Pasquale Caruso  brought about a spike in diners from about 50 per day to about 80, Nunez said.

Banning children has always been a topic in the industry and every owner says, I wish I could do it, he said. Our owner has the full support of the staff. We work here to make a living, too, and we support our owner 100 per cent.

Its hard to say whether child bans are officially a restaurant industry trend, but theyre no longer particularly unusual. Carusos  which describes itself as traditional, classy, intimate on its website  is the latest in a series of eateries to ban children or introduce measures to control them. In recent years, restaurants in Korea, Italy, Australia, Texas, Pennsylvania and California have joined in.

As the Washington Posts Amy Joyce wrote in 2013, the trend has even hit a Virginia neighbourhood sometimes known for stroller traffic jams.

The Northern Virginia neighbourhood, she wrote, is experiencing a different kind of mommy war with the arrival of a Japanese restaurant for people 18 and older. Only. No kids. No strollers. Just adults enjoying sushi and sake in a lounge-type setting.

We thought parents just needed a place to give it a break, like an adult clubhouse, Sushi Bar owner Mike Anderson told her.

In Houston, Cuchara, an intimate Mexican restaurant full of delicate artwork, began handing out cards with behavioural instructions to customers with children in 2015, according to a local news channel. The etiquette training was introduced after a child scratched the restaurant walls with a quarter, causing $1,500 in damage.

How do we stop that kind of thing? Cucharas owner, Ana Beaven, told the station. Were busy serving and cleaning and moving around and we cannot babysit a child.

Do the etiquette cards annoy parents?

It doesnt offend anyone, its a set of rules, Beaven added.

The debate surrounding the bans invokes larger questions about sociology, class and parenting trends, with some researchers saying they are the natural result of a culture of overtaxed parents desperate to spend as much time as possible with their children, even if that one-on-one time occurs over a fine bottle of wine at the expense of other diners around them.

Liam Flynn, owner of Australias Flynns Restaurant, which instituted a ban on children under age 7, has a simpler explanation that speaks to how casual dining has become for many families.

A lot of parents think theyre paying for the space and service and taking a break, and therefore taking a break from parenting as well, he told Eater, an online publication that covers dining and food. Theres a lot of people that feel they are not accountable for their own or their childs actions.

The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association declined to comment on restaurants that ban children.

Sarah Dolan, director of media relations for the National Restaurant Association, said her group has seen no evidence that this is a trend.

Every restaurant is different, and its up to each operator to make decisions that are best for their business and their guests, Dolan said.

Whitney Labozzetta, a mother of six, told a North Carolina news station that she left Carusos after she was made to feel uncomfortable about having a baby with her.

We actually got up and left because the waitresses were very rude, she said. When my daughter, who is 1, cried, they gave us the nasty look.

On the restaurants Facebook page, some parents criticized the child ban using sarcasm.

Also a family of five requires a lot more attention from the wait staff (since theyre ordering so much . . . even though we tip extremely well because we know we are a bit of a challenge) and you as an owner cant possibly want too many big parties, big checks and big tips coming in, one woman wrote. What a nightmare.

I would never come to your establishment! another parent wrote. My 8 year old has been in better restaurants then yours and is always a pleasure!

How you are legally allowed to discriminate amazes me! she added. Next you will be kicking out all the elderly because they take to long to eat. Slippery slope!

But the push-back from parents online was overwhelmed by an outpouring of support for the restaurants ban, which was endorsed with language reserved for civil rights struggles.

Thank you for taking a stand, multiple people wrote.

Others said they applauded the restaurants courage and called the policy brilliant.

People from across the country promised to visit the restaurant, which is about 50 kilometres north of Charlotte, N.C., and one particularly animated fan suggested Carusos policy should be turned into state law.

A message on Carusos website says the establishment requires proper attire and has no childrens menu available. Nunez said customers find out children arent allowed when they call to make a reservation or, increasingly, via word of mouth.

The restaurants owner told the Mooresville Tribune that he has nothing against children and noted that hes a father of two himself. He said he is trying to create an atmosphere that keeps his restaurant elegant for couples and friends who want to have a relaxed evening out.

The ban wasnt based on a single incident, Caruso said, but came about after he started to lose money and customers, because I had very young children coming in, throwing food, running around and screaming.

I had several customers complain, get up and leave because children were bothering them, and the parents were doing nothing, he told the Tribune. It started to feel like it wasnt Carusos anymore, that it was a local pizzeria instead.

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To the formidable list of problems facing Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain as she negotiates the nations risky withdrawal from the European Union, add one more: the future of the rocky outcrop of Gibraltar.

After it became clear Friday that the EUs remaining leaders might give Spain an effective veto over whether any deal applied to Gibraltar  a British territory long the subject of an acrimonious sovereignty dispute between London and Madrid  lawmakers in Britain and Gibraltar responded with defiance and concern.

Gibraltars chief minister, Fabian Picardo, made his anger clear on Friday, calling Spains tactic disgraceful and predatory.

He said in a statement about the insertion of language on Gibraltar into the EUs draft guidelines for negotiating a British withdrawal: This unnecessary, unjustified and unacceptable discriminatory proposed singling out of Gibraltar and its people was the predictable machination of Spain.

Gibraltar, which Spain ceded to Britain in 1713, is 20 kilometres off the north coast of Africa, borders Spain and has a British military base. It also has a population of 30,000 British citizens, the overwhelming majority of whom want to remain British.

Gibraltarians run most of their own affairs under a chief minister. But Spain has long held ambitions to change the status of Gibraltar, and Britains withdrawal from the EU, known as Brexit, may have given Madrid long-sought leverage.

Gibraltarians, who voted overwhelmingly  96 per cent  to remain in the EU in last years referendum, now find themselves potential pawns in a larger game involving a variety of issues.

Once Britain is outside the EU, which guarantees free movement of people, Spain could demand concessions or make the border with Gibraltar harder to cross, effectively isolating the territory.

Some lawmakers say the British government has been outflanked.

While the Northern Irish border was mentioned in the letter sent Wednesday from May to the EU, outlining her plans for negotiating Brexit, Gibraltar was not.

Clare Moody, a member of the European Parliament from the opposition Labour Party who represents Gibraltar and southwest England, told the BBC it was the governments job to represent the people of Gibraltar.

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A new initiative launched by Black Lives Matter activists seeks to refocus the movements efforts on state capitols, building on momentum at the national level to push back against President Donald Trumpspolitical agenda on issues such as policing and immigration.

The online platform OurStates.org is the latest indication that Democrats and left-leaning groups are turning their attention to statehouses after concluding that many of the policies they oppose are being enacted at the state level, since Congress has passed few major laws in recent years.

Despite the movements national presence, it has not concentrated on engaging and resisting what state legislatures are doing to essentially implement the same agenda, said Sam Sinyangwe, a data scientist with the project. If we dont engage on the state level, many of the same rights were fighting to protect will be restricted at the local level anyway.

Users visiting the site can choose categories and click on states to learn more about pending legislation. It has a guide for influencing lawmakers, directing people to ask for in-person meetings, present specific demands and track the progress of legislation. The site also suggests conducting protests in lawmakers offices to apply pressure and get their attention.

Black Lives Matter grew largely out of the protests over the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Activists DeRay Mckesson and Brittany Packnett  who met during Ferguson and co-founded Campaign Zero, a national campaign to end police violence  are behind the OurStates.org project and have created other online organizing tools to connect people to ways to continue the movement.

In the years since Browns death, Black Lives Matter groups have sprung up in cities across the country, organizing and challenging officials on the local level. But this latest effort is a 50-state strategy.

Organizers say people looking to get more politically active can have more influence at the state level, since state districts are smaller than congressional districts. Also, state lawmakers often run unopposed and legislating isnt their full-time job.

Republicans now hold 33 governors offices and have majorities in 33 legislatures. They control the governors office and legislature in 25 states  the most since 1952. Democrats control the governors office and legislature in only about a half-dozen states.

The imbalance of power gives state Republicans greater ability to shape laws as they pursue an agenda that includes proposals on abortion, unions, taxes, gun rights and school choice. In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, GOP lawmakers in several states want to crack down on protesters and challenge sanctuary cities that have resisted efforts to step up enforcement of immigration laws.

Black Lives Matter supporters are also being encouraged to back legislation in line with their personal agendas and that of the movement, including requiring police departments to report data on hate crimes, requiring officers to undergo bias training and preventing police unions from making it harder to investigate officer misconduct.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson said Black Lives Matter activists could make inroads with GOP lawmakers, depending on their approach. As potential areas of common ground, he pointed to legislation that would fund law enforcement training to deal with mental health crises or outfit officers with body cameras.

If the goals are partisan, hot-button issues, the outcome is going to be ... no political or policy progress, said Robinson, former assistant chief of staff for Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. If Republicans are approached in a respectable manner on issues that could have bipartisan consensus, they can make headway, but theyve got to be civil.

Activists must be serious and have doable, incremental goals, Robinson said. If what they want to do is demonize Republican leaders ... theyll be ignored.

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PARISWith just three weeks before the first round of Frances presidential election, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is working to galvanize voters with the anti-Islam rhetoric that is one of her trademarks.

Le Pen addressed thousands of supporters on Sunday in the southwest French city of Bordeaux, where she vowed to uncompromisingly fight Islamist fundamentalism which seeks to impose its oppressive rules in our country.

She also criticized the head scarves that some Muslim women wear, saying girls in France should be able to dress as they wish and shouldnt be forced to bury themselves under clothes of another age.

Polls suggest Le Pen is one of the top contenders in the elections first round on April 23, but would lose in the May 7 runoff.

In the early hours of Nov. 9, Marine Le Pen was the first foreign politician to congratulate the new U.S. president-elect.

In the weeks that followed, the leader of Frances far-right National Front did everything she could to tie her presidential campaign to the upset victory of Donald Trump, claiming that she would be the next chapter in a global populist revolt against the establishment.

Read more: Marine Le Pen, French far-right presidential hopeful, heaps praise on Trump

On the morning after the U.S. election, she took to the stage at her partys headquarters outside Paris, heralding Brexit and Trump as part of an unstoppable worldwide phenomenon  democratic choices that bury the old order and stepping-stones to building tomorrows world.

But a month before the first round of the French elections, Le Pens tone has markedly changed: no more President Trump  at least not for now.

Le Pen, almost certain to qualify for the second and final round of the elections, seems to be keeping her distance from her compadre. The word Trump rarely figures in her speeches and rallies these days, and when she squared off against Frances four other presidential candidates in the campaigns first televised debate March 20, she avoided mentioning him in any policy discussion, despite ample opportunities to do so.

On a broader level, following the defeat of Geert Wilders in the Dutch elections last month, Le Pen and her aides even have shied away from their frequent forecasts of the populist wave soon to cascade through France and carry them to power. If she wins, she now says, it will be because of France and the French  not because of a seismic shift in geopolitics and the tail wind it would bring.

Im counting on you to carry out with me the battle for France! she said Thursday, speaking at an agricultural fair in rural Brittany.

We have to put France back in order! she said Monday in a speech in the Vendee.

I will engage France on the path of economic patriotism  for our small business, for our farms, she said Sunday in Lille.

The shift, analysts say, mirrors her recent softening of her famously hard-line stances on both the European Union and the euro. Le Pen has campaigned largely by advocating the removal of France from both, but she now says she would hold referendums on each  especially after recent opinion polls have reiterated the popularity of the currency among ordinary French voters.

Read more: Marine Le Pens new, less racist vision for France has her ahead in the polls

The same now applies to Trump.

Its difficult for Le Pen to use Trump, when she knows that so many French disapprove of him, said Dominique Moisi, a political scientist and co-founder of the Paris-based French Institute for International Relations.

According to opinion polls, nearly 8 in 10 French voters harbour strongly negative views of the U.S. president, who has repeatedly insisted  sometimes through the commentaries of a mysterious, unidentified friend named Jim  that Paris is no longer Paris and that France is no longer France in the wake of the terrorist attacks that have claimed 230 lives here since the beginning of 2015.

In France, where even fringe politicians are expected to dazzle with wit and erudition, the brash and often unscripted public persona of the U.S. president has become something of a liability for his chief French ally, who was spotted in the basement cafeteria of Trump Tower on an impromptu visit in January.

In France, even if you are of the extreme right, as Marine Le Pen is, you do not have credibility if you do not know how to align a subject, a verb and a complement, said Francois Heisbourg, the chairman of the Geneva Center for Security Policy and a former member of a French presidential commission on national security.

Trump truly wouldnt last 20 minutes in the French political system  not because of his ideas, but because of the way he expresses them.

In fact, the substance of Trumps ideas  or versions of them  does remain popular with a number of French voters, who favour a return of national sovereignty, immigration bans and rapprochement with President Vladimir Putins Russia. These are all pillars of Le Pens platform, and she is expected to garner at least 40 per cent of the vote, according to the latest polls.

There is also the issue of the anti-Americanism at the heart of the National Front, which for decades has railed against American imperialism abroad and its principal local manifestation  the European Union. If Trumps isolationist rhetoric represents a departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy, he is still an American president in the eyes of a party long in favour of France abandoning its ties with the United States for a new relationship with Russia.

Read more: Putin meets far-right French presidential candidate Le Pen, denies election interference

If she rarely mentions Trump anymore, Le Pen  who met with Putin in Moscow last month  has no qualms about reminding her supporters at every turn of her plans to deliver on that Russia promise.

In her recent speech in Lille, days after returning from Russia, she called Putin a real statesman engaged in the same fight against terrorism as France.

The crowd went wild.

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One is too many. Nevertheless, there are 14,900 nuclear warheads in the world. Russia has approximately 7,000. The U.S. is not far behind at 6,800. The U.K., France and China each have between 200 and 300 warheads, while India and Pakistan have roughly 120 each. Israel has 80. N. Korea has 10.

Canada has a different history. We halted uranium exports for weapons production in 1965 under Prime Minister Lester Pearsons leadership and we were the first country with significant nuclear capability to reject nuclear weapons.

While not a nuclear nation, Canada is however, a member of NATO, whose purpose, deterrence, is based on both nuclear and conventional warfare. Membership has its responsibilities. Canada was among 35 countries, including the U.K, France and the U.S., that voted against a 2016 UN resolution to create a legally binding instrument to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Rather than attempting to fashion a new treaty, the Trudeau government prefers an incremental, pragmatic step-by-step approach by pushing for a Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty, which would ban bomb-making components. Again, this past week, we refused to take part in a new round of disarmament negotiations at the UN.

The NDP has rightly raised Canadas abstention as a concern. In 2010, when Stephen Harper was prime minister, the Canadian parliament voted unanimously in favour of nuclear disarmament. So why are we not holding to those same principles now?

It seems odd. While, we have never shied away from being a warrior nation when necessary, our trajectory is normally directed to keeping the peace, not keeping up with the bad guys as Nicki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN was quoted as saying.

Not only is the governments decision raising political eyebrows, but the timing is awkward. Canada pauses this coming week for the 100th anniversary of Vimy, the First World War battle that began on Easter weekend of 1917. Sadly, there are no longer living veterans, but remembering and honouring the 3,598 Canadians who died and the 10,602 who were wounded during those four awful days, is part of Canadas DNA, as is a search for peace.

In the years following the world wars, we struggled to find institutional organizations that would never allow the world a slide back into the slippery slope of warfare. But the twin threats of the rise of populism and the election of Donald Trump, are threatening the building blocks of stability.

Out of the devastation of the Second World War emerged the United Nations, which is now under serious threat from the proposed Trump budget cuts. The U.S, traditionally the largest donor to the UN, funding 22 per cent of the overall budget, plans to slash its current pledge, impacting both development and peacekeeping missions.

Yet, the Trudeau government campaigned on restoring the glory of Canadian peacekeeping tradition, as originally conceived by former PM Lester Pearson.

The carnage Pearson witnessed as a soldier in the First World War shaped his views on the futility of war. His peacekeeping focus influenced Canadas participation in subsequent UN missions and strongly shaped our foreign policy for many years. While the nature of peacekeeping has changed to peacemaking, the Trudeau government has once again committed $450 million over three years, 150 police and up to 600 soldiers to a still undefined UN mission.

The two world wars, the UN and military alliances, such as NATO, helped to restrain conflict, in particular, in Europe where armed conflict has virtually been eliminated for 70 years.

However, like the UN, the EU and the NATO military alliance are under threat; the EU from British exit and NATO from a Russian threat and apparent American lack of resolve under Donald Trump to backstop the alliance.

The order that kept us reasonably stable for many years is clearly fragile, as we struggle, not only with new rules, but with old challenges  challenges such as nuclear disarmament.

Given the sabre rattling between the U.S. and North Korea; given the spread of chemical weapons use; given the evolution of rogues states and terrorist alliances, now is the time to be back and to become deeply involved in nuclear deterrence.

Those Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives at Vimy have been gone 100 years yet the dark shadows of war loom once again. We should be mindful of those shadows, still there  a century after the war to end all wars, is being commemorated.

Penny Collenette is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa and was a senior director of the Prime Ministers Office for Jean Chretien.

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News that the Trudeau government has accumulated a daunting backlog of appointments to Crown corporations, appeal tribunals and other public agencies might not immediately stir the passions. But its cause for real concern.

Canada is currently without a chief electoral officer. Our official languages commissioner, the commissioner of lobbying and conflict of interest, and the ethics commissioner are all serving on an interim basis.

More than half the seats on the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, which hears complaints from vets denied benefits, are empty. As are a third of the seats on the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board and a quarter on the Social Security Tribunal, which adjudicates disputes over employment insurance, pension benefits and other welfare payouts.

Some 35 per cent of governor in council (GIC) appointments are now vacant or past their expiry, raising serious concerns about the ability of important parts of government to serve Canadians effectively.

The issue first came to light in October when CBC News reported that nearly 20 per cent of the more than 1,500 GIC appointments had yet to be filled. At the time, Liberals said the delay was the inevitable result of the governments decision to overhaul the appointment process. The Liberals had spent months developing an open, merit-based system, they said. Now that it was in place, appointments were being made and the backlog would soon be gone.

Five months later, it has almost doubled. The results are invisible to most Canadians, but felt acutely by those directly affected.

Take the example of the Social Security Tribunal, which the auditor general has repeatedly rebuked for failing to hear appeals in a timely manner. Many of the people who file complaints with the tribunal are in dire financial situations. But even when the body is fully staffed, appeals regularly take more than a year. The longer you leave some of these positions unfulfilled, the longer its going to be for a lot of Canadians to work their way through the appeal process, New Democrat MP Alistair MacGreggor told CBC News.

The same goes for the other public bodies in question. Clearly they ought to be given the human resources required to do the work that Ottawa funds them to do.

The governments phlegmatic approach to appointments is not limited to governor in council positions. There are currently 57 vacancies for federally appointed judges, contributing to the growing crisis of court delays. In this case, too, the problem seems to have stemmed from a good-faith effort to improve a flawed appointment system.

The process for picking judges and GIC appointees has too often been opaque and unaccountable, seemingly favouring the loyal over the meritorious. The effort to find a merit-based alternative that better reflects our countrys diversity is welcome. But in trying to correct one problem, the Liberal government has created another, equally troubling one.

In the United Kingdom, the commissioner of public appointments watches over ministerial nominations for public positions, ensuring that choices are fair and made in a timely fashion. Stephen Harper promised a similar mechanism, but walked away. Given our persistent problems with this process, we may want to revisit that idea.

In the meantime, the government should not allow perfect to be the enemy of good. It should move quickly to fill the empty benches, boards and tribunals, lest these important gears of our democracy grind to a halt.

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Re: Parents need to learn school is about education, Mallick, March 29

Parents need to learn school is about education, Mallick, March 29

At the beginning of her column, Heather Mallick asserts, and quite rightly so, that school is for learning where students learn how to speak, write and read well. However, subsequently she abandons her position and agrees with the Peel District boards decision to allow religious school prayers, because, according to her, this is the only decent option. Why it is the only option and why it is the decent option?

She also criticizes anti-prayer parents for protesting against the school board and describes them as militants. There may be a few individuals who displayed their anger and frustration at the board meeting but that is no reason to bundle all anti-prayer parents as militants.

She has conveniently overlooked the fact it was parents who initiated the whole prayer issue in the first place, by insisting on religious prayer for their children during school time. Since the school is for education and not for any religious activities, the only option for the school board should have been straight and simple No.

Instead, the politicians got involved and, for a few more votes, succumbed to religious pressure and agreed to give in. And now the issue has escalated into a much bigger problem, where both sides have dug in their heels.

Ravi Jategaonkar, Brampton

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Re: Trump policy is an opening for Canada, March 31

Trump policy is an opening for Canada, March 31

Your editorial is ripe with information and relevance regarding the Trudeau government and its lack of credibility, logic and ethics.

You point out that the demand for fossil fuels is declining and that Trump is betting on a dying horse and even Trudeau himself has stated the tarsands will probably have to be phased out over the long term.

And yet he serves this dying generator of death as some sort of national saviour, while seeming blissfully unaware of his failing to honour our national targets for improving the environment. As it stands, the planet is literally dying with his help.

The International Monetary Fund tells us, Canada provides more subsidies to petroleum as a proportion of government revenue than any developed nation on Earth besides the United States and Luxembourg. Apparently we give Big Oil $3 or $4 billion a year to destroy our environment.

So the question I would like to see raised in our first proportionally representative parliament is, Who among you will support transferring $4 billion a year from Big Oil credits over to the development to an all-Canadian, state-of-the-art electric vehicle, complete with an effective on board solar charging system?

Randy Gostlin, Oshawa

Maple syrup is terrific  especially on warm, butter-slathered blueberry pancakes.

However, the 2-1/3 cords of dry wood that must be burned to make maple syrup from sap releases 10,000 pounds of CO2 per barrel (bbl) of maple syrup, while production of one bbl of oil from the oilsands releases only 330 pounds of CO2 from well to tank.

So much for the green, environmentally-sustainable, economy!

Justin Trudeaus proposed minimum carbon tax of $50 per tonne, if applied to maple syrup (a $400-million-per-year industry in Quebec) would add $58 million annually in costs to the industry, or about $1.43 to each one-litre bottle.

Alberta already has a substantial carbon tax. So how about it Mr. Trudeau? Will you ensure an equal carbon tax is levied on Quebec?

Mike Priaro, Calgary

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- At an age where most Kenyan girls get married or start their first jobs, Fridah Mwololo is already an army engineer of repute

- She has excelled in a field meant for men,handling her job with flair, poise and grace

Meet Fridah Mwololo, a 26-year-old US army engineer of Kenyan descent.

Mwololo bottom, second right with her team members

READ ALSO: Meet Subisuso Chebii:Mortician by day,musician by evening

While army jobs are a preserve for men and a smattering of strong-willed women, a Kenyan girl has defied the odds to rise up the ranks as a US army engineer.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Mwololo, a resident of Prospect Park,New Jersey let us into her eventful life.

At an age where most girls are figuring things out and getting married, Mwololo is already a reputable army engineer, a Residential Counselor at Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) and goes to a nursing school.

Mwololo as Nurse

READ ALSO: Finally Uhuru's graduation photo emerges... and guess what his mother was doing to him

She lived in Kenya until the allure and the prospects of a brighter future came calling.

With her looks, she could have easily been a fashion spread model, or choosen a more feminine job like teaching.

She didn't.

She chose to jump into the male-infested pond to deal with artillery, big guns, battles and complex battle strategies.

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Isn't she something?

It is a career that could end tragically in war but nevertheless, one that fills her heart with satisfaction and a deep sense of accomplishment.

That aside, do not let that pretty face fool you, Mwololo is trained in combatives and is as good as any other soldier if not better.

READ ALSO: Elite GSU officers shoot DEAD stranger at STATE HOUSE

She has not been to battle yet but she hopes to go fighting soon.

Asked on how she joined the army, Mwololo told TUKO.co.ke that she just filled her application paper work and got selected. It was that simple. All she needed was meet the expectations outlined in the paper work and she did.

Working in the army has given her job security, happiness, professional advancement,excellent social status and of course, the monetary perks.

READ ALSO: DP Ruto bashes NASA for its inability to chose a presidential candidate

She misses her extended family in Kenya and occasionally travels to Kenya to visit them.

She is not married yet and doesn't have any kids. She refused to divulge the characteristics of her ideal man.

Have anything to add to this article? Let us know on news@tuko.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Argentina will raise gas prices an average 24 percent for consumers and companies starting April 1 in its latest bid to cut subsidies, control spending and reduce the country's high fiscal deficit, the government said on Friday.

Prices will rise between 19 percent and 34 percent for homes and up to 46 percent for companies, Energy Minister Juan Aranguren said at a news conference.

"The increase will end up at an average 24 percent nationwide for the residential and commercial sectors starting tomorrow, April 1," he told reporters.

The government held a public hearing on the price rise on March 10. The Supreme Court halted an earlier attempt at raising gas prices in August, saying the government did not hold a required hearing prior to announcing the increase.

The Argentine government sets gas prices for the country and has been raising them over the last few months.

President Mauricio Macri has implemented a number of market-friendly reforms since taking office in December 2015, including taking the country out of default to return to global credit markets and cutting subsidies after years of free-spending populism left a gaping fiscal deficit.

His government expects the deficit to fall from 4.2 percent this year to 3.2 percent in 2018 and 2.2 percent in 2019.
Boris Kiknadze, chief executive of Pawwwn, took a deep breath as he looked out to the crowd of Silicon Valley venture capitalists and began his pitch.

With just 10 minutes to speak, Kiknadze rapidly described his business idea  Pawwwn, an online payment and management system to make transactions easier for pawnshop owners and their customers. The pain point for pawn shops is payment. Pawwwn takes away that pain, he said.

For months, Kiknadze and his co-founder had developed Pawwwn in his home country of Georgia before getting on a plane for San Francisco. Since the firm launched in March, Kiknadze has had 20 customers trying out the service.

But with 1,400 pawnshops in Georgia and 12,000 more in the U.S., Kiknadze saw a big opportunity. And to achieve that, he needs cash  $1 million, which he said he would use to launch Pawwwn in the U.S.

Competing for investors

Kiknadze is part of Startup Georgia, a project administered by Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency, that connects U.S. experts and investors with startups in Georgia.

More than 250 entrepreneurs tried out in Georgia to qualify for a week of training in Tbilisi, the nation's capital. Among those 50 who participated in the training, 20 were selected for seed funding and three months of additional training with a Silicon Valley expert with weekly videoconferencing meetings.

Of those, eight were chosen to travel to the U.S. for a boot camp and to pitch to investors directly.

Georgia, a country of fewer than 4 million people, is looking to the success of small countries, such as Estonia and Israel, to pitch itself as a burgeoning tech hub, said Mark Iwanowski, founder and president of Global Visions-Silicon Valley, which provided the U.S. support for the program.

For U.S. investors, typically reluctant to invest beyond U.S. tech hubs, there is an opportunity to get more value in overseas companies, where labor costs are lower, he said. To attract these investors, foreign companies need to incorporate in the U.S. and set up a team here.

Over the past week in Silicon Valley, the Georgian entrepreneurs received one-on-one mentorship training as they refined their pitches. They heard from lawyers on protecting intellectual property and listened to venture capitalists talk about how to approach investors.

If a venture capitalist says they love it, it kind of doesn't mean anything, said Steve Goldberg, operating partner at Venrock, a venture firm. My advice is to have people on the team who understand venture-speak.

Understand what the investor is looking for, said Ron Weissman of Band of Angels, Silicon Valley's oldest seed fund. He suggested approaching investors seeking a conversation  Im not here to raise money. I'm here to get a sense of what it would take to interest you.

Tech's next 'unicorn'?

That is the kind of approach honed by Vamekh Kherkheulidze, founder and medical adviser to ORsim, a Georgian operating room virtual reality simulator.

By slipping on a virtual reality headset and a special glove that gives all the sensations of holding instruments and operating on a person, medical students can better learn how to become surgeons, Kherkheulidze said. And that's important, because there's a shortage of surgeons both in the U.S. and worldwide.

From potential investors, ORsim is looking for supporters, he said. We promote new ways of education and we want investors who understand that.

Still, his ambition is big. "We want to expand and expand fast," Kherkheulidze said. Already, ORsim, with $35,000 in pre-seed funding from Startup Georgia, has an appendectomy simulator.

Our hope is to be a unicorn, Kherkheulidze said, referring to the term used to describe startups worth more than $1 billion in valuation. But in addition to greatly improving surgical training worldwide, he sees his company as a way to help his home country.

If we are worth $1 billion, you can increase the economy. What was Skype's influence in Estonia? he said, referring to the Estonian internet communication service bought by Microsoft for more than $8 billion.

After the pitches, the entrepreneurs mingled with investors. No one got investment on the spot, but most are hopeful and are following up with meetings next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders on trade deficits and import duty evasion are a sign that Washington plans to move away from free trade and international agreements, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday.

Trump instructed his administration on Friday to study the causes of U.S. trade deficits and clamp down on countries that abuse trade rules in two executive orders he said would open a new chapter for U.S. workers and businesses.

Zypries said that while the executive orders were initially only reviews, "they show, however, that the U.S. obviously wants to move away from free trade and trade agreements."

"We must seek constructive dialogue and explain that the reasons for the U.S. trade deficit are not just abroad," the minister said, adding that she would raise the issue in talks with U.S. counterparts during a trip to Washington in May.

For years, the United States has been importing more goods from Germany than it exports to Europe's biggest economy, due to the relatively strong competitiveness of German firms and the high demand among U.S. customers for 'Made in Germany' goods.

The resulting U.S. trade deficit with Germany has nearly doubled in the past 10 years from some 28.8 billion euros in 2006 to 49 billion euros in 2016, according to data from Germany's Federal Statistics Office.

Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused Germany of exploiting other countries through a "grossly undervalued" euro.

This sparked a sharp response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said the European Central Bank is in charge of the euro and the central bank is a politically independent body.

In a further sign of increased tensions between Germany and the United States, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel urged the European Union on Friday to consider filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the United States over its plan to impose duties on imports of steel plate from five EU member states.
The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices murdered 20 devotees after intoxicating them in eastern Punjab province, police said Sunday, in what officials are calling a cult ritual.



Senior police officer Mohammad Bilal said that the shrine custodian in a village near the city of Sargodha, some 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Multan, was arrested Sunday morning along with four others for killing worshippers with batons and knives. Bilal said another four people remain wounded in critical condition.



A doctor at Sargodha hospital, told the Geo TV channel, that the victims were nude and the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks.



Liaquat Ali Chatta, government administrator of the area, said the custodian, Abdul Waheed, and his four alleged accomplices have been arrested and the matter is being investigated. Chatta said Waheed is a retired government employee and seemed mentally unstable.



Chatta said the custodian was allegedly in the practice of beating and torturing devotees to cleanse them. He said Waheed had confessed to the murders.



Rana Sanaullah, the law minister for the Punjab provincial government, said an initial investigation showed that Waheed had a collection of followers who would regularly visit the shrine and face torture in the name of religious cleansing.



The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohamamd Gujjar. Shamsher Joya, a local police officer, said Waheed would come to the shrine twice a week from Lahore, and his followers would submit to beating and torturing with a red hot iron rod.



Police said the victims were killed at a house adjacent to the shrine and their clothing was found burned.
Conservative Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has won Sunday's presidential election by a wide margin, affirming his control over political life in a country seeking warmer relations with the West while strengthening ties with traditional ally Russia.

Independent pollsters late Sunday showed the 47-year-old Vucic carrying about 55 percent of the vote, assuring an outright first-round victory by pulling more than the required 50 percent.His nearest rival, opposition candidate Sasa Jankovic, was carrying just over 16 percent.

Vucic, a trained lawyer, has since 2008 pushed for Serbia's entry into the European Union, signaling a dramatic shift from his ultra-nationalist stance of the 1990s as a member of the far-right Serbian Radical Party.

He joined that party in 1993, rising to prominence with fiery speeches in which he defended the actions of ethnic Serb forces and their leaders during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.

In 2008, however, he shocked political analysts and pundits when he split from the Radicals to co-launch a center-right Progressive Party that advocated cooperation with the West.

He further stunned supporters that year when he reframed the 1995 Serb massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica as a "horrible crime," after defending the wartime genocide for more than a decade.

He also has pushed for improving ties with former foe Kosovo - a key European requirement for Belgrade's entry into the 28-nation trade bloc.

Vucic was named deputy prime minister in 2012 following the election win of his Serbian Progressive Party, and became prime minister two years later.

He is widely expected to name an ally to the post of prime minister and then transform the presidency from a ceremonial role to an office in which he can control policy-making and political life in general in the country of 7.2 million residents.
Somalias new prime minister, Hassan Ali-Khaire, said he is mobilizing his government to tackle corruption and vowed to make the fight against misconduct a non-negotiable principle in his administration.



Speaking at an official handover ceremony from the outgoing finance minister, Mohamed Adan Ibrahim "Farketi", to the new minister, Abdirahman Duale Beyle, Khaire expressed his concerns about the need for Somalia to be governed on transparency principles.



I and the president will never accept public property embezzlement, and we will crusade against those involving corruption, he said. Where there is a corruption, there will never be an achievement.



For nearly two decades, Somalia has been among the world's most corrupt countries and on the top of the list of the corruption watchdog Transparency International.



Sick mentality



Nepotism, favoritism, bribery, the public fund and aid embezzlement has been a commonplace across all sectors, making many citizens to start believing that corruption is a normal way of life.



Prime Minister Khaire warned his new cabinet members about corruption.



You have been trusted with the public tax, and you must avoid all kinds of corruption. Let us eradicate that sick mentality, Khaire said.



Somalia is an aid-dependent nation. Locally, the government receives meager resources from taxes on import and export goods at Mogadishus seaport and airports, but experts say most of the revenue is stolen.



It is a shame that Somali government could not pay the salaries of its staff members and security forces while it could have some source of income. I think the reason is mismanagement of the public funds, Khaire said.



Declaration of assets



On Thursday, holding their first meeting, Prime Minister Khaire told his new cabinet and other public servants to declare their assets as a part of his governments anti-corruption effort.



The officials for public offices will submit their assets report to the prime minister and they will be periodically revisited to make sure they are free of corruption, Somalias information minister, Abdurahman Omar Osman, told VOA Somali.



The main aim of the declaration of assets is to prevent corruption and to increase transparency and the trust of the public administration, Osman said.



Alongside this effort the new Somali government is struggling to assert its authority across the country as it deals with a devastating drought and terror from militants.
A journalist from the independent Somali television station Goobjoog was abducted at gunpoint Saturday outside Mogadishu after receiving threatening phone calls overnight, his wife said.

Television news producer Hanad Ali Guled was outside his home and headed to work when six masked men kidnapped him early Saturday.

Ahmedwali Hussein, an editor at the station, said Guled called his family from an unknown location and told them he was being tortured.

In a post on its website, Goobjoog said the threats Guled received were related to his work on drought-relief campaigns. Guled is the co-founder of Media for Aid, a program aimed at encouraging people to help drought victims.

No one so far has claimed responsibility for the abduction. Goobjoog is calling for his immediate release.
President Donald Trump fueled the growing controversy surrounding Russia's alleged involvement in November's presidential election with attacks on NBC News and the network's political director, Chuck Todd.

In two Saturday morning tweets, Trump mocked Todd's appearance, criticized the network for not providing more coverage of unproven assertions that President Barack Obama wiretapped his campaign, and called on NBC to stop covering Russia's interference in the election.



The White House, meanwhile, sent mixed messages Friday about former national security adviser Michael Flynn's conditional offer to cooperate with congressional investigators looking into contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign advisers and Russia.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters at his daily media briefing he was "not going to give Mike Flynn or anybody legal advice from the podium" about whether he should testify before congressional committees if granted immunity from prosecution.

Spicer's remark was in contrast to a tweet earlier in the day from Trump that agreed Flynn should seek immunity for testifying in what he likened to politically motivated harassment campaigns.



Asked whether the White House was concerned Flynn had information that could be damaging to the Trump administration, Spicer tersely responded, "Nope."

News accounts circulated Thursday that Flynn was in talks with the House and Senate intelligence committees to try to get a promise of immunity, but that no one had agreed to his terms.

"General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit,'' Flynn's attorney, Robert Kelner, said in a statement issued later Thursday.

Kelner added, "No reasonable person ... would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch-hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution."

'Grave and momentous step'

The highest-ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, issued a statement Friday describing Flynn's request for immunity as "a grave and momentous step" for a former senior administration official.

Schiff added it would be premature to grant Flynn's request. "There is still much work and many more witnesses and documents to obtain before any immunity request from any witness can be considered," he said.

Before granting immunity to Flynn, Schiff said, the committee would first need "a detailed proffer of any intended testimony."

Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, was forced to resign as one of Trump's closest advisers after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak.

The congressional committees are looking into whether any associates of Trump may have coordinated with agents of the Russian government seeking to meddle in last year's presidential election.

Disinformation campaign

Experts told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday that Russia had pulled off an unprecedented and wildly successful campaign to influence America's political conversation during the election campaign.

"Russia hopes to win the second Cold War through the force of politics, as opposed to the politics of force," said cybersecurity expert Clinton Watts of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a global policy research group in Philadelphia. Watts detailed Russia's use of cyberattacks and an elaborate disinformation campaign to confuse U.S. voters and pit Americans against each other.

The testimony confirmed what lawmakers of both parties have been saying for months. "Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a deliberate campaign carefully constructed to undermine our election," said the committee's top Democrat, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia.

Ahead of the open hearing, Putin blasted accusations of Russian electoral meddling as "provocations and lies." Asked on a television program whether Moscow had tried to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, Putin said, "Read my lips: No."

Witnesses before the Intelligence Committee described voluminous and incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.

"We've got 10 years of observation here," said Kevin Mandia, chief executive officer of the U.S.-based cybersecurity firm FireEye. "It absolutely stretches credulity to think they [Russian actors] were not involved."

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida shared an experience from his unsuccessful presidential bid last year.

"Former members of my presidential campaign team who had access to the internal information of my presidential campaign were targeted by the IP addresses with an unknown location within Russia. [The] effort was unsuccessful," Rubio said.

'Exceptional' efforts

"The [Russian] activities in the United States ... do seem to be exceptional," said Georgetown University security and intelligence expert Roy Godson, adding that cyber and disinformation campaigns allow Russian hackers to "hit above their weight" on the world stage.

Watts said Russia was aided last year by U.S. media outlets' extensive reports about material hacked by Russia that appeared on outlets like WikiLeaks, as well as occasions when the Trump campaign parroted disinformation that Moscow had disseminated about his opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton. He added that Russia could one day turn its informational firepower against Trump.

Russia's action "is solely based on what they want to achieve ... whatever the Russian foreign policy objectives are," Watts said. "They will turn on President Trump, as well. They win because they play both sides."

'Following the money'

The hearing was the first of many the committee expects to hold in coming months  some open to the public, but many behind closed doors. Chairman Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, repeatedly has pledged an impartial and exhaustive search for the truth, and he has implored fellow committee members to refrain from partisan jabs.

"If we politicize this process, our efforts will likely fail," Burr said.

Warner echoed the call, saying the goal of the investigation was not to relitigate last year's election, but rather to hold Russia accountable.

But as one Democrat argued, if the committee is determined to bring to light any ties Trump's inner circle may have to Russia, the president himself must release his tax returns.

"They key to a successful investigation is following the money," said Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. "Information about Donald Trump's finances may lead to Russia."

Trump has adamantly denied any links to Russia during or after the campaign, questioned U.S. intelligence about Russian meddling, and accused media outlets of mounting a smear campaign against him. Even so, the White House acknowledged the need for investigations to proceed.
"Well one thing you can say for sure,

We are moving right across the board!"

I spent my first 20 years and 11 months waiting for my 21stBirthday. After I reached that magic number, I no longer had to carry a false ID. (See previous post here) I could legally go into any bar and buy a beer. Of course most of Dekalb County, Georgia was dry at the time so I had to venture to Atlanta to get that first legal beer. (I say legal, because there were a few places in Dekalb County where you could buy packaged Beer without an ID)After that magic date, I never much worried about birthdays or age again until the I retired at 59 year old. After that, I won't say everything went down hill, but it started to pick up speed for the next 6 years. Then the ID thing came back into the scenario. At 65 years old I had to prove to my doctors that Uncle Sam and all you young Tax Paying Turks had my back regarding medical coverage. I am not alone though. The Affordable Health Care act requires everyone to have Health Insurance regardless of age. I am not sure if it a right or a privilege, but we are all in the same boat now. Am I the only one who finds that somewhat ironic?Well in 2008, I moved into an. For those unaware of that term, it means that you are old (55+) but you still feel and act young. It also means that you can have a neighborhood specifically for those with a few gray hairs. (regardless if they are visible or not) For that reason, the government had to pass the HOPA law in 1995. ( Housing for Older Persons Act ) That law was required to get around the age discrimination laws and allow older citizens to congregate without being of violation of the ( Civil Rights Act of 1964. "Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;" The act was later amended to include age. ( 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 Why is this important you ask? Or do you? Well, Every two years I have to appear before a duly authorized representative of our neighborhood HOA and present my affidavit. I also must show them my ID to prove that I am old enough to live in this COMMUNITY. Below is the letter and affidavit that is required to stay on good terms with Uncle Sam and his enforcers.Now that I am in full age compliance with the law, I amwondering what the heck happened to a couple of thoseI use to live in. I have written about that before Here and here. A quick internet search shows that one of them is still around, but the pool has been filled in and the... well you get the point. I have been unable to find any legal basis for the, but it was the 1970s and no one tended to get over excited about legal nuances then.Oak Creek was the second apartment. The first apartment was 'Mountain Trace.' That was where four recently discharged soldiers shared a three bedroom apartment. It was not really aapartment, and that is one reason we were only there for one year. The other reason was we were all suffering from a lack of funds as a result of two divorces in the group. We each had his very own high wattage stereo set and speakers. We could move furniture around the room when we cranked up the volume, which caused our full blooded Cherokee Indian neighbor downstairs to offer a suggestion or two. (I have not posted that story here on BCN.......yet!) I forgot if we were asked to leave or left on our own volition. I drove by there two years ago and it was boarded up pending demolition. Google Earth street level today shows that the demolition is complete and site preparation is under way. Based on the picture of the site below, I would be willing to bet that they needed a Hazmat team come in to clean up the residual DNA ????? evidence.I might add that life in my current neighborhood is somewhat similar to the old apartments above. There is not a month goes by that someone in the neighborhood becomesYou have to either laugh or cry, I choose to laugh. It reminds me of my high school buddy's saying which has often been repeated over the years, whenever we had a setback orHe would say:While reviewing our resumes last week at lunch he once again repeated the phrase. It is still as true now as it was then.

Grandpa's Diaries - Aging
Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia) activity update: eruption continues from both summit and flank lava lake

Sun, 2 Apr 2017, 17:04 17:04 PM | BY: T 17:04 PM | BY: T

Erta Ale's eruption on SENTINEL 2 satellite imagery on March 30th (image: SENTINEL2 / ESA-Copernicus data; Composition / annotations: Culture Volcan)

The flank lava lake and boundaries of the area covered by lava overflow since 10 March (image: SENTINEL2 / ESA / Copernicus; Composition / annotations: Culture Volcan)

The activity remains very elevated at the volcano. Since the start of the (still ongoing) flank eruption in January, a second lava lake has formed at the flank eruption site and a growing lava field is active about 2-3 km northeast of it.According to ground information and fresh high-resolution satellite imagery analyzed by Culture Volcan , the eruption continues to be significant and occurs from both the summit (lava lake in the southern pit crater) AND the fissure eruption site on the southern rift axis.The summit lava lake, which first had dropped to about 100 m depth at the beginning of the flank eruption, had again risen to 40-50 m below its rim when observed by our latest group to the area in late February. The collapsed northern crater showed a short-lived heat signal around 10 March, suggesting a brief phase of activity (lava effusion ?) there, but this seems to have ceased.The most significant activity is occurring on the southern rift at the site of the 21 Jan fissure eruption. The vents feed both a large second lava lake, approx. 175x80m wide, and a growing lava flow field to the northeast, with a width of approx. 1500 m and its most advanced from about 3500 m distance.A gap in thermal signal between the lava lake and the active flow field, likely pahoehoe type similar to Kilauea volcano on Hawaii, suggests that the lava flows through a tube on the first part of the distance to the front.Successive overflows of the flank lava lake seem to have progressively built up a vast, broad shield around it. Judging from satellite data, overflows from the lake have covered an area of almost 1 million square meters.


A molten-salt solar thermal tower in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The project, near the city of Calama, belongs to the Cerro Dominador energy company and will be the first concentrated-solar plant to go online in South America. (Tamara Merino /For The Washington Post)

On the solar farms of the Atacama Desert, the workers dress like astronauts. They wear bodysuits and wraparound sunglasses, with thick canvas headscarves to shield them from the radiation.

The sun is so intense and the air so dry that seemingly nothing survives. Across vast, rocky wastes blanched of color, there are no cactuses or other visible signs of life. It is Mars, with better cellphone reception.

It is also the worlds best place to produce solar energy, with the most potent sun power on the planet.

So powerful, in fact, that something extraordinary happened last year when the Chilean government invited utility companies to bid on public contracts. Solar producers dominated the auction, offering to supply electricity at about half the cost of coal-fired plants.

It wasnt because of a government subsidy for alternative energy. In Chile and a growing list of nations, the price of solar energy has fallen so much that it is increasingly beating out conventional sources of power. Industry experts and government regulators hail this moment as a turning point in the history of human electricity-making.

This is the beginning of a trend that will only accelerate, said Chilean Energy Minister Andres Rebolledo. Were talking about an infinite fuel source.

(The Washington Post)

President Trump ordered U.S. regulators this week to reverse Obama-era policies aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and he has promised to bring back the U.S. coal industry. But construction of coal-fired power plants dropped 62 percent over the past year worldwide, according to a survey by the Sierra Club and other activist groups. In China last year, the number of new permits for coal-fired plants fell by 85 percent.

More worldwide generating capacity is being added from clean sources than coal and natural gas combined, according to a December report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, which closely tracks investment in renewable energy.

An investor in Chile wanting to build a hydroelectric dam or coal-fired plant potentially faces years of costly political battles and fierce resistance from nearby communities. In contrast, a solar company can lay out acres of automated sun-tracking panels across an isolated stretch of desert and have them firing quiet, clean electricity in less than a year, with no worries about fluctuating fuel prices or droughts. The sunlight is free and shows up for work on time, every morning.

Long dependent on energy imports, Chilean officials now envision their country turning into a solar Saudi Arabia. Chiles solar energy production has increased sixfold since 2014, and last year it was the top-scoring clean-energy producer in the Americas, and second in the world to China, according to the Bloomberg rankings. (China is the worlds largest producer of greenhouse gases but also the leading investor in renewable energy.)

Driving the global shift to cheap sun power is a dramatic decline in the cost of the photovoltaic (PV) panels that can be used to create giant desert solar farms or rooftop home installations. China produces more than two-thirds of the worlds PV panels, and their price has fallen more than 80 percent since 2008.

If the trend does indeed symbolize a turning point, that doesnt mean every country is on board with the global green-energy conversion.

Trumps executive order this week rolled back restrictions on the coal industry and struck down a slew of other measures intended to limit carbon emissions, including requirements that federal officials take climate change into account when making regulatory decisions.

Electricity production is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and more than two-thirds is generated from fossil-fuel sources, according to the most recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The United States last year pledged with other members of the Group of 7 nations to phase out subsidies for oil, gas and coal by 2025.

But meeting such goals remains politically contentious in the United States, with an existing network of conventional power plants and jobs that depend on them. Nations such as Chile can take a different path.

Chile is adding solar plants because they fulfill the countrys goal of 60 percent clean energy by the year 2035. But mostly it is adding them because no other energy source can compete with the awesome sun power of the Atacama Desert.



Local workers clean insulators at the Cerro Dominador solar plants booster substation. The substation raises the voltage to the 220 kv needed to connect to the grid. (Tamara Merino /For The Washington Post)

Like plugging into the sun

Unlike many of South Americas other major countries, Chile has virtually no oil or gas deposits. With a heavy dependence on imported fuel, Chileans have been paying some of the highest electricity rates in the region, but prices are falling as renewable sources come online.

The Atacama is well-suited to solar energy production for the same reasons astronomers put high-powered telescopes in northern Chile for the clearest possible Earth-based views of the cosmos.

In nations such as Japan and Germany, which are some of the world leaders in solar-energy production, the suns rays are partly diffused by water molecules floating in the air, even on days when it isnt cloudy.

But in the super-dry Atacama, where it virtually never rains, the photons beam straight down. Put a solar panel beneath them and its like plugging into the sun.

At the Finis Terrae solar plant near the tiny town of Maria Elena, more than 500,000 PV panels blanket the desert. The 160-megawatt plant was the largest solar installation in Latin America when it went online last summer, capable of powering nearly 200,000 homes. Since then, another Chilean plant has surpassed it.

Outside the plants operations center, a worker-safety chart rated the days ultraviolet radiation levels on a scale of one to 10. Eleven, it read. Extreme.

Compared with the Arabian, Sahara and Australian deserts, the Atacama Desert has the highest levels of direct normal irradiation, the key component of the suns rays for energy production, said Salvatore Bernabei, the head of renewable energies for Latin America at Enel, an Italian multinational that owns the plant.

The radiation is so intense that no one is really sure how long standard-issue PV panels  which are designed to last 25 years  will be able to withstand it. One solar plant here had to replace most of its exposed cables after six months because the radiation fried their insulation.

Another problem solar companies are facing is the desert soil. In the afternoons, writhing dust devils zigzag across the desert floor, sprinkling particles onto the panels and reducing their output. Plant managers try to keep them clean using specially outfitted tractors with long wiper-arms, but theres little water available.

Chilean energy officials say these challenges are relatively minor. The country derives about 6 percent of its energy from solar, but the potential of the Atacama is so great that Chile could generate all of its electricity with about 4 percent of the deserts surface area, if there were a way to efficiently store and distribute that energy.

Weve been thinking for so long that were poor in energy resources, but were really rich, said Rodrigo Mancilla, who leads a commission on solar power at Chiles Ministry of Energy.



Ignacio Munoz, who works in the risk-prevention department at the Cerro Dominador solar plant, checks the heliostat array surrounding the solar thermal tower. (Tamara Merino/For The Washington Post)



A tractor is used to clean the photovoltaic panels at Finis Terrae solar park near Calama. Strong desert winds stir up dust that coats the panels, reducing their energy output. (Tamara Merino/For The Washington Post)

A worker observes installation work being performed at a substation at the Cerro Dominador solar plant. (Tamara Merino/For The Washington Post)

Overcoming problems

Chile is by far the worlds largest copper producer, and in the dusty towns of the Atacama, tough-looking miners are now joined at the bars by solar workers in coveralls with logos promoting Green Power.

The region has a wildcatter feel to it. So many companies have raced to set up solar plants that theyve essentially outpaced the electrical grids ability to absorb their electricity output. At times of peak radiation in recent months, theyve had to give away sun power virtually free.

Chilean officials say the problem will be overcome this year when the countrys northern power grid will finally be linked to the larger central grid, which serves most of the countrys residential consumers. In theory, that will allow the system to draw more heavily on sun power during the day and save sources such as hydropower and coal for the evenings, when the solar plants are useless.

Still, this remains the biggest knock on renewable energy sources: They cannot produce reliable, round-the-clock power.

Conventional plants using coal or other fuels cant be turned on and off like a light switch. So they have to keep running during the day, when theyre far less competitive, and try to make up the difference at night.

A company looking to bridge this gap in Chile is building Latin Americas first solar thermal plant. You can see its solitary tower rising from the desert for miles around, like some sort of alien religious shrine. At nearly 700 feet, it is the second-tallest building in Chile.

Instead of PV panels, the solar thermal plant will have 10,000 giant, rotating mirrors set in concentric circles around the tower. They will concentrate the suns rays on a huge boiler at the top of the tower, filled with molten salts, that reaches more than 1,000 degrees and glows like the Eye of Sauron in The Lord of the Rings.

The superheated salts ooze downward to steam turbines at the base of the tower, retaining enough energy to generate electricity all night. Its essentially a giant, $1.4 billion rechargeable battery.

The plants owner, Cerro Dominador, a subsidiary of U.S.-based EIG Global Energy Partners, says it will be completed in 2019. Larger solar thermal facilities based on the technology are in operation in California, and Chile has issued permits for others.

Ivan Araneda, the companys top executive, said such solar thermal facilities can transform the industry.

The attack on renewables is that theyre too expensive, but this is efficient, proven technology, Araneda said. On an even playing field, renewables can compete with anything.

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Cover art for Rockabye Babys album "Lullaby Renditions of Beyonce," which was released in February. (Rockabye Baby)

Pro tip for aspiring PR executives: If youre ever announcing a Beyonce-themed baby product, try to do so just days before she Instagrams her pregnancy.

Such was the most recent stroke of good news in the potent, enduring tale of the Rockabye Baby series, which for 11 years and 78 albums has tried to alleviate one of the worst parts of being a parent  the music  with lullabied instrumental covers of songs from, you know, real bands. The Beyonce version is the latest in a list that includes Prince, the Beatles, Springsteen, the Pixies, David Bowie, Eminem, the Cure, Guns N Roses, Rush, Kanye West, Radiohead, Adele, Cyndi Lauper, Tool and Iron Maiden. (If you think you had a weird day at work, imagine trying to coax The Number of the Beast out of a harp and glockenspiel.)

In its field, the Rockabye Baby series has carved out a Weird Al-esque dominance: 1.6 million units sold, 1.8 million single-track downloads and 130 million streams, although, to be fair, some of those might be from parents who have totally nodded off. Rockabyes wares  branded by a decade-old design template and teddy bear mascot  are prominent in boutiques and baby shops nationwide. Steven Tyler and Joe Elliott wrote liner notes for their bands versions; Elton John and Metallicas Kirk Hammett have gushed to the media. And the companys approach is a sweet marketing dream: Infants drift off to calming, twinkly soothe music, parents get to preserve some version of their pre-Honda Odyssey selves, Pitchfork gets to post the planets most huggable LCD Soundsystem cover, and everyone goes to sleep happy.

The obvious audience is the parent-slash-music-fan who has a sense of irony, says Lisa Roth, executive producer of the series. The musical palette is for the baby, but the packaging and homage to the artist is for the adults.

The Beyonce installment, released Feb. 24 and produced and performed by Andrew Bissell, includes definitive marimba-and-glockenspiel versions of Hold Up, Sorry, Drunk in Love and other songs that would get pretty much anyone fired from a day care. That said, its fairly shocking how well the melody of Single Ladies translates to bells and a xylophone.

Roth says thats the sweet spot  the intersection between irony and rebellion, pre-baby rage with post-baby softness, the desire to raise thoughtful, fulfilled children with the reluctance to commit oneself entirely to bottle warmers and baggies of Goldfish.

When youre a parent, theres a part of you that gets put on the back burner, she says. I like to think were a little bridge between the person you were pre-baby and the person you think you have to become post-baby.

The Beyonce lullaby record wasnt pegged to the queens pregnancy  Roth found out about it on Instagram, just like all of us. And Beyonce would have gotten a lot of attention anyway. It was just super-with-a-cherry-on-top lucky, Roth says. Pitchfork and Okayplayer blogged positively about the fetus-appropriate version of Single Ladies; NPR premiered Hold Up online.

So much of the kid-friendly music out there is super commercial or obnoxiously saccharine and painfully grating, says Robin Hilton of NPRs All Songs Considered. But these tinkling little instrumentals are oddly comforting. A large part of the appeal is the simple novelty of it all. But these are also really deftly arranged. They stand on their own. They also tap into the kinds of bands parents today would have listened to growing up, so theres a real nostalgia factor.

Theres also the factor of being spectacularly marketed. The series is part of the CMH Label Group, the 45-year-old bluegrass-and-roots indie that houses the Vitamin String Quartet and the Pickin On series, which similarly reboot rock/pop songs into orchestral and bluegrass numbers. I always call it an idea company, not a record label, Roth says. We produce concept brands.

Roth  the sister of David Lee  didnt grow up an especially lively rock fan, skewing more to the 60s Motown and Stax sounds. But when she launched Rockabye Baby in 2006, she knew the metal angle would draw eyeballs.  Lullaby Renditions of Nine Inch Nails is way better than Lullaby Renditions of James Taylor,  she says, laughing.

CMH initially took the traditional route for Rockabye Baby, planting product in traditional music and big-box stores. But sales came in well below expectations, and attention proved hard to come by, particularly in a decaying record industry that was commanding less and less real estate in a Walmart. On the advice of a consultant named Francie Kaplan, who had worked with Disney and Mattel, Roth tossed aside 30 years of marketing history, moved Rockabye Baby to upscale boutiques and specialty shops, and she maintained its premium pricing, aiming the albums squarely at the quietly seething demographic of parents unprepared for a full plunge into Radio Disney. Kaplan helped with the branding, the look, the sound, everything, Roth says. Slowly but surely it came together in that first couple of years.

The branding was a coup. Almost all Rockabye Baby releases sport the same design, typography and color palette. They also are lousy with puns  the Beyonce edition depicts the mascot-teddy in a black Formation hat drawn low. This is a standing gag and part of Rockabye Babys branding  the Bob Marley edition is a parody of the Burnin  cover, David Bowies bears an Aladdin Sane lightning bolt and Pearl Jams is the Ten-era Alive guy redrawn in cuddly bear form. (Three guesses at to what the cover looks like for Lullaby Renditions of Songs From Hamilton,  released March 31.)

Aside from Bissell, who also worked on Blur, Bon Jovi and the Police, the producers charged with finding the infant-appropriate melodies lurking beneath Kanye Wests Gold Digger and AC/DCs Rock and Roll Aint Noise Pollution include Steven Boone and Leo Flynn, who have been with the series since its conception. In the transformation process, if something strikes me as funny, I know were getting somewhere, Flynn says.

An MTV baby who studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Flynn got into writing, arranging and production as part of a study track that prized diversity  working within any kind of parameters a gig could throw at you, he says. As such, he was one of a few people on Earth for whom a job turning Queen into baby music made perfect sense.

To take this piece of heavy metal music and turn it into this diametric opposite while making sure its perfectly identifiable  I couldnt resist the challenge. Its what I trained for, he says.

It takes about a year to get what Roth calls the perfect clunk and tinkle  the Goldilocks zone between rock rebellion and night-night calm. We dont take making lullabies lightly around here, she says.

The process begins with dismantling the original track in search of its intention. Then its: How do I get that intention across in little short, plucky notes? Its a lot of musical information to crunch, says Flynn, who adds that his initial attempts on tracks by Queen and Kanye West came off as too aggressive and too noisy, with too many things hitting at once. So the process became more about taking away. Youre trying to tone down the number of things going on, while trying to preserve the identifying parts, he says. Final versions go back to Roth and production partner James Curtis for eight to 12 rounds of revisions.

Flynns hardest project was  wait for it  Van Halen, which Roth waited awhile before attempting. (You dont mix family and business, she says, laughing, at least not this family.) The problem for Flynn was the best part of Van Halen  two searing focal points that demand your attention. The guitar is very much the feature, he says, but the vocals are the protagonist of the story, so your ear naturally goes to those. I really ended up in awe of how that band works. (For the record, Roth says her brother loved the final version, which is available on the official Van Halen Web store.)

Van Halen was one episode in Flynns constant challenge  crafting tracks that appeal to parents and the valuable 0-2 demographic. Youre putting together a rock or a hip-hop track, as well as this beautiful little piece of music, and you hope youre pulling off both, he says.

If the music gets too heavy  a constant concern when dealing with Iron Maiden  theyll throw in an ambient sound effect  a blowing breeze, a chirping frog. Even though were in the bowels of a heavy, dark song, Flynn says, it reminds us that were in this whimsical lullaby world. He applied this treatment to a just-finished Doors edition; next up is the Beastie Boys.

Which leads to an obvious question: Are there bands that cant be lullabied?

Never, Roth says. You would think a band like Black Sabbath thats all minor chords, or somebody like Kanye, who sometimes raps with the melody missing, would be a challenge, and they were. But thats the art of it  if we may say so ourselves, there is an art form here.

Roth pauses for a moment. Well, maybe a spoken-word William Shatner recording. That would be hard to translate. She laughs. Maybe, but the cover would be amazing.
It isnt quite Fargo, the Musical, but Midwestern Gothic attempts to dance right up to the edge of Coen brothers territory, with maybe a quick two-step and a hop over to the land of David Lynch.

The shows creators, Royce Vavrek and Josh Schmidt, are in the business in this Signature Theatre world premiere of piercing the flat surface of Americas heartland via a jagged new musical about ids unleashed with malice aforethought. Owing, though, to a story and score more invested in setting a tone than sculpting a plot, the work remains too unfocused, its murkiness more a hindrance than an asset.

Thats a shame, because embedded in Midwestern Gothic are intriguing conceits, one of them being the ways in which the musical twists our perceptions of horror archetypes  in particular, that of the naive, imperiled ingenue. Here, shes anything but innocent, and in the casting of the persuasive Morgan Keene, the archetype is turned totally on its head: Its as if Ann-Margret had been chosen to play the role of Hannibal Lecter.

The helter-skelter plot has principally to do with Keenes Stina, a bored teenager with a mostly absent mother (Sherri L. Edelen) and a creepy stepfather (Timothy J. Alex), who gratifies himself while watching a jewelry shopping channel and entertaining designs on the girl left in his charge. As it turns out, Stina harbors her own confused, dark fantasies, inspired by images of Hollywood sex kittens and stoked by the four hired boys of her imaginary entourage (Evan Casey, Jp Sisneros, Chris Sizemore, Stephen Gregory Smith).

The things people get up to in their spare time! Director Matthew Gardiner and his design team imbue Signatures smaller space, the Ark, with the look and feel of a barren world loaded with terrible secrets  too many of which are kept sequestered from the audience. The show begins with a pair of songs that establish the states of mind of Stina (In Yellow) and Alexs Red (A Million Poses) and the evenings languid pace. She sets my heart a-racin/ Gonna beat itself to death, Red sings in one of the many brooding rock melodies by Vavrek and Schmidt.

Composer Schmidt, working with co-lyricist and book writer Vavrek, fails in these and other numbers to summon with much vibrant color the tension between these two pivotal characters; this remains a problem throughout the show. What were to make of them, and particularly of the manipulative Stina  who ropes into her odd, malevolent schemes a local boob (Sam Ludwig)  is never brought entertainingly to light. An audience begins to lose hope, and interest, well before the bloodiest business has a chance to start.

The cast is up to its assignments; Rachel Zampelli is particularly deft in the role of a barfly who goes home in the wrong pickup, and Alex, Edelen and Bobby Smith fully inhabit their portrayals of characters who in one manner or another pay for their dealings with Stina.

One issue becomes crystal clear over the hour and 40 minutes of Midwestern Gothic: Theres work still to be done here by Vavrek and Schmidt, the latter the composer of the scalding Adding Machine: A Musical that made a blistering impact at Studio Theatre several years ago. For the moment, its a cold show that doesnt meet the quota for chills.

Midwestern Gothic, book by Royce Vavrek, music by Josh Schmidt, lyrics by Vavrek and Schmidt. Directed and choreographed by Matthew Gardiner. Set, Misha Kachman; costumes, Ivania Stack; lighting, Colin K. Bills; sound, Ryan Hickey; music direction, Timothy Splain. About 100 minutes. Tickets, $40-$98. Through April 30 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Visit sigtheatre.org or call 703-820-9771.
Editors Note: This column has been updated to include the fact that a Washington Post reporter is one of the five members of Concerned Parents of Lafayette, the group that wrote the critical letter to Lafayette Elementary School Principal Carrie Broquard.

Parental revolts in successful schools dont happen often. But when they do, they are worth reporting. If a school is alienating smart and involved parents, that can affect morale. Administrators in many schools need to listen more to parents than they do.

The Washington area school I have been getting the most negative vibes from recently is Lafayette Elementary in Northwest Washington, a lovely, newly renovated campus with many trees. Only 4 percent of its students are from low-income families. Its test scores are among the highest in the city.

Criticism of the school emerged last fall in a letter to Carrie Broquard, who is in her third year as principal, from a group calling itself Concerned Parents of Lafayette. The letter complained of inappropriate discipline, resistance to parent involvement, unchallenging lessons and failure to keep experienced, effective teachers.

We see the administration emphasizing rules, curriculum and policies designed for a school that we do not recognize, the letter said. The curriculum increasingly appears to be lowered, rather than made more challenging for students who are consistently high performers. The discipline and behavior programs feel heavy-handed and inappropriate for an elementary school brimming with bright, attentive young children. Policies that keep parents from observing classrooms and visiting the school send the wrong message, treat parents as if they are not relevant stakeholders and discourage valuable volunteer opportunities.

The letter said some teachers withhold recess as a punishment and most students are getting only half the physical education time required by D.C. law. Children are sometimes penalized for talking, waving or saying hi to friends and parents they know when walking through the halls, it said. The school sometimes insists that children be silent during part of lunch.

The letter, dated Sept. 27, was signed by just five parents but claimed to represent the views of dozens of parents at the 700-student school. [One of those parents is Post staffer Carol D. Leonnig]. It is impossible to know how many others endorsed it. I became aware of the letter recently through multiple sources and found it notable because the school has long been highly regarded.

Through a spokeswoman for D.C. Public Schools, Broquard declined to comment.

The spokeswoman, Michelle Lerner, said the letter was wrong about the curriculum, openness to parental involvement and the loss of good teachers. She did not comment on the letters concern about heavy-handed discipline and reduction of time for physical education.

Lerner said the school welcomes parents to parent-centered lessons regularly. Some parents said they found those sessions of limited value.

A parents Freedom of Information Act request revealed that 20 percent of Lafayette classroom teachers left the school last year, a finding that the school system did not dispute. Documents the parent obtained through that request also showed that teacher satisfaction with the school had dropped from 100 percent to 64 percent.

Lerner said the silent lunch is just four minutes of quiet time to eat their food and have a calm moment before students are allowed to talk and make noise. Some parents who have observed the lunch say the no-talking period is often longer than that and their children hate it.

Parent Jamie Davis Smith said when she approached Broquard about this and other issues, the principal said if her children were having problems at the school it was her fault for not being on the same page as the school.

Parent Josh Gordon said some problems the letter raised persist. He said Broquard doesnt entirely believe . . . dissatisfaction among parents is worth noting and understanding.

Broquard is a former science teacher with a terrific resume. Through the Home and School Association, she advertises Dr. B Office Hours for parents who want to chat with her one-on-one. Many give her warm reviews. Aura Kanegis said one difficult morning Broquard came up and said, You look like you need a hug. Kanegis said she is incredibly tuned in to the difficulties of a working parent.

This is Broquards first principalship. All rookies make mistakes. Someone at district headquarters should be helping her out. Educators, like most professionals, tend to resist advice from non-educators. But unhappy parents at a D.C. school as great as Lafayette, as well as the citys other schools, should be listened to.
Higher Education

Aid application tool shut down until fall

An online resource that makes it easier for students to apply for college scholarships, grants and loans will be out of commission until next school year, putting many at risk of losing out on financial aid.

Families filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid have come to rely on the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool to speed up the process. The Web-based resource lets people upload tax-return information and eliminate tedious paperwork, but the IRS and the U.S. Education Department recently disabled the tool, citing suspicious activity by hackers.

On Thursday, the federal agencies said the tool will remain offline until October as extra security protections are put in place. The IRS shut down the tool after identity thieves tried to use personal information from it to file fraudulent tax returns.

 Danielle Douglas-Gabriel
Montgomery County Council members, seen at a 2014 swearing-in ceremony, want to boost security at the boards Rockville office. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

The Montgomery County Council wants to place security checkpoints at entrances to its Rockville office building for the first time, a telling concession for a government that takes great pride in the civility of its political discourse.

This is a reality of life now, said Council President Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda), alluding to the heightened political rhetoric across the country and a spate of well-publicized bomb threats and attacks in public places. And we have to not put our heads in the sand and have a situation arise where we are putting people at risk.

The council is proposing walk-through metal detectors and guards to check bags at its East Jefferson Street entrances, measures already in place at local courthouses and at government headquarters buildings in Prince Georges County and the District.

Montgomerys Executive Office Building, which is a block away and houses offices for County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and many agencies, is not included in the proposal. Patrick Lacefield, Leggetts spokesman, said the multiple entrances to the building  through the main lobby, terrace and two garage levels  make adding checkpoints too costly.

Access to Leggetts second floor office from the stairway is controlled by a door card. The sliding-door entrance to his office is locked from the outside and controlled by a receptionist.

The council building has similar protections in place. Police officers are present at virtually every legislative session. Access to members offices and those of their staff is controlled by door cards. But members said the time has come for another layer of safety.

Ive been trying to get this in place for years, said Council member Nancy Floreen (D-At Large), noting that the measures have been recommended multiple times by Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.

The legislative process can be grindingly slow, but council members are moving with dispatch on this issue.

The $300,000 proposal, introduced last week, has a public hearing and vote scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The money would come in the form of a special appropriation to the current operating budget, which the county charter says is to be used to meet an unforeseen disaster or other emergency, or to act without delay in the public interest.

The checkpoints at the East Jefferson Street entrances could be in operation by the middle of next month.

Only people with access cards would be able to enter the council buildings main entrance on Maryland Avenue, which has stairs and is not in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The appropriation covers the equipment for the checkpoints, an awning to shield people from the elements at one entrance, and operating costs for the final two months of the current fiscal year. It will cost an estimated $664,000 a year to place three security guards at each checkpoint. The building is open to the public 15 hours a day on weekdays and 10 hours a day on weekends.

Fairfax Countys government building has a metal detector and bag-screening equipment but has never used it, spokesman Tony Castrilli said.

Virginias open-carry law also limits the ability of public officials to screen for firearms and other weapons. (Schools and courthouses are exempted from the law.)

Castrilli said that there are two police officers assigned to every meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors  one in plainclothes.

Its much the same situation in Arlington and Alexandria, but officials in those jurisdictions said there has been no discussion about additional security measures.

Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg (D) said police, security guards and restricted door access, along with some undisclosed safeguards, are adequate.

I think we have a very safe system, she said. Our city is low crime. Were very lucky and very blessed.

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Former NAACP president Benjamin Jealous speaks at the Young Democrats convention in Lanham, Md. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Three prospective candidates for Marylands 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nomination test-marketed some of their messages Saturday for the states Young Democrats, combining attacks on Gov. Larry Hogan (R) with calls for the party to reclaim its voice as an advocate for the middle class.

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, former NAACP president Benjamin Jealous and State Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (Montgomery) all stopped short of formally declaring themselves candidates. But they left little doubt for the audience of about 100, attending the groups annual convention at a conference room in Lanham, that they were edging closer to announcements.

Kamenetz and Madaleno offered up the most direct hits at Hogan. Kamenetz called him a champion of charter schools and vouchers while he underfunded public education. Referring to Hogans recent joint appearance in Montgomery County with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, another charter and voucher advocate, he said: It would be nice if Governor Hogan stood up to Secretary DeVos. But Ive decided he is Secretary DeVos.

Kamenetz, 52, a former Baltimore County Council member, also expressed scorn for Hogans decision to cancel Baltimores Red Line rail project  opting instead for an overhaul of the citys bus system  and for budget cuts that he said turned the proposed Purple Line light rail between Bethesda and New Carrollton into the Lavender Line.

Madaleno, 51, called Hogan Donald Trump in long form, meaning he preferred Facebook to Trumps obsessive tweeting.

It takes a lot more to govern than a good press release and a nice press conference, Madaleno said, adding that the state needed to focus on policies that provided economic security for those in their 20s rather than old white men.

Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer discounted the criticism as empty rhetoric. In general, I would say that partisan politicians say partisan things. The governor is focused on what is best for Maryland.

It was Jealous, who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the 2016 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, who ignited the group. With a commanding voice and the cadences of a preacher, he described an epiphany-like moment as he watched Sanders win over a conservative white audience in southwest Missouri, even as he spoke forcefully about criminal justice revisions needed to curb police violence against young black men.

Jealous, 44, said it was because Sanders had first spoken to the crowd about jobs and economic justice.

Its easy to say youre the party of FDR and MLK and LBJ and talk about civil rights, he said. If you want to build the party, you have to be equally on fire about ending poverty. He urged the young party members to dig down deep and reach into hearts . . . and recognize we have way more in common than we have in differences.

Several Young Democrats said they saw Jealous as the strongest potential opponent for Hogan.

Dominic McAlily, 26, president of the Baltimore Young Democrats (35 is the age limit) called Jealous the icing on the cake.

If he does choose to run, I think he can fire up the base, McAlily said.

I never realized how incredibly good he was, said Jereme Leazier, 32, a member of the Washington County Democratic Central Committee in rural western Maryland.

Each of the three said the party had lost its way in 2014 by not speaking to the middle class. Jealous said Hogans defeat of Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown was not about race (Brown is African American).

That wasnt about race; that was about a campaign. If we are at our best, we can beat Larry Hogan.

Madaleno, the first openly gay man elected to the General Assembly, expressed wonder at the changes since his boyhood in Silver Spring, recalling when lawmakers legalized same-sex marriage in 2012.

I never thought Id be able to walk into the governors mansion and talk about marriage equality with my husband and two sons, he said.

But Democrats stopped talking like Democrats in 2014 and 2016, he said, instead presenting themselves as Republicans who were a little nicer.

We stopped talking about our convictions, he said. We didnt give people a reason to show up [at the polls].

Some other major names said to be considering a gubernatorial run were missing Saturday. Young Democrats of Maryland President Joseph Kitchen said Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III did not respond to an invitation. Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) was not available, Kitchen said.

Other possible candidates were not invited, because they had not reached what Kitchen called a critical mass of interest. These include Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (D-Baltimore), who is also looking at a campaign for state comptroller or governor, Baltimore attorney James L. Shea, and tech entrepreneur Alec Ross, an adviser to Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state.

Despite showing some slippage in a recent Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, Hogan remains enormously popular as he enters his third year in office. He has also amassed more than $5 million for his reelection campaign.
Body was discovered in a stream Saturday by students on beautification project on northern edge of Lake Artemesia Natural Area in the Berwyn Heights/ College Park neighborhood (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post) (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

A body was found in Prince Georges County Saturday by students taking part in a community improvement program, authorities said.

The body was discovered near Lake Artemesia in the Berwyn Heights/College Park area about 9:30 a.m. by University of Maryland students, said Lt. Tracy Lieberman of the Maryland National Capital Park Police.

She said no information was available about the body or the cause of death. The matter has been turned over to the county police, Lieberman said.

The discovery was made near Indian Creek, and the Lake Artemesia parking area at Berwyn Road and 55th Avenue, she said.

The students were volunteering for the 6th annual Good Neighbor Day, a joint effort involving the university and other agencies, including the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission
A fire broke out at a home used by country club staff in Bethesda on Saturday, displacing its 10 residents and killing a dog who was inside, fire officials said Sunday.

Flames erupted about 6:15 p.m. at a house on Congressional County Club grounds, which had been converted into three apartments for use by greens keepers and other personnel. A passerby saw smoke and fire called 911, Montgomery County Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer said.

Piringer said no one was home at the time of the fire, but a neighbor managed to contain it until firefighters arrived. The fire, which originated on the first floor, was under control 15 to 20 minutes after firefighters arrived, Piringer said. Crews also attempted to resuscitate the dog, but it did not survive.

Piringer said the fire was mostly confined to the first floor, but there was heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the home.

The fire is believed to be accidental, he said.
A Montgomery County man shot and wounded a burglary suspect inside his home Saturday morning, the county police said.

Police said the homeowner heard sounds about 2:10 a.m. from the basement of his house in the 11700 block of Tall Pines Drive in t he Germantown area.

Suspecting a burglary, he went to the basement with a gun and found two strangers, police said. When one of them threatened to kill him, he fired twice, apparently hitting the one who made the threat, according to police.

After authorities arrived, officers found a wounded 19-year-old man in the back yard, police said.

The 19-year-old was taken to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, police said

Police said the description of the second suspect was unconfirmed.

No names were released, and police said they are still investigating.
A Prince Georges County man was charged with murder Friday in the fatal stabbing of a Southeast D.C. man last month.

Kenneth Rice, 31, of Suitland, was charged in the March 11 slaying of Dennis Lee Wise, 51.

[Man fatally stabbed in Southeast Saturday]

Police said they arrived at a residence in the 1800 block of Bruce Place SE. about 2:17 a.m. to find Wise suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Police said Rice, who was already jailed on an unrelated charge, was charged with second-degree murder while armed. They declined to specify the charge for which he was already jailed.
Nearly 4,000 immigrants in the Washington region face deportation every year without a lawyer, according to a report that calls on area governments to follow the lead of New York and Los Angeles and provide funding for legal aid to immigrants.

The Center for Popular Democracy, a national nonprofit organization, analyzed thousands of deportation cases at immigration courts in Baltimore and Arlington and found that immigrants were far more likely to prevail if they had a lawyer.

Emily Tucker, an attorney at the center, said the D.C. area is ripe for a legal-aid program, since it is home to the seventh-largest concentration of immigrants in the United States.

[Where immigrants in the D.C. area come from]

Most noncitizen households, which include immigrants here illegally, earn less than $40,000 a year, according to census data.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has proposed a legal aid fund for immigrants. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

In January, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) announced $500,000 in grants to help defend immigrants in court, but advocates say a more robust public and private partnership is needed. Unlike with the criminal-justice system, immigrants who cannot afford a lawyer to fight deportation proceedings are not entitled to one at the governments expense.

Theyre facing permanent exile from their home, permanent separation from their families, friends and their community, Tucker said. Short of long-term incarceration or the death penalty, deportation is one of the most devastating consequences that can befall you in the American legal system.

Nationwide, more than 86 percent of detained immigrants are without a lawyer for deportation proceedings, the report said. Many are jailed in remote locations, have limited access to law books and are not fluent in English.

Critics of illegal immigration say state and local governments should not spend taxpayer money to shield people from deportation. They also note that even legal residents of the United States are not entitled to free lawyers in civil proceedings, such as divorce court.

Its already hard enough to deport illegal immigrants who really deserve to be deported, said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors limits on immigration. The mission of the immigration bar is to obstruct enforcement of the immigration laws, and this is just a way of doing this for pay, or doing it for more pay.

[Undocumented woman, wife of U.S. veteran, weighs risk of being deported]

Advocacy groups counter that among those facing deportation are asylum seekers who fear for their lives, as well as human-trafficking victims and green-card holders who need legal aid.

Many immigrants might be eligible to stay in the United States, the report found, but are unable to make their case in court.

The center analyzed thousands of deportation cases obtained from the courts under the Freedom of Information Act. From 2010 to 2015, 29 percent of detained immigrants whose cases were heard in Arlington had lawyers. The number who had lawyers in Baltimore immigration court was 19 percent.

Eleven percent of detainees in Arlington who represented themselves won their cases, compared with 25 percent who had a lawyer. In Baltimore, 7 percent of detainees won their cases, compared with 29 percent who had a lawyer.

The report, a joint effort by the National Immigration Law Center and the Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition, comes at a time when President Trump has pledged to increase deportations and to triple the number of immigration agents.

Communities such as Los Angeles have responded by creating a legal-aid fund for immigrants, with $5 million from the city and county governments and an additional $5 million they said they plan to raise in private donations. New York also has a deportation-defense program, which began in 2013; advocates say the program has significantly improved immigrants chances of winning their cases.

The Southern Poverty Law Center last month announced a project to train lawyers to offer pro-bono legal representation to detainees in the Southeastern United States.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that nearly 4,000 detained immigrants in the Washington region face deportation every year without a lawyer. The story has been updated to reflect that the 4,000 immigrants are a mix of detained and not detained.
Police lead Dylann Roof into the courthouse in Shelby, N.C., on June 18, 2015. Roof is expected to plead guilty to murder charges in the massacre of nine parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. (Jason Miczek/Reuters)

Dylann Roof, the self-described white supremacist sentenced to death earlier this year for the 2015 church massacre in Charleston, S.C., will plead guilty this month to murder charges in his state trial, attorneys said Friday.

The decision means that the Charleston community  including people who survived the church attack and relatives of those slain  will be spared a second death-penalty trial and being called on again to pore over the details of the killings.

Roof was charged in two cases stemming from the June 2015 attack at Emanuel AME Church, when nine black parishioners were gunned down during Bible study. He has already been convicted on federal hate-crime charges and was still facing a state trial on charges of murder and attempted murder.

In a letter to families of the victims, Scarlett A. Wilson, the prosecutor overseeing Roofs case in state court, told them that Roof, now 22, had agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison. Roof had been facing another possible death sentence in the state case.

The plea is negotiated which means it is carved in stone,  Wilson wrote in the letter Friday, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post.

Wilson described this as an insurance policy to the federal conviction and sentence, writing that her goal was to get a guilty plea so that Roof could be moved into federal custody. Roof is being held in Charleston Countys detention center.

A guilty plea in state court means that if something very, very, very unlikely were to happen at the federal level, the state sentence would take effect and he would serve life in prison, she wrote. Wilson added, in parentheses: And no more trials!

Ashley Pennington, a defense attorney for Roof in the state case, confirmed that Wilsons letter was accurate and declined to comment further.

This agreement signals an end to the lengthy court proceedings that have followed the massacre, dating to Roofs first court appearance nearly two years ago. During that hearing, relatives of the church victims stood up and spoke of their pain while also offering Roof forgiveness and saying they were praying for his soul.

Authorities said that before the church attack, Roof had posted a racist manifesto on his website laden with racial and anti-Semitic diatribes. Federal prosecutors in his hate-crimes trial said Roof had self-radicalized online, taking on violent white-supremacist beliefs he read on the Internet, and carried out the attack to try to start a race war.

During the harrowing federal trial, prosecutors grimly recited the facts of the shooting: Parishioners gathered in the basement of the historic Mother Emanuel church welcomed in a young stranger who was given a Bible and a seat next to the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney.

After the Bible study, the gunfire began. Felicia Sanders, one of the three people to survive the attack, testified during the opening day of the trial that she watched Roof  evil, evil, evil as can be, she said  pump five bullets into her son, Tywanza. Tears streaming down her face, Sanders recalled taking cover under a table, holding her 11-year-old granddaughter.

I said, just be quiet, just play dead, she said during her emotional testimony, which elicited sobs from the dozens of friends and family members in court. I squeezed her face to my body so tight that I thought I suffocated her.

Prosecutors also played Roofs videotaped confession, which recorded him calmly explaining his desires to kill black people. At times, he chuckled while speaking to FBI agents.

Roof had argued in a court filing it was not fair that prosecutors spent considerable time during the trial asking victims family members to relate their emotional stories. The jury was also told by prosecutors about Roofs jailhouse journal, in which he wrote: I would like to make it crystal clear, I do not regret what I did. I am not sorry. I have not shed a tear for the innocent people I killed.

Jurors swiftly convicted Roof on each of the 33 counts he faced in his federal indictment, and the same jury needed little time deliberating before sentencing him to death.

However, it is unclear when  or if  the federal government will be able to carry out this sentence. Federal executions are rare, with only three since the federal death-penalty statute was reinstated in 1988 and expanded in 1994, and executions in general have declined nationwide because of a shortage of lethal-injection drugs.

Had South Carolina obtained a death sentence for Roof, the state might not have had any more luck carrying out a death penalty. The state does not have any lethal-injection drugs and does not appear likely to obtain them soon.
When actor Michael Douglas told a reporter that his throat cancer was caused by HPV contracted through oral sex, two themes emerged that had nothing to do with celebrity gossip. The first was incredulity  since when was oral sex related to throat cancer? Even the reporter thought he had misheard. The second was embarrassment. This was too much information, not only about sexual behavior but also about ones partners.

Douglas apologized, and maybe the world was not ready to hear the greater truth behind what he was suggesting.

That was four years ago.

Today, there is no doubt in the medical community that the increase in HPV-related cancers such as the one Douglas described  which he later explained was found at the base of his tongue  is caused by sexual practices, in his case cunnilingus. And there is an urgency to better treat and prevent what is becoming the one type of oral cancer whose numbers are climbing, especially among men in the prime of their lives who have decades to live with the consequences of their cancer treatment.

The number of people diagnosed with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, tumors found in the middle of the pharynx or throat including the back of the tongue, soft palate, sides of throat and tonsils  is relatively small  about 12,638 men and 3,100 women in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But these numbers are expected to continue to rise, overtaking incidence of cervical cancer by 2020. One study revealed the presence of HPV in 20.9 percent of oropharyngeal tumors before 1990, compared with 65.4 percent in those sampled after 2000.

Ben Roman, a head and neck surgeon and health-services researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, has seen an increase in a new type of head and neck cancer patient. (Courtesy of Memorial Sloan Kettering)

Alarming trend

Its an alarming trend considering HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country. The CDC estimates that nearly all sexually active men and women will get a form of the virus at some point. Although most HPV infections go away on their own, they are causing 30,700 cancers in men and women every year, including cervical, vaginal and penile cancers along with oral cancers.

Health agencies are pushing hard for HPV vaccinations, which they say could prevent most of those cancers. The CDC says all 11- and 12-year-olds should be vaccinated. And last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new two-dose series for children ages 9 to 14. And the American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated its vaccine recommendations to reflect that two-dose schedule, a reduction from the three shots previously required. (Children over 14 still need three shots.) The hope is to increase rates of completed vaccinations, which have lagged in the decade since the vaccines were released, averaging 42 percent for girls and 28 percent for boys, far below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80 percent.

[Cancer doctors leading campaign to boost use of HPV vaccine]

The patients showing up in Ben Romans office at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he works as a head and neck surgeon and health-services researcher, came of age not only before these vaccines hit the market, but also before HPV and its link to cancers was fully understood. These cases, experts say, probably reflect several separate but interconnected factors: the sexual revolutions of the 1920s and 1960s that introduced more HPV into the general population, the changing sexual practices of young people who report more histories of oral sex, and that it can take 10 to 30 years for tumors to develop after an infection.

Roman has seen an increase in a new type of head and neck cancer patient. They are typically white, middle-aged men, otherwise healthy, who have no history of smoking or drinking. They may have first noticed a mass in their necks or lymph nodes while buttoning a shirt or shaving. An ear, nose and throat doctor has determined the primary source of the cancer: the tonsils or base of the tongue.

Most people are familiar with tonsils in the back of the throat, Maura Gillison, a leading expert in HPV-related cancers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, said. But we also have them in the base of the tongue.

The palatine tonsils are on the sides of the throat, and there are also lingual tonsils on the back of the tongue. Both areas are made of the same lymphoid tissue at particular risk for HPV infection, and are part of what specialists call Waldeyers Ring.

(The Washington Post)

Experts are not sure why an HPV infection in the tonsils is more likely to lead to cancer. It could be because of their anatomy, which has crypts and crevices, making it harder to clear an infection. Gillison said it could also be because of where the tonsils are in the body, an area that serves as a transition from the outside to the inside, much like the genital tract and cervix.

German researcher Harald zur Hausen identified the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer 34 years ago, work that earned him the Nobel Prize in 2008 and contributed to the development of the HPV vaccine. One of those types, HPV-16, is identified in more than half of cancers in the oropharynx, according to the National Cancer Institute.

But there are important distinctions between men and women when it comes to HPV-related cancers. Cervical cancer deaths, for example, have been greatly reduced through early detection with the use of Pap smears. The same screening for precursor lesions or pre-cancer is not yet possible for the oropharyngeal cancers, commonly referred to as OPC or OSCC, for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

The male risk

Another difference is how men and women respond to infection. The majority of women develop antibodies to clear HPV when exposed vaginally. These antibodies remain in the body so that a woman is protected from a subsequent oral infection. Men, in contrast, are much less likely to develop antibodies after genital exposure to the virus. When tested, their titers  a measurement of antibodies  are lower, leaving them five times more likely than women to have an oral infection.

HPV is considered an unusual virus because it does not travel through the bloodstream. Infection is localized, meaning it stays at the place where contact occurs. In tonsil cancer, then, oral sex becomes a relevant risk factor, so significant that in an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Gillison and her colleagues stated that the number of these oral sex partners in a lifetime is the behavior measure that is, . . . most strongly, consistently, and specifically associated with OPC (tonsil and base of tongue).

Treating a cancer related to a sexually transmitted infection brings up sensitive questions. Roman said a patients spouse will often pull him aside to ask: When did he get this? Was he cheating? He suggests the patient was probably exposed years ago. But from the viewpoint of prognosis, the HPV-related cancers respond better to treatment.

That fact has prompted rapid changes in treatment protocols that were as recently as five years ago based on heavy smoking and drinking. These new strategies back down from the aggressive radiation, chemotherapy and surgery that exposed patients to high toxicity and could damage the ability to speak and swallow.

When Gillison started her research in 2000, there was little awareness that sexual behavior contributed to cancer of the throat, and fellow researchers were skeptical.

People were laughing. They thought it was absurd, she said. Now, Gillison is credited with formally putting together the behavioral data and biomarkers to quell any skepticism, Carole Fakhry, an associate professor of otolaryngology and surgeon at Johns Hopkins, said.

Others had noted HPV in oral cavity cancer, but no one was sure whether it was a fluke or more significant. So Gillison reviewed tumor specimens collected by a colleague and then set out to study all of the available literature, presenting an analysis in 2009 that compared the survival rates of those with HPV-positive and -negative oropharynx cancers. Gillison describes her work  a confluence of observations in the lab and clinic  as an act of serendipity.

I have always been interested in the association between infectious diseases and tumors because there are so many opportunities to intervene. If an infection causes a cancer, you can try to prevent infection in the first place, or screen, or if its developed you can use the fact that its associated with a virus  you can treat cancer by treating infection.

As far as vaccinations effect on preventing OPC in men, data is still under review. Officially, the vaccine is recommended for boys and young men to prevent genital warts and anal pre-cancers. But those focused on pediatrics, such as Margaret Stager, director of adolescent medicine at MetroHealth medical center in Ohio and an official spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, say that HPV vaccination clearly decreases spreading of HPV through the community, offering immediate, midrange and long-term benefits. And the current vaccines do protect against HPV-16, one of the high-risk types of the virus found in both cervical cancer and a majority of OPC.

New, easier vaccine

[CDC now recommends just two HPV vaccine doses for preteens]

The new two-dose vaccination is designed to reach children when their antibody response is highest and make completion less cumbersome, as are electronic medical records that cue physicians when a vaccine is due. The District of Columbia is one of the few areas that has made the vaccine a required immunization for students in grades six through 12, although families may opt out.

There is still a gap in knowledge among some general practitioners and dentists, according to Gillison.

It is not uncommon for her to hear a story from a patient who comes to her after six months or so after going to his doctor.

He told me not to worry because I was fighting off an infection. He gave me antibiotics. They were not working. Then another lump occurred next to that one . . . 

The patient is young, healthy and doesnt smoke. He has a sore throat and a neck mass that doesnt respond to antibiotics.

Those in the front lines of medical practice, she said, should have in mind the question: Could this patient have head and neck cancer?

Read more:

The startling rise in oral cancer in men, and what it says about changing sexual habits

Shaving one morning, he felt a small lump under his jaw. It wasnt just a lump.

Do the new Merck HPV ads guilt-trip parents or tell hard truths? Both.
ISRAEL

Police shoot attacker after 3 are stabbed

Israeli paramilitary police officers shot dead a Palestinian man on Saturday after he stabbed three Israelis in Jerusalems Old City, a police spokesman said.

The assailant wounded two ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in the street before fleeing into a nearby house where he was caught by border police officers who had given chase. He stabbed one of them before being shot, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.

One of the two civilians was stabbed in the upper body and suffered injuries described as moderate. The other man and the border policeman were lightly wounded, Rosenfeld added.

Palestinian websites identified the assailant as 17-year-old Ahmed Ghazzal, from the city of Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

The incident took place close to the spot where, three days earlier, border police shot and killed a woman who tried to stab officers at Damascus Gate, a heavily guarded entrance to Jerusalems Old City.

At least 242 Palestinians have been killed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in a period of sporadic violence that began in October 2015 but has tapered off in recent months.

 Reuters

BRITAIN

Police release 12 arrested after attack

All 12 people arrested in connection with the March 22 terrorist attack in central London have been released.

A man who was arrested in Birmingham four days after the attack on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts was freed on Saturday, Metropolitan Police said. Eleven others who were arrested earlier have all been released with no further action, the police statement said.

On March 22, Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before going after police officers with a knife. He killed three people, including the policeman, before being shot dead.

 Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Displaced Syrians return to Turkish border region: Some 50,000 displaced Syrians and refugees have returned to an area controlled by Turkey and Turkish-backed opposition fighters in northern Syria, according to Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu. Turkey sent ground troops into northern Syria in August to assist in the clearing of a border area of Islamic State group militants and to curb Kurdish territorial expansion. Since then dozens of Turkish soldiers have been killed, most of them in and around the northern town of al-Bab, once an ISIS stronghold. Cavusoglus comments came three days after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield had ended after its troops and allied rebels secured territory along the border.

Bomb blast kills officer, wounds others at Egyptian facility: A bomb blast that targeted a police training facility in Egypts Nile Delta killed one policeman and wounded 15, including 12 other policemen, the Interior Ministry and hospital officials said. The bomb was hidden in an abandoned motorbike, officials say. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing in the city of Tanta north of Cairo, but the attack bore the hallmarks of several shadowy groups authorities say are linked to the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Children, others injured in bonfire accident in France: An accidental bonfire explosion Saturday at a town fair north of Paris injured 18 people, including three children, as the festive spring event turned into chaos, authorities said. Five of those injured, including one child, were hospitalized with serious injuries but their lives are not in danger, said fire service spokeswoman Nathalie Crispin. A few hundred people, including local families, the mayor and other officials, had gathered for the annual carnival in Villepinte and were getting ready to watch its climactic event  the lighting of a traditional bonfire, Crispin said. The gasoline used to light the fire was apparently mishandled, she said.

Bob Dylan collects his Nobel medal in Sweden: Bob Dylan has finally collected his Nobel medal for literature. The low-key private ceremony was held at an undisclosed location in Stockholm and attended only by members of the Swedish Academy, in line with the songwriters wishes. Traditionally, the Nobel awards are presented Dec. 10, marking the anniversary of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobels death in 1896. Dylan, though, said he was unable to attend that event, citing other commitments. He was in Stockholm on Saturday for a performance.

 From News Services
PRESIDENT TRUMP campaigned hard against the North American Free Trade Agreement, at one point declaring that the tariff-slashing pact with Canada and Mexico, in effect for 23 years, has been a disaster for our country and has to be totally gotten rid of. On another occasion, he pledged to immediately renegotiate the terms of that agreement to get a better deal for our workers. And I dont mean just a little bit better, I mean a lot better. If our neighbors to the north and south did not agree to renegotiate, Mr. Trump added, then he would serve notice of American intent to exit the deal.

Now that his administration has revealed its draft NAFTA agenda, in the form of a letter to Congress from the acting U.S. trade representative, it would appear that Mr. Trumps bark had little relationship to his bite. In tone, the document is conciliatory. Its preamble takes note of the extensive trading relationships that have flowered under NAFTA, and speaks of the great potential . . . benefit to the United States of improving it. In substance, it is conventional: a list of implicit but clear allusions to long-standing U.S. concerns such as domestic-content rules for the North American motor vehicle industry and Canadas protection of its dairy farms. One controversial point was a reference to snap back tariffs as a remedy for undue import surges to the United States. But even that mechanism has precedent in the terms of past trade deals, such as the ill-fated Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Speaking of TPP, which Mr. Trump also denounced, it actually would have accomplished a good deal of what the president now says he wants for the United States with respect to Canada and Mexico. The NAFTA partners agreed, in return for the benefits, economic and strategic, of what they hoped would be a U.S.-led market-building plan spanning a vast region of the world. Now that TPP has died, thanks in no small part to Mr. Trumps attacks on it during 2016, its not clear what inducements he can offer Ottawa and Mexico City to make those same concessions again.

Indeed, the presidents hostile and bombastic rhetoric  especially toward Mexico  has probably made it more difficult for the NAFTA countries to deal with the United States, when the talks do commence some months from now. This is true even where the administration raises valid issues, such as its suggested update to automotive industry domestic-content rules, which may not necessarily reflect new supply chains linking Asia and North America, or the rise of a large Mexican auto industry.

Mr. Trumps protectionism during the campaign was so over the top that any moderation now that hes in power is a relief. But the damage from his rhetoric wont be easily undone. Even by the notoriously demagogic standards of trade politics, Mr. Trumps vilification of NAFTA may set a record for being simultaneously inflammatory and  we now know  hollow.
The White House has signaled that it wants its allies to go after recalcitrant GOP lawmakers such as Rep. Justin Amash(Mich.), who was called a big liability Saturday by President Trumps social media director. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

President Trumps attacks on conservative members of his own party come as his allies beef up an array of groups to promote his agenda, amassing firepower that could end up being trained on fellow Republicans.

At least four separate organizations are seeking to drive public support for Trump and his priorities  a marked shift from the first two months of his administration, when the White House had limited outside air cover.

The immediate goal: to lean on Democratic senators in the run-up to a vote expected this week on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. But down the road, some of the groups could end up turning their focus on lawmakers who cross Trump, including members of his own party, according to people familiar with internal discussions.

It is something we would consider if there is clarity that a group is stymieing the agenda, whether its establishment types or others, said Eric Beach, co-chairman of the pro-Trump advocacy group Great America Alliance, which has already spent $3.5 million on ads promoting the Trump administration.

Pressure could also eventually come from America First Policies, which was launched by a group of former Trump advisers in January to serve as the leading pro-Trump advocacy group. The organization has not yet turned its attention to the 2018 midterm elections, said spokeswoman Katrina Pierson.

There is plenty of time and opportunity for Republican lawmakers to keep their promises to their voters and support the presidents agenda to make America great again, Pierson said. Lawmakers will be held accountable at the appropriate time.

The White House is offering many cues that it wants its allies to go after members of the House Freedom Caucus, whom Trump blames for derailing legislation that would have repealed parts of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

On Saturday, White House social-media director Dan Scavino Jr. tweeted that Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, a member of the Freedom Caucus, is a big liability.

#TrumpTrain, defeat him in primary, Scavino wrote from his personal Twitter account.

[White House social-media director misused official position by going after GOP lawmaker, ethics experts say]

But it remains to be seen whether the wealthy Trump donors who are financing the advocacy groups  many of whom have also been supportive of conservative lawmakers  will feel comfortable using their resources to fuel internecine GOP battles.

Complicating the situation is the fractured nature of efforts by allies to support the White House. Exactly which group will take the lead in backing Trump, and on which issues, remains unclear.

Emily Cornell, chief operating officer of a new group called Making America Great that was started by GOP megadonor Rebekah Mercer, said that her organization will be eying ways to break logjams on Capitol Hill. Making America Great kicked off last week with a $1 million TV and digital ad buy praising Trump for keeping his promises that is aimed at 10 Democratic senators up for reelection in 2018.

Its important to bring attention to policy movement in Washington  or lack thereof, Cornell said. In terms of supporting the presidents agenda, were thrilled about his recent accomplishments, and we plan to review our support one policy at a time.

Administration officials said they believe the absence of a coordinated external campaign contributed to the GOPs failure to roll back President Barack Obamas signature health-care law. That prompted White House deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh to leave her post last week to jump-start America First Policies, which has had a relatively low profile since its launch.

[Senior aide Katie Walsh leaves White House to run pro-Trump outside group]

One other pro-Trump advocacy group is also in the mix: 45Committee, which has already spent millions on ads touting Trumps nominees and policies.

The increasingly crowded space recalls last years campaign, when multiple super PACs jockeyed to be viewed as the favored pro-Trump group. Since the election, the effort to create a robust organization to bolster the president from outside the White House has been hampered by rivalries and personal friction, splintering the donor world.

The wealthy Mercer family, along with other top Trump contributors, was expected to support America First Policies. But after tensions about the direction and leadership of the group, Rebekah Mercer launched her own effort, Making America Great, according to multiple people familiar with the dynamic. She was joined by at least two other major donors: Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus and high-frequency-trading mogul W.E. Bosarge, said a person familiar with their support.

There are ongoing efforts to broker a collaboration between the two pro-Trump outfits, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. But for now, there is not yet a corollary in Trumpworld to Organizing for Action, the premier advocacy group that supported Obamas legislative agenda.

Its still unclear which one of the organizations is going to rise to be seen as the one that supporters are going to go to, said GOP strategist Mike DuHaime, adding, I think people thought it would have come together more quickly than it has. It would have been helpful in the last legislative fight.

Multiple groups are now jumping into the current, most urgent battle: the Gorsuch confirmation vote in the Senate.

The 45Committee is putting $1 million into a new, nationally running pro-Gorsuch spot called Qualified, which has state-specific versions that target undecided Democratic senators such as Jon Tester of Montana. The advocacy organization and its affiliated super PAC, backed by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, poured $60 million into last years campaign and has spent another $4 million since the election supporting Trumps Cabinet picks.

Great America Alliance also is running ads aimed at putting pressure on Democrats, including a new spot that targets Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. The groups supporters include billionaire investor Julian Robertson, Minnesota media mogul Stan Hubbard, Texas banker Hank Seale and Jewelry Exchange chief executive William Doddridge, according to a person familiar with their contributions.

[McCaskill swings to no vote on Gorsuch]

The largest pro-Gorsuch investment is coming from a long-standing player: the Judicial Crisis Network, a conservative nonprofit that is plowing $10 million into a sustained air campaign to pressure Democratic senators to vote for his confirmation.

Determining who is financing all the pro-Trump efforts is difficult. As social welfare organizations, set up under section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, the groups are not required to reveal the identities of their contributors.

We value the freedom of speech and privacy rights of our donors, and were going to protect that, said Carrie Severino, chief counsel of the Judicial Crisis Network.

The opacity has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic senators, who say Trump is abandoning his drain the swamp pledge by accepting support from groups funded by secret contributors.

Dark money infiltrating the confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee is a further sad sign of billionaire and special interest influence gnawing at the heart of American democracy, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said in a statement.

During the campaign, Trump repeatedly called for transparency in political spending.

I dont mind the money coming in, he told Time magazine in 2015. Let it be transparent. Let them talk, but let there be total transparency.

White House officials did not respond to questions about whether the president will call for pro-Trump groups to voluntarily disclose their donors, as Organizing for Action did when it launched to support Obama.

John Pudner, a conservative activist who heads Take Back Our Republic, a group that seeks to lessen the influence of big money on politics, said Trump could buttress his credibility by calling for more robust disclosure.

Absent that, Pudner said, it looks like youre sort of enjoying the swamp. Its getting comfortable.
The battle to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court is set to come to a head this week and will probably reshape how the Senate confirms future justices, prompting senators and other observers to warn that subsequent battles over court nominees could be even more heated.

Gorsuchs nomination to replace Antonin Scalia, with whom he shares an originalist philosophy of constitutional interpretation, is unlikely to tip the ideological balance of the Supreme Court. And Gorsuchs three days of confirmation hearings last month never captured the national attention afforded to previous nominees.

But with the Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled to refer him to the full Senate on Monday, lawmakers are about to embark on the final  and perhaps most bitter  round of debate.

Three days of formal debate begin Tuesday with Republicans planning to confirm Gorsuch by Friday. That timeline would give the 49-year-old federal appeals court judge a chance to join the high court in late April and to participate in the final cases of this years term, which ends in June.

The Republican-controlled Senate is likely to confirm him, but only if it changes the chambers rules. Democrats are vowing to filibuster Gorsuch, a tactical roadblock that can only be overcome with the votes of 60 senators. Republicans hold 52 seats, and only three moderate Democrats so far say they plan to vote for Gorsuch.

(The Washington Post)

On Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that it is highly, highly unlikely that Republicans will get the 60 votes needed to end a Democratic filibuster. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press, Schumer added that it is up to Mitch McConnell and the Republican majority to set the rules and tenor for the confirmation vote.

But McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate majority leader, disagreed, telling Fox News Sunday that Gorsuch will ultimately be confirmed. Exactly how that happens . . . will be up to our Democratic colleagues.

If Democrats successfully filibuster Gorsuch, McConnell and his caucus are likely to agree to change the chambers rules and end filibusters on Supreme Court picks. That would extend a rule change made by Democrats in 2013 that punished Republicans for years of attempts to block President Barack Obamas nominees by ending filibusters for all executive branch appointments and lower-court picks.

Last year, Republicans refused to hold hearings or votes for Judge Merrick Garland, Obamas choice to replace Scalia, arguing that the next president should get to pick the replacement. The move infuriated Democrats  and has been a major factor in generating such unified opposition to Gorsuch.

Martin B. Gold, a former floor adviser and counsel to Senate majority leaders Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) and Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who has written a book on Senate floor procedure, warned that this weeks expected change in Senate rules is likely to put even more importance on the partisan control of the Senate.

Between the Democrats taking offense at what the Republicans did on Garland and Republicans taking offense to what Democrats are doing to Gorsuch, you wonder whos going to put the weapons down, or if theyll always stay drawn, Gold said. And if the partisan makeup flips, you wonder if a president will ever get anyone confirmed.

In interviews before Gorsuchs confirmation hearings last month, several Republican senators agreed that Gorsuch was a safe conservative choice who would maintain the balance of the court and make future fights to fill vacancies even more critical.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

I have no doubt that from the Democrats perspective, the next vacancy will be Armageddon. They will fire every attack they can marshal at whoever the nominee is, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.).

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) agreed, saying that the next confirmation fight will be a bloodbath.

The predictions by Cruz and Flake assume that the next Supreme Court vacancy will be caused by the departure of aging liberal justices, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Stephen G. Breyer, or by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the courts most frequent swing vote.

The Gorsuch battle has not generated as much interest or concern among liberal organizations as among conservative groups, which have spent nearly $10 million on a television ad campaign designed to pressure moderate Democrats.

Adam Jentleson, senior strategic adviser to the liberal Center for American Progress, said that progressives may not have felt as compelled to fight the Gorsuch nomination this year. But next time, he said, We should prepare by being ready to wage the battle of ideas as aggressively as possible.

The partisan dynamic could be flipped in the future  and thats the key thing, he said. Theres probably not much more that would be more motivating [to Democrats] than the terrifying prospect of Trump appointing an extreme conservative to the court to tip the balance for a lifetime. So, I think that with conservatives theres a false sense of security that thats something that plays to their advantage. I dont think that will end up being true.

Carrie Severino, chief counsel of the pro-Gorsuch Judicial Crisis Network, which is bankrolling the multimillion-dollar ad campaign, said Schumer and Democrats are promoting a historic level of gridlock. She said her conservative organization has been opposed to judicial filibusters in both Republican and Democratic administrations and that only Democrats have ever used threats of a filibuster against Republican nominees.

JCNs ad campaign appeared to help convince two moderate Democratic senators, Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), last week to say that they will support Gorsuch. On Sunday, Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), also targeted by JCNs effort, became the third Democrat to announce support for Gorsuch. But another moderate, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), announced he would vote against Gorsuch and support the filibuster because, I cannot support a nominee who refuses to answer important questions. In all, 10 Democrats facing reelection next year in states that Trump carried in the November election have been targeted by the ad campaign backing Gorsuch.

The decisions by Heitkamp and Manchin earned swift rebukes from liberal organizations. NARAL Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights group that helps mobilize Democratic voters, warned that it would not endorse any Democrat who supports Gorsuch. On Sunday, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a liberal political group that campaigns for Democratic candidates, ran full-page ads in North Dakota and West Virginia newspapers criticizing the senators choice.

That pressure may have been a factor for Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who has also been targeted by JCN but said on Friday that she will vote against Gorsuch. In an essay to constituents, she said it had been a really difficult decision for me.

Another potential yes vote, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), said on Sunday that he will not announce his decision until Tuesday or Wednesday, but suggested that he is leaning against Gorsuch.

Filibustering a Supreme Court nominee doesnt strike me as out of line with Senate tradition, King told CBSs Face the Nation, noting that during his four and a half years in office he has needed to cast votes to end filibusters 400 times on all matter of big and small things.

Robert Barnes contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, hopes the Trump administration will give his state a green light for requiring drug testing of Medicaid applicants. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Now that House Republicans have squandered their shot at reordering Medicaid, governors who want conservative changes in the health program for low-income Americans must get special permission from the Trump administration.

Near the front of the line is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who not only supports work requirements and premium payments but also a new additional condition: to make applicants undergo a drug test if theyre suspected of substance abuse.

If Walker gets his way, Wisconsin would be the first state in the country with mandatory drug screening for Medicaid enrollees. The governor plans to release his proposal in mid-April and submit it to the Department of Health and Human Services by the end of May.

The approach  which also would mandate treatment for those testing positive  aligns with the goals of several Republican governors intent on tightening the programs rules. Although the Obama administration allowed them to place expectations on enrollees, theyre hoping for far more leeway from HHS Secretary Tom Price.

The goal behind Walkers proposal is to help people get healthy so they can get back in the workforce, said Julie Lund, communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Yet states that have started screening their welfare applicants over the past few years have turned up few drug users. In North Carolina, less than 0.3 percent of applicants to its WorkFirst welfare program tested positive for drugs during a five-month period in 2015. Michigan didnt find any welfare recipients abusing drugs during a year-long pilot program in 2016.

Opponents of Walkers idea say the data shows that drug testing for Medicaid applicants isnt worth the cost and effort.

They havent turned up much use of drugs among that population, said Jon Peacock, research director for the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.

Republicans have long wanted to overhaul the Medicaid program, frustrated by its growing costs to states and provider shortages. The Affordable Care Act replacement backed by House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) would have cut federal Medicaid spending by allotting it to states on a per capita basis, but that plan folded late last month amid insurmountable differences between conservatives and moderates.

[On first day in office, new Medicaid chief urges states to charge premiums, prod recipients to get jobs]

Under President Barack Obama, the Republican-led states that accepted the ACAs Medicaid expansion got permission through waivers to shape their programs in alternative ways. His administration allowed them to place extra responsibilities on new enrollees, though it stopped short of work requirements.

Patients in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Montana must pay part of their monthly coverage premium. Two dozen states require some cost-sharing, up to 5 percent of household income, for certain care.

With President Trump in office, that approach looks more promising than ever to Republican governors. Indiana, Arizona, Kentucky and Pennsylvania have requested to make work a condition of Medicaid eligibility, while Arkansas has said it will submit a proposal to the new administration.

Red states have good reason to believe theyll be successful. Earlier this month, Price and the new head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicated in a letter to governors that proposals related to training, employment and independence would be welcome.

Yet its less clear how the administration will react to Walkers request for drug screening. While applicants would be tested only if theyre reasonably suspected of using drugs, the requirement could appear hostile at a time when Trump and Republicans are trying to appear more sympathetic to the problem of drug addiction.

Trump tapped New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) to lead a new commission on drug addiction and urged more focus on the problem at a White House forum Wednesday. This is a total epidemic, Trump said.

[Chris Christie to lead Trump White House drug commission]

Health advocates in Wisconsin, who are generally opposed to Walkers idea, point to the underwhelming results from applying testing to welfare programs. They also raise concerns that it could increase stigma about drug abuse and the poor. While some research has shown higher rates of drug abuse among low-income Americans, experts are divided on how big the difference is and stress that its a problem afflicting people at all income levels.

Were singling out lower-income people, playing on stereotypes, on the premise that somehow people on Medicaid are getting something they shouldnt be getting, said Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

Health advocates also note that requiring Medicaid enrollees to get treatment for substance abuse doesnt guarantee theyll be able to find a provider in Wisconsin, which like many states has a shortage of doctors willing to accept Medicaids lower reimbursements.

This is a simplistic response to a far broader problem, Peacock said. Wisconsin and, I think, many other states need to invest far more in effective treatment and prevention programs.

Walker did include in his bundle of Medicaid proposals one provision health advocates like: at least partial coverage of residential treatment for substance abusers. But theyre hesitant to give the governor much credit, since theyve long bristled at his refusal to accept the extra federal funding with Medicaid expansion.

The best way to get treatment for drug abusers is to expand Medicaid, not require screening as a prerequisite for enrolling, said Judy Solomon, vice president for health policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Its a sound bite as far as Im concerned, without any evidence, she said.

Read more at PowerPost
A custodian of a Sufi shrine in Pakistans Punjab province killed at least 20 people Saturday night, a district administration official said.

The attack occurred in Sargodha, and four women were among the dead. Thecustodian, Abdul Waheed, and four others were arrested.

Speaking with reporters, Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said: Abdul Waheed used a club and knife to kill these people visiting the shrine. He has confessed that he killed the victims.

Chatta said that an injured woman who fled the scene told hospital staffers about the attack, prompting police action.

Waheed is said to be mentally unstable, Chatta said. The custodian is also said to have tortured worshipers in an apparent effort to heal them.

Killings have been reported during exorcism rituals at some shrines in the past, but such a mass killing would be unusual.

Millions of Pakistanis follow Sufism, a mystic branch of Islam overtaken recently by more conservative and hard-line versions of the faith. Militant groups, including the Islamic State, have carried out attacks on Sufi shrines, including a suicide blast in February in Sehwan, in Sindh province. The explosion, which targeted the famous Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine, killed more than 70 people.

[WorldViews: An ISIS attack in Pakistan strikes at the beating heart of Sufism]

Pakistani news channels showed bewildered villagers standing in front of the shrine in Sargodha. News reports said police have started an investigation on orders from Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to televised reports, Waheed drugged the victims and then called them one by one to his room, where they were killed with a club and a knife.

An elderly woman, who was identified only as Kishwar and lay on a hospital bed with a deep cut on the left side of her face, told the news channel Dunya: I dont know what happened to the custodian of the shrine. He started beating and killing the devotees. He and some others . . . beat us badly with clubs.

Read more:

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In the early hours of Nov. 9, Marine Le Pen was the first foreign politician to congratulate the new U.S. president-elect.

In the weeks that followed, the leader of Frances far-right National Front did everything she could to tie her presidential campaign to the upset victory of Donald Trump, claiming that she would be the next chapter in a global populist revolt against the establishment.

On the morning after the U.S. election, she took to the stage at her partys headquarters outside Paris, heralding Brexit and Trump as part of an unstoppable worldwide phenomenon  democratic choices that bury the old order and steppingstones to building tomorrows world.

But a month before the first round of the French elections, Le Pens tone has markedly changed: no more President Trump  at least not for now.

Le Pen, almost certain to qualify for the second and final round of the elections, seems to be keeping her distance from her compadre. The word Trump rarely figures in her speeches and rallies these days, and when she squared off against Frances four other presidential candidates in the campaigns first televised debate March 20, she avoided mentioning him in any policy discussion, despite ample opportunities to do so.

On a broader level, following the defeat of Geert Wilders in the Dutch elections last month, Le Pen and her aides even have shied away from their frequent forecasts of the populist wave soon to cascade through France and carry them to power. If she wins, she now says, it will be because of France and the French  not because of a seismic shift in geopolitics and the tail wind it would bring.

Im counting on you to carry out with me the battle for France! she said Thursday, speaking at an agricultural fair in rural Brittany.

We have to put France back in order! she said Monday in a speech in the Vendee.

I will engage France on the path of economic patriotism  for our small business, for our farms, she said Sunday in Lille.

The shift, analysts say, mirrors her recent softening of her famously hard-line stances on both the European Union and the euro. Le Pen has campaigned largely by advocating the removal of France from both, but she now says she would hold referendums on each  especially after recent opinion polls have reiterated the popularity of the currency among ordinary French voters.

The same now applies to Trump.

Its difficult for Le Pen to use Trump, when she knows that so many French disapprove of him, said Dominique Moisi, a political scientist and co-founder of the Paris-based French Institute for International Relations.

According to opinion polls, nearly 8 in 10 French voters harbor strongly negative views of the U.S. president, who has repeatedly insisted  sometimes through the commentaries of a mysterious, unidentified friend named Jim  that Paris is no longer Paris and that France is no longer France in the wake of the terrorist attacks that have claimed 230 lives here since the beginning of 2015.

In France, where even fringe politicians are expected to dazzle with wit and erudition, the brash and often unscripted public persona of the U.S. president has become something of a liability for his chief French ally, who was spotted in the basement cafeteria of Trump Tower on an impromptu visit in January.

In France, even if you are of the extreme right, as Marine Le Pen is, you do not have credibility if you do not know how to align a subject, a verb and a complement, said Francois Heisbourg, the chairman of the Geneva Center for Security Policy and a former member of a French presidential commission on national security.

Trump truly wouldnt last 20 minutes in the French political system  not because of his ideas, but because of the way he expresses them.

In fact, the substance of Trumps ideas  or versions of them  does remain popular with a number of French voters, who favor a return of national sovereignty, immigration bans and rapprochement with President Vladimir Putins Russia. These are all pillars of Le Pens platform, and she is expected to garner at least 40 percent of the vote, according to the latest polls.

There is also the issue of the anti-Americanism at the heart of the National Front, which for decades has railed against American imperialism abroad and its principal local manifestation  the European Union. If Trumps isolationist rhetoric represents a departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy, he is still an American president in the eyes of a party long in favor of France abandoning its ties with the United States for a new relationship with Russia.

If she rarely mentions Trump anymore, Le Pen  who met with Putin in Moscow last month  has no qualms about reminding her supporters at every turn of her plans to deliver on that Russia promise.

In her recent speech in Lille , days after returning from Russia, she called Putin a real statesman engaged in the same fight against terrorism as France.

The crowd went wild.

Read more

Frances presidential election may determine the future of the European Union

Frances National Front co-founder Jean-Marie Le Pen says the battle is already won

Ahead of pivotal European elections, rightist websites grow in influence

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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When President Trump hosts Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi on Monday in Washington, they will have a packed agenda: the fight against terrorism, the Middle Easts multiple wars, the refugee crisis and Egypts anemic economy.

But what is unlikely, at least publicly, is any discussion of the plight of Aya Hijazi.

Shes an Egyptian American humanitarian worker from Falls Church, Va., who has been incarcerated by the Egyptian regime for nearly three years, accused of abusing children she was seeking to help through her nonprofit organization. Those charges are widely viewed as false.

The Obama administration could not pressure Sissis government to release Hijazi, despite Egypt receiving $1.3 billion in military aid annually. But President Barack Obama drew a line at inviting Sissi to the White House. Under Sissi, repression has been widespread. Egypts security forces have jailed tens of thousands and committed human rights abuses, including the torture and forced disappearances of critics and opponents.

Now, Hijazi has become a symbol of the sharp shift in U.S. policy by the Trump administration toward Sissi, placing security cooperation over human right concerns as the main barometer for engagement with authoritarian leaders. At home, Egypt is battling an Islamic State affiliate in its northern Sinai Peninsula and exerts regional influence in numerous crises where the United States is engaged, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the wars in Syria, Libya and Yemen.

Sissis visit comes days after the Trump administration agreed to resume arm sales to Bahrain, removing human-rights-related conditions imposed by Obama. Bahrain, which has brutally repressed activists and its Shiite majority, is another vital U.S. ally in the Middle East and is home to the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet.

[Christians flee Sinai Peninsula in fear of Egypts Islamic State affiliate]

A White House statement on Friday made no mention of the Sissi governments human rights record. Trump, it said, aims to reaffirm the deep and abiding U.S. commitment to Egypts security, stability and prosperity. And the statement described Sissi thusly: Hes called for reform and moderation of Islamic discourse, initiated courageous and historic economic reforms, and sought to reestablish Egypts regional leadership role.

Sissis visit to the White House  the first by an Egyptian head of state since 2009  will be viewed by supporters as a vindication of his rule and, critics say, could pave the way for more oppression of Egyptians. The Trump administration, they add, should have demanded that Sissi release Hijazi and commit to additional safeguards for civil society groups before extending him the invitation.

If Trump is committed to an America first foreign policy . . . he should make sure Americans get out of prison, said Sarah Margon, Washington director at Human Rights Watch. Granting Sissi a White House visit, she added, is huge leverage. To just open the door with nothing given by the Egyptian president beforehand is shocking, particularly when American interests are at stake.

Both Obama and President George W. Bush balanced a desire to advance human rights against the need to align with Egypt in the interests of national security. Bush pressed President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted by the Arab Spring revolts in 2011, to implement democratic reforms. Obama temporarily suspended the delivery of major weapons systems to Egypt after its security forces killed more than 800 protesters in Cairo on Aug. 14, 2013.

Trump administration officials declined to say whether Trump would press his counterpart on human rights. The presidents approach is to handle these types of sensitive issues in a private, more discreet way, one administration official said. And we believe its the most effective way to advance those issues to a favorable outcome.

Asked about Hijazi, White House officials said the president is aware of her case, but they did not commit to raising it with Sissi directly. We will figure out the best way to raise this . . . to maximize the chances her case is resolved positively, one official said.

Trump met with Sissi in September, two months before the 2016 election, and the two spoke by phone three days after Trump took office. Sissi was the first leader in the Arab world to congratulate Trump on his election victory, and Trump has publicly described Sissi as a fantastic guy.

Sissi, a former military general, helped engineer the military coup that ousted elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement in 2013. In the months after Morsis overthrow, security forces cracked down on opposition protests, leaving more than 1,150 people dead.

Under Sissi, the Muslim Brotherhood, in particular, has been targeted. The State Departments human rights report accuses Sissis government of stifling basic freedoms and enforcing its repression through torture, the disappearances of critics, and arbitrary arrests and killings.

A senior administration official told reporters Friday that Sissis visit is intended to reboot the bilateral relationship and continue the positive momentum. Trump aides spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the meeting.

The Sissi government is also hoping to get clarity on signals from the Trump administration and Congress that they may consider branding the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization.

Asked whether the administration favored blacklisting the Brotherhood, the administration official said the White House had not come to a decision.

We, along with a number of countries, have some concerns about various activities that the Muslim Brotherhood has conducted in the region, the official said. But thats going to be a discussion that will unfold between us and Egypt.

Egyptian officials hope to attract more American investment to Egypt, but the continuation and expansion of U.S. military aid is the top priority.

Former foreign minister Nabil Fahmy said that would be at the top of Sissis agenda, but he expressed concern about Trumps plans to significantly cut foreign aid. The State Department has indicated that Egypt could be affected.

If the U.S. aims to counter terrorism, it is natural they cooperate with us, Fahmy said in a video feed posted to his Twitter account.

When asked at the White House briefing on Friday whether the United States would continue the substantial foreign and military assistance to Egypt, the senior administration official could not commit, adding that budget allocations were still an ongoing process.

Human rights groups are urging the Trump administration to consider Hijazi, and the tens of thousands in prison, before sending more assistance to Egypt. The trial of Hijazi, who founded the Belady Foundation and faces allegations of trafficking and using children in protests, has been marked by serious due process violations, including her groundless detention since May 2014, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

Giving more money to the Sissi government is to the detriment of U.S. and Egyptian interests, Margon said. Neither side in this relationship seems interested in promoting human rights, but the gross abuses being committed by Egyptian authorities should compel Congress to keep limiting support.

Nakamura reported from Washington. Heba Mahfouz in Cairo contributed to this report.

Read more

Egypts Mubarak freed from detention six years after his overthrow

As Egypts economy struggles, calls for protests against Sissi grow louder

Egyptian presidents solution for crumbling economy: Spare change

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Ecuador plunged into crisis Sunday night after a disputed presidential vote, with leftist candidate Lenin Moreno headed to a narrow victory and his conservative opponent denouncing the results as fraudulent.

The race was a political barometer for the strength of long-dominant leftist parties in South America that have been in retreat after electoral losses. Ecuadors results appeared to buck that trend.

With more than 96 percent of the ballots counted, Moreno led 51 percent to 49 percent over right-wing challenger Guillermo Lasso, who insisted that he was the real winner. Clashes broke out in several cities, with voters screaming at one another in the streets and many fearing an escalating standoff.

Citing an exit poll by the respected Cedatos firm showing him winning by a comfortable margin, Lasso gave an emotional speech declaring victory as soon as voting closed. Fight! he told his supporters, well before the first official tallies were released. We wont let them cheat us!

At a rally soon after, Moreno told his cheering supporters that he had won, and the whipsaw effect continued through the evening. Onward to victory! he shouted. Well continue changing Ecuador for the better.

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa, center, greets supporters after casting his vote at a school in Quito during the presidential election. (Juan Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images)

On Twitter, President Rafael Correa said violence had broken out in Quito and several other cities. What they cant accomplish at the polls, theyre trying to achieve by force, wrote Correa, who has been in power since 2007 and was ineligible to run again.

Correa declared Moreno, his former vice president, the victor, even though election authorities have yet to do so. The revolution has triumphed again in Ecuador, he said, dancing and singing onstage with Moreno at an evening rally.

But the governments opponents seemed in no mood to concede defeat, demanding a recount and vowing to challenge the results in court. The government they are trying to install will be an illegitimate one, Lasso told his angry supporters, warning Correa, Youre playing with fire.

The results were also a reprieve for Julian Assange, whose asylum protection at Ecuadors embassy in London was on the line. Lasso said he would evict Assange within 30 days from the embassy, where the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in 2012. Moreno has said he will let Assange stay.

I cordially invite Lasso to leave Ecuador within 30 days (with or without his tax haven millions), Assange wrote in a Twitter post Sunday night. taunting Lasso with a reference to accusations the candidate has millions stashed in offshore accounts.



Lasso and his supporters began celebrating in the streets of the capital, waving flags and honking car horns wildly as soon as several exit polls showed him winning. Their euphoria switched to outrage when the official results showed Moreno leading. Lassos supporters gathered outside the headquarters of the countrys election authorities, then broke through police barricades and surged toward the building, with television cameras showing them facing off against riot police with shields.

Ecuadors disputed outcome is one of several South American conflicts that have occurred in recent days, along with clashes in Venezuela and Paraguay.

Election observers from the Organization of American States and other groups had yet to make statements about the integrity of the vote. A respected nongovernmental organization, Participacion Ciudadana, said its exit poll results showed a tie between the two candidates.



Correas decade in power has left Ecuadorans sharply divided, and with his legacy on the line, his government threw its full weight behind Moreno, 64.

Lasso, 61, a former banker, offered Ecuadorans a message of change and bet that frustration about the countrys sagging economy and Correas heavy-handed style would lift him to an upset.

We need new ideas. Everything is stagnant here, said Luzmila Munoz, 47, a chemical engineer who voted for Lasso in a middle-class sector of Quito. Ten years is enough, she said, referring to Correa.

Right-wing candidates have won recent presidential contests in Argentina and Peru, after a long period when left-wing populists such as Correa seemed invincible, using a commodity boom to cut poverty and cultivate a broad base of support.

But with prices for oil and other exports slumping, the region has shifted to the right, and many leftists saw the mild-mannered Moreno as their best chance to break the trend. Moreno, who was shot during a 1998 carjacking, would be the first candidate who uses a wheelchair to win a presidential race in Latin America.

[A leftist tries to hold the line in Ecuador as Latin America moves to the right]

Hell fight for equality, because he knows what its like to be disadvantaged, said Janet Bravo, 40, who cast her vote for Moreno in the hillside neighborhood of Comite del Pueblo. Bravo, who owns a small office supply shop, said she has been able to save money in recent years because the government provided her two young children with free health care.

Morenos campaign was counting on voters such as Bravo to be wary of what sort of change a Lasso win would bring to their lives.

Im afraid well go back to the way things were before, said Erick Lara, 22, an Afro-Ecuadoran who is studying to be a chef. He credited the Correa government for promoting racial equality and said his mother was able to buy a home because of a government loan. We have more opportunities now, he said.

Michael Shifter, president of Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington think tank, said Morenos apparent victory showed that left-wing governments in South America may be more resilient than many believe.

Although Ecuadors economic situation has recently worsened and there are serious questions about government corruption, most voters recognized advances in education, health care and especially infrastructure, he said. Moreno promised to give a new push and build on these gains.

But the disputed, narrow results suggested that Moreno would face immediate challenges in governing a badly divided country in a region that has turned increasingly volatile.

Read more:

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The second call for submissions for the Gabriel Garcia Marquez documentary support scheme  an initiative involving the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE), the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and IFF Panama was announced during the 6th Panama Film Festival. It runs between April 3 and June 2, 2017.

The scheme is targeted at filmmakers from indigenous populations or of African descent, based in Mexico and Central America, and films with topics about racial equity, children, or community and citizen participation.

The call includes $300,000 in grants and mentoring services covering all project stages, from scriptwriting through to distribution.

The first edition of the scheme was launched by IMCINE in 2014, as EMC-Docs, in partnership with the Ford Foundation. The current scheme had its first call in 2016 and received 72 submissions, with 22 supported projects announced in March 2017, with grants of up to $12,500 per project.

Even for the Mexican film industry  which dwarfs the film sectors in Central America  filmmakers from indigenous populations can find it difficult to access funding.

Speaking to Variety after a panel at the 6th IFF Panama dedicated to documentary support schemes, IMCINEs Yissel Ibarra, explained that the Panama Film Festival has been chosen as a core partner of the scheme because it provides vital access to Central America.

In the 2016 call, 80% of the submitted projects were from Mexico, but Ibarra says that she believes that the proportion between Mexico and Central America will now be more balanced. The Panama Film Festival is the gateway to Central America.

Ibarra hopes to premiere the schemes films in Panamas Primera Mirada pix-in-post sidebar, and in Mexico Citys new Film and Audiovisual Market and Industry (MICA).

The decision to restrict the scheme to filmmakers from indigenous populations or of African descent was taken to promote new voices. In Mexico alone, over 70 different indigenous languages are spoken.

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Ibarra says one of her key inspirations is 2015 Guatemalan film,Ixcanul, by Jayro Bustamante, much of which is spoken in the indigenous Mayan language and highlights the institutionalized discrimination against indigenous people that exists throughout the region.

If we could do something like Ixcanal it would be perfect, she explains. There are many groups of people in the region who are less well known to the world, but who have vibrant local cultures and storytelling traditions. Ixcanal is my reference, its what Im striving for.

What were ultimately trying to achieve is technology transfer, she continues. We want to allow local people to tell their own stories, rather than have others telling stories about them. But, firstly its difficult to find them, and then they need some training and assistance. Thats why a partner such as the Panama Film Festival is so important.

In addition to the funding award, the scheme includes an eight-month tutoring program for each project involving some of the schemes jurors  such as Tatiana Huezo and Elena Fortes  and other professionals .

The two projects selected for distribution in the 2016 call will be tutored by producer Paola Stefani, who adopted an alternative distribution approach for Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians.

What Paola did is really interesting, comments Ibarra. The films entire exhibition route was independent, involving online and local communities.

The scheme also has a partnership with Mexicos Documental Ambulante A.C., founded in 2005 by Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Pablo Cruz and Elena Fortes, whose workshops, Ambulante Mas Alla, played a key role in the 2016 call, contributing 12 from the 22 selected projects.

Ibarra hopes Panama can further amplify communication in Central America. The scheme is primarily intended for documentaries and documentary series, but Ibarra says its flexible.

Were trying to empower new storytellers, more plural, who want to tell their stories. She cites selected project,Tote abuelo, by Maria Dolores Arias Martinez, about a grandson from the nomadic Huichol tribe, who wants to accompany his grandfather on his last journey.

At a time when the U.S. president is talking about building walls, we want to break down those barriers in a more human, loving and nurturing way. At least introduce some cracks in the walls.
Jose F. Rodriguez, director of Documentary Programs at the Tribeca Film Institute, attended a panel at the 6th IFF Panama dedicated to support schemes for documentary filmmakers, which also featured Yissel Ibarra, at Mexicos Imcine Film Institute, and IDFA Bertha Funds managing director, Isabel Arrate Fernandez.

Speaking to Variety after the panel, Rodriguez explained that Tribeca is looking to expand its partnerships with festivals in Central America. Panama is one possible option, because of the fests growing international profile and the launch of initiatives such as the Primera Mirada pix-in-post sidebar and the new Campus Latino initiative. organized in partnership with the Goethe Institute.

I know a lot of the people who work at the Panama Film Festival, the programming is stellar, enthused Rodriguez. And with new initiatives such as Campus Latino, it has a very strong profile. Wed certainly be interested in increasing our involvement next year, whether on an informal basis or moving towards a partnership.

He added that he was delighted to have had the chance to meet filmmakers in Panama. Its crucial for us to be here, and so necessary to find time to be face-to-face with local filmmakers.

TFI co-founder Robert de Niro has also been linked to Panama recently, as executive producer and actor in Panamanian feature, Hands of Stone, about Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, which bowed in 2016.

Rodriguez said that film festivals in Central America are building an increasingly important international visibility and TFI wants to build a bridge with these events.

In Panama the festival is clearly growing and getting its message across to an international audience. The Costa Rica International Film Festival is growing by leaps and bounds. Guatemalas Icaro film festival is getting storytellers out there, who are winning awards in festivals.

As IFF Panama increases its industry events, Tribeca would potentially be interested in establishing a partnership that would help target projects that may be supported by the Tribeca Film Fund and may be invited to attend the Tribeca Film Festival where producers have the chance to contact sales agents, distributors and co-producers.

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Rodriguez explained that in 2016 he attended the Costa Rica International Film Festival which led to Tribeca supporting a documentary project, Ernesto Villalobos Jamon, that was then invited to the Tribeca Film Festival.

TFI already has formal partnerships in Latin America with several festivals, where it runs filmmaker labs and scouts for projects suitable for funding.

Current partnerships with film festivals include Sanfic in Chile, Cartagena in Colombia, and Guadalajara, Morelia and Docs MX in Mexico.

TFI also has a partnership with the Cuban Film School, which holds a retreat, in conjunction with the Havana Film Festival, which TFI has been attending over the last three years.

Rodriguez is interested in attending festivals in Latin America in order to scout for projects of interest for Tribecas Latin American Fund which launched in 2010.

The TFI Latin America Fund offers hands-on mentoring and funding support for fiction films and documentaries. Since 2010, it has awarded more than $700,000 to over 60 filmmakers from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

On March 27, it announced support for a further 17 projects from countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Chile and Argentina. Projects cover a wide range of different topics from quirky individual tales to broader political issues, such as Petra Costas Impeachment, about the ousting of Brazils first female president.

Rodriguez explained that the reason for attending the panel at IFF Panama was to explain how the Latin America Fund works, what they are looking for, what attracts them and how they work with filmmakers.

When the fund was launched in 2010, resulting from a partnership with Mexicos Canacine, it initially targeted primarily Mexican filmmakers. In 2012, Bloomberg Philanthropies also became a partner for the fund and support was extended for filmmakers from the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Funding provided via the financing line supported by Canacine gives fixed grants of $10,000 to projects from Mexico, whereas financing supported by Bloomberg, which is open to the entire region, provides grants which typically vary between $7,000 and $12,000.

Rodriguez is particularly interested in coming into projects at an early stage, or providing support at rough-cut stage where funding can make a key difference to completing the film. Within our tight constraints we try to make every penny count.

Rodriguez said that the fund is now increasingly supporting filmmakers from Central America and the Caribbean. In 2017 it is backing projects from the Dominican Republic for the first time, as well as two projects from Cuba, for the second time. It is also supporting a project from Peru for the first time.

The Fund forms part of TFIs wider mission to create space for new voices and visions, in particular from minorities. Living in New York, its very easy to be in a bubble. It helps to break out of that bubble and bridge the gap with other countries.

Rodriguez said that fiction films from the region are gaining more traction but its often an uphill struggle for documentary projects. Documentary is still an ugly word for some people. Simon Kilmurry of the International Documentary Association says that someone people compare a taste for documentaries to eating broccoli. We have to try to break down pre-conceived ideas that documentaries arent just good for you, they can be just as compelling as fiction. Also some filmmakers choose a hybrid route, mixing documentary with fiction.

Rodriguez commented that many of the supported projects find their audiences through festivals: Key festivals for Latin American films in North America include Sundance, Toronto, the Chicago Latino Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, the Colombian Film Festival and Havana Film Festival in New York, and South by Southwest.

However, beyond festivals he says that it remains difficult to reach out to a wider audience, including the huge Hispanic audience in North America.

Latin American films that repeat stereotypes about corruption, mafia and drug wars find it much easier to be bought, distributed and financed. For example. if I pitch a coming of age story about a young boy, with a circus in his backyard, people dont know how to respond to it. But thats precisely the story of one of the projects we supported  Jonas and the Backyard Circus by Brazilian filmmaker Paula Gomes  which is one of the most beautiful documentaries youll ever see.

We want to avoid cliched approaches. This includes looking for more nuanced stories, including more optimistic stories for which its sometimes more difficult to get attention. Ultimately were looking for good storytelling.

Other examples he cited include Jose Villalobos Romeros Charro of Toluquilla about a character who appears to be a quintessential macho mariachi, but becomes HIV positive and has to choose between being a father and continuing his womanizing ways.

Rodriguez says that the 2016 presidential campaign and Trumps election has actually made people more emotionally open, which makes support for Latin American filmmaking even more important than ever. I think people are now even more predisposed to tackling nationalism head on and not feed stereotypes. Instead of building walls, lets open our doors to a plethora of new voices and create kinship and emotional connection. Thats what were trying to do.

He concluded: We aim to introduce people to other perspectives. This doesnt mean that films have to be about social issues or politics. Were above all interested in the human condition and supporting films that will be screened in other parts of the world. Thats part of our mission statement to be a catalyst for change. Were particularly interested in quirky character-driven films, where music and ballet can be as important as films about society or the economy.
They are sprawled in the alleyway, the dead bodies. Women, children, two old men with white beards, they are 16 in all, their faces bloated with blood now, at least a week after they were killed as they attempted to flee the fighting between Iraqi troops and ISIS in the city of Mosul.

The scene in the citys al-Aqeedat neighborhood stands as grim testimony to the soaring civilian death toll here, as Iraqs armed forces continue to battle through the section of the city west of the Tigris River. Reports of civilian casualties surged in March as a result of shelling, airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition and the use of human shields by Islamic State gunmen.

The dead in this alleyway were killed in panicked flight. A woman lies next to the body of her small child. Another is alongside a sack of rice, a sign of the months of siege endured by people trapped in this ISIS-held section of Mosul. A woman in pink pants lies with legs splayed. A young boy in a red jacket lies with his arm folded across his body. Shoes and clothes are strewn on the ground. One body is covered with a blanket, placed by a resident who identified him as his father.

It was impossible to immediately confirm the cause of the civilians deaths but elements of the scene provided clues. At least 12 bullet casings laid on the ground. A sizable round hole in the wall of the house indicated the presence of a mortar or other artillery. Scattershot pockmarks appear on the wall, suggesting either shrapnel or bullets. One dead mans skull was crushed. Others had deep gashes on their legs. Blood spattered the wall.

Naim Obeid, a soldier in Iraqs Federal Police who directed TIME to the bodies, speculated that they had been shot by ISIS. In our experience, if its a mine, youll see body parts everywhere. But as you can see there are bullets everywhere, like someone was barraging them with a Kalashnikov or something. And you can see there are a lot of holes in the wall, he said. ISIS wanted to make an example of them, for others who try to flee, he added.

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An officer deployed at the same location gave a different account of what had happened. Captain Seif Burhan of the Federal Police fifth division special forces said he witnessed the group set off a booby trap. At the time, the house was located within ISIS-controlled territory. As Iraqi government forces approached, the family inside decided to flee, he said.

Burhan said he watched from a nearby building as the group opened the door of a concrete house where they had been sheltering. According to the captain, they filed out of the house, down some concrete steps and into the adjacent alleyway. Then, he said, one member of the group stepped on a trigger, sparking a series of explosives lining the alley. Theres a straight line and when you move within this perimeter, the trigger is at the end. When you put your foot on the trigger its not going to explode on one person, its going to explode on everyone, says Burhan, speaking on a street steps from where the bodies lay.

The contradictions in the two accounts were indicative of the confusion on the ground in Mosul, where civilians are dying in greater and greater numbers as fighting continues. AS U.S.-backed Iraqi forces attempt to liberate the western section of the city, residents and military officials say ISIS is detaining civilians and using them as human shields on a mass scale.

But the U.S.-led coalition is also intensifying its use of airstrikes in the campaign against ISIS, leading to a surge in claims of civilian casualties, including an explosion on March 17 in which as many as 200 people died allegedly as a result of an American air raid. The U.S. Central Command has admitted delegating battlefield commanders to approve strikes, but the military has denied a shift in the rules of engagement reported by some Iraqi officials.

Theres little doubt that ISIS has engaged in mass killings of civilians across its territory in Iraq and Syria, however. In one recent case, authorities discovered a mass grave in a sinkhole outside Mosul. In interviews, residents of the newly-freed sections of Mosul say ISIS executed people for infractions as small as using a cell phone, banned under the Islamic State. Iraqi forces, meanwhile, have been documented using crude and inaccurate weapons in the intense urban battle against ISIS in western Mosul, including improvised rockets that could potentially kill indiscriminately.

However these people died, they are only among the most recent victims of ISISs almost three-year occupation of Iraqs second city. As soldiers press on into the densely populated passageways of occupied Mosul, the human toll is likely to rise yet further.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
The custodian of a Pakistani religious shrine and two accomplices have been arrested for torturing and murdering 20 worshippers with knives and clubs early Sunday, police said.

Four women were among those killed in the attacks at the Sufi Shrine to Mohammad Ali in Punjab province. Victims were apparently given intoxicants before being slaughtered and some of the bodies were nude.

The motive was unclear but some officials said the chief suspect had mental health problems and had used violence on followers before.

"The 50-year-old shrine custodian, Abdul Waheed, has confessed that he killed these people because he feared that they had come to kill him," regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told AFP.

Another local government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Waheed had told police that the saint buried at the shrine had been poisoned and he feared that his victims might kill him also.

"The suspect appears to be paranoid and psychotic, or it could be related to rivalry for the control of shrine," Hameed said, adding that the investigation into the killings near the city of Sargodha was continuing.

Local police station chief Shamshir Joya said the victims, whose clothes were torn and bloodstained, appeared to have been given intoxicants.

"We suspect that the victims had been given some intoxicants before they were murdered, but we will wait for a forensics report to confirm this suspicion," he added.

"The victims were brutally tortured to death and apparently the clothes of some victims were torn off during it," he said. Six of the dead were from the same family.

Joya said the shrine was built some two and a half years ago. Waheed -- a one-time employee of the national election commission -- took it over upon completion.

Local rescue service official Mazhar Shah said Waheed used to meet devotees once or twice a month and used violence to "heal" them.

"Local people say that Waheed used to beat the visitors who came to him for treatment of various physical or spiritual ailments," Shah told reporters in televised comments.

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"Sometimes he would remove the clothes of his visitors and burn them." Television footage showed scattered shoes, clothes, sheets and cots in the yard of the white-painted domed shrine as police vehicles and police commandos surrounded the premises, sited amid green farmland.

- Sufi tradition -

Visiting shrines and offering alms for the poor -- and cash to the custodians -- remains a very popular custom in Pakistan. Many believe this will help get their prayers answered.

Punjab Minister for Religious Affairs Zaeem Qadri said intelligence agencies along with police and the local government were investigating all aspects of the case.

Qadri said his department managed some 552 shrines in the province, but this one was not registered with it.

"Investigators will also look into how this shrine was allowed to be set up on private land," he said.

Pakistan for centuries was a land of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam whose wandering holy men helped spread the religion throughout the Indian subcontinent in the 13th century.

Sufis believe in saints which they say can intercede for them directly with God. They have no hierarchy or organisation, instead seeking spiritual communion through music and dance at the shrines of the saints.

Several million Muslims in Pakistan are still believed to follow Sufism, although it has overtaken in recent decades by more mainstream versions of the faith.

Hardliners such as the Taliban or the Islamic State group have carried out major attacks on Sufi shrines because they consider them heretical.

In February 88 people were killed and hundreds wounded in Pakistan's southern province of Sindh when a suicide bomber blew himself up among devotees at a Sufi shrine.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  A Somali journalist who was kidnapped on Saturday was found tied up and alive in the agricultural town of Afgoye, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Mogadishu, the capital, after he was tortured and released by his captors.

A farmer found Hanad Ali Guled lying in a field with hands and legs tied behind his back, said Ahmedwali Hussein, an editor at Goobjoog radio and television station. Guled had difficulties speaking because of the torture that had been inflicted on him, said Hussein.

No group has claimed responsibility for the journalist's abduction by six armed men who stopped him on his way to work outside Mogadishu on Saturday.

The abduction is reminder of the dangers that reporters face in this Horn of Africa country which has frequent attacks by the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which is allied to al-Qaida. Somalia is often listed as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
HONOLULU (AP)  The U.S. Air Force will reduce exterior lighting at a Hawaii facility to help protect endangered and threatened seabirds there.

The Air Force agreed to reduce lighting at a mountaintop radar facility on the island of Kauai, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/2oOhT5R ) reported Sunday. After the announcement, the Center for Biological Diversity said it no longer intends to sue the Air Force.

The nonprofit conservation group says the threatened Newell's shearwater and Hawaiian petrel are attracted to bright lights at night, which can cause crashes onto the ground and sometimes death.

The center believes lights at the Kokee Air Force Station caused more than 130 birds to fall out of the air in 2015, including Hawaiian petrels, endangered band-rumped storm petrels and Newell's shearwaters. Most of them died, the center said.

The Kokee Air Force Station was founded in 1961 to detect and track all aircraft operating near Hawaii. The Air Force has taken steps to try to reduce the bird losses over the years, including switching from white and yellow exterior bulbs to green ones in 2013, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Air Force also said last June that it had agreed to turn off outside lights from April through December, when birds are going to and from colonies. But the Center for Biological Diversity threatened legal action at the end of June, saying the Air Force was violating the Endangered Species Act by not updating its formal consultation about seabirds with the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The center said the Air Force reinitiated the consultation and agreed to ongoing protective measures in response.

The Air Force is "committed to protecting the threatened and endangered bird species that frequent the area around Mt. Kokee Air Force Station," Col. Frank Flores wrote in an email to The Star-Advertiser. Flores is the commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, which provides oversight for Kokee Station.

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"We have collaborated closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services over the years on this issue. We take environmental stewardship very seriously and will continue to partner with USFWS to protect these species," Flores wrote.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
Washington (AFP) - When America entered World War I, a century ago this week, the European powers were bogged down in a grinding trench war that had killed millions and ravaged the European continent.

Swinging its industrial might and vast manpower behind France and Britain against Germany and its allies on April 6, 1917, the United States tipped the balance of the conflict and marked its own emergence as a global power.

"World War I was clearly the turning point for developing a new global role for the United States, ushering in a century of international engagement to promote democracy," said Jennifer Keene, a World War I expert at Chapman University in California.

Americans had been keenly following the war ever since it broke out in August 1914, showing broad support for neutrality.

But public opinion changed with the May 1915 sinking of the Lusitania.

The British ocean liner was en route from New York to Liverpool when a German submarine torpedoed it off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,201 passengers, including 128 Americans.

"It seems inconceivable that we should refrain from taking action on this manner, for we owe it not only to humanity but to our own national self-respect," former president Teddy Roosevelt, an influential pro-allied hawk, told the New York Tribune at the time.

- Pro-allied, but neutral -

Although public sentiment swung toward the Allies, most Americans nevertheless insisted on neutrality.

Secretary of state Williams Jennings Bryan went so far as to resign in June 1915 over what he considered president Woodrow Wilson's excessively belligerent tone toward Germany -- especially after a US probe found that the Lusitania had been carrying contraband guns and ammunition.

Still, thousands of Americans volunteered to fight for the Allied cause, joining the French, British and Canadian forces. US aviators even joined the French Air Service, forming what became known as the Lafayette Escadrille.

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People like Roosevelt worried that an Allied defeat would result in Germany's occupation of parts of Canada, as well as British and French Caribbean possessions. Neutrality made German entry into the Americas more likely, Roosevelt argued in his influential newspaper columns.

"Americans had plenty of time to think about what they wanted to do, they just couldn't agree," said Michael Neiberg of the US Army War College.

Wilson, who struggled to maintain neutrality, won re-election in November 1916 under the campaign slogan "He kept us out of the war."

- A telegram, submarines and a revolution -

Three events in early 1917 changed the equation.

On January 16, German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to his ambassador in Mexico asking him to propose a military alliance. Mexico would recover land lost to the United States in an earlier war, including Texas, in exchange for German gold and weapons.

British intelligence agents intercepted the message, decoded it and passed on to Washington. Its publication outraged Americans.

Next, on February 1, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking merchant ships without warning in international waters. The Germans calculated that if they could sink enough ships, they would starve Britain of food and supplies and tilt the war in their favor. They sank three US merchant ships in the subsequent days, adding to the anti-German outrage.

Even still, the Americans "will not even come," German Admiral Eduard von Capelle confidently told a German parliamentary committee on January 31, "because our submarines will sink them. Thus America from a military point of view means nothing, and again nothing, and for a third time nothing."

Finally, as Russia imploded in chaos and revolution, Czar Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, surrendering power to what became known as the Provisional Government.

Nicholas was "a figure that almost all Americans hated," Neiberg said. "It thus seemed -- at least until the Bolsheviks took over in November 1917 -- that the war might usher in democracy."

- 'Safe for democracy' -

Germany's submarine war "is a warfare against mankind," Wilson said in his April 2 speech to Congress asking for war.

"The world must be made safe for democracy," he proclaimed. "We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion."

But the US military was ill-prepared for war, its small, underequipped army having seen no major combat for decades. French and British trainers rushed over to train a force that grew at a breakneck pace, and by the war's end in November 1918, more than four million Americans had been mobilized for the conflict.

In a show of bravado, the US military commander, General John Pershing, landed in France in June 1917 with 14,000 soldiers. The next months saw the arrival of a steady stream of inexperienced but enthusiastic US troops.

"The impression made upon the hard-pressed French by this seemingly inexhaustible flood of gleaming youth... was prodigious," Winston Churchill later wrote.

Germany's submarine campaign failed miserably as the Allies grouped ships in convoys protected by warships. No US soldiers were lost to German U-boats.

"There is no doubt that the US made a key contribution to victory," Keene said, "but the Allied victory in WWI was a coalition effort -- the US wouldn't have won without the French or British, and the reverse is also true."

Across the Atlantic, the American economy boomed with war spending. By the war's end, it was many times stronger than any of the ravaged pre-war powers. US banks were also keen on collecting the $10 billion in loans made to the Allies during the conflict.

Peace prompted a new debate: are US interests best served by working through international organizations - such as the League of Nations, proposed by Wilson in his January 1918 Fourteen Points peace proposals but rejected by the US Congress -- or should the United States go it alone?

"That," Neiberg said, "is a debate we're still having."
Madrid (AFP) - Spanish film star Antonio Banderas says he has quit smoking since suffering a heart attack in January and will work at a slower pace from now on.

"If there is something good that came from all of this, it is that I suddenly stopped smoking, without needing pills or anything like that. It's over!" the 56-year-old said in an interview with the Spanish daily Diario Sur at his home in the southern city of Malaga.

"I'm going to keep working but I'm going to do it at another rhythm. I am going to give myself space, take time between productions, and above all make the jump which I have yearned for a long time, and put myself behind the camera, write my scripts."

Banderas, known for roles in such films as "The Mask of Zorro" and "Philadelphia", announced at a film festival in Malaga last month that he had three stents placed in his arteries after having a heart attack in January.

He said he had recovered fully, with no damage to his heart.

The actor -- who is dating Nicole Kimpel, a 36-year-old Dutch investment advisor -- said his ex-wife, the American actress Melanie Griffith, had called him "practically every day" since he had the heart attack.

"I still have a great relationship with her and Nicole adores her. The three of us have had dinner together," he told Diario Sur.

Banderas and Griffith, 59, who was nominated for an Oscar for 1988's "Working Girl", announced in 2014 that they had agreed to divorce "in a loving and friendly manner".

It was the second divorce for Banderas, who was previously married to Spanish actress Ana Leza for eight years, divorcing in 1996, the same year he married Griffith.
By Philip Wen BEIJING (Reuters) - Subjected to daily interrogations and blocked from leaving China for more than a week, Australia-based academic Feng Chongyi arrived home in Sydney on Sunday, vowing to return to the mainland later this year to complete his research. Feng, an Australian permanent resident who retains his Chinese passport, was conducting field interviews for a project on Chinese human rights lawyers and their political aspirations. "If they wanted to scare me they failed miserably," Feng, a well-known China Studies expert at the University of Technology Sydney, told Reuters via telephone. "I'm not scared of them. I did not do anything illegal." The project, which is partly government-funded via the Australian Research Council, touches on sensitive subject matter for the Chinese government. President Xi Jinping's administration has tightened control over almost every aspect of civil society since 2012, citing the need to buttress national security and stability. During that time, China has detained or questioned hundreds of human rights lawyers and other government critics, international rights groups have said. It routinely accuses rights lawyers of collaborating with "foreign hostile forces" to undermine state power. Feng said his case, as well as interviews he conducted before being interrupted, showed the space for government criticism or dissent had been tightened further. He said he had been unmolested when he met with what he described as "sensitive contacts" on a trip to China a year ago. "In terms of rule of law and human rights it's getting worse and worse. It's clear their control of Chinese citizens [has] become harder and harder," he said. "It's a reflection of their [the Chinese government's] insecurity. They can shut you down." China's Ministry of Public Security and its Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday that Feng was being prevented from leaving on "national security" grounds, without elaborating. Feng arrived in China a month ago for his work and was first held for questioning in Kunming, the capital of southwestern Yunnan province, before being barred twice from boarding flights from Guangzhou last Friday and Saturday, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters previously. Feng said he was informed on Saturday morning by the state security officers who had been questioning him daily that he was free to leave. He was made to sign a statement pledging not to divulge details of his interrogation sessions as a condition of his release. The case had prompted Australian government intervention and sparked concern among international academics over the research environment in China. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said last week the Australian government was "monitoring developments closely and has raised this case with senior Chinese officials". It did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. (Editing by Tony Munroe and Kim Coghill)
DHAKA (Reuters) - The High Court of Bangladesh on Sunday upheld the death sentences of two members of a banned Islamist group accused of killing a blogger, a court official said. The two were sentenced to death in 2015 for killing Ahmed Rajib Haider, a youth group activist campaigning for a trial of war criminals, including those involved in Bangladesh's independence war with Pakistan in 1971. Rajib was hacked to death in Dhaka in 2013. The two convicts, Redwanul Azad Rana and Faisal Bin Nayem, are members of the Islamist group Ansar al Islam, linked to al-Qaeda. In 2015, Dhaka police announced a reward of 500,000 taka ($6,410) for Rana, believed to be the most senior leader of the group. He has gone into hiding. Rana is also accused of hacking to death another blogger, Bangladesh-born U.S. citizen Avijit Roy, in the same year. Bangladesh has been battling a rise in Islamist-linked violence in the past four years. Since July, several militants have been arrested or killed in police operations for involvement in last year's attack on a Dhaka cafe in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed. Since 2013 Islamist militants killed or seriously injured 48 people in Bangladesh, including at least six online critics of religious militancy who were hacked to death. Islamic State and al Qaeda have made competing claims over the killings of foreigners, liberals and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh, a mostly Muslim country of 160 million people. The government has consistently ruled out the presence of foreign groups, blaming domestic militants instead. (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Clelia Oziel)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Luis Suarez filled in for the suspended Lionel Messi by scoring one goal and participating in three more to keep Barcelona close to Spanish leader Real Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona's 4-1 victory at 10-man Granada left the defending champions two points behind Madrid, which won 3-0 at home against Alaves earlier in the day. Madrid still has a game in hand.

Asked about his team's impressive performance, despite Messi's absence due to an accumulation of five yellow cards, coach Luis Enrique said "squads win titles."

"We played a serious match. The game got complicated when they drew even on an isolated play, but we quickly resolved the situation and could establish the ample margin of victory that I think we deserved," he said.

Suarez imposed himself on the match from the start, hitting the bar and forcing two good saves from Guillermo Ochoa before he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper a minute before halftime.

Suarez's goal was his 23rd in the league this season, leaving him second to Messi with 25.

After Granada leveled through substitute Jeremie Boga, Suarez turned playmaker by muscling off his marker and passing for substitute Paco Alcacer to beat Ochoa in the 64th.

The little-used Alcacer made the most of his limited time, coming on in the first half after Rafinha injured his right knee.

A shot by Ivan Rakitic was deflected in by Matthieu Saunier in the 83rd, shortly after Granada's Uche Agbo picked up a second booking. Suarez played a part in this goal too, when he tried to dribble past a defender who knocked the ball into Rakitic's path.

Neymar capped the victory in stoppage time after Suarez passed for Alcacer, who then found the Brazilian alone to tap home. Neymar also hit the upright with the final kick of the match.

Granada stayed in second-to-last place.

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REAL MADRID 3, ALAVES 0

Karim Benzema continued his strong scoring form with a fourth goal in as many rounds to keep Madrid atop the table.

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Madrid dictated the first half and Benzema's opener in the 31st came from a one-two with Dani Carvajal, who had gone on as a substitute after Raphael Varane picked up an early leg injury.

"(Benzema) always finds the way to get the team going by either scoring or setting up goals," coach Zinedine Zidane said.

But in its first match since a long international break, Madrid faded in the second half and Alaves threatened to snatch a draw.

The win wasn't secure until the 85th when Francisco "Isco" Alarcon fired in a second goal from a pass by Cristiano Ronaldo. Defender Nacho Fernandez then headed in the rebound after Gareth Bale's free kick came off the bar.

"Before the second goal we were having difficulties, and suddenly Ronaldo makes a pass for Isco, who controls the ball well and scores," Zidane said. "We know that that is what we have and at any moment we can hurt our rivals."

Edgar Mendez had the best shot for Alaves in the 60th when he was left all alone in the six-yard box, only for the forward to drive the ball back past the far post.

Deyverson and Manu Garcia also went close with headers for the Basque team that is outperforming its small budget this season and faces Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Alaves remained in 10th place.

___

SEVILLA 0, SPORTING GIJON 0

Sevilla's slump continued after a fourth consecutive round without a win. That cost it the chance to reclaim third place from Atletico Madrid.

Jorge Sampaoli's side had enjoyed an excellent season but, in the last month, it has been eliminated from the Champions League's Round of 16 and seen its Liga title chances fading away.

"The team isn't taking advantage of its chances," Sampaoli said. "We have to keep working to turn this around."

___

VALENCIA 3, DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA 0

Goalkeeper Diego Alves saved his fifth penalty of the season, improving his career record in Spain to 21 out of 46.

His save against Faycal Fajr came just before Ezequiel Garay scored Valencia's first goal.

An own-goal by Raul Albentosa put Valencia 2-0 ahead before Jose Cancelo added a solo effort late.
Police have identified a 13-year-old boy as the child killed by carbon monoxide leak at a hotel pool in Michigan on Saturday.

Bryan Douglas Watts and five other children, ages 12-14, were found unconscious and unresponsive in the pool area of a Quality Inn and Suites in around 10 a.m. Hotel officials reportedly spotted the kids and called 911.

Read: Off-Duty Firefighter Saves Lives When He Detects Carbon Monoxide During Restaurant Dinner Party

Another child was later found unresponsive in a first-floor room in the hotel after returning from the pool, according to reports. Officials said they were eventually able to revive the girl.

The victims were transferred to local hospital, all reportedly in critical condition. Watts was pronounced dead on arrival.

Niles Fire Captain Don Wise said that this is one of the most tragic events he has witnessed in his 30-year career.

"To have six youthsthat just takes it into a whole different category, he said. I hope I never have one of these again."

Two Niles police officers, two Berrien County Sheriff's deputy, as well as one hotel employee were also taken to the hospital after their arrival, but were later released.

Carbon monoxide levels were later found to be 16 times the safe limit.

Read: Hunters Discover and Save Unconscious Children Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide

The ventilation system on the heater had issues, the exhaust was not functioning properly, said Wise. Our mechanical inspector verified that. The hotel is shut down now until repairs are made.

Investigators confirmed there was no carbon monoxide detector in the pool area.

"Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless. You'll wind up getting flu-like symptoms, vomit, then go unresponsive," he added, "but there isn't much time between getting nauseous and going fully unconscious."

Watch: Family Dog Choked 5-Year-Old Boy To Death By Pulling On Scarf: Cops

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(This March 31 story corrects profession of Torres to social scientist in paragraph 13) By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) - The world's largest meatpacker, Brazil's JBS SA, has for years knowingly bought cattle that were raised on illegally deforested land, turning a blind eye to regulations meant to protect the Amazon rainforest, Brazil's environmental regulator has alleged. The accusation comes even as JBS and other meatpackers in Brazil, the top global exporter of beef, are reeling from a corruption scandal. Police allege bribery of health inspectors to overlook unsanitary conditions and forgo inspections. JBS has denied wrongdoing and sought to assure consumers that its products meet rigorous quality standards. Earlier this month, the environmental agency, IBAMA, ordered the suspension of two JBS meat packing plants and 13 others in southwest Para state for buying cattle raised on pastures cleared by slashing and burning the forest. It fined the company 24 million reais ($7.7 million). JBS denied purchasing livestock from ranchers on land blacklisted by IBAMA and won an injunction from a federal judge allowing its plants to continue buying cattle. The agency is appealing the ruling. Brazilian authorities have long said cattle ranching is responsible for more destruction of the Amazon than any other activity. The world's largest rainforest is considered one of the best natural defenses against global warming. JBS is the only major Brazilian meatpacker involved in both the inspection scandal and the rainforest protection probe. IBAMA said no other big meatpackers are targeted in its Amazon operation. IBAMA said JBS bought 49,438 illegal cattle between 2013 and 2016, half of those directly from embargoed pastures and the remainder by three-way "laundering" transactions to disguise the source. "They knew what they were doing," said Hindemberg Cruz, IBAMA's executive manager in Maraba, a badly deforested area of Para. "We confirmed this was happening in 2013 and it continues to happen in 2016." Cruz spoke to Reuters by phone from Maraba this week. In its latest operation, IBAMA said 84 percent of the animals detected as coming from deforested lands were bought by JBS. In an emailed statement, JBS said it had no way of knowing where cattle were raised when supplied by a legal rancher who may have bought the herd from an embargoed ranch. Emails exchanged in 2014 between deforestation researchers and a JBS executive, reviewed by Reuters, showed the company knew such cattle purchases were a problem for the industry despite a self-policing commitment JBS and other firms made in 2009. In the exchange with JBS director of sustainability Marcio Nappo, researcher Daniela Alarcon asked if the company was aware it was buying cattle raised on blacklisted land but later moved to clean pastures. The problem, Nappo replied, "is structural and goes beyond the ability of one single company to resolve." Mauricio Torres, a social scientist who works on land conflicts in the Amazon, said the emails showed JBS took advantage of the "laundering" of herds, which has become a common practice in the Amazon. JBS said in an email sent to Reuters this week that any supplier found not to comply with JBS's strict standards was blocked and became ineligible to sell livestock to the company. "JBS does not currently purchase and has not purchased any animals from the suppliers on the list of areas embargoed by IBAMA," it said. The company said it did not have access to the government's system for tracking animals, and called for more readily available information on blacklisted deforested areas. Cruz, however, said this information was easily accessible on the internet. Brazil adopted self-policing measures following a spike in deforestation, when Greenpeace threatened to name meatpackers who bought cattle grazing on razed rainforest. Publicly traded companies like JBS in 2009 began using the same satellite data the government utilizes to track rainforest clearings, which should allow them to see if a ranch shows signs of recent deforestation. The measure helped bring about a drastic decrease in beef originating from deforested land. However, Amazon deforestation is rebounding from a record low in 2012. IBAMA's Cruz said the onus should be on the meat companies to check their livestock sources properly with modern technology available today and crosscheck with satellite imagery publicly posted on the agency's website. "They should be asking more questions," Cruz said. (Additional reporting by Lunae Parracho in Santarem and Paulo Prada in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Riyadh (AFP) - Britain has apologised after an egg was thrown at a Saudi military official during a visit to London, Saudi state media said Sunday.

An anti-war activist last week attempted a citizen's arrest of General Ahmed Assiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led Gulf coalition fighting rebels in Yemen, before another threw an egg that hit Assiri in the back.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the Saudi king and the country's defence minister, to apologise for "the attack on General Ahmed Assiri, counsellor to the prince, by protestors," the state-run SPA news agency said.

Assiri told AFP he had been "subject to aggression" by protestors critical of Riyadh's operations in Yemen.

Video posted on Twitter showed anti-war activist Sam Walton approaching Assiri, putting his hand on the general's shoulder and announcing he was placing him under citizen's arrest before being pushed aside by security personnel.

Walton can be heard saying, "I'm placing you under citizen's arrest for war crimes in Yemen."

Civilians in Britain are permitted to arrest anyone suspected of committing an indictable offence.

Another protestor followed Assiri's security detail to the entrance of a building, where he threw an egg that hit the general in the back. Video showed Assiri turning around and giving the protestor the finger.

Rights groups have harshly criticised Saudi Arabia over its military action in Yemen, where thousands of civilians have been killed in the two years since Riyadh intervened against Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

Amnesty International last month condemned Britain for transferring arms to Saudi Arabia, saying Yemeni civilians continued to "pay the price".

The London-based rights group described the transfers as a "shameful contradiction" of British aid efforts in Yemen.

Britain has in recent weeks moved to strengthen ties with Gulf states including Qatar, which last week announced plans to invest $5 billion in the United Kingdom in the coming three to five years.

Prime Minister Theresa May also attended a Gulf Arab summit in December for talks on trade.
LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) - Britain has expressed regret to Saudi Arabia after what it described as a "disturbance" during a visit by an aide to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to London last week. Activists said on social media that a demonstrator tried to perform a "citizen's arrest" against Major General Ahmed al-Asseri as he tried to enter an office in London on Thursday. Asseri is also the spokesman of the Saudi-led coalition engaged in fighting against Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen. Activists accuse Saudi Arabia of committing war crimes against civilians in Yemen, a charge Riyadh denies. Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had spoken about the incident with Prince Mohammed by telephone on Saturday. "The Foreign Secretary expressed his regret at the disturbance to Saudi Major General Asseri's visit to London on Thursday, the Foreign Office said. Saudi state news agency SPA had earlier reported the telephone call and quoted Johnson as saying that the incident was under investigation. The agency quoted the Saudi embassy in London as saying in comments on its Twitter account that Asseri was "safe" after some demonstrators tried to attack the general to obstruct his participation in a symposium by the European Council on Foreign Relations. It said Asseri's schedule was not interrupted by the incident. Saudi Arabia denies its forces in Yemen target civilians. It says it takes extra care to avoid civilian casualties and accuses the Houthis of operating behind the cover of civilian targets. The United Nations says the war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians and caused a humanitarian crisis in the country. (Reporting by Paul Sandle in London and Noah Browning in Dubai, editing by Sami Aboudi and Susan Fenton)
LONDON (AP)  Darcus Howe, one of the most prominent black activists of his generation in Britain, has died. He was 74, and had been suffering from prostate cancer.

Howe was a leader of the U.K.'s little-chronicled black power movement, which battled institutional racism and challenged the prevailing view that racism wasn't a problem in modern-day Britain.

"He was a genuine radical," Howe's biographer, Robin Bunce of Cambridge University, said. "He was at the center for bringing racial justice to the U.K."

Howe rose to prominence in 1970 when he masterminded a campaign to stop the Metropolitan Police from closing down the Mangrove Restaurant in Notting Hill, a hub of black culture. Police had raided the restaurant a dozen times, triggering a backlash that climaxed in a pitched battle between police and 250 protesters.

Howe and eight others  the so-called Mangrove Nine  were charged with riot, affray and assault. But the trial, and Howe's ultimate acquittal, brought public attention to the issue.

A decade later, he organized a march to protest what activists saw as the failure of police to fully investigate allegations that a racially motivated arson attack caused the New Cross Fire, in which 13 young black people died.

Born in Trinidad, Howe came to Britain in 1961 with the intention of studying law. Instead, he became a writer. At the advice of his uncle, the Caribbean intellectual C.L.R. James, Howe in 1968 attended a congress of black writers in Montreal, where he met members of the U.S.-based Black Panther Party.

He recalled his early days in London in a 2013 column for the Guardian newspaper.

"As the new immigrants, we ducked and dived as missiles - verbal and otherwise - came our way," he wrote before quoting a racial slur to illustrate how bad the environment was for black Britons. "One election slogan then made things as plain and as clear as can be: "If you want a n----- for a neighbor, vote Labour."

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Howe was unafraid of being controversial. Asked to comment on the 2011 riots that followed the death of a 29-year-old black man shot by police in London, he said his concern was with the dead man, his family and the number of young black men being subjected to random police searches.

Unlike the black power movement in the United States, where confrontational tactics brought figures like Malcolm X to prominence, Howe and other British activists were more low-key, Bunce said.

"Black power was born in the U.S., though he played a role in delivering that black power to the U.K.," Bunce said of Howe. "He made it appropriate for the British context."
Dubai (AFP) - Clouds of smoke billowed over central Dubai on Sunday after a fire burned for several hours in a residential tower under construction near the city's largest shopping mall.

The blaze erupted around 6:30 am (0230 GMT) at the complex, which is near the Dubai Mall and a hotel ravaged by fire on New Year's Eve in 2015, authorities said.

Civil defence services evacuated four people who were trapped by the fire, including one in serious condition, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Ateej told Dubai television.

The Dubai government said that firefighting crews had brought the blaze under control.

It said the building was being constructed by local real estate giant Emaar.

The property has three towers, each 60 floors high, and had been due to be completed in April of next year.

Major fires have hit several Dubai high-rises in recent years and spread quickly, mostly due to flammable material used in cladding, a covering or coating used on the side of the buildings.

Sunday's blaze was close to where a huge fire ripped through the luxury Address Downtown Hotel on December 31, 2015, only a few hours before a fireworks display nearby.

It sparked panic and was broadcast live worldwide, but only injured 16 people.

In July last year, a fire gutted the 75-storey Sulafa tower in Dubai marina, with the flames spreading up quickly at least 15 floors of the building.

In 2012, a huge blaze gutted the 34-storey Tamweel Tower in the nearby Jumeirah Lake Towers district. It was later revealed to have been caused by a cigarette butt thrown into a bin.
As Democrats near the numbers they need to filibuster Neil Gorsuchs Supreme Court nomination, a conservative judicial group is running new ads thanking two Democratic senators who broke ranks and said they would support him.

The ads, paid for by the Judicial Crisis Network and provided exclusively to TIME, praise West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp for their decisions to vote against their partys filibuster attempt and for President Trumps first Supreme Court nominee. The group spent more than six figures combined on the digital ads, which will begin running Sunday in both senators home states.

Judge Gorsuch is an exceptionally well qualified candidate with bipartisan support and Sens. Heitkamp and Manchin have done the right thing by supporting his nomination, Carrie Severino, chief counsel and policy director of the Judicial Crisis Network, told TIME in a statement. The people have spoken and both senators deserve thanks for putting the people first and rejecting the gridlock campaign of the radical left.

The ads highlight the tricky position Heitkamp and Manchin found themselves in after the election: they are both Democratic senators from states that Trump won. President Trump won North Dakota because voters wanted judges like Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, Heitkamps ad says.

The Senate will vote on Gorsuchs nomination this week. Republicans need six more Democrats besides Heitkamp and Manchin to get the 60 votes needed to override a filibuster. If they cant get the votes, Republicans have signaled theyre willing to trigger the so-called nuclear option that would allow them to bypass the procedural hurdle and confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority vote.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Doha (AFP) - More than $260 million has been pledged in humanitarian aid for Syria following a meeting in Doha on Sunday involving the UN and 25 non-governmental organisations from across the region.

Qatari state media said the total number of pledges stood at $262 million and were made by participants at the meeting which comes ahead of a European Union two-day conference on war-torn Syria later this week in Belgium.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Muraikhi, the UN Secretary General's Humanitarian envoy, told the Doha meeting that Syria faces a huge humanitarian crisis which requires up to $8 billion in aid for the current year.

He added that more than 13 million Syrians need humanitarian assistance, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Among the organisations at the conference was the Qatar Red Crescent, several from the Gulf Cooperation Council and charities from Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

This week's Brussels conference is expected to bring together representatives from more than 70 countries and international organisations.

Upwards of 320,000 people have been killed and more than half of the country's population displaced since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 with protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Wealthy Qatar has been one of the biggest financial backers of rebel groups fighting Assad.
President Donald Trumps aides have publicly threatened a crackdown on states that have legalized marijuana  and the new White House administration may already be taking steps to make good on that pledge, according to an email obtained by International Business Times.

The correspondence showed a Justice Department official requesting information about marijuana cases from the state Attorney Generals office in Colorado  one of seven states where voters have passed ballot measures to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. The email came just after both a top White House official and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reiterated the Trump administrations opposition to marijuana legalization at the state level.

Read: Cuomo Opposes Legal Weed While Helping His Alcohol Industry Donors

Are you able to provide me the state docket numbers for the following cases? said the email from a Justice Department official to Michael Melito, a prosecutor in Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffmans office. Some of our intel people are trying to track down info regarding some of DEAs better marijuana investigations for the new administration. Hopefully it will lead to some positive changes.

The email, dated March 6, was obtained by IBT through an open records request. The specific identity of the sender was redacted, but the email signature appeared to be from a group supervisor on the financial investigations team of the Drug Enforcement Agencys field office in Denver.

Trump campaigned for president pledging to respect the right of states to legalize marijuana. However, on Feb. 23, Trumps White House spokesman, Sean Spicer, told reporters that There is still a federal law that we need to abide by...when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature. He said that when it came to states that have legalized the drug, I do believe that you'll see greater enforcement of the federal law prohibiting the recreational use of marijuana.

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Spicer added that while Congress has restricted the Justice Departments ability to punish states that have legalized medical marijuana, that's very different than the recreational use, which is something the Department of Justice, I think, will be further looking into.

Those comments were followed up a few days later by Sessions, who told reporters: States they can pass the laws they choose. I would just say it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not."

Politico later reported that Sessions privately reassured Republican senators that a marijuana crackdown was not imminent.

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By Alexandra Ulmer and Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - Two exit polls projected different winners in a tight presidential election in Ecuador on Sunday evening, sparking celebrations in the rival camps of a leftist government-backed candidate and a former banker. Final results could take days, the electoral council has warned, in a race that could extend a decade of leftist rule or usher in more business-friendly policies in the oil-rich Andean country. Conservative challenger Guillermo Lasso had 53.02 percent of votes versus 46.98 percent for government-backed Lenin Moreno, an exit poll by leading pollster Cedatos showed on Sunday afternoon. With Cedatos considered one of the most trustworthy polls, the Lasso camp broke into cheers, with supporters waving flags and honking horns in wealthier northern Quito. "Today a new Ecuador is born, the Ecuador of democracy, the Ecuador of freedom," Lasso told a crowd chanting: "Lasso President!" in his sweltering coastal hometown, Guayaquil. A Lasso win also has international repercussions, with the businessman vowing to remove WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from Ecuador's London embassy if he wins on Sunday. A separate exit poll by Perfiles de Opinion showed Moreno with 52.2 percent of the vote versus 47.8 percent for Lasso. Moreno was more measured, telling supporters in Quito: "We have a very trustworthy lead." He urged Ecuadoreans to await final results. South American is watching closely to see if Ecuador will follow Argentina, Brazil and Peru in shifting to the right as a commodities boom ends. TWO VISIONS But the polarized country is also bracing for potential unrest after a tense campaign. Both candidates have called for their supporters to take to the street and "defend the vote." Moreno, 64, a paraplegic former vice-president, just missed the minimum threshold to win the presidency in the first round in February, and polls leading up to Sunday's runoff showed him leading Lasso. Moreno, who has used a wheelchair since being shot during a robbery in 1998, has promised to boost social benefits to single mothers, pensioners and disabled Ecuadoreans while being more conciliatory than the mercurial Correa. Lasso, a 61-year-old former head of Banco de Guayaquil who has campaigned on creating one million jobs in four years, argues that Moreno's generous social promises risk plunging Ecuador's economy further into debt. He also accuses the ruling Country Alliance party of covering up corruption scandals, stifling media, and stacking institutions with supporters in the vein of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a Correa ally. Indeed, Venezuela's political upheaval cast a shadow over Ecuador's vote, with Lasso supporters fearing their country could turn the way of the crisis-hit nation. (Additional reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil and Jose Llangari in Quito; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Girish Gupta and Mary Milliken)
Quito (AFP) - Both candidates in Ecuador's presidential runoff claimed victory on the basis of conflicting exit polls Sunday, setting up a tense wait as the country charts its future after a decade under leftist Rafael Correa.

The election is being closely watched as a barometer of the political climate in Latin America, where more than a decade of leftist dominance has been waning.

It may also decide the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in Ecuador's London embassy since 2012.

In a sign of the deep divisions in the South American oil producer, one of the two authorized exit polls gave Correa's designated heir, Lenin Moreno, the edge.

The other said conservative ex-banker Guillermo Lasso would be the country's next president.

"We will continue this process that has changed Ecuador's reality, especially for the poorest citizens," Moreno, a wheelchair user paralyzed in a 1998 carjacking, triumphantly told supporters.

"Starting today, Ecuador has a president who is going to promote national unity," countered Lasso in a speech to his own supporters.

The confusion arose from contradictory exit polls from the companies contracted by state media, on the one hand, and private broadcasters, on the other.

Opinion Profiles, a firm some allege has government ties, gave Moreno 52 percent of the vote.

Cedatos, which the government calls an opposition polling firm, gave Lasso 53 percent.

The first official results are expected from 0100 GMT Monday.

- 'World watching' -

Correa presided over an economic boom that has recently gone bust.

"It's a decisive moment because we've had a conservative reaction in recent years," the outgoing president said after casting his ballot, adding that "the whole world is watching."

In Latin America, where a so-called "pink tide" of leftist leaders has been ebbing, the vote is seen as crucial.

Argentina, Brazil and Peru have all shifted to the right in recent months, as the region has sunk into recession and leftist leaders have been tarnished by a string of corruption scandals.

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"I want a change and an end to corruption, once and for all," said Elena Pabon, a 67-year-old retiree, as she went to the polls.

Fausto Dutan, 65, said he hopes "the good sense of our people prevails. I want the achievements of the past decade to keep taking hold."

An opposition victory, he said, "would mean the collapse of this country."

- United opposition -

Boosted by high prices for its oil exports, Ecuador registered solid economic growth averaging 4.4 percent per year during the first eight years of Correa's presidency, before tipping into recession in mid-2015.

Correa won loyal fans among the poor with generous social benefits that helped reduce the poverty rate from 36.7 percent to 23.3 percent in this country of 16 million people.

But he has also faced accusations of corruption and squandering the windfall of the oil boom.

Moreno, 64, won the first-round vote in February, with 39 percent to Lasso's 28 percent.

But Lasso, 61, united the opposition vote behind his promises to create a million jobs and eliminate 14 different taxes.

- Assange's fate at stake -

In another of the race's hot issues, Lasso has threatened to revoke the political asylum Ecuador has granted its most famous guest, Assange.

Correa, an outspoken critic of the United States, let the WikiLeaks founder stay at the London embassy to avoid arrest and extradition to Sweden over rape allegations by two women.

The 45-year-old Australian, who denies the accusations, says he fears Sweden would send him to the United States to face trial for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents in 2010.

His case has returned to the spotlight since WikiLeaks was accused of meddling in the US election last year by releasing a damaging trove of hacked emails from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and her Democratic party.
It looks like Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) wont seek revenge on Shinwell (Nelsan Ellis) for viciously beating him up in Season 5, episode 18 of Elementary.

The synopsis for Season 5, episode 19 of the CBS series reveals that Sherlock still finds himself upset after Shinwell assaulted him at the very end of last weeks installment. But instead of seeking retribution on Shinwell, Sherlock opts to take out his anger by dismantling a local organization of private investigators.

Sherlocks motive in taking down the said organization is unclear, but it may have something to do with the murder of a man Sherlock considered to be one of New Yorks worst private investigators.

READ: How did Elementarys Aidan Quinn prepare for his TV directorial debut?

Last episode, Sherlock was convinced that Shinwell killed his friend and fellow SBK member, Jameel Clark. But before Sherlock could turn Shinwell in to the authorities, Shinwell made a confession to the British sleuth in a rather violent way.

You want to know who killed Jameel? SBK killed Jameel, Shinwell said after assaulting Sherlock in the street. Leadership cut a deal with a rival gang, and in an exchange for a ceasefire, the gangs agreed to work together to raise the price of the drugs they were pushing. Jameels death was a condition. He had taken up with the ex-girlfriend of one of the other gangs lieutenants. So he had to go.

Shinwell said that SBK asked one of Jameels friends to do it, and apparently, that friend was him. But SBK lied, Shinwell revealed. They told his friend that he was a traitor. They tricked him.  SBK kills dozens of people a year. Their drugs ruin thousands of lives but dont know body care. They dont get press. Theyre not clever. Theyre not fun. Theyre just evil.

Before Shinwell left Sherlock, he let him know that he wont hesitate to beat him up again if he continues to mess with his mission in dismantling SBK. Theres something you need to know before I go. Im-a take SBK down. And anybody who get in my way gonna get hurt, Shinwell said before walking away.

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Will Sherlock turn Shinwell in for the murder of Jameel? Or will he just let him on the loose to seek revenge on SBK who framed him up?

Elementary Season 5, episode 19, titled High Heat, airs on Sunday, April 9 at 10 p.m. EST on CBS.

Nelsan Ellis as Shinwell, Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock

Photo: CBS

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The newly installed chief of the Environmental Protection Agency says climate change is real  but how much humans are to blame for causing it is up for debate.

Theres a warming trend  the climate is changing, Scott Pruitt said on Fox News Sunday. And human activity contributes to that change in some measure. The real issue is how much we contribute to it.

According to the most recent United Nations State of the Climate report led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015 was the warmest year on record since at least the mid-to-late 19th century. The study concluded that it is 95 percent likely that more than half of the global temperature increase over the last 75 years is due to human activity.

President Trump has called climate change a hoax perpetrated by China and has claimed that nobody really knows if its real, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.

Pruitt said it is unclear what the administration can do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

You cant just simply, from the EPA perspective, make that up, Pruitt said. You cant do what [former President Barack Obama] did previously with the Clean Power Plan  to simply reimagine authority.

Pruitts comments came just days after Trump signed an executive order rolling back Obama-era environmental protections intended to combat climate change.

The new administrations Energy Independence order, which Trump signed Tuesday, effectively began the process of dismantling the Clean Power Plan, which limited greenhouse gas emissions from coal-burning power plants and was the centerpiece of Obamas climate legacy.

Trump presented the controversial executive order as his latest action in a series of steps intended to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Flanked by coal miners and industry executives, Trump criticized what he called the war on coal, complete with job-killing regulations and government intrusion.

The action Im taking today will eliminate federal overreach; restore economic freedom; and allow our companies and our workers to thrive, compete, and succeed on a level playing field for the first time in a long time, fellas, Trump said.

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Environmental groups and progressive lawmakers quickly denounced the order.

Mr. Trump: You are threatening the lives of our children and grandchildren, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter. We will fight you every step of the way.

This is an all-out assault on the protections we need to avert climate catastrophe, Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement. Its a senseless betrayal of our national interests. And its a shortsighted attempt to undermine American clean energy leadership.

On Sunday, Pruitt also blasted the Paris Agreement  the 2015 global action plan to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting the increase in average temperature worldwide to below 2 degrees Celsius  as a bad deal for this country.

He also would not confirm whether the United States would remain in the global climate change pact.

We have done better than anybody in the world at growing an economy and also being a good steward of our environment, Pruitt said. We have nothing to be apologetic about.

 With Michael Walsh contributing reporting

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Paris (AFP) - "Fake news" has rarely been out of the news since Donald Trump's unlikely election to the White House.

Rarely a day goes by when the president doesn't take to Twitter to accuse, normally in capital letters, the mainstream media of misrepresenting the truth when reporting on his administration.

US academics Hunt Allcott and Matthew Gentzkow define "fake news" as "news articles that are intentionally and verifiably false, and could mislead readers."

But in fact, people have been spreading "fake news" for centuries in an effort to discredit political opponents, boost flagging circulations and even propel countries into war.

In short, "fake news" is basically "old news".

- Way back then -

"Since ancient Athens and Rome, lies and damned lies have always been part of political discourse," says University of Houston professor Robert Zaretsky.

Sixth century historian Procopius of Caesarea noted an "anecdota" or "secret history" of Roman emperor Justinian's private life.

Lewd details were emphasised or simply invented, perhaps to tarnish the ruler's reputation were he ever overthrown.

Later examples were made possible by technological advances such as the Gutenberg printing press that increased distribution of written materials, including 18th century "libelles," or scandal sheets that defamed French officials and personalities.

Another format dubbed "canards" helped fuel hatred of France's queen Marie-Antoinette ahead of her execution in 1793.

The trend was picked up on the other side of the Atlantic where in 1835 the New York Sun unleashed The Great Moon Hoax, falsely citing astronomer John Herschel as claiming to have discovered life there. The Sun's circulation soared.

Even the term "fake news" appears to be nothing new.

Robert Love wrote in the Columbia Journalism Review that the actual term "seems to have arisen in late nineteenth century America, when a rush of emerging technologies intersected with news gathering practices during a boom time for newspapers."

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The telegraph, trans-Atlantic and trans-continental cables, linotype process and photography boosted news gathering and circulation, sometimes with ominous results.

In the late 1890s, rival publishers William Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer wanted the United States to declare war on Spain, and manipulated news from Cuba into what Love says was "the first privately funded propaganda push to war in modern media history."

- The Internet age -

Fast forward to the Internet age and social media has provided a fresh palette of forums, with Trump and others now denigrating unfavourable reports as "FAKE NEWS!" and worse.

On February 18, Trump tweeted: "The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!"

French academic Pascal Froissart identifies three categories of fake news: propaganda, electoral publicity, and hoaxes.

Having won the election, "Donald Trump has acquired the copyright for 'fake news'," Zaretsky told AFP.

"He uses the term to challenge not just the evidence-based claims of his critics, but to challenge the very notion of truth."

In particular, the US president seeks to disparage allegations that his campaign team colluded with Russia to win the election.

"Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to 'leak' into the public," Trump tweeted.

On March 20 he doubled down with: "This story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it!"

Froissart estimates Trump used the term about 40 times in the 20 weeks following his election.

"It's a winning strategy," Froissart told AFP, because his data show that tweets with the term "fake news" were repeated 14 percent more often than others and generated 89 percent more responses.

Allcott and Gentzkow concluded in a widely read study however that "fake news" during the election would only have changed vote shares "by an amount on the order of hundredths of a percentage point," far less "than Trump's margin of victory in the pivotal states on which the outcome depended."
Bucharest (AFP) - Dogs paid to demonstrate against the government. A deadly nightclub fire ordered by an American billionaire. So-called "fake news" is prospering in Romania, fuelling euroscepticism in the former communist country.

The Social Democrat government's attempt in January to weaken anti-corruption legislation unleashed a huge wave of protests that eventually forced an about-turn by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu.

But it also unleashed a wave of truth-stretching reports by pro-government broadcasters.

The first major incidence of "fake news" was spotted in December -- just two days before a parliamentary election -- with privately-owned Romania TV reporting that the US business tycoon George Soros, a popular target of anti-globalists, had somehow "financed" a nightclub fire that killed 64 people in 2015.

Outrage over the blaze led to the toppling of the then-Social Democratic government and a follow-up investigation found that failure to respect safety regulations -- rather than any foreign plot -- was the cause of the tragedy.

Nonetheless, in a country where the national media industry is dominated by five privately-owned 24-hour news channels, rival broadcasters were quick to jump onto the story and into the "fake news" fray.

- 'War on the streets' -

When as many as 500,000 people marched in peaceful demonstrations earlier this year to defend the anti-corruption drive, some media reported a "war on the streets" or a "coup".

Multinational companies, those reports claimed, were forcing their staff to join in the protests. Romania TV said some employees, and their pets, were being given money to protest.

"Adults were paid 100 lei (22 euros, $24), children earned 50 lei and dogs were paid 30 lei," the broadcaster reported.

But anger at fake news also surged amongst viewers in the former Soviet satellite state, where memories of communist authoritarianism remain strong.

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The National Audiovisual Council of Romania received over 2,000 complaints in January and February alone, nearly 10 times the number in the same period last year, according to council member Dorina Rusu.

The regulator fined Romania TV more than 6,000 euros ($6,400) for making claims about Soros and 11,000 euros for broadcasting "fake information" about the "paid" demonstrators.

Press freedom organisation ActiveWatch and a group of Romanian advertisers called the Art Directors Club also criticised what they labelled biased reporting.

Two of the broadcasters, Romania TV and Antena 3, temporarily lost two-thirds of their advertisers in February, according to industry observer IQads.

- Corruption-tainted media moguls -

Romania's media industry is vulnerable as it is largely under the control of moguls who "face corruption charges, have already been imprisoned, or harbour obvious political leanings", says Petrisor Obae, of the media watchdog Pagina de Media.

Dan Voiculescu, founder of the channel Antena 3 and former president of a small party aligned with the Social Democrats, is serving a 10-year prison sentence for money laundering.

The head of Romania TV, former Social Democrat deputy Sebastian Ghita, faces four counts of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion, and has been on the run since December.

Romania's anti-corruption drive, which has also targeted politicians and other oligarchs, has been met with press reports so negative they were denounced by the European Commission as "major media attacks" on the judicial branch.

In one Antena 3 report, the country's chief anti-corruption prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kovesi, was accused of having received one million euros from a local mobster to cover up charges against him. She pressed charges against the journalists, and a trial is under way.

Over the past year Kovesi has lodged 15 complaints with the audiovisual council for "insults and defamation".

- 'Russian propaganda' -

As in other countries formerly under Soviet influence, Moscow is seen by some as an invisible hand in the spread of false information -- in particular on issues concerning the European Union and NATO.

"The goal is to weaken confidence in the EU and NATO and weaken Romania's international position," said Corina Rebegea of the US-based Center for European Policy Analysis.

Romania, one of the EU's poorest countries which has received 26 billion euros from the bloc since joining in 2007, has been falsely described by some journalists as a net contributor to the bloc.

Another story making the rounds claimed, falsely, that foreigners controlled 70 percent of the country's farmland.

Eurosceptic discourse was given a further boost last summer when Romania TV owner Ghita joined a small nationalist party, and his channel began inviting in politicians with similar views.

Former prime minister Victor Ponta, seen as pro-European while in power, now argues Romania should no longer accept being "a colony run by the EU" and publicly praises Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their "courage" to stand up to the bloc.

Confidence in the EU still runs high in Romania at 50 percent compared to a European average of 35 percent, according to a Eurobarometer poll from December.

But observers see no tapering of fake news production aiming to weaken that support.

"Russian propaganda is expected to gain ground in coming years as Romania is seen as a weak link of the European project due to internal tensions... and modest economic performance," Corneliu Bjola, a professor at the University of Oxford, told AFP.
A Kentucky Federal Judge rejected to dismiss the claim from three protesters at a 2016 Trump rally that Trump, provoked violence with his rhetoric to have them removed.

U. S. District Judge David J. Hale ruled in a March 31 opinion that he is rejecting requests from Trump and his supporters named as defendants in the case to dismiss the charges brought by three rally protesters because there was precedent of violence at previous Trump rallies and Trump was inciting violence by ordering the removal of protesters.

The protesters, Kashiya Nwanguma, Molly Shah and Henry Brousseau, filed suit after they were forcibly removed a Trump rally in Louisville in March 2016, claiming Trump encouraged a violent atmosphere and they were the targets of racial slurs.

It is plausible that Trumps direction to get em out of here advocated the use of force, Hale wrote in his memorandum. Based on the allegations of the complaint, which the Court must accept as true, Trumps statement at least implicitly encouraged the use of violence or lawless action.

Hale supported the plaintiffs argument that Trumps decision to order the removal of an African-American woman, Nwanguma when he knew controversial figures, like Heimbach, who were in the crowd were reckless.

The case was referred to Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Miami (AFP) - A 10-year-old bright red Ferrari that belonged to President Donald Trump went on the block on Saturday and sold for $270,000, auctioneers said.

"Similar versions of the model without the celebrity provenance traditionally bring between $125,000 - $175,000 depending on mileage, condition and optional equipment," said Auctions America spokeswoman Amy Christie.

She did not name the buyer.

Car lovers and Trump supporters had lined up to admire the 2007 F430 coupe at a convention center in Fort Lauderdale 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Miami.

The real-estate billionaire bought the Ferrari new for use as his personal car and owned it for just over four years.

He drove the car 2,400 miles. The rest of its mileage -- 6,000 miles -- was clocked by its second and current owner, who bought the Ferrari in 2011 and also remains anonymous.
Associated Press

Concerns over the Buffalo Bills troubling loss to the New York Jets were quickly overshadowed by even bigger worries regarding the status of Josh Allens throwing elbow on Monday. Suddenly, the entirety of the organization and its fanbase is holding its collective breath while awaiting the results of medical tests to determine the severity of Allens injury sustained in the final minutes of a 20-17 loss to the Jets  and what impact it will have on the second half of the season and the franchises Super Bowl aspirations. The reality, however, is bracing for the potential of having to turn over a very Allen-centric offense to journeyman backup Case Keenum to keep the AFC-leading Bills (6-2) afloat in the interim.
By Alex Dobuzinskis

(Reuters) - Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and his employer have made payouts totaling about $13 million to five women to settle claims of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior, the New York Times reported on Saturday.

O'Reilly said in a statement that he has been unfairly targeted because of his public prominence.

"In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the Human Resources Department, even on the anonymous hotline." O'Reilly, host of "The O'Reilly Factor," the network's biggest star, added, "I have put to rest any controversies to spare my children."

Fox News declined to comment.

"While he denies the merits of these claims, Mr. O'Reilly has resolved those he regarded as his personal responsibility," Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, the parent company of Fox News, said in a statement. "Mr. O'Reilly is fully committed to supporting our efforts to improve the environment for all our employees at Fox News."

The report follows heightened scrutiny of the workplace climate at Fox News, the top-rated cable news network and unit of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. Founding Chairman Roger Ailes left the company last year after sexual harassment allegations.

The five women who have received settlements either worked for O'Reilly or appeared as guests on his program, the New York Times reported. Two of the five settlements were previously known.

The largest settlement was a payout of $9 million in a sexual harassment lawsuit former Fox News producer Andrea Mackris brought against O'Reilly in 2004, according to the New York Times.

Two settlements were reached last year after Ailes' departure, the newspaper said.

Fox News anchor Laurie Dhue accused O'Reilly and Ailes of harassing her, but not sexually, and Juliet Huddy, a regular guest on O'Reilly's show, accused O'Reilly of pursuing a sexual relationship with her and trying to hamper her career after she rejected his advances, the newspaper reported.

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Attorneys for Mackris, Dhue and Huddy did not respond immediately to calls seeking comment.

Fox News last year agreed to pay $20 million to settle a harassment suit by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson on behalf of Ailes, who denied any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; editing by Diane Craft)
NEW YORK (AP)  The French embassy in the United States is staging a yearlong series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I.

The embassy's Cultural Services has kicked off the programs in New York City with events focusing on art, literature, history and French-American relations.

The Museum of the City of New York on Wednesday opens a new exhibit, "Posters and Patriotism: Selling World War I in New York." The exhibit focuses on the prominent role played by New York City as the center for Allied propaganda during the war.

Other programs and events are planned for the city and elsewhere in the U.S. in the coming months.

The United States formally declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
Cayenne (AFP) - France announced a billion euros ($1.07 billion) aid for strike-hit French Guiana, as representatives of the Guianese told visiting ministers the South American territory should be given "special status".

The vast South American territory, which is administered as a region of France, has been in the grip of labour unrest for the past 10 days.

"The government has heard the aspirations and demands of the Guianese," French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said at a joint press conference with overseas territories minister Ericka Bareigts.

Fekl earlier listed a series of "firm decisions" to a delegation of around 50 Guianese.

The commitments, mostly for "emergency measures" but some of which run for 10 years, total some 1.085 billion euros, according to Bareigts.

The proposals include investments in health, education and infrastructure, and the deployment of extra police and construction of a prison.

The delegation swiftly described the proposals as "unsatisfactory" but Bareigts said "adjustments" could be envisaged.

Asked about a possible rejection of the proposals by the Guianese, Fekl said he wanted "life to gradually return to normal".

The collective behind the strikes Saturday called for a "special status" for the territory in talks with Bareigts.

"With another system, we could decide for ourselves what is good for us," rather than "asking permission for everything" from France, collective member Davy Rimane told AFP.

In a referendum in January 2010, French Guiana voted firmly against autonomy.

"But this crisis is the expression of the failure of this referendum," said Gauthier Horth, another member of the collective.

Striking workers have set up barricades on several roads and forced the postponement of the launch of an Ariane rocket carrying a Brazilian telecoms satellite.

Workers in several sectors, including the energy giant EDF and public hospitals, have launched protests demanding pay raises and improved public safety and health coverage.
By Richard Balmforth and Michel Rose PARIS (Reuters) - France's polling commission has issued a warning over a Russian news report suggesting conservative candidate Francois Fillon leads the race for the presidency - something which contradicts the findings of mainstream opinion pollsters. The cautionary note from the watchdog on pre-election polling followed allegations in February by aides of centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron that he was a target of "fake news" put out by Russian media including the Sputnik news agency. Macron takes a hard line on European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, whereas Fillon has said they are totally ineffective, creating a "cold war" climate that needs to be reversed. Almost all media in France are drawing on polls that have shown since mid-February that Fillon, a former prime minister, is trailing in third place behind Macron and far right leader Marine Le Pen for the April 23 first round. Third place would mean Fillon's elimination from the May 7 runoff. State-run Sputnik carried different findings in a report on March 29 under the headline: "2017 presidential elections: the return of Fillon at the head of the polls". (For election graphic click here : http://tmsnrt.rs/2lPduBG) It quoted Moscow-based Brand Analytics, an online audience research firm, as saying that its study based on an analysis of French social media put Fillon out in front. In a statement, France's polling commission said the study could not be described as representative of public opinion and Sputnik had improperly called it a "poll", as defined by law in France "It is imperative that publication of this type of survey be treated with caution so that public opinion is aware of its non-representative nature," it said. Brand Analytics' track record either for political polling or for commercial internet audience measurement outside of Russia and former Soviet territory is unknown. Sputnik published an earlier online survey by the firm from mid-February which also showed Fillon with a strong lead over Macron and Le Pen at a time when other polls showed Macrons candidacy beginning to surge with Fillon in third place. Neither Sputnik in Moscow, nor the company, responded immediately to emailed requests for comment on Sunday. U.S. INTELLIGENCE WARNS Richard Burr, head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee which is investigating the Russian hacking during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, said last week that the Kremlin was trying to interfere in the French vote. The Kremlin denied in February that it was behind media and internet attacks on Macron's campaign. Russia has a strong interest in the outcome of the French election since Macron has suggested imposing further sanctions on Moscow if it does not implement its side of a deal to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. Fillon, once the frontrunner for the Elysee before he was hit by a scandal surrounding payments of public funds to his wife and children, dismissed as "fantasy" concerns of Russian interference in the election. Speaking last Friday, Fillon said he would seek a better balance in relations with a country that was nevertheless "dangerous". Richard Ferrand, the head of Macron's En Marche! (Onwards!) party, said in February that Sputnik and another Russian state-run outlet Russia Today were spreading 'fake news' with the aim of swinging public opinion against Macron. In February, Sputnik announced it would publish weekly French election polls using representative sampling from three mainstream polling firms - IFOP, Ipsos and OpinionWay - alongside an analysis of social media posts in France from Brand Analytics for which it did not disclose its survey methodology. Separately, Sputnik carried a news report last Friday about Macron supporters being awarded state decorations when he had been a high-level functionary at the Elysee and economy minister in the Socialist government, suggesting this could amount to influence peddling. It offered no proof that Macron had organized the decorations, which were sometimes awarded by other ministers. In several instances, it cited awards made by the economy ministry, without mentioning that Arnaud Montebourg, Macron's predecessor, was minister at the time. The Sputnik report contrasted Macron's alleged action with a judicial inquiry into an award made when Fillon was prime minister to a billionaire friend who owned a cultural magazine where Fillon's wife drew a salary. (Additional reporting by Michel Rose, Eric Auchard and Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Richard Balmforth; editing by David Stamp)
London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday insisted that she would "never" allow Gibraltar to slip from British control against the wishes of Gibraltarians as the issue took centre-stage in early Brexit wranglings.

May told Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo that "we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes."

The European Union has said that Spain would have to agree to extend any trade deal between the bloc and Britain to also cover the 6.7-square-kilometre (2.6-square-mile) British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain.

This means that Madrid could potentially block Gibraltar's access to any trade deal, and politicians in "the Rock" fear that Madrid will use the veto to seek sovereignty over the peninsula.

May told Picardo that she would never "enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," according to a readout of the phone call released by her Downing Street office.

"The UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," it added.

"We remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process."

British foreign minister Boris Johnson earlier Sunday stressed that the territory "will not be bargained away".

"Gibraltar is not for sale. Gibraltar cannot be traded. Gibraltar will not be bargained away," Johnson wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johnson wrote that the policy of the government "remains fixed and firm. The sovereignty of Gibraltar cannot be changed without the express consent of the UK and the people of Gibraltar."

"The status of Gibraltar has been unchanged since 1713. It made no difference when the UK joined the Common Market in 1973 and when Spain was not yet a member. It should make no difference today."

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The peninsula is home to about 33,000 people, with a key electronic gambling industry and offshore finance sector that deals with the whole of Europe.

Picardo on Friday hit out at the EU proposal, branding it "unnecessary" and "discriminatory."

"This is a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own, narrow, political interests," Picardo said in a statement.

Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.
Paris (AFP) - With three weeks left to the first round of France's presidential election, Communist-backed radical Jean-Luc Melenchon claimed Sunday he had mellowed, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen worked the youth vote.

Here is a snapshot of what happened in the race:

- Melenchon: 'hothead' no longer -

Jean-Luc Melenchon, predicted by polls to beat Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon as the top choice of the left, said the French no longer found him frightening.

"Today's society does not want sound and fury," the veteran rebel, known for his confrontational style and fiery speeches, told Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) weekly.

"I'm becoming a reassuring figure," said 65-year-old Melenchon, adding: "I'm less of a hothead."

Melenchon wants to abolish France's "monarchical" presidency and introduce reforms that give more power to parliament.

Polls for the first round currently show centrist Emmanuel Macron and Le Pen neck-and-neck, followed by the conservative Francois Fillon in third, Melenchon in fourth and Hamon in fifth. Macron is tipped for victory over Le Pen if the pair compete in May's run-off.

- Le Pen slams 'negative discrimination' -

At a rally in the western city of Bordeaux the National Front (FN) leader came out swinging against Macron's plans for positive discrimination policies in poor, predominantly immigrant neighbourhoods.

"Macron's positive discrimination means negative discrimination for others in their own country," said Le Pen, who has pledged a French-first approach to public housing, jobs and benefits.

With surveys forecasting a record abstention rate over 30 percent, she urged young people -- shown as least likely to cast a ballot -- to have their say.

"Vote, I beg you. Don't let yourselves be turned off by those who despise candidates that were not anointed by the system," Le Pen said.

Her remark was seen as a swipe at Macron, who on Saturday called on the French to "drive out... the party of hate" -- a reference to the FN.

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- Fillon 'the tactical choice' -

The deputy leader of the Republicans party, Laurent Wauquiez, urged rightwing voters to overcome any reservations they may have about Fillon and cast their ballot for the scandal-hit conservative.

"I'm calling for a tactical vote on the right and centre. You want to turn the page after five years of (Socialist President Francois) Hollande? Then vote Fillon, whatever you think about the scandals," Wauquiez told Le Journal du Dimanche.

Fillon's campaign was thrown into flux by revelations that he paid his wife and two of his children nearly a million euros in total for suspected fake jobs as parliamentary assistants.

He was also revealed to have accepted gifts of luxury suits from a wealthy benefactor. He has since returned the suits.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesian authorities destroyed 81 foreign ships over the weekend after seizing the vessels for fishing illegally in the country's waters.

The world's largest archipelago nation has taken a tough stance against illegal fishing since President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo took office in 2014. Authorities have sunk 317 foreign vessels since then, including the most recent.

The ships were blown up at sea in 12 locations around the archipelago on Saturday. The most destroyed in one area was 26 in Natuna on the edge of South China Sea and 10 in the nearby seaport of Tarempa.

Most of the vessels were from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Indonesia was upholding its sovereignty and combating illegal fishing, said Susi Pudjiastuti, the minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries who witnessed the sinking of two ships in the port of Ambon in Maluku province.

"We hope Sino (the name of one of the ships) is the symbol of our victory against poaching after years of defeat, especially in eastern Indonesia," Pudjiastuti said. She expressed hope that the action would deter poachers.

Pudjiastuti declared a fishing moratorium for foreign vessels immediately after taking office. "The state's sovereignty has to be upheld."
BEIRUT (Reuters) - An Iranian-American detained in Iran since last summer has been released on bail of approximately $60,000, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday. Robin Reza Shahini was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards while visiting family in the northeastern city of Gorgan last July and subsequently sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on charges of threatening national security, according to HRANA. Shahini went on a hunger strike for a month recently and his health situation had been deteriorating, the HRANA report said. Two other Iranian-Americans are still being held in the Islamic Republic. Iran's Revolutionary Guards detained Siamak Namazi, a businessman in his mid-40s with dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, in October 2015 while he was visiting family in Tehran. The Guards arrested his 80-year-old father Baquer Namazi, a former Iranian provincial governor and former UNICEF official who also has dual citizenship, in February 2016. Both men were sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying and cooperating with the United States government, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said last October, according to the Fars news website. It did not specify when exactly the sentences had been handed down. Another detainee is Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was sentenced to five years in prison last fall on charges that remain secret, according to her family. The Revolutionary Guards have accused her of trying to overthrow Iran's clerical establishment. Zaghari-Ratcliffe works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a London-based charity that is independent of Thomson Reuters and operates independently of Reuters News. The Foundation and her husband have dismissed the Revolutionary Guards' accusation. The U.S. State Department issued a warning in March 2016 noting that Iranian-Americans are particularly at risk of being detained or imprisoned if they travel to Iran. Shahini, in his mid-40s, graduated last spring from San Diego State University, where he studied international security and conflict resolution, his former classmate Jasmine Ljungberg told Reuters last year. He was set to start a master's program in homeland security at the university last fall, she said. The HRANA report did not indicate whether Shahini would be allowed to leave the Islamic Republic while out on bail. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
JERUSALEM (AP)  A joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor meant to counter the type of medium-range missiles possessed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants became operational Sunday, completing Israel's multi-layer defense system amid tensions on its frontiers with Syria and Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the unveiling ceremony for the David's Sling system that defending the home front is of the "utmost importance." He went on to warn "whoever tries to strike us will be hit, those that threaten our existence put themselves in existential danger."

David Sling's marks the completion of Israel's multi-tier system that includes the Arrow, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in the stratosphere with an eye on Iran, and Iron Dome, which defends against short-range rockets from the Gaza Strip.

David's Sling was developed by Israeli defense firm Rafael with American defense giant Raytheon.

The system became operational Sunday amid heightened tensions along Israel's northern borders with Lebanon and Syria.

In a rare clash along the Syrian border last month Israel shot down an anti-aircraft missile fired at its planes as they were carrying out an airstrike on a suspected Hezbollah weapons convoy from Syria to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Israel is also on alert in the south of the country after Gaza's Hamas rulers accused it of assassinating a member of the Islamic militant group.

An annual intelligence assessment found that both Hezbollah and Hamas are probably 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.
AMMAN (Reuters) - Jets believed to be Russian hit an outpost run by moderate rebel forces in northwestern Syria near a major border crossing with Turkey, killing at least one fighter and wounding several people, two rebel sources said on Sunday. They said several raids overnight hit Babeska, a village in Idlib province that has become a haven for several moderate Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups, mainly Jaish al Islam, a major insurgent group that controls the last major rebel stronghold on the doorstep of the Syrian capital. Jaish al Islam is a signatory to a fragile ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey at the end of last year. Rebels say Russia has failed to put pressure on the Syrian government to ensure the ceasefire holds. The Syrian government considers Jaish al Islam a terrorist group and blames it alongside other insurgents for waging recent attacks on the government-held areas in the capital. The village also houses hundreds of families and fighters from the Damascus suburb of Daraya which was evacuated by rebels and surrendered to government control last year. War jets also believed to be Russian also struck Urum al Kubra town in rebel-held western Aleppo countryside where five civilians were killed, in an area that witnessed fighting between rebels and the Syrian army, rebels said. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Mark Potter)
No matter how perfect the internet makes Justin Trudeau out to be, he's only human.

So when news broke last week that Matthew Perry beat up Canada's current prime minister in elementary school, it was only natural that Trudeau would express the desire to exact a bit of revenge.

SEE ALSO: The many (beautiful) faces of Justin Trudeau, as told by Twitter

Trudeau responded to Perry's story with a simple tweet.

"I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler?" Trudeau joked. "How about a rematch Matthew Perry?"

I've been giving it some thought, and you know what, who hasn't wanted to punch Chandler? How about a rematch @MatthewPerry?  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 1, 2017

While his challenge did come on April Fools' Day, people were very excited about the possibility of Trudeau duking it out with the Friends star.

@JordanUhl @JustinTrudeau @JoeMyGod @MatthewPerry Seriously though, I would pay-per-view to see this... even if they just did a Nintendo Mike Tyson's Punchout. Give $$$ to charity.  Dr. Adam Earnheardt (@adamearn) April 1, 2017

While Perry has yet to respond to the prime minister, let's be honest: you can't hide for long from the leader of Canada.

WATCH: The first zero emissions ship looks pretty badass
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who regularly makes headlines for his good looks and physical attributes was once beaten up by "Friends" star Matthew Perry in grade school in Ottawa, Perry confessed on Jimmy Kimmel Live last month. However, it seems Trudeau wants to take his revenge. Or, does he?

Trudeau challenged Perry to a fight Saturday through a tweet, in what is being seen as an April Fools' Day joke.

Read: Ivanka Trump, Justin Trudeau Surprise Visitors By Attending A Broadway

During Jimmy Kimmel's show last month, Perry, a half-Canadian, said he had beaten up Trudeau because of jealousy. "My friend Chris Murray, who was also in the fifth grade in Canada, reminded me that we actually beat up Justin Trudeau, he said. We both beat him up. I think he was excelling in a sport that we werent so it was pure jealousy.

I think he was the only kid in school that we could beat up, he said. You know, Im not bragging about this, this is terrible. I was a stupid kid, I didnt want to beat him up. In fact, I think at one point I tried to turn it into love play," Perry said during the show.

At the time of the incident, Justin Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, was the Canadian prime minister.

In the show, Perry took some credit for Justin Trudeau's rise in politics. "I think it was rather instrumental in him becoming, you know, going to such great heights and becoming the prime minister. I think he said 'I'm going to rise above this,'" Perry joked.

Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau's Principal Press Secretary Gerald Butts confirmed on Twitter that his tweet about a rematch with Perry was just a joke after People magazine apparently took the prime minister's tweet seriously.

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Bamako (AFP) - A national peace summit in Mali ended Sunday with a call for negotiations with jihadists in the country's north, according to a resolution seen by AFP.

The conference, enshrined in the country's 2015 peace deal, was intended to bring together the government, armed groups that support it, former rebels and the political opposition.

But an opposition boycott lasted until late Saturday, while the former rebels were absent for Monday's talks before joining discussions on Tuesday, though all attended the closing ceremony.

A resolution agreed at the end of the conference called for "negotiations with radical preacher Amadou Koufa, and the Tuareg Islamist chief Iyad Ag Ghaly," a move likely to be met with dismay by the international community.

Ag Ghaly heads an Islamist alliance that has carried out attacks on Malian troops, and was previously head of Ansar Dine -- a jihadist group that hijacked a 2012 rebellion in the north to impose strict Islamic regulations in certain cities.

Koufa joined the alliance, known as the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, after becoming well known as a radical preacher from Mali's Fulani community with strong links to Ag Ghaly.

Mali's jihadists did not sign the 2015 peace deal that aimed to quell separatist uprisings in the north.

They have continued to wreak havoc despite an ongoing French-led military intervention in 2013 to remove them.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said in closing remarks that a committee of experts would be charged with considering options for the north along with how to draft a charter of unity and national reconciliation.

Delegates failed to reach consensus on the question of "Azawad", as the former rebels refer to Mali's north, the root of the nation's current unrest.

The formal rebel alliance that led the 2012 uprising wants Azawad recognised as a politically distinct area of Mali.

This presents a key problem for the Bamako government, because the peace accord signed in Algiers rejects the idea of independence for one territory, said Oumar Sangare, a legal expert at Mali's national university.

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"If 'Azawad' is considered as a political entity, that could open the door to demands for federalism," Sangare said.

Mahmadou Djeri Maiga, president of the political section of the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA), the former rebel alliance, said the conference had made important steps nonetheless.

"For us it was important to make clear that will not be another uprising. And for there to not be another uprising we have to put our finger on the problems, we must not simply go through the motions," he said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed a break in the case of missing teen Elizabeth Thomas Friday  more than two weeks after she disappeared. The TBI confirmed Thomas had been spotted at a Walmart in Oklahoma City in the first official sighting of the 15-year-old and the man believed to have abducted her.

Surveillance video showed Thomas alongside Tad Cummins, a former teacher who authorities suspect kidnapped her, in the store March 15. Fifty-year-old Cummins, who appeared with significantly darker hair, could be seen purchasing food. The surveillance clip also appeared to show Thomas with red hair  a departure from the lighter hair shown in TBI issued photos.

Read: Elizabeth Thomas Knew Something Bad Would Happen Before Disappearance

This is the first official sighting of the two. Numerous others have produced false leads.

Cummins is believed to have kidnapped Thomas March 13, just after a student reported seeing him kiss her inside a classroom. The school had been investigating the relationship between the student and teacher since before they disappeared, but both denied anything inappropriate was occurring, according to CNN.

Authorities told the public recently that the relationship between the two was not a romance.

She is 15, a child. He is 50, a grown man. Shes a high school freshman. Hes a former teacher. This is, and was, not a romance, TBI director Mark Gwyn told reporters Tuesday. This was manipulation solely to benefit Tad Cummins. This is not a fairy tale. This is a case of kidnapping.

In the days following her disappearance, Thomas brother came forward to say that she had an inkling something bad was going to happen when she left the house March 13. James Thomas told reporters that his sister said she was heading out that afternoon, but that if she wasnt home by 6 p.m., someone should call the police.

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She didnt think she was going to be gone that long, I guess, because she did expect to be home by dinner that night, he told reporters.

TBI urged the public to be on the lookout for a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee license tags reading 976-ZPT and to report any relevant information to 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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(SALT LAKE CITY) - Mormon leaders reminded church members Saturday about the importance of performing ceremonial baptisms on dead ancestors who didnt receive the ordinance while alive.

Henry Eyring told a worldwide audience during a twice-yearly Mormon conference that God wants all his children to come home again. He encouraged listeners to use the religions massive genealogical database to trace their roots.

Ceremonial baptisms occur when a member brings an ancestors name to a temple. Mormons believe the ritual allows deceased people a way to the afterlife if they choose to accept it. The belief that families are sealed for eternity is one of the faiths core tenets.

The practice is becoming more common than ever because of young church members who have embraced it, said Eyring, a member of a top governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

They have learned that this work saves not just the dead; it saves all of us, Eyring said. There are now many people who have accepted baptism in the spirit world. ... This is the work of our generation.

But ceremonial baptisms offend members of some other religions, especially Jews, who became upset years ago when they discovered attempts by Mormons to alter the religion of Holocaust victims. They included Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager forced into hiding in Amsterdam during the Holocaust and killed in a concentration camp.

In the 1990s, after negotiations with Jewish leaders, the church agreed to end the ceremonial baptism of Holocaust victims. After it was revealed that they continued, Mormon leaders in 2012 spoke out against the practice and reminded the public that a virtual firewall was put in the database to block anyone who tried to access the names of people who died in the Holocaust.

The proxy baptisms also were mentioned Saturday at the conference in a speech by Russell M. Nelson, another member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who is next in line to assume the church presidency. Nelson said Mormons who keep their covenants to Jesus Christ are given Godly power.

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Gods plan provides for those blessings to be extended to ancestors who died without an opportunity to obtain them during their mortal lives, Nelson said.

Mark Bragg, a member of a secondary governing body, applauded the increase in baptisms for the deceased: We are experiencing great joy and celebration on both sides of the veil.

Their speeches came during a two-day conference in which leaders focus on a range of topics aimed at providing guidance and inspiration to the faiths more than 15 million members worldwide.

Nearly 100,000 church members are expected to attend five sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Thousands more around the world will listen to the conference or watch it on television, radio, satellite and internet broadcasts in 90 different languages.

Dale Renlund, one of the newest members Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told church members to guard against being intolerant of others with different opinions.

We must not be guilty of persecuting anyone inside or outside the church, Renlund said. Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How ironically sad it would be if we were to treat others as we have been treated.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Haruki Murakami, the Japanese author perennially pegged as a contender for the Nobel literature prize, has called for a fight against historical revisionism in a rare interview with Japanese media published on Sunday.

His comments came after a successful Japanese hotel chain operator triggered an angry backlash from China earlier this year for his book claiming the 1937 Nanjing massacre committed by Japanese troops a "fabrication".

Critics say that revisionists have grown bolder under nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who says Japan must shake off past constraints, including altering its war-renouncing constitution imposed by American occupiers after World War II.

Toshio Motoya not only penned a book calling the Nanjing massacre a lie but proudly displays it in guest rooms of his nationwide chain of APA hotels.

China says 300,000 people died in a six-week spree of killing, rape and destruction by the Japanese military that began in December 1937.

Some respected academics estimate a lower number of victims, but mainstream scholarship does not question that the incident, known as the "Rape of Nanking," took place.

Published in February, Murakami's latest book "Killing Commendatore" references the Holocaust and the Nanjing massacre.

Asked about why he addressed the issues, he told the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper: "Because history is the collective memory of a nation, I think it is a grave mistake to forget about the past or to replace memory with something else."

"We must fight" against historical revisionism, he added.

"Novelists are limited in what we can do, but it is possible for us to fight such forces in the form of storytelling."

Murakami has often criticised his country for shirking responsibility for its World War II aggression.

In 2015, he said Japan must repeatedly say sorry to China, Korea and the other countries it invaded in the 20th century until its former victims have heard the apology enough.

Murakami became a global sensation with the publication of "Norwegian Wood" in 1987 and has written several bestsellers including "1Q84" and "Kafka on the Shore".
President Trump boards Air Force One to return to Washington, D.C., after spending the weekend at the Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., last month. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Since Donald Trump began his stunning ascent from real estate mogul and reality television star to wall-building, Muslim-ban-promising Republican candidate to GOP nominee to president, there have been plenty of piercing editorials about him and his policies.

But perhaps none have been as scathing as the one published Sunday by the Los Angeles Times.

It was no secret during the campaign that Donald Trump was a narcissist and a demagogue who used fear and dishonesty to appeal to the worst in American voters, the Times editorial board wrote in the first of a four-part op-ed titled Our Dishonest President.

In September, the same editorial board called Trump unqualified and unsuited to be president and said his election would be catastrophic for the nation.

Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck, the paper said Sunday.

The Times pointed to Trumps executive order on immigration among dozens of real-life steps that, if they are not reversed, will rip families apart.

But, chilling as they are, these radically wrongheaded policy choices are not, in fact, the most frightening aspect of the Trump presidency, the Times said. What is most worrisome about Trump is Trump himself.

More from the editorial:

He is a man so unpredictable, so reckless, so petulant, so full of blind self-regard, so untethered to reality that it is impossible to know where his presidency will lead or how much damage he will do to our nation. His obsession with his own fame, wealth and success, his determination to vanquish enemies real and imagined, his craving for adulation  these traits were, of course, at the very heart of his scorched-earth outsider campaign; indeed, some of them helped get him elected. But in a real presidency in which he wields unimaginable power, they are nothing short of disastrous.

While Trumps policies are variations on classic Republican positions, the paper argued that they become dangerous in the hands of the Donald.

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Many Republicans, for instance, support tighter border security and a tougher response to illegal immigration, the Times explained, but Trumps cockamamie border wall, his impracticable campaign promise to deport all 11 million people living in the country illegally and his blithe disregard for the effect of such proposals on the U.S. relationship with Mexico turn a very bad policy into an appalling one.

The editorial board said that the four-part series will examine three of the presidents troubling traits:

Trumps shocking lack of respect for those fundamental rules and institutions on which our government is based.

His utter lack of regard for truth.

His scary willingness to repeat alt-right conspiracy theories, racist memes and crackpot, out-of-the-mainstream ideas.

Trump, who frequently reacts to negative media coverage about him via Twitter, has yet to respond to the editorial.

But perhaps due in part to coverage of the op-ed by pro-Trump websites Breitbart.com and the Drudge Report, Our Dishonest President was among the top trending terms in the United States on Sunday afternoon.

Read more from Yahoo News:
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP)  A majority of Paraguayan senators approved a proposed constitutional amendment Friday that would allow the election of a president to a second term, a move called illegal by opposition members and opposed by the Senate president himself.

The vote was followed by clashes outside the congress building between police and protesters opposing the amendment. Some protesters broke through police lines and entered the first floor, where they set fire to papers and furniture. Police used water cannon and fired rubber bullets to drive demonstrators away from the building while firefighters extinguished blazes inside.

The measure was backed by 25 of the country's 45 senators. The yes votes came from members of the governing Colorado Party and from several opposition groups.

Opponents of the move included Senate President Roberto Acevedo of the opposition Authentic Radical Liberal Party. He argued the process used to bring the amendment to a vote violated Senate rules and he filed an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to have the vote overturned.

The proposal would allow current President Horacio Cartes and Paraguay's previous presidents to run for the top job again in the 2018 election. Presidents are now limited to a single 5-year term.

After approval in the Senate, the proposal went to the Chamber of Deputies, where 44 of the 80 members belong to the Colorado Party. Approval there would require the scheduling of a national referendum on the amendment.
Rodrigo Duterte currently tops the 2017 TIME 100 poll, leading among those who poll participants consider as one of the worlds most influential people.

The Philippine president is in first place, with 5% of the total yes votes as of the morning of March 29. Duterte, who took office last June, catapulted to worldwide recognition for his deadly approach to fighting drug use in the Philippines. More than 7,000 people have been killed under Dutertes anti-drug campaign.

Duterte has been known to use social media to promote his agenda and has reportedly paid people to push him to popularity online.

Other world leaders appear in the top 10, including Russian president Vladimir Putin, with 3% of the yes vote, and Canadian president Justin Trudeau, also with 3%. Others near the top of the list include Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, Viola Davis and Emma Stone.

Duterte, nicknamed the Punisher, recently broke a campaign promise to consider legalizing gay marriage in the Philippines. In a lengthy speech earlier in March, Duterte warned against imposting Western values on the Philippines, referencing a recent edition of TIME magazine, in which the cover story centered on changing attitudes toward gender identity in American culture.

Last year, then Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders won the TIME 100 reader poll, topping a host of world leaders and cultural figures. The TIME 100 is made up of notable figures in politics, arts, science and more. Although TIMEs editors ultimately choose the TIME 100, we want to know what the readers think. Vote in the poll here, and see the results here.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
TEWKSBURY, Mass. (AP)  Massachusetts authorities are looking for the suspect who stole a woman's car while she was pumping gas in Tewksbury.

Surveillance video posted to the police Twitter account shows the woman sprayed the suspect with gasoline and struggled with him before he drove away and dragged her several feet at a Circle K convenience store Saturday night. Officers later found the car abandoned in Lowell.

The woman was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Police say her injuries appeared to be minor.

Police with dogs searched the area where the car was found but couldn't find the suspect, who is described only as a man wearing a dark jacket with a hood and jeans.
Srinagar (India) (AFP) - A grenade explosion killed a police officer and injured 10 other security personnel in Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, police said, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the tense region.

Suspected rebels lobbed a grenade at a group of police and paramilitary troops in the main city of Srinagar following protests against Modi's visit.

"Four personnel of CRPF and seven policemen were injured in the grenade blast," Bhuvesh Choudhary, spokesman of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said.

One of the police officers who was wounded in the blast later died of his injuries, inspector general Javid Gillani told AFP.

Armed encounters between security forces and rebels fighting to end Indian rule over Kashmir have become more frequent since massive protests last year, sparked by the killing in July of a popular militant leader.

Large parts of the Kashmir valley observed a virtual shutdown Sunday following a call by separatists protesting Modi's visit.

At a rally, Modi urged Kashmiri youth to choose "tourism over terrorism", inaugurating an 11-kilometre (seven-mile) tunnel across the Himalayas intended to ease travel in the disputed region.

"This bloody game could not do any good to anyone during the last forty years," he said.

The two-lane road tunnel, India's longest, will cut the travelling distance between the region's two main cities of Jammu and Srinagar by 41 kilometres (25 miles), bypassing stretches that often shut due to heavy snowfall and landslides.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety.

Rebel groups have for decades fought roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the region, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

The fighting has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.
Yerevan (AFP) - Armenians on Sunday started voting in landmark legislative elections for the first time since the adoption of constitutional reforms aimed at transforming the ex-Soviet country into a parliamentary republic.

The vote is seen by the West as a key democratic test for the small landlocked nation of 2.9 million, which has no history of transfers of power to an opposition through the ballot box.

But the campaign has already been marred by opposition claims that the government is preparing mass electoral fraud.

Ahead of the vote, the European Union delegation to Armenia and the US embassy said in a joint statement that they were "concerned by allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties."

There are also fears of violence after 10 people were killed in 2008 clashes between police and opposition supporters following the election of pro-Moscow President Serzh Sarkisian.

This time, the country aims to hold an exemplary vote to elect "a parliament trusted by society," the president told AFP in an interview in March.

He said his government "has made enormous efforts so that (Sunday's) milestone vote is flawless."

Analysts have said the vote is dominated by fierce competition between the ruling party and a coalition of opposition parties led by Gagik Tsarukian, a former arm wrestler who is one of the country's wealthiest businessmen.

A total of five parties and four electoral blocs are running in Sunday's vote, with 101 parliamentary seats up for grabs under a proportional representation system.

A party needs to clear a five-percent threshold to be represented in parliament, while an electoral bloc made up of several parties needs to garner at least seven percent of the vote.

Voting, which started at 0400 GMT and ends at 1600 GMT, will be monitored by international observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) - Two top Paraguayan government officials were fired on Saturday after a protester died in violent clashes sparked by a secret Senate vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election. While the capital city Asuncion had calmed down the day after Paraguay's Congress was stormed and set on fire, protests may resume if the lower house votes on the amendment next week. The violent upheaval punctured a period of relative stability under Cartes, in which the soy and beef exporting nation became one of South America's fastest-growing economies and began to move past a long history of political uncertainty. Rodrigo Quintana, 25, was killed by a rubber bullet fired by police who entered the headquarters of the Liberal Party, the country's second-largest, opposition politicians and a federal prosecutor said. Four officers were fired in addition to Interior Minister Tadeo Rojas and the national police chief, Crispulo Sotelo. An investigation into the death is underway. In a Facebook message on Saturday, Cartes said the loss of Quintana's life was "unjustifiable" and "a calamity." He pledged to hold those responsible accountable and said he would submit to "self criticism." The country's constitution has prohibited re-election since it was passed in 1992 after a brutal dictatorship fell in 1989. Sensitivities to holding on to power and perceived police aggression persist. "It was an exaggerated reaction but this is what President Cartes and his friends who provoked the re-election amendment wanted," said Pablo Noguera, a 25-year-old student "This goes against the Constitution and now they want to do everything in the dark." Paraguay's Senate voted on Friday during a special session in a closed office rather than on the Senate floor. Twenty-five lawmakers voted for the measure, two more than the 23 required for passage in the 45-member upper chamber. Opponents of the measure, who claim it would weaken Paraguay's democratic institutions, said the vote was illegal. The re-election measure would apply to future presidents and Cartes, a soft-drink and tobacco mogul elected to a five-year term in 2013. BLOOD SPILLED The proposal will require approval by the House, where it appeared to have strong support. A vote which had been expected early on Saturday was called off until the situation calmed down, said the chamber's president, Hugo Velazquez. A popular referendum would also be required to change the law prohibiting re-election. Meetings for the Inter-American Development Bank's (IADB) annual board of governors went ahead as scheduled on Saturday. IADB President Luis Alberto Moreno called for peace and dialogue and said Paraguay would continue to be a vital partner of the regional bank. Political instability in the country of 6.8 million is a concern for its much larger neighbors Brazil and Argentina, which have increasingly looked to Paraguay for business and manufacturing opportunities. The region is already worried about unrest in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday moved to quell protests and international condemnation. The pro-government Supreme Court revoked its controversial annulment of the opposition-led Congress. One member of Paraguay's lower house of Congress, who had been participating in protests on Friday, underwent surgery after also being hit by rubber bullets. Several politicians and journalists were injured, local media reported, and the government said several police were hurt. Charred debris and glass from broken windows littered the steps of Congress. Around 200 protesters were detained, police said, and Amnesty International published a statement demanding their release. Opposition politicians said they would not forget the violence. "We have a commitment to the blood Rodrigo spilled ... we will continue the fight," Liberal Party Senator Miguel Saguier said at a press conference. (Additional reporting by Luc Cohen and Mariel Cristaldo, writing by Caroline Stauffer; editing by G Crosse and Mary Milliken)
Paris (AFP) - Russia looms large over France's presidential election, with candidates on the hard left, right and far right all promising to improve ties with the Kremlin, accused by some of meddling in the vote.

As US authorities press their investigation into alleged Russian interference in favour of Donald Trump in America's election, officials on both sides of the Atlantic are warning of possible attempts by Russia to also sway the French vote.

This week, the chairman of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence outright accused Russia of an "overt effort" to disrupt France's April 23-May 7 vote.

"I think it's safe by everybody's judgement that the Russians are actively involved in the French elections," Senator Richard Burr told reporters.

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans also rounded on Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin -- who hosted French far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for a visit on March 24 -- of trying to weaken an already ailing EU.

"There is a reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe," Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain.

"Because he knows the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us....And a divided Europe means that Putin is the boss."

Moscow has denied any meddling in France's affairs but Putin's meeting with Le Pen -- who is forecast to go head-to-head with pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron in the election run-off -- has put Russia back in the campaign spotlight.

"There is undeniably a growing Russia syndrome in both our foreign and domestic policy," former French diplomat Pierre Vimon, a researcher at the Carnegie Europe foundation, said.

Three of the five leading candidates -- Le Pen, conservative nominee Francois Fillon and Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon -- want to bring Russia back in from the cold by, among other things, lifting sanctions imposed over its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

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The three have also expressed varying degrees of support for Russia intervention against anti-regime rebels in Syria's civil war.

Macron and Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon take a more sceptical view of Putin.

The two back continued sanctions on Russia and have insisted that Russian-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must go.

- Divided on sanctions -

In February, a Macron aide accused Russian state media of a "smear campaign" against the 39-year-old defender of open borders and immigration, whom polls show ultimately beating Le Pen.

Macron's team also pointed a finger at Russia over a flurry of cyberattacks on his campaign website.

Le Pen, whose party in 2014 received a loan from a Russian bank, dismissed the claims, declaring there was "not the slightest proof."

Russia had initially seemed keener on self-described Putin "friend" Fillon, who is alleged to have been paid to arrange a meeting between the Russian leader and a Lebanese billionaire in 2015.

In November, Putin hailed the Republicans nominee as "very principled" and a "great professional".

But since January, when Fillon, 63, became embroiled in a damaging scandal over payments to his wife, the Russian leader appears to have shifted support to 48-year-old Le Pen.

The sight of a smiling Le Pen clasping hands with the Russian rankled France's Socialist government.

"It's not up to Russia to decide who will be the next president of France," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault declared on Friday.

Fillon counselled against giving into "fantasies", while warning Le Pen that Russia was "dangerous".

The candidates' pronouncements are being closely parsed for clues as to how they would tackle the Russian strongman.

Fillon believes the West "provoked" Russia by expanding NATO's presence into eastern Europe and has called for an alliance with Putin and Assad's regime against the Islamic State, which has claimed several attacks in France.

Le Pen, who has predicted that the EU "will die" if she wins, has hailed Putin's nationalist world view.

"A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin's world, Donald Trump's world in the United States, Mr (Narendra) Modi's world in India," she said.

Melenchon, by contrast, sees Russia chiefly as a bulwark against US "imperialism".
Brussels (AFP) - Before moving to the White House, Donald Trump expressed his admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and predicted that "President Trump would be so much better for US-Russia relations".

But two months into his presidency, reality has so far proved otherwise -- with the Trump administration talking tough and taking diplomatic positions akin to those of his predecessor Barack Obama, experts say.

The "bromance" between Putin and Trump was abruptly adjourned amidst a political storm that continues to rage in Washington over alleged collusion between Trump's inner circle and the Kremlin during the 2016 election campaign.

Ongoing Russian operations in Ukraine have also forced Trump, who famously touted Putin as being a "stronger leader" than Obama, to moderate his stance.

- 'Ongoing hostility' in Ukraine -

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis made the White House's position on Moscow clear with during trips to Europe last week.

Tillerson, who as Exxon chief had maintained close business ties to Moscow, on Friday reaffirmed Washington's support for Ukraine.

Kiev is battling pro-Moscow rebels in its east and lost Crimea three years ago when Russia annexed it.

Meeting with fellow NATO foreign ministers for the first time, Tillerson employed deliberately strong words, denouncing Moscow's "ongoing hostility and occupation" in Ukraine.

He said Washington would stick with sanctions against Russia laid out under Obama's secretary of state, John Kerry, until "Moscow reverses (its) actions" and cedes Crimea.

"American and NATO support for Ukraine remains steadfast", he said, using a diplomatic line often repeated by Kerry.

In a closed-door NATO luncheon, Tillerson also drew standing applause when he told attendees that Russia could was "no longer trusted" and had to decide "if it wants to engage in the world or be isolated", according to a US State Department official.

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For Jeffrey Rathke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a former press secretary in Kerry's State Department, the Trump administration is hewing more closely now to the Obama playbook on Russia.

"I think Tillerson's (and Mattis's) strong lines do reflect a pretty high degree of continuity," he told AFP.

He said the current controversy over Russian interference in the election and ties to the Trump camp made it "extremely difficult" for the White House to change course.

"For now we have inertia that keeps the outline of the Obama policy in place," he added. "But no one is sure how long that will last."

- 'Mucking around' in elections -

Pentagon chief Mattis also let loose on Moscow during a visit to London on Friday.

He said "Russia's violations of international law are now a matter of record", citing both the Crimea annexation and "other aspects of their behaviour in mucking around inside other people's elections" -- without specifically mentioning the US vote.

"The point about Russia is they have to live by international law just like we expect all nations on this planet to do," Mattis said.

He also rebuffed recent calls by Moscow to step up intelligence and military cooperation with the Trump White House, saying "we are not in a position right now" to do so.

The Kremlin, in response, criticised NATO "slander" against it and said it was "perplexed" by Tillerson's remarks.

Its confusion is not surprising. Trump not long ago sounded a very different note.

On the campaign trail he said NATO was possibly "obsolete", and called for better cooperation with Russia, notably in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.

On a personal level, the reality TV star and real estate tycoon also lauded Putin as "very smart", as someone he would "get along very well" with and -- in a 2013 tweet -- wondered, "Will he become my new best friend?"

But now, in a February 5 interview with Fox News, the president was less effusive, saying of Putin that he "respect(s) him... but that doesn't mean I'm going to get along with them".
Alibaba founder Jack Ma speaks at the China (Shenzhen) IT Summit on April 2, 2017. [Photo by Chai Hua/China Daily]

The internet will profoundly impact retail, manufacturing, finance, technology and the resource industry, Alibaba founder Jack Ma has told the China (Shenzhen) IT Summit today. The essence of artificial intelligence is that it can learn at a very high speed based on the big data of computers, according to Tencent CEO Pony Ma. While Robin Li, chairman and CEO of Baidu, described the internet as just the appetizer, with AI the main course.
A recent Audit Report by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Audit Services found that(http://oig.hhs.gov)Vidant Medical Center was included in a nationwide audit on the use of specific diagnostic codes (261 and 262) which, when added to a Medicare claim, usually results in a higher Medicare payment. From 2011 through 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursed hospitals nationwide over $20 billion for Medicare claims that included diagnosis codes 261 or 262.Upon a review of 941 claims submitted by Vidant from January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015 that used the codes 261 or 262, the OIG determined that Vidant Medical Center received $16,693,564 in Medicare payments. After reviewing a random sample of 100 claims, Vidant Medical Center was found to be noncompliant in 89 claims, resulting in a Medicare overpayment of an estimated $1,403,132 for that audit period.The OIG recommended that the Hospital: Refund Medicare $1,403,132 Identify and return any additional overpayments outside the Audit period Strengthen controls to ensure full compliance with Medicare billing requirements.In response to the 12 page OIG report, Vidant Health Office of Audit and Compliance responded emphatically in a 17 page letter voicing their disagreements and non-concurrence with the OIG findings and recommendations .Vidant pointed out that: the OIG findings and report is merely a recommendation to CMS and they should not be adopted. the OIG identified overpayments did not occur in 78 of the 89 cases. the OIG's "stated rational" for the audit is" based upon a faulty premise".Vidant was not satisfied with how the OIG audit contractors conducted the process, claiming the extreme difference in Connolly and Vidant Medical Center's findings versus the OIG audit findings, suggests that there is a distinct difference in the level of proficiency and expertise of the OIG audit contractors compared to the Vidant Medical Center coders and the Connolly auditors".Vidant Medical Center's request for a meeting to discuss the OIG report findings was denied. If the OIG audit is not changed, Vidant Medical Center will most likely take advantage of the appeal rights afforded under the Medicare Program.DHHS OIG Office of Audit Services Report #A-03-15-00011 released January, 2017 Vidant Medical Center Incorrectly Billed Medicare Inpatient Claims with Severe Malnutrition
By Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee accused President Donald Trump on Sunday of trying to divert Congress from its investigations of Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election and any links between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

Representative Adam Schiff said the Republican president and his aides have instead attempted to throw the focus on the possibility of illegal leaks of classified information and whether Trump or his associates were caught up in incidental collection by surveillance that was targeting foreigners.

Congressional committees, along with the FBI, are investigating what U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded were attempts by Russia to influence the Nov. 8 presidential election in Trump's favor. They also are looking at any links between Russia and Trump.

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Schiff said Trump himself tried to shift Congress' focus away from that core mission of foreign intervention.

"I think his tweets tell the story," Schiff said on CNN's "State of the Union." "And the story is look over there - at leaks, and look over there - at anything the Obama administration we can claim did wrong on incidental collection or anything else."

"But whatever you do, under no circumstances look here, at me or at Russia," he said.

Trump has repeatedly used Twitter to attack reports on Russian election meddling as "fake news" and "witch hunts" and denounce leakers of classified information on the issue.

"The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers," Trump said in a Twitter post on Sunday.

Republican Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, was asked about Trump's Twitter commentary on the congressional investigations.

"Sometimes I think this is a distraction from what we should be doing," Cornyn said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

The Senate panel intends to begin interviewing as many as 20 people, including Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and one of his closest advisers, as early as Monday.

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White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Sunday there was no evidence of Trump collusion with Russia to win the election. "It's time to move on," she told Fox News.

On March 4, the president without giving evidence accused his Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama, of ordering a wiretap of Trump Tower. No elected official, including from Trump's Republican Party, has supported the claim.

But the Republican chairman of the House intelligence panel, Devin Nunes, set off a political firestorm on March 23 when he said the communications of members of Trump's transition team were caught up in incidental surveillance targeting foreigners.

Nunes refused to share the source of his information, but the New York Times revealed last week that two White House officials provided him with the documents on the surveillance, which Trump said was somewhat vindication of his wiretap claim.

Schiff went to the White House on Friday to view the documents. Asked on CNN if he understood why Nunes had issues with the surveillance, Schiff would only say, "I don't agree with the chairman's characterization."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Tim Ahmann and Pete Schroeder; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)
An Alabama high school student thought itd be a great idea to take his beloved granny to prom.

Bryce Maine, a senior at Eufaula High School, ran with the idea and even prepared a promposal for his grandma whod never been to a prom herself.

Read: Teen Runs More Than 5 Miles to Ask His Girlfriend to Prom

With a little canvas from Walmart and the word Prom? written on it, he popped the question.

My Grandma is the most important woman in my life and she's never had a prom before so I figured why not let her go with me, Bryce told InsideEdition.com.

Of course she said yes.

Bryces plans were cut short, however, when his school said no. School officials told the teen that he could not take her because she could possibly provide alcohol to minors and the school could not bend the rules for him.

Eufala High School policy states that no one over the age of 20 can attend the dance.

Safety of students and staff is the first and most important of the many tasks of a school administrator. For the 10 years I have been high school principal, we have denied requests each year from students asking to bring older dates to prom. We do not chance leaving any stone unturned when it comes to safety. Most high schools have an age limit for prom attendees, Steve Hawkins, principal of Eufaula City Schools, told InsideEditioin.com.

Bryce said he wont be attending prom without his nannie, but thats not stopping the pair from preparing a fun night.

Read: Senior Brings Bag of Doritos to Ask Friend's Freshman Sister, Who Has Down Syndrome, To Prom

I will not attend the prom without her. We will just make our own, Bryce said.

Bryce plans to throw a prom at his house with music, lights, and friends. Nannie will wear the dress shed already planned to wear.

Watch: Teen Takes Mom With Terminal Brain Cancer As High School Prom Date

Related Articles:
Washington (AFP) - Senate Democrats are mounting a filibuster of US President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick, a rare obstruction of high-court appointments. If the gambit proves successful this coming week, Republicans will likely go nuclear.

The Senate faces an epic showdown beginning Monday over whether to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch. It is a very public game of political chicken that could shape the makeup of the Supreme Court for years to come, and unravel any remaining pretence of bipartisanship in the upper chamber of Congress.

Should Democrats block Gorsuch, Trump's Republicans are threatening to respond by altering longstanding Senate rules and bypassing the 60-vote threshold to advance nominees in the 100-member chamber.

Such a maneuver is known as the nuclear option.

And its results could be hugely consequential, on both sides of the political aisle.

"It churns our stomach," Senator Mike Rounds told reporters when asked about whether fellow Republicans were really prepared to change the rules.

"Once they let the genie out, it's not going back in, unfortunately."

All Senate confirmations -- for cabinet posts, to judgeships on a federal bench, to Supreme Court picks -- technically require a simple majority vote of 51 senators.

That would not be difficult for Republicans today, given that they control 52 seats.

Bumping the threshold up to 60 for a Supreme Court pick has only occurred four times in modern history. Never has a filibuster derailed a Supreme Court nominee.

"This would make history in a very bad way," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday.

Republicans would not be the first to go nuclear. Democrat Harry Reid unlocked the process in 2013 when he was Senate majority leader, changing the rules to lower the magic number from 60 to 51 on all presidential nominees -- except Supreme Court justices.

Republicans will need eight Democrats to break the filibuster and get Gorsuch onto the bench, which has been one justice short since conservative Antonin Scalia died in February 2016.

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That will be a tall order, especially given the volcanic anger many Democrats still feel over the treatment of Merrick Garland, then-president Barack Obama's pick to replace Scalia.

- 'One way or the another' -

While Republicans blast Democrats' "unprecedented obstructionism" of Gorsuch, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let Garland languish for eight months without a vote. When Trump won the election, Garland's nomination was dead.

Just two Democrats -- Joe Manchin and Heidi Heitkamp, both from states that backed Trump -- have announced support for Gorsuch.

At least 36 have said they will join the filibuster, according to US media counts. If they reach 41, Gorsuch is blocked.

But Republican leadership has signaled its readiness to change the rules if need be, a potentially toxic move.

"The United States Senate will confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch, one way or the other," Vice Presiden Mike Pence said Saturday in Ohio.

McConnell, who said he is "confident" Gorsuch will make it through, has set the final confirmation vote for next Friday, after Monday's vote in the Judiciary Committee. The all-important test vote to end debate is likely to come Wednesday.

The bitter nominations battle is seen as a proxy for a broader war over Trump's policies, with Democrats anticipating political benefit in opposing the nominee of a deeply unpopular president.

The Gorsuch nomination has proved a unifying force for Republicans, more so than any other topic this year, including Trump's plans to revamp health care and reform the tax code.

But some Republicans worry that changing the rules to ram Gorsuch through would mean an end to presidents seeking out consensus or mainstream candidates, further polarizing an already divided nation.

"The next president coming in will not in any way be bound by that, right? They can nominate... an extreme person" if there is no check on the president's choice, said Republican Senator Bob Corker.

The chamber, he said, is in a "spiral downward."

Other Republicans have warned about a boomerang effect -- Democrats ramming through liberal justices once the GOP loses the White House.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it was "complete hokum" for Republicans to portray the options as either confirm Gorsuch or exercise the nuclear option.

"You don't need to change the rules if Judge Gorsuch doesn't get 60 votes," Schumer said Thursday. "You just need to change the nominee."

Liberal activist groups demand Democrats stand their ground, warning that they will urge party leaders to not give campaign funds to any senator who supports Gorsuch.
UPDATE: 1:40 p.m. EDT  A third Senate Democrat said Sunday he would support Neil Gorsuchs nomination to the Supreme Court, reducing the number of additional Democratic votes needed by Republicans to invoke cloture. Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana said in a statement after meeting with Gorsuch, he believes the judge is a qualified jurist who will base his decisions on his understanding of the law.

Original story

With a showdown likely before the end of the week on the nomination of Appellate Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday there is no way the nomination will pass the 60-vote threshold necessary to beat a filibuster, opening the way for the so-called nuclear option.

Gorsuch was nominated by President Donald Trump just a week into his presidency to fill the vacancy on the high court left by the death of Antonin Scalia more than a year ago. Former President Barack Obama nominated Appellate Judge Merrick Garland to fill that post but the Republican-controlled Senate refused even to hold a confirmation hearing on him.

Read: Neil Gorsuch Appointment To High Court Should Be Delayed, DNC Chair Says

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve the nomination Monday, opening the way for a full Senate vote later in the week. To break a filibuster against the nomination, Republicans need the support of eight Democrats. So far only Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Carolina have said they would vote to advance the nomination to the Senate floor.

Republicans have characterized Gorsuch, who has sat on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver for a decade, as an exceptional jurist while Democrats have described him as a tool of the right who sides with corporations against the little guy.

Schumer, D-N.Y., on NBCs Meet the Press urged Republicans not to change Senate rules to eliminate the filibuster, saying defeating the Gorsuch nomination would even up the partisan gamesmanship.

Story continues

Read: Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Calls President's Remarks 'Disheartening,' 'Demoralizing'

Look, when a nominee doesn't get 60 votes, you shouldn't change the rules. You should change the nominee, Schumer said.

Each side didn't get their nominee. Let's sit down and come together. Our Republican friends are acting like, you know, they're a cat on the top of a tree and they have to jump off with all the damage that entails. Come back off the tree, sit down, and work with us and we will produce a mainstream nominee.

Schumer said most nominees get the 60 votes needed for cloture  even Clarence Thomas, who was approved to the high court on a 52-48 vote, the closest ever.

neil gorsuch

Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on Meet the Press he is confident Gorsuch will be confirmed this week  one way or another. McConnell said Republicans were justified in not considering a Supreme Court nominee during an election year, despite Democrats feeling Garland was mistreated.

What I can tell you is that Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed this week. How that happens really depends on our Democratic friends, how many of them are willing to oppose cloture on a partisan basis to kill a Supreme Court nominee, never happened before in history, the whole history of the country, McConnell said.

In fact, filibustering judges at all is a rather recent phenomenon, started by  Senator Schumer, after George Bush 43 got elected president. We didn't used to do this. Clarence Thomas was confirmed 52 to 48, the most controversial Supreme Court nominee in history. And not a single senator said, He has to get 60 votes. 

McConnell is considering the so-called nuclear option, which would change Senate rules so that it would need only a majority to shut down a filibuster instead of 60 votes.

Related Articles
By Aleksandar Vasovic and Ivana Sekularac BELGRADE (Reuters) - Conservative Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic won Serbia's presidential election on Sunday by a huge margin, confirming his domination of the Balkan country as he pursues a delicate balancing act between Europe and Russia. Vucic, 47, avoided a run-off by taking around 55 percent of votes; his nearest rival, opposition candidate and former rights advocate Sasa Jankovic, trailed on just over 16 percent, according to a two projections by polling groups CRTA and Ipsos. Vucic will take on the largely ceremonial post at the end of May, but is expected to retain de facto power through his control of Serbia's ruling Progressive Party. The result marked a political humiliation for Serbia's beleaguered opposition parties, which say Vucic's rule is increasingly autocratic. Vucic made clear his change of job would not alter the former Yugoslav republic's geopolitical balance between the European Union, which Vucic wants Serbia to join, and Russia, with which Serbs share their Orthodox Christian faith and Slavic heritage. He thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both of whom he met during the election campaign. "For me it is important this election demonstrated that a large majority of Serbian citizens favors the continuation of the European path while maintaining close ties with China and Russia," Vucic told cheering supporters. Despite economic growth and greater fiscal stability, Serbia remains mired in poverty and corruption. But to his supporters, Vucic is a firm hand in a troubled region. "I voted for stability, we've had enough wars," said Bozica Ivanovic, a 65-year-old pensioner who voted for Vucic. "We need more jobs for younger people and if we can get higher pensions and salaries, even better." 'HYPOCRISY' Vucic's opponents, however, say he has an authoritarian streak that has led him to take control over the media in Serbia since his party rose to power in 2012 and he became prime minister three years ago. He denies the charge but has struggled to shake it given his record when last in government in the dying days of Yugoslavia. Then in his late 20s, Vucic was Serbia's feared information minister behind draconian legislation designed to muzzle criticism of the government during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. "If there's no second round, that means we live in a society that is politically immature," sociologist Jovo Bakic told N1 television. "Where else do you not get a second round? In North Korea." Twenty-five-year-old student Luka Maksimovic, who ran as a white-suited parody of a sleazy political fraudster called Ljubisa "Beli" Preletacevic, came third with just over nine percent, picking up the votes of Serbs disillusioned with the country's political class. "I voted for Beli," said 30-year-old Dejan Markovic, an unemployed metal worker. "The so-called opposition candidates have betrayed us in the past and Vucic is lying to us all now, so Beli is the only way to mock all this hypocrisy." As president, Vucic will have few formal powers, among them the right to send legislation back to parliament for reconsideration. But he is widely expected to appoint a loyal ally as prime minister and try to keep a tight rein on policy, as former President Boris Tadic, then of the Democratic Party, did between 2004 and 2012. Some analysts said that could prove difficult. "Vucic will now be distanced from everyday policy-making and executive affairs and will have to rely on a proxy," Eurasia Group wrote on March 30. "This will likely generate some tensions in the chain of command." (Writing by Matt Robinson; Editing by Ralph Boulton and Meredith Mazzilli)
Belgrade (AFP) - Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic claimed the Serbian presidency on Sunday as a poll showed him to be the clear winner despite accusations that he would steer the country toward authoritarian rule.

According to the IPSOS research institute Vucic won about 55 percent of the vote, far above the 50 percent threshold required to win in the first round.

"We can say that he is elected president," Marko Uljarevic of IPSOS told AFP.

Former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic was projected to come in second with about 16 percent.

Vucic, 47, will have a five-year term as president. In Serbia, the post is largely ceremonial but analysts say he will use it to consolidate his grip on power, including with his eventual pick for prime minister.

A hardline nationalist who became a pro-European, Vucic wants to negotiate Serbia's accession to the EU but keep close ties with the country's traditional ally, Moscow.

"I am very proud of the fact that we have won the overwhelming trust of the citizens of Serbia... (which shows) the direction in which Serbia wants to go," a thrilled Vucic said in his victory speech in the party headquarters.

"The vast majority of Serbia's citizens are for the continuation of reform, for Serbia to keep to its European path and maintain the links that we have with Russia and China," he said.

He thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin for having received him during the campaign.

Opposition parties had warned during the campaign against putting too much power in one man's hands, but Vucic dismissed the accusations Sunday.

"They can say whatever they want. I will respect Serbia's constitution. That is my obligation and that is what I will do," he told reporters after casting his ballot.

Many of Vucic's challengers garnered fewer votes than surveys had predicted: Vuk Jeremic, a former foreign minister, won 5.8 percent, while the ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj won 4.4 percent.

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But Luka Maksimovic, a 25-year-old satirist who ran as the fictional Ljubisa Preletacevic -- nicknamed "Beli" (White) -- took 9.3 percent of the vote.

Dressed in a Borat-type white suit with a samurai-style ponytail and hipster beard, he had promised voters "to steal for myself but give something to the people too."

- Aggressive campaign -

During his campaign, Vucic touted Serbia's economic success since he became prime minister in 2014, with growth of 2.8 percent last year, and his efforts to bolster public finances.

But the average Serbian earns about 330 euros ($350) a month while unemployment is running above 15 percent.

Vucic had also run a typically aggressive campaign, with one of his videos showing a plane marked "Serbia 2017" about to crash because a lack of leadership.

He accused opponents of receiving "millions of euros (from) certain foreign countries", without offering details.

Both the opposition and independent media monitoring groups have cried foul over Vucic's omnipresence in the media.

In the week leading up to the vote, national TV channels devoted 51 percent of their airtime to Vucic, more than all the other candidates put together, according to analysis by the Kliping research agency published in the Danas daily.

That rose to 67 percent when his appearances as prime minister were taken into account, added the analysis.

On Thursday, the last day of the campaign, all but two of the dozen or so national dailies appeared wrapped in full-page ads reading: "On April 2, give a decisive vote to Aleksandar Vucic."

Ex-ombudsman Jankovic, seen as a key Vucic rival, is now widely expected to emerge as a new leader of an otherwise weak and divided opposition.

He has claimed that public-sector workers were intimidated ahead of the vote.

Jankovic, 46, an independent candidate supported by the centre-left Democratic Party, won support among the urban middle class and liberals opposed to Vucic, in large part by criticising the authorities and insisting on their accountability.
Budapest (AFP) - Thousands of demonstrators marched in Budapest on Sunday in support of a university founded by Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros that says Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government wants to push it out of Hungary.

The US-registered Central European University (CEU), founded in Budapest by Soros in 1991, says it is directly targeted by draft legislation the government submitted last week.

The proposed new rules affect universities from non-European Union countries and would ban their awarding of Hungarian diplomas without an agreement between national governments.

Such institutions would also be required to have operations in their home country.

The future of the CEU, which does not have a US campus, now "depends on talks between the governments of Hungary and the United States," Orban said on Friday.

He also said the "Soros university" was "cheating" because it can award both a Hungarian diploma and an American one, which gave it an "unfair advantage" over local institutions.

The CEU said in a statement that it "utterly rejects" Orban's allegations.

"We have been lawful partners in Hungarian higher education for 25 years and any statement to the contrary is false," the university said.

Currently teaching 1,400 students from more than 100 countries, the English-language CEU ranks among the top 50 universities in the world in political science and international studies.

Current and former students, staff, former students, and supporters joined Sunday's march which swelled to over 10,000 according to an AFP photographer.

Marchers wore "#IstandwithCEU" badges and chanted "What do we want? Academic freedom!"

"Orban's regime is showing its true colours now, going after universities is what dictators like Pinochet did," one protestor Gabor Matlak, a 46-year-old lawyer, told AFP.

The draft bill was also criticised by the US State Department in a statement expressing "concern" Friday.

"We urge the government of Hungary to avoid taking any legislative action that would compromise CEU's operations or independence," it said.

Soros has long been accused by the fiercely anti-immigration Orban of meddling in central and eastern Europe and seeking to undermine the continent by backing open borders.
By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The speaker of South Africa's parliament said on Sunday she would consider a request from opposition parties to hold a 'no confidence' vote on President Jacob Zuma. Previous no-confidence motions against Zuma have failed as the ANC has a commanding majority, but there is a growing backlash against him from within his own party and its allies after a string of missteps which have culminated with his firing of a respected finance minister that rocked markets. Speaker Baleka Mbete, who is also the national chairperson of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), said in a televised news conference after she cut short a trip abroad that she wanted to ensure the opposition requests were "given the appropriate consideration." "I must stress that I am alive to the extreme challenges and sense of anxiety our young democracy is going through at this moment," Mbete said. Analysts say the sacking of finance minister Pravin Gordhan last week may trigger damaging credit downgrades from ratings agencies, which would drive up the government's borrowing costs and restrict its ability to carry out the populist redistribution policies Zuma has indicated he wants to pursue. Zuma's authority has been steadily undermined as his administration has staggered through a series of blunders and scandals, including the use of state funds to make lavish improvements to his rural homestead and a debacle that threatened the payment of social grants to millions who depend on them. ANC SPLITS The ANC, which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, is now riven by splits. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said he disagreed with the decision to sack Gordhan and other top ANC officials have also expressed their dismay at the move. The South African Communist Party, a key political ally of the ANC, called on Friday for Zuma to resign. Gordhan, an owlish technocrat who usually appears composed in public, on Saturday made an emotional call for "mass mobilisation" at a memorial gathering for anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, where the crowd chanted for the removal of Zuma, who was pointedly asked by the family not to attend. Opposition parties and ANC sources allege that Gordhan was ousted because he was obstructing access to state funds that Zuma and his allies coveted. Ramaphosa said Zuma removed Gordhan on the basis of a "spurious" intelligence report that accused him and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas, who was also dismissed, of plotting with banks in London to undermine the South African economy. Gordhan dismissed the report as "absolute nonsense." "We are fast running out of time to save our country from the clutches of the Zuma administration," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the biggest opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), said on Sunday. The DA and the ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters Party (EFF) both wrote Mbete asking that she reconvene parliament and hold an urgent sitting for a no-confidence motion. The ANC has 249 seats in the 400-seat parliament. DA sources say they cannot rely on all opposition members to support the motion, so they probably need 60 MPs from the ruling party to side with them to get the majority needed to topple Zuma. Zuma, who turns 75 this month, is a traditional Zulu and ex-intelligence operative with an earthy demeanour who has proven himself a political survivor over the years in the face of numerous challenges, including hundreds of corruption charges that were dropped in 2009 but could still be reinstated. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt, Greg Mahlich)
By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The speaker of South Africa's parliament said on Sunday she would consider a request from opposition parties to hold a 'no confidence' vote on President Jacob Zuma. Previous no-confidence motions against Zuma have failed as the ANC has a commanding majority, but there is a growing backlash against him from within his own party and its allies after a string of missteps which have culminated with his firing of a respected finance minister that rocked markets. Speaker Baleka Mbete, who is also the national chairperson of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), said in a televised news conference after she cut short a trip abroad that she wanted to ensure the opposition requests were "given the appropriate consideration." "I must stress that I am alive to the extreme challenges and sense of anxiety our young democracy is going through at this moment," Mbete said. Analysts say the sacking of finance minister Pravin Gordhan last week may trigger damaging credit downgrades from ratings agencies, which would drive up the government's borrowing costs and restrict its ability to carry out the populist redistribution policies Zuma has indicated he wants to pursue. Zuma's authority has been steadily undermined as his administration has staggered through a series of blunders and scandals, including the use of state funds to make lavish improvements to his rural homestead and a debacle that threatened the payment of social grants to millions who depend on them. ANC SPLITS The ANC, which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, is now riven by splits. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said he disagreed with the decision to sack Gordhan and other top ANC officials have also expressed their dismay at the move. The South African Communist Party, a key political ally of the ANC, called on Friday for Zuma to resign. Gordhan, an owlish technocrat who usually appears composed in public, on Saturday made an emotional call for "mass mobilization" at a memorial gathering for anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, where the crowd chanted for the removal of Zuma, who was pointedly asked by the family not to attend. Opposition parties and ANC sources allege that Gordhan was ousted because he was obstructing access to state funds that Zuma and his allies coveted. Ramaphosa said Zuma removed Gordhan on the basis of a "spurious" intelligence report that accused him and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas, who was also dismissed, of plotting with banks in London to undermine the South African economy. Gordhan dismissed the report as "absolute nonsense." "We are fast running out of time to save our country from the clutches of the Zuma administration," Mmusi Maimane, leader of the biggest opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), said on Sunday. The DA and the ultra-left Economic Freedom Fighters Party (EFF) both wrote Mbete asking that she reconvene parliament and hold an urgent sitting for a no-confidence motion. The ANC has 249 seats in the 400-seat parliament. DA sources say they cannot rely on all opposition members to support the motion, so they probably need 60 MPs from the ruling party to side with them to get the majority needed to topple Zuma. Zuma, who turns 75 this month, is a traditional Zulu and ex-intelligence operative with an earthy demeanor who has proven himself a political survivor over the years in the face of numerous challenges, including hundreds of corruption charges that were dropped in 2009 but could still be reinstated. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt, Greg Mahlich)
Madrid (AFP) - Spain has no plans to close its border with Gibraltar after Britain leaves the European Union, its foreign minister said in an interview published Sunday.

The tiny British territory on Spain's southern tip, which is home to some 32,000 people, depends on the small land border with Spain for much of its supplies and visitor flow.

Some 10,000 people also make the crossing to work daily from the Spanish region that surrounds Gibraltar called Campo de Gibraltar, and they fear that Madrid may make things more difficult at the frontier.

"There is no intention to close the border. The idea is that Spaniards who live in the Campo de Gibraltar and who work in Gibraltar continue to do so," Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said in an interview published in daily newspaper El Pais.

Spanish dictator Francisco Franco closed the border with Gibraltar outright in 1969. Free travel between the two sides was only fully restored in 1985, ten years after his death.

Madrid's decision to relax its laws on the border was seen as part of its bid to gain support to enter the European Community, the precursor to the EU, which it achieved in 1986.

The territory has been under British-rule since 1713, when it was ceded in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht following the War of the Spanish Succession.

Spain has long tried to reclaim Gibraltar. After Britain voted last year to leave the EU, Madrid proposed shared sovereignty over the territory, arguing this would allow the territory to remain in the bloc.

But Gibraltarians want to stay British, as demonstrated in 2002 when they rejected a referendum on shared sovereignty with Spain.
Sri Lanka's navy on Sunday arrested six Indians trying to smuggle 13.5 kilos (29.7 pounds) of heroin across the narrow strip of sea dividing the two countries, a spokesman said.

The suspects were disguised as fishermen, navy spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge said.

"Drug smugglers operate disguised as fishermen," Walakuluge told AFP. "We are on alert for drugs coming in."

He said the navy has seized a total of 130 kilos (286 pounds) of heroin and cocaine and 2,140 kilos (4,708 pounds) of cannabis in the past year and arrested a total of 19 Indians during the same period.

In 2014, Sri Lanka sentenced five Indian fishermen to death for drug smuggling, but they were later released into Indian custody.

The killing of an Indian fisherman last month along the maritime boundary led to widespread protests in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

India and Sri Lanka are separated by the narrow Palk Strait, which is a rich fishing ground.
Basil Eleby, the man who authorities believe started the fire under Interstate 85 in Atlanta, was charged Saturday with first-degree arson and first-degree criminal damage to property. Eleby is being currently held on a $200,000 bond for the two charges that amount to $100,000 each.

Two others, Sophia Bruner and Barry Thomas, were charged with criminal trespass. Investigators believe all three people were homeless, CNN reported.

The fire Thursday collapsed a major stretch of the busy highway, forcing all five lanes to be shut for possibly months. It took place during the evening rush hour, just after 6 p.m. near Piedmont Road.

"There were large chunks of concrete starting to come down. I mean 200- to 300-pound chunks of concrete. We could see it dropping near our guys.  Within two to three minutes, a 100-foot section -- 100 feet long, maybe 50 to 75 feet wide -- came crashing down," Sgt. Cortez Stafford, a spokesman for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, told CNN.

It was not immediately clear how the authorities came to arrest the suspects.

"We believe they were together when the fire was set and Eleby is the one who set the fire," said Jay Florence, the state's deputy insurance and safety fire commissioner, the Associated Press reported.

Florence did not mention the motive or how the fire was started, CNN reported.

However, Stafford told the Washington Post that the fire was maliciously set.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, almost 700 feet of the highway suffered damage due to the massive fire.

On its official Twitter page, the department also released a travel advisory and an updated detour map for motorists. People have been advised to use I-75, I-285 and I-20.

Eleby reportedly told investigators that the three discussed smoking crack cocaine together about two hours before the incident. The 39-year-old has previously been arrested 19 times in the past two decades, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing prison records. Those arrests have been mostly related to drug offenses.

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During his first hearing at Fulton County jail Saturday morning, Judge James Altman said Eleby could plead guilty at a future court proceeding, but he shook his head. He did not say anything during the short hearing, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The court had also refused to allow Eleby to skip the hearing  a request reportedly made by his public defender. Eleby is now scheduled to appear in court on April 14.

A state of emergency for Fulton County was declared by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. About $10 million has been released as part of emergency funds by the Department of Transportation in order to help the state in rebuilding efforts, which is expected to take several months, NBC News reported.

Related Articles
By Harry Pearl SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian authorities on Sunday said they found a third body in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie and accompanying floods that swamped the country's east coast, as receding waters start revealing the human and economic cost of the storm. The disaster zone stretched 1,000 km (600 miles) from Queensland state's tropical resort islands and Gold Coast tourist strip to the farmlands of New South Wales state. The body of 77-year-old Nelson Raebel was found in floodwaters in the state of Queensland on Saturday afternoon, Queensland Police said, bringing the national death toll to three since the cyclone hit on Tuesday. Authorities are still searching for another three people that remain missing in flood-hit areas of Queensland. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the devastation caused by the storm was huge. "It is going to take months to repair," she told reporters on Sunday. The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the event a catastrophe, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Photos taken by emergency services in the town of Lismore, in New South Wales, show businesses in the town center inundated with brown water. Mayor Isaac Smith, who was assessing the damage on Sunday, told Reuters it resembled a "war zone". Several large rivers in New South Wales that had reached major flood levels were receding, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said on Sunday. But evacuation orders were still in place for a number of townships in the state's north, while the city of Rockhampton in Queensland braced for record-level flooding next week, as water moves downstream into the Fitzroy River catchment. "It's almost the size of Texas in the U.S., it's a huge catchment, and that's why it can take some time for water to make it's way downstream," said meteorologist Michelle Verry from the Queensland BOM. Verry said what remains of the cyclone has moved off Australias eastern coast. Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, one short of the most powerful level five, pounded Queensland state on Tuesday, smashing tourist resorts, bringing down power lines and shutting down coal mines. Australia's Defence Force was deployed to help deliver medical personnel and supplies to communities in the north of the state. Debbie will hit Australia's A$1.7 trillion ($1.3 trillion) economy, with economists estimating it will slow growth to under 2 percent in the first quarter. (Reporting by Harry Pearl; Editing by Tom Brown and Randy Fabi)
Paris (AFP) - About 6,000 people took part in angry protests in Paris on Sunday against the death of a Chinese man shot and killed when police responded to a call at his apartment last month, police said.

The rally was organised by several Chinese associations in France, and as with previous rallies held over the past week, there were sporadic skirmishes between protesters and security forces.

Some of the demonstrators threw bottles, eggs and fruit, prompting the police to respond with tear gas during clashes that lasted more than an hour, according to an AFP photographer.

On March 26, Liu Shaoyo, a 56-year-old father of five, was shot by a police team called to his apartment in northeast Paris over a suspected domestic dispute.

Authorities say he attacked a policeman with a knife, causing injuries, and that another officer opened fire in self-defence, killing him.

But the dead man's family disputes the police version of the incident, saying that there was no domestic dispute and that he was shot without warning after a neighbour called the police about shouting.

The police are investigating the incident, and Beijing has called on Paris to "guarantee the safety and legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens in France.

"We want to maintain pressure and support the family to establish the truth and fight police violence," said Sacha Lin Jung of the Chinese Residents in France association, one of the protest's organisers.

Around 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese are estimated to live in Paris.
BEIJING (AP)  Fed up with the theft of toilet paper from public bathrooms, tourist authorities in China's capital have begun using facial recognition technology to limit how much paper a person can take. The unusual move  part of a "toilet revolution"  is another step in China's vast upgrading of public facilities. Bathrooms at tourist sites, notorious for their primitive conditions and nasty odors, are a special focus of the campaign, a response to a vast expansion in domestic travel and demands for better-quality facilities from a more affluent public. "Today in China, people are highly enthusiastic about tourism, and we have entered a new era of public tourism," said Zhan Dongmei, a researcher with the China Tourism Academy.

HAGATNA, Guam (AP)  The Catholic Church on the Pacific island of Guam has been devastated by allegations that its longtime archbishop sexually abused altar boys. But even before the scandal broke, Guam's church was divided over another issue  the presence of a controversial European lay movement that became so toxic that a community of nuns fled to the mainland U.S. in despair. The battle on the tiny tropical U.S. territory pits the Neocatechumenal Way lay group against critics on a majority Catholic island that was colonized by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century. The Way was founded in the 1960s in Madrid and is best known for sending families out on missions to evangelize in places where Catholics are a either a minority or have fallen away from the church.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against the Afghan president's visit to Australia on Monday, calling for his government to end discrimination against the Hazara ethnic minority and to refuse to repatriate asylum seekers rejected by Australia. The protesters gathered outside Government House, where Ashraf Ghani met with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove on the first visit to Australia by an Afghan president. Hazara protester Barat Ali Batoor said the security situation in Afghanistan had deteriorated too much for members of the Hazara community for the Afghan government to continue to accept asylum seekers rejected by Australia. Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia in 2011 to accept failed Afghan asylum seekers.

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP)  When Durdana married for a second time and to a man of her own choosing, her parents threatened to kill her if she tried to see her new husband. They imprisoned her in their home, but she still had her mobile phone and had learned that a helpline for women had been set up. She noted the number and then one day when she was alone in the house, she called. Nayab Hassan was on the other end. She had been trained how to answer the call. "Be gentle. Listen. Let them speak. Let them tell you what they want.

NEW DELHI (AP)  From Bollywood superstars to political heavyweights, the Regal theater hosted some of India's biggest names over more than eight decades. But with nostalgic theater-goers singing their way to the exits after a final showing of a Bollywood classic, the iconic New Delhi theater has closed its doors to make way for a multiplex. "It's the end of an era. It's very sad," said Nanak, who had worked at the theater since 1979. Nanak, whose grandfather and father were part of the Regal's management team in the 1950s and '60s, uses one name. With its corridors studded with black-and-white images of Bollywood stars such as Nargis, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, the magic of a bygone era was visible throughout the theater.

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP)  The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices killed 20 devotees after intoxicating them in eastern Punjab province, police said Sunday, in what officials said was the outcome of a dispute over custodianship of the shrine. Senior police officer Mohammad Bilal said the shrine custodian in a village near the city of Sargodha some 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Multan was arrested Sunday morning along with four others for killing worshippers with batons and knives. Bilal said another four people were in critical condition. A doctor at Sargodha hospital told Geo TV that the victims were killed while nude and the bodies bore multiple stab wounds and blunt weapons marks.

NAMPA, Idaho (AP)  An Idaho man who struck and killed a renowned Australian humorist with his pickup truck will be sentenced in May after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash. The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that 20-year-old Tristian Myers pleaded guilty last week in the death last October of Leslie Nassar. He had been living in the small southwestern Idaho city of Nampa with his family. Nassar was a well-known social media and technology-engineering figure in Australia. He ran a satirical news column for Crikey, an online magazine, and a comedic Twitter feed called Department of Australia.

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party has retained support in its Yangon strongholds, but loyalty has weakened in ethnic minority areas that helped boost the NLD's 2015 general election victory, according to by-election results announced Sunday. The results from Saturday's by-elections released by the country's election commission showed the NLD taking eight of 12 seats for the combined upper houses of the national parliament. It won only one of seven seats at stake in state assembles, where ethnic-focused parties performed strongly. The NLD won its 2015 election majority with the support of ethnic minorities anxious to end five decades of military rule, but Suu Kyi's failure so far to meet their political demands for greater autonomy has fractured their united front.

SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an 11-kilometer (7-mile) tunnel through the Himalayan terrain on Sunday to help ease travel on a highway linking the troubled Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. Modi drove in an open jeep through the all-weather route, which is expected to help trade and tourism in the region. The highway is blocked sometimes for hours and even days due to heavy snow, monsoon rains and landslides. It took engineers six years to build the tunnel, which cost 25 billion rupees ($382 million). However, separatist leaders fighting for the region's independence from India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan shut businesses and public transport in the region on Sunday and said the construction of tunnels and roads would not succeed in appeasing them.

BEIJING (AP)  The lawyer for a Sydney-based professor who was prevented from leaving China said Sunday that his client has been allowed to return to Australia, apparently bringing closure to an incident that raised concerns about the safety of conducting academic research in China. The barring of associate professor Feng Chongyi from leaving the country had prompted diplomatic appeals from Australia and an open letter to China's leaders from dozens of academics. Feng's lawyer Chen Jinxue said Feng flew home from the southern city of Guangzhou on Saturday night after a final round of questioning by security agents from the southwestern province of Yunnan, where Feng had traveled to during his most recent visit.
By Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate said on Sunday it was unlikely that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch would be able to clear a procedural hurdle to a final vote, even as a third Senate Democrat threw support behind the pick.

Senator Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana, announced he would vote in favor of Gorsuch, calling him in a statement a "qualified jurist who ... is well-respected among his peers."

Donnelly joins Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota as the only Senate Democrats to announce support for President Donald Trump's court pick.

Most other Democrats have made their opposition clear and 36 senators have indicated support for a filibuster of the nomination, which would force Republicans to come up with 60 votes to move forward. Republicans control the Senate 52-48.

"It's highly, highly unlikely that he'll get to 60," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

If the planned filibuster holds, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell would only be able to advance the nomination of the conservative appeals court judge by changing Senate rules so it could be approved by a simple majority.

McConnell, who also appeared on "Meet the Press," declined to rule out that option, and vowed the Senate would confirm Gorsuch one way or another.

"What I can tell you is Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed this week. How that happens really depends on our Democratic friends," he said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on the nomination on Monday, setting the stage for what McConnell has said will be a vote in the full Senate on Friday.

McConnell declined to say if he had sufficient support among his fellow Republicans to change the Senate's rules.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Andrea Ricci)
London (AFP) - US President Donald Trump praised the EU for doing "a very good job" in uniting after Britain's decision to quit the bloc, in a Financial Times interview published on Sunday.

"I would have thought when it happened that more (countries) would follow, but I really think the European Union is getting their act together," Trump said of Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

The US president praised the bloc for doing "a very good job in bringing it back together" since the shock referendum result in June.

He lauded the EU for adopting "a different spirit for holding together" in recent months.

Trump's comments are a departure from his prediction in January that "other countries will leave" the bloc following Brexit, which he then described as a "great thing".

His remarks in a joint interview to The Times and Bild newspapers came ahead of his inauguration, sparking an angry reaction among European leaders.

The EU "has no need for outside advice", French President Francois Hollande said bluntly, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the time told reporters "We Europeans have our fate in our own hands".

- 'A great deal' -

Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump claimed Brexit would be positive for both sides of the negotiating table.

"I actually think it is going to be a great deal for UK, and I think it is going to be really, really good also for the European Union," he was quoted as saying.

Trump was joined on the presidential campaign by Nigel Farage, a key player in the Brexit referendum who urged US voters last year to side with the anti-establishment candidate.

Britain last Wednesday initiated the process for quitting the EU, a move that prompted a more formal response from the White House.

"We respect the will of the British electorate and her majesty's government in taking steps of departing the European Union. ... Whatever future the UK-EU relationship looks like, we want the UK to remain a strong leader in Europe," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

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Bitter feelings nonetheless linger between Washington and Brussels, captured on Thursday when European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker joked he was ready to encourage US independence movements if Trump failed to tone down his Brexit support.

"The newly elected president is delighted to see Britain leave" the European Union, Juncker said in Malta.

"If he carries on, I am going to promote the independence of Ohio and Austin, Texas,'" he said in German at a congress of the European People's Party (EPP).
Donald Trump signed an executive order at the Environmental Protection Agency to undo widely-supported Obama-era climate policies. The Trump Administration is also seeking a 31 percent cut to the EPAs budget and to eliminate most climate research programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These cuts would dramatically slash funding for the nations leading climate research and environmental policing agencies. Between the executive order, the cuts and the Administrations sweeping deregulatory agenda, it appears that the White House is trying to revive fossil fuels. Yet while the Administration could do a lot of damage to our health and businesses, its policies are doomed to fail because they ignore two crucial trends.

The Trump Administrations first mistake is ignoring solid science. EPA Director Scott Pruitts assertion that carbon dioxide is not causing climate change is contradicted by 97 percent of climate scientists and every national science academy in the world.

Ideology is no match for nature. The carbon pollution from coal, oil and natural gas really is trapping more heat in the atmosphere. The Oroville Dam emergency in California is only the most recent indication that climate change is outpacing our efforts to adapt - with devastating consequences for American infrastructure.

Its second mistake is ignoring market forces. On price alone, fossil fuels are facing inevitable decline. Solar energy system prices fell by 25 percent in 2016. Half a million solar panels were installed every day of the year before, and solar is growing at an annual rate of about 30 percent. Overall, renewable sources provided 63 percent of new electricity generation this past year. China recently signaled a shift to renewable energy by canceling plans for 103 new coal-fired power plants, some of which were already under construction.

The Trump Administration cannot halt the revolution that is underway in energy, which is the worlds largest marketplace. Globally, there are now more jobs in renewable energy than in oil, gas and coal combined. If annual installations continue to grow at rates declining from todays, there will still be enough clean power for each of the 9 billion people who will populate the Earth in 2050.

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Sustaining such high growth rates might be farfetched, because renewable energy is not the most profitable option in every circumstance. (In developed countries, for example, low demand for new energy forces new renewables to compete with existing power plants.) But the underlying economics are sound. Promising jobs to displaced coal workers and de-funding climate research and the Clean Power Plan will not alter the facts: As the cost of renewables falls, the relative cost of fossil fuels rises. We have reached a point where increasingly expensive fossil energy development and extraction is becoming unprofitable.

Electric transportation is also showing rapid growth. While electric vehicles represent just .15 percent of global motor vehicles, their numbers rose by 50 percent between 2015 and 2016. Now, more than two million electric vehicles drive on the worlds roads. Already highly efficient, electric motors are becoming more energy efficient at a faster rate than internal-combustion engines. With cheaper, longer-range models like the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt coming soon in large numbers, running electric cars on solar power is becoming an attractive option for consumers, and expanding consumer choice is a time-honored Republican value.

These developments suggest that we can solve global warming profitably. Investors are already moving their money to growth opportunities in renewables and smart electrification. With China reorienting its national economic plan around renewables, they threaten to out-compete America in this 21st-century market if we falter.

This is where government leadership matters. The simplest way to lead and accelerate an inevitable market shift to renewables is to limit fossil fuel growth, as some European countries are doing. In Germany, for example, new gasoline and diesel cars will not be sold after 2030. Norway is preparing to ban oil heating in buildings after 2020. The World Bank no longer finances coal power, except in rare cases where no feasible alternatives exist.

Enabling the fossil fuel industry to cut corners, by revoking clean water rules, for example, is not a job-creation strategy. It will, however, put peoples health at risk in coal-producing states. The coal industry is suffering from other problems, chief among them is that renewables are getting cheaper, and the easiest-to-reach coal has already been extracted. No federal policy can overcome these trends.

Whether through regulations, such as new fuel economy standard for vehicles, or a carbon tax that sends the revenue directly to American consumers, the government can accelerate a market transition that is already creating wealth and economic opportunity. North Carolina ranks second nationwide in solar energy capacity that power nearly 350,000 homes. Last year, Iowa became the first state to generate more than 35 percent of its electricity from wind. (Almost all wind turbines in the U.S. are located in rural areas.) California, which boasts an aggressive mix of market incentives and clean-air regulations, has seen its economy grow from eighth to sixth place in world economic rankings. The Golden State leads all other states in total manufacturing output and employs about 500,000 workers in the nations largest advanced-energy industry

California has proven that clean energy policies stimulate entrepreneurs, create new jobs and increase consumer choice - while protecting peoples health. The Trump Administration would be wise to take heed and help create new opportunities in coal country. This is an American Dream worth fighting for.

Espen Stoknes is Director of the Center for Green Growth, Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway, and the author of What We Think About When We Try Not to Think About Global Warming. Bowman is the founder of Bowman Design Group and the founder/president of Bowman Change, Inc., as well as the author of The Green Edge.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - U.S. backed Syrian forces repelled a major counter-attack by Islamic State militants holding out at the country's largest dam and in the nearby town of Tabqa, the group and activists said on Sunday. The dam is a key strategic target in the military campaign to isolate and capture the Syrian city of Raqqa, 40 km (25 miles) to the east and Islamic State's biggest urban stronghold. The U.S.-backed group said militants attacked their positions north-east of Tabqa and at an airbase to the south of the town where dozens of their fighters were killed; but the coalition of Kurdish and Arab militias was making slower advances in a village east of the town. Jehan Sheikh Ahmad, a spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by the powerful Kurdish YPG militia, said the militants were stepping up their resistance as SDF forces got closer to encircling the town and the dam. "Our forces are advancing...(Islamic State )are facing large difficulties and so they are starting counter-attacks," said the official whose forces have U.S. special forces with them. The SDF began an assault to capture the dam and the nearby town almost two weeks ago after the coalition landed some of its fighters on the southern side of the Euphrates near Tabqa, leading to its capture of an air base. The SDF has been waging a multi-phased offensive since November to isolate Raqqa, with backing from the U.S.-led coalition taking territory to the north and east of the province. FEAR OF COLLAPSE Hundreds of families with their cattle, property, motor bikes and vans continued on Sunday to flee from villages under Islamic State control. The U.S.-backed forces say at least 7,000 people have taken shelter in their areas since the campaign to capture Tabqa. Many are also fleeing air strikes on civilian areas in Raqqa province that have left dozens dead according to activists and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Last month strikes believed to be conducted by the U.S.-led coalition hit a bakery and a local market in Tabqa town with dozens of civilians killed. Another raid that hit a school sheltering displaced people near Raqqa also killed scores. SDF denies civilians are targeted. Islamic State and the Syrian government have both said the hydroelectric dam is vulnerable to collapse after strikes by the U.S. led coalition Syrian officials say that would lead to catastrophic flooding in the cities and towns in the Euphrates valley downstream. The SDF and the coalition have denied the dam is in danger. Residents, however, say an SDF attempt last week to relieve the dam's water levels by opening a canal from the Balikh River that flows into the Euphrates had flooded cultivated agricultural land in several villages. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Ralph Boulton)
LONDON (AP)  Britain sought Saturday to reassure Gibraltar that it will protect the territory's interests in upcoming talks on exiting the European Union amid a dispute with Spain that underscores the complications of Britain's EU divorce.

Spain has long sought to regain control of Gibraltar, an enclave of 32,000 people on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula that was ceded to Britain in 1713.

On Friday, the EU suggested that Spain would get a veto over the territory's future relationship with the trading bloc. Gibraltar reacted angrily to the EU position, saying Spain was using the U.K.'s departure from the EU to force negotiations that it has wanted on the status of the territory.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson talked with Gibraltar's chief minister, Fabian Picardo, on Friday to assure him of the U.K.'s support.

"As ever, the U.K. remains implacable and rock-like in our support for Gibraltar," Johnson tweeted after the conversation.

British Prime Minister Theresa May failed to mention Gibraltar in her letter triggering formal negotiations on Britain's departure from the EU  causing dismay in the territory.

The EU fueled that anxiety on Friday when it released a nine-page roadmap for the talks, which included a statement that no future agreement after Brexit between Britain and the bloc would apply to Gibraltar unless both the U.K. and Spain agreed.

The statement on Gibraltar is unique for the EU, which in other matters has called for the 27 remaining members to speak with one voice in talks with Britain.

Picardo expressed outrage at being singled out, describing the guidelines as "a disgraceful attempt by Spain to manipulate the European Council for its own narrow political interests."

"What we are seeing is a clear manifestation of the predictably predatory attitude that we anticipated Spain would seek to abusively impose on its partners," he said in a statement.

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Although May has since insisted her support for Gibraltar remains firm, some analysts suggest the prime minister's failure to mention the territory in her letter supports the idea that it is a colony, not an integral part of the U.K.

Christian Hernandez, president of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, disagreed. Gibraltar became a member of the EU when Britain joined the bloc in 1973, and it is considered part of the U.K. for all matters relating to the EU, he told the BBC on Saturday.

"We have to trust that the British government is going to represent the interests of its British citizens in Gibraltar," Hernandez said. "The British government now needs to stand firm in the face of Spanish bullying."

The people of Gibraltar, who rely on an open border with Spain to fuel their economy, voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU during the referendum on Britain's membership but also have similarly voted to stay in the U.K. They will be leaving the EU, however, because a majority in Britain voted to leave.

Several people in Gibraltar expressed little surprise Saturday at the EU document.

"I don't think it was unexpected," said retiree Derek Booth. "It's only a draft document and if the British government are true to their word, then they will contest the statement."

If the proposal on Gibraltar is accepted as the EU's bargain position, it would increase Spain's leverage in the debate over the enclave's future.

The territory's strategic location overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, has long made it an ideal location for military bases. Gibraltar is also a source of jobs for many Spaniards in the region, and Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis has pledged to ensure an open border.

Timothy Boswell, chairman of the House of Lords EU Committee, said May's omission was "unfortunate," because "the door has been opened for the EU to present it as a disputed territory, without a voice of its own in negotiations that will have profound implications for its future prosperity."

Clare Moody, a member of the opposition Labour Party who represents Gibraltar and southwestern England in the European Parliament, said it was a "shock" that May didn't mention the territory.

"If the government has overlooked the interests of Gibraltar, which is a crucial part of the constitutional arrangements of our membership of the EU, then what else are they going to overlook?" she asked on the BBC.

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Donovan Torres contributed to this story.
Nicosia (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders on Sunday failed to set a date to restart stalled peace talks on reunifying the island after meeting for dinner in the UN-controlled buffer zone, the United Nations said.

The dinner was hosted by UN envoy Espen Barth Eide for Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who met for the first time since talks were suspended in February.

A UN statement issued afterwards said more "groundwork" needed to be done after the two leaders "had an open and constructive exchange about the challenges experienced over the last months".

It said the pair "exchanged ideas about the way ahead".

"As the two leaders will be abroad in the coming days... Mr Eide, will be continuing his interaction with them in order to lay the groundwork for the resumption of the negotiations as soon as possible," said the statement.

The four-hour dinner was held at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone in the divided capital, Nicosia.

Outside the venue, scores of Greek and Turkish Cypriots chanted for a "solution now".

Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in fragile peace talks since May 2015 that observers saw as the best chance in years to reunify the island.

But the UN-backed process came to a standstill in February in a row over Greek Cypriot schools marking the anniversary of an unofficial 1950 referendum supporting union with Greece.

Akinci suspended his participation over the Cyprus parliament's approval of a move for Greek Cypriot schools to commemorate the poll.

Since the bill passed, a climate of trust between the sides has deteriorated, with each blaming the other for the impasse.

But MPs are expected to amend the bill, allowing the education minister, rather than parliament, to decide on such issues.

Much of the progress in recent talks was based on the strong personal rapport between Anastasiades and Akinci, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

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And there will be obstacles in place even when the negotiations resume as the leaders are still far apart on core issues such as power sharing, territorial adjustments and property rights.

Also added in to the mix is Greek Cypriot presidential elections next February and the Republic's search for oil and gas -- new drills are expected in June -- which Ankara wants to see stopped until peace talks have reached an outcome.

The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking Enosis, the term for political union between Greece and Cyprus.

After a failed referendum on a UN peace plan in 2004, the Cyprus Republic now headed by President Anastasiades joined the European Union as a divided country.

The self-declared republic in the Turkish-held north is recognised only by Turkey.
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump warned in an interview published Sunday that the United States is prepared to act unilaterally to deal with North Korea's nuclear program if China proves unwilling to help.

Well, if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you, he said in an interview with the Financial Times of London.

Trump's comments come ahead of his meeting Thursday and Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the US president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Tensions have risen sharply as North Korea has stepped up ballistic missile tests and amid boasts by leader Kim Jong-un that his country was in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

US-based analysts have warned that North Korea appears to be preparing a new nuclear test. It has staged five nuclear tests so far, two last year.

"China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they wont," Trump told the Financial Times. If they do, that will be very good for China, and if they dont, it wont be good for anyone."

In a separate interview, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the United States is looking to China to take action against North Korea.

"The only country that can stop North Korea is China and they know that," Haley told ABC's "This Week" in an interview broadcast on Sunday. "We're going to continue to put pressure on China to have action."

The Mar-a-Lago meeting will be the two leaders' first face-to-face encounter.

On Thursday, Trump predicted a "very difficult" summit with Xi, noting the disputes over trade policy between the world's two most powerful nations and leading economies.

But Haley emphasized that at the Florida meeting "the most important conversation will be how we're going to be dealing with the nonproliferation of North Korea."

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Beijing, increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang's nuclear and missile activities, has announced a suspension of all coal imports from the North until the end of the year.

Haley deemed that measure -- which was in keeping with UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program and missile program -- insufficient, saying that coal is "going in other ways."

"At some point, we need to see definitive actions by China condemning North Korea and not just calling them out for it," she said.

Since taking office, Trump has left open the possibility of military action against North Korea.

Following that country's early March missile tests, which came provocatively close to Japan, the US leader emphasized his administration's commitment to "deter and defend against North Korea's ballistic missiles using the full range of United States military capabilities."

Former US defense secretary Ash Carter, who served under Barack Obama, said the US has "always had all options on the table."

Also speaking on ABC, he recalled that the United States drew up a "preemptive strike plan" in 1994 to knock out North Korea's Yongbyon reactor, during a confrontation over its nuclear program.

"We have those options," he said. "We shouldn't take them off the table."

But he said a US strike on North Korea would likely trigger a North Korean attempt to invade South Korea.

"This is a war that would have an intensity of violence associated with it that we haven't seen since the last Korean War," he said.

"Seoul is right there on the borders of the DMZ, so even though the outcome is certain, it is a very destructive war. And so one needs to proceed very carefully here."

He said Washington should continue to pressure China to lean on North Korea, but he was not optimistic that would lead to anything.

Beijing fears a potential North Korean collapse, which would result in "a unified Korea allied with the United States on their border," Carter said.
GREENSBORO, Vt. (AP)  The tiny Vermont town of Greensboro on the Caspian Lake has long been a haven for out-of-state summer residents. Now one of them is giving back to the community he's visited since he was a child by funding a $14 million arts center.

Andrew Brown wants Highland Center for the Arts to be a welcoming place, said Melanie Clarke, the center's board chair.

"His aspiration for Highland is quite simple," she said. "He wants it to be a place for people to gather and participate in the arts."

Efforts to find contact information for Brown were unsuccessful; Clarke said he prefers to remain out of the spotlight.

The center is scheduled to open in June. Last week, crews were installing seats and lighting in a 300-seat theater, designed to look like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

"This is a beautiful theater. This is a really exciting space," said Amanda Rafuse, of the professional theater company, Northern Stage in White River Junction. The company is working with the center on its programming, to include theater, music, film and fine art.

The center has space for smaller performances and classes and a cafe, to be open year-round. High school actors will get a chance to christen the stage with an abbreviated version of Shakespeare's "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream." The April 13 show is tied to the center's professional production of the play in August.

Greensboro, with a population of fewer than 800 residents, nearly triples in size in the summer. Alex Aldrich, executive director of the Vermont Arts Council, said the northern Vermont town is known for its "creative pulse."

Hundreds of artists moved into the Hardwick-Greensboro-Craftsbury area in the 1960s and started restoring the community theaters. Food and farm entrepreneurs recently began pouring in.

Aldrich said many of Greensboro's summer residents go back generations and have strong connections to academia at Ivy League colleges Princeton, Yale and Harvard. Some also settle in the town after retirement.

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"They want to turn this into the summer place that they've always wanted," he said.

He predicts the new center will transform the Caspian Lake, Greensboro and Hardwick areas into a cultural destination.

Either way, it's a huge gift to the community, Rafuse said.

"Coming and participating in the live performing arts is the one place where we get to come together and share an experience," she said.
DINWIDDIE, Va. (AP)  Local media in Richmond, Virginia are reporting a multiple shooting at a rap concert following a bike rally at a drag strip in Dinwiddie.

WTVR reports (http://bit.ly/2nJUgf6 ) that two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening bullet wounds and a third person was cut by glass in a car hit by gunfire. WWBT reports (http://bit.ly/2oMjw3H ) that one person was hit by a car in the ensuing chaos. The first shots apparently were fired near the stage where some 10,000 came to hear Lil Boosie perform after a bike rally at the Virginia Motorsports Park Saturday night.

Virginia State Police referred questions to the Dinwiddie County Sheriff's office, which was preparing a statement as officers worked to clear the park.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP)  Ahmed Shehzad scored 53 from 45 balls as Pakistan beat West Indies by seven wickets on Sunday to win the Twenty20 international series 3-1.

Pakistan reached 127-3 in 19 overs in reply to West Indies' 124-8.

The tourists won the toss at Queen's Park Oval and put West Indies into bat, and Chadwick Walton top-scored on 40 with four sixes and two boundaries for the hosts.

From 52-1, West Indies slumped to 83-7 as Hasan Ali (2-12) and Shadab Khan (2-16) produced economical spells.

Some late hitting from Carlos Brathwaite, who scored an undefeated 37 from 24 balls, gave West Indies something to bowl at but it appeared unlikely to be enough.

Pakistan opener Kamran Akmal fell to Marlon Samuels for 20 but Shehzad pressed on in partnership with Babar Azam (38) to take his team to the brink of victory.

With the target down to 15, both were dismissed in quick succession by Kesrick Williams, who bowled Shehzad with the last ball of one over and had Azam caught by substitute Rovman Powell with the first ball of his next.

Sarfraz Ahmed survived the hat-trick ball and Shoaib Malik was dropped before the pair saw Pakistan across the line with an over to spare.
Alexander Torshin, a close ally of Russian President Putin and deputy governor of the Bank of Russia. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Alexander Shalgin/TASS via Getty Images, AP[2])

The White House abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting in February between President Trump and a high-level Russian central banker after a national security aide discovered the official had been named by Spanish police as a suspected godfather of an organized crime and money-laundering ring, according to an administration official and four other sources familiar with the event.

The event had been planned as a meet and greet with President Trump and Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of the Bank of Russia and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, in a waiting room at the Washington Hilton before the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2. Torshin, a top official in his countrys central bank, headed a Russian delegation to the annual event and was among a small number of guests who had been invited by Prayer Breakfast leaders to meet with Trump before it began.

But while reviewing the list of guests, a White House national security aide responsible for European affairs noticed Torshins name and flagged him as a figure who had baggage, a reference to his suspected ties to organized crime, an administration official told Yahoo News. Around the same time, a former campaign adviser alerted the White House that the meeting could exacerbate the political controversy over contacts between Trump associates and the Kremlin, another source familiar with the matter said.

The sources were unable to say who inside the White House canceled the scheduled meeting, or precisely when the decision was made. The administration official who spoke to Yahoo News said that White House officials were already planning to scrap the meeting when the National Security Council staffer raised concerns about it. But it was not until the night before the Prayer Breakfast that Torshin was informed, without explanation, that his meeting with the president had been scrapped.

Late the night before, we were told that all meet and greets were off, said Maria Butina, a special assistant to Torshin, in an email to Yahoo News, confirming that Torshin had expected to meet Trump at the event. There were no specific questions or statements that Mr. Torshin had in mind during what we assumed to be a five-second handshake. We all hope for better relations between our two countries. Im sure there will be other opportunities to express this hope.

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Maria Butina, the founding chair of a Russian gun rights group and special assistant to Torshin. (Photo: ITAR-TASS/Zumapress.com)

The disclosure of the canceled meeting comes as new details are emerging about a Spanish law enforcement investigation that targeted Torshin. The Spanish newspaper El Pais, which collaborated with Yahoo News on this story, is reporting Sunday that Spanish national police had mounted an elaborate operation to arrest Torshin at the Mallorca airport in the summer of 2013 when he was expected to fly in to attend the birthday party of an accused leader of a Russian organized crime syndicate.

But Torshin failed to show, leading police to conclude he had likely been tipped off by Russian officials, according to the El Pais report, which cites four judicial and police sources.

Torshin has strongly denied having ties to organized crime figures, and Butina, in her email, called the allegations against him baseless, adding: Mr. Torshin has been repeatedly cleared of all allegations by multiple investigative services.

While the near-meeting averted what could have been, at a minimum, a political embarrassment for the White House, Torshins trip to Washington illustrates what some U.S. intelligence sources say appears to be an aggressive Kremlin effort to forge alliances with conservative Republican Party leaders and activists, including figures close to the White House. They describe this as one element in the broader Russian influence campaign that included the Kremlins interference in the 2016 presidential election marked by cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and the email account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.

Torshin, once a leader of Putins United Russia Party and a senator in the Duma before being named deputy governor of the Bank of Russia in 2015, is a key figure in the Kremlins outreach to the conservative movement in the United States. In addition to his appearance at the Prayer Breakfast  an event he has been attending for the past several years  Torshin is also a life member of the National Rifle Association  an organization that spent more than $30 million in support of President Trumps campaign. Torshin has regularly shown up at the gun lobbys annual conventions, even engaging in target-shooting contests in the exhibit halls with Republican strategists. His assistant, Butina, is the founding chair of a Russian gun rights group, the Right to Bear Arms, which has been described as a Russian version of the NRA. While attending last years NRA convention in Louisville, Ky., Torshin was introduced to Donald Trump Jr. at a private dinner at a Louisville restaurant, according to three sources familiar with the encounter.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) , State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov (L) and Federation Council Deputy Chief Alexander Torshin (C) attend a presentation ceremony of state awards in the Kremlin on June 12, 2011 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo: Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images)

Hes sort of the conservatives favorite Russian, said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., who together with Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., had dinner with Torshin and other members of the Russian delegation to the Prayer Breakfast at a Washington restaurant. Hes someone who understands our system. His approach is, I agree with you Americans: People should have a right to own guns. There should be religious freedom. The whole problem is with radical Muslims. We were able to have a very good exchange.

But even while forging ties with Rohrabacher and other conservative Republicans, such as former NRA president David Keene and veteran GOP consultant and Trump transition adviser Paul Erickson, Torshin has been on the radar of international law enforcement officials as a result of a long-running Spanish police investigation into a Russian organized crime syndicate known as the Taganskaya. The group has been accused of laundering profits from racketeering, extortion and other criminal activities through real estate and hotel investments on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Spanish police have made several arrests in connection with the investigation, and an alleged leader of the group, a Russian businessman named Alexander Romanov, pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges in the case last year.

The El Pais story reports that Spanish national police had wiretapped Romanov and recorded 33 telephone conversations he had with Torshin in which the accused mobster referred to the Russian banker as el padrino, or godfather. Alerted that Torshin was planning to attend Romanovs birthday party on August 23, 2013, the national police prepared to arrest the banker, deploying a dozen officers at the airport and at the Mallorca hotel where the party was to take place. But a Russian official in the Ministry of Interior at the Russian Embassy in Madrid had been informed about the operation. When Torshin failed to show, Spanish police concluded the Interior official had tipped Torshin off. We suspect that it was he who advised that Torshin was being investigated in Spain and for that reason, he did not come, a judicial source is quoted as telling El Pais.

The thwarted plans to arrest Torshin frustrated Spanish law enforcement officials about the level of cooperation they were receiving from the Russian government in their investigations into organized crime. It prompted them to conclude it would be pointless to formally charge Torshin and seek his extradition, especially given his official position, according to the El Pais report. it would have delayed the investigation, it would have slowed it, a judicial source is quoted as saying. We do not have the support of the Russian authorities.

Bloomberg News, citing the Spanish National Police dossier prepared under the direction of the countrys best-known prosecutor, Jose Grinda, first reported last year that Torshin was a key suspect in the investigation. Since then, El Pais has obtained a copy and shared it with Yahoo News as part of a collaborative reporting project for this story.

Russian defendant Alexander Romanov, right, on trial for money-laundering in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 2016. (Photo: Cati Cladera/EPA)

Citing the intercepted telephone calls between Romanov and Torshin, the dossier states that above Romanov at a higher hierarchical level is Alexander Torshin. In the numerous telephone conversations and with different interlocutors, Alexander Romanov himself recognizes the subordination that he reveals to what he calls the padrino or the chief  a reference to Torshin.

The report portrays Torshins activities as an example of the penetration of the Russian government by Russian and Euro-Asian criminal organizations. It quotes from some of the wiretapped calls in which Romanov tells an associate he was investing in a Mallorca hotel, called Mar y Pins, on Torshins behalf. The Chief instructed him to buy a hotel because he has two daughters and wants one of them to inherit it besides the stock packages, the report states, summarizing one of Romanovs phone calls with an associate. He explains in another wiretapped call that he was fronting for Torshin on the hotel purchase because the padrino cannot buy here  because he is a public official.

When interviewed last year by Bloomberg in his office in Moscow, where he kept a small bust of Putin, Torshin dismissed the allegations as groundless and characterized his conversations with Romanov as purely social. In an emailed statement to El Pais, a press spokesman for the Bank of Russia said: Spanish law enforcement agencies have never brought any charges against Mr. Torshin nor have they made any inquiries. Furthermore, they have never provided either Mr. Torshin or Russian law enforcement agencies with any kind of information about the alleged ties of Mr. Torshin with organized crime. Mr. Torshin was acquainted with Alexander Romanov in 1990s, their contacts were informal in nature and terminated seven years ago. Mr. Torshin has never intended to visit Alexander Romanov. Mr. Torshin has never had any business connections with Alexander Romanov. Mr. Torshin has never owned real estate or business in Spain.

The spokesman also said that Torshin has privately attended the Prayer Breakfast over the past 12 years. In 2017, he attended the Prayer Breakfast when he was officially on vacation. In addition, President Trump has never proposed a meeting to Mr. Torshin.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The proposed American Idol revival will no longer push through.

According to TMZ, show producers Freemantle Media and Core Media Group had a dispute over the revival. Last month, Freemantle Media proposed the idea to the execs at NBC, and they were more than excited with the pitch. In fact, TV Line revealed that the network considered cutting down The Voice to just one season per year to accommodate the American Idol revival. If the revival pushed through, The Voice would air in the fall, while American Idol would have been released in the spring.

Unfortunately, NBC can no longer air American Idol because execs from Peacock network and FOX also expressed their desire to bring the reality competition back. Both networks pitched their ideas to Freemantle, but the latter was more interested in working with NBC rather than FOX. Unfortunately, Core Media Group believes there is a conflict of interest if American Idol will air before NBCs Americas Got Talent because this could diminish the American Idol brand.

Read: Fans react to possible American Idol revival on NBC

Last year, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest also hinted on a possible revival while at the Television Critics Association press tour. When youve got a franchise that has this kind of heritage that generates X amount of millions of people, if it sustains, does it mean its the end? Im not sure, he said, via TV Line.

Meanwhile, American Idol has been one of Americas most popular reality competitions to have aired on television. In 2002, it averaged 12 million viewers per episode. During its peak fifth season, the show garnered 30 million viewers per installment. However, after several years, the ratings for American Idol continuously dropped. During its final season, the show only averaged 9.1 million viewers and a 2.2 rating.

If the American Idol revival had received the green light, it would have premiered next year.

Ryan Seacrest

Photo: Reuters/Mike Blake

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The wife of the 50-year-old Tennessee teacher accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old female student has filed for divorce, according to multiple reports.

The attorney for Jill Cummins, the wife of Tad Cummins, who is accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Thomas and sparking an ongoing AMBER Alert, issued a statement to WSMV:

Today Jill Walters Cummins filed for divorce from Tad Cummins, her husband of 31 years. The filing of the divorce complaint is the first step to removing Jill from this situation. Jill will attempt to move forward with her life. This is a difficult time for her and her family.

She would appreciate the media and the public respecting her need for privacy during these trying times.

Jill continues to pray for the safe return of Elizabeth Thomas and for a peaceful resolution to this ordeal.

According to court documents obtained by WHNT, Jill Cummins divorce complaint cites irreconcilable differences and alleges that Tad Cummins is guilty of inappropriate marital conduct.

From left: Elizabeth Thomas, Tad Cummins

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

The documents state Jill Cummins has not seen her husband since March 13, the day he and Thomas, a freshman at the Culleoka Unit School, where Cummins was a teacher, went missing.

Several days after their disappearance, Jill Cummins pleaded with her husband at a news conference to come home.

Jill Cummins

Tad, this is not you. This is not who you are. We can help you get through this, she said, Fox-17 Nashville reported. No matter how far youve gone or whats happening right now, Gods grace is sufficient for you and He wants you to come home. Your family wants their Papi back. Please do the right thing, and turn yourself into the police and bring Beth home.

Last week, she again begged him to come home, telling NBC News. You know you cant hide forever. For your sake and for Beths sake, please go to the police or just drop Beth off somewhere safe.

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Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more.

Authorities allege Cummins groomed Thomas for months. Cummins was suspended from his job after he was allegedly caught kissing Thomas on school grounds, and he was fired after he and Thomas went missing. The two allegedly exchanged emails officials described as romantic in nature.

A warrant has been issued for Cummins arrest on charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor - the latter charge stemming from the alleged January kiss. It remains unclear whether Thomas went with Cummins willingly.

Pair May Have Fled to Mexico

At a Thursday press conference, Tennessee officials said the pair may have fled the country to Mexico.

Cummins has described himself as a religious man who has worked with children in the past, according to his resume, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

Cooper said Cummins could be using his background in Mexico or South America. Its possible that hes playing the role of a missionary in that area,  Cooper told ABC News.

On Friday, officials announced that two days after they went missing, the pair were spotted at an Oklahoma City Wal-Mart, about 700 miles away from their home in Maury County, Tennessee.

In the newly released surveillance video and images, Thomas and Cummins appear to have dyed their hair. Thomas, who was originally described by officials as a blonde, has red hair while Cummins goatee beard and hair are darker.

MEDIA: Here39;s a quick video clip of Tad Cummins & Elizabeth Thomas entering the Walmart in Oklahoma City on 3/15.https://t.co/DROy0gqIMc - Josh DeVine (@TBIJoshDeVine) March 31, 2017

The TBI asks anyone who believes they spot Cummins or Thomas to not approach them and instead keep an eye on them while calling 911.

The teen was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 120 lbs., with and hazel eyes.

Cummins was seen driving a Silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee license plate 976ZPT, according to the TBI. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs., with brown hair and eyes.

Anyone with information on Cummins or Thomas should call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com
This woman was once a fan girl anxiously awaiting her celebrity crush's autograph. Today, the pair are engaged.

Read: Woman Becomes Engaged to Boy Band Member She's Had a Crush On Since Age 12

"Who knew that seven years ago, when we saw that show and got tickets on a whim [...] that was going to be the guy you marry [and] have kids with," Katie Wallace, 26, told insideEdition.com

Wallace explained the story started in 2010, at a production of Lin-Manuel Mirandas first Broadway hit, In the Heights. She was a student at New York University at the time, and wanted to see the production with her parents while they were visiting from out of town.

"At the end, we were waiting for everyones autographs, and my dad said to me, 'Hey, do you want me to get a picture of you with the guy who played Sonny?'" Wallace told InsideEdition.com. "I had a little crush on him because I thought he was really good, funny and cute."

She said she tried to play it cool even though she had scribbled a heart next to the actor David Del Rios name in the program, and took a picture with the actor from the other side of the barricade.

That became the first of six times she would watch the production.

"I was obsessed with theater  especially musical theater," she said.

Three years later, Wallace found herself in Los Angeles chatting with a group of people at a party when the same play came up. Little did she know, Del Rio was part of the group.

Read: Man Dressed as a Flying Monkey to Propose to Dancer Boyfriend Backstage at 'Wicked'

"I actually wanted to introduce her to a friend of mine [when] we just started talking about musical theater," Del Rio told InsideEdition.com. "One of my boys said, 'Well, you were in a Broadway show.'"

Starstruck, Wallace said she thought to herself, When he said he was from In the Heights, I said, 'Could this be David Del Rio?'"

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She then asked him to perform one of his hit numbers from the show to prove himself, and like any doting fan, she corrected him when he mixed up the words.

"Now knowing him, Im sure he hated this because hes not that kind of showy guy," she joked.

The unlikely pair eventually started dating, and earlier this month, they found themselves at the same Richard Rogers Theater  currently playing Lin-Manuel Miranda's latest hit, Hamilton  when Del Rio dropped down to one knee.

"I always had an idea of how I was going to propose," he said. "But the minute I started speaking, we landed at the stage door and I just started forgetting everything I was going to say except the question."

And she said yes.

Read: 'Hamilton' Fan Proposes to Girlfriend by Recreating Hit Musical Number on Stage

"I think the fandom is over but whenever I get back to New York, whenever we go back to that theater, Im just totally reminded like, 'Oh my gosh, I used to love you.'"

For Del Rio, "Its a cool story, but every single day we look at each other and agree that the better story is still ahead."

Watch: 87-Year-Old Retiree Surprised by 'Gorgeous' George Clooney Says He Can Call Her Anytime

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Its official: Britain is done with Europe.

Prime Minister Theresa May has formally triggered the process for withdrawing from the European Union, ensuring that the United Kingdom, one of the largest and most prosperous countries in the EU, will soon leave the 28-member bloc.

While the process could drag on for two years or more, the Brexit decision serves as a historic and stinging rebuke to proponents of a unified Europe. Perhaps more importantly, it calls into question the very future of the EU.

Pro-Europe commentators, on both sides of the Atlantic, have argued that Brexit is a historical blip, a rash decision made by an uninformed electorate after a vicious and one-sided campaign. But to dismiss Britains decision as an anomaly is to ignore the facts. We may be witnessing the twilight of the multilateral era.

A not-so-perpetual peace

The history of civilization has been one of peoples coming together in larger and larger collectives from villages to city-states, from city-states to nations and from nations to international organizations. Today, we live in an era typified by the proliferation of global bodies like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the European Union.

People have created these greater communities for a number of reasons, but the overriding one has always been the most basic: security. As German philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote in 1795 in his essay Perpetual Peace, the only means for nations to emerge from a state of constant war was to give up their savage, lawless freedom... and, by accommodating themselves to the constraints of common law, establish a nation of peoples that (continually growing) will finally include all the people of the earth.

The European Union is arguably the greatest example of this ideal. An organization forged from the desolation of two world wars, the EU brought the states of Europe together in a continent-wide commitment to cooperation and integration. Its ultimate aim was to draw nations together so closely that war would become unimaginable.

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An impeccable aspiration, to be sure. But Britains vote last year to leave the EU illustrates the costs associated with that aspiration, and with multilateralism more generally. Governments have become increasingly detached from the people they govern. Local communities have surrendered control over an ever-growing array of matters to distant bureaucrats. And people increasingly perceive that their own groups and beliefs are under siege by outsiders.

This sentiment is not isolated to the United Kingdom. Disillusionment with multilateral agreements is widespread today. Just look at President Donald Trump.

During and after the presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly denounced Americas international agreements. The targets of his ire have ranged from free trade deals (think NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership) to defense pacts (e.g., NATO) to environmental accords (see the Paris climate deal). In January, The New York Times even reported that the Trump administration was preparing an executive order entitled Auditing and Reducing U.S. Funding of International Organizations. This rhetoric has struck a chord with many Americans who fear that international agreements have destroyed American industry and cost Americans jobs.

But to say that we are disillusioned with multilateralism does not provide an answer to the more difficult question: If not multilateralism, then what?

Going it alone

The answer, it appears, is aggressive unilateralism. Instead of working through multilateral institutions to solve their problems, countries are increasingly going it alone.

The United States, for example, has responded to the failure of international negotiations on a range of topics by imposing its domestic laws abroad. The U.S. forces foreign banks to abide by its financial regulations, foreign businesses to comply with its corruption laws and foreign producers to adopt its climate change-related emissions standards. All of these laws were made and enforced without international agreement.

In many ways, the rise of unilateralism may be a great boon for societies. The outpouring of activism and political engagement in the U.K. both before and after the Brexit vote signals a certain optimism about the ability of Britons to govern themselves. With any luck, this optimism will lead to a rejuvenation of democracy in the country, a welcome contrast to the deep cynicism more typical of politics today. Similarly, U.S. action to regulate foreign companies may help provide solutions to problems that have been stubbornly resistant to global agreement and treaty-making.

But the disillusionment with multilateralism also comes with a dark side. It is one thing when countries like the U.S. and Britain decide to start taking action in the face of stalled negotiations over climate change and corruption. It is another when countries with very different concepts of the rule of law and democratic processes start imposing their own rules, unilaterally, on American companies.

Just look at Russias recent prosecution of Google for anti-trust violations or Chinas injunction against the sale of iPhones as examples.

Multilateralism has been a great engine of peace over the course of human civilization, and we should tread carefully in rejecting it. As Kant warned, the alternative is for us to find perpetual peace in the vast grave that swallows both atrocities and their perpetrators.

William Magnuson is Associate Professor of Law at Texas A&M University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Countries are going at solving problems on their own rather than through multilateral institutions

This article was originally published on TIME.com
(Reuters) - Chicago police have arrested a 14-year-old boy and expect to charge a second youth in connection with the sexual assault of a teenage girl by multiple young men that was seen on Facebook Live in March, officials said on Sunday. An arrest warrant has been issued for a 15-year-old boy, and several people are expected to face charges in the incident, police told reporters. "The young men responsible, they should be ashamed of themselves," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said. "Now they are going to be held accountable." He said many details could not be disclosed, citing the sensitivity of the case and the fact that some of the offenders are juveniles. At least one adult was also involved, authorities added at a news conference. Officials said the girl had been lured to the residence where she was assaulted and not allowed to leave. The girl's mother had approached police after an unrelated news conference and shown them images of her daughter being assaulted by five or six young men. The mother said the girl's uncle had told her about a video on Facebook Live that showed the assault. The high school freshman had gone to the store and her mother became concerned when she did not return. The incident was among several in recent months in Chicago in which the social media site played a role in broadcasting apparent crimes. The shooting death in February on the city's West Side of a 2-year-old boy was captured on Facebook Live by his aunt, who was also shot. In January, an attack by four people on a 19-year-old man with special needs was partially broadcast on the social media site. The four accused in the attack have pleaded not guilty. (Reporting by Chris Michaud in New York and Letitia Stein in Tampa, Fla.; Editing by Randy Fabi and Peter Cooney)
Movies about the Holocaust have become their own genre, instantly recognizable by a series of familiar images: yellow stars and striped pyjamas; cattle cars inhumanely packed with people; barbed wire fences delineating the line between death and freedom. The Zookeepers Wife introduces a new set of symbols into this cinematic lexicon, entirely surprising but historically accurate: lions and tigers wandering empty city streets, the terrestrial equivalent of fish out of water.

The movie, based on Diane Ackermans nonfiction 2007 book of the same name, opens in Warsaw, Poland, in September 1939, just before the Germans began bombing the city beyond recognition. When the bombs come, the people - zookeeper Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh) and his wife Antonina (Jessica Chastain) - are terrified, but not without warning. The animals, on the other hand, are bewildered, disoriented and frightened by the man-made destruction all around them.

The Zookeepers Wife, which hits theaters March 31, is mostly about people: Jan and Antonina and the hundreds of Jews they hid in their zoo throughout the course of World War II, risking their own lives to save others. But it is the expressions on the faces of elephants and camels and kangaroos that offer a window into the war that most filmmakers havent, up until now, chosen to look through.

Isnt it interesting that animals somehow open up and expand our humanity? asks director Niki Caro, best known for her award-winning 2002 drama Whale Rider and soon to be best known for Disneys live-action remake of Mulan. I think this story offers another way into the Holocaust that allows us to feel in a way that we havent felt for a long time, maybe, as time distances us from those events, as many movies have been made.

Anne Marie Fox-Focus FeaturesJessica Chastain and director Niki Caro.

As Caro describes it, her focus in telling Antoninas story, in particular, was on the exotic and the domestic - the exotic being the winged and four-legged creatures affected by the war, and the domestic being Antoninas world at home, as a mother, an animal lover and ultimately a different kind of war hero.

Most of our war movies are about men. Theyre from the male perspective, and war is considered to be profoundly male - and of course thats quite accurate, says Caro. But war also happened to women, and it happened to children, and it happened to animals.

As Antonina, Chastain is the picture of quiet strength and intuition. She seems to prefer the company of animals to most humans, as we witness during a dinner party, when she rushes out of the parlor room to revive a newborn elephant thats not breathing, somehow communicating to its panicked mother that she can be trusted with this precious life. Its a glimpse of the sort of compassion she will show toward the hundreds of Jews she invites into her home - men, women and children Jan smuggles out of the Warsaw Ghetto beneath heaps of trash he has arranged to remove to feed the pigs hes raising in the now defunct zoo.

I think often femininity is equated with weakness, and she shows us that that is not the case, Caro says of Antoninas courage. The fact that its a historical story about a woman means that its fallen through the seams of history because somehow, womens stories have not been considered relevant.

Antoninas story is relevant in more ways than one. The Zookeepers Wife isnt just about the humanitarian instinct - it is a story about refugees. Ousted from their homes, Warsaws Jews were forced to live in dangerously cramped quarters in a makeshift ghetto not entirely unlike the camps where hundreds of thousands of refugees today await resettlement. One shot of the ghetto, still smoldering from the fire that destroyed it and killed thousands of its inhabitants, calls to mind images of Aleppo, a city reduced to rubble where life once flourished. At a moment when nationalism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism seem to be on the rise, the history the movie mines doesnt feel all that distant.

But the filmmakers didnt set out with the intention of putting those events in conversation with todays headlines. I didnt realize at the time how much of a contemporary film we were making, says Caro of the moment a few years ago when she signed on to direct the movie. It horrifies me that many of the events you see happening in the film are happening in 2017. Sadly, its becoming more relevant by the week.

While Caro hopes, as any director would, that her movie finds a wide audience, she says shes been particularly heartened by the response from millennials. They see it happening again, because theyre not stupid, she says. I hope that this film will find a large audience there, because I think thats the generation thats going to change this.

This article was originally published on TIME.com
Raudha Athif, 21, a model and medical student, was found dead in her college dorm from an apparent suicide. (Photo: Instagram)

Medical student and model Raudha Athif was found dead in her dorm room yesterday in an apparent suicide. Athif, 21, had appeared in Vogue India last year and was studying in Bangladesh at the Islami Bank Medical College at the time of her death.

Friends found Athif hanging from her ceiling fan, a scarf tied around her neck. They cut her down, initially believing she was still alive. Police are calling it a suicide but wont make it official until an autopsy is performed.

She always looked happy, said Mahmuda Begum, the superintendent of Athifs hostel, in an interview with the Daily Star. It is hard to believe she would commit suicide.

Athif, originally from the Maldives, found herself the subject of international attention three years ago when a photo of her gained sudden acclaim. Maldivian Girl With Aqua Blue Eyes, a photo by Maldivian photographer Sotti, propelled Athifs modeling career to new heights.

She appeared last October in a Vogue India photo shoot and cover story alongside five other models. Under the headline Celebrating Beauty in Diversity, Athif was interviewed with other young models with ambitions beyond the fashion world.

Modelling is a hobby rather than a career for me, since Im studying to become a doctor, she told Vogue. Ive never been so bold as to take part in any big pageant before this.

Athif was in her second year of medical school.

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Samsungs Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone is equipped with Qualcomms latest processor, the Snapdragon 835. Being the newest chip from the San Diego-headquartered company, the 835 is known to be the fastest processor today. It is also the reason why the Galaxy S7 successor will soon enough be capable of having Gigabit LTE-class speeds. But what does this upcoming mobile communications standard have to offer consumers?

Gigabit LTE is basically 4G LTE on steroids  not just the ordinary kind, but something that would make it nearly 18 times faster than its usual self. While its name suggests that it would allow data speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second, the reality would be different from this theoretical peak speed. However, it would still be significantly quicker, with speeds going as high as 300 megabits per second, according to CNET.

Having Gigabit LTE would open the doors to express data downloads. For reference, one could download a two-hour film in 15 seconds. This would also pave the way to users live streaming 360-degree videos for virtual reality. Not only that, the Galaxy S8 could also be one of if not the first phone to have support for Googles instant apps, or the instant-loading mobile applications that the Mountain View giant is envisioning for the near future. These apps are expected to work like websites, so users wont have to deal with installation and whatnot.

READ: The better one between Galaxy S8 vs LG G6

Another advantage of Gigabit LTE is having immediate access to the cloud. With its blazing speed, users can easily grab photos and videos from cloud services and instantly open them on the Galaxy S8. Qualcomm even said that with this data speed, the cloud would simply act as an extension of the smartphone. And this is absolutely not an exaggeration, for the connection speed would even be faster than a device reading a flash memory card.

The Galaxy S8s Gigabit LTE is still not available at present, but it will soon be when mobile carriers also offer this kind of data speeds. After all, without carrier support, the smartphones full potential wouldnt be realized. Thus far, T-Mobile is the most determined carrier to bring 1 Gbps connection to Samsungs new flagship. It has even demonstrated how the new wireless communication standard would be like on the Galaxy S8. Check out the video below.

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Digital Trends reports that the Galaxy S8 will not be the only phone to have 1 Gigabit LTE this year. Qualcomm is apparently bringing the Snapdragon 835 chipset to more Android devices soon. Furthermore, other carriers are likely to adopt the Gigabit LTE connection speed soon. Sprint has already started creating infrastructures for Gigabit LTE in 100 markets. Thus, it is expected to launch in the countrys major cities in the near future.

Verizon has also expressed that it is indeed going to offer Gigabit LTE in the future. As for the specifics of its vision, they are not available yet. Meanwhile, AT&T is already close to launching its own support for the super fast mobile data speed. In fact, it is already deploying 5G Evolution  its name for Gigabit LTE  in Austin and Indianapolis in the coming months.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Photo: Reuters/Brendan McDermid

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Samsung is pretty upbeat about the Galaxy S8, its first major mobile test after the massive Galaxy Note 7 debacle. While the Galaxy S8 will bring in a ton of cash, Samsung is also be pretty excited about the iPhone 8s arrival this year, which will be the first Apple smartphone to sport an OLED screen.

Don't Miss: Using my iPhone for the next six months is really, really going to suck

A new report from South Korean news site The Investor says Samsung Display is going forward with its plans to expand its OLED production. The company will spend 10 trillion won ($8.9 billion) this year alone on the expansion, according to the sites sources.

Apples decision to move to OLED technology is likely what motivated Samsung Display to go ahead with this massive investment. Apple still continues to set the tone in the mobile market, and other phone makers are expected to follow its lead in the near future. Samsung, however, has been using OLED screens in its Galaxy-branded handsets for years, while Apple pushed LCD technology to its limits in its iPhones.

The OLED displays in recent Galaxy S and Galaxy Note models have received rave reviews, offering superior performance when compared with same-year iPhone rivals.

Samsung currently has more than 95% of the market, and thats why Apple chose Samsung Display as a supplier for its OLED iPhones. Samsung Display rivals are also investing heavily in their OLED display production lines, but Samsung has a huge advantage when it comes to overall production.

Samsung is probably looking to keep Apples display business in the coming years and provide OLED screens to other companies as well. The report notes that Chinese smartphone makers are also seeking to utilize OLED screens in their high-end handsets in the future. Samsung is also using OLED screens in 70% of its phones, not just the high-end models.

Recent reports said that Apple and Samsung inked at least two OLED display contracts for a total of 160 million OLED panels. Apple agreed to pay $4.3 billion for 60 million OLED displays, which explains why Samsungs ready to commit so much money to upgrading its OLED production capacity.

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Summer steelhead returns to the upper Columbia and Snake rivers are forecast to be the worst in three decades in 2017 with angling restrictions almost certain  and partial closures possible  at popular spots like the mouths of the Cowlitz, Lewis, Wind and Deschutes rivers plus Drano Lake.

State biologists are forecasting a return of just 130,700 steelhead to waters upstream of Bonneville Dam, down from 182,737 in 2016 and 261,400 in 2015. Returns were 601,000 as recently as 2009.

In worst shape are the Group B steelhead headed for Idaho. Group B are larger, later-returning steelhead headed for Idahos Clearwater River, a major tributary of the Snake River.

Forecasts are for 6,200 hatchery-origin Group B steelhead and a mere 1,100 wild Group B steelhead. Hatcheries in the Clearwater basin need 2,000 adult steelhead for spawning.

The federal Endangered Species Act limits non-Indian harvest of wild Group A and wild Group B steelhead to 2 percent incidental catch in the process of catching fish from healthy stocks.

That means only 22 wild Group B steelhead can be killed in the plethora of sport fisheries between the Columbia River mouth and Idaho, plus in commercial gillnet fisheries between Woodland and Beacon Rock in the fall.

So, not very much there, said Ron Roler, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Tucker Jones, ocean and Columbia River salmon manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said 65 percent to 70 percent of the catch is upstream of Bonneville.

Most of the steelhead harvest in Oregon comes at the mouth of the Deschutes River or in the John Day arm, said Chris Kern, deputy administrator of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The arm is the seven-mile stretch where the Columbia inundates the lower John Day River.

Steelhead seek out and rest in cool-water spots in the Columbia River as they migrate upstream. Downstream of Bonneville Dam those spots include the mouths of the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers.

In the Columbia Gorge those spots include the mouths of Wind River, White Salmon River and Herman Creek. Drano Lake, a large backwater of the Little White Salmon River, has a very popular 24-hour-a-day fishery in August and early September.

Roler said steelhead fishing restrictions and possible closures will hit hardest east of the Cascades, where most of the catch occurs.

However, restrictions are needed on the west side of the mountains, too, he said.

We need to show efforts to reduce harvest in the lower river to share the pain, Roler said.

Among the options being considered are a daily limit of one hatchery steelhead, a closure of night fishing, a 30-inch maximum size limit and gear restrictions.

Even with a one-fish bag or a night closure, its still not going to get us where we need to be, Roler said. I believe some sort of closure somewhere will be necessary.

Capt. Jeff Wickersham of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife police, said a night closure would be a good start.

Wickersham recounted an incident where officers found three wild Group B steelhead illegally harvested in one night at Drano Lake.

A night closure across the board will curtail a lot of our problems, he said.

A month-long closure at Drano Lake was one option mentioned at a public meeting recently in Vancouver, Washington. No specific dates were mentioned.

Jones said outmigration conditions in the warm-water summer of 2015 most likely took a toll on summer steelhead.

However, ocean conditions for young fish in the north Pacific in 2015 were among the worst on record and are suspected to be the No. 1 culprit for the poor returns, he said.
On June 21, 2015 a mixed contingent of soldiers and police descended upon Areyksat village in Kandal province to forcibly remove 55 houseboats and 10 houses on the river banks. Unlike other violent evictions  which are far from rare in Cambodia  the logic of removal was not to make way for development or infrastructure, but for environmental reasons. The people, all of whom happened to be ethnic Vietnamese, were purportedly polluting the area  which, according to local authorities, impacts on local beauty and national and international tourism. On one of the many pro Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) news channels that night , the news presenters gleefully presented the story, noting that illegal immigrants have to respect the rule of law and local authorities should be commended for protecting the environment. They even [incorrectly] added that a number of the evictees had been deported to Vietnam  to triumphant smiles.

Two weeks later, this small Vietnamese community was pondering where to go when a large group of students  flanked by government officials  came to clean up the area, walking around picking up litter. They cited the need for citizens to protect and clean the environment. In a bizarre scene student environmentalists joined soldiers in cleaning up the local environment (which really equated to a straight out eviction), to the astonished stares of the recently evicted.

It wasnt the first time this Vietnamese community had been pushed away from the land they considered their home  since the early 1990s they had been forced to relocate several times. Although most in the community were in fact born in Cambodia, without proper identification they had few avenues to challenge the eviction.

In Siem Reaps Chong Kneas, Vietnamese floating villages have been cut off from land by the establishment of the Sou Ching boat port , which manages the 3,000 to 4000 tourists per month who come to visit Cambodias famed Tonle Sap lake. Since the construction of the port in 2008, the Vietnamese floating villages have been systematically excluded from the benefits of increasing tourist flows. The port was built on the premises that it would clean up and develop the area. The floating village, which the tourism industry paints as a quaint and exotic experience of river life for tourist consumption, is actually a highly vulnerable group of stateless people who are literally relegated to the water while being largely excluded from the land.

In Kompong Chnang, provincial authorities armed with master plans to clean up the city, are in the process of evicting around 1,000 ethnic Vietnamese on the premise that they are degrading and polluting the fragile riverside. Since 2000 , Vietnamese floating villages have gone up and down the Tonle Sap River, being pushed out and evicted by authorities under the guise of environmental protection.

In August, Radio Free Asia reported that in Kratie authorities were finally formulating a plan to clean up the riverside (along the Mekong) and in particular deal with the unregulated and polluting Vietnamese residents who have taken up residence along the river. (In reality, fishing villages are comprised of Khmer and Cham immigrants as well. Some, such as Kompong Luong in Pursat are mixed, while those in Kompong Chnang and Siem Reap tend to be more segregated.)

Clearly there are commonalities between these stories. Vietnamese who happen to live on the water are in an ever tenuous position at the confluence of statelessness, a livelihood dependence on fishing, a lack of any legal claim to the places they reside, increasing state management of these formerly unregulated places, and of course a pervasive public sentiment which seeks to scrutinize the presence of ethnic Vietnamese who live in Cambodian territory.

Unlike evictions in urban settings, or of the rural poor, these evictions largely go unnoticed and without comment. NGOs do not flock to the cause of poor Vietnamese evictees. No colorful protests are made, no international media come to document their plight. People on Khmer radio dont angrily demand justice. Academics working on evictions largely ignore them. Vietnamese who speak out do not become household names. In most cases they quietly agree to eviction orders and move on.

My aim of bringing up these small snippets  which of course are entirely lacking in complexity  is not to try and carve out Viet-Cambodians as the latest vulnerable group for NGOs or researchers to victimize (another group to add to Cambodias seemingly never ending list of the vulnerable). Rather, it is to draw attention to a manifestation of a central pivot of Cambodian politics which remains largely understudied and under-discussed  the posturing of Vietnamese as a territorial threat to the future of the Khmer community. My aim in bringing up this issue at a time when Cambodia is plagued by seemingly much larger problems is to draw attention to the way in which diverse issues within Cambodia continue to be articulated in relation to a deep suspicion and hatred of the Vietnamese. Cambodia is currently at a critical juncture leading up to the 2018 elections and while democracy, human rights, governance, and legitimacy will all be central aspects of both analysis and activism, few are willing to acknowledge how deeply anti-Vietnamese sentiment has saturated Cambodian politics.

Everyone Is Entitled to a Little Fascism

Comparing the colonial state and the post-colonial state, one of the key defying features of the latter is that the authority and sovereign right to brutally deal with unwanted populations deemed outside the political community is entrusted entirely to the post-colonial state. Small states such as Cambodia may be under enormous pressure to enter into bilateral and multilateral trade deals, which severely emasculate notions of sovereignty; they can be forced to engage in lengthy and vague programs of democracy building and good governance; they can have their entire bureaucracies built and crisscrossed with foreign NGOs, development experts, and foreign consultants; they can be under pressure to grant huge swathes of land to foreign investors; to re-create parts of the country as a large amusement park for the pleasure of foreign tourists; to celebrate wave after wave of foreign NGOs and humanitarians doing banal and ill thought out development projects; even in accepting unwanted refugees from bigger countries. But the one thing that can never be taken away is nationalism and the dream of sovereignty. Cambodia may be a poor, economically and politically marginalized state that has been colonized by the Thai, Vietnamese, and French (and the international community through NGOs and donors) but in the current system even small states can despotically rule over their territories and populations, needing only to cite sovereignty.

The colonial dream to resurrect an ancient culture in decline , to restore old territorial boundaries, to have absolute control of who is (and who is not) allowed to move across borders, and to restore political power to the legitimate Khmer ruling class is alive and well in modern day Cambodia. Although Cambodians are typically viewed within international media and academic research as victims  of the Khmer Rouge, of a kleptocratic regime, of land abuse, of gender inequality, and of climate change  Cambodia, just like any other real country, is also home to anti-immigrant populist movements, racism, and bigotry. And here is one of the most appealing things about ultra-nationalism  people may be illiterate and excluded from a decent education, from healthcare, from dignified work, from the spoils of kleptocracy, but the one thing everyone can engage in is nationalism. You do not need to be educated or part of the elite to join in hating Vietnamese.

Forests may fall, the landless may be increasing day by day, those abandoned by the state may engage in ever more precarious and dangerous labor, yet it consistently seems to be issues around immigration and removing foreign Vietnamese influence from government structures that public sentiment remains fixated upon. So pervasive and ubiquitous is the idea that Vietnam  and more specifically Vietnamese people  are the root cause of Cambodias woes that such a sentiment can be found among progressive NGOs, forest activists, local authorities, land activists, the rich, and the governing elite alike.

When the popular political analyst Kem Lay was tragically gunned down in Phnom Penh last month, bereaved onlookers, wary of police interfering with crucial evidence, attempted to stop an officer from moving the body. What was strange though was the angry crowds decision to scream yuon (a derogatory term for Vietnamese) at police, accusing them of being Vietnamese. How they could so quickly and unanimously decide  without any particularly compelling evidence  that the officer was Vietnamese solely on the basis that he was doing something seen as deeply threatening to a cherished Khmer hero says a lot about common ideas of the Vietnamese. Such an accusation coming from angry crowds is far from uncommon  during the 2014 protests , protestors at Freedom Park taunted security guards by calling them yuon for a similar reason (even though they were actually Khmer)  which in turn elicited a violent response. On more than one occasion such an accusation has resulted in group beatings  even killing the accused , or the ransacking of property for no other reason than the owners were Vietnamese.

Most disturbingly, it is not just angry crowds or protesters who hold such views. Suspicion  even outright hatred  of Vietnamese is not uncommon within activist circles and progressive NGOs. On multiple occasions I have witnessed Khmer NGO staff who work in organizations that are at the forefront of land, natural resource, and human rights issues engaging in tirades aimed at Vietnamese without being challenged. Or recently, during a trip to Prey Lang with forest activists, I was forced to endure a long tedious rant by a young forest activist with links to Mother Nature and part of Kem Leys young political analyst group about how the Vietnamese are the real cause of Cambodias mismanaged forests. Even at Politikocoffee, a weekly forum set up by young Cambodian liberals and bloggers, it is still almost impossible to have a conversation about the issue of the Vietnamese in Cambodia without evoking nationalist sentiments and strong emotions on Vietnamese illegally crossing the border.

The problem here is that ultra-nationalism has quietly colonized emerging opposition to the current regime. So entrenched is the idea that the current regime is a Vietnamese puppet (i.e. it is quintessentially opposed to Khmerness) that opposition to the Hun Sen regime and opposition to Vietnamese are too often one and the same thing. Cambodias swing to China  not to mention French colonialism, NGO colonialism, the role of China during the Khmer Rouge period, historic Thai invasions, and the fact that Cambodia actually gained land from the Champassak kingdom of southern Laos  are all ignored. Instead, a persistent political discourse draws a seemingly undeniable line between the loss of ancestral Khmer land (Kampuchea Krom land in the Vietnamese southern delta, Koh Tral island off the coast of Kampot, and more recently a much smaller area of contested land along the eastern border) and the post Khmer Rouge Vietnamese backed regime and more recent problems of corruption and natural resource mismanagement. This alluringly simple thesis seems always to be lurking beneath the surface of popular sentiment  why is Cambodia small? Yuon! Why is Cambodia poor? Yuon! Why are forests and natural resource mismanaged? Youn!  Why do I have a stomach ache? Yuon!

Do Vietnamese Lives Matter?

There has been some English language media on the Cambodia National Rescue Party and particularly Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokhas exploitation of antiVietnamese sentiment. But it is important to note that anti-Vietnamese sentiment goes well and truly beyond just the CNRP. Leader of the League for Democracy Party Khem Veasna (which hooked just over 1 percent of votes in the 2013 elections, to make it the fourth biggest party) is renowned for bizarre anti-immigrant rants (always directed solely at the yuon) that would make Donald Trump embarrassed. The recent rise of Soun Serey Rathas Khmer Power Party is similarly explicitly based around kicking out the youn from Cambodia. Even Som Sovanara  an exiled former RCAF soldier who has been calling for an overthrow of the military from Canada  always emphasizes the urgency of freeing Cambodians from the Vietnamese puppet regime.

There is nothing new about this  the persecution and violent scapegoating of Vietnamese has been the mainstay of Cambodian politics since the Lon Nol regime in the 1970s. The violent massacres of Viet Cambodians in 1970 at the hands of Lon Nol  which Cambodians have almost entirely managed to collectively forget  were remarkable for the fact that General Lon Nol was able to exploit anti-Vietnamese sentiment to lessen mass resentment over the fact that for the first time in 1,000 years the beloved monarchy had been done away with. So too, new research  and especially new evidence appearing at the Khmer Rouge tribunal  is showing the Khmer Rouge regime not just as a paranoid self-destructive killing machine, but a regime whose ultimate downfall and mass killing s resulted from the deeply biopolitical goal of systematically eliminating Vietnamessness from the Cambodian political community. Not a single Vietnamese who stayed in Cambodia during the Democratic Kampuchea regime is thought to have survived and it is for this reason that the term genocide is being used in relations to the regimes purging of the Vietnamese.

It is clear though that Cambodian public sentiment  which has been supported through international media  is struggling to acknowledge the suffering of non-Khmer groups during this time and the role that ultra-nationalism played in perpetuating violence. That people can still get away with claiming that the Khmer Rouges savagery was somehow due to Vietnamese infiltration is absurd  not only because this is the very discourse that the KR themselves used to violently weed out foreign elements, but because it totally disavows violence against Vietnamese.

Contrary to popular sentiment, it could also be argued that the 1990s were an important era which normalized marginalization and hatred of Vietnamese in Cambodian politics. A popular trope of opposition politicians and political analysts is that the post KR regime ushered in a mass immigration of Vietnamese under the tutelage of first the Vietnamese army and then the Hun Sen regime. Here is not the place to debate these claims  which are typically accompanied with exaggeration, heady emotions, nationalistic fervor, and straight out racism ( see here, though, for a good discussion ). Like most issues in Cambodia, Hun Sens CPP had a political interest in deferring and failing to promote any sensible discussions or policies on the Vietnamese in Cambodia, which essentially allowed all those opposed to the CPP to monopolize the issue. Yet even then a number of laws were progressively released that increasingly excluded Vietnamese Cambodians and made them stateless and disenfranchised . There were also numerous state led attempts to crack down on Vietnamese immigration in and around Phnon Penh, which merely resulted in more evictions of Vietnamese Cambodians.

In the chaos and violence of the 90s, as the UN forces (UNTAC) clumsily tried to stitch together a peace agreement and set Cambodia on its democratic experiment, violence toward Vietnamese and their political exclusion became normalized amidst increasingly extremist anti-Vietnamese views. Not only the Khmer Rouge, but other non-government forces, such as FUNCINPEC and the KPLNF, were virulently anti-Vietnamese. The 1993 Khmer Rouge massacre of 33 Vietnamese in Siem Reaps Chong Kneas was not only remarkable for its brutality (the killing of unarmed men, women, and children) but for the fact that none of the political factions demonstrated any sympathy for the victims and could even come out calling for a stop to Vietnamese immigration in the days after (even though all the victims were born in Cambodia). So too a vicious attack on a Vietnamese floating village in Kompong Chnang as late as 1998 never saw any justice for the victims of the massacre (even though the perpetrators publicly acknowledged their involvement  they are now in the RCAF) and the event has largely been forgotten by the public. Such attacks on Vietnamese were common throughout the 1990s. Just in 1992 and 1993, 130 Vietnamese were killed, and 75 seriously injured in racially targeted attacks across Cambodia (not all of these were done on the part of the Khmer Rouge). Compare this to the 1997 attack on Sam Rainsys Khmer National Party rally, which resulted in the deaths between 16 and 20 people and which has been immortalized in public discourse.

Famed political analyst and independent researcher Kem Lay, who was tragically shot dead in central Phnom Penh last month, is perhaps a good measure of contemporary political views toward Vietnamese in Cambodia. Kem Lays analyses, which were frequently broadcast on Radio Free Asia and Voice of America, were remarkable for the fact that they could link almost any issue to the Vietnamese  and in fact it was rare for Kem Lay not to bring up the Vietnamese in one of his talks. Although brave, straight to the point, and refreshingly dismissive of the type of bureaucratic and governmental approaches that usually dominate discussions of major problems in Cambodia, his research was hardly structured or critical. In some cases he would simply wander around the Tonle Sap or Phnom Penhs Chbar Apov, taking note of Vietnamese speakers as if it were self-evident they are illegally residing in Cambodia and should be deported. He often talked of Vietnamese immigration as a disease inflicting Cambodians His five point thesis on how the Vietnamese are destroying Cambodia was a tired and factually incorrect piece that only stirred up racists myths. His 100 Day Campaign was similarly structured around encouraging Cambodians to observe and record instances of Vietnamese colonizing Cambodia. His fables and village talks were full of subtle  yet obvious to Khmer speakers  references to Vietnam trying to swallow up Cambodia and in this way he perpetuated and exploited a widespread ignorance toward the Vietnamese (and more broadly a misconception about the contemporary relationship between Vietnamese and Cambodia).

That his research legacy is now being held up an example to Cambodian youth is extremely disturbing and suggests it will be a long time before more reasonable and sensible conversations about the issue can be publicly held. It is also noticeable that the English media has entirely failed to pick up not just on the nuances of his legacy but his fairly blatant anti-Vietnamese obsession. Meanwhile popular radio stations such as Radio Free Asia and Voice of Democracy blatantly promote his anti-Vietnamese views, although the increasing popularity of more measured analysts such as Meas Ny is a positive sign.

Returning back to the snippets of Vietnamese evictions this essay started with, it also has to be questioned to what degree NGOs, donors, and foreign consultants and experts  who are so present in Cambodia  have also ignored the issue of Vietnamese marginalization. During the UNTAC period, the UN was not only logistically unable to provide protection to the Vietnamese but also unwilling to politically tackle anti-Vietnamese violence. More recently there has been a deafening silence on the part of large NGOs and donors who have shown a willingness to involve themselves in almost every aspect of Cambodias development, from how rural people defecate to what they think of climate change.

Take the above mentioned evictions around the Tonle Sap and Mekong. Cambodias leading human rights NGOs  CCHR, LICHADO, and ADHOC  have been eerily quiet on all of these evictions. For most NGOs and the international development community operating in Cambodia, the problems facing Cambodias stateless Vietnamese  and the very real possibility of violence toward them  do not register as an issue at all. Yet as political analyst Ou Virak has recently pointed out , as one of the few people to publicly criticize anti-Vietnamese sentiment in Cambodian politics, anti-Vietnamese theories are popular among the people, and everyone knows it.

There are obvious and increasing tensions leading up to the 2018 elections in Cambodia. It is more than likely the CPP regime will be unable to secure the mass patronage of voters that it needs to win an election. The question is how it will react? It is hard not to see political killings such as that of Kem Ley as a clear message to the populace that fear and violence remain as important mechanisms of control. The recent Kafkeresque use of courts and the law to suppress dissent also demonstrates the CPPs continual dependence on the use of state apparatuses to stifle opposition. There are also disturbing indicators that the RCAF could be employed to protect against what it deems as a threat to the government and CPP  which certainly would not be unprecedented.

The other risk that no one talks about, though, is that increasing dissatisfaction and opposition to the regime will be expressed through anti- Vietnamese rhetoric  as it has been in every single election since 1993. That no one is willing to stand up for scapegoated Vietnamese  and that an anti-Vietnamese fascist-like movement has spread through Facebook and online media, emboldened by a new generation of Khmer activists  is indicative of future violence. With the CNRP already supporting members to scrutinize polling stations for non-Khmers , and different groups organizing for ways to ensure that truckloads of Vietnamese do not come to illegally vote (popularly seen as the most likely way the CPP will rig the vote), it seems more than likely that prejudices will flare during the election period and the Vietnamese are likely to bear the brunt.

The sad tragedy is that in fact hundreds of thousands of Viet Cambodians are already disenfranchised and with such limited political space to discuss the issue, any fair and just resolution remains far off in the future. Another important question is what would happen to Viet Cambodians if the CNRP did get into power. Would it be pressured into draconian and extreme measures to exclude Vietnamese Cambodians? Nearby Myanmar should be seen as a warning. What has happened to the Rohingya is a clear example of what happens when the state exploits fascisms for political gain  although it would not be for the first time that this has happened in Cambodia.

Tim Frewer is a researcher and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Sydney who has been working and researching in Cambodia over the last decade.
Was Cambodia paid off?

In June, it reportedly forced ASEAN to retract a strongly-worded statement on the South China Sea dispute, irking many of its regional partners. (It did the same in 2012.) A few days later, China promised Cambodia another $600 million in aid and loans. Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed the allegation his government was bought was not fair for Cambodia, adding: I will not allow anyone to insult the Khmer nation. I am not supporting any one country. However, the Chinese government certainly thought Cambodia was being deferential. The outgoing Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, Bu Jianguo, lauded Cambodias neutral and fair stance over the South China Sea issue. She added : Not only the government of China, but also millions of our people appreciated Prime Minister Hun Sens stance.

With the ASEAN and East Asia Summits fast approaching, the prevailing expectation is that Cambodia will once again earn Chinas appreciation by blocking any unified movement on the South China Sea issue.

In recent months, the Cambodian government has engaged in much encomium over China. On August 3, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong stated that Cambodias development could not be detached from Chinese aid. Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan enthused : Without Chinese aid, we go nowhere. Such remarks are clear examples of just how close Cambodian and China have grown.

But it wasnt always the case. To retell a cliched contradistinction: in 1988 Hun Sen described China as the root of everything that is evil in his country. Twelve years later, China was Cambodias most trustworthy friend according to the prime minister. What explains this volte-face? How did China go from the serpent in Cambodias Eden to its trust guide?

A little history is necessary. In 1958, five years after Cambodia gained its independence, Norodom Sihanouk formally established ties with communist China. (Sihanouk came to the throne in 1941, and ruled either as king or chief of state until 1970). Aid began flowing southward into Cambodia, used by Sihanouk to secure his countrys neutrality between United States and the Soviet Union, along with Moscows partner, Vietnam. However, after renouncing U.S. aid in 1963, Sihanouk moved closer to China and the communist bloc than the word neutrality would allow. For China, Cambodia provided a stable base to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.

Geopolitics, of course, were certainly at the foreground of this relationship, but so too were personal friendships. An insightful essay by Julio A. Jeldres, Norodom Sihanouks former private secretary, published in 2012, tells of the rapport between the Cambodian leader and Chinas then-premier Zhou Enlai, which began after their first meeting in 1955. Above all, flattery was the order of the day, and Sihanouk was impressed by Zhous courtesy, which made him feel that much smaller Cambodia was on a par with great China and that he and Zhou were equals, Jeldres wrote. Nor to be overlooked was the importance of the Chinese community in Cambodia. Relations between [the] majority community and the Chinese [local population] are probably better than in any country in Southeast Asia, wrote William E. Willmott in his 1967 book, The Chinese in Cambodia.

The emergence of the Khmer Rouge, however, proved problematic. Because of Chinas support for the KR, Sihanouk initially severed ties with the PRC. But they were reinstated when, following a coup against him in 1970, Sihanouk became the public face of the KR from his home in Beijing. When the Pol Pot regime finally fell in 1979, four years after taking power, following Vietnamese liberation or invasion (depending on who you ask) Cambodia could not escape cold-war rivalry. The U.S. and China, now allies, opposed the Vietnamese-backed government, led by Hun Sen, effectively from 1985 onward. Instead, they supported the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea, a government-in-exile composed of unlikely bedfellows: the Khmer Rouge, the royalist Funcinpec party, and the Khmer Peoples National Liberation Front, an anti-Vietnamese, anti-Communist force. China wanted a government led by Sihanouk, its old friend. ASEAN (comprised of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand in 1985) was in solidarity with the United States. The Soviet Union was in solidarity with Vietnam and, therefore, the Hun Sen regime. An impasse, to say the least.

But then cracks began. Thai Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan broke with the ASEAN line and embraced the Hun Sen government in 1988. This was aided by the normalization of relations between the Soviet Union and China. Then, on September 26, 1989, the last Vietnamese troops withdrew from Cambodia and, two years later, the four Cambodian factions (the Hun Sen government plus the previously mentioned three composites of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea) met in Paris to end the Cambodian civil war.

A brief transitionary task force led by the UN oversaw Cambodias shift from a nominally socialist state to a nominally democratic one, and work began on organizing an election. However, Hun Sen kicked up a fuss over the 1993 elections, won by Funcinpec and its leader, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, with Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) coming in second. An arrangement was made for both Hun Sen and Ranariddh to serve as prime ministers, with the CPP and Funcinpec sharing power in government. It was far from the best option, and, as the former American diplomat Timothy Carney put it, everybody was basically tired of the whole thing and wanted to create a fix that Cambodians could live with.

The watershed years of new Chinese-Cambodian relations came in 1996 and 1997. On July 18, 1996, Hun Sen was invited for a state visit to Beijing. China sent a plane to collect him, impressing the prime minister. Before boarding, he announced that the visit would end the suspicion of the past. During the next five days, he met with President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng, signed a new agreement on trade and investment, and established an accord for members of the CPP and the Communist Party of China (CPC) to meet. But most significant was that China had not invited officials from Funcinpec to join the traveling delegation of the Royal Government of Cambodia. This snub wasnt accidental, nor petty. China had justifiably reasoned that Hun Sen was the man it could do business with in Cambodia. (Also in 1996, Hun Sen oversaw the defection of the Khmer Rouges Ieng Sary, signalling its end, and Cambodia formally severed ties with Taiwan, communist Chinas long-standing enemy.)

Buoyed by his visit to China, and, perhaps confident of its patronage, in July 1997 Hun Sen launched a coup against Funcinpec, ousting the partys politicians from the power-sharing government. Western donors cut all but humanitarian aid and chastised the CPPs takeover. ASEAN suspended Cambodias membership in the bloc, expected the following month. China, however, quick to an opportunity, carried on regardless, supplementing Cambodias financial shortfall with its own aid. The events of 1997 provided Hun Sen with confidence that China would stand by his government when Western nations put their foot down, however timidly  and Beijing would increase its aid in doing so. Any autocrat would be happy with a friend like China.

In foreign affairs circles there is a cliche of tails wagging dogs. And in common parlance there is the invective of biting the hand that feeds. In its relationship with the United States, the Hun Sen government likes to think its doing the former and be seen doing the latter. A gulf also exists in the U.S. stance on Cambodia: the Obama administration (much like earlier administrations) has oscillated between pragmatism and idealism, a mismatch seldom effective. When the president paid a visit to Phnom Penh in November 2012, U..S politicians urged him to publicly address human rights abuses when meeting Hun Sen. This he was said to have done, though at a rather brief meeting with the primer minister. Today, following the arrest of opposition lawmakers andcivil society workers and the killing of political commentator Kem Ley, the United States still resists taking a strong position on the Hun Sen government. One suggestion is that it prefers a stable Cambodia to a democratic Cambodia, a similar sentiment expressed in the early 1990s. Another is that it has resisted imposing sanctions on Cambodia lest it forces Phnom Penh even closer to China. This Hun Sen knows and manipulates to his own benefit.

However, if Sihanouk used China in the 1950s and 1960s to advance neutrality, Hun Sen cannot be said to be doing the same. He has boasted in the past that Cambodia cannot be bought. Few would take him at his word. Cambodia is increasingly seen as an extension of Chinas foreign policy, Sophal Ear, an Associate Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College, California, told The Diplomat. A country that does not have its own foreign policy is a colony of another country, no?

The U.S. remains Cambodias largest export market, but in recent years China has taken the mantle of its largest provider of foreign aid. [While] Beijings giant state corporations have invested billions of dollars in dams, oilfields, highways, textile operations, and mines, it is the low-profile, family-owned Chinese firms that have come to dominate the Cambodian investment landscape, wrote Sigfrido Burgos and Sophal Ear in their essay, Chinas Strategic Interests in Cambodia: Influence and Resources. A short drive through Phnom Penh reveals an abundance of Mandarin-inscribed posters boasting construction of everything from luxury condos and non-pot-holed roads to cancer hospitals. Few would reject the suggestion that Chinese aid has been instrumental in Cambodias economic growth, though not its political maturity. But the way is does so is hardly new. Consider the following passages taken from an essay written by Alain-Gerard Marsot, titled Chinas Aid to Cambodia, published in 1969:

For Chinese aid, though ostensibly without strings, was a means of increasing Chinese influence in that country [Cambodia]. There is the inclination of Chinese aid towards programs of industrialization. Cambodia can be used by China as a spokesman on the international level. It must not be forgotten that aid contributes to establishing and consolidating markets and, above all, that Chinese aid is motivated by political considerations of influence and prestige. These considerations are undoubtedly linked to her aim of displacing the Soviet Union in the underdeveloped countries, especially in Asia.

Granted, I have selected these quotes out of a paper of several thousand words. But if one was to substitute Soviet Union in the last passage for the United States, or simply the West, a great deal of continuation can be seen in how China approaches financial assistance to Cambodia.

If any modern relationship between China and a Southeast Asian country smacks of the old tributary system, it is the one between Beijing and Phnom Penh, wrote the retired diplomat and professor Bronson Percival in his 2007 book, The Dragon Looks South: China and Southeast Asia in the New Century. Indeed, Cambodian politics is ruled by a patronage network where money floats all the way to the top, seldom trickling down, and where ones position rests on the backing of a superior. The relationship between Cambodia and China is analogous. Aside from aligning with its foreign policy, Cambodia is also essential for Chinese capital. Writing specifically about Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, one of the largest infrastructure projects in history, connecting China to East Africa and Eurasia, Gal Luft, Co-Director of the Institute for Analysis of Global Security, stated in the recent issue of Foreign Affairs:

[The] unstated goal is to save China from the economic decline that its slowing growth rate and high debt levels seem to portend. The infrastructure initiative, Chinas leaders believe, could create new markets for Chinese companies and at the same time provide a shot in the arm to the struggling banks and state-owned enterprises whose disgruntled bosses might otherwise trouble the current leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

A verbatim statement could be made of Chinas economic interests in Cambodia. Foreign aid flows one way, and profits the other. Whats more, Cambodia, as with much of Southeast Asia, is also essential to China as a provider of cheap energy. Laos is gradually becoming the battery of Southeast Asia, according to the cliche, and a great deal of that energy heads north of the border. Pundits have also described Chinas now stalled dam-building efforts in Myanmar as an overt means of producing cheap electricity for its own population. Dams are also being constructed along Cambodias portion of the Mekong River, while China has also shown its interest in the long-vaunted game of Cambodian oil. China has allegedly acquired the rights to offshore Cambodian oil fields by purchasing a firm with pre-existing claims. Recent geological work suggests that significant amounts of oil and gas may reside underground throughout Cambodian territory, wrote Burgos and Ear. Given that the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, the administrator of oil contracts, is in the hands of the prime minister, China would have a willing sponsor. (On a smaller note, if the Phnom Penh grapevine means anything, then an additional bonus is Cambodias ranking as the highest-risk nation in Southeast Asia, and sixth globally, for money laundering, according to the 2016 edition of the Basel Anti-Money Laundering Index.)

In his book, Percival described China as the prime guarantor of Cambodias national security. Rather, more accurately, China could be said to be the prime guarantor of the CPPs security. It has allowed Hun Sen to rule in a way that would have resulted in sanctions and international censure from the other countries. Even the threat of China has meant Western nations are lax on challenging his rule. More important, however, is that Chinas money and infrastructure developments have provided a semblance of economic progress in Cambodia. One might be inclined to say that many voters care more about tarmacked roads and cheap imports than Cambodias international diplomacy, or, abhor the thought, democracy. (Though such an interpretation can be exaggerated.)

Looking ahead, nothing indicates the current Cambodian government will change its attitude, unless to harden it. But its seldom acknowledged that it isnt only the CPP that has thrown its support behind China, albeit for different reasons. The largest opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), tilts almost stumblingly to the West. Its president, Sam Rainsy, is currently in self-imposed exile in France, where he lived for much of his early life, and during his three previous stints in exile. In 2014, the CNRPs vice-president Kem Sokha said in no uncertain terms that we dont want to be ally with the communist like Red China. We want to be a USA ally.

But the CNRPs pro-Western, anti-China stance crumbles when its bete noire comes into question. Its anti-Vietnamese rhetoric is well-documented and, back in 2014, Sam Rainsy stated clearly: We are on the side of China, and we support China in fighting against Vietnam over the South China Sea issue The islands belong to China, but yuon is trying to occupy [the islands] from China, because yuon is very bad. Sam Rainsy claims the word yuon, a reference to Vietnam or Vietnamese, is not derogatory, though many believe it is. (You can take the temperature of a politician who descends so quickly down the an enemy of my enemy is my friend line of reasoning.) Three years on, following Julys settlement of the Philippines South China Sea arbitration case at The Hague, CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann took a less impassioned position when, responding to the news, he said : I think the CNRP do not consider anyone an enemy. When were in power, well develop cooperation through mutual respect.

Nevertheless, the CNRPs chauvinism would certainly pose difficulties if its natural ally, the U.S., calls on the party to support its position on the South China Sea dispute. If China is correct that Vietnamese-claimed islands are its own, why shouldnt it also be so for those claimed by the Philippines?

If the CNRP wins the 2018 general election ( or if the CPP is willing to hand over power ) it appears uncertain how Cambodias relationship with China would develop. As Myanmars National League for Democracy (NLD) found out following its victory at the polls last year, the natural inclination for pro-democracy parties to gravitate closer to the United States proves problematic when in power. That Suu Kyi chose Beijing, not Washington, as the first major capital she visited after the NLDs victory meant a great deal. In any case, 2018 will be yet another watershed year for Sino-Cambodian relations. If the CPP wins, it seems almost certain that relations will continue as normal. If the CNRP does what seems highly unlikely and forms a government, the relationship will certainly be under debate.

David Hutt is a journalist and writer based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen during a welcoming ceremony for heads of the delegations at the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi, Russia, May 20, 2016.

Even if the economic rewards arent astronomical, the partnership is beneficial for both sides.

Why is Cambodia buying crocheted fabric from Belarus and leather saddles from Kyrgyzstan?

In its efforts to bolster trade and forge new international alliances, the Southeast Asian Kingdom has opted to increase ties with some unlikely partners: the members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Launched by Russia in 2015 as a counterweight to the European Union, the EEU came into force with the accession of Belarus and Kazakhstan. Shortly thereafter, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined its ranks.

But while the EEUs raison detre was ostensibly economic, its financial benefits are considered largely inconsequential. The union represents a market of a little over 180 million people and a GDP of around $2.2 trillion, but most members have low levels of industrialization, and there continue to be disagreements over tariffs and protectionism even within the union.

Instead, the EEU is seen as a tool to trap Russias near abroad in Moscows orbit, ensuring that none of its members forge closer ties with the European Union. The EEUs treaty impedes members from negotiating their own association agreements or trade deals with the EU.

With that in mind, some observers found it strange that Russia would seek to expand the unions reach to countries outside both the post-Soviet space and the European Unions sphere of influence. Nevertheless, the EEU has signed agreements with Asian nations like Singapore and Vietnam, and with countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Cambodia is no exception. In May 2016, Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, a strongman who has maintained his grip on power since 1985, signed a memorandum of understanding with the EEU during a trip to Moscow. Then, on February 15, Tigran Sargsyan, Chairman of the Board for the EEU, traveled to Phnom Penh to meet with Hun Sen and kickstart the collaboration.

But while the partnership may seem unlikely, the commencement of trade between the EEU and Cambodia is beneficial for both sides, even if the economic rewards arent astronomical. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Cambodia is a member, features prominently in Russias foreign policy, which has moved eastward in the wake of Western sanctions on Russia.

Cambodia, meanwhile, has plenty of reasons to cement its ties to Russia. The Kingdom has an unsettled $1.5 billion debt with Moscow that harkens back to the Soviet era. Cambodia has requested multiple times that the debt be forgiven, but all of its pleas have been rebuffed.

Some analysts have speculated that Russia is refusing to write off the debt in order to secure the position of Russian businesses in the Kingdom. Hun Sen has offered to repay part of the sum by giving preferential treatment to Russian companies.

As a result of this entwined history, the two countries have tightened the screws on their relationship over the past year. The same week Sargsyan went to Cambodia, Nikolai Patrushev, director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and a top adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with Hun Sen in Phnom Penhs Peace Palace to discuss joint counterterrorism efforts.

In December, Russias ambassador to Cambodia, Dimitry Tsvetkov, penned an op-ed in the Phnom Penh Post claiming that 2016 was a symbolic year for Russia-Cambodia relations. According to the Russian state media site Sputnik , the relationship will help Russia improve its standing in Southeast Asia.

The bolstered alliance also makes sense in the context of Cambodias increasingly complicated relationship with its traditional Western allies. Cambodia has been performing its own Eastern pivot in recent years, forging a new strategic alliance with China in exchange for substantial investments in the agriculture and construction industries, among others. In return, Cambodia vocally backs the one China policy and derails any efforts by ASEAN to take a strong stance on the South China Sea disputes.

The partnership has helped nurture economic development in Cambodia without the pesky requirements that the government respect human rights or democratic processes. Chinese investment gave Cambodia the leeway to delay the renewal of a memorandum of understanding with the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights until the body paid lip service to Cambodias sovereignty.

Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who resigned on February 11 after Hun Sen threatened to dissolve the party he led, has said that China enables human rights abuses in the Kingdom by offering no-strings-attached loans

Similarly, ties with Russia do not require checks and balances. And lately, Chinese and Russian business interests seem to be increasingly well suited to each other.

Over the last several years, Russia has been among the biggest beneficiaries of investment from Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative, which seeks to develop infrastructure to connect Asia to Europe and the Middle East. Direct investment from China increased significantly over that period, along with Russian exports to China.

The two countries have even floated the idea of officially linking OBOR with the EEU. The partnership would focus on removing customs red tape or synergizing intellectual property laws, but so far no large-scale investment projects have come from it. Nevertheless, it does demonstrate a certain symbiosis in the realm of trade policy.

For Cambodia, both China and Russia have the funds and technology to increase the output of the Kingdoms energy sector, a coveted goal for the government.

This dynamic has led to a situation where Cambodia purchases everything from essential oils and alcoholic beverages to iron and fertilizers from Russia.

In 2016, Phnom Penh also imported harnesses, handbags, and unspecified animal gut from Kyrgyzstan, and vehicle parts and rubber from Belarus. Aside from some clothing, however, trade with Armenia and Kazakhstan is still nearly nonexistent.

In total, Cambodia exported $153 million worth of goods to the EEU countries between 2013 and 2016, and imported nearly $21.5 million worth of products from the EEU during the same period, according to Cambodias Ministry of Commerce.

While those figures are small compared to Cambodias trade with other Asian nations, and much less significant than trade between Cambodia and the EU , Ministry of Commerce official Sophari Soeng said that could change in the future.

Well work with any country big or small, or whatever political system they have, Soeng said. Our focus is on expanding the market.

Cristina Maza is a journalist based in Cambodia. She is on Twitter @CrisLeeMaza
KALISPELL  A Kalispell man faces trial for felony assault after authorities say he broke a toddler's leg while punishing him for misbehaving.

The Flathead Beacon reports that 21-year-old Terry Chandler pleaded not guilty in district court to felony assault on a minor. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The boy's 19-year-old mother also appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to child endangerment.

The injury was discovered when the mother brought the boy to Kalispell Regional Medical Center in February.

She told hospital staff the boy had fallen down stairs. Staff alerted police, who began their investigation.

Court documents allege the toddler was injured while being punished.

Trial for both defendants is expected in October.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 56F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 36F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
DALLAS  The oil industrys history is punctuated with boom-and-busts cycles that create and erase fortunes and drive economies.

That sector is tentatively emerging from the worst downturn since at least the 1980s. Oil prices hovered around $100 per barrel in 2014 before dropping by half just months later, a level where they remain. A year ago, prices dipped below $30 for the first time since 2003, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Much like the recovery from the Great Recession a decade ago, oils bounce back has been hesitant. Experts say technology, slower demand and a more cautious approach by oil patch executives and bankers could  at least in the near term  give the industry a leaner look.

Companies are automating jobs once held by traditional oilfield workers and focusing on projects that can succeed with todays modest and uncertain oil prices.

Jim Kiser, lead client service partner in Deloittes energy industry practice, said this wasnt an ordinary cycle.

Whats different about this is the pace of the price decline and the depth, he said. Most didnt believe it would go that low, and most didnt believe it would stay that low.

That bust was felt strongly in oil field employment.

Last March, Texas saw an overall job loss for the first time in 11 months because of oils price slump. Worldwide, an estimated 440,000 plus oil industry jobs were lost, according the consulting firm Graves & Co.

Thats slowly improving now. There were job gains late last year. And the January monthly jobs report for Texas estimated that about 1,900 new jobs were created in the energy sector.

Michael Walls, a Colorado School of Mines professor who has written about corporate risk-taking in the oil and gas industry, said there is always restructuring when a downturn is this severe. After all the consolidations and bankruptcies, the industry is likely to keep job growth in check.

Youre going to see companies trying to operate even leaner, although theyre pretty lean right now based on the numbers of layoffs the industry has experienced, he said.

Even with fewer jobs, there could also be a supply problem, too. Kiser said his companys clients are concerned about attracting new employees as the business starts growing again.

There are a lot of people who left the industry as a result of the contraction that took place in a short amount of time, he said. And some of those (people) are going to be hesitant to come back.

Computer scientists, engineers and business analysts have other options, ones with less risk of severe boom-and-bust cycles, Kiser said. Skilled field staff, including electricians, welders and pipefitters, could also be in demand and scarce.

Chris Cheatwood, executive vice president of business development and geoscience at Pioneer Natural Resources, said geography could also be a hindrance. The Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico is one of the hottest fields now since its economic to drill even in the $30 to $35 range.

Its very difficult to get that many people, one, to move there, and two, to sustain that number people in whats frankly a pretty remote part of the country, he said.

But its also likely that fewer workers would be needed as more drilling work is automated and companies operate more efficiently.

Cheatwood said Pioneers cost to drill has dropped by at least 35 percent in recent years and continues to go down. That has been driven, in part, by the shale revolution. He said new drilling techniques and technology showed that shale provides the industry with a newfound bounty of oil in the United States.

And without high oil prices, efficiency is crucial to shale oil.

We have a reason to push that competitive edge, Cheatwood said. We have proven that we have a huge resource base here in the United States that can compete on a global scale.

Pioneer has started drilling in more repetitive patterns in the Permian and using walking rigs that use hydraulic feet to walk from site to site without a complete tear down and reassembly. Thats cut transportation time between drill sites by half.

We were drilling the same zone over and over, so sort of drilling the same well over and over, he said. So we began to drill them faster.

They now drill wells in about 15 days rather than 30 or 45 days.

Even the financiers may soon show a new willingness to lend, said Bernard Buddy Clark, co-chairman of the Energy Practice Group at Haynes and Boone. Since the downturn, banks have been more restrictive with the independent producers.

If the industry learns a lesson from the downturn from a financial perspective, its less debt and more equity, he said.

Mike Holcomb, president of Patterson-UTI Drilling Co., which operates in the U.S., Canada and Dubai, said the market was forgiving at $100 a barrel. But drilling inevitably became more efficient as the industry contracted when prices dropped. Eventually, the best crews and best rigs were drilling in the best locations.

A new boom would cut some of that efficiency, he said.

The industry tends to get a little sloppier naturally.
A La Crosse law firm has purchased the former La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce building at 712 Main St. in downtown La Crosse, and plans to move there in September after remodeling is completed.

Pittman & Pittman Law Offices LLC needed a larger location to accommodate growth and needed a space to call its own, Amanda Pittman said last week. Her husband, Greg, his brother, Wade, and the brothers father, Galen, are partners in the law firm, which now is in leased space at 300 N. Second St.

Were committed to being here in La Crosse, Amanda Pittman said. The buildings purchase was completed March 10 and remodeling has begun.

The Pittman law firm will occupy the entire former chamber building, said Amanda Pittman, who also is a Realtor with Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors.

Galen and Greg Pittman practice in the law firms La Crosse office. Wade Pittman opened the firms Madison office.

Amanda Pittman described the business as a general practice, family-run law firm that is highly specialized in debtor/creditor, probate, taxation and Social Security disability work in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The Main Street building was purchased from the chamber, which in 2014 bought and moved its offices to the much larger former Associated Bank support center at 601 N. Seventh St.

Sara Skau opened Corner Collectibles on March 25 at 121 S. Main St., at the corner of Hwys. 35 and 162, in Stoddard. Its in the former location of the Finders Keepers thrift store.

Its a resale store with vintage items, furniture, original artwork, hunting and fishing supplies, collectibles and trinkets, Skau said.

She has three vendors so far and owns some of the stores merchandise herself. Skau is looking for more vendors who would sell handcrafted items such as pottery, jewelry, woodworking and quilting; antiques, hunting and fishing gear, and other river recreation items such as life jackets and boating goods.

Im also doing consignment sales of larger things, such as furniture, Skau said.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday.

For more information, call the store at 608-457-2540 or visit its Facebook page. Vendors also can call Skau at 608-386-2540 or Bob Hill at 608-632-5082.

Allied Cooperative reopened its Mindoro Country Store last week, more than two months after the building was damaged by a fire.

The stores grand reopening

celebration will be Wednesday.

The store at N8319 Hwy. 108 in Mindoro reopened Monday after being closed for cleanup and structural repairs  including installation of a new roof  since the Jan. 6 fire. The fire left the community without access to fuel and groceries.

We worked hard to get the store up and running again as quickly as possible, said Bob Boberg, the co-ops director of retail. We want to thank our customers for their patience during the construction process as well as our employees and crew for their extra effort.
BALTIMORE  A couple of times a month, Baltimore resident Patrick Campbell hands the keys to his BMW 335is two-door coupe over to a stranger to drive for a few days.

For Campbell, a 53-year-old technical marketing consultant who works from home, renting out his BMW and his Audi Q5 sport utility vehicle through car sharing app Turo has become routine and just makes sense.

It offsets your car payment if you can rent your car out, said Campbell, who said he progressed into car rentals after becoming an Airbnb host years ago and renting rooms in his home. I got very comfortable with the sharing economy and letting people use my stuff, so to speak, but also getting money for it was kind of cool. I cant drive all my cars at once. Why not share?

Its a question more people are asking themselves as mobile apps make it easy, efficient and secure to earn extra income by letting people borrow cars and RVs, stay or eat meals in their homes, or hire themselves out to run errands or help with household chores. Consumers who have become increasingly comfortable seeking out services online have been attracted by competitive prices, flexibility and sometimes, a personal touch.

Businesses that act as online middlemen are increasingly letting people arrange fees to share or borrow goods or services, including companies such as ride share apps Uber and Lyft, accommodation booking service Airbnb, online peer-to-peer credit marketplace Lending Club and Task Rabbit, which matches taskers with people who need help assembling, mounting or moving furniture or with handyman jobs.

We can now use the internet to intermediate, said Brent Goldfarb, associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business. The internet now allows coordination of these activities in an efficient way.

Campbell, who also uses an online app to rent out an RV he owns, often gets request from business travelers from out of state looking to bypass a traditional rental in favor of a nicer car for less money or local people looking for an upgrade for a special occasion.

Most people return the car in clean condition, Campbell said. Most people are friendly. Theres usually no sense that Im letting a scoundrel take my car.

Turo, a San Francisco-based peer-to-peer network, connects owners who list their cars with renters who register, with the company screening both sides. Owners and renters arrange to meet personally to hand over the keys. Much like Airbnb, car owners write online reviews of renters, while renters write review of owners.

Turo, which expanded nationally in 2012, said total sign-ups  both car listings and rentals  have jumped from 54,000 in the U.S. and Canada in 2012 to more than 2.3 million last year, which includes 121,000 listed vehicles.

Turo, like other online platforms, allows buyers and sellers alike to create and build reputations.

If Im trying to lease my car to someone who calls me through a want ad, I have a big trust factor, said Goldfarb, also the academic director of the Smith schools Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship. Theres the problem of how do I know the person renting from me is legit and will return the car, and on the other side how do I know this car is something I want to rent? This platform solves those problems.

At Turo, owners set their own prices, based on supply and demand, with Turo getting a percentage thats based on how much insurance coverage owners want.

For renters, the company advertises its rentals as 35 percent cheaper, on average, than traditional rentals.

The network credits itself with inventing the type of insurance coverage that makes the arrangements possible. The company offers $1 million in liability insurance through Liberty Mutual that supersedes an owners policy during a rental period, covering repair and replacement. The company declined to disclose claims rates, said Steve Webb, Turos director of community.

But, he said, youre meeting a fellow car enthusiast, or a neighbor, and shaking their hand and looking them in the eye. When that happens youre more likely to go above and beyond for that person.

Erika Lasker, 35, has rented her gray Smart car, which she calls Walter, more than 100 times on Turo. Lasker typically rents it for up to $45 a day. Last year, she grossed more than $5,900 from her rentals, enough to cover monthly car payments and usually earn a profit.

The car was just sitting there and taking up a parking spot, so instead of just letting it sit there, I figured Id rent it out and try to make money, said Lasker, who said she has her husbands car, Lyft or the bus to fall back on if she needs a ride.

The Smart car is rented out frequently, she said, by people running errands or taking a day trip to Washington. Its also popular with college students in the city, she said.

If someone else needs it, and I dont need it that day, and theyre willing to pay me, everybody wins, Lasker said. Everyone is polite and respectful of the car. People are more mindful when theyre renting from an individual.

People who rented Laskers car commented in online reviews on positive experiences.

The car was fun and easy to drive, one renter wrote in January. Erika was a great host that communicated quickly and was flexible. I would definitely recommend this car, and I will rent it again if the opportunity arises.

Turo has been backed by some of the biggest names in venture capital, including Canaan Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Shasta Ventures, August Capital and GV, formerly known as Google Ventures.

We like marketplaces where people arent getting decent returns on their assets and where other people dont have access to those assets, said Deepak Kamra, general partner at Canaan Partners in Menlo Park, Calif., which led a Canaan $25 million round of funding in 2014 and has joined in subsequent funding rounds. People can rent for six or seven days a month and pay off the entire car. Its like having a free car. To us, thats a compelling economic payoff.

GV General Partner Joe Kraus noted in an email that cars rank second to houses in the biggest purchases consumers will make.

But that car loses value just sitting in the garage, Kraus said. Turo offsets the cost of buying a car, and changes the economics by turning a depreciating asset into a way to earn money.

Goldfarb said its difficult to measure how successful or profitable such online marketplaces will be long term, partly because many are bolstered by heavy venture capital funding. Still, he said, many of the ideas make sense.

I suspect well see more of these platforms to help us utilize our unused resources more efficiently, he said.
Audrey Kader says poorly redrawn city council districts and her concern about the quality of service in the city clerks office spurred her challenge against longtime incumbent Clerk Teri Lehrke.

Lehrke was elected to the position in 1993 and only once has faced an opponent. Voters on Tuesday will choose between the 24-year incumbent and Kader, who has 34 years of experience in public service.

Kader said the citys remapping from 17 to 13 district hurts representatives and their constituents. She is currently representing a common council district split by remapping she said creates districts that are impossible to serve because they combine communities with competing interests.

Kader said she does not believe Lehrke is enforcing city council legislation.

Kader said she recognizes she would face a bit of a learning curve for her in a new position but she said she believes her experience has prepared her learn quickly.

Since beginning her work in public service, Kader said, she has striven to make La Crosse an attractive place to live, and she said if elected she hopes to continue that through the city clerks office.

I want to create an environment of friendly service to the public and to the city employees in relation to the business of operating the clerks office, Kader said.

For 23 years, Lehrke said, she has been educating herself on the city clerks system, which has included becoming certified as one of 68 Wisconsin certified professional clerks and one of 40 master municipal clerks in the state, as recognized by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

She has been with the office for 32 years, in the clerk position since April 1993. Lehrke said it can be challenging but that its a job she loves.

Theres so much variety of responsibilities in the office of the city clerk, and (I) really truly do take them very seriously, Lehrke said.

Lehrke took exception to Kaders suggestion that the clerk is not following ordinances regarding taxi services insists her office follows all city codes and legislation.

Should she be re-elected, Lehrke said, her goals include maintaining a high level of customer service, continuing education for her duties and streamlining application processes. Lehrke said she wants to continue to educate the public about elections and voting rights.

There is no a learning curve with me because I have 32 yeas of experience in the office of the city clerk. I know the job on day one, Lehrke said. Im dedicated and loyal to the city.
Heres a chance to tell the doctor just what to order: La Crosse physician Jackie Yaeger is planning to start a practice featuring old-fashioned house calls, and she wants potential patients help in setting the care chart.

Street crews need not worry about unwelcome calling cards, though, because Yaeger will drive a small, black SUV instead of a horse and buggy like country docs of old.

I just really want to specialize in a lost part of the care mission, said Yaeger, whose venture as The Home Visit Doctor will cater to frail elders who are not be able to get out easily. I really love patients 90 and older  serving them and their families.

Yaeger was a family practice physician at what is now Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare for several years before moving to Sioux City, Iowa, to care for her mother, Rosalyn Bristow, as she neared death at the age of 67 in 2004.

Yaeger, who lives in La Crosse again and is caregiver for her former husband as he copes with Huntingtons disease, also is a palliative care physician and hospice medical director at Gundersen Health System. She will leave those positions in May to hone her plans and launch her practice as The Home Visit Doctor this summer.

After delivering scores of babies during her career, including her family practice in Whitewater, she said, I also became drawn to end-of-life care, and pursued that course when hospice and palliative care became specialties.

The 55-year-old mother of three has been involved with spiritual mindfulness and became a death doula, which she describes as a midwife for people who are dying.

I didnt know if La Crosse was ready for me as a death doula, she said.

Delivering babies and helping patients and their families navigate end-of-life care have many parallels, Yaeger said.

Both are very intimate. A family brings you into one of the most intimate, sacred moments of life. Both are messy, painful and unpredictable but beautiful at the same time. There is healing in both, she said.

There also can be healing of relationships at those times, with the intensity of feelings, Yaeger said, adding that her role includes bringing calm into the room. The best medicine includes calm in both birth and dying.

Yaegers practice, part of a national movement of home-visit models nationwide, is different from similar ventures known as concierge or boutique medicine. The concierge models generally are doctors who care for a limited number of patients who usually pay high prices for retainers.

I plan a small practice, with a monthly fee that pays for a home visit, as well as follow-up as necessary at home or in the hospital, as well as the emergency room, she said.

Her patients would number about 30, who would pay perhaps $400 a month, which Medicare would not cover because she will not be Medicare-certified.

She plans to host town hall meetings to solicit suggestions for patients and their families needs. Two scheduled so far are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at Recover Health in Suite 104 at 7700 N. Third St. and 10 a.m. to noon April 19 at JavaVino at 2311 State Road.

Gundersen officials are supportive of Yaegers new venture.

She is highly respected for her quality of care, said Dr. Todd Kowalski, a medical vice president at Gundersen whose duties include supervising Yaegers department.

She is real passionate for end-of-life care, Kowalski said. She is good at educating patients and families on what end-of-life care was and what it wasnt.

Were grateful for all the great care she has provided and is continuing to provide, and we wish her the best, he said.

Yaeger is taking care not to overextend herself, saying, I could have more patients and charge less, but I wouldnt be as available to patients and their families. This would be my niche, and patients still can go to their primary doctors. I really think I should keep it at 30 to be available.

I want to be available to somebody to call and say, Mom is a little bit off today. Could you check on her? she said, in which case she would drop by to evaluate the situation.

In some ways, Yaeger said, she is following her mothers example.

She took care of grandpa when he was dying, and she tried to start an assisted living facility, she said. It feels like Im honoring her a bit by building this dream.
The new University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student union has gone gold  LEED gold that is.

The $55 million, student-funded student union opened in January recently received LEED Gold Certification. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a national green building certification system that provides third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at increasing performance, reducing waste and improving quality of life.

Sustainable strategies are incorporated in energy use, lighting, water and material use and more and as an added bonus, the buildings save money. The four levels of LEED Certification are certified, silver, gold and platinum.

Doug Pearson, executive director of UW-L Facilities Planning and Management, says the designation is globally recognized for excellence in green building. LEED certification of the Student Union was based on a number of green design and construction features including the use of LED lighting throughout the building, locally sourced building materials, storm water management systems, high-efficiency, centralized cooling system for refrigerators and freezers, low-flow toilets and sink faucets and reduced light pollution.

The project diverted over 90 percent of its construction waste. More than 35 percent of the projects materials came from within a 500-mile radius and the buildings materials have over 25 percent recycled content. Materials selected also have no indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installer and occupants.

The Student Union has also adopted green cleaning methods to ensure decreased cost and reduced environmental impacts associated with on-going maintenance procedures, says Pearson. And, the Student Union will soon obtain an electric vehicle to take food waste to a local vermicomposter.

LEEDs global sustainability agenda is designed to achieve high performance in key areas of human and environmental health, acting on the triple bottom line  putting people, planet and profit first, Pearson said. The LEED Gold Certification provides documentation that we followed defined building performance strategies that will result in 25 percent less energy, 19 percent lower operating costs, 27 percent higher occupant satisfaction, and 36 percent less CO2 emissions.
A former auto shop employee used a two-vehicle system to crash into the garage east of downtown, police said.

Billings police responded to Cor Automotive on Second Avenue North and North 17th Street, where the garage door had been broken down.

Sgt. Clyde Reid with the Billings Police Department said that a man used a possibly stolen pickup to smash the door before driving into the shop in his own SUV. His motive wasn't immediately clear and officers called medical personnel to check the suspect.

Jordan Losoya, who saw the incident from across the street, said that the man first rammed the pickup into the garage door, taking it partially down. He then for into his SUV and crashed inside the shop.

"He took that sucker all the way in there," Losoya said.

The SUV was damaged on the far wall inside the shop when police arrived. Portions of the ceiling were ripped open in the shop from the garage door coming down.
On March 9, the La Crosse Tribune published an article about the advance care planning program, Respecting Choices. The focus of this story was on how this program has moved out of the Gundersen Health System. Reactions to this article made me realize that some readers had questions that still need an answer.

It is important to understand that what moved out of Gundersen are the people and services that assist health organizations beyond La Crosse to develop better, more effective advance care planning programs. The success of this program in La Crosse has touched patients and families across the United States and in many parts of the world. This program is now being used, in some form, in more than 140 medical centers in our country. This national program will continue to operate out of La Crosse, but is a division of a Washington, D.C. based, not-for-profit, C-TAC Innovations. The mission of C-TAC Innovations is to improve the care of Americans who have a serious illness.

The success of the Respecting Choices program, both locally and nationally, is the result of the efforts of many people and health organizations in this community. This success is clear from the dozens of national news reports on CBS, ABC, NBC, BBC, NPR, The Washington Post and many other news media. The success of the program is also supported by the 20-plus, peer-reviewed journal publications that document the ways that the Respecting Choices program improves care.

Even though this national service has moved, the local Respecting Choices program continues to be a collaborative effort of the health organizations in La Crosse. So, members of our community should not worry that our local health organizations are changing their practices. There remains a strong commitment to help all people and their families to plan well for future health care decisions.

Reactions to the March 9 article suggest that there are citizens who are concerned that this program is motivated by cost savings. While I can understand this fear, this has never been the motivation for this work. From the beginning, there has only been one motivation: To make sure that we always provided care and treatment that is consistent with each persons values and goals as a unique, sacred being. Simply put, to provide the best and right care for each person. As it turns out, when we take time to know what people want, and when people take time to talk with their family, we can better avoid using treatments that dont have benefit and, indeed, may inflict harm. This helps us reduce the overall cost because of the respect for that person. In an era where the expense of health care is a concern for all of us, this is a far better means of making decisions about the use of medical treatment than turning these decisions over to the government, insurance companies or some other outside group.

For those of you that know of my work in ethics at the Gundersen Health System, I want assure that this work will continue under the direction of a very capable colleague, Dr. Tom Harter. As a matter of fact, Dr. Harter will strengthen this work by creating a Center for Bioethics, Humanities, and Advance Care Planning. I would encourage you all to help support this center by making designated contributions to the Gundersen Medical Foundation.

Finally, I have enjoyed the support of so many people, groups and organizations in this community. I want to thank you all for this support. By good fortune, I can continue this work here in La Crosse, but now focus on helping improve care and treatment on a much large scale.
He gave repeal a try, Obamacare is still standing and now President Donald Trump is flat on his back, or so goes the narrative.

Hes not. He is taking on sluggard, ineffective government with oomph and clarity and, as part of that effort, is going after one of the biggest killers in America  the opioid epidemic.

To achieve his ends, Trump has created something called the White House Office of American Innovation that starts with an assemblage of some of the countrys best retired business executives working with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law. Its purpose, with the aid of high tech, data and the special vigor of these free-enterprise, thrive-or-die masters, will be to reframe federal programs to the point of  hold your breath  getting something done.

A chief issue for the new office, reports The Washington Post, will be to combat the monster opioid pills ravaging our human landscape. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to be in charge of this fight against an immense threat.

How immense? Every segment of society is affected. The drugs are devastating whole communities. They kill more people than either guns or auto accidents. They are a major cause of rising deaths in the less-educated white middle class, and get this: They are therefore a factor in the whole nation now suffering a death rate increase.

Once upon a more morally observant, more socially tempered time, drug abuse in America was mainly an inner city phenomenon and doctors were extremely prudent in prescribing opioid pain killers. Then, as Christopher Caldwell discusses in First Things magazine, came the libertarians, the marketing-mad pharmacy companies, pill-mill physicians and old-style gangs.

The libertarians snarled that nothing should get in the way of drug consumption, and the pharmaceutical companies, in search of dollars, spent plenty themselves in arguing that it was anti-scientific and cruel not to do everything possible to treat chronic pain. More and more doctors went along with this, some prescribing the pills so lavishly, carelessly and profitably as to make a humane person shudder. These drugs are addictive and, when used too much for too long and yet failing to kill, can still produce zombies where people once stood.

The consumption experience of such drugs as oxycodone, fentanyl or hydrocodone can be euphoric, the withdrawal experience agony and the search for more pills a primary purpose of life. Crime can enter in, and a poor addict will often secure pills through Medicaid, sometimes selling what was purchased with a $3 co-pay for thousands of dollars on the street, says another writer, Nicholas Eberstadt. When addicts reach the end of the prescription road, theres illegal heroin and gangs proffering that killer drug but with no medical degree to delude the innocent.

Put it all together and you have a third of Americans receiving pain pill prescriptions every year, says Caldwell. Eberstadt, writing in Commentary magazine, points to the record-breaking numbers of prime age men dropping out of the work force and says half of them imbibe opioids daily. Many receive Social Security disability payments to help them survive, and here is the horror: millions of doped-up people spending their lives lying around their homes doing nothing but watching TV or playing with other electronic devices.

The new White House office has a massive job ahead of it, especially when one considers other factors contributing to the opioid epidemic, such things as a slow-growth economy and declines in marriage, religion and our work ethic. We have what some have called a culture of despair among many low-wage or jobless Americans, with suicide and alcohol adding to the death toll.

Trump has promised to cut back on heroin availability through tougher measures against smuggling. Caldwell says reducing supply is the main thing, and there could be more restrictions on prescription drugs. The right rehab programs can be important, and dont rule out innovation, the grand promise associated with this new White House office.
Dane Countys black infant mortality rate continues to be nearly three times the rate for whites despite infant death investigations, a safe sleep campaign and home visits to pregnant women and new mothers.

Health officials say the disparity is troubling because the county seemed to have eliminated the black-white gap a decade ago, which gained national attention as an apparent success story.

It is frustrating on a number of levels, said Daniel Stattelman-Scanlan, perinatal supervisor for Public Health Madison and Dane County. Infant mortality is a key indicator of the health of a community, of how people are doing overall.

Carola Gaines, a health educator at Unity Health Insurance and board member of the countys African American Health Network, said the black-white infant mortality gap reflects longstanding problems such as racism, stress and economic disparities involving housing and jobs.

We need to chip away at all of those things, Gaines said. Its challenging, but we cant stop the fight.

In 2016, of 568 black babies born in the county, 10 died before their first birthday, a rate of 17.6 deaths per 1,000 births.

Of 4,265 white babies, 23 died before age 1, or 5.4 deaths per 1,000 births.

Rates can fluctuate from year to year, so officials prefer three-year intervals. For 2014-2016, the infant mortality rate in the county was 9.3 for blacks and 3.7 for whites per 1,000 births.

During the same three years, the rate for Asians was 3.2. For Hispanics it was 5.6, higher than in previous years.

Dane Countys black-white infant mortality gap seemed to disappear from 2003 to 2007. When officials announced the development in 2009, it garnered national media attention.

By 2008, they later learned, the gap had returned. It has since remained.

A multi-pronged approach

In recent years, doctors have emphasized one step pregnant women can take to reduce the risk of infant death: weekly injections of progesterone.

A formation of the hormone  called 17P, or Makena  was approved in 2011 for women with previous preterm deliveries. The shots, given after the 16th week of pregnancy, can reduce the risk of preterm birth, which is linked to infant mortality.

The injections are expensive and not always covered by insurance, Stattelman-Scanlan said. Wisconsins Medicaid program, including BadgerCare, covers them.

An effort to reduce second-hand smoke in the homes of pregnant women and babies, especially in black households, will take shape this fall, Stattelman-Scanlan said.

A fetal infant mortality review process, started by the health department in 2011, continues. A committee meets quarterly to study the details of each death to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement.

A safe sleep campaign, launched in 2014, is also ongoing. Through public messages and events, health officials advise parents to put babies to sleep on their backs, in their own, firm beds, free of toys or other loose objects.

A disproportionate number of black infant deaths have involved unsafe sleep conditions such as co-sleeping, or sharing a sleeping space, Stattelman-Scanlan said.

Black churches have embraced the campaign by holding safe sleep Sabbaths the past two Novembers, with pastors talking about safe sleep and volunteers holding demonstrations, Gaines said. The event will continue this year, she said.

UW Health started Centering Pregnancy, a program offering group prenatal visits in an effort to reduce preterm births, in 2014. The program, at a UW clinic on South Park Street, is expanding to UWs clinic near West Towne Mall.

Help a phone call away

The health department has expanded its nurse-family partnership program, partly through the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. The program, which started in 2012 with two nurses, now has seven nurses who routinely visit the homes of vulnerable women who are pregnant with their first child until the children turn 2.

Shanon Holmes, 24, of Madison, has been involved with the program since early in her pregnancy with son Donyae Mclemore, who is 18 months old.

On a recent visit, public health nurse Joanne Sorensen talked with Holmes about signs that Donyae will be ready for toilet training and reviewed developmental steps for his age, which he met.

Donyae thumbed through a First Words book, cuddled with his stuffed Mickey Mouse, closely examined Sorensens eyes, nose and mouth and wiggled inside a miniature tent in his bedroom.

Holmes, a single mother who works as an education assistant in the Madison School District, participates in the UW Odyssey Project for adults who face barriers to college. She said shed like to become a social worker.

Sorensen helped her learn how to breastfeed, childproof her outlets and door handles and consider means of discipline other than spanking, she said.

Shes a phone call away, shes a text away, Holmes said. If I have a silly question, I can ask her without feeling judged.
MAUSTONAfter leading police on a high-speed chase March 22, a La Crosse man faces five charges, including three felonies.

Christopher H. Poehling, 42, was charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, posing a threat to law enforcement, attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer, obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, Poehlings attempt to flee officers began around noon March 22. Poehling, wanted for retail theft and fleeing officers, left La Crosse, going east on Interstate 90. Several officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol were near Poehlings vehicle, but were advised to end their pursuit near mile marker 11.

A trooper working in Juneau County received a radio transmission that Poehlings vehicle, a silver Cadillac, was traveling more than 100 miles per hour near mile marker 46. Two troopers spotted Poehling outside his car at a gas station in Oakdale. When the troopers approached, Poehling gave one of them a blank stare and placed his hand in his pocket. One of the troopers left his patrol car, pulled out a gun and ordered Poehling to show him his hands. Poehling didnt comply. Instead he returned to the car, revved up the engine and quickly backed up, nearly striking an officer.

As the car dashed forward, the trooper had his gun on Poehling, ordering him to stop the car, but Poehling accelerated toward the officer who barely avoided being struck. Poehling hit a parked truck and went over a curb/sidewalk to get around the troopers vehicles. Back on the interstate, Poehlings vehicle allegedly exceeded 100 miles per hour and he passed vehicles on the right and left shoulders to continue the pursuit.

According to the report, he passed several semis, nearly losing control multiple times. Officers in Juneau County attempted to set up spike strips near Mauston and, once Poehling approached New Lisbon, police from that city began helping in the chase.

Near mile marker 65, Poehlings vehicle began fishtailing on the gravel shoulder after passing a semi. The car lost control and struck a semi, bouncing off the truck and finally stopping when it struck a tree in the median.

After he had crashed, Poehling continued the chase on foot. An officer from the Mauston Police Department pursued Poehling into a field near Meyer Road. The officer drew his firearm and told Poehling it was the police and he should stop. Poehling disobeyed the order, pulled out a shiny metal object and pointed it toward the officer.

The officer told Poehling to stop several times, but he kept running, tossing the metal object away from him. As the officer continued to close in on him, Poehling finally stopped and raised his hands. Held at gun point, Poehling was ordered to the ground and handcuffed.

After other officers arrived, they began searching Poehling. During the search Poehling began to twitch by kicking his legs. He was ordered to stop moving but told police he didnt feel right after taking 60 Xanax pills. The Mauston Area Ambulance was dispatched to the scene. The trooper who tried to apprehend Poehling in Oakdale asked Poehling why he attempted to hit him. Poehling replied that he was sorry for doing this to all of them, but he didnt expect to live today.

Poehling was transported to Mile Bluff Medical Center. Upon being released, he was booked inside the Juneau County Jail.
A 32-year-old Billings woman was hospitalized Sunday after she was hit by a car while riding her bicycle.

At about 12:30 p.m., the woman was riding her bicycle east on Rosebud Drive and was hit by a vehicle from behind near the roads intersection with King Park Drive, said a news release from Sgt. Shane Winden, of the Billings Police Department.

The vehicle, described as a 1990s model dark green Honda, was occupied by two women and fled the scene. Witnesses reported the Honda sustained front end damage and a shattered windshield.

The bicyclist was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare with possible spinal injuries and head trauma. Her injuries were described as serious but did not appear to be life threatening, the release said.

Billings crash investigators responded and temporarily closed Rosebud Drive.

Anyone with information that could help locate and identify the suspect driver is asked to contact Billings police at 657-8200.
A 38-year-old Tomah woman was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for abusing a police officer after being arrested for drunk driving March 23.

Police received a report from Tomah Nail & Spa concerning a woman who had begun to drive from the parking lot and nearly struck several vehicles while conducting a backing maneuver. When police arrived, the vehicle was parked and unoccupied. Shortly thereafter, a woman identified as Marjorie Elaine Hopinkah, walked toward it.

According to the report, Hopinkah denied driving the vehicle, but police decided to conduct a field sobriety test based on a witness who said Hopinkah got behind the wheel. The report says Hopinkah failed the sobriety test, and a preliminary breath test registered a blood-alcohol count of .269. When asked to submit to a blood test, Hopinkah reportedly responded with vulgar language, which police interpreted as a refusal.

The report says en route to the police station, Hopinkah spit on an officer and threatened to kill him and his family. She was taken to Tomah Memorial Hospital for a blood draw, where she directed loud and abusive language toward police, according to the report.

Hopinkah was referred for third-offense drunk driving, failure to install an ignition-interlock device, threatening battery to a police officer/family, discharging bodily fluids to a police officer and disorderly conduct.

In other Tomah Police Department news:

Michael Hebert Ash, 20, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. Police confronted a visibly intoxicated Ash walking unsteadily on a sidewalk on Elm Street March 22 shortly after 9:30 p.m. He is accused of violating a bond condition that establishes a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew.

Julio Cesar Alicea III, 22, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for second-offense drunk driving after a 2:30 a.m. traffic stop March 23.

Police pursued a vehicle registered to Nikko Joel Hunt, 25, Necedah, after dispatch reported that Hunt was on probation with a no-drink restriction. Police followed the vehicle to Caseys General Store, and police made contact with Hunt, who was a passenger, and the driver, identified as Alicea. The report said Alicea was slurring his speech and smelled of alcohol.

Alicea reportedly told police he had consumed two beers and told police his blood-alcohol count was likely below .08, the legal limit to drive. A preliminary breath test registered .163. Dispatch told police that Alicea also had a no-drink provision as part of his probation. Both Alicea and Hunt were referred for probation holds.

Two people were referred to the district attorney after a June 18, 2016, traffic stop. Police stopped a vehicle a registered to an owner with an expired drivers license. The driver was identified as Wade Edward Lowrie, 40, Tomah. He had a bond condition that prohibited him from being in the presence of drug users.

A search of the vehicle reportedly identified three spoons that appeared to have been used to cook illegal drugs, four syringes, a plastic baggie containing marijuana and a marijuana grinder. Lowrie was initially referred for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation hold. After test results were returned from the state crime lab, Lowrie was referred for possession of heroin and possession of methamphetamine.

A passenger in the vehicle, Donald DeWitt, Milan, Illinois, was referred for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.

Billie Jo Haynie, 35, Warrens, was referred to the district attorney for battery and disorderly conduct after a March 24 incident at a Butts Avenue residence.

A woman said Haynie walked into her home uninvited and refused multiple requests to leave. She accused Haynie of punching her in the face, and a witness corroborated the womans account. Haynie denied striking the woman.

Katie Patricia Faulkner, 30, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. She is accused for violating bond conditions that establishes a 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and requires her to notify authorities of any address change.

Melissa Ann Bryant, 38, Tomah, was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for bail jumping. She is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits her from consuming alcohol. She allegedly consumed beer in a downtown bar, and a preliminary breath test registered a blood-alcohol count of .088.

Desiree Lynn Hetchler, 29, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for child neglect after police identified a four-year-old boy running through the intersection of Heeler Avenue and Murdock Street with no shoes, no socks, no shirt and no jacket in 35-degree temperatures March 22.

According to the report, Hetchler told police she is the only adult who resides in the apartment unit where the child lives. She said there an alarm is installed on the front door to alert her if the boy attempts to leave, but it wasnt activated at the time. She said the boy unlocked a deadbolt to leave the unit.

Christine Marie Gjetley, 55, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for disorderly conduct pursuant to a March 22 incident.

According to the report, Gjetley was intoxicated and expressing dissatisfaction with care she was receiving at the Tomah Veterans Administration Hospital. She reportedly yelled at officers who tried to calm her down. The report says she continued to use loud and abusive language while being transported by ambulance to Tomah Memorial Hospital and later to the Monroe County Jail.
Seventh place is good, but Emily Trowbridge wanted more.

Trowbridge, a Tomah High School junior, said shes happy she placed seventh at the National Field Archery Association Indoor Nationals competition from March 18-19 but wishes she had finished higher.

I dont like it, but I dont hate it, she said. Its a good placement; I cant complain about it, but I could have done better.

She almost didnt compete at all. Her journey to nationals was nearly derailed by a shoulder injury she suffered at the state meet.

I really dont know how it happened. I was shooting at state four weeks ago, and I was really shaky toward the end of the first day, she said. I thought it was just regular old fatigue everyone fatigues when they do a sport.

She came back for the second day, and her shakiness was worse. Her shoulder was swollen, but she was determined to finish, which she did.

It was tough for her mother Kristie Trowbridge, to watch. She was ready for her daughter to withdraw.

She should have stopped, she said.

After the competition Trowbridge went to the doctor, got some x-rays and found out the cause of her injury  which almost broke vertebrae in her spine.

I guess two things tried to come out of place, and I was told that my muscles, in an effort to keep them in, spasmed and tightened really bad around it, she said. (The chiropractor) said ... It was more of a stress-related trauma from trying to keep (my) form right. I was trying to make sure everything was correct, and I guess I tried a little too hard.

After two weeks at the chiropractor Trowbridges shoulder was almost back to normal, with one week to get ready for nationals in Cincinnati.

It was great, Trowbridge said, if a bit bigger than what she was expecting  shes been preparing for nationals since she started shooting competitively three years ago.

When we got down there I was like, Oh, this is cool, big city. Dont really go in big cities much, she said. I walked in to the (complex), and I saw people walking around with their equipment and stuff and I was like, Oh, OK, a few people. I walked into the room and there were 170-something targets lined up down the wall, and there are people everywhere  booths down the middle, targets on both sides, all packed with people. It was crazy.

The competition was tough, Trowbridge said.

Everyone was within one point, one bulls-eye of each other  the girl ahead of me was just one point (ahead), she said. I didnt expect one point more. I mean, I finished out, I was pleased, I was like, OK, this is just how I shot. ... I didnt expect to do any better than what I did because of the circumstances of my shoulder.

The shoulder injury played a part in how she finished at nationals, but Trowbridge said it wasnt a reason to become upset.

You cant really get nervous or upset because everybodys in the same boat youre in, she said. Theyre all doing the same thing you are, they all have the same amount of pressure on them. You cant be upset over placement because they did just a little better than you did.

There are people everywhere  booths down the middle, targets on both sides, all packed with people. It was crazy. Emily Trowbridge
ST. PAUL  Attorneys for St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez claim Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents told the officer he was justified in shooting Philando Castile during a July traffic stop.

That claim, allegedly made by BCA agents before they formally interviewed Yanez about the shooting, is one of several statements Yanezs lawyers are asking the court to allow into evidence in the officers upcoming trial.

Prosecutors have argued that BCA statements are irrelevant and inadmissible. In an earlier filing, they say the BCA investigated this case without a recommendation regarding charges and that none of the BCA agents are witnesses to the shooting.

Prosecutors wrote its equally possible that BCA agents, who are licensed police officers, would have an opinion that the shooting was unjustified. An opinion like that, wouldnt be relevant either, they argue.

In a new filing Friday, however, defense attorneys Paul Engh, Thomas Kelly and Earl Gray argued that an opinion by a use of force expert the prosecution used to come up with the charges against Yanez, could also be viewed as irrelevant and inadmissible.
Sunday, April 2, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions





Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security John Kelly

In a letter dated March 29, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly responded to a letter from Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye calling for an end of federal immigration enforcement at the California courthouses. The Attorney General and DHS Secretary blame states, including California, for not cooperating with federal immigration detainer requests, which, according to the letter, requires attempts at arrests in public places. The federal response is attracting considerable attention.

As explained here, the federal government has been requesting that local jails detain for an extra 48 hours immigrants who have served their jail sentences and are entitled to release. A federal court in 2014 held that violated the Fourth Amendment to do so; sheriffs thus risk liability if they comply with such a detainer request and some sheriffs have been reluctant to run that risk.



Are Attorney General Sessions and DHS Secretary John Kelly really asking state and local law enforcement agencies to do something without legal basis and in fact violates the Fourth Amendment?

KJ

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2017/04/in-a-letterdated-march-29-2017-attorney-general-jeff-sessions-and-department-of-homeland-security-secretary-john-kelly-resp.html


As China expands its influence in the disputed South China Sea, an arms race has developed among other nations with claims in the area.

China claims most of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea as its territory. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the waterway. The sea is rich in fisheries and is thought to hold valuable resources such as oil and natural gas.

Since 2010, China has stepped up its military activities in the South China Sea. It has patrolled with coast guard ships and sent its aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, to carry out military drills.

China has also deployed oil rigs and created artificial islands in the disputed sea. Satellite images appear to show the country has also constructed major military facilities on some of the islands. Beijing has defended its activities in the South China Sea. Security experts believe Chinese navy and coast guard expansion will continue.

According to a report by global defense publication IHS Janes Defense Weekly, Chinas defense budget is estimated to nearly double in 2020 from 2010 levels. The report said that by 2020, Chinas military budget is expected to reach $233 billion.

This expansion has caused other countries in the region to build up arms to be able to counter possible Chinese threats. Zack Cooper is with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, a research group based in Washington, D.C.

Just to keep pace with that Chinese military modernization effort would require tremendous efforts by some of the South China Sea claimant states.

Overall, defense spending among other states surrounding the South China Sea is estimated to reach $250 billion by 2020, according to Janes.

Upgrading arms capability to counter China

In Malaysia, officials announced last November that the Royal Malaysian Navy plans to replace 50 aging vessels to protect its waters from regional threats. There have already been incidents involving Chinese ships entering Malaysian territorial waters.

Malaysian officials have said the new littoral mission ships can also be used for anti-terrorism operations. Littoral mission ships are smaller vessels designed for conflicts happening closer to shores.

Cooper said it is interesting to note that the first of Malaysias new ships will actually be coming from China  the very nation the country could use the vessels against in possible conflicts.

I think this is highly problematic when you have a country that is worried about activities by another state, and they then go ahead and buy arms from that state. You have some worries about whether major platforms are going to work. That should still be a serious concern I think for Malaysian policymakers.

One South China Sea claimant with a large incentive to upgrade its military capabilities is Vietnam, according to Cooper.

The Chinese efforts to reclaim land, at the seven features in the Spratlys, directly threaten a large number of Vietnamese-held features. Plus, the ongoing dispute over resource exploitation near the Paracels is a huge concern for Vietnam.

Vietnam, along with other regional nations, is looking to cut defense costs and spend less on the military equipment it needs. This reportedly led Hanoi to consider buying surface-to-air missiles from India, which is looking to become a future world player in military exports.

However, most military experts believe it will take years for India to become a large-scale global provider of high-end military equipment. Nations expected to provide new weapons to South China Sea claimants include Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Japan was the country of choice for the Philippines in a deal to lease two TC-90 training aircraft to support its maritime defense forces. The agreement is notable because it is the first transfer of equipment from Japans Self-Defense Forces to another country.

The two planes, which reportedly recently arrived in the Philippines, are to be used in surveillance and patrol activities in the South China Sea.

Nuclear threat from North Korea

Another driver of the arms race across Asia is the North Korean nuclear dispute. North Korea has angered its neighbors and much of the world by carrying out a number of recent missile tests.

American forces have already begun deploying the THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea.

But Cooper says if North Korea continues its current path of fast missile and nuclear development, Japan and South Korea may eventually find the need to respond militarily.

In Japan, you might see some more forceful responses. Theres been a growing debate about strike capability in Japan  basically developing capabilities that would give Japan the ability to respond to a North Korean missile attack. And this is a big change in Japanese defense posture, so its something that folks should watch closely.

If approved, the government change would be historic in allowing Japan to strike overseas targets for the first time since World War II. Japans ruling party has also urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to take steps to obtain its own missiles to counter North Korean threats.

This would also be a big change for Japan, which in the past has heavily relied on its close ally the United States to protect it. But President Donald Trump has been critical of too much overseas military funding and even threatened to pull U.S. troops out of Japan if Tokyo does not agree to pay more of the costs.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

littoral  adj. relating to something on or near a shore

incentive  n. something that encourages a person to do something

exploitation  n. using someone or something in an unfair way

maritime  adj. of or related to the sea

surveillance  n. act of watching people or activities, especially by police of official agencies

posture  n. attitude or feeling a person or group has about a subject
Mischa Dohler is a professor at Kings College in London, England.

He also plays the piano and writes music.

Dohler wants to teach people how to play the piano using the internet.

Kids or anybody could learn how to play the piano really properly from the best musicians in the world, he said.

Dohlers idea is to create a glove that the piano student could wear while practicing. This glove could connect over the internet to the teacher, who could be anywhere in the world.

The teacher could then help the student learn proper technique without being in the same room.

The glove would help move the students hands into the correct position to play the music.

The idea of a person on one side of the world using the internet to accomplish a task on the other side of the world is called the internet of skills.

Dohler also wants people in the medical industry to use the internet of skills.

Doctors already use robots to help them perform difficult tasks like medical operations. But they are in the same room as the robot and patient.

If a doctor could do remote surgery, it could help save peoples lives in places where highly skilled doctors are not available.

The only problem is that, right now, the internet is not fast enough to support this idea.

To perform a difficult task like surgery, a doctor in one place would have to make a movement, and the robot would have to be able to make the same movement within 10 milliseconds.

Companies are working to develop systems that can move data, or information, faster.

Eve Griliches is a Product Line Manager at Cisco Systems. Cisco develops systems that connect people over the internet.

Griliches said the internet of skills would not be possible without the work companies like hers are doing to create high-speed video networks.

The same systems that provide video to iPhones and laptops may someday help teach piano or save a life.

Dohler recently discussed his ideas at a conference on communication technology in Los Angeles, California.

He said he came up with the virtual piano teaching idea when he thought about all the other work people do using digital tools.

We use digital today to negotiate for jobs. We use LinkedIn, emails, etc., Dohler said. But then to execute the work, we still need to drive. We need to fly. We need to walk. So I was thinking, Could we virtualize it? Could we digitize skills?

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story Learning English based on reporting by VOAs Elizabeth Lee. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Do you think surgeons will one day be able to operate on a patient on the other side of the world? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

proper  n. a general direction of change : a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common

glove  n. a covering for the hand that has separate parts for each finger

practice  v. to do something again and again in order to become better at it

technique  n. the way that a person performs basic physical movements or skills

accomplish  v. to succeed in doing something

remote  adj. far away

virtual  adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet

execute  v. to do or perform an action
Last week, we talked about Americans taking college classes and completing study programs online  that is, with the help of computers and over the Internet.

The United States Department of Education has noted the growing popularity of online degree programs, what it called distance education. It reported that 14 percent of all students at American colleges and universities studied through such programs in 2014.

Leanne is one of those students.

Her goal was to earn a masters degree in nursing from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She signed up for the universitys online program in 2014. She asked VOA not to share her last name because she has yet to complete her studies.

Leanne chose to study online for many of the same reasons that other students do. She was working full-time, and did not want to move away from her job and family to continue her education. Leanne liked that she was able to study whenever and however much she wanted.

But while the program met her needs at first, Leanne feels there are things she did not get from studying online. She earned her undergraduate degree from a traditional, face-to-face, study program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In the end, theres really no substitute for the exchanges that actually happen in a classroom.

Leanne says physically being in a classroom helps build a strong connection between students and their professors. She says in some ways she liked taking control and leading her own studies. But many times, she also felt lost without that special connection.

"In the end, theres really no substitute for the exchanges that actually happen in a classroom. And I think that, to some extent, I missed out on that and I would have like to have had that experience. So if I were to do it again, I dont know that I would have made the same decision. I think it maybe would have been worth making a little bit more sacrifice in terms of the convenience and the finances to have a more rich learning experience, where you really get to exchange with your professors  and develop your skills."

In addition, it may not be just a students learning that suffers in a distance learning program. There is some concern about what future employers think about an online degree.

Public Agenda is a nonprofit research organization in the United States. In 2013, the group reported on a study of over 600 people working for American companies. They were responsible for filling positions at these businesses. The study looked at what these employment specialists thought about online degree programs.

Fifty-six percent said they were more likely to offer jobs to people with a more traditional college experience, where students and teachers meet face-to-face. Forty-two percent said they thought students in online programs learned less than those in traditional programs. And 39 percent of those questioned said they thought online programs were easier to complete.

Alison Kadlec is a senior vice president of Public Agenda. She says the numbers may have changed a little over the past four years as online programs become more popular. But there are still strong critical opinions about what online programs can do for students.

"There is a kind of traditional bias about what education should be, and technology and life and work and everything show whats problematic about that hundred year-old model of education. But its still something thats so ingrained in who we are, in how we think about higher education."

Kadlec says it is hard for people to change their ideas about higher education from a professor teaching students in a classroom. Also, some employers may have limited understanding of what is possible through an online program. Many people think studying online just means watching videos of teachers talking. Yet technology is always changing. Computer programs may someday educate and test students in ways human teachers cannot.

However, Kadlec notes, until there are widely accepted standards for online programs as there are for traditional ones, critical opinions will likely remain. Students like Leanne choose online programs because their lives are already complex or difficult. And having employers value their degrees less than a traditional college education only makes things more difficult for them.

Also, there appears to be a barrier for online programs becoming more widely accepted. If more well-known, high quality schools start offering such programs, employers will likely consider the two methods as equal. But the high cost to create high quality online programs suggests this will not be easy.

The WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies studies online learning. The group released a study on the cost of creating online programs in February. It asked administrators at 197 colleges to report on the costs of 21 different components needed to operate the two programs. This included the cost of paying professors to design materials and testing.

At all the colleges, administrators noted that nine of the components generally cost more than for traditional programs. Twelve of the components cost the about same. Nothing in any online program cost less.

Russ Poulin helped create the study. He says the reason costs are so high for online programs is all the extra steps they require. In a traditional program, the main cost is the professor, who designs the study materials, and the building where the class is taught. But if many professors take turns teaching in the same rooms, the cost of the building is shared by all the students in those classes. While online programs may not require a classroom, there are other requirements.

Were starting to hear the pain being expressed by the students in terms of they cant pay back loans or they cant afford even to come in.

Online programs require computer engineers to design programs to present the lesson materials. Online programs can often reach more students than a class taught in a building. But this means professors need more teaching assistants than they normally would. Also, physical universities can offer support services like study aids, libraries and other research centers. Many online programs have not yet found ways to offer such services at a lesser or equal cost, Poulin says.

The study found that costs for students in online programs were lower at only about 6 percent of the schools. And Poulin adds that schools cannot simply pass these costs on to students.

"We really have reached a point, whether its distance education or in the face-to-face education, where you can raise the price to the student so long that theyre able to absorb it up to a point. And really were starting to hear the pain being expressed by the students in terms of they cant pay back loans or they cant afford even to come in."

Poulin and Kadlec agree that as technology changes and becomes less costly, some of these problems may solve themselves. More students are choosing online college programs over traditional programs every year. But there is still a ways to go before online and traditional programs operate on the same level.

Im Pete Musto.

Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. What other problems do you think there might be with online education? How might schools solve these problems? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

degree  n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

masters  n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

sign(ed) up  p.v.

undergraduate  adj. used to describe a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study

substitute  n. a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else

extent  n. used to indicate the amount or level at which something exists, happens, or is true

miss(ed) out (on)  p.v. to not use or to not have a chance to experience something good

convenience  n. a quality or situation that makes something easy or useful for someone by reducing the amount of work or time required to do something

finances  n. matters relating to money and how it is spent or saved

bias  n. a quality that it likely for people to believe that some people or ideas are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly

ingrained  adj. existing for a long time and very difficult to change

standard(s)  n. a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable

component(s)  n. an important piece of something

absorb  v. to accept or deal with something that is difficult or harmful

afford  v. to be able to pay for something
Researchers in the African country of Niger have introduced a new vaccine that protects against the diarrheal disease called rotavirus.

A scientific test has shown that the new vaccine is effective, safe and easy to use. Experts believe it will be more widely used than the two rotavirus vaccines now given to children.

A killer without a good vaccine

The new vaccine is important because rotavirus is a serious illness that can lead to death. Rotavirus causes a severe infection of the gastro-intestinal tract. It kills more than 215,000 children each year -- about 600 a day.

Two vaccines against rotavirus are already available. However, they are costly and difficult to use.

They must also be kept cold. In many African countries where people suffer from rotavirus, refrigeration and electricity are unreliable.

As a result, the existing rotavirus vaccines are not widely used.

A new option

Researchers have been working on a new vaccine for rotavirus called BRV-PV. They recently tested the vaccine with young children in Niger.

Researchers gave 1,780 babies the BRV-PV vaccine. Only 31 cases of rotavirus developed in those babies.

In contrast, 87 cases of rotavirus developed among the babies who received a treatment but did not get the real medicine. In other words, those babies were given a placebo.

The researchers say the clinical trial shows that BRV-PV was nearly 67 percent effective.

The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Three good results

Dr. Emmanuel Baron is the director of Epicentre, a research group that is part of Doctors Without Borders, an aid group. Epicentre researchers conducted the clinical trial.

We saw actually three things. The first is that this vaccine is efficient. The second is that this vaccine is safe. And we also saw a good acceptability by both the care providers and the families.

The new vaccine does not need refrigeration for up to six months. Medical workers mix it with liquid and give it to babies three times: when they are 6 weeks old, 10 weeks old, and 14 weeks old.

Baron is happy the new vaccine is effective. But he wishes the success  or efficacy  rate was even higher.

We would love to have 95, 98, 100 percent efficacy. But we know that all vaccines do not work very well in African countries for reasons that are still unclear, probably due to immunological disorders. But we also know that this efficacy of about 70 percent is higher than any other vaccine in similar settings.

The vaccine is expected to cost $6 for the three doses. The price will likely drop as more people are given the vaccine.

Baron says medical workers in countries where rotavirus is a serious health threat are waiting for the World Health Organization to approve the vaccine. Then, medical workers can start giving the new vaccine to children.

Im Anne Ball.

VOA Health Correspondent Jessica Berman reported this story from Washington. John Smith adapted the story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

See how well you understand the story by taking this reading quiz.

Quiz - New Rotavirus Vaccine Could Save Thousands of Children Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

diarrheal  adj. related to an illness that causes you to pass waste from your body very frequently and in liquid rather than solid form

infection  n. the act or process of infecting someone or something : the state of being infected

gastro-intestinal tract  n. an organ system in humans and animals that takes in food, digests it and expels the remaining waste

refrigeration  n. the act of keeping something cold to keep it fresh

placebo  n. a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient

clinical trial  n. a scientifically controlled study of the safety and effectiveness of a drug or vaccine using consenting humans for subjects

effective  adj. producing a result that is wanted

conduct  v. to plan and do something

efficient  adj. capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy

liquid  n. a substance that is able to flow freely

Immunological disorder  n. a disorder or problem with the immune system
UP

Private public park. House Bill 442, which would grant property tax exemption on up to 500 acres owned by a nonprofit organization and used for a public recreational park. The bill sponsored by Rep. Virginia Court of Billings would allow the Yellowstone River Parks Association to accept another gift of land to expand John H. Dover Memorial Park in Billings Heights. This park, created entirely by private donations and volunteers, is a great asset to the community. The House approved the bill, which now needs to pass the Senate.

UP

Highway safety. The only 2017 legislation that can reverse the deteriorating condition of Montanas public roads passed the House. House Bill 473 now awaits action in the Senate. Montana needs this legislation. The 8-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase is less costly than the damage being done by substandard roads and the hazards posed by deficient bridges.

UP

Build Montana. A strong bipartisan plan to invest strategically statewide in local public works, K-12 school facilities and university buildings (including MSU Billings) won the needed two-thirds majority in the Senate. House members should support Senate Billing 367, sponsored by Sen. Eric Moore of Miles City and 23 other lawmakers. The bonding it provides is so modest that it wont increase the states debt service costs. Older state bonds will be retired as the proposed new bonds are issued, keeping debt costs fairly level.

DOWN

No local control. Proposals to grant city and county voters the option of enacting limited local sales tax to fund specific infrastructure projects were killed in Senate and House taxation committees. Neither bill would have imposed a tax, but rather allowed local voters to decide whether to tax luxury goods to pay for an infrastructure project for a limited number of years. The no votes of Billings Sens. Roger Webb and Tom Richmond killed Senate Bill 331. In the House Taxation Committee, Billings Rep. Jeff Essmann cited the bills mandate for property tax relief in voting for House Bill 557, but the bill still lost on a vote of 8-12.


Acting on promises he made during the 2016 election campaign, President Donald Trump is taking steps to overturn policies from the presidency of Barack Obama.

Last Tuesday, the president signed an executive order that takes aim at environmental rules and other measures he says harm economic growth.

Trump ordered a rewriting of rules aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from power stations. Many scientists agree that gases such as carbon dioxide are partly to blame for rising temperatures in Earths atmosphere.

But Trump says cutting the rules on power plant emissions will create jobs for Americans.

"Perhaps no single regulation threatens our miners, energy workers and companies more than this crushing attack on American industry."

The Obama administration rules were meant to cut carbon dioxide from power plants by a third from 2005 levels by 2030.

Trumps action also lifts rules on coal, oil and gas production. And it reduces the effect of climate change in other federal rules.

Democratic Party lawmakers reaction to the executive order came quickly.

This is a declaration of war, said Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts. New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez called it an abdication of American leadership in the battle against climate change.

Michael Brune works for the Sierra Club, an environmental group. He called the order the single biggest attack on climate action in U.S. history, period.

Officials will have to create new rules to replace the ones being overturned. Environmental groups are expecting to take the Trump administration to court.

But some observers think that because of legal battles and the regulation process, Trumps order will do little to change Obamas Clean Power Plan. That measure requires cuts in carbon emissions from power plants.

Tomas Carbonell is policy chief with the Environmental Defense Fund, an environmental group. He says the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the legal duty to reduce harmful gases.

"The Supreme Court has already held on three separate occasions that EPA has the authority and responsibility under the Clean Air Act to address the threat of climate change."

The executive order follows another one that calls for changes to the Obama administrations rules for vehicle fuel efficiency. Those rules were put in place just days before Trump became president.

Trump calls the measures "industry-killing regulations." But environmental and doctors groups say they are cleaning the air and will help Americans spend less on fuel.

The presidents proposed budget targets climate change programs across the federal government. Mick Mulvaney is the Trump administrations budget director.

"Regarding the question as to climate change, I think the president was fairly straightforward. We're not spending money on that anymore. We consider that to be a waste of your money."

Candidate Trump once called climate change a hoax. However, a White House official told reporters this week that the president does believe in man-made climate change.

Tuesdays executive order does not talk about the Paris climate change agreement. Trump campaigned on withdrawing from the agreement.

When asked whether the president plans to follow through on that campaign promise, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said, Its still under discussion.

Im Anne Ball.

Steve Baragona and Peter Heinlein reported on this story for VOA News. Anne Ball adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and find us on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

executive  n. a person who manages or directs other people in a company or organization

greenhouse gas - n. a layer of gases, such as carbon dioxide, that trap the warmth from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere

emission  n. producing or sending out something, such as energy or gas

regulation  n. an official rule or law that says how something should be done

abdication  n. to fail to do what is required by duty or responsibility

efficiency  n. the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy : the quality or degree of being efficient

straightforward  adj. easy to do or understand : not complicated

hoax - n. something that is not true
Under Montana law, the crime of rape is called sexual intercourse without consent.

The language implies that a crime occurs if one person says no to sex. In fact, no doesnt mean no under present Montana law. Instead, the statute makes rape prosecution extremely difficult if the victim is an adult  unless he or she was cut, bruised or otherwise injured. No other criminal law requires victims to prove they resisted their attacker.

Requiring evidence that a victim fought back or suffered injury in addition to the rape is one reason  not the only reason  why zero cases of rape were charged in Yellowstone County last year, despite at least 60 adults reporting rape to local law enforcement agencies. As reported in Gazette March 26 editions by Ashley Nerbovig, police and sheriffs detectives sent 18 cases to the Yellowstone County attorney for review, but county prosecutors didnt find a single one they could take to trial (which is another traumatic experience for the victim) with the expectation of getting a conviction. The county attorneys did prosecute 15 cases of sexual assault in which children were victimized.

Unanimous Senate

The Montana Legislature now has the responsibility to strengthen and update Montanas criminal code by passing Senate Bill 29. The Senate was unanimous in approving SB29. Thanks to each senator, especially to Billings Sens. Jen Gross and Margie MacDonald who were part of the unanimous vote of approval in Senate Judiciary Committee, and to Doug Kary, who served on the Interim Law and Justice Committee that unanimously requested the changes proposed in SB29.

SB29 sponsor Sen. Diane Sands, D-Missoula, also served on the interim committee that studied sexual assault laws in Montana for nearly two years, as did Rep. Dale Mortensen of Billings. Thanks to Mortensen, Virginia Court, Kathy Kelker and Barry Usher, all of Billings, for joining in the unanimous vote Friday to pass SB29 out of the House Judiciary Committee. Now it must be approved by the full House and return to the Senate as amended.

SB29 is supported by the Montana County Attorneys Association, Montana Board of Crime Control, Montana Sex Offender Treatment Association, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Montana Attorney Generals Office.

Myth perpetuated

Many cases of sexual assault in Montana are not actually prosecutable under our states antiquated legal definition, and, as a result, many victims do not receive the justice, or the support and assistance they deserve, Attorney General Tim Fox told the House Judiciary Committee at a hearing on March 24. The myth that our current statute perpetuates is that a victim cant actually express a lack of consent unless theres proof that he or she was physically forced to have sex.

SB29 says that an expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent or consent had been withdrawn and that a current or previous dating or social or sexual relationship or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the conduct at issue does not by itself constitute consent. This is similar to the definition of consent that other states have adopted in recent years.

We believe that all sexual assault victims deserve justice, said Kelsen Young, executive director of the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Lack of ability to prosecute the crime is overwhelming.

Young said SB29 would make an important change in Montana law by clearly stating that no means no consent in the crime of sexual intercourse without consent. Also, SB29 would define a more serious crime of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent for incidents that also involved the use of force by the attacker. SB29 would set a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for aggravated sexual intercourse without consent.

We call on the House to consider the evidence that persuaded the committees and the Senate to unanimously approve SB29. Send this desperately needed legislation to the governor's desk.

As Young said: We dont believe that changes in our criminal code are the only answer, but they are a start.
Seriously. A bill that would save taxpayers money has been voted down the last four legislative sessions. As a volunteer who helped out on the 200-plus dogs that needed to be rescued in 2009 in Yellowstone County, at a cost to taxpayers of $200,000, I'm very disappointed in our elected officials.

I would like to know, and I'm sure there are other Montana citizens who would like to know, which elected officials on the legislative committee voted down both the animal breeder bills. I ask The Billings Gazette to let the public know who these elected officials are. I also ask the Billings Gazette to print the issue and these names just before the next election.
Sen. Marco Rubio sent a strong warning to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Haiti on Monday, saying that it would be difficult to protect them from possible cuts in U.S. aid if they fail to defend democracy when the Venezuelan government comes up for a possible sanctions vote at the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Florida Republican, one of the harshest critics of the Venezuelan government in Washington, told El Nuevo Herald that the OAS vote set for Tuesday is exceptionally important for the future of democracy in the region, and of the hemispheric organization itself.

The vote would even affect the assistance that Washington provides to El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, he added.

This is not a threat, but it is the reality, said Rubio

The FMLN has long had ties with the government of Venezuela. FMLN leaders regularly travel to Venezuela. Venezuela sends subsidized petroleum products to FMLN controlled municipalities. FMLN has also regularly joined Venezuela in denouncing perceived US interference in Venezuela. You can get a sense of the relationship in this article from Diario CoLatino from 2015 " El Salvador and Venezuela, a historic friendship against imperialist interference " (in Spanish).Venezuela today is in e conomic and political crisis . The oil rich country is having troubles feeding its people; political dissent is often repressed; crime rates rival El Salvador's.The crisis in Venezuela has come to the Organization of American States. Last week the OAS called a meeting to discuss the situation in Venezuela . El Salvador joined Venezuela and other countries in opposing the meeting, which prompted a response from conservative Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. From the Miami Herald Rubio and other conservative members of the US Congress have made similar threats to try to influence El Salvador's policies in the past. They are seldom effective, even though the conservative Salvadoran papers like La Prensa Grafica and El Diario de Hoy made the threats front page news. Despite Senator Rubio, El Salvador along with the Dominican Republic and Haiti cast their votes in favor of an unsuccessful attempt to cancel the meeting altogether.The meeting at the OAS did not result in a vote by the assembled nations, but there will be continuing engagement by the multi-lateral organization of countries. At the same time as the meeting, however, there was another assault on Venezuela's democracy when the country's supreme court, dissolved the legislature where the opposition has a majority. That action by the Supreme Court was widely condemned around the world, and within a day president Maduro had the court reverse itself.The currently expressed position of El Salvador is that the government of Venezuela and the opposition should continue a process of dialogue mediated by Panama, the Dominican Republic and the Vatican.
Every year something clashes with the Belfast Film Festival and curtails the range of fine films that I can savour. This year Im off taking a team of men in their twenties from churches across Britain and Ireland to visit refugee projects on Sicily and Lampedusa.Here are some recommendations of movies to catch in my absence!boils down the complexities of adult life to their inception and poignantly delivers them through the waning innocence of its young stars in this film that sees a new childhood friendship stretched whenever the summer holidays end and they return to school. Queens Film Theatre at 6.30pm.is billed as a Eastern western, following a caravan transporting the body if a sheik to his remote resting place in the wildnerness of the Moroccan desert. A test of will, faith and endurance with a dusting of fear. Queens Film Theatre at 9pm. A thoughtful yet comedic documentary following the arrival of Slovenian cult band Laibach in North Korea and the process of threading alternative rocknroll lyrics through the eye of the censors needle. Beanbag Cinema at 6.30pm.promises to be a quirky, funny, bittersweet and Swedish film. A boisterous new family get off to a bad start when they move in next door to angry old Ove. But understanding breeds friendship. Queens Film Theatre at 8.30pm.follows a group of volunteer first responders who rescue victims of the civil war in Syria. Searching for survivors amongst the wreckage of flattened buildings, since 2013 the White Helmets have saved nearly 80,000 lives. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help save others. Organised by CADA (Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in NI) and followed by a panel discussion about the situation in Syria. The MAC at 7pm. An ageing music critic stages a sit in to prevent redevelopment of her apartment block. Pledging to leave only upon death, this thriller follows her cold war with the developers. Queens Film Theatre at 8.30pm.will once again pack its Hill Street venue with people and fantastic sub-15 minute shorts that are made in or connected to this island. Always a treat. The Black Box at 7pm. Arrive early to get a seat.is a documentary set in eastern Bulgaria, bordering Turkey. In a sleepy hamlet sitting amid orchards and a patchwork of farmlands the local postie watches refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and wonders what it means to be European in his increasingly closed-off and distrustful town. Beanbag Cinema at 6.30pm.follows the work of Padraig IMalley as he uses unorthodox methods and dogged determination in his work to resolve some of the worlds most intractable conflicts. Followed for five years by filmmaker James Demo, this documentary contrasts a day job of restoring broken connections with a personal struggle with alcohol, and scarred relationships with those he loves. Movie House Dublin Road at 7pm.Join theteam as they look back at their Belfast Film Festival highlights and record the latest episode of their movie review podcast in the Hudson Bar between 11am and noon.
TWIN FALLS  Robert Wayne Welch's girlfriend discovered something worrisome in 2014: His infant son was losing weight and vomiting. The baby's head appeared larger than normal, too.

Paranoid that his heavy methamphetamine use would be discovered, Welch didn't take baby Robert Welch Jr. to a hospital, prosecutors said later. But his girlfriend did.

Doctors in Boise found a fractured skull and a brain bleed. The infant appeared to suffer from shaken baby syndrome and was severely malnourished, getting only enough calories to keep his heart beating. He needed emergency surgery.

Welch would lose his parental rights and be sentenced for felony injury to a child. His son would suffer the consequences forever.

The boy is Josiah William Baker now  fostered, then adopted, by Jon and Tina Baker of Twin Falls, who picked up the 4-month-old from the hospital. Now 3 years old, he has permanent brain damage and developmental delays. He's non-verbal and cant be left alone.

For Josiah and other neglected, abused or abandoned children, Idaho needs a foster care system. But it's an overburdened system with a shortage of foster parents, overworked social workers, a lack of systemwide oversight and a culture undercut by a constant feeling of crisis, said a February report by the Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluations.

The need is especially pronounced in south-central Idaho, where far fewer foster placements are available than anywhere else in the state. And the number of children removed from their homes is on the rise.

Last year, 181 south-central Idaho children were removed  most due to neglect  compared with 161 in 2012, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Idaho legislators in March passed a resolution to create a committee to study Idaho's foster care system and recommend improvements. But as lawmakers debated more funding for child welfare and higher payments to foster parents, south-central Idaho still faced an extreme shortage of licensed foster parents.

And the need can't wait. A child removed from a dangerous situation needs a bed to sleep in that night. Food and clothing. A sense of security. Love.

Someone has to be willing to help.

'All kinds of drugs'

Baylee Brown was one of those children.

Hospitalized as a high school freshman, she was interviewed by child protection workers. Whatever they learned resulted in Baylee staying with a half-brother instead of returning home to her mother and stepfather.

They did drugs continuously. All kinds of drugs, said Baylee, now a 17-year-old Buhl High School senior. My stepdad was abusive  not toward me, but my little sister."

Baylee tried to protect her younger sister. Then, she said, her stepfather started directing the anger toward her. Baylee didn't want to elaborate.

In January 2014, the night everything happened," family friend Brenda Hoover received a phone call from Health and Welfare asking if she could help.

Hoover had been friends with Baylees mother and stepfather since they were teens and had known Baylee and her sister since their births.

The kids all grew up calling me aunt Brenda, she said.

After that nighttime call, Hoover looked after Baylees half-sister, now 6, under a 30-day safety plan from Health and Welfare. Baylee spent that time with her older half-brother, but he couldnt become a foster parent because he was only 20.

Hoover wasnt sure she was fit to be a foster parent. Toward the end of the 30-day plan, she said, I threw my hands up in the air.

She prayed, asking God for direction.

The next day, Health and Welfare called, asking if Hoover could become both girls foster mother. She took the Health and Welfare training, negotiated the difficult emotional waters and helped Baylee become a student athlete and a foster youth advocate.

And in October, after 2 1/2 years of fostering, Hoover became Baylee's legal guardian. Their relationship would be permanent.

'I wasn't a good parent'

Other parents with drug problems, like Sara Bloss, try to beat the drugs and reunite their families.

In a Plant Therapy warehouse smelling of lavender, citrus and peppermint, Bloss gave a cheerful "Hi!" and a wave to a co-worker sealing a package of essential oils March 13. Before starting her afternoon tasks, Bloss showed a photo taken with her husband that weekend  the first time she'd seen him in nine months. He wore a blue prison suit.

"He told me, 'When you talk to the reporter, you tell her it was all my fault,'" said Bloss, a 30-year-old Twin Falls mother with a 3-year-old son.

Bloss' husband violated his probation, was charged with felony possession of meth and is serving 2 1/2 years in prison in Kuna. In November, Bloss was charged with the same crime and sentenced to 30 days in jail. She left her son, Gus, with a friend.

But that friend got arrested after police found drugs in her vehicle, and Gus was put into foster care.

"It wasn't neglect," Bloss said. "Not all children are taken because of neglect."

Now Bloss has to prove to Health and Welfare that she deserves to have her son back, she said as she double-checked the essential oils inside a box headed for Canada and taped it up.

When her son entered foster care, Bloss didn't know where he was living. She was scared.

You don't know who he's with because you are in jail," she said. "It was the most stressful 30 days of my life."

Then she met Gus' foster mother  Amanda Connors, who grew up in foster care in Twin Falls and Jerome  and her worries subsided.

"She's a young girl paying it forward," Bloss said. "I know he's in good hands with her."

Growing up, Connors bounced around different foster homes and group homes. Her father committed suicide when she was young. Today, she has a good relationship with her mother and stepfather, though they don't talk much.

Connors, 29, has fostered eight children and has four in her home now  including Gus, who ran over to Connors as she sat at the dining room table Feb. 13.

"Mom!" he yelled, clutching a bag of Skittles. Connors tried to refuse the yellow candy he pushed toward her mouth but eventually ate it.

"Ahh!" Connors said. "No more. Thank you."

Connors is glad to hear her foster children call her Mom. They must feel secure, she figures.

"It's pretty neat to watch the kids grow and feel safe," Connors said, "and see how happy they are when they see their family."

Of all the biological parents Connors works with, Bloss is the only one who consistently shows up for scheduled visits.

"I need to be there for my son," Bloss said. She wishes she could see him every day. "That just kills me."

But before Gus can return to her care, Bloss must complete a four-hour online parenting class, have a job and finish a twice-weekly drug treatment program at the Walker Center in Gooding. Bloss has the Plant Therapy job and completed the parenting class, but the third requirement remains. After work March 13, she planned to drive to Gooding for three hours of the drug treatment class.

Bloss is allowed supervised visits with Gus for an hour each week. Instead of doing it at a Health and Welfare office, they play at parks or JumpTime Idaho and get ice cream at Arctic Circle.

"I'm blessed we get to have those kinds of visits," Bloss said.

She often brings toys for the other foster children in Connors' home, so they don't feel left out.

Gus would start play therapy in mid-March. Bloss' social worker said Gus was having trouble expressing himself with words.

"It kind of confuses him," Bloss said. "Playing shows kids love."

Connors sends Bloss photos of Gus on the swings and the slides.

"He's at the park and it lets me know he's OK," Bloss said. "The foster mom is amazing. She's so cool."

With a court date approaching, Bloss hoped to get unsupervised visits with her son. And at the next court appearance, in June, she hopes the judge will let her have Gus back.

"My goal is to stay sober for the rest of my life," she said. "I wasn't a good parent before. I wasn't being the best mom I could be. My son needs me."

'How can you send them back?'

And what did the baby with a fractured skull need? Not what his biological dad could provide, a court concluded.

When doctors found infant Robert Welch Jr.'s skull fracture and brain bleed, Welch's ex-wife told police he'd blamed the injury on their two children jumping on the bed the infant lay on.

And, court documents say, she told police how Welch had replied when she confronted him: "Am I supposed to tell the cops that I beat the s out of my own kid so they can put me in jail for the next 15 years?"

In February 2015, Welch was sentenced to a therapeutic program with the Idaho Department of Correction, known as a rider, and then to seven years of supervised probation starting in October 2015.

Im very sorry for the things Ive done," Welch said at his sentencing hearing. "I realize I do have a problem. I love Junior more than anything. I pray for him every day.

During a brief phone interview March 20, Welch blamed the neglect on his heavy meth use.

I was not a good person, Welch remembered. I did my rider  pretty much six months of an intense in-patient program  and it changed my life for the better.

But he wont see the boy anytime soon. Welch gave up his parental rights in a child-protection case, and a plea agreement in his criminal case restricts Welch from seeing the boy until he's 16. The birth mother wasnt in the picture in 2014; she went to prison six days after giving birth for a parole violation on a forgery conviction, according to court records.

Willing to speak only briefly last month, Welch defended himself, pointing out he was convicted for neglecting to seek medical care, not for beating the infant; he said he still doesn't know how the babys skull was fractured. He called losing Junior heartbreaking but said hes trying to put those events in his past.

Welch's conviction was for creating an environment that allowed his son to sustain a skull fracture or failing to seek treatment. A second count of felony injury to a child, dropped in the plea deal, said Welch failed to feed the baby.

The Bakers, already foster parents for other children, thought they would be providing hospice care during the baby's final days on Earth. But that was three years ago, and now the renamed Josiah is their adopted son. He's like an infant, but more demanding, Tina Baker said. Hes super smart but yells if left alone.

On a Friday afternoon in mid-February, Tina pulled a photo off her refrigerator: Josiah as an infant, at the Boise hospital where they took him in.

About 45 foster children have come through the Bakers' doors since 2011. Six children live under their roof now: Jons biological daughter, two foster children and three children the couple fostered then adopted.

How can you send them back when you love on them? Jon said.

Adopted daughter Chloe Baker, 4, carried a pink florescent balloon around the living room that afternoon and showed off her stuffed animal, Olaf from the Disney movie Frozen. A 6-month-old foster girl napped in another room. On a kitchen chair, Josiah watched a video on an iPad.

Josiah was recovering from a procedure earlier that day at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, Tina said. Sedated, he received Botox injections  eight in his calves and two on the soles of his feet  to counteract the curling of his toes, a result of his brain injury.

Tina and her husband usually say yes to taking in foster children. But the night before Josiahs procedure, when they got a call about an 11-year-old girl who was suicidal, they were maxed out and said no.

I didnt want an extra worry on my plate, said Tina, who was already stressed out.

Health and Welfare would have to find the girl a different home in Idaho's overburdened foster system.

Editor's note: This story has been revised to eliminate an error regarding the reasons Amanda Connors became a foster child.
TWIN FALLS COUNTY

FELONY SENTENCINGS

Trey Robert Tickner, 26, Twin Falls; major contraband in a correctional facility charge dismissed. Possession of a controlled substance charge, $285.50 costs, seven years penitentiary, four determinate, three indeterminate, three days credited, sentence suspended, seven years supervised probation, sentence to run concurrently to other charges. Second possession of a controlled substance charge, $285.50 costs, seven years penitentiary, four determinate, three indeterminate, three days credited, sentence suspended, seven years supervised probation, sentence to run concurrently to other charges. Third possession of a controlled substance charge dismissed. Alter, concealment or destruction of evidence charge dismissed.$5,000 fine, four years penitentiary, one determinate, three indeterminate, sentenced to run concurrent to other charges.

Catalina Garcia-Ruiz, 43, Twin Falls; drug trafficking in methamphetamine or amphetamine 200 grams to 400 grams, $285.50 costs, $15,000 fine, $100 DNA, 20 years penitentiary, seven determinate, 13 indeterminate, 150 days jail.

Brock Tyler Beutler, 27, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, 1,000 fine, $500 public defender, three years penitentiary, one determinate, two indeterminate, sentence to run consecutive to 2015 case.

William Edgar Studdard III, 41, Twin Falls; drug trafficking in marijuana one pound or more but less than five pounds or consists of 25 to 49 plants, $285.50 costs, $5,000 fine, four years penitentiary, one determinate, three indeterminate. Possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, five years penitentiary, one determinate, four indeterminate, sentence to run concurrent to other charge and with 2017 case.

William Edgar Studdard III, 41, Twin Falls; grand theft, $245.50 costs, five years penitentiary, one determinate, four indeterminate, credit for time served, sentence to run concurrent to 2016 case listed above.

Krisencio A. Estrada Jr., 26, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, four years penitentiary, two determinate, two indeterminate, four days jail, sentence suspended, three years supervised probation.

Sharon Ann Matcheson, 48, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $1,000 fine, seven years penitentiary, one determinate, six indeterminate, 105 days credited, sentence to run consecutive to Gooding county 2010 case.

Herbert Stanley Storey, 33, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $1,000 fine, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, $60 workmans comp. program fee, $572.91 restitution, five years penitentiary, two determinate, three indeterminate, 32 days credited, sentence suspended, 100 hours community service, three years supervised probation.

Rorrie Clay Ybright, 29, Kimberly; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, seven years penitentiary, two determinate, five indeterminate, 70 days credited, sentence to run concurrent with Madison county 2011 case.

Russell Glen Floyd, 27, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $60 workmans comp. program fee, six years penitentiary, three determinate, three indeterminate, 33 days credited, 365 days retained jurisdiction, sentence to run concurrent with other case listed below.

Russell Glen Floyd, 27, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, $60 workmans comp. program fee, four years penitentiary, two determinate, two indeterminate, 90 days credited, 365 days retained jurisdiction, sentence to run concurrent with other case.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SENTENCINGS

Joseph Edward Wiggins, 40, Buhl; DUI excessive, $500 fine, $202.50 costs, pay restitution, 365 days jail, 355 suspended, one day credited, 365 days drivers license suspension, 24 months supervised probation.

Edith Jodene Thompson, 28, Burley; DUI second offense within ten years, $1,000 fine, $1,000 suspended, $202.50 costs, 180 days jail, 175 suspended, one day credited, guilty withheld judgment, 365 days restricted drivers license, one year interlock device, 24 months supervised probation, attend victim impact panel and court alcohol school.

Lynette Isabel Benavides, 30, Jerome; DUI excessive, $75 public defender, $1,000 fine, $1,000 suspended, $202.50 costs, 180 days jail, 175 suspended, one day credited, guilty withheld judgement, 365 days restricted drivers license, 365 days interlock device, 24 months supervised probation, 24 months supervised probation, attend victim impact panel and court alcohol school.

Richard L. Thompson, 47, Buhl; DUI, $500 fine, $202.50 costs, 180 days jail, 150 suspended, two days credited, 180 days drivers license suspension, 12 months supervised probation.

DIVORCE CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

Justin Hawkins v. Amanda Hawkins

Jennifer Rice v. Lacy Rice

Carla Crane v. Chad Crane

Ramie Dennehy v. Brendan Dennehy

Paul Evangelista v. Kensy Mendez

Serene Tucker v. Dylan Tucker

Kirsten Jones v. Justin Jones

Cole Hanson v. Exa Hanson

Alma Cavazos v. Roberto Cavazos

Kirk Awalt v. Sabrina Awalt

Ana Gonzalez v. Benjamin Gonzalez

Mona Schoenfeld v. Steven Schoenfeld
BOISE  The Idaho Legislature officially wrapped up for the year when Lt. Gov. Brad Little brought down the gavel for sine die at noon on Wednesday.

What did they get done?

Transportation

The Legislature spent much of the end of the session trying to work out a deal on transportation funding. The last major increase in this area was in 2015, when lawmakers raised the fuel tax and registration fees and decided to direct some surplus state revenues into roads. The issue came to the forefront again this year after the harsh winter and accompanying flooding damaged roads throughout the state.

After a good deal of back and forth  the first compromise proposal got voted down in the Senate  lawmakers ended the session by approving another $300 million in GARVEE bonds for new road projects that will be paid back with future federal highway payments. Much of this will likely go to fix Interstate 84 in Canyon County. The bill also included renewing the surplus eliminator, with 40 percent of the money going to local highway districts and the rest to the state, as well as directing some money into a new fund for road projects intended to relieve traffic congestion. A separate bill will direct more than $50 million of state money, with the possibility of federal matching funds, to road repairs in areas that were hit hard this winter.

Taxes

Many Republican lawmakers said before this years session started that, with state revenues coming in higher than expected, cutting taxes was one of their main goals for the year.

We will know soon if this desire is going to end up translating into policy.

Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, who has been pushing income tax cuts for the past few sessions only to see his bills stall in the Senate, in January introduced legislation to cut income taxes by $51 million. The bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate, and as it languished, Sen. Cliff Bayer, R-Meridian, released legislation he had written but that wasnt scheduled for a hearing to repeal the sales tax on groceries and the accompanying tax credit.

Moyles bill finally got a hearing in the Senate in March, where the leadership made a deal to amend it into a smaller $28 million income tax cut. Instead, senators led by Bayer amended the bill into a new bill repealing the grocery tax.

This bill passed the House, but meanwhile Moyle amended a different bill to reduce the unemployment insurance tax Idaho employers pay to also include the $28 million in income tax cuts. The Senate killed this bill on the last day of the session, meaning that other than a college savings tax deduction grocery tax repeal is the only tax relief legislation to make it to the governors desk this year.

Gov. C.L. Butch Otter, who has said in no uncertain terms he opposes repealing the sales tax on groceries, has yet to sign or veto the bill. His after-session news conference is scheduled for Monday.

Criminal justice/sentencing

A bill to set more rules around civil asset forfeiture, or when law enforcement seizes the property of suspected drug dealers, passed both houses in the Legislature after some negotiations and amendments meant to address the concerns of law enforcement groups, and awaits the governors signature. The bill is meant to provide more protections to people from having their property seized without due process or when it isnt connected to a serious drug crime. It also includes more public disclosure requirements for law enforcement on what is seized.

The House Judiciary and Rules Committee held a four-hour long informational hearing on a bill to get rid of mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes. The committee didnt act on the bill, although committee Chairman Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, said he expects to revisit the issue next year.

A bill that would have allowed heroin dealers to be charged with murder if a customer were to overdose and die passed that committee but died on the House floor. Despite talk before the session started, no legislation was introduced this year to allow sick people to use non-psychogenic cannabis oil or other cannabis products.

Faith healing

Most states laws contain some legal exemptions for parents who believe in faith healing for their sick kids and reject conventional medicine, but Idaho is one of the few to exempt these parents from prosecution in cases where their children die from treatable maladies.

After several years of media attention to child deaths among members of the Followers of Christ Church and unsuccessful attempts by Boise Democrat Rep. John Gannon to introduce bills removing the exemption, a working group of lawmakers studied the issue after the 2016 session at Gov. C.L. Butch Otters request. The senators who were part of the group wrote a letter in February outlining some possible changes to the law, and in March working group co-chairman Sen. Dan Johnson, D-Lewiston, came out with a bill that would leave the exemption in criminal law in place but would make it easier for a court to get involved civilly and order treatment in some cases. Neither supporters nor opponents of the exemption were pleased with the compromise. It made it out of committee by a single vote, with supporters saying it would help some children without turning their parents into criminals, but was voted down decisively in the Senate, with some senators saying they didnt think the bill would do much to save children from dying and others saying it went too far in infringing on religious freedom.

Advocates for a stronger law say they plan to continue their efforts, but with them thinking this years law didnt do enough and so many in the Senate thinking this years bill went too far, its difficult at this point to see what common ground could be reached.

Education

Increasing education funding is one area where lawmakers found consensus this year. The education budgets, totaling a 6.3 percent hike in spending on public schools, made it through easily, including another $62 million in teacher pay raises as part of the career ladder. Otter also created a task force this year to study higher education in the state and come back with recommendations to improve it, similar to a task force that did the same thing with K-12 education a few years ago. However, a proposal of his to offer scholarships to adults with some college education who want to get their degrees didnt pass.

One big Magic Valley-specific development was the state putting up the first $10 million that will be needed to fund an agricultural research center, called the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, in the area. The educational institutions and agricultural industry groups involved will be expected to come up with two-thirds of the funding, and if they have by next January the state plans to put up another $5 million.

Otters budget funded some of the College of Southern Idahos fiscal requests, such as money for the Bridge to Success Summer Program, but didnt fund others, such as a request for dual credit instructors. The state did end up committing half the money so CSI could buy Pristine Springs, where it gets the water for the geothermal system that heats much of the campus. A bill sponsored by Twin Falls Rep. Lance Clow to let CSI offer four year degrees on its own in certain subjects passed, although college officials have said they have no immediate plans to start doing this.

Invasive species

The Legislature took some major action this year to try to stop the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels into Idaho. Bills to raise the sticker fee for out-of-state boaters in order to fund boat check stations and to create new post in the governors office to coordinate anti-invasive species efforts passed, as did House memorials calling for states and the federal government to work together to combat them and asking for federal funding to deal with the issue. These bills stemmed from the recommendations of a group of lawmakers who studied the issue before the session, and were given extra urgency by the discovery of quagga mussels in a couple of reservoirs in Montana not far from the Columbia Basin that covers most of Idaho.
Mary Mozelle

Wales-Kincheloe

TWIN FALLS  Mary Mozelle Wales-Kincheloe, funeral services at 2 p.m. Monday, April 3 at the Hansen Assembly of God Church in Hansen. Graveside services will be on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 10 a.m.. at the Sunset Memorial Park. A viewing will be held from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Myrl Mohwinkel

GOODING  Myrl Mohwinkel, funeral at 11 a.m. Monday, April 3 at Demaray Funeral ServiceGooding Chapel. A viewing will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at the funeral chapel.

Gail Staley

TWIN FALLS  Gail Staley, funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, April 3 at the Twin Falls 10th Ward 229 Park Ave. Viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at the church and from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. before the services.

Clarence Vallette

ST. GEORGE, Utah  Clarence Vallette formerly of Burley, funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 4 at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 East 16th Street, Burley.

Myron Reed

TWIN FALLS  Myron Reed celebration of life service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.
The following editorial is appearing in Sundays Washington Post:

The antic behavior of Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who was slipped classified surveillance by senior aides to President Donald Trump, rushed to hold a news conference about it and then scurried back to the White House to brief Trump, was clumsy and clownishbut it may have accomplished its main purpose. Nunes managed to derail his own House Intelligence Committees investigation into the far more serious matter of Russias interference in the presidential election, and to distract attention from the emergence of troubling new evidence.

As the congressmans bizarre circuit was chewed over in Washington, it emerged that Jared Kushner, the presidents aide and son-in-law, had met with an executive from a Russian bank that is on the U.S. sanctions list; former national security adviser Michael Flynn sought immunity in exchange for his testimony on his Russian ties; and experts told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Russian hacking and propaganda efforts are continuing, and have recently been directed at House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

Mark R. Warner, D-Va., ranking Democrat on the Senate committee, offered an appeal to common sense: The public, he said, must not lose sight of what the investigation is about: An outside foreign adversary effectively sought to hijack our most critical democratic process, the election for president in order to favor one candidate over another. Unfortunately, Trump and willing accomplices such as Nunes have been all too effective in clouding this shocking reality and impeding effective investigation of it.

The delivery of intel to Nuneswhich the White House has yet to explainwas only the latest diversionary stratagem employed by Trump and his aides. Earlier, Nunes and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C. were enlisted to call reporters to discount stories about contacts between Trump aides and Russia. Then Trump used a series of tweets to falsely accuse President Barack Obama of ordering a wiretap on Trump Tower. Meanwhile, as The Washington Post reported, the administration tried to block former Justice Department official Sally Q. Yates from testifying to Congress about what she knows about the links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Trump is still dismissing the Russia investigation as a witch hunt that Democrats are using to excuse their big election loss. He may be right that there was no active collusion between his campaign and the Kremlin; two former senior intelligence officials with no sympathy for the president have said publicly that they were aware of no evidence of collaboration. Democrats who speak as if such links have been proved are risking their own credibility.

It nevertheless should be undeniable, by now, that the regime of Vladimir Putin brazenly intervened in U.S. politics, including by hacking the Democratic National Committee and releasing stolen material through the WikiLeaks site; that it is still trying to disrupt the political system, including by sowing fake news and faux controversies on social media; and that it is attempting to disrupt elections in other Western democracies, including France and Germany. The top priority of the president and Congress should be to fully expose this hostile assault and develop means to counter it.

Instead, Trump appears to be doing his best to confuse the public about the facts and to prevent the truth from coming out. That, of course, is Russias agendaand it is the strangest and most suspicious aspect of his presidency.
Perhaps we should not be surprised by the flurry of unforced errors. President Donald Trump has little relevant experience, zero curiosity in policy and a rotten temperament that suggests he is divorced from reality. His staff is a mix of ideological extremists and party hacks, none with White House experience. His 30-something daughter and son-in-law have no public experience, either. How did you think this was going to work?

On Thursday, the administration was dealt a body blow when former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn let it be known that he was seeking immunity in exchange for testifying. One wonders: Immunity from what crime? And what has he got to tell us?

Trumps travel ban had yet another setback this week. (Politico: A judge in Hawaii has extended a broad block on President Donald Trumps revised travel ban, turning aside pleas from the federal government to narrow or drop an earlier order forbidding the president from implementing key parts of his plan.) It might earn the distinction of the least successful executive order of all time. Maybe it is time to put a halt to the charade. If they needed a new extreme vetting, they should have come up with it by now. Things are not going well, then, with the judicial branch.

Scores of executive-branch appointments have yet to be made. The State Department took a two-week hiatus from briefings. One doesnt have the sense that the White House is capable of filling most, let alone all, of the vacancies.

Over in the legislative branch, a veritable civil war has broken out between Trump and the ultra-conservatives in the House. Regardless of how self-destructive and dumb the Freedom Caucus can be when theyre trying to get to the X, Trump launching a war with them puts them, and [House Speaker Paul] Ryan, in a terrible position, GOP veteran consultant Rick Wilson tells me. Is he going to stick with Trump and shaft almost 60 members of his caucus? Or go to war with Trump? Its a train wreck that ran off the rails into a line of clown cars.

Meanwhile, Trump surrogate and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has discredited himself and been caught telling falsehoods about his trip to the White House. The Post reports:

At least three senior White House officials, including the top lawyer for the National Security Council, were involved in the handling of intelligence files that were shared with the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and showed that Trump campaign officials were swept up in U.S. surveillance of foreign nationals, according to U.S. officials.

The White House role in the matter contradicts assertions by the committees chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), and adds to mounting concerns that the Trump administration is collaborating with the leader of the House Intelligence Committees investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

In other words, three White House employees used Nunes to disclose information they thought might help defend the presidents groundless conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama wiretapped him. (Do we really think these three acted without direction or consent from higher-ups?)

What Congress did manage to pass and now heads to the presidents desk is horrifically unpopular, according to The Hill:

Congressional Republicans are facing widespread outrage after advancing a bill that will overturn privacy protections for internet users.

The bill narrowly passed the Senate by two votes and the House by 10. Now it heads to the White House, where President Trump is expected to sign it.

The measure blocks rules passed by the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama administration that restrict what internet service providers can do with their customers data. Those companies would be required to get consumers express permission before using or sharing sensitive data for advertising.

The rules definition of sensitive data includes users browsing history, app usage and financial and medical information. . . .

Some Republicans appeared to have realized the political baggage that comes with being seen as anti-privacy. Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.), who has become a Democratic target after Hillary Clinton won his district in November, was one of 15 House Republicans who voted against the bill.

In the 21st Century, Americans deeply value their privacy when it comes to digital content, Yoder said in a statement Tuesday. We dont want the government having access to our information without our consent, and the same goes for private business.

These digital privacy protections put in place by the FCC are commonsense measures similar to long-standing rules that apply to phone companies that will simply ensure internet users can continue to have control over their personal information.

Youd think that would be obvious to his colleagues.

And now Republicans mostly have moved on to tax reform. Whether the Freedom Caucus wants to give the president any help remains to be seen. What we do know is that the cornerstone of the House tax plan is the border-adjustment tax that has been soundly rejected by a significant number of GOP senators. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is the latest to throw cold water on the idea. The Columbus Dispatch reports:

In an interview today with CNBC, the Ohio Republican said while he recognizes some of the economic reasons for a border tax, he urges lawmakers to go for a more traditional approach that would include lowering the income tax rates and make the tax code simpler.

Portmans decision all but dooms efforts to rely on money raised from an import tax to finance even steep reductions in the corporate income tax. Portman joins a number of GOP senators who are opposed to the tax.

As with the health-care bill, the House might be askedby the president who threatened its membersto make a series of hard choices on a tax bill, take heat from voters and not come close to passing anything for the presidents signature.

Trump most definitely is not winning. Hes failing and flailing, shedding support from voters and alienating allies he desperately needs. An outbreak of backstabbing and skin-saving seems about to begin. (Trumps lack of loyalty to underlings suggests that they will be equally unwilling to protect their boss.)

No wonder Trump has always worked in a family business. His dependents never cross him and can never resignand he never has to tell shareholders or the public how badly he flopped.
LARAMIE, Wyo.  A manager at Laramie's regional airport says it's too soon to panic over a Trump administration proposal to eliminate subsidized air service to rural communities.

The Laramie Boomerang reports that the city would be among 112 communities nationwide that could lose out if the Essential Air Service subsidies are eliminated.

Airport manager Jack Skinner says the program has been on the chopping block before. He tells the newspaper that he's concerned but optimistic.

The subsidy allows SkyWest Airlines to operate out of Laramie, which is home to the University of Wyoming. Mayor Andi Summerville says the city would need to provide $2 million to the commuter airline if the subsidy goes.

The airport served more than 29,000 passengers in 2016.

"To not have air service to the state's only four-year institution is almost unthinkable," Summerville said. "They bring in potential business prospects, donors to the university and athletes for our teams. The loss of that air service would be an absolutely detrimental blow to our economy."

President Donald Trump's proposal is part of his budget plan. It's an early step in a lengthy budget process and is expected to run into opposition in the Senate, where lawmakers from rural states have helped keep the program alive despite several previous attempts by budget-cutters to kill it.

Critics of the program say the subsidies are too expensive for a relatively small number of passengers served. Eliminating it would save about $175 million a year, according to the Trump administration.
All across Idaho, families and small business owners are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs caused by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare. If youve seen your health insurance premiums rise in the past few years, its almost certainly because of ACA regulations. Every day, I hear health care horror stories from across the state.

Anthony Miller from Kuna was notified a few months ago that his health care coverage was going to increase $12,000, forcing him to drop his insurance to the bare minimum. Lisa Allbrett in Boise is frustrated because her premium has doubled and her deductible has gone up $1,500, but she has to keep her expensive plan in order to avoid paying the Obamacare tax. David Weak in Eagle purchased a Medicare Advantage plan, but when his rate increased 127% in one year, he was forced to sign up for a lower level plan.

Since the implementation of Obamacare, the annual profits of the ten largest health insurers doubled from 2008 to 2015 and Idahoans have had to pay more. From 2016 to 2017 alone, the average Idahoan experienced a 24 percent increase in their health insurance premiums.

This is not what the American people were promised when the Democrats passed Obamacare. And this is exactly why we must fully repeal the ACA and replace it with a system that lowers the cost of health care and health insurance.

Last week, the U.S. House was scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill that supporters claimed would repeal and replace Obamacare. There was, however, one huge problem: It didnt actually repeal Obamacare. I opposed this bill, and I was pleased when a vote on the measure was cancelled.

When I first ran for Congress in 2010, I promised my constituents that I would help lead the fight against Obamacare. Ive kept that promise by voting to repeal President Obamas signature health care law or significant portions of it 52 times in the past six years, and nearly all of my House Republican colleagues joined me in doing that.

Last week, I would have voted for a bill that actually repealed and replaced Obamacare. But the AHCA was not that bill. Critics of the bill called it Obamacare Lite or Obamacare 2.0  and those criticisms were not unfair. In proposing a health care bill, the House Republican Leadership should have done better. A lot better.

House Leadership should have drafted a bill that kept the promises made to the American people in documents like the Pledge to America, signed by House Republicans in 2010, the Better Way drafted by House Leadership in 2016, and the Contract with the American Voter issued by Donald Trump as a Presidential candidate last year. When it came to the ACA, the Republican position was crystal clear: We will fully repeal the ACA and replace it with a market-based system.

To be clear: the scheduled vote last week was not our first and only chance to repeal Obamacare. Quite the opposite. We, in Congress, have more than enough time to craft a bill that matches the commitment we made to the American people. When President Obama and Congressional Democrats created and passed the ACA in 2009-2010, it took about fifteen months of work. It may take just as much work to undo the ACA. But its worth it.

During negotiations, conservatives in the House insisted that Congress repeal Obamacares prohibition on less expensive health care plans and the knot of insurance regulations and mandates that are making health coverage so unaffordable. Studies show that Americans are paying 45 to 68 percent higher premiums because of these regulations and mandates.

Many people believe that these mandates are necessary to protect the most vulnerable in our society, especially those with pre-existing conditions. However, we can provide these protections without costly mandates. In fact, I support the Republican plan to set aside over $100 billion to help those with pre-existing conditions. Those who say we must accept a government takeover of Americas health care system in order to cover the most vulnerable are creating a false choice. We can protect those who most need our help while lowering health care costs for all Americans.

To make health care more affordable for Idahoans like Anthony Miller, Lisa Allbrett, and David Weak, we need true repeal of Obamacare. When it comes to health care, its more important to do it right than to do it quickly. I will continue working with my colleagues to keep my promises and not to give up at the first sign of struggle.
The biggest surprise of the legislative session that ended Wednesday wasnt the GOP infighting that gained so many headlines. It was the repeal of the states tax on groceries.

The grocery tax has been on the books in some form or the other since 1965, when the rate was 3 percent. Today, Idaho taxes groceries at 6 percent. Its one of only 13 states that tax grocery food.

Theres been a long tradition of bipartisan support for lifting this tax, but historically the Senate has blocked efforts to nix it. This year, though, it was the Senate leading the opposition charge, when it overhauled a tax-relief bill from the House that had favored income tax cuts.

The major opponent this time around is Gov. C.L. Butch Otter.

Earlier in the session, the governor broke from his usual policy of not commenting on pending legislation to warn lawmakers that he was against repealing the grocery tax. Lawmakers did it anyway, and now its up to Otter to decide whether hell sign or veto the bill.

We encourage him to sign it.

Theres a sense Otter may be waffling, though. Just 30 minutes before it was set to begin, Otter canceled a press conference Friday where he was expected to announce his intentions. The official excuse was that the governor had laryngitis, exactly the kind of ailment you get when youre not quite ready to make a big announcement. He now has the weekend to make up his mind, if he hasnt already.

But just in case Otter still needs some convincing, lets make the argument one more time.

As the ultra-conservative Idaho Freedom Foundation pointed out in January, the grocery tax makes little sense. It temporarily removes about $150 million from states economy, essentially giving the state an interest-free loan, only for the states tax commission to turn around and give the money back to taxpayers in the form of a credit at tax time. Plus, the state spends about $1 million processing income tax returns from folks who are filing only to get their $100 grocery tax credit. Talk about inefficient government.

The grocery tax has broader economic impacts, too. Because most of Idahos border states dont have a grocery tax, businesses are more likely to open on the wrong side of state lines, stripping Idahoans of job opportunities and border communities of property taxes from new businesses.

For us, though, it comes down to a philosophical argument. We simply believe its wrong to fund the state using taxes on an essential need like food. Poor people, especially, are hardest hit. Paying $12 in taxes on a $200 grocery trip may not seem like a big hit for some people, but that extra 12 bucks could mean missing a meal for needier families.

House Assistant Majority Leader Brent Crane, R-Nampa, summed up our position nicely when he said: I think its immoral. I think its wrong to tax people on their food. The time has come to give the people their money back and quit taxing their basic needs.

Its important to acknowledge that repealing the tax will leave the state with about $52 million less. (Interestingly, thats about the same amount House Republicans wanted to slash through an income tax cut earlier in the session.) But we have confidence frugal lawmakers can find that savings in next years budget. For lawmakers who campaign on smaller government, its time to put up or shut up.

For Otter, its time he reflect the will of the people and repeal this terrible tax.
Melby joins office

Dustin Melby has joined Tecta America Dakotas as a field manager in its Mandan office.

Melby, of Mandan, has more than 15 years of sales and construction experience.

Freier recognized

Warren Freier, an environmental scientist with the North Dakota Department of Health Division of Air Quality, has been honored with a lifetime membership to the North Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Freier is a regular NDSRT conference contributor, former board member and chairperson. He spoke about mammography at the groups 67th annual education conference in March in Fargo.

Two with United

Joe Guches and Derek Lockrem are working in sales at United Printing.

Guches is a sales consultant with more than six years of sales experience locally. Originally from Montana, he attended Bismarck State College for a degree in graphic design and communications.

A native of Montana, Lockrem earned a bachelor's degree in general ministry from Montana Bible College in Bozeman. After moving to Bismarck, he attended the graphic design and communications program at BSC.

Smith on staff

Benjamin Smith has been hired as a production specialist at Dakota Media Access.

A native of Colorado, Smith earned a bachelors degree in broadcasting from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has worked in various media for the past six years as a producer, editor and videographer.

Gilchrist hired

Chad Gilchrist has been hired as a representative with Securian Financial Advisors of N.D. Inc. in Mandan.

His role will consist of training, marketing and sales management with Securian Financial Advisors of N.D. Inc.

Gilchrist previously worked for 22 years as a personal financial adviser in Bismarck.
Fidel Batista Leyva y Anairis y Adairis Miranda Leyva

Amnesty International last week called for "urgent action" on behalf of three imprisoned siblings, who their mother says are in poor health after starting hunger strikes on March 7 to demand their freedom.

Twin sisters Anairis and Adairis Miranda Leyva, their brother, Fidel Manuel Batista Leyva and their mother Maydolis Leyva Portelles, all well known anti-Castro activists in the city of Holguin, were arrested Nov. 27 for leaving their home during a period of official mourning. In January, they were convicted for "public disorder" and "defaming institutions, organizations and heroes and martyrs of the Republic of Cuba," and each sentenced to one year in prison.

The mother was allowed to serve her time under house arrest, but her children were taken into custody on March 7 to begin their sentences. That same day, they started hunger strikes to demand their freedom.

Amnesty International, which has designated all four members as "prisoners of conscience" has more:

The siblings are currently being held in three separate hospitals in critical condition. Doctors informed their mother that Adairis is at risk of a heart attack and that Fidel is urinating blood; and that all have lost significant weight. On her last hospital visit, Maydolis Leyva Portelles says that she was asked to sign a document which would authorize doctors to force feed her three children, which she refused to do. She told Amnesty International, I dont want any of my children to die, but I want to respect their wishes. All three siblings and their mother are prisoners of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Martinoticias has more about the family here and here.

Amnesty International has information here about how you appeal on the family's behalf to the Castro dictatorship.
King Mohammed VI has launched on Saturday the final stage of the Noor Ouarzazate solar power complex, which will become the worlds largest when completed in 2018.

The new project, Noor Ouarzazate IV, has a capacity of 72 MW and requires an investment worth over 750 million dirhams. It uses photovoltaic technology, which makes it possible to produce electrical energy directly from the solar radiation captured by semi-conductor cells.

The solar energy project mirrors the Moroccan rulers willingness to optimize the exploitation of the countrys natural resources, preserve its environment, promote its economic and social development and ensure a bright future for upcoming generations.

The Kings keen interest in promoting renewable energy projects also reflects his desire to enhance Moroccos expertise in an innovative technology that will benefit both Morocco and the African continent as a whole.

Besides, the Noor Ouarzazate solar energy complex is in line with Moroccos international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its target to increase the share of renewable energies in the national electricity mix to 52 pc by 2030.

The Noor Ouarzazate IV power station, scheduled to start operating in the first quarter of 2018, will be developed as part of a partnership between the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) and a consortium of private operators led by the Saudi group ACWA POWER.

The German Development Bank, KfW Bankengruppe, is contributing a 659 million dirham-financing to the project.

Noor Ouarzazate is made up of four multi-technology solar power stations, developed in full compliance with international standards, both at the technological and environmental levels, and encompasses a research and development platform covering more than 150 hectares.

The works of Noor II and Noor III power stations were launched in February 2016.

Noor II plant, with a capacity of 200 MW, is based on solar therm-solar technology, with cylindrical parabolic sensors.

Noor III plant is using a solar power tower having a 150 MW capacity.

Noor Ouarzazate II, III and IV, combined with Noor Ouarzazate I (160 MW) that started operating in February 2016, make of Noor Ouarzazate the largest multi-technology solar production site in the world that will provide electricity for 1.1 million people. By 2020, the project that will have required a total investment of 24 billion dirhams, will allow an annual saving in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 3.7 million tons of CO2.
The fifth annual Deutscher Family Memorial Run4Change will take place April 22 at the Sertoma Club Community Center and Park Trails, near the amusement park.

In 2015, the event moved from Fargo to Bismarck with more than 400 participants. The run is in memory of Aaron, Allison, Brielle and Baby Deutscher, who were killed by a drunk driver on July 6, 2012.

After event expenses, proceeds will be returned to the community through grants for training, education and outreach to address the consequences associated with drinking and driving.

Run4Change is an event for the whole family. Welcome begins at 8:30 a.m. with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Miss North Dakota Macy Christianson as featured speakers. Christianson's platform is, You decide the road ahead. Dont drink and drive.

The 10K run is at 9 a.m., 5K run/walk at 9:15 a.m., 1K Bubble run at 10 a.m. Registration fees are $30 for the 10K and 5K events and $15 for the 1K run. Online registration is available at www.raceroster.com and www.ndrun.org. Registration also is available from noon to 5 p.m. April 21 and from 7 to 9 a.m. April 22 at the Sertoma Community Center. For more information, visit www.ndrun.org.
THE TRUE COST OF ALL THAT 'CHEAP' LABOR 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.
BUTTE  One Montana company is hoping to harness the power of big data to become more competitive on the national stage.

Months after announcing its intention to compete against Panera by adding more bakeries to its franchised locations, Dillon-based Great Harvest Bread Co. has tapped analytics firm Buxton to study the growth potential of its new bakery model.

Mike Ferretti  company chairman and chief executive officer  told Montana Lee Newspapers recently that Great Harvest launched the initiative with the Texas-based firm to zero in on areas where adding new locations makes the most sense.

And Great Harvest could use the knowledge that Buxton says it can deliver.

The Dillon-based company, which boasts more than 220 locations nationwide, plans to expand in the Northeast, which Ferretti said represents just 5 percent of the Great Harvest footprint.

To find out which areas have the most potential for growth, Buxton will study what makes a Great Harvest great.

According to Buxton Senior Vice President Stephen Polanski, a study from the Texas-based firm involves more than just conjecture. Instead it involves looking at massive amounts of consumer data the company acquires from debit- and credit-card companies and companies that collect information on web-browsing habits, among other providers.

Like it or not, your cellphone may know more about you than you do.

Consumers leave a data trail on a daily basis, Polanski explained, noting that consumer data can come from everything from browsing the web to making a purchase at your local grocery store.

Polanski described the amount of data available today as through the roof, and noted that Buxton is the largest aggregator of data in the country.

But data isnt worth much unless you know what to do with it, and thats where the analytics comes in.

Its basically a big data model, Polanski said, explaining that Buxton uses the data to look for correlations between successful business locations and thousands of variables, ranging from psychographic data  which includes things like the age, lifestyle and gender of nearby consumers  to the impact of nearby businesses.

The company zeros in on the most statistically significant variables for each client and generates a custom model that their clients can access on a data-visualization platform called SCOUT. Polanski added that the model is dynamic and can accommodate variables that change over time, such as consumer behavior.

As for Great Harvest, company leaders will be able to view a SCOUT map that displays areas of the greatest growth potential, in addition to other kinds of information. Polanski said the tool will allow the Dillon-based company to better understand who the Great Harvest customer is and zero in on places where look-alike costumers reside. Franchise owners will also be given an LSMx tool  a new marketing platform from Buxton  to execute marketing campaigns and drive traffic to stores based on analytics.

With consumer analytics in hand and the launching of the companys new bakery cafe concept, Great Harvest hopes it can expand in a knowledgeable way.

But having a cafe in your local Great Harvest may not sound like a groundbreaking concept to most Montanans.

Ferretti said most Big Sky locations already have cafes, including the Butte location, which he said was the first Great Harvest to have seating and offer sandwiches.

Its as much a restaurant as it is a bakery, said Ferretti.

But now, he said, the company plans to take the cafe concept to a more formal level.

As Great Harvest expands into the Northeast, Ferretti said, the company will be branching out in to areas that tend to have more expensive real estate, requiring the company to get more bang for its buck with each new location.

The more we go into bigger cities  the more efficient we have to be with our layout, Ferretti explained. We have to be able to get more sales dollars per square foot than weve been able to get in the past.

In other words, locations can draw more dollars per square foot if they have cafes in them.

Great Harvest has been known as a company that encourages franchisees to personalize their business and cater to local tastes. The Montana Standard asked if this culture would continue and, more importantly, whether the Butte location will still have povitica during the holidays.

We still want individual locations to be able to reflect the look and feel of their individual owners, said Ferretti.

(But) what were trying to do is do that in a way thats efficient and profitable, he continued, noting that the company will take much tighter control over the production side of the business.

And yes, Ferretti said, the Butte location will still offer povitica during the holidays.

Although the Buxton study isnt underway yet, Ferretti gave a sneak preview of what he believes makes a successful Great Harvest.

Ferretti said having quality product is key, but what is perhaps just as important is the ability of business owners to connect with the community.

Its a matter of how you present yourself, how you market yourself, said Ferretti. What further differentiates (locations) is a fun, happy atmosphere  its service and advertising.

Polanski, meanwhile, advocated for a more nuanced perspective of location, location, location.

In the past its always been spoken about as number one, said Polanski, explaining that its more important to find the right type of customers and seek them out than focusing just on location.

Where they live, where they work, where they play, he said.

As for Ferretti, he said that his advice for business owners is to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to use this knowledge to concentrate on what they do well and to hire individuals to fill in the gaps.

He added that people should expect to see more Great Harvest locations in the Northeast starting in 2018.
The disintegration of the European Union has begun.

On March 29, British Prime Minister Theresa May triggered two-year exit negotiations that will reverse six decades of ever-closer union between previously divided and often warring European nations.

Two years is a highly ambitious timetable to reach agreement on ways to dissolve the extensive and intricate ties that have woven Europe and the UK ever more tightly together since 1973, when Britain joined the European common market (precursor to the EU). Yet that is the period specified in the EUs treaty for countries wishing to leave the union, subject to extension only by a unanimous vote of the remaining 27 EU members.

Why does Europes breakup matter to us in America?

Born from the ashes of World War II, the EU has not only helped fuel European prosperity, but also helped secure the longest period of peace in Europes history. Today, Europe is Americas largest trade and investment partner, shares our democratic values, and has been a strong ally in addressing common security challenges.

But the EUs success in binding countries closer together economically, politically and socially also has bred growing popular discontent and increased resistance to its centralized rule-making and highly bureaucratic nature.

EU leaders failure to deal successfully with a number of highly charged issues  from recurring Euro currency crises to slow growth and the worst refugee crisis since World War II  has further weakened popular support.

What can we expect from Brexit?

In the short term, we can expect many months of high-stakes bargaining and positioning as UK and EU negotiators seek to strike the best deal possible for their own side. It wont be easy.

EU members have made it clear they wont let the UK have its cake and eat it too  walking away from those aspects of EU membership it doesnt like, such as unrestricted immigration for EU citizens, while keeping full access to EU markets for British exporters and investors.

The net result will be great uncertainty for all firms doing business in or with the UK. Many British, American, and Japanese businesses and banks already are considering moving operations and workers to the continent.

Millions of expatriate European and British citizens living and working in the other parties jurisdictions will be in legal limbo, uncertain whether they and their families will be allowed to remain where they are.

Brexit also could lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom itself.

Scotlands leader wants to pursue a second referendum to ask voters  who strongly favor remaining with the EU  whether they wish to remain within the United Kingdom, if doing so means leaving the EU. And Northern Ireland residents fear theyll face a new customs border with the rest of Ireland  an EU member  if the UK departs.

We can expect longer-term changes as well.

Even as Europes leaders met March 25 in Rome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the EUs founding treaty, some top leaders are openly talking about a two-speed Europe  allowing those countries wishing to pursue closer cooperation to do so (on a common defense force, for example), while allowing other countries to remain outside this core group.

Such an approach would represent a dramatic change in the EUs history. But it also would reflect the new reality  that a large share of Europes public no longer supports the continuing transfer of power from national governments to the EU in Brussels.

Frances upcoming presidential election pitting a far-right, anti-EU party against splintered mainstream parties will determine the future of Europe and its grand experiment in ever-closer union. And Russian meddling, both overt and covert, is already evident.

In his speech commemorating the EUs 60th anniversary, EU Council President Donald Tusk recalled his life in Gdansk, Poland, which was built up over the centuries but destroyed in days by German forces.

His words are worth pondering.

I lived behind the Iron Curtain for more than half of my life, where it was forbidden to even dream about (Europes values of freedom, dignity, democracy and independence).

Yes, back then, that really was a two-speed Europe. And that is why today I have the right to loudly repeat this simple truth: that nothing in our life is granted forever  that to build a free world requires time, great effort and sacrifice. This is why it was achieved in so few places on Earth. And yet we made it.

To destroy such a world is very easy. It only takes a short moment. As it happened once, with my Gdansk.
The war in Laos (1961-1975) brought the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and Hmong together as allies when the agency engaged the Hmong to fight the North Vietnamese and the Communist Pathet Lao.

Author Joshua Kurlantzick has written an authoritative account of the conflict and explains how it set the pattern for later CIA covert military actions, such as the first American operations into Afghanistan. In his view, the war in Laos gave the agency an opportunity to expand its role via its new paramilitary arm.

Kurlantzick, who has written extensively about Southeast Asia, backs up his conclusions with recently declassified material and many, many interviews in a clear narrative that very occasionally is overwhelmed by the compact style of a dedicated researcher.

The secret military operation was launched on then-President Dwight Eisenhowers fear that if Laos fell to communism, then all of Southeast Asia would follow  what baby boomers may recall as the Domino Theory. But the initial goal to maintain a democratic, governable Laos changed as the Southeast Asian conflict expanded.

Many American leaders began to see the operation as less about saving Laos and more as a means to kill and maim North Vietnamese, and thus help the war effort in Vietnam, the author writes.

Kurlantzick organizes the book around four individuals:

 Vang Pao, the Hmong general for whom the author has great regard, while acknowledging when the generals goals exceeded his grasp.

 Two CIA lifers who loathed each others company, case officer Bill Lair and paramilitary officer Tony Poe. Lair believed in the Hmong as a fighting force and pitched the idea in Washington, D.C., while Poe trained the Hmong and fought beside them.

 U.S. ambassador Bill Sullivan, who took over command as the war grew. Sullivan favored the CIA role but did not care to work with the American military. As the author notes, Using his influence in the Johnson administration, Sullivan made sure that this colonel, who had four times the wartime experience as Sullivan and the CIA station chief together, could not even reside in Laos. The Army colonel remained in Bangkok.

Kurlantzick also provides a sense of the wars scale ($500 million per year in 1970 dollars) and the extent of the bombing (an attack every eight minutes for almost a decade). Tens of thousands of lives were lost  Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese, and Thai among them, he notes.

Historians, particularly those who enjoy military history, will find the book compelling, but it is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to more fully understand our government and how its policies evolve.
Fiddle fans and music lovers are welcome to come enjoy old dance tunes, whirling waltzes and groovy jigs when the library hosts an educational folk music concert featuring fiddle music from the Metis and Nordic traditions with musicians Jamie Fox and Kristian Bugge on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room.

Bugge, who is from Denmark, is widely considered a master of traditional Danish music and was awarded Folk Musician of the Year at the Danish Music Awards in 2016. Fox, who is from Montana, is one of the most well-known young players of Metis fiddle music, which is mired in a tradition crossing ties of Celtic, French and Native American music cultures. Their contrast in approach and style helps to create a complex and sundry sound that should appeal to a wide variety of music fans. Together, Bugge and Fox perform groovy and warming set that interchanges between each performers strengths. Please join us for this entertaining night of fiddle music, which will feature an educational component that will explore the culture of these folk music styles.

***

Appraisal fair set for April 9

Find out if your great grandmas doll collection is full of treasures or tchotchkes when The Friends of Missoula Public Library hosts its sixth annual Appraisal Fair, which occurs on Sunday, April 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.in the librarys Large Meeting Room.

This Antiques Roadshow-style appraisal event features expert appraisers from across Montana who will help assess the value of your items for just $10 per item, or $15 for two items. There is no limit to the amount of items you can have appraised, and anything that might be of value can be brought to the fair. The appraisers include Lochlan Gordon, who specializes in appraising clocks, documents and antique firearms. Other appraisers include Allen Rodgers, who specializes in jewelry and art, Andrea Merrill-Maker, who specializes in books, as well as Brian Mogren, who specializes in appraising dolls.

All proceeds from the appraisal fair will go to The Friends of Missoula Public Library, which helps support special yearly library needs. For additional questions, contact Karl Olson at 406-258-3851.

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Mac the Moose visits MPL

Mac the Moose, the mascot for the Missoula Parks & Recreation Department, will join MPLs Childrens Department for Storytime and Tiny Tales this week on Friday, April 7, at 10:30 a.m.

Mac will be here to talk about Missoulas new parks and ways to get outside and get active, and will help with the days Storytime and Tiny Tales themes of Get Out & Play!

For more information, call the Childrens Department at 406-721-BOOK (2665).

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Staff Reviews

Literary Wonderlands: A Journey Through the Greatest Fictional Worlds Ever Created by Laura Miller (Editor), Lev Grossman (Contributor), John Sutherland (Contributor), Tom Shippery (Contributor); Black Dog & Leventhal, 2016; Call number: 809.933 MILLER

What a charming and beautifully illustrated book! Literary Wonderlands spans four thousand years of storytelling, featuring nearly 100 of our beloved fictional kingdoms. Editor Laura Miller and her knowledgeable contributors have created a collection of our most cherished imagined worlds, complete with philosophies and meanings that can be gleaned from each literary opus. Each books abstract appears well-researched and includes information on the author and the books place in the literary world. The list of featured books is not exhaustive; actually, it is rather a unique selection of stories. I think Ill be referring to it time and again and can see the world-building phenomena becoming more and more of a discussion topic. This is a fascinating read for literature lovers, with detailed overviews of the plots; however, the hundreds of pieces of original artwork and cartography make this an exquisite picture book to keep all readers enchanted.

Reviewed by Annie Alger

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MakerSpace Offerings

Computer Electronics

Mondays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

Monday Night Jewelry Workshop (meets upstairs in the library directors office)

Mondays from 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Open Hours

Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Community Creative Writing Workshop

Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Watercolor Painting Class

Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room.

Open to adults ages 18 and older. Bring your own watercolor paper, paints, brushes, and palette. For questions, call Robert at 406-258-3867 and leave a message.

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Computer Classes

Computer Fundamentals

Monday, April 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Learn about the various components of a computer, including managing your desktop, and how to open programs.

My iPad and My iPhone

Wednesday, April 5, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

An introductory class for iPad and iPhone users who would like to become more comfortable with their devices.

Registration is required to attend MPLs computer classes. Please call 406-721-BOOK (2665) to secure your spot.
We do not accept unsolicited submissions. American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2016 by Don Thompson, Oak Grove Cemetery, from The Cortland Review, (Issue 66, 2016). Poem reprinted by permission of Don Thompson and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2017 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
Two days into a three-day blizzard, cabin fever was setting in for Randy Brousseau of Kidder County. He was huddled under the blankets with his family trying to stay warm without power when he got the call. A farmer was having a heart attack.

From the looks of the storm raging outside, Brousseau, a member of the countys volunteer ambulance crew, thought there was no way they could go anywhere. But they tried anyway.

Tuesday marks the anniversary of the 97 blizzard that dumped as much as 2 feet of snow in some areas and brought Bismarck's seasonal snowfall total to more than 100 inches.

The first week of April 1997 had given people hope for spring after having been ravaged by nearly 10 blizzards that season. Temperatures were in the 60s that Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

But late that night, things took a turn for the worst.

By Saturday afternoon, April 5, heavy snow was falling across the state, with accumulations on average of 1.5 to 2 inches an hour, according to National Weather Service reports. Sixteen inches fell at Jamestown and New Salem, 17 at Bismarck and Center, 18 at Dickinson and Washburn, 20 at Hebron, Carson and New England, 22.5 at Mott and 24 inches at Bowman. Winds blew 50 to 60 mph, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes.

Ranchers would be hit hard. An estimated 100,000 head of cattle  10 percent of the state's heard  was lost, mostly calves and yearlings. As a result of the carnage, the North Dakota National Guard used bulldozers to dig pits and bury the carcasses en masse.

The storms precipitation marked the beginning of the end for the already saturated Red River Valley. The river went over the dike in Grand Forks on April 18, flooding the region.

An estimated 75,000 homes were without power for sometime over the weekend as a 345-kilovolt line from Basin's Antelope Valley power plant tripped and couldn't be restored until the following Monday. In eastern North Dakota, the storm knocked over 540 of Minnkota Power's poles and nixed power to 70 distribution substations. And a coal mine crew in Mercer county was stranded in their dragline.

Interstates 94 and 29 and all other major highways in the state were closed.

We knew we were supposed to get some bad weather but not to that extent, said Brousseau, who had gone out in storms previously after joining the ambulance crew 20 years earlier.

This time, two plows led the way and the ambulance crew kept its eyes on the taillights. It would take 10 hours to reach the man.

Visibilty was so bad, Brousseau said

At one point, a wrong turn was made and the plows got stuck.

A farmer led the ambulance the rest of the way to the farmyard. When the snow got too deep, the farmer hooked onto the ambulance and pulled it the rest of the way into the yard. Brousseau said the rest of the rescue went smoothly and the patient was stable all the way to the hospital in Bismarck.

Hard on the herd

What made (the '97 blizzard) significant was everyone was calving, said rancher Melvin Leland.

On the western border of North Dakota, where his father homesteaded 106 years ago and Leland still ranches today, there wasnt much he and his family could do to prepare for the storm. Their cows were turned out on the range to have their calves and the Lelands relied on natural protection.

A couple calves had been born the night before the storm hit. By the time Leland was able to check on them, they had been buried in a 12-to-15-foot snow drift. Another calf that had gotten disoriented stood frozen to death in its tracks.

The Lelands lost eight to 10 calves to the storm. Others in the state lost more. As a result of that experience, the Lelands built a storm shelter in the pasture.

Over the following days, Leland said it was hard to get around, even with a front-wheel assist tractor. He would plow through to deliver a load of hay and the wind would blow the snow back in behind him.

Leland usually checked cows every couple of hours during calving season, but, when the weather was that bad, he often was forced to stay out without much rest.

"Any farmer or rancher knows what I'm talking about," he said of the need to do whatever they had to do to get through it and care for the animals

Julie Ellingson, a rancher and executive director of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association, had gone to Dickinson to help plan the Junior Beef Expo. When she left Bismarck, it had been a day very much like this past Friday. With spring starting to show, many ranchers had moved their cattle out of the feedlots and onto early spring grass.

It wasnt until Ellingson and her husband got to New Salem on their way back east that the weather started to turn and roads iced over. They had contemplated staying the night, but luckily they kept going.

Ellingson and her husband had a small herd at the time. When they checked on their yearling bulls that Saturday morning, they saw the windbreak in the corrals completely filled with snow.

Our hearts sunk when we thought (the cattle) were covered, she said, but the herd had found a place to huddle near the water. None were lost. "The winds were so incredible.

She and her husband held hands walking through the yard to keep from being blown away from one another.

I couldnt see him but could feel him, she said.

Ellingson said her parents have often compared storms to another record blizzard in 1966.

For me and my generation, 97 is one thats hard to beat, she said. That April storm was one to remember. Its 20 years later, and I still feel the wind on my cheeks.
The term employee-friendly building is something that Bruce Kramer, the vice chairman of Consumer Direct Care Network, likes to use to describe the companys shiny new 72,000-square-foot headquarters in Missoula.

With no administrative offices in the corners of the four-story building so that more people can enjoy natural light, a huge second-story rooftop deck, and a special Liquid Planet coffee/snack lounge, the $23 million project was designed with the input of the companys 235 workers who will begin calling it home in April.

Weve made a lot of investment in employee-centered spaces, Kramer explained on a recent tour of the new facility, which has been under construction for 19 months.

Weve had a program of communication since we started on this, he continued. We started involving employees two years ago and the excitement has been building.

Right now, Consumer Directs Missoula employees are spread over five different locations across town.

Thats the genesis of, Why should we have a new building? Well, so we can get together and work more efficiently and work with our other teams and then also have facilities that we werent able to have when we were all spread out, Kramer said.

Consumer Direct Care Network was founded in Missoula in 1990 to provide in-home nursing care. Since then, its range of services has expanded in both scope and size to include a broad spectrum of services in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

We are an in-home care service provider primarily, but we also do behavioral counseling and hospice and other services, Kramer said. Primarily, our business is caregivers going into homes and helping support people with ADL, active daily living. The idea is to keep people in their homes versus going to an assisted living nursing home. Their home is the least costly environment and also the environment that people tend to want to live in, anyway.

The ground floor of the new headquarters will include a reception area and spaces for behavioral specialists, nurses, hospice workers and caregivers. The second through fourth floors will house employees who support the Montana offices and other offices across the country. They specialize in quality improvement, billing, administrative, development, marketing and accounts receivable.

The company provides services to 16,000 individuals across the United States, and employs more than 25,000 direct support professionals. The Missoula offices support more than 300 employees total, although not all of them have actual desks in the office.

The new building is located at 100 Consumer Direct Way, and is one of the first anchor businesses in the North Reserve/Scott Street Urban Renewal District.

Kramer says the companys bankers used to joke with him that the graph of the number of the companys employees on payroll is always a straight diagonal line going up  meaning the employee numbers steadily grow every year.

Weve been a growing business and continue to be a growing business, he said. So weve built a little larger than we are obviously so we have some room to expand.

In fact, the companys state director Katie Spaid pointed out that the new reception area has three dedicated spaces for potential hires to fill out job applications.

Were always looking for good people to hire, she said. Nurses, she added, are in high demand, along with a variety of other positions for qualified applicants.

Marie Wilson of In2itive Architecture in Missoula designed the building. She said it is one of the largest projects shes ever been involved with, besides some new additions on the Montana State University campus.

The clients definitely wanted to create some interesting and flexible workspaces within the building, she said. We achieved that (with) both inside and outside seating areas. We have one of the largest outdoor rooftop decks, right now, in the state.

Wilson said employees actually had a say in how the building looks and feels.

The outside went through two completely different concepts, she said. One that was very modern and one that was very traditional, that would have fit in in Vail or Boulder or somewhere like that pretty comfortably. And these guys, Consumer Direct, polled a large portion of their staff not just for the spaces they were going to be using but also for where did they want to come to work every day? I dont know if it was the majority but definitely they landed on the modern side. So thats the direction we took and had a little bit of fun with it.

Kramer is especially proud of the fact that, unlike in many corporate office buildings, the administrators didnt get all the choice corner space.

We have no offices in the corner, he said. We intentionally did that with the design to try to have an employee-friendly building with lots of light coming in to the center core.

The building features a raised floor system that allows for low-pressure air circulation and easy access to electrical and plumbing structures.

There will be a grand opening this spring, Kramer added. The company has been giving tours to employees, and the first few will move in the first week of April.

People are excited, he said.
Jane Doe drove home from McCormick Park and showered  twice.

She wanted every trace of him gone  the dirt, the smell that would linger in her nostrils for days, triggering the memory over and over again. After showering, she sat on the couch and cried, in shock. Her kids would come home soon. They'd wonder about her puffy, red-rimmed eyes.

She wasn't ready to confront what happened to her, nor to share it with her family. But as is the nature of sexual assault, Jane Doe's life was out of her hands. Shed be swept through a 15-month odyssey of interrogations, interviews, a jury trial and news articles that, without naming her, nonetheless gave easy clues to her identity.

Shed be asked repeatedly to recount the details of the assault in front of 12 strangers responsible for deciding whether her assailant was guilty; whether her story was true.

Even though hers is a legal success story  her assailant was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 20 suspended  many sexual assault victims experiences are so grueling that such perseverance can feel impossible. Despite recent improvements in Missoula's treatment of assault cases, a combination of factors including rape myths, media coverage and ineffective interview tactics continue to minimize convictions. Most cases never make it to a courtroom. (See accompanying statistics.)

Those who do report their rape rarely see satisfying results. After spending months trying to convict her rapist, Jane Doe wrote a statement addressing her attacker that captures the betrayal she felt from the justice system:

"How awful it is to know that, as your victim, I was going to be revictimized by the system that was supposed to protect me from you, but instead protected you."

A life of service

A dedicated Christian, Jane Doe for years has spent her free time serving meals to the homeless, leading Girl Scout troops and organizing events for Montana's veterans. The 50-year-old mother of two has a gentle voice, just above a whisper, and wears glasses that magnify her blue eyes, one of which is blind.

In fall 2012, she started volunteering at the Day Center, a Union Gospel Mission affiliate that provides meals for the homeless.

"I would pray with people, visit with people, see what their needs were, listen to them," she said.

One man stood out to her as a particularly hopeless case, homeless and with apparent mental health issues. She felt God compelled her to talk with him. She believed he could have a better life.

Soon the man, Nathaniel Lake, then 34, showed signs of improvement. He was cleaner, and eating more frequently. By summer 2014, he moved into an apartment.

"To us, it just looked like a miracle in the making," Jane Doe said.

But soon afterward, his actions toward Jane Doe turned violent. He shoved and groped her twice. She told his caseworker, who suggested she go to the police. But Jane Doe didn't want Lake to lose his progress. Legal action, she thought, would do more harm than good.

She decided to communicate less with Lake, and avoided being alone with him. He left threatening messages on her office phone and  when she warned him to stop  her cellphone.

In August 2015, Jane Doe obtained a restraining order. Lake returned to the streets.

Broken contract

Two months later, they ran into each other at McCormick Park on subsequent days. According to the restraining order, Lake was supposed to leave. Instead, he approached her, but Jane Doe didn't feel in danger.

"I was kind of impressed with how peaceful he looked for being homeless again," she recalled.

He approached her a second time, apologizing for his voicemails and his temper.

That next day, she decided to confront him, to say she couldnt help him anymore, and to implore him to move on in life, so she could do the same.

"That's when he raped me."

'You own this'

Jane Doe, a runner, had developed plantar fasciitis, an inflamed tissue in her foot. On Oct. 12, on crutches, she returned to McCormick Park, looking for Lake, for closure. She found him by the river, and hobbled down an embankment to sit with him.

"Don't look for me down here anymore," she told him.

Lake's expression changed. He squeezed her injured foot, watching her wince, and Jane Doe realized that she was in trouble. Lake yanked her glasses off and covered her eyes, sitting on top of her legs, immobilizing her, she said. He forced her face into his armpit. Weeks would pass before that smell, "like rotting flesh, escaped her nose.

He pinned her against a log and sexually assaulted her, according to charging documents.

Three people walked along the river path above them, she said. Her mind called out, but she froze, and couldn't scream.

When Lake finished, his face was free of remorse. She'd remember that expression well.

"You own this," she told him.

I have to live with it, but you own it."

The birth of Jane Doe

After the assault, anonymity and shame shrouded her former self  the one who loved to sing and run and volunteer.

For the next year, a new person, "Jane Doe," took over. Jane Doe was 35 pounds heavier, cried uncontrollably, and was terrified of walking outside alone. Each night, she relived the assault in nightmares.

The name "Jane Doe," by which court documents identified her, came to represent her struggle, robbing her of her voice, her name.

The day after the assault, Jane Doe tried to go to work. She thought her absence would raise suspicion. But she cried all day, and couldnt finish any task.

"I went, but I wasn't really there," she said.

Jane Doe felt responsible for what happened to her. Guilt and fear silenced her desperation for help. She worried her family would blame her, that she'd lose her kids. But later that day, she decided to report the assault, knowing if she didn't do it then, she probably never would.

Alone, she went to the Crime Victim Advocate Program, whose staffers notified the police, initiating the investigation process.

A friend accompanied Jane Doe to First Step Resource Center for a rape exam. On the way, Jane Doe called her husband, who was out of town. She didn't know what to say. The miles between them made it worse.

"How do you tell your husband on the telephone that you've been raped?"

The first step

First Step is the first place victims are encouraged to go after they're assaulted. Trained nurses help victims through their initial trauma, tending to physical and psychological injuries and conducting forensic interviews and examinations.

Programs like First Step emerged in the 1970s to combat poor victim treatment in hospitals. Staff werent trained to look for psychological injury, only physical. In reality, only about 16 percent of rape victims suffer serious physical injury, according to the National Institute of Justice.

To preserve DNA evidence, victims are urged not to shower, wash their clothes, or urinate after their assault. Jane Doe did the opposite. After her assault, she wanted to feel clean.

At First Step, she initially declined a full physical examination, only returning days later to have her cuts and bruises photographed. In court, her nurse testified that such invasive procedures are commonly refused by traumatized victims.

Jane Doe also said that when interviewed by police, she was confused over the legal definition of penetration, a factor that led to the charge of attempted sexual intercourse without consent.

That confusion, along with the shower, and her reluctance about the First Step examination, would be used against her at trial.

"What are you hiding?" the defense would ask.

Barriers to reporting: media

The day after Jane Doe spoke to police, media outlets published stories that unintentionally identified her.

The Missoula police withheld the victim's name, as is standard, but told a reporter that the woman was trying to help her assailant "get his life back on track," information that also came out in Lake's initial court appearance, which was covered by the press. Jane Doe was well known in Missoula for her volunteer work, and some people connected the dots.

Within hours, Jane Doe started receiving Facebook messages and phone calls, asking if she was the woman in the story. She still hadnt told her kids what happened to her, but the news of her assault spread.

"I felt very exposed," Jane Doe said. "And I felt betrayed. My anonymity, I felt, had been stripped.

Missoulian editor Kathy Best said the editorial staff routinely has conversations about how to avoid inadvertently identifying rape and incest victims.

"We try to strike a balance that protects the rights of the accused just as much as we protect the rights of the victim when were writing about sexual assault," Best said.

SARC

After the article was published, Jane Doe sought counseling at the Student Advocacy Resource Center (SARC) at the University of Montana. She met with a clinical intern, who gave her a book called "The Rape Recovery Handbook."

"I really needed something concrete to help me understand everything that was going on inside of me. I had a lot of anger and resentment and self-blame going on, and just a lot of really horrible raw pain. Sometimes I would just go in there and cry."

The handbook helped her persevere through suicidal thoughts. It saved her life, she said.

Trial

Assistant Chief Deputy Missoula County Attorney Suzy Boylan prepared Jane Doe well for trial.

"What happens if you hear the words 'not guilty?'" she asked.

Jane Doe decided that her healing would not depend on the outcome of the case.

"It's this warrior woman inside of me that's kind of standing up," Jane Doe said, raising her fist defiantly.

The trial began Aug. 31. Jane Doe testified for 12 hours over two days. To calm her nerves, she squeezed a small stone engraved with the word pray, in one hand. In the other, she held a blue button from her crime victim advocate.

The defense tried to discredit her story. They drew from Facebook messages, emails, phone records and tax returns, she said. They asked her if she was "flattered" by Lake's attention. They questioned the stability of her marriage.

Only one jury member needed to believe that Jane Doe was responsible for what happened to her.

Often, rape myths are a defense attorney's best friend. Such myths may derive from the seemingly counterintuitive behavior victims exhibit during and after an assault, such as freezing during the attack or being unable to remember it clearly afterward. But new research shows that those behaviors are normal. Like soldiers returning from war, sexual assault victims experience flashbacks, fractured memories and PTSD.

The defense assassinated her character, Jane Doe said of her time on the stand.

"It's right up there with what he did to me.

When Jane Doe stepped off the stand, she left the courtroom for the rest of the trial. Those 12 hours took her back to the riverbank and kept her there. She relived, in painstaking detail, the day she had worked months to move beyond.

After six days of trial over a two-week period, the jury began its deliberations. Within three hours, they convicted Lake of attempted sexual intercourse without consent. But the process wasnt over. Lakes sentencing hearing would take place on March 27, 2017.

RIP Jane Doe

On the anniversary of the assault  after the trial, but nearly five months before the sentencing hearing  Jane Doe went back to the river where Lake raped her. Accompanied by her advocate, she sifted through the stones along the riverbank. She picked one up and knocked it on the ground to remove the dirt that clung to one side.

It broke in half, revealing a smooth interior. She pulled a paint pen from her pocket, and inscribed a message on the rocks flat surface.

"Goodbye Jane Doe. October 12, 2015-October 12, 2016. RIP"

She reached her arm back, and threw it in the river.

"That's where she was born," she said. "And that's where she needed to die."

Reclaimed identity

On the morning of last week's sentencing hearing, Lake entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit with his ankles and wrists shackled. He sat across the room from Jane Doe, and stared in her direction.

Boylan called Jane Doe to the stand to read her victim impact statement.

After first addressing the judge, Jane Doe turned and looked at Lake.

"Hello, I'm Jane Doe.

"Jane exists because you stole my name. She's the faceless woman who lives with deep pain. She lost her song for weeks not daring to utter anything but sobs.

"Hello, I'm Jane Doe.

"I spent the first three months crying so much that the skin under my eyes was raw. I never used to have bags under my eyes but I sure do now. I struggled every day just to get out of bed and go through each day as if nothing had happened. I despised each breath I took because that meant I was still here to live with the memories of what you did to me that day."

After pages of pain, at the end of her statement, Jane Doe set herself free.

"Hello, my name is no longer Jane Doe. Rest in peace, Jane.

Hello, my name is strength.

Hello, my name is dignity.

Hello, my name is courage.

Hello, my name is Barb Jenkins, and you did not succeed in destroying me."

Lucy Tompkins is a University of Montana journalism student and a Missoulian summer intern.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correctly reflect the sentence given Lake.
MILLTOWN  The feels the same, what with those familiar animal heads under Plexiglas on the front wall and an aura of dark escape from the world that rattles by outside.

But you cant say the historic neighborhood bar formerly known as Harolds Club has reopened.

Its really repurposed, said Mark Wildung, the lodge administrator. Its now Milltown Moose Lodge 2714.

That became official Feb. 22, when papers were signed with Moose International to create its second lodge in Missoula County.

On Saturday, with no intentional connection to April Fools Day, the new lodge opened its old doors to the general public for a one-day open house.

Harolds Club closed for good in September 2015, when Karen Keeley retired after more than 20 years of running it and sold the liquor license to the newly renovated Wilma Theater in Missoula.

The 17-month hiatus is one of the longest for this building since river man Fred Thibodeau opened the Thibodeau Brothers Midway Bar with brother Bill in 1908.

Some things have changed. The Milltown Moose Lodge opens Wednesdays through Sundays at 2 p.m. Its a private club, which isn't a handle its blue-collar patrons wear comfortably.

That means its open to the all-male Moose Club and guests of any gender who are asked to sign in to a log book to protect our license, Wildung said.

Prospective members can patronize the lodge twice. It costs $20 for an application fee and annual dues of $45. Wildung said theres a whopping 123 men on the list so far.

"It's a community project, so it's not just good old boys trying to keep their water hole."

An affiliated Women of the Moose club is in the formative stage as we speak, he added.

Missoulas long-running Moose Lodge 556 and its Women of the Moose associates are still functioning fine out of the old 10th Street Tavern on Kemp Street, Wildung said.

He lives in the Bonner area and belonged to the Missoula lodge, but his attempt to persuade members to buy the larger Harolds Club building and move out of town was voted down. With help from the likes of area residents like Garold Crouch, Wildung began a campaign to establish the new lodge.

They were running against the wind.

Nationwide, more than two dozen Moose lodges closed their doors last year for lack of support. Wildung was told the Milltown lodge is the only new one in the United States.

I just hated to see ol Harolds die and go away, said Crouch, who grew up in nearby Piltzville and helped keep the bar in business for 40 years.

To be viable in the eyes of the Moose, the new club needed enough money to operate for the first three to six months. Membership dollars go to Moose International, so the community had to raise the start-up funds itself.

They did it over the past year with Friday night potluck dinners at Harolds.

Nothing huge, Wildung said. I think the shrimp dinner for $10 was the most we charged. But little by little we as a community got together and raised the money. There was no one big person who contributed.

It was made possible by Keeley, who still owns the building but was a guiding force for the Moose takeover.

We couldnt have fallen into a better deal, Crouch said. Karen Keeley just bent over backwards to make sure we would be able to get into it.

Through the cooperation of Karen, we were able to use it at no cost, Wildung said. She paid the power bill and everything. She in effect would have been the biggest donor to this cause.

The lodge signed a lease-purchase agreement for the two-story building on Jan. 1.

Even before they were official last fall, the Milltown Moose chipped in to help pay expenses for a Bonner School student who was burned in a house fire.

Theyll be teaming with Friends of Two Rivers and Outdoor Life Ministries to put on the annual Hellgate Lions Easter Egg hunt on April 15 after the area Lions Club folded.

Locally we'll support any cause, but we mainly function for the kids, Wildung said. Our emphasis out here is going to be on Clinton, Potomac, Milltown, Bonner, West Riverside ... those kinds of places.

As word gets out, the Moose hope to open their lodge doors to community events.

Well make it available for anyone who wants to use it. If the Boy Scouts want to hold meetings here, they can, said Wildung, adding a dividing wall can separate the social quarters from the back area.

The bar includes a full industrial kitchen which serviced a number of food businesses over the years, though Crouch said initially well probably throw in a couple of pizzas and hamburgers.

The kitchen will eventually come in most handy for community events, he figures.

Like other Moose organizations, the Milltown lodge supports Mooseheart and Moose Haven on a national basis.

Mooseheart, located on a 1,000-acre campus west of Chicago, is a home for children and teens in need. Moose Haven, in north Florida near Jacksonville, offers an independent living option to retired Moose members and spouses.

Money for those and local causes come mainly from proceeds of beer, wine and liquor sales at the Milltown lodge.

Wildung said as a fraternal order, the lodge paid the state application fees totaling $1,400 as well as an annual fee. But the all-beverage license itself comes no charge.

Christie Magill of the Department of Revenue said licenses for veterans or fraternal organizations arent subject to the quota limitations that other bars and taverns are. But they aren't transferable, either.

Harold's Club bore the name of its late long-time proprietor, Harold Herndon, who initially operated the bar as The Milltown Union Club (Laundromat & Cafe). That was the title of a poem from the early 1970s by Herndon's friend and faithful customer, Richard Hugo, who headed the University of Montana's creative writing program.

"You could love here ..." Hugo's tribute began.

Once again, you can.
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.  Benjamin Franklin

The Missoula League of Women Voters is sponsoring a film and issues forum on April 4: Cautionary Tales for a Nation: Trading Individual Liberties for Security in Times of War in the theater on the third floor of the University Center on the University of Montaa campus. The 5:15 p.m. screening features "Jailed for Their Words: When Free Speech Died in Wartime America," a documentary about Montanas Sedition Law of 1918 (co-produced by Gita Saedi Kiely and Clem Work). A two-hour forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring Jim Taylor, legal director of the Montana ACLU, and Clem Work, author and retired UM journalism professor. Topics will include the role of journalism, free expression and dissent in America, and the authority of the U.S. government to detain U.S. citizens without trial as "enemy combatants" (and developments in the law since Sept. 11). The event is co-sponsored by UM Students for Peace & Justice, and UM MSW Social Justice Action Network. MCAT will be recording it.

History shows that a national crisis followed by fear-based propaganda can inspire citizens to support military action, and trade guaranteed liberties for their own sense of security. During World War I, under Montanas Sedition Law, 78 innocent Montanans were scapegoated  sentenced, imprisoned, with most being forced to do hard labor for simple actions, such as an offhand comment or refusal to kiss the flag. During WWII, nearly 74,000 Japanese-American citizens suffered incarceration for years in 10 guarded camps, though innocent of crimes and denied due process. In 1988 the U.S. government apologized for "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.

The crisis of Sept. 11, 2001, ushered in the War on Terror, fueled for over 15 years by the images of the Twin Towers on the horrifying day we were attacked and nearly 3,000 died. Three days later, Congress granted President Bush broad military powers. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force is still in force. The War on Terror brought other changes home. Most citizens and members of Congress still seem to think that new laws since Sept. 11 that give government access to private records and communications are in our best interest - to keep us safe. But few citizens know the full extent to which current laws erode our freedoms.

Parts of the 2001 Patriot Act were found by courts to be unconstitutional. What remains still gives intelligence agencies and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act courts access to private information, outside congressional oversight. Other laws such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) serve to intimidate and punish journalists and whistleblowers who reveal government wrongdoing. Even ordinary citizens are vulnerable in the simple and innocent exercise of their First Amendment rights, as they can be detained, according to the NDAA. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley has been particularly articulate about the NDAAs threat to due process enshrined in our Constitution, meant to prevent our government from secretly arresting our citizens, throwing away the key, or otherwise framing the case against Americans.

Nationally, the League of Women Voters has weighed in on many changes regarding individual liberties since Sept. 11, trying to strike a balance between civil liberties and homeland security. But the league draws a very firm line in defense of citizens' rights guaranteed in the Constitution, including the right to due process. Our founders urged us to be ever vigilant in protection of our Constitution that protects us against enemies foreign and domestic. Please join us for the film, presentations and discussion on April 4.
After the debacle in Congress over repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, its time to stop calling it Obamacare. The American people now own it, and they clearly dont want it replaced, they just want it fixed.

As the process played out, politicians and pundits alike speculated about how the bills passage or failure would affect the mid-term elections, and which party would benefit the most. What I heard far too little about was how the greatest country on earth plans to improve the quality of health care for all of its citizens.

Improving the Affordable Care Act (Donald Trump promised something better) implies that any replacement or improvement must be both more affordable, and provide better care. The Ryan/Trump bill did neither  while handing out generous tax breaks to millionaires.

Thats one of the reasons Im backing Rob Quist for Montanas representative. Hes in tune with Montana values, and has a personal understanding of what it means to face devastating medical bills. I trust him to work for affordable health care for all Americans  with a voice that sounds exactly like Montana.

Russ Lawrence,

Hamilton
LIVINGSTON  Theres a combination Milk-Bones dispenser and water dish on the sidewalk just up the way. Over on the corner a man is taking advantage of the spring sunshine for an educational session teaching his young shepherd to sit before crossing the street.

Parked nearby is an early 2000s Subaru Outback  in parts of Montana considered the unofficial state vehicle  with at least two stickers on a rear window professing the drivers preference of canines over humans.

Theres no question, Livingston is a dog town. But starting last week one more place joined the list of spots where pups arent welcome, and some locals lament the change as another indicator their Montana way of life is dying.

Some even lob the blame for the change over the hill at Bozeman, their fast-growing, more urban neighbor. But, like almost all small-town gossip, theres more to the story.

The Murray Bar is a landmark, attached to the legendary Murray Hotel. The neon signs out front are Montana icons. Through the nondescript door the bar collects cowboys and college students, rich out-of-staters here to fly-fish and locals whove never lived outside of Park County. For more than 100 years, its been a place people go to grab a cold beer and hear a good band.

On Saturday, that included Trish Lingle and Scott Johnson, but not their dog, who was waiting out in the car.

Koda was looking at us going, What? This is the bar I can go in, Lingle said.

A bartender at the Murray that afternoon explained the bar stopped letting dogs in after a couple from Bozeman sent a letter to the health department that described the bar as a kennel.

Since then its been the talk of the town and around the rectangular bar top.

Everybodys got something to say, the bartender said. I kind of loved that we let dogs in here, but its not going to last forever.

Scott Carlstrom mourned the change. Hes lived here for 2  years and came to Montana originally because it felt the same, culture-wise, as the Minnesota of his childhood.

Its just all sorts of folks, mixing together, getting along, and thats what I like, he said. Another thing he likes was dogs at the bar.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. It was a part of the culture.

Talking about dogs getting 86ed, it didnt take long for Carlstrom to bring up Bozeman, the rapidly growing and far-more-urban college town of roughly 40,000  to Livingston's some-7,000  about 25 miles west of here up over the pass.

Were on different sides of the hill; its a different world was an often-echoed sentiment.

Carlstroms companion at the bar put it more bluntly: This aint Bozeman. And they can stay over there.

But casting this as the "big city with shiny condos popping up downtown" versus "the river-and-railroad town where kids ride bikes in the streets" isnt entirely fair, or accurate.

Canines were never allowed at the Murray, no matter where the patrons are from. Its a violation of their retail food license, according to Craig Caes, the director of environmental health at the Park City-County Health Department.

For years a small percentage of people have brought their dogs to downtown bars and owners dont want to turn away customers. The only dogs that can go into bars, per sanitation laws, are service animals. Its a health code violation and also poses a danger because people could trip over a leash or get bitten.

Caes said it got to the point where the local paper ran a front-page story last year to help the public understand. Still, even people who know they shouldnt bring their pets do. Caes hopes to get downtown establishments to all work together so the customers will adjust.

Tiffany Marxer, general manager of the Murray Bar and the attached Gil's Goods, plus the 2nd Street Bistro on the other side of the old Murray Hotel that anchors the corner of Park and Second, said it was always an unspoken policy: As long as your dog was behaved and stayed out of Gils it could come in.

Marxer has worked hard over the past few years to oversee major updates to the bar. Its more open and light, far more welcoming to families looking for a place to have lunch.

Its not necessarily the dark bar where you go to drink all day anymore, she said. We put a lot of work and money into the bar.

So when a couple came in, who happened to be from Bozeman, and dogs were fighting and jumping up on the bar and off leashes, they got upset. And rightfully so, Marxer said.

For a long time we bent the rules because we were one of those local bars where you could have your dogs.

But even ice is considered food, so dogs had to go. At first the bar posted an email explaining what happened below a sign announcing the ban, but locals got so out of hand over making it a Livingston-against-Bozeman issue she took the email down.

Its easy while on social media or leaning on the corner of a bar to write off what happened as an us-versus-them tale, but the two towns need each other, Marxer said.

The people who live in Bozeman are our friends, our family and a huge part of our economy, she said. It could have been anyone who complained. Its important to remember. I have family over there, I have friends over there. Theyre a big, huge part of our local economy.

That proved true on this mid-March Saturday.

Lingle and Johnson, among several in the bar bummed out over the absence of dogs, both came over for the afternoon from Bozeman.

On the other side of the bar locals joined in bemoaning.

It was nice when it was here, said Shay Taylor, who lives in Livingston and has three dogs. It adds character.

A woman named Elizabeth who grew up here and once even worked at the Murray said allowing dogs in bars was one of the things she loved.

These are the things that made this place special, the little charms.

But on Facebook, where the news spread like an August wildfire, many posted that dogs were disruptive, dirty and didnt belong.

Lingle, saying Livingston and Bozeman have always been dog-friendly, admitted it got a little crazy in here sometimes.

But if Koda was inside, Lingle said gesturing to the floor, shed just lay here.

Johnson agreed not all dogs are created equal.

Some people think their dog is great and it really isnt. But unless Koda was overstimulated or other dogs were bugging her, shed just curl up and lay at our feet.

The couple was right in saying Bozeman is dog-friendly, listing breweries and restaurants in that city where dogs are welcome out on the patio. That same afternoon a big muddy golden and lovable black Lab with a thing for a green Frisbee could be found in one of the bars in the town called not-so-affectionately by some Bozeangeles.

Back over in the dog-free Murray Bar, Lingle and Johnson joked about a way to get some pet companionship while they enjoyed microbrews.

We could start bringing a pet pig in here or having a pet cat, Lingle said.

Or," said Johnson, "maybe an iguana on a leash."
St. James Healthcare announced the recent election of board members, Karen Byrnes, Nancy Gibson, Brandy Jensen-Campbell, Cindy Sorich and Dorothy Dot Warner.

They join fellow community leaders and board members Bernie McCarthy, chair; Danette Gleason, vice chair, Brett Kamrud, secretary-treasurer; Francene Archibald; Marilyn Cameron; Shawn Dufford, M.D.; Sister Margaret Hogan; Sister Mary Jo Quinn; Rita Spear; and Todd Tregidga.

About the new members:

Karen Byrnes, a Butte native, is the Butte-Silver Bow Community Development director and an adjunct professor at Montana Tech. She has a bachelor of science degree in Technology and Business Development from Montana Tech and a masters in business administration from the University of Montana. Byrnes has served on a number of boards and committees including Big Brother Big Sisters, Montana Tech Business advisory board and the MADA Board of Directors.

Nancy Gibson is the financial manager of the Belmont Senior Center where she previously served as the executive director for 14 years. She is also co-owner of Beautiful Life Clothing Boutique in Anaconda. Gibson has a bachelor of science degree in education from Baylor University and a masters of education from Sam Houston State University. She taught in Texas for eight years before moving to Butte. In addition to serving as a Butte School District Trustee for five5 years, Gibson also is a member of the Montana Tech Nursing Program Advisory Board.

Brandi Jensen-Campbell has been employed by the Hampton Inn for the past five years. She was the assistant general manager and assumed the general manager position more than three years ago. Prior to that, she was the assistant manager of Buckle in Nebraska and Iowa. Jensen-Campbell is a member of Advantage Butte, the Butte Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and Butte-Silver Bow Kiwanis. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Family Consumer Sciences from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

Cindy Sorich, a Butte native, has 35 years acute healthcare experience. She spent 17 years specializing in healthcare informatics with Siemens Medical Services in Malvern, Pennsylvania. During this tenure, Sorich worked as an executive collaborating with small, medium and large healthcare systems across the United States. She is a registered nurse and worked at St. James Healthcare for 14 years. In addition, Sorich worked at Rocky Mountain Clinic and Silver Bow General Hospital. She is the service manager for the Wise River Volunteer Ambulance Service. Sorich has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Montana State University.

Dorothy Dot Warner is a school nurse for Butte School District, a position she has held for the past 25 years. She also works as a registered nurse at the Crest Rehab Center, and was a nurse at St. James for six years. She has been active for more than 15 years with the National Board for Certification of School Nurses and the American and Montana Nurses Association as well as the American Board of Nursing Specialties. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the Montana State University and a masters of science in Community Health Administration and Wellness promotion from the California College for Health Sciences in National City, California.

St. James Healthcare appreciates the outstanding service of our board of directors, and we are pleased to welcome these new members, said Jay Doyle, interim president of St. James Healthcare. The commitment and expertise of these community leaders help us ensure accessible, quality healthcare for everyone in our community.
WILLISTON  A 24-year-old man was convicted Friday for his role in a beating and sexual assault that took place in rural Williams County nearly two years ago.

David Mbulu was found guilty of attempted murder, a Class A felony, and conspiracy to commit murder, accomplice to gross sexual imposition and conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition, all Class AA felonies.

The 12-person jury deliberated for about two hours before returning its verdict at the Williams County Courthouse, wrapping up a five-day trial that spanned two weeks after it was delayed to allow a witness to tend to a family emergency.

The verdict was met with tears by Mbulus family members and others in the courtroom, including defense attorney Misty Nehring, who embraced Mbulu before he was led away by corrections officers.

Northwest District Judge Joshua Rustad ordered a pre-sentence investigation in advance of sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Both Nehring and Williams County Assistant States Attorney Nathan Madden declined to comment.

Prosecutors say Mbulu hit a 24-year-old woman with a car jack, causing a severe head wound and neck fractures, and held her down while another man sexually assaulted her on a little-used dirt road near Epping in November 2015. The woman, wearing just a t-shirt in sub-freezing temperatures, was later found by a passerby on County Road 42.

More than 20 witnesses testified during the trial, including local detectives, doctors who treated the victim and forensic scientists from the state crime lab.

Both the victim, whose name is being withheld, and Mbulu spoke on Thursday, offering at times conflicting accounts of what happened during the trip to Minot and the eventual attack. Both testified, though, that Mbulu dealt the blows with the car jack and that another man, Jean-Michael Kisi, raped her.

Mbulu maintained that he had no part in the sexual assault, although prosecutors said he held the woman down for Kisi.

Pointing out that Mbulu told investigators several different versions of what happened that afternoon, Madden revisited details during his closing argument, emphasizing threats heard in cell phone videos taken by Mbulu in the hours before the altercation.

The recordings show the victim in the back seat of Mbulus car being taunted with profanity-laced insults that referenced both sex and violence.

Over the course of trial, what you heard (in the videos) kind of matches up with what (they said) was going to happen, Madden said. Notice the parallels, thats a prelude to what was to come. When they finally came to a stop there in that slough, that became (the victims) physical reality.

A text message found on Mbulus phone reading make her mad and tell her to get out that Madden said he typed to show to Kisi just minutes before the attack and then accidentally sent offered further evidence that the two planned to hurt the woman, he added.

Nehring countered by asking jurors to carefully consider the wording of the charges, which, she said, required proof of intent to commit murder and assist in a sexual assault for a conviction.

The fact that he struck her multiple times is not condonable and not forgivable, but thats not what hes been charged with, she told jurors. Theres a difference between being angry with somebody and lashing out, and intending to kill them.

Proving a conspiracy, Nehring added, should also include input from Kisi, who was not placed on the witness list.

The incident was prompted by an argument over money, which began as the three were returning to Williston from Minot, according to prosecutors. The woman had promised to pay Mbulu $300 for the ride, but was unable to cash a check to get the money, or to pay for their overnight stay in the city.
Atlantic Richfield Co. is reviving a century-old Montana legal maneuver  once used by the now ARCO-owned Anaconda Company to secure copper mines on the Butte Hill  in an attempt to avoid accountability for contamination from those same mines downstream in Opportunity.

Nearly 100 residents of Opportunity sued ARCO in 2008 over contamination on their properties, but Butte District Judge Brad Newman dismissed the case in 2013, saying the statute of limitations had expired for such claims. The Opportunity plaintiffs appealed Newman's final judgment to the Montana Supreme Court, who remanded it back down to the lower court under Judge Katherine Bidegaray in 2015.

In August and September of 2015, Bidegaray granted all of the Opportunity plaintiff's requests for summary judgment and denied all of ARCO's. Summary judgments are rulings on a case made by a judge before it goes through the lengthy trial process.

Normally, only a judge's final ruling can be appealed to a higher court, but a Montana law known as writ of supervisory control allows even summary judgments in an uncompleted case to be quasi-appealed to the Montana Supreme Court  as happened when ARCO requested the Supreme Court exercise authority over Bidegaray's rulings against them.

The Supreme Court decided in October to assume control of only one aspect of the Opportunity case: whether the residents are barred from suing ARCO for damages under superseding Superfund law. Arguments will be heard by the Supreme Court on April 7 in Missoula.

LAW VEXES SCHOLARS

Montana law precedent says cases must meet extraordinary requirements for supervisory control, though legal scholars have been vexed for a century on the particulars.

According to University of Montana Law professor Larry Howell, Montana's writ of supervisory control was originally created by the Montana Supreme Court "from whole cloth" in 1900 to allow the court to review otherwise non-appealable rulings by copper-collared Butte Judge William Clancy.

"Judge William Clancy was presiding over arguably the most significant litigation in America  the myriad legal battles to control the vast ore deposits under the 'richest hill on earth' at a time when the spread of electricity and the telephones had caused the demand for copper to explode," Howell wrote in the Winter 2009 edition of Trial Trends, the quarterly magazine of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association.

Clancy favored Copper King F. Augustus Heinze over competitors including Marcus Daly's Anaconda Copper Mining Company, and the writ allowed the Supreme Court to step in and reverse Clancy's corrupt decisions.

Even after the copper wars ended in corporate consolidation under the Anaconda Company, the writ of supervisory control stayed on the books and became a source of confusion among lawyers for a century to come, Howell said.

During that century, declining ore grades and copper prices as well as cost increases and the nationalization of the Anaconda Company's Latin American mines undermined the company's profitability, and it was sold to ARCO in 1977 for $700 million. Copper prices plummeted in the '80s, and ARCO opted to cease operations in southwest Montana.

Sites along the Upper Clark Fork River Basin from Butte to Missoula were then declared Superfund cleanup sites by the Environmental Protection Agency, the largest concentration of such sites in the nation. Much of the contaminated soil excavated to clean up the basin was placed in Opportunity, where its own mine and smelter waste led to the ARCO lawsuit.

FRIEND OF COURT

The Montana Trial Lawyers Association was allowed to file a friend of the court brief in December alongside the Montana Environmental Information Center, and in March they were allotted 5 to 10 minutes of the plaintiffs' oral argument time in the April hearing.

In their brief, the MTLA and MEIC said Article IX of the Montana Constitution providing a right to "a clean and healthful environment in Montana" was the result of delegates to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention's acknowledgement of the harm done to the land and the people by the Anaconda Company.

A draft version of what would become Article IX originally included a more radical environmental provision stating "all lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources must be reclaimed." When a delegate proposed a motion changing the article to read "reclaimed to as good a condition or use as is possible," lawyer-delegate Geoffrey Brazier, a Helena Democrat and former deputy county attorney, presciently erupted:

"Somewhere in the future, there's going to be a lawsuit brought by the state or by an individual against one of these coal mining companies for not restoring to as good a condition as possible. That company is going to put in evidence that that rotten terrain left out there is as good as they could possibly put it. The District Court is going to rule against the company, and the company is going to come up here to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is going to rule that, as a matter of law, that sloppy reclamation is as good as possible," Brazier said according to the verbatim transcript.

The amendment was defeated 29-64, though the Article IX that became law was tame compared to some proposed drafts. Anaconda Democrat and attorney Mike McKeon, the youngest delegate at 25, made his reasons plain when fighting for stronger constitutional environmental protections.

"My area, the Anaconda-Butte area, has a rate of lung cancer and emphysema which is twice that of the national average. These people who work in the mines and who work in the smelter cannot endure, Mr. Chairman, unless their environment  the working environment  is cleaned up for them," McKeon said at the convention.
MISSOULA  Jane Doe drove home from McCormick Park and showered  twice.

She wanted every trace of him gone  the dirt, the smell that would linger in her nostrils for days, triggering the memory over and over again. After showering, she sat on the couch and cried in shock. Her kids would come home soon. They'd wonder about her puffy, red-rimmed eyes.

She wasn't ready to confront what happened to her nor to share it with her family. But as is the nature of sexual assault, Jane Doe's life was out of her hands. She'd be swept through a 15-month odyssey of interrogations, interviews, a jury trial, and news articles that, without naming her, nonetheless gave easy clues to her identity.

She'd be asked repeatedly to recount the details of the assault in front of 12 strangers responsible for deciding whether her assailant was guilty  whether her story was true.

Even though hers is a legal success story  her assailant was sentenced to 50 years in prison with 20 suspended  many sexual assault victims' experiences are so grueling that such perseverance can feel impossible. Despite recent improvements in Missoula's treatment of assault cases, a combination of factors including rape myths, media coverage, and ineffective interview tactics continue to minimize convictions. The overwhelming majority of cases never see a courtroom. (See accompanying statistics.)

Those who do report their rape rarely see satisfying results. After spending months trying to convict her rapist, Jane Doe wrote a statement addressing her attacker that captures the betrayal she felt from the justice system:

"How awful it is to know that, as your victim, I was going to be revictimized by the system that was supposed to protect me from you, but instead protected you."

A life of service

A dedicated Christian, Jane Doe for years has spent her free time serving meals to the homeless, leading Girl Scout troops, and organizing events for Montana's veterans. The 50-year-old mother of two has a gentle voice, just above a whisper, and wears glasses that magnify her blue eyes, one of which is blind.

In fall 2012, she started volunteering at the Day Center, a Union Gospel Mission affiliate that provides meals for the homeless.

"I would pray with people, visit with people, see what their needs were, listen to them," she said.

One man stood out to her as a particularly hopeless case, homeless and with apparent mental health issues. She felt God compelled her to talk with him. She believed he could have a better life.

Soon the man, Nathaniel Lake, then 34, showed signs of improvement. He was cleaner and eating more frequently. By summer 2014, he moved into an apartment.

"To us, it just looked like a miracle in the making," Jane Doe said.

But soon afterward, his actions toward Jane Doe turned violent. He shoved and groped her twice. She told his caseworker, who suggested she go to the police. But Jane Doe didn't want Lake to lose his progress. Legal action, she thought, would do more harm than good.

She decided to communicate less with Lake and avoided being alone with him. He left threatening messages on her office phone and  when she warned him to stop  her cellphone.

In August 2015, Jane Doe obtained a restraining order. Lake returned to the streets.

Broken contract

Two months later, they ran into each other at McCormick Park on subsequent days. According to the restraining order, Lake was supposed to leave. Instead, he approached her, but Jane Doe didn't feel in danger.

"I was kind of impressed with how peaceful he looked for being homeless again," she recalled.

He approached her a second time, apologizing for his voicemails and his temper.

That next day, she decided to confront him to say she couldn't help him anymore and to implore him to move on in life so she could do the same.

"That's when he raped me."

'You own this'

Jane Doe, a runner, had developed plantar fasciitis, an inflamed tissue in her foot. On Oct. 12, on crutches, she returned to McCormick Park looking for Lake for closure. She found him by the river and hobbled down an embankment to sit with him.

"Don't look for me down here anymore," she told him.

Lake's expression changed. He squeezed her injured foot, watching her wince, and Jane Doe realized that she was in trouble. Lake yanked her glasses off and covered her eyes, sitting on top of her legs, immobilizing her, she said. He forced her face into his armpit. Weeks would pass before that smell, "like rotting flesh," escaped her nose.

He pinned her against a log and sexually assaulted her, according to charging documents.

Three people walked along the river path above them, she said. Her mind called out, but she froze and couldn't scream.

When Lake finished, his face was free of remorse. She'd remember that expression well.

"You own this," she told him. "I have to live with it, but you own it."

The birth of Jane Doe

After the assault, anonymity and shame shrouded her former self  the one who loved to sing and run and volunteer.

For the next year, a new person, "Jane Doe," took over. Jane Doe was 35 pounds heavier, cried uncontrollably, and was terrified of walking outside alone. Each night, she relived the assault in nightmares.

The name "Jane Doe," by which court documents identified her, came to represent her struggle, robbing her of her voice, her name.

The day after the assault, Jane Doe tried to go to work. She thought her absence would raise suspicion. But she cried all day and couldn't finish any task.

"I went, but I wasn't really there," she said.

Jane Doe felt responsible for what happened to her. Guilt and fear silenced her desperation for help. She worried her family would blame her, that she'd lose her kids. But later that day, she decided to report the assault, knowing if she didn't do it then, she probably never would.

Alone, she went to the Crime Victim Advocate Program, whose staffers notified the police, initiating the investigation process.

A friend accompanied Jane Doe to First Step Resource Center for a rape exam. On the way, Jane Doe called her husband, who was out of town. She didn't know what to say. The miles between them made it worse.

"How do you tell your husband on the telephone that you've been raped?"

The first step

First Step is the first place victims are encouraged to go after they're assaulted. Trained nurses help victims through their initial trauma, tending to physical and psychological injuries and conducting forensic interviews and examinations.

Programs like First Step emerged in the 1970s to combat poor victim treatment in hospitals. Staff weren't trained to look for psychological injury, only physical. In reality, only about 16 percent of rape victims suffer serious physical injury, according to the National Institute of Justice.

To preserve DNA evidence, victims are urged not to shower, wash their clothes, or urinate after their assault. Jane Doe did the opposite. After her assault, she wanted to feel clean.

At First Step, she initially declined a full physical examination, only returning days later to have her cuts and bruises photographed. In court, her nurse testified that such invasive procedures are commonly refused by traumatized victims.

Jane Doe also said that when interviewed by police, she was confused over the legal definition of penetration, a factor that led to the charge of attempted sexual intercourse without consent.

That confusion, along with the shower and her reluctance about the First Step examination, would be used against her at trial.

"What are you hiding?" the defense would ask.

Barriers to reporting: media

The day after Jane Doe spoke to police, media outlets published stories that unintentionally identified her.

The Missoula police withheld the victim's name, as is standard, but told a reporter that the woman was trying to help her assailant "get his life back on track," information that also came out in Lake's initial court appearance, which was covered by the press. Jane Doe was well known in Missoula for her volunteer work, and some people connected the dots.

Within hours, Jane Doe started receiving Facebook messages and phone calls asking if she was the woman in the story. She still hadn't told her kids what happened to her, but the news of her assault spread.

"I felt very exposed," Jane Doe said. "And I felt betrayed. My anonymity, I felt, had been stripped."

Missoulian editor Kathy Best said the editorial staff routinely has conversations about how to avoid inadvertently identifying rape and incest victims.

"We try to strike a balance that protects the rights of the accused just as much as we protect the rights of the victim when we're writing about sexual assault," Best said.

SARC

After the article was published, Jane Doe sought counseling at the Student Advocacy Resource Center (SARC) at the University of Montana. She met with a clinical intern, who gave her a book called "The Rape Recovery Handbook."

"I really needed something concrete to help me understand everything that was going on inside of me. I had a lot of anger and resentment and self-blame going on and just a lot of really horrible raw pain. Sometimes I would just go in there and cry."

The handbook helped her persevere through suicidal thoughts. It saved her life, she said.

Trial

Assistant Chief Deputy Missoula County Attorney Suzy Boylan prepared Jane Doe well for trial.

"What happens if you hear the words 'not guilty?'" she asked.

Jane Doe decided that her healing would not depend on the outcome of the case.

"It's this warrior woman inside of me that's kind of standing up," Jane Doe said, raising her fist defiantly.

The trial began Aug. 31. Jane Doe testified for 12 hours over two days. To calm her nerves, she squeezed a small stone engraved with the word "pray" in one hand. In the other, she held a blue button from her crime victim advocate.

The defense tried to discredit her story. They drew from Facebook messages, emails, phone records, and tax returns, she said. They asked her if she was "flattered" by Lake's attention. They questioned the stability of her marriage.

Only one jury member needed to believe that Jane Doe was responsible for what happened to her.

Often, rape myths are a defense attorney's best friend. Such myths may derive from the seemingly counterintuitive behavior victims exhibit during and after an assault, such as freezing during the attack or being unable to remember it clearly afterward. But new research shows that those behaviors are normal. Like soldiers returning from war, sexual assault victims experience flashbacks, fractured memories, and PTSD.

The defense "assassinated" her character, Jane Doe said of her time on the stand.

"It's right up there with what he did to me."

When Jane Doe stepped off the stand, she left the courtroom for the rest of the trial. Those 12 hours took her back to the riverbank and kept her there. She relived, in painstaking detail, the day she had worked months to move beyond.

After six days of trial over a two-week period, the jury began its deliberations. Within three hours, they convicted Lake of attempted sexual intercourse without consent. But the process wasn't over. Lake's sentencing hearing would take place on March 27, 2017.

RIP Jane Doe

On the anniversary of the assault  after the trial but nearly five months before the sentencing hearing  Jane Doe went back to the river where Lake raped her. Accompanied by her advocate, she sifted through the stones along the riverbank. She picked one up and knocked it on the ground to remove the dirt that clung to one side.

It broke in half, revealing a smooth interior. She pulled a paint pen from her pocket and inscribed a message on the rock's flat surface.

"Goodbye Jane Doe. October 12, 2015-October 12, 2016. RIP"

She reached her arm back and threw it in the river.

"That's where she was born," she said. "And that's where she needed to die."

Reclaimed identity

On the morning of last week's sentencing hearing, Lake entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit with his ankles and wrists shackled. He sat across the room from Jane Doe and stared in her direction.

Boylan called Jane Doe to the stand to read her victim impact statement.

After first addressing the judge, Jane Doe turned and looked at Lake.

"Hello, I'm Jane Doe.

"Jane exists because you stole my name. She's the faceless woman who lives with deep pain. She lost her song for weeks not daring to utter anything but sobs.

"Hello, I'm Jane Doe.

"I spent the first three months crying so much that the skin under my eyes was raw. I never used to have bags under my eyes, but I sure do now. I struggled every day just to get out of bed and go through each day as if nothing had happened. I despised each breath I took because that meant I was still here to live with the memories of what you did to me that day."

After pages of pain, at the end of her statement, Jane Doe set herself free.

"Hello, my name is no longer Jane Doe. Rest in peace, Jane.

"Hello, my name is strength.

"Hello, my name is dignity.

"Hello, my name is courage.

"Hello, my name is Barb Jenkins, and you did not succeed in destroying me."
This week we learned Montana leads the nation in job growth. Our unemployment rate is nearing historic lows while more Montanans are at work than ever. And we have a stable business climate that allows both our small and large businesses in communities across the state to grow, expand, and create more good paying jobs.

In the last two legislative sessions, I worked with Republicans and Democrats to craft bipartisan, fiscally responsible budgets that set the foundation for our thriving economy. And as you can see, the results of that work are reflected in our strong economic growth and the fiscal health of our state. We put aside some of our political differences to do whats right for all the Montanans who love and call this state home.

But now I need your help. There are some folks in the Legislature who are standing in the way of further progress and are playing politics with the future of our communities. To keep up with our states growth, I asked the Legislature to send me a major infrastructure bill  as one of the first bills of the session. To show Montanans that investing in our communities and in our workers, is a top priority.

I proposed a bill that addresses the immediate needs of Montana communities financed through a responsible mix of cash and borrowing  the same way you or I would buy a car, or a house, or make long-term investments in our communities. And thanks to smart fiscal management of our state finances, Montana has a sterling bond rating, which means we can borrow for cheap.

The primary engine of an infrastructure program is construction work  fixing roads, upgrading bridges, and building buildings -- but thats not the only economic benefit. Workers will eat, drink, and sleep at Main Street businesses, local suppliers will sell materials and equipment for jobs, hard-working Montanans will have more money in their pockets to spend at local businesses, and our communities will be able to keep up with our states positive economic growth.

So its pretty simple: an infrastructure bill will create jobs, strengthen our economy and build Montana. Unfortunately, since the day I first called on the Legislature to send me a bipartisan infrastructure bill, there has been a lot of debate on how it should be funded, which projects would be made a priority, and what legislator should carry the bill. I said from the beginning that I dont care who gets credit. I care about results. And I think you do too.

Over the coming days and weeks, Im encouraging every Montanan to tell your legislator why infrastructure is so important to your community. Whether its a crumbling bridge, a school building in need of repair, or a decades-old water intake facility, remind your elected officials that this bill should not be held up by politics. Not this time.

Montanans should have no tolerance for the same political games that doomed similar attempts to invest in infrastructure in previous sessions. They can either get this done over the next two weeks or they can point fingers about it for the next two years while our infrastructure crumbles. Contact your legislator and help me send them a message: Get it done.

Montanans can contact their local legislators by visiting http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/65th/legwebmessage.asp or by calling (406) 444-4800.

-- Gov. Steve Bullock serves the state of Montana.
On March 22, the Muscatine Community College agriculture students shared the story of agriculture with other MCC students and staff. They set up stations in the Student Lounge, games in the Quad, and the Iowa Corn trailer in the parking lot.

Their mission was to share information about crop production, livestock management and MCC agriculture programs with students and the community. Prizes were given for the closest guess as to the quantity of soybeans and corn kernels in a jar.

Dozens of students and staff went through the trailer supplied by Iowa Corn, iowacorn.org. According to the website, Corn: Its Everything. In fact, a typical grocery store contains 4,000 items that list corn ingredients on the label. Educator Brad Crossett used movies, displays and stories to tell the story of corn. He showed drinking cups made from corn that, like leaves, will compost in six months.

Tyson Foods Inc. donated and grilled food for the event. More than 120 students and staff attended the event and learned about agriculture.
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 []
GRAND FORKS  Beau Bateman has been farming just outside Grand Forks for three decades. He remembers a time when fields were half the size they are now, and tractors didnt have computers crunching data all day.

The difference in the early days was we recorded everything with a pencil and paper, Bateman said.

When Bateman was starting his career, he leveled land with telescopes that had a bubble leveler, similar to the levels used in construction.

Today, computers on Batemans machinery use satellite data to determine how much seed and fertilizer to use based on ground elevation data accurate to less than 6 inches in height.

All this is so you can get food on your table cheaper, Bateman said.

Perfect precision

Agriculture today is a data-driven, high-tech industry that squeezes as much crop out of every square centimeter of land and meticulously measures every input, including fuel and pesticides.

Based on satellite measurements of sunlight reflection and the elevation data, computers calculate just what spots on a field have the most potential for growth. That data then is fed into a computer that tells the planter to put more seed and fertilizer onto that spot.

Brent Strickler, a farmer in the Euclid, Minn., area, has farmed for almost 30 years.

He said the way farmers used to determine what areas had higher yields was to harvest the area, take the crop to the elevator, and then weigh it. In most cases, theyd just average the field.

A new development from just the past few years allows software to automatically switch to different seed varieties if parts of the field have a slightly different soil type in which a different seed would perform better.

Thats pretty new, funky stuff, Bateman said.

Shane Sand, a farmer from the Emerado, area, said the planters are faster, too.

A machine that used to seed at a speed of 6 mph can go twice that fast now.

He said the technology evolves so quickly today it becomes cost-prohibitive to try to have the latest and greatest in everything.

He likened it to upgrading your smartphone every time a new feature comes out.

You just cant keep up, Sand said.

Big agriculture

Agriculture remains North Dakotas top industry. More than 39 million acres of land are used for farms and ranches in North Dakota, and nearly a quarter of the states workforce is employed in some sort of ag-related industry.

In total, the state produces more than 50 different commodities. In total acres planted, wheat is the states biggest crop followed by soybeans.

Canola burst onto the state agricultural scene only about 20 years ago.

By 2015, according to the USDA, 86.7 percent of the nations canola was produced in North Dakota.

The USDA calculated that half of the states sugar beet crop came from the northeast corner of the state, which includes the northern Red River Valley.

North Dakota is also a top producer of flax seed, with 92.3 percent of the nations production coming from the state.

And it doesnt end there. The state also produces soybeans, dry beans, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, sunflowers, honey, barley, corn and livestock.

Corn is the only crop produced in the state for which North Dakota is not a Top 10 producer in the country.

Whats going to be planted this coming growing season is difficult to predict.

Bateman said many farmers make many planting decisions at nearly the last minute. In a data-driven industry impacted by global markets, as well as hundreds of other factors, it sometimes pays to wait.

The longer you wait, the more information you have, he said.

Sand said farmers probably will be planting more soybeans this year, because the inputs are cheaper than other crops such a corn. With low commodity prices, farmers are trying to keep lenders happy by cutting costs.

But he agreed farmers still are making decisions on what to plant this coming season.

Strickler said sugar beet farmers in the Red River Valley, which provides conditions favorable for sugar beet farming, know some time in advance how many acres of sugar beets theyll plant.

Theres usually some wheat in the mix for rotation, but most everything else is decided right before planting.

Theres more acreage up in the air than in the past, Strickler said.

Efficiency

What makes all this production possible? Todays mass-production farming is all about efficiency, which depends on large amounts of data.

Collecting, transmitting, managing and interpreting data has become a huge part of agriculture today.

Dan Gorder, president of True North Equipment, said the state has seen some recent increases in farm size as the result of a few good years.

From about 2011 to 2014, commodity prices and land values were going up. A lot of North Dakota farmers, Gorder said, held off retirement while things were going well in agriculture.

They were producers having fun at the end of their career, Gorder said.

Then when commodity prices began to dip back down, they started passing off the land to younger producers.

Often, the producers were taking on more land to increase their cash flows. And now that land prices have fallen, its a good time to buy land.

Todays newer technology makes it possible to manage all that extra acreage.

Technology drives efficiency, Gorder said.

Data is transmitted wirelessly to the dealership, which then can consult with the farmer to get the most out of his or her equipment.

Bateman said modern tractors may hit top speed at about 26 mph, but the transmission has 24 different speeds to create a very precise management of its movement forward.

And how those settings affect speed vary from day to day with the condition of the soil. So, a rainy night can cause more slippage.

John Oncken, vice president of True North, said employees back at the dealership can see a combines transmission slipping while its running in the field. They can notify the producer and prescribe a remedy without leaving their desk.

We can turn it around more quickly, Oncken said.

That kind of immediate control helps manage fuel consumption and keep costs down. It also can spot mechanical problems before the farmer has to shut down operations, which can be costly.

Strickler said todays technology-driven dealerships can be even more important than traditional mechanics in keeping the machines running.

The dealership also can, based on its monitoring of the equipments performance in the field, consult with the producer on the size of the equipment hes using. Sometimes bigger isnt better.

The old mindset was I need the biggest horse I can get, Oncken said.

One thing hasnt changed. Despite all the advancements in precision, the old-fashioned weather remains an unpredictable force that can make or break a year.

Even if you do everything right, one hail storm can ruin it all, Oncken said.

It can be a dicey game.

Drones

The next big thing in agriculture most likely will be drones.

Right now, a lot of data on fields come from satellites orbiting the Earth, which can take as long as two weeks before they fly over a farmers field to update the imaging.

Drones can take a lot more detail closer to the ground and in real time.

Bateman said it could be a while before the drones save more money than they cost, but he has been working with various research projects that are looking to make the drones commercially viable for the industry.

Sand said hes already using the drones himself. Its nothing fancy, like infrared imaging, but he is using high-definition cameras to get a birds-eye view of his fields.

He said the drones can spot things he otherwise might miss from his pickup truck.

There always will be something new coming around the corner. The demand that drives all this innovation is never going away.

Theres a need in the world to feed the world, Gordman said.
NEW HAMPTON, N.Y.  Through smoke and sparks and staccato banging from his anvil, John Lundemo forges swooping swords that look like they should be pulled from a stone, swung by a samurai or thrust on Game of Thrones.

The 60-year-old has carved out a niche making pricey blades that are inspired by history but liberally mix in elements of East and West, high art and Hollywood.

I do tend to add my own flair, Lundemo said in his shop recently. Making exact copies, I dont do.

While not precisely like the weapons wielded by gladiators or knights, these razor-sharp weapons stretching up to 6 feet long and costing upward of $3,000 are built to be used  even if its for slashing milk jugs in the backyard.

Lundemo has been making swords for about three decades, about half that in his workshop 50 miles north of New York City. The forge, anvil and scalding oil tank speak to his craft. And the posters on the wall for the movies Gladiator and Grindhouse speak to his tendency to slice and dice details.

His $1,950 Serenity sword, for instance, is described online as drawing on classic German, Chinese, Japanese and Swiss designs. But the butt end of the handle, the pommel, was inspired by a sword in the 1993 martial arts movie The Bride with White Hair.

Movies, specifically the 1974 horror flick Captain KronosVampire Hunter, sparked Lundemos sword fascination as a young man. He began buying blades for mock sword fights with his brother. But there were problems with those steel swords.

I was breaking them all the time. You know, halfway through a sword fight and your sword breaks, its annoying, he said. So I started making them.

He forged blades in the back of a New Mexico jewelry shop and later after hours in the upstate New York sign shop where he worked. Those first swords stunk, he says, but he educated himself on the finer points of edge geometry, metal tempering and distal tapering, which refers to the blade getting thinner from guard to tip.

Over time, he established his brand Odinblades in what can be a cut-throat business. There is an army of sword makers who sell historical replicas, fantasy swords, battle ready swords for under $100. Online retailer Kult of Athena in Elgin, Illinois, for example, sells swords from more than 30 makers.

Its definitely growing, said owner Ryan Whittlinger. The market for higher-quality, functional items is better today than its ever been.

The popularity of the HBO series Game of Thrones helps, but Whittlinger said a bigger watershed was the Lord of the Rings movies early this century, just as swords started becoming easier to buy.

So who buys swords in the 21st century?

Collectors and history buffs who hang them on a wall, cutters who want a sharp and balanced weapon for slicing jugs, pieces of bamboo or test dummies, and sword fighters.

Whittlinger said moviemakers and theater groups account for some sales, too. The apparently racially motivated killing last week of a black man in New York City with a 26-inch sword illustrates the rare times when such weapons are still used for their original purpose.

Lundemo says he makes enough from swords for his wife and himself to pay the bills. Theyre not getting rich, but the work has its benefits.

The cool factor is way up there, he said. Cool factor 11.
One morning near the end of her long-shot congressional campaign, 25-year-old Erin Schrode rolled over in bed, reflexively checked her cellphone  and burst into tears.

With mounting horror, she scanned a barrage of anti-Semitic emails from anonymous trolls. Get out of my country, kike, read one. Get to Israel to where you belong. That or the oven. Take your pick.

Included was a photograph of Schrode digitally stamped with a yellow Jude star, the badge that Nazis forced Jews to wear during the Holocaust.

Schrode, a Democrat and activist who would come in third in the June primary in her Northern California district, had become the latest target of The Daily Stormer, a popular neo-Nazi website known for orchestrating internet trolling campaigns.

After the site published a post about the Jewess and her candidacy, a reader posted Schrodes contact information in the comments section. Over the past 10 months, her email and social media accounts have been polluted with a torrent of slurs and disturbing images.

Her tormentors are faceless. They hide behind screen names, in the shadows.

Andrew Auernheimer says he is not one of them, but he applauds their vitriolic spirit.

A notorious computer hacker and internet troll associated with The Daily Stormer, Auernheimer scoffs at the notion that anyone can be harmed by mean words on the internet. For him, anonymous trolling is a modern form of a generations-old, distinctly American political tactic.

Being offensive is a political act, he said. If something pushes up against polite civilization, its for a purpose.

Auernheimer, whose anti-Semitic rhetoric matches the swastika tattooed on his chest, chuckled at the mention of Schrodes name.

Why should I have any empathy? Whats she ever done for me? he asked. I dont feel any empathy for any Jew anywhere.

Trolling is a calling card of the alt-right  an amorphous fringe movement that uses internet memes, message boards and social media to spread a hodgepodge of racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny and xenophobia.

Troll tactics edged into the mainstream with the 2014 birth of GamerGate, an online campaign against feminists in the video game industry. GamerGate arguably provided a blueprint for some white nationalists and other extremists who rallied around Donald Trumps presidential campaign, flooding the internet with Pepe The Frog cartoons and other hate symbols.

The Daily Stormers founder, Andrew Anglin, published a primer in August that attempted to define the alt-right and explain its origins. At the core of the movement is a trolling culture bred on the 4chan.org website, he wrote.

Anglins initial June 3 post on Schrode  the first of at least six about her  linked to a Jewish Telegraphic Agency report on her bid to become the youngest women ever elected to Congress. A commenter posted Schrodes cellphone number, email addresses and links to her social media accounts.

The initial post called her a hissing weasel. Today, a photograph of Schrode is the first image returned by a Google search for that term.

The attacks werent limited to emails or tweets. She said somebody hacked her campaign website on election day, changing her name throughout to Adolf Hitler. She also said she received a voicemail from someone making a hissing noise.

Schrode noticed other spikes in her harassment after she appeared on Tucker Carlsons Fox News show in December and after The Huffington Post published an article she wrote in November about her experience as the target of trolls.

Every day, Im reminded that Im Jewish, said Schrode, co-founder of an environmental nonprofit. Its not normal to wake up and hear that people want you dead or in another country.

Some days, she can laugh it off. More often, a single nasty tweet can compound a bad day or ruin a good one, making her feel lonely and suffocated.

I hate to admit thats the power these monsters have over me, but on some days thats the truth, she said.

In November, Schrode posted a video on Twitter of her getting shot by a rubber bullet while she interviewed a man at the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access pipeline. One of the responses to her post was a crudely fabricated image of her bloodied body in front of armed police officers wearing swastika armbands.

The Twitter user who created and posted that image responded with a lol when an Associated Press reporter inquired about the message via a tweet.

I sent her some memes that were offensive, I guess, the user wrote.

Auernheimer is known online as weev. He trolls for the lulz, a slang term he defines as the joy that you get in your heart from seeing people suffer ironic punishments.

The reality is internet trolling is entertaining. People love to watch it. Its become a national sport, Auernheimer said. Its something that anyone can jump into.

Other targets of The Daily Stormers trolling campaigns have included prominent journalists, a British Parliament member and Alex Jones, a radio host and conspiracy theorist whom Anglin derided as a Zionist Millionaire.

More recently, Anglin published the telephone numbers and other personal information of Jewish residents of Whitefish, Montana, where white nationalist Richard Spencer has a home. Anglin accused the families of engaging in an extortion racket against Spencers mother and has vowed to lead neo-Nazi skinheads on an armed march through the town. He also posted a photograph and Twitter handle of a young boy whose mother is one of Anglins targets in Whitefish.

Keegan Hankes, a research analyst for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said Anglin and his website have fueled a surge of trolling activity by far-right extremists over the past two years.

Hes very good at manufacturing outrage, Hankes said. He tends to pick his victims for calculated reasons.

Auernheimer, 31, has served as a technical consultant for The Daily Stormer.

In 2014, he wrote a post for the site about his time in prison. A federal jury convicted him of identity theft and conspiracy charges in 2013 for his role in developing a program that exploited an AT&T security flaw to collect 114,000 email addresses of iPad users.

A judge sentenced him to 41 months in prison. But he was released in 2014 after an appeals court panel overturned his convictions, ruling the government improperly charged him in New Jersey when all of his conduct occurred while he was living in Arkansas.

Auernheimer subsequently moved to Europe and says he lives in Moldova.

Twitter suspended his account in December, possibly as part of the social media companys effort to crack down on hate and abuse.

Theyre only interested in curbing abusive behavior of people whose political ideology they disagree with, he said.

Although he was amused by Schrodes trolling, he said he didnt participate in it or tamper with her campaign website.

Thats pretty funny, but thats probably a false flag and she did it herself, he said.

Online harassment can be a crime, but Schrode learned how difficult it can be for victims to get help from law enforcement.

Schrode said she received hundreds of hate-filled messages before she called her local police department in Sausalito on June 4. A police report says Schrode told an officer she didnt feel threatened by the rude comments, but Schrode disputes that characterization: I never would have called them rude comments. This was targeted hate speech, she said, citing one tweet that referred to gang raping her and bashing in her bagel eating brains.

She also contacted the FBI in San Francisco. An agent, she says, told her the messages didnt communicate a true threat to physically harm her and therefore didnt rise to the level of a hate crime.

Danielle Citron, a University of Maryland law professor and author of the book Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, said some state and federal officials are striving to educate law enforcement on the laws against cyberstalking and online harassment.

We have a lot of the tools. We just have to use them, and theyre starting to use them, she said.

Citron became a trolling target herself after she began writing about online harassment in 2008.

I was never confronted offline, but Ill be honest: It wasnt fun, she said.

The FBI encouraged Schrode to change her email address, but she hasnt. She blocked and reported some of her repeat tormentors on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but never considered abandoning social media.

My mom would like it if I just closed my mouth about this. Shes very worried for her daughters safety, she said. Backing down, recoiling, shutting up has never been an option for me.

Thats not just an act of defiance. She needs Twitter and Facebook to maintain her personal and political connections. And speaking out about her trolling experience has become fodder for her political activism.

Schrode dismisses most of the trolls as keyboard cowboys and tries to ignore them, but a question nags at her: Why me?

You read about these things in the news, Schrode said, but its so unreal when it targets you.
SACRAMENTO  State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will soon be setting the Legislatures agenda on issues involving the wine industry across the state. Dodd, along with state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, was appointed last week to co-chair to the Senate Select Committee on Wine.

The role is a logical transition for Dodd, who for the last two years chaired the committees counterpart, the Assembly Select Committee on Wine. Dodds successor, Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, now chairs that committee.

Speaking Tuesday afternoon in his Capitol office, Dodd addressed the fact that representatives of Northern Californias wine country would be determining the agenda for dealing with wine industry issues throughout the entire state.

While certainly people have their local hats on from time to time, Dodd said,  at the end of the day what our select committee is, its not designed to help Napa wineries necessarily or Sonoma wineries necessarily, its to lift the whole California wine industry.

His 11-member committee includes state senators from all over the state, representing such areas as Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Temecula and Amador County. This diversity creates a balanced committee, Dodd said. Anything some member brings up that he or she thinks will accrue to the benefit of the California wine industry, well consider.

When the senators announced their appointment as co-chairs Monday, McGuire noted, There is a lot happening with California wine and I couldnt be more excited to join with Dodd and co-chair this important committee in the years to come. Well be working together and be focused on some of the biggest issues facing the thousands of growers and vintners in the coming months.

Climate change and its impact on growing and making wine is something to be very topical, Dodd said. He also wants members to learn about the impact of trade on Californias wine industry. Even though we have no say in that, I think itd be interesting for our members to really understand whats going on.

Prior committee hearings addressed farmworker housing, Dodd said, resulting in a pair of bills this year that would increase funding for Napa Countys three farmworker housing centers. The bills by Dodd and Aguiar-Curry seek to allow vineyard owners to raise a per-acre self-assessment paid to maintain the current centers, and would also channel up to $250,000 in state funding toward the centers upkeep.

We want more people to be able to provide farmworker housing for their workers, and I dont think a 90 percent county share and 10 percent state share is asking too much, particularly if it incentivizes other farmers to do it in other places, Dodd said.

While some of the present committees efforts may similarly result in future legislation, the groups will also work to disseminate information among the states various wine regions. Dodd pointed to water reclamation efforts in Sonoma County and progress with solar energy in Napa as examples of industry practices that could be used in other areas.

So getting that information out to all the California wine industry is important, Dodd said.

To gauge which issues to pursue, the committee will seek the insights of industry groups including the California Wine Institute, the Napa Valley Vintners and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Dodd said.

Well also be meeting with them to kind of get an idea of what they think some areas and challenges that they have (are)  before we make our final agenda.

The committee will meet several times throughout the legislative year, Dodd said. He estimated the first meeting will likely take place within the next 30 to 45 days, and noted that ultimately, any legislation to come from the meetings will be proposed starting next year.

Prior meetings of the Assembly and Senate select committees were held jointly and led by both Dodd and then-state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, former chair of the Senate committee.

Although such a meeting had yet to be coordinated with Aguiar-Currys committee, Dodd said, I think working together is way more efficient, particularly when were talking about the industry. These guys have better things to do than be running around to a whole bunch of government meetings.
Using remote cameras to track the health of wildlife populations within its preserve network provides more than just scientific insight to Land Trust of Napa County. Sometimes it can provide a smile.

One of my favorite shots is of a mountain lion lounging by a creek, said Erin Erickson of the Land Trust. Hes got a big Garfield grin while soaking up the sun.

Data for this large-scale project comes from a grid of 20 motion-activated cameras deployed across nearly 5,000 acres in northern Napa County. Using an internationally recognized scientific protocol referred to as the Wildlife Picture Index (WPI), the Land Trust hopes to learn more about the animals that are out there.

This projects marks the Land Trusts first effort to get good baseline information on wildlife species within its preserves, and it will allow us to monitor wildlife abundance and diversity over longer time periods, said Mike Palladini, stewardship program manager.

Weve done a lot of good work documenting and tracking our botanical resources, but we know far less about what wildlife we have and how those species are doing.

The cameras, installed just over half a mile apart, will take a burst of pictures at five-second intervals when triggered, capturing photos of wildlife species as they move through these protected habitats.

Volunteers and staff retrieve photos from the cameras periodically. Once all the photos are downloaded and key data is logged, a statistical analysis of those pictures provides valuable information on not only which animals are out there, but how abundant they are and how that changes seasonally and annually.

The project is already yielding good data on a diverse array of mammal species, from large animals like black bear and puma, to mid-sized species like bobcat and gray fox, on down to little guys like Sonoma chipmunk and dusky-footed woodrat, Palladini said.

The project will help to inform preserve management strategies, and can also be utilized with other WPI projects across the region to assist with collaborative conservation efforts. Other organizations that have installed WPI camera arrays across the North Bay include Pepperwood Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch, Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District, Tamalpais Land Collaborative and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By placing the Land Trust data in greater context, we can see connectedness and how healthy overall our ecosystem is, said Susan Townsend, a consulting wildlife ecologist on the project.

To see a full gallery of wildlife photos from the project, along with updates as it progresses, visit the Land Trust website at https://www.napalandtrust.org/protecting-land/land-stewardship/wildlife-picture-index-project/
BALTIMORE -The email from her sister said "Read Now!" so Veronica Spencer sat right down to open it.

Maybe it was about the soon-to-be released Oprah Winfrey/HBO movie about Spencer's great-grandmother Henrietta Lacks, the Baltimore cancer patient whose cells were collected by Johns Hopkins researchers without her knowledge. Or about Spencer's upcoming speech in Indiana, where she would talk to medical students about Henrietta's role in revolutionizing medicine.

Instead, she learned that her close-knit and increasingly famous family was at war with itself.

The March 2 email contained a link to a college newspaper story about her grandfather and uncle. Lawrence Lacks - Henrietta's oldest child - and his son, Ron Lacks, had long been unhappy with the family's portrayal in the best-selling book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and the way some of their relatives continue to profit from it by giving speeches around the country.

Now they were leveling a series of very public charges at the book's author and publisher, Winfrey, HBO executives,officials at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the National Institutes of Healthand other family members, accusing them variously of misrepresentation, exploitation and fraud.

The most explosive allegation was that some family members aren't family members at all. Her Pop-pop, whom Spencer worshiped from childhood, and her Uncle Ron, who used to give her pony rides on his back, were saying that Veronica and her sister were not really their kin and that they had the DNA tests to prove it.

Ron was quoted in the story saying: "They're not blood-related to Henrietta. ... They're not family."

Spencer, 30, read through tears. "It was like an uppercut to the stomach," she said. "I just fell to the floor."

Within minutes, the Lacks texts were flying: "Who's available for an emergency family meeting?"

---

How do long-standing family tensions get weaponized? At what should be the family's moment of triumph - the eve of a Hollywood portrayal of Henrietta - Lackses on both sides are trying to understand how their rift grew so ugly and public.

Last month, Lawrence and Ron Lacks - with the help of a Baltimore publicist willing to make incendiary charges - began a campaign to assert near-total control over the growing endeavors surrounding Henrietta Lacks. Henrietta died in 1951, but her tumor cells have been cultivated to this day. The "HeLa" cell line has been central to the development of vaccines, cloning, gene mapping and billions of dollars in medical breakthroughs.

The story had been largely unknown until Rebecca Skloot, a science writer, and Henrietta's youngest daughter, Deborah Lacks, spent more than a decade prying the tale from hospital archives. Skloot's 2010 book was a commercial and critical smash, selling more than 2.5 million copies. A page-turning lesson in ethics, race and family fealty, the book is now assigned reading at hundreds of colleges and medical schools. Oprah secured the movie rights within months and will star as Deborah Lacks when the film airs on HBO April 22.

A cottage family industry has grown up around Henrietta, with multiple Lacks descendants giving speeches and starting foundations of their own. Five served as paid consultants to the movie. Spencer and her cousin, David Lacks Jr., were selected by other family members to serve on an NIH working group that reviews requests from researchers to use the HeLa cells.

None of that has sat well with Lawrence, 82, and Ron, 58, who participated in the endeavors early on but said they are now excluded.

In scores of emails and news releases sent by their publicist, Karen Campbell, they demanded that the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, established and largely funded by Skloot, be transferred to their control; that HBO and Winfrey's Harpo Films donate $10 million each to a new foundation started in Lawrence's name, and that a speakers' agency stop booking other family members for appearances without Lawrence's approval. They urged NIH to let Lawrence decide which Lacks family members would serve on the HeLa advisory group and to suspend all research funding to Johns Hopkins. They asked Penguin Random House for an advance to write their own book.

The claims are largely based on Lawrence's role as Henrietta's oldest child and the only living executor of her estate. "He's the head of the family," said Ron, although he has his father's power of attorney.

NIH responded that it wasn't getting involved in a family dispute. The corporations said no to the donations and the book advance. And lawyers for Skloot pointed to ample case law saying Lawrence and Ron had no authority over others' speaking about Henrietta at public forums.

In an interview at Ron's Baltimore County home, Ron and Lawrence laughed a bit about the $10 million ask. "Kind of a stretch, huh?" Ron said. But both said the continued snubbing of Lawrence is heartbreaking.

"They don't even consult my dad," Ron said. "We want everybody to stop and regroup and let the head of the family decide how we're going to do things."

Lawrence nodded. "It used to be in this family," he said, "that people listened to their elders."

---

Lawrence Lacks is a gentle, genial octogenarian who drove Amtrak trains for 25 years. He still goes to the gym and mounted the front steps of his son's small brick house with a firm tread.

"Hey, Pop," Ron greeted him, a cellphone pressed to his ear. "C'mon in."

As Ron bustled between the kitchen and the small bedroom where he cares full-time for his bedridden mother, Bobbette Lacks, Lawrence sat on the couch, hands on knees, ready to talk about Henrietta, who died when he was 17.

"She was a loving, freehearted woman," he said, remembering the family members Henrietta had helped and her deathbed directions. "She told me to keep the family together. I try. I'm the oldest, but I don't have no say in anything."

The book, Lawrence said, fails to capture his mother's grace, as does her growing fame as a medical phenomenon. More and more, she seems not like a wife and mother of five but "just a cell," he said. Skloot also made the Lackses seem poor and uneducated, he said, although he also acknowledges he hasn't read the book.

Ron brought up one of the examples repeated in news releases: that Henrietta is portrayed as being unable to sign her name. Skloot, however, cited two separate pages depicting Henrietta signing and writing her name.

"She made us stereotypes," Ron maintained. "People think we're dirt poor."

He also resents all the money being made in Henrietta's name, from the multibillion-dollar medical research industry to Skloot's royalties to the speaker fees his cousins collect.

"They're getting $5,000 a speech, and my mother is in there needing care?" Ron asked. "What's fair about that?"

Jeri Lacks Whye, one of Henrietta's granddaughters, said she found the book accurate and positive overall. She is at the center of a shifting list of seven or eight Lackses who have appeared at more than 100 colleges and medical schools since 2011. But when Ron used his one outing to air complaints about the book, he wasn't invited to join them again.

"We're trying to create something positive around my grandmother's legacy," Whye said.

Ron and Lawrence contend the others have "sold out" to Skloot, HBO and Oprah, signing agreements that restrict what they can say. Lawrence said he turned down HBO's offer of a $16,000 consultant fee and, later, the chance to see the film at a private screening because he was asked "to sign my rights away. I wouldn't be allowed to talk about my mother anymore."

An HBO representative said the consulting contract was an industry standard and that the screening nondisclosure form applied only to discussing the movie's content before its official release, not speaking publicly about Henrietta Lacks.

Len Amato, president of HBO Films, said those involved in the production tried to include Lawrence throughout the process. He remembered a pleasant meeting with him at a lunch Oprah threw for the family at Baltimore's Four Seasons last summer, the last time the extended clan was all together. But the tone of the relationship shifted, he and others said, with Karen Campbell's work publicizing Lawrence and Ron's grievances.

"To be honest with you, we have no idea how much [she] is representing their point of view," Amato said. "Since that representative came into the picture, we've been barraged by an incredible amount of email that I don't think is helpful in getting anything productive done."

Skloot said she, too, has been inundated with communications from Campbell. And the charges and demands in the emails and news releases have grown more serious.

A March 20 news release accused Skloot of not sharing her book profits through the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, which Skloot started with a portion of her first royalty check.

But several members of the Lacks family said they have gotten direct benefits from the foundation, including college tuition, cataract surgery and other medical procedures. Ron acknowledged he had dental work paid for by the foundation, which in each of the past five years had donations below $50,000, the threshold for public disclosure.

Individual donations and the 56 grants of up to $10,000 each made to Lacks family members are confidential, Skloot said. She noted that she negotiated a significant HBO contribution this year as part of the movie deal. And she maintained she has been "extremely devoted to fulfilling my promise to Deborah that I would help the Lacks family after the book was published . . . and it's infuriating and hurtful that someone is suggesting otherwise."

The March 20 news release also described Spencer and her sister, Victoria Baptiste, as "imposters" and said they were "posing as Lacks family members to make money."

Appalled, Spencer said she and other family members began questioning Campbell's role - and her financial motive - in driving a wedge through their family.

"Is my grandfather really saying all of these things?" Veronica wondered. "This entity came into our life claiming to speak for the entire Lacks family."

Asked to respond, Campbell issued a statement accusing The Washington Post of "writing a sensationalized story focusing on the backgrounds and personal lives of volunteers discouraging them from helping the Lacks family."

Ron said he met Campbell through a lawyer he contacted to help with their claims, including a possible lawsuit against Johns Hopkins. Campbell had an agreement with the lawyer for a percentage of any money they gained, he said, but the lawyer no longer represents them, and Campbell has continued to work at no charge.

Ron and his father said they are pleased with her efforts.

"She's the first one to get us any attention," he said. He looked over at his father with a smile. "We need somebody to push. My dad, he ain't got no fight in him."

But asked specifically about the decision to release the DNA testing, which was done five years ago during a different dispute and was a closely held family secret, they hesitated. Lawrence said he didn't like the idea of the clan's "dirty laundry being out there."

Ron shook his head. "What other choice did we have?" he asked. "We asked them to stop doing these speeches, and they didn't."

The fallout isn't finished. While the DNA testing showed that Lawrence is not Spencer's grandfather, a second test suggested that another Lacks man might be, something family gossip had hinted at for years.

A geneticist who reviewed both test results this week at the family's request said additional testing would be needed to establish whether Spencer and her sister are Lacks descendants.

"It's really close either way," said Goncalo Abecasis, chair of the biostatistics department at the University of Michigan. "We'd need a little more data."

But no one needs more data to recognize the damage that's been done. "I let all this stuff get out of hand," Ron acknowledged this week. "I just hope my family can get back together."

His father had already reached the same conclusion. "Those girls are family," Lawrence said. "I love them as much as I love all my grandchildren."

His goal, he said, had been to unite the family, not divide it.

'What's fair about that?'

'The head of the family'
GRAND FORKS, N.D.  U.S. leaders must understand Russia from various perspectives when it comes to its relationship with the superpower, an expert from a Washington, D.C., think tank told audience members Friday, March 31, during a symposium at the University of North Dakota.

What we really have to do more than anything is not just talk about the problems and weaknesses of the democracies of our own society but demonstrate that we have the capability and the will to solve those problems, said Matthew Rojansky, director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center.

Rojansky and Kenneth Yalowitz, a former U.S. ambassador to Belarus and Georgia, were invited to UND to discuss U.S.-Russian relations. The topics included North Dakotas role in potential arctic missions -- particularly with Air Force bases in Grand Forks and Minot -- and alleged Russian interference in the U.S. election.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., invited the experts on Russia to speak and meet with leaders and military officials in North Dakota. In calling Russia a serious threat to the U.S., Heitkamp said North Dakota is ground zero for defense against Russia.

We are trying to get people to look north, she said. The important thing is to find a group of people who are willing to talk about the arctic.

Grand Forks is well-positioned to attract arctic missions as the location of Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Sky, the first drone park built in the U.S., said Col. Rodney Lewis, commanding officer at the air base.

The ability to take off from North Dakota and do some testing  I think offers an array of opportunities.

Rojansky and Yalowitz said Russia is more likely to target weaknesses in U.S. security, but it is important to understand Russia from multiple perspectives so the U.S. can negotiate from a position of strength.

Investment makes sense, but not in a zero-sum way that we can bludgeon or bully the Russians out of (the arctic), but in that we will have a stronger voice if we have a stronger presence, that there is a non-zero outcome that we can look to, he said. If we dont make serious investments, were not going to have a voice.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem described the U.S. border with Mexico as a war zone last year when she sent dozens of state National Guard troops there. Noem said theyd be on the front lines of stopping drug smugglers and human traffickers. But newly released records from the National Guard show that in their two-month deployment, the South Dakota troops didnt seize any drugs and sometimes went days without encountering any migrants at all. Noem justified the deployment and a widely criticized private donation to fund as a state emergency because of drugs making their way across the southern border to South Dakota. But the records cast doubt on whether the deployment was effective in addressing that.
They say fact is stranger than fiction. One book smuggled out of North Korea encapsulates both.

Written by a dissident writer still living inside the country, "The Accusation; Forbidden Stories from Inside North Korea" is a collection of short stories about the lives of regular people, who live without freedom and under constant scrutiny.

Officially fiction, the book is considered to be a reflection of life under North Korean rule. The author is known simply as "Bandi", Korean for firefly, a pen name he apparently chose himself.

The South Korean activist who helped smuggle it out, Do Hee-youn, tells CNN: "It doesn't deal with political prison camps, or public executions, human rights issues. It shows normal life of North Korea citizens and it is very frightening. This book shows that they live like slaves."

The book was first published in Korean in May 2014, and translated into French in 2015. It was published last month in the United States and United Kingdom and is now available in 19 languages.

Book discovered by chance

Do said he first heard about the manuscript completely by chance.

"We heard about a North Korean defector," Do told CNN, "A woman who had been arrested by Chinese border troops... We have been helping such cases in the past so we were helping her and we learned about Bandi and the manuscript."

The woman told them Bandi was a relative and had asked her to smuggle the manuscript out of North Korea when she confided she was planning to defect.

But she was too scared she would get caught with it, Do said. A wise decision as it happens -- she was caught on the Chinese side of the border. If she was carrying the manuscript she would likely have been sent back to imprisonment, or even execution in North Korea.

"It is very difficult to bring a document out of North Korea," Do said. "We have tried in the past and failed but there were a few cases we succeeded."

Smuggled out in propaganda

Do sent a trusted contact into North Korea to make discreet contact with the author.

The hand-written manuscript was then smuggled out in between propaganda books on former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

"We found a way of getting the script out through Chinese tourists. We thought that disguising the book among these propaganda materials would make it easier to bring it outside so we decided to hide the copy."

The luggage was x-rayed but not hand-searched at the border, Do says, a fact that surely saved the freedom, if not life, of the courier. Once the manuscript arrived in South Korea in 2013, Do worked to find a publisher.

The text was written on 750 pages of coarse squared manuscript paper, the type only writers in North Korea could possess, Do says. Bandi was part of Korean Writers' Alliance, a state-run organization that wrote literature for the regime.

Do says he is now retired and is safe but gives little else away, fearful the regime will discover his identity. Pyongyang does not look kindly on defectors who criticize the state, calling them "human scum." This is the first known writer of a book, critical of North Korea, who is still inside the country. Do says his safety is paramount.

"Bandi considered this more valuable than his own life, the love for the citizens of North Korea. He sees himself, his family and all North Koreans living like slaves, with no future under the current regime," he said.

Do says poems were also smuggled out at the same time that deal with the Kim Jong Il era and will be published later.

He has little doubt Bandi is still writing and at some point in the future will attempt to share with the world his views of life under the current leader Kim Jong Un.

CNN's Taehoon Lee, David Hawley and Lauren Suk contributed to this report.
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)


GoldSeek.com Radio: Martin Armstrong and David Morgan, and your host Chris Waltzek





By: Chris Waltzek, GoldSeek.com Radio

-- Published: Sunday, 2 April 2017 | Print | Disqus Featured Guests Martin Armstrong & David Morgan Show Highlights According to The Silver Investor David Morgan, the nascent silver bull market is alive and well.

The guest / host agree that the PMs sector found a firm bottom in 2015 making the buy and hold method ideal for most investors.

For more intrepid investors, David Morgan's proprietary gold / silver ratio analysis strongly suggests higher prices to come.

The silver Commitments of Traders reports adds insights into market sentiment.

Buying silver bullion in quantity for the long-term remains the ideal hedge.

Cuisine for cogitation includes a new reagent that promises to revolutionize gold / silver processing, via an environmental friendly, cyanide-free method. Chris welcomes back a modern Jesse Livermore, Martin Armstrong of Armstrong Economics , the subject of the documentary film, The Forecaster (2015).

Although central banks around the globe have lowered interest rates, taxation rates continue to climb.

Officials in the US and the EU have called on Martin Armstrong during periods of economic chaos over the past 30 years.

Our guest suggests they consult with actual traders who understand the market mechanics, not just economic theory.

Armstrong advises gold investors to ignore the inflation / deflation debate; focus instead on the the yellow metal as a hedge against governments.

He shares a witty quote by Milton Friedman: If you put economic policymakers in charge of the Sahara, there would be a shortage of sand in 3 years.

Given central bankers control the currency system, the inevitable collapse is destined to propel the PMs skyward.

A dollar rally will trigger the global reset - as rates increase, over $500 trillion in interest rate sensitive derivatives bets, CDOs, MDO, etc. will implode.

US equities will continue to soar, with the Dow climbing to perhaps as high as 40,000 or more, along with the PMs.

Our guest advises against purchasing government debt - the supposed risk-free rate is far more risky than blue-chip shares by comparison and rarely default. Guest Biographies David Morgan Silver-investor.com David Morgan: Seduced by silver at the tender age of 11, David Morgan started investing in the stock market while still a teenager. A precious metals aficionado armed with degrees in finance and economics as well as engineering, he created the Silver-Investor.com website and originated The Morgan Report, a monthly that covers economic news, overall financial health of the global economy, currency problems ahead and reasons for investing in precious metals. David considers himself a big-picture macroeconomist whose main job as educationeducating people about honest money and the benefits of a sound financial systemand his second job as teaching people to be patient and have conviction in their investment holdings. A dynamic, much-in-demand speaker all over the globe, Davids educational mission also makes him a prolific author having penned "Get the Skinny on Silver Investing" available as an e-book or through Amazon.com. As publisher of The Morgan Report, he has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, and BNN in Canada. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Futures Magazine, The Gold Report and numerous other publications. Additionally, he provides the public a tremendous amount of information by radio and writes often in the public domain. You are encouraged to sign up for his free publication which starts you off with the Ten Rules of Silver Investing where he was published almost a decade ago after being recognized as one of the top authorities in the arena of Silver Investing. Website: click here. Martin Armstrong The Forecaster Martin Armstrong was once a US based trillion dollar financial advisor, developed a computer model based on the number pi and other cyclical theories to predict economic turning points with eerie accuracy. In the early 80s he established his financial forecasting and advising company Princeton Economics. His forecasts were in great demand worldwide. As Armstrong's recognition grew, prominent New York bankers invited him to join "the club" to aid them in market manipulation. Martin repeatedly refused. Later that same year (1999) the FBI stormed his offices confiscating his computer model and accusing him of a 3 billion dollar Ponzi scheme. Was it an attempt to silence him and to prevent him from initiating a public discourse on the real Ponzi Scheme of debts that the world has been building up for decades? Armstrong predicts that a sovereign debt crisis will start to unfold on a global level after October 1, 2015 - a major pi turning point that his computer model forecasted many years ago. Starting at a very young age, Martin Armstrong displayed an entrepreneurial spirit and an analytical ability that were far too complicated for others. As a child he was already collecting coins, and before long he would be trading in gold. As an adult, he started the company Princeton Economics International. Based on a self-designed model, in which the mysterious number Pi plays an intrinsic role, he was able to calculate developments in the world economy. His predictions about stock crises or currency problems were eerily accurate, and he built up a clientele that consisted of powerful players in the global economy. Armstrong Economics. The Forecaster Movie.

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The attack which left locals panicked did not cause any casualty. However, one missile struck a shop in the Shingak area, another landed near a mosque, and two others in a graveyard at Kachkina, a spokesperson of the local administration said, the Dawn news reported.

The spokesperson claimed the missiles were fired from Afghanistan's Paktia province.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas in Pakistan as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.

Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense of late, with officials from both sides trading allegations over terrorism.

Pakistan's border crossings with Afghanistan were sealed in the aftermath of a suicide bombing at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh -- the deadliest in a series of recent attacks in the country.

The military leadership had claimed the attacks were carried out by militants operating from safe havens in Afghanistan.

Though trade between the two countries has resumed at Torkham, the border crossing in Kurram Agency's Kharlachi area has been shut since February 16, 2017.

--IANS sm/vt

( 218 Words)

2017-04-02-16:46:15 (IANS)
India and Malaysia on Saturday said that the fight against terrorism should go beyond eliminating terrorists and terror networs to take tough action against states which sponsor terror group and glorify terrorism. "Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and stability in the region" and "there should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs," said the Joint Statement after Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Najib Razak held talks along with their delegations. Modi and Razak held a one-on-one meeting ahead of the delegation-level talks. Welcoming the ongoing cooperation on counter terrorism, the two nations "agreed to further enhance cooperation in this direction" and recognised the need "to address the challenges posed by terrorism, and other traditional and non-traditional threats." The two leaders noted "the increasing cooperation under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Security between the two countries". On regional security, the statement reaffirmed the importance of strategic engagement of India in regional initiatives and stability in the region, while appreciating the growing engagement between India and ASEAN, especially in light of India's 'Act East' policy. On the South China dispute, the two nations expressed the need for the freedom of navigation and lawful commerce as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions. Taking note of India's aspirations for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council, the statement urged for quick and comprehensive reform of the United Nations. In the 60th anniversary of India-Malaysia diplomatic relations, the nations agreed to take the strategic partnership, established in October 2010, to the next level to a truly multi-dimensional partnership, through regular summits. The joint statement recognised the growth in defence cooperation between the two countries. India and Malaysia signed Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in 1993. The Royal Malaysian Air Force and Indian Air Force are working on setting up of the Aircraft Safety and Maintenance Forum for cooperation in training while the two sides welcomed proposal of joint naval exercises. The two sides also agreed to hold joint Army exercise 'HARIMAU SHAKTI' at the company level, and subsequently as tri-services exercises. Both sides also agreed to enhance the regular dialogue between the Defence Ministers, senior officials, and service chiefs, as well as regular meetings of the Joint Commission headed by the Foreign Ministers. The statement recognised the need to finalise the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement at an early date. Stressing the importance of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement in providing the foundation for economic cooperation, they agreed to enhance cooperation in the financial sector including through participation on each other's capital market. They agreed to look forward to grant commercial banking licences to each other's banks and collaborate in the Small and Medium Enterprise sector of each other. On the cooperation in the field of traditional medicine, like ayurveda and siddha, they welcomed the signing of an MoU between Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia and National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, in December 2016 for cooperation in the field of education, training, research and popularisation of ayurveda in Malaysia. A chair for ayurveda will also be set up in the Malaysian university, it said. The two sides welcomed the signing of bilateral Air Services Agreement which would enhance air connectivity between the two countries. India welcomed the initiative by Malaysia to expand the visa-free programme to Indian nationals from April 1, 2017 until March 31, 2018 under the Electronic Travel Registration and Information system. On his third official visit to India, Razak arrived in Chennai on Thursday on a six-day visit and reched New Delhi on Friday evening. He will visit Jaipur on Sunday where he will meet Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia. --IANS rs/vd ( 670 Words) 2017-04-01-23:00:07 (IANS)
As the Hurriyat leaders called for strike against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kashmiri Activist Sushil Pandit on Sunday said that the incident exposes the true face of the former, which is to oppose India even at the cost of Kashmir. "This is very clearly exposing that Hurriyat is opposed to India even at the cost of Kashmir. This is a clear case of chopping one's nose to spite one's face and exposure knocks the credibility out of Hurriyat and everyone in Kashmir must see the true face of Hurriyat on this occasion," Pandit told ANI. He further said that the Hurriyat just wants to oppose India even at the cost of the future of the Kashmiri youth. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir's Hurriyat leaders called for strike against the visit of Prime Minister on April 2, who will be visiting the Valley to inaugurate the longest highway tunnel, Chenani-Nashri tunnel. The tunnel on NH-44 which connects Jammu with Srinagar, will reduce travel time between the two cities by up to two hours. It's expected to achieve a distance-reduction of 31 km, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches. The estimated daily fuel savings are to the tune of Rs. 27 lakh. (ANI)
A skillful blend of painting and embroidery, Chamba Rumals are handcrafted by artisans and are a beautiful representation of the rich art traditions of Himachal Pradesh. As part of efforts to infuse a fresh lease of life into this dying art, Delhi Crafts Council has undertaken a series of efforts to revive and popularize this art form. An art exhibition dedicated to this unique art form is being showcased at the Visual Art Gallery at Indian Habitat Centre here from April 3 to April 8. 'Chamba Rumal, Life to a Dying Art' traces Delhi Crafts Council's journey in reviving and nurturing this craft from 1992-2017. The Chamba Rumals are embroidered square cloths from Chamba in the state of Himachal Pradesh. They are used for covering platters, as gifts for auspicious occasions and for offerings to a deity. During weddings, rumals are exchanged between the families of the bride and groom as a token of goodwill. Pahari miniature artists, usually men, drew the outlines on fine handspun and hand woven unbleached muslin. Traditionally, women of the upper classes then embroidered upon these compositions using untwisted coloured silk floss. The double satin stitch technique used is known as do-rukha and ensures exact duplication of the image on the reverse. The elaborate floral borders, ornamentation and portrayal of figures and animals reflect the sophistication of miniature paintings. The common themes are the legends of Lord Krishna. The exhibition will be showcasing a range of these handcrafted 'rumals' along with honoring artisans and craft persons who have endeavored to keep this unique art form alive. The Council is also offering guided tours of the exhibition of Wednesday and Saturday to help discerning art lovers get an in-depth understanding of this unique art form. Often called 'Paintings in Embroidery', the Chamba Rumal was losing its relevance and the skills required for it were fast disappearing when the Delhi Crafts Council took up the challenge of conserving and reviving this art. "It would have been a pity if this beautiful art form was left to die. In the absence of any institutional support or avenues to help them market their art form, many artisans had given up this tradition. However, we decided to renew this tradition and revive it by initiating a series of measures, including training and skilling of artisans in this traditional art form, and efforts to popularize them. The Council has also been successful in re-introducing naturally dyed silk floss for the embroidery. The Delhi Crafts Council is happy to have contributed to the revival of this marvelous tradition," says a representative of the Delhi Crafts Council. A detailed study of old rumals in the collections of various museums across the country and abroad was undertaken. A core collection of selected rumals was then re-created by the artisans from Chamba and exhibited at various cities across India. The next step was the formation of 'Charu', a centre in Chamba. Here, with the help of regular interactive workshops, the artisans are trained to improve their skills and experiment with new materials and designs. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Sangam city today to attend the closing ceremony Allahabad High Court's sesquicentennial celebrations. Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with others, welcomed Mr Modi at the Bamrauli airport.Several judges of the Supreme Court, along with Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, are expected to attend the event.The Prime Minister is expected to reach Delhi by1230 hrs.UNI MB SV 1100 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1213201.Xml
BJP MLA Vijender Gupta taunted Kejriwal for pointing fingers at the EVMs.

"When Arvind Kejriwal won 67 seats in the 2014 Delhi elections, we did not complain about the EVMs. I think he is suffering from Modi phobia," he told ANI.

The BJP MLA also alleged that no action has been taken against Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain, who is involved in Hawala case.

Citing failures of the AAP Government, Gupta asserted that the citizens of Delhi are still facing power shortage problems despite firm promises made by Kejriwal to improve the condition of electricity.

"The citizens of Delhi are still suffering because of power shortage. The AAP Government has used 97 crores for publicity outside Delhi," he added.

The BJP leader's outburst came a day after Kejriwal told a group of men, who tried disrupting his rally by raising slogans in support of Prime Minister Modi, that shouting "Modi, Modi" will not satiate your hunger.

Kejriwal said that if doing so would have resulted in the abolition of house tax, the key poll promise of AAP for the upcoming municipal polls, then even "I would shout Modi, Modi".

In his address at north east Delhi's Ghonda, Kejriwal repeated his allegation that the BJP and the Congress were "conspiring" to take over the departments of water and power to effect a tariff hike in these areas. (ANI)
Mr Naidu, for last few months, has been residing at his camp office-cum residence in Vijayawada while his wife Bhuvaneswari, son Lokesh and daughter-in-law Brahmani have been living in a star hotel in Hyderabad, pending renovation of Jubilee Hills residence.

The Chief Minister who lived in his Jubilee hills house for about 30 years, will be united again with his family when they move into the renovated residence on April 9 and a 'Satyanarayana Vratham' , the next day.

Built on 1,125 square yards, the house was demolished and built in a new design based on vastu.

According to sources, the total construction cost was about Rs 10 crore, however, in Lokesh's recent assets affidavit, his father Chandrababu Naidu borrowed Rs 3.68 crore from Bank of Baroda to build the house and himself , who inducted into the Cabinet today) raised another Rs 3.68 crore to support him.

The affidavit also valued the house at Rs 18 crore.UNI KNR CS 1341

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1213377.Xml
In an effort to bring rural India at par with urban India, the government is contemplating to focus on doubling farmers' income and completion of rural road programme by 2019.Addressing the National Development Bank (NDB) meeting, Secretary for Economic Affairs, Shaktikanta Das said, "India is going ahead with environmental sustainability, though waiting for additional external finance to come in."Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second annual meeting of the Bank, the secretary also said infrastructure was a priority for India and roads in particular would get priority.NDB President K V Kamath termed the SBI associate's merger with its parent a 'good first step', and said there is scope for further consolidation as large banks were needed to cater to the growing economy. Mr Kamath also underlined the need for a bad bank to deal with rising non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banking sector with a rider that it should be created only after putting in place a proper funding mechanism."If you look at the size of our economy, we need a few more large banks. So clearly there is space for consolidation in the public sector and possibly in the private sector also because you need much larger banks to cater to this economy," said Mr Kamath.UNI ASH RSA RJ 1519 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-1213467.Xml
According to police, Crime Branch of Goa police arrested three accused-- Sunil Singh from Uttar Pradesh and Jitendra Singh and Manprit Kaur from Delhi-- who allegedly were approaching customers through online classifieds.

A car and a scooter used to supply victims to the customers were attached by the police who arrested the accused from Calangute, a popular beach spot in North Goa.

The victims hailed from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.Further investigation was underway, police added.UNI AKM SHS SHK 2216

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1214042.Xml
The blast was apparently caused due to illegal storage of explosives in the house.

Xinhua news agency quoted an official saying that the blast took place on Nanhuan West Road in Fushan County in the city of Linfen on Saturday Night.

Nine dead bodies have been recovered from the blast site.

One person was also rescued from the blast site.

Six people, who were near the site of the explosion, also sustained minor injuries.

More details to follow. (ANI)
The delegation will hold talks with Pakistan's political leadership and the business community to promote bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, reports Radio Pakistan.

The aim of high level parliamentary visit is to further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations. (ANI)
A High Court in Bangladesh has observed that Imams would not deliver any sermon which was against the country's existing law. "An Imam's duty is to conduct prayers at mosque. He will deliver the right sermon in the light of Islam," The Daily Star quoted the court as saying while passing verdict in Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider killing case. If anybody makes any derogatory comment about Islam or Hazrat Prophet Hazrat Muhammad or any other religion or make any post in Facebook, he can be put on trial under the existing law of the country, the court said. "The incident of killing Rajib took place in a planned way. Nobody has the right to take the law in his own hand," the bench of Justice Zahangir Hossain and Md Zahangir Hossain in its judgment said. It has been found from evidence and argument during hearing of the case that all the seven accused except for Jashim Uddin Rahmani are very meritorious students. But we could not find any reason behind their choosing of such a path, it observed. The court said that there might be many reasons for such meritorious students to get derailed adding "the guardians have to take the responsibility to keep their children on the right track." Ahmed Rajib Haider, 35, was hacked to death by machete-wielding attackers in February 2013 in the first of a string of killings targeting secular writers. Earlier in December 2015, a Bangladesh court sentenced two students to death for the murder of a secular blogger delivering the first convictions after a series of such killings. The judge in the fast-track court found both students and another man, Maksudul Hasan, guilty of murder and convicted another five people on lesser charges related to Haider's death. The prosecution has argued that the students had been inspired by the sermons of firebrand cleric Jashim Uddin Rahmani, who was given five years in prison for abetting the murder. Haider, an architect, became a target of the group after he helped launch a mass protest against the leaders of the largest Islamist party, several of whom are accused of war crimes during Bangladesh's 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan. The police said Haider also wrote against Islam and mocked the prophet Muhammad on blog sites. Rahmani, a firebrand cleric who led a mosque in the Dhaka's Mohammadpur neighbourhood, had preached that it was legal to kill atheist bloggers who campaigned against Islam, the police added. (ANI)
According to an ISPR statement, the Pakistani Army Chief will interact with UK's political and military leadership.

"COAS arrived in London, UK on three days official visit. Will interact with UK's political/military leadership," said the statement.

Meanwhile, a seven-member British Parliamentary delegation is to arrive in Islamabad today in continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The delegation is expected to hold talks with Pakistan's political leadership and the business community to promote bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, reports Radio Pakistan.

The aim of high level parliamentary visit is to further enhance and strengthen Pakistan-UK relations. (ANI)
A dog stops in front of a butcher shop in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Luciano Claudino/Codigo19/AGENCIA ESTADO)

BRATISLAVA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Slovak veterinary inspectors have found 21 tons of spoiled Brazilian meat tainted with salmonella in the capital Bratislava, officials said Friday.

"The Brazilian meat was imported into Slovakia via the Netherlands and Poland," Slovak Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matecna told a press conference.

"Our veterinary inspectors immediately ordered this meat to be withdrawn, as it had been distributed to as many as 54 restaurants throughout the country," Matecna said.

The Slovak Agriculture Ministry immediately halted the sale of Brazilian meat in the country. Matecna said inspectors have checked 341 products so far.

The laboratory tests to date have discovered 17 irregular items, according to Slovak State Veterinary and Food Directorate general director Jozef Bires.

"We're continuing to perform inspections, focusing mainly on entities with warehouses that are engaged in relatively large-scale trade in this commodity, supplying it to restaurants and end consumers," Bires added.

Slovak inspectors so far haven't found any of the chemical substances that were allegedly used in Brazil to mask rotten meat.

Brazil is the world's largest exporter of red meat, with its meat products sold in 150 countries worldwide.

Earlier this month, the Brazilian police uncovered a massive scheme of meat adulteration, which involves some of the country's largest meat producers.

The crackdown action came as part of the so-called "Operation Weak Flesh" launched by the police targeting some of the major meatpacking companies in Brazil, such as market leaders JBS Friboi and Brasil Foods.

The Federal Police said the meatpacking companies under investigation were selling expired meats. In order to disguise the odor of the meats, they were adding ascorbic acid to the pieces.

The companies then paid bribes to the Agricultural Ministry inspectors to authorize the sale of the contaminated meats. According to the police, the adulterated meats was sold in the domestic market and exported as well.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 01:09:01|Editor: yan

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KHOST, Afghanistan, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Three members of the Afghan security force were killed and six school children wounded after a car bombing struck a local bazaar in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province on Saturday, a local official said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 01:24:37|Editor: yan

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KHOST, Afghanistan, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Three members of the Afghan security force were killed and six school children wounded after a car bombing struck a local bazaar in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province on Saturday, a local official said.

"The blast took place in Sayyed Khel bazaar in Dwamanda district in the evening when the security forces were shopping there," the official told Xinhua anonymously.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

Provincial government spokesman Mohammad Mubariz Zadran confirmed the incident, saying local officials have launched an investigation into the incident and more details would be shared with the media later.

The injured teenagers were shifted to a nearby hospital.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban militant group has launched similar attacks in the past.

The Taliban insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 01:54:41|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Trade performance of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has shown steady and sustainable growth in the past five years, said the Dubai Customs on Saturday.

Moreover, non-oil trade volumes in metric tons registered a compound growth rate of 6.1 percent, the UAE state news agency WAM reported.

Dubai's trade volumes grew a healthy 8.2 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year, said the Dubai Customs, quoted by the WAM.

The development reflected the "resilience" of UAE's economy amid a challenging macroeconomic environment which impacted global trade, reinforcing its reputation as a global trading hub, said Dubai Customs.

The UAE has vowed to diversify economy and attract investment to rely less on oil. Around 90 percent of Emirati oil is located in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

Despite the increase in volumes, currency fluctuations impacted the dirham value of Dubai's trade, which saw a decline of 4.1 percent from 1.331 trillion dirham (362.67 billion U.S. dollars) to 1.276 trillion dirham (347.68 billion dollars) between 2014 and 2016.

However, the figures in Euros grew 15 percent from 273 billion euro (291.14 billion dollars) in 2014 to 314 billion euro (334.87 billion dollars) in 2016.

Dubai's trade patterns continue to display strong resilience, said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group chairman and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

Meanwhile, economic uncertainty is also reflected in the performance of the Dubai stock exchange Dubai Fanancial Market, whose market index lost 1.43 percent since the start of the year.

The International Monetary Fund recently announced a positive outlook for Dubai's prospects in 2017 predicting 3.6 percent growth. En
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 02:14:43|Editor: yan

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CAPE TOWN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Deputy President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa Saturday denied reports that he had resigned as a show of objection to the recent cabinet reshuffle.

"There is no truth to the dissemination of this falsehood," Ramaphosa said in response to rumors that he has resigned in protest against the drastic cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma in the early hours of Friday.

Ramaphosa said earlier he was unhappy with Zuma's decision to reshuffle the cabinet and was particularly opposed to the removal of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Before effecting his cabinet reshuffle, which affected 10 ministers and 10 deputy ministers, Zuma met African National Congress (ANC) leaders, but it was just a process of informing them of his decision, according to Ramaphosa.

"It was not a consultation, because he came with a ready-made list," Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa raised his objection about the removal of Gordhan, largely as he was being removed based on an intelligence report that he and his deputy were going to London to mobilize financial markets against South Africa.

This report had unsubstantiated allegations, Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa's spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa also confirmed Saturday that Ramaphosa "remains in his position" as deputy president and that of the ruling ANC.

"We reiterate his view that he will remain in government to serve the people in the realization of the national objective of pushing back the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality," Mamoepa said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 02:49:47|Editor: yan

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BOGOTA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Colombian Red Cross confirmed on Saturday that at least 127 people were killed in a landslide in Mocoa, capital of Putumayo department in southern Colombia.

The tragedy occurred on Friday night when heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, devastating several neighborhoods in the provincial capital of Mocoa.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos arrived in Mocoa on Saturday morning and ordered immediate assistance to all the affected population.

He said he would send several aircrafts to deliver humanitarian aid for those affected in Mocoa, a city located in the middle of the jungle of the Amazon region.

Santos said earlier that at least 112 people were killed in the landslide in Mocoa.

The country's fire department said earlier on Saturday that 102 people were killed and 185 wounded in the landslide.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 05:25:03|Editor: yan

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at Stanford University are working on tiny, nano-scale slices of materials to develop heat-, corrosion- and radiation-resistant electronics that hopefully could withstand extreme environments in space and on earth.

The efforts, now undertaken at the Stanford Extreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory, or the XLab, are intended to tackle the acid rains on Venus, radiation in space and the heat of car engines.

Behind its thick swirling clouds, Venus is hiding a hot surface pelted with sulfuric acid rains. At 896 degrees Fahrenheit, or 480 degrees Celsius, the planet's atmosphere would fry any of today's electronics.

"I think it's important to understand and gain new insight through probing these unique environments," said Debbie Senesky, assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics and principle investigator at the XLab.

"If we can understand the history of Venus, maybe we can understand and positively impact the future evolution of our own habitat."

While it's hard to imagine that hot and corrosive Venus ever looked like Earth, scientists think that it used to be much cooler.

Billions of years ago, a runaway greenhouse effect may have caused the planet to absorb far more heat than it could reflect, creating today's scorching conditions.

One hurdle to studying extreme environments is the heat. Silicon-based semiconductors, which power smartphones and laptops, stop working at about 572 degrees Fahrenheit, or 300 degrees Celsius.

As they heat up, the metal parts begin to melt into neighboring semiconductor and don't move electricity as efficiently.

Ateeq Suria, graduate student in mechanical engineering, is one of the people at the XLab working to overcome this temperature barrier, according to a news release from Stanford.

To do that, he hopped into his bunny suit -- overall lab apparel that prevents contamination -- and made use of ultra-clean work spaces to create an atoms-thick, heat-resistant layer that can coat devices and allow them to work at up to 1112 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius) in air.

"The diameter of human hair is about 70 micrometers," Suria was quoted as saying. "These coatings are about a hundredth of that width."

Suria and others at the XLab are trying to improve these nano-devices, testing materials at temperatures of up to 1652 degrees Fahrenheit, or 900 degrees Celsius.

For space electronics, it is a key step in understanding how they survive for long periods of time. Although a device might not be exposed to such temperature extremes in space, the test conditions rapidly age materials, indicating how long they could last.

The team at XLab tests materials and nano-devices they create either in-house in high-temperature probe stations or in a Venus simulator at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

The simulator mimics the pressure, chemistry and temperature of Venus. To mirror the effects of space radiation, they also test materials at Los Alamos National Laboratory and at NASA Ames Research Center.

Preliminary work at the XLab demonstrates that sensors they've developed could survive up to 50 years of radiation bombardment while in Earth's orbit.

Senesky said that if their fabrication process for nano-scale materials proves effective it could get incorporated into technologies being launched into space. "I'm super excited about the possibility of NASA adopting our technology in the design of their probes and landers."

Suria said that interest in understanding car engines initially fueled this research. Inside an engine, temperatures reach up to 1832 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1000 degrees Celsius, and the outer surface of a piston is 1112 degrees Fahrenheit, or 600 degrees Celsius.

Current technology to monitor and optimize engine performance can't handle this heat, introducing error because measuring devices have to be placed far away from the pistons.

Electronics designed to survive the intense conditions of space could be placed next to the engine's pistons to directly monitor performance and improve efficiency.

Other fiery, high pressure earth-bound environments that would benefit from these robust electronics include oil and gas wellbores, geothermal vents, aircraft engines, gas turbines and hypersonic structures, the researchers said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 05:25:03|Editor: yan

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. University of California (UC) has stepped up its efforts to work with the Ministry of Energy of Mexico (SENER) by announcing 10 million U.S. dollars in new funding to support energy efficiency research projects.

UC President Janet Napolitano joined Mexican Secretary of Energy Pedro Joaquin Coldwell this week in Mexico City to launch a request for proposals that will award up to 200 million pesos, or 10 million U.S. dollars, to energy efficiency projects in Mexico.

Building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by UC and the SENER in October 2014, UC is partnering with the ministry and research institutions in Mexico to accelerate the clean energy transition on both sides of the Mexico-U.S. border through applied research collaborations and exchanges of students and faculty.

The new funding is expected to help identify priorities in the areas of lighting technology, energy and water efficiency, smart buildings and the future electric grid.

The request for proposals will advance shared goals of increasing energy efficiency in buildings and cities by investing in demonstration projects and microgrids.

"Through demonstration projects, innovative technology and integrated solutions to optimize our energy use, we will work together to achieve Mexico's and California's common long-term goal of finding solutions to the biggest challenges that humanity faces," Napolitano said in a UC news release.

"What works in Mexico will help Californians -- just as what works in California will benefit Mexicans."

Napolitano launched the UC-Mexico Initiative to foster partnerships between UC and Mexican universities, governmental agencies, the private sector and foundations, and to address topics of mutual concern, with focus on key areas of interest to both California and Mexico.

As a public research university that claims to be a leader in energy sustainability, UC is dedicated to finding solutions to the related pressing global problems of climate change, air pollution and access to clean water.

Napolitano launched the UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative in 2013, setting the goal for the UC system to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

To date, energy efficiency measures and clean energy projects implemented across the UC system have generated savings of 28 million dollars a year in energy costs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 07:28:11|Editor: xuxin

Indian army troopers take position after being attacked by militants at Bemina bypass road on the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 1, 2017. At least four Indian army troopers were wounded Saturday after militants attacked an Indian army covey in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 07:14:41|Editor: xuxin

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MONTEVIDEO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes on Saturday fired the country's Interior Minister Tadeo Rojas and Police Commander Crispulo Sotelo, after a night of violent riots protesting a Constitutional amendment to allow presidential reelection.

Rioting broke out Friday in the capital Asuncion and other cities, after news spread that Senate members had quietly met to approve an unpopular amendment to prolong a president's hold on the nation's top office.

In the capital, police used water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, injuring some.

With Asuncion currently hosting the annual meeting of the board of governors of the Inter-American Development Bank, Cartes was quick to take action, and immediately filled both posts.

Newly-appointed Interior Minister Lorenzo Dario Lezcano said one of his first tasks will be to identify those responsible for the riots, which left one young political activist dead and the congress building in shambles after it was set on fire.

The fatal victim, identified as Rodrigo Quintana, of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), "was presumably assassinated by police inside" the party's headquarters, the Paraguay news website said, adding he was shot once in the head and eight times in the chest.

The new police chief, Luis Rojas, tried to calm public anger by lamenting Friday's outbreak of violence and saying the police were there to serve everyone, not just the government.

The intensity of the protests has taken legislators from both the ruling right-wing party and the left-wing opposition -- who gave the amendment bipartisan support -- by surprise.

Paraguay only recently emerged from the oppressive rule of dictator Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989), and many are wary of a return to tyranny.

Later in the day, the president of the Senate, Roberto Acevedo, called on lawmakers to withdraw the bill "to bring back the peace and tranquility of the citizenry," according to the daily Ultima Hora.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 07:41:33|Editor: xuxin

Students make their final tuning during robotics competition in Vancouver, Canada, April 1, 2017. Over 350 high school students teamed up to showcase their skills and knowledge in the annual robotics competition hosted by British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liang Sen)
India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley delivers a speech during the second annual meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) in New Delhi, India, April 1, 2017.The Indian economy was expected to grow 7.2 percent in 2017, India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Saturday. (Xinhua/Bi Xiaoyang)

NEW DELHI, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Indian economy was expected to grow 7.2 percent in 2017, India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Saturday.

"As per IMF's assessment in January 2017, India's growth in 2016 would be 6.6 percent and is projected to grow at 7.2 percent and 7.7 percent in 2017 and 2018," Jaitley said while addressing the opening ceremony of the second annual meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) in New Delhi.

The NDB was previously referred to as BRICS Development Bank. It is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS countries.

Jaitley described NDB as a feather in the cap of BRICS.

"It is now more than a decade since the September 2006 meeting of foreign ministers of Brazil, China, Russia and India in New York, where the foundations of BRICS were laid. The BRICS has grown and evolved in many ways since then and the NDB is a feather in its cap," Jaitley said.

The minister said India needs 646 billion U.S. dollars over the next few years to finance infrastructure development.

"India has a huge unmet need for investment in infrastructure, estimated to the tune of about 646 billion U. S. dollars over the next five years. Seventy percent of this will be required in the power, roads and urban infrastructure sectors," Jaitley said.

Jaitley said they have successfully implemented several measures to reinforce the Indian economy, including merger of railway budget with the general budget and the passage of the landmark Goods and Service Tax bill.

The Indian government will roll out the new sales tax from July 1, which will subsume excise, service tax, VAT and other local levies.
The Young Girls of Rochefort is Jacques Demy's fourth film, and word has gotten around Hollywood about this director's unique style and great storytelling. Demy's name got around so much that he landed the legendary Gene Kelly to co-star in his film about a small town called Rochefort where, when a big fair comes to town, fair-goers and Rochefort citizens look for love. Much like Demy's first film Lola, this follows several characters in their pursuit of love and finding the right person.

The central characters are two young women who are twins named Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Francoise Dorleac). Delphine teaches dance while Solange teaches music, and the two are seeking to find their true love and finally move out of Rochefort. When a fair comes to town, two young men, Etienne (George Chakiris) and Bill (Grover Dale), meet the twin sisters and the four hit it off. Meanwhile, the twin's mother Yvonne (Danielle Darrieux) is still pining over the man she left years ago.



Yvonne left her ex Simon Dame (Michel Piccoli) due to his last name being Dame, because she didn't want to be called Madame Dame. Immediately, I didn't like her character because of this, but she realizes the error of her decision. She soon meets a man named Maxence (Jacques Perrin), who is a sailor on leave, but also a painter and poet. Yvonne and Maxence start to fall in love, only to have Simon Dame open a music store in Rochefort not too far from where Yvonne has her own cafe. Soon, all of these character's paths cross, and they don't even know it and they all soon make Yvonne's cafe a central hub when the fair is in town.



As the film progresses, we see each character learn who they want to be and fall in love and take a chance on that special someone, even if it isn't the person they should necessarily be with. Demy captures this perfectly with his screenplay, camera, and excellent musical numbers by the great Michel Legrand. The Young Girls of Rochefort is a very feel good movie and never has a negative outlook on the future, which makes this Demy film one of my favorites. Heck, it was even nominated for several Oscars.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

The Young Girls of Rochefort comes with a 50GB Blu-ray Disc from Criterion and is Region A Locked. There is a Criterion booklet with an essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum, along with information on the crew and technical information on the film. The disc is housed in a hard clear, plastic case with spine #717.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 07:50:18|Editor: Liangyu

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Image provided by Colombia's Presidency shows Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (L) visiting the site of landslide in Mocoa, capital city of Putumayo department, Colombia, on April 1, 2017. At least 154 people were killed in a landslide in Mocoa, said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday. (Xinhua/Cesar Carrion/Colombia's Presidency)

BOGOTA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Mocoa, the capital of southwest Putumayo department, as a deadly mudslide has so far claimed 154 lives.

"Given the seriousness of the situation in Mocoa, Putumayo, I declare a public calamity to facilitate rescue operations and aid," Santos posted via Twitter.

Heavy rains caused three area rivers to overflow early Saturday -- namely the Mocoa, Sangoyaco and Mulatos rivers, according to Colombian daily El Tiempo -- unleashing what local media described as an "avalanche" of muddy water that washed away homes, bridges and vehicles.

The death toll is likely to rise as an estimated 200 residents remained missing in the town of 43,000 inhabitants, and another 200 to 400 people were injured in the disaster.

Some 17 city districts were affected by the torrent and Santos immediately traveled to and arrived at the city on Saturday to head recovery efforts, mobilized the army, police and air force to join the rescue operations.

One police officer, Deciderio Ospina, died while attempting to rescue a family that was calling for help, the police force said.

Images of the tragedy showed volunteers and army troops trying to sift through the slippery, muddy wreckage of buildings to rescue survivors or recover the bodies of victims.

Countries throughout Latin America, as well several European countries, expressed their solidarity with Colombia and offered aid.

Putumayo, in Colombia's Amazonian region, borders Ecuador and Peru. According to the state meteorological agency, March was Colombia's rainiest month since 2011.

Since December, more than 90 people have died in neighboring Peru as Peru has been lashed by torrential rains sparked by the so-called Coastal El Nino phenomenon caused by unusually high sea temperatures, which have brought heavy flooding and mudslide.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 08:20:23|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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BERLIN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Monchengladbach have extended the contract with sporting director Max Eberl, the Bundesliga club confirmed in an official statement on Saturday.

Max Eberl has been linked with league rivals Bayern Munich, who are on the hunt for a sporting director, for months. Hence, the "Foals" and their 43-year-old sporting director have agreed on a contract extension until June 2022 to put an end to the rumours.

"We have worked successfully in the past years. Max Eberl is a decisive factor for our sporting development and a very important part of our future planning. Extending the contract for five years has a strategic importance for us," Monchengladbach's president Rolf Koenigs said.

Max Eberl is since 1999 part of Borussia Monchengladbach. He joined the "Foals" first as a player before he became talent coordinator in 2005. Three years later he replaced Christian Ziege as the sporting director.

"There have been many rumours and speculations about my person in the past months. Monchengladbach is my club and I work here with a great team," sporting director Max Eberl told the club's official homepage.

Monchengladbach sit currently on the 10th place of the Bundesliga standings. They clash with 5th placed Hertha Berlin on Wednesday.
MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian Soviet-era poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday in Oklahoma, the United States, at the age of 84, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Yevtushenko's wife told the news agency Friday that the poet had been hospitalized in serious condition and the doctors were conducting medical examinations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Yevtushenko's family, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding: "His legacy is an integral part of the Russian culture."

The poet, who was also a novelist, movie director and essayist, was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1963.

Yevtushenko and his family moved to the United States in 1991.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 10:50:23|Editor: xuxin

A child tries to hold his teacher's hand during a training course at a service center of the Lingxing community in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, March 28, 2017. Established in 2010, the service center has accommodated over 60 children with autism. A total of 29 teachers take part in the rehabilitation program to help these children. April 2 marks the World Autism Awareness Day. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)
ISLAMABAD, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Officials in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province said Sunday that a custodian of a shrine killed 20 people, including four women, earlier in the day, according to local media.

The incident occurred in Sargodha district, some 200 km south of Islamabad early Sunday when people were gathered to seek spiritual advice and treatment, a senior official in the area told reporters.
Mitsunobu Okada, founder of a space garbage collecting company, in an interview with Xinhua in the company's Tokyo office March 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Deng Min)

by Xinhua writer Ma Zheng, Yan Lei

TOKYO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- About four years ago, with no engineer, no knowledge about space engineering, no connection to the space agencies and not so much money, Mitsunobu Okada started a space garbage collecting company, undertaking the world's most difficult cleaning job.

Okada said it is all because of a handwritten message "Space is waiting for your challenge" by Mamoru Mori, Japan's first astronaut whom he met in 1988 during a camp at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, the United States.

With debris in the endless space as his cleaning object and satellites as his tools, Okada said he had never imagined the challenge would be so formidable.

"I was running an IT company for more than 10 years, and when I turned 39, I was wondering what I should do during my 40s."

Okada said he encountered a midlife crisis before starting the company in 2013 during a recent interview with Xinhua in the company's Tokyo office.

The message by Mori reignited his passion for space when he was wandering in his life. After attending various conferences and forums and finding out that there were only concepts and researches on the growing threat of space debris and no concrete actions about it, he felt frustrated and decided to devote himself to space cleaning.

"I started my company by myself. There weren't a lot of employees, just me. I had 200,000 U.S. dollars in my saving, so that's all what I had."

Okada recalled that he had to solve five things simultaneously including technology, funding, building business model, related rules and regulations and raising people's awareness of space environment.

Space debris comes from asteroids, comets, meteorites and also defunct man-made space devices or their parts. "Dead" satellites are an example of space debris, which poses increasing risks to functional satellites and the International Space Station.

Mitsunobu Okada, founder of a space garbage collecting company, in an interview with Xinhua in the company's Tokyo office March 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Deng Min)

Experts believe there are more than 23, 000 large space debris and countless small ones which travel very fast. A collision with even a tiny fragment can be disastrous at orbital speeds.

Okada said if human beings don't address the problem soon, the Kessler Syndrome would happen in two decades to two hundred years at most.

Kessler Syndrome is proposed by Donald Kessler, a pioneering space debris researcher and a former NASA astrophysicist, in 1978. He said if the objects in low-earth orbit reached a high enough density, debris generated by one collision would lead to another and eventually fill space with small, fast-flying junk, making all space activities impossible.

"It is a consensus we have to remove large debris now before they become smaller particles," Okada said, adding that his company will launch IDEA OSG1 toward the end of this year or early next year to monitor and collect information of the small debris.

Okada said they are developing key technologies to approach the large debris which mainly consists of abandoned rocket upper stage bodies as well as decommissioned satellites, and then capture and deal with them. The microsatellite named ADRAS1 featuring these technologies will be launched in early 2019.

When asked what the advantages of his company's products are, Okada felt shy to talk about it as he believes everything is not perfect and they have to do more to provide affordable services. "There is no advantage. Maybe the only one is that we are so obsessed with suitability. That's the key core advantage of us," Okada said.

Astroscale now has a team of 25 people who call themselves space sweepers. At the supporter section of the company's home page, people can see the photos of the space sweepers holding banners that read "Go, sweep the Galaxy" "Bye Bye, space debris" "We are living in one space. Let's make it clean and keep it clean". Everyone is smiling and everyone seems hopeful for this cause.
LA PAZ, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales on Saturday called the throat surgery to remove a benign nodule on his left vocal cord a "success."

"Successful operation, now comes the recuperation. There should not be any concern," Morales tweeted in Cuba, where he underwent the surgery.

"It is a hoarseness and ... I feel that it is increasingly getting worse, and better to quickly undergo a small operation," Morales said earlier this week before his trip to Cuba.

He added that the surgery and trip were planned on the advice of his doctor and after consulting his cabinet.

Vocal nodules are noncancerous growths that often plague people who use their vocal cords a lot.
ISLAMABAD, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Officials in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province said Sunday that a custodian of a shrine killed at 20 people, including four women, earlier in the day, according to local reports.

The incident occurred in Sargodha district, some 200 km south of Islamabad early Sunday when people were gathered to seek spiritual advice and treatment, a senior official in the area told reporters.

Deputy Commissioner Sargodha district Liaquat Ali Chatta said the custodian, Abdul Waheed, was most probably suffering from mental health problems and that could be the possible reason of killing the people.

Waheed, who is also an employee of the Election Commission of Pakistan in Sargodha, murdered his disciples with knives and batons after giving them drugs, the official said.

Initial investigation suggests that Waheed and his accomplices brutally killed the intoxicated visitors after stripping them.

The police arrested Waheed and his five close associates, who were also involved in the case.

Three people, who were injured and managed to flee, were taken to a local hospital for treatment, rescue official Mazhar Shah told reporters. He said the rescue team received a call around 0:50 a.m. local time Sunday about the incident and rushed to the site.

"When we arrived at the scene, we found 19 bodies. All slain people were beaten to death and their bodies were burnt," Shah said. Local reports said another body was found later and put the death toll of the tragedy at 20.

Officials said Waheed had established the so-called shrine two year ago in a village. The shrine was illegal and no permission was sought from the local authorities, locals said.

Those who were killed belonged to different parts of Punjab Province and federal capital Islamabad, the deputy commissioner said.
YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) is leading with the results of Saturday's by-elections, so far winning five parliamentary seats out of 19 , according to the initial results released by the Union Election Commission as of 9:00 a.m. local time Sunday.

The five parliamentary seats so far held by the NLD include four with the House of Representatives (Lower House) from Yangon region's three township constituencies and Sagaing region's Monywa township constituency, as well as one with the state parliament from Shan state's Nyaungshwe township constituency.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won a seat with the House of Representatives in Mon state's Chaungsone township constituency.

The results of the remaining constituencies will continue to be announced later on the day, the commission said.

The multi-party parliamentary by-election was held across Myanmar on Saturday in which a total of 2 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

A total of 94 candidates competed for 19 parliamentary seats left vacant in 22 townships in eight regions and states. Of the open seats, nine are with the House of Representatives, three with the House of Nationalities and seven with the state parliaments.

It was the first by-election in the tenure of the new government, led by the ruling NLD, one year after its assumption of office.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 12:45:59|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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CARACAS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) on Saturday reversed a controversial ruling on congress that some feared threatened to disrupt the balance of powers.

President Nicolas Maduro asked the TSJ in a late-night speech to review the ruling that sparked a crisis.

The dispute erupted on Wednesday, after the TSJ announced it was taking over some legislative functions, as the National Assembly was in contempt of court, rendering its actions ineffective.

The opposition-controlled assembly, however, claimed the move was a virtual coup designed to dissolve the legislature.

The nation's Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz also questioned the validity of the TSJ's measure on Friday, leading all sides to review the decision.

While announcing it was overturning its original ruling, the TSJ ratified its commitment to the rule of law.

TSJ President Maikel Moreno read a statement affirming that the different branches of government "operate independently, and any conflicts that arise can be resolved in keeping with the constitutional order."

Moreno added the constitutional court "guarantees parliamentary faculties will be exercised directly" by parliament.

The National Assembly has been considered to be in contempt of court since members ignored the TSJ and arranged for three opposition deputies to be sworn in last year, although their election wins were being investigated for voter fraud.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 13:01:01|Editor: Liu

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Image provided by Colombia's Presidency shows Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (L) visiting the site of landslide in Mocoa, capital city of Putumayo department, Colombia, on April 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Cesar Carrion/Colombia's Presidency)

BOGOTA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Flooding and landslides have killed at least 193 people and injuring 202 others on Saturday in the Colombian city of Mocoa, the capital of southwestern Putumayo department.

"Unfortunately the most recent figure for the tragedy in Putumayo is: 193 dead and 202 wounded. Solidarity with their families," wrote Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on his Twitter account.

Most of the injured people are treated at local hospitals and 22 of them were transferred to health centers in neighboring cities.

The death toll is likely to rise as a number of residents remain missing in the town of 43,700 inhabitants, and the exact figure has not yet been officially announced.

The search was temporarily suspended due to a lack of electricity in the landslide-hit area.

Colombian daily El Tiempo reported that heavy rains caused three area rivers -- the Mocoa, Sangoyaco and Mulatos rivers -- to overflow early Saturday, unleashing what local media described as an "avalanche" of muddy water that washed away homes, bridges and vehicles.

Some 17 city districts were affected by the torrent and Santos immediately traveled to the city on Saturday to direct recovery efforts and mobilized the army, police and air force to join rescue operations.

The president declared a state of emergency in Mocoa earlier Saturday to facilitate rescue operations and aid.

"We are going to make an action plan with the government and all the organizations here to start the whole process of humanitarian aid, take care of the wounded, serve the deceased and to begin to restore the services that were suspended," said Santos.

The streets of Mocoa are filled with mud, debris and broken trees, and commercial businesses are mainly closed.

Electricity supply is cut off in about half of the Putumayo department because several stations were destroyed by landslides. Water supply is also affected and the government has sent 20 tanks to deliver water to local people, according to the president.

Police officer Deciderio Ospina died while attempting to rescue a family that was calling for help, police said.

Images of the tragedy showed volunteers and army troops trying to sift through the slippery, muddy wreckage of buildings to rescue survivors or recover the bodies of victims.

Countries throughout Latin America, as well as several European countries, expressed their solidarity with Colombia and offered aid.

Putumayo, in Colombia's Amazonian region, borders Ecuador and Peru. According to the state meteorological agency, March was Colombia's rainiest month since 2011.

Since December, more than 90 people have died in neighboring Peru which has been lashed by torrential rains sparked by the so-called Coastal El Nino phenomenon.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 13:26:03|Editor: ying

Ecuador's ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno (L), accompanied by his wife, takes part in the second round of the presidential elections in Quito, capital of Ecuador, on April 2, 2017. Ecuadorians went to the polls on Sunday to vote in a tightly contested runoff between ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno and the opposition's candidate Guillermo Lasso. (Xinhua/Santiago Armas)

by Elena Chuquimarca

QUITO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorians will go to the polls on Sunday to vote in a tightly contested runoff between ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno and the opposition's candidate Guillermo Lasso.

The two represent divergent paths. Moreno signalled a continuation of the policies of President Rafael Correa and the PAIS Alliance, which have been in power for a decade, while Lasso wanted a "change" back to a more neo-liberal market-oriented style of governance.

A total of eight candidates competed in the first round of voting on Feb. 19 that saw Moreno lead with 39 percent of the votes, followed by Lasso, with 28 percent.

In the runoff, poll results released on March 22 showed Moreno, who has served as Correa's vice president, would have a 15-percent lead over Lasso, of the Creating Opportunities party.

As with all elections in the country, the state of the economy stands to play a decisive role, especially for the party in power. Growth has been weak in the past two years in Ecuador, dragged down by external factors.

However, Lasso, a lifelong banker and former economy minister, has his own cross to bear, namely a financial scandal that came to light just weeks ago.

"We are faced with totally opposite tendencies, one is leftist, the other right wing ...," political observer Monica Hidalgo told Xinhua.

Academician Fernando Casado noted Moreno represented stability and "continuity" of policies that have benefited the people, with an "aim to improve everything that has been done until now."

Correa, after all, is one of the longest-serving presidents in Ecuador's modern history, which saw seven presidential administrations between 1997 and 2007.

Yet the promise of change may entice a growing and restless middle class, amid the rising neo-liberalism.

"Of course, Lasso's arrival in the presidency will signal a turn to the right, because his program is clearly neo-liberal," said Casado.

In the areas of trade and commerce, pro-business Lasso is likely to "privatize services" such as gas, electricity and even water, said political analyst Katalina Barreiro, though Lasso has denied any such plans.

In the realm of politics, Lasso will distance Ecuador from its progressive Latin American allies, such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, and forge closer ties with the United States, as his main campaign pledge is to oust Washington nemesis Julian Assange from Ecuador's embassy in London.

Correa's government granted Assange, the founder of anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, political asylum in 2012.

"With Lasso, foreign policy is going to take a radical turn. Ecuador's stance in regard to China and the United States, and in regard to Latin America, is going to change radically," said political scientist Santiago Basabe.
TALUQAN, Afghanistan, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 militants were killed after Afghan security forces repelled an overnight attack by Taliban on a district headquarters in northern Takhar province, police said on Sunday.
TALUQAN, Afghanistan, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 militants were killed after Afghan security forces repelled an overnight attack by Taliban on a district headquarters in northern Takhar province, police said on Sunday.

"Dozens of militants stormed Darqad district center at mid-night. But security forces fought back the attackers after hours of heavy clashes, killing 10 militants," Gen. Shir Aziz Kamawal, commander of 808 Spin Zaar Police Zone based in the region, told Xinhua.

He said three policemen and nine militants were also wounded during the exchange of fire in the district bordering Tajikistan.

Several security towers around the district office building were damaged following the clashes in the province, 245 km north of national capital of Kabul.

The Taliban insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.

The militant group has yet to make comments.
NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 400 paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were taken ill and subsequently admitted in hospitals in southern state of Kerala, official said Sunday.

The paramilitary troopers complained of stomach pain and vomiting after consuming evening meals on Saturday inside their CRPF camp at Pallipuram in the suburb of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala district.

"Yesterday evening at least 400 CRPF men posted at Pallipuram camp fell ill due to suspected food poisoning," an official posted in Thiruvananthapuram said. "While nearly 200 jawans have been admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, the rest are been undergoing treatment at various other hospitals following complaints of upset stomach and vomiting after consuming food."

Health officials at Government Medical College (GMC) Thiruvananthapuram hospital said the situation was not alarming.

"Right now 110 personnel are admitted here and all of them are stable," the official at GMC, Thiruvananthapuram told Xinhua over phone. "We suspect that the fish that was cooked for them might be the reason behind the food poisoning."

Top officials of CRPF and local ministers have visited the personnel inside hospitals.

Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 14:56:15|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China will see a surge of rail travelers during the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday starting Sunday.

China Railway, the national railway operator, expects the number of trips in the country to hit 45.2 million over the four-day travel rush, a 9.5 percent increase year on year.

The travel peak is expected on Sunday when train trips could reach 12.8 million, up 10.1 percent year on year.

The company said it would add more trains to meet demand.

Tomb-sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is the most important occasion for Chinese to honor their ancestors.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 15:45:52|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun(L) meets with Paris police chief Michel Cadot in Paris, capital of France, April 1, 2017. French prosecutors have pledged that the judicial inquiry into a deadly Chinese man shooting case will be handled "with the greatest transparency" and should result in a fair and fast conclusion, Paris police chief Michel Cadot said here Saturday. (Xinhua/Han Bing)

PARIS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- French prosecutors have pledged that the judicial inquiry into a deadly Chinese man shooting case will be handled "with the greatest transparency" and should result in a fair and fast conclusion, Paris police chief Michel Cadot said here Saturday.

Liu Shaoyao, a 56-year-old Chinese man and a father of five children, was shot dead by police in his apartment in Paris last Sunday. The incident sparked outrage and aroused protests by the Chinese community in Paris.

Progress has been made jointly by France and China to improve the security climate of Paris, Cadot said after a work meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun as well as representatives of Chinese nationals.

Cadot said the atmosphere of the talks is "very constructive." He also expressed condolence to Liu Shaoyao's family.

Cadot stressed that the Paris police will considerably increase security measures to guarantee that Paris is one of the safest destinations of Europe to Chinese tourists.

To achieve this common objective, the Paris police and the Chinese embassy have an "old, excellent and real trust" relationship in solving concrete security problems, he said.

Zhai said China hopes that the judicial inquiry launched by the French side on the truth of Liu Shaoyao's shooting to death case will lead to a "fair and understandable" conclusion and the China-France relationship can continue to move forward in a good way.

"We want to believe in the sincerity of the French side in investigating the case of Liu Shaoyao, and we appreciate the security measures launched by France, particularly by the Paris police," said Zhai.

China has paid attention to the fact that the French government and the Paris police have repeatedly stated that the safety of the Chinese in France is a priority, and "we hope that these words will be effectively applied," said the ambassador, adding that the efforts made by the French side to improve the safety of the Chinese in Paris have been in Beijing's eyes.

China also hopes that the police in Paris will respond in a reasonable manner to the reactions of the Chinese community following the shooting to death of Liu Shaoyao, said Zhai, who also called on Chinese nationals in Paris to express themselves "in a legitimate and reasonable way."

The Paris police headquarters said Saturday in a statement that to facilitate communication between tourists and the authorities in Paris, a digital complaint system with an integrated translation module is being developed, which is expected to be put into use this summer.

During the tourist season, an urban supervision center will be set up to operate video surveillance cameras and 131 new video protection devices will be added to the 216 cameras already present in the main tourist areas, according to the statement.
This file photo taken on January 21, 2015 shows Russian poet, novelist and literature professor Yevgeny Yevtushenko looking on during a meeting with readers in Moscow. (AFP Photo)

MOSCOW, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian Soviet-era poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday in Oklahoma, the United States, at the age of 84, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Yevtushenko's wife told the news agency Friday that the poet had been hospitalized in serious condition and the doctors were conducting medical examinations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Yevtushenko's family, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding: "His legacy is an integral part of the Russian culture."

The poet, who was also a novelist, movie director and essayist, was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1963.

Yevtushenko and his family moved to the United States in 1991.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 16:20:57|Editor: xuxin

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JERUSALEM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Sunday that its forces closed overnight a bookstore in the West Bank city of Nablus that was used for explosive manufacturing.

The operation was part of a recent wave of night raids in Palestinian cities, which the army says are aimed to confiscate illegal weapons.

"The store was used by a Hamas terror cell for manufacturing explosives and producing inciting materials," a military spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Hamas cell was uncovered during last December, while planning to commit terror attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa," the spokesperson added.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, soldiers arrested five Palestinians who were said to be suspected of "terrorist involvement and disorderly conduct."

Three of the suspects were arrested in the Hebron area in the southern West Bank, one in the central West Bank and one in the village of Beit Fajar near Bethlehem.

Israel captured the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war and has kept its control over these lands, where the Palestinians which to establish their future state.
MOGADISHU, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed in a landmine explosion in southern Somalia on Saturday evening, a government official said Sunday.

Information Minister for Hirshabelle State Mahad Hassan told Xinhua by phone that the blast at an area near Mahaday district in Middle Shabelle region left two siblings dead.

"The two siblings, a boy and a girl, were killed in the landmine explosion. They were on auto-rickshaw," Hassan said.

After the incident, the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) successfully defused two other bombs at the scene.

He added that the SNA and AMISOM have launched a massive security operation in the area to capture those behind the explosion.

Hassan said Al-Shabaab militants were probably responsible for the blast.

There was no immediate comment from Al-Shabaab, which is part of the al-Qaida allied terror network.
NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Four students were arrested for chasing Indian textile minister Smriti Irani's car and booked for stalking, using offensive language and gestures, police said on Sunday.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 25, were arrested on Saturday evening in New Delhi, the Indian capital city, after the minister's security staff stopped their vehicle and handed them over to the police.

The police said the four young people inside a car chased the minister's vehicle and tried to overtake her twice in a rash and negligent manner near the Myanmar embassy in Chanakyapuri area.

Following their arrest, police said the students were found to be drunk.

"We took the students to a hospital and their medical examination confirmed presence of alcohol in their blood. They were returning from a friend's birthday party in south Delhi and were roaming in the area for fun," a police official said.

"They have been held for speeding, drink driving and misbehaving with the minister and her staff."

Reports said the students were later released on bail.

Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal appreciated the minister's action and said it would encourage other women to come forward and report.

"Good Smriti Irani acted against men who chased her. Encourages others to report. Important centre state work together for women safety in Delhi," Maliwal wrote on Twitter.

Scrutiny of violence against women in India has grown after 2012 fatal gang-rape of a medical student in New Delhi. Though it brought spotlight on crimes against women in India, however, brutal sexual attacks against women continue to be reported across India.
A boy waits to collect water in Marsabit, one of the most severe drought-hit regions in Kenya, on March 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

NAIROBI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Kenya has donated 20,000 U.S. dollars to the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) to strengthen life-saving interventions for drought victims in the country.

Representatives of Kenya Overseas Chinese Association on Friday presented the cash donation to support provision of relief food to communities affected by a biting drought that peaked early this year.

"When the Kenyan government declared drought a national disaster in February, we launched a fund raising initiative to help the victims. Today's donation will be channeled to populations in need of food," said Chairman of Kenya Overseas Chinese Association Guo Wenchang.

He added that the Chinese community in Kenya is committed to assisting local communities affected by natural disasters like drought.

"We believe Kenyans are our brothers and sisters and will uphold the Chinese tradition of helping those in difficult situation," Guo remarked.

Chinese nationals lend a hand when Kenya experienced a devastating drought in 2011. Guo revealed that the Chinese community donated 60 tonnes of food for distribution to drought-stricken northern counties.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet said donation from Chinese citizens will provide respite to communities facing a dire humanitarian crisis occasioned by prolonged dry spell.

"The Chinese community's contribution to drought relief is a very noble gesture," said Gullet.

An estimated 3 million Kenyans in 23 counties are affected by a severe drought that is expected to subsidize when the long rain season peak in April and May.

Gullet said that relief agencies have intensified fundraising to avert a humanitarian crisis in drought affected counties.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 19:31:13|Editor: xuxin

A man casts his vote at a polling station in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 2, 2017. Serbia's presidential election started on Sunday morning across the country and abroad where people will vote to choose their new head of state among 11 independent and party candidates, including the incumbent prime minister, who leads in surveys. (Xinhua/Predrag Milosavljevic)
STOCKHOLM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and around 30 others have been injured in a bus accident in central Sweden, Swedish Television reported on Sunday.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning between Sveg and Fagelsjo in Harjedalen, central Sweden.

Swedish Television quoted sources as reporting that the bus was carrying young people on their way to a ski trip. There were 59 people on the bus, including 52 youth and seven adults.

Among the injured, six people were in seriously condition. All the wounded have been transported to hospital, according to the Swedish Television.

The bus was traveling in the northbound direction and ran off the road. Site pictures showed that the bus is on the side of a small slope to the road.

"I have heard the horrifying news of the bus accident near Sveg. It leaves me and the entire country in mourning," Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said in a statement to Swedish TT News Agency.

Investigation teams have been set up to find out the reasons of the accident.
JAKARTA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Three bodies have been found and 26 others are still burried under the soil as landslides struck Indonesia's East Java province, a rescuer said on Sunday.

"Today, our personnel at the scene discovered two more bodies, bringing the total casualty to three," Marsudi, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, told Xinhua via phone.

Severe weather conditions forced the authority to halt the search for the victims earlier on Sunday and it will resume on Monday morning, the spokesman said.

Several machinery equipment have arrived to help the search for the missing persons, he said.

The search and rescue operation for the affected-persons involved nearly 1,700 soldiers, those from search and rescue offices, disaster agency offices and volunteers, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster management agency, told Xinhua via phone.

Saturday's disaster in Banaran village have forced some 300 people to flee home and take shelters at relatives' houses, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 19:51:28|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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CHANGSHA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Six new cases of H7N9 infection were reported from March 24 to 30 in central China's Hunan Province, health authorities said Sunday.

One person died from the infection, according to a statement issued by the provincial center for disease control and prevention.

It said cold and rainy weather in many regions of the province contributed to the spread of the virus.

Live poultry trading has been suspended in the provincial capital Changsha since March 17. The suspension will last for 21 days.

In eastern China's Shandong Province, a 58-year-old man tested positive for the virus in the city of Linyi Saturday, according to the provincial health and family planning commission Sunday.

China is on a three-day holiday for Tomb Sweeping Day, when people in some regions slaughter poultry as a tribute to ancestors.

Health experts advise the public to avoid exposure to live poultry and not to buy unlicensed poultry meat.
YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) of Myanmar, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has won nearly half of parliamentary seats in Saturday's by-elections, according to the final results released by the Union Election Commission Sunday afternoon.

Of the 19 parliamentary seats contested in the election, the NLD won a total of nine seats -- five with the House of Representatives (the Lower House)three with the House of Nationalities (the Upper House) and one with the Shan state parliament.

The NLD's winning seats of the House of Representatives include four in Yangon region constituencies and one in Sagaing region's Monywa.

The party's winning seats with the House of Nationalities include one in Yangon region constituency, one in Bago region and one in Chin state.

The by-election results were highlighted by the victory of the ethnic Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), led by Khun Htun Oo, which won two seats with the House of Representatives in Shan state constituencies and four seats with the Shan state parliament.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by U Than Htay, won a total of two seats, one with the House of Representatives in Mon state's Chaungsone constituency and one with the state parliament in Shan state's Kengtung.

The All Nationalities Democracy Party (Kayah state) and the Arakan National Party (ANP) won one seat each with the state parliament in Kayah state constituency and Rakhine state.

The multi-party parliamentary by-election was held across Myanmar on Saturday in which a total of 2 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

A total of 94 candidates competed for 19 parliamentary seats left vacant in 22 townships in eight regions and states. Of the open seats, nine are with the House of Representatives, three with the House of Nationalities and seven with the state parliaments.

Of the 94 candidates, 87 are from 24 political parties with 18 each shared by the NLD and the USDP, while the seven others are individuals.

It was the first by-election taking place in the tenure of the new government, led by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), one year after its assumption of office.
LAGOS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Police in Nigeria's restive Borno State confirmed that three suspected suicide bombers were killed in separate attacks on early Sunday morning.

State police spokesperson Victor Isuku said the first incident happened near the entrance of the Maiduguri city when two suspected male bombers were killed.

"Today, at about 4:38, two male suicide bombers detonated improvised explosive devise (IED) strapped to their bodies near Alhaji Bukar Gujari Filling station in Muna Garage area at the entrance of Maiduguri," he said in a statement.

"The bombers died instantly without killing anybody," Isuku said.

He said another suspected suicide bomber detonated his IED in Dusuman village, killing himself and injuring another person who tried to stopped him.

The attacks came barely few 24 hours after a high-ranking member of the Boko Haram terrorist group Bulama Kailani Mohammed Metele surrendered to government forces.

Army spokesman Sani Usman said Metele, from Tumbun Bera in Borno, belonged to Mamman Nur's faction of the terrorists group under the leadership of Abu Mustapha.

Meanwhile, Usman said two suspected Boko Haram terrorists carrying out surveillance on Kareto and Dangalti villages had been arrested by troops.

Preliminary investigation showed that they are on reconnaissance mission to facilitate possible attack on the communities, according to him.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 21:02:13|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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FUZHOU, April 2 (Xinhua) -- A fishing boat carrying 10 people sank off eastern China's Fujian Province after colliding with a Panama-registered cargo vessel late Saturday, provincial marine authorities said Sunday.

The Panama vessel "KF PROSPERITY" was heading to Republic of Korea from Taiwan when the crash occurred around midnight Saturday near Kemen Port in the provincial capital of Fuzhou, said a statement issued by the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration.

The foreign vessel was requested to rescue the fishermen at the site. A helicopter and four other vessels, including two from Taiwan, joined the rescue Sunday morning.

As of Sunday noon, nine of the fishermen had been saved with one still missing.
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Military operations have killed nine civilians in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan Sunday, a local security official said.

"During operations which launched at 02:00 a.m. local time today in Malgir area of Gereshk district, nine civilians including three women, four children and two men were killed," the official told Xinhua.

However, he refused to give his name, saying authorized officials would talk to media after investigation.

The official also added that Afghan and NATO-led Resolute Support forces discovered a weapon cache of Taliban in a house in Malgir area and detonated it which damaged some houses and one house collapsed due to the blast killing nine members of a family.

Two Taliban militants present in the house were also killed due to the blast at nearby, the official asserted.

Meanwhile, spokesman for provincial government Omar Zawak when approached by Xinhua confirmed the incident but without giving information said, "Investigation is underway".

Taliban outfit has also confirmed that two militants were killed in clash with security forces in Malgir area of Gereshk district early morning.

The poppy growing and militancy-plagued Helmand province has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the southern region of Afghanistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 21:22:15|Editor: Mengjie

Photo taken on April 2, 2017 shows the site of an accident in Pingjiang Township of Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Eight people were killed after a van fell into a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said. (Xinhua)

GUIYANG, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed after a van fell into a river in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning in Pingjiang Township, Rongjiang County. The driver, surnamed Yang, took his family and relatives in the van to a neighboring county, as it hit the bridge guardrail and fell.

Eight bodies were recovered. Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 bodies were recovered Sunday from a canal in northern Indian state of Haryana, police said.

The bodies were recovered during dredging of Bhakhra canal near Narwana in Jind district of Haryana, about 181 km north of Delhi, the capital of India.

"We have recovered 11 bodies from the canal here today," Ramesh Kumar, senior police official told media. "Of them one body is of a female. The process of identification have initiated as we have informed all the police stations in and around the state to check list of missing persons."

Police officials suspect the bodies have come from Punjab with flow of water. The bodies have been kept at Narwana civil hospital, police said.

"Some of the bodies are in good shape, while as other have got decomposed," the Kumar said.

The Bhakra canal carrying water from Bhakhra Nangal Dam flows from Himachal Pradesh into Punjab and later to Haryana. It mostly supplies irrigation water to the state of Haryana.

"Authorities have closed a part of canal to clean the rivulet bed of weed and mud," a local government official said. "The cleaning of canal is often being carried out from time to time."

Local media reports four human skulls were also recovered from canal.

Reports said the depth of the canal usually remains 18 feet throughout the year, and incidents of people drowning in the canal while taking bath are often reported during summers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 21:32:17|Editor: xuxin

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GAZA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement insisted on Sunday that Israel is the only one which is behind the murder of Mazen Fuqaha, the top West Bank Hamas militant near his house in southern Gaza City in March 24.

Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza said in a press statement emailed to reporters that the "Zionist enemy (Israel) is the one which is behind the assassination of the leader Fuqaha."

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated that Israel is not the one which killed Fuqaha and that Hamas should find out who was involved in killing him.

Mazen Fuqaha, a top Hamas militant, originally from the West Bank city of Jenin was deported to Gaza in October 2011, after he was released from an Israeli jail as part of an Egyptian-brokered prisoners swap deal reached with Israel.

Since his murder, Hamas security forces has been accusing Israel's collaborators for being behind the murder of Fuqaha. It carried a series of security measures in the Gaza Strip, including the closure of the borders with Israel and the sea as well.

On Saturday, Eyad al-Bozzom, spokesman of the Hamas-run ministry of interior said in an emailed press statement that within the coming few days, strict security measures will be taken against Palestinian collaborators with Israel.

Since his death, Hamas and its security apparatuses had so far failed to unveil who was behind the murder of Fuqaha. Al-Bozzom stated that the interior ministry would immediately brief the press as soon as the murderers are unveiled.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin noted positive results of integration cooperation between Minsk and Moscow, as he congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on the Day of Unity of Peoples of Russia and Belarus, the Kremlin said Sunday.

According to a statement published by the Kremlin press service, Putin stressed the significance of the Union State for citizens of both countries and spoke highly of their integration cooperation in various fields including politics, commerce and economy as well as science and technology in past 20 years.

The president also underlined that the tried-and-tested experience of the two countries' collective efforts contributed to finding the best solutions for complicated issues and further strengthening of Russia-Belarus ties.

Lukashenko sent greetings to Putin on the Unity Day and expressed confidence that Minsk and Moscow would continue integration based on the principles of equality, Belarusian presidential press service said Saturday in a statement.

The Day of Unity of Peoples of Russia and Belarus is celebrated annually on April 2. On this day in 1996, the Union State of Russia and Belarus was originally formed, aiming at enhancing their integration in multiple spheres.
YANGON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) of Myanmar, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has won nearly half number of parliamentary seats in Saturday's by-elections, according to the final results released by the Union Election Commission Sunday afternoon.

Of the 19 parliamentary seats contested in the election, the NLD won a total of nine seats -- five with the House of Representatives (Lower House), three with the House of Nationalities (Upper House) and one with the Shan state parliament.

The NLD's winning seats of the House of Representatives include four in Yangon region's constituencies and one in the constituency of Sagaing region's Monywa.

The party's winning seats with the House of Nationalities include one in Yangon region constituency, one in Bago region's and one in Chin state's.

The by-election results were highlighted by some victory of the ethnic Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD),led by Khun Htun Oo, which won two seats with the House of Representatives in Shan state's constituencies and four seats with the Shan state parliament.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by U Than Htay, won a total of two seats -- one with the House of Representatives in Mon state's Chaungsone constituency and one with the state parliament in Shan state's Kengtung's.

The All Nationalities Democracy Party (Kayah state) won one seat with the State parliament in Kayah state, while the Arakan National Party (ANP) won one seat with the House of Representatives.

The multi-party parliamentary by-election was held across Myanmar on Saturday in which a total of 2 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

A total of 94 candidates competed for 19 parliamentary seats left vacant in 22 townships in eight regions and states. Of the open seats, nine are with the House of Representatives, three with the House of Nationalities and seven with the state parliaments.

Of the 94 candidates, 87 are from 24 political parties with 18 each shared by the NLD and the USDP, while the seven others are individuals.

It was the first by-election taking place in the tenure of the new government, led by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), one year after its assumption of office.
British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street after the cabinet meeting in London, Britain on March 29, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May and her most senior ministers gathered in the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street Wednesday at the start of one of the most historic days in generations for Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday gave assurances over Gibraltar with Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo by phone.

It has become one of the early flashpoints in Brexit negotiations which started last week after May triggered Article 50, the process for leaving the European Union.

An official spokesman for 10 Downing Street said: "The prime minister reiterated our long-standing position that the UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy.

"The prime minister said we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, nor will we ever enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content," said the spokesman.

"The prime minister said we remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit, and will continue to involve them fully in the process."

Gibraltar, located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean, was ceded to Britain as part of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Spain has persistently sought to regain the tiny southern territory.

A row has erupted after draft Brexit negotiating guidelines drawn up by the European Council identified future arrangements for Gibraltar as one of its 26 core principles.

The guidelines stated: "After the UK leaves the union, no agreement between the EU and the UK may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without agreement between Spain and the UK."

That clause has potentially put Britain and Spain on a collision course over the future of this area.
KHARTOUM, April 2 (Xinhua) -- First African Conference of Chief Justices and President of Supreme Courts on Sunday kicked off its sessions in Sudanese capital Khartoum.

"Your conference reflects the African stance which is committed to justice. It represents a Africa's strong message that the continent is capable of changing the stereotype image drawn by the colonial media," said Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir when addressing the conference.

Al-Bashir further lashed out at the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing it as "politicized."

"It is enough for the African judiciary that it has discovered that the so-called ICC was not but a colonial and politicized instrument meant to undermine the African continent," said al-Bashir.

The Sudanese president reiterated his country's commitment to confront all forms of terrorism, human trafficking and money laundering crimes.

In the meantime, President and China's Chief Justice of Supreme People's Court, Zhou Qiang, sent a letter to the conference, pointing out that the conference is the first of its kind for the top judicial leaders from African countries and would summarize the developments and achievements of all court systems in Africa.

The letter stated that "it is of great significance in the establishment of a united African judicial system alliance jointly combating the transnational organized crimes, promoting the exchange of judicial experiences among African countries and improving the judicial capabilities of African states as a whole."

The forum will discuss four major topics, namely the African experience in conflict resolution through alternative means, independence of the judiciary under the African experiences, the judicial system and means of its development and transnational crimes.

Representatives of 34 African countries attended the conference, and China, India and Indonesia participated as monitors.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 22:17:23|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education has issued a document encouraging schools and kindergartens to install surveillance cameras in kitchens and pantries to monitor the entire process of food production and to improve food safety.

As the weather gets warmer, the possibilities of food poisoning and infectious diseases increase, said the document, adding that schools should be more careful in purchasing ingredients and processing food.

The food must have clear labels, stating the production date and producer, and expired food must not be used, according to the document.

Principals will be held accountable in any food safety incidents, said the document.

The document also requires schools to keep an eye on the health of their students by having daily body check-ups. The schools need to launch educational campaigns on food safety and disease prevention and control among students.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 22:32:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Serbia looks forward to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, visiting Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has said.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday, Nikolic said more projects would be carried out in the future so that Serbia could "fit much better within the Belt and Road Initiative."

Comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is the way that China actually shows its greatness by helping other countries," said Nikolic, who is paying a state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The initiative is helping to connect European countries, especially in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), while China gains access to foreign markets, Nikolic said.

When pointing out that the Belt and Road brings mutual benefits to all sides, Nikolic raised the examples of large cooperative projects between China and Serbia, including the Smederevo steel mill and the under-construction Serbia-Hungary railway.

Nikolic also expressed hope that the Belt and Road Initiative and the connectivity it represents could be further embodied in the global community.

Nikolic also stressed the importance of the concept of a community of shared future for humankind, the Chinese-proposed notion to help improve global governance that has recently been written into a UN Security Council resolution.

"Regarding the concept, China has moved all countries in the world and mankind to think about how to survive, to live on," Nikolic said.

The concept represented a chance for a better future for all, Nikolic said, adding that Serbia fully supports such an ideology.

The president in particular voiced Serbia's readiness to facilitate any kind of communications coming from China to all countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Ties would be broadened through linking the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategy of each participant country, Nikolic noted.

Under the initiative, CEE countries would cooperate with China in infrastructure building, production capacity, and with the development of various industrial parks and economic zones, he added.

During talks between Xi and Nikolic on Thursday, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative and the "16+1" grouping, which refers to China and the 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).

China and Serbia would also boost their comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen all-around ties, according to the two leaders.

During Xi's visit to the Balkan country in June 2016, the two countries agreed to upgrade their traditional friendly relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership -- a more advanced relationship between China and another country -- in a bid to cement political trust, and enhance economic and cultural links and cooperation in international affairs.
Pedestrians walk past the European Commission building on which a banner is displayed celebrating the 60th anniversary of Treaty of Rome, in Brussels, Belgium, March 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BUDAPEST, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union, proud of the peace and economic wealth it brought in the last 60 years, might be opting for a multi-speed model, causing a deeper division between its members, former EU Commissioner and former Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Balazs has said.

"The probable direction is greatly depending on the heavy-weight core member states, such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain, because their role is determinative," Balazs told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently.

"This year and the next, many elections will be held, and if the pro-integration forces get the majority, the multi-speed model will prevail, which will result in some countries springing forward, and the rest lagging back," explained Balazs, now a professor at Central European University (CEU).

"The EU recently published five scenarios about the possible directions of the development trends, in the form of a white paper. This paper sums up five possibilities, of which I see two that are more probable to be realized than the rest," Balazs pointed out.

"One is about the scenario where not every member states want a closer integration. If that is the case, we shall let that happen to those who want it. This scenario may be called a two- or a multi-speed model," he said.

"The other one is when the differentiation within the EU is not done alongside countries but cases. Here too, the EU wanted to achieve too many things at the same time. The branches that can be governed together must be limited to those where the political will and the political means are both present," he added.

When speaking of the reasons that resulted in a multi-speed model, Balazs told that the EU wanted probably to "achieve too much, too soon."

"The main problem is that Europe went too far by becoming overconfident. Encouraged by its previous successes, it started projects that were not elaborated enough. There were two such projects, one of them was the common currency, the euro, and the other was the common European constitution," Balazs underlined.

"We have to admit that the common currency had been quite shaken by the first serious international crisis, although it managed to recover. As for the constitution, we finally got the Lisbon Treaty, which is not a bad think," he said.

Balazs believed another source of the problem was that the European Union took too far the question of enlargement. It gave membership to many countries that were not yet ready for the integration, they were not mature enough.

"A sign of that lack of maturity is the kind of populism that has appeared in countries such as Poland or Hungary, in nations where instead of a closer integration, the leadership is interested in more autonomy," he stressed.

The EU is facing these challenges after decades of peace and prosperity, he said.

"The most important effect of the integration process of the European Union is undoubtedly the fact that after long decades of war, Europe reached the status where the countries that have conflicts with each other resolve it with cooperation and dialogue. This is of course also valid for Europe citizens," Balazs pointed out.

"Moreover, the other perhaps most important yield of the integration process is the several decades economic development, that has also given very much to the Europeans," he said.

Common people also shared the opinion of the expert.

"I am pro-European, that is why I have faith in the future of Europe. I think it would be wise to think about unified, common goals in the fields of defence, taxes and energy. It would be also wise to decrease the bureaucracy of the EU and to increase the authority of the European Parliament," Gabor Gero, co-owner and manager of Monday Insurance Brokers Ltd, told Xinhua.

Asked about his hopes for the future of the EU, he also said that the European alliance would probably switch to a multi-speed development path, shortly following the Brexit.

" Big countries like France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with perhaps the Benelux states, will achieve greater integration," Gero explained.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-02 22:56:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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AMMAN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday signed deals in the field of energy with major companies, including the development of a 50 megawatts solar power plant.

The energy deals were signed during the 3rd Jordan International Energy Summit, which was attended by more than 500 experts and officials from around 45 countries.

At the opening of the summit, Prime Minister Hani Mulki stressed on Jordan's keenness to support investments in the energy sector.

He said Jordan succeeded in attracting some five billion U.S. dollars worth of investments in the field of energy.

According to the energy ministry, Jordan is working on building renewable energy power plants with total capacity of 1,500 megawatts.

Jordan and Egypt on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration in the export and import of natural gas and liquified natural gas between the two countries.
by Muhammad Tahir

ISLAMABAD, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has signed a bill to revive military courts for fast trials of terrorism-related cases, just days after the treasury and the opposition parties in the parliament joined hands to approve the amendment in the constitution.

The rare unity of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and major opposition parties on the issue sent a clear message to the militants that the peoples' representatives are in the same trench to fight against terrorism.

The two-year mandate of the military courts had expired in January and the country's Senate and National Assembly separately passed the constitutional amendment to extend its period for another two years.

The government insisted on the extension of the court's tenure as the country still faces challenges of terrorism and only in February some 100 people, almost all civilians, were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in the country. The banned Pakistani Taliban groups and the Islamic State (IS) claimed the brutal and bloody attacks.

The idea behind the establishment of the military courts in 2015 was to put on speedy trial on the militants involved in terrorist activities as their cases would take a long time in the normal courts because of many other pending cases in the courts.

The trial in normal courts of the terrorism-related case had always been a risky job for the judges, lawyers, police, the prosecution and witnesses, as their identity would be known to the militants. The militant groups have carried out several attacks on the judges and lawyers because of hearing terrorism-related cases.

In August last year, some 70 lawyers and court employees were killed in a deadly suicide attack on lawyers who gathered outside a hospital in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city. The Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction and the IS had both claimed the terrorist attack.

As part of a new strategy, the militant groups now coordinate and carry out joint attacks, which is a new challenge for Pakistani security forces. As the security forces have deprived the militant groups of their previous basis in the tribal regions, they are now fighting survival war and that is now from the other side of Afghan border.

On April 2, officials in Kurram tribal region said that the militants fired four rockets into Pakistan's border area in a latest attack.

As per the law, the federal government recommends the terrorism-related cases to be hand to the military courts where the accused are given the right of hiring the services of defense lawyers. The convicts also have the right of filing mercy petitions to the president. But Pakistani president has rejected all appeals in terrorism cases.

It is widely believed in Pakistan that the military courts have proved effective to punish those who fight against the state, security forces, government officials, lawmakers, politicians, judges, lawyers, civil society members, media persons and those who reject violent extremism.

The army said last month that the military courts have so far awarded death sentence to a total of 161 terrorists and 30 have been executed.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), its splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, the banned sectarian outfit "Lashkar-e-Jhangvi" and other armed groups have realized that the convictions and executions proved to be a serious blow to them.

The TTP chief Mullah Fazalullah in a new video and several other commanders have spoken against the military courts which means the Taliban top leaders are worried over revival of the courts.
CAPE TOWN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- South African Parliament Speaker Baleka Mbete said Sunday she will ensure that requests for a no confidence motion against President Jacob Zuma be given appropriate consideration.

Mbete arrived in South Africa on Sunday after cutting short her trip to Bangladesh, citing recent requests for a debate on a no-confidence motion against Zuma as the reason.

On March 30, Mbete's office received a letter from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) requesting for a motion of no confidence in Zuma.

The letter indicated that the motion be scheduled when Parliament reconvenes. Later on the same day, a similar request was received from the Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for the National Assembly to be convened for a special sitting to debate and vote on a similar motion.

The opposition has approached the Western Cape High Court to compel Parliament to urgently schedule a motion of no confidence in Zuma, who has been under fire for drastically reshuffling the cabinet in the early hours of Saturday.

The reshuffle, which affected 10 ministers and 10 deputy ministers, including former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, has drawn criticism and prompted calls for Zuma to step down.

When a motion of this magnitude is called and is in line with the Parliament's rules, it must be scheduled and must receive priority, Mbete said in a statement.

"I will, therefore, as of today, begin a process of consultation contemplated in the Rules in the consideration of the requests submitted. I envisage that the consultation should be concluded as soon as possible," said Mbete.

She said that once the consultation process is concluded, her office will duly write to all the parties involved to advise them of the outcome.

For a vote of no-confidence motion to be successful, it requires 201 of the 400 National Assembly MPs to vote in its favor.

If the motion is successful, then the president, his deputy, cabinet ministers and all their deputies must resign as provided for in section 102 of the Constitution.

Zuma has survived at least two no-confidence motions in Parliament, dominated by MPs of the ruling African National Congress.
FIROZ KOH, Afghanistan, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed and five others wounded in a premature blast in Afghanistan's western province of Ghor on Sunday, provincial police chief said.

"Seven militants were travelling in a vehicle toward provincial capital Firoz Koh. They were carrying a suicide jacket as they tried to conduct terror attack in the city. But they became the victim of their vicious plan after the explosive went off accidently," Gen. Mustafa Mohseni told Xinhua.

The incident took place roughly at 4:30 local time in Ghalmin locality on eastern outskirts of the city, 360 km west of Kabul, he said.

The casualties were shifted to a local hospital where the injured remained in police custody.

The Taliban insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.

The Taliban militant group has yet to make comments.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-03 00:23:41|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Sunday a message of condolences to his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos over the flooding and landslides that hit the Latin American country and caused heavy losses of life and property on Saturday.

On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people as well as in his own name, Xi extended his deep condolences to the victims, and sincere sympathy to the afflicted and the families of the victims.

The Chinese people would like to offer help in disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction, he said, adding that he also believed that the Colombian people will definitely be able to overcome the aftermath of the disaster and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of President Santos and his government.

Flooding and landslides killed at least 193 people and injured 202 others on Saturday in the Colombian city of Mocoa, the capital of southwestern Putumayo department.
by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other government officials reiterated their confidence that the second review of Greece's third bailout will be concluded in April, local media reported on Sunday.

"The agreement will close and we will vote measures and offset measures which will be applied after 2019 only if, in the meantime, effective measures for the debt will be implemented," Tsipras was quoted by Sunday's "Ethnos" (Nation) daily as saying.

"We are entering the final stretch. There will be developments in the next days," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos also told SKAI TV on Sunday.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll released showed that most Greek citizens are frustrated with the long delay in negotiations with international lenders.

The second assessment of the current bailout should have closed in February 2016, according to the initial timetable agreed in 2015.

As Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem has said it was unlikely that the upcoming Eurogroup meeting on April 7 will seal a deal to conclude the review, Greek voters are not content, according to the survey conducted by Palmos Analysis polling firm for tvxs news portal.

About 41 percent of respondents in the poll put the blame for the delay on the Greek side, 33 percent on both and 19 percent on creditors only.

The opinion poll was carried out in the period between March 23 and 30 with 1,001 participants throughout Greece.
Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency in New York, the United States, March 28, 2017. The Chinese concept of building "a community of shared future for all mankind" is in sync with the fundamental principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter, the top Pakistani diplomat at the organization has said. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

by Xinhua writer Gu Zhenqiu

UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani UN ambassador, Maleeha Lodhi, said that China's Belt and Road Initiative is a "win-win for everybody" while "connecting hearts" in countries along its path.

Lodhi told Xinhua that she looks forward to a high-level forum to be hosted by China in May to boost international cooperation to carry out the landmark Chinese initiative.

The Belt & Road Initiative "is win-win for the whole region," said Lodhi, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, "We look forward to this meeting."

She added it is certainly "a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor", which is part of the Belt & Road Initiative.

China plans to host a Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in Beijing this May to brainstorm on interconnected development.

The Belt and Road Initiative, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, was put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa.

"And we would like to play a leading role in ensuring regional connectivity, which brings not just people together, but hearts together, because regional connectivity aims to ensure that all people prosper from economic cooperation and trade relations," she said.

The Belt & Road Initiative "is one of bringing economic prosperity through regional connectivity to all the countries," she added.

"This is something, of course, my country always welcomes because my country's relations with China are like what President Xi described as 'iron brothers'," said Lodhi.

The Belt and Road Initiative has won support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, with nearly 50 cooperation agreements signed between governments.

Given the solid relationship between China and Pakistan, Lodhi said her country has a pivotal role to play in ensuring the vision is translated into reality. "And, of course, all people will benefit from this."

She said Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan believed that this initiative is going to transform the region.

The initiative is also one that will "help to foster the notion that we have a shared future," added the ambassador.

"I think this initiative will help us translate those opportunities into actual accomplishments on the ground, ensuring that our people have a better life, our people have the economic goods and the economic prosperity that is the dividend of peace in our region," she said.

Meanwhile, Lodhi stressed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a good example of the international efforts to carry out the Belt and Road Initiative.

"This is a model and an example for the rest of the world of how two countries can also cooperate in a manner that benefits both," she said.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, proposed by China in 2013, is a 3,000-km network of roads, railways and pipelines linking Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and southwest Pakistan's Gwadar Port.

Lodhi, Pakistan's first female UN ambassador, served as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States twice (1993-1996, 1999-2002) and as high commissioner to Britain (2003-2008).

She also served as a member of the UN secretary-general's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters from 2001 to 2005.

In 1994, the U.S. magazine Time nominated her as one of a hundred people in the world who would help shape the 21st century.
TAMALE, Ghana, April 2 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) official has stressed that China's investment in infrastructure across Africa is key to achieving the continent's development aspirations.

Nicholas Rosellini, UN Resident Coordinator for China told Xinhua here late Saturday that China's investment in Africa's energy sector, especially through renewable energy will go a long way to support the continent to create jobs on a large scale.

It is estimated that in Africa 600 million people don't have electricity.

"And that has affected of course many things. It makes it very hard to run business if you don't have reliable source of electricity. It makes it very hard to run clinics and hospitals; it makes it very hard for children to get educated and to get water. In terms of basic human needs, all of them nowadays depend to some extent on electrification," Rosellini argued.

He therefore lauded China for assisting various African countries in developing their renewable energy capacities, stressing that besides its role in promoting the real sector of the economies of Africa, electric energy is also necessary for developing and promoting basic human needs.

Particularly, the official also lauded China for supporting Ghana with expertise in developing its Renewable Energy Master Plan, calling for such initiatives across the continent.

"We often think of electrification in terms of city lights or in terms of industry, but it actually cuts across everything that we do in our modern life in terms of looking after children, educating the children, healthcare, transportation agriculture, industry, manufacturing," he pointed out.

"So it is really critical if Africa is going to move ahead in terms of creating jobs on a large scale... the backdrop of that has to be access to electricity, access to energy and renewable energy," he said.

The official who is also the United Nations' Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative for China was in Ghana on an assessment tour of a trilateral irrigation project being financed by Denmark and China in Ghana, with support from UNDP.

The project supports poor smallholder farmers in Tamaligu, a suburb of Tamale, about 753 km north of the capital Accra with solar irrigation pumps for all-year-round crop production, as the high cost of diesel pumps and grid powered irrigation systems takes these facilities beyond the reach of the average farmer.

In replicating such programmes and projects across the continent, the official believes they need to be tested to see those that work in each community and those not feasible. "And then you can move ahead in terms of replicating that in more and more communities," he said.

The official added that China's Belt and Road initiative is intended to support countries to develop economic and social infrastructure. A global summit on Belt and Road initiative is also scheduled in May in Chinese capital Beijing.

"I think it will give a very important level of visibility to the initiative and it will give a platform for Belt and Road as a multilateral worldwide initiative. I think it will highlight some of the important programs and projects that are going to be launched," Rosellini projected.

He also pledged UNDP's support for China's initiatives in Africa, especially those programmes that are targeted at helping African countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals.
TIRANA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- There is no way that the general elections scheduled on June 18 would be postponed, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama strongly reiterated on Sunday.

His words came after the request made by the Albanian opposition to postpone the elections till a caretaker government is formed.

Opposition parties here have been protesting in front of PM's office for more than 45 days, demanding the stepdown of Rama and the creation of a caretaker government, which, according the opposition, would guarantee the holding of free and fair elections.

But Rama said Sunday at the Socialist Party Assembly that the protest was Democratic Party's choice, and June 18 would be the day when Albanian citizens made their own choice.

According to him, the opposition is boycotting the parliament as it wants to hamper the implementation of the justice reform, seen as a key step towards the country's European Union integration process.

Also on Sunday, the head of the Albanian opposition Lulzim Basha told reporters that the country was not prepared for free and fair elections, saying that the government would "manipulate" the elections.

Basha said a technical government that would guarantee free and fair elections is the only solution.

The opposition leader also vowed to continue the protest.

Meanwhile, even the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI), part of the ruling majority, declared Sunday that the SMI was in favor of free and pluralist elections.

Albania is going to have by-mayoral elections in the city of Kavaja on May 7 and both the Democratic Party and SMI have refused to register at the election body for these elections.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties have come up with a common decision not to participate in June 18 elections.
by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing chaos in the Middle East region, growing terrorism worldwide in addition to common interests turned Western attention to Egypt's regional role and prompted thaw in the Egyptian-Western ties, said Egyptian political experts.

Egypt ties with the West in general and the United States in particular have gone through a stage of tension following the military removal of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the later massive security crackdown on his supporters and his now-blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood group.

Eventually, with the chaos in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and South Sudan as well as growing terrorist operations of the regional Islamic State (IS) militant group and consequent influx of regional migrants to Western states, the West found it necessary to maintain good terms with Egypt as a key player in the turmoil-stricken region.

REGIONAL CHAOS

"If we talk about the Libyan issue, Egypt's role is undoubtedly influential, whether through sponsoring negotiations between warring parties, or supporting the Libyan military led by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar, or maintaining distinguished relations with the Libyan parliament in the east," said Mohamed Gomaa, researcher at the Arab and Regional Unit of Cairo-based Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

Calm in Libya is surely important for several Western states that suffer growing illegal migration to their soil via Libyan seashores, which has been one of the focal points in the discussions between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi during her visit to Cairo in March.

Having good relations with the Palestinian National Authority and maintaining a 38-year-old U.S.-brokered peace treaty with Israel, Egypt is seen by the West as a key player that could play a real effective role in any future settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"Egypt's historical role in the Palestinian issue is still in effect in some way or another. Therefore, it is difficult to reach any development in the Palestinian issue, whether in terms of inter-Palestinian reconciliation or revival of Palestinian-Israeli negotiation, without having Cairo in the background," the researcher told Xinhua, adding that Jordan is also an influential player in the Palestinian issue.

Gomaa continued that recent Western openness to Egypt cannot only be explained through Egypt's regional significance, but there are also other factors including common interests, such as Western investments in Egypt like those of Germany and Western arms deals with Egypt like those of France.

GROWING TERRORISM

Egypt is fighting against a growing wave of terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in the restive northern part of Sinai Peninsula, most of which have been claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the regional IS terrorist group.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian forces killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects in North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, as part of the country's "war against terrorism" declared by former army chief and current President Sisi.

Thus, the West, particularly the United States, sees Egypt as the right regional partner in the U.S-led global anti-terror war, especially that U.S. President Donald Trump and President Sisi eye promising partnership and cooperation between their administrations under their rule.

"There is an American-Western position on the necessity to compromise with Egypt as the only country in the region that is fighting terrorism on its own, without relying on foreign parties," said Tarek Fahmy, a political science professor at Cairo University.

Fahmy said that there are also Western concerns regarding the return of regional Western fighters to Europe and the flow of regional refugees and illegal migrants to Western states, and this is why the European Union coordinates with Egypt in this regard.

Sisi flew to Washington to hold talks with Trump on April 3 at the latter's invitation. Both presidents have repeatedly exchanged remarks of praise and expressed expectations of future partnership. The picture is completely different than that under former President Barack Obama, whose administration suspended the annual 1.3 billion dollar military aid to Egypt after Morsi's removal. The aid is surely promised to be resumed under Trump.

"With regards to the U.S. administration, Trump's vision on fighting terrorism conforms with that of Sisi. Trump said that he is going to count on Egypt and Jordan in fighting terrorism in the region," the professor told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-03 04:53:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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People participate in a demonstration to show support and solidarity with the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, on April 2, 2017. Close to 10 thousand people demonstrated here Sunday to show support and solidarity with the Central European University (CEU), an institution founded by Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros. (Xinhua/Szilard Voros)

BUDAPEST, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Close to 10 thousand people demonstrated here Sunday to show support and solidarity with the Central European University (CEU), an institution founded by Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros.

The demonstrators marched down to the Parliament building where they listened to speeches of the organizers.

Holding flags of the European Union and badges reading "I stand with CEU", demonstrators yelled "We want academic freedom" during the march.

A civil association called Freedom for Education, a group of students, professors, educators, and supporters from Hungary and outside of Hungary, organized the event through the social network Facebook.

The group says that the amendment of the Higher Education Act, due to be debated by the Parliament as soon as Monday, primarily discriminates against CEU, as stated on their official Facebook page.

"This attack is not a single university's issue - this is a challenge to all universities in Hungary... This bill is an attack against the very scholastic freedom and academic autonomy in Hungary throughout the society with long lasting consequences, only beginning from the removal of CEU," the organization warned.

The first speaker of the demonstration, Katalin Torley, leader of the civil movement "I want to teach," said that the government was harming Hungarian education with "cutting expenses or by amending regulations."

She also pointed that the CEU was being slandered for not keeping regulations that were not even adopted.

The Hungarian government submitted a bill to parliament earlier this week, re-regulating foreign institutes of higher education operating in Hungary.

The new law will require an international treaty with the government of the home country of a university operating in Hungary.

Foreign universities will also be required to have campus in both Hungary and their home country, which CEU will fail to meet as it only operates in the Hungarian capital.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that the future of CEU depended on talks and an accord between the American and Hungarian governments.

CEU rector, Canadian national Michael Ignatieff, has said the bill is aimed directly against CEU.

CEU was founded in 1991 and based first in Prague and later in Budapest. It delivers both American and Hungarian diplomas. It currently has approximately 1,400 students and 370 faculty members from more than 130 countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-03 05:13:44|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum received on Sunday a delegation of ministers participating in the 2017 Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), in order to boost bilateral foreign direct investments (FDI) between the Gulf state and the world, state news agency WAM reported.

"The UAE will remain a favourite destination for FDI because it enjoys stability, security and legislation enacted to protect capital," WAM quoted Sheikh Mohammed as saying.

President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov who led the delegation praised the social and economic development achieved by the UAE.

Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Mukhisa Kituyi and Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John Danilovich were also members of the delegation.

Ministers and executives from 120 countries gathered in Dubai on Sunday for the 2017 AIM.

In his opening speech, UAE Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Sultan Al-Mansouri said the UAE government was optimistic that 2017 will mark a cyclical rebound in global trade and investments, despite a 13 percent decline in the global FDI in 2016 to 1.52 trillion U.S. dollars.
LJUBLJANA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia and China's Hong Kong signed here on Sunday a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in wine trade.

The MOU was signed between Slovenian Agriculture Minister Dejan Zidan and visiting Hong Kong's Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So, who was hosted by the minister with Slovenian Teran wine, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) reported quoting a statement issued by the ministry.

Under the MOU, the STA report said, Slovenia and Hong Kong will work towards facilitating wine trade and enhancing cooperation in this line of business.

The Hong Kong secretary hopes his visit would result in increased bilateral cooperation not only in wine business but also in economy and investments.

His visit comes after Zidan visited China and Hong Kong last November, when Slovenia's wines were presented at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.

The secretary noted that Hong Kong was the second most important centre for wine auctions in the world, after New York.

In 2016, Hong Kong imported wine worth 1.4 billion euros, of which a billion's worth were exported to China, according to So.

The Slovenian minister Zidan praised the signing of the MOU, saying he sees it as a strategic door to the Asian market.

"There is also a lot of potential in tourism, economy, investment. Concrete proposals will follow in the next few days," he said, hoping that Hong Kong will use Slovenia as the door to enter the EU.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-04-03 05:53:13|Editor: Mengjie

People attend a gathering to mourn Liu Shaoyao in Paris, France, on April 2, 2017. Thousands people from Chinese community gathered in Paris on Sunday to mourn the death of Liu Shaoyao, a Chinese national who was shot dead a week ago by a policeman at his home in the French capital. (Xinhua/Han Bing)

PARIS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Thousands people from Chinese community gathered in Paris on Sunday to mourn the death of Liu Shaoyao, a Chinese national who was shot dead a week ago by a policeman at his home in the French capital.

With white roses in hands, the participants gathered Sunday afternoon in the landmark Place de la Republique, holding placards reading "Justice, Truth, Dignity" in protest of police violence, according to witnesses.

Two daughters of the killed Liu also appeared among the protesters and expressed their thanks to all who are concerned about their family after the death of their father.

"We believe that the law will give us a truth and will result in a fair decision," they said.

The death of Liu Shaoyao is a tragedy shared by both Chinese and French citizens, said the president of the Association of Chinese residing in France Ren Limin at the rally.

The French authorities must conduct the fastest judicial inquiry and publish the truth to everyone, said Ren, adding that certain French media that spread rumors unfavorable to Sino-French friendship must apologize publicly, and the Chinese community in Paris will help Liu's family to seek state compensation.

Guan Jian, minister of the Chinese Embassy in France, expressed his condolences to Liu's family Sunday before the rally. According to him, the Chinese Embassy in France will facilitate administrative procedures to encourage the visit to France of other family members of Liu from China. Chinese diplomacy will also maintain contacts with the French ministers concerned, and continues to call on France to conduct a prompt and fair inquiry.

Similar mourning rally was also held in southern French city of Marseille on Sunday.

The shooting incident has aroused angry of Chinese community, which has staged several demonstrations against police violence in Paris.
DUBLIN, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen foreigners were found hidden in a refrigerated lorry onboard an Irish ferry that arrived at Ireland's Rosslare port from France on Sunday afternoon, according to immigration officers.

The 14 foreign nationals -- 12 men and two women -- were discovered by immigration officers after the Oscar Wilde ferry docked at the port at 2 p.m. local time.

The lorry was heavily laden with fresh fruit.

The people were in good health although one man was taken to a local hospital for observation. They are believed to come from Afghanistan, Iran and there are also a number of Kurdish-Iranians among the party.

The ferry sailed from Cherbourg port, France Saturday night and the crossing to Rosslare port, southeast Ireland's County Wexford took 16 hours.

The immigration officers said all the people will be referred to the refugee application process.
Man shot in Tobago robbery

According to police at about 12.05 am yesterday Lindel Jerry, 33 from Windward Road, Pembroke was approached by two bandits near his home, one of them armed with a gun. The men robbed Jerry of a gold chain and $2,500 cash.

When Jerrys uncle Patrick Prince, a 42-year-old watchman also of Windward Road, Pembroke, saw what was happening he approached the men but was shot in the stomach. The men then escaped on foot.

Prince is currently warded at the Scarborough General Hospital in a stable condition. Investigations are continuing.
Cops: Help us ID dead man

According to reports, a driver from Gasparillo was proceeding along the San Fernando Bye Pass, close to midnight, when he hit a pedestrian.

He told police that he stopped his car and ran towards the man who was lying in the drain. The man was lifeless. He was wearing a brown T-shirt and blue jeans.

The police visited the scene and an autopsy has been ordered to confirm the cause of death. The deceased is of African descent.
Autistic student exhibits art

Gopauls teacher, Deborah Hutchinson, reported that he has been painting with her for over a year and has progressed leaps and bounds.

His concentration and attention when creating art is quite intense, especially when he is painting, she said.

She pointed out that Gopaul especially likes palette knife painting, which is a technique of applying paint to a surface with the blade of an artists knife.

Hutchinson said that as an art teacher she has had many interactions with differently-abled and gifted children from preschool to tertiary level.

However, teaching children with autism has been by far most interesting and stimulating experience.

I have had the most rewarding and loving experiences given from these students. She said that as an artist she has learned a lot from Gopaul and his sense of colour and pattern are far more advanced than any student of his age.

His ability to see negative shapes when drawing is far better than my own.

I hope there are many more exhibitions such as this. And the art world creates a space for these gifted children and adults.

They works of these artists display honesty, passion and innocence. The exhibition is being held at 42 De Verteuil Street, Woodbrook from today between 4 pm and 6 pm.

The exhibition ends on Wednesday.
MSJ: Restart Point hospital project

Abdullah made the claim as he joined other MSJ leaders at a press conference on the hospital construction site, Teschier Village, yesterday.

There is absolutely no good reason why work was stopped in this hospital, Abdullah said.

Cant be a question of money as money was found to complete the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. Abdullah said the stadium will not save lives and will not help a mother who is in the throes of labour.

He added, It will not help a worker who has suffered an accident on the job and it will not help someone who has gotten into a vehicular accident or a child who is ill. Abdullah said the PNM government and the Point Fortin Borough have literally turn their backs on the people by abandoning the hospital project which he felt should be a priority. He said the citizens of TT and the entire southwest peninsular - La Brea, Icacos, Cedros and Chatham -are well aware that this project had been on the cards now for over 30 years, since Dr Eric Williams was Prime Minister Abdullah pointed to the numerous energy related industries in the area and the growing population.

He noted that the existing hospital or health facility in Point Fortin was built by United British Oilfields of Trinidad or Shell. Atlantic Energy, he said, is in Point Fortin and this is one of the major foreign exchange earners of TT, exporting huge volumes of gas. He pointed also to the Trinmar operations and major oil producing fields in the country.

Abdullah noted that there is additional work taking place at the Labidco Industrial estate, with the construction of a major petro- chemical plant jointly between the Massy Group and the Japanese company, Mitsubishi, pointing out that persons who may be injured must make the journey to the San Fernando General Hospital.

Abdullah also spoke about the need for a new fire station in the borough saying that the existing one it is old, dilapidated and non-functional.

You cannot have major industries operating in this borough and not have an up-to-date state of the art fire-station properly equipped and staffed by officers who can act on a moments notice in the event of an emergency, he said.

He said Point Fortin can boast of the popular Clifton Hill Beach Resort where people from all over the country could enjoy recreational activities and this is among reasons for a proper hospital and fire-station.

Abdullah noted that the construction of the hospital started just before the 2015 general election but came to a grinding halt during the last two months. He is calling on government to re-start work immediately and people must be told when is the completion date. He also made a pitch for people in the area to be employed on the project, saying that the borough has the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the country.
Where is Kyrsis?

Even head of the Islamic Front, Umar Abdullah, told Sunday Newsday that he attempted to contact Wakeel several times yesterday without luck. Abdullah had accompanied Wakeel on a tour last Friday in which National Security Minister Edmund Dillon and other top-ranking officials walked through several well-known hotspot areas in Enterprise greeting and meeting residents. Describing Enterprise as uneasy, the religious leader suggested that Sunday Newsday be very cautious while venturing into the area.

He noted that plans are afoot to have two Islamic scholars meet with residents as well as for a press conference scheduled for later this week. These scholars would do classes with them and teach them the basics of Islam, Abdullah said.

Both sides want the killings to stop and it would not stop overnight.

What is happening now started a long time ago and we want it to stop. The religious leader called for media personnel to try to refrain from using the word unruly as it has a negative connotation.

He suggested that the media instead use empowering words.

When Sunday Newsday visited the area yesterday, scores of residents of the troubled community claimed not to know Wakeels whereabouts or even his address.

Residents further suggested that the Sunday Newsday team not go in to search for Wakeel.

A resident said: They cannot pay me to go across there. At any subsequent mention of the word Krysis, he told the Sunday Newsday team, Not me. Is better allyuh eh go down there (sic). Police sources yesterday confirmed that Wakeel was not in custody in the Central Division but were unable to state his location.

Apart from the minister, the tour on Friday included Chief of Defence Staff, Rodney Smart; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Wayne Dick; Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and a contingent of police and soldiers.

Wakeel had promised to reveal all he knew about crooked police officers and where the illegal guns are.
MP backs call for probe of soldiers death

Mt Hope, on Tuesday, hours after his body was discovered with a gunshot wound to his neck at the Camp Cumuto base, Wallerfield.

where he had been assigned for some time Although homicide investigators believe he had been shot, there has been speculation that his death could be linked to the probe into the leaking of photographs of Attorney General Faris Al Rawis children holding guns during a security training exercise at the Cumuto base. Sturge said in a statement on Friday that there must be a formal.

independent and effective investigation into Samaroos death. Failure to do so, he said.

will result in legal action against the Chief of Defence Staff and the State. Indarsingh also responded to Al Rawis call for Opposition support when the anti-gang legislation returns to the Parliament this week for consideration. He said he was maintaining a wait-andsee approach. I will say given the state of the country in relation to crime, the Government is getting very desperate, he said. They (Government) has failed miserably over the last 19 months. Indarsingh said the Opposition will peruse carefully the legislation when it comes to the Parliament. At the end of the day, we are prepared to examine.

I am sure, from the point of view of the Opposition.

legislation that will work in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, he said We were worried about FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) but when the process was used rightly from a parliamentary point of view, we ensured that we protected the rights of the citizens of this country and obviously, once the law is in the interest of all and sundry, we will examine and we will proceed. Indarsingh said the Opposition had not yet seen the legislation. I am not prepared, surely like my leader and my colleagues.

we are not prepared to buy cat in bag as we would say. During a joint news conference at the Ministry of National Security in Portof- Spain, Al Rawi said the anti-gang legislation will return to the Parliament.

this week, given the spate of gang-related killings in Enterprise, Central Trinidad.

and more recently, in Le Platte, Maraval and Bagatelle.

Diego Martin. He called on the Opposition to support the bill and other key pieces of anti- crime legislation as the Government grapples with the worsening crime situation
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Morocco and India, the Times of India published an Op-ed making the case for strengthening relations with the North African Kingdom as a means to outreach diplomatically and economically to francophone Africa.

The author of the article, Rudroneel Ghosh, calls on his country to foster ties with Morocco, which can be Indias bridge to Francophone Western Africa where New Delhis influence has been relatively weak.

He highlighted the excellent political ties between the two countries evidenced by the visit of King Mohammed VI to New Delhi in 2015 where he attended the India-Africa summit prior to Moroccos return to the African Union.

With Morocco back in the African institutional family, India has a new strong partner to further its interests in Africa, Ghosh said.

The author calls on his country to grab the investment opportunities offered by Morocco and to follow the example of China, which injected lately a massive $10 billion investment to build an integrated industrial hub in Tangiers with prospects to create 100,000 jobs.

The author of the article underscored the fact that Morocco has emerged as an island of stability in north Africa, as a top investor in the Sahara and Sahel regions, and as an economy that is poised for significant growth, adding that  New Delhi can benefit tremendously from taking relations with Rabat to the next level.

Morocco-India trade relations have scored a steady growth. In 2014, trade between the two countries stood at $1.36 billion, with Indias exports to Morocco amounting to $500.5 million, while imports were valued at $855.8 million.

The balance of trade is generally in favor of Morocco because of Indias imports of phosphates. India sources a large chunk of its rock phosphates and phosphoric acid requirements for its fertiliser industry from Morocco, the worlds biggest phosphate exporter.
290317WHY CRIMINALS ROAM THE STREETS

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainvilles senior Magistrate, BRUCE TASIKUL today expressed concerns why many criminals were left loose by law enforcement agencies due to poor excuses.

Speaking at the Law and Justice road show, MAGISTRATE TASIKUL said that he often wonders why criminals are allowed on the streets by Police and CIS .

He said convicted persons should be kept in jails and not allowed to roam the streets due to overcrowding at the Police cells and inadequate facilities in the jails.

MR. TASIKUL made these comments when supporting questions from a Teacher who wanted to know why some Convicted prisoners are allowed to go home when they are supposed to be serving their sentences.

Police Officer , LESLEY METEN explained that sometimes these people could be those who break out from the Police cells or prison.

He warned those harbouring criminals that they too can be arrested and jailed.

He appealed to those persons who know the whereabouts of escapees to contact the Police as soon as possible.



Ends


Morocco has bolstered its leadership in renewable energies with the inauguration of the fourth and final stage of the Noor Solar plant complex in Ouarzazate with a 582 MW total capacity.

King Mohammed VI launched works to achieve the fourth phase, which uses photovoltaic (PV) technology to produce electricity. The site will have a capacity of 72 MW and will be achieved for a total cost of 750 million dirhams.

Noor Ouarzazate IV will be implemented by Moroccos Solar Energy Agency (MASEN) in partnership with a consortium of private operators led by Saudi Acwa Power group and German development bank KfW, which alone contributed 659 million dirhams.

The Noor project is part of a low carbon economy endeavor launched by Morocco to bring the share of renewable energies in the national electricity mix to 52 pc by 2030.

The second and third power stations of Noor solar complex (Noor II and Noor III) were launched by the Sovereign on February 04, 2016.Their completion rate reached 76 and 74 pc respectively.

With a capacity of 200 MW, Noor II plant is developed on a maximum area of 680 ha, based on solar thermal technology, with cylindrical parabolic trough.

Noor III plant is built on a 750 ha area using a solar power tower (150 MW). Noor Ouarzazate II, III and IV, combined with Noor Ouarzazate I (160 MW) that started operating in February 2016, make Noor Ouarzazate the largest multi-technology solar production site in the world, with a total investment of 24 billion dirhams.

The Noor-Ouarzazate solar power complex, which will become the worlds largest when completed in 2018, will provide electricity for 1.1 million people.
290317WHY NO MCH CLINICS

By Aloysius Laukai



The Chairman of the KATUKUH HEALTH Centre, MURRAY SAPEKE is calling on the Health Division to explain why the MCH Clinics at the Health centres have stopped since last year.

He told New Dawn FM yesterday that he was concerned that without immunisation of children under the age of Five they were posing a big risk on their survival.

MR. SAPEKE said that immunisation of babies protects babies from the risk if there is any outbreak of diseases in the communities.

He said that the HEALTH DEPARTMENT must make sure funds are made available for immunisation.

He said any outbreaks of Flu, Hooping Cough, measles or any other disease can totally wipe out the babies who are immunised after birth.

Recently the member for South Bougainville, TIMOTHY MASIU funded solar powered Cold Chain equipments to cool immunisation materials.

The member also funded a TOYOTA LANDCRUISER TEN SEATER for the CHILD MATERNAL SECTION.



Ends


Band Funcionario do Hospital dos Servidores faz alusao a grupo Ku-Klux-Klan em caneca
300317ABG MUST ADDRESS UNEMPLOYMENT

By Aloysius Laukai



The member for South Bougainville, TIMOTHY MASIU last week called on the ABG to address the unemployment issue in our communities.

Speaking at a gathering at KANAURO village, MR. MASIU said the people must change their attitude and create a conducive environment for development to take place.

He said law and order is one key area that he wants to address by helping to build the capacity of the Bougainville Police Service to be mobile and police our town and surrounding villages.

MR.MASIU said only then Businesses will be attracted to develop Buin thus creating employment for our people.

MR. MASIU has already bought a Toyota LandCruiser ute and a Ten seater for the Buin Police station as part of this capacity building.



Ends


300317DODL ENROLLING UPGRADING STUDENTS

By Aloysius Laukai



The Department of Distance Learning with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology is giving second change to school leavers of South Bougainville who want to upgrade their Grade Ten and Twelve marks and pursue further studies with tertiary Institutions and Universities.

DODL Coordinator for the Program in Buin and Deputy Principal for Buin Secondary School, JOSEPH KAREBA told New Dawn FM that currently he has THIRTY NINE students studying through the program.

MR.KAREBA said interested persons can come inquire at the school.

He said currently weekly two hourly tutorials are held at the Buin Secondary on Thursday and Saturdays.

MR. KAREBA said that currently they are charging TWO HUNDRED THIRTY KINA for individual subjects with another ONE KINA per student for the use of a Classroom for tutorials.



Ends


300317NO OTHER GOVERNMENT ON BOUGAINVILLE APART FROM THE ABG

By Aloysius Laukai



There is only one government for Bougainville and only one currency that is the Papua New Guinea Kina.

This was revealed by the Principal legal adviser to the ABG, KENNETH NANEI yesterday.

He made these comments when replying to a question from a Buin Secondary School student who wanted to know what will happen to the many different government ts on Bougainville.

MR. NANEI said that there is only one Government, that is the Autonomous Bougainville Government that is delivering Government services like, Health, Education, building roads and bridges, wharves and airports.

Other called governments are only ideologies created by the Bougainville Conflict .

Ends


One of the aerial views of the some of the 17 Mocoa neighborhoods that were hit by the water and mud. Photo: Cesar Carrion/SIG/Colombian Government Handout

As many as 254 people are dead and hundreds more may still be missing after floodwaters and mudslides inundated the Colombian city of Mocoa overnight Friday. Several rivers overflowed their banks early Saturday morning after a torrential rainstorm, and the resulting wall of water, mud, rocks, and debris struck while the city slept, forcing panicked residents from their homes and sweeping away houses, cars, and people. Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, who toured the city on Saturday, has declared a state of emergency in the region and vowed to help the victims and quickly restore city services. It is the worst natural disaster to strike the country in decades.

The precise death toll remains unclear, not only because of the missing, but because three different numbers have been reported by Colombian officials. The lowest of the three totals, announced by Santos, is 210 dead. The highest, from the military, is 257. Either way, the toll seems likely to rise. Some 400 people were injured as well, but their treatment has been made difficult by the destruction of a local hospital, as well as inadequate blood bank supplies, according to multiple reports.

A fireman searches for victims inside a muddy house. Note the high water line on the walls. Photo: Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

More than 1,100 soldiers, police officers, and rescue workers had arrived in the city by Saturday night, and rescue and recovery efforts are continuing as swiftly as possible. Mocoa is an isolated city with nearly 350,000 residents in the mountainous southwestern part of the country, and access remains difficult as part of the main road to the city was destroyed, as were many other roads and bridges in the city and region. So far, authorities have only been able to reach Mocoa by air, and the citys electricity and drinking water supplies remain cut off. Its not clear how many are dead and missing outside of Mocoa either, as downstream rural villages in the remote Amazonian region were hit hard as well.

Here is a video shot during the floods early Saturday morning:

Triste por la situacion que se vive en este momento en Mocoa, Putumayo. Lamentablemente hay muertos y casas destruidas. @NoticiasRCN pic.twitter.com/P5JvyAOQtG  German Andres Paz (@germanandrespaz) April 1, 2017

And more footage of the aftermath:

#TodosPorPutumayo Emergencia en Mocoa, por las fuertes lluvias de esta madrugada pic.twitter.com/W0oQ2u8J9x  Cruz Roja Colombiana (@cruzrojacol) April 1, 2017

Ongoing rains have led to fears of additional mudslides in the region. Such events are normal in Putumayo province and many other parts of Colombia, and there have already been several deadly mudslides this year, but nothing even close to the scale of Saturdays catastrophe. The director of the countrys National Disaster Risk Management Unit told the AFP that 5 inches of rain fell in the region on Friday night, which would normally account for 30 percent of the regions monthly rainfall.

Mocoa residents taking in the damage on Saturday. Photo: Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

En sobrevuelo por Mocoa pudimos evidenciar la magnitud de la tragedia. #NuestrosHeroes continuaran apoyando a las victimas #TodosConMocoa pic.twitter.com/J9kILxVWrk  Mindefensa (@mindefensa) April 1, 2017

The extra rain is likely related to this years rainy season coinciding with the La Nina weather phenomenon, and Colombia is not the only Latin American country to experience dangerous rainfall amounts so far this year. In addition, climate change is generating dynamics and we see the tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency and magnitude of these natural effects, as we have just seen in Mocoa, the U.N. chief for Colombia explained to the AFP.

Large overturned vehicles and debris that were deposited next to a building by the floodwaters. Photo: Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

In the meantime, many residents and rescue workers are still looking for the missing, hoping to find more survivors before its too late  or at least recover their bodies. Some victims have been found as far as two kilometers from where they were when the avalanche of water and sediment struck.

#Emergencia Putumayo amanece bajo el lodo por las fuertes lluvias durante la noche pic.twitter.com/Vs8jmuNtZV  Cruz Roja Colombiana (@cruzrojacol) April 1, 2017

#TodosPorPutumayo Hoy en Mocoa amanece bajo el lodo por las fuertes lluvias. pic.twitter.com/nD86bQiZDs  Cruz Roja Colombiana (@cruzrojacol) April 1, 2017

Es de noche, pero los operativos de rescate no se detienen. Admiracion y agradecimiento a nuestros colegas de @cruzrojacol#TodosconMocoa pic.twitter.com/HhtBoLwXF0  CICR Colombia (@CICR_co) April 2, 2017

This post has been updated to reflect the varying death total.
Flynn seems to have an ongoing problem with disclosing things. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Michael Flynn did not list three Russia-linked sources of income in the legally required ethics forms he submitted days before being ousted from his job as President Trumps national security adviser (amidst concerns that he may have had an inappropriate ties to Russian officials). Though he did disclose the more than $1.3 million in income he made last year in the documents he submitted on February 11, he did not specify that some of his non-government compensation had come from the Kremlin-backed RT (Russia Today) news network as well as from speaking fees collected from two Russia-based companies, Volga-Dnepr Airlines and Kaspersky Government Security Solutions.

Flynn had reported his speaking-engagement income, in general, but he did not list who had paid him for individual speaking engagements. That information was subsequently included on an amended disclosure form, which the White House released on Saturday. The second form does not list how all of his compensation broke down monetarily, however, just who had paid him $5,000 or more in a year. Politico reports that the White House only asked for more detailed information about his private-sector work and assets this past week, and Flynn sent them the amended form on Friday.

Flynns newly released financials also indicate that he has worked for various tech and D.C. consulting firms, even though he has previously criticized other retired military leaders for taking similar private-sector gigs. More than $800,000 in income came from his now-shuttered consulting firm, the Flynn Intel Group, though he did not disclose the companys clients, like the Turkish-owned business linked to the Turkish government that hired Flynns company  another source of ethical controversy for the retired lieutenant general.

Its also possible that Flynn would have ultimately itemized the Russia-linked income had he not been forced from his White House job, since the disclosure process often involves some back and forth with government ethics officials and that may have been prevented on account of him no longer working in the government.

Flynn was fired, or more specifically, asked to resign, from his White House post in February after the media learned that he had been recorded discussing the latest Obama-issued U.S. sanctions against Russia with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, then misled Vice-President Pence about it. Flynn is currently under investigation over his Russia ties while a member of the Trump campaign, and last week his lawyer suggested that Flynn has a story to tell, but should be granted immunity if investigators want to hear it, citing concerns that he would otherwise face unfair prosecution.

On Sunday, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Adam Schiff, said that he is treating that immunity request with healthy skepticism.
Then-candidate Donald Trump speaking to supporters at the March 1, 2016 rally, which is now at the center of a lawsuit against Trump and three of his supporters. Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images

A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled against lawyers representing President Trump who argued that a lawsuit which seeks to hold Trump liable for inciting violence against three protesters at a campaign rally last year should be thrown out on free-speech grounds. The case pertains to a March 2016 Trump campaign rally in Louisville during which Trump supporters assaulted protesters after then candidate Trump had repeatedly said get em out of here from the stage. As the Louisville Courier-Journal explains, Trumps lawyers had argued that the presidents comments were protected political speech and that the offending Trump supporters were acting on their own, not for or at the direction of Trump or his campaign, and that it was not Trumps intent for the audience members to use force against the protesters. Judge David J. Hale rejected those arguments in a ruling issued on Friday, saying that facts supported the allegation that injuries suffered by the protesters were a direct and proximate result of Trumps actions.

In his ruling, Hale noted that the violence only began after Trumps comments from the stage, and that it is plausible that Trumps direction to get em out of here advocated the use of force, calling the comments an order, an instruction, a command. Speech inciting violence is not protected by the First Amendment, Hale reminded, and he dismissed the idea that the obvious alternative explanation for the meaning of Trumps comments was that he intended for security personnel, not audience members, to eject the protesters. Hale also rejected the argument that the defendants were not liable since the plaintiffs had assumed a risk of injury by choosing to protest at the rally.

As the Washington Posts Aaron Blake points out, this is not the first time a federal judge has reminded the president that political rhetoric matters. Trumps original campaign call to ban the entry of Muslims into the U.S., as well as additional related comments by Trump advisers, have featured prominently in rulings against both versions of the Trump administrations travel-ban executive orders. Adds Blake:

Trump and his team will undoubtedly dismiss this latest example as yet another activist judge who is out to get him. But yet again, they are forced into the position of saying that Trumps words shouldnt be taken at face value  that he didnt mean what he actually, literally said.

The plaintiffs in the Louisville lawsuit, protesters Henry Brousseau, Kashiya Nwanguma, and Molly Shah, are seeking unspecified financial damages from Trump and three supporters who assaulted them at the rally, Matthew Heimbach, a white-supremacist group leader; Alvin Bamberger, a Korean War Veterans Association member; and an additional still-unidentified individual. The bulk of that lawsuit may now proceed, Judge David J. Hale ruled on Friday, explaining that the Court finds that Plaintiffs have adequately alleged that their harm was foreseeable and that the Trump Defendants had a duty to prevent it.



And of course, the rally last year in Louisville was hardly the only time Trump supporters used violence against protesters at a campaign event, or even the most direct example of Trump seeming to support or incite that reaction.

Heres a local news broadcast covering the original police investigation into the Louisville incident, including footage of the assaults and some comments from Nwanguma:
Photo: Till Jacket/Getty Images/Photononstop RM

The Chicago Police Departments spokesperson announced that the first of several suspects has been arrested in connection with the group sexual assault, which was broadcasted on Facebook Live in March. CPD spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi tweeted the initial news Saturday night, and CPD superintendent Eddie Johnson held a press conference Sunday morning to elaborate.

A 14-year-old male has been arrested; he is facing juvenile felony charges including aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacture of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography, according to the Chicago Tribune. A warrant has been issued for a 15-year-old male as well, with more warrants planned for up to six suspects in the group assault. According to a source for the Tribune, one teen had been taken into custody earlier in the investigation  but not immediately charged.

ABC 7 Chicago reports:

Police said Sunday that they have worked with Facebook and obtained social media search warrants, which they have used to identify two suspects. Police said the victim is traumatized and having trouble talking about the assault, but Supt. Johnson praised her for her courage in working with police.



The 15-year-old girl, a freshman at Lane Tech High School, has also received online harassment.
Im glad I havent seen these, I feel like I've watched just about every interesting documentary Netflix had to offer at the moment.

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is how to die in oregon still on there? that one's stuck w me for years.

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same, that one was so powerful, i still think about it even though i watched it years ago

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every now and again i'll think of cody tbh. she was my favourite person in the doc and it destroyed me seeing what she went through.

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What's it about?



How shitty Oregon is?

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That one was rough :(

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Oh man that made me cry, especially Cody's story :(

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That made me cry so much

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i probably shouldn't have watched that given how severe my hypochondria is but it was really well done

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one of my favs

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Have you seen Terry Pratchett's choosing to die? That almost did me in. It was so respectfully done and so emotional to watch.

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Netflix is always trying to get me to watch Dear Zachary again and I REFUSE. That one wrecked me.

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i recommend dear zachary, bring tissues

i heard the doc tickled is pretty good too

also there is something wrong with aunt diane



Edited at 2017-04-01 11:28 pm (UTC)

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I watched Tickled recently and even with the twists I found it pretty boring tbh. Though after I finished watching it I googled the antagonist and it turns out they died like a week before I watched the movie.

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lmao something similar happened this podcast i listen to, it's these two friends who watch and comment on crime documentaries and they had chosen tickled and then they were involved in some legal stuff i think relating to the main guy, and then, literally the afternoon after they decided to finally post the episode, the guy died. they were shook.

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I've wanted to watch there is something wrong with aunt diane ever since I first saw it recommended on here but there is supposed to be a shot of the people after the accident and omg I don't think I can see that.

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man the Aunt Diane one just destroyed me. i wanted so badly, for there to be another reason. for herself, and her family. she was such a tragic figure to me, who ended up doing the unthinkable. her husband was such a dick though.



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The True Cost made me second guess every purchase I ever made.

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I pretty much stopped shopping all together. I haven't bought anything clothing wise in a year.

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Same.



Like I have clothes from a decade ago that still fit me and trends are cyclical so it's all coming back.

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The True Cost made me cry so hard. I didn't want to buy anything for awhile.

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These lists always seem kind of half-assed to me. I really wouldn't consider a few of these "the best."



Lately I've been watching Abstract: The Art of Design & it's pretty good. And I just watched a Frontline show about Putin from a few years ago & it really creeped me out, considering what we know now...

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That Putin doc from Frontline PBS is soooo good. I know you're creeped out but if you want to read more, you should check out "The Man Without a Face" by Mascha Gessen. It's about Putin. I read it a few years ago and it was insane. Nothing happening now surprises me, tbh. The west needs to be more diligent.

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Abstract sounds really interesting thank you!

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not netflix related, but i just left a showing of the new documentary kedi (about cats in instanbul) and it was absolutely beautiful. these people have such amazing connections with these cats and their life philosophies because of it are fascinating. it was quite uplifting, super cute, heartfelt, just wow. i love my cats and silly bond we share (even though they are 2 little assholes most of the time hehe)

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That sounds amazing, I really want to see it now!

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I want to see that movie so much.

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They don't show any cats get hurt or killed, do they? I want to see it, but can't watch anything where bad stuff happens to animals. Especially cats.

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there are sad moments, but nothing graphic (most is a kitten being held in a man's hand that may or may not be okay & is on the way to the vet- no blood or gore). i was worried about that too, but it's like 99% good stories :)

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I really want to see it ;;

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I want to see that one so badly!

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maybe i should see this...i thought 'whatever, cats are nice but i want a dog' so i didn't bother checking it out. sorry, im such a dog person haha



but if it's pretty and sweet, i might be in the mood for it.

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this documentary is also well done, it's about the only person who was able to escape from the work camps in north korea





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omg yes I loved it. It was so good, I love these type of documentaries that give an insight to foreign countries

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I read the book about this, in his own words and damn was it sad. :(

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same omg that part about the guy who was w/ him who touched the electric fence first and he had to climb over his dead body

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Is We Were Here still on netflix?



That documentary really fucked me up, big time. Gay people have been through so much awful shit.



Edited at 2017-04-01 11:38 pm (UTC)

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god, me too.

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Back in '14, after The Normal Heart premiered, I ended up watching and in some cases, re-watching, a whole string of documentaries and films chronicling the AIDS epidemic. We Were Here was pretty early in my viewing experience and I can completely relate to how devasting just HEARING first person accounts of how it all unfolded. It was very similar experience to learning about The Holocaust or slavery in the US.



I'm both old enough to have seen it go from "death sentence" to "manageable through very careful diligence" but also young enough to not know the truth about how it ended up having such a terrible impact on the world. Like, I think it was realizing the timeline that really drove home the depth of negligence on the part of the US govt. So, so heartbreaking. And it also illuminates how important activism will be over the next decade of US politics.



ETA: Sorry if this is tl;dr. lol



Edited at 2017-04-02 04:07 am (UTC)

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Just the whole thing must have been extremely shocking, people just start dying for no reason and nobody knows what's happening and the White House basically being like "lol have fun dying", it's all just so overwhelming, depressing and terrifying I can't imagine living through that nightmare.

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i watched How to Survive a Plague some time ago and it was really good (but just as heartbreaking as you can imagine) if you haven't seen it yet.

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I watched Audrie & Daisy not too long ago and I had to pause it and walk away from my laptop at one point because everything coming out of that one sheriff's mouth was pissing me off

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I had to watch that one for work and I had to pause it and take a breather every time that man spoke. They painted him as a good father, a family man, and then he spews his victim blaming rhetoric. I couldn't deal.

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That movie made me so physically angry. I don't know how I didn't have a heart attack from my blood pressure being so high.

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I saw it at full frame last year. The director and Daisy were there. I felt I had to hold it together because Daisy was there (although I also saw the documentary about the Sandy Hook shootings, and one of the fathers was there and I was an absolute mess -- I saw that one first so maybe I was all cried out).

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What is the Sandy Hook documentary called?

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ooh that fucking sheriff.

my bf watched it with me and he was so mad and somewhat surprised. i was like, where have you been since the beginning of existence?

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I literally just finished watching "Autism in Love." Super interesting - surprisingly, the LEAST compelling part was about the actual couple. Highly recommend... I think it was only like 75 minutes, too.

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when is made in america: oj going to be on netflix is my real q

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it's on hulu~

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last i checked they only had 4/6 of the episodes

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why wait until it's on netflix? lol

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Tabloid is crazy

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I got excited for some of these until I realized this is probably about UK Netflix.

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Anytime I try to do that, it seems to know and won't play the movie/show.

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Ageism is over, thank you Tyra 

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OMG lol I love this comment

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You know she'll find a way to make it about her in the most dramatic way possible

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Premiere? You're being generous....





It'll be in the promos! lmao

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How dare you! She's a BOSS!

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BRB working on my application

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ikr? its time for my old 5'4" ass to shine

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omg

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Mte

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i'm 5'2 and 32. i'm filling out my app rfn

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i'm surprised to hear that she's an ageist

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Charlie Hides impact.

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She's what ANTM work (and Miss Jay). I tried to watch two episodes of the new season with this Reina person but I wasn't feeling it. I'm glad Tyra is back.

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lol reina

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lol bye

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goodbye vagina

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Still using a gmail address I see

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omg i still use hotmail lmao. what email is the best rn?

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lmao I was just talking to my sister yesterday about how my first email acct was hotmail in like 1996-97



gurl

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lol sis me too

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yasss bring in the daddies!!!

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Good now I can make my debut!

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I mean she's had short people and fat people, why not old people? It's not like antm actually has anything to do with real modeling anyway. Bring on the delusional messes, they make for the best tv

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lollllll mte

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Yeah, there's been like less than 10 successful models from this show, out of those maybe 2-3 were actual fashion models. Girls say agencies turn you away if they hear you were on antm, lol

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I don't know about modeling, but this girl got quite a few acting jobs.



http://instagram.com/kimieabreak

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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatima_Siad The only one I can think of is Fatima from season 10 who actually has done a lot of high fashion work.

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the only actual hf model to come out of the show is leila, https://models.com/models/Leila-Goldkuhl , fatima did ok but leila is doing better, anyways i cant find the interview rn but yes, she mentioned the industry doesnt take u seriously if u come from the show (she still said she was thankful and blah blah) and it took some time before ppl wanted to work with her

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apparently most of the australian winners walk international catwalks and go overseas and do campaigns.

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lmao

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Is this true? I believe nothing on the internet today.

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omg true. That'd be a pretty unfunny april fool's joke tho. I think everyone should just flood her with applications so she feels too guilty to announce it wasn't true.

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She looks like a Kardashian

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Literally

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is she truly white or just deeply in denial?

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Hopefully the models will actually get a freaking destination this next season. Also I wish they'd do more creative photo shoots and

more runway. The amount of dancing the models had to do this past season was too much for me.

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Elon Musk's mother is a very successful model.



Also, a gmail address? That is the most Tyra thing ever.

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but has she out-Tyra'd herself ala Halsey?

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it's not that gmail is bad for normal people, it just looks v. low-rent for a big national TV production to use a free e-mail service

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you know they're just gonna use this to give the older contestants a hard time for looking old

that always bugged me so much, if they thought the girl looked old, why cast her in the first place? I loved Melrose though, she was robbed.

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White feminism telling white feminism to stop being so white feminismy got it.

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It's a vicious circle.

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more like a vicious circle jerk

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lol

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lmao

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It's the ciiiircle of liiiiife

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Whiteception

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basically

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lmao

whew

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Do you really think most of the trump voting white women identify as feminists?

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Oh, stop it. Tina is trying to inform a portion of 45 voters, but of course here you are, per usual, mad that a non person of color is mentioning what had been said many times since election day.



Instead of mocking Tina for saying something(which can't be said enough) try supporting her.









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I mean, people like that aren't going to listen to anyone else who says it, unfortunately.

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Cackling omg

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looooool exactly

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Not really tho. Not all women are feminists.

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Yes but... isn't that what people kept saying they wanted? When we hear "white feminists aren't calling out their own!"

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Yesss continue to attack women who openly speak out against Trump!

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we live in a world where lena dunham is teaching a course on intersectional feminism.



Edited at 2017-04-03 01:49 am (UTC)

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wowwowow @ her attacking her fan base

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Yt college ed women who dabble in racism are not her fan base? 

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"who now would maybe like to forget about this election and go back to watching HGTV"



lmao so so accurate.

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lol mte

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lol

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Mte

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does anyone challenge them with facts? how do they react?

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Not the OP, but if they are anything like the people in my family it's "We just need to wait and see." or "Well, it's too late now. He's our president and we need to respect him."

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To give an example at my job

My coworker (liberal) asked my coworker (conservative) if we shouldn't have let coworker 'Jane' in the country since we're supposedly only hurting ourselves and people in other countries by taking them. And he was like that's ~different~ Jane and her family were being targeted by the government to be killed.



They are explaining a way a lot of stuff and choosing to see the best in terrible things





Edited at 2017-04-02 02:24 pm (UTC)

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I don't know any women that voted for Trump, at least openly, but I know a couple men & they say nothing now.

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mte lmao

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Anyone who voted for that orange piece of shit can rot in hell, tbh.

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Stop. Instead of attacking them, you should consider how they feel and why they voted out of spite /sarcasm



Edited at 2017-04-02 01:36 pm (UTC)

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This reminds me how fast Jon Stewart changed his tune post election.

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Stop fighting, it will only make them angrier !!!!

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omg for a second I thought you were serious.

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My best friend voted for him (a 31-year old white, upper middle class, married woman with two Masters degrees - just FYI) because, as she told me, "my dad is voting for him and I don't want to disappoint my dad. And nothing he does is going to directly affect me... I just can't imagine LISTENING to Hillary for 4 years."

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my mother's friend voted for him. she's sweet as hell, but fucking dumb. just the other day she was liking her nephew's post about getting engaged to his boyfriend, and all we could think was "you voted for the anti-gay ticket"

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But did she lie

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lmao I love the comments here when someone is railing against white feminism being cancer or is talking about how all white ppl need to die and their icon is chris evans or one of the supernatural dudes 

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As much of a shit she can be, i'm glad she said this because she is the type of white woman white women will listen to. It's unfortunate we have to depend on white people speaking out so their fellow whites will listen but here we are

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The kind of people who listen to what Tina Fey says probably all voted for Clinton, I don't see many Trump voters watching unbreakable kimmy schmidt

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It is up to white women to fix their own. She is trying to do that. It is up to women who do listen to tina fey to pass on the message to their fellow white women

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What's the number of college educated Americans who voted Trump? I thought the college educated generally went to Clinton, and the higher degree they got, the more they voted for Hillary? Like white men in general went for Trump, but like white men with phds (which obviously are a tiny number) went overwhelmingly for Dems? Which should tell you everything about the two parties, really.

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college educated people overall voted hillary, but college educated whites voted trump. white folks were trash across the board.

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http://www.cnn.com/election/results/exit-polls



White college graduates and white women actually majority voted for Trump. White people won him the election. That is the biggest common thread and there isn't really any way to deny that.



White college grad women only voted fifty-one percent in favor of Clinton. Hardly overwhelming. We can't just grab onto our degrees and state they made us morally better. That just allows us to ignore the real issues we had with letting Donald win the election. White college graduates and white women actually majority voted for Trump. White people won him the election. That is the biggest common thread and there isn't really any way to deny that.White college grad women only voted fifty-one percent in favor of Clinton. Hardly overwhelming. We can't just grab onto our degrees and state they made us morally better. That just allows us to ignore the real issues we had with letting Donald win the election.

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I believe college educated WW was something around 47%. White men in every demographic was higher, so just add some percentage points to that and get the average lol.

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College educated whites went for Trump but he got fewer of them than Romney did.

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I'm just gonna RP what I said up there because it fits in better with this thread:



My best friend voted for him (a 31-year old white, upper middle class, married woman with two Masters degrees - just FYI) because, as she told me, "my dad is voting for him and I don't want to disappoint my dad. And nothing he does is going to directly affect me... I just can't imagine LISTENING to Hillary for 4 years."



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LMAO, that's wild. TBH the last part (that she couldn't imagine "listening" to HRC for four years) makes me think SHE wanted to vote for Trump and was using "Just doing it for my dad" as an excuse.



My dad started calling me a little communist when I was 10, which I'm sure was disappointing for his right-wing ass (not American right wing, obviously) but he just had to deal with it.

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That's basically republicans in a nutshell. "He's going to fuck things up but it won't affect ME personally, so I really don't care."



The Trump Regrets twitter is basically just people realizing that his policies WILL actually affect them and NOW they regret it.

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I think that's the most succinct example of privilege i've ever seen.

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'Nothing he does will directly affect ME'



Nice girl...really? The bar must be set REALLY low for nice. I mean, at least you could have said 'she's a selfish person, but she makes me laugh/is generous with her money/makes me feel better about myself in comparison' or something...



Eta: well, responded in the wrong thread, oh well...



Edited at 2017-04-02 03:36 pm (UTC)

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I believe college educated women was the only white demographic Hillary won and it was a narrow margin

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Thankfully Trump is president! Hate crimes are on a rise, women's rights are under attack, white supremacists feel empowered, etc.. He started a fucking revolution. He's energized all of us!

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Susan Sarandon?

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Yes and plenty of other users in that post.

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Fucking susan sarandon. and fucking bernie sanders. He can fuck off with his protection of racist white people over people of colour, you know some of the people who will be affected the most. Some serious whitesplaining happening between those two fools

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lol



Geena Davis would never do us this dirty :(

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lol. That one comment was such a fucking trip. NOW WE ARE WAKING UP!!!



Oh, ok, great, then this has all been worth it.

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Susan Sarandon can go shut the fuck up. Families are being torn apart and people will literally die, but her privileged ass is going to be fine so she can talk about how ~energized the people are

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lol that long ass comment in the Susan thread justifying her and this type of thinking...me be like

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Pleasantly surprised a white feminist called out her own kind.

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Black women tried to save us. That should be pointed out during the next 4 years and beyond of his hellscape.

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People will still find a way to shit on PoC and specifically WOC so they will likely forget this.

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Yes, we did but people don't want to listen :(

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I'm ready to sit back and watch the country burn at this point.

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I feel that way so often now but the sad thing is black people and other poc will suffer the most

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We always do..smh

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DUH

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Watch ontd find a way to give her shit for this even though this is the exact thing she should be doing as a white woman who calls herself a feminist.

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Oh sorry, didn't know I was supposed to praise a racist woman for doing the bare minimum, thanks

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Speaking out at an ACLU event is like the opposite of bare minimum.

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lol. mte

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mte

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This. Tina isn't a perfect human being but I'm applauding her for this.

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It's always fun when a celebrity ontd hates says the exact same thing that they've been posting and suddenly it's not enough or too stupid or incorrect

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That still is disgusting for some reason



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yeah... Her face looks bruised and sweaty.

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Sooo the Blair Witch but aliens?

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Only if they bitch about the map for the entire movie lmao.

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wow i just rewatched BWP and they def spent the whole movie complaining

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This reminds me was that area 51 movie that came out a year or two ago any good?

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What movie was that? I remember, but can't remember.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51_(film)



the whole found footage/alien thing reminded me of it but IDK anyone who has actually seen it lol the whole found footage/alien thing reminded me of it but IDK anyone who has actually seen it lol

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not really. and i love bad movies (resident evil movies are my fave)

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Is that Dakota Fanning in the screencap

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ter doing meth for 10 years, yeah...

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you've seen train to busan probably?

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omg fuck Train to Busan. Aloha 'oe  

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The Girl With All the Gifts is a zombie movie but its not really horror

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The Descent is a really scary and good one. It's not about zombies though.

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Have you see Last Shift? It's not about zombies, but there is some zombie-ish gore/body horror, so you might be into it. I feel like it's pretty underrated tbh.



More recently, there's The Void, which is kind of like The Thing meets Hellraiser. idk if it's playing around you (I know it has a very limited run here in Toronto), but it has amazing effects.

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It's not really a horror movie, but Maggie is pretty good.

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Wyrmwood. Not sure if I spelled that correctly.

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I'm terrified of aliens (but love watching movies about them lol) so I'll probs see this



I saw a poster at the movie theater yesterday and was wondering what it was, so this post is timely

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Yes! Here for this!

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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This looks a lot like the most recent Blair Witch, especially the shots inside the house/cabin.

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Speaking of aliens, just the trailer for The Fourth Kind fucked me up so bad. I would have to change the channel when it would come on tv. Aliens don't really bother me all that much, but that motherfucking trailer, man.

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I was in the theatre watching that movie with my brother when it came out an he got SCARED.

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the trailer fucked me up soooo much. i haven't even seen the goddamn movie.

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Found footage needs to take a break for a while.

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It's not my fave but I think it's here to stay in the horror genre.

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REC was awesome. too bad the sequels were shit.



i saw the trailer for REC 4 and it seemes like a scary movie parody...

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that thumbnail is so mean omg

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ooo aliensss

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310317TRAINING ON COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT ELECTION ENDS

By Aloysius Laukai



Trainings for the Bougainville Community Government election officials were concluded today and polling will start on Monday.

Community Government Officer and Returning officer, CHRIS NOUBIRI told New Dawn FM that all is set to conduct the first Bougainville Community Government Election.

MR. NOUBIRI said that four Polling team each will be despatched to all the seven community governments to conduct the election.

He said that he is optimistic that the election will be trouble free.



Ends


The BP Statistical Review of World Energy has oil production data by country up to the end of 2015. This is what that looks like from 1988:

(Click to enlarge)

The United States increased production by 5.1 million barrels per day from 2010 to 2015. The increase in production from countries around the Persian Gulf over the same period was slightly less at 5.0 million barrels per day. The increase in total world production was 8.4 million barrels per day so the rest of the world declined by some 1.7 million barrels per day. This was despite Canadian production rising 1.0 million barrels per day from oil sands developments plus some other increases from Russia, Brazil, Colombia etc. Most oil producing countries are in well-established long term declines or plateaus, at best. How these trends will interact can be approached from a bottom-up basis. To that end, the following graphs show likely production profiles by region for the next five years.

(Click to enlarge)

Saudi Arabia used to be the worlds swing producer. That role has been taken by the shale drillers of the United States. The graphic assumes that enough shale wells are drilled each year to keep U.S. production flat  profitless prosperity. Mexicos decline is well established for geological reasons and Venezuelas decline continues for political reasons.

(Click to enlarge)

Russian production has held up well and, combined with fields in development, it is assumed that Russian production remains in plateau. The Norwegian and UK production declines are well established.

(Click to enlarge)

Algeria and Egypt are in decline. It is assumed that Libyan production will not recover from Tony Blair and Nicholas Sarkozys adventure in regime change.

(Click to enlarge)

Iranian production peaked in 1974 at 6.1 million barrels per day as the Shah tried to overtake Saudi production. It is assumed that Iranian production is geologically limited. Iraqi production continues rising despite the civil war raging on. Currently at over 4.0 million barrels per day, Iraqs geological endowment should see production continuing to rise towards 9.0 million barrels per day. Related: Russia Reaches 2/3 Of Oil Output Cut Target

(Click to enlarge)

Most oil producing countries in the Asia Pacific region are in a well-established decline. They were joined by China in 2016 which has two thirds of its production from giant oilfields that have been in production for decades and now have high water cuts and high operating costs. The graph assumes that China will contribute 1.3 million barrels per day of a 2.1 million barrel per day decline for the region over the next five years. Related: These Fundamentals Point To Higher Oil Prices

Adding all those production profiles results in production in 2022, that is five million barrels per day lower than world production, per BPs statistics, in 2015. That could be offset by a faster rise in Iraqi production combined with increased shale oil production. According to this graphic from BTU Analytics:

(Click to enlarge)

There are some 290,000-remaining shale oil well locations in the United States. By Enno Peters work, about 62,000 shale wells have been drilled in the United States to date. Peak drilling year was 2014 with 14,262 wells drilled for 2.46 million barrels per day of production in January 2015. About half of that number of wells need to be drilled each year now to offset decline in US shale oil production.

From all of the above, not an original conclusion  the U.S. shale oil well inventory is likely to buffer the price of oil for at least the next five years.

By Dennis Coyne via Peakoilbarrel.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The director of the Russian transport ministrys Department of Maritime and River Transportation, Vitalii Klyuyev, spoke, on March 24, at the LNG [liquefied natural gas] Bunkering Market as an Alternative conference, in St. Petersburg. Klyuyev told participants that the worlds first LNG tanker specifically constructed for year-round Arctic operations, Sovcomflots $300 million Kristof de Marzheri, is scheduled to dock within days at the Kara Sea port of Sabetta, on the Yamal peninsula. Sabetta is the site of a massive LNG project owned by Novatek, Russias largest independent natural gas producer (Tks.ru, March 24).

After the Kristof de Marzheri completes its sea trials along the Northern Sea Route (NSRthe Arctic eastwest maritime passage that hugs Russias northern coast), Sovcomflot intends to purchase additional tankers for transporting Novateks LNG exports. LNG tankers cost over three times more than a conventional oil tanker, and the Kristof de Marzheris Arctic modifications required still more investment. Thus, this vessels deployment is testament to the Russian governments determination to develop its Arctic onshore and offshore hydrocarbon reserves, despite both the United States and the European Union imposing sanctions two years ago, many of which targeted specific technologies needed for this development.

Given their remoteness and harsh environmental conditions, transport by sea is an attractive option for most of Russias Arctic hydrocarbon deposits, particularly for LNG exports, which cannot be transported by pipeline. In 2011, the company Gazprom Neft initiated feasibility studies regarding the potential for exporting LNG from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region by sea (Pravda, February 25, 2015). Once the studies proved that maritime LNG exports from Yamal were possible, Sovcomflot commissioned South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering (DSME), the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world, to construct the worlds first LNG tanker specifically designed to operate in the harsh Arctic conditions. DSMEs 172,600-cubic-meter Kristof de Marzheri, an Arc7 ice class vessel according to the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS), will be able to navigate in ice fields of up to 6.8 feet (2.1 meters) thick (Korea.net, July 23, 2014). Related: Mysterious Outage In Libya Could Drive Oil Prices Higher

The Yamal developments underline the Russian governments long-term efforts to develop its Arctic hydrocarbon reserves, which have been negatively impacted by both low global hydrocarbon prices and Western sanctions imposed after Moscows illegal annexation of Crimea in early 2014.

On September 12, 2014, the United States and the European Union imposed additional sanctions on Russia based on its continued aggression against Ukraine; these forbade EU and U.S. companies from helping Russia extract oil from Arctic, shale or offshore fields. The expanded U.S. sanctions were explicit: Treasury has also imposed sanctions that prohibit the exportation of goods, services (not including financial services), or technology in support of exploration or production for Russian deepwater, Arctic offshore, or shale projects that have the potential to produce oil, to five Russian energy companiesGazprom, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, Surgutneftegas, and Rosneftinvolved in these types of projects (Treasury.gov, September 12, 2014).

While onshore Yamal LNG operations were unaffected by the new Western sanctions, they had an immediate effect on a massive joint Exxon-Rosneft joint drilling venture, the $700 million Universitetskaia-1 offshore well in the Kara Sea. The projects operations were suspended (The Barents Observer, September 30, 2014).

Given the importance of hydrocarbon exports to the Russian economy, however, the government continued development of new oil and gas fields in spite of Western displeasure; Arctic reserves, in particular, have become a high priority. And clearly, foreign sanctions have, at best, only slowed Russias offshore development. Beyond the commissioning of the Kristof de Marzheri, Minister of Natural Resources Sergei Donskoi announced, on March 27, 2017, that the state oil company Rosneft will, this year, quadruple its spending on offshore shelf exploration to 43 billion rubles ($754 million), four times more than in 2016. Gazprom will also intensify its offshore exploration, increasing its spending in 2017 to 37.8 billion rubles ($663 million). Rosneft now has 53 offshore licenses and Gazprom has 41, the majority of which are in Arctic waters (TASS, March 28).

DSME has a further 14 Arctic-hardened LNG carriers on order, all contracted to serve the Yamal project. In the wake of the Kristof de Marzheri proving its feasibility along the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Sovcomflot announced plans to obtain a fleet of 15 tankers in all for transmitting Novateks LNG exports (Sovcomflot.ru, accessed March 28).

Related: Huge 300,000 Bpd Fracklog Could Derail Oil Price Recovery

In conjunction with the development of the NSR, the Russian military is increasing its Arctic presence (see EDM, December 3, 2014; September 21, 2015; November 6, 2015; April 13, 2016; November 1, 2016), in turn eliciting increased interest from other polar countries, particularly North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members the United States, Canada, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. According to the U.S. Navy Arctic Roadmap 20142030, conflicts are possible in the region. And the document outlines tasks to maintain U.S. dominance in the Arctic (Navy.mil, February 2014). For the U.S., as the Arctics waters open, the 51-mile wide Bering Strait, where Russian and U.S. territorial waters intersect, will have increased strategic importance as a maritime chokepoint for surface and submarine vessels entering and departing the polar region. For Russia, meanwhile, the Bering Strait has special strategic significance because it allows it to connect its Asian and European naval forces via internal waters. And from an economic standpoint, as the NSRs Pacific entryway, the Bering Strait has the potential to become increasingly important for seaborne commercial trade between Europe and Asia.

Given the importance of energy exports to the Russian economy, its government is committed to massive long-term investment in the sector, as the expansion of Sovcomflots maritime fleet with cutting-edge LNG tankers proves. Beyond military confrontation, the possibility for economic cooperation with other Arctic nations exists in the form of the eight-nation Arctic Council. On February 78 the Arctic Economic Council, established in 2014 under the auspices of the Arctic Council, held its first meeting in St. Petersburg, hosted by Sovcomflot (Sovcomflot.ru, March 2017). It remains to be seen to whether commerce will trump conflict in the Great White North.

By Jamestown.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A United States of America citizen, who is falsely parading himself as United Nations (UN) Ambassador in Ghana, is in court to defend the sources of over GH1.5 million he received in various transfers from abroad within a period of seven months or the money will be frozen.



The SWIFT transfers indicated that the remittances were payments for projects the suspect undertook for the UN, Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ministry of Finance and other statutory Ghanaian institutions.



John Kurpal Singh Dhillon, bearer of US passport number 506280509, claimed to be a UN ambassador with identity (ID) number UN/AM/082.



However, when contacted, all the institutions, he claimed to have worked for, denied ever undertaking any transaction with the suspect. The UN assertion is that Dhillon is neither an ambassador nor a staff of the UN.



Law on forgery



Section 158 of Criminal Offences of 1960, Act 29 states that whoever, with intent to deceive any person, forges any judicial or official document shall be guilty of second degree felony.



Court fixes April 11 to rule



The Financial Crimes Court has set Tuesday, April 11, 2017 to rule whether the accounts should be frozen or not.



Account details



Dhillon maintains an account with initial deposit of GHC100 in one of the banks in Ghana.



Prior to opening of the account, Dhillon was reported to have received several remittances through international money transfer.



GHC1.5m worth of transfers in 7 months



Investigations have revealed that between June 14, 2016 and February 2, 2017, Dhillon received over GHC1.5million (GHC1,551,935.55) in several tranches from various remitters without any economic justification.



Dhillon described the remitter as a business partner who he had known for years.



He also indicated that the money was to be used for for renting an apartment property for two years, pay domestic help and personal expenses.



Dhillon alleged that the previous remittances received were payments for projects he undertook for the UN, BoG, Ministry of Finance and other statutory institutions.





UN, BoG, Ministry of Finance links denied



However, checks at the UN office in Accra to verify a document submitted by Dhillon as regards his employment with the UN revealed that he is neither an ambassador nor a staff of the UN.



Various cash transfers received



For example, on January 4, 2017, the SWIFT statement accompanying the remittance of approximately GHC20,000 indicated the purpose of fraud as food supply to Bank of Ghana.



On February 8, 2017, he received a remittance of GH121,220 from one Andrew Soet Jahjo Moel Jomartono of Singapore for the purposes of food supply to Bank of Ghana.



On February 15, 2017, another remittance of GHC26,885.18 was credited to Dhillons account. He subsequently withdrew GHC20,000 on February 17, 2017.



In all, Dhillon received transfers totaling of GHC1,551,935.55 within a period of seven months from various remitters.



Contrary to the purpose of funds indicated on the SWIFT service as food supply to the Bank of Ghana, the suspect claimed that the funds would be used for renting an apartment for two years and pay domestic help and personal expenses which raised red flag about the transaction.

Source: The Finder









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This blog will focus on political images I have found all around the Internet, though I will intersperse some commentary and quotes that I find interesting.
South Glens Falls

native is inducted

into honor society

ITHACA  Megan Tracy of South Glens Falls was inducted into the Ithaca College Phi Kappa Phi, the only national honor society that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all disciplines of higher education. Inductees must be of good character and possess notable academic achievements.

To qualify for membership, juniors must be in the upper 7.5 percent of their class and seniors must be in the upper 10 percent of their graduating class; and graduate and professional students must rank in the upper 10 percent of all graduate and professional students currently enrolled and have been registered for at least two semesters.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  After winning Glamour magazines Top 10 College Women contest in the early 1970s, Union College student Kate White and nine other girls went to New York City for the magazine photo shoot that would land one of the young women on the cover.

To prepare, the 10 winners went to wardrobe to pick an outfit. Most of the options were in shades of subdued heathers and browns. But White spotted the only bright yellow sweater and an orange and yellow skirt.

I picked that sweater, said White in an interview on Wednesday, adding that while she wasnt yet a magazine editor, she thought an editor would want bright colors on the cover. Trust your gut. Dont do what you are told to do.

She picked the sweater and Glamour picked her.

White, a St. Marys Academy graduate who spent her first five years of life in Whitehall and her elementary and high school years in Glens Falls, is a lot like that bright yellow sweater. Shes vibrant, alive, bursting with energy and most certainly a provocateur with hints of naughty.

This former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and New York Times bestselling author has been breaking the rules for as long as she can remember, cautioning, good girls never get ahead.

We took Cosmopolitan to number one on the newsstands. Cosmo was over the top and to keep it there, I had to ask myself everyday, what have I done to break the law today? she said referring to the magazines 30 percent rise in circulation under her guidance. Dont do things in the same old way youve done before.

On Friday night White traveled north on Amtrak from her New York City home to talk with more than 50 literary fans on the second floor of Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs about her latest psychological thriller, The Secrets You Keep.

I always wanted to be a writer, and my Mom was so supportive. She bought me a typewriter when I was young, she said, going on to tell about her early move to Manhattan. It was a rainy night much like tonight. I was at the train station on the platform with my brother, Jim. He introduces me to this man who he said would take care of me on the train.

And like the writer she is, White sets the scene, describing how her anointed guardian sat with her, never left her side, walked her along with his hand on her elbow.

I noticed everyone staring at us, she said, adding that about half-way through the trip she noticed an emblem on his shirt.

It said Green Haven Correctional Facility, she said laughing. They thought I was a convict. I came this close (she gestures) to arriving in Manhattan in hand cuffs.

Her 20-or-so-minute presentation was filled with delightful tales about her foibles, her career and about finding new paths.

With complete honesty, White said she had a somewhat slow start in her New York publishing career.

I had so many good girl tendencies, she said. I was invited to the launch of Newmans Salad Dressing ... In those days all I was interested in was going to get some free food, free booze and see if Paul Newmans eyes were really that blue.

But when Newmans publicist said he wanted to meet her, she was taken by surprise and when she went to get up her bag  that she had draped over her shoulder and across her body  caught the chair and the bag and the chair were dangling from her next in what she called the ugliest pendant.

The only words Paul Newman ever said to me were, please dont get up, she said.

From that time White got smarter and went on to be the editor of Child, Working Woman, McCalls and Redbook, before getting the prestigious and sultry honor of heading the countrys sexiest magazine for women.

Still, such a prestigious role could not erase her desire to write murder mystery novels. A seed that was planted long before her illustrious career. It started maybe even before she was 12 and secreted away in the pages of Nancy Drew novels.

When I was growing up there used to be a big crime story in the New York Daily News each Sunday called Justice Story, she said. I would devour it. I could still tell you details from some of those cases.

Additionally, her mother, Anne White, who was the Queensbury High School librarian for 32 years was also a mystery writer. Anne developed a series of mysteries set at Lake George.

Whites most recent book, The Secrets You Keep, has pieces set in Saratoga Springs. And in the opening pages, the main character, Bryn Harper, a self-help author, is in the middle of a haunting smoke and fire-filled nightmare.

Somehow, though, the door swings open. Yes. Yes. I think. Then I see it. A mass of smoke and pulsing red light fill the hallway. I stare at flames devouring the carpet, licking up the walls. Theres no way to get out.

White admits shes always had an interest in the macabre. The thought of not being able to ever write a murder mystery was one she did not want to consider. So she wrote her first in tiny bits, sometimes writing only 15 minutes a day.

I would write before my staff came in, before my kids woke up or after they went to bed, she said.

On Friday night, White talked about being able to pick new lanes in life and about women taking the last steps to go where they want to go.

I thought, I really dont want to not write a murder mystery, she said. And after fourteen years as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, she resigned four and a half years ago to write. I really wanted to do this other thing.
CAMBRIDGE  The village has a site and a potential opening date for the long-discussed youth center that is designed to offer more opportunities to you in the Cambridge School District.

Residents are already offering their time and donations of goods to make this happen, said Mayor Carman Bogle, who has been working for the better part of a year to make the center a reality, despite running into a series of roadblocks along the way.

Were looking at being able to open May 1, and we have already expanded our summer program from six weeks to eight weeks, Bogle said of the former Patrician Hall building, which is on Route 22 across from St. Patricks Church. We expect to have the lease wrapped up early in April, then we can set up the building to our liking.

Initially, the village had hoped to set up in the former school building near the library on Memorial Drive. The building is owned by Harold Rounds, a local resident who told her he wants to help the communitys youths. Rounds had originally planned to put a factory in the building. But needed renovations were never accomplished.

The village also considered sharing space at Hubbard Hall or using the former OHearns Pharmacy and even got an offer to share space in the planned community center at Cambridge United Presbyterian Church.

But in the end, Bogle and the others involved in the decision felt the Patrician Hall site was the best option and will begin working with the school system to develop plans for the center and to publicize them.

We currently offer an after-school and summer camp program. We are looking to begin to offer a youth center/family center, Bogle said. It is important that we do this.

Bogle said the village currently provides $5,000 from its general fund for youth programs, and she has heard from residents who do not want taxes to increase.

Our youth program generates its own revenue to cover expenses, so the goal is to increase programs to cover the cost of rent, she said.